Artemis strolled down the Hall of the Dead for the second time, his failures in life far from his mind. He had returned to the bosom of his Lord and might now know peace in the quiet Gardens of the Dead.
He reached the great gate and stopped, examining it in minute detail, revelling in the exquisite relief carved into its surface. The gate was constructed entirely of bone and pain stakingly carved with images portraying the glory of death and the worship of Arawn.
Artemis studied the gate for hours, the pressure of time non-existant. He had all of eternity, after all. Finally, satisfied that he had taken it all in at last, he raised a hand and knocked loudly on the door, thrice.
BOOM BOOM BOOM
The noise resounded through the hall in which he stood. After a moment, it swung open slightly and a cadaverous face peeked out from the inside.
"Ah, there you are. We've been waiting, you know," the figure rasped.
"I did not realize there was any need for haste," the necromancer replied calmly. "Now let me pass so I can take my place by my Lord's side."
"You shall not pass, Artemis Sendant. Our Lord is not ready for this; you have yet a role to play. Return to the waking world, return to breath, flee the end, flee death. The greatest reward awaits success, eternal oblivion the reward for death.
"Look back the way you came, Artimas Sendant, for you have those who await you there. Look back."
The figure lifted a skeletal arm and extended one bony finger to point over the wizard's shoulder. Artemis turned...
...and gasped for air, coming awake suddenly on a cold stone slab. The cloying scent of incense hung thick in the air and a low chant echoed through the chamber, deep in the bowels of the city. He sat up slowly, stiffly, looking from left to right, finding himself surrounded by the black robed clergy of Arawn, and also...
"Arty!" cried Welby and ran forward, wrapping him in a fierce embrace.
"Yes, little one, I have returned," replied the mage, stroking the small bald head fondly. "Now come, take me to the others. We have much to do."
*****
Sniktch says:
And it appears this game is making a comeback
I've talked to all the old players, including a couple that now live out of state, and we are going to attempt to revive it in PbP format. So it looks like I will have more adventures to report soon as the companions re-enter the darkness below and make one final attempt to end the threat of the cult of Kiaransalee.
I've got a little fodder to start with as first Welby explains to Artemis how his body was recovered and safely returned to the surface, further negotiations with the archmage of Szith Morcane, and then a knock down slugfest as the party takes on the illithid prison known as the Spiral of Manzessine. Hopefully by the time I catch up with this the PbP will be in full swing and I'll have more to report
