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Steel Dragon's "Tales of Orea"
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<blockquote data-quote="steeldragons" data-source="post: 6261746" data-attributes="member: 92511"><p><strong>The Stormrider's Valentine's Day Special</strong></p><p></p><p>In the grand tradition of Charlie Brown and...ya know...all of those other famous Valentine's specials <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/erm.png" class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":erm:" title="Erm :erm:" data-shortname=":erm:" /></p><p></p><p>I thought I'd post up a quickie, completely non sequitur!!!, special Stormrider's Update.</p><p></p><p>Happy Valentine's Day all! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite7" alt=":p" title="Stick out tongue :p" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":p" /></p><p>--SD</p><p></p><p>----------------------------------</p><p></p><p>The Stormriders wandered through the snow-covered woods. It was pristine and clear, mild even for the day. More than once snow dropping from the high branches of the enchanting wood landed with a soft fluffy “phlump” near one of the companions.</p><p></p><p>Their mission into the allegedly magical wood was at the behest of nearby townsfolk. Several of the small town’s young people had been disappearing (or getting lost) in the woods over the past week or so, always in pairs. The townsfolk claim a despicable enchanter was luring their younger residents into the wood and...then the gods know what. Were they being enslaved? Eaten? Sacrificed to some dark master? One rumor claimed they were being transformed into the animals of the wood. </p><p></p><p>So, the Stormriders were, of course, willing to help.</p><p></p><p>They broke from the treeline at the edge of a broad snow swept clearing in the midst of which a small mound rose. </p><p></p><p>“Well that’s...unusual." Fen voiced as all of the company stared at the mound. </p><p></p><p>The low hill was devoid of snow, sporting instead a plethora of brightly colored springtime flowers, though spring was still at least two months away.</p><p></p><p>“Magic?” Braddok asked softly.</p><p></p><p>“Durr. Yeh think?" Duor scoffed.</p><p></p><p>Alaria simply nodded. She didn’t require her magical sight to feel the energies filling the clearing. She’d known the wood was, undoubtedly, enchanted since shortly after they’d entered it. The tingling sensation of arcane energy prickling up the back of her neck had increased steadily as they’d neared the clearing.</p><p></p><p>Fen began to skirt the edge of the clearing, his druid’s cloak shrouding him from time to time, seeming to appear and disappear periodically against the natural backdrop. His movements seemed not to disturb a single flake of the fluffy snow.</p><p></p><p>Pyrnion was somewhere, high above, circling invisibly before bringing himself to land on a high overhanging bough. Clumps of snow fell from the branch and elsewhere on the tree, the only indication the zephari was present.</p><p></p><p>”So, what now?” Haelan asked quietly. “Should we, ya know...announce ourselves or something?”</p><p></p><p>Not coming up with a better alternative, Braddok strode boldly forward a few paces into the clearing.</p><p></p><p>“Show yourself, enchanter! We are here to return the youths of Targsbury to their people.” t swordsman pronounced toward the mound. </p><p></p><p>His voice echoed through the crisp afternoon air.</p><p></p><p>Nothing stirred.</p><p></p><p>“Reveal yourself, release the captives and we promise you a fair trial for your transgressions.” Braddok called out again.</p><p></p><p>Again, nothing.</p><p></p><p>Braddok turned back to look at the others still hugging the clearing’s edge. He was at a loss as to what else to do.</p><p></p><p>“There!” called Duor as he took a step back, further into the woods to cloak himself in the dappling shadows of the undergrowth.</p><p></p><p>A shimmer in the air above the top of the mound gave way to the appearance of a male youth of obvious beauty, a cherubic face with blond locks flowing in some faye breeze. He was swathed only in a wrap of white cloth about his pelvis. It too flowed in the unfelt breeze. Two great feathered wings of white, pale gold and a slightly pink tinge to the pinions sprouted from his back, though he appeared to remain aloft, effortlessly, without any flapping necessary. A leather strap, beautifully detailed with golden scrolling, split his torso diagonally, holding an obvious quiver to his back. A pure white bow was curved in a most unusual but delicately beautiful, manner rested in his right hand at his side.</p><p></p><p>“There are no captives here, good heroes.” the winged youth answered. “Be at peace. All who come here, come in love and stay of their own will.”</p><p></p><p>His voice was soothing. Calming. Dripping with sweetness and honey to all of the companion’s ears. Braddok and Haelan immediately lowered their weapons. Alaria, too, felt her entire body relax at the simple innocent, even inviting, words.</p><p></p><p>The beautiful figure hovering above the mound pulled an arrow from his quiver and raised his bow. He nocked the arrow and took aim at Alaria. A playful grin on his shining face.</p><p></p><p>Haelan blinked. The daelvar shook his head to clear it. He quickly looked about at his fellows. They stood, staring at the winged one, a serene peace completely devoid of thought was glazed across their faces.</p><p></p><p>“My friends, <em>enchantment!”</em> the Hilltender shouted before raising his arms and voice in the powerful clerical abjuration, akin to Alaria’s spell of “Unmaking.” On the final syllable, he slammed the butt of his pinecone headed mace into the snow around his hair-covered feet. </p><p></p><p>Waves of divine power spread out from him in all directions and the companions all blinked, momentarily confused.</p><p></p><p>“No! What...?” the angelic man said confused.</p><p></p><p>“Weapon!” Pyrnion’s voice was heard through the clearing.</p><p></p><p>A moment later, an arrow whizzed at the winged enchanter, knocking the nocked arrow from the his hand.</p><p></p><p>He looked up in the split second to see Pyrnion diving at him, before the zephari tackled him in the air. The two fell and rolled down the mound, a ball of flailing feathers, into the snow beneath it.</p><p></p><p>“What are you doing?! I’m...” the enchanter began to say before Pyrnion launched himself back into the air as a flash lit up the snow surrounding him in a soft green glow from underneath.</p><p></p><p>Vines and grasses tore up burst up, sending up a cloud of fluffy snow, as they entwined around one of the enchanter’s arms and wrapping his torso to pin his wings to his back. He heard the woman’s voice begin to incant arcane syllables.</p><p></p><p>“Stop it! I’m just trying to...AAGH!” the winged figure began to protest before four blue-violet energy shards slammed into his bound form.</p><p></p><p>The devious charmer looked in surprise across the clearing as the last “fumes” of blue energy dissipated from the magess’ outstretched hand. The warrior was charging toward him, a great sword bathed in blue light slashing through the crisp winter air.</p><p></p><p>As Braddok was closing the serene beautiful face twisted into a scowl and, without a sound or movement, a cloud of pink and white sparkles surrounded the figure, hiding him from view.</p><p></p><p>Braddok got a face full of the magical “dust.” It smelled sickly sweet and vaguely fruity, like a nose full of fresh strawberries and blooming flowers. The swordsman was halted in a fit of sneezing and coughing, waving his blade and shield in an attempt to dissipate the sweet cloud.</p><p></p><p>The sparkles cleared in a moment to reveal the winged figure was no longer entangled in Fen’s enchanted vegetation.</p><p></p><p>The companions look about wildly, expecting the creature was still in the area. </p><p></p><p>“There!” Fen cried out and pointed back above the mound. Having left the treeline, the others could clearly see the druid moving toward the hill.</p><p></p><p>The winged enchanter drew another arrow and let fly. It struck into the ground ahead of approaching half-elf. Either a lousy shot or...</p><p></p><p>Fen was suddenly entangled himself, in a bramble of branches and thorns that quickly turned green with leaves and then burst into a ball of rich red rose blooms. The druid cried out as the magical thorns bit into him from all sides.</p><p></p><p>Pyrnion, again diving form the winged foe, slashed with his hand axe, but the creature would not be caught unaware again and easily dodged the blow. Whereas Pyrnion had to wing his way about, the enchanter seemed to simply float as he willed, making him much more agile in aerial combat.</p><p></p><p>“Pyrnion, get clear!” Alaria called, not wishing to use her more powerful magics or begin wielding the Ihs Repahl while the zephari might be caught in the winds.</p><p></p><p>A small dart caught the floating man in the arm as he was drawing another arrow. He turned, pain and anger evident on his face, to see the dwarven rogue reloading his hand crossbow.</p><p></p><p>“You insolent blind hateful...” the enchanter now growled.</p><p></p><p>Again, he was unable to finish his thought as a glowing pine bough, full of cones, slammed him over the head, sending him reeling, again, to the top of the mound. His bow fell just out of reach.</p><p></p><p>“Feel the wrath of the Hill Mother, deceiver. Hilltender Haelan shall never again fall to wicked enchantment!” Haelan shouted in defiance as he mentally had the spiritual weapon slam down on the winged one several more times, to keep him from rising. After three such strikes, the weapon missed and the agile creature again began to take to the air.</p><p></p><p>He made it about 5 feet above the ground before Alaria’s lightning bolt, sizzling passed the racing Braddok, slammed into the enchanter. The air was filled with the scent of burning flesh and feathers left the creature smoldering and dazed. </p><p> </p><p>Braddok was crested the small hill and with a single swipe of his basttard sword, removed one of the burnt and smoking wings from the enchanter’s back.</p><p></p><p>He cried out in obvious pain and shock, falling with the force of the blow, back to the ground.</p><p></p><p>“You...can’t...” he said weakly, holding up a hand in a feeble attempt to block Braddok’s next strike.</p><p></p><p>The blow cleaved into the wounded creature who, summarily, “exploded” outward in a shockwave of pink, red and white sparkles.</p><p></p><p>Braddok was knocked back, flying off the mound to land heavily at its base. Pyrnion sent reeling through the air to right himself high above them. As the shockwave washed over the trapped Fen, the rose bush seemed to “wash” away in the sparkles, leaving the druid free. Alaria, Haelan and Duor, still near the edge of the clearing, simply felt a soft breeze and were washed over with the feint aroma of sweet fruits and flowers.</p><p></p><p>The spring-touched mound seemed to collapse in on itself. Disappearing as it did so to reveal a dozen dazed young couples, in various positions and states of...amour.</p><p></p><p>“What...happened?” the first young man to regain his senses said to no one in particular. He looked in disbelief at the rising warrior and the other adventurers around them.</p><p></p><p>“It’s alright.” Braddok said calmly.</p><p></p><p>The youth blinked. Clearly not comprehending.</p><p></p><p>“You’re free now. We’ve destroyed the enchanter.” the swordsman said proudly.</p><p></p><p>“Free?” the maiden slowly freeing herself from the arms of the first youth. </p><p></p><p>“Destroyed?” the young man questioned.</p><p></p><p>“Yes. We have broken the creature’s wicked charms.” Haelan said soothingly as the companions all gathered around the confused young people.</p><p></p><p>“Free...destroyed...broken?!” the maiden said to the Hilltender, aghast.</p><p></p><p>“Well, yes.” Haelan smiled cheerily at the lovely girl.</p><p></p><p>“You...destroyed..<em>.love</em>?” another of the young men asked.</p><p></p><p>“Wait...we what now?” Haelan, now confused, said.</p><p></p><p>“You’ve 'broken’ the ‘wicked charms’...of love!” the first youth said, apparent sorrow beginning to cross his face.</p><p></p><p>Haelan gasped audibly. “We...killed...<em>love</em>?!" Abject horror plastered on his face.</p><p></p><p>“Ohhhhhho ho hoooh! Well done, one and all!” Duor laughed.</p><p></p><p>“Shut up, Duor.” Alaria glared.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="steeldragons, post: 6261746, member: 92511"] [b]The Stormrider's Valentine's Day Special[/b] In the grand tradition of Charlie Brown and...ya know...all of those other famous Valentine's specials :erm: I thought I'd post up a quickie, completely non sequitur!!!, special Stormrider's Update. Happy Valentine's Day all! :p --SD ---------------------------------- The Stormriders wandered through the snow-covered woods. It was pristine and clear, mild even for the day. More than once snow dropping from the high branches of the enchanting wood landed with a soft fluffy “phlump” near one of the companions. Their mission into the allegedly magical wood was at the behest of nearby townsfolk. Several of the small town’s young people had been disappearing (or getting lost) in the woods over the past week or so, always in pairs. The townsfolk claim a despicable enchanter was luring their younger residents into the wood and...then the gods know what. Were they being enslaved? Eaten? Sacrificed to some dark master? One rumor claimed they were being transformed into the animals of the wood. So, the Stormriders were, of course, willing to help. They broke from the treeline at the edge of a broad snow swept clearing in the midst of which a small mound rose. “Well that’s...unusual." Fen voiced as all of the company stared at the mound. The low hill was devoid of snow, sporting instead a plethora of brightly colored springtime flowers, though spring was still at least two months away. “Magic?” Braddok asked softly. “Durr. Yeh think?" Duor scoffed. Alaria simply nodded. She didn’t require her magical sight to feel the energies filling the clearing. She’d known the wood was, undoubtedly, enchanted since shortly after they’d entered it. The tingling sensation of arcane energy prickling up the back of her neck had increased steadily as they’d neared the clearing. Fen began to skirt the edge of the clearing, his druid’s cloak shrouding him from time to time, seeming to appear and disappear periodically against the natural backdrop. His movements seemed not to disturb a single flake of the fluffy snow. Pyrnion was somewhere, high above, circling invisibly before bringing himself to land on a high overhanging bough. Clumps of snow fell from the branch and elsewhere on the tree, the only indication the zephari was present. ”So, what now?” Haelan asked quietly. “Should we, ya know...announce ourselves or something?” Not coming up with a better alternative, Braddok strode boldly forward a few paces into the clearing. “Show yourself, enchanter! We are here to return the youths of Targsbury to their people.” t swordsman pronounced toward the mound. His voice echoed through the crisp afternoon air. Nothing stirred. “Reveal yourself, release the captives and we promise you a fair trial for your transgressions.” Braddok called out again. Again, nothing. Braddok turned back to look at the others still hugging the clearing’s edge. He was at a loss as to what else to do. “There!” called Duor as he took a step back, further into the woods to cloak himself in the dappling shadows of the undergrowth. A shimmer in the air above the top of the mound gave way to the appearance of a male youth of obvious beauty, a cherubic face with blond locks flowing in some faye breeze. He was swathed only in a wrap of white cloth about his pelvis. It too flowed in the unfelt breeze. Two great feathered wings of white, pale gold and a slightly pink tinge to the pinions sprouted from his back, though he appeared to remain aloft, effortlessly, without any flapping necessary. A leather strap, beautifully detailed with golden scrolling, split his torso diagonally, holding an obvious quiver to his back. A pure white bow was curved in a most unusual but delicately beautiful, manner rested in his right hand at his side. “There are no captives here, good heroes.” the winged youth answered. “Be at peace. All who come here, come in love and stay of their own will.” His voice was soothing. Calming. Dripping with sweetness and honey to all of the companion’s ears. Braddok and Haelan immediately lowered their weapons. Alaria, too, felt her entire body relax at the simple innocent, even inviting, words. The beautiful figure hovering above the mound pulled an arrow from his quiver and raised his bow. He nocked the arrow and took aim at Alaria. A playful grin on his shining face. Haelan blinked. The daelvar shook his head to clear it. He quickly looked about at his fellows. They stood, staring at the winged one, a serene peace completely devoid of thought was glazed across their faces. “My friends, [I]enchantment!”[/I] the Hilltender shouted before raising his arms and voice in the powerful clerical abjuration, akin to Alaria’s spell of “Unmaking.” On the final syllable, he slammed the butt of his pinecone headed mace into the snow around his hair-covered feet. Waves of divine power spread out from him in all directions and the companions all blinked, momentarily confused. “No! What...?” the angelic man said confused. “Weapon!” Pyrnion’s voice was heard through the clearing. A moment later, an arrow whizzed at the winged enchanter, knocking the nocked arrow from the his hand. He looked up in the split second to see Pyrnion diving at him, before the zephari tackled him in the air. The two fell and rolled down the mound, a ball of flailing feathers, into the snow beneath it. “What are you doing?! I’m...” the enchanter began to say before Pyrnion launched himself back into the air as a flash lit up the snow surrounding him in a soft green glow from underneath. Vines and grasses tore up burst up, sending up a cloud of fluffy snow, as they entwined around one of the enchanter’s arms and wrapping his torso to pin his wings to his back. He heard the woman’s voice begin to incant arcane syllables. “Stop it! I’m just trying to...AAGH!” the winged figure began to protest before four blue-violet energy shards slammed into his bound form. The devious charmer looked in surprise across the clearing as the last “fumes” of blue energy dissipated from the magess’ outstretched hand. The warrior was charging toward him, a great sword bathed in blue light slashing through the crisp winter air. As Braddok was closing the serene beautiful face twisted into a scowl and, without a sound or movement, a cloud of pink and white sparkles surrounded the figure, hiding him from view. Braddok got a face full of the magical “dust.” It smelled sickly sweet and vaguely fruity, like a nose full of fresh strawberries and blooming flowers. The swordsman was halted in a fit of sneezing and coughing, waving his blade and shield in an attempt to dissipate the sweet cloud. The sparkles cleared in a moment to reveal the winged figure was no longer entangled in Fen’s enchanted vegetation. The companions look about wildly, expecting the creature was still in the area. “There!” Fen cried out and pointed back above the mound. Having left the treeline, the others could clearly see the druid moving toward the hill. The winged enchanter drew another arrow and let fly. It struck into the ground ahead of approaching half-elf. Either a lousy shot or... Fen was suddenly entangled himself, in a bramble of branches and thorns that quickly turned green with leaves and then burst into a ball of rich red rose blooms. The druid cried out as the magical thorns bit into him from all sides. Pyrnion, again diving form the winged foe, slashed with his hand axe, but the creature would not be caught unaware again and easily dodged the blow. Whereas Pyrnion had to wing his way about, the enchanter seemed to simply float as he willed, making him much more agile in aerial combat. “Pyrnion, get clear!” Alaria called, not wishing to use her more powerful magics or begin wielding the Ihs Repahl while the zephari might be caught in the winds. A small dart caught the floating man in the arm as he was drawing another arrow. He turned, pain and anger evident on his face, to see the dwarven rogue reloading his hand crossbow. “You insolent blind hateful...” the enchanter now growled. Again, he was unable to finish his thought as a glowing pine bough, full of cones, slammed him over the head, sending him reeling, again, to the top of the mound. His bow fell just out of reach. “Feel the wrath of the Hill Mother, deceiver. Hilltender Haelan shall never again fall to wicked enchantment!” Haelan shouted in defiance as he mentally had the spiritual weapon slam down on the winged one several more times, to keep him from rising. After three such strikes, the weapon missed and the agile creature again began to take to the air. He made it about 5 feet above the ground before Alaria’s lightning bolt, sizzling passed the racing Braddok, slammed into the enchanter. The air was filled with the scent of burning flesh and feathers left the creature smoldering and dazed. Braddok was crested the small hill and with a single swipe of his basttard sword, removed one of the burnt and smoking wings from the enchanter’s back. He cried out in obvious pain and shock, falling with the force of the blow, back to the ground. “You...can’t...” he said weakly, holding up a hand in a feeble attempt to block Braddok’s next strike. The blow cleaved into the wounded creature who, summarily, “exploded” outward in a shockwave of pink, red and white sparkles. Braddok was knocked back, flying off the mound to land heavily at its base. Pyrnion sent reeling through the air to right himself high above them. As the shockwave washed over the trapped Fen, the rose bush seemed to “wash” away in the sparkles, leaving the druid free. Alaria, Haelan and Duor, still near the edge of the clearing, simply felt a soft breeze and were washed over with the feint aroma of sweet fruits and flowers. The spring-touched mound seemed to collapse in on itself. Disappearing as it did so to reveal a dozen dazed young couples, in various positions and states of...amour. “What...happened?” the first young man to regain his senses said to no one in particular. He looked in disbelief at the rising warrior and the other adventurers around them. “It’s alright.” Braddok said calmly. The youth blinked. Clearly not comprehending. “You’re free now. We’ve destroyed the enchanter.” the swordsman said proudly. “Free?” the maiden slowly freeing herself from the arms of the first youth. “Destroyed?” the young man questioned. “Yes. We have broken the creature’s wicked charms.” Haelan said soothingly as the companions all gathered around the confused young people. “Free...destroyed...broken?!” the maiden said to the Hilltender, aghast. “Well, yes.” Haelan smiled cheerily at the lovely girl. “You...destroyed..[I].love[/I]?” another of the young men asked. “Wait...we what now?” Haelan, now confused, said. “You’ve 'broken’ the ‘wicked charms’...of love!” the first youth said, apparent sorrow beginning to cross his face. Haelan gasped audibly. “We...killed...[I]love[/I]?!" Abject horror plastered on his face. “Ohhhhhho ho hoooh! Well done, one and all!” Duor laughed. “Shut up, Duor.” Alaria glared. [/QUOTE]
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