The Blade of Phoee (Updated 12/08/08)

Chapter 2: Journey into Darkness Continued (Concluded)

“Accendo Sphaera!!” The arcane incantation rolled happily off Spinum’s lips. Fire exploded outward creating an orb of heat and destruction. With a gesture, Spinum commanded the fiery orb to spin across the earth. The sphere scorched the grass as it tore toward the tree from which arrows were flying.

Another arrow escaped as the orb crashed into the tree. The metal-tipped shaft plunged through Gabrielle’s bosom. The small halfling crumpled backward onto the ground. She ripped the first arrow from her palm and grasped feebly at the second. Spittle and blood fell like rain from her mouth as she yanked.

Cassock hefted the war-mace, blocking a glancing blow from the first Inquisitor. The priest shifted his block, bringing the metal back across his opponent. A solid crunch sounded as the Inquisitor’s knee shattered. Cassock grinned.

Thorne screamed as the flames climbed steadily up the side of the tree. He gritted his teeth and took his only option out. The ranger leaped. For an eternity he seemed to float above the licking flames before gravity kicked back in wrenching the ranger downward into the ground. His knees cracked and buckled under the pressure as he front rolled and came up into a run. The woodsman nocked another arrow and let the shaft soar. The projectile bit into Spinum’s arm causing the mage to curse and momentarily loose control of the fiery orb.

It only took half a second for Spinum to redirect the orb toward his ranged attacker. The fire skirted across the earth, chasing Thorne.

Ana released another arrow at Leiban. Despite the armed cover afforded the Captain, her arrow found purchase. The metal dug painfully through a joint in Leiban’s armor just between his ribs. He coughed blood tinged phlegm as he drew his own greatsword.

Aramil stood awkwardly, his wounds painfully tingling. The rogue drew his bow, unleashing a torrent of arrows toward the fast-moving ranger. To the rear of the darting target, the tree with its camouflaged perched crumpled and crashed still aflame. Aramil’s arrows pierced the ranger, slowing his progress across the sparse woods. The ball of flame bowled into the ranger, pressing his body to the ground. Shrieking escaped the flickering sound of the fire as Thorne burnt alive.

Spinum laughed wickedly as he redirected the orb again. It bowled through a few of the Inquisitors, heating their armor and forcing hoarse screams from the black masks. The smell of roasted flesh quickly filled the battlefield. Leiban yelped as the fire engulfed his body.

--oo—oo—

The priest of Ara’kull hissed in rage. He reached for his God’s divine power, reached for some way to retrieve the victory he had foreseen.

Suddenly a writhing mass of something ensnared Tobus. He fought against the force but couldn’t slip from the constriction. A cold metallic tang filled his mouth as one of the bonds gagged him. He could feel something painful shred through the tough muscle of his tongue and the priest vomited. With nowhere to go, the vomit returned to the pit of his stomach along with a gush of warm blood.

“No, no, no.” End-bringer whispered from behind. “You will not interfere. If you are meant to fail, you will.” The cold voice terrified the priest and he struggled vainly against the invisible chains. “And when you fail, you will pay.”

--oo--oo--

Chapter 2: Journey into Darkness Continued (Concluded)

The Inquisitor charged across the bridge slamming into Cassock of Cael. The Priest of Death stumbled backward and shifted his weight, spinning to the right along with the heavily armored warrior. Stumbling down the bank, the Inquisitor flipped and rolled, colliding with the river. There he lay, disarmed and on his back, arms flailing uselessly against the air.

Cassock stood, grasping the next Inquisitor with his bare hand, divine energy exploded outward before withdrawing back into the priest along with the Inquisitors life-energy. The soldier collapsed, lifeless. Cassock grinned haughtily before realizing the damage was already done. Being forced away from the bridge had allowed the group of Inquisitors to the other side. Now they swarmed about like angry wasps, their bastard swords the equivalent of painful stingers. Gritting his teeth, Cassock dove back into battle.

The flaming orb dissipated; the spell had run its course. Leiban stood, his flesh charred and smoking, grimacing as the parched skin split open and bled. He hefted his blade again and dropped it just as quickly. Another of Ana’s arrows sprouted from his chest. A slick line of vitae slid down his chin. Shaking, Leiban lifted the sword again, a third arrow lodged in his body. With a wobble, he fell, swallowed by death.

Ana shouted with glee and momentarily forgot the unstoppable tide of battle ebbing toward her. A bastard sword reminded her and re-educated the rogue. It dug voraciously into her hip, lifting the light rogue into the air and dropping her some feet away. Her head struggled upward; her hand struggled for her sword. Spinum leapt in between the two projecting another rush of fire. The fire singed but did not stop the war tank. Its sword split the mage’s abdomen, cleaving through stomach and intestine. Spinum slumped.

Gabrielle loosed another wooden projectile. It clattered harmlessly off the armor of the tank ahead of her. She scrambled backward, but not enough to escape the bite of the very solid blade. Arching backward unnaturally, her body fell to the earth. A thick line of blood congealed across her chest and she squirmed farther away, the black, dealer of death closing. She grasped helplessly at her dagger, unable to unsheathe it as another blow arced inward.

Aramil’s blade blocked the attack, his arm nearly numbing from the force of the blow. He pressed in to force the Inquisitor back but the war tank would not move. Rather, it unleashed a flurry of attacks that decimated the roguish half-elf’s defense and his body. The rogue was forced to duck the final swing, falling to the side. A spray of blood blinded the half-elf. Within the crimson darkness, he heard Gabrielle scream.

Cassock darted in between the two Inquisitors focusing upon him. Even with his combat training, Cassock was pressed to block both skilled warriors. Their blades struck true more often than his war-mace. Besides that painful fact, each warrior had a solid steel shield which prevented most of the priest’s attacks. There were two of them, both well-trained in tactical combat and now, Cassock was beginning to tire. The priest bellowed in rage as another sword shredded through his chain maille and his skin.

Ana slammed bodily into the Inquisitor, the war tank, pressing him away from the mage. She maniacally swung her blade, landing a minor scrape before feeling Ara’kull’s retribution.

Spinum grabbed the moment, scrabbling away from the battle, his intestines cupped tightly by his hand. He slowed to a stop by the frail form of Ariel. The child stood at the edge of the forest, dagger clutched in her hand and wavering. The mage thought momentarily about fleeing into the woods, this was not his battle at any rate. But the quivering child slowed his feet to a standstill. The mage turned back toward the battle and ran through his mind for some miracle, some tide-turning tactic.

Aramil wiped the crimson fluid from his eyes. A quick glance alerted him to Gabrielle’s unconsciousness. The halfling lied unnaturally on the ground, a gaping wound like a hinge in her throat. The rogue glanced toward the priest. Cassock was on the end of a losing battle against three powerful opponents. And without the priest, Gabrielle would die. Aramil stood, blade drawn and charged the ring of warriors around the priest.

From the stream, the downed Inquisitor finally managed to roll over. He stood, wobbly, and scrambled up the bank. Three of his companions were battling the Priest of Cael. One lie dead near the bridge and the last was overpowering the human woman. The Inquisitor beamed, it was a good day to kill. He stalked toward the half-elf, as quietly as his armor allowed.

In the center of the triangle of warriors, Cassock dropped to his knees. The cleric’s divine assistance was exhausted for a day. His bones, his muscles were also spent. He wished for quiet. He wished for peace. Cassock wished for darkness. Above his head, whirling blades of tyranny moved ever closer, searching for a kill.

--oo—oo—

“Arakull may yet bless you this day, Tobus.” End-bringer had not released his grip upon the cleric; had actually intensified the grip. One of the invisible chains had squirmed farther down Tobus’ throat nearly cutting off the flow of air. Instead, the chain burrowed deeper within the cleric if he fought back. It allowed air to pass, if a bit painfully.

Tobus tried to answer and a spasm blood poured from his mouth. Pain exploded across his nerves; the chain dug deeper. He slumped backward, all the fight leaving him. Unconscious coalesced on the edges of his vision, refusing to take the priest until after the battle.

Somewhere, a rasping laugh echoed in his mind; End-bringer’s malicious glee.

--oo—oo--

Chapter 2: Journey into Darkness Concluded

Cassock watched the blades coming in for their final blows. Across a vast perceptional distance, he saw a tiny blade hacking at the backs of the giant monsters; the rogue’s futile attempts. The monsters, war tanks, were bringing death toward the priest like a meal on a platter of gleaming, sharp steel. Quiet, peace, and darkness sat calmly beside Death. Each stared longingly at the priest. The priest stared longingly at each.

But death is the realm of your God. Where is your faith? The words were whispered by the wind in a reproachful tone. Darkness is also your God’s realm. Have you forgotten your faith, priest?

The harsh words struck Cassock in the face; opening the sealed chest within his body, unleashing his rage. Cassock of Cael stood, feeling divine energy surge through his physical shell along with his angst-filled bellow. A shadow of pitch stretched outward, engulfing the attackers, engulfing Aramil [2]. Perfect, absolute darkness swirled around the priest and he watched the wicked blades falter. By mere millimeters, the blades missed.

Cassock’s vision was clear as the Inquisitors stumbled and flailed aimlessly. The warmace lifted and snapped out, shattering one of the Inquisitor’s masks; shattering the skull behind. The body plummeted to the earth with a clank. The war tank to the left leapt at the noise, missing the priest, and slammed into its companion. Aramil also flailed about wildly, blind in the darkness.

The Inquisitor from the stream watched the shadow expand. Thankfully, he was on the edges and just outside its purview. His courage faltered for a moment. His eyes fell to the halfling bleeding to death upon the ground. “If my life is for naught, at least I’ll take one with me.” The war tank knelt over Gabrielle and drew his blade carefully. He rested it against the halfling’s neck. “If I die before I wake; I’ll pray the lord my soul to take.” With surgical precision, the Inquisitor removed the halfling’s head [3]. He stood and threw the detached skull into the stream to rot. Steeling his courage, he leapt into the shadows.

Ana stumbled backward, gripping her blood life like a pile sand. And like sand, it flowed eagerly through her hands. Then, the orb of darkness filled her view. Her mouth hung agape wondering if her mind was hallucinating. The Inquisitor prepared to finish her off as Spinum plowed into the war tank. The spellcaster’s halberd sliced between the chinks of armor and forced the Inquisitor away from his victim. [4]

Cassock smashed the larynx of one of the fallen Inquisitors within the shadow of darkness. He stepped easily away, allowing the other to pummel his fallen foe. Once the attacks stopped and the beast was standing, Cassock swung his war-mace in a low-to-high arc smashing the bastard’s chin upward. A sickening crack and the war tank’s skull snapped backward, consciousness fleeing into eternal darkness.

The priest stepped back, noting the new Inquisitor. While blinded, the soldier made his way toward the sound of Aramil cleaving at empty air. Cassock stepped behind the soldier and waited for its sword to lash out. With a shattering blow, the Inquisitor’s plate maille caved in along with his spine.

Cassock turned his attention to the last of the Inquisitors, the one outside his shadow of darkness. He charged at his full speed, war-mace positioned ahead like a battering ram. The priest exited the area of shadow but the Inquisitor was distracted by the mage and his halberd. Cassock’s war-mace leapt up and bit down. The last of the dark-clad foes fell upon the field.

With a thought, Cassock dismissed the shadowy area, returning sight to the half-elf rogue. Aramil stared at wonder amongst the fallen bodies, each dead from bashes. He realized nothing he had done had helped. Turning to his long, if somewhat annoying, friend he noted her headless body. The rogue slumped to the ground, sobbing.

Cassock withdrew the wand acquired from the Goblins. Carefully, he used a few charges to heal the rest. He moved to offer the half-elf a few words of condolence. The priest found none. He could not lie. And just as with all the prior deaths Cassock had recently observed, the black souls of the fallen twisted upward, begging help, before being snapped upward into the sky. Instead the priest stated, “There was nothing you could do. Get up. Move on.” With that, he quickly buried the halfling in a shallow grave.

Then, the ‘heroes’ robbed the bodies of all their gear. Unable to carry it all, they crafted a make-shift sled to drag the haul. Cassock used Leiban’s sword to carve the Inquisitor carcasses into bloody pieces. Without a word, he reassembled them into the holy symbol for Cael.

Without a further word, the party moved into the dark shadows of the forest. Above, the sky tore open with a cacophonous boom; a maelstrom pounded against the earth as if Ara’kull’s displeasure had manifested in reality.[5]

--oo—oo—

“Our Lord frowned upon you today, Tobus. You have wasted the lives of six of my personal soldiers. You now owe me a debt.” The chains retracted returning the priest his freedom. Before they disappeared completely into the demon, the chains snapped off Tobus’ finger along with the ring of invisibility. Priest Matlick could only whimper in pain as he was doubled over, spitting up a large amount of blood.

“Your first task is to gather the body parts of the fallen. Then, you are to drag them back to the town. You will find me there.”

“You are just going to let them escape!” Tobus finally found his voice, his courage.

“It is not your place to question me, failure.” End-bringer ordered. “There is nowhere for them to head. South is the King and our Lord. East is the King’s great-great-great-great grand-nephew.”

“What of north to Legend? They could flee to Aedil. I’m sure that would please our Lord, greatly.” Sarcasm dripped from the words. A chain lashed out of the now-visible High Inquisitor. The metallic barbs tore and bruised the priest’s face.

“They cannot head north, fool. My Inquisitors and I destroyed the Bridge of Legends before we traveled to your pathetic village. To cross the great chasm between Nordaa Saam and Legend would require ability they do not possess. It would also require that they not be caught before that point. They will head for the bridge. Then they will be forced to backtrack and head west across this territory. And then, north through Goblin country. No, only death awaits them…in good time. For now though, you have your tasks, SLAVE.” End-bringer vanished in a flourish, leaving the priest to his task.

Tobus grumbled as sheets of rain weighed down his robes and the corpses, making his task that much more impossible. Ara’Kull definitely did not smile on Tobus that day.

--oo—oo—

End-bringer stood amongst the throng of people. Around him was every surviving member of the village. He had shifted his robes and mask with but a thought. The livery, usually black as shadow, were a deep crimson. The obsidian mask had lightened to a dull gray hue, its lips curled in a maliciously sweet grin, and its eyes, now open, a clear blue color. Lying at his feet, the remains of Leiban, Thorne, and his six personal soldiers rested in pieces[6]. Behind him and against the keep crouched the priest Tobus.

“I have a few words to speak. First and foremost, all of the events that have led us to this day were set in motion by your priest, Tobus Matlick.” Tobus glared dully at End-bringer, his fury and will already nearly broken. “If you have any grievances, take them up with him. But now, to more important matters.

“First and foremost, this town is now officially under the purview of the Royal Inquisitors. For the moment, I am your ruler and my word is Law. You will obey me.

“Next, as you can see, I have lost some Inquisitors. I seek to replace them. I need volunteers.” The demon paused for some moments but no one offered. In rage, his robes and mask shifted to their true appearance. “VOLUNTEERS. NOW” Again, naught but silence was his answer.

“Very well, have it your way.” The chains snaked out from the robes, dashing madly through the crowd. Before anyone could react, the chains grasped four infants and brought them to the forefront of the crowd. “No one? What a shame.” The metallic chains swirled around the babes, shredding their bodies to nothing. In a puff, the flesh became a pale crimson mist laced with fading infant screams.

The crowd shouted and cried, an upset monster in its own right. Mothers sobbed along with children, men stood dejectedly, aware of their own cowardly natures. End-bringer, meanwhile, inwardly smiled wickedly at the faint, miniscule, black shadows that wrenched upward into the heavens. More fuel for the fire, he thought.

“Still no volunteers? Fine. KILL THEM ALL.” He turned his back on the crowd, stalking toward the dungeons when ten men leapt from the crowd.

In unison they shouted, “WAIT!”

“Volunteers?” The demon queried. Each man nodded sadly. “Good.” The chains whipped out yet again, impaling each man upon the barbed tips. The slowly dying bodies twitched in agony as the demon dragged them toward the dungeon.

“What are you doing?” Tobus questioned. “I thought you needed fresh soldiers?!”

Without pausing End-bringer replied, “I think its time I upgraded. Bring the other corpses. And before you do, pour this into the well. Oh and don’t you ever question me again, Slave, or it will be the last time.”

Tobus glanced at the vial, recognizing the tell-tale signs of poison. He watched the End-bringer stop at the western well, probably to foul that water as well. No rest for the wicked, the priest thought. He sullenly walked toward the other well.

Notes & Picture

[1] – Okay, it was a difficult spot check, granted. Somehow, the only one to make it was the 9 or 11 year old child they had been sent to save. Some NPC with one commoner class makes a damn spot check. Go figure.

[2] – Priests of the Kin Pantheon are gifted with special abilities. Depending on their amount of clerical levels determines how many times a day they can use them. If not for Cassock’s darkness, it would have been a TPK. As it was though, Cassock managed to save the day…barely.

Oh, and we play Darkness as per 3.0 not 3.5 when they made it pointless…

[3] – Coup de mutha-f*ing grace, baby. Unfortunately, Aramil’s and Gabrielle’s players were not present for this game. So sad. Still, what occurred was logical…so the death stood and a new character was drawn up.

[4] – Spinum only had one hit point by the end of this battle. That’s one ballsy spellcaster. (Must be because he was raised by paladins )

[5] – I roll randomly for weather…didn’t use a program or anything. Rolled randomly and got a massive awe-inspiring thunderstorm. Obviously, it must’ve been Ara’Kull’s wrath

Something I’d like you all to keep in mind: The party was 2nd level nearing 3rd at this point (I believe). Leiban Malabrandt was a 3rd or 4th level fighter. Thorne was a 4th level Ranger. The Inquisitors were 1st level Warriors multiclassed into 3rd Level Fighters….and there were six of ‘em. Tobus was a 3rd or 4th level Cleric…I don’t remember which…and I’m not giving up End-bringer’s stats yet

My players did a helluva job at surviving my wrath and plots this night. I was…amazed. I’m still amazed at their luck over this event. This coulda broken ‘em…instead they continued on to annoy me

Now, this officially ends chapter 2. We’ll begin chapter 3…well….sometime :d
You know me, one week I update everyday, the next only once. Eh.

And attached below is the photo. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.

~Fune

Hehe....

Now you all know where 'The Darkness fell, and the screams ensued' came from.

One correction Funeris, Shannon & Boz were there for this battle, it was the rain battle in the woods, where your sister filled in that they weren't present.

If you look at Funeris map I'll give you how it shaped up.
To the top of the map is the Town of Green Hills, we were approaching from the woods at the bottom.
After are little girl, Commoner 1, that we rescued spotted the makeup, it was a classic skirmish control the bridge for us.
If i remember correctly, the bridge was only a foot bridge 5ft wide. I decided to plant Cassock there, as he was the closest thing to a full on Fighter we had. It really fustrated Funeris getting peppered with arrows while I held the bridge, then that Inquistor finally bull-rushed me as I took out his fellow. That's when all hell broke loose on us.

I was running the battle for Spinum, I believe he was 4th level at the time (Right Funeris?). As he couldn't hit the Inquistors in their Banded Mail easily, I decided he would take out the tree the archer (Thorn) was hiding in. That tree went up like a match, between the Flaming Sphere and the tree being on fire I believe the archer lasted 2-3 rounds.

More notes on the Darkness, Priest/ess of Cael can see easily through their OWN darkness. Even with Blindfight, they were at a serious disadvantage within. A sneak Rogue would have been proud of Cassock's fluid movements within. I would have killed for a sneak attack bonus to damage. I think I walked away with about 8-10 Hit Points remaining, I know Spinum had only 1, Gab was Coup De Grace (worst part about it she had stabilized at -2 or so), Aramil was in single digits, Anna had only suffered a few hits. Only the child escaped physically unscathed. Most of the Inquistors' attacks fell on Cassock as he was an opponent worth dying for in Ara'Kull's name.

Now let us hope for more updates.

Yeti

That's a negative, old yeti Shannon and Boz were not there for this battle (weather issues...this was last winter...yikes!). And I only remember because the next time Shannon saw me, she took one look and said, "My character died, didn't she??"

Must've been the sadistic grin on my face...I dunno.

Spinum was a 5th level NPC, actually. And the opportunity of utilizing his abilities was given to you specifically for this battle. He was (and is) a Ftr-1/Wiz-4.

More updates? Heh. We'll see. I'm waiting for the judgings (STILL!) for the Ceramic DM competition.

~Fune

Well they say with age, you do lose your mind.
I remember the one because of the Inbound Snow at my place.

But now I do recall telling you as that Inquistor passed by Gab, "Would you really pass by a living halfling if you were him?" And not getting slapped by Shannon when I said it.

Hahaha. There you go.

And you would have been slapped for that comment. But have no fear, afterward, I did tell her it was your fault she died.

~Fune

Great stuff, Funeris - although not so nice for your players.

And I'm very glad to see you're trying to get your average back up, with four updates all at once.

HalfOrc HalfBiscuit said:

Great stuff, Funeris - although not so nice for your players.

And I'm very glad to see you're trying to get your average back up, with four updates all at once.

Click to expand...

Not so nice for us, haha, you should have seen his face drop when I dropped the darkness. All his planning for the TPK, and I foil it with a Darkness spell. He forgot to give his guys Blindfight, I guess.

Now I did get a very very nice Greatsword off of Leiban's corpse. Yes we looted the hell out of the bodies. Dragging it with us, while not the smartest thing (tracking), it did serve a greater purpose. It was going to help pay for a means of revenge (Anna - her hometown had just been sacked), hatred (Cassock's hatred of all things Ara'Kull), and more revenge (Amaril's vengence for the killing of Gaberial). Spinum just wanted to escape, at least thats what he told us. As for the child, she was still clinging to Amarmil (she had yet to learn of her relation to Anna, and Anna was still dealing with that as well)

It's Noon, where's the next update.
My eyes are already going buggy from freaking work and crunching year end numbers.
I need the break.

Yeti