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Story Hour
(4e) Saga of Valor
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<blockquote data-quote="Netherstorm" data-source="post: 5744631" data-attributes="member: 84943"><p><strong>6. Blackrazor</strong></p><p></p><p><em>12/5/11: We experimented with cutting monster hit points in half and bumping their damage. It was deadly. Matt played his level 30 character Anjou for a minute, during an interlude. And Ryan Wade is out of town, so no Hartaniel tonight...</em></p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black'"><span style="font-size: 12px">Saga of Valor </span></span></p> <p style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Black'"><span style="font-size: 12px">Book One - NyrodSpace War 3</span></span></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center"><em>Chapter Six: Blackrazor</em></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>Ardra</strong> - Eladrin Bladesinger <em>Vovoidja</em></p><p><strong>The Blue Monk</strong> - Half-Orc Monk <em>Almoner</em></p><p><strong>Lucky</strong> - Human Warlord <em>Constable</em></p><p><strong>Ryltar</strong> - Drow Avenger <em>Constable</em></p><p><strong>Scarlet</strong> - Human Fighter <em>Constable</em></p><p><strong>Varis</strong> - Half-Elf Warlock <em>Hostarius</em></p><p> </p><p>Also,</p><p> </p><p><strong>Anjou Beurre</strong> - Primal Spirit of Storms</p><p> </p><p>The adventurers were in a complex beneath the river near the town of Dagger Rock. The complex was home to a cult of Urgathoa, allies of the Drow invaders. Our intrepid heroes had just freed a prisoner of theirs, a malnourished thief named Tiora. Scarlet loaned her a dagger.</p><p> </p><p>They crept toward the final room - the lair of the cult's leader, Ilcanya Alonar.</p><p> </p><p>Ilcanya had been alerted to their presence thanks to the shouts of the now-deceased jailer, a deformed half-ogre called Cabbagehead. The heroes crept up the narrow cave tunnel. As they spotted the lair of Ilcanya, they also saw a plaguebearer ready for them. He flung a vial of acid that burned Scarlet. She took aim and killed the guy with a shot from her crossbow.</p><p> </p><p>The Blue Monk made his way up past Scarlet and into the room. Ilcanya was on a raised platform. She had a huge hand, a deformed body, and a massive tail. Next to the doorway was a reeking golem made of the corpses of six different creatures. This was the Carrion Golem they had been warned about. It raised its' hand and struck the Blue Monk, bloodying him.</p><p> </p><p>The Blue Monk dodged his way past it, leapt on to the platform and engaged Ilcanya. A plaguebringer off to the side flung acid at him. The Blue Monk was burned, and was out on his feet. Ilcanya spit acidic bile at him, but somehow he evaded it. </p><p> </p><p>A plaguebringer raced down a side hall, hoping to catch the heroes from behind. Scarlet spotted him and shouted a warning. Ryltar and Tiora raced over to the side tunnel to face him. Tiora dodged his scalpel as Ryltar, the drow agent of the Raven Queen, turned invisible and flanked. The plaguebearer lunged again, and sliced Tiora. Blood spewed from the wound. She stabbed and killed him. </p><p> </p><p>Ardra burst in to the main chamber to help the Blue Monk. She stabbed the Carrion Golem with her enchanted blade and sent it crashing off to the side. Scarlet charged in and knocked the staggered golem to the ground. Then she plunged her blade into it, pinning it to the ground.</p><p> </p><p>Lucky healed the Monk as Ardra raced up to the platform to help battle Ilcanya. Varis, the 12 year old former drow slave, stepped in and drew a portion of life-force from Scarlet - so much so that he opened a wound in her arm! With that power, he launched a massive bolt of power at Ilcanya, killing her. She fell over, and muttered an arcane word. The place began to rumble. The magic field keeping the water above from flooding down was gone!</p><p> </p><p>They heard a rush of water from the west. The ceiling shook. Dust and small stones began to fall as cracks in the ceiling appeared.</p><p> </p><p>Scarlet looked up, alarmed. The golem, from its' prone position, swatted her to the ground. The remaining plaguebearer ran down the side hall. Ryltar rushed to meet him, and beheaded him with his ice scythe.</p><p> </p><p>Scarlet got up and finished off the Carrion Golem.</p><p> </p><p>They heard louder rumbling. Chunks of ceiling began to fall! The heroes ran back to a tunnel near the prison that they believed lead out. Along the way, Scarlet and Lucky were pinned by rubble! Scarlet had been holding the Carrion Golem above her to protect herself from the debris, but a massive stone not only pinned her, but caused diseased goo to ooze over her. </p><p> </p><p>Tiora was near Lucky, and helped hoist the rock off of her.</p><p> </p><p>Water flooded the complex. Scarlet was freed by the current as well as her allies further ahead. Soon the heroes were being washed rapidly through the crumbling tunnel. At last, they were ejected into the river. </p><p> </p><p>The mud and debris made the water completely dark. Some were confused as to which way was up. </p><p> </p><p>The heroes one by one swam up and their heads emerged into the sunlight. Except for Varis. He was somewhere down below, drowning!</p><p> </p><p>Varis sank, desperately trying to hold his breath. Tiora and Ryltar dove back down, found him, grabbed him, and pulled him up. </p><p> </p><p>Varis gasped for air. Tiora said to Scarlet, "Heah's ya daggah!" and handed her back the loaned dagger. Then she turned to Varis and asked, "Are you all right, little boy?".</p><p> </p><p>Varis said, "I don't like water any more."</p><p> </p><p>"What was a little boy doin' down there anyway?"</p><p> </p><p>Ryltar smiled at Varis and said "How ironic - a drow saved you."</p><p> </p><p>Scarlet said "Don't point that out until we're all safe."</p><p> </p><p>The adventurers swam to shore and bandaged their wounds.</p><p> </p><p>Tiora said "I'm gonna go to my house and get your reward."</p><p> </p><p>The characters got the sense that Tiora honestly wanted to change her ways.</p><p> </p><p>The people of Dagger Rock gathered around as the heroes returned to town. Captain Bearclaw said, "I heard a big noise! What happened?"</p><p> </p><p>"Oh, just us," said Ardra.</p><p> </p><p>"Didja find tha cult?"</p><p> </p><p>"We eliminated the cult", The Blue Monk said somberly.</p><p> </p><p>The people of Dagger Rock let out a cheer. Even old, frail Mayor Winston Jacob coughed out a congratulation. </p><p> </p><p>Elmo the farmer had watched Ardra's three bugbear slaves. She looked at him and asked, "Did you keep them well fed?"</p><p> </p><p>"Sure did! They like toinips!".</p><p> </p><p>Ardra laughed. Then, Gretchen Marmin's dog Buttercup began to bark. It raced up to Scarlet. The people of Dagger Rock began to look at each other. The dog bit at Scarlet's backpack. Scarlet had secretly stolen four bottles of wine from Gretchen's wine store the night before! The dog had picked up the scent!</p><p> </p><p>Scarlet said, "Now this is some unfair treatment."</p><p> </p><p>Captain Bearclaw said, "Well... this is awkward! Gretchen got robbed and now the dog seems ta be sniffin' ya out dere, Scah-let."</p><p> </p><p>Scarlet said, "Would Gretchen happen to be the seller of wine in town?"</p><p>"That's right."</p><p> </p><p>"Oh. Well I happened to find these.." she pulled out two of the wine bottles she'd stolen, "..in the pantry of the cult. As it turns out, they've been lifting stuff from the town."</p><p> </p><p>The townspeople looked at her suspiciously.</p><p> </p><p>Varis stepped forward. The young boy opened his eyes wide and said, "Trust me. She's telling the truth." </p><p> </p><p>How could the people of Dagger Rock resist the charming young lad? The people waved it off and laughed. Gretchen even let Scarlet keep the wine as a reward.</p><p> </p><p>Merik, owner of the general store, mumbled, "Ya know, they were askin' about a safe oilier...". Then Grog the tavern-owner chastised him.</p><p> </p><p>"Safe? That doesn't sound like us!", Scarlet said with a smile.</p><p> </p><p>Then, a spelljammer arrived from Olwynn. The crew on board called down to the town, informing them that the King requested the heroes' presence at once. They unfurled a rope ladder. </p><p> </p><p>The heroes met the crew, who included a pandarian, a tiefling member of the Shadowborn clan and a dwarf who'd lost an arm in the Battle of Olwynn.</p><p> </p><p>As the ship, known as The Night Passage, rocketed toward Olwynn, the heroes played Three Dragon Ante with some of the crew. The Blue Monk and Lucky joined in. Lucky lost every hand. The Blue Monk won the last two, and came out 100 gold ahead. The crew shared some rumors:</p><p> </p><p>- The King may have fallen in love with Derrinnil, the drow prisoner.</p><p>- The gods had turned the Titans who had attacked Olwynn to stone. They left the stone titans at The gates of Olwynn as a warning to future invaders.</p><p>- Some claimed that a few drow had power over Lolth's lightning web to altar reality slightly.</p><p>- There was talk that the people of Dunnwynn had actually sided with their drow conquerers under the promise of free drugs.</p><p>- Lolth's own Spider ship supposedly lurked in the stars near Nyrod. The legendary shifter hero Rellskar Grave, the "Tiger Man", was on the case.</p><p> </p><p>During this, poor Lucky coughed up a small fish onto the playing table. </p><p>They all quietly watched it flop about in silence. She swept it off the table without a word.</p><p> </p><p>Scarlet was watching the game and asked who the Tiger Man was. The crew enthusiastically explained that he was a gentleman and a great hero. He'd saved the city of Olwynn four times.</p><p> </p><p>The ship passed over Mermaid Lake. It was said that the lake sometimes held a portal to the feywild, where mermaids and mer-man princes passed through.</p><p> </p><p>Meanwhile, back at Dagger Rock, Captain Bearclaw had taken the day off to go fishing with his son, Raven. The debris from the collapse of the cult's lair had mostly been washed further down the river.</p><p> </p><p>Stormhawk, the mighty spirit of nature, hovered in the sky above. He was a cloud in the shape of a bird with eyes of lightning. He called out to his consort, "Anjou, my beloved. I am angry with you! Come to this river!"</p><p> </p><p>She sighed. "Very well, darling...", and appeared in the sky with him.</p><p> </p><p>"Behold - the river! Tainted by blood veil and alchemy! Disease will spread, tainting the natural river and destroying the town of Dagger Rock. Is this a just punishment for you breaking the rules when you came down to the Prime Material Plane to battle Lolth and Primordials, perhaps re-igniting the Dawn War?"</p><p> </p><p>Anjou said, "I did only what had to be done. I will clean this up." </p><p> </p><p>In the boat, Raven asked his dad about the heroes who'd just left Dagger Rock. Captain Bearclaw said "We ain't nevah gonna see them again. Everything's gonna be just fine...". Raven cut open a fish, exposing himself to blood veil.</p><p> </p><p>Captain Bearclaw said "Fish tastes great, and it's good for you!". Raven enthusiastically gutted it, unknowingly throughly tainting himself with Urgathoa's disease.</p><p> </p><p>Stormhawk turned to Anjou and said, "It's not good for him. Not good for him at all. The boy will have blood veil, and will die in three days."</p><p> </p><p>Anjou waved her hand and puirified the river. All that remained was the matter of the infected boy. Anjou decided that if the boy could beat blood veil, he'd be rewarded with special powers. She made it so that he was not contagious.</p><p> </p><p>Raven Bearclaw died three days later. </p><p> </p><p>Back on <em>The Night Passage</em>, the crew and heroes looked over the side down at sparkling Mermaid Lake. Then, to the east, another spelljammer was spotted! It was a drow ship closing in on <em>The Night Passage</em>! The drow on the Castle Deck launched off a catapult. The boulder struck Lucky and bloodied her!</p><p> </p><p>The ships closed in together. The heroes boarded and attacked the three drow manning the catapult. As Ryltar, Scarlet, and Varis made quick work of the drow, The Blue Monk disabled the catapult. Ardra and Lucky ran down a set of stairs to deal with the crew below.</p><p> </p><p>They heard shouting from behind a door. They kicked the door in, to find a priestess and two drow warriors sniffing mushroom powder from a bowl! The males wore chain armor emblazened with a massive metal spider symbol. Their helmets had elaborate spires on the sides. They wore ruby eye cusps as well, making their eyes look pure red. Their brooches were in the shape of black iron hooks, like the drow who had invaded Olwynn.</p><p> </p><p>The priestess wore a revealing, sheer gown, with just tiny metal spiders covering her most intimate of parts. She held out a metal rod and spoke a command word. Suddenly, three writhing purple tentacles extended from it, lashing about. "ELGG!", she shouted. That was drow, for "<em>KILL</em>!".</p><p> </p><p>Back up top, four deathjump spiders emerged from a hatch, keeping the heroes busy for a moment. </p><p> </p><p>Down below, the priestess lashed out at Lucky with the hideous tentacle rod. The tentacles pummeled the poor warlord into unconsciousness. Ardra conjured up her bladesong, which gave her magical protection from the two drow warriors' rapiers. She knelt down and poured a potion down Lucky's throat.</p><p> </p><p>The priestess hissed, half-mad in her drug-rage. In moments, the purple tentacles thrashed Ardra and dropped her to the ground, bleeding and unconscious. The priestess screeched "Oloth Plynn Dos!" (<em>Darkness take you</em>).</p><p> </p><p>Lucky stumbled to her feet and bloodied one of the drow. She urged Ardra to her feet.</p><p> </p><p>The heroes above took down the spiders, and made their way down the stairs to aid Ardra and Lucky. More drow, however, were coming up the stairs beside them! The Blue Monk began to punch through the wood wall that seperated the two stairwells, and he actually killed two drow warriors in the process.</p><p> </p><p>Varis made his way into the room as Ardra and Lucky killed the two drow warriors. The priestess struck Varis with a tentacle. Ardra, barely up, infused her blade with radiance and plunged it through the chest of the priestess, killing her! Her tentacle rod clattered to the floor, lifeless.</p><p> </p><p>The crew of <em>The Night Passage</em> had swarmed through a hatch to the lowest deck and slaughtered the drow inside. The pandaman had dealt with the drow ship's demon-statue. The heroes joined up with them, and the looting commenced.</p><p> </p><p>The heroes called dibs on a number of items, including cloth-of-gold sheets, evil drow tapestries, and some lewd items from the deviant drows' living quarters. The more they explored the ship, the more evidence of the drow's depraved nature they found. The drow had kept slaves onboard for nightly erotic torture. They had lewd statues of demons. They had a stockpile of drugs like poppy juice and mushroom powder. The drow also played darts by strapped a halfling to the wall and painting a bullseye on the poor fellows' chest!</p><p> </p><p>The prisoners from Starbed told tales of horror. They hoped that the King was sending help to the drow-controlled city of Starbed.</p><p> </p><p>Ardra laid claim to a holy book of Lolth called The Book of The Spider. The cover had gold dragon scales embedded in it. She also took an adamantine symbol of Lolth. As she gazed at it, she became overwhelmed with the desire to keep and cherish it. She would eventually learn that it was cursed, and that it made her more vulnerable to attacks from the drow.</p><p> </p><p>The ship sped to Olwynn. There, the adventurers met with King Thenrynnia, who was very tense.</p><p> </p><p>He told them that he wanted them to stay on the trail of the blood veil. He wanted them to go to the drow city of Rilauven, deep in teh underdark! </p><p> </p><p>But there was an immediate concern. The King explained that Queen Iliosa of the city of Korvosa was going to visit that very day, and that he was going to request the use of 1,000 of her elite soldiers - the Grey Maidens.</p><p> </p><p>"If Quenn Iliosa says no to me, should I take her life with my sword?", he asked. </p><p> </p><p>The heroes all said "No!".</p><p> </p><p>"Blackrazor is hungry. If I don't take her soul tonight.." he looked each of his advisors in the eye... "I'll have to take someone else's."</p><p> </p><p>Lucky asked, "Can't you take a prisoner's soul?"</p><p> </p><p>"Blackrazor has become bored with the soul of common ruffians. It prefers the souls of those who are close to me." King Thennrynnia looked out a window over the vast city of Olwynn. "I've been trying to wean myself. From what I understand, if I go too long without taking a soul, I'll become a hideous wight forevermore."</p><p> </p><p>"So, you're basically feeding yourself," said Scarlet.</p><p> </p><p>"I grow bored with this. I shall wait on my throne."</p><p> </p><p>The heroes got dressed in the style of Olwynn, which involved sheer loincloths, golden arm and leg-bands, and little else. Lady Tarentia had set up a gathering for the occasion. A number of prominent people were awaiting the arrival of Queen Iliosa:</p><p> </p><p><strong>Zanestra Shadowborn</strong>: The overachieving leader of the Shadowborn Clan</p><p><strong>Phideas Silverfist</strong>: A high-ranking member of the Silverfists, who was injured in a battle at Dunnwynn and forced to return to Olwynn</p><p><strong>Ambril</strong>: The deva member of The Hundred</p><p><strong>Citirian</strong>: A mysterious Mage of Saruun in a shimmering mask</p><p><strong>Glarice Lagu</strong>: An opera singer waiting to sing the Anthem of Korvosa when Queen Iliosa arrived.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Lady Tarentia</strong> had brought a number of her entourage from the Feywild city of Senaliesse:</p><p><strong>Ambrosious</strong>: A unicorn-man, considered handsome and pure by the fey people</p><p><strong>Jad & Skroine</strong>: Little, whispering pixies</p><p><strong>Lazelle</strong>: A witch</p><p> </p><p>There were Satyrs playing music and hamadryads dancing. Intelligent blink dogs teleported about, cutely offering food and drink. Ambril warned the heroes that she believed that the King was going to kill someone on this night.</p><p> </p><p>Scarlet made her way to a satyr and began to flirt. She flexed. He wasn't so impressed. He flexed. She was impressed. She drank wine and fake-laughed at his jokes.</p><p> </p><p>Lucky talked with a pixie named Skroine. The pixie was a bit uppity.</p><p> </p><p>Ryltar watched King Thennrynnia intently.</p><p> </p><p>Zanestra pulled Varis aside and told him that she'd heard that not only was Lolth's spider ship spotted in the stars above, but also that the drow were trying to build one of their strange web towers on the ruined asteroid city of Nedragaard, which orbited the heroes' world of Nyrod.</p><p> </p><p>Varis said, "That's nice."</p><p> </p><p>She stopped to yell at her evil imp, PaunchCrammer, for politely offering Varis some orange juice.</p><p> </p><p>Then she pulled Varis close and pointed out that both she and Varis, both Shadowborns, had the King's ear. If they worked together, they might be able to help the Shadowborn Clan's influence grow throughout Olwynn.</p><p> </p><p>Phideas Silverfist strode up to The Blue Monk. He'd heard the tale of how the Monk's mother shamed the Silverfists by having a half-orc child. He said to The Blue Monk, "I've heard about your mother."</p><p> </p><p>"What about my mother?", asked the Monk.</p><p> </p><p>"You make me sick."</p><p> </p><p>"Ah. I've had that effect on you."</p><p> </p><p>"Maybe you should just hide in a corner..."</p><p> </p><p>The Blue Monk grew angry. "Maybe you should shut your mouth."</p><p> </p><p>Scarlet stopped touching the satyr's muscles for a moment and called out to the Monk, "Every single person you talk to you get into a fight with!".</p><p> </p><p>Phideas raised his eyebrows at The Monk. "Bold words! I don't think the King would like to hear these words coming out of your mouth! Maybe I should go tell the King!"</p><p> </p><p>"This is how you thank us?"</p><p> </p><p>"Thank you!? You're nothing but a lousy half-breed freak!"</p><p> </p><p>The Blue Monk entered into a combat stance. The King took notice and sat up. Everyone in the chamber gasped and watched carefully.</p><p> </p><p>Phideas growled, "You're gonna have to take the first swing, blue boy!"</p><p> </p><p>The Blue Monk took a swing. The grizzled war veteran dodged the Monk's blow, then swung back and cracked the Monk in the jaw.</p><p> </p><p>The King called them both to the throne. He asked, "Why are you fighting?"</p><p> </p><p>"My family name is Silverfist, but I do not like to speak of this. I am known only as The Blue Monk."</p><p> </p><p>The King nodded and asked, "Why don't the Silverfists like you?"</p><p> </p><p>"It is through no fault of my own. They are a racist group."</p><p> </p><p>Phideas Silverfist scowled, but spoke carefully. "I know that The King - a drow - has faced similar issues. And I never... I am humble..." Phideas began to tremble as the King stood and held the mighty sword known as Blackrazor in his hand.</p><p> </p><p>The King said, "I too have faced the scourge of racism." He looked at the Monk and asked, "Do you think I should strike him down?"</p><p> </p><p>The Blue Monk said, "Perhaps you should show him mercy..."</p><p> </p><p>Varis stepped up. The boy said to the King, "He's disrespectful and a racist! You should kill him!"</p><p> </p><p>"How articulate..", Ryltar mumbled.</p><p> </p><p>Phideas dropped to his knees and whimpered. The King plunged the blade through Phideas' chest. He vanished. The people in the room cried out, but quickly composed themselves. King Thennrynnia let out a sigh and smiled a bit. He sat back on the throne. </p><p> </p><p>The Blue Monk bowed to the King.</p><p> </p><p>Two more people arrived. A drow vampire and a succubus! Belgos and Silussa! Belgos concealed his fangs as best he could. Silussa had used her shapechanging powers to appear as her normal beautiful blonde self, save for her giant yellow bat wings. </p><p> </p><p>People began to murmur as they entered. Belgos, not shy, called out, "I am Belgos! And this is my beloved - Silussa! We were invited here as guests of the Silverfist Clan! Come now - where is our friend Phideas?!"</p><p> </p><p>Belgos did not see Phideas but he recognized the heroes. He chuckled and approached them. "Remember me? I am a master of bats and rats!"</p><p> </p><p>Scarlet said, "What the heck are you two doing here?"</p><p> </p><p>"After rejecting the drow, we hoped that the people of Olwynn would embrace us! Isn't that right, my beloved Silussa?"</p><p> </p><p>She swooned at his touch and said, "Of course it is, my lover!"</p><p> </p><p>Belgos asked, "Where is our friend Phideas?"</p><p> </p><p>The Blue Monk stared and said, "He is with the Raven Queen."</p><p> </p><p>Varis asked, "He just got his soul swallowed, right?"</p><p> </p><p>Lucky nodded. "That's right. He's in a better place."</p><p> </p><p>Varis said, "His soul's in the blade." He pointed at the king's magic sword.</p><p> </p><p>Belgos stammered, "Phideas took us in..! What has happened?"</p><p> </p><p>The Blue Monk said, "He got mouthy. Talk to the King."</p><p> </p><p>Silussa looked at the handsome, powerful king and fluttered her eyebrows. "Maybe I will talk to the King!"</p><p> </p><p>Belgos grumbled, "We'll get to the bottom of this." Belgos then caught the eye of Zanestra Shadowborn. He approached her and began to woo her.</p><p> </p><p>Silussa approached the King. Lady Tarentia scowled from across the room. She had long hoped to marry the King.</p><p> </p><p>Silussa quietly chatted with the King, and before long, they were walking together around the room, talking. Lady Tarentia grew more and more upset. She glared at The Blue Monk.</p><p> </p><p>The Blue Monk walked over to her. Her unicorn-man consort, the pure and masculine horse-headed Ambrosious, stepped in front of her. </p><p> </p><p>Ambrosious said, "You've encouraged murder here, friend. I am from the feywild! Only enchanting things happen there. Not the dark and ugly things you've brought to this chamber today."</p><p> </p><p>Ryltar said "...Actually, there's a thing called the Feydark..."</p><p> </p><p>The Blue Monk asked Ambrosious, "Has anyone cursed your family name?"</p><p> </p><p>"Only enchanting things happen in Senaliesse, where I am from."</p><p> </p><p>"I come from the gutters."</p><p> </p><p>"I don't think Lady Tarentia wants you to talk to her. Do you, my lady?"</p><p> </p><p>Lady Tarentia said icily, "Let's hear him out."</p><p> </p><p>The Blue Monk looked at her and said simply, "Hello."</p><p> </p><p>She said, "Thank you for ruining our evening."</p><p> </p><p>"You perceive it in that fashion? I shall leave you alone." The Blue Monk began to walk away.</p><p> </p><p>As he did so, he overheard her whisper to Ambrosious, "Who is that woman talking to the King?! I don't like it!".</p><p> </p><p>Ambrosious whinnied slightly and whispered, "Don't be jealous! You're with me!".</p><p> </p><p>Silussa continued to walk and chat with the King as everyone awaited the arrival of Queen Iliosa. Lady Tarentia grew more and more tense.</p><p> </p><p>Ryltar decided to throw a wrench into Silussa's plan of seduction. He walked up to her and said in front of the King, "Silussa - what happened to your wings?"</p><p> </p><p>Silussa said, "What?"</p><p> </p><p>Ryltar said, "When last we saw you, you had great wings sprouting from your back."</p><p> </p><p>Scarlet chimed in, "Great big bat wings."</p><p> </p><p>Ryltar grinned and said, "They looked quite fetching on you."</p><p> </p><p>The King looked at each of them, expressionless. Silussa stammered, "I ch-changed shape. I can change shape - that's all!"</p><p> </p><p>"How was it you could do that again?", asked Scarlet. "I am a country bumpkin, as you can see."</p><p> </p><p>The King looked at the heroes and asked, "Why does she have wings?". He fingered the hilt of his sword, the soul-stealer - Blackrazor!</p><p> </p><p>The King looked at Silussa. "What do you mean? Wings? Change shape?"</p><p> </p><p>Ryltar said, "I believe she is a succubus!"</p><p> </p><p>The court let out a collective gasp. Silussa became defensive. "Nobody understands me!", she cried. Ryltar and Scarlet pointed out that she had helped the heroes. Belgos charged in. </p><p> </p><p>Belgos cried, "What is this? My beloved! Have they hurt you?!"</p><p> </p><p>Things devolved into an argument. Lady Tarentia got involved, accusing Silussa of trying to harm the king with her dominating kiss. Belgos warned her.. "I am a master of bats and rats!".</p><p> </p><p>The King glared at Belgos, ready to take another soul. "Is that a threat?", he asked.</p><p> </p><p>Belgos and Silussa both told the King that they'd die if their lover would be spared. Varis began to taunt Lady Tarentia, pointing out that Silussa had almost done what Lady Tarentia had been unable to do for hundreds of years.</p><p> </p><p>Scarlet pointed out to the King that Belgos and Silussa knew much about the drow invasion, and could be powerful allies. Lady Tarentia said that they could not ally themselves with a demon. "Strike her down with your sword!", she cried. "There are some creatures you can never trust!". </p><p> </p><p>Ambrosious watched on, his nostrils flaring.</p><p> </p><p>Scarlet replied in a pointed tone, "...like...drow...?". The King, of course, was a drow.</p><p> </p><p>Lady Tarentia backpedalled. Ambrosious stepped forward and said, "I don't think I like your tone, your highness!"</p><p> </p><p>The King's eyes went wide. Ambrosious whinnied angrily. The King shouted, incredulous, "UNICORN-MAN?!" and raised Blackrazor once more.</p><p> </p><p>The Blue Monk protested, "Please...!"</p><p> </p><p>The King said quietly, "Blackrazor's already made its' choice...". And with that, the most handsome male in all of Senaliesse had his soul stolen by Blackrazor. The fey in the room cried out in anguish. Lady Tarentia shouted, "Noooo!". Ambrosious was an ally of hers in the fey court. His death would ruin her standing with The Summer Queen.</p><p> </p><p>Ryltar looked at the King and said, "All hail Blackrazor, King of Olwynn."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Netherstorm, post: 5744631, member: 84943"] [b]6. Blackrazor[/b] [I]12/5/11: We experimented with cutting monster hit points in half and bumping their damage. It was deadly. Matt played his level 30 character Anjou for a minute, during an interlude. And Ryan Wade is out of town, so no Hartaniel tonight...[/I] [CENTER][FONT=Arial Black][SIZE=3]Saga of Valor [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Arial Black][SIZE=3]Book One - NyrodSpace War 3[/SIZE][/FONT][/CENTER] [CENTER][I]Chapter Six: Blackrazor[/I][/CENTER] [B]Ardra[/B] - Eladrin Bladesinger [I]Vovoidja[/I] [B]The Blue Monk[/B] - Half-Orc Monk [I]Almoner[/I] [B]Lucky[/B] - Human Warlord [I]Constable[/I] [B]Ryltar[/B] - Drow Avenger [I]Constable[/I] [B]Scarlet[/B] - Human Fighter [I]Constable[/I] [B]Varis[/B] - Half-Elf Warlock [I]Hostarius[/I] Also, [B]Anjou Beurre[/B] - Primal Spirit of Storms The adventurers were in a complex beneath the river near the town of Dagger Rock. The complex was home to a cult of Urgathoa, allies of the Drow invaders. Our intrepid heroes had just freed a prisoner of theirs, a malnourished thief named Tiora. Scarlet loaned her a dagger. They crept toward the final room - the lair of the cult's leader, Ilcanya Alonar. Ilcanya had been alerted to their presence thanks to the shouts of the now-deceased jailer, a deformed half-ogre called Cabbagehead. The heroes crept up the narrow cave tunnel. As they spotted the lair of Ilcanya, they also saw a plaguebearer ready for them. He flung a vial of acid that burned Scarlet. She took aim and killed the guy with a shot from her crossbow. The Blue Monk made his way up past Scarlet and into the room. Ilcanya was on a raised platform. She had a huge hand, a deformed body, and a massive tail. Next to the doorway was a reeking golem made of the corpses of six different creatures. This was the Carrion Golem they had been warned about. It raised its' hand and struck the Blue Monk, bloodying him. The Blue Monk dodged his way past it, leapt on to the platform and engaged Ilcanya. A plaguebringer off to the side flung acid at him. The Blue Monk was burned, and was out on his feet. Ilcanya spit acidic bile at him, but somehow he evaded it. A plaguebringer raced down a side hall, hoping to catch the heroes from behind. Scarlet spotted him and shouted a warning. Ryltar and Tiora raced over to the side tunnel to face him. Tiora dodged his scalpel as Ryltar, the drow agent of the Raven Queen, turned invisible and flanked. The plaguebearer lunged again, and sliced Tiora. Blood spewed from the wound. She stabbed and killed him. Ardra burst in to the main chamber to help the Blue Monk. She stabbed the Carrion Golem with her enchanted blade and sent it crashing off to the side. Scarlet charged in and knocked the staggered golem to the ground. Then she plunged her blade into it, pinning it to the ground. Lucky healed the Monk as Ardra raced up to the platform to help battle Ilcanya. Varis, the 12 year old former drow slave, stepped in and drew a portion of life-force from Scarlet - so much so that he opened a wound in her arm! With that power, he launched a massive bolt of power at Ilcanya, killing her. She fell over, and muttered an arcane word. The place began to rumble. The magic field keeping the water above from flooding down was gone! They heard a rush of water from the west. The ceiling shook. Dust and small stones began to fall as cracks in the ceiling appeared. Scarlet looked up, alarmed. The golem, from its' prone position, swatted her to the ground. The remaining plaguebearer ran down the side hall. Ryltar rushed to meet him, and beheaded him with his ice scythe. Scarlet got up and finished off the Carrion Golem. They heard louder rumbling. Chunks of ceiling began to fall! The heroes ran back to a tunnel near the prison that they believed lead out. Along the way, Scarlet and Lucky were pinned by rubble! Scarlet had been holding the Carrion Golem above her to protect herself from the debris, but a massive stone not only pinned her, but caused diseased goo to ooze over her. Tiora was near Lucky, and helped hoist the rock off of her. Water flooded the complex. Scarlet was freed by the current as well as her allies further ahead. Soon the heroes were being washed rapidly through the crumbling tunnel. At last, they were ejected into the river. The mud and debris made the water completely dark. Some were confused as to which way was up. The heroes one by one swam up and their heads emerged into the sunlight. Except for Varis. He was somewhere down below, drowning! Varis sank, desperately trying to hold his breath. Tiora and Ryltar dove back down, found him, grabbed him, and pulled him up. Varis gasped for air. Tiora said to Scarlet, "Heah's ya daggah!" and handed her back the loaned dagger. Then she turned to Varis and asked, "Are you all right, little boy?". Varis said, "I don't like water any more." "What was a little boy doin' down there anyway?" Ryltar smiled at Varis and said "How ironic - a drow saved you." Scarlet said "Don't point that out until we're all safe." The adventurers swam to shore and bandaged their wounds. Tiora said "I'm gonna go to my house and get your reward." The characters got the sense that Tiora honestly wanted to change her ways. The people of Dagger Rock gathered around as the heroes returned to town. Captain Bearclaw said, "I heard a big noise! What happened?" "Oh, just us," said Ardra. "Didja find tha cult?" "We eliminated the cult", The Blue Monk said somberly. The people of Dagger Rock let out a cheer. Even old, frail Mayor Winston Jacob coughed out a congratulation. Elmo the farmer had watched Ardra's three bugbear slaves. She looked at him and asked, "Did you keep them well fed?" "Sure did! They like toinips!". Ardra laughed. Then, Gretchen Marmin's dog Buttercup began to bark. It raced up to Scarlet. The people of Dagger Rock began to look at each other. The dog bit at Scarlet's backpack. Scarlet had secretly stolen four bottles of wine from Gretchen's wine store the night before! The dog had picked up the scent! Scarlet said, "Now this is some unfair treatment." Captain Bearclaw said, "Well... this is awkward! Gretchen got robbed and now the dog seems ta be sniffin' ya out dere, Scah-let." Scarlet said, "Would Gretchen happen to be the seller of wine in town?" "That's right." "Oh. Well I happened to find these.." she pulled out two of the wine bottles she'd stolen, "..in the pantry of the cult. As it turns out, they've been lifting stuff from the town." The townspeople looked at her suspiciously. Varis stepped forward. The young boy opened his eyes wide and said, "Trust me. She's telling the truth." How could the people of Dagger Rock resist the charming young lad? The people waved it off and laughed. Gretchen even let Scarlet keep the wine as a reward. Merik, owner of the general store, mumbled, "Ya know, they were askin' about a safe oilier...". Then Grog the tavern-owner chastised him. "Safe? That doesn't sound like us!", Scarlet said with a smile. Then, a spelljammer arrived from Olwynn. The crew on board called down to the town, informing them that the King requested the heroes' presence at once. They unfurled a rope ladder. The heroes met the crew, who included a pandarian, a tiefling member of the Shadowborn clan and a dwarf who'd lost an arm in the Battle of Olwynn. As the ship, known as The Night Passage, rocketed toward Olwynn, the heroes played Three Dragon Ante with some of the crew. The Blue Monk and Lucky joined in. Lucky lost every hand. The Blue Monk won the last two, and came out 100 gold ahead. The crew shared some rumors: - The King may have fallen in love with Derrinnil, the drow prisoner. - The gods had turned the Titans who had attacked Olwynn to stone. They left the stone titans at The gates of Olwynn as a warning to future invaders. - Some claimed that a few drow had power over Lolth's lightning web to altar reality slightly. - There was talk that the people of Dunnwynn had actually sided with their drow conquerers under the promise of free drugs. - Lolth's own Spider ship supposedly lurked in the stars near Nyrod. The legendary shifter hero Rellskar Grave, the "Tiger Man", was on the case. During this, poor Lucky coughed up a small fish onto the playing table. They all quietly watched it flop about in silence. She swept it off the table without a word. Scarlet was watching the game and asked who the Tiger Man was. The crew enthusiastically explained that he was a gentleman and a great hero. He'd saved the city of Olwynn four times. The ship passed over Mermaid Lake. It was said that the lake sometimes held a portal to the feywild, where mermaids and mer-man princes passed through. Meanwhile, back at Dagger Rock, Captain Bearclaw had taken the day off to go fishing with his son, Raven. The debris from the collapse of the cult's lair had mostly been washed further down the river. Stormhawk, the mighty spirit of nature, hovered in the sky above. He was a cloud in the shape of a bird with eyes of lightning. He called out to his consort, "Anjou, my beloved. I am angry with you! Come to this river!" She sighed. "Very well, darling...", and appeared in the sky with him. "Behold - the river! Tainted by blood veil and alchemy! Disease will spread, tainting the natural river and destroying the town of Dagger Rock. Is this a just punishment for you breaking the rules when you came down to the Prime Material Plane to battle Lolth and Primordials, perhaps re-igniting the Dawn War?" Anjou said, "I did only what had to be done. I will clean this up." In the boat, Raven asked his dad about the heroes who'd just left Dagger Rock. Captain Bearclaw said "We ain't nevah gonna see them again. Everything's gonna be just fine...". Raven cut open a fish, exposing himself to blood veil. Captain Bearclaw said "Fish tastes great, and it's good for you!". Raven enthusiastically gutted it, unknowingly throughly tainting himself with Urgathoa's disease. Stormhawk turned to Anjou and said, "It's not good for him. Not good for him at all. The boy will have blood veil, and will die in three days." Anjou waved her hand and puirified the river. All that remained was the matter of the infected boy. Anjou decided that if the boy could beat blood veil, he'd be rewarded with special powers. She made it so that he was not contagious. Raven Bearclaw died three days later. Back on [I]The Night Passage[/I], the crew and heroes looked over the side down at sparkling Mermaid Lake. Then, to the east, another spelljammer was spotted! It was a drow ship closing in on [I]The Night Passage[/I]! The drow on the Castle Deck launched off a catapult. The boulder struck Lucky and bloodied her! The ships closed in together. The heroes boarded and attacked the three drow manning the catapult. As Ryltar, Scarlet, and Varis made quick work of the drow, The Blue Monk disabled the catapult. Ardra and Lucky ran down a set of stairs to deal with the crew below. They heard shouting from behind a door. They kicked the door in, to find a priestess and two drow warriors sniffing mushroom powder from a bowl! The males wore chain armor emblazened with a massive metal spider symbol. Their helmets had elaborate spires on the sides. They wore ruby eye cusps as well, making their eyes look pure red. Their brooches were in the shape of black iron hooks, like the drow who had invaded Olwynn. The priestess wore a revealing, sheer gown, with just tiny metal spiders covering her most intimate of parts. She held out a metal rod and spoke a command word. Suddenly, three writhing purple tentacles extended from it, lashing about. "ELGG!", she shouted. That was drow, for "[I]KILL[/I]!". Back up top, four deathjump spiders emerged from a hatch, keeping the heroes busy for a moment. Down below, the priestess lashed out at Lucky with the hideous tentacle rod. The tentacles pummeled the poor warlord into unconsciousness. Ardra conjured up her bladesong, which gave her magical protection from the two drow warriors' rapiers. She knelt down and poured a potion down Lucky's throat. The priestess hissed, half-mad in her drug-rage. In moments, the purple tentacles thrashed Ardra and dropped her to the ground, bleeding and unconscious. The priestess screeched "Oloth Plynn Dos!" ([I]Darkness take you[/I]). Lucky stumbled to her feet and bloodied one of the drow. She urged Ardra to her feet. The heroes above took down the spiders, and made their way down the stairs to aid Ardra and Lucky. More drow, however, were coming up the stairs beside them! The Blue Monk began to punch through the wood wall that seperated the two stairwells, and he actually killed two drow warriors in the process. Varis made his way into the room as Ardra and Lucky killed the two drow warriors. The priestess struck Varis with a tentacle. Ardra, barely up, infused her blade with radiance and plunged it through the chest of the priestess, killing her! Her tentacle rod clattered to the floor, lifeless. The crew of [I]The Night Passage[/I] had swarmed through a hatch to the lowest deck and slaughtered the drow inside. The pandaman had dealt with the drow ship's demon-statue. The heroes joined up with them, and the looting commenced. The heroes called dibs on a number of items, including cloth-of-gold sheets, evil drow tapestries, and some lewd items from the deviant drows' living quarters. The more they explored the ship, the more evidence of the drow's depraved nature they found. The drow had kept slaves onboard for nightly erotic torture. They had lewd statues of demons. They had a stockpile of drugs like poppy juice and mushroom powder. The drow also played darts by strapped a halfling to the wall and painting a bullseye on the poor fellows' chest! The prisoners from Starbed told tales of horror. They hoped that the King was sending help to the drow-controlled city of Starbed. Ardra laid claim to a holy book of Lolth called The Book of The Spider. The cover had gold dragon scales embedded in it. She also took an adamantine symbol of Lolth. As she gazed at it, she became overwhelmed with the desire to keep and cherish it. She would eventually learn that it was cursed, and that it made her more vulnerable to attacks from the drow. The ship sped to Olwynn. There, the adventurers met with King Thenrynnia, who was very tense. He told them that he wanted them to stay on the trail of the blood veil. He wanted them to go to the drow city of Rilauven, deep in teh underdark! But there was an immediate concern. The King explained that Queen Iliosa of the city of Korvosa was going to visit that very day, and that he was going to request the use of 1,000 of her elite soldiers - the Grey Maidens. "If Quenn Iliosa says no to me, should I take her life with my sword?", he asked. The heroes all said "No!". "Blackrazor is hungry. If I don't take her soul tonight.." he looked each of his advisors in the eye... "I'll have to take someone else's." Lucky asked, "Can't you take a prisoner's soul?" "Blackrazor has become bored with the soul of common ruffians. It prefers the souls of those who are close to me." King Thennrynnia looked out a window over the vast city of Olwynn. "I've been trying to wean myself. From what I understand, if I go too long without taking a soul, I'll become a hideous wight forevermore." "So, you're basically feeding yourself," said Scarlet. "I grow bored with this. I shall wait on my throne." The heroes got dressed in the style of Olwynn, which involved sheer loincloths, golden arm and leg-bands, and little else. Lady Tarentia had set up a gathering for the occasion. A number of prominent people were awaiting the arrival of Queen Iliosa: [B]Zanestra Shadowborn[/B]: The overachieving leader of the Shadowborn Clan [B]Phideas Silverfist[/B]: A high-ranking member of the Silverfists, who was injured in a battle at Dunnwynn and forced to return to Olwynn [B]Ambril[/B]: The deva member of The Hundred [B]Citirian[/B]: A mysterious Mage of Saruun in a shimmering mask [B]Glarice Lagu[/B]: An opera singer waiting to sing the Anthem of Korvosa when Queen Iliosa arrived. [B]Lady Tarentia[/B] had brought a number of her entourage from the Feywild city of Senaliesse: [B]Ambrosious[/B]: A unicorn-man, considered handsome and pure by the fey people [B]Jad & Skroine[/B]: Little, whispering pixies [B]Lazelle[/B]: A witch There were Satyrs playing music and hamadryads dancing. Intelligent blink dogs teleported about, cutely offering food and drink. Ambril warned the heroes that she believed that the King was going to kill someone on this night. Scarlet made her way to a satyr and began to flirt. She flexed. He wasn't so impressed. He flexed. She was impressed. She drank wine and fake-laughed at his jokes. Lucky talked with a pixie named Skroine. The pixie was a bit uppity. Ryltar watched King Thennrynnia intently. Zanestra pulled Varis aside and told him that she'd heard that not only was Lolth's spider ship spotted in the stars above, but also that the drow were trying to build one of their strange web towers on the ruined asteroid city of Nedragaard, which orbited the heroes' world of Nyrod. Varis said, "That's nice." She stopped to yell at her evil imp, PaunchCrammer, for politely offering Varis some orange juice. Then she pulled Varis close and pointed out that both she and Varis, both Shadowborns, had the King's ear. If they worked together, they might be able to help the Shadowborn Clan's influence grow throughout Olwynn. Phideas Silverfist strode up to The Blue Monk. He'd heard the tale of how the Monk's mother shamed the Silverfists by having a half-orc child. He said to The Blue Monk, "I've heard about your mother." "What about my mother?", asked the Monk. "You make me sick." "Ah. I've had that effect on you." "Maybe you should just hide in a corner..." The Blue Monk grew angry. "Maybe you should shut your mouth." Scarlet stopped touching the satyr's muscles for a moment and called out to the Monk, "Every single person you talk to you get into a fight with!". Phideas raised his eyebrows at The Monk. "Bold words! I don't think the King would like to hear these words coming out of your mouth! Maybe I should go tell the King!" "This is how you thank us?" "Thank you!? You're nothing but a lousy half-breed freak!" The Blue Monk entered into a combat stance. The King took notice and sat up. Everyone in the chamber gasped and watched carefully. Phideas growled, "You're gonna have to take the first swing, blue boy!" The Blue Monk took a swing. The grizzled war veteran dodged the Monk's blow, then swung back and cracked the Monk in the jaw. The King called them both to the throne. He asked, "Why are you fighting?" "My family name is Silverfist, but I do not like to speak of this. I am known only as The Blue Monk." The King nodded and asked, "Why don't the Silverfists like you?" "It is through no fault of my own. They are a racist group." Phideas Silverfist scowled, but spoke carefully. "I know that The King - a drow - has faced similar issues. And I never... I am humble..." Phideas began to tremble as the King stood and held the mighty sword known as Blackrazor in his hand. The King said, "I too have faced the scourge of racism." He looked at the Monk and asked, "Do you think I should strike him down?" The Blue Monk said, "Perhaps you should show him mercy..." Varis stepped up. The boy said to the King, "He's disrespectful and a racist! You should kill him!" "How articulate..", Ryltar mumbled. Phideas dropped to his knees and whimpered. The King plunged the blade through Phideas' chest. He vanished. The people in the room cried out, but quickly composed themselves. King Thennrynnia let out a sigh and smiled a bit. He sat back on the throne. The Blue Monk bowed to the King. Two more people arrived. A drow vampire and a succubus! Belgos and Silussa! Belgos concealed his fangs as best he could. Silussa had used her shapechanging powers to appear as her normal beautiful blonde self, save for her giant yellow bat wings. People began to murmur as they entered. Belgos, not shy, called out, "I am Belgos! And this is my beloved - Silussa! We were invited here as guests of the Silverfist Clan! Come now - where is our friend Phideas?!" Belgos did not see Phideas but he recognized the heroes. He chuckled and approached them. "Remember me? I am a master of bats and rats!" Scarlet said, "What the heck are you two doing here?" "After rejecting the drow, we hoped that the people of Olwynn would embrace us! Isn't that right, my beloved Silussa?" She swooned at his touch and said, "Of course it is, my lover!" Belgos asked, "Where is our friend Phideas?" The Blue Monk stared and said, "He is with the Raven Queen." Varis asked, "He just got his soul swallowed, right?" Lucky nodded. "That's right. He's in a better place." Varis said, "His soul's in the blade." He pointed at the king's magic sword. Belgos stammered, "Phideas took us in..! What has happened?" The Blue Monk said, "He got mouthy. Talk to the King." Silussa looked at the handsome, powerful king and fluttered her eyebrows. "Maybe I will talk to the King!" Belgos grumbled, "We'll get to the bottom of this." Belgos then caught the eye of Zanestra Shadowborn. He approached her and began to woo her. Silussa approached the King. Lady Tarentia scowled from across the room. She had long hoped to marry the King. Silussa quietly chatted with the King, and before long, they were walking together around the room, talking. Lady Tarentia grew more and more upset. She glared at The Blue Monk. The Blue Monk walked over to her. Her unicorn-man consort, the pure and masculine horse-headed Ambrosious, stepped in front of her. Ambrosious said, "You've encouraged murder here, friend. I am from the feywild! Only enchanting things happen there. Not the dark and ugly things you've brought to this chamber today." Ryltar said "...Actually, there's a thing called the Feydark..." The Blue Monk asked Ambrosious, "Has anyone cursed your family name?" "Only enchanting things happen in Senaliesse, where I am from." "I come from the gutters." "I don't think Lady Tarentia wants you to talk to her. Do you, my lady?" Lady Tarentia said icily, "Let's hear him out." The Blue Monk looked at her and said simply, "Hello." She said, "Thank you for ruining our evening." "You perceive it in that fashion? I shall leave you alone." The Blue Monk began to walk away. As he did so, he overheard her whisper to Ambrosious, "Who is that woman talking to the King?! I don't like it!". Ambrosious whinnied slightly and whispered, "Don't be jealous! You're with me!". Silussa continued to walk and chat with the King as everyone awaited the arrival of Queen Iliosa. Lady Tarentia grew more and more tense. Ryltar decided to throw a wrench into Silussa's plan of seduction. He walked up to her and said in front of the King, "Silussa - what happened to your wings?" Silussa said, "What?" Ryltar said, "When last we saw you, you had great wings sprouting from your back." Scarlet chimed in, "Great big bat wings." Ryltar grinned and said, "They looked quite fetching on you." The King looked at each of them, expressionless. Silussa stammered, "I ch-changed shape. I can change shape - that's all!" "How was it you could do that again?", asked Scarlet. "I am a country bumpkin, as you can see." The King looked at the heroes and asked, "Why does she have wings?". He fingered the hilt of his sword, the soul-stealer - Blackrazor! The King looked at Silussa. "What do you mean? Wings? Change shape?" Ryltar said, "I believe she is a succubus!" The court let out a collective gasp. Silussa became defensive. "Nobody understands me!", she cried. Ryltar and Scarlet pointed out that she had helped the heroes. Belgos charged in. Belgos cried, "What is this? My beloved! Have they hurt you?!" Things devolved into an argument. Lady Tarentia got involved, accusing Silussa of trying to harm the king with her dominating kiss. Belgos warned her.. "I am a master of bats and rats!". The King glared at Belgos, ready to take another soul. "Is that a threat?", he asked. Belgos and Silussa both told the King that they'd die if their lover would be spared. Varis began to taunt Lady Tarentia, pointing out that Silussa had almost done what Lady Tarentia had been unable to do for hundreds of years. Scarlet pointed out to the King that Belgos and Silussa knew much about the drow invasion, and could be powerful allies. Lady Tarentia said that they could not ally themselves with a demon. "Strike her down with your sword!", she cried. "There are some creatures you can never trust!". Ambrosious watched on, his nostrils flaring. Scarlet replied in a pointed tone, "...like...drow...?". The King, of course, was a drow. Lady Tarentia backpedalled. Ambrosious stepped forward and said, "I don't think I like your tone, your highness!" The King's eyes went wide. Ambrosious whinnied angrily. The King shouted, incredulous, "UNICORN-MAN?!" and raised Blackrazor once more. The Blue Monk protested, "Please...!" The King said quietly, "Blackrazor's already made its' choice...". And with that, the most handsome male in all of Senaliesse had his soul stolen by Blackrazor. The fey in the room cried out in anguish. Lady Tarentia shouted, "Noooo!". Ambrosious was an ally of hers in the fey court. His death would ruin her standing with The Summer Queen. Ryltar looked at the King and said, "All hail Blackrazor, King of Olwynn." [/QUOTE]
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