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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Velenne" data-source="post: 966095" data-attributes="member: 1856">“Well, now that the pleasantries are dispensed with, let’s get down to business.  You are a large man and you seem impatient.  I will therefore…”cut to the chase” to use the vernacular.“Precisely twelve days ago a small-but-dangerous contingent of ill-advised warriors and mages attempted to smuggle contraband into the city of New Tyrsis where I am entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring such things do not occur.  When they were caught and commanded to surrender, the criminals attempted a futile escape . Most were summarily slain by our superior magics.”Archmage Bythius paused to gauge Hammer’s reactions.  As always, the paladin’s face remained flat and emotionless.  Slain over a Ressurection scroll… Hammer could feel the flame of anger come alight in his chest, however, and was unsure of how much of this mage’s flapping he cold take. “There was one, however, who wisely yielded. During his interrogation- “ Hammer could only imagine what that had entailed- “your name surfaced. He seemed to have regarded you as a figure of authority. Tell me, Sir…’Hammer’,” his voice dripped with contempt at the word, “Do you know of whom I speak?”“Yes.”The mage looked surprised at such a forthcoming answer. Hammer did not have it in him to ever lie.  A lie, an untruth, even a small one or for a good cause, led to a path of sinfulness.  He would not be baited into lying, especially for this wad of slime.“And were you, in fact, an authority figure to him?”“Yes.”“I see, and did they embark on this doomed mission at your behest?”“No.”“You are going to have to be a fair bit more-““You are in no position to tell me what to do, wizard.  Ask your questions and I will answer them.  That was the agreement.  I respect that you are a lawman.  Those under my command broke the law and I will answer for them.”Bythius, who had previously sat in such a way so as to touch as little of his chair as possible, uncrossed his legs, leaned forward, and placed his elbows onto the table.  His purple and gold-trimmed cuffs were so oversized they still hung over the edge. His sagging jowls and dark eyebags lifted in a serpentine grin.“Oh, but you see I am in a position to command you . To dance in circles should I wish it, in truth.  While this island may be free of any particular magelord’s direct control, the Crystal Council was given rule over all the world after their sacrifice in the Fiend Wars.  And it is they, Sir Orbin Mexis, who have granted me the resources to continue this investigation.”The smile grew further up Bythius’ creased face as he allowed the news to sink in.  Hammer was unsure of what the wizard was up to, but knew what he said to be a lie.  Even if he could not read it for sure in the Archmage’s mannerisms, such a claim was far too fanciful to be true.  He was positive that none of Sallinan’s endeavors were worthy of the Council’s attention, no matter how indirect.  The wizard continued, “It is therefore my duty to inform you that you are to be taken back to New Tyrsis to face trial for High Treason.  The punishment is not death, no, that is far too generous for one such as you.  The punishment for High Treason is… Annihilation. Your soul, your body, your mind will be utterly destroyed as if they never were.  You will be wiped from existence, Mexis. “But, I can look at you and know for certain that you are utterly without the means to organize such a crime.  Yes… I shall make you a deal, then.  Tell me who it is you work for -and I know you work for someone- and I will leave you here on this filthy island to rot.  A quick death and you may join your god in the afterlife.”“I already told you I did not give them the order to bring contraband into your city,” Hammer’s anger was quickly becoming an inferno within him.  He couldn’t stand being lied to, and now he was being threatened, “Now leave me.  I have answered your questions and your threats are as hollow as your authority in this place.” Bythius met Hammer’s stare evenly and all mirth evaporated from his face, “It matters not. You yourself said you were responsible for them, and would answer for them. Will you then resist my authority on this matter?”“You have no authority for me to resist, wizard.”HAMMER, GET OUT OF THERE NOW!!The Sending slammed into his head with such an urgency he had to flinch.  The voice was Sallinan’s, but how?  Operating on years of the ingrained instinct of a soldier, he obeyed.  But he’d be damned if he ran from this wizard without getting a good lick in.One heavily-muscled, heavily-armored arm reached for the lip of the long table while the other drew the massive warhammer for which he was nicknamed.  In one motion, he upended the table and surged forward at the mage who suddenly looked as pale as death.  Twice he struck with the force of thunder, splattering Bythius’ face across the wall on both sides.“Dietri! I need you!”The answer came before he had even finished the sentence.  The fire roared angrily and a network of magical traps was set off around the small cabin.  First, the mage’s chair exploded into shards beneath him, sending innumerable bits of shrapnel into the small man’s back.  A few pieces bounced harmlessly off Hammer’s plate mail but he was too worried about not being in the way of what came next.  Too late.Four beams of light shot from the corners of the cabin’s ceiling, three contacting the mage solidly, temporarily halting his fall to the ground, and one striking Hammer in the shoulder, melting steel and flesh.  Finally, a column of fire and holy energy descended from the ceiling.  The display was short, but in the end, Bythius was no more.“Hammer!!!”The panicked voice was El’Duran’s, who sounded more afraid than ever in his entire life.  The paladin bolted for the door and out into the night.  He was met by a noiseless impact in the back of his head, and the feeling of multiple, invisible fists pummeling him.  His world blurred but his instincts got the better of the pain.  He spun around and swung wildly, connecting with something about as tall as a Dwarf but exponentially uglier.  Its charred skin was floating off its face to reveal what seemed to be magma beneath.Several arrows shot past the creature, who actually stood a few feet behind where it appeared.  It was hard to tell for sure and Hammer wasn’t waiting around to find out. He turned to look into the cabin and saw Dietri reaching back to draw another arrow.  Something appeared in the shadows behind her.  Something altogether demonic.  He tried to call out to her, but something else struck him from behind.  He felt little else after that.  The rest of the dwarf passed before his vision as the force of the blow knocked him toward the earth.  As the blackness pushed in, he could make out a freakishly tall Felin standing where his back was.  Another figure, soaked in blood, approached from the treeline, so tall it dwarfed the cabin itself.  Two horns growing from its back proclaimed it a Titanotrope. The giant raised one man-sized fist and Hammer knew no more.</blockquote>

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