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DM Brainiac's Prison of the Firebringer (Updated 12/21/05)
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<blockquote data-quote="ltclnlbrain" data-source="post: 2432417" data-attributes="member: 12882"><p><strong>Chapter 39</strong></p><p></p><p>The poisoned crossbow bolt tore through the air toward Rhys like a shark bearing down on a wounded seal. The cleric seemed unaware of his impending doom, getting ready to cast another spell. Before the first words left his lips, the bolt hit. With a clang of metal, it skipped off his breastplate and clattered harmlessly to the snow.</p><p></p><p>Yarrick Zan blinked.</p><p></p><p>It had missed.</p><p></p><p><em>Torm must truly like that one,</em> the assassin thought acerbically. Already its presence had been revealed, and Rhys was directing his magical hand of force towards Zan. The mind flayer dodged away, but not fast enough as the enormous hand closed around it in a powerful grapple. Staying now would be a mistake, and Yarrick Zan would not have earned its reputation as one of the greatest assassins in the world by making mistakes.</p><p></p><p>Concentrating on its innate powers, the assassin <em>plane shifted</em> away.</p><p></p><p>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p></p><p>The unexpected attack by the strange half-elf woman had taken Rhys by surprise, but fortunately he had been able to drive her off without incident. Then, it was only a matter of time before last remaining ice golems succumbed to the party's spells and swords.</p><p></p><p>The priest turned to regard Taigiel, who was nursing a bruised shoulder. Though he had reserved some initial doubts about the half-dragon, it seemed now he had finally proved where his heart lay. "Taigiel, I wish to thank you for your aid. You are an extremely skilled warrior and I'm glad you're with us." </p><p></p><p>Taigiel grunted in acknowledgment. "I am sorry I was unable to aid your companions. They were ambushed by an assassin. He slew them and fled before I could get to him. I am sorry." The half-dragon looks down at the bodies of Grundar and Terenon. "The appearance of those golems means that Acessiwal knows we are coming. He must have spies about town that tipped him off. It won't be safe for us to stay here much longer." </p><p></p><p>Rhys nodded. "Jelani, do you have a teleport spell prepared? We need to get out of here."</p><p></p><p>“I do have a teleport," replied Jelani, "so let’s load them into the portable hole and get ready to go. I don’t know how much we have in the way of disposable funds after the last time, but maybe they’ll give us a deal. We do seem to be frequent customers there!”</p><p></p><p>Nobody seemed to appreciate his attempt at levity.</p><p></p><p>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p><p></p><p><em>Grundar...</em></p><p></p><p>A voice was calling his name. It sounded vaguely familiar.</p><p></p><p><em>Grundar, come back...</em></p><p></p><p>This wasn't the same voice as the first one though. What had that voice said? Something about business. It didn't matter. The light ahead was bright, and he could smell the fresh scent of pine trees, the laughter and song of the elves.</p><p></p><p><em>Grundar, come back...</em></p><p></p><p>Wait. A nagging doubt lingered in his mind. The first voice. Something about it. An image of tentacles? He turned away from the light, and in an instant memory came flooding back in a rush, a raging torrent akin to a river bursting through a dam. He wanted to scream. He did scream.</p><p></p><p>"Yarrick!"</p><p></p><p>Grundar sat bolt upright on the stone slab. He was panting heavily, confused as to his surroundings. Then he saw the face of the high priest of Torm at the temple in Silverymoon, and he understood. He had died.</p><p></p><p>"Welcome back, my friend," the priest said gently.</p><p></p><p>The elf reached one hand to the back of his head, feeling for holes. Finding none, he snarled as he slid off the slab and proceeded to get dressed. "Where's my rapier? I'm gonna skewer that pile of mucous!" He continued to spit choice curses, much to the chagrin of the priest.</p><p></p><p>A slight relief filled him as he saw the others waiting in the foyer: Allanon, Jelani, Rhys, Rumar, the still-disguised Taigiel, and a subdued Terenon. "Did you get that bastard Yarrick Zan? It was him, right?" He noticed Terenon's sullen expression. "You got nailed too? What happened?"</p><p></p><p>Jelani nodded to Grundar as he came bursting into the room. “Zan was involved? That does explain a bit what happened, but I couldn't say for sure. The assassin is still out there somewhere; we were attacked by some more golems. As it turns out it was a fortunate turn of events, as many gemstones were incorporated into their bodies. That, combined with Rumar’s generosity, allowed us to return the pair of you to the living with relative ease. I believe that perhaps we should find a nice safe spot to talk about how we should proceed from here. It is obvious that we cannot proceed like we have been. Our adversary seems to be predicting our movements.” </p><p></p><p>As if on cue, Rhys stiffened and looked to a point above Taigiel's head. "We're being watched!" he hissed.</p><p></p><p>Grundar's hand move to his rapier hilt as he looked around him, ready for another attack. He waited for several minutes, tensed in anticipation for a fight, but nothing came. No creatures appeared from the ether to attack, no golems pounded down the temple doors and entered. Eventually, he relaxed. "What was that about?" he asked.</p><p></p><p>"Scrying sensor," said Terenon bitterly. "It's gone now."</p><p></p><p>"I think we should head to somewhere a bit safer," mused Jelani. "After all, we’ve things to discuss; and I could use a bit of rest after that battle.” </p><p></p><p>Taigiel fidgeted with his hat of disguise. "I hate masquerading around as something I'm not. Let's go to this private place so I can take this damn thing off. I've never been in this region before. You know better than I where we should go." </p><p></p><p>"The mage's guild," said Terenon. "Join hands."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="ltclnlbrain, post: 2432417, member: 12882"] [B]Chapter 39[/B] The poisoned crossbow bolt tore through the air toward Rhys like a shark bearing down on a wounded seal. The cleric seemed unaware of his impending doom, getting ready to cast another spell. Before the first words left his lips, the bolt hit. With a clang of metal, it skipped off his breastplate and clattered harmlessly to the snow. Yarrick Zan blinked. It had missed. [i]Torm must truly like that one,[/i] the assassin thought acerbically. Already its presence had been revealed, and Rhys was directing his magical hand of force towards Zan. The mind flayer dodged away, but not fast enough as the enormous hand closed around it in a powerful grapple. Staying now would be a mistake, and Yarrick Zan would not have earned its reputation as one of the greatest assassins in the world by making mistakes. Concentrating on its innate powers, the assassin [I]plane shifted[/I] away. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The unexpected attack by the strange half-elf woman had taken Rhys by surprise, but fortunately he had been able to drive her off without incident. Then, it was only a matter of time before last remaining ice golems succumbed to the party's spells and swords. The priest turned to regard Taigiel, who was nursing a bruised shoulder. Though he had reserved some initial doubts about the half-dragon, it seemed now he had finally proved where his heart lay. "Taigiel, I wish to thank you for your aid. You are an extremely skilled warrior and I'm glad you're with us." Taigiel grunted in acknowledgment. "I am sorry I was unable to aid your companions. They were ambushed by an assassin. He slew them and fled before I could get to him. I am sorry." The half-dragon looks down at the bodies of Grundar and Terenon. "The appearance of those golems means that Acessiwal knows we are coming. He must have spies about town that tipped him off. It won't be safe for us to stay here much longer." Rhys nodded. "Jelani, do you have a teleport spell prepared? We need to get out of here." “I do have a teleport," replied Jelani, "so let’s load them into the portable hole and get ready to go. I don’t know how much we have in the way of disposable funds after the last time, but maybe they’ll give us a deal. We do seem to be frequent customers there!” Nobody seemed to appreciate his attempt at levity. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [I]Grundar...[/I] A voice was calling his name. It sounded vaguely familiar. [I]Grundar, come back...[/I] This wasn't the same voice as the first one though. What had that voice said? Something about business. It didn't matter. The light ahead was bright, and he could smell the fresh scent of pine trees, the laughter and song of the elves. [I]Grundar, come back...[/I] Wait. A nagging doubt lingered in his mind. The first voice. Something about it. An image of tentacles? He turned away from the light, and in an instant memory came flooding back in a rush, a raging torrent akin to a river bursting through a dam. He wanted to scream. He did scream. "Yarrick!" Grundar sat bolt upright on the stone slab. He was panting heavily, confused as to his surroundings. Then he saw the face of the high priest of Torm at the temple in Silverymoon, and he understood. He had died. "Welcome back, my friend," the priest said gently. The elf reached one hand to the back of his head, feeling for holes. Finding none, he snarled as he slid off the slab and proceeded to get dressed. "Where's my rapier? I'm gonna skewer that pile of mucous!" He continued to spit choice curses, much to the chagrin of the priest. A slight relief filled him as he saw the others waiting in the foyer: Allanon, Jelani, Rhys, Rumar, the still-disguised Taigiel, and a subdued Terenon. "Did you get that bastard Yarrick Zan? It was him, right?" He noticed Terenon's sullen expression. "You got nailed too? What happened?" Jelani nodded to Grundar as he came bursting into the room. “Zan was involved? That does explain a bit what happened, but I couldn't say for sure. The assassin is still out there somewhere; we were attacked by some more golems. As it turns out it was a fortunate turn of events, as many gemstones were incorporated into their bodies. That, combined with Rumar’s generosity, allowed us to return the pair of you to the living with relative ease. I believe that perhaps we should find a nice safe spot to talk about how we should proceed from here. It is obvious that we cannot proceed like we have been. Our adversary seems to be predicting our movements.” As if on cue, Rhys stiffened and looked to a point above Taigiel's head. "We're being watched!" he hissed. Grundar's hand move to his rapier hilt as he looked around him, ready for another attack. He waited for several minutes, tensed in anticipation for a fight, but nothing came. No creatures appeared from the ether to attack, no golems pounded down the temple doors and entered. Eventually, he relaxed. "What was that about?" he asked. "Scrying sensor," said Terenon bitterly. "It's gone now." "I think we should head to somewhere a bit safer," mused Jelani. "After all, we’ve things to discuss; and I could use a bit of rest after that battle.” Taigiel fidgeted with his hat of disguise. "I hate masquerading around as something I'm not. Let's go to this private place so I can take this damn thing off. I've never been in this region before. You know better than I where we should go." "The mage's guild," said Terenon. "Join hands." [/QUOTE]
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