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<blockquote data-quote="James McMurray" data-source="post: 392861" data-attributes="member: 743"><p>Sorry for the long absence. I've been a bit busy. I'll reply to you after I get a few more updates up. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>After the meeting with Bune, the party headed to Celestia for guidance. They began the arduous travel up the mountainsides, and came across a village. As they tried to skirt it, two gates opened and devils poured through. The party teleported to the far side of a nearby lake to try to draw the devils away from the village, but soon had to teleport back when the devils started attacking the village.</p><p></p><p>Everyone who was there except for Teflon Billy persihed defending the village. They then (except for Billy) woke up at the highest point on the plane. A voice in their heads informed them that self-sacrifice for the weak was one of the greatest virtues and they could travel onward. A gate to the second layer opened. William and Oskar (the only two survivors) found themselves fully healed and refreshed. William's spells were replenished, and after he stepped through the gate he began the process of reviving Kargur and Lanis.</p><p></p><p>Meanwhile, Teflon Billy had teleported to safety. He thought he was going to the far side of the lake, but the Plane knew he was fleeing and had failed the test. It deposited him back in the shores of Lunia, the silvery Ocean on the first layer. </p><p></p><p>As the group travelled further ahead (William and Oskar carrying the bodies of Lanis and Kargur), this is what happened to Billy. It happened over email and I'm just cut and pasting, so please forgive me if it is mostly a second person and hasn't been spell chekced. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>As Teflon Billy stands waist deep in the waters of Lunia' vast Ocean, he finds himself feeling cold, alone, and afraid. The sky above opens up, and a now familiar background of scorched earth and dark flames shows through. Moments later, the Gate's opener floats through to hover 10 feet above the water's surface: a 10' tall muscualar man with 2' long horns shooting almost straight out from his head. An incredibly long baided goatee drapes down from his chin. In his shoulders are two massive rings, and he hangs in the air as if suspended from them. Billy finds himself stricken dumb with fear, unable to move or flee, only to listen.</p><p> </p><p>"It is no suriprise that Bune failed in his mission. Ho words were ever the weakest ones." The voice is cold and emotionless, with the enevitability of the ages behind it.</p><p> </p><p>"We have at least 2.45 minutes before the hosts of this plane react to my presence here. In that time I will explain to you why it is that you will come with me."</p><p> </p><p>"You have greatly displeased the Lord Asmodeus. This is not something that is done lightly. As such, he has decreed that you will replace that which was destroyed. Every hour that you refuse his commands, the atrocities commited to exact revenge will continue. With each passing hour they will escalate. here is the first of the deaths caused by your foolishnesh." As he says this last, he puls his hands from behind his back and hold them forth. Cupped in his mighty fists is a tiny dwarven baby, completely limp. As he tosses the husk of the baby to the shore he continues, "That one's soul was quite delicious."</p><p> </p><p>"For every hour you refuse to come to the Master, more souls will feed us. The deaths whose responsibility falls on your shoulders will double with each passing hour. That was the first. In 42 minutes' time, two more shall perish, then four, then eight, and so on."</p><p> </p><p>"You can save their lives and their souls by simply acquiescing to our demands. Meet with the Master, accept his gracious offer."</p><p> </p><p>High up the slopes of Mount Celestia a trumpet blares, and thunder rolls out as 25 tiny lights shoot down from the sky. They are followed by a Trumpet Archon and two Avorals.</p><p> </p><p>"When you have seen the wisdom of my words, break this and you will be brought to me." He tosses down a small rod, which lands in the sand near Billy, then floats back through the gate, which closes behind him. As he leaves, so does most of Billy's fear.</p><p> </p><p>The Archons are drawing closer.</p><p></p><p>Billy's reply:</p><p>Billy will take the rod. Now that he finds his companions are safe without Billy around, he comtemplates for a minute on what to do. If he doesn't go to hell and do the Devil King's bidding, innocent people will die. If he does go to hell and do the Devil King's bidding, he will betray his compainions, his God, and his personal beliefs. So he waits for the archons to arrive, and tells them what happened, and why, and informs them that he will leave so that the safety of celestia will not be compromised. As to options, Billy figures if he disitigrates himself, the devil cannot use his flesh to be the binding of the new book, and though innocents may still be killed, the Devil will not get his wish of having Billy help him construct a new book(which Heironious wouldn't want billy to do)... But as to what I do next will depend on what the archon's tell me after I inform them of the events that alerted them to come here.</p><p></p><p>The Trumpet Archon and Avorals listen patiently to Billy's explanation, while the Lanterns roam near and far searching for signs of other evil intruders. When Billy finishes his tale, the Trumpet Archon thinks for a few moments then says, "That is indeed quite a predicament you have gotten yourself into. Having served under the great Heironious and in his army for Millenia, I can state with near utmost certainty that he would wish for you to achieve the glory that is inherent in sacrificing yourself for the gretaer good. Although it would garnish you an eternity of torment in the pages of a Contractor Tome, it is truly the path of the Proud."</p><p></p><p>Billy thinks "WHAT A GOD DAMNED, MF'IN.. oh wait, might be reading my thoughts... grrrrrrr.... fine, I'll be a book.... prolly not as bad as what derik put me through.... I hope..." Billy says "as heronious wishes, I will leave a message for my companions and journey to hell." Billy then rests and remem's spells, teleports to the villiage, leaves a message with the monk guy explaining what has happened, and what billy is doing, and the breaks the rod(after leaving the village. Billy thinks, "well, if I'm gonna be a book, and be tourmented forever, might as well piss off the devils as much as possible. ><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> </p><p></p><p>The Archon seems pleased by his choice, and Billy sits down to rest. About 30 minutes later, the sky opens above him for a split second, and 2 small figures fall through. A dwarven boy of about five years of age falls limply to the ground, followed shortly by what appears to be his mother. Both are bloody and mangled.</p><p></p><p>The devil's voice calls through, "More dead pile at your feet."</p><p></p><p>Moments later the Trumpet Archon rearrives and stares at the bodies on the ground. "This cannot be allowed to continue here. If you are going to rest, I must insist you go elsewhere."</p><p></p><p>"Certainly I will. Thank you for your cooperation."</p><p></p><p>As Billy breaks the rod, the ground beneath his feet opens up, and he sees a long fall below him dropping straight into the fiery pits of Hell. As his plummets downward, his skin burns and scorches and pain fills his entire being.</p><p></p><p>His fall is momentarily arrested, and a suave looking individual stands next to him holding a famiiar Tome. "You know, just because that blow hard Heironious thinks you should sacrifice yourself is no reason to do it. I can show you the loopholes in the Duke of Rhetoric's dealings, and ensure that you get out of this alive. What do you say?"</p><p></p><p>Billy's reply: I say "wow, thanks, you look like you could use an encouraging boot." And I cast teflon's encouraging boot. you can make the sr check 17th caster. (editor's note: Teflon's Encouraging Boot is a more Colorflul version of Bigby's Clecnched Fist)</p><p></p><p>As Billy Boots the devil back down into hell, his feet land back in the softly rippling shores of Mount Celestia's ocean, and his pain and suffering drift away into a moment of pure bliss. The Trumpet Archon stands before him, "You have passed the test of obedience and fealty, truly one of the deepest tenets of Law. You may rejoin your friends. Be forewarned though, the content of this past test was also a precursor to a possible future. The devils of Hell have long memories, and The Fallen does not soon forget transgressions against him and his kind. </p><p></p><p>"I truly am but a lowly vassal in Pelor's employ and would be quite unfit to offer advice on how best to acceed to Heironious' Will in this matter. I would suggest you travel to meet one of his greater Servitors on a higher level and ask them what best to do." </p><p></p><p>A Shimmering portal appears in the air beside him, and through it he sees William and Oskar. William is bent over Lanis in the now familiar Resurrection Ritual.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="James McMurray, post: 392861, member: 743"] Sorry for the long absence. I've been a bit busy. I'll reply to you after I get a few more updates up. :) After the meeting with Bune, the party headed to Celestia for guidance. They began the arduous travel up the mountainsides, and came across a village. As they tried to skirt it, two gates opened and devils poured through. The party teleported to the far side of a nearby lake to try to draw the devils away from the village, but soon had to teleport back when the devils started attacking the village. Everyone who was there except for Teflon Billy persihed defending the village. They then (except for Billy) woke up at the highest point on the plane. A voice in their heads informed them that self-sacrifice for the weak was one of the greatest virtues and they could travel onward. A gate to the second layer opened. William and Oskar (the only two survivors) found themselves fully healed and refreshed. William's spells were replenished, and after he stepped through the gate he began the process of reviving Kargur and Lanis. Meanwhile, Teflon Billy had teleported to safety. He thought he was going to the far side of the lake, but the Plane knew he was fleeing and had failed the test. It deposited him back in the shores of Lunia, the silvery Ocean on the first layer. As the group travelled further ahead (William and Oskar carrying the bodies of Lanis and Kargur), this is what happened to Billy. It happened over email and I'm just cut and pasting, so please forgive me if it is mostly a second person and hasn't been spell chekced. :-) As Teflon Billy stands waist deep in the waters of Lunia' vast Ocean, he finds himself feeling cold, alone, and afraid. The sky above opens up, and a now familiar background of scorched earth and dark flames shows through. Moments later, the Gate's opener floats through to hover 10 feet above the water's surface: a 10' tall muscualar man with 2' long horns shooting almost straight out from his head. An incredibly long baided goatee drapes down from his chin. In his shoulders are two massive rings, and he hangs in the air as if suspended from them. Billy finds himself stricken dumb with fear, unable to move or flee, only to listen. "It is no suriprise that Bune failed in his mission. Ho words were ever the weakest ones." The voice is cold and emotionless, with the enevitability of the ages behind it. "We have at least 2.45 minutes before the hosts of this plane react to my presence here. In that time I will explain to you why it is that you will come with me." "You have greatly displeased the Lord Asmodeus. This is not something that is done lightly. As such, he has decreed that you will replace that which was destroyed. Every hour that you refuse his commands, the atrocities commited to exact revenge will continue. With each passing hour they will escalate. here is the first of the deaths caused by your foolishnesh." As he says this last, he puls his hands from behind his back and hold them forth. Cupped in his mighty fists is a tiny dwarven baby, completely limp. As he tosses the husk of the baby to the shore he continues, "That one's soul was quite delicious." "For every hour you refuse to come to the Master, more souls will feed us. The deaths whose responsibility falls on your shoulders will double with each passing hour. That was the first. In 42 minutes' time, two more shall perish, then four, then eight, and so on." "You can save their lives and their souls by simply acquiescing to our demands. Meet with the Master, accept his gracious offer." High up the slopes of Mount Celestia a trumpet blares, and thunder rolls out as 25 tiny lights shoot down from the sky. They are followed by a Trumpet Archon and two Avorals. "When you have seen the wisdom of my words, break this and you will be brought to me." He tosses down a small rod, which lands in the sand near Billy, then floats back through the gate, which closes behind him. As he leaves, so does most of Billy's fear. The Archons are drawing closer. Billy's reply: Billy will take the rod. Now that he finds his companions are safe without Billy around, he comtemplates for a minute on what to do. If he doesn't go to hell and do the Devil King's bidding, innocent people will die. If he does go to hell and do the Devil King's bidding, he will betray his compainions, his God, and his personal beliefs. So he waits for the archons to arrive, and tells them what happened, and why, and informs them that he will leave so that the safety of celestia will not be compromised. As to options, Billy figures if he disitigrates himself, the devil cannot use his flesh to be the binding of the new book, and though innocents may still be killed, the Devil will not get his wish of having Billy help him construct a new book(which Heironious wouldn't want billy to do)... But as to what I do next will depend on what the archon's tell me after I inform them of the events that alerted them to come here. The Trumpet Archon and Avorals listen patiently to Billy's explanation, while the Lanterns roam near and far searching for signs of other evil intruders. When Billy finishes his tale, the Trumpet Archon thinks for a few moments then says, "That is indeed quite a predicament you have gotten yourself into. Having served under the great Heironious and in his army for Millenia, I can state with near utmost certainty that he would wish for you to achieve the glory that is inherent in sacrificing yourself for the gretaer good. Although it would garnish you an eternity of torment in the pages of a Contractor Tome, it is truly the path of the Proud." Billy thinks "WHAT A GOD DAMNED, MF'IN.. oh wait, might be reading my thoughts... grrrrrrr.... fine, I'll be a book.... prolly not as bad as what derik put me through.... I hope..." Billy says "as heronious wishes, I will leave a message for my companions and journey to hell." Billy then rests and remem's spells, teleports to the villiage, leaves a message with the monk guy explaining what has happened, and what billy is doing, and the breaks the rod(after leaving the village. Billy thinks, "well, if I'm gonna be a book, and be tourmented forever, might as well piss off the devils as much as possible. >:) The Archon seems pleased by his choice, and Billy sits down to rest. About 30 minutes later, the sky opens above him for a split second, and 2 small figures fall through. A dwarven boy of about five years of age falls limply to the ground, followed shortly by what appears to be his mother. Both are bloody and mangled. The devil's voice calls through, "More dead pile at your feet." Moments later the Trumpet Archon rearrives and stares at the bodies on the ground. "This cannot be allowed to continue here. If you are going to rest, I must insist you go elsewhere." "Certainly I will. Thank you for your cooperation." As Billy breaks the rod, the ground beneath his feet opens up, and he sees a long fall below him dropping straight into the fiery pits of Hell. As his plummets downward, his skin burns and scorches and pain fills his entire being. His fall is momentarily arrested, and a suave looking individual stands next to him holding a famiiar Tome. "You know, just because that blow hard Heironious thinks you should sacrifice yourself is no reason to do it. I can show you the loopholes in the Duke of Rhetoric's dealings, and ensure that you get out of this alive. What do you say?" Billy's reply: I say "wow, thanks, you look like you could use an encouraging boot." And I cast teflon's encouraging boot. you can make the sr check 17th caster. (editor's note: Teflon's Encouraging Boot is a more Colorflul version of Bigby's Clecnched Fist) As Billy Boots the devil back down into hell, his feet land back in the softly rippling shores of Mount Celestia's ocean, and his pain and suffering drift away into a moment of pure bliss. The Trumpet Archon stands before him, "You have passed the test of obedience and fealty, truly one of the deepest tenets of Law. You may rejoin your friends. Be forewarned though, the content of this past test was also a precursor to a possible future. The devils of Hell have long memories, and The Fallen does not soon forget transgressions against him and his kind. "I truly am but a lowly vassal in Pelor's employ and would be quite unfit to offer advice on how best to acceed to Heironious' Will in this matter. I would suggest you travel to meet one of his greater Servitors on a higher level and ask them what best to do." A Shimmering portal appears in the air beside him, and through it he sees William and Oskar. William is bent over Lanis in the now familiar Resurrection Ritual. [/QUOTE]
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