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Shackled City Epic: "Vengeance" (story concluded)
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<blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 1911609" data-attributes="member: 143"><p>Chapter 285</p><p></p><p>“A draco-what?” Hodge said. </p><p></p><p>“A dracolich,” Zenna said. “Undead. Immortal. Virtually invincible; even if you kill it, their spirits live on in a magical phylactery, and can take over another body, and rise again.”</p><p></p><p>“Uncle Cal’s tales, the Reaching Wood,” Mole said, and Zenna glanced at her and nodded. </p><p></p><p>“I have heard of such things,” Shensen said, her face troubled. “They are abominations, raised through eldritch magic, or through the activities of mad groups such as the Cult of the Dragon.”</p><p></p><p>“Okay, I get the idea. So why ain’t we dead?” Hodge asked.</p><p></p><p>“Abradius said it was a guardian,” Dannel said. “It may be trapped here, compelled to remain as a guardian of the Soul Pillars.”</p><p></p><p>“How big?” Beorna asked. </p><p></p><p>“I don’t know...” Zenna said. “Big. Huge. It was difficult to see.”</p><p></p><p>“Well, physically it wouldn’t be able to fit through that tiny corridor,” Beorna said. </p><p></p><p>“So then,” Hodge said. “It can’t get out. So what’s the problem? We got the wizzerd, we kin just leave.”</p><p></p><p>“I don’t think it’s quite that simple, Hodge,” Dannel said.</p><p></p><p>The dwarf shook his head. “Nay. It never be.” Tossing his axe onto the desk, he stepped over to the cot and settled heavily onto it, drawing out a flask from his pouch. </p><p></p><p>Beorna stepped in front of the door, drawing their attention to her. “This thing is a horror beyond imagining,” she said. “If it were to be released, it could destroy Cauldron, and wreak havoc on the surrounding region. Here, with it confined, and with forewarning, we may have a chance.”</p><p></p><p>Hodge muttered something that wasn’t quite audible. Beorna glanced over at him, and then shifted her gaze to Shensen. </p><p></p><p>“I fear that this enemy is beyond anything any of us have faced before. Together, we may defeat it. But I understand if... if you feel that you cannot continue.”</p><p></p><p>Shensen nodded. “I stand with you.”</p><p></p><p>Hodge looked up. “Hey, I dinna say nothin’ about backin’ down!”</p><p></p><p>“My uncle and his friends killed one, once,” Mole said. “And I bet we’re at least as tough now as they were, then.” Her grin betrayed her own eagerness, although Zenna thought that her legs would buckle under her, if Dannel loosened his arms around her body. </p><p></p><p>Beorna turned back to Zenna. “Could you tell what manner of dragon it had been, in life? If we know its type, we can prepare wards against its breath attack.”</p><p></p><p>Zenna’s brow furrowed in concentration, but she finally shook her head. “I... I’m not sure,” she said. “I only got a brief look; it seemed like it was mostly a skeleton.”</p><p></p><p>The templar frowned. “The more we know, the better our chances against it.”</p><p></p><p>Zenna nodded. Drawing upon a reserve of strength, she squeezed Dannel in thanks and then stepped away from him. She crossed over to the desk, leaning against it as she turned to face them. </p><p></p><p>“There may be an answer,” she said. “Abradius’s notes... I believe that they held enough information for me to delve into the lesser pillars, the ones we encountered earlier in the pit chamber. Abradius mentioned secrets, of mysteries and lore possessed by the spirits trapped inside them. I may be able to use them to get the information we need about the guardian.”</p><p></p><p>“Those pillars were suffused with taint,” Arun said. “An evil like that is not easily tamed, even for a good purpose.”</p><p></p><p>“And that taint may spread to those who seek to touch it,” Beorna echoed. </p><p></p><p>“I can ward myself,” Zenna said. “If you have a better idea...”</p><p></p><p>“I do,” Beorna said. “I may implore Helm for guidance, seek a <em>divination</em> that may help us.”</p><p></p><p>Zenna nodded; she herself had access to the same spell. “That may work,” she said, “Although as you know, even such revelations are usually murky.”</p><p></p><p>“Better to risk that, than blindly risk your very soul.”</p><p></p><p>“Very well.”</p><p></p><p>So once more they rested, ate, and kept a vigilant watch. Karran-Kural was silent, although each of the companions thought they could feel the malevolent presence of the guardian even through dozens of yards of stone separating them from the dracolich. Could it sense them, here? It knew that <em>someone</em> was there, that much was certain from Zenna’s viewing. How many centuries had the creature lived... no, “existed” might be a better word, for the grim unlife of such a thing was wholly unlike their mortal lives. How many foes had it faced and overcome? How much life-knowledge existed in the spark of its brain? </p><p></p><p>Later, Beorna knelt on the hard stones of the floor, lost in prayer. She invoked the power of Helm, and finally lifted her head, and spoke words in a deep voice not entirely her own. </p><p></p><p><em>In the depths, the guardian of the pillars waits</em></p><p><em>The drake eternal, yet bound by ancient lore</em></p><p><em>He brings the storm, stealing breath, stealing life</em></p><p><em>Yet the secrets he guards may mean life for many</em></p><p></p><p>“Cryptic, as always,” Arun commented.</p><p></p><p>“You’d think that as a god, Helm could be a little more plain-spoken,” Mole said. </p><p></p><p>“Well, it reinforces the importance of beating the creature, if we didn’t already have enough reason,” Dannel said. “But it doesn’t tell us what we wanted to know.”</p><p></p><p>“Yet I think the clue we need is there,” Zenna said. “Stealing breath, stealing life... That suggests poison gas.”</p><p></p><p>“A green, then,” Shensen said. </p><p></p><p>“The same kind Uncle Cal and the others fought,” Mole said. </p><p></p><p>Zenna nodded. She remembered the tale. Remembered also that some of their allies didn’t survive that fight.</p><p></p><p>“Let us make our preparations,” she said.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lazybones, post: 1911609, member: 143"] Chapter 285 “A draco-what?” Hodge said. “A dracolich,” Zenna said. “Undead. Immortal. Virtually invincible; even if you kill it, their spirits live on in a magical phylactery, and can take over another body, and rise again.” “Uncle Cal’s tales, the Reaching Wood,” Mole said, and Zenna glanced at her and nodded. “I have heard of such things,” Shensen said, her face troubled. “They are abominations, raised through eldritch magic, or through the activities of mad groups such as the Cult of the Dragon.” “Okay, I get the idea. So why ain’t we dead?” Hodge asked. “Abradius said it was a guardian,” Dannel said. “It may be trapped here, compelled to remain as a guardian of the Soul Pillars.” “How big?” Beorna asked. “I don’t know...” Zenna said. “Big. Huge. It was difficult to see.” “Well, physically it wouldn’t be able to fit through that tiny corridor,” Beorna said. “So then,” Hodge said. “It can’t get out. So what’s the problem? We got the wizzerd, we kin just leave.” “I don’t think it’s quite that simple, Hodge,” Dannel said. The dwarf shook his head. “Nay. It never be.” Tossing his axe onto the desk, he stepped over to the cot and settled heavily onto it, drawing out a flask from his pouch. Beorna stepped in front of the door, drawing their attention to her. “This thing is a horror beyond imagining,” she said. “If it were to be released, it could destroy Cauldron, and wreak havoc on the surrounding region. Here, with it confined, and with forewarning, we may have a chance.” Hodge muttered something that wasn’t quite audible. Beorna glanced over at him, and then shifted her gaze to Shensen. “I fear that this enemy is beyond anything any of us have faced before. Together, we may defeat it. But I understand if... if you feel that you cannot continue.” Shensen nodded. “I stand with you.” Hodge looked up. “Hey, I dinna say nothin’ about backin’ down!” “My uncle and his friends killed one, once,” Mole said. “And I bet we’re at least as tough now as they were, then.” Her grin betrayed her own eagerness, although Zenna thought that her legs would buckle under her, if Dannel loosened his arms around her body. Beorna turned back to Zenna. “Could you tell what manner of dragon it had been, in life? If we know its type, we can prepare wards against its breath attack.” Zenna’s brow furrowed in concentration, but she finally shook her head. “I... I’m not sure,” she said. “I only got a brief look; it seemed like it was mostly a skeleton.” The templar frowned. “The more we know, the better our chances against it.” Zenna nodded. Drawing upon a reserve of strength, she squeezed Dannel in thanks and then stepped away from him. She crossed over to the desk, leaning against it as she turned to face them. “There may be an answer,” she said. “Abradius’s notes... I believe that they held enough information for me to delve into the lesser pillars, the ones we encountered earlier in the pit chamber. Abradius mentioned secrets, of mysteries and lore possessed by the spirits trapped inside them. I may be able to use them to get the information we need about the guardian.” “Those pillars were suffused with taint,” Arun said. “An evil like that is not easily tamed, even for a good purpose.” “And that taint may spread to those who seek to touch it,” Beorna echoed. “I can ward myself,” Zenna said. “If you have a better idea...” “I do,” Beorna said. “I may implore Helm for guidance, seek a [I]divination[/I] that may help us.” Zenna nodded; she herself had access to the same spell. “That may work,” she said, “Although as you know, even such revelations are usually murky.” “Better to risk that, than blindly risk your very soul.” “Very well.” So once more they rested, ate, and kept a vigilant watch. Karran-Kural was silent, although each of the companions thought they could feel the malevolent presence of the guardian even through dozens of yards of stone separating them from the dracolich. Could it sense them, here? It knew that [I]someone[/I] was there, that much was certain from Zenna’s viewing. How many centuries had the creature lived... no, “existed” might be a better word, for the grim unlife of such a thing was wholly unlike their mortal lives. How many foes had it faced and overcome? How much life-knowledge existed in the spark of its brain? Later, Beorna knelt on the hard stones of the floor, lost in prayer. She invoked the power of Helm, and finally lifted her head, and spoke words in a deep voice not entirely her own. [I]In the depths, the guardian of the pillars waits The drake eternal, yet bound by ancient lore He brings the storm, stealing breath, stealing life Yet the secrets he guards may mean life for many[/I] “Cryptic, as always,” Arun commented. “You’d think that as a god, Helm could be a little more plain-spoken,” Mole said. “Well, it reinforces the importance of beating the creature, if we didn’t already have enough reason,” Dannel said. “But it doesn’t tell us what we wanted to know.” “Yet I think the clue we need is there,” Zenna said. “Stealing breath, stealing life... That suggests poison gas.” “A green, then,” Shensen said. “The same kind Uncle Cal and the others fought,” Mole said. Zenna nodded. She remembered the tale. Remembered also that some of their allies didn’t survive that fight. “Let us make our preparations,” she said. [/QUOTE]
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