Strikeforce: Morituri Part One "the Mortals" Is Completed

[megamania]

STRIKEFORCE: MORITURI
SEGMENT 065
“Vander on the Bridge; Vander’s last Stand”

Vander snarls at the shape-shifting Daemon that guards the long and narrow bridge. His powerful falchion strikes the creature and slices it up. The daemon’s lidless eyes stare in disbelief (as did mine when I started this battle) as it loses first an arm then a large section of chest and finally it’s black heart is burst.

Vander stares at the creature and moves on stepping over the black skinned creature.

DM Blackblood is speechless. It was so easy. Too easy.

Viewers cheer on Vander. Some mistaken him as a paladin of Kord, others of Hextor.

Vander is near the last stone pillar when he stops. His uncanny warrior senses alert him to danger. Something is gravely wrong. Something or someone is within this last shelter.

He stops and holds a defensive pose that can be offensive with but a flick of his thick wrists. “Come out creature of the bridge. Come out so that I may see you.” His voice beckons no argument.

His answer comes in the form of a psionic assault. He hears and feels nothing. The world seems to move in slow motion as ripples of pure psionic force rip into his mind. His psionic ectoskin reels and peals in the surge of will and the way. Vander stumbles back, the world going gray before him. He drops to a knee heavily. His armor chips the stone under him. He has never felt anything like this before and may never again.

A tall and thin figure steps out from the deep and dark shadows. Her bulbous eyes and rubbery head looks pale in comparison. Her tentacles wave in eagerness. It has been a long time since she ate a psionic brain. DM Shelly is nearly giggly as she tries to lift his armored body. His helmet resists her probes from her feeding tentacles.

She is forced to work on the ties of the helmet first. The tall fins on it block her vision and in frustration she drops his head to the ground and moves to straddle him instead. He grunts in response to the violent shock to his head. She gets the helmet off and finds his ectoplasmic skin protects him even in his stunned condition. She mentally calls to the skin and it slowly resists it’s programming and removes itself from his head. Her hands shake as she brings his now unprotected head towards her mouth. At that moment, his eyes snap open. The tentacles latch on and her hard beak like mouth strikes his head …hard. Even as she did this, he reaches up with his strong gloved hand and grabs her throat.

Blood pours from the deep gash in his head. The Mindflayer has broken his skull but not his grip. He squeezes mightily and the Mindflayer finds herself unable to finish the fatal blow.

“I defy you.”

 

[Look_a_Unicorn]

Wow, and I only expected one update!
Superb writing, as always.

Most sympathy for Jean- fist raised in salute for Vander.
The Captain must have failed an Int role...

"DM Shelly was out for a quick “break”."
Subtle foreshadowing- I take it this would normally be against the World Below rules?

 

[megamania]

Wow, and I only expected one update!
Superb writing, as always.

Thankyou. I got on a roll.

Most sympathy for Jean- fist raised in salute for Vander.
The Captain must have failed an Int role...

This is to be the "darkest hour" moments. Hate to say it, but I'm far from done. Yeah- This was the one thing that Jean would be the most mortified of so- there we are. Vander...down but not out. Althought I'm sure you noted his "I defy you." was not in caps. He is losing it. The Captain failed twice. He failed his Spot (what kind of hole it was- natural or creature-made and an INT check which was a surprise to me but hey- a three rolled is a three rolled.

"DM Shelly was out for a quick “break”."
Subtle foreshadowing- I take it this would normally be against the World Below rules?

Yes. DM Nomadis suspected it and allowed it but whether he will use it against her remains to be seen especially since that would be a story hour of theirs- not the faltering Strikeforce.

I had planned a sixth member but it may be where I need more...oops. By the way- no one has asked about Christina yet ....I wonder what happened to her?

Hoping to do more on Wednesday but now I am restarting Under a Darksun also so my Storyhour time will be split by two once I get started.

PS- Dosen't look like I'm going to be using my Hunters....maybe the next adventure

 

[megamania]

STRIKEFORCE: MORITURI
SEGMENT 066
“Jim’s Luck”

Jim Addards.

Lil’ Jimmy

Cop-son

Private Addards

Megamania.

Pathfinder.

Traitor

Morituri

And now …one who walks with elves.

Titles. All are titles or names he has had through his life. Jim has always had a way of collecting them. He has had more but these have always stuck. He hopes the elven one doesn’t.

Celion and Faejahhal are elves that came here in pursuit of a group of Orc marauders that destroyed their village and area. They knew something was wrong when one of these orcs were found dead by them before the game started yet at game start, there he was spitting on the viewers along with his comrades. Once inside, they ran into a Wyvern that spit goo that froze on contact and finally they went underground when they found the Orcs had fallen into a trap that lead to an Underground river. During this river trip, they were attacked and nearly wiped out by a Beholder (the **** is a beholder?). That was when I arrived to save Fae.

Can you believe that- a guy that wants to be referred to a Fay. Could he be …. Naw.

“Based on what you have told us, you were ambushed near the Bridge. That is where we will go first.”

“hum? Oh yeah. Yeah the bridge.” Answers Jim as he comes out of his deep thoughts. Jim is following between the two elves through a path of sorts that leads to the bridge. Jim can not help but to note Celion stares at him at times. He finds her too young for his liking (unknown to him she is over 120 years old- she just looks 14).

“Your aura is quite unique Jim.” She finally adds.

“My aura?”

“Yes, it is a gift of mine from Corellon. I can read one’s aura. Yours is one that is in conflict. I have never seen one such as it.”

Fae stops knowing she will want to finish this subject before going on. It is quirk he both loves and hates in her nature.

“I see protector. That is your strongest trait. But I see the trickster also. The Trickster has several sub-types. Yours is of luck. You are a lucky man in general but that bad-luck needs to go somewhere. It builds up then is released. Sometimes on you, other times on those you wish to protect.”

Unknown to her, these words pain Jim greatly. He is well aware of how those he loves tend to be hurt by him or his job.

“Then there is this pure white aura. I have seen it but once.” She pauses to build interest. Fae raises an arched eyebrow and Jim's expression is largely hidden still by his facemask.

“You have the color of an avatar.”

“Ava- who?!?” Jim says scratching his head in faked confusion. He knows what she speaks of. He was supposed to be the “chosen one” to rid the world of a great unnatural evil. He was born with gifts to do this, luck being but one.

“You are touched by a god. A god not known to me thus of Faerun either. But a god still.”

“I hope it was good touch.” And Jim turns around to begin climbing again. This subject- gods, faith and him bother him to talk about.

Fae looks at his betrothed. He knows she means no harm but has noticed Jim’s aversion to the subject.

Jim gives a quick “Lookie-here” once at the top.

A large crack has split the city in two. Dark red mist rises from the bottom. Several pillars of stone stand like lost sentinels. It appears they hold bridges up to cross. Jim can see a large creature, a winged creature, fly in and out of the mist. If he didn’t know better, he would swear it was a mythical dragon. “Smog”

“Smog?” asks Fae as he reaches the top.

“Yeah- pollution and also a reference to Tolkien.” Jim says then wishes he had not. Seeing at how they are elves, they undoubtedly believe in dragons also.

Celion pushes a glass ball onto her forehead. It seems to meld in and then glow. Jim looks away quickly in disgust and discomfort. “Your one ally- he is a large man carrying a very large sword?”

“Uh- yeah” answering what he thought he explained well enough.

“He is walking on the bridge towards our side.”

Under his mask, Jim smiles wide and true.

 

[megamania]

STRIKEFORCE: MORITURI
SEGMENT 067
“So close Yet So Far”

“What is this thing?” hollers Megamania.

Looking confused at the need of identification, the elves look from each other and shout to him- “Giant Dire Bat!”

Acting like his feeling were hurt, he pulls out his energy gun and nonchalantly shots through the wing and it plummets into the red mist which swallow it up greedily. Both elves stare with open mouths.

“What a strange weapon you have. Is it magic?” asks Celion.

“American” answers Jim putting it back into the holster hidden under his torso protector.

They continue onto the bridge. Jim is unhappy with the red mists. He doesn’t want to know if it’s magic, cursed or just red. He just wants to get Vander then the others. The artifact is even less important to him.

They find Vander kneeling on the bridge with his helmet at his side. Jim’s heart jumps into his throat. Disbelieving and hoping he is just resting, he runs up to his friend. His dead and brainless friend.


The Blue Death snorted and sparked in frustration. This damned human was holding him off still! Would he never tire? Would his shield never tire from the endless lightning strikes? Perhaps this is why the Blue Death did not notice a new threat.

The World Below Goblins loved dragon egg stew. Whenever they found a nest, they dropped all activities to get an egg. They have discovered Blue Death’s nest and have waited very patiently for the last two days for a chance to rush the building where the nest was and procure an egg or two.

The Blue Death suddenly realized its mistake as an egg is dropped and rolls into view. Several goblins come after the egg then stop as the shadow of an angry adult blue dragon falls over them. It is forced to attack with its talons since its breath weapon is currently burned out fighting the infernal gnat in the hole.

The Captain is uncertain what has happened. Though his hair is still on end and bits of static electricity arch around him still, he has not been fired on for several moments now. He looks up and sees nothing. Only the open and very inviting air above. The walls of the hole are charred and cracked from the lightning. Though there are not many, they are handholds now to climb on.

Blue Death finishes the last of the annoying goblins just in time to see the Captain climb out and roll into cover. Holding its unhatched egg, Blue Death decides to eat the doppelganger instead of the human and goes back to see if the goblins harmed any other eggs or worse- took any goodies from its treasure.


“Can the priestess of Infiniti resurrect your friend?”

“Huh?” replies a disgusted Megamania.

The armor has been taken off of Vander and carried by Celion. Fae and Jim carry the lifeless body of Vander. He had never thought of anything like that. He was just going by the US Ranger code of never leave a teammate behind. With new energy, Jim hefts the massive body higher and they continue on. Jim is trying to “wander” towards his friends using the crystal he has. The problem is- his Spellfire powers are messing with it. Unknown to him, his is psionically charged vs magical. He doesn’t feed off of it as well but he does effect it. He basically dispels it.

He is watching also a tower in a section of city coming up. He is guessing that is where Jean is but is uncertain. Its time like these he hates his spellfire abilities. He can’t even find Christina on the gem. There are only two three dots. His, The Captains and a flickering one that should be Jean.

He stops.

Vander and Christina are both not on the gem. Vander is dead. Is ……?

His facemask becomes moist around the eyes and checks as they restart their quest.


Jean locates most of her goods and clothes. She also has found a mirror. Bad.

She looks similar to a zombie or dehydrated creature. Her skin is tight to her bones. Her once full chest now has but one breast and it is lost in the folds of her satin top. She would cry if her could. She wants to find the creature that did this to her. She wants it dead.

 

[megamania]

STRIKEFORCE: MORITURI
SEGMENT 068
“ The Team Reunited …Minus One”

The Ogre never had a chance.

It saw a lone and injured weaponless human and thought “yumm …easy food” The dim witted Giant-kin never suspected the power of The Captain’s shield. The first strike broke ribs and collapsed a lung leaving it wheezing and tottering on the edge of a hole. Then the shield whirled around in mid air and struck him again and again. The shoulder seemed to explode and even as the world went black it struck him again on the knee shattering it and causing him to fall into the hole.

The shield magically flies back to the Captain’s outstretched arm and stops even as he grasps it. The Captain is becoming tired and depressed. He has been walking for several hours trying to locate his teammates and the artifact. The artifact has been on the move, which concerns him. Does this mean they failed? Or has a teammate gotten it?

Part of his answer is narrowed down as a familiar voice calls out to him for aid. Megamania. He and two slender warriors are carrying Vander and his armor. Not a good sign suspects the Captain. Even as fifty feet away he can see the blood and the sheer amount of it that stems from his head.

The Captain runs over and sees that Vander has died a grisly death. His head has been crush from above and his brain removed or lost. A ghostly look still on his face that is pale from blood loss looks up at the Captain. Kneeling down, The Captain prays to god for and any god Vander believed in and remains kneeling there for several moments before first standing up with his head low then pretending to adjust his facemask, rubs his red eyes. “What happened?”

“It’s how we found him” answers Megamania as if truly speaking to a General or Captain in the military.

“Mind Flayer”

“a …mind flayer?” asks the Captain to the slim figure before him. Looking at the warrior he realizes his mistake. He thought both warriors were female. The slim body type and long hair tricked him. The figure that spoke to him was a male.

“And you are …?”

“I am Faejahhal. This is Celion. We are a paladin and a cleric of Corellon Larethian. Your friend here saved my life using an unique healing technique called cee-pee-are. We were looking for you and the others when we found Vander on the bridge. Dead. His injuries suggest a mind flayer attack. I am sorry. We do not have the means to resurrect him. At the words of resurrection, the Captain’s eyebrows raise and image his god’s son come to mind. This world …so strange, so very, very strange.

“Captain, my detector is not working well. Christina is missing and Jean’s seems ..faint. Looking down- to look at it again- Holy ****! The artifact is moving! He looks up stunned to the Captain then grits his teeth. He is really trying to control his use of colorful language around the Captain. If it bothered him this time, it does not show.

“Okay, lets try to find Jean. She is roughly on the way of artifact. If an agent of the Tattooed Man does have it, we’ll need all the power we can muster and her lightning and control over weather will be very helpful.

Foregoing the original mission (for now), the two elves follow The Captain and Megamania and continue to help with Vander body.

After several hours of searching they note that Jean seems to be heading towards the artifact. They are entering an area with tall towers made of stone with layers of wood and bark covering them. The towers are several stories high. Some nearly 10. “Have you noticed that the crystals are no longer following us?”
Asks Jim aka Megamania.

“Yes but this doesn’t change things any. We need to find Jean and the artifact.”

“You have found me but I wish none to see me.” Comes a voice from the shadows.

“Jean- is that you? Your voice is so hoarse-…” begins the Captain. He is interrupted by the very ground trembling then cracking.

“Looking to the epic center the Captain yells for everyone to take cover. The cracks spread out like a huge web then erupt in an explosion of rock, earth and pieces of wood. A loud growl is heard and up out of the hole climbs out a mighty creature. Huge and armored, it climbs out of the hole now measuring over 30ft wide.

“What in the world?” mumbles Megamania in stunned indifference.

In its hands are two things. A minotaur holding the required prize to win the “contest” and in the other, a blue skinned woman holding a staff. The artifact and it is held by the shape changer that nearly killed the party through trickery and deceit.

“oh ****” The Captain lets slip.

**********For reader’s- it is an Adamantine Golem**************

 

[megamania]

STRIKEFORCE: MORITURI
SEGMENT 069
“Adamantine Might”

The Golem only shudders a bit as the three blasts from Megamania’s energy gun strikes it. Jean unleashes a large lightning bolt, which strikes but crackles around the Golem. It is immune to her lightning! The captain unleashes his artifact. It strikes true in the massive chest of the Adamantine Golem. As the Golem looks down to see what has struck it the shield whirls away and strikes it again on the arm. The Golem, now aware of it’s attacker, tries to swat away the insect. Though it misses, the shield swoops but only skips off two more times before returning magically to the Captain’s outstretched hand. Fae and Celion take cover. They know this is beyond their abilities.

The huge construct turns its attention to the Captain whom it goes to kick. The Captain moves away keeping the golem at range.

Megamania fires away again hoping against hope against what to his mind is a giant well-armored robot. The shots all strike its knee and discolor the armor there. If it hurt it, it doesn’t show. Jean tries a new trick- she calls up the icy air and moisture from high in the sky and calls it to strike the Golem. Thick ice develops on its back and arms. The arm holding the limp minotaur becomes frozen to its side. The Captain unleashes his shield again hoping for the power of truth and justice to guide his aim. The shield flies true but strikes ice as it forms (rolled a natural one) and becomes incased in the ice. The magic of the shield causes it to move to break through the ice storm before returning to the Captain. The elves ponder what to do. Fae knows better but pulls out his bow and arrows. Celion prepares healing spells feeling these will be in great need soon.

The Golem reaches the Captain and steps on him. He uses his shield to brace himself but finds the great weight forces him and shield into the ground. The Captain can feel an arm snap and several ribs go as the shield is used against him. The Golem takes another step then turns to locate the other subject that shot it several times. Its limited intelligence knows these gnats want what it guards and it will not relinquish it to them.

Megamania notes the shadow that over takes him and he runs for it. It is not a wild run without reason. He hopes to lead it to soft ground and slow it down. Jean concentrates once more. She is going to strike the golem with the fury of nature. She tries to maximize the energies involved as best as she can. Her now undead hands flak and crack as she rapidly twists and wriggles them in the arcane patterns needed. Though the words are correct, the sweet innocent sound is replaced by a dry voice of an undead thinking zombie. Ice and wind form around the head of the golem. A mini but powerful blizzard has magically started. Hail the size of large fruit pummels at it and ice several inches thick form. The minotaur is now frozen to its hand. Jarella, the shapechanger begins to awake as the fierce and unnatural cold creeps to her.

The elves wait for the Golem to take a few large steps away from the fallen Captain. Fae puts down his bow and arrows to pull the shield literally out of the captain. The shield speaks to him. The Lawful Good essence of it speaks to the Paladin. This human has no idea what he holds thinks the elf as he considers using and keeping the artifact. Celion is quick to remove pieces of the scale armor from his ravaged and crushed body. She directs her most powerful healing powers into him hoping to seal up his torn open stomach. She fears the worse as the Captain shudders and twitches. His body has taken a lot of damage and it is going into shock.

Megamania leaps and tumbles over pieces of broken wall and column trying to lead the golem to a patch of very wet ground. Several Orcs are there, all wet and bloodied. They are angry and have just only crawled out of the underground river. The leader sees Megamania running with his head turned over his shoulder. An easy target. Then the wall bursts and the 30 foot tall Adamantine Golem appears. Now becoming tired, Jean tries more ice as she substitutes electricity for cold and castes that at the golem. The golem is immune to the direct damage but it is carrying tons of ice and snow now on its massive back and shoulders. It is not slowing down yet but its steps are shattering the stone walk it walks on. The Orcs scatter and become airborne as the golem steps onto one end of a column they had climbed onto. Like a great catapult, the three surviving orcs find themselves airborne and land past the others in a wet and messy thud. Fae can only give a quick curse of satisfaction seeing their dead bodies.

Celion tries more healing magic. The Captain has stopped shaking but is still very pale. Then Fae hears something. He hears a great and powerful voice in his mind. His eyes go wide and kneels beside the Captain. Celion, now too tired to stop him, leans back. With a look of rapture and tears , he goes to Lay on Hands. The shield glows and somehow channels positive energy to him then to the Captain. Bones reform and torn organs nit and pump. The adrenaline pumps fast and furious as the Captain’s own eyes open up wide. The Rapture now spreads to him. The armor itself begins to rethread and reattach. The power of the gods are being channeled!

Jarella looks from the safe distance of a broken building. She admires the efforts of the heroes. Vander is dead. Jean is a mockery of her beautiful body. The Captain is nearly dead put is healing through sheer will. What is their reward? She will be paid a kingdom’s ransom. They fight now …out of caring and fellowship. She puts her head down in disgrace and dishonor then pushes the button to return to her employer with the prize. The great staff.

It is not until the golem has sunken to its thighs that it computes its situation and how the blue humanoid has escaped with the prize it was to protect. As close to anger as an unfeeling construct can feel, it tries to tear through the soft mud. All it does is free space for water, which causes it to sink further. The tons of ice begin to push it down deeper and the water freed up by melting makes the ground softer. It is trapped …but not destoried.

The heroes meet in a semi-circle. Megamania goes to retrieve something that has fallen. The flag of victory. He brings it to the two elves and thanks them for saving the Captain. Fae looks at the shield then at the Captain. “I am honored to meet you.”

The Captain replies likewise and takes the outstretched shield. It feels good to hold the shield.

“How do we leave?” asks Jean. “Christina is gone. She had the ability to planeshift.”

“Vander”

“What was that Jim?” asks Jean.

“Vander had a gem that was encoded for returning to home. He should still have it on him.”

After a few moments of searching the body, they find a gem they do not know. “How do we activate it?” asks Jim.

“Think of home. It is psionic afterall.” Answers the Captain. A new glint of hope in his eye.

The surviving members of the Champions of Infiniti think of home and slowly phase out of view. The two elves are left alone as the winners of The World Below.

“The Captain is a good man.” Sighs Fae. “He carries a means of touching the gods directly. I ..I..I heard the voice of Corellon Larethian. He said I would do the …right thing.”

“and you did.” Replys Celion. “and you did.”

 

[Look_a_Unicorn]

Could they have dealt with the golem any other way?
I think not.

Interesting byplay with the elven NPC's.

 

[megamania]

Could they have dealt with the golem any other way?
I think not.

Interesting byplay with the elven NPC's.

If Vander was still there ....who knows. The elves were there to show the difference between Mania's thinking and fantasy's. I also wanted a LG paladin to give further hints at the Captain's artifact.

 

[Look_a_Unicorn]

If Vander was still there ....who knows. The elves were there to show the difference between Mania's thinking and fantasy's. I also wanted a LG paladin to give further hints at the Captain's artifact.

Any chance of Vander coming back (well, again)?

And the insights granted by the elven perspective have been archived for later reference