NOW LIVE! Today's the day you meet your new best friend. You don’t have to leave Wolfy behind... In 'Pets & Sidekicks' your companions level up with you!

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 4147272" data-attributes="member: 143">Chapter 14AAPHIAZuur’ka pushed through the rubble of the doorway, which accessed a broad stone staircase that descended into a smaller chamber below.  The companions made their way down, into the place that was obviously the final destination warding the entrance to the Bloodways. The chamber was constructed of massive stone blocks that gave the place an impression of eternal solidity.  To their left, a round door of steel was set into a threshold of unbroken stone; a small circular opening that might have been a keyhole was set into the center of the portal.  To their right, a long-dead woman sat upon a throne of red stone.  There was naught left but bones, and a long mane of glassy golden hair that clung somehow to the skeleton’s skull.  It was clad in the remnants of what have once been a dress of exceptional finery, and now hung from the skeleton’s gaunt frame in tatters.  An amulet of interlocking golden rings hung around its neck, and a thin steel chain dangled further down, dipping under the fabric of its garment.   No one present was particularly surprised when the skeleton shifted slightly, and turned toward them.  Pale golden lights flickered into being within the caverns of its eye sockets. The Seer presented himself boldly.  “Aaphia.  You remember me; I passed through these halls once before, in your company.  I seek entrance to the Bloodways, along with my companions here.”The crypt thing regarded them for a long interval.  When it finally spoke, the voice was still recognizable as female, but it intoned hollowly, as though spoken from the depths of a hole burrowed deep within the ground.  “The Master has gone.  This place is now only for the dead.”Zuur’ka growled, but Ghazaran silenced him with a slightly raised hand.  “With your Master departed, there is no reason to hinder us.  We have business with Duke Aerim.”The skeleton shifted its hands slightly on the arms of its throne.  “The Bloodwraith no longer has any concern for the affairs of the living.”“Then you will not permit us to pass?”Aaphia extended a finger and pointed at Navev.  “That one may pass beyond.  The rest of you may remain, if you wish.”“I ask you to reconsider.  Clearly you have power, and it is not my desire to make an enemy of you, but we will not be dissuaded.”“So be it.” The crypt thing gestured, and abruptly Falah and Zuur’ka vanished.  Aaphia lifted her finger again toward Navev.  “You are worthy.  Join me, and we shall make this our realm, for eternity.”Ghazaran and the Seer had both readied components for spells.  “What did you do with the others?” he demanded. “Their suffering is transitory; soon they will pass over into the next reality.  Your fate shall be joined to theirs; you will join me, here, for an eternity.”</blockquote>

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