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The Doomed Bastards: Reckoning (story complete)
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<blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 4389049" data-attributes="member: 143"><p>Behind-the-scenes update:</p><p></p><p>While I have had a general outline in mind for the finale for some time now, I admit that there were more than a few loose ends related to the Ravager plotline that I was waiting to somehow resolve on their own. Today while writing (about 6 chapters ahead of where the story is right now), I had a few sudden inspirations that will hopefully allow me to tie it all together at the end. Now I just hope that my writing abilities can live up to what I can see in my head. <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>In the meantime, let's see what's been going on with an old character:</p><p></p><p>* * * * * </p><p></p><p>Chapter 74</p><p></p><p>PATH OF WRECKAGE</p><p></p><p></p><p>Deep under the surface of the world, far from the cares and even the awareness of the people of Camar, a city lay in ruins. </p><p></p><p>The place was called Talaceth-Azbar, and some of its structures dated back almost a thousand years. Or they had; much of the city was heaped in wreckage, the slender, twisting spires cast down, the carved structures that had been etched deep into the sloping walls of the huge cavern gouged off to leave blackened, empty pits where rooms and hallways had been before. A few days before, Talaceth-Azbar had supported a population of maybe a thousand citizens, mostly duergar, bugbears, and minotaurs, seasoned with a smattering of drow and tieflings, and the whole supported on the backs of maybe five thousand slaves. </p><p></p><p>Today, maybe fifty survivors picked through the rubble. </p><p></p><p>A small cluster of dark figures observed the scene from a ledge high atop the city, near the vaulted summit of the great cavern. Most of the luminescent growths that had been painstakingly cultivated along the cavern walls had been torn away with the destruction of the city’s structures, but there was no need for much illumination to note the thoroughness with which Talaceth-Azbar had been razed. </p><p></p><p>“And where is the creature now?” spoke a tall figure that loomed over the handful of duergar who looked down at the wreckage of their community with dark looks. He was clad in flowing garments that draped over his body like a shroud, but failed to conceal the considerable size and strength of their owner. His eyes gleamed like tiny torches, and even the sturdy deep dwarves stirred at his glance, quickly looking down at their feet. One might have attributed that to the fact that these creatures had had their spirits broken by the fate of their city, but to assume that would have underestimated the potency in the entity that the people of the underworld referred to at the Nightlord. </p><p></p><p>“Its travels are erratic, great lord,” one of the duergar managed. “We believe it makes for the general direction of Kalas Xothi.”</p><p></p><p>The Nightlord glanced over at another of those gathered on the ledge, a lean figure clad in a hooded robe. “Velkyr?”</p><p></p><p>The robed figure shifted slightly, the voice that came from the cowl rasped like the creak of an old door. “Divination magic still proves useless regarding the creature, master.”</p><p></p><p>“Useless,” the Nightlord said. The word came out like a curse, and all of those present quailed before it. But the Nightlord turned away, and looked back out over the cavern. </p><p></p><p>Someone approached from below, flying up close to the cavern wall. The new arrival was a figure much akin the Nightlord, but slightly smaller, faster, moving with a lithe ease as she dropped lightly onto the edge of the jutting platform. A woman, but otherwise an echo of the dark, powerful figure that dominated the scene evolving upon the ledge. She was clearly a part of him, but in the dark underworld, she had her own name: the Dark Lady. </p><p></p><p>“Anything?” the Nightlord asked. </p><p></p><p>The newcomer shook her head. “Nothing useful. Nothing that would indicate a weakness.”</p><p></p><p>“If it had a weakness, we would have known of it by now.”</p><p></p><p>“You recognized the descriptions of the attacker?” the Lady asked. </p><p></p><p>“Yes. It’s the Ravager. The grown-up version.” </p><p></p><p>“I seem to remember the little ones being a big enough problem in and of themselves.”</p><p></p><p>The Nightlord smashed a fist into the palm of his other hand. “This has the stink of our old... <em>companions</em> all over it.”</p><p></p><p>“You think they freed the creature, to use against us?”</p><p></p><p>The Nightlord snorted. “Not even they are that stupid. No, I suspect they’ve long since forgotten about us, and I would prefer to keep it that way. But I have not forgotten our expedition into the vault under Rappan Athuk. I also remember that our friends had custody of the keys, or at least one of them, I think. My memory of those last days... after... they are a bit... hazy.”</p><p></p><p>“What about that fiend that came calling, a few months back?”</p><p></p><p>“I had not forgotten that emissary. I am starting to wonder if I made the right decision to destroy it.”</p><p></p><p>“We agreed that we would not get involved in the actions of the surface world again.”</p><p></p><p>The Nightlord gestured with his hand. “Look around you. It is going to be hard not to get involved with... this.”</p><p></p><p>The Lady moved closer to him, the two shadows blending together. “What do you want to do?”</p><p></p><p>His eyes met hers. They were cold, those eyes, but what feeling remained in them, was saved for her. “We need information. I suspect our realm is just an appetizer for this thing, and we cannot remain ignorant of what is going on in the world beyond any longer.”</p><p></p><p>“We have agents...”</p><p></p><p>“No. This is something we need to do ourselves.”</p><p></p><p>“Velkyr will test his leash in our absence.”</p><p></p><p>“Of course he will. He is what he is.” In an undertone, but one that she heard clearly, he added, “We all are.” </p><p></p><p>He turned to face the delegation gathered along the ledge; the duergar flinched back reflexively as he focused his attention upon them. “You will rebuild. To aid in this, I will send a company of formians to assist you. I will furthermore cut your tribute in half for the next two intervals.”</p><p></p><p>One of the dwarves, his skin deeply furrowed like the ridges of the surrounding cliffs, blurted, “Half! But great lord, how can we...” His statement was cut off as he met the Nightlord’s eyes. </p><p></p><p>“You are fortunate indeed that enough of you survived to remain useful, or I would finish what the Ravager started, and take the lot of you now. Go! And think on what I have said.”</p><p></p><p>The dwarves fled as one. The robed figure remained, but it kept a respectful distance, leaving the Nightlord and his consort staring down over the ruined city, their minds sharing dark thoughts.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Lazybones, post: 4389049, member: 143"] Behind-the-scenes update: While I have had a general outline in mind for the finale for some time now, I admit that there were more than a few loose ends related to the Ravager plotline that I was waiting to somehow resolve on their own. Today while writing (about 6 chapters ahead of where the story is right now), I had a few sudden inspirations that will hopefully allow me to tie it all together at the end. Now I just hope that my writing abilities can live up to what I can see in my head. :) In the meantime, let's see what's been going on with an old character: * * * * * Chapter 74 PATH OF WRECKAGE Deep under the surface of the world, far from the cares and even the awareness of the people of Camar, a city lay in ruins. The place was called Talaceth-Azbar, and some of its structures dated back almost a thousand years. Or they had; much of the city was heaped in wreckage, the slender, twisting spires cast down, the carved structures that had been etched deep into the sloping walls of the huge cavern gouged off to leave blackened, empty pits where rooms and hallways had been before. A few days before, Talaceth-Azbar had supported a population of maybe a thousand citizens, mostly duergar, bugbears, and minotaurs, seasoned with a smattering of drow and tieflings, and the whole supported on the backs of maybe five thousand slaves. Today, maybe fifty survivors picked through the rubble. A small cluster of dark figures observed the scene from a ledge high atop the city, near the vaulted summit of the great cavern. Most of the luminescent growths that had been painstakingly cultivated along the cavern walls had been torn away with the destruction of the city’s structures, but there was no need for much illumination to note the thoroughness with which Talaceth-Azbar had been razed. “And where is the creature now?” spoke a tall figure that loomed over the handful of duergar who looked down at the wreckage of their community with dark looks. He was clad in flowing garments that draped over his body like a shroud, but failed to conceal the considerable size and strength of their owner. His eyes gleamed like tiny torches, and even the sturdy deep dwarves stirred at his glance, quickly looking down at their feet. One might have attributed that to the fact that these creatures had had their spirits broken by the fate of their city, but to assume that would have underestimated the potency in the entity that the people of the underworld referred to at the Nightlord. “Its travels are erratic, great lord,” one of the duergar managed. “We believe it makes for the general direction of Kalas Xothi.” The Nightlord glanced over at another of those gathered on the ledge, a lean figure clad in a hooded robe. “Velkyr?” The robed figure shifted slightly, the voice that came from the cowl rasped like the creak of an old door. “Divination magic still proves useless regarding the creature, master.” “Useless,” the Nightlord said. The word came out like a curse, and all of those present quailed before it. But the Nightlord turned away, and looked back out over the cavern. Someone approached from below, flying up close to the cavern wall. The new arrival was a figure much akin the Nightlord, but slightly smaller, faster, moving with a lithe ease as she dropped lightly onto the edge of the jutting platform. A woman, but otherwise an echo of the dark, powerful figure that dominated the scene evolving upon the ledge. She was clearly a part of him, but in the dark underworld, she had her own name: the Dark Lady. “Anything?” the Nightlord asked. The newcomer shook her head. “Nothing useful. Nothing that would indicate a weakness.” “If it had a weakness, we would have known of it by now.” “You recognized the descriptions of the attacker?” the Lady asked. “Yes. It’s the Ravager. The grown-up version.” “I seem to remember the little ones being a big enough problem in and of themselves.” The Nightlord smashed a fist into the palm of his other hand. “This has the stink of our old... [i]companions[/i] all over it.” “You think they freed the creature, to use against us?” The Nightlord snorted. “Not even they are that stupid. No, I suspect they’ve long since forgotten about us, and I would prefer to keep it that way. But I have not forgotten our expedition into the vault under Rappan Athuk. I also remember that our friends had custody of the keys, or at least one of them, I think. My memory of those last days... after... they are a bit... hazy.” “What about that fiend that came calling, a few months back?” “I had not forgotten that emissary. I am starting to wonder if I made the right decision to destroy it.” “We agreed that we would not get involved in the actions of the surface world again.” The Nightlord gestured with his hand. “Look around you. It is going to be hard not to get involved with... this.” The Lady moved closer to him, the two shadows blending together. “What do you want to do?” His eyes met hers. They were cold, those eyes, but what feeling remained in them, was saved for her. “We need information. I suspect our realm is just an appetizer for this thing, and we cannot remain ignorant of what is going on in the world beyond any longer.” “We have agents...” “No. This is something we need to do ourselves.” “Velkyr will test his leash in our absence.” “Of course he will. He is what he is.” In an undertone, but one that she heard clearly, he added, “We all are.” He turned to face the delegation gathered along the ledge; the duergar flinched back reflexively as he focused his attention upon them. “You will rebuild. To aid in this, I will send a company of formians to assist you. I will furthermore cut your tribute in half for the next two intervals.” One of the dwarves, his skin deeply furrowed like the ridges of the surrounding cliffs, blurted, “Half! But great lord, how can we...” His statement was cut off as he met the Nightlord’s eyes. “You are fortunate indeed that enough of you survived to remain useful, or I would finish what the Ravager started, and take the lot of you now. Go! And think on what I have said.” The dwarves fled as one. The robed figure remained, but it kept a respectful distance, leaving the Nightlord and his consort staring down over the ruined city, their minds sharing dark thoughts. [/QUOTE]
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