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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Arknath" data-source="post: 158282" data-attributes="member: 2850">Chapter 1 part 3Screams filled the tower as the heroes descended the staircase.  Screams of death, screams of rage, and screams of horror filled their ears and hounded them as they passed hundreds of the more experienced soldiers hurrying to the topmost floor.  As the heroes got nearer to the ground, however, the number of those that attempted to reach the tower’s top floor, had slowed down tremendously and they stared in wonder up the staircase, undecided as to the next course of action.When our heroes bolted from the tower, they found the streets still lined with people in festive moods.  Only a few had even begun to realize something was terribly amiss in the tower.  Peddlers with their little carts regarded the heroes with warm smiles and offers of their wares at no cost, to celebrate the victory and the completion of the project.  Wilder, Thomas and Ktharssiss began to spread the word that everyone should run as fast as they can and leave this place.  Everyone hesitated, thinking it some grand scheme of the mages or some such other nonsense.  Then, it happened.The tower’s top most chamber exploded and screams where heard from the streets and from the tower above.  Men, elves, dwarves, ogres and others fell to their deaths as the tower rocked with another explosion and they fell more than 20 stories.  From the top of the tower, winged creatures descended on the masses of Sallineth and began a murderous feast.  Erinyes, cornugons, pit fiends, balrogs and other manners of filthy beasts that this naïve and innocent world had never seen before approached dwarf and ogre alike and proceeded to rip them to shreds.A tavern in town had reach the point of panic and everyone in the place left in haste.  Some jumped through windows only to be confronted with the growling of lions, that they could not see.  Others ran through doors and were met by little knee high demons that carried large knives and could use them well.  The tavern seemed to be completely surrounded and there was no way out, save death.Gaelin, an elven bard who had been playing at the tavern for the festival, realized that there was no escaping through the conventional methods of the tavern.  He quickly gathered his things and headed for the stage, opening the secret door that was made into the bottom of the stage for players who did not measure up to the crowds expectation and had tasted a bit too many rotten fruits for their liking.  With one last look around, Gaelin stole through the opening and closed it behind him. He was in a dark room so he lit a small candle.  The terrible sounds could be heard outside, albeit muffled, and terror had gripped his heart.  Today had started out such a wonderful day and he was doing well with everyone being in over festive moods.  Damn this things and whatever was going on up there, he’d have made enough to live for years, if the ale was plentiful.  He admitted he was not a great bard, but on some occasions he did have the genius that was ascribed to other bards who had played many songs and won many hearts.  However, today’s events just might change that.  If he could escape alive, then he truly would be a unique bard for no one else – or very few at least – would be able to tell the same tale as he.As he ran along the corridor as fast as he dared the sounds of the city grew ever dim.  The passageway angled down and headed to a secret exit outside the city.  He smirked at the bards and play companies that had used this way to escape the city before, being so hated or sometimes so racy as to excite the patrons into fits of frenzy.  ‘Some people’, he thought to himself, ‘just cannot take a jest’.He was reaching the end of the hallway and he came to the door that would lead him out of the city.  The lock that held it shut was crude and he opened it with ease.  Gripping the handle he swung the door open and was given a harsh reminder about the part of the journey that he had forgotten about when he had started this long trek.The smell of the sewers overcame him and he dropped to his knees gagging and choking in fits that made him sit still and catch his breath.  When he had become accustomed to the smell – oh by the gods the smell! – he gathered his things up and stood to one knee.  When he looked into the darkness to find the best path he should take he became very alarmed.Several little red eyes were staring back at him and tiny blades reflected the light from his candle.</blockquote>

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