Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Wraithdrit" data-source="post: 954336" data-attributes="member: 10820">Delorian's IntroductionClariburnus felt the warmth from the stone in his pouch. He knew which of his followers was trying to contact him before he even pulled out the magic stone. Leaning back in his chair, he tapped the small rune that activated the stone. A small image of a shade wearing loose fitting clothes appeared hovering over the stone. The image was shadowy, as always, lacking any color, much like all the rest of the City of Shade.The image of Delorian Argonoth bowed low then straightened. “My liege. It is as you warned. Hadrhune is deploying us against the heroes of Tethyamar. What are your orders?”“Go along with everything until the attack starts, then turn on your companions and kill them.”Delorian frowned and made sure that what he was hearing was correct. “You wish me to kill Shadovar to save the lives of non-Shadovar.”“Every war has its casualties Delorian. If we do not act this way the Heroes may be weakened even more than they already are. We can not have that.” Clariburnus thought for a moment. “And when the fight has ended?” Delorian knew the answer before asking the question, but again he had to have confirmation.“Join them. You will need to get the attention of the one called Tanerus. He will most likely contact you through telepathic means. When he does tell him that you have been sent to aid him and his friends. Tell him I sent you, and that if he can get you into the group you will reveal the first of the Secrets of Shadows to him.”Delorian cocked one eyebrow. “And what is it that I am to reveal to him m’lord.” “You will find a potion in the food pouch of your cloak. Have him drink it. It will release his shadow from its bonds and expose him to the true ways of the world.”Delorian could not help but shiver. He remembered the concoction that Clariburnus was talking about. It was the hardest thing he had ever been through. “Will he survive?”“I certainly hope so. He is a ghostwise halfling. They are fairly hardy.”“Very well.” Delorian was intrigued to say the least. “Will he be swearing to Shar?”“Perhaps, but not yet. I have arranged for a few extra items to make their way into your room at the monastery. They will aid you in your quest.” Clariburnus began to turn away from the stone.“My liege, when the strike team is dead and I join this group, what is my goal?”“To stop a war. Just follow their lead. You are to aid them and listen to their direction. Do as they bid as long as it does not contradict my own wishes.” Clariburnus let his gaze linger on Delorian a moment longer. “Understood?”“Of course my liege.” Delorian bowed again and the image faded. Clariburnus turned and looked down at the map on his table. Everything was going exactly as planned.In his room Delorian rolled the sleeve of his dark shirt down over the tattoo on his left forearm. The glow of the communication spell was still fading from the tattoo as he clamped his magical bracer over it. He recalled the day he first met Clariburnus.Delorian had been in the monastery for twenty-four years. He was at the top of his group. Even the High Priestess of Shar, the Hand of Shar herself, Tiana Yulanthar, had complimented him on his good work. He stood in the center of a large circle in the courtyard of the monastery. All around the ring stood massive dog like gnolls. They held every manner of weapon. Most wore some form of armor as well, and many carried shields. Their weapons were bloodied, evidence of the failure of the last student to take this test.Beyond the gnolls stood rows of raised benches. Sitting in them were many shades of varying ranks. Rumors held that even the Princes of Shade came to see these tests. The Princes often recruited students that passed the final test. They made them personal guards, members of their elite forces, or even assassins, trained to kill with but a single blow.High Priestess Yulanthar sat atop a massive raised throne at one edge of the circle. Her voice rang out over the crowd. “Is the petitioner ready?” She focused her intense gaze on Delorian. Only students who thought they had what it took to survive the test petitioned for graduation. Failure in the final test always resulted in death. Delorian bowed to the High Priestess, fell into a fighting stance then nodded. Without missing a moment High Priestess Yulanthar yelled, “Wave one!” A single gnoll from each cardinal direction charged in toward the young monk. Delorian did not wait for them to arrive. He picked one that had a spear and ran toward it. The creature kept charging, pulling the spear back to give it a bit of extra thrust as it came within reach. The beast shoved the weapon forward only to find the lithe monk sliding beneath the weapon.Delorian grabbed the haft of the spear and used his momentum to carry him up around the weapon. His foot met with the jaw of the gnoll, snapping its head to one side. As the creature stumbled, the spear loosened in its grasp. Delorian’s feet hit the ground for only a moment. He leapt up, grabbed the still stunned gnoll by both scruffy ears and drove his knee into its muzzle. All in the courtyard could hear the sickening crunch of shattering bone. As the gnoll went limp and collapsed to the ground, the spear fell into Delorian’s waiting hand. He pivoted and threw the spear at the closest of the other three charging gnolls. The creature was less than ten feet away and its surprise at Delorian throwing away the only weapon he had was clearly evident on its face. The spear sunk into the Gnoll’s chest and Delorian leapt after it. He would never reach the gnoll with that leap, thought several of the spectators. He did not have to. His kicked the side of the spear haft, sending it, and the gnoll, spinning to one side. Delorian was already running as the gnoll spun to a halt on its knees. As the monk ran by both hands grabbed the gnolls head and twisted. Again all could hear the sound of cracking bone. The last two gnolls stopped on either side of the monk. They began to slowly circle him, being a bit more cautious than their companions. One held a bloodied axe and stout shield. The other held a rusty sword and a loaded crossbow. The gnoll with the crossbow leveled the weapon on Delorian and squeezed the trigger lever. The string snapped forward hurtling the bolt at the monk. The other gnoll charged forward, raising its axe, ready to slice Delorian open. The monk reacted in a flash of movement. One hand came up to slap the arrow out of the air. He continued the spin around and launched into a flying kick at the axe wielding gnoll. The creature brought up his shield, easily blocking the kick. When Delorian landed, the gnoll swiped out with his axe. Delorian ducked beneath the blow and darted in. He rained blow after blow on his opponent. His fists landed twice against its stomach, his forearm slammed into its windpipe and finally his knee came up between the gnoll’s legs. It fell with a whimper.The monk spun on his last opponent. The gnoll had dropped its sword and frantically reloaded the crossbow. As Delorian calmly stalked toward the gnoll it raised the crossbow, its hand and forearm shaking. Knowing the bolt would do nothing, the creature fired anyway. It followed the shot up by flinging the crossbow at the monk while scooping up its sword. Again, Delorian effortlessly deflected the arrow out of mid-air. He strode forward, dodging the clumsily flung crossbow. The gnoll was back peddling as fast as it could. It reached the edge of the ring and was shoved forward again by a couple of its mates. It yelped as Delorian’s foot smashed into its sword hand. The monk had moved so fast it was unnatural. One moment he had been halfway across the ring, with a few effortless pumps of his legs he was at his opponent. The sword clattered to the ground and the gnoll launched itself at Delorian with a growl, fangs barred.Delorian used a pair of hooks to send the gnolls head whipping one way then the other. As it stumbled Delorian thrust a hand forward grabbed the gnolls windpipe and pulled back. Blood gushed from the open gaping wound in the creature’s neck. It fell first to its knees then to the ground, dead. Delorian dropped the hunk of flesh from his hands. As it hit the ground the High Priestess wasted no time in yelling, “Wave two!”Delorian fell back quickly as a pair of gnolls rushed him from the closest side. His head spun to either side, checking the location of each of the other pairs of gnolls. These beasts had seem him best four of their best, they looked like they were going to fight much smarter. The six furthest from him moved together, forming a single group. The two closer gnolls pressed what they thought was an advantage.Delorian switched directions quickly, moving toward the pair. They brought shields to bear and advanced slowly. Delorian smiled at them. It was time to kick things up a notch. He stopped, reached down to the ground, pulling his own shadow up from the ground. It stretched like a dark cloud in front of him. He stepped inside and was gone. The pair of gnolls panicked. One pointed to the group of six and grunted. The other nodded and they started running toward their mates. They made it about halfway before Delorian appeared in mid leap beside one. His foot connected with its head, knocking the gnoll to the ground easily. The gnoll’s companion spun on Delorian and swiped its small sword across his back. It must have been expecting the attack because its response was far too swift for it to be surprised. The sword slashed across Delorian’s back and dark blood sprayed the sand around the monk.The crowd gasped and several of the shadovar started murmuring to each other. The gnolls on the other hand let out a cheer. The six other gnolls inside the ring began running forward to aid their companion. Delorian did not even seem to notice the wound. Without even pivoting he lashed out with a kick the caved in the gnoll’s knee. Before the creature even fell to the ground the same foot kicked out again, snapping its head to one side. When it hit the ground its neck was twisted at an odd angle and its eyes stared blankly out ahead of it.The other six halted quickly and fanned out. They surrounded the smaller man and began to move in, leading with their weapons. Delorian narrowed his eyes, studying his opponents. Moving at incredible speeds he dashed towards one particular gnoll. The gnoll reacted by pulling its weapon back to strike. Delorian was to it before it had even had time to lash out. Delorian connected with a single fist to the creature’s throat. It coughed and sputtered but was not going down yet. It lashed out with its sword, only to find Delorian was already back in his spot in the middle of the ring. The monk was holding back earlier, now he was fighting for his life, and was holding nothing back. His speed was incredible. The shadovar started cheering now, urging him on. The gnolls were barking and howling as well, calling for the monk’s blood.As the one gnoll stood coughing and trying to clear its throat the other five rushed in. Delorian met one halfway. Instead of stopping at the gnoll though he leveled his arm and ran past. The front of his hand caught the gnoll across the eyes, whipping its head back. Delorian slipped behind the gnoll and leapt up. His knees connected with its head and the gnoll fell to the ground, unmoving.The other four were still after him. Delorian knew he could lead them around the ring all day, but he was not about to continue to run from this fight. He held his ground and waited. One fist cocked back and Delorian hummed slightly to himself. His fist shook slightly and when the first gnoll got in range he lashed out. The gnoll led with its sword, slashing at Delorian. The monk slipped to the side of the attack and slammed his fist into the gnoll’s side. When the blow connected the gnoll jerked and grabbed at the wound. It stumbled back, stunned and unable to defend itself.Delorian never had the opportunity to capitalize on the gnoll’s wounded state as its three companions were on him. They slashed and hacked at him, and he barely managed to keep out of their reach. As he darted this way and that, looking for an opening the three seemed to work in unison. When one would be open Delorian would start to attack only finding himself to busy defending from one of its companions. Delorian picked the one that had the least dangerous weapon. It was spear-wielding brute. Delorian turned towards it and block blows coming in from either side of him. He left himself open and the gnoll was only happy to oblige. It rammed the spear through his stomach, the tip shoving out the rear. Delorian slid in, ignoring the pain. Both fists slammed into the side of the gnoll’s head. The crowd fell completely silent as Delorian was impaled, then gasped as he crushed its head with seeming ease. The other two gnolls paused, stunned by the seeming defeat of the monk. Surely a wound like that would kill him, if not render him an easy target. The dead gnoll fell to the ground. Delorian snapped the haft of the spear sticking through his stomach and reached around to pull the other half out. The entire time the gnolls watched the monk’s face. He did not even seem to be feeling it. The gnolls began to circle, warily watching the monk. They knew if they waited long enough he would bleed out on his own. Delorian discarded his slashed and ripped top, letting it fall to the ground. He paused, took in a long breath, as he exhaled the spear wound stopped bleeding, then closed completely up.One of the gnolls had seen enough. It dropped its weapon and fled toward the edge of the ring. The other gnoll blindly ran at Delorian, howling in fear and anger. Delorian met it halfway, slamming his knee into its gut. Another pair of punches and the creature fell dead.The last gnoll reached the edge of the ring. Its companions grabbed it and threw it back into the ring. The High Priestess called out, “Enough!” The gnoll stumbled to its knees, hoping it had been spared. A bolt of black energy shot from the Priestesses outstretched hand, blasting a head sized-hole through the gnolls chest.Delorian picked up his discarded top and stood in the middle of the ring. Tiana strode up and patted him on the shoulder. “Congratulations, monk.” She had not called him a student. He had passed.The gnolls left quickly with their dead or unconscious mates and shadovar of all ranks and ages went forward to greet and congratulate the new monk. Nearly an hour later Delorian finally arrived back in his room. He closed the door behind him then turned to head toward his bed. He was startled to see a shade sitting in the only chair the room had. “Most impressive fight, young Delorian.” It took Delorian a moment, but he quickly recognized Prince Clariburnus. He dropped to one knee and whispered, “M’liege.”Clariburnus motioned with one hand, “Get up Delorian. I have a proposition for you…”It had only been a few hours later that Hadrhune had approached him with a similar offer. As Clariburnus instructed him, he accepted the offer, omitting the fact that he already had a patron. Hadrhune had seemed pleased with their arrangement and had soon introduced the monk to a small crew of shadovar that would be his companions on one of Hadrhune’s ‘problem solving’ teams.</blockquote>

Verification