Curse

May 25, 2005, 09:16 PM // 21:16

Ok, this is gonna be an open story. You don't have to make a new character to contribute to the story. Just don't kill anyone else without their consent. And please, keep it PG13.

Raon wondered what he was doing in this dark and frightening place. The moss-covered walls dripped moisture and there was no light other than that of his dimly lit torch. He really didn't know why he was down here in the first place. He guessed he had thought that traveling deep into the catacombs would be a cool adventure, but that thought came from the safety of the Ashford Church. Now that he was actually there, he realized there was no adventure to be found. The air grew thin and humid as he pressed onward, and he showed no signs of turning back. He heard rustling from up ahead, and the clacking of pointed feet against the stone floor. Devourers. He turned and began to walk quickly back the way he came, the steps behind him growing louder, closer toward him. He broke into a sprint, and so did the creature or (for all he knew) creatures. The light began to shine at the end of the path. If only he could make it out he would be safe, but the creature grew closer to him still. He could feel its long tail nipping his feet. Raon lunged out of the cave and out into the sunlight, but as he turned over he saw the devourer on top of him. Its hot breath blew down on him as its razor-sharp feet stuck into his chest and arms. It raised its tail to strike. A flash of green light came from his right and the creature was thrown off of him. He sprang up and looked at his rescuer.

(OOC: ok, this is the only part you actually have to add a character for now)

Acolyte Petrus · May 25, 2005, 10:29 PM // 22:29

Petrus rubbed his Bald head and muttered under his breath as he shuffled towards the Dark entryway to the catacombs.
"Why don't you go into the catacombs and meditate acolyte Petrus? Grab me some poison water from the catacombs Petrus!"
Brother Mhenlo was always sending HIM on these depressing errands while the other acolytes frolicked in the gardens of Ashford abbey. He shook his head. Was it really his fault that he was still an acolyte at the age of 23? sometimes it's good to be the oldest right? I mean hey... the teachings of Dwayna are tough reading. all of these things he thought to himself as his white robes shuffled about him.
Petrus Winked at Munne as he walked by, who in turn, upturned her nose and looked the other way. "I see you're on another "Special task" from Mhenlo Acolyte Petrus." She said with a dismissive air.
Petrus Gritted his Teeth and turned around replying with a fake smile
"Yeah well, he trusts the REALLY special tasks to the best acolytes."

When Petrus Turned back around he flinched as a Bright Green Flash Erupted a couple of yards ahead of him! He saw a young man lying on his back scared and panicky, his clothes torn to shreds as a devourer was knocked off of him by a powerful display of magic. What was going on?

Tyil Thunder Arrow · May 27, 2005, 05:10 PM // 17:10

A she did eveyday ,since the day of here rebirth as the Daemon's Bain, Tyil Thunder Arrow left her quiet spot in the forest and headed to the catacombs to relieve the undead of thier nonlife. How long had it been now 15 years or more. Time seems so distorted when you live a nightmare. Long has it been since the night with the smell of sulfer and the screams of those she loved. So once again off to apply vengance to the afterlife. Would she ever fined the one responsible.

Turning the corner she almost let out a little giggle at what she saw. A clumsy young boy with a devourer ready for his dinner. Without a blink she raised her Shadowbow and with the knowledge her father had taught her as a child the tip of the arrow grew green with magic fire. Then it was gone finding it's mark in the beast. Then another just for good measure.

The beast fallen and the young one lying there like petrified little puppy. "Now who might you be and what is one so unprepaired doing in the catacombs." Do you seek adventure do you." It would Apear that adventure sought you boy."

Marion · May 27, 2005, 10:47 PM // 22:47

Petrus folded his hands into the sleeves of his white acolyte's robes and watched Tyil
with a smirk on his face. He didn't know who she was but he thought what she said to the young man was kinda funny. Slowly he shuffled towards the both of them in his sandals and spoke softly.
"Aw come on now, miss.. all of us desire a little adventure now and then. Good thing you showed up though, I would've been the one dragging his torn corpse back to ashford abbey."
Petrus chuckled softly. He was only an acolyte, he was no monk and so his skills were somewhat limited. but he did have a healing spell or two for the young man so he removed his hands from his sleeves and stretched them out toward Raon. Petrus closed his eyes and mumbled a soft prayer to Dwayna. His fingertips began to glow as the the scratches and scrapes on the boy's body slowly stopped bleeding and then mended completely. When the orison had completed Petrus crossed his arms across his chest and tilted his head.
"Not bad for an acolyte eh... "

Strife · May 27, 2005, 11:10 PM // 23:10

A man watched with an indifferent gaze at the small gathering. Using the shadows cast from the outcropping of rocks jutting out from the catacomb walls, Davon Shadows remained hidden from the view of the young white robed man and the brash woman. His own black robes rustled quietly as he detatched himself from the wall, making his way to the others.

Brushing a few stray tendrils of hair back from his eyes with his gloved hand, he spoke in a low but friendly tone. "The lad is lucky to have run into you both." In truth, he hadn't been in too much of a hurry to help the boy when he had been pursued, even though he had arrived a moment before the woman with her bow. A simple conjured flame would have roasted the insectoid, but he had been preoccupied in thought.

"What brings you to this dismal place?" he asked, stopping a few paces from the two adventurers.

Marion · May 28, 2005, 05:05 PM // 17:05

Petrus turned to face the man in the black robes and rubbed his own bald head as he spoke.
"I'll tell you what brings me here sir, that ole bugger Mhenlo sending me down to swim in the poison water again, or get eaten by restless spirits."
Petrus shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest.
"I tell ya sometimes I think he is just trying to get rid of me. Like it was my fault I miscast the spell and almost burned down the abbey.... sheesh. It was his faulty teachings I say!"

Strife · May 28, 2005, 06:41 PM // 18:41

Davon offered a brief, sympathetic smile. "He does have a tendancy to overdo things a bit at times, doesn't he?" Waving his hand briefly at the dark corridors of the catacombs, he continued, "But you're right about the impending dangers of these caverns. I came here to investigate the growing activities within their recessess."

Turning his attention to the ranger, he asked, "And what of yourself, miss? I take it you don't come down here just to save little runts from their dooms every morning."

Tyil Thunder Arrow · May 28, 2005, 07:21 PM // 19:21

"I come here daily to hunt that which once preyed on me." she said face solid as stone and somber as the dead. "I am Tyil Thunder arrow of The Clan of the Daemon's Bane. I hunt the undead and the otherworldly and end their nonlives as they ended the lives of my Kin." The ranger kneels and feels the group. "I fear young one you may have left a tasty sent as there are aproximately 5 creatures moving fast this way."

Marion · May 28, 2005, 07:36 PM // 19:36

Petrus tensed under his white robes. His brow furrowed at what tyil had said.
"5?" He asked nervously. His first instinct was to run. Petrus could handle maybe a devourer or two, or perhaps one undead minion... but 5 devourers?
He had to admit that he was also somewhat excited, perhaps he would be safe with Davon and Tyil here and he could lend a hand. Doh! But he remembered that he had left his staff back at the abbey! Petrus smacked himself in the forehead and began offering prayers to Dwayna to grant him the powers he would need to survive this day.

Strife · May 28, 2005, 10:49 PM // 22:49

"Five, hm?" Davon murmured nonchalantly. "Interesting." With that, he turned to the other three. From the stoic look of the ranger, he knew she would disreguard any caution about retreating. The acolyte, while tense, seemed excited as well. Sighing, he turned once more back to the dark recessess of the caverns. In the distance, he could hear the faint scuttling of pincered legs and the snapping of insect mandibles.

"Very well, then." His hands dropped to his sides as he waited. As the shadows shifted and writhed before them, Davon began to chant in a low, gentle voice, his hands rising slowly, fingertips weaving the air before him in an intricate pattern. Brow furrowing in concentration, the conjurer waited for the beasts to show themselves.

Tyil Thunder Arrow · May 31, 2005, 12:50 PM // 12:50

"Hmm an early start." Tyil stated as a half morbid grin came across her face. Five was a nice size group usually she would use a little more cunning, but the conjuror seemed seasoned. And having an acolyte around might take the sting offa little. Inside she chuckled a little at the punn. For some reason she was always happiest when in battle. Although most she fought had already died once, she would have no qualms giving these bugs their first death. Something was going to happen today she could feel it. Her father always told her there are no chance meetings and these four here all at once there was something to that. Oh well these are for later ponderings now is just time to take care of buisness. comming to a kneel on one knee she took up here bow flames sprouted as from out of nowhere at the end of her arrow she looked at the young one tossed him a sword and shield and said in a semi-sarcastic voice" don't worry we have the element of suprise what could happen."

Strife · May 31, 2005, 02:16 PM // 14:16

Just then, five grotesque arachnids burst from the shadows, pincers snapping in the air in anticipation as they rushed towards their prey. One sent a sharp stinger sailing through the air with a flick of its tail, though luckily it missed and lodged itself into the cavern wall.

Davon finished his incantation with a shout, his arms shooting forward with hands spread wide. Suddenly, fire seemed to rain from the shadows above them, slamming into the hardened carapaces of the devourers. One screeched as it caught on fire, curling into a ball of writhing pincers, tails, and mandibles as the inferno consumed it. The rest danced and dodged as best they could, suffering small scorches across their bodies.

While they were distracted, Davon turned to the others, hands still stretched towards the beasts. "Anytime you're ready," he said, though his voice was eerily calm and steady.

Tyil Thunder Arrow · May 31, 2005, 03:05 PM // 15:05

Tyil turned her head back round from Raon just in time to see the impressive light show at the mouth of the catacombs. She also was just in time to catch a huge quill in her thigh. She was no stranger to pain and she felt the poison setting in.
"It'll take a lot more than a little bug juice to shake me creature" she said with a wince. At that moment she let two arrows fly into one of the beasts then immediately raised both arms and chanted to the sky. As she did this a bright light as if sent by the gods themselves engulfed the creature she had just hit and it seemed to inplode under an emense weight.
Appearently this ranger had a few tricks up her sleaves. She redraw her bow. And let another arrow fly a tremendous speed. Her shadowbow was true to it's mark today.

Marion · Jun 01, 2005, 12:27 AM // 00:27

Petrus' prayers were interrupted when the disgusting creatures attacked. He gasped and froze at first but when Tyil was struck with a quill he reacted instinctively. His eyes closed and he raised his head towards the heavens, chanting a soft prayer as he stretched his right hand out towards the hunter of all things undead. What looked like blue fireflies danced around Tyil's body and a warm surge of divine energy counteracted the poison which flowed in her veins.

Petrus then opened his eyes and backed a little farther away from all the action, hoping the devourers would not set their beady little eyes on him. He then outstretched both hands toward Tyil with a loud holy word and the quill that had lodged in her thigh was forced out and fell to the dusty ground. The wound mended itself though it wouldn't be without some scarring. Apparantly this attracted the attention of one of the fiendish monsters who turned and began scurrying towards him with a vengeance.

"Uh... hey guys..." Petrus said as he looked for some sort of weapon around on the ground.
"They're commin after the squishy one!"

Tyil Thunder Arrow · Jun 01, 2005, 03:28 PM // 15:28

Seeing the advance on the acolyte Tyil quickly switched her target sending an arrow through the creatures leg and solidly into the ground. "Let's see ya give chase now vermon." She said with a raised brow. Ahh the rush of combat and to see the pain this conjuror inflects is truly awesome. Even the most skilled bow would have trouble keeping up and this acolyte may be more of a monk than he gives him self credit for. "For Ascolon and for GLORY!" she shouted returning to the other pests.

Volarian · Jun 01, 2005, 05:12 PM // 17:12

I could have sworn that was a devourer I saw, lurking up near the cave entrance I passed but what would that thing be doing here in the catacombs? Reaching down I grab the last skull I needed to trade in exchange for a rather nice artifact that will give me more ability to call on the elements, so that I may vanquish the vile that infests this land.
From a young age Cynder Burn was schooled in the ways of calling forth powers of the elements, at this stage in her learning her skills are evident by the color her hair has evolved into......Red, Fire-Red but you can as well tell her character by the color of her eyes....Ice Blue.
She races up the trail towards the cave entrance and the direction she'd noticed the devourer in. As she draws closer to the end of these accursed catacombs, she can faintly hear the sounds of voices over her footfalls. She slows and kneels, getting a playful cold nose from her companion - Incizor as the timber wolf comes along side her. Just then the scene erupts with blinding flash as the black robed figure lift his hands in the direction of not one but five of the creatures she had been tracking, and they were engulfed in flame.....she liked this dark figure! Springing to action she sends Incizor into the fray a hulking bundle of fur & gnashing teeth, she comes along side the apparent unseasoned acolyte hands already drawing the necessary pattern to call forth a bit of hell fire of her own. As the spell comes to life she directs into the mass of clicking, hissing creatures completely charring the carcass of two of the remaining beast...turning them belly up from the carnage. Quickly turn her attention to the last remaing devourer, who is currently intent on the young healer, she begins calling forth a diffferent kind of magic.......apparent this is as the insectoid begins moving in slow motion as though it's having to fight thru the terrain in a losing battle.
She catches the appreciative and surprised look on the young man's face, and gives a wink & smile in welcome.

Strife · Jun 01, 2005, 06:14 PM // 18:14

With the sudden appearance of the burly wolf and the young woman, Davon lifted up his hand and thrust it forward in a sweeping motion.

"Enough of this." With his hand swept a torrent of fire, a wall of flames that devoured not only the creatures, but the corpses and rocks that stood in its way. The cavern was filled with the sound of rushing flames and the acrid smell of charred carapace. A brief moment after the spectacle had started, it finished, the flames dissapearing into the ground.

Folding his hands once more into the sleeves of his robes, Davon turned to face everyone. "Everyone's alive and well?" Without waiting for a response, he turned his gaze once more to the darkness of the catacombs. "You're all a little young to be out this far. I'd suggest turning back, before something...else, decides it would like a shot." Though confident in his mastery of the element of flame and air, he knew that he could not keep it up forever. This battle alone had taxed him physically, and while he didn't show it outwardly, he knew another effort like that too soon would draw much of his power.

Tyil Thunder Arrow · Jun 01, 2005, 07:16 PM // 19:16

tyil calmly to a seat on the ground where she stood let out a whistle and a call" novaruis where are you? You pesky cat." With that a beautiful stalker came wonder out of the field about 200 yards to the south. One could see this beast had been in my a battle and was tone and awe inspiring. "Silly cat next time you want a lunch break wait til make sure your friend is safe." she said with a slight grin. "well a fine piece of fighting there my new aquaintences. Even young Raon got in a swipe or two. Here Acolyte I found this Rod yesterday whilst in the catacombs you might identify it I have no clues of it's worth." She tossed it to him. The rod floated through the air as if on wings.

"And who might you be friend" she said with a semi smile. "Nice wolf you have there I see we are somewhat of kindred spirits." she inquired whilst resting her head on the belly of her stalker.

Jun 01, 2005, 07:53 PM // 19:53

"uh...I hate to interrupt, but I sense undead approaching." Raon chipped in. He hadn't really said anything during the whole fray and he frightened his comorades, who mostly forgot he was there.
"you sense undead?" Tyil asked him.
"Yes, I do. I'm a necromancer in training you coul....." Raon replied.
His words were drowned out by the marching of undead warriors as they climbed the steps of the catacombs.
"There are too many." Petrus said.
"Not for me, this is more my forte." Raon raised his hands and chanted an incantation. The corpses of the dead devourers came to life and marched straight into the undead army. The bone horrors were quickly cut down, but this gave him enough time to chant another incantation. The undead soliders walked by the corpses, but the remnants of the bone horrors lit up and exploded, throwing the undead in all directions.

Volarian · Jun 01, 2005, 08:03 PM // 20:03

I am called Cynder, and yes it apepars (offering my hand for Novaruis to sniff) that we have walked similar paths in our lives. Where it appears you feel more at home amongst the tall trees of the world, I've merely become familiar with them while focusing more of my learning on the magical arts. I am a disciple of the earth, of the wind, of the sea but more attuned with the flame....and I just hate being alone...that is why I have Incizor as a companion. Many moons ago I was venturing in the Shiverpeaks when I came across several Minotaur stalking my friend here, so I began stalking them to see what their plan was. I could tell that although this wolf was but yet a youngling that he would grow to unusual size and that these beasts would take second thought before attacking were it then rather than now. We were entering a clearing when my friend's scent must have picked up the stench Mino's are apt to have and he whirled on them in full savage mode, but I'm sure he knew then that his chances were lesss than slim against to Bull Mino's...but that didn't stop him from making the first move.....this attracted me to the wolf's prowess. Knowing that it was a losing battle and not being able to stand by once the feel of battle was in the air.....I opened myself to the flame spirit and unleashed power onto those creatures with such a fury that it somehow bonded me to the wolf that when all was said and done...he began to follow me...always keeping a safe/disinterested distance. That was when I decided to give myself over to the teachings of nature, so as to bridge a gap between my new found shadow & myself.