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Post by Jagathara on Jul 3, 2005 17:53:22 GMT -7
PRELUDE He was the spoiled child of rich parents. The Duke and Duchess doted on their only son. At sixteen he was tall and muscular. He spent all his time in the forest hunting wolves and bears. When he went on foot his falcon was always with him. He dreamed always of being a warrior and fighting the big dragons as his father had done when he was a young man. For his birthday he was given a new sword and new chain mail. Things any soldier would be proud to wear. One day while hunting south of the castle, Slyythera, the falcon did not return on command. He followed the path south and when it ended he picked his way through rock and lava, calling for his beloved bird. THEN HE SAW ONE! A young dragon, sleepily wandering down the mountain side. He watched it quietly and followed it with all the hard earned stealth the hours spent in the forest had taught him. It eventually led him to two pillars and an entrance. He went inside. As his eyes adjusted to the low light he looked around with wonder. Was this the place he heard the elders of the clan speak of in whispers as if saying it out loud would curse them all? A place so evil they dare not venture near? A large dragon like he could never imagine thundered by him, slowly. It's scales shimmering in the blood red light cast from the lava pools. He pressed himself against the wall and dared not breathe for fear it would see him. Mesmerized by the magnificance of the beast he stood motionless; only his eyes moving in time with the rythym of the tail that swept slowly back and forth. It was covered in jewels! The wealth of nations no doubt were on its chest. When the behemouth finally moved on he followed it. Would it lead him to its lair? Excitement now began to over take the paralyzing fear he first felt and his heart beat with anticpation. Was he the first to ever see this? Had the others known but fear and superstition (all those rumours about evil incarnate sealed up forever in the volcano chambers) kept them away? At last ! He had found his own adventure.
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Post by Jagathara on Jul 4, 2005 23:15:28 GMT -7
And in those days it was pronounced: you can follow the path of light and Grimm shall lead you to salvation. Or: You can fall into darkness and chaos. And the undead began to populate the land. And the unrest could be felt as Chaos struggled to be free and the demons howled at the sealed door. Grimm pushes Chaos into the depths of the Volcano
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Post by Jagathara on Jul 7, 2005 22:14:58 GMT -7
PRELUDE CONTINUES The groomsman was combing down the Duke's favorite horse, quietly and sleepily. It was early evening and the last rays of the sun were shining through the cracks and windows, still warm and soothing. He himself was not much older then the young master, whom he called Jester, because of his love of practical jokes and small tricks he was constantly playing on his friends and family. He had grown up on this estate as well, his parents both having worked for the Duke since they were his age. Rythymically and dreamily, he continued to brush the coat of the animal who seemed to sense his mood and stood near motionless; its chest rising slowly with its soft breathing. Then a loud screech outside startled them both back into alertness! He ran to the stable door. Jester's falcon was perched on the fence and making a fuss. But where was Jester? The young master was no where near. He put the horse into its stall and grabbed one of Jester's falconry gloves. He slung his small bow and some arrows over his shoulder and went outside. The bird perched willingly and when he held him up, took off to the south. He followed in that direction knowing full well of the legends of the volcano. img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/BonAlene1/VV059-Kristiansen_Teddy-Falconer-D50.jpg[/img]__________________ With a host of furious fancies Whereof I am commander, With a burning spear and a horse of air, To the wilderness I wander. By a knight of ghosts and shadows I summoned am to a tourney Ten leagues beyond the wide world's end: Methinks it is no journey.
Anonymous ballad
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Post by Jagathara on Jul 16, 2005 10:54:56 GMT -7
JESTER "It must be getting late," he thought as he wandered slowly down yet another dim, hot passage way. It was a labyrinthe of corridors and stairways inside here and he had long ago lost his bearings. There were dragons of all sizes wandering the corridors and some dark cloaked mystic priests would appear from nowhere and be gone again. At least he thought they were priests; but they seemed barely human in appearance; souless maybe? But that made no sense. They seemed to live down here. He managed to evade their attention up until now but he was getting tired. Another stairway down and it opened up into - What was it? He'd never seen anything like it before. It was like a plaza. The shape reminded him of a wolves head. It was a pentagram for sure. There were six platforms- two on the the 'wolf's jaw' and two flanking west and two on the east. And a large area in the center. Like a huge door. It was locked or sealed. No key..."what magic would open this?"And he shuddered to think what might lie behind the door. The whole chamber glowed.....he felt uneasy......then he noticed torches on the walls. Obviously someone maintained this place. He shuddered as he began to feel he was being watched by someone or somethig... img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/BonAlene1/Dragon9.jpg [/img] He began to back up very slowly,very carefully and turned and climbed back up the stairway. He looked back into the passages and wondered if he would ever see home again. __________________ With a host of furious fancies Whereof I am commander, With a burning spear and a horse of air, To the wilderness I wander. By a knight of ghosts and shadows I summoned am to a tourney Ten leagues beyond the wide world's end: Methinks it is no journey. Anonymous ballad
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Post by Jagathara on Jul 16, 2005 11:07:35 GMT -7
WHAT JESTER SAW
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF FFSFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFSFFF FFF--FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF--FFF FFFF---FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF---FFF FFFFF------FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF------FFFF FFFFFF--F--FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF--F--FFFFF FFFFF--FFF---FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF---FFF--FFFF FFFFF---FFF---FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF---FFF---FFFF FFFFFF---FFF---FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF---FFF---FFFFF FFFFFFF-------------FFFFFFFFF----------------FFFFF FFFFFF---FFFF---F---------------F---FFF---FFFFFFF FFFFF---FFF---FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF---FFFL--FFFFFF FFFF---FFF----FFFF B FFFF----FFF---FFFFF FFF---FFF---FFFFF * FFFFF---FFF---FFFFF FS---------------------------------------------------SFFF FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF----FFFF----FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF---FFF----FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF---------FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF-----FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF--FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF--FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF--FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFSSFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
S - spot needed to stand on for seal to open
B - BAL RAK
* - THE SEAL
F - FIRE OR LAVA FLOWS
MAP DRAWN BY DEEPBLUE
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Post by Jagan on Jul 18, 2005 10:26:30 GMT -7
And it was in those days that the first Liches began to appear in the overworld. And they were reputed to have unheard of powers and magic never before seen. And the Mortals were filled with hate and fear.
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Post by Jagan on Jul 18, 2005 10:30:36 GMT -7
THE VOLCANO And in those days there was a mighty Sorcerer and he told the people of the land that there was contained, in the very bowels of the earth, a place beyond anything they had known; a place beyond imagination. That there was wealth and power to be found inside but they must find the way in.
And at the same time there was a Captain of a wartorn, ragtag group of hardened soldiers. And his name was Chaotica. Chaotica and his small army began to explore the volcano. Two of his warriors, G_3 and Sham_On went on many reconnaisance missions and soon brought maps and much information back to the clan.
And many more explorers began to venture here.
And a clan of Undead and Liches was formed. And that clan was led by Jurnyman.
Chaotica and Jurnyman formed an ungodly alliance and CTC and SOC were forever linked together.
And the Seal began to crack and the metals of the land were weakened.
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Post by Jagan on Jul 18, 2005 19:23:50 GMT -7
COMING TOGETHER
CHAOTICA sat back in the chair occassionally sipping his beer and just letting the cares of the world slide from his mind.
The bar at Cloven Pines had a tendency to be a bit rowdy as it was one of the few towns that would allow entrance to the so-called 'Outlaw Clans'. Many of the others had set up guards and although by-passing them was possible, it was easier to meet here. He was enjoying one of the rare moments of quiet the bar had to offer.
Light on his face as the tavern door opened made him look up. And there stood G_3 and MageAbel. They were dirty and road worn but were in good spirits, laughing and joking as they came up to the the table.
"Hey Abel! You know my Captain, Chaotica?" G_3 yelled by way of introduction.
"We've crossed paths," Chao said standing up and nodding.
"Chao," G_3 said, still grinning, "I think Abel can help us with our Quest."
Abel had a sly look on his face and smiled broadly, "I've known this old Choadster foerever!" he said sparring a little with G_3, "And yeah you bet I want in."
Just then Jurnyman and Monster joined the table. Both were powerful Liches reputed to have taken down the big elder dragons alone and with magic only. Their appearance and power made Chao shudder but he trusted them and knew they would be an asset to the group.
Chatting and bantering with others in the pub, Bullgod* came up holding a beer in each hand and had the waitress following him with more.. He was another powerful Lich with a reputation as a 'ladies man' and a brawler. He settled in at the table.
Matrix and Sham-on entered, looking wild and unkempt. Sham-on had rolls of maps under his arm. They were mountain-riders and rumour had it they wore the scalps of the orcs they killed as trophies. Both were fearless, quiet men.
Chaotica waited for them to sit down,
"Gentlemen, we have a plan and I think it's going to work."
__________________ With a host of furious fancies Whereof I am commander, With a burning spear and a horse of air, To the wilderness I wander. By a knight of ghosts and shadows I summoned am to a tourney Ten leagues beyond the wide world's end: Methinks it is no journey.
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Post by Jagathara on Jul 18, 2005 19:43:13 GMT -7
And so..... two attempts were made to break the magic of the SEAL. And many casualities were suffered. The magic of the warriors was weak. And their weapons had no power against the monsters and their armour was unable to protect. Their losses cut deep. Many other adventurers to the volcano tried to break the magic of the Seal and many lives were lost.
March 8 2003
On this date the stars alligned, the magic was strong and history unfolded.....
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Post by Jagan on Jul 20, 2005 7:16:36 GMT -7
For some wording in previous reply and the next story line also, I would like to thank Matrix. G_3 and Abel also patiently answered many questions and hope I get everyone in the right place at the right time. Also many others were involved that are not mentioned and I apologize but the tale is written from the point of view of SOC/CTC/DOS and as such reflects that.
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Post by Jagan on Jul 20, 2005 7:21:08 GMT -7
MATRIX He awoke to find himself lying on the Seal floor. Groggy and disoriented he tried to get his bearings. "Hey Buddy!" It was MONSTER, "I was keeping your spot warm for you!" He chuckled and held out his hand to help him up. Shaking off the sleep, he stood up and stepped on the the exact spot necessary to make the magic work. MONSTER was patting his back. "We're going to see some shit to-night!" Nodding at MONSTER, he looked around - only the two of them so far. He himself had made the trip the day before. Usually a loner, he was determined to make the journey on his own. He had the maps drawn out by Sham-on and CHAOTICA and studied them carefully before he set out. He followed the well-worn path, that he knew so well from many a dragon hunt, around the lava flows of the vocano. He dodged the many dragons and lizards along the road and at last safely reached the entrance to the volcano. He looked up at the two pillars on either side of the entrance- an imposing sight in and of themselves- and summoned his courage to enter. He ducked past a young dragon and managed to fool the Elder to sneak quickly through the one-lane passage to the second level. With relative ease he made it through the second level and trusting his map, prepared for the run on the tricky third level. With heart racing and the raw energy of adrenalin, he managed to evade the large number of fiery beasts patrolling this floor and safely made it down the the stairway and onto the fourth level. His chest still pounding, he stopped and drank a pack of potions to regain his strength and prepare for the harrowing sprint to his spot on the seal floor- the right side of the middle point on his map. He made it onto the Seal level and moving almost blindly, and more quickly than he ever knew he could, he escaped the dragons chasing him and landed safely on his 'Seal Spot', ironically one of the six in the pentagram. He sat down to rest and wait for the others- he slept for an entire day- until he was awakened by MONSTER. Now they must wait...... img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/BonAlene1/Dragon4.jpg [/IMG] __________________ With a host of furious fancies Whereof I am commander, With a burning spear and a horse of air, To the wilderness I wander. By a knight of ghosts and shadows I summoned am to a tourney Ten leagues beyond the wide world's end: Methinks it is no journey.
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Post by Jagan on Jul 25, 2005 15:25:21 GMT -7
Choadsters! Waitin' for some scrim scram in the frig frag?" It was MAGEABEL. He took up the spot next to MATRIX on the southern point. He was grinning uncontrollably and was unkempt and wild looking. His hair protruded from under that Dragonskull that he wore as a helmet " because it makes the magic do strange things" he said. MATRIX looked over and noticed that G_3 had taken his position on the far northwest spot. His heart sunk as he watched three Lessers come up and G_3 slump unmoving in place. The Lessers were standing and watching him- changing places but never leaving the body, almost as if they were guarding him. It took everything he had not to leave his spot and run to his friend. But instructions were strict- NOBODY MOVES! No matter what. Sham- On moved onto the the southeast spot. He was smiling. He gave the signal - Thumbs Up! All was clear! BULLGOD* took up the northeast position and was standing unwavering and expressionless. JURNYMAN took up the southwest position and shortly lost a battle with a cleric and a Lesser dragon. He too lay slumped and lifeless. He looked back over at Sham-on. A Lesser had come out of nowhere and soon he too had fallen. G_3, JURNYMAN, and Sham-On had all fallen. He looked over at ABEL, still in place and MONSTER between them. Time passed slowly. Has it happened? Is the seal broken? A scout was sent to check.... THE SEAL WAS STILL INTACT!!!Was this another failed attempt? More time passed. Many warriors died this day- was all the loss and bloodshed in vain? At last the message arrived - the Seal was broken! They had done it! Consulting his map again, he and the others entered the town for the first time. And oh, what treasure! Weapons, armour and magic of unimaginable power! From this day forward the world they knew would never be the same. And even they could not imagine the change they had wrought upon the land. MARCH 8 2003 ON THAT FATEFUL DAY THESE WARRIORS TOOK THEIR PLACE IN HISTORY: G_3 JURNYMAN MATRIX SHAM-ON BULLGOD* MAGEABEL MONSTER __________________ With a host of furious fancies Whereof I am commander, With a burning spear and a horse of air, To the wilderness I wander. By a knight of ghosts and shadows I summoned am to a tourney Ten leagues beyond the wide world's end: Methinks it is no journey. Anonymous ballad
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Post by Jagan on Jul 25, 2005 15:28:11 GMT -7
EPILOGUE Later on and amongst all the revellry at Slyythera, MATRIX sat back and sipped on a beer. He finally had a chance to sit back and relax and reflect upon their accomplishments....
Many, many lives were lost and many a warrior suffered severe losses in the pursuit of this quest; there was Virus, and Houdini both of whom were assigned spots that night but were felled on route. Good old 'DOC", as always, in for the adventure, not to mention DARKOMEN or his sister DRAGONSPAWN or even good old BOWHUNTER. So many ....
But it was too CHAOTICA he felt he owed everything..always there prodding them on. Giving them a reason to go on when they were discouraged and never asking of them something he hadn't already suffered three times over. Yep the moment really did belong to him alright.
He raised his glass:
TO CHAOTICA!
I SALUTE YOU MY FRIEND!
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