Mouse
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Post by Mouse on Oct 2, 2005 13:18:46 GMT -7
A Thirst for Adventure
"The sun filtered in through the slats in the barn's ramshackle boards. Finally the rising sun shot a beam of light through a knothole into the closed eyelids of the entity sleeping on the hay. He stirred and rolled over.
Then suddenly snapped awake, this was the day he was going to escape, get out of here, away from the abuse, the ostracism, the hate and distrust. He was the illegitamate offspring of his Elf Father and Orc Mother. His fangs, pointed ears, and odd pelt of fur growing on him made him the target and the fear of his small village.
His mother ran off back to her beloved hills to rejoin her kind.
His father passed away last winter from injuries sustained from a battle with zombies that raided the village last spring.
He was now in the "care" of his aunts.
They kept him in the barn and fed him table scraps and told him whatever else he wanted t eat, he had to catch for himself. He lived off table scraps and rats, snakes, bats and other vermin.
One day he spotted several armored forms gleaming moonlight off their platinum armor. He peered through the boards and listened to them talk, exchange weapons and walk off into the woods.
That was last night. This is now morning.
The door creaks, he tenses, grabs his backpack and 100 gold pieces.
His unsuspecting aunt is bowled over by his leap. He then leaps over her and runs off in the direction he saw the warriors trudge off
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Mouse
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Post by Mouse on Oct 2, 2005 13:20:18 GMT -7
Byrendell: 2 days later...
"Leaping from rock to rock, his claws scraped and chipping from his rapid pace, he stops for a breath.
Panting he looks west..east..north..south..
? ? ?
A town silhouetted the horizon. The rising sun hurt his nocturnal eyes so he ran, covering ground as fast as he ever could.
On the way here he saw chests littering the ground and found in them helms of woodsmen, mage robes, braced wooden shields and one Dagger of the Sly.
He was fully equipped now with a rag tied to the sides of his helm to conceal his features and the rest of his body only looked like expensive furs.
Now in town, he looked around and found a shop. He slinked in and browsed the wares, spells, items, weapons and armor hung like dead soldiers from the gallows. He bought, he traded, he sold, in silence. The shopkeep was so good he barely needed to say a word. At least he made his final purchase and looked into the eyes of the exchequer at the counter.
His yellow eyes and striped fur was a flash as he quickly looked away, grabbed his backpack and sped out.
Next... hungry... where to eat? What to eat?
328 gold jangled in his pack, and it would give him at least 2 meals and a night of sleep at the Inn.
He sat down in a pub and ordered a plate of steaks, fish and poultry and out of curiousity a mug of Large Healing Pale Ale.
His ears twitched under his helm and listened in on the warriors talking and laughing, sharing advice on locations and tales of battle with fantastic monsters.
His corner table would'nt go unnoticed for long so he wolfed down his meal, tipped the barmaid 3 coins and went in search of an Inn to stay in.
After some searching he found the only Inn in town and secured a room for himself, laid down and slept."
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Mouse
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amanuensis to the cat
Posts: 143
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Post by Mouse on Oct 2, 2005 13:21:44 GMT -7
Cat in the Catacombs.
"After a 3 hour catnap, pun intended, he sat up, stretched, and rubbed his eyes.
Moonlight cast a silvery blue shine in the shape of the window next to his bed. He'd never slept so comfortably in his life, but he was restless. He'd never been away from home for so long, at all even.
This was a totally new experience, but very liberating. His aunts would'nt miss him. Damn the barn, the rats could overrun the place for all he cared.
He was Free!
He realized he was pacing and stopped midstep.
He equipped the gear he'd bought and shoved the rest into the closet provided in each room.
Bounding down the stairs and leaping out the door he found himself in an empty street. Nose twitching he looked down both ends and saw a fountain. It's burbling introduced a thirst to him and he walked up and drank from it.
He looked up and saw two people talking. One was obviously a seasoned veteran of many battles by the look of his armor and mace holstered to his side.
The other was a younger person, equipped nearly as he himself was, but wearing mage robes instead.
"Well, for a warrior of your level, ya gotta go to the Catacombs and get some battle experience there first. There's plenty of monsters to fight, and treasure."
The younger warrior nodded and walked off.
(Monsters... treasure... Hmmm...)
He followed the young man away from the fountain, past the alley and to the entrance of a catacomb that lookd like it reached under the town itself.
He ducked behind a corner and waited for the young warrior to descend down the ladder. He then ran up, climbed down swiftly and found himself nearly in his own element, nearly complete darkness. His eyes adjusted quickly.
He walked north and tripped over something the squeeled and nipped his ankle, cursing he drew the Dagger of the SLy out and slashed at a rat.
Hearing yells, he abandons his battle with the rodent who gratefully scurries off, he sees the young man fighting what looked like a nightmarish bundle of legs and fangs. A giant spider was rolling the man around and lunging after him like a cat would play with a toy.
So, running forward, dagger drawn he makes to save a life and battle this grotesque monster. After 5 successful hits he sees the spider dissolve and a chest appears to him.
A sharp pain burns his side, the younger warrior is attacking him! Why?
"Hey! You're not gettin that treasure, that's my gold! I don't know you, I don't trust you and I'm gonna kill you before you kill me!" the man ranted and struck.
Running was a good choice now and acted upon swiftly.
Leaving the warrior more than his share and taking with him teh experience of killing something larger than a sewer snake, he climbed up the ladder and away from the maddened warrior.
His injuries would heal over in time, he needed rest. Back in the Inn, rest he did."
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Mouse
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Post by Mouse on Oct 2, 2005 13:25:27 GMT -7
Coradale on a full moon. (Reprint)
Coradale, on a full moon.
"FOr a few nights now he'd been outside the city battling the monsters infesting the fields. His sword arm was getting stronge, his naturally high dexterity and increasing skill giving him an advantage over hsi blundering foes. He had learned a few things, battle alone, avoid the other warriors and save all the gold you can, bank it. He'd even bought a few spells.
Minor healing helped cover over the scars in his side from being stabbed by the younger warrior from the catacombs and even helped him to identify at a distance any warrior he saw. It was like having a 7th sense, and being helpful to those around him.
He was still unaware the magnitude of the destiny he was forging for himself, all he could think on now was survival. But it was exhilerating, the wind rushing past him as he ran at one monster after another, leaping over distances most would run by. After awhile he got curious. This could'ntbe the only town in all of Shade, there had to be something up that path, across the bridge...
He looked around, smirked at the warriors watching him. remembered he was still wearing the fabric over the lower part of his face, ripped it off, smirked again, this time showing teeth.
Laughing at the gasps and looks of disgust he ran across the bridge and skidded around the curved path.
Strange these, all, what are these little manshaped creatures running around with the arms waving in the air? He walks up to one that seems to be inspecting a chest on the ground.
It turns with a highpitched yelp and runs east. Ha ha ha, not a chance he was gonna get away that easy!
The strange little creature, stopped, crossed it's arms and faced him smiling evilly. ? ? ?
Well, what's this about...
>>>WHAMP!!
Suddenly he's knocked over by a ramming force of impact combined with the stench of mud and feces! A wild boar is mauling him. He reganis his footing, and skillfully blinds the boar with a burst of a new flame spell he'd learned, then stabs at the burnt hide until the boar is still and bleeding like a stuck... boar.
The goblin jumps on his back right as he's about to tear off a burnt piece of bacon for lunch.
Leaping up, flipping he shakes the goblin off and runs at him. Slicing air, damn he's hard to HIT!
Finally catching a lucky hit to the throat, unlucky for the goblin, as it falls over wheezing then is dead.
Well, now, seems the battle with the goblin creature and the boar has led him right to the gates of another town. A sign above read "Coradale" and some other stuff.
He goes on in, flicking goblin blood off his fingers, munching on flame-burnt boar hide. Who knows, one day this will become a wellknown sought after delicacy.
No way, he thinks, who in their right mind and regular diets would ever consider eating pork rinds?"
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Mouse
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Post by Mouse on Oct 2, 2005 13:27:08 GMT -7
The Folly of Fighting the Ogre Enforcer. (Reprint)
"Hunting nightly around Coradale was much easier. The monsters and various other things were getting easier. Less humans around to attempt to kill him for treasure and bragging rights.
Confidence grew, curiousity did too.
You know the saying.
Once, training west of Coradale, fighting along a riverbank he spotted two large forms standing at the shore. They had large wide bodies upon which a tiny ugly head was placed.
Equally as fearsome was both of them had weapons that looked to be meduim sized trees bound at the end to a boulder, creating crude but powerful hammers. He climbed a tree and watched these two. One sniffed the air and bellowed to his companion and pointed. Damn, spotted.
These things, called Ogre Enforcers he'd heard mention of in the Training area of Coradale, but here they are in action, smashing their big hammers into the tree, trying to shake him out of it.
He's finally dislodged and lands on the small head of one ogre, digging in, painfully for the poor ogre suffering scratching as his back was being slid down.
\\\\
Gouges and
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angry red lines striped the hasty escape downhill, so to speak.
Another warrior, ran up, stopped, and seemed to watch. But that was'nt the priority right now, escape has, for as he finally found ground, he was knocked off his feet by a crushing blow to the chest that seemed to have taken a good portion of the life out of him.
Finally this other warrior advances and commences attacking, and well, as this person was being so helpful, he had to be helped in return.
It was only fair.
After the ogre finally fell to a death of seemingly a thousand cuts. He and his new ally stood there catching their breath.
The other ogre had wanderd off, too stupid to know there was anything going on. "Well fought my friend, but you should stick to smaller game until you've become more proficient. ... Your appearance is unusual, does it have a name to go with it?"
He drew in a breath, shuddered...
name...
what name?
He was'nt sure if he had one...
He'd left home t seek adventure and forge a place in a world that feared and shunned him and treated him like...
a...
"BarnCat." he replied.
The older warrior smild, patted his back and offered him a few rounds of drinks at the pub, but heartily guffawed and quipped he wuold'nt be ordering any saucers of milk for him. It was time to sample some of Coradale's Finest, in ale, music, and whatever else happened his way."
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Mouse
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Post by Mouse on Oct 2, 2005 13:28:37 GMT -7
"Go East, young Cat."
"Hunting, fighting, saving gold, upgrading with Coradale's finest, life was good, but the kills were getting way too easy, confidence gave wa to boredom and yet more of that damned curiousity. BarnCat looked east for his next destination where a long winding aged path stretched to and away from him, as if motioning him to follow it. So that he did!
Standing outside the city, he looked left, right, forward, and lunged forth, running as fast as his feet would allow him, only stopping to make irresistable monster kills or for the odd rat or bat that blocked his path.
After a ways, he was fatigued, and stopped, then calmly walked again. He passed a few other warriors on his way, but none stopped to chat or anything.
Finally he arrived at the outskirts of another town. To the south of it, bunches of the goblin creatures milled about clusters of chests laying on the ground, but he preferred to head into the city and check out the local scene first before hunting alongside it's citizens.
Another Pub beckoned to him. Time to see if the Wine in Cloven Pine compared to Coradale Ales.
Inside he met and spoke to two warriors, they didnt seem to mind that his face was'nt exactly normal.
One appraised him closely and offered him a substantial sum of gold to equip himself with.
This was the start of better things, fur sure."
(Note: I omitted character names because I was'nt sure who wanted to be associated with these accounts, but if ya wanna be a part of the story, just say so, or even post something of your own related to me or the general story. I'm not greedy, really! PM me with any questions or concerns.)
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Mouse
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Post by Mouse on Oct 2, 2005 13:30:06 GMT -7
The Wizard Zanden.
"Now outfitted in the best gear he could blow his newlygotten cash on, hero's studded leather armor, warrior's helm, spiked iron shield and a good longsword. BarnCat looked at his new self in a mirror, and liked it! He did a few battle poses and strutted, snarled at the mirror, and decided to give his new fashion statement it's say, in actual usage.
Leaving town he immediately ran south and jumped feetfirst on the first goblin he saw, standing on it's chest he beheaded it, and swung west to intercept a charging goblin scout who dropped his standard bow in breathless shock, as his windpipe was severed. Running east he bladed on goblin in passing and stuck another through it's puny chest and then returned his attentions to the goblin warrior who stubbornly fought on the tip of his sword. After a few more random runnings, leaps, attacks he found himself south of Cloven pine at a bridge.
He stopped and scanned the scene. Across the bridge a sinister figure stood, his slanted eyebrows and pointed ears told him as an Elf Scout of some kind.
BarnCat's half elf side wanted to run up and greet the fellow countryman, but his Orc side bristled and fell into a fight or flight mindset.
The Darkly dressed and mannered elf calmly walked up smiling, drew an elven shortsword and SWUNG!
This backed BarnCat up a few steps, blood running down his sword arm. He made to return the strike, but kept missing, due to the pain in his arm and the agility of his enemy, who swung again, placing another neat slice above the first one.
Two goblins saw the commotion and decided to contribute their own two gold pieces on this topic.
So, he ran. East, running as far as he could until he found himself a little lost. Sitting down on the bank of the river, he looked down into it's waters and saw his own reflection, and something else.
An old wizard stood peering over his shoulder. "Lost are you?"
He looked up at the old man. "Yeah, lost, how do I get back to town?"
"Well you can rest up and run straight north , then run west, but then you're risking getting killed by any opportunistic warrior who sees you ... or you can be teleported."
BarnCat pondered this teleportation idea, not really knowing what it entailed, but it sounded like a way to get back to town that didnt involve running like a scared cat and then smiled and nodded.
"But, I will not teleport when there has been recent combat, please wait a few seconds and try again."
(WHAT!?!)
BarnCat growled and looked back down at the water, waited a few breaths and asked again.
"Okay, now we can go."
The Wizard introduced himself as Zanden and teleported BarnCat back to Cloven Pine and wished him a pleasant day.
Stepping out of the shimmering teleport fog, he stumbled a few steps and turned to thank his saviour, but to no surprize he was gone...,
A few coins fell from midair.
"Keep the change." said a disembodied voice. So, everything had a price, but such was the cost of living.
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Mouse
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Post by Mouse on Oct 2, 2005 13:31:54 GMT -7
Slyythra on down.
"After a long odd meandering journey that involved alot of running around, dodging, back tracking and teleporting back to town when the walls of wolves, elves, and grizzly bears closed in, BarnCat finally reached the forboding city of Slyythra.
He hunted there for nearly two weeks, saving gold, and items found on the ground after and around his kills.
Wolves came easiest after he replaced his nearly bent up longsword with an elven longsword.
He also got less injuries afield because of a new silksteel hood and an steel shield he bought.
Next he went on to killing bears with greater ease, but one more challenge lie ahead for this area..."
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Mouse
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Post by Mouse on Oct 2, 2005 13:33:01 GMT -7
Elf Interrupted.
"Shrykel Copperhead sat outside the city limits, waiting, the odd warrior he had sliced up was seen in this area not too long ago. He had just killed two bears and went into town to cash in the claws and heads of his foes. Only a little longer, knowing this one, he'd be back at it again. Full of himself, confident, maybe overconfident, underprepared. Shrykel leaned against the city wall north and sharpened his blade, smiling musedly.
Eventually Barncat came out, made some kind of yelp noise, ran back in, but ended up coming out with alot less surprise on his face. Not a good sign, this looked to be a fight. Still this impudent furball was inexperienced, and no match for an elf of Shrykel's calibre. The fight began, Skilled attacks to BarnCat's lucky hits, and continued this way for a short time before BarnCat retreated back inside. A few moments passed and Shrykel began to wonder if he's scared teh brash warrior into the town for the night and shrugged, then wandered off a few paces.
"HEY! Needlenose! Ready for round 2?" (WHAAAT!?!)
Growling, Shrykel turned and strode before BarnCat chest to chest, noticing his breath stank of healing potions. Well, this was something, the little upstart had gone into town, straight to the shop and got himself healed up to continue the fight it seemed.
Fine.
The battle resumed, same as before, Shrykel's 9 good hits to BarnCat's five random ones. BarnCat ran back inside, leaking blood like a ruptured flask. Moments later he re-emerged, healed, mostly and the fight went like this for some time. At sunrise, the constantly rehealing BarnCat scored a lucky hit combination that knocked Skrykel's sword out of his weary hands, got him a throat chop with the edge of a shield and mercifully, a sword stuck right between his eyes.
Falling, dead, and shown to be wearing silksteel robes that were going to need washing, repairs, and a notch on the sleeve band showing a skull and crossbones with pointy ears.
Thus ended Shrykel Copperhead's existence, to determination and patience. Which paid off handsomely."
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Mouse
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Post by Mouse on Oct 2, 2005 13:36:02 GMT -7
The Goblin King. THe Cave mouth opened wider than it actually was, it seemed more immense because of the large step BarnCat was taking, trying this mission. Today, after receiving advice from two other warriors and his new Clan Leader, he had decided to take on The Goblin King. So... He walked on in. At first the going was easy.
Bile rats and Goblin Scouts surrounded him, and then surrounded him with their corpses. This newly gotten Steelwood Longbow was doing wonders! A level or more down he walked up their barracks hallway, expecting his destination to be right at the end of it.
Wrong.
Backtracking he travelled more long narrow caves until he found himself poised at the beginning of another bridge. Taking a rest from fighting the Hobgoblins, he looked around.
"Well well well, pity you, made it this far, all the way to me, only to DIE!"
Startled he hopped up at the sound of a spear landing right between his feet!
"Minions! Take care of my light work..."
Growls and scuffling filled the darkness and several small forms of goblins and hobgoblins alike ran toward him. He fired and dropped a few out of range of being able to strike back. Then, he was surrounded on three sides, and teh Goblin King walked up stood, and watched, arms crossed and smiling. Getting a better look at him, BarnCat could see a tarnished gold crown on his head and tattered red velvet robes, most likely covering armor and weapons.
The Last Hobgoblin Berserker fell and the Goblin King looked at him.
"What manner of creature are you? Half Elf? Half... what's with all the fur?"
BarnCat growled, drank down a large healing potion, wiped his lips. "If you must know, well it won't matter anyway, you're going to die. My Father... was an Elf. My Mother? An Orc!"
"Orc eh? Don't recall Orcs having fur, your mother was no Orc. If you'd ever seen an Orc, you'd know. But sad to say I am the last thing you're going to see."
The King drew a brutal shortsword and swung wide a strike that was hopped over, ducked under, then flipped back from. BarnCat sunk a few arrows into te king's chest armor. Then, smiling like a cat watching a mouse walk into a trap, as the King just did. He fired up, missing the King completely! But this served it's purpose, that being to cut the cord holding a large metal and crystal chandelier above the king's head t come crashing down on him!
Stepping back as the king struggled.
BarnCat thought Metal..., Lightning Bolt, and essentially nearly invented the microwave as the lightning zapped and over heated everything beneath the debris.
He then stood.., waited for his mana to return, and let loose a magic blade spell at the crystals, again another invention ahead of it's time as needle thin refracted mage light composed itself into numerous beams of light.
This king was now dying the old Death Of A Thousand Cuts. The Goblin King angrily threw off the chandelier and laid there gasping.
He looked up, coughed. "Alright, I'll tell you something, I've been far and wide and have'nt seen a damned thing like you except in (Coughs). Your Mother were'nt no Orc, She was a damned...GlArGlE!"
He never got to finish. BarnCat angrily stomped his chest down, held him by the neck and filled his throat, stomach and lungs with oil he'd found in the barracks for lighting the torches.
He then lifted the Goblin King up, threw him into his throne, and just as the King opened his mouth to scream, BarnCat's Flame Tongue spell caught him in the face and ignited the flammables, causing an explosion to rock the caverns, and definitely blow up the poor King, who now was draped all over his throne, in smoking tatters and sizzling puddles of viscera.
He should have listened, not reacted, but he had to admit, that was one helluva way to go!
__________________ {Trk
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Mouse
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Post by Mouse on Oct 2, 2005 13:37:21 GMT -7
Caution: Men At Orc! The trip from Cloven Pine to Coradale was nice, nothing but the open air rushing past him as he ran, the wind in his fur, the ground beneath his feet and the heavy leather and metal boot that kicked him some 50 paces into the air laughingly. Such was the life of an enraged rabbit. Is it any wonder they're enraged? Just this sudden impact and WHAMP! Airborne! Where's the love? Oh well. BarnCat had to laugh after he booted the angry rodent. It rushed at him, or he at it, did it matter? No. heh. Coradale appeared in veiw, but he was extremely fatigued and should have rested before doing too much else, but slowed to a leisurely walk and strolled in. He visited the shops, the bank, and then the pub t catch up on local happenings, then in the end, concluded Coradale was one slow nothing-happening little town. Good hunting, but little in the way of socialization. He stepped back outside of Coradale, breathed in, refreshed, sighed, smiled, and took to his feet at a decent bounding run, seeing noone else watching, he lowered to all fours and sped south like a cheetah. Nearing the bridge to Byrendell, he composed himself and resumed bipedal gait. and strolled to the north gate. Other warriors and hunters milled about outside, trading weapons, sparring, hunting the local vermin, or waiting for others to arrive. He walked on inside and looked for, ah hah, the Pub! Thirsty? Yessss... He entered and took the customary far corner seat. Note, earlier in Coradale he'd spoken with a female warrior about training newer warriors by joining them on their first cave quests, and being that he'd not been to the Orc Caves either he volunteered. Now seeing her sitting in Byrendell Pub he reminded her of the earlier idea and re-offered his service. Sometime later, he leaned against the wall outside toying with a bat he'd killed earlier. Looking around cautiously, he then bit it's left wing off, and chewed hungrily. (Little did he know years later in an entirely different dimension certain musicians became famous or infamous, for this kind of activity.) He smiled and flapped the remaining wing "Eeeeh eeeh lookit me, I'm flying in circles now, eeh .. Uh hiya.." The female warrior was outside and next to her was a younger warrior, equipped and looking around anxiously. He dropped the bat. "Ready?" she asked? "Eh, yeah, let's go?"he nodded. So, west he ran, not always best at waiting for others, then waited at the west face of the mountainside for the others to join him. They arrived soon afterwards. So, south. The path was occasionally obstructed by the odd rat or sewer snake which was quickly dispatched with a well placed stab or slice. Passing a sign that said, well, some words, never mind, reading was for scholars anyways, they entered the whatever the sign said they were entering. Stopping breifly to check packs and clean weapons and exchange strategies. The female warrior elbowed him and shamedly admitted she needed to borrow some gold for the Zanden Teleport fare. Zanden, where was he these days and how was he doing? Probably out teleporting all over the place rescuing the stranded, lost, wounded travellers. What a fulltime job. With the cave entrance spotted, entered and now behind them, that put a few surprised orcs in front of them. BarnCat's eyes adjusted to the dark rapidly and he went ahead of the group to take the brunt of the attacks. Female Orcs, maybe ones closely resembling his rumored mother?approached, bellowed and shreiked, and most definitely attacked. That was stopped easily enough, reluctantly though, but all the same, they died on swordtip like anything else. He looked down at their fallen bodies, none of them appeared to be his mother, but then again, he was'nt sure if he remembered his mother... He wandered back to see what was takin the other two so long. He stopped, the ground was vibrating as if someone was hitting it with a large stone club, and well, someone was! Some....one, some....Thing a large troll stood behind him, smirking like a trll with a smaller being in front of him. Not too much a stretch, but the spin, and swinging reach of BarnCat's elven short sword was'nt either. Thudding off the troll's leathery hide, the first hit was'nt too impressive, not nearly as impressive as being the ball in a giant scale game of golf. This version being played with stone clubs and hearty yelping cave wanderers. The others soon caught up, seemingly having reached an agreement to at least make forward motion. Healing spells slammed him back to the stone club slamming him forward, whichever way he was being slammed between them, he sliced at where he could until finally the troll agreed to give up his breathing and fall like some kind of ugly dullgreen trees with arms, legs, and yeah, stuff, okay, but fell at any rate. They walked past him and continued on, stopping fighting, healing eachother up and collecting the goods off the fallen enemies. [Dying battery time here folks, doncha just hate that?] Soon, it was indeed time to go, and so through a shimmerring oval in the air, stepped out, Zanden. He nodded accepted the gold for fare, gave the thumbs up and whisked them out of there. BarnCat killed an annoying Orc peasant, he seemed more intent on getting away then fighting. WHy did he do that? Kill some poor scared monster? Thats what Heroes did he supposed. Zanden re-appeared. "Well now, hah. If it isnt the little cat-person! Have'nt seen you in weeks. We'd take off soon, but heh, you know the rules. I will not teleport when there has been re-...urgh!" A rusty tarnished scimitar blade stuck it's way back out into open air through Zanden's chest! "ZANDEN!!" The old wizard slumped forward and slid off the blade like a soggy piece of meat and fell. BarnCat fought like an enraged rabbit, er, rabid, enraged, well he fought, and well. But unlike the enraged rabbit he won the fight, and rushed back to Zanden who was curled up on the gruond wheezing. Great. Now how was he going to get out of here? Zanden pulled him down to eyelevel, which was low as Zanden was... low. "Sorry, ace. You've take over from here. You got to.... get me to Byrendell. I need to rest and heal." BarnCat scowled and asked how they were going to get out of here in time to save him. Zanden looked up, smiled and said "Close your eyes, breathe deep, there now, relax. Ok? Now concentrate on one word, The word is "[Rename]"!" He whispered something and passed out from the pain of his injuries, BarnCat gasped, astonished, but followed his orders. And soon, strangely, there were .... teleporting out of the Orc Caves.... TWO ZANDENS?!?
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Mouse
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Post by Mouse on Oct 2, 2005 13:39:39 GMT -7
The Zanden Clause! (or "Wait! This Zanden has CLAWS?!")
There's an idea! "Hey now, You can't attack ME! I'm in the midst of a personality crisis!"
The air shimmered and then strobed in front of him as he appeared at the side of some matted muddy marsh grass.
Who had summoned him now? He'd been teleporting all day now. He'd seen parts of Shade he'd never seen before, but could never really stick aroundlong enough to really enjoy them, let alone know what they were or where they were located.
This one was yet another warrior, lost, and low on health, needing a lift.
BarnCat was one weary Zanden replacement, feeling foolish in robes and unarmed.
Zanden, was, well, recuperating in Byrendell, from drastic scimitar surgery.
Earlier they'd hatched a plan where, BarnCat would take over Zanden's job until they had enough in teleport fare gold to buy some Golden Healing potions to speed his recovery.
It seemed a decent idea at the time. It was'nt looking so much a sharp idea at the moment. 2500 in gold jingled in his satchel, and one more healing potion to buy before he could shuck off these robes and get back to doing what he was really preferring to do, which was anything but this. Being the public transportation system for an entire world of warriors was really irritating.
It was amazing the troubles he'd seen the people he transported get themselves into, it really heightened his appreciation for what Zanden did for this place. Not many people made a living out of being everywhere at once.
Luckily it was an easy day, at least according to Zanden, who could now sit up in bed and laugh about the stories BarnCat brought back with him in a grumbling and tired voice. He'd really hate to see what a REAL Busy day would be like.
He once again teleported out, appeared in another cave where two warriors stood over the corpse of a Goblin King, rolling it over with their boots, and stripping the thing of it's weapons, gold and whatever else. He teleported one back to Cloven Pine. Went back, looked around.
Where was the other one? Oh great. Lost another one! Wait there he was. Picking a fight with some remaining hobgoblin berserkers. Ok, He could wait.... waiting... la dee dah.. annnd action!
Teleported this one out too. Noone seemed to notice any difference in the Zanden they once knew and heavily relied upon. This last one made some sidelong comment about Zanden needing a shave. Ha ha ha, yeah okay, whatever, let's go, huh?
Evening came along and 3000 gold had finally reached it's quota, buying a golden healing potion from a warrior in the Pub, he ran to the Inn. Up the stairs, through the door to room 411, and boom. He tossed the healing potion to Zanden and went into the spare room to change out of these robes.
He finally emerged in his customary elven steeljade and nightshade helm on. Black and green went well together and helped him feel like his old self again. Much as Zanden himself seemed to be at the moment.
"Well, there you go. Healed up and ready to work. Now if you'll excuse me..."
"Young man, I will most certainly not!"
"Damn, ok, what?"
"You're to go get yourself better equipped. There's a warrior down below who roams far and wide in search of Adventure and other trappings of success in battle. You're to go to the pub and meet with him. I beleive you could learn a few things from him, and maybe even secure yourself some much better weaponry than that old beaten plowshear you call a sword." "Dandy, ok, well guess I'll go see this guy."
"Don't be so growly, furface. He's also one of the best in your clan, you'll know him on site. Now, if you'll excuse me?"
And excused he was, because unlike Zanden, BarnCat had better things to do than to hand out commands orders and advice on what he supposedly should be doing.
Later in the Pub, sure enough, BarnCat did make contact with the hearty adventurer of a Clan member. This person was always an inspiration and entertaining to see chatting, and one day he'd really have to go hunting with him, to study his methods, and maybe show off a few of his own. But for now, they met outside.
He received an Assassin's Katana of Darkness.
That glorious swift black blade bestowed upon dark elves who'd completed their rite of passage, just the sort of thing BarnCat could use to carve his path in this world.
That path seemed best carved to the next course he'd take, to Gloomy Vale!
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Mouse
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Post by Mouse on Oct 2, 2005 13:40:32 GMT -7
The Swamp Trilogy1: The Dead of Night.
THe moon rose up and seemed to sit and watch from a comfortable place resting on some ragged torn clouds. Mist crawled along like wispy slugs through the swamp grass.
Hoots howls, wails, sludging footsteps echoed through the swamp when not muffled like a dying breath. Drooling Fiends gathered, moved away, clustered again, their mouths again, breathing in gurgling rasps. Bile rats, mouths dripping with dark green ichor squeeled at eachother and fought over bones. Some of those bones still moving of their own volition.
Speeding through all this was a familiar figure, who then stopped for breath and drew his blade to do some business. BarnCat smiled at the two drooling fiends who eyed him hungrily, and battle began.
Attacking both sides the two sided attacks were originating from, it was almost a dance. One drooling fiend's bald slimy head was removed from the rest of itself. the other was pierced like an olive with a toothpick. All this time he'd been getting steadily chewed on by an opportunistic Bile Rat, who stopped eating or trying to at about the time it got a dark through it's head. So far so good. BarnCat reveiwed his mental notes, south, east then south again. Ok.
He started off east when a large schlucking wheezing sound split the air and a grave sized hole appeared in the ground.
Crypt entrance then resealed like a toothless mouth closing and off to his southwest it was heard the same sound of that awful entrance to unknown fears.
Well, later for that idea.
Running east, then south. A large crumbling form appeared out ofthe mist, it was huge, stark, frightening as it loomed over him, covered with sickly moss, the smell of rotten flesh, it was.... Gloomy Vale.
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Post by Mouse on Oct 2, 2005 13:41:57 GMT -7
The Swamp Trilogy2: TombCat!
Darkness fell across the land, the midnight hour was close at hand, creatures were out in search of blood. Barncat was in search of Spells.
He'd heard that Gloomy had some very good spells for sale and he eyed a few of them for purchase. Acid Spray, Maniacal Skriek, and Death Cloud. Buying all three, he stepped outside to try them out. After all three were inscribed, he tried Acid Spray.
FFFFPPPPHHHHHHFF!!! ',;.';',;.',;';.
Sizzling the bricks of Gloomy Vale, the cat had just marked his territory.
That was fun.
He then tried Maniacal Skriek. His mouth opened at out came this sound like 10,000 maniacs damned roars, screeches, wails, damn scary stuff. He startled himself and had to cut his choir recital from hell short. It had also attracted a fan. A Bog Wraith was bobbing in slow lazy circles near a pond, but now stopped and turned it's vague features towards him.
Suddenly he felt a very real exhaustion and depression overcome him. He despaired, he doubted, he nearly died when he realised he was being hit with a Drain Life attack, which he had also bought. This was not the way he wanted to see it demonstrated.
Coughing, he wearily drew his steelwood bow and fed the hungry spirit some arrows too. It finally toppled and fell into the mists, becoming one with them.
Uncorking three large healing potions brought back his ambition for life, and his life, period.
"gOOD ShOW noW YOO WanA TaKE someThinG rEal chAllenGinG?"
Standing so close he should have smelled it was a large female Elite Zombie. Almost 7 feet tall, her black skin was like oil poured over yellowed bones and greenish musculature. Generally not a very pretty sight, big, loud and stupid. Could be an easy battle, what the hey. They fought for quite awhile.
BarnCat seemed to be getting nowhere with this gal. Her charms were'nt working well either, as his armor deflected damage nicely.
Something happened. Time seemed to slow and stop, from flood, to lava, to glacier, to rock, time stopped. BarnCat could'nt do anything, he faintly felt strikes and blows and impacts from somewhere, but he stood frozen in place, unable to fight back or run.
Limbo. He was dead now. Why had he died, how had he died, who was he? A deep rumbling volcano of a voice split into his skull and said "I've watched your progress for some time now and I'm impressed enough to give you the choice..... I... never Had. You can either return to your airsucking mortal life or join the prestigious ranks of my undead army!"
It must be Chaos, where was he? In this limbo there was no up or down, in his mind there was no right or left, in his heart there was no right or wrong, only a sick curiousity, this curiousity killed the cat, it made him [Undead].
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Post by Mouse on Oct 2, 2005 13:43:09 GMT -7
The Swamp Trilogy3: A Rotten Time.
Back out into the swamp, a horrid creature stumbled out. One eye glazed and seeped like melting ice, his skin was a papery grey showing through patches of missing fur. His mouth hung open for his green tongue to loll out. He would have sighed if he breathed. For now, this thing we now see is TombCat.
Through the recesses of his dead mind he cursed to himself on life, death and something called verizon and servers, whatever those were, they had cost him his life.
He could'nt handle it anymore, he ran and ran, and, still ran, no pulse, no exhaustion, at least for quite awhile longer.
He stopped when he found his old belongings lying there, in the shape of his oldest belonging, his body. Staring stupidly down while the remaining parts of his mind battled for logic in dead space.
He finally reached down and pulled on the nightshade helm. Later his armor was on and he stood there, head tilted to the side, very clearly unfocussed, but hungry, very hungry.
"WeLL WElL WHOse thIS!!! heY thEr HanNSUM!""
The loud mass of rotting garbage shambled up to him, almost admiringly. Her eyelashes fluttered, but only in one eye, the other eye hung out and rolled on her cheek.
Mrs. Elite Zombie was back.
He lifted his sword and tapped her neck with it, for emphasis, but no words. Trying to find words to put over his growing anger. She batted his arm away, growling, flinging the sword a few paces south from his weak dead hand. He looked at it sticking out of the swamp, and wanted to see it sticking out of the she-zombie.
He suddenly made a break for it, picked it up and sliced it just in time to have it hit her right in the face.
So the battle continued, nothing stopped, time stayed steady, timing was good, accuracy was horrible. His mind and body were too weak and stupid to be working anywhere alone, but still could not cooperate.
He was starting to awaken as the battle went on, using the fight as an anchor for his mind to attach things to, he built upon it.
He was now TombCat, he was Undead, he was'nt fighting for his life anymore for soon he realized upon hitting empty air, he was'nt alive anymore, neither was she, but he fared better because he still stood.
He trudged on south not even bothering to inspect her remains. Soon he was back in town, he slipped past the innkeeper without him noticing.
He could'nt stay like this though, he wanted to die again, choose life, choose magic, choose BarnCat. Maybe he could talk a dragon south of Slyythra into giving him a complete make-over? He laid down wearily and rested sleeplesly.
Downstairs, the Innkeeper wrinkled his nose at the bad smells coming from room 247. Disgusting he thought as he pulled his nose off his rotting face trying to block out the smells of other undead tenants in the Inn.
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Mouse
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Post by Mouse on Oct 2, 2005 13:44:52 GMT -7
Tales of Two Kings (but kings aitn got tails...)
The dragon's mouth opened wide, flames erupted, searing rotten flesh off yellowed bones. An unearthly scream filled the air and...
BarnCat snapped awake panting, eyes wide open but barely seeing anything. Oh well the nightmares would fade, but his short breaths proved onething, he was a living again. Time to make some use of that.
Earlier after nearly recovering most of his lost battle strength that had been lost during his short time, dying, being undead, then redying to live again, (gets confusing dont it?) he'd arranged to guide a fellow warrior to the Goblin King.
Later, running north, vaulting over bears and running by bewildered elves before they could draw a blade, and tripping over on startled wolf who ran off as soon as it regained footing, north, to Cloven Pine.
Having arrived, he walked into the pub, where he saw SmackOne sitting with a mug of ale, sipping calmly. WHAT!?! Across from him there stood a Goblin leering ugly... uglily... not looking very nice. BarnCat kicked the offending little vermin off the bench. It flipped and hit the wall shattering. SHattering? Had Smack frozen it with an ice spell?
Vhelsing walked by smiling. "Heh heh heh, those've been all over since their crowned the new Goblin King, it's a tradition, we've been finding those all over town everytime the old king dies and a new one steps up to take his place."
BarnCat grimaced, "What happens to the old king, does he get a proper burial or do the vile things cannibalise their former leige?"
Vhelsing sat down next to SmackOne and ordered a beer. "Well We're not totally certain, but there's an undead goblin lord further within who bears a strikin resemblance to the king that's killed."
BarnCat had to admit, this was one efficient set of politics, constant recycled re-election with life itself being the term limit. (Necrocacy?)
Darkness increased as BarnCat and SmackOne entered the cavern. Smack towered over him by nearly a foot or more, looking like he could have easily gone for a job as bodyguard, or wrestler, but Barn hoped what he sacrificed in strength he made up for in speed, there'd be a balance that way. Killing about everything in their path and BarnCat hoping he actually did remember the way they fought on. Halls, tunnels, cave passages, and confusion, damn. They stopped to catch a breath.
Smack sheathed his sword and stood arms crossed, deep in thought. BarnCat ran north for a bit to put some arrows into an approaching goblin. This Bow Of the Protector was'nt the best out there, but it was an everlasting goblinstopper for sure.
Running back down south he saw Smack still standing there, seemingly still in deep thought, so he then ran west, to stick arrows in a Bile Rat, looking around selfconsciously, he bit into the back leg and chewed quickly and quietly. These things were bitter and foul, but he forgot to pack a darn lunch.
SmackOne gave a thumbs up sign, and pointed, and soon both were on their way.
The throneroom was as he remembered it, same smells, the tattered red skins hanging from the walls, torches illuminating paintings of previous goblin royalty with names scrawled underneath like "Luzer" "DedGuy" "Hahalookitme I'm blown up now" That last oe must have been his old adversary... unless someone else tried the same method, lol. Yells and shouts erupted north of them. Smack and Barn rushed forward weapons at the ready.
SmackOne's sword left silver arcs to make red bloody arcs in the air through the goblin pile, and BarnCat stepped back fired, stepped back again and fired still.
Finally the Goblin King strode forth, this one seemed a little... runtier, weaker.
Smack drew back his arm and swakked the king to him, he wacked it back to him, and a back and forth game between then involving a screaming projectile ended when the "ball" could take anymore and slumped to the ground.
Smack stood up, kneeled and sifted through the treasure and took his share, motioning BarnCat to do the same, he did. Smack then saluted, and thanked him, then teleported out.
BarnCat looked down and a smile crossed his features. Drawing a palm dager he skinned the king. Moments later a new painting hung, with words scrawled at the bottom.
In the flash of teleport light they read: "Finally, The Cat HAS COME BACK TO the goblin caves. I'll Be Back & next time have the pies ready. If Ya Smell-la-la-la what I'm cookin'?"
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Mouse
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Post by Mouse on Oct 2, 2005 13:46:31 GMT -7
The Other Tale, the Other King. (Hard Orc pays off.)
Days Later, back at Byrendell, he'd been trying to organize another Cave party. Now was that time. He'd trained back up to above his former living self as his current living self was.. now.. ok. Basicaly, lol, BarnCat's back to prime. Reygar soon strode in, looking his usual best, followed by Woman who somehow looked better than Rey.
Well no wonder actually, but soon it came down to planning, networking with other warriors.
SmackOne could'nt arrive as he'd been delayed back in Cloven. Outside, BarnCat ran west and leaned up against the mountainside, then walked due south, and proceeded on.
His entry into the cave was unobstructed and the battles began a few steps further on, Reygar soon was at his side, alternately fighting and cast healing spells, damn he's good. Woman soon joined them and the merry trio were on their way. Walking, running stopping to fight. Trolls, Orcs, corpses. After what seemed like mere minutes they all arrived at a very narrow entry.
Guarded by a large something.
Reygar stepped forward confidently and sliced away at the obstruction, which in turn struck back. BarnCat edged past Woman and jumped up and down behind Rey to get a better look at what he was fighting. Rey too a step back and BarnCat landed off Rey's leg, and stumbled back, embarassed. His adversary was dead and he led the way in, there the battle really picked up.
Monsters approached from all directions, and came to meet their deaths. Rey took the trolls on with ease.
Woman ran forward and she seemed to have found the Leader of this motley crew. The Orc King was one big bugger who stood like a stone pillar, growling and beckoning them forward, tusks dripping and eyes glinting.
BarnCat stopped in his tracks, stood and walked forward, questions forming in his mind, but he was totally ignored, and an elbow in the face from the king's careless backswing. How Rude!
BarnCat took exception to that and answered the affront with a few of his own. the battle wore on, and wore out the king, who slumped to his knees, arms hanging at his sides.
BarnCat looked down and was about to ask if he could have possibly known anything about his mother, who was still rumored to be an Orc as far as he knew....
"HRRAAOORRH!"
Suddenly lifted off his feet, a vicegrip around his throat, his blurred vision confirmed he got too close, and now he was soon to die.
An Errant fireball spell cast roared past distracting the king and BarnCat drew his sword, the newly gotten Wicked Scimitar of Chaos and ran the king's face right up to the hilt. Pulling out the Orc King dropped with a heavy thud, or Flump, (whatever sounds better, lol)
Gathering up the goods off the king's corpse and those of his followers. Rey and Woman stood talking and BarnCat paced.
WOman told him it was his kill, he should pick up the rest. That he did. Armor, weapons of thise he'd never seen before except on some other warriors. Looking down he saw something else, a ring?
He quickly pocketted it and nodded to the others. Teleporting out, the cave grew quiet... a shadow crossed the form of the now dead king.
"SSsso, he's been here too. Hrmmm. He's really moving up in the world. I should be proud of him.... but..."
an inaudible shrug and the shadow drew back to where retreating footsteps walked the caves alone.
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Mouse
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Post by Mouse on Oct 2, 2005 13:48:18 GMT -7
Freezin and Fryin on the Trail to Xian.
Training here and there, wherever most folks were'nt, Barncat still had the urges towards greater adventures than the standard 7- 8 town rut. Trik himself offered a giude trip to the Xian trail earlier and now was the best time he could act on it.
Outside the city Trik met up with Reygar and yours truly, the hero of the story me, myself, yeah yeah aint I great? lmao. Ahem.........,
He ran south, and west, past a variety of monsters, they ran east, north, a few other directions, that gave litle time to remember or make note of.
The one thing about hunting with Reygar or Trik is you gotta be fast, and who's fast furry feet sped after his Leader and Clanmate?
Well, he tried to keep up. Lost a few times, off in the wrong direction other times, they finally regrouped and fought some pretty heavy opposition to their travel plans in the form of Stone Golems and some wicked Imps and Sorcerers who could barely cast a fishing line, let alone any kind of fearsome spell.
After more directions altered, and paths ran by to mention. They came to a bridge.
Looking down he saw three warriors approaching, more tasty snacks, more battles against the puny fleshlings who came here to meet their dooms.
Roaring mightily he caught their attention and one among them strode forward and attacked, this one was causing pain, if he could feel it, but he shouldnt BE feeling pain, he was the Flame Gargoyle! His red hot rock hide sparked with numerous hits to it by this bothersome human.
Before he knew it, his life was extinguished and he crumbled to thousands of glowing fiery hot bits and rumbled menacingly as he tried to pull himself together. His weapons and other equipment were being taken and his one intact eye on the top of the pile watched them walk away.
As soon as they were out of sight he concentrated on reforming his true shape and stood mightily up, roaring a firey taunt to them.
It was BarnCat's turn at this monster and he took it eagerly, running forward, bladefirst.
This being was tough, but not so tough it could not be killed again. This began to feel like a rite of passage, if not a personal milestone in his journeys, and his demeanor became more grave and serious as did his strikes.
His life force was buffeted by cast healing spells as he fought on, eventually he Not healed fell, he who was, rose victorious and sifted through the remains of his fallen opponent.
Curses, this was twice now! This second time taking tortuously long.
So badly the Flame Gargoyle almost wanted to stand still and hand his weapon over to the strange warrior just to get this farce over with. With his goods once again pilfered from him, he lay still as any pile of crumbled molten rock would, and watched them walk away.
This was one inenviable life it was to live as, but he had to admit, every now and then, someone came along who truly amused him and broke the monotony of his too-stable existance as surely as they broke his form to flaming bits.
Meeting up with the other two, BarnCat came back smiling wider than a cat who'd eaten a 20 foot tall mouse, but it was no mouse, and he sure as Chaos was'nt going to eat it.
Trik announced he was going to take his leave, saluted them both in the time-honored Trk Salute while Zanden appeared and whisked him off. Well with him and Reygar left, what was the plan?
Necromansers further along the path provided some new challenge and sport and the night was'nt exactly young, but it was'nt old either, more like... middle aged or something. SO they walked on and descended a ladder.
There Stood a Necromancer!
He wore a purple and black robe with silver lines along the sleeves and hood. As he raised his arms to cast a spell at Reygar, Barncat and Rey drew and struck with equal determination. This too, fell, and one other came long, he too fell, after awhile, BarnCat's energy and nerve to go on finally appealed with logic to BarnCat and he got the longing for a relaxing smoke and drink at Byrendell Pub.
Zanden appeared, exacted his fare and was also invited for a drink and some food at Byrendell which he gladly accepted. (Though unseen to the Teleportees, the Teleporter gave a parting thumbs up sign for a job well done which....
...was in turn ...from a pile of glowing red rubble there formed a fist, that inclined to extend one digit in a returned gesture of the same.
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Mouse
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Post by Mouse on Oct 2, 2005 13:50:10 GMT -7
One Treed Cat.
The wind was blowing cooly, stars shining down thru the passing air to a pair of glowing orbs all their own set jewel-like in the face of the being standing still near a group of trees.
The low growl of passing bears and howls of wolf packs couldnt stir into motion this silhouette. To his left and slightly north something large loomed up suddenly right about where it was'nt before!
Ah hah, the Elf Tree. It was the largest tree he had ever seen, blotting out the stars in the sky with it's dense leaves, taller than any castle made by man. He leapt to action and run toward the tree. Motion attracted the hungry predators and two wolfs stepped in front of him.
Destroying his obstacles, BarnCat proceeded into the tree. Once inside, he found himself in a large empty room, same as before, almost never any enemies in sight on this the first level. He trotted briskly south and east and saw Reygar in slient communicatoin with those outside the tree, nodding and smiling.
Rey looked up and saluted, giving forth a few Golden Healing Potions and reclosing his pack. Reygar leaned up against the wall resuming his telepathics.
BarnCat was eager for action and descended the ladder. He almost scrambled back up when he saw a pack of Elves approach hastily, death in their eyes and carried on their sword-arms. This was scary back then, it was commonplace now.
Even without the Golden Potions BarnCat thought he hadmastered the tree's secrets, secrets to staying alive and training to increase skill and wealth.
But with all good things, it came to an end, a few times. His shadow floated over his dead body and valuable equipment, not "giving up the ghost" so to speak.
As invisible as he was, the Elves who killed him walked by smirking, mocking him by repeating their stabs and swipes at his now-smoky form. Snickering malisciously they walked off to find living enemies to bedevil.
After so many times, it was getting discouraging. After so many resurrections it started to seem as if he was becoming a burden.
Finally, outside of Slyythra, alternately re-equipping his gear and returning the hits a wolf was scoring on him, he was finally reset, killed the wolf, thanked Rey and made plans to train elsewhere.
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Mouse
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Post by Mouse on Oct 2, 2005 13:51:32 GMT -7
Doc'd the trot from Nacht to Okt.
Nachtsburg, the City of Night. Not a bad little town, surrounded by large bad citizens outside. Orcs, Trolls and Ogre Enforcers patrolled outside, but they usually could'nt keep the more experienced warriors from their communing and commuting in out and around its glory.
Leaving town and heading south, east, a smidge west, east and south again BarnCat was finally able to chuck his compass aside with irritation and relief and enter a cave.
It was a dense tense battle on the inside, resulting on some dead Orc Mages, Trolls and a few Ogre Enforcers. That left some bodies to step, walk or just plain climb over. The light at the end of the tunnel revealed a valley which ended in another cave entrance.
Again with the battling, the wicked scimitar of Chaos a blur int he air between him and those rushing at him, creating more death and saving a life. That's what it was all about. Another tunnel opening onto a valley, but this valley contained a Town. Ok'Tan, which BarnCat guessed must be Orcan for "Orc Town".
It was one hideous little town.
Looking more like a rocky mound with a horrible face carved into it, windows for the eyes to the soul of this wretched town glowed with firelight as the entrance, mouthlike opened up to swallow him up within. Strange that with all the fighting outside, the Orcs within were at peace taking no heed of the humans within.
BarnCat sat at a crude table made of beaten iron shields adorned with skulls. It looked like it needed a good cleaning, but he was'nt complaining.
He ordered a drink, something called an Oorcs Lite was all he could afford, but it was better then nothing, or possibly the local water supply. Nodding and smiling to the few humans he recognized, suddenly, he felt odd.
Someone was watching him!
He looked to behind him and a hooded figure giving in to being seen agreed to its approach in earnest.
The darkness within the hood hid the features of BarnCat's new visitor. Then a gloved hand slapped down on the table, presenting a scroll. It was tied with one thin leather strap fringed with silksteel tassels and UNtied with speed and read:
"It brings me great pleasure to see you once again.
You cannot yet know who I am or how I found you here. I've known of you for a very long time.
I've witnessed your trials, triumphs, tragedies and every little trip up along the way.
Ever notice how far it took you away from what you once were?
Ever notice... how far it took you from where you once called Home?
It gives me great pleasure to announce to you that there is now no further need to return "Home" as, well, it's no longer there!
Signed, a longtime unknown friend, Watching, Waiting, in the shadows of your life."
Barncat jumped up from his chair knocking it over and looked down at where the messenger of this bizarre missive was....no longer there! It looked to be time to make a return visit, to where it all began.
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