RuneScape Forum Archive | ^+^ The Age of Nhur ^+^

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

Forum Moderator Posts: 9,861 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Chapter 13
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Romulus walked the halls of the Chantry tower late in the night with haste in his step. The bald Archmage was running late for the research session that was to be done on the Talisman, and he couldn’t afford to miss such an event. The consequences would be too drastic if he wasn’t there to oversee the entire thing.

He heard footsteps fall into rhythm beside him. He did*’t need to look over to know that his odd ally had once again managed to get into the tower despite the magical defenses which were supposed to prevent such measures.

“I must say, Romulus. Your decision surprises me,” he said.

"I don’t have much choice,” the Archmage replied. “The thing presents too much of a threat to be allowed out in the open. You’ve even told me as much.”

“This is true, however you forget…the Talisman has been known to spread its infection rather rapidly, despite the measures taken to counter such an effect.”

“Then why don’t you take it to your order and destroy it?” Romulus asked, puzzled.

“I’ve already told you the reason. If I did, it would be free to reform itself in another location. Possibly one beyond my reach. I was quite lucky that the hunter had taken it to you, because I dread to think what would’ve happened if it had instead fallen into enemy hands.”

Romulus kept his pace as he neared his destination. “So is there any way to really destroy this thing?”

His ally nodded. “Actually, yes. Find the other keys, and unite them with the rest. Then destroy the demon. I don’t recommend such a feat, however.”

“I imagine such a course of action would be perilous,” Romulus commented.

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

^+^ If the Gods see fit to curse us with the Blood, then we shall raise ourselves above them ^+^

15-Oct-2010 04:39:36 - Last edited on 20-Oct-2010 03:44:18 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

Forum Moderator Posts: 9,861 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

“It would be a bad choice, yes.”

Romulus and his ally reached a set of double doors wrought from mithril. Sinister arcane markings pulsated from it, warning any unexpected visitors away.

“If you’ll excuse me, I must part ways for the moment,” Romulus said.

The man in the blue robes nodded in understanding. “I see you’re committed to this course of action, then.”

“As I said, I have no choice.”

“We always have a choice, friend. Some are just not as pleasant as we’d like them to be,* the tattooed man replied.

Romulus thought on the man’s words as he opened the door. “True words, I’m afraid. However, my path has already been decided.”

“I see.”

Romulus hesitated for a moment before solemnly replying, “Farewell, friend.” He disappeared behind the mithril doors as they clanged shut.

The blue man shook his head as he began the workings of a teleport spell. He knew the Archmage was competent, but even he wouldn’t be able to stand against the power of the Talisman should it come to full power.

Or, he thought, maybe that was the plan. “Oh, Romulus, you cunning fiend. I should’ve seen this coming.”

The man vanished from the tower as quickly as he came. He knew that, despite his friend’s power, he would never lay eyes on him again. To be alive in such times would surely invite more attacks, some of which could possibly reveal his operations to the enemy.

He also knew that whatever happened in the tower this night, everything would change. There was no doubt about it.

~^+^~

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

^+^ If the Gods see fit to curse us with the Blood, then we shall raise ourselves above them ^+^

15-Oct-2010 04:41:24 - Last edited on 20-Jan-2011 02:34:50 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

Forum Moderator Posts: 9,861 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Nhur found himself standing in the ritual room, surrounded by Chantry spellcasters. He eyed them nervously, expecting them to attack at any moment. A female shade, dressed in elaborate and well fitting silver robes, approached him and asked, “Are you ready, Emperor?”

“Do I have a choice?” he replied dryly.

The shade giggled. “Of course you do. If you wish to back out, all that shall come to pass is the Chantry not aligning itself with the throne.”

“Or, do you mean to say that I’ll suffer from some 'divine' curse?” he shot back. “I’m well aware of the possible repercussions of crossing mages, so don’t try to play games with me.”

The shade was taken aback by Nhur’s accusations, and a male shade dressed in green robes stepped forward to aid his companion. “We mean no disrespect, Emperor. The divine charter merely states that the Chantry and their gods will align themselves with the throne should the tests provide a favorable outcome. Besides, if we were to attack you, we’d be cut down by the Ordinators who would surely march on our tower!”

The Mahjarrat grunted at that. He couldn’t deny the logic in the spellcaster’s argument, no matter his bias against them. “Very well. Let’s just get this over with.”

“That’s the spirit!” the female mage said. The spellcasters surrounding Nhur began to make mystic motions with their hands as they chanted phrases which were equally as mystical. The symbol Nhur was standing in, which consisted of arcane markings scribbled around an equidistant cross in the center of a diamond, began to pulse violently with a crimson color. His vision faded to white as they continued with their ritual.
~^+^~

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

^+^ If the Gods see fit to curse us with the Blood, then we shall raise ourselves above them ^+^

15-Oct-2010 04:42:28 - Last edited on 20-Jan-2011 02:38:13 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

Forum Moderator Posts: 9,861 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Uthalion was pacing around the arcane study nervously. He didn't know why he was so nervous. In fact, he thought that he should’ve been calmer, as Romulus had generously upgraded his armor and weapons vastly. Instead of the usual Katagon he was accustomed to, Uthalion found himself now in possession of a full suit of what Romulus referred to as ‘Gorgonite’, which seemed to be a silver, meaner looking version of his Katagon armor.

His daggers were also replaced with Gorgonite versions, which he had learned had also been enchanted in order to pierce the Doomhound’* exoskeleton sections with ease. It went without saying that he had taken the proper precautions and ritually bonded with the armor in order to get the most of it from his condition.

Marik leaned against a wall, watching Uthalion with a look of disinterest on his face. “You’re that nervous over research?” the Hexblade asked.

Uthalion nodded. “I can’t help it. I’ve seen what the damn thing can do, and I’ll tell you….it’s not pretty.”

“Whatever you say, kid,” he replied.

Romulus entered the room after what seemed like an eternity. “Sorry I’m late,” he said.

“Eh, don’t sweat it, boss,” Marik said. “It’s been fun hanging out with a scared treasure hunter and a Fade Witch who hates my guts.” He motioned towards a blue eyed young woman standing at the opposite end of the room.

Her red hair was tied in a ponytail, which draped across the shoulders of what appeared to be black robes which had silver designs in the shape of spider webs scattered across the entirety of the body. To say that it left little to the imagination would be true, but Marik would never admit that. At least, not to her face.

“I’m sure Rainelle doesn’t hate you,” Romulus said.

“Actually,” the Fade Witch replied in a voice that was as smooth as velvet. “I do hate him. My Inner Demon does as well.”

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

^+^ If the Gods see fit to curse us with the Blood, then we shall raise ourselves above them ^+^

15-Oct-2010 04:43:39 - Last edited on 20-Jan-2011 02:39:09 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

Forum Moderator Posts: 9,861 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Uthalion stopped his pacing, and asked, “You know, I’ve been wondering. I’ve heard the title thrown around before, but what’s a Fade Witch anyway?”

Rainelle glared at him, and replied, “Trust me. You don’t want to know.”

“Thing is, I used to date a Fade Witch. Romulus’ daughter, actually. I’d like to know why she was afraid of being one at the very least," Uthalion said.

“Her reasons for her fear are her own,” the Fade Witch answered. “If it sates your curiosity, let’s just say that a Fade Witch has access to magic that originates from the Fade Realm.”

Uthalion waited for her to continue, but she didn't. Marik spoke up. “The Fade Realm, from what I know at least, is supposedly where primordial creatures and alien beings originated from. Fade Witches risk becoming possessed by them the more they rely on Fade Magic, and that’s obviously not a good thing.”

That made sense, Uthalion thought. At least, he thought it did.

“Alright,” Romulus interrupted. “Enough chatter. Time is of the essence, so we must begin shortly.”

He motioned towards the door with his hands, and a group of three mages entered the room. They each looked around nervously, and one of them produced a small box from the recesses of his robes, which he had then passed off to the Archmage. The mages took up positions around a huge lab table, which had alchemical supplies on it that was set up in the middle of the room. Romulus placed the box on the table, and flipped the lid open.

Inside lay the Talisman. Its eye was closed, but how long it would stay that way could be anyone’s guess.

~^+^~

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

^+^ If the Gods see fit to curse us with the Blood, then we shall raise ourselves above them ^+^

15-Oct-2010 04:44:46 - Last edited on 20-Jan-2011 02:40:19 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

Forum Moderator Posts: 9,861 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

Nhur’s vision cleared to reveal a room with marble pillars that rose into an endless black sky. Or, at least what he thought was the sky. Whether it was some sort of abyss or not was up to debate, for he noticed that the white floor which he currently stood on had come to a sudden end a few paces in front of him. Past that was eternal blackness, and his eyesight couldn’t make anything out in the darkness. His other senses couldn’t pick up anything either, and that frightened him more than anything. Where the hell was he anyway?

A form materialized in front of him. The figure was that of a rotting corpse dressed in a tattered burial gown; however it was cast in a pale glow which gave its status as a ghost away. “Welcome, Lord Emperor,” the figure said in a raspy voice that reeked of death.

“Who or what are you?” Nhur asked angrily.

“I am…everything and nothing,” the spirit explained. “I am what you think, yet are not aware of. Your wishes, desires, betrayals, deeds, and more, I am. More importantly, I am what shall guide you through these trials.”

Nhur thought for a moment. “How do I know that you’re not a spirit sent to make me stray from the tests?”

“I cannot make you do such a thing,” it replied. “To bring your demise would bring mine as well. Should you fall, I shall fall. As I said, Lord Emperor, I am everything about you made manifest. As well as everything you keep inside the recesses of your soul.”

Nhur repeated the beings words in his mind. There was only one way to test the creatures’ words.

“Alright, if you’re everything about me…then can you manifest in a different form?” he asked.

“Of course.*

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

^+^ If the Gods see fit to curse us with the Blood, then we shall raise ourselves above them ^+^

15-Oct-2010 04:45:48

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

Forum Moderator Posts: 9,861 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

The Mahjarrat concentrated, bringing his primal desires to the surface of his mind. At first, nothing happened, and then the corpse-spirit was suddenly replaced by the form of an elf maiden with black tresses dressed in silken blue robes. Good, he thought. He figured that if he was going to be in the company of the thing for the duration of the trials, he might as well be in the company of something he at least liked the appearance of.

The spirit guide didn't seem to notice any difference in its appearance, and said in an innocent voice, “Your first trial awaits you. However, there are rules.”

“Oh?” he asked. He expected as much, but he was still surprised that his own mind would give him rules to follow.

“First, you must never deviate from the ground upon which the trials take place. To do so would invite your descent into an oblivion from which you shall never awaken from. Secondly, you must obey any instructions given to you by other guides which will appear along the way. That is the only way to proceed onto other trials. Finally, you must act truthfully. Otherwise, you risk failing the tests.”

“I can't say I’m surprised,” Nhur said. “Tell me, can I fail the tests by acting truthfully anyway?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s begin,” he said. The guide nodded, and his vision turned white once more.
~^+^~

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

^+^ If the Gods see fit to curse us with the Blood, then we shall raise ourselves above them ^+^

15-Oct-2010 04:46:44 - Last edited on 20-Oct-2010 03:46:01 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

Forum Moderator Posts: 9,861 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

“Sooo….what the hell is this thing again?” Marik asked.

Romulus turned his gaze to the Hexblade, his hands never ceasing the workings of a spell that would contain the Talisman’s power. “I told you that you’d know once the research began, so I guess it’s only fair to keep my word. You see, this…thing…is one of three items which contains the magic of an ancient demon lord hailing from the eras of prehistory. To make a really long tale short, our hunter friend here,” he nodded in Uthalion’s direction, “has been tricked into releasing its power.”

Marik held back a chuckle. “Sorry boss, but I gotta ask. How the hell does anyone get ‘tricked’ into getting that hunk of metal to work in the first place?”

“I was told to find an item for a contact of Romulus'," Uthalion explained. “I wasn’t told anything about what it did or what it really was; just that he wanted the thing in one piece.”

“Who’s ‘he’, anyway?”

“Some shopkeeper in the Great Bazaar,” Uthalion said.

“Which makes this development all the more interesting,” Romulus noted. “I knew the old man had his eccentric tendencies, but I never imagined that he’d willingly put an innocent into a situation like this. In fact, he’s always acted like a gentleman when I’ve worked with him in the past.”

“I see,” Marik replied.

“I’m sure you do,” the Archmage said. “I’d venture to say that you might have a different perspective than the rest of us on this matter, in fact.”

Romulus finished casting his spell, and a stream of clear energy wove its way from his fingertips and into the box containing the Talisman. Nothing seemed to happen at first, but for some reason everyone in the room visibly felt more relaxed now that the Archmage had shielded the area.

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

^+^ If the Gods see fit to curse us with the Blood, then we shall raise ourselves above them ^+^

15-Oct-2010 04:48:00 - Last edited on 20-Oct-2010 03:47:22 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

Forum Moderator Posts: 9,861 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

“Alright, let’s get started,” Romulus said. He motioned towards the group of mages, who hurried around the room checking the various cabinets and shelves on the walls. One of the mages had almost knocked over some arcane apparatus by accident, but his reflexes were quick enough to catch the item as it fell.

“Gods, be careful, boy!” Romulus snapped. The mage bowed, and continued searching the shelves. After a few minutes, one of the mages came back to the table, and set down a stack of oddly colored runes next to the box.

The Archmage took a handful of the runes, and set them in a circle around the box. The Fade Witch then hovered over Romulus’ shoulder, whispering something unintelligible as she looked at what he was doing. Green energy circled the runes, and tendrils wormed and twisted their way from one of the mystical items to the next, forming a circle as they completed their revolutions.

“I’m picking up energy signals from this thing coming from the Fade Realm,” Rainelle said. “Whatever you need to do, do it quickly. The natives are aware of it.”

Romulus nodded. The Archmage closed his eyes, and went into a trance. The Talisman began to glow briefly, but the light dimmed down as he opened his eyes.

“Initial mental probes reveal nothing,” he noted. “Alright, take this thing out of the Realm.”

Rainelle made no movements as Romulus finished his instructions. In fact, Uthalion noted, her entire body seemed…different. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but something was definitely wrong with this picture. Romulus, puzzled, put a hand on the Fade Witch’s arm, which he shook. “Come on, Rainelle. The spell’s fading quickly!”

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

^+^ If the Gods see fit to curse us with the Blood, then we shall raise ourselves above them ^+^

15-Oct-2010 04:48:56

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

Forum Moderator Posts: 9,861 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile

The Fade Witch opened her eyes, and revealed an unnatural energy seemingly radiating from them. The energy was slightly present, but Uthalion could make out a green color in the air before her eyes. Marik, seeing the coloring as well, went into a defensive pose as he conjured daggers of white energy in his hands, and Uthalion followed suit as he drew his new weapons.

The possessed witch looked around the room with disinterest. A deep, throaty rumble emitted from her form-whether or not she was still a ‘she’ and not an ‘it’ was up to debate at this point- as she spoke.

“Who dares to invade Belial’s realm?”

~^+^~

Sight came back to Nhur as he felt himself deposited on the ground. He immediately noticed that the sky was still the same inky black color from his previous location, but other than that everything else seemed almost normal. Well, at least normal for one acquainted with the Shadow Plane.

Before the Mahjarrat stood a woman. She appeared almost formless at first, but as he began walking towards her, he saw her form take shape. She was a black haired girl who appeared to not have seen twenty winters yet, dressed in an elegant dress with various points of light glittering off of strategic locations on her arms and bodice. Definitely nobility at its most spoiled, he thought.

The guide appeared beside him, still in the guise of the elf maiden. “The first test is the test of Wisdom. All emperors must possess a pinch of it in order to effectively lead, much less command an army of magic users.”

“I…see," Nhur said.

“Unfortunately, you do not," the guide replied. “But you may yet see. Your test is as follows: render aid to this poor noblewoman. Do whatever you must to sort the situation out, but remember to pass judgment on the matter wisely.” With that, the guide faded.

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

^+^ If the Gods see fit to curse us with the Blood, then we shall raise ourselves above them ^+^

15-Oct-2010 04:50:15 - Last edited on 20-Oct-2010 03:48:02 by A Mad Hatter

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^+^ The Age of Nhur ^+^