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Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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What happened next surprised him. What he guessed was some sort of recognition flashed through the monster’s eyes, and it turned to bark at its comrades.

“He’s here!” it cried in a deep, growling voice. “One of the Damned walks with the cat-men!”

The others, upon hearing the warning, stopped what they were doing and dropped their prey. Those without prey in their claws had crept closer towards the bigger hound, and even those which were gravely wounded were paying rapt attention.

“Retreat!” the Hound continued. “Fall back to the den and protect Alpha at all costs!”

A spark of energy flew over V’s head and slammed into the massive creature, exploding in a flurry of squealing bats. The charred remains of the Hound fell lifelessly to the ground, which caused the remaining Hounds to drop what they were doing and run the other way.

V was stunned. Turning around, he found himself facing a rough-looking shade in his middle years. His head was bald save for a goatee on his chin, and shadowstuff floated above his eyes freely, apparently somehow not anchored to his skin as a normal shade’s normally would. The newcomer was also dressed in some sort of fighting leathers with some kind of demonic designs on them, and a scepter in the shape of a skull hung from his belt.

Arial and his comrades approached V while eyeing the new shade warily. “We saw everything,” Arial said. “What was the creature talking about when it mentioned the Damned?”

V turned to meet the general’s gaze. The newcomer chuckled and said, “Well that’s a new one. I thought your kind had died out, so to speak.”

“Hey,” Joran started. “This doesn’t concern you, so can it!”

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

11-Dec-2010 02:16:18 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 02:03:38 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

“Rude manners, I see," the shade remarked.

“Joran has a point,” Lukil said. “I saw the creature looking at V here when it decided to start talking.”

“Quaint,” the newcomer replied dryly. “So I assume you all know each other?”

“Sorta,” Joran admitted. Arial and Lukil both shot him disproving glances.

“We don’t mean to be rude,” Arial replied. “But we’re sort of in the middle of something important.”

“Like a ritualistic hunt that’s designed to kill all but the hardiest of combatants?” the new shade asked.

“How’d you know?” Rajh asked.

The eerie shade laughed darkly. “I’ve been watching the Rakshasas for quite some time after entering this forest. I’ve picked up some bits and pieces here and there of what’s going on, but never understood the full picture until now, I believe.”

“Alright, back up just a damn second,” Arial cried as he threw his hands in the air. “Who the hell are you and why are you here anyway? Were you waiting for us or something?”

The shade chuckled lightly. “I believe you may be what I was waiting for, yes. Something just feels…right…about you guys. As for who I am and why I’m here during this time, well,” the shade bowed low.

“My name is Koreth. Koreth Tosir. I’m only here because of a story which may be too long to tell at the moment, but may very well involve you. If you’ll have me, that is.”

~^+^~

Unknown to the group below them, a small group of bats watched. They hadn’t picked up much in the way of new information, but the recent fight had shed some new light on their assignment.

Unfortunately, they also needed more data. Which would require more fighting. Luckily for the bats, they knew just where the next one was to take place. With haste, the bats dropped from the trees and took flight towards the west. They passed over the wolf-creatures, who hadn’t noticed them in their hasty retreat towards their lair.
~^+^~

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

11-Dec-2010 02:17:37 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 02:05:43 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

“So, who are you talking to?” a Rakshasa asked.

Confused, Arial and his allies turned to regard the tiger-man. Though the creature was slick with blood from the recent fight, he seemed to be no weaker than a typical member of his race was. Behind him stood a few more Rakshasas, though the fact that they weren’t as large as the one that began speaking to them made Arial come to the conclusion that the large tiger-man was a leader of some sorts.

“Umm…don’t you see the guy who just threw that spark at the giant dog thing standing right here?” Joran asked as he motioned to Koreth.

The large Rakshasa regarded Joran with amusement. “I see the battle has taken its toll on you, shadow walker,” it said with a hearty chuckle.

Confused, the group turned to Koreth once more. The shade only stood there, a wicked gleam in his eye, and smiled. “Yeah,” he said. “Don’t try and convince the cats I’m here. They won’t be able to see through my magic.”

Arial glanced at the Rakshasa leader and asked, “Can you give us a moment to ourselves before we move on?”

“Sure,” he replied. “Go ahead, plot your damn escape for all I care. It’s not like you’ll make it too far with the Demon Wolves roaming the forest.”

Arial only sighed before the group huddled around him. “Alright,” he whispered. “So the guy has magic. Lukil has his Psionics, and the rest of us have our own skill sets. So with that in mind, do we let him tag along?”

“I don’t like the looks of him,” Lukil whispered back. “What’s going to stop him from just blasting us the minute we’re alone?”

“I concur,” V replied.

“I dunno," Joran chimed in. “Kaz isn’t here, and V seems to not have much in the way of magic-no offense, man-and Lukil can’t exactly do the same stuff that magic can. He could be useful, at least.”

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

11-Dec-2010 02:18:54 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 02:07:28 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

“That’s also true, though I’ll say that my magic is more oriented towards killing in some form over utility,” V said. “That’s why I was hired to kill the Mahjarrat, after all.”

“I might add that he has survived being alone in the forest,” Rajh said. “And you saw what he did to the Demon Wolf. He might have some tricks that could aid us if worst comes to worst.”

“Alright, so he could be useful,” Arial admitted. “But that leads me to the next question: How are we going to get out of this? Last I checked the Rakshasas want to kill us all in this hunt, and for all we know, so does this guy.”

“Well, can't the elemental help us?” Joran asked. “I mean, the tigers seem to like the guy, so maybe he can put in a good word for us.”

“I don’t think they’ll listen to his word if it means letting the general go,” Lukil said. “But maybe this Koreth knows a few tricks to even the odds when the inevitable comes and we end up fighting the hunters.”

The rest of the group agreed with the sentiment. The large Rakshasa cleared its throat, and the group jumped a bit in surprise. “Alright, dead bait, let’s get a move on. Looks like your mounts are dead, so we'll have to hoof it double time if we want to make it to the battle site in time!” it roared.

Arial shrugged as his allies looked at him with questioning stares. “Alright, we’re coming,” he said. “All of us,” he added as he nodded in Koreth’s direction.

The group began to move deeper into Bloodgrove Forest.

~^+^~

Lorkaj Drakan stalked the halls of the Imperial Palace, a scowl on his face that kept even the hardiest of the Emperor’s defenders a fair distance away from him. Not that he didn't mind, because he wasn’t out and about to make friends with a bunch of shadow people, though he did want to find one of them in particular.

A voice caught his attention as he rounded the corner leading back to the guest quarters. “Lord Drakan, I presume?”

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

11-Dec-2010 02:19:33 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 02:10:27 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

The Vampyre turned around and came face to face with a stocky dwarf. The little fellow reeked of alcohol, and the little man’s face was even flushed with a hue which made blood look pale in comparison.

“Yes,” he said at last. “I am he. Who are you and what do you want?”

“Ah, forgive me rashness,” the dwarf said with a deep bow. “Me name’s Ruke’fella Brimstone. Personal mouth and court clerk for the Lord Emperor himself.”

“So you were the drunken fool who got dragged out of the throne room a few days back? Is there anything important you wanted to tell me, or did you just come here to jest and hope I don’t kill you?” Lorkaj shot back with venom in his voice.

The dwarf showed no sign of flinching at the Vampyre’s show of rage. “No, you got this wrong, sire. I’ve come to fetch you and Lady Darsi Verona and her partners for an audience with the Lord Emperor.”

That evidently caught the Vampyre off guard. “Wait…what for? Did he say why?”

“Dunno," the dwarf replied. “All he said was that he was calling an emergency council of war, and that he wanted to bring the Merchant’s Guild members up to date on his decision about some kind of deal of sorts.”

A grin crossed Lorkaj’s features before they hardened into the stoic face his kind was known for. “Then by all means, good dwarf, feel free to lead the way.”

“Aye. But first I gotta fetch some others, if ye don’t mind.”

“Oh, I assure you, it’s not a problem. I’ve been patient this long, so what harm could waiting a little longer do?”

~^+^~

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

11-Dec-2010 02:20:30 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 02:11:26 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

It was nearing nightfall as the hunting party reached what Arial assumed was the nest the Rakshasas had come to cleanse. In reality, it appeared to be some kind of tomb, though any indentifying marks had long since vanished…or had been destroyed by something. He wasn’t sure, though he had a sneaking suspicion that the wolf creatures were behind at least some of the destruction of the stonework.

Waiting at the tomb’s entrance was another hunting party, and this one had appeared to be unharmed despite the chaos that was being reported around the forest. Then again, as Arial saw Grim step out from behind a tree, he had a feeling that maybe the elemental had a role to play in their safety.

The leader that had escorted Arial’s group through the forest had kneeled as he saw Grim. “Oh Great Spirit,” he said reverently. “We are honored that you have decided to grace the site of the final battle with your presence.”

“Yeah, I figured as much,” the elemental replied. “Way I see it, if these guys are going in, so am I.”

The tiger-men looked shocked at Grim’s proclamation. Murmurs spread through the hunter’s ranks, and one Rakshasa spoke up.

“It makes sense!" it cried. “The Great Spirit wishes to lead by example. It wishes to inspire us to battle with its own deeds, as it should!”

“Well, if you say it that way,” Grim replied. “Ah, hell. Yeah, way I’m figurin’ this, if I can beat these things, so can you guys!” The tiger-men seemed excited to hear that, and another spoke up.

“The Great Spirit has spoken! He shall lead the dread Koshir to battle, and thus his death!” The rest of the assembled Rakshasas took up the cry, and a small, black tiger-man had stepped towards the tomb.

The Rakshasa made mystic passes with its hands, and the stonework slid away to reveal an opening big enough for at least two people to pass through at once.

“To their death!” the black Rakshasa yelled.

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

11-Dec-2010 02:21:55 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 02:12:38 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

Arial and his comrades were herded through the opening by armed tiger-men. Joran and Lukil went in first, then V and Rajh, and finally Grim went through while Arial hung back since the elemental was too big to go through with anyone else. Koreth merged his form with the shadowstuff of a nearby tree trunk. The black furred Rakshasa pulled Arial back as he began to follow Grim into the tomb, and their gazes met.

“Koshir," it whispered under its breath. “I wish you luck.”

“Why?” he asked suspiciously.

“Do not misunderstand, Koshir," it said. “I hate you for your crimes. But at the same time, I hope that you may yet redeem yourself by prevailing where the Purple Demon that came before you has failed.”

“You know, I’ve heard the chieftains mention this demon before,” Arial replied. “What did they mean by it?"

The Rakshasa gave the general a look of disdain. “Not too long ago, two men came here,” it began. “One was of your race, and the other was one who bore a semblance to a purple demon born of metal. We have tried to warn the fools about the danger of this tomb, but they had not heeded our warnings.”

“So I take it they had something to do with these creatures coming out?”

The tiger-man nodded. “Yes. Long story, but I shall not tell it to you, for my fears are that knowing the truth of this place before you find it on your own shall cloud your vision of what is to come.”

Before Arial could ask what the Rakshasa meant, the tiger-man shoved him into the tomb and barked a word of power.

“Good hunting, Koshir!" it cried as the door sealed itself shut behind him.

~^+^~

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

11-Dec-2010 02:22:43 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 02:14:01 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

Koreth emerged from the shadows and stepped into what appeared to be an entrance hall of sorts. Odd designs decorated the walls, and tapestries depicting the strange creatures from the forest hung from the ceiling. An altar of sorts situated on a raised platform on one end of the room was overturned, revealing a gaping hole in the floor, and yet another hole was torn in a wall on another, which led to a dark passageway.

The warlock saw the brown haired shade and his allies standing near the only natural doorway of the room. He called out to them.

“So, this is what they brought you out here for?” he asked.

The brown haired shade shook his head. “Yes. I don’t understand it myself personally, but I guess this is supposed to be some sort of nest.”

“Well,” Koreth replied. “It seems like they want your group dead. Any chance I could at least know the names of the condemned before we march to our untimely fates?”

The brown haired shade introduced himself as Arial. His allies, Joran, Lukil, Rajh, and Grim followed suit. The only one who didn't speak up was a man dressed head to toe in red garb.

“I believe you already know me,” he said.

“Actually, I don’t,” Koreth admitted. “I’m well aware of *what* you are, but not *who* you are, let alone of how you came to walk with shades.”

The red garbed man stared daggers at Koreth. “If you insist on knowing, I go by V. Nothing else.”

The warlock rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Interesting.”

“Wait, what’s going on anyway?” Arial asked. “Nothing personal, V, but this is the second time someone seemed to recognize you. The first time I just chalked it up to some title, but now I’m interested to know if it’s anything significant.”

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

11-Dec-2010 02:23:57 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 02:15:09 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

V met Arial’s gaze. “With all due respect, general, it’s nothing that will endanger your mission.”

“That’s not good enough,” Arial replied. “Look, I’d like to think that you’ve earned our trust, but the matter of the fact is, I know nothing about you other than what I’ve picked up when I overheard your conversation with Joran the other night.”

“Then you should know that our goals are mutual,” V retorted. “Trust me, as soon as my mission is done, I’ll be gone.”

“Then you’ll be doing what?” Arial cried. “Working for someone else who wants to kill me for dethroning Nhur? Or maybe you’ll start being a mercenary for the highest bidder?”

“I already work for the highest bidder,” V answered. “But know this: It would be hypocritical of me to go and kill someone I just helped. I may be undead, but even I have my honor, dammit!”

The general blinked in surprise. “Un-undead?” he stammered.

“Oh, to hell with it!” V raged. “Look, what I am isn’t important right now. Killing those things from the forest, however, is. So why don’t we just split up into groups or something and get this over with?”

The group seemed to agree with the sentiment, which Koreth was glad for. He ended up being paired with Arial and Lukil, while Joran and Rajh went with V. Grim was too big to fit through either opening in the room, so he volunteered to stand guard in case anything happened.

No matter what happened during the coming ordeal, Koreth was sure of one thing, at least. He was glad that he didn't have to deal with any damn Jabberwockies for once!

~^+^~

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

11-Dec-2010 02:24:52 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 02:16:40 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

V and his group went down the dark passageway in the wall. The undead’s eyes adjusted easily to the darkness, and he assumed from the way the Rakshasa walked his did too, though Joran had to grope along the walls and move carefully just to be sure he didn't miss any sudden turns. Of course, V didn't really feel like mentioning to the shade that the hall went straight ahead anyway.

The group came to a small room which looked like it had been a library or study of sorts at one point. Strewn across the room was a chair, broken pieces of some material he couldn’t identify, and what he assumed was a bookcase, though the item in question had been mangled badly over time. The room itself smelled of mold and carrion, causing both V and Rajh to flinch. Joran was unaffected apparently, though whether it was because of stupidity on his part or some kind of hardcore military training was unknown to him.

“What happened here?” Joran wondered out loud to nobody in particular.

V shrugged. “I’m guessing those things came through here at one point.”

Strange sounds echoed from a hole in the ground. “Sounds like they’re still here,” Rajh observed.

V moved closer to the hole, and found that there were bits of debris covering a good portion of it. Brushing the smaller pieces to the side as he kneeled to the ground, he looked on as bigger chunks of stone fell into it. He did*’t have to wait long to hear anything hit the floor below, which caused a decently thick could of dust to float up from the hole.

He shielded his eyes against the dust with his hand, and as it cleared he noted that the hole was a little bigger than he had first suspected.

“Large hole that doesn’t look natural,” Rajh noted. “My guess is that a relatively large group of the Demon Wolves came this way at one point.”

“But the debris suggests that they may no longer be in this area,” V replied.

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

11-Dec-2010 02:26:19 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 02:17:02 by A Mad Hatter

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