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 19
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“It should be said to those who would dare to seek out our Treasure. It has been said to those who would be foolish enough to explore the mysteries of the Fade Realm. It shall be said to those who would dare to traffik with the Mad Minds and their vile Sleeping God.

Our Mages warn all: Beware the Dark Powers. They will stop at nothing to bring thee to Damnation. Such was the tragic fate of Mokosh the Fifth Magistrate Arcane.”

~Skarjil Datashade Glyph [Religion & Arcana]: Curse of the Rasvim
<><>

“What… have… you…done?”

The question hung over V’s head like a dark cloud. He did*’t know the answer himself, but yet he felt he should know it.

V shook his head and said, "I don’t know. Do you?”

The red-garbed man was standing in a void created by the Psionic shade…Lukil, he thought the man’s name was. That is, assuming he was actually a man at all. From what he understood of the Shade’s explanation, the void was supposed to be his own personal space where he could recall memories from the past. The key words were “supposed to be”. Right now, he found that he could recall nothing, save for what he already knew.

A mysterious voice sounded from the depths of the void. “You are the one with the experiences, not I. You have committed the actions, not I. You are the...”

“I know what I am,” V interrupted. “But what I am has nothing to do with what the ghost said.”

“Don’t be so sure,” the voice replied smoothly. “I don’t think one who hasn’t fallen prey to their schemes would commit such acts of betrayal.”

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

19-Dec-2010 04:33:00 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 03:00:38 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

“What betrayal, though?” V asked. “That’s what I came here to find out, facts! Not speculations!”

A figure stepped out of the surrounding darkness. His appearance was similar to that of V’s, however the coloring on his garments were dark and brooding compared to the blood red colorings the undead currently wore. The figure’s facial features were also covered up by a black veil which seemed to undulate as if it was somehow…alive.

“Sometimes such speculations lead to facts,” the figure said. “Sometimes the best thing to do would be to speculate anything despite its absurdity.”

V was obviously confused as he stammered, “Wh-what? You speak in riddles! Why not just answer me outright?!”

The figure chuckled. “Pray tell, how do you expect me to know the answer if you don’t?”

“You’re mad,” V retorted. Turning to dispel the void, he added with a huff, “Forget it. I’m not sure why I even bothered with this in the first place.”

The void began to unravel as the figure shouted its final words that day.

“What else did you expect?! After all, I’m only as mad as you are!”

~^+^~

The world returned to V’s senses almost immediately. The undead shook his head in an attempt to clear it, and saw that he was still in Koreth’s safe house along with the rest of his “allies”, who were sitting around him in a circle.

“So, find anything useful?” Arial asked.

V flinched. “No," he admitted. “It turns out that if there are any memories of what happened laying in the back of my mind, they’re well hidden.”

“So I take it the mental representation of your unconscious was of no help either,” Lukil said. “That’s really strange.”

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

19-Dec-2010 04:34:32 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 03:01:34 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

“I told you I suspected as much,” V replied. “As I said before we attempted this, my mind has been scrambled for quite some time since my… ‘transformation’, if you will. It’s entirely possible any memories that I used to have at a certain point don’t even exist anymore thanks to my unnatural state.”

“I don’t see how existing as an undead being can erase your experiences,” Joran said. “I mean, doesn’t immortality practically guarantee some things you’re bound to remember?”

“Not necessarily,” Lukil responded. “I may not know much about the specifics, but oftentimes someone turning into an undead being is a traumatic experience for them. It’s possible that their mind may easily erase some less favorable memories as a coping device.”

“I’ll admit, that makes sense,” V said. “But the thing is, I’ve been this way for as long as I can remember. I don’t ever recall being truly alive, but yet I can clearly remember bits and pieces of things that happened millennia ago before you guys were even born. So why is this set of memories so damn hard to pin down?”

The group was silent as they contemplated the man’s words. Nobody spoke for what seemed like an eternity, which made V even more nervous as time went by. Finally, Arial spoke up.

“I think we’ll need to put this whole thing on hold in the meantime,” he said. “No offense, but we’re obviously not equipped to handle this problem here, and I doubt that anyone powerful enough to help would be in the area anyway.”

“So what’s the plan, then?” Koreth asked.

The general sighed. “We’re going back to Ukrosha,” he said. “I know it may take a while, possibly a week, but we need to go there. If anything, we could at least report back to the rebellion and get Kaz to help us with V’s memory.”

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

19-Dec-2010 04:35:21 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 03:03:01 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

“But what about Nhur?” Joran asked. “It’s not that V worries me at all or anything, but what makes his problem any more special than our original goal?”

“Don’t worry, the Mahjarrat will be getting what’s coming to him soon,” Arial said. “But right now, Nhur’s not here. On the other hand, V could very easily turn on us at a moment’s notice due to something that’s beyond his control. You said yourself that he attacked you in Skyvern Keep because of it, and I doubt it’ll be the last time something like that happens.”

“He’s right,” Rajh said. “There’s a saying among the mountain tribes. Horkajo der unzisth purk gokijo. ‘Never turn your back on a potential enemy’, is the rough translation. I fear it would be foolish to rush to confront the bone man with a potential enemy in our midst.”

“So why not just ditch him?” Koreth asked.

“Even if your group did, I’d still be there when the time comes to confront Nhur,” V said. “As I’ve said to others before you came along: I have a job to do that I intend to finish.”

Koreth snorted. “Yeah, like I’d be naïve enough to believe that. So who hired you anyway? Zamorak?”

“Not even close,” V replied. “But you are correct in assuming that another Mahjarrat has a vendetta against Nhur.”

“I think V’s employer is irrelevant in this situation,” Arial interjected. “The way I see things, if he makes one wrong move that could potentially endanger us, I’ll take him down myself.”

“As I trust you would,” V said.

Nobody talked as V eyed each and every one of them. Did they really believe a word he said? He wondered. He knew he couldn’t blame them, but the thought that they might be plotting ways to kill him also made him both uneasy and suspicious at once.

Grim yawned. “I dunno about you guys, but I’m gonna hit the sack,” he said. “Long day an’ all that,” he added as question stares met his gaze.

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

19-Dec-2010 04:35:53

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

No sooner than the elemental had shambled out of the room had Arial spoken up. “We’ll need to leave early tomorrow, so I guess getting some sleep won’t hurt anyone.”

The rest of the group agreed, and filtered out of the room one by one. Eventually, V and Koreth were the only ones remaining in the sizable wooden room. Now that it was less crowded, V had time to assess that the area was far bigger than he had initially suspected it to be, with candelabra of various designs dotting the walls which had equal amounts of spacing in between them to ensure adequate lighting as well as the odd alchemical shelf or table here and there backed up against the wall.

“So, I take it you’re not telling us something,” Koreth said.

“What, were you sleeping when I told the others what happened just a few minutes ago?” V retorted.

The Warlock shook his head. “No, not that,” he said. “I understand that you may truly not remember what the ghost was talking about, but that’s not what I’m referring to.”

“Then I’m curious as to what it is you think I’m hiding,” V replied dryly.

“Then I’ll cut to the point since you seem adamant on avoiding the subject. Who, or what, is a ‘Mad Mind’? And most importantly, how did that creature recognize you in the forest?”

“I’ll tell you now, I have no clue what a Mad Mind is,” V said. “Nor do I know how that Doomhound recognized me as one of my kind back in the forest. I suspect that they may be tied to my locked memories, personally.”

“Interesting,” Koreth said.

V tilted his head to the side. “What is?”

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

19-Dec-2010 04:36:43 - Last edited on 19-Dec-2010 04:37:08 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

“Well, I was wondering…did your ‘employer’ really send you here to kill a Mahjarrat who’s so far shown no signs of making any moves against worlds outside of this one?”

“Of course he did!” V protested. “Why else would I have been sent here? For a vacation?”

“Then I guess you truly don’t know,” Koreth said cryptically. “A pity. But, oh well. I suppose it’s not supposed to happen anytime soon then.”

In a rage, V grabbed the Warlock by the collar of his armor, and shoved the man against the wall. Koreth did*’t even attempt to struggle, only smiling at the undead’s outburst.

“Look, I’m not in the mood to be playing mind games with some foulspawn who fancies himself a genius. So if you know something I don’t, spill it.”

“Or what?" Koreth asked. “You’ll kill me? Maybe you’ll try to teach me a lesson with that fancy crossbow of yours? Or maybe there’s some other form of torture you know, aye?”

V’s eyes gleamed with a violet hue as he stared the Shade in the eyes. “I guess I’ll take it from you then,” he said.

The two stared at each other for what seemed like hours, but in reality, it was merely minutes. V winced as the information flooded into his mind, and he dropped Koreth as a result.

The Warlock chuckled. “It’s not pretty, is it? Tell me, now do you understand my concerns?”

V rubbed his forehead and said, “Yeah. Now you have me wondering...who made that mural? And when?”

Koreth shrugged. “All I know is it’s of Skarjil make. That’s all.”

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

19-Dec-2010 04:37:47 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 03:08:06 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

“Skarjil, you say?” V asked.

“The locals call them many things,” Koreth said. “The Forerunners…The Old Scholars…The Sovereigns…The Ancients…just to name a few aliases.”

V nodded. “Interesting.”

Koreth raised an eyebrow. “What is?” he asked.

“If it makes any difference to you, I’d prefer to sleep on it before giving you an answer,” V replied. His cape swished quietly as he turned and left the room.

Koreth scratched his head as the room stood silent after V’s sudden departure. “Do undead creatures even sleep?” he wondered out loud to nobody in particular.

~^+^~

Lorkaj Drakan was sitting in his guest room at the palace that night. Wall candles burned low and seemed to cast eerie shadows on the walls, which were only enhanced further by the shadowstuff squirming and writing in the intricate aspects of the designs carved into the stone walls.

The Vampyre was hunched over his desk furiously writing something down on a piece of parchment before his unnatural senses picked up the faint swish of mist being swirled about. He turned around immediately, expecting an attack from behind, but was visibly relieved as he beheld the sight of his vampiric minions.

“Ah, about time you’re back,” he admonished, rising from his chair as he did so. “What news do you bring me?”

One of the minions spoke up. “The serum was a success,” it began. “The general shows signs of manifesting stronger versions of his innate magiks.”

“In what form?” Lorkaj asked. “And how often? Does he show signs of fatigue at all, or does he seem to be fine?”

“The shade had disintegrated a room full of odd creatures,” the second minion chimed in. “And he had engaged a vampire of shade origin in Skyvern Keep successfully with his magiks.”

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

19-Dec-2010 04:38:24 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 03:09:52 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

“Tell me more,” Lorkaj ordered.

“Very well,” the first minion said. “Starting at the beginning, then. As my colleague mentioned, the general had manifested his magiks in the Keep, which we all know should be impossible thanks to that sponge that surrounds the thing…or used to, at any rate.”

"Used to?” Lorkaj asked suspiciously.

“Well,” the second minion said. “The Keep’s sorta…gone. It got hit by magic, but we’re not sure whose it was.”

“Who else could use magic in that place if not the
general?” Lorkaj asked.

“Well, boss, there was this bald looking guy,” one minion began.

“The Psionic. I know of him,” Lorkaj interjected. “But you said magic did it, so he’s of no consequence.”

“No, not him!” both exclaimed at once. “There was another bald guy,” one said. “He had blue robes and some weird looking tattoos."

That got the Vampyre noble’s attention. “Tattoos? Blue robes?” he asked. The minions nodded. “Well,” he said. “That seems…interesting. Anyway, go on.”

“The second manifestation occurred in a tomb of sorts,” a minion replied. “As was said earlier, he disintegrated a room full of these things that looked like wolves with horns and exoskeletons quite easily. But he looked tired after that one.”

“Ah, the Emperor’s newfound enemies, I presume,” Lorkaj added. “Anything else to add?”

The minions looked at each other before turning to Lorkaj and replying, “Nope. Though I will say that it appears the serum only amplifies magic that exists in the subject. Otherwise the tiger-men wouldn’t have been able to capture him as easily as they did.”

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

19-Dec-2010 04:39:21 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 03:11:14 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

“I thought as much,” Lorkaj said. “Did he get the chance to engage a Rakshasa at all, or no?”

“No, but we did,” a minion eagerly replied. “A group of them, in fact. We found them waiting near a clearing close to that tomb we were observing the general in. We think they may have been the same ones that led the general there in the first place. Anyway, one of them had the misfortune of seeing us in our mist forms while we were leaving, and raised the alarm. So, we sorta…killed them.”

“A waste,” Lorkaj frowned. “I was hoping that the general would’ve been the one to engage a tiger-man. Their connection to this world would make for an interesting fight that could’ve gotten us more data.”

A terrified look crossed both minions’ eyes. “We’re sorry!” both cried in unison. “We didn't mean to, hold this project back if we did! Honest!”

“Calm down, imbeciles,” Lorkaj retorted. “What you retrieved was more than enough for my purposes.” Both of the minions looked relieved at that, and bowed to their vile master in thanks.

“Leave now," the Vampyre ordered. “I have a report to write up, so get back to my villa in the city and look after it while I remain here.”

The minions turned to leave, but Lorkaj stopped them quickly. “Travel in mist form, fools!” he reminded them. “The Emperor has locked down the palace and city in some kind of emergency quarantine, so the Ordinators will be on the lookout for anybody trying to leave either.” When the minions gave him confused glances, he added, “They won’t expect the morning mists to be Vampyres, if you catch my drift.”

The minions nodded eagerly, and their features began to blur as they assumed their mist forms. They were soon gone, which Lorkaj was thankful for.

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

19-Dec-2010 04:39:57 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 03:12:05 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

Turning back to his desk, the Vampyre brought out his crystal globe that he kept in the lowest drawer, which also happened to be the biggest of the bunch. He uttered a command word, which caused a somewhat angry looking female face to materialize in its center almost immediately.

“What the hell do you want now, Lorkaj?” she angrily asked.

“Ah, Carmilla,” he replied. “Polite as ever, I see. I call on you bearing the results I promised.”

Carmilla’s face seemed to soften at his words. “Is this for real? You’re actually coming through on a commitment to your family for once?”

“There’s some form of profit in it, I assume, so yes,” he replied. “Why act surprised in that case?”

Lorkaj related the report his minions had given him over the course of their latest discussion. Carmilla nodded as she listened eagerly, absorbing each and every little detail, only stopping him at points to ask for clarification on matters which he assumed to be beyond her understanding.

“I must admit,” she said at last. “You’ve truly impressed me with this.”

“Just wait a little while longer, and I’ll send you something truly impressive,” Lorkaj said.

“What else could you possibly have that’s more impressive than what you’ve just given us?” she asked matter of factly.

“The Emperor’s spymaster is a vampire of shade origin,” he replied. “I believe a sample of his body would be sufficient for the scientists and mages working on this thing to reverse engineer and work out the kinks of actually *giving* the test subjects magik in the first place.”

“A tempting offer, I suppose,” she replied.

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

19-Dec-2010 04:40:42 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 03:13:25 by A Mad Hatter

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