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

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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“What do you mean the city’s closed to everyone?!” Arial shouted at the guard standing at the bridge. “Do you have any idea how badly my group needs to get in!?”

The Ordinator, a somewhat gangly looking youth without his helmet on, gave the ex-general a questioning stare. “Yeah, I’ve heard that same damn excuse from just about everyone who’s come this way lately,” he said. “What makes you any different?”

“I’m the gods damned general of the army!” Arial cried. “And I have serious business with the Emperor himself, so I need to get in!”

“Ha! The general’s still in Skyvern Keep, you dumb ass,” the guard said. “So turn back. There’s no way you’re getting in.”

“C’mon,” Joran said as he put a hand on Arial’s shoulder. “Looks like we’ll have to go find another way in."

"Can’t we just have Koreth teleport us in?” V asked as the group began making their way off of the bridge.

“The shadowstuff is interfering with my magic,” Koreth explained. “I can probably get in, but even then I’ll be able to take one, maybe two people at most. One of which is myself.”

“That shouldn’t happen,” Arial said. “I mean, mages have been teleporting in and out and around Ukrosha for centuries, and the shadowstuff has been around forever. Why would it start interfering with magic now?"

Koreth shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine,” he said. “For all we know it might not even be the shadowstuff, but rather something else in the city.”

“Hey, what’s that noise?” Rajh asked. The rest of the group stopped in the middle of the bridge, which turned out to be much more massive when one was actually standing on it instead of looking at it from a distance, and looked around. Arial personally heard nothing at first, but then several noises became clearer as he concentrated.

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

22-Jan-2011 05:08:10 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 18:46:30 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

There was the chatter of the people trying to get into Ukrosha as well. He heard the running water from the moat below, and he even heard birds singing in the distance. He also heard something else, but couldn’t place it until Koreth piped up.

“Magic missiles,” the Warlock breathed. “Someone’s shooting off magic missiles in the city!”

Arial realized he was right. Numerous whining noises followed by booms sounded in the distance, and he heard people screaming. He didn't even need to wonder why once he heard the all too familiar howls of the monstrosities from the forest - Doomhounds, he corrected himself.

“Ah, damn,” Joran said. “They're in the city too?”

Arial didn't waste any time running back to the guard, yelling on top of his lungs, “Get away from the damn gate! They’re coming!”

The Ordinator who had rebuffed him earlier only laughed. “Yeah, like that’s going to work.”

“Hey, what’s that?” an onlooker cried as he pointed to the battlements.

The Ordinators at the gate looked up, and saw a group of hounds locked in battle against the guards stationed there that very moment. One of the creatures happened to look down at the bridge, and leapt into the crowd behind Arial. The general snapped his cerulean blades into existence, and regarded the Ordinator. “Keep everyone away from the city,” he said. “One bite from these things and it’s all over for them.”

“Y-y-Sir yes, sir!" the guard cried with a half hearted salute.

Arial gave the guard a curt nod before rushing to confront the hound. V and Rajh were already keeping it distracted, and he was glad to note that nobody had seemed to be infected yet.

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

22-Jan-2011 05:08:40 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 18:48:29 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

Arial swiped at the creatures back with his weapons, and severed its head before it could pin Rajh to the ground. The group turned to face the battlements, and V began shooting his weapon at the hounds fighting the Ordinators. People had began trying to get off the bridge, and some of the arms merchants had taken their own wares and began forming a line along the sides of the bridge in an attempt to keep the unarmed citizens out of harm’s way.

Larger groups of hounds had jumped over the battlements once they had spotted the easy prey below, which caused more confusion as some of the slower people had been torn apart within seconds of the creature’s landing. Arial saw that Rajh and Joran had taken on a group of the monstrosities and were doing a good job of breaking the exoskeleton so V could hit them with his bolts.

Meanwhile, Koreth and Grim were attacking another group which had taken interest in the merchants, with Koreth swinging his skull scepter and causing the hounds to back off a bit as infernal sparks burned their skeletal exteriors off quite keenly. Grim was taking a more brutal approach to the fight, grabbing and snapping the creatures in half, and sometimes even stomping their heads into the ground once he knocked one or two down.

Arial swung his weapons at a hound which had attempted to sneak up behind him, but the blades sizzled out at the last second before they connected with the creature. The general stumbled as he attempted to twist out of its path, but fell to the ground and was shortly pinned down as the hound attempted to make him its next meal.

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

22-Jan-2011 05:09:02

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

Arial felt the sudden surge of power that he had felt in the tomb a few days back, and at the Keep many weeks ago. He did*’t think much of it before, but now that he knew what it was, he decided to attempt to call on the strange power once more.

He didn't hear anything. Not the hound. Not Joran’s screams. Not Koreth’s infernal spell. Not even his own pained cries as the magic surged forth from him. All he saw was a wave of blue fire wash over his vision, and he felt ecstatic as he saw the hound burn to cinders before his eyes.

~^+^~

“Arial? Dude, what the hell was that?”

Arial blinked the darkness from his eyes. He saw Joran and Lukil standing over him, each wearing a concerned expression on their faces. He propped himself up, and took a look around. He saw the walls of Ukrosha in the distance, the gate having been blasted open – nay, utterly collapsed- from what he guessed had to be a very powerful blast. The bridge was missing, and the walls seemed to have shadowstuff streaming off of them as if they were on fire.

“W-where..” he began.

“Dude,” Joran said. “Seriously, if it wasn’t for Koreth back there, we wouldn’t be here!”

“What!?” Arial asked.

He turned to see the Warlock standing under the shade of a nearby Bloodspindle tree. “It’s true,” he said. “I saw you do something odd, so I got us out of there. You’re welcome, by the way.”

It all came rushing back to Arial at that point. He remembered everything at that moment: the blue fire, the strange power, the cries of innocents as they burned alongside the hellish monstrosities in his arcane wrath. All of it. Worst of all, he knew who was to blame.

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

22-Jan-2011 05:09:30 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 18:49:34 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

“What the hell did I do?” he asked nobody in particular.

“Well, it wasn’t any natural spell, that much I know,” Koreth offered. “Maybe your magical mutation went haywire?”

“I bet it was tha’ Lorkaj guy,” Grim said. The rest of the group turned to him with questioning glances, and he added, “It was tha’ pale guy who fed ‘im somethin’ in the Keep. Remember what I told ya’ ‘bout that?”

“Lorkaj,” Arial muttered to himself. He then remembered the pale man he had thought was a hallucination back at the Keep. He didn't think much of it at the time, but now things started getting more and more strange the more he thought about them.

“Wait, Lorkaj?” Joran asked. “You mean Lorkaj Drakan? That really rich Vampyre guy who owns, like, half of Ukrosha’s businesses?"

"That’s the only one I can think of,” Lukil said. “But what does he have to do with the general’s condition?”

“I’m tellin’ ya, he fed 'im somethin’!” Grim cried. “It had to be that!”

“Well, that presents another problem then,” Arial said. “Last I checked Lorkaj lived in Ukrosha and isn’t known for leaving the city.”

“So now we have another reason to get in,” V said. “But how?”

“The House of Portals,” Koreth said.

“What?” Arial asked. “I’ve never heard of that.”

“It’s a portal grid that leads back to Lord Talon’s lair,” the Warlock said. “It just so happens that Lord Talon also has portals that go to just about anywhere on this plane, and maybe other planes as well.”

“I don’t like where this is going,” V said.

“Me neither,” Arial added. “But unless anyone has any better alternatives, I think we might just have to pay a visit to a certain Jabberwocky and hope we can make a deal that doesn’t get us killed.”

~^+^~

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

22-Jan-2011 05:10:41 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 18:50:35 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

Uthalion felt something poking his head from the recesses of the darkness. Light poured into his vision and soon he thought he saw Erevin staring down at him until he faded back to black. He saw more blurred forms before him sometime later, and he felt himself being lifted onto something…or off of something. He wasn’t sure which.

The next thing he knew, water was pouring down his face and into places which were made a tad bit uncomfortable in his armor. He automatically jumped, and saw that his vision cleared drastically once he shook the liquid from his face.

“Ah, good,” Erevin said. “You’re alive. That’s the best news we’ve had all day."

"I don’t like the sound of that,” Uthalion replied. “How long was I out for?”

“Well,” the pseudo-vampire said. “At least a few hours. Your emergency recall spell that was enchanted into your armor whisked you back to safety and in good time too. Your back was badly mauled, but it was nothing a healing drought couldn’t deal with.”

“Well, damn,” he said. “So what’s the situation with the Doomhounds? Surely we’ve made some progress in containing them?”

“That’s another problem,” Erevin said. “I’m getting reports in from all across the city. And…well…you might want to see for yourself. The balcony’s down the hall, but make it quick. We need you in the interrogation room for an emergency meeting.”

Uthalion nodded, and left the room, which was a small area with medical shelves built onto the walls but otherwise nondescript. The halls seemed darker that day, but that didn't stop him from taking his time to slowly regain his center of balance.

Uthalion felt a strange sensation in his pocket, and struggled to fit his gloved hand in between the armor and actual pack. After a short amount of time, he pulled out a crumpled piece of parchment that he didn't remember putting there, and unfolded it to read the contents.

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

22-Jan-2011 05:11:11 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 18:52:00 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

~^+^~

To any who read this,

My name is Marik Tosir. If you’re reading this, then I want you to commit each word to memory carefully, and then destroy it. Evidence of my betrayal cannot be allowed to be discovered, for I fear for not only my life, but the lives of many more unwitting victims as well.

Uthalion, I’ve sent this to you for many reasons, chief among them to tell you that I’m sorry. I know you may not believe me, but the incident at the tower…my subsequent acts…and what may come to pass…it’s all part of Romulus’ plan. I cannot divulge more at this point until I can learn more, but what I do know is that you work for the Emperor now. Don’t ask how I know, but I do know.

Anyway, I’ve been ordered to infiltrate a cult long thought to be gone from the planes. But they’re not. They’re real, and their plans are close to coming to being completed. Just what the plans are, I know not, but I do know they involve a being known as “The Divine Elder Mind”. Sleeper agents are involved as well, but I’m not sure to what extent.

I’m sorry for being vague and not being able to tell you much about this. You were never meant to get involved with this coming tragedy anyway, though you somehow did. But either way, time is of the essence. Tell anyone who’ll listen. Tell anyone who won’t. But whatever you do, do whatever it takes to get Nhur to succeed. Make sure he stays on the throne. He knows the true extent of this threat more than anyone, and should I fail then it shall fall to him to end it once and for all

+MT

~^+^~

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

22-Jan-2011 05:12:02 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 18:53:32 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

The parchment began to burn in Uthalion’s hands, causing him to drop it in surprise. By the time it reached the ground it was little more than ashes, but it didn't matter to him since he was nearing the balcony anyway. Though things started to become more clearer, he thought. The old man at the bazaar…the talisman…Romulus’ sudden disappearance and possible death at the very moment the creatures started spreading across the continent, possibly the world. He knew something seemed off about it all, but it wasn’t until now that he saw the potential extent of things.

It seemed to match the current reality that he saw on the balcony as well. The ever darkening sky seemed even darker now, and it wasn’t because of the shadowstuff on the buildings of the city. Rather, smoke was coming up in giant clouds in the distance, and a faint orange glow drew his attention to the horizon.

“Holy hell…” was all he could manage at that moment.

“Yeah,” Erevin said as the vampire drew up beside him. “Like I said, the situation is pretty bad.”

Screams and primal howls in the distance distracted Uthalion, though he eased at the fact that they were deeper in the city and not at the palace at that moment.

“I can’t believe I’d ever see the day that Ukrosha ended up burning,” Uthalion muttered.

“Me neither, but just because it’s burning now doesn’t mean we can't stop it before things get worse,” Erevin replied. “Follow me.”

Uthalion did, and found that Erevin led him down twisting corridors, seeming to turn instantly and even backtracking a few times, though he couldn’t be sure since the hallways looked the same no matter where he looked.

At last they had come to stop at a set of double doors, which were guarded by menacing suits of Ordinator armor, and an eerie eye which was perched on top of the doorway. The eye glowed briefly before the doors opened.

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

22-Jan-2011 05:13:32 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 18:54:58 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

Erevin stepped into the room, and motioned for Uthalion to enter, which he did. The room was sort of dark, and arcane and divine runes which were inscribed on the walls were glowing, shedding light on a figure sitting on a stone bench which was set against a nearby wall at that very moment.

“I told you, I’m not helping!” a feminine voice screamed. “You can torture me all you want, but it won’t change anything!”

“I’m not here to convince you otherwise,” Erevin said. Pointing to Uthalion, he added, “But a friend of yours might sway your mind.” He clapped, and the runes died out. Light flooded the room from an orb set in the ceiling, and once Uthalion cleared his vision, he saw the figure before him clearly.

A young woman stared at him. She had shoulder length raven black hair and emerald green eyes, both of which were complemented by the brown robes she wore at that very moment which complemented her figure nicely despite the fact that they looked like little more than a beggar’s street rags.

Uthalion’s heart leapt into his throat at that very instant. It had been so long since he had laid eyes on her, and he did*’t ever think that they’d meet again after those many years ago after what amounted to a magical psychotic meltdown on her part. But to see her again dragged up old memories of a simpler time, of a time when the world seemed more innocent and less threatening.

A time before he was an adventurer, and instead a mage training at the Chantry.

“K-Kaz?” he asked. “Is that really you?”

Kaz blinked, and then her features seemed to grow more feral than he thought possible. “Uthalion?” she screeched. “What the hell is wrong with you!? Why are you with him!?”

“Whoa, calm down,” he said. “I’m working with Erevin because something bad’s happened.”

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

22-Jan-2011 05:14:13 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 18:56:15 by A Mad Hatter

Dec

2005

A Mad Hatter

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

“Yeah, like I’ll buy that,” she spat angrily. “Why should I believe you?”

“Because I’m vouching for him too,” a voice chimed from the doorway. Everyone in the room turned to see who intruded at that very moment, and saw a floating orb accompanied by a plain looking female and a rather imposing minotaur.

“Just what the hell is this?" Uthalion asked.

“Yeah, Azi, what the hell’s going on?” Kaz echoed.

The Minotaur stepped into the room and bowed to Erevin. “Me name’s Joroth Stonespringer,” it said. “And Lady Darsi. And Lady Azi,” it added, motioning to each as he named them.

“Look, there doesn’t seem to be much time to mess around with pleasantries,” Azi replied tactfully. “Kaz, the rebels at the base came down with something. At first I thought it was some kind of flu or something similar, but the next thing I knew there were strange beasts running around killing anyone they found.”

“That would be the Doomhounds," Uthalion said.

“Err…yeah, let’s call them that,” Azi said. “Anyway, the Doomhounds pretty much trashed the place, so I had to flee.”

“So why come here?” Kaz asked.

“Because I had no idea where else to turn to,” Azi said. “I’ve been getting reports from all over that the creatures are running around the city as well, attacking citizen, Ordinator, and rebel alike. I’m sorry if it seems like I’m betraying Ix by coming to Nhur’s side to ask for help, but what did you want me to do? Fight the things in my current state?”

“I hate to say it, but she’s right,” Erevin said. Turning to Kaz, he added, “Look, you can hate me all you want, but the fact of the matter is that your little rebellion is in as much trouble as the rest of the city. We can fight each other later for all I care, but for now I’m asking you for help.”

“Fine,” Kaz pouted after some time. “What do you want me to do?”

^+^ Antediluvian of the Draculesti Bloodline ^+^

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

22-Jan-2011 05:16:22 - Last edited on 31-Jan-2011 18:57:15 by A Mad Hatter

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^+^ The Age of Nhur ^+^