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[2] Hello, and welcome to our Elder Scrolls Role Playing threads, where we adventure and socialize in the vibrant land of Tamriel.

Before we begin, we'd like to clarify a few things:

Loranna's Roleplay, while an open roleplay where everyone is invited to join, is not a limitless or unregulated game. There are rules we have set ourselves that make roleplaying easier and more enjoyable for everyone of us. Please take the time and read the following guidelines carefully and, more importantly, act according to them.

1. Have fun!

2. Fun does not mean you can do whatever you want, though.

Let us please clarify some points. While everyone is welcome to join in, they are NOT welcome to jump in and do big, world-changing things without DISCUSSING IT FIRST. Let's be very clear about what cannot be done without permission:

Affecting other characters:
Any action that effects another person's character, for ill or good.  Although most people realize they can't harm another person's character without permission, many don't realize that you can't HELP another character without permission, either. Many characters have flaws for a reason. Don't go healing, saving, or otherwise fixing another character without DISCUSSING IT FIRST with the player involved.

Major Events:
Any event that would drastically change things that have been done to the world, whether the change is physical (rebuilding destroyed locations), political(converting a population to a new cause), military (killing off all the badguys) or anything else. Almost every situation, good or bad, that exists in the RP was done for some reason. Don't go changing or fixing things without DISCUSSING IT FIRST with the group.

For the purpose of coordinating this RP, backstage fun and discussing current and future events, we have established a chatroom on chatspike.net, chatroom #Loranna_RP. We strongly recommend that you have a glimpse in there, since it is the easiest and most convenient way to discuss characters and settings, explain rules, plan and give you the background information you need to play in this RP.  If you cannot get on the channel for some reason, or if the player whose character you would affect with your plan is not there, then PM them using this board's PM function. That's what it's there for.

If you do not have MIRC, you can http://www.chatspike.net/?p=javairc. Enter in a nickname where prompted and hit Submit. You'll be asked if you want to trust the signed applet. Hit Yes, and you'll be in the main chatspike channel. From there, type /join #Loranna_RP  You'll enter our chat channel and we can talk to you.

Here are various other rules, tips and information you should take time to read before joining this RP:

1. Background History:

Loranna's RP has accumulated a rich background history. Of course, no-one can know all that has happened in this RP, but it is important that you have at least an idea about the major events that took place during the last one-and-a-half years. There are a few posts of Loranna that explain the history of the RP from her character's viewpoint and a summary of the events in the RP is in progress, you can find them http://www.tc.umn.edu/~rhod0091/lrp/temp.html. Another summary is available as text file from Nalion, please ask via our chatspike channel or per PM to Nalion for the time being. We are working on a more permanent solution to provide this information.

The chatroom #Loranna_RP on chatspike is probably the best and fastest way to get yourself informed about the RP, just ask the moderators and long-time players there if you need any information. They will gladly help you. It is also very advisable to read up on the most recent posts and threads to become a grasp of what is happening right now in the RP. This will significantly help you in finding a way to join the action and will reduce the probabiliy of mistakes.

2. Reading and catching up on the RP:

We're a dedicated lot of players, and we love this RP. This means we put a lot of effort in our posts, do a lot of planning and discussing to create our plotlines. This requires time and dedication. And we require this of you as well. This means, take your time to read the posts of the other players and take the time to catch up on the plot if it progressed while you were away. This simplifies your rejoin into the action. It is also a sign of respect to the other players. If you don't have the time to read their posts, why should they bother with yours, then?

Again, please let me repeat this, for it is very important. If you are not able or willing to put time and at least reasonable effort in this RP, think again whether you want to join this RP or not.

3. Gathering information

Gather information about the RP, be it asking in chat, by reading older posts and getting up to date on the history or by asking via PM. No-one can know everything, sure, but everyone can ask about what happened. We're glad to assist! Again, this can not be done without some interest in the ongoings in the RP, effort and a good bit of dedication.

4. Roleplaying

Roleplaying doesn't just involve making your character say something (in-character chat). It also has a descriptive element. Motions and emotions of your character, worries, joys, mimics, movements... we want to see them! Describe how your character acts, this gives you a better grasp of your character and will help your fellow players build up a relationship to your character. It's not only action and big fights we have here in this RP, there is a major social aspect to it as well.

5. Posting

Try to take your time to post. Yes, we are aware that there are hectic scenes, like in big combats, where some things move faster, but is it in general a good idea to look over your post again to check it. Yes, we know it sounds stupid and obvious, but please care about spelling, punctuation and grammar. They are not just things you learned in school once to forget afterwards. We are no decryption experts. Those grammar rules have their meaning, and there are tools out there to help you(word spell checker for example). Again, the chat is a perfect way to ask for
time and coordinate with other players if you have problems.

6. Character control / multiple characters

Once more, about controlling characters that belong to other players: You cannot control a character that is not your own (with a few exceptions, like having talked to the player of the character beforehand).  This means most of the time the following:

* In combat, you can only try to attack another character, but whether you hit him or how much damage is inflicted is up to the player of the character, and only him/her.

* This applies to healing or helping the character as well; feel free to try and offer help to a character, but let the other player describe the effects of the healing/helping.

* Especially in combat, you have to work closely with the other players, the chatroom is the best and easiest method to discuss these things.

Another thing related to this topic is referring or speaking to other characters whose players are not online. If possible, try to avoid involving characters when their player is not present. It ties down your character while waiting for the other player to come back, and you don't know whether the respective player has other plans when he is back.

Additionally, avoid generating scenes where you involve a character, affect him with an action and finish the action before the player can react (stealing, attacking, casting spells or similar actions). Example: No running up to someone, rob him and run away to safety all in one post. This is a no go.

Controlling multiple characters. We have no written limits on how many characters you may control; the limit is you. In general, it is very advisable that you stick to one character when you are new to RPing. When creating a character, it is VERY important that you consider your character carefully. Again, this has something to do with effort and dedication. It is generally a bad sign if you join up, post a couple of posts and then say you are bored with this character and make a new one. Other players might get annoyed greeting and introducing their characters to a new character when it is obvious that this character will not last long because the player gets bored with the new character. This RP is a social RP as well, and it is very difficult to socialize with a character that is badly played, where you can see by the style of writing that the player is already bored with the character and will throw him away at the next opportunity. RPing is all about characters and your character is your "representative" in this RP, your voice, your arm, your mind. Please take this into account when creating and playing your character.

As a general rule of thumb, use only one character until you feel comfortable with him, can control him, have fun with him and the character is established in the RP. The rest will run automatically after a while when you get more confident and experienced in RPing.

7. Secret plans

Secret plans and surprises are seldom fun for anyone else. Before they're revealed they're boring, because nobody knows about them, and afterwards they're just annoying, because nobody knew about them. Examples: Your character suddenly remembers that he has a castles all over Tamriel and calls in troops to help. Or: Your character suddenly reveals he is a spy of the Emperor and knows everything.

8. Ingame consequences of character actions:

Morrowind the game was rather lenient when it came to direct consequences after a character's action. This is not the case in our RP. There are laws and local customs, and there are guards and other authorities that are there to enforce them. So, starting tavern brawls, stealing, murdering, open assault and all other related actions are very likely to be persecuted and punished (this can go up from your character ending up in jail, being banished or to be executed). This doesn't mean that there are no murders or thefts in the RP, but it does mean that if you do that, be aware of the consequences your character will have to deal with.

9. Additional helpful information:

Please make sure that you read the following post of Allerleirauh http://www.elderscrolls.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=141737&view=findpost&p=2871855, dealing with some of the above mentioned rules, as well as the hints on character generation done by Loranna http://www.elderscrolls.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=141737&view=findpost&p=3828224. Please take the above mentioned rules and information into careful consideration, they will help you in joining this RP quickly and are useful to avoid problems. And more importantly: act according to them!

** Not following the above advice will only result in two things: your post is likely to be completely ignored by everyone else as if it did not happen and/or you are asked to leave the RP. This is obviously not good for anyone, so please, discuss major events before doing them and act according to the rules mentioned above. **

Thank you, and have fun![3] 

[15] QUOTE(B @ Mar 13 2006, 10:32 AM)

[16] Sentinel
The Altmer Psijic was drenched from conjuring the storm; water droplets ran down his golden skin, reflecting the light.  They had been successful, and a collective sigh of relief could be heard all around.

B turned, looking for Loranna.  "You’re certainly looking better than you were last time I saw you, Loranna."  He thought back to the encounter they had had ages ago.

[17] 

[20] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 10:54 AM)

[21] The questions Loranna had pushed aside earlier begin bubbling back to the forefront of her mind, along with other questions.  "Pray tell, has all been well with you since we last saw one another?" she asks at first.

[22] 

[25] QUOTE(B @ Mar 13 2006, 11:53 AM)

[26] The greycloak looked at Loranna.  His eyes searched hers, hoping not to find any indication that the Daedra prince was still inside.  He blinked, coming back to the here and now.

"I have been well, your Grace.  Thank you for asking.  A good bit of my time has been spent on Artaeum, but it was nice to be of assistance to you and your cause."

[27] 

QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 01:15 PM)

[31] Unsure just what to say next, she asks "Master B ... have you heard from Allie at all in the past few months?"  She tries to keep the worry out of her voice, but isn't completely successful.

[32] 

QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 12:15 PM)

[36] Loranna mentally frowns, wondering just how to take B's tone; granted, the last time they had seen one another, she'd been making a grand mess of things, so he had some reason to be wary, but still ...

"It was good to finally work with you as an ally rather than an enemy," Loranna says, keeping her tone diplomatic.  "And it's good to hear that the past year or so has been kind to you ..."

Unsure just what to say next, she asks "Master B ... have you heard from Allie at all in the past few months?"  She tries to keep the worry out of her voice, but isn't completely successful.

[37] 

[40] QUOTE(B @ Mar 13 2006, 01:14 PM)

[41] Sentinel

"I agree.  It is much better to be working toward a common goal.  We have a vested interest in seeing that Mannimarco’s reign of terror comes to an abrupt end." B glanced quickly at Celarus, not knowing how much information to divulge.  His gaze returned to Loranna.  "We have known Mannimarco for quite some time," B said, "You could say that we have a history with one another."

B stopped and looked down at the ground. He cleared his throat.  When he eyes returned to Loranna, she could see the hint of tears developing in the corners. "I have not heard from Allerleirauh in a while.  As you know, I was able to communicate with her through our journals.  I have called to her on a few occasions but have seen nothing in reply.  I find it hard to believe she is ignoring my words, so that leaves me with two thoughts: either she has lost her journal, or something has happened to prevent her from writing a response.  In either case, I am worried about her."

[42] 

QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 02:25 PM)

[46] "When this is all over," she says, "if I can be of help in finding her ... you know where to reach me."

[47] 

[50] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 01:25 PM)

[51] "When this is all over," she says, "if I can be of help in finding her ... you know where to reach me."

[52] 

[56] QUOTE(B @ Mar 13 2006, 01:35 PM)

[57] "I might just take you up on that offer."

[58] 

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 01:30 PM)

[61] Sentinel
The light rain continued to fall down, but it didn't deter people in the streets from gathering and talking about what they thought they saw from their windows.  Imperial and Royal soldiers too were gathering about, searching the area around the palace.

"They never think to look up, do they?" said Hannibal Traven, alighting on the roof. "I thought I recognized your handiwork."

"Good day to you, Archmagister," said Celarus.

"Are you planning on staying up here and getting soaked, or can I offer you some food and drink, courtesy of the good King Lhotun within warm walls?"

[62] 

QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 03:49 PM)

[67] Freshly scrubbed and with her dress and cloak restored to their proper grandeur, Loranna made to rejoin the Archmagister and the Psijics, desirious of that hot food and good wine.

[68] 

[71] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 03:25 PM)

[72] Sentinel - The Palace
Indoors
The Psijics were also cleaned and dried, thanks to Venevria Estacirce whose job it was to keep them presentable.  It was not too arduous a task as far as menial labor goes -- a simple spell.  Still, quite different than what she would have been doing as a noblewoman of Firsthold, and she seemed happy with the responsibilities.

The mood in general seemed bright in the dining room with various factions with differing sometimes hostile philosophies talking and laughing.

The Emperor and Loremaster Celarus were talking quietly at one end of the room.

King Reman and former Queen Morgiah of Firsthold were also chatting, and though it seemed awkward, both were smiling.

King Lhotun was holding court for most of the rest of those assembled.  He looked exuberant over his kingdom being saved, and perhaps a little pleasantly drunk.

[73] 

QUOTE(Aki @ Mar 13 2006, 06:07 PM)

[82] Reichi is with the Vanguard, on their way to Scourge Barrow to destroy the last blightstone. In the last battle against a blight-stone guardian, Reichi assumed his werewolf form in order to gain the increased speed and power of it, and used it to kick much undead avian ass.

[83] 

[86] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 05:25 PM)

[87] The Dragontail Mountains
The heroes pressed on, drinking the restore fatigue potions in lieu of sleep to march on through the night towards Scourg Barrow.  Both Masser and Secunda were new moons, what the Khajiit would call the time of the Suthay, so only the stars provided illumination as they continued the treacherous climbs.  There were sheer cliffs to be navigated and steep slopes, until at last the sunrise showed them their goal: Scourg Barrow.

The heroes were on a precipice overlooking the plateau where the King of Worms made his home.  Below the plateau there seemed to be a river system flowing in all directions, as if the Barrow were in the center of an enormous spiders web. 

The structure itself, if the heroes were expecting a grand castle or palace, was rather unassuming: a peculiar, ancient edifice that resembled nothing so much as an enormous sepulcher.  Although, the name “Barrow” suggested, there was much more to be seen underground.

(OOC – We’re taking some license here, but for a view of Scourg Barrow, as it appeared in Daggerfall on a French website, see http://daggerfall.free.fr/soluce/scourg.html )

[88] 

[91] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 06:31 PM)

[92] Gram stares down at the Barrow, Spellbreaker on his arm seeming to tug on his arm.  Even the artifacts wanted to finish this business and be of, he thinks to himself with gallows humor.

"Our last destination," he says, pointing downward to the Barrow.  "We shall be walking directly into the spider's web today, my friends.  Fortunately for us, we are wolves, not flies."

[93] 

[96] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 05:37 PM)

[97] Something about the view seemed to bother Goranthir, and he cautiously moved down to a lower part of the precipice, well hidden still, to look.

"That's not a river system," Goranthir said, his voice low. "That's an army."

And do it was, a massive skeletal army marching through the valleys below Scourg Barrow, streaming out of their capitol of death, heading out in all directions.

[98] 

[101] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 02:25 PM)

[102] The Dragontail Mountains
The heroes pressed on, drinking the restore fatigue potions in lieu of sleep to march on through the night towards Scourg Barrow.  Both Masser and Secunda were new moons, what the Khajiit would call the time of the Suthay, so only the stars provided illumination as they continued the treacherous climbs.  There were sheer cliffs to be navigated and steep slopes, until at last the sunrise showed them their goal: Scourg Barrow.

The heroes were on a precipice overlooking the plateau where the King of Worms made his home.  Below the plateau there seemed to be a river system flowing in all directions, as if the Barrow were in the center of an enormous spiders web. 

The structure itself, if the heroes were expecting a grand castle or palace, was rather unassuming: a peculiar, ancient edifice that resembled nothing so much as an enormous sepulcher.  Although, the name “Barrow” suggested, there was much more to be seen underground.

(OOC – We’re taking some license here, but for a view of Scourg Barrow, as it appeared in Daggerfall on a French website, see http://daggerfall.free.fr/soluce/scourg.html )

[103] 

[106] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 05:37 PM)

[107] Something about the view seemed to bother Goranthir, and he cautiously moved down to a lower part of the precipice, well hidden still, to look.

"That's not a river system," Goranthir said, his voice low. "That's an army."

And do it was, a massive skeletal army marching through the valleys below Scourg Barrow, streaming out of their capitol of death, heading out in all directions.

[108] 

[111] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 06:37 PM)

[112] Something about the view seemed to bother Goranthir, and he cautiously moved down to a lower part of the precipice, well hidden still, to look.

"That's not a river system," Goranthir said, his voice low. "That's an army."

And do it was, a massive skeletal army marching through the valleys below Scourg Barrow, streaming out of their capitol of death, heading out in all directions.

[113] 

[117] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 05:37 PM)

[118] Something about the view seemed to bother Goranthir, and he cautiously moved down to a lower part of the precipice, well hidden still, to look.

"That's not a river system," Goranthir said, his voice low. "That's an army."

And do it was, a massive skeletal army marching through the valleys below Scourg Barrow, streaming out of their capitol of death, heading out in all directions.

[119] 

[122] QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Mar 13 2006, 07:00 PM)

[123] Slyvos blinked, trying to register the numbers of skeletons that he saw before him. He realized he had done similar himself in smaller numbers, but this... this was just overkill. They deserved to be put out of their misery, but now was not the time.

"Let's find another way... I want to kill the big boss himself, not deal with his lackies this time." though even as a lich I probably couldn't stand up to him.

[124] 

[127] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 03:03 PM)

[128] "I only know of the entrances below, which the army is using," Goranthir said. "And the entrance above, on the plateau, which is the 'front door.'"

[129] 

[132] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 06:03 PM)

[133] "I only know of the entrances below, which the army is using," Goranthir said. "And the entrance above, on the plateau, which is the 'front door.'"

And then he added. "And, Slyvos, we're here to destroy the last Blightstone, not kill Mannimarco ... Leave that to the army."

[134] 

[137] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 06:13 PM)

[138] "The Blightstone itself will be a handful," Gram muses, stroking his beard thoughtfully.

"Perhaps we should use the front door.  After all, we're the only living things for miles around, and he is probably expecting us anyway," he suggests, his eyebrows disappearing into his mane of curly red hair.  "Unless someone has a really good idea for a distraction, that is ..."

[139] 

[143] QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 13 2006, 07:23 PM)

[144] "We're not really in for a friendly chat, but yes, Mannimarco probably knows that we're on our way to him.", Nalion nodded, looking at Scourg Barrow with a frown and a worried expression. "If someone wants to go into a house, one knocks. I'd rather go for the front door than fighting through an army. This seems to me the least bad choice here. We should however take care that we're not outright seen by the undead below."

[145] 

[149] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 07:16 PM)

[150] "I don't think the army's looking up," said Red-Rock-Shadow, spreading her newly healed wings. "We can either levitate or I can fly some of you over."

[151] 

[154] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 04:16 PM)

[155] "I don't think the army's looking up," said Red-Rock-Shadow, spreading her newly healed wings. "We can either levitate or I can fly some of you over."

[156] 

[159] QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 13 2006, 06:21 PM)

[160] "I'd agree, Red-Rock-Shadow.", Nalion answered and rummaged in his bag. "I've only got one levitation scroll left... So, whoever needs one, feel free to use it."
With that, Nalion readied himself to cross the distance between their lookout place and the entrance to Scourg Barrow.

[161] 

[164] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 07:16 PM)

[165] "I don't think the army's looking up," said Red-Rock-Shadow, spreading her newly healed wings. "We can either levitate or I can fly some of you over."

[166] 

[169] QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 13 2006, 08:21 PM)

[170] "I'd agree, Red-Rock-Shadow.", Nalion answered and rummaged in his bag. "I've only got one levitation scroll left... So, whoever needs one, feel free to use it."
With that, Nalion readied himself to cross the distance between their lookout place and the entrance to Scourg Barrow.

[171] 

[174] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 07:16 PM)

[175] "I don't think the army's looking up," said Red-Rock-Shadow, spreading her newly healed wings. "We can either levitate or I can fly some of you over."

[176] 

[179] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 08:29 PM)

[180] Gram smiles apologetically to Red-Rock-Shadow, vowing to buy himself an amulet of levitation one of these days - he could have sworn he had one once but it got lost, or did he give it to some bar wench somewhere as a gift ...

[181] 

[184] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 07:44 PM)

[185] After dropping Goranthir off on the plateau without incident, the Argonian battlemage flies back to pick up Gram.  Thus, each hero, by levitation or by Red-Rock-Shadow's wings, found themselves facing the weird sepulcher that was Scourg Barrow.

Goranthir quietly walked over to the heavy stone door.  He started to open it and then turned around to the group, "This is it.  We're going in, and there's a good chance some of us may not be coming out."

[186] 

[189] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 04:44 PM)

[190] After dropping Goranthir off on the plateau without incident, the Argonian battlemage flies back to pick up Gram.  Thus, each hero, by levitation or by Red-Rock-Shadow's wings, found themselves facing the weird sepulcher that was Scourg Barrow.

Goranthir quietly walked over to the heavy stone door.  He started to open it and then turned around to the group, "This is it.  We're going in, and there's a good chance some of us may not be coming out."

[191] 

[194] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 07:44 PM)

[195] After dropping Goranthir off on the plateau without incident, the Argonian battlemage flies back to pick up Gram.  Thus, each hero, by levitation or by Red-Rock-Shadow's wings, found themselves facing the weird sepulcher that was Scourg Barrow.

Goranthir quietly walked over to the heavy stone door.  He started to open it and then turned around to the group, "This is it.  We're going in, and there's a good chance some of us may not be coming out."

[196] 

QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 13 2006, 08:51 PM)

[200] "We faced these odds at Hogithum and in the spheres and in the battlefield of the Imperial city before. There is always the chance that some of us won't make it. Doing it nontheless is what separates us from others.", Nalion said gravely. "We've come this far, and now, we'll see this through to the end."
The mage straightened himself, tugged at the robe fluttering lightly in the wind and took a better hold on his staff. Then, he entered the darkness that was Scourg Barrow.

[201] 

[204] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 08:02 PM)

[205] Scourg Barrow
The howling wind outside vanished into the eerie stillness of the sepulcher.  Within the heroes found a funeral hall of sarcophagi, twenty-one of them in total.  The walls were obsidian, devoid of any ornamentation.

Goranthir went to one particular particular sarcophagus, and with a grunt, pushed its lid back.  It was a hole down into darkness.

"That's why I said hold onto your levitation scrolls," Goranthir said in a whisper that still seemed loud in the silence of the room.

[206] 

[209] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 05:02 PM)

[210] Scourg Barrow
The howling wind outside vanished into the eerie stillness of the sepulcher.  Within the heroes found a funeral hall of sarcophagi, twenty-one of them in total.  The walls were obsidian, devoid of any ornamentation.

Goranthir went to one particular particular sarcophagus, and with a grunt, pushed its lid back.  It was a hole down into darkness.

"That's why I said hold onto your levitation scrolls," Goranthir said in a whisper that still seemed loud in the silence of the room.

[211] 

[214] QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 13 2006, 09:08 PM)

[215] Nalion suspiciously looked down the hole.
"How far down does it lead?", he asked in a low voice, then thought better of it. "I guess we will soon see by ourselves."
The mage cast a levitation spell on himself as Goranthir had suggested, then he began to crawl up on the sarcophagus. For a moment, he stood there looking down into the abyss once more. He cast the familiar blue light spell, then he levitated down, the little ball of light fighting against the surrounding darkness, getting smaller as he descended further.

[216] 

QUOTE(One87xe @ Mar 13 2006, 09:09 PM)

[221] Osa moves a little closer and peering inside the Sarcophagus, notices it's completely devoid of light

"I'm out of Levitation Potions" she states "someone will have to cast the spell on Ora and myself"

[222] 

[226] QUOTE(Osano @ Mar 13 2006, 09:14 PM)

[227] Athaso looked over the edge of the pit and whistles, slightly louder than intended, the sound carrying down the hole.  "I could have swore we were dealing with another bottomless pit of darkness some time ago..."  he said quietly, "Does anyone have a spare spell or scroll of levatation?  I'm out."

[228] 

[231] QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 13 2006, 08:08 PM)

[232] Nalion suspiciously looked down the hole.
"How far down does it lead?", he asked in a low voice, then thought better of it. "I guess we will soon see by ourselves."
The mage cast a levitation spell on himself as Goranthir had suggested, then he began to crawl up on the sarcophagus. For a moment, he stood there looking down into the abyss once more. He cast the familiar blue light spell, then he levitated down, the little ball of light fighting against the surrounding darkness, getting smaller as he descended further.

[233] 

[236] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 08:22 PM)

[237] Red-Rock-Shadow may not be able to fly everyone down, but between her and Slyvos, they can cast levitation on each hero, who one by one begins their descent.

Without Shaka’s and Nalion’s light spell, the descent would be in utter darkness.  Parts of the narrow well are so tight that the larger of the heroes feel their bodies scraping along the smooth walls, and parts are wide open, as if they are in an endless, formless abyss.  Finally, a long while, so long that a few might have worried about the duration of the levitation spells, they reach solid ground.

There is even light, though its source is most unusual.  The earthen walls are the home of tiny maggots which glow with a slight phosphorescence, giving everyone a slight greenish cast, which seems to move, forming shadows while bringing other areas into illumination.

There were whispers in the air and strange footsteps that seemed to get louder and then vanish as the group made their way down the hall.

“This is a very haunted place,” Goranthir said. “You won’t know what’s real until it’s in front of your eyes, and perhaps not even then.”

[238] 

[241] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 05:22 PM)

[242] Red-Rock-Shadow may not be able to fly everyone down, but between her and Slyvos, they can cast levitation on each hero, who one by one begins their descent.

Without Shaka’s and Nalion’s light spell, the descent would be in utter darkness.  Parts of the narrow well are so tight that the larger of the heroes feel their bodies scraping along the smooth walls, and parts are wide open, as if they are in an endless, formless abyss.  Finally, a long while, so long that a few might have worried about the duration of the levitation spells, they reach solid ground.

There is even light, though its source is most unusual.  The earthen walls are the home of tiny maggots which glow with a slight phosphorescence, giving everyone a slight greenish cast, which seems to move, forming shadows while bringing other areas into illumination.

There were whispers in the air and strange footsteps that seemed to get louder and then vanish as the group made their way down the hall.

“This is a very haunted place,” Goranthir said. “You won’t know what’s real until it’s in front of your eyes, and perhaps not even then.”

[243] 

[246] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 08:22 PM)

[247] Red-Rock-Shadow may not be able to fly everyone down, but between her and Slyvos, they can cast levitation on each hero, who one by one begins their descent.

Without Shaka’s and Nalion’s light spell, the descent would be in utter darkness.  Parts of the narrow well are so tight that the larger of the heroes feel their bodies scraping along the smooth walls, and parts are wide open, as if they are in an endless, formless abyss.  Finally, a long while, so long that a few might have worried about the duration of the levitation spells, they reach solid ground.

There is even light, though its source is most unusual.  The earthen walls are the home of tiny maggots which glow with a slight phosphorescence, giving everyone a slight greenish cast, which seems to move, forming shadows while bringing other areas into illumination.

There were whispers in the air and strange footsteps that seemed to get louder and then vanish as the group made their way down the hall.

“This is a very haunted place,” Goranthir said. “You won’t know what’s real until it’s in front of your eyes, and perhaps not even then.”

[248] 

[251] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 09:27 PM)

[252] Gram grips the handle of Frostkiss tightly, scowling to hide the unease that was creeping through his bones.  A man could find courage to hearten him in the midst of battle, but these endless, too-tight walls and sickly-glowing walls were a little too effective at conjuring images of a dishonorable, pointless death ...

Nonetheless, he says "Then we will banish the ghosts back to their proper rest," in a low tone of voice.

[253] 

[256] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 08:32 PM)

[257] The group proceeded through the murky corridors, feeling soft earth under their feet, and hearing the soft, haunted whispers all around.

"The Blightstone is not much further," Goranthir says in a low voice, as he turns a corner. "Mannimarco keeps it in Lasthold ..."

Before he can say another word, he pulls up his kynarine blade to deflect an ax blow.

Zombie warriors, ten of them, armored and armed with axes fall on the group, moaning.

[258] 

[261] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 09:32 PM)

[262] The group proceeded through the murky corridors, feeling soft earth under their feet, and hearing the soft, haunted whispers all around.

"The Blightstone is not much further," Goranthir says in a low voice, as he turns a corner. "Mannimarco keeps it in Lasthold ..."

Before he can say another word, he pulls up his kynarine blade to deflect an ax blow.

Zombie warriors, ten of them, armored and armed with axes fall on the group, moaning.

[263] 

[266] QUOTE(B @ Mar 13 2006, 07:20 PM)

[267] Sentinel - The Palace
Indoors

Now that he was clean and dry, B felt content.  The next time he had a chance to speak to Venevria, he must remember to commend her on her work.  B knew it was no great feat of magic that she had performed, but she had done so without objection.  His praise wasn’t much, but the young initiates could always use a word of encouragement.

B had seen many initiates come and go during his time in the Order: some names were worthy of tributes; others were better left forgotten.  This one might be something special, perhaps.  Then again, it was too early to tell.  She had much to learn, and the Psijics had much to teach her.  Once they returned to Artaeum, B would resume his teaching, along with the others.

The room was packed with people, but B was sitting at the table, by himself, glancing around the room.  At the far side of room, he noticed that the Emperor and Loremaster Celarus were busy talking.  For a moment, he had wondered what their topic of conversation might be, but the thought left his head as quickly as it had entered.

He didn’t mind sitting alone.  In fact, there were times when he quite enjoyed it.  Reaching into his satchel, he grabbed for a book.  Once it was found, the novel was removed and placed on the table.  B found his bookmark, opened to the page, and began to read.  He wouldn’t be missed.  There were more important things going on in the world.

[268] 

[272] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 08:32 PM)

[273] The group proceeded through the murky corridors, feeling soft earth under their feet, and hearing the soft, haunted whispers all around.

"The Blightstone is not much further," Goranthir says in a low voice, as he turns a corner. "Mannimarco keeps it in Lasthold ..."

Before he can say another word, he pulls up his kynarine blade to deflect an ax blow.

Zombie warriors, ten of them, armored and armed with axes fall on the group, moaning.

[274] 

[277] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 08:36 PM)

[278] "Master B, may I join you for a spell?" she asks.  "It has been a while since we've talked ..."

[279] 

[282] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 08:32 PM)

[283] The group proceeded through the murky corridors, feeling soft earth under their feet, and hearing the soft, haunted whispers all around.

"The Blightstone is not much further," Goranthir says in a low voice, as he turns a corner. "Mannimarco keeps it in Lasthold ..."

Before he can say another word, he pulls up his kynarine blade to deflect an ax blow.

Zombie warriors, ten of them, armored and armed with axes fall on the group, moaning.

[284] 

[287] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 09:32 PM)

[288] The group proceeded through the murky corridors, feeling soft earth under their feet, and hearing the soft, haunted whispers all around.

"The Blightstone is not much further," Goranthir says in a low voice, as he turns a corner. "Mannimarco keeps it in Lasthold ..."

Before he can say another word, he pulls up his kynarine blade to deflect an ax blow.

Zombie warriors, ten of them, armored and armed with axes fall on the group, moaning.

[289] 

[292] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 05:32 PM)

[293] The group proceeded through the murky corridors, feeling soft earth under their feet, and hearing the soft, haunted whispers all around.

"The Blightstone is not much further," Goranthir says in a low voice, as he turns a corner. "Mannimarco keeps it in Lasthold ..."

Before he can say another word, he pulls up his kynarine blade to deflect an ax blow.

Zombie warriors, ten of them, armored and armed with axes fall on the group, moaning.

[294] 

[297] QUOTE(B @ Mar 13 2006, 08:38 PM)

[298] Sentinel - The Palace
Indoors

At the sound of her voice, B stopped reading.  He marked his page, closed the book, and pushed it aside.  "Please sit down," the Psijic said to her. "What would you like to talk about?"

[299] 

QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 08:43 PM)

[303] Loranna sits, smiling.  "Well," she says, "I thought we could catch up more properly, for one.  A lot has happened and though I know Allie kept contact with you, there are some things she didn't see that I thought you might be interested to hear ..."

As she talks, her eyes fall upon the Emperor, still talking quietly with Loremaster Celarus.

" ... Heh; there's a conversation I myself would like to hear," she says, nodding to the two older men in their corner.  "They've been talking since I got here ..."

[304] 

[307] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 08:32 PM)

[308] The group proceeded through the murky corridors, feeling soft earth under their feet, and hearing the soft, haunted whispers all around.

"The Blightstone is not much further," Goranthir says in a low voice, as he turns a corner. "Mannimarco keeps it in Lasthold ..."

Before he can say another word, he pulls up his kynarine blade to deflect an ax blow.

Zombie warriors, ten of them, armored and armed with axes fall on the group, moaning.

[309] 

[312] QUOTE(B @ Mar 13 2006, 08:48 PM)

[313] Sentinel - The Palace
Indoors

"I know what they are discussing," B replied.  He lowered his voice to a whisper and continued. "As you know, the Psijics have many talents: one of which is intelligence gathering.  I cannot say much because we are still investigating the reports. Have you ever heard of the Mystic Dawn?"

[314] 

[317] QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 13 2006, 09:35 PM)

[318] With a burst of light, Nalion was engulfed with a turn undead spell, just after the incantation left his lips. The mage pointed at one of the zombies ith his staff, and a blast of fire shot from its tip towards the undead mindless creature.

[319] 

QUOTE(Aki @ Mar 13 2006, 09:35 PM)

[322] Reichi held back a roar, a howl, or any number of other sounds trying to force its way out of his throat, no need to make more noise than needed. Reichi charged the zombies, slashing with his claws and the holy shortblade.

[323] 

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Mar 13 2006, 09:37 PM)

[326] Isidor is quick to react, pulling out the holy blade to parry a blow from the nearest, attacking zombie. He pulls back, and strikes again at the zombie's midsection.

Tsei casts a frost ball at the zombie approaching her, while Ingmar swing his axe at the one approaching him.

[327] 

QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 09:38 PM)

[330] Gram lacks a blessed blade like some of his companions, but Frostkiss was made of god's blood, and more than enough to hack into a zombie.  Not only that, but he had Spellbreaker, blessed by Arkay, to protect him.

With a wild look in his eyes, he slams his shield into a zombie to push it back into its moaning companions, before swinging Frostkiss for a rotting, half-exposed skull.

[331] 

QUOTE(Osano @ Mar 13 2006, 09:39 PM)

[334] Athaso, somewhat towards the back of the group, upon learning of the zombies' presence sprinted from the back of the pack, drew his sacred broadsword and rushed a zombie.  He used his own momentum combined with the strength in his sword arm to thrust his blade at the undead's chest hoping to break through its armor.

[335] 

QUOTE(One87xe @ Mar 13 2006, 09:41 PM)

[338] "More blasted Zombies" Ora shouts as she deflects an Axe blow with her Shield as Osa tries to stay between the wall and Ora, finally moving to her sisters left side...furtherest from the attacking Zombie

"Elemental Burst: Fire!" Osa states as the Spell fans out to engulf her attackers

[339] 

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Mar 13 2006, 09:50 PM)

[342] Slyvos just blinks, wondering if mannimarco really believes that 10 zombies will do much against them. Of course, you never know... "okay, this isn't as bad as the other things."

He raised his hands up, throwing a decent fireball at some of the zombies.

[343] 

[346] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 05:55 PM)

[347] “Dammit!” Red-Rock-Shadow shouted, halting her own offensive spell as Osa and Tsei and Slyvos’s fire and frostballs exploded in the corridor.  It reminded her too much of the attacks on the obsidian phoenix that she was too close to in the last battle. “No area effect spells in tight corridors where your team-mates are present!”

Goranthir used the zombie who was attacking him as a shield against the fire attacks, and it vaporized.

Nalion’s more specifically directed fire also annihiliated its target.

Isidor is not in the line of fire of the blasts, and disarms and then disembowels his opponent, though it continues to squirm on the floor.

Gram too was a step back from the worst of it, handily crushing the zombie’s skull.

Reichi, charging into the area where the fireballs were exploding, took down one zombie with his claws and ripped into another.  Athaso also is in the area where the frost and fireballs hit, his holy sword cleaving through the zombie’s armor like it wasn’t there.

The fireballs and frostballs, though perhaps hurting team-mates, do take out the rest of the creatures handily.  When the smoke and mist clear, they are in a corridor filled with corpses.

[348] 

[351] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 08:55 PM)

[352] “Dammit!” Red-Rock-Shadow shouted, halting her own offensive spell as Osa and Tsei and Slyvos’s fire and frostballs exploded in the corridor.  It reminded her too much of the attacks on the obsidian phoenix that she was too close to in the last battle. “No area effect spells in tight corridors where your team-mates are present!”

Goranthir used the zombie who was attacking him as a shield against the fire attacks, and it vaporized.

Nalion’s more specifically directed fire also annihiliated its target.

Isidor is not in the line of fire of the blasts, and disarms and then disembowels his opponent, though it continues to squirm on the floor.

Gram too was a step back from the worst of it, handily crushing the zombie’s skull.

Reichi, charging into the area where the fireballs were exploding, took down one zombie with his claws and ripped into another.  Athaso also is in the area where the frost and fireballs hit, his holy sword cleaving through the zombie’s armor like it wasn’t there.

The fireballs and frostballs, though perhaps hurting team-mates, do take out the rest of the creatures handily.  When the smoke and mist clear, they are in a corridor filled with corpses.

[353] 

[356] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 08:55 PM)

[357] “Dammit!” Red-Rock-Shadow shouted, halting her own offensive spell as Osa and Tsei and Slyvos’s fire and frostballs exploded in the corridor.  It reminded her too much of the attacks on the obsidian phoenix that she was too close to in the last battle. “No area effect spells in tight corridors where your team-mates are present!”

Goranthir used the zombie who was attacking him as a shield against the fire attacks, and it vaporized.

Nalion’s more specifically directed fire also annihiliated its target.

Isidor is not in the line of fire of the blasts, and disarms and then disembowels his opponent, though it continues to squirm on the floor.

Gram too was a step back from the worst of it, handily crushing the zombie’s skull.

Reichi, charging into the area where the fireballs were exploding, took down one zombie with his claws and ripped into another.  Athaso also is in the area where the frost and fireballs hit, his holy sword cleaving through the zombie’s armor like it wasn’t there.

The fireballs and frostballs, though perhaps hurting team-mates, do take out the rest of the creatures handily.  When the smoke and mist clear, they are in a corridor filled with corpses.

[358] 

[362] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 10:01 PM)

[363] Gram wipes Frostkiss's blade on the rotting remnants of clothes on a zombie.  "Methinks some of us are a bit too eager to blast the undead," he comments, looking back to the spellcasters.  "Maybe we fighters should hang back a bit ..."

Then, shrugging, he says " ... Let's just find the stone and finish this."

[364] 

[367] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 09:55 PM)

[368] Reichi, charging into the area where the fireballs were exploding, took down one zombie with his claws and ripped into another.  Athaso also is in the area where the frost and fireballs hit, his holy sword cleaving through the zombie’s armor like it wasn’t there.

The fireballs and frostballs, though perhaps hurting team-mates, do take out the rest of the creatures handily.  When the smoke and mist clear, they are in a corridor filled with corpses.

[369] 

[372] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 09:07 PM)

[373] "In the training for the Spheres," Goranthir said. "If we had space, the spellcasters would shield the fighters, boost us, and send salvos at the enemy if there was a distance between us and them ... In the case of an ambush like that one, I guess the only rule is, pay attention to where your team-mates are before blowing the place up."

Before them was a huge ebony door, carved with arcane symbols.

[374] 

[377] QUOTE(Aki @ Mar 13 2006, 09:05 PM)

[378] Reichi growled, giving the mages a good snarl with associated sound effects to fully show his displeasure as he put out small fires on his person and smoothed out his singed fur. Reichi nodded nodded slightly to nalion. His Dunmeri heritage had negated the wounds his suffered, but it was best to go into battle uninjured.

[379] 

QUOTE(Osano @ Mar 13 2006, 09:07 PM)

[382] Athaso felt as his sword satisfyingly dig through the zombie's torso.  However it was not enjoyed for long when he found himself faced with frost and fire spells; the fire doing little to his Dunmeri skin.  The frost however, painfuly encased his left forearm in layer of ice...

[383] 

[386] QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 13 2006, 10:13 PM)

[387] The mage moved over to Reichi, his hands glowing with a blue light.
"At least, you weren't in your other form. Burning fur smells... terrible...", Nalion said as the light burn marks on his friend's skin vanished. Nalion did the same to Athaso, the healing spell only leaving clean skin which was only slightly cold to the touch.

Then, Nalion moved over to the glyph-covered door.

[388] 

[391] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 08:50 PM)

[392] Loranna's eyebrows go up, and she admits "No, I'm afraid I haven't ..." in a matching whisper. "What is this Dawn?"

Her eyes narrow suddenly as she asks " ... It's not connected to Azura, is it?", disbelief and a growing paranoia creeping into her voice.

[393] 

[396] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 06:07 PM)

[397] Before them was a huge ebony door, carved with arcane symbols.

[398] 

[401] QUOTE(syronj @ Mar 13 2006, 09:15 PM)

[402] "I have the spell Ondusi's Unhinging if we need it," said Shaka.  "Can anyone check for traps?"

[403] 

[406] QUOTE(syronj @ Mar 13 2006, 09:15 PM)

[407] "I have the spell Ondusi's Unhinging if we need it," said Shaka.  "Can anyone check for traps?"

[408] 

QUOTE(One87xe @ Mar 13 2006, 09:16 PM)

[411] Both sisters stare at the montrous door before them, Osa digging through her Bag to find a non-area based Scroll...and while she didnt really find what she was looking for, she noted it would work without much distraction (or injury) to the Fighter section

[412] 

QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 13 2006, 10:13 PM)

[416] The mage moved over to Reichi, his hands glowing with a blue light.
"At least, you weren't in your other form. Burning fur smells... terrible...", Nalion said as the light burn marks on his friend's skin vanished. Nalion did the same to Athaso, the healing spell only leaving clean skin which was only slightly cold to the touch.

Then, Nalion moved over to the glyph-covered door.

[417] 

QUOTE(Osano @ Mar 13 2006, 10:07 PM)

[420] Athaso felt as his sword satisfyingly dig through the zombie's torso.  However it was not enjoyed for long when he found himself faced with frost and fire spells; the fire doing little to his Dunmeri skin.  The frost however, painfuly encased his left forearm in layer of ice...

[421] 

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Mar 13 2006, 10:12 PM)

[424] "eh..." Slyvos scratched the back of his head, looking around at the flaming corpses. "maybe I let my love of fire get the best of me for once..."

He made a note to be more careful next time, hopeing that the others weren't TOO annoyed. At the site of the door, he just raised an eyebrow. "he's showing off, trust me."

[425] 

[428] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 06:22 PM)

[429] Scourg Barrow, Lasthold
Red-Rock-Shadow had beaten Nalion to it, casting a healing spell on Athaso's arm.

"We're going to need you in fighting condition," she said with a nod.
"There'll be plenty of room to fight in here, Slyvos," Goranthir said, opening the door.

They appeared to be stepping out into the open world, but they knew that to be impossible.  For one, they were too far underground to have emerged out, and for two, when they had gone into the Barrow, it was sunrise.  In here, it was sunset.

Nevertheless, there was a sun there, setting in the west, the moons beginning to show in the clouds, and the barest hint of stars coming out in the darker east.

The place they were stepping out of appeared to be a mundane building of some kind until they realized it was built of bones.  Some ancient, some very fresh.  Most of them still recognizably attached to a full skeleton, and a few with so much meat on them, the body could have been simply sleeping, but for its color and stillness.

The whole city they were overlooking was built of bodies, and it went on for miles.  The streets of leg bones, perfectly set side by side. Temples with spires made of corpses.  An arena made of skulls.

"This is Lasthold," Goranthir said in a whisper.

[430] 

[434] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 09:22 PM)

[435] Scourg Barrow, Lasthold
Red-Rock-Shadow had beaten Nalion to it, casting a healing spell on Athaso's arm.

"We're going to need you in fighting condition," she said with a nod.
"There'll be plenty of room to fight in here, Slyvos," Goranthir said, opening the door.

They appeared to be stepping out into the open world, but they knew that to be impossible.  For one, they were too far underground to have emerged out, and for two, when they had gone into the Barrow, it was sunrise.  In here, it was sunset.

Nevertheless, there was a sun there, setting in the west, the moons beginning to show in the clouds, and the barest hint of stars coming out in the darker east.

The place they were stepping out of appeared to be a mundane building of some kind until they realized it was built of bones.  Some ancient, some very fresh.  Most of them still recognizably attached to a full skeleton, and a few with so much meat on them, the body could have been simply sleeping, but for its color and stillness.

The whole city they were overlooking was built of bodies, and it went on for miles.  The streets of leg bones, perfectly set side by side. Temples with spires made of corpses.  An arena made of skulls.

"This is Lasthold," Goranthir said in a whisper.

[436] 

[439] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 09:22 PM)

[440] Scourg Barrow, Lasthold
Red-Rock-Shadow had beaten Nalion to it, casting a healing spell on Athaso's arm.

"We're going to need you in fighting condition," she said with a nod.
"There'll be plenty of room to fight in here, Slyvos," Goranthir said, opening the door.

They appeared to be stepping out into the open world, but they knew that to be impossible.  For one, they were too far underground to have emerged out, and for two, when they had gone into the Barrow, it was sunrise.  In here, it was sunset.

Nevertheless, there was a sun there, setting in the west, the moons beginning to show in the clouds, and the barest hint of stars coming out in the darker east.

The place they were stepping out of appeared to be a mundane building of some kind until they realized it was built of bones.  Some ancient, some very fresh.  Most of them still recognizably attached to a full skeleton, and a few with so much meat on them, the body could have been simply sleeping, but for its color and stillness.

The whole city they were overlooking was built of bodies, and it went on for miles.  The streets of leg bones, perfectly set side by side. Temples with spires made of corpses.  An arena made of skulls.

"This is Lasthold," Goranthir said in a whisper.

[441] 

[445] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 09:22 PM)

[446] Scourg Barrow, Lasthold
Red-Rock-Shadow had beaten Nalion to it, casting a healing spell on Athaso's arm.

"We're going to need you in fighting condition," she said with a nod.
"There'll be plenty of room to fight in here, Slyvos," Goranthir said, opening the door.

They appeared to be stepping out into the open world, but they knew that to be impossible.  For one, they were too far underground to have emerged out, and for two, when they had gone into the Barrow, it was sunrise.  In here, it was sunset.

Nevertheless, there was a sun there, setting in the west, the moons beginning to show in the clouds, and the barest hint of stars coming out in the darker east.

The place they were stepping out of appeared to be a mundane building of some kind until they realized it was built of bones.  Some ancient, some very fresh.  Most of them still recognizably attached to a full skeleton, and a few with so much meat on them, the body could have been simply sleeping, but for its color and stillness.

The whole city they were overlooking was built of bodies, and it went on for miles.  The streets of leg bones, perfectly set side by side. Temples with spires made of corpses.  An arena made of skulls.

"This is Lasthold," Goranthir said in a whisper.

[447] 

QUOTE

[450] Shaking his head, he asks Slyvos "Can you feel the stone, son-in-law?" while casting his eyes about for enemies - including glances upward.[451] 

QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 13 2006, 10:29 PM)

[456] "This is... disgusting...", Nalion said with a harsh sounding voice. Despite his words though, the mage halted in awe, mixed with terror and sorrow about the thousands of lives that must have been sacrificed to... build this city of the dead. The construction looked like a form of art. Evil and twisted and sickening, it sent a chill through Nalion's bones.

"Now... where could the Blightstone be...?", he muttered, unconsciously holding a hand over his stomach.

[457] 

[460] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 09:37 PM)

[461] Scourg Barrow, Lasthold
"I don't know," Goranthir said, beginning the walk down the bone road. "I just know he said he put it here somewhere ..."

As he passed an archway lined with corpses, one of the heads opened its eyes, and a half-rotten arm dangled down, reaching for him.

"Avoid the fresh ones," Goranthir told the group.

[462] 

[465] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 09:37 PM)

[466] Scourg Barrow, Lasthold
"I don't know," Goranthir said, beginning the walk down the bone road. "I just know he said he put it here somewhere ..."

As he passed an archway lined with corpses, one of the heads opened its eyes, and a half-rotten arm dangled down, reaching for him.

"Avoid the fresh ones," Goranthir told the group.

[467] 

[470] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 06:37 PM)

[471] Scourg Barrow, Lasthold
"I don't know," Goranthir said, beginning the walk down the bone road. "I just know he said he put it here somewhere ..."

As he passed an archway lined with corpses, one of the heads opened its eyes, and a half-rotten arm dangled down, reaching for him.

"Avoid the fresh ones," Goranthir told the group.

[472] 

[475] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 10:50 PM)

[476] Gram slaps at the grasping arm with Spellbreaker, causing it to flinch away from the holy aura surrounding the shield.

"Then it's searching the whole damned city, bone by bone," he mutters.  "Unless we want to try the most obvious places first - the Arnea, the Chapel, the Palace ..."

[477] 

[480] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 10:08 PM)

[481] "What are you looking for?" a woman's voice asked.

Ten of them walked up the street, dressed in gossamer robes.  They were pure white, like Goranthir, and heartbreakingly beautiful.  One was a lithe Ohmes khajiit, another a statuesque Bosmer; next to her was a voluptuous Nord with her arm around an Argonian whose pale scales sparkled like gems.  Another duo stepped down from a row of stairs, a delicately-featured Altmer and a Dunmer with full lush lips and a long, kissable neck.  An elegant, graceful Imperial woman, a Breton with wild, cascading locks, and a Redguard who looked like she had been carved of ivory joined them.  Even the Orc maiden, thin-waisted and smooth-skinned was desirable.

"And what have you done with Geht, naughty boy?" the Redguard laughed, winking at Goranthir. "You know you're going to be punished for this."

[482] 

[485] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 10:08 PM)

[486] "What are you looking for?" a woman's voice asked.

Ten of them walked up the street, dressed in gossamer robes.  They were pure white, like Goranthir, and heartbreakingly beautiful.  One was a lithe Ohmes khajiit, another a statuesque Bosmer; next to her was a voluptuous Nord with her arm around an Argonian whose pale scales sparkled like gems.  Another duo stepped down from a row of stairs, a delicately-featured Altmer and a Dunmer with full lush lips and a long, kissable neck.  An elegant, graceful Imperial woman, a Breton with wild, cascading locks, and a Redguard who looked like she had been carved of ivory joined them.  Even the Orc maiden, thin-waisted and smooth-skinned was desirable.

"And what have you done with Geht, naughty boy?" the Redguard laughed, winking at Goranthir. "You know you're going to be punished for this."

[487] 

[490] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 11:14 PM)

[491] Gram's jaw drops.

" ... If this were anyplace other than here, I'd be thanking the gods for their divine providence," he groans.  "By Kyne, even the Orc looks beddable!  Surely this is but an illusion ..."

[492] 

[496] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 10:16 PM)

[497] "Cast a silence spell now!" Goranthir yelled, firing his kynarine blast at them, sending the ten beauties into the air with its force. "They're like I was!"

[498] 

[501] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 10:16 PM)

[502] "Cast a silence spell now!" Goranthir yelled, firing his kynarine blast at them, sending the ten beauties into the air with its force. "They're like I was!"

[503] 

[507] QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 13 2006, 11:25 PM)

[508] Nalion didn't react. His eyes lingered on the Breton woman, longingly, her dainty features, her voice... reminding him. What was her name?

"Doll?", he asked, then the pleasant memories of the raven-haired young girl of Solunastra came to his mind, her at times perty comments, her almond shaped dark eyes... Like a light in the dark.

The mage woke from the enchanted state of mind and saw Goranthir using his blade. He realized what had just happened...

"Don't listen to them!", he said, summoning his will to cast a silence spell at the two closest women, hopening to weaken their influence.

[509] 

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 11:16 PM)

[512] "Cast a silence spell now!" Goranthir yelled, firing his kynarine blast at them, sending the ten beauties into the air with its force. "They're like I was!"

[513] 

[516] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 10:08 PM)

[517] "What are you looking for?" a woman's voice asked.

Ten of them walked up the street, dressed in gossamer robes.  They were pure white, like Goranthir, and heartbreakingly beautiful.  One was a lithe Ohmes khajiit, another a statuesque Bosmer; next to her was a voluptuous Nord with her arm around an Argonian whose pale scales sparkled like gems.  Another duo stepped down from a row of stairs, a delicately-featured Altmer and a Dunmer with full lush lips and a long, kissable neck.  An elegant, graceful Imperial woman, a Breton with wild, cascading locks, and a Redguard who looked like she had been carved of ivory joined them.  Even the Orc maiden, thin-waisted and smooth-skinned was desirable.

"And what have you done with Geht, naughty boy?" the Redguard laughed, winking at Goranthir. "You know you're going to be punished for this."

[518] 

QUOTE

[521] "Cast a silence spell now!" Goranthir yelled, firing his kynarine blast at them, sending the ten beauties into the air with its force. "They're like I was!"[522] 

[525] QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Mar 13 2006, 11:29 PM)

[526] Slyvos joined his father-in-law with the jaw dropping, before quickly composeing himself. Which, just thinking of his wife, was not very hard to do. He found her more lovely then any of them, and the thought of her helped him resist any of their wiles. "that's just wierd.... and acwkardly out of place."
Slyvos quickly complied, casting Silence on another of the women, a rather long lasting one at that, so as to prevent anyone else from being tempted.

[527] 

[531] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 10:29 PM)

[532] Red-Rock-Shadow did not trust the look of these women when she first stepped in, and was plainly not captivated by them.  When Goranthir yelled out, she was quick with a spell, but she also criticized the Prince. "Then don't knock them out of any reason area of effect, kid!"

Her silence spell fell on the Redguard, Breton, Argonian, and Khajiit.

Nalion's silenced the Altmer and Dunmer, who had been knocked against a pillar of bone next to him.

The Imperial woman, blown by the kynarine effect, was among those out of the area of effect.  She landed lightly on an arbor that stretched between two buildings, and then called out, meeting Gram's eyes. "You!  The handsome Nord!  Why don't you meet me inside?"

She slipped in through the window, and Gram could see that the door to the house was open.

[533] 

[536] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 10:33 PM)

[537] Without realizing it, Gram is already moving toward the house, with long strides, ignoring his slight limp.

Within a moment, he's through the door, his eyes looking around for the Imperial woman.  Something was nagging at the back of his mind, though ...

[538] 

[541] QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 13 2006, 11:44 PM)

[542] "Gram, no!", Nalion shouted after the large Nord. "Don't give in to it!"

Wrapping himself ina magical shield and an undead repelling aura, Nalion ran after Gram, but stayed clear of any walls where unwanted arms or other extremities might try to grab him.

[543] 

QUOTE(Aki @ Mar 13 2006, 11:32 PM)

[546] Reichi had stared, all of the women had been highly desirable, even the orc, and the argonian, Goranthir's Kynarine blast and voice kept any ideas forming from progressing too far. These were the enemy, thery were in Mannimarco's territory and in a city of corpses. He tightened his grip on his blade and snarled.

Reichi leapt into the air, towards one of the women Nalion had silenced, swinging the holy blade at her.

[547] 

QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 11:33 PM)

[550] Without realizing it, Gram is already moving toward the house, with long strides, ignoring his slight limp.

Within a moment, he's through the door, his eyes looking around for the Imperial woman.  Something was nagging at the back of his mind, though ...

[551] 

[554] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 09:45 PM)

[555] The other women, yelling soundlessly, rushed to attack the heroes.  The one closest to Nalion was the Breton, her wild beautiful hair flowing behind her as she grabbed for his throat, only to repelled by the magical shield.

[556] 

[559] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 10:45 PM)

[560] The Dunmer woman was the closest, and Reichi swung at her, but she dodged the blade, her beautiful face curled up in an angry cry that had no sound.  The Altmer who was next to her clutched at the werewolf, with an unnaturally strong grip.
As Gram steps through the threshold, the others watch as the door slams shut from above, as the house grinds down on him, as if he stepped into a giant’s mouth.

The other women, yelling soundlessly, rushed to attack the heroes.  The one closest to Nalion was the Breton, her wild beautiful hair flowing behind her as she grabbed for his throat, only to repelled by the magical shield.

The Orc maiden, the only other unsilenced sister, had disappeared into a tower at the end of the street.

[561] 

[564] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 11:45 PM)

[565] The Dunmer woman was the closest, and Reichi swung at her, but she dodged the blade, her beautiful face curled up in an angry cry that had no sound.  The Altmer who was next to her clutched at the werewolf, with an unnaturally strong grip.

[566] 

[569] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 10:45 PM)

[570] The Dunmer woman was the closest, and Reichi swung at her, but she dodged the blade, her beautiful face curled up in an angry cry that had no sound.  The Altmer who was next to her clutched at the werewolf, with an unnaturally strong grip.
As Gram steps through the threshold, the others watch as the door slams shut from above, as the house grinds down on him, as if he stepped into a giant’s mouth.

The other women, yelling soundlessly, rushed to attack the heroes.  The one closest to Nalion was the Breton, her wild beautiful hair flowing behind her as she grabbed for his throat, only to repelled by the magical shield.

The Orc maiden, the only other unsilenced sister, had disappeared into a tower at the end of the street.

[571] 

QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 13 2006, 10:52 PM)

[574] Nalion's eyes looked soft and with pity for a moment as he gazed into the Breton woman's eyes, then he opened his palm towards her and a searing streak of white-blue lighting bolted towards her.

Then, Nalion saw the house shutting behind Gram and he shouted in dismay. "Gram!!"

[575] 

[578] QUOTE(stargate525 @ Mar 13 2006, 11:48 PM)

[579] Valerius growls, his shield's shield flaring to life around him as he moves in to engage, Slashing at the Dunmer.

Reeds moves in to cover people's backs.

[580] 

QUOTE(Aki @ Mar 13 2006, 11:55 PM)

[583] Reichi swung at the Dunmer again, and kicked at the Altmer woman with his foot/paw. While his foot-claws weren't as large as a Argonian's, their slightly curved nature suited them to gutting.

[584] 

QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 13 2006, 11:52 PM)

[587] Nalion's eyes looked soft and with pity for a moment as he gazed into the Breton woman's eyes, then he opened his palm towards her and a searing streak of white-blue lighting bolted towards her.

Then, Nalion saw the house shutting behind Gram and he shouted in dismay. "Gram!!"

[588] 

[591] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 10:55 PM)

[592] As the white-skinned women charge the heroes, Reichi, Valerius, and Reeds can feel the power of a Fortify Strength and Speed spell envelop them, and Slyvos is hit with a Fortify Intelligence and Willpower spell.

Someone might notice a dark-haired figure lurking in the shadows of a building across the street.
Nalion hears Gram cry out in surprise and pain, and the terrible sound of metal being crunched and rent ...

[593] 

[597] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 10:55 PM)

[598] As the white-skinned women charge the heroes, Reichi, Valerius, and Reeds can feel the power of a Fortify Strength and Speed spell envelop them, and Slyvos is hit with a Fortify Intelligence and Willpower spell.

Someone might notice a dark-haired figure lurking in the shadows of a building across the street.
Nalion hears Gram cry out in surprise and pain, and the terrible sound of metal being crunched and rent ...

[599] 

[602] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 12:04 AM)

[603] The Dunmer maiden jumps nimbly back, avoiding Valerius’s sword swipes, just as she had Reichi’s claws …
And she walked right into Reichi’s sword, gaping wordlessly as she looked at the holy sword imbedded in her.

The Altmer, however, equally nimble as the Dunmer, leapt over Reichi, getting into position to attack.

[604] 

[607] QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 13 2006, 11:05 PM)

[608] Nalion saw the sturdy door, took a few steps back from it and aimed a persistent stream of fire at the door, trying to heat it up rapidly. A few seconds later, a bolt of frozen crystalline ice followed.
The mage hoped that the sudden difference in temperature would rip apart the door, then he turned, still wrapped in his turn undead aura, to face threats he had disregarded for a moment.

[609] 

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Mar 13 2006, 11:06 PM)

[612] Slyvos looked at himself, feeling his mental fortitude strengthen and his mind increase in capability, which brought it to a ludicrous level of thinking. He didn't bother looking to see who their mysterious benefactor was however, taking the time to cast a bolt of flame magic at the redguard that Goranthir was attacking to assist him. The faster they took these women out, the faster this would end.

[613] 

QUOTE(Aki @ Mar 13 2006, 11:11 PM)

[616] Reichi pulled the sword from the Dunmer and swung it at the Altmer, using his free hand to strike at the wounded Dunmer, and hopefully knock her away or injure her.

[617] 

[620] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 11:22 PM)

[621] Nalion's magic causes some of the bones forming the door to splinter and break, though he can see it would take a much more serious attack to actually break through.

Gram has stopped crying out and Nalion can hear the sound of metal sliding agains tbone as he turns to see the Khajiit and the Argonian both whipping their tails at him, the Ohmes-Raht snapping her tail around his ankle while the Argonian goes to slap him full in the chest.

However, Nalion also feels a Fortify Endurance spell overtake him as the white maidens attack.

The dark-haired figure slithers into the street, revealing herselfto be none other than Dayla.  Her vampiric nature is a bit more apparent now than it usually is, but the look on her face is one of steely detemrination as she raises her hands to fire off more spells.

[622] 

[625] QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 14 2006, 12:28 AM)

[626] Nalion grunts in dismay as the door would not give way, he clearly underestimated its sturdiness.
"Slyvos! I could use some help with this door!", he shouted, then he felt the hard tail of the Argonian female his his head...

Part of the blow was deflected by his shield, but it was still strong enough to knock him off his feet. The fortifying spell did its own to help Nalion get over this attack quickly. The Khajiiti tail's blow went over and past him.
Nalion rolled on the floor and out of the immediate danger, then lashed himself out with his magic at the Argonian, this time with the same purple tendril he had used when attacking Shaka as he was under Goranthir's spell.

[627] 

[630] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 13 2006, 11:52 PM)

[631] The Argonian was struck with Nalion's spell at the same moment she was struck by a drain health spell from Red-Rock-Shadow, and she cried out -- audibly.

The Khajiit realizing that the silence spell had run its duration, cleared her throat and said to Nalion: "I want you to go --"

Then her head tumbled off her neck with a swipe of Goranthir's blade.

"Go to Oblivion," he said.

[632] 

[635] QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 13 2006, 11:59 PM)

[636] "Thanks, Goranthir, that was just in time...", Nalion gasped, then looked around. The Nord and Orcish women seemed to have fled or hid themselves somewhere. The Imperial was in the bone house with Gram.
"Goran, can you blast this door with your blade? We need to get to Gram, quickly.", Nalion said, then his gaze fell on the snake vampiress. "Dayla."
The Breton's voice was calm, but very reserved and cautious.

[637] 

[640] QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 14 2006, 12:59 AM)

[641] "Thanks, Goranthir, that was just in time...", Nalion gasped, then looked around. The Nord and Orcish women seemed to have fled or hid themselves somewhere. The Imperial was in the bone house with Gram.
"Goran, can you blast this door with your blade? We need to get to Gram, quickly.", Nalion said, then his gaze fell on the snake vampiress. "Dayla."
The Breton's voice was calm, but very reserved and cautious.

[642] 

QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 14 2006, 01:02 AM)

[645] Dayla looks at Nalion, her fangs just protruding over her lower lips.  With some effort, she retracts them and says "I'm here for one reason and one reason only.  But we both want the same thing - so truce, if you'll have it."

She eyes the door and says "No offense meant, but I doubt your friend is still in that house ..."

[646] 

[649] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 14 2006, 12:02 AM)

[650] Dayla looks at Nalion, her fangs just protruding over her lower lips.  With some effort, she retracts them and says "I'm here for one reason and one reason only.  But we both want the same thing - so truce, if you'll have it."

She eyes the door and says "No offense meant, but I doubt your friend is still in that house ..."

[651] 

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 12:05 AM)

[654] Goranthir's Kynarine blasts and Red-Rock-Shadow's telekinesis confirmed it.  Tearing the place apart, there was no sign of Gram or the pale Imperial beauty.

Goranthir looked at Nalion helplessly and then turned to see who he was talking to.  His eyes grew wide.

"You!"

[655] 

[658] QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 14 2006, 01:12 AM)

[659] Nalion cursed loud in dismay as he saw that the house was empty. Then the mage turned to Dayla, looking intently at her, and her retracting fangs.
After a few moments of thinking, he nodded.
"So be it. A truce. It seems we don't have much choice here.", he agreed. "Thank you for your assistance in the battle."

"Goran, I think you know Dayla as well. Please, no hostility here.", the mage said to Goran, then continued to ask. "You both know this place, you've been here before. How can we free Gram? Can we follow his trace in some way?"

[660] 

[663] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 12:05 AM)

[664] Goranthir's Kynarine blasts and Red-Rock-Shadow's telekinesis confirmed it.  Tearing the place apart, there was no sign of Gram or the pale Imperial beauty.

Goranthir looked at Nalion helplessly and then turned to see who he was talking to.  His eyes grew wide.

"You!"

[665] 

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 12:17 AM)

[668] "Another 'friendly' vampire," Red-Rock-Shadow said, her tone neutral. "Well, I too appreciate the boost to my power -- Dayla, is it?"

Goranthir muttered under his breath. "All right, but after this is over, I'll chase you over Vvardenfell and see how you like it, snake lady ..."

Still frowning, he scanned the area. "We need to go somewhere high to take a look at the city.  Gram's now a part of it, whatever is currently being built ..."

[669] 

[672] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 12:17 AM)

[673] "Another 'friendly' vampire," Red-Rock-Shadow said, her tone neutral. "Well, I too appreciate the boost to my power -- Dayla, is it?"

Goranthir muttered under his breath. "All right, but after this is over, I'll chase you over Vvardenfell and see how you like it, snake lady ..."

Still frowning, he scanned the area. "We need to go somewhere high to take a look at the city.  Gram's now a part of it, whatever is currently being built ..."

[674] 

[677] QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 14 2006, 01:23 AM)

[678] Nalion shot Goranthir a glance that clearly said that he'd rather chase Dayla over all of Tamriel, too, in stead of having to fear for Gram in this forsaken city of the dead.
Gram... Nalion should have known, having seen this city, how it was built, the bones, the corpses. A cold hand of fear clasped his heart, fear for his friend, fear of the moment he might have to tell Loranna what happened to her father.
"We must hurry.", Nalion said, taking a potion to restore his magicka out of his pocket and drinking it. Then, he cast a levitation spell on himself shooting a questioning glance at Goranthir whether he needed one, too.

[679] 

[682] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 12:25 AM)

[683] He didn't, as Red-Rock-Shadow spread her wings and grabbed him by the waist.  She looked over the Dayla as she took to the air. "Do you need a lift too, Dayla?"

[684] 

[687] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 14 2006, 12:29 AM)

[688] Dayla shakes her head, her snake torso reforming into Dunmer legs.  After a moment's concentration, she sprouts Seducer-like wings and takes flight herself.

Calling upon her vampiric senses, she scans the city, looking for any sign of Gram.

[689] 

[692] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 14 2006, 01:29 AM)

[693] Dayla shakes her head, her snake torso reforming into Dunmer legs.  After a moment's concentration, she sprouts Seducer-like wings and takes flight herself.

Calling upon her vampiric senses, she scans the city, looking for any sign of Gram.

[694] 

[697] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 12:36 AM)

[698] From the sky, the four have a good view of all, and without seeing the details of what the buildings and streets are made out of, it has a remarkable kind of beauty.  All at once it is ornate as an Altmer city, and austere as an Imperial city, with eccentric touches from other cultures to give it character.  There can be no doubt that Mannimarco is a genius, albeit a diabolical one.

Scanning an entire city for one man would have been too much even more an old, powerful vampire like Dayla.  When the city has no one living in it, however, the task becomes much easier ...

Dayla finds him at about the same time Goranthir, Red-Rock-Shadow, and Nalion note the most obvious new construction.  In the midst of a grand plaza in front of the palace, the loggia that surrounds it is only half-completed.  The statue of a robed man also appears to be under construction ...

[699] 

QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 14 2006, 01:52 AM)

[703] "That looks like our best bet," Dayla says, pointing to the loggia.  "Let's go - but be careful, those three girls are still at large, plus ... other things."

She avoids looking at Goranthir when she talks, drecting her statement more to Nalion and Red-Rock-Shadow.

[704] 

[707] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 07:15 PM)

[708] Loranna considers the information B relates to her, fragmentary and obscure, yet ominous ... portents that, individually, might not have meant something, but together suggested a vast and hidden movement that was preparing to do ... something ...

However, the one thing B seemed to be reasonably sure on, was that Azura was not involved.  At least, he seemed reasonably sure, and for Loranna, that was enough, for now.

Neither of them being ready to go bother the Emperor or Celarus for further details, Loranna regals B with stories of her adventures in the Spheres, talks some about the civil war in Morrowind, especially the attack on Ald Raathim with the giant crabs, and asks about the Blue Twilight and how the Psijics fared during those times.  It felt good to sit down and talk with B, considering how she had interacted with him so little back in the early days, and was his enemy at the time - a position she wouldn't have actually chosen had she been in her right mind.

[709] 

QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 13 2006, 09:15 PM)

[713] Loranna considers the information B relates to her, fragmentary and obscure, yet ominous ... portents that, individually, might not have meant something, but together suggested a vast and hidden movement that was preparing to do ... something ...

However, the one thing B seemed to be reasonably sure on, was that Azura was not involved.  At least, he seemed reasonably sure, and for Loranna, that was enough, for now.

Neither of them being ready to go bother the Emperor or Celarus for further details, Loranna regals B with stories of her adventures in the Spheres, talks some about the civil war in Morrowind, especially the attack on Ald Raathim with the giant crabs, and asks about the Blue Twilight and how the Psijics fared during those times.  It felt good to sit down and talk with B, considering how she had interacted with him so little back in the early days, and was his enemy at the time - a position she wouldn't have actually chosen had she been in her right mind.

[714] 

[717] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 01:57 AM)

[718] Lasthold, Scourg Barrow
"Let's take the ground then, to avoid attracting any extra attention," Red-Rock-Shadow replied.  She could tell there was history here, but now was not the time to air grievances.  If it were, she would have had it out with Slashes long ago ...

The heroes began their walk, down the road of bones, avoiding the restless dead impacted into walls that reached out to them, and stared with undead eyes.

[719] 

[723] QUOTE(B @ Mar 14 2006, 06:05 AM)

[724] Sentinel

B had enjoyed his conversation with Loranna.  Listening to her talk had reminded him of just how much things had changed since they had last seen each other: some things had changed for the better, and others, like Mannimarco’s rise to terror, had become far worse.

Once Loranna had been convinced that Azura had no part in this 'Dawn,' she had listened intently.  He had hoped that maybe she had known something of this group, but obviously she hadn't.  B also had wished that he had had more specific details to tell her.  The Psijics had seemed convinced that a plan was to be set in motion, something moving in the shadows, that could pose a threat to the Empire, but what proof it would take to convince Emperor Uriel, B did not know.

In the end, after she had left, B had felt confident that he had been able to convince Loranna of the threat of this Mythic Dawn.  Now, if only Loremaster Celarus could be successful in convincing the Emperor. . .

[725] 

QUOTE(S'reddit @ Mar 14 2006, 06:02 AM)

[728] Around King Lhotun, the joyous mood continued all night, as the rain continued to fall, but Loranna noted that at some point Hlaalu Morgiah, the Emperor, and Loremaster Celarus had all left the room.  Reman stayed, but seemed distant.

Eventually, when she made her way to the comfortable silk bed that had been provided for her, she slept to the soporific sounds of the rain outside her window.

Loranna’s Dream in Firsthold

Loranna was walking along a familiar path in a city she recognized, where rain was also falling.  She recognized at once it was Vivec.  She was alone, but she could hear some disturbance ahead in the Temple District.  As she walked along the bath, she noticed that as the rain fell into puddles at her bare feet and the dirt was washed off, the paths were all made of gold …

[729] 

QUOTE(One87xe @ Mar 14 2006, 02:11 PM)

[733] The sisters continue with the group down the road of bone

[734] 

[737] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 04:48 PM)

[738] Firsthold, Scourg Barrow
As the group walks along, they pass the Arena, a massive colisseum entirely made of skulls.  Inside it, they can hear a horrible battle under way, squeals, grunts, and screams that sound almost human ...

[739] 

[742] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 03:48 PM)

[743] Firsthold, Scourg Barrow
As the group walks along, they pass the Arena, a massive colisseum entirely made of skulls.  Inside it, they can hear a horrible battle under way, squeals, grunts, and screams that sound almost human ...

[744] 

QUOTE(syronj @ Mar 14 2006, 04:51 PM)

[748] Shaka stopped and looked at the others.  "Should we look into this, or would we be outnumbered enough that we should wait until the two armies attack Mannimarco?"

[749] 

QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 14 2006, 04:51 PM)

[752] She turns her head toward the Arena and frowns.  "Let's not get any closer to that than we have to ..."

[753] 

[756] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 04:56 PM)

[757] Lasthold, Scourg Barrow
Just then, there was a roar of a crowd within the arena.  Not only were there combatants within, there were spectators.  A lot of them.

Goranthir nodded, and pointed towards an archway across the street which was at a higher elevation than the entrance to the Arena, and bring them closer to the palace and the unfinished loggia and statue, where they suspected Gram would be found ... dead or alive.

[758] 

[761] QUOTE(syronj @ Mar 14 2006, 04:00 PM)

[762] Shaka headed to the archway with the group.  "Incredible, that the dead are not just the building blocks of this necropolis, but spectators in an arena.  The King of Worms is full of surprises, unfortunately."

[763] 

QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 14 2006, 05:05 PM)

[767] Dayla looks back at the Arena for a moment.  " ... I suppose you're right; those women were a surprise to me as well," she admits, finding herself wondering if Mannimarco did in fact have a place for the vampires in this new world of his.

Turning away, she keeps walking.  This was a bad time to be having second thoughts.  Still ...

[768] 

[771] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 14 2006, 04:05 PM)

[772] Dayla looks back at the Arena for a moment.  " ... I suppose you're right; those women were a surprise to me as well," she admits, finding herself wondering if Mannimarco did in fact have a place for the vampires in this new world of his.

Turning away, she keeps walking.  This was a bad time to be having second thoughts.  Still ...

[773] 

QUOTE

[776] "The surprises have been and will be bad," Red-Rock-Shadow nodded. "Keep alert."

The arch passed over to a grand boulevard leading to the plaza and the palace ahead. Even from some distance away, the group could recognize the figure represented on the still incomplete statue from his image in various Mage Guilds throughout Tamriel. It was Vanus Galerion, the founder of the Guild.

"His ancient enemy immortalized in bones," the Argonian battlemage mused under her breath.[777] 

QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 14 2006, 02:19 PM)

[781] Something was different, Loranna thinks to herself as she hurries to the Temple District, along the paths of gold in Vivec, which was Firsthold.  The golden path felt oddly strange yet familiar to her feet, and there was a nagging feeling she was missing something as she got closer and closer to the Temple ...

[782] 

[785] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 04:56 PM)

[786] Lasthold, Scourg Barrow
Just then, there was a roar of a crowd within the arena.  Not only were there combatants within, there were spectators.  A lot of them.

Goranthir nodded, and pointed towards an archway across the street which was at a higher elevation than the entrance to the Arena, and bring them closer to the palace and the unfinished loggia and statue, where they suspected Gram would be found ... dead or alive.

[787] 

QUOTE

[790] he khajiit mage just blinked, growling at the sight. "creative... why does such genius have to go to waste creating horrors?" He wondered aloud to himself.[791] 

[794] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 04:19 PM)

[795] Loranna's Dream
A huge crowd joined her, appearing in every direction, chattering to themselves.  The excitement was not in the Temple District itself, but just outside of Vivec.  The young and old, men and mer, ladies and gentlemen alike all moved to see what they thought would be either a Holy Visitation or a Trial.

Loranna was nearly trampled by the enthusiasm of the crowd, but a hand pulled her out of the way of a particularly enthusiastic group.

A dapper man with a waistcoat and cane, slightly askew hair, and even more askew eyes took her arm.  He was immediately familiar, but not at all threatening.

"Shall we, my dear?" Sheogorath asked, smiling. "This promises to be quite the spectacle."

[796] 

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Mar 14 2006, 05:17 PM)

[800] The khajiit mage just blinked, growling at the sight. "creative... why does such genius have to go to waste creating horrors?" He wondered aloud to himself.

[801] 

[804] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 04:33 PM)

[805] Lasthold, Scourg Barrow
As they stepped into the plaza, they could see just how amazing the statue was, with bodies and bones twisted to show even the folds of Galerion's cloak and the fibers of his beard, in a hundred foot high statue.  An arm and part of the chest were missing, but it was a masterpiece then and there.

The loggia that ran around the periphery of the plaza was also unfinished.  Elevated above the ground by columns above and below, it, like much of the architecture of Lasthold was simultaneously ornate and classic.  The walkway was open to the air facing the plaza by design, but the holes in the floor and the lack of steps to get to it pointed to its unfinished state.

The plaza itself was wide open except for the statue and the wide steps to the grand palace, a glowering manor to rival any above ground, in the Imperial City or Firsthold.

[806] 

QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 14 2006, 05:27 PM)

[810] Loranna blinks, her heart pounding.  She remembered this man, she thought; she had danced with him at a ball, and he'd been a perfect dance partner, teaching her steps she never knew ...

She felt strange, not totally in control of herself; somewhere she heard a silent voice saying Wake up stupid girl!  It's HIM!, but her head was already nodding and her mouth was saying "Sure, why not ..."

As she and the dapper fellow head on, though, Loranna suddenly asks him " ... Haven't we been here together before?  Or am I getting things mixed up?"

[811] 

[814] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 14 2006, 05:38 PM)

[815] Dayla glances over at Slyvos for a brief second, though she keeps her thoughts to herself.  From the look on her face though, she was thinking things she'd rather not think.

" ... We should start looking for your friend ..." she suggests, casting her eyes to one of the holes in the floor.

[816] 

[819] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 04:40 PM)

[820] Loranna's Dream: Vivec
"Not at all, my dear, you have never been less mixed up, we are friendly aquaintances from some time ago," Sheogorath smiled gently, leading her to a railing overlooking the affair below.

There were several figures below.  Allerleirauh, Jazbet, Arynel, many, many others, together with the vast crowd, spilling around the open hall.  In the center was a very familiar person, a young Nord girl with ashen skin, and silver tearstreaks, who was clearly pregnant, just like her ...

Though now when Loranna felt her belly, there was no baby in it.  Not that this bothered her.

The familiar girl in the middle of the hall was speaking, her voice both strong and faltering. "In Morrowind, I saw just how much my presence was harming people. Lives had been lost and livlihoods sacrificed in my name, in Azura's name, never to be adequately recompensed - lives which had been doing fair enough without me or the goddess up to that point. I did not know how to truly help the Dunmer people and never had ..."

(Be back in an hour)

[821] 

QUOTE(syronj @ Mar 14 2006, 05:56 PM)

[825] "Dayla, I don't know if anyone's told you who I am.  Shaka.  Long story though, it can wait.  .    .  .  Maybe I should levitate up and check the statue's gaps too, just in case."

[826] 

[829] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 06:09 PM)

[830] Lasthold, Scourg Barrow
"You shouldn't go alone," Goranthir said, and Red-Rock-Shadow nodded, lifting him up as she spread her wings, carrying him across the plaza to the loggia.  The corpses were indeed fresher there in the newly built section, and several of them open their eyes and mouths and stretched out their hands at the heroes' approach ...

[831] 

QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 14 2006, 06:47 PM)

[836] Loranna's eyes were immediately drawn to the figures of Allerleirauh, and Jazbet, and the ashen-faced barmaid who was recovering from a momentary hesistation in her speech.

She knew, she realized, why the girl had hesitated.  Words had rumbled unbidden in the barmaid's mind, words spoken in a voice like a thousand Twilights.

"Enough; speak my will next ..." Loranna muttered, feeling caught in the moment just before an egg cracked, feeling the world whirling around her head like she was being spun on the dance floor.  Her eyes, however, remained glued to the three figures that commanded her vision ...

[837] 

[840] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 06:47 PM)

[841] Loranna's Dream, Vivec
“And the goddess, who had told me she wished to return to her people to lead them into a new age, said nothing to guide me in helping her people,” the Nord continued, her tone more strident, more ringing.

The faithful around Loranna and Sheogorath buzzed amongst themselves, trying to understand what she was saying.  Loranna noticed a little girl in the crowd with her family on the ledge, and recognized her as Tamne, though much younger, with red Dunmeri eyes.  Tamne turned to her and giggled, not understanding the consternation and confusion, but enjoying the sight.

She also saw the Bathogorgen vampires watching, in human form, Ashana and Dayla whispering to one another.

Down in the hall, she recognized more people.  There was Solin and Arynel next to Allerleirauh.  And B, who she had just spoken to, next to Aricyn.

“She simply sat and accepted the devotion offered her, letting my empty promises be the reward for that faith!” the Nord girl continued, addressing the crowd.  Their response was bewilderment mixed with anger. Who was she, this outlander, to be speaking so about their Goddess?

“Keep watching,” Sheogorath said, holding her hand. “The best is yet to come.”

[842] 

[845] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 03:09 PM)

[846] Lasthold, Scourg Barrow
"You shouldn't go alone," Goranthir said, and Red-Rock-Shadow nodded, lifting him up as she spread her wings, carrying him across the plaza to the loggia.  The corpses were indeed fresher there in the newly built section, and several of them open their eyes and mouths and stretched out their hands at the heroes' approach ...

[847] 

[850] QUOTE(One87xe @ Mar 14 2006, 08:08 PM)

[851] The sisters stroll along with the rest of the group, Ora still hacking at any undead arms that interfere with her progress

Osa's mesmerized that the twistedness continues...she also wonders what's going on in the Arena

[852] 

QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 14 2006, 09:01 PM)

[856] A look of confusion was coming over Loranna's face; the crack was widening, but not the way she had expected.

Her eyes glance back to Ashana and Dayla, and she shakes her head, thinking to herself How do I know who they are?  I never saw either of them ...

Then, Ashana looked up, and somehow Loranna could swear the vampiress caught her eye - and Loranna shuddered, seeing in the Dunmer's face a terrible, unyielding, undying promise ...

Ashana smiled and patted her stomach twice, and then turned back to Dayla, and Loranna turned to glare at Sheogorath, comprehension dawning.

[857] 

[860] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 08:21 PM)

[861] Loranna's Dream, Vivec
The Nord’s voice rang out even louder, silencing those around them.

“That is what she intended to offer all alon –“

The Nord suddenly stopped in mid sentence as if changing her mind.  She stiffened, and raised her head up, looking directly at Loranna with blazing blue eyes.

Before the Nord’s voice had been loud, determined, but this was no mortal’s tongue that spoke next.  It echoed through Vivec, and people instinctively screamed in surprise and shock.

“ENOUGH!  THERE WILL BE NO TRIAL!  THIS IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT NOW!”

As the city erupted around them, Sheogorath took Loranna’s hand, and together they sailed up over the city into the storm overhead.

[862] 

QUOTE(syronj @ Mar 14 2006, 05:56 PM)

[866] "Dayla, I don't know if anyone's told you who I am.  Shaka.  Long story though, it can wait.  .    .  .  Maybe I should levitate up and check the statue's gaps too, just in case."

[867] 

[870] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 09:30 PM)

[871] Lasthold, Scourg Barrow
As the heroes levitated or flew up to the loggia, looking around it, they heard a slight giggle behind one of the columns.  Coming closer, they heard a low woman’s voice say:

"Just relax and let yourself die like you're supposed to, like a good little brick."

The column was too wide to see anything.  They would have to land on the walkway to approach the source of the voice.  The faces of the dead along the walkway had already opened their eyes and stretched out their hands, seeing them.

[872] 

[875] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 08:30 PM)

[876] Lasthold, Scourg Barrow
As the heroes levitated or flew up to the loggia, looking around it, they heard a slight giggle behind one of the columns.  Coming closer, they heard a low woman’s voice say:

"Just relax and let yourself die like you're supposed to, like a good little brick."

The column was too wide to see anything.  They would have to land on the walkway to approach the source of the voice.  The faces of the dead along the walkway had already opened their eyes and stretched out their hands, seeing them.

[877] 

[880] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 09:30 PM)

[881] Lasthold, Scourg Barrow
As the heroes levitated or flew up to the loggia, looking around it, they heard a slight giggle behind one of the columns.  Coming closer, they heard a low woman’s voice say:

"Just relax and let yourself die like you're supposed to, like a good little brick."

The column was too wide to see anything.  They would have to land on the walkway to approach the source of the voice.  The faces of the dead along the walkway had already opened their eyes and stretched out their hands, seeing them.

[882] 

[885] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 05:30 PM)

[886] Lasthold, Scourg Barrow
As the heroes levitated or flew up to the loggia, looking around it, they heard a slight giggle behind one of the columns.  Coming closer, they heard a low woman’s voice say:

"Just relax and let yourself die like you're supposed to, like a good little brick."

The column was too wide to see anything.  They would have to land on the walkway to approach the source of the voice.  The faces of the dead along the walkway had already opened their eyes and stretched out their hands, seeing them.

[887] 

[890] QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 14 2006, 07:37 PM)

[891] Nalion renewed his levitation spell and hovered higher and away from the outstretched hands of the living corpses, then he put a hand on his lips. A second later, the mage shimmered from view. The last bit that was seen of Nalion before he turned invisible was heading towards the voices...

[892] 

[896] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 09:30 PM)

[897] Lasthold, Scourg Barrow
As the heroes levitated or flew up to the loggia, looking around it, they heard a slight giggle behind one of the columns.  Coming closer, they heard a low woman’s voice say:

"Just relax and let yourself die like you're supposed to, like a good little brick."

The column was too wide to see anything.  They would have to land on the walkway to approach the source of the voice.  The faces of the dead along the walkway had already opened their eyes and stretched out their hands, seeing them.

[898] 

QUOTE(syronj @ Mar 14 2006, 08:34 PM)

[902] Trying for stealth as much as possible, Shaka landed on the walkway and ran in the direction of the voice.

[903] 

[906] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 08:40 PM)

[907] Lasthold, Scourg Barrow
Goranthir and Red-Rock-Shadow were right behind him, but the stealthy approach was marred by the clawing hands and thrashing bodies of the fresh undead corpses that lined the walls.

They saw the three remaining white sisters, the Orc, the Imperial, and the Nord, standing behind the column, looking at the wall.  As soon as the corpses began their moan, the Imperial looked in their direction, her eyes widening.

Goranthir pulled out his sword, and Red-Rock-Shadow launched a Silence spell at them.

[908] 

[911] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 07:40 PM)

[912] Goranthir pulled out his sword, and Red-Rock-Shadow launched a Silence spell at them.

[913] 

[916] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 09:40 PM)

[917] Lasthold, Scourg Barrow
Goranthir and Red-Rock-Shadow were right behind him, but the stealthy approach was marred by the clawing hands and thrashing bodies of the fresh undead corpses that lined the walls.

They saw the three remaining white sisters, the Orc, the Imperial, and the Nord, standing behind the column, looking at the wall.  As soon as the corpses began their moan, the Imperial looked in their direction, her eyes widening.

Goranthir pulled out his sword, and Red-Rock-Shadow launched a Silence spell at them.

[918] 

[921] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 08:40 PM)

[922] Lasthold, Scourg Barrow
Goranthir and Red-Rock-Shadow were right behind him, but the stealthy approach was marred by the clawing hands and thrashing bodies of the fresh undead corpses that lined the walls.

They saw the three remaining white sisters, the Orc, the Imperial, and the Nord, standing behind the column, looking at the wall.  As soon as the corpses began their moan, the Imperial looked in their direction, her eyes widening.

Goranthir pulled out his sword, and Red-Rock-Shadow launched a Silence spell at them.

[923] 

[926] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 05:40 PM)

[927] Lasthold, Scourg Barrow
Goranthir and Red-Rock-Shadow were right behind him, but the stealthy approach was marred by the clawing hands and thrashing bodies of the fresh undead corpses that lined the walls.

They saw the three remaining white sisters, the Orc, the Imperial, and the Nord, standing behind the column, looking at the wall.  As soon as the corpses began their moan, the Imperial looked in their direction, her eyes widening.

Goranthir pulled out his sword, and Red-Rock-Shadow launched a Silence spell at them.

[928] 

[931] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 09:40 PM)

[932] Lasthold, Scourg Barrow
Goranthir and Red-Rock-Shadow were right behind him, but the stealthy approach was marred by the clawing hands and thrashing bodies of the fresh undead corpses that lined the walls.

They saw the three remaining white sisters, the Orc, the Imperial, and the Nord, standing behind the column, looking at the wall.  As soon as the corpses began their moan, the Imperial looked in their direction, her eyes widening.

Goranthir pulled out his sword, and Red-Rock-Shadow launched a Silence spell at them.

[933] 

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 09:40 PM)

[939] Goranthir pulled out his sword, and Red-Rock-Shadow launched a Silence spell at them.

[940] 

QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 14 2006, 08:43 PM)

[943] Nalion appeared some feet above the ground and to the right of Red-Rock-Shadow, waving his arms and casting another silence spell at the undead women, taking them into a crossfire.
"We're here, Gram!", Nalion said desperately, trying to get the Nord's attention so that he would not drift away into death. "Hold on, hold on."

[944] 

QUOTE(stargate525 @ Mar 14 2006, 09:44 PM)

[947] "Die you undead spawn of-" Valerius starts. What exactly they were spawn of, nobody could tell, as he abruptly switched to a war cry, charging into the three women, sword drawn.

[948] 

QUOTE(Aki @ Mar 14 2006, 08:45 PM)

[951] Well, so much for stealth.. Reichi thought, bounding forward to engage in combat with the three ivory colored women. He swung his blade and claws at the closest woman as he closed the distance.

[952] 

QUOTE(One87xe @ Mar 14 2006, 09:45 PM)

[955] Ora charges towards the Orc, staying just behind the incoming Spells while Osa uses a Fortify Strength Scroll in hopes of buffing Ora and the rest of the frontal ranks

[956] 

QUOTE(syronj @ Mar 14 2006, 08:46 PM)

[959] The Spear at the ready, Shaka ran for the sisters.  A part of him regretted destroying beauty, but he imagined Dibella would understand;  this was more like destroying ultimate ugliness. 

Shaka would try to impale one of the women with the Spear, then decapitate her with the glass longknife before the Silence spell started wearing off.  That was the plan at any rate .  .  . .

[960] 

QUOTE(Slashes-With-Claws @ Mar 14 2006, 09:47 PM)

[963] Hesek forgot about stealth and began hacking his way along the walkway.  He screeched a Hist war cry and charged the group.

[964] 

[968] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 09:12 PM)

[969] Lasthold, Scourg Barrow
Between Nalion and Red-Rock-Shadow’s spells, the three pale beauties were silenced, as they prove when they snarled at the approaching heroes, and no sound issued forth.
The three maidens seeing Goranthir, Valerius, Reichi, Ora, Shaka, and Slashes approaching, Slyvos readying a spell, dodged the immediate attacks and leapt agilely to the square, running up the steps to the palace.

The wall they had been peering at was a nightmarish mosaic of rotten flesh, hanging skeletons, and one particular familiar face who stared at them with the same expression as the others.  It was Gram, embraced by the bones around him, stuck fast.

[970] 

[974] QUOTE(Slashes-With-Claws @ Mar 14 2006, 08:15 PM)

[975] Slashes looks at the face of Gram.  He casts a healing spell to keep him alive while they figure out what to do.  "Do we just cut away the rest of the wall and free him?"

[976] 

[981] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 09:12 PM)

[982] Lasthold, Scourg Barrow
Between Nalion and Red-Rock-Shadow’s spells, the three pale beauties were silenced, as they prove when they snarled at the approaching heroes, and no sound issued forth.
The three maidens seeing Goranthir, Valerius, Reichi, Ora, Shaka, and Slashes approaching, Slyvos readying a spell, dodged the immediate attacks and leapt agilely to the square, running up the steps to the palace.

The wall they had been peering at was a nightmarish mosaic of rotten flesh, hanging skeletons, and one particular familiar face who stared at them with the same expression as the others.  It was Gram, embraced by the bones around him, stuck fast.

[983] 

[986] QUOTE(Stargazey @ Mar 14 2006, 09:19 PM)

[987] Tsei readied a healing spell if Nalion's or Slashes's wasn't sufficent, while Isidor and Ingmar gave chase to the madiens, letting the more skilled in healing tend to Gram.

[988] 

QUOTE(syronj @ Mar 14 2006, 09:24 PM)

[991] While the others hacked away at the corpses imprisoning Gram, Shaka decided to try to stop the women before they could get inside the palace.  Their head start might prove too great, but he had to try.
Shaka said as much over his shoulder to the others as he ran for the palace.

[992] 

[996] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 14 2006, 10:26 PM)

[997] Seeing several people rushing to the Palace, Dayla says "Wait!  You don't know..."

She starts hurrying after them, trying to cast defensive spells on them as they run.

Gram, meanwhile, gradually comes out of his horrified stupor, and a look of anger comes to his face.  With a visible effort, he tries to pull himself free ...

[998] 

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Mar 14 2006, 10:19 PM)

[1001] Tsei readied a healing spell if Nalion's or Slashes's wasn't sufficent, while Isidor and Ingmar gave chase to the madiens, letting the more skilled in healing tend to Gram.

[1002] 

QUOTE(One87xe @ Mar 14 2006, 10:20 PM)

[1005] Both sisters stare at the wall in disgust, Osa holding her stomach as she observes the Wall...Ora meanwhile is in hot pursuit of the 3 Women...dashing up the stairs with all the speed she can muster

[1006] 

QUOTE(syronj @ Mar 14 2006, 10:24 PM)

[1009] While the others hacked away at the corpses imprisoning Gram, Shaka decided to try to stop the women before they could get inside the palace.  Their head start might prove too great, but he had to try.
Shaka said as much over his shoulder to the others as he ran for the palace.

[1010] 

[1013] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 10:33 PM)

[1014] With Nalion, Tsei, Reeds, and Slyvos struggling to pull Gram from the wall, they succeed, all the while being pulled at by the hands of the other “bricks” in the wall.  He falls heavily to the floor, shaking.
Isidor, Ingmar, Ora, Shaka, and Dayla race after them in hot pursuit.  Immediately inside the palace was an enormous gallery, featuring a huge statue, a hundred feet tall, of a tiger with bat-like wings.  In front of the statue is a pile of equipment, weapons, and other artifacts, including Gram’s.

From the shadowy side passageways of the gallery, hidden behind columns and colonnades, comes the sounds of slithering.

[1015] 

[1018] QUOTE(syronj @ Mar 14 2006, 08:39 PM)

[1019] "Damn.  .  .  .  We're in over our heads.  Let's get the equipment and go," suggested Shaka.

What could the statue be?   he wondered.  He half-remembered hearing of a type of dragon like that.  K'a Po-Tun or something.

[1020] 

[1023] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 06:33 PM)

[1024] Isidor, Ingmar, Ora, Shaka, and Dayla race after them in hot pursuit.  Immediately inside the palace was an enormous gallery, featuring a huge statue, a hundred feet tall, of a tiger with bat-like wings.  In front of the statue is a pile of equipment, weapons, and other artifacts, including Gram’s.

From the shadowy side passageways of the gallery, hidden behind columns and colonnades, comes the sounds of slithering.

[1025] 

[1028] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 09:33 PM)

[1029] With Nalion, Tsei, Reeds, and Slyvos struggling to pull Gram from the wall, they succeed, all the while being pulled at by the hands of the other “bricks” in the wall.  He falls heavily to the floor, shaking.
Isidor, Ingmar, Ora, Shaka, and Dayla race after them in hot pursuit.  Immediately inside the palace was an enormous gallery, featuring a huge statue, a hundred feet tall, of a tiger with bat-like wings.  In front of the statue is a pile of equipment, weapons, and other artifacts, including Gram’s.

From the shadowy side passageways of the gallery, hidden behind columns and colonnades, comes the sounds of slithering.

[1030] 

[1033] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 14 2006, 08:41 PM)

[1034] Gram, meanwhile, covers himself as best he can, still shaking.  He coughs, and swears "By Kyne, someone's head will roll for this ..."

[1035] 

[1039] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 09:33 PM)

[1040] With Nalion, Tsei, Reeds, and Slyvos struggling to pull Gram from the wall, they succeed, all the while being pulled at by the hands of the other “bricks” in the wall.  He falls heavily to the floor, shaking.

[1041] 

[1045] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 09:33 PM)

[1046] With Nalion, Tsei, Reeds, and Slyvos struggling to pull Gram from the wall, they succeed, all the while being pulled at by the hands of the other “bricks” in the wall.  He falls heavily to the floor, shaking.
Isidor, Ingmar, Ora, Shaka, and Dayla race after them in hot pursuit.  Immediately inside the palace was an enormous gallery, featuring a huge statue, a hundred feet tall, of a tiger with bat-like wings.  In front of the statue is a pile of equipment, weapons, and other artifacts, including Gram’s.

From the shadowy side passageways of the gallery, hidden behind columns and colonnades, comes the sounds of slithering.

[1047] 

[1050] QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 14 2006, 06:44 PM)

[1051] Nalion took his cloak from his shoulders and wrapped Gram into it, then, another healing spell, followed by a fatigue restoring incantation flowed into the Nord's body. Nalion hoped that the turn undead aura would hold the corpses, or anything else that might come near him, off.

"Be careful in that palace!", he shouted after his companions, then turned his attention to Gram.
"You'll get on your feet first before heads roll, Gram!", Nalion smiled as he heard the Nord's voice.

[1052] 

[1055] QUOTE(syronj @ Mar 14 2006, 10:39 PM)

[1056] "Damn.  .  .  .  We're in over our heads.  Let's get the equipment and go," suggested Shaka.

What could the statue be?   he wondered.  He half-remembered hearing of a type of dragon like that.  K'a Po-Tun or something.

[1057] 

QUOTE(stargate525 @ Mar 14 2006, 10:40 PM)

[1060] "What is this, looting or questing?" Valerius asks, as he hypocritically grabs as much of the stuff as he can. "An Expiditious retreat might be advisable..."

[1061] 

QUOTE(One87xe @ Mar 14 2006, 10:40 PM)

[1064] Ora quickly makes a run for the pile, pulling two Enchanted Rings from The top of the pile quickly slipping each on a finger...she hears the sound, preparing herself and listening carefully for where whatever's making the sound to attack

[1065] 

QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 14 2006, 10:41 PM)

[1068] " ... what's in here," Dayla finishes, instinctively changing to her snake woman form as she hears the sounds of slithering around her.

"I'll never understand heroes," Dayla mutters as she renews her protective spells on herself and the others with her, before tossing a globe of light into the shadows.

Gram, meanwhile, covers himself as best he can, still shaking.   He coughs, and swears "By Kyne, someone's head will roll for this ..."

[1069] 

QUOTE(stargate525 @ Mar 14 2006, 10:42 PM)

[1072] "Pretend that the blightstone has a head," Reeds advises as he runs after the rest of the group up to the palace.

[1073] 

QUOTE(Slashes-With-Claws @ Mar 14 2006, 10:42 PM)

[1076] Hesek hops off the walkway and runs towards the palace to see where the others went.  He stares at the statue for a moment then looks at the pile of stuff.  He wondered if it had belonged to the other "bricks".  He took a quick moment to see if there was any thing good in the pile, maybe a shield or other useful item.

He does not look long as his keen ears hear the slithering.  He makes another quick glance.

[1077] 

QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 14 2006, 10:44 PM)

[1080] Nalion took his cloak from his shoulders and wrapped Gram into it, then, another healing spell, followed by a fatigue restoring incantation flowed into the Nord's body. Nalion hoped that the turn undead aura would hold the corpses, or anything else that might come near him, off.

"Be careful in that palace!", he shouted after his companions, then turned his attention to Gram.
"You'll get on your feet first before heads roll, Gram!", Nalion smiled as he heard the Nord's voice.

[1081] 

[1084] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 10:55 PM)

[1085] The statue was some sort of crystalline material, slightly opaque.  Not like the bone-formed art in the rest of Lasthold at all.

Among the items that the heroes gathered up was Spellbreaker, tossed into the pile with the other items, many of which did seem to be high-quality.

“Tiuj cirkonstancauw rahkspeguligxos en so aspekto so Kvakoa …”

The sload did not move quickly, their massive forms filling the spaces between the columns, but they move relentlessly.  Their fat arms raised up, dark energy flowing out towards the heroes …

[1086] 

[1089] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 09:55 PM)

[1090] The statue was some sort of crystalline material, slightly opaque.  Not like the bone-formed art in the rest of Lasthold at all.

Among the items that the heroes gathered up was Spellbreaker, tossed into the pile with the other items, many of which did seem to be high-quality.

“Tiuj cirkonstancauw rahkspeguligxos en so aspekto so Kvakoa …”

The sload did not move quickly, their massive forms filling the spaces between the columns, but they move relentlessly.  Their fat arms raised up, dark energy flowing out towards the heroes …

[1091] 

[1094] QUOTE(syronj @ Mar 14 2006, 09:00 PM)

[1095] "If you have Silence spells, use them!" said Shaka, and threw a Greater Fireball at the sload.  "We have Gram's equipment.  We should run for it."

[1096] 

[1099] QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 14 2006, 10:00 PM)

[1100] Dayla casts short-lived Reflection spells on herself and the others, yelling "Forget the loot and start fighting, you all!"  Part of her wondered why the statue was so glaringly different from the rest of the city, and she didn't like the ideas she was getting at all ...

Gram, meanwhile, says "Thanks ..." as he gets to his feet, a slow grin coming to his face.  Hearing the commotion inside the palace, he grumbles "What have they gotten themselves into without me?" with a wink to Nalion - though the Nord's eyes still look haunted by nameless fears.

"Come on; we've still got fighting to do," he says, hurrying up the steps.

[1101] 

QUOTE(syronj @ Mar 14 2006, 11:00 PM)

[1107] "If you have Silence spells, use them!" said Shaka, and threw a Greater Fireball at the sload.  "We have Gram's equipment.  We should run for it."

[1108] 

QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 14 2006, 11:00 PM)

[1111] Dayla casts short-lived Reflection spells on herself and the others, yelling "Forget the loot and start fighting, you all!"  Part of her wondered why the statue was so glaringly different from the rest of the city, and she didn't like the ideas she was getting at all ...

[1112] 

QUOTE(stargate525 @ Mar 14 2006, 11:01 PM)

[1115] "Running sounds like a good idea!" Valerius replies, casting elemental spells at the sload as he backs out of the palace.

[1116] 

QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 14 2006, 11:03 PM)

[1119] Nalion nodded, probingly looking into Gram's eyes before he followed the Nord up the steps, casting a shield spell around himself.
The mage saw the Sload and the incantations... the words were weird - like nothing he had heard spoken before. Then the mage opened his palm and with a shouted incantation, a silence spell sprang forth rapidly crossing the distance between the mage and one of the Sload.

[1120] 

QUOTE(Slashes-With-Claws @ Mar 14 2006, 11:06 PM)

[1123] Hesek casts his strongest reflect spell and rolls to avoid the magicka coming at him; better to not take chances.  He grabs a glass tower shield off the stack and charges a sload, holy sword raised high, shield out in front.

[1124] 

QUOTE(Aki @ Mar 14 2006, 11:05 PM)

[1127] Reichi felt the reflect on himself and charged the sload nearest to him, his rapid pace contrasting with the slow, relentless pace of the Sload. With the same alacrity, Reichi slashed at the Sload with sword and claw, with the occaisonal bite or two.

[1128] 

[1131] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 10:17 PM)

[1132] “Tiuj cirkonstancauw rahkspeguligxos en so aspekto so Kvakoa …”

“Sload,” Goranthir said, leaping off the walkway down to the plaza and running for the palace. “They’re casting a spell to nullify the spellcasters ...!”

Red-Rock-Shadow didn’t like the sound of that at all, being a battlemage, but she flew after him.
Shaka’s fireball, Dayla’s reflection, Valerius’s elemental spells, Nalion’s silence, and Hesek’s reflection spells all fizzle, and they and the others in the gallery find themselves without their spellcasting abilities.
The sload, surprised, had no time to react, and was torn to pieces.  Twelve others remained, and at the sign of what happened to their brother, they cast shields on themselves and continued to press forward …

[1133] 

[1137] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 10:17 PM)

[1138] “Tiuj cirkonstancauw rahkspeguligxos en so aspekto so Kvakoa …”

“Sload,” Goranthir said, leaping off the walkway down to the plaza and running for the palace. “They’re casting a spell to nullify the spellcasters ...!”

Red-Rock-Shadow didn’t like the sound of that at all, being a battlemage, but she flew after him.
Shaka’s fireball, Dayla’s reflection, Valerius’s elemental spells, Nalion’s silence, and Hesek’s reflection spells all fizzle, and they and the others in the gallery find themselves without their spellcasting abilities.
The sload, surprised, had no time to react, and was torn to pieces.  Twelve others remained, and at the sign of what happened to their brother, they cast shields on themselves and continued to press forward …

[1139] 

[1142] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 10:17 PM)

[1143] “Tiuj cirkonstancauw rahkspeguligxos en so aspekto so Kvakoa …”

“Sload,” Goranthir said, leaping off the walkway down to the plaza and running for the palace. “They’re casting a spell to nullify the spellcasters ...!”

Red-Rock-Shadow didn’t like the sound of that at all, being a battlemage, but she flew after him.
Shaka’s fireball, Dayla’s reflection, Valerius’s elemental spells, Nalion’s silence, and Hesek’s reflection spells all fizzle, and they and the others in the gallery find themselves without their spellcasting abilities.
The sload, surprised, had no time to react, and was torn to pieces.  Twelve others remained, and at the sign of what happened to their brother, they cast shields on themselves and continued to press forward …

[1144] 

[1147] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 11:17 PM)

[1148] The sload, surprised, had no time to react, and was torn to pieces.  Twelve others remained, and at the sign of what happened to their brother, they cast shields on themselves and continued to press forward …

[1149] 

QUOTE(syronj @ Mar 14 2006, 11:22 PM)

[1153] Cursing, Shaka charged the sloads with the Spear.  If he could punch through their shields, cutting through the sload flesh would be as easy as butter.  But that was if he could get through their shields .   .   . .

"You had to waste time looting the equipment," he snarled at the other adventurers.

[1154] 

QUOTE(Loranna @ Mar 14 2006, 11:26 PM)

[1157] A look of anger crosses Dayla's face.  "Fine then; if that's how you want it to be ..." she says, her eyes turning reptilian.  "Then eat THIS!"

Dayla's body swells, growing half again as long; a second pair of arms grows under the first and wicked claws spring frim her fingers.  Her hair becomes an open, cobra-like hood and her face enlongates into that of a snake's, and scales cover her Dunmer torso.

With a hiss, she lashes out, covering the distance betwen herself and the next nearest Sload in seconds, her four arms raised to eviserate it.

Gram, meanwhile, pauses for but a split second before running to grab his gear from those who retrieved it.  He hurriedly straps Trueturner to his back and Spellbreaker to his arm, and hefts Frostkiss up, saying "I think I preferred the ladies to these slugs," before seeing if Sload like the cold of Frostkiss's blade.

[1158] 

QUOTE(Nalion @ Mar 14 2006, 11:27 PM)

[1161] Then, Nalion charged into one of the Sloads, staff held out in front of him and struck at the ugly slug. On the moment of contact with the creature, Nalion would activate the enchantment on his weapon, absorbing health energy from the Sload.

[1162] 

QUOTE(Aki @ Mar 14 2006, 11:28 PM)

[1165] Reichi, coated in sload blood, grinned at the other sload with blood stained fangs, and a look that said "You're next". He rushed at the next sload, preceding to unleash his usual flurry of strikes, only this time delivered slower, to throw more power into them.

[1166] 

[1169] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 10:39 PM)

[1170] Goranthir and Red-Rock-Shadow arrive at the palace gallery, and Goranthir stops, stunned at the sight of the statue.

“I lalo lilo loa I Ka Po' Tun Par Dé ma Haung,” the Prince whispers.

The statue opens its mouth, its voice low and musical ”Dé Ka Po' Tun Me'Thitsar!”

“Everyone,” Goranthir yelled. “Get out!  Quickly!”
Shaka’s spear snaps through the shield of one of the sload, causing the creature to back away in fear.  Another hit would do it in.  Nalion’s situation was similar.  The shield had been strong enough to withstand the initial attack, but vaporized upon contact with the staff.  The sload tried to back away, its arms raised to defend itself or cast a spell …

Dayla rips through her sload’s shield with her first attack, killing the loathsome giant slug with her second.  Reichi too tore apart his second sload before the booming voice of the Ka Po’Tun echoed in the gallery.

The remaining sload stretch out their arms, weaving another spell at the heroes.

[1171] 

[1175] QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Mar 14 2006, 11:39 PM)

[1176] Goranthir and Red-Rock-Shadow arrive at the palace gallery, and Goranthir stops, stunned at the sight of the statue.

“I lalo lilo loa I Ka Po' Tun Par Dé ma Haung,” the Prince whispers.

The statue opens its mouth, its voice low and musical ”Dé Ka Po' Tun Me'Thitsar!”

“Everyone,” Goranthir yelled. “Get out!  Quickly!”
Shaka’s spear snaps through the shield of one of the sload, causing the creature to back away in fear.  Another hit would do it in.  Nalion’s situation was similar.  The shield had been strong enough to withstand the initial attack, but vaporized upon contact with the staff.  The sload tried to back away, its arms raised to defend itself or cast a spell …