Printable Version of Topic

Printable Version of Topic

Click here to view this topic in its original format

The Elder Scrolls Forums _ Elder Scrolls Lore _ RP: Playing Houses

Posted by: Loranna Feb 9 2006, 11:40 PM

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!
===

IMPORTANT: WE HAVE JUMPED SIX MONTHS INTO THE FUTURE; IT IS NOW SUN'S HEIGHT IN THE RP (i.e., July)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/Shardie/mapofmorrowind2.jpg is a map provided by Shardie showing the current division of territory between the forces loyal to the crown and the rebels in Morrowind, pre-attack on Ald Raathim.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v622/Shardie/MorrowindMap.jpg are the current borders, post-attack. Note; this map is a work-in-progress.
===

Summary for Loranna: Loranna and Gram are both elsewhere; Loranna is in Ald Raathim and Gram is in the Velothi Mountains, though he is on his way back soon. However, the real action is in Tel Dresroi, where

DALYA, Bathogorgen vampire and sire of Anya, is currently working with her mater to destroy the party - though differences over Anya's eventual fate have arisen. However, with Slyvos in their power, the Bathogorgen have the advantage ...

Posted by: syronj Feb 9 2006, 11:45 PM

Summary: Shaka, an Argonian battlemage, has heard Anya's realization that Dayla is involved in the Tel Dresori problem.

Hearing Reichi's words, Shaka shouted to the others to get out of the former schoolhouse immediately. He ran to a damaged window, intending to break it open the rest of the way so that others could exit without causing a bottleneck at the door.

Posted by: Shardie Feb 9 2006, 11:49 PM

I havent written in my diary for a bit, the hassles of life. Llana is busy at her workshop, or so I believe, and Faryon is at the Imperial City. There seems to be some sort of commotion at the out of the way local called Tel Dresori, however these things matter me not. Tonight, I head for kragenmoor where I shall meet an old friend.

Jana

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 9 2006, 11:49 PM

Summary: Anya has just made it out of a nearly collpasing schoolhouse, in Tel Dresori, with a group of people working hard to remove a vampire infestation.

Posted by: Aki Feb 9 2006, 11:53 PM

OOC Summary

Reichi Sari is part of the group in Tel Desori and has just bolted out the door of a burning schoolhouse. He hasn't sustained many major wounds, mostly due to his armor and the enchantment on his Daedric shortblade.

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 10 2006, 12:22 AM

QUOTE(Aki @ Feb 9 2006, 10:53 PM)

Anya made her way next to Reichi, her fists clenched. Anya pointed to the castle, "She has to be in there, Reichi, I'm going after her, after what she did to me, us."

Her eyes flared, with her back turned to everyone else.

Posted by: Aki Feb 10 2006, 12:33 AM

"If she's in there, don't you think going in alone would be a extraordinarily bad idea?" Reichi asked. "She doubtless knows you're here. She'll be waiting, and she will be trying to reclaim you. We do have to get in there, but we have go in together."

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 10 2006, 12:37 AM

Anya's shoulders slumped slightly, "You are right, Reichi." The anger didn't leave her eyes though, "But I will get to that castle soon."

"What are we going to do next? We can't wait long, as we have no idea of their plans for Slyvos. But we don't know what sort of plans they've made for us either."

Posted by: Aki Feb 10 2006, 12:42 AM

Reichi nodded. "Whatever it is, it will most certainly not be something pleasant or good for us, we'll have to take them out before they can do it, whatever it may be," he said.

"For now we should check out the temple and heal up. Though, we lost Lheres.."

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 10 2006, 12:45 AM

Anya frowned, whispering so only Reichi could hear, "I just need to find someone, well, not dead. I couldn't bring myself to heal by biting the children. Now I have teeth marks all over me. But... the temple? I suppose that's the best place to be, but dammit that's gonna hurt."

Posted by: Aki Feb 10 2006, 12:49 AM

"Or you could use a restore potion, those still work, right?" Reichi whispered back. "Less hassle than biting something and hoping no one notices, you should really get something enchanted with absorb health. Its like a bite, without the whole..well, biting part. And the blood. Unless its a weapon, then theres blood."

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 10 2006, 01:00 AM

Anya gave a feral smile, "Potions work, but you should understand better than most how much a bite tastes so much better. I'll keep that weapon idea in mind though."

Anya turned to look at the group, "Still, we can't wait."

Posted by: Aki Feb 10 2006, 01:05 AM

"Yeah, I do understand," Reichi grinned. "But we can't really afford that luxury." He shrugged. "Between Zadion and friends, and Athaso, its too risky, and theres too little time."

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 10 2006, 01:11 AM

Anya shrugged, willing to except, but not all that happy considering there was a feild of people she could use, and wouldn't be hurting an innocent person.

"That brings us back to the quesiton, what now? We lost several of our people alone in the forsaken schoolhouse."

Posted by: Aki Feb 10 2006, 01:19 AM

"Well, I'd say we should get into the castle, but not through the front door or the tunnels," Reichi said. "I'm thinking somethin' on the lines of having jump spells cast on everyone and jumping through a window or something. Or levitate in, maybe even while invisible, they probably aren't expecting either."

Posted by: Stargazey Feb 10 2006, 07:39 AM

ooc:

Isidor, male nord, is in the nymph and noggin, waiting to talk to his wife, Kethiah.

Ingmar, male nord, is with the group in Tel Dresori, after having just escaped the flaming schoolhouse.

Posted by: FireMaster Feb 10 2006, 12:22 PM

Summary:

Erenius has just fled from the schoolhouse with the others, worried slightly by the Sixth House symbols, and the vampiric children, amongst others, that they had dealt with.
====

QUOTE

"I doubt that would work well enough, Reichi," Erenius says, nearing the two. "The windows farther up are likely too small, and I'd rather not enter on lower levels. Is there a chance maybe that we could jump onto the roof, and burn our way in in that case?"

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 10 2006, 01:38 PM

Update

Also with the party in Tel Dresori are ten members of the Ald Raathim Mages Guild: VITUS, a Cyrodilic battlemage; BAORIAH, a Dunmer battlemage; ANDRYK, a Breton enchanter and alchemist; MUTHOG, an Orc shaman; DOLKIRRE, a Dunmer mage; FRAGON, Dolkirre's brother; WARD-BACKS, an Argonian mystic; XYLLINA, a female Altmer illusionist; EGIN, a Dunmer mystic; and, ZADION, Altmer magister of the Mages Guild.

Two members have been killed: the nighblade ZARA and the healer LHERES.

KINGSTON MUNE, "Vampire Expert" (and secretly a KORIGARI vampire himself) was the last to flee the schoolhouse. The front of his shirt is stained with blood ... as he drank deeply from some of the schoolchildren before leaving ...

In Ald Raathim, former assassin and current very pregnant bedridden KETHIAH is greeting her husband Isidor ...

Kethiah's Room, The Nymph and Noggin, Ald Raathim

When Isidor walked into the room, he found Kethiah bathed in sweat, her eyes wide open.

"Isidor," she gasped. "Fetch the healer quickly. I think it's happening ..."

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 10 2006, 01:50 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 10 2006, 12:38 PM)

KINGSTON MUNE, "Vampire Expert" (and secretly a KORIGARI vampire himself) was the last to flee the schoolhouse. The front of his shirt is stained with blood ... as he drank deeply from some of the schoolchildren before leaving ...

Anya looked at Kingston, then glanced at Reichi, muttering, "Well he doesn't have a problem with feeding when needing to."

Anya turned to the temple, still not willing to enter for any length of time. The only reason she was standing in the daylight was the armor given to her from Slyvos and Dayla, but going into the temple would null that completely.

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 10 2006, 02:02 PM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Feb 10 2006, 02:50 PM)

Anya looked at Kingston, then glanced at Reichi, muttering, "Well he doesn't have a problem with feeding when needing to."

Kingston's senses were heightened and he winked at Anya, stepping up to her and whispering. "Don't worry. No one saw me. Now what were you talking about before? Who is this 'she' and 'her' you're referring to?"

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 10 2006, 02:05 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 10 2006, 01:02 PM)

Anya frowned, keeping her voice low as well, "Well someone had to turn me, I didn't just die one night, if my clan is as rare as you say. It was her that did it, a most sick creature. She loves to use Charm, and I've seen no one better at it, which is why the mage couldn't turn it. Her name is Dayla."

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 10 2006, 02:09 PM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Feb 10 2006, 03:05 PM)

"So, it's more than just the Diodata that are here," Kingston frowned. "I wonder if they are allied, or if your mater is using them ... I take it you would not mind if some harm came to this Dayla?"

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 10 2006, 02:11 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 10 2006, 01:09 PM)

"So, it's more than just the Diodata that are here," Kingston frowned. "I wonder if they are allied, or if your mater is using them ... I take it you would not mind if some harm came to this Dayla?"

"Last I knew, she was taking great lengths to keep herself out of the general eye of anyone, but your guess is as good as mine."

Anya smiled grimly, "Not in the least, Kingston, I was kind of hoping I would be the one to do it."

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 10 2006, 02:16 PM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Feb 10 2006, 03:11 PM)

"The tricky thing is going to be to doing that while avoiding letting everyone here know what we are in the process," Kingston nodded. "Clearly, they know a lot already. Arrows with silence spells are more effective against mages than vampires ... And they came in with a bucket of water in the school room, so they must have known there was a Korgari vampire in the group ..."

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 10 2006, 02:20 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 10 2006, 01:16 PM)

Anya smiled, "How much do they know about me? Still, I'm newly turned, and don't have the power to flex that she, or even the Diodata have. If it comes to that though, I'll use my full force if need be. You just watch out for that water."

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 10 2006, 02:23 PM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Feb 10 2006, 03:20 PM)

"I will," Kingston smiled. Anya could see in his eyes how little he was troubled by these events.

(OOC -- Outta here for a couple hours)

Posted by: Dagoth Lich Feb 10 2006, 02:44 PM

Summary:

Slyvos was in the schoolhouse, before it had fallen, and was for once in his new life, defeated. Now, he was in the hold of the vampires, though he was not yet aware of anything going on around him.

Posted by: stargate525 Feb 10 2006, 03:09 PM

Summary for Reeds: Reeds escaped the schoolhouse and is now waiting for the descision on what to do next.

Posted by: Stargazey Feb 10 2006, 03:24 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 10 2006, 01:38 PM)

Update
In Ald Raathim, former assassin and current very pregnant bedridden KETHIAH is greeting her husband Isidor ...

Kethiah's Room, The Nymph and Noggin, Ald Raathim

When Isidor walked into the room, he found Kethiah bathed in sweat, her eyes wide open.

"Isidor," she gasped. "Fetch the healer quickly. I think it's happening ..."

Isidor's eye went wide.

"Uh-oh .. Back in a second."

He left the room, and went to the Tribunal Temple, to fetch a healer.

Posted by: syronj Feb 10 2006, 03:35 PM

Shaka said to Anya: "I've never heard of a mage with a command over fire the way Mune has. Where'd you find him, anyway?"

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 10 2006, 03:36 PM

QUOTE(syronj @ Feb 10 2006, 02:35 PM)

Shaka said to Anya: "I've never heard of a mage with a command over fire the way Mune has. Where'd you find him, anyway?"

Anya shrugged nonchalantly, "He found me, in the tavern. You could say he has an affinity with fire I guess. He has a like for it rivaling Slyvos."

Posted by: syronj Feb 10 2006, 03:39 PM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Feb 10 2006, 04:36 PM)

Anya shrugged nonchalantly, "He found me, in the tavern. You could say he has an affinity with fire I guess. He has a like for it rivaling Slyvos."

Shaka's eyes were measuring the Bosmer. "That's not all he has an affinity for, if I'm reading his and your body language right. . . . Does he know your . . . background yet?"

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 10 2006, 03:49 PM

QUOTE(syronj @ Feb 10 2006, 02:39 PM)

Shaka's eyes were measuring the Bosmer. "That's not all he has an affinity for, if I'm reading his and your body language right. . . . Does he know your . . . background yet?"

Anya frowned, "Mine is a secret I give to those I trust."

Posted by: syronj Feb 10 2006, 03:57 PM

Shaka nodded. "There's no time now to discuss it, but maybe we can if we manage to live through this."

He turned back to the others for now. Shaka had an uneasy feeling about Kingston. Shaka had made the mistake of judging a few people, such as Tris and Goranthir, by superficial appearance in the past. He didn't want to jump to conclusions about Kingston Mune based on his good looks and charm.

But it was clear that Mune was an alpha male, and Shaka knew enough about himself to know he was at least several levels lower on the pack hierarchy. Mune seemed to have it all, both charm and competence.

Always wondered if I would lose her to someone younger and, hell, more humanoid, thought Shaka wryly. Anya deserved to be happy though.

Posted by: Osano Feb 10 2006, 05:32 PM

Summary: Athaso Sethen, Dunmer Rogue, participated in the battle in the schoolhouse and paid for it. He emerged from the building along with the others with a cracked right pauldron caused by the axe of a Dremora; blood streaked down his right arm.

He kneeled outside the burning building, inspecting his shoulder....

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 10 2006, 05:56 PM

QUOTE(syronj @ Feb 10 2006, 04:57 PM)

Shaka nodded. "There's no time now to discuss it, but maybe we can if we manage to live through this."

Kingston had overheard the conversation with Shaka and Anya as he moved into the Temple with the others.

QUOTE(Osano @ Feb 10 2006, 06:32 PM)

Zadion's hands glowed blue as he casts a healing spell onto Athaso's shoulder.

"I'm not quite as adept at Lheres was, but my knowledge of Restoration is at least good enough for common wounds," he said.

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 10 2006, 05:59 PM

Kethiah's Room, the Nymph and Noggin, Ald Raathim

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Feb 10 2006, 04:24 PM)

Isidor's eye went wide.

"Uh-oh .. Back in a second."

He left the room, and went to the Tribunal Temple, to fetch a healer.

Tyradil and Tilitalia were in the room when Isidor returned with the healer. They were both looking frightened towards Kethiah, for there was a bit of blood.

"It's okay, everything is natural," the healer smiled, moving into position to help Kethiah with it. "Wipe her head with a cool damp cloth to make her more comfortable."

Posted by: Nalion Feb 10 2006, 07:10 PM

Tel Dresori, marketplace
Nalion was deeply disturbed and shocked after the incident with the vampiric children. He knew that they were doomed, but still, all the precious little life so wasted... Slyvos had been kidnapped and they only found less than a handful survivors yet.
Sorrow turned to anger as Nalion pulled himself up after some time.
"They will pay for this...", the mage said grimly.

"I would like to go over to the temple now. We could all use a brief moment to regroup and rethink. And maybe some survivors hide on this holy ground.", he suggested, holding tight on his staff to steady himself.

Dana knelt in a corner, vomiting.
"I'll never forgive you for dragging me into this, Nalion...", the bard said, wiping her mouth. Unwept tears were in her eyes.

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 10 2006, 07:12 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Feb 10 2006, 08:10 PM)

"I would like to go over to the temple now. We could all use a brief moment to regroup and rethink. And maybe some survivors hide on this holy ground.", he suggested, holding tight on his staff to steady himself.

"I hope so, but no one answered my calls before," Zadion replied, as they stepped into the echoing chambers.

Posted by: Loranna Feb 10 2006, 07:16 PM

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Feb 10 2006, 02:44 PM)

Castle Dresori

Consciousness returns to Slyvos slowly; the first thing he senses are the sounds of voices - familiar voices.

"Foolish lich; did I not tell you, you were all puppets?" asks a spitefully gleeful Khajiit voice. "I warned you! She would be your destruction, and so she will be!" The Khajiit descends into a fit of giggles, his voice like shards of glass.

"Master, why ...?" asks a soft Dunmer voice, her tone accusatory. "You left, you abandoned us, you threw your own power away; why did you have to come and take MY power too? You had your silly new life and [censored], the tower was mine - yet you came and tore it down! With me still in it!"

"This is a violent puppet," the Khajiit coos. "He breaks, he burns, he leaves behind messes and does not look to see who may have been caught in the rubble. Such a delightful puppet!"

Posted by: syronj Feb 10 2006, 07:20 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 10 2006, 08:12 PM)

"I hope so, but no one answered my calls before," Zadion replied, as they stepped into the echoing chambers.

Shaka was silent, trying not to think of what the group had had to do in the schoolhouse to survive.

"Dana, if not us, then who? Someone has to put an end to this evil," he told the Redguard, not unkindly.

"Nalion, a big part of me says we should go after Slyvos right away; but you're right, we have to regroup. Slyvos probably wouldn't want us to jeopardize the entire mission just for his sake. . . . But hopefully we can find him before the vampires change him."

Shaka left it unspoken that they hadn't reached Anya in time; he knew Nalion would remember the last time a member of the group had been abducted this way.

Posted by: Nalion Feb 10 2006, 07:25 PM

QUOTE(syronj @ Feb 10 2006, 07:20 PM)

"I tell of heroes... I'm no freaking hero myself!", Dana hissed, projecting her anger towards Shaka, to forget her own feelings of insecurity. "Let's go to that temple now, shall we? I'd feel more comfortable on a ground where for once, no vampires come through the floor!"

"I know, I am greatly worrying about Slyvos, too. But there are still vampires around here, and I do not want them appearing in our backs when we make our move towards the castle.", Nalion said to Shaka befor turning to Zadion. "Let's go then, Zadion. Maybe we will at least save a few souls still. Then, we can think about how to get into this castle."

Posted by: Dagoth Lich Feb 10 2006, 07:30 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 10 2006, 07:16 PM)

Slyvos groaned in pain, staying as still as possible considering that his muscles felt numb and yet split all at once. The voices... he knew them. Yes, he remembered those two clearly. Why did it have to be them... he recalled them being very, very dead.

"ugh... Celezar? I thought you died you wretch..." He said with hatred seething from his voice, as soft as it was. The other voice, disturbed him even more. "Alaves Vedas... I remember you. My finest apprentice... and the only one I actually bothered to learn the name of, at the time. Why the hell are you here... where am I?"

At the mention of that name 'puppet' slyvos growled, trying to get his wits about him again to find where the voices are coming from.

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 10 2006, 07:32 PM

The Temple, Tel Dresori

Cold, beautiful blue and gray marble formed the interior of the sacristy, and the heroes footfalls echoed within the empty space. There were wooden benches for a congregation to sit, all of them empty.

At the back of the temple were steps leading down to the crypt. At the center was a twenty foot tall obsidian statue of a woman of great beauty and benevolence.

"This is not a mere temple," said the Dunmer battlemage with a gasp. "It's the tomb of Saint Meris the Peacemaker."

Posted by: Stargazey Feb 10 2006, 07:37 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 10 2006, 05:59 PM)

Kethiah's Room, the Nymph and Noggin, Ald Raathim
"It's okay, everything is natural," the healer smiled, moving into position to help Kethiah with it. "Wipe her head with a cool damp cloth to make her more comfortable."

Isidor nodded and did as he was told, though he was very nervous.

Posted by: Aki Feb 10 2006, 07:40 PM

Reichi raised his eyebrows. "I did not know Saint Merris was interred at Tel Dresori," he said aloud. "Good thing the tomb is upon holy ground. So the vampires could not defile it."

Posted by: Osano Feb 10 2006, 07:42 PM

Athaso entered the temple and let his nerves relax a bit. Not really caring for the large statue, or whether the temple was the grave of St. Whats-his-face. he took a seat in one of the wooden benches thankful that the place was vampire free.

Posted by: Nalion Feb 10 2006, 07:43 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 10 2006, 07:32 PM)

Nalion scratched up his small knowledge of Dunmeri religion.
"How fitting, the patron of farmers and labourers.", he said, eyeing the entrance to the crypt warily. "I hope she will grace us with her benevolence, and those who might have taken shelter in her final resting place."

Nalion moved towards the entrance of the crypt.
"Is there anybody here?", he shouted. "We mean you no harm! We have come from Ald Raathim to save you!"

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 10 2006, 07:44 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Feb 10 2006, 08:37 PM)

Isidor nodded and did as he was told, though he was very nervous.

Kethiah reached out and grabbed Isidor's hand, squeezing hard. And she was a strong woman.

"All right, my dear," the healer said quietly and calmly. "Don't push too hard. Just get your breath, and relax ..."

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 10 2006, 07:46 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Feb 10 2006, 08:43 PM)

Nalion's voice echoed back. Xyllina cast a light spell down the steps.

"I don't hear anything," she said, after a moment of listening.

Posted by: Loranna Feb 10 2006, 07:47 PM

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Feb 10 2006, 07:30 PM)

As Slyvos's vision clears, he finds himself chained to a wall, in what appears to be a dungeon; his ears can now pick up the faint sounds of other people moaning in pain or whimpering in fear. His magicka is drained, and he himself feels weak and heavy-headed, almost drugged. Before him he sees two figures, though not, perhaps, the ones his ears would have lead him to expect.

The chortling Khajiit voice comes from a merrish woman, with golden skin and eyes, her long red hair reaching to the small of her back. Ancient Chimeri robes adorn her body as she reaches toward the second figure ...

... the second figure, the source of the Dunmer's voice ... being Loranna.

"You're at a family reunion, Dagoth my lad," the Chimer woman says, her voice changing from the scratchy rasp of the demented Khajiit's to the dulcet tones that remind Slyvos of times long ago lost. "All the people you stepped on over the years, all the people you hurt because of your own narrow-minedness ..."

"All the people you hated, or loved," Loranna says, her voice changing from Dunmer to a more Nordic tone. "All the people you hurt most of all ..."

The Chimer woman smiles, her fingernails lengthening as she reaches for Loranna, who stands stock still, her jaw set firmly as she turns her eyes away from both the Chimer and Slyvos ...

Posted by: syronj Feb 10 2006, 07:51 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 10 2006, 08:46 PM)

Nalion's voice echoed back. Xyllina cast a light spell down the steps.

"I don't hear anything," she said, after a moment of listening.

Shaka's curiousity on history and faith got the better of him once again. "I'd like to see the tomb," he said, and started for the steps.

Posted by: Dagoth Lich Feb 10 2006, 07:52 PM

Slyvos' eyes went wide, looking at the Chimer woman. Why did the sight of this person cause him fear? He wasn't afraid of anything... was he? No, he was afraid of one thing, and apparently whoever this was was playing up on it, he figured.

"Loranna...? What's going on... this can't be real..." It was very real, but his mind wasn't able to accept this... at least, part of it was. Still, who was this woman, whom looks as if a Chimer? Wait... no. "NO! you're dead, you can't be here... I saw you die... all those years ago..." He said to the Chimer woman, her appearance that of his long dead wife...

Posted by: Stargazey Feb 10 2006, 07:57 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 10 2006, 07:44 PM)

Isidor felt his hand get squeezed, but didn't pay much attention, as he was watching the birth of his child.

"Breathe ..."

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 10 2006, 08:03 PM

The Temple Crypt

QUOTE(syronj @ Feb 10 2006, 08:51 PM)

Shaka's curiousity on history and faith got the better of him once again. "I'd like to see the tomb," he said, and started for the steps.

Baoriah followed Shaka down the twisting stairwell leading to the crypt below. A series of intricate carvings lined the walls, showing Dunmer at war with one another. It was allegorical, but it was easy to tell by their emblems and their actions that they were all the Houses, Redoran, Dres, Indoril, Telvanni, and Hlaalu. It was an ancient war between the Houses, but one need hardly comment that it was precisely the same as today.

The stairway opened up into a low-ceilinged room with many pillars. The motif on the wall were still basreliefs of Dunmer of the various Houses, but they were hand-in-hand along the walls, having achieved peace. Raised sepulchers lined the walls, each marked with a different crest, as different members of different Houses were buried here. In the center of the room was a white marble sepulcher of Saint Merris.

Posted by: Loranna Feb 10 2006, 08:04 PM

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Feb 10 2006, 07:52 PM)

Slyvos's wife turns to glare at Slyvos, her hand poised over Loranna's stomach. She hisses at Slyvos in a child's voice.

"Yes, you saw us all die," she says, her hand trembling slightly. "Buried under the house you blew up to kill the man who gave birth to you ..."

Loranna winces, as the Chimer's hand clenches.

"The house you ran away from, and didn't even bother to check for survivors ...."

She sinks her claws in deep, and Loranna screams, most convincingly ...

" ... FATHER!!!" the child voice yells over the screams.

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 10 2006, 08:06 PM

Kethiah's Room, The Nymph and Noggin

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Feb 10 2006, 08:57 PM)

Isidor felt his hand get squeezed, but didn't pay much attention, as he was watching the birth of his child.

"Breathe ..."

"I can't breathe," Kethiah gasped, trying to relax, but the way the muscles on their neck were standing out taut showed how difficult that was. "Is ... there something wrong?"

The healer from her position shook her head, but looked serious.

Posted by: syronj Feb 10 2006, 08:09 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 10 2006, 09:03 PM)

The Temple Crypt
Baoriah followed Shaka down the twisting stairwell leading to the crypt below. A series of intricate carvings lined the walls, showing Dunmer at war with one another. It was allegorical, but it was easy to tell by their emblems and their actions that they were all the Houses, Redoran, Dres, Indoril, Telvanni, and Hlaalu. It was an ancient war between the Houses, but one need hardly comment that it was precisely the same as today.

The stairway opened up into a low-ceilinged room with many pillars. The motif on the wall were still basreliefs of Dunmer of the various Houses, but they were hand-in-hand along the walls, having achieved peace. Raised sepulchers lined the walls, each marked with a different crest, as different members of different Houses were buried here. In the center of the room was a white marble sepulcher of Saint Merris.

"Beautiful," said Shaka, and reached out to touch the sepulcher. "She stood in front of the warring Houses and got them to lower their weapons. A healer in a white robe, I guess. Probably didn't think of herself as a saint."

"I met a saint once, Deothur. He was a simple man, as Meris must have been simple."

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 10 2006, 08:11 PM

QUOTE(syronj @ Feb 10 2006, 09:09 PM)

"Sometimes achieving peace requires a complexity of --" Baoriah began before she noticed a movement out of the corner of her eye. "Shaka, look out!"

Two teenagers, a boy and a girl, rushed at them, holding glowing white swords. The girl swung hers for Shaka's head. "Die, vampire!"

Posted by: Nalion Feb 10 2006, 08:12 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 10 2006, 08:03 PM)

Nalion was taken aback in awe of the crypt.
"We should invite the House members to this place some time... to remember.", the mage muttered. He slowly walked along the graves of the Dunmer that were buried there, then halted as he stood in front of the statue and looked up at the face of Meris.
"By all rights, there should not be bloodshed in a city that houses a symbol of peace."

Dana took her time and investigated the depictions on the wall closely. It seemed strange to the other's, that she would find such interest in these works of art, but while regarding it with wide eyes, she found at least some peace of mind. Peace of mind that she hoped would let her stand through this.
"This would be worth a song...", she muttered.

Posted by: Stargazey Feb 10 2006, 08:13 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 10 2006, 08:06 PM)

Kethiah's Room, The Nymph and Noggin
"I can't breathe," Kethiah gasped, trying to relax, but the way the muscles on their neck were standing out taut showed how difficult that was. "Is ... there something wrong?"

The healer from her position shook her head, but looked serious.

"Is there anything I can do? Can I help?" Isidor asked, concern evident in his voice.

Posted by: syronj Feb 10 2006, 08:15 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 10 2006, 09:11 PM)

Shaka managed to dodge the sword and deflect the girl's arm; his long-ago Rain-of-Sand unarmed combat training helped. "We're no vampires, lass!" he managed to say. Luckily the girl seemed to have more enthusiasm than training.

Posted by: Nalion Feb 10 2006, 08:17 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 10 2006, 08:11 PM)

Nalion spun around on his heels as he saw the two children attacking.
"No!", he shouted, "We're friends."
Nalion was taken aback. Would words get through to the children?
"This is holy ground!"
Nalion contemplated casting a burden spell at the children...

"No kids!", Dana called out with a soft voice. "We came to rescue you!"

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 10 2006, 08:18 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Feb 10 2006, 09:13 PM)

"Is there anything I can do? Can I help?" Isidor asked, concern evident in his voice.

Kethiah gave a loud cry, which was matched by another one as the healer held up a tiny child.

"You can welcome your son," the healer smiled. "You are a richer man today, Isidor."

Posted by: Osano Feb 10 2006, 08:21 PM

"Shaka, look out!"

Athaso stood up quickly, hearing the shout echo through the building. He rushed down the stairwell and caught up with the others, "What's wrong?!" he asked breathing heavily before he noticed that they were gettng attacked by children.

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 10 2006, 08:21 PM

The Temple, Tel Dresori

QUOTE(syronj @ Feb 10 2006, 09:15 PM)

QUOTE(Nalion @ Feb 10 2006, 09:17 PM)

The girl had dropped the sword, and was holding her arm, rubbing the bruise.

"Prove it," the boy said suspiciously, holding out his own blade. "Touch it."

"These are the weapons of the House members brought to peace by Saint Meris," Baoriah said quietly. "Holy relics."

Posted by: Dagoth Lich Feb 10 2006, 08:24 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 10 2006, 08:04 PM)

His eyes go wide, those words sinking into his mind like a dagger. Nothing Slyvos had ever mentally faced, could have prepared him for the shock of this... it just didn't make any sense. They all died... didn't they? They had to have, he wouldn't leave them alone, would he?

all I remember... rage... flames... hate... how could I miss anything... it was too much. Too much pain... DAMN YOU! DAMN YOU FATHER! DAMN YOU TO OBLIVION, WHERE I PUT YOU MYSELF! YOU AND YOUR WRETCHED SOUL WERE MINE, AND I DESTROYED IT... justice... revenge... what difference did it make. He took it all away from me... it was him, not me.

"no... no... Ashana? That can't be her voice... she would have died of age, if she didn't die from the house falling... you can't be her, not my daughter..." Disbelief was hard to get over for Slyvos now, he wanted to find some way, any way, to keep this from resulting in an answer he didn't want to hear. He didn't want to believe that it was his fault.

"Stop doing this..." He said, his throat feeling dry suddenly.

Posted by: Stargazey Feb 10 2006, 08:25 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 10 2006, 08:18 PM)

Kethiah gave a loud cry, which was matched by another one as the healer held up a tiny child.

"You can welcome your son," the healer smiled. "You are a richer man today, Isidor."

Isidor grinned, broadly, and took his child in his hands.

"A miracle," he said. "A true miracle."

Posted by: syronj Feb 10 2006, 08:27 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 10 2006, 09:21 PM)

The Temple, Tel Dresori
The girl had dropped the sword, and was holding her arm, rubbing the bruise.

"Prove it," the boy said suspiciously, holding out his own blade. "Touch it."

"These are the weapons of the House members brought to peace by Saint Meris," Baoriah said quietly. "Holy relics."

"Then it's an honor, son," said Shaka, and picked up the girl's sword from the floor.

Please don't let them ask Anya to do this, he thought to himself with dismay.

Shaka held the blade, then handed it back to the girl. "We're of the Duchess' company, Dres Loranna Pyrel. We're trying to get the survivors out of this town. . . . "

Posted by: Nalion Feb 10 2006, 08:27 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 10 2006, 08:21 PM)

Dana knelt besides the girl, touching the sword before Shaka took it up.
"You will not need to wield this against us.", she said softly, and her hands began to glow in a pleasant blue light as she stretched them out towards the girl's bruised arm. "What's your name?"

Nalion touched the outstretched blade of the boy confidently with both hands. "We do not wish to desecrate the last resting place of Saint Meris."

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 10 2006, 08:29 PM

Kethiah's Room, The Nymph and Noggin

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Feb 10 2006, 09:25 PM)

Isidor grinned, broadly, and took his child in his hands.

"A miracle," he said. "A true miracle."

Tyradil and Tilitalia crowded to see their new half-brother. He was dark, though a little lighter in color than Kethiah, and though his eyes were still closed, they knew that he would be red like hers. Still, there was something about Isidor to him as well.

Kethiah, tears in her eyes, held out her arms to hold him.

"Do you have a name for him yet?" the healer asked.

Posted by: Stargazey Feb 10 2006, 08:33 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 10 2006, 08:29 PM)

Kethiah's Room, The Nymph and Noggin
Tyradil and Tilitalia crowded to see their new half-brother. He was dark, though a little lighter in color than Kethiah, and though his eyes were still closed, they knew that he would be red like hers. Still, there was something about Isidor to him as well.

Kethiah, tears in her eyes, held out her arms to hold him.

"Do you have a name for him yet?" the healer asked.

Isidor smiled, and handed the child to Kethiah.

"Uh, no not yet ... I don't think we decided on one ..."

"As long as it's not a 'T' name ..." Tyradil said, with a wry smile.

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 10 2006, 08:34 PM

The Temple, Tel Dresori

QUOTE(syronj @ Feb 10 2006, 09:27 PM)

QUOTE(Nalion @ Feb 10 2006, 09:27 PM)

Dana knelt besides the girl, touching the sword before Shaka took it up.
"You will not need to wield this against us.", she said softly, and her hands began to glow in a pleasant blue light as she stretched them out towards the girl's bruised arm. "What'S your name?"

Nalion touched the outstretched blade of the boy confidently with both hands. "We do not wish to desecrate the last resting place of Saint Meris."

As Dana, Nalion, and Shaka each touched the sword, they felt its holy power. It was a relic of peace, and the blessing it bestowed on them was one of clarity and calm. All their inner conflicts and anguishes seemed to melt, and they felt ... well, they felt good. In all the meanings of the word.

Baoriah also touched the blade, and asked the children. "The vampires, what happened to them when they were touched by it?"

"It made them terrified," said the girl. "They ran away."

Kingston had entered the crypt as well, but stood some distance away, not choosing to touch the blade.

"My name is Evorde," the boy said. "This is Carana."

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 10 2006, 08:37 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Feb 10 2006, 09:33 PM)

Isidor smiled, and handed the child to Kethiah.

"Uh, no not yet ... I don't think we decided on one ..."

"As long as it's not a 'T' name ..." Tyradil said, with a wry smile.

"Or an 'I' name to go with Isidor and Ingmar?" Kethiah chuckled, holding the child, tears of joy flowing freely now.

Posted by: Osano Feb 10 2006, 08:39 PM

Athaso, slightly annoyed that no one answered him when he thought someone was in trouble,walked up to the boy, reached out, and touched the blade. He felt the swords presence, it even helped him feel a little better. "The vampires ran away? Perhaps we can use these swords to our advantage then."

Posted by: Stargazey Feb 10 2006, 08:41 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 10 2006, 08:37 PM)

"Or an 'I' name to go with Isidor and Ingmar?" Kethiah chuckled, holding the child, tears of joy flowing freely now.

Isidor shook his head, tears running down his face, as well.

"I don't know, can't think now ..."

Posted by: Nalion Feb 10 2006, 08:41 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 10 2006, 08:34 PM)

The Temple, Tel Dresori
As Dana, Nalion, and Shaka each touched the sword, they felt its holy power. It was a relic of peace, and the blessing it bestowed on them was one of clarity and calm. All their inner conflicts and anguishes seemed to melt, and they felt ... well, they felt good. In all the meanings of the word.

Baoriah also touched the blade, and asked the children. "The vampires, what happened to them when they were touched by it?"

"It made them terrified," said the girl. "They ran away."

Kingston had entered the crypt as well, but stood some distance away, not choosing to touch the blade.

"My name is Evorde," the boy said. "This is Carana."

Nalion felt the calm spreading through his mind and body, as was Dana. Their sorrows - about dead children, Slyvos captured and the vampire's slaughter ing general - were washed away.

Dana smiled. "These are beautiful blades. You did very well in wielding them against the vampires."

Nalion nodded to Dana and the children. "We come from Ald Raathim, to rescue you. I've got some scrolls of Divine Intervention here that will bring you to a safe place. The people there will help you gladly."
Nalion paused, looking at the swords.
"Evorde, Carana. There can be no peace in this city if the vampires still hold the castle. A friend of us has been captured and we want to end this blood plage on Tel Dresori. I ask you and the Saint for the favour of taking these blades to restore peace once more."

Posted by: Loranna Feb 10 2006, 08:43 PM

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Feb 10 2006, 08:24 PM)

"I would have died long ago, yes, if it weren't for a mer calling himself Bathogorgen," she tells Slyvos, the perfect image of Ashana as Slyvos remembered her. "It was he who showed me how I could live long enough to take my revenge on the bastard who destroyed my life, who left me buried under my burning house and my brother's corpse without once looking back."

She glares at Slyvos, her eyes twin golden pools of hate. "For four thousand years, I've dogged your footsteps; I was the voice that pointed so many heores to your lair, who whispered into Alaves's ear the secrets that would attract your notice, and make you favor her above all other apprentices. It was I who saw to it that that fool of a betmer wasn't interfered with by others who would have kept him from torturing you with his presence."

"And all these years, you never knew it ..." Ashana shakes her head, sounding contemptuous. "You always were narrow-minded, never looking beyond your own, immediate self."

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 10 2006, 08:47 PM

QUOTE(Osano @ Feb 10 2006, 09:39 PM)

QUOTE(Nalion @ Feb 10 2006, 09:41 PM)

Evorde and Carana looked at one another.

"Our grandfather told us about the swords," the girl said. "There are five of them. They will bring despair to the undead, but if they are used in war, against the Redoran or the Indoril, it will be a sacrilege."

"We shall return them when the vampires are gone," Baoriah nodded.

Evorde reached out for the scrolls, smiling. "Thank you for saving us. I don't know how long we've been down here ..."

Posted by: Nalion Feb 10 2006, 08:52 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 10 2006, 08:47 PM)

Evorde and Carana looked at one another.

"Our grandfather told us about the swords," the girl said. "There are five of them. They will bring despair to the undead, but if they are used in war, against the Redoran or the Indoril, it will be a sacrilege."

Evorde reached out for the scrolls, smiling. "Thank you for saving us. I don't know how long we've been down here ..."

"They will not be used in the war. I promise.", Nalion said, then looked at his companions gravely, expecting them to acknowledge the request of the children.

Posted by: syronj Feb 10 2006, 08:57 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Feb 10 2006, 09:52 PM)

"They will not be used in the war. I promise.", Nalion said, then looked at his companions gravely, expecting them to acknowledge the request of the children.

"I promise as well," said Shaka. "We'll use them in the service of Life against these creatures."

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 10 2006, 08:59 PM

QUOTE(syronj @ Feb 10 2006, 09:57 PM)

"I promise as well," said Shaka. "We'll use them in the service of Life against these creatures."

Baoriah nodded. "And we will return them to the crypt when this town is free of this unnatural menace."

"Ditto," Kingston added, smiling, and not coming any closer. "I swear and all that."

Posted by: Dagoth Lich Feb 10 2006, 09:01 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 10 2006, 08:43 PM)

To him, this was one of the few things that could break his newly fortified resolve. His own daughter... was alive? She did all this... "You're lieing... this has to be some kind of trick. No way you're alive, no..."

Slyvos shuddered a bit, feeling a shiver of cold run up his spine at this situation. how could I have been so stupid... how... she was just a little girl, how could she do all this... because she's your daughter, genius. Of course she would have a darker half to her.

"What do you want, Ashana?" He said with a hint of sadness to his voice, but his eyes not giving off any tears yet. "What do you want from me..."

Posted by: Nalion Feb 10 2006, 09:02 PM

Dana nodded in response to Nalion, then took one of the five swords.
"Maybe this will help me through what will come next... if I may.", she said, admiring the blade.

"Perhaps.", Nalion said, then added, "I am not proficient to wield one of these blades. There are others here that would make better use of them than I ever could. After we have accomplished our goal, the blades will find their rest here again."

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 10 2006, 09:11 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Feb 10 2006, 10:02 PM)

"Well, if we're going to take them, we should get on with it," Kingston said. "We've got a lot of town to clear out, and still have the castle ..."

Posted by: Loranna Feb 10 2006, 09:15 PM

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Feb 10 2006, 09:01 PM)

Ashana smiles, her eyes gleaming with spiteful joy.

"Simple, Father," she says, walking over to the slump-shouldered Loranna. "I want to take everything from you, just like you took everything from me. I want to see you feel what it's like to watch your whole world fall apart around you."

"Your friends are first; I knew they would come to Tel Dresori eventually and have prepared," she says, as Loranna whimpers a bit at the touch of Ashana's clawed hands. "They will find that the Diodata in the castle are prepared for them. With them out of the way, I will take your precious Ald Raathim from you, and your wife. I have plans for the woman who dares think she can replace Mother."

Loranna looks pleadingly at Ashana, but the Chimer girl simply mouths quietly Obey my instructions ... and the form of Loranna shrinks, becoming younger, until Ashana is holding a crying ashen-skinned Nord baby in her hands.

"And I have plans for the child she would make to replace my fallen siblings," Ashana says, her fangs showing in a wicked grin as she herself assumes Loranna's likeness. "Shall I show you some of my plans? After all this time, Father, I would hate to enact my revenge only to find that it didn't hit all the proper notes ..."

Posted by: syronj Feb 10 2006, 09:20 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 10 2006, 10:11 PM)

"Well, if we're going to take them, we should get on with it," Kingston said. "We've got a lot of town to clear out, and still have the castle ..."

"Agreed," said Shaka, looking at the five swords, all of different styles: a longsword, a shortsword, a katana, a claymore, and a crescent sword that echoed the daedric one the group had once obtained.

"I had a Glass claymore years ago, so I'll try that. . . . We'd better get to it."

The feeling of peace from the blades was truly amazing. Shaka wished he could keep that benison forever, but it was right that they keep their bargain and return the relics once finished.

Posted by: Osano Feb 10 2006, 09:25 PM

"Well, if no one cares..." Athaso said as he took up the longsword, and inspected its quality and workmanship before he slipped under his belt, embracing the peace it inspired within him.

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 10 2006, 09:29 PM

QUOTE(Osano @ Feb 10 2006, 10:25 PM)

"Well, if no one cares..." Athaso said as he took up the longsword, and inspected its quality and workmanship before he slipped under his belt, embracing the peace it inspired within him.

Baoriah took up the katana.

"Now you should go, children," she said to the teenagers.

Evorde and Carana nodded, and thanking the heroes, once more, read their scrolls and vanished away.

(OOC -- Outta here, but I think there's a spare sword or two in here if any one wants it)

Posted by: Dagoth Lich Feb 10 2006, 09:37 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 10 2006, 09:15 PM)

Ashana smiles, her eyes gleaming with spiteful joy.

"Simple, Father," she says, walking over to the slump-shouldered Loranna. "I want to take everything from you, just like you took everything from me. I want to see you feel what it's like to watch your whole world fall apart around you."

"Your friends are first; I knew they would come to Tel Dresori eventually and have prepared," she says, as Loranna whimpers a bit at the touch of Ashana's clawed hands. "They will find that the Diodata in the castle are prepared for them. With them out of the way, I will take your precious Ald Raathim from you, and your wife. I have plans for the woman who dares think she can replace Mother."

Loranna looks pleadingly at Ashana, but the Dunmer girl simply mouths quietly Obey my instructions ... and the form of Loranna shrinks, becoming younger, until Ashana is holding a crying ashen-skinned Nord baby in her hands.

"And I have plans for the child she would make to replace my fallen siblings," Ashana says, her fangs showing in a wicked grin as she herself assumes Loranna's likeness. "Shall I show you some of my plans? After all this time, Father, I would hate to enact my revenge only to find that it didn't hit all the proper notes ..."

Slyvos' eyes change from sorrow, to sheer anger. He didn't care who this was... but the fact that it was his own daughter saying this, his own former flesh and undead-blood, was a horrid thought indeed.

"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HER YOU WRETCHED LITTLE GIRL! I'LL MAKE YOU WISH I HAD NEVER HELPED YOU BE BORN IF YOU EVEN LAY A FINGER ON EITHER OF THEM!" He said with as much of the little strength he could muster as possible, before slumping in his shackles, a tear going down his face.

"don't do this... we can fix it in other ways, this doesn't have to be done... do anything else, kill me, make me hurt, but don't hurt Loranna..."

He couldn't stop it though, it seemed. She was just as vengeful as her father was... and that's when the screaming started....

Posted by: Aki Feb 10 2006, 09:38 PM

Reichi sheathed his Daedric blade and picked up the shortsword styled holy blade. The feeling of peace was amazing. "Alright then," he said. "Lets go kick some vampire [censored]."

Posted by: FireMaster Feb 10 2006, 09:46 PM

"Agreed," Erenius says to Reichi, taking the remaining weapon, a sword much like his own of white steel. He holds it for a moment, testing its balance, before deciding it was to his liking. Taking the scabbard it was sheathed in to his belt, next to his existing ebony blade, Erenius is ready for the rest, looking to the others in the antechamber.

Rememberring the grandfather in the bakery, Erenius looks to the children before they depart, hoping that if he asked they would stare at him, wonderring whom he talked of.

Posted by: Loranna Feb 11 2006, 05:09 AM

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Feb 10 2006, 09:37 PM)

After about an hour, Ashana ceases her demonstrations, and waves her hand, casting a sleep spell over Slyvos. Resuming her natural form of an adult Dunmer female, she regards the chained Khajiit with a mixture of curiosity and bemusement.

"Threatening, pleading, screaming ... you know, I wasn't entirely sure what his initial reaction would be," she muses, frowning thoughtfully. "Of course, everything since Vivec has been dreadfully improvised; it's a small blessing we were able to recover so quickly from that setback ..."

Dayla, resuming her half-Dunmer, half snake form, slithers to the other side of the room, rubbing lacerations on her chest which were still in the process of closing. She doesn't anwser Ashana, which causes the vampire ancient to look over to her.

"Ah, forgive an old mater her rambling," Ashana says, shrugging. "Four thousand years of planning for this moment, of thinking of the perfect way to reintroduce myself to my father, the best route to breaking him ... just like you when you were young, Dayla, unsure what animal form you wanted to adopt. I'm just amazed that despie everything we finally managed to do it ..."

"You cut me, mater," Dayla says quetly, watching a wound on her chest slowly close up.

"A regrettable, and momentary, moment of pain to get the proper feeling of realism," Ashana says dismissively, waving a hand in the air. "You can take one of the cattle down here to replenish yourself, my dearling. We'll be moving on to redder pastures soon enough anyway."

Dayla doesn't reply, and Ashana sighs, walking over to the snake woman and weaving a restorative spell with her fingers. "Dayla Dayla Dayla; why must you be petulant in your mater's dearest moment of joy? You act as though the world revolves around you and you alone; you know how much this means to me..."

"You've never cut me before, not like that," Dayla insists, pulling away from Ashana.

"Didn't I just say it was for this occasion only?" Ashana asks, exasperation creeping into her voice. "When we take Ald Raathim I won't need you to play being his cutsey little Nordic lovergirl, I'll have the real thing to use."

"And what if we can't take Ald Raathim right away?" Dayla shoots back. "What then; am I to keep being the stand in for his wife while ..."

"That floozy is NOT his wife!" Ashana growls, cutting Dayla off. "She's a crazy mortal who messes with things she doesn't understand, who defecates on my mother's ashes every time she and the bastard kiss ..." Ashana's face becomes a mask of disgust. "She's got far worse coming to her ..."

"You didn't answer my question," Dayla says, staring into her mater's eyes.

"I was the one to call the Weeping Maiden to wash away your mortal frailities," Ashana mutters, her eyes simmering with anger. "You should help your mater thankfully instead of begrudging every little thing she asks of you."

Dayla looks dumbfounded. "Are you crazy!?" she breathes - an exclamation that earns her a swift slap across the face.

"DON'T call me crazy," Ashana warns Dayla. "You've never understood what it's like to suffer like I have. I gave you everything you ever could have wanted; you never had to fight for your life as a child, or deal with knowing your own father couldn't care less about you or your mother or your brother! You never had to leave your homeland and go beg among Outlanders just to survive! You never had to fight tooth and nail for every scrap of power you could find - you have had everything handed to you!"

"Not everything," Dayla says quietly, looking near tears.

"Don't start with that again," Ashana says darkly. "Go now; heal yourself and prepare for the coming attack. If at all possible, I'd like the werewolf and the Breton mage to be taken alive - watching us suck them dry and me animating their corpses should prove a worthwhile blow to my dear father's psyche."

Dayla glares at Ashana, and the Dunmer vampiress wraps her arms around her filia. "I promised you, obey me in this and everything will be as it once was," she says, more gently. "We're so close now I can taste it - thousands of years of planning and scheming and frantic improvising and it's finally, finally paid off. This is the happiest night of my life, Dayla - please, for your mater, enjoy it with me, don't fight with me."

Dayla feels two bloody tears run down her cheeks. " ... Swallow me?" she asks quietly, her snake body reverting to Dunmer legs."

"All right; for a little bit," Ashana promises, smiling as she wipes the tears from Dayla's face. "But only for a little bit; our enemies will be here soon."

Dayla smiles a bit, but privately, she tell herself You're wrong, mater; I do know what it's like to suffer ...

Posted by: Loranna Feb 11 2006, 05:32 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Feb 10 2006, 08:41 PM)

Isidor shook his head, tears running down his face, as well.

"I don't know, can't think now ..."

Ald Raathim

Word of the birth spread among the tavern servants, who began preparing a celebration in the new baby's honor. In these days of war, any new life was a blessing from the gods, to be cherished and honored with food and song, with devotion and joy.

One of the barmaids ran to the castle to tell the servants there, knowing that the Duchess would want to come and see the newborn as soon as time allowed. Castle servants being as good at gossip as barmaids, the word soon spread throughout the castle, and guards and servants alike privately raised a glass in Kethiah's and Isidor's honor, or debated endlessly what the newborn must look like, or smiled and looked forward to the next few months, when the joy of newborn children would reverberate through the castle.

A couple of servants wondered how well the new mother and mother to be would deal with the sleeplessness that would now be their constant bedfellow for the next year or so, but even those venerable cynics found it in them to smile a little.

And Loranna, who had been sitting in her study trying to work, who had been plagued for the past hour by an irrational fear that something was going terribly wrong, and fighting the urge to use her magical hand mirror, greeted the news of the new baby with a mixture of relief and joy, and instructed Kallen to watch the study while she prepared to go down to the tavern.

Still, the haunting feeling of fear wouln't completely go away.

Posted by: One87xe Feb 11 2006, 02:19 PM

...Summary: Osa is in The Nymph and Noggin chatting up a Nord about the news of an upcoming birth...

Posted by: Slashes-With-Claws Feb 11 2006, 11:03 PM

Commander Slashes-With-Claws sits at his desk, angry at what he had just been told. One of his men had run away and was now recaptured. To run from duty during wartime was punishable by death if the Commander so decided. Slashes felt betrayed by the soldier.

He went to the brig, the dunmer was in his cell, sleeping. The door was unlocked and Slashes entered.

The Dunmer awoke. He looked into the face of the argonian staring at him. The mouth was slightly parted, revealing the sharp teeth, the eyes glared like they could pierce ebony, the claws quivered, and the tail swished back and forth. The commander was angry. "Come with me." was all he said. The dunmer followed.

Slashes led the dunmer to a solitary confinement cell, and stepped inside. He could talk privately there with no one watching of listening; and, it if came to it, any blood could be cleaned up easily enough. He closed the door and glared at the dunmer.

He grabbed the dunmer and slammed him back against a wall. He grabbed the dunmer's chin and held his face steady, glaring into his eyes. Slashes' claws pressed against the dunmer's cheeks, drops of blood trickled down. "You betrayed my trust by running from your duties. You also betrayed the trust of the others under my command. I do not like betrayal. Why should I not kill you now?" Slashes instincts were running wild, he could smell the tiny drops of blood on the dunmer's cheeks, he could smell the fresh meat, so close, inches from his jaws. It had been a while since he had eaten a dunmer, were Slashes not an intelligent, civilized creature the dunmer would be dead already.

The dunmer quivered, his mind recalled recent events: during the attack on Ald Raathim a month ago he had hidden when the walls were breached, he was a coward. "I... I... don't... I."

Slashes growled, increasing the pressure from his claws.

"I don't want to die!" The dunmer screamed.

Slashes glared for a moment, "Neither do I. But that does not stop me from doing the duities I must. I hope to live yet a hundred years more, or perhaps even more than that, but I know that I may die the next time I step into battle. That is part of being a soldier." He let up the pressure some. "I give you the choice, you may resume your normal duties after you spend a month on detention duties. Or I can kill you now and be done with it." He licked his snout.

The dunmer swallowed, detention duty would be difficult, but it would be better than death, "I want to live." He said.

"Very well, but if you run away again, I will rip your heart out and you will watch me eat it in your dieing moments. Is that clear?"

The dunmer nodded.

"Very well." Slashes opened the door and pushed him out. "Now get to your duties!"

Slashes did not like being rough with his men, but running away from duty is a grave offense. He would remember that soldier, and remember his actions for a long time.

Posted by: One87xe Feb 11 2006, 11:22 PM

...Summary: Osa is still chatting up said Nord for any information about the birth (or pregnancy) that she can get...

Posted by: stargate525 Feb 12 2006, 04:56 PM

QUOTE(FireMaster @ Feb 10 2006, 08:46 PM)

"Now that we're properly armed," Reeds said, "How about we get moving? These vampires won't tolerate us here forever."

Posted by: FireMaster Feb 12 2006, 04:59 PM

QUOTE(stargate525 @ Feb 12 2006, 04:56 PM)

"Now that we're properly armed," Reeds said, "How about we get moving? These vampires won't tolerate us here forever."

"Grand idea," Erenius says to Reeds, before turning to the rest, a bit of urgency in his voice. "Now, lets hurry this up a bit so we can get our people and leave here, before the place goes completely dark on us!"

Posted by: Aki Feb 12 2006, 05:03 PM

"Yeah. We got swords of Vampire ass-whooping, lets put them to good use," Reichi said. "Maybe we should find some tunnels, see if they lead into the Castle. Sneak in, you know? Maybe send some stealthier folk like me in ahead and cut down some guards while invisible..."

"Too bad the bastards got the nightblade already. She'd been useful in that.."

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 12 2006, 05:32 PM

QUOTE(Aki @ Feb 12 2006, 06:03 PM)

"Too bad the bastards got the nightblade already. She'd been useful in that.."

"Her name was Zara," said the illusionist Xyllina, fading from view. Her voice continued. "And she wasn't the only mage capable of sneaking around."

Posted by: Aki Feb 12 2006, 05:36 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 12 2006, 06:32 PM)

"Her name was Zara," said the illusionist Xyllina, fading from view. Her voice continued. "And she wasn't the only mage capable of sneaking around."

"I just assumed she was more suited to sneaking around and killing things, actually," Reichi replied. "Unless of course you got some quit quick-killing touch range spells, or skill with a melee weapon?"

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 12 2006, 05:38 PM

QUOTE(Aki @ Feb 12 2006, 06:36 PM)

"No," Xyllina replied, appearing at the opposite end of the crypt. "But I can silence opponents while you slay them."

Posted by: Nalion Feb 12 2006, 05:41 PM

"I would also think that perhaps these tunnels provide a chance to get to the castle. The vampires in these have to come from somewhere.", Nalion said. "And if we can get to a tunnel entrance by cover of invisibility..."

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 12 2006, 05:47 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Feb 12 2006, 06:41 PM)

"Again, my only concern is that in the tunnels during the day, the Diodata have most of the advantage," Kingston added. "Maybe we should go survey the castle, and at least get an idea of what we're dealing with."

Posted by: Aki Feb 12 2006, 05:48 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 12 2006, 06:38 PM)

"No," Xyllina replied, appearing at the opposite end of the crypt. "But I can silence opponents while you slay them."

"That sounds good," Reichi replied. "I hadn't thought of that. But, I would add blind to that. Zadion said something about the elders being capable of watching through others eyes."

"Either he's right or this are some perceptive bastards, because it wasn't very long before they had moved into position to ambush us perfectly. With silencing arrows none the less. They knew we had a large number of mages somehow."

QUOTE

"I would also think that perhaps these tunnels provide a chance to get to the castle. The vampires in these have to come from somewhere.", Nalion said. "And if we can get to a tunnel entrance by cover of invisibility..."

"We can take them by surprise. Esspecially if they don't notice us move from here to the tunnels. They'll think we're still couped up in here if we move into the tunnels under cover of invisibility."

Posted by: Nalion Feb 12 2006, 05:53 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 12 2006, 05:47 PM)

"I know that this might be the case, however, we have these blessed swords, which should provide much confusion and fear with these vampires. If we manage to get a few blows on them while we are still under effects of chameleon, for example, we might instill fear in them. In close quarters, such kind of confusion among the enemy might be an advantage for us.", Nalion said.

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 12 2006, 05:58 PM

QUOTE(Aki @ Feb 12 2006, 06:48 PM)

"Yes, Zadion's right, they can see through other vampire's eyes," Kingston added. "Some of the most powerful ones have even been known to be able to see through mortals' eyes as well ... Knowing that they know they're dealing with mages, we should cast Dispel as well as Blind at any we encounter, because they're probably casting Reflect. I know I would if I were fighting a bunch of mages."

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 12 2006, 06:13 PM

The mages and others who had been upstairs came down.

"We should go," Andryk the alchemist said. "The sun is still in the sky, but when it goes down ..."

Posted by: stargate525 Feb 12 2006, 06:17 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 12 2006, 05:13 PM)

The mages and others who had been upstairs came down.

"We should go," Andryk the alchemist said. "The sun is still in the sky, but when it goes down ..."

"Lead on," Said Reeds, following Andryk and wondering what an alchemist was doing here. On reflection, he decided that it made about as much sense as him being here.

Posted by: Aki Feb 12 2006, 06:17 PM

"And then smack 'em in the face with the swords," Reichi added, grinning slightly. "Lets just hope this one isn't strong enough to see through mortal's eyes."

At Andryk's comment, Reichi replied. "When it goes down, a bad moon rises. How long do you think we have left?"

Posted by: FireMaster Feb 12 2006, 06:22 PM

QUOTE(Aki @ Feb 12 2006, 06:17 PM)

"I'd say, from the sun as we left, and the time I think we've spent here," Erenius says. "Maybe an hour or two, with another hour till its truley dark enough for them to take their element."

Posted by: Nalion Feb 12 2006, 06:27 PM

Nalion nodded.
"Sunlight is one of our best advantages.", the mage confirmed. "We should set out. Andryk, do you have some invisibility potions for those of us who cannot cast it on themselves? Or could you help us with that, Xyllina?"

Dana sheathed the blessed blade she had taken from the crypt and thus his its glowing white light. "We can retreat here with use of Almsivi Intervention, if something goes terribly wrong.", she said, frowning. Apparently, she was a bit disturbed about going down into dark tunnels, but is was better than sitting here doing nothing and wasting time.

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 12 2006, 06:30 PM

QUOTE(FireMaster @ Feb 12 2006, 07:22 PM)

"I'd say, from the sun as we left, and the time I think we've spent here," Erenius says. "Maybe an hour or two, with another hour till its truley dark enough for them to take their element."

Andryk looked to the sky. It was cloudy, but that estimation seemed about right. He nodded.

The central plaza in front of the castle consisted of a fresh-water well and stalls for selling produce, all in dilipidation. Rotten fruit, vegetables, and meat lay strewn about.

The castle itself was an ancient Chimer structure, complete with a drawbridge that was currently up, and a dry moat. It had been drained to add to the river about twenty feet beyond the village, which as had been learned before, was a recent addition to Tel Dresori. It curved through the trees, thin, but stretching down into the woods, doubtless for miles.

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 12 2006, 06:32 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Feb 12 2006, 07:27 PM)

Andryk did. Opening his robes, he found small metal vials, one for invisibility, one for healing. They were much smaller than usual potions, and in their metal casings, unbreakable.

"There are three doses each in these," Andryk said, as he passed them around. "They're highly condensed. Be sure to sip, not gulp."

Posted by: syronj Feb 12 2006, 06:33 PM

The group fanned out, breaking into houses and shops until they found what they were looking for. A tunnel.

The adventurers used chameleon or invisibility spells and advanced into the darkness, activating Night Eye . . . .

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 12 2006, 06:36 PM

QUOTE(syronj @ Feb 12 2006, 07:33 PM)

"There are creatures ahead of us," Kingston whispered as they slipped into the darkness. He didn't tell how he knew. Let them assume it was the expertise of a "Vampire Expert," and not the senses of a true vampire.

The others too cast invisibility on themselves as they moved forward.

Xyllina prepared to cast Dispel, Blindness, and Silence on the vampires as soon as she saw them.

Posted by: Loranna Feb 12 2006, 06:43 PM

Under the cover of spells and potions, the party descends into the tunnels ...

The farmhouse they passed though was decorated with Sixth House sigils, much like the schoolhouse had been, and within had waited Dunmer Diodata armored in old-style chitin with the insect banner of House Dagoth emblazoned on their pauldrons. They had rustled when the smell of blood reached their noses, but unlike the schoolhouse, there were only a few here, and quickly dispatched.

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 12 2006, 06:36 PM)

Four Dunmer, presumably vampires, stand guard in this tunnel, bearing armor similar to the previously-slain vampires above. As the party creeps ahead, one of the vampires mutters "I smell blood ..."

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 12 2006, 06:45 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 12 2006, 07:43 PM)

Four Dunmer, presumably vampires, stand guard in this tunnel, bearing armor similar to the previously-slain vampires above. As the party creeps ahead, one of the vampires mutters "I smell blood ..."

Xyllina launches her Dispel, Blind, and Silence spells at them, one after the other.

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 12 2006, 06:47 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 12 2006, 07:45 PM)

Xyllina launches her Dispel, Blind, and Silence spells at them, one after the other.

There was a sudden cracking of thin wood, and a puff of dust. A trap hidden beneath the tunnel floor. Then a splash.

Kingston suddenly became visible as he emerged from the water, a few feet below. He was shrieking in agony. The flesh on his skin burbled as if he were immersed in acid.

All others who fall into the water, of course, will find it wet and cold, but scarcely acidic.

Posted by: Aki Feb 12 2006, 06:48 PM

Reichi, seeing the spells launched, drew the holy shortblade. The glowing blade seemed to appear from the air as swung towards the closest vampire.

Posted by: Loranna Feb 12 2006, 06:48 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 12 2006, 06:45 PM)

Xyllina launches her Dispel, Blind, and Silence spells at them, one after the other.

"What the -" says the first vampire, followed by a string of unheard profanity as the Silence spell takes effect.

Their mouths drawn open in silent screams of hate, the Dunmer Diodata draw their spears and start stabbing their way forward, seeking flesh to pierce ...

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 12 2006, 06:50 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 12 2006, 07:47 PM)

As he thrashed in the water, Kingston's eyes burned bright white, and his vampiric fangs extended.

An explosion of steam billowed up around him.

Posted by: Nalion Feb 12 2006, 06:50 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 12 2006, 06:45 PM)

Xyllina launches her Dispel, Blind, and Silence spells at them, one after the other.

A blast of purple coloured magic followed swiftly as Nalion finished incanting an absorb health spell. "Get them!"

Dana drew the blessed blade and it's white light filled the cave. Trying to take advantage of Xyllina's spells, she moved towards one vampire.
"This is for the children!", she shouted, but then, the floor cracked and she and Nalion fell down into a pit of water.

"What the...", Nalion shouted, then saw Kingston thrashing around. "He's a Korgari!"

Posted by: FireMaster Feb 12 2006, 06:50 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 12 2006, 06:47 PM)

Kingston suddenly became visible as he emerged from the water, a few feet below. He was shrieking in agony. The flesh on his skin burbled as if he were immersed in acid.

All others who fall into the water, of course, will find it wet and cold, but scarcely acidic.

Erenius looks to Kingston, the specialist he had payed little mind to previously, as he is blistered from the water. He notices the fangs and eyes, yet doesnt really care, instead thinking of a way to give aid to him.

"Lets find a way to get this one out of the water for now. Mayhaps carrying him would aid him?" Erenius says to the others, asking for help as he nears the vampire.

Posted by: syronj Feb 12 2006, 06:56 PM

As Shaka stood in the water, the realization hit him of what Kingston Mune was. Korgari ..... Poor bastard, I wouldn't wish those burns on any but my worst enemy, if then.

He used a Jump spell and leaped out of the water, trusting that someone would get Kingston out in a similar way. Shaka swung the claymore at the nearest vampire, the white glow illuminating the twisted features of the enemy. He had a chance to cleave one in half before he would have time to react, with luck . . . .

Posted by: stargate525 Feb 12 2006, 06:56 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 12 2006, 05:50 PM)

As he thrashed in the water, Kingston's eyes burned bright white, and his vampiric fangs extended.

An explosion of steam billowed up around him.

"Holy..." Reeds scrambled up out of the water and onto the ground. Partially to get away from the vampire in the water, and partially to kill the four ahead of them.

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 12 2006, 06:57 PM

QUOTE(FireMaster @ Feb 12 2006, 07:50 PM)

Erenius looks to Kingston, the specialist he had payed little mind to previously, as he is blistered from the water. He doesnt notice as the fangs are exposed, but the white eyes gave him away.

"Lets find a way to get this one outta the water for now. Mayhaps carrying him would aid him?" Erenius says to the others, asking for help as he nears the vampire.

As he reached the water, the mist dissipated, and Kingston was gone.

Vitus, Dolkirre, Fragon, and Zadion also cast offensive spells at the Diodata vampires, while Baoriah and Muthog held back, preparing to engage in hand-to-hand combat if needed. Angryk, Ward-Backs, Egin, and Xyllina prepared spells to protect those on the front lines.

Posted by: Loranna Feb 12 2006, 06:59 PM

The effects of the swords on the blindly-attacking undead was immediate; the blades glowed bright white as they struck and the vampires give vent to a silenced cry of horror. Dropping their weapons, they attempt to flee, smashing into each other an clawing at each other in their desperate bid to escape the power of the swords...

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 12 2006, 06:57 PM)

The spells make short work of the terrified vampires, dropping them in a roar of unleashed magicka. Then, the tunnel is silent once more, the only souns the sizzling of the Diodata corpses.

Posted by: Osano Feb 12 2006, 07:00 PM

The sudden drop into the water surprised Athaso, as well as the fact that one of their group was having adverse effects to it. But everyone else could help Kingston, Athaso, however, climbed out of the pit and drew the enchanted blade, running towards the confused vampires. He easily avoided one of their blind thrusts of the spear and lashed out its shoulder with his sword, and drew back for another attack but his target had slumped to the ground, falling victim to the mages' spells.

Posted by: syronj Feb 12 2006, 07:08 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 12 2006, 07:59 PM)

The spells make short work of the terrified vampires, dropping them in a roar of unleashed magicka. Then, the tunnel is silent once more, the only souns the sizzling of the Diodata corpses.

Shaka caught his breath, and brought the flat of the blade up to his forehead for a second. The relic gave him a clarity and simplicity of thought that he hadn't had since . . . possibly childhood.

"I wonder if Mune could have survived somehow. I didn't have the chance to tell him that he fought bravely with us this day."

Posted by: Aki Feb 12 2006, 07:08 PM

"Well that went well..." Reichi said while dusting himself off. "What happened to Mune? I heard him screaming. I couldn't look though, Vampires in my face and all..."

Posted by: Sheogorath Feb 12 2006, 07:09 PM

QUOTE(Osano @ Feb 12 2006, 08:00 PM)

"It seems we had a Korgari vampire in our midst," Zadion frowned, looking to the well. "The ancient enemy of the Diodata. No wonder he knew so much about them ... Other Korgari may be on their way ... 'Tis best we keep moving, for they can survive in sunlight better than the others ..."

It was clear from his tone that Zadion did not consider Kingston's fate as tragic as the deaths of Zara and Lheres.

Posted by: FireMaster Feb 12 2006, 07:10 PM

Erenius turns as Athaso splashes beside him into the water, turning about and joining him in the attack, Erenius unleashes his holy sword, ready to bring its keen edge upon a foe. To his very minimal dismay however, he notices the vampires turning to flee, through their own kin. By the time he arrived though, they had all been slain by blade or magicks.

Posted by: stargate525 Feb 12 2006, 07:11 PM

QUOTE(Aki @ Feb 12 2006, 06:08 PM)

"Well that went well..." Reichi said while dusting himself off. "What happened to Mune? I heard him screaming. I couldn't look though, Vampires in my face and all..."

"Vampires behind as well." Reeds replied to him, wringing out his robe, "Mune was apparently a Korgari and... well they don't like water."

Posted by: Aki Feb 12 2006, 07:14 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 12 2006, 08:09 PM)

"That would explain the skill with fire spells..." Reichi replied. "I have some water in case there are others, though." Reichi patted the flask on his hip. "Kind of a shame really, he was pretty useful. And a likeable guy for a vampire.."

"But yeah, best keep moving and avoid anymore if we can."

Posted by: syronj Feb 12 2006, 07:25 PM

"Can anyone explain why the Sixth House trappings? I can't put it together yet. As if there weren't enough enemy factions already. . . . "

Shaka eyed the metal potion containers, and put the remaining two unused ones back in a pouch. A useful innovation, those.

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 12 2006, 07:40 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Feb 12 2006, 06:09 PM)

It was clear from his tone that Zadion did not consider Kingston's fate as tragic as the deaths of Zara and Lheres.

QUOTE(syronj @ Feb 12 2006, 06:25 PM)

Anya turned to Shaka, mild irritation edging her voice, "I'm quite sure we'll understand when we find Slyvos. Which means we should beginning moving, just a suggestion."

Posted by: Stargazey Feb 12 2006, 07:43 PM

Ald Raathim
Back in the Nymph and Noggin, there was much rejoicing. Isidor had said, and instructed the barmaids not to tell Kethiah, that drinks were on the house for the night.

Isidor was upstairs with Kethiah, feeling exceptionally proud.

Posted by: FireMaster Feb 12 2006, 07:44 PM

"Yep," Erenius states, concurring with the Bosmer's suggestions. "I'd rather not be here when those vampires return from their depths. If we move quickly, we may be able to skirt by them down here."

Posted by: Loranna Feb 12 2006, 07:52 PM

The tunnel - which sported a couple more water traps - leads eventually to what appears to be the pantry of the castle, though the stocks of food are meager, at best. A bloodless Dunmer man, a look of horror etched on his face and his throat torn open, has been pushed off into a corner, where the rats have found him and claimed him for their own.

The castle is alive with the sounds of voices, and footsteps, and if one listens carefully, the faint echoes of screams far below. Though the pantry itself is unoccupied save for the vermin and the dead, the party can hear movement outside - and Anya feels the cold chill of another vampire's presence like she's never felt before, the sensation being almost overwhelming for a moment.

Posted by: Nalion Feb 12 2006, 07:53 PM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Feb 12 2006, 07:40 PM)

Anya frowned and shot Zadion a most venomous glance, her focus on keeping her facade up as her concentration was slowly being leeched with the day's events. "I'd rather have Kingston with me than your snobbish ass."
Anya turned to Shaka, mild irritation edging her voice, "I'm quite sure we'll understand when we find Slyvos. Which means we should beginning moving, just a suggestion."

"And you say that to the mer whose people had sacrificed themselves so that we could continue on, Anya? I would have expected better from you.", Nalion hissed, crossing his arms over his chest.

Nalion moved close to her and whispered in a low voice.
"And gathering from your lack of surprise, you knew what he was from beginning on, and Loranna probably, too. I trust you Anya, for the friend you are to me. But I would not easily trust others of your kind, disregarding things like 'the enemy of your enemy is my friend'."
Nalion's voice was calm enough, but in his eyes was disappointment, and worry.

"It's better that we move along now, shall we?", he said in a louder voice, urning towards the others.

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 12 2006, 07:52 PM)

"We better be very quiet now.", Nalion whispered. With a spell of chameleon, the outline of his figure shimmered slightly.

Dana gripped the hilt of her sacred sword firmer, worry and anxiety clearly showing on her face.
"I don't like this... at all."
'Unconsciously, she checked if the Almsivi Intervention scroll in her pocket was still there.

Posted by: Aki Feb 12 2006, 08:01 PM

"We should head for the screams, they'll probably have him in the dungeons," Reichi whispered. "We should proceed as previously, blind them, silence them, kill 'em."

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 12 2006, 08:03 PM

"I only say that to Zadion, Nalion." Anya replied, scowling as she shoulder past.

Anya was shaken though. She would have liked to think that she understood better than Nalion, but the simple fact was that she didn't, disregarding her own distaste for nearly all other members of her kind. She hadn't known Kingston long at all, and knew from her own work that Zadion was a reliable enough person. It still struck her deeply, her worry for Kingston more than it should be.

Anya shivered as she entered the castle. She pressed her ear to the door of the pantry, trying to locate the noises from outside it. Her mind breifly wondered if any vampire was using her eyes as his or her own.

Posted by: Loranna Feb 12 2006, 08:09 PM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Feb 12 2006, 08:03 PM)

Anna's sharp ears hear steady footsteps patroling the corridor outside the pantry - guards, most likely. Three, maybe four,if her hearing doesn't mislead her.

Reichi, should he be trying to focus on the direction of the screams, can heara breif burst of female laughter swamping the screams out, and then both laughter and screams fade into silence, leaving just the sounds of a castle full of hostile, super-strong vampires.

Posted by: syronj Feb 12 2006, 08:09 PM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Feb 12 2006, 09:03 PM)

Anya shivered as she entered the castle. She pressed her ear to the door of the pantry, trying to locate the noises from outside it. Her mind breifly wondered if any vampire was using her eyes as his or her own.

"What's got you spooked, Anya?" said Shaka, eyeing her with concern. "Do you sense Dayla around?"

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 12 2006, 08:17 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 12 2006, 07:09 PM)

Anya shook her head, irrate. She held up four fingers, and then cast Invisible. "Four at most, let's go."

QUOTE(syronj @ Feb 12 2006, 07:09 PM)

"What's got you spooked, Anya?" said Shaka, eyeing her with concern. "Do you sense Dayla around?"

"I don't know, Shaka. I can't just make her out. Please keep you voice down around these people though." Anya said in a whisper.

Posted by: Loranna Feb 12 2006, 08:20 PM

Xyllina weaves invisibility spells and chameleon effects for the group, as Zadion uses a small telekenesis spell to slip the door open ...

Outside, four Dunmer in Redoran armor march, their bonemold stained red; they bear silver-plated spears that shimmer with faint enchantment.

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 12 2006, 08:37 PM

Anya crept slowly at the group of vampires. In her hand were several throwing weapons with Silence enchanted on them. When she was barely several feet away, Anya made her move. In quick succesion, the weapons were tossed and imbedded in their necks.

With a leap, she stabbed the first vampire with the Dagger of Judgement, and was able to threw him into the pantry with his strength and endurance drained. Without looking back, she lept at the next closet vampire, preparing to do the same thing.

Posted by: syronj Feb 12 2006, 08:40 PM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Feb 12 2006, 09:37 PM)

With a leap, she stabbed the first vampire with the Dagger of Judgement, and was able to threw him into the pantry with his strength and endurance drained. Without looking back, she lept at the next closet vampire, preparing to do the same thing.

Several of the group subdued the vampire until he could be finished off, and his spear was passed to a volunteer. They waited tensely for the next guard to be struck . . . .

Posted by: Loranna Feb 12 2006, 08:44 PM

Xyllina quickly cast Blind as Zadion cast Dispel, preventing the Redoran from effectively fighting back.

However, as Anya and the others subdue this group of guards, wild cries can be heard, the whole castle seeming to come alive with bloodlust. From both ends of the corridor, wild-looking vampires, of various races, show up, Dispel spells being thrown at the party as an opening salvo.

Almost immediately thereafter, Diodata charge the party, arms and weapons outstretched ...

Posted by: Nalion Feb 12 2006, 08:51 PM

"Watch out, they're coming from both sides!", Nalion shouted, flinging a fire spell at the nearest vampire coming from behind. "We need to hold them off from one side! Retreat and shut the door!"

Dana jumped forward, trying to shield the mages from immediate melee combat, greeting the vampires with a blazing white flurry of the blessed sword.
"Deal with this!", she screamed, shouting out her defiance and trying to overcome her fear.

Posted by: FireMaster Feb 12 2006, 08:52 PM

Erenius grabs the nearest spear to him, ready to skewer one of the charging vampire. He braces himself against the ground as one might do with a pike, even though the spear was barely more than three metres in length. Braced against the ground, the spear set to a thirty-five degree angle, he awaits the impact.

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 12 2006, 08:52 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 12 2006, 07:44 PM)

Anya hit the Diodata she letp at, her clawed hand gripping the armor for a tight purchase, her legs wrapping around, preventing him from using the full limit of his strength. She raised her dagger and repeatedly trying to stab his neck.

Posted by: stargate525 Feb 12 2006, 08:54 PM

"Well the whole 'hide and assasinate' thing worked like a charm now didn't it?" Reeds says sarcastically to no one in particular. Drawing both of his swords, he waits for them to come.

Posted by: syronj Feb 12 2006, 08:56 PM

Shaka hurled a Greater Fireball down the corridor, then charged with the claymore. Its weight would make striking a blow slower than the others' swords, but it would have great momentum behind it when it did strike.

Posted by: Stargazey Feb 12 2006, 08:59 PM

Ingmar stood his ground, axe drawn, waiting for the charge.

Posted by: Osano Feb 12 2006, 09:01 PM

Athaso, alarmed by what sounded like an impeding vampire army, quickly stepped out of the pantry and into to the hallway to find just that waiting for him. "Lovely," he said under his breath while drawing both the enchanted sword and his silver dagger. Taking a defensive stance, he met a charging vampire and locked swords with him...

Posted by: Aki Feb 12 2006, 09:08 PM

Reichi drew both the glowing sacred sword and the unenchanted but well forged silver one. "Like slughterfish they swarm to the slightest scent of blood.." he remarked. "They'll die like slaughterfish, too..." Reichi braced himself against the charge.

Posted by: Loranna Feb 12 2006, 09:15 PM

"If we do that we'll just be trapped!" Vitus yells to Nalion, as he and his fellow mages cast offensive and protective spells on behalf of the party. " ... Still ... maybe it's not a bad idea!"

The vampires that meet the enchanted swords each give voice to piercing shrieks, as if the gates to Oblivion had opened within them. Dana's blows send three vampires running right into their own people, while Athaso, Reichi, and Shaka each drive even more vampires away.

Erenius, Reeds, and Igmar, each using non-blessed weapons, find themselves being pressed hard by the vampires attacking them, though the sound and sight of their terrified bretheren gives the bloothirsty Diodata pause, as the power of the swords radiates into the cramped corridor. Anya's victim tries vainly to punch at her, but even he seems to sense the swords' powers, and his blows are meant more to islodge Anya than to outright hurt her.

Frightened and burned, the Diodata charge breaks, and the vampires fall over themselves, trying to regroup and regain their senses. For the moment, though the heroes and their allies have taken several wounds in the initial crash, no one has fallen among the party.

Posted by: Nalion Feb 12 2006, 09:20 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 12 2006, 09:15 PM)

Dana was panting heavily, her still wet hair from the water pit was clinging to her face.
"Hold them off for a bit!", she said, downing a potion of magicka and moving to offer healing to those who were in need of it.

Nalion was covered in sweat after firing several bolts of magicka into the vampires and he, too, was trying to gather his breath after the fight died down for a moment.
"We should regroup..."

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 12 2006, 09:22 PM

Anya, with the dagger buried up to the hilt in the vampires neck and angled up towards his head, lept off as they fell over. She whips around to face the two Diodata near her from the initial patrol, her advantage lost since they were both at arms length.

Snarling, she charged the closet one, using him to sheild the attacks from the second. She darted in, hoping to close the amount of space either had to swing, angling her short sword up and slicing at his torso, aiming for uncovered parts and joints.

Posted by: stargate525 Feb 12 2006, 09:23 PM

For not having a blessed blade, Reeds had done alright. He robe was torn, but the armor had held well enough, only letting in a few slashes on his right shoulder. He quickly pulled out an herb from his satchel and chewed it to dull the pain.

QUOTE

Nalion was covered in sweat after firing several bolts of magicka into the vampires and he, too, was trying to gather his breath after the fight died down for a moment.
"We should regroup..."

"And then what? Let them pummel us all the way back to the Temple?" Reeds looked at the group, "We need to find a way to tip the scales in our favor. Blessed blades or no, this is not boding well."

Posted by: syronj Feb 12 2006, 09:23 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 12 2006, 10:15 PM)

Frightened and burned, the Diodata charge breaks, and the vampires fall over themselves, trying to regroup and regain their senses. For the moment, though the heroes and their allies have taken several wounds in the initial crash, no one has fallen among the party.

"Ald Raathiiiiim!" shouted Shaka, and laid into the nearest vampires. Ordinarily a struggle with inhumanly strong undead in a single corridor would seem suicidal to the battlemage, but the sword had centered him and given him the faith to meet the vampire charge with a steady heart.

The claymore was surprisingly well-balanced for such a massive sword, and Shaka was soon cutting swathes through the Diodata; now a head, now a leg or arm. Their bonemould armor would have been no match for even an unenchanted claymore.

Shaka could still feel the incredible strength of the vampires though, even by undead standards; it was like fighting a line of ogrim. He was forced back several times, but the Dragonbone Cuirass saved him from being gutted.

Posted by: FireMaster Feb 12 2006, 09:27 PM

Erenius discards the silver spear he had just used. The tip was now missing, and the shaft broken just behind where the silver point would have been. During the battle he had felt it crack under teh vampire's weight as it ran into it. The sof silver seemed to have done its job, having lodged itself into the vampire.

The spear now cast aside, Erenius sips from his skein of water, offerring it to the others who wanted a drink, before drawing the artifact blade he took up at the Temple.

"They won't stay for long," Erenius observes, having readied himself for the second attack that would come, be it from the party from Ald Raathim, or the vampires to either side of them.

Watching as Shaka went to the fray, Erenius joins him on that same area, ready to cleave a path through the bodies, if only to leave fewer for later.

Posted by: Stargazey Feb 12 2006, 09:28 PM

QUOTE(syronj @ Feb 12 2006, 09:23 PM)

Ingmar followed Shaka's lead, sans the Holy Sword, but with just as much spirit. Swinging his axe with reckless abandon, he pushed as far foward as he could, his armor absorbing countless blows.

Posted by: Osano Feb 12 2006, 09:29 PM

Athaso held his own ground relatively well, although he was more keeping the Diodata at bay rather than killing them all to pieces. They feared the sword and he used this to his advantage. He was not entirely successful, though, he had been caught by the tip of a blade or two and bled from scrapes on his arms and torso.

Taking the momentary pause, he downed a gulp of healing potion and called to the group with an exasperated voice, "So what do we do? Just push our way through?!"

Posted by: stargate525 Feb 12 2006, 09:30 PM

QUOTE(syronj @ Feb 12 2006, 08:23 PM)

"Ald Raathiiiiim!" shouted Shaka, and laid into the nearest vampires.

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Feb 12 2006, 08:28 PM)

Ingmar followed Shaka's lead, sans the Holy Sword, but with just as much spirit. Swinging his axe with reckless abandon, he pushed as far foward as he could, his armor absorbing countless blows.

"Oh for the love of..." Reeds muttered. Still, not wanting his friends to be slaughtered quite as quickly, He follows after Igmar, swords out and swinging.

Posted by: Aki Feb 12 2006, 09:31 PM

"Get your undead asses back here!" Reichi yelled, joining Shaka in charging the vampires, laying into them mercilessly with both blades. "Force them back before they can recover! Presh the advantage!"

Posted by: Nalion Feb 12 2006, 09:35 PM

Nalion's eyebrow rose up for a moment before he quickly moved to follow his companions. The mage cast a turn undead aura around him again, then launched an absorb health spell into the vampire group his comrades attacked.

Danna followed swiftly as well, sword dram and pointed towards the sharp teethed enemy.

Posted by: Loranna Feb 12 2006, 09:48 PM

Baoriah, swinging her blade, joins the wielders of the holy artifacts in the front lines, chanting incantations to imbue her and her allies with the power and skill of the dark elven goddess from which she takes her name. Muthog is but a step behind, his axe swinging in time with his mighty war cries, beating back vampires through sheer power.

Zadion, Dolkirre, Ward-Backs, and Vitus concentrate their fire magics into the ranks of the vampires to the party's rear, hoping to keep them from surging forward and striking at the group. Xyllina and Egin cast what protective spells they know to shield the party, while the alchemist Andryk keeps his companions stocked with restorative potions, not daring to let their magicka run dry at this critical juncture.

The vampires to the side the party is attacking fall like wheat to a scythe; few if any of the Diodata dare to face the power of the holy blades, and those that do look able to withstan the effects are overrun by their own bretheren. The retreat becomes a rout, the Diodata trying to stay ahead of the sacred artifacts, like a feather blown hither and yon by the winds. Ahead of the group lies the main hall of the castle, a large, imposing room done in the old Velothi tradition. Symbols of House Dres have been hastily torn down, Sixth House symbols scrawled in their place, and the once stately decor has been tossed around in disarray, tables used as makeshift fortifications, chairs strewn to and fro.

The party pushes its way out of the corridor, the Diodata melting before them - though as they break out of the pantry and into the main hall, they can see even more vampires waiting for them - several of whom are yelling commands to their frightened brothers and sisters.

Posted by: stargate525 Feb 12 2006, 09:56 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 12 2006, 08:48 PM)

The party pushes its way out of the corridor, the Diodata melting before them - though as they break out of the pantry and into the main hall, they can see even more vampires waiting for them - several of whom are yelling commands to their frightened brothers and sisters.

"FORWARD!" Reeds shouts as he hacks his way into the hall, "Make for the commanders!" Reeds beheaded a fleeing vampire with his ebony blade, the disembodied cranium flying across the room. Where that one fell, two more took its place. Reeds had a feeling that this would be a long battle.

Posted by: FireMaster Feb 12 2006, 10:01 PM

QUOTE(stargate525 @ Feb 12 2006, 09:56 PM)

Erenius presses forward as well, using the enchanted blade to cut a path of death to the vampires at the rear, the ones who seem to be commanding them.

"Keep together!" Erenius shouts, hewing the arm off another vampire as it comes closer.

Posted by: Osano Feb 12 2006, 10:05 PM

Athaso made his way into the main hall, directly behind the rest of his friends. The way he saw it, they were on a roll. They had the vampires fleeing at the sight of their swords. Then as they spilled into the hall, Athaso caught sight of the reinforcements waiting for them, yet everyone pressed on not giving the enemy any breathing room.

The dunmer, his adrenaline pumping, leaped into the fray and began swinging the glowing sword wildly...

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 12 2006, 10:10 PM

Anya made a wide birth as she passed the people weilding the holy weapons. She couldn't afford to have the intense anger the battle made her feel mixed with the fear that those made cringe in her. Her eyes were already glinting as it is.

Anya hit the fringes of the vampire horde, her clawed hand raking for a purchase, and her shortsword coming up for a slice at a torso.

Posted by: Nalion Feb 12 2006, 10:12 PM

Nalion stopped near the door that the party came through and let his companions pass.He turned and fired a few bolts of flame into the corridor they just left to buy them time to attack the vampires in the main hall.
It seemed that by now, they had no choice but to keep on fighting, maintaining the momentum they had gathered.
"Be careful around these barricades!", the mage shouted, hoping that the vampires in the main hall would not be too much for the party to fend off.

Dana, not used to charging into barricades, used her blade to scare off vampires, but kept an eye on her fellow party members to see whether they were injured or not.

Posted by: Aki Feb 12 2006, 10:13 PM

Reichi joined the others in charge, having decided it was best to press the advantage as long as possible, before the leaders could reign the lesser vampires in and set them against the heroes. He soon was hacking at slashing at the vampires, causing body arts to go flying.

Posted by: Loranna Feb 12 2006, 10:23 PM

"Fools! Take out the mages!" yells a female voice, even as Zadion and his companions use fireballs to keep the vampires' heads down and the party imbued with fortify spells. "Badenes! Svorkin! Drinks-the-Sap, attack the holy sword wielders!"

Diodata hiding behind the barricades begin throwing enchanted silver darts at Nalion, Zadion, Dolkirre, Fargon, Ward-Backs, Xyllina, and Egin, Vitus and Muthog finding themselves beset upon by ebony-armored vampires bearing shimmering ebony shields and enchanted silver blades. Magic hitting the shimmering shields bounces back at the caster, eliciting several screams.

Reichi, Dana, and Baoriah are targeted by several curses that sap the speed from one's body, hurled by the grinning blue-green scaled Argonian that stands by a burly Nord and a frowning Dunmer. The Dunmer whispers an incantation to empower the Nord, who swings his ebony claymore with frightening speed, fading into transparency as he strikes seemingly from multiple places at once.

Athaso finds himself meeting the gaze of a strikingly beautiful, raven-haired Dunmer woman, who sadly whipsers to him "Lay down your sword; it's the only way to avoid a ghastly death ...", magic imbued in her voice ...

Posted by: stargate525 Feb 12 2006, 10:30 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 12 2006, 09:23 PM)

Reichi, Dana, and Baoriah are targeted by several curses that sap the speed from one's body, hurled by the grinning blue-green scaled Argonian that stands by a burly Nord and a frowning Dunmer.

"Marshbrother..." Reeds growls. How one of his people could be turned was beyond him, they were nearly completely immune to disease. Either way, he knew that most spells would dispel if their caster died, and his friends needed their speed. Swinging his way nearer the Argonian, he lines up and slashes for the abomination's neck....

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 12 2006, 10:33 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 12 2006, 09:23 PM)

Othaso finds himself meeting the gaze of a strikingly beautiful, raven-haired Dunmer woman, who sadly whipsers to him "Lay down your sword; it's the only way to avoid a ghastly death ...", magic imbued in her voice ...

Anya's ears twitched at the voice, and she put some distance between her and the vampires. Several throwing daggers with powerful but short Silence spells on them srang from her hands, "I won't let you do that!"

With her own voice full of magic, she yelled at Athaso, trying to break the spell, "Run you idiot, or you won't live to see another day." Anya ran towards the dunmer, her eyes flaring brightly.

Posted by: Osano Feb 12 2006, 10:34 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 12 2006, 11:23 PM)

Athaso finds himself meeting the gaze of a strikingly beautiful, raven-haired Dunmer woman, who sadly whipsers to him "Lay down your sword; it's the only way to avoid a ghastly death ...", magic imbued in her voice ...

Athaso simply stared longingly into the female's eyes. He dropped his dagger to the ground and felt his grip loosen on his sword when none other than Anya's voice brought his gaze back into focus. IDIOT! SHE'S CHARMING YOU! Without giving himself a moment more to think he lashed out at the woman with his sword, "Die wench!"

Posted by: Nalion Feb 12 2006, 10:38 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 12 2006, 10:23 PM)

"Fools! Take out the mages!" yells a female voice, even as Zadion and his companions use fireballs to keep the vampires' heads down and the party imbued with fortify spells. "Badenes! Svorkin! Drinks-the-Sap, attack the holy sword wielders!"

Diodata hiding behind the barricades begin throwing enchanted silver darts at Nalion, Zadion, Dolkirre, Fargon, Ward-Backs, Xyllina, and Egin, Vitus and Muthog finding themselves beset upon by ebony-armored vampires bearing shimmering ebony shields and enchanted silver blades. Magic hitting the shimmering shields bounces back at the caster, eliciting several screams.

Reichi, Dana, and Baoriah are targeted by several curses that sap the speed from one's body, hurled by the grinning blue-green scaled Argonian that stands by a burly Nord and a frowning Dunmer. The Dunmer whispers an incantation to empower the Nord, who swings his ebony claymore with frightening speed, fading into transparency as he strikes seemingly from multiple places at once.

Othaso finds himself meeting the gaze of a strikingly beautiful, raven-haired Dunmer woman, who sadly whipsers to him "Lay down your sword; it's the only way to avoid a ghastly death ...", magic imbued in her voice ...

Nalion turns, just to see the gleaming darts flying at him. Two of them were badly aimed in the rush and harmelssly struck the wall at the side of him. Nalion managed to rush a fire spell out towards the barricades, hoping to set them aflame, before he got hit by two of the sleek silver darts. The turn undead aura around him wavered, then vanished. He wanted to shout out the pain, but no sound came from his throat.

Dana got hit by a spell of damage speed, and her movements became painstakingly slow. With effort, she managed to incant a counterspell and flinged it at Reichi and Baoriah.
"Maaaakeee iiit cooouuunt!", she stammered.

Posted by: Aki Feb 12 2006, 10:41 PM

Reichi slowly stepped away from the cloaked Nord, sheathing his silver blade and drawing the Dagger Of Senses in its' place. The enchantment on the blade expanded his senses well beyound the normal spectrum available to a Dunmer. The Nord, while hard to track with the eyes, was much easer to hear, even in the clamour of battle. Then a spell hit him, and the sludginess of movement left him.

"Die, N'wah!" Reichi spat, charging the Nord and bringing both the Dagger of Senses and the sacred shortsword to bear on the Nord.

Posted by: Loranna Feb 12 2006, 10:55 PM

Vitus and Muthog fight valiantly against the ebony-clad warriors, but the Diodata's strength is simply too much for them, especially with half their companions silenced and unable to fortify them. With powerful buffets the vampires bull over the Mage Guild warriors and close in on the mages themselves, silver blades swinging to and fro, drawing blood ...

Reeds finds himself parried by the Dunmer, who fades into transparency himself as he unleashes several slashes in counter attack. Drinks-the-Sap, seeing Dana dispel his curse, invokes it again, adding a drain strength effect to the mix.

The Nord screams, causing Reichi's ears to ring, as the holy sword cuts into his flesh - but he manages to stand his ground and brings his blade with inhuman quickness to slash at the Dunmer werewolf, while Badenes tries to force Reeds into Reichi.

Dayla, hearing Anya cry out, winces, twists to avoid the darts, and seeing Athaso resisting her charm she hurriedly summons a Bound Shield, blocking the blow. She seethes, and the next time she speaks her voice is laced with nigh-irresistable magic.

"Leave this fight little boy! Don't get between me and her!"

As Anya approaches, Dayla's eyes fill with emotion. " ... Damnit, don't do this; don't force me to kill you ..." she pleads.

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 12 2006, 11:00 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 12 2006, 09:55 PM)

Dayla, hearing Anya cry out, winces, twists to avoid the darts, and seeing Athaso resisting her charm she hurriedly summons a Bound Shield, blocking the blow. She seethes, and the next time she speaks her voice is laced with nigh-irresistable magic.

"Leave this fight little boy! Don't get between me and her!"

As Anya approaches, Dayla's eyes fill with emotion. " ... Damnit, don't do this; don't force me to kill you ..." she pleads.

Anya's shortsword hit the bound sheild with a resounding clang. She hesitated slightly, the voice cutting deep, before her face hardened again, raising a clawed finger accusingly.

"Do you know how much pain you've cause? How much your twisted mind has taken from me?" Anya centered her sword in a defensive posture.

Posted by: stargate525 Feb 12 2006, 11:01 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 12 2006, 09:55 PM)

Reeds finds himself parried by the Dunmer, who fades into transparency himself as he unleashes several slashes in counter attack.

"That's not going to work, fool..." Reeds, after a moments concentration, switches on his magical vision, turning the invisble Dunmer into a bright yellow figure. Reeds deftly parries or dodges every one of the Vampire's counter-attacks, then lunges at the vampire, both Reeds' swords pointed straight towards where the heart should be.

Posted by: Nalion Feb 12 2006, 11:02 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 12 2006, 10:55 PM)

Nalion stared down at the two darts sticking from his chest, then fell to his knees. Unable to cast a spell or shout, he touched the ring he wore, which was engraved with his name. Blue light emanated from the simple silver ring and the his wounds began to close.

Dana tried to back up to gather her strength to drink a restorative potion that brought back her speed. Then she once more tried to help out Reichi and Reeds, but she felt that her arms were beginning to feel terribly weak...

Posted by: Loranna Feb 12 2006, 11:05 PM

QUOTE(Nalion @ Feb 12 2006, 11:02 PM)

Even as the power of Nalion's ring heals his wounds, a shadow falls over him ...

Nalion's last memory is the sight of the ebony pommel swinging down onto his skull before blackness overtakes him.

Posted by: Osano Feb 12 2006, 11:09 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 12 2006, 11:55 PM)

"Leave this fight little boy! Don't get between me and her!"

Athaso backs out of the duel, and looks around the raging battle for an area in which he can be of assistance. He finds that their mages are being cut down by vampiric warriors and quickly sprints off to position himself between their remaining mages and the two 'ebony clad' vampires who had just run over Vitus and Muthog...

Posted by: Aki Feb 12 2006, 11:10 PM

Reichi brought up both weapons to block, still being forced abck some by the force of the blow. "You know, at this point, out strengthing you is damn stupid so..." Reichi ducked down, breaking the lock and letting the Nord's momentum propell him forward as he sprung up and stabbed at the Diodata's chest. "I'll just cut this short."

Posted by: syronj Feb 12 2006, 11:10 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 12 2006, 11:55 PM)

Seeing the mages endangered, Shaka fought closer to them. He reached behind his neck and touched the Spear, calling forth an Atronach; the third one of the Tel Dresori campaign. Shaka could only summon about two more before the Spear would have to recharge for several days.

He mentally ordered the Atronach to attempt to block the vampires -- break necks, break spines, whatever it took. Shaka positioned himself behind and to one side of the Atronach with the claymore, and pitched in.

Posted by: Loranna Feb 12 2006, 11:35 PM

The battle ebbed back and forth, the summoning of the Atronach and the crafty maneuvers by Reeds and Reichi delaying certain doom - but, the Mage Guild members were in bad shape, already struck greiveous blows by the ebony-clad vampires. Also, Reeds, Reichi, and Dana were still weakened by the Argonian vampire's curses, and no one was preventing him from continuing to strike at them magically ...

Though Badenes and Svorkin were badly wounded, they still flailed around with fading vigor ...

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Feb 12 2006, 11:00 PM)

Dalya shrinks back, Anya's words slicing her like swords. She opens her mouth to reply, but no words come out.

Then, there is a cruel, female laugh, and a mist pours into the main hall, causing Dayla to whisper "Mater ..." The mist wraps around the Mage Guild members and heores still standing, save those still wielding holy blades, and they can feel the blood being drawn out of their bodies from every pore of their skin ...

As the mists reach for Anya, Dayla cries out "MATER! No!" Looking stunned by her own outburst, she says " ... Let them surrender!"

Ashana's voice echoes through the hall. "I only need one or two for my purposes."

"What harm in keeping them all for that?" Dayla counters. "They're beaten; let Slyvos see all their broken faces!"

The mists seem to pause, and Ashana's voice rings out again. "You have an interesting point ..." Then, they wrap around everyone, Dayla and the blade wielders included, squeezing tightly until darkness overtakes the group.

Reforming, the red-haired Dunmer vampire gestures to the few Diodata still remaining. "Disarm them, take them all down to the dungeons. I shall deal with them at my leisure." She sighs and shakes her head at the unconscious Dayla. "Filia filia filia; you're being very naughty these days ..."

Posted by: Loranna Feb 12 2006, 11:53 PM

Sometime later

The party, their equipment stripped from them, are thrown into the remaining cells of the castle's dungeons, in a couple of cases the occupants of said cells being pulled out and thrown to the vamires who had survived the heroes' assault. Slave manacles were snapped onto everyone's arms, and for Anya and Dayla, anklets to drain their willpower and vampiric strength as well. Reichi, however, was allowed to keep one item - his silver ring, which was forced onto his finger to prevent him from changing into a werewolf, and as his arms were chained to the wall he could not remove the ring.

Consciousness returns to Anya, bringing with it a severe thirst, harder to resist because of the drain willpower anklets. A few rats skitter in the cell at her feet, and she can see Dayla similarly chained to the wall next to her, groaning as she regains consciousness too.

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 12 2006, 11:58 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 12 2006, 10:53 PM)

Anya squinted her eyes, her body in pain. She tugged at the manacles vehemetly, but with the anklets on, she might as well had been attack Magnus itself. She angled her hair, her hand rummaging for a pick she kept there for a case such as this, but even that was removed.

Anya then tried to use a claw on the manacles, but her mind was hazy despite her full consciousness regained, and her fingers remained small and pale, leaving her to curse loudly at the anklets. Her loud curses were paused, as Anya stopped and watched her mater regain her consciousness.

Posted by: Loranna Feb 13 2006, 12:04 AM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Feb 12 2006, 11:58 PM)

Dayla bares her fangs, groaning with hunger pangs. She tugs on her chains, to no avail. Her eyes fall on Anya, and she grits her teeth, writhing in obvious hunger.

A rat gets too close to Dayla, and she presses down on it with her feet, holding it as it squeals and tries to escape. With a supreme effort, she makes one arm slim down enough to slip free of the manacle, reaches down to grab the rat - and holds it out to Anya, pressing her arm a little further than is natural.

"Drink; it'll ease the pain a bit," she gasps, the rat trying to wriggle out of her hand.

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 13 2006, 12:08 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 12 2006, 11:04 PM)

Anya stared at the rat, and then to her mater, eyes still glaring. Without a word, she dove into the outstretched hand, sucking greedily. The pain dulled to a throbbing ache, and she sat back, licking her blood-covered lips.

After a moment, her eyes softened nearly imperceptively, and she looked at Dayla and the rat, "What about you?"

Posted by: Loranna Feb 13 2006, 12:17 AM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Feb 13 2006, 12:08 AM)

Dayla lowers her arm, and moans a bit. "I just hurt myself straining to stretch my arm; I'll be fine until another rat wanders too close," she says, chuckling a little.

" ... I never meant to hurt you, Anya," she continues, her head bowing. "Just, when I tasted your blood, I ... I had to have you." She sighs. "I wanted to give you what my mater gave me ... wanted what my mater used to give me, through you."

"But I was scared Geht was going to come and finish what he started in Sudanit, so I rushed things; I tried to push you too far too fast, figuring you'd understand once you were turned what I was giving you." She pauses. " ... Did those Argonians suit your tastes? I wasn't sure but you seemed to have a liking for them ..."

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 13 2006, 12:25 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 12 2006, 11:17 PM)

Anya's eyes darted, conflicting emotions flaring through her. She was angery, even if her rage had subsided, at the blatant selfishness that nearly ruined her life. Still, Anya felt pity, unable to cope with someone who didn't do this on a malicious act.

Anya glanced away, not wanting to stare at Dayla's figure, muttering "I- you- the argonians are staring dumbly at a wall most likely, another set of lives you ruined out of pure selfishness."

Posted by: Loranna Feb 13 2006, 12:30 AM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Feb 13 2006, 12:25 AM)

"They're mortal Anya," Dayla says, her voice approaching gentleness. "Mortals are foolish and selfish anyway; they fight among themselves, they kill each other off, they go out of their way to make each other miserable ... I gave those three a sense of purpose and joy; they won't hurt anyone else ever."

" ... Though, uh, you kind of need to give them a daily routine to keep them from standing around like statues," she adds, with a sigh. "Your mortal friends have been trying to convince you you're not a vampire, huh? I was afraid of that; I shouldn't have listened to mater and gone off ..."

She sighs again. " ... I shouldn't have listened to mater ..." she mutters, shaking her head.

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 13 2006, 12:36 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 12 2006, 11:30 PM)

Anya's face hardened again, her nose twitching in irritation. "That doesn't mean you can toy with us- them."

Anya licked her teeth, the surge of sensations brought from drinking blood still tickling her, and making her painfully aware of what she was, "My friends, my still mortal and very much friends, haven't convinced me of anything. Even though some have tried and others have just accepted the worst."

"You-" Anya's angery retort was cut short, her face a look of confusion, "What was that?"

Posted by: Loranna Feb 13 2006, 12:47 AM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Feb 13 2006, 12:36 AM)

"Ahhhh, give it a century or two," Dayla says. "You're a vampire; mortals are your prey. Maybe your friends are exceptions to the rule and if so, that's all well and good - but they'll die sooner or later, and people like that ... they're rare. And you'll be left wanting to pound some sense into the rest, and then you'll understand where I'm coming from."

She looks over at Anya. "What was what?" she asks. "Why I shouln't have listened to mater?" She looks down, her expression becoming a mask of dismay.

" ... I thought she loved me," she says quietly. "She always used to play with me, swallow me and snuggle me inside her, teach me magic ... I always thought I was her favorite, least of her new filiae. But ..." She stops, and her voice cracks.

"She cut me; she used me to take the Duchess's form and she cut me for real and later she said everything wouldbe better, but ... it didn't feel the same, not anymore. I tried to lose myself in her but she wasn't really trying to make me happy anymore ..." Dayla's eyes are tightly shut, a lump appearing in her throat.

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 13 2006, 12:53 AM

Anya's anger still burned hotly, but a signle blood tear still rolled down her cheek. The way Dayla seemed to ache for intimacy, and to have it cut short, wormed it's way past her anger. Does she deserve this?

Anya hung her head, unable to think of what to say. Instead she repeated herself, "I- you used me! You did things I never wanted, before and after you bit me. Me, just a mortal then. I don't want to fill any spot in your beatless heart." Anya muttered the last part.

Posted by: Loranna Feb 13 2006, 01:00 AM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Feb 13 2006, 12:53 AM)

"My cattle always learned to enjoy it eventually," Dayla says quietly. "I figured, especially once you realized what you could do now, you would come to enjoy it too."

She mutters " ... It's a terrible thing for a mater to hurt her filia, isn't it? The one person they should care for more than anyone; the world hates us for what we are, no one else will love us. Our maters should be the one person we can always turn to for love and support, right?"

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 13 2006, 01:07 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 13 2006, 12:00 AM)

Anya scowled even though her head still hung. Dayla was right, a good part of her enjoyed this increase in strength, power, and ablities. Despite the pain, she wanted the confidence that came with it.

Anya shook her head violently. No, mustn't think of that. "You hurt me, Dayla. Whether you wanted me or not, my life was damaged because of you, feelings given to me that I can't trust."

Posted by: Loranna Feb 13 2006, 01:13 AM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Feb 13 2006, 01:07 AM)

Dayla is quiet for along moment, her shiny, ashen skin reflecting the dull red light that creeps in through the barred cell window. Only a faint grimace betrays her reaction to the light - or Anya's words.

" ... I'm sorry," she says finally. "I shouldn't have rushed you like I did. I should have given you time to come to me, instead of assuming you'd accept me once it was all said and done."

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 13 2006, 01:21 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 13 2006, 12:13 AM)

Anya scowled again, muttering "Damn right you shouldn't have, you crazy woman." Her face lost it's hard edge though, Anya being torn between pity and hate.

Anya's nose twitched. "Look... you hand is free. Is there anything nearby that you gan give me to pick this damn manacle?"

Anya's nose twitched again, what is that smoke?

Posted by: Loranna Feb 13 2006, 01:28 AM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Feb 13 2006, 01:21 AM)

"We've got one dead rat at your feet, some straw on the floor just out of reach of my legs, and a waning torch on the far end of the room that I'm too drained to try stretching to take," Dayla says. "Unless you've got the energy to shape your fingernails, we're stuck."

She shivers a bit. " ... I never thought I'd die at Ashana's fangs. She's on the Golden Road now; I've no clue what she'll do to us, other than whatever she does to you, it'll be whatever she thinks her father will despise most."

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 13 2006, 01:35 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 13 2006, 12:28 AM)

Anya tugged at the manacle, "Not even a fraction of a claw. Your mater has been at this too long, I would think."

"Wait, what? Ashana?" Anya looked bewildered, "That's you mater? Dayla... what's going on, mater?"

Posted by: Loranna Feb 13 2006, 01:43 AM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Feb 13 2006, 01:35 AM)

The edges of Dayla's lips curl up into a tired smile, and her shining red eyes regard Anya with a quiet contentment. But her words are in a resigned, grim tone.

"What's happening is a revenge four thousand years in the offing," she says to Anya. "Ashana, my mater, is your friend Slyvos's daughter from his existance pre-lichdomn. She's always been harassing him from the shadows; one time I remember, she and I seduced this one pair of mortals to break into his tower and find his soul jar. Almost worked, too ..."

She shakes her head. "The story as I've always heard it is, Slyvos's father killed Ashana's mother, and Slyvos went into a rage and blew the house up, killing his own father and his son in the process. Ashana was buried under her brother's corpse, and she always talked about how she watched her father turn and walk away, never once looking back. When she finally got out, she swore revenge."

"She was, oh, seven or so at the time, way she tells it," Dayla says. "But she never was this ... well, crazy about getting her revenge until he turned mortal again and she decided to impersonate Almalexia to get back at him ..."

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 13 2006, 01:50 AM

Anya listened with fascination, shaking her head, "Slyvos... This helps so much fall into place. Their strength, the markings, and their masquerade."

Anya tugged at her manacles weakly, unable to think of anything to say or do. Finally she spoke up, "Why... after so many years, do you have misgivings for your mater? Hasn't she given you all you wanted, taken you for so many years? Why?"

Posted by: Loranna Feb 13 2006, 01:57 AM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Feb 13 2006, 01:50 AM)

Dayla pauses for a moment. " ... She told me to kill you," she says at length. "Ashana's always hated any vampires of our clan not of her direct line ..."

Dayla stops. "Oh, I never told you," she says, almost sheepeishly. "Our clan, the Bathogorgen. Most other vampires think we're extinct; Ashana took pains to make sure everyone thought that."

" ... but yeah; she reserves the right to have filia for herself. I ... well, when Geht killed my brothers, I went a little nuts, and there you were, your blood calling out to me, so I told myself she wouldn't mind. I mean, we just lost three out of our seven family members; surely she'd understand. But she flat out told me today, she had no intention of letting you live."

" ... And, well, she's been growing more distant ever since she played at being Almalexia," Dayla continues. "I was always being sent to do errands for her, she kept brushing me aside when I wanted her to swallow me, saying she had to maintain the charade ... then she goes and decides to make that Goranthir a new filia and everything goes wrong and he ends up killing my brothers ..."

Dayla bares her teeth. "I still owe him for that ... not that I'll ever get the chance now to get him and the Wormgod for it ..."

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 13 2006, 02:07 AM

"The explosion... that damn woman." Anya murmered.

Anya jerked vainly again, her mind and heart clashing. Both hated Dayla, and both were reaching out to, and for, her. "I- I'm sorry for that. But what right did that give you over my life? You're no better than Ashana!"

Anya looked down again, closing her glowing eyes, "You used me to fill an ache in you."

"Now, what do we do now?"

Posted by: Loranna Feb 13 2006, 02:17 AM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Feb 13 2006, 02:07 AM)

"I know ... I'm a bad mater," Dayla says, with the bleakness of someone who has finally come to accept a painful, difficult truth. "Ashana was right ... I am spoiled .."

"I don't know what to do now. Even with Ashana being weaker now, I still couln't take her at my best, you and all your friends are beat up and weaponless ..."

"She won; there's nothing we can do now," Dayla says, tears of blood dripping down her face. "We're at her mercy, and she has none left."

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 13 2006, 02:27 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 13 2006, 01:17 AM)

Anya's mouth hung open slightly, unable to think of what to say. She had expected to kill a selfish vampire, not feel pity for a defeated woman. "I- I-"

Anya frowned, thinking to herself. She made me into this monster! "Shut up! I haven't come this far just giving up. I'm going to get free and find her."

Posted by: Loranna Feb 13 2006, 02:36 AM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Feb 13 2006, 02:27 AM)

"And have her turn into mist and laugh at you as she sucks your blood out while you can't even touch her?" Dayla asks with a hint of irritation in her voice. "Filia, if you're going to think you can break out of here, do the sensible thing - run back to your friends who killed my older brothers in Vivec and get them to do whatever they did to Ashana in the first place."

Dayla sighs. "Those friends I just mentioned wouldn't happen to be waiting to hear from you all by nightfall and be planning on coming in to rescue you if you don't give the all clear, would they?"

Posted by: Xyber02 Feb 13 2006, 02:47 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Feb 13 2006, 01:36 AM)

Anya flinched, not wanting to admit she was outclassed, "I'll figure something out."

Anya shook her head, eyes growing weary, "No. No one is waiting for some signal. All that were prepared is all you saw in the main hall. And no one is expecting us back anytime soon. I'm suprised your mater would lock you up in the first place. Then again, all I've seen from our clan was exceptional skill at using people."

Posted by: Loranna Feb 13 2006, 02:54 AM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Feb 13 2006, 02:47 AM)

"Yeah ..." Dayla says, a look of hot anger coming to her face. "We're the ultimate manipulators; we're so good we even manipulate our own and they never catch on. And no one ever knows we were even there ..."

For a second, Dayla looks about ready to try biting her way through her second manacle, but the second passes. "... Maybe this is her idea of punishing me, and she thinks if she offers me a final ultimation ..." she says, briefly sounding hopeful.

" ... No; the battle was my last chance," she sighs. "All our last chances. If your mages had held up a little longer, you might have won; I've never seen two dozen people fight so viscously before. I actually was afraid for a bit we were going to lose ..."

She looks over at Anya. " ... For all the torture I ended up putting you through, Anya ... you're turning out all right. Better than me; maybe your friends have a point after all."

Posted by: Loranna Feb 13 2006, 03:03 AM

Much belated, but better late than never ...

It's time to

LOCK ON!!!

Loranna