8 replies to this topic

[Arcalian]

Oy. *thud*

The site address changes and my own mundane life have held me back from posting. But at last, here we go again.

Also, I found a really appropos theme for Adrian, but can't post it just yet. Need to get all the lyrics.

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They could see the cave of the myserious Adalon, and the path leading to the Drow citadel of Ust'Natha, just over the next rocky outcropping. Viconia had warned them that there was almost certain to be Drow patrols and ambushes waiting on or near that path.

But they were making one more stop first. This altruistic waste of time quest had been found by Anomen amongst the Svinferblin, and Jan, of course, had embraced it whole heartedly. Adrian shook his head; the Gnome refused to understand that the Svinferblin would not trust him no matter what they did. If indeed the strange magical prison held the son of one of the Deep Gnomes, and they could somehow release him from it, the Deep Gnomes woudl only beleive that hey had done it to gain an advantage over them. And it was not simply Viconia's presence in the party that made them think so; such was life in the Underdark, regardless of the details of one's particular circumstances.

For that was the idea; the son of the Deep Gnome Innkeeper had gone missing some days ago. The old man had shrugged sadly, thinking his son surely gone; the Underdark claimed many souls, even the wary. But Anomen had insisted they at least look along the way, a plan Jan had seconded. In his soulless state, Adrian felt no annoynce, but was coldly determined that this was the last delay. The hunt for Irenicus and Bhodi must now take preclusion over all other details. He had wasted too much time as it was.

But this strange, humming magical machine sitting along the path, looking like nothing so much as a giant mushroom, might indeed be the key. Edwin and the Surgeon concurred that it was, in fact, a magical prison. They had, however, no way of discerning which of the facets of the work of dark magical craft held the Svinferblin child, if indeed any of them did. The only solution was to open the facets, one at a time, and be ready for whatever emerged.

The first one released was actually a pleasant surprise; an adventurerer of the sort of selfish, mercenary temprament which some called "evil" and Adrian rather admired; or at least would have if he still had his soul intact. But young Kirdahn was far too inexperienced to be of any use to the party, and he knew it. They bid him farewell, and he slunk back twoards the Deep Gnome village. Adrian watched him leave thoughtfully, and with something not unlike regret in the hole where his soul used to be.

The next victim was a mad Drow mage. He was insensible, and drooling, but when Viconia tried to talk to him his fingers twiched defensively into spells by reflex. Viconia's flail swung, and down the mage went. Viconia winced a little as the blood of her own people splattered her face for the first time in a long time, but her eyes remained cold and resolute.

The next to be released was also a mage, but a far more serious proposition. A lich. And he was clever enough and fast enough to get his defenses up. Edwin and the Surgeon began to cast counter spells, and the battle was joined....

[Arcalian]

At least you aren't like me. I've gotten to the point where every song I like has to be run through the 'can I use it for AC?' filter.

That's because you post a song for every chapter. I simply don't have the stamina for that!

[Laufey]

For that was the idea; the son of the Deep Gnome Innkeeper had gone missing some days ago. The old man had shrugged sadly, thinking his son surely gone; the Underdark claimed many souls, even the wary. But Anomen had insisted they at least look along the way, a plan Jan had seconded. In his soulless state, Adrian felt no annoynce, but was coldly determined that this was the last delay. The hunt for Irenicus and Bhodi must now take preclusion over all other details. He had wasted too much time as it was.

You do a fine job of portraying how the curse is affecting him, I think.

The first one released was actually a pleasant surprise; an adventurerer of the sort of selfish, mercenary temprament which some called "evil" and Adrian rather admired; or at least would have if he still had his soul intact. But young Kirdahn was far too inexperienced to be of any use to the party, and he knew it. They bid him farewell, and he slunk back twoards the Deep Gnome village. Adrian watched him leave thoughtfully, and with something not unlike regret in the hole where his soul used to be.

Such as here - he's pretty far gone, it seems.

The next to be released was also a mage, but a far more serious proposition. A lich. And he was clever enough and fast enough to get his defenses up. Edwin and the Surgeon began to cast counter spells, and the battle was joined....

Oh yes - that one was *tough*!