This story is going to take a two week pause as I am going abroad next week. Enjoy.
Beloved Child 5
“There it is!” Nalia shouted. In the distance, beyond thickets of trees loomed a large keep. Grey stone walls rose before a castle. The caravan had passed into the farmlands that made up the bulk of the De`Arnise lands. The group left the merchant’s caravan and began walking towards the stone building in the distance.
It took them about half an hour before they came upon the remnants of a hastily abandoned camp. Burnt out campfires, cooking pots and bedrolls were scattered about. From the camp they could clearly see the keeps ramparts. A trail of dead goblins began about halfway to the ramp that led to the keeps portcullis. On the ramp the dead goblins were joined by a couple of dead trolls and a dead ogre, all larger monsters were burnt black. Around the ramp, there had been risen poles that sported impaled humans on them. Black patches of flies buzzed and crawled both on the corpses on the poles and the goblins on the ground. Overhead carrion birds circled and fought in small groups around the impaled bodies. On the ramparts a bent, misshapen vision of a troll patrolled back and forth.
“No! My… my home!” Nalia let out a mortified shriek. “By the gods, we have to get in there; I have to find my father!”
“Wait! That secret entrance you talked about, where is it?” Groder grabbed her by the arm to restrain the young noble. Nalia had told them about the secret entrance to the keep she used to sneak out to go to Athkatla during their ride to her lands.
“It is… it is by those large rocks.” She seemed to calm herself and pointed to a collection of large grey bulks that rose over and sat almost in the westernmost rampart. Just by the rocks, a palisade of wood had been erected.
“It seems like some of the keeps defenders made it out.” Yoshimo remarked. When they approached the palisade, the guards by its entrance snapped to attention. They were dressed similarly in chain mail and red, blue cloth. Nalia took the lead and when the guards saw her, one of them turned and shouted into the small make-shift fort.
“Captain Arat! Lady Nalia has returned!”
Both of the guards nodded when Nalia and the others passed them going into the small fort. It held a few tents and managed to house a dozen or so of the red blue clad guards. A man in plate mail approached them; his short hair and beard were turning grey. A great sword was strapped across his back.
“Lady Nalia, where have you been?” He cried when he saw them, his voice was gruff but filled with worry. “We thought you lost or dead.”
Then his eyes passed from the young noble to Groder, to Yoshimo and finally Viconia whom was hidden in the depths of her cloak.
“Who are these people?” Arat asked not taking his eyes of them.
“They are mercenaries I hired to help us, that was the reason I left. Please captain Arat, where is my father? Why isn’t he here?”
“Oh Lady Nalia… When the keep was falling, he couldn’t find you and refused to leave until he did. Then we where overrun… I do not know of his fate.”
“We have to go in there and find him! We can use the secret passage to get in.” Nalia told Groder.
The boy nodded and then asked Arat:
“What happened and do you have any plan for taking back the keep? We should at least try to coordinate our attempts.”
Arat hesitated, the boy’s voice was far to commanding for someone that young but Arat realized that the boy also was right.
“Follow me.” He said curtly
Arat led them into a small tent in which a lone table stood along with a few armour clad men. On the table lay papers with a rough sketch of the keep. He motioned for them to gather around the table and began to tell them what happened.
“About five days ago, just when sun was setting, a small army of trolls, ogres and goblins came charging from the east. We got the portcullis down in time and managed to pick off a few goblins. They set up camp pretty close to the keep; they seemed to know we didn’t have enough archers to try and drive them off. Half our damn men went missing right before the attack. I think they where bribed and it all reeks to high heaven” He sighed then, it was a heavy sound filled with sadness. He went on:
“They seemed content on simply keeping us in, which both your father and I thought was strange. On the second night, the night I suspect Lady Nalia snuck out.” He shot a look at Nalia who blushed a bit and then he went on.
“They came through the cellars, I have no idea how they got in. It was a few trolls, a couple of ogres and a swarm of goblins led by the biggest damn troll I have ever seen. They fought their way to the courtyard and the big troll, their leader I assume managed to open the portcullis.”
He pointed to a scribble near the wall on the paper that showed the outer walls and courtyard. The scribble read: wheel for portcullis.
“We were caught between the two groups of invaders and your father ordered us to retreat. We got lucky and managed to kill a good number of them, but in the end it wasn’t enough and we where forced to flee through the damn goblins. Your father went to the second floor to look for lady Nalia. I think Lady Delica was there as well.” At the sound of Delica`s name some of the guards that sat in the tent got a look in their faces that said that the woman may as well be eaten by the trolls for all they cared.
Nalia didn’t notice and wiped a tear from her eye. Groder asked Arat how many creatures he estimated where left.
“I can’t really say.” Arat answered. “I counted more then a dozen trolls, at least five ogres and well the goblins… kill one and two more takes its place, we did kill a lot of the little bastards though. You know… it may be good that you are so few.”
Arat pointed at the papers again, this time at the crude plan of the first floor.
“You may be able to sneak through the keep, enter the courtyard and open the portcullis to let us in. Any invaders you kill on the way there are of course a good bonus.” Arat smiled grimly.
“Can’t you enter through the secret passage?” Groder asked
“I thought of that but its small and can become a killing floor very fast if we are discovered. I want to let the main part of our remaining force to go through the courtyard. A small contingent will go through the passage after the fighting has started and flank any defenders. It should also give you time to find Lord De`Arnise and Lady Delcia.”
Groder nodded.
“Right, we open the gates for you and then we find Nalias father. Not too hard if we are smart and careful.”
“Good, we await your success.”
They left the palisade and walked up the large rocks. Groder turned to his three companions.
“Everybody ready?” They nodded, there was a grim determination etched on Nalias young face. She led them to a portion near the western keep wall where bushes and trees grew thick near the stone. Nalia manipulated a loose stone in the rock and with a heavy groan a portion of the stone swung slowly inwards.
“I think the passage and store rooms beyond are still lighted, I always keep them lighted.”
“Ah, but the darkness is an aspiring rogues best friend, young lovely.” Yoshimo said.
“Oh, I didn’t know that aspiring rogues could see in the dark, Yoshmio.” Nalia replied with a smile. Yoshimo laughed heartily.
They moved slowly through the stone passage and into the small store room that held the other entrance to it. The room was nearly empty save a few boxes stacked on each other and some furniture with sheets over them. A small flight of stairs led up to a door. Nalia informed them that it led to the guard’s quarters. A meaty smack sounded from beyond the door.
“Open the door slightly.” Groder whispered to Yoshimo. “And see what that noise is.”
Yoshimo nodded, crept up the small stairs and carefully opened the door so that it was just a small crack between the door and wall. A troll, large, bent and leathery with its back to the door was swinging a clawed hand at something. The smack was heard again. Yoshimo opened the door slightly more. The troll was hitting a badly mutilated corpse that hung from a rope attached to the rafters. It swung back and forth. Yoshimo returned to the group and reported.
“One troll, with its back towards the door.”
Groder unsheathed his short sword and whished he had brought an axe instead. He looked around the room and then he went over to the sheet covered furniture. He started making long thick strips of it with his blade.
“Wrap these around an arrow and stick in a torch.”
“Ah, clever young master.” Yoshimo nodded in understanding and took one of the strips. He wrapped it around an arrow he took from his quiver. Then he stuck it in one of the lit torches.
“Do the same.” Groder told Nalia and handed her a strip. “Without enchanted fire arrows, we have to improvise.”
It took a while for both of the arrows to really catch fire; meanwhile Groder positioned himself by the door.
“When I open the door, you fire above me at the troll, the head preferably.” He hissed after making sure the troll still was engaged in its macabre sport.
Both Nalia and Yoshimo knocked back the flaming arrows and the heat made sweat sheen on their foreheads. Groder pushed to door open and ducked. Two burning arrows where let lose and buried themselves in the trolls back and neck. It howled and wheeled around, dark irises shrunk to pins glared at them, burning with rage. The troll bared its mass of bent, sharp teeth and charged forward. Groder swiped at the troll’s leathery leg when it charged into the portal. Behind him, Nalia let out a small shriek. Groders blow was too weak and the sword stopped when it hit bone. It was enough though to make the troll fall over due to its speed and it tumbled down the small flight of stairs. Its greasy dark hair was almost all on fire now. Lying on the floor the creature swiped blindly with a large clawed hand at the two archers and hit Nalias arm. Yoshimo quickly dropped his bow and drew his katana; he neatly cut the creature’s right arm off. A backwards swing with its left hand forced both Yoshimo and the wounded Nalia back a few steps and then the troll stood again. It quickly picked up the right arm from the floor and put it back in its socket, the regenerative powers inert in the creature’s kind began to reattach it.
Viconia, whom stood of the side had conjured up a small glowing stone which she threw, aiming at the trolls head. The stone ripped through the trolls jaw and tore it off. The troll staggered and made a gurgling noise, its body began trying to heal the damage, more slowly though as it also fought against the fires at its back and head. Groder slammed into the trolls lower back to make it lose its balance again. It staggered forward and Yoshimo took the opportunity to drive his weapon up through the roof of the troll’s mouth into its brain. The trolls eyes rolled back into its head and it fell over side ways.
“Viconia, see to Nalia.” Groder said quickly as he managed to wrest a torch from it resting place and shoved the burning stick into the troll’s skull. It would not get back up, its brain burning to cinders. Nalias arm had only received a smaller scratch but it had almost popped out of its socket from the force of the blow. Viconia roughly tested it and Nalia cried out in response, then Viconia applied a small healing spell on the wound. The wound slowly disappeared beneath the warm blue light.
“That went well; let’s avoid more fights like this.” Groder commented. “Since nobody seems to have heard us, I’d say we have used up our luck reserve for the next year.”
Nalia sat on the stone floor, breathing hard and stared at the dead troll.
“I’ve never…” She gulped. “Fought anything before, killed anything before.”
“We noticed.” Groder muttered under his breath.
“You will get used to it; we need to a lot more killing here.” He said as he extracted his sword from the troll’s leg.
“But…” Nalia looked at the boy and seemed to suddenly realise that he was actually younger then her. “How did you ever get used to this…”
Groder shrugged.
“It became a necessity, nothing more then that. I do not particularly enjoy it and that is all.”
They cut down the servant turned punching bag and at Nalias insistence wrapped him in a sheet that quickly turned crimson. The guard’s quarters contained beds, a long table with chairs and chests with personal belongings. Nalia told them that the room was connected with an armoury.
“There is also a smithy behind a secret door in there. I have never been there but I think my father had it enchanted somehow.”
“We will see, but armoury sounds good. If we are lucky it will have some fire arrows.” Groder replied.
The armoury was disappointingly empty save a servant that cowered behind a rack of halberds.
“Daleson!” Nalia cried happily as she saw him. The servant was a young man about Nalia`s age with brown hair and rugged features.
“Mistress Nalia! You are alive. We all thought you had died, your father…” Then he spotted the others and seemed to fall into some sort of rehearsed role. “Why, I don’t think I have ever known you to come to the servant’s quarters.”
“We don’t care who Nalia rolls around in the hay with.” Groder waved a hand dismissively.
Both Nalia`s and Daleson`s faces grew red.
“We do not…” She began indignant. “have a relationship. Daleson simply covers for me when I leave the keep. Aunty does everything in her power to keep me shut in and away from the servants and common folk alike.”
Groder and Viconia shared a look that plainly said that they didn’t believe a word she said. Nalia was about to protest more but though better of it, not wanting to be baited by the pair.
“Daleson, where is my father?” She asked the servant and ignored the coy smiles playing on the lips of the boy and the Drow. Yoshimo just looked as if he suffered with her.
“The huge troll took him into the old dunge…” Nalia cut him off.
“The cellars, it is the cellars. That place is a dark stain on the De`Arnise family.”
“The cellars.” Daleson corrected himself. “I don’t know what they wanted with him.”
“Wait; do you know how they got into the cellars in the first place? The captain told us they attacked from there.” Groder interrupted
Daleson shuddered. “Yes, they kept me alive to feed some of the dogs from the kennels to a bunch of giant beetles in the cellars. I think it was those things that burrowed through the walls.”
“Umber Hulks.” Viconia informed them.
“Can we get into the cellars?” Groder asked.
“They boarded up the door here.” Daleson shoved a thumb at a door in the far end of the armoury. “I don’t know about the one by the kitchen.”
“What about my aunt?” Nalia asked.
Daleson made a face similar to what the guards had made earlier.
“I think she still is on the second floor, confined in her room. I pity the troll that tries to eat her though. Frankly, she is what we call the south end of a north bound ogre.”
“Daleson! Aunty may be old fashioned and set in her ways but she is still a part of this family and deserves respect.”
“Of course miss Nalia.” Daleson replied a bit unenthusiastically as if he had heard it before.
“We have to set about liberating this keep. You can get out by the passage in the western storeroom.” Nalia told him. Daleson bade them good luck and disappeared into the guard’s quarters.
“Oh!” Nalia`s face suddenly lighted up. “I think there is a passage that leads from the second floor directly to the cellars. I used to play in those passages when I was younger…”
She was interrupted by a yelp and a thud.
“Maybe we should have moved the troll.” Yoshimo said thoughtfully.
Beloved Child 5
Started by
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, Jul 11 2006 09:37 AM
10 replies to this topic
#2
Guest_Cel_*
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Posted 11 July 2006 - 11:52 AM
It took them about half an hour before they came upon the remnants of a hastily abandoned camp. Burnt out campfires, cooking pots and bedrolls were scattered about. From the camp they could clearly see the keeps ramparts. A trail of dead goblins began about halfway to the ramp that led to the keeps portcullis. On the ramp the dead goblins were joined by a couple of dead trolls and a dead ogre, all larger monsters were burnt black. Around the ramp, there had been risen poles that sported impaled humans on them. Black patches of flies buzzed and crawled both on the corpses on the poles and the goblins on the ground. Overhead carrion birds circled and fought in small groups around the impaled bodies. On the ramparts a bent, misshapen vision of a troll patrolled back and forth.
Charming.
“Oh Lady Nalia… When the keep was falling, he couldn’t find you and refused to leave until he did. Then we where overrun… I do not know of his fate.”
See what happens when you don't tell anyone where you're going?
Yoshimo nodded, crept up the small stairs and carefully opened the door so that it was just a small crack between the door and wall. A troll, large, bent and leathery with its back to the door was swinging a clawed hand at something. The smack was heard again. Yoshimo opened the door slightly more. The troll was hitting a badly mutilated corpse that hung from a rope attached to the rafters. It swung back and forth. Yoshimo returned to the group and reported.
Is it bad that I'm thinking "tenderizing the meat"?
Groder unsheathed his short sword and whished he had brought an axe instead. He looked around the room and then he went over to the sheet covered furniture. He started making long thick strips of it with his blade.
“Wrap these around an arrow and stick in a torch.”
“Ah, clever young master.” Yoshimo nodded in understanding and took one of the strips. He wrapped it around an arrow he took from his quiver. Then he stuck it in one of the lit torches.
“Do the same.” Groder told Nalia and handed her a strip. “Without enchanted fire arrows, we have to improvise.”
Hey, this is much more convenient than just waiting for the enchanted fire arrows to fall in your lap!
Yoshimo quickly dropped his bow and drew his katana; he neatly cut the creature’s right arm off. A backwards swing with its left hand forced both Yoshimo and the wounded Nalia back a few steps and then the troll stood again. It quickly picked up the right arm from the floor and put it back in its socket, the regenerative powers inert in the creature’s kind began to reattach it.
Ewww.
“Viconia, see to Nalia.” Groder said quickly as he managed to wrest a torch from it resting place and shoved the burning stick into the troll’s skull. It would not get back up, its brain burning to cinders.
Double eeww!
Nalia sat on the stone floor, breathing hard and stared at the dead troll.
“I’ve never…” She gulped. “Fought anything before, killed anything before.”
Ember: Oh really?
“We noticed.” Groder muttered under his breath.
“Mistress Nalia! You are alive. We all thought you had died, your father…” Then he spotted the others and seemed to fall into some sort of rehearsed role. “Why, I don’t think I have ever known you to come to the servant’s quarters.”
“We don’t care who Nalia rolls around in the hay with.” Groder waved a hand dismissively.
Both Nalia`s and Daleson`s faces grew red.
“I think she still is on the second floor, confined in her room. I pity the troll that tries to eat her though. Frankly, she is what we call the south end of a north bound ogre.”
“Oh!” Nalia`s face suddenly lighted up. “I think there is a passage that leads from the second floor directly to the cellars. I used to play in those passages when I was younger…”
She was interrupted by a yelp and a thud.
“Maybe we should have moved the troll.” Yoshimo said thoughtfully.
Maybe
#3
Guest_Theodur_*
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Posted 11 July 2006 - 07:15 PM
This story is going to take a two week pause as I am going abroad next week. Enjoy.
Excellent, my own vacation abroad is almost upon me.
“No! My… my home!” Nalia let out a mortified shriek. “By the gods, we have to get in there; I have to find my father!”
A sight she always dreaded to see, I’m sure.
Then his eyes passed from the young noble to Groder, to Yoshimo and finally Viconia whom was hidden in the depths of her cloak.
“Who are these people?” Arat asked not taking his eyes of them.
“They are mercenaries I hired to help us, that was the reason I left. Please captain Arat, where is my father? Why isn’t he here?”
A boy, a drow and strange looking thief… very morale inspiring sight these mercenaries are.
“They came through the cellars, I have no idea how they got in. It was a few trolls, a couple of ogres and a swarm of goblins led by the biggest damn troll I have ever seen. They fought their way to the courtyard and the big troll, their leader I assume managed to open the portcullis.”
To use umber hulks to dig their way in was a pretty clever idea, I have to say.
“We were caught between the two groups of invaders and your father ordered us to retreat. We got lucky and managed to kill a good number of them, but in the end it wasn’t enough and we where forced to flee through the damn goblins. Your father went to the second floor to look for lady Nalia. I think Lady Delica was there as well.” At the sound of Delica`s name some of the guards that sat in the tent got a look in their faces that said that the woman may as well be eaten by the trolls for all they cared.
I think her name was Delcia.
Yoshimo nodded, crept up the small stairs and carefully opened the door so that it was just a small crack between the door and wall. A troll, large, bent and leathery with its back to the door was swinging a clawed hand at something. The smack was heard again. Yoshimo opened the door slightly more. The troll was hitting a badly mutilated corpse that hung from a rope attached to the rafters. It swung back and forth. Yoshimo returned to the group and reported.
Awww, look at the troll, it’s just playing there, so cute… errm…
“Do the same.” Groder told Nalia and handed her a strip. “Without enchanted fire arrows, we have to improvise.”
Why that cheapskate Arat! Never gave him their fire arrows!
Viconia, whom stood of the side had conjured up a small glowing stone which she threw, aiming at the trolls head. The stone ripped through the trolls jaw and tore it off. The troll staggered and made a gurgling noise, its body began trying to heal the damage, more slowly though as it also fought against the fires at its back and head. Groder slammed into the trolls lower back to make it lose its balance again. It staggered forward and Yoshimo took the opportunity to drive his weapon up through the roof of the troll’s mouth into its brain. The trolls eyes rolled back into its head and it fell over side ways.
That one troll took quite a lot of effort!
Nalia sat on the stone floor, breathing hard and stared at the dead troll.
“I’ve never…” She gulped. “Fought anything before, killed anything before.”
I’m sure the party feels better about their chances now.
“We will see, but armoury sounds good. If we are lucky it will have some fire arrows.” Groder replied.
Yeah, but like you said before, you’ve used up your luck reserves for the next year!
“Mistress Nalia! You are alive. We all thought you had died, your father…” Then he spotted the others and seemed to fall into some sort of rehearsed role. “Why, I don’t think I have ever known you to come to the servant’s quarters.”
“We don’t care who Nalia rolls around in the hay with.” Groder waved a hand dismissively.
Both Nalia`s and Daleson`s faces grew red.
Didn’t expect that… though I wonder if there’s actually any truth in it.
Groder and Viconia shared a look that plainly said that they didn’t believe a word she said. Nalia was about to protest more but though better of it, not wanting to be baited by the pair.
Actually, I seem to remember that in TnT, Weyoun wrote Nalia in relationship with Daleson… oooh, but that was so many years ago now.
“The huge troll took him into the old dunge…” Nalia cut him off.
“The cellars, it is the cellars. That place is a dark stain on the De`Arnise family.”
Ah yes, the all-important semantics.
“I think she still is on the second floor, confined in her room. I pity the troll that tries to eat her though. Frankly, she is what we call the south end of a north bound ogre.”
I always loved to hear that comment.
“Oh!” Nalia`s face suddenly lighted up. “I think there is a passage that leads from the second floor directly to the cellars. I used to play in those passages when I was younger…”
Maybe you also can explain us that ridiculous layout of this place? It was rather… unconventional, to say the least.
She was interrupted by a yelp and a thud.
“Maybe we should have moved the troll.” Yoshimo said thoughtfully.
Oh, Daleson will be alright.
#4
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Posted 11 July 2006 - 08:46 PM
A gloomy and depressing image of death and decay…I LOVE itIt took them about half an hour before they came upon the remnants of a hastily abandoned camp. Burnt out campfires, cooking pots and bedrolls were scattered about. From the camp they could clearly see the keeps ramparts. A trail of dead goblins began about halfway to the ramp that led to the keeps portcullis. On the ramp the dead goblins were joined by a couple of dead trolls and a dead ogre, all larger monsters were burnt black. Around the ramp, there had been risen poles that sported impaled humans on them. Black patches of flies buzzed and crawled both on the corpses on the poles and the goblins on the ground. Overhead carrion birds circled and fought in small groups around the impaled bodies. On the ramparts a bent, misshapen vision of a troll patrolled back and forth.
Darn interesting party you have assembled for yourself.Then his eyes passed from the young noble to Groder, to Yoshimo and finally Viconia whom was hidden in the depths of her cloak.
nice back story.“About five days ago, just when sun was setting, a small army of trolls, ogres and goblins came charging from the east. We got the portcullis down in time and managed to pick off a few goblins. They set up camp pretty close to the keep; they seemed to know we didn’t have enough archers to try and drive them off. Half our damn men went missing right before the attack. I think they where bribed and it all reeks to high heaven” He sighed then, it was a heavy sound filled with sadness. He went on:
“They seemed content on simply keeping us in, which both your father and I thought was strange. On the second night, the night I suspect Lady Nalia snuck out.” He shot a look at Nalia who blushed a bit and then he went on.
“They came through the cellars, I have no idea how they got in. It was a few trolls, a couple of ogres and a swarm of goblins led by the biggest damn troll I have ever seen. They fought their way to the courtyard and the big troll, their leader I assume managed to open the portcullis.”
He pointed to a scribble near the wall on the paper that showed the outer walls and courtyard. The scribble read: wheel for portcullis.
“We were caught between the two groups of invaders and your father ordered us to retreat. We got lucky and managed to kill a good number of them, but in the end it wasn’t enough and we where forced to flee through the damn goblins. Your father went to the second floor to look for lady Nalia. I think Lady Delica was there as well.” At the sound of Delica`s name some of the guards that sat in the tent got a look in their faces that said that the woman may as well be eaten by the trolls for all they cared.
a good explanation as to why Arat was just standing around waiting and doing pretty much nothing“I thought of that but its small and can become a killing floor very fast if we are discovered. I want to let the main part of our remaining force to go through the courtyard. A small contingent will go through the passage after the fighting has started and flank any defenders. It should also give you time to find Lord De`Arnise and Lady Delcia.”
again wonderful and gory detailsYoshimo nodded, crept up the small stairs and carefully opened the door so that it was just a small crack between the door and wall. A troll, large, bent and leathery with its back to the door was swinging a clawed hand at something. The smack was heard again. Yoshimo opened the door slightly more. The troll was hitting a badly mutilated corpse that hung from a rope attached to the rafters. It swung back and forth. Yoshimo returned to the group and reported.
I guess Arat wasn’t impressed enough with Groder to give him a supply…“Do the same.” Groder told Nalia and handed her a strip. “Without enchanted fire arrows, we have to improvise.”
nice battle sequence.Both Nalia and Yoshimo knocked back the flaming arrows and the heat made sweat sheen on their foreheads. Groder pushed to door open and ducked. Two burning arrows where let lose and buried themselves in the trolls back and neck. It howled and wheeled around, dark irises shrunk to pins glared at them, burning with rage. The troll bared its mass of bent, sharp teeth and charged forward. Groder swiped at the troll’s leathery leg when it charged into the portal. Behind him, Nalia let out a small shriek. Groders blow was too weak and the sword stopped when it hit bone. It was enough though to make the troll fall over due to its speed and it tumbled down the small flight of stairs. Its greasy dark hair was almost all on fire now. Lying on the floor the creature swiped blindly with a large clawed hand at the two archers and hit Nalias arm. Yoshimo quickly dropped his bow and drew his katana; he neatly cut the creature’s right arm off. A backwards swing with its left hand forced both Yoshimo and the wounded Nalia back a few steps and then the troll stood again. It quickly picked up the right arm from the floor and put it back in its socket, the regenerative powers inert in the creature’s kind began to reattach it.
“That went well;
sounds like a planlet’s avoid more fights like this.”
I enjoyed this exchange quite a lot. Good use of the fact that it is unlikely that Nalia has ever killed before and she has the natural response any person would have, one of shock and disgust and even guilt.Nalia sat on the stone floor, breathing hard and stared at the dead troll.
“I’ve never…” She gulped. “Fought anything before, killed anything before.”
“We noticed.” Groder muttered under his breath.
“You will get used to it; we need to a lot more killing here.” He said as he extracted his sword from the troll’s leg.
“But…” Nalia looked at the boy and seemed to suddenly realise that he was actually younger then her. “How did you ever get used to this…”
Groder shrugged.
“It became a necessity, nothing more then that. I do not particularly enjoy it and that is all.”
I can’t really see Nalia hanging around with this crew for very long.“We don’t care who Nalia rolls around in the hay with.” Groder waved a hand dismissively.
Both Nalia`s and Daleson`s faces grew red.
“We do not…” She began indignant. “have a relationship. Daleson simply covers for me when I leave the keep. Aunty does everything in her power to keep me shut in and away from the servants and common folk alike.”
Groder and Viconia shared a look that plainly said that they didn’t believe a word she said. Nalia was about to protest more but though better of it, not wanting to be baited by the pair.
hindsight is always 20/20She was interrupted by a yelp and a thud.
“Maybe we should have moved the troll.” Yoshimo said thoughtfully.
#6
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Posted 12 July 2006 - 06:01 AM
The brutality of the trolls and the gory bits of battle were ick but very nice at the same time, some vivid images there. I liked Nalia's reaction to death, the fire arrows, Nalia protesting about Daleson and Vico and Groder not believing her...I liked it all, thanks.
#7
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Posted 12 July 2006 - 09:49 AM
It took them about half an hour before they came upon the remnants of a hastily abandoned camp. Burnt out campfires, cooking pots and bedrolls were scattered about. From the camp they could clearly see the keeps ramparts. A trail of dead goblins began about halfway to the ramp that led to the keeps portcullis. On the ramp the dead goblins were joined by a couple of dead trolls and a dead ogre, all larger monsters were burnt black. Around the ramp, there had been risen poles that sported impaled humans on them. Black patches of flies buzzed and crawled both on the corpses on the poles and the goblins on the ground. Overhead carrion birds circled and fought in small groups around the impaled bodies. On the ramparts a bent, misshapen vision of a troll patrolled back and forth.
Charming.
It is what happens when you listen to Stephen King while writing.
“Oh Lady Nalia… When the keep was falling, he couldn’t find you and refused to leave until he did. Then we where overrun… I do not know of his fate.”
See what happens when you don't tell anyone where you're going?
Yeah, I feel bad for Nalia, she seemed to love her father so much
Yoshimo nodded, crept up the small stairs and carefully opened the door so that it was just a small crack between the door and wall. A troll, large, bent and leathery with its back to the door was swinging a clawed hand at something. The smack was heard again. Yoshimo opened the door slightly more. The troll was hitting a badly mutilated corpse that hung from a rope attached to the rafters. It swung back and forth. Yoshimo returned to the group and reported.
Is it bad that I'm thinking "tenderizing the meat"?
Well, I was thinking "Troll games"
Groder unsheathed his short sword and whished he had brought an axe instead. He looked around the room and then he went over to the sheet covered furniture. He started making long thick strips of it with his blade.
“Wrap these around an arrow and stick in a torch.”
“Ah, clever young master.” Yoshimo nodded in understanding and took one of the strips. He wrapped it around an arrow he took from his quiver. Then he stuck it in one of the lit torches.
“Do the same.” Groder told Nalia and handed her a strip. “Without enchanted fire arrows, we have to improvise.”
Hey, this is much more convenient than just waiting for the enchanted fire arrows to fall in your lap!
Yep!
Yoshimo quickly dropped his bow and drew his katana; he neatly cut the creature’s right arm off. A backwards swing with its left hand forced both Yoshimo and the wounded Nalia back a few steps and then the troll stood again. It quickly picked up the right arm from the floor and put it back in its socket, the regenerative powers inert in the creature’s kind began to reattach it.
Ewww.
Can`t be a pretty sight.
“Viconia, see to Nalia.” Groder said quickly as he managed to wrest a torch from it resting place and shoved the burning stick into the troll’s skull. It would not get back up, its brain burning to cinders.
Double eeww!
I blame King.
Nalia sat on the stone floor, breathing hard and stared at the dead troll.
“I’ve never…” She gulped. “Fought anything before, killed anything before.”
Ember: Oh really?
Well, she is a young noble.
“We noticed.” Groder muttered under his breath.
Yeah, charming little bugger.
“Mistress Nalia! You are alive. We all thought you had died, your father…” Then he spotted the others and seemed to fall into some sort of rehearsed role. “Why, I don’t think I have ever known you to come to the servant’s quarters.”
“We don’t care who Nalia rolls around in the hay with.” Groder waved a hand dismissively.
Both Nalia`s and Daleson`s faces grew red.
Well, what are they supposed to think?
“I think she still is on the second floor, confined in her room. I pity the troll that tries to eat her though. Frankly, she is what we call the south end of a north bound ogre.”
Right from the game that is
“Oh!” Nalia`s face suddenly lighted up. “I think there is a passage that leads from the second floor directly to the cellars. I used to play in those passages when I was younger…”
She was interrupted by a yelp and a thud.
“Maybe we should have moved the troll.” Yoshimo said thoughtfully.
Maybe
It is kind of inconvinient there.
#8
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Posted 12 July 2006 - 10:02 AM
This story is going to take a two week pause as I am going abroad next week. Enjoy.
Excellent, my own vacation abroad is almost upon me.
Have a nice one.
“No! My… my home!” Nalia let out a mortified shriek. “By the gods, we have to get in there; I have to find my father!”
A sight she always dreaded to see, I’m sure.
Yes, she most likely thought that the keep would hold.
Then his eyes passed from the young noble to Groder, to Yoshimo and finally Viconia whom was hidden in the depths of her cloak.
“Who are these people?” Arat asked not taking his eyes of them.
“They are mercenaries I hired to help us, that was the reason I left. Please captain Arat, where is my father? Why isn’t he here?”
A boy, a drow and strange looking thief… very morale inspiring sight these mercenaries are.
They could have had a purple haired bard with as well. Imagine the confidence he inspires.
“They came through the cellars, I have no idea how they got in. It was a few trolls, a couple of ogres and a swarm of goblins led by the biggest damn troll I have ever seen. They fought their way to the courtyard and the big troll, their leader I assume managed to open the portcullis.”
To use umber hulks to dig their way in was a pretty clever idea, I have to say.
Thorgal ain`t that dumb.
“We were caught between the two groups of invaders and your father ordered us to retreat. We got lucky and managed to kill a good number of them, but in the end it wasn’t enough and we where forced to flee through the damn goblins. Your father went to the second floor to look for lady Nalia. I think Lady Delica was there as well.” At the sound of Delica`s name some of the guards that sat in the tent got a look in their faces that said that the woman may as well be eaten by the trolls for all they cared.
I think her name was Delcia.
Ah, yeah.... It is her stand in.
Yoshimo nodded, crept up the small stairs and carefully opened the door so that it was just a small crack between the door and wall. A troll, large, bent and leathery with its back to the door was swinging a clawed hand at something. The smack was heard again. Yoshimo opened the door slightly more. The troll was hitting a badly mutilated corpse that hung from a rope attached to the rafters. It swung back and forth. Yoshimo returned to the group and reported.
Awww, look at the troll, it’s just playing there, so cute… errm…
I`m sure its cute to Troll girls or something.
“Do the same.” Groder told Nalia and handed her a strip. “Without enchanted fire arrows, we have to improvise.”
Why that cheapskate Arat! Never gave him their fire arrows!
He needs them himself, its true!
Viconia, whom stood of the side had conjured up a small glowing stone which she threw, aiming at the trolls head. The stone ripped through the trolls jaw and tore it off. The troll staggered and made a gurgling noise, its body began trying to heal the damage, more slowly though as it also fought against the fires at its back and head. Groder slammed into the trolls lower back to make it lose its balance again. It staggered forward and Yoshimo took the opportunity to drive his weapon up through the roof of the troll’s mouth into its brain. The trolls eyes rolled back into its head and it fell over side ways.
That one troll took quite a lot of effort!
I imagine trolls to be rather tough, They heal every turn or so IIRC.
Nalia sat on the stone floor, breathing hard and stared at the dead troll.
“I’ve never…” She gulped. “Fought anything before, killed anything before.”
I’m sure the party feels better about their chances now.
Yeah.... Nalia may have been skulking around slums but I imagine never fighting anything.
“We will see, but armoury sounds good. If we are lucky it will have some fire arrows.” Groder replied.
Yeah, but like you said before, you’ve used up your luck reserves for the next year!
Tymora loves them!
“Mistress Nalia! You are alive. We all thought you had died, your father…” Then he spotted the others and seemed to fall into some sort of rehearsed role. “Why, I don’t think I have ever known you to come to the servant’s quarters.”
“We don’t care who Nalia rolls around in the hay with.” Groder waved a hand dismissively.
Both Nalia`s and Daleson`s faces grew red.
Didn’t expect that… though I wonder if there’s actually any truth in it.
I doubt it, Nalia also seems to be very aware of her "station" despite her whining about commoners.
Groder and Viconia shared a look that plainly said that they didn’t believe a word she said. Nalia was about to protest more but though better of it, not wanting to be baited by the pair.
Actually, I seem to remember that in TnT, Weyoun wrote Nalia in relationship with Daleson… oooh, but that was so many years ago now.
I drew inspiration from that actually.
“The huge troll took him into the old dunge…” Nalia cut him off.
“The cellars, it is the cellars. That place is a dark stain on the De`Arnise family.”
Ah yes, the all-important semantics.
It always did seem ridiculus.
“I think she still is on the second floor, confined in her room. I pity the troll that tries to eat her though. Frankly, she is what we call the south end of a north bound ogre.”
I always loved to hear that comment.
And it holds so much truth about her as well.
“Oh!” Nalia`s face suddenly lighted up. “I think there is a passage that leads from the second floor directly to the cellars. I used to play in those passages when I was younger…”
Maybe you also can explain us that ridiculous layout of this place? It was rather… unconventional, to say the least.
I will, there was a reason Daleson got to say that there are others entrances to the cellars.
She was interrupted by a yelp and a thud.
“Maybe we should have moved the troll.” Yoshimo said thoughtfully.
Oh, Daleson will be alright.
Yeah, can`t be pleasant though.
#9
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Posted 12 July 2006 - 10:28 AM
It took them about half an hour before they came upon the remnants of a hastily abandoned camp. Burnt out campfires, cooking pots and bedrolls were scattered about. From the camp they could clearly see the keeps ramparts. A trail of dead goblins began about halfway to the ramp that led to the keeps portcullis. On the ramp the dead goblins were joined by a couple of dead trolls and a dead ogre, all larger monsters were burnt black. Around the ramp, there had been risen poles that sported impaled humans on them. Black patches of flies buzzed and crawled both on the corpses on the poles and the goblins on the ground. Overhead carrion birds circled and fought in small groups around the impaled bodies. On the ramparts a bent, misshapen vision of a troll patrolled back and forth.
A gloomy and depressing image of death and decay…I LOVE it
Thank you.
Then his eyes passed from the young noble to Groder, to Yoshimo and finally Viconia whom was hidden in the depths of her cloak.
Darn interesting party you have assembled for yourself.
It will get more so I hope.
“About five days ago, just when sun was setting, a small army of trolls, ogres and goblins came charging from the east. We got the portcullis down in time and managed to pick off a few goblins. They set up camp pretty close to the keep; they seemed to know we didn’t have enough archers to try and drive them off. Half our damn men went missing right before the attack. I think they where bribed and it all reeks to high heaven” He sighed then, it was a heavy sound filled with sadness. He went on:
“They seemed content on simply keeping us in, which both your father and I thought was strange. On the second night, the night I suspect Lady Nalia snuck out.” He shot a look at Nalia who blushed a bit and then he went on.
“They came through the cellars, I have no idea how they got in. It was a few trolls, a couple of ogres and a swarm of goblins led by the biggest damn troll I have ever seen. They fought their way to the courtyard and the big troll, their leader I assume managed to open the portcullis.”
He pointed to a scribble near the wall on the paper that showed the outer walls and courtyard. The scribble read: wheel for portcullis.
“We were caught between the two groups of invaders and your father ordered us to retreat. We got lucky and managed to kill a good number of them, but in the end it wasn’t enough and we where forced to flee through the damn goblins. Your father went to the second floor to look for lady Nalia. I think Lady Delica was there as well.” At the sound of Delica`s name some of the guards that sat in the tent got a look in their faces that said that the woman may as well be eaten by the trolls for all they cared.
nice back story.
I felt something like that was needed. I just worried it was too much talking.
“I thought of that but its small and can become a killing floor very fast if we are discovered. I want to let the main part of our remaining force to go through the courtyard. A small contingent will go through the passage after the fighting has started and flank any defenders. It should also give you time to find Lord De`Arnise and Lady Delcia.”
a good explanation as to why Arat was just standing around waiting and doing pretty much nothing
Thank you, It seems weird that he just twidels his thumbs in that little fort.
Yoshimo nodded, crept up the small stairs and carefully opened the door so that it was just a small crack between the door and wall. A troll, large, bent and leathery with its back to the door was swinging a clawed hand at something. The smack was heard again. Yoshimo opened the door slightly more. The troll was hitting a badly mutilated corpse that hung from a rope attached to the rafters. It swung back and forth. Yoshimo returned to the group and reported.
again wonderful and gory details
Again, I blame King.
“Do the same.” Groder told Nalia and handed her a strip. “Without enchanted fire arrows, we have to improvise.”
I guess Arat wasn’t impressed enough with Groder to give him a supply…
He he, I didn`t think he would have a bunch of them lying around.
Both Nalia and Yoshimo knocked back the flaming arrows and the heat made sweat sheen on their foreheads. Groder pushed to door open and ducked. Two burning arrows where let lose and buried themselves in the trolls back and neck. It howled and wheeled around, dark irises shrunk to pins glared at them, burning with rage. The troll bared its mass of bent, sharp teeth and charged forward. Groder swiped at the troll’s leathery leg when it charged into the portal. Behind him, Nalia let out a small shriek. Groders blow was too weak and the sword stopped when it hit bone. It was enough though to make the troll fall over due to its speed and it tumbled down the small flight of stairs. Its greasy dark hair was almost all on fire now. Lying on the floor the creature swiped blindly with a large clawed hand at the two archers and hit Nalias arm. Yoshimo quickly dropped his bow and drew his katana; he neatly cut the creature’s right arm off. A backwards swing with its left hand forced both Yoshimo and the wounded Nalia back a few steps and then the troll stood again. It quickly picked up the right arm from the floor and put it back in its socket, the regenerative powers inert in the creature’s kind began to reattach it.
nice battle sequence.
Thanks, I worry about the flow of them.
“That went well;
let’s avoid more fights like this.”
sounds like a plan
And plans usually don´t survive first contact.
Nalia sat on the stone floor, breathing hard and stared at the dead troll.
“I’ve never…” She gulped. “Fought anything before, killed anything before.”
“We noticed.” Groder muttered under his breath.
“You will get used to it; we need to a lot more killing here.” He said as he extracted his sword from the troll’s leg.
“But…” Nalia looked at the boy and seemed to suddenly realise that he was actually younger then her. “How did you ever get used to this…”
Groder shrugged.
“It became a necessity, nothing more then that. I do not particularly enjoy it and that is all.”
I enjoyed this exchange quite a lot. Good use of the fact that it is unlikely that Nalia has ever killed before and she has the natural response any person would have, one of shock and disgust and even guilt.
Yeah, I figured that Nalia was not exactly the most experienced person.
“We don’t care who Nalia rolls around in the hay with.” Groder waved a hand dismissively.
Both Nalia`s and Daleson`s faces grew red.
“We do not…” She began indignant. “have a relationship. Daleson simply covers for me when I leave the keep. Aunty does everything in her power to keep me shut in and away from the servants and common folk alike.”
Groder and Viconia shared a look that plainly said that they didn’t believe a word she said. Nalia was about to protest more but though better of it, not wanting to be baited by the pair.
I can’t really see Nalia hanging around with this crew for very long.
Her options will be limited. There is always Isea...
She was interrupted by a yelp and a thud.
“Maybe we should have moved the troll.” Yoshimo said thoughtfully.
hindsight is always 20/20
Yeah
#10
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Posted 12 July 2006 - 10:31 AM
The brutality of the trolls and the gory bits of battle were ick but very nice at the same time, some vivid images there. I liked Nalia's reaction to death, the fire arrows, Nalia protesting about Daleson and Vico and Groder not believing her...I liked it all, thanks.
Thank you, glad you liked it.
#11
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Posted 22 July 2006 - 09:45 PM
Then his eyes passed from the young noble to Groder, to Yoshimo and finally Viconia whom was hidden in the depths of her cloak.
That cloak must make Vicky look even more sinister than if she wasn't wearing it.
“We were caught between the two groups of invaders and your father ordered us to retreat. We got lucky and managed to kill a good number of them, but in the end it wasn’t enough and we where forced to flee through the damn goblins. Your father went to the second floor to look for lady Nalia. I think Lady Delica was there as well.” At the sound of Delica`s name some of the guards that sat in the tent got a look in their faces that said that the woman may as well be eaten by the trolls for all they cared.
The way she is now, she probably already has been digested.
“When I open the door, you fire above me at the troll, the head preferably.” He hissed after making sure the troll still was engaged in its macabre sport.
Both Nalia and Yoshimo knocked back the flaming arrows and the heat made sweat sheen on their foreheads. Groder pushed to door open and ducked. Two burning arrows where let lose and buried themselves in the trolls back and neck. It howled and wheeled around, dark irises shrunk to pins glared at them, burning with rage. The troll bared its mass of bent, sharp teeth and charged forward. Groder swiped at the troll’s leathery leg when it charged into the portal. Behind him, Nalia let out a small shriek. Groders blow was too weak and the sword stopped when it hit bone. It was enough though to make the troll fall over due to its speed and it tumbled down the small flight of stairs. Its greasy dark hair was almost all on fire now. Lying on the floor the creature swiped blindly with a large clawed hand at the two archers and hit Nalias arm. Yoshimo quickly dropped his bow and drew his katana; he neatly cut the creature’s right arm off. A backwards swing with its left hand forced both Yoshimo and the wounded Nalia back a few steps and then the troll stood again. It quickly picked up the right arm from the floor and put it back in its socket, the regenerative powers inert in the creature’s kind began to reattach it.
Rousing!
Viconia, whom stood of the side had conjured up a small glowing stone which she threw, aiming at the trolls head. The stone ripped through the trolls jaw and tore it off. The troll staggered and made a gurgling noise, its body began trying to heal the damage, more slowly though as it also fought against the fires at its back and head. Groder slammed into the trolls lower back to make it lose its balance again. It staggered forward and Yoshimo took the opportunity to drive his weapon up through the roof of the troll’s mouth into its brain. The trolls eyes rolled back into its head and it fell over side ways.
Cool! Vicky is murder with that sling!
“I’ve never…” She gulped. “Fought anything before, killed anything before.”
Get used to it.
“We don’t care who Nalia rolls around in the hay with.” Groder waved a hand dismissively.
Both Nalia`s and Daleson`s faces grew red.
“We do not…” She began indignant. “have a relationship. Daleson simply covers for me when I leave the keep. Aunty does everything in her power to keep me shut in and away from the servants and common folk alike.”
Yeah, sure... we believe you... Ahum, yes, we do.
“We have to set about liberating this keep. You can get out by the passage in the western storeroom.” Nalia told him. Daleson bade them good luck and disappeared into the guard’s quarters.
“Oh!” Nalia`s face suddenly lighted up. “I think there is a passage that leads from the second floor directly to the cellars. I used to play in those passages when I was younger…”
She was interrupted by a yelp and a thud.
“Maybe we should have moved the troll.” Yoshimo said thoughtfully.
TnT Enhanced Edition: http://www.fanfictio...rds-and-Tempers
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Sith Warrior - Master, I can sense your anger.
Darth Baras - A blind, comotose lobotomy-patient could sense my anger!
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"The New Age? It's just the old age stuck in a microwave oven for fifteen seconds" - James Randi
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Sith Warrior - Master, I can sense your anger.
Darth Baras - A blind, comotose lobotomy-patient could sense my anger!
---
"The New Age? It's just the old age stuck in a microwave oven for fifteen seconds" - James Randi
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