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Post by Exile, Bast Incarnate on Dec 31, 2005 5:13:06 GMT -5
The Yuan-Ti nods, releases her weapon and follows Francis.
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Post by EK - Shadow of Death on Jan 8, 2006 23:07:59 GMT -5
OOC: Sorry for the delay on this thread, everyone. I'll be posting at a regular pace from here on out
<-- To Exile only -->
Ssertzah walks into the portal and emerges on the other side in a flash, blinded by the sudden influx of light. She stands in a circular room, spacious, but not overly large. The ceiling is a high, vaulted dome that shines with a light so bright that it hurts to look at it directly. The walls and floor are of the same, even, poured concrete that seem to glow when reflecting the bright light from above. At the very center of the room is a table; a massive slab of thick oak that dominates the floor. Around the perimeter of the room are at least a dozen embossed doorframes, similar to the one that Francis just opened into a portal. Each doorframe has a unique symbol painted onto the wall above it with thick, blue ink.
Ssertzah hears a pop from behind her and turns her head to see that the black portal behind her had disappeared, to be replaced with another embossed doorframe. Francis and Lexon walked towards the table at the middle of the room and tossed their cloaks and weapons haphazardly on the floor.
Looks like we're the first said Francis, looking at Ssertzah We're safe here. The others shouldn't be long.
Francis turns back to the table and runs his fingers over the grain, studying the surface. Lexon walks across the room to the opposite side and begins to examine the embossed doorframes in more detail.
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Post by Exile, Bast Incarnate on Jan 9, 2006 2:15:25 GMT -5
Ssertzah's level of confusion was near its maximum. "I have no idea where we are, what we went through or whom this 'who' you speak of is..."
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Post by EK - Shadow of Death on Jan 18, 2006 1:02:40 GMT -5
<-- To Exile only -->
Of course... mutters Francis, distracted. He runs his hands over the table for a few more seconds and then energetically turns back towards the Yuan-ti. You are owed an explanation
He props himself up onto the rough oaken slab and begins to talk.
I am a member of the Fraternity of Order. All that you need to know is that we are a wide-spread conglomeration devoted to stamping out chaos wherever it exists and bringing back the clockwork nature of the multiverse.
Right now, we are standing in one of my order's many safehouses, in a pocket dimension at the periphery of reality. Though this fair city of Ribcage is almost as orderly as they get, the good Lord Paracs doesn't take kindly to our presence; feels that the best place for a foreign faction is in the dead-book. Normally, the agents we place here have an easy enough time, and would be be content to just be on their merry way, but recently there've been... anomalies.
Francis takes in a deep breath, as if he had spoken that whole bit without inhaling.
For some inane reason, a large army from the opposite side of the multiverse decided to lay seige a week ago. Shortly after, Lord Paracs hired the a division from the infamous Spectrum army to defend his city. Keep in mind that though he was more than capable of defending it with his own troops, he needed to hire a foreign army from a neutral battleground to maintain the balance of planar alignment... it's a complex issue. At any rate, after Relik Noren arrived at the head of two thousand Spectrum soldiers, serious problems started to come up.
Lexon had come back to the middle of the room, his arms crossed, listening intently to Francis.
The Order's head office received a box containing the hearts and lungs of all of our agents in Ribcage, signed by Relik himself. We still don't know if they're dead or alive... they say he uses korachon inquisitors... frightful creatures. They sent me and Lexon in shortly after that, with a few specific orders. This is where you come in, my dear. It is a little known fact that Relik Noren is a snake worshipper.
Francis pauses for a moment, as a toothy grin rolls across his face
We don't know exactly what religion, but he has taken serpentine men and women into his bedchambers, and makes exceptions for their ilk into his ranks. Our intelligence even suggests that he may even have a naga as an advisor. To get close to him, we needed someone from the outside - a Prime - and you fit the mark perfectly. The deal is simple: we want you to get close to Noren, find out what his plans are, and then take appropriate action to disrupt them. So - what say you?
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Post by Exile, Bast Incarnate on Jan 20, 2006 14:28:56 GMT -5
Ssertzah takes a moment to think over everything. "I usually try to avoid situations like this, but I am in your debt. Perhaps I could have a minute or two to meditate on this?"
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Post by EK - Shadow of Death on Jan 21, 2006 10:53:53 GMT -5
OOC: I've decided to stop waiting for Spec... he's been out of contact for a while, so we'll tag him along until he returns.
<--- To Canderous, K'Zan, and Spec only--->
Faniel makes a quick toss of his head, motioning the three of you up. He steps away from the balcony and plops himself onto a plush divan beside a table, waiting for you.
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K'Zan
Squire
(pl/m/gz/W4/Du/CN)
Posts: 106
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Post by K'Zan on Jan 21, 2006 15:12:52 GMT -5
Ah, well. No rest for the wicked, and all that.
K'Zan sighs and pulls himself to his feet.
'It seems we have little choice at present. Come then; I feel Faniel pulling on my leash.'
He slowly walks over to the divan.
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Post by Canderous on Jan 23, 2006 1:21:30 GMT -5
The skin to metal coldness of his armor, was starting to get to Canderous' nerves. He got up and follows right behind K'Zan, hoping that Faniel would have some type of reward for them that he could use to get a new shirt. While walking, he mumbles an old saying, "Dragging a weary dog by his leash only rewards you with a bite on the hand."
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Post by EK - Shadow of Death on Feb 1, 2006 22:36:18 GMT -5
<--- To Canderous, Spec, and K'Zan only --->
The three of you march your way up to Faniel's perch and sit down listlessly at his table. The black-skinned elf seems quite content with himself.
Mmmm, you made it through all right, I see. Shy a modron, though. Hmm, this might be somewhat problematic. Perhaps... no. Perhaps, you would like to see rest, hmm? During my term in the War, they disintegrated those who sought "rest". When your enemy searches for you relentlessly, with more numbers, more power, and more intelligence than you, the only weapon you have worth a berk's cake is your resolve. Sound familiar?
He sits up, leans in, and speaks spiritedly, Maybe you should know that our blockheaded friend, Naylo, at the head of nearly a million Abyssal soldiers is ready to lay waste to Ribcage proper. Maybe you should know that the all-seeing Lord Paracs of fair Ribcage has mobilized an entire battalion of his Blackguard soldiers to search for "Abyssal spies"... lets hope that you didn't pick up a smell on your trip through the underground. Maybe it's in our best interest to simply cut ties with you and nullify our agreement? After all, it's not like Relik Noren can't do his own dirty work!
A few patrons have begun to openly stare at your little group. The numberous references to the Abyss and Relik Noren piqued the ears of a trio of large, dog-like humanoids, who growl softly in your direction.
Leave it to the Abyssal league to hire Sigilian mercenaries... your conduct disgusts me. he turns away from you and spits on the floor. The dog-men at the next table stand up at once, their hair bristling on end.
Survive the night. We'll speak later.
Faniel disappears instantly, without fanfare or noise. The dog-men begin to approach you, a small throng of bar patrons following right behind them.
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Post by EK - Shadow of Death on Feb 1, 2006 22:36:41 GMT -5
<--- To Exile only --->
Nearly an hour passes without movement. Francis continues to draw his fingers across the table, as if reading it. Lexon leans against a pillar and takes a nap. Lazily, all three of you waited, and just as lazily did someone come. A portal opened from the stone, and a black-skinned elf walks through it. Francis looks at him incredulously for a moment before his mouth breaks into a wide smile. The short man hastens over to the newcomer and grasps his forearm firmly.
Faniel! Alive and well, are you?
They exchange pleasantries, and the elf walks over to Ssertzah. A golden air lines his figure.
Forgive the form. We last met while I was a snake, Ssertzah of Sseth. I hope the Spectrum haven't been giving you too much trouble since. he smiles Unfortunately, we've bigger problems than that.
He turns to Francis and Lexon, the latter who had woken up and packed his things.
Our contact is dead. All we have left is the Senator.
Faniel looks back to Ssertzah Senator Ivlium, that is. The only real contender to Lord Paracs' power. Guess who he works for? he adds with a devilish grin Come.
Three long strides takes Faniel to a nearby portal, which he opens with a whispered word, and glides through as silent as a ghost. In a moment, Lexon leaps through, with Francis waiting for Ssertzah.
Welcome to my world he says, with an apologetic smile.
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Post by Exile, Bast Incarnate on Feb 4, 2006 15:47:12 GMT -5
Ssertzah grabs her things and heads through the tunnel, nodding to Francis beforehand. She finally gave in to the fact that this is just another chapter in the life that is her story and there is no need to resist it any longer.
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Post by Canderous on Feb 5, 2006 1:17:09 GMT -5
With a sigh of annoyance, he quickly draws his sword and waits for them into the range of his swing.
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K'Zan
Squire
(pl/m/gz/W4/Du/CN)
Posts: 106
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Post by K'Zan on Feb 7, 2006 5:32:10 GMT -5
A flicker of irritation passes across K'Zan's face, and he mutters softly to himself.
'Brilliant. Our employer is evidently trying to get us killed.'
He sighs, gets up and stands beside and slightly behind Canderous - if he gets into a fight, there is little chance of his survival. Then, as a last ditch option, he addresses the gathering mob.
'Fools! Are you trying to help spread the chaos? I implore you, in the names of my Lord Paracs and the Nine themselves to cease this idiocy!' (at this he flashes his ring as though it were an official seal) 'Please, order yourselves; I would rather you do not hinder my companions and I as we try to root out Abyssal spies.'
K'Zan has no hope that his elaborate bluff will possibly succeed, but if he is lucky it might stun the crowd for a moment... maybe even giving him time to march out of the door and escape into the streets for a moment.
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Post by EK - Shadow of Death on Feb 14, 2006 9:12:50 GMT -5
You want Blackguard justice, berk? growled one of the dog men, towering over both of you. He tightens his inhumanely large muscles and glares at Canderous. I aint letting you bashers out of here with all... those... tasty... limbs.The other two dog men fan around you, cutting off your path to the staircase. A small group of lightly-armed dwarves fill in the gaps. Most of the other patrons seemed to have backed down. To your relief, you notice that the squad of heavily armored soldiers downstairs haven't even budged. You take quick account of your surroundings. The table you're at sits in a corner, with a plush divan in the corner, and a few heavy chairs opposite. Above and behind the table is a large, stained glass window, but you're pretty sure that it's magically guarded or reinforced. The second floor banister opens up directly to a small chandelier, . Beyond that is a large, floating platform upon which a small troupe of musicians is perched, still playing away merrily. The dog men seem to be waiting for you to do something brash. C = Canderous S = K'Zan D = Dog-man W = dwarf There are in fact other people on this floor, but you can't see them from here, or simply don't notice them.
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Post by Canderous on Feb 14, 2006 20:20:55 GMT -5
The quiet warrior put his blade pointing towards the ground, his hands on the hilt, ready to pull it upwards towards the face, or throat depending on the height of the first attacker who decides to come forward while he is in his defensive position.
Canderous does nothing but stare into the eyes of the dogman who was failing to intimidate him. Though he would rather avoid the fight, he wouldn't mind relieving a little bit of tension from his frustration with Faniel.
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