The question was asked, and six voices fell silent...it was clear none of them had thought this far ahead.
"Well, I can take one for the team, since I know nobody else will. You don't offer help to a demon and expect payment later. Either we go visit Orcus last, or we don't even bother." Zaelynir folded his arms, leathery wings draped behind him. The incubus still only held a passing interest in all of this, but the excitement of what might come from the future was enough to keep him here. Incubi and Succubi weren't highly regarded among demon-kind...they had better luck with the devils, if you ever had the chance to escape to them. Travel wasn't something that you got to do very often...though he certainly put up the front that he was here for the chaos and the carnage, in truth the incubus also wanted the chance to see the planes.
Lance was the next to back off. "I'm with Zaelynir...Molag's just one person, and Carceri's the most dangerous place we've proposed. It's not worth going there first...if potentially at all."
Wake cut off Phyrra and Shavvir, both of them about to speak up. "The outer planes aren't easy to get to, but I can help. I've had a knack for finding planar portals for decades. That being said, I can only locate them if I'm fairly close."
Phyrra interjected. "So it sounds like it's settled, then? I know the path to the Underdark...I know where I need to go, and how to get there. No portals required.
"And just how do you intend to commune directly with Lolth? The elves assaulted the Underdark several times this century. What's left down there?" Shavvir folded her arms, the Shadar-kai continuing. "As little as I wish to entreat Strahd's charity, he's a man of absolute power, and Shadowfell portals are by far the most numerous next to the Feywild. Finding Strahd is easy...you'll be able to see his castle almost anywhere on the Plane?"
The drow narrowed her eyes. "And why's that?"
Shavvir sighed, shaking her head. "I said the Shadowfell mirrors the Material plane, and Strahd just so happened to be fortunate to stand where Empyria now sits here. His castle has grown proportionally, from what I've been told."
"So why not wait? Empyria's still being built, which from what you're saying means Strahd's only growing stronger. He'll have more resources at his disposal if we come to him later."
Shavvir turned around, pointing towards where Empyria stood. In the underground room, it simply looked like she pointed to the wall...but all except Lance knew what was out there. "You said it yourself earlier. If Empyria gets completed, we don't make it out of this alive without a miracle. You're telling me you want to wait and give them more time?"
Wake stepped in, cutting off the two women. "Let's...put this fight to rest for the moment, please. Maul, you've been quiet. What do you know of Acheron?"
"Warforged army moved from the first layer, Avalas, to second layer, Thuldanin. I failed to cross in time, which is why I'm here now. Lower plane portals are rare. Portals from Avalas to Thuldanin, worse. Advised to wait until high-priority targets are acquired."
Wake nodded. "Okay...as for me, all I've been told is that Zariel is somewhere within Dispater, but I do know the location of a portal from Avernus, the first layer, to Dispater once we get there. Finding Zariel is the only challenge...but let's get back to the problem here. Phyrra, Shavvir, you both know who you have to talk to, right?"
Phyrra nodded. "Guallidurth may have been assaulted, but it still stands. I know of one way to commune with Lolth there, yes."
"And you know how to get there?" This was the question Wake was most interested in...standing here and fighting amongst themselves wasn't going to solve anything.
"Yes. Guallidurth is in the Middledark. If we take the closest tunnel down…" Phyrra drifted into thought for a few seconds, tracing the maze-like series of caves in her mind. "We'd pass through Iltkazar and Dolblunde, both Upperdark cities populated by Duergar and Deep Gnomes, respectively. Neither are loyal to Empyria...it would be safe passage. If we travel without interruption, we'd make it in a little under ten days."
Wake turned his attention to Shavvir, who stood glowering at the drow. "Same questions. Do you know who to talk to, how to get there, and how long it will take."
The Shadar-kai nodded, smirking. "Empyria's about a week away, we know that, and Strahd would be remiss if he denied entry from a follower of the Raven Queen like myself. Finding a portal to the Shadowfell shouldn't be too difficult...with a week's journey, we're likely to find several."
Phyrra interjected. "So you admit you don't know where the closest one is?"
Shavvir spat back. "Listen, drow, it's not as simple as - "
Lance slammed his dagger blade-first into the stone table, the invisible blade making the hilt hover several inches off of the slab. "Shut up, both of you. I've been dead for six months and we still hate each other? We might as well walk to Empyria and hand ourselves in at this rate if we can't even decide how we want to save our own damned lives."
Wake followed up. "I say we put it to a vote. Underdark or Shadowfell, simple. Sounds like everyone else is willing to concede priority for now."
Phyrra rolled her eyes. "A vote? Please, what is this, - "
"What, afraid people aren't going to trust in the power of your spider-god?" Shavvir scanned the room, eyes either looking at her or the drow beside her. "I'm fine with a vote. I think my choice is clear. The Raven Queen provides for all. Strahd will provide."
Zaelynir finally cut in, having watched the situation play out in front of him. "I think I'll abstain. It's so fun watching you all fight amongst yourselves...but truthfully, there's an even number of us. I don't even want to think of what comes next if there's an even split. You can label me as absentee, if we're being all formal about it."
The drow threw her hands up in the air. "Fine. If we're being diplomatic about how we'd wish to do this, then yes, I'm casting my vote for Underdark." She turned to glare at Shavvir, eyes staring daggers. "Because I know Lolth will guide us through this."
Wake followed up. "I have to err towards the Underdark. There's less uncertainty...I don't want to take chances if we don't have to."
Maul shook his head. "Certainty of arrival yes, but not of reward. Strahd von Zarovich's resources are defined, Lolth's are not. Vote cast for Shadowfell."
Wake looked dumbfounded at Maul...it was rare that the two of them disagreed. Wake had tried to strike a middle ground between Maul's reliance on logic and Phyrra's utter lack of risk aversion. More often than not, he found himself siding with Maul if there was a dispute...rarely did he find himself on the side of Phyrra and opposing Maul at the same time. It made him reconsider his analysis...perhaps the Shadowfell was the correct option. He shook his head...no, it couldn't be. Resources didn't matter if you couldn't access them, and Shavvir had put enough doubt in his mind that he wasn't confident the Shadowfell was time-effective. Plus, he knew that Phyrra trusted and worshipped Lolth, practically lived for her. Maul had never been one to understand deities or religion in general, and while Wake had cast aside making any such ties...he still accepted their power. Perhaps that was why he found himself opposite of Maul.
Zaelynir smiled, eyes trained on Lance. "And just like that, we're split two-two. Wasn't quite how you expected to wake up, was it boy? Time to make your choice, since everyone else's gone along with this little game."
Lance's eyes flicked between the two women. In truth...he didn't care. He didn't know enough to care. He'd been dead, and only woke up to realize that the entire world wished him dead. Everyone else had had time to process that...to take time to formulate a plan of action and mentally prepare themselves to execute it. He didn't have that luxury...he had only heard about Empyria ten minutes ago. Underdark, Shadowfell, he'd barely even paid attention to the details of either...there was so much else to take into consideration at the moment. Thus, for him, the decision wasn't where, but who...it was clear that this vote effectively came down to picking sides, something he'd been trying to avoid for the longest time. If he had to choose whether to anger Phyrra or Shavvir, the choice was clear.
"I guess we're going to the Underdark then." Lance let out a sigh...he knew Shavvir would hate him for it, but he also knew that Phyrra was the only one that could save his life, and the last thing he wanted to happen was to die again. He'd been around Phyrra enough in the past...if she wasn't on good terms with you at the moment, the odds of her saving you in the heat of trouble dropped substantially. It was a game that everyone else knew that they had to play...and while everyone else likely had good reasons for picking their sides in the vote, Lance only did it to play that game.
Shavvir shook her head. "They're brothers, of course they were going to vote the same way. Shouldn't have counted."
Phyrra stood with a smug grin plastered across her face, looking at the Shadar-kai pompously. "You were the first to vote. I don't think you get to complain, Shadar-kai." She turned her attention back towards the group, Lance and Wake specifically. "The nearest tunnel to the Underdark is maybe two days away if we leave at dawn. From there, two days to Iltkazar, two to Dolblunde, and then four to Gaullidurth. That was assuming we don't get interrupted...odds are that won't happen."
"Why's that?" Wake was already checking his equipment...everyone in the Syndicate traveled light, but Wake exemplified that more than the rest. His bow, his cloak, a dagger...and a few coins should he truly need them. Maul carried most of the essentials...everyone else simply held onto whatever they needed should they get ambushed.
"I've heard that Empyria is reached into the Upperdark. I haven't enough intel to know what tunnels they've been using, but there's a chance we might run into them. I don't know what they're trying to accomplish there, but there's also a chance we might encounter them in Iltkazar. Dolblunde is removed enough from the surface that I doubt they've made it there."
Shavvir looked wide-eyed. "Of course you tell that important piece now, after the votes have been cast. We're walking through enemy territory? Please...what a joke."
"Doesn't matter...I don't change where I stand. Empyria is strong because they have numbers. If we just find a legion of soldiers...we've shown we're more than capable of handling that. Let's not waste any time...get ready to leave before dawn tomorrow. We have the advantage in the dark, but we need time to prepare. We don't know when we'll be back...if I sense any portals on our journey, it will be worth our time to follow them if they lead to where we want to go. Portals like that are rare...we'd be a fool to pass one up."
"Agreed. Lower plane portals are high priority due to rarity. Advised to step through them if possible." That was the Maul that Wake remembered...logic over emotion, if the warforged even had any. He'd never met another to know if they were all like that, or if Maul had been damaged somehow. Still, it made for a rock that the archer could rely on...and one that he often did.
"Fine. Whatever...obviously I don't agree, but I'm not going to argue any longer. I'll be in my chambers...if I'm getting trapped in the Underdark for a week, the Raven Queen may well have guidance for me." Shavvir stormed off, descending deep into the mountainside hideout that the Syndicate had built for themselves. Strong illusion magic gave off almost no hint of their presence...the entryway was hidden by illusory terrain, and wards prevented Empyria's scryers from locating them. While that level of protection might have been enough to give away their location, there were other groups that refused to enter Empyria's ranks that took similar precautions. The druids most notably refused to enter the megalopolis, hiding their presence in order to remain at peace with their world. The Syndicate may be hiding themselves, but they were far from alone.
As everyone began to separate, Maul had a final parting question. "Knowledge of the Underdark is lacking. Requesting details on required gear."
Phyrra responded quickly. "The only light is from plantlife that gets scarcer the further down we go. Don't bring a lantern - every bandit in sight is going to know where you are. Besides that...don't leave your weaponry."
"Acknowledged. Thank you."
The six departed, moving about the underground bunker as they began to prepare, though few had much to gather. The Syndicate's hideout was tucked within a mountain range far to the north of Empyria, a lair they'd found long since abandoned. Based on the scrolls and papers that littered the lower floors when they found it, they presumed it to be the lair of an old necromancer...the piles and piles of rotting flesh and yellowed bones certainly helped back up that assumption. All proof of the previous owner's residency had been long since discarded, either burned away if possible, or discarded through a more magical nature.
As such, they had plenty of room to work with, to the point that the lowest floors were purely for whatever storage was necessary, often little more than rations. Chambers were situated as close to the entrance as they could afford, meeting chambers and a common room directly after that. Near the back of the middle of three floors was their planning room, which several of the group were now leaving. On one wall was a massive map of the planes, several pins and rope drawn between several.
In the center was the Material Plane, four pieces of thread currently extending out of it while Wake started adding a fifth, a note next to the plane indicating the Underdark as a potential location. To the left and right were the Feywild and Shadowfell, the latter of which had a pin and thread situated in the center. They bordered the Material plane...easiest to get to, easiest to get out of.
Beyond that, the four Elemental planes: fire, earth, wind, and water. Largely ignored, but there was a note under the plane of Fire. The City of Brass, long renowned as the interplanar hub for magic items, now struggled to compete with Empyria due to the Material plane's consolidation of power. The denizens of the plane were desperately trying to stay afloat, with rumors saying that even their most renowned artifacts were selling for fractions of what they once had. The elemental planes were neutral territory...going there without disguise might mean that Empyria could corner them, but there was great power there for cheap...it might be too good to pass up.
Around the elemental planes, the outer planes. Largely, the Upper planes had been ignored - the Material plane was hostile enough as is, venturing into the realms of angels would get them killed even faster. They'd been branded as villians, evil-doers...not the revolutionaries that they were.
The other three pins, with a fourth being added to Carceri, extended to the Lower planes - Acheron, the Nine Hells, Gehenna, Hades, Carceri, the Abyss, and Pandemonium. They were arranged in a semicircle in that order, one that Wake was more than familiar with. He added another piece of thread from the Abyss to Carceri, mirroring the one from Acheron to the Nine Hells. He felt the coin pouch he carried feel heavier...travel from one Lower plane to an adjacent one was nearly impossible unless you had the correct resources, and even with them it was a tall order. He hoped it wouldn't have to come to that, but the archer was prepared to pay whatever price he needed to save himself...but moreover, to save Lance. He'd watched his brother die once...he wasn't willing to let that happen again.
As he finished situating the pin, he joined the other five in moving to his own private chambers, struggling to come to terms with what was ahead of them. In the months that followed Alvesari, the world was silent. It wasn't until three months ago when Empyria started to be built, the supercity quickly growing to dominate the skyline, even from several days' travel away. Their plan to fight back took time to hatch, but they'd put the details on hold as Wake persisted that they spend time searching for a way to bring back his brother. The time was finally upon them...it was do or die.
Maul was the first to rouse the following morning. Warforged had little need for sleep...he needed little more than a few hours in order to maintain operations of his primary functions. The second to awake was often Wake or Phyrra...elves and their subtypes also expedited the sleeping process. This morning, however, Lance was the second to meet the warforged out in the common room. Maul stood almost motionless, examining the planar map that Wake had put together...analyzing it, trying to optimize a path between all of the planes...but such a task was hopeless without knowing all of the variables in play. He knew of Acheron...and he cared of little else besides that. Empyria, the Syndicate...both mattered little to him. The Syndicate was strong. Arrive in Acheron, and Maul knew firsthand that -
"Morning, big guy." Lance examined the space around him before dropping onto the floor, still bleary-eyed despite just waking up. "Sounded yesterday like you've never been to the Underdark...I think we can handle it."
Maul nodded. "Agreed, Lance. Challenge will not come from travel." Maul turned himself away from the map, having learned that the other races prefer to engage in this sort of banter. Lance had always been one that had taken his interest...he was named after a weapon that he did not use, and showed no indication of wanting to use. For warforged, such rejection of designation never happened. Maul carried his namesake weapon with him, learning the intricacies of how to fight with it. "Empyrean presence in Upperdark may prove difficult."
"Not if we are careful. Stick to the shadows and stay undetected. I know that's never been your strong suit, but we'll make it work." Wake was roused by the conversation, Phyrra following shortly thereafter. The four of them set to making final preparations, stowing any evidence that they had ever lived here...they didn't know how long they'd be gone, or how good Empyrean scryers were, but they didn't want their hideout to get raided, and their plan unfolded, while it was indefensible. Shavvir was the fifth to wake up, seeing the old necromancer's lair practically pristine. Finally, Zaelynir. The incubus was almost always the last to wake up, but thankfully didn't waste as much time today as he normally did.
Phyrra walked towards the exit and turned around to the rest. "Unless there are any final concerns, let us depart. While we did agree yesterday to venture for the Underdark first, I do agree that any portals we find are of higher importance...even the Shadowfell." She said the last few words with distaste, Shavvir raising her eyebrows unexpectedly. "Barring that, however, it'll be two days on foot before we make it underground. Lance...prepare to see Empyria.
Phyrra stepped out into the mountain range that hid them, the illusory walls that kept their base hidden from plain sight shimmering as the drow exited. One by one each member of the Syndicate departed, snowy peaks and windswept paths making the descent to the ground treacherous enough, to say nothing of what lay before them.
Empyria...while the others had had time to adjust to its presence, this was the first time Lance had seen it. The descriptions he'd heard didn't do it justice...it was massive. The supercity's profile was dominated by a towering spire in the center that appeared to be the focus of the remaining construction, stone and metal walls giving way to wooden scaffolding as it climbed higher. It was impossible to judge just how large it was...he knew from previous conversations they were about a week's journey away, and size meant little at that distance. Still, it had to be hundreds of stories tall...and that was just the tower.
Beneath that, a large wall swept around the rest of the supercity, the details of which were barely noticeable at this distance. Still, the wall was what posed the greatest threat - walls had always troubled them in the past. There was no infiltrating a city like that...the trick they pulled at Alvesari with Shavvir and Zaelynir going undercover weeks ahead of time wouldn't pass. No, the only way to siege Empyria was to engage in an all-out war...a realization the others clearly came to while he was dead.
"So...what do we know about it?"
Zaelynir shook his head. "Surprisingly little. Turns out when you fear six people, two of which can look like your neighbor, you raise some strict policies on crime. I've tried to...encourage some passersby to infiltrate and give us some information, but I've only heard back from one. They were about to put him to death for even acting suspiciously...it's almost endearing being feared this much."
"You're saying they put anyone suspect of being allied with us to death?"
The incubus nodded. "Right-o, boy. Odds are the only knowledge we'll glean from here on out is from what we can see on the outside, which isn't much. It's big...that's about all we know. Any attempts to scry were eliminated about two months ago...must have finally realized they needed some wards."
Phyrra nodded. "Wards that we are now out of. We are two days' journey to the caverns on foot, Empyria is four but they do not travel on foot. We won't know if we were spotted until they're upon us." The drow continued the descent, maneuvering her way down the mountainside with practiced steps, little in terms of either wildlife or vegetation blocking their way. As they descended, Empyria only appeared to grow taller, the massive pyre towering higher and higher on the horizon.
"At the rate they've been going, how much longer do we have until it's built?"
"If we knew how tall that they were making it, that would be an easy question. We don't know what they're doing in there...based on estimations, the surrounding land is enough to house all of the residents. If they're using it for research, Lolth only knows what's inside, or why they need it so damned tall."
"Supply stations dwindling. Current resources enough to last three months." Maul struggled down the rocky slopes, his larger and heavier frame creating challenges the others didn't have.
"Have they restocked before?"
"Once, and only once. They seem able to acquire resources at an unimaginable rate, and they've got plenty of space to hold them. Now come on...let's not waste time speculating. We've been operating under the assumption of three months for...about since they restocked a month ago. Every day counts, especially in the Lower planes. You know just as well as I do that hours can become days or minutes depending on where you end up. A week's journey in the Abyss may well take us a month for all we know." Lance strode alongside Phyrra, the two guiding the others down to the base of the mountains. By the time they reached the base the sun was high overhead, though the dense foliage above masked them from most of the early autumn's heat. Phyrra turned, traveling parallel to the mountain range, staying as far away from Empyria as she could. Though it was out of sight, it was certainly not out of mind for any of them.
"Zaelynir, can you scout?" Phyrra looked at the incubus, gesturing towards Empyria. "We know they have a base less than a day from here. If we're going to be spotted, I want warning."
Wake shook his head. "The forest is enough cover. We don't need to risk them spotting us by having him above the treeline, unless - "
"Unless I disguise myself, you were going to say?" Zaelynir looked around as feathers began to sprout on his wings. "Thank the Aarakocra for making it easy." Within seconds he had taken the visage of the avian race, his final few words harsher as they came from his new beak. He was colored like a raven, silvery-black feathers covering the sleek body that the shapeshifter had crafted for himself. "Give me the stone...I'll make sure none of you pretties get caught unawares."
Maul reached into his equipment, retrieving a set of Sending Stones - long range communication. He handed one to the Aarakocra, keeping the other for himself. "Do try not to make it hard to keep up. I'll come down at nightfall unless something goes awry earlier. Take care now." Zaelynir flapped his wings and took to the air, a ruffle of leaves following his grand exit.
"Alright...let's continue." The remaining five traveled across the ground, Wake looking up every so often to see as hint of black feathers sneaking through the foliage overhead. All was quiet for several hours, the only signs of life around them being the stray animal that wandered near them. Eventually, they passed through the remains of a village, one created by Empyria's construction. The buildings were intact, the crops in the outlying fields several months overdue for harvesting. The village wasn't in shambles...it was simply deserted. People in the outlying lands hadn't left for Empyria out of fear...those that were far removed from the Syndicate's influence weren't informed enough to fear them. Instead, one family decided to leave for Empyria's superior benefits, and then another, populations slowly migrating until eventually the remainder of the town up and transplanted as well, leaving behind whatever they couldn't carry. As such, the Syndicate had found meager success in ransacking these types of places...more often than not, there were still some items of value behind.
"I can sense magic nearby...nothing too strong." Phyrra's drow blood coarsed with magical influence, noticing the presence of magic nearby. She followed it to the source, the doors all unlocked in the abandoned settlement. She unearthed a meager supply of healing potions...based on the furniture in the small hut, this must have been where an alchemist lived. They pocketed the potions, adding to what else they had found or created during their hiding. Zaelynir flew down, momentarily shifting back to his true form now that they were out in the open. "Not a soul in sight. Either they haven't spotted us, or they're too scared to advance."
"Or they aren't where you're looking. The forest ends in less than an hour's walk. Might be smart to make camp here rather than in the open, what do you think, Phyrra." Wake turned to see the drow sifting through the village's more mundane belongings, finding little of value.
Lance interjected before the drow had a chance to respond. "I know these woods...there's a cave not far from the edge of the woods. If we're this worried about time, it gives us more chance tomorrow."
Phyrra mulled it over for a second. "Then let's go. The sooner we get out of this sunlight, the better." The drow perpetually wore a cloak over her head, shielding her from the oppressive sunlight that all drow loathed. "I'd be happy just being back in the woods. Zaelynir, are you ready to go?"
The incubus shifted back into his avian body, feathers expanding to cover his wings once more. "For you? Always."
Phyrra rolled her eyes in disgust, locating Shavvir. "You've been quite. Anything you wish to share?"
The Shadar-kai shook her head. "Nothing important. Just on the lookout for portals to the Shadowfell, nothing more."
"Maul, Lance? Need more time?" Both shook their heads, and so the group continued on. It wasn't much longer until they reached the edge of the forest and ventured out into the open, hugging the mountainside that they'd been trailing for hours at this point. Lance guided them to the cavern, fairly small but enough to house the six of them comfortably.
None of them carried tents...Maul didn't even bother with a bedroll, but the rest carried at least that with them. As they were getting ready, Lance turned back. "I don't know what the watch order usually is...I'll work with whatever is good."
"I'll wake you up when it's your time then, brother. I've got first watch alongside...Zaelynir."
"What can I say? An incubus needs his beauty sleep. Don't you dare wake me up in the middle of the night unless you need me."
Wake sighed...he was used to this, Zaelynir's watch practically worthless. He stood at the gate of the cave, bow in hand as he watched for movement as the Incubus sat much further back, barely even leaving his bedroll. The watch ended uneventfully, Wake moving to his brother to wake him up, Shavvir following shortly threreafter.
Lance stood next to the mouth of the cave, Shavvir on the opposite side as they both stared out into the beyond. He could sense a distaste coming from the Shadar-kai, and it wasn't hard to understand why...he had been the final vote. He could only assume that Shavvir blamed him for being in their current position, rather than searching for a portal to the Shadowfell.
"I'm - "
"Save it." Shavvir cut him off abruptly, Lance stopping dead in his tracks. "Your brother made a good point, though don't you ever tell him I said so. Phyrra and I were getting heated. We all have at one point or another. If we want to actually live to see this army walk, we need to get along with each other. You made your choice. I won't blame you for it, boy."
Boy...it was something they'd all been calling him since he'd woken up, and Lance wasn't fond of the term, apt as it may have felt. In this realm, one where Empyria now dominated the skyline in front of him, he felt like just that - a child. "I'm glad you understand."
Shavvir shook her head. "I don't...the Raven Queen does. Her guidance has never wronged me in the past. If her advice is to soothe my rough edges, then I will do what I can to accomplish that goal."
"Who is the Raven Queen? You've talked a lot about her...but little about who or what she is." Lance kept part of his mind focused on the night sky before him, the other on Shavvir.
"She's not like Phyrra's Lolth...she's so much more. You can't see her, touch her...but you can sense her presence. I do, even now. She manifests in images, thoughts, fragments...things you wouldn't pay notice to if you didn't know any better. She's a collector of sorts...she desires memories above all else. Why she wants them, even I don't know...but my life is spent in service of providing her knowledge of all that I can find."
Lance's focus had trailed off as she kept talking, noticing a pack of wolves on the horizon that continued on their way. "If you can't see her...how do you know she's even real?"
Shavvir balked at the question...she'd been asked something similar many times before, but never quite so bluntly. "The raven on my shoulder isn't enough for you?" It often remained so still that Lance forgot it was even there, its head only turning towards him now having been motionless for hours beforehand. "It was a gift from her, but not the only one. Have you heard of the legendary blade Blackrazor?"
Lance nodded. "Of course. You mean to say that she forged it?"
"Not forged it...created it. She takes the memories that her Shadar-kai bring her and coalesce them into weapons of war, Blackrazor the most notable. My weapon was born from such a process as well...Everlife. It was born from memories of people fighting against impossible odds only to fail...Everlife was created to allow me to do the same and succeed."
Lance had seen it used plenty of times, and it certainly lived up to the description. It siphoned life from its targets and fed that life into Shavvir, allowing her to fight dozens at a time in melee combat and emerge victorious.
"And what about your blade? Where'd you find it? Such a thing can't be found at a mage's guild."
"Blink?" Lance grabbed the bladeless dagger, tossing it in his hand. "It was Molag's for the longest time. I found the weapon when he was captured. I've always said I wanted to return it to him, but I didn't think I'd ever be able to turn that into a reality. Then again, I'm not sure I'd want to now...I can't think of how many times it's saved my life. Lance danced Blink across his hand, deft fingers maneuvering it with practiced ease. "I don't know where he got it from, though...it'd been with him since I first ran into him."
"Fair enough. It's about time to wake Phyrra and Maul...get some rest."
"You as well." Lance flicked Blink across the room, landing at his own bedroll as Shavvir moved to wake the third watch. Maul simply stood in the back corner, likely having heard everything that had just been spoken...Lance was never too sure with the warforged. He slept through the rest of the night, Phyrra and Maul's watch ending as uneventfully as the other two.
The next morning they set out just before dawn, Empyria's tower framed by the rose-colored sky. Phyrra led them along the mountains, sun rising higher and higher overhead as they progressed. With nothing to hide their vision, Empyria loomed over them the entire day, the outer wall too low to be seen, but the tower never able to leave their sights. From the ground it seemed even more imposing, especially given just how far it was...truly a monument to architecture for aeons to come.
Once again, they day went on without much event, Phyrra eventually breaking the monotony. "We're no more than a tenth of a mile out. Shavvir, can you scout?"
She nodded. "Always." She took a seat and closed her eyes, the raven opening its. It beat its wings and flew off, flying along the mountain range there was silence as the raven eventually was too small to spot, stopping at its destination.
"They've set up a perimeter. They knew we were coming. Several dozen, as well as some machinery I've never seen before. I can't tell what it does. We aren't getting in without a fight." Shavvir's words sounded distant, seeing the world through the eyes of the bird.
Wake looked out on the horizon, seeing movement in the distance. "They're going to collapse on us. Either we make our move now and hope to lose them in the tunnels, or we wait and fight even more later. Phyrra, I can only assume you know of places to hide should we make it inside?"
The drow held a sly smile. "Of course. We cut a path now. Once we're inside, we're as good as invisible. You overworlders are hopeless in a cave."
"Then let's go. Enough planning." Lance started making his way towards the gates, the rest forced to catch up with him.
"The machines...they suppress magic. Zaelynir's shapeshifting may still work, but mine won't." Shavvir caught up, the raven landing on her shoulder. Lance was quick to close the distance, seeing the machines that she'd called out prior. Each was easily fifteen feet tall with small holes for spears and arrows to fly through, but the powerful thrum that they gave up made it clear that they served more of a purpose than to hide. A translucent dome surrounded the entrance, Lance's elven eyes catching the barest trace of it. Blink's powers would be suppressed within the dome...it had been so long since he'd been grounded in a fight, it would take some adapting.
"I've been out for a while...has the game plan changed much?"
Maul charged past him, the first of many guards already having spotted them. The cavern entrance was almost impossible to sneak up on, the warforged having given up any such idea upon seeing the terrain. High visibility, high defensibility. "No modifications. Decimation." Maul held his shield up as a volley of arrows flew towards him, easily able to absorb the blow. The magic-suppressing barricades meant little to him, though their height meant that he would have to get past through brute force. Behind him, Shavvir and Zaelynir both took to the air, Shavvir able to propel herself through magical means while Zaelynir simply beat his leathery wings.
Maul slammed his weapon into the structure, a repulsive blast nearly knocking the weapon from his hand. He took a spear to the shoulder as he tried ramming into it, a similar effect sending him staggering back. It was almost impossible to get past from the outside...exactly why Empyria had built the barriers here.
"Coming in!" Lance threw his dagger into the air with a high arc, flying past Zaelynir and Shavvir both on its way up and down. He leaped to it just as it was about to cross through the barrier, plummeting into the ring. Shavvir and Zaelynir were quick to follow, diving into the center as sword, dagger, and staff all became a flurry of activity within the dome. It was clear that Empyria still had plenty to learn about the Syndicate, not expecting to evade such a barrier so easily. Wake was next to enter the ring, running near the edge of the barricade before blinking to a spot above it, launching an arrow while in freefall in order to reposition himself, knocking another soldier to the ground as he descended.
Phyrra walked over to the warforged. "I'm good in there, but they need you in there. Go." A Dimension Door opened up in front of Maul as Phyrra performed the spell, the exit of which was at the top of the dome. He stepped through it, unfolding his shield into the massive tower shield that he wanted as he fell, crushing a soldier beneath him as he hit the ground. Lance and Shavvir were doing most of the work, Wake retreating into the caves as he fired more and more arrows.
However, Maul was here...and his opponents had no escape. His weapon slammed a gnomish gunner, a relatively new weapon Empyria had crafted. The fragile weapon shattered along with hits wielder, the gnome slamming into the creation she had most likely aided in constructing. Two more followed quickly thereafter, Phyrra able to watch as the barricades were jostled by the devastation that must have been happening inside. Maul continued pulverizing the group, little resistance able to be had within a zone that suppressed magic - this was his domain. Arrows bounced off his metallic carapace, spears failed to scratch the wooden plates adorning him, and swords lodged themselves in the massive shield he bore. All the while, his maul annihilated everyone within his sight, soon the legion behind the barricade nearly gone.
Lance dodged out of the way of an arrow, countering as he closed the distance with his dagger. The weapon struck true into his target...but what surprised him more was the bolt of necrotic energy that leaped from his flesh, diving towards the archer. It ate away at his flesh, the dwarvish figure's skin quickly blackened by the assault that surprised Lance as much as the dwarf. As it fell, he turned around in shock. The archer beside the one that had just died simply looked at Lance with fear in his eyes.
"Well...you learn something new everyday." Lance hadn't the slightest clue how he'd done that, but made sure to keep it in mind for later. His next kill was simply with his dagger, several quick cuts downing the archer before he had a chance to react.
It had been less than thirty seconds, but the battalion was dead. Shavvir toyed with the last one, sword pressed against the gnome's neck, forcing her words to come out strained.
"What are they building in the tower. What's it for?"
The gnome struggled, the sword pressing into her neck even more. "N...nothing."
Shavvir shook her head. "You don't spend months building something like that for no reason. Try again." The sword was pressed harder, blood starting to flow down the gnome's neck.
"Nothing."
"One more time." It was a marvel that the gnome could even speak at this point, but Shavvir was practiced enough with a blade to know how far was too far. This gnome would talk...whether she wanted to or not.
"Nothing."
The blade was dangerously close from the gnome's vitals, the edge perilously close from ending her life. "Let's try something else. How much time did you have to set this up?"
"Nothing."
Lance shook his head. "They're trained. They wouldn't sent people here that might squeak."
"Seems that way." A quick flourish lopped the gnomes head off, silence befalling the barricade. Shavvir turned back towards the outside, Phyrra having never entered. "All clear in here, little drow. No need to keep hiding."
They all waited, no response coming. The walls were too tall to see out of, save for the slits that the defenders had used earlier. After several seconds of no response, Shavvir sent her raven out, transporting her vision to it only momentarily...the scene was clear.
"We need to leave. She's been captured."
Word Count: 7116
Total Word Count: 13930
