Disclaimer- ya know the drill....
Arreat Part 2 - World Beast
By Alpha Draconis
The three warriors stood in complete awe. The City of Rathma was truly a sight. A large city, with Roman/Japanese style buildings were in completely organized streets and avenues. The larger buildings had supports build from bones of long extinct creatures. Cracks in the mountainside above, cast a gloomy amount of light on the buried metropolis. And they could see one large building that stood out like a beacon at the far side of the city. It had large pillars in the front, but was designed like a large temple. An ominously large skull hung over the roof of the temple peering down on the entire city. The large city seemed quiet. Ambush quiet.
Sheila clutched a crude oil potion, hidden in her belt. It wouldn't do much good if the city was filled with Necromancers, but it was the best she had. The Hammer looked around. Cowards, he thought. But he kept his tongue quiet. For all he knew, assassins were targeting him now. Adrian calmly walked forward. Door of the building opened. Necromancers, fifty, or sixty peered out of various building looking at the Newcomers. From their much lower quality armour, weapons and appearance the three could determine that these Necromancers were beginners. Adrian felt outwards with his magical power, as he learned to as a Son Of Trag'Oul. These Necromancers were no threat, around levels 8 to 21, but they would be stronger, for Necromancers can learn many skills in the Dead City, and swap Summoning Masteries, increasing their powers. But, Adrian and his friends, these guys were small fries.
Adrian boldly walked forward then addressed his comrades.
"Take your weapons if they comfort you." He said, and then walked down the street to the temple. The Necromancers watched, and went back to their daily business; they took notice of Sheila and backed away as she followed Adrian. The Hammer followed, he abruptly growled at the Necromancers. They jumped back. Hammer laughed a bit and followed his friends who were already ahead.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After five minutes, all three had reached the temple. Adrian walked up the steps to a large doorway. Immediately, a bluish glow emanated from him, Sheila ran up to him. He did not notice and seemed like a statue, just walking forward. Sheila waved her paw in front of his face. Nothing, She was now scared. The Hammer looked up, the large skull, was attached to thick amounts of flesh and sinew, which made it look downwards to our heroes. Skeletons seemed to appear from nowhere and, load bows, ready staves, and ready themselves for a battle. Okay this is getting screwy, the Hammer thought. At the top of the large temple stairs, was another large door much like the one leading to the city. Adrian reached deep into his belt and pulled forth a tooth, a large black tooth. He placed in upon the door, and in literally sunk into the bronze metal. The great doors silently opened.
"We're here." Adrian finally spoke. He walked in, followed by Sheila and The Hammer.
Inside this strange room was a large Roman style palace, with a tropical forest in the centre. The white marble that the room was filled with shone bone white.
"Son of a bitch, this just gets weirder!" Hammer yelled. An old seer walked into the room.
"Praise god, one more of the Sons Of Trag'Oul have returned!" The old man said.
"It's good to see you again Narn'Oul." Adrian greeted. The old man turned to his friends.
"So have returned with Barbarian and the Holy Cat, as I prophesied after you left. Come now, tonight is the celebration of the World Beast!" Darrin will be pleased to know you live."
"He's here?" Adrian asked. His friends could just listen and try to understand what was going on.
"I have prophesied his return tonight, just before the games. Until then, the you may show your friends the sacred city." He turned to them, "You are very lucky, for not many outsiders see this city and live to tell about it."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The trio walked through the city and entered, A fairly large, two-story building, it was Adrian's old house.
The house was very... well, nice, as far as subterranean, Roman villas go. It had a complete, kitchen, Roman style construction, with running water (Romans). You could call it a Villa, though it was in a city, and not in the outskirts.
"Home.' Adrian proudly stated.
While the Hammer searched the pantry, Sheila had few questions for Adrian.
"Adrian what was that about?"
"What?"
"Give her your life story or something," The hammer said while making a large sandwich from the pantry's food supply. Sheila nodded. Adrian sat down.
"Well here goes... My family had lived in city for countless generations. That town was Tristram." Sheila sat up, intrigued. "When the demons arrived, my family fled. Demons hunted them down and killed them. Somehow, I managed to escape. One Vizjerei, who had the power of prophecy, found me. That was the man you Met, Narn'Oul, or as he was once known, Sunnet, Horazon's son." Indeed this was interesting. "When the demons consumed his father he found our civilization, and demanded aid to bring his father's soul back. After he stayed with us he became a wise man, and understood the cycle of, life and accepted his father's fate. Where was I? Oh yes... He could see the future, and would be able to find any Sons of Trag'Oul. The Sons, or in some cases, Daughters, have a natural ability, to bend the borders between life and death, making them perfect Necromancers. That's why I became a Necromancer so fast, for I am Son of Trag'Oul." Sheila hung on his every word, the Hammer, slathered on layers of meat and cheese to his sandwich.
"Anyway, Narn'Oul, found me, and brought me to Rathma, along with others. I met up with my now best friend Darrin. He left for Tristram after it was desecrated to learn about the Diablo. He was stopped from coming back by Andariel, and he spent his time secretly with Warriv."
As the Hammer drizzled some Olive Oil over his sandwich, he spoke up. "Me and Adrian were the only ones who knew."
"Anyway, he left with the rest of the courageous five. You came along, and we forgot about him. Now's he coming back on the celebration of the World Beast." Sheila motioned him to continue. "Once every year, we celebrate the World Beast, Trag'Oul. We celebrate life and death. There is feasting then the games. Necromancers, and their minions battle for the title of the Life Master, the game's winner. If you win it, are granted a full title of Necromancer of Trag'Oul, regardless of training or level. Needless to say it's for beginners, and I can't enter. And, I've already won," Adrian sheepishly said.
"That's a lovely story," Hammer said while taking a bite from his monstrous sandwich. Adrian realized what his friend had done.
'Hammer that's food's been there, since I left to join the Courageous Five!" The Hammer had just swallowed. Adrian Sighed. "The healer is three houses to your left."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the Stadium of Life, the games were about to begin...
"How convenient," Sheila began, "This Stadium has, Grapevines, berry bushes, and Olive trees growing through the rows of seats."
"That's why it's called the Stadium Of Life." Adrian said.
"At least the food is fresh.' Hammer whined.
"Look there's Darrin!' Adrian shouted. It the centre of the arena, there stood Darrin, a Necromancer like Adrian, but wearing a field plate, a full helm, and carrying a flanged mace, and a large Totem in place of a shield (in expansion pack for Diablo 2). He waved to the cheering crowd. Two contestants entered the stadium arena at opposite sides, one presented Darrin a skull. Adrian pointed this out.
"The tradition, is that we start the games, by having one of our noblemen, or scholars by throwing out the first skull to start the games. We do the same to start our weekly games."
"Sounds like dumb idea." The Hammer commented using his fists as an olive press, to get the oil.
"Let the games begin!" Darrin shouted. The cheers from the Necromancers were deafening.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The trainees brought their, speed, strength, and of course minions. Golems of steel, earth, and flesh collided, in orgies of violence, while skeletal warriors butchered their opponents, and the mages volleyed shots of mystic elemental attacks. The Necromancers would hardly fight but those who did, called upon the teeth and claws of Trag'Oul, while poisoning the air and cursing their enemies. After 8 short preliminary battles, 4 deciding fights, and the championship match, one young trainee named O'Gred won the championship match, and was declared Necromancer, regardless of training or level. He was bestowed with his first magical wand, which all Necromancers receive, +1 Raise Skeleton. Afterwards, two things would happen, the local theatres would tell the story of the Prime evils and the High Heavens, while the fully trained Sons Of Trag'Oul would go into the temple and come out in the mourning. No one beside the Sons knew what would occur there for the Gates are locked, and can only be opened with a tooth of a revived monster. It is nearly that time...
Darrin, Adrian, Sheila, and The Hammer all proceeded into the Temple of Trag'Oul, right before it's large Gates shut behind it.
"Man, that O'Gred had some pretty powerful Mages, back there."
"Not as powerful as mine."
The two Necromancers laughed.
"I hate to interrupt, but what are we doing?" Sheila asked.
"We go on a trip." Darrin said, "See you around Adrian."
"Good to see you again."
Darrin walked into the jungle in the temple and disappeared from sight moments later, giants Sucker flew from the foliage of the forest and upwards. The temple had a large opening onto the surface for rainwater and sunlight to make its way down. And the only way up was by these giant mosquitoes.
"Up, up and away." The Hammer commented, as they entered the forest were Suckers were ready to take passengers up. They sat on a larger one.
"Hold on," Said Adrian, "The wind on the way up may be strong."
The other passengers tied themselves in with harnesses, while Adrian slightly kicked the Sucker.
"Hy! Hy! Hy!" The Sucker flew upwards.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After several quick, and scary minutes, the Sucker had reached the top of the tunnel. After everyone got off it flew back down the shaft. The trio looked behind them and could see the back of the mountain. In front of them was the ocean. At the beaches the Necromancers were chanting in one common language, the language of the dead.
"It's here." Adrian whispered. The Necromancers stopped chanting and took several steps backwards. Nothing happened. The Necromancers held their breath. Sheila and the Hammer had no idea what was happening. From the ocean large, towering, mountain erupted and moved upwards, on several hundred metres for shore. The mountain gleamed, and looked as if it contained ore, and iron. Then the mountain toppled. It did not break apart; it merely fell, towards the mass of people. It dawned on the newcomers.
"My god." Sheila whispered. It was not a mountain, but a face,
The face of Trag'Oul, the World Beast.
TO BE CONTINUED!
Ooh... Suspenseful. Next Part, The Bitter Barbarian Lands. This does lead to Arreat mind you.
Arreat Part 2 - World Beast
By Alpha Draconis
The three warriors stood in complete awe. The City of Rathma was truly a sight. A large city, with Roman/Japanese style buildings were in completely organized streets and avenues. The larger buildings had supports build from bones of long extinct creatures. Cracks in the mountainside above, cast a gloomy amount of light on the buried metropolis. And they could see one large building that stood out like a beacon at the far side of the city. It had large pillars in the front, but was designed like a large temple. An ominously large skull hung over the roof of the temple peering down on the entire city. The large city seemed quiet. Ambush quiet.
Sheila clutched a crude oil potion, hidden in her belt. It wouldn't do much good if the city was filled with Necromancers, but it was the best she had. The Hammer looked around. Cowards, he thought. But he kept his tongue quiet. For all he knew, assassins were targeting him now. Adrian calmly walked forward. Door of the building opened. Necromancers, fifty, or sixty peered out of various building looking at the Newcomers. From their much lower quality armour, weapons and appearance the three could determine that these Necromancers were beginners. Adrian felt outwards with his magical power, as he learned to as a Son Of Trag'Oul. These Necromancers were no threat, around levels 8 to 21, but they would be stronger, for Necromancers can learn many skills in the Dead City, and swap Summoning Masteries, increasing their powers. But, Adrian and his friends, these guys were small fries.
Adrian boldly walked forward then addressed his comrades.
"Take your weapons if they comfort you." He said, and then walked down the street to the temple. The Necromancers watched, and went back to their daily business; they took notice of Sheila and backed away as she followed Adrian. The Hammer followed, he abruptly growled at the Necromancers. They jumped back. Hammer laughed a bit and followed his friends who were already ahead.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After five minutes, all three had reached the temple. Adrian walked up the steps to a large doorway. Immediately, a bluish glow emanated from him, Sheila ran up to him. He did not notice and seemed like a statue, just walking forward. Sheila waved her paw in front of his face. Nothing, She was now scared. The Hammer looked up, the large skull, was attached to thick amounts of flesh and sinew, which made it look downwards to our heroes. Skeletons seemed to appear from nowhere and, load bows, ready staves, and ready themselves for a battle. Okay this is getting screwy, the Hammer thought. At the top of the large temple stairs, was another large door much like the one leading to the city. Adrian reached deep into his belt and pulled forth a tooth, a large black tooth. He placed in upon the door, and in literally sunk into the bronze metal. The great doors silently opened.
"We're here." Adrian finally spoke. He walked in, followed by Sheila and The Hammer.
Inside this strange room was a large Roman style palace, with a tropical forest in the centre. The white marble that the room was filled with shone bone white.
"Son of a bitch, this just gets weirder!" Hammer yelled. An old seer walked into the room.
"Praise god, one more of the Sons Of Trag'Oul have returned!" The old man said.
"It's good to see you again Narn'Oul." Adrian greeted. The old man turned to his friends.
"So have returned with Barbarian and the Holy Cat, as I prophesied after you left. Come now, tonight is the celebration of the World Beast!" Darrin will be pleased to know you live."
"He's here?" Adrian asked. His friends could just listen and try to understand what was going on.
"I have prophesied his return tonight, just before the games. Until then, the you may show your friends the sacred city." He turned to them, "You are very lucky, for not many outsiders see this city and live to tell about it."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The trio walked through the city and entered, A fairly large, two-story building, it was Adrian's old house.
The house was very... well, nice, as far as subterranean, Roman villas go. It had a complete, kitchen, Roman style construction, with running water (Romans). You could call it a Villa, though it was in a city, and not in the outskirts.
"Home.' Adrian proudly stated.
While the Hammer searched the pantry, Sheila had few questions for Adrian.
"Adrian what was that about?"
"What?"
"Give her your life story or something," The hammer said while making a large sandwich from the pantry's food supply. Sheila nodded. Adrian sat down.
"Well here goes... My family had lived in city for countless generations. That town was Tristram." Sheila sat up, intrigued. "When the demons arrived, my family fled. Demons hunted them down and killed them. Somehow, I managed to escape. One Vizjerei, who had the power of prophecy, found me. That was the man you Met, Narn'Oul, or as he was once known, Sunnet, Horazon's son." Indeed this was interesting. "When the demons consumed his father he found our civilization, and demanded aid to bring his father's soul back. After he stayed with us he became a wise man, and understood the cycle of, life and accepted his father's fate. Where was I? Oh yes... He could see the future, and would be able to find any Sons of Trag'Oul. The Sons, or in some cases, Daughters, have a natural ability, to bend the borders between life and death, making them perfect Necromancers. That's why I became a Necromancer so fast, for I am Son of Trag'Oul." Sheila hung on his every word, the Hammer, slathered on layers of meat and cheese to his sandwich.
"Anyway, Narn'Oul, found me, and brought me to Rathma, along with others. I met up with my now best friend Darrin. He left for Tristram after it was desecrated to learn about the Diablo. He was stopped from coming back by Andariel, and he spent his time secretly with Warriv."
As the Hammer drizzled some Olive Oil over his sandwich, he spoke up. "Me and Adrian were the only ones who knew."
"Anyway, he left with the rest of the courageous five. You came along, and we forgot about him. Now's he coming back on the celebration of the World Beast." Sheila motioned him to continue. "Once every year, we celebrate the World Beast, Trag'Oul. We celebrate life and death. There is feasting then the games. Necromancers, and their minions battle for the title of the Life Master, the game's winner. If you win it, are granted a full title of Necromancer of Trag'Oul, regardless of training or level. Needless to say it's for beginners, and I can't enter. And, I've already won," Adrian sheepishly said.
"That's a lovely story," Hammer said while taking a bite from his monstrous sandwich. Adrian realized what his friend had done.
'Hammer that's food's been there, since I left to join the Courageous Five!" The Hammer had just swallowed. Adrian Sighed. "The healer is three houses to your left."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the Stadium of Life, the games were about to begin...
"How convenient," Sheila began, "This Stadium has, Grapevines, berry bushes, and Olive trees growing through the rows of seats."
"That's why it's called the Stadium Of Life." Adrian said.
"At least the food is fresh.' Hammer whined.
"Look there's Darrin!' Adrian shouted. It the centre of the arena, there stood Darrin, a Necromancer like Adrian, but wearing a field plate, a full helm, and carrying a flanged mace, and a large Totem in place of a shield (in expansion pack for Diablo 2). He waved to the cheering crowd. Two contestants entered the stadium arena at opposite sides, one presented Darrin a skull. Adrian pointed this out.
"The tradition, is that we start the games, by having one of our noblemen, or scholars by throwing out the first skull to start the games. We do the same to start our weekly games."
"Sounds like dumb idea." The Hammer commented using his fists as an olive press, to get the oil.
"Let the games begin!" Darrin shouted. The cheers from the Necromancers were deafening.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The trainees brought their, speed, strength, and of course minions. Golems of steel, earth, and flesh collided, in orgies of violence, while skeletal warriors butchered their opponents, and the mages volleyed shots of mystic elemental attacks. The Necromancers would hardly fight but those who did, called upon the teeth and claws of Trag'Oul, while poisoning the air and cursing their enemies. After 8 short preliminary battles, 4 deciding fights, and the championship match, one young trainee named O'Gred won the championship match, and was declared Necromancer, regardless of training or level. He was bestowed with his first magical wand, which all Necromancers receive, +1 Raise Skeleton. Afterwards, two things would happen, the local theatres would tell the story of the Prime evils and the High Heavens, while the fully trained Sons Of Trag'Oul would go into the temple and come out in the mourning. No one beside the Sons knew what would occur there for the Gates are locked, and can only be opened with a tooth of a revived monster. It is nearly that time...
Darrin, Adrian, Sheila, and The Hammer all proceeded into the Temple of Trag'Oul, right before it's large Gates shut behind it.
"Man, that O'Gred had some pretty powerful Mages, back there."
"Not as powerful as mine."
The two Necromancers laughed.
"I hate to interrupt, but what are we doing?" Sheila asked.
"We go on a trip." Darrin said, "See you around Adrian."
"Good to see you again."
Darrin walked into the jungle in the temple and disappeared from sight moments later, giants Sucker flew from the foliage of the forest and upwards. The temple had a large opening onto the surface for rainwater and sunlight to make its way down. And the only way up was by these giant mosquitoes.
"Up, up and away." The Hammer commented, as they entered the forest were Suckers were ready to take passengers up. They sat on a larger one.
"Hold on," Said Adrian, "The wind on the way up may be strong."
The other passengers tied themselves in with harnesses, while Adrian slightly kicked the Sucker.
"Hy! Hy! Hy!" The Sucker flew upwards.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After several quick, and scary minutes, the Sucker had reached the top of the tunnel. After everyone got off it flew back down the shaft. The trio looked behind them and could see the back of the mountain. In front of them was the ocean. At the beaches the Necromancers were chanting in one common language, the language of the dead.
"It's here." Adrian whispered. The Necromancers stopped chanting and took several steps backwards. Nothing happened. The Necromancers held their breath. Sheila and the Hammer had no idea what was happening. From the ocean large, towering, mountain erupted and moved upwards, on several hundred metres for shore. The mountain gleamed, and looked as if it contained ore, and iron. Then the mountain toppled. It did not break apart; it merely fell, towards the mass of people. It dawned on the newcomers.
"My god." Sheila whispered. It was not a mountain, but a face,
The face of Trag'Oul, the World Beast.
TO BE CONTINUED!
Ooh... Suspenseful. Next Part, The Bitter Barbarian Lands. This does lead to Arreat mind you.