The freeze of the human,or orc and elf for this matter;conciousness was calling on the darkest throws of the group,bound with reason,and a goal that had implications that they were sure of ;that had to be met with harshened ardor,disdain,and the victory of their group for those in the free world.The surreal and trying enviorne was like a bathing of uncleanly flotilla across their nature,skin,beings,simplicity,or peacefullness.Fear and power had played it's roll so far,they had fuaght undead and met with creatures who slaved,raved,and were fiendishly crafty,but now an expression for the Abyss was at hand and the limits of evil may know no bounds from this time on.Alliyah paused at a mild running hill,that had strange washes of cracked ground at the side,and found an interesting view from her perch,and the others approached in this lonely envelopement of hell knowing there was a matter amiss;indeed at least a hope for an answer.
"prints,booted,simple,alone,very strange,I bid we follow,perhaps a fellow wonderer of good intentions lay at the source"she spoke to them as they were baffled for a moment then understood the directive,and as a group they made after the prints.
"this is the first good sign we have,dear Xiena scince you carry the special item,what say you of our path"Chealsoroy asked of the she-Cleric who walked in front of Kiazo who was behind the rest.
"I think there are visions within this item,those that will be true,and show us answers for what they may be found or begun,that I can not answer."she replies in dim-lack of hope.
The layer of air tension suddenly changed,they knew they were not alone,and each took weapon of their own accord and gathered together looking upon a stonehenge altar or portal that was surrounded by 4 orbs of energy floating 3 ft above the ground.
"if we are certain there is no way to seek help...yes..yes..then we must try this-perhaps it leads to the material world."Chealsoroy offered as each wondered in thoughts of confusion about the sight before them.
"or to a demon liar..hrmph...I will fight we go!"Kiazo stated and started towards the
magic.
As they reached within several feet of the energies they fell to the ground and a field of blue and white energy created a doorway of some sort within the confines of the slabs.It looked harmless,but magic does not always belay it's intent to those who know not of the nature,and Alliyah first pushed her sword into it,pulling it away there was no sign of damage.
"we can try,I will go first,wait for a while and if I don't return,perhaps you should follow"she stated,in a half-constrained answer as to what the best way to try this unknown magic gate was.
The air thinned,and blackness fell before her vision,no harm –and no sense of direction when taking a 4th step she found herself in a castle,or dungeon like chamber,and there she noted a few dusty imprints on the brick floor that matched those they had followed.Soon after the others arrived,each now set to strike at a foe,and nervous beyond the nature of ther latest dealings,as it was using a system, of the Abyss could lead to more harm than may be expected.The chamber was sqaure laying way with a series of golden plates to a grande door,carved with cymbols of sorcery about it,and having large wooden planks lateraly to make it a strong hold,with a rounded handle,set at the right.As the portal energy died,Xiena and Kiazo lit torches,and together they made to the door and opened it.A trinkeling series of bells,sounded as if attached to a hinge,and a human voice called out,as they looked unto a regular hall,with some bones scatterd about,not recognisable as from any life form or another.
"eeyeh....rgh ehuhmm.....who goes there-foul creatures,the powers of divine energy are greatest when first arrived at a liar of the mighty...go now leave or be striken in death and servitude to gods of good alignments!!!"
"hail!dear friend we are very far from evil creatures...we are from Athiena,we suaght to dispell the evils of a dungeon near there and arrived at this place,we seek help...peace to those who fight the....demons..."Alliyah answered loudly.
"a female...let me see....hmm and orc!..and Elf...a divinity...very good,I sense truth in what you preach....go to the door at the end of this hall I will meet you there"
The warriors approached wordless,each with a sense of refined intentions,and the battle slurry of deferences,casting a strein on the soon to be compounded flack of a strange being with no identy revealed before them.
The door creaked open,and the room before them was bound with a field of energy,but one that Xiena could tell was ment to send away foul demons,and looking more about the area was lit by torches flickering multi colored wicks,and several swords were set in a
case,each also having a sense of magical projection about them.The walls were windowless,and the roof some 20 ft,the area being a 40 ft by 60 ft rectangle,and another altar like the one that they had taken to arrive was at the end across from the door,this one however was surrounded by 4 candlabra stands,golden,adorned with vinery,and the same multi-colored effect taking place.Soon a man in robes stepped through the gate,layered of black,and carrying a stave with a demons nap attached to each end,that had the look of sniveling fear.
The forbidden elemest revocater item
Though it has proven
to transcieve a dimension or plane portal,the characters must
discover how this is done,the dungeon 'self' inacted it whence
first taken
'3 elemest spells cast within 1 realtime action',and
concentration
roll 4 any over 14 Wiz&int each will return
them
the fighting use
/1d8 attack any
spells/concentration check just before or at combat
/1d20
'courting vices' attack any foe that loses 3 sequential
attacks
doing 4d10 dmg each (extra won combat roll/may be
divyed)
/'greater earthquake' 1d10 actions,-1d6 attack and
defense within the 150 ft effected area(any fighter class holding
wins 2 attacks in a row may enact)
special
The visioning
that occurs is bound by the last user,as to the place it will
look,which is associated,in this case an Abysall owner,-this will
occur after any portal use with/from it,showing a 'legion' or
similar gathering at an area,as well as a 'route' that approaches
the view
each time it is used when the user has dmg on a
traite -1 use
every attack won attack use 1 use
1d20,or
5d6 - 1d8 or 1d12 ,the best # sets original use
The tension mounted as a grueling forethought to the fears of the party that
encountering their first Abyssal being included much of the unremittant evils that
may be contained within this realm.The man studied them for a moment,making a pass
of the stave acting as a sceptre it seemed,and a quick light flashed,and with a
sense of remittance the 'wizard' spoke.
"there are a great number of fears I have for any who arrive at this place of
mine...it is warded in far too many ways for me to describe,to protect us from the
demons and creatures that walk the lands....yes I see that there is magic within thee,
one that has a quest for answers.....well-please let me invite you to a meal and we shall
discover the best course of actions"
They followed the man to the gate,still wondering what the name,or intentions of this
revealed human,living in hell truelly were,when Xeina noticed the item beginning to
shed flecks as it did before,perhaps about to launch a vision for them to behold,and the man turned and paused before entering the portal,and was interested to see as well.
"we have an item that may once again be forming a vision as it did when we
arrived,I believe it will cause no harm"Alliyah made conduction for the event voiced,as they gathered to watch the flecks,soon create a mist then a scenery as the cleric held it forth.
A dark night sky much as before,was suddenly ripped with several round aerial portals streaming
energy like beams ,as they faded the mountains surrounding could be seen,with layers of cragy croppings making impossible cliffs,then the sound of thundering ,and a creek running into
a cave at the cliffside,the vision of the same riders was soon before them,this time one in the lead with golden armour and a flashy zombie composure stopped the legion of 20,and turned and
waved a stave,sending wisps of lightening magic that made the portals first viewed and the Zintrins lept into them,the last image was focused on after this,the lead zombie laughing and
casting a spell that showered what looked to be blood on himself before making into the last portal.
"this is quite a trick of magics you have obtained....there are dark riders setting to
attack,a place of focus for the sheilding of the Abyss against the material world...this I
can see....this I fear....oh forgive me I am Kreffiotor....i am a wizard....and am
here by making of the Thendolar Council to learn of the doings of this region....the
Troll wars were terrible,and left several rifts that may be evils soon to be reborn,we have similar needs.....please let us have a meal now..."the old man,walked in lambient simplicity through the
portal and without thinking they followed.
Soon they were in a 40 by 70 ft banquet area,with a 20 ft table,and several meals worth of
food before them,the server was a strange creature and the warriors looked on in amazment
as it appeared that this blue scale skinned she-demon was in perfect servitude.
Though a vision of nudity the she servant was covered by a virtue of scales,and moved about
supply to pour lavish drink,and present a course of meals,-the group looked on in
dispondency while the wizard seemed to take it in stride with no defference to the strange
servant's fealty.Finally Alliyah contented of wine and wealth of replenishment offered
conversation upon the throne of their budding alliance.
"so this curse...this land....we are of humble means perhaps,for it seems you have
made a name for yourself,able to live and find a servant to serve you freely"
Kreffiotor lingured in a smile and passed a hand gesture to the servant,who left the room,then he
adressed them each eagerly looking for answers as suggested by Stormrider.
"these spells,thees wards I have claimed...alas they are not my own,but the work of
the Thendolar council through several births and deaths of great conjurers..ones who have
smitten Evil's demons and those who have carved a name from the barren horrid place of the
Abyss....though I concede no greater call,I have found a way with using them that has made me
a step in favour of control more so than any who may yet understand the powers foretold of
these weaves of protection."
Chealsoroy's mind gurgled with remission,and wondering into a near arguemental tone
spoke another inquistion.
"so these powers don't effect evils own course on those who posses the talents of their....
nature...surely there is a way to stay pure of reason and discipline against the means that
interact with this treacherous place"
"ahh indeed,a good and well thought word Elf friend,though I have been at this place for
several seasons I am never in controll of all the elements to the portals,wards and special
spells at one turn,for surely that would do as you suggest,however with my stave(showing it
upon the table,as it blinks in a splender)I have satisifed the grouping of spells that allow
the greatest of needs in battling controlling and summoning the beasts of lore"
"then what is you're mission,this isn't a far cry from the first steps that many
advesaries of Athiena have taken before..war" Kiazo let on to the conversation,against the
grain of peace.
"my mission is to ....well I shall say this what you have brought may be the greatest
find yet,I must gather a message and we,you and I if you should accept shall,find the
origin of the legion,and destroy their ways of portal arcana,and that may lead to
the vile stand for which their Lord has begun.....an answer to end a stay of powers,a
vice broken like ice,frozen in our first steps,and spelling disaster for the wicked who
ride to the material plane,and cause the problems that I am sworn to fight"
"shall I bade our gusets to room for sleep good Kreffiotor,for surely they will be
stronger for the gate journey upon the morrow"the she-demon suddenly spoke,as if
having magically appeared,leaving the unbroken air from the latest remarks,a duantless
stalemate for answers greater than each's first speculations of what may be at hand.
"yes...tomorrow-"the words were suddenly cut off,as the ringing chimes as those
that occurred for the adventurers,broke the air.
"intruders my master....i know they are of evil nature you need not wonder,my
vision in this is true...they're close,they!-"the demoness responded as the others stood,and took weapons,and set forth for any foe,the wizard slamming a beam of energy at the doorway that
created a blazing perimeter of strange fire about it's arch.
The door was pounded on,not by one creature but several,and soon the planks bust open,and the fire turned black,and deceased,and 5 Quazilith demons ,2 grey and 5 black,each with a twisting
Golden sword,and eyes furled in an evil glow,walking upon cloven legs,and snarling made for
an attack.
"quaziliths's....ice....friends cast ice spells"the she servant shouted.
Stormrider slamed her sword in a duel against the first black monster,and was offset
by the twisted blade of the foe,finding difficulty in moving her own sword against the
offseting strikes ocurred from the fracas.Kreffiotor,again sent a beam,this one causing
a mist upon the ground,that after a few moments fell one of the foes,who strained to stand
but could not,and in that moment Kiazo delt a terrible gash across it's chest,but as it
recovered a fire blazed across it's chest,and it was well once more.Soon an 'ice flurry'
slamed a demon who met with a painfull reaction,and when Kiazo attacked this one ity's
stooper it did not recover but lay dead on the floor.A field covered the wizard as two demons
were striking at him unable to bust the magic,and from behind them Alliyah punctured through
one,but this foe recovered fully healed within moments,and that's when they realized that only ice could effect these foes to be unworthy advesaries before weapons could make the kill
wholesome.Twice more ice confounded the demons,who soon met with sword strikes that
left them dying,and only 3 remained.Quickly seeing that they must make a mark they
cornered the she servant.
"you...you serve the weak fool who dares make a home upon our lands...you will
pay for this with you're life!"
A beam struck through one,as the sceptre glowed ina mithral force,and the result was
a transformation that left the Quaziltih standing only 3 ft tall.The demoness,quickly kicked it
10 ft across the room,and quickly jumped past the other two,as Xeina cast a spell of molding
whips that slashed and frought the foes with damage.Suddenly the room was alive in a
dark blue glow that coverd it's entirety and in an instant all the demons were gone,corspes and the two still living,and the air was steeped in a poisen.
"quickly friends,gather –an Abysall poisen,I will make a field of protection"with that
they soon found themselves entering the gate in the next room,sealed away from the
demise of the air's evils,and finally they were safe.
"there is work to be done,please,she will show you to you're rooms,and I will make
ice spells for our journey,I'm sorry this has never happened before"Kreffiotor spoke
in confusion about the attack,and dissapeared back through the portal.
"well,barers of bad luck...we are,perhaps you should see if there are any potions
you might aquire Chealsoroy,this will soon be a time of battle we won't soon
forget"Alliyah suggested as they followed the servant to a hall that had several rooms.
The following morning,as time flow had referred to,Chealsoroy attended a room
for making elixiers and other strange artifices of the wizards own creations.The walls were
splayne with maps of both stars and outlying lands,one of which looked to include Atheina,
and several vat containers were being mixed as Kreffiotor added what looked to be dried
bat wings to each,and motioned for the elf to take a whiff of the batter.
"you see in the Abyss Abyssal ingrediants are a key to making the right mixture,and
I don't doubt that this ice potion will be very usefull should we fight anymore Quaziliths
that seem to be greatly weakened by the effect"the simplicity was appearent in the
tone,and Chealsoroy finally bade the interest for being there.
"I have often used potions myself,as we did at Tethreceine,and ms Stormridtr thinks we
should have several for this next battle...perhaps a healing elixer,or a ward effecting
liquid....though you're the one who knows about this"
"hmm yes of course,we shall each have an elixer(4d10 recovery 5 uses,cures poisen)
and I believe I just have enough Fey dust left to break the spells of warding and glyphs
that we may encounter good thinking"
At that time Chealsoroy had abaited the mire for which the host had been seen as,receiving
2 bottles that were poured into the metal flasks,one of ice making,the other for wards,and
with a resolution of greater trust they made their way to thye final portal,or entry portal
to the compound,and found themselves in a new place,that lay way to yet another portal gate
in the distance,this one which did not have spheres,was to take them near the place of the
second visioning.
"what talents do you have.....i fear we know not your name,one such as yourself
must know some arcane tricks"Xeina inquired of the she demon as they neared the
next gate,which was now clearly black,and had metal runners about the slabs.
"I am Shieiste,born of a Zeliotrope and a Fey,and left for dead,for niether parent
could bring themselves to care for me as their own,good Kreffiotor found me just after
the Troll Wars,and bade the Council that he should take me as an apprentice,and that
my ways may follow the paths of ritcheousness....so it was done,and now I have learned
the use of spells,and can invoke the talents of Elemental control more focused than
the simple sorceress."she whipped her tail,and smiled,relived to make an
answer to the group,furthuring their mutual trust.
"this will lead us to the cliffs we have seen,and we may be taken by storm,or there
may be no Zombie Legions about,however if we do fight we must be certain not
to lose the way to return into the portal if they mar our control,and make such
necessary"
"understood,we will fight,but is there a reason for this,what is the meaning behind
what we seek to achieve good mage"Alliyah asked as they took their weapons,and stepped
towards the juncture.
"the great army they seek to achieve is not fully gathered,if destroyed before then,our
goal will be met"with that they felt the drop of air into a swirling mist that lasts for
several seconds,then a skak of light,followed by a shimmer about their own bodies and
they stood beside a river next to the creeping cliffs.
"I smell evil....i fear you not show yourself!"Kiazo spoke,stepping in front of the group and
making towards what looked to be a dormant bonfire pit.
A scuttling sound from a group of boulders,was made,and Shieiste swiftly swooped her
way towards it,and created a glow in her hands,as she followed the sound that changed from one area to another a beam was released and the boulder melted into liquid then formed into dust,and
there on the ground was a Mrytel,female-with golden wrist gaurds,and a nervous composure.
It did'nt move,and soon Kreffiotor had cast a speak with animals spell and learned of the
nature of their find.
