I did this story right after Guild War. Unlike Guild War this tale isn't based on an actual adventure I had with The Ring of Destiny. This tale was created as a result of a unique occurence in Everquest. Every Halloween strange things would happen in the game. Skeletons would attack the Qeynos hills, Undead dragons would roam the Rathe Mountains. These encounters would often prove fatal for anyone caught in them until the guilds could mobilize and stop them. This tale is based off those events. The story introducesmore of my friends and has some of my favorite quotes from them and others. It still amuses me that Meiera smacked me for scaring her with this story.
CHAPTER 1: An Ominous Beginning
"Ok people here we go. Stay focused," Arclight warned as his group made their way through the forest. Closing his eyes, he mentally called out, Vdaan, is your group ready?
We're assembled Arclight, responded Vdaan telepathically. We'll meet your group at the edge of forest as planned.
Ok Vdaan, We'll be there soon. said Arclight. The knight peered around the forest surrounding his group, but night had shrouded his vision. A dragon could wander by and the group would never know of it. Getting a better grip on the massive war hammer he carried, Arclight continued through the dark trees. Careful out there Vdaan. We still haven't explored this area much so there is no telling what's out there.
There is a lot of new unexplored lands being discovered. We'll just have to be careful and wing it Arc, Vdaan replied.
You just be careful too Arc. No getting lost this time, Uudy jokingly cautioned her friend.
I'm not sensing the presence of any creatures in the forest. He should be pretty safe Uudy. reported Teidden
We're almost to the river guys, we'll follow it to the edge of the forest. said Arclight. The knight winced as he heard the sounds he and his group were making as they continued along the path. In the eerie silence of the woods, each twig snapping sounded painfully loud. As if the night wasn't spooky enough during these dark times, Arclight thought to himself. Still the moon let off enough of a glow that knight could find his way. Making sure the other Ring members were with him, Arclight walked down the dimly moonlit path. A rustling of leaves to his left caused the paladin to raise his weapon to swing, but it was a few squirrels moving through the night. Arclight lowered his weapon with a grin. The smile was quickly wiped off the knight's face as a magical darkness surrounded him causing his vision to go from dark to pitch black.
"What the..," was all Arclight could say before something large and heavy knocked him over. Lying on the ground unable to see, the knight felt claws rake and strike his armor seeking the blood underneath. The cries and shouts of the other ring members sounded around him as they too were attacked. Fangs scratched into Arclight's helmet as the creature tried to bite his head off. In desperation the paladin used his gauntlet to drive his fingers like a knife into what he hoped was the creature's throat. What ever it was it howled in pain and ceased attacking long enough for Arclight to get both hands on his weapon. One swing from the war hammer was enough to knock the monster off of him and allow Arclight to stumble backwards to his feet.
Arclight what's going on! I sense the presence of several creatures near your group! called out Teidden.
We're being attacked! Arclight shouted. Still blind and backing up Arclight tried to listen to where everyone was. Taking a step backwards, he found to his dismay there was nothing underneath him. As he felt the air rush up around him, Arclight knew he was falling a long way down and the landing wouldn't be pretty.
There was a terrible crunch as the paladin landed on his right shoulder and his blind eyes went wide with pain. Unable to stand Arclight was just barely able to hold onto his war hammer with his left hand as he couldn't move his right arm at all. Fighting past the pain the knight cast a healing spell. Doing his best to ignore the sick feeling of the bone in his arm slipping back into place, the paladin's vision finally cleared as the dark spell wore off. Getting his surroundings he saw he was at the bottom of a drop off near the river that would eventually lead out of the forest. Something growled down at him from the top of the drop off. Grabbing his war hammer Arclight began running along the river. He hoped he could reach the other group and even the odds. Suddenly someone grabbed his arm and pulled him to a stop.
"There you are Arc, what happened?" Vdaan asked as Arc tried to catch his breath.
"Some sort…of magic…blinded me and the others. Then something attacked us. I never got to see what it was," Arclight gasped out. The dark elf suddenly shoved Arclight out of the way as a claw tore into the tree he had been leaning on. Vdaan drew his two weapons and attacked the thing. What ever it was it was at least six feet tall and the claws on its four legs looked like they could rend solid steel. Vdaan's blades hacked into it driving it back. The monster roared and sprang at Vdaan but a solid club on the snout by Arclight's war hammer was enough to stop the thing. Shaking it head it swiped at Arclight throwing the paladin against a tree.
Uudy summon us and get us out of here NOW! shouted Vdaan telepathically. As the thing stalked toward a dazed Arclight it paid no heed to the wounds it took from Vdaan's blades. Arclight began to glow for a moment and then disappeared. The creature snarled in rage and turned to vent its fury on Vdaan, but the warrior began to glow as well and disappeared. The glow faded from Vdaan and Arclight's armor as they appeared by Uudy and the others. Teidden immediately began to weave healing spells over Arclight.
"I swear Arclight there was nothing. I didn't sense so much as a rat!" exclaimed Teidden.
"I believe ya Teidden. Kayote went through that forest yesterday and said it was empty. It should have been totally safe. This wasn't a random attack, someone did this to us," Arclight insisted as the healing energy seeped into him.
It was almost dawn when they recovered the corpses of the other guild members. As Crave began to cast the spells that would resurrect the dead, Vdaan and Arclight waited by Teidden to see if forest had any other threats.
"I can't detect a thing guys I don't even those things are from here," reported Teidden.
"Arc! Get over here quick!" called Crave in a panic. "My resurrection spell isn't working its like they're gone!" Arclight hurried over and began to channel the divine power within him to cast his own spell. The magic began to surround him as he reached out passed the veil of life to call his companions back. But he received no answer for his spell. It was as if his friend's spirit had faded into nothing. Both the paladin and the cleric were powerless to restore their companions, they were gone.