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11-22-2015, 01:54 PM
The group decides to enter the corridor into the unknown depths of this eerie place. Slowly they move deeper into the lair, expecting any kind of surprise with each step. When they reach the sigiled door at the corridor's end, it swings open. Behind it...
Blue Phoenix: Gasp!
SirFrog: This is certainly a surprising turn of events.
???: Welcome. Have a seat.
Blue Phoenix enters the room, his followers closely behind him. It is comfortably decorated; a small living space for two people. A large round antique table with even more antique chairs surrounding it occupies the center of the room, the stranger sitting in a chair opposite of the room's entrance. Behind him a second figure is standing still, possibly a guardian of sorts - the second figure that was present in the 'summoning' room when the hooded stranger spoke his necromantic incantation. A few bookshelves filled with loads of books, two comfy beds and a large desk also fill the corners of the room. It is doubtless the residence to the stranger.
The group, however, are frozen in awe. They expected a lot of different things, but certainly not this.
???: Please. I'm sorry for any inconvenience I may have caused, but it seems that my intuition did not mislead me. I was right about you. Well, three of you at least.
SirFrog: I must repeat myself: Pray tell, Sir, the meaning of this.
???: Have a seat, first. It is going to take a while.
Slowly, each member of the group takes a seat on the table - a more than sufficient amount of chairs is available.
???: The name's Ian. As you've probably noticed, I'm versed in the Dark Arts.
SirFrog: Necromancy.
Ian: Pretty much, but not exclusively. While I'm still kind of an apprentice, I seem to have been chosen by a greater power to play a key role in the current war.
Bamboori: The Platiniac War.
Ian: Yes, it's left its traces on the whole kingdom of LFE. Death, destruction, riots, civil feuds. It's the apocalypse as it has been foretold in the writings of my Master.
Nave: And who might your master be?
Ian: The Nameless.
Nave: ...
Ian: He is a demi-god who can take on human form when necessary.
Nave: Sure, a demi-god...
Ian: It is not necessary for you to believe in him. His followers are not numerous, but rightly, for only few can live with the burden of responsibility that is imposed with this belief.
Drahcir: Will you get to the point, please. My hand is simply itching to thrust my sword into your black heart.
Suddenly, Ian's guardian leaps behind Drahcir with lightning speed, holding the sharp edge of a halberd's blade under his throat. Startled, the other group members jump up from their chairs.
Ian: Please, Steiner. It is all right and only understandable that a warrior of the light despises practicioners of the Dark Arts. It is their cause to rot the darkness out, after all...
Drahcir, still holding his breath due to the blade under his throat, lets out a silent gasp.
Blue Phoenix: How could you possibly know...
Simon: He had me identified as ninja as well, back in the summoning room.
Slowly, Steiner pulls back his weapon and moves behind Ian again, just to freeze into position again, statue-like. Drahcir rubs his throat while the others sit back down again.
Drahcir: That could have hurt.
snorsorbet: Who is he, anyway?
Ian: Meet Steiner, the last Barbarian from the tribe of Em-Gol. A now basically extinct race of great warriors that hailed from the northernmost island of the kingdom.
Blue Phoenix: The last barbarian, eh... What kind of tribe was that? And why is it extinct?
Ian slightly turns his head towards Blue Phoenix and their gazes meet. And suddenly, Blue Phoenix realizes that there was only one answer to his second question. Has always been.
Ian: The warriors of Em-Gol were unequaled in strength, partly due to an ancient curse that had befallen them in ancient times. The curse of the golem... Every other full moon, their bodies would transform into a gruesome form, very reminiscent of golems from certain mythologies, providing them with inhuman strength and physical capabilities at the cost of their human mentality. This would usually only last for a few hours, until the first rays of the sun dispersed the curse and transformed them back. Over time, however, they learned to control that form and were finally able to transform at will, albeit just for short periods of time.
Blue Phoenix: And then - the Platiniac War.
Ian nods and lowers his gaze.
Ian: Steiner here, I just happened to be close when the Platiniac Army arrived to raid the whole island. As I was fleeing, I found Steiner soaked in blood lying close to the shore, half unconscious. I sensed some great power within his body though and felt that he would live, so I brought him along onto my boat and treated his wounds. He was pretty young back then, maybe just half the size he is now.
Bamboori: A boat? Out of nowhere?
Ian: I constructed it specifically for crossing that thin ocean line to secretly investigate the island as I was very intrigued in that mysterious tribe. The Platiniac Army just happened to have a similar idea at a similar time.
Nave: That's very convenient.
Ian: He did not remember much from before that incident, but he did very well recognize I'd saved his life, which is repayed with a life debt within the tribe. The tribe of Em-Gol took life debts very seriously.
Simon: So basically, he's your servant now. A bodyguard.
Ian: *smirks* No, not a servant. Just a very loyal friend. The power flows strong in him.
Blue Phoenix: Aaanyway, why are we here? You did mention something about a prophecy.
Ian: Yes, back to the reason why we're all sitting here tonight. I am one of the Chosen.
SirFrog: Elaborate "Chosen".
Ian: The prophecy of the apocalypse that my Master had foretold. It speaks of an unstoppable force of evil that would devour the land in the Age of the Emperors...
snorsorbet: The emperors. LFE Kingdom was united a few hundred years ago, all to be ruled by a single emperor at all times...
Ian: Precisely, that started it all. However, the prophecy also mentions five individuals that would be chosen by fate to possess the means to stop the unstoppable force.
SirFrog: It takes an unstoppable force to halt an unstoppable force...
Ian: Soon after rescuing Steiner, I was plagued in my dreams. Terrible nightmares of darkness swallowing up the cities and forests. It had to be the apocalypse, I felt it. I'd known about the prophecy of course and tried to interpret the dream with the current events in the kingdom at the time, but it was quiet, still...
Bamboori twitches.
Bamboori: Did you just mention a dream of darkness swallowing the lands? I'm just having a giant déjà vu...
Blue Phoenix: Now that you mention it, this scenario also sounds very familiar to me...
SirFrog: I just had the same thought. What is going on?
Ian: This does not surprise me. When the Platiniac Army suddenly started to twist the world, my dreams intensified, but I was not alone in my dreams. I had four friends by my side, standing by each other to face any danger yet to come. I could not recognize their faces very well as they were very distorted. After waking up, I realized I had to be one of the Five Chosen that the prophecy predicts. One of the Five Chosen that can stop the impending doom.
Blue Phoenix: Are you saying... that we...
Ian: That is right. When I first saw you barging into my home cave, I'd thought I'd quickly finish off these annoying intruders, as there are many bandits invading to search for treasures of any kind. Funny story though, with the increasing number of bandits trying to go treasure hunting in my caves, I thought I'd touch the place up a little. You know, encasing everything into ice, setting up traps for my amusement, even a fake Excalibur that nobody could ever resist to pull...
Bamboori: Get to the point. Did you see us in your dream?
Ian: I wasn't sure. When I saw your group, your three faces seemed special. Familiar. If you really were three of the Chosen Ones, the prophecy would not allow to let you get killed so easily, therefore I set up these two 'challenges' to make sure...
Blue Phoenix: How would sending a bunch of skeletons at our throats confirm our 'Chosen'-ity?
Ian: It's complicated. They way you fought. It is something I haven't ever seen before. Hey, not saying it's optimal, here, but certainly different from anything else.
Simon: Strange, I don't feel them fighting any different.
Ian: Never mind that. It's in the details. I can read people when I see them.
Simon: Ah. Explains why you knew I was a ninja.
Nave: *rolls eyes* And you really don't think he recognized this by your pitch black ninja outfit and katana?
Ian: And here, now that I can see you face to face, I am sure of it. You are three of the Chosen Ones.
Silence. Blue Phoenix breathes heavily.
Blue Phoenix: ... Let's suppose you're telling the truth. What does this all mean? It's going over my head.
Ian: This means it is your, and my, duty to stop the Platiniac Army from devastating the world.
Blue Phoenix: And how the hell are we supposed to do that? If you really saw us fight, you definitely saw we're not the elite of the elite.
Ian: It's not about experience. That can be learned. It's about what is inside you.
Bamboori: So... what would you suggest we do?
SirFrog: If it is true, we have the burden of a whole world upon us. This is unsettling...
Ian: We must find the fifth Chosen One at once.
Bamboori: And then?
Ian: My knowledge ends here. Perhaps there will be a sign, perhaps fate will lead us into the right direction.
SirFrog: If it is a prophecy, it is bound to happen, so we cannot really fail... can we?
Ian: That is a common misconception. Prophecies are by no means the guaranteed future outcome. They are simply drafts of possible outcomes in this giant interconnected world we live in. An aid to form the future, if you wish...
Blue Phoenix: All right, it's settled then. You two are coming with us...
Simon: Wait! You trust these guys? They could have killed us! And he's a necromancer too!!
Blue Phoenix: As much as I'd like to agree, I cannot deny I feel some kind of strange, deep bond with this guy...
Phil: Meoow!
snorsorbet: Translation: I'm hungry and bored. Yes, Phil, we're going to get something to eat soon. Have patience. This is a very important talk here.
After a brief round of introductions, Ian and Steiner prepare a glorious meal in a nearby room. After some initial hesitation, the group hastily feed on what seem to be lamb chops of some kind and a strange, warm brewing, reminiscent of tea.
Ian: It is quite late already, so I suggest we get some sleep over night and begin our search first thing in the morning.
Blue Phoenix: How do we know where to search and who to search for?
Ian: Destiny will lead us. Fret not.
SirFrog: One more question, if you please...
Ian: Ask away.
SirFrog: Your sigil. The three circles. What does it mean?
Ian: It was a long and complicated process and telling you about it now would require a big portion of time and insight. Perhaps you will understand it one day.
SirFrog: I take that as a 'you were just looking for something cool-looking to claim as your sigil'.
Ian: Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe you'll never know.
SirFrog: Oh come on!
Ian: Good night.
Ian has guest rooms in a deeper portion of the 'residence' part of the caves, where the group splits up into the rooms and prepare for the night.
Nave: What a strange fellow...
Simon: You have a lot of trust issues.
Nave: Why the hell are we two spending the night in the same room?! Who thought that was a good idea??
Simon shrugs.
Nave: Let's barricade the door from the inside just in case... Or wait, before we do that, let me go tell the others to do the same thing. Don't want to be sorry afterwards.
The group is currently split into:
Room 1: Drahcir, SirFrog
Room 2: Bamboori, Blue Phoenix
Room 3: Nave, Simon
Room 4: snorsorbet, Phil
You can choose to go to sleep or do other stuff. (Actions that are completely out of character will simply be ignored.)
Book of Knowledge
Book of Knowledge (current combat stats)
(Hints of Interest: -
Stat points left: -
Skill points left: -)
It's dark. (10:36 PM)
The cave's dark cloak encloses the group eerily.
Blue Phoenix: Gasp!
SirFrog: This is certainly a surprising turn of events.
???: Welcome. Have a seat.
Blue Phoenix enters the room, his followers closely behind him. It is comfortably decorated; a small living space for two people. A large round antique table with even more antique chairs surrounding it occupies the center of the room, the stranger sitting in a chair opposite of the room's entrance. Behind him a second figure is standing still, possibly a guardian of sorts - the second figure that was present in the 'summoning' room when the hooded stranger spoke his necromantic incantation. A few bookshelves filled with loads of books, two comfy beds and a large desk also fill the corners of the room. It is doubtless the residence to the stranger.
The group, however, are frozen in awe. They expected a lot of different things, but certainly not this.
???: Please. I'm sorry for any inconvenience I may have caused, but it seems that my intuition did not mislead me. I was right about you. Well, three of you at least.
SirFrog: I must repeat myself: Pray tell, Sir, the meaning of this.
???: Have a seat, first. It is going to take a while.
Slowly, each member of the group takes a seat on the table - a more than sufficient amount of chairs is available.
???: The name's Ian. As you've probably noticed, I'm versed in the Dark Arts.
SirFrog: Necromancy.
Ian: Pretty much, but not exclusively. While I'm still kind of an apprentice, I seem to have been chosen by a greater power to play a key role in the current war.
Bamboori: The Platiniac War.
Ian: Yes, it's left its traces on the whole kingdom of LFE. Death, destruction, riots, civil feuds. It's the apocalypse as it has been foretold in the writings of my Master.
Nave: And who might your master be?
Ian: The Nameless.
Nave: ...
Ian: He is a demi-god who can take on human form when necessary.
Nave: Sure, a demi-god...
Ian: It is not necessary for you to believe in him. His followers are not numerous, but rightly, for only few can live with the burden of responsibility that is imposed with this belief.
Drahcir: Will you get to the point, please. My hand is simply itching to thrust my sword into your black heart.
Suddenly, Ian's guardian leaps behind Drahcir with lightning speed, holding the sharp edge of a halberd's blade under his throat. Startled, the other group members jump up from their chairs.
Ian: Please, Steiner. It is all right and only understandable that a warrior of the light despises practicioners of the Dark Arts. It is their cause to rot the darkness out, after all...
Drahcir, still holding his breath due to the blade under his throat, lets out a silent gasp.
Blue Phoenix: How could you possibly know...
Simon: He had me identified as ninja as well, back in the summoning room.
Slowly, Steiner pulls back his weapon and moves behind Ian again, just to freeze into position again, statue-like. Drahcir rubs his throat while the others sit back down again.
Drahcir: That could have hurt.
snorsorbet: Who is he, anyway?
Ian: Meet Steiner, the last Barbarian from the tribe of Em-Gol. A now basically extinct race of great warriors that hailed from the northernmost island of the kingdom.
Blue Phoenix: The last barbarian, eh... What kind of tribe was that? And why is it extinct?
Ian slightly turns his head towards Blue Phoenix and their gazes meet. And suddenly, Blue Phoenix realizes that there was only one answer to his second question. Has always been.
Ian: The warriors of Em-Gol were unequaled in strength, partly due to an ancient curse that had befallen them in ancient times. The curse of the golem... Every other full moon, their bodies would transform into a gruesome form, very reminiscent of golems from certain mythologies, providing them with inhuman strength and physical capabilities at the cost of their human mentality. This would usually only last for a few hours, until the first rays of the sun dispersed the curse and transformed them back. Over time, however, they learned to control that form and were finally able to transform at will, albeit just for short periods of time.
Blue Phoenix: And then - the Platiniac War.
Ian nods and lowers his gaze.
Ian: Steiner here, I just happened to be close when the Platiniac Army arrived to raid the whole island. As I was fleeing, I found Steiner soaked in blood lying close to the shore, half unconscious. I sensed some great power within his body though and felt that he would live, so I brought him along onto my boat and treated his wounds. He was pretty young back then, maybe just half the size he is now.
Bamboori: A boat? Out of nowhere?
Ian: I constructed it specifically for crossing that thin ocean line to secretly investigate the island as I was very intrigued in that mysterious tribe. The Platiniac Army just happened to have a similar idea at a similar time.
Nave: That's very convenient.
Ian: He did not remember much from before that incident, but he did very well recognize I'd saved his life, which is repayed with a life debt within the tribe. The tribe of Em-Gol took life debts very seriously.
Simon: So basically, he's your servant now. A bodyguard.
Ian: *smirks* No, not a servant. Just a very loyal friend. The power flows strong in him.
Blue Phoenix: Aaanyway, why are we here? You did mention something about a prophecy.
Ian: Yes, back to the reason why we're all sitting here tonight. I am one of the Chosen.
SirFrog: Elaborate "Chosen".
Ian: The prophecy of the apocalypse that my Master had foretold. It speaks of an unstoppable force of evil that would devour the land in the Age of the Emperors...
snorsorbet: The emperors. LFE Kingdom was united a few hundred years ago, all to be ruled by a single emperor at all times...
Ian: Precisely, that started it all. However, the prophecy also mentions five individuals that would be chosen by fate to possess the means to stop the unstoppable force.
SirFrog: It takes an unstoppable force to halt an unstoppable force...
Ian: Soon after rescuing Steiner, I was plagued in my dreams. Terrible nightmares of darkness swallowing up the cities and forests. It had to be the apocalypse, I felt it. I'd known about the prophecy of course and tried to interpret the dream with the current events in the kingdom at the time, but it was quiet, still...
Bamboori twitches.
Bamboori: Did you just mention a dream of darkness swallowing the lands? I'm just having a giant déjà vu...
Blue Phoenix: Now that you mention it, this scenario also sounds very familiar to me...
SirFrog: I just had the same thought. What is going on?
Ian: This does not surprise me. When the Platiniac Army suddenly started to twist the world, my dreams intensified, but I was not alone in my dreams. I had four friends by my side, standing by each other to face any danger yet to come. I could not recognize their faces very well as they were very distorted. After waking up, I realized I had to be one of the Five Chosen that the prophecy predicts. One of the Five Chosen that can stop the impending doom.
Blue Phoenix: Are you saying... that we...
Ian: That is right. When I first saw you barging into my home cave, I'd thought I'd quickly finish off these annoying intruders, as there are many bandits invading to search for treasures of any kind. Funny story though, with the increasing number of bandits trying to go treasure hunting in my caves, I thought I'd touch the place up a little. You know, encasing everything into ice, setting up traps for my amusement, even a fake Excalibur that nobody could ever resist to pull...
Bamboori: Get to the point. Did you see us in your dream?
Ian: I wasn't sure. When I saw your group, your three faces seemed special. Familiar. If you really were three of the Chosen Ones, the prophecy would not allow to let you get killed so easily, therefore I set up these two 'challenges' to make sure...
Blue Phoenix: How would sending a bunch of skeletons at our throats confirm our 'Chosen'-ity?
Ian: It's complicated. They way you fought. It is something I haven't ever seen before. Hey, not saying it's optimal, here, but certainly different from anything else.
Simon: Strange, I don't feel them fighting any different.
Ian: Never mind that. It's in the details. I can read people when I see them.
Simon: Ah. Explains why you knew I was a ninja.
Nave: *rolls eyes* And you really don't think he recognized this by your pitch black ninja outfit and katana?
Ian: And here, now that I can see you face to face, I am sure of it. You are three of the Chosen Ones.
Silence. Blue Phoenix breathes heavily.
Blue Phoenix: ... Let's suppose you're telling the truth. What does this all mean? It's going over my head.
Ian: This means it is your, and my, duty to stop the Platiniac Army from devastating the world.
Blue Phoenix: And how the hell are we supposed to do that? If you really saw us fight, you definitely saw we're not the elite of the elite.
Ian: It's not about experience. That can be learned. It's about what is inside you.
Bamboori: So... what would you suggest we do?
SirFrog: If it is true, we have the burden of a whole world upon us. This is unsettling...
Ian: We must find the fifth Chosen One at once.
Bamboori: And then?
Ian: My knowledge ends here. Perhaps there will be a sign, perhaps fate will lead us into the right direction.
SirFrog: If it is a prophecy, it is bound to happen, so we cannot really fail... can we?
Ian: That is a common misconception. Prophecies are by no means the guaranteed future outcome. They are simply drafts of possible outcomes in this giant interconnected world we live in. An aid to form the future, if you wish...
Blue Phoenix: All right, it's settled then. You two are coming with us...
Simon: Wait! You trust these guys? They could have killed us! And he's a necromancer too!!
Blue Phoenix: As much as I'd like to agree, I cannot deny I feel some kind of strange, deep bond with this guy...
Phil: Meoow!
snorsorbet: Translation: I'm hungry and bored. Yes, Phil, we're going to get something to eat soon. Have patience. This is a very important talk here.
After a brief round of introductions, Ian and Steiner prepare a glorious meal in a nearby room. After some initial hesitation, the group hastily feed on what seem to be lamb chops of some kind and a strange, warm brewing, reminiscent of tea.
Ian: It is quite late already, so I suggest we get some sleep over night and begin our search first thing in the morning.
Blue Phoenix: How do we know where to search and who to search for?
Ian: Destiny will lead us. Fret not.
SirFrog: One more question, if you please...
Ian: Ask away.
SirFrog: Your sigil. The three circles. What does it mean?
Ian: It was a long and complicated process and telling you about it now would require a big portion of time and insight. Perhaps you will understand it one day.
SirFrog: I take that as a 'you were just looking for something cool-looking to claim as your sigil'.
Ian: Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe you'll never know.
SirFrog: Oh come on!
Ian: Good night.
Ian has guest rooms in a deeper portion of the 'residence' part of the caves, where the group splits up into the rooms and prepare for the night.
Nave: What a strange fellow...
Simon: You have a lot of trust issues.
Nave: Why the hell are we two spending the night in the same room?! Who thought that was a good idea??
Simon shrugs.
Nave: Let's barricade the door from the inside just in case... Or wait, before we do that, let me go tell the others to do the same thing. Don't want to be sorry afterwards.
The group is currently split into:
Room 1: Drahcir, SirFrog
Room 2: Bamboori, Blue Phoenix
Room 3: Nave, Simon
Room 4: snorsorbet, Phil
You can choose to go to sleep or do other stuff. (Actions that are completely out of character will simply be ignored.)
Book of Knowledge
Book of Knowledge (current combat stats)
(Hints of Interest: -
Stat points left: -
Skill points left: -)
It's dark. (10:36 PM)
The cave's dark cloak encloses the group eerily.
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