When one looks at the Eternal Universe, many things can be found. Peace is absolutely not one of them.
War and destruction rages in the depths of the Roasted Blueness. Chaos and disunion splits the highest peaks of the Teaths of Leaking.
The world of Armok trembles on it's foundations. Not even the greatest human empires are truely safe.
And none will be able to stop the coming of a new world order...
One that is not stopped by mortality.
------xXx------
A unnerving sound echoed through the cliffs of the Teeths of Leaking. The sound of old, rusty metal causing friction with dry, hard bone.
Unnerving.
Not that anyone would hear it. For what sane dwarf would travel in these parts? These cursed hills led to nowhere but more cursed hills and steep peaks.
Not that Thimeth Bokgirus was a sane dwarf.
For those that not knew him, he seemed to be normal, actually. Unlike most other dwarves, he is not a depraved, tantrum-throwing booze drinking maniac. With his brown eyes and thick, black hair, he radiated calmness. But his eyes were exceptionally sharp and looked very witty.
Thimeth Bokgirus was an Imperial ranger.
His exceptional ability to track and hunt down prey in his early years did not go unnoticed, and soon he became the first dwarven ranger ever to be drafted into the human army.
And now, here he was, searching for a lunatic human who claimed he could destroy the empire of man.
Why they had trusted this task to him was a mystery. Raving madmen were common these days. What made this one special?
The human had been living in a small village, untill they drove him out, last week. A day before he arrived. Blasted timing.
Luckily, finding his track wasn't that hard. Every now and then he found a piece of ripped black cloth. The human apparently wears black robes.
An evil magician? He feared so.
Well, He'd better go find out what is causing this noise. He was almost certain that troublesome human is causing it.
If he could only remember his name...
-------°O°--------
A unnerving sound echoed through the cliffs of the Teeths of Leaking. The sound of old, rusty metal causing friction with dry, hard bone.
Unnerving.
Even after hearing it countless times, the sound of bones moving and frictioning still scared the hell out of him.
He saw the same fear of his brothers in their eyes. The fear of the undead.
Bloody peasants. They caused all of this. They nearly destroyed everything.
He could remember how it all started. How he was approached by a shady figure, he called himself the Nightbringer.
The Nightbringer promised him power. Unlimited power. Unholy power.
Young and ambitious that he was, he followed the great Nightbringer. Just as scores of other, unknowning men.
We carved out homes near the human village of Kazisukor
We grew every day, and soon, the Nightbringer gave us the power he promised.
The power to control the undead.
We were fools to think we could get away with it without a price. I am sure I lost my soul back then. Just like my fellow acolytes.
But we didn't care. We started the rituals to resurrect the dead.
But then the peasants became suspicious, condemned us as witches, and the local nobility destroyed our homes, our dreams.
Many of us died that fateful day. Only 6 acolytes survived. The Nightbringer was dead. But death does not stop the Nightbringer.
I, Kado Ushupeso, left hand of the Nightbringer, will ressurect the Nightbringer and make him more powerful then before. We will triumph.
A dry voice woke him up from his slumber. "My lord, we have arrived." The voice seemed to be one of the skeletons he brought with him.
He did not trust them. With the Nightbringer dead, they no longer have a living leader. He hoped his authority was enough to control them
and that untrusty Apug Agemin untill the Nightbringer is back.
"We build a new future here. Search for food and water. We will start digging out new tombs."
"As commanded, my lord."
"Cor!" "What did we bring with us?"
"Some seeds and food, axes and picks and some undead."
"That's all?"
"No, we brought some metal bars too"
"Metal bars? By Asha, we don't even have an anvil. Who's idea was that?
"Ithra's"
"I should have known. Did we bring the items I asked for?"
"Yes, the ritual items are still intact."
"And the body?"
"Still in perfect condition."
"Perfect."
Good. We can start getting to work. We need new lodgings if we are going to survive in this desolate place.
(http://img32.picoodle.com/img/img32/4/3/29/t_TheStartm_cbf4925.png)
My fellow acolytes tell me this place used to be an old altar to the nature gods. I can still feel it's powers around here.
On another note, I decided to name this Takrupan, "Justiceworked". A suitable name for when we have our revenge!
[ April 09, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
[ April 12, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
Diary of Kado Ushupeso, 8th Granite, 1051.
I have decided to map out the surroundings and to make a register of all our acolytes. Ithra and Bolli have created a small farm nearby, on a fertile patch of land. We have found no water yet.
We have started digging into the hill, and have created a carpenter's and mason's workshop. Tikes, our miner, told me the hill consists of limestone and jet. That means we have enough stone to build our furniture.
(http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/3/29/t_Justiceworkm_4730981.png)
Register:
(http://img03.picoodle.com/img/img03/4/3/29/f_1personm_d5c9315.png)
(http://img29.picoodle.com/img/img29/4/3/29/f_2persom_b04e5b6.png)
[ March 29, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
[ March 29, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
I saw the two farmers and Apu Agemin whispering behind my back.
My trust in Apu declines every day.
Her questioning of my authority is becoming insulting.
Apparently, she and the farmers started a new farm on which they will grow wild strawberries, while I had requested to grow only prickle berries!
If she wasn't such a valuable asset to our small ranks, I would have made her join my skeleton servants.
In other news, one of our skeletons has gone missing. One of our patrols found dwarven footsteps near our farms. Are we being watched?
If so, the return of the Nightbringer must be sped up. I have already started preparing some of the ritual items...
(http://img02.picoodle.com/img/img02/4/3/29/f_ddddm_4e59c2d.png)
[ March 29, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
[ March 30, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
UNDEAD! BLOODY UNDEAD! EVERYWHERE!
Those bone abominations have infested this rock. One even spotted me. It was a close fight, and I think I broke something in my foot, but I could dispose it.
Even worse, it seems the human is not alone. I've seen atleast 4 of them outside, cursing these lands.
I can't do this alone. I'm going back to the village. We will strangle this evil in it's infancy!
----xXx----
Diary of Kado Ushopeso, 20th Slate, 1051.
Our new home is growing nicely. We have a small storage room, different workshops and enough lodgings to accomodate us.
Even better is the state of our resurrection room; it is almost finished.
The Nightbringer will return!!!
[img=http://img29.picoodle.com/img/img29/4/3/29/f_oversightm_ca5ff6c.png]
[ April 06, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
Time has passed surprisingly quick around here. Probably because of all the work Kado forces us to do.
I overheard Kado talking with Tikes. Apparently, some dwarf is spying on us.
Luckily, we brought some weaponry with us, and our undead servants are numerous.
I have been trying to convince Ithra and Bolli to start rebelling against Kado.
Who does he think he is? While he eats of our meat reserves and sleeps in the largest room, we have to settle with some prickle berries and meager bedrooms.
Not that i suspect anything that grows around here will ever be fully edible.
My only allegiance is to the Nightbringer, not to some "chosen acolyte".
The only reason I have not killed him in his sleep yet is because he is the only one around here who knows how to ressurect our lord.
But once he is back, things will change. Oh yes.
---<><>---
2nd Hematite, 1051.
Apu Agemin woke up sweating. She looked around in her bedroom, as if she was suspecting to find a demon. Heavily breathing, she stood up and walked around in circles, thinking about what she just dreamed of.
What she remembered was vague. She saw a ray of light, but not just normal light. Everything it touched burned. She saw her fellow acolytes run from it, but they all became devoured by it. But not her.
As she looked into the light, she saw something... but what?
A mirror! Yes, she was sure it was a mirror! She saw herself... but, what was so terrible it made her wake up?
Suddenly, she heard a knock on her door...
"Yes?"
"Mistress, the ritual has started."
Excited she ran up into the corridor.
"Very good. Skeleton, you are dismissed."
The skeleton slowly turned his back to her and started slowly walking to his tomb.
She ran to the ritual chamber. She fashioned herself infront of the door and then opened it.
The faint glow of candle light shone into her face.
"Apu is here, Kado"
"Ithra, you adress me as mylord."
"Sure Kado."
She and the other 3 acolyes grinned under their hoods.
Kado stared at Ithra for a split second with the most foul look she ever saw.
He continued.
"Now that everyone is here, including the slowest of us ( he looked at Apu )
we shall start the ritual."
The acolytes formed a circle around the corpse placed against the northern wall of the chamber and started humming.
Kado took out different oddly shaped items and started reciting formulas in an old forgotten language.
Then, he drew a knife and held it high up into the air.
"It is time for the blood sacrifice."
"Blood?" the acolytes shuffled back. "Since when do we need blood to ressurect the dead?" replied Cor.
"We need as much power as we can get to ressurect someone as powerfull as the Nightbringer. Are we becoming shy?"
Nobody answered.
"Very well, you cowards. I shall offer first."
With a broad gesture he cutted his wrist. He walked up to the small bowl infront of the corpse and filled it to about a quarter with his blood.
"There we go. Now Cor, show the other acolytes how easy it is." he grinned.
And so, each of us offered blood.
Kado took up the bowl, filled to the edge with blood and gently poored the contents into the mouth of the corpse.
"Now, we wait!' he proclaimed.
Still troubled with my nightmare, I asked "Does the resurrection produces any... light?"
Kado looked suspiciously at me, and replied "If it should matter, yes it does, the amount of power that bundles into the corpse is so great it produces a great flash. Why?"
"You see, I had a nightmare just before this ritual started. A ray of light devoured.. wait..."
"What?"
I panicked when I suddenly realised what was about to happen
"You must stop the ritual!"
"Stop the ritual? Have you gone mad?"
"The light I dreamed about was not the light of the ritual. It's something far worse."
"What are you raving about?"
"What day are we today?"
"Enlighten me."
"The first of Hematite."
"So?"
"Summer starts today."
"I still not see the point in your raving. Have the strawberries gotten into your head?" he laughed. Noone else did.
One of the acolytes, possibly Ithra, replied. "Uhmmm... Kado. Remember what happened when we tried to ressurect that wyvern on the first of Hematite?"
Kado became pale. "Shit."
A bright flash suddenly bursted from the corpse and a shockwave blew us back.
A scream followed by a roar hurled through the sky, and the statues around us collapsed.
"Everyone alright?"
"Well, next to the fact that the bloody ceiling fell on our heads, we're all right."
A dry, horrifying voice suddenly filled the sky.
"FOOLS! KADO, AND YOUR MEDDLING BAND OF AMATEURS, YOU ARE ALL FOOLS!"
We shaked on our bones as we saw our lord, the Nightbringer, rise from his coffin.
"Mylord, a million apologies, I am but a worm, please spare me!"
But without hesitation the Nightbringer lifted Kado by his head and banged him against the only statue still standing. Three times.
"Bu-uuut mylord, the ritual succeeded! Ittt did had a bit of a violent end--ding, but..."
"Ah yes, it did. But we just awakened something foul."
"Whhha-hat isss that something?"
He grinned.
"Look up"
I screamed.
The sun shone brightly on a new spectator.
An archangel.
(http://img32.picoodle.com/img/img32/4/3/30/f_ritualm_97c632c.png)
[ March 30, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
Bloody timing.
Just as I arrived in the human village, completely exhausted and scarred, a bright flash appeared from that cursed hill.
A few seconds later, screaming could be heard and the heavens ripped open, emitting the strongest light I ever saw.
For the first time in my life I saw an archangel. It was beautiful.
Fully clad in a white colored armour and wielding a large halberd, it started flying to the hill. With it's divine speed, it didn't even take a minute.
I didn't even had to warn the villagers anymore. But when I told them about the necromancers, they all started to grin.
The mayor told me he would round up the local militia, but he doubted they would have any trouble. He told me he saw an archangel in battle once in his young years. He saw it pop open a giant cave spider with a swing of it's blade.
I prayed tonight. I told god I only asked to strangle this evil, not to throw a sledgehammer against it!
[ April 07, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
nice story. Hope to see more of it soon.
What mod are you using to get the skeletons?
EDIT: could you post a map on the DFMA?
Some of the pictures arent working.
[ March 30, 2008: Message edited by: Lord_Frodo ]
Can't wait for the next bit.
--->o<---
The archangel roared with an inhuman voice before lifting his gigantic halberd.
The halberd started emitting light first, but after a few seconds, fire started sprouting from it, and in a matter of moments it reached us.
Ithra and Cor were immediately consumed by the sea of fire that swept around us. I tried escaping, but the fire was everywhere.
I fell down on my knees and everything turned black for a few moments.
But suddenly a tide of green light engulfed us, and the fire was gone.
For a few moments, there was the most creeping silence I had ever heard.
I looked around, although I wished I didn't.
The only things left of Ithra and Cor was a small heap of ashes, and the ritual chamber, or what was left of it, was no more then a black crater.
The archangel, still hanging in the air, spoke with a inhuman voice.
"Your acolytes haven't exactly learned anything, did they? Ressurecting on the first day of the summer? Come now, not even a skeleton could be that stupid."
The Nightbringer, who apparently had casted the green light replied surprisingly happy. "And your master has still not learned anything too. Does he still think a single archangel can even stand a chance against me?"
"You overestimate your powers, Desocucu."
"YOU DARE CALL ME BY MY NAME?"
"Your name no longer spreads fear. It didn't in Nisthra, and it will not spread fear here!"
I was quite overwhelmed. Nisthra.
Our gods refuse to speak of other realms, but demons and elementals have learned us that there are atleast three other worlds: Nexius, Deui and Nisthra.
Nexius is the plane of demons and is aligned with everything that stands for chaos. Not all of this is necessarily evil: Nexius can stand for change, evolution and independence.
Deui is the plane of elementals and is aligned with order. Just like the Nexius, not all of this is necessarily good like all the archtypes tend to make you believe: Deui can stand for zeal, intolerance and repression.
Nisthra is the plane of gods. The place were Athari, the creator of everything ruled. Every lesser god must obey his command, no matter how insane it is.
If lord Athari commands a god to destroy a thousand worlds by invading it by mad cows, it shall happen. And it probably already did, as it must be insanely boring to be THE creater.
"Enough talking, I am tired of your master's little games!" replied the Nightbringer, and with a hand gesture, he made a sword appear.
The archangel roared once again and charged the Nightbringer.
The sword and halberd clashed and caused a great shockwave that threw the archangel back for a few feet.
Taking advantage of this, the Nightbringer jumped forward and cutted into the archangel's armour. The blade pierced it in the right leg, causing a terrible gash. The Nightbringer took another step forward, driving the sword even deeper into the archangel.
The archangel tried bashing the Nightbringer with his gauntlet, but in mid-air it frictioned with the green aura surrounding the Nightbringer, causing it to shatter. The shock and pain caused the archangel to attempt to get away from the sword, but the sword looked like it was draining his life.
"Don't worry, little angel. It's just a flesh wound." The Nightbringer grinned and pulled his sword out of the wound, causing the remaining tissue around the wound to shred. With a roar of pain, the archangel fell to the ground. And a few seconds later, his right leg fell next to him.
The Nightbringer brought up his sword and threw it into the archangel's face.
After a moment of silence, Kado started to cheer. Bad move.
"Well done mylord! That will show that Deui bastard a.."
The Nightbringer pulled his sword out of the archangel's body and threw it to Kado. It hitted him right into his chest, causing him to rip apart.
"LET THIS BE A LESSON TO ALL OF YOU, UNWORTHY WORMS. KNEEL!"
Since all of us still wanted our body to stay in one piece, we kneeled.
"A major mistake like this is unacceptable. Not only does the entire universe now knows I have returned, we also lost a very nice ritual chamber!"
Me, Tikes and Bolli looked up. "Ritual chamber? Mylord..."
The Nightbringer laughed. "You'r humor seems to be as dead as Kado. Oh well. Gather the skeletons, some material and food. We're leaving"
"Leaving, mylord?"
"Naturally. The entire kingdom will be coming after us. Luckily, I always have a second plan for when things go wrong. We go to the beaches of the Roasted Blueness!"
We went pale.
(http://img33.picoodle.com/img/img33/4/4/5/f_deathm_a1f5151.png)
[ April 05, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
---OoO---
I have returned. But the acolytes incompetence has drastically changed my original plan.
It will now be a matter of time before servants of Deui and zealous humanoids come to find me.
The lord of Deui has puppets in every realm, even the most boring ones, like this one. I still remember how this madness all started.
How the gods casted me aside. How they have been chasing me for so many years.
Although I doubt it will have any use, I will explain how this situation happened. Not because we are "evil" or heretics. Oh no. It is because of that blasted Athari and his puppet, Armok!
I am Ulian Desocucu, the first creation to walk the worlds the gods have created. I was powerful, but not powerful enough for the gods to worry about me. Millenia passed, and I became stronger and wiser.
The gods quarrelled about the most minor issues, and the mortals followed
their examples. I kept on learning, and on one historic day, I achieved something nobody ever did before. I broke the laws Athari crafted. I said no to his "almighty power". I broke the laws of life and death. I could resurrect. The furious Athari ordered Armok, my creater, to kill me.
Luckily, Armok didn't.
Instead, he wanted the secret of resurrection. It would be something he could amuse himself with. For a while.
Because the gods are so utterly bored by existence, they become incredibly interested in the most idiotic things.
Not that ressurection is idiotic, mind you.
And so, Athari and Armok became rivals. Many gods joined Armok to join his conquest for the secret of resurrection and so the greatest war ever started.
Because the gods could amuse themselves. For a while.
And now, the followers of Athari (the Deui, the Nexius and the Nisthra) are trying to kill me, while the followers of Armok are trying to find me to gain my knowledge. And after that, they will probably kill me too.
Isn't that splendid?
Naturally, I attracted followers of myself, and now it's all a mess.
Worlds are being blasted to pieces, followers of Armok, myself and Athari and trying to kill eachother and I am located in the most backwards place in the universe.
And why was I in this most backwards place in the universe in the first place you ask?
Because I needed a diversion. It would have been easy. Find followers, create a massive empire of the undead, then move on while the others try to destroy it, thinking I am leading it. But I won't be. Who will? You will see...
[ April 05, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
---wWw---
It's all a mess, isn't it? The Nightbringer is back, we are with only a few left and the entire world is after us. The Nightbringer has told us not to worry though! He has a plan. We will have our revenge!
We have been travelling for 6 days now. We have stopped in a human village to recruit new members in the tavern.
Since it will take some weeks before the news of our escape spreads, we have time to gather new supplies. We will leave in 3 days!
---wWw---
Time for everyone to join in! We have 4 vacant spots, since The Nightbringer, Apug and Bolli are still alive. :)
Applications should look like:
Name:
Professions:
Items brought ( max 200 points ):
Any pets:
Background : A former member of the deposed House of Rash, Istria seeks to bring once again glory to the lord of death. When the House existed, she was one of those whose duty was to make sure dwarven spirits did not get out of their coffins. She would often travel from fortress to fortress to deal with undead infestations. Since House Rash's demise she wants to prove that there is a necessity to bring the House back to power. She believes that an undead infestation would certainly prove her point. Here her plans coincide with the Nightbringer's, yet Istria will deal with her when House Rash is finally restored.
EDIT : Background adapted to the fact I'm a female person.
[ April 07, 2008: Message edited by: Istrian ]
Name:Fang(M)
Professions:Competent Bone carver/ Competent butcher/ skilled wrestler
Items brought ( max 200 points ):20 of favorite drink/20 any meat
Any pets:2 dogs(I assume you'll be bringing along the skeletons)
Background:Fang used to be a simple butcher until some suspicions of murder drove him from town. he then went on to another town and became a craftsdwarf. this time it was suspicion of thievery that drove him away. He had made a tidy sum between his two professions and decided to drink his troubles away. its only coincidence that he is in the same inn that the Nightbringer is looking in.
Background: Donnigan had always been slightly off kilter. While none could deny the dwarfs skill in the smithy, they were always leery of the way that accidents happened near him. Eventually it had been discovered that he was the one perpetrating the accidents after a fellow crafts dwarf found him tampering with his forge during the night. He was sentenced to mining duty, thinking that the hard labor would calm his troubled mind, but it just made it worse. He soon broke out, killing one of the guards with a stolen pick. He came into the tavern the others were at to find a way out of the area.
Desocucu the Nightbringer
Profession: Skilled Woodcutter/Skilled carpenter/Dabbling record keeper/Dabbling appraiser.
Items brought: One Halberd, 15 prickle berry seeds
Pets : 5 skeletons and one undead archangel
Background: Lord Desocucu is an ancient demigod who found the secret of life and death. This costed him dearly however, and now every god in existence is trying to find him.
Although his situation is grim, his great knowledge and strength might just be enough to survive the war that is coming to the Eternal Universe.
The Nightbringer has forgotten most of his experience with hard labour, but he still his handy with an axe and has some knowledge of administration.
Apug
Professions: Proficient miner/proficient mason
Items brought: 1 pick, 15 units of beer, 10 units of meat.
Pets brought: 1 skeleton servant
Background: Apug used to be the third most important member in the Nightbringer's cult.
Now, with the demise of Kado, the second hand of the Nightbringer, she will let nobody stop her to become the Acolyte Headmaster.
Her hard labour in Takrupan made her realise her talent with stone.
Bolli
Professions: Proficient Brewer/Proficient Grower
Items brought: 15 prickle berries/15 units of beer
Background: Bolli was one of the first acolytes to join the Nightbringer, and he has been one of his most favourite acolytes since the beginning.
That he can brew the best beer from the best plants in the entire universe might be the reason for that.
Fang(M)
Professions:Competent Bone carver/ Competent butcher/ skilled wrestler
Items brought ( max 200 points ):20 of favorite drink/20 any meat
Any pets:2 dogs
Background:Fang used to be a simple butcher until some suspicions of murder drove him from town. he then went on to another town and became a craftsdwarf. this time it was suspicion of thievery that drove him away. He had made a tidy sum between his two professions and decided to drink his troubles away. its only coincidence that he is in the same inn that the Nightbringer is looking in.
Donnigan
Professions: Novice miner, Skilled Armorsmith/weaponsmith
Items brought: A pick. Use the rest however.
Any pets: A cat the he escaped with.
Background: Donnigan had always been slightly off kilter. While none could deny the dwarfs skill in the smithy, they were always leery of the way that accidents happened near him. Eventually it had been discovered that he was the one perpetrating the accidents after a fellow crafts dwarf found him tampering with his forge during the night. He was sentenced to mining duty, thinking that the hard labor would calm his troubled mind, but it just made it worse. He soon broke out, killing one of the guards with a stolen pick. He came into the tavern the others were at to find a way out of the area.
Name : Istrian/Istria
Professions : Adept Swordsdwarf/Adept Armor User/Mason
Items : Sword & Armor would be nice, any leftover spent on food
Background : A former member of the deposed House of Rash, Istrian seeks to bring once agin glory to the lord of death. When the House existed, he was one of those whose duty was to make sure dwarven spirits did not get out of their coffins. He would often travel from fortress to fortress to deal with undead infestations. Since House Rash's demise he wants to prove that there is a necessity to bring the House back to power. He believes that an undead infestation would certainly prove his point. Here his plans coincide with the Nightbringer's, yet Istrian will deal with him when House Rash is finally restored.
Name: Silu
Professions: Proficient Brewer/Grower
Items brought: 50 units of Prickle Berry seeds, a mug (if available at the start) and the rest of the points to booze.
Background: Silu is a weird fellow, even in human standards. He has always liked alcohol or any other liquid that gets you drunk. To be speaking the truth, his relationship with booze is insane. There are rumors that someone once accidentally drank from his pint of beer and Silu just snapped. The rumors tell that he continuously beated the poor lad to the head with the mug until the table was soaked with blood and brain-juices. Silu realised what he had done and had to flee the town, with the bloody mug still on his hand.
List of Items
-------------
1 Iron halberd
65 Prickle Berry Seeds
2 Copper picks
37 units of Prickle Berry wine
45 units of Donkey meat
15 units of Prickle Berries
15 units of Longland beer
2 Iron long sword
2 Suits of Carp leather armour
2 Carp leather helmets
2 Carp leather gloves
2 Carp leather high boots
2 Carp leather leggings
10 Rope Reed seeds
4 Donkey leather.
[ April 07, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
Backround: Silu is a weird fellow, even in human standards. He has always liked alcohol or any other liquid that gets you drunk. To be speaking the truth, his relationship with booze is insane. There are rumors that someone once accidentally drank from his pint of beer and Silu just snapped. The rumors tell that he continuously beated the poor lad to the head with the mug until the table was soaked with blood and brain-juices. Silu realised what he had done and had to flee the town, with the bloody mug still on his hand.
[ April 07, 2008: Message edited by: Silu ]
Diary of Bolli, the 11th of Hematite, 1051.
-->o<--
After staying in this inn for three long days, we have atlast found four new suitable replacements for our ranks.
These newlings are still as green behind their ears as drafted peasants, but atleast they seem eager to serve the Nightbringer. As I'm writing, we are about to arrive at our destination: Othono, "Blacktowers" in the human tongue.
While it is still a mile away from the coasts of the Roasted Blueness, our lord has guaranteed us that this is where we should construct a new Necropolis.
One even mightier then our previous one! We will strike the heavens with this new temple to our lord, the Nightbringer!
He has requested me to keep track of our supplies. This is what we brought with us:
(http://img27.picoodle.com/img/img27/4/4/7/f_startm_9fe05ee.png)
Note to myself: One of the newlings, Silu, seems to be a grower and brewer, just like me. I think I'll get along with him quite nicely.
Diary of Desocucu, the Nightbringer, the 11th of Hematite 1051.
---UiU---
We have arrived! The plan has been set in motion. Just as I remembered, the old graveyard and the Ettin cave are still here. Enough creatures to command!
I have ordered the skeletons to gather wood from the surrounding swamps, as I do not dare send out my acolytes. The swamps surrounding Othono are still as vicious and dark as it was at my first arrival.
To cheer up the mood, I have showed my acolytes the newest remarkable addition to our ranks: an Undead Archangel! Our enemies will shiver when they see him.
I'm still thinking about a name for him. What about Urith?
Note: I have found a map. I'll keep it if I need some reference.
(http://img33.picoodle.com/img/img33/4/4/7/f_kkm_d5a885b.png)
[ April 08, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
---OiO---
At the request of the Nightbringer, me and Donnigan digged out the first rooms and a meeting hall. Our workshops are still located at the surface, but the Nightbringer does not wants them relocated to the underground yet.
He says our "priorities" are to dig out the old graveyard so we can reach the coffins. It will be a lot of work, since the whole thing sank into the muddy ground. There's only a small piece of walling left standing.
Bolli and Silu has started creating farming plots and stockpiling wood.
Note: Our lord just showed us his newest pet, a undead archangel. It filled the air with a stench only comparable by Ithra's cooking attempts.
We were all filled with joy by this new companion, but we decided not to name him yet. "Archangel" is still beter then "Urith". Such a dull name.
21st of Hematite, 1051.
A couple of harpies were attracted to our activity. You can't blame them, since I've seen nothing they could chew on around here, but I didn't felt a bit sorry when they encountered our skeleton horde.
It was kind of nice to see them getting ripped apart. I wonder if the Nightbringer could ressurect these too?
(http://img01.picoodle.com/img/img01/4/4/7/f_harpym_b4088a5.png)
[ April 08, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
---oXo---
Yesterday was one of the best days in my life! You should have seen one of the harpies getting eviscerated!
One of the skeletons even managed to cut off both of one of the harpie's legs before it bled to dead. Fang offered me some harpy biscuits today. I was quite insulted. Fresh biscuits? Is this a tea party or something?
In other news, Donnigan was able to dig out part of the graveyard, but the Nightbringer has told us there are a lot more coffins then the 12 we found so far. I started destroying the graveyard wall anyway. We need the wood.
Diary of Desocucu, the Nightbringer, 19th of Hematite 1051.
--YsY---
I found the old records of Takrupan Kado wrote. It seems we lost a good bookkeeper. Well, he wouldn't survive for long anyway. His unpopularity among the acolytes would have doomed him when I would have replaced him with a new champion.
I have started a new register for the members of Othono:
Anyways, I'll wait to post Donns interpretation of events for a bit, or at least until I know who she is.
Edit: Hey! Apparently I'm the leader too! Did that happen on purpose or was it just a thing with the expedition leader assigning?
[ April 07, 2008: Message edited by: Donnigan ]
---KdK---
Donnigan and Apug finished digging out the graveyard yesterday. You should have seen the look on their face when I told them this was the smallest one in this area.
I should be able to work with the death of this graveyard for some time anyway, so Donnigan and Apug have enough time to find a larger one. The ressurection room next to it still needs some finishing touches, but I can already start working with it.
(http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/4/8/f_LITTLEgravem_3171167.png)
Our underground Necropolis is rapidly developping. Soon, we'll be able to start the second step of my plan. But first, I need to gather my allies...
(http://img03.picoodle.com/img/img03/4/4/8/f_NecropolisIm_7e69da5.png)
Sidenote: I think I'm going to name my new pet "Ramkal" after the ettin that lives nearby.
---HuH---
The mayor returned with some troubling news; the Archangel has been slain.
At the site of the battle, his men found the Archangel's halberd, covered in blood. There is no way the Archangel would leave such a holy and masterfully crafted weapon behind. Even worse, the necromancer's base is abandoned. Wherever they are now, it will take weeks, if not months to track them down.
Atleast we found the rotting carcass of one of his servants. Even though he did not deserve it, he was given a proper burial.
I'm going to stay here until the mayor has contacted the nearest city for help.
29th of Hematite, 1051.
The messenger from the city came today with some OVERWHELMING news.
I have been temporarely appointed to High Inquisitor. Which basically means I'm in charge. I'm having quite mixed feelings about this. I'm just a lowly ranger of the Imperial army, and I do not know how to lead, nor how to be a servant of God. I was even more amazed when I recieved a letter, personally signed by the local High Priest. He has given me his blessing to wield the Archangel's halberd. "Because of persistent bravery." he wrote. It is going to be brought to me any moment now. I am unskilled in wielding a halberd, but I will gladly exchange my lowely spear for such a divine weapon.
Anyway, it looks someone up high is taking this even more serious. I've been given 50 men to aid me in my search, with another 50 coming in later next month.
I fear I will need them, as this necromancer seems to be a lot more dangerous then I thought...
--YTY---
Life seems to become more stabile at Othono. The Nightbringer has been surprisingly quiet lately, and we are all wondering what his next step will be.
Us 7 might be able to hold back a small Imperial patrol or a random raid, but I fear that our numbers will not be enough to hold out untill we can marshall enough undead.
Well, the Nightbringer surely knows what he is doing. The House of Nights will stand strong again!
I'm getting used to the newcomers. They are even weirder then Ithra used to be, but I guess you can get used to everyone.
Especially that Silu is a strange one. He's been hanging around the crafting workshop lately, trying to get his hand's on one of Fang's stone mugs.
I can't blame him, since he has been making some real masterpieces. Especially the bone drawings on some of them are astonishing.
Some Gossip
-----------
I've been seeing Donnigan and Apug a lot together lately. Are they up to something? Surely, they couldn't be... nah...
Istria asked me if I have seen some vermin lately. She told me she needed something to cut up in to little pieces with her sword, or she would go mad.
Since the cat has had a successfull career as vermin catcher so far, I fear for her sanity. Come to think of it, I actually fear for the sanity of all of us. Ah well.
Fang nearly snapped after discovering one of his dogs died during the harpies attack some weeks ago. Apparently, creating the stone mugs kept him so occupied, he forgot about his dogs...
Luckily, Donnigan quickly faked a dog's burial place. I don't even want to know what he would do with that crafting knife if he discovered he detailled one of his mugs with his own dog's bones... I'd better keep this diary away from Fang's eyes...
[ April 09, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
---YuY---
I was able to contact some demon merchants from a nearby world after many futile attempts. Silu, who was near what now is our improvised trade depot, nearly had a hart attack when the demons portalled next to him.
I presented myself as a wayward wizard with some apprentices searching for some rare mineral.
Although I doubt they believed me, I'm pretty sure they did not recognize me, luckily. can not risk being detected by anyone without allegiance to me. I doubt these merchants would have stayed neutral if they heard the price on my head.
We exchanged our finely crafted chalk mugs for some weaponry and rare minerals, in what seemed to be a good deal. Not that I know interworld prices...
---IOI---
9th of Malachite, 1051.
Thimeth was sitting next to the mayor on the city hall's balcony when they suddenly heard the sound of marching men.
"Looks like your men arrived."
Curious, Thimeth stood up and walked to the edge of the balcony, trying to get a glimpse of the arriving men.
Thimeth watched stunned how the soldiers marched disciplined into the village square in a straight line.
Deeply impressed, the mayor wistled.
"Paladins... looks like they aren't taking any chances, are they?"
Thimeth swallowed. Paladins... champions of men, divine soldiers of god and bringers of glory. They wielded the mightiest of weapons and the thickest of armour and were able to field any common men with in a blink of a moment.
"This is insane! A single paladin is supposed to support a full brigade, and I get to command six of them for barely fifty men."
The mayor laughed.
"Be thankfull you don't have to go fight this necromancer with a bunch of peasants. By the way, if that necromancer can field an archangel, you're going to need those paladins."
"I guess so..."
Suddenly, the entire brigade stopped in the middle of the village square.
Gathering all his courage, he climbed the edge of the balcony.
"Men of the empire! Today, another enemy of our king openly tries to insult us by desecrating the dead and bringing fear to our people!
Are we going to let this demon go on? NO! We will fight!"
Anticlimatically, none of the men cheered. What did they thought? That this small dwarf could not lead them?
He looked back to the mayor, hoping for some miracle to happen.
"The halberd!" he whispered.
"What?"
"Have you already been given it?"
"Yes, wait! It's next to my chair."
He leaped off insanely quick for a dwarf, took the glinstering halberd and crawled back on the edge of the balcony.
"You might think of me as but a meddling dwarf instead of a inspirational leader. Then think again, for I wield our god's eternal light.
I am your Grand Inquisitor!"
He raised his halberd into the air. It sparkled with light and it shined as the sun itself.
For a few seconds, the soldiers looked stunned at the halberd.
Then, the entire crowd began cheering.
"Grand Inquisitor! Grand Inquisitor! Grand Inquisitor!"
Thimeth grinned at the mayor. "Thanks for the help."
"No problem, "Grand Inquisitor"."
"Thats sir Grand Inquisitor the Great for you."
[ April 09, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
[ April 09, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
[ April 09, 2008: Message edited by: Silu ]
Chapter II: Unholy Alliances.
-----------------------------
It was the most stormy night at Othono since the Nightbringer and his acolytes had arrived.
The lightning seemed to threaten to rip open the sky and the raindrops were not only twice the normal size, they also were pitch black, as if they were made of tar.
Everything tried to hide from the ravaging storm, and for once, their were no howls of hunting wolfs.
But out of thin air, a lone cloaked figure appeared. He seemed too large to be a human, but too small to be an elf. Slowly and confident, he waded through the mud and the rain, as if he knew exactly where he was going, even while he could not see further then a few feet.
Abruptly, he stopped at a large lone birch, looked around, and took something out of his pockets... a letter.
He started reading, even though he knew what it said. He had read it a hundred times, over and over again, just to be certain what he was reading was correct.
"Bren, dear friend. It's been ages. I hope you're not to busy, since I could use your help. I've been isolated in this bloody dull world with some incompetent followers of mine. Accompanied with this letter is a map with my whereabouts. I'm pretty sure you'll find me. This letter has been sent by an old gating network, so it will take the demons guarding the interworld traffic a while to find my exact location, but do hasten. Things are spiralling out of control over here.
Your friend, Gatrick.
P.S.: Bring some wine, will you? I haven't drunk anything decent since I have arrived here. Oh, and bring some of you're lovely servants.
First, he thought this was some kind of an ambush. But he recognized Gatrick's writing and his... unusual kind of humour.
He glanced at the map. This seemed to be the place. Now, to enter.
He knocked on the tree and said "Fear the House of Nights."
The tree suddenly came to life and replied. "Indeed, my friend. But did you bring some wine with you?"
He sighed. Typical. Trees demanding wine.
"Blackpond."
"Blackpond?"
"Just let me in!"
The ground next to the tree ripped open, revealing a hidden staircase.
"Next time, bring some Redmaiden. And where are those lovely servants of yours?"
"Ah yes, I almost forgot..."
He made a small hand gesture and just like him, more cloaked figures appeared out of nowhere.
"You brought Blackpond?" one of them jokingly asked.
"Just shut up, will you?"
The entire group descended the stairs and came into a dimly lit square room. Different statues were placed at it's corners in an effort to liven up the room a bit, and standing in the middle was a large stone throne, with Desocucu sitting on it.
"Ah Bren, old friend. Good of you to drop by."
"Gatrick! What trouble have you gotten into this time?"
"Quite a lot really. I have a lot of things to explain. But first, let Ramkal show you're friends their rooms. Ramkal! Bring these... people to their rooms."
The undead archangel appeared out of a large door in the right corner of the room. "As you command, mylord."
"Got a new pet, Gatrick?"
"Yes. You could say it some sort of a... welcome present from the Deui."
Bren frowned.
"A gift?"
"As I said, I have a lot of things to explain. Follow me to my quarters."
Curious, Bren looked around in what seemed to be Gatrick's new home while walking to Gatrick's quarters.
"So... since when do you live in such a small new home? Have you become bored of your old large necropolises?
"Ofcourse not. I've only arrived here a month ago and I have been babysitting my acolytes more then anything else. I guess I'll have to be glad with a bed and some basic furniture."
"Poor you. But tell me, what was so important I had to sneak past demons and elementals?"
"I might tell you, for a bottle of... Blackpond?"
"And I might tell you some news from the frontlines if I can drink along."
"Naturally, my friend. Have a seat."
Some time later...
"But tell me, Bren, how are things out there?"
"Chaotic at best. We've lost a couple of our undercover cells, and we are getting beated up from all sides. The fact that you were missing didn't make things better."
"I apologize for my abrupt disappearance, but it was the only way this diversion would ever succeed. If my plan works, we might be able to end this, Bren!"
"I understand. This war will go on for aeons if it is not stopped."
"And I need your help in ending it. We are isolated and Athari's servants know we are here. I need someone who could... persuade the human king into... donating us his lands..."
"Naturally. Persuasion is my trademark." Bren grinned.
Suddenly they heard a scream. "VAMPIRES! VAMPIRES!!!!"
"Gatrick."
"Yes Bren?."
"Don't yes me. You've FORGOTTEN to tell your acolytes about our arrival?"
"Hmmm. You could put it that way, but I prefer to call it 'lowering it's priority'."
"You'd better go and calm them down, before one of mine gets aggressive and beats up once of yours."
"Beats up? You think your lackeys are better then mine?"
"Come now. Humans?"
Gatrick sighed.
"I guess you're right. I'll go calm them down. And after that, I'll beat up one of yours to even the odds."
"You do that."
Laughing, Gatrick left the room.
[ April 13, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
-We have 41(!) skeletons by now, 3 of them are "pets" of Fang.
-Since a new migrant wave is coming up, applications are open once again.
Keep in mind you are a vampire if you join in on this migrant wave.
-Picture of the underground necropolis in it's current state
( notice the logo of Othono. Paint is so professional.)
(http://img37.picoodle.com/img/img37/4/4/9/f_firstgreatmm_6df3bd0.png)
-Picture of created wealth/food stocks
(http://img01.picoodle.com/img/img01/4/4/9/f_overviewm_94d4e18.png)
-Fellow acolytes are free to write diary entries whenever they want, as long as you don't break the main plot line. The more evil plots and gossip, the better...
---OiO---
Diary of Bolli, 11th of Hematite, 1051.
Poor Is... I mean Silu...
This night, some vampires arrived. Luckily for us, they were allies of the Nightbringer. Unluckily for Silu, he woke up everybody, thinking we were under attack.
I can still lively remember the conversation.
"Islu, I hope you can explain this."
"Mylord, it's Silu."
"What?"
"Silu, the name is Silu."
"I see. That explains why you assaulted one of the vampires, doesn't it?"
"But mylord, it was all so sudden and..."
"Ah yes, I see your superior reasoning. I can not compete which such intelligence, so I guess I'll have to go for the unreasonable penalty, no?"
"I beg you..."
"Ah yes, I know the perfect task for you. You'll be taking over the night watch from the skeletons for an entire month. I'm sure you'll get the hang of it. Your task is to watch out for incoming elephants.
When you see one, imitate a carp being eaten by a toad."
"I guess argueing isn't going to change anything?"
"Indeed. Now go unleash some of your intelligent input to your fellow acolytes."
I feel a bit sorry for him. Ah well...
Even stranger was the conversation the Nightbringer had with Apug. After he saw her and Donnigan come out of the same quarters. Ouch.
"Ah Apug. Were you showing Donnigan around your quarters? I think I'll have to dissappoint you, all quarters are equally sized and have the same furniture in them."
"Uhm... actually I was... giving Donnigan some advice."
"Advice?"
"Uhu."
"If you just gave him some advice, I presume I won't find anything in your quarters, will I?"
After peeking into the quarters, the Nightbringer resumed.
"Ah! Now it's all clear to me. You wear giving him advice on underwear styling, weren't you? How else could there be a THONG laying on the floor of your bedroom?"
"Uhmm..."
"I guess I'll leave you two to your interesting conversation about underwear. Let me know how the session ended."
Hilarious...
[ April 09, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
Undead pets, an undead archangel and now vampires. I wonder when the Nightbringer will stop gathering allies and start wreaking havoc. After all, vampires are supposed to be nearly immortal.
I still remember my first meeting with a vampire. I was supposed to put to rest the spirits of Copperpicks, a long abandoned dwarven fort. That guy nearly killed me, but fortunately I was not alone. There were a dozen Rash Brothers and a Loremaster. We had to track him down to the deepest parts of the fort, sealing the way behind us to prevent his escape. Eventually we found him and fought him for two days straight. We had to chop him to bits and burn every single chunk and scatter the ashes to the wind.
These vampires, however, don't strike me as particularly powerful. The nice thing is that I'll have an excellent occasion to study them and discover their powers and abilities.
I'll also have to find a way to send a message to my Brothers, but that will come later.
For now, I have to find ways to spend more time around these creatures.
Well...Coming here has been interesting. Lotta Undead. Bloody buggers smell awful. Apug seems to like them though...Guess I'll hafta get used to them. And you know, Is it just me, or is even the Nightbringer a dense one? He just outright caught us, and he took the whole "Advice" Story. He may be a Demi God, but he needs a clue...Anyways, I'm scheduled for an Advisatory meeting soon, so i gotta go!
Do they really think I don't know that it was my dogs bones I used. HAH. the fools believe me to be a mere craftsdwarf? I will kill them all someday and claim thier powers for my own. but for now I will continue my humble servant facade.For now.
((OOC: was it the male or female dog that was killed?))
Damn them, damn them all! Made me look out for the bonesacks for a month, huh? In the dark? And that's not even the tip of the iceberg, they sold all the precious mugs to some filthy demons! They clearly do not fathom the overwhelming power of a flawlessly made mug o' stone that you can use to crush other peoples skulls... And then make more mugs out of those. Mugs...
*Lots of obscure writing here with drips of drool all over it.*
I also must keep my eye on that Desukuku guy. I know he is stealing extra booze from the shelves right when my back is turned! If I had any shelves that is...
[ April 10, 2008: Message edited by: Silu ]
Elves. Bloody elves.
Furiously, Thimeth stepped around in his room, looking through the window every few steps.
Thimeth and his troops had left the village four days ago. They had marched a full day and night, untill they arrived at that cursed hill.
They had setted up camp at the top of the hill, but they did not expect elves to interfere with them. As the last tent was deployed, an elf came out of nowhere and demanded they left this unholy place.
After a fierce discussion, Thimeth personally chased the elf back into the nearby forest.
But apparently, the elves hadn't learned their lessons yet. One of his men had just told him an elf diplomat was demanding to see him. He grinned at the thought of what he would do to him to "persuade" him to leave.
Suddenly the door opened.
"Mylord, the elf is here."
"Good, let him in."
"Mylord, I'm afraid..."
But before the guard could finish his sentence, the elf stepped in.
"Well, look at that. The elves have gone nutters, have they? Not only do they have the guts to come back, they have send a WOMEN... Do they think I will hesitate in chasing you back into the forests you came from because you're a women? Well then,..."
But then he saw her face. Dear god. What a face. It was so beautiful.
"I will pretend you never said "the chasing elves back into the forests" part, shall I? Unless you want a full-scale war between our two peoples?"
"Excuse me madam, I must have mistaken you for someone else. I sincerily apologize myself"
The elf diplomat nearly bursted out in laughter as she saw the dwarf clumsily bow.
"Ah really? With who? I haven't see any other elf "women" around here yet."
"Let just say... I suspected someone else."
"A man?"
"Indeed. But I am sure you will do whatever you diplomats do as well as any man."
"Well then. I'll make it short. You retreat your forces, and let us deal with the necromancer."
"You elves know about the necromancer?"
"Our druids felt it long before he even arrived. This necromancer can only be dealt with extreme care. His plans are devious and he is prepared for everything. You humans know to little about him to fight him."
"How are you going to defeat him on your own? With sticks and stones?
Do you really believe you can take him on your own?"
"We are elves! We are the most ancient and.."
".. and most arrogant races of all! Have you forgotten how many of your people died because they refused help? How they believed they could defeat the goblins?"
Silence filled the room.
"Perhaps you are right. Perhaps you are not..."
"If you wish to fight the Necromancer, then let us help you!"
"A dwarf who wishes to help the elves?"
"A dwarf who wishes this evil dead."
"I might have to change my opinion over you dwarf. Very well. Let us discuss?"
"Bokgirus. Thimeth Bokgirus."
"Kira. Kira Treeshade."
---OIO---
Desocucu looked pleased from his throne. His acolytes and Bren's vampires were all gathered in his throne room.
"Fellow acolytes! We have hided for too long. Our numbers are small, but we will fight viciously! The human king has sat on his throne for too long!
Tonight, we will burn the nearby village. We will harvest their bodies, drink their blood, and kill for Othono! For the House of Nights!"
The crowd before him cheered.
"Tomorrow, the undead empire of Othono begins its first step to ascension!
They will fear the house of nights!"
The entire crowd started chanting as if they were in a trance.
"Fear the House of Nights! Fear the House of Nights! Fear the House of Nights!"
Desocucu smiled. If this wasn't going to attract some attention, nothing would.
---OiO---
Diary of Apug, 16th of Malachite, 1051.
Tonight, we will make the humans pay for what they did to us.
Lord Desocucu has given us equipment and assigned us skeleton warbands.
He will lead the attack, and we will follow him into the thick of the fray, while the vampires surround the village to ensure NOBODY gets out alive.
I do wonder why our lord has changed his plans so drastically. No matter, we will do as he asks. His knowledge will lead us.
Fear the House of Nights!
[ April 10, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
Vampires are not your usual archtype blood sucking monsters from any other fantasy world. In the world of Othono, regular vampires are only slightly stronger then the average humanoid they used to be. They are a lot faster, and their weapons tend to be magically enchanced, but they are still mortal.
Many of them are still very young, and their knowledge of magic is still very limited. Once a vampire has achieved an age of 100 years, he can typically shapeshift and cast basic destructive spells. It takes several centuries for a vampire to truely become powerful.
Bren's vampires are still apprentices, and are only slightly stronger then for example, a minotaur. Bren himself however, is a very ancient vampire, being Gatrick's very first friend, which means he is a couple of millenias old.
He might be very strong, but know that vampires are still vulnerable to blows of magically enchanced weapons.
OOC: Fang: It was the male dog.
[ April 10, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
Amused, Desocucu looked at the sea of fire before him. Kazosidu was being ripped apart. Screams and the sound of falling debris filled the air as his skeletons poured into the village, slaughtering anyone.
The militia stood no chance, as many of them were catched unarmed, barely awake.
Bren, standing next to him, laughed.
"Good. This will draw some attention."
"I hope you were right about this, Bren. I still feel uncomfortable about attacking so early."
"We have no choice. The people must know our presence. Fear us.
Many will join you once they hear you have returned. Many will rise up against the king."
"I hope you are right about this."
"Gatrick, I used to be a human. I know very well how we think and act. When power is involved, we are worse then any other race."
After a few moments of silence, a figure came running through them. It was hard to see who it was because of all the smoke, but he recognized Apug's figure.
"Apug, what is our situation?"
"We have slain everyone, and we are pillaging the buildings. Naturally, we tortured those who surrendered, which brought up some troubling news."
"Troubling?"
"A dwarf by the name of Thimeth Bokgirus has just passed here. The king has commissioned him many powerful warriors, and many more are coming."
"I suspected something like that would happen. Do not worry about this dwarf."
"The worse part is that he wields the Archangel's halberd."
"But that's impossible! Ramkal still wields it."
"I know mylord. I fear the gods themselves have brought this halberd to Thimeth."
"Divine intervention? Do they mock me? I will show this dwarf what happens with the god's champion. Return to Othono immediately. We have work to do!"
"As you wish, mylord."
Diary of Desocucu, The Nightbringer, 18th of Malachite, 1051.
I fear this attack might have been an error. Luckily, Bren was right about something. Fear is spreading throughout the empire, and many are thinking twice about where there loyalty lays.
I must deal a stunning blow to the human empire. And for this, I need a tower which rises far above the land. I must be able to see the sea again.
My acolytes still wonder why we settled here instead of the coasts of the Roasted Blueness. I will quickly prove we are, actually.
But we must be quick. The humans are searching for us, and entire armies are gathering in front of us.
Fear the House of Nights!
[ April 10, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
[ April 10, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
I worry more and more about our lord. He has not shown himself for weeks, and the newest acolytes have been causing trouble. Especially Donnigan. I do not trust him at all.
Bren, the head vampire, has taken command of most of the fortress. Under him, we have began building a large tower. We do not know it's use, but it must be important, since the vampires have been building it for day and night. It is 7 stories high now, and I fear it will give away our position.
Luckily, we are preparing for war. We have started creating a military quarters, and we have been having sparring sessions to improve our skill, while one of the vampires has been training our skeletons.
He seems to be doing a good job, since his skeleton patrols have killed different antman that were skulking around the foot of our great tower from a nearby cave.
P.S: I haven't seen Bolli for different weeks either. The situation is confusing me...
(http://img37.picoodle.com/img/img37/4/4/10/f_secgreatm_ec3562c.png)
[ April 10, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
The necromancer has gone too far.
I have been able to persuade Kira to try to convince her elders to let us help. We redrawed to Kazosidu to show the elves our good will. But there is no Kazosidu left.
The entire village has been burned to the ground. There are no bodies to be found, but I shiver when I think about the destination of them. He wouldn't allow the mayor, his friend, to join the scores of mindless undead!
He would not allow any more desecration!
I have sended out scouts to every direction. We WILL find the necromancer, and defeat him. With or without the elves.
It's actually unbelievable how the necromancer managed to destroy his tracks.
Nothing of the forests that used to surround the village remains: the once lush grasslands and forests have been consumed by flames and transformed into dead ashlands.
The necromancer will pay for this, but the only thing he could do now was wait until one of the scouts returned.
Luckily, this gives me some time to continue training with my halberd. I have decided to call it "Faithlight". I have become quite adept at it's use, but I must continue training. For the mayor.
Diary of Bolli, 15th of Granite, 1051.
---OiO---
Harpies raided our above ground construction site, killing one of our skeletons before they got overwhelmed by our archangel.
One of Fang's skeleton pets seems to be left in a bad shape: it is missing different fingers and its right leg is mangled.
We have started on building a wall around our above ground workshops to prevent future raids.
18th of Granite, 1051.
Apug organized a grand party in our grand dining hall.
It ended up with everyone getting drunk but ecstatic.
At the end, I saw her sneak away with Donnigan. I'm pretty sure there's something between those two.
26th of Granite, 1051.
Fang's pet I wrote about earlier just died, or whatever undead do when they stop moving.
He doesn't seems to be bothered about it too much. Instead, he engraved one of his mugs with the skeleton bones. Ah well. We have enough skeletons anyway.
I think we have 51 of them now.
A warband of skeletons, but a warband is not enough to forge Othono's empire! We must have more undead!
30th of Granite, 1051.
Newcomers!
Apparently, word about our attack on Kazosidu has spread quite quickly, and those who want to serve the Nightbringer are already coming to this area, hoping to find us. Are ranks are now bolstered to 35.
Although these new servants of the Nightbringers will serve us well, I fear that the human empire will find us quickly. Our time grows short.
But when they find and attack us, they will meet our waves of undead and our determination. Death to the king! Victory to the Nightbringer!
Fear the House of Nights!
[ April 11, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
[ April 12, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
Our time has run out. One of our newcomers saw a human scout, but failed to catch him. It will be a matter of days before they come here. I hope for our sakes that we are prepared.
The tower and walls on the surface are completed, and our skeleton army is trained and well equipped.
I have been preparing my next step for weeks now, and I only need a few days more of preparation.
If we succeed, the year 1051 will be remembered as the day the mortal empires fell and Othono ascended! I will make fire rain from the heavens, to destroy the mortals. Once this world is converted into an entire ashland, I will have enough forces to face Athari's servants!
Thimeth Bokgirus glared unbelieving at the map.
(http://img32.picoodle.com/img/img32/4/4/13/f_worldgraphim_d7995d3.png)
"Finally, we've found the bastard."
His scouts had found the necromancer faster then expected. The idiot had started building towers. A seven story building is a bit of a give-away, isn't it?
"Very good, scout. You will be rewarded properly for this. Dismissed!"
This was very good news indeed. He'd better go to the command tent and inform his soldiers of this.
As he approached the command tent, he noticed the guards posted at the entrance argueing. He sped up his pace.
"What happened here?"
"Some elf gal just passed here. I told her she couldn't enter, but Ted here letted here in!"
"Sir, I can explain! That bloody elf had me under her spell, and I..."
"Nevermind, guards. She's allowed in here. I trust you won't have to have another arguement to let me in?"
"Ofcourse not, sir. Enter."
The guards stepped aside.
He entered the command tent.
The command tent was crammed full with maps, weapons and bits and things you needed once in an entire lifetime.
"Kira!"
"Ah Thimeth. You're here. I'm afraid I have some bad news."
"Bad news?"
"Our elders have decided to decline your offer. They say working with you will doom us."
"Doom us?"
"I'm sorry, Thimeth."
"The fools. If they do not wish to accept help, so be it. Atleast we won't have to wait for them now. Me and my men are leaving.
We've found the necromancer."
"Thimeth, leave this to my people. Return home."
"You can't change my mind, Kira. We are leaving now. Come with us, or go back to 'your people'."
"Come with you?"
"Do you really believe in what the elders say?"
"Do I have a choice?"
"Yes you have! Do what you think is right."
She walked puzzled through the tent.
"Very well Thimeth. I will come with you, but only to be sure you do not make any mistakes."
"Mistakes are human, and I'm a dwarf! The only mistake we ever made was making wine out of plump helmets."
Kira giggled.
"Very well then, 'Sir Grand Inquisitor'. Let us finish this."
[ April 13, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
Bren was walking through the corridors of Othono. They had grown fastly in size. His vampires had done magnificent work down here, while the acolytes had builded the above ground walls and tower.
Well isn't this just friggin' Great? While I was in a meetin' with Apug, the Elves walk right up to our door step. These ain't even the freaks we was supposed to be fightin'! They's just something else those buggers cooked up. Well...I guess I gotta go and do whatevah the hell it is I do when these things happen...But first, I'm gettin me a last kiss from my girl...Dun care ifn it ain't proper. I ain't gonna chance death without gettin' one.
Bad luck seems to be following me around. Today when I was peacefully (if you can say that with all these bonesacks and bloodsuckers around, they give me the creeps) farming some crops for my brewing operations; Elves, those pointy-eared bastards, arrived near our fort! I was about to flee into my quarters when that guy who seemed to be the leader of the bloodsuckers, Bren, emerged from the stairway that I was heading for and ordered us all to arms! What a fool! Like I would endanger my life to protect him and his foul kin! Only thing I would danger my life for in this damned place is the booze and that is safely underground!
PS: After some thinking, I might sacrifice myself to protect a superiorly crafted mug. Maybe... Maybe if it had pearls on it.
[ April 15, 2008: Message edited by: Silu ]
Desocucu woke up from his slumber. Days of preparing the ritual in this tower had exhausted him. He walked up to one of the windows ( being nothing more than a hole made into the wall with a pick ) to find out what was happening.
Since he was on the seventh story, he could see for atleast a mile away.
The swamps looked like small lakes, dwarved by the seemingly unending grasslands that stretched out in the horizon.
Then, the sound that woke him up began again. Horns!
He tried to find whatever he was looking for in this massive landscape, but it was only a few minutes later that he noticed movement nearby.
Soldiers! But no soldiers cladded in steel and iron, but in wood and cloth. Elves...
He looked down to Othono's walls. He wondered how those foolish elves were going to breach them.
---DKD---
Bren gave back the magnifier to the sentry and ran back to the staircase.
"Apug! I give you command over the acolytes. Bring them into their positions at the gate as planned."
"Ok. Have you seen Lord Nightbringer?"
"I believe he is still in his tower. Don't worry about the Nightbringer . I'm sure he will be able to take care of himself."
Apug nodded and ran off to the gate.
Bren was on his way to the northern wall when the horns sounded again.
He knew the third time the horns sounded, the elves would start the charge.
He hastened his pace.
His vampires all stood ready for combat on the northern wall. They had limited equipment, but his apprentices would know how to use them.
He jumped up the wall ( with the help of an old nifty spell of his ) and adressed the first vampire he saw.
"Hey you! What's your name?"
"Yuri, mylord."
"Yuri, do you know about the fire gems we brought with us? Well, I need you to get some of them and bring them to me IF those elves breach the wall. Understood?"
Yuri saluted. "As you command!"
"Good. Now, we wait."
Several minutes passed and tension in the ranks grew. The elves slowly advanced, but as they got closer, their numbers seemed to grow. Until they were only a 100 metres away from them.
The elves seemed to have gathered a proportional force. He estimated there were atleast 500 of them. 500 suitable bodies. Bren grinned.
And as he expected, they prepared themselves to charge the gate and the northern wall, the walls who not had a moat yet.
The horns blew for a third time.
Suddenly, the acolytes of Othono began to chant.
They stand before our mighty walls!
They stand before the darkest men!
They stand before evil's den!
They stand before their master's calls!
They stand before Othono!
Nightmare from the depths of earth!
They shall fear the day they crossed our swords,
but they shall fear most our wrath at night!
Once they look us in the eye, they will fear their day of birth!
For once you enter Othono, you have seen your last light!
They shall fear the night!
They shall fear the house of nights!
Othono!
Othono!
They shiver before its fearful name!
But still they dare to cross our path!
And soon they will add a notch to its unholy fame!
As we feed their slaughtered bodies to the rat!
Othono!
Othono!
Othono!
We shall fell their great empires of hope!
In name of Othono!
Othono!
Unusual.
Apparently, these acolytes were more resourcefull then he thought. He could see the fear and hesitation of the elves. He could see victory!
A large elf stepped forward.
"Blast. What's this? Another hero?
"Your pathetic songs will not help you when I, Azura Treeshade, will be crushing your pathetic bonesacks and cutting off blood-sucker heads!
The other elves cheered.
"I will end your spree here and now, necromancer, in a honest way! CHARGE!"
The mass of elves started running up to Othono's walls. This was it.
"READY!" shouted Bren. "DO NOT BREAK RANKS! KEEP IN FORMATION! THE ELVES MIGHT OUTNUMBER US, BUT THIS WILL ONLY CAUSE MORE BODIES FOR THEM TO FALL OVER!
FIRE ON MY MARK!"
The archers and crossbowmen raised their weapons.
"FIRE!"
[ April 15, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
[ May 12, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
I'd be happy if he lives or dies heroicly on either side.
I'll be rooting for the non-evil guys though.
---Yty---
Back to the story.
---UyU---
The rain of bolts and arrows ripped through the weak elven armour, throwing the elven front line into disarray. Many recieved mortal wounds, and many others were gravely injured.
Two other salvo's seared through the air and decapitated, lopped or breaked bones and limbs before the elves arrived at the walls. But without siege weapons, how would they ever scale the walls?
But suddenly and out of nowhere, roots grew in front of Othono's walls.
Druid magic! Different elves, wielding oddly shaped staffs were casting spells, causing the roots to grew. Soon, the elves would have their own improvised ladders.
Bren would make short work of these druids.
"ARCHERS! SHOOT THOSE DRUIDS!"
But just as the archers took aim, an elven volley of arrows came crashing on them.
"TAKE COVER!"
Although less devastating then their rangers, the first of Othono's blood was spilled.
Meanwhile, the roots in front of the walls had continue to grow on a insanely fast pace. Although the elves were in a disadvantage, having to fight on unstable ground, their numbers grew quicker then they could slay them.
Three elves climbed on top of the root just in front of him. Finally, he could have some elven blood. He lopped off the head of the first elf that came rushing towards him, pushed the headless corpse back to his brothers, causing the second elf to fall off the root, into the spear of one of his comrades.
The third elf jumped with incredible agility just in front of him.
Bren slashed upwards with his blade, cutting the elf's right arm while he dodged the spear thrust of the elf.
The force of the blow forced the elf on the ground, and after a few parried strikes, Bren hitted the elf right in the chest.
As he pulled his sword outwards, the elven horns sounded again. Bren looked up.
An ent!
One of the druids had awakened one of the only surviving trees around the fortress. Slow, it picked up a huge stone and prepared itself to throw it into the gate wall.
Bren shouted to Apug. "APUG! ENT!"
Apug, who had just dislodged both arms of an elf soldier, looked at the ent in horror.
"GET DOWN!"
The ent hurled the stone, but in mid-air, a large fireball hitted it, hampering its speed, and causing it to crash into a group of elves instead of Othono's walls.
Bren looked up surprised.
"The Nightbringer!" one of the elves shouted, and an entire salvo of arrows flew right towards him.
But with just a small gesture, the arrows burned away.
Different druids in the back of the crowd started casting spells at him.
The Nightbringer flew closer to him, and soon the druids and the Nightbringer were exchanging fireballs and green bolts of light.
Meanwhile, more elves climbed up the roots and mixed themselves into the fray.
These elves were more experienced then their former brothers, and he saw different of his apprentices fall to the ground, leaving gaps for more elves.
Time to bring in some magic of his own as well.
After throwing a small dagger right into the throat of an elven swordsmen, he held up his hand and chanted some magical words.
A small gust of wind emerged from his hand, throwing off different elves from the walls.
Bren made use of this welcome pause by taking a quick look at the gate wall.
Apug and the other founding acolytes were still alive, but he saw different bodies of their own.
His short pause ended abruptly as an elf wearing metal armour jumped in front of him. Metal armour? Unusual for elves...
After a minute of fighting him, he finally managed to kill him by chopping off his right leg and then planting his sword into his head.
These warriors were skilled.
The battle continued, and the walls of Othono were painted in blood. The walls of bodies matched Othono's walls, but the defenders held their ground. Those who were wounded or slain were carried away and replaced by undead, and minutes passed. But the minutes felt like hours, and even Bren became exhausted of all the fighting.
More elves cladded in metal armour sieged the walls, and especially Apug's wall was weakened.
The Nightbringer had defeated many druids by now, and he was busy engaging the elven hero. Gatrick would not be able to help them.
Another acolyte fell to the ground, and Apug's situation was becoming dire. If only he could get to there...
But then, Ramkal appeared in the corner of his eye.
"RAMKAL! COME HERE!"
Ramkal flew past him, and with a dared jump, Bren landed right on top of his back.
"To the gate, Ramkal!"
Ramkal roared and dived towards Apug's wall.
Bren could feel the adrenaline in his body. As if he was under a spell, he began fighting with renewed vigor and fury, chopping and slashing through the elven ranks, causing terror under the attackers.
Suddenly, he saw an elf cladded in gold armour. The general?
He turned Ramkal towards him, and they dived towards him.
Ramkal pierced the general with his halberd, then flew upwards, with the elf still attached to the weapon.
Bren leaned forward and ended the elf's live with a quick swipe of his blade, and then pushed him from the halberd, now coated in blood.
As he looked down, he saw - to his surprise - how little was left of the massive elven horde. Ramkal roared again, this time more vicious then ever.
The elves who looked up must have been frightened to death when they saw their own general plummet to his death, with an undead archangel roaring at them in the background.
Dismoralled, the elves at the gate wall started to rout, causing a cascade of panic and chaos. Soon after that, all but the last druids at the northern wall started to rout too.
"RUN! THE GENERAL HAS FALLEN! WE CANNOT WIN THIS FIGHT!"
Bren smiled. Victory! But at what cost?
He and Ramkal landed on Othono's courtyard. Those who were still standing were busy shooting the routing elves, the others walked, or in some cases, crawled, towards their wounded brothers to help them.
And as the Nightbringer killed the last druid, the roots around the walls dissapeared with the same unnatural speed as they appeared.
The defenders of Othono cheered.
"Victory to the house of nights!"
"Victory!"
The Nightbringer landed next to him.
"Well, well. That was quite the battle. Good fighting, Bren. I didn't knew you were such a proficient flyer."
"I have hidden talents, you know."
"Remarkable talents. Ah well, I suppose it is time to clean up this place. We don't want to recieve those humans in a filthy fort, do we?"
[ April 16, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
Bren has asked me to record all damage and casualties. By the look of it, we were hit quite badly.
Apug Agemin : Survived. Wounds: Various scratches and flesh wounds.
Donnigan Iborebka : Survived. Wounds: A bad gash in his right leg.
Udal Gustemthina : Died honorably in battle.
Belza Sedastab: Died honorably in battle.
Gisep Pujaissha: Survived, but will likely succumb to her wounds.
Osda Strospisinur: Survived. Wounds: none.
Fang Inoconu: Survived. Wounds: lost his right ear. Various minor wounds.
Istria Uriruslig: Survived. Wounds: has different bad gashes.
Sula Edinescu: Survived. Wounds: none.
Ushcen Abliura: Died honorably in battle.
Urist Illudlide: Survived. Wounds: none.
Nitho Dotoisi: Died honorably in battle.
Anu Uceino: Died honorably in battle.
Zilta Tolisslibutu: Died honorably in battle.
Donu Tabadese: Survived. Wounds: Various minor wounds.
Bolli Mebasgisla: Survived. Wounds: Various wounds, lost two fingers of her right hand.
Silu Hobedri: Died honorably in battle. ( Don't worry, you will return... )
Erthok Agoador: Survived. Wounds: none.
Ketas Pumikaspa: Survived. Wounds: Various gashes and flesh wounds.
Kanil Mutherilo: Survived, but will likely succumb to her wounds.
Lutho Luthuki: Died honorably in battle.
Oddyseuss Kadzostra: Survived. Wounds: none.
(The list goes on for some time...)
Silu... I can't believe she died...
Although I did not know her that well, I remember having some good conversations with her. We will miss her as one of the seven founding members.
And Bolli... I can't even imagine what it is like to lose fingers...
I must go comfort her...
---OJO---
Diary of Bren, 11th of Slate, 1051.
We are victorious! The elves have been given a staggering blow. Our small ranks have been thinned out massively, but look at the elven casualties! Even now, our undead are carrying in corpses for ressurection. Our undead army will be enormous and powerful with these elves!
Different hours after the battle, demon traders arrived. We took advantage of this opportunity to trade away some of the excessive waste the elves left behind. Even better, different of them offered to help us in our war for a little share of the loot. Naturally, we excepted.
These demons will be an enormous help. They might be only human sized, but they seem to be quite strong.
Diary of Desocucu, the Nightbringer, 12th of Slate, 1051.
UNBELIEVABLE!
I was mere minutes away from achieving the potion I needed for the ritual, when the alchemy lab I setted up fell through the floor. That's right. FELL.
THROUGH. THE FLOOR!
I hope the idiot responsible for building that piece of floor has died in battle, because when I find him, he'll be crying for mercy in his own pool of blood.
This means the ritual has been slowed down for several days, if not a week.
Well, atleast I can start ressurecting the elves to serve as soldiers. We are going to need him if this Thimeth and his army is as dangerous as the rumors tell. Not that I fear him. His skull will make for an excellent mug.
[ April 20, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
The first siege is over, and I'm mostly unharmed. Father Death seems to wish to keep me out of his halls for now.
On the walls I have spotted a familiar face, or at least someone who looks vaguely familiar. can't remember his name though. Can't remember having vampire acquaintances either.
In any case, many fell during that battle and the Nightbringer plans to bring them back to life, or at least to un-life. I wonder if he can raise them all. I'll ask him if I can give proper burial to those who can't. If he doesn't want to, I also happen to know some alchemical formulas for fluids to preserve bodies.
The more I look at Othono, the more I wonder. Why is it that the living cannot grant the dead some place to exist peacefully ? Other than the filthy graveyards humans seem to give them. We dwarves at least know how to build magnificent tombs, so that the dead can be at ease.
For now, I also plan to wait until the Nightbringer runs out of strength to send a message to the House. I know some limited necromancy myself, enough at least to send a spirit with a message. I only hope he doesn't sense me doing that. I might only be inviting my Brothers to this place but who knows how the Nightbringer will feel about this.
Well...It seems I've survived...Thank the nightbringer Apug did as well. She's a mite bit better off than I am though. She mostly got a few scratches, an it seems I'd better improve my fightin' a bit, since I nearly lost my leg...You know what's curious? Yesterday was the first day I actually set out to kill someone...Ohh, sure, I've knocked off a few with my 'Adjustements' before, but this is the first time I've done it on purpose. It feels...Strange. Not really regret, since It was a damned Elf, but...I still feel something...Guess I'll have to drown it in a keg of water. That's another thing. I seem to have temporarily,hopefully, lost my taste for booze. I've heard of it happening to injured dwarves, but I don't know why it would happen to a human...
I plead you to resurrect his (her really but... Meh.) corpse so HE shall continue his journey in Othono! Let his mug darken the day and dampen the souls of his enemies!
A grim mood filled the ressurection room as four black-robed acolytes slowly walked into the room, carrying an open coffin.
The acolytes stopped in the middle of the room, placing the open coffin exactly in the middle of the large red circle drawn on the floor.
Another black-robed individual stepped in, chanting at every step, making hand gestures that made no sense to any common man.
The circle glowed weakly, but as the man came closer to the coffin, it began to glow more vibrant.
The man was now in front of the coffin. He stretched out his hands above it, and the room seemed to become smaller in size, as if it was being sucked into his hands.
Suddenly, all chanting and glowing stopped. Total silence. Gusts of air began appearing around the coffin out of thin air.
Minutes pasted as the air around the coffin seemingly became thicker, more fluid. And just when the air seemed to become liquid, the air dissapeared.
A white, cold hand stretched out of the coffin. Slowly, the corpse pulled himself out of his former burial receptable.
She was alive!
"Whaa.. what is this? Where am I?
"You have come back to live, Silu. Remember me?"
"Apug... what? I'm all confused..."
"Shhh. Calm down."
Slowly, Silu looked fascinated at her hand.
White, cold bone. She could not say why, but her bones seemed more... powerful then her previous skin.
She looked up again.
"Impressive..."
The man took off his hood.
"Yes indeed, Silu. I've given you a... special treatment.
You'll find yourself more powerful then you were when you were alive. More resilient. More deadly..."
"Mylord! I do not know how to thank you."
Silu kneeled.
"Well, you could start helping with carrying all those corpses. There is much work to be done. There is much to plan. Oh yes. I have special plans with you."
The Nightbringer turned around and walked out of the room.
Special plans...
---UIU---
15th of Slate.
Thimeth and his men had been marching through forests for days now. Bands of human soldiers had been joining him where ever he went. Many brave soldiers, wanting to avert this danger to the empire. This danger to humanity...
Rumors about the necromancer has become more reckless and more spreaded. They call him the Nightbringer, the bringer of a new world order, the new king.
They tell about a great elven defeat before the walls of Othono.
For long did he wished in himself that this was but a rumour, but as he gazed on the horizon, he saw his largest fear.
The necromancer fortress rised before him, and bodies and blood surrounded it.
Unholy sounds emmited from it. Men report to have seen the most horrifying abominations.
Although small in size, Othono, as they call it, had a vicious look. The tower in the middle of it spiralled up in the sky, seemingly attracting thunder and lightning.
He saw fear in the eyes of his men. Even though countless bodies have been carried inside, many more were still laying openly in the sun. Many had already begun rotting.
And many had already been turned into the undead.
He turned himself to one of his captains standing next to him.
"This is truelly an evil site. We must end this quickly, before this demon grows to become a world swallowing monster."
"I would not charge these walls yet. Do not make the same mistake as the elves.
You know more men are on the way."
Thimeth had sended out messengers to the nearby city of Arake about the whereabouts of this threat. He knew that the king himself has ordered men to Othono. Thousands of men. They needed a victory, no matter the cost.
They could not afford even the most minor of defeats, for with every defeat, Othono's power grows.
"You are right. We wait. Then we shall crush them."
He pondered as he looked at Othono.
How could it be that men talked about betrayal. How could they betray the empire for such a horrid evil like this?
For power?
He sighed. Dwarves were not as power hungry as humans, not that they were that immune to temptations.
How many dwarves did not sacrifice lives for the prospect of treasure?
Not like undead. Undead have no shortcomings. They only have the desire to serve.
NO! He should not think like this. He should have faith in whatever god watching over them.
He should have faith in victory.
OOC: Istrian, since the whole idea about the Nightbringer is that he is the only one ( and some of his closest friends, mostly insane mages and vampires ) can really ressurect, so you can't actually have REAL necromancer skills. You can however have the power to summon the undead from another world or temporarely raise the dead.
Silu: You're back alive. Do know that the Nightbringer has plans with you, so don't you run off to the nearest carp-infested swamp :p.
[ April 19, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
quote:
Originally posted by Asheron:
OOC: Donnigan, since the whole idea about the Nightbringer is that he is the only one ( and some of his closest friends, mostly insane mages and vampires ) can really ressurect, so you can't actually have REAL necromancer skills. You can however have the power to summon the undead from another world or temporarely raise the dead.
What? I never said anything about being a necromancer...
I have had the very good luck to be able to observe my fellow Vampires in combat against the elves. My own martial skill has not been diminished. Vampires still feel remorse at killing innocents (Is it just me?) I am no closer to finding out a cure. Additionally,I continue to worry about Istrain. What if he reconizes me? I was confident before, but now I may have to reveal myself to someone. . .
Today, the Nightbringer held a meeting. His lord felt that Othono needed more structure to be able to grow to it's full potential.
The following titles have been given:
Head administrator: Lord Nightbringer himself.
Lower administrator: Erthok Agoador. Apparently, he is very good with numbers. He must be one of the newcomers, since I haven't seen him before.
Stockpile official: Fang Inocuno.
Census of Othono: Donu Tababese. Another newcomer.
He has also given permission to create Othono's first royal guard, named "Black Guardians."
Black Guardian High Officer: Istria Uriruslig.
Black Guardian Drillmaster: Anu Uceinu, one of the demon mercenaries.
Black Guardians: Oddyseuss Kadzostra, Uja Hinerxaki and Busla Spibsabora.
He has also accepted our request to bring back the Archacolyte council.
This means us, the founding six acolytes, finally have power! Unluckily, that Bren is in as well. I don't like him, even if the Nightbringer has vested his trust in him.
On an other note, it seems Othono's acolytes have found themselves a new pet: Rodrick. He's a skeleton that got hurt during the battle. Apparently, he falls unconscious every few steps because of a wound. The acolytes have made it a sport to bet on how long the skeleton can walk before it falls over again. Tsh.
17th Slate.
One of our marksmen, Dari, caught a kobold trying to steal from our farms. Every day, the story about his fight gets more impressive. Yesterday, he wrestled the kobold to death after gouging out it's right eye with a spoon, today they say he broke both of his legs with one hand after pincing it to near-death with his crossbow.
Anyway, this means we have another dagger to add to Othono's collection. We have been having different of these petty thieves now, and not a single one escaped alive. I wonder if we could ressurect these kobolds into small household slaves...
(http://img29.picoodle.com/img/img29/4/4/19/t_thiefm_5577a4b.png)
[ April 19, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
Since we haven't kept record of our belongings since the 11th of Hematite, I have chosen to hold another count and register to formalise everything.
One of our sentries has seen a camp in the forest nearby. Although we do not know if this is Thimeth's army, I am sure of it. I can feel it.
Whatever he is waiting for, his doom is near. As soon as the next dawn, I will plunge the world into darkness. Literally.
( The pages continues with some complicated arcane drawings and calculations. )
The administration has finished their task. Here is the summary:
Wealth: 46421.
Exported Wealth: 2150.
Food Stores: 68 Meat, 84 Fish, 353 Plant, 153 Seeds, 108 Drinks, 24 Prepared.
Population: 35.
Undead Army: 124, 34 Trained.
Permanent Soldiers: 6.
Pets: 1 Dog, 1 Cat and a Camel called Todd*.
*: Bought at the request of the census official. There really is not a single sane person in Othono, is there?
Diary of Bren, 18th of Slate, 1051.
Gatrick just told me about the humam encampments. Since there is a lot of unusual activity there since a few hours ago, we can presume they are readying for the attack.
We must prepare for a more vicious siege. The humans will not underestimate us, and they will bring siege weapons and more proficient men.
Gatrick has not yet told me what this 'ritual' is. If even a wizard so experienced as him needs so much time to prepare it, I am pretty sure it will be world-devouring. It will be glorious! It must be.
At the request of Gatrick, we have built a jail. It is not large yet, but it will be suitable enough for our more important... visitors. Different small bedrooms and a medium-sized dining hall has been constructed.
The military quarters has been expanded with a leather works. We have tons of
leather from the previous deal with the demons, so we will be able put it to good use.
Even better is that we can start producing iron bars. We have found a magnetite deposit nearby, and we have already produced enough charcoal for atleast a year.
We still need an anvil though.
On another note, we found the dead body of an acolyte called Othdo Gustibu. It appears the ettin nearby is hungry. Ah well. No one will miss him.
Xaki, one of our acolytes, is acting more insane than usually lately. He has claimed a craftsman workshop and started creating something "of great artistic value" as he proclaims. Pfff.
(http://img31.picoodle.com/img/img31/4/4/20/t_naamloosm_152a779.png)
This is an embarrasment for the art of engraving. On it, there is a magnificent necropolis surrounded by red antmen. The necropolis is being great. The antmen are laughing.
As night fell on Othono, Xaki came forward with one of the greatest pieces ever created: Esgospo Ransarismal, "Pointedcrowd the Mournful Blizzard".
It is a magnitite amulet, encircled with bands of... well, more magnetite.
On it is a picture of two birches in magnitite. The birches are playing chess with a camel...
I fear these swamps are bad for any mortal's mental health.
[ April 20, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
The encampments around Othono bristled with activity. The steady march of hundreds of soldiers echoed through the swamps.
Thimeth was busy discussing with his captain and Kira in the command tent when a heavily armoured knight came in.
"Sir Grand Inquisitor?"
"Indeed. What is it, knight?"
"I am Duke Orion from Arake. I have been send here by the king himself."
He handed over a small letter.
Thimeth recognized the royal seal. An order?
Intrigued, he opened the letter.
"Sir Grand Inquisitor Bokgirus.
The persistent existence of Othono and its inhabitants has troubled the
empire for too long.
By royal decree and by blessing of the king himself, you have been given
absolute command over Duke Orion and his men.
Level Othono with these men. That is your only task.
Cleanse it in the name of the king, his empire and its god.
Do not be unworthy of the king's trust.
Magistrate Hogan Trefdin, Imperial Militarian Office.
"Good. Duke Orion, how many men have you brought with you?"
"Threehundred heavily armed and trained men are at your command."
"Very well."
Thimeth turned himself to his captain.
"Captain, gather the men. We end this now."
"As you order, mylord!"
Here is a masterfully engraved height chart. It menaces with spikes of paint.
(http://img02.picoodle.com/img/img02/4/4/21/f_heightm_0100b56.png)
It had never been colder at Othono before.
Thimeth, Kira and Duke Orion led the column of soldiers that was marching for Othono. Even through thick, isolating armour, Thimeth could feel the bone-splitting cold.
Duke Orion suddenly stopped.
Othono rose before them.
"So... this is Othono, is it?"
Thimeth could hear fear in his voice.
"Yes. A vile place, is it not?"
Kira replied "It is only a heap of stones. I do not fear stones. Do you?"
"I fear nothing. Nothing but dust."
The three of them laughed.
"You are right. Bring forth the ballistas! We will break down Othono, stone by stone!"
But as if it was a bad omen, rain started falling out of the sky. The raindrops felt like fists bashing into him, but he and his men stood firmly.
Even worse, light began to shine in Othono. A red light emitted from the tower, and the activity in Othono increased.
"They know we are here?" Orion asked.
"The lights from our encampment must have alarmed them days ago." I replied.
"We have never had the element of surprise."
By now, the ballista's Orion requested were rolling forward slowly.
"Bring those forward a few more metres! Bring up the ammo!"
The ballista crews hurried themselves, and within a few minutes, the shots were loaded.
Orion stepped forward.
"ON MY MARK!"
But then, the red light emitting from the tower stopped briefly.
The clouds above them started to gather and in a blink of an eye, lightning stroke.
"WHAT THE HELl? GET COVER!"
The lightning stroke every ballista simultaneously, reducing the siege weapons into smoldering heaps of wood and killing the crews surrounding them.
"HOW? WHAT? THE?"
Duke Orion cried out of unbelieve.
"Impossible! Unnatural!?..."
Suddenly, the gates of Othono opened.
"AN UNDEAD ETTIN? Oh, just great... just great!"
---OiO---
The defenders of Othono cheered loudly as the champions of Othono left the courtyard.
Lead by an enormous ettin, the macabre group stood still before the gate, taunting the humans.
The group consisted of Bren, Ramkal, Istria and undead soldiers, all armed to the tooth. All of them had shown prowess in battle. Most of them would die a certain death, but their deaths would be glorious!
They would die for their master's plan.
For the house of nights!
The cheering faded away.
With an unnaturally loud voice, Bren began to speak.
"I am Bren of Durian. I am here to tell you that you humans do not stand a chance! We will slaugther you until the last man. Your elven brothers ( he pointed to the undead around him ) did not understand my message, and they ended up as slaves for his great lord, the Nightbringer!"
The defenders of Othono cheered once again.
"I challenge Thimeth Bokgirus to a duel on life or death. Should he refuse, we will simply close our gate and destroy anything you throw at us with his lord's magic.
Only by accepting, you may die a soldiers death. What say you?"
Thimeth stepped forward, and raised Faithlight.
Faithlight glowed brightly in the darkness of night, illuminating the battlefield.
"BREN OF DURIAN, I FIND YOU COURAGEOUS TO DARE GO INTO CERTAIN DEATH BY DUELLING ME. BUT LET ME TELL YOU THIS; I DECLINE YOUR PROPOSAL OF DUEL. WITH OR WITHOUT SIEGE WEAPONS, I WILL BREAK OTHONO STONE BY STONE."
Thimeth turned himself to his men
"OTHONO IS BUT A HEAP OF STONES. I DO NOT FEAR STONES! DO YOU? THEN CHARGE, AND PRAY TO THEIR GODS, FOR WE WILL NOT GO LIGHTLY ON THEM. CHARGE!"
The entire army cheered and cried out as one: "CHARGE!"
(http://img29.picoodle.com/img/img29/4/4/21/f_CHARGEm_40616ea.png)
[ April 21, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
[ April 26, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
[ May 07, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
[ April 26, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
Hmm.. Time for a change of plan.
Bren had thought the dwarf would have accepted the duel.
Have those zealous maniacs finally learned not to follow their protocols blindly?
(http://img32.picoodle.com/img/img32/4/4/26/t_firstassaulm_8b082e5.png)
That dwarf had guts. Charging walls without siege weapons.
"Let the ettin charge. Show those humans some respect."
One of the vampire champions spurred the ettin with his sword, causing it to roar.
In a blind frenzy, it began running to the human charge, trampling elven bodies that were left from the last siege.
"NOW, RETREAT!"
"No."
"Who said that?" Bren looked around, searching for this overcourageous fool.
"It is me, Bren. Gatrick."
"Blast Gatrick, what are you doing in my head?"
"Bren, do not retreat. Stay outside of the walls. I have already talked to Apug, she is sending some undead warriors outside the walls as we speak."
"Why? Do you want to suffer more casualties then necessary?"
"I need Thimeth. I need him here. Make it so that he can enter the tower."
"What?"
"Oh, and that elf too. I want to have some fun."
"Gatrick, are you mad? Do you want to risk to ruin everything we have planned?"
"Oh no. I know exactly what I am doing."
"Very well. I hope you are right."
"I am always right."
The undead champions had not moved yet, but instead, had been looking at him suspiciously. Was their leader gone insane, talking to himselves?
"MEN, STAY PUT. We will face them here, for the glory of Othono!"
The band of champions desperatly looked at eachother. Insane!
Bren looked at the charging crowd. They were getting awefully close, and those gates were not open yet.
---OIO---
Faithlight shone even more brightly then ever. It shone as a beacon for the entire charge, and with every step Thimeth took, he felt himself more determined, more certain of victory.
The handle of Faithlight felt extremely warm. Strangely though, it did not burn and blister him. Instead, it filled him with it, allowing him to run as fast, or even faster then humans.
As he looked back, he saw Kira. With agile and large leaps, she ran far infront of the humans.
He had to withstand the urge to yell at her to stay back, to not risk her life for this.
But he saw fire in her eyes. Fires of anger.
Before he could wonder what was going on in her, the gates of Othono started to open slowly. They were almost at the walls, but the undead in front of the gate did not seem to mind.
Instead, they braced themselves.
They were going to fight outside of the walls?
Thimeth stopped. With awe, he looked how the undead ettin neared him.
Slow, but steady, it charged towards him.
This was going to be quite the battle.
Thimeth muttured some prayers, lifted his halberd and readied himself.
The undead ettin's eyes glew with bloodlust. Its bleak, dry bones shimmered in Faithlight's light as he neared Thimeth.
Four steps. Three steps. Two steps. Thimeth leaped forward and attempted to strike the enormous monster in his throat.
The ettin backed, kicking Thimeth with its enormous foot.
Thimeth felt numb as the foot ( that was half the size of thimeth ) connected with the dwarf's body. He flew back for different metres, landing onto the hard, rugged sand.
Strangely enough though, he did not feel pain. Instead, he crawled back up, cried out another warcry, and charged the unholy creature.
With a mighty leap and swipe of his halberd, he crushed the incoming monster's left hand, which was trying to throw him away again.
It backed away from the blow, giving Thimeth the opportunity to strike again.
The halberd felt as it was one with Thimeth. It was as if he was in a battle trance.
Thimeth shattered the ettin's chest, causing fragments of bones to fly all over. The ettin roared out and fell back.
Quickly, Thimeth jumped ontop of it and planted his halberd inside the head of the ettin.
Victorious, he raised his halberd.
"FOR THE EMPIRE!"
But the battle just began. The gates of Othono were opened, and undead streamed out of them.
All around him, his men engaged the undead.
He looked around him, but he could not find Kira in the chaos of the battle.
He jumped off the ettin, and rushed towards one of the undead champions.
The undead champion raised his sword and braced himself.
The halberd swept towards the champions throat, but surprisingly, he ( or was there a she behind that helmet? ) managed to parry it.
The champion and Thimeth exchanged attacks, which both parried masterfully.
These undead were more skillfull then he thought.
Meanwhile, the battle around him was raging on.
Between in an attack and parry, he took a quick glance around him.
The undead had broke formation and were fighting in disorderly duel-like fashion. Different of the undead champions had carved a bloody path in the human charge, while the paladins of his side did the same with the undead.
It is quite a shame he could not see those undead bleed.
But then, the undead champion left an opening in his defence, and with a determined strike, he shattered him into a thousand pieces.
The horns of Othono blew, and the archers on the wall began to fire rains of arrows upon his men. Luckily, the thick plate armour deflected most of them.
He ran forward, trying to make his way to the gate, slaugthering undead before him.
Suddenly, a sea of fire flew towards him.
The fire blistered and burned him, glueing the metal armour to his skin.
This time, he did feel pain.
He stumbled forward while looking for the source.
A vampire!
A large vampire, wielding a two-handed sword, was casting seas of fire all around him. He saw glinstering little red gems in his hands.
Magic.
But before he had the chance to charge him, different horned soldiers jumped ontop of him. Demons. Where the hell did Othono get these?
He hitted one of the demons with his left fist right in its face, throwing it to the ground. He then clumsily pierced another one of them with his halberd.
But as he tried to regain possesion of it, more demons came from all sides.
Luckily, these demons did not carry weapons. Not that their fists were any more pleasant then weapons.
Thimeth, worn and exhausted, collapsed under the weight of the demons.
He felt as if he was burning, as if he was stuck in a tide of lava, blistering him.
He felt like he was exploding. An unnatural feeling filled his body. Shockwaves pulsed from Faithlight into his body, throwing off the bloodthirsty demons, forcing him back up.
Thimeth gasped for breath.
He look around in wonder. The demons were gone. What had happened?
Disorientated, he stumbled towards the gate.
He could not make up anything. His view was clouded and blurred. The only thing he could make up was the tower of Othono. Something drew him towards it.
But then, the vampire stepped in front of him.
[ May 01, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
Thimeth landed painfully. Luckily, he didn't seem to have broken anything. He crawled back up.
The tower rose before him as a threatening giant. He knew, whatever was going on, it was going on in there.
But then, the last sound he ever expected filled the air. The reinforcements had brought cannons.
Thimeth had only heared a cannon fire once. It was during the marriage of king Frederik I, the current king. He could still remember how the clocks of Oberon, the capital city, rang that day, playing their most beautiful songs.
But now, the cannons fired because of war, not because of celebration.
A cannonball barely missed the tower, hitting the wall behind it instead.
Large chunks of debris flew all over Othono.
This was it.
[ May 01, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
[ May 01, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
But when Thimeth opened his eyes again, he was nowhere near Othono.
It would not surprise him if he was even anywhere his world.
Thimeth stood in a hall, made completely of the most white and perfect material he had ever seen. Flanking each wall stood columns that rose into the unendless. And in front of him, a door rose, so large, it's height matched the largest mountain in his world.
He looked around. Something in him hoped the eerie silence suddenly to be broken by footsteps, the sound of metal clattering, or atleast the sound of the wind. Anything. But everything stayed silent.
Thimeth shuffled around anxiously. The hall stretched out behind him into infinity. It looked like the only thing he could do was somewhat try to open the door.
Thimeth approached the door.
[ May 06, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
Place that quote and I'll read every word you've written in this thread (I admit to not having done so already), and then sign up. I'll try to keep up a character and put a little flavor into his thoughts.
[ May 06, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
[ May 07, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
His footsteps resounded across the hall as he stepped towards the gigantic door.
"How am I supposed to open this? Sesamy, open?"
Thimeth kicked against the door.
The door shook a few seconds, and then returned to silence. Then, a series of clicks and cracks betrayed the fact that there were mechanisms in this door. And hearing from the rusty sound, they had to be ancient.
Then, the eerie silence returned.
"Ok, that did not seem to help at all."
Thimeth looked across the vast surface of the door.
Strange engravings were on it, undecipherable letters and figures.
He scratched the back of his head.
There had to be some way to get through this door. Then, the most absurd idea crossed his mind.
However simple it was, he couldn't do wrong by atleast trying it. He knocked.
The sound of his knock was underwhelming. He barely heard it himself.
But then, the door began to move.
"I NEEDED TO KNOCK?"
The absurdity. Perhaps this was just a twisted form of the afterlife.
The door continued to move. Thimeth noticed it did not have a hinge. Instead, it just stood as if it was a wall itself.
The door began to move away, revealing nothing more then blackness.
"Great. A void. Just what I needed."
Then, in a blink of an eye, the door flipped horizontally, tossing the entire world around him into disarray.
Thimeth felt nauseous.
Apparently, the door had become the floor. Now, what used to be the floor and roof had become the walls, and the other side of what used to be the hall had become a massive open roof. Or something like that.
In the corner of his eye, Thimeth saw something moving. He drew his halberd.
"There is no need to draw Faithlight, warrior. You are safe here."
"Safe? Where am I?"
A small sprite appeared before him.
"You have been teleported to another world. A world quite different from yours, as you have noticed."
For some reason, this did not really encourage him to drop his weapon.
"Why? And who are you?"
"You, Thimeth Bokgirus, have been chosen to fit part in a god's plan."
"God's plan? What would god want of me? Why me? How do you know my name?"
"To be honest, Thimeth, you are nothing more then a random bystander who can become... so much more. In fact, it was a matter of luck that you were picked."
"A matter of luck?"
"Yes. You do not believe that gods would go through the hassle of hand-picking champions, do you?"
"Well..."
"You mortals overestimate your importance to the gods."
"No, my god cares about me. He helps and protects our race, and..."
"And your zeal is overwhelming, really. Maybe you were hand-picked. Such faith bodes well for your assignment."
"Assignment?"
"Listen well, mortal. My god offers you a proposal you cannot neglect.
My god is interested in the necromancer you are fighting."
"What is so important about him?"
"He has some particular plans that could... benefit my god.
The entire pantheon of gods is after him. But they struggle against eachother, and if this necromancer goes unchecked he will be the doom of every god and every world. But my god had great understanding about his powers. Even more, he knows exactly how he can survive the necromancer's plan..."
"And become the only god in the universe?"
"Exactly."
"And what does he requires me to do? Why should I accept?"
"You will be contacted once the time is near. For now, you must survive. It was a matter of fast divine intervention that saved you.
Know that if you do not accept, my god will find it unfitting to return you to your world. And it would be a shame when your world gets torned apart by the necromancer."
"But if I do not accept, your god will not be able to survive."
"On the contrary, we have enough champions that have accepted to do the same mission as that of yours in other worlds. If but a single one of them is victorious in his mission, there is no need for you."
"You leave me no choice. Very well."
"A wise decision. Now, ask me for my name as a fitting goodbye?"
"What?"
"Ask me my name. Ask me 'Who... what are you?'"
"Uhmmm.... Who... what are you?"
Suddenly, the air around him began to swirl. He could make up but a faint whisper before he was sucked into some sort of vortex. "Asheron".
"Ah, Sir 'grand inquisitor'. What a delight to have you here. I hope you have been... enjoying your visit at Othono."
"What? Wait. I've been here."
The bastard.
The sprite had launched him back in time. Asking for his name was the first thing he remembered saying to the Nightbringer.
The nightbringer looked at him confused.
"Been here?"
Well, he had outsynchronized time already, so there was no need to play along any longer.
"Indeed lord... Asheron?"
It was only a wild guess, and by the look on his face, he could see it was a wrong one.
"What? How do you know of that name?"
He backed away.
"You... are not Asheron?"
A grimace appeared on the Nightbringers face.
"No, I am not!"
The Nightbringer turned himself to the balcony.
"Whoever you are, you are to late. NIGHT ASCENDS!"
With a bright flash, the Nightbringer dissapeared. Suddenly, he heared screens outside.
Thimeth ran up to the balcony. What he saw there was unbelievable.
An enormous meteor came blazing from the horizon. In matter of fact, the meteor was almost the size of the entire horizon.
The temperature rose drastically, and the few trees left around Othono combusted.
"HOLY CRAP!"
The meteor plunged into the Roasted Blueness.
The entire ocean was thrown out of its boundaries, and was transformed into an enormous wave that was heading to all directions. But what was first blue water had changed into a black colour.
The battle around Othono stopped. The reinforcements, who were apparently winning, started to rout, and the undead retreated into the tombs of Othono.
The water would consume miles of land. Every coastal city would be destroyed. The rivers would flood. How many thousands of people would not die.
Discouraged, completely exhausted and paralyzed with fear, Thimeth dropped to the ground.
This was the end.
[ May 07, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
Chapter III: Night dawns.
--------------------------
" And so, on the 18th of Slate in the year 1051, the great wave casted down the human empire.
The capital city and many other coastal cities were flooded. Those who died, transformed into mindless, undead creatures, ready to spread death to their former friends and families.
With no sign of the king, the leaderless humans splintered into many factions, some who allied Othono, some who tried to save what was left of the once proud human empire. Humanity retreated into the savage, unhospitable mainland.
Othono grew as the new capital city of the world, attracting the last civilization that was left. And, indeed, as the Nightbringer had told them, now Othono was right at the beaches of the new Roasted Blueness.
Of the Nightbringer has not been heard since the ritual, but his left hand, Bren, assures them he is still alive and plotting for the next move.
Of Thimeth Bokgirus, Kira Treeshade and Duke Orion, no sign has been seen.
The meteor has not only flooded lands, it has also teared open the heaven: now, a constant, threatening storm rages on across the ocean.
A reminder to humanity that their future is grim indeed. "
(http://img37.picoodle.com/img/img37/4/5/8/f_THEWAVEm_46d5fff.png)
An extract from History of the Eternal Universe, by Apug Agemin.
Why must good days bring bad news ? That fool back at the Mountainhomes who calls himself King still refuses to reinstate the House of Death. Looks like the destruction brought by the Nightbringer was not enough to have them peeing in their plate leggings. Of course I understand them. It's only a water and it's too far from the mountains to do any serious damage. I am starting to wonder if the Nightbringer has any plans to strike at them.
Still, I am not unhappy with my work here. I am learning so much from the creatures that live here, and with me being the Black Guardian High Officer I was able to collect precious knowledge discreetly. One of my subordinates reminds me of an adventurer whom I travelled with. I wonder what he has become.
I have also sensed an air of... hostility around here. It is as if some invisible force was trying to break Othono from within. I hear officers, soldiers and workers grumbling. Even the undead are ... difficult to be with. It is my duty to find out what is happening and report to the Nightbringer, else everything my Brothers are fighting for will be ... delayed.
It has been a long time since I have last written in my diary.
Much has changed.
Othono has won, and now, our great fortress has grown to a mighty force.
But this has come with a great cost.
Although Bren says otherwise, most of us believe the Nightbringer has disappeared. I believe this too.
With the Nightbringer gone, Bren has total control over Othono. Which makes him the prime suspect for his lord's disappearance.
He has taken power step by step, by first turning the Black Guardians into his own police force, making those who openly criticise him "disappear".
Then, he has been slowly taking command over the Archacolyte council, trying to influence its members. I fear Bolli has chosen his side. I am uncertain about what the others think.
I should have known it. I should have NEVER trusted that vampire.
Luckily, not all is lost. I sense many acolytes are unhappy with Bren.
Including that Black Guardian High Officer, Istria.
Her titel might be useful to our cause!
But for now, we should wait for a better moment.
Bren has been commanding the vast undead armies those flooded cities have created, crushing the human resistance. Even now, the human nations are being pushed back deeper and deeper into the mainland.
But I truely wonder what our purpose is now. What will we do with the elves? With the dwarves? I doubt it was the Nightbringer's plan to assimilate those.
But Bren seems to not to worry about that, though.
I fear for our future. For everyone's future.
OOC: Silu is still alive and kicking. Would want to side with Bren or Apug's resistance? It would be quite handy for my story if you were with Apug, as some kind of messenger of the Nightbringer. He did ressurect you.
[ May 12, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
Well...Things seem ta 'ave developed...The Nightbringer is gone and Mr high an' mighty Bren is in command...
I dun like it...Et seems ta clean. As If he planned it...There seems ta be a shift in power soon...Bren's been pressuring the council to support him and I dun know what I'm gonna do...I'll go talk ta Apug...She'll know what to do.
OOC: Donn is more than likely to side with Apug in this, if only because he is with her.
Pityfull humans.
Yesterday, I have recieved word of yet another victory for Othono.
The once grand city of Arake has been reduced to rubble, it's inhabitants are slaugthered, and it's treasures are being brought to Othono.
Still, we might be winning victory after victory, more pressing concerns are developping here; I feel unrest in Othono. I must quickly end this, before those foolish acolytes get it to their heads to rebel. The paranoia hangs in the air of Othono as a thick smoke, choking them in their own distrust and disbelief.
Other, more minor news, is the start of a large aboveground barracks. The first stones are just laid; it will take a few months before its completion.
It will be able to field our men when we can get our hands at an anvil. The fall of the human empire has increased rarity of the most ridicule of objects, so I fear it will take a while untill we can acquire one.
On another note, it seems those bloody harpies just can't keep themselves off Othono's walls. This is the third time this month those beasts try to attack our farmers. Luckily, one of our men, Dari, has become quite adept at killing those feathered mongrels. They even call him "Fear of Feathers".
Until we can employ a standing army, he and our undead will have to keep those harpies off us.
(http://img37.picoodle.com/img/img37/4/5/9/t_harpiesagaim_18f9732.png)
P.S.: employ a full-time cleaning team to keep our walls bloodstain-free.
10th of Sandstone, 1052.
A new caravan of imigrants have arrived, raising our population to 45.
Not a bad number, seeing how much people died in the siege of Othono.
To bad those founding acolytes are still alive. Their mortal minds are too weak, and will limit Othono. The only one on my side is Bolli, and she was not that hard to convince...
Power if a mighty tool in the hands of the capable.
0n another note, I have contacted some of our more proficient mechanics. I require a more efficient way of transport to communicate with our northern front and to improve our importing of loot and men from the ruins of the city.
And thus, I have created the Transport and Technology Office; a guild completely dedicated to importing and exporting and finding ways to make it more profitable.
They have promised me they will start researching. I am curious if they will invent something useful.
1st of Timber, 1052.
We have added some new quarters, since Othono has becoming too small for the new arrivals. Also, we have created a new still to support the increasing need for beer.
(http://img32.picoodle.com/img/img32/4/5/9/t_newquartersm_5fb6741.png)
[ May 09, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
[ May 28, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
Diary of Apug Agemin, 6th of Moonstone, 1052.
It seems that their are more acolytes then I thought that want to get rid off Bren. Both Silu and Donnigan have approached me.
Apparently, they see me as some sort of a leader. I have no idea how to lead, but I will try. For the Nightbringer.
Bren has been continueing his dictatorial reign. Without asking the archacolyte council, he has created the so called "Transport and Technology Office". Whatever contraption he is planning to make, I am pretty sure it won't be just for some innocent 'Transporting'.
To continue his insolence, he has given the order to create an aboveground barracks. Although I do have to agree with him at that point. Our militias need to be able to act fast when trouble arises. In Othono's case, when those bloody harpies decide to go on another suicidal rampage.
In other news, disturbing rumors has been circulating Othono.
Apparently, a hero has risen up from the human nations and has started to unite them in a heroic attempt to save his people. Strangely though, the hero is a dwarf.
Speaking of dwarfs, I have noticed a dwarven twin by the names of Ushav and Otir. They have created themselves a sort of enterprise; they offer gambling matches around our infamous skeleton Rodrick. Yes, he still lives. Sort of.
I've heard it some kind of a mix between tic tac toe and guess-how-long-Rodrick-will-keep-standing-this-time. Whatever it might be, it has flooded Othono with cheap prize-trinkets.
[ May 10, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
[ May 10, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
[ May 10, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
Thabi: All righto. All mechanics are here?
Esme: Oy.
Ushcen: Yep.
Iwa: Yar.
Thabi: Ok. Hok, ya've got tha noted?
Hok: Yeah yeah. Get on with it.
Thabi: All righto.
Hok: Stop saying all righto. Righto isn't even a word.
Thabi: It is!
Ushcen sighs.
Hok: All right. What have we got, boys?
Esme: I've got here me prototype.
Esme puts a small machine on the table.
Iwa: Whazz that?
Esme: This is the best form of transport yar ever seen! The mountainhomes will turn yellow in anguish once they're heard they've sent away thar best mechanic.
Thiz is a coal activated road transport, codenamed CART.
Thabi: That sounds interested.
Esme points to the prototype
Esme: The CART lookz like a normal wheelbarrow. But ifz someone puts in coal over yonder.
Esme puts a handful of coal into a small inlet.
Esme: And then operates tzhe handpump.
Esme pushes a small lever down. What follows if a bright flash and the cart flying off the table, pushing over one of the glasses of beer.
Iwa: Oy! ME BEER!
Iwa jumps ontop of Esme.
Hok: Stop it you two!
Iwa: 'E started it! Neva attack me beer!
Iwa gets back to his seat.
Hok: Impressive Esme, but aah.. won't it be slightly... risky?
Iwa: Nay, we make these road-like construction that I've called 'tracks' you see, and the CART will go right were you want 'im.
Thabi: That coulda work. Anyone got anystuff else?
Hok: Nay. And anystuff isn't a word either.
Thabi: Nitpicka.
Iwa: I got this other thingy. Its not usefull for transport, but ya can crush stone withz it.
Thabi: Crush stonez?
Iwa: Yar. 'Ave you seen the amount of stones laying all over Othono!
Ushcen: Yeah! Rodrick tripped ova one, just when he wuz going to break his record! I lost a bloody keg o beer because of thatz!
Hok: Sigh. Tell us about this... stonecrusher-thing?
The conversation continues and becomes more abstract ( or better, absurd ).
Apparantly, the mechanics become more drunk by the minute.
Thabi: Hick, we'v-hick-dun herez. We'ze-hick deservez some beer!
Iwa: BEER!
Diary of Bren, 21th Moonstone, 1052.
Finally, some good news.
First of all, the completion of the first level of our barracks has been completed. Even more, we have builded two smaller barracks dedicated for sleep and they can function as spare lodgings.
(http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/5/10/t_Barracksm_45b985f.png)
Also, our new southern hallway is completed, fittingly nicknamed 'Hall of Blood'. It is the first thing fully dedicated to the rich kaolinite deposits of Othono.
It leads to both new quarters and the office of Transport and Technology.
Also, I think I have an idea to expand it. I am not sure yet if it is possible to pull off.
(http://img28.picoodle.com/img/img28/4/5/10/t_Officeandham_af3c03a.png)
And last, but not least, the office of Transport and Technology has informed me they are making a lot of progress. They just need some time to experiment. If this works out well, I might be tempted to increase their beer rations.
[ May 10, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
Bren has once again completely ignored the archacolyte council.
He has ordered the construction of a watch tower. It will be built right infront of our gate, and another bridge mechanism, along with some channeling, will be built to defend it. As if we have need for it.
(http://img37.picoodle.com/img/img37/4/5/11/t_watchtowerm_7b9577e.png)
But even more ridiculous is that he has proposed the construction of an ARENA.
That's right. An arena. Why not build an entire palace why we are at it.
What are we supposed to do in there? Rodrick versus camel Todd battles? What's next?
(http://img34.picoodle.com/img/img34/4/5/11/t_Aarenam_f27b4c9.png)
An underground highway road. That's right.
Those lunatics at Transport and Technology has created a new sort of transport. I overheard it's codenamed CART. And, apparently, they need some kind of road for it. So they go ahead and make a bloody underground tunnel that will stretch for miles. I wonder who they will find for that.
13th of Opal, 1052.
One of our metalsmiths, Esme, seems to be in quite a strange mood. I wonder what she's up to...
[ May 11, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
We have annexated yet another piece of land from the humans. It looks like nothing will be able to stop Othono! The humans are crippled and are but steps away from complete defeat.
Our armies have become enormous, as with every victory, the plague that these undead have claim new undead soldiers. I will soon have to depart to the frontlines to give new orders and to manage the whole lot.
But I fear for what will happen with this fort when I leave it unchecked. Many of the acolytes would gladly take control at the cost of me.
I just hope these mortals will not foil our plan, or we are all doomed.
(http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/5/11/t_mapm_44fac0e.png)
And so, Othono goes into her third year of existence. Actually, most of us did not realise until Bren told them. Not a lot happened. We did throw in a party at the end of the day to celebrate. Since we have two stills, we could drink twice as much beer before the supplies ran out! Hurrah!
10th of Granite, 1053.
---IOI---
Esme Ejasinut went insane this morning. She has been alternatively crying and laughing, unnerving her fellow acolytes. I have requested the Black Guardians to lock her away and see if there is anything we can do for her. Luckily, not a single person knew her well, so we won't have any sobbing here in Othono.
12th of Granite, 1053.
---HjH---
(http://img34.picoodle.com/img/img34/4/5/12/t_elvesm_ca9bba8.png)
It looks like even the "best" of races can still harbour traitors. An elven caravan has arrived from the Riverspring nation. For now, we shall not kill them. They might be of some use to us against the Treeshade nation, and we might be able to do some proper business with them
In other news, the arena is nearing completion. Different acolytes have started engraving it, and the result are some superb drawings. Especially the one's Donnigan made. I think I should bring him another visit...
[ May 12, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
[ May 13, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
The elves left furiously after Fang offered them a mug engraved with harpy bone. Pssh. Those treehuggers won't buy anything that has any relation to an animal or a tree what so ever. Luckily, they 'forgot' some of their rope reed cloth after we 'showed' them the way out. I'm not really sure what we are going to do with rope reed cloth, but atleast we have it.
In other news, our arena is complete. The strange dwarven twin I have seen around here has asked me if they could hold gambling matches in there.
Since that is better than having large crowds gathering up in our hallways to see Rodrick fall, I agreed.
(http://img27.picoodle.com/img/img27/4/5/13/t_Zomgm_e0c3f1c.png)
In other news, I have asked some of my most trusted agents to report who could be a possible threat while I am away.
While they investigate whatever resistance is going on against me, I will be going through the archacolytes records. I might find something useful.
(http://img33.picoodle.com/img/img33/4/5/13/t_Recordsm_a196e03.png)
These are the skills you guys ( and gals ofcourse ) have on the moment. If I forgot someone, or if you want your guy to concentrate on other skills then he has on the moment, feel free to say so.
14th of Granite, 1053.
I have ordered the miners to dig out a kaolinite storeroom. I don't want any precious red stones to linger around when we dig out the kaolinite deposits.
[ May 13, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
Ay, that Bren wants the tunnel digged out by the end of the month. He's nutters, I tell you.
"Ay! Donn! Stop playing around and work for a change!
It seemed to be quite a mistake to put that Donn and Apug together in the mining schedule.
"LOVEBIRDS! Get workin' before that Black Guardian guy gets back to check on us."
We've been digging one level higher then Othono, 'cause the sandy clay here is much easier to dig out then the jet and chalk in Othono itself.
Either way, we've seen haulers going up and down all day, preparing the stone deposit. Don't ask me why that Bren guy wants to export stone anyway.
"Ay, Boss! We've found something. Oh-shi!"
"Whats that, Donn?"
"We hit a cave, sir. Get Dari down here. I'm not digging any further, ya know. Troglodytes are nasty stuff."
Just their luck.
"Right. I'll get him. Stay here."
"STAY HERE? ARE YA MAD?"
"Yell even harda, Donn. They CAN'T HEAR YOU."
(http://img31.picoodle.com/img/img31/4/5/14/t_tunnelm_80f7c76.png)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some minutes later...
"Oy, Donn, I brought Dari and some bonesacks."
"About time, for fuck's sake!"
Heh. Look's like Apug was pissed.
"Here I am. What seems to be the trouble."
"Ay." Donnigan said "We digged right into the cave system! I'm not continueing without someone watchin me back, ya know."
"Alright. Do you have any idea what's in here?"
"Accept da load of harpies? Probably Troglodytes. They love this sorta stone. I can kno', you know. I've used to work in a smithy plagued by these."
"Alright, that's not too bad. Continue the work."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ May 14, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
An elf's weapon was crafted once he or she gained maturity. It was made from a branch from her foster tree, and after a special ceremony, was blessed and handed over. Her quarterstaff had been her loyal companion for years.
Although it had seen little violent combat, since the elves prefer peace above all, the many sparring matches she fought with it increased the band she had with it.
But their was more chance she was going to see the end of the world.
Which, ironically, she did saw.
She remembered the enormous wave, covering the entire battlefield, sweeping and killing. Whatever happened, it seems she had loads of luck.
Kira could only imagine what that necromancer had done to the world. The ground was still soaken. Which meant she wasn't unconscious for long.
She began to limp towards the marshes around Othono. She would have to escape before those creatures would start looting.
But then, she stopped. With awe, she looked up.
Two large flying creatures were battling it out around the tower of Othono.
One of them she recognized as the undead archangel of Othono, Ramkal. She had seen him cut up a multitude of men, before he mysteriously vanished from the battlefield.
Suddenly, the other creature roared out; Ramkal had apparently dealt a blow.
Ramkal tried to make use of the opportunity to throw the other beast to the ground, but the other one managed to recover remarkably fast and succesfully countered Ramkal's attack.
Ramkal, stunned, could only watch as the other creature blew the retreat.
Kira continued limping towards the marshes. If she could reach them, she would certainly not be discovered by the servants of Othono.
After a struggle of minutes against the pain, she finally arrived.
She fell down to the ground and wheeped. She felt warm tears drip along her cheeks.
She had failed.
For now, the necromancer would go unpunished...
She looked up to the sky. Softly, she whispered; "Sorry, father. I could not avenge you."
The stars shone brightly. Even near Othono, their beautiful shine never seazed to amaze.
It is said that the only thing the elves are not bored of yet, was the heaven.
Now, she could understand why.
Exhausted, she fell to sleep.
[ May 17, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
quote:
Originally posted by Asheron:
<STRONG> their beautiful shine still seazed to amaze.</STRONG>
Sorry for the correction, but this one I think I should point out, else the whole meaning is opposite:
It should be:
their beautiful shine NEVER CEASED to amaze
to cease = terminar / renunciar a / no seguir
So 'never cease' would be 'siempre seguir'
I think.
Correct me if I'm wrong, I'm Dutch.
For the rest, this thread is made of AWESOME
[ May 17, 2008: Message edited by: martinuzz ]
As she calmly stayed down to listen to the sound of nature, she realized just how much this battle had determined the future of this world. Or did it determine more? Something in her said this was something a lot bigger then her world. She tried to ban these thoughts from her mind, and looked around.
Even after being washed up by a gigantic wave, the swamps still harboured life. Something which, strangely enough, reassured her. As if it would matter.
Slightly invigorated by this, she got up.
Most of her pain was gone, although she still felt as battered as yesterday.
Since her muscles were in no state to do anything which required effort, she decided to skip her usual morning exercises and instead, she started to walk through the swamps, away from Othono, to the east. To her home.
As she glanced back, she noticed the sea had moved up all the way onto here.
The waters of the Roasted Blueness had now moved here, not a kilometer away from Othono.
That necromancer had planned it perfectly; he must have calculated the impact of the meteor and how far the wave it caused would go.
As she continued on, she began to ask herself the most futile of questions to evade the more important ones that she could not answer.
"Whoever named the sea 'The Roasted Blueness' anyway." she thought in herself.
As if it was made out of boiling water.
After hours of walking, she reached the outskirts of Othono's eastern swamps.
"Goodbye, cursed place. May we never meet again."
But as she setted up camp later that day to rest, she could no longer evade the questions haunting her mind; what happened to Thimeth? What happened to her father? What happened to the world?
She did not want to think about the answers. She did not want to think what could have happened to Thimeth. Was he another mindless slave to the necromancer now? Or has he survived, and does he shares a similar fate like hers?
Or worse.
Both of them had failed their people. Both of them were the losers, disgraced and scarred by the defeat. But maybe, Thimeth had no people left to return back to. Maybe, his home was destroyed. His family, if he has one. His loved ones.
She shivered at that thought.
If she could only know what was happening.
But how would she? A sign?
Only children believe in signs. In how in the most desperate times, something incredible happens and saves everything. This was not a fairy tale.
There was no hero to save them. There was no hope good would vanquish evil.
Was there really no hope?
With a troubled mind, she sat infront of her campfire.
Something in her said her place was not home.
She might share the name of her nation and she might have the blood of it's founder, that did not mean she belonged there.
From since she was a child, she had the feeling she was not who peopled wanted her to be. She was not of the nobility, and certainly not a royalty.
She was NOT the princess of the Treeshade nation.
Thimeth words haunted her mind.
quote:
"Elves are the most arrogant races of all!"
[ May 17, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
[ May 17, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
[ May 26, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
Spain is a nice place to be.
I LOOOVEE siësta
Ah.. the pace of living there.
Work some, eat some, rest some, work some more, not too much at a time..
Should go there too sometime soon
quote:
Do what you think is right.
(http://img27.picoodle.com/img/img27/4/5/18/t_KirasmapIm_1852684.png)
[ May 18, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
It was a day like any day in Edgehammer.
The small cottages and farms dotted over the hills Thorn still bristled full life, unaware of what raged outside of their village.
For generations, farmers had inhabited the fertile lands of Thorn and settled themselves in small communities. Isolated from the outside world, these communities rarely cared about outsiders.
But with humanity falling before the undead, these communities did all they could to help prepare for whatever would come from the cursed west.
The roads around Edgehammer were as old as the first farmers and were left for the herbs to grow over. Apart from the occassional merchant who came along to buy their crops, nobody ever visited Edgehammer.
One of the farmers was resting near the water pump on the hill after a hard morning. The weather was soft, but nontheless unforgiving. If his plants did not get the necessary attention, they would certainly die.
He was about to stand up when he noticed something strange.
He saw a woman walking down the road in the distance. From here, he could not clearly see, but her metal spear shone bright enough in the sun to get his attention.
He did not trust this. He had heard of nearby human cities who had allied with Othono and many more rumors about those same men plundering.
The woman was slowly making progress towards Edgehammer. It was a wonder she could make out the roads from the grass.
Slowly, he turned around and began to walk towards the village leader's house.
EDIT: Ah, the old their/there typo.
[ May 26, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
Progress on the tracks have been briefly stopped to ensure the safety of our miners. At coordinates (55,120), our miners breached a small cave system.
To ensure safety of both material and personel, professional military help was requested. On this moment, three acolytes, each armed with a crossbow and the standard equipment, are creating a safety zone. Request permission to continue work.
Note; Dari has been admissioned more bolts under command of the team leader.
Detract twenty-five harpy bolts from the stockpiles.
Material;
4 picks, bronze. 1 broken ( I request one from the reserve stockpiles )
34 food and rations, good for 45 shifts. ( I request additional rations to be put aside if the need for them arises )
Three standard crossbowmen outfits ( one dwarven sized, two human sized ).
21:08
Dari and his men returned after a succesful trip. They brought troglodytes bones with them, which will be added soonly in the upper craftsmen stockpile.
Different bruises and scratches has been reported to Black Guardian Captain.
All three of them are dismissed for a few hours.
21:35
Cave system is seperated from tracks thanks to the swift action of our masons.
(http://img34.picoodle.com/img/img34/4/5/28/t_cryzem_c74116a.png)
Simple, yet effective.
( Othono's coat of arms is stamped under the report. )
(http://img27.picoodle.com/img/img27/4/5/28/t_Othonoscoatm_240c971.png)
[ May 28, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
The crew of the Silver Pearl had sailed the seas for as long as they could remember. Even in times as filled with termoil as now, they setted out everyday to catch the most rare and exotic of fish.
But still, everyone could feel how today was different.
Nevertheless, the Silver Pearl sailed across the waves as majestic as she always did, ignoring the sea who was trying to drag her into the deepness.
The sailors, on their turn, ignored their feeling and once again lead the Silver Pearl across the waves.
After the hours passed, the sailors turned the Silver Pearl to the mainland, satisfied with a day well endured.
But the wind once again gained in strength, the waves rose higher then before and the sky darkened.
The crew, who had been in so many storms, had never seen one so ferocious as this one. The water was no longer a transparant, precious liquid; it became a thick, smelly liquid. The wind was no longer a friend who pushed them forwards, it became a monster who wanted to shred their sails. The smell of salt no longer comforted them; it stinged them.
The storm battered the Silver Pearl and not even the most experienced of sailors could turn away the unescapable faith of her and her crew.
As the Silver Pearl capsised, it moaned in anguish. Above her, the heaven litted up with infernal fire.
The last thing the crew of the Silver Pearl saw was the grinning face of demons before the water of the Roasted Blueness consumed them.
[ May 31, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]
![[img=http://img29.picoodle.com/img/img29/4/3/29/f_oversightm_ca5ff6c.png]](http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/4/3/29/f_oversightm_ca5ff6c.png&srv=img29){kind=link}
![:p[ April 07, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]](http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/4/4/7/f_111m_0333d3c.png&srv=img34){kind=link}
![:)You can choose to be either a new acolyte or a vampire.[ April 14, 2008: Message edited by: Asheron ]](http://www.picoodle.com/view.php?img=/4/4/14/f_abovegroundm_00b5b7f.png&srv=img31){kind=link}
