Date: Wed, 26 Nov 1997 21:52:04 -0800
From: Daniel/LordWolf & Co
As his closes his eyes and tries to focus he senses it is already too late. "Your soul is mine!" he hears the Reaper say as the air echo's with the whistle of the falling sickle to claim its prize.
LordWolf, in an act of desperation calls upon his birth right and send his senses down through the cobblestones of the street. Deeper his mind goes as it passes through the soil and the bedrock of the land. In his mind's eye he see's the core of the world and the bright light that is the Earth Magic.
As The sickle rushes down to claim yet another soul there is a bright flash of light and the midnight blue blade passes through it yet there is no souls forth coming. As the light quickly fades, the body of his next intended victim is gone as well. For a long moment the Reaper stands there slightly puzzled, but then he remembers his task at hand. With nary another thought for he that did escape the shrouded Specter of Death turns and heads once more for the orphanage for this night a whole city of the innocent shall be harvested.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
How long he had been drifting within the warm golden light he did not know. If he had a name, he did not recall it. He was at peace here, cradled within the warm protective power that sustained him. He felt adrift, as if he had been cut off from what he once was. Yet this did not bother him. Nothing bothered him as he rested within the cocoon of light.
So faintly at first that he was not sure if he actually heard it or not a sound came to him. Straining his senses he hears it again, "Child." Slowly before him a form takes shade of that of a lady clad in white robes. She smiles to him, her emerald eyes watching him for what could have been seconds or days for he had no sense of time here. Finally the Lady Spoke, her voice rich and deep as the oceans and yet it was also as free as the wind and as comforting as a sun warmed meadow. "My Child. Long has it been since I have seen one of you." He that was once LordWolf listens and feel her essence as it vibrates across the very strings of his life. "There is much yet to do, my Child...if the we are to survive this time. There is more at stake here than this one planet or even this one time stream."
Puzzled by her words and having no memories of his own he listens to her. "I see that you have had a brush with he that claims what they call Souls." She steps closer to him, one hand rises and she lays it gently along his cheek in a loving caress. With her touch, the memories return in a flood that is painful to bare. Yet she touch holds him and sustains him as he once more remembers what has brought him here.
"This is not Death as they known it," he states more than asks. She shakes her head slightly. "You...you are the Mother." Happiness, love, joy flood through him at this revelation as tears flow down his faces and run along the edge of her palm where it touches his cheek.
"Yes, I am she that gave you and your kind life, but you are no longer mine, Child. You have changed..as you were meant to do." Her look saddens for a moment.
A thousand questions filter through his mind in a moment. Softly she smiles once more to him. "You have learned so much and yet you have much to learn, Child. There is little time left and there is much I must tell you before you leave." He nods once and opens his mind to her. A flood of images appear flashing through his thoughts so quickly that he can not register them all and then suddenly they stop. "You must go now, my Child. There are those that need you. I hear a Lady in a far off place calling your name sake, and thee is a lad that misses his Father and waits to build a tree house."
LordWolf opens his mouth to speak but she quickly lays a gentle restraining finger to his lips. "You must go. All I can tell you I have already given you, Child. You will know when the time is right." Again The Ancient Wolf makes to talk and once more she forestalls him. "I know my Child, for I love you as well and I shall always be here when you need me." As her words are spoken he form shimmers and fades back into the light. With silent tears upon his face he nods once even though she is gone and wills himself back to the form of a man.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the middle of the street there is a bright flash of light and once more the being known to many as LordWolf stands upon the cobbled stone way. The Eastern sky is tinged with the soft pink that signals the coming of morning. About him the city is quiet, there are no screams for there are none left to give voice to their pain. With a resigned sigh Lord Wolf calls upon his birth right an shifts his form to that of the Great White Eagle once more. Spreading his fifteen foot wing span he launches himself into the air again and once more head for WolfKeep and those that he loves.
Date: Thu, 27 Nov 1997 16:59:00 +0800
From: LordTroy
Flames in the fireplace crackled, consuming the just recently tossed missive from Camelot. Another request for him to help. Lord Troy sighs deeply, the burden of his conscience consuming him just as hotly as the flames did the parchment. He bows his head, resting it on his forearms as memories flood back. Of his home where he learned that to hold magic was everything and to trod on those that did not wield, how to strip power from where ever you wanted, to gain everything and lose your soul.
His fist slams into the table as he stands and walks through the dimensional gate that appears before him. He steps onto ether as if it was stone, following a path that cannot be seen with mortal eyes. Then standing before a cloak and an assortment of items, all heavily enruned and humming with power.
Booted feet stride purposefully thru the halls of the Castle by the Lake, then up the stairs and stopping at the bed chambers of the Lord and Lady. A gloved hand reaches out and the doors are thrown wide to be met by a surprised squeal from within. Lady Marty looked up in fear from her bed, the sheets pulled up to her chin.
"M.M..Magius... you are dead...", she trembled.
"Nay, my love, it is I, Lord Troy"
Marty looked closely at the imposing figure, looking so much like the man that wanted her dead, the one who wanted to kill his son. But then she looked into his eyes and saw the love within.
"TROY!!!", she squealed joyfully and flings herself into his arms.
"My love, I must go help Camelot, I promise I will return", he whispered softly, before kissing her passionately.
And then he was gone.
Outside the Cottage by the Lake, a vortex erupts and Lord Troy steps though onto the grass. Knocking on the door loudly, till it is opened by Mage Guts.
"Come friend, we have dirty business to attend to", said Lord Troy curtly.
Mage blinks, looking at the attire he sees Lord Troy wearing and nods, ducking back into the cottage to kiss his wife and grab some items. He strides out carrying a red Laen Staff. Laen is a heavily ensorcerelled glass, harder than steel and often called True Glass. He thrusts his hand out at Lord Troy and opens it revealing six rings, the signet rings of Magius and his five sons.
Picking three of the rings, one of which was his fathers, Lord Troy places each on a finger and bids Mage to do the same with those that remain. Then with a wave of his hand the two of them disappear in a blinding flash....
Date: Thu, 27 Nov 1997 15:04:30 EST
From: Rob/Thorak/Sgian/Tien/etc
((I know there are certain people who enjoy lighter moods. So here we go. Please don't mind the liberties I've taken with this. hehe. This is not taken from the continuation of any story. And don't add it in. its only for fun. :P))
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Amongst the shadows of a dark shanty, in the slums of a great city. Death slowly drew back his robes sleeve, gazing at his sundial. "Holy! I'm late!!" Picking up the bottom of his robe, he begins to run with a shake rattle and roll towards his pale horse. Bounding upon it with unnatural zing for a dead guy. He kicks at the horses sides with his heels. "HI HOOOOOOOO SILVERWARE!! We're late for thanksgiving dinner with the gang!" The horses eyes widened, and it begin to gallop off into the distance. Leaving only a cloud of dust in the distance. Death grinned as best a skull could at the thought of the delicious turkey that awaited him.
Upon arriving at the 'council' Death hopped off his horse and tied it to a tree, nearby were Famine's, Plague's, War's, and the Necromancer himselfs horse. Bounding towards the dinner table he saw the others already seated at the table. Stern looking faces met him as he sat down. "What'd I do?", whimpered Death.
"You're late!", chimed in the others in chorus.
"weeel soooorry", retorted Death. "I do HAVE A job you know! You do most of the killing! I do all the cleaning!!! You know how many souls I have to pick up? If I had muscles they'd be huge by now!!!", and with that, he folded his arms across his chest, if he had a lip it would be pouting, but all that can be seen is a bony jaw jutting out.
The others sighed knowing how cranky and sensitive death was about this subject, and how Necromancer was giving him free therapy sessions for it. In perfect synchronization they sang, "We're sorry".
And with a happy grin, or as best a skull could grin happily. Death bounced up and down upon his seat, "dats ok youse guys. I know ya didn't mean it. So where's da turkey?"
The Necromancer bent down and pulled out the thickest, plumpest, juiciest Turkey Death had ever seen. "whoah! who did that?!", exclaimed Death. They all pointed to famine, who was sipping on some Lemonade. Death just started in shock or disbelief, if he had eyebrows. They would have a puzzled look. Famine Shrugged and looked into his Lemonade, "Hey..if I guy can take away food...he can give it back..so nya!"
"Hey man! I ain't complainin!", replied death, that bony grin coming upon his face again.
They all held out their plates in glee as the Necromancer began to carve the turkey. Smiling the necromancer began giving out slices of Turkey and all four horseman looked on with glee. Three of them banging their forks and knives on the table in anticipation to start digging in. Suddenly stopping with puzzled looks they stared over at Death. "you gonna eat with that Scythe?" inquired War.
"Yeah...won't it be hard to eat with?", piped in Plague.
With a little bob of his head, and a wry boney grin, death whipped out a Sterling silver fork and knife. The others just 'Ooooooh' in awe...
"Pretty snazzy", said Plague.
"Thank ye", replied Death with a chuckle.
"Before we eat...let us give thanks...each for what we have.", stated the Necromancer in a clear calm voice. "I'll go first...I would just like to give thanks to my Necromancer father...for taking the time to teach me to be a good evil guy. And sending me away to evil habits and schemes college. And for turning his back on me what one time so I could take over his empire. Next..War"
"I would like to thank all the different cultures..for sometimes misunderstanding each other and making my job a little easier sometimes...for all the blacksmiths and weapon makers for also helping out...Plague?", War smiled as he finished and waved his hand to Plague.
"I'd like to Thank Mosquitoes for the diseases they carry...that's it.", and with a wave of his hands it went on to Famine.
"I'd like to Thank fires for destroying crops, and droughts, and things that make bad harvests...making my job easier. deaaaaaaaath come ooooooon dooooooooooown!", clapped Famine.
"I'd like to thank you all...cuz without you. I wouldn't have a job. And my tailors too.", after this Death raised up his fork...and they all dug into the meal. Eating a hearty meal of Corn, carrots, potatoes, turkey, and stuffing.
After the meal, and with full stomachs...except for one, the Necromancer rises asking, "Anyone for seconds!"
"OH OH OH!! ME!!!", blurted Death. They all looked at him strangely, and he shrugged. "I'm never full...ain't got no stomach remember?"
They all nodded in agreement and Famine got up..."Who's for tea gents?"
Plague piped in, "And Buttered Scones!!"
And with a final note War added, "Ahhh...what an afternoon...good food good friends...back to work tomorrow...Tea..Earl Grey, Hot. For me..."
(Happy thanxgiving all ;) )
Sgian/Rob/Thorak/Airk/Gohan...
Date: Thu, 27 Nov 1997 17:35:30 +0800
From: LordTroy
Through the Essence Flow traveled the two men, similarly attired except that one is dressed in red and the other in blue. Entering a bright oval to stand in the center of a great ampitheatre with seating for over a thousand. A gong floats high in the air above the two men.
With a flick of his wrist, Lord Troy sends the magical command to ring the gong, which reverberates loudly, filling the large room with it's call. Soon the seats start to fill as mages from all over Arcania answer the summons. As they appear, Lord Troy walks up a set of stairs leading to a great throne carved from the head of a Great Drake.
Many eyes watch his ascent to the throne, expectantly. Two massive Eog Golems step out from the side of the throne and with a wave of Lord Troy's hand vanish. The great hall becomes deathly quiet as Lord Troy sits on the throne and his eyes seem to meet each person, meeting challenges and threats.
"The time for your petty squabbles and rivalries is at an end, you will serve me with all your loyalty and might!!" Lord Troy said, his voice magically increased so that it is heard by all in the ampitheatre.
"Does any oppose my right to rule?"
And old mage of some power stands, "I oppose it, you young interloper!!"
Lord Troy stands, "So be it", he sigh resignedly and the old mage bursts into flames and a moment later all that remains is ash, to be carried away by the breeze.
"Any one else?"
The theatre was quiet, not even breathing could be heard.
"Good, assemble your forces and meet me on the Plains of Egam in one hour, and don't be late", his eyes narrow menacingly.
Within moments the hall is empty but for Troy and Mage. Lord Troy slumps back in the chair, and sighs. "Well that went better than I expected.. but we must be careful."
"Aye Troy, that was an impressive display, even I thought you had become like your father, even though I knew the truth", agreed Mage.
"We have about a day before that mage I teleported can get back here through my imprisonment spell, then we better be ready to duck", sighed Troy.
~
The Host of Light assembled on the great plain, tents arranged in little cities, activity bristling over the sodden ground. Dream Knight sat on Destiny, surveying the assembly, hoping that it would be enough. Then the hairs on the back of his neck tingled and he looked up, trying to discern the cause.
Great portals of fire come into being around the Army of Light, calls to arms sound through out the throng as they stand and watch the growing vortexes. Then thousands of thousands goblinkin, ogres, orcs march from the glowing portals, in straight regimented lines.
Following this horde, come great elementals of Fire, Water, Earth and Air, Knights riding great war horses, then mages by the thousands, riding great winged beasts, akin to dragons, but twisted and morphed. The new arrivals line up facing the Army of Light. A group breaks away and walks towards Dream Knight.
Dream Knight blinks and looks at the lead figure. "Lord Troy?"
"Aye, it is I, I have brought what meager help I could", he replied through a smirking face. "This is Sir Ardus Kaine, he is my general and will take your orders as if they are my own. And these scribes I also give to you and the resulting paperwork that results from such a large force."
Dream Knight expression becomes somber, "I truly hope this does not come to war, but thank you for coming"
Lord Troy nods in agreement.
Thu, 27 Nov 1997 15:42:03 -0700
From: Dan (Rannis/Ivarius/Saevad/More than I can say)
Ranarak Tarandis had eaten his fill. The empty dinner plate in front of him had literally been licked clean, and every morsel devoured. He rested his heavy paws upon the table, and settled his hindquarters onto the chair behind him.
Rannis was a large black panther, his ears tattered, and the tip of his tail slightly bent. His eyes were a luminous green, and upon his lips was what could be classified as a feline smirk. Around his neck, a glowing mana disc hung, which at this point carried various blots of gravy and other food stuffs.
LoreMistress smiled at her husband, watching him as he laid his feline head upon the table, whiskers brushing against the remaining streaks of gravy. His eyes rolled towards her, and he rubbed his cheek against the table, a low rumbling purr beginning deep in his throat.
"M'Lady, you HAVE outdone yourself," He exclaimed, quite content to lie there, half on the table and half on the chair.
Her cheeks flushed pink for a moment, and she leaned down to embrace him in a hug, nuzzling her cheek against the fur on the back of his neck. He grinned, and cuddled against her, simply enjoying the warmth, and being with her.
There came a knock upon the door, disturbing the silence, and echoing through the large castle to the dining room. Rannis' ears perked, and twisted towards the door, and he groaned inwardly. "Let's ignore that, shall we, M'Lady?"
She laughed, and hugged him tighter, "Yes M'Lord."
The knock came again with slow persistence, the sound reverberating, and then fading through the hall. Rannis muttered something unintelligible, and he lightly disentangled himself from Lore. "I suppose I'd better see who this is.." He paused for a moment, a mischievous grin twisting his feline expression before he added, "And then ask them what they'd like to be changed into."
LoreMistress giggled at the thought of her husband morphing some poor soul into another mouse, or something worse, and then nodded, setting her feet on the floor and pushing herself to her feet. "I'll clean up here in the meantime, M'Lord."
He trotted off towards the door, a tingle of annoyance starting at the back of his mind, and working him into a bad mood. He thought of how little sleep he had lately, what with the constant activity of the twins, often causing him to throw up a shield, out of necessity, of null magic around their room. Of course, for him, a cat, little sleep was 18 hours.
He sat in front of the doors of the keep, and flicked the tip of his tail, the tip glowing faintly, as well as the handles of the door. They swung inwards, to reveal the star filled night.. and the figure standing there. He stood tall, his features concealed beneath a ragged hood of the darkest black, his pale white hands clutching a long curved scythe. The figure leered at him, "Ranarak Tarandis, I have come for you."
Rannis rolled his eyes upwards, and flicked his tail again, the doors closing upon the figure with a slam. "Who was it?" LoreMistress called from the kitchen amidst the clattering of dishes.
"Er.. death, I think. Either him or the tax collector." Rannis snickered, and turned away from the door, padding lightly away. Yet he had hardly walked two paces before he bumped into the figure, who now stood within the greathall, leering down at him. Rannis sighed, and looked up at death, his feline tail twitching in agitation. "Can I help you?"
"Ranarak Tarandis, I have come for you," The figure repeated, his grip on the scythe tightening.
"Yeah, and sorry about the taxes, but I haven't gotten around to em yet." Rannis stated, unflinching from the cold gaze.
"Now is your time," The figure said coldly, beginning to lift the scythe.
"My time, huh? Anyone ever tell you that you're a walking cliche?"
The reaper glared, and the scythe fell towards it's target, only to be met by the hard stone of the castle as Rannis' form exploded into a furious cloud of sparks, only to gather again behind him. "Okay, now it's official," Rannis glared.
"I'm mad." He stated, his tail swirling behind him as he faced the spectre.
The reaper whirled around, scythe tracing a deadly arc, this time, meeting a bolt of energy and stopping cold. Rannis backed off a few feet, and snarled lowly, the fur of his back standing on end.
"Do not fight. It will only hurt more," The reaper stated coldly as he advanced.
"You ain't exactly the sunshine fairy, are you?" Rannis stated, his tail arching behind him, curling around, the tip glowing fiercely.
Death ignored the jibe, his scythe arcing again, just as a stream of energy slammed into his chest. The reaper hardly budged, merely slowed by the attack. He struggled forward, his grip on the scythe consistent. Another low snarl from near the kitchen, and a second panther bounded forwards, this one with dark brown eyes.
LoreMistress leaped onto death from the side, pushing him over onto the ground. She tore at him viciously, until he thrust upwards at her, tossing her across the room. She slammed into the floor and crumpled, shaking her head to clear it.
Rannis' eyes widened, his stream of energy instantly fading upon her contact with the spectre. "Lore, no!" He shouted as he watched her fly across the room, then instantly turned on death. "Now you're mind, buddy."
The stream of energy flung from his tail, striking the reaper square in the chest. But the being struggled to his feet, seeming to glide across the room as he approached the panther-mage. "You first.. her next. All here will get their chance."
Rannis stepped backwards as the reaper continued to advance, his tail wavering as the stream pushed it back from the recoil. He tightened his concentration, but despite the power, he couldn't win.
A suddenly bright flash from somewhere behind him, and a second stream of energy joined his, this time of pure white light. The man behind Rannis held a palm in front of him, the light pouring from it in a torrent. He was an aged man, timelessly ancient, with a long wispy white beard trailing from his chin. Dressed completely in robes of the purest white, a long staff was clutched in his other hand as he kept up the attack. But Charit's features were anything but the usual kind, caring and compassionate expression.. they were contorted in concentration, and in anger as he aided Rannis in the fight.
"Ranarak, join with me!" He shouted over the roar of the twin beams, now beginning to push back death.
Rannis didn't hesitate, sidestepping towards Charit until he stood beside the hand that held the staff. The staff seemed to wipe itself from existence in a flash of white light, and the sorcerer crouched beside Rannis, his hand still pouring out energy. He rested his hand on the side of the shoulder, avoiding touching the arc of energy. A glow spread from his body, and from Rannis' traveling through the space, connecting them as one being. The energy stream from Rannis' tail faded, but the light from Charit's hand began to strengthen, now not merely light, but energy too, taking on a reddish hue.
They moved as one, thought as one, and kept up the spell.. as one. Death struggled to keep his form together beneath the onslaught.. a lesser being would have been destroyed instantly. But he knew that he couldn't win here. His form swirled, and he vanished into the ground, intent on reaping souls.. elsewhere.
The beam blasted through the form as it faded, striking the wall across the room and opening a massive hole therein, bits of stone and blasted tapestry flying every which way. They all at once stopped the beam, then separated the link. They fell to either side, gasping for air, Rannis falling to his side, and Charit into a crouch, head lowered.
It was a long time before any of them recovered, three bodies in the room all laying on the floor. LoreMistress made the first move to get up, her body straining in protest. She limped over towards the other panther, feeling a sense of panic well within her at the sight of his still form, breathing slowly.
"Rannis?" She said softly, and nudged him with her nose.
"Yeah.." He said softly, then managed to push himself to his feet. He looked towards Charit, "You okay old man?"
Charit looked back towards Rannis, the familiar twinkle of laughter deep within his wizened eyes. "Yes Ranarak, I will be fine. Merely a trifle drained.. but tis to be expected."
Rannis lowered his eyes to the ground, and he nodded once, "I thought the Circle had forgotten about me.. thanks for coming.. I couldn't have done that without you."
"Don't thank me just yet, Ranarak. It wasn't fate that drew me here.. Rather.." He frowned for a moment, watching Rannis carefully, "The Circle has noticed what has been happening. Watching closely the goings on around here. And we have decided to aid in any way that we can."
"Great.." Rannis muttered, "But I'm not getting involved in all this. My days as an adventurer are over, old man."
"Do you truly believe that, Ranarak?" Said Charit, almost patronizingly.
"Why not? It's the easiest way.."
"Rannis, I have never known you to be one to give up so easily. Would you rather see your friends perish in their struggle while you stand by so idly?" The white wizard studied him carefully, watching for a reaction.
"There's nothing left, Charit. I have no purpose. Now I have a family. I'm happy with what I have. It's over, old man."
Charit shook his head, and spoke to Rannis chidingly, as one might address a child, "Rannis, I cannot believe your selfishness. The Circle did not abandon you, you abandoned it. The 1st Circle elders didn't realize how they had been using you. They realize now, that you are indeed valuable. And have offered you this: Rejoin the Circle. Become our constant scout here on earth. This way, everyone is happy, Rannis."
Ranarak looked up at Charit, eyes widening a little, "You mean?"
Charit nodded slightly, "I do. But it is your decision. And.. " He cast a glance towards the large hole in the wall, still showering bits of stone. "I would say that it is one that you should make quickly. He WILL return."
Rannis nodded slowly and solemnly. "Yeah.." He said slowly. "I'll do it. Now let's show these bastards what happens when they disturb my dinner."
E-mail comments and/or corrections to Diana/Wenn & Co