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The Elder Scrolls Forums _ Elder Scrolls Lore _ RP: Morrowind Moonlight

Posted by: Loranna Aug 25 2005, 06:43 AM

Hello, and welcome to our Elder Scrolls Role Playing threads, where we adventure and socialize in the vibrant land of Tamriel.

Before we begin, we'd like to clarify a few things:

This is an 'open roleplay' and everyone is encouraged to join in at any time!

'Open' roleplay does not mean 'unorganized' or 'limitless', however. The events in this story are usually planned, and if something BIG happens, you can be certain that it is the result of much discussion between players, usually in the mIRC chat (#Loranna_RP). This is not just a bunch of disorganized individuals doing what they think would be fun for their character at the time.

So, while everyone is welcome to join in, they are NOT welcome to jump in and do big, world-changing things without DISCUSSING IT FIRST. Let me be very clear about what cannot be done without permission:

1:
Any action that effects another person's character, for ill or good. Although most people realize they can't harm another person's character without permission, many don't realize that you can't HELP another character without permission, either. Many characters have flaws for a reason. Don't go healing, saving, or otherwise fixing another character without DISCUSSING IT FIRST with the player involved.

2:
Any event that would drastically change things that have been done to the world, whether the change is physical (rebuilding destroyed locations), political (converting a population to a new cause), military (killing off all the badguys) or anything else. Almost every situation, good or bad, that exists in the RP was done for some reason. Don't go changing or fixing things without DISCUSSING IT FIRST with the group.

Everyone who is involved in the RP is welcome in the mIRC chat channel #Loranna_RP. If you have a plot idea then you are encouraged to go there and discuss it. If you cannot get on the channel for some reason, or if the player whos character you would affect with your plan is not there, then PM them using this board's PM function. That's what it's there for.

For information on reaching #Loranna_RP via Mirc or Chatspike, look http://www.ravensky.org/irc/.

Not following the above advice will only result in one thing: your post is likely to be completely ignored by everyone as if it did not happen. This is obvously not good for anyone, so please, discuss major events before doing them.

Remember: Secret plans and surprises are seldom fun for anyone else. Before they're revealed they're boring, because nobody knows about them, and afterwards they're just annoying, because nobody knew about them.
Thank you, and have fun!

===

Summary:

Loranna, and her companions, have recently experienced a shift in reality, finding themselves in a world where Azura emerged victorious in the Blue Dawn. The heroes who used the Eiodolon to defeat her never made it, and now Azurites were fighting against Captain Cyndarius's men for Ald Raathim. Dres Jazbet, with his Lady Kethiah, control the castle, Jazbet's precognition making him a deadly foe, and the heroes were forced to flee to town, which Cyndarius's men controlled.

The Eight - Loranna, Herwyn Brand, Shaka, Anya, Isidor, Reichi, Goranthir, and Slyvos - have succesfully crossed the spheres and now rest in the Antechamber of Souls, preparing themselves for the final battle. Others wait with them in this place, others who they may yet meet ...

Meanwhile, Cyndarius, the 103rd Legion, and those who did not go with the Eight make their way through Skyrim to the fallen Imperial City, hoping to rescue the Emperor from the Azurites. His men have recently joined up with the 95th Legion, and have encountered some more heroes and refugees, including Gram Pyrel, last seen heading out to Skyrim. The legions and the heroes, flush with a recent victory over the Azurites in Pale Pass, conintue their march, praying for the success of the Eight as they pass through Cyrodiil, growing ever closer to their goal.

Oh ... it's also snowing out. Cats and dogs.

Posted by: Dagoth Lich Aug 25 2005, 06:52 AM

summary: slyvos is with the other members of the 8 that went through the spheres of the divine. He is now in his true state as are the others

Posted by: Xyber02 Aug 25 2005, 06:53 AM

Summary: Anya, the Bosmer Rogue, is with the 8, as her true self, a 15 year old innocent, emontional, and empathetic girl.

Posted by: Shardie Aug 25 2005, 07:03 AM

Summary

Maranda is somewhere in Daggerfall, locked in a massive battle with the Azurite Fiends

Landon and his Paladins are offering assistance to the Legion, acting as the rearguard, whilst Lyssia is with them.

Posted by: Aki Aug 25 2005, 07:44 AM

OOC Summary

Reichi Sari, one of the Eight Chosen to travel beyound the Spheres of the Eight Aedra, is well, beyound those spheres, with the other seven. All of the Eight appear as their true selves, and have only items with them that are major parts of their 'story'. Reichi himself resembles his Werewolf side, white furred and golden eyed. He still wears the golden Aedric armor gifted to him by the Dragon's of Akatosh's realm (though, it has readjusted its form to fit), as well as his ring and the Dagger Of Senses.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 25 2005, 07:59 AM

ooc: The Eight are in the Antechamber of the Soul, a timeless place where they are free of the constraints of the Mundus, preparing to enter the Ninth Sphere, the plain of endless conflict. Saint Deothur of Dibella is still with them.

Tris Gaerington has taken Luxi's inert form to the comparative safety of her mother's arms in Cyndarius's camp, and alerted Shaka that the Eight needed another member.

Posted by: Nalion Aug 25 2005, 09:56 AM

Summary for Nalion
Tamriel: The March to Cyrodiil

Nalion, a male Breton mage, is accompanying the 103rd and 95th Imperial Legion under the command of General Cyndarius on their march from the Pale Pass to the Imperial City.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 25 2005, 10:35 AM

Deothur smiled beatifically at Loranna. "You should thank My Lady, not me, for it was she who allowed me to make the journey. And my job here isn't finished..."

He was interrupted by a hearty cry.

"DEOTHUR! Is that you? That is you! By the Nine, what are you doing here? Are you cheating on us?"

A tall, slender Imperial man was embracing Deothur. Behind him was a group of men, Bretons, Imperials, and a Bosmer. The men all wore the blue and violet robes of priests of Dibella.

"You're still here?" Deothur asked. "I thought you'd be long gone by now."

"Well, you know how it goes. A whole band of Dibellan priests, we're not exactly a balanced group of heroes, are we? But we stick together, we'll get it right eventually. When did you come in?" the Imperial man asked, calling around Deothur to Loranna.

"Last decade of Uriel VII's reign," Deothur said. The party of men whistled and made noises of appreciation.

"No, we lost our saint," the Imperial man said. "It's been terrible out there, there's a band of... well, I won't say what I'd like to call them, not in front of you, Deothur. Anyway no one can beat them, and they won't move on. We're just off to try again, got to pick up an eighth and a new saint. Want to fight with us?"

"I can't abandon my duty," Deothur said, pleasantly. "What do you mean you LOST your saint?"

"Big Nordic fellow, not one of your sort, a worshipper of Kynareth. He's still out there, trapped on the plains of conflict. That's what they do, these wretches, they bind the souls of the people they defeat, don't let their spirits return here for another try at the battle. Abdala's out there too. You remember him, the Redguard?"

"I remember Abdala," Deothur said, looking troubled. "I would help you if I could, for his sake. But I cannot leave these people. They have come a very long way, and unlike you, they only get one chance at the battle."

"What do you... you don't mean to say you're still ALIVE?" the Imperial man said, looking sharply at Loranna.

Posted by: Loranna Aug 25 2005, 10:41 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 04:35 AM)

Loranna puts one hand on her stomach as the slender Imperial mentions binding defeated souls, memories of previous incarnations of herself still swirling though her mind. Still, despite the uncomfortable look on her face, she answers the priest.

"We're still alive," she says. "The Mundus is in trouble right now; a rift opened in Arkay's realm - we saw it as we passed though on our way here. Our only chance to fix things lies through there." She nods to the final gate. She glances at Deothur.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 25 2005, 10:54 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 25 2005, 03:41 AM)

Deothur smiled at her.

Many people in the cavern had overheard the conversation. Now they gathered to stare at the Eight. There was a lot of whispering; but some comments were not whispered.

"Crazy, crazy and pointless to come all this way... "

"No one ever wins first time out."

"Is that Deothur? Does he even fight? I know he runs ghosts through the spheres. Isn't he a shepherd or something?"

"Watch your mouth!" the Bosmer Dibellan priest said. "Of course Deothur fights, he's fought with us before, he's one of the best!"

"You've never won, though, have you?" the first speaker, an exotic Elven beauty, ambiguously sexed, with white hair, white skin, and white eyes, said with a sneer. "If you had ever won, you wouldn't be here."

"You're still here!" the Dibellan Imperial said hotly.

"Would you please shut up," someone else said. "Save it for the plains of conflict. It's easy to talk big in here where you can't hurt each other."

"I have won," Deothur said, not to the crowd but to the Eight. "I have seen my heroes to victory; I have seen them depart for places to which I cannot follow, without leaving My Lady's service. And that I will not do. But it is your choice. If you can find another saint, a greater warrior than I am, I desire you with all my heart to take him instead. Your victory is all that matters."

Posted by: Loranna Aug 25 2005, 11:03 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 04:54 AM)

Loranna frowns, muttering "I myself am rather unlearned in the ways of saints, Deothur, and I've come to trust you and know your abilities during this journey. Now doesn't seem like the time to shop around for a saint ... though that's just my opinion."

She ignores most of the whispering and comments, for now, though the High Elf makes her raise her eyebrows slightly.

"Deothur, if you don't mind ... could we talk a bit?" Loranna asks. "I think I understand what everyone else here is hoping to achieve, but ... well, maybe I shouldn't assume I understand anything and ask. What should we know going onto these fields? Will you be actively fighting with us or playing a more passive, supportive role? Do you know anything of this one team the Lady's favored speak of, the ones who bound that poor saint's soul?"

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 25 2005, 11:28 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 25 2005, 04:03 AM)

"Of the other team I know only what you also know," Deothur said. "I will ask. It's wise to ask around, to find out what tactics are in vogue, in any case. That is why I have confidence that we can win, on our first trip into the plains, even though it has never been done before. Besides, we HAVE to win, and where there is need, there is will; and a hero's will moves the world."

He smiled.

"All saints can heal, and far better than most mortal mages can. I have my staff also; but compared to the best fighters here, I am no great fighter. You have at your disposal, here, all the skills you may have learned, in however many lives you may have lived; but most of us live only one life, and then die; I am one of those. I was an old, old man, for a Colovian, when I lost my mind and froze myself to death in winter; but just an ordinary shepherd with a staff who fought off wolves, not a warrior, nor a mage, nor a rogue. There are saints here who are those and more besides. But perhaps they don't have the resourcefulness of a shepherd who once tore a mad wolf's tongue out with his bare hands and healed himself with herbs after; and besides, I love you all, and love is a great blessing. I say these things not to boast but to help you make your choice."

He raised his voice, to include all of the Eight.

"These true forms, for which you fought so hard, are yours indeed, but you cannot wear them on the plains of conflict. You must take flesh again to fight there. You will have the limitations of flesh; either your own flesh, or the flesh you clothe yourself in now. Many of you..."

Here he looked at Reichi...

"May find that your own flesh, the flesh you wore on Tamriel, is far more powerful than the new flesh you can take on here. You were a werewolf; werewolves are not a natural race. Others of you..."

And here he nodded to Shaka...

"May find that old age, or old injuries, have limited your potential, and to use new flesh in this battle is the best option. In any case, when you are finished here, and return to Tamriel, you will pass back through the gates, and resume your old selves, with all their limitations. Although your memories are your own, and no one can take them from you.

"Most spirits come here because they would not surrender what they had gained in their lives, to be reincarnated; or because they would not submit to enter the spheres; or to escape the clutches of Oblivion. Victory on the plains of conflict grants freedom, the freedom to pass to other worlds; and one of these, I believe, you seek; there to shelter while our own world is mended."

He took a deep breath.

"Loranna, in life I was a shy man, who much preferred the company of beasts and flowers to that of other men. I don't think I've spoken so many words at once in all my life."

Posted by: Loranna Aug 25 2005, 11:53 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 05:28 AM)

Loranna's eyes are moist as she holds out a hand to Deothur. "Each word was well-spoken," she says, smiling. She pauses, looking hesitant for a moment, but she eventually speaks.

"I think we could use an extra healer for our team," she says. "I myself am a skilled healer - it's invariably the path I take no matter what sort of life I lead before then - but I'm also the hungry girl who takes her enemy's strength for her own, and we'll probably need to weaken our enemies as much as we can. And I can only do so many things at once."

She looks to her friends, then to Deothur, then asks " ... Deothur, do you know of any here who have lived more than once? I ... I can't remember if I've dealt with this before, and ..."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 25 2005, 12:03 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 25 2005, 04:53 AM)

"You must ask others, if you wish to know their stories," Deothur said. "I never tell anyone's secrets but my own."

He turned and pointed down the length of the cavern. "This is a big place. Back there are the forges; the armorers, smiths, craftsmen, and enchanters here are without peer, although the dead are not particularly creative. They cannot create artifacts; of ordinary gear, and standard enchanted gear, you should find no shortage. You will need mundane, material equipment, to enter the plains of conflict."

He nodded his head to Loranna. "I should go and find out all I can about the situation here."

Posted by: Loranna Aug 25 2005, 12:08 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 06:03 AM)

"Visiting the vendors sounds like an excellent idea," Loranna says, swishing her cape around a little. "I have just the enchantments in mind for this suit ... we'll meet back in a while."

And perhaps I can find someone who has lived before like I have, and ask them how they came to terms with it - assuming there is anyone else, Loranna thinks.

I may not find anyone who has, until we reach Allie.

Posted by: syronj Aug 25 2005, 03:31 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 25 2005, 06:08 AM)

Shaka had been standing for a while, listening to Deothur and Loranna. His tattoos constantly shifted from one to another, flowing like oil. He didn't hold the Spear in his hand for now, but perhaps he would be able to summon it when the time came. It might be a better idea to look for armor and other weapons, even a shield.

His Ra'Gada form was younger than his Tamriel self by at least fifteen years. It would have amazed him in the Mundus, to finally know what it was to be a mammal; but having passed through the Spheres, Shaka took it in his stride.

Posted by: raithen Aug 25 2005, 03:43 PM

Summary: Raithen is currently on the march to the fallen Imperial city with Cyrandious' 103'd legion.

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 25 2005, 04:14 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 05:28 AM)

"May find that old age, or old injuries, have limited your potential, and to use new flesh in this battle is the best option. In any case, when you are finished here, and return to Tamriel, you will pass back through the gates, and resume your old selves, with all their limitations. Although your memories are your own, and no one can take them from you.

Isidor frowned slightly at these words. He had liked his pure form. He felt younger, more spry, more agile. Even, more attractive.

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 06:03 AM)

Isidor thought it was fascinating, that on this, outside of the Mundus, mundane weapons were all that is needed.

Posted by: Belwar Aug 25 2005, 04:59 PM

Summery, Dane Rubyn, Tamriel. Rubyn is marching to Cyrodiil with the 103rd and 95th legions. He is currently blasting away the snow with a few others using magical fire as his tool.

Posted by: Xyber02 Aug 25 2005, 06:34 PM

Anya stayed with Shaka, standing behind him and peeking around his shoulder. What layed next scared her. She grabbed Shaka's right hand with both of hers, wanting to feel safe.

Anya was unsure what she would do. It seemed impractical to use this 'flesh', as it was seemed to be called. The right option seemed to obviously be to use her actual body. The 25 year old woman that had spent years training in martial combat. But she was hardly thinking practical now, and her mind was buzzing with emotion.

She looked at the smiths. She had kept her spear, one made especially for her, and her matte-black glass curaiss. But her Dagger of Judgemnt, short bow, arrows, throwing daggers, shurikens, and chitin armor were all gone. She needed new peices, it seemed.

She gripped Shaka's hand tightly, waiting to see what the others would do.

Posted by: syronj Aug 25 2005, 06:49 PM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Aug 25 2005, 12:34 PM)

.

She looked at the smiths. She had kept her spear, one made especially for her, and her matte-black glass curaiss. But her Dagger of Judgemnt, short bow, arrows, throwing daggers, shurikens, and chitin armor were all gone. She needed new peices, it seemed.

She gripped Shaka's hand tightly, waiting to see what the others would do.

Shaka looked down at Anya with eyes that understood the emotions playing over her face. He placed a hand on her forehead and said softly, "Be at peace, my daughter, my other self, my sister. This is the chrysalis for the battle to come."

"Rise up, take on something of your older form, my love. The eternal female is more than child, she is woman and crone as well."

Posted by: AND Aug 25 2005, 07:17 PM

Plaas hated the Skyrim cold. Cyndarius, also a a brilliant tactician and an able fighter, could have never prepared for such a cold day. Not even the greatest student of the magical arts could have made the day any less cold. He did not know what was worse, the numbness in his legs, or the feeling of sweat cystalize on his forehead. He also felt unsafe in the fact that he could not even touch his sword due to the cold. The fact that they could and probably would be attacked by Azurites any minute ran coldly down his spine. But so he trotted on, following Cyndarius into the blistering cold day.

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 25 2005, 08:52 PM

Goranthir chuckled. He was thinking of his luck, the last ineffable quality of his that he had held onto until the very last gate. His luck, which was all it was that got him killed first, almost instantly in the park of Stendarr. It was good to let it go.

He looked over his companions with humor, noting their disparate forms.

As for his own appearance, he was still a king, as he had been ever since the coronation in Zenithar, complete with crown and ornate Altmeri symbols on his simple clothes. And he was still recognizably Goranthir, though his hair was long and drawn back in a thick braid. His skin was the golden color of his father's people, and his eyes the flashing red of his mother's.

"Ah, shopping," he said, looking to the smiths. "Well, let's discuss what we truly need. We don't have all the time in the world to decide," he said. "Shaka, Isidor, Reichi, Herwyn, Goranthir, Anya, Loranna, Slyvos ... Five warriors, an archer, a healer, a mage ... It seems to me we're well-suited on close-range combat, but might need some additional long distance capabilities and support."

Posted by: SpartanShea117 Aug 25 2005, 10:21 PM

Tamriel Cyndarius' 103rd and 95th Legions on the march

It was cold through the night but the troops kept up the pace they had started when Kratos' snow melting idea had come to knowledge.
They alternated in two different groups each couple of hours, one replenishing their magicka while the other melted the snow, they were making fantastic progress from the night before.

They were close to the forest now, the one surrounding the water before the capitol, but they still had hours to go till they reached it and Kratos was mentally telling himself that he was not tired, but his eyes said otherwise, he kept the pace going setting an example for the rest of the troops.

Kratos marched in the front rank of soldiers and let the second group of magicka using warriors do their job melting the snow in front of them. He thought to himself, If these soldiers can go two days on the march without stopping, they would sure as Oblivion be able to keep up with my Ordinators.

Posted by: Tri Aug 25 2005, 10:23 PM

"It's getting worse," reported the healer grimly. "Wound's become infected. We may have to amputate, though it's very unlikely given that we are using magic and all..."

Posted by: f15tray22 Aug 25 2005, 10:37 PM

Thom continued behind Cyndarius and Kratos, making sure to stay at pace with them. The Ranger smiled as he smelt the forest approaching. Finally, a place I am familiar with. Thom looked behind him, and, just alittle bit back, was Falco. Thom smiled, moved to the side, and waited for Falco to get up to him. "Hail, Falco! How are you doing? Well, besides being stuck in this...place."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 25 2005, 11:11 PM

Cyrodiil: Tris

Tris rode in the wagons carrying the injured, with Luxi, who had yet to wake. Any protests about him riding and not walking had been stilled when he shared some of the General's feather potions with the healers.

Besides, someone had to get down and push, periodically, when the wagon got stuck in the ice.

He wondered how the Eight were doing. But he didn't wonder enough to go and find out. He felt stubborn. On some level he knew he was exhausted to the point of irrationality, not physically or even mentally but spiritually exhausted. On another level all he knew was that he would kill anyone who asked him to make the trip through the spheres one more time.

"I'll go in a little bit," Tris said out loud, his breath white in the wintery air.

Posted by: Rhedd Aug 25 2005, 11:21 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 03:11 PM)

Cyndarius rode backwards along the column at a trot, his mount's huge, dinnerplate-like hooves kicking up plumes of snow behind him.

At the healer's wagons, he slowed and turned, and at Tris's he reached out, grabbed the wooden frame and swung himself into the wagonbed. The oxen moaned at the added weight of the man and his armor, and Cyndarius's horse continued to amble alongside the wagon peacefully.

Cyndarius looked at the motionless form of the little Khajiit girl, Luxi.

"How's she doing?" he asked.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 25 2005, 11:23 PM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Aug 25 2005, 04:21 PM)

Tris shook his head.

"I don't know. She seems all right, physically. She attacked a god, in the god's own sphere. Can anyone live through that? My guess is that she lives because Mara wanted her to live, and she sleeps because Mara doesn't want her to be in the battle."

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 25 2005, 11:27 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 25 2005, 02:52 PM)

"Ah, shopping," he said, looking to the smiths. "Well, let's discuss what we truly need. We don't have all the time in the world to decide," he said. "Shaka, Isidor, Reichi, Herwyn, Goranthir, Anya, Loranna, Slyvos ... Five warriors, an archer, a healer, a mage ... It seems to me we're well-suited on close-range combat, but might need some additional long distance capabilities and support."

"If we had rings or other means to take care of our own basic defenses, shielding, reflecting, and dispelling magic for example, we would have a primary means to keep ourselves alive, while Loranna focuses on bolstering us, and taking the energy out of our foes."

Careful, old man, you're pontificating he said to himself. Though that's what kings do ...

Posted by: Rhedd Aug 25 2005, 11:28 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 03:23 PM)

"Funny, isn't it," said Cydarius, pulling the fur blanket more securely around the girl, "to think that gods can stick their fingers into things that aren't really their business, too?"

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 25 2005, 11:32 PM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Aug 25 2005, 04:28 PM)

"Funny, isn't it," said Cydarius, pulling the fur blanket more securely around the girl, "to think that gods can stick their fingers into things that aren't really their business, too?"

"I'm not sure if it goes that way, or the other way," Tris said, forgetting for a moment that Cyndarius wasn't a Void Ranger, had never touched Nalion's book and couldn't know about Void Rangers. "Allie says that what we do is outside even the gods' understanding. That's why everything's coming unraveled. And I have to wonder... okay. This is what happens if Ciel dies, AND the sphere of Arkay has a crack in it. What would have happened if I had just let him die without trying to interfere? Would the gods have sent a new champion to save us from the Azurites? Would they have fixed everything, without my help?"

Luxi stirred a little, then subsided again.

Posted by: Loranna Aug 25 2005, 11:35 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 25 2005, 05:27 PM)

"Cyndarius's men used that basic strategy," Loranna points out. "I wore a toe ring with dispel back in Tamriel to use should a silence spell ever manage to affect me for just that reason."

She frowns a little. "We may want to do some shopping as a group, so we all know what everyone has and can plan accordingly."

Posted by: Rhedd Aug 25 2005, 11:39 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 03:32 PM)

"I'm not sure if it goes that way, or the other way," Tris said, forgetting for a moment that Cyndarius wasn't a Void Ranger, had never touched Nalion's book and couldn't know about Void Rangers. "Allie says that what we do is outside even the gods' understanding. That's why everything's coming unraveled. And I have to wonder... okay. This is what happens if Ciel dies, AND the sphere of Arkay had a crack in it. What would have happened if I had just let him die without trying to interfere? Would the gods have sent a new champion to save us from the Azurites? Would they have fixed everything, without my help?"

Luxi stirred a little, then subsided again.

"Who cares?" Cyndarius asked, simply. "Here we are. We can only fix things, not undo them. And if we could undo them, I'm not sure I'd want to be around to see it.

"So!" he said, smiling and scratching the back of his blonde head, "Why are you here, making the ox grumpy? Don't you have something you should be doing?"

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 25 2005, 11:39 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 25 2005, 05:35 PM)

"Sounds good to me. But, first" He looked down "I'll need some clothes."

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 25 2005, 11:42 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 25 2005, 05:35 PM)

"Exactly, and while we fight together, we are not, despite all of our practices in the arena, a cohesive fighting unit, capable of shouting out new plans across the battlefield," Goranthir replies. "We should know that each of us is self-reliant, at least for a little while. Also, what I like about having each of having the means to reflect and dispel magic is that we can choose when to activate it, and get the benefit of your healing while stopping the enemy's attacks."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 25 2005, 11:47 PM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Aug 25 2005, 04:39 PM)

Tris didn't answer him at first.

Send someone else. I'm so tired. It's not even reasonable to ask me to go. You don't know what it's like, going back and forth like that, giving up everything, then being plunged back into it.

"Yes, sir," he said, finally, standing up. "I'm going now."

And he went, before he could change his mind.

Posted by: Loranna Aug 25 2005, 11:47 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Aug 25 2005, 05:39 PM)

"Sounds good to me. But, first" He looked down "I'll need some clothes."

Loranna chuckles a bit at Isidor. "You know, in all the lives I can recall now, I've never been one to say 'I'll need some clothes' unless the situation was dire. But so it is, now; let's get you shopping, dear."

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 25 2005, 05:42 PM)

Loranna rubs her chin thoughtfully. "Deothur suggested asking around to learn the strategies in vogue here," she says. "It might be good to do that, see how the people we'll be fighting handle battlefield communication, and other tactics in use. It might help us plan more effeciently."

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 25 2005, 11:48 PM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Aug 25 2005, 05:39 PM)

"Sounds good to me. But, first" He looked down "I'll need some clothes."

"Or perhaps a little woad?" Goranthir laughed. "Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if some our enemies from the mythic past were completely starkers."

Posted by: Rhedd Aug 25 2005, 11:50 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 03:47 PM)

Cyndarius watched the young man go, pity in his eyes.

He checked Luxi's blankets one more time, brushed her hair out of her eyes, and swung himself out of the wagon and back onto his horse.

Posted by: Rhedd Aug 25 2005, 11:52 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 25 2005, 03:48 PM)

"Or perhaps a little woad?" Goranthir laughed. "Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if some our enemies from the mythic past were completely starkers."

"That's quite a picture..." Herwyn said.

"Although I'd count myself as more of a mage in your list, Goranthir, I do need to find myself some armor here, and something worthy of whacking people with, before we begin."

Posted by: Loranna Aug 25 2005, 11:58 PM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Aug 25 2005, 05:52 PM)

"I'm thinking of getting these clothes imbued with magic-boosting abilities, myself," Loranna says. "I'm even thinking I'll be choosing new flesh for the fight - much as I love frolicking in the snow, I think a Breton's flesh would suit my needs better, today."

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 25 2005, 11:58 PM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Aug 25 2005, 05:52 PM)

"I'm sorry, Herwyn, of course. I've seen your magicka in action, I should've known," the King nodded, and smiled. "Four warriors, an archer, a healer, and two mages is a much better strategic combination, for certes."

Posted by: Aki Aug 26 2005, 12:03 AM

"I could use a shortsword of somesort," Reichi said. "My Dagger's all well and nice, but daggers aren't very effective on the battlefield. Maybe a Wakizashi, Maybe even give it a nice dispell or silence enchantment. No calling for help when it hits you. No spellcasting, either."

QUOTE

"From what Deothur said, using my old body's probablly best. Afterall, it still has my Lycanthropy, New flesh wouldn't. As far as i understand at least."

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 26 2005, 12:04 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 25 2005, 05:47 PM)

Isidor blushed slightly and said "That sounds good."

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 25 2005, 05:48 PM)

"Or perhaps a little woad?" Goranthir laughed. "Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if some our enemies from the mythic past were completely starkers."

Isidor blushed again and said "That'll make them easier to hit, huh?"

Posted by: Argonians rule Aug 26 2005, 12:05 AM

Falco looked up to see Thom hailing him. Finally a friendly face and not that ordinator! "Thom you rascal! Been killing enbough vampires as of late."

Posted by: f15tray22 Aug 26 2005, 12:08 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Aug 25 2005, 05:05 PM)

Falco looked up to see Thom hailing him. Finally a friendly face and not that ordinator! "Thom you rascal! Been killing enbough vampires as of late."

Thom smile and held out his hand in greeting. "I have gotten over my past, and am focusing on the present...or the past present...or the present past...well, however you describe this. I have heard of a mission that some of the party has gone on. Can you give me some details?"

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 26 2005, 12:09 AM

Tris entered the Antechamber of Souls looking much as they had seen him look in the spheres. But then, he was still wearing his body, or a body, anyway; he hadn't come through the gates as they did, but directly here, along a path only Void Rangers could take.

He stood looking around, trying to find the others. It was Herwyn Brand he spotted first.

"You look taller," Tris said. "Thank the Nine, someone I can still recognize."

Posted by: Rhedd Aug 26 2005, 12:11 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 04:09 PM)

Herwyn smiled. "Yes," he said, "it does seem that not everyone's content with the way they look on a daily basis. I'd be afraid to try something new. Just think if you got it wrong...

"Come to see us off?"

Posted by: Argonians rule Aug 26 2005, 12:11 AM

QUOTE(f15tray22 @ Aug 25 2005, 02:08 PM)

Falco explained the entire ordeal over the next 20 minutes. "... so now they're in the spheres. Although just between you and me, I highly doubt they're gonna make it through. Wich is why I'm going to prepare to live in this reality by killing some azurites."

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 12:12 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 06:09 PM)

"You could have recognized me three sphere ago too well," the King chuckled deeply, embracing Tris. "How are you?"

Though his skin was golden and lined by age, he was Goranthir.

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 26 2005, 12:13 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 06:09 PM)

Isidor turned and faced Tris "Hello, Tris! Good to see someone who hasn't changed too much."

Posted by: Loranna Aug 26 2005, 12:14 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 06:09 PM)

"Tris!" The ice-clothed Loranna bounds over to wrap Tris in a fond embrace.

" ... How is she?" Loranna asks as she lets Tris go, her faint but still-visible tearstreaks complimenting her worried expression a little too well.

Posted by: Aki Aug 26 2005, 12:16 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 06:09 PM)

"Thank the Nine, someone I can still recognize."

"I thought my armor would be at least recognizable," Reichi said, grinning, a expression which looked intimidating on his lupine face. "Or, you know, the whole Werewolf thing. But, whatever."

Posted by: f15tray22 Aug 26 2005, 12:16 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Aug 25 2005, 05:11 PM)

Thom's face went sour as he heard the story. Finally, he said, "Well, I have faith in them; they willingly faced this danger, which many wouldn't in this situation. But, killing some Azurites does sound like a good idea."

Posted by: Dagoth Lich Aug 26 2005, 12:17 AM

Slyvos turned to Tris, half of him giving the man a friendly smile and the other just glared at him with eyes that felt as if they they wanted to tear him apart and devour his very soul...

"well, can't even recognize us aye tris? Pathetic... can't blame you too badly but it's sad."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 26 2005, 12:18 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Aug 25 2005, 05:11 PM)

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 25 2005, 05:12 PM)

"You could have recognized me three sphere ago too well," the King chuckled deeply, embracing Tris. "How are you?"

Though his skin was golden and lined by age, he was Goranthir.

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Aug 25 2005, 05:13 PM)

Isidor turned and faced Tris "Hello, Tris! Good to see someone who hasn't changed too much."

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 25 2005, 05:14 PM)

"I came to make sure you all made it, and to tell the General..." Tris began, when Goranthir, and then Loranna, embraced him.

"Goranthir," Tris said, staring at him. "You're beautiful... why is everyone here taller than I am?"

Posted by: Argonians rule Aug 26 2005, 12:19 AM

QUOTE(f15tray22 @ Aug 25 2005, 02:16 PM)

"Alright Thom, I'll bet you 50 gold that they all die trying. You in?We're gonna have to liberate the imperial city soon, so be prepared for one big-[censored] battle. Just stick by me and I'm sure you'll be fine."

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 12:23 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 06:18 PM)

"Goranthir," Tris said, staring at him. "You're beautiful... why is everyone here taller than I am?"

"Like I said, you should've seen me three spheres ago," Goranthir laughed. It was not his normal boisterous laugh, of a carefree 16-year-old. It was the deep, warm chuckle of the seasoned veteran, the warrior at his peak, with many battles before him, and many more ahead. Tinged with sadness without despair. "Much to tell you, but what were you saying about the General?"

Posted by: f15tray22 Aug 26 2005, 12:24 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Aug 25 2005, 05:19 PM)

Thom's face changed to a serious expression. "I don't think I will not join in on that bet. And I think it would be wise if you keep at least a small amount of faith in them. We will all die in this reality. They are our only hope from what you have told me." Thom then smiled and said, "And I can handle myself."

Posted by: serakit Aug 26 2005, 12:25 AM

Kokotr looked around at the faces of leagionares. Most looked tired but he was never good at telling what people think. Well, hopefully i'm wrong, don't wanna fight alone. He thought to himself. Hmm.......wonder if i can find some food and dronk.

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 26 2005, 12:25 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Aug 25 2005, 06:19 PM)

Tsei frowned. "Do you want them to fail?"

Posted by: Loranna Aug 26 2005, 12:25 AM

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Aug 25 2005, 06:17 PM)

Loranna shoots Slyvos a quick glare. "Do you want to sleep in a seperate room for a week after this is done?" she asks.

She looks back at Tris, awaiting his answer to Goranthir - and wondering if his lack of answer to her was a good sign or bad.

Posted by: Argonians rule Aug 26 2005, 12:27 AM

QUOTE(f15tray22 @ Aug 25 2005, 02:24 PM)

"If you have so much confidence in them why not bet on them? Besides they must go through many dangers, perhaps even confrontoing gods themselves. Not to mention ancient warriors that have been traing for thousands of years. Our group may be powerful but none can stand before enemies like those." He looked to Tsei, "I want them to succeed, but honestly what are their chances?"

Posted by: Dagoth Lich Aug 26 2005, 12:29 AM

Both halves of slyvos' body just twitched uncomfortably, and refrained from speaking.

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 26 2005, 12:30 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Aug 25 2005, 06:27 PM)

"I saw them, and you fight in the arena. They will suceed , I know it." Tsei looked at Falco, a slightly annoyed look on her face.

Posted by: Argonians rule Aug 26 2005, 12:31 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Aug 25 2005, 02:30 PM)

"I saw them, and you fight in the arena. They will suceed, I know it." She looked at Falco, a slightly annoyed look on her face.

"What? I just think we should look at this realisticly/ I mean come one.... its best to be prepared for the worst."

Posted by: f15tray22 Aug 26 2005, 12:31 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Aug 25 2005, 05:27 PM)

Thom frowned again. "Where is your sense of brotherhood? Where is your loyalty? What happened to sticking with the friends that saved your [censored] so many times? Have faith. They will return; victorious too." Thom looked over to Tsei and smiled. "Hello, my name is Thom."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 26 2005, 12:32 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 25 2005, 05:23 PM)

"The General will want to know you made it, that's all I was going to say," Tris said. He couldn't stop staring at Goranthir. "Seeing all of you... well, it almost makes up for the journey. What happened three spheres ago?"

He tactfully ignored Slyvos. Which, let's face it, was something he had a lot of practice doing.

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 26 2005, 12:37 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Aug 25 2005, 06:31 PM)

"What? I just think we should look at this realisticly/ I mean come one.... its best to be prepared for the worst."

She turned away from him, and smiled at Thom.

QUOTE(f15tray22 @ Aug 25 2005, 06:31 PM)

She nodded as he spoke, and said "He's right. Why weren't you with the eight?" Tsei asked.

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 12:38 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 06:32 PM)

"I was you," Goranthir ceased laughing, but still smiled sadly. "I don't know why. It was an image of a hero I suppose I had in my mind, which was an ideal, but not really me at my heart. I had to work a little harder than most to accept what my inner self was, since I've always been told that it would not be my fate. I needed to get something in Zenithar, which Deothur was sweet enough to find for me because no one there would sell it. Trust."

Posted by: Rhedd Aug 26 2005, 12:38 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Aug 25 2005, 04:31 PM)

"What? I just think we should look at this realisticly/ I mean come one.... its best to be prepared for the worst."

"If they fail," said a quiet, heavily accented voice from behind them, "there will be nothing to prepare for."

It was the little Bosmer scout, the one called Spooky. It was hard to say how long he'd been walking there.

"I will take your bet, for if they fail, you will not be here to collect."

Posted by: raithen Aug 26 2005, 12:39 AM

QUOTE(f15tray22 @ Aug 25 2005, 06:31 PM)

"How about we all just pray for the Eight and leave it to them to do their job," said Raithen, riding up on his white steed. "You shouldn't worry about such things that cannot be prevented. If they fail, Aedra forbid it, then that's the end of our normal universe. If they succeed, then we all go down to the tavern for a drink..." He smiled.

Posted by: Argonians rule Aug 26 2005, 12:39 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Aug 25 2005, 02:37 PM)

She nodded as he spoke, and said "He's right. Why weren't you with the eight?" Tsei asked.

"Because I know enough not to get myself killed on some hopeless journey. I didn't say anything to them, as I din't want to lessen their confidence. Probably dead by now anyway....Don't get me wrong I want them to succeed but I know they won't."

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 26 2005, 12:41 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Aug 25 2005, 06:39 PM)

Tsei looked at him "I thought you weren't a coward, Falco. Seems like you are."

Posted by: Loranna Aug 26 2005, 12:42 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Aug 25 2005, 06:39 PM)

"So, you're betting against my daughter, I hear," rumbles a Nordic voice from off to the side.

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Aug 25 2005, 06:38 PM)

"As will I," Gram says. "One million gold says, the Eight will bring back victory to earn them the hushed awe of all in Svongarde."

He grins fiercely, and says "Now, no more talk of whether they will win or not; we have our own battle to prepare for. We should save our strength for that."

Posted by: Rhedd Aug 26 2005, 12:43 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 25 2005, 04:38 PM)

"I'm afraid he didn't have your sparkling personality, though," said Herwyn.

Posted by: Argonians rule Aug 26 2005, 12:46 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Aug 25 2005, 02:41 PM)

Tsei looked at him "I thought you weren't a coward, Falco. Seems like you are."

"Course I am. I can take risks but only up to the point knowing if I'll succeed. Why waste one's life trying the impossible? Its all about knowing your limitations."

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 25 2005, 02:42 PM)

"So, you're betting against my daughter, I hear," rumbles a Nordic voice from off to the side.
"As will I," Gram says. "One million gold says, the Eight will bring back victory to earn them the hushed awe of all in Svongarde."

He grins fiercely, and says "Now, no more talk of whether they will win or not; we have our own battle to prepare for. We should save our strength for that."

"Gram I'll bet 3,000 gold they all die. Its all I have. Now we should get back to marching in this damn cold."

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 26 2005, 12:47 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Aug 25 2005, 06:46 PM)

"Course I am. I can take risks but only up to the point knowing if I'll succeed. Why waste one's life trying the impossible? Its all about knowing your limitations."
"Gram I'll bet 3,000 gold they all die. Its all I have. Now we should get back to marching in this damn cold."

"I hope for your sake, they do live. So I can tell them what you've done here." She walks foward, visibly upset.

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 12:47 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Aug 25 2005, 06:43 PM)

"I'm afraid he didn't have your sparkling personality, though," said Herwyn.

Goranthir laughed heartily, almost crying, and then he slapped Herwyn on his back. "And you were an amorphous curmudgeon, my friend, but we rise."

Posted by: Loranna Aug 26 2005, 12:49 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 25 2005, 06:47 PM)

Goranthir laughed heartily, almost crying, and then he slapped Herwyn on his back. "And you were an amorphous curmudgeon, my friend, but we rise."

"Yes, we do," Loranna says, looking over to Slyvos and wrapping an arm around his shoulders, pulling his demonic side closer to her. "Even our true selves can still rise; even the champions of the Aedra can still rise, as one proved in Julianos's realm."

Posted by: f15tray22 Aug 26 2005, 12:50 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Aug 25 2005, 05:47 PM)

"I hope for your sake, they do live. So I can tell them what you've done here." She walks foward, visibly upset.

Thom looked to Falco and said, "She is serious, I hope you know. Well, anyway, he is right; lets save our strength."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 26 2005, 12:50 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 25 2005, 05:38 PM)

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Aug 25 2005, 05:43 PM)

"I'm afraid he didn't have your sparkling personality, though," said Herwyn.

Tris's mouth fell open, and he started to reply, before glancing at Herwyn.

"That's... flattering... and really sad... and it's probably lucky I wasn't there to knock you in the teeth. Barely know who I am anymore, with all this running back and forth; another Tris Gaerington would have been just that much too much. Fate, what's fate? Ciel's fate was to die in the Vaults of Gemin. Your fate is to be... what are you, anyway?"

Tris grinned.

Posted by: Argonians rule Aug 26 2005, 12:50 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Aug 25 2005, 02:47 PM)

"I hope for your sake, they do live. So I can tell them what you've done here." She walks foward, visibly upset.

"I hope so too Tsei... I hope so too..." Hmmm If I have to ditch this army, what would be a safe place to live out my life away from the azurites. Perhaps the orcs of orninsium, I'm sure they wouldn't take kindly to azurites in their land. Thats it once the others die and this army is crushed, I'll go there, hopefully it'll last long enough for me to grow old in."

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 26 2005, 12:53 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Aug 25 2005, 06:50 PM)

She heard the insincerity in his voice. She was seeing his true self now. He was out for himself, and no one else. Tsei turned for a moment, and nearly cast a spell on Falco, but stopped. He wasn't worth it.

Posted by: Rhedd Aug 26 2005, 12:53 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 25 2005, 04:47 PM)

Goranthir laughed heartily, almost crying, and then he slapped Herwyn on his back. "And you were an amorphous curmudgeon, my friend, but we rise."

Herwyn smiled widely. "An... Yes, it was quite a journey for all of us."

Posted by: Argonians rule Aug 26 2005, 12:55 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Aug 25 2005, 02:53 PM)

Falco saw the look Tsei gave him. He muttered something along the lines of.... "What did I do?...I'll never understand women."

Posted by: f15tray22 Aug 26 2005, 12:57 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Aug 25 2005, 05:55 PM)

Falco saw the look Tsei gave him. He muttered something along the lines of.... "What did I do?...I'll never understand women."

"Well, if you wished to have any chance with her, it is long gone now. And its not women you need to understand, its everyone." Thom continued walking.

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 01:01 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 06:50 PM)

Goranthir chuckled. "I'm glad you weren't there too, if that would be your reaction to a confused boy trying to find his way," He spoke of himself almost as if it were years ago, with affection and deep regret. "What am I now? I am a potential. The heir to two kingdoms."

Posted by: Argonians rule Aug 26 2005, 01:03 AM

QUOTE(f15tray22 @ Aug 25 2005, 02:57 PM)

"Well, if you wished to have any chance with her, it is long gone now. And its not women you need to understand, its everyone." Thom continued walking.

Falco shrugged, Just because I'm a realist, not an idealist everyone's mad at me now? Ughhh I better go talk to Tsei. A lot of apologies seem in order. Falco groaned a little and quikened his pace.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 26 2005, 01:10 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 25 2005, 06:01 PM)

"I wouldn't have hit you, Goran," Tris said, in a different tone.

He couldn't explain how hard it had been for him to cross the spheres, this last time; how close he had come to losing his nerve altogether, before Cyndarius spoke to him. Not to this Goranthir.

He blushed, deep red, and changed the subject.

"The ninth sphere, the plains of conflict... all you have to do is enter, right? The General has been there; she says it's different every time, so there's no use telling about it. But you can ask the other fighters who have come from there, defeated, what's going on right now."

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 26 2005, 01:14 AM

"Well, I'm sure no one wants to see me naked anymore, so I'm going to go pick up some armor." He grinned and walked over to one of the smiths. He wasn't entirely sure how to go about this. "Erm, may I have some armor? Wolf, if you have it."

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 01:14 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 07:10 PM)

Goranthir's eyes looked at Tris, fine lines of worry and happiness creasing around their edges, and unspoken, he said "I know" to Tris's comment.

"Let us find someone with the freshest wounds then," the King said. "Someone who knows immediately what is chic amongst the warriors."

He turned from Tris, scanning the crowd.

Posted by: Loranna Aug 26 2005, 01:19 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 07:10 PM)

"Deothur suggested that as well, when he told us that he can heal and do some fighting if he must," Loranna says. "Let's go talk to people, then plan with that in mind."

She heads off to start asking around about what's waiting on the plains of conflict.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 26 2005, 01:22 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Aug 25 2005, 06:14 PM)

The smith looked up from his forge. He was Dwemer, a Dwemer ghost; he must have been here, in the antechamber of souls, a very long time. He motioned with his head and several apprentices began to measure Isidor for new armor.

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 01:26 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 25 2005, 07:19 PM)

While they looked through the crowd, Goranthir also looked for a jeweler who could create some specific spellbound items he had in mind.

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 26 2005, 01:27 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 07:22 PM)

Isidor stood still while he was measured, but, rather rudely, stared at the Dwemer. He had never seen one living, much less a ghost.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 26 2005, 01:31 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 25 2005, 06:19 PM)

It wasn't difficult to pick up the general tone of the conversations. The gathered combatants were unhappy; and not just in the ordinary way people in a group are often unhappy, but in the way of people responding to a new, unusual disaster. There were complaints, whispered arguments, some of them escalating into shouting.

"It is over," one woman said. She was a Breton, or something like a Breton; she wore an antique style of clothing, with fur garments, and shell jewelry in her hair. She was at the head of a group of five warriors, similarly dressed. "We are leaving, all of us who remain. You should go too. When all have left, there will be no one here for them to fight; they will become bored, and move on."

"Coward!" an Argonian hissed. "Cowards, all of you. They can be defeated, it's just a matter of finding the right tactic. All battle plans have a weakness, and so does theirs. Use your brains for once, human!"

"My husband is trapped on the plains," the woman said. "He told me to go. If I fight again, I will not be brave, only foolish, and if you fight, you will join my husband, trapped there. Let them win, let them have the plains; let them grow bored with no one to fight, and leave."

Posted by: Loranna Aug 26 2005, 01:34 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 07:31 PM)

Loranna looks to the woman, and says "Excuse me ... who are these people you speak of? What sort of fighters are they?"

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 01:35 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 07:31 PM)

"Coward!" an Argonian hissed. "Cowards, all of you. They can be defeated, it's just a matter of finding the right tactic. All battle plans have a weakness, and so does theirs. Use your brains for once, human!"

"What makes their tactics particularly effective?" Goranthir asks.

Posted by: Aki Aug 26 2005, 01:46 AM

Reichi, meanwhile, ambled over to one of the Smiths. This one however, was obviously a weapon-smith, as theres were many weapons about, most Reichi recognized. Things like Ebony longswords, Glass staves, Silver daggers, Daedric Wakizashis.

He looked unsure, he knew he didn't have any gold. It wasn't something you could take with you, at least, Reichi thought so. Did these ghosts have their own currency? Or did the smiths just create their crafts for the wariors to use, endlessly, without payment.

"Hey, can i have one of these?" Reichi asked, holding up the Daedric Wakizashi he had seen before. "Do you guys got some kind of currency i need to pay in around these parts..?"

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 26 2005, 02:05 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 25 2005, 06:34 PM)

Loranna looks to the woman, and says "Excuse me ... who are these people you speak of? What sort of fighters are they?"

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 25 2005, 06:35 PM)

"What makes their tactics particularly effective?" Goranthir asks.

The woman with the trapped husband ignored them, continuing to argue with the Argonian.

"My husband was the greatest shaman the Horse-People of the Bjoulsae have ever known. I have seen him defeat you before, and I know that he can defeat me. I will not fight him, and so we go. I would rather be a coward than a fool."

And she and her five warriors went... somewhere.

Another, more sympathetic man - an Imperial dressed in the white robes of a priest of Mara - answered their questions.

"This warband, they're been here for as long as anyone can remember. They call themselves the Source of All Sorrow, and though the membership changes as people tire of the plains and return to the spheres, or try again with a new warband, they have never left. They win, but they don't go through the gate afterwards. They come back here and keep winning. And they get stronger and more powerful every time they win. Now - they might as well be gods."

"They are gods," someone else said. "That's the only explanation."

The Maran priest shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe the psijiics are right and we're watching the birth of eight new gods. If that's true then I don't want to live in whatever world they create, because they aren't nice people. One of them is an old school Velothi necromancer, and somehow he's learned how to keep the ghosts of the defeated from returning to the antechamber of souls. He binds them, and uses their power, and their skills. There are who knows how many out there now, trapped, an exhaustless supply of energy and ability and health, and any time a new warband goes out to take them down, more people get trapped and it just gets worse."

"They've started building things," a Redguard woman said. "I saw with my own eyes. Nobody builds on the plains of conflict, they don't remain the same long enough. But as long as the same warband is out there, they do not change. And so they are building, where nothing has ever been built."

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 02:09 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 08:05 PM)

"One of them is an old school Velothi necromancer, and somehow he's learned how to keep the ghosts of the defeated from returning to the antechamber of souls. He binds them, and uses their power, and their skills. There are who knows how many out there now, trapped, an exhaustless supply of energy and ability and health, and any time a new warband goes out to take them down, more people get trapped and it just gets worse."

Goranthir looked to Sylvos. "Good thing you're here, friend."

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 08:05 PM)

"They've started building things," a Redguard woman said. "I saw with my own eyes. Nobody builds on the plains of conflict, they don't remain the same long enough. But as long as the same warband is out there, they do not change. And so they are building, where nothing has ever been built."

"What kind of things are they building?"

Posted by: Loranna Aug 26 2005, 02:11 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 08:05 PM)

Loranna again thinks of her previous incarnations, in other realms, and her lips set in a grim line. Souls being held hostage, used for power ...

Suddenly, she finds herself grateful that Slyvos was himself a necromancer; he might be able to figure a way to break those souls free - if they could get past the Source of All Sorrow's defenses ...

"What sort of things are they building?" Loranna asks. "Does anyone know anything about where this Velothi is keeping the souls? Does he bind them into items, are they kept in a single locations, does he eat them?" She blushes as the last phrase slips from her lips.

Posted by: AND Aug 26 2005, 02:13 AM

Plaas murmured. HE could not feel his legs. With every tiring step, it seemed as though his entire leg burned with the intencity of oblivion. But what came after was much worse. The feeling of sheer cold, a numbness, that could only be broken with the another painful step. But with every step, his will could only made stronger. The will to march on and do his duty, his duty to the Empire and the Emperor. And so he trudged on, through the colds of Skyrim and to his final destination, the Imperial City. Cyrodiil.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 26 2005, 02:17 AM

QUOTE(Aki @ Aug 25 2005, 06:46 PM)

"No need for currency here," the smith said. A female high elf, with startling bright green eyes. "Everyone has everything they could need. People trade among themselves for the things they bring with them; that's all."

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 26 2005, 02:19 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 25 2005, 08:09 PM)

Goranthir looked to Sylvos. "Good thing you're here, friend."
"What kind of things are they building?"

"Hopefully nothing that can't be destroyed by this." Isidor held his axe aloft, fully armored. The wolf armor he wore was magnificent, pure white, and beautiful. "Like it?" He said with a smile.

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 02:22 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Aug 25 2005, 08:19 PM)

"Hopefully nothing that can't be destroyed by this." Isidor held his axe aloft, fully armored. The wolf armor he wore was magnificent, pure white, and beautiful. "Like it?" He said with a smile.

"Very nice," Goranthir laughed. "And very you. You should work on your battle cry, and complete the package."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 26 2005, 02:24 AM

"You don't think there are other necromancers here?" a dark elven woman said scornfully. "I was the scourge of the countryside, completely unstoppable until I destroyed my own tower to spite my lover. There's nothing that can be done against so many; they all act together, to strengthen each other. You think it's difficult to kill two healers who are spending all their time healing each other? Try twenty. Try a hundred. All of them healing the rest of them, one massive orgy of healing energy, like the heat of the sun. Whatever you can do, they can counter it, before you even think it."

"There's got to be someone in charge of this place, someone who cares about what's going on. It's all been ruined!" a Bosmer said, and everyone laughed at him.

"It's the plains of conflict," a scholarly man said, one of those sorts of pedants that everyone just wishes would shut up and go away. "By definition no one is in charge here."

The Redguard woman spoke.

"They are building engines of destruction. And they are building walls. This is no longer a battlefield; it's a siege. The land is so charged with the energy of all who have died there that a fallen sword grows into a tree of swords, and so they build a castle of ebony."

"They bind the souls just as they are," someone else said. "It would be easy enough to kill them, if you had a hundred years, except that they heal and protect each other. And the spirits protect the Source, who are FILTHY COWARDS WHO WON'T COME OUT FROM BEHIND THEM TO FIGHT!"

When one person raised his voice, all the others raised their voices as well. Soon all was clamor.

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 26 2005, 02:28 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 08:24 PM)

"QUIET" Isidor yelled. "No matter what you may think, we have a battle to plan and things to buy, so if you'd like to give us some useful, go ahead, otherwise..." His voice trailed off.

Posted by: Loranna Aug 26 2005, 02:31 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 08:24 PM)

Loranna flashed Isidor a brief, warm smile, but the woman's descriptions were making her heart sink. From the sounds of it, they were going to be facing an army, not a group of eight, an army with ebony fortifications. Still ...

"What meaning does time have, here," Loranna mutters to Isidor and Goranthir. "Who knows how long has already passed back on Tamriel?" Still, her face shows concern.

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 02:31 AM

Goranthir nodded. His brow wrinkled in worry, but his eyes remained calm. "They are confident."

He turned to the group. "I toyed around with a strategy before where I pretended to lose my heart and run. In the arena, of course, my opponents were my friends, and they didn't pursue me to try to finish me off. But the Warband anticipates our fear, our hopelessness, and we can use that."

Posted by: Aki Aug 26 2005, 02:43 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 08:17 PM)

QUOTE

He turned to the group. "I toyed around with a strategy before where I pretended to lose my heart and run. In the arena, of course, my opponents were my friends, and they didn't pursue me to try to finish me off. But the Warband anticipates our fear, our hopelessness, and we can use that."

"I like that, reminds me of the defense of Ald Raathim from Azurites in the previous Blue Dawn," Reichi said. "I remeber hearing about how the Azurites drew back when getting defeated and cut down the defenders who chased after. Granted, the Azurites obviously eventually lost, but it was a effective strategy. Maybe even with a few chamleon spells it could be even better. Never saw what hit 'em."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 26 2005, 02:45 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Aug 25 2005, 07:28 PM)

"QUIET" Isidor yelled. "No matter what you may think, we have a battle to plan and things to buy, so if you'd like to give us some useful, go ahead, otherwise..." His voice trailed off.

One shouting Nord, in the midst of such a crowd, had little impact.

QUOTE(Aki @ Aug 25 2005, 07:43 PM)

Reichi nodded and walked off with the Wakizashi while everyone else seemed to be involved in some big arguement. A enchanters later, the Wakizashi had gotten its own enchantment, Dispell and Silence, and Reichi dubbed it MageBane. As strike with a blade enchanted as such would cause some trouble to any mage.
"I like that, reminds me of the defense of Ald Raathim from Azurites in the previous Blue Dawn," Reichi said. "I remeber hearing about how the Azurites drew back when getting defeated and cut down the defenders who chased after. Granted, the Azurites obviously eventually lost, but it was a effective strategy. Maybe even with a few chamleon spells it could be even better. Never saw what hit 'em."

"That's an Underking quote," Tris said. "'Only in victory will they be vulnerable to defeat.' Or something close to that. Which I always thought sounded rather stupid, myself."

Posted by: Rhedd Aug 26 2005, 02:48 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 06:45 PM)

One shouting Nord, in the midst of such a crowd, had little impact.
"That's an Underking quote," Tris said. "'Only in victory will they be vulnerable to defeat.' Or something close to that. Which I always thought sounded rather stupid, myself."

"I like the idea," said Herwyn, rotating his right arm experimentally, getting used to a new suit of full plate armor.

Posted by: Loranna Aug 26 2005, 02:49 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 08:45 PM)

"The General had said we would be able to advance and control territory," Loranna says. "Perhaps we should consider setting up our own lines of battle."

She frowns as the shouting rings in her ears, raising her voice to be heard. "So let me get this straight; do you mean to say they throw all their bound souls out against whoever comes to fight? I thought battle here was done among small groups."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 26 2005, 02:56 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 25 2005, 07:49 PM)

Deothur had returned. His expression was grave.

"That is exactly the problem, Loranna. The Source are only eight people; but they have bound everyone who ever lost to them. They don't send them out to fight; they bind them, they are immobile. But still a great source of power. I am told I must see it to believe it."

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 26 2005, 02:58 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 08:45 PM)

One shouting Nord, in the midst of such a crowd, had little impact.

Isidor rolled his eyes, and went to get his armor enchanted.

In a few moments, the armor had diffrent resist element enchantments on each piece. It now glowed in a faint light. He didn't want to get his axe enchanted. He liked it the way it was. A plain, nordic axe, with something extra added on. His father had told him it had been blessed by Stendarr, to drain strength from it's victims, and give it to the weilder. Isidor didn't know if this was true or not, but it gave him confidence.

He returned to the group, in time to hear Deothur's words.

QUOTE(Allerleirauh)

Isidor frowned and said "We will face what we will face. We can only do so much to prepare. Worrying and anixety does nothing to help us."

Posted by: Loranna Aug 26 2005, 03:04 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 08:56 PM)

Loranna frowns, muttering " ... All right then; they're using these souls as a source of power, not as troops. This is like my own potions back at Tamriel, combined with my armor and my jewelry - my main source of power, protected. We need to figure out how to cut them off from their power, or else we're going to have to lure their team out one at a time and hope the eight of us can take their individuals out one by one."

She didn't look too pleased with that last prospect.

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 26 2005, 03:05 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 25 2005, 09:04 PM)

"Perhaps one fighter charges ahead, takes the blows, and then the other fighters rush to disable their source of power, while mages and archers cover. But" He added "I'm no tactician."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 26 2005, 03:08 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Aug 25 2005, 07:58 PM)

Isidor frowned and said "We will face what we will face. We can only do so much to prepare. Worrying and anixety does nothing to help us."

"Isidor, I did not bring you here to lose," Deothur said. "Worrying needlessly is not my way. But if you wish to rush in without preparation or understanding, you can find another saint."

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 25 2005, 08:04 PM)

"It's exactly like mega-potions," Tris said. "Now, how exactly do we do that?"

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 26 2005, 03:11 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 09:08 PM)

"Isidor, I did not bring you here to lose," Deothur said. "Worrying needlessly is not my way. But if you wish to rush in without preparation or understanding, you can find another saint."

"That wasn't what I meant. I-I..." His voice trailed off. Deothur was right.

Posted by: Loranna Aug 26 2005, 03:17 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 09:08 PM)

"Isidor, I did not bring you here to lose," Deothur said. "Worrying needlessly is not my way. But if you wish to rush in without preparation or understanding, you can find another saint."
"It's exactly like mega-potions," Tris said. "Now, how exactly do we do that?"

"From the sounds of it, they haven't actually taken these souls into themselves; their source of mega-power is external, like the Heart was for the Tribunal," Loranna says. "There must be a connection then between the Source and the bound souls."

She turns to Slyvos. "Dear, you were a contemporary of the Velothi; have you ever heard of this sort of thing before? And how one could disrupt the flow of power?"

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 03:23 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 09:08 PM)

"It's exactly like mega-potions," Tris said. "Now, how exactly do we do that?"

“In Alinor, in the time of my great grandfather, there was a siege on an impenetrable fortress, fueled by a similar powerful force deep within,” Goranthir said dreamily, the sigils on his robe slightly glowing. “He sent in a scout with twenty rings of mark and recall. The scout was excellent, and managed to sneak into the heart of the castle where he set twenty marks. Then he returned to my grandfather, and my grandfather gave the twenty rings to his twenty greatest fighters. They recalled into the castle, took out the source of the power, and were victorious.”

Posted by: f15tray22 Aug 26 2005, 03:36 AM

pie

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 04:14 AM

While the group silently heard Goranthir's story, he snapped out of his reverie and said: "Besides the source of their power, the Warband is clearly composed of tactical geniuses, while we are only, alas, tactically very, very bright," he smiled. "Loranna, how are your Absorb Intelligence spells? It's a bit of dirty trick, but if we can get them to forget all the hundreds of battles they've won and the tricks they've mastered, that'd be awfully nice."

Posted by: Loranna Aug 26 2005, 04:21 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 25 2005, 10:14 PM)

"Depends," Loranna says, grinning a little. "Assuming they don't use their bound souls to resotre their lost stats instantly, I planned on using that on their mages to bolster my own spellcasting. Assuming they thought of that already - well, the whole problem now is dealing with their power source first, isn't it? Thing to remember is, I'm not in my old body right now and I don't have my mega potions, so my own spells are going to be a bit weaker than the mighty 'crush Golden Saints in seconds' level I'm used to casting."

She chuckles. "Which may very well be our advantage in the end, you see. If they've gotten too used to having an overwhelming strength advantage, they may well have lost some of their tactical genius already. And I can speak from personal experience how very, very intimidating it is to suddenly lose all the power you've been counting on in the middle of a fight."

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 04:24 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 25 2005, 10:21 PM)

"That's true," the King nodded his head. "And another thing that I thought of in the area of hexes and bolstering. You can bolster our strength, agility, speed, endurance, and exhaust yourself, but you could bolster something that I've learned recently is very important, perhaps the most important thing in a battle like this ... Luck."

Posted by: Loranna Aug 26 2005, 04:34 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 25 2005, 10:24 PM)

"Remember, I can only bolster things for so long," Loranna says, gently. "Each of us should choose items to build on our own strengths, so that my spells can add that much more to your already-enhanced power. Luck ... we may wish to look into buying lucky charms to use for those moments when we need to ensure something works."

"We should each make sure basic needs are covered for ourselves, build on our strengths. Our weaknesses, that's what teamwork and cooperation are for."

Posted by: Xyber02 Aug 26 2005, 04:40 AM

Anya, in the mean time, had grown distracted. She could only handle so much bantering before she became bored; especially now, in this state of mind.

She had wandered over to the smiths and shops. Some of the jewlery caught her eye, shining brightly with their enchantments. She walked over and stared at them in awe. "What do these do?"

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 04:43 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 25 2005, 10:34 PM)

"Agreed," Goranthir said. "My point was that Luck affects everything, while Enhanced Speed or Enhanced Strength is localized. I think we should invest in that for one and all, for everyone to use just as trouble comes."

Posted by: Loranna Aug 26 2005, 04:48 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 25 2005, 10:43 PM)

"That, basic healing for emergancies, curative effects, spell reflection, dispel," Loranna says, listing things off on her fingers. "Recall too - we should consider setting up someplace to fall back and regroup. I should look into having my staff here imbued with either absorb effects or fortify effects in case my magicka is running low. Slyvos could probably use something similar as well, perhaps a staff of summoning ..."

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 04:58 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 25 2005, 10:48 PM)

"If we're fighting through a fortress," the King said. "It might be wise to have two Mark and Recall items each. That way, we can 'leap frog,' and always have an alternate escape route. Say, we're moving from point A to point D. We cast a Mark on A when we've secured it, and then move forward to B. Once B is secure, we cast a Mark there. Then we move to C, and remove our Mark from A. Now, if we get in trouble at D, we can retreat to C, and if we get in trouble there, we still have one more means of escape. And we don't have to retreat to the very start when we just need to get out of a sticky situation ... That makes sense to me ..."

He followed Anya to the jewelry shop. "How many Mark and Recall items do you have available? We would like the lot."

Posted by: Xyber02 Aug 26 2005, 05:11 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 25 2005, 08:58 PM)

He followed Anya to the jewelry shop. "How many Mark and Recall items do you have available? We would like the lot."

"Oh, hello, um, majesty." Anya fumbled, not quite sure how to address him anymore. He looked so elegant, so kingly.

"Look at this one amulet. It fortifies marksmanship, and has a bound longbow. This is perfect, and would make it so light carry a bow."

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 05:16 AM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Aug 25 2005, 11:11 PM)

"That would be perfect," Goranthir grinned. "Don't forget to find something for your flying friend. And make sure he remembers that if I'm fighting close to someone, he can breath fire on us both without fear of hurting me. My cloak takes care of that."

ooc -- Out for an hour or two ...

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 26 2005, 05:20 AM

"It's a little more complicated than that," Deothur said. "So far no one has figured out how to get within range of them; not even close. With so many mages working together, they have area of effect magics which drain power and cause damage, in a radius so great no one can begin to reach them to do any harm. Those who walk in range of the spirits die within seconds, as if they walked into lava."

Posted by: Loranna Aug 26 2005, 05:26 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 11:20 PM)

"Hmph," Loranna says, frowning. "So, basically, whatever ground they control, no one can set foot on. Do they come out in search of other souls to add to their collection at all, or do they just wait for people to fall into their clutches?"

"Area effect magics ... we could conceivably stack items with enough permanent reflect or absorb to counter those, but then we'd have sacrificed a lot of power for actual fighting. Still ... perhaps a scout with such items could penetrate their base, get an idea for what's going on, let us plan a precise lightning fast strike ..."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 26 2005, 05:31 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 25 2005, 10:26 PM)

"There is no way the resources of a team of eight can provide enough power to reflect and absorb this much magicka," Deothur said. "I'm not sure any of you are picturing the SCALE we're discussing. These are all of history's greatest fighters, in this room. If the answer were anything simple and obvious, it would have been found long ago.

"They do come out of their fortress to gather the dead and add them to the walls; but they only come for the dead who lie within the area protected by their other spirits."

Posted by: Loranna Aug 26 2005, 05:40 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 11:31 PM)

Loranna's frown deepens. This situation was turning worse every time she tried to figure a way to deal with it.

"All right ... and we can't get where we're going without going through these people, right?" she asks, staring at her feet for a moment. "Just to check on that ..."

She pauses, saying " ... We're walking on the hero's path now; we've come through the spheres of the Divines and found something in each sphere. If I understand the mythos of the hero, then these gifts we've gained should help us face our final challenge - the question is, how?"

Posted by: syronj Aug 26 2005, 05:44 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 11:31 PM)

"They do come out of their fortress to gather the dead and add them to the walls; but they only come for the dead who lie within the area protected by their other spirits."

Shaka looked at his tattoos for a moment, which were currently displaying the sermons of Vivec. "Distracting," he murmured.

Like one brushing excess water off after a bath, he passed his hands over the tattoos, which disappeared for the time being. Shaka, as Isidor had been, was naked, and walked over to the armor merchants and weaponsmiths, but paused.

Posted by: Xyber02 Aug 26 2005, 05:45 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 09:31 PM)

"They do come out of their fortress to gather the dead and add them to the walls; but they only come for the dead who lie within the area protected by their other spirits."

"Couldn't, um, someone play dead? Like we drain them until they nearly are, and once inside, a one-shot ring fully restores them, or something." Anya spoke up, "I still have my Invisible spell too..."

QUOTE(syronj @ Aug 25 2005, 09:44 PM)

"Anya, did you have a shield that I could use?" he asked her.

"Well, I have this Fish Scale sheild, it's impervious, supposedly."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 26 2005, 06:01 AM

QUOTE(Xyber02 @ Aug 25 2005, 10:45 PM)

"The fish scale!" Deothur said. "That's something no one else has, right there. Now if you could only coat yourself entirely in fish scales..."

He smiled.

"The problem with playing dead is that you would have to play dead inside their ring of death, and then you would BE dead. But perhaps you could play dead right outside, and they would mistake you for being inside."

Posted by: Loranna Aug 26 2005, 06:04 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 26 2005, 12:01 AM)

"Anyone feel like going back and fishing in Mara's sphere?" Loranna asks, grinning.

"Perhaps we can pool what gifts we have to help Anya's plan work," she continues. "The snake stone is potent against magic, though I don't know if it would stop the level of power we're talking about. The flower would let one see the truth, the arrow perhaps could be helpful as well ..."

Posted by: Dumbkid Aug 26 2005, 06:18 AM

The Epic of Yster the Sorrowful
Set to Verse by Plantius Sercusion

From northern frost did come mighty Yster, bold and true,
And with his axe that like moonlight shone, silver-shimmered hue,
Did strike down foe so numerous as the bitter snow
Each count added to the growing score
While Yster, mighty, battled with grace and strength not seen
Since ages past in grand Atmora
When mighty ones of old did go forth.

Giants were those men of old,
Heroes of renown, and with that strength
Came Yster, with flowing locks of golden Sheen
As one who carried in his hair the sun
His hand the moons,
And in his eyes so vibrant burning with starlight
Twinkling wild,
Came swiftly he and with his shining blade
Through the marrow of the fray did strike
All for one Iliendial, young
Maiden far off grand, of such
Beauty told to weave a quilt
Of stories to stretch from sea to distant shore and
Carry young Yster across ever greater stretch of land.

Though the snow unnatural beat upon his
Stalwart figure, never did it pierce to his heart
For it burned hot with love’s desire,
So valiantly he fought against the growing
Azure dawn, of twilight screams and beating wings
He raised his blade against the storm
As the world, bit by bit and thread by thread
Unraveled, so did mighty Yster push onward
Through the scrabble.

No blade or spell did strike him, no arrow
Paid him wounds, his flesh was left unmarred
And the minstrels may allude
To a secret plant from farthest north that makes one to
Be impossible to kill, but say I,
It was his heart that bade off woe and fortunes ill.

Through Skyrim south to Cyrodiil did
Travel Yster with his band
Of those so uncivilized most
Would scarcely call them man,
And as the battles raged, endless
Did they come, that each one
Would find his last hurrah and
In the violence fall.

Both day and night mighty Yster fought
To make his way back to the village far
Where waited young Iliendial
The stirring of his heart,
And though no blade did pierce him
Nor spell did lay him to death,
When at last he came to sweet
Iliendial she was found without breath.

Her life, the bitter cold had sought
To rend from her with its frigid blight
So Yster, sorrowful, in his distress
Did upon the rocks hurl himself
To cast off the last façade of life
And greet with open arms
Awaiting slumber, peace, and death

Posted by: syronj Aug 26 2005, 06:39 AM

As Shaka looked over the merchants' wares, he found he was still capable of being surprised. Armor that was costly or priceless to mortals was unremarkable here, including ebony and daedric. There were no legendary items, of course.

Shaka began to seriously consider outfitting himself in full daedric armor, unimaginable to himself as an Argonian. He still needed to think about the helm. The full ebony helm was tempting, but he might want more vision than through the narrow slits. . . .

"Anya, thank you for the scale shield," he said to her. "I'll use it unless another of us would find it even more useful."

He found himself thinking of the Dragonbone Cuirass and the Spear of Bitter Mercy. It had been a risk to leave them with Cyndarius' forces, but a greater risk to try taking them into the Spheres. In the end, Shaka had left the spear and cuirass behind rather than risk losing them forever.

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 08:44 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 25 2005, 11:31 PM)

Goranthir chuckled. "The only person who appreciated the scale was Isidor, and you told him not to be so pessimistic."

Posted by: Loranna Aug 26 2005, 09:09 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 26 2005, 02:44 AM)

Goranthir chuckled. "The only person who appreciated the scale was Isidor, and you told him not to be so pessimistic."

Loranna chuckles as well, and says "Well, hmm, one moment all ... I think I have an idea ..."

And so Loranna began talking, telling how the gifts they had from the spheres must surely have been for a reason, for was that not the nature of gifts from the heavens? They had among them gifts that could protect one from physical and magickal might, the ability to see through all lies, the strength to stand one's ground, the pointedness of the teacher's ability to get through to the most stubbron student, and the innocence that could let even the most anguished and cynical soul see what he truly had, and might lose if he was not careful.

Who was their foe, again? A Velothi; someone who had been around for thousands of years, constantly fighting, constantly staying to fight even when he had won, constantly looking to increase his ability to fight and to win to the point where he used his defeated opponents to fuel his further victories. A man who would not move on, who kept others from moving on, who made it impossible for people to even attempt moving on.

It could not be an accident that they who came through the spheres did so with these tools, to find themselves facing this enemy.

And so, with much discussion, was the groundwork of a plan formed to strike at the true heart of the problem.

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 09:19 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 26 2005, 03:09 AM)

"I should have thought of that," said Goranthir, annoyed with himself, a trace of the 16-year-old coming through.

So much for the wisdom of the Kings of Summerset ... But it is a good plan ...

Posted by: Loranna Aug 26 2005, 09:26 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 26 2005, 03:19 AM)

"I should have thought of that," said Goranthir, annoyed with himself, a trace of the 16-year-old coming through.

So much for the wisdom of the Kings of Summerset ... But it is a good plan ...

Loranna smiles at Goranthir. "We've had a lot to think about," she tells him. "This plan only gives us the chance to face our foes on something approximating even ground. I highly doubt that, even with their godliness stripped from them, they'll just roll over and die, and no matter how shaken they are by our gambit, they still have the edge in experience."

She shakes her head. "Your Majesty, everything you've discussed earlier is still valid; we will still want to use those strategies. We should, in fact, be ready to implement them as soon as this gambit works; I imagine the opposing team will be out for blood."

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 09:28 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 26 2005, 03:26 AM)

"I was thinking the same thing," Goranthir nods, turning back to the jeweler to check on the enchanted rings and amulets he had ordered.

Posted by: syronj Aug 26 2005, 03:15 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 26 2005, 03:28 AM)

"I was thinking the same thing," Goranthir nods, turning back to the jeweler to check on the enchanted rings and amulets he had ordered.

"Goranthir, could one of my amulets be an Amulet of Shadows, but with a longer duration, even Constant Effect?" asked Shaka. He had always found the 80 percent chameleon effect useful.

Shaka planned to buy "exquisite" clothing and have it enchanted as an extra layer of protection. In battle, he wouldn't be surprised if different layers of armor and clothing spalled off. Shaka planned for them to have healing qualities, among others.

He soon realized he would need more than enchanted clothing beneath the armor, he needed physical protection as well -- perhaps a combination of quilted armor and something like steel. It was strange to have to protect vulnerable parts, but he was no longer Argonian.

Shaka already knew what he would enchant a sword with: armor-stripper, at the least, and paralysis or another effect. But then he realized a paralysis effect could be reflected back on him. Perhaps Shaka would have the weapon enchanted with Absorb spells. He also considered a war hammer as a secondary weapon and enchanting it. Fire was a possibility.

He remembered hearing of a daedric hammer called "Veloth's Judgement" from his Temple days, so it seemed all the more appropriate to get an enchanted hammer to use against a Velothi.

While he was at the armorers, Shaka picked up various throwing weapons for Anya and himself. He would have no time to practice archery, but he could buy and enchant a variety of other weapons -- throwing knives and stars.

Shaka waited and thought while a smith cut larger eye openings in an ebony helm for him. He thought for a moment on the new flesh, and the nature of the Spheres they had passed through.

For the first time, Shaka wondered what the world would be like if the gods gave mortals their greatest test: refusing to manifest themselves. Shaka pictured a Mundus where daedra worshippers faced only silent statues; where tombs were left unguarded by ancestral ghosts; and where mortals lived and died without ever being certain that there was something more.

What would it be like; a world of only faith, not proof? People of flesh and blood writing scriptures, which would be collected into sacred texts and be expected to be believed. On faith alone.

Shaka knew now this wasn't the world in which he had grown up. Yet he could almost picture it existing, on some other plane.

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 26 2005, 07:18 PM

Isidor wandered off to the smithies and asked a small, dumpy imperial for some rings. He took two, one with a fireball spell, and one with an icebolt spell. He fastened one on each hand, and rejoined the group. There was more thing he wanted to do before they went. Did he dare....?

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 08:32 PM

QUOTE(syronj @ Aug 26 2005, 09:15 AM)

"Goranthir, could one of my amulets be an Amulet of Shadows, but with a longer duration, even Constant Effect?" asked Shaka. He had always found the 80 percent chameleon effect useful.

"The great trick, of course, is to make sure that your enemies can't see you, but your friends can. If Slyvos were to cast an area effect spell, and not realize that you were in the vicinity ..." Goranthir frowned. "Though I have certainly found invisibility to be a dangerous thing to deal with myself. Worth considering."

Posted by: raithen Aug 26 2005, 09:42 PM

They were nearing ever closer to the city... And still it snowed heavily. The path they had cleared had already began to fill up with more snow, and the mages in front were working their best.

Trees past by Raithen as his steed continued on. He smelt the air: it smealt of a coming battle. He began thinking of just how many people here would die today.

OOC: Gone till Sunday.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 26 2005, 09:46 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 26 2005, 01:32 PM)

"The warbands who win are the ones who understand each other so well that there's no need to communicate," Deothur said. "All of you should know where to be, and what to do, and the others must trust you to be there. You shouldn't have to see each other."

An altercation had started near them. It wasn't possible for the spirits to strike each other here, without bodies; physical contact could only take place if both participants agreed to it. But that didn't prevent people from making rude gestures. A heavily armored Imperial man had been arguing with a small male Bosmer clad mostly in feathers; now he pretended to strike him. The Imperial's hand slapped the forehead of the Bosmer; the Bosmer responded by taking down his trousers and pretending to urinate on the Imperial's foot.

Tris, watching, laughed.

"What are you?" a Nord woman asked Tris. "Ranger of some type? Acrobat? Got a warband?"

"Give it up, Ilina, no one wants to fight with you after the last time," the Imperial whose foot had been insulted said.

"I'm sorry?" Tris said.

"They think you're a saint," Deothur said. "You're not a ghost, obviously; and saints come in all flavors. If you stay here warbands without a saint will keep trying to pick you up. You should go so you don't confuse people."

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 09:50 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 26 2005, 03:46 PM)

"They think you're a saint," Deothur said. "You're not a ghost, obviously; and saints come in all flavors. If you stay here warbands without a saint will keep trying to pick you up. You should go so you don't confuse people."

"All warbands have saints?" Goranthir asked. "Including the Source?"

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 26 2005, 09:59 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 26 2005, 02:50 PM)

"All warbands have saints?" Goranthir asked. "Including the Source?"

"It's possible to win without a saint," Deothur said. "Some warbands do fight without one, relying on speed and massive amounts of damage to take down the other team quickly. But it's rare. If your saint is alive, and a single member of your band is alive, then he can bring you back to life at the world pulse. Like using a candle to light other candles. So, obviously, it's an advantage. I've been wondering if the world pulse - manipulation of the world pulse - has anything to do with how the Source are binding souls."

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 10:03 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 26 2005, 03:59 PM)

"How long have they been victorious?" Goranthir asked, turning to the assembled ghosts. "We know about their necromancer, but not their other warriors, and their saint ..."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 26 2005, 10:13 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 26 2005, 03:03 PM)

"How long have they been victorious?" Goranthir asked, turning to the assembled ghosts. "We know about their necromancer, but not their other warriors, and their saint ..."

"The Source membership changes regularly," the Redguard woman who seemed to be an expert on the situation said. "Their saint has been the same since as long as anyone can remember. He's Altmer; self-styled, follows no god but himself. Follows the path of excellence, he says, and all he cares about is how good at the conflict you are. If you're good, he invites you into the warband. If you're good enough, he drops the comrades he's fought with, without a second thought."

"That's why they win," a Dunmer man said. "Loyalty and friendship are part of the world illusion. He's got it right, even if he is an Altmer. No sentimentality there. No attachment, if he tells you to be a Redguard woman, you go onto the plains of conflict as a Redguard woman, and you don't complain."

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 10:29 PM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 26 2005, 04:13 PM)

"A saint of himself," Goranthir chuckled, looking at his hands, which like the rest of his body had the golden High Elf hue which was half of his birthright. "Yes, I know something of the Altmer pride ..."

The King thought for a moment on that.

"Do any animals live on the plain?"

Posted by: Loranna Aug 26 2005, 11:28 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 26 2005, 04:29 PM)

Loranna looks thoughtful. "I wonder who the true stubborn student is, in this situation," she says. "The necromancer or the saint."

She laughs a little. "Odd-sounding phrase, The Necromancer and the Saint," she comments.

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 11:36 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 26 2005, 05:28 PM)

"And then there is the question of the flower," Goranthir nodded. "Is it for us to see the truth, or them?"

Posted by: AND Aug 26 2005, 11:38 PM

Plaas stared at RAithen in envy. The animal-who was obviously tired-carried RAithen throughout the journey. Plaas coughed. HE had gained a cold because of the numbing blizzard. HE wouldn't have been surprise if he had gotten hypothermia. But they did have healers in the legion, so he was not worried. He coughed again. Then again. Soon he came into a coughing fit. He fell over because of the force of the fit. He lay there, too exhausted to move, waiting for someone to take notice.

Posted by: Loranna Aug 26 2005, 11:44 PM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 26 2005, 05:36 PM)

"And then there is the question of the flower," Goranthir nodded. "Is it for us to see the truth, or them?"

Loranna closes her eyes. "I am not sure," she admits. "I think, though we have the basis of a plan right now, we could use a bit more time to consider particulars. I can see logic behind both us and them being the true reciepients of the flower ..."

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 26 2005, 11:45 PM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 26 2005, 05:44 PM)

"What else can you tell us about this saint?" Goranthir addressed the ghosts, looking particularly at the Redguard woman. "Does he participate in the fighting?"

Posted by: Argonians rule Aug 27 2005, 12:48 AM

Falco caught to Tsei, intent on apologizing to her. Although due to his complete social ineptitude(brought on by living alone for 15 years) he wasn't exactly sure what to say. "Errr... sorry Tsei."

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 27 2005, 01:09 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Aug 26 2005, 06:48 PM)

Falco caught to Tsei, intent on apologizing to her. Although due to his complete social ineptitude(brought on by living alone for 15 years) he wasn't exactly sure what to say. "Errr... sorry Tsei."

Tsei ignored him, and kept walking.

=====================================================

Isidor saw Loranna, standing with the group. It was now or never. He walked over, and kissed her on the cheek. "Erm. Sorry about that."

Posted by: Loranna Aug 27 2005, 01:16 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Aug 26 2005, 07:09 PM)

Isidor saw Loranna, standing with the group. It was now or never. He walked over, and kissed her on the cheek. "Erm. Sorry about that."

Loranna blinks, drawn out of her thoughts by Isidor's kiss. She looks over to the virile warrior and raises her eyebrows, her lips curling up into a bemused smile.

"Sorry about that? Why?" she asks. "It's no more than I do with my friends, is it not?"

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 27 2005, 01:17 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 26 2005, 07:16 PM)

Isidor blushed slightly and said "Well, Plain of Eternal Conflict sounds painful, and not entirely safe, so I figured I'd do this now. If I don't get another chance." He smiled sheepishly.

Posted by: Argonians rule Aug 27 2005, 01:18 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Aug 26 2005, 03:09 PM)

Tsei ignored him, and kept walking.

"Please Tsei... don't do this."

Posted by: Loranna Aug 27 2005, 01:22 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Aug 26 2005, 07:17 PM)

Isidor blushed slightly and said "Well, Plain of Eternal Conflict sounds painful, and not entirely safe, so I figured I'd do this now. If I don't get another chance." He smiled sheepishly.

Loranna laughs. "So I was on The List Of Things To Do Before You Die, hmm?" she asks, grinning. "I'm flattered."

She leans over and kisses Isidor on the cheek, quickly but fondly. "Now everyone will want a kiss before we head out you know," she says. "It's all your fault; I'll be known as the Kissing Champion of the Plains if we get through this."

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 27 2005, 01:27 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Aug 26 2005, 07:18 PM)

"Please Tsei... don't do this."

She glared at him. "Do what? I'm not betting on my friends. Or rooting for them to die. Or looking for a way out. Or being a coward."

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 26 2005, 07:22 PM)

He laughed and smiled. He blushed when she kissed him and mumbled "Thank you."

Posted by: Argonians rule Aug 27 2005, 01:31 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Aug 26 2005, 03:27 PM)

She glared at him. "Do what? I'm not betting on my friends. Or rooting for them to die. Or looking for a way out. Or being a coward."

Oh boy, this isn't gonna be easy. Falco sighed, he didn't much like working things out. He much preferred action. But not this time. He would have to try. He wouldn't let Tsei go like this. "Listen Tsei, I'm sorry Tsei. I can't help it, I do fear death. If you call that cowardice then so be it. But know that I'm not rooting for them to die. I truly wish for them to succeed, but I have doubts anyone can. If need be I would go there. To at least try and save the world. To save you..."

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 27 2005, 01:33 AM

QUOTE(Argonians rule @ Aug 26 2005, 07:31 PM)

She softened slightly and said "It's allright." She put her arm around him and walked with him. "Just have some confidence."

Posted by: Argonians rule Aug 27 2005, 01:37 AM

QUOTE(Stargazey @ Aug 26 2005, 03:33 PM)

She softened slightly and said "It's allright." She put her arm around him and walked with him. "Just have some confidence."

He smiled and took her arm. I think I said something right. But I'm not sure. Oh I'm no good at these kinds of things. Might as well hope I did it right "I'll try Tsei.. I'll try."

Posted by: Nalion Aug 27 2005, 02:01 AM

QUOTE(AND @ Aug 26 2005, 11:38 PM)

Nalion rode through the ranks of the legions towards the front of the army. He was thickly wrapped up in clothes to keep the worst of the cold and the wind from himself, yet still, part of the chill made it through the layers and made him shiver.

The mage was sunken in thought, letting the horse find the easiest way and just kept it moving in the right direction.
Something woke him from his thoughts, as he noticed three soldiers standing around a fourth body in the snow. Spurring Forsa to a faster trot, he headed towards them.

"That's just stupid," one legionaire just said as Nalion arrived. "We're supposed to save an Emperor, not dying by a cold. Keep yourself healthy, guy..."
Looking up at the mage, the legionaire shrugged. "Seems like that one has failed to see a healer when he should have done that a couple of hours ago. Folly. I already sent for a healer."
Nalion recognized the figure lying on the ground. Plaas.
"I can deal with that and bring him to the healer's wagons.", the mage answered, jumping down from his horse and kneeling besides the exhausted imperial. Fine blue threads of magicka flowed from the mages hands to restore Plaas' fatigue and health.

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 27 2005, 02:05 AM

The Void

The smell of blood was in the air, and Bosriel, the pale little girl with the long dark hair, the red eyes and redder lips, the Void Vampire, supped where she could on the wounded, Azurite or Legionnaire. They were mortal enemies, but their blood tasted the same.

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 27 2005, 02:06 AM

"You're on my list of things to do before I die," Tris said, very softly, to Goranthir. "Anyway I'll never see you like this again in this lifetime. I'm going to tell the General you're here; good luck."

"There are animals," Deothur said. "Mostly magical creatures that can live on spilled magicka, and carrion eaters. Nothing natural grows on the plains of conflict."

"The Source's saint does fight," the Redguard woman said. "He's a mage, I guess he knows everything there is to know about the schools of magic, and you never know what to expect from him."

"I've met him," Deothur said. "I don't think the arrow of insight would work with saints. We're... finished, if you understand me. We've made our choice. It's the spirits, and the mortals, who have a choice that lies before them, here."

Posted by: AND Aug 27 2005, 02:12 AM

Plaas' eyes focused. He felt his legs again. AS he pushed himself up again. As forced a grin on his face. "Thank you Nalion." He whisperred. "I should keep moving." Plaas looked around waiting for a place to get back into the line. He started to get into teh line, trying to hide the barest trance of a limp.

Posted by: Loranna Aug 27 2005, 02:18 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 26 2005, 08:06 PM)

"I think I understand what you mean by finished, dear," Loranna says, "and so that puts our plans for the arrow back to the necromancer who made this power source."

"A mage who knows everything there is to know about magic; the Snake Stone may not even be enough to stop his spells, and there's always ways to strike people indirectly," Loranna continues. "Hopefully, we can keep him from getting too many spells off, and if we can convince the necromancer to abandon his plans ... well, maybe some of the others will, too."

She looks to Goranthir and Deothur. "Is there anything else we have not yet considered?" she asks.

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 27 2005, 02:18 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 26 2005, 08:06 PM)

Goranthir smiled. "How long is this list of yours?"

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 26 2005, 08:06 PM)

"There are animals," Deothur said. "Mostly magical creatures that can live on spilled magicka, and carrion eaters. Nothing natural grows on the plains of conflict."

"The Source's saint does fight," the Redguard woman said. "He's a mage, I guess he knows everything there is to know about the schools of magic, and you never know what to expect from him."

"I've met him," Deothur said. "I don't think the arrow of insight would work with saints. We're... finished, if you understand me. We've made our choice. It's the spirits, and the mortals, who have a choice that lies before them, here."

"Hmm, I can speak with some magical creatures, and carrion eaters are actually quite amusing in their way," Goranthir nodded. Hearing the words about the saint, he said. "A bit of a paradox, this saint. On one hand, he is a saint of excellence. His plans could be nothing more than surrounding himself with the very best team he can find. On the other hand, he's a self-styled saint. He worships no God but himself. And he's building siege equipment. He may have goals other saints do not."

Posted by: Nalion Aug 27 2005, 02:19 AM

QUOTE(AND @ Aug 27 2005, 02:12 AM)

"You will keep moving, but to the healer's wagons backwards and not forward. I want to see you checked through thoroughly and in warmer clothes than now.", Nalion replied, tugging at Plaas' shoulder and speaking in a tone of 'no complaints now, just do it'.
"Jump on the horse.", the mage said, then turned to the legionaires. "Thank you for your help."

Posted by: Dumbkid Aug 27 2005, 02:21 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 26 2005, 08:18 PM)

She looks to Goranthir and Deothur. "Is there anything else we have not yet considered?" she asks.

"Isn't there always?" The ghost of an elderly imperial man said as he passed by. "Best to make sure they aren't prepared for you, but that'd be impossible. I'd say you're done for."

Posted by: AND Aug 27 2005, 02:23 AM

Plaas started to blush. Nalion had treated him as if he was a child. BUt he had to admit, It was almost time for war, and it was not a time for being stuborn. Plaas swung hsi leg over the horse and smiled. "Let's go."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 27 2005, 02:26 AM

QUOTE(Sheogorath @ Aug 26 2005, 07:18 PM)

Goranthir smiled. "How long is this list of yours?"
"Hmm, I can speak with some magical creatures, and carrion eaters are actually quite amusing in their way," Goranthir nodded. Hearing the words about the saint, he said. "A bit of a paradox, this saint. On one hand, he is a saint of excellence. His plans could be nothing more than surrounding himself with the very best team he can find. On the other hand, he's a self-styled saint. He worships no God but himself. And he's building siege equipment. He may have goals other saints do not."

"I don't know," Tris said. "I check things off regularly, but it keeps getting longer, not shorter." He laughed, a little too loudly; leaving them all here, to fight a battle he wouldn't even see, was frightening.

"I am sure that his goals are not mine," Deothur said. "However, we are both still saints - or devils - depending on who you talk to."

Posted by: Loranna Aug 27 2005, 02:31 AM

QUOTE(Dumbkid @ Aug 26 2005, 08:21 PM)

"Isn't there always?" The ghost of an elderly imperial man said as he passed by. "Best to make sure they aren't prepared for you, but that'd be impossible. I'd say you're done for."

Loranna smiles at the passing Imperial. "So noted," she says dryly.

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 26 2005, 08:26 PM)

"He is building on the plains, which has never been done before," Loranna says. "Perhaps he hopes to carve out a part of this realm for himself, with the best warriors of all time as his champions."

She pauses. "If we manage to beat his current team, that would be us at the time," she says.

She sighs a little. "Perhaps we have prepared our plans as best as can be," she says. "I still need to pick equipment; these clothes are more just a reflection of my tastes, not really combat-worthy. Not for this fight at least." She glances at her rings. "Pardon me ..."

She heads off to the stalls; long moments later, she returns - wearing full ice armor, with the shield, and a long robe similar to her usual preferred outfit. Two maces complete her ensemble; one on her back and the other on her belt.

"Shall we?" she asks.

Posted by: Rhedd Aug 27 2005, 02:32 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 26 2005, 06:31 PM)

She heads off to the stalls; long moments later, she returns - wearing full ice armor, with the shield, and a long robe similar to her usual preferred outfit. Two maces complete her ensemble; one on her back and the other on her belt.

"Shall we?" she asks.

""Shall we"?" said Herwyn, a bit incredulously. "Shall we what?"

Posted by: Nalion Aug 27 2005, 02:43 AM

QUOTE(AND @ Aug 27 2005, 02:23 AM)

Nalion took Forsa's reins and led the horse to the side of the marching column, then headed for the healer's wagons. As they arrived, he placed Plaas under their care, asking to check him thoroughly and outfit him with warmer clothes and shoes.
Turning to Plaas, he excused himself.
"I need to be going. Just care about yourself a bit more. We need good men."
The mage mounted Forsa and thanked the healers. Making a clicking sound with his tongue and lightly tipping the flanks of his destrier, he rode back towards the front of the army.

Posted by: Dagoth Lich Aug 27 2005, 02:44 AM

Slyvos was wearing a simple, unassuming robe, 10 rings, one on each finger, each with a different CE effect.

'everyone ready? if not, best we hurry... not to rush ya too badly.'

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 27 2005, 02:44 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 26 2005, 08:26 PM)

"I think I'll see you again," said Goranthir seriously, his eyes showing the new trust he had, and with it the unspoken but clear message But I may not. He embraced Tris and left quickly to pick up the necessary items.

The King went around the group, passing each of them two rings and an amulet. "The first ring casts Mark and Recall, and heal at the same time. We will pick a spot to retreat to if need be. The second ring casts dispel, cure disease, and cure poison. The amulet casts a powerful shield spell. These should be your first line of defense. Even if you can cast some of these spells already, use these items first, and conserve your magicka for when it matters."

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 27 2005, 02:50 AM

QUOTE(Rhedd @ Aug 26 2005, 08:32 PM)

""Shall we"?" said Herwyn, a bit incredulously. "Shall we what?"

"I'm sorry," Goranthir laughed loudly. "Shall we commit deicide now?"

Posted by: AND Aug 27 2005, 02:51 AM

Plaas watched as Nalion left.
He's right, you need to stop being stubborn. He thought
I know.
You also need to get mroe friends, you haven't talked at all.
I Know.
You need to-
SHUT UP!
Plaas looked to his left and watched as the healer tended to his leg. When they were done, Plaas asked for some extra clothes. The mages gave him what looked like Nordic Fur and hopped out of the wagon. He rejoined the marching collumn

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 27 2005, 02:52 AM

QUOTE(Dagoth Lich @ Aug 26 2005, 08:44 PM)

Slyvos was wearing a simple, unassuming robe, 10 rings, one on each finger, each with a different CE effect.

'everyone ready? if not, best we hurry... not to rush ya too badly.'

"I'm ready." Isidor replied. He was as ready as he was going to be, at least.

QUOTE(Sheogorath)

"I think I'll see you again," said Goranthir seriously, his eyes showing the new trust he had, and with it the unspoken but clear message But I may not. He embraced Tris and left quickly to pick up the necessary items.

The King went around the group, passing each of them two rings and an amulet. "The first ring casts Mark and Recall, and heal at the same time. We will pick a spot to retreat to if need be. The second ring casts dispel, cure disease, and cure poison. The amulet casts a powerful shield spell. These should be your first line of defense. Even if you can cast some of these spells already, use these items first, and conserve your magicka for when it matters."

Isidor took the rings, and put the amuelt around his neck. "Good luck, your Majesty." He said with a wink. "Good luck to everyone."

Posted by: Allerleirauh Aug 27 2005, 02:53 AM

QUOTE(Loranna @ Aug 26 2005, 07:31 PM)

Loranna smiles at the passing Imperial. "So noted," she says dryly.
"He is building on the plains, which has never been done before," Loranna says. "Perhaps he hopes to carve out a part of this realm for himself, with the best warriors of all time as his champions."

She pauses. "If we manage to beat his current team, that would be us at the time," she says.

She sighs a little. "Perhaps we have prepared our plans as best as can be," she says. "I still need to pick equipment; these clothes are more just a reflection of my tastes, not really combat-worthy. Not for this fight at least." She glances at her rings. "Pardon me ..."

She heads off to the stalls; long moments later, she returns - wearing full ice armor, with the shield, and a long robe similar to her usual preferred outfit. Two maces complete her ensemble; one on her back and the other on her belt.

"Shall we?" she asks.

"Better," Tris said. "You in that diaphanous ensemble... I was a little afraid of you."

He kissed her, and bowed to the rest of them, and was gone.

"It's time," Deothur said. "Are you ready?"

Posted by: Loranna Aug 27 2005, 02:58 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 26 2005, 08:53 PM)

"Better," Tris said. "You in that diaphanous ensemble... I was a little afraid of you."

He kissed her, and bowed to the rest of them, and was gone.

"It's time," Deothur said. "Are you ready?"

Loranna kisses Tris back, muttering under her breath as he leaves " ... Be thankful we met then in Tamriel, Tris dear. Godspeed."

Hiding a frown born of last-minute worry, Loranna turns to Deothur and says "Yes; let us go and be Sorrow's end."

Posted by: syronj Aug 27 2005, 02:58 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 26 2005, 08:53 PM)

"Better," Tris said. "You in that diaphanous ensemble... I was a little afraid of you."

He kissed her, and bowed to the rest of them, and was gone.

"It's time," Deothur said. "Are you ready?"

Shaka wore full daedric armor now, with the ebony helm. The daedric warhammer was slung on his back, and he carried the scale shield and an ebony longsword. The warhammer would cast fire on strike, and the longsword was both an armor-stripper and an absorber of health.

He glanced over at Anya fondly. "Ready."

Posted by: Sheogorath Aug 27 2005, 02:58 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 26 2005, 08:53 PM)

"It's time," Deothur said. "Are you ready?"

Goranthir took a deep breath. He didn't know if he was ready or not. But it was time.

The only other item he had bought for himself allowed him to summon forth bound weapons, in case he lost the ebony daikatana. But he was not going to do that.

"Yes," he said.

Posted by: Stargazey Aug 27 2005, 03:00 AM

QUOTE(Allerleirauh @ Aug 26 2005, 08:53 PM)

"Better," Tris said. "You in that diaphanous ensemble... I was a little afraid of you."

He kissed her, and bowed to the rest of them, and was gone.

"It's time," Deothur said. "Are you ready?"

"Yes." Isidor strapped his axe to his back, and stood a little straighter. "And if we all make it through, make the Nine bless each of you."

Posted by: Xyber02 Aug 27 2005, 03:07 AM

QUOTE(syronj @ Aug 26 2005, 06:58 PM)

Shaka wore full daedric armor now, with the ebony helm. The daedric warhammer was slung on his back, and he carried the scale shield and an ebony longsword.

He glanced over at Anya fondly. "Ready."

Anya looked at her equipment, rechecking it. Her new full glass armor, light but strong, was enchanted to improve speed, agility, accuracy, and some strength. The clothes underneath provided some healing spells of her own.

She checked her belt, along it were various throwing daggers and throwing stars, each enchanted with a few nasty effects. In the quiver along her thigh were arrows, enchanted as well. She wore the various rings her group decided to get, and an amulet with a bound longbow of a rather long duration.

"Um, yes, I think so... nothing missing."

Posted by: AND Aug 27 2005, 03:09 AM

Plaas looked at the legionaires. HE saw one he recognized but forgot his name.
Once again, your inability to communicate has caused you grief. he thought
I thought I told you to SHUT UP!.
HE approached the familiar man. "Excuse my intrusion, but I recognize you. May I ask your name?"

Posted by: serakit Aug 27 2005, 03:12 AM

The orc looked to his right and left then said, "Who me? Names Kokotr but i can't recall your face might have me mistakenin' but i have been to many a' town. Might I ask your name, stranger?" he repiled with a warm hearted grin.

Posted by: Loranna Aug 27 2005, 03:13 AM

Time to start the fireworks

Loranna