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OoC Thread for "An RP in the World of Avernum... *Reloaded*" in General
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Profile #296
McCallister has grown extremely distrustful of any religious order as of late; every one of them apparently wants to build temples and convert people within his territory, and as soon as he made it known he intended to put an end to magic in his territory the Anama naturally attempted to convert him. (And I'm sorry if that was an overstep, Dintrihoohaw - I just thought that'd be the natural thing for the Anama to do.)

The Order of the Bright Star would probably be best-served laying low for a while - so far it's managed to discomfit McCallister in his idealistic schemes, announce the Alliance to their Hunter enemies, and drain the Alliance of a third or better of its military force. They're an annoyance at best and a major nuisance at worst.

Lyonard's efforts to eliminate them are essentially a power-building exercise independent of the explicit leadership of the Alliance. However, if they make themselves visible enough, Lyonard might be able to convince McCallister to take an active role in exterminating them. Which would be bad.
Posts: 794 | Registered: Tuesday, October 11 2005 07:00
An RP in the World of Avernum *Reloaded* in General
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Member # 6388
Profile #277
Krizsan.

"Announcing Rubicante, master of the Adventurers' Guild."

A large man - muscular and tall - enters the throne room of the Alliance, flanked by bodyguards and attendants and wearing the clothes of a Guildmaster and a handlebar moustache.

"Rubicante. You speak to Director McCallister of the Alliance. I have a proposal for you."

"The Guild will hear your proposal, but will make no promise to accept unless it proves generous."

"You will find it as generous as you like. The Alliance requires assistance in executing its war against the Hunter elements. In exchange for the assistance of the Guild's navy, we would be inclined to offer generous deals in the use of our facilities, including our ports."

Rubicante thinks. "I believe that offer should prove acceptable. We will send the naval command we deem to be merited by the value of your offer post-haste." The burly man seems to restrain himself from a theatrical flourish.

"In addition, I understand the Guild has a wide covert network. If that would prove any succor in finding the agents-provocateurs who liberated the city of Krizsan by magical means, I would be willing to pay most generously for their assistance as well."

Rubicante nods. "We'll let you know."

The train of guildsmen depart. McCallister smiles. This is the first good news the Alliance has heard in some time.
Posts: 794 | Registered: Tuesday, October 11 2005 07:00
An RP in the World of Avernum *Reloaded* in General
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Profile #274
Krizsan. Director McCallister sits in the great throne; Lyonard enters unannounced. If he were anyone else, that would have been unacceptable. As it stands - well, McCallister owes Lyonard a lot.

"How has the business of running the Alliance gone?"

McCallister sighs. "I've had various religious orders try and get me to abolish magic altogether. I've had several mages coming in to convince me to reverse my policy. The only one I've actually consulted on any level with was one by the name with Eghan - had a number of interesting proposals to moderate the policy of the Alliance."

Lyonard nods. "Well, McCallister, think of it this way. The efforts to abolish magic - however well-intentioned, will make an enemy of every mage and a potential enemy of every other group of influence on Valorim. And that's assuming the Anama don't colonize us as they did Bigail - moving in to replace the parts of the social architecture destroyed by a sudden exodus of magi, converting everyone in Krizsan and leaving us under their thrall."

McCallister frowns. "I dislike allowing matters of convenience to interfere with my convictions."

"Then don't. You want to eliminate magic? The best way to do it isn't outlawing it. It'll just drive the rich mages out and the poor mages underground. The best way to eliminate magic is through our program of education and isolation."

McCallister nods. "I suppose. I have a lot to think about. Inform the guards I won't be seeing anyone else on the matter."

"Perhaps I could assist you in promulgating your official policy on magic and the university...?"

"Thank you, but I think I'm fine on my own."

Lyonard opens his mouth as if to speak, but is stunned by the response. He nods his head shakily and withdraws.

I need to figure out how to keep him on a tighter leash before it's too late...

[ Sunday, April 09, 2006 11:32: Message edited by: The Worst Man Ever ]
Posts: 794 | Registered: Tuesday, October 11 2005 07:00
An RP in the World of Avernum *Reloaded* in General
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Profile #272
Krizsan. McCallister sits on the old throne of the Hunters; he looks astoundingly small and uncomfortable in the great, elaborate seat on which Tygra once held court.

A man in blue robes stands waiting, tapping his foot. He is old - far older than McCallister - and wearing foreign regalia.

A door opens, and a man in star-spangled purple enters. If the audience were anyone but an Anama elder and an anti-magic generalissimo, they would be awed by the presence of an order mage.

The priest hissed. McCallister cleared his throat angrily. "Gentlemen, I require order. The public policy of my faction has been decided in broad strokes, but you have both expressed an interest in changing my mind on policy. You may make your cases now."

The Anama priest, glaring daggers at the order mage, proceeded to speak. "McCallister - may I ask what your official title is?"

McCallister gave it a moment's thought. "Director."

"Director McCallister, that you have even invited a mage to these proceedings brings into question the sincerity of your convictions. Magic is an unconditional evil leading the minds of men into darkness; it can only be overcome with a strict policy of containment and destruction."

The mage sighs. "Director McCallister, allow me to introduce myself. I am Eghan, order mage at large and member of the resistance coalition that put you in power. Unlike this foreigner sent by Bigail to convert you to their insane religion, I understand that the origin of your policy is in concern for the people. Although I am disappointed by its direction, I am willing to accept the implications of it. Allow me to propose a cordial understanding between the professional magi and the government."

"The enemy is to be amateur mages - hedge-magery, the kind of which has been forbidden by the Empire for decades. Professional mages can contain their studies and limit the use of their power. Hedge-mages are inevitably a mix of village dogmatist and snake oil salesman, working for power and profit at the expense of the public good."

"While I understand your position on magic is such that some would construe it as a war against mages, I would counsel you to allow the practice to continue within the Alliance's borders. The few mages who were not stationed in outlying towns when Krizsan fell to the revolution are generally librarians or scholars by trade; their aid would be invaluable in setting up a mundane, secular --" here Eghan shoots a nasty look at the Anama priest -- "university."

"We wish to assist you in building a better society. Those of our number who do not wish to participate in mundane teaching can keep well enough to ourselves, and if you are of the opinion that magic is a bad influence on the populace - so be it. I wish it were different, but it isn't. I'm fine with compromising."

The Anama elder, scarlet with rage, finally seized on his turn to speak.

"Compromise, hell! The God-damn witch wants to convince you that his deviant kind are of any use to a functional society. You can drive them out without any real harm; if you allow our priests to instruct yours, you can readily replace any function the mages in your territory would have served. While the Anama appreciate your sentiment, they do not traffic in half-measures and will not be particularly pleased to find that you have rejected the true path in favor of a chimeric perversion."

McCallister stared at the elder. "Let them traffic in what they wish. Inform your leaders I will be accepting the proposal laid out by Eghan; we will neither be exterminating the mages nor making any effort to convert to your religion."

The Anama hissed again, turned on his heel, and withdrew without a word.

"Eghan, do not labor under the delusion you have won today. You have skillfully convinced me that mages can coexist with a society of progress. However, you will not convince me that they are a useful component of one. Inform your fellows that if they have no interest in teaching in Krizsan's new university, they are to register with the government and establish a settlement suitably removed from the remainder of the Alliance as not to pose as an obstacle, and keep to themselves as much as absolutely possible."

"Oh, and I plan to levy a tax on the mages to support our efforts to build schools and stamp out hedge-magery. It will be light, but it will be there."

Eghan balked. "But we're a fiercely independent lot, Director. I doubt if they will be willing to pay, especially without something in return."

"They will have access to the University's libraries, albeit heavily regulated and monitored. In addition, it will provide any of them with useful knowledge with steady and profitable employment and access to a society that will otherwise be mostly closed to them. Acceptable?"

"I suppose. You have not taken a heavy hand with us, Director McCallister, but understand that your goals are ambitious and will ruffle more than a few feathers."

"I understand. If you have nothing further...?"

Eoghan bows. "Thank you for your time, Director."

In a moment McCallister is alone again, mind buzzing with thought.
Posts: 794 | Registered: Tuesday, October 11 2005 07:00
OoC Thread for "An RP in the World of Avernum... *Reloaded*" in General
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Profile #287
I will be taking control of the Alliance. I have a lot of experience with faction-juggling.

[ Sunday, April 09, 2006 09:46: Message edited by: The Worst Man Ever ]
Posts: 794 | Registered: Tuesday, October 11 2005 07:00
Indian Doctor Jailed For Agreeing To Abort Female Fetus in General
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Profile #9
Ashby, you invincible dunderhead. Indian culture doesn't share the same insane assumptions about abortions that you do, and you have no particular reason for caring about sex-based abortion except those insane assumptions.

By the same logic, they ought to have us outlaw eating beef. The better to solve our problems with veal and steroids, of course.
Posts: 794 | Registered: Tuesday, October 11 2005 07:00
OoC Thread for "An RP in the World of Avernum... *Reloaded*" in General
Lifecrafter
Member # 6388
Profile #193
A separate note to Dikyoba: playing a band of wanderers might be a bad idea, unless you intend them to accrue followers in a hurry. Everyone else has got armies marching around, after all.

And if you intend for them to accrue followers, shoo before I'm forced to mess with you. :P
Posts: 794 | Registered: Tuesday, October 11 2005 07:00
OoC Thread for "An RP in the World of Avernum... *Reloaded*" in General
Lifecrafter
Member # 6388
Profile #192
One of the most essential elements of an RP is a healthy disregard for canon when it gets in the way. It's there to add, not to bound.

I mean, hell. Last time around we added a continent and several habitable planets. Is making up a city gonna kill you?
Posts: 794 | Registered: Tuesday, October 11 2005 07:00
The Abominable Photos Of Others Thread in General
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Member # 6388
Profile #0
You know the drill. Except today, not so much.

While looking through the APT, I was struck by an idea: let's see photos of someone else!

Here are the sorts of people we'd like to see, in order of preference:

Someone you used to go out with; someone you are going out with; someone you produced; a good friend of yours; you in a clever disguise; the Pope or any other dignitary; someone doing something interesting; a foreigner; a celebrity; Almighty God; an inanimate object curiously resembling a person.

The catch is that you must either have taken the photo or have seen it taken. No Google searches, silly! We could do that ourselves. And I guess I can make an exception if you're going out with someone creepily over the Internet, but that's it, bud. No screencaps from the papal webcam.

The other catch? Every post in this thread must contain such a photo. Want to chatter idly about a photo in it and feel left out? Fashion yourself a false moustache and snap a picture or something, or go out and get a photo of the first person you run into who speaks with an accent.

The photo must, of course, be accompanied at least by which category it is. If you feel like providing more information - more power to you, but please do avoid breaking any laws.

If you can rustle up a photo of yourself with the ex/foreigner/Pope, that'd be better. Not in that way, you horrible monster.

...

IMAGE(http://alec.desperance.net/showcase/P1010019-800x.JPG)
Me, an ex, and a semi-celebrity (one of the Blue Men).
Posts: 794 | Registered: Tuesday, October 11 2005 07:00
The Abominable Photo Thread IV: A New Hope in General
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An inauspicious day to start a photo thread on, yes, but bear with me.

What do you look like? Strut your sexy/horrible stuff.

http://alec.desperance.net/showcase/smug.JPG

After handing a cadre of well-paid lawyers their asses. Note the tie.
Posts: 794 | Registered: Tuesday, October 11 2005 07:00
Themed Party Contest in General
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Member # 6388
Profile #13
IMAGE(http://alec.desperance.net/exile2party.PNG)
Posts: 794 | Registered: Tuesday, October 11 2005 07:00
Just because we all love census topics in General
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Member # 6388
Profile #11
quote:

What is the weirdest thing you've ever seen?
A pigeon seizing to death.
quote:
What is the weirdest thing you've done?
One of my exes.
quote:
What is the most humiliating thing you have ever done for money?
I really don't do anything for money.
quote:
What is the most humiliating thing you would ever do for money?
I have my price for just about anything you could name.
quote:
If you could travel back time, what historical event would you like to witness “live” and why?
Let me into the auto-da-fe of the Mayan codices with a good videocamera and I'd be happy.
quote:
If someone made a movie about your life, what would it be called?
The Worst Man Ever.
quote:
If you were a meal how would you describe yourself?
Salty.
quote:
Have you ever gone a whole day without wearing underwear?
I used to be a baby.
quote:
What is the stupidest thing you’ve ever bought?
A fish. They're retarded.
quote:
If you had to kill a SW member, who would it be and why?
I'm certain Thuryl is the only one who would prove necessary to kill, for reasons which should be obvious to anyone who knows the man.
quote:
If you had to pick between TM or Alec, who would you pick? and WHY?(You can't ignore the question, you can't answer neither, and NO it's not for killing)
TM, if only for variety.
Posts: 794 | Registered: Tuesday, October 11 2005 07:00
Infant Daughter v2.0 in General
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Member # 6388
Profile #1
By the time she's old enough, she'll be lucky if Vogel even acknowledges Exile exists any more.
Posts: 794 | Registered: Tuesday, October 11 2005 07:00
BIG concern, need an answer ASAP in General
Lifecrafter
Member # 6388
Profile #13
Please no nephil slash fiction.
Posts: 794 | Registered: Tuesday, October 11 2005 07:00
An RP in the World of Avernum *Reloaded* in General
Lifecrafter
Member # 6388
Profile #192
Bargha. The council, still convened, is going over insignificant matters.

A messenger bursts into the room, waking Boleslaw - who was generously allowed to sleep.

"Sirs, we've received word of a circus troupe entering the city."

The masters look at one another incredulously. Boleslaw cracks a smile. "A circus, eh? Interesting. Any indication what they're like?"

Thissa interrupts him. "It's a trap. There's no reason for there to be a circus in town; even if it isn't, it's a waste of our bloody ti--"

Boleslaw shoots him a nasty look. "Listen, armor boy, I'm the god-damn Grandmaster. Don't interrupt me. That's first of all. Second, I want to hear what this circus is like. Now, before I was so rudely interrupted, you were saying?"

"I saw it myself, sir. There was a little ogre and the world's strongest slith and a singing nephil and a woman."

Boleslaw's eyebrows poke up. "A woman, eh? How is she?"

The messenger tilts his head from side to side. "Eh. A little chubby, your potency. And I think she has a unibrow."

Boleslaw looks momentarily crestfallen.

"But she's wearing next to nothing."

The grandmaster's flagging spirits rise again. Thissa growls.
"Damn it, Boleslaw, you know you could get any woman in the corps in bed with you, and if you really mind the odd scar we could always pay for a whore."

The messenger, unhelpfully, continues. "And they were singing, too! Pretty well. Something about not being a demon cult bent on thievery and revenge."

"Not being a demon cult bent on thievery and revenge? Hmm. That's a good sign."

Thissa chimes in. "No, your potency. Nothing about that is a good sign."

Boleslaw turns to face his mailed advisor. "Can you sing, Thissa?"

"I could."

"Then why don't you?"

Thissa clears his throat and elbows Xao, who, sighing, begins to sing a background melody.

"We're a nation of brigands and spies,
We trick everyone for trickery's sake!
And yet even we can clearly see
This circus is a fake!"

"Their strongman is built like a wire,
Their stripper is built like a rock,
And if that's what raises your fire,
We'll get a cave cow to sit on --"

Boleslaw cuts them off at a remarkably opportune moment for the intrepid narrator. "All right, that's enough. Neither of you can carry a tune. And for God's sake, there's six of you; you could at least have had the courtesy to form some kind of barber-shop quartet or something. Unless anyone else has any objections, invite the circus to my court."

Thissa looks desperately to Raocosic.

"You realize how few opportunities, however slim, a man gets to kick the ass of someone who calls himself the world's strongest something or rather?"

To Rhys.

"Saves us the expense of a prostitute."

To Xao.

"Well, I, for one, would like to see a midget ogre."

The messenger blurts out, "And their leader had a top hat and a cane, too! Real circus-y."

Thissa grumbles angrily. "Fine. I can do nothing to stop your will, Your Potency."
Posts: 794 | Registered: Tuesday, October 11 2005 07:00
An RP in the World of Avernum *Reloaded* in General
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Profile #187
Bargha. The council is assembled around an iron table; Boleslaw, wearing the black crown of grandmaster, looks intensely bored with the proceedings, and only pays attention when directly mentioned. The masters seem to be winding down their lively discussion.

A man in chain armor with meticulously groomed red hair leans back a little and grunts. "So what our new ward reports is an undead threat, eh? My men can take the undead. Some of them have fought them before." His accent is like Xao's, but far stronger; his skin does not have the characteristic paleness of a born Avernite.

Thissa, as usual wearing his black plate armor, clears his throat audibly. "We feel that preparing the entire army for fighting the undead would be foolhardy. Raocosic, it would be best if you were to scour your ranks for those with experience; we only have so much equipment to go around. Speaking of which, Rhys - have you contacted a friendly church yet?"

A slight man with blond hair, wearing a bow and light, black armor, nods. "Yes. The servants of the Divine Lucre have agreed to give us a substantial discount, along with a couple of free crates of disruptive bolts, in exchange for a two-year pact. I've made a chart of which routes this will affect; for the most part, they've unwittingly signed into security routes which we can no longer profitably assault anyway.

Xao smiles. "Excellent. Raocosic, would you object to my taking control of the security force when it is formed?"

Raocosic ruminates for a moment. "No. It'll probably involve a lot more skulking around than is my style. I'll need to have a look at the general command to form a good unit with the available troops, though. Not just my own."

"Your Potency?"

"What, Thissa?" Boleslaw looks almost as if he's been awoken from sleep.

"Do you approve of Raocosic's extended power?" He leads his sovereign to yes with his voice.

Boleslaw makes a big show of pretending to weigh the options in his head. (That tends to stop after a couple of weeks, but no matter.) "Yes. Do what you must to bring glory and treasure to the Knights."

Raocosic cracks a wide grin. "Outstanding."

Rhys taps the table with his pen. "Oh, Thissa - I can't believe I nearly forgot. You know the artifacts we found?"

"Yes?"

"Many are quite valuable; one, a small dirk, was the personal sidearm of the Imperial commander here during the invasion. Seems to be near-vorpal, and worth its weight in distilled power."

"What of the artifact our defector took with him?"

Rhys clears his throat. "Uh. See, that's a different story. The Onyx Scepter is priceless, but of obscure interest. Our buyers have expressed a fascination, but at the same time an unwillingness to purchase."

There passes a silence. "Well, we'll have to keep on looking. We'll find a buyer eventually, I'm sure."

[ Tuesday, March 28, 2006 19:52: Message edited by: The Worst Man Ever ]
Posts: 794 | Registered: Tuesday, October 11 2005 07:00
OoC Thread for "An RP in the World of Avernum... *Reloaded*" in General
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Profile #70
Sullust, if you are reading this, I do not recall my faction and yours having any dealings. If you're assuming a team of magi got killed and robbed off-camera (so to speak), that'd be fine.

However, the mages I killed in Khoth's caverns were Sarachim's.

I apologize for making the cavalier assumption that the mages could teleport themselves from Khoth's fortress back to Grah-Hoth's fortress, but assuming they have some kind of teleport anchor it's not wholly implausible.
Posts: 794 | Registered: Tuesday, October 11 2005 07:00
Avernum RP Summaries in General
Lifecrafter
Member # 6388
Profile #1
Faction: Abyss Knights (not Knights of the Abyss)

Characters To Keep Straight & Avoid Murdering
Master Thissa: A figure in black armor bearing a black halberd (which may or may not be THE Black Halberd, although it's inconsequential). When out and about, usually on lizardback. Male Slith, although he never reveals himself and there are fairly few opportunities for him to be unmasked in the field. Is an expert warrior and tactician of modest ability; spends the most time of any of the Masters around Bargha.
Whether Thissa is a surname, given name, or even a name at all is not yet clear.
Master Opus Xao: Red-haired man, pale. His accent has the faintest twinge of Aizoan (not Aizoim). Tends to wear light armor, if any; he is a field leader and an expert on stealth and diplomacy. The most outwardly dynamic of the Masters, although he does not have any pretentions or designs toward leadership.
Master Rhys: A slight figure; an archer by combat practice, but better-known for his avarice, astounding even to his fellow Knights. A capable and driven quartermaster. Tends to avoid combat; his command composes principally supply trains, vault guards, and the like.
Master Raocosic Xadus: The military mastermind of the Masters' circuit. Does not shy from personal combat, but generally of better use to his faction as a tactician. The exception to the pervasive darkness of the Abyss Knights, his resplendent chain mail and glowing blade tend to make him look like a leader in any situation. Of the same background as Xao, but a far more recent arrival; not anywhere near as pale as his fellows, but a ruddy, healthy-looking man with well-groomed red hair.
The other Masters: As yet unintroduced, but as you have probably divined by now, the power behind the shifting Grandmaster's throne. At least one has not shown up yet.
The Grandmaster: A deft or sharp-witted man aspiring to the position is extremely uncommon, and its occupants tend to reflect that. The present one, Jan Boleslaw, is a physically powerful but not exceptionally intelligent, and ambitious but not anywhere near as much as the shadowy Masters. His rule is unlikely to last more than about a year and a half; even if he should avoid periodic attempts on his life, the Masters tend to throw out their leader every couple of years or so to prevent any one from growing too entrenched.

Who We Know And Why
Knights of Old Avernum: Dragooned into moving east by the Abyss Knights' threats; neither faction considered fighting the other a worthy investment of scarce resources.
Disciples of Death: No direct contact, but the Abyss Knights are well aware of the undead presence to their west, along with nearby specialists in dark powers. A special band has been outfitted with blessed or disruptive weapons in order to protect against any encroaching threats; efforts to extend Abyss power into the west have generally been discontinued.
Cult of Grah-Hoth: No sustained contact; a single incident wherein a semi-ranking Slith mage defected with an invaluable artifact has likely made the Knights a permanent enemy in this faction, however.

Where We Are Likely & Unlikely To Show Up
Likely: the western Great Cave - as far east as Gnass; the rubble caverns, western waterways and lands drained by the same; isolated coastal areas of the surface
Unlikely: Any lands substantially west of the Abyss have been placed off-limits by the Masters due to the apparent threats in the area and lack of substantial profit to gain from controlling it. In addition, the Knights' affiliated pirates play an extremely limited role in surface affairs, preferring to prey on the weak and infirm, and are seldom found in areas not already known for their pirate problems.

Post 1: The past and present of the Abyss Knights.

Post 2: Thissa discusses the undead threat with Grandmaster Vogt.

Post 3: The assassination of Karol Vogt and his replacement with Jan Boleslaw.

Post 4: The robbery of the Onyx Scepter and the defection of Makhass; first contact between the Knights and the Cult of Grah-Hoth.

Post 5: The Council discusses recent findings.

Post 6: In which things begin to turn into some kind of burlesque.

[ Wednesday, March 29, 2006 00:15: Message edited by: The Worst Man Ever ]
Posts: 794 | Registered: Tuesday, October 11 2005 07:00
An RP in the World of Avernum *Reloaded* in General
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Khoth's Lair ruins. A hot breeze from the nearby magma fields sweeps over a small encampment. Six sliths and three humans sit about a round, collapsible table, studying a pile of items. A horned skull on a stake seems to keep a grim watch of the proceedings.

The humans are each wrapped in as little cloth as modesty would permit; the Sliths are bundled up warmer, in thick felt mage robes, some singed a little from flying embers. The ranking member of the circle, wearing a circlet over her sweat-drenched hair, hisses in frustration. "The dagger is enchanted, but not particularly so. Probably an artifact of the war."

One of her companions among the sliths takes the weapon she was studying and sets it aside. He then puts in front of her a scepter made of some manner of dark crystal - a scepter which seems to glimmer with a perverse, pitch-black relative of light.

She smiles. "By the damn slumberers, Az-ossath! We've had an onyx scepter here the whole time." The slith beams. One of the other sliths looks nervous for a moment. "We had better get back home, then, mistress Alaran," the second slith says. "No sssensse dawdling."

Alaran nods. "Teleportation with this thing would be fairly risky; there's a faint chance of the portal consuming it for stability. We'll have to hoof it; there's no comparing the value of our physical comfort to this thing."

The second Slith suddenly goes into a near-panic and darts off into a seemingly random direction. A low, rumbling horn sounds, first from the south and then echoing from every surface of the cavern. Alaran, bewildered, begins to curse by her demonic gods alongside her fellows.

Dozens of men in blackened armor surge from every nook and cranny, screaming and hurling javelins. Alaran cracked a wide grin. "Fools! With the Scepter, we'll make hamburger of -- "

At that moment, the pudgy archmage looks down at the pile of artifacts to discover the Scepter gone. She looks to Makhass and, sure enough, the black glow surges from his frame. With an anguished howl, she picks up the dirk and hurls it at him, and he gives a blood-curdling shriek and doubles over as it rips through his right eye and the bridge of his nose.

The man beside her is struck by three javelins and collapses in a writhing heap. His interrupted spell misfires, throwing out great gouts of power. Az-ossath catches a blast in the chest and stumbles; his thick robes catch fire, and his wailing, terrified screams begin to echo through the caverns.

Alaran surveys her surroundings again. Three of their nine down, and at least forty raiders bearing down on them on foot and lizard-back.

"There's too many! Gate out!"

Her companions do so. She grabs Az-ossath; through the sudden burning agony on her hand, she mumbles a spell and disappears in a flash of light.

One of the black-armored men on lizardback, armored in plate full enough to obscure any physical form, approaches Makhass, rolling around in agony on the cave floor, clutching his ruined eye.

A sonorous baritone voice with the slight sibilance of a Slith accent overwhelmed by decades of familiarity with the Imperial tongue sounds from within the black-plated figure's full helm: "Welcome to the Abyss Knights. Someone get the defector something to kill the pain so he can tell us what we've won here."

"Aye aye, Master Thissa."

The brigands quickly tend to the traitor's injury, and as soon as he is in a state to do so they move out, loot in tow, for the south.

...

Demon lands. The headquarters of the Cult of Grah-Hoth.

Four Sliths and a human appear in a flash, looking flustered. Xivuth immediately recognized them as the expedition sent to Khoth's lair to recover any useful artifacts. But... something was wrong. There were too few.

Then Alaran and Az-ossath appeared - the two ranking mages of the expedition - together each on some level of fire. Alaran, howling more with anger than pain, quickly cast a spell to kill the blaze; Az-ossath collapsed onto the floor, writhing in agony.

"Who is responsible for this?"

Alaran, understandably, was more focused on her flame-scorched hand than anything else, but she still mustered a response for her superior.

"Black armor. Riders from shadow. Makhass has betrayed the Onyx Scepter to the Abyss."

[ Tuesday, March 28, 2006 00:57: Message edited by: The Worst Man Ever ]
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An RP in the World of Avernum *Reloaded* in General
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On the behalf of TM yadda yadda.

OOC: I actually did respond. I'm going to make a convenient adjustment that isn't objectionable, given the circumstances. (Plus, remember that the Hunters don't have ships.)

----

Off of Pergies coast. The patrol ship-- a Fourth-Rate-- shot off a flare. The merchants were a little shocked. The ship began sailing towards them in a B-line. Unfortunately, in the light of the flare, the Looters' crew found that they had been followed in the distance by three sloops of war and a few cutters. Then, the three other sloops all shot out flares.

Drale immediately clamored to the deck of his Fifth-Rate Frigate. "Damn! The Hunters can't have ships like these. And these sailors mean business. Let's hope they're pirates, that way I won't anger the local authorities." But then, the Fourth-Rate sent out a rowboat. A single flare showed a white flag.

Guido hoped that these 'Looters' wouldn't be stupid enough to open fire or think that he was actually surrendering. Messengers had gotten to Softport just as the Looters had already left, and it was by sheer chance that the pirates had found out about this brigand fleet before it hit southern Valorim. Not that Cagnazzo would have fired upon Drale, but knowing this allowed the two forces to collaborate.

"Oi! Drale of the 'Looters!' Emmissary from Master Pirate Cagnazzo and the Guild! Drop down a rope, that we might negotiate!"

Drale let out a sigh of relief. It wasn't everyday that his allies went out of their way to help him get artifacts. He ordered his men to let down a rope and prepared himself for an audience in his cabin.

----

Barbariccia. A sailor walks into the gigantic flotanda's cabin and whispers something to Cagnazzo, who is impatiently pacing across the room. Cagnazzo seems relieved and dismisses the sailor.

"What is it?" asked Rubicante. Cagnazzo clasped his hands together and sneered. "We've made contact with the Looters. Apparently, their leader is involved in this. We should be able to observe their activities."

Rubicante nods. "Good, good. The difficult part of the plan has ended. With luck, the Looters will want to get their operation underway immediately. We will assist them in this endeavor."
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I plan on a map of Aizo in the next few days. It's fairly large for a single faction to control - nearly as big as Pralgad-Valorim.
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quote:
Originally written by Dikiyoba:

Originally by Delicious Vlish:

quote:
In G1, people talked about Dryaks this, and Cryodryaks that, and I was sort of hung up on the Vlish. And then I found out how stupidly powerful they can be when leveled up and taken to the endgame. Terror Vlish especially. I was facinated with them.
Vlish are great. I create three or four regular vlish to take on 800 health Sholai in G1. It's great fun.

Dikiyoba.

Edit: Typo.

Where is your gimmick now?

My current name is the product of a Desp meme. There has been some spillover onto SW, in the form of a failed contest.

[ Sunday, March 26, 2006 13:32: Message edited by: The Worst Man Ever ]
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Thus the reefs and the mountains. It's hell to reach it most ways, but land is by a damn sight easier than by sea, so it got colonized once Pralgad started getting well-settled.
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Bargha. The throne room is empty except the figure in the black plate mail.

A door opened and Xao emerged, looking flustered.

"Opus. What's going on?"

"The Bargha raid that Grandmaster Vogt had his band out on - it was an ambush. Fifteen men were lost."

"Fifteen men? Not so bad."

"Yes. Because Vogt's band, upon discovering the trickery, withdrew almost immediately."

There passed a silence.

"Cavalier Jan Boleslaw is on his way here with Vogt's head."

"Boleslaw, eh? Not bad. Not a brilliant man, but not stupid enough to try and clear us out. Assemble the Masters and draw up a plan to stay the course under his rule. I'll stay here and try to act surprised."

Xao nodded and withdrew.

[ Sunday, March 26, 2006 12:59: Message edited by: The Worst Man Ever ]
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On the behalf of TM, who is too kool for skool (and the OOC thread).

Barbariccia. "Master Rubicante, sir!" cried a messenger. Rubicante put down his quill (which was obsolete, but preferred for its style). "Your name... Bother, I seem to have--"
"Franklin, sir. Anywho, the news is that our previously dormant contact in Sharamik has been contacted by a group calling themselves the 'Looters.' Apparently, they are the raiding force between Lorelei and Sharamik."
"You mean, they're the ones who--"
"Who were harassing our units, yes. They're also responsible for the attack on Southport. But that's not the most important news."
"Then tell--"
"They want the assistance of Cagnazzo's fleet to dismantle the Hunters. Apparently, they too have a quarrel with them. They also offered to pay good money for the fleet to start attacking."
Rubicante laughed. "They want to pay us for what we were going to do anyway? Very well- fine by me! Tell them to start giving us pay. The Hunters are trying to construct a defensive fleet: Our first step will be to crush that. Oh, but when you contact these 'Looters' again... Do fail to mention that we had already planned to follow their 'orders'. And do not mention that they have previously harassed us either." Rubicante turns to Cagnazzo. "Well, Master Pirate! It seems as if we've found our land army."
The messenger interrupts again. "Sir, the Looters appear to be obsessed with magical items and artifacts. My fear is that they might be after the tome that the Hunters use..." Rubicante sneers. "Well, that much is obvious. But-- and don't tell them this either-- we will be confiscating that tome and burning it. These 'Hunters' have proven quite efficiently what some magical trinket combined with bandit-like ambition can be capable of together. Anyway, any more useful knowledge?" The messenger shakes his head. "No, sir. There is none." Rubicante claps twice and the messenger takes off.

----

"..."
"What's bothering ye, Rubicante?"
"Scar. See, I have this silvered sphere- a counterpart to the golden one. It tells me what status Scarmiglione is in... And currently, he has yet to be summoned. I'm not sure what the delay is, and I'm not sure that I like it."
"Um... Sir? What sign does it give that Scar has been summoned?"
"Well, the silver lining will begin to peel off, revealing an obsidian sphere within."
"Then... Well, sir. Look down at yer desk..."

Rubicante slowly tilts his head downward, then immediately throws the silvered ball out of his hands. "No! Hell! He's started. Scar will be back in this world within the next hour. Pray that when the silver has come off, we fail to notice its absence."
"Sir?"
"In other words, pray that Scarmiglione does not surpass his duties."

[ Sunday, March 26, 2006 13:25: Message edited by: The Worst Man Ever ]
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