Legend: The Rise of Shadow

[Comrade Tortoise]

"It is a pleasure to meet you Mefarrian. I am Arvalas Goldstein, a wizard and traveling spell-for-hire. I also moonlight as a destroyer of evil beings but that is mostly unpaid"

[Charon]

Jonathon looked at the gnome. "Yes, perhaps with too much zeal." With a final swig he finished his drink.

[Comrade Tortoise]

Jonathon looked at the gnome. "Yes, perhaps with too much zeal." With a final swig he finished his drink.

"Perhaps so, but you become.. wary... after seeing entire villages being enslaved and used as a movable food source. Now this one isnt that bad feeds on animals, but our reactions are shaped by the sum of our experiences. Besides our conversation was more lengthy than what you heard, and matters have been mostly smoothed over, we wont be at each others throats or anything"

He thought for a second

"No pun intended"

[Charon]

Jonathon snorted in derision and ordered another drink as they waited.

[Comrade Tortoise]

After finishing his potatoes, Arvalas went outside with a small wedge and saw a raven perched on the sign. No doubt waiting for someone to drop scraps of food He had been needing a familiar and never bothered to get one...
He spoke a word and waved his hands, allowing him to speak to the raven.

"Hello friend raven"
The raven replied with a squawk which seemed friendly enough, and was, in fact friendly meaning Salutations

"Come here, eat and listen"

The bird looked over and saw the wedge of potato, and took flight. Landing on the gnomes outstretched hand and wolfing down the wedge

The gnome took this time to cast a spell which would gift the bird with increased intelligence, and followed up with a spell which causes intelligentt creatures to like the caster.

Each was cast very quickly.

With the bird now oddly attached to him. He asked if the bird would mind being his companion. Safe in his protection and well fed, in exchange, serving his will and doing his bidding. The raven agrees. And with a waving of hands and the whispering of a few words, the friendliness the bird felt toward him was permenant, it feathers became more durable, with the strength of metal without the weight, and he now has a telepathic link with the bird, and at his wish, see through the bird's eyes. The bird was now also magically durable.

His familiarization with the raven was complete. He can only have one at a time, but a raven was good.

He went back in, a few minute later.

[Dark Silver]

Germin watched from a corner as the group traveled in and settled in, their conversation brought their intentions to light, and if their boasting was correct, well, they'd be excellent hunters.

He rose from his shadowy little booth, and moved towards them, dressed in the rich clothing of a successful merchant, his voice jubilant, "Greetings fair hunters! I'm glad to see you all willing to take up the villages proposition. Please, rest at the inn tonight, expenses paid, and I will tell you more on the morrow!"

Without giving them a chance to answer, Germin left the bar.

[Charon]

Jonathon smiled at the man. "I appreciate the offer but I prefer to sleep out in the woods, habit and all." Jonathon finished his second drink quickly and looked to the others around, wanting to see their reactions.

[The Cleric]

Majorie gave a brief nod.

"I think I shall retire for the night. Sleep well, everyone."

[Comrade Tortoise]

Jonathon smiled at the man. "I appreciate the offer but I prefer to sleep out in the woods, habit and all." Jonathon finished his second drink quickly and looked to the others around, wanting to see their reactions.

"I too am used to sleeping under the stars, after a fashion" the gnome said. As he usually slept in a pocket dimension courtesy if a rope trick spell. Though he was curious as to the reasons why the man would refuse a normal bed. Oh well, he didnt seem to be anything... unnatural, so it was none of his concern...

"But even I wont refuse a nice warm bed. Thank you for your hospitality"

[Cynical Cat]

The boar's blood was sweet in his mouth. Not as filling or flavorful as human vitae, but good nonetheless. A few minutes work with his knife and he had a slab of meat wrapped in the beast's hide.

The wolves were watching him now, waiting for there turn. They weren't his brothers or his servants, but it was easy to establish a raport with certain animals. He stood up and walked away. The pack closed in, one wolf passing so close to him that they almost touched.

He headed back to the in. He was still disturbed by how easily he reverted to old habits. Anger and pride still lived in him. Well, that shouldn't be a surprise. People rarely change and really, it was his circumstances that changed. How long had it been since anyone had challenged him? Long enough for him to have forgotten, he suppossed.

The inn was close by. He would leave the haunch with the innkeeper, retire to his room and consult his books, and then sleep when dawn took him.

[Charon]

Jonathon excused himself and stepped outside looking up at the moon, almost to the quarter. Three nights, at most. He'd have to be very careful. He shouldered his gear and made sure everything was packed nicely before heading into the woods. It took him about half an hour to set up camp properly, and once that was taken care of he was in a restful sleep.

[Comrade Tortoise]

The gnome went up to his room. Mildly irritated he pretty much had to climb the stairs, as they were to high fro him to actually step over.

"I hate stairs..." he mumbled to himself as he reached the top. His raven perched on his shoulder eating a scrap of meat.

He got into his bead, or rather, clambered into it, cast a few spells that would keep evil things from entering his room and an alarm spell to wake him if anyone came to close, and went to sleep

[Cynical Cat]

Syvannus smiled. Foolish gnome, wasting his magic this way. In a secure inn room with an animal guardian, anyone who could break in and threaten him would make more than enough commotion to wake him and others unless he possessed enough magic to overwhelm him instantly, in which case his wardings were useless. He was inclined to believe the quality of magicians had deteriorated since his day, but that wasn't true. It was just different then and to be fair, he had made a few mistakes of his own. After all, the gnome had yet to inflict a fate upon himself that made vampirism seem desirable.

[Bratty]

Mefarrian gathered her things. She collected her horse, and deposited it with the local stable boy. Not really anything of interest to steal. She travels light. However, before she relents the horse and her contents within the saddlebags, she does gather her journal and quill. She says in quiet regard to the stable boy, "Put it on Germin's tab."

She makes her way out to the trees outside of the inn, where she climbs one with deftness, dissapearing into the branches. She will keep watch this night over the party, whether they know it or not. She begins to write in her journal.

[Comrade Tortoise]

As the gnome drifted into sleep, he questioned the wisdom of casting defensive spells in an inn. But he could never really be to careful. He had been beset upon by things in the night far to many times, sometimes in the wilderness, sometimes in an inn, that he wouldnt take chances. There were modes of entering a room which reqired neither doors or stairs, and even circumvented the restrictions of walls.
He pondered this as he fell into his slumber, watched over by his raven, whom he resolved to name Ostrick and lightly warded.

[Cynical Cat]

With skills born of long practice, he forced magic into his brain. The the Excellent Prismatic Spray, The Binding Hypnotic, and the Liberation of the Warp, Sylvannus added the Omnipotent Sphere, the Instantaneous Electric Effort, and the Phaeran's Gyrator. Added to his command of minor elementals that could accomplish minor effects, he was armed with a fearsome assortment of sorcery

It was well into the night, but more than a few useful hours were left to him before the oppressive light and drowsiness of the daylight hours took hold. Syvannus left through the window and pulled himself up to the roof. He would scout through the forest and see what he could discover.

[Dark Silver]

It was nearing midnight when the lone figure slipped between the buildings of the town, keeping to the shadows and alleys. He was dressed in black, except for a silver bracelet upon his left wrist.

He stopped at the edge of town, looking into the woods which bordered the township. Minutes passed before he felt the presence behind him. He gulped , before turning around, and looking to the creature waiting.

It was short, no more than four feet in height, it's body was black, flesh thick and knoby, patches of scale growing upon it. It's nose was long and hooked down, and it's eyes, they gleamed even in the night.

"Blix..Sorry I was..."

The Goblin Prince's black dagger flashed out, the tip placed to the man's throat, as he raspy voice was heard, "Silence Son of Adam, what have you to speak, before I turn you into goblin treat."

The man's eyes were wide as he spoke, telling the creature of Darkness of the strangers which had come into the Town, looking to accept the hunting job.

"Very well....Goblins they seek, Goblins will reap. Done well you have Son of Adam, reward you, will Dark Lord."

--------

Three hours later, in the early morning, the Goblins attacked the village. Blix watched from the woods, dark lips twisted in a malicious grin as the outer buildings began to burn, the cries of human's filled the night, and the Beholder moved into the town...

[Charon]

Jonathon arose with a start as the sound of screams crept into his ears. They were soon followed by smoke. It didn't take long to put two and two together and Jonathon was soon on his feet, bow strung and sword in hand. He made his way carefully towards the village, keeping his experienced eyes wandering for possible threats.

[Comrade Tortoise]

Arvalas had just finished looking overhis spellbook as the goblins attacked. He lept from the chair in his room, looking out into the township as golblins poured in and a large spherica... Oh no.
His contingencies took effect on signt of the thing, A defensive spell which would protect him from harmful magic and turn it back on the caster. A a defensive spell against arrows, and a defensive spell against metal weapons

Not much he could do about the Antimagic center eye however.

He wove a quick spell to protect him from arrows and lept out the window. Muttering the words "pheatherfall" as he did. Hitting the ground nice and soft.

After he hit, he began weaving his first attack spell, with the beholder as his target.

[Cynical Cat]

Syvannus eyes opened. A vampire's senses were far more sensitive than a human's, one of the reasons daylight was so problematic. And fire was one of their banes. He bolted upright in bed as the scent of smoke disturbed his rest. His ears brought to him the sound of murder and mayhen. He attached his mask of leather and steel to his face.

He would not choose to do battle in the day, but one had to adapt to circumstances. He saw the gnome hit the ground, wrapped in spells. Their potency was respectable, although they would not hold off his spells. There was something else, something-

A beholder. He could stay in what was soon to be a burning tomb or face one of the most powerful nonman intelligences. The vampire voted for the window. The gnome was wise indeed to ward himself against the the beholder's powers, although it may not save him against such a fell foe.

Syvannus drew his blade and kept the building between him and the aberration. When the time was right, he would strike, but for now he would not test the power of his spells against that of the beholder's anti-magic. A magician should be cunning as well as bold. Besides, the shadow of the inn was far more pleasant than the head swimming sensation of direct sunlight. A magician should have cunning and a vampire patience. Sword in hand, he crept into shadow.

[Bratty]

She had seen the goblins come in, having refrained from meditation that evening. Picking off one goblin at a time, especially those with torches in hands, was helpful, but was not winning the battle, as it were. There were too many of them. Slimy cochroaches, breeding and swarming over the city of humans until the city was overrun.

Well the humans, while creatures and had their purpose, were only humans after all. She did not care for humans, though did not have as much malice as some of her elven brethren. When one removes the trees and gods and sprites from the wooded area, and moves only to conquer without a thought as to the consequences, well it has a tendency to make others angry. Not Mefarrian. Honestly, she pitied the humans. Too young and too shortsided to see past their immediate needs. It must be a horrible way to exist.

But the trees. The trees had begun to burn. This angered Mefarrian somewhere to the core. There were too many of them! The goblins had overrun the city! Not if Mefarrian had anything to do about it.

Mefarrian looked over the chaos and saw the Beholder moving into the city. Steady, steady. She remains in the tree, hidden and cloaked by its follage. Steady. Now. Finally, when the beholder is within arrow range, she aims directly for its eye and let loose the arrow in perfect form.

Post edited and double post deleted on request: Your Friendly Neighborhood Supermod, Comrade Tortoise

[Charon]

Jonathon let an arrow fly into the back ranks of the Goblins, the goblin was pierced by the arrow and fell without it's fellows noticing. Jonathon continued this pecking off until one arrow missed. He quickly disappeared into the foliage as a group of 10 goblins screamed and charged back into the woods. He picked them off for a little while, letting their fear grow until finally the giant of a man jumped out of the foliage and began tearing them apart with his broadsword. One Goblin blade caught across Jonathon's arm and cut deep but he ignored the wound and replyed by removing the Goblin's head.

Jonathon fell back again and quickly dealt with the wound.

[Cynical Cat]

A pair of goblins came around the corner. The first caught Syvannus's blade in the face and fell in a spray of blood. The second was quick and moved inside the vampire's reach. Syvannus leaped back and away, expanding the distance between them.

The hook nosed creature parried Syvannus's lunge with his shortsword and twisted the blade aside. The goblin was much stronger than his size suggested and knew how to use his blade. The servant of Darkness closed, a serrated long knife in his other hand.

Syvannus struck the goblin in the face with his clenched fist. The goblin's nose broke and he fell back. Snarling, with the beginning of the headache that always came when he exerted himself heavily under the sun, the vampire stomped on the goblin's kneecap. The creature howled. Syvannus rammed his blade through the creature's chest and retreated to the shadows. He hated the taste of goblin blood.

[Comrade Tortoise]

The Beholder had'nt noticed him yet, this was good. Very good. He was safe from the goblins with his wards up, but that could all come crashing down if that beholder fixed its eye on him... Let along those Eye rays

His spell was being worked. His hands wove the disparate magical energy conjured forth by his words into a focused magical attack, one which would hopefully disintegrate the beholder before it noticed him.

He unleashed his spell, a ray of green energy flying toward the beholder and striking true. He didnt have time to see if the spell worked. Arvalas had to move, and do so either quickly, or in a manner in which the Beholder could not reach him. He muttered several more words and his hands worked furiously to get the spell done faster than the beholder could act, and he transfered his essense into the Etherial Plane, vanishing not only from view, but from the beholder's gaze.

[The Cleric]

Majorie woke with a start. The screams and sharp smell of smoke shattered any traces of sleep. Within a few senconds, he had gathered everything he needed from his room, and moved to the window.
Scanning the ground, he saw a mass of goblins. Easily dispatched, but could be trouble in such large numbers. Majorie concentrated hard, scanning with both his eyes and latent magical powers. Spotting the beholder was easy, cinsidering how badly it stood out against the background.
Wrapping his hand in the bedsheet, he focused this mental and magical powers. In a smooth motion, he punched out the window and let loose with a power word meant to kill, aimed squarely at the Beholder.
As soon as he let fly, Majorie ran out of the room, attempting to find a way to the roof.