The Glitch IV - Inversion (Ch. 1)

[Comrade Tortoise]

"We may be able to. But more than likely, it is beyond our control. The question is, why would they have joined the Dark Riders? They would have no motive, especially not on the large scale we think this happened. The first rule of a conspiracy is that the larger it gets, the more likely it is that someone will talk. If this were a player guild, someone would have shot their mouth off on the boards." Then, something hit Justin and also Elwyn like a metric tonne of bricks.

"The five minute revert!" He exclaimed, his finger pointed toward the cieling like some comical detective named Holmes.

"Decimus was killed. But he was ressurected before the servers shut down. When the servers shut down, he was alive, but the guards werent, they were still ghosts. When the revert happened, they were still dead, he was just killed again, and respawned as a ghost. Something happened to the characters because of that, or during that period"

but then something else hit him.

"But the players are in control of the characters, so if they arent doing this, and someone hasn't talked then... They arent controlling them. Unless..."

He waited for someone to finish that sentence because it creeped him out to much to do it.

[Charon]

Leandra (and Leah) frowned deeply at Ottoman's news. "I'm not doubting your words, Ottoman... but are you sure everyone who was assassinated has returned acting like the Baron?"

She had a sudden thought of the troll at the gates. "What of the others killed that day... like those currently guarding the Baron? Are they too... replaced by whatever had |-|4><0r3d the system? How wide spread is this?"

Ottoman shook his head. "No, I am not certain. But at this point in time it's better to be safe than sorry. And we don't have the time to go around and check on every other nobleman in the entire Southern Kingdom." Ottoman knew of a few noblemen that had not been killed, but they were lowly nobles like himself, no one with an army to spare. "It is possible that this infection, as that is what it seems most like, has indeed spread to those guards." Ottoman paused as Matthew pursed his lips. Which meant it could spread to them as well. No, it wasn't a virus damnit. Then what was it?

Thog moved from one foot to the next, the sign of Intense Thinking. He often needed a bit of momentum to get there.

"Den.. Den.. If we's knowing something dey not want us knowing, what is it? Cuz if we's knowing it, we's can use it, right?"

Ottoman shruged as a response. "That is something we will have to discover. I know I don't know what it could be, though there are a few possibilities." Matthew tried not to think about the unnatural fear. At least, not right now. But it seemed like everyone else knew that something was terribly wrong.

Matthew idled for long enough to throw his arms up into the air as Elwyn broke character right in the middle of talking. As if it wasn't enough that there was something wrong. He had to deal with a conspiricy theorist who couldn't figure out the difference between IC and OOC. He unidled and switched on his OOC. "That's usually how conspiricies work. But you're running into a problem. Nobility players get where they do by their ability to keep their mouth shut. Of course, if we're going to get into this. The biggest problem is that all of these Dark Riders that attacked must have been a ridiculously high level. And you don't get to that high of a level without being noticed big time. No one recognized any of these riders, and not enough of the really high level characters were missing."

Matthew sighed at the next bit. "And enough with the stupid theories. Players control their characters, this game isn't real. Though apparently some people can't always tell the difference."

[LadyTevar]

Leah was about to say something about Elwyn's idea, but as Ottoman made it clear in and out of character that he wasn't buying it, she kept silent about the things that had been happening to her outside the game.

As Leandra, she did have to make one thing clear. "Not quite, Ottoman. Thog and I recognised one of the Dark Riders from the forest." On this, she was absolutely sure. "Darek Steele was a Warrior, nearly to my level of skill. But when he faced us as the Dark Rider, he had suddenly jumped to insane power ... in only three days or less."

She toggled her OOC to add bluntly: "There's no way he could have legally jumped that many levels. He'd have had to play non-stop for more than a week to get that far."

[SirNitram]

Albert briefly shifted to OOC. "I knew one of the rider's. Dunno where he powerlevelled to get that kind of power, but I knew one of them. Can we get back to things now? Yes, there's wierd stuff happening. But conspiracy theories aren't going to help."

[Comrade Tortoise]

"Indeed. More evidence is needed before we actually jump to conclusions. And I get the feeling that we wont have to actively look for it... At any rate, shall we be off? We have an Item of Power to retrieve in a suicide mission... Of course, what the point of sending someone on a suicide mission is in a world where ressurection is common place is beyond me..."

Elwyn toggled his OOC: And I take it he has a life, and shouldnt have been able to cast spells like that? He was teleporting in shadows, even mages cant do that until they reach a high level of power.

[Shark Bait]

Vadlenar sat silently for most of the meeting he was slowly digesting all the information that he had been presented with. “This amulet it’s a powerful magical artifact correct?â€

[Rukia]

"I agree with Val. he's got a point." Sivri chimed in. "Maybe we need to be building up our defences against these Dark Riders. Then again, what if the dwarves are changed too? Then this is a suicide mission, maybe to get rid of people who are trying to figure out what exactly is going on. The people who aren't taking the crackpot excuses for fact."

She shrugged and sat back in the seat again.

[Charon]

Ottoman leaned back in his chair as he listened. So these creatures had gained power some other way. Interesting. Matthew sighed and thought, could it mean hackers had found a way to cheat the system? He'd talk more with Albert and whoever was behind Leandra after this meeting.

When Vadlenar mentioned the dwarves Ottoman nodded. "That had crossed my mind. I am not certain how much I trust the dwarves, but rather than start a war which may only further the purposes of the riders it may be best to find something else to do. Either way I would say that you should not be planning on returning home because if we do this we won't have homes to return to." Ottoman didn't mention his plans for moving just yet, first he had to see if someone else came up with something better.

[LadyTevar]

When Vadlenar mentioned the dwarves Ottoman nodded. "That had crossed my mind. I am not certain how much I trust the dwarves, but rather than start a war which may only further the purposes of the riders it may be best to find something else to do. Either way I would say that you should not be planning on returning home because if we do this we won't have homes to return to." Ottoman didn't mention his plans for moving just yet, first he had to see if someone else came up with something better.

"You can't be serious..." Leandra said. "You want us to leave permenantly?" She had spent over a year building up not just herself but her shop and business; the thought of leaving it all behind hurt badly. "Are you even planning on returning the artifact to town either way?"

[Charon]

Ottoman shrugged. "Unlike the Baron, I can't order you to do anything. But I do not think there is any chance that even should this mission not be a trap that we will simply be allowed to return and live out our lives as we wish. Either way, I am leaving permanently and I suggest that you do the same." Ottoman ignored the question of returning for now. Leave that for once they were almost there. Chances were, it was something powerful, and if it was it would be of great use to him.

[Shark Bait]

Ottoman shrugged. "Unlike the Baron, I can't order you to do anything. But I do not think there is any chance that even should this mission not be a trap that we will simply be allowed to return and live out our lives as we wish. Either way, I am leaving permanently and I suggest that you do the same." Ottoman ignored the question of returning for now. Leave that for once they were almost there. Chances were, it was something powerful, and if it was it would be of great use to him.

Vadlenar sighed, “Very well thenâ€

[LadyTevar]

Leandra frowned, looking towards Thog, who was keeping his mouth shut. Sometimes she wished Albert would break character more often.

"Very well. When do we leave, since we're all here, and seem to be all prepared for now."

[Shark Bait]

Leandra frowned, looking towards Thog, who was keeping his mouth shut. Sometimes she wished Albert would break character more often.

"Very well. When do we leave, since we're all here, and seem to be all prepared for now."

“I am fully prepared to depart as well, and would prefer that we not hesitate and set out on our journey.â€

[SirNitram]

"Thog already taken care of home." The half-giant rumbled to life from his deep thought. "Thog build everyone homes when we get to Dorfs. Dorfs nice people."

[Comrade Tortoise]

"all of the posessions I have are with me. My home is the world and anything else I need I can call upon. I am ready to leave now"

The Beauty of being a druid is that he could take up residence in any stretch of wild land across the world at essentially no cost. All he would have to do is defeat any resident druid, if there was one, in a special ritualized combat.

[Charon]

Ottoman nodded and got to his feet, his travelling cloak wrapping around himself once more. "It is settled then. We shall leave. Should any of you wish to join me in my permanent departure, simply say the word. As we speak my men are setting up a place in the Southern Continent." The Southern Continent. An unfriendly place to say the least. What cities were not hostile and xenophobic were at best luke warm to visitors.

Ottoman went over to the doors and openned them, the spell he had placed there dischanting as the heavy oak doors slid soundlessly on their hinges. "As everyone is prepared, we can be underway within minutes."

[LadyTevar]

Leandra rose to her feet as Ottoman opened the windows, revealing both sunlight and his plan to flee. "We will have to cross that river when we come to it, Sir Ottoman." was all she said, brushing a strand of red hair back behind her ear. "We can discuss it more upon the road, I believe, if you wish."

[Dark Silver]

As the group rose from the table and prepared to leave, the man streched out on the tree branch. Beneath the facemask which left only his eyes visible, he smiled.

"Time to make a report," he spoke softly rolling off the branch, and disappearing in a swirl of darkness and smoke.

------

The man from earlier was still in the chair, his flesh was greying, and the skin was sunk against the bones. In a few more hours, she'd no doubt he'd start to stink as his body went through the motions following death, and the accelerated decaying process of Zion went into effect.

A pity they never lasted so long. Humans where great wells of emotional energy, so easy to tempt and to control, even easier when possessed by the shadowy minions she controlled.

It had only been twenty minutes, at most, but she was already bored having finished with her plaything in half the time, and sent him off to do other things.

When she received the new report, the group was leaving, she smiled lightly.

Things were going as planned, all she would have to do is wait. They'd never make it to the Charnel Mountains, much less locate the object.

Her high heeled boots clicked upon the black stone floor, as she moved off to find a new plaything.

[Shark Bait]

Vadlenar walked out of the gate to where his army was standing beside his horse, the prospect of leaving his home was not a very cheerful one but not something that would completely destroy him. He had most of his money on him, though it was not much, the only things of value still in his house was the alchemy equipment on his work table. He luckily still had some of his more basic gear so he could make a few simple potions or poisons if he needed to. He mounted his horse and trotted over to the gate waiting for the others to join him, his skeletons waiting behind him in marching formation. If the southern regions were as hostile as Ottoman had said there could be trouble, necromancers were disliked no matter where they went.

[Comrade Tortoise]

Elwyn followedhis necromancer friend outside. He needed no horse, nor swamp dragon. he had other more efficient, and faster ways to travel.

He closed his eyes, and in a few moments his equipment began to transform into a coat of pitch black feathers. His nose and mouth lengthened into a multipurpose beak, his feet into talons. And finally, his harms became as wings while his body shrunk to the size and shape of a large raven

With a few quick flaps of his wings he was perched on Vadlenar's shoulder like some malevolnt familiar.

[Shark Bait]

Elwyn followedhis necromancer friend outside. He needed no horse, nor swamp dragon. he had other more efficient, and faster ways to travel.

He closed his eyes, and in a few moments his equipment began to transform into a coat of pitch black feathers. His nose and mouth lengthened into a multipurpose beak, his feet into talons. And finally, his harms became as wings while his body shrunk to the size and shape of a large raven

With a few quick flaps of his wings he was perched on Vadlenar's shoulder like some malevolnt familiar.

Vadlenar laughed as his friend landed on his shoulder “HAHA we are quite a pair aren’t weâ€

[Comrade Tortoise]

The Druid-Raven squawked in reply

"I do not know. But either way, we have to try. As for our little pairing... I have a fairly good idea about how you got your mount, and I find myself not caring. Current problems are more important than petty philosophical differences."

[Shark Bait]

“Ayeâ€

[LadyTevar]

"Actually... no, she's not," Leandra commented as she walked out into the courtyard. "Which is why I've always refused whenever you've offered, Vadle." She shivered looking at the undead beast. "Eww. just.... ew. Druids don't mind that whole life/death cycle thing... but I just want to return that to the ground."

Still, she got close enough to hand Vadlenar a pouch of various potions for the trip. "Just don't use them all at once, ok?"

[Charon]

Ottoman stepped outside, leaving his home in the care of those who were there. Most of his important things were already gone. All that was left were the numerous trinkets he had picked up to better display his life as a nobleman. He expertly mounted his brown steed and turned it around, bringing it out to the others. "If any of you do not feel like riding, I have a small cart that will be carrying our supplies that you may rest on."