Arvolexia slid up the stairs after the man, deeper into the Smoking Hammer corridors. Room seven...
She'd slept in that room no more than three nights ago. If one could call it "sleeping."
And there were only three things she ever did in a bed. One to make men blush, another to steal...and the third being something she never spoke of. Not even to Shardek.
Not even in solitude.
She stared out at the post and lintel, then skimmed the wooden entry with a glance. A click sounded as Urcin locked the thing.
Frowning, she put her ear to the door to listen. There was a faint scraping sound, like two pieces of metal grating together. Whatever he was doing, he was hovering just on the other side, fixing something.
But what?
Having seen his pains to double back, his stash nook in the alleys, and his general care toward remaining untracked, it was obvious that the man was paranoid. Whatever Urcin was doing to the door, she wasn't willing to test prematurely. He'd either locked it further, booby trapped the thing, or else she was grossly overestimating him, and he'd been fumbling around doing who-knows-what. ((Passed spot check with a 17.))
If anything, Arvolexia could be patient when necessary. And while she had marked Urcin as possible prey, he was proving to be far more difficult than she had anticipated.
He wasn't...like the other drunks. He was smart.
Which was refreshing. But it made things complicated. And would make things messy.
This wasn't a risk she was willing to take. Unless she could find Shardek...
...Or Marius.
Captivity
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*Fell Star
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
She tried very hard to conceal her disappointment in knowing that the pains she took to track Urcin had been cheapened. How they discovered his whereabouts so quickly was beyond her--she had scarcely arrived at the inn herself, and only left after paying off a young man to monitor the door.
Regardless, she'd arrived in time to see Nastasia and Marius preparing to march back into the streets on a vehement crusade.
Messy, indeed. They lacked subtlety when it came to affairs of importance. She warned them of causing a ruckus in an inn and of assaulting a patron openly.
But Nastasia and Marius clamored in retort about their plans to murder the poor soul.
So she expressed some desire for them to spare the man's life.
It would have been false to say that she was ever worried for Urcin--to care deeply for anyone on such a level would be to allow herself to grow sentimental. She couldn't afford that.
Nor did she find herself sympathetic to Deri's plight. She hardly knew the woman. What did it matter if she lived or died?
What mattered was that Arvolexia needed Urcin desperately. She didn't have time to pick out another vessel.
The preparations had already been made.
So instead, she followed along per Marius' invitation, and they were joined by a tall man she did not recognize, but had heard called "Salazar."
Together, the crowd of four passed through the busy marketplace, threading under the colorful awnings, passing by high stacks of glossed pottery, woven silks, and trinket shops.
Her thoughts grew dark and dreary.
...Such brave shining knights. How lucky Deri must be to have such genuine love; to have deliverance seek her out in the form of friends so cloven to her in devotion that they would risk themselves.
Arvolexia wondered what that must be like. To be bonded to others so naturally and intimately that their pains become your own, and their happiness your joy.
But as a business woman, she knew better. That such friendships could be exploited.
And often were.
So she put that thought also out of mind.
Regardless, she'd arrived in time to see Nastasia and Marius preparing to march back into the streets on a vehement crusade.
Messy, indeed. They lacked subtlety when it came to affairs of importance. She warned them of causing a ruckus in an inn and of assaulting a patron openly.
But Nastasia and Marius clamored in retort about their plans to murder the poor soul.
So she expressed some desire for them to spare the man's life.
It would have been false to say that she was ever worried for Urcin--to care deeply for anyone on such a level would be to allow herself to grow sentimental. She couldn't afford that.
Nor did she find herself sympathetic to Deri's plight. She hardly knew the woman. What did it matter if she lived or died?
What mattered was that Arvolexia needed Urcin desperately. She didn't have time to pick out another vessel.
The preparations had already been made.
So instead, she followed along per Marius' invitation, and they were joined by a tall man she did not recognize, but had heard called "Salazar."
Together, the crowd of four passed through the busy marketplace, threading under the colorful awnings, passing by high stacks of glossed pottery, woven silks, and trinket shops.
Her thoughts grew dark and dreary.
...Such brave shining knights. How lucky Deri must be to have such genuine love; to have deliverance seek her out in the form of friends so cloven to her in devotion that they would risk themselves.
Arvolexia wondered what that must be like. To be bonded to others so naturally and intimately that their pains become your own, and their happiness your joy.
But as a business woman, she knew better. That such friendships could be exploited.
And often were.
So she put that thought also out of mind.
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*Wrackspurt
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
((I just got a call from my sister. My nephew just fell and hit his head. He needs a couple of stitches, and so I have to run in to the hospital to take care of him.
((I should be back before 11PM, but if I am a little late, I didn't want people to get antsy.
((Mr. O, I know this is a bad time for you. Don't feel bad if Marius can't make it.
Wrackspurt
((I should be back before 11PM, but if I am a little late, I didn't want people to get antsy.
((Mr. O, I know this is a bad time for you. Don't feel bad if Marius can't make it.
Wrackspurt
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*Mr_Otyugh
- Posts: 2242
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
((Benefit of unemployment... time doesn't matter :P so I can make it.
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*Mabus
- Posts: 312
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
Quarsupp runs into a few familar faces banging around in front of the Smoking Hammer. After exchanging "hellos" he joins in inquiring in to any new chant. Upon finding out about Deri's disappearance his faces loses all cohesion, drooping down into a blob of confusion and worry.
It was not too long prior that he'd just been talking to her in the Great Bazaar. Watching her dancing about like she didn't have a care in the world. He'd smiled at that. He was waiting to speak to her to relay a message he'd been promised payment for by some odd basher.
After finally getting her alone for a moment he relayed the message and watched as her face went stone cold with worry. He'd asked her if anything was wrong but she ended up storming out of the bazaar, his eyes trailing after her in confusion. obviously the message was not as innocent as seemed, and he wondered what he'd inadvertently started.
He later dropped down through the entrance into Undersigil near the Smoking Hammer and traveled inward stumbling upon Deri speaking with Marius. He passed by with a little more than concern, but kept going. He made his way to the Undersigil hermit; the man selling many potions, purchasing two potions of invisibility. He quickly made his way back upward to the spot where he spied them, intent on knowing what was going on. He quaffed a potion and stood around a corner from them listening intently. All he caught was something regarding a lich and his potion wore off. Quickly he fled back towards the ladder hoping not to be seen listening in.
NowÂ…with the new information regarding Deri, Quarsupp feels his actions have directly been associated with her kidnapping and he has vowed to do whatever he can to assist in her retrieval. It's all he could do to try and make amends...
It was not too long prior that he'd just been talking to her in the Great Bazaar. Watching her dancing about like she didn't have a care in the world. He'd smiled at that. He was waiting to speak to her to relay a message he'd been promised payment for by some odd basher.
After finally getting her alone for a moment he relayed the message and watched as her face went stone cold with worry. He'd asked her if anything was wrong but she ended up storming out of the bazaar, his eyes trailing after her in confusion. obviously the message was not as innocent as seemed, and he wondered what he'd inadvertently started.
He later dropped down through the entrance into Undersigil near the Smoking Hammer and traveled inward stumbling upon Deri speaking with Marius. He passed by with a little more than concern, but kept going. He made his way to the Undersigil hermit; the man selling many potions, purchasing two potions of invisibility. He quickly made his way back upward to the spot where he spied them, intent on knowing what was going on. He quaffed a potion and stood around a corner from them listening intently. All he caught was something regarding a lich and his potion wore off. Quickly he fled back towards the ladder hoping not to be seen listening in.
NowÂ…with the new information regarding Deri, Quarsupp feels his actions have directly been associated with her kidnapping and he has vowed to do whatever he can to assist in her retrieval. It's all he could do to try and make amends...
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*Furcas
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
After one of her expeditions in the Abyssal Layers, Asteria returns to the Cage and heads for the Bazaar; there she notices a large group of cutters. She greets them and ethusiastically asks if someone is interested in purchasing her goods.
Noticing that a serious discussion is going on, she holds back her mercatory instincts and listens interested about what is spoken of.
After she hears about someone named Deri being kidnapped by a Lich, she spontaneously offers her sword arm and her magic to the cutters when a release expedition will be made.
OOC
To the ugly DM: and of course for free :P
Noticing that a serious discussion is going on, she holds back her mercatory instincts and listens interested about what is spoken of.
After she hears about someone named Deri being kidnapped by a Lich, she spontaneously offers her sword arm and her magic to the cutters when a release expedition will be made.
OOC
To the ugly DM: and of course for free :P
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*Aidelynn
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
Deri stirred restlessly awake from a dream of looming shapes and distant laughter. Her head swam fuzzily and throbbed at the temples, and for a moment she was uncertain whether her eyes were open or shut.
After a time, patterns of heat on the ceiling resolved into those maddeningly familiar runes. Focusing was an effort. Closing her eyes, she struggled to hold back tears. "Marius...Nastasia... I am so sorry. I failed you both."
A wave of malevolence filled the air, and she tugged feebly at the chains that still held her in place.
"You cannot break them. A cloud giant could not."
She turned her head, staring blankly into the empty skull's eyes that peered over her. Deri did not speak. She often found that she could not when he made her aware of his presence.
"It may be small consolation, girl, but those chains will not hold you much longer." The lich opened his palm, revealing a floating crystal globe, within which Esmerelda's Gate to the Gray Wastes was opening. "They are coming." He sounded satisfied.
Somewhere, she found the strength to scream.
******************************************
((I am still waiting to talk to a few people to figure out a time for this, but I think it will be this weekend. There are a few people who know IC how to get to Zoren's realm, (or very nearly do... I think they may have missed one small detail! ;) )
((I am hoping to do this Saturday evening my time, but I know that may be a difficult time for the DMs.
After a time, patterns of heat on the ceiling resolved into those maddeningly familiar runes. Focusing was an effort. Closing her eyes, she struggled to hold back tears. "Marius...Nastasia... I am so sorry. I failed you both."
A wave of malevolence filled the air, and she tugged feebly at the chains that still held her in place.
"You cannot break them. A cloud giant could not."
She turned her head, staring blankly into the empty skull's eyes that peered over her. Deri did not speak. She often found that she could not when he made her aware of his presence.
"It may be small consolation, girl, but those chains will not hold you much longer." The lich opened his palm, revealing a floating crystal globe, within which Esmerelda's Gate to the Gray Wastes was opening. "They are coming." He sounded satisfied.
Somewhere, she found the strength to scream.
******************************************
((I am still waiting to talk to a few people to figure out a time for this, but I think it will be this weekend. There are a few people who know IC how to get to Zoren's realm, (or very nearly do... I think they may have missed one small detail! ;) )
((I am hoping to do this Saturday evening my time, but I know that may be a difficult time for the DMs.
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*Aidelynn
- Posts: 57
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
((cryptc has graciously agreed to DM the conclusion to this storyline today, Saturday September 19th, 2009 or tomorrow, Sunday September 20th, depending upon where in the world you are.
((At 4 AM GMT (6 AM Mr. O and cryptc time, 11 PM Aide/dordon time, 9 PM Raneguin/Fell Star time), we will begin RPing the conclusion of this tale. My apologies to Mabus and Furcas for not knowing your time zones. I hope that you can all attend.
((Thanks to everyone who has posted and participated.
--Aide
((At 4 AM GMT (6 AM Mr. O and cryptc time, 11 PM Aide/dordon time, 9 PM Raneguin/Fell Star time), we will begin RPing the conclusion of this tale. My apologies to Mabus and Furcas for not knowing your time zones. I hope that you can all attend.
((Thanks to everyone who has posted and participated.
--Aide
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*Mr_Otyugh
- Posts: 2242
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
((not to be a nitpick but I'm in GMT +3, cryptcs in GMT +2 ;-) so 7am for me... now to decide if it's easier to wake up at that time.. or stay up until it's through...Aidelynn,Sep 19 2009 wrote: ((At 4 AM GMT (6 AM Mr. O and cryptc time...