Role Playing Story Chapter 4: Infiltration and Liberation

[slightly aboveaverage man]

As the red sun broke over the mountains of the east, a now diminished group of heroes sat in an untended field, readying for their mission to liberate an entire race; they were oddly calm for the task they were about to embark upon. Forming a semicircle were Delmenon the Barbarian, sitting crosslegged, his eyebrows knitted with concentration; Jericho the Windrider, hands moving quickly about a set of shackles, removing and adding small pieces to the primitive constraints; Talos the Drow of the Shadows, standing ever at the ready by their fourth member; Tamona the Dark Princess (Ooc: Or priestess, I can't remember which she is), watching the others curiously, as well as looking uncertainly at the shackles.

"There." Jericho said aloud as he fitted one final piece in place. He turned to Tamona. "I've removed the locking mechanism in the shackles, so you should be able to convincingly hold them in place with your powers without actually being restrained by them."

he pointed to a small metal capsule conected to where the shackle met the chain. "This capsule contains a small amount of murcury, I have no doubt that you should be able to use this as a weapon or a tool at some point should you need it."

Jericho stood and placed the restraints in front of Tamona, who already had changed into the garb of a prisoner. "Everything you need to give the appearance of capture, and usefull weapons in and of themselves." He then looked to Delmenon. "How soon until you can modify our appearances?"

[Dragonsbane]

Delmenon opened one eye, looking up at Jericho and the others....despite the fact that even sitting, he wasn't that much shorter than the two drow. "I'm ready now, if the rest of you are......shapeshifting wasn't the hard part, just assuming the form of a creature associated with the Air element was." he stood up, stretching, his immense muscles rippling impressively, "Everyone ready?" he asked

[videogamerz2000]

Off in a distant forest, on the edge of a plain....
A lumbering ogre flew out of the forest and charged onwards, through the grassy fields. On his shoulder, a elf clung onto one of the necks of the two-headed ogre. They had been wandering for days, searching for means of other life in the surrounding area. A lone village peered on the horizon.
"Faster!!" cried the elf, enjoying the ride with the summer air blowing through his silver hair. How he had enjoyed the gentle breeze. When was the last time he felt the wind in his hair? It didn't really matter.
After trekking for a few hours, the elf and ogre came over a hilltop close to the town. The elf hopped off of the lumbering ogre and rested his hands on his hips. He looked at the town. Empty....
"How strange..." the elf told the ogre. One head of the lumbering being looked at the view for a moment and stared coldly at the town. "Destroyed?" it belowed.
"Not quite....." replied the elf. The buildings were intact, signs blew in the wind and stands in the market place were still full of goods. The duo (or trio) entered the village and walked around. Scott stuffed his bag full of food (for the road ahead) and constantly checked each house.
Empty.
Empty.
And more empty houses.
The elf shrugged and turned to the ogre, drinking from the local well. "We should leave now..... to the north...." the elf said, not knowing at all what would lie on the road ahead....

[Jaguar]

"We've been ready," replied Tamona. "Should we send Talos in first? He doesn't require a disguise."

[slightly aboveaverage man]

Jericho looked to Delmenon. "I am ready. At your disgression my friend."

Before Delmenon acted, Jericho turned to the female Drow, then looked to Talos. "It would be the wisest course of action. Talos, you will move in and infiltrate along our vector, we will follow ten minutes behind you. If you find that Gwaethir is there before we arrive, find some way to alert us without being noticed, then get the hell out of there."

[Jaguar]

"Right." Talos became a mass of Shadow and flew away at high speed.

[dementedmongoose]

"North?." Cho'Gond queried. "Why North?" he asked again, picking up the elf and convincing his brother's leg to run(something he had been working on for years.) They stopped in a large field so that the brothers could get a meal of sixteen cows, eight sheep, nine horses, and one field mouse, then recommenced their run.

[secretskull]

Jack and Lance were walking Jack was thinking to himself. "what will we do while the others go to the avariel city" they had already been walking several hours when in the distance they saw a large and another smaller figure beside it coming their way "hey lance lets go investigate"

[Dragonsbane]

Gwaethir was nowhere near the Avariel city, he was too busy destroying the entire armed forces of a large port city, then killing off their strongest warriors one by one, enjoying himself thoroughly.

************************************************** **************

Delmenon spread his hands, eyes closing in concentration as he began to chant. A green-brown aura surrounded him, and he reached out to place a hand on Jericho's shoulder, spreading the glow to him too. He began to shrink, becoming smaller and slighter, hunching over slightly as wings began to grow from his back. His hair became longer and less bristly, falling over his shoulders, turning a nondescript shade of brown. Jericho changed too, but less dramatically because of his smaller build.

[slightly aboveaverage man]

Jericho shuddered after the transformation took place. "That was incredibly... Weird." He then stood an extended his hand to Tamona.

"If you are ready, I will take us there." he said, simutaniously preparing the winds to take them to the City of the Averael.

[Dragonsbane]

"Jericho, not so conspicuously," Delmenon said, his voice now high and melodic. He silently agreed with the Hero of Air, this WAS weird! "They will be suspicious if they see you using your Mastery of Air to transport her.....but I managed to find out how they bring visitors and prisoners of the non-flying races to their city," he pulled a nondescript brown cape from his pack, and draped it over Tamona's shoulders....the cape rippled, and split apart into a pair of dull brown wings, "These will let you fly....but not very well, since these are designed for prisoners."

[slightly aboveaverage man]

Jericho stared at Delmenon, wings quivering in confusion. "Where did you get that thing?"

He shook his head, "anyway, I had intended to use the wind only as a boost. use the wings for posterity sake, but be propelled by the wind itself."

[Dragonsbane]

Delmenon shrugged, "I bought it from a mercenary in the last town we went to, and I made him fly it himself to prove it worked," he grinned, then continued, "Jericho, I get the feeling that Gwaethir himself does that.....if he sees you, he'll know what you are. Just use the wings, and the other Avariel will think you are one of them, since you will be flying more like one than if you used your own powers."

[Royalspork]

"hey guys, let me go on my own. kay?" I need to go in alone on this one."
kerik left his spear at the tree and went *ahh, home at last*

[slightly aboveaverage man]

Jericho sighed. "Very well, as akward as it seems, let us be off. Talos has had a good 10 minutes to get ahead of us."

With that they took off, soaring through the skies after their shadowy companion.

*******************
Judas' eyes snapped open, her body rose erily to it's feet, requiring little to no effort.

This damned host is too weak. I will require a new one soon. she thought to herself, then noticed the turmoil in the sea far away.

Her eyes narrowed as she realized that Gwaethir was taking over her job.

"We can't have that." she said aloud, and stalked her course to the sea.

[Dragonsbane]

Delmenon flapped his wings, attached a collar with a chain leash to Tamona's neck (she's supposed to be a prisoner, she might get away if left unnattended.....details may save your life!), and leapt into the sky, with her following close behind. He found that he genuinely enjoyed the sensation of air rushing through his wings, and performed a few dizzying aerial loops, laughing at the thrill of it, then zooming off to catch up to Jericho. Tamona giggled at the barbarian clowning around, and at seeing his familiar smile on an elvish face, then hurried to catch up.

[Jaguar]

Talos flew into the gate of the city and accidentally rematerialized, catching the attention of a nerby Avariel guard. Talos grabbed the guard's sword and impaled him upon it. He left the body.

Talos melded into a wall of the Avariel city. He silently moved into a shadow and listened to two more guards talking in an slightly different dialect of Elven. "Did you hear about that murder at the front gate?" asked one of them in a whisper. "It was a suicide, you idiot!" snapped the other.

[videogamerz2000]

The field was blood spattered with animal parts as the ogre feasted. The elf pondered the question previously asked.... why were they going north? The elf only came up with the same answer.... gut feelings, internal compass and all that jazz. He crossed his arms and stood there as the ogre chowed down...
After awhile, they were running across the plains full-fledged with speed, like a race horse and it's jockey. Excpet both of these beings could think for themselves.....
After a long days worth of roaming the countryside, they settled down to rest for the night. Scott stirred around his meal in a pot over a fire, while the ogre attacked more unsuspecting cattle. The elf relaxed for a moment, sitting down and crossing his arms around his legs. He starred into the night sky, looking upon the stars and wondering where the next days worth of travel would take them....

[Dragonsbane]

Gwaethir closed his eyes, sensing the approach of another Evil...."ah, Judas is finally ready to begin doing her own damn job.....filthy fish-smelling coastal cities! Feh!" he sneered, then stabbed the mayor of the town he had been systematically reducing to splinters in the belly, slicing it open and spilling his entrails on the ground, then slashing him across the throat.

[Jaguar]

Tamona smiled at Demenon again, and then stuffed a gag in her mouth to add to the prisoner appearance. She continued to enjoy the flight.

************************************************** *********

Tanthalas smashed a bottle of wine on the ground and watched Ze plague a fortress with his ballista. "We're getting nowhere! We must find and kill Tamona."

[Dragonsbane]

Delmenon turned his head, seeing Tamona, he began laughing. She made a face at him, winked, then smiled as best as she could with the gag on as he tied it more tightly....it was painfully obvious that she had tied it herself. Her hair and skin were soft and smooth, and she giggled through the gag once he finished tying it on.....Delmenon heard Jericho laughing at them up ahead, and blushed, "Errr...we should hurry," he said gruffly....or as gruffly as he could with a melodic, Avariel voice. Tamona began laughing again, so he tickled her, then flew away laughing....while she struggled to catch up.

[Jaguar]

Talos watched them from the front gate, his face contorted into a scowl. Tamona's more stubborn and ruthless brothers had been raised through violence, making them more coldhearted. Tamona, on the other hand, was cheerful, kind, and loyal, attributes that niether of her brothers possessed. Talos disapproved of her attraction to Delmenon, as he knew their mother would. Tanthalas didn't give a rat's ass about Tamona. Talos slowly turned away and shook his head.

[Dragonsbane]

OOC: being a barbarian has its advantages, ne? My first barbarian character......I wanna be a half-fiend next! One of the greatest things about roleplaying is the cute NPC girls like Tamona....and a barbarian's gotta do what a barbarian's gotta do!

IC: Delmenon swooped back, gathering Tamona up in his arms, and carrying her off, kicking and laughing through her gag. She managed to wriggle somewhat, but Delmenon had made sure that he could still access his immense strength while the spell was in effect, and was easily able to keep a hold on her. Eventually, she just snuggled into his arms, enjoying the ride.

[slightly aboveaverage man]

Ooc:and a barbarian's gotta do what a barbarian's gotta do
Don't you mean, 'and a barbarians gotta do who a barbarian's gotta do'. :D

Ic: Jericho laughed as he looked back at his other two companions; but as he watched their frolocking through the air, his laugter faded as old memories resurfaced.
That used to be us. He thought mournfully.

He quickly snapped out of his memorial daze as they approached the Floating Disc.
"My friends." He called back. "Now is the time that we must move our thoughts to those of a more serious nature. It is a show we must put on, now let us act it impecably."

It will do no good for the guards to see an Avariel frolicking with a prisoner...

[Dragonsbane]

OOC: YES, that's the EXACT wording!

IC:"Don't worry, as long as it looks like she's resisting a little..." he stopped kissing her, and put her gag back in place. "I volunteer to guard her while we're in the city, you are better at acting like an elf, anyway...." Tamona pouted, looking even cuter than usual....then tried to look afraid as she huddled in Delmenon's arms, but she squealed with laughter when he surreptitiously tickled her again, somehow maintaining a perfectly innocent expression on his face as he did.

[Jaguar]

Talos shook his head again and resisted the urge to possess an Avariel. The love of human for drow. The drow slashed a house. He used his Shadow form to enter an Avariel and rematerialized, causing the Avariel to explode and sending it's guts everywhere. In his anger, he stalked off and left the rondevouz point.

[Dragonsbane]

Delmenon whispered something to Tamona, as they could now see the disc in the distance, it was more prudent for her to travel like a prisoner. She flew behind Delmenon, while he held onto the chain leash as they approached the city. Tamona managed to look extremely recluctant, bitter, and downhearted as they approached, while Delmenon assumed the stern, ruthless expression of a veteran bounty hunter. The fact that his Avariel form was large and tough-looking for a member of that race made this easier.

[Jaguar]

Talos stood on a tower in the city, scanning the sky behind the three for anyone else. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a unit of seven more Avariel, all carrying bows and spears. "Shit," he muttered, transorming into Shadow form. In three seconds, he blew past Delmenon and Tamona, headed straight for the unit. He possessed the lead Avariel and forced him to turn, lifting his bow and nocking five arrows at once, blasting one into each of the Avariel's companions. Talos then rematerialized inside the Avariel, causing him to implode an a disgusting shower of blood and innards. Talos hovered there, his eyes glowing, and flew over to Jericho, Delmenon, and Tamona. He bowed and muttered in Drow before blasting back to the city.
************************************************** ***
Tamona whispered to Delmenon through the gag. "He said 'good day, sirs and madam.' He's smart to have left."
************************************************** ********
Tanthalas and Ze watched the four flying. Tanthalas had used his power over electricity to locate the powerful magnetic field that surrounded Tamona by unleashing an electric current into the atmosphere. "So, Delmenon, you're attracted to her," he murmured.

[Dragonsbane]

OOC: Gawethir isn't doing much until Judas becomes active again...that's why I'm not talking about him much.

IC: Delmenon nodded, "aye, let's just hope no one noticed him"....Tamona nodded, and they continued following Jericho towards the city.

[Jaguar]

Talos sat in the corner of an alley, muttering softly to himself.

[slightly aboveaverage man]

The as the group approached the disc, they noticed that it was protected by a large steel cage, stretching from the ground and over the entire city, preventing anyone from getting in.

Or out. Jericho thought.

They landed on a small pier jutting out in front of the main gate, An Avariel guard stood there.

"Halt." he called to them, raising his hand, palm outward. "Who dares enter the city of the damned?"

Jericho looked to Delmenon. "A little mellow-dramatic isn't he?"

"Sorry, I just always wanted to say that." replied the guard. "But by order of Lord Gwaethir, no one may pass through these gates without special permission."

[Dragonsbane]

Delmenon stepped forward, tugging Tamona along by her chain, "We heard there was a bounty on this one, apparently the Windlord Gwaethir wants her alive.....and no, we won't let you take it from here, we caught her, and we get the bounty for bringing her in!" his eyes narrowed menacingly, and his free hand lingered near the hilt of one of his swords. The guard stepped back, bowing, his eyes widening, "My apologies.....I didn't know that you were here on business for the Windlord...please, go on in." he ordered some other guards to open the gate, and Jericho, Delmenon, and Tamona entered the City of the Avariel...

[Jaguar]

Seeing that they had a problem, Talos leapt into the guard's body. He could feel the Avariel struggling to resist his control. The guard's eyes then turned black, a sign that Talos was in control, and opened the door, letting them through. "By order of Lord Talos," the guard said in a tone that sounded like his and Talos's voice combined, "you may pass."

[Dragonsbane]

Tamona glared at the guard, "BAD jaluk! (OOC: drow word for "male", in noun form), if you keep doing that, we'll get caught. Just trust Delmenon and the faerie elf (she means Jericho, drow call the surface elves 'faeries'), they'll handle this part of the mission."

Delmenon blinked, looking extremely surprised, "She has a good point.....though she might want to be a little less harsh," he said, and Tamona promptly stuck her tongue out at him, he winked at her, then continued... "can you erase his memory of being possessed? If we kill him, we'll have a lot of explaining to do..."

[slightly aboveaverage man]

Ooc: Jericho is human.

Jericho stalked past the guard, motioning for the others to follow.

"Leave the guard once we are out of view, then erase his memories. We don't want to be expected here you know."

[Dragonsbane]

Delmenon nodded, "exactly! No more killing!" and followed him in, along with Tamona...confident that Talos would be best on his own, since he had already proved his competence on his own.

[secretskull]

ooc:I hope you notice the unintended anoyence (hint see sea)

Jack decided to come closer hoping the things hadnt spotted him suddenly he saw who it was. "Its only Scott and those or is it that two headed ogre" he thoght. he then came out of his hiding spot and said hey Scott long time no see

[Dragonsbane]

The city of the Avariel had once been a beautiful place of gold, silver, and crystal......a place of light, freedom, and hope....but now it was a twisted mockery of its former selves. Crystal spires that had touched the sky were now broken or twisted, lopped off when they grew too high. A people once powerful and free-willed huddled in their houses, or walked slowly, heads down through the rubble-cluttered streets. Markets that had once stood unrivalled had few goods to sell.........Gwaethir didn't care about being a good ruler, he didn't need to! His only desire was to punish his people for something......something the Heroes meant to discover.

[slightly aboveaverage man]

Jericho leaned close to Delmenon and Tamona, so that no others could overhear.
"If we are to find information around here, let us travel to the den of those with loose lips: the local Tavern."

He began to walk again, but stopped and turned back to Delmenon. "And try not to get drunk, the last thing we want is your lips getting loose,"

[Dragonsbane]

"My people drink things that would kill your people, and they don't even get tipsy from them!" Delmenon said, laughing, but keeping quiet enough that no passerby could hear.

[Jaguar]

Talos watched them pass and did as he was told, erasing the guard's memory. He descended into the sewer tunnels and covered his face in mud, attepting to make a makeshift disguise. He also put mud in his hair and stole a suit of armor from the Avariel guard. He then used his Shadow powers to make black, feathered wings that sprouted from his back. To the Avariel, black feathers signified that you were a member of a religious group called the Dark Ones, who painted their wings black as a sign of their devotion to Gwaethir. He grabbed a guard's spear and approched the royal palace his eyes covered to pretend that he was blind. He used his senses of smell and hearing to reach the royal banquet hall. "Time for some fun."

[videogamerz2000]

The man named Jack appeared before Scott and the ogre(s).
"What brings you to this far side of the world, Jack?" Scott asked intentively.
While starting up a little bit of small talk, Scott felt a evil feeling inside of himself, feeling as if something really bad going on, someplace far, far away....

[slightly aboveaverage man]

Ooc:
feeling as if something really bad going on, someplace far, far away....
STAR WARS
Episode VIII: Return of the Gamer!

Ic: the group stalked into the local cantina, seeing many once-reverant avariels, now discouraged, wallowing in the bottom of a glass. Many looked up to view the newcommers, but looked away as they brought down Tamona.

Jericho sat down at the bar, directly in front of the bartender, leaving Delmenon to follow suit after attaching Tamonas rigged chains to an adjacent barstool, "Trapping" her hands behind her and forcing her to sit on the floor; adding to the effect of the master and the captive routine.

"Ain't seenz youz around heaz befoe." the sleepy-eyed Bartender said suspiciously while pouring their drinks, a slight buzzing excaped his lips as he spoke.

Jericho reached behind Delmenon and yanked the chain connecting to Tamona's neck, lifting it for the barkeep to see.

"Bounty Huntez." Jericho replied, using his wind powers to match the bartenders accent word for word. "My buddyz hea thoughtz it waz about timez we inveztigated aroundz heaz. Broughtz a giftz fo' hiz sistah."

The bartender nodded slowly, but kept a wary eye on the drow seated on the floor, who returned his glare with an icey stare of her own.

Jericho looked back to the bartender. "Whenz did thiz all change? I don't remembez any cagez befoez."

[Jaguar]

Tanthalas flew up to the city. "Perfect." he said. "Completely metal." Tanthalas blasted and electrocuted six guards and started walking through the Avariel city, attacking anything in sight. Ze followed Tanthalas and immediately froze the exterior of the bar that Jericho, Delmenon, and Tamona were in. The door was frozen shut and the temperature inside began to drop rapidly. The two continued moving, evidently enjoying the destruction.
************************************************** *************
Talos began using his power of Shadow Levitation to make the tray of apples approach him and he hastily wolfed several down. He was spotted by another guard and he fell to the ground, pretending to die. The guard came up to Talos and was instantly booted in the balls. The guard shrieked and toppled over, screaming in agony. Talos then spun on the floor, simultaneously getting up and kicking the guard in the face. He saw twenty more soldiers come around the bend and he grinned. Talos turn and started running.

[Dragonsbane]

OOC: How in the Nine HELLS does Tanthalas fly!!!??? Same for Ze, too!

IC: Delmenon nodded, "Sheez gotta nieze bounty onner 'ead," he said, deciding to play the role of the quiet one.

[Jaguar]

OOC: Tanthalas can fly on metal objects or pull himelf along by the Earth's magnetic field. Ze can just be carried by Tanthalas because he has metal armor.

[Dragonsbane]

OOC: magnetism is Tamona's power........not Tanthalas's, and Gwaethir will kill if anyone screws around with his subjects but him. Besides, why are you messing with another Evil's kingdom? Neither of you can scry, or would know about the Heroes plans in the City of the Avariel! The only one who even bothered to spy on these heroes anyway was Gwaethir, and he's off near the coast.

[secretskull]

"Whats wrong Scott your acting as thogh you dont remember me". "You look like you have been through a lot since the incident at the fingers of god."

[dementedmongoose]

the brothers looked down at the new arival, wondering if he was edible "Psst. can us eat him?" Cho'Gond asked in a whisper that could be heard by the other two, "No, we can't" Cho'Gore whispered back.

[Dragonsbane]

OOC: Delmenon is the "quiet one", so Jericho will be doing some talking here
IC: Jericho ordered drinks for everyone in the bar, supposedly in celebration of a successful hunt, and he and Delmenon began to fish for information...

[slightly aboveaverage man]

Jericho looked around the bar, spotting an Avariel in a darkened corner, waving him over. He turned back to Delmenon. "Keepz an eyez on 'er. I'll beez back."

Taking a tumbler of the bartenders strongest ale, Jericho stalked over to the winged elf. He was short, and obviously old. his white hair was streaked with dull grey, and his face was lined and cracked with age, which was rare among even the oldest of elves. He looked up at Jericho, revealing one pupil-less white eye, obviously blind in it; and smiled when he saw the brandy, revealing yellow and brown teeth.

"You wishh to know of the tale of the cccity?" he said, stretching out the his 's'. "For that brandy, I ssshall tell you all I know."

Jericho slid into the booth and slid the tumbler over to the wisened Avariel. The old elf lifted the glass to his lips and drunk deeply, his one pupiled eye rolled back in pleasure. He put the tumbler down and leaned in close to Jericho, ready to tell him the story of Gwaethir.

Ooc: If you want to take over this NPC Dragonsbane, go right ahead. you could probably tell the story better than I can.

[Bombshell]

ooc:Sorry I haven't been around the role playing story for a while.Let's see I'll pretend my charecters were unconcious for a long time. :D
in:Lance had just regained conciousness before Ziff had regained conciousness. Lance had relized that he knew nothing of what happened over the past few days. So Lance had decided to leave and search for all evil... for he had wanted to be evil again. "Ziff I will kill you, or my names not Lance."
*****
"Huh? I thought I heard Lance, but he's not here. What's happened? Hm... I must find the others. They can tell me what has happened." So Ziff left to find the others.

[Dragonsbane]

"Young lord Gwaethir Sssswiftclaw loved the princessss Xaethaena, he did. They were both young, wide-eyed and set out to change the world.......her father, you sssee, he wasss rather corrupt, and sssso sssshe and her young paramour, who wasss then a young and promisssing offisssser in the military, decided to start a revolution. They were caught, and sssshe wasss beheaded, the king wasss corrupt, but couldn't allow anyone to think he would ssshow favoritisssm. I wass hisss advissser, and I sssuggesssted exile, but he wouldn't agree, he had other daughtersss." the old man stopped to take a long sip of the brandy, while Jericho listened impatiently, "I wasss sssick that day, it happenssss when you're old! So I watched from the window of my room, which overlooked the square where the princesss was to be killed. The blow fell, and ssshe died, and the young lord ssstruck them all down, he did! Blassssted them and crushed them with hissss magic! Sssslammed them around like dollssss! The king, the executioner, the royal family.....hissss entire court exsssept for me! heh-heh-heh" the old Avariel coughed, took another sip, then continued. "I sssaw him weep over her corpssse, and he vowed revenge, to achieve their dream! Though now it'sss more a nightmare!" he said the last part quietly, cautiously, "The Hawkwingsss, the royal family, fell quickly. And Gwaethir Ssswiftclaw became forever Gwaethir Hurricane, the Windlord. I waseee lucky he didn't ssssee me, and he didn't look, because I pleaded for her life." the old adviser coughed, and took another sip, "You'd bessst be going now, don't want to attract noteissss, do we?" he laughed creakily, and returned to his drink.

[slightly aboveaverage man]

Jericho nodded to the old Avariel. "Take carez old onez, but just asz thingz beginz, they all muzt endz." He winked as he walked back to Delmenon. He left a generous amount of money on the bar for their drinks, then he and his companions left the bar.

Jericho explained the siduation to Delmenon and Tamona as they walked though a windowless alley on the outskirts of the town. As the other two pondered the information, Jericho stretched his conciousness out into the air.

"Ziff has awakened. He is searching for us" He said, his eyes moving behind closed lids. "Talos is getting himself into too much trouble with out us there."

He pointed to the palace. "We must stop him before he draws the attention of the Windlord. they began to walk to the center of the city, when Jericho stopped in mid stride. "He is comming!"

[Jaguar]

OOC: Tanthalas hates Tamona and Talos, so he hunts them down dragging Ze with him to be his dumb muscle. Simple.

[Dragonsbane]

OOC: and they haven't realized that ALL OF GWAETHIR'S MINIONS ARE IN THAT CITY!!!??? We are talking about someone who does NOT like other people intruding.......Delmenon and Jericho are in almost as much danger as you are, and shouldn't Tamona be able to detect Tanthalas the same way he supposedly can detect her?

[Jaguar]

OOC: They have realized such, but think about the fact that metal cnducts and is easily manipulated by electricity. Tanthalas is electric element.

[slightly aboveaverage man]

Ooc: I think he was debating on how they could possibly get there.

Ooc part 2!: This takes place around the time that the "Heroes" were traveling to the City.

Ic: Judas shot through the water, using the sea around her to propell her at blinding speeds towards the coast. She sliced through the waves and landed on top of the surface of the water, modifying the bouency (Sp?) to allow her to walk along without sinking. Her eyes narrowed as she watched the Dark Avariel slowly smash through the city, destroying it's inhabitants in groups as he saw them.

"You complain of my leniency towards these people Gwaethir, yet you yourself play around with them." She called out, her voice echoing with a watery tone. "Tell me, where is the fun of puting them out of their misery? Why not just multiply it tenfold!"

From the great sea, and indeed from the ground itself, imense goutes of water sprang up, flowing through and rising over the city itself; drowning it in water. those who managed to make it to the surface were quickly drawn down below the waves by emense whirl-pools, dragging them into the maws of countless and merciless sea creatures. underwater currents shattered buildings, then rained the debris on those beneath the waves; Mangling, impailing, and destroying the inhabitants.

Just as quickly as the water levels rose, they too fell, leaving nothing but the bare sand behind, dragging all trace of the once beautiful port into the deep ocean.

"I mean what's the fun of destruction if you cannot see every last living being suffer?" She glided towards Gwaethir, now standing on the wet sand. "And while you lecture me on managing my own affairs, you neglect yours." She walked around him as he eyed her suspiciously. "As I said before, I know far more than you can imagine. Now stretch that conciousness of yours towards your own territory, and see that it is not mine that needs attending!" Her voice ended with an angry ring.

[Bombshell]

Lance walked past many areas not seeing his fellow evils. "Hm... had they already spread destruction throughout the land." But then he noticed a city. "A city here... this is odd. But only means one thing the evils are close."
*****
Ziff had walked through many towns and had just spoted some of his friends. "There they are." So Ziff walked so he could sneak up behind them. "Hello. I'm back. So what's happened?"

[Dragonsbane]

Gwaethir bowed elegantly, stretching his wings out wide to add to the mockery, a smirk on his face, "By all means....now you can go do your job! I have people to opress, so I bid you a fond farewell, dear nymph!" he couldn't resist throwing in the nymph comment...

[videogamerz2000]

Scott rubbed his head. Jack already knew him?! He sat on a rock and looked at Jack, trying to rack through his memory banks to remember this character. Nothing came up. While the ogres contemplated about eating (again) Scott shaked his head furiously. "Nothing makes sense!" he yelled. AJck stepped back, eyes widened as if saying "Holy crap....".
The elf breathed heavily. "I'm sorry for that outburst..." he explained. "I have a feeling that we have know each other...and about these 'Fingers of Gods'..... What are they? Or better yet, where are they?"

[slightly aboveaverage man]

Jericho and the group ran for the Citidel, barging through door after door in their search for Talos, they eventually found him in the grand chamber, slaughtering the Guards loyal to Gwaethir. Another group of re enforcements rushed in through the main hallway, long polearms grasped in their hands. Jericho shot a glance at them only long enough to send them flying back down the hallway with a powerful gust of wind, knocking them unconsious as they impacted with the back wall.

Several guards stopped their fight against Talos in order to gaze at Jericho in reverance. "There is another windlord!" one exclaimed, only to be lifted with his compainions to the skies and smashed into the high ceiling, unconsious forms and feathers dropping from the skies like rain.

Jericho looked back at Talos. "I believe we have worn out our welcome, the Hurricane approaches and he knows something is amiss."

[secretskull]

"The Fingers of God is where Judas took us a while back". "According to her it would give us power if we touched the statue that represented our element". "Luckily Lance rushed us away before we used them". "Later we figured out that if we had touched them we would have been posesed by some kind of spirit which is what happned to Judas". "Right now Jerico, Delemon and Talos you havent met them have gone to free the Avariel city from Gwatheir you havent met him either"."If you dont beleive me about the fingers of god ask those two they were there at the end". He pointed at the ogres.

[Dragonsbane]

Delmenon strode through the halls, standing on the metal floor allowed him to all sorts of fun things, such as making it soft, and trapping the guards' feet in it. He burned the weapons from their hands, and laughed as he continued down the hall toward the throne room.

__________________________________________________ ______________________

Gwaethir sensed something amiss, and quickly teleported to the throne room of his palace.....he had a very harsh reception for any invaders there.

[slightly aboveaverage man]

Jericho ran up to Talos to grab him by the arm. "Come, we must go now!" he said, but stopped suddenly and stared off into space, drawing his katana's. "He is here."

[Dragonsbane]

Gwaethir sensed something, another power of air......it was muted somehow, by a spell that was shielding its true form, perhaps? But it was nonetheless there. He grinned, he normally had a very pleasant smile, but it was still as cold as the icy winds that blew over the far Northern tundra....he laughed, leaning back in his crystal throne, apparently the heroes were coming to visit him...

[slightly aboveaverage man]

Jericho grabbed Talos by the arm and forcibly dragged him away from the battle, blasting the remaining guards away as he ran to Delmenon.

"He knows we are here, I can sense that much. In your professional opinion, do you think it would be wise to stay and fight on his turf? or should we attempt to get the hell out of here without him following us, and find some way to battle him later on a battlefield of our choice?"

[Jaguar]

"I fight anywhere," Talos replied indignatly, attempting to free himself from Jericho's grip. "Retreat is foolish and cowardly."

[Dragonsbane]

Delmenon considered, then said slowly, "Well.....if we leave, he will punish any that he believes to have aided us, and we will seem like cowards to the people we are trying to save. It will be nearly impossible to get back in if he is on his guard against such attempts, too....so this may be the only chance we get. If we stay and fight, we still outnumber him, and perhaps we can defeat him, I say we fight!"

[slightly aboveaverage man]

Jericho nodded. "It would also be wise to alert our friends. Perhaps they may be able to bolster our numbers."

He called upon the power of the wind carrying his voice from the Grand Hall to the Great Plains where Ziff and Kerik stood, and to where Jack rested. "My friends, we are in need of added assistance, come quickly and follow the Northern Wind."

He created a breeze, stretching over a continent, leading directly to the city.

He looked back to his companions, redrawing his blades. "Shall we?" he asked, motioning to the Throne Room.

[secretskull]

Jack heard Jericho and said. "Come on scott Jericho needs helps lets go, you too he said pointing to the ogres". As they started running he thoght. "At times like this I wish I had wings".

[videogamerz2000]

The elf stubbled after Jack and the ogres. A huge breeze was pushing them, giving them great speed and they practically soared across the Great Plains. They bypassed valleys constantly and leaped over hilltop's to help this 'ally'. From what the elf knew, this ally was named Jericho and possesed great power. Maybe he could help Scott regain his identity. Maybe....

[Jaguar]

Talos grinned at Jericho. "Let's," he replied. He unsheathed his prized, serrated, two-bladed sword and leapt forward, slashing down the Avariel with ease.

[Dragonsbane]

Gwaethir sat calmly in his throne, a smile playing over his features. Idiots.....who dared to think they could attack him here! This was the seat of his power........and here, no one and nothing could stop him.......but he knew that thinking that was a mistake, so perhaps he should be more concerned? No, he trusted in his perparations...he chuckled, the end of the Heroes was near, he thought to himself...

[slightly aboveaverage man]

The group of four stormed into the throne room, their weapons drawn, powers at the ready.

"Your grip on this territory is over Gwaethir." Jericho's voice boomed. "This ends tonight!"

[Dragonsbane]

Delmenon returned himself and Jericho to their normal forms, so they could better access their magic and fighting skills.

Gwaethir smiled, then began to laugh, "You fools.........this is the seat of my power! The air in this room is practically alive, and my mastery over air will be multiplied tenfold! You cannot even touch me, let alone defeat me, though you are certainly welcome to try.......oh, and one more thing...." Gwaethir flicked his fingers at the heroes, and their weapons were suddenly jerked from their hands. He was still sitting, resting easily in his throne, his posture as confident as the look in his eyes and the smile on his face.

[Bombshell]

Ziff looked around and entered a room full of flames."Hello Ziff. I see you've entered my lair/city right next to Gwaethir's city. Your friends Ziff are battling evils. I'm back Ziff and I'm evil." "What impossible." "No it is. You should of never woking up now you shall feel pain so much pain that you'll die once and for all. Explosion of Fire!" And with that Ziff did die. "I tried friends... I tried." "Muhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! I did it I killed the unkillable Ziff. Master will be very proud. You minon tell Ziff's friends that I killed him." "Yes master." "Now I shall tell my master what I've done." Later. "What is it Lance?" "I've come to tell you Ziff is dead now there are six heroes remaning. The only one who could use these swords to stop me is dead." "Exellent. Now if you will kill Talos. I want him brought back here dead." "Yes master. And since the only one who could stop me is dead Talos won't stand a chance." I'll kill them all and then destroy master so I can rule, Lance thought.

[slightly aboveaverage man]

Ooc: It's like listening to Gollum talk to himself. It is hard to tell who is talking!

Ooc2: "The Unkillable Ziff?" hasn't he died some 50 times since the RP started? He's more killable then JFK!

*Trips on a rock* "Whoops! Blarg! I am dead!"

Ic: Jericho spread his hands, and his Katana's once again rushed into his grip. The weapon's of his companions did the same. Reaching deep into himself, he counteracted the currents of air within the room, doing his best to balance them out.

"Silence!" he yelled, his voice booming in the modified air. "You will be extracted from this place, like a tumor is cut from a body!"

Tamona then reached out, magnetically pulling the throne out from under Gwaethir and sending it flying down to crush him.

[Bombshell]

ooc:I meant 'cause he keeps coming back.
in:"Now where to find Talos? F*** this I'm gonna try to fly again." Lance starts to fly. "
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Ahem." Lance starts to fall. "F*** f*** f*** f*** f*** f***! S*** s*** s*** s*** s***!" Lance hits ground and becomes unconsious.

[Jaguar]

OOC: He keeps coming back because Delmenon keeps reviving him. Duh!

[Dragonsbane]

OOC: The throne is made of crystal, Tamona can't touch it.......remember? Just some advice....Jericho shouldn't be able to counter Gwaethir's power in his own throne room just yet, I'll explain why soon enough...but getting the weapons back was good.

OOC2: haven't you realized yet? Ziff IS Gollum! Actually, he's the "Smeagol" (semi-good) half of Gollum, and Lance is the "Gollum" (evil) half.....that's why he wants to kill "Master" and rule the world himself! All his "dying" is metaphorical, symbolizing the loss of control by that side of his personality, of course!

OOC3: bombshell, Gwaethir's city is floating in midair.....at about the height of a mountaintop. You can't be "right next to it" unless you're floating, and then Gwaethir would know about it. You certainly couldn't get there by walking, either!

IC: Gwaethir rose to his feet, his eyes flashing, "How DARE you threaten me in my own throne room, wingless worm!" A howling wind began to pick up as Gwaethir's power filled the room, pushing Jericho's influence back. Tamona nearly fell, but was able to catch hold of Delmenon, who held her steady until she could use her powers of magnetism to stand securely on the metal floor. The very air seemed to be alive, and responsive to Gwaethir's commands.....and for the first time, Delmenon wondered if they might not survive this. He had underestimated Gwaethir Hurricane, and was only now beginning to realize that outnumbering him might not be enough...

[secretskull]

jack and scott had reached avariel city (acually they were under it) ok... how do we get up there. said jack. I guess we will have to tell them that unless they come down we cant help them he asked the ogrs to send that message to Jericho with their mind powers. while he was waiting he prepared for battle.



EDIT: This has been edited thanks to dragonsbane.

[Dragonsbane]

OOC: highly trained Avariel guards falling for a thrown rock? Not gonna happen...Besides, you need a key to get through the gate....the guard has the key, and how would you even get around underneath the huge metal disk to reach the edge and throw the rock? They have patrols flying around the city, they would see your stony pillar and react accordingly. Not to mention Gwaethir would be pissed, and harden the air around your bodies until you can't even twitch, then let you slowly suffocate. Or maybe he would turn the air in your lungs into razor-sharp shards! You can't really counterattack when you're lifting a huge pillar of stone into the air, you know? Also, Delmenon is also an Earth user, he would sense Jack, and he could just stop your pillar from rising, or melt it, burning you with molten lava! So many questions you must consider before you do something like this...

[Bombshell]

ooc:Well Lance's city could be next to it but on the ground. And WTF? Lance is someone else. But you are correct about the gollum/smeagol because Ziff has an evil self that tries to take over and Lance has a good self tring to come back.

in:"Ok flying was a bad idea. Wait could Talos be in Gwaethir's city? I better find out. But how to get up there." While Lance was speaking something had slammed into him knocking him unconsious. "Hello Lance." The voice said in the strangest voice Lance had ever heard. "Who are you?" "You should be wondering more what am I?" "What?" "Yes Lance "what" would be something that you would say. Think about this question a will ask you. Do you think what you did was right to kill the other that had the power to destroy your master?" "I... I don't know." "I thought so. Have you forgotten the ones to stop your master are All the evil and good fire. All the evil and good wind. And all the evil and good earth. Have you forgotten that two of them are dead which leaves no hope in destroing your master? Delmenon can only revive one more person which is ethir Slicer or Ziff. Ethir way you're one short to stop master, your master." "Who are you? What are you?" "I'm nothing but your imagination. I'm Ziff your still unconsious. I'm telling you what you want to hear." "No. No I won't listen. I am the best I need no one to help me! You're not Ziff I hate Ziff why would you say that I want to hear Ziff?" Just then Lance saw a figure that looked like Ziff. "We were friends Lance. Remember so long ago? Let the good inside you take over. You only turned this way because you were threatened again!" "Yes I was. But the good inside me is gone! I WILL NOT LISTEN!!" Lance just then regained consiousness. "What was that was that Ziff. What should I do?"

[Dragonsbane]

OOC: as long as you don't start arguing with yourself, and debating whether or not to kill the "hobbitses!"

[slightly aboveaverage man]

Ooc: Or start eating raw fish and singing. (And please tell me he's not wearing a loincloth!)

Ic: Jericho sensed the others underneath the city. He looked over to Tamona. "The gates, if you please." he then summoned a gust of wind to bring the others to the pier at the main gates. Tamona's eyes narrowed, as she concentrated.

At the gates of the city, the guards were alerted to the sound of groaning metal. They looked to the gates to see the heavy metal bars bending and twisting about, opening a large sized hole in the metal frame. A small group of non-elves flew up to the opening, and the guards rushed out in response.

Back inside the Throne Room, Jericho pushed out with his energy, forcing a pocket of controlled air to form around himself, Tamona, Talos and Delmenon. "You could not destroy me before! You shall not succeed now!" He called out.

[Dragonsbane]

OOC: oh please no! Oh GODS, not the loincloth!!! *shudders* I don't wanna gouge out my own eyes!

IC: "You fool........before, I was not in my throne room, in the heart of a city devoted to the study of Air magic for millenia! The air here obeys my every word, my every whim, and how many times do I have to tell you that my power is magnified here?" Gwaethir laughed, and the ensuing blast of power hurled the heroes back against the wall. Delmenon reached for the power of the earth, and suddenly large sections of the metal floor glowed cherry-red as they heated up.......Delmenon preparing for a spell variant he had heard of, but never tried. Summoning was dangerous, and it could go wrong far too easily...

[secretskull]

sorry said Jack to the guards, but I have an apointment he said. Cho'gond Cho'gor do your stuff the ogres then they used their mind powers to knok out the guards. Then he rushed threw the city untill he reached the palace now we have to pass these guards. Strange but their are'nt any guards I wonder what happened to them. Then they barged in the throne room. "Here we are he said to the others". "And I broght some others to help us". He said pointing at scott and the ogres.

[Dragonsbane]

OOC: Secretskull......you answered one necessary question, but not the others. Also, try to be more consitent in your use of quotation marks...

[slightly aboveaverage man]

Jericho forced his influence upon the air, slowing his backwards movement to a crawl, then stopping it. "Glad you could make it guys." he said to the newcommers.

He then started to slowly stalk up to Gwaethir, taking one perilous step at a time, leaning forward into the slightly deminished force of the wind.

[Bombshell]

"Ah it begins. Once I get up there I will destroy Talos and bring him back to master dead. Muhahahahahahaha! I might need some help. Who was it that was very large? Ah... now I remember Ze. He can help me get up there. But where is he?"

[Dragonsbane]

Gwaethir smiled, "amusing, but still pathetic," he flicked a finger, and the air clamped onto Jericho's arms like iron manacles, lifting him and hurling him out of the room.

Delmenon continued to concentrate......

__________________________________________________ ______________________

he had slept for so long....dreamed for so long. And he didn't want to wake up, but he was called......one who could command the elements of his being called him to battle. It had been too long since he had been called to war, and he remembered with a proud smile the thrill of battle, and so once again, he woke......and answered the summons.

A vast and mighty roar shook the ground, and in the pocket of half-cooled lava at the base of the dormant volcano, something mighty stirred......

[slightly aboveaverage man]

Leaving the enhanced winds of the Throne Room, Jericho once again resisted. He broke the manacles with a thought, and flew back in, though his control deminished in this area. "Tamona!" he yelled, "The floor! It's metal!"

Taking this new information to heart, Tamona magnetically ruptured the floor around Gwaethir's throne, using the jagged pieces of metal as projectiles to send flying at the Wind Lord's head.

Jericho took what control he had, and put the force of the wind behind the debris, forcing Gwaethir to concentrate hard in order to undo their attempts.

This should distract him for a bit. He thought. I just hope it's enough time for Delmenon to finish what he has begun!

[Bombshell]

ooc:After the person after my post we'll start a new chapter.

in:"I must go up there! I know I'll send a message to Gwaethir using my brain. If I can read other people's minds then I can also send them messages."

ooc:Yeah you might think Lance is crazy but still.

[secretskull]

OOC: read What SAAM said he used wind to bring me up their as for the guards patrols I was going up so fast that they didnt notice

[Dragonsbane]

OOC: oh! I get it.....Ziff/Lance hears voices in his head because he's schizophrenic! An insane hero....that IS cool!

OOC2: SAAM, could you bring him up while fighting Gwaethir at the same time? Or am I missing something blatantly obvious?

IC: Gwaethir seized control of the shards of metal, turning them back towards Tamona. Still chanting, Delmenon flicked out his sword, the pieces of metal ringing as they were deflected by the blade.
__________________________________________________ ______________________

The stirring creature, awakening at last, listened more closely to the song it could hear through the magic that flowed through its veins. It recognized the tone and timbre, the deep voice and the challenging call. A Barbarian.....it had been summoned by a barbarian the last time, too.....

[slightly aboveaverage man]

Ooc: Jericho sensed the others before the whole battle started. After he summoned back their weapons, he got Tamona to wreck the gates as Jericho blew the others up to the city. All the while, Gwaethir was going on in his speech and such. However, I doubt that they would get here this quickly, they still have to take down the guards at the main gate. Jericho set them down right in front of the gate, using his memory to lead them to that spot. He didn't know there were still guards there.

Ic: Jericho channeled all the energy he could muster into balancing out the force of the wind. As the metal shards flew back towards the Drow, the combined strength of Magnetism and Wind was just enough to stop them in their tracks, caught between the forces of good and evil.

[Dragonsbane]

IC: magnetism and wind held the metal shards in place, and Delmenon's sword knocked them to the floor...

[slightly aboveaverage man]

Jericho's eyebrows wrinkled in confusion as he strained against Gwaethir's power. How is this possible? he thought. How can one's power increase in one place, but not another?

As he strained against the wind, his mind drifted back into his days of training, to the words of his teacher.
You cannot control the wind to use it, you must become the wind. Then manipulate it as if you were using your own limbs, your hands, your eyes. Do not harness the wind, but let it flow.

Moving to a mental stage he hadn't experienced since his younger days, Jericho relaxed, and let go of his hold over the winds power. He let it flow through him, closing his eyes, but still seeing it's beautiful currents.

The air was indeed different in here. He sensed another presence which like him was allowing the wind to flow through it. Gwaethir. he thought to himself. But even as he 'watched,' the presence seemed to expand, to take up the entire room. It ebed and flowed with the wind, and seemed to whisper a sad, but beautiful song.

Jericho was shocked out of his reverie at once. He starred at Gwaethir before moving his gaze about the room.

"What is it?" Tamona asked, seeing his confusion and amazment.

"The Wind." Jericho replied. "It's alive!"

[Dragonsbane]

OOC: Thank you, SAAM.....this was exactly what I was hoping for!

IC: "Alive?" Delmenon looked startled, but then frowned, "Why is it aiding Gwaethir? Is it some evil creature he summoned?"

[slightly aboveaverage man]

He closed his eyes once again, searching to find the place he had been. His eyes snapped open in realization.

"This is a creature that cannot be summoned, created or killed. It is Alronil... the Wind Elemental! There is only one elemental alive to represent each of the powers of the earth." Jericho replied as he pointed to Gwaethir.

"And it is not aiding Gwaethir, it is doing nothing! The Hurricane is merely leaching off its power."

He concentrated once again before speaking.

"It is in a form of rest... as if it is trapped in a memory. So much sorrow."

Jericho's face became a mask of serenity. "Delmenon, distract the Windlord. I am going to try to awaken it!"

[Dragonsbane]

Delmenon nodded, raising both swords over his head as light flashed from him like a newborn sun. His swords seemed to absorb the light....and they seemed no longer to be made of metal ((OOC note: has anyone noticed they went from iron, to steel, to katana-quality steel, to some mithral-like substance, to adamantium....now they're basically unbreakable diamond)). Earth's vitality filled him, making him stronger, his skin becoming harder than iron as he charged at the Windlord. Gwaethir's eyes narrowed, and blades of hardened air swung at Delmenon, but they bounced off his magically-hardened skin. The powerful barbarian let out an earth-shaking battle cry as he continued charging.