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Post by Tom Troughton on Feb 10, 2004 1:19:56 GMT
*Tom dosn't ansrew he just looks deep into Ursula's eyes.*
"Help Me, I can't take this pain, pleses stop my suffering."
*They seem to be saying.*
" Do it Ursula."
*Tom manages to say.*
"If you are truly my freind then Kill Me Ursula."
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Post by Brother Strange on Feb 10, 2004 1:31:34 GMT
NO!
*Brother Strange is back at the edge of the circle, his damaged robes and burned skin forgotten.*
"It feeds on death and pain. Kill now and it wins!"
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Post by Tom Troughton on Feb 10, 2004 1:53:47 GMT
"URSULA PLESES."
"I CAN'T TAKE THIS."
"YOU SWORE TO ME, YOU PROMISSED ME."
" DO IT."
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Post by Hordriss de Confuseur on Feb 10, 2004 1:57:02 GMT
*Ursula raises her weapon, Tom writhes in agony, and Rob and Strange look on helpless.* *Then, there is a brilliant flash of light, and Hordriss, Young Grimwold and FrightKnight appear in the centre of the circle. [ModNote: Having teleported over from The "NEW" Trader.] Also in the centre is the blacksmith's forge which they borrowed, and on top of that is a blood-red crucible. Seeing what is happening, Hordriss motions for FrightKnight and Grimwold to fill the crucible with the mixture of powders and tinctures that they now carry. Then, he raises his arms, and in a thunderous voice...* Ritual initiation, Spellcasting: F-O-R-G-E *The warding circle glows with a brilliant light, and the air fizzes with energy. With a howl filled with savagery and rage, the Bloodfang Spirit is drawn out of Tom, and its remnants out of Ursula and Hordriss, to the centre of the circle, above the crucible. There it hovers as a dark cloud, sparks of red energy flitting across its surface.* *Hordriss strides forward quickly* My friends, it appears that one has returned not a moment too soon. However, one had hoped to be better prepared before activating the ritual... we now have no time for Miss Ursula and Troughton to recuperate. Come, Ursuala, Troughton, gather around the forge with me. FrightKnight, remember, your purpose is to hold the vessal - your new sword - in the dark cloud. Whatever happens you must keep it over the Forge. Grimwold, kindly keep watch, FrightKnight may be restricted in his movements, kindly watch his back. *Hordriss notices the Ringmaster* Ringmaster, Strange, it seems that one is always missing the opportunity to speak to you. One can only request that you do what you can to protect us if your own business is not too pressing. Our physical bodies may be vulnerable. But one begs you, DO NOT touch us or interfeare, it is the irony of the Bloodfang spirit that only those once touched by it have a hope of defeating it. *Joins hands with Tom and Ursula.* Now, my friends, we must venture into this creature's own world. We must become holy warriors of the evil dream world it has created. Yes... we must become Knightmares... Now, repeat, and join with me.... Contact!
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Post by Ursula on Feb 10, 2004 2:08:06 GMT
*Closing her eyes, Ursula steels herself and transforms once more into her Crinos form, raising one paw for a single, decapitating blow. Just as she is about to bring her claws down, Hordriss appears, and her talons strike the earth by Tom's head, spraying him with loose soil. As Hordriss speaks, she shifts back to her human form, and helps Tom up*
"Are you all right?"
*Further words are forestalled by Hordriss' explanation and orders, and she nods in understanding at his instructions, with a curious look at FrightKnight and Young Grimwold*
"I am ready Hordriss." *she joins hands with him and Tom* "Contact!"
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Post by Tom Troughton on Feb 10, 2004 2:11:05 GMT
*Tom mearly closed his eyes and waited for the blow.*
*When it didn't come he open his eyes and relised the pain had gone. He was helped to his feet.*
"That was not plesent, I'm fine well as fine as can be expected."
"Thank you Ursula you are a true freind."
*He joins hands.*
"Contact."
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Post by Hordriss de Confuseur on Feb 10, 2004 2:15:20 GMT
*As Tom speaks, all three close their eyes. They feel the ritual's energy, building behind their eyes. Then, it is as if their minds have been blown open, and their spirit selves fly into the dark cloud. To the observers, their bodies simply slump to the ground.*
[OOC: From now on, all posts in the forest will be labelled [Reality] and all posts in the dream [Dreamscape]. This is important, for although the three dreamers can be damaged by the dreamscape, everything there is an illusion, so if, for example, someone's character appears, we have NOT taken you over.]
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Post by Hordriss de Confuseur on Feb 10, 2004 2:23:16 GMT
[Dreamscape]
*The three stand in a vast hall, its walls wreathed in shadow. At their feet there is a chasm in the ground, about the shape of the skull-topped sword which FrightKnight held, but much larger, the size of a portal.*
Here we stand in a new world. Out physical prowess means nothing here, we are as our minds are, and our weapons are our thoughts, will... and memories. Beware, though, this is the Bloodfang spirit's true medium, and it is more adept at manipulating it. In order to complete the ritual we must force it back into the physical world, here: *indicates the chasm at their feet*
But this is a shifting world, a maelstrom of thought and emotion. Nothing is real, except the threat.
*As he says this, mocking laughter fills the hall, and the shadows lift, to reveal that the walls, floor and ceiling of the hall are covered in doorways of all shapes and sizes.*
Hmmm... 'Death has ten thousand doors for men to take their exit...'
[Pause for comments]
Well, let us begin.... WE CHALLENGE YOU!!!
*Hordriss' shout rings about the room, but nothing seems to change.*
Well, it is waiting for us to make the first move. Now, let us go, but above all, we are stronger together, we must not be...
*Looks towards the others, or rather where they were, two doors have opened beneath them, and all he sees is the dark pits into which they have fallen.*
....separated.
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Post by Ursula on Feb 10, 2004 3:01:03 GMT
[Dreamscape] *Ursula looks around warily, growling as she hears the laughter. She murmurs quietly to herself as the doors are revealed*
"Mangi, allow us to pass in safety through your domain..."
*But even as she speaks, the pit opens beneath her, and she is swallowed into the dark void...*
*...and lands on four paws, having unconsiously shifted back into the form of a bear. The darkness retreats to reveal a wilderness of tree-shrouded hills, Ursula stands out on an open plain close to the edge of the forest. She looks around herself in disbelief, recognising the place instantly*
*"My home... but how can this be... it must be an illusion..."*
*But then a distant sound reaches her, one which fills her with dread. Hoofbeats, the bay of hounds, and the echo of a hunting horn. Instinctively, she runs for the trees, hoping that the hounds haven't picked up her scent...*
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Post by ringmasterrob on Feb 10, 2004 7:28:27 GMT
*Rob looks at YG and FK*
Rob: Well friends, I wonder if you would be able to help me once this affair is over. Yet for now I...
*A strange shape has appeared by one of the closer trees*
Rob: What's is that, Identify yourself!!!
*The shape hurls itself forwards and bares its sharp claws. It recognises Rob and lunges at him*
Rob: You, you're gone. I fear I am slipping into nightmares and dreams. Urgh
*Rob prepares to fight back*
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Post by Tom Troughton on Feb 10, 2004 12:49:11 GMT
(Dreamscape.)
"Fasinating."
*Tom said as he looked around at all the doors.*
"Apsalutly Fasinating."
*The Door beneth his feet swung open and he plumeted.*
"OH BUMMBALE BEES."
*Tom landed in a place he was all to familer with.*
"Alverlon. My own Relm. What game are you playing with me Bloodfang?"
*Sudernly the sound of fighting was heard.*
"no. oh no, not that anything but that."
*Tom turned round and found himself looking upon a bloodbath.*
*Men, Women, Children and Soliders were being killed left and right, corpses were strewn over the land and the grass apperd red with all the spilt blood.*
"NO, This is not real, your useing my memories against me."
"I will not look apon this massacer again, I SHALL NOT LOOK."
"I have other memories of this relm happy ones I will create them befor my eyes."
*Tom concentrated hard trying to change the horrors in frount of him to more plesent and joyfull times, but knothing seemed to be happaning. The slaughter continued and the evil mocking laughter echoed around Tom.*
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Post by Brother Strange on Feb 10, 2004 14:27:11 GMT
[Reality]
*As the shadowy dream-figure lunges for RingmasterRob, it finds its way blocked. Moving with unnatural speed, and strength beyond what one would expect of one of his years, Brother Strange pushes the creature aside. The creature's claws stab in and out of the monk's chest, but there is no blood, and despite these apparently mortal wounds, Brother Strange shows no sign of pain. Jumping back off the creature, Brother Strange adopts a warrior's stance, ready to block any attack the creature might make while giving Ringmaster Rob enough line ofsight for any spells that require it.* *Brother Strange addresses the creature.*
"I'm curious. After killing us, what do you plan on doing next?"
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Post by Young Grimwold on Feb 10, 2004 15:36:06 GMT
[Reality]
*Young Grimwold had tapped into his ogrish rage, and was ready to attack the creature... but Brother Strange's reflexes prevented this. From the teleportation into the Forest, and the array of new faces and voices, YG has developed a headache - not something that ogres bear well. He can hear screech-owls, and sporadic wolf cries; feeling extremely tense, YG hopes that he can keep his temper while Strange negotiates with the creature, and avoid doing anything rash that makes the situation worse.*
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Post by Hordriss de Confuseur on Feb 10, 2004 15:36:48 GMT
[Reality]
*The dream-figure pauses, for a moment it seems confused by Brother Strange, it's body is only half formed,a mass of darkness and claws.*
Dreamcreature: Deeeath.... oooonly death.... no after uuntilll alll iiiis gone.... then... then we will be gone, so there will be no after...... death, hatred... murder and pain... that is our world.... that is alll we are....... What are you, creature..... can you..... can you die....?
*The creature lunges for Strange again, and strange bats it aside.*
Dreamcreature: AH! Now... now I see... what do you fear, Strange.... what in your dreams can touch you to your..... or do you even have a soul.....
Shalllll weee sssssseee.....
*As its voice once again shifts, it begins to solidify into a form which it has dredged from the depths of the monk's mind....*
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Post by Hordriss de Confuseur on Feb 10, 2004 15:40:51 GMT
[Reality]
*Meanwhile, as Young Grimwold looks on, a tendrill of darkness has sneaked out from the dark cloud around the forge, and slowly, oh so gently, begins to wrap itself around his leg.*
*As for FrightKnight, the darkness is moving in wreathes of smoke up his sword, and now curls around the iron gauntlets, searching for a gap in the armour.*
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