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Part 51a: Charyk
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51a - Charyk by Dworkin (GM)
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A decision made, it is time to move on.
Meredith will, as planned, make her way to the General's camp, with Berd's help, to face Cyan. The others will go on to Charyk. And therein lays a problem... none of them knows, with any certainty, where Charyk lays, or what to expect upon their arrival.
Berd's methods of travelling are swiftest when he has an idea of his destination, but in this case other methods may be better suited...
When all are prepared, Berd takes them into the Underflow. The falling this time is different... still infinite, but somehow a seemingly shorter infinite... and when the group arrives, Meredith is no longer with them.
There is a road, almost dead straight, composed of worn slabs of grey-green stone, each one inlaid with letters, of rusted iron, riveted into the stone. The road leads across an open, windswept plain, where waves move through the grass endlessly. Somewhere, high overhead, where dirty white clouds stream across the dark blue sky, a lark sings.
In one direction, the road leads towards a distant range of hills, in the other, a line of darker green on the horizon marks what seems to be a forest. There are figures on the road that way. Lots of them. There are banners fluttering there, red and gold, and the faintly heard tramp of marching feet... and the sounds of drums and trumpets.
As luck would have it, the army is moving away from them, following the road towards the forest...
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Berd
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Berd peers around himself with interest, then turns his head to look at Chance. The drake's neck is low, as it is often now - the weight of the broken sword and his own conscience drag at him by the hour. But his eyes still burn brightly, even in sunlight.
Chance, Meredith's decision came without discussion precisely because it was her decision. She made her choice, and was determined to see it through.
And I was asked not to discuss this choice. Her decision was final. While I could have refused to transport her, I certainly would not have interfered with the decision or her request for silence.
The drake forces his head up toward the sky, and the scarred, battered hilt rests against his breast, the shimmering ithilinaur shard of its blade bright under the sun. I have done enough meddling in the decisions of others. I have spent enough of my time assuming that I know best. That ended not too long ago, and I do not plan to revisit it.
And perhaps we find ourselves faced with another war. James, Chance, Aaron - you have differing backgrounds. Military, wanderer, and nobleborn. What do each of you see in the presentation of the army?
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Chance
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Chance is solemn and disgruntled as Berd speaks. He doesn't deny her the right to make her own decisions, but he did doubt her ken. The girl wasn't all there, in Chance's opinion.
"Well, do me a favor," he grumbles. "If I ever decide to walk off a cliff, talk me out of it, okay?"
He turns his attention to the army on the hill. He can't tell much about them, not being a soldier. Armies meant trouble, in general, and he didn't care for them. Too many men with too many weapons and a need to use them often meant bad things would seen happen, usually the people of the occupied land suffered the worst of it.
"All I can tell is we're outnumbered about a million to one."
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Berd
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Perhaps I would, at that, Berd replies quietly. As for the army, I was calling upon your experience in the Myriad Worlds. Do you recognize anything here? What of the level of technology? Can you... Frustrated, Berd ponders for a moment. Can you feel a mood of the army? Triumphant? Anticipatory? Fearful? Tired? Rebellious?
James and Aaron are the two on which I pin my hopes for military analysis. You are a man of the people, Chance, and of many worlds. I hoped you might see more with regards to the spirit of the army before us.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Chance
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Chance sighs with a faint smile. "Sorry, Berd. It's just that Meredith," he grimaces at how to word it just right. "Frustrates me."
He doesn't even glance at the army as he continues. "Sure, it's a disciplined army with at least some practical experience. But they haven't been in combat yet on this campaign-- or if they have, it hasn't been much of a contest, thus far. I'm not so sure if they're fearful, but that third trumpet player needs a bit more practice."
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dworkin (GM)
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The army continues to move away, still keeping to the road, and there is no sign from them that they have noticed the group which is now standing in their wake.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by James
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James peers into the distance at the ranks of soldiers. "The mere fact they march with standards and musicians suggests this world hasn't developed the rifle or any similar technology. That doesn't mean they don't have some missile capability, though."
"I agree with Chance that they're unlikely to have seen action. They're moving at a march, assuming they're at least vaguely humanoid, so few or no wounded and probably a minimal baggage train."
"Also, I haven't seen any outriders, which, counted with the music, means that they either think they're powerful enough to take all comers or they're still in friendly territory."
James quickly concludes his analysis. "The real question though; is that our road?"
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Chance
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"They're keeping a pretty good pace," Chance adds. "They might have a schedule to keep, like another army to meet up with or someone to intercept."
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dworkin (GM)
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The discussion continues, regarding the army, which continues to move away at a steady pace.
So interesting is the sight, that the arrival of a dark-robed figure on the road behind the group goes unnoticed, until he approaches within hearing distance, and reveals his presence by clearing his throat.
Dorian.
But, if Dorian has come from behind them, does that mean that the road they must take lays in the wake of the advancing army?
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dorian
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"you must... find charyk. there is a thing you can use. before... broken god was broken... there was... hgreeeeee... the thing which sundered broken god... find charyk... hgreeeeeeeeeeegh... find the snswer.......... +"
Drusilla had told him that Charyk was a place, not a person as he had once believed. What could sunder Broken God? He wished he had not been so distracted by things, recently. He should have been here first. He should not have allowed Berd and the others to get ahead of him. Now he would have to work with them. Such a weapon, he did not trust it in the hands of the others. They did not have the dedication to do what needed to be done, no matter the cost.
Cyan was not far from his mind, but his travel here had given him time to compose himself somewhat. She was never far from his thoughts, but he knew he needed to focus on the task. They would meet again in due time.
What could sunder Broken God? It seemed an obvious question. They had known for some time that Broken God had been sundered. Had they ever though to question what had done it? Dorian's had simply assumed it was the result of some final battle, a telling blow from an equally powerful enemy.
And yet, what did they know of Broken God, of the history before the Sundering? Berd knew more than he revealed. He kept secrets. It was his way of keeping power.
Berd, James, Aaron and Chance stood, watching a vast army. Berd-- the great deceiver and manipulator-- he assumed the appearance of a harmless lizard, and yet there was a telling in the form. Dorian knew Drakes were a symbol of power and cunning, the ultimate predator. He it was who had spawned Cyan, planting controls deep in her being. He could understand such paranoia and motivations.
Dorian had been so lax, too. He had scorned Berd at the revelation, though he had suspected it before then. Was it for Cyan? No. It was for Mum. Mum-- that evening in that cabin-- had meant as much to Dorian as she did to Cyan. It was a lie. Cyan knew it wasn't her literal mother. It was a gesture. But the lie had been deeper than either of them had suspected. Mum was intended as a possibility, and yet she was not a possibility.
James, who was so like a rock amongst them, would never understand the actions Dorian had taken on Samhain. Drusilla had won. She had insinuated herself quickly into their trust, and Dorian should have seen it. He should have known. He had trusted too deeply in friendship and loyalty-- a weakness he had overcome.
Aaron looked scarred. What had he been through so recently that his appearance seemed somehow darker and heavier, even for him.
Things needed to be said. He would say them as plainly as possible and then say no more.
"I have arrived as requested," he announced. His tone was wooden and rehearsed, somewhat. "I sent a message that Dorian has been dealt with, and I know it was received. I will say no more on the subject, so do no ask. Suffice it to say I know all that both Dorain's experienced, so you don't need to update me on any matters.
"From things she said, I assume you know Cyan lives. I have further information on that matter. I will share some of it when time allows-- but not all of it."
He takes a deep breath. He had sent a message ahead. He had forged a new creature out of sorcery and Broken Pattern for his own purposes. Was he so different from Berd? How many times had he reached out to manipulate the minds of those around him when needed? Was he so different from the Amberites Cyan loathed? And yet, it was done in necessity. The stakes were high and countless multitudes could die. As a habit, he made amends or left some compensation when possible. But what of the sprite, a created being?
"Forgive me," he said more quietly. "I have been through some difficult things, as I'm sure we all have. I am a bit distracted, currently. How has your journey been?"
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Berd
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Berd listens to the analysis of the army with interest. These are things he never bothered to consider in the past. Before, others had dealt with them. After, he didn't care. And then came Cyan, and she was more than capable. James and Chance seemed to be quick well versed in the subject, falling into a back-and-forth cadance of opinions and observations.
And now, Dorian.
He doesn't jump, at least not physically. Part of him immediately shifts to observe the area behind them, notes Dorian's presence, notes the seeming lack of threat. Then Berd slowly turns his head to regard the dark man as he begins to speak.
Something has happened, and after a moment he discovers what that something was.
Welcome, Dorian.
We are aware, yes. The 'discovery' occured soon after you left us which, for us, was not so long ago. Perhaps a day. I will show you all of it, if you so desire.
As for what you saw, what you heard - I would be most appreciative. A pained longing lies in the drake's tone. Then Berd glances away, back down the road after the army.
The road has been difficult.
We find ourselves in pursuit of an army; to where it marches, we know not. Perhaps we should follow as we exchange experiences.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by James
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James just barely keeps himself from jumping when Dorian announces his arrival. Fortunately, Dorian is too sombre to resort to a loud "Boo!".
James is glad enough to see Dorian, even though the circumstances of his departure, twice, were a little strained. But he's less than impressed with Dorian's edict; it sounds far too much like Aaron's 'working by you, not with you'.
"That's a real pity, Dorian, because personally I'd like to hear all about how you dealt with yourself. See, you wandered off to destroy a world and then the clone you attacked Drusilla on Samhain. Now I'm quite willing to accept you had good reason for the latter, but I'm still pretty annoyed about the first, since it's caused us all a fair bit of grief. So I think maybe you should say a little more on the subject, before we get on to Cyan and the rest."
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dorian
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The strain in Berd's 'voice' is not lost in Dorian and it strikes a chord within him, as well. He floats in a sea of loss, pain, despair and longing for a moment. Outwardly, he is an island or rock and sawgrass in the midst of that sea.
"I will share what I can, Berd. However, some of that conversation is deeply... personal. I fear I may have no choice but to open the entire thing up to you-- though I am loathe to do so, and not from any disrespect to you. It is difficult to sort the personal from the informative, in this case. But when I say she is alive, I mean the Cyan we still knew still exists despite the thing that yet controls her. She is a two-headed being-- something I have experience with myself, these days.
"The details of how I dealt with Dorian are not explained so easily. If you wish to know which I am, then I am neither. Both have passed away… and yet, I am both, so do not think I seek to dismiss any previous activity. I accept responsibility for destroying the Archon's breeding world and I accept responsibility for carrying out the plan against Drusilla. It is not a comfortable thing for me-- identity is never easy to understand or explain-- and they are also deeply personal."
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Aaron
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"Arianne senses nothing out of the ordinary, as far as that army is concerned." Aaron said, crouching to get a good, long look at them.
Then Dorian appeared amongst them, and Aaron waved a greeting.
"I can understand the 'identity' issue, deeply. It's been a hard, rough, confusing road." Aaron nodded to Dorian. "Good to see you."
He gestured then, to yonder army, rising and crossing his arms before his chest. "It's been too long a journey for me to not take... 'chance'... into account. I think that's our road."
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dorian
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"Thank you," Dorian says, pleased to find some cordiality among his one-time friends, considering how things had been lately. And understanding, too-- that was even more surprising. Aaron and Dorian had often been parallel, tolerating each other, but neither going towards nor away from each other. "Thank you, indeed."
He looked up at the army. He was tired. Always studying, thinking, analyzing--guessing, rather than just taking the obvious course. For once, he didn't want to think, plan, and guess. He wanted to do something.
"Now, what of the army? I don't think they'll be a problem. Berd, you flank them from the left and I'll go right. Aaron and James can clean up the stragglers while Chance strikes up our theme song." He smirks sarcastically at his admittedly feeble (and poorly timed) attempt at humor-- especially in light of his past deeds, which seemed all too present in James's mind, still.
Yet, he almost hoped they were hostile. He could use the chance to flex a bit. It had been… well… never, really. He suffered a moment of vertigo, trying to sort out who he was once again.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Chance
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Chance was not happy to see Dorian in their midst again, but it had to be better than having him out there somewhere causing more trouble. He kept his face passive and turned toward the army, though. There was no need to announce his displeasure towards a comrade, honey and vinegar being what they were.
He could sympathize with the question of identity, considering the multiple incarnation of the man. Yet, it was a bit melodramatic, really. Identity is no mystery. You are what you are. Questioning it is for fools and pompous intellectuals…. And dark planet-destroying sorcerers, apparently.
The attempt at humor bothered him. The dark man wasn't known for such things, so something had to have prompted it. He ignored it, too.
"I think I'll just go say Howdy," he says. "Let's hope you don't need that plan, Dorian. Anyone mind?"
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Berd
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Subsumption. Integration. Is it not, Dorian? Both Dorians integrated into one. A melding, or alloying. Judging by what I saw, the original Dorian would never have considered such a thing. It becomes obvious who convinced whom.
Berd ponders this for a long moment.
Responsibility is something that comes to us all. If you are willing to accept that, then you are obviously willing to accept any restrictions placed upon your actions in the future - restrictions arising from agreement, not force, mind you. Berd's smile is twisted - not with irony, but with pain. I am...well-acquainted with such restrictions.
I too have done terrible things, and yet have been accepted again. With conditions.
Now he turns back to the subject he has been avoiding. The road here is hot coals under his clawed feet, but it is one he must walk. I would see what you can offer, Dorian. Anything I can of my daughter, anything I can to see what remains. How I might help her. If I can help her, even through advising others. I may only be an impedement.
And I will respect what I see.
Aaron seems blasé regarding Dorian's entrance, but then Aaron has been difficult to read for some time. Very well, Chance. Unless others dissent, why not? We can observe from a distance.
Though I suspect you and James, the least threatening appearing of us, might be a better choice. Least threatening and most likely to get along with the soldiers...and between the two of them, more than capable of handling themselves, Berd suspects.
That is, of course, assuming James does not have something else to add. He just might. He has a knack for pointing out something critical at the proper time. And this time, it might involve Dorian.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by James
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James appears pensive. He has been silent for a little while now, carefully considering Dorian's reply. His voice, when he speaks, is sombre and serious.
"That's a good answer, Dorian. And an honest one, I think. I'm glad that you're prepared to take responsibility for what you've done and I'm more than glad to know that something of the old Cyan remains. Let's hope that Meredith can reach her.
"But I'm less optimistic about your accepting restrictions. I had thought you someone who valued reason, and disciplined besides. But attacking the Archon's birth world was horribly short sighted. So I ask you plain: Will you accept the group's decision when it differs from your own? Can we trust you to show more restraint? You're capable of incredible things and it would be great to have you with us. But we don't need any loose cannons."
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dorian
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"Yes, Berd," Dorian affirms softly. "A merging, but perhaps not the merging you think. You are correct that the Original Dorian did not agree. In fact, it was nothing less than a pitched psychic battle… and I mourn his passing. In his pride, the one ambush Dorian never suspected was from his own creation. I knew his defenses like my own, and I knew his attacks like my own. Could there have been any other result? I plundered his mind like any other conquest. I took his memories-- the attack on the Archon's world, the ensuing flight and battles, the conversation and information he gained from a single Archon-- not as useful as one might think-- And I took his body. I craved his… reality. The other body is in a safe place, resting and waiting if I should have need of it-- I pray I don't. There have been too many of us lately. It simply didn't seem right to leave two Dorian's operational, given our past. Yet, it was not right to destroy any version of ourselves.
"For a moment, I thought-- well, it was fleeting-- You are many minds and one body, in a sense. I thought I could be one mind and many bodies, moving and operating in several places at once. But I am too easily tempted by power. One would rebel, and I've seen the results of having clones running about. I would be a fool to fall for that twice.
"You know something of the mind, correct? This is his body. His brain. He is still in there, somewhere. He could resurface, and I must take care at every turn that he does not surface."
He smirks.
Trust Berd? How could he? Yet, why not trust the creature? Berd had stopped him in the plan to attack Drusilla, despite his vow to assist. He could understand the drake's response. Drusilla was cunning, and Dorian should have given better warning of her tactics. Berd couldn't be blamed for that. What about Cyan; the crime was not in creating her, but in lying to her for so long. Yet, he regretted it. Dorian could understand that. Whatever distance lie between he and Berd, it was not so well deserved. Caution was appropriate, even a little distrust, but not antagonism. Cyan meant as much to Berd as…
He does not open the scene up to Aaron, Chance or James. Slowly, hesitantly, the scene unfolds before Dorian. It is liquid and wavering, as if muddled by the strong emotions. He holds back. He shows only the images, the sound. He withholds his emotions from the scene, leaving it flat and empty. He edits nothing. In the end, there is nothing he finds nothing worth hiding from his once friend.
At the same time, he speaks to James. "Of course I would go along with the group," he snorts. "As I always have, James. I am not your puppet. Who do you think I am?"
He shakes his head. What a silly question to ask them.
"Think back to the day Dorian left to go visit the Archon world. We all discussed it. Berd brought up the idea. We all discussed it, and we were close to committing to it. You alone said you'd have nothing to do with it. You wouldn’t even consider it, where everyone else at least gave it thought. What if we had decided to go to that world as a group; would you have 'gone along with the group'? We all have paths we won't take, James. So-- No, I won't go along with the group no matter what, just like no one else in this group will. Ask Aaron the same question. Ask Berd or even Chance. If they say they will, they're lying."
He let his head bow. His long, curled hair fell around his face like the heavy velvet curtains in a funeral home. He had forgotten. These were not his friends anymore.
"That world," he whispers. "You didn't see that world. There was nothing alive there. It was dead before he arrived. If we had time, I would take you. Their 'breeding' process. It is not… human. It is not… birth… the giving of life… it is death, reincarnation, re-processing… I don't know. I don't know what it is. These things are not like us. It is like an automated factoring churning out machines of destructions. There is no birth there. And they have millions of these worlds, uncountable factories churning out millions of constructs to destroy us all. That was all there was. Nothing else was on that world."
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Chance
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Chance nods at Berd's words. These folks had a lot to work out, and he didn't feel any particular need to be a witness to it all. Dorian was a complex and intricate person. Not being an expert on sorcery and cloning, he knew that a pattern often yielded nearly identical results. One Dorian was likely to be much like the next.
As he walked towards the army, his clothing shifted to something simple. A style that seemed to more or less fit the world, but didn't provide much opportunity to conceal weapons. The guitar shrunk down into a fine brass saxophone. He loved the sonorous tones of a good sax.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by James
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James grimaces slightly. "You are right Dorian. Perhaps I framed that badly. Or perhaps I disliked the conclusion enough that I did not think it through to the end. If the group had decided to attack the world I would have left, as you say. It is not, I suppose, the going that I object to, but the deception. But if you had told me, I would have opposed you and then where would we be?"
He looks downcast. "Call me foolish, but I need to trust the people I work with. I no longer trust Aaron, we've discussed that in your absence. If I cannot trust you then I might as well leave. I could see if there is some way to help Meredith; maybe warn Amber; maybe even go home - for so long as it survives."
James looks up and there is anger and determination in his eyes. "So get this. Disagree with me all you like. Fight me if you think it will achieve something. But lie to me again and we're through."
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Berd
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So the old Dorian is gone, Berd considers. Subsumed by this one. And how can there be objections? Berd knows - knew - Dorian. He would never, ever permit an autonomous version of himself to walk the Myriad Worlds. And so this one had struck first, in self-defense one might say, knowing full well the end result of his existance. How could one lay blame?
But the sorrow remained. He had wanted to save Dorian. Save them all.
A glance at the new Dorian, standing before them. Perhaps in an odd way, Dorian has saved himself.... Which is as it should be.
Still at war with himself, though. And yet, despite the evident hostility, Dorian opens his mind, carefully, his disguised array of defenses no doubt equally as formidable as Berd's own, if not moreso. Berd reaches out, one mind of many, and accesses what is offered. As that part of him observes, another speaks. I am...as you understand it, many in one. But I am not, and that is why it is impossible for another to fully replicate my state of being. It is natural to me, a regrowth of my strength.
You are meant to be one mind, one body. Anything different invites catastrophe, without the proper evolution.
What Dorian shows Berd lacks his own emotional impacts, but carries more than enough for the drake to produce his own. He slowly runs through the memory as another part of him continues to speak.
James has always been the conscience of the quest, ever since his arrival...though Cyan certainly held a great deal of that beforehand. And when she travelled with myself. He considers both points now, that of James and of Dorian.
Regardless of the Archons' methods of procreation, they are still alive. Living, changing beings. Witness the reactions of those in your memories, Dorian. And this is their way. Can we condemn them for being alien? No more than they should do so with us - likely as not, they find you disgusting.
I can, however, condemn them for their actions against others.
He chews on a talon, carefully. But I was hot with fury and grief when I wished to destroy their breeding-place, Dorian. That is not so, now. Your point is well-taken, though - obviously we are not them. This is no dictatorship. We do not all march to the same drumbeat. Nor should it be demanded.
And now James offers a fair compromise, and a necessity. Trust.
No more lies from me. That which is germaine in my past, I leave open. That which is not...if one can make a case for it to be, the same. I will not lie, nor obfuscate further. I believe that has become apparant, or at least I hope it is so.
Cyan did not lie. I gained much by her example, and learned an awful lesson from my mistake.
You are lucky, Dorian. You begin anew. We can trust you more easily than we could trust the Dorian who left us to destroy a world. For you are the one who told us the truth. Should you hold to that, I trust you.
Finished for the nonce, the drake turns Dorian memory over and over in his thoughts, studying from a dozen different angles. Hope wars with despair: there, it is her. There, it is not. He watches the interaction, listens to the words, sees their impact. Studies her, not clinically, but with an eye that searches for signs, doorways, anything.
...when she threw down the Death-Iron, it was her, he finally whispers. There were other times, of course, but that one was the last. It is a good thing, he notes absently, you greeted her as you did. She was not expecting that.
The words might be casual, but they are well-gnawed by pain and ragged with grief.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Aaron
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"Cyan... lives," Aaron said quietly, as he gauged Chance's walk and considered the path and the army before them. "She's alive, but she's dead, too. It's like everything we know was ground down, except for one thing, when she saw you, Berd."
Aaron's voice was distant, introspective.
"She's a shell. I hope you haven't sent Meredith to her doom... but she made her choice, just like this quest requires for all of us. The only one of us who didn't make a choice was Cyan."
Rising, dark and sad and insane, Aaron cast his shifting eyes upon the world before him. An unfamilar Shadow, this. Aaron attempted to grasp stability, failed, felt Arianne pull away from him. An unfamiliar shadow, himself.
"I think... I think the Archons ripped your 'daughter' apart and rebuilt her from the inside out, Berd. She's theirs, now, as much as a little piece of me hates to admit it, deep inside. It's the rest of me that wants to kill her. That piece wants to save her."
Glancing behind him, Aaron beheld Dorian and the rest of the crew.
"Whatever happens, whatever decisions we make, we have one thing to remember: Cyan, she fought for all of us. It was only when we failed her that she finally fell. If we can't stop the evil bastards who've turned her into what she is now... well, then there's no freaking point to any of this."
Exhaling a sad sigh, Aaron resumed his watch upon Chance and the army, crouching low to get a good, long look.
"You know why I chose what I did. For her and her alone. That little piece of me that wants to save her... it would've done anything to make it so. Even that. Thanks, Berd, for changing my mind for me." He spat, gesturing to the army before him. "I get to spend my life saving these guys from the real bad guys."
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dorian
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"Honesty is agreeable," Dorian says easily. "And that is a wise alternative, James. Yes, Aaron, I understand the feeling. I yearned very much to go with her. In fact, before she made her propsal, I thought I would do anything just to be with her a little more. But that... I could not bring myself to do that."
And it tore me apart.
"It is in that sort of struggle that I fear the old Dorian might surface. As I said, this is his body. A mind can never be completely subverted-- the original thoughts can always return. And therein lies our hope for Cyan."
Sent Meredith to her doom? He could say it sounded like a wise choice, but she along showed him support against Drusilla. She would have sided with him, had he chose to continue his stand. Where had they sent Meredith? To Cyan...? How could this be?
"Yes, Berd," he nods, almost knowingly. "It is best that I am one mind and one body. I have had enough of dealing with myself, and I want no more of it."
"Now, I am concerned about Meredith. Where has she gone?"
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dworkin (GM)
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As the conversation continues, there on the road, a shadow without an origin seems to flow across the open grassland, paralleling the movement of the group.
The army continues its march, following the road into the expanse of forest, still seemingly unaware of the odd group just a couple of miles behind the rearmost troops, still on the plains.
Chance moves on, ahead of the rest of his companions, trying to close the distance, while behind him the others continue to discuss what should be done next.
Chance reaches a milestone. It doesn't bear the word "Charyk", but does indicate that a place named "Fort Carock" lays some forty miles ahead of him.
The sourceless shadow moves, changing direction, flowing onto the road, and suddenly Chance finds himself facing a large, black wolf, there by the milestone.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Luke
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"Well, well. Isn't that interesting." Luke scratched his chin and studied the animal from beside Chance. "Black Shuck, as I live and breath." He glanced back at the group. "Looks like they're busy, Chance. Any thoughts on this?" He leaned closer.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Chance
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"Easy boy," Chance cautions, watching the dog carefully. If there was one creature that had 'hounded' him in all his travels across the universe, it was dogs.
"Yeah, if they're our salvation, I think Cyan might have the right idea. Seriously. Why? What do you think?"
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Luke
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"You and dogs." Luke chuckled, then sobered. "Of course, now is where he goes for my throat. Them?" The man swung back to stare at the small group behind himself and Chance, but only for a moment. Then it was back to studying the dog.
"They're a creature stabbed deeply, Chance. They've been hit with a lot for the last while. Maybe they'll limp along for a bit, then roll over and die. But I don't think so."
"Salvation." He grimaced. "I suspect salvation is dirty, painful, and usualy comes from within, after you've dragged yourself over broken glass for I while. I don't know, really - I've only watched it, never experienced it."
"But this situation?" He grinned at the dog, his own teeth oddly sharp for a moment. "I think we ought to go make friends with the beast. Because that's our path, that's the army we need to follow, and I'm not going to roll over and die. What I think is that we should at least give this Charyk a try before giving up on the wounded beast behind us."
"Who knows. Maybe it's Devlin." He clenched his fist, glanced around for a weapon, then shrugged. His fingers would do. They had worked before.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by James
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"She has gone to the camp of Cyan's army. Meredith believes that she can use her talents to reach and restore whatever remains of the old Cyan. She may even be right. In any case she's got a better chance of reaching Cyan than the rest of us just now."
"It's highly dangerous and I think we're all concerned for her, but it was her choice."
James doesn't seem entirely satisfied with that conclusion, but there's little more to say. As he stops talking, he stops walking as well, his attention caught by the movement ahead. "That almost looks like Hunter." I hope it's friendly.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Devlin
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(NPC'd)
The wolf moves aside as the rest of the group approaches, and as it does so, it seems to blur and distort, as shadows fan out around it. Finally it stands upright...
Devlin.
"I'm glad I found you. You're going to Charyk?"
He looks haggard... worn... and his hands are bloodied. Ragged cuts and abrasions in his palms and fingers are healing, even as he speaks.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Berd
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Aaron's words fall upon Berd like boulders, over and over again. The drake holds the shattered remains of Kirilindë like a cross, set against the vampire of memory come to drink from his spirit. They used her hatred of him, no doubt, which is why it survives so strongly in her while other parts of her have not. He is convinced that Aaron is at least partly correct. Partly.
Aaron, of course, did not see what Dorian witnessed, and Berd through him.
One hopes you do not regret your choice, Aaron. He wonders how long Aaron has held these feelings. Should that be a long, long time, many things become clear. Many things that have disturbed him in the past.
All we can do is try. And that, too, is something he learned from his daughter, a lesson half-remembered from another life. It matters not the doing - it matters the how, and the why, and the attempt in and of itself.
He only hopes Aaron can recover from this. Bleak, yes. Tired, definitely. But possibly healing, in a way that had been impossible before now.
There is a faint spark of amusement at Dorian's irony. I can truly appreciate the sentiment, Dorian. Amusement, but not true comprehension. For Berd, being many is natural. This is, in fact, much less than he once was. And everything within him is always in accord. It is a paradox, that he be many and one.
Still, it's a good quip.
He takes a quick glance at James, concerned. His brilliant eyes do not look ahead, to the wolf - whatever that problem might be, certainly Chance and Luke can handle it. James...worries him. The danger is great. Cyan has always been volitile, and it seems that this has not changed her as much as one might expect. But Meredith is resourceful, in power and in thought.
It is the latter that would serve her most.
James is weary, he thinks. Weary from the pressure, weary from worry. Weary, perhaps, from frustration that no matter what they do, it does not seem to make a difference. They cast about, still, and nothing.
Berd hopes, for his sake, that this trip liberates some kind of answers.
James, weary. Aaron, cracked and crumbling. Dorian, stabbed to the core. Chance, drawing apart from these mad strangers with whom he finds himself travelling.
Small wonder Meredith chose to strike out on her own. A bitter thought, and likely not true; still, Berd cannot help but think it.
And what of himself?
For all his power, utterly ineffectual.
Devlin, then. I wondered...it seemed similar to one of Jack's tricks, as did the form.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Aaron
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"Black Shuck?" Aaron tasted the word, then emitted a small laugh. "I love that song! The Darkness was one of my favorite bands..." Sighing, Aaron passed a look towards Devlin. He didn't say anything, but he noted the man's presence.
Instead, he looked to Chance, then gestured to the retreating army.
"What's the story with our pathway?"
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Devlin
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Devlin leans against the Mile Post and looks at he has finally found. He has lost track of the time he has spent travelly and seeing his companions reminds him that he left one behind. He starts to speak, but a sudden knot in his chest causes him to stop. The man almost heads away again without saying anything.
Then there is the thought from Berd and he stops. He still hesitates, he was half expecting them (or at least some of them) to attack him.
Assuming that they do not want him back he simply says, "Say so and I will depart, or if you are so inclined I would rejoin you, and explain myself, if need be."
He then just waits to see what the answer will be.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Berd
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Berd stares silently for a long moment, then breathes out a small sigh of rainbow smoke. I, for one, am pleased to see you, Devlin, regardless of your parting with the quest. I find myself far more interested in learning what transpired since then than in accusations, recriminations, or other forms of displeasure. If you would rejoin us, I, for one, welcome
His eyes sharpen. And then there is the question of Serena. But the man looked away, not down - back along his path. Surely that means Serena yet lives?
He glances to Dorian, then back to the other dark man - both similar in shades of garb, yet so different within. This seems to be a day for explanations and returns.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Devlin
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Devlin follows Berd’s gaze and sees the drake is looking at Dorian. He wonders for a moment which Dorian it is, then shakes his head, it no longer matters, even if it is the real Dorian... There would be no use in reproaching the man if it is. They must worry about the future, if there is to be any, and he’s not too sure about that anymore. Not that he will ever trust either Dorian, but then he never really trusted any of these... people. The only one that he trusted is not here.
"Serena has decided to stay with some people that we met, they have their own problems that she believed she could help them with. I know where she is and she is safe there."
The dark man looks back at Berd, "While there I met one, an old woman, likely older than any of us, or maybe even older than all of us together. She had experience with the Vhuulad, the creature that we met in the cave and the ones that I thought would be of help to us." He begins a brief story of what he has learned.
Here he gives a quick snort and a shake of his head, He cannot believe how wrong he had been. "What we met was... insane. The Vhuul ruled this node, they were gods, they were benevolent, compassionate, caring of the worlds and creatures. Then the Archons came. To make a long story short, the Vhuul, most of them left this node to find a new place. They gave up, or lost the fight. Who can say, but they left nonetheless. Those that stayed behind had been twisted, warped, they are all insane, they did not want to admit that they had lost. They are no linger benevolent creatures, now they are hateful and worse that the enemy they had confronted."
Devlin looks at the ground, he wonders at first to himself and then aloud... "If they could not evict the Archons from this place, then I do not know how we will succeed."
He looks up again and at all the people he knows here, "But I will do what I can to help... if you wish my help. If we are all doomed, then we have nothing to loose by trying. If we are to go down, then I for one will go down swinging; here with you or on my own."
"What of you? Have you learned anything of use? What is this army that you follow?"
[OOC: Devlin truly has no idea about anything that has been going on (other than a few highlights) simply becasue I don't really know what has been going on.]
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dorian
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Dorian listens to Devlin's words without passion. He has no feeling for the man's decision to leave or to return. At least he didn't destroy any worlds along the way. "Madness," he muses thoughtfully. "Perhaps this is the price paid by all who fight the archons. I don't just want them removed from our node. I want to make sure they will never do this again, to any node, anywhere. But I will be satisfied with survival. Too bad we can't just evacuate this node to another place, as did the Vhuul before us.
"And I, too, am pleased to see you. As far as I am concerned, nothing passed in the past. We all have had our rampages, to be sure. Yours is the least of them, perhaps.
"As for Meredith, I trust her judgment. Perhaps you did not know this, Berd, but she offered to stand with me against you when we were before Drusilla-- and do not think my mind has changed on that subject, either-- she also felt manipulated as I did. I do not like to think of her alone in any army's camp, but I will try to have a little faith for now-- considering I arrived too late to do anything about it, anyway."
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Chance
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Chance nods to the others. "I'll go find out about our friends." He continues towards the army.
OOC: Not sure if he got very far ahead the first time he tried to leave....
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Berd
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Berd quietly files away the information offered by Devlin and Dorian both. Dorian's note of Meredith's final choice does not fall upon deaf ears.
He turns his gaze upon Devlin, as Chance again walks from the group. Devlin, it is a question I myself have considered. My only conclusion is that it is not through force of arms that we will succeed - any creatures capable of destroying the Archons will also shatter the Myriad Worlds.
Only through the removal of that which drives them - this Harbonah and the Broken God - will they be defeated. They may fall to fighting among themselves. They may change, to be more like Tamiel. Time will tell.
That, of course, is my own belief.
And I, for one, would be pleased to have you stand among us again. I only pray Serena will be well.
What has gone on? The drake ruminates for a long moment. When he speaks, his voice is subdued. You may recall Charyk, the name given to us by Metatron. It is to there that we travel, now - perhaps we have arrived. The army before us was here when we came.
And on another matter, you were correct. Cyan lives, and leads an army against the Myriad Worlds in the service of the Archons.
The little dragon falls silent, and his eyes study Dorian, thoughtfully.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dorian
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Dorian turns his back on the group, studying the horizon.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Devlin
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Devlin looks up in surprise at Berd's last comment. He is not surprised that Cyan is alive, of that he was sure before. He knew that she was with him when they entered the gate and the vision seen afterward did not mesh, it was...
That did not matter...
What surprised him was that she now worked for the enemy...
He was sure the girl was alive then and now he is just as sure that she does not act of her own free will he is; that she is just as much under the control of the enemy as she believed Berd had controlled her.
What to do? Nothing. He was once again the newcomer, except now he was alone in the group. The only one he really trusted left behind.
There was nothing to do but see what was going on and try to help as best he could.
Standing he looks off toward where they were headed when he appeared among them; redy to move whenever they were.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dorian
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Still with his back to the group, Dorian stiffens. His fists clench until the flesh of his knuckles pales. Then, after a few moment, he seems to slump. He almost falls. He stands with his head bowed, shaking.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Berd
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Devlin has the look of a man searching for a purpose. Berd studies him, then looks to Chance. Perhaps it might be wise if someone safeguards Chance...someone who can remain inobtrusive, unlike ourselves. Someone capable of being a fly on the wall. Literally, in this case.
His look toward Devlin leaves no question as to whom he means.
Then, unexpectedly, he lifts into the air to land upon a treebranch, at the side of the road next to where Dorian stands. Coincidentally, the branch is long enough to put Berd within arm's length of the dark man.
Chance will garner information for us. Devlin can do the same. Both of them together...well, it is fortunate they stand with us, rather than the enemy.
Pain, at that. Too close to the fate of his daughter.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dworkin (GM)
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The army continues forward, seemingly unaware of the group behind them. The tail end of the column moves into the forest, swallowed by the green dimness.
The nature of the road surface changes gradually as the questors pushes on towards the forest. Briefly it is a hard, black surface, rough but shiny, with an incongruous looking pair of bright, yellow lines running down the centre of it.
Even the forest changes as they move. The verdant green canopy which had shaded the road on their approach is gone now, replaced by all the colours of flame, as the autumn leaves spin lazily down through the air to cover the road, now changed again to a complex interlocking pattern of small, jade-green stones.
For the space of seven breaths, perhaps fourteen paces, there are pale, insubstantial buildings at the road side, not so much haunted towers, as towers which do the haunting. A faint keening song fills the air, barely registering on the threshold of hearing, and gone as soon as the ear detects it, just as the towers blink out of existence as the eye turns to focus on them.
As they move under the eaves of the forest, the road becomes little more than a ribbon of mud stretched through the trees, and though the army is still visible, closer again now, there are no footprints in that mud.
Another milestone... Chark Bridge... 38 miles.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dorian
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Dorian follows along behind the group quietly, head bowed for a time.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Berd
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Berd watches carefully, observing the changes around him, getting a feel for this. He studies the alterations of the world, watching how they progress. The towers, in particular, draw his interest.
Part of his attention remains on Chance, far ahead and (presumably) closing in on the army with Devlin (assuming Devlin has chosen to accompany him).
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dworkin (GM)
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As Chance and Devlin approach the army, closing in on it from behind, it becomes apparant that the absence of footprints on the muddier parts of the road are not the only anomaly.
Even at this close range, the sounds of the army are faint, and fading still.
All those booted feet should be making more noise on the road. Harnesses should be jingling, and the banners snapping in the breeze (a breeze which, incidentally, does not disturb the leaves on the trees).
This army seems as ephemeral as the city which had briefly appeared at the roadside. They are there, for all to see, and yet shafts of sunlight stream through them, but little diminished by their passage.
None of the marching warriors casts a shadow.
And then it happens... a rider appears out of the army, travelling in the opposite direction, seemingly without seeing any of the troops, despite riding straight through them. She doesn't even notice Chance, as she does the same to him. Horse and rider both holding no more substance than an autumnal mist.
By the time she reaches Berd and the others, she is as transparent as glass...
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Aaron
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"...the hell?"
Aaron frowned, not liking this strangeness one bit. He'd seen uncountable realities, viewed the various weirdness of both Pattern and Broken Pattern travel. He'd even been yanked through Reality via the Logrus a pair of times.
But this? This was different. Whatever it was, he was unfamiliar with it.
Aaron didn't like that. It made him uneasy.
"Everyone else is seeing what I'm seeing," he mumbled. "Right?"
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Berd
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Yes. Though in a different way, myself.
Berd focuses, and his eyes burn.
Cast your gazes upon the road, children of the Sign of Order. Those of you with eyes to see, open them wide. Reach out with what the Pattern has etched into your bones.
This road enhances your strengths, and those of others who Walk Between Worlds. It increases your...speed is a poor word. Velocity. Upon this road, you pass through the Worlds like a comet.
When you push hard, and cease to Walk - when you Run, or Ride through the worlds as quickly as you might, laying your will upon them to shift every part of them but one, rather than the reverse...it is not an easy thing, and it sometimes causes harm, does it not? This roadway allows you to move from World to World at those rates, without any of the commiserate consequences.
This is what we see before us. These people Travel, and they leave us for another World.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Chance
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Chance stops, then shudders as the rider goes through him. He didn't like that kind of thing very much. He prefered solid things- or liquid.
After looking around a bit, he shrugs at Devlin and ambles back to the group. "They were in a hurry," he says the rest of the group with a sly smile.
"So, any clue what we're supposed to do here? I mean, this road is interesting- and don't get me wrong, I like a good road- but there has to be something else here for us. Metatron said something about an item that cleaved the Broken God?"
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Devlin
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[Backing up]
Devlin does not waste any time in moving after Chance, but then the odity happens and Chance is instead hurrying back to the group. Still the same group, whatever may have happened in his absence.
"If we are to find out what is happening then we must follow, whatever the strangeness. For some reason I feel comfortable here." Devlin could be wrong, but something about the place seems to be similar to himself... well he will find out soon enough. "I will run ahead and see what I can discover."
Perhaps rash as always, but like he had already told them, there was nothing to loose so he may as well do something other that talk about what they should do. Devlin turns and as he does so he blurs and distorts once again as shadows fan out around him (I really like the description Dworkin, decided to keep it) and as he moves away he is once again the wolf, large and black. But this vision is only seen for a moment before it slips the shadows and almost disappears from view; looking a lot like the woman that just passed them going in the other direction; as they saw him do when he was fleeing from Arron's rath, rather then scouting for them.
Devlin speeds down the road hoping to catch up to the receding army.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by James
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"No Chance, the road is what's here for us. The milestones show the way to Charyk, which could as easily be a place as an item. Even if this road is a shortcut between worlds it seems we have 38 miles to travel. We would go faster with horses, but I'm not keen to step off the road to go searching."
"But you say that the road enhances our power, Berd. Maybe Aaron or I can make the milestones come a little closer together."
James concentrates on the Pattern, bringing the image to his mind and holding it there while he fixes his will on their surroundings. At almost the same moment, Devlin decides to go scouting. James concentration breaks belatedly.
"Damn! I don't think that's wise. If he gets too close to the army he'll probably start to travel with them. He'll wind up at the wrong destination."
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Aaron
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"I agree, James, on both counts." Aaron raised his head a little to get a look at Devlin's possible destination. "That's not a very good idea."
"Still," he said, looking at each mile-marker. "It's an interesting idea. I've never come across something like this before. I wonder if it's naturally occuring, or a creation of someone with intent."
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dworkin (GM)
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Devlin does, indeed, catch up with the army, in a manner of speaking. Whether it is the same army is another matter. The uniforms seem different in some minor detail, or another. Still they are smoky and unreal, like ghosts... no more solid than than the shafts of sunlight spearing down through the leaves overhead.
They are unaware of Devlin. To their eyes he is nothing but a pale shadow, a ghost whose passing is not even marked by other ghosts.
Behind him, his companions are all but invisible to him... no more than the shimmering of heat haze above the road
Those campanions, following along the road, cannot see Devlin clearly either, and the army is largely invisible, seeming to blink partly into existence at intervals. Once, for a moment there is the sound of galloping horses, clattering past, though the animals are never visible.
There is another milestone, only a few hundred yards after the last, and it tells that Charyk is only twenty miles further along. Far ahead, the sky is filled with an eerie green light...
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Chance
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"Yeah," Chance says distractedly glancing off into the forest for a moment. "That's pretty much what I meant, James- Charyk. I wonder what we'll find. Metatron seemed to think there was something there that would help us- I have to wonder why he didn't mention it until he was about to kick the bucket, though. I can't help but think it wasn't exactly something he wanted to share unless it was a last resort, or he would have told us earlier. So it'll help us, but we should use some caution, too."
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dorian
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Dorian lingers near the back of the procession near Berd. "Drusilla said that Charyk is a place. She could not discover anything more of the place- so it may be shielded in some way. I would expect so much, in fact, or the Archons might have already destroyed it or used it for their gain."
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dorian
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Dorian pauses along the road, to turn and stare into the distance. He he inhales slowly and deeply, stretching his back. For a moment his gaze is mildly absent. Then he turns and continues along with the others.
As he walks, his pace is slow and his gaze remains distant. He occaisionally mumbles to himself.
*OOC: Dorian's mumblings (and other Lynchpins) are in Samhainian, which would sound similar to ancient Greek.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Berd
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I shall attempt to warn Devlin. His mind twists ahead along the road, seeking through the Myriad Worlds for Devlin's signature, half-in, half-out of this one.
Devlin - be warned. You leave us in another world. I can track you, but you pass beyond our sight.
Then the drake falls silent, his eyes upon the eerie light staining the sky ahead.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Luke
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"Metatron appeared to like his secrets, Chance," Luke replied. "I'm not particularly sanguine about what we might find here myself. I'd have a look ahead, but the Old Man is likely doing that at the moment, and since I'm limited to one manifestation at a time - for the moment - I'll keep us covered."
But his eyes turned toward Dorian, and narrowed. A small, razor smile sliced his lips, and Luke stepped quickly to walk beside the dark wanderer. "Last time I 'heard' lynchpins being dropped, Dorian, I spent a few uncomfortable moments wondering if my long journey was finally over. Care to let me in on the shoe that's about to fall?"
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dorian
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Dorian smirks. He didn't necessarily like Luke, but he understood him. Besides, he had reasons to thank the man- not that he would actually do that openly. "Don't worry, Luke," he says. "If I'd been aiming for you, you woulnd't have had to wonder. As for the spell, I sent a message to someone I... care for... in order to save someone I hate-- and perhaps by doing so, save the lives of everyone, so that I may kill the person I hate personally, someday. How have you been, Luke? Recovering?"
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Luke
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"Recovering?" Luke grinned with shark's teeth. "Thanks to Meredith. The pain likely burns within her. Brave girl. All of that fire, Dorian, all of that agony sluiced upon me. She took what she could. I still bear the remainder." He reached out one hand, and flexed the fingers slowly.
He kicked a stone, watched the pattern of its bounces upon the road. "We both know that whichever of us struck first, things would go poorly for the other." Luke wondered if Berd would hear, how surprised he might be upon the admission. It wasn't every day the man accepted another as an equal. Of course, things had changed since Luke had joined these people upon their quest. Part-time, of course.
He strode along beside the man, hands in his pockets. Two lean, dark figures, spare of flesh - bookends, in an odd way. "Hatred is something I comprehend. Perhaps I can offer you a hand." His voice lowered, cold and empty. "It wouldn't happen to be someone we left behind, would it? I was there when Argus perished, Dorian, if you recall. Assistance against Drusilla, I would certainly provide." His eyes glittered. "No charge, no favour."
That, too, was new.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dorian
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"Drusilla will die," Dorian says methodically, as if assuring himself- repeating a mantra. He shakes his head thoughtfully. "But not today. For the moment, we need her as an ally. Thus, she lives." As much as talking to Luke, he seems to be rehearsing to himself the reasons why she isn't dead, yet.
"Agreed - whoever struck first. You do realize I didn't know at the time that you were so close? Even in my anger, I would have at least provided a warning of some kind. Harming you was never my intent- and all the worse that Meredith has to share in the pain.
And for whatever it may be worth, you weren't the only one of us burned in that strike. It happened to not have been as tactical as I had planned-"
The memories were frightening. A fire so intense the very walls between worlds evaporated. His sorcerous shield evaporated like a web before a flame. Even with his escape spell triggered and his ensorcelled staff in hand, he had suffered burns from the assault. Dorian- that other Dorian- had been lucky to survive. They were only stolen memories.
He shakes his head at the thought.
"Help would be appreciated, but let us save such plans for after this quest is done. There will be a time for that. Or if my message to Cyan fails, it will be unnecessary."
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dworkin (GM)
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Far ahead, the green light in the sky brightens, silent lightning flickering and burning across the heavens...
The milestones seem closer now, and the distance shown bear no resemblance to the distance travelled. Then again, the name on the stones does not seem constant either... Carrak, Karyk, Charyn Crossing, Fort Chark, Sharrik...
Underfoot, the road surface seems to change with almost every step.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dorian
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Dorian calls ahead to James. "If that is your doing, James, it seems to be working."
He walks in silence for a moment, considering the parallel powers of Pattern and Chaos, and his weaker powers that lie in between.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Luke
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"I was unaware that you, yourself were caught in the blast." Luke's eyes grew hazy with memory. "It echoed throughout the nearby worlds, ravaging and tearing at them. It was...too potent a strike." His eyes refocused. "I know something about overdoing things, as well." He nodded, once, accepting Dorian's explanation.
<blue>"Meredith." His smile soured. "I had not wished to lay such pain within her. Whatever I think of humanity, she-" But his head snapped up, like that of a wolf scenting blood upon the breeze.
"Do you feel it?" he whispered. <blue>"Violence and sudden death upon the wind." With a breath, he drank deeply of the energies of the Underflow. "And they lie in our path."
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Berd
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Berd eyes both Luke and Dorian warily as he flits from treebranch to treebranch around the group. The Hilt is a weight around his neck; it drags him down, but dropping it is never a consideration. Those two are more alike than they suspect, in many ways. Hopefully Dorian will not say something that might prick at Luke's pride, always his weak point.
But Dorian does. And Luke...well, perhaps Luke has grown. Much as Dorian has, much as they all have.
Except perhaps James. His eyes fall upon the soldier, still walking, and Berd wonders at the man, how he can be so stolid. The anchor of the quest. Perhaps James has grown as well, but to meet the demands upon him more than anything. We have not been easy travelling companions for one such as he, Berd considers.
Poor, honorable James, trying to make up for past misdeeds, real and imagined...and now saddled with these eminently flawed people. Including myself.
If nothing else, his patience will be exercised.
Dorian and Luke actually seem to be talking together, perhaps even plotting...a disturbing thought. Aaron is lost in his own considerations, or perhaps speaking to Arianne - Berd has no interest in joining that conversation, should it exist. Anger stirs, briefly; he has an endless capacity to forgive, but only to those who ask for such. Devlin still remains ahead, dancing with dissolution.
Ahead....
Berd's head comes up, and he chimes a warning. A moment later a bridging forms, open to any who wish to join. Danger threatens, and the ability to communicate instantly has proved to be a powerful advantage in the past.
A battle rages ahead - Devlin is no doubt already aware of this. I see beasts of all manner locked in conflict with the defenders of a enclosed city. There is a caravan close to the walls, but unable to reach safety.
*Image: Monstrous beasts being fought with sorcerous weapons, and a group of people caught between the two. There is a city too, an entire city contained within a single building. And a name in the mind of every one of those caught outside... Charyk.*
Battle masters - with this addressed to James and Aaron - do we attack? And what shall be our disposition? These two have the greaatest skill in warfare.
Within, Berd begins. His cloak slides into place around the questors, shielding them from detection. Another mind reaches ahead, seeking to take up the reins of Power in the world to which they travel. He will have to be careful - in this mad confusion, Berd could be attacked from many sides, in many ways, and he cannot simply strike with all of his might.
He is not invulnerable; not by any stretch of the imagination. As always, the drake is better suited to support and 'artillery'.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by D'Ombra
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Hearing Berd, the wolf stops and looks around, forward and back.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Aaron
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"Berd," Aaron said, casting his gaze ahead only, his voice not without concern. Nor, perhaps, a bit of apprehension. He remembered Serena's portent.
"We have been set upon this path for a reason. I see battle as our inevitable conclusion to this journey. As far as what we're going to do when we get there..." Exhaling, Aaron raised an eyebrow. "I'm open to suggestions."
It was a good question. There were many probable things they could plan to do, of course... but whether the times would let them follow through would be a different matter altogether. "The destination of the enemy will be the city," he said, casting for probability. "Somehow I doubt the people parked between the army and that city are there for their health."
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dorian
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"With so much unknown ahead of us, perhaps this is an occaision for subtlety, rather than fireworks? I tipping of the odds might be in order. I shall see what I can do i n that regard."
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Chance
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Chance's armor flutters and becomes light chain mail and leather. He pulls a leather hood up over his head, and begins tightening straps that didn't really need to be tightened.
"Subtle," he mutters. He'd prefer a blaster. Perhaps it might blend in with these weapons of magic Berd mentioned, but why take the risk.
His guitar shrinks and becomes a crossbow. He'll only have one shot. He'll make it a good one.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dworkin (GM)
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Moving along the road towards the still-distant flickering in the sky, various members of the group make what preparations they feel are necessary for any upcoming conflict.
Beneath their feet, the road flows and blurs from one form to another... a continuous fluid change, whose only constant is that it is always a road.
They pass another milestone, of sorts, two grey metal poles supporting a large blue rectangle, with the words, Charyk 15, in white, and an arrow pointing straight upwards. Both words and arrow are faded in places, to a pale greyish yellow.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dorian
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"By all appearances," Dorian says, "They seem to be just... animals. Monstrous animals, but just animals. Yet, the have a strong desire to kill... not necessarily eat. I will see if I can convince them to look elsewhere for prey."
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Re: 51a - Charyk by James
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"If it's my doing, then we have all the more reason to be careful. I only touched the Pattern for a moment and we seem to be speeding on our way." At least as regards distance to their objective. James' subjective senses persist in measuring step by step at a steady marching pace that eats up the miles with a minimum of fuss.
When the alert is sounded, James joins the offered bridging immediately. He is more comfortable with Berd than he is with any of his human (or at least humanoid, it was hard to tell) companions. A sobering verdict. Unfortunately, Berd's roving mind can't really tell him enough to make a sound judgement. For all they knew the monsters might be on their side.
"I agree with Dorian. Subtlety sounds good. At least until we can get into the tower and see what's what. We know sod all about what's happening ahead."
Still, his hand goes to Fangmir. Subtlety, it would appear, goes hand-in-hand with a loosened sheath.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Berd
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Berd listens to the opinions. Dorian weighs in with his own feelings on the matter - feelings that hold good sense. Aaron is open to suggestions, but notes that they must press forward. James agrees with Dorian, and makes note of the fact that the situation is largely unknown.
They require more information.
I hear, Warmasters. The needle-toothed smile appears again, and Berd flits to the next branch. His claws caress the Hilt that hangs from his neck. Kirilindë. The Cleft Song.
How very true.
The drake weaves their cloaking more strongly, counting on Dorian to reach ahead and begin his own work. As is the norm, Berd focuses upon defense and reconnaissance - he studies the battle, searches for displays of power, scans the surface thoughts of those involved, watches the ebb and flow. His findings are immediately relayed to the others in the bridging, a vista of the battle opening before them, complete with 'holographic sensory information' overlaid for easy reference - powers sensed, indications of vectors, highlighted hotspots and 'personalities', and an ever-changing path leading to the gate.
Command Datalink, of the spiritual sort.
Our goal is here. Tell us the way, Warmasters. Lead us, Devlin. Dorian opens our way. Luke, guard the train.
I shall merely...hide 'twixt you all. *tight amusement*
He needs to stay close to the group. He cannot shield them all, and thus he cannot fully shield himself - cutting himself from the others is not acceptable. A short Underflow jaunt might safely bring them to their destiantion, but what if there are Archons? Berd has not yet faced the ashuranti within the Underflow. To do so with helpless passengers would be foolhardy, at best. And his strength is insufficient to simply 'hoist' the group and float it over the battlefield, as he might do with Meredith's lean frame.
So. The hard way is often the correct one.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Luke
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"I can manage that," Luke muttered. He glanced around, then shrugged. The air around his hand brightened, thickened, flowed. A moment later he held a heavy, butterfly-bladed axe. Hefting it, he swung once or twice experimentally, then nodded. "Well, one never knows when a piece of the Broken God might fall from the sky," he stated to the air with false cheer. With that, he slowed in his walking until he paced behind the group. Pinpricks of light appeared in his dark, deep eyes as he turned his head to watch the backtrail.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dworkin (GM)
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The road seems to change now, to some degree, with almost every pace. The scenery alongside it is little more than a montage of flickering, swirling, phantom shapes.
Only the road has any degree of solidity, and that only the most transient kind. Though its form changes, the idea of the road remains constant.
A city blinks into existence, briefly, or rather the ruins of one. Great stone buildings tumbled into rubble beneath a dark, cloud-filled sky, stained the colour of spilled blood by the light of the setting sun. The road runs across a great stone bridge, and the river below is choked with crimson weed. From somewhere, an eerie, inhuman voice utters a strange cry, "Ulaaaa!", and is answered moments later, by others.
Then the city is gone, or the road has moved on, and only forest is there again...
The road still crosses a bridge, but it is of wood now, with a broad, shallow river flowing beneath it.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dorian
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"Interesting," Dorian remarks, head still bowed in concentration. "The animals... they give in to a sort of beastial... peer pressure, it seems. Even a bit of performance anxiety concerning their hunting, I would say. I've managed to put them on edge, make them a bit hesitant, but this drive still causes them to attack. I'm going to try to instill a sort of temporary solipsism into their thinking, and see if the separation of self from reality breaks the peer pressure feeling down."
Like the psychic surgeon that he often is, Dorian gets to work.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by D'Ombra
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Devlin's mind is a bit confused as to what he should do. Maybe it is this place. Part of him wants to contiue on ahead, toward Charyk; to see what is there. Part of him says he should stay close to the others; something is going to happen.
The warning from Berd...
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Berd
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Devlin, Berd notes, is having difficulty. He has almost 'journeyed off the road', in the sense of our destination.
Devlin - can you travel between the Worlds? The road splits in many different directions, to many different worlds. You are almost off the main path. Concentrate on staying upon the main path.
If you find that you cannot maintain yourself upon the road, tell me - I will attempt to assist. Hold to the bridging - it might help.
Right now the invasion force being choked out by the red weed is the least of their troubles; hopefully they will pass this place quickly. Berd has no desire to meet up with a cohort of Fighting Machines, armed with black smoke and heat ray projectors. Charyk is their goal.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by James
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James immerses himself in the information Berd provides. This world seems likely to be pivotal in some unknown fashion. Its defence(?) may be very important indeed. With this in mind, James focuses his attention first on the disparate variety of creatures assaulting the wagons, then on the formidable defences of the tower and lastly on the invasion force identified by Berd. A world of conflict, this one.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dworkin (GM)
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The city falls behind, almost in the blink of an eye, and the road continues on, surrounded again by dense forest, filled with the cries of strange animals.
Still the group continues to move, while the road itself shifts and moves them in the desired direction. It is flanked now by carved wooden posts, many of them broken off short, and overhead there is a large plate of steel, scarred and damaged, and inscribed with the words, CHARYK WELCOMES TRAVELLERS. Bemeath the sign, the black wolf waits for them.
Beyond, the road opens out into a large clearing, miles in diameter, filled with the sharpened stumps of felled trees, and in the heart of that clearing stands a tower.
Half a mile tall, and yet so broad that it seems to squat over the road, which runs directly into a massive gate at the base of the structure.
Far away, across the clearing, flying creatures are engaged in a desperate battle with other, more monstrous beasts, and the source of the green lightning which had flickered in the distance for so long becomes apparant.
The winged defenders seem to be winning the battle, as the horrendous attackers slowly retreat across the killing zone towards the forest.
Of the caravan, which had been reported, there is no sign. Either it has been destroyed, or it has reached the safety of the citadel.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Berd
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And it is over. Berd sighs, and sighs again as his spirit's eye sweeps over the field of battle. The dead - even one would be too many.
But now they have a problem.
The city ahead has repulsed the attack, Berd dryly notes, and the creatures return to their home. The forest. He chooses to take a moment for a look ahead, at the creatures retreating...toward them, then eyes the forest around the Questors.
Overt displays of power might be dangerous. Sorcery...yes, acceptable. Touching the Underflow...perhaps not so much of a good idea. The same with raw twisting of reality. It might attract unwanted attention. Luke - I fear we may be restrict, should we wish to keep our presence secret.
Devlin - apparantly we catch up with you just in time to fling ourselves in the teeth of yon retreating beasts. Does any here have an acceptable plan? Or do we now depend on spell and steel?
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Dorian
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Dorian continues along with the others, but his gaze is distant. "Their minds are weak. If we don't bother the beasts, they won't bother us. I think I should be able to stear any of them away from us, as long as they don't begin a stampede. If they do, we'll need a barrier of some kind."
The monsters were fearful and at each other's throats. It was a stampede kind of mood, and he couldn't prevent that while he maintained his fear and solitude effect. Fortunately, even in a frenzied state, their minds were no more than any animals and Dorian could probably steer them like a vehicle if push came to shove - or just knock them out, completely.
"To outsiders," he continues. "We should merely appear to be lucky."
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Chance
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Chance stayed close to the others, hands on his weapon. It seemed that the animals were coming this way, and he didn't want to be under them when they came through. His weapon suddenly felt very small in his hands.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by James
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"If those in the tower are bent on annihalation, few will survive a retreat across the killing ground. If not, well, it had best be sorcery."
James has seen enough now to know that tangling with the monsters in a purely physical fight would end badly.
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Re: 51a - Charyk by Aaron
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"I agree with James," Aaron said, glancing at the man. "Not a good idea to grind our way through a mess like this."
He cast his gaze ahead, looking towards their destination and wondering what it would get them in the end.
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