Subject: A Dance with Death  
Posted by:Stellar StarElven On: 08/24/00 07:19 AM
 

 The scene was disheartening to say the least. The undead hoards below, as Stellar 9 glided overhead upon the back of the silver-winged pegusus Starlight, could not easily be numbered even by the star lord’s well trained eyes. None of his selves had yet properly greeted the people besieged by this army of death, and sadly the current time did not serve to provide a good opportunity for doing so. Perhaps one day that travesty could be remedied. Bidding Starlight return home, Stellar 9 leaps from the mare’s back to land upon the road a distance behind the lines of the undead force. Watching until the pegusus vanished through the atmosphere above, Stellar turned toward the task at hand with resolve in his silvery eyes. Drawing the sabre and striding forward as elven song filled the air. Turning with malevolent hate burning in their empty eyesockets, skeletons began a wild dash to tear the life from the elf closing in behind their lines. The cleaved skull of the front runner bounced along the road as it’s frame fell apart below the slash of Stellar 9’s blade. Flowing out in time with his singing, a white aura slams into the rushing skels and blasts apart their frames. The resulting bone shower rained around the star elf as he walked on without pause. The slower zombies and ghouls had avoided the holy blast and advanced at a shambling but tireless pace upon Stellar’s position. It was fairly simple for the elf as he moved among the slow moving creatures which slowly began surrounding him. Cleaving one zombie neatly from shoulder to hip as it turned to face him in passing, Stellar 9 cuts the legs out from under a ghoul with the follow through. Several more fell to white bolts of energy from his outstretched fingers, as the star lord continued his dance among the dead. Moving with purpose and resignation, Stellar 9 cuts a swath into the rear lines of the undead force before the first wailing scream dropped him to his knees. Drifting back through the ranks of undead, the banshee locked it’s eyes upon the star elf and screamed again. Of all the undead here this one foe held the power to freeze Stellar in place. His sonic hearing amplifying the scream tenfold and causing emerald blood to flow from his shattered ears. The words of his spellsong ran through the elf’s mind yet could not be voiced for his lack of hearing and the turmoil which her scream had caused within his senses. With another delighted scream as she sensed his falter, the banshee streaks the remaining distance to close upon the stunned star elf. Reaching into the elf’s chest with her insubstantial claws and tearing his heart free of it’s mortal cage, the undead female stared at the organ in confusion as it did not contain the life force she had expected to devour. Howling in anger and dismay, the banshee was enveloped in the golden blast of light which spread out from the fallen star lord. As Stellar 9’s spirit vanishes in a golden streak of light off into the heavens, an empty gap is left behind in the undead ranks where he had fallen. With the slow, mindless determination of their lifeless nature, the ranks slowly began to fill back into the gap forged by the life of a star elf.

OOC – I Hope this is not seen as intruding. I have been reading your stories for quite some time and wanted to say that it is all excellent writing and I applaud the skills of this group of fine people. That said I bid ye a Hello in passing...
 

Subject: The calm before the storm
Posted by:Lothar Kesh On: 08/24/00 10:57 AM

Anger swelled as the drawbridge was raised once again to cut off the river of undead. Lothar's undead mount moved from the wood line to stand at the rear of his army, this was not suppose to happen at all, once again he relay the situation to his master.  “I need that drawbridge open, master. I can sense the clerics blessing water and I can not allow them to finish blessing the area.” Lothar said. With in moments Kesh calmed down and an otherworldly laugh escaped his mouth. “Yes, master.” He held his two-handed half moon battle axe high about his head and issued the command for the undead to stop attacking at the guards on the wall. From here the arrows they shout fell short of their mark and those that did hit slid harmlessly through the rib bones, skulls or spine of the skeletons up front. The scene was hellish….  ….The gray castle walls stood as the backdrop, high above it a half moon rose through the broken clouds that slid across the sky with an almost lethargic manner. Torches held by guards ran across the tops of the wall with dark smoke drifting from them adding to the sky. Below on the grassy field, hundreds of skeletons dressed in rotting leather or cloths stood motionless with various weapons held high. Behind the front troops stood a sea of ghouls, swelling forwards in hunger and then back again from Lothar’s master’s will. The cry of the dead echoed all through out the country side. To the left and right of this huge gathering of the damned, two more units of heavy armored skeletons and zombies stood with finely crafted pikes and spears and riding to the front of this army of the dead one huge mounted creature with rusted armor and holding a two-handed axe. Behind this creature ten more mounted undead rode….one holding a banner……  ….”The day will not save you…..and we own the night..”Lothar’s otherworldly voice rang out. A few more arrows flew at him…bouncing off his heavy armor. Then all went still. The flames from the torches even seemed to slow down, the ghouls stopped their swelling.  ….. Thump! Thump! …..Crash…..-somewhere in the treeline a huge oak fell….Crash…….-another tree- Thump!…..Crash….  Lothar let out a huge laugh as three undead stone giants burst through the tree line…. “Take down the drawbridge!” He commanded.

 
Subject: The calm before the storm II
Posted by:Lothar Kesh On: 08/24/00 02:09 PM

All that could be heard was the faint sound of the night time breeze, the smell of pitch from the torches and the rot from the undead hung in the air. All was still. Three huge zombie stone giants stood at the front gate of castle Winterbrook, huge tree trunks for clubs were gripped by decayed hands. “Destroy the drawbridge, rip it down if you have to.” The mental command came form not Lothar but his master. The three stone giants went to work with their clubs….smashing against the harden oak drawbridge. The impact tremors could be felt all through out the castle, dishes in the kitchen fell and smashed on the floor, candles sitting on desks and table knocked over, torches fell from the walls where they hung and even the guards on top of the wall could see the ripples in the castles moat. Kesh pulled his mount around and rode to the rear of the army, there the ghost drifted over to him. “Why did that bridge come back up? Did you not cut the rope?” Lothar sound less than pleased.  ”Forgive me, Kesh…” The empty voice echoed through the night. “…A fireball…” ”Enough!” Lothar roared into the night…his own otherworldly voice sent icy spears into the spines of the living. “Go back, find the clerics and kill them…..” A huge crash sliced through the air as one of the stone giants fell into the moat, his corpse being covered by holy water dumped from atop the wall. Steam and a foul green mist rose from where his body went under. Lothar reached out and grabbed the ghost’s face….”Kill the clerics!”

Subject: The ghost
Posted by:Selouas On: 08/24/00 02:38 PM

She floated through the skeletons on the battlefield. There was nothing she could do but obey Lothar because his master, her master’s will was to strong for her to break. How she hated it. Days before she was content to haunt the ancient graveyard where she had been for hundreds of years. Selouas drifted over the moat near where the giant fell and she could feel the holy water misting in the air, it burned her. More was being poured down the sides of the keeps wall, quickly she drifted in.  Selouas passed through the outer wall and then the inner wall of the keep, making sure no on saw her, she stayed close to the shadows. Inside the castle was utter turmoil. Undead being blessed and ripped apart, humans dying or wounded. It excited her, she need a taste of the warm human flesh…the life force that pumped through those shells, to suck it out, age them, kill them. But first she had alittle job to do.  Following the pain of the blessing that was happening, Selouas found where the three clerics were huddled over a well…blessing it. As they pulled the water up, it was taking to the tops of the walls. Perfect. When everyone else left to bring water to the troops on top of the castles wall and it was only three clerics she slipped from the shadows and attacked.  She came in behind two of them and touched them, their life slipped away fast for they were old for humans. That left only one. The cleric yelled out for someone named Felena, could that be the female who through the fireball earlier???  Selouas attacked, trying to grab at the cleric but he pulled up his magical mace and parried the attack, Selouas moaned in agony. The sound cause two castle guards who were coming to help the cleric turn tail and run in terror. She slipped through a nearby staircase and reappeared right behind him, grabbing his arm that held the mace. Slowly he started to shiver and then his hair turned gray, then more gray, he was aging very slowly. He was a very youthful human…..how good this tasted, but right behind her she felt the tickle of magic being casted.
 

Subject: R: The ghost
Posted by:Felena On: 08/24/00 10:30 PM
Lady of Tannisbury
 They watched from the castle ramparts as the undead stopped moving forward and the one who appeared to be in command rode forward and called out to them. His laughter rang out through the night as the sound of crashing came from the woodline. In the next moment, three undead Stone Giants were crashing against the drawbridge trying to cleave it in two.  All inside went into motion at the rumble created by the Giants' pounding. Holy water was brought to the wall as fast as the clerics could bless it, then poured over the wall onto the Giants. The answering wails of pain told them the water had hit their mark. Splash!! Hissssss!One of them hit the moat, green mist rising toward the night sky, carrying with it the stench of the undead. More water was poured over the wall, and another fell, returning to the hell from which it had come.  Then she heard it. "Felena!!!!" The cry rose into the night, muting all else. She bounded down the stairs toward the direction of the main well, Murt right behind her. Slowing just before reaching the area allowed her to take in the scene. Two clerics were dead, and the third was locked in battle with the same ghost who had brought the drawbridge down. Moving quietly to a place where she had a good shot at the target, she watched the ghost move through a wall, then reappear behind the cleric once more, trying to take him by surprise. The ghost had her back to Fel, allowing her the first attack.  Moving behind the ghost, she again called upon the element of fire, mouthing a spell. The fireball began with a small glow between her outstretched hands, then grew until it was as big as a large piece of fruit. She unleashed the spell even as the ghost sensed the spell and began to turn. But this time, she didn't miss. The impact hit the ghost mid-form, causing a howl of indignation to burst from the undead creature. Quickly conjuring a spell of protection from paralysis, Felena cast upon herself, as the ghost recovered from the hit, moving toward her. She barely had time to get another ball of fire off before the ghost reached for her, the blow sending the ghost backward, but not before sweeping a hand across Felena's arm.  Her breath caught as pain surged through her at the touch, somewhat subsiding as the ghost's grip was broken by the spell. She pushed the pain aside, mouthing another spell as the ghost moved to rally again. This time however, as the ghost reached out, a humming could be heard from Fel's left. And as she released the spell, Daemonbane moved through the ghost, severing an arm from the spirit. The fireball hit the ghost mid section as Murt brought his sword around in a roundhouse motion to split the spirit in two, sending it into the abyss.  Battle finished, Felena sat down hard, the pain in her arm surging through her once more. Murt was by her side a moment later, calling for a healer. "I'm okay, really," she said, smiling through the pain. "Just a flesh wound." She laughed as she made the last statement, wincing as she moved her arm. When the healer reached her, she gave him explicit instructions that he was to heal the wound, and give her the strength to withstand the siege. Meeting Murt's concerned gaze, she spoke again. "Don't even ask me to rest. There isn't time. Once this vile stench is returned to hell, then, and only then shall I rest." Her husband frowned, then nodded as the healer set to work.

Subject: R: R: The ghost
Posted by:Giantklr On: 08/24/00 11:38 PM
Knight Captain of the Royal Guard - Tannisbury
 
With two giants now fallen, Giantkiller anticipated the third and last giant would soon follow. But this was not so. The flow of holy water that had been their biggest weapon thus far, slowed to a trickle. Looking around puzzled, Giantkiller knew this could only mean that something had interrupted the clerics.   Starting to leave his position on the wall, Giantkiller's feet were knocked out form under him by another thunderous blow from the last remaining giant. Quickly picking himself up, Giantkiller knew he hadn't the time to investigate the holy water. That giant had to be dealt with and quickly, if the castle had any hopes of making it through this siege. Thoughts racing through his head, he quickly came to the realization that there was only one solution.   Running down the wall, Giant soon found who he was looking for. Ian was busy talking with several of his sergeants. Not having the time to waste, Giantkiller approached, interrupting the meeting. "Forgive the intrusion, but I need to ask something of you.......is there any other way in and out of the castle besides the main gate?" Ian took a minute to ponder the question, and then replied. "As a matter of fact there is......there is an old tunnel that leads under the moat, and into a small glade not too far from the castle." Hearing this news, Giantkiller quickly grew eager to begin what he knew must succeed. "Milord, exactly where is this glade you speak of?" "There" Ian said, pointing out over the castle wall. Following his hand, Giantkiller soon found the glade, some distance to the left of the attacking force. Muttering to himself, Giantkiller went on. "Its possible....." Looking back to Ian, Giantkiller nodded his head. "I think I need to fill you in now......"   Moments later, Ian had reluctantly agreed to the plan. Giantkiller then dispatched Quigon, to find Muralla and any other knights that could be spared. "After this is done, go with them to this secret tunnel...Lord Ian will arrange for its location to be pointed out. Go with them through the tunnel and await my arrival on the other side. Most likely I will not be arriving alone, so you all must be ready to close and seal the tunnel as quickly as possible." Knowing the importance of what he has been set out to do, Quigon took off to find the others as told. Watching him go for only a moment, Giantkiller soon made his way down the wall once again, only to be staggered a few times by more blows from the giant. From the sounds the gate was making, it would not take many more blows to topple it. The time was now.   Drawing Freedom from its sheath, Giantkiller spoke to the sword as if it were another person. "It has been said you are to add to my namesake, that you are a bane to giants of all kinds. Now is the time to see if what has been said bears any truth." Dropping to a knee, Giantkiller mouths a silent prayer to Tyr. Standing, he takes one last look over the courtyard, before placing a hand upon the top of the wall and lifting himself up onto the ledge. Seeing the giant, a mere few feet away, Giantkiller leaps.   First raising Freedom high into the air, Giantkiller lowers it as he falls, driving the blade into the giant's skull. Those on the wall close enough to witness the event, saw only a faint blue light as Giantkiller initially struck the giant, and then nothing, as the giant toppled, taking Giantkiller with him

Subject: R: Re: The Dagger & The Center
Posted by:FawnWiz On: 08/25/00 04:41 AM
Tannisbury Wizardess

 FawnRe notices that Seanessy is helping a younger child who is crying. A feeling of pride leaps into her being. Her niece is going to be so helpful in the days ahead.  "Children," Fawn says getting there attention,"I am glad you all enjoyed your cookies and milk, and have met one another...it is time I think for us to lie down and rest for awhile. We will show you to your cots," looking at Gynger, who already had two she was leading to the cot area.  After seeing that all the children were resting comfortably, Fawn goes into the small kitchen and begins to wash up the snack dishes. On the way she notices Gynger with Seanessy and the boy who was working on the box, sitting at the little table just inside the room.

Subject: At the Center pt.1
Posted by:Mallagant On: 08/25/00 11:52 AM

  As Giantkiller put his plan into action, Wedge stormed in frantically, blood lining his chin and armor. “My lord, the undead general has appeared with his Calvary, they attack outside, the carnage is devastating! Ian nodded grimly, knowing that now would be the battle that would determine victory, or undeath for them all. Removing his sword from it’s sheath, Ian made his way outside. Seeing the Stone giants was a ghastly site to say the least, battles raged all over, the sick of death clung to the air, almost making him want to vomit. Then he saw them.  Lothar moved with his elite Calvary, their ancient banner defying life itself. His axe came down cleaving soldiers in half, those who didn’t perish right away were quickly speared by the Calvary. Many soldiers fled from the unnatural site, screaming in terror. With a grim look of determination, Ian lept from the tower into the moat, landing in its blood stained waters. Swimming to its edge, he raised his sword high then pointed it to the undead general. Those who fled the fight stopped and rallied behind the appearance of their lord, taking up weapons to stand with Ian. Lothar watched and raised his axe high, his elite Calvary lowering their lances. An uncomfortable silence swept between the two smaller forces as the rest of the battle raged around them.  The undead generals eyes flashed and as if on signal, he and his retinue charged. Mouthing a silent prayer to Tyr, Ian ran forward with his small band of rallied troops, this was it, this was for Winterbrook. Lances drove themselves into the chests of the first few soldiers, impaling them and showering the gathered forces with blood and gore. Lothar quickly cut himself a path directly to Ian, and the two squared off in a duel. Felena and Murtano heard the sounds of battle and made their way to fight the Calvary.

Subject: At the Center pt.2
Posted by:Mallagant On: 08/25/00 11:53 AM

Sitting atop his war-horse, Lothar charged the lord of Winterbrook, bring his axe down in a sweeping arc, only inches short of removing Ian’s head. Ian dropped and rolled, bringing his enchanted blade down low, removing one of the undead war-horse’s legs. Unable to move at top speed, Lothar jumped off his lame steed and charged. The sound of metal striking metal showered the area with sparks as the two battled. Lothar’s axe came down catching Ian in the shoulder. The lord of Winterbrook winced but fought through the pain, driving his sword into Lothar’s gut, a greenish mist leaking from the wound, yet Lothar continued his assault. The two continued to battle when Ian was hit from behind, driving him to the ground before Lothar. Ian rolled over to see the war-horse raise up on both legs, and moved just in time before its one good hoof buried itself in Ian’s skull.  As he rolled out of the way, he collided with booted feet and looked upward to see the undead general, his axe high and coming down with inhuman speed. This was it, Ian braced for the worst but the blow never came, a howl erupting from Lothar as he staggered back. Looking up, Ian watched as Lothar burst into flame, his whole undead body consumed in greenish fire. Ian quickly moved out of the way and regained his footing. The tingle of magic was heavy as Ian looked for its source.  Mallagant stood back and mouthed the words for another spell, Lothar spun around in time to accept the inevitable strike, which slammed into him which a force which took him to the ground. Ian had to dive to the ground to stay out of the fireball’s blast radius. Lothar laid still, burning swiftly. Mallagant grinned and traced a pattern in the air, this time it was no fireball, Lothar was simply torn into pieces. As Lothar’s body parts burned into dust, his grip on the undead army faltered. Animated bodies simply crumpled, what was left of the elite Calvary was quickly engulfed in a greenish mist and vanished. The undead which continued to be animated were quickly struck down.  Mallagant came forward and offered a hand to his brother, helping him up. The battle was over, Winterbrook had been saved, but at what cost?

Subject: R: R: Re: The Dagger & The Center
Posted by:Gynger On: 08/25/00 03:38 PM

  Seanessy nods her head eagerly to hear the story of the dagger, then she remembers something. She stands up straighter and says "Milady Gynger...I would most like to hear your story. But the other chilrin are prolly scared and we should go take care of them. Speshly since I am the Lady of Tannisbury while Mum and Da are gone. Will you please tell us when they take a nap?"   "I think that's a very good idea Seanessy" I say in agreement. "Altho, some of the children might be too old for naps. Maybe we could get one or two of the servants to come in and watch them and I'll tell the story then." I look at the empty dishes on the table... "I'll take them to the kitchen on my way out to finish my chores." Taliesin volunteers. "Just don't forget to send for me when it's time to tell about the Lightning Dagger." "I won't forget you Taliesin" I smile and say to him.   I get up from the table, take Seanessy's hand and follow her and FawnRe out the door, down the hall and into the large meeting room. FawnRe introduces herself and talks to the children. She then intorduces me. "Hello children" I smile and curtsie as I say it. I listen to her encourage the children, then I walk into the little kitchen and bring out a large tray of cookies and set it down on a table. I head back into the kitchen as Seanessy starts handing the cookies out. I bring out a pitcher of milk and some mugs. I notice there aren't enough to go around so I go back into the kitchen and get another pitcher of milk and more mugs. I set them down and help pour the milk and pass around the mugs.   'This is going to be interesting' I smile and think to myself. 'I haven't been around this many children in years.' I help FawnRe get the children settled down for their rest. Taliesin pokes his head around the door and searches for someone. His eyes light up when he sees me. I smile at him and motion for him to come in and sit down. I hand him some cookies and a mug of milk.

Subject: Hello Family
Posted by:atena On: 08/25/00 06:28 PM

Atena Butterfly flies to the window of the tannisbury castle and taps on the tannisbury hall window.. tap tap..tap let atena butterfly in .. I havent been home in along long time..and I missed U all very much... I even miss my sister Paula but I heard she went to visit her brother QuiGon at the stables and they went horse back rideing.. in the hills and had a picnic lunch and had lobster together ,but andrew had to take leave to go war with Giantkiller and the rest of the gentlemen..Butterfly sits at the window shiell looking in and smiles at everyone..Hopeing someone would look at the tannisbury Window at the Yellow and White Butterfly..."Hello" can someone open the window shield to the tannisbury castle for me??

Subject: R: At the Center pt.2 
Posted by:Felena On: 08/27/00 01:40 PM Lady of Tannisbury

  Before the healer had finished, sounds of a skirmish outside the walls was heard. She pushed him away and ran toward the battlements, Murt at her side. They watched in horror as Ian emerged on the other side of the moat to be met by a small handful of soldiers. She knew there would be no time to get to him in order to stop the inevitable.  And just as the ax of the undead leader was about to come down on her eldest son's head, the fight was over, Lothar was dead, and Mallagant stood over his brother. The undead army fell like so many dominoes around the leader, and the battle was finished.  Cheers went up from the battlements as those who watched realized what had happened. The drawbridge was lowered to admit the heros and a feast prepared. Much celebrating echoed through the halls of Winterbrook that night and into the next morning. They stayed a few more days, enjoying the company of family not seen in many months, and then it was time to return to Tannisbury.  They said their goodbyes, assembled the army and returned from whence they came, leaving Mallagant to visit with Ian for a while at Ian's request.

Subject: R: Hello Family
Posted by:Astalder On: 08/28/00 12:50 PM
Tannisbury Militia Captain

Astalder notices a pretty yellow butterfly flitting about the castle windows as he makes his rounds. He smiles and thinks someone inside will see her and let her in. "The children would love to see a pretty butterfly like that I'd wager" he thinks to himself.

Subject: R: R: Hello Family
Posted by:FawnWiz On: 08/28/00 02:27 PM
Tannisbury Wizardess

 ::FawnWiz looked out the window:: Oh, how lovely! That butterfly seems to want in. I will open the window.  "Come in here you beautiful butterfly and make yourself at home." FawnWiz says as she opens the window above the sink." Surely you are a very special butterfly as I have never seen one like you." The butterfly lands softly on the cabinet door and just seems to stare at FawnWiz as she finishes up the snack dishes.

Subject: R: R: R: The ghost
Posted by:quigon On: 08/28/00 05:18 PM QuiGon

Going for a moment to find Muralla and a few other knights, I find Lord Ian asking for the location to the tunnel.   Green mold covered the walls of the long narrow. There was a particular scent to it, more a musty, tight strench that snecked up on the nosttrils. Tunnels were cold, dark and damp, right down to the mystic spiderwebs tacking it's ceilings and the dark, cracked corners where wall met floor.   Passing through the tunnel, shifting my head from side to side, scanning the miserable interiors of the tunnel. QuiGon had felt empathic pain flicker across his mind as he imagined what might come down. A rat appeared from a gap between the stones in the corner. The rodent scapered away to find a new place to hide.   What QuiGon wanted to do, and what the knights would let him do were two different things. Crouching down to get a better view. I see Giantkiller bring down Freedom into the skull, breathing a sign of relif and then panic rushs through me as I see the giant topple over, taking Giantkiller with him.   "Noooooo........" I cried, pushing myself up out of the tunnel, I run towards the fallen giant.