[RP Thread] Cries of Urnung: Book of the Bladebringer

[-Peper-]

''Hey...'' Agron managed to catch up with Ekrion and Illios then walked together, but something isn't really right ''Is it just me or the spiritguides keep getting fewer and fewer as we proceed?'' he looked around ''...something is wrong.'' again, he made an assumption.

 

[Grey Nightmare]

Meyla had soulflame back in hand before the words touch Agron's lips. She nodded in agreement, eyes flitting left and right covering their approach with increasing scrutiny.

 

[Dragonson]

As they closed in on the grand hall they realised something that for some reason had evaded them earlier.
It was night.
Although the sun was still on the sky, the sounds were diffirent. Everything was somehow colder and... quiet.
It dawned on Meyla that she knew of this phenomenon, having heard of it in the old tales of her homeland.
Had Urnung not been covered in eternal darkness, there would be times of the year when the sun would never set.
Around them, the various totems and carved figures of animals slowly started changing.
Some of them became entirely diffirent animals, other simply had a small change in their facial expression, but all at once their eyes started glowing in a ghostly blue color.

But even as their ghastly gaze fell on the adventurers, nothing happened.
It was as if the realm itself was waiting.

 

[GunSlinger]

"Still..." Leo said, walking with the others.
"We must see to it that our duties are accomplished."

 

[Fussiler1]

He temporarily stopped and unsheated his sword, looking around with a worried face expression. Illios didn't like this, at all, but started walking again -- ready for anything that would come his way.

 

[Grey Nightmare]

"Lucien?" Meyla asked without looking round, "What's going on?".

 

[Dragonson]

A silent laughter was carried on the wind.
"You wanted to meet the gardener, did you not?"
A strange voice said from somewhere near them.
"Well, go on then! Unlike him, you dont have an eternity to spend."

 

[GunSlinger]

Leo looks around.
"Can't anyone just walk to us and say a friendly hello? I'm getting tired of these unusual greetings."

 

[Fussiler1]

Illios shrugged and walked forward, losening the grip on his sword, but not sheating it just yet. To be honest -- he was a bit freaked out by the situation, but his face said nothing.

 

[Dragonson]

As Illios neared the grand lodge's door it was almost as if the darkness intensified around him.

 

[Fussiler1]

Illios hardened his heart and kept walking. No darkness would stop him.

 

[Dragonson]

Illios reached the door.
It was big, even for a Crycon door, but it was still a door.
It was ominous, darkness centered around it, like a warning sign of what lay behind.

 

[Fussiler1]

Illios looked back and saw that his compagnions weren't coming, so tried to open the door.

 

[Phoonix]

Ekrion followed Illios towards the grand hall.
He didn't like the situation, the darkness around them, the lack of spiritguides. He didn't like it.
Nevertheless, he moves on.

 

[GunSlinger]

Leo soon follows Ekrion afterwards.

 

[Dragonson]

The door slowly opened, and Illios stared into the grand hall.
He saw only darkness.
At first, that is. Slowly he realized that a sphere, apparently hovering in the hall's center, shed a small amount of teal light on the floor.
Then his spirit vision kicked in, and he realized the sphere wasnt hovering at all.
In the center of the hall stood something awe inspiring, something humongous... In the middle of the hall the darkness itself was standing, holding the glowing sphere.
On behalf of the Guidelord, In absentia, i bid you welcome.

A Dark Shade of Black

 

[Fussiler1]

Illios stared at the shade with his mouth open. He slowly sheated his sword and gazed at the thing in front of him. Truly, it filled him with awe. Mighty, great!
''I greet you, Darkness? Shade?'' were the only words that came out of his mouth. He could not take his eyes off it.

 

[Dragonson]

I was told that you seek me. I am the Gardener, mason of the deep.
The Gardener spoke slowly like someone that had lived for far too long.
But there was still a strange spark in it's voice. One speaking of way too many reasons to keep living.

 

[Grey Nightmare]

OOC: Sorry I've not been posting much.. Offline life is a mess.. Don't stop the rp, it's online stuff that is keeping me sane!!! D=

IC:

Meyla bit her lip and stepped over the threshold, creeping over to Illios a cold, clutching chill causing her to shiver violently. "What do you want?" she rasped, her voice cracking up.

 

[Dragonson]

I thought i would be the one asking you. Or is it untrue that you have come here searching for me, the gardener?
The Gardener's voice travelles through the darkness, and hit the adventurers like a chilling wind.

 

[Phoonix]

Ekrion enters the hallway. he could even feel the cold trough his thick winter clothes.
"no. It is true." he then said as he shivered.
"we came to ask for information about 'the book of the bladebringer'" he siad.

 

[Dragonson]

Silence.
Slowly, after quite a while, the Gardener spoke.
Before i tell you anything, i need you to tell me how much you know.
You have, after all, done me a favor. Of sorts.
The cold wind came again, this time blowing into the grand hall instead, as if gently asking the adventurers to enter.
Dont be afraid of the darkness. If you fear shadows you might just as well give up your task now.

 

[Phoonix]

"we do not know a whole lot." Ekrion said while stepping deeper into the hallway.
"what we do know is considered common knowledge these days." he said and his eyes darkened.
"I think we all know the story of the shrouding." he said, his voice became harder. He didn't like talking about this. "The book was a gifted by the demon shroud to Holo Dragonson as a token of gratitude I presume for taking part in his vengeance." he sighed. "we also know that the book is somewhere below Roag.... and that is why we need your help." he concluded.

 

[Dragonson]

The last part is more than i expected. If you know it's general location, then i assume you work for Taiion?
The darkness suddenly felt alot less uncomfortable, and made Ekrion feel relaxed.
The cold blue flames around the spectral orb turned into a warm yellow.

 

[Fussiler1]

''Work is such a big word.. but it's something like that.'' he replied with a bit of a nonchalant tone, while observing the orb change and transform.

 

[Phoonix]

OOC: you called Ekrion Phoonix there draggyman.

 

[Dragonson]

I see. Or rather, i dont. But that's a long story.
Come inside, we have much to discuss.
The Gardener disappeared into the darkness, taking the sphere with it.
Shortly after a dimly lit path appeared. Where the light was coming from couldnt be seen, but the path appeared to be leading straight into more darkness.

 

[Grey Nightmare]

Lip bleeding now, Meyla steeled herself and took point edging into the enroaching black, step after shaky step. Curiosity overcoming her fear, but only just.

 

[Dragonson]

As Meyla walked the path slowly built onto it self. Soon, the light spread and revealed a small circle of stones sticking out of the darkness.
Sit down. Make yourself comfortable if you can.
This might take some time.

 

[Fussiler1]

Illios shrugged and followed Meyla in a much more rapid pace. The dark had slightly frightened him, but he had become accustomed to it. He sat down on one of the stones with a big plop.

 

[Phoonix]

Ekrion followed the group into the round chamber. this was all very weird. whatever this Gardener was, he was very powerful.
He followed Illios's example and sat down aswell.

 

[Grey Nightmare]

Meyla being Meyla, refused to sit but stood in the centre of the space, sword drawn and poised, eyes flitting left to right restlessly.

 

[Dragonson]

You're embarrassing yourself, remnant. Sit. As long as i am here the darkness is a friend.
The Gardener's voice was calm and patient.
There was however something hidden in that patience, something that felt like it could shatter a thousand worlds if it ever broke.

 

[Grey Nightmare]

Meyla only scowled, gripping her sword until her knuckles turned white.
She made no move to sit down.

 

[Fussiler1]

''Just sit down.'' Illios remarked, while looking at her, shaking his head in disapproval. Then he sighed and merely muttered; ''Women..''

 

[-Peper-]

OOC: I'm waiting all week for the darkness to disappear and now the gardener made it dark, again. For the lol.
IC: Agron finally managed to catch up with his companions because of the darkness limits his sight, where he saw Ilios and Ekrion have already sat in some kind of stone.
Confused, he chose not to speak and sit down instead.

 

[Grey Nightmare]

Meyla rolled her eyes, every time she began to think the abrasive man had a worthwhile quality or two, another of ill-desire would rear it's ugly head. She remained standing. "Don't trouble yourself, I'll appear rude in exchange for some measure of awareness and security" she muttered, her voice barely audible.

 

[Dragonson]

Sit.
The command was soft, like a cool winter breeze.
But at the same time, the cries of a thousand worlds echoed from within it.
Darkness filled the stone circle for a split second. When it disappeared Meyla was sitting next to the others on one of the stones, the darkness feeling strangely alive around her.
Well, now that the majority of you are here, i guess we can begin.
The sound of someone breathing slowly could be heard in the stone circle.
Let's get the simple things out of the way first.
I will tell you the location of the book and help you brave the tunnels of Old Urnung, on one condition.
When... Ahem, IF you find the book, for the sake of all that is to you precious do NOT read it.
The Gardener's voice was deeper than before when it spoke, and despite the creature's spectral appeareance something about it made the group want to trust it, maybe even help it.
It was a strange feeling, like looking at an enormous spider and catching yourself thinking it's cute.

 

[Grey Nightmare]

Meyla wanted to scream, kick out and run the creature through but found herself incapable, held to the stone a sword to it's scabbard. She would not be drawn, there was no need for it.
Closing her eyes and cursing inwardly the remnant looked up, catching the gaze of the keeper, filling her with a rough blend of awe and fear. Eventually she licked her dry lips, coughed and spoke.
"I won't read. You have my word, as for companions.." she said, her eyes flashing at Illios, "Who can say?" she smirked, folding her arms in mute satisfaction.

 

[Fussiler1]

Illios smiled, relaxed, at Meyla. His face was a mask that could not be read, but if gazes could kill... he then merely shook his head and sighed.
''Are you implying something about me?'' were the words coming out of his mouth. He was sure that she would chicken out of the challenge.
Then, he asked to the Gardener: ''Why not?''

 

[Dragonson]

Because then someone has spent an eternity of being cursed so that you can live you life unchained in vain. If you need more reason than that i see no reason to not just send you off to the Afterlands right now.
There was a horrible threat behind the Gardener's toneless words.
Converse with your employer all you want. If i know Taiion well enough, you'd be surprised, he doesnt want the book's contents anyway.

 

[Grey Nightmare]

To her private horror Meyla found herself almost wishing Ekrion had run the arrogant bastard through. "You're tongue is as slippery as patch of deep winter ice" she hissed, turning to the gardener. "I'll find this book for you, but I have no desire to learn what is within its pages".

 

[Dragonson]

Then i shall grant you the power to steer through the treacherous tunnels of Old Urnung.
But i can only give those that promises not to look inside what you see.
It is a... personal matter.
In the middle of the stone circle, another spectral sphere appeared.
It was white, unnaturally white.

 

[Grey Nightmare]

Meyla nodded and stood, stepping towards the sphere.

 

[Dragonson]

Wait but a moment, Remnant.
The sphere faded slightly.
I need to know the minds of you all before i do something i will regret eternally.

 

[GunSlinger]

Leo spread his wings and flew to where his companions were. The cold gusts of wind made Leo shiver to his bones. The black haze that surrounds them told him of his dark days, but paid no attention to it and continued on, sitting near the gardener with a grim face.

 

[Fussiler1]

''Sure.'' he said, relaxing and forgetting the small fight he just had.

 

[Phoonix]

"I have nothing to hide." Ekrion said. "And I give you my word, I will not look into the book." he made a small bow towards the Gardener.

 

[Dragonson]

The sphere started glowing intensely, it's white light revealing an enormous arm of stone covered in vine holding the sphere.
The book is located within what is known as the Lamentation Spire.
In the minds of the group appeared an image of a grand cavern. In it's midst was an enormous building which reached from it's bottom to it's top.
Around it countless ruins stood, and the adventurers caught a small glimpse of something disturbing moving among them.
The spire lies deep beneath Roag. At it's top the book lies.
Getting to the top of the spire is not what you need to worry about though. You need to worry about getting to the spire itself.
In their minds, the adventurers saw a dark, dimly lit corridor. Suddenly the light went out completely, and a flurry of claws tore apart the image in their heads.
Part of my burden lies in keeping what resides beneth Roag in place. Down there are monstrosities that can tear apart every aspect of existance, inflict all possible kinds of torment.
The Gardener's voice once again became a chilling wind.
Things that should never ever have been in the first place.

 

[Grey Nightmare]

Meyla bridled, her body stiffening and her lips drawing tight.
"Whatver it is... I'm sure we'll manage" she drew out at great length.