[Game Thread] Prologue: The Revival

[saratek187]

The doors to the small lab opened with a cloud of greenish fog rolling out and onto the floor. It dissipated quickly as the Trent duplicate stepped out. With his satchel slung across his chest, he came walking out with 4 vials filled with some murky gray liquid in hand. It was just a quick walk to where the others were. Stumbling into the room that was quite different than the rest of the building, Zuul found himself more or less interrupting the Grey Lady as she finished her speech, and Ullgar saying his few words. Zuul stopped abruptly and looked at each face as they all turned to look at him as he wasn’t the least bit quiet coming in. With a forced smile, he asked, “Did I interrupt something?”

The moment passed quickly though to his benefit. Holding up the bottles, “I made something for some of you and a few other things if Melody there is interested.” Stepping each to Ullgar, Rizen, and Trent, he handed them one of the small vials of the murky oil. Stepping up to Belfegor and Rune, he glanced back and forth at each with his jaw hanging open slightly before handing the vial to the demon, “These will help you all in what we are heading out into. From my perusing of the library, I understand that there will be numerous things we encounter of the ghastly type. What you are holding here is a rather interesting oil to be spread on your weapons or ammo, Ghoststrike Oil. Be sure you want to use it when you do as once you apply it to either a sharp or blunt instrument, you’ll only get one shot to make it could. It’ll help get past that pesky ‘wispy’ like form those creatures have.” Pleased with himself, he took a step to Melody and whispered quietly, “I got a few other pretty nasty things if you want to take a look later”, before stepping into line with the other revived.

The room was still quiet for a moment longer than the changeling was comfortable with, “Um, I know we are supposed to be doing some kind of ritual or something, not really my forte, but since my only other option seems to be a slow second death, I’ll be your first victim, I mean subject.” Zuul smiled a rather awkward smile, something no one would ever see coming from the rugged Trent. It had to still be odd for Trent and the others to see Trent but hear a completely different voice and mannerisms, but it was something they would have to get used to. Zuul was far too relaxed at this point to be putting up a show.

OOC-Alchemy Items Created Ghoststrike Oil x4 Dragonfire Tar x3 Alchemist’s Spark x3 Alchemist’s Acid x3 Alchemist’s Frost x2 Time Taken: 6.5 Hours Components Used: 400

[hippo]

"Yes Zuul, you are interrupting." the Lady replies with a rueful smile, and danger in her eyes. "I think perhaps I should begin with you - your case requires a somewhat different approach than the others."

Adrelyn's hand shoots out and invisible claws of force sink into Zuul's shoulder. The changeling immediately reverts to his natural form and sinks to his knees, his mouth wide in a Zuul loses 1 healing surgesilent gape of pain. He begins to fade to mist, with ripples of solid flesh and insubstantial spirit chasing each other across his body.

The Grey Lady speaks to the others. "Your Revived bodies can quickly lose their physical binding and revert to spirit form. This can happen under great stress, or with conscious effort on your part. There are advantages to this state. As a being of shadow you can manipulate your form to protect yourself from cold or the raw touch of death and decay. You can slip between the spaces of this world, phase through solid objects, or fade from sight and touch. You can even learn to touch the spirits physically."

"All of this takes discipline, and an understanding of your true self." Her attention returns to the writhing form at her feet. "This understanding and will is much harder for a shapeshifter who has known many forms." The claws finally extract a portion of Zuul's soul and his agony abruptly ceases. A tiny globe of concentrated black mist floats before the sorcerer. "This is a shard of his soul, and with it I can strengthen his binding and provide a focus for his determination and will to survive."

Adrelyn wraps both hands around the tiny orb and compresses. White light begins to shine through her fingers. Zuul's body begins to solidify again, still in his natural form. Moments later she opens her hands and a small mote of darkness floats above her palm. She tosses it to the recovering changeling and turns to the stoic goliath.

"Not all need suffer in this process." She reaches toward Ullgar and with a gentle motion a tiny grey globe wafts from his body to her. He senses no pain at all, rather it is almost a caress. A Ullgar loses 1 healing surgewave of fatigue washes over him, and his form becomes insubstantial briefly. Soon he is handed a tiny grey pearl shard of his soul.

"This is part of your soul, and bends to your will. Reach out and make it your own. Shape it to your liking. Let it be a conduit to project your innermost self."

 

Zuul and Ullgar both lose a healing surge.

[Phil]

Trent watches on, not sure what to make of all this, but it's clear he doesn't really have another option. He shrugs. "I guess I'll take my chances next." It's not clear why Zuul felt pain while Ulgar did not, but regardless, Trent steps forward. He's no stranger to pain.

[Jayjayman122]

When the Grey Lady asked who would be first, Melody held her breath tight. Adrenaline started to build within her and she started to convince herself that should be the first to go. Like the brave hero who would be the first to jump off a cliff into the mysterious fog below - not knowing what they would encounter. She started to shake with excitement as she was about to raise her hand and volunteer.

And then Ullgar stepped up. Melody released a deep breath of air she held as she tried to convince herself to be bold. And then Zuul joined the group, rudely interrupting the ceremony, but bearing alchemical items that could prove useful on the battlefield. Melody waited paitiently for a vial of this 'Ghoststrike Oil' - however, she was not given one. The sorceror blushed when the anticipation of being accepted as one of the party started to part from her.

It's probably best - I wouldn't be using it anyway, right? If I have magic... Then Zuul stepped closer and whispered promises of new gifts and Melody couldn't help but smile at the gesture. She tried to keep her calm, but receiving new things was always a weakness of hers.

Then she looked on in horror as the ritual started and etheral claws shot out and dug deep into the shapechanger's shoulder - causing him to revert back to his original look, an odd sight to say the least. Melody covered her mouth in shock as Zuul writhed in pain at her feet. It looked excruciating, and scared her from having to go through it.

But then Ullgar's ritual only seemed to weaken him somewhat. Was it because he could stand the pain more easily? He did seem to be tough, could he stay strong through a pain that could easily bring another creature to it's knees? Melody looked on in awe at the Goliath. Such strength... Perhaps she could show her brevity by standing strong when her turn came.

About to raise her hand once more, Melody is interrupted by Trent who spoke up. So, lowering her hand, the young woman simply looked on some more. How would he handle the ritual? Her turn would have to be next, whether she was ready or not... and that excited her.

[hippo]

Adrelyn reaches for Trent, and a swirl of arcane force stretches out to encompass him. The vortex tightens and sinks into his body. After a short time, a smaller whirlwind leaps from his brow, carrying a blood red mote, and Trent loses a healing surgeleaving Trent staggered. The mote settles in the air in front of the sorcerer. Another clasping of her hands and a flash of light finds a solid droplet in the man's grasp.

Finally, the Grey Lady turns to Melody, fondly gazing upon her. "All will be well child." A pale light starts to glow from Melody's breast, just over her heart. Adrelyn closes her eyes and concentrates. The light starts to seep through the girl's skin and illuminates the room. In the coalesces into a miniature star, floating before her. Melody loses a healing surgeMelody is stunned. Never before has she seen anything so beautiful as this shard of her soul. As she watches, Adrelyn forms it into a firery pearl before giving it back.

"The ritual is complete. With these soul shards you can begin to stabilize your form, and start to win back your life. This will take practice, both in learning to strengthen the binding, and in learning how to release it for a while, without losing it for all time."

[EngrInAZ]

Just as Ullgar is stepping forward to complete the second step in the revival, Zuul comes out of the lab in a cloud of smoke, 'Seems our changeling has been busy at work.' Ullgar takes the vial of murky oil from Zuul, "Thank you, I don’t know what to expect down here so I am happy to have anything that will help us make our way through this shadow world." Ullgar places the vial in his pack and turns to Adrelyn expecting to be the focus of her magic, only to find she has decided Zuul will be first, 'Sometimes going second is worse than going first.'

Ullgar watches as the changeling shape-shifts and writhes on the floor in apparent pain, 'Is that worth regaining your life? I suppose so.' Ullgar’s first instinct is to come to his new companion’s aid, he moves slightly then realizes 'There is nothing I can do for him; this burden is his alone.' Soon Adrelyn is done and Zuul is recovering on the floor, a small dark orb floating near him. Ullgar straightens up when Adrelyn turns to him, bracing for a similar impact that struck Zuul. He is stunned when all he feels is a gentle caress, beginning from the top of his head and traveling down his body to the floor. As the sensation moves over his body he feels an uneasy stirring within himself. Before Ullgar can pinpoint the origin of the feeling a grayish globe forms before his eyes, 'What is that?' Then the uneasy feeling becomes of wave of fatigue, his muscles losing their strength giving him the sensation he is about to collapse. 'I must fight it,'Ullgar focuses his mind, regaining his composure as Adrelyn hands him a tiny grey pearl.

He takes the pearl in his hand, examining it closely; 'Bend it to my will? Shape it to my liking?' He rolls the pearl between his hands, 'What am I to do with this?' As he rolls the grey sphere it begins to change shape, forming into a cylindrical shape, 'It’s solid…yet it changes shape as I focus on it. I wonder…' He continues to focus on the now cylindrical grey object lying on his open palms. It begins to pulse and glow…then suddenly it elongates and one end puffs out to form the head of a warhammer. When the warhammer completes its shape, several red glowing runes form on the head and shaft of the gray warhammer, 'Amazing.' Ullgar takes the warhammer in his right hand and swings it about with ease, 'It moves with a precision I haven’t ever felt in a weapon.' He turns to Adrelyn, "These are quite wondrous these shards of our souls. They can form into anything? "

OOC The shard forms into an Inescapable Warhammer +1

[Jayjayman122]

Melody looked on in awe as the breath was drawn from her body. The warmth within her felt great and comfortable. She accepted the bead graciously and looked at it perplexed.

Her concentration broke on the soul shard broke when Ullgar started to from his with what seemed to be his mind. The sorceror stared unblinkingly as the small object started to grow in size, eventually shaping into the form of a massive warhammer. The young female wanted to clap excitedly at how quickly her new ally was able to form his soul shard - but her strength still seemed drained from the ritual.

If anything, Ullgar had been the top motivator for Melody since their arrival on this plane. If he could shape the shard so quickly - she would try with all her might as well. So, holding her bead in the palm of her right hand, Melody stared intently at it. She could feel the piece, as if it were part of her. Forcing her will to adopt the shard as part of her own body - the young female's face started to flush red as the blood rushed to her head in concentration.

Then her heart started to heat up as the sun sign started to glow on her chest once more. Melody could feel the presence of her mother and almost instantly the bead in her hand formed into a pair of shears. The final weapon Melody saw her mother using before her passing. Melody felt the power these blades had however. Almost as if they drew the magical energy in her body out. They charged with lightning almost as soon as they were created and a bolt shot out from them to the floor.

It's like the lady's blade! I can channel with these!

And before any more unwanted arcane force released from the implement, Melody covered her soul shard with her other hand. She looked up at Ullgar with a proud smile on her face - she formed her soul shard as well. She had power, and she would help this group with the revival mission.

[Phil]

Trent watches as Ullgar shapes his soul shard into a warhammer, sculpting it like clay, and as Melody forms her own into what appear to be a large pair of scissors. Trent wonders how much control they've had over the transformation; he looks down at the red shape in front of him, and imagines it taking a particular shape.

The thing twitches at first, then melts into his hand. Trent closes his fingers over it, and the liquid form fills his grip before oozing from the top, swelling into a long "L" shape, then splitting in two down the length of itself. The two halves bend back until the object in his hand becomes a recognizable shape: a small crossbow. As Trent's mind focuses onto the details, the vague crossbow-like shape becomes more defined. The bow itself changes from red into black iron, while the shaft and grip fade into a deep red/brown wood. Trent's hand obscures the grip, but it's changing form as well: the right side is taking on the appearance of a dull white stone, Alabaster, while the left is developing the black shine of obsidian. Each develops into a beautiful sculpture, a tableau of an Owl diving, talons extended.

Trent looks at his creation, pleased, but not done yet. Carefully, he moves his other hand to the crossbow's grip, one hand on the white half, the other on the black, and he pulls. Easily, the crossbow splits into two, one in each hand, the one in his left hand has the black grip while the weapon in his right has the white. Pleased, Trent recombines the two weapons once more. He looks around at the others, as if making a decision, before shrugging his shoulders. He reaches his free hand under his jacket and removes a hand crossbow concealed there, and places it quietly on a nearby table. He replaces it with the new weapon, then removes a second hand crossbow from his other side, and sets it beside the other. The weapons had been concealed well, using the curvature of his body and the folds of the leather jacket to hide the awkward shapes, and as Trent allows the jacket to fall once more, it's hard to imagine he's carrying any weapons other than the rapier and dagger displayed prominently at his hips.

[hippo]

The Grey Lady watches them. Melody standing fierce and proud, her talent finally awake. Trent, confident, poised for whatever comes his way. Capable of nearly anything to achieve his goals. Ullgar steadfast and indomitable. Her Revived. So full of promise, yet so seemingly powerless. "Perhaps the hidden dagger will work better than the drawn sword. Goddess knows the drawn sword was an abysmal failure."

Adreyln's eyes go to the near catatonic figure of Zuul, kneeling and clutching the shard of his soul. She had such high hopes for him. But here he crouches, shattered to fragments. Perhaps, just perhaps she can bring him back from the brink. But it will take time, and there may be no choice but to let him pass on. She shakes her head with regret.

She looks to her three companions. Belfegor perched on Rune's shoulder, his clever immortal mind churning over possibilities. Stoic Rune - at times little more than an automaton dancing at the imp's fingertips. Other times - well, there was life there just waiting to bloom. Finally, dear Rizen. A lost soul who found his path to a goddess, and committed himself to her goals. Of all the people gathered there, she trusts him the most. They have history - memories of their last great attempt, so doomed to fail.

"My champions. Perhaps my last hope. Too many more times and they will find me for sure." She nods curtly.

"Well done! You are closer to your true selves again. Practice your focus and you will live again, more so than ever before. And yes, Ullgar, you may fashion these shards into any form. But beware changing them too often. They serve as an anchor for your lifeforce - change them too much and you may be set adrift." She glances pityingly at the changeling. "Now - be sure to gather your supplies. We will leave in the morning on the first leg of our journey. I will find time to speak to each of you tonight."

 

Thank you all for your patience while I get this game rolling again. Please double-check your mundane items and supplies, glance again at your character sheets and round up any last minute questions for me. We'll kick off our adventure proper with a bang very soon.

[Phil]

"What happens to him?" Trent asks, gesturing towards the changeling. The look on his face isn't fake, but it's not exactly sadness either. A mixture of regret and relief, regret for the loss of a unique asset and relief at the loss of a factor difficult to account for. And buried beneath it all is a concern: how fractured is his own soul, after all he'd done, all his lies, fake names, fake lives? And yet, Trent has always known who he was at his core. Is that why he stands while Zuul lies broken? Trent frowns. "There but for the grace of gods goes I." he thinks to himself.

[EngrInAZ]

Ullgar watches as his new companions fashion their own shards, 'These are quite amazing,' he ponders as he looks over his own new weapon. He then looks back over at the young girl, Melody, as she stands proudly displaying her handiwork. When they met she was a scared little girl, probably still is, but, at least for now, she is a confident young woman. Ullgar gives her a reassuring grin, "Well done, young one." 'If she can harness and control that power she will be quite a force to be reckoned with.' Ullgar is still not certain how she will handle the evils that await them in this shadow realm, but she is much better equipped that he had originally imagined. 'I’ll still need to keep an eye out for her,' he thinks as his protective instincts kick in.

Ullgar looks over at the other human, Trent, who has created an interesting pair of hand crossbows. 'Ah, a ranged fighter, that should serve us well, though I would like another body up on the front lines…maybe Rune?' Ullgar is not sure what to make of the unassuming yet fashionable human, 'Unfortunately, I may not know before it is too late.' Ullgar’s attention then turns to the body curled up in the corner, 'That poor creature…that is a fate I would not wish on anyone.' The changeling’s attempts to mimic the members of the group had been a disturbing display. The thought that you may not be interacting with whom you believed you were was unsettling in the least. 'Well, it doesn’t appear he will be making the journey with us.' Ullgar joins in with Trent’s question, "Yes, what will happen to him now?"

[Soporte Vaca]

Both Rune and Belfegor bowed their haeds in a moment of solemn silence for their lost would-be-commrade. As questions about the changeling's future were voiced, Belfegor hopped off his perch and approached the prone figure. "As he is now, he's the lucky one, no longer needing to face the shadowfell." He glanced at the Lady "A quick death would be merciful, far more so then forcing his existance. But his passing, again, may also draw the attention of the Ra-erm, of the Dark lady, as may praying for him" He added in the direction of the others. Turning back to the Lady, he said "Whatever you decide for his fate, I ask that you wait untill we are well gone from here. A head start is always appreciated, am I right Rune?"

Rune nodded his solemn agreement. He didn't like having to just leave the changling there, but knew that risking the mission for funeral rites would be foolish. Looking at the small bottle that Belfegor had given him to hold, a pair of small gears suddenly aligned in his head. "Sir, he may still be able to help us." Rune droned, holding up the small bottle.

"Good thinking Rune, but..." Belfegor felt the room chill ever so slightly as he perceived that some people present wouldn't look to kindly on looting their very much not dead ally. "We'll leave that 'till later, yes?"

[Jayjayman122]

Wait... Melody whispered, kneeling next to her already fallen ally, He's dead? Just like that?

The young girl started to shake as she stared at the fallen 'hero'. Is it that easy? Could that have been her just now?

Wiping the tears from her eyes, Melody calms herself. Remember Melody - this is not for you. You were not chosen for yourself - this is for Spencer. Do it for Spencer.

Standing up near Ullgar, Melody places the goliath between her and the others. She did not want them to see her cry already. The human already formed an attachment to the raised heroes - her world torn apart, they the first she sees in her new 'life', they all fighting for something, and in that sense, the same thing.

Melody gulps down all of her thoughts and manages to force down any doubts she has - it was time for them to get started. She had power, and her parents with her, and she was ready to go!

[hippo]

"He's not dead yet child, but this is not much of a life. His soul has been torn to pieces and stitched back together too many times. The extraction of the soul shard was a step too far." The sorcerer looks down at the feeble and unknowing man. "I will try and bring him back after you have gone. But it may indeed be a mercy to let him drift back to the stream and continue to his final destination. I had hoped his mercurial nature would take to the Revival."

Adrelyn places a comforting hand on Melody's shoulder. "Do not worry. You are made of stronger stuff. You will not succumb to the Revival. Your will and capacity to live is so very str…."

The Grey Lady abruptly looks toward the entrance hall, eyes alight. She listens intently for a moment, then curses. "They're here! The alarm in the valley has been tripped. The ward on the door will only hold for a short while. You must be gone, and quickly."

"Rizen! There is no time to move as we planned. Take them through the portal in my sanctum." Adrelyn hands the revanant a small amulet. "Use this. Thes Ilnnen only knows whether it will be safe on the other side. Be careful and move fast. Do not linger. I will hold them here to see your escape. Never fear - they are not strong enough to destroy me."

"Belfegor. Rizen will see to the safety of the Revived. You must see to their training and the completion of their mission. You are ready, though you may not know it."

Turning at last to her Revived she speaks fervently. "You are my great hope. As Revived you have loosened the strictures of death, and embarked on a journey back to life. You are the embodiment of freedom and choice. There are no limits to what you could become, if only you choose to do it. I will join you before the end, but do not look for me soon. You are safer away from me, where you will not be known."

"Seek the Tower of Ixich and release the knowledge held there. Only then will we have a chance."

A sound like a static discharge rumbles from beyond the door. "They've pierced the illusion. Go now!"

Adreyln draws two short blades from the depths of her cloak. Wreathed in shimmering force, she walks down the corridor toward the door, muttering incantations and weaving her swords back and forth.

"Come quickly!" commands Rizen as he heads the other direction, fullblade held lightly in one hand. He moves quickly and surely through the library toward the inner sanctuum. He pauses at the threshold and speaks softly. At his words, the doors open inward and he waves the companions through.

[Phil]

Trent's crossbows are in his hands in seconds, each thumb carefully pulling back on a bowstring, a job they know well and do it without prompting. With a flick of his wrists, a crossbow falls into each waiting weapon, while Trent follows after Rizen, keeping watch behind them. He's torn, his desire to catch of glimpse of his enemy and desire to flee at odds, but he opts for the safer path, into the inner sanctum with the others.