NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Okay, continuing in the White Tower Branchoffs, we have this. Tagging is fine, but the only people who may participate in this thread are Balrogga, Warhaven, Snake Eaters, and Theao (<--- he made it to Mithdelmar before this started, so now we bring him along, too.) Okay, so, I will be playing the bad guy(s), whichever Kaymirilians I decide to bring along, and should the environment need to get involved, I'll be doing that, too. Thanks!

IC:

For three hundred years, a great Threat has been sealed beneath a small province in Kaymiril. However, a crack has formed in the Seal...and illness has begun spreading through that province, like wildfire. Those who can remember have already begun preparations...those too young merely laugh...until the first ones begin to die...

OOC:Tag (Soz, will edit tomoz, too late now, unless Kay chooses to start fairly quickly, we have some plot to finish in the White Tower)

***Mithdelmar***

A team of mages are preparing to leave for a tiny province in Northern Kaymiril. This was something they hadn't seen in centuries...and the fact that this particular illness should erupt now...they were just waiting on the Slivers.

The slivers arrive with hardly more than a hiss and a rustle of scales. accompanying the essence Slivers requested, are the pair of Hunters, also requested. To ensure maximum capabilities, two Reactor Slivers stand near the back.

As the Slivers arrived, Costh blurted out "What are those? Mutant snakes?"

"pretty much yes, we also have abilities. The white ones with the purple tint are Essence slivers. They can heal with a thought. Their powers almost match Miths. The Brown ones with the big noses are Hunter Slivers. They have your scent, you can't escape them. The two of use who glow orange are known as Reactor Slivers. Other breeds draw upon the energy we store to use greater abilites. Our energy store is Volitale though, if you shoot use, we will explode." The Reactor hissed

"I apologise if I offended you." Costh replied "Do you mind if I conduct an experiment on one of you?"

I'm glad you all could make it. *A transport shows up large enough for the twelve of them (ten slivers, Mith, and Costh) and Mith steps on, waiting for the others*

A disease we haven't seen in three hundred years has sprung up in Lotha Province. They're dropping like flies, and the rate of infection is extreme. As far as we know, the only ones vulnerable to its effects are drow. The rest of you ought to be safe, but if you start feeling sick, let me know immediately. Symptoms include extreme fever alternating with extreme chills, dialated pupils, glassy eyes, and ragged breathing. About an hour before death, boils appear and burst. It is not a pretty disease, in the least.

"Mith, if this disease is airborne transmisable and since you are a drow wouldn't you be vunerable?" Costh asked with some worry in his face.

I had myself and the entire population of Mithdelmar innoculated as soon as word got out that this was reappearing. The chances of me catching this disease are negligible. Even if they weren't, someone has to respond, and it is my job.

"Would you mind if I do something that would inprove you chances of survival anyways? Since I owe you my life it is the least I could do."Costh asked

*The transport begins to move. It gradually glides away from the building, then, putting up a windscreen, it picks up speed.*

Very well.

"Thank you." Costh approached Mith and activated 2 runes. A glowing breathmask appeared over Mith's eyes, nose, mouth and ears before fading.
"To re-activate this all you have to do is think of it. It will provide perfect atmospheric protection, as far as it has been tested, it should also be able to improve your eyes to the level of being actually able to see bacteria by focusing on it."

ooc:a variation on the one Costh used in his match with Warfare.

Thank you.

What Costh didn't know was that such devices were standard. However, if it made him feel better, Mith wasn't about to tell him that.

OOC: brb quick...dinner.

"You welcome, you said that the disease appeared 300 years ago? If that is the case did anyone ever figure out what was causing it or did anything major happen at about the same time?" Costh asked.

"We don't mind if you conduct an experiment, as long as you swear no one will be hurt in any way shape or form. Mith, remeber, your not entirly Drow anymore, all slivers have highly advanced immune systems. We are immune to Borg assimilation, we know this because they tried that very same thing whist we were a young civilitation. Your immune system has been made better by virtue of your bond with us." The Reactor said.

"If my experments work out, the subjects will be more powerful than before. Reactor Slivers, do you have a maximum energy level? What I mean is if your energy level passes a certain level do you explode?" Costh asked

Something major did happen...and if I'm right...and I pray to any god with ears that I'm not ((figure of speech)), you may have the misfortune of seeing it. *To the Reactor Sliver* True...however, I do not know the extent of my sliver abilities yet...and I have been entirely drow for seven centuries...and part sliver for only a few weeks.

"If you don't mind me asking what was it that was so bad?" Costh asked.

"We have theorized, that your changes will take place slowly, as it works its way in. We notice that your skin has grown slightly harder, a little dryer. Normally, that would be a cause for skin to itch, yet you seem quite comfortable. Reactor Slivers have a limit of 40 Gigatons of energy. Enough for a small nucklear device. Anything beyond that, and the energy passes through us. right now, both of us are full." The reactor hissed.

A Black Dragon. His name was Tellryon. Lothra Province was much bigger back then, and he claimed the length and breadth of it as his own. I couldn't get in there until late in Tellryon's rule to start doing my job -- I'd already been Mith for about a century -- and Kaymiril V could figure out no way to get him out. Shortly after I was able to start sending medics in, a small group of worshippers called upon a diety to help them. Local legend has it that this god sealed the dragon, for all time. I do know that it was supposed to be sealed forever, if not killed, by the mages sent to fight it. None returned.

OOC: Not true...only the two Black Class mages returned...but they technically don't exist.

"We have theorized, that your changes will take place slowly, as it works its way in. We notice that your skin has grown slightly harder, a little dryer. Normally, that would be a cause for skin to itch, yet you seem quite comfortable.

True...that is interesting.

"So if you get more energy you just sweat it out, so to speak? Alright then my experimintation won't work on you." Costh turns to one of the hunter Slivers "This may tickle." He inscribes a rune onto the Slivers forehead(or closest equivilent bodypart) "This rune should enable you, since you are already magical, to teleport some distance but still keep track of the 'scent'. If it works out I could do it to the other hunter if he/it wishes."

"An evil* dragon?" Costh asked

ooc:the only dragons Costh has heard about are 'good' dragons
more chinese less european style

Evil to the core. The entire nation rejoiced the day he was sealed away. And now that the signs are back that he's reawakening...there are people out there who are very nervous.

"I've never heard of an evil dragon but if it as you said it deserves far worse than mere death." Costh replied with a look of revulsion on his face.

ooc:Theao belief: dragons are suppose to be good, kinda like unicorns, if one goes bad it's an abomination.

Healer though I am, I am inclined to agree. I lived through that, I remember. Dragons don't usually mess with Kaymiril...and this one...*shakes head*

The Hunter turns his head to the side and sneezes, a green blob of goo hits something somewhere below as they zoom by.
"That does tickle. Teleport? Ancestors can teleport us anywhere, I've never actually teleported on my own before, without ancestor help of course. When I did, It took a few minuets, but I was able to find the scent again, It will be intresting to see how this works out." The Hunter said.

"You should have a range of about 3-5 km. That's just a guess as the version I use has a much larger range but I didn't think I could combine tracking and distance over any greater distance." Costh replied

You should speak to a Silver Class mage. They can find the distance and location of anything fairly easily...at least, the higher level ones can.

"As I said, intresting." The Hunter Replied.

The transport descends rapidly at a small town. The only sign of life within it are the gray class mages flitting like shadows from one house to the next. The scent of illness is all around...one does not need to be a Hunter Sliver to smell it. *to the Essence Slivers* We have a lot of ground to cover, and a little time. I'd like you two to take a Reactor and cover the West section of town, and you two to take the other and start working on the East side. If anyone seems worried, tell them Mith sent you. That's good enough for anyone this side of the Kaymiril/Isaac border.
*To the Hunter Slivers* I'd like the two of you to see if you cannot determine the origin of the illness...where it's coming from. I'll take Vrin here and go to the spots that most desperately need a healer, and I'd like the two of you *the last two Essence Slivers* to accompany us.

OOC: Vrin: short for Vrin'klatu, it is the Drow word for Essence. Since the Essence Sliver on Mith's shoulder didn't have a name, and it weirded out some of the students, they just started calling him Vrin.

"Mith, what would you have me do?" Costh asked

Go with the Hunter Slivers. We need to locate the source and see if we can stop it.

The Hunters snifed the air, trying to seperate that one scent from all the others. after a few minutes, they succeed. Letting out a hiss that sounds more like a wolf howl, they Slither off after the scent really fast.

The other Slivers do as Mith asked. encountering the occasional protester, the Slivers begin healing.

OOC: the hunters are laying flat on the ground as they Slither after the scent, they track it better that way. Tell me where they go Kay.

Costh activate a levitation rune and followed the Hunters, he also activate one of the energy runes, increasing his avaliable energy/power level.

The amount of work for the Slivers is almost overwhelming, even though every Gray Class Mage in the country that can possibly be spared is there, working as hard as they can. Mith's presence boosts morale, but she's really just one more set of hands (that brought about a hundred more sets of hands and six slivers) to help.

The Hunters go some distance out of the town, to a large hill that ends in a sudden drop. The "wall" of the hill is composed of a single large stone. The scent radiates strongly from behind the rock, and a sense of evil permeates the air.

Sensing the evil emenating form the stone Costh asked the Slivers to investigate and see if they could find anything as he teleported to Mith.
"Mith, we have found a source of near-palpatable evil on a hill outside town. If you can teleport follow me, if not take my and I'll teleport us both." Costh stated.

Of course I can teleport. *to the student assisting her with a patient who has entered the near-death stage of the illness* Keep him stable. *To a mage entering* Give him a dose of the medication. *As she's doing that, she casts a spell.* He ought to be good, for now. Check back in twenty five minutes and give him a dose of the medicine you'll find in the blue bottles. More medications will be arriving shortly, I have about half of Mithdelmar working on that exclusively at the moment.

*Turns to Costh* I'm ready.

"Alright then." He focuses on the rune he place on the Sliver and teleported to that location, trusting that Mith would follow.

Mith appears almost simultaneously with Costh. She looks at the stone.

"Yes...this place...if no other, it would be this place. Look at it...if not for the stench, and the sense of evil pulsing forth from it, this would be a serene place. It was...before. Again, after...this time, he must be stopped...for I have no doubt that Tellryon has awakened again...this is too much evidence." *to her personal glider* "Roesor...take this to the Black City." *she writes quickly on a parchement and hands it to the glider, which wings off.*

"Mith what would you like me to do?" Costh asked

Now...we wait. There is another who remembers what happened at this place. When he gets here, summon me. There is much to be done in the city yet. *she teleports back*

OOC: That's as far as we can go tonight.

Costh activated a shielding rune around to aid in surpressing some the evil, as well as one around himself to shield him from the malevolence as he sat on the ground, conjured a book and began reading while he waited.

The Slivers look at Mith expectantly, awaiting new instructions.

*To the Hunters* If you can find any that are especially sick...or young children who have not yet been affected by the disease, that would be excellent.

OOC: Gtg. Tt you guys t.

The hunters look at Costh and say:
"Come on, we don't have healing abilities like the essence Slivers do. You can at least help us Confirm sick from well." The hunters hissed in unison. With that, they headed to a section Miths healers hadn't gotten to yet and, using their powerful hunter instincts, hunted down all healthy drow, and began directing them away from the sick, so that Mith could decide what to do next, especially since this was her place, not theirs.

"Mith told me to wait here for the person that knew what happened here and when he got here to summon her." Costh replied the the Hunters

Medics quarantined and innoculated the ones that were healthy. Where the city would normally be bustling with people living their lives, today it was bustling with medics who were trying to save as many lives as possible.

****************************************************
Eventually, two figures showed up near the stone.

R -- Yes...there is no mistaking it.

Having found all the healthy ones, the hunters, having observed the medics treating those that were in the first stages of disease, went back through, and left an identifying claw mark on each house, signifying how many, and at about what stage (as best as they could tell). the hunters had to admit, this was an unusual use of their skill, but they were glad to help.

The medics continue to run around as fast as they can. Shipments continually come in of different medications.

Seeing the 2 people, Costh placed his book away and went up to them "Please stay clear of this area thier is hostile forces at work, unless you are the people Mith sent for then I will take you to her." Costh said

R -- Who are you?

"My name is Costh ... is that you Vedt?" He replied

V -- *who is the other one* I'm Vedt. The one you addressed is my master.

"Greetings, Master mage. Would you like me to guide you to Mith's location?" He asked with the proper note of respect in his voice.

R -- I know where she is. Vedt, remain here...this is an important site...see what you can discover of it.

V -- Siyo, Veldruk.

*Renor teleports out, and Vedt begins a series of analysis spells on the area*

"What should I do now?" Costh asked "Mith told me to wait for you, but not what to do whne you showed up."

You can choose to study the area, or to help tend to the sick. We just prefer that you choose not to get lost. *Vedt's absorbed in the results of the spell he just cast*

"Alright then." Costh teleported to the village and began aiding the Hunter Slivers with thier marking and providing general first-aid to the injuried as he waited for any further information or insturctions.

Renor finds Mith, and begins to assist her with the patients she's working on.

R -- "How now, after all these years?"

M -- "I don't know...but it can't be good."

OOC: Balrogga, that's your cue!

A golden portal opened before the group. A being composed of pure light exited the aperture. The being approached one of the members holding a great book out before it. As it gets close, the book opens by itself to show a page scribes with flowing lines. As Myth looks at the page, the lines run together and form words at are legible to Myth.

“This is The Tome of BelDragos. I have been commanded to reveil this script to you so you may gain understanding.”

Myth steps forward and reads the page.



Excerpt from The Tome Of BelDragos:


It was a dark time. A great pestilence was spreading through the entire Lotha province, entire farmsteads were being destroyed, and there was nothing the local sheriffs could do. They tried to find the source but the reason they were not being seen or caught was discovered in a particular muddy morning after a heavy rain. A lone foot print was left behind. The foot print of a dragon.

The province was thrown into a state of fear. Lotha province was not known for its mage population…it was the province that still believed in deities and the like, and in their power. Alone, they had no way to defeat the dragon…so they succumbed to his wishes.

Magick has always been a driving force in Kaymiril, and the god with the single largest following was BelDragos, the Elder God of Magick. He had quite a large following in Lotha province…about 75% of the population at the least acknowledged his existence, and a total of 50% were ardent believers. There were even a few Clerics of BelDragos…although they were continually targeted by the Dragon…Tellryon.

The Queen unable to act, and the mages unable to come in, the people of Lotha did the only thing they could do – they prayed to their deity for guidance. BelDragos, hearing this, decided to take matters into his own hands. He sent an Avatar to the villages and worked great divine magic to seal the dragon within its lair. The battle shook the hills around its lair and finally after a week of battle, the Avatar returned and spoke to the Village.

"In the name of BelDragos, I have sealed away the beast within the pit it called its home. It shall remain there forever unless disturbed. Refrain from entering it’s lair for if you do, you shall bring upon yourself and your friends the wrath of the beast. Remember these words for they could mean your very existence."

After uttering these words, the Avatar faded away and returned to BelDragos.


”And until now, the Dragon has remained asleep. I can give you no explanation why it has come forth, or for its sudden reawakening. You must discover this for yourself.”

The book closed and the being stepped back into the golden portal and disappeared.


OOC:

I am leaving for a week so I cannot participate in this Thread any further than this.

Sorry...

Vedt had just suceeded in uncovering the Seal on the stone -- the seal of BelDragos -- when Rhenna glided up.

V -- What are you doing here?

Rhenna's head turns to look at him -- her eyes eerily draconic. She then blinks, and her eyes return to normal. She looks around.

Rn -- How did I get here?

******************************

Renor and Mith, sensing Rhenna's entrance, teleport out. Renor begins to rant at Rhenmet, while Mith just gives her an inoculation, against the virus.

**********************************

At about that point, Velve, carrying Shan and Cougar shows up.

S -- We found -- *Mith, being out of inoculatios for the moment, puts up a quarantine shield around him.* Is this bad?

OOC: Aww...now I have to find ways around your part. Damn my irrevocable bad timing.

Seeing Mith head out Costh followed her back to the 'stone'.

Vedt had just suceeded in uncovering the Seal on the stone -- the seal of BelDragos -- when Rhenna glided up.

V -- What are you doing here?

Rhenna's head turns to look at him -- her eyes eerily draconic. She then blinks, and her eyes return to normal. She looks around.

Rn -- How did I get here?

******************************

Renor and Mith, sensing Rhenna's entrance, teleport out. Renor begins to rant at Rhenmet, while Mith just gives her an inoculation, against the virus.

**********************************

At about that point, Velve, carrying Shan and Renor shows up.

S -- We found -- *Mith, being out of inoculatios for the moment, puts up a quarantine shield around him.* Is this bad?

OOC: Aww...now I have to find ways around your part. Damn my irrevocable bad timing.


OOC: Don't you mean Cougar?

IC: Doubt it. Prevention of some sort. Pathogens probarly around, not nice ones either

OOC: Yes, I meant Cougar. You know what I meant.

IC:
S - I wasn't questioning Mith...I was questioning...this...*waving his hand at the stone and the seal.*

Cougar looked at the stone through the field (I assume he is inside as well),"Your guess is as good as mine on this one. The symboligy is familiar... but I don't recognise it at all"

R -- The Seal of BelDragos. It is beginning to crack, meaning we have trouble.

OOC: Inside? The gliders you're familiar with are flat metal disks when in use.

OOC: I know. I'm talking about the quarantine field

IC: "BelDragos? Correct me if I'm wrong, but he is the Eldar God of Magick? SO if he sealed something, which if I'm not mistaken is the Threat, then... well, it speaks for itself"

OOC: No. The virus is species specific...it attacks Drow only...Cougar's humanity quarantines him well enough.

IC:
M -- Three hundred years have passed since last we knew this as a threat. This time, a more thorough job will have to be done.

OOC: Thanks

Cougar knew what she meant,"Extermination. The only option left". He stood at one side, his eyes flicking across the group. They met with Rhenna's, and held them beyond Renor's shoulder. He smiled at her, a tired smile, one that spoke of fatigue and worry. Then, he noticed one who he did not recognise,"Who are you?"

OOC: Theao, sorry about his rudeness, but he's very direct

Rn -- Cougar, you should still be asleep...

R -- It's his fault if he doesn't sleep when he has the time. *conjures more of that energy drink (only more potent - meaning also more bitter) and levitates it over to Cougar*

He took the drink, swigging deeply. His mind ingnored the taste,"It's kinda hard to sleep with half of the student population of Rendelmar running around. looking for you, as it appears," he said to Rhenna

Rn -- I'm still looking for me...last thing I remember before Vedt questioning me as to what I was doing here was sitting back in Rendelmar thinking just how entirely boring the whole situation was.

Odd. You slipped out, no reason or anything. I do have a theory though

The Call. I can feel it...it's stronger here than it ever was in Rendelmar.

OOC: Everyone, Theo included, check your TG's, I'm off for awhile.

The Call. I can feel it...it's stronger here than it ever was in Rendelmar.

As I suspected. It's drawing you here*gestures at the seal* because it needs to. He has reawakened

No...he has been awake.

R -- Come. We will not let you run off again. *he directs her to start walking. Shan follows, being a student of Rhenna's*

Cougar stood, then followed on. He wanted to see this, and also he was a student of Renor's, until further notice

They walk for about half a mile, then Renor puts up a sort of sheild and the drow take a seat. Shan starts twiddling his thumbs.

OOC: The ball irritates Renor too...and while Shan's not terribly afraid of Cougar...y'don't mess with Renor.

OOC: I noticed, unless you're S'gart... oh wait, hes dead!

IC: Cougar sat next to Rhenna,"So, you don't remember a thing?"

OOC: Which is why you don't mess with Renor.

IC:
*shakes her head* Nothing. The last thing I really remember well is you leaving.

And then a blank. Strange, but expected. Doesn't it worry you at all?

More than a little. But what can I do? We believe in fate...and if I am fated to be here...to go in there, to fight that creature that begot me...then it is also fated that I defeat him or die at his claws. All I can do is my best, and other than that...be patient.

James saw the age in Rhenna at that point, and intertwined his fingers with hers,"For what it's worth, I reckon you'll do great. You've never let us down before, and I doubt you will now"

She smiles at him briefly, then looks up at the still-lighting sky. Mith had been running back and forth in the villiage for a while now, but within half an hour she would be finished. Rhenna closes her eyes.

COME!

OOC: Do we get a physical reaction? If so, then I can react. I'll assume so for now

IC: Cougar looked at Rhenna, surprised by her movement. Something was up, but he left well alone. If the Call was around again, she needed all her concentration. He leant closer to Renor,"How long do you think she'll hold out?"

OOC: The only physical reaction is her ears twitch slightly. The movement's made more noticable b/c they're pointy ears.

IC:
R -- She'll hold out as long as she holds out. There is nothing further to say, and speculation does no good.

OOC: hehehe, pointy ears!

IC: Cougar sat back, his hand running along the length of his Gunblade. He could only sit and wait. Renor was right, speculation never solved anything

OOC: I need to get Rhenna alone for a minute, somehow...*thinks* And what did you expect, she's an elf!

OOC: I'd love to see how you're going to manage it. Renor and Cougar are watching her intently, and Shan is there, though don't know what he could do

OOC: H'mmm............

IC:
A Grey class mage comes rushing up. "There's been a muation in the virus. Anyone able to help in any capacity is needed, now."

R -- Rhenmet, stay here...on your life, stay here. Shan, stay with her. Everyone else, with me.

*Vedt goes with him*

OOC: Guess what the Grey Class mage wasn't that no one notices b/c they aren't looking for it?

OOC: Now that is harsh... clever, but harsh

IC: Cougar stood and went after Renor. He had enough healing power in the White Flame to have an effect on this virus. He kissed Rhenna on the cheek, allowing his hand to linger on hers. Then he was gone, hurrying after the others

OOC: *takes a bow*

IC:
About three minutes later, Shan whips in front of them.

"It's not a Gray Class! It's a trick! And Rhenna's starting to move toward the -- urk"

This last sound was made as the "Gray Class Mage's" suddenly clawed hand stabbed right through the boy. Vedt cast a series of spells to kill the beast (OOC: It isn't Tellryon...explanations will be given) as the boy collapsed.

The Gunblade came out, and Cougar set alight. He circled around, checking the immediate area. "Nothing," he called to the others,"Nothing else". He slid the blade into it's sheath,"I'm going after her!"

Mith had been coming up, and she saw Shan's collapse. She worked quickly to stablilize him and bind the wounds enough to teleport him to the city for further treatment. The three drow then headed off after Cougar.

*************************************************
Every step like a dream....

Face your Destiny...

Like I'm no longer Drow

Come

As the others approach, she holds her hand up to the sealed entrance, magick flowing out of her hand. "Open" she tells it, and it does. She steps in.

Cougar picked up the pace, seeing Rhenna slide from view into the inky blackness. He slid to a halt in front of the entrance, his eyes straining to see her dissapear,"Rhenna!" he called out, looking over his shoulder as the other mages arrived,"Do we follow her or what?"

Renor's already stepping in.

V -- Well, that would be the logical course of action, would it not?

Cougar's eyes flashed, but he kept quiet. He followed Renor into the tunnel, privatley thinking,Most stupid tactical decision EVER! And man, does Vedt get on my nerves something cronic!

As soon as everyone was in ((OOC: I'm going to assume Costh comes, too)), the stone shuts behind them with a resounding slam. Renor brings up his hand and casts a light spell, Rhenmet stopped, just ahead of them.

R -- "You may not like these tactics, Cougar...but was there an alternative?"

OOC: Good night, SE...I have to go serve/eat dinner now, so I will ttyt for a good long time.

OOC: Gd'night. I got to go anyway

ooc:sorry I didn't post for a while I was kicked off the computer by a parent.

OOC: Well, okay, but did you check your Telegrams?

ooc:ya but didn't get the TG

I just sent it, sorry, I misspelled your name earlier when sending out TGs and accidentally sent it to Theo instead of Theao. You should have it by now.

ooc:got it now.

OOC: AND? are you going to join? It's headed by me, Snake Eaters, Balrogga, and Kaymiril. You would be the very first member...

OOC: AND? are you going to join? It's headed by me, Snake Eaters, Balrogga, and Kaymiril. You would be the very first member...
ooc:Would join but can't register.

OOC: Why not?

And meantime...want to post your entrance into the cavern? Oh...and you might be confused a little...I'll be making allusions to previous rps.

ooc:when I clicked on the register button it said

Sorry, an error occurred. If you are unsure on how to use a feature, or don't know why you got this error message, try looking through the help files for more information.
The error returned was:
The board administrator is no longer accepting any new registrations at the moment

OOC:Sorry, I corrected the problem. you should be able to Register now.

ooc:I'm in. Thanks for the invite. We should probably delete all the ooc posts thought to avoid clutering the thread.

OOC: Welcome aboard Theao. Make sure you post in the Entrance Exams section.

OOC: Welcome aboard Theao. Make sure you post in the Entrance Exams section.
ooc: Done that

OOC: Welcome to the Council Theao. Enjoy Beta testing. I'm not posting any more IC statements until I have more info

IC: Cougar looked ahead, but the Rhenna he saw was not the Rhenna he loved. She had a look in the eyes and mannarisms that were not her own. He felt a pang of fear, not for himself, but for her.

"True. Still, I'd prefer it if the doorway had stayed open" he said.

R -- Well, I'll admit...I wasn't expecting it to close.

*As if from just out of a trance, Rhenna looks around rapidly. She looks startled at first, and then a sort of realization creeps across her face.*

Rn -- This is it.
R -- This is what?
Rn -- The place. Before I woke up on Snake Eaters, I'd ben wandering around the halls of some cavern. These tunnels are those tunnels. *She begins to walk*

[After they've been walking a while, writing begins to appear on the walls. It is in a strange script...it appears to be a variation on Draconic, but it was not close enough to decipher unless somehow, you already knew it.]

V -- What is this?
R -- Records.
V -- Of?
M -- Past victories...numbers slain in individual raids...amounts of treasure taken in said raids...
Rn -- But none of that matters. *She's looking at a different record, running her fingers over the words. Renor joins her.*
R -- So many names...most scratched out.
Rn -- Look at the last two.
R -- Trillri, it looks like...and Elemmire. Trillri's been marked out.
Rn -- I read the diary you found with my mother's body. Her name was Trillri...and mine was Elemmire. These names, here *second column* were their birth names...these *third column* are their dragon names. It looks like four still live...and they live here.
R -- Three now. Vedt took care of one.

*Rhenna looks at him, puzzled*

R -- One of them posed as a Gray Class to lure us away from you. Shan discovered it first, and came to get us, so that we could stop you. Your half sibling ran him through.
Rn -- *looking worried* Is he all right?
M -- He'll live.
R -- *looking further down the hall* This is a curious spell.
Rn -- *looks at it, and her pupils narrow ((OOC: she'd have gone pale, but she can't really do that))* That's the mind control spell S'gart used against me...*scans at the text near the bottom of the spell* this is the only place it's found...S'gart's the reason for all of this.
R -- He deserved a worse death than I gave him, then. He was here, three hundred years ago...he knew, as well as any, that to come back here, and enter, was to bring back the Pestilence and the Threat.

As Costh followed the rest, he asked "I know a dragon is suppose to be responsible for this but could someone explain this writing and about the Pestilence and the Threat."

M -- The Pestilence is the illness that has invaded the province. The dragon himself is the Threat. This writing...merely lets him see what he's done, and gloat over it.

"Is this dragon suppose to be telepathic?" He asked

R -- Was he telepathic?
M -- All dragons are telepathic...that's not true...all dragons can read the minds of humanoids, is more correct.
R -- Rhenmet chose to block her telepathic ability, or she'd be fairly powerful.

"Then the dragon should be able to tell that we are here, correct? If so I might be able to scout ahead, provided that there are no major magical detection systems, I would be invisible to the dragon and his telepathy." Costh replied

Rn -- No. There is more to this than meets the eye. You are safer among the mages.

((OOC: I've got stuff planned.))

"Alright then I will stay with the group then." Costh replied.

Rn -- So much written...and so little of it relevant. *The group continues walking*

((I really can't do very much until SE gets back on.))

OOC: OK, guys, I'm only allowed on for an hour, so lets get it right

IC: Cougar nodded at Rhenna's words, and didn't attempt to hide his surprise that S'gart was linked to this. He looked at the new mage,"Rhenna is right, you are safer here. I know how deadly this sort of thing can become"

R -- Actually, you really don't. But it is no matter.

*They come to a passageway with four paths branching off from it. Rhenmet points to the last one* This is the path I must travel...*looks at Cougar, almost apologetically* I must go alone. *She begins to walk*

R -- Choose your paths.

Cougar looked at her,"Go. Don't look back". As she dissapeared, Cougar looked across the entrances, and picked the opposite one to Rhenna, the first one,"I go this way". As he spoke, the White Flame burst into life, lighting the way for him,"See you guys soon..."

"I would prefer to go with you," Costh said gesturing at Cougar "But will go with another if you would prefer."

"I would prefer to go with you," Costh said gesturing at Cougar "But will go with another if you would prefer."

Come if you want. I don't know what I am facing, and neither do you. It is your choice

M -- No...from what I sense, you'll be safer with myself or Renor. Come with me, Renor works best alone.

R - *Nodding at Mith* Vedt, go with Cougar.

V -- *Nods and goes*

Mith takes one path, expecting Costh to follow, and Renor heads down the last path.

"Just you and me now Vedt," said Cougar, looking over his shoulder at his new companion,"Should be intersting to say the least." He smiled weakly, an old solider tactic. He was trying to ease the tension permeating the air, but ti wasnt working...

OOC: Kay, I'll follow your lead

"Alright then." He replies as he follows Mith

V -- Would that I knew more....

Tell me, James Cougar...who do you think you are to deserve what you have? Head of SHADOW Team Alpha...presumably the best of the best. All because you worked instead of becoming a better person. Remember the boy you almost killed? He'd have made a better leader than you. You recognized the power in young Shan, and you came close to killing him in a fit of anger. Do you fear those in authority? Is that why you kill them? Is Barbossa next? Renor? This woman?*an image of Rhenna, smiling at him, flashes across his mind's eye, followed by a change of scene...a sword punctures her corpse, and fresh blood is on his hands* You claim to love her, but what are you worth? You're a mere human...your life span is only a short part of hers, and no matter how hard you try, you will never be equal to her. Her metal raven is more useful to her than you are. You proably won't even make it out of this cavern alive. You're worthless

What Vedt hears, is different.
Little mage, little mage,
What can you do?
If both of them die,
Can you go on?
You who are weak,
Can you be strong?

"Alright then." He replies as he follows Mith

He and Mith walk undisturbed for a while, and finally come into a room that sparkles with assorted treasure. An elf is lounging on a pile of gold near the center of the room, and he looks at them lazily.

"What are you doing here?"

Cougar started at the message in his head, but walked on. he spoke to himseld in his head,I worked to avenge a death that was unjust. I became what I am in that manner. My anger is an emotion that I stuggle with everyday, but I have never killed other than when I needed to. There are times when I regret what I have done in my life, but I cannot change it. I can become a better person because of my guilt. Barbarossa, he is among my greatest friends. Renor took me under his wing. Shan, I felt immense guilt and begged his forgiveness because I do not have complete control. And Rhenna is so close to my heart, I would never harm her under any circumstances. I proved that on Snake Eater Prime. I may only live a fraction of her lifespan, and be as worthless as D'anthe, and never equal her power, but that does not matter to me. All that matters is that I love her, and that she knows that. I may never make it out of here alive, but at least I will die helping those who I care about, a pennace for my sins. His face was set, and he kept moving

V -- Don't listen to it. He's trying to make you doubt yourself.

I have no doubt, I merely have a purpose. How I get there is unknown, but I will find a way. But thanks anyway, do you know where we are?

The room opens out, and there is a drow sitting at a table, writing, near the center of the room. He looks up as the two enter.

"You're in Praeador. May I ask, what are you doing here? I'm afraid it's been so long since we've had visitors."

Cougar stood warily, looking around him. He didn't quite know what to say,"We're here on an errand for a friend." As he spoke, his mind searched for anything suspicious. His solider sense was screaming that something was wrong, but he couldn't pinpoint it

"I am here because I wish to aid those who are suffering from plague and because of my debt to certain people." Costh replied to the elf on the golden pile.

Well, this is the wrong place to be running errands. That's the other side of Praeador you'll want to be on. Follow me.

*He stands and begins leading them away. Vedt looks at the Drow suspiciously, then begins to follow, his hand ready to cast a spell should anything ANYTHING go wrong.*

"I am here because I wish to aid those who are suffering from plague and because of my debt to certain people." Costh replied to the elf on the golden pile.

*Boredly* A plague? Don't know anything about it. *Looking at Mith* Y'know...you seem kinda familiar. Have I seen you anywhere bef--*laughs* Oh, it's the medic.

Something is not right here thought Cougar, watching the drow warily, his hand on his blade, and the White Flame burning silently in the other. He followed Vedt, and saw the same thing. At least someone was thinking along the same lines as he was

"May I ask what you are doing here beside sitting on a pile of gold?" Costh asked

Something is not right here thought Cougar, watching the drow warily, his hand on his blade, and the White Flame burning silently in the other. He followed Vedt, and saw the same thing. At least someone was thinking along the same lines as he was
They get into a larger room, and the "Drow" shapeshifts and whilrls on them, lashing out at them with his tail before becoming full Dragon.

"It's been a long while since I've tasted the flesh of mortals."

Damn it thought Cougar, diving to one side to avoid the tail coming at him,"It's been some time since I had to eat a reptile, but I can manage!"

"May I ask what you are doing here beside sitting on a pile of gold?" Costh asked
Waiting for whoever shows up to show up. *Stands up* The path you came on is the Path of Treasure. In the back of the room is a Tome which will tell you exactly how to cure the Pestilence...however...*stretches and shifts into his Dragon form* I'm on an errand from my father...that no one makes it past me alive.

Damn it thought Cougar, diving to one side to avoid the tail coming at him,"It's been some time since I had to eat a reptile, but I can manage!"

OOC: May just dissapear for a moment, or mayb all night. Soz Kay!
OOC: OKay.

The tail is slowed by Vedt's forcefield, and therefore only does a fraction of the damage it would have done had it hit full on. Vedt grabs hold of the tail and sends an Energy Wave that would kill most creatures up the Dragon. He twitches in pain, which only sends Vedt flying. The mage levitates to prevent himself from getting smashed against the wall.

"Tell me, Cougar...have you ever fought a dragon before?"

"A corrupted dragon, it will be my pleasure to wipe you from the face of the universe." Costh replied as both hands blaze with energy and he lifts off the ground.

ooc:is it a european style dragon or asian style?

OOC: OKay.

The tail is slowed by Vedt's forcefield, and therefore only does a fraction of the damage it would have done had it hit full on. Vedt grabs hold of the tail and sends an Energy Wave that would kill most creatures up the Dragon. He twitches in pain, which only sends Vedt flying. The mage levitates to prevent himself from getting smashed against the wall.

"Tell me, Cougar...have you ever fought a dragon before?"


"If I was being honest, it's not something that normally comes in up in the job," said Cougar,"But I'm going to try at the very least" He sent a wave of White Flame at the Dragon, channeling his esscense into it, looking for a weakness. He also rose off the ground to join Vedt

"A corrupted dragon, it will be my pleasure to wipe you from the face of the universe." Costh replied as both hands blaze with energy and he lifts off the ground.

ooc:is it a european style dragon or asian style?
OOC: European style.

The dragon opens his mouth and lets acid spill forth onto the ground. In a wave, it comes back at him, and he shakes it off, although it burns him slightly. He looks at Mith in shock.

M -- I, too, have grown more powerful since last we met, Javrok.

"If I was being honest, it's not something that normally comes in up in the job," said Cougar,"But I'm going to try at the very least" He sent a wave of White Flame at the Dragon, channeling his esscense into it, looking for a weakness. He also rose off the ground to join Vedt
Let me tell you this much, then: fighting dragons and fighting demons are two different experiences. *He gives Cougar a telekinetic shove to the left as he goes right, just before the dragon's mouth clamps shut on the space where they were.* Never thought I'd be fighting a dragon that was Rhenna's half brother, though.

Costh focused and fire a stream of plasma* at the dragon, aiming for the wings and tail.

ooc:fire and energy

Cougar stared at him as he moved,"Say what now! Oh, this situation just got a bit more complicated. Still, I'm going through this, no matter what it takes!"

Costh focused and fire a stream of plasma* at the dragon, aiming for the wings and tail.

ooc:fire and energy
*The Dragon fires a stream of Acid at Costh, at least matching the plasma, but suddenly writhes on the floor. Mith is holding up her hand, chanting a spell. The dragon continues to writhe*

Cougar stared at him as he moved,"Say what now! Oh, this situation just got a bit more complicated. Still, I'm going through this, no matter what it takes!"
Yeah...he needs to die. Okay...build up some of that...I have an idea. Fire on my mark.

*Gathers a spell into his hands* Now! *fires*

Cougar let out a yell, as the energy ripped form his body, and spread in a deadly wave pattern towards the dragon. As it sped towards its target, he grimaced. It was the only way...

Cougar let out a yell, as the energy ripped form his body, and spread in a deadly wave pattern towards the dragon. As it sped towards its target, he grimaced. It was the only way...
Vedt's spell flowed in and around the Flame and hit the dragon, who countered about half of it with a sheild spell that sent what he deflected back at Cougar and Vedt. The rest of it leaves him a burning mass, on the floor. He does not move. Vedt puts up an anti-flame forcefield, coupled with a counterspell to his, and waits until it's over.

"Intact, Cougar?"

Costh moved from the acid's path, while throwing fire balls, molten stone and energy balls at the dragon.

Mith's spell flared, and the dragon curled up, every muscle in its body going haywire, and it died.

"Yeah, I'm fine," said Cougar, brushing the dust from his cloak. He looked down at the corpse,"Sorry, but you had it coming." he said softly, before carrying on his way

"What shall we do now Mith?" Costh asked as he floated down before lightly touching down on the ground.

Vedt holds up his hand, and a compass springs up and orients itself. "This way."

He heads out an exit.

"What shall we do now Mith?" Costh asked as he floated down before lightly touching down on the ground.
Grab that book, and continue on our way.

Cougar followed him out the exit, wondering what else could happen on this journey.

Costh grabbed the book and headed after Mith.

The three paths joined eventually, and the three "groups" met up with each other there. Rhenmet's path did not join them.

First to get there are Vedt and Cougar. Vedt waits for Mith, as he hears Costh coming, and Renor shows up shortly afterward, mending his cloak from his dragon encounter.

M -- is anyone hurt?

"All OK here," said Cougar, relaxing and allowing the Flame to subside,"I take it everyone had some form of enocounter then?"

M -- Yes. But we gained something. *guestures to the book*

R -- It was an easier battle than I expected...I think I got the youngest. However...there are many excellent spells that I didn't know of down that path.

We had some home truths, at least I did, shoved down our throats. Not a nice feeling at all, especailly some of the things that were said

M -- You went down the path of Worth, then. The ramifications of what was said, you will have to deal with. Now, I believe we might catch the battle between Rhenmet and her father down this way...if she hasn't already lost it.

"I have already dealt with them. But come, let's get going..." said Cougar, gesturing at the doorway,"Shall we?"

Renor takes the lead. Up ahead, a voice is heard.

"You think you are Drow...we will see what your dragon half thinks about that."

No...I am Drow...but I am also Dragon...we came to terms with each other a long while back.

We will see. Tlatha...destroy her

I'd sooner kill you.

Cougar heard and recognised the voices, or at least one of them. But he held his place, this was not his fight. It was hers, and he would not interfere

OOC: Now that is dedication. BTW Kay, like your test in the Council

OOC: Thanks. ^_^ Open ended are really the only type of questions you can give for that type of test.

IC:
They come into sight of the battle that is about to start. On one side is a huge dragon...he easily dwarfs the dragon standing beside Rhenna. Rhenmet herself looks the same...except for the fact that she no longer has scales, and her movements are elven, not a mixture of Elven and Dragon.

"It appears that we are in agreement, Tellryon. You die here."

OOC: My next post is going to be GIGANTIC, so I'll see what you post, and then I'll be like thirty minutes (hopefully only twenty) typing up the final battle.

Cougar looked out at the sight in front of him, and kept his mouth shut. She would need her concentration for this. But, he allowed enough out to let her know that he was there,Go get him!

OOC: I may not be here when you finish the post, so I'll read it in the morning if I'm not

Costh, seeing the true corrupted dragon, flared as balls of energy formed around his hands. As the conversation between the elf and dragon reach his ears, he lowers his stance as he decides that unless she called for aid it was her fight and he would not impinge her honour.

OOC: this'll take a bit longer than anticipated...I have to go eat.

Cougar shot a look at the stranger, nodding. It pained him to do this, but he knew that it was how it was meant to be

OOC: Gd'night all!

You dare to defy me?

You are my enemy. The smaller dragon shrunk, her tail and wings drawing in, melding with her body, until she stood, Drow again.

Drow you lived, and Drow you die, then.

The two Rhennas cast a spell simultaneously, but it does little more than irritate the charging dragon. Both manage to get out of the way. Again, they attacked. The battle goes on for a lengthy period of time, and outside energy drawn or not, both Rhennas began to show signs of exhaustion.

At the end of their abilities, they looked at each other, then brought up their hands and began two separate incantations.

Verin yorn, ichl verve zet maglust, a ussta yorn, Usstan kus dos ulu streea.

Tagnik'zur vlos wun ussta khel, tagnik'zur xukuth, tagnik'zur m'elzar. Yorn ulu er'griff tlu fris wun zhennu ssrig'luin, vaq' ussta ogglinnar.

***********************************************************************
Spectating:
V -- Wait...does she know the other half of that spell? I've watched her cast the dragon half....

R -- It sounds as though she does know.
***********************************************************************

A web of destructive magickal energy encases a dragon's head, and together, both spells race for the dragon. He is weakened, but not killed, and he prepares for a final charge. The dragon half of Rhenna is able to evade, but the Drow half is slammed into the opposite wall. Vedt winces as he hears bones crunch...Renor and Mith show no reactions, and Cougar and Costh wouldn't be able to hear the sounds of the bones over the dragon's roar.

Rhenmet the Drow raises her hands for one final spell. She casts it, and puts enough power behind it to send the dragon reeling, then slumps over. The Dragon half changes back into Dragon form and clamps her jaws around the older dragon's throat. The struggle goes on for several minutes, but Rhenmet does not let go, and at every knock she takes, she forces her teeth to sink in deeper. Acid runs everywhere -- fortunately for the Drow half, she landed on something of a ledge. Eventually, Rhenna succeeds in ripping out Tellryon's throat, and sits back, gasping. Acid burns run along her entire body, and she barely has the energy to lift up her head.

Renor and Vedt clear away the acid as Rhenmet the Dragon changes back. Mith levitates the Dragon to the Drow, and teleports the three of them to Mithdelmar for emergency medical treatment.

V -- *to R* Do you think she'll be all right?

R -- I don't know...it sounded like a fairly nasty break, when she was slammed into the wall. The dragon half ought to be fine...but the Drow half...may well already be dead.

"I don't mean to intrude but could you explain why there was a drow and dragon version of the same person? Also would you mind if I gathered some things from the corpse of that dragon over there?" Costh asks

R -- She's half drow, half dragon. Judging from the magickal residue, Tellryon there used a spell to split the two halves. And yes, take what you want from the dragon, by all means.

"Alright then, and thank you for permission to gather parts of the dragon." Costh heads over and gathers scales, hide, teeth, claws, blood, eyes and parts of the internal organs including the stomach, heart and a few glands, as he harvests them he places them in a bag he pulls out of a rune.

Renor and Vedt go through the Caverns and begin to clear out any and all traces of the existence of the dragons, Renor making sure to scribe down any spells he found.

Having gathered the parts of the dragon Costh walked back to the rest of the group and asked "What should we do now, should we head back to Mithdelmar or what?

V -- We have a lot of work to do yet, to purge this cavern of all traces of the dragon.

"How may I help" Costh asked

V -- How about you start by going up the Path of Worth and removing whatever curses you can detect?

"Alright." Costh replied as he headed down the path searching for any curses or negative energies and dispelling them.

ooc: please say what happens
also any psionic curses, he couldn't find/wouldn't effect him

He finds several spells of varying degrees of malignancy. There are several psionic spells, that's the basis of the Path of Worth.

Costh travels down the path removing all the spells he finds and returns back to the dragon chamber "Vedt I dealt with all the spells I found in the Path of Worth."


ooc:He dealt with all the conventional spells but none of the psionic ones.

Okay. I'll run a sweep later, just to make sure you didn't miss anything.

"Alright then, anything else I can do?" he replied

Just go through whatever paths you find, and sweep off the basic curses, so that we can save that much time when we go through.

********Mithdelmar**********

Rhenna's Dragon half was being treated for acid burns by one of the students of Mithdelmar. She wouldn't be that difficult to care for, she just needed a thorough rinse, salve, and rest.

Rhenna's Drow half, on the other hand....fractured skull, major concussion, shattered spine, ribcage smashed, fractures in all the other major bones in her body, and a lot of internal bleeding. Mith and Jalron were working on her, quickly. This was a touchy case...one false move in resetting the bone, and it could mean Rhenmet's life.

Costh goes throught the tunnels dealing with the curses that he can, leaving those he can't.

OOC: Congrats on 800 posts.

IC:
Renor and Vedt work more slowly, but no curse is left standing.

"Now that these caves are clear, what shall we do now?" Costh asked

ooc:thanks

V -- You get to go back to working with Ishrem, and we go back home and keep things from going insane.

OOC: You're welcome. ^_^

"Alright then, two questions first, one does the Tower have a forge/magical workshop and two what fields of magic do you two study if you don't mind me asking?" Costh asked

To answer your first question, yes it does. To answer your second...we are nothing more than illusions. We don't exist. Keep it that way.

"Ah one of the I'd tell you but I have to kill you deals, I understand perfectly. Would you mind if I go to Mithdelmar for a while first?" Costh asked

R -- Exactly. If we told you, we'd have to kill you. And you may certainly go to Mithdelmar...that's no secret at all. Just don't barge into anywhere uninvited/undirected.

"Alright we all have secrets." Costh says with a laught as he heads out of the tunnels, once out he teleported to Mithdelmar. As he stepped out of the teleport gate he headed into the city headed into the city, while walking around he wandered into the 'bad' part of the town.

R -- *to V, after Costh's gone* I think he believes we were joking...

***Mithdelmar***

Mithdelmar, being a city devoted strictly to healing and the study thereof, has no "bad" part of town.

Having spent some time wandering around Mithdelmar, Costh headed to the medical center to check on Mith and her patient.

The Medical Temple at Mithdelmar is huge. A mage notices the tattooed human walking toward Surgery, and hurries to redirect him.

"Ulu alu gaer zhah naut'shinder." Whatever that means, she seems rathar adamant that Costh not head into that section.

OOC: Rules...and Mith and Jalron (the two BEST medics in the entirety of Kaymiril) are still working on her.

Seeing the Drow comeing toward him Costh stops and listens to the 'gibberish', he then points to his ear and replies "What are you saying I can't understand you?"

OOC: Let us assume that Cougar went to Mithdelmar also, for fairly obvious reasons

IC:"It means that we can't go in there - forbidden. You'll find alot of that here, some areas are completley off-limits" said Cougar. His eyes were red, as if he'd been crying. He was no fool. He knew the damage to the Drow half was extensive, far worse than his own injuries after Kaelis Ra had thrown him. His eyes and expression spoke of one exhausted with worry and sheer fatigue. If anyone looked closely, they would see a fierce light burning.

He turned on his heel, and called,"I'll be on the roof if anyone wants me. Semper fi" He strode through the crowds of Grey class mages, Flame in his palm. He went to the uppermost levels of the temple, and stood, looking out over the city. He had fond memories of this place...

OC: 'Semper fi' - U.S Marine Corp talk. Also, que the Black-class theme Kay, I think it fits the situation

***Lotha Province***

Renor and Vedt went and got Shan from the house Mith had put him in, and returned to Rendelmar. Questions abounded as to what had happened, and Renor attempted to explain. It would be a while yet before Rhenmet walked these halls again, if at all. In the meantime, Renor would be taking over her classes.

***Mithdelmar***

The sun had been high in the sky when Cougar had come to the top, and it is beginning to set when Mith joins him. There is exhaustion in her voice.

"Get some sleep, Cougar. Humans were not meant to go for as long as you have with no sleep."

OOC: As to her injuries....you try getting smashed against a rock wall by a 50 ton dragon. She's very lucky she wasn't injured worse. I like, GM'd lesser injuries, b/c that's miraculously low.
And also...I'm familiar with "Semper fi"...There was a two week time period when I was actually interested in the military and such crap, so I did a little research, and that's about all I remember, lol.

***Lotha Province***

Renor and Vedt went and got Shan from the house Mith had put him in, and returned to Rendelmar. Questions abounded as to what had happened, and Renor attempted to explain. It would be a while yet before Rhenmet walked these halls again, if at all. In the meantime, Renor would be taking over her classes.

***Mithdelmar***

The sun had been high in the sky when Cougar had come to the top, and it is beginning to set when Mith joins him. There is exhaustion in her voice.

"Get some sleep, Cougar. Humans were not meant to go for as long as you have with no sleep."

OOC: As to her injuries....you try getting smashed against a rock wall by a 50 ton dragon. She's very lucky she wasn't injured worse. I like, GM'd lesser injuries, b/c that's miraculously low.
And also...I'm familiar with "Semper fi"...There was a two week time period when I was actually interested in the military and such crap, so I did a little research, and that's about all I remember, lol.

OOC: When you're as militaristic as I am, you pick stuff like that up along the way. And yeah, I kinda guessed that. Any human wouldn't survive that sort of injury

IC: He looked at her,"I'll sleep later. Normal humans aren't desigened for this, I am. The Calipsian Node will allow me all the sleep I need, but only once I am assured of one thing"

Rhenna? She'll live...both halves. Whether or not I can rejoin the halves...is another matter. She's the first case like this we've had. The Dragon half sent me up to find you and tell you to get some sleep.

His face creased again. It was a truly geniune smile, one that spoke volumes,"Thats a good thing. If it's alright with you, can I use one of your cots? The last time I used those, I slept better than ever. And tell Dragon-Rhenna... thanks. Catch you on the flipside"

Mith nods, and directs him to where the visitor's cots are.

Heading back to check on the drow half of Rhenna, she frowned. She'd live....but there were so many uncertainties...a blow to the head that hard could easily have caused brain damage, but they wouldn't know for sure/wouldn't know the extent until she woke...which could be a while. Mith hadn't seen fit to tell Cougar that...and she was glad she hadn't. No use making the child worry more.

After nearly 18 hours of sleep, Cougar awoke. He checked his watch, then checked it again. He couldn't have slept that long, surely? It was of no real importance, he decided, and picked up his stuff. Delving into the rations, he found a light snack, and ate it, just to to give him the required boost. He felt... refreshed. He went to the runabout, took a shower, and emerged, his hair glistening with the water, about 30 minutes later. It was mid-afternoon in Mithdelmar. He went back to the roof, and sat on the ledge, levitating himself a few inches off it, in order to test himself and meditate. He felt better, but still couldn't help being worried. Something nagged at him, that Mith had kept stuff back...

Rhenna's dragon half had recovered enough to walk around. The acid burns still showed, but they were less severe than they had been previously. She walks out onto the roof and looks over Mithdelmar. She looks like the same old Rhenna...but doesn't quite seem like the same old Rhenna.
"Sleep well, Cougar?"

OOC: What she calls him, "Cougar" or "James" really depends whether she's more Drow/Dragon at any particular moment. The Dragon calls him Cougar, the Drow calls him James.
BTW, Happy 1400 posts!

Cougar looked at the Rhenna before him, aware that it was the Dragon half,"Yeah. Dream and nightmare free," he said, holding himself off the ledge. He could tell the differnce between the two halves of Rhenna, and the differences between them. The Drow part was more emotional, but the Dragon was more serious,"What about you?" he said, gesturing to the acidic burns

OOC: *Takes deep sweeping bow* Why thank you

I'm fine. These irritate more than anything.

He resumed to looking over the city, well aware of the Rhenna behind him. He couldn't help the feeling that it wasn't quite the same,"Tell me something. Do you remember everything?"

Yes. So will she. We may have slightly different opinions on it, but essentially, we are the same. Like she told Tellryon...we came to terms with each other a long time ago.

Yes, I heard that much. As for difference in opninons, thats to be expected. OK, another question: which do you prefer, a life of your own, or being half of one mind, one body?

OOC: Sorry about all the questions, but he's still confused and worried about the Drow half.

What are you talking about? At the moment, I'm only half of me. There is no, life alone, life as a half. I am her. She is me. You met the others that lived there, devoid of their humanoid half. If I went long enough without her, I would become the same as they...and long enough without me...she would die. We have a unique cell structure, between the two of us. While the Dragon structure came back out in me, her body's trying to maintain the old system...without the Dragon half to help it run smoothly.

So for one to live, the other must be there, within the genetic code. Yes... I see that now. One relies on the other for survival

OOC: I'm seeing some resemblance to Torres from VGR in this case, lol

Exactly.

OOC: Well, that's where I got it from, lol.

OOC: It only just occured to me, I've got that episode on at the moment, lol!

IC: Cougar looked at Rhenna, noting the differences. Her mannarisms subtley altered, but other wise it was the same person he knew and loved. He returned to standing on the roof, allowing the Flame to dissapate from him,"We're proud of you. Both of you. I know I am, at the very least"

She looks at him, and a smile briefly crosses her features, then she goes back to looking over the city. "I just hope Mith can piece us back together...I must have been in pretty bad shape...Mith came in hours after we'd gotten back to tell me how I was doing."

OOC: I just love the back and forth first person, lol.

Costh having wandered around center, arrive upon the roof and seeing the two having a private moment, turned to go back downstairs but not before accidentally causing some noise.

Rhenna's head snaps around, and her eyes go Dracic for a moment before her head turns back around and her eyes return to normal.

"Calm down," said Cougar, gesturing to Costh. His meaning was clear,Careful. "As for piecing you back together, as you put it, you know as well as I do Mith is the best, I'm sure she'll find a way"

*Shrugs* That's why it's good to be Kaymirilian at the moment. If anything medical can be done, Mith'll find a way to do it.

OOC: OK, what was the new song link again, th TG accidently got marked and deleted

IC:Exactly. You know, I know it.

OOC: I'll re TG it.

IC:
*looks out over the city* She can't do anything until my Drow half wakes up, which could be a while. In the meantime, she's still dealing with the victims of the Pestilence in Lotha Province. You thought you were sleep deprived...I feel bad for Mith.

It's in the job... but you're right. Mith is only one mage, and yet she bears a tremendous workload. You can only feel sorry for her. As for your Drow half, any ideas as to permanent damages?

OOC: He has an inkling of possible brain damage. BTW, thanx for the link, and congrats on 1,200 posts

Permanent? Nah, Mith can fix anything. Severe? Probably. After all...this is a normal drow spine *creates an illusion of a spinal column...looks pretty much like your average human spine*...and this is what hers looked like when we got back. *each bone separates into at least three pieces* And she took a pretty hard knock to the head.

OOC: *takes a bow* (<--should be a curtsy, but ish not a girly girl)

Cougar looked at the illusion, his mind going in roughly twenty different directions at once. First and foremost was the damage to her spine, but he knew form expierence that blows to the head could cause sever problems. He knew, having been shot in the head a few times

OOC: And don't say it doesn't happen, because I know it does! Did you look at the address I TG'd you?

The spine'll be okay...Mith could sense that to patch it up. She won't be able to tell if there's brain damage until she wakes up...which, like I said, could be a while. Mith can ease concussions away, but only so much, or else you try to do too much at once.

OOC: Yes, I looked. But not for long.

OOC: Oh well, you really need a certain sense of humour for it

IC: Cougar nodded, leaning on the edge,"I remember the first time I came here. Mith brought me... it was during the Drescon incident. I've seen so much since then, it's like a distant dream, as if it never happened

The halls of Rendelmar are too empty for me to dismiss it. But we have been through a lot, since then. The Mirari, Kaelis Ra...and now this.

He smiled,"Something tells me that there will never be an end to this sort of thing. I intend to do something whilst I have my life. When I hit 60, I'm going to be all but useless... that scares me you know!"

That's only thirty-four years...not long at all.

To you, maybe. But, I'd prefer to stay as I am... to a degree. I like the person I am now, for better or for worse. But, all good things...

True. However, with age comes experience. Magickal power grows with experience.

So I reach my peak as I die... great. What use can I be, if I'm dead? I may not fall prey to the effects of time for longer than normal though. The nanites in my bloodstream will see to that much. But, I still want to progress. There is so much I do not know in this world, and I'd at least like to see as much as I can..." he said, as a sudden wave of light-headidness swept over him. He staggered slightly

*She reaches out to steady him* What's wrong?

"I wish I knew," he said, grabbing her arm to steady himself,"Just... stumbled. Strange." As he spoke, a flashback occured,A pistol aimed at his head. He was on his knees, his hands bound behind him,"You have lived your purpose, you may DIE NOW". His forehead exploded in pain, which quickly subisded. He stood tall, his hand still on her arm,"Sorry for that. I don;t know what happened"

Her head tilts to one side and her eyes narrowed...she didn't quite believe that he didn't know what had happened, and she was fairly sure that he hadn't just "stumbled." Short time though she had known him, she didn't see Cougar as the "stumbling" type.

OOC: Is this guy a clone?

After accidentally running into Cougar and Rhenna, Costh begins re-searching for Mith.

OOC: NO, not a clone. It's the beginnings of my next thread. Technolgy is to blame...

IC: He saw her narrowing her eyes,"What? I really don't know. A flashback, a brief pain, thats it. Happens if you make your living by killing other people"

Costh can't find Mith. Either she's not in Mithdelmar, or she's in one of the areas he can't get into. He does manage to find his way to the place where they're making the cure for the Pestilence, and there are two women there, helping out, that all the mages seem to treat with a deference.

***********************************
Rhenna's eyes take the Dragon appearance again, and she sees the flashback he had seen.

"You got shot in the head and survived?"

He looks at her,"Yeah. Sounds incredible doesn't it?"

I have no idea how you'd have survived that...unless false memories were put into your head.