NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: This is just to get the Chronicles started, more will come as people join.

IC:

On the beach of Dark Areinzstor lay a man with a beard, in a blue traveling cloak, who had just been washed up by the waves.

The man's name was Zarimnzar, one of the last of the loyalist Areinzstor princes before the downfall of Areinzstor, which was caused by a corrupted spirit named Aluzavar, who came down to Ardvada to establish his kingdom called Zorador, which was near Dark Areinzstor, 85 miles up the coast from Zorador.

The story of Areinzstor is thus, it was once a prosperous kingdom, in fact it was one of the most powerful human kingdoms of Ardvada, led by the king, Halizortstar, and his queen Alitashazor the Great. Alita, as she was nicknamed was a wise ruler, and a very nice lady. Halizortstar, was very wise and he was a source of tall tales, he was thus admired.

Then a man named Aluzavar, unbeknownst to the royalty of Areinzstor, was a corrupted spirit come to establish his evil haven called "Zirkswood", within the province of Areinztor, in the province "Alun Dum", which was a rather abandoned terriotry.

Aluzavar wormed his way into the king and queen's confidences and requested that he give nine power rings to the king, queen, and the seven of his most loyal servants. He promised that infact, it would give them everything that they could've ever imagined, but in reality, they were decieved. They would turn them into starwraiths (Nazgul like, but they were called the Ollahaz, or Starry Ghouls in Arein, the language of Areinzstor)

As soon as they put the rings on, within a few weeks, they began to change, and Aluzavar was soon controlling them, and he attempted to give the ring to the king's son, Zarimnzar (sound familar?), and the son refused.

So, Aluzavar made the king kick the son out of the kingdom, and the inheritance. The king unhappily obeyed his new master, and refused to do as he was told, thus Aluzavar tortured him. He still would not serve his new master, thuse he never became a Ollahaz. Aluzavar, with great rage, finally brutally killed Ollhaz by striking him with lightning from his tower, the former king's tower.

Aluzavar sent Zarimnzar on a slave ship, the Tuyavain, or the Great Ship, in Areinzstorian language, to the far off Zorodor, to use as a slave in the mines of Olllhazian (Ghoulish, Starry Mines, in the Arein language. Their overlords were the Ollahaz.)

Back to our intro..

Zarimnzar woke up on the wet, cold sand of the beach of not Zorodor, but a kingdom called Jothian, which was the loyalist remnant of Areinzstor. But Zarimnzar did not know thus, and thus, he thought that the foul orcs of Zorodor would be here any time now to take him. At least he had his sword, he thought..

OOC: This is where anyones character can come in, and there will be a ring like element, but this is just the start.

Two sisters were quietly fishing on the river. Their race and the Elven Race were at odds. The Lupines were never on friendly terms with the Elves. Heck no Animal race ever was for some reason. Despised by humans and Elves they felt almost kinships with the races some considered Evil. Though Elulu and Arulu weren't thinking about the prejudice. Rather getting the fish and getting out before Elvens rode by. "I haven't had a bight, sis!" Arlulu complained.

"You have to be patient." Elulu said.

"But I'm hungry!"

"I know, I am too. We'll find something soon."

Two sisters were quietly fishing on the river. Their race and the Elven Race were at odds. The Lupines were never on friendly terms with the Elves. Heck no Animal race ever was for some reason. Despised by humans and Elves they felt almost kinships with the races some considered Evil. Though Elulu and Arulu weren't thinking about the prejudice. Rather getting the fish and getting out before Elvens rode by. "I haven't had a bight, sis!" Arlulu complained.

"You have to be patient." Elulu said.

"But I'm hungry!"

"I know, I am too. We'll find something soon."

Zarimnzar walked off from the beach, and followed the river inland. He stopped, for he saw two Lupines fishing. Zarimnzar recalled what he had heard about them, they and the Elves were almost at war, their hostility was so great, but he did not know the reason.

He stood above the two Lupines, he was a tall man, with his long auburn beard and his grey eyes regarded the Lupines with solemnity, he said "I am Zarimnzar, what are your names?"

From his vantage point in the air, Marvel, the modified Red Gargoyle Demon, surveyed the scene.

"Fresh fish," he thought. "Sounds yummy. Shouldn't be hard to conjure an illusion that'll bring a whole school of 'em to the girls' nets. Then, I can claim a share--or make off with one when they're all looking at something I conjure up to distract them."

Marvel swooped low on his bat-like wings and found himself a school of neap-tide grouper. In a moment, he had bedazzled the fish with the scent of a warm inland current and swarms of crab eggs.

Then he saw the man walking up the beach.

"He could foil the deal," Marvel thought. "I dare not approach. He might become violent." It was a sad truth that, though Marvel was a gifted illusionist, he could otherwise barely cast a fireball to defend himself with. And he did not trust men, for many a man knew that the species he had formerly been of propagate themselves by laying embryos in the bellies of hapless victims. Though a Great Mage had altered Marvel to make him more as a man, men would see him and not recognize this. And Marvel saw no need to confuse them. After all, as he was the only one of his kind, and, he knew, doomed to die alone, it would be to the detriment of any to befriend him. From him, they might come to think those of his former kind to be trustworthy. This would be their downfall.

And then, just as the fish arrived, the man called to the Lupines, asking their names. In their horror at the sound, the fish turned as one to wend their way back out to sea. Marvel swooped low again. This time, they all saw him at once.

"I am Marvel," he called, "and, please forgive me, good sir, but you're interrupting my plans for lunch!"

Fish darted everywhere. Some of them would certainly end up in the Lupines' waiting nets.

From his vantage point in the air, Marvel, the modified Red Gargoyle Demon, surveyed the scene.

"Fresh fish," he thought. "Sounds yummy. Shouldn't be hard to conjure an illusion that'll bring a whole school of 'em to the girls' nets. Then, I can claim a share--or make off with one when they're all looking at something I conjure up to distract them."

Marvel swooped low on his bat-like wings and found himself a school of neap-tide grouper. In a moment, he had bedazzled the fish with the scent of a warm inland current and swarms of crab eggs.

Then he saw the man walking up the beach.

"He could foil the deal," Marvel thought. "I dare not approach. He might become violent." It was a sad truth that, though Marvel was a gifted illusionist, he could otherwise barely cast a fireball to defend himself with. And he did not trust men, for many a man knew that the species he had formerly been of propagate themselves by laying embryos in the bellies of hapless victims. Though a Great Mage had altered Marvel to make him more as a man, men would see him and not recognize this. And Marvel saw no need to confuse them. After all, as he was the only one of his kind, and, he knew, doomed to die alone, it would be to the detriment of any to befriend him. From him, they might come to think those of his former kind to be trustworthy. This would be their downfall.

And then, just as the fish arrived, the man called to the Lupines, asking their names. In their horror at the sound, the fish turned as one to wend their way back out to sea. Marvel swooped low again. This time, they all saw him at once.

"I am Marvel," he called, "and, please forgive me, good sir, but you're interrupting my plans for lunch!"

Fish darted everywhere. Some of them would certainly end up in the Lupines' waiting nets.

Zarminzar saw Marvel, and he knew of the Gargoyle's history himself. Indeed, he had known some of the latter's kind, and he eyed Marvel with lingering distrust, for he had seen many in Areinzstor, whence he had come.

He said, in a loud and steady voice "Marvel, whom do you serve, Aluzatar or the Illunmi! Pick your side Marvel. I know your kind well, you are the last of it, and as such I might give you a chance. As long as you don't attempt to propagate more of your kind in my stomach. Peace!" His eyes flickered, and he was keeping up his guard, for he knew they were a race of trickster.

Marvel moved around again, driving more fish toward the waiting nets.

"I try to keep out of the affairs of humans, good sir," he replied--and this was true, "though I am aware of your conflict, and would be more inclined to the Illumini than the wicked wizard who has usurped the throne of Zorador.

"I know how little my word means to you," he continued, "but you may rest assured that I will not harm you...or these fine young ladies...today."

To be sure, the demon was growing tired. Red Gargoyles were precision aerobats. Their bodies were designed for great strength and precision maneuvers--and sacrificed endurance as a result. He knew that, absent the thermals that could keep him airborne for long stretches, he would not be in the air for that much longer.

Still, he was disturbed. This man seemed important, and he said that Marvel was the last of his kind. This did not bode well for his search for that wondrous creature whom the Great Mage could alter into a mammalian female Red Gargoyle Demon. Without one such, the man certainly must have been aware, no attempt at propagation that the demon could make would ever bear fruit. Perhaps the man thought that he had a female in waiting somewhere. Actually, he did. Unfortunately, that somewhere was only the demon's dreams.

Still, he decided that the matter was best pondered on a full stomach--perhaps, since this man was important, with some stout drink contained therein as well. He could tell stories, sing songs and make them all happy. That would be a pleasant evening indeed.

--------------------

OOC:

Standard Disclaimer:

Marionetonia and the Dominion of Dastardly Stench: two nations, one owner.

Dastardly Stench;13365098']Marvel moved around again, driving more fish toward the waiting nets.

"I try to keep out of the affairs of humans, good sir," he replied--and this was true, "though I am aware of your conflict, and would be more inclined to the Illumini than the wicked wizard who has usurped the throne of Zorador.

"I know how little my word means to you," he continued, "but you may rest assured that I will not harm you...or these fine young ladies...today."

To be sure, the demon was growing tired. Red Gargoyles were precision aerobats. Their bodies were designed for great strength and precision maneuvers--and sacrificed endurance as a result. He knew that, absent the thermals that could keep him airborne for long stretches, he would not be in the air for that much longer.

Still, he was disturbed. This man seemed important, and he said that Marvel was the last of his kind. This did not bode well for his search for that wondrous creature whom the Great Mage could alter into a mammalian female Red Gargoyle Demon. Without one such, the man certainly must have been aware, no attempt at propagation that the demon could make would ever bear fruit. Perhaps the man thought that he had a female in waiting somewhere. Actually, he did. Unfortunately, that somewhere was only the demon's dreams.

Still, he decided that the matter was best pondered on a full stomach--perhaps, since this man was important, with some stout drink contained therein as well. He could tell stories, sing songs and make them all happy. That would be a pleasant evening indeed.

--------------------

OOC:

Standard Disclaimer:

Marionetonia and the Dominion of Dastardly Stench: two nations, one owner.

Zarimnzar nodded and he said "I believe you on that Marvel. However, I am the last of my kind in a way, have you heard of the Ollahaz?, They are "Starry Ghouls" ringwraith like things if you will, and I have a brother in the Ollhaz, Zarinstazar, my younger brother, and El-Zarinstzor, my elder brother. They were tempted to Aluzavtar, who is called the "Great Deciever" for he decieved them. Well, I've heard rumors Aluzavatar is after Jothiam now, his forces are mobilizing."

Just up the river, Kalline Mercail watched as the garoyle landed just out of her sight. She was a member of the race of undead known as the Turned; a truebreeding race that was commonly spurned by the other races. Kalline had never understood this though. After all, what crime was it of hers that her heart did not beat nor her lungs need air but once every ten minutes?

That was besides the point however. Kalline was traveling as she always had, searching for the eight lost Rune Blades, weapons of immense power crafted by the first Turned. This was prompted by her discovery of one of the eight; Ice Dirge, the blade that she currently wore on her back. It had a mind of its own and because of it she searched.

Now though, she found such an interesting sight, a gargoyle that acutally had humonoid traits, that she couldn't resist checking it out. Shoudlering her pack from where it lay and ignoring the protests of Ice Dirge she began to trot towards where the gargoyle had landed, not knowing that her curiosity would land her in yet another event of epic proportions.

Marvel could not resist. As he made his last pass, he dipped his tail in the water and extended its venomous spike. When it came out again, there was a fish on the end--which quickly found its way to his hands as he turned to the riverbank.

He found it strange that the Lupines had said nothing during the encounter, but this was their business. His business was eating, and, now that he had a little snack, he wished to do so soon. Pity he dared not devour his hard-won victuals directly in the presence of a human--and a royal at that.

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OOC: HINT.

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IC:

"Brother or no," he said, breathing heavily as he stood next to the man, "I would advise you to stay out of their orrery. Might I inquire after your name, and if you wish to light a cook fire? You humans can sometimes be a bit eccentric, I have noted, in your eating habits."

Dastardly Stench;13365882']Marvel could not resist. As he made his last pass, he dipped his tail in the water and extended its venomous spike. When it came out again, there was a fish on the end--which quickly found its way to his hands as he turned to the riverbank.

He found it strange that the Lupines had said nothing during the encounter, but this was their business. His business was eating, and, now that he had a little snack, he wished to do so soon. Pity he dared not devour his hard-won victuals directly in the presence of a human--and a royal at that.

---------------

OOC: HINT.

---------------

IC:

"Brother or no," he said, breathing heavily as he stood next to the man, "I would advise you to stay out of their orrery. Might I inquire after your name, and if you wish to light a cook fire? You humans can sometimes be a bit eccentric, I have noted, in your eating habits."


Zarimnzar boomed "I will give you my name! I am Zarimnzar, the High Wizard of the Illumni!" He snapped his fingers and the wood that was cut up nearby lit into a nice bonfire and he said "That is not the limit of what I can do, but it serves as a nice demonstration!" He heard something and he cursed "Oh for Aluzavar's sake, what is it!" Zarimnzar snapped his fingers and he said "Who are you!" He only heard growls in reply and he said simply "Those are orcs, who failed an ambush once again." He snapped his fingers and the trees fell on the orcs and crushed them.

He turned to see the newcomer Kalline Mercial, and he said "Hullo!, are you another searcher of the seven lost Rune Blades?" Zarimnzar had one of the seven remaining Rune Blades, but he didn't want to tell the newcomer, whom he detected was searching for the seven remaining ones.

OOC: Godmodding, anyone?

Let's have some fun with those orcs instead.

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IC:

Fish in hand, Marvel walked toward the newly-lit fire. Looking at the wizard, he said, "Thanks for the light. You sure you got them a--."

And then, before he could react, an arrow with a little round thing attached to its shaft flew out of the undergrowth and into the fire.

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OOC: Trademark phrase in two paragraphs.

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IC:

Marvel had just enough time to look at the little explosive before it went off--and to begin to say something.

"OH, SH--!"

BOOM!

When the smoke cleared, his front side was soot black from head to toe--and his fish was overcooked. One wouldn't have known this from the look on his face, though--with the anger in his eyes, it was a wonder that the remains of the fish didn't simply ignite in his hands. His courtly demeanor and highfalutin' language certainly did.

"I'm...going...to...get...you," he said.

He gestured. The woods behind him exploded into fire. Three very frightened orcs ran out. Marvel smiled as the fire--an illusion so real that one could feel the heat--vanished. It was not a particularly endearing smile, the white fangs being accentuated by the slightly charred black flesh. In fact, some (particularly those of the orcish persuasion) might have considered it positively ghastly.

"Hi, boys," he said. "Up for a little fun, I see." The looks of fear on the orcs' faces were to die for--if you were a demon, anyway. "Well, I've always been one for a good joke. In fact, I can get a good laugh pretty much any time! Goochiegoochiegoo!" He wiggled his fingers.

As one, the three orcs dropped to the ground, contorting in peals of uncontrollable laughter. Marvel had put a glamour of tickling on them. (Not all illusions are illusions of sight.)

"But ya gotta be careful when ya laugh too hard, or ya might split a gut and get...CRAMPY CRAMPY CRAMPY!"

The orcs writhed in pain. Intestinal cramps are the most painful malady, in fact, known to man--and a few other species as well.

"Now," he said, looking over at Zarimnzar, "what do you think? Should I keep 'em here or should I just send 'em packin'?"

Dastardly Stench;13369245']OOC: Godmodding, anyone?

Let's have some fun with those orcs instead.

-------------------------------

IC:

Fish in hand, Marvel walked toward the newly-lit fire. Looking at the wizard, he said, "Thanks for the light. You sure you got them a--."

And then, before he could react, an arrow with a little round thing attached to its shaft flew out of the undergrowth and into the fire.

-------------

OOC: Trademark phrase in two paragraphs.

-------------

IC:

Marvel had just enough time to look at the little explosive before it went off--and to begin to say something.

"OH, SH--!"

BOOM!

When the smoke cleared, his front side was soot black from head to toe--and his fish was overcooked. One wouldn't have known this from the look on his face, though--with the anger in his eyes, it was a wonder that the remains of the fish didn't simply ignite in his hands. His courtly demeanor and highfalutin' language certainly did.

"I'm...going...to...get...you," he said.

He gestured. The woods behind him exploded into fire. Three very frightened orcs ran out. Marvel smiled as the fire--an illusion so real that one could feel the heat--vanished. It was not a particularly endearing smile, the white fangs being accentuated by the slightly charred black flesh. In fact, some (particularly those of the orcish persuasion) might have considered it positively ghastly.

"Hi, boys," he said. "Up for a little fun, I see." The looks of fear on the orcs' faces were to die for--if you were a demon, anyway. "Well, I've always been one for a good joke. In fact, I can get a good laugh pretty much any time! Goochiegoochiegoo!" He wiggled his fingers.

As one, the three orcs dropped to the ground, contorting in peals of uncontrollable laughter. Marvel had put a glamour of tickling on them. (Not all illusions are illusions of sight.)

"But ya gotta be careful when ya laugh too hard, or ya might split a gut and get...CRAMPY CRAMPY CRAMPY!"

The orcs writhed in pain. Intestinal cramps are the most painful malady, in fact, known to man--and a few other species as well.

"Now," he said, looking over at Zarimnzar, "what do you think? Should I keep 'em here or should I just send 'em packin'?"

OOC: Sorry if I was godmodding, didn't realize it..

IC:

Zarimnzar said to Marvel "Send them packing I say. We should probably from a fellowship, because, there is an ancient cursed sword forged by Aluzavtar himself, Dragonna! He somehow lost it, it was last in my elder brother's possession, but then a demon, that I swear that was like Marvel, but wasn't, took it, and then soon after, it was lost." He said "I think I figured out where it is, in the mines of Zoran, in the Cloudy Mountains north of here by 30 miles."

As Marvel looked at the wizard, disappointment filled his features. "Spoilsport," he said. He lifted the illusion. "T'ROH!" he said. "T'roh YACH!" ("GET OUT! Get out NOW!")

"You speak the tongue of the orcs?" the wizard asked.

"I speak Chuke," the turned demon replied as the orcs ran off, "but it's not much of a tongue. No tenses, no conjugations and a vocabulary of only about 10,000 words. English, the language that you speak, has 70,000 or so. And the orcs, like everyone else, speak different tongues depending on which tribe you run into.

"With all due respect, wizard, I don't want to go off hunting down some cursed blade. I have enough trouble with orcan raiders with bows and arrows. What you're talking about has the distinct smell of regular armies--or worse. I'm hungry and I'm dirty and I've wasted my venom on something that--now--I can't even eat. Why should I risk drawing the attention of an evil mage so much more powerful than I am that he could kill me in my sleep? Besides, if it's cursed, why would you want to have it at all?"

Dastardly Stench;13373218']As Marvel looked at the wizard, disappointment filled his features. "Spoilsport," he said. He lifted the illusion. "T'ROH!" he said. "T'roh YACH!" ("GET OUT! Get out NOW!")

"You speak the tongue of the orcs?" the wizard asked.

"I speak Chuke," the turned demon replied as the orcs ran off, "but it's not much of a tongue. No tenses, no conjugations and a vocabulary of only about 10,000 words. English, the language that you speak, has 70,000 or so. And the orcs, like everyone else, speak different tongues depending on which tribe you run into.

"With all due respect, wizard, I don't want to go off hunting down some cursed blade. I have enough trouble with orcan raiders with bows and arrows. What you're talking about has the distinct smell of regular armies--or worse. I'm hungry and I'm dirty and I've wasted my venom on something that--now--I can't even eat. Why should I risk drawing the attention of an evil mage so much more powerful than I am that he could kill me in my sleep? Besides, if it's cursed, why would you want to have it at all?"

Zarimnzar replied "Because, I need to destroy it. If I do, I will get rid of the evil mage once and for all." What he didn't mentioned, is that it was prophesied that the fall of the evil necromancer would come with a fellowship of two unknown species, a woman, a demon, and a powerful wizard of the Illumnai. He said "I implore you, and besides you can eat some of the orcs we kill on the journey anyway."

(ooc- I hope you dont mind me joining?)

"......" the young man thought as he awoke, "MhT Hmmpnd? Mhhh...." How could he have not noticed it. Two days ago, he was saflly in his camp, then without realising it Orcs raid his little camp and take him for food. Now he is under a burning tree..." MMMMWWWWW!!!!" he tried to yell, yet his mouth was gaged, and he was tied up. "MHHHHWWWWW!!!!" as the fire got closer and.....Poof! the fire was gone? Yet how was he going to get out from under the tree, and who made the fire go away. More importantly, who made the fire?

(ooc- I hope you dont mind me joining?)

"......" the young man thought as he awoke, "MhT Hmmpnd? Mhhh...." How could he have not noticed it. Two days ago, he was saflly in his camp, then without realising it Orcs raid his little camp and take him for food. Now he is under a burning tree..." MMMMWWWWW!!!!" he tried to yell, yet his mouth was gaged, and he was tied up. "MHHHHWWWWW!!!!" as the fire got closer and.....Poof! the fire was gone? Yet how was he going to get out from under the tree, and who made the fire go away. More importantly, who made the fire?

Zarimnzar noticed the screams, and he flicked his fingers to make the fire go away. He approached the young man and offered a hand, after ungagging the man and he said "I am Zarimnzar, I don't know if you've heard of me, but I am the last Areinzstorian Prince that hasn't been corrupted by Aluzatar.."

"Well, at least I'm not done for, I am Jason." the man said, getting up. "Thanks back there, I was going to be eaten. And as for my intentions, well I'm out to end the tourment of my people." as he caught his breath." Yet I will save the speach for latter. I might as well help you, in order to get stronger. And your quest sounds like a good place to start."

Perhaps Marvel was guilty of oversimplification. It was a simple rule, after all: if it talks back, don't eat it. This, in fact, had kept his body and soul together more than once in his dealings with the orcs. He had an implicit non-aggression deal going with the major tribes--they leave him alone and he leaves them alone.

Now, this wizard--obviously a city dweller--was talking about eating orcs. Also obviously, he didn't realize that orcs are like men--proactive. You kill one and twenty more come looking for you. That was why Marvel, for all his bluster, had been careful not to injure the orcs while he was terrorizing them. He knew that, if they tried to whine to any of the important chieftans, the chieftan would recognize Marvel's handiwork immediately and laugh them right out of the village. That they had played by the rules--blowing up the fire when they could just as easily have put arrows through him and that doggone fool wizard--showed that they had heard of him, too. They were trying to move in on the fish.

By now, the Lupines had come ashore, brought their overstuffed nets and started rebuilding the fire.

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OOC @ Lupe: Sorry about the character control. Couldn't wait. Story was
being held up. Wish you'd post. Like your style.

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IC:

And then that dumb wizard has to go and start shooting his mouth off. And then that dumb kid did, too. Marvel had to remind himself that his hearing, average by the standards of the forest, was about ten times as good as theirs.*

"You've got a lot to learn about these parts, Zar," he said. "Come back here and bring that fool kid with you. We've got some eating to do--if these fine and lovely ladies will honor us with a share of the feast that we have helped them to engineer, that is. Hey, Jason--you know how to clean a fish?"

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OOC:

* Dog or cat.

IC:

Zarimnzar said "I know of your dealings with those foul orcs, but they all serve the dark lord Aluzvtar, who is out to destroy Ardvada as we know it!, if you pardon my briefness, I will ride at once to the kingdom of Jothiam! Zarthastor! Come here!" A proud stallion galloped out of the forest, and as he mounted it he said, looking at the Lupines, Jason, and Marvel keenly and he said "If you wish to join me on our quest, I shall be at Majorus Ithil, studying all I can about Zorodor, and this cursed sword! Majorus Ithil is the capital of Jothiam anyway!" He mounted the proud stallion and bellowed "Ride on Zarthastor to Majorus Ithil in Jothiam!" The tall wizard and his steed galloped out of the forest, trampling any orcs in the way, and any he saw, he struck down.

Meanwhile, in that same area, a Ollhaz, a Starry Ghoul, or ringwraiths of Ardvada if you will, entered the area. All that were near El-Zarinastor, would be struck with fear, for he was a very dark necromancer. The black rider galloped towards the Lupines gathered in the river. He knew that his presence would make Marvel afraid, for he had meant Marvel once before, and he doubted Marvel would like to remember that experience.

Oh, not him again! Doggone it! I was just starting to get full and now he comes here and makes me wanna throw up! I've got a stinkin' avian metabolism, for cryin' out loud! Then, he felt it. Oh, a fear glamour. Aren't we getting up in the world!

This was one of the Dark riders. Marvel, in fact, had had a word or two with this one before. The scumbag had tried to stick him with a sword. Probably thought he'd succeeded, too--but all he'd gotten his smelly little blade into was an illusion. As far as Marvel was concerned, he needed a lesson in manners, even if the demon couldn't remember his name.

The Lupines had eaten their fill and were heading down the river. As the steed pulled up, a slight glazing of fear nipped Marvel's cute little temper tantrum in the bud. This was even more revolting.

"I don't suppose you want some of the fish," he said. "It should be safe enough for you to eat--it IS all dead, after all." If he gets too close, I'll kick his butt into the stinkin' fire.

Dastardly Stench;13374966']Oh, not him again! Doggone it! I was just starting to get full and now he comes here and makes me wanna throw up! I've got a stinkin' avian metabolism, for cryin' out loud! Then, he felt it. Oh, a fear glamour. Aren't we getting up in the world!

This was one of the Dark riders. Marvel, in fact, had had a word or two with this one before. The scumbag had tried to stick him with a sword. Probably thought he'd succeeded, too--but all he'd gotten his smelly little blade into was an illusion. As far as Marvel was concerned, he needed a lesson in manners, even if the demon couldn't remember his name.

The Lupines had eaten their fill and were heading down the river. As the steed pulled up, a slight glazing of fear nipped Marvel's cute little temper tantrum in the bud. This was even more revolting.

"I don't suppose you want some of the fish," he said. "It should be safe enough for you to eat--it IS all dead, after all." If he gets too close, I'll kick his butt into the stinkin' fire.

El-Zarinastor was wary of this Marvel demon, and he hissed "I don't eat those kind of fish, I eat the other kind that's only available in the river further north.." He knew that he had met Marvel once before, and that the the demon had created an illusion, so he was wary.

He said hissing "Where is the wizard, known as Zarimnzar? I wish to speak to him.."

I just bet you do, the demon thought. And I bet you want me to put aside my anger toward you, too. Not too damn bloody likely.

"I didn't ask him where he went," he said. "Quite frankly, I didn't want to know." Technically, this was true--Marvel merely left off the part where the wizard had told him anyway. (This is called "a lie of omission.")

He pointed. "He rode off that way," he said. Technically, this was a lie. If the dark rider went off in that direction, he'd end up sloppin' mud in an ogre hole. (This is called "lying your rear end off.")

Marvel scooped up some of the cooked fish and started putting them into a little burlap bag that he had with him. They'd probably hold long enough for him to finish them, and he didn't want to be within twenty miles of this place by the time that jerk got back.

Dastardly Stench;13375680']I just bet you do, the demon thought. And I bet you want me to put aside my anger toward you, too. Not too damn bloody likely.

"I didn't ask him where he went," he said. "Quite frankly, I didn't want to know." Technically, this was true--Marvel merely left off the part where the wizard had told him anyway. (This is called "a lie of omission.")

He pointed. "He rode off that way," he said. Technically, this was a lie. If the dark rider went off in that direction, he'd end up sloppin' mud in an ogre hole. (This is called "lying your rear end off.")

Marvel scooped up some of the cooked fish and started putting them into a little burlap bag that he had with him. They'd probably hold long enough for him to finish them, and he didn't want to be within twenty miles of this place by the time that jerk got back.


The black rider, if he had a face, he did, but in a spiritual form, that Marvel could only see if it was at nighttime, when the face glowed. El-Zarinaztor hissed "I won't check out that way, I spotted some dead orcs on my way here, so if I follow that trail, he'll be easy to find.." He galloped back off towards the dead orcs.

Another man came stumbling through the forest, this time, a regular human, but a tad bit short, he said "I'm Arthruia Meridoc, from the woods of the Northern Shire, in the province of northern Jothiam."

Oh brother, Marvel thought. What's that fool wizard gone and gotten himself into now? I better fly ahead and warn him. Good thing that the trail of orcs leads off in a different direction than the one he rode out in.

Then the man came. Just what he needed--another distraction. Marvel rolled his eyes. "Hiiiiii," he said with that oh-too-friendly smile that one uses in times of annoyance. "I was just about to get my skinny little butt out of here. Would you like some fresh-cooked fish?"

(ooc- I think you missread DS, the Orcs were tring to eat jason, not the otherway around)

Jason came back from not exactlly the most curagious plan he had, as the big evil looking guy rode off. "Well, you handled that well." He said jumping out of his hiding spot. "That guy did not make me feel any better." as his mind actually mulled over something Zarimnzar said...Cursed sword...Might be the same group that destroyed his order..." Sorry, I'm off to find that Guy", as the new person arived in the light. Jason quicklly ran in Zarimnzar direction, hoping to learn more.

IC:

Zarimnzar had traveled a decent distance away from the forest, but he took a break, and stopped to rest when he saw Jason, and he said "My good sir, what have you come all this way to ask me?"

The turned demon continued to smile and waited for the man in front of him to speak. He was still a demon, though, and, with that avian metabolism of his, patience was not his strong suit.

Dastardly Stench;13377350']The turned demon continued to smile and waited for the man in front of him to speak. He was still a demon, though, and, with that avian metabolism of his, patience was not his strong suit.

Arthruia said "I've come looking for my uncle, Zarimnzar to assist him on his quest. Do you know which way he went? I sense patience isn't your most strong virtue, so as soon as you tell me which way, I'll be off."

And I should trust this little dweeb BECAUSE...? thought the demon. As if he wasn't in earshot while he was walking up...? He was in a relatively good mood, however, so he decided not to put an itch spell on The Dweeb and watch him suffer. Instead, Time for an IQ test.

Behind Marvel, a little ways off the riverbank, a tree rapidly sprouted and, as The Dweeb watched, appeared to grow to a height of about a meter.

"Look behind me," the demon said. "You know what that is?"

"Not exactly," said The Dweeb.

"Seems like a plant to me," the demon replied.

"OK."

"Now," the demon continued, "I'm looking in front of me. You know what that is?"

The tree disappeared, and the demon went with it. In fact, the last thing to vanish into thin air was the demon's mischievous little smile.

"My good sir, what have you come all this way to ask me?", Asked Zarimnzar, as Jason caucht his breath, "I wish to join you." as he droped from exaustion. He wasn't trained as a marathon runner, he was the last Mage of the Gate. Ge woke back up a moment later, "I wish to defeate the Cursed Blade, and Restore the order." as he sat down. He noticed that they stoped near his camp before the Orcs tried to eat him. "Well, what a surprise? My camp." pointing to a trampled tent. He maved some stuff, and revealed a rather elabotate staff, still in good condition after all that.

"My good sir, what have you come all this way to ask me?", Asked Zarimnzar, as Jason caucht his breath, "I wish to join you." as he droped from exaustion. He wasn't trained as a marathon runner, he was the last Mage of the Gate. Ge woke back up a moment later, "I wish to defeate the Cursed Blade, and Restore the order." as he sat down. He noticed that they stoped near his camp before the Orcs tried to eat him. "Well, what a surprise? My camp." pointing to a trampled tent. He maved some stuff, and revealed a rather elabotate staff, still in good condition after all that.

Zarimnzar nodded and he said "Good, I am glad. When we defeat Aluzavatar, most evil will go from Ardvada once and for all. First, we need to head to the mines of Trothiam, to see my friend, Olthion, he'll give us help."

OOC:

Marvel didn't go anywhere, he just turned invisible. He's watching how the guy who was talking with him reacts to determine whether he's being honest, etc.

Dastardly Stench;13380165']OOC:

Marvel didn't go anywhere, he just turned invisible. He's watching how the guy who was talking with him reacts to determine whether he's being honest, etc.

OOC: Ah, okay.

IC:

Arthuria sighed and he looked where the demon disappeared and he said in somewhat of a scottish accent "I know you're there, and I figured out your IQ test. I'm a psychic, that's one of my powers."

The demon reappeared. As he did, he slapped a privacy glamour on himself to keep the guy from reading his mind again.

"Sorta kills the test, doesn't it?" he asked. Still, the guy had shown no signs that he had just been called a plant from the Dark Riders--a spy, in effect--or of being one. That's what Marvel was looking for--a reaction. So, the demon made a snap judgment: psychic he may be, but smart, no.

"OK," Marvel said, "he went that way." He pointed in the same direction he had pointed to for the Dark Rider. And he didn't smile even a little.

----------------

OOC: If this guy wants Marvel's cooperation, he's going to have to show that he can be trusted. And he doesn't have a lot of time. Marvel wants to get to Zar before the Rider does. He'll be leaving shortly.

Dastardly Stench;13381443']The demon reappeared. As he did, he slapped a privacy glamour on himself to keep the guy from reading his mind again.

"Sorta kills the test, doesn't it?" he asked. Still, the guy had shown no signs that he had just been called a plant from the Dark Riders--a spy, in effect--or of being one. That's what Marvel was looking for--a reaction. So, the demon made a snap judgment: psychic he may be, but smart, no.

"OK," Marvel said, "he went that way." He pointed in the same direction he had pointed to for the Dark Rider. And he didn't smile even a little.

----------------

OOC: If this guy wants Marvel's cooperation, he's going to have to show that he can be trusted. And he doesn't have a lot of time. Marvel wants to get to Zar before the Rider does. He'll be leaving shortly.


Arthurian said "You can trust me, here's proof!" He handed Marvel a picture of himself with Zarimnzar, and he said "I know you may think I'm not smart, but I am, and I don't have a lot of time."

Zarimnzar nodded and he said "Good, I am glad. When we defeat Aluzavatar, most evil will go from Ardvada once and for all. First, we need to head to the mines of Trothiam, to see my friend, Olthion, he'll give us help."

"So, how far is it?" asked jason as he rumaged through the busted camp, for anything salvagible. "I wish they could have been more careful." as he picked up a ribbon, and held it close. After a bit of salvage, he had everything packed, and his elaborite staff covered in cloth.

Arthurian said "You can trust me, here's proof!" He handed Marvel a picture of himself with Zarimnzar, and he said "I know you may think I'm not smart, but I am, and I don't have a lot of time."

"Tell you what: I don't care any more. I'm sick and tired of listening to you whine. He really went that way," the demon said, pointing to the horse tracks left over from where Zar had ridden out. "I happen to be going that way myself, but theres a Dark Rider going that way, so I'm going to be invisible. Follow at your own risk, because I'm not going to be waiting up for you."

And with that, placing a spell of invisibility over himself, Marvel turned, ran a few steps, and took once again to the air. His cloaking spell was good enough that no one could hear the flapping of his wings, or smell his odor--which was rather pungent because he hadn't had time to clean off after getting the front half of his body toasted.

It wasn't long before he passed the Dark Rider and caught up with the foolish wizard.

He popped back into visibility.

"Yo! Zar!" he called out. "You got a Dark Rider on your tail! Better get ready, 'cause he didn't look happy!"

The demon landed a short distance ahead of the wizard's horse, coming down with a soft

bump.

Dastardly Stench;13389789']The demon landed a short distance ahead of the wizard's horse, coming down with a soft

bump.

Zarimnzar sighed and he said "What is it Marvel?, I am well equipped to deal with him!" He gestured to the Black Rider, who had unwisely challenged the wizard, and was lying on the ground a few feet away, out cold. The horse however was nowhere to be found.

Arthurian walked up to Zarimnzar and Zar said "I am glad you are here, even though you have a low IQ, for I'll need all the help I can get."

When they saw the dark rider lying on the ground, Marvel's eyes almost popped out of his head. He was so shocked that he didn't even have a snappy comeback when The Jerk blabbed to everyone about his low IQ. I sure hope ol' Wizzo didn't catch that, the demon thought.

He smiled. "Well," he said, "I guess I'm having a useful day!" I guess I underestimated ol' Wizzo, too. Maybe I'd better stick around. It might even be sorta kinda almost safe! Besides, if I get bored, I can always go cow-tipping with The Jerk. He can be the cow!

Jason looked on at that, thinking about how much effort was wasted, and if he only used... Nevor mind, it was a lucky breack for that guy. "Well, it looks like the Two of you know each other?" as he looked on.

Marvel still wasn't in a good mood. It was beginning to look more and more like he was going to be putting his neck on the line in some fool crusade. This did not sit well with him, so he did what every red-blooded (and skinned) demon would do: he got gross.

"We're the best of friends," replied the turned demon, a ghastly smile forming on his lips. "You know, friendship is like peeing your pants. Everyone can see it, but only you can feel the true warmth."

(bump)

OOC:

Bring
Uup
Rany
Posts

Oopsie!

Dastardly Stench;13392558']When they saw the dark rider lying on the ground, Marvel's eyes almost popped out of his head. He was so shocked that he didn't even have a snappy comeback when The Jerk blabbed to everyone about his low IQ. I sure hope ol' Wizzo didn't catch that, the demon thought.

He smiled. "Well," he said, "I guess I'm having a useful day!" I guess I underestimated ol' Wizzo, too. Maybe I'd better stick around. It might even be sorta kinda almost safe! Besides, if I get bored, I can always go cow-tipping with The Jerk. He can be the cow!

OOC: Sorry for not posting, I've been very busy..

IC:

Zarimnzar stood over the body of the dark rider, who was attempting to stand up, and he plunged his staff into the body, chanted "Go away, demon of darkness, you are no longer my brother! Go back, into the darkness that awaits you!" He let out a roar, and released the staff, and the dark rider completely disappeared.

OOC: That last post didn't do too much for me or my character. We're both wondering where this is going, and concentrating on the Ghosts of Characters Past isn't helping either of us get to The Future.

Cal, you're not a bad writer. Please post something that takes this thread to its next phase. You'll find that Marvel can be plied with alcohol, though, if you're not careful, he'll get wasted out of his mind and start doing stupid things.

:) :) :)