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Post by Rigil Kent on Dec 15, 2007 13:10:59 GMT -6
Same rules apply as when Daniel and I did our gamefic over in S3M. Participation is strongly encouraged (and may nab you some XP ... but may not). As I said last night, this takes place after the rest of the Company depart the Observatory to assault the ruined keep, but before they come back the first time. All events of the game from last night have not yet occurred for Nival during this... ************************* www.drlgraphics.com/images/Thumbnail Pics/D&D-Nival2.jpg[/img] www.drlgraphics.com/images/Thumbnail Pics/D&D-Shiner.jpg[/img] With a grimace, Nival, son of Drammel, called Thriceborn and Once-Elven (as well as several less … complimentary terms), leaned back from his reading. A dull pain ached through his back, reminding him that he had barely moved for several hours, so engrossed had he been with the tomes and grimoires before him. He very nearly called out for his apprentice, intending on dispatching the boy to bring him some wine before recalling that Tarrant had accompanied the other members of the Company to scout out the ruined tower. Nival sighed. Somehow, he doubted that it would be merely a scouting expedition. Knowing the personalities of the group he traveled in, he suspected that it would instead turn into a full-scale assault. Straightening from the bookstand that he had been bent over, Nival glanced around the onetime observatory. A smile crossed his lips then, as he recalled the rush of victory as the lich fell before his arcane might. His power was growing… The back of his neck tingled, and instinctively, Nival reached for his staff and turned to face the hallway leading to the stairs. With a creak, the massive bronze doors parted, revealing a figure that was all too familiar. He was dressed entirely in black, with a high collar and a leathery cloak falling from his shoulders. A plain, unadorned half-staff was held loosely in the man’s left hand. “Hello, Nival,” Marance said with a knowing smile.
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Post by Mike E. on Dec 15, 2007 16:31:30 GMT -6
"I assume, since to room is not wracked with fire and electricity, that this is a social call. We really must come up with a way to talk across great distances without having to traipse all about Oerth. Speaking of traipsing about, how goes the search for a new apprentice?"
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Post by Rigil Kent on Dec 15, 2007 17:19:54 GMT -6
"Quite well," Marance replied, once more wearing his insufferable smile. He glanced around the chamber, still reeking of the magicks wielded a day earlier. "I always suspected Orichalxos would meet a bad end, but I certainly didn't expect you to be responsible." He chuckled. "You do know that he will be back, I hope. He was never one to suffer insults lightly..."
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Post by Mike E. on Dec 15, 2007 21:37:23 GMT -6
"Oh yes," Nival said with smirk. "I know. A smart liche worth his salt would make his phylactery very hard to find, and what did you say his name was? To many consonants for my liking. Well, let's just say he didn't disappoint." Nival crossed the lab and picked up one of the many dusty tombs filling the room. He randomly flipped through the pages, stopping on a picture of some long forgotten rune, but always keeping the other mage in his sights. "I can only assume that you are not here to congratulate me on my arcane victory," Nival said as he swept his arm around the room. "Why the unannounced visit?"
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Post by Rigil Kent on Dec 15, 2007 22:26:02 GMT -6
Marance was silent for a moment, and though his smile did not slip, Nival could tell that the other mage was considering his next words carefully. It was almost as if the older mage was looking at the magister like a snake handler would study a cobra: with cautious wariness, but little fear. For some reason, this behavior caused a swell of emotion deep within Nival's breast and he fought back a smile at the realization that his might had clearly earned his foe's respect. Finally, Marance spoke. "To offer an alliance," he said simply. It was an unexpected comment, but the older man continued before Nival could comment. "Our mutual interests coincide right now. You are seeking someone who might give you insight into how to throw back these extraplanar invaders; I am seeking some thing to accomplish the same task." Abruptly, he sneered. "Though why you continue to travel with the buffoons that you surround yourself with eludes my comprehension," Marance said sharply. "I will admit that the orphan boy shows great promise, but the others?" He pretended to study the orrery that dominated much of the room, but Nival was not fooled; he knew quite well that Marance was still keeping an eye on him. "The knight and the elves may be of some use, but the paladin? The half-dragon? Neither trust you and both are concealing their own agendas."
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Post by Mike E. on Dec 17, 2007 18:02:39 GMT -6
"Marance," Nival said with a smirk. "Are you attempting to kill a god? Now why would I help someone who has proven to be such a thorn in every part of my being?"
"As for the Company I keep," Nival said as he slowly walked toward the wizard. "They may have agendas...I wouldn't consider them men if they didn't, but they are the agendas of friends. Harsh and brash as they may be."
"You see, Marance," Nival said with a flourish. "This is one of the many things that separate you and me. I have friends. You have apprentices. It is sad that in your many years you have not yet deciphered that it is easier to ask the aid of a friend than to force the hand of someone who fears you."
"I do not fear you, Marance," Nival said, his voice rising. "So you may not force my hand. I will not help you." "Also," Nival started toward Marance, getting closer to the wizard than he had ever been. Anger flashed in the magister's one good eye. "If you ever speak of the boy again we shall duel, and you may defeat me, but from that dark place I am sent for my sins, I shall topple that being from his thrown. From that perch, I shall lash together a bridge between this world and that made of blood, bone, and my hatred for you. As that portal opens, a murder of foul crows shall descend upon you and begin their bloody spree, but before your last good eye is plucked from it's black socket, you shall see me upon a throne of the skulls of my fallen, riding a chariot of justice...Then shall my work begin."
Nival walked to the large book still open on its stand, turning his back to the wizard for the first time he could remember. "You may leave now."
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Post by Rigil Kent on Dec 17, 2007 18:22:58 GMT -6
For a long moment, silence reigned and Nival wondered briefly if he had gone too far. It was ever a failing of his, yet could also be argued to be a powerful asset. Few would dare to do the things that the magister would do, and that made him a dangerous foe.
"So be it, Once-Elven," came Marance's soft reply. "Know that I offered you the hand of friendship willingly and without rancor or thoughts of days gone." The wizard's voice was as hard as steel and no longer could Nival hear the smile. "I shall not make that mistake again. If you are so myopic to perceive me only as a threat to you, if you are unable to open your eye and see the true danger that Oerth stands on the brink of, then I shall not endeavor to instruct a fool such as you." When next he spoke, Marance's words were cold and contemptuous. "But know this, Thriceborn," he said coldly. "In the war that has come, you will find a moment when my aid would have been much needed. But because of your stupidity in this moment, you shall stand utterly alone, bereft of allies and friends as the githyanki murder this world. Be proud of that moment, fool, for it shall be your last."
The door leading to the rest of the observatory abruptly opened, causing Nival to turn sharply in surprise. He blinked at the appearance of the other members of the Company, battered and bruised.
Of Marance, there was no sign.
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Post by Mike E. on Dec 18, 2007 16:44:09 GMT -6
"Apparently I struck a nerve," Nival said under his breath. He looked up at his comrades and was dismayed by there appearance. "What happened to you?"
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Post by Rigil Kent on Dec 18, 2007 19:27:19 GMT -6
Ya know, for someone who hasn't really taken the lead in being an instructor to Tarrant, you kind of freaked out there. What's up with that?
And since I've started running, Marance hasn't really been a "foe" per se...
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Post by Mike E. on Dec 18, 2007 20:44:25 GMT -6
sorry about that. Geas talking there. And I'm trying to teach at least a little...
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