Zack/Session5

It has been about a week or so since you have departed from the village turned shadowland turned normal again. With your combined knowledge, skills, and hardwork, the shadowland is practically nonexistant. The people thanked you with fresh supplies, and now you are on your way.

Bull is doing his own thing while travelling with you all, while Soran just watches the horizon as you all walk.

Five_Pillars walks beside his Camel, as is his wont, in his evercool and comfortable robes. Sometimes, he reflects, Sorcery is awfully useful.

Numbertencamel sits astride his sandy-haired mount, firewand loaded and ready. He can't help but feel something dangerous is nearby. Somehow it's comforting for his wariness to feel wellplaced though.

Scarab just rides her camel onwards towards their still distant goal, eager to reach the city of Gem in one piece. She has been largely quiet since the run in with the deathknights, not even opening her mouth to complain about the desert like before.

Silence walks along with the others, her hood now up to shield her from the unforgiving sun. Under the hood, when one gets a glimpse of it, her skin is pale with the blue-black tint of what appears to be severe frostbite. Or an extreme bruise. Either way, it's not healthy-looking, but considering that most of her skin is covered, it's not very noticeable. She keeps quiet, trailing along somewhat behind the others, leading her horse behind her. Yes, a horse. No, her player didn't realise she still had one, either.

There is a giggle in the air around you. Some of you are probably more than used to this happening, of course.

Some of you are not, though.

Scarab also has not been entirely cordial with the new addition to the Circle, keeping quite the distance between herself and Silence. It is an uneasy trust, this "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" situation. Her dealings with deathknights are something she will exercise great care with from now on.

Silence looks up at the giggle, raising her eyebrows.

Five_Pillars says "Syla. Come on now." His leathery face is creased with a grin, though, as his bald head absorbs the sun's warmth.

Five_Pillars says "Don't you have a test to be studying for?"

She grins as she fades in sight next to Five, walking alongside. "Why do you think I took a week before getting back with you guys?"

Five_Pillars says "Personally? I think you and Wong Bongerok were having a torrid affair."

Silence looks over at this Syla person cautiously.

Soran winces while Syla eyes Five for a few moments. "And here you ask me to help you with your enchanting of items." She reaches up and jabs Five in the side with a finger.

<Numbertencamel> Greeting spirit. Have you any news?

Five_Pillars winces. "Take it easy on the old man." He turns to Silence. "The Unnamed Daughter of Beautific Silence, this is Syla, wind spirit."

Five_Pillars says "Syla, this is the Daughter of Silence."

Syla glances over at Silence, raising an eyebrow slightly. "Hm. Didn't expect to see one of you running with this crowd. Though I suppose you already settled what issues there might be."

Silence nods to the wind spirit.

Numbertencamel just grunts.

Syla then glances at Camel. "Nothing new, kid. Sorry."

Numbertencamel shrugs. "Least nothing bad, I guess."

Scarab sighs to herself once, waving lazily to Syla.

Five_Pillars says "It's a long damn way to Gem. I always forget why I never want to go there."

Five_Pillars says "Now, I remember."

Numbertencamel frowns, coming to a halt and looking around.

Soran and Syla glance at Camel, blinking.

Bull stops as well.

Scarab cracks her facade of disinterest at the goings on as Camel begins acting much more alert.

<Numbertencamel> Odd. I can't think when I'd have crossed this path before..

<Scarab> What's up camel jockey? see somethin'?

Five_Pillars pauses. "Trouble?" He tears his eyes between the shroud of the living and the dead, seeing the death energy in his surroundings, his eyes turning pure black.

Numbertencamel slides off his mount, wanders over to a small outcropping off rock, and stands on it, looking around..

<Numbertencamel> It might be nothing. The distant peaks seem familiar, in this configuration.

Five sees nothing out of the ordinary, besides the deathknight behind him if he looks in that direction.

Scarab cranes her neck in several directions, quickly surveying the area for anything notable...

Five_Pillars says "You've been here before."

Scarab sees nothing out of the ordinary.

Numbertencamel pulls out a chip of black onyx on a leather thong, letting it hand idly, closing his eyes as if dowsing for water.

<Numbertencamel> Hrmpf. No good. Must have been a long time ago.

<Scarab> ...just like any old patch of desert to me. Nothin' special here.

Five_Pillars says "What were you feeling, when last you were here?"

Numbertencamel pockets the plumline, and remounts. "Looks like. Apologies, friends. Let's move on."

Soran and Syla glance around as well before shrugging as Soran speaks. "Don't worry about it Camel. Better safe than sorry."

Numbertencamel pats his camel's side as he moves off again.

Scarab stares awhile as he pockets the dowsing trinket made of precious stone.

Five_Pillars shrugs. "Coild be something from your past lives, Camel. Let us know if there's anythign else."

And so you begin moving again. Nothing seems out of the ordinary, besides the wind beginning to pick up around you. Syla gets an odd look as that begins to happen however.

Numbertencamel spits.

Five_Pillars continues in silence, behind Silence, who is also silent.

<Numbertencamel> Hrm. Hope that's not the first sign of a flesh-stripper. I really hate sandstorm.

Scarab mumbles something about memories not her own being unnerving.

<Scarab> Ugh.. a sandstorm? Just our luck...

Numbertencamel rubs his nose. Drops a semi-precious stone of little value into the sand. "Sand spirits, bless our path."

Five_Pillars says "Syla. There's nothign scheduled with the Bureau of Weather for this area, is there?"

Numbertencamel nudges his mount onwards once more. "Doesn't look like a storm. Not incoming anyway. Don't bother the spirit."

Syla frowns as she glances around. "Nothing at all. I can't affect this either, which is odd..." As Camel begins to move forward, the winds only pick up even more. Soran frowns as he glances around as well.

Numbertencamel pulls his wrap across his face, pushing on.

Five_Pillars wraps the end of his vestements around the bottom half of his face, and pulls up the hood.

<Five_Pillars> Immaculate Robes are really quire good for travelling in.

Scarab frowns, though it's not really noticeable past her thick wrap, now quite sun-bleached from the little anima episode back in the town.

Silence snorts softly.

Bull just keeps walking, paying the sand no mind.

Soran snickers a bit at Five's comment as he and Syla continue walking as well. The winds continue to pick up, as your camels and horse begin to grow more than a little skittish.

<Numbertencamel> Feh. Can you tell if this is magic, Five?

Five_Pillars looks around his eyes still black voids which absorb the light.

Five_Pillars says "Something is over there" he point. "I don't think this is sorcery though. Probably some sort of side-effect of some powerful magic."

Numbertencamel nods, and rides forward, scratching his mount behind the ears. "I'll go check it out, anyone who want's to come with, can."

The winds continue to pick up in strength, as the sands you stand on seem to shift with the winds as well.

Scarab does her best to steady the camel she is riding, though it is largely a token gesture. She eventually dismounts, not wanting to be unlucky enough to get thrown off in a tantrum

Five_Pillars says "I'm going to leave the beast here. No need getting him into trouble with me."

Five_Pillars pats his camel reassuringly, and then stakes the tether firmly into the ground. "I'm with you."

Silence starts to say something, then realises that she can't be heard over the slithering sand by now. Hm.

<Scarab> I'm all for that, assuming we're going to ivnestigate this strangeness.

Five_Pillars says "Someone should stay here with the beasts."

All of you manage to keep your balance on the shifting dunes and strong winds. The sand being blown about seems to avoid you and your mounts, who refuse to go any farther. There is another gust and shift of the dunes, and you can see gates appear as if out of thin air a bit in front of you. On the gates there is the castemark of the Forsaken and a scorpion engraved.

Bull glances up. "I'll stay." Soran and Syla glance at each other before nodding. "So will we."

Scarab tries to get her bearings as the sand whips around, and is suddenly staring right at the gates, face to face with a glorious Dawn crest. She wide eyes.

Five_Pillars blinks, as his void-black eyes sees the shimmering patterns of essence form. "Right then." He snaps his tiger claws out, the tips frosted, even in this heat, in delicate snowflake patterns.

Silence glances over at Soran, then nods and tosses the reins to her horse over its neck, going after the others.

Numbertencamel slides off his mount. Patting it's side.. "C'mon you stubborn thing.."

The mount glances at Camel, then at the gate, then at Camel again before taking a few steps forward. It then stops again however as it watches the gate.

Silence comes to a stop near the gate, looking up at it for a long moment.

Numbertencamel then sees the gates. "I see. A fortress in the storm. Sanctuary..." He winces.. but steps forward, pulling off his gauntlet, and laying a hand against the gate. In Old Realm he commands "OPEN!"

The gates flash with golden light, looking as if a new sun has dawned. Then they swing open, revealing an open doorway into some strange structure as the sands quiet somewhat. You can't quite see the structure besides a bit of the red stone wall.

Scarab mutters aloud as she draws her thin knife. "So...another lost tomb of the First Age..."

Numbertencamel steps in, swaying slightly.

Silence raises an eyebrow at Scarab and says, audible now that the sands have calmed, "Another?"

Five_Pillars says "This looks like a Manse. Powerful Dragon tracks run here."

<Numbertencamel> Hello! Is anyone home?

Scarab pauses, then blurts it out. "Some time ago I stumbled upon one further north. It contained some of the equipment I use now. It seemed like I knew just where to look... perhaps Camel's got some connection with this place, by the looks of it."

Five_Pillars follows Camel in.

Silence turns to eye Scarab, then says, "Maybe so." She nods toward the other two.

Numbertencamel slowly slips his gauntlet back on, restrapping it as he waits for a response.

As you all step into the structure, a strange sight greets your eyes. The floor you step on is made of red stones, but the walls and ceiling are made of swirling sands. A few shattered weapons lie on the ground, and there is a door on the far side of the room with a scorpion engraved on it. Nothing responds to Camel's call however.

Scarab quickly runs in after Camel, certainly not wanting to miss out on booby traps to evade and treasures beyond belief to secure!

Numbertencamel nudges the remains of the weapons with his boot.. "Something strong, then.."

The sands continue to swirl, though if you look you might notice that they are actually forming scenes of an event. From what you can tell, scenes from a bloody and drawn out conflict between multiple powerful individuals.

Five_Pillars looks somewhat curious. But he's hesitant to break Camel's trance. And he watches the sand and more importantly, the essence swirl.

Silence whistles softly as she gets an eyeful of thse scenes on the walls.

Numbertencamel looks away, walking over to the door, shaking slightly.

Scarab bends down to investigate the broken weapons for any clues.

Five_Pillars follows the kid, a few steps behind, in case of trouble, but letting him go where his heart leads him.

The weapons look /quite/ old, and definitetly were shattered during a fight. Besides that, nothing else can be discerned.

Numbertencamel rests his hand against the door, his castemark flaring on his forehead..

Five_Pillars considers, and strengthens his skin with magic. There is no rule saying just because the last door was safe ...

The door in front of Camel opens with a grind, revealing a pathway to the next room. The sands swirl before they all show images of the castemark glowing on Camel's forehead.

Scarab drops the shattered remains of a sword hilt without much fanfare, and proceeds forward towards the now open door. "Definitely Camel's show here."

Numbertencamel turns to face the others, pulls his wrap from his face, looking worried. "Should I go on?"

Five_Pillars says "This is your home, my friend." He smilesas he lets the cloak drop from his face. "And we are with you. But the choice is yours."

Scarab pulls her own off as well, though she still has the excited look of a tomb robbing brigand on her dark face. "You need to ask my opinion? You know what it is."

<Numbertencamel> Will it, make me stronger, I wonder..

Numbertencamel sighs. "Before I go on. I have a secret to share."

Five_Pillars waits, saying nothing, as he lets his essence sight fade. Too confusing, inside the manse, and too easy to lose track of what's important.

<Numbertencamel> My name is not Number Ten Camel, though that is what I am called. My name is . And my parents were taken by the fae, because they refused to give their firstborn daughter, as they had promised.

Numbertencamel is now known as Moonlit Amethyst

<Moonlit Amethyst> In cities and towns, I will be Camel. But in the dunes, I will be myself.

Five_Pillars says "Then open the Door, Amethyst Daughter. And claim your destiny."

Moonlit Amethyst nods. Unclipping her cloak, and untying her hair. She drips a little water onto her hand, and washes off the soot she uses to imitate stubble.

Moonlit Amethyst turns back to the door, and steps through it, proof of her power blazing upon her brow.

Scarab glances at the sandy warrior, a hint of respect. "So that's the story eh? This doesn't really change my view of you, you know. Although, I admire your disguise prowess..."

Five_Pillars follows, a few steps behind, smiling contentedly but saying nothing.

As Amethyst steps into the pathway, you find that it continues to be a hallway, splitting into two paths further ahead. The sands depict fighting in close quarters, as if in a building of some sort. The floor remains red stone, and the path splits ahead to the right and left. To the right there is a door with the motif of a flame and some sort of slot in the middle, while to the left there is a door with the motif of a scorpion.

The fighting in the scenes doesn't seem quite as much as a clash between massive powers than hordes of something overwhelming places, however.

Scarab takes note of the visual story in the swirling sand walls, only heightening her state of vigilance for surprises from the unseen corners of this powerful manse.

Five_Pillars says "This was a fortress, once. It's unlikey to be trapped. The owner was dangerous enough."

<Scarab> So you say. But last time I was mucking around in a manse, I nearly bought it on seven occasions. Helped train me to use my abilities though...

<Moonlit Amethyst> Hmm. Not got a key for the right, so let's try the left..

Moonlit Amethyst approaches the scorpion door.

Five_Pillars strides behind, the wind billowing out his clok as he moves forward with the fluid grace of the water dragon, his feet crunching on the sand.

The floor lacks sand, oddly enough.

You hear something talking to another something on the other side of the door. Odd that.

<Moonlit Amethyst> Hmm. Inhabitants?

Moonlit Amethyst draws her sword.

Scarab drops her voice to a rushed whisper. "The welcome wagon. Let's say hi with some steel." She carefully tests the wall with her feet, seeing if she can find purchase for one of her impossible wall walking ambush techniques above the door.

The sand doesn't offer much purchase. None, really.

About two feet into the sands there is a solid surface, however.

Five_Pillars lets his castemark begin to glitter as he brings his body to it's maximum hardness, flesh to oak, and oak to adamant, as he prepares for the coming battle.

Scarab takes a rather risky move and tries to wriggle her way into the right-most sandy wall's inner surface, using it for some very unorthadox cover.

The swirling sands protest a bit, but Scarab remains stable within her new cover.

Scarab is soon just another vague figure in the long lost First Age battle that plays out before your eyes....

Silence pushes the hood of her cloak back, revealing her ashen face, then reaches for the hilts of her daiklaves, frowning.

Five_Pillars lets his castemark begin to glitter as he brings his body to it's maximum hardness, flesh to oak, and oak to adamant, as he prepares for the coming battle.

The doors open as three strange creatures emerge. They are chattering back and forth to each other, before they actually notice you. They do in about another moment however, and let out a surprised growl as they bring their own blades to bear.

Moonlit Amethyst snarls. "HOBGOBLINS!?!"

They have twisted limbs, are dressed in rags and such. They gnash their needle teeth as their gnarled hands grip their blade hilts.

They do however have the hide of some animal around their vital spots, however.

The door shuts behind the three.

Moonlit Amethyst spits in their faces, swinging her sword through the wall, in one great arc slashing across all three of them!

They growl, attempting to leap out of the way of the blade!

Only one manages to evade the blade, however!

<Moonlit Amethyst> Die, dreameaters!

The two stagger as the iron blade cuts through their skin as if it was nothing, opening grevious wounds that begin to bleed in earnest. They hiss and howl in pain.

Silence frowns as she looks at the hobgoblins. She draws her blades with a malevolent whisper and bears down on the filthy creatures, swiping at them with one attack after another.

The creature tries to evade all of the blows, but can't quite manage it!

It howls in pain, staggering back from multiple bleeding wounds!

Five_Pillars steps forward, his blades singing with the soft surrusus of water, the very nature of his style anathema to these poor twisted creatures of Fire. He lashes out with three brutal blows at the one Silence already injured.

He goes to pieces.

Literally.

Scarab remains hidden in the swirling mural of living sand, as the scene switches to one of a garrison of archers firing upon the assailant of the glorious fortress. As the volley is tossed, the animation takes on a very solid quality, with two bolts flying directly out of the story and at each of the hobgoblins! Powered unseen by Scarab's breath, the blowgun projectiles aim to make this one war tale that is to die for...

One bolt glances off a hobgoblin's hide, while the other buries itself into its target's leg as it howls.

He isn't looking too hot

Silence raises her blades and turns her attentions to another target. The howling hobgoblin attracts her notice, and her blades cut keenly through the warm air as she brings them to bear on the unfortunate thing, aiming a pair of powerful stabs at the injured and soon-to-be-dead creature.

And he goes down, spewing blood everywhere.

Only one hobgoblin remains, bleeding from the first wound Amethyst inflicted!

Moonlit Amethyst points her sword at the last one. "Die" She intones, as her aura flares and her sword arcs in an exact copy of a decapatitating strike shown on the wall!

It attempts to bring its blade up to deflect the blow, but it isn't enough. Its head goes flying thataway.

The bloody body collapses in a heap

Moonlit Amethyst stands there, shaking, her anima bleaching the rags of the dead foes.

The door leading on stands before you, behind the bodies of the fallen fae servants

Silence moves subtly away from Amethyst, lest her own clothing become bleached. Euch, white.

Five_Pillars says "They are weak remnants of the Fey Incursion. Not very dangerous, unless they have large numbers, or a Master near."

Five_Pillars says "They hide in crevises and cracks in creation."

Moonlit Amethyst opens the door angrily

<Silence> "They sound charming." Silence sheaths her blades once more and looks at Camel. Or Amethyst. Or whatever. God, just get a title already like a civilised person.

Scarab pops her head out of the sandy vortex, looking to see if none remain. Satisfied, the rest of her soon follows, landing gracefully on the floor again. She's spitting out a bit of enchanted sand, though.

<Scarab> Plegh. That was... one of my more interesting hiding spots. Lets be part of a little more history, eh?

The sand flies from Scarab back into the walls.

Five_Pillars nods, and waits for the next wave, as they move on.

Moonlit Amethyst pushes on

The door opens as Amethyst approaches, and you all step into the next room.

This room also has a floor of red stone, and walls and ceiling of swirling sands. There are a few stone tables and benches, with bits of plates and silverware on them. Some of the china and tables are broken, however. The sands depict scenes of what must be peace time in the deserts, and another door with the scorpion motif lies at the other end of the room.

Oh, there are two more hobgoblins in the room, decked out like the ones you just killed. They look up as you walk in and snarl.

<Moonlit Amethyst> Flee or die, scum!

They laugh as one of them speaks. "You should flee, sun blessed!"

Moonlit Amethyst charges across the room, leaping onto a stone table, and skidding to the end, plates and cups scattering, at the end of the table her iron blade flashes out again and again in a mad angry flurry of death!

He gyacks as he tries to jump out of the way off iron death!

He doesn't quite make it, as a nasty gash is ripped through his armor across his chest!

Scarab gets a running start, rolling to the side of the table upon which Amethysts's furious attack is launched, catching a few pieces of the scattered silverware in her hands. She then hurls a sharp knife at the wounded hobgoblin, as well as a fork soon following! Racing her own projectiles, she manages to catch one last plate and attempts to crack it right over his head! Defeat is served!

The hobgoblin doesn't make a move to evade or anything as he tries to comprehed the kitchen assualt.

He gets a knife to the gut, as he blinks as shards of the plate fall around him.

Silence manages to look insulted while smiling, joining Amethyst as she bears down on the one. She runs alongside the table as the Solar slides along it, instead launching herself at him over one of the stone benches running along the table. In a deadly whirlwind, her blades arc for his throat, aiming to tear from him those same vocal chords that would dare to call *her* a chosen of the sun. Hmph.

His throat becomes a mess of torn skin and muscle and blood as he collapses with a gurgle.

The other hobgoblin charges at Scarab with a battle cry and swings three times at the woman!

Wiff wiff wiff. He can't touch that.

Scarab dodges the hits in what seems like slow motion, shards of the plate she ruined whirling about in the wake of her movements.

Five_Pillars leaps forward in a spiral, white robes flowing out around him as he spirals through the air, brushing stray bits of crockery to the side, as time seems to slow. Essence gathers around his claws on one hand, as he corscrews into the goblin with a mighty strike, causing all the blood, or whatever other Wyld tainted fluids it has to suddenly, stop, and then reverse themselves, exploding the creature's heart as it's betrays it.

He falls over.

Thud.

Five_Pillars striaghtens his robes as he lands, blood seeping out of the eyes on the hobgoblin. "A plague."

Five_Pillars spits on the corpse.

Moonlit Amethyst hops off the table, glances about the room. Surely nothing particularly special is in here. She stalks over to the door, opening it.

Five_Pillars preapres hismelf for what lies beyond.

Scarab meanwhile, eyes some of the fine silverware that hasn't been utterly ruined, taking a few for herself as a momento. Could come in handy to kill a few more nasties.

As you step into the next room, it becomes apparent that this is where the inhabitants slept. Beds set up in neat rows fill the room, while the swirling sands depict images that must be from the dreams of men and gods. A few beds have skeletons in them, while others have been ruined. There is one hobgoblin in the room, in the same gear as the others. He looks up and blinks.

<Moonlit Amethyst> More scum

Moonlit Amethyst leaps forward, lashing out a kick at the hobgoblin's knee, then swinging her sword at his descending neck!

He falls. Then loses his head.

Moonlit Amethyst wipes her blade on him, looking about the room, looking wistful.

Scarab winces a bit as deprives yet another monstrosity of it's cranium. You'd almost feel sorry for them.

<Scarab> Nothing like bad blood for lots of messy drama...

There is a door at the other end of the room, with the same motif as the last few.

Five_Pillars nods. It seems like Amethyst is working off some tensions here. Can't be anything but good for the girl.

Scarab bends down to see if this goblin has any belongings of note.

<Moonlit Amethyst> Fair folk are monsters, truly. There is only a mockery of humanity in them. At least spirits have a purpose.

Silence speaks up. "At least, on something, we're agreed."

Five_Pillars nods.

Moonlit Amethyst turns to Silence. "Pardon? Could you speak up a little?"

Silence smiles. "... no, actually." She shrugs a little.

Scarab shrugs. Junk, junk, junk.. nothing like a key just yet for the mysterious door. perhaps there is a boss lurking deeper within.

<Moonlit Amethyst> Mmm. Got your throat cut or something? Sounds nasty. Ah well. Let's move on, there's probably move of these things ahead.

Moonlit Amethyst opens the next door warily.

<Scarab> I don't doubt it. Seems they were making this some sort of base, with the owner defeated long ago.

Silence rolls her eyes. "You've no idea," she says quietly, even for her. She follows after moonie there, blades still in hand.

If the last room was the barracks, this is the armory. Or was, at any rate. The walls have multiple racks of destroyed weaponary sitting in front of them, while the sands depict soldiers arming themselves with strange looking weapons with apprehensive looks. At the far end of the room there is an odd lance with an orichalum shaft and a blade seeming to be made of solidified flame.

Five_Pillars follows the others, slightly behind now.

However, between you and that are five hobgoblins that are armed as the others, and a gryphon. Which lets out a screech the moment you enter.

Scarab looks to and fro for any surprises, staying near Amethyst as she advances into the armory.

Five_Pillars blinks. "Hesiah's Burning Balls."

The gryphon for the record seems to lack any armor or anything.

Moonlit Amethyst blinks. "That's a ani-- not just another lie, made flesh. Run or die, scum!"

The hobgoblins set themselves as the gryphon turns to face you all.

Moonlit Amethyst smirks. Raises her blade in mock salute. "You might be a big bird, with wicked claws, but I fear you not..."

It just replies with a screech

Moonlit Amethyst takes a couple of steps before somersaulting onto the gryphon's back, and driving her sword into the back of it's head!

It lets out a howl as pain as the cold iron sword drives into its back.

The five hobgoblins look at Amethyst before deciding they want none of that sword. So they turn and charge enmasse, making right for Silence!

Silence laughs silently at them, as she dances through and around every single one of their blades, her body flowing freely, as if made of sand and shadowy air. She moves swiftly, reappearing behind them and bringing her blades down on them, inhumanly fast, the metal of her weapons making less sound than the flutter of her cloak whirling about her like the robes of a dervish. The daiklaves, like an extension of her cold fury, slice and gash indiscriminately among the five of them, the black, hellish brand on her forehead pouring blood down the deathtouched skin of her pale face.

Two collapse right away from the flurry, while the other three stagger away, bleeding profusely.

Five_Pillars blinks at Silence. The girl has some skill.

Scarab is momentarily awed by the display of battle prowess, though in retrospect it seems only natural for a skileld deathknight. No wonder Tanoi had trouble with this woman.

Five_Pillars launches himself forward running up the wall and past Silence and her circle of death, driving his claws into the beating heart of the Griffin with a mighty-twin-claw attack, the water dragon's fury as he smashing the Wyld back like a tidal wave, or a cannonball.

The gryphon tries to get out of the way of Five's assault, slowed by the wound and the Exalt on its back!

Five_Pillars rips it's heart out, and casts it aside, even as he turns from the dying beast towards the few foes remaining after Silence's assault

It collapses with a strangled cry.

Moonlit Amethyst hops out of the way just in time not to get crushed.

Scarab rushes forward and leaps towards the cieling, disappearing into the sandy surface momentarily. Then, like a streak of lightning emerging from the rare clouds of a desert monsoon, three stars of painful death fork and rain unerringly onto each of the remaining foes, burying them forever in this forgotten chamber!

They stagger, continuing to bleed all over the place.

Scarab follows up this hail of pain with the final touch, diving down out of the wall's cover in a virtual sandstorm! Like the twister descending from heaven, she moves in slow motion to connect with her freezing steel guantlet onto the first hobgoblin! Flattening him out, two more deadly stars fly out from her belt almost of their own will, striking the two adjacent foes in the blink of an eye. The storm leaves nothing in it's wake.

The two standing away from the wounded one blink as the stars glance off their hides. The other one however goes down as a frozen mess.

<Moonlit Amethyst> You crossed steel with the wrong foes this time.

Moonlit Amethyst lifts a broken weapon rack, and throws it at the pair!

They look up, and just stare as the rack crashes right into them.

Moonlit Amethyst dusts off her hands. "Hah! Didn't expect that, did you!"

They expire under the rack of weaponary.

Moonlit Amethyst hmpfs, and turns to look at the golden shalf, topped with a flicking spearhead of flame..

Five_Pillars wipes his claws on the flawless white of the griffin's feathers. "Twisted Dreams."

It lays there in the stand, apparently untouched despite all this time.

Resilient little buggers...

Moonlit Amethyst lifts it, grunting. "You are heavier than I remember, Fang..."

Scarab kicks the one she just froze to little bits, and watches Amethyst discovering a strangely familiar blade for a moment with a wry smile.

The scenes in the sands shift the moment Amethyst takes the spear, depicting someone looking very much like her riding a camel against the enemies of the First Age. The picture is perfect, as the spear shifts into a lance in the images and claims many an enemy. Also visible is a hearthstone within the spear's shaft. There is an empty slot, in the shaft, visible as you she holds the weapon of lore.

Five_Pillars nods. "This is yours, then."

<Moonlit Amethyst> This is Fang of Southern Fury. It is the key.

Scarab squints at the imagery, remarking "Must be a little strange to watch a replay of famous battles you barely remember."

Five_Pillars says "The key?"

Moonlit Amethyst looks up at the scenes. Chuckling.. "I think I look better in this life."

Scarab gives a thumbs up discreetly. "Of course. The door with the flame motif."

<Moonlit Amethyst> It open the other door. *grunt* I'm sure it should be lighter than this though.

Silence smiles slightly, examining the Fang. Mm. She looks at Amethyst and tilts her head.

<Scarab> It'll just take a short bit to fix that, Amethyst.

Five_Pillars says "Take a few moments, to remember it, and feed it essence."

Five_Pillars sits down, as he drops out of water dragon form, and his skin returns to normal. Or as normal as the hearthstone at his breast will let it be, at any rate.

Five_Pillars says "We could use a few moments to rest, at any rate." He takes a drink of water. "Thirsty work, killing the Wyld Ones."

The sands continue showing you images from must be the conflicts that formed the First Age, and the conflicts that ended it.

Moonlit Amethyst grips it in both hands, spinning it around in a slow pratice motion, then faster, and faster, and then the flame flares into a full length lance, burning hot as the breath of a dragon, all the weapon racks catch light as she swings it across them, crying out wordlessly!

Moonlit Amethyst smiles grimly. "Right. Now it is mine again. Let's see what's in the middle of this place.."

Scarab dives out of the way of the resulting inferno, back more towards the doorway.

Moonlit Amethyst stands amidst the burning wreckage, as she waits for the others to leave first, chuckling lowly.

Five_Pillars stands, as he re-assumes the Water Dragon's visage. "And now. We hunt again." He smiles, grimly, as his claws extend again.

Scarab takes this moment to scout the way back to the main foyer of the manse for any other intruders, not waiting to be asked nor told.

Scarab finds no new intruders to speak of.

Moonlit Amethyst follows the others, and approaches the flame embossed door, allowing the flame of the spear to fade to merely quite hot.

The door stands before Amethyst, unmoving.

Silence nods, her skin gradually regaining the natural flush it usually has, and though she's still pale, she no longer has the pallor of frozen death about her. She moves toward the door, looking up.

Scarab meanwhile, is leaning casually on what looks like one of the decapitated hobgoblin's cast off chopping swords.

Moonlit Amethyst thrusts the spear into the slot confidently. "Open for me then, ruin of a past age.

Five_Pillars watches, ready for more hobgoblins.

There is a rumble, and a burst of flame along the seams of the door, before it slides open. The way forward is opened.

<Moonlit Amethyst> Well. I doubt anyone will have been able to get in.. so come on. Let's see what's in the centre.

Moonlit Amethyst stalks in, raising her spear to light the way. Not that it's needed with her flaring, bleaching aura.

Five_Pillars follows behind, with only his Water Dragon and his own combat prowess to protect him.

Silence trails after as well, blades in hand.

As you step in, you find yourselves in a circular chamber. The walls and ceiling, as you might have expected, are made of sand. The scenes depicted are what must be Amethyst's First Age life locked in mortal combat with what appears to be one of the Fair Folk. In the center of the room there is an altar, with a red stone set into the orichalum stant. It flickers with an inner light, as if a flame is trapped within it.

Scarab advances forward, envisioning what other glorious wonders may lie in wait for their former master's touch.

There is a circle etched in the ground between where you stand and the altar.

Silence stops short before the circle, wary of it.

<Moonlit Amethyst> Hrmmm. This is a manse, after all then?

Five_Pillars stops as well. "It is." He examines the circle on the floor.

Moonlit Amethyst steps over the circle, entirely confident right now.

Five_Pillars moves to follow, cautiously.

As Amethyst steps over the circle, everyone else is forced back a few feet by a wave of wind! Tall flames suddenly flare up from the circle, leaving Amethyst within the circle with her hearthstone!

Five is propelled out of the circle proper.

Moonlit Amethyst doesn't really notice, entranced by the stone, she reaches for it..

Scarab doesn't quite walk over the circle immediately, waiting for Amethyst to take the forefront. She then barely has time to dodge Five as he's sent careening backwards into her. :o

A few moments later there is the sound of laughter, before the Fair Folk in the images suddenly emerges from the sands from the ceiling, dropping down to the ground. He lands right in front of Amethyst, blocking her access to the stone as he raises a blade of glass while his jade armor catches the flickering lights of the flames. "So you return."

Five_Pillars picks himself up, testing the wall of fire with his icy claws

<Scarab> By the flames... she's trapped in there!

Moonlit Amethyst hops back, spinning her spear defensively. "And you are?"

The claws feel like they strike against something solid.

The Fair Folk grins as he brings his own blade up into a ready stance. "The one who took this redoubt from you, while you were busy dealing with your betrayers." He grins. "How surprised you were, after the battle to find me here waiting to kill you, Daughter of the Sands."

Moonlit Amethyst holds the spear out aggresively, flaring it up to full heat. "I AM NOT DEAD! NOR I AM THE ONE YOU KILLED! YOU ARE A LIE, MADE FLESH, AND A SHADOW OF A PAST I WILL NOT ALLOW TO CHAIN ME!"

The Fair Folk grins. "Come on then. See how real I am, Sun Blessed."

Moonlit Amethyst leaps to the side, spinning the spear over her head before thrusting in a single furious blow!

The fae grins as he whips his own feather light blade around to parry the blow. "Ah, the memories are already returning to me!"

He grimaces as the flames manage to scorch him despite his attempts to parry the blade. "Not bad. Not bad at all."

He dashes forward, blade in hand as he quickly closes into close range before whipping the blade around in three different strikes.

Moonlit Amethyst laughs, her pale scorpion flashing into life about her, claw, claw and tail catching the sword in time with her spear. "WEAK!"

Each strike is turned aside by Amethyst's spear as the Fair Folk manages to actually look surprised before falling back into a guard position. "Interesting."

Moonlit Amethyst flips over him to gain the higher ground on the altar, driving a spinning thrust at his face!

He attempts to bring the blade around to deflect this unorthodox attack. He doesn't quite manage it though, and gets a nice gash in the side which is instantly cauterized, prompting a scream of pain and rage.

Five_Pillars summons all his energies, and throws his will and his Sorcery agaisnt the circle, Emerald Circle Countermagi is unleashed, as his anima flares, and five pillars flash into view, before turning green and throwing themselves at the circle of flames.

<Moonlit Amethyst> You beat me? You've grown weak, then. Away from the humanity you mock, you grow tired and weak!

The pillars turn into slag as the hit the flames.

They flames seem to feed off it, as they grow even brighter and higher.

Scarab meanwhile, tries her own methods of breaching the barrier. Leaping into the sand-filled cieling and clinging to the solid surface past it, she attempts to see if the blazing wall extends even into this area of turbulence.

The man growls as he watches the Solar girl in front of him, bringing the blade up again. Before he springs in the air to lash out at Amethyst with one well aimed blow, landing behind her if it hits or not.

Scarab encountes a wall of flame even within the sands of times long past.

Moonlit Amethyst again throws her weight into bringing her weapon against his, crackling golden claws moving to show her where to put the solid flame.

Moonlit Amethyst dives backwards off the altar as the blade comes closer!

Amethyst doesn't quite manage it, and the blade finds her flesh, opening a well sized gash in her shoulder.

<Moonlit Amethyst> Better...

He grins as he whirls, lashing out with a stab aimed for Amethyst. "I'm just warming up."

Moonlit Amethyst flares more essence, snarling!

The attack is turned aside! He draws back, blade at the ready as he watches.

Moonlit Amethyst feints with a thrust at his knee, then throws the spear spinning up with to air, with a diving roll she duck between his legs and jumps up to grab the flying spear and bring it down against his back!

He almost goes for the feint before suddenly realization dawns across his face about the time the spear goes flying up in the air. As Amethyst goes between his legs he springs up and over the rolling girl, whipping his own blade around to deflect the attack as it comes at him!

He manages to catch the spear in the nick of time on his blade. "There is the Solar I remember from the end of your Age!"

Moonlit Amethyst has to twist and roll on the floor, and is eventually prevented from reaching her goal!

He flicks the blade around again, aiming for yet another strike against Camel!

Moonlit Amethyst swings her spear wildly, trying to trap the blade against the altar, showering the whole circle with sparks!

The blade is knocked aside just enough for Amethyst to get out of the way of the slash!

Moonlit Amethyst grunts as it's not enough, and tucks and rolls around the altar, desparately using it for cover!

He leaps up and over the altar and Amethyst, slashing the moment he lands!

Moonlit Amethyst leans flat againt the altar, her iconic barrier curling up in a defensive ball..

He grins as another gash is opened along Amethyst's other shoulder.

Moonlit Amethyst pushes against the altar with all her might, swinging and thrusting manically, screaming in pain!

He tries to bat away the first strike, but fails under the onslaught

<Moonlit Amethyst> DIE! DIE! DIE!

Moonlit Amethyst seems a purple-eyed monster, her features set in harsh flickering light of her blazing spear!

He staggers back, almost against the flames as more cauterized wounds are opened. "Enough of this!"

<Moonlit Amethyst> Yes! Enough!

He snaps his blade around in one quick strike before bringing it back, ready for another multiattack onslaught!

Moonlit Amethyst charges him, swinging her weapon two-handed like a long-handled sword, with a quick kink in the slice to catch the enemy's blade, Pure Fire and Pure Glamour each trying to defeat each other's purpose!

Moonlit Amethyst can't move it fast enough, her shoulder wound slowing her, she uses her weapon, locked in the parry to push away, her back bouncing against the magical barrier painfully

The blade is deflected and dodged, as he curses!

He moves forward, lashing out with one attack before quickly withdrawing yet again!

Moonlit Amethyst gasps, sweat washing blood out of her wounds, her sight is muzzy and distorted, barely seeing the familiar golden stinger dip, she raises her spear to meet it..

The blade is parried as he growls.

Moonlit Amethyst almost lets the blade slip past, but then she yells out "I WILL NOT DIE TO A PAST THAT IS NOT MINE!" she slips the spear inside his guard, making a desparate thrust!

The spear slips past his blade, and punches through jade armor to go right through his gut as he gurgles, dropping the glass blade.

Moonlit Amethyst crawling over to him, she draws her iron sword, raising it to finish him off..

<Moonlit Amethyst> Last words?

He lies there, staring up at Amethyst and her blade. "So... after hundreds of years, you settle the score...." He grins slightly. "Good fight, Daughter of the Sun and Sands."

The circle of flames recede.

Moonlit Amethyst grunts as she pushes the sword down through his neck, and just kneels there, leaning on her sword, gasping, half-blind with sweat and pain.

He perishes as his neck is run through.

Five_Pillars runs through the dying circle of fire. "Amethyst!" He reaches the bier, and the center of the hearthstone chamber. "Are you alright?"

Scarab darts forward across the shifting sands of the cielings, dropping to the alter in a flurry of grit.

Moonlit Amethyst staggers to her feet, growling, raising her gauntlet, swaying like a drunkard, glowing like a bonfire..

The Fair Folk's armor is beyond repair, but the glass blade appears to be in great shape.

<Moonlit Amethyst> Who?

<Moonlit Amethyst> Who's there!

Five_Pillars says "." He reaches out to lay a hand on amethyst's forehead. "Your friends are here."

<Scarab> ...Sun almighty. I can hardly believe what I'm seeing!

A door appears on the other end of the room, bearing a flame, scorpion, and Amethyst's castemark engraved into it.

Moonlit Amethyst steps back, slipping on the glass blade that skitters acrouss the room, soundling like a beetle, she lands heavily against the altar.. "Five..?"

Skittering it goes. Wheeee

You might notice the scenes have shifted to display Amethyst's and the Fair Folk's recent duel within the circle of flames.

Five_Pillars says "Just lie back a moment, and stop your wounds from bleeding." He leans over the girl, checking her injuries as his kind old eyes take in the horrible extent of the damage, and cast themselves to the glass blade, on the floor in a pool of blood.

Moonlit Amethyst gasps for breath, wipes her eyes with the edge of her cloak.. "Is he dead.. tell me he's dead.."

<Scarab> Amethyst, it's OK. It's me Scarab. That Fair Folk is dead as a doornail.

<Five_Pillars> "You slew him in single combat, my friend. He will trouble creation no more."

Scarab laughs once. "In fact, with that cold iron sword sticking out of his neck, I'd say it's an apt metaphor."

<Moonlit Amethyst> I..

<Moonlit Amethyst> I was so scared..

Five_Pillars says "You were brave, and crafty. He underestimated the wrath of the Dawn."

Moonlit Amethyst grits her teeth as her wounds close, the bleeding stopping.. she reaches for the stone in on the altar.. "You'd better be worth it.."

Moonlit Amethyst nods, as she sees it's not a fake, replaces it on the altar for the moment.. "Gotta. do that.. ritual.. later.. "

Moonlit Amethyst yanks her sword and spear from the dead noble.. "Another.. door. I think.."

Five_Pillars nods. "Yes." He helps Amethyst to her feet, supporting her.

Moonlit Amethyst limps, wincing. "Thanks, lead me over there.."

Scarab meanwhile takes it upon herself to unashamedly relieve the dead Fair Folk cataphract of his glassy blade, stained with blood like a shard of a shattered window.

He doesn't offer much protest.

Five_Pillars leads the limping woman (And her Ginormus Spear of FIRE) over to the door with him

The door groans open as you all approach.

Five_Pillars radies himself for whatever lies beyond.

<Moonlit Amethyst> I'll.. step over.. on my own.

Moonlit Amethyst pushes herself upright, and crosses the doorway..

As you step into the room, you find that it is yet again another circular room. This one's walls and ceilings, while like the others, show no scenes. In the center there is a circular red jade and orichalum pillar, with various levers and buttons on it. Parts of it seem damaged, however.

Five_Pillars says "Do you remember how to work it?"

Scarab grins curiously at the glamoured weapon, curious and also extremely happy with the price such finery would fetch in Gem. She resolves to hold onto it for now, but does her best to clean it and hide it away from Amethyst, lest it conjure up more pain when she should be basking in triumph...

<Moonlit Amethyst> Nope.

Moonlit Amethyst looks entirely puzzled by the whole array

Scarab looks around the room, getting a cance for more curiosity stoking. Now what could this all do...?

<Moonlit Amethyst> Let's call Soran and the others in. Might as well.. attune everyone. Not like.. it makes the place run out, or anything.

Five_Pillars nods.

<Scarab> Hmm... some of this looks a little bit familiar... want me to see what I can jigger up?

<Moonlit Amethyst> Let's get everyone in first, but feel free, Scarab.

Five_Pillars says "Let us think and study, before we start pushing buttons."

Five_Pillars nods

Five_Pillars examiens the device, including the broken peices that he can find, and calls upon his own past lives, and the little he knows of modern manse building, as he meditates in front of the control console for several hours, before unfoilding from the lotus position and calmly standing.

Scarab studies what she can, though her experience with such devices is a smattering of tidbits gleaned here and there. True delving and fiddling is best left to the experts when on hand.

Five_Pillars says "Are the others all in?"

The others eventually come in.

And we end.