Post by The Rogue Mage on Jan 19, 2014 18:54:49 GMT -5
“Oh don’t give me that look; it would not have killed us to learn something about how he was doing what he was doing.” Ryze quipped as he walked past. “Did you really expect me to pass that up?” His tone was almost amused as he situated himself carefully for the climb. The trip here had been difficult; the trip downward would surely be no laughing matter either.
“At least we did manage to glean some knowledge from all this.” He mused aloud, holding tightly as he waited for them to descend. “And we managed not to get ourselves killed either, which is rather a plus in my book.” He gave his tome a pat and snorted a little at his unintended pun.
“Well then, shall we be off?”
He had no urge to stay now that there was nothing to learn from it but in that moment of silence before the heart stopping climb, his thoughts turned to what could have happened if things had gone differently. The only reason they were not dead was because the being, whatever he may have been, had also been even tempered enough to humor them. Ryze was not about to point this out to the Brackern, lest he wind up falling to his death for it but the energy that still thrummed through his runes seemed (at least to the mage) to confirm his thoughts. Any creature that could draw in the kind of violent power felt here was not someone he wanted to be on the wrong side of.
Let us hope the rest of this outing proves to be just as revealing, the mage had just enough time to finish his thought before they lurched forward and all his thoughts were consumed with hanging on for dear life.
Last Edit: Jan 23, 2014 20:34:39 GMT -5 by The Rogue Mage
Post by The Crystal Vanguard on Jan 23, 2014 0:49:43 GMT -5
Skarner skittered to the edge of the ravine and carefully moved over the edge, as to give the human on his back time to ensure a grip, much to his tail's regret. However this was unavoidable, given the fact that there was very little worth grasping onto on the brackern's back.
"All of what I do is for the future safety of the brackern. Something you cannot comprehend as long as your kin are able to walk about freely. You are not forced to make decisions about their safety as a whole on a regular basis. You are free to trust and to take risk, for they only affect you. Everyone is a potential threat to the Brackern unless proven otherwise." He paused as he skittered around a large crystal growth.
"Do not mistaken your place here as trust in your character. I trust your abilities and that of the summoners. If one of you seek to act against the interests of the brackern, I will kill you, as I expect you would if I threatened your entire race. So, hold fast to your faith in others for as long as you wish, just do not expect the same from me." Skarner said, continuing his downward decent at his normal pace.
Skarner had no fear of climbing these walls, as he had been evolved to do so. This was his natural habitat. He would get to the bottom as simply as a human would cross a meadow if they were feeling a bit pressed for time. As far as Skarner knew, the only threat here was the energy this place radiated.
Post by The Rogue Mage on Jan 23, 2014 22:45:19 GMT -5
It was not as though he had invited the stranger to come enjoy afternoon tea. He certainly had not wanted to turn the creature into his closest confidant as Skarner seemed to imply. Speaking with him long enough to discover his true motives and methods would have sufficed.
The mage kept his thoughts to himself and rightly so. He was in no position to argue as they hastily plunged headlong into the caverns gaping maw. His musings passed right through his mind only to plummet down into the abyss and it was all Ryze could do to cling in wide eyed terror to the brackern’s tail and be lectured.
When they finally touched down, the thorn mage was only too eager to peel his white knuckled grip away from Skarner’s tail and drop matters of the stranger entirely. Runes humming with the ebb and flow of energy in this place, he spun around in a slow circle, caught up in what lay at the bottom of the rift.
Besides, “…it is high time we have a look around.” He said to no one in particular. As he took everything in, Ryze did not even seem to realize that he had finished the thought aloud.
Post by Dungeon Master on Mar 5, 2014 6:36:29 GMT -5
Standing under the thin halo of light that filtered through the cavern’s mouth, the Thornmage’s eyes slowly adjusted to the shifting lights. A dim purple light seemed to glow from the depths of the cavern walls, playing queer tricks on they eyes as shapes danced against the darkness.
Yet what would truly fascinate the Thornmage was not that which he struggled to take in with his eyes, but the weight of the magic upon the air. While the Brackern owed his entire life tied to the upwellings of magical power in the earth, even he would feel a discomfort in this cavern. Before them the power seemed to condense from the air itself as an arc of light marred their vision once more.
From behind them emanated a gruff grunt as the head summoner finally touched the ground. “Too good for the ropes, are you? I hope you didn’t kill anyone up there.” He rolled his eyes as he turned back to untie a bundle of equipment from that was lowered alongside him. “Mayhaps we can get some work done now, mmm? This is as far as we have explored on our own so far.” Hoisting a techmetallurgical contraption onto his back. “At least, while making it back. With any luck, we may find the other two as well.”
Post by The Crystal Vanguard on Mar 7, 2014 13:55:54 GMT -5
The arc of energy was a sign they drew near and Skarner's gut tied itself into knots as his thoughts drifted to how this could affect his kin. This arc could destroy his kin if it hit one of them.
The summoner's voice was a distraction from these thoughts, if a small annoyance as well. This type of human was Skarner's least favorite. Those who felt they were in control and had a right to command him.
"The problem has been dealt with peacefully." he growled. "My homeland is my priority summoner, I must address ALL threats. This is my home and I will determine which threats require my attention first. However, I am not here to talk to you about how I defend my home, summoner. So, let's 'get some work done'." Skarner slowly skittered off towards the largest concentration of energy.
Post by The Rogue Mage on Mar 14, 2014 20:44:10 GMT -5
Enthralled by the oppressive hum of his surroundings and only half listening, Ryze added his response to the Brackern’s with a distracted wave of his hand. “Yes, yes. Quite an even temperament for a creature of such power. Left us alive and well…“ His mouth remained open as if he meant to say more but then something else caught his interest.
The thorn mage shut his jaws with a snap, then turned and wandered off without another word. Moments later he had joined Skarner at the strongest point of energy. Glowing eyes took in the spectacle that lay before him but his commune went far beyond that which he beheld.
Sensing it almost as if it were a tangible presence, Ryze stroked his beard in silent contemplation but gave no hint as to his thoughts. He did not, because he could not. A nagging feeling had taken root inside his mind and although he could not yet pinpoint the cause, with each passing moment, the sliver of it festered.
Perhaps as they got closer to their destination, he would gain the understanding he sought after.
Last Edit: Mar 14, 2014 20:55:50 GMT -5 by The Rogue Mage
Post by Dungeon Master on Apr 25, 2014 4:08:01 GMT -5
“It is true, Vanguard of the Brakern: focus too hard upon the warhammer, and a wasp may deal a deathblow. We can should smash the wasp so long as we don’t get smashed ourselves. This chasm hemorrhages magical power like nothing we’ve ever seen before, we’d best not get -” his gear finally settled, the summoner turned to find both of his ‘protectors’ had wandered off into the cave without him. “Separated,” he sighed, beginning his own march into the ethereal darkness of the cave.
It wasn’t long before he turned a corner to find both the Vanguard and Thornmage within arms length of a particularly charged crystalline formation. He cast a wary glance toward a hextech gauge on his arm where the needle continued to twitch eratically. “Be careful with that,” he shouted irritably as if the two might actually listen, “the last thing we need down here is another discharge.”
In the dim light of the glowing crystals, the summoner’s foot snagged on a rocky protrusion and he stumbled through a gap in the tightening cavern walls, twisting just enough to protect the equipment upon his back. The chamber was black as pitch as the summoner began to regain his footing, before an ark of arcane lightning shot through the stalactites. He instantly recognized the charred remains of a purple summoner’s robe. “Well there’s one,” he whispered as he tried to get a better look at the corpse’s ruined face. “We ought not stay overlong, fellows.”
Post by The Crystal Vanguard on Apr 26, 2014 0:39:00 GMT -5
Skarner had been staring at this crystalline growth. The inner structure of the crystal had been warped slightly. Minerals that were normally hexagonal were more cylindrical. It was frustrating for Skarner because Skarner knew this type of damage was irreparable. There was only neutralizing the destructive energy. This was not entirely new to Skarner, as he had ventured near the rift, but this energy appeared more agitated than what he had encountered. Either it was closer to a source or the corruption was accelerating.
He heard the summoner behind him say something about caution, when a bolt scorched the ceiling of the tunnel.
"The summoner is correct. Our mission here is nearing its end. Either this corruption is getting worse, or we near its source. I have no knowledge of our capabilities in purging the source if we find it." Skarner paused a moment. "Shall we keep going? Or do you feel we are unprepared, summoner?"
Post by The Rogue Mage on Apr 29, 2014 14:44:21 GMT -5
The thorn mage felt the energy building up just like before but the sudden violent purge came much sooner than he could possibly have predicted. The sudden flash of light was blinding even to his eyes. He waited for them to adjust then cautiously made his way over to where the summoner and the brakern were discussing the next move.
The question of why the purge had come so much faster, coupled with Skarner’s set of ‘either/or’ possibilities brought everything into focus. Ryze mentally checked his facts and decided that yes, he had a sound theory. “Excuse me gentlemen, If I may…”
The mage cleared his throat and then offered up his thoughts for consideration. “It is possible that both statements are correct. The corruption is getting worse because we are so near its source. If my calculations are sound, we have only minutes between ourselves and what we seek.”
Ryze then fell silent as he too considered their preparedness and wither or not they could do anything about what they might find. A way did exist to purge the corruption. Ryze and Skarner had seen it with their own eyes. Even though their views on the matter differed, the fact remained that it was possible and if it was possible once, than it should be possible again. It was simply a matter of understanding.
With all the hard work and sacrifices that had been made to get them this far, could they really afford to turn back now when they were so close to discovering the truth? As the thorn mage waited for their leaders decision, another arc of energy flooded the cavern with light and he realized that a shape he’d dismissed earlier as a rock was actually not a rock at all. Rocks did not wear robes.
Sympathetic eyes flicked over to the team’s young leader and Ryze stroked his beard as the discovery forced him to reconsider. ‘Perhaps the price is one we cannot afford after all.’
Last Edit: Apr 29, 2014 14:51:56 GMT -5 by The Rogue Mage
Post by Dungeon Master on May 3, 2014 17:48:56 GMT -5
The summoner closed his eyes briefly, ignoring the grisly sign before him. If the Brackern was having second thoughts, what possible role could a could a human hope to have? And finally despite all the false starts and unfulfilled promises, the best possible team had arrived, and already they were close. He opened his eyes again to recognize the body before him, a summoner far his senior in age if not in rank. He shook his head slowly, “Whatever this is, it grows worse by the day,” standing he adjusted the pack on his back, “this may be our last chance to understand… and without that...” he trailed off ominously, letting the consequences of failure sink in.
He stepped forward with a renewed focus on the device at his arm. While needle still jostled erratically, it no longer tapped at the edges of the device. A little bit more would give them the readings they needed: to find and end the source of this corrupting power. He glanced toward Ryze and nodded in agreement, “If you are carrying any defensive spells, I suggest you ready them now, Thornmage. There’s no telling what lies in the belly of this beast.”
Post by The Crystal Vanguard on May 4, 2014 21:40:23 GMT -5
Skarner already had a solid idea of what to expect leading up to their destination. Darkness, corrupted crystals, cave-ins, dead summoners, and a source to this pollution. All things Skarner knew walking into this. So this pollution was getting worse? It changed nothing. Only his companions and their state of mind worried Skarner, as they were the two he was relying on to help repair the damage.
"I can create small barriers to protect us from the blasts. Simply do not stand in the beam and you will not be crystallized. I am sure you both are aware of what would occur if you did." Skarner looked to the corpse before them. "Shall I tend to the body? Or do human customs dictate another practice for your dead?"
Post by The Rogue Mage on May 7, 2014 16:46:44 GMT -5
“I do indeed have a defensive spell that would suit our purposes but it is less than ideal. Perhaps it would be wiser to let Skarner do what he can first and save it as a last resort.” Ryze responded quietly.
The only spell that the thorn mage could rely on to negate the kind of energy they found here was an Anti-magic shield. A most unpleasant spell to cast and even less enjoyable to experience, at least where Ryze was concerned. His very essence was so entwined with his passion for the arcane that he could not yet manage to cast the blasted thing without experiencing a backlash of unfortunate personal consequences. Still, it was an agreeable alternative to winding up a charred corpse.
Despite his reluctance, he did take the summoners suggestion and began to prepare himself, silently reviewing the chant and symbols as he waited for a decision on the remains.
Last Edit: May 7, 2014 16:50:24 GMT -5 by The Rogue Mage
Post by Dungeon Master on May 10, 2014 17:48:22 GMT -5
The summoner nodded, his resolve only solidified by his companion’s reactions. He nodded as he stepped forward, not even glancing at the body of his fallen comrade, naught but determination in his voice. “His family would want the body. If we can reclaim it, we will do so as we exit.” There was no emotion in his voice as he went through his own repertoire of spells. With each additional step, the cavern seemed to grow more compact, and occasional bolts of arcane lightning dangerously close. They proceeded behind the bracken until his claws began to scrape the cavern walls.
A dim light became apparent before them, emitting from the walls themselves. Gone was the rock of the earth itself, replaced by the smooth violet of crystal before them. The way forward narrowed to a tube that not even summoner would be able to squeeze through. He stood back from the entrance, counting the time between each burst of energy that arked from wall to wall, “Vanguard, if you can widen the path, I will take over the shielding. Whatever the source of this power may be, it lies behind this wall. Don’t let your guards down.”
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