Monday, February 25, 2013

AAR: February 16, 2013 - Green Dye Number 14

A small party of crazed, junkie orks have struck at a small storage depot.  The Storm Heralds can't figure out what the tactical or strategic significance of this target is until they read what is stored here: Imperial Green Dye #14...

"Ah, ha!  It's that maniac, Mega-Warboss Chainsaw, brothers!  He's a Green Dye #14 addict!  To the droppods!"

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Crossover - Chapter 50

It is clear that Shaddar’s appearance has upset the drow elder’s sleep schedule.  All three of the ancient dark elf leaders jump as the double doors fly open and slam into the walls with a bang.  None of them look happy to see him.

The sole female elder looks terrible with lines of deep depression clearly etched in her face.  It looks like she has not been sleeping or eating very well at all.  She appears to be even further aged – something Shaddar did not believe was possible.

“The Harvester returns,” Griselle thinks with frantic dread, “Will he bring us any reason to have optimism?  Oh, why do I torment myself with such thoughts?  It is hopeless!  Our doom is sealed.  Doubtless he comes with a missive that promises an eternity of darkness and pain…”

The second drow elder that Shaddar examines as he walks across the room glares at him with unfeigned and unmasked hostility.

“Drips and spots!  He’s back – and looking even more fancy than he did on his last visit,” thinks the sorcerer Filazar, “I wonder what insipid demand he will make this time?  It’s a good thing I was able to summon my best assassins and hide them in the other room.  I can’t wait to call them in on one excuse or another and humble this fraud for good!”

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Crossover - Chapter 49

“So where is our new headquarters going to be?” Hawke asks.

“The dark elves have a facility that will suit us perfectly.  I will be leaving to gain unrestricted access and cooperation from their elders soon,” Shaddar explains.

“Bunking with palehairs?  Ugh!” the man thinks, but Shaddar notes that none of his inner emotion reaches his facial features.

Shaddar continues with an upraised finger, “Actually, I believe that it will be more like a hostile takeover.  I do not expect them to welcome us with open arms to their finest and most secret lair.”

Hawke barks a laugh.  “Not one of their hovels, then?”

“Oh, no,” Shaddar says with a tone of distaste, “Just wait, Hawke.  It is a fitting location for men of our stature.”

Hawke shakes his head.  “No disrespect meant, but I’ll believe that the palehairs are capable of making a place like that when I see it, Boss.”

Friday, February 15, 2013

Crossover - Chapter 48

Back in the border zone of Big City once more, Loolipo guides them into a part of town Shaddar has not visited before.  The place is clearly abandoned with many of the buildings having been torn down or burned several years ago. 

“Hawke told us that this place used to be the main part of town for the hobgoblins to live,” Loolipo says quietly, “It was burned by the Guild of Villains during a riot long ago and never refurbished.”

Kug snorts.  “Just made us cram into the palehair ghetto is all they did,” he says with disgust, “I’ve heard the story many times from my band’s chiefs.  They fixed most of their own warehouses, where we store furniture and other fine things until some human wants it, but not any of our dens or gathering halls.”  The hobgoblin spits to one side of the wagon.  “I hate humans…”

“Rightfully so, General.  But be patient: Retribution is coming,” Shaddar promises.  He notes with satisfaction that many of the other hobgoblins have listened in on this exchange.  Good.

Crossover - Chapter 47

Shaddar is certain that either the Lords or the Mist of Darkness will be after him en masse quite soon.  Because of this, he has no choice but to abandon the Jester and Hawk Meadhall as his center of operations.   He plans to visit the drow Elders again and make them an offer they can’t refuse.  Either they will follow him willingly or he will have Cutt clean up a lot of elf blood from his newly emptied underground palace...

It is unlikely that the Knights will be able to keep their masters in the dark about the ‘winds of change’ that have begun to blow through their city.  Either news of the vile rumors Shaddar spread, the unrest he has caused, or this latest provocation of stealing their tribute will cause the Lords to act.

As for the Mist of Darkness?  Well.  He has no way of contacting them directly, but it is clear that their people have been watching some of his minions at the very least.  But not him and his own personal activities.  No, he has remained fairly well hidden and can avoid any competent minds that are seeking him out.  Shaddar is quite certain that they have no idea that he left the city.

Crossover - Chapter 46

Once they reach the top of the ramp and can see the stars at the top of the Well – it happens.

The slave who is being forced to be the leader of their expedition has an exceptionally bad time…

From one side of the archway a clawed hand darts out and rips the fellow’s throat into a red ruin.  The claw’s owner steps out of the shadows with a hiss and Shaddar recognizes it as a vampire spawn.

“You dare to defy the UnderKing?  This place is not for you!  It is not for anyone!” it snarls, “You die, desecraters!”

Toothsnatcher responds with eagerness to not only remove the threat, but to test his new axe in combat.  He is not disappointed in the results.

Crossover - Chapter 45

Felinxtrath obviously had massive creative control over this world as it came into being; power sufficient to create finery and pomp fit for a king – so he did so.

“And here it is,” Shaddar thinks with his eyes creasing with delight, “All for me.”

Piles of gold nuggets, glass dishes overflowing with richly-colored, dark gemstones, and racks of finely-crafted armor and weapons are immediately visible.  All of it arranged to impress those who might be on hand to witness the grand opening of the treasure chamber.

And it works.  Shaddar’s small force of hobgoblins is impressed.  Even the slaves are murmuring to one another at the sight.  Shaddar, however, is not dazzled for long by such trinkets.  He strides into the room, casting his eyes about for something more.  Works of incomparable artwork line the walls interspersed with further piles of riches.  The artwork is of high quality, but to Shaddar’s eyes it is nothing but refuse; each piece has Felinxtrath’s repulsive features on it somewhere, ruining the lot.  As for wealth?  Ho-hum.

“Surely this is not all?  I am certain that my dead master would have made himself something even more impressive and powerful than mere riches.  They must around here some–“  His thoughts stop and he makes a satisfied slurping noise as he sees what he knew must be here.