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!”
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
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.”
“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.
“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.
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.
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.
“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.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
AAR: December 27, 2012 - Jailbreak Hijinx
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Crossover - Chapter 44
This is a disaster. A disaster!
The Realm is a world based on sound illithid principles, but then the blueprints were torn to fragments and it has been finished by the insane and stupid. And then! Then it has run out of control, like a drunken troglodyte in a cave filled with shrieking mushrooms!
And Shaddar is stuck in the middle of this unstable matrix? Oh. My.
“If this is record of how the world works, then perhaps I can glean something of the rules by reading what the four slaves created before they were consumed by the forces of the experiment,” he thinks with forlorn hopes. How likely is it that the four tortured slaves would mentally co-operate, such that the chair and other magical equipment would understand and process their commands?
The Realm is a world based on sound illithid principles, but then the blueprints were torn to fragments and it has been finished by the insane and stupid. And then! Then it has run out of control, like a drunken troglodyte in a cave filled with shrieking mushrooms!
And Shaddar is stuck in the middle of this unstable matrix? Oh. My.
“If this is record of how the world works, then perhaps I can glean something of the rules by reading what the four slaves created before they were consumed by the forces of the experiment,” he thinks with forlorn hopes. How likely is it that the four tortured slaves would mentally co-operate, such that the chair and other magical equipment would understand and process their commands?
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Crossover - Chapter 43
There is much groaning when Shaddar kicks the hobgoblins and slaves awake after their extravagant rest.
“Up! We have much to explore and discover!” he urges.
A thought he had as he awakened is that Felinxtrath may have created a stash of powerful arms, weapons, or magical items for his own personal use in this world. If so, he would have hidden it somewhere in the city. If such a trove exists, Shaddar will have it for his own!
Even if this thought is a vain one, the work of centuries of illithid study were done here in this ancient city – stored away as a gift to ‘the long-tentacled one’. Shaddar feels a burning need for the results and research that would have been collected. He looks forward to finding it and… What was the term the drow elders used? Ah, yes… Harvesting the knowledge.
These thoughts encourage him to be even more blunt than usual with his minions.
“We leave now,” he states simply and then walks off with Toothsnatcher. The hobgoblins and slaves have to run to catch up with him, but none of them want to be left alone in this strange ruin.
“Up! We have much to explore and discover!” he urges.
A thought he had as he awakened is that Felinxtrath may have created a stash of powerful arms, weapons, or magical items for his own personal use in this world. If so, he would have hidden it somewhere in the city. If such a trove exists, Shaddar will have it for his own!
Even if this thought is a vain one, the work of centuries of illithid study were done here in this ancient city – stored away as a gift to ‘the long-tentacled one’. Shaddar feels a burning need for the results and research that would have been collected. He looks forward to finding it and… What was the term the drow elders used? Ah, yes… Harvesting the knowledge.
These thoughts encourage him to be even more blunt than usual with his minions.
“We leave now,” he states simply and then walks off with Toothsnatcher. The hobgoblins and slaves have to run to catch up with him, but none of them want to be left alone in this strange ruin.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Crossover - Chapter 42
After the excitement of the battle wears off, Shaddar orders his hobgoblin minions back to the task of breaking through the sealed archway.
There are four different layers of brick, each done with a different style of work. This indicates that on four different occasions someone returned to this place to further seal whatever lays beyond. Shaddar’s tentacles twitch with anticipation and other facial signs of speculation.
When the workers finally break through the last layer of the wall a rush of foul air blasts dust and brick chips into the hobgoblin’s faces. Coughing and sputtering they back away from the hole.
“It has not been disturbed in all this time. Nor has the chamber been breached anywhere else – otherwise there wouldn’t be the buildup of stagnant air pressure,” Shaddar thinks.
Shaddar walks forward to be the first to enter this new area. His minions follow him with trepidation, murmuring many questions as they see what lies beyond.
“I’ve never seen anything like it!”
“The curves hurt my eyes!”
“What is it?” Many of the hobgoblins ask and think this question as they stare with wonder.
Shaddar puts his hands on his hips on the other side as he surveys the scene that he can see in the dim light. He decides to grace his minions with an answer to their primary question.
“It is the ruin of an illithid city,” he says softly.
There are four different layers of brick, each done with a different style of work. This indicates that on four different occasions someone returned to this place to further seal whatever lays beyond. Shaddar’s tentacles twitch with anticipation and other facial signs of speculation.
When the workers finally break through the last layer of the wall a rush of foul air blasts dust and brick chips into the hobgoblin’s faces. Coughing and sputtering they back away from the hole.
“It has not been disturbed in all this time. Nor has the chamber been breached anywhere else – otherwise there wouldn’t be the buildup of stagnant air pressure,” Shaddar thinks.
Shaddar walks forward to be the first to enter this new area. His minions follow him with trepidation, murmuring many questions as they see what lies beyond.
“I’ve never seen anything like it!”
“The curves hurt my eyes!”
“What is it?” Many of the hobgoblins ask and think this question as they stare with wonder.
Shaddar puts his hands on his hips on the other side as he surveys the scene that he can see in the dim light. He decides to grace his minions with an answer to their primary question.
“It is the ruin of an illithid city,” he says softly.
Mek Lab - Modular Chemical Plant
Since Chainsaw is killing nobz who ask him what the trouble is, they have come to none other than Mek Gearsnik to solve their problem:"Huh. Datz why I only eatz grotz dat I seen growd up around me lab. Whalp! I kan help ya ladz - fer a small fee of teef dat iz... Open wide now! ... Dat wasn't so bad, woz it? Now den: Seein' az how diz cravin' might be building up ovar time, I'll git ya one betta - a modula' chemical plant that we kan add productshan onta laterz. Dat's brillant! No - datz wot yer suppous'd ta say..."
Modular Chemical Plant
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Crossover - Chapter 41
Shaddar hurries his minions along the path. It soon turns and dips, leading further down into the deep. The remains of what look like an aqueduct emerges from one side of the hall and travels down with them, but no liquid flows from it’s broken pipework.
A series of four holes run down one side of the tunnel. The holes look like they at one time accepted some kind of geared device. There are marks and scuffs that were some kind of wheels as well, bordering the holes. Shaddar think that perhaps there used to be a slave-powered trolley to spare those of the race the tedium of walking up and down the lengthy tunnel. Felinxtrath often spoke of his ideas for such devices.
The descent is long and tiring. Too taxing on the slaves than Shaddar can believe as they must stop only partway down in order to allow them and the equally sore, but less vocal about it, hobgoblins to sleep. Shaddar is appalled at the level of sloth the weaker races all share. He orders that the slaves be gagged to quiet their obnoxious cries for food and water.
“We is hungry, too, master,” Kug explains.
Shaddar arches an eyebrow and looks over the exhausted slaves. Yes. A bit of a snack might be nice – and it might also encourage greater speed and fewer complaints if done properly.
A series of four holes run down one side of the tunnel. The holes look like they at one time accepted some kind of geared device. There are marks and scuffs that were some kind of wheels as well, bordering the holes. Shaddar think that perhaps there used to be a slave-powered trolley to spare those of the race the tedium of walking up and down the lengthy tunnel. Felinxtrath often spoke of his ideas for such devices.
The descent is long and tiring. Too taxing on the slaves than Shaddar can believe as they must stop only partway down in order to allow them and the equally sore, but less vocal about it, hobgoblins to sleep. Shaddar is appalled at the level of sloth the weaker races all share. He orders that the slaves be gagged to quiet their obnoxious cries for food and water.
“We is hungry, too, master,” Kug explains.
Shaddar arches an eyebrow and looks over the exhausted slaves. Yes. A bit of a snack might be nice – and it might also encourage greater speed and fewer complaints if done properly.
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