The Lord of Blades
Game Masters
Ero Sennin
Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a man of wealth and taste
Posts: 1,314
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Post by The Lord of Blades on Dec 2, 2007 21:14:57 GMT -5
[glow=darkblue,2,300]Omega Ruins[/glow] You stand before the Gate of Calamity, that which leads to the Omega Ruins and houses the beast of the apocalypse within. The door opens, allowing you entry without any traps or sounds. The stale air blowing outward from the archway (as the door is set atop a mountain with nothing behind it... yet looking through it from the opening you can see a long hallway whereas from behind it appears to simply be an arch) seethes with foreboding and dread. Fearlessly you stride inside, determined to conquer the ruins and defeat the beast within. As you all enter the ruins, the stone entryway behind you fills instantly with the same strange stone composing the walls. Several arcane and divine glyphs manifest on the stone that Braska quickly takes a step back from seeing that they are quite potent in discouraging forcing ones way back. You are not going to leave by this exit clearly as the Gate of Calamity has closed. Braska remembers reading that the Gate of Calamity will allow any who may reach it to enter, but will permit none to leave to the best of its power in attempt to stall Omega should it awaken and attempt to free itself. You now stand in the entry-hall of the Omega Ruins (if you've played Super Metroid, you'll find this room familiar to a certain statue room). You will return here after every completed floor and be allowed to rest. Think of this is a staging ground. You will not be updated about completion, merely told at the end after you have finished the floor to your own desire. The room appears to be a long hallway with a vaulted ceiling some 50 feet high at its apex. The hallway itself is 120 feet long and 90 feet wide with large double doors that appear to be little more than ornate and gigantic slabs of stone carved to look appropriate. There is a long purple carpet that was laid from where you stand to the door that appears to be in excellent condition still. The rest of the room (including the sides where the carpet does not go to as it is only 30 feet wide, same as the doors [each door being 15 feet wide]) appears to be made from masterfully carved stone with traces of blue in all kinds of shades that one would see when looking at stone from underwater with a lightsource above the water (see picture). The air smells beyond sterile almost to the point where it seems too clean. There are statues spaced every 30 feet down the length of the hall on both sides of the purple carpet with two framing each of the archways at either end of the hall. Each of the eight are carved to resemble a gruesome monster (LORE/BARDIC CHECK FOR EACH ONE). The statues eyes (or other appendages as one or more lack eyes) glow with a white light and this light provides an eerie-all-around illumination for the hallway. The double doors at the other end bear an inscription written an unknown language (Decipher Script DC55 or Polyglot) that reads "The Tomb of the Ender must not be disturbed. Buried by the fifty seals will we pray it sleeps for all eternity. Yet the brave may come, the curious may awaken it, the strong may struggle with it. Your bravery is not in doubt, your curiousity is ill-placed, your strength is not challenged. This beast, this ender of all things, is not some monster to be bested. This great monster, Omega, must be left to lie... it is the only way to steal what precious time our universe has to exist. We have bound him, it cost us our civilization, don't awaken him so that you may pay for it with yours. If you wish to depart, if you wish to flee, simply speak the words 'I am afraid. I am weak. I am close-minded.' and you will be banished from this place for eternity. If still you wish to continue on, the stars shall transport you to whatever depth you have proven yourself capable of. When all the light fades and the bell has tolled for the universe, this door will open and it will come forth. When it awakens it will unmake existence and it will devour the universe. Do what you must, but only if you must. We have perished, our memories are naught but fragments. We who opposed the Ender of All Things have tasted the power that lies within it. We have saved you from it, now it is your choice to decide whether you shall yourselves."There is a large four-point-star in the carpet before the door that is as wide as the carpet and long enough to be perfectly equal on all sides and lengths. Standing inside it along with some 'trigger' will likely take you to the first floor of the Ruins. Anyone who presses their hands on the double-doors can feel[/b] something breathing in long deep breaths as though slumbering behind the doors. The sensation is unnerving as whatever lies beyond them radiates enough power to be felt behind gates that can be no less than 50 feet thick of solid stone and are so covered in invisible runes (that Braska points out) that they would look like foppish watercolors if the runes were visible. You quickly remove your hand out of sheer discomfort at knowing that nothing short of the embodiment of universal apocalypse is slumbering behind the doors. - - - - Floor 1 awaits ye brave adventurers - - - -
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Dec 2, 2007 22:52:08 GMT -5
Looking around, the robed figure of Braska walks slowly around the room, studying the various glyphs, examining the statues, and slowly reading the strange script on the doors outloud for everyone to hear.
Starting at where they came in he points to the first 2 statues on each side. "These 4, I can't say i've ever heard of.... which is unfortunate." moving on he proceeds to point at each of the next 4 in turn, starting with the one on his left, then his right, then right and then finally left again.
"This first one is a being known as Antipode, which is actually two beings, exact opposites of each other, individually known as Agni and Rudra. As you can see from the fact that the statue depicts it as one being it is thought they are someone one in the same, yet still exact opposites. As you can see one set of the limbs is covered in ice, and the other fire, representing their opposite nature."
"Now this next statue, as you can see, depicts some sort of feral beast, akin in looks to a minotaur, but more primal. It is known simply as 'Fury'. It is a rather legendary beast, of un-godly strength. If we encounter it, it would be best no to try to face it in battle, but rather to outsmart it."
"Now this next one is rather interesting, and is known as Atomos. And no, its not just a part of the creature, that giant Maw that the statue depicts IS the creature. Its a creature similar to Omega himself, but is really kinda his opposite. He can harness the pure power of unmaking that emanates from Omega. Whatever you do dont get sucked into that maw if we run across it... You won't return."
"And this last one is most interesting. Known simply as The Seraph, it is a being of immense power... so immense in fact that Omega himself can not unmake the Seraph. His purpose was to fight Omega, but in the unending struggle, he was tied inexorably to Omega's fate. Now he tries to unleash Omega, for when Omega unmakes the world the Seraph will be freed once again... But he has been bound by those who made this place, and charged with stopping any and all who attempt to get to Omega. His is indeed a sad and misguided existance."
Looking around once more, he finally stops and looks at the others. "Well, if you are ready I believe we can move on. Make your preparations and I will take us to the first floor when everyone is ready."
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Post by Yamazaki on Dec 2, 2007 22:52:27 GMT -5
[ooc] I'm going to assume that Braska will read out loud what the inscription says. [/ooc]
Zomiel smirked as he finished his cigarette, making a mental note that he was trying to quit (an effort that has proven to be rather difficult for the blade master). His left hand rested on his swords, his right held the cig just before he dropped it and stomped it out. "They're trying to scare us off... Don't blame 'em, but like bloody hell will I back off. They bloody well know what kind of people who would attempt such a bloody trial."
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Dec 2, 2007 22:56:03 GMT -5
"And this is more than just a trial my friend.. Everything they say is absolutely true. So don't take this lightly.... But I agree that we should not be disuaded from our goal."
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Post by Yamazaki on Dec 2, 2007 23:11:36 GMT -5
The blade master chuckled. "I am not taking it lightly, Braska. Even I know how bloody hard this whole thing will be. And if we do wake up Omega and fail... I don't think I could bloody well live with myself again. Assuming there'll even be a bloody existence to live in." Zomiel stretched. "Anyways, I'm about ready to roll. Let's get this bloody thing started."
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Post by Dave on Dec 3, 2007 11:27:25 GMT -5
Staying near Braska, Jecht looks around the room. "Fifty seals, huh? This might take awhile. Best we get going then." He cracks his knuckles, moving his hand to the massive sword on his back. "The big guy might pose a problem, but I doubt anything else in here is that impressive. Braska, just make sure to stick near me, in case any problems do come up."
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Dec 3, 2007 18:18:08 GMT -5
Chuckling Braska shakes his head slightly. "Just like you Jecht, never thinking that anything that isn't physically powerful could be a threat. Personally I'm more worried about Atomos than anything I've seen so far... except of course Omega.. But these are all contemplations for the future. I'll be a few minutes getting myself prepared here, and then we will proceed to the first floor. Make any preperations you may need."
With that Braska begins going through the motions of casting a series of spells, his standard buffs for the day (I'll get a list next post. Still deciding on a spell list for the day).
[Ooc] So, I'll be waiting until everyone has posted a character that is going to play, and then I'll be continuing on into the dungeon..... Of course myself and james might get bored and move on if people dont have characters ready relatively soon... So yeah. -grins- [/ooc]
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Post by Yamazaki on Dec 3, 2007 18:51:04 GMT -5
"A giant mouth that's basically a black hole? Yeah, I don't think that'll be a pleasant fight." Zomiel's hand seemed to search in his coat, after a bit producing a pack of cigarettes. He looked at them, appearing to consider something, shrugged, and pulled out another cig. Shiomi's not around to bitch, so whatever... Damn mage and his allergies. He looks at the cig intently for a brief moment, allowing it to light up. "Well, ready whenever the rest of you are..."
[ooc] Just killing time and boredom... [/ooc]
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The Lord of Blades
Game Masters
Ero Sennin
Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a man of wealth and taste
Posts: 1,314
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Post by The Lord of Blades on Dec 4, 2007 23:09:53 GMT -5
---The first statue on the right from when you enter appears to be a humanoid at first glance. However, when you look closer, it bears an elongated beaked head at the end of a long neck that cranes its head slightly before and above its chest on an emaciated frame. The creature's hooked beak tapers to a wicked point and in one wickedly clawed hand it holds what looks like a barbed, three-bladed fork. Its flesh is taut over its visible ribs and a tail that looks as though it would be thrashing about were this the real creature and not a stone imitation. It's bony frame seems to possess spiked plating near its elbow and knee joints. The feet appear as though a birds taloned feet placed instead of a mans feet on a mans leg (albeit a bony thin leg). There is a cold light glowing from its eyes to show that this monster is still undefeated so far.
---The first statue on the left from when you enter appears to be a roughly man-shaped figure. The reason it is 'roughly' man-shaped is because it is a humanoid encased in several layers of platemail obscuring all features in smooth sheets of metal. The armor comes to sharp points with raised lips at the edges. The figure has no weapon visible and is carrying no shield, only the suit of impenetrable appearing armor and a cloak billowing behind it caught in motion in this statue incarnation. The cloak and armor bears no color on the statue and the light glows from the vizor slit on the head where the armored figure would look out from.
---The second statue on the right from when you enter appears to look as though a gargoyle that has been imbued with a much more powerful frame, being far more muscled and vicious looking in the extreme. A snarling mouth full of fangs as well as hands and feet both dug into the base of the statue with sharp claws as the figure is hunched complete the horrific look as a pair of long batwings extend from its back. The cold light in its eyes seems to almost menacingly glare at you.
---The second statue on the left from when you enter appears to be a clockwork (although it is obvious upon closer inspection that the clockwork components are highly advanced and that they are easily the least sophisticated part of the creature) monstrosity. It's shape is vaguely humanoid but the gears and other alien devices and mechanics that would move mar the shape and make it appear like a rather crude golem. The body and limbs are wreathed in ornate engraved armor bearing a design so intricate that the finer details cannot be observed as they trail off into marks so small they look almost like artful fingerprints. It has no visible face, lacking a discernable head of any kind, and yet it seems to bear a presence and appearance of being sentient. Certainly moreso than anyone would believe a clockwork golem could attain. A dim glow comes from within the monster, shining through where there are cracks in the armor.
---The third statue on the right (Identified as being called "Fury") from when you enter appears to be a brutish humanoid shape. Whereas the gargoyle appeared hunched over and muscular, this statue stands tall and the figure it depicts seems to almost struggle to contain the power it houses within its frame. Two large horns spiral from its beastial head forward to jut in front of its face for what would likely be a goring charge if it were the real creature you saw before you. The monster bears an overall resemblance to a minotaur but only in passing glance as it in many ways appears far more beastial, evil, and powerful. The feet are not hooved, instead powerful, gripping, clawed feet are visible. Its hands are free yet there is a truly brutal appearing greatsword imitation lodged in the base of the statue as though the creature sometimes wields it. The creature is covered in broken plates and chains as though an effort had once been made to shackle it. Clearly those efforts failed, and now it seems to wear the broken remains of its bindings as armor. There is a cold light glowing from its eyes and mouth that is open in a silent, stone roar.
---The third statue on the left (Identified as being called "Antipode {Agni & Rudra}") from when you enter appears to look as though two men joined back-to-back possessing four arms, four legs, and two heads. One bears a frosted appearance, snow and ice carved into detail as covering the man. The other seems to be ablaze with flame. The two are weaponless and appear to be identical despite their opposing elemental designs.
---The fourth statue on the right (Identified as being called "Atomos") from when you enter appears to be little more than a wicked archway designed to resemble a large, gaping maw. The cavernous maw of the creature is black and even the statue conveys a sense of foreboding about the depths of that endless abyss. There is a cold light glowing at the back of the maw, yet it seems incredibly beyond reach. The sides of the arch seem to be adorned with partial visages of demonic and fiendish design presenting a truly unnerving 'living gateway' appearance.
---The fourth statue on the left (Identified as being called "Seraph") from when you enter appears to be an angelic masculine figure. However, despite having the torso and head of man, it possesses no legs, instead six wings spread where legs would begin. A seventh wing replaces the right arm and appears to be sharper and more wickedly designed than the soft feathered wings supporting the figure. A large halo is positioned behind the man's head and torso and his other arm is still a normal mans arm although both that and the parts of his body that appear normal literally appear to possess the unearthly perfection of a divine being. His halo emits a cold light that shines with an air of sorrow about it despite its majesty.
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Dec 7, 2007 18:05:31 GMT -5
After casting his usual round of buffing spells (Including Superior Resistance on Jecht), he looks around. "Well if everyone is ready, I believe should enter." Stepping over to the design in the middle that obviously needs some sort of trigger to activate he motions everyone onto the 'portal'. "This should take us to the first floor. Not entirely sure if it will automatically take all of us when I say the command words, or just me, so be prepared to repeat what you hear me say if you see me disappear." Taking a deep breath he looks around once more and then says in a clear, strong voice. "We are Brave. We seek Power. We desire Knowledge."
[ooc] Buffs: Heart of Air, Heart of Water, Heart of Earth, Heart of Fire (All lasting 25 hours). Ebon eyes (Lasts a little over 4 hours), Anticipate Teleportation (24 hours, 125 ft emanation centered on me), Reflective Disguise (a little over 4 hours).
Ebon Eyes, and Reflective disguise were cast using my Rob of Absorption.[/ooc]
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The Lord of Blades
Game Masters
Ero Sennin
Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a man of wealth and taste
Posts: 1,314
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Post by The Lord of Blades on Dec 7, 2007 19:02:57 GMT -5
Your group vanishes in a flicker of light and you are filled with a disturbing sensation of losing all of your senses simultaneously. After what seems like only a few seconds of being immaterial and nonexistant, you arrive in a black room. The room is literally black yet seems to be flat stone beneath your feat. There is only one source of light and it appears to be two small white flames spaced 10 feet apart in a straight line due north of you positioned on the floor. The air seems almost alive with magical energy and you can smell what could only be described as the 'essence' of an evil creature (all the smells of things such as a dragon's lair, demons castle, etc. assaulting you at once). The sensation passes after a moment and you are left standing inside a 4-pointed star traced in cold white light. The two flames are at the north point on the star and seem to beckon you in that direction. For those of you with the ability to see through magical darkness and etc... you see that there are actually four 'hallways' in each direction ending in a door, but that's only if you make a DC40 spot check. The area is not so much dark as it is black; the walls, floors, ceilings, and doors themselves are utterly pitch black.
(assuming you walk north) As you walk more flames flanking either side of the 'hall' appear on the floor every five feet, denoting the hallway to be approximately 100 feet long and 10 feet wide before ending in a large doorway. The door itself is pitch black as well, but if you look closely (DC30 search check) and feel around, it appears to have a large circle ring engraved near the center. There is no seam or crack for the door indicating whether it can be opened by force, you suspect some sort of activation mechanism regarding the circle.
Braska immediately (auto'd the DC40 check) yanks anyone searching back from the door and glares at the circle, forcing a sigil to appear through sheer force of will and become visible to others. The symbol is ridiculously complex and seems to be a Weird (PHB) spell glyph designed to affect anyone in its emanation from the circle which is likely the door mechanism upon being touched.
You are free to attempt to suppress the rune if you so wish Braska.
As you pass the 50 foot mark, the flames leading back to the glowing star have vanished leaving it to look as though it glows in nothingness and as though an attempt to reach it would be futile (it only conveys this sense, you know you can walk back to it if you need to having recently walked across the floor, still the effect is rather unnerving).
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Dec 7, 2007 19:25:30 GMT -5
Shaking his head and smiling, after yanking everyone back of course, Braska takes a few moments and casts a spell (Using his rod of absorption for the spellpower), and his hand flashes blue for a second. With a smile he reaches over and touches the symbol, which then flashes blue as well and disappears, reappearing on the back of his hand. "Alrighty, well now that that is dealt with, lets continue shall we? and lets be quick about it."
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Kiirnodel
Keeps Coming Back for More
Posts: 937
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Post by Kiirnodel on Dec 8, 2007 23:09:51 GMT -5
Warshade looks at the symbol now on Braska's hand, and grins
"Aye, we wouldn't want to let that go to waste, now would we?"
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The Lord of Blades
Game Masters
Ero Sennin
Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a man of wealth and taste
Posts: 1,314
|
Post by The Lord of Blades on Dec 10, 2007 4:01:33 GMT -5
(Ok, Assuming the door gets opened since NO ONE is posting 'cept Nick and Ben):: Current Background MusicThe door glows for a moment and several 'veins' of cold light trace out from the engraved circle as it slowly comes to life with a soft cold glow. The door seems to break into four pieces, each piece retreating slowly into one of the four corners before vanishing from sight altogether. Ahead of you the dark hallway remains completely mysterious in its utter blackness. You hear faint noises coming from it, yet can make out no details other than sound. Even still, the sounds are an enigma, being unlike the sound of a creature moving so much as the sound of stone shifting almost as though the door mechanism has an effect on more than just the door. The floor-flames extend 50 feet forward and back but never any further (and rounded down). Oddly they cast no light on the hallway and instead seem to only serve as a path marker. The hallway ahead of you seems preternaturally still and you are loathe to enter as this whole place is rather unnerving. DM NOTE: If no posts are received in the period of a few days, it will be assumed that you continue down the hallway NOT searching, NOT spotting, NOT listening, NOT buffing/preparing, and NOT sharing any information you may acquire with the party. In short, the game will move on, but you be at a penalty (this is to encourage you to be actively interested as opposed to just letting me move the game on until a monster jumps you or you hit a door with a loud *thump* as you walk into it facefirst). DM NOTE: You are free to make search checks as you please but be advised they will count you as surprised in most cases should combat begin. If you have something you naturally 'notice' that you feel I should be aware of, do tell me in your next post in a little extra note at the end of it so I'm fully aware. DM NOTE: Also be at ease. There are no grues in this dungeon.
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Post by Dave on Dec 10, 2007 17:04:39 GMT -5
"Braska, I should take the lead now. Make sure to pay attention for more glyphs, though, I'd rather not run into something like that." With that, Jecht takes the lead, moving down the hall carefully, paying attention for mechanical traps. (Survival taking 10=40[effectively 35 search vs mechanical traps])
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