Shattered City Shattered City[Main Event]

[Harrier]

One doesn't become a necromancer if one appreciates company, as a rule. Every introverted bone in Harrier's body rejected the presence of so many disparate people. The undead formed a double ring around her as she pulled away to walk on the side of the road, within robust speaking distance of Ava and anyone else who wanted to talk.

Like, say, the man driving a wagon pulled by cows and smelling of potatoes.

She'd met Steve son of Will in the Bayou Garramarisma a long while back. More recently, she'd attended his trial in disguise. Give him fifty years and he'd be the quintessential quirky senile wizard. Right now he was just a professional wild card.

He was also, despite his plea deal in Elbion, a necromancer of no small ability. Something to watch, certainly.

"Hello, Willsson," she said. "No undead chickens today?"

Various soldiers of fortune had their own ideas about the best way to enter the golden city. The path split into three, four, five in short order. Harrier prayed that her undead would lead most people to choose paths other than the one she picked.

People were the worst.


Immediate: Ava Gilleth TTamark
Nearby: Szesh Selene Avar

 

[TTamark]

Steve was greatly moved by Harrier strong statement about how she was a necromancer and not ashamed to show it. Her openly showing of her undead, what strength, what courage. Truly a modern day hero, and inspiration to children everywhere, fighting that good fight. Steve would have also have had his undead standing bare, and unashamed of who they are, but they were guarding the village. That and he was mostly taking this opportunity to do some recruiting, and most people reacted poorly to undead at first. Steve didn't hold it against the uneducated masses though, hate is born from ignorance which is why it is important to make good first impressions, and educate people. So they can learn that Steve is a good guy who wants to help and they owe him their lives even if he doesn't ask for anything in return, and turning undead is the right choice to make.

"Nah, unfortunately I have been helping some uneducated farmers recently, and you know how it is. You are busy helping people out and suddenly you are on trial for creating an abomination, forget that you were just saving peoples lives, and now you risk further punishment if you are caught committing any further acts that The College might not approve of, and word gets back to it. Now if I want to go back there I would need to be in disguise, but I guess you wouldn't really know much about that, eh?

Also my old gang are mostly busy teaching at The College of Sanctuary way up in the tundra, and Leroy set off to become a super duper hero after he fused with an orc. But you know I have been collecting those previously mentioned farmers' chicken bones for when they realize that they simply had some misconceptions about necromancy. I do have some rats scurrying about though, such good boys!

But how rude of me, here we are clucking away like hens when I haven't even introduced myself to your friend, and her me. Hi, I'm Steve, Will's boy."

Steve's Hand shot out for a handshake while his smile was so large his eyes were pretty much closed with how high his cheeks had raised up. It was just such a wonderful surprise to run into a necromancer all they way out here. He just felt a kinship with necromancers and was always glad to see another, after all one doesn't become a necromancer unless one appreciates company, as a rule. Who else would choose a magic where they could make sure they would never be alone. And here Harrier was having found a ton of people to hang out with as they went to the golden city. People are just the best!

Harrier Ava Gilleth

 

[Raigryn Vayd]

THE WET ROPE PUB
HOUSE OF BEER, JUST BEER

Dearien Verook James Lanvarok Fife Kara Orin

Raigryn slid out from behind his table, leaving his half empty mug of ale where it was. He had decided to let Fife try some more dwarven beer, but was keeping a close eye on how much of it the lad drank after last time. Dwarves would not tolerate watered down ale.

There were stories of metal men. He and Fife had seen such golems before. Things beyond the ability of the greatest magical artisans to create even now. He had found them in the ruins of a city from the Age of Wonders. So little information passed down through the ages from Arethil's past.

Where they had found golems they had found demons. That had been before they had left pandemonium to cause havoc across the land. Then they had left. No one had heard of the golems, no one had seen much demonic activity.

A whole golden city. Another relic? Would there be demons at its heart too?

Instead of spiriting Fife away he was moving towards the sceptre to investigate. And then the ground shook. His mug of ale toppled from the table, the eartneware shattering into pieces.

"What was that?"

 

[Focraig'Diin]

Kicking the door open in his haste, Focraig'Diin stared at the many faces gazing back in a multitude of expressions. Blasted fools, they ever take a breath of fresh air? It would save them the hassle of going out the tavern before that giant thing crushed everyone underfoot. His eyes gleamed with magic, still running strong in his veins like ice. His voice was an octave higher and stronger than he'd like, but combined with his image of a mage, glowing eyes and all, he would be sure to send the message.

"A bloody metal giant is on a warpath! Tall as a mountain and with a hammer to crush one! Get out!"

Compounded by a second muffled boom, as the giant loomed ever closer, the ice mage cursed under his breath. And managed to yank himself out beside the tavern door as the people swarmed out by the dozens, and beholding the monstrous metal thing coming down upon them.

And the the hordes of man-shaped golems by its feet were closing in quicker.

In an open hand, with what willpower he could spare, he formed an axe of pure ice, howling with the winter winds. Another secret from the amulet; he had always wielded the arts separately, and not fusing one craft with the other to achieve differing effects. This one was a memory of a previous user, directing his motions and will like a puppet on a string But to replicate the feat would come of his own efforts, and in a later time. For now.

"Glaive Storm!"

With that thunderous cry, the axe was launched like a missile, a seeking projectile that scattered the first waves of golems that approached the city. Its blade was of a chill so frigid, the metal ruptured and broke beneath its bite of rime, spinning like a top of death.

Gazing back into the inn, he found a few still standing still. Either of shock or just caution, he didn't know.

"I am not," he coughed from overuse of his throat, "Joking about the giant. Go see for yourself!"

((Raigryn Vayd, if you would let me))

 

[Selene Avar]

The Road to the Golden City
Close - Szesh Fart- Harrier | TTamark | Ava Gilleth

Selene blinked as the thunderous sound of of wing beats echoed over head followed by the sound of a thunk as what she could only describe as a Dragon Man landed in front of her.

The Dreadlord heard half a dozen swords drawn behind her, the same amount of crossbows and fletching being pulled back and aimed at the creature that landed in front of her. Lips thinned for a brief moment, and then a bit of recognition dawned on her face.

Selene recognized the dragon man.

He had been at a battle with her some time ago, one avenging the kidnapping of a young girl. She could barely remember the outcome of the fight, it seemed like ages ago. Lips thinned, and slowly she waved her hand so that the others would lower their weapons. "Come to see the Golden City?"

Selene asked, staring the Draconian in the eye.

Their little band of soldiers, and the others was too far to see the Golem approaching the city, but as it stepped closer Selene felt the rumble in the earth.

Her head twisted back towards the city for a brief moment, but then she looked back up at the Draconian. It didn't matter what was happening in the town. She was here for a reason, and it lay at the end of this road.

 

[Kasim Areth]

denheim

The odd mechanical men did not move quickly or intelligently. When the Vampire's double exploded into a burst the golems seemed to look around themselves in confusion.

Glowing blue eyes sparked slightly, heads swiveling until the Vampire suddenly burst into the back of their lines. Two of the constructs immediately were caught by claw and swipe, mental bending and exploding into a hundred pieces.

Screams wracked those prisoners still conscious as they saw the new monster attacking them.

The rest of the golems seemed to flicker, one of them stepping forward with it's shield in hand as it ran towards the monster preventing them from their task. It's heavy sword swiped forward and then down, aiming to cut the monster before it could get further.

At the same time two more rushed towards the transformed man, a loose attempt to trap him before he could get too far.

The rest of the Golems stared only for a second, and then continued forth. Their minds too simple to understand the tactic of even overwhelming their prospective foe.

 

[denheim]

He needed help.

No

Specifically, the trapped people needed help before he'd lose control of himself and kill them as well.

One of the metal men attacked with a swipe of its sword, but the vampire was much faster as he lunged to the left and kicked away the metal man towards its compatriots. This was becoming tedious; there was just too many of them to fight all at once. His bestial eyes widened ever so slightly as two more of the metal men ran towards him, whilst the others continued on and picked up the nets - dragging the captured mortals through the mud and grass.

Despite his monstrous visage, Arathos quickly leapt away just as the automatons began converging around him. He swiped his massive claws left and right - easily destroying another two of them. For all this power and speed, however, the Wendigo could not react in time as one of the metal men slashed and buried the edge of its sword into his thigh. With a bestial roar, the vampire grabbed the automaton's head and ripped it from its shoulders, before taking hold of the offending sword and pulling it from his flesh.

His would was already beginning to heal, but already the automatons were gaining ground as they continued on dragging the mortals. 'Damn....I can't take them all on.' There were 10 of them left, but the vampire had already lost the element of surprise.

He had no choice.

The Wendigo heaved back, focusing much of his vampiric energies into the stunt he was about to pull. Then the bestial vampire unleashed a roar - a roar so powerful and so fierce, it echoed all across the spine and into the Blightlands, carrying with it his plea for help in rescuing the mortals. Even the metal men seemed stunned in place as they all turned to face him, the source of that unearthly roar.

Sighing, Arathos melded with the shadows once more and gave chase. He had three minutes left before he'd lose control, and he intended to make use of all the time he had.

Kasim Areth

 

[Fife]

THE WET ROPE PUB

Of course, the moment Raigryn had heard about the appearance of a city that had exploded out of the mountainside and the reappearance of metal golems, he and Fife had gone to see. She, of course, had still come along. What else was she going to do? Fife was starting to think that she was as crazy as Raigryn. Perhaps more, because where he was at least a skilled adventurer, she was just a scrawny apprentice.

At least the chaos of the city had been good for something. Fife had replenished a few of her Aspects as they had arrived in the dwarven settlement. People had been sent here from portal stones by accident. Other people had come here willingly like them, though some searching for wealth instead of adventure.

The Wet Rope was filled with a variety of those people. Having both learned their lesson when last visiting a dwarven pub, she was nursing her lone cup since it was all she was getting. It was all she wanted, really. Small enough to pass as a boy, she didn't have a tolerance to the stuff and wasn't currently interested in losing her senses so close to another city of armored golems. So Fife sipped and listened, her eyes glancing around the pub at its various patrons.

The man came in and started a ruckus, and Fife initially frowned at his ravings, but he held up a scepter. She threw Raigryn a cautious look that practically begged him not to get involved, but her mentor was already standing and moving closer in keen interest. Fife, for one, agreed with the pair ducking under the table. The hair on her arms and neck was standing and she had the same strange feeling as when touching the band of metal from the last hidden city they had investigated. Like the worst case of static in her clothing.

She was glad when he dropped the thing, and was hoping the swordsman would see him out and Raigryn would come sit back down instead of following him. None of that happened, however, because the ground shook. Fife paled. What was that? There was a second and Raigryn's mug teetered off the edge of the table and shattered on the floor.

Another man came in, yelling about a metal giant, and Fife immediately hopped up and went to Raigryn's elbow. She looked up at him worriedly before there was another tremor. She didn't need to see it to believe it -- not after the last time.

// Raigryn Vayd //​

 

[Zarko]

WET ROPE PUB

"Tremble ye mortals and despair, for it is I! The Magnificent Zarko!"

Zarko Zapspark had played some lame duck crowds before but Alok-Therak really took the cake. Sleepy hamlets were more his speed yet beggars can't be choosers when a portal stone decides to spit you out gods know where. Everyone was so consumed with gossip about some blasted city that he received only a smattering of applause.

"Keeper of forbidden secrets! Master of mysteries! Behold as I-friend! Do ye mind?"

The gnome glared at Focraig'Diin. These days everyone fancied themselves a celebrity. He hopped off the bar table he had declared a 'stage' and marched on over to the wizard.

"Find yer own racket, will ya? Of all the ridiculous-" he tried to yank the pub door closed and froze, "Hey everyone there's a giant golem out there!"

Raigryn Vayd Fife​

 

[Raigryn Vayd]

"A bloody metal giant is on a warpath! Tall as a mountain and with a hammer to crush one! Get out!"

Raigryn turned to Fife and gave a gentle shake of his head.

"Don't worry," he mouthed. This was a pub after all and people were prone to spouting nonsense. What did, however, worry him was that with one mountain having subsided there could be more rockfalls.

"I am not," he coughed from overuse of his throat, "Joking about the giant. Go see for yourself!"

Raigryn moved to their table. His sword and scabbard was wrapped up in its straps. He lifted it from the chair and moved towards the door, waving for Fife to come with him.

"Find yer own racket, will ya? Of all the ridiculous-" he tried to yank the pub door closed and froze, "Hey everyone there's a giant golem out there!"

"I don't know what you're all pulling but..." Raigryn said as he stepped past them both and into the doorway. He looked up at the impossible and felt his heart sink.

"...oh fuck off."

 

[Abjurer]

The Road Just Before the Road to the Golden City (AKA, the Road to Alok-Therak)


If this were a cheap adventure novel, Ambroz Baros thought, the current situation would actually be terrific. An ancient city had burst its earthen cage and its (presumable) servants were rampaging across the country side. Monsters old and new roused themselves from their domains to pursue the same old goals but with a new bait dangled as reward. The whole matter was perfect for a protagonist-type or two to swoop in, smite their enemies, charm new allies, steal secrets, and overcome all to come out smelling like roses.

Unfortunately the current situation wasn't a cheap adventure novel which made the tableau in front of him much less terrific in the sense of "awesome" and more in the sense of by-the-stars-we're-all-going-to-die-horribly. Five minutes ago he had been peacefully on his way to Alok-Therak, intent on joining in on the treasure hunt that was surely taking place even now. Then he heard the roar in the distance. More specifically, an unearthly roar.

Like a fool he'd thought 'oh that must be whatever beast of the week has come to menace Arethil now, I bet I can go beat it up to get a head-start on figuring out the mystery' or something like that. So he'd gone to investigate and now, well. A group of terrified humans were being dragged forward by metal men who were in turn being pursued by some manner of shadow. How does one even parse this situation? It's just bad. Thankfully he had come up from behind so none had noticed him yet (he was pretty sure, at least) but that wouldn't hold for long.

Okay, okay. First things first. Terrified humans. It wasn't exactly clear who the aggressor in this situation was, but it was a solid bet that those guys were the victims. Best to take care of them first. Though wizened Ambros' fingers moved a quick surety as a glowing blob of force snapped into existence above his hands. A magic missile. Not incredibly special as far as combat spells go, but Ambroz was a defense specialist and short on time to boot. It'd do. Hopefully. With a final sharp gesture that looked more confident than he was the wizard launched the bolt towards the nearest metal man and began to prepare another bolt.

denheim

 

[Belduhr Brighthand]

Outside the Wet Rope Pub

Damned thing a whole city appearing from the mountains as if playing a demented game of hide and seek. Another for the talk of mechanical men sprouting from it and doing all sorts of whatnot. Previous experience into such endeavors had his better senses telling the scholar to stay away from such things. Including but not limited to making his way towards the epicenter of such an episode.

But that bit of sense in his head hadn't stopped the dwarf from leaving his safe mountain hovel or precious printing press to indulge in his curiosity of more mechanical wonders the world had squirreled away in its numerous uncharted niches.

Was squirreled away the correct term? The humans used it so frequently to describe- Belduhr thought to himself as he trudged along. Pondering the sometimes inane idioms that were common to that race.

The dwarf was not loaded down with extensive gear however. A backpack with a few changes of clothes, a bedroll tied to the bottom, along with the half axe and half hammer dangling from his hip as he trudged along. A number of quills, ink wells, and choice parchment were set inside of the bag, carefully wrapped within the clothing to avoid damage as best possible when travelling.

He was muttering to himself while puffing on his pipe when he felt the tremor in his feet. Being so at home in the earth made him readily aware of the alarming nature of such an event as he brought himself out of thought to examine his surroundings.

Stretching his arm out, he could touch the man that now stood in the doorway of his destination with several peering around him. He looked aside and did not quite know what to make of the sight he beheld. A large, thing, was traversing the land. He blinked a few times, his mind scrambling to find the words to properly describe both his awe and tremendous fear of the construct.

"Above and below...how...how do you suppose that works? A large, bah, a stupendous amount of ingenuity and magic as well as-" Belduhr began to speak, cutting himself off by biting down on the wooden pipe in his mout and sucking in a breath. The pipe still burned even with the previous pause as he sat in wonder filled silence at the spectacle.

"What do you suppose it is doing?" His thoughts coming to his mouth without being bidden to do so.

 

[Quoril]

The Wet Rope Pub​

Quoril sat at a table near the back of the tavern, a book on the local flora open in front of him . Upon hearing of a series of earthquakes uncovering a lost city full of treasure and gold, the elf had quickly made his way to the Spine. He had been sitting in the tavern all day half reading, half listening to the conversations going on around him, trying to gain a hint of the lost city’s location.​

The sudden commotion of a man shouting and waving around a golden scepter at the bar drew his attention. “I SAW THE CITY! THE GOLD IS REAL! I HAVE PROOF!!” As the crazed man spoke sparks erupted from the scepter and arced around the room. A young man and an elf who had been sitting at a table nearby, dove under it for cover. The large swordsman who had been sitting next to the man got up and tried to intervene in the madman’s antics. One final shock ran up the man’s arm and he dropped the scepter with a yelp.​

“He’s just a crazy man,” Quoril thought to himself, returning to his book. Although he had dismissed the man, he couldn’t quite shake the thought that the man had really found the fabled city.​

Out of nowhere the ground shook violently sending many mugs off the table and onto the floor. This was almost immediately followed by the tavern door being thrown open by a young looking man. "A bloody metal giant is on a warpath! Tall as a mountain and with a hammer to crush one! Get out!" he yelled. A second boom shook the ground.​

Quoril almost jumped out of his chair in excitement. A metal giant the size of a mountain?! This was something he had to see! Stuffing his book into his large canvas pack he hurried toward the exit. In his excitement he didn't notice the young man’s feet sticking out from under the table, tripping over them and crashing to the floor.​

Quickly bringing himself to a sitting position, Quoril turned to look at the pair who were hiding under the table. “Didn’t you hear what the man said? It's dangerous to stay here so we should get out!”​

Dearien Verook
James Lanvarok

 

[Kara Orin]

ALOK-THERAK
THE WET ROPE PUB​

Alarm bells around Alok-Therak sounded. Vorak, on the walls, turned away from the road leading to the Golden City. He could see the approaching, giant golem.

“Ancestors, save us,” he muttered at the sight.

---

Within the Wet Rope Pub, the scepter that was near Raigryn and Fife began to hum. Its intensity grew the closer the goliath construction got to the city walls.

The mugs on top of Jame’s and Dearien’s table toppled over. Beer dripped off the sides as Quoril approached it.

Those that looked outside from near the pub would see the golem peeking over Alok-Therak’s walls. Some ice magic cleared out the human-sized golems nearby. Only the giant golem remained.

Once close enough to the walls, the golem stopped its advance. It wound its massive hammer back. As it did, a cloud erupted from tubes protruding from its back. Steam – in a mass great enough to put any aeolipile to shame. It produced a low, bass-like whistle as if it was an organ.

Then, it swung the hammer into the town’s wall. The stone essentially exploded. Rocks and debris flew into the town and struck several buildings.

The Wet Rope Pub was one casualty – several boulder-sized projectiles flew straight to the tavern and threatened to crush the patrons within.

Quoril Raigryn Vayd Fife Focraig'Diin Zarko James Lanvarok Dearien Verook Belduhr Brighthand

 

[Szesh]

Szesh straightened up as the swords were drawn, stepping one foot back instinctively. Where they going to attack him here, with so many people crowded around? No, it seemed. The red-haired woman defused them with a wave of her hand. She was very clearly in command.

"Come to see the Golden City?"

”To see it fall.” he said plainly. It probably sounded foolhardy, for the destruction of so grand and powerful a city seemed insurmountable. He did not care. His reason was still fogged with grief.

Unlike her soldiers, this woman had not flinched at his approach. She stared directly at him with crimson eyes. Humans did usually not have red eyes… did they? In fact the longer Szesh looked, the more inhuman she appeared. The power that surrounded her. Szesh was not an empath, nor did he have any magical talent, but even he could feel it. Her soldiers certainly could, and they stood still as stone. They would probably remain so until given permission to breath.

He did not recognize her face from the beachfront they had fought on together, but the symbols worn by the guardsmen around her were familiar. Vel Anir, a city that bore his kind no great love, but one that had tolerated his services nonetheless. Their feelings towards nonhumans aside, they were skilled at war, and one of their legendary Dreadlords could probably make short work of this city.

A great many things happened at once. A terrible, beastly roar, followed by an equally terrible mechanical alarm. Szesh’s head whipped around, and the top of the metal giant could be seen over the city. He could feel the anger building in his chest again. This was a concrete representation of the forces that had decimated his former home.

…but it was too strong to fight alone, and whatever force had sent it would be within the gleaming city, he was sure of it.

He looked back to Selene Avar. He had not been formally invited to join them, but he sensed he would have the best luck staying nearby.

 

[Fife]

Don't worry? Fife was already worrying. For having brought her here for the promise of chasing golems and demons, he didn't seem very concerned by the suggestion that there was an golem about to assault the city.

At least, not until they stepped outside. Fife was right on his heels, but was distracted by thebscelter acting weird on the floor. Was it... humming?

She was momentarily distracted and bumped into Raigryn when he stopped to look out the door. She lifted her eyes as well, peering between him and the other two men. She saw two things: the damn dwarf who knew her secret from the last time they went chasing these things, and then one of said things.

She had been scared of what she thought were hulking metal men. This, however, was bigger than most buildings, and it made the color drain from her face and her legs turn to jelly.

The construct raised its hammer and Fife felt the gut-wrenching fear seize her body like a fist. She immediately grabbed Raigryn's coat, but she was frozen to the spot in terror, unable to decide if inside the pub was safer or more dangerous. She might as well have been a child for how useful she was in that moment. For better or for worse, she was hanging onto her mentor and sharing whatever fate he met as the golem swung its terrible hammer.

// Raigryn Vayd // Belduhr Brighthand // Zarko // Focraig'Diin //​

 

[James Lanvarok]

The Elf shuffled backwards, telling James that he wanted him to get out of his personal space, but the gesture was lost on the Anirian, who scrambled forward so the Elf could hear him. Sparks continued to fly off the staff, and James ducked, holding his head in his hands. The Elf said that he was indeed, an enchanter and that the staff was potentially very powerful if it had been enchanted by a skilled mage. Hands on his head, James nodded, staring apprehensively out from beneath the table at the scepter.

The crazy man continued to rave about treasure and waved the scepter around, with another burst of electricity was thrown from the end. The bolts ran up the man's arm and sparked him, causing him to drop the scepter to the ground with a clang.

The tavern fell silent, and James turned his head to look at the young Elf next to him. Before he could speak, a colossal roar reverberated throughout the walls of the bar, followed by a mage yelling about a metal giant that was coming their way to attack the city. Huge booms echoed through the mountains outside, shaking the foundations on which the city was built. Looking up, James felt the vibrations of it's feet as it approached the town, and he swallowed a frightened gulp.

The scepter on the ground emitted a hum. The pints on the table above James' and the Elf's head toppled over, spilling ale onto the floor.

Another young man looked under the table and told them that they need to get out.

James agreed and nodded his head. "I think he's right, let's get out of here!" He cried, and lightly tugged at the Elf's sleeve.

Pulling himself to his feet, he scrambled out from under the table and ran towards the door. Crossbow on his back, he was ready to see whatever metal giant was threatening the city, and maybe get a piece of it to take back to the college and study.

"I wanna see this metal giant for myself," he said to the two other young men. As he walked towards the door, he turned around and asked, "I'm James by the way, what are your names?"

The golem swung it's hammer into the town wall, shattering it with an almighty boom. Debris and rock collapsed onto the bar, and James ducked, dust falling around his head. Eyes wide, he stood at his full height and waved a hand towards the door.

"Shit! Let's go!" He called.

Dearien Verook, Quoril

 

[Dearien Verook]

the ground trembled beneath them and Dearien jumped as a stream of beer ran off the table and down his sleeve. Someone was shouting about a giant golem. Nope, nope, nope, didn't sign up for this. Dearien thought scrambling out from under the table with little need for prompting from the other two. Grabbing hold of a chair he pulled himself up and grabbed his pack slinging it across his back. The ground shook again and he lurched grabbing hold of the table for balance before limping after the other two. Below the knee, where his right leg would have been was a simple wooden peg prosthetic. The ground shook again and he grabbed the back of a chair to steady himself. A second later a large stone crashed through the roof of the tavern smashing into bar, sending wood splinters flying and one of the ceiling beams fell crashing into some tables. Drearien's arms flew up to shield his head and he fell to his knees coughing as a cloud of dust rose. Still coughing he grabbed the edge of the table, pulling himself up, and hurried out the door after the other two.

Once outside he caught sight of the golem, the sun glinting off the metal man, the ground trembling with every step. Nope. Just nope. He gawked at the thing for a moment before reaching into his pack and pulling out another prosthetic. This one was also made of wood but was carved in an elegant curving design more closely resembling a leg and foot, A soft blue-green glow came from behind slats cut in a flowing pattern resembling wind. He balanced on his good leg and removed the old prosthetic.

"D- Dearian, My name is Dearian, and if we are all on the same page I suggest we don't stick around to find out what that thing want's," He said attaching the new prosthetic and then testing it. He was immediately more balanced and coordinated, though he already could feel the dull pain that accompanied the use of this prosthetic. He knew it would only get worse but for now, it was better than getting crushed by flying debris or a giant golem's hammer.

 

[Selene Avar]

The Road to the Golden City
Close - Szesh Fart- Harrier | TTamark | Ava Gilleth

She smiled at the Draconian, and then simply began to walk.

Asking the man to travel with her wouldn't be happening, mostly because such a thing would be like admitting defeat. Anirians did not ask for help, from anyone. That was part of who they were.

Instead the Dreadlord simply moved in tandem with the Draconian. The soldiers around her moved just as quickly, falling in step besides her to ensure that they created a barrier against anyone or anything that would strike at her.

As they wandered down the street they passed the group containing Ava Gilleth who had apparently stalled out by the arrival of someone new.

Selene offered the woman a smile, then continued on.

"Have you seen the city up close?" Selene asked as she walked in step with Szesh, wondering out loud if he had managed to fly closer.

The fact that he was here meant of course that he hadn't succeeded entirely in getting inside, but any fore-knowledge of what the Golden City had to offer would be more than worth it.

Just as she asked the question though they crested a turn, the City itself falling into her view in all its glory.

 

[Kasim Areth]

Lower Valley
denheim

Four of the golems dropped the weight of the nets that they had been holding, their swords being drawn as they slowly looked around in an attempt to find the Vampire.

There was an odd switch over in their eyes, bright burning blue switched to an odd green wisp of light as they peered around the valley. The people that they had held within their nets let out quiet and fearful whimpers, shifting.

Some begged, other yelled for their monstrous savior.

All of it fell on deaf ears.

The other sixgolems continued their slow steady march towards the crest of the hill. Just beyond lay the Golden City, and within it; reinforcements.

 

[Abomination]

INTRO

(Theme of the Abomination)

There's a saying that evil will attract more evil, eventually becoming a salt on wound thing. In this case, the strange events of the mechanical golems and the portal attracted The Abomination, a large, humanroid ooze monster made of a large mass of sludge. It used to be... more then a monster, but now it lives its life as a predatory hunter, disguising itself into other humans or creatures to lure preys....

The Abomination walked down a field, torn by a seemely large giant creature. Large footprints can be seen tearing the plain field around The Spine.

It seems like a battle just happened... with a large creature.

Far ahead... is the portal The Abomination has been searching for.

Evil indeed attracts some... crazier evils, and the Abomination is no exception. The creature has heard about the strange phenomenons. Those... golems..... The Abomination knows this is a good chance to do things... his way... Part of his motivation is the greed for potential power, but also curiosity for the unknown....

Blood splattered on the Abomination as his hand extended, transforming into a large blade. The blade happened to impale a rabbit, Killing it instantly.....

The Abomination, after feeding, looked around, spotting an lone adventurer approaching the portal. Unfortunately for the adventurer, right as when he saw the Abomination, the creature turned around, grabbed him in the shoulder, and impaled him through the stomach with the other arm...


Through the portal into Alok-Therak came a "human",dressed like a combination of an adventurer and a fighter. The "human" looked around the surrounding environment, in curious. His face stone cold. The man has short, almost bald black hair, and no facial hair. Holding onto a crossbow the human looked around the place...looking for other explorers and potential preys.

(The Abomination disguised himself as the adventurer he killed, and took his crossbow btw)

 

[Fynaurie]

Aifrin

The spine of the entire world had shuddered. Near the base of the spine were the three towers containing the eyries of the Sky Elves. Fynaurie had been woken up by the vibrations that ran through their tower.

Kearth and the other two towers were older than her people. At least the parts of them were. Someone had built them to last. No elf had built something so tall since.

None from their party had expected it to take so long to find the source of the explosion. They had seen the plume of dust on the horizon and had kept flying north, kept assuming it was closer than it was.

The Sky Dragoons were at the front of the formation, but others had come. Some elders, a few carrying suppliers and even a pair of wind speakers.

Fynaurie was finally allowed to use a real ether-glaive. She had that strapped to her saddle along with her bow.

Look! Signalled the elf at the head of the vee.

Fynaurie followed his arm towards the horizon. Their maps showed an old dwarven city here. She suspected the maps would have mentioned the golden towers emerging from the shattered mountain.

They were high enough to be small specks in the sky to any on the ground. Slowly they circled, looking for somewhere safe to land a distance away.

 

[Aifrin]

Fynauria

She had started awake with others when the entire place had shuddered with the commotion of their tower shaking. Even bleary eyed, the sky elf was quickly dressed and ready for whatever was commanded of her. Which didn't take long for the orders to come down the line.

As the pair held tight into the formation, Aifrin quietly scanned the ground around them unsure of just what to expect from their search. The ether-glaive tied to her saddle had made her feel a touch easier about facing the unknown.

Especially when they were accompanied by so many above her own station as a secondary. She was a fair flier, but and ill fit for leadership roles.

The signal from the lead had their gaze directed to the horizon, and she blinked to understand what she was seeing.

"Are those really-?" She spoke to herself, disbelief tinging her thoughts at the sight of gold towers emerging from the mountain. Keeping herself in formation, she wheeled and circled, waiting for the signal to descend and kept an eye out for anything else out of the ordinary.

 

[Kara Orin]

ALOK-THERAK
THE WET ROPE PUB​

Being in the corner of the Wet Rope Pub, the boulders struck the building well before Kara had the chance to escape. The building shook. The wooden pillars supporting the roof buckled and cracked.

Kara grasped the hilt of her sheathed sword. She grinded her teethe and glared at the vibrating scepter. Dust started to obstruct her vision, though.

Then just as James, Dearien, and others managed to escape the pub, the roof finally collapsed with Kara still within.

---

The behemoth construct managed to punch a hole into Alok-Therak’s wall. It stepped through the new entrance.

With the wall no longer obstructing the view, those within the town could see the entire four story tall golem. Its metal body had a dull, brass-like tint. Its arms were as wide as a man was tall. Runes encircled the golem’s neck. A blue, sapphire-like gem the size of a human’s head was embedded into the golem’s chest. The jewel looked almost like an amulet. One could see several more runes and markings around the gem.

The construct yellow “eyes” locked onto the crumbled Wet Rope Pub. Its advance continued toward the ruined tavern. It would attack any moving being or creature that approached too close.

Quoril Raigryn Vayd Fife Focraig'Diin Zarko James Lanvarok Dearien Verook Belduhr Brighthand Abomination

 

[Focraig'Diin]

And the ground shook.

The giant would halt in its tracks, and gaze down at the spikes, tall as trees, impaled through the metal boot and fixing it in place. Not a firm grip, but this ice was different. Cold, yes, and with a bite to freeze and shatter. But while an average ice construct was white as snow, as pale as the mountaintops of the Spine, these were pitch black.

Focraig coughed up blood, hand on the earth as he rose beside the woman. From his limb, a dome of ice had formed around them, and a path of frost leading to the immobilized giant and the spikes holding it in place. It seemed time in the Veil had strengthened his mind considerably. Not to mention the Amulet itself. He wouldn't be capable of doing both before. Now, just barely holding on.

Grumbling beneath his breath, he turned to the woman, unsure of her state from his blurred vision. "Get... up..."

And the metal boot lurched, breaking half the spikes instantly.