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| At the Tower of the Hypnogogue; Delve Thread 1 | Full Party | |
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| Topic Started: May 31 2014, 01:13 AM (1,460 Views) | |
| Volksgeist | May 31 2014, 01:13 AM Post #1 |
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The room was dark - its vaulted ceiling draping shadows in thinning strips along the bluish light. The five were seated together, although evenly spaced out, and were all facing the same direction. Their heads were splitting. How had they gotten there? Even the mere concept of the question was enough to send their eyes reeling backward. It was as if it were something writhing, something slippery and alive constantly evading their grasp in the night. Then, they noticed the sixth presence. It was not so much another person as it was part of the building itself. The very stonework around them seemed to congeal around it, the metallic tubing connected to what resembled a cranium spiraled out in all directions. It was a face, pushed out and three-dimensional, though its torso had been replaced by a vague outline etched into the stone - archaic letters and numbers turning round on each other here and following the lines there. The face was eerily set - its eyes bulbous and glowing with the same blue light that barely illuminated the room, its eyes always open, its mouth stitched shut. It was when their eyes met its that they felt the pressure begin, their headaches increase. A presence, something pushing on their psyche, on their consciousness, something prodding theirs, shaping theirs, as if their being were nothing more than malleable putty. A voice resounded in the very caverns of their skulls, though no sound emanated in the room: "The Hypnogogue has finished. The Hypnogogue directs you to remain. The Hypnogogue welcomes Captain Xathes." There was a slight pause as a tear of light appeared from behind the five and someone entered the room. They whitish light disappeared and footsteps echoed until, in front of them, another new face stood. The presence returned. "The Hypnogogue commands you to show due respect." Involuntarily, all five of the people in the room snapped to their feet and saluted the new figure. When the figure returned the gesture, they were forced back down. The presence receded. The new figure was one they had certainly all seen before. Captain Xathes, head of the City Guard, was a man feared by many. He had first been a mercenary, had then had made a name for himself as a bounty hunter. After that, he had been contacted and brought in to be a part of, and eventually the leader of, the famed Black Hand - the most terrifying living part of the Western United Protectorates' army. After that, he had been promoted once again and was now only known through the prolific amount of propaganda posters around the city of Ostenmund. He was certainly a sight to behold, though all that could be seen was the armor he never seemed to take off. "Welcome, all of you. You have all been hand-selected by myself for a mission of utmost import to our beloved Lord Protector. I trust that you are all prepared. Before we move to mission briefing, though, I will allow you all a short time to interact. You are all a team, after all. If one fails, the rest of you do." The end of the speech seemed abrupt, but the message was clear. It was time to get to know each other well. |
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| gorgoth | May 31 2014, 01:55 AM Post #2 |
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Varidia, recovering from her shock, fluttered her way off the ground. Looking at her soon to be 'Allies,' She said "Well, that seemed absolute. Whatever, I'll go with it, sounds fun. I am Varidia Sky, and it seems we are going to be a team. I don't know why, or what we are doing, but if we of all the people of this city were hand picked, we all must be pretty... well special. If we are going to be working together, it would probably be a good idea for us to know what the others can do. I will go first." At this, she fired a Ice Missile at the ground, followed by Fire Shield, and a Portal, going through it and appearing behind the group. "As you can see, I taught myself magic. I also know a cure spell, but that is a little hard to show without there being a injury. I am pretty good at hiding, when I need to, and I am a merchant by trade. Now who is up next?" At this, she looked at the rest of the group. obviously expecting someone to step up. |
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| POOHEAD189 | May 31 2014, 02:03 AM Post #3 |
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Berek narrowed his eyes and gave the Captain a considering look. It wasn't often that the big artisian was intimidated, but this man's reputation preceded him. Still, he was going to let the others speak first, before him. This wasn't exactly a very open and comfortable place. He didn't even know if he could trust his eyes. |
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| Brackenwood | May 31 2014, 05:19 AM Post #4 |
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As soon as the presence of the Hypnogogue left his mind, Julius' headache began to fade almost instantly, sometimes it was good to be more than human. With a quick shake of his head and a snort of air through his nose, he stood, eyeing the group before him. The little Fey was talking and showing her stuff, but it was the captain that had the lion's share Julius' attention. He new the captain, probably better than the rest of the group but that still added up to little more than "Yep, that's the guy in charge. No one in Ostenmund scratches their ass without this guy knowing it's going to happen in advance." Information in the military was hard to come by if you didn't need to know, and that meant Julius was out of the loop for pretty much everything. However...this was different, he had been told that he was going to be sent on an assignment, what it was was never revealed in full, and any information pertinent to the mission was suppose to be given to him at its commencement. It wasn't hard to put two and two together at this point, he would receive his orders soon, but for now, it was time to play along as the captain had instructed. Once Varidia had finished speaking, Julius waited for a moment before stepping up to the plate, more out of courtesy than hesitation. With a friendly smile and a stretch he began to play his part. "Well, since no one here seems willing to talk other than the little June-Bug over there, I'll go next. His voice was deep, but friendly with an oddly jovial tone, the bounced about the room as he spoke. I'll tell y'all what, for the the sake of your heads and in accordance with that captains orders, I'll keep this short. My name is Julius Sinclair, I'm a mercenary, a gun for hire. Unlike our little friend here I'm not all that special, just good with a gun and knowing how not to get shot. I've lead men into and out of battle and I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty. Assuming there's some kind of reward in it.. Julius glanced at the captain in a hopeful manner, ..then I'm your man for any occasion! Pleasure to meet y'all. Giving another smile at the group and a nod to the captain, Julius sat back down on the floor and stretched out his legs, waiting patiently for the others to get their introductions out of the way. Edited by Brackenwood, May 31 2014, 05:25 AM.
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| POOHEAD189 | May 31 2014, 05:43 AM Post #5 |
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Berek took a deep breath and stepped up, standing to his full height. His broad shoulders and muscled frame made him seem taller than 6 feet, but he noted there were a few in his group that seemed to tower over him. He let the Mercenary pass him to get back to his seat, before he cleared his throat. His words were casual. "I am Berek Edurus. An Artisan by trade. I'm not sure what you'll need from me in this mission but, I've only been in a few fights in the streets. Never a war or real battle. I craft and build. It's...just what I do." He gave a shrug, and stepped back to plop onto his chair again. |
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| Snow White | May 31 2014, 06:50 AM Post #6 |
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And not a fuck was given
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Isoldes eyes opened and his eyelids fluttered as he attempted to gain his bearings. He looked around himself. Filthy, filthy humy trick? What is this? I find fleshy, delicious humy to eat while in sewers and now I am here. he thought. The level of pristine in the hall was too great for the rattling to bear. He covered his eyes and hissed at the marble that glimmered at him. Then he heard a voice, many voices to be exact. One in particular took authority. It have it's orders and just like that, Isolde was standing at attention. It made him feel..... Formal. He shuttered at the mere thought of being even remotely civilized. He didn't give attention to his comrades who introduced themselves. He took the chance he was given while the young Mage put on a show to show off her skills to scan the room for anything he could quickly pocket. With a snort of disgust at the lack of silverware and finger sandwiches, he turned his gaze back at his comrades. He let them finish their words. He waited for the rest to finish but there was a long pause. He tapped his fingers, but the last did not speak. Isolde sneered at the half giant. Speak, speak, can you not, filthy half breed? isolde thought to himself. Perhaps the exterminator was better in his own element, hunting for vermin and cleaning filth. He licked his lips. eats, eats all the same in the end. Isolde finally stood when his momentary grudge against the valiant street cleaner was over. He stood in his battered robe, slightly scratching his filthy scabed face. "Isolde krempke is my name, name. Isolde moves quickly and sneakes good for you, yes. Isolde gets to eats, too, yes." He spoke, still scratching. Which reminded him. He hadn't eaten since that morning. He would have to feed soon. He awkwardly sat down again, still observing his surroundings Edited by Snow White, May 31 2014, 05:01 PM.
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| Flynn The Rambler | May 31 2014, 09:33 PM Post #7 |
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I Get things Done, by being Big and being Bad.
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The Half-Giant sat in his chair, a large hand holding his head. It was screaming in pain. His gaze looked on at those around him, he looked for his cub. He was unarmed... yet that made him no less dangerous. Dreggs was a cleaner, a man who would enter the sewers alone and burn the corpses and other... things that lurked there and caused the pipes to not flow as they should. He shook his large head and stood up. His large hand reached back and hurled the chair he sat on, flinging it across the room. He breathed out, anger seething off of him. His unkempt face scowling at the people in this room. He lifted a large judging finger and pointed at the group as a whole. "What manner of dip shit gets captured, and then simply starts popping off spells like this is some kind of Talent show?!" He screamed at the Fey. He then looked at the others. "Then you are all so keen to go along with this?! Aye, were captured, Aye, this prick of a captain likes to act like he knows everybody and everything. Well if that were true, we wouldnt have so many bodies to burn to keep the waters flowing." He paused and clenched his out stretched hand into a fit and let it fall to his side. He shook his head "So, captain... You brought us all here. I assume you have some kind of problem that cant simply be talked about, or maybe something dangerous enough that you need someone expendable? I will put what money I have on both." He walked over to pick up the chair he threw earlier. He set it down with a thud and looked at the captain. "What is it you need done, and how much are you going to pay me? These others may want to play your little, hand shake game... But I dont give a piss about any of them. Now talk task and payment." He then chuckled. "Oh, and if you so much as think of trying to 'pay' me in taking time off of my sentence... you will get your head crushed just like that pussy guard who tried that the first time." He shook his head again and with that, he sat in the tossed chair and went back to grabbing his head. The Half-Giant wasnt happy and couldnt understand how he was the only one who felt this was wrong. |
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| Volksgeist | May 31 2014, 11:12 PM Post #8 |
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Captain Xathes was silent while they spoke, the lenses that acted as his eyes simply soaking in the details of their encounters. Then the half-giant, being as brutish as his race had always seemingly been, hurled his chair across the room and accosted him. There was no tremor of the Captain's body, no sign he had registered anything at all. Then, flatly, he spoke: "I see that such freedom is unwarranted now. Hypnogogue, subdue them." Immediately, the pressure returned, their headaches threatening to split the fives' heads open. "The Hypnogogue commands you to be still. The Hypnogogue commands you to sit." Even as their minds and bodies tried to resist the voice in their heads, they felt its pressure consuming them. Their eyes directed toward its, involuntarily, and immediately their bodies collapsed into their chairs - save for the half-giant, who instead slammed to hard into his chair that it splintered and he ended up on the ground. "The Hypnogogue commands you to stay." The pressure didn't recede this time. It pulled back, they could feel it lessen, but it was still there and they knew there was no moving. "That's better." The Captain aligned himself in the center of the five. "You five have been chosen because you all have one thing in common - expendability. It could have been anyone in the city sitting where you five are right now, but the powers that be have chosen you at random chance. Congratulations would be in order. "You will all find that something seems strange about your circumstances here. This is because your minds have been infiltrated by the Hypnogogue. Everything directly preceding your arrival in this room has been wiped. You will have no memory of how to arrive here. There are other things at work as well, but rest assured, they shall be of little concern to you all. "Your task, as the half-breed put it, is such: a woman by the name of Anita Solum has gone missing recently. It is believed that her disappearance is connected with a number of others that have happened all over the city. Normally, we would not worry about this, but Anita's father is none other than the very venerable Amadeus Solum - creator of the Solum Pits. Lord Gerech and Amadeus have an arrangement that is not to be, at any cost, jeopardized, and therefore it is of the utmost importance that his daughter be retrieved before any illness can befall the city on Amadeus's behalf. Knowing the man, he would be more than willing to level half of Ostenmund to find his only daughter. "This is where you all come in. As I have said, random chance is what chose you, but I will be the one to send you on your way. Anita was last seen in her father's house in the Garden Quarter. She was under the supervision of the family guard but, when she left their sight and entered her room, she was never seen again. There were no signs of forced entry, only an open window on the third story of the house. You will all be escorted directly to the Garden Quarter, where you will be brought to Solum's home. There, he will give you whatever access he deems allowable to collect information. From there, you will do as is necessary. "As for payment, a lesser man might toy with you. I will not. Your payment is the knowledge that you have aided the city and the Lord Protector, as well as your retaining of your own life. Alternatively, if you fail in this mission, you will be seeked out and erased." The Captain took this moment to step toward them and lean forward. "No matter where you go, no matter where you try to hide, you will be found and removed from this earth." The man stood up again. "Let it be clear that any unnecessary prying or attempt to escape your burden will be tolerated. This is your job now, no matter what else you have done in the past, and it will be so until you complete it. Any further payment for this mission will be at the discretion of those you meet. Is this clear?" The Captain waited for their responses. The Hypnogogue still kept them seated. |
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| Brackenwood | Jun 1 2014, 01:55 AM Post #9 |
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Julius was about to say something to the Half-giant, about to warn him to refrain from throwing the chair, but true to form the brute had acted before thinking and now as the Hypnogague burrowed back into his mind Julius felt like cursing. Waiting until the captain had finished speaking Julius seethed in silence until he had the freedom to talk, and talk he did. "Ya damned fool! Use what little sense you were born with and think!" He hissed at the giant. "This man is not someone to be idly threatened, no matter how badass you think you are. He will kill you me and everyone else in here before starting all over with some other poor sons a' bitches, and he'll give about as much thought to it as what he's going to have for his next meal, probably less. Can you understand that? No one here is happy with our situation, no one here signed up for it but WE. ARE. STUCK WITH IT! So do us all a favor and shut the fuck up! And while you're at it, stop throwing shit around. If you can't handle that then please ask the captain to kill you now, because I sure as hell don't want a hit squad on my ass because of your fucked up attitude!" And as for your orders Captain...well, I don't speak for the others but I hear ya, loud and clear." With a snort, Julius shut his mouth and tried to get as comfortable as possible with his renewed migraine. |
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| POOHEAD189 | Jun 1 2014, 03:10 AM Post #10 |
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Berek was usually calm and collected. Even a bit nice, once you got past his introverted exterior. However, he was still very much able to get angry, and that migraine was really getting on his nerves. He listened to the Mercenary scolding the halfbreed, and he let out a sigh. He agreed with Julius. No real reason to give their new 'employer' incentive to torture them. He held his anger at the man in check and said. "Just take this pain out of us, please. We'll do what you say." His voice was calm and controlled, but his eyes turned to the others, giving a look that said 'no arguments." Edited by POOHEAD189, Jun 1 2014, 03:18 AM.
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| Flynn The Rambler | Jun 1 2014, 05:20 AM Post #11 |
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I Get things Done, by being Big and being Bad.
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Jacob sat there on the ground. His mind split between the head pain he was forced to suffer, and the piece of splintered wood that landed in his ass during the fall. He breathed deeply, the anger like a volcano ready to erupt. The half-Giant wasnt one who liked being forced into things, he had always had to deal with that. Hated by humans for not being human, hated by non-humans for being half of the former. It was always hiding underfoot and doing whatever inglorious work possible just to get by. It made him a bitter person. Once he grew he crushed a lot of heads for it. Right now he wanted to kill that captain, he liked the thought of stuffing the magic fairy up his ass and watching it cast spells. In all the pain he smiled. His mind slowly came round back to him, the mercenary was yelling. It sounded all fuzzy and garbled, at first he thought he was just that good at ignoring him. Jacob quickly realized it was do to the fact the pain was so excruciating that he was simply unable to focus on much else. As the man spoke he caught about the last bit of what he said. He might have said something to spite him, but truth was he was too mad at the Captain. These other people might be upper-quarter fools, (Though, mind you, anything not in the sewers seemed upper to him) or lower than him gutter trash... but the truth was they were just as fucked as him. His anger just didnt let him see that right away. With a loud sigh he shook his head at the little human who thought he could order him around. The same thoughts of forcing magic using faeries came to him again. He ignored the artisan and looked at the Captain. His words seethed with hate and anger. Sprinkled with the savory seasoning of sewer dwelling trash, he spoke through clenched teeth. "I will do this job, I will earn my life. I will get back my gear, and I will burn someone up good." That was the closest thing to a Yes he would give. He would kill that Captain. He swore it. |
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| Snow White | Jun 1 2014, 05:39 AM Post #12 |
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And not a fuck was given
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Isolde flinched slightly as the chair flew across the room and smashed into the wall. He gave a snort as the half giant with the big words flailed his arms in anger and stomped around, shouting at them. Isolde didn't hear a word the giant spat out for he was too occupied looking for a near exit to skidder to into the night, never to be seen again by these filthy man things. Filthy filthy man things. They's not even worth eating. He thought, while slowly sliding out of his chair. His foot slowly inched forward as he attempted to use the ruckus the heated fool was stirring as a cover as he scampered away. However the setting the chair back to its original position and the giant finishing his heroic speech was the trigger for the next wave of pain. Isolde felt himself ripped back into his chair by a invisible force he could neither see nor sense coming. "What the blazes?!" He thought as his whole body smacked into the chair. The back of his head made a sickening thud against the head of the chair. Isolde had a sudden realization that these man-things meant business. His little eyes darted around, looking at the captain then at the Hypnogogue for the first time. He slowly let out a hiss at the abomination, but it retorted with a explosion of pain. Isoldes hiss slowly rose then ebbed away as the pain took over him, his head feeling as though it would slit open. His beady eyes rolled around in his head, and he felt as if the world would slip away and he would follow it. The pain numbed away any other feeling he had in his being. A slew of saliva slid out of his half open mouth and dribbled onto his filthy robes, but he did not notice. Survival took over him. Not anger, not revenge, survival. He let his eyes roll back into the center of his head once more. As much as the idea disgusted him, any form of escape would be through cooperation with these man things. He attempted to raise a hand but it would not move. He uttered a growl of irritation and spoke. "I will work with you man things. Release me and I will steals anything you desire, desire, but I can't do anything while stuck in this chair." Edited by Snow White, Jun 1 2014, 05:40 AM.
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| gorgoth | Jun 1 2014, 06:07 AM Post #13 |
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"AAAGGGGHHH!!!" Veridia exclaimed as she was thrown back into the chair and given the migraine of her life. "You Just had to open your mouth, didn't you big guy? We were all good till you threw your little tantrum. Well, I dunno if you realized, but we don't like this any more than you do. but we are going along with it, because we don't have a choice. We either do whatever the good captain wants, or we die. Jeez, I swear the bigger the creature, the less brains it has." She left her tirade at that. "I already said I was willing to do this captain, I still am. I prefer a chance to life over sure death myself." She wanted to get into the air again, where she was comfortable, but decided it was too risky at the moment. |
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| Volksgeist | Jun 1 2014, 03:28 PM Post #14 |
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"Glad to see we are all in accordance. Don't let us down. Hypnogogue." Where the five might have assumed the pressure would recede, instead it started to swell. Their headaches began to increase until they hit the point where it felt as though their skulls were being torn in two. There was no voice but a deep hum permeated their minds. Their vision began to fade, their eyes rolling back into their skulls and watering uncontrollably. Their bodies became drained and fell limp. Then, it spoke one last time: "The Hypnogogue commands you to forget." It was raining. One by one they awoke, their bodies exhausted but their heads clear of any pain. Around them, the corrugated wrap of a metallic tube stretched. There were large patches missing and, below them, pools had formed in the gravel they had been lying on. As they all pulled themselves up to their feet, they heard the soft crunch of footsteps approaching. The mouth of the pipe silhouetted the new arrival - a man by the looks of it. As he approached, they recognized the uniform of a City Guard. Behind him, two other figures emerged as well, clearly flanking him. There was no doubt that these were the men that would be their escorts. When the men were about five yards away, they stopped. One of the other figures raised a hand and spoke. "We will be taking you to the Garden District. This is Corporal Owen Cantor. Introduce yourselves accordingly." Edited by Volksgeist, Jun 1 2014, 03:29 PM.
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| Damon | Jun 1 2014, 03:51 PM Post #15 |
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Ancient Bartender
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Owen eyed the small group as they groggily awoke from some stupor he did not envy. He did not know these creatures, nor the humans. Nor did he know exactly who was behind this mission. He only had his orders. He looked over his shoulders at the heavy troops he was assigned with. This might get hairy. "Thank you, Guardsman. He said, then looked at the group. They were an unlikely lot to be working together, much less with the Guard. |
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11:59 PM Jul 10