Time: The year 269 AF
Place: BHAAL temple
Ariala has decided to leave BHAAL but pays a last visit to the temple.
Unfortunately, she runs into Akhorahil and Zahara who discover her
secret.
======================================================================
You stand at one end of a large high domed cave. It is dimly
illuminated by several braziers located at intervals along the walls.
The ever-present bats swirl along the roof of the cave. Some huge
power suffuses the very fabric of space here and you feel small and
insignificant. The cries are somewhat louder here, and their wailing
source. To the west you can see a huge altar. At the east wall you
see a huge sign of BHAAL.
A chalk circle has been drawn on the ground.
There are three obvious exits: northwest, southwest, west.
A chalk circle and a closed wooden coffin.
You feel a great pain in your soul. In your mind comes the spectral
image of Lanfear, priestess of Bhaal being attacked by the black
red-eyed neuter raven.
From the west you hear a female voice shouting in shakrul:
HELP! A black red-eyed neuter raven attacks me!
A dark evil neuter vampire arrives.
The dark evil neuter vampire leaves west.
> w
In the center of the temple of Bhaal.
You stand in the center of the huge cave. The swirling bats seem to
avoid this place, and the feeling of a gargantuan nearby power
becomes almost unbearable. Here stands a large black altar, cut from
a single block of obsidian. Splatters of old and not so old blood
signify the violent end of many a living soul on this block. On
either side of the altar stands a mansized statue of the god BHAAL.
There are four obvious exits: east, north, south, west.
A donation box and a skull on a short pillar.
Lanfear.
Two dark evil neuter vampires.
A dark-boned red-eyed male undead.
> sw
You stand at one end of a large high domed cave. It is dimly
illuminated by several braziers located at intervals along the walls.
The ever-present bats swirl along the roof of the cave. Some huge
power suffuses the very fabric of space here and you feel small and
insignificant. Dim cries enter your ear, but you cannot make out
their source. To the north you can see a huge altar.
There are three obvious exits: north, northeast, northwest.
An open wooden coffin.
Ariala.
A black red-eyed neuter raven.
Ack!
> Ariala nods solemnly.
You look at the black red-eyed neuter raven.
A raven with shiny black feathers. In its sharp long beak you see a
small
rest of something that once might have been the eye of an unlucky
adventurer. It has a a pair of jagged horns.
It looks somewhat demonically.
It is in good shape.
It is extremely alert.
> Akhorahil dances in.
A group of four Skeletons arrive.
A group of six Ghouls arrive.
A sandy-scaled clever imp flaps in.
A disc hovers in.
A group of two Zombies arrive.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
She attacked my critter!
> Ariala looks at the black red-eyed neuter raven.
Akhorahil looks at Ariala.
You peer intently at Ariala. Hmm...
You look at Ariala.
Ariala is a pale red-haired female fairy, presenting herself as:
Ariala, female fairy.
You notice scars on her right arm, left hand, forehead and left cheek.
She is very tall and lean for a fairy.
She looks attractive.
She is in good shape.
She is extremely alert.
She is wielding a runic staff.
She is wearing a loincloth and a stylish black leather shirt.
> Ariala whispers in xyllic:
Don't peer at me like that
You ask in xyllic:
a raven?
> Ariala introduces the black red-eyed neuter raven as:
Crah.
You hiss softly in xyllic:
The symbol of the lesser god Asgoth?
You grin disgustedly.
> Ariala whispers in xyllic:
well, there are many shapes for servants..
Akhorahil hisses in xyllic:
Indeed.
You say in xyllic:
Hmm.. I can understand Lanfear for being suspicious.
> Akhorahil hisses in xyllic:
Yes, and ravens happen to be the wrong shape.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
Lanfear is a bit nervous these days.
You grin wryly at Akhorahil.
> Ariala looks at Akhorahil.
Ariala looks at you.
Akhorahil hisses in xyllic:
So. And how is your strategy to get out of here again?
Akhorahil smiles interestedly.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
at least it is good to know that there are backup forces.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
well, there are many shapes of magic...
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
and of magicians.
You say to Akhorahil in xyllic:
She can get out via the lake ferry.
> Akhorahil's facial features become tense for a moment.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
the lake is not really nice...
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
and the waterman isn't either.
Akhorahil hisses in xyllic:
The mummy at the coffin will call the deathknight anyway.
You peer curiously at Ariala. Hmm...
You ask Ariala in xyllic:
Why should someone of the Faith swim through the lake, dear?
> Akhorahil hisses in xyllic:
There's only one sensible way.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
why should it? there is no reason to call this sleepy knight
Ariala whispers to you in xyllic:
well, fairies do strange things
You start to concentrate upon the spell.
> You tell Akhorahil: Hmm..would you agree if we let her wear a
talisman for a short moment?
Ariala takes a deep breath and looks concentrated, while she performs
some gestures with her hands.
Akhorahil hisses in xyllic:
Well, not my head that rolls. I suggest you sleep here in the
temple until Lanfear calms down again.
Ariala traces a line along her body.
Akhorahil's eyes narrow and focus onto some point in midair.
Akhorahil tells you: For what?
You start to concentrate upon the spell.
> You tell Akhorahil: I want to know if her Faith is twisted.
Ariala goes hmmmm.
Akhorahil takes a deep breath and looks concentrated.
Akhorahil tells you: Ah, I see... yes, why not.
You remove the small talisman of Bhaal.
> Akhorahil nods slightly.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
Maybe i should kill him?
Akhorahil chuckles politely.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
i think he would understand it.
You say to Ariala in xyllic:
Would you please wear this, my dear?
You offer a small talisman of Bhaal to Ariala.
> Ariala steps back.
Akhorahil hisses in xyllic:
Touch a temple guard here and I'll add my army to the defences.
You peer suspiciously at Ariala. Hmm...
> Ariala whispers in xyllic:
I am not sure if this is really meets todays fashion.
The group of six Ghouls leave north.
You hiss softly in xyllic:
Afraid of HIS symbols?
> Ariala whispers in xyllic:
I am not afraid of anything
The group of four Skeletons guards the northwest exit.
The black red-eyed neuter raven joins Ariala's team.
Ariala goes back.
You whisper to Akhorahil in xyllic:
It seems we catched a traitor.
> Ariala's fingers move quickly through the air while she seems to
concentrate on something.
You recognize the spell as resist.
Ariala points at the black red-eyed neuter raven and waves a hand.
You snicker.
You start to speak the words and prepare for the gestures.
> Grey mists form around your hand. Slowly, a dark soulsword
materializes
in it. You wield the dark shimmering sword in your left hand.
You can feel the soulsword drawing power from your soul. It grows longer
and becomes an extension of your left hand.
You wield the black curved blade in your right hand.
> Ariala shrugs helplessly.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
you have a paranoia!
You say to Ariala in xyllic:
Again, would you please wear this now, my dear?
You twiddle your thumbs.
You offer a small talisman of Bhaal to Ariala.
Ariala looks at the runic staff.
Ariala accepts a small talisman of Bhaal.
Ariala offers a small talisman of Bhaal to a black red-eyed neuter
raven.
Ariala gives a small talisman of Bhaal to the black red-eyed neuter
raven.
You start to speak the words and prepare for the gestures.
You raise your hands and order Mallgrom to protect you.
Now you'll only try to stun your enemy.
Ariala whispers something to the black red-eyed neuter raven.
The black red-eyed neuter raven wolfs down a small talisman of Bhaal.
You raise your eyebrow at Ariala.
> Ariala scratches her head.
You growl.
> A group of six Ghouls arrive.
> The group of six Ghouls guards the north exit.
You nod sadly to Akhorahil.
> The black red-eyed neuter raven comforts you.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
I just came here to check the board for news, so whats the problem?
Ok, you guard northwest.
> Akhorahil raises his hands in the air.
A dark sphere of whirling smoke rises out of the earth!
Akhorahil hisses in xyllic:
northeast, Zahara.
Ariala goes eeks!
Ok, you guard northeast.
The black neuter vortex pulses violently for a second. You feel queasy.
You feel as if Tortoise's energy were draining away.
The black neuter vortex suddenly collapses upon itself.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
i don't like this too much, zahara
You graze the right leg of the black red-eyed neuter raven with your
blade.
You massacre the right claw of the black red-eyed neuter raven with your
sword.
The black red-eyed neuter raven's wounds start to bleed.
The black red-eyed neuter raven aims at you with its left claw, but you
parry.
The black red-eyed neuter raven hits your left arm with its bite, but
your
armour absorbs the damage.
A flash from your veil hits the black red-eyed neuter raven.
Ariala gasps in astonishment!
You massacre the abdomen of the black red-eyed neuter raven with your
blade.
You massacre the abdomen of the black red-eyed neuter raven with your
sword.
The black red-eyed neuter raven aims at you with its right claw, but you
parry.
The black red-eyed neuter raven tickles your torso with its left claw.
A flash from your veil hits the black red-eyed neuter raven.
You massacre the abdomen of the black red-eyed neuter raven with your
blade.
You massacre the body of the black red-eyed neuter raven with your
sword.
The black red-eyed neuter raven falls unconscious.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
stop this!
You smash the abdomen of the black red-eyed neuter raven with your
blade.
Ariala growls at you.
The black red-eyed neuter raven wakes up.
You hurt the abdomen of the black red-eyed neuter raven with your blade.
Akhorahil is suddenly surrounded with a faint black aura.
The black red-eyed neuter raven died.
You killed the black red-eyed neuter raven.
> Ariala raises her arms and mumbles some arcane syllables.
You recognize the spell as shield.
You changed your fighting mood.
> The black red-eyed neuter raven ghost leaves away.
> You turn to attack Ariala.
Ariala hits your torso with her runic staff, but your armour absorbs the
damage.
A flash from your veil hits Ariala.
You get a small talisman of Bhaal.
> Ariala whispers in xyllic:
this was too much my dear
You emote: Zahara touches the talisman tenderly.
> Ariala whispers in xyllic:
How can you dare to do this?
You grin amusedly at Ariala.
> Ariala looks at the corpse of black red-eyed neuter raven.
Akhorahil hisses in xyllic:
Yes, she can.
You say in xyllic:
Your last chance to wear the talisman, if not we will banish you.
> Ariala gasps in astonishment!
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
why?
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
what have i done?
You say in xyllic:
Because I think you are a traitor to the Faith.
> One of the zombies loses a leg.
You peer coldly at Ariala.
> Ariala whispers in xyllic:
Well, you used to be a clever mage, Zahara
You say in xyllic:
I am a necromancer, Ariala.
> Ariala whispers in xyllic:
but now you are simply wrong.
You grin wickedly.
> Akhorahil hisses in xyllic:
You don't seem to have your raven under control, Ariala. It seemed
to
follow its asgothian nature.
You say to Akhorahil in xyllic:
I fear that not only the lowly raven does.
> Ariala goes hmmmm.
Akhorahil hisses in xyllic:
And that is not really appropriate for these sacred halls.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
do you have a proof for your accusation?
Akhorahil hisses in xyllic:
You refuse wearing the Talisman.
You say to Ariala in xyllic:
Thats why I want you to wear the talisman.
> Akhorahil looks at the medium backpack.
You say in xyllic:
So that HE Himself will do the judgement.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
i don't want to wear it because you want to force me to do so
You say in xyllic:
Thats a sorry excuse.
Akhorahil sadly has to agree with you.
> Ariala whispers in xyllic:
you killed my friend.. i don't need an excuse
> Ariala whispers in xyllic:
you need one
Ariala takes a deep breath and looks concentrated, while she performs
some
gestures with her hands.
You recognize the spell as resist.
Ariala traces a line along her body.
You say to Ariala in xyllic:
It seems you choose a bad moment for spying.
You grin cruelly at Ariala.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
all these words you are choosing are really strange.. your
accusations
have no ground, just your imagination.
You say to Ariala in xyllic:
Lets get over with this, wear the Talisman.
> Akhorahil's facial features become tense for a moment.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
ok, but then you bring back my creature to life
Ariala smirks.
Ariala looks at the rotten left leg.
You say in xyllic:
I believe you can summon your critter back yourself.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
is it your leg, Zahara? Smells a bit..
You growl at Ariala.
You say to Akhorahil in xyllic:
I fear I can't hold on any longer... do you mind?
> Ariala whispers in xyllic:
so you want to excuse yourself for your behaviour at least?
Ariala's fingers move quickly through the air while she seems to
concentrate
on something.
You recognize the spell as resist.
Akhorahil looks at Ariala.
You emote: Zahara seems to be pale from rage now.
> Ariala traces a line along her body.
> Ariala raises her arms and mumbles some arcane syllables.
Ariala is suddenly surrounded with a light blue aura.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
i don't fear you
> Akhorahil traces a line along his body.
Akhorahil shrugs helplessly.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
i have a superiour spiritual strength...
Ariala looks at the runic staff.
You say to Ariala in xyllic:
Dare to repeat what you just said?
> Ariala whispers in xyllic:
i said the weather is fine and the birds die.
You emote: Zahara's face is slowly turning to a deep red colour.
Akhorahil raises his arms and mumbles some arcane syllables.
Akhorahil touches the black aura.
Ariala peers at the north exit.
You say to Ariala in xyllic:
Now, prepare to die, traitor.
> Ariala gasps in astonishment!
Akhorahil hisses in xyllic:
Well, time to test your spiritual strength Ariala. I assume Zahara
feels
most insulted here.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
i am no traitor!
Akhorahil asks in xyllic:
What else?
You say to Ariala in xyllic:
last chance to wear the talisman, then.
You drop a small talisman of Bhaal.
> Ariala gets a small talisman of Bhaal.
> Ariala looks at the small talisman of Bhaal.
Ariala sniffs at the talisman.
You growl.
> The rotten left leg decays to dust.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
it smells..
You start with a magical gesture.
> Ariala whispers in xyllic:
must be your personal one.
You throw a black sphere at ariala and it sucks away some of her life.
You changed your fighting mood.
> You look at Ariala.
Ariala is a pale red-haired female fairy, presenting herself as:
Ariala, female fairy.
You notice scars on her right arm, left hand, forehead and left cheek.
She is surrounded with a light blue aura.
She is very tall and lean for a fairy.
She looks attractive.
She is fighting Zahara.
She is in a very bad shape.
She is very weary.
She is wielding a runic staff.
She is wearing a loincloth and a stylish black leather shirt.
> Ariala growls.
You throw a black sphere at ariala and it sucks away some of her life.
Now you'll only try to stun your enemy.
Ariala falls unconscious.
You shout in xyllic:
Die, scum.
> Ariala wakes up.
Ariala waves goodbye to her life.
One of the zombies loses a leg.
Ariala draws a circle into the air with her hands, while she begins to
mumble some arcane words.
You recognize the spell as touch.
Ariala heals herself.
You emote: Zahara seems suddenly sad but then straightens herself ...
> Ariala whispers in xyllic:
ok, to make this short
You sigh slightly.
> Ariala whispers in xyllic:
i wear this talisman, as you said
You nod solemnly.
> Ariala whispers in xyllic:
and then i leave
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
and you all will see that it was just a misunderstanding
You say in xyllic:
wear it now.. you already got enough chances.
> Ariala looks at the small talisman of Bhaal.
Ariala gulps nervously.
You emote: Zahara growls impatiently.
> Ariala chants a short prayer, it sounds a bit unusual to your ears.
Akhorahil will fall asleep while standing soon.
You shudder.
You say in xyllic:
Well, its enough now.
You sigh disgustedly.
The sandy-scaled clever imp cleans its fingernails with it's blade.
> Ariala cringes in pain.
Akhorahil looks at Ariala.
You look at Ariala.
Ariala is a pale red-haired female fairy, presenting herself as:
Ariala, female fairy.
You notice scars on her right arm, left hand, forehead and left cheek.
She is surrounded with a light blue aura.
She is very tall and lean for a fairy.
She looks attractive.
She is in a very bad shape.
She is weary.
She is wielding a runic staff.
She is wearing a loincloth, a small talisman of Bhaal and a stylish
black
leather shirt.
> Ariala whispers in xyllic:
i am fine
You snicker demonically.
> Ariala starts to sweat.
You say in xyllic:
Meet your maker now, fairy.
You will now try to mercilessly kill your enemy.
> Ariala whispers in xyllic:
whats wrong?
> You aim at fairy with your blade, but she parries.
You hurt the head of Ariala with your sword.
Ariala's wounds start to bleed.
Ariala comes up with the body.
Ariala falls unconscious.
Ariala died.
You nod solemnly.
> Akhorahil draws a circle into the air with his hands, while he begins
to
mumble some arcane words.
You recognize the spell as disc.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
great and powerful
You shrug.
You say in xyllic:
It had to be done.
> Akhorahil mutters some ancient words and draws a horizontal circle
into
the
air.
As he snaps his fingers, the circle is filled with a solid disc.
You will speak shakrul now.
> You recite loudly in shakrul:
My lord and my Master, my hope and despair ..
> You recite loudly in shakrul:
is HE Who brings darkness, to this world so fair.
> Ariala whispers in xyllic:
but really stupid
You shout in shakrul: Praise BHAAL!
> Akhorahil hisses to the sandy-scaled clever imp in xyllic:
Reshkal, dump your blade and put her things in a disc.
> The sandy-scaled clever imp nods solemnly.
The group of four Skeletons stops guarding northwest.
The group of six Ghouls stops guarding north.
The sandy-scaled clever imp flaps northwest.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
well, you know one day this will fall back on you
A sandy-scaled clever imp flaps in.
A disc hovers in.
As the corpse of pale red-haired female fairy rapidly decays 12 platinum
coins, a
black spell book, a clock, eleven silver coins, two flaming daggers,
four
gold coins, a loincloth, a runic staff, six copper coins, a small
talisman
of Bhaal, a stick of chalk and a stylish black leather shirt appears
from
it.
You say to Ariala in xyllic:
You are banished from all HIS shrines from today.
> Akhorahil looks at the disc.
The sandy-scaled clever imp gets 12 platinum coins, a clock, eleven
silver
coins, two flaming daggers, four gold coins, a loincloth, a rotten left
leg,
a runic staff, six copper coins, a small talisman of Bhaal, a stick of
chalk
and a stylish black leather shirt.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
the way you say it sounds as if i you mean it seriously
The sandy-scaled clever imp puts 12 platinum coins, a clock, eleven
silver
coins, two flaming daggers, four gold coins, a loincloth, a rotten left
leg,
a runic staff, a shimmering shortsword, six copper coins, a small
talisman
of
Bhaal, a stick of chalk and a stylish black leather shirt into the disc.
The sandy-scaled clever imp gets a small talisman of Bhaal from the
disc.
The sandy-scaled clever imp offers you a small talisman of Bhaal.
You accept a small talisman of Bhaal from the sandy-scaled clever imp.
You emote: Zahara wipes the blood from her sword, sighing wearily.
You unwield the dark shimmering sword.
> Your soulsword starts to shrink and fades away as you release your
hold
on it.
You thank the sandy-scaled clever imp.
You wear the small talisman of Bhaal on your neck.
You feel HE is with you.
> Ariala whispers in xyllic:
So sad that you are so narrow minded.
Akhorahil asks Ariala in xyllic:
Where do you want your belongings taken?
You ignore Ariala.
You say to Akhorahil in xyllic:
let me do it, I am responsible for what happened.
Akhorahil hisses in xyllic:
Reshkal will teleport there quickly... no problem.
You nod slowly to Akhorahil.
> The sandy-scaled clever imp flaps north.
A disc hovers out.
You sigh deeply.
> Ariala whispers in xyllic:
well, i will enjoy the fresh air outside now
You say in xyllic:
I get really weary of having to deal with traitors.
> Ariala whispers in xyllic:
was nice to meet you again, after all
Akhorahil hisses in xyllic:
Do so. And do not return here.
You say in xyllic:
You paid the price, we will not bother you again if you dont bother
us.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
Zahara, one day you will see that you have done a big mistake, the
final
war will destruct all that is false.
Akhorahil hisses in xyllic:
That's our text, my dear.
Akhorahil's yellow eyes sparkle mischievously.
You grin wryly at Akhorahil.
> Ariala tries to laugh but fails to produce a ghost-smile.
Ariala whispers in xyllic:
the final battle is the starting of a new world without lesser
gods.
You say in xyllic:
We dont mind what you do from now on, you may even go and worship
the
winddemon.
> A sandy-scaled clever imp flaps in.
Akhorahil hisses in xyllic:
Poor Koon.
Akhorahil hisses in xyllic:
Well, I have work to do.
Akhorahil skips out northwest.
(
geocities.com/mr_dod)