The Vale of Shadow (Part 3)

veraka · Post by **veraka** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 12:06 am

Seeing the sorceress narrow her eyes at him, Veraka replied with his genuine innocent 'what' look, but threw a thumbs-up, as well as a devious grin with it after-wards. The great winter wolf next to him seemed to be smiling, though trying to make it out through all that fur was near impossible.

Seeing the next trap that Inrii disabled made Veraka think that these people were no push-overs, but then again, once he set his mind to something, which included vengeance, he relentlessly followed through with it until he saw it done.

Within his mind, Veraka smilied at the very idea of how many ways he'd thought of to impale someone on his sword; the number was truly amazing, well into the hundreds. Of course this was an afterthought, seeing as he still had to get TO the actually perpitrator still.
"Soon enough. . . . . soon enough," he said in a low voice, something being present that was not the norm for him.

Zekafae · Post by **Zekafae** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 1:28 am

Nodding to her silently he spoke actually" We will speak of this, when this is said and done. understood?" There was a tone he hardly took, the male drow was dead business, he knew what was lurking in her heart very well. It was something or rather one of many somethings, he had an iron fist control over. Some could compare him to being nothing but a heartless fiend, if one could say that. He had compassion, just never showed it. It was weakness and almost got him killed when he was younger. Following her he shook his head and looked to eili." They underestimate the tenacity of a scorned drow woman... when pride is bruised, the only wrath to a drow more terrible is Lolth herself. But they never saw an angry ancient female dragon enraged when a whole clutch of eggs is destroyed." Eili shuddered." it took you how many years to help her track down the ones who did it." " A few.. The reward was interesting..." Eili if she could would have raised a whiskered brow." You do have an ally if we're in that region again right?" " Yes, one I'd like to think has no more need to call on me for anything. I never called favors of her for many reasons, though she had said she owed her life to me... Rare for a dragon to honor such things. I suppose that is what happens when your career works on both sides.." He shook his head blanking his mind though somewheres deep something was muttered.

Inriiaynrae Jaelre · Post by **Inriiaynrae Jaelre** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 4:07 am

Inrii nodded and went back to work. she shook her mind of everything, even rolling her eyes at Veraka.

she finished with every trap the guild members had used to slow them down. the tunnel curved more severely up and then the door.
it was ominous before them. the heavy metallic steel sealed up and warded. the traps upon it were more sophisticated than any other. in the door itself was a place for a sliding window, but it too had been sealed off.
the key to opening this door was in her pocket. the large bird's talon she had seen one use last time she had been in the city. the talon she had pick-pocketed from the rogues in the tavern. and when she pulled out the stone, they would get in.
as Inrii neared, her keen eyes enhanced with the true seeing, looked up into the darkness around.
she knew, she sensed it.
three, maybe four were waiting. whether these were bravest or if it was a bad luck of the draw, they were about to face wrath.
her hand began the spell without warning, and the fireball shot up into the ceiling. the rogues cried out as they attempted to dodge the flames, one falling from their spot and rolling away to meet those behind her.
another jumped to a more secure spot and the sound of several '[i:31b8wano]clicks[/i:31b8wano]' was heard.
the drowess ran up the wall and flipped back avoiding the bites of quarrels raining down.
and lucky for the companions, they werent poison coated.

Inrii levitaited up as she heard them attempt to reload quickly. She already had her hands beginning the next spell, and lightning shot forth to knock another one from his perch into the waiting hands of her companions.
the last two retreated deeper into their crevasses and shot at her again. she twirled, her piwafwi flowing behind her to catch the quarrels in it. She smiled an evil grin and shot forth a wall of fire. if they wanted out of their holes, then they would have to jump thru.

veraka · Post by **veraka** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 6:32 pm

Seeing Inrii roll her eyes at him, Veraka chuckled at the response. He knew her now, at least the jokester side of her, to know that she had taken his little jest lightly. It was when she neared the large metallic door that she saw something that he hadn't.

Seeing the drowess look to the ceiling and cast a fireball upwards, Veraka silently cursed himself for not suspecting that there might be another ambush. The silently 'clack clack' of crossbow quarrels being fired made the hairs on his neck stand up; reacting on instinct, Veraka raised his shield in front of his face, hearing the resounding pings of some quarrels impacting it.

Seeing the first goon fall from the rafters, the aasimar reacted instantly, charging him and careening into the poor fellow with a full-on shield ram. Seeing a second goon fall, he shouted behind him, "Zek, he's all yours!"

Slamming the stunned rogue into the metal door, the storm warrior balled his fist and started to hammer the guy senseless, venting his frustration out on the idiot.

Zekafae · Post by **Zekafae** » Wed Jun 02, 2010 11:58 pm

Zek watched the guy fall and braced himself drawing out one of his daggers. What was not expected however was Zek catching the man not with his arms but more of slamming his knee into the spine as the man fell and then driving the dagger hard through the chest and into the heart. The sounds of both were clearly audible. Whether it was the back breaking or the clear fact that anything that was protecting the man's chest failed utterly. Dropping the man he pulled his dagger free and continued on his way.

Inriiaynrae Jaelre · Post by **Inriiaynrae Jaelre** » Thu Jun 03, 2010 6:41 am

Inrii waited, and sure enough, another one was smoked out, or rather forced out by the fire spreading twords him in his cubby.
but instead of falling, he dug his blades into the tunnel's wall and slowed his descent. but those below were ready for him.
that left one in up with her. but they were apparently more stubborn. and judging by size, they were a halfling, and yet rather skilled. the thief shadow jumped behind Inrii to pounce upon her, but she caught movment in time to spin in midair as the female hit the sorceress. Inrii held her at bay as the halfling attempted to struggle with her.
the two fought a good while as those below were finished and just watching the action above. the theif was smart enough to hang on as she attempted to scratch, bite, pull hair or whatever she could do. the sorceress wished then for a male so she coulda kneed him in the groin. Inrii kicked at her a few times, but the halfling managed to stay on her, even while the sorceress' hand became flaming hot.

Inrii simply released the levitation and both females fell. the halfling not expecting that from the drow. Inrii enabled her levitation and stopped inched from the ground, while the halfling female hit hard before rolling. an audible crack from her arm.
the halfling pulled a sling and it twirled around her head, realsing a stone to fly at her.
Inrii dropped down and bent backwards to duck the missile before lifting back up while her hand shot forth scorching rays.

veraka · Post by **veraka** » Fri Jun 04, 2010 4:56 am

Veraka finished off the rogue in time to see Inrii send her fiery magic attack towards an unknown halfling. Seeing the results, he commented, "That's gonna leave a mark."

"Ok, so besides being ambushed at every turn possible, I'm gonna assume that we are close to our objective?"

Zekafae · Post by **Zekafae** » Fri Jun 04, 2010 5:09 am

Rolling his shoulders he couldn't help but to chuckle" I swear you enjoy burning everything you can." He preferred using his own physical abilities. He could use magic, just preferred not too most of the time. Too extensive of a toll on the body and he liked being in top form." Well considering this was the biggest little ambush we had yet, I'd say yes."

Inriiaynrae Jaelre · Post by **Inriiaynrae Jaelre** » Fri Jun 04, 2010 6:09 am

Back on her feet, she smirked at the comments.
"better get it outta my system now sense magic's gunna be negated shortly. but I am trained as a scout and spy also as most everyone of Jaelre has skills most theives only dream of."
and she had been trained well in swordcraft and was a rather proficient fighter.
"didnt like the welcoming party?"
Inrii walked over to the bodies of the four dead and searhed for anything. She guessed Alya or Neriah had been communicating with these four via telepathic messages. and with these dead, they knew the companions were coming, were 'knocking at their door.'
Searching the pockets turned up nothing of real value, just some coins and choice weapons. when she finished, even kicking the halfling' crumbling skull, she walked back twords the door. thinking, she pulled out Shadowblade and then the little coffer holding the stone.
"now's the time to be ready. when I open this, it's back to luck and skill. oh, and 4 against prolly...20 something?" she grinned at the thought of the up coming fight.

((do a all out long fight scenes for the battles if you want, which is coming soon.... i'll open that scene up when we get to it and yall can run with them.
Just cant kill Alya. Injury to Neriah is ok, but she is very powerful- sorceress/rogue/fighter plus her fey'ri race and a mix of prestige classes. so expect that fight to hurt slightly after most everyone is removed.
i will have the stone opened so magic will not be working inside.
some injury should take place among us…even if minor. just to keep the realism of 4 against 20))

veraka · Post by **veraka** » Fri Jun 04, 2010 1:34 pm

Veraka extended both of his hands in an exaggerated stretch forward and crack of the knuckles; "well then, let's get this show on the road."

Aurora sensed his anxiety for the upcoming fight, the want to jump in and throw blows left and right at the enemies; but more realistically, the anxiety of knowing that the berserker would most likely come out during the fight.
Even though he couldn't use his magical attacks in the upcoming fight, Veraka knew that this is the exact type of situation he had trained all his life for; taking on multiple enemies at once and coming out on top.

Zekafae · Post by **Zekafae** » Fri Jun 04, 2010 5:34 pm

Nodding silently he adjusted the bracers and gloves of his armor the leather creaking and groaning in protest. Nodding to her he spoke" I like those odds." He did, it wasn't the first time there was an unfair fight in their odds. Of course the one who'd probably take the least amount of damage is the armored one. He would be highly aggravated if his hide armor got damaged. Of course it meant he'd have to do some hunting on the market and get a few scales or a carapace from a dragon and put it where the damaged material is.

Inriiaynrae Jaelre · Post by **Inriiaynrae Jaelre** » Fri Jun 04, 2010 9:48 pm

Inrii turned the key, the necklace of Alya and the coffer poped open to reaveal that remnant of the time of troubles. she took the stone and placed it into her off hand, feeling the antimagic fight against her. the coffer was dropped back in the pouch.
the effects were instantaneous. the fire above winked out. the true seeing effects were gone. the magic shields around the companions vanished. the dull glowing throbs of magical energy temporarily silenced. the power of her rings went dorment and the weight of the cloth was slightly heavier, tho spidersilk wasnt heavy to begin with.
the best part, however was the door. it no longer had a rainbow symphany of colors swirling about it. the wards were down. at the door, she chuckled a herself for not having done it sooner. (i got my sword and the stone out, having three hands now would be useful...)
"Zek, you have smaller hands at the moment, reach into the left small pouch (on the belt)and pull out the crow talon. its a key. it goes in that tiny hole to unlock the door."

(after he does...and repockets it...dont wanna lose it, need it for the next door.)

the sound of a tumbling click echoed slightly. the door was now unlocked. Inrii nudged the door slightly with her foot. she spotted no traps with her darkvision. for the room inside was heavily cloaked in darkness. the stone's effects quickly removed any magical effects in the room, but the darkness wasnt magical.
she stepped in, Shadowbalde leading...

waiting...waiting...

it was rather anticlimactic that moment as the door lead to another storage room. '[color=green:3ox3sleg]of course[/color:3ox3sleg]' she thought.
there wasnt much here, not like the warehouse anyway. their were no real places to hide in wait, no spots to ambush from.
there was another door at the top of some steps. the wards around it too vanished.
"well, a quick search wouldnt hurt. possibly a few traps behind us."

Zekafae · Post by **Zekafae** » Sat Jun 05, 2010 1:43 am

Nodding he took the claw from the pouch and unlocked the door. Slipping it back into one of his own pouches he followed suit. Watching the area around them he knew his bow wouldn't be as enjoyable to use, but still powerful. His blades were always deadly as he was always deadly. The silence of things made him shake his head slowly." Check all the walls and floors.. there has to be a secret switch to get to a hidden room."

veraka · Post by **veraka** » Sat Jun 05, 2010 2:47 am

Veraka waited for Zek to get the big door unlocked, and then followed Inrii in, immediately switching to his aasimar sight. Drawing Marala Vharc, he got ready for the ambush that never came when Inrii set foot in the room.

Hearing Inrii's comment about a quick search, he and Aurora broke off for a moment, giving the area around them a through look-over, while the other two checked for traps.
"Do you honestly think there's a hidden switch that leads right to a hidden room; I think that the switch might trigger a trap of it's own, seeing how many the pyro-nut has detected and admirably disabled."

Inriiaynrae Jaelre · Post by **Inriiaynrae Jaelre** » Sat Jun 05, 2010 4:50 am

((i hope this makes since. i have a headache and its hard to concentrate...))

"well, last time, I dont think this was here. so this is the hidden room."
Inrii snooped around the large closet, for thats basically where they were. on the far side was a short door, a small wine cellar. the few boxes of stuff caught the drowess attention. a symbol she hadnt seen, but was in the drow script. it was similar to a house glyph.
"well, Alya keeps up with her contacts," she whispered. of course Alya was a special kinda cleric, one known among the ranks as a traitor-priestess. a sorta spy for the Masked Lord in the ranks of the Spider Queen, and had favor of both. of course, she had also been a contact with Jaelre.
she noticed some items marked with her house symbol. Inrii partially sheathed Shadowblade, and opened up that box. inside was tons of spidersilk fabric, the material her clothing was made of.
"odd..." she whispered to herself.
she was about to close the container when a small piece of parchment caught her eye. she pulled it to read it, but the ink had been removed or was hidden. she would need to check it out when they finished with these folks. a simple spell would reveal anything.
"well, here's some material if you still want those clothes..." the jest directed at the ranger who had a soft spot for fine clothing (at least thats what you implied before at the spring).
"Veraka, they could be a dress that would be like a shirt for ya."

--
Neriah had spoke to the whole group. her tail flicking in agitation. Alya stood there arms crossed before her. She knew most of the plan, what the fey'ri was wanting. but nothing was going accordingly anymore. the companions were supose to find this place and then Neriah would get part of what she wanted. then the fey'ri was going after someone powerful or revenge, she didnt remember, or truly care. and all Alya wanted was that stone out of [i:bsk5uut2]those [/i:bsk5uut2]plans. and all this work to put the fey'ri here and their operations in the city was about to be undone by those three.
how did Neriah expect things to go as smoothly as planned?
Vhaeraun put her here but that work was being turned upside down. she nearly lost everything, more importantly that stone. and with this mess, it was possible Lolth could get wind of her.
the bard was in a precarious position.
the white drow shook her head, not happy with her 'boss'. halfway thru the little speech she got up and walked to her chamber.
above her bed was a hammered obsidian half mask. she sat down, covered herself in darkness and prayed.

the guildmembers got into place and waited. for how long they didnt know. but Neriah knew they were close. her out most spies were dead, the link with them gone; but a warning had made it thru. she paced in the large hall. she would have them fight on grounds of her choosing. now she had to wait for moth to come to the fire.

Fire is an interesting element; it can provide light, it can warm us, and it can even harm us. Yet it is the most captivating and alluring of the elements and it is the attraction of it that causes the dangers.