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Post by Effigy on Aug 6, 2013 0:33:37 GMT
Constantine and Effigy approached the guard house and the feeling he was being watch still shook Effigy. "Yes, with all done this day I not risk danger, from swords and ears." He felt his stomach rumble, "but food is ok."
Effigy new he could not wait longer to warn of danger, any longer and they may wake to orc blades. "I have news I not share. Time to share."
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constantine
Volken
Constantine Ilfrey, Wizard Extraordinaire. For a sum i can make you feel as good as it gets.
Posts: 242
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Post by constantine on Aug 6, 2013 1:52:02 GMT
The orc became very impatient, looking around, panicked. "Calm down Effigy. Tell me what's wrong. But not here. It may not be safe. Come." He took the lead and headed towards a part of the city still in construction. They passed through piles of building materials and many unfinished buildings. In this stage you couldn't tell their purpose without the architect's plans. Constantine stopped at near the entrance of a building vaguely resembling a tower and then using a combinations of finger movements and words he opened a secret passage. Inside the passage there was a lamp and some flint and tinder. He used them to light the lamp. He knew that the orc didn't need any light but he did. they walked in silence until reaching a door that opened with another series of gestures and words. They entered a spacious room lighted by some mysterious way, probably magic, full with alchemy utensils, spellbooks and many different types of reagents and spell components.
"We are safe. Magic doesn't see here." He then walked to a small alcove in the wall that contained all sorts of meats and produce. The orc looked famished and weary. The Holder offered him some meat and some ale. "Finish eating and then we can talk. I have something to do now." He started walking around the room checking on invisible markings on the walls. From time to time he would pick up a spellbook and look inside, nodding and humming. "The wards are in order. We won't be spied in here." He was was addressing to himself rather than to the orc. Finally he took a seat and started perusing one of the many spellbooks that could be found everywhere in this room.
After a short time Constantine brightened and jumped from his place. "Ah, how did I not think of that." He turned towards Effigy that was still eating. "Stay here. I will be back shortly. Do not touch anything. If you want more food take from there. But don't touch anything else." He then took another spellbook and hurried outside.
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Post by Effigy on Aug 6, 2013 3:20:37 GMT
Effigy sat in silence while he dug into the food. He hadn't had a decent meal since, well he could not remember ever having a decent meal. While he ate he thought about the trip he took down into the odd room with strange markings. He had never seen such magic done before and couldn't even attempt to figure out how it worked.
What made him glad was the feeling he was being watched dissipated, he felt like he could talk in this room without the words ending up in the wrong hands. Now the problem remained that he had to explain to Constantine how his presence in the city meant people would die. He was not sure how well he would take it, perhaps this room would be his cell. It wouldn't be the first time he was locked away under magical barrier.
As he waited for Constantine to come back he started to feel paranoid, Does he already know? Am I locked in here?, were a couple of questions to cross his mind. But when he looked around and saw the food was plentiful he thought being locked in here wouldn't be so bad at all and relaxed. He was half asleep when Constantine returned.
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constantine
Volken
Constantine Ilfrey, Wizard Extraordinaire. For a sum i can make you feel as good as it gets.
Posts: 242
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Post by constantine on Aug 6, 2013 4:38:52 GMT
The wizard returned with big grin on his face. "I knew it would work. Now to set up the spell." He looked towards Effigy and saw that he fell asleep. Hi jerked from time to time. "Bad dreams I guess. Who knows what he endured out there. I will let him rest a bit for now, until i complete my spell." He was still feeling energized due to his great idea. When the orc started panicking and asking if they are safe, if they can be listened he realized that they could be watched by some magic means. He couldn't feel anything wrong but he knew that orcs had sharper senses so he trusted him. That's why he took him down here in his Laboratory. It was one of the first projects completed after the city was founded. Here he could study in peace and prepare his spells without any interruptions. The place was protected by powerful wards so you couldn't see inside with the help of magic. But the wards had a downside. They didn't allow to see from inside to the outside with magic. But after thinking about it he figured it out. He could use Mak, his familiar, to see outside.
He started removing things from the floor until a circle could be seen. The circle itself wasn't magical but it allowed him to focus his will and maintain his concentration for longer. He lay in the center of the circle, legs crossed, eyes closed and started focusing on the spell. He could feel Mak outside because the connection between a Wizard and his familiar is more than magic. He concentrated and channeled the spell through the owl. He started to register the magic auras in the city, his laboratory, some other minor magical items and then the all permeating magical aura of a scrying spell. "So the orc was right. We are being watched." He gave a mental suggestion the Mak and the bird took flight. He used that to try and pinpoint the direction of the spell. The aura got stronger towards the southern parts of the city which made him think that it must come from somewhere in the south. He thanked Mak and then cut the spell. He found out all he needed for now. Now he wanted to hear what Effigy had to say. The orc was still sleeping. He didn't wake him. He still needed to ponder over what he just found.
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Post by Effigy on Aug 6, 2013 6:01:17 GMT
Effigy dreamed of the days he spent hiding under a rock not daring to move an inch as the creature known as 'Mind-Eater' crossed his path. Mind-Eater was an immense mound of black ooze that lived in the caverns. It had more eyes and mouths than it needed and its mere presence caused vivid hallucinations. No one came for Effigy, he just laid there for four days watching himself die in the hallucinations. He could feel the pain even know he knew it was not real. Near the end he felt he was losing his mind. Near the end he just may have.
Effigy woke with a startle. His jerking body coupled with his weight shattered one of the chair legs he was sitting on. As he came crashing to the floor he saw Constantine rise near him. "Awake at last I see. I hope I didn't disturb your slumber."
Effigy slowly collected himself off the floor. "F wishes you did." His memories of the dream still fresh in his mind gave him a shudder.
Constantine motioned to the table where other chairs awaited unbroken, "Come now, you said you had something to tell me. Your words are safe here, I assured no one can listen in."
Effigy moved to different chair and sat. It was obvious what he wanted to say was weighing on his mind. They sat in silence for five minutes, Constantine must had understood how difficult this was for the Orc, and as all wise men do, allowed the orc to speak when he was ready.
"Where F come from." Effigy pointed to the floor. "Deep under. F never saw the fire in the sky or the many glowbugs up high before the day of our shared battle." He tried to explain not knowing what the sun and stars were called. "Where F come from, there are many of F." He motioned to his face, outlining his tusks. "The many of F are angry. Angry at F. They have big weapons. And all are soldiers." He motioned his hands like beating on drums. "They joined together under warbanner, and search for me." Effigy began to look distraught. "F thought be safe hear, they never find F here. No. F not safe here. Shadowknife is here. Saw him in city, he saw F." What was look of being distraught changed into that of being terrified. "Now all come here. They will burn buildings, kill all. All for this." Effigy reached into his armor and took out something wrapped in a cloth. As he unwrapped the object it became apparent the inner most part of the cloth was clotted in blood. It was a tusk. "F took this from the high chief."
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constantine
Volken
Constantine Ilfrey, Wizard Extraordinaire. For a sum i can make you feel as good as it gets.
Posts: 242
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Post by constantine on Aug 6, 2013 22:10:14 GMT
Constantine was a bit shaken by what he heard. Nevertheless he regained his composure quickly and his mind started mulling over what he just found out.
"Shadowknife..." He trailed off as his mind worked in a frenzy. "Orcs." He focused again on the barbarian. "How many tribes? And how long until they reach the city?" He had some knowledge about orcs. He knew they were tribal, their society built around war.
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Post by Effigy on Aug 7, 2013 1:30:08 GMT
Effigy started to feel better about telling Constantine. He reacted way better than he thought, well so far at least. "12 tribes, no wait. I guess only 11 now. Each tribe has many soldiers. Enough to surround and burn city. They use big humans to hurl giant stones that smash wall. Machines that shoot fire and disease. Shamans that make water no good to drink and food crawl with bugs." Effigy's mood started to pick up. He realized he may actually be able to help these people against his kind. "F know how they work, F know their tactics! Warbanner move slowly in caves, too many in too small space. Slow more if cave collapse on them." A big smile rose across his face, "Man who not die, he has boom balls. We make cave collapse."
Effigy knew if the cave collapsed on them it would not stop them from seeking their vengeance, they would find another way to the surface. But not here, not now. Perhaps there could be time to prepare.
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constantine
Volken
Constantine Ilfrey, Wizard Extraordinaire. For a sum i can make you feel as good as it gets.
Posts: 242
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Post by constantine on Aug 7, 2013 23:37:42 GMT
Constantine's face light up. "You are smarter than you look Effigy. I am impressed." He then pat the orc on the shoulder and smiled. C'mon we have work to do. He gestured to the orc to follow him and after a short trip through the narrow tunnel they were both outside. The wizard remembered he had some unfinished business at the city guard post. He hurried there and found the guardsman from earlier in the day still near the door, just as he ordered. "At ease guardsman. Did anything happen in my absence?" The young man relaxed. "No sir. Everything has been quiet." Constantine smiled. "Good. Soldier I want you to take my friend over here," he gestured towards the orc, "and find out why weren't there any guards in the city market. My friend can help you seem more convincing," he smiled. "After you finish I want you to make a written report and send it to my office. You understand me, Guard Sergeant?" The young soldier smiled. "Sir yes, Sir!" "Good." He then turned over to the orc. "Effigy I want you to stay here and help this man. When you finish I want you to take the piece of paper he gives you and bring it to me. You can find me at the inn. Also don't worry about what you just told me. I have a plan." He didn't wait for the Barbarian to answer and just left. Outside he realized that he was still missing his staff but he had the Effigy's Longsword. It was unwieldy but it was better than nothing.
He then hurried again towards one of the still unfinished parts of the city, disappearing between the piles of building materials. And when I say disappearing I mean it. He had prepared a Vanish spell in the morning and that allowed him to elude any unwanted pursuers. He emerged from under the spell in a different part of the city and then shortly disappeared into another secret passage. It was a bigger room than the first, very tidy the walls filled with bookshelves. Constantine took a deep breath. He loved the smell of this room, smelled of old books and knowledge. He entered and took a book from one of the shelves, opened it and revealed a magic spell. Closed the book and set it back in its place. He opened a small drawer and took a piece of copper wire. "I hope this works." He lay on the floor and started reading the scroll. When he was done it crumbled into a fine dust that spread around him. He began concentrating to give shape to the magic he just released, it was harder that he expected but he prevailed. After 10 minutes of intense concentration the deed was done, the message was sent. All he had to do was to wait for an answer.
Before leaving the room he took in another deep breath of this familiar smell. Satisfied with his actions he started towards the inn. "Maybe i can have a few ales before they answer me." He smirked. "No. No more ale. I need to keep my mind clear."
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Post by Effigy on Aug 8, 2013 0:26:30 GMT
Effigy followed the guardsman into a back room where the captain of the guard sat at a wooden table within a stone room. The captain looked up with a grin when the guard sergeant entered the room. The sergeant walked over to the other side of the table and took a seat opposite the captain. "Captain Hunnas, you have been detained under suspicion of conspiracy to murder. If found guilty you will be tried for treason in the grand court. Under the circumstances you do not have the right to remain silent."
The sergeant got up and opened the interrogation room door. Effigy stood waiting, he already made a request for what tools he would need to properly interrogate the captain. As the door opened he had to squeeze his shoulders through the human sized doorway while carrying a box holding the tools he required. There was a table off in the corner where he set the box down and began to unpack it. He ensured to hold up each item so that the captain could see it before it was put down on the table.
It started simple, small blades. As he continued taking more out the blades got longer, thicker, wider, some had hooks, some had barbs. Next he pulled out a sack of normal building nails and placed them on the table before he swung his warhammer down next to them. He looked over at the captain with a grin. "My favourite", he said as he continued to unpack. A pair of pliers came next and Effigy mocked pulling off one of his fingernails. Lastly he pulled out a canister with a single black scorpion spotted with red dots. "The sting causes the worst pain an orc can feel but it wont kill you."
As he set down the last of his tools he went and stood next to the captain and placed his huge hands on his shoulders. "Please resist, today has not been a good day and I need to have some fun."
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Post by Effigy on Aug 8, 2013 0:54:37 GMT
"Why were there no guards in the market even though the warden requested double be placed?" Was the first question the sergeant asked. Effigy walked back to his tool table and started weighing different blades.
The captain gave the sergeant a belligerent look, "You will get nothing out of me, your friend doesn't scare me."
"Well thats too bad, cause he scares the shit out of me." The sergeant said as he waved Effigy over.
Effigy brought with him a simple six inch knife. "I think you should listen to the sergeant better. But ahh, Effigy see problem. You have two ears! One must be distracting you. Let Effigy help." Without hesitation Effigy walked up to the captain and started slicing his right ear from the head.
Outside the guardsroom his screams could be heard on the street.
Effigy placed the ear onto the wooden table and walked back to his table "He listen better now."
The sergeant leaned in and repeated his question. This time the captain had no grin. "Go to hell."
All it took was a look and Effigy returned to the captains side this time with the nails and his hammer. "I have no time for this." He placed a nail on the back of the captains left hand and with a single swing of his hammer the mans hand was fastened to the table. He repeated this with the right hand as well.
The captain unleashed a unhuman scream. "Dra vynak 'ymm ryrk'za iy'!" As his eyes turned completely back. Seconds later he returned to normal, drained of all his energy and unconscious.
Effigy took a step back. "He speaks infernal. I know not what he says only that he says it. We need old man here."
The Sergeant quickly filled out the report and handed it to Effigy. "I think he should remain here. I don't think he can go anywhere. Effigy left as the man remained nailed to the table and ran to the inn in which Constantine would be at.
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