PW: Darkest Towers [IC]

[0ubliz]

OOC | TofM | Darkest Towers | Jungle | Life | Ze Shack

Clouded over with dark storms trimmed in red, Darkest Towers is the most oppressive, malicious sector. Most notable beneath its turbulent skies are the sleek, black monoliths towering higher than the great TofM itself. Evil magic permeate the immediate surroundings, forcing all living things to keep their distance. Despite the grievous setting, this sector of the city is overcrowded with a variety of buildings, including a magnificent church. It should also be noted that this is the only sector lacking both Fountains and Mana wells. And while it has no visible marks of Oregano's Curse, Darkest Towers has a formidable amount of traps.

Weather: Changes every five or so posts. Electrical storms create a very statically charged area. Lightning bolts are constantly attracted to all types of metal, making it a very dangerous place to be in for armour-clad warriors.


Traps: Happens every five or so posts, or every time the GM posts. First I'll determine if someone triggered a trap, and if so, what type of trap it is. Then I'll determine who the target is. All magic-based traps, excluding the Reflective Barrier, last for two posts. Reflective Barriers and pitfalls must be escaped from, while spikes and projectiles can be dodged. Monsters must be defeated.


(What awaits at the bottom of a pitfall is a harmless pool of water. Anti-gravity holds the victim suspended in the air. Reflective Barriers are shaped in a veiled dome around the victim, and reflect both magical and physical attacks back at them. Players and projectile attacks may enter, but cannot aggressively leave the dome.


The Monowire trap is the most deadly of them all; in the immediate surroundings of the victim, shimmering filaments that are difficult to see are strewn around in random intersecting lines. Only on closer examination does one see that the filaments are, in fact, wires. Monowires have the ability to cut through anything as though it were passing through air -- tread carefully.)


WEATHER: [d8]

~Clear: 1-3
~Rain: 4
~Sandstorm: 5-6
~Electrical storm: 7
~No change: 8


TRAP TRIGGERED:

~Available Players +1


TRAP TYPE: [d12]

::Physical::
~Spikes: 1-2
~Pitfall: 3-5
~Spears/darts: 6
~Monster attack: 7-8


::Magic-based::
~Anti-gravity: 9
~Monowire: 10
~Reflective barrier: 11
~Fire storm: 12


TRAP TARGET:

~Available Players +1

[IC Post]

From her perch atop the church, Torenia could see almost all happenings within each of the sectors. It was only a few moments after the bell was struck that competitors began to wander out of the ruins. Tension ran hot in the air, as most had no idea how other players would act. Assassins and thieves immediately set out, leaping from roof to roof, taking other competitors by surprise. Mages began strutting their stuff, shooting off great attacks of elements at each other. Mercenaries and those who wielded swords were close behind, and the sounds of metal on metal began to fill the air.


There was a particular exchange that caught Torenia's sharp eyes, not because it was flashy. A confident-looking man exposed himself in the streets in the sector over, calling over a young boy to an assumed duel. What caught Torenia off-guard was that the man didn't just kill the boy. Rather, he waited for the boy to make his first move, be it accepting the challenge, or running away. 'Honor' was the word applicable here, which was rarely seen in Aelhurst's tournaments.


A desperate cry pierced the air just below Torenia's station, and she peered over the stone edge. A young girl who tried running to the church for saftey had tripped on the stairs. The huge Orcs who gave chase stood over her, weidling spiked clubs. They began to beat her, muffling her dying cries for help. After repeated thumps from the clubs, the corpse was reduced to a pile of crushed skin and bone. One of the Orcs tossed aside his club and mounted the corpse, he and his friend laughing manically as they had their fun.


Torenia averted her gaze and turned away, sick to her stomach. With every passing year the morale-lacking competitors became more and more twisted. And the rules strictly forbade her to save the weak from death. She was aware of the fact that the Orcs would not last long in the tourney, but couldn't help feeling it should be her to take their gift of life away. However, if they were not the weakest presently, she had no right to interfere.


And so she stayed at the lip of the church roof, tense and crouched as she debated whether it would be worth her time delivering death to such grotesque beings.

[Rtron]

It was rather simple to find the Orcs. Just follow the sound of screaming. When Fredrick arrived upon the scene, he was just in time to see the girl turned into a pile of red mush. It disgusted and enraged him. Fredrick waited, his golem beside him, gripping and releasing his blade. When the Orcs had finished, Fredrick issued a challenge. "You there! Yes you despicable Orcs! I've come to challenge you each to a single, one on one, duel! Do you accept?!" The Orcs whipped around at the sound of his voice then stopped when they heard his challenge. They looked at each other, blood dripping off of their maces before roaring and charging him as a mass group. "I'll take that as a no then." Fredrick muttered. He then proceeded to mutter a prayer in Latin that he had learned long ago to say before battle. "Sáncte Míchael Archángele, defénde nos in proélio, cóntra nequítiam et insídias diáboli ésto præsídium. Ímperet ílli Déus, súpplices deprecámur: tuque, prínceps milítiæ cæléstis, Sátanam aliósque spíritus malígnos, qui ad perditiónem animárum pervagántur in múndo, divína virtúte, in inférnum detrúde. Ámen " When he had finished, the Orcs were 20ft away. "Since you have deemed not to take my challenge of a one on one dual with each of you, I don't have to abide by the rules of a single combat dual." Fredrick said then slammed his foot on the ground. Earthen spikes immediately started shooting out of the ground to the Orcs, spearing 2 in the chest for certain. The others, maybe.

[0ubliz]

[[Not implementing Traps just yet in this thread.]]

The two Orcs were soon greeted by their brethren moments before Fredrick's arrival, all gathered 'round the fresh kill. Congratulating one another, the seven Orcs found Fredrick's challenge an annoyance in their celebration. Brandishing brutish weapons of all sorts, they swarmed the armored soul, only to find they had seriously miscalculated their enemy's strength.


By the hand of magic, one grotesque humanoid gave up the ghost, hanging limp on earthen spikes while the other struggled against death. This served to enrage their more agile brethren; the remaining five closing the space with the intent of hot revenge. With a mighty shout, three raised their clubs and swung straight on, coming at different angles. Two ran about to the sides, intending to attack Fredrick's back, a blind spot due to the distraction happening directly in front of the soul.


Not as dead as one would expect, one of the Orcs managed to free himself from the spike that tore apart his body. Collapsed on the ground, nearly gone, he lifted an object retrieved from a buttoned pouch on his belt. It was a curious object, contorted in the shape of a black heart with veins and arteries the colour of magma. With his last breath, he crushed the heart, and let loose the primitive demonic magic sealed within it.


Morphing into existence ten feet above their head, tiny flickers of flame bloomed into hot, violent collections of fire. They poured down, incinerating ground where Fredrick stood. Some of the Orcs were unfortunate enough to be caught in the fire-lit rain, yet they remained coherent enough to try and latch onto Fredrick's armor as they burned, hindering Fredrick's escape.


The one-shot magic quickly died out, leaving only the stink of burnt corpses to stand as a testament to Hell's magic. The one Orc that managed to survive still came out with a few serious burns, and he quickly fled from the scene.


Stepping out from a doorway across the street, a much smaller Orc approached the scene, hastily strapping on a crudely made helmet and armor made from pots and pans. He seemed short of breath, as though he was left behind as his older brothers got carried away in their play-time. As he drew closer, his shuffled feet slowed. In his face was evidence of disbelief.


Tearing off his helmet, the child rushed to the one who had released the demonic magic before succumbing to his injuries. The child's face, now fully exposed without the head gear, was just as deformed and hideous as his siblings. His thick eyebrows knitted together, and his lips trembled. Failing in the attempt to blink away his forming tears, the boy grunted as he tried to coax the fallen Orc to move, to breath. Bitterly weeping now, he took out a wooden rattle of shamanistic nature, and began to gently shake it over the corpse's head.


Though it seemed strange to think that aggressive, hideous Orcs could ever come close to displaying a shred of feelings similar to compassion and love, such emotions were more then evident in the little child.


However, it was likely that the child knew a few things about the magical side of fighting, as could be deduced from the rattle he owned. Dispatching the distracted child now could save Fredrick a potentially difficult fight later.

[Rtron]

Fredrick was lucky to escape being beaten to death by the Orcs through his own skills and his golem. He blocked 1 and parried the other, while his golem sacrificed itself to block the remaining three, by first loosing it's shield arm, then losing it's entire body to block the shots. Not before it crushed the two orcish skulls though. When fire rained down from above, he was left largely unaffected due to his reinforced armor though there was a few slightly melted indents in his armor, none of it was anywhere were it could affect his defenses and they were small.

Fredrick was about to chase after the one who ran when the child appeared. Fredrick hesitated, his blade in the ready position, waiting for the child to attack. When he ran to the corpse instead, Fredrick was left with inner turmoil. One half of him argued to kill the child now, before he could seek revenge later on Kill the child now and avoid dealing with a possibly difficult fight later on!. The other half argued vehemently against that stating that to do so would be dishonorable and put him right up amongst the group of bandits, assassins, and other scum He is just a child for gods sake! You cannot, will not, attack and kill him in cold blood when it has never attacked you!.Then provoke him!Good god! Have you know shame?! Or honor!? Eventually the side that spoke of dishonor won out and Fredrick left the child alone.

Sinking in the ground to chase after the remaining full grown orc,Fredrick guessed where it would go. Berating himself for the decision the entire way. When he came out of the ground he found that he had guessed correctly the route the Orc would take and was now a few feet in front of him. The Orc skidded to a stop and, seeing no route of escape, charged. Fredrick calmly parried the wild swings and shoved his blade into the orcs heart. He pulled Brendika out of the corpse and began walking. No specific direction, just walking hoping to find an opponent.

[HyperRyan66]

Airius was up in the bell tower with his crystalline friend when she rung the bells...as they tolled across the hellish landscape...something adjusted within his mind. Airius’ eyes lost their empty look a moment and he stood up from his previously shattered frame of mind. Although his mind had lapses of sanity now, the ringing of the bell brought fourth the only memories he could consciously contain. Memories of his time in the arena and vaguely…what he fought for. As his posture snapped into a resemblance of his former self her turned to face what was now his only friend in life. “I do not train endlessly in this hell for nothing…please…allow me to purge this tournament of those with evil intent. When the wish is granted, I want to rest knowing I did what I could to prevent that wish from being a harmful one to the rest of the beings on this planet. I cannot remember my life, but I am still aware of good and evil…as well as the dangerous result of someone with evil intent acquiring the wish. Will your masters allow me to dispatch competitors as we see fit?” Airius asked…knowing that if he chose to act he may cause problems for his friend.

“I do not wish to see any more darkness befall mankind or those of any other race…” He stated as he glanced down at the blade he had unsheathed unknowingly as he spoke. He transferred his gaze to his left hand, for some reason it felt naked to him. He clenched his fist and his knuckles cracked under the force. After a few second of gawking at his hand, he remembered…and action that no longer came easy to him. He strutted over to where he was previously huddled and picked up his gauntlet. As he placed the metal death-dealing glove upon his hand a small sense of belonging returned to him. Although he did not think he would ever again be hole…he was slowly piecing himself together as if the bell of slaughter had awakened his reconstruction.

[0ubliz]

Watching with a mixture of delight and anticipation, Torenia peered from her 'eagle's nest' at the top of the church. The Orcs, as she already assumed, did not last long, and were quickly cut down by another player. The appearance of the demonic heart was an uncommon sight, though, seeing as Orcs weren't known for their magic. 'Twas exciting to watch the player fend off the fire; his armor was something special.


Soon enough the battle was over, ending with the appearance of a child. He was young and spirited for a little Orc. But even a pure spirit can be easily crushed with the loss of loved ones. After witnessing the crime against his kin, the child's weeping tears fell sore on her countenance. The knight, be it out of pity or honor, simply left the little Orc.


After slowly picking himself up, the child slunk away, taking with him the rattle and key items of his kin. Moments later, just behind her, the Gatekeeper's one close friend made his presence known. She listened to his plea, noting the ideals she cherished.


"...Will your masters allow me to dispatch competitors as we see fit? I do not wish to see any more darkness befall mankind or those of any other race…”


Turning away from the burnt and shattered corpses on the ground below the church, Torenia padded over to Airius's side, rubbing her head against him. "Usually when one greets an old friend, they start with 'hi, long time no see.'" She said, chuckling.


"I am glad, however, that the bell was able to ring some sense into that mind of yours. It's good to have you back. As for your participation in killing those of deplorable intentions, you won't find one person here that has a pure, selfless Wish. But, I invite you to go forth and vanquish those of greater evils. As long as you don't win a second time, the Masters won't care."

[HyperRyan66]

"I'm sorry my old friend, I shouldn't be so quick to leave after just regaining some sense" Airius apologized, stroking her head."You're a kind creature and you remind me of a woman from my past. Alas the bell did not bring everything back to me...I cannot remember her face, nor her name, just that she was kind and caring...much like you" Airius spoke as he sat down next to the beast to pet her."I hope to some day remember why I came here, why I wished for what i did, and return to whatever I may have called home...taking you with me of course." Airius stated as he continued to stroke her while they spoke.

"Thank you for allowing me to dispatch evil as I see fit, and I truly hope you are wrong about there being no good intentions. Regardless, I shall not head out immediately...I'd rather wait and spend some time with you my dear friend. I'm truly sorry that my mind has been caught in darkness for so long, you must've felt quite lonely while I was in that state." As he spoke he looked out across the barren landscape of the city and tried had to locate the memories lost within his mind.

[0ubliz]

"I understand, Airius." She purred. "We'll work with your mind one step at a time. At this point I know only a little more about you than you yourself know, so I warn you to keep an open-mind with whatever you may discover."

The sun was climbing high into the sky; noon was fast approaching. And with it came the peak of the desert heat, scorching and baking without mercy. The desperate thirst for water would only add to the driving force she would initiate. Lack of all sustenance would either propel people forward on pure instinct, or render them paralyzed. That was, if they were able to think past the wave of darkness about to descend onto Aelhurt's first sector.

Rubbing her face into his side once more, Torenia moved under Airius's hand, padding toward the lip of the church. Curling up in her long tail, she turned her sights to the Master's Tower. Only a signal was needed form her, and it would begin. Both her and Airius would have the pick of the seats.

"Before you leave, come watch a while with me. The game will come to us, and we will have our choice battles."

Taking in a large breath, Torenia held it for a moment, and began to scream.

[Rtron]

They both sank into the ground and popped out of the relatively calm area of the Dark towers. Well, excluding the freaking screaming cat of course. Fredrick glared up at the thing and then sent a loose earthen pillar straight up at it, at most, it would shut it up. "Quiet would you?!" Fredrick said after finishing his act. Then, another being leapt into their little house party. "No, I've no idea who this alchemist is, and I'm relatively assured neither of us are him." Fredrick drew his blade and leveled it at the man in a mask. "Now, if you'd kindly step out of melee range, I'd feel all the more comfortable, while dealing with the inevitable attack from the crystal cat.

[0ubliz]

Making its presence known faster then expected, the dark magic bloomed into a destructive force that would render TotM barren and vacant. All that would soon remain would be the cries of the unjustly killed, and the twisted children of darkened Mana. All was going in accordance with the plan of old: cut down the arena space while killing off as much competition as possible. Move players into the more dangerous sectors, and have them fend off more and more adversity.

She ceased the Call. As expected, competitors appeared in Darkest Towers, hoping to find safety from the doom spreading in the first sector. The knight -- the same one who was in DT before, fighting off the Orcs -- had an apparent dislike to the work of magic, and he attacked. The spiral of dirt she didn't bother to dodge, as it passed through her body like a spear through smoke. Unamused, she moved from the earth, pacing to the lip of of the church.

"You know, knight, I kind of liked you at first. They way you killed those Orcs without mercy was very... Entertaining. However, I don't think he agrees." As she spoke, from an alley came the child Orc, holds tightly in his hands the items of his kin. It was evident in his eyes that he was still harrowed up in sorrow, as they were puffy from all the tears.

"You... You killed them. What gave you the right?!" he cried, shaking the rattle in the knight's direction. "I'll... I'll kill you!"