xenon

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

IMPORTANT CHRISTMAS MESSAGE!!!!

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The Minimum 1 post per week rule is suspended for the Christmas and New Year holiday season!

Everyone is free to post whenever they choose, for the time being. You can do some character development, take part in conversations and interactions with other player characters. You can even get creative, if you have any ideas for a scene you want to do, just let me know if it's something that might interfere with the current storyline. You are free to push the mission as far as the temple entrance hall, you can describe the hall and get creative with that, if you like.

But nobody is allowed to go any further than the Entrance Hall.

As always, feel free to use the OOC or the Group PMs to figure out who is available for some posting throughout the holidays or making a collab post.

The 1 post per week rule will be back in effect at the start of 2024! Until then, enjoy the break from my pestering lol!

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Zool@Loksfjoer@Saiyan@Teyao@Zapdos@Jay009

@Zapdos

The man who was tied up first by Adam, watched the Druid with disdain, but the root around his neck was tight enough to let him know how easily he could lose his life, so he watched his tongue. His name was Lars, and he firmly believed that his soul would enjoy an eternal shower of hedonism and pleasure, if he continued to serve his new master.

Oh, how he wanted to spit at Adam's feet and hurl the most despicable insults he could possibly muster. But he also valued his life and had faith that if he just stayed put and let the adventurers go march to their own demise, order would be restored and his brothers would free him.

"I have nothing to say to you," he told Adam. And that was all he would say.

@Zool

As soon as the trap sprung on Second Chance and the cultists charged, Hardul had charged in the opposite direction, away from the battle and dove over the rock he was previously hiding behind. There he hid, hoping that he could remain unseen until he saw a chance to crawl away and back down the hill to Cherrad. Unlike the cultists, Hardul wasn't under any kind of mind control. He was simply a coward who was being bullied by George and the secret agent of the cult, Feanor Moss, who was keeping the dwarf on a short leash and making him work for them.

The failed ambush had turned into a quick slaughter, but to Hardul it felt like he'd been hiding for forever. And it seemed that he was out of luck, because MacKensie was drawing closer and would almost certainly sniff him out soon. When he peeked to see if she'd passed him, he thought she saw him and, in a panic, the dwarf got up and made a run for it.

He wasn't the fastest creature on two legs but he sprinted all the same, without looking back, hoping that they had given up on chasing him.

@Jay009@Teyao

"Aaaggghh!!!"

George was sweating from the overwhelming pain, his heart beating hard and breathing heavy. James watched on with passive, merciless eyes. He was maybe more frightening than even Barracker. What was worse was the thought that the vampire was just getting warmed up. Who knew what such a monster could really do if he tried. It was this thought alone that made George realise that he had to say something. He had to give them something, anything, or things would likely get much, much worse for him.

"Alright, I'll talk," he spluttered. He said a few generic things about the temple, the cult and their objectives, but eventually he got to something that Second Chance could actually use to their advantage. "You want our master right? Drath'tuthan himself? You will find him in the main chamber. In the entrance hall, take the doors on the right and follow the corridor to the temple library. The bookshelves on the back wall at the end of the room. On the left side, middle shelf, there is a book called, 'Shattered Dreams.' It is no book, it's a hidden lever that will open a secret door that'll lead you right to the main chamber without having to go through forty men and traps to get there."

George stared hopefully at James, before glancing at Barracker and cowering again. "There. I talked. Now please... No more."

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Zool@Loksfjoer@Saiyan@Teyao@Zapdos@Jay009

George was in a position on the floor to see his fellow cult members dying as easily as sheep against wolves. While his left arm was hurting like hell and he'd lost his wand, he fortunately had a spare one on his belt and so he pulled it out and got up just enough to start casting.

THUNK!

Barracker's shield smacked the back of his head, the vampire's controlled strength doing just enough to knock him out without causing permanent harm.

The two men who fell off the temple roof both broke their legs on the landing and were writhing around on the floor in agony. The one swordsman who got intimately acquainted with Barracker's tower shield was missing some teeth and unconcious, but very-much alive. Another swordsman aswell as a spearman were both quickly bleeding to death, pale as ghosts, one with a hole in his gut and the other missing a leg.

After escaping the clutches of Sil's attack, the last remaining spearman was about to charge at Fenna until he realised that he was the only one still fighting. He quickly dropped his weapon, raised his hands in surrender and dropped to his knees in a plea for mercy.

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Due to Zell figuring out George's ruse so quickly, the ambushers had lost their initiative and thus, lacked the quickness to get any real attacks in on Second Chance before the adventurers showed their superiority. The teamwork and strategy of The Heroes from the Sky minimized all the major threats and the pragmatic decision to use deadly force instead of trying to save the brainwashed cultists, extiniguished any chance of counterattack.

The battle was over, and the first obstacle was scaled.

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Whatever the party chose to do next with their time, and with the surviving cultists, after an hour or two, the clouds would part to unviel the full moon. The entrance to the Temple of Hades would open up, the wall of rock that previously blocked it shimmering before disappearing.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@ZapdosIt isn't salty, Zapdos. I enjoy the OOC strategy discussion. Taking @Saiyan seriously will take years off your life lol.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Looking at this logically:

In the short time between Zell attacking George and MacKensie interacting with Zell, quite a lot has happened. The cultists attacked, Adam killed 4 men, James spoke a blessing, shouted orders, Barracker rushed forward, took 2 men out, attempted to knock George out, MacKensie started shooting. It would be reasonable of Zool to assume that Zell has started moving and is no longer holding George.

Just my take on things. Like Zapdos said, no big deal either way.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Zool@Loksfjoer@Saiyan@Teyao@Zapdos@Jay009

George bowed his head in response to MacKensie, a look of gratitude on his face, but Adam's suspicion was quick to straighten the wizard's posture. He wasn't sure what he could say to convince them he was no threat, but then Zell came towards him with a more welcoming tone. The handshake was weird though. Not that it was left-handed, but he could clearly feel the man caressing the back of his hand with his thumb.

Is he... flirting with me? George thought. Well, I do keep myself well-groomed but-

George wasn't allowed to finish his thought as he suddenly felt the overwhelming sensation of pain in his elbow and shoulder. "Arrgh!" Then he found himself heading towards the floor at great pace. His face smashed into dirt and he was sure he'd broken his nose, pain exploding to new heights. Dizzy and drifting unconcious only for more pain to sober him up as Zell handled his twisted arm, revealing his lack of a Source Crystal. Curse the Quinity!

"GETT THEMMM!!!" he yelled as loudly as he could.

And his fellow cult members came out of hiding, weapons at the ready.

4 men with bows appeared on the temple roof, nocking arrows and making targets of Second Chance. 8 more jumped out from behind columns and statues with swords and spears. They charged the adventurer party.

It was time to fight!

***

Sister Gwen and Lillianna were on horses making good time as they galloped back to Valhiem, but Gwen saw a tiny figure on the evening horizon. Their speed made the figure grow bigger fast.

"There is someone ahead in the road," she shouted to Lillianna.

Lillianna, who'd been deep in thought about yesterday's studies, trying to remember what she'd learned about Spirit Magic and the Light Domain that might be useful, looked at Sister Gwen, then registered what she'd said and looked down the road ahead.

It looked vaguely familiar as they neared. Then she realised who it was.

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THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Zool@Loksfjoer@Saiyan@Teyao@Zapdos@Jay009

George was crouched behind a small lion statue, sweat appearing on his forehead as the unidentified person patrolled closer to his position. He could hear voices further away, men and women both, but he was unable to make out what they were saying. He couldn't hear the footsteps, but had caught snippets of blue clothing when he dared to peek a little. It was time to act.

"Die cultist!" George roared as he jumped out with his wand swirling a pattern. Ice-blue energy coalesced around the crown of the wand as the snow-blast spell activated, ready to fire. "Huh?" George paused, looking at MacKensie with confusion, before slowly lowering his wand, the magic disappearing into thin air. "You are not a cultist. You have my sincere apologies."

He suddenly grunted in pain, then held his ribs, almost falling to one knee, but he pushed through it. "Hardul, you can come out. It's safe."

A dwarf dressed in casual beige and brown threads slowly rose from behind a rock. He was clearly scared and uncertain. He had long, braided ginger hair and a healthy beard to match. No weapon or armour. A clear difference from George, who wore mage's robes with long gloves and carried a spare wand and dagger on his belt. George was a tall fellow, with parted black hair and a mustache that curled upwards at both ends.

"I am George of the adventurer party, Hidden Hand," he greeted, limping forward and offering to shake MacKensie's hand. "We underestimated the numbers of the cult, and their insidious traps set within the Temple. It proved our undoing. Most of us are dead but one was taken prisoner. I managed to get out with this prisoner from a village off to the northwest. But I'm not leaving without my friend, only the entrance has been sealed shut." He looked over at the rest of Second Chance. "I'm surprised the Guild sent another adventurer party so soon. Good news."

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

They say that, of all the Gods, Hades is very popular.

People are always dying to meet him

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Zool@Loksfjoer@Saiyan@Teyao@Zapdos@Jay009

Feanor Moss came into the church in time to hear the conversation between Sister Gwen and Lillianna. He'd been informed that adventurers had finally come to deal with the situation on Temple Hill, something he'd been anticipating for quite some time. After speaking with a friend, he'd caught up with party and now waited for a chance to speak, intrigued by the topic of the two women's conversation. After he understood the situation regarding Sister Gwen's brother, he intruded.

"Hello there," he said softly. "I couldn't help but overhear - I'm sorry to hear about your brother, Sister Gwen - the situation is more dire than you understand. The ghost of your brother is in danger of permanent purgatory, trapped in a restless state, in the Mazy Hillocks for eternity, if something is not done as soon as possible..."

***

When the party met up on the other side of the village, Lillianna anxiously explained the emergency she'd discovered regarding the ghost who'd warned them about the direwolves in The Mazy Hillocks. She could not stand by and let the spirit of that man be destined for such a horrible fate, and had to go with Sister Gwen to help her save her brother's soul. She had to leave at once, and return to Valhiem to prepare a ritual that would release the ghost from this world.

It was an unfortunate situation, but Lillianna Steiner, after being begged by Sister Gwen and convinced by Feanor Moss, would abandon the mission to help. She apologized to her party members and promised to meet up with them in a few days, once her task was complete.

Second Chance would be without their wizard for the foreseeable future.

After wishing Lillianna luck, the rest of the party left Cherrad and headed to the foot of Temple Hill, to start the climb up to the Temple of Hades where they would camp outside until the full moon shone bright enough to open up the temple entrance.

***

Feanor Moss could not believe his luck. It took all his charm and powers of deception to convince the two women that Gwen's brother's spirit needed saving as soon as possible. Using a mixture of truths and old legends, with lies made up on the spot, he'd riled up the trainee priestess into such a tearful frenzy that both of their pleas to the inexperienced adventurer had somehow managed to convince Lillianna to abandon her own party!

He only hoped that his warning would reach his leader, The Listener, in time to prepare the cult for a fight.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

From up in the air on the way to Panama, I wanted to write and say I appreciate getting to RP with all of you. In no particular order:

Teyao - watching James develop (not always for good when alcohol is involved lol) has been great.
Crusader Lord - your posts are always detailed and I can tell Lillianna has a lot of thought put into her. I think our collab broke the post length record here :P
Saiyan - Zell is hilarious to me. He's so unlike anyone I've written.
Loksfjoer - Fenna is being fleshed out nicely. Her presence keeps the team grounded in a sense and Adam needs to interact with her (and Sil) more.
Xenon - of course, the work you've put into the setting makes it succeed. This wouldn't be here without you GMing it.
Zool - MacKensie is an interesting character. I did not intend for Adam to have so much in common with her. I'm glad it worked out that way though, their dynamic has been fun to write and I look forward to seeing it continue.
Jay009 - Barracker is a solid (literally and figuratively lol) addition to the RP. He's already had an impact on the team and I expect that to continue.
>>>Zapdos - Active in IC and OOC from day 1. Essential to the success of the RP. Wouldn't be the same without him!<<<

I look forward to writing with you all more in the future!

@Zapdos

Edited.