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Dal Shabet

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Offline Небо
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#592
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Well, the door opened. Ple-Sen, you go in first).

Небо – мольбы не ждёт
Небо – угроз не слышит
Небо – ведёт особый счёт
Небо – тебя найдёт

⚔︎ Рыцари Тезота: Персонажи | События ⚔︎

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Offline Ment
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#593
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– Do you want to come in? – Agnet asked. She was torn between two feelings: on the one hand, entering someone else's home without permission didn't quite align with her sense of honor, but on the other hand, she was in need of warmth.
 

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Online now Ple-Sen
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#594
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You talk as if I'm the most resilient and strongest member of the party, wearing armor and immune to mind control... oh, wait, I am exactly that.

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- Entering is dangerous, even if there's no one there. The mistress of the house, as we've already seen, is generous with magical traps. So, I suggest we send in the one who has the least to lose, and I'm talking about Adrian.
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Offline Siverfale
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#595
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Revanko
There are three guards directly near the cells (two stand right by the cells, and another one is on top of a small structure), and there are rarely more of them here. Their number doesn't change during the day or night, but since this is a city and the cells aren't a particularly special part of it, other locals are constantly passing by during the day. Sometimes they just come to look at the prisoners, sometimes they come to torment them. They use something like torches.
-Anil, I think I can break the cells with my bare hands, but I wouldn't want to sacrifice any of us to deal with these creatures. I suggest we do this: wait for nightfall, strangle the guards through the bars of the cell, and if we aren't noticed, the most agile of us will secretly kill the guard on top of the small structure. Even if we are noticed, we'll still have to try to kill him before he raises the alarm. If a chase starts, you, Anil, will take the spear and try to hold them back. But no foolishness, keep your distance. We'll use those things they use as torches to light the way. I'll carry Varus, of course. Gotham will carry the torch and the spear. We'll head west, as far as we can tell which direction that is. What do you think?
Where do we go?
Where do we end up when we save the world?
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Offline Граф Орлов
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#596
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–Alright, if everyone’s so paranoid… careful,– Adrian corrected himself, turned invisible, and entered.
E si sui vius, er mi grans benananza,
e si ieu muoir, er mi grans deliuriers
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Offline kcfgogbfalgfl
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#598
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Adrian entered and found nothing: no traps, no owner, no guards.
On the table in front of the window lay a large volume, handwritten in beautiful script, along with writing implements and a magnificent amethyst. On a small pedestal next to the table was a red sphere (45690 magical energy).
A beautiful cloak hung on a hook at the doorway.
[Health: 100
Magical Energy: 100
Two-handed weapon damage modifier: 30
One-handed and polearm weapon damage modifier: 15
Critical hit chance: 25%
Accuracy: 20
Evasion: 20
Movement speed and initiative: 10]
In the cabinet, one could see a large stack of bills and several transparent vials filled with liquids of different colors: black, blue, green, red, and blue.
In the corner of the room stood a chest that, judging by its appearance, had not been opened for decades.
On the shelf, one could find many books written in the same script as the volume on the table:
— Darius
— Galaktion
— Eleuia
— Jamal
— Donat
— Ziyad
— Maura
— Neon
— Sitara
— Furfur
A small box stood nearby.

Стартовый пост - Квенты - Разное - Список НПС  - Фракции -
Резара - Аксель - Орвальд - Эмилия - Стэфания - Амвросий - Лестер - Альсира - Алария - 

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Offline Небо
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#599
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- Okay, it seems safe here, we can stay and rest for a bit, and then we'll go back to camp. Just don't touch anything. We don't know if the owner of the house is still alive, or what he might be capable of.

Небо – мольбы не ждёт
Небо – угроз не слышит
Небо – ведёт особый счёт
Небо – тебя найдёт

⚔︎ Рыцари Тезота: Персонажи | События ⚔︎

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Online now Ple-Sen
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#600
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Nemo followed and, noticing a large book on the table, couldn't resist taking a look inside.
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Offline kcfgogbfalgfl
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#601
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- Not a bad plan, - Anıl nodded approvingly. - That's what we'll do. I'll take the third guard.

Стартовый пост - Квенты - Разное - Список НПС  - Фракции -
Резара - Аксель - Орвальд - Эмилия - Стэфания - Амвросий - Лестер - Альсира - Алария - 

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Offline kcfgogbfalgfl
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#603
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A large folio, handwritten in a beautiful hand, lay on the small table by the window
Nemo followed her in and, noticing the folio on the table, did not miss the chance to look inside.
* * * * *
My name is Alia Richter. Today I turn sixteen, and I expect great changes in my life to come. From the day I was born I lived with my mother, Gretta Richter, a graceful and elegant woman of noble Helligkeit blood. Although I inherited her lovely figure, pretty face, and magnificent golden hair, my character was completely different. Of course, I could observe every rule of courtly propriety perfectly well, meet the aristocracy's expectations, and generally conduct myself like a young lady, but I never liked that life. Uncomfortable dresses, conversations stripped of every shred of meaning - none of it was for me. Now, however, it no longer matters. My mother died several months ago. Did I forget to write that I, like everyone else, have a father? I have only seen him a few times, and it would be no exaggeration to say that I feel no kinship with him at all. As I wrote earlier, outwardly I resemble my mother, except perhaps for my right eye. It is gray, like my father's, not blue like the left.
* * * * *
At present, great changes are taking place in the political arena of the world, changes that may alter the course of history forever. The great King Vsevolod has at last united all nations beneath his banner; some he overcame with charisma, others he subdued by force. Catarian was the last kingdom to fall, and its queen will soon be executed. As far as I knew, my father had been the king's friend since the days when he was only an insignificant Tyrian lord. Now he is known as Voivode Velizar.
With my mother's death I had no relatives left in Helligkeit, and my father, as he had promised in a recent letter, took me with him. We went to the capital, where I met not only my uncle Peresvet but, to my surprise, the king himself. My father truly was on friendly terms with him. The king's ward, Adelheid, became my first friend in this new place.
* * * * *
On the day of Queen Catherine's execution, I experienced a vast number of new emotions for the first time in my life. I had seen criminals be beheaded before and, unlike girls my age, had never been shocked by it. What happened today was of an entirely different nature. The task of executing the proud woman was entrusted to my father, and he agreed eagerly. From what I had heard, Queen Catherine was as beautiful as she was cruel, and I was able to confirm both with my own eyes. Even as the guards led her to the block she carried herself with great majesty, though, as it turned out, not because she was ready to die; quite the opposite. When my father was ready to take the red-haired beast's head, she rose with tremendous speed, tore the shackles from her hands and feet, and in the next instant killed both guards: she ripped the head from one and tore the heart from the other's chest. Father did not stand there frozen; he cut the monster's arm off at the elbow, but that only enraged her. She sank her clawed paw into his face and buried her sharp fangs in his neck. Vsevolod and his knights had spent a long time destroying creatures like her in Tyria, but who could have imagined that the Queen of Catarian herself would prove to be one of them? When more guards reached the execution site, a Catarian wizard appeared there as well; he managed to hold back the reinforcements and allowed the queen to flee. I do not know what happened next. Fortunately, Father survived, though according to the healer he will not recover for at least a year, and the crushed eye cannot be healed at all. The wizard who allowed the queen to escape was named Christopher Roche, and to my surprise the king spared him. As he said then, he did so out of respect, because the man had shown the greatness of loyalty and was prepared to sacrifice himself for his queen; besides, a man with his abilities might prove more useful alive than dead in the future.
* * * * *
The next year and a half were rather interesting. Queen Snezhana herself agreed to take me on as her assistant, and I followed her everywhere, helping in every way I could. Thanks to this I witnessed many fascinating events and saw things I could never even have dreamed of before. The queen is an astonishing person; I find it difficult to imagine anyone else in her place. She is not only a beautiful and strong woman, but also a talented mage. To my great happiness, she did not refuse my request to become her pupil. According to her, I possess great potential that has not yet been awakened. The other day a man named Karl appeared at the palace, and on his arrival he presented Vsevolod with the embalmed head of Queen Catherine. This event pleased me greatly: not only was I glad at the death of that red-haired bitch who maimed my father, but Karl also turned out to be a very attractive man: handsome, clever, tactful, and courteous, and also strong, as he proved by defeating Catherine. Her head, by the way, was handed over to the alchemists with orders to turn it into a golden statue. Karl told me a great deal about how he tracked down the monstrous queen, but whenever I asked him to describe the ending in detail, he refused in every possible way, saying that such bloody information was not for a lady's ears. How sick I am of that attitude! I am not some faint-hearted, coquettish little lady, and besides, I am no longer a child.
* * * * *
To my pleasure, Karl decided to remain in the capital for several months, but Father ordered me to stay away from him. Two years ago that old man was not even part of my life, and now he tells me whom I may speak to and whom I may not. It is simply outrageous!
I think Adelheid and I could make quite a good team: she is a remarkable warrior, and I am a talented sorceress. Speaking of magic, the other day Karl shared the formula for a very curious spell with me.
Mirror Armor
A magical shield appears around the caster, reflecting all damage dealt to the caster at a cost of 1 point of damage - 2 points of magical energy. Requires knowledge of the following specialties: reality control, dark magic.
For now I am not strong enough to use it, but as I understood from his words, if anyone tries to harm me, the wrongdoer will harm himself instead.
A little later he explained the reason for his gift, confessed his deep love for me, and said that the thought of my suffering was unbearable to him. Then he seized me by the waist and pulled me toward him, intending to kiss me, for which I gave him a sweeping slap across the face. He said nothing; he merely granted me a look that made me uneasy, a look that plainly said I would regret this yet. In any case, Karl does appeal to me, of course, but I will not allow the first man I happen to like to touch me. After all, I am not some whore. Karl is a decent friend and an interesting conversationalist, but he will have to do something far greater to drag me into bed.
That same day, in the evening, a messenger arrived and reported in terror that some creatures had smashed Vsevolod's troops far to the south. I have a bad feeling about this...
* * * * *
Lately I have often had thoughts of ending my life. Slitting my wrists. Jumping from the wall. Drowning myself. Hanging myself. Taking poison. Every day, every hour, such ideas come to me. I see no other way out; sooner or later I will have to do it. Better that than to die the way soldiers die on the fortress walls. The spawn of the abyss know no mercy. The enemies, however, turned out to be not only beyond the walls but inside the fortress itself. Karl. Today he came to me, and this time he did not resort to courtesies as he had before; he grabbed me and threw me to the floor. I tried to resist, but he was far stronger than I. I was ready for the worst, but my queen came to my aid! With her came a Koranian sorcerer unknown to me. The two of them had enough strength to drive the scoundrel away; he fled with his tail between his legs. All men are like that! First they behave tactfully and politely, but once they are refused they immediately try to seize what they desire by force, and when danger threatens them they run away at once. Karl, you are utter filth! To my greatest delight, the guards found the bastard dead the next day, his belly slit open as befits a pig!
* * * * *
I have no hope left. My friend Adelheid is dead. Her swordsmanship was graceful and incomparable, especially for her age, but she had no chance against the red-haired creature. My queen and mentor is dead, killed by my own uncle! Why did he do it? Why? He had always been the most reasonable of everyone I knew! How did it come to this? But that is not all. I was not the only one who lost hope, and when it happens to soldiers, the result is far more deplorable. Many warriors in our army despaired and began doing whatever they pleased. And what will not frightened pigs think of? They attacked their own, raped the women they had sworn to protect, tried to flee the fortress in the hope of finding shelter somewhere else; even the king, humanity's last ray of hope, was extinguished that day, killed by the hands of mutineers. I can only hope that they meet a fate far more terrible than those who died defending us...
That same day Father gathered some things and ordered me to follow him. He said we could no longer remain here, and with the king's death his duty no longer bound him to this place, while a father's duty compelled him to save the only thing of value he had: me. It was then that I saw the full greatness of Velizar, my own father; even after losing one eye, he was still an exceptional warrior. On our way to escape he killed one demon after another; his named sword passed through their flesh like a knife through butter, and ugly heads burst like overripe watermelons. When he seated me on a horse and was about to mount another himself, a winged man appeared in our path with hair the same color as mine. A resident of the Land of Clouds? No... He was something else. Father ordered me to ride on immediately and slapped my horse; it bolted away. I wanted to turn back, but one glance from that stranger made me change my mind... That was the last day I saw my father.
Velizar's Technique. The chance to parry is equal to speed and willpower. A successful parry deals fivefold damage and paralyzes the enemy. The character answers every enemy attack.
Weapon type: one-handed, without shield or second weapon; incompatible with other techniques. Cost: 4 skill points.
* * * * *
When I came to, my head was pounding so hard it felt ready to explode. What happened to me? Where am I? I had driven my horse as fast as I could, but everything after that vanished from my memory. Most likely I lost consciousness. It took a considerable effort of will to lift my eyelids. I was lying in someone else's bed, under the roof of someone else's house. On the neighboring bed sat a man I did not know. What was he doing?.. Wiping someone's blood from a sword blade, it seemed. I turned my head to the side and saw the bodies of dead demons. Two years ago, I probably would have vomited at such a disgusting sight (they were in such a terrible state), but now it was a perfectly familiar picture to me.
- Did you kill them? - That was the first question that arose in my unhealthy head. The man nodded. - Thank you. I suppose. - By now he seemed to have finished washing the dried blood from his blade and rose from the bed. Only then did I see him in all his splendor. He was tall, very powerfully built, with black hair falling to his waist and icy eyes. - Why did you help me?
- It is simple. - The stranger touched the skin of my face with his palm. His touch, surprisingly, was pleasant and even somewhat gentle. - I cannot allow a herd broken loose from its chain to destroy such a wondrous flower.
His compliment was undoubtedly pleasant to me, but I decided to let it pass over my ears; it did not matter right then. I asked him to tell me about himself and his intentions.
* * * * *
His story is difficult to believe, but if one takes into account everything that has happened to the world over the last several years, it is not so surprising. He says that he is Vaironis VII, the evil and mad king of whom I had heard so much in the past. But I had also heard that he was beheaded, and in age this man did not match the historical figure. According to him, what he does with his soul is a process analogous to what happens to the souls of those who worship Elysee, with the sole difference that, first, he retains all his memories, and second, during the formation of the embryo and its maturation his body develops according to the original; in addition, he mentioned that the possibilities of this process are limited by his descendants. This can certainly explain what I had read about his insatiable appetite for women. He came here hoping to cross swords with the Lord of the Abyss, but he was too late: the demon had already cleared out. His tales are as strange as he is, but with him I feel far safer than alone among demonic spawn. Still, I am not always sure which of them is more dangerous, the creatures or Vaironis; at times he looks at me as though ready to devour me...
Life has begun to improve a little lately. In the last three weeks I have spent with my rescuer, I have known neither fear, nor hunger, nor lack of sleep. I still do not understand why he takes care of me, but perhaps it is better that I do not know.
One of the following days I reflected on my rather foolish naivete. When the world is on the brink of collapse, thinking that way only harms oneself. That same night I said farewell to my chastity and learned all the joys of life.
* * * * *
A year has passed. It is hard to count how many demonic corpses the two of us have left in our wake. Of course, I was far from my companion's equal, but it would be unfair to say that I was completely useless; after all, I had not studied magic for nothing. We most often spent the night in houses abandoned by other people. Once we met a large group of people, mostly warriors, half of whom, as later became clear, were pirates. The man who led them introduced himself as Nacht of the Helligkeit line and the future king. Curious; I had been certain their whole line was dead. The king's close associates were the sorcerers Teohar and Alexian. I disliked both and tried not to cross paths with them. Another interesting person was Catalina Silvernight, leader of the pirates. Well, hard times force even scum to act for the common good. It is not difficult to guess that such a striking woman pleased Vaironis, and he pleased her. And though I understood that I had no power to do anything about it, I felt uneasy sharing my first and only man with someone else... In the end it all ended with the three of us doing it together, and I began to look at Catalina somewhat differently; a friendship even arose between us, and perhaps something more. Another two weeks passed, and we reached the Gates of the Abyss. Our goal lay somewhere deep underground, and the path to it was blocked by a demon known as Despair, the only guardian of the gates. Nacht ordered his soldiers to attack the gigantic monster, but all of them turned to dust. At the sight, Vaironis's eyes lit up; I felt as though I could read in them, "there he is, a worthy opponent." The survivors, myself included, passed through the Gates and went deeper into the underground realm, while Vaironis stayed behind alone with Despair.
* * * * *
I do not want to remember the last month of my life, for I feel tremendous shame and terror in doing so. During one of the many skirmishes in the underground world, someone grabbed me by the hair and I fell, striking my head against the ground. When I came to, I was lying on a stone bed, completely naked, while someone's fingers caressed my body, scratching my skin with long nails as sharp as steel. "Ah, you are awake. Excellent." From that moment I became the personal toy of a demonic woman. I will not write down the dreadful things she did to me, because I do not even want to remember them. In the third week my mistress decided to go "visiting," and I went with her. Not that I had any choice. As on the first day, I wore absolutely nothing, with the sole difference that now my neck was "adorned" by a leather collar, its chain connecting it to a bracelet on my lady's hand. After some time we found ourselves in the halls of someone's abode. A chill ran down my back when I saw the one seated on the magnificent throne. It was the very demon my father had fought when we fled the fortress. In the center of the chamber some man was dancing; as soon as he saw us, he ran up to us at once, waved his arms, sprang into a somersault from where he stood, landed gracefully, and clapped his hands. I recognized him. It was Vsevolod's treasurer. I had to tear my gaze away from him when the chain at my neck pulled me after the demonic woman. The one sitting on the throne spoke as she drew closer.
- The children of the god of death have no need of holidays, and still less do I have any desire to see THEM again. Know that I agreed to this only to indulge your whim. For the last time.
- Thank you, - the woman said, kissing the Lord of the Abyss on the cheek. - The children of the god of death have no need of anything at all. Father created us for one single purpose, and we failed at it. You conquered the entire human world and could fulfill our purpose at any moment; you need only give the order and your minions will "save" all people. But you do not do this, because you are a demon of domination. We have long since ceased to be what our father created. - I listened to the conversation between these two and understood absolutely nothing of what they were talking about. I also noticed that the Lord himself never once looked at me; it seemed he considered me unworthy even of his gaze. - And as for celebrating your victory over humanity, you will not regret it, especially since you deserve it! - the demoness declared joyfully. - Incidentally, do not flatter yourself: THEY are not especially eager to see you either, but since in the past you defeated each of them at least once, they cannot refuse an invitation of this sort. Besides, I asked them, and you know no one can refuse me... Except you and our hopeless brother.
I still could not understand WHOM they were talking about, but soon everything became perfectly clear. They meant the other, less significant lords of the Abyss, the masters of domains. When the first of them appeared, I began to think that my mistress was probably the most beautiful of all despite her demonic features, because the one who arrived was a true freak.
- That is Xipil, - Sanexa whispered in my ear, then added mockingly so he could hear: - The cleverest little one among us!
- Ah, Sanexa. In good health as always, and with a new pet besides. - The demon of knowledge looked at me; from his peculiar (and hideous) face it was very difficult to understand his thoughts. Then all the others appeared. Sanexa told me each of their names and related something she apparently found amusing. I remembered Neon, Furfur, Jamal, Donat, Mavra, Dementia, Ziyad, Sitara, Galaktion, Balthazar, Eleuia, and Darius. By physical traits Eleuia was the most human of all; I could quite have called her beautiful. She was the only one who paid direct attention to me. "You have beautiful hair," she said to me, "but it can be made even more beautiful." She gently touched my face, and in the next instant I lost consciousness for a short while. When I awoke, my golden hair had changed to some shade of pink and had grown below my waist. "That is better," the girl added at last.
- And here we all are, - Sanexa declared cheerfully. - Not counting our Despair, but in his condition that is forgivable.
Another guest appeared among them, and in the very next instant he was in front of Sanexa. The demon clad in armor seized her by the throat and slammed her back against the wall behind the throne. I suppose if the chain on my collar had been just a little stronger, I would have lost my head. To my good fortune, however, the chain cracked and snapped.
The demon of pleasures looked very angry and surprised.
- As you can see, mother, - Xipil began, - our distant relative, the mortal one, died in battle but nevertheless defeated the creature you made from our brother many years ago, and now he has been freed from your curse. I think he has a couple of questions for you.
The other rulers of the domains were not so pleased by the arrival of the new guest and immediately decided to free their progenitress from his grip. Powerful energy lashed out from Despair's body. Balthazar, who had been charging at him like a battering ram, somehow turned the wrong way and crashed into the stone wall. Another demon slit open his own belly. A third lost his balance and collapsed to the floor. No one could hinder the silent but terrible demon of calamities. No one except the Lord of the Abyss. He approached Despair and gripped the arm with which he held Sanexa.
- Do whatever you wish anywhere else, but not in my abode. - The lord's tone was even more commanding than usual. - Go away.
Despair obeyed his brother's words and departed at once.
Later no one mentioned that event again, and the celebration began. I did not quite understand what they were doing; I took practically no part in it. Until a certain moment.
- Do you know that demons do not feel hunger and thirst as humans do? - Sanexa spoke to me again. - And yet many of us enjoy the taste of food and drink. - The demonic woman cut my wrist with a sharp claw and placed a goblet beneath it, filling it to the brim as she squeezed my hand like some sort of fruit. Then she took a single sip. - The blood of mortals differs greatly depending on their character and fate. The blood of all sorts of thieves, for example, tastes vile. But yours... - Sanexa greedily drained the goblet to the bottom. - Is beautiful... Though with a slight aftertaste. - I do not like that you are so frightened and silent. My pet should be a match for her mistress. - The demoness passed her palm over my face and with her other hand gave some incomprehensible order to the minions. After some time about ten people in shackles appeared in the chamber. Among them I recognized two: Uncle Peresvet and another whose name I do not know, but whom I had seen among Vsevolod's followers in those fateful days. Then the slaughter began. They were killed one by one over a small pit, filling it with their blood. When the last was killed, the place had become a true blood bath. Sanexa took me by the hand and threw me into the ocean of blood. The demoness clapped her hands, the red liquid boiled, I lost my reason and no longer understood what I was doing. When the blood evaporated, I crawled out of the pit with difficulty. The very first thing I did, still sitting on the floor, was coil like a snake around my mistress's leg and waist, pressing against her with every intimate part of my body. My tongue desired her skin, and I could do nothing about it...
I came back to my senses several days later. By then, apart from the minions, only Sanexa and Xipil remained in the halls of the Lord's abode. Looking at the floor, I saw an infernal flea frozen in amber. Curious. How did that get here? My thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of battle.
A group of people had broken into the abode of the Lord of the Abyss and was destroying its inhabitants one after another. A gray-haired man led them. Among the others I recognized Nacht, Teohar, Ayocaste, Alexius, and, of course, Catalina. How glad I was to see her! The others were unknown to me: a sturdy archer, apparently from overseas lands; a Vaironian; a sorceress of eastern appearance; and two Helligkeiters, a woman and a man. Sanexa did not wait: she swiftly flew up to Alexian and, plunging her clawed paws into his chest, tore him in two. This proved not to be an illusion. Meanwhile, the Lord of the Abyss sensed something in the Vaironian, seized him by the head, and said "obey," then let him go. The young man fell to his knees, braced his fists against the ground, and cried out loudly while his body changed in a nightmarish way. It seemed that every bone in his body was breaking every second. The white-haired man waved his hand toward the Lord of the Abyss, but nothing happened. "He is too strong," came from his lips. Assessing the situation, he gave an order. - Tai, Torvar! With the suppression technique I can hold only one of them. The Lord is too strong for it, so I will use it on one of the other two. The woman seems the more dangerous opponent to me, so it will be her. You deal with the other. - The man waved his hand again, now toward Sanexa; this time what he did worked, and the demoness could no longer move. Meanwhile Tai and Torvar fought Xipil. At least, that was how it was supposed to be. The demon of knowledge easily dodged their attacks but did nothing in return. "What are you plotting, Xipil?" the immobilized woman asked in irritation.
- Dear sister, - the demon replied, moving to another place, farther from the annoying humans. - I think you understand that our brother's triumph has a highly negative effect on our possibilities in the mortal world... His death is for the best. - Xipil finished his last phrase and vanished as though he had never been there.
- Death? - the Lord wondered, shaking Teohar's and Joseph's blood from his hands. - Do not make me laugh. Mere mortals cannot... - At that moment the Lord saw, in the white-haired man's hands, a blade with a dark-blue edge. This stirred both fear and excitement in him. - Father's weapon, capable of killing even gods themselves! - he declared ecstatically. - Mortal. You have brought me either death or the greatest gift. Come and test your strength against mine. The white-haired man did not wait and immediately clashed with the Lord. The other members of the human group tried to help him, but the radically changed Vaironian stood in their path; he was much stronger and faster than before. Steel struck steel. The Lord, delighted by the chance to fight a worthy opponent, and the white-haired man, in whose hands lay the fate of all humanity, fought a magnificent battle, yielding nothing to each other. The man received a great number of mortal wounds, but to him they were like mosquito bites; his wounds closed by some mystical means. At the very end the demon seized his opponent by the head and tore it off, tossing it aside like refuse. Seeing that the man had been defeated and no longer healed, the demon rejoiced, and only an instant later noticed the blade protruding from his chest. He felt neither fear nor pain, only endless serenity. His body broke apart into a thousand shining lights and vanished. The people had no time to rejoice; Sanexa did not let them. After the white-haired man's death, the thing restraining the demoness from interfering also disappeared. With unusual ease she tore off the arm of the first person she reached (Torvar) and flung it away like a piece of meat.
- Test your luck, if you want! - Tai shouted, having moved behind Sanexa. She held the white-haired man's sword and pointed it toward her opponent.
Apparently, she did not especially want to. The enraged Sanexa flew away.
The survivors first helped the wounded, and then Catalina and I met each other's eyes. - Alia, dear! What has happened to you? - The pirate woman rushed to the Lord's remains, seized his cloak, and covered me with it. In addition, she handed me my diary. I had thought I lost it when I was abducted.
After the lord's death, the remaining demons weakened considerably, and we easily made our way outside.
* * * * *
Four years have passed. People have slowly been rebuilding. Nacht revived Helligkeit, and Catalina retrained from pirate into the head of an organization engaged in transporting goods and people. Thanks to the reputation she earned in the struggle against the Lord, people formed a good opinion of her, and practically everyone used her services. This simply made her rich. At the same time, a Helligkeiter named Tad Shabet and several other people became the organizers of a campaign into the Wild Lands, the goal of which was for people to try to find a better life. To my surprise, this idea was supported by a simply colossal number of people. Even I was seized by the desire to join them, and so I did, but first I visited one place: Vaironis's abandoned castle, which no one had visited since its owner's death. Its dark reputation was so powerful that it frightened off anyone who might have wanted to loot it. I, however, had once known him, and therefore felt no such fear. What would he do to me if he turned out to be alive and came here? Rape me? Ha-ha-ha.
The castle was exactly as I expected: abandoned. There were many valuable things in it, but they did not interest me. His room, however, where he had apparently conducted certain experiments with magic, interested me greatly. I had never seen him use it. But if he possessed it and, judging by the notes, possessed it very skillfully, why did he not use it? The room, incidentally, was curious. Candles everywhere; on a nearby table stood a pedestal, and on it a very beautiful and neat female skull with two excellent sapphires in the eye sockets. They were probably meant to emphasize the eye color of the deceased lady, and I am simply certain that in life she must have been beautiful. The sword stand was empty. On the wall hung a portrait of Vaironis himself. Here he was painted in armor, on horseback, holding a magnificent blade of bluish steel. How majestic he is here after all; when he met me, however, he was no less handsome, but his clothes were quite ordinary, as was his sword. While absorbed in studying the room and the records, I came across a wine bottle half full. I decided that a little alcohol would do no harm. Finding nothing better, I poured the entire contents of the bottle into a goblet. It was... black. Not black as in black wine, but black as... as, I do not know, a dark night without moon or stars. This did not stop me, however, and I decided to taste it. When my lips touched the liquid, I could not stop until I had drained the goblet completely. A wave of pleasure and pain passed through my whole body. What had I drunk? For the next several days I felt very unusual, but at the same time wonderful! It felt as though I had been reborn. Deciding that I had nothing more to do, I copied Vaironis's notes and set out, intending to join the campaign into the Wild Lands.
* * * * *
The Great Campaign proved great only in name. We have been on the road for eight years now. Or nine? I have lost track of time. Old people, children, and the sick slow our progress terribly. The sick may recover; children are the future of humanity, I understand all that perfectly well, but what is the point of old people? They only consume resources and delay everyone else. In any case, the Wild Lands are astonishing and just as deadly, and every day here one must survive in dangerous conditions. Such a life is completely different from life in the palace, but that is only for the better. This way of life suits me absolutely, and I am glad to note that my body has grown considerably stronger over the journey, as has my mind. I rarely mention it, but one of my many virtues is an astonishing memory. Thanks to it, I replay in my recollections the battles of great people that I witnessed in the past and gradually learn myself. Now that my body has become much hardier and stronger, I have managed to master many of the techniques I once saw with ease. At times I find it difficult to decide how best to kill the stupid aborigines: with magic or with a sword?
* * * * *
Our journey, it seems, has finally come to an end. We stumbled upon a friendlier land, and Tad Shabet decided to found a town here. After several years there were five such towns. Funny: the leaders of the campaign named them after themselves and now behave like true aristocrats. As I recall, in the old world their families were no different from anyone else's and were not among the nobility. People cannot be changed, after all. Speaking of people, very many of them changed in a striking way. I saw exactly the same thing in the Lord's abode when he did something to the Vaironian boy.
A month later, the secret council of the five city-states, of which I was a member, decided to gather all of them and slaughter them. Invitations were sent to these people's families to assemble in the city squares for the celebration of some event. But not everything went according to plan: a traitor was found among us who informed those we branded as cursed of the government's true intentions. Those poor wretches then gathered in haste and fled somewhere to the north. The kings were not interested in that wasteland, and so they did not pursue the exiles. Instead they simply forbade them to enter their cities on pain of death.
By that point, incidentally, I had begun to attach importance to something strange. How old should I be by now? Over forty. Nevertheless, my body had not aged at all since I set out on the campaign. Or even earlier? It does not matter; the truth was plain: I still remained a beauty, and that could not fail to please me. In my house in Dal Shabet I had a large mirror, and I found no greater joy for the eyes than my own reflection. The thought that anyone besides myself might touch my body became more disgusting to me than anything else. Perhaps I became a little narcissistic, but can I be blamed for that? There are hardly so many people in the world as beautiful, strong, and intelligent as I am.
* * * * *
I spent the last fourteen years in a small but rapidly growing village, Anakvad. This is where the demon-born (as they are now called) settled. I pretended to be one of them, and to my surprise, convincing them proved very easy. I said, look at the color of my hair; such hair does not exist in nature, please! The inhabitants of the human cities drove me out! They allowed me to stay. Among them were talented people who managed to invent something like magic that does not require magical energy. I found this curious and asked to become their pupil. Over these years I managed to learn everything they knew. I even improved the Locator spell; unlike those dilettantes, I can find the location not only of a person but of any object I have ever touched. In addition to studying shamanism, I also conducted fascinating experiments on unlucky demon-born who fell into my hands. They have an interesting physiology, but otherwise they are simply dull (and ugly besides) refuse unworthy of my attention.

*****

More of my research...
Black Fire

The target takes (40) fire damage. Unlike ordinary fire, the flame from this spell does not spread farther, but it cannot be extinguished until the affected area burns to ashes. Requires knowledge of the following specialties: reality control, elemental magic, dark magic. 100
Movement
The character instantly moves across the battlefield. Requires knowledge of the following specialties: reality control, dark magic.. 30 per use.
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* * * * *
I decided to leave the kingdoms and settle in the Wild Lands. The little people I had enchanted made decent servants. They took upon themselves every nasty thing the local flora and inhabitants threw at us, and when we found a place I liked, they built me a wonderful little house. Once that was done, I ordered them all to go kill themselves somewhere far away from here (so they would not spoil my view), unless, of course, someone ate them by then.
* * * * *
The latest news from Dal Tarren amused me greatly. Their impregnable prison truly proved impregnable, and now that den of bandits has become an independent town. People really are hilarious.
Recently some aborigines tried to break into my house, and I disliked that very much. If they could do it, then so could humans, should they ever end up here. I raised a magical barrier around this entire territory. Now the magical energy of anyone who passes inside will turn against him, and if he manages to win, he will simply return to the entrance.
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* * * * *
Now I can officially state that humanity has healed from the wounds left by the ancient war with the demons: the kingdoms of the old world have decided to conquer the prospering world. In response, five regions united into one kingdom and began preparing for war. When humanity has no common enemy or simple goal, they begin fighting one another; it was that way before as well.
* * * * *
While visiting Dal Shabet, I encountered an interesting sorcerer named Mirinoth. I shared some of my magical knowledge with him, and in exchange he provided me with the necessary material for studying Life Magic. For a long time I believed this magic had died out, but it turned out that it had not.
My first successful creation was a carnivorous plant, and even better: I gave it the ability to turn into a woman and granted it something like reason. I told her that she is the guardian of the forest and that the meaning of her existence is solely to protect it from outsiders. A foolish creature, though a cute one. It is not as though many trespassers come here (especially considering the barrier), but perhaps she will devour one or two.
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* * * * *
Today in the Wild Lands there was a battle between the troops of the confederation and the kingdom. What brought them here at all? No matter. I had just finished creating the blood sphere, and this is an excellent opportunity to test it in action.
After killing everyone, I pumped all their life and magical energy into the sphere. Very good. In time this item will be able to contain an enormous amount of energy. Not that I, the strongest sorceress in the whole world, need anything like that, but who knows.
* * * * *
In Dal Shabet I was branded a witch who abducts people. That trash should be grateful that I do them the honor of becoming my test subjects, ha-ha-ha.
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* * * * *
The King of Helligkeit is preparing to set out on a journey through the Wild Lands. I must hurry and make certain that he receives what he came for: death. As far as I have learned, he possesses the true "Zenith." I want that sword.

[Any character who reads these notes gains tremendous experience from another life and receives 3 skill points, 1 specialty point, and +1 to all attributes].

Стартовый пост - Квенты - Разное - Список НПС  - Фракции -
Резара - Аксель - Орвальд - Эмилия - Стэфания - Амвросий - Лестер - Альсира - Алария - 

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Offline Siverfale
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Posts: 12,261
#605
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Aniruddha
- Not a bad plan, - Anil nodded approvingly. - That's what we'll do. I'll take the third guard.
*wait for darkness*
Where do we go?
Where do we end up when we save the world?
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Offline kcfgogbfalgfl
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#606
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Arandor
Gadeg tried to find Laust's companions.
They walked side by side with Laust, slowly heading west from the camp.

Стартовый пост - Квенты - Разное - Список НПС  - Фракции -
Резара - Аксель - Орвальд - Эмилия - Стэфания - Амвросий - Лестер - Альсира - Алария - 

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