[EX] The Dance of Ruin
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Extreme =&gt; Extreme Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: TanaSilver on 24-06-2008, 07:29:16</h2>
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				Title: <strong>[EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>24-06-2008, 07:29:16</strong>
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				Refer to this first post for any important links, such as those below:<br><br>OOC chat thread (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=17486.0)<br><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>25-06-2008, 18:04:20</strong>
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				Tar paced his cell, running through his head the events of the past few days. One moment he had been preparing for the coming day's campaign, and the next moment he found himself waking up in this cell. He had quickly surmised that he had been drugged from someone who must have crept into his room. The skill with which he had been abducted was impressive.<br><br>Unlike most prison cells, this one was quite large and contained not only weapons, but other martial training gear. Tar was informed that he was now the "guest" of Kiraxis, on his private island. Soon, he would be expected to fight for the pleasure of Kiraxis' patrons. <br><br>The captain of the guard, a large, portly man named Bardus, spelled out the rules with a grim smile. "Our previous champion bit the dust last week, so lucky for you. A minotaur ripped his head off and shit down his neck," Bardus said with a grin. It was impossible to tell whether he was joking or not.<br><br>Food was brought by serving girls, slaves who kept their eyes low and voices silent. The food was quite good, lots of meat, water and wine. It was clear to Tar that he was expected to be in the best shape possible for what was to come.<br><br>The next day Bardus appeared at his cell. "You fight later today. What do you want for a weapon? And armor, what'll it be?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>26-06-2008, 01:20:40</strong>
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				&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any weapon. The jailor offered Tar any weapon. After waking with no weapons Tar had allowed himself to hope that none of the combatants would be allowed weapons. In an unarmed fight to the death Tar could out last most anyone, unless of course the joke about the minotaur could be believed. Maybe weapons weren't a bad idea after all. <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Bring me a heavy pick, and Banded mail."<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Stealth would not be his ally here. If every opponent he would face would have their choice of weapon he would need all the protection he could get. Besides, hiding was for cowards. Tar would walk onto the battlefield in plain sight. Any who challenged him would fall. That was the plan at least.<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The more people he encountered, the more he could kill. It was a sick game these men had devised but anything that would get Tar back to his men was worth it. They would need him in the battles to come, if they hadn't been slaughtered already. To get back to them, Tar was prepared to do anything.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>26-06-2008, 07:03:51</strong>
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				Bardus chuckled darkly at Tar's choices. "Go right to the heavy gear, I see," he said. He departed and returned shortly, with a pair of guards and some serving women. The gate was opened and the guards dropped the armor unceremoniously on the floor. The women were there to help Tar put it on.<br><br>Tar noticed immediately that the armor was of the finest quality. In fact, it was far nicer than anything he would normally choose to wear. Examining it, though, it was clear that the banded mail was not purely ornate, but sturdy and expensive gear.<br><br>When done, the women left, and the gate was closed, leaving Tar dressed in his cell. He had been supplied with gauntlets, as well, and a helmet. Bardus appeared again and tossed a heavy pick through the bars, the weapon clattering noisily to the floor.<br><br>"Good luck," he said with a nasty snear.<br><br>Tar had no sooner picked up the weapon when he felt a strange, tingling sensation. He looked up to see sigils in the upper wall glowing with a molten orange radiance, as though embedded in the stone itself. He could feel powerful magic at work, but before he could wonder about it more, the cell was gone and he was in a forest looking at trees.<br><br>He was disoriented for a moment, but just a moment. It was midday, the sun bright, the temperature cool. The ground was level and the forest moderately wooded.<br><br>Tar stopped. About one-hundred feet ahead of him in the forest stood a woman with sweeping red hair, wearing breastplate armor and wielding a halberd. She was looking at Tar with a sinister intensity. <br><br>"Let's get this over with!" she cried out to him, gripping her weapon with both hands. "The sooner I have your head on my spike, the sooner I get out of here!"<br><br>(http://www.path-of-radiance.info/images/dl/titania.jpg)
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				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>26-06-2008, 08:58:09</strong>
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				"Cockiness. I like that in a victim."<br>Tar readied his Pick. If he was to play the monster he would put on a good show. He could not let her leave unscathed, but perhaps he could spare her life.<br>"If you surrender now you have my word that I will make what's to follow as painless as possible."<br>Tar's eyes burned into her. He put as much venom and contempt into his gaze as he could muster. He would kill her if need be, but if she backed down he could proceed to the next battle that much quicker.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>26-06-2008, 17:47:05</strong>
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				The woman eyed Tar and snorted a laugh. "You've got balls, stranger. Maybe I'll feed them to you," she said. "Enough talk."<br><br>She began to stalk toward Tar. Holding the halberd in both hands, she spun it deftly before her, windmilling it with ease. She was obviously very familiar with her chosen weapon.<br><br>OOC: Go ahead and state your opening move. A few things to keep in mind: you are skilled enough to make 2 attacks in a round, though if you do, it limits other actions like moving and attacking together. Also keep in mind the "combat effects" rule. It's fair to state, "I swing at her head to try and knock her out" or "I shove her back to make her trip over a tree root" or some such thing. Asking for more will net you a penalty when I roll for your attack, but sometimes it may be worth it.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>27-06-2008, 05:11:02</strong>
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				Feed him his balls? Her skill with a halberd was almost as impressive as her skill with her mouth. Tar's lips pulled back into a toothy sneer. He would show her better uses for her mouth. If the patrons of this island wanted cruelty they would have it. But before&nbsp; she fell she would know what it was to do battle with Tar Nul.<br>If he allowed her to close the distance she would cut him down before he was in range. Striking fast and hard was the only option. Tar squeezed the handle of his pick and ran forward. He lead with his left hand, hoping to deflect any attack she might make with her halberd. Once in range, he swung in a downward arc, hoping to catch her dominant shoulder.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>27-06-2008, 06:39:02</strong>
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				Tar came at the woman, who also picked up her pace. As they neared, Tar tried to close the distance and get inside her halberd before she could strike, using his arm to deflect the weapon. She was quick, though, and swiveled the halberd in her grip, driving the point right at his chest. Tar stopped cold as the weapon struck, and an agonizing jolt of pain told him that the point had driven through his armor and found flesh.<br><br>Tar staggered back from the blow, nearly sinking to one knee as his world spun before him. He could feel his blood flowing within the armor; it had been a good shot.<br><br>The woman sneered a smile as she spun the halberd around for a swing with the blade. Tar deflected the blow with his forearm, knocking it aside as he tried to regain his bearings.<br><br>She followed up with a kick to his chest that sent him sprawling on his back, the pain in his chest seeming to explode all the more. <br><br>"You are easier than I thought," she said, looking down at him. She spun her halberd around, using the bottom end of it to slap the pick from Tar's grasp, sending it clattering to the ground ten feet away. "Perhaps, you would like to surrender now?"<br><br>Tar blinked hard, looking up at her, regaining his senses but about a second too late. Without his weapon and on the ground, she had him at a distinct disadvantage. The wound in his chest throbbed, but he had seen worse.<br><br>OOC: The first round didn't go so well for you. She beat you on the initiative and got in the first strike, which was a good one. Using the stun rules, you were stunned, which allowed her the time to make the kick attack and disarm you. You've recovered from the stun at this point, though, and are free to make an action. Since you are unarmed, if you attack or maybe try to grapple her, she will get in at least one free shot, so keep that in mind.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>28-06-2008, 02:21:13</strong>
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				Tar swore as he landed on his ass. The wound in his chest ached. A slow crimson trickle flowed under his armor. Tar had had enough. Surrender was no option. Fuck the island and the jailors. This was personal now. She would pay for her arrogance.<br>"Let's see how you fare without your toy!"<br>Tar launched himself at her, his hands reaching for the halberd. If he could just get that damn stick out of her hands this fight would quickly go his way.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>28-06-2008, 03:17:31</strong>
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				Tar threw himself from the ground at her, reaching for the halberd. The woman smiled that smug grin of hers, though, perhaps expecting the move. Sinking into her stance she swung the halberd hard before he could reach her, connecting with the side of Tar's head with a resounding ring from his helmet. His world spun as he staggered back, still on his feet but blackness closing in on the edges of his vision. <br><br>She moved forward and swung the weapon again, this time at his legs in an attempt to bring him down. Tar had enough presence of mind to back out of the way, avoiding the blow, his legs feeling like wet noodles.<br><br>His momentum kept him staggering backward until his back connected with a tree. He shook his head, the world still spinning before his eyes even though he were no longer moving.<br><br>The woman lunged at him with the point aimed for his chest. Tar weakly lifted an arm to fend it off, but he was nearly helpless as it sunk into his chest, the pain nearly unbearable. She drew it free with a gasp and brought the halberd around, slamming him in the head again. Tar teetered to the side, feeling as though his jaw were broken.<br><br>The pain had the benefit, though, of waking him up. He was bleeding, wounded badly, and the realization spiked his adrenalin, bringing him wide awake. Tar gazed at his opponent, feeling himself on the brink of death.<br><br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>29-06-2008, 01:11:48</strong>
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				Her eyes were merciless and cold. Tar could see his death glinting off the tip of her halberd. This accursed island would be his end. The fury of Osi, Tar the untamable, had been beaten.<br>The thought of surrender sickened him. Tar had never bowed to anyone, not once. The day of his death would be no different.<br>The world was starting to swim at the edges. The trees and grass blurred into a quivering mass of green. The face of his opponent, haughty, and impassive, came into sharp focus. Those damned eyes burned into him, looking through him as though he were nothing. Tar only had two regrets. The first was that he would never live to see the Red Band conquer the lowlands. The road ahead would be hard for them, but they would carry on.<br>Tar's second regret was that he was going to die at the hands of an arrogant, high borne, tramp of a knight. How dare she look at Tar with such disrespect? How dare she ask for his surrender? Tar would die this day, but he would make sure that it cost his killer dearly. He lunged at her with all his strength. He no longer cared to protect himself, he no longer needed to. All that mattered was claiming his twin prizes. Tar was going to the far planes of hell, but he would take her eyes with him to the pit.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>29-06-2008, 07:43:46</strong>
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				Tar made a last, desperate lunge for the red-haired woman. The damned grin never left her face though, and as before, at the last moment, she twirled her halberd and brought the blade down hard on his shoulder at the base of his neck. Tar felt the blade bite into him, felt bone snap, and felt his world slip away as the ground rushed up to meet him.<br><br>* * *<br><br>The red-haired woman stared down at the felled warrior. She paused a moment, bloody halberd in hand, to make sure he wasn't playing possum. Judging from the prodigious amount of blood flowing from him, though, there was no faking involved. <br><br>She knelt down and pulled his helmet off, tossing it aside. She wanted to at least get a good look at his face. With a sigh, she stood. He was too far gone to humiliate. She looked up at the forest around her, raising her halberd in a salute of victory. "I have won, Kiraxis! This fight is over!"<br><br>For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a brief instance of impending power, and in a flash, the woman and Tar vanished.<br><br>* * *<br><br>Tar opened his eyes to see a portly man gazing down at him. "There we are. Someone is home, after all," the man said, standing up. "I'm done." <br><br>With pain throbbing throughout his body, Tar sat up to find himself back in his cell, wearing the armor from his combat, the front awash with his own blood. Bardus stood aside the cell door to let the other man out, then slammed the door shut. Through the bars he looked down at Tar.<br><br>"Kiraxis spends a lot of coin to recruit fighters, and he's loath to just let them die for no good reason," he said with contempt. "Markly healed you, just enough, at least. Your body can do the rest, give you some time to stew in your own pain and think about doing a little better next time."&nbsp; With that, Bardus walked away.<br><br>Despite the magical healing, Tar still felt a great deal of pain in his shoulder and chest from the two deep puncture wounds. His jaw also ached, his mouth tasting of blood. It was difficult to even sit up. However, from experience, Tar knew it would be about a week before he would be back in fighting shape.<br><br>Maybe, he would meet up with Red again for a rematch.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>30-06-2008, 21:48:39</strong>
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				Luix narrowed his pale eyes, steadying his arms, holding the bow perfectly aimed towards the stag. The animal had his head gracefully dipped, the long, strong line of his neck bowed to nip delicately at the lush grass that grew along the river. Luix's cruel mouth curved slightly, and shifted his aim, picking a spot one halfway up the side of the animal and just behind the front shoulder. With a practised motion, he let the arrow fly, singing from his bow like gossamer, and then only the whisper of the wind sounded for a moment. The razor sharp broadhead, designed specifically to cut tissue, sliced through both lungs of the deer. The strong legs of the stag collapsed at the same time as the two pierced organs, suffocating the magnificient animal very quickly.<br><br>Those who were knowledgable in such large game would know that this was one of the quickest manners in which to take down the game. Those who were knowledgable in matter of Luix knew that he enjoyed stealing the breath from the animals before they fell to his knife. He straightened ot his full six-foot-two height from his perch just between a heavy-leaved bush and the wide trunk of an oak, letting his muscles adjust. He'd been crouched there for over an hour, laying in wait to catch the family of deer who frequented this spot. A trophy for his table, the large stag, had been a pleasant surprise to catch.<br><br>Luix made his way over to the deer, quite dead already, removing his large, curve-edge knife, sharpened to a deadly edge this morning. When his step wavered, he assumed that blood was still pumping to the limbs from being in a strange position for so long. However, he realized something was wrong when his vision went to waves, and he fell to his knees. His last fragmented thought before everything sunk into black was, "God help the bastard that tries to steal my stag."<br><div align="center">***</div><br>When Luix awoke, he felt dizzy and nauseated, two things a man in such shape rarely felt, save for the nights he spent gallavanting about town, enjoying too much wine and too few women. It took him very little time to ascertain his situation, that he had likely been drugged or poisoned, and now he found himself in this rather curious cell. It wasn't often that a prisoner was provided with the tools necessary for their escape. Luix quickly made a plan to be free of these confines, wryly thanking his warden for being so generous as to provide such items.<br><br>As Luix moved to haul himself to his feet, a slow, sickly wave of nausea roiled over him, and he slid weakly down to the wall. Raking a hand through the thick black of his hair, which had obviously come loose from it's careful tie during his abduction, Luix swallowed back the bile that rose to his throat.<br><br>He would escape... as soon as he could stand without losing his lunch.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>30-06-2008, 22:27:39</strong>
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				Luix heard a rapping on the bars and looked up to see a large, heavy-set man staring down at him with cruel eyes. "You vomit in there, and we're not cleaning it up," he said sternly.<br><br>The man went on to introduce himself as Bardus, and he informed Luix that he was now a guest of Kiraxis on his private island. With little ceremony, Bardus explained how Luix would fight if he wanted to live, competing for the pleasure and entertainment of Kiraxis' clients.<br><br>"You do well enough, you might even leave this place a wealthy man," Bardus said, though it was clear from the sneer on his lips that he didn't much care one way or the other.<br><br>"You fight soon. You get to choose your weapon and armor, so what'll it be?" he asked.<br><br><br>OOC: Instead of explaining the rules all over again, just assume Bardus has gone through the point structure, etc., and Luix knows as much as you do.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>30-06-2008, 22:40:59</strong>
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				Morgash groaned and waked in his cell, he touched his head and tried clear his toughts.<br><br><em>Damn, that dwarven ale sure had a kick. Did I end up bar fight again?</em><br><br>He looks to his surroundings and soon some cruel staring fatso comes explain things to him. Morgash growls and speaks; "Fine, but I tell you I dont like this so I am pissed mood. What comes to weapons I take pair of sai's, nunchaku and small pouch full of shurikens. Nothing else."<br><br>After armed for battle Morgash steps towards the ring to face his first opponent. He is over six feet tall over three hundreth pounds of dark brown skin covered hard trained muscle. He have sslightly pointed ears but he was not elf by long shot. He was brutal looking hobgoblin with smooth black hair tied behind his head in braid, weared soft black leather pants, boots and vest. His yellow topaz eyes squinted the area around him, studying it and his both hands were covered by tattoo; Which plainly said painted his both fists like they were covered in black flames. His weapons hanged from his plain wide leather belt which worked now as weapon belt and had skull shaped iron buckle in front.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>30-06-2008, 22:55:14</strong>
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				Bardus scowled at the hobgoblin. "You get one weapon, hear me! One! So which one, you ugly cuss!" Bardus snapped.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>30-06-2008, 22:59:13</strong>
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				The hobgoblin frowned and said; "I take bagfull of shurikens then. If not bagfull then a sai."
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				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>30-06-2008, 23:14:11</strong>
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				Bardus seemed thoughtful for a moment. "Yeah, okay. A bagful," he said, scratching his head, as though not sure what a shuriken was. "You shouldn't put your faith in a weapon smaller than your hand. For me, I'll take a great axe any day!"<br><br>His commentary finished, Bardus stomped off. He returned twenty minutes later and tossed a leather bag into the cell. It clattered metallically as it hit the floor, and Morgash opened it to find shurikens of the finest quality.<br><br>"That's it? No armor?" Bardus said with incredulity. "I'm putting my money on Red. She'll eat you for lunch!"<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>30-06-2008, 23:25:35</strong>
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				Luix listened carefully to Bardus, interest piqued such that he no longer desired a simple escape. His stomach and legs slowly returned to him as the man spoke, and he stood, crossing his arms over a broad chest, leaning casually against the wall of the cell. "A flail, breast plate, heavy steel shield... if you have one." He requested, a faint hint of haughtiness to his voice, as if he felt he'd already won. Which, in his head, he had. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>30-06-2008, 23:35:36</strong>
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				"Fine, fine ...," Bardus said, walking away. He returned soon with a pair of guards hauling the armor and weaponry and a pair of serving women, who entered the cell to help Luix put the armor on. <br><br>The suit was of some of the best quality that Luix had ever seen, though a bit flashy in color. The flail was also a thing of beauty, and it looked like it had never been used.<br><br>When finished, Bardus ushered the women out of the cell as he closed the door. "Now, sit tight! Kiraxis will summon you shortly," Bardus said before departing.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>01-07-2008, 01:27:40</strong>
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				Luix smirked as the women helped to dress him, his pale amber eyes raking over their features and down over their bodies. He refrained, however, from taking advantage of their presence to save his energy for the coming fight. He tested the weight of the flail in his hand. It was a magnificent piece of equipment indeed, glimmering like quicksilver in his grasp.<br><br>Once Bardus and the women had vacated his cell, Luix settled in to preserve himself, closing his eyes. He looked perhaps as if he was resting, but underneath the cool, peaceful exterior, his skin was abuzz with anticipation.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>01-07-2008, 06:15:00</strong>
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				The smoke rose from the alter in thick rolls. It used to choke her and sting her eyes. Now it was the only sense of home she could connect with. The black leather corset ground into her ribs as she prostrated herself before the alter. The pain was excruciating, just as it should be. As her head met the floor her shoulder length white hair fell forward, obscuring her vision.<br>"Kayzen, Lord of Suffering, Patron of the Forsaken." her voice slid from her mouth like razors on silk. "I am yours. Now and forever. I have served you without fail. Please my lord, I beg you, deliver my enemies into my hands. Give me the strength to bring them low. Allow me to be your instrument against those pretentious fools who would ban your name from the world."<br>The jagged metal of the alter stood impassive. Aryn approached the alter and pressed her coal black lips against an edge. She slid her hand around the back of the metal figure head. Aryn kissed the jagged metal as though it were her one true love. The blood that ran down her chin was jarringly red against her ash colored skin.<br>"Please my lord, my revenge must come soon or not at all."<br>Aryn knew not if her prayers would be heard. Though she did feel an odd tingling sensation.<br><br>The sheets were warm and clean. She swept her hands against the pillows, not wanting to open her eyes yet. She didn't recall going to bed. Perhaps her kiss with Kayzen had claimed more blood then she thought. Aryn couldn't rest any longer, the day had to be faced eventually. Aryn stretched her arms over her head, and bumped her hands against the headboard. It was then that it occurred to her that she possessed neither a headboard nor warm sheets. Her eyes snapped open. She was in a cell. A nicely furnished cell, but a cell none the less. On the other side of the bars stood a heavy set man.<br><br>Aryn stood and approached the bars.
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				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>01-07-2008, 06:38:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=17472.msg690434#msg690434">Quote from: coglio001 on 30-06-2008, 23:14:11</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">Bardus seemed thoughtful for a moment. "Yeah, okay. A bagful," he said, scratching his head, as though not sure what a shuriken was. "You shouldn't put your faith in a weapon smaller than your hand. For me, I'll take a great axe any day!"<br><br>His commentary finished, Bardus stomped off. He returned twenty minutes later and tossed a leather bag into the cell. It clattered metallically as it hit the floor, and Morgash opened it to find shurikens of the finest quality.<br><br>"That's it? No armor?" Bardus said with incredulity. "I'm putting my money on Red. She'll eat you for lunch!"<br><br></blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br>Morgash replied; "I dont use such bulky stuff, but any enchanted protection bracers or spells casted on me I would prefer to use instead of armor if possible. What comes to betting I recomend you place small one for me, after all your winnings from either cover loss in other and I may surprise you."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>01-07-2008, 07:02:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aryn could hear a voice coming from the opposing cell, but the rather large man in the hall completely blocked her view. Aryn stuck her hands through the bars and let her black nails come to rest on the metal.<br>"Could either of you gentlemen explain what I'm doing in this cell?" she said in her best impression of an innocent maiden. Her voice was pleasant, but the fanged smile was pure malice.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>01-07-2008, 07:07:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Bardus had been about to say something nasty to Morgash when Aryn spoke. The bulky man turned, favoring her with a scowl. <br><br>"No time for explanations! Choose your weapon and your armor, and be ready to fight!" Bardus said gruffly.<br><br>"And to you," he said, jabbing a finger toward Morgash. "You want bracers, do ya? You have to fight and win to earn toys like that."<br><br>Bardus then turned and crossed his arms, looking sternly at Aryn. His eyes narrowed as he took in her appearance. "And just what the hell are you?"<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>01-07-2008, 07:31:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I am not but what this world has made me." she said, her smile widening. "But you may call me Aryn." Aryn stooped into a small curtsy, while maintaining her gaze upon the man in front of her.<br>"if I am to fight then I will require materials with which to ward myself and others, as well as a light cross bow."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>01-07-2008, 07:47:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Right, yer a spellslinger," Bardus said, his eye glaring at her a bit more warily. "And fight you will, if you want to live."<br><br>With that, he walked away and returned a few minutes later passing a crossbow and a belt containing bolts through the bars. He looked up, as if hearing something. "Just in time," he muttered, stepping back from the bars.<br><br>In their facing cages, Morgash and Aryn, and Luix elsewhere in the complex, felt the hairs on the back of their necks prickle. Near the ceiling of their cells, sigils began to glow a molten orange from within the rock itself.<br><br>And then, you are all someplace else.<br><br>It appears to be a massive room made of marble. That's not the most unusual thing, though. Each of you are standing atop a marble pillar, three feet in diameter and about twenty feet from the polished floor below. The room is full of the columns, each spaced with about a six foot gap between them.<br><br>In the center of the room, at floor level, is a statue of a gargoyle slowly turning on its base with a grinding sound. As you watch, there is a tinkling noise, and a red beam shoots from the statue's eyes. The beam bounces off of some of the pillars, ricocheting around the room. The beam never rises high enough to reach anyone atop the pillars, but if you were to stand on the floor there would be a chance of getting hit no matter where you stood in the room. The beam seems to fire about every ten seconds.<br><br>Beside yourself, there are three others in this room, all atop pillars and each one at one of the corners of the room, about 100' from you.<br><br>One is a hobgoblin, unarmored and seemingly unarmed. Another is a strange elf-like woman with an evil aspect to her, holding a crossbow. A man standing in breastplate bearing a shield and a large mace stands at one corner, and in another is a woman with streaming red hair, breastplate and a halberd in her hands.<br><br>To stay atop the pillars, and move about the room, will require leaping from one pillar to the next. A fall would be a drop of twenty feet to the floor below, painful but not deadly. The floor would provide a more stable fighting ground, and the pillars so fill the room it would make it easier to sneak around unseen, but it also leaves you open to being struck by the mysterious red beam.<br><br>OOC: For all combat actions, go ahead and state what you intend to do, but don't state outcomes. All dice are rolled on my end and I'll let you know how things turn out. Go ahead and post in any order, since it would take too much time to make you post in order of initiative. I will factor initiative into the results. When I post results, I will take them as far as I can before asking for another set of actions.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>01-07-2008, 07:56:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The woman in red eyed each of the combatants from across the room. Deftly she twirled her halberd in a windmill pattern before her. Then, with a grunt, she leapt to the next pillar. Building up a little running speed, she jumped to the next, apparently making her way across the room toward Morgash.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>01-07-2008, 08:14:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Assuming that there was no more to the knights than met the eye, the voice of her neighbor would have had to have come from the hobgoblin. He would soon be occupied with the red haired knight. That left the man with the mace for her. But he wouldn't fight her, for she was his dear friend, or at least that's what he'd believe once Aryn was done. Aryn focused her gaze on the man with the shield and began to chant. Slow whispers ran together into an incomprehensible staccato of sound as Aryn cast her spell.<br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana;" class="bbc_font">OOC: Charm Person</span>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>01-07-2008, 16:27:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix quickly took in his surroundings. He'd certainly never been in a situation like this, but it didn't mean that he couldn't work it to his advantage. Crouching low to arrange most of his body behind his shield, he watched Red dash towards the hobgoblin, and trailed his gaze over to the other person in the room. She wasn't moving yet, but seeming to talk to herself. Luix quickly decided upon his strategy options. If he started the running leaps that Red was doing, he would likely have to drop his shield to make sure that he did not plunge down. If he remained where he was, he risked projectile attacks, but he could guarantee that none would approach from the back. If he dropped down to the floor of his own accord, he may be able to make it to the gargoyle before being struck by the strange red beam, and perhaps... was the statue large enough for Luix to perch on its head? He would have to keep his balance, but he would get cover from the red beams, and he could lash out with his flail. Luix cast a quick glance to the other fighters, staying where he was for the moment, trying to decide if he should plunge down to the floor.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>01-07-2008, 19:33:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Morgash smiled to the arena complex, seeing two of his opponents are armored he said out loud; "Quite intresting setup here, we shall see who fall down first!" Morgash saw the red haired knight was determined come to him, but he decided to play slow game so he started move towards another armored fighter, his far superior moving speed, and training in athletic combat helping him pass the pillars in blur and keep out of reach of the two foes. Planning wait until they slip and fall in this enviroment where heavy armro is serious disadvantage. But the third combatant who remained still and was not so heavily armored made Morgash be cautious tough.<br><br>If under any circumstance Morgash would end up cornered or catched up he prefers to attack first, so he jumps into same pillar with one the combatants (tumbling in mid air avoid leave opening for a attack) and grapple them and try slide them off the pillar down to the floor. Morgash himself was not afraid of falling. He was trained to fall from very high heights unharmed and his reflexes were not bad when it come for dodging.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>01-07-2008, 19:40:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				OOC: I have actions from all of you at this point, so I will resolve everything and post it up later tonight. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>01-07-2008, 19:58:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				OOC: Got to this faster than I thought I would since there wasn't much rolling involved.<br><br>Aryn began to weave her magic, only to realize that her target was too far away. She could feel her energy reaching out to him, like invisible tendrils, but she only had the strength to reach halfway. If she were to enchant him, she would have to close the distance.<br><br>The woman in red leapt from pillar to pillar, grunting hard as she had the weight of her armor and her halberd to carry with her. Her face was set and determined, though. However, as she neared Morgash, he lithely jumped to the next pillar, then the next, keeping well out of her reach.<br><br>"Sit still you coward!" the woman cried, sweat on her brow as she made another jump.<br><br>Her foot landed an inch short of the pillar, though, and for a moment she flailed her arms, trying to catch the hooked blade of her halberd on the far edge of the pillar to regain her balance. With a cry, she fell back, thudding on the floor below and disappearing from sight from those above thanks to the large number of pillars in the room obstructing a clear view of the floor below.<br><br>Luix watched all this from the safety of his shield, hunkered down on his pillar. The hobgoblin was still a few pillars away from him, about 40', and the other woman had not moved from her perch 100' away.<br><br>OOC: Okay, once again, post up your actions and we'll move to round 2!
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>01-07-2008, 20:09:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix hefted the heavy steel shield contemplatively. It was about twenty pounds or so, and thick. He didn't suppose he could throw it the length of the seven or so columns away that the nimble hobgoblin was, but perhaps if he was patient, and timed it just right, he could toss the thing at the hobgoblin mid-jump. The fighter tucked the handle of his flail into his boot, and grasped one edge of the shield in both hands. Luix would wait to see if the disgusting looking creature approached, and if he came within one or two column lengths, he would toss the thing like a frisbee, aiming for the knees or shins, and preferably in mid-jump. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>01-07-2008, 21:01:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				OOC: FYI, when you are posting your actions, if you want to keep anything secret, then you can PM me directly. If you did this, then when you post IC, just post what you are doing publicly then PM your secret actions. This is not entirely necessary, since everyone is doing a good job of playing in character and I don't think anyone is going to take advantage of another player for posting earlier. Nevertheless, you may want to make something a surprise. I am thinking of Aryn in particular, so you don't tip them off to what spells you are casting.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>01-07-2008, 22:21:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Morgash smiled when woman falled down to the floor as expected from his stragedy.<br><br><em>One down, two more to go.....</em><br><br>Morgash turned attention to the shield guy who was holding his shield rather peculiar manner. He read his opponent for moment to try read his intentions while he apporached the guy. He made wary approach but sudden shield toss was something what Morgash had likely not expected at first glance, but Morgash showed excelence of his training by suddenly flicking his fist into path of the shield's flight and tries deflect it while keeping his balance. He was trained deflect bolts, arrows and other slinged objects so shield is rather easy target to dodge or deflect because it was large but much heavier than usual bolt or arrow.<br><br>If shield did not topple Morgash he keeps continuing now non-shielded foe he carefully balances his leap to his pillar, tumbling in mid air to avoid create opening for him to counter attack and go into grapple contest with the man and try push him over the ledge in wrestle contest! In where Morgash has advantage again; lack of armor helps him keep his footing better and his trained in close grapple contest. He smiles grimly and says to the man while he strains muscles to push him over; "Let's not leave fine lady alone down there shall we, but who shall accompany her I wonder...."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>01-07-2008, 23:57:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The difference between ensnaring a foe and randomly muttering to ones self is all about location. Aryn chuckled to herself. Perhaps no spell was necessary. She could win this fight simply by watching. All of her opponents loved the sound of clashing steel and clanking armor. She simply wasn't an interesting target to them. Aryn found it quite odd to not be the center of scorn, but it was a welcomed change of pace. Still, one couldn't be too careful.<br>Aryn began to hop from pillar to pillar. She'd be in range of the shielded knight eventually. Once there, she could start the spell again.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>02-07-2008, 00:16:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix gripped his shield in both hands, and flung it. The idea was a novel one, and the shield flew surprisingly well, but it arced on its own in midair and veered to the left of the leaping hobgoblin, not coming close enough to even make him dodge. The large shield bounced off the surface of a pillar, tumbling down to the floor below.<br><br>With a quick leap and a tumble in midair, the hobgoblin swiftly headed toward the warrior. Luix quickly snatched up his flail just as the hobgoblin landed right in front of him. Morgash grasped Luix' free arm in an attempt to tangle him up, but the warrior was swifter than he looked. He twisted, freeing his arm as he took a small step back. At the same time, he hefted his flail and swung, but the lithe hobgoblin ducked beneath the blow.<br><br>Aryn, meanwhile, began to hop from one pillar to the next, slowly making her way across the room. The leaps were difficult, and the marble slippery. As she made a jump and landed, her feet suddenly slid out from under her. She cried out as she keeled to the side. A wild attempt to grab the edge of the pillar failed, and she plummeted to the hard floor below, hitting it with a painful smack.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>02-07-2008, 00:44:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix used the momentum from his already swinging flail to duck a bit and lash out towards the hobgoblin's legs, looking to trip the ugly creature and possibly toss him from the columns. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>02-07-2008, 00:51:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Floor length black dresses were not designed with combat in mind, much less leaping from pillars. Aryn had made the jump but landed atop her own dress. Her momentum carried her right of the edge. Aryn lay on the ground, luxuriating in the dull ache running up and down her spine. The cool marble floor felt fantastic against her back. Besides, she didn't need to stand to cast her magic.<br>Whoever had packed her belt knew what they were doing. In the right hand pouch she found a bag and a small candle, ready for use. But what to call forth? A wolf might do well here.<br>Focusing on the bag and candle, Aryn began to call forth a fiendish wolf from the ether.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>02-07-2008, 02:06:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Still lying on the floor, Aryn held her otherwise mundane objects and began reciting the words that would make them something special. The bag and candle grew warm in her hands, and she felt a stirring in the air. When she looked up, a wolf stood at her feet peering down at her. It's fur was as black as night and it's eyes gleamed redly with a malevolence not found in earthly animals.<br><br>It growled, not as a challenge to Aryn, but to indicate that it was ready for whatever task it had been called forth for.<br><br>OOC: Aryn, go ahead and post your next action. I will take care of Luix and Morgash when Morgash posts his next move.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>02-07-2008, 03:10:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aryn stood and to pet the wolf on it's head. Aryn knew that the red haired knight would not stand around forever.<br>"Rip her in two." she told the wolf with one last pat on the head.<br>This battle would get bloody very quickly. Aryn pulled a piece of leather from her belt and began to chant a small supplication to Kayzen. His hands would be her shield.<br><br>OOC: Mage Armor
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>02-07-2008, 06:08:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The wolf lowered his head menacingly, a drip of saliva descending from its teeth to the floor. Then, it turned and dashed out amongst the pillars, in search of its prey.<br><br>Aryn continued with her next spell. Barely had the words escaped her lips when she felt a gentle pressure around her body, an invisible barrier that could save her life.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>02-07-2008, 07:12:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Morgash grumbled when the armored man slide doff his grip, despite his massive three hundreth pounds weight and over six feet tall bulk he was rather agile foe. When flail slided towards his legs he tried agilely jump over the attack to dodge it and then in mid air grapple man's shoulders to take tight grip and then pull him into bear hug and start squeeze life out of him! Move him so close to him he should not be able to use his flail! Morgash focused channel <em>Ki</em> trough his hands into his foe, intending stun his foe with charged energy coursing trough his powerfully trained hands and muscles.<br><br>OOC: Grapple check, use Stunning fist if grapple succeeds and do unarmed damage.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>02-07-2008, 07:32:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As Luix brought his flail around, the hobgoblin leapt with surprising agility, coming down on the warrior's left side. With swift motions, the hobgoblin's arms wrapped around Luix's arms and shoulders, the hobgoblin hanging off of the warrior's back as he constricted his arms. Luix felt an intense wave of pain shoot through his back and neck as the hobgoblin squeezed, seeming to press his shoulder blades together to the point where they might crack.<br><br>Despite Luix's great strength, it was clear the hobgoblin had some skills in the arena of unarmed combat. <br><br>Unable to hit the hobgoblin with the flail, Luix drew his arms forward, trying to break his opponent's grip. For a moment, Luix's strength won out and the hold suddenly broke, with the hobgoblin falling to his feet. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>02-07-2008, 07:44:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aryn readied her bow and began to creep silently through the columns. If the wolf had done it's job she would be able to put a bolt in the red haired knight without her even knowing where it came from.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>02-07-2008, 07:51:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix snarled a bit at the pain, but as soon as he was loosed, he went to swing that flail around again, looking to strike the hobgoblin somewhere a little more sensitive this time. The spiked ball of the flail was soon flying towards Morgash's head/neck.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>02-07-2008, 09:05:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Morgash was expert of very close combat so when flail was aimed to his head he quickly moved his hand to block the arm which was holding the flail and block it's movement to stop the swing of the flail. In result it would reduce flail's impact and because it was end of a chain it would not have swing power to harm or perhaps hit him.<br><br>But now Morgash tried to place leg behind the so far strong warrior and try use the arm grip hold to push him backward (while squeezing and bending his arm painfull manner) so he could start fall backwards towards floor below. Using his massive size and strenght to advantage every possible way....<br><br>OOC: Grapple check + stunnign fist again again and try push foe over the ledge of the pillar (if stunned it should be easy).
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>02-07-2008, 17:42:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aryn readied her bow and began to creep past the columns. The wolf was nowhere in sight, and she didn't hear any sounds of battle, so presumably the beast was still searching. The large columns made the room a nightmare to spot anything, with each column an easy place to hide behind.<br><br>As Aryn crept, though, she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. Turning quickly, she saw the red-haired warrior passing between two columns. The woman moved slowly and she looked angry, shaking her head vigorously as though something were wrong.<br><br>----------<br><br>Morgash moved swiftly, trying to slip his leg behind Luix and grip his arm for a throw. The warrior moved quickly, though, shifting to the side to avoid the hobgoblin's leg while bringing the flail around. Morgash slipped his arm forward to smother the attacker's arm, but it was too late. The spiked ball of the flail swung around and struck the hobgoblin on the shoulder, sending lances of pain through him as he staggered to the side.<br><br>The warrior moved with speed, continuing the momentum of his first strike into a second, landing in Morgash's belly, nearly doubling him over. The hobgoblin's shoulder throbbed intensely, the strike nearly breaking his bones.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>02-07-2008, 17:48:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Seeing the ugly creature double over, Luix smirked a bit to himself and whipped the flail in a wide vertical circle, arm rotating at the shoulder to aim the heavy spiked ball at Morgash's face, essentially looking to uppercut the creature with the flail. If the strike was successful, Luix would shift in, attempting to trip the unarmored hobgoblin once again.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>02-07-2008, 22:14:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The knight appeared groggy, or at the very least pissed. It was hard to tell just from her scowl. Perhaps the red beam had gotten her. Or maybe she just landed on her head. To indulge her curiosity Aryn would have to give away the element of surprise. The prize of savoring her pain was not worth the risk. Having no desire to engage an armored knight in hand to hand combat, Aryn fired at her intended target.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>02-07-2008, 22:35:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aryn took aim at the woman knight, but right before she fired she heard a growl and the wolf sprang from behind a column at the redhead. The wolf lunged at her, teeth bared, going for an arm. It's jaws clamped down but instead of flesh it caught only part of her cloak. Growling, the wolf tugged, tearing a bit of the crimson cloth. The woman paused and looked down at the wolf, her face etched with confusion and anger. She acted strangely, as though extremely drunk.<br><br>It seemed as good a time as any to loose the bolt, and Aryn fired. The bolt struck solidly, but hit the plate covering her chest and bounced off with a "ping."<br><br>As the wolf tugged, Aryn saw the red beam rebounding off a set of pillars. With a sudden, random turn, it ricocheted past Aryn and struck the wolf. The animal yelped and let go of the cloak, staggering a few steps. It stood for a moment in a state of confusion, its red eyes unblinking.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>03-07-2008, 06:59:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Morgash with grunt taked the punishment, altough very painfull blows were delivered in his body was also trained take punishment despite it's natural unusual frailty of it. Seeing the human press advantage he agilely bended his back backwards to avoid the upper cut which should whiss few inches past his face and attempt dodge second attack also. After swing is over Morgash tries swiftly lunge forward to grab his massives arms around the human's waist, channel <em>Ki</em> trough his arms while squeezing hard intending crush human's spine with strong hug and use his whole body wench human's legs off the pillar's floor with his strenght and merely lift and toss over his back the annoying warrior over the ledge behind him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>03-07-2008, 07:12:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The wolf didn't seem to be all that hurt, just dazed. It was almost as if.... Aryn's black eyes widened as the pieces slid into place. With no time to waist Aryn produced a spider from her belt and popped it into her mouth. As her sharp teeth gnashed at the spider, Aryn began to chant. As soon as her spell was cast she would crawl her way out of the red beams range.<br><br><br><br>OOC: Spider Crawl
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>03-07-2008, 09:15:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Morgash and Luix stood almost toe to toe atop the pillar. Taking the blows, Morgash saw the warrior winding up for another shot. Before Luix could swing the flail upward, Morgash rushed forward and wrapped his arms around the man, squeezing with incredible force. Luix felt the wind rushing out of him and his ribs constrict as the hobgoblin gripped him in a crush. The force with which Morgash held him felt like more than just brute strength, it seemed to flow from an almost supernatural source. Luix could feel waves of energy coursing into him, as though seeking to crush him, but with a groan he withstood the pressure.<br><br>However, he couldn't strike the hobgoblin with the flail in this position. The two staggered on the pillar, locked in a mutual grip. Luix fought to free himself, but the hobgoblin held on. His grip tightened further, and to Luix it seemed as though a rib popped in his chest. He gasped, struggling to pry the hobgoblin off of himself. <br><br>With a mighty shake, Luix whirled around and broke the hobgoblin's hold, separating the two combatants. They staggered apart, each nearing an edge of the pillar. Morgash's heels stopped just over the edge, his toes still clinging to the pillar as he held himself in balance. Luix, however, teetered back, the weight of his armor and gravity doing the rest. With a lurching feeling in the pit of his stomach, Luix toppled over the edge of the pillar and plummeted to the floor below, hitting it with a heavy thud. The pain in his chest from the hobgoblin's grip exploded as he hit the ground, and he was sure at least one rib had been broken. Nevertheless, Luix was alive, and alert. Though wounded, he was fit enough to continue fighting.<br><br>-------------<br><br>The warrior woman didn't take kindly to the wolf tearing her cloak, and she lifted her halberd in retaliation. She hacked down at it, the blade slicing a red line along the wolf's side. The animal released the cloak and growled at her, looking to leap in for another bite attempt. The warrior held it at bay, though, menacing it with the pointy end of her halberd.<br><br>While the battle raged, Aryn swallowed the wriggling spider, intoning secret words. She could feel the magic working through her, tingling the palms of her hands. She turned to the pillar and began to climb, ascending quickly.<br><br>She heard a yelp, and looked down to see that the warrior had thrust her halberd forward, stabbing the wolf in the side. Blood seeped from the animal profusely, the creature growling ferociously even as death neared.<br><br>Aryn reached the top of the pillar and clambered up. Looking across the way, she saw that the hobgoblin still stood, but the other warrior was gone.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>03-07-2008, 15:52:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Red hazed Luix's vision for a moment as he fell, but only a soft grunt escaped his lips. He regathered his bearings, staying low, looking to see if he could spot his shield. If it had fallen within his range of vision, he would move quickly and staying low to retrieve it.<br><br>He glanced up at the sound of high canine yelp, eyes narrowing as he carefully approached the red-haired warrior and the wolf, staying half-hidden, crouched behind a pillar as he watched them go at it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>03-07-2008, 16:18:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Morgash had watched warrior fall and standed on pillar, waiting in patience combatants finish each other off down below. Noticing Aryn's ascend Morgash straigthened into his full over six feet muscular frame and speaked in deep voice; "Ah, as I quessed. Your spellcaster. You seem smarter than the rest so shall I suggest we watch down below whoever survives and finish him or her off and then solve our combat?" It is seen Morgash have got some nasty bruised hit to his shoulder but he seem still capable to fight, and knowing his tactics he can quickly cut the distance among the pillars and quickly close in for close combat.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>03-07-2008, 18:20:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aryn's lips pulled back into a smile. She hadn't even needed to cast a spell.<br>"A splendid idea. Why don't you go to the opposite side of their battle. That way no matter which direction the victor runs in there'll be no escape."<br>Aryn turned towards the battle carefully, never giving the goblin her back.<br>"It occurs to me that instead of merely watching, we could assist they're march towards death." Aryn raised her hands, readying herself to cast.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>03-07-2008, 19:07:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Morgash and Aryn observed the combatants below as best they could as they stood their ground. At the moment, they were standing on pillars at opposite ends of the chamber, about 100 feet apart from each other.<br><br>----------------<br><br>Luix had gathered himself and got to his feet, looking about for his shield. He didn't see it, so he left it for the moment. He followed the sounds of combat, moving carefully. Passing by a pillar, he spotted the redhaired warrior battling a ferocious looking black wolf. The animal was the worse for wear, bloodied and clearly on the edge of death. As he observed, a red beam ricocheted past him, striking the pillar he was lurking behind. It missed him, but it had come close.<br><br>The warrior woman swung her halberd with a grunt, intending to finish the wolf off. With a surge of energy, though, the wolf leapt back, and the blade hit a pillar instead. The unexpected jolt surprised the woman, and she lost her grip on the halberd, dropping it to the floor.<br><br>The wolf lunged in, but the woman kicked it back with her boot.<br><br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>03-07-2008, 19:40:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix moved swiftly and silently, looking to snatch up the womans halberd before she could get to it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>03-07-2008, 21:42:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Morgash nods to the woman, smiling in return. They neither did trust each other and knew they would end up to fight each other but they both seek to maximize potential for total win. Morgash kept eye on the man whom he ahd dropped, following him. Seeing him try to be sneaky he shouted; "Yo! Red head! This sucker tries steal your weapon!" As add Morgash with blur took two shurikens from his belt pocket and sended two shurikens fly towards Luix, intending interrupt his operation or at least injure him.<br><br>Morgash, he himself liked fair play between two combatants but also he was merciless. He is not planning give the annoying warrior chance to scoop for easy victory and Morgash can quess the red haired fighter by her fame is very skilled and deadly. So killing the warrior it can exhaust the deadliest from the two so he and other woman can finish her off.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>04-07-2008, 01:52:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The warrior woman seemed to take no heed of dropping her halberd. She growled in fury back at the wolf, kicking at it. Her boot connected hard with the wolf's head, sending it down. With a cry, she lifted her heel high and brought it down hard on the wolf's neck with an audible snap.<br><br>While she was doing this, Luix was creeping forward to grab her halberd. Morgash cried out then, trying to alert Red. She paid no attention, however, and just kept stomping her foot up and down on the dispatched wolf. <br><br>Morgash spun off a pair throwing stars at Luix to try and disturb him, but they pinged harmlessly against the marble pillar beside him.<br><br>Almost in full view of Red, Luix hefted up her halberd. The woman acted as though she were drunk, not paying attention as she stamped the life out of the wolf.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>04-07-2008, 02:17:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix tossed the halberd away as hard as he could, hopefully throwing the weapon the maximum distance away. As she seemed completely entranced in destroying the wolf, Luix took the handle of the flail in one hand, and seized a length of the chain in his other, and moved to creep behind the red warrior. If she continued her drunken assault on the wolf, he would attempt to cast the chain of the flail over her head, yanking back to choke the woman with it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>04-07-2008, 06:54:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Watching the battle below grew dull quickly. Since the goblin had attacked the male knight, Aryn decided to keep things even by attacking the female one. She trained her bow on the red haired knight. Her armor was thick, but surely not impenetrable. Even if it was impenetrable, shooting her would still be more entertaining then just watching. Aryn squeezed the catch, loosing an arrow.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>04-07-2008, 08:53:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix tossed the halberd back, the weapon clattering away across the marble floor. The woman warrior was shaking her head, as though trying to clear a fog in her mind. The wolf lay in a bloody heap at her feet.<br><br>Luix took advantage of her confusion and crept up behind her, the flail held out in both hands. He slipped it across her neck and pulled.<br><br>"NnggHH!" she gasped, eyes going wide as she clutched at the chain, staggering back against Luix.<br><br>Luix gripped the chain tighter, pulling her against his chest. As he heaved, her feet lifted off the ground, her fingers frantically reaching for the chain as her legs kicked.<br><br>Morgash and Aryn watched from their respective perches atop the pillars. Aryn cocked an arrow, took aim, and fired. The bolt whistled through the air and thunked into the woman's thigh.<br><br>"AhHH!" the woman cried as the bolt struck. She continued to fight Luix' hold, struggling hard but held fast.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>04-07-2008, 13:59:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Morgash frowned from the scene, he would had prefered fight the red haired female than annoying human warrior. However from his harsh training he knew among warriors strongest (the measure of 'strenght' varied warrior by warrior) wins and so if red loses now it means she was not worthy foe to face anyway.<br><br>Morgash turned to Aryn and asked; "Which one you would prefer humilitate and which would be easier? The red haired one is disarmed and apparently somesort drunken state but I harmed alot the male warrior. Assuming of course after we defeat winner of this duel we also humilitate him or her together. Or do you prefer we resolve our fight after we deal the winner?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>04-07-2008, 17:04:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix hauled her up against him, a slow smile gleaming in his eyes at her struggles, pulling the chain as taut as possible against her fragile neck. He knew that even if he destroyed this woman, he had to contend with the two still remaining, who had a bit of an advantage, upon those columns. The hobgoblin he could likely deal with, those shurikens would run out eventually. The other was a little more of a concern, as well as the red beam that kept bouncing around them.<br><br>First things first, however. Luix held tight to the chain, coaxing the woman into unconsciousness.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>04-07-2008, 20:15:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Apparently humiliation was a part of this dance of death. Aryn looked down at the scene unfolding below. She could humiliate either of the warriors. She would even enjoy it. Humiliating either of them with the aid of the goblin was another story entirely. Then again, Aryn didn't need to touch a victim to humiliate them. Aryn decided to move as close as she could to the battle on the ground without leaving the pillars.<br>"We could torture the winner. Or the loser. Or both." Aryn replied to the goblin. "Yes, let's do both."<br>Aryn watched the two fighters on the ground, eager to see what might befall them.<br>"Perhaps you should move into position Goblin. When one of them falls there will be little time to act."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>05-07-2008, 01:48:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix and the woman continued to struggle on the ground. They fought at the base of the pillar upon which Aryn stood, giving her a vantage point nearly directly above them. Morgash still stood on a pillar about 100 feet away, his view of the battle badly impeded by the number of pillars in the way, though he could roughly see what was going on.<br><br>Luix continued to pull the chain tight, strangling the woman who kicked and fought to release herself. He could feel the chain biting deeper into her fragile neck, her breaths coming more frantically.<br><br>"AaarrghhHH!" she cried suddenly, twisting with all her might. She shoved just enough to move his left arm, and twisted her lithe form in his grip, suddenly springing out beneath his arms. The woman hit the floor and quickly staggered a few steps forward to get out of his grasp. She coughed hard, her face red as she struggled for air.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>05-07-2008, 01:56:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				OOC: Morgash had moved directly above the male warrior use the shurikens earlier round. But this turn I confirm it.<br><br>Morgash nodded to the woman's suggestion and he jumped over the pillars to move closer to her but also closer to the two adversaries. He said to her; "When time comes I can jump down and immediately attack. But I prefer we get our victim up so I am not at risk getting hit by that beam."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>05-07-2008, 22:56:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Morgash bounded across a few more pillars to get closer as Luix and Red squared off on the floor below. As Morgash took a leap, Aryn suddenly turned in his direction, lifted her arms and cried, "Rideo risi risum!"<br><br>The hobgoblin felt a wave of energy pass through him, even as he leapt through the air. Suddenly disoriented, he almost fell when he landed on the pillar, but he remained steady. With a sense of relief, he gave a little laugh.<br><br>This was immediately followed by a louder laugh, and suddenly Morgash found himself laughing hysterically. He laughed so hard, the hobgoblin doubled over and fell to the surface of the pillar, laughing uncontrollably.<br><br>OOC: Morgash, you are debilitated from the laughter and can make no actions, other than laughing, for the time being.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>06-07-2008, 00:47:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix swung the flail a few times, getting a bit of momentum, before lashing out at Red's pretty red head.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>06-07-2008, 01:02:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The spiked ball of the flail made a few lazy spins as Luix prepared to wind up, Red eyeing him warily. When Luix launched forward, he brought the flail around in a dangerous arc. Despite her lack of a weapon, though, Red had quick moves and she dashed to the side, avoiding the flail. Luix turned the first swing into a second attack, bringing it around hard. Red ducked beneath the blow, staying on her toes and trying to avoid getting struck.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>06-07-2008, 01:29:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Morgash laughed hearthily, it made acting or even speaking impossible hard on him! However the few glances what he made towards the tricky caster were honestly angry, despite what his body have been convulsed to do. But even while laughing he got solid footing on pillars but he was ashamed that such simple spell had bypassed his hardly trained mind.....<br><br>OOC: I assume you taked Still Mind bonus to save, +2 vs enchament effects. Anycase does not any offensive action trigger to make another save to keep effect continuing?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>06-07-2008, 04:03:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix swung the flail, taking another shot at Red, but she danced to the side. The spiked ball struck a column, sending marble chips skittering to the floor. As the momentum from his strike turned Luix' body, the woman suddenly launched forward with a punch to his face. The blow fell short, but made Luix raise his arms. Red followed it up with a kick to his groin, her shin smashing up between his legs.<br><br>Pain shot up through his body. If it weren't for that codpiece, the pain may have been a world of hurt. As it were, her foot connected more with metal than with his balls. Still, it sent a shiver through his spine.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>06-07-2008, 04:58:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix gritted his teeth and in what was likely a very ballsy, or very stupid move, dropped his flail and lunged for the woman, looking to grapple her down to the floor. This was personal now.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>06-07-2008, 07:14:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				In a fury, Luix cast down his weapon and lunged for the woman. Her eyes widened in surprise, her legs carrying her back quickly as Luix's large hands tried to close on her.<br><br>Red stepped to the side, Luix colliding with a pillar. The woman was quick in counterpoint to Luix's great strength. She punched him hard in the back, trying for a kidney shot, but only pummeled his armor without effect.<br><br>Luix turned on the woman, trying to get his hands on her. As he did, the beam bounced off the pillar behind Red, nearly striking her as it passed just under her arm, and hitting Luix in the chest. He suddenly felt out of breath as he staggered back, his mind reeling. A cloud seemed to be settling over his senses, and he shook his head violently, gritting his teeth as he willed it away. He opened his eyes, the feeling passing. Whatever the beam had tried to do to him, he had fought it off.<br><br>Red stood looking at him, as though gauging his condition. She grinned wickedly. "Didn't work on you, did it?" she asked.<br><br>Luix suddenly lunged for her again and this time managed to wrap his fingers around the collar of her tunic. The two staggered a moment, locked in each other's clutches. Then, with a grunt, Luix picked her up off the floor and slammed her down hard with him on top.<br><br>"UhhH!" she cried as her back hit the marble floor.<br><br>With Red on her back, and Luix atop her, both struggled. Luix grappled at her while she tried to knock his hands away, using her hips to try and throw him off. <br><br>As they struggled, another beam bounced their way. It passed over Luix's shoulder and struck the woman. She shuddered, her eyes going wide.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>06-07-2008, 09:35:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The spell was cast. Aryn wrapped her fingertips in energy and flung it outwards. As the goblin leaped through the air Aryn the energy connected with him, latching on and digging in. In an instant she felt the spell reach beneath his skin and into his mind. He was hers. The laughter started and then, died. The connection was lost. His will had been circumvented but his mind was a labyrinth. Aryn's eyes went wide. If allowed to close the distance the goblin would prove quite deadly. Aryn began her chant anew. Summoning her strength, she sent a shock wave of power down the metaphysical tendrils between her and her opponent.<br><br>OOC: Tasha's Hideous Laughter
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>06-07-2008, 10:53:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Morgash had firstly laughed, but he started struggle against the the enchament whit both aid of his training and <em>Ki</em>. His laughter calmed down but he then saw the caster was attempting cast yet another spell on him! He growls and leaps like a tiger towards her and quickly intending grapple her throat silence the casting and her hands stop the gestures before it is too late!
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>06-07-2008, 17:51:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				A low, sinister feeling of satisfaction shivered over Luix's flesh as he realized the advantage he had just garnered. He understood that humiliation was a part of this game, and he was damn good at that. (If he's able to) He would flip the woman over and pull her arms behind her to clasp her wrists together at the small of her back, leaving her cheek to press into the cool floor, kneeling behind her. He did a quick scan of her armor and clothes, doing quick calculations to see if he could wrest her armor and clothe from her before the effects of the red beam went off.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 03:05:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Red stared up with a bewildered expression, as though she didn't know where she was. Luix pressed the advantage and grappled her over, her chest and face pressed to the ground. She mumbled incoherently, putting up almost no resistance. Luis pulled her arms behind her and examined her armor and clothing. It would take about a minute to fully remove her armor, though he may not need to remove everything for what he had in mind.<br><br>He grasped her cloak and tore it free, tossing it aside. Leather straps crisscrossed her back, holding her breastplate in place. He began to tug at these.<br><br>"Unnnngghhh," she moaned beneath him, squirming. "Wh-what the hell ... are you doing?" she mumbled, trying to turn to see him.<br><br>Suddenly, Red began to struggle, but Luix held her firmly down. She fought harder, in a fury, trying to buck him off. Luix pressed down hard, trying to keep her still while he worked to unbuckle the straps at her back.<br><br>He had one strap undone when the red beam bounced their way and struck Luix in the chest. He gritted his teeth, feeling a wave of energy pass through him. Once more, he sensed a clouding come over his mind, but he pressed it away. A sweat had broken out on his forehead from the effort, but for the second time he had wrestled the magic down.<br><br>Red continued to fight beneath him, but Luix undid the last strap to release the plate covering her chest. The piece of metal fell to the floor beneath her.<br><br>She still had greaves covering her shoulders, arms, thighs and legs, as well as a chain and leather skirt. Luix could work to remove these, or he could tear at her crimson blouse. Red was still pinned beneath him, fighting madly.<br><br>---------------<br><br>Aryn could feel her hold on the hobgoblin's mind slipping. As he rose to his feet, she knew she would have to give it her all. She gritted her teeth, arms extended toward him, and thrust the tendrils of mystic might deeper into his slippery brain. <br><br>Sensing the danger he was in, Morgash began to leap across the pillars at Aryn, moving at remarkable speed. However, his haste proved to be his undoing. As he neared, he jumped too far, landing near the far edge of a pillar. His feet slipped and he toppled over the edge.<br><br>Deftly, the hobgoblin spun head over heels in the air, falling alongside the pillar. He reached out, running his hands along the smooth, marble surface, slowing his descent. As he hit bottom, his feet contacted the marble floor with a light thud, his body unharmed.<br><br>As he landed, though, he felt the pulse of mystic might coming off of Aryn, struggling to regain it's hold over his mind. He fought to maintain control, a war raging in his skull.<br><br>He stood still for a moment, his face blank. Then, Morgash collapsed to the ground in a fit of uncontrollable laughter.<br><br>OOC: Morgash, once again, you are suffering the effects of Hideous Laughter. No actions are possible besides laughing until further notice.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 06:10:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix grinned at what was revealed under her cloak. A skirt. How lovely of her to make this ever easier upon him. Luix clasped her wrists together, holding them tight, almost to the point of pain. He straddled one of her strong legs, and nudged a knee between her legs, pressing in to separate her thighs. She would feel the hard curve of his knee pushed right up to her core as he pulled harder on her wrists. <br><br>"I can make this hard," Luix murmured suggestively, rubbing the noticeable bulge in his breeches against the back of the thigh he straddled her. "Or you can make it easy." He glanced up sharply as he heard that despicable laughter, this time much, much closer.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 06:24:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix had Red in his grip, legs spread by his knees, arms pulled back tightly. As he whispered fiercely too her, she gasped back in response, mumbling something that he couldn't make out. She seemed out of her mind, apparently lucid one moment then checked out the next. Her resistance had evaporated as suddenly as it had appeared.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 08:55:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Laughter echoed down among the pillars when Morgash have falled on the effects of enchament. Trying fight it off bestly as he can.<br><br>OOC: Is there way climb up the pillars without magic? If so what's the DC? Also is gargoyle statue sunderable?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 09:06:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As the horrid laugh of the goblin echoed through the room Aryn began to laugh as well. It started low in her throat and spread outward, up out of her mouth and into the room above. Still laughing maniacally, Aryn aimed her cross bow at the hysterical goblin. Lying prone and helpless, he would make an easy target. Aryn licked her lips. Once the goblin was a bit more pliable, the real fun could begin.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 15:28:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix kept his senses open for that hideous hobgoblin, but damned if he was letting this opportunity go to waste. He craned his neck to glance behind him to where he had dropped his flail. He stretched behind him to seize it, pulling the girl's arms taut as he did so. Her shoulders would strain against the pull, but his knee kept firmly between her legs, holding her in place as her upper body contorted. Grasping the handle of the flail, he turned back, giving her a bit of reprieve from the pain, but keeping her still firmly in place. He knee inched back, perhaps giving her a moment of temporary hope, before she felt the cold, rounded tip of the flail's handle where his knee had been.<br><br>He stroked the tip up and down a couple times, teasingly, and then pushed insistently against the hole of her womanhood.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 17:02:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Red gasped out louder as Luix leaned back to grab his flail. She was still limp in his grasp, mumbling under her breath, her eyes rolling. Gripping her wrists together in one hand, he used the flail to lift her skirt, admiring her firm, round ass. Luix stroked the handle of his flail along her sex, Red gasping louder. He began to push then, forcing the tip against her.<br><br>"Unnn ... unNhHHH!" she cried out louder as he pressed harder. The handle popped into her, making Red cry out.<br><br>Red shook her head, gasping hard. "N-no, no!" she cried, her voice clear and lucid once again. "No, stop it!"<br><br>Luix pushed the handle even deeper, Red's ass tightening against the pressure, her sex spread for the thick object. She struggled, her voice sounding more desperate. She yanked her arms and was able to pull them free, but she was still held down by Luix. Red grasped at the marble ground before her, trying to crawl out from under Luix, though he held her tight, flail handle thrust deep into her.<br><br>----------------<br><br>Morgash laughed uncontrollably on the marble floor, rolling on his back and clutching his belly. Aryn laughed wickedly, standing above on the pillar, as she casually aimed her crossbow at him. She let the bolt fly and it thunked painfully into his left shoulder. A trickle of blood dotted the clean, white floor beneath him, and still he laughed.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 18:09:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix leaned into the girl, pressing a hand to the back of her neck shoving her face down into the marble. She may be able to flail her arms about, but he wasn't going to let her up. His other hand continued the slow violation of her with the handle of his flail, pushing in until the end of it bottomed out against that tight cap of her cervix. He pushed cruelly against the resistance, sending a dull, grinding pain through her, and then stroked the flail back, though he never quite pulled the handle completely out. She would feel the full, hard length of his arousal against the back of her thigh, pressing into her, but he didn't dare do what he so obviously desired, and get caught with his pants down... literally. After a few slow, easy strokes, he began to stroke harder inside of her, quicker, the muscles of his arms working easily to fuck her with the handle of the flail.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 18:27:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The woman's arms squirmed as Luix pressed her harder to the floor, the flail driving all the way into her. Her gasps came fast and raspy as she struggled, her alarm increasing. As Luix pulled the handle out, he could see it glistening with her moisture.<br><br>"OhH! No, no!" she cried in a panic.<br><br>As he fucked her harder and faster with the flail, the woman cried out, gasping. The flail slid in and out of her hole easily, her flesh pressing wide to admit it.<br><br>"UhhH! uuHHH!" she cried, clawing at the ground, helpless as Luix plumbed her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 18:29:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aryn bit her lip and thought hard. Assured victory or gratification. From her perch atop the pillar Aryn could see how much fun the other two combatants were having. Aryn didn't relish the thought of being on the receiving end of the goblin's tender mercies, but then again he was on the ground. And this would be no fun at all if he were already unconscious. Aryn wet her lips with her tongue as she drew the bag and candle from her belt.<br>"If you can overcome your fear and revulsion this will be one of the best experiences of your life. I know it was for me......in time."<br>With a smile, Aryn began to chant.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 18:40:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Her cries of fear and anger did nothing to abate Luix or urge him to stop, in fact, they did quite the opposite. He could feel a climax tightening in his loins, and his eyes went to the gentle glistening on the handle of his flail. Maybe she was enjoying this a little more than she wanted him to believe. "You little whore," He murmured, sounding more amused than anything. He was half-tempted to pull out his own, personal weapon and spill his seed all over that pretty backside of hers, but she'd probably enjoy it. Instead he abruptly stopped thrusting the handle of the flail in, climbing up over her body to straddle her back, sitting down on her nipped waist and wrapping one arm around her throat, pulling her back into a painful arch.&nbsp; "It's too bad," He murmured in her ear, pulling back hard on her neck, he began to strangle her once again, tightening his arm like the coil of a snake. "I'd have liked to fuck that tight little arse."<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 18:53:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The woman gasped as Luix tightened his arm around her throat. His greater weight crushed down on her, holding her still. She grasped at his arm desperately, trying to dislodge it as she choked. His arm squeezed tight about her throat, constricting it slowly as she struggled desperately beneath him.<br><br>"... n-no ... no ...," she rasped, her face turning red.<br><br>Luix could feel her legs squirming beneath him. She was able to pull her left leg higher, and planted the heel on the floor. With a sudden push, Red shoved off from the ground and managed to turn over. As they tumbled, Luix's grip relaxed slightly and Red rolled free, coughing as she hit the marble floor.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 18:58:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"You're slimier than a worm." Luix growled, and scooped up his flail, wiping off the handle on his pants. The double meaning echoed cruelly in his tone as he did so. Swinging the flail a few times lazily, then whipped it in a quick arc, aiming that spiked ball for her head.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 19:05:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Red and Luix climbed to their feet, the woman backing away, her eyes wide with fear as she watched the warrior winding up his flail. He swung, and she dodged out of the way, the spiked ball chipping away at a marble pillar. Red grunted as she sprinted aside, trying to avoid his blows, Luix rounding on her again.<br><br>"I ... I surrender!" she cried suddenly, holding her arms up. "I surrender! Don't kill me! You win!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 19:21:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix slowed the quick whip of his flail, spinning it in one more thoughtful circle before lowering it. "If I let you live," He murmured thoughtfully, "I want you as a gift. You go to my cell tonight instead of yours, and finish the job that you started." He didn't need to indicate the still straining hardness in his pants to indicate what he meant.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 19:26:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Her back against a pillar, Red swallowed hard, then gave Luix a quick nod. "Agreed!" she said quickly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 19:30:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Morgash continued to howl his laughter on the marble floor, flopping about in hysterics. A sudden whiff of sea-salt air assaulted his nostrils and he felt a weight upon him. Materializing out of thin air, a slimy, tentacled squid appeared atop him, its arms weaving about in a lazy pattern. Above, he could hear Aryn chanting.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 19:37:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix grinned at her agreement. She had made a rather good choice, for not only had she saved herself from him, now he was likely to keep the others from his new toy. He jogged over to where he had thrown her halberd, scooping it back up, tucking the flail away in his belt. He hefted the bladed weapon in his hand, and slowly, quietly approached the hobgoblin. The sight there gave him a bit of pause, eyes widening a moment.<br><br>After a moment he recovered, those icy blues casting up to the spellcaster, seemingly still chanting away. He gauged the weight of the halberd, gripping it by the handle, and the threw it, aiming to slice something important from the witchy one.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 20:02:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix threw the halberd up at the sorceress, hoping for the best. The halberd was an awkward weapon to toss, but Luix's great strength made it fly fast, if not smooth. The witch ducked her head as the weapon came flying over, but Luix had thrown it too high anyway, and the halberd sailed over the column, clattering somewhere behind on the floor.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 20:30:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Now there was no time for fun. Not with an interloper loose. The goblin would just have to die.<br>"Finish him quickly." she called down to the squid.<br>Aryn's eyes focused on the knight. Her malice was an almost palpable pressure in the room, just waiting to materialize.<br>"You dog! You worthless wretch! You've had your toy yet you deny me mine. I'll kill you where you stand."<br>Aryn began cursing in earnest, low and guttural. Never taking her eyes of her target, she steepled her fingers together and began slowly pushing in on the space between them.<br><br>OOC:Magic Missle
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 21:06:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix smirked, and dashed off to retrieve the fallen halberd. If retrieved without incidence, he would level his aim at her yet again, and let the weapon fly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 21:21:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The fury from the demonic looking witch was a palpable thing, and Luix could feel the air pressure in the room thicken as she steepled her fingers. The squid also responded, its tentacles wrapping around the cackling hobgoblin's limbs, and one around his neck, squeezing. The squid's beak snapped at the air, suffocating slowly. Still, it slithered along Morgash's chest and delivered a ferocious bite, scissoring into his side, the beak rising bloody and ready for more.<br><br>The witch only had eyes for Luix, though, and her hands suddenly glowed with blue energy. As he made a dash for the halberd, an arc of pure power leapt from her hands and connected with Luix, his body jittering where he stood with the tremendous energy.<br><br>The stream of energy ended and Luix staggered back, smoke whisping up from his body. The world was a blur before him as he sought to keep his balance. He fell back against a pillar, just barely managing to stay on his feet.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 21:26:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix bent down and picked up the halberd, his body wracked with pain. With a grunt and a heave, he threw the halberd once again, his muscles screaming with the effort while he clung to consciousness. <br><br>The halberd spun in midair, flying up toward the enraged witch. However, it struck the pillar well below where she stood and clattered harmlessly down to the floor.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 21:42:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				OOC: Note that in one arena game was said Deflect Arrows is always active so long the monk is not helpless condition. Meaning the bolt shooted on Morgash should been deflected. Because deflect arrows is not mentioned ANY condition where it wont work so by rules it is active so long Morgash can use his hands and is not helpless (and Tasha's Laughter was one example argument cases and because spell description says specifically 'not helpless' it means Morgash could deflect the arrow as it is passive reflexive reaction). Anycase spell lasts 1 round per CL so take it into account and mention before hand when it ends. Also prone targets give -4 penalty to ranged attack rolls.<br><br>Morgash was fearing for his situation deep inside of his laughter rumbling depths, he could not do anything against the damn squid which grappled him and is taking bites out of him! He hopes the dammed spell wears off and allows Morgash grapple egual meassure the squid and finish it off while two other combatants fight each other!
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 21:57:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix leaned into the pillar, feeling light-headed and heavy-limbed. He eyed the halberd wearily, wondering if he should give it another go. It seemed useless to try and so he hauled himself around the other side of the column, trying to put distance and marble between him and the witch. He knew very little about spellcasters, but he assumed that, like any other weapon, distance was a factor. He loped between the columns, stopping to pause and regain his strength from time to time, always pausing to hide behind a column.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 22:11:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				OOC: Zaer, we're good to go on the rules. If any rules get missed, they will be made up later without disturbing the flow of the game. I have no problems with rules being pointed out, though.<br><br>The witch stood tall, her hands outstretched, ready to deliver another blast as Luix staggered away. He rounded a column just in time for the blue bolt of energy to strike the marble behind him with a sizzling sound. He stood panting, the marble pillar standing between him and the witch. At this point, she would have to start leaping from pillar to pillar to keep him in view.<br><br>Morgash's laughter was indistinguishable from screams as the squid continued to eat him alive. The hobgoblin thrashed beneath the tentacles, laughing all the while his blood spilled out onto the white marble. Suddenly his laughter ceased as the squid snipped his throat, and the hobgoblin lay still.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 22:17:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				OOC: Ok, but it seems Morgash died which is kinda sad ending for him when he started just fine it seems. Assuming there is no 'ressurection' calls on this one I can make new char now right? How you handle templates? If I would play half-dragon would I be 3lvl char or 6lvl char but dont get levels till I reach XP cap for 10lvl char?<br><br>Morgash felt how his throat was bitten hard and he felt warmth of blood flow from his lethal wound over his chest and bones crunched by the tentacled creature. He saw his vision go dark.<br><br><em>No, I did not desire die, not now and not this way....</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 23:11:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aryn would have loved nothing more then to have gone down and bathed in the blood of her fallen foe. Unfortunately there was still an armored knight to contend with.<br>"You may feed later, find the knight!." Aryn commanded the squid.<br>Had she known beforehand what would come of the battle she might have summoned something a bit swifter. As it stood the squid could move, but it probably wouldn't be able to catch the knight unaided. Aryn looked down at the marble floor below. Aryn didn't jump well and never learned to fly, but if she left him to his own devices he'd eventually find more things to throw. With great apprehension, Aryn began to pursue the knight.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 23:32:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The squid raised its bulbous head, the beak dripping with the hobgoblin's blood. Obeying its master, it tumbled off of the ruined body and reached out with its tentacles to move itself along the floor. However, it was slow, very slow, and was laboring to breath in this environment. The creature wasn't going to last much longer.<br><br>Somewhere out there among the columns the warrior was lurking and Aryn aimed to find him. She leapt to the next column with a grunt. The distance made for a hardy leap and the surface of the pillars were slippery, so Aryn took care. She leapt again but this time came woefully short of the full jump. <br><br>She reached out to try and grasp the pillar as she fell, the spell she had cast earlier to climb the pillars still in effect. However, she tumbled too quickly to get a palm on the marble surface and in a moment she came crashing to the floor with a painful thud. Once again, the sorceress found herself laying flat on the floor, pain throbbing up through her body. <br><br>Looking to her side, she saw the squid slowly squirming along, paying her no heed.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 23:35:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix listened, very carefully. When he heard the grunt and a thud, he took his moment to dash out. His only chance was take her by force, not allow her to cast a spell before he took her down. He took his flail back in hand and ran for all he was worth, charging the woman. There was a slight whistle from the whip of the chain as he aimed to bring it down upon her head.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>08-07-2008, 00:38:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aryn decided right there on the marble that no matter how long it took to master, she would learn to fly. Assuming of course, that she lived. Which, given the speed of the man running with the flail, was not a given. Aryn began to cast her spell. She surrounded her hands in power and flung it outward, this time aiming for the knight instead of the goblin. She spat the chant forth as fast as she could. If this was to work, it had to work now.<br><br>OOC: Tasha's Hideous Laughter.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>08-07-2008, 00:55:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix ran for all he was worth, drawing his flail free in a fluid motion, his muscles aching, his vision blurring. He still stung from head to toe from the blast and he knew there wasn't much time. Though he was slower than usual, he still covered ground fairly quickly.<br><br>The sorceress lay on the floor, but she was chanting and weaving her hands, working her magic, which couldn't mean good things for Luix. He felt a wave of power hit him, but still he rushed on, raising the flail high.<br><br>He brought it down upon her head, and a burst of light seemed to repel the blow even as it struck. Magic protected her somehow, but she was still on the ground, and he was still standing above her, flail in hand. Whatever she had cast at him had failed, but he didn't know how much longer his strength was going to hold out.<br><br>The squid chose this moment to expire, and slumped to the floor where it swiftly desolved back to nowhere.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>08-07-2008, 01:04:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When the flail slammed down inches above Aryn's face her heart skipped a beat. She thought it was over for her, but Kayzen had seen fit to save her from the blow. Aryn knew that she had to make this momentary reprieve count. Raising her arms and chanting with vigor, Aryn's hands began to glow blue.<br><br><br>OOC: Magic Missle.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>08-07-2008, 01:12:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				His weapon seemingly deflected by whatever magic she yielded, he took the same tack as he had with Red, quickly forgetting the spiked ball and throwing himself upon the witch, attempting to grapple her down, aiming to still those lethal hands.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>08-07-2008, 01:29:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Luix tossed his weapon and dropped his considerable weight down upon the chanting witch, even as she thrust up her hands. As they came together a burst of brilliant blue light exploded between the two. When the flash cleared, Luix lay atop Aryn, and both were still. <br><br>Then, with a shove, Aryn pushed the dead weight of the warrior off of her chest. His face was blackened and charred, some of the bone of his skull visible beneath the blasted flesh. His eyes shone clear for a moment and Luix gave out one last breath, then no more.<br><br>Aryn slowly rose to her feet. The sounds of battle and struggle were over, and for a moment the entire chamber was still. Even the gargoyle in the center had ceased turning, its grinding spin silent.<br><br>The air prickled with power, then suddenly the chamber was gone.<br><br>----------------------<br><br>Aryn reappeared in her cell. She heard a clamor and in the hall outside Bardus appeared. He sneered at her. "You just lost a lot of people a lot of money," he said. "Practically no one bet on you, and you won. Well, that makes you the champion, taking that away from Red. What a disappointment she turned out to be. The favorite, my ass!"<br><br>Bardus looked down at a piece of paper he held. "You get the 25 points for the win. You were short on humiliating your opponents. However, Kiraxis reports that his clients just loved the squid. If only Luix hadn't intervened, they were dying to see where that would have gone. So, they're being charitable and gave you 21 points for style. Congratulations. Kiraxis will have a gift for you for your next fight."<br><br>Without any more ceremony, Bardus stalked away.<br><br><br>---------------<br><br>Bardus stopped outside Luix's cell. It was clear from the smoking ruins of the warrior's face that there was nothing more to do here, so he moved on.<br><br>---------------<br><br>Coming to Morgash's cell, Bardus unlocked the door and admitted Markley. The heavyset man knelt before the hobgoblin and put a finger to his neck. His eyebrows went up in surprise. "He's alive. Barely, but alive," the man said. He put a palm against the hobgoblin's chest and chanted a few words. Suddenly, Morgash took a deep breath and opened his eyes, pain lancing through his whole body.<br><br>Markley stood up, his work done. <br><br>----------------<br><br>Bardus stopped by Red's cell, looking in at the woman who sat in the corner, her head hung low. "Very disappointing," Bardus said. "Kiraxis was going to honor your deal with the warrior and let him have you as a toy, as punishment. You got lucky that the demonic bitch blew him to hell. You better watch yourself, Red. Kiraxis has it in for you now."<br><br>--------------- <br><br>OOC: Thus concludes our fight! That was a good one, too. Lots of twists and turns. Feel free to post any character reactions, and you can post any OOC post fight reactions in the OOC area. We will start preparing for the next fight soon. Anyone who is interested in participating, whether a current combatant or a lurker at the moment, let me know in the OOC forum.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>08-07-2008, 07:03:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Morgash gasped and waked, he asked quietly from no one; "I....lost, but I am alive still. How?!" Morgash rised to stand, his injuries were still burning when he moved and his throat was very nice bite scar from the squid.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>08-07-2008, 21:44:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dusek sat, posture rigid, his eerily pale eyes unfocused as he concentrated on the task at hand. The air before him shifted momentarily, long streams of what appeared to be glowing smoke pulling faintly from his skin, curling forward in serpentine tendrils. Fingers of the glowing haze thickened, swirling into a slowly rotating vortex a few inches above the rough hewn surface of the table. The smoke whirled quicker as Dusek's pupils narrowed, going to pinpoints, his eyes though unfocused were nearly as brilliant as diamonds. <br><br>And then, the glowing curls of fog stuttered like a dying candle flame and dissipated as quickly as they had formed. Dusek shuddered out a breath and hunched, as if in pain. Attempting to make a psicrystal was taxing at best, and his continued failures were draining him. His usually pale skin was almost ghostly, damp with sweat. He stroked a shaky hand through his dark hair, a color somewhere between mouse brown and dark grey, trying to slick those beads of sweat away.<br><br>Standing after a moment, he had to admit he was getting closer to being able to shave that part of himself into physical form. As he stood, he heard a gentle whisper of something through his window, and then he sunk into darkness, vaguely aware of his legs buckling and a slight dizziness before he fell into unconsciousness.<br><br><div align="center"> * * * </div><br>Dusek awoke in a cell, not moving right away. Instead, he simply took a moment to observe his surroundings, those crystal blue eyes flicking around his cell, the only part of his body that moved.&nbsp; A good, long time passed by before he moved, making his way carefully to his feet. His&nbsp; hand curled experimentally, elegant fingers swirling the air. He seemed to pull in on himself for a moment, gathering the power necessary to animate the lock on the door of his cell.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>shadowheart</strong> on <strong>09-07-2008, 02:38:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Alissia's eyes opened.&nbsp; Unmoving for a moment, she took in her immediate surroundings.<br><br>Her armor and gear was gone.&nbsp; She wore only her under-linens, and was barefoot.&nbsp; She could tell she was on a hard bunk of some time, against a damp stone wall.&nbsp; The ceiling above her was rough-cut stone as well.<br><br>She sat up slowly, smoothing down her long red hair, and scanning the rest of the room.&nbsp; Her Elven blood allowed her to see quite well in the dim room, though it was small and uncluttered.&nbsp; Her Human blood made her curious, refusing to accept that what she saw with her eyes was all there was to this chamber.<br><br>She stood up carefully, and began to examine the cell that she found herself in more closely.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>09-07-2008, 02:59:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aryn paced back and forth in her cell. Reigning champion. They'd finally filled Aryn in on the rules to the battle they'd thrown her into. Her victory afforded her small a small token of appreciation from the islands benefactor, but not her freedom. That would require more battles, and more blood. How long would she be here? How long had the previous champion been here? Aryn hoped that the woman wouldn't come for her title but there was no way to know. The goblin would definitely come for her. Very few people appreciate the charms of squid.<br>Reigning champion. They might as well have just made her wear a "kill me first" sign. Aryn knelt face down and begged Kayzen for strength. She would need it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>09-07-2008, 06:11:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Days passed, how many was not easy to tell in the sunless cells. A week, perhaps, with food brought by serving girls who also salved wounds. The newest guests of Kiraxis' hospitality soon discovered that the prison was not so easy to escape from. There were no hidden secret doors, and the locks somehow remained locked even without internal mechanisms. Nevertheless, Dusek managed to get the door open only to discover Bardus waiting for him in the hall weilding a massive war axe. More daunting, behind him stood an impassive stone golem. Dusek was promptly returned to his cell, and the door mysteriously resisted any further attempts at opening.<br><br>Bardus made frequent visits to look in on his fighters. He explained to the newcomers the rules of the game, and what it took to get off the island. Fat and massive in his dirty leather, Bardus always seemed in ill humor. He let everyone know that the current champion was the witch Aryn, who had scored an impressive 46 points in the last match, placing her at almost halfway to her 100.<br><br>Finally, Bardus arrived at each cell in turn one morning, an air of expectation about him. "Today you fight! Even now, Kiraxis' guests are arriving, and soon they will be wagering. So make it a good fight! Remember, these are a bloodthirsty, sadistic lot, and the guests will vote on how many points the winner gets," Bardus said with a cruel smile. "So, what'll it be? You can have one weapon, and one armor? What'll it be!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>09-07-2008, 07:03:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Morgash replied; "Like usual no armor for me, but this time a nunchaku is weapon of my choice."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>09-07-2008, 18:09:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dusek seemed to think for awhile. He had been relatively amused by the events up until now, even his recapture was a point of mirth to him. "Please bring me a chain shirt, and as many throwing daggers as I am allowed."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>shadowheart</strong> on <strong>10-07-2008, 00:25:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Alissia had listened to the rules, and had been planning her strategy for the actual day of combat.&nbsp; When Bardus finally told her the day had come, she impassively nodded.<br><br>"Leather armor, hand crossbow.&nbsp; As many bolts as allowed."<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>10-07-2008, 01:01:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aryn stood and tested her new toy in her hand. She was as ready as she'd ever be.<br>"The same as last time please." she said, locking her smile into place.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>10-07-2008, 07:07:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With his perpetual scowl firmly in place, Bardus went about gathering the asked for weapons and armor. Serving women helped the combatants dress, the cells were resealed, and then they waited. It didn't take long before a prickling could be felt along your skin, the air heavy as though a thunderstorm were about to come. Sigils began to glow high up within the stone walls themselves, and suddenly you are somewhere else.<br><br>Where the last arena had been brilliant white marble, this one was dreary dark stone. The chamber was large, the grayish-black stone blocks it was constructed from forming the floor and walls, giving the entire place a tomblike appearance. Torches guttered from sconces along the walls.<br><br>Along the north wall rose a wooden balcony, about forty feet above the floor with a railing along its edge. Stairs at either end ascended to grant access, the balcony overlooking the chamber.<br><br>More ominously, chains hung from the ceiling, draping all the way to the floor. They were spaced out by about twenty feet apart, descending from the dark, unseen ceiling. Some wafted gently, their ends scraping against the stone floor.<br><br>This is where you find yourself, the combatants spread through the chamber. Aryn and Alissia are atop the balcony at opposite ends. Standing about on the floor below are the others, Morgash, Dusek, and Red.<br><br>--------------------------------------------------<br>ARYN&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;ALISSIA<br>--------------------------------------------------<br>----&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; ----&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<br>---&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; ---&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <br>--&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; --&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;MORGASH <br><br><br><br><br><br><br>DUSEK&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;RED<br><br>--------------------------------------------------<br><br>"You son-of-a-bitch!" the redhaired warrior suddenly cried out. She was looking down at herself in shock, and for good reason. Instead of her plate armor, she wore a skimpy chainmail bikini. The top barely held her prodigious bosom, and the bottom was just enough to cover her. In her hand was not the halberd from before, but a common kitchen spoon. She cast this down to the floor in disgust.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>10-07-2008, 07:18:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Morgash grinned towards Red, so rumours of her losing and surrendered to be sex slave to someone who died in last match were true perhaps. It seems hosts of this arena desired her to lose again and get private show her humilitated back at the cells.<br><br>But despite how easy target Red appeared, Morgash instead focused on the bitch who nearly killed him in last match, to Aryn! Morgash noticed her elevated position and decided take her out first! Using lighting fast reflexes he started run full speed towards her! Closing distance fast as possible before she can cause any further harm to him or the others! If he reaches her before she could act Morgash will try grapple her and put a nice choke hold around her throat with his hand.<br><br>However the chains were curious item in the room, smelling of a trap he avoided touch any of the chains while he moved.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>10-07-2008, 12:02:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aryn spied the battlefield from her position on the balcony. There were more combatants this time around. And right on cue was the goblin, running straight for her. Aryn could see the rage in his eyes as he ran. He looked like he could use a good laugh. Aryn cast her hands wide and began the chant.<br><br><br><br>OOC: Tasha's Hideous Laughter
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>10-07-2008, 14:55:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dusek's pale crystal eyes swept in a large circle, and he centered himself to gather his focus. He was adept at gaining the focus necessary to concentrate upon his powers, and it took him less time than most. His eyes focused on the chain closest to Red, and the tips of his fingers tingled as he willed it to animate. If he succeeded, the chain would slowly wrap itself around Red's legs, moving up like a snake to bind her.<br><br><em>OOC: Psionic Focus + Control Object</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>shadowheart</strong> on <strong>11-07-2008, 00:13:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Alissia scanned the room quickly, taking in the situation.&nbsp; The large goblinoid was charging up the other set of stairs toward an obvious spell-caster.&nbsp; The other two were not doing anything apparently threatening.&nbsp; Appearances were often deceiving, as she well knew.<br><br>She crouched, ready to react to any ranged attacks, and prepared her crossbow with a bolt.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>11-07-2008, 07:26:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With little hesitation, Morgash the hobgoblin took off at a run for the western flight of stairs. He moved with incredible speed, dashing through the room. He steered clear of the chains. Nevertheless, the chains didn't steer clear of him.<br><br>As Morgash moved, one of the chains suddenly recoiled upward like a serpent, then struck toward him. The chain hit his arm and began to coil around it. Morgash spun about and, with a clever flick of his arm, twirled free of the entangling chain. <br><br>Morgash hit the bottom step of the stairs and dashed up, nearly leaping his way up the stairs.<br><br>Meanwhile, Aryn had pulled a small feather from a pouch at her side and was waving it as she chanted, her black dress wafting slowly.<br><br>Morgash felt the now-familiar tickle at the base of his skull as magic reached out to him. He used his training to make his mind a maze, though, the power failing to find the proper place in his brain.<br><br>-----------<br><br>Dusek did nothing but stand his ground, apparently watching the red-haired warrior across the room. She also stood her ground, looking angry in her chainmail bikini, warily watching the others.<br><br>A chain hanging down from the ceiling behind Red did not stand still, but began to stir and move toward the woman, sliding between her legs.<br><br>"What the hell?" Red suddenly cried as she felt the chain wrapping around her legs.<br><br>Moving quickly, Red jumped and kicked, shaking the chain off. She leapt to the side, eyes wide as she kept her eye on the offending chain.<br><br>-----------<br><br>Alissia stood where she was, watching as the battle began to unfold. She loaded her crossbow with a bolt, snapping it firmly in place.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>11-07-2008, 07:56:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The prospect of a hand to hand battle with an enraged goblin was not an appealing one. Aryn began to chant and wave her arms as she fled in the opposite direction of Morgash. <br><br>OOC: Mage Armor
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>11-07-2008, 13:09:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Morgash growled and made his mind like a fortress against trickery of the dark dressed bitch! When he saw she is about to run and cast something Morgash used his superior trained legs move swifter than most humans ever run in their lives! She will not be outrunning him for sure! Morgash tried hurry to reach her before she finishes whatever she is trying to cast.<br><br>In last few meters Morgash leaped forward and tackled running Aryn over, his hand seeking take grip on her white hair to pull her head back and other hand closing around her throat into tight choke hold, starting strangle her! But also his anger sended his aggressive <em>Ki</em> trough his hands and body into her send a pulse of pain trough her body!<br><br>However being aware of one combatant who is not yet acted, the red haired half-elf, he moved Aryn between him and nameless second red head and use Aryn as meatshield incase if she attacks.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>11-07-2008, 17:39:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The hobgoblin dashed up the stairs in pursuit of the strange looking spellcaster, who began to flee across the balconey. The woman was heading in Alissia's direction as the angry hobgoblin raced at her.<br><br>It was clear the spellcaster was whipping up another trick as she muttered odd sounding words, reaching the midway point of the balconey. But as she completed whatever she was doing, the hobgoblin was nearly upon her, hurtling with murderous speed.<br><br>OOC: Morgash, I am going with your last post for your action, so you don't have to post at this point. Aryn, you get one action before Morgash does his thing. Since you are so close together now, trying to move away will provoke a freebie attack from him, so keep that in mind.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>11-07-2008, 18:57:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dusek watched curiously as another chain did what he was coaxing from the first, trying to wrangle the hobgoblin. Perhaps he did not need to exert his own powers for the woman to be tangled in it. He focused upon the ruckus on the balcony, making his way towards the fighters, staying carefully in between the chains, staying as far away from each one as possible.<br><br>As soon ashe was within range, Dusek gathered his concentration and lashed out mentally at Morgash and Aryn, a little smile flickering over his features as he attempted to link the two.<br><br><em>OOC: Fate Link</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>11-07-2008, 21:07:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				There was only time for one more spell before the charging goblin was upon her. Aryn produced a candle and bag from her belt. If Morgash wanted to wrestle he could do it with her pet. Aryn focused her power on the candle and bag and pulled a creature through.<br><br><br>OOC: Summon Monster 2 Fiendish Large Monstrous Centipede (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Large_Monstrous_Centipede) Between herself and Morgash
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>shadowheart</strong> on <strong>11-07-2008, 22:49:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Alissia was pleased that the opening action had been focused on others.&nbsp; Glancing at the redheaded warrior being wrapped in a chain, and the other man who apparently had done nothing so far other than to move toward the fighting.<br><br>Suspicious.<br><br>She continued to watch the combat unfold, her crossbow at the ready.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>12-07-2008, 00:21:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aryn pulls something else from her bag and shouts a word as the hobgoblin pounces on her. He leaps through the air, hands outstretched for her neck, a feral growl escaping his lips. As he's about to land, a glow emanates from the sorceress' body, just deflecting the hobgoblin's grip. He lands on his feet as Aryn staggers back. Morgash can sense that a magical barrier protects the witch, though it is far from perfect. <br><br>His thoughts are interrupted as a blue light near the floor glows, a centipede the size of a small bed appearing. The creature is mottled black and green, its eyes glowing red and turning on Morgash, mandibles snapping aggressively. It lurches at the hobgoblin, but seems a bit disoriented from its trip to this dimension, falling short of its attack.<br><br>Dusek walked across the chamber floor until he was just below the balconey, where the witch and the hobgoblin above were tangling. His face knit in concentration for a moment, Dusek's mind reached out. He could sense the souls above him, but he failed to knit them together in the way that he wanted. The wills above were strong and defied his attempts at manipulation.<br><br>The chain that attacked Red fell limp, but before she could relax another chain animated and went for her. It swung wide, missing her, but it kept her on her toes, looking left and right to see where the next attack would come from.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>12-07-2008, 01:56:23</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				OOC: Note; Mage armor gives only armor bonus to AC and start to grapple I need hit melee touch AC. But did I then roll horribly at charge grapple attempt and 'magic field deflection' was mere flavour?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>12-07-2008, 02:30:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				OOC: Yes, don't assume that everything that is written is from a specific roll. I'm using all the rules, and rolling, but I might interpret things my own way. For instance, a lot of times when I roll a "miss," I simply don't even have the combatant swing. His "miss" was never finding an opening in the first place to warrant an attack.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>12-07-2008, 02:34:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Morgash growls to the bug which is now between him and his prey! He flexes his muscles short moment and cracks his knuckles and says to the bug; "Let I send you back to the hell where you came from!" Morgash made rapid quick two blows where he added much force as possible batter his new foe! Intending destroy it quickly before his tricky foe decides do something else! Altough adding extra swing to his punches reduce accuracy but he thinks hitting a large target like this bug he would not need much accuracy at all.....<br><br>OOC: Flurry of Blows, using power attack (using all BAB to use it)
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>12-07-2008, 02:57:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The creature would keep Morgash busy for a few moments and that was all the time Aryn needed. Her lips pulled back into a toothy grin as she began to chant.<br>"Dodge this." Aryn said with a smile as blue flame began to rise from her hands.<br><br>OOC: Magic Missle
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>12-07-2008, 03:37:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As Morgash growled at the giant bug and made to attack it, blue flame leapt from the witch's hands, bathing the hobgoblin in pain. He gritted his teeth, feeling his every nerve burn with the magic that seemed to seep right into him.<br><br>He launched himself at the centipede, driving his fist down with all his might. His blow landed atop the creature, splitting the carapace in a spray of green ichor as the creature scuttled beneath him in agony. In his fury, Morgash threw a second blow, but it missed as the creature thrashed. His fist slugged into the wood plank, cracking it with a dull thud. The centipeded reared around, not quite dead yet, seeking to take Morgash with it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>12-07-2008, 12:57:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Morgash grimaced from the pain of the missiles, but it only drives him more to finish the bug so he can give the damn witch a lesson! Morgash battered at the bug with heavy blows once more, sending two quick punches at the bug, using less force but still adding power to his punches.<br><br>OOC: Power attack again but this time only 1/2 of the BAB (rounded down).
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>12-07-2008, 22:46:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Kill him." Aryn commanded her pet as she prepared the second volley.<br><br>OOC: More Magic Missle
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>13-07-2008, 02:09:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The centipede did its best to honor its master's command, snapping at Morgash. However, the wound made it sluggish, the bite missing. The witch herself continued to pour blue flame across the hobgoblin, the mystic energy leaping off her fingers and through his body painfully. The second wave of the blast tore through Morgash, making him cry out and stagger back. It felt as though his skin were on fire and his vision wavered as he stood on the brink of passing out.<br><br>OOC: Morgash, you are currently stunned.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>shadowheart</strong> on <strong>13-07-2008, 05:01:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Alissia grimaced.&nbsp; She had no love for goblinoids, but this spellcaster was clearly the main threat.<br><br>Taking a deep but quiet breath she took aim and fired her crossbow ....
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>13-07-2008, 07:07:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aryn heard a "sproing" sound and her magical armor flashed momentarily as a crossbow bolt struck it from behind. The shaft would have nailed her square in the back if it hadn't been deflected.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>13-07-2008, 08:48:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>Reigning champion. Kill me first.</em> The thought echoed through her mind. Aryn gave silent thanks to Kayzen for not setting the entire room against her, at least not yet. She had no time to check for assailants still on the lower level, she had to press the advantage against Morgash now. Aryn trained her bow on Morgash.<br>"While he's dazed, kill him you overgrown worm!" she ordered as she cocked the bolt into place and fired.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>14-07-2008, 22:17:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Morgash staggered back against the balconey railing, barely on his feet and his senses reeling, his body feeling as though it were on fire. The wounded centipede scampered forward, its fore half clambering up his legs. The mandibles chomped down on his side, a spurt of blood fanning out from the beleaguered hobgoblin.<br><br>The witch cocked a bolt in her crossbow, taking aim at the staggering opponent, and fired. Despite his dazed condition, some subconscious part of Morgash's brain was still alert and his left arm flicked out, his wrist deflecting the bolt neatly.<br><br>------<br><br>Red was still facing off with the animated chain, staying on her toes as the chain weaved slowly in the air before her. The chain suddenly shot out, and she shifted to the left, but it caught her right wrist, wrapping around it quickly. The chain suddenly jerked ceilingward pulling her arm upward and taking her up on her toes as she cried out. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Zaer Darkwail</strong> on <strong>15-07-2008, 00:00:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Morgash manages shake off his dazed state and noticed centipede biting his leg! He makes violent hammer punch loaded with <em>Ki</em> toward's bugs head! Immediately Morgash tries after that punch tumble around his bug foe to reach Aryn in close combat!
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>16-07-2008, 04:11:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I want his heart, bring me his heart." Her voice had gone cold. The anger that had been there moments ago was refined into cold, precise, malice. The creature had it's orders. That left Aryn free to finish the job. Not wanting to burn more magic on Morgash, Aryn cocked another bolt into place and fired.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>16-07-2008, 06:57:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Morgash's senses were a world of pain, his mind trying to marshal itself back to focus, back to fighting. He glared at the half-dead centipede, preparing to smash at it again. The witch fires another bolt, though, and Morgash's attention snaps up as he flicks it away.<br><br>He tries to focus his internal energy, but he is on the verge of consciousness, struggling just to keep the monster from biting more of his guts out.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>16-07-2008, 17:08:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dusek was torn between the very amusing sights of the hobgoblin getting chomped at, and Red, now very tangled in the chains. After a moment, he made his way carefully back over to the girl, palming one of his daggers and running the blade over her bare midriff. He just watched her for a moment, those pale eyes alighting upon hers to see what lie in those depths.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>17-07-2008, 01:26:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Every time she fired Morgash deflected. It soon became apparent that Aryn was simply wasting bolts. A look of disdain crossed her face.<br>"Why won't you die?"<br>Aryn dropped the bow to her side and began to chant. This would end here.<br><br><br>OOC: More Magic Missle
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>shadowheart</strong> on <strong>17-07-2008, 01:51:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Alissia loaded a fresh bolt into her crossbow, watching all that was happening.&nbsp; She saw the man who had apparently done nothing so far, draw a dagger and run it across Red's body.<br><br>Spellcaster, she muttered to herself.&nbsp; He had done nothing, so far as she could see, and had chosen a dagger for his weapon.&nbsp; She thought back to the sorceress, and the goblinoid (who would soon be dead).&nbsp; She didn't relish the idea of facing either magic user ... though she noted that this male now tormenting Red had not yet displayed the extent or focus of his powers.<br><br>She was as aware as anyone of the rules of this contest ... but to win one had to survive.&nbsp; She once more scanned her surroundings, looking for an advantage ......
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>17-07-2008, 07:02:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Raising her hands, and with a muttered word, blue fire yet again danced across the witch's fingers and erupted out toward the hobgoblin, bathing him in its burning glow. Morgash collapsed to the deck in a smoking heap.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>17-07-2008, 22:19:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dusek made his way to the struggling redhaired warrior woman who was dangling from one arm by the chain. She saw him coming and eyed him suspiciously, freezing when his dagger came out. Dusek let the blade drift across her flat belly, the woman's muscles tensing a fraction as the metal touched her.<br><br>Another chain suddenly whipped out at her and Red grunted as she swung herself aside to avoid it, the chain nearly hitting Dusek in the process. Red swung back, away from Dusek, her feet dangling just above the surface of the floor. She reached up with her free arm, grasping the chain, and with amazing alacrity and a grunt, she pulled herself higher, climbing the chain to just above Dusek's reach. He could see the strain on her arm muscles as she held herself aloft, clutching the chain with both hands.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>shadowheart</strong> on <strong>18-07-2008, 00:28:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Alissia smirked.&nbsp; <br><br>Agile minx, she thought to herself.&nbsp; Well, perhaps ....<br><br>She aimed her crossbow at the redhead who was trying to climb up above the other spellcaster's reach (she still had to consider him as such til his true abilities were known) and fired.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>18-07-2008, 00:42:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"You have your orders." she commanded her pet as she turned to face the half elf who'd fired at her.<br>"Did you forget about me?"<br>Without waiting for a reply, Aryn steepled her fingers together and began to chant.<br><br>OOC:Tasha's Hideous Laughter
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>18-07-2008, 00:58:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aryn commanded her centipede, then turned to lay some vengeance on the half-elf. Aryn began to chant, only to realize that her target was no longer there. When she had been fired upon, the half-elf had been standing on the balconey, about 30 feet behind her. Now, that space is empty.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>18-07-2008, 01:22:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aryn stamped her foot as she found herself talking to empty air. Aryn crossed her arms and stalked over to the edge. There was nothing to do now but watch the show.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>21-07-2008, 06:38:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The redhead warrior woman in the chainmail bikini still gripped the chain, keeping herself up above the other's reach. Alissia took aim from her cover and fired the bolt. The redhead screamed as the bolt struck her in her bare side, lodging deep. Almost immediately, a stream of blood started to pulse out of the wound, dripping down her side.<br><br>Desperately, she clenched her teeth and continued to hold onto the chain, barely keeping her grip as she bled.<br><br>Standing atop the balconey, Aryn had seen the shot, and where it had come from. Her nimble half-elf was obviously just below her, beneath the balconey.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>21-07-2008, 18:20:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dusek glared back over his shoulder at where the shot had come from. Someone interfering with his new toy, hmm? He spotted Alissia and her crossbow and gathered his focus and energy, calling upon the memory of lightning to gain the sensations he wanted to send. He could feel the static already crackling around him as he gathered his power, and sent a bolt of electricity towards Alissia, in a long, straight line.<br><em><br>OOC: Psionic Focus + Energy Bolt (Electricity)</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>21-07-2008, 21:16:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The air crackled as tendrils of electricity fired from Dusek's fingertips, arcing across the room straight at Alissia as she stood beneath the balconey. With amazing relflexes, she threw herself to the side, avoiding the main thrust of the lightening. Nevertheless, the electricity sizzled her, leaving smoking black sears across her leather armor and leaving her teeth buzzing.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>21-07-2008, 21:20:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Red clung to the chain, bleeding. However, the other chains around her were also moving. One shot out at her and grasped her free arm. She cried out as she fell. Both chains, one wrapped around each of her wrists, suddenly pulled tight, stretching her arms out to the sides, making her cry out in agony.<br><br>She hung suspended a few inches above the floor, sweating from the pain.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>shadowheart</strong> on <strong>22-07-2008, 00:31:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Alissia swore to herself.&nbsp; Spellcaster, no question.<br><br>(OOC note: no experience with psionics so she doesn't know the difference)<br><br>She realized she was in trouble now, and quick as she could, prepared another bolt in her crossbow, aiming and firing at Dusek.&nbsp; She simply hoped she could do so before he got off another spell.<br><br>(OOC note2: assuming she isn't stunned from the shock. :) )
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>22-07-2008, 01:08:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Coming to rest on one knee from tumbling out of the path of the bolt, the half-elf loaded her crossbow in one fluid motion and fired at Dusek. The bolt hit him in the side, just piercing past a link in his chain shirt and stinging into his flesh.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>22-07-2008, 03:50:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aryn watched the man who had just unleashed a lightning bolt. She knew of spells to throw lightning. She even knew of ways to conjure it from thin air. What puzzled her was that he had made no chant. No incantation or special movements were needed. Aryn hoped that some trick of his origin allowed him to throw lightning as easily as breath. Aryn knew how much power it would take for her to be able to cast magic with nothing more then a thought. It would be possible, but if he was strong enough to do it already...... begging for mercy might be her best hope. Aryn watched the caster as though her life depended on it. In her eyes, it did.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>22-07-2008, 17:36:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dusek grit his teeth against the pain, fingers curling around the bolt sticking from his side. Miss Pointy Ears was becoming a nuisance. He yanked the bolt from his side, eyes flashing nearly white, but showing no other outwardly signs that the removal was as excruciating as it was. He focused on the pain, using the sensations pounding through his side to gather the energy for this next attack. His eyes flickered like crystal as he gathered all the agony and aimed it at Alissia, the blood-smeared bolt still gripped in his hand like a talisman.<br><br><em>OOC: Inflict Pain</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>22-07-2008, 23:28:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dusek focused on the half-elf, gripping the bloody bolt. For a moment, nothing happened, then suddenly Alissia felt a ripping pain tear through her. It started in her forehead and cascaded down through her body as though her veins were filling with crushed glass.<br><br>Though she could still move and act, the pain made her shake with the effort to suppress it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>22-07-2008, 23:31:53</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aryn heard a crackling sound at her feet and looked down to see the enchantment binding her centipede to this reality was unraveling. In a moment, blue energy shimmered down the creature's carapace and it disappeared, leaving the hobgoblin lying motionless in a pool of his own blood.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>shadowheart</strong> on <strong>22-07-2008, 23:42:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Alissia groaned with the sudden intense pain.&nbsp; Shuddering with the effort, she sought cover behind a support pillar holding up the balcony and loaded another bolt into her crossbow.&nbsp; As soon as she was able she would fire yet again at the spellcaster.<br><br>Next time, she told herself, kill the fucking mage first!<br><br>That is, if there was a next time ....
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>22-07-2008, 23:46:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Moving swiftly despite the pain, Alissia took cover behind a pillar, locked in another bolt, and spun about to fire at Dusek again. Her hand was less than steady thanks to the racking pain, however, and the bolt flew high and wide, missing her fierce-eyed target.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>23-07-2008, 17:59:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dusek glared at the shaken woman, seeing another bolt fly wide. He tossed the projectile in his hand to the ground, and once again focused his attention. Instead of lashing out at the woman once again, however, he seemed to begin to fade from her mind, before completely disappearing from her senses.<br><br><em>OOC: Psionic Focus + Cloud Mind</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>24-07-2008, 01:44:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dusek disappears from Alissia's sight. He can feel her mind struggling to resist what it is seeing, however, and with an effort of will Alissia shakes off his power, Dusek becoming visible to her again.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>shadowheart</strong> on <strong>24-07-2008, 02:31:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Alissia's brow scrunched.&nbsp; The caster faded out of her sight.&nbsp; Invisibility?&nbsp; Or was it an illusion?&nbsp; She continued to stare at the spot she knew he had just been.&nbsp; No, she thought, there was something going on here ... maybe she could just see his outline.&nbsp; Then it clicked with her, and she could feel the subtle manipulation in her brain, some .. force, a magic she had never encountered before, trying to literally remove the his image from her mind's eye.<br><br>And the effect was over, and Dusek was visible once more.<br><br>Only thing for it was another bolt.&nbsp; Cocked, loaded, she aimed carefully and fired.&nbsp; She wished that she had another weapon along with the crossbow.&nbsp; But she had to work with what she had.&nbsp; And right now, she had to at least hurt this mage enough to gain some kind of advantage.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>24-07-2008, 17:10:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dusek nearly growled as her vision focused back upon him, indicating that clouding her mind had failed. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure that Red was still tangled up, and then turned back towards Alissia, slowly approaching her, carefully avoiding the chains. He saw her loading her bow, and paused about thirty feet from her, once again gathering all the static energy he could muster. A flickering ball started as it had last time but instead of lashing out, it seemed to create a field around Dusek, snapping and hissing at the air.<br><br><em>OOC: Energy Retort</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>24-07-2008, 23:47:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Red continued to twist slowly in the chains, her arms outstretched, the crossbow bolt jutting from her side continuing to let her blood out in a slow, constant trickle dribbling down her leg. She gritted her teeth in pain, the muscles in her arms taught as the chains pulled.<br><br>Alissia didn't waste any time and fired off another bolt. It struck Dusek in the chest, but the force of the bolt was mostly deflected by his chain shirt. The bolt struck him hard enough to draw blood, but it was little more than a scratch.<br><br>The shot didn't stop Dusek as the gathering energy flickered around him in a globe. The air around him crackled, making Red's sweaty skin glow blue from the radiance. Beyond this, though, the energy field seemed to have no purpose.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>25-07-2008, 04:57:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				On the one hand, putting a bolt through Dusek now would help her greatly later. On the other hand, killing him with help wouldn't allow Aryn to test her magic against his. Her life was a high price to pay just to find out how far she'd come, but if she wasn't progressing her life wasn't worth much anyway. Aryn calmed her nerves and continued to watch. No matter who won, Aryn would need her focus to be pure.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>shadowheart</strong> on <strong>25-07-2008, 11:41:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Alissia swore.&nbsp; She did not like the looks of the field of energy around the apparent spell-caster, but her options were limited.&nbsp; She loaded another bolt into her crossbow, trying to use a support beam for cover, and looking around to see if she had any other options.<br><br>She fired her crossbow, then ran from the area where she was behind the support beam, to the back wall, and to another area below the balcony.&nbsp; She hoped to find a dark patch, or better cover, to hide and collect her thoughts.&nbsp; She would have to come up with a plan, since just pelting him with crossbow bolts was not doing enough.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>26-07-2008, 08:52:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Despite the pain that seared through her, Alissia marshaled herself and fired off another bolt. This one traveled sure, striking Dusek square in the chest. Alissia barely had a chance to register the bolt's effect, however, when the crackling field of electricity surrounding the man suddenly erupted. <br><br>A lightening bolt traveled straight at Alissia, apparently following the same path that her bolt had flown, just in reverse. Alissia's instinct was to twist away, but the lightening leapt at her too fast. It struck her in the chest and thrust her back against the wall, her body jittering crazily as the massive voltage coursed through her. <br><br>As the blast ended, Alissia continued to twitch, as though her muscles couldn't stop. The brilliance of the flash left nothing but sparkling lights before her eyes, her mind numb from pain and shock.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>shadowheart</strong> on <strong>26-07-2008, 11:25:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Alissia cried out, seared by the blast of energy.&nbsp; Gasping for breath, the agony more intense than she could stand, she found herself unable to command her own body.&nbsp; It wouldn't do what she wanted, not that she had any way of telling what was going on around her anyway with the dance of sparkles before her eyes.&nbsp; She might have moved a few feet, stumbling this way or that against the back wall as she tried to gather herself back together, but for now it was useless.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>28-07-2008, 18:09:34</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dusek started out after Alissia, yanking the bolt from his chest with a little angry grunt. He dashed through the chains, avoiding them as much as possible. As he approached the girl, he would attempt to tackle her to the ground. If successful, his hands would go to her face, cupping her jaw almost lovingly. And then he would attempt to transfer to her all the pain she had caused him.<br><em><br>OOC: Empathic Transfer, Hostile</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>28-07-2008, 18:29:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dusek pressed his advantage and charged through the chains toward Alissia. As he passed a chain, it suddenly reared up and lashed at him. The coil tried to wrap around his arm, but the crackling field of blue energy surrounding him sent spiraling tendrils of electricity up its links making the chain twitch, allowing Dusek to wrench his arm free of the grasp.<br><br>He passed beneath the balcony and slammed into Alissia. She seemed disoriented and stunned. Despite this, though, she instinctively flailed out as he struck her. Instead of taking her down to the ground, they both slammed back against the stone wall, Dusek pressed against her.<br><br>He slid his hand along her jaw, cupping it as Alissia squirmed beneath him, blinking hard, gasping in pain. Suddenly she felt pinpricks at her chest, as though she had been struck by crossbow bolts. The pain was not great, especially in relation to the agony she was already reeling from, but it was another assault on her body.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>shadowheart</strong> on <strong>29-07-2008, 03:13:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He was on her before she knew what had happened.&nbsp; Still blinded, reeling from the pain, she had little chance of defending herself adequately. Despite this, she remained on her feet, though barely.&nbsp; She felt him press against her, touching her jaw .. and the prickling in her chest.&nbsp; Whatever this man was, whatever school of magic he possessed, he was of a magnitude of power higher than she had experienced.<br><br>Uncertain if she would be able to act, she tried with all her will to grip one of her bolts, holding it as a dagger, and plunge it into her attacker ....
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TanaSilver</strong> on <strong>29-07-2008, 06:58:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Her opponent was upon her, gripping her jaw and sending his strange power into her body. The knowledge that she had to act, and act now, forced Alissia to struggle through the pain and focus herself. Her eyes cleared, along with her head, and she gripped a bolt and thrust it at the man.<br><br>Her jab was awkward, though, a desperate attempt which he shoved away with an elbow. She still held the bolt, her arm free for another strike.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>shadowheart</strong> on <strong>29-07-2008, 12:33:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Desperate indeed, Alissia would continue to stab at him with the crossbow bolt, hoping to at least dislodge him so she could escape his attack ....
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>30-07-2008, 17:25:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dusek tried to avoid her desperate blows as best as he could, while maintaining his grip on her. He shifted to remove one of his daggers, pressing the point to the hollow of her throat, digging into the flesh long enough to cause a dull ache to radiate from the area. "Yeild," He said softly, "Yeild to me and I will not kill you."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>shadowheart</strong> on <strong>31-07-2008, 00:03:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She gasped, and glanced briefly at Red, tangled in the chains.&nbsp; Survival, was better than the alternative she realized, victory or no.<br><br>Alissia dropped the bolt and her crossbow, and lowered her eyes.<br><br>"I yield," she said quietly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>09-08-2008, 09:45:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aryn leaned over the railing to get a better view. She could hear them fine, but keeping track of them visually was awkward at best.<br>"Feel free to claim your prizes wizard, we can find out who's magic is stronger afterward."<br>Aryn wasn't sure if she was trying to make Dusek lower his concentration or if she merely wanted to delay their battle. Or perhaps Aryn had grown as perverse as the demons she consorted with. Maybe she just wanted to watch.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>09-08-2008, 22:41:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Dusek heard Aryn's call from the balcony above, his eyes glinting predatory for a moment as he watched Alissia. It was likely a ploy to distract him... but the idea of claiming an enemy on the battlefield... was intoxicating. Seizing the girl by the hair at the base of her skull, he yanked her around, shoving her into the wall, her cheek scraping into the stone.<br><br>The fingers of his opposite hand went to her dress, yanking the material up until he found smooth, soft flesh.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>shadowheart</strong> on <strong>10-08-2008, 00:37:08</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Alissia cried out as Dusek gripped her hair and pressed her against the back wall.&nbsp; Shivering, telling herself that she was going to survive, that was the important thing, she supressed her instinct to fight back.<br><br>She felt him loosen her leather armor, moving it out of the way, and with a shudder felt her skin exposed to his view, and his touch.&nbsp; She closed her eyes tight, bracing for what would come.&nbsp; She would survive, again she told herself ....
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>11-08-2008, 21:13:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				His knee pushed between her legs, shoving them apart. "Put your palms flat on the wall," He growled softly, just next to her ear. His hot breath would stroke over that sensitive flesh at his words. Fingers went to replace his knee, stroking over the soft flesh there, letting her get a full image of what was to come before thrusting his digits into her roughly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>shadowheart</strong> on <strong>12-08-2008, 01:05:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Alissia felt blood rush to her face.&nbsp; She shuddered but did as ordered, placing her hands against the wall.&nbsp; She winced at his growl, telling herself, again, that it was better than a slit throat.&nbsp; <br><br>She groaned at the feeling of his fingers on her sex.&nbsp; She gritted her teeth, bracing, and yet still cried out in shame as his fingers violated her body.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>20-08-2008, 03:06:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				His fingers pumped harder into her at her cry, his free hand moving to remove his thickening sex from his pants. A low sound, something near to a grunt ripped from his lips and he ground his half-rigid member against the soft curve of her ass, his hand snaking around to find the little nub of flesh at the apex of her lip and pinching it.<br><br>"Let me hear you say that right now, I own you." He growled near her ear before his teeth lit into the curve of flesh there.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>shadowheart</strong> on <strong>20-08-2008, 03:52:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She shuddered, pressing her palms hard against the wall as he fucked her with his fingers, his cock grinding into her asscheeks.&nbsp; She heard his whispered growl, gasping, and crying out again as she felt his bite.<br><br>"You ... you own me," she gasped with a quavering voice, quietly but unmistakably.&nbsp; Her face was crimson, hot, and tears ran down her face.<br><br>And she moaned very softly deep in her throat.&nbsp; Her body was beginning to betray her, rocking back against his penetrating fingers, before she was able to stop herself, with a groan.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>TomSawyer</strong> on <strong>25-08-2008, 18:05:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He felt the subtle response of her body against him, and his sex punched into a full, thick erection. She was crying, but she wanted it. Her body knew it. Suddenly his hand was pulled from her depths, and replaced with the hard length of him. His fingers grasped either of her hips, digging in there, tugging her to a more easy accessible position. His hips drew back, and shoved into her, smacking his hips into her ass. A low, near-feral growl escaped his lips, and he began to thrust roughly into her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>shadowheart</strong> on <strong>26-08-2008, 05:02:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Alissia couldn't help it.&nbsp; The slickened insides of her pussy clenched tight against his cock, but her natural fluids well-lubricated the path to her own violation.<br><br>His body impacting hers caused her to cry out each time, a deep moaning sound of blended humiliation and desperation to please this man to stay alive.&nbsp; Tears still flowed, as she didn't want this, certainly didn't want any pleasure from it, but her body was on automatic, pressing backward against him, clenching his cock with the inner walls of her sex.&nbsp; <br><br>Whatever other emotions there were, underlying it all was the desire first to survive, whatever the cost.&nbsp; Survive, another day will see better events, she told herself.&nbsp; And survival at this point meant pleasing this strange and powerful sorcerer.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: [EX] The Dance of Ruin</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Atlus</strong> on <strong>04-09-2008, 04:56:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Aryn began running her hands over the smooth surface of the banister. Seeing a foe helpless and humiliated was just so.... right. When Aryn plotted revenge it usually involved disembowelment, or sharp objects. But this was so much more personal.<br>Aryn spoke low, so that only she could hear it "Thank you wizard, I will keep this moment with me always."<br>Coming back to herself, Aryn readied her crossbow and took aim at the chained knight. "I can spare you her fate. I could end your pain, if you wish. What would you choose oh brave and bleeding knight; humiliation, or your life?"
			</dd>
		</dl>
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