Fall of Xithis Redux

[sharringtonm]

All of Sundren witnessed dark clouds gather over a northern moutain and begin to spread out soon covering all of the valley.

Two purple eyes openened in the blackness of the clouds, peering down at Sundren with great wickedness and ill intent.

The sacrifice of an immortal sparked a chain of events that led to a blast of light from the sun itself, piercing the clouds and shattering the eyes into a billion sparkling shadows.

The moutain was seen from as far away as 50 miles... imploding upon itself leaving a black stain upon the earth. The magical backwash ran across the land cancelling spells at random and even momentarily disrupting the magic of such might panthenons as the Enclave and the Hands of Mundus, whos memebers were in a state of frenzy restoring the permanent spells that held their bastions together.

On every corner in every town, one story stands above all others...

"Osclow, Hero of Sundren, bravest of all, had slain Xithis and brought about the end of his reign of terror."

((Please post your stories during this time, even if your not involved in the event. Reactions to what is seen and the magic are welcome))

[kumati]

Emaku joins in gladly with whatever celebration may be -- once she learns exactly who this Xithis was and what trouble he was causing.


Yuan heads between the Helmite and Ilmatari temples, seeing what help she may be with her limited healing and herbology capability -- in any battle, there will be the injured, and there will be the dying. It is the latter she focuses most of her attention on, particularly those that are quartered outside of the two places of healing, or outside of the city itself.
Of Xithis and his army, she expresses no interest outside that of a scholar.

[Ebannon]

Throughout Sundren the news sweeps over the Realm like the sun emerging from a long dark night. However, several shadowy corners of Sundren remain uneffected. The defeat of Sundren's greatest enemy neither brightens nor lends hope to the Thayan Slave pens which have become Logan's world for the past few days. Resting on the cold floor Logan studies the Slaves and Thayan Guards and schemes for his own survival.

[Urithrand]

Leck was sitting by the fire in the Exigo trading camp, his arms around Dimenin and a contented smile on his face, when a sudden wave of empathy and relief washed over him. The spirits whispered excitedly and all the world was suddenly awash with muffled talk. For a time he could not make out any clear message, until Resia excitedly chimed in his mind, "The foul man is dead! The one you sensed, to do with the cube! He's gone and the whole world rejoices, your realm and mine!"

Leck simply smiled and nodded, closing his eyes. "Then we may rest easy again my Resia."

[Hosistheboss]

Deep in the Sestra caves, among scores of Lizardmen, Jonathan Barkha had heard the call to arms. Immerging during a vengeful rainstorm to clean his arms and armor and prepare for a coming battle. The origins of which he did not know, only that Sundren called for aid. Duty drew him to the field, even though largely outmatched by his peers he still made his presence known. His large shield and minor healing came to aid the long and grueling march up the mountain trail.

Small victories, and grueling loses plagued them as they slowly but steadily marched upon the forces of Nether Elves. Taking and holding every foot of the trail they could muster as they pushed, it was a path Jon was happy to bear with Hano and the scores of others called to be the last line of defense.

As the skies darkened, something deep within him began to ache, and twist like a thrashing snake trying to break free of a vicious grasp. Lowering his gaze to the challengers at hand, helped him block out the feeling for a time. Pushing ever forward up the mountain’s rocky path, his large tower shield thick with arrows and the scorches of spells.

Ever pushing the forces back, the skill of his companions was unmatched. They were tempered into solid steel that refused to falter, the mountain a figurative anvil and the mass of troops an ever pounding hammer. They did reach the top however, to the ilk of spell casters and forces awaiting them.

Giant magical barriers, mysterious and powerful stood between them and the peak where the ritual was being held. Haunting shadow and dark swirling clouds arched around them, like something leaked from realms of pure chaos. One such as Jonathan might have been lost to the thralls of the anti-magic pouring across them, and the evil taint spreading like a pox. If not for the others shining examples.

While the others paused to observe the magical walls for a moment, it was Hano and Jonathan that were the first ones to rush through, followed closely by the others. The fortifying magics being ripped from there very beings as they rushed a narrow path against enemy caster, much to the surprise of the casters. Leave it to the zeal of the followers of Torm to charge a peak of unknown numbers and power.

The tiny path leaving little place for the cloth of casters to hide from the heavy great swords in the service of good. His tower shield alone being brought to bear, knocking casters into a stumble to be quickly skewered by the others closely bringing up the rear.
Jonathan, knew not of Xithis, knew not of the cube, nor what had brought them there. However, his very being could feel the slivering shadows, and the unquenchable darkness. In their mad charge, Jonathan lost sight of Hano, pulling out into the front and assaulting what looked to be supposed leader.

His large frame, and menacing blade enough to occupy the forces while the other reached the top of the path. Hollering out prayers at the top of his lungs, that reached no one but himself among the sounds of battle and blistering magics. It was a battle, and they fought like champions.

Jonathan was the first to meet Xithis, holding him in personal combat until another joined his side. In the thick of battle, Jon saw not who. Both of the warriors landed crucial blows, forcing Xithis back out of the initial conflict. With this feat, Jonathan rushed off to the other forces approaching the squad, letting his blade be felt and presence of Torm be known.

(Part 1 of 2, other part after I finish my bike ride)

[Gabryal]

Kathryn panted softly her mind reeling from exhaustion, pain and relief.

The hard climb up into the Spine of the world, each moment burned into her memory forever. The hundreds of dead on each side she had seen, ice storms and missle storms that had struck down the nether elves and elementals. Watching Hano fall before Xithis and the way that Osclow had jumped over his fallen form to take the madman in the throat. Even then all had seem lost as the dark Avatar of Shar had sought to break free of it's prison, and just when all had been lost a Solar of Lathander coming and sacrificing it's life to seal the cube... hopefully forever.

"Xithis is dead... the cube unmade.. " Her mind kept repeating those words. It had been her small command... and in the end they had lived up to the job they had trained for. Still the one thing that she remembered most was as the mountain collapsed somehow finding the strength to bring Hano down the mountain his near death still haunted her. "What will become of me now?" She thought "Where do I belong?" Her mission for the past many months was complete.. and what she would do now she didn't know, part of her felt lost.

"Time will tell" She told herself as she wrapped herself in her hooded cloak and passed through the celebrating throngs, mostly unnoticed and happy to keep it that way. "They deserve this, they stayed strong and let them now enjoy the victory.. I only hope peace lasts"

(( Thanks to you Sean a wonderful time and event ))

[Allielliot]

Sain slowly opened his eyes to minimize the pain that the dim torch light was adding to his already pounding head. As he realized what his surrounding were he gave a sigh of relief. Although he was underground it wasn't a dungeon. He was in the underground barracks in the forest, and although his head might not feel like it his wounds had been healed. That and the tempered excitement of those around him in the make shift infirmary were enough to let him know that the battle had been won. As he thought back to the battle to defend the forest he realized that he must have been knocked unconscious in the first throws of the battle. Hano and the others must have been able to win the day though. As the realization washed over him that he had let them down, his resolve to master both his blade and his tongue was reinforced one hundred fold. The next time that his new home was threatened he would be able to talk easily to help his comrades, and his blade would dance in the hands of a master. Tired or not he got himself up and headed for the orcs in the forest. There was no time for resting. There was training to be done.

[Gamling]

Lauan hacked and slashed her way up the mountain, one goal set in her mind. To retrieve the cube. The climb was perilous, filled with traps, surprises, and scores of archers, assassins, and druids. They traveled up and down the mountain, delivering fallen comrades corpses to the camp to be nursed back to life.

The sky twisted and distorted with shadows, did not have a visible affect on Lauan. Battle was battle, little more than a game, or an art. She apreciated that some of her closest friends were there, as well as Osclow, who had proven to be so much more than her friend. Though... They may have had plans of their own.

When they reached the top of the mountain, after hours of struggle, she charged the giant treants. Katie and Alyrian shot terribly powerful spells from their arsenal, as Osclow, Hano, and Jonathon charged Xithis's many druidic minions. The battle raged on, until Xithis was in sight. Lauan and Jonathon gave him a few fell swipes of their sword, until being tossed aside. Stumbling, she stabbed another nether elf through the stomach, bursting outward out of its back.

Xithis, ready to encant once more, may not have seen Osclows blade. A shrill cry from the insane man was heard as Osclow fell him... That was it, it was over. Now to get the cube. Hano's temporary death was a god-send, giving her even more time to deal with the cube. She aproached the akter to take it up, when the sky suddenly began to change colors, distort and swim. The cube began to disintegrate, right before the knights eyes.

She quickly attempted to grab it, partialy shocked, and angered, but it was too late. A piercing light came through the clouds, and a Solar of Lathandar quickly snatched it up, letting it eat away at his own form. The chants of Lathandar could be heard from down the mountain, but not Lauan's, who did not even know who he is.She watched in disbelief as the cube ate away at the Solar, until there was nothing left... A noble sacrifice, but Lauan saw only her failure.

She watched the cube sink into the ground as she ran to the spot where it once lay. Her fist pounded the ground in vain, trying to taunt it to arise once more when a fell glare from the sky, and a powerful tremor hinted it was time to leave. Lauan stared in disbelief, not hearing anything at first until she heard Osclow's voice scream go. She hurled herself down the mountain, tripping down steps, down wet rocks and loose rope bridges, as the only thing that mattered clouded her mind. Failure.

How would Pyras react to such a devastating;y, moronic failure? Would he be merciful, and allow a chance at redemption? Or would she know his true wrath, which has only gotten worse with time. The rope bridge collapsed once everyone crossed, the mountain begining to implode, large chunks of rock spewing forth. No, such a failure does not deserve mercy or pity... The cube... The money... Osclow's dreams, Hano's temple, all of these things would be delayed for her friends, and herself.

Once at the bottom, and in the viridale, they stood guard of Hano's corpse. He began to come-to and they left, or as far as Lauan had heard. Her thoughts consumed her, guilt overwhelming, she made promises she could not keep, and declared success to her master, when there was only failure. She walked back to Sundren city, crowds cheering for the heroes, even the Warlock and Thayan knight. She quickly displaced herself into the bath house, waiting for the others, as the attention would only bring out more of Pyras's wrath...

Tears began to form in her face, the whispered words between her and Osclow in the changing room. The way she loved him so, it brought some solace to the defeated knight, though, the warm water of the bath house did much to dispell her worries, as the celebrating of Sundren city could be heard outside, and all over, a faint smile came across her face, as the man she loved would not tell this story, but rather would be told of in this story.

[Townopolis]

Far from the front

Nebarumvar was not at the battle. He nearly tore himself apart over his decision. Such a small, green, fragile person as himself, what difference would he make? He was a herald, not a warrior, his place was to turn deeds into inspiration. And even at that he was fresh, untested, unprepared for his chosen purpose. And yet, his thoughts haunted him. The smallest grain of wheat can tip the scales, the tiniest change in heart can lead to inconceivable changes in the flow of events. In the end, Nebarumvar dealt with it the way he dealt with any other decision he didn't want to think about too much. He went to a tavern, the half-pint this time, and got smashed until it was over.

When he was sober again, he heard the news. Xithis had fallen. To his surprise, it was Osclow, not Hano or Kathryn or Lauan, who had felled the vile priest.

Nebarumvar had to sit down at the news. Osclow was something like himself, he knew, but now Osclow was also a hero himself. Nebarumvar had heard of people abandoning their life of retelling the stories of others and taking a more direct role in the shaping of events, but surely they had worked through other channels. Negotiation, chicanery, the quiet assassination of lieutenants, that sort of thing. Leaping forth and driving a sword through the heart of the enemy in open battle, that was the purview of knights, paladins, samurai, and the heroes of the barbarian tribes, surely. Nebarumvar found himself questioning his assumptions about himself, what he could and could not do. He found himself forced to think that, maybe, the path that he had chosen was not as narrow as he had thought, but was one he could travel in any way he chose, and he could shift and change his tack as whim and the situation demanded. It was not a comforting thought, in fact, it scared him a great deal.

When he finally dragged himself out of the tavern, Nebarumvar was feeling quite glum about his role in the whole affair. He had done nothing, where he should have done... something, whatever he could. There was nothing he could do to change that. Eventually, after cheering himself with a warm meal and a pastry, Nebarumvar determined to at least take up the role he had cast himself in, for this battle, and spread the news.

The little gnome rushed from Sundren to Aquor to The trading post, to Avanthyr, fanning the flames of the tale is it spread and grew.

Talona, she had a consort.
Named Xithis, a priest of a sort.
Then a man called Osclow
Cleaved him from head to toe.
And And all Xithis' plans were cut short.

[darcane]

The giant stormlord knelt upon the cliffs in Port Avanthyr,overlooking the the sea and the approaching storm over the vast ocean.His god-given trident in hand,its base dug into the earth beside him and the wicked prongs facing skyward..This is one of the few pleasures he delighted in,the few pleasures Sundren offers to the giant Talassan,Its many and so often raging storms.

Over the waters the storm brewed..To his back the sun shined its brilliant light over the land.He waited patiently for the wailing wind....

Within minutes,the sun was extinguished by dark ominous clouds inland.Vader watched as his shadow silhouette diminished to nothing..Slowly turning his head,he looked upon black clouds..One word escaped him.."Kozah......" ((Kozah=Bednine name for Talos))Vader looked on in silence,watching the black louds grow,Save for the rumbling of thunder in the distance behind him above the rolling waves ..

[Dark presence]

Serena has no clue what just happened, nor an inclination it was about to happen. She continues her work in the forest, tending to the once blighted lands, speeding their regrowth with her magic, reshaping the land to move more fertile soil to the dead areas, planting the seeds that will heal the scar there. Every now and then, though, she pauses to look around, wary of those hunting her for her horns. And then she continues working quietly.

[Silas North]

Upon the top of a small cliff within the Gates of the Sunderer Osclow sat to watch the rising sun slowly grace the valley stretched out before him. With the first light of the day came the official end of a grand chapter in Sundren's history. It was worth dredging up the barely visible trails to see this sunrise, for it helped to remind him of everything he felt the desire to protect.

The great victory over Xithis brought its share of pain as well however. Not all that was wished for came true. The bard closed one emerald eye, his other focused intently upon the simple red gem held between his thumb and forefinger in such a manner as to block a direct stare into the rising sun. Tia's gift shined with a new radiance as the distant light begin to pass through it.

"I came so close my little one... You should have seen me.. though I never would have allowed you so close to such a battle. Your father fought hard for everyone today, but mostly for you."

The bard's words were meant only for himself and one other not present, one whose smiling, innocent face he missed deeply.

"I came so close.... So very close... I played my role perfectly to set everything in motion.. but I.. I never anticipated.. "

His words came to a halt. He never once anticipated the cube itself being completely destroyed. All the possible scenarios that played in his mind never concluded that the elimination of such a powerful artifact was even possible. He believed that there may be some difficulty in its transportation, and even possible difficulty with the Red Wizards he planned to hand the cube over to. The plan seemed perfect, and for his cooperation, Osclow would have been given all the money he ever would have needed to buy his beloved daughter all she wished for. So close, so damn close...

The worst part however was not the pain of failure but the lack of pain. Truly he felt saddened that his daughter desire for a palace of books would go unfulfilled, yet he could shake free the pride and joy he felt at seeing the valley rise with the sun little by little.

"I have not forgotten my promise to you my little one... But know that your father is truly becoming a better man from all that happens here.. my home away from home."

He knew his self-meant words to be nothing but truth. Let the people shout their praises, let them have their well-earned joy after enduring so much. There was no need to feel ashamed at what had been done, only more reason to keep on going... til all dreams could finally come true. Some may consider such dreams childish, but only in setting such goals did one truly make progress.

For Tia, Hano, Kathryn... for everyone..

Tia's gift was returned to his side pack for the time being. Even hidden from sight, it kept his thoughts upon her. There was more to be gained and more to return to Navil with one day than just material things.

[wangxiuming]

I prayed ... for the first time in a long time, that you would be there, my brother. But you weren't. Xithis stood atop the mountain alone, maddened, insane - and another took his life in one swift stroke, before I could ask the Talonan anything. Before I could even verify your ... existence.

What am I doing? What was I thinking?! Allying myself with those ... self-righteous ingrates. What would our masters say? And you are still lost ...

I will not give up my search. I will bring you home, I promise you! And I did not walk away from this battle empty-handed. Even despite all that it's been through - perhaps I can still use it to bargain for your soul.