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 Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2009 7:44 pm
♠THE CRYSTAL CORRIDOR♠
In the beginning, when the fore bearers first stumbled upon the great caverns of Ulorbbath, their eyes were bedazzled by the tunnel that was encrusted with crystals. The natural jewels littered the floor, and decorated the high ceilings of the tunnels.
Eventually, when the city was officially founded, the drow carved out a wide pathway to make room for travel bands, leaving a small row of the crystals on the rocky floor. For some reason, unknown today, they left the giant crystals on the walls and roofs of the tunnels.
To enhance the splendor, the drow cast magic upon the crystals to make them emit a faint blue glow.
Passengers traveling through the east entrance of Ulorbbath are greeted by this breathtaking beauty. And one passing through either the Northeast or Southeast entrance of L' Orbben Har'ol must pass through them.
Much to the drow's dismay, they had also stumbled upon a Deep Dragon's lair. After a long and vicious battle the elves had conquered the terrifying beast, and plundered the riches it had gathered over it's centuries of life.
The little cave was henceforth called the Dragon's Den. Still to this day signs of the deadly battle can be seen.
The Dragon's Den has two ways in and out, both connecting to the Crystal Corridor.
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Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 2:05 pm
Shrirak had positioned herself in the back of the caravan, her attention taken up by the map in her hands. The caravan had stopped to fix what minor damage they had sustained during the tough ride to the city.
Money tight, corridors and roads to no where, and me completely lost. What a splendid day to be a vagrant, I mean-- Her thought cut off by the feel of a knife being held at her throat. "Drop any weapons and money you have." A voice spoke by her ear, "And I won't kill you."
"Alright." Shrirak said with a sly smile. Then quickly, not giving the thief time to react, she slammed her elbow into the thief's side, while she grabbed the arm with the knife. Twisting the knife out of her grip, Shrirak leveled the thief onto her knees by pulling her arm back. Grabbing the thief by the nose holes Shrirak lifted her head back. "You look thirsty. Here have a drink." She said as she quickly release the thief and pulled out a flask from her bag, all while bending the thief's head back. Forcing her to drink, Shrirak held on as the thief as she attempted to free herself. Slowly the drugs in the drink worked and instead of fighting the thief went limp. Releasing her captive, Shrirak searched her victim for money and found quiet a bounty of stuff include a few interesting items. "Thanks for the help. I need some money." She told the limp figure."You probably won't remember any of this soon though since your mind will be quite addicted to that juice. Good luck," She said cheerfully and then head after the line of retreating caravan wagons.
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Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 8:36 pm
Shririak sat on the back of a wagon as the caravan that that it was a part of rattled down its way through the corridor.
"We'll hit the turn off point. From there where going to turn south. You sure you want to go that way?" As the wagon's driver.
With a roll of her eyes she looked back at the man. "Yes, I'm sure. Thats where the market is right?" She wait as the stupid male nodded. "Then clearly that where I should be going. Mal'ai."
And with that she shuffled her way back into the cart, opened her bag, and examined her ill-gains. Holding up a red jewel in her hand, she peered at it, put it back, and then pulled out an interesting sheet of paper. Hmm...these could be useful. Best memorize them.
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Posted: Sun Jan 10, 2010 6:58 am
OOC Here's hoping I'm doing it right...
It had been a long trip from who knows what light-forsaken and remote corner of UnderGaia, but Naki looked decently groomed nonetheless; the long black hair tied in a partial ponytail, his clothes untarnished, dust-free; and no foul odors emanating from him (except perhaps his ever-present demonic aura). It was only the standard for this kind of visits which, though he wasn't fond of them, usually turned a more than acceptable profit and that was enough reason to suck it up.
He now found himself at last at the doorway of the most luxurious city of the area: Ulorbbath. Usually, denizens like him weren't allowed there; but he had come for business and he would see it through.
So he skipped aside to allow for the caravan he had sensed coming up behind him to pass through, then he stepped into the fabled Crystal Corridor. Perhaps he would get to explore this city at last.
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Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 6:17 am
"But I just...!". His tone was only slightly exasperated, but he knew better than to be disrespectful to a patrol bearing the rune from one of the city's Houses. That would spell big trouble.
The soldiers wouldn't budge, of course. They surrounded him, spears at the ready. The one who seemed the leader, the only one without a helmet, gave him a despective and smug look.
"Lesser races are NOT allowed here. Leave. NOW."
Naki looked to be about to retort, but simply growled. A low, grudgingly submissive growl. Then he turned around and left. Not that he had been able to step too far into the Corridor anyway... not before the patrol was alerted to his presence.
Next: Au Shinduago outskirts.
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Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2010 6:54 pm
Once again, Naki found himself stepping into the Crystal Corridor. He knew a patrol was likely to stop him, but he had a plan this time. A plan that would play with Drow predictability. If only he had remembered it earlier.
As soon as he heard the expected "Halt!", he complied immediately. No rush. He turned a smug smile to the sullen patrol leader and dove his hand down to his belt, underneath his duster. About ten swords came out of their scabbards, but Naki didn't flinch one bit. The patrolmen hesitated, intrigued, when the Wolf demon produced a small bag made of leather. Many things can come in pouches, and more than just a few are deadly in the right hands, but his moves were so nonchalant the soldiers seemed more intrigued than tense.
Naki dove into the bag and a few gasps and muttered commands were heard. The swords were lowered when the Wolf demon showed a small pile of gold coins on the palm of his hands.
With an idle gesture, he dropped the mound of coins into the captain's hand. Then he returned the bag to its rightful place and moved on. Didn't even bother to look back, he knew it was no longer necessary. Once he was well within the city's limits, nobody would take a second look at him.
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Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:03 pm
Shrirak taped the back of her gauntlet arm brace against the slave cage. And smirked as the beings inside shifted away from the bars. If they knew that most won't live to see past a few hours, they would come and praise my arm. Beaten, stabbed, or maybe it will end as a sacrifice to the beloved goddess. She thought as her walked along side the cage. A flicker of light caught her dry gaze drawing her attention Time to end.
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Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 8:43 am
While walking down the corridor, reflecting on how difficult it was to find somewhere to spend the time, Naki noticed a shabby-looking corner. From inside came the joint stench of several races of goblinoids and underground creatures. Probably merchants and the like. Barely noticeable was also the smell of cheap food and brash drinks.
There was no sign indicating what the small, disheveled place was, but it probably wasn't needed. Perhaps the clientele was comprised only of regulars or friends of the owner. Naki walked closer and peeked in discreetly. Behind the bar a hulking bugbear busied himself around giving out the orders yelled by the crowd. Striding through the mass of tables were also a few goblins with loaded trays.
Smiling mischievously, Naki slipped into the filthy place and walked straight to the bar. Nobody paid attention to him; only when he moved past the bar with an effortless jump did some eyes turn to him. The bugbear tending to the customers had only enough time to grunt and turn to face the intruder before a dagger sunk in the side of his neck all the way to the hilt like a knife through bread.
The thudding noise of the collapsing corpse was drowned by a fist slamming on the bartop and nearly slicing it in two. The few patrons that had drawn their weapons were thus frozen, their killing impulses neutralized. The wolf demon had already yanked his weapon off the bleeding carcass and was balancing it on one gloved fingertip, the hilt moving like an upside-down pendulum as the dagger's center of gravity shifted.
"Anybody wanna dance? Hm? No? Good. For all purposes, I am now the owner of this place. Now all of you GET OUT!"
"And you", he addressed the withdrawing waiters and waitresses, who stopped and turned stiff faces to him. "You want to keep your jobs... and your lives... you show up here first time tomorrow. Don't be late or I'll snap you in half. Agreed? Good. Now get outta my sight".
Once the place was empty, Naki closed and secured all doors and windows. Then he stooped down besides the bugbear's corpse and dragged it off to the kitchen.
A while later he emerged, wiping off the remaining stains of blood from his attire. His clothes looked untarnished again, thanks to the enchantments woven into them.
Now that that was taken care off, Naki deeemed convenient to deal with the bureaucratic part of the process. So he stepped out, secured the doors and went into the corridor once again.
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Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 7:24 pm
They had stopped at a small market and trading post at the edge of the Corridor. A few members Houses, merchants, and commoners wandered around trying to get a preview or an early bid for the traders goods. The smell of food and drink, the noise of bidding, bargains, the odd fight, and common chatter swirled around Shririak. And she hated it.
I'm tired of all the wondering and random warring I face with these fakes. I figure they would be beneficial to my plans, but they are merely annoyances. I need to spread out. Looking around she spotted a slave who drove a wagon for the caravan. "Gu'e dos vrine'winith lu' an'yui uns'aa." She said and only recieved a confused look from the slave. These people need to teach the slaves the proper language. she thought and then asked, "Hey you, yes you. Tell me where do the caravan will go from here?"
The slave blinked, swallowed, and then said,"Lle'warin Shririak, we are going to the main slave trading stop before we head onto the main market."
"Which is where?" She asked her patients hitting the end of its road.
"L'Orbben Har'ol, Lle'warin." He stammered. Shririak sighed, It looked she had to stay for awhile longer. Then she glance at the slightly cowering slave. She smiled at him and then smashed his nose.
"You should learn our language completely. You should know your place and there for the proper manners for your place. You are the conquered and inferior, we are your superiors. Our language is your new and permanent tongue." And with that she turned and head off to get a meal. She deserved it.
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Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 5:52 am
Back in the Crystal Corridor, Naki took a few minutes to ponder his recent epiphany while he strolled down to the city's outskirts so as to pick up the scent of any tanarukks that would have approached the city recently.
He tolerated the life of an errant mercenary without any problems -the camping outdoors, the hunting and the like-, but that didn't mean he would shun the idea of settling down and letting the money roll in, much like it had started to do. And it could be more, much more! The city had a void in what pertained to food, drink, board and other commodities -at least in the commoner area of the city- and he intended to fill in that void. Hell, even that drunken assassin, Izzd, had given him a couple of good ideas. Ideas that he would have to run by the High Priestess of House Auvrea'mitore, both to keep her in the know and to secure additional funding and manpower. He was hoping the success of the tavern so far would help her see things his way. Once all was said and done, he'd be living the good life. Proper chambers. A personal slave. And, why not, the occasional mercenary job to keep things exciting.
Given the first payment received from that mysterious Drow woman to retrieve her book, this job should give him enough of an investment to pour into the new place. Tavern, bedrooms, spa... and a couple more shady sources of entertainment. This place was going to have it all.
But first, oughtta take care of those thieving tanarukks.
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Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 11:36 pm
The necromancer Serina Shadowbane, known to some only as Reaper, finaly stumbled her way into the crystal corridor after a long trudge through the darkness below. Renewing her gentle repose spell she continues through the corridor into the city beyond, hoping to find information and a place to use her abilities to there fullest. Deciding a local tavern was the best way to find information she moves off into the city in search of one that may prove.....useful or at least informative.
(continued in El'inssring)
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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 7:59 pm
Janzyne eyes burned a hole into the leader's mind, making it clear this wasn't okay with her. The leader was new and weak, every one could smell the fresh kill. Janzyne didn't care much for easy new prey.
Blood dripped from the prey's blade. "Well, what are you all doing here? The leader of this caravan wants his goods in. Now." Her screeching voice grated the group, no one moved. The former leader's second moved forward, she didn't speak. The prey backed up, a mistake. Such weakness was all that was need. She had stabbed the leader like a dirty Masked Lord lover, she couldn't keep the title.
A blurred, a screech, a new leader. "Alright, ladies. We have a job. Janzyne, your second." She turned and marched forward.
She had it planned. A voice whispered. She knew it or set up the weak prey from the start. She planning something for you. Janzyne didn't respond to the voices, she just turned and followed. So now it was slightly stronger prey in charge, well it didn't matter. She wouldn't last long either.
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Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2010 11:16 am
"nindol zhah dosib waela" The drow curses as he walks down the middle of the corridor, his red eyes locked onto the floor as he gives a soft hiss. He did not like being sent on these show off missions, and he did not like his matron trying to sell him off! he was the best damn weapons master in his city, so what if he was a little bit of a trouble maker! "cha'kohkev jalil lu' ilta xsa greed!" He would stops suddenly turning and thrusting his hand out, palming the drow that had been trying to sneak up on him in the face....the woman's eyes were wide, wild...she was on some type of drug. She pulls out a knife "give me all of your money, and your equipment! she needed the drug, she needed it now! The Male just stares down at her with cold red eyes. "foolish male, i will cut your throat!" she rushes foward, and the male would side step her. a flash would pass her vision, and she would stumble, looking back at the male, who was now sheathing one of his scimitar. She looks down as her intestines spill out onto the floor. She falls to her knees, looking up at him in disbelief. He walks bye her, his eyes locking onto hers..."Bleed..." he looks away, continuing on as the woman coughs up blood, falling back.
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Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 10:38 am
Llith cackled to herself, running in a semi-crabbed walk to the still-bleeding corpse of the woman. She reached out with long-nailed fingers and stirred the free-flowing intestines on the floor, cackling again as the dying woman looked up at her with desperate eyes.
"You are weakling, weak. You will die. Llolth commands." As she finished speaking, Llith drove two of her fingers deep into the woman's eye, bursting the little globe of fluid and penetrating into the brain behind. Pulling her fingers free, she licked them clean. All the time her other hand stirred the pool of blood and guts running onto the floor.
After a time she looked down at the entrails, studying them carefully, leaning close and inspecting each loop and whirl of bloody gore. "Soon. It comes soon. The heretics, the non-believers, the unknowing. Their doom will come. The spider queen will eat them. Eat them all. Eat my children. Eat children of the spider queen. Eat!"
With the final command, what appeared to be black cloth covering her body broke away, leaving her clothed in thin rags which concealed nothing of her mutilated form, held together by shining webs. The tide of black flowed down, over her skin, a few stray spiders breaking away from the flow at the edges as they covered the woman's body. The swarm ebbed and flowed as each scrap of flesh and blood was consumed, leaving only a shining white skeleton before they flowed back to cover Llith's broken body.
She stood awkwardly, the movement appearing unnatural from her previous hunched position, and capered maniacally towards the city screeching "Doom comes to the unbelievers! Llith heralds the Spider Queen's wrath!"
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