As Greko unbinds Ro, the elf-dwarf rubs his wrists, retrieves his spellbook and responds, "Thank you Greko. I feel the cube's grips on me waning, so I'm as good as one can be in this situation I suppose..."
Ro watches as Rum uses his staff to roll over the small, elven corpse. His eyes affix on the corpse for a while before scanning the rest of the devastation around him. Though the elf-dwarf's true home was in the Lonely Mountains, he spent much of his younger years here in the castle when he trained and aspired to become a knight. Ro took everything in: the many businesses and shops he used to peruse now razed to the ground, and people he's interacted with now lay lifeless on the floor. The scene was awful and heart wrenching, and Ro hated himself for taking solace in the knowledge that his own family had managed to escape and were making their retreat.
Ro spoke to himself, loud enough for others to hear, "What a terrible sight. Last I was here, this place was teeming with life. People and carriages once filled these streets, now nary a bug crawls across the ground... The utter destruction of these people and their livelihoods... it's unforgivable..."
The elf-dwarf walks over to Kaede, holding back tears himself, he places a reassuring hand on her shoulder and hands her a handkerchief, "We'll make them pay alright."
"From my sending spells, the last information I received was that Ganondorf and Lord Darkness occupy the castle and are set to open the Temple of Time. Though this information is a bit dated, so the situation may have changed. If they haven't already, I say we head to the Temple of Time. We must keep them out of there at all costs."
Rum looks to both Ro and Lady Kaede with compassion in his eyes, but it only lasts a brief moment.
"I am sorry, but the time for sentiment has yet to come, payment is indeed due though. We need to move quickly", he says as he looks to get eyes on the street.
"Lelith, direction from a birds eye view will help us make it to the Temple unseen. I can lead the Embers through the streets. I will check if the path is clear", he suggests, and then opens the door and slips into the shadows of the street.
"Fellow Embers, the street looks clear of enemies and the smoke from the fires is actually providing good cover. There is a flying Guardian over the keep, which might make the bird's eye view dangerous", he says to the others.
"The Temple of Time, finally," Lelith's eyes shone, she allowed her contentment with the decision and her excitement at finally arriving at her desired location show to her companions. The culmination of all of their efforts will be decided here. She could tell, even taste it in the air, the promise will be fulfilled.
Castle Town isn't exactly deserted...but it's not far from it. A single Redead lumbers nearby near the gates of the Keep, which look like they have been battered down by some irresistible force. The flying Guardian continues to search along the walls of the Keep with its spotlight. It doesn't even come near the Twilight Embers as they move. The town smells like death and decay, like smoke and fire, like loss, like suffering. The air that blows against their backs is cold, and dark clouds swirl overhead. It seems like some massive vortex is forming there.
The first crash of thunder is startling. Purple arcs of lightning crawl from twirling cloud to twirling cloud. The clouds have a strange, light red hue to them.
Rats scurry in the shadows. Ravens perch on the few rooftops that aren't still smoking or smoldering. Some are along the battlements of the stone walls.
"Charming," Lelith drily commented at the macabre spectacle engendered by the forces of Darkness led by Ganondorf. It's not a sight that is too unfamiliar to Lelith, in the Feywild there were many Feys who dabbled in similar 'artistic ventures' as they were called. Even Lelith, who had hardened her heart and mind in icy steel couldn't really stomach them. They could make truly gruesome and cruel pieces intended to invoke rather strong emotions in the viewer. All in all, it wouldn't have been rated too highly back home among such circles, it was too senseless and chaotic, the slaughter lacked purpose and organization.
"Indeed, Leith", Rum says as he too watches the display in the sky. "It is akin to the Great Dragon's mighty fury. I pray to them it is not a sign that we are too late.".
He slips through the shadows of the streets, leading the group down paths that will keep them obscured from both the redead at the gates and the guardian patrolling the sky above the keep. Using the environment and particularly the smoke to obscure not just the sight but also the sound of their passing.
He moves in bursts, allowing those less adept at stealth to catch up every so often, and then scouting ahead with those more proficient. At each stop, he allows those more familiar with the city to guide their next route.
They edge ever closer to the Temple of Time and their fate.
The trek down the street, down alleys and concealed thoroughfares, doesn't take long. Fifteen minutes or so. Fifteen minutes to get them from theie entry point at the house to within seeing distance of the Temple of Time.
Several things catch their attention at once.
First is the row of six Merregons, like the horned beast they had faced in the Deku Tree, standing perfectly still in front of the temple, guarding the door. Behind them is the door, battered down, busted to splinters, the frames cracked and destroyed as if by some unimaginable strength.
There's a crack of purple lightning... And the Twilight Embers can see something huge moving im the foyer of the building...
”Perhaps there are prisoners in the keep…Why else guard with an arial guardian. Seems like they do not want people leaving.I could change into a rat or mouse and scurry into the keep to see. It hurts my bones but can do that to see if you all think it would be wise”
"Friend Greko, in the keep are but trees. In front of us, in the temple, is the forest you spoke of", Rum says to Greko.
"We came for the forest. I left the ranchers to their fate for the forest. Not more trees", he says with iron focus, staring at the Temple of Time and it's sentries.
“No, no you misunderstand my intentions. I say perhaps we save them so they may aid us in the fight. We need numbers but if we think we can take them on without reinforcements, I will scout as a mouse into the temple”
Lady Kaede just stares there in awe, mouth agape at the scene. After a good minute of staring, she licks her lips to moisten them as they’ve worked themselves raw in the splendor of the enemy.
“When your numbers are superior you must attack without pause, but when you are outnumbered, you must choose your opportunities carefully to find advantage.”
Continuing, “Perhaps we create a distraction of imprisoned townsfolk fleeing in mass. The chaos of the scene would surely cause those…Merregon…to leave their posts to investigate?”
"I concur with the consensus that, based on data from our previous encounter with a single Merregon, 6 of them plus the unknown variable of enemy reinforcements is almost certainly outside our current combat capabilities. It may be risky, but Rum, do you think you could lead them on a chase to get them away from the entrance, lose them, and circle back around to here?"
Greko sees the fiend up close and drops a mouse turd. He scurries as fast as he can trying to get back to the rest of the Embers to warn them of the impending doom but he only get to the Merregons before the giant fiend does something fiendish.
The broken door of the Temple of Time isn't an obstacle for the thing that comes out; it steps over the crushed entryway with one stride, having to duck to bring it's considerable form from within the building. There's something swinging in its hand as it comes out, but its hard to tell what it is at first.
The entity before them is bigger than any Goliath or Firbolg or Loxodon they've ever seen. He's nearly twelve feet high with his horns, horns that are black and polished His skin is red, nails black like his horns. His garments are sparse; breaches, a tattered cape. The Lord of Darkness stands atop the steps of the Temple of Time and smirks down at the Twilight Embers.
"Ah. Twilight Embers. You are finally here." He says, sneering down at the band gathered before him. "We meet after all this time. What a shame. To...travel half the world...just to die by my hands. Hm. Perhaps I should feel...special! What other end was there? I find it quite remarkable that you made it past my Merregon, the Gnolls, the wretched things beneath the tree. And the most vile of my Goblins, Blix, has done nothing to prevent you from getting this far. No matter! For one to have made it as far as I have you have more than one trick up your sleeve. This will not go the way you think."
Before anyone can move, the Lord of Darkness raises his left hand. There, in its grip, is an older Elf in Hylian military armor. He looks a lot like Ro. Some of Darkness's fingers are wrapped around his throat. The rest encircle his head. His eyes are white, rolled back as his whole head begins to glow the same sick purple as the rats.
"If anyone tries anything heroic, master Aleron dies. Do we all understand? Excellent. Merregons! There, in your midst! The mouse! If they try anything, kill Greko the Green!"
The Merregons move with a lethal efficiency. They form two wedges. The two holding shields step forward, while the four in the back create a short line and point their halberds at Greko-mouse.
"So disgustingly sweet!" He says, craning his head back as if fighting laughter. He continues to hold Paul Aleron in one hand. "Ahhh, but Ro. You have damned your father to this fate. The moment you two began sending those messages back and forth, Ganondorf intercepted them. All of them. I love exposing the miscalculations of my foes. It brings me...such...pleasure. You have all made this so simple! You practically defeated yourselves! Shall I prove my point? You, Warforged, Oten, was it? Give Ro Aleron the Lament Configuration and make sure he isn't disturbed while he completes his task."
As Oten carries out the command, the brains of the various rats and ravens around the square glow a dim purple.
"And you, Ro Aleron. Kneel. Solve the cube. The rest of you watch while Ro Aleron fulfills his destiny!"
As Ro works, the Lord of Darkness comes down the steps of the Temple of Time. His impressive form is even more accentuated by just how much bigger he is than the Merregons that are there to defend him. He reaches over his back with his free hand and grips the handle of the sword slung there and it hisses as it is drawn from its scabbard. The blade is black, obsidian, glinting in the light of nearby fires. It seems to drink its own reflections.
"What is it you are even here to do?" He continues, mocking the Twilight Embers as Ro kneels and begins to complete his assigned task. "What is it you think you can possibly do? Hm? What is it? Die spectacularly? You have no chance! None! This is the end of your frivolous little game! You are so very trivial...in my calculations."
He watches with glee as Ro's hands begin to solve the cube, the Lament Configuration...
"And what better way to spice up our first, and last, meeting...than with a little betrayal?" He says, pointing toward the Twilight Embers and beckoning one of them forward with his finger. "Come here, my love. You have done so well. Come over here and join me! Be by my side where you belong!"
With a heaping spoonful of confusion, and a sprinkling of bravado mixed in, Lady Kaede hunches down into a defensive posture, unsure of what is transpiring in front of her, but ready for whatever may come.
As Lord Darkness first revealed Ro's father in his midst the sight was immediately unbearable to Ro. "Father!!!" the elf-dwarf screamed in a near death cry. His father, Paul Aleron, was not supposed to be here, and yet here he was at Lord Darkness' mercy. Is this all my fault? Ro began to think to himself, Is this what I've wrought as I've tried so desperately to prove myself?
"Nobody move!" Ro bolted into place, standing at the forefront of his band with his arms stretched wide and still facing Lord Darkness. Without looking away from the horrid sight in front of him, Ro spoke quietly to his band, "Please... He has my father... I am sorry, friends... So terribly sorry..."
As Lord Darkness began to monologue, the elf-dwarf's eyes begin to feel with tears. His mind begins to overclock itself, grasping desperately for an idea to get his band and his family out of this mess. With this spell I could- not enough. Perhaps Rum and I can attempt to- not enough. If Greko can escape we'd have a chance to- not enough. What if we all- not enough. No, but perhaps if I- YOU'RE NOT ENOUGH. No, no but what if... Ro's face suddenly went blank, clear of any expressions except for the tears rolling down his face.
When Lord Darkness commanded it, Ro obeyed perfectly.
"Ro?"
The elf-dwarf kneeled, digging both knees into the floor.
"Ro, what are you doing!?"
He received the cube from Oten without merely a passing glance at the warforged.
"Ro, stop!"
With the cube now in his possession, and at the command of Lord Darkness, Ro began to complete the Lament Configuration.
As Greko unbinds Ro, the elf-dwarf rubs his wrists, retrieves his spellbook and responds, "Thank you Greko. I feel the cube's grips on me waning, so I'm as good as one can be in this situation I suppose..."
Ro watches as Rum uses his staff to roll over the small, elven corpse. His eyes affix on the corpse for a while before scanning the rest of the devastation around him. Though the elf-dwarf's true home was in the Lonely Mountains, he spent much of his younger years here in the castle when he trained and aspired to become a knight. Ro took everything in: the many businesses and shops he used to peruse now razed to the ground, and people he's interacted with now lay lifeless on the floor. The scene was awful and heart wrenching, and Ro hated himself for taking solace in the knowledge that his own family had managed to escape and were making their retreat.
Ro spoke to himself, loud enough for others to hear, "What a terrible sight. Last I was here, this place was teeming with life. People and carriages once filled these streets, now nary a bug crawls across the ground... The utter destruction of these people and their livelihoods... it's unforgivable..."
The elf-dwarf walks over to Kaede, holding back tears himself, he places a reassuring hand on her shoulder and hands her a handkerchief, "We'll make them pay alright."
"From my sending spells, the last information I received was that Ganondorf and Lord Darkness occupy the castle and are set to open the Temple of Time. Though this information is a bit dated, so the situation may have changed. If they haven't already, I say we head to the Temple of Time. We must keep them out of there at all costs."
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN
Rum looks to both Ro and Lady Kaede with compassion in his eyes, but it only lasts a brief moment.
"I am sorry, but the time for sentiment has yet to come, payment is indeed due though. We need to move quickly", he says as he looks to get eyes on the street.
"Lelith, direction from a birds eye view will help us make it to the Temple unseen. I can lead the Embers through the streets. I will check if the path is clear", he suggests, and then opens the door and slips into the shadows of the street.
Stealth: 16+8=24
Perception: 10+8=18
Rum pops back into the house.
"Fellow Embers, the street looks clear of enemies and the smoke from the fires is actually providing good cover. There is a flying Guardian over the keep, which might make the bird's eye view dangerous", he says to the others.
Oten swivels and pivots all of his joints in their sockets, warming up for the excursion at hand. "By land it is then"
"The Temple of Time, finally," Lelith's eyes shone, she allowed her contentment with the decision and her excitement at finally arriving at her desired location show to her companions. The culmination of all of their efforts will be decided here. She could tell, even taste it in the air, the promise will be fulfilled.
Castle Town isn't exactly deserted...but it's not far from it. A single Redead lumbers nearby near the gates of the Keep, which look like they have been battered down by some irresistible force. The flying Guardian continues to search along the walls of the Keep with its spotlight. It doesn't even come near the Twilight Embers as they move. The town smells like death and decay, like smoke and fire, like loss, like suffering. The air that blows against their backs is cold, and dark clouds swirl overhead. It seems like some massive vortex is forming there.
The first crash of thunder is startling. Purple arcs of lightning crawl from twirling cloud to twirling cloud. The clouds have a strange, light red hue to them.
Rats scurry in the shadows. Ravens perch on the few rooftops that aren't still smoking or smoldering. Some are along the battlements of the stone walls.
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
"Charming," Lelith drily commented at the macabre spectacle engendered by the forces of Darkness led by Ganondorf. It's not a sight that is too unfamiliar to Lelith, in the Feywild there were many Feys who dabbled in similar 'artistic ventures' as they were called. Even Lelith, who had hardened her heart and mind in icy steel couldn't really stomach them. They could make truly gruesome and cruel pieces intended to invoke rather strong emotions in the viewer. All in all, it wouldn't have been rated too highly back home among such circles, it was too senseless and chaotic, the slaughter lacked purpose and organization.
"Indeed, Leith", Rum says as he too watches the display in the sky. "It is akin to the Great Dragon's mighty fury. I pray to them it is not a sign that we are too late.".
He slips through the shadows of the streets, leading the group down paths that will keep them obscured from both the redead at the gates and the guardian patrolling the sky above the keep. Using the environment and particularly the smoke to obscure not just the sight but also the sound of their passing.
He moves in bursts, allowing those less adept at stealth to catch up every so often, and then scouting ahead with those more proficient. At each stop, he allows those more familiar with the city to guide their next route.
They edge ever closer to the Temple of Time and their fate.
The trek down the street, down alleys and concealed thoroughfares, doesn't take long. Fifteen minutes or so. Fifteen minutes to get them from theie entry point at the house to within seeing distance of the Temple of Time.
Several things catch their attention at once.
First is the row of six Merregons, like the horned beast they had faced in the Deku Tree, standing perfectly still in front of the temple, guarding the door. Behind them is the door, battered down, busted to splinters, the frames cracked and destroyed as if by some unimaginable strength.
There's a crack of purple lightning... And the Twilight Embers can see something huge moving im the foyer of the building...
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
Rum narrows his eyes as he views the Merregon, recognising the creatures from their last encounter with just one of them.
His narrowed feline eyes go wide as the purple lightning flashes and he sees the silhouette of something huge beyond them.
”By the Great Dragon…”, he whispers under his breath.
He turns to his comrades.
“Well fellow Embers, I am not sure I fancy attacking those head on. We need another way, or some kind of distraction”.
”Perhaps there are prisoners in the keep…Why else guard with an arial guardian. Seems like they do not want people leaving.I could change into a rat or mouse and scurry into the keep to see. It hurts my bones but can do that to see if you all think it would be wise”
"Friend Greko, in the keep are but trees. In front of us, in the temple, is the forest you spoke of", Rum says to Greko.
"We came for the forest. I left the ranchers to their fate for the forest. Not more trees", he says with iron focus, staring at the Temple of Time and it's sentries.
“No, no you misunderstand my intentions. I say perhaps we save them so they may aid us in the fight. We need numbers but if we think we can take them on without reinforcements, I will scout as a mouse into the temple”
Lady Kaede just stares there in awe, mouth agape at the scene. After a good minute of staring, she licks her lips to moisten them as they’ve worked themselves raw in the splendor of the enemy.
“When your numbers are superior you must attack without pause, but when you are outnumbered, you must choose your opportunities carefully to find advantage.”
Continuing, “Perhaps we create a distraction of imprisoned townsfolk fleeing in mass. The chaos of the scene would surely cause those…Merregon…to leave their posts to investigate?”
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
"I concur with the consensus that, based on data from our previous encounter with a single Merregon, 6 of them plus the unknown variable of enemy reinforcements is almost certainly outside our current combat capabilities. It may be risky, but Rum, do you think you could lead them on a chase to get them away from the entrance, lose them, and circle back around to here?"
Greko turns into a mouse and scurries through the yard
Greko sees the fiend up close and drops a mouse turd. He scurries as fast as he can trying to get back to the rest of the Embers to warn them of the impending doom but he only get to the Merregons before the giant fiend does something fiendish.
The broken door of the Temple of Time isn't an obstacle for the thing that comes out; it steps over the crushed entryway with one stride, having to duck to bring it's considerable form from within the building. There's something swinging in its hand as it comes out, but its hard to tell what it is at first.
The entity before them is bigger than any Goliath or Firbolg or Loxodon they've ever seen. He's nearly twelve feet high with his horns, horns that are black and polished His skin is red, nails black like his horns. His garments are sparse; breaches, a tattered cape. The Lord of Darkness stands atop the steps of the Temple of Time and smirks down at the Twilight Embers.
"Ah. Twilight Embers. You are finally here." He says, sneering down at the band gathered before him. "We meet after all this time. What a shame. To...travel half the world...just to die by my hands. Hm. Perhaps I should feel...special! What other end was there? I find it quite remarkable that you made it past my Merregon, the Gnolls, the wretched things beneath the tree. And the most vile of my Goblins, Blix, has done nothing to prevent you from getting this far. No matter! For one to have made it as far as I have you have more than one trick up your sleeve. This will not go the way you think."
Before anyone can move, the Lord of Darkness raises his left hand. There, in its grip, is an older Elf in Hylian military armor. He looks a lot like Ro. Some of Darkness's fingers are wrapped around his throat. The rest encircle his head. His eyes are white, rolled back as his whole head begins to glow the same sick purple as the rats.
"If anyone tries anything heroic, master Aleron dies. Do we all understand? Excellent. Merregons! There, in your midst! The mouse! If they try anything, kill Greko the Green!"
The Merregons move with a lethal efficiency. They form two wedges. The two holding shields step forward, while the four in the back create a short line and point their halberds at Greko-mouse.
"So disgustingly sweet!" He says, craning his head back as if fighting laughter. He continues to hold Paul Aleron in one hand. "Ahhh, but Ro. You have damned your father to this fate. The moment you two began sending those messages back and forth, Ganondorf intercepted them. All of them. I love exposing the miscalculations of my foes. It brings me...such...pleasure. You have all made this so simple! You practically defeated yourselves! Shall I prove my point? You, Warforged, Oten, was it? Give Ro Aleron the Lament Configuration and make sure he isn't disturbed while he completes his task."
As Oten carries out the command, the brains of the various rats and ravens around the square glow a dim purple.
"And you, Ro Aleron. Kneel. Solve the cube. The rest of you watch while Ro Aleron fulfills his destiny!"
As Ro works, the Lord of Darkness comes down the steps of the Temple of Time. His impressive form is even more accentuated by just how much bigger he is than the Merregons that are there to defend him. He reaches over his back with his free hand and grips the handle of the sword slung there and it hisses as it is drawn from its scabbard. The blade is black, obsidian, glinting in the light of nearby fires. It seems to drink its own reflections.
"What is it you are even here to do?" He continues, mocking the Twilight Embers as Ro kneels and begins to complete his assigned task. "What is it you think you can possibly do? Hm? What is it? Die spectacularly? You have no chance! None! This is the end of your frivolous little game! You are so very trivial...in my calculations."
He watches with glee as Ro's hands begin to solve the cube, the Lament Configuration...
"And what better way to spice up our first, and last, meeting...than with a little betrayal?" He says, pointing toward the Twilight Embers and beckoning one of them forward with his finger. "Come here, my love. You have done so well. Come over here and join me! Be by my side where you belong!"
DM of AURYN: The Measure of Devotion - Escape from New York
With a heaping spoonful of confusion, and a sprinkling of bravado mixed in, Lady Kaede hunches down into a defensive posture, unsure of what is transpiring in front of her, but ready for whatever may come.
Last to know and first to be blamed...
As a free action, can I regret my life choices?
As Lord Darkness first revealed Ro's father in his midst the sight was immediately unbearable to Ro. "Father!!!" the elf-dwarf screamed in a near death cry. His father, Paul Aleron, was not supposed to be here, and yet here he was at Lord Darkness' mercy. Is this all my fault? Ro began to think to himself, Is this what I've wrought as I've tried so desperately to prove myself?
"Nobody move!" Ro bolted into place, standing at the forefront of his band with his arms stretched wide and still facing Lord Darkness. Without looking away from the horrid sight in front of him, Ro spoke quietly to his band, "Please... He has my father... I am sorry, friends... So terribly sorry..."
As Lord Darkness began to monologue, the elf-dwarf's eyes begin to feel with tears. His mind begins to overclock itself, grasping desperately for an idea to get his band and his family out of this mess. With this spell I could- not enough. Perhaps Rum and I can attempt to- not enough. If Greko can escape we'd have a chance to- not enough. What if we all- not enough. No, but perhaps if I- YOU'RE NOT ENOUGH. No, no but what if... Ro's face suddenly went blank, clear of any expressions except for the tears rolling down his face.
When Lord Darkness commanded it, Ro obeyed perfectly.
"Ro?"
The elf-dwarf kneeled, digging both knees into the floor.
"Ro, what are you doing!?"
He received the cube from Oten without merely a passing glance at the warforged.
"Ro, stop!"
With the cube now in his possession, and at the command of Lord Darkness, Ro began to complete the Lament Configuration.
Ro Aleron (Ro the Red) -> Illithid, Wizard 8 (Chronugist) // AURYN