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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11993 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Jun 2007 : 20:13:12
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I started writing this to get the adrenaline flowing again, but thought some may enjoy the read. If you liked it, let me know. If my writing is getting horrible as the years roll by, let me know. But, more importantly, if I directly contradict some realmslore (x happened before y, etc...), let me know. Oh, and while its a work in progress, I think I ended it so far at a good stopping point.
Part 1
There's nothing quite like the pain of rapid dehydration of one's external flesh and the shriveling of internal organs. First came the tightening of the skin, leaving it stretched over bone like a layer of thin leather. The withering of the eyeballs was perhaps the most disconcerting of it all. Next the lungs dried up like to the consistency of an old sponge. Its quite literally enough to make anyone scream in pain, if only one was still able to draw breath enough to give voice to their suffering. For a lich, it was perhaps even more excruciating because his body would not give into natural tendencies of a living being and pass out. Still, Szass Tam held his composure stoicly, unwilling to give his unexpected guest the pleasure of seeing him squirm.
But, perhaps seeing was the wrong word to use in this instance. The Zulkir of Necromancy could only feel the presence of the being that was torturing him. Of course, the aging lich knew who it was that tortured him. Apparently Szass was not going to be the first one to give in and ask for relief. “Always so steadfast you were Tam, its good to see that things have not changed so much…. For you that is.” Velsharoon said into his captive audience’s mind, his amusement over the situation obvious in his tone.
“I had wondered how long it would take you to get around to gloating,Velsharoon” replied Tam, his mental voice not as impaired as his physical one, “apparently divine ascension has not overly changed your nature. Or so you would have us think, no?”
“Well, it seems that word has gotten around. One would think I would have heard from you since my ascension to Lord of the Necromantic Arts,” Velsharoon paused for an instant to savor the irony, “ especially given your position in leading such a prestigious academy of necromancers.”
Tam’s response was both defiant and unexpected, “I don’t care what title you now claim, traitorous wretch. I will never kneel to your authority, and we both know you need me in order to survive.”
“I need you? Of course, you mistake your own worth to me.” Velsharoon responded, the mirth leaving his voice.
Szass took some enjoyment in being able to so easily upset a deity, especially a god who had been a thorn in his family’s side for centuries while in mortal form, “We both know that you need worshippers in order to survive. Nowhere will you find more available worshippers than in Thay.” Tam paused a moment to let his point sink in, “Even now, you find yourself a target for how many rival deities who would like nothing better than to tear you to shreds and steal your divine power? Without my hand at the helm, you know that Thay would fall to infighting. Necromancer would kill necromancer, all vying for the seat of Zulkir. Meanwhile, the other schools would seize upon the opportunity to thin the ranks of their enemies. It would be like before the Council of Zulkirs was formed, and you surely remember what that was like, O Vaunted One.” Acid tainted Tam’s use of the deity of necromancy’s self-proclaimed title.
Velsharoon’s anger at the last response was not unlike that of a petulant child. This was not how he had wanted his triumphant glory to have occurred. He had wanted to bend his ancient enemy to his knees and make him beg to keep his power. But, of course, he knew that Szass Tam was correct. “You are correct, son of Shevas Tam, you are a useful tool to me…. At this time. I will not enact my vengeance upon you for your family’s slights,” despite himself, Velsharoon could not help but pause dramatically, “so long as you remain useful to me.”
Tam’s response was cold and steady, “And so you will have my service, but never my heart. And when another strikes you down and takes up the mantle of Lord of Undeath, I will embrace their worship with fervor… that is if I don’t do it myself.”
Of course, Velsharoon would never let the old lich have the last word, “Speaking of your heart, you look awfully withered. Your people may not even recognize you any longer. You might want to see about improving your public image some more. After all, you wouldn’t want to look weak and lose their support… it could be life threatening.” With that, the Lord of Undeath cut the contact with Tam and found himself reveling in memory again.
Mod Edit: Moved to a more appropriate shelf
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Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
Edited by - The Sage on 21 Jun 2007 01:02:37
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11993 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2007 : 20:15:20
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Part 2 *************
Velsharoon had indeed seen Thay in its formative years. By the Nine Hells, he had been a main architect in the uprising, working alongside such notables as Ythazz Buvarr, Zhengyi, and Jorgmacdon Odesseiron to encourage the overthrow of the Mulhorandi overlords. It had taken little effort to make the wizards resent the strictures imposed by the church. Of course, the fact that Velsharoon had taken over the body of a prominent Osirian priest who then became heavy-handed in his demands for arcane tithes to the church. Setting up the “death” of the Osirian at the hands of the red wizards had been a stroke of genius. Suddenly, the names of Ythazz Buvarr, Velsharoon, Jorgmacdon Odesseiron, Zhengyi, and Shevas Tam were the names of heroes.
All too soon had come the cries for “Freedom in Research” and “Stop Magical Tyranny” which would bloom into a full-fledged revolution. Of course, the God-Kings had not been prepared for this second rising of the Theurgist Adepts, especially once they saw their foes not only summoning but controlling the demon lord who had destroyed the ancient empire of Raumathar and later helped form the Myrkul worshipping Theocracy of Eltabranar. Without the legendary sword, Hadryllis, to control the demon lord, the God-Kings believed that the new magocracy would ultimately fall under the control of Eltab. Of course, the God-Kings had been wrong, and their indecisiveness cost them the fertile lands of the Priador.
If only he’d known how much racial pride the Mulan people had, Velsharoon never would have agreed with Ythazz Buvarr’s idea of naming the new-found country after the two thousand year old “Hero of the Theurgist Adepts”, Thayd. But, Ythazz was so set upon it, having been a fledgling theurgist himself at the time, that Velsharoon never saw the ramifications that would come. The first few years were a relative calm, as the wizards returned to their homes and began to relish that which they had fought to claim. Research into fire magics took on an almost religious fervor, so much so that the temple to Kossuth was rebuilt in the city of Kensten. Of course, many red wizards had begun to seek territory of their own to claim, and they took the building of the Flaming Brazier as a sign of welcome.
Within ten years, the city of Kensten had been captured and turned into a proper city of the country of Thay. Of course, Ythazz had lobbied that they needed to change the name of the city, to sever all ties to its previous independence. That he chose to rename it after Bezantur, one of the first high priests to establish a temple to Kossuth, occurred to Velsharoon simply as a means to honor their new allies. The fact that Bezantur was also one of the first Mulan’s to serve Kossuth had never occurred to him. It was yet another instance where Ythazz had quietly stroked the egos of his fellow Mulan wizards.
A few years later, when the red wizards had managed to settle into their roles as rulers of the new country of Thay. It was no wonder that fierce national pride grew alongside a strong racial identity as Mulans subjugated their Rashemi blooded neighbors. The archmages that had helped to oust the God-Kings created a noble class of Daerons and Daeronnesses, making sure that they’re families would continue to hold power even as they passed on. Velsharoon occasionally conflicted with one or another of these groups, usually ending in the death of the offender. For the most part, though, he was content to enjoy his slaves and experiment with his magic. Meanwhile, the new nobility continued to breed a newer larger generation of red wizards. These children would grow to serve their parents using the Soon, conflicts over land and tax rights arose, and Ythazz Buvarr came once again with a plan to bring order to the chaos. Only then did Velsharoon realize that he was an alien in a foreign land that he himself had helped create.
The idea of establishing a council of rulers with representatives from each of the eight widely accepted fields of magical study didn’t at first seem to be a problem. After all, Velsharoon had come from the magocracy of Halruaa, which was ruled by a similar council, though not along school lines. Obviously, confining this council to a small number of members would make it more efficient than the fierce arguing which had dominated in the council of elders.
Of course, there was a tendency for many of the red wizards to focus more on the schools of conjuration, evocation, and necromancy. Jorgmacdon was the obvious electee to the seat of conjurers, for it had been he that had summoned and enslaved demon lord which had helped defeat the mercenaries hired to subdue the revolt in the Priador. Ythazz was a natural as Zulkir of the school of evocation, for no evoker had yet achieved power enough to directly challenge him. Plus, despite being an obvious member of the undead, Ythazz was beloved by the nobility for helping them rise up.
No seat was more contested, however, than the seat of necromancy. Velsharoon had thought that Ythazz would have awarded it to him out of gratitude. After all, he had released the old lich from the phylactery Ythazz had become entrapped in following his destruction in a magical explosion on the day of Karsus’ Folly. It had been Velsharoon that had adapted Halruaan cooperative magic into a form that could be transferred by magical tattoo. The secret of making these tattoos was kept by the leaders of the red wizards, thus granting unto them great powers and followers. This last had also made him an outcast in the Halruaan council of elders, culminating in assaults by many of their archmages, including Omm Hlandrar, and ultimately forcing the red wizards to leave Halruaa entirely.
Zhengyi believed that he should have been the one to become Zulkir, for was it not he that had helped Jorgmacdon find the ancient Narfellian summoning and binding rituals handed down by Orcus long ago? Was it not Zhengyi who had summoned the Baalor, Klavikus, and bound him with Orcus’ agreement to serve them for the next half-millenium? The disagreement between Zhengyi and Velsharoon would ultimately drive a wedge between these two former comrades. There were of course others as well who coveted the power. However, most of them were seen by the predominantly Mulan nobility as outlanders who were simply trying to seize power. The fact that this was true only made it worse. It was ultimately Shevas Tam with the backing of his extended Mulan family that was promoted to the post. In fact, it seemed that no outlanders were to be given any posts of authority within this new government, despite their aid during the revolution. Of course, this slight would not be taken lightly.
The war that resulted was at first open and direct. Opponents were eliminated, only to return later in either living or unliving form. Zhengyi was one of these, having realized the dangerous situation he was in, the archmage had embraced lichdom with the blessing of Orcus. Of course, so had Shevas Tam, and the two destroyed one another over and over.
Of course, this prompted the ruling that Zulkirs held their posts for the duration of their existence. With the backing of the noble families of Flass, Odesseiron, Agneh, and Tam, the council of Zulkirs staunchly held together against these waves of assaults. After a few decades, their opponents had either moved on, been destroyed, or submitted to the rule of Zulkirs.
Velsharoon himself had seized a mage tower in Eastern Soorenar which he renamed “The Tower Terrible”. Velsharoon then let it be known that he was to be left alone to his studies. He had not forgotten the slight Ythazz had given him, however, and he set about to obtain his revenge. It would be several decades in planning before he was able to enact it, further complicated by the fact that the lich had further enhanced his undead form by becoming a rare and truly powerful being known as a demi-lich. Still, despite the passing centuries, thinking about his trap for Ythazz brought a smile to Velsharoon’s face.
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Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11993 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2007 : 20:17:02
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Part 3 ********************
Szass Tam watched as the curious demon-kin drew a complex symbology upon the floor and muttered words in ancient Thorass. Of course, the Zulkir understood the language, but he was intrigued by the simplicity of it all. The tiefling sought to summon forth a being from beyond reality in order to make a pact with it. The tiefling would host its essence for the day, and in return the vestige would grant the binder power to protect himself.
It was not the first time Szass had heard of the strange ritual magic. In fact, it was whispered that some amongst the original Theurgist Adepts of ancient Mulhorand had indeed been binders themselves. The tiefling himself claimed that he had learned to use his strange ability by studying books supposed banned by the God-Kings before the Orcgate Wars. No, it was not the act of the magic that intrigued Szass Tam. It was who was being called forth.
As the tiefling set the skull and robes within the center of the inscription, he noted that the man also set down a small bloodied symbol of Bane, the Black Lord. It was entirely fitting, considering how this vestige had come into power originally, but considering Bane’s recent return to the realms it provoked some questions that Szass Tam thought it best not to ponder.
The tiefling knelt before the symbol and began rocking back and forth, his eyes rolling upwards as he began uttering a single word over and over. “Mellifleur, Mellifleur, Mellifleur,” he called, and as he did the skull began to rise and fill the robes with insubstantial substance. Skeletal arms appeared from the sleeves, and a red malevolence lit its eyes. Suddenly, the tiefling stopped and its eyes locked with the skull and said, “I summon you, Mellifleur, offering the blood of your ancient enemy’s worshipper. I seek to make pact with you for power, using my body as host, that you may once again experience the world as you once did.”
The jaws of the vestige did not move, but its voice was weak and breathless as it offered the ritual response, “Your offer is clever, young binder. I accept your pact and its price in blood, young binder. May we spill more of it together.” With a leap that was both startling and ravenous, the spirit launched itself into the tiefling. It disappeared upon contact, leaving a red gleam in the demon-kin’s eyes which slowly faded to nothing.
Szass Tam stared at the tiefling in a way only the dead could, “You can allow this being to speak through you?”
“I can allow him a measure of control over me, but if I do so I will be unable to account for my actions until the pact is ended.”
“Then do so, or I will be unable to account for MY actions.”
The red glow returned to the tiefling’s eyes and its face took on a blank stare. Szass Tam spoke with a commanding voice, “Mellifleur, I am Szass Tam, Zulkir of Necromancy, and I would hold congress with you. Do you understand me?”
The tiefling’s voice was weak and breathless just as the vestige’s had been, “I know who you are, Szass Tam. You offered me no worship or respect as Lord of Liches when I held that title, despite being a lich yourself. Few of you did, which is why I grew so weak after the Godswar. Why should I help you?”
“Because I am the enemy of the one who stole your power from you, and I would know how it was done.”
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Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11993 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2007 : 20:18:22
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part 4 *************************
Velsharoon’s discovery of a magic dead area beneath Bezantur during the seizure of the city had proven to be a most fortuitous happenstance. However, it would take much more to entrap a demi-lich than just having a place to put him. It would require gaining access to the Zulkir’s throne room. It would require the construction of a Hizagkuur box crafted by dwarves of the Deep Rift who knew the rare mystery of bringing out the metal’s magical reflection capabilities. The interior of the box would be inset with gems that temporarily prevented any magical effects from occurring, and that would continue to radiate dweomers preventing conjuration and divination spells from occurring.
Of course, the secret and most dangerous step had involved temporarily disabling the anti-summoning magic in the foyer outside the school of evocation’s audience chamber. Getting a fool to carry the box there hadn’t been hard at all with a simulacrum spell. When the summoned iron golem appeared from nowhere, grabbed up the box and an extradimensional bag, and charged through the chamber doors, the red wizards on the other side were thrown into immediate chaos. Convinced of his own safety in his demi-lich form, Ythazz didn’t even realize he was the target of the assault. By the time he found himself being manhandled into the box, it was too late. The box then went into the bag, and the golem went through the wall and out through a waiting teleportion circle.
On the other side, the golem’s passing of four gems set off the passwall, walls of force & stone, cloudkill, and the acid rain spell. Two steps later and it was in the magic dead area, pulling the box from the bag before continuing. The fools that followed the golem found themselves in an enclosed area of magical silence, gagging and choking, while acid sizzled their skin away. They couldn’t get a good look at what they had walked into, but they could tell that water was coming in from somewhere.
Velsharoon never did know how many had died from his spells, as opposed to the number killed by drowning in Bezantur’s sewerage. Of course, it didn’t really matter to him. For over three centuries, Ythazz Buvarr, First Zulkir of Thay, Master of Evocation, had found himself trapped inside a box held in the hands of a golem whose main order was to keep the box closed, no matter what.
Still, as time passed, Ythazz’s evil began to taint the area in which he was kept. Undead were drawn to the magic-dead cave by droves, only to be slaughtered by the waiting golems who were set to guard against intruders. A handful had actually managed to survive, usually vampires, though they usually were unable to escape past the air elemental charged with preventing escape in gaseous form which was added later. Those few only knew that a voice from within the box promised them great wealth and power if they could provide him with a suitable host. None had managed to open the box yet.
Velsharoon wondered if three centuries of solitary confinement had driven the demi-lich to madness yet. The old lich had been confined to his phylactery before, so perhaps he was used to it by now. He almost felt sorry for the evoker, but then he remembered all the slights. Of course, he also owed his current status as a deity to Ythazz’s irreverence for the divine.
It had been during one of their lab experiments in Halruaa that the old lich had first let loose his knowledge of how a human had actually arisen to become divine. It had been prior to the foolish aspirations of the Netherese mage Karsus, who had tried and failed to steal Mystryl’s office. Perhaps word of Mellifleur’s accidental success had been what had driven Karsus on to folly. After all, if a backwater Narfellian archmage could become divine, surely the greatest mage Netheril had ever seen could do better.
Of course, Mellifleur’s ascension to divinity had been entirely an accident of timing and magical affinity. Ythazz was never quite sure what had happened, but he knew that the priesthood of Bane had gotten quite upset and set about on a short lived campaign to destroy wizardly liches. Ythazz always assumed that the man who would be god had somehow tapped into the power of Bane as he was placing his divine power into one of his baneliches. Of course, it hadn’t really mattered to Ythazz much, since he knew he could not hope to duplicate the ritual since he was already a lich. All it did was reassure to him that the divine deserved nothing but his scorn.
For Velsharoon, however, this story was an intriguing mystery which he locked away to research if clues became available. Over the intervening centuries he had gathered bits and pieces of information, but by no means was he close to an answer. Just finding mage-priests of Mellifleur was hard enough, but getting any kind of information on their history was next to impossible. Especially considering that they had no fear of being destroyed since most would simply retreat to their well-hidden phylacteries. Finally opportunity knocked with the Time of Troubles.
Velsharoon was as shocked as everyone else when the gods were cast out of the heavens to Toril. However, he realized that if they all were descended then so was the Lord of Liches. If they’d all had to take on mortal form in the bodies of their worshippers, then Mellifleur would need the body of a lich. Nowhere on Toril is there a greater concentration of liches than the Warlock’s Crypt. A few careful divinations later and he had confirmation that the avatar of Mellifleur was indeed in Larloch’s lair. Apparently, the avatar was giving the archlich a good bit of trouble as well, for he had used magic to seize control of many of Larloch’s subordinate undead.
Magic having turned wild, the Warlock’s Crypt was suffering from numerous issues as wards and defenses warped upon themselves. Larloch found himself turning from one problem to the next, with little time to confront the bigger issue of finding out who it was that was taking control of his minions. It was in the midst of this chaos that Velsharoon used his scrying magics to try and find Mellifleur, providing a false vision should anyone detect his spycraft of Larloch himself. Thus was the bait set, as Mellifleur’s avatar believed that the Archlich was about to descend upon him. The god in mortal form descended upon the Netherese necromancer with his horde of liches.
Larloch proved a challenge even for an avatar, and Mellifleur’s physical body was destroyed. This of course was exactly what Velsharoon had hoped would happen. While the spellbattle had occurred, the renegade red wizard had found and placed a specialized spirit trapping spell upon the avatar’s phylactery. Bound within, Velsharoon was able to seize the phylactery and transport away. Luckily, it had taken Larloch months to get his defenses back in place and recapture his escaped undead servants following the end of the Godswar. It had given Velsharoon enough time that he could hide the phylactery with his sorcery and seek a new identity. It would take time for Larloch to catch up to him, and Velsharoon had had to leave behind much of his resources in the Tower Terrible in Soorenar, but in the end he was on the road to immortality.
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Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11993 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2007 : 20:19:11
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part 5 ***********************************
Szass Tam cursed and hurled the ebony paperweight across the room. The tiefling had indeed been able to contact Mellifleur from the “other side” as he’d called it. However, the vestige had proven to be decidedly useless in its ability to confirm or deny anything that Velsharoon had done to achieve his divinity. The last thing Mellifleur had seen was apparently fighting the master of the Warlock’s Crypt during the time of troubles, before being entrapped within his phylactery by the renegade red wizard. Over the next decade, his consciousness had been contacted by a human necromancer by the name of Velsharoon on occasion to confirm certain things for historical importance. He’d not wanted to answer, but Mellifleur found himself growing weaker and weaker after the end of the Time of Troubles, and his keeper was a necromancer of no small skill.
In the end, the only thing Tam had truly learned was why he’d been contacted by Larloch a few years back. The arch-lich had been eager to find out what knowledge Tam had of Velsharoon, amongst other things, and Larloch had even sweetened the deal by offering a pair of artifacts. Szass had thought the request entirely strange, but keeping on agreeable terms with Larloch was in the Zulkir of Necromancy’s best interest. In fact, it had developed into a bit of a mutual respect, but one which was always tempered by the fact that neither fully trusted the other.
To say that things had gone badly in Tam’s attempt to use those two artifacts was an understatement. He’d attempted to enslave the tanar’ri lord, Eltab, but with a stronger bond than that used by his predecessors amongst the early red wizards. Using the ritual of twin burnings, Tam attempted to use the spirits of sacrificed champions of good to bind Eltab using Tharkorsil’s Seat. He’d been interrupted during the crafting of the final rune of chaos, and thus had Eltab achieved his freedom.
His effort had not been without costs. The city of Eltabbar lay in ruins. Rumors of Tam’s failure had slowly started disseminating even to members amongst the general populace. To say that it had started a general decline in the morale of the country was an understatement. Follow that up with threats from a newly risen deity who would like nothing less than to see Tam fail so that he could seek retribution.
Things had started to spiral towards ruin, and his only hope was to recapture the heart’s of the commoners. Luckily, chance had smiled upon him with a meeting with Samas Kul, Master of the Guild of Foreign Trade. The people were unhappy, but happiness could be bought if the monies for extra luxuries could be levied. Samas Kul’s plan to annex new enclaves were the perfect means to make the mob happy again for the short term. Once the people were happy with their governors again, then Tam could remind them of the greatness of necromancy…. And thereby forestall his own doom until he could find a means to unseat Velsharoon.
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Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2007 : 22:34:14
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| Could you space your paragraphs? It's a bit hard to read. :) |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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Penknight
Senior Scribe
USA
538 Posts |
Posted - 20 Jun 2007 : 23:09:40
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So... question. Does this mean that we can post stories of our own here? Also, since a few people that actually work for Wizards seem to frequent this site, does that mean that we might actually get recognized by Wizards if we are really good? And at the very least, Mr. Greenwood would hear about us if Lady THO liked the story (if she happened to read it)? Jeez, that would be enough for me. 
I don't mean to take away from your story, friend sleyvas. I just thought that I would ask and see what happens. Please forgive my intrusion.
*inclines head respectfully* |
Telethian Phoenix
Pathfinder Reference Document |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2007 : 00:42:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Penknight
So... question. Does this mean that we can post stories of our own here? Also, since a few people that actually work for Wizards seem to frequent this site, does that mean that we might actually get recognized by Wizards if we are really good? And at the very least, Mr. Greenwood would hear about us if Lady THO liked the story (if she happened to read it)? Jeez, that would be enough for me.
I don't mean to take away from your story, friend sleyvas. I just thought that I would ask and see what happens. Please forgive my intrusion.
*inclines head respectfully*
Aye, but usually we stick these in the Adventuring forum. There was some talk, a year or so ago, of us scribes putting together a fan anthology also, but it never got off the ground, unlike the Compendium. I know I still have a few tales that I made notes on, or started, that were for the short story collection but I don't know if they'll ever be fan published. |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36874 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2007 : 00:43:49
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quote:
Originally posted by Penknight
So... question. Does this mean that we can post stories of our own here?
Yes.
quote:
Originally posted by Penknight
Also, since a few people that actually work for Wizards seem to frequent this site, does that mean that we might actually get recognized by Wizards if we are really good?
I've yet to see any regular scribe here get official recognition from Wizards. It's just not the way to do it.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen!  |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31799 Posts |
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Penknight
Senior Scribe
USA
538 Posts |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11993 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2007 : 14:45:04
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<<Could you space your paragraphs? It's a bit hard to read. :)
Whoops, sorry Kuje. I guess something was lost in my copy and paste from word. I should've double-checked. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Kuje
Great Reader
USA
7915 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2007 : 16:18:37
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quote:
Originally posted by sleyvas
<<Could you space your paragraphs? It's a bit hard to read. :)
Whoops, sorry Kuje. I guess something was lost in my copy and paste from word. I should've double-checked.
No worries, just hope I didn't sound like a arse but the large blocks of text makes it hard to read. :) |
For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet and excite you... Books are full of the things that you don't get in real life - wonderful, lyrical language, for instance, right off the bat. - Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium |
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Bladedancer
Learned Scribe
USA
149 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jun 2007 : 17:48:59
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| Very solid writing (as always) in my humble opinion. I always enjoy your tales of Thay the den of corruption that it is. Keep up the good work and I look forward to more! |
Solarr Bladedancer
Mercenary For Hire
Master of the Ginsu Knives
They Slice They Dice They Will Cut through A Tin Can |
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Marquant Volker
Learned Scribe
Greece
273 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 19:34:55
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| The story and the writing is superb! Thank you |
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Ozzalum
Learned Scribe
USA
277 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 21:08:49
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Is this on the Candlekeep main site somewhere? It is really hard to read the blocks of text in this format. Of course I'm just too lazy to hit ctrl-c and ctrl-v into word, especially if someone else already has.
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11993 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 21:31:07
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quote:
Originally posted by Marquant Volker
The story and the writing is superb! Thank you
Thank you very much. It felt really good to write something again... all work and no play, you know. |
Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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sleyvas
Skilled Spell Strategist
USA
11993 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 21:39:41
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***********Part 1*************** Let's see if it keeps the spaces this time with tabs
There's nothing quite like the pain of rapid dehydration of one's external flesh and the shriveling of internal organs. First came the tightening of the skin, leaving it stretched over bone like a layer of thin leather. The withering of the eyeballs was perhaps the most disconcerting of it all. Next the lungs dried up like to the consistency of an old sponge. Its quite literally enough to make anyone scream in pain, if only one was still able to draw breath enough to give voice to their suffering. For a lich, it was perhaps even more excruciating because his body would not give into natural tendencies of a living being and pass out. Still, Szass Tam held his composure stoicly, unwilling to give his unexpected guest the pleasure of seeing him squirm.
But, perhaps seeing was the wrong word to use in this instance. The Zulkir of Necromancy could only feel the presence of the being that was torturing him. Of course, the aging lich knew who it was that tortured him. Apparently Szass was not going to be the first one to give in and ask for relief. “Always so steadfast you were Tam, its good to see that things have not changed so much…. For you that is.” Velsharoon said into his captive audience’s mind, his amusement over the situation obvious in his tone.
“I had wondered how long it would take you to get around to gloating,Velsharoon” replied Tam, his mental voice not as impaired as his physical one, “apparently divine ascension has not overly changed your nature. Or so you would have us think, no?”
“Well, it seems that word has gotten around. One would think I would have heard from you since my ascension to Lord of the Necromantic Arts,” Velsharoon paused for an instant to savor the irony, “ especially given your position in leading such a prestigious academy of necromancers.”
Tam’s response was both defiant and unexpected, “I don’t care what title you now claim, traitorous wretch. I will never kneel to your authority, and we both know you need me in order to survive.”
“I need you? Of course, you mistake your own worth to me.” Velsharoon responded, the mirth leaving his voice.
Szass took some enjoyment in being able to so easily upset a deity, especially a god who had been a thorn in his family’s side for centuries while in mortal form, “We both know that you need worshippers in order to survive. Nowhere will you find more available worshippers than in Thay.” Tam paused a moment to let his point sink in, “Even now, you find yourself a target for how many rival deities who would like nothing better than to tear you to shreds and steal your divine power? Without my hand at the helm, you know that Thay would fall to infighting. Necromancer would kill necromancer, all vying for the seat of Zulkir. Meanwhile, the other schools would seize upon the opportunity to thin the ranks of their enemies. It would be like before the Council of Zulkirs was formed, and you surely remember what that was like, O Vaunted One.” Acid tainted Tam’s use of the deity of necromancy’s self-proclaimed title.
Velsharoon’s anger at the last response was not unlike that of a petulant child. This was not how he had wanted his triumphant glory to have occurred. He had wanted to bend his ancient enemy to his knees and make him beg to keep his power. But, of course, he knew that Szass Tam was correct. “You are correct, son of Shevas Tam, you are a useful tool to me…. At this time. I will not enact my vengeance upon you for your family’s slights,” despite himself, Velsharoon could not help but pause dramatically, “so long as you remain useful to me.”
Tam’s response was cold and steady, “And so you will have my service, but never my heart. And when another strikes you down and takes up the mantle of Lord of Undeath, I will embrace their worship with fervor… that is if I don’t do it myself.”
Of course, Velsharoon would never let the old lich have the last word, “Speaking of your heart, you look awfully withered. Your people may not even recognize you any longer. You might want to see about improving your public image some more. After all, you wouldn’t want to look weak and lose their support… it could be life threatening.” With that, the Lord of Undeath cut the contact with Tam and found himself reveling in memory again.
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Alavairthae, may your skill prevail
Phillip aka Sleyvas |
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Mumadar Ibn Huzal
Master of Realmslore
1338 Posts |
Posted - 24 Sep 2007 : 19:46:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
I've yet to see any regular scribe here get official recognition from Wizards. It's just not the way to do it.
Brian perhaps  |
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Topic |
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Story by Sleyvas with realmslore and possibility
