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Event Page at Turbine
Quoted Fiction at Turbine
Adso stalked through the swamp under cover of night, moving from bush to bush in a hunched crawl that was a compromise between his need for stealth and his desire to keep his nose out of the fetid marsh water. The water in this area smelled particularly foul. It reeked of all the familiar swamp gases that he’d come to know and loathe in his past excursions into Blackmire, but it also carried with it a new and less familiar odor. It was a sharp, cloying odor, redolent of ozone. He stopped for a moment, trying to place the scent, trying to remember where he’d last encountered this odor…
“Scent can be an important tool,” Master had told him once, at the start of their training. “Often times, moving through forest or jungle, the smell of your prey will alert you to their presence before you can see or hear them. Especially if you are hunting Mosswarts or Banderlings. Conversely, your smell will almost certainly betray your presence if you’re stalking any kind of animal, and certain well-trained humans as well.” Master had smiled sharply at this, always amused by his own jokes. “Always try and approach from downwind, my apprentice. Or, failing that, try rolling around in some muck and dirt if you’re stalking prey out in the wilds, and maybe your milk-drinking man-stink won’t give you away.”
Adso reflected on that advice as he hunkered in the muck of the swamp. He was already covered toe to neck in the effluvium of the Blackmire, and the reek was starting to interfere with his own sense of smell. He dared not dunk his head in, to block his nose and mouth with the stink.
He shook his head, breaking himself out of his reverie, and bent his mind back to the task at hand. He could see lights ahead, just a stone’s throw away. A few minutes later, after very careful and stealthy progress, he spotted the source of activity through a gap in the undergrowth. Somehow the Tanada had constructed a Sho tower in the swamp! He could see a few human forms, silhouetted by firelight, moving back and forth in front of the tower’s opening. There also appeared to be some kind of earthworks in the vicinity, a pile of earth excavated from the festering ground and piled near the tower.
Adso found a good ambush spot in the lee of a banyan tree and watched for patrols. As he waited, he checked on the state of his enchantments, making sure that the armoring spells set on his well-worn leather armor were still strong. He’d fought the Tanada enough times to appreciate the help of a good armor enchantment.
Satisfied with the state of his armor, he watched as a sentry walked out near his position from the tower. Grinning in anticipation of a clean and satisfying kill, he readied his knife, also blessed with powerful enchantments, and allowed the prey to come to him.
The Tanada moved stealthily and warily, showing an admirable sense of discipline as he patrolled the outer perimeter of this godforsaken outpost. He moved as if expecting attack at any moment, but he did not seem to show any awareness that Adso was there.
Adso’s own skill proved to be superior to the Tanada’s. In the hazy night of the swamp, where moonlight filtered unevenly through the trees and swamp gases flickered in the distance, Adso’s strike could not have been more perfect. He was a silent shadow, flitting out briefly from the shelter of the banyan to grab the patrolling assassin. In one swift movement, he wrapped one arm around the Tanada’s throat and mouth, plunging his thick-bladed knife into the back of the Tanada’s neck, cleanly severing the spinal column even as he closed in on his foe. An efficient, nearly bloodless kill, so that his enemies would not even be alerted by the smell of blood.
The Tanada collapsed without a sound, and Adso laid the corpse neatly down in the shadow of the banyan tree where he’d been hiding. The body disposed of, he stalked out into the swamp once more, moving slowly towards the tower again. He could see two more guards. If he was lucky, he could get to the tower and the dig site without alerting any of them. He still hadn’t decided which one to investigate first. He was under no illusions that he’d long remain undiscovered as soon as he breached the threshold of either structure.
Barely a minute after his clean and perfect kill, he noticed a stirring from the earthworks. He could see half a dozen Tanada, clad in scaly dark armor that looked black in the dim light, streaming swiftly from the opening in the ground. They were all coming towards his position. They all had blades out. They made not a sound as they swarmed towards him.
This shouldn’t have been possible. How could they know where he was? It was almost as if they were in instant communication with each other…
There was a splash behind him. One of the Tanada had dropped out of the branches of the very tree where he’d stashed the first murdered assassin. This one bore no weapons, but his fingers were bunched and pointed in a position that Adso had among the most advanced practitioners of the Sho fighting arts. He had no time to defend himself. The assassin’s hand jabbed forward, almost too fast to track, and he felt an explosion of pain in his ribs.
“Nonsense,” he said, as he felt the too-keen bite of an iron-hard hand. “Armor spell… failed…” He hadn’t felt a punch that hard since he’d tangled with that nest of Hollow Minions…
All of a sudden it made sense. The responsiveness of the Tanada guards, the sharp tang of otherworldly corruption in the air, the assassin’s fist that blasted through his magical protection like a dagger through cheap linen…
The world went light, and he blacked out before the other Tanada arrived to finish him off.
[2007/07] Intelligent Designs
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[2007/07] Intelligent Designs
by Ziv » 10 Aug 2007 09:06
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Ziv 
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Rollout Article
by Ziv » 10 Aug 2007 09:08
[turbine]
Quoted Rollout Article at Turbine
Borelean, prince of New Aluvia and leader of the Whispering Blade, turned back to view the tactical map which had caused such consternation of late.
A map of the island of Dereth had been unrolled upon the table, depicting the land from the rain forests of the Vesayens to the cold Viamontian strongholds of Marae Lassel and the Halaetans, and from the tainted wildernesses of Vissidalthe Dark Isle to the strange formation known as the Singularity Caul. Borelean pointed at markers that had been placed at various points upon the map.
“Cragstone… the Vesayens… the Direlands… Tusker Island… and the Olthoi infestation in the northeast. What in the name of all that is good is the connection?” he asked the room at large, frustration in his voice.
“I do not know, but perhaps the more compelling question is how our enemy has the resources and power to undertake actions in all of these different places,” responded a slender, black-haired young Sho woman clad in white robes.
Borelean ran his hand through his sandy brown hair. While it was held back by a circlet, his hair’s natural inclination was to flop forward towards his eyes, further irritating him. Still, he had learned enough about leadership to refrain from unleashing his impatience and impetuosity upon those who sat in attendance to advise him.
The first of his companions was Hoshino Kei, whom he knew primarily from studying with Harlune and from the subsequent creation of the portal to Bur. Kei’s eyes were careful to obscure any emotions she felt about the situation, and her motions guarded. Borelean had asked her to be present as a second opinion should higher magics be involved… and because he did not wish to involve any of his mother Queen Elysa’s own magical advisors.
The second was his colleague and occasional rival, Adso. HWhile he was never certain that he could fully trust this shadowy blondfair-haired man with the shadowy reputation, knowing precisely who his master was. However, he also respected Adso’s insight, and he could not see a way that their master would benefit from this new enemy gaining influence over Dereth. Adso had seen much of the activity within Dereth, and he could be trusted to be discreet.
The last was a pessimistic scout by the name of Ardry the Dubious. It was said that he ended up at his lifestone more often than one normally should, and yet still managed to be as well-informed as anyone about the goings-on in Dereth. While normally reports came through Aliester the Loquacious, in this case Borelean desired a personal appearance by the one who had seemed to suffer so much in the name of New Aluvia. Ardry and Adso had exchanged pointed looks, and Borelean could sense the rivalry in the air, but he had no time for such foolishness at this meeting.
“You’re right, Kei,” Borelean acknowledged, allowing a small amount of praise to overcome his grudging acceptance of her superior analysis. In the time they had spent studying together, the prince had grown to admire the sorceress’s ability to assess a situation and efficiently work towards a solution. Borelean glanced toward Adso and Ardry and continued, “Tell me more about the resources and power of our enemy.”
“Those whom I’ve encountered have proven more organized and more strategically savvy than before,” Ardry contributed, “It’s as if the traditionally disorganized monsters of the land all decided that they would be more effective unifying under strong leaders…well, all but the Banderlings. The leaders are exhibiting increased intelligence and skill beyond their previously known capabilities. The sorts of modification alteration exhibited so far, and the experimental logs that have been retrieved, resemble what the Virindi have done in the past.”
Adso coolly nodded, then added, “My encounter with the Tanada also implies Virindi involvement. I think that the answer may lie in portal space.”
“Portal space?” Ardry asked, “That’s an awfully large place to look.”
Borelean tapped his finger pensively upon the map. The others in the room remained silent for a moment, awaiting the prince’s forthcoming comment. Finally, Borelean spoke in a quiet, assured tone.
“The opening of the portal to Bur taught me something about the intricacies of portal space. It is a difficult place to understand – its spatial presence does not work in the same way as the world we know. It cannot be navigated easily, except in certain very stable pocketss, generally created by the Virindi or some other powerful portal mage. I wouldn’t know how to find anything without some clear anchor to start from,” Borelean quietly said, sounding defeated.
“We may have an anchor,” Hoshino Kei answered, “Do you recall the reports about the Monougas being held in the cavern in the Direlands?”
“Yes, but I do not see how you mean it.”
“I do, Borelean,” Adso commented, “The Monougas in that cavern are not always there. They are portalled in from some other location.”
Comprehension dawned in Borelean’s eyes. “So, then, you ask if I can trace this portal back? I can try,” he said, punctuating his statement with an emphatic gesture towards the Direlands on the map. He looked at the three gathered with him in the room.
“What is your command, your Highness?” Ardry asked. Adso smirked at the formal address, while Kei looked at Borelean with expectation… and perhaps a touch of admiration.
“I don’t command…I ask. Will you help me?” Borelean spoke in a quiet voice. He placed his hand, palm up, on the map table.
Hoshino Kei was first. She placed her delicate hand upon his, and nodded imperceptibly. “Yes, your Highness,” she said.
Adso followed suit. “I’m not doing anything this afternoon… why not raid a cavern of murderous Drudges?” he slyly quipped.
Ardry murmured thoughtfully, “And perhaps with some skilled companions by my side, I’ll actually not visit my lifestone today.” He placed his hand upon the others’ and nodded.
Borelean allowed himself to smile slightly. “Then it’s settled. Let’s prepare our gear.”
Quoted Rollout Article at Turbine
Borelean, prince of New Aluvia and leader of the Whispering Blade, turned back to view the tactical map which had caused such consternation of late.
A map of the island of Dereth had been unrolled upon the table, depicting the land from the rain forests of the Vesayens to the cold Viamontian strongholds of Marae Lassel and the Halaetans, and from the tainted wildernesses of Vissidalthe Dark Isle to the strange formation known as the Singularity Caul. Borelean pointed at markers that had been placed at various points upon the map.
“Cragstone… the Vesayens… the Direlands… Tusker Island… and the Olthoi infestation in the northeast. What in the name of all that is good is the connection?” he asked the room at large, frustration in his voice.
“I do not know, but perhaps the more compelling question is how our enemy has the resources and power to undertake actions in all of these different places,” responded a slender, black-haired young Sho woman clad in white robes.
Borelean ran his hand through his sandy brown hair. While it was held back by a circlet, his hair’s natural inclination was to flop forward towards his eyes, further irritating him. Still, he had learned enough about leadership to refrain from unleashing his impatience and impetuosity upon those who sat in attendance to advise him.
The first of his companions was Hoshino Kei, whom he knew primarily from studying with Harlune and from the subsequent creation of the portal to Bur. Kei’s eyes were careful to obscure any emotions she felt about the situation, and her motions guarded. Borelean had asked her to be present as a second opinion should higher magics be involved… and because he did not wish to involve any of his mother Queen Elysa’s own magical advisors.
The second was his colleague and occasional rival, Adso. HWhile he was never certain that he could fully trust this shadowy blondfair-haired man with the shadowy reputation, knowing precisely who his master was. However, he also respected Adso’s insight, and he could not see a way that their master would benefit from this new enemy gaining influence over Dereth. Adso had seen much of the activity within Dereth, and he could be trusted to be discreet.
The last was a pessimistic scout by the name of Ardry the Dubious. It was said that he ended up at his lifestone more often than one normally should, and yet still managed to be as well-informed as anyone about the goings-on in Dereth. While normally reports came through Aliester the Loquacious, in this case Borelean desired a personal appearance by the one who had seemed to suffer so much in the name of New Aluvia. Ardry and Adso had exchanged pointed looks, and Borelean could sense the rivalry in the air, but he had no time for such foolishness at this meeting.
“You’re right, Kei,” Borelean acknowledged, allowing a small amount of praise to overcome his grudging acceptance of her superior analysis. In the time they had spent studying together, the prince had grown to admire the sorceress’s ability to assess a situation and efficiently work towards a solution. Borelean glanced toward Adso and Ardry and continued, “Tell me more about the resources and power of our enemy.”
“Those whom I’ve encountered have proven more organized and more strategically savvy than before,” Ardry contributed, “It’s as if the traditionally disorganized monsters of the land all decided that they would be more effective unifying under strong leaders…well, all but the Banderlings. The leaders are exhibiting increased intelligence and skill beyond their previously known capabilities. The sorts of modification alteration exhibited so far, and the experimental logs that have been retrieved, resemble what the Virindi have done in the past.”
Adso coolly nodded, then added, “My encounter with the Tanada also implies Virindi involvement. I think that the answer may lie in portal space.”
“Portal space?” Ardry asked, “That’s an awfully large place to look.”
Borelean tapped his finger pensively upon the map. The others in the room remained silent for a moment, awaiting the prince’s forthcoming comment. Finally, Borelean spoke in a quiet, assured tone.
“The opening of the portal to Bur taught me something about the intricacies of portal space. It is a difficult place to understand – its spatial presence does not work in the same way as the world we know. It cannot be navigated easily, except in certain very stable pocketss, generally created by the Virindi or some other powerful portal mage. I wouldn’t know how to find anything without some clear anchor to start from,” Borelean quietly said, sounding defeated.
“We may have an anchor,” Hoshino Kei answered, “Do you recall the reports about the Monougas being held in the cavern in the Direlands?”
“Yes, but I do not see how you mean it.”
“I do, Borelean,” Adso commented, “The Monougas in that cavern are not always there. They are portalled in from some other location.”
Comprehension dawned in Borelean’s eyes. “So, then, you ask if I can trace this portal back? I can try,” he said, punctuating his statement with an emphatic gesture towards the Direlands on the map. He looked at the three gathered with him in the room.
“What is your command, your Highness?” Ardry asked. Adso smirked at the formal address, while Kei looked at Borelean with expectation… and perhaps a touch of admiration.
“I don’t command…I ask. Will you help me?” Borelean spoke in a quiet voice. He placed his hand, palm up, on the map table.
Hoshino Kei was first. She placed her delicate hand upon his, and nodded imperceptibly. “Yes, your Highness,” she said.
Adso followed suit. “I’m not doing anything this afternoon… why not raid a cavern of murderous Drudges?” he slyly quipped.
Ardry murmured thoughtfully, “And perhaps with some skilled companions by my side, I’ll actually not visit my lifestone today.” He placed his hand upon the others’ and nodded.
Borelean allowed himself to smile slightly. “Then it’s settled. Let’s prepare our gear.”
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Pictures
by Ziv » 10 Aug 2007 09:16
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Ziv - Posts: 4185
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