The Blackshade Brothers

[Shebara]

<p>This is a series of detailed accounts involving two Iksarian brothers, bearing the ancient and little-known clanname of Blackshade. </p><p>A massive Iksar strides into the section of Freeport known as the Scale yard. All around he glanced, his near-black scales reflecting the torchlight, his black eyes glaring almost at most of the beings he ran across. A wrapped hand grasped the door to a room in the inn and swings it open with some force. Sitting at his desk, as usual, is Likkorak, scribbling away on some parchment about some formula. The larger Iksar strides forward and grasps Likkorak's arm firmly, causing him to drop his quill."...You left me for dead, brother..."Likkorak blinks several times, then turns slowly to face the other Iksar."...Zethak...."The large Iksar yanks Likkorak out of the chair, causing him to fall to the floor quite violently. Likkorak reached for his staff, but Zethak kicked it away."Stop your little act you have going on.. you could have not deteriorated that much in the time you abandoned me.."Likkorak muttered and easily pulled himself up, calling his staff into his hands and glared."...Nice to see you, too..."Likkorak brushed himself off as Zethak glanced around."...So... where are our kin.."Likkorak pauses and snorts."They are not my responsibility... if you wish to find them, seek them out yourself.."Zethak suddenly backhands Likkorak, causing him to fly across the room and into the far wall."They are the only family we have left! How can you be so negligent!"Likkorak mutters and cracks his jaw back into place."...You should know how I am, brother... I could care less for them or for you... you, the cause of my neverending rest..."Zethak's eyes widened, then narrowed again."...That was not my fault....""You were the one that befriended that damnable dark elf...""I did not expect her to lead me to cursing us....""You and your kindness shall be the true end of us all.."The two glared at one another for a while, then Zethak swung a fist at Likkorak's face. Likkorak easily dodged the blow and snarled."...Rescah is about somewhere, and as for Anubo and Neudak, I have not seen or heard from them in many years..."Zethak glared silently, nodded, and strode out. Likkorak rubbed his chin and muttered to himself, picking up his teeth and going back to his scribing.</p>

[niko_teen]

loving brothers if ever i did see a pair <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />

[Shebara]

The snows swirled fiercely around Everfrost; a blizzard had beset the land. Huddled inside a large crevice was a figure, all wrapped up beyond recognition next to a fire, which was dying quickly. A larger figure appeared from further inside the crevice, revealing himself to be Zethak."Brother... come inside... it is much warmer there..."The huddled figure, Likkorak, turned his head slowly to meet his brother's gaze."...We'd be fine if you hadn't dragged us here in the first place...""We'd be out of here faster if you just do as I say..."Likkorak sneered, "I don't take orders from you..."Zethak sighed and then turned back into the crevice."Have fun being a repti-cicle then..."Likkorak muttered to himself, and after a few minutes the blizzard grew increasingly worse. He soon found himself without a fire, and decided to move back into the hole. He came upon an ice crystal cavern, a large fire burning in the middle of it, and Zethak in silent meditation. The grumpy Iksar made his way closer to the fire and sat down."...Exactly why did you drag me all the way out here again?"Zethak opened one eye, "Because you need the training as well... based on my observations about what you've turned yourself in to, you should be glad to be away from any living thing.""You're alive, aren't you...""True, but as your kin, I shouldn't be a bother to you.""You're more of a bother than a hatchling to his mother..."Many comments shot back and forth for a while between the two, echoing across the cave walls. After a while Zethak sighed and stood up."...You do realize that the Iksar across the Shattered Lands are being persecuted wrongly because of the recent activties on the sea, correct?"Likkorak glanced up, then back to the fire as he remembered his own encounter with them..."Alright, to the Bane of Prexus with ya, and don't forget to report any interesting finds ta me, understood?"Likkorak sighed and nodded at the Seafury captain. He heard that the buccaneers were looking for hired help in finding the old land of Kunark. He knew exactly where it was, however, even after it floated further out into the ocean. He hated serving others, and even moreso, hated ships. He grumbled a bit as he boarded the boat, heading down to the cabin and finding the least rocky spot he could. Sooner or later the deck call was issued. Likkorak pulled himself out of his cot, pulled on his robe, and headed up the stairs to the main deck, staff in hand."There have been sightings of ships that are flying our colors in these waters. I want everyone to keep a sharp lookout," the captain said. Likkorak nodded again as he turned outward and watched the seas rolling. Soon he turned greener than usual and eventually found himself hurling over the side of the boat. The deckhands all laughed at him; he simply glared at them and continued his attempt to keep a lookout."There's a ship approaching from the port side!"Likkorak snapped awake, leaning over the side of the ship as he turned around. Sure enough, a ship was approaching fast. Likkorak could barely make out the distant figures of Iksar. He narrowed his gaze as he picked up his staff and watched as the ship pulled alongside his and ran a plank across.It was a bitter and bloody fight... many of the deckhands lost their lives as the Iksar stormed the boat. One turned his blades towards Likkorak, but they were intercepted by his servant's own blades. He watched as they fought, then directed his attention to two more coming his way. He muttered a few words of magic and one of the attackers became chained to the floor. The other slashed at Likkorak, cathing his arm a bit. He muttered and shot a hand out and grabbed the attacker's face. The attacking Iksar screamed in agony and fell back as his face began to rot. Likkorak's hand began to glow a sickly green as he summoned some undead animals to take care of the chained Iksar."For Venril!!!"Likkorak's eyes widened, and for a moment he was caught off-guard. That was just enough time for the Iksaress captain to pin him to the floor."You are Iksssar, too? Come with usss to sserve our great Lord Venril... united, our race ssshall desstroy all the ssoftsskinss and thosse pessky Ssarnak... Norrath will be oursss!"Likkorak snarled as his hands began to glow again."I will never serve that traitorus coward!""Then die!!!"Likkorak's servant suddenly appeared out of nowhere and drove off the captain, giving Likkorak a chance to recover. His hands shone brighter as he shot a piercing ray at the captain. She gasped, stumbled and fell to the floor, dead. The ray returned to Likkorak and the wound on his arm healed over. He snatched the map from her pockets, and took some other trinkets from the other dead Iksar as well."Ar! Good work, scaley! Glad ta see yer working on our side, eh?"Likkorak glanced up and merely nodded at the captain. "...Likk.... wake up, you fell asleep again, you old bat..."Likkorak muttered as he groggily sat up and stared at his brother."The blizzard is over with. Do you want to go back home or not?"The Iksar nodded and began to pack up his things, destination was the Shadow Keep...

[Shebara]

Likkorak and Zethak both entered the Shadow Keep silently and glanced around. Seeing that nobody was present (or thought they weren't), the brothers walked in. Likkorak headed for the nearest alchemy table as Zethak stood behind him, reaching into a pouch."Why must you hide yourself, brother..."Likkorak mumbled as he rummaged around various bottles and odd ingredients."It is a necessity of today... if people found out I was different, where would I go..?""It pains me to see you lie to yourself..."With that last remark, Zethak plunged an odd syringe into Likkorak's back. The Iksar growled and swiped at his brother, then paused as his robe split."What have you done?!" Likkorak paused again as his voice was not exactly the same.Zethak simply stood back and stared calmly at his brother. "I have revealed your true self."Likkorak muttered and shirked off the robe, glancing into the mirror. He stood up straighter and did not look like his other self at all. He was quite muscular, and his scales were a brighter shade of green. His dull eyes shone brightly, his yellow iris contrasting with a pink background. He stared for a moment, then spoke again, a deep enriched voice that rang in the empty room."...Why.. why did you use a dispelling potion on me..."Zethak shrugged and tossed the needle into a nearby basket."Because the world needs to see who you really are. You aren't old; you haven't aged a day since we were cursed. Also.. you're more likely to find a nice female like this."Zethak chuckled and dodged a swipe from his brother."You idiot! The only female that ever took interest in me called me an insane looney and fled to kill herself!""You were an insane loony. You tried to bring her back to life."Likkorak muttered and stared at the remains of his robe."Now I'll have to find a tailor for this..."Zethak snatched up the robe and whipped out a needle instantly."...And why she did not see how my research was going to change the world, I do not know..."Zethak paused in his stitching and glanced up."It was un-orthodox.""That's what they all said!"Likkorak kicked over a stool and muttered to himself again, then started for the door."Aren't you going to wait until I am done? Or would you rather go shirtless..."The door slammed promptly and Zethak simply shrugged and continued his stitching...

[Shebara]

Likkorak stormed down the streets of North Freeport, glancing up at the gathering rainclouds and muttering once again to himself. He usually enjoyed the rain, but today felt odd... probably because of the fact that he was running around shirtless and was his young, handsome self again. Wait, handsome?"....Ow..."Likkorak rubbed his cheek where he had slapped it, then sighed as he dug through his packs for some sort of covering. Unfortunately, there was none. Muttering again, he headed off to nowhere in particular, ducking through various alleyways and tripping over sleeping ratongas. Anyone who would have spotted him would never have guessed he was Likkorak, instead of just a random Iksar. He soon found himself in the Scale Yard, and found something else as well.Apparently a small group of females took notice to him, and had been following him around for some time, giggling and talking amongst themselves as the followed. Likkorak turned around and stared at the group; they winked at him. He blinked and slowly turned back around, walking slowly and calmly towards the inn. Casting a backwards glance, he found the group still stalking him. This wasn't unusual for Likkorak, if he was back in old Torsis, of course. Females constantly tried to get his attention back then. It was one of the reasons he disguised himself as an old grump.He clambored up a drainpipe, getting various "oohs" and "aahs" from the females, and hopped over the roof, quickly ducking inside and opening the door to his inn room, securely locking it, and barricading it, behind him. He then walked over to a nearby mirror and simply stared at himself for a while."Times have changed.. but have you?"

[Shebara]

A hunched figure stalked through the streets of Freeport, a long hood over its face and the only discernable feature was its long, thin tail, with thin spikes jutting out from it. It passed unnoticed throughout the city, heading to a particular inn room. The figure raised a hand to the door, and it opened slowly, quietly. Inside the room sat our friend Likkorak, at his autopsy table, back turned towards the door, obviously "processing" his latest Qeynosian victim. The hunched figure stood quietly in the doorway, and Likkorak slowly turned around and eyed the figure."I do not mean to intrude.. your door -was- unlocked... I have been searching for you for a long time, now."The figure removed its hood, revealing itself to be a blue and red Sarnak, his violet eyes burning into the Iksar's. With a look of shock and surprise on his face, Likkorak scowled and thrust a bolt of decay at the Sarnak. He was instantly knocked down, and Likkorak moved quickly, thrusting his staff in the Sarnak's face."I *cough* ...I bear you no ill will! Look!"The Sarnak fished a medallion out from his pocket and showed it to the Iksar, who was still quite bitter. The amulet bore the ancient symbol of the Sebilisian empire, however, it was entwined with twin snakes. The ancient symbol of the Blackshade clan. Likkorak stared at it and took it carefully."....Where did you get this..."The Sarnak pulled himself up and brushed off his robes."My family has been serving yours for a long time. With the Rending, we were seperated, and only recently have I been able to obtain transportation to this city. My name is Sidrak. Unfortunately I cannot stay for long, but soon I shall be able to return from Kunark..."Likkorak blinked and grasped the amulet firmly."Then you will take me with you. To Kunark. I -have- to see what's become of it. I must..."Sidrak nodded, and the following day, two robed figures were seen on an uncharted ship, sailing south...

[Shebara]

<i>Shissar. Snake-men created by Cazic, just like us. They overpowered and enslaved the Iksar race, until the Greenmist came and utterly destroyed them.Charasis. Entombed by spirits of Tunare, Brell Serilis, and Karana.Veksar. Destroyed by the dragon Garudon. He died while destroying it. Veksar sank to the bottom of the Lake of Ill Omen.Torsis. Fell under a terrible curse. Neh'Ashirr vanished. She was the mate of Lord Rak'Ashirr, ruler of the city. Lord Ghiosk was having an affair with Neh, and her disappearance caused Rak to lay down the path to the city's demise.Sebilis. Destroyed by the traitorous dragon Trakanon, who went against the Ring of Scale. Mortally wounded, he turned himself undead.Cabilis. Destroyed in the war against Rok Nilok's forces.The five grand cities of the ancient Sebilisian empire, the empire of the Iksar.Five tribes created these cities.Kunzar.Kylong.Jarsath.Obulus.Nathsar.Empero r Atrebe Sathir bred Iksar and dragons to create the Sarnak. The Sokokar were frogloks bred with dragons. This is just a brief history of what we have been through, of what we have suffered. And it is time for me to rediscover that past, that period of time that I have suffered through. That small window of opportunity presented itself to me, and I have found it. With the aid of my family's ancient servants, I have obtained passage back home. Home. I have not used that word in such a long time. It has been many, many years since my eyes have looked upon my homeland, Kunark. I am almost afraid of what I might find, but Cazic will guide me... just like he has been guiding my family for the past three thousand years.</i>-From the journal of Likkorak Blackshade, Descendant of the Kunzar

[Shebara]

<p>Likkorak walked calmly through the lands of Kunark, with an almost unsteady step, like he was walking on an illusion. His pink eyes gazed across the fields and hills, to a large castle perched in the distance, guarded by the drolvarg. He moved quickly and silently towards an open section of the plains, until he stopped suddenly and glanced down.A single rock was marked with the Blackshade symbol: the symbol of the ancient Sebilisian empire intertwined with snakes. As he glanced up, more and more of the marked rocks appeared seemingly out of nowhere."Brothers and sisters of the Blackshade clan... long have you rested here in silence... protected by our magics... but one does not belong..."He moved silently towards the end of the dozens of rocks to an unmarked stone, and bent down."Sithia... it has been a long time since we last spoke... you probably still don't want to speak with me, anyways..."</p><p>The past....</p><p>A calm breeze flowed through the Dreadlands, touching everything as it went. The drolvarg and the drachnids went about their businesses as a lone Iksar watched in silence. The young Likkorak glanced over the small graveyard of his ancestors, walking over to two fresh ones, and laying down a small offering."Cazic Thule, guide my mother and father well into the afterlife... they were devout servants, and served fiercely to the end."He sighed, then turned around upon hearing a noise. A young female approached him, dipping her head slightly."My apologies if I have disturbed you... I thought I would find you out here."Likkorak nodded and returned the dip of the head, then turned back to the stones."It will only be a matter of time before the rest of them find us and execute us..."The female walked up and layed a calm hand on his shoulder."I will do my best to stop that from happening, my love."Likkorak nodded again and turned to face the female and met her gaze."My research is almost completed... with it, we can be together forever without the worry of death..."Suddenly the female's eyes narrowed."I asked you to stop with the research... it's just... not right. Borrowing the bodies of others? Doesn't a lich do that?""Liches are bound by their phylacterys. Destroy that, kill the lich, and it is no more. This... this is different. A soul transfer..""I would rather stay in my own body. And how many bodies have you defiled already, huh? How many souls can't be put to rest because of you?"Likkorak snarled and began to walk away, only to have his arm grabbed roughly by the female."Answer me, Likkorak!"He simply narrowed his gaze, jerked his arm back, and continued walking.Later, in his lab, he was bent over the bodies of two recently-deceased Iksar, who died in the war. He turned them over on their backs, and took a large scalpel and made a slit from head to tail, then split their arms and legs. Peeling the skin and flesh back and pinning it down, he took a thick pair of shears and began to cut the bone and sinew out, as well as removing the innards, soon leaving a shell of flesh and skin. As he turned the bodies back over, he heard a heavy slam from above."Likkorak, I want to tal-"The female stared horrified at the bodies as she entered the room, a hand slowly reaching her maw, trembling. Likkorak blinked, glancing from the bodies to his future mate."...Y... you... Hesiik... father... wh.."Likkorak's eyes widened as his eyes shot back to the bodies. Suddenly he saw the faces of the female's father and brother, and he dropped his tools immediately, shaking. The female's eyes burned with rage and tears as she slowly reached for the tools Likkorak kept on a shelf."This.... is it, Likkorak! You've drawn the line! I swear I will never speak to you again! And I'll make sure of that!"Likkorak jumped forward, but he was too late in saving his love from spearing her neck through with a giant pair of shears. He stood horrified over the body of his beloved, watching the blood trickle and pool around his feet. He dropped to his knees, and for the first time in his life, he shed tears.He carried her body out to the clan's graveyard, and dug the hole by himself. It took every last ounce of will he had remaining to finish the burial, and when he was done, he just collapsed over the fresh dirt mound and cried.</p><p>Present..."Sithia... you were right... my determination for my research blinded me to everything... and now I am paying for it. I am cursed now, you see... cursed to be the result of my work... this is not the real me... this is just a shell of flesh and scale. In truth, I am doomed to walk as a living skeleton... like the ones animated from my dark art... except free from control... I cannot die from natural causes.. and as each day passes, I mourn. Why? Because I will probably never be able to see you again.."He leaned down and kissed the stone, letting a lone tear fall before standing back up and vanishing back to the shores of Kunark. As he strode, he heard a small voice in the wind...<i>I love you.</i></p>

[Shebara]

It was a dreary day in Freeport.... the clouds rolled across the dark skies in a sluggish manner, waiting to drop their load of rain upon the land any minute, the skies grumbled at the intrusion. In West Freeport, it was quiet. People hurried here and there, getting there errands done before the coming rain. A lone figure stalked the streets, his hood up over his head and his pink and yellow eyes glaring outward. He walked up to the Blood Haze Inn just as the first sprinkles were setting in motion. Walking upstairs, he pulled a key from his pocket and unlocked the door."Sidrak! Do you have the body yet?"The blue-and-red sarnak peeked out from his "processing" chamber and frowned, lowering his head."..There are no recently deceased Iksar this week...""WHAT?!"The Iksar yanked his hood down to reveal half of a missing face. Combine with the angry scowl and piercing glare from the rest of it, it was quite the fearsome sight."...What happened, master?"The iksar scowled and threw off his robes in anger, revealing that more bits and pieces were missing."It was a wizard. Burned half of the body off. Prep the chamber."The sarnak nodded and rushed off, returning a few minutes later with a large scalpel in hand."We are ready, master."Likkorak nodded and headed into the "processing" chamber. He lay down face-first on the recently-cleaned vivisection table and nodded. Sidrak drew the scalpel along a series of thin lines along Likkorak's back and arms. The lines soon revealed bone, and after the cutting was done, Sidrak helped the Iksar tear the skin and flesh off, like a suit. Popping a few bones here and there, he stood up on the ground and stared at the old, charred skin before reaching a skeletal hand up to his face, which didn't exist."Hm. That one went for longer than I had thought. What other bodies do we have?""Just Qeynosian ones, master."Likkorak sighed, an unnecessary function in his current state. The Iksar skeleton walked over to a drawer and rummaged through it. He pulled out a small, round object and grinned."..What is that, master?""A petrified Iksar eye. I had it done so and enchanted a long time ago... for rainy days, so to speak.""If I may ask master... if you're such a powerful necromancer.. why don't you bring back your old mate?"Likkorak paused and gripped the eye tightly for a moment."We weren't mates. There was no ceremony performed.... She opened my eyes for me, cured my blindness. If I brought her back... I know she would still despise me. I refuse to bring her back, and I will honor the fact that she is gone. If she were brought back by some other means, then fine. I won't be the one responsible."Likkorak began to chant an ancient spell, and as the eye glowed, so did the Iksar. Soon, he had the illusion of an Iksar."There we go.. search the cemetaries for recently deceased Iksar bodies... I cannot live in this illusionary form for long."Sidrak nodded and rushed out the door, leaving the Iksar to stand there."...I've been living an illusion my entire life.."