Encounter in the Caves - by Maelbosha [Archive]

Maelbosha

08-20-2006, 01:50 AM

<DIV>It was a strange and eery night in the darkened caverns of the gnolls. The smell of mildew from the moist cavern walls permeated through the air while the sound of the grumbling gnolls could be heard echoing in every direction. As I paddled my way into the cavern, the only source of light that my little eyes could see was a small encampment created by some of Antonia Bayle's faithful followers. They had been at battle for months and had managed to create a small foothold at the base of a waterfall where would-be heros could come to and fro to engage the gnolls that rampaged the area. No sooner than I had stepped out of my canoe, the water still dripping from my paddles, I realized that I was being watched. I was a mere silhouette, invisible to the naked eye, which is why my hair stood on end. Nothing could be watching me save those whom had the magical art of "See Invis". As I quickly glanced around, I saw nothing, aside from the members of the immediate encampment. I immediately opened my pack and removed a powerful totem, crafted by one of the greatest craftsmen in all of Norrath, Hiddenarrow, and began rubbing it to call upon its power. This mystical tradeskill that he had shown interest in had proved a benefit to me on more than one occasion. As my eyes were opened to the realm of the unseen, I saw precisely what I was afraid of, a summoner of the dead, a necromancer! I immediately began muttering a spell that would stun him so that I could gain the upper hand. As soon as the final incantation left my lips he was stunned, but his undead follower began running directly at me in an attempt to save his master. I started my second incantation, a spell which left few behind to tell of its power, a force so great that it took me many seasons to master it to its fullest extent! My hands began to glow as flames formed between my palms. By now the undead vermin was flailing about at me trying to disrupt my spell, but to no avail. I was too far along in the incantation to be detered. I released the fireball with a resounding woosh! The crackling of the fireball as it sped through the air echoed off the cavern walls for a mere second before blasting into my adversary. His limbs and clothing were ablaze as he was launched into the air. At just that moment, I found myself trying to evade my attacker as he began to pound me and rip my flesh. I had to work quickly or this undead beast was going to make a martyr of me. In my peripheral vision I saw the necromancer pull himself from the water. He must've dove into the cool waters to put out the flames. He had survived my initial assault. His morale had been damaged, his ego destroyed, the moment he had come out of the water he began to run. He was alive, his life hanging by mere threads. I forced myself to focus long enough to root my target in place to prevent his escape. I was successful! Chains formed about his feet and held him steadfast to the ground, making his flight impossible. Meanwhile, my health was dwindling from the repeated blows I was receiving. In an attempt to deter my assailant, I summoned a shield so cold that none dare strike me for fear of the reprucussions. The moment my shield was about me the miserable peltings became less frequent and were instead replaced with wails of pain. My chuckles were stifled by my foe's last act of defiance as he began draining the life from me. Blood seemed to seep from every pore on my body as it went flowing to him. I gasped in pain as I clasped my hands together for one last fireball that was sure to send this demon to his grave. The fire between my palms burned hot yet again and my adrenaline rushed fury launched from my now frail hands and hit him squarely. As the ball of flame exploded, it dismembered two of his limbs and they bounced off the cavern walls before they splashed into the darkened water and became feed for the nearby fish. The smell of singed clothing and burnt flesh whisped through the immediate vicinity of the explosion. This fight had drawn quite a crowd and there were citizens watching from atop the cliff near the falls and from within the encampment. Water splashed about me as I fell to my knees in a small puddle of water where I had stood. My throat felt parched, my knees were weak, and I was in an unsightly state of health. A nearby Templar began praying over me and life seemed to flow back into my frail body. The Gods had allowed me to live yet another day... After I recovered from my encounter, I made a pact to continue to execute justice upon anyone that places their faith in the hands of Overlord Lucan.</DIV>