Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » The lost chapter (OPEN)

A beam of light and Griffin screeched to a halt, staring at the energy blast. He felt something calling to him, Griffin was being called to it. Griffin started towards the area of the energy beam. Not knowing what would come from this choice he carried on.

"wait" river said as she walked closer to Illismere " What is it you Want!" She called to the women as she shielded her eyes from the blazing blue light and raised her voice so she would be heard of the blazing fire.

As the three refugees of the burning waste approached Illismere she let out her breath and with it the power that held the beacon. "I apologize for my abrupt approach, but a sorcerous fog of confusion is beginning to settle over this area & we must leave immediately lest we risk endless wandering amongst these woods- or rather, what is left of them," she said in a practical tone to mask the sadness she felt for this wood of the Other Realm. There would be time to muse over the heartache later, right now she must help her companions-to-be get to safety. But first she had to make sure they trusted her. At Skenith's suggestion, she climbed onto his sinuous form behind the snake girl. While they hurried away from the destruction she explained, "I am Illismere Rhiannon and I come to you all from the Realm of the Summerland. I mean you no harm, only help! I have seen glimpses of the events to unfold and this fire was no accident; a shrouded guild of sorcerers, followers of the Demon Lord Kajhe Purgis, seek to harm River here. And please do not be alarmed that I know your names- I mean no intrusion, but I cannot help what information my sight gifts to me."

Skenith burst through trees and brush until finally reaching the clearing. "Forests will burn, oceans will dry, unless Purgis we defy, and his army that will not die..." His neck dipped once they were safe, "The Temple walls spoke of this day, that's why I'm here." He said to River. He looked back and hoped the Griffin would be ok, should he go back? No, his job was the Princess not the lion who had helped them. This thought saddened him, he continued to stare into the burning woods to try to catch a glimpse of him.

"Thank you, Skenith," Illismere said as she hopped down. Offering her hand to River, she nodded. "Milady," she said as she helped her down. Turning back to the large serpentine creature, she queried, "How did you come to hear of this prophecy? In my own realm, only small hints have been known since time immemorial, and I believe I am the first to have felt the stirrings of the events in motion. Is it common knowledge here in what we Summerlanders call the 'Other Realm'?" She took her pack off and began rummaging through it for supplies to tend to Skenith's & River's wounds. She could feel the energy of the Lowan- his mind swirled with fury palpable enough to feel even from this clearing. He was on his way to them, though, so she informed the two standing before her that he was well.

"WHOA WHOA WAIT A SECCOND" river exclaimed as she held her hands up to the two before her "I have no clue what you guys are talking about "im no princess , untill a couple of years ago i was a normal kid, but when all the other girls were going through normal puberty i grew sales, a forked tongue and fangs that leak venom that can heal people, so would you mind explaining what it is you guys are going on about , someone or something apparently wants me dead because its thinks im some sort of princess? I'm sorry but thats just hard to believe and thats coming from a snake girl."

Skenith looked baffled, "What, you mean you don't know" The snake only knew what the obelisks told him, the girl with scales like a snake would bring down the demon but only if she could stay alive long enough. For only her healing venom could kill this undying beast. "You think this just happens to a normal girl every now and then?" He slithered away and turned back poising up rather annoyed by her ignorance, "you think your destiny is just to be a freak caught between two creatures?" Dipping his head to her once more, "Oh darling, you are so much more then that."

Illismere looked at River gently and said soflty, "What Skenith says is true. What do you know already of your heritage? It will make it easier for me to help you understand your role in all of this."

Griffin bursted out of the forest with a roar and stood before the group. he looked at the large snake, then at the snake woman, and then at the third face that he didn't remember seeing. With a growl he asked the newest member of the party "Be you a human?" having never before seen an elf the concept was unfamiliar to him. "You don't smell like a human, what are you?" he asked still snarling at the new creature. Addressing the group as a whole he then asked "Does anyone have an explanation for that ray of light I saw earlier? Or did I just imagine that?"

"of course I know its not normal to just suddenly turn into a snake, why do you think i was living in the woods, people were scared of me , even my own mother forced me out of my home." River said as she looked up at skenith then at illismere "my origins? I came from my mother, though admit i never knew my dad my mom was completely human"

"Peace, noble Lowen. I am no human, but an elf. We look similar to humans, but we are not of this realm and our origins are completely different. I am from a place on the other side of the veil known as the Summerland. And it was I who was responsible for the burst of light- I cast it to signal you all toward me and to clear our small area from the effects of a sorcerous fog of chaos that was making our minds fumbling and unable to follow through with plans to leave the dying wood. Skenith and I were just explaining to Lady River of a prophecy involving her and the cause of this destruction to your home. Before I continue, what can you tell me about this terrible fire? Have you seen they who are responsible? I know what's behind it, but it would help to know what details came to play before your eyes," Illismere said to Griffin standing staunchly and upright not willing to let him judge her as untrustworthy or weak.

still not lowering his guard he answered the elf "Young humans, The humans normally avoid these woods out of fear. These ones made the foolish decision to try and kill of the things they fear, so I ripped them all to pieces!" he exclaimed in a roaring voice.

Standing on the High cliff top was the beast known as Nekroth, The Saber cat Who has traveled many miles in search of a Lowen trophy.

Staring down at the valley below his eyes were fixed on the beast at long last he had found his prize.

"Finally, my hunt is nearly complete. Soon that Lion will be hanging over my mantle."

Nekroth wanting to prove himself as a great warrior and an ultimate opportunist would wait until he could engage the Lowen in hand to hand combat

"Soon Lowen... Soon." He said as a smile came across his face.

"Your father my lady," Skenith's body slid along the grass in the bluff steadying himself, "he was a friend of mine, killed by this demon. Only his venom can kill the Hell spite." A tree caught his attention as it fell a plume of smoke rose into the air, "A lost kingdom, a lost story, but we must till complete it. King Gorgon would have wanted that." The snakes thick green body shivered feeling the effects of Illismere's healing touch. His head slowly fell to the soft earthy floor. "You venom heals mortals, but does the opposite to immortals," Skenith's forked tongue smelled the air, there was another beast here, but it wasn't as important as the eminent demon approaching, "same as your fathers, that's why your here, that my lady, is why you are so special."

"Yes Lady River, you are heir to a kingdom long since fallen. Your father's throne was challenged by the Demon Lord who sought to enslave the Gorgon race and steal the secret of their venom that was locked within their lineage. War tore the kingdom apart, and in an attempt to regroup your father went into the shadows of history on a quest to regroup and form alliances with those who might overturn the vast armies of Kajhe Purgis. We know nothing of his time spent searching for aid, which numbered over one hundred years, but that is probably when he met your mother. It wasn't but a few months ago when he was captured by the shrouded guild of sorcerers known as the 'Neitsche,' who are the hands and ears of the Dark One, and given to the Demon Lord who then murdered him. This is what brings us to you, River, and our current troubles," Illismere explained. Then turning to Griffin, she continued, "Lowen what you saw is true- those children did come to destroy your home, but they were goaded on by agents of the Neitsche. The act was already in their hearts, but they would have come with bows and stones instead. The operative made the suggestion of fire and stoked their hate knowing that River resided here; he believed it would leave her vulnerable with no where to go, making his task of assassinating her much easier. He also hoped to break your spirit, for so long as one as strong as you walks these lands, the Neitsche believe that overtaking territory for Kajhe Purgis would be much more difficult, if not impossible. You have the fortitude within you to be terribly great or greatly terrible, and the events unfolding will shape your destiny."

As Illismere finished tending to Skenith, she began mixing up a healing tonic for River's wounds and scrapes. "We face so many difficulties, but all is not hopeless. In the Summerland our version of the prophecy is like a map. It states:

'An otherworldly guide with knowledge to turn the tide,
An honorable beast to defend and our hope discover,
A serpent of wisdom to lend service and uncover
The relic with the secret locked inside
To Aid the lady on her ride
Of victory and renewal
As she stirs the waters of immortality's pool
Bringing the Dark, the light, and that which is in between
To a common plane for the reckoning.'

And based on this prophecy I believe that what rumors the winds carry are true: that when the Gorgon king was murdered, a fragment of his soul went into the Emerald gem he had worn about his neck. This is the 'relic with the secret locked inside' that the prophecy speaks of. As to where it might be, though, is up for any oracle's best guess... finding it will prove to be our toughest quest."

With a feeling of confusion brewing within him, the great lion questions his earlier actions. His face showed sadness and he asked the elf "So what your telling me is that, these humans... these humans were not in control of there actions? The bodies I dismantled... they were working under another more powerful entity?" Griffin felt the pain of regret course through his body like a toxic poison coursing through his veins. with a mixed feeling of guilt and anger he said "Those were children..." the guilt left his voice and was replaced by pure rage. "That monster sent children to do his dirty work!" with a blood curdling roar he shouted "I will kill you and everything you hold dear to you! Do you hear me? Your not a man! your nothing but a slab of meat for me to devour you coward!" Griffin dropped to his knees and tears rolling down his face he told the group "I will make this right. not for you, or your father, or your snakes... I will avenge not only my children but every child this animal has sacrificed in his twisted attempts to gain power."

The Lowen known for their great sense of honor, loyalty, and power. Not quite man, not quite lion. The last of his pride Griffin has declared an all out war against the Neitsche and all that follow him.


The war has begun and the heroes now start their journey.

AS river processed all that was going on she fell to the ground and released a sigh "maaaan" she exclaimed as everything finally fell into place inside her mind "I really don't know if I can do anything , but I have always wanted to search for my father, and I guess the next best thing is to avenge him and destroy his enemy's " she said as she looked up at her group " I do have one question though .. where do we start?"

The saber cat took his eyes away from the Lowen, and gazed upon the Gorgon and With a somewhat happy look he said to himself.

"Well... Looks like I have another trophy at hand as well, The dark one will be pleased with my discovery."

Nekroth whistled and summoned a messenger bird, he attached a note to the leg, no words just a stamp of a viper with his name on the back.

The bird flew quickly too the east and the Saber cat returned to his post, laying in wait for the time to strike.

"We need an army," Skenith said turning his attention from Griffin to the princess, "With the Gorgon Kingdom in ruin, we must gather adventurers, beasts and knights to fight for you." He looked up, the crisp Autumn breeze haunted the end of summer. He closed his golden eyes, "From the flaming falls wind, to the first snow," Skenith focused his attention towards the elf, "We have till winters first snow to forge an army out of thin air, because when the first flake touches the earth floor the fires of hell will rise before us... whether we are ready or not."

The Lowen scoffed at Skenith's statement, his pride and arrogance showing itself "Foolish snake, I am an army. No creature can best a Lowen in combat!" he said as he shook the ashes from his singed mane. "Anything, and I mean anything... comes our way they will have to get through me if they wish to harm you." He began to pose flexing his muscles in a flashy show of his personal strength.