Oct. Contest Entry #1

[Aredhel]

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Beta-Slot Entry #1

Five stalwart adventurers stand at the precipice and look down upon the land. The air is thick as silk, plumes of vapor raising ugly formless spectors above brackish black pools like tar drenching the ground not even reflecting clouds suspended above the haze.

Tilcan looks uon the scene his eyes search far to the horizon. "Tis a journey of woe I see before us."

The slender bright eyed Catherine shifts slightly raising a small dusty plume that settles amongst the feet of the five. "Hush, you dolt lest you give away our position."

"There is a path." Welton strokes a long grey beard as he leans again a sturdy staff crowned with a blue gem. "It doesnt feel right though, the dead limbs of the few trees appear to be beconning.........."

The rest of the statement is cut short as Mindral shifts poistion and deftly points to place in the plane set before these five. Rangers eyes are keen and even the slightest movement can attract their attention. Even the movement of a rabbit carefully testing the waters of the land as it searches for food is not left untouched.

All eyes look toward the area, Sheena gasps a short breath as all witness that which is just unfolding. Sheena is tall, and slender with the epidomy of a high elf. She is as to be expected one of the sturdy of the clerics. Ever watchful, ever ready to lend both hand and heart for those, or things in need.

The movement that was seen was not of anything living in this land. The crumbling ramains of some unwary traveler crumbled with the shifting of the slight breeze as it flowed across this hot land. With its collapse the group fell silent each casting a prayer of respect for that which had once traveled as they do now.

Welton whisered, "Be silent as the cat, stray not too far from the path, and be watchful for I see this as a land of death."

Mindral takes the lead and each one follows in single file down the rocky slope. Dust raises from the dryness around them, their boots making marks in the land as they venture forth.

They have traveled but a short distance into the arena when each begines to curl their noses against the stench. "This place reeks of death", says Sheena.

The land is broken, it is littered with the remains of those that have traveled before them. The belongings, tattered, torn, broken, and covered by blackened ooze, are spread throughout as if tossed aside. Warning signs of death stand as totems.

some of the blackened pools that wont even reflect the light of the midday sun ripple slightly, then moments later forms begin to take shape. Each of the adventurers stands still for moments and watch as where pools once lingered on the ground begin to draw up. The shapis like that of some long lost creature of the bog. Forms continue to mold as the pools empty themsleves. The shallow pits empty as creatures manifest themselves into form. Arm like extentions drip a tar like substance back to the ground only to cut scars in the land as it recombines with the body of the mass.

The warrior, grimises as he draws his sword, he motions each to stand as a circle, back to back as they look upon the creatures now approaching.

Tilcan says, "the way back is now blocked but going forward is surely suicide. Muster yourselves for they are upon us now."

Blazing fire learches from the staff of Welton. The drives the creature it has struck slightly back, but then it regains composure and continues toward the group. It's blackened limbs aflame it reaches out to test the metal of the group. Mindral deftly slashes the limb as it almost reaches Sheena, it falls to the ground and for a moment quivers like a dark jelly. As it collapses onto the ground it is drawn into the form where it once again takes on the form of a slender armlike tenticle.

The group fights valiently as it drives back toward the safety of the hills. Bright glowing shards of magic cut through the air, the tempest of blue arching powers bath across those wounded, but the creatures press on. The silence is deafening for there is no clanging sounds of metal upon metal. The magic sleeths through the air providing a crackling sound as it burns through the area. Tendrils of black snakelike fingers begin to encompass they group as they continue to hack away at the fluid masses that now draw even closer.

Two people reach the top of a hill and take upon a view of the carnage ensuing below them. Amist the dust they see a hord of black like figure swelling and ebbing. Five valiant others are huddled together but it is clear that without help these would not stand long against the wave of goo ensuing upon them.

Jerick, a Paladin of some renoun bellows loudly and charges down the hill. A few of the enemy turn as he draws near to ward him away from the plunder about the happen. They charge, and at the same moment a holy light appears. Jerick crashes into the bodies vent on destruction.

Glimgold, a smallish gnome dressed in the paleist blue outfit stands near the crest of the hill. Arms outstretched a blue aura forms. There is a moment of tension as the slight figure winces with pain, then as if summoned from the hues of the surrounding air a creature appears. The very air near it turns hazy and crackles with a force that vacuums the very air around it.

The creature streches for a moment and then also lunges toward the battle.

Welton turns, sweat drips fluidly from his brow, the concentration of casting has almost worn him down, but seeing these other 2 he gathers his strength. The mumbles something under his breath.

"Um goddrick thoone del craft"

It was at that moment as well all but exhausted that Sheena also gather her own strength. She stretches forth her hand fingers entended like hardened twigs as a faint glow forms. The entire field is engulfed in one massive tortured blue light. The creature that the necomancer had conjured errupts into a mountain of blue flame.

Catherine and Tilcan jump to either side of Mindral as they form a wedge facing the newcomers. The two groups now move toward each other as if to squeeze the juices from a ripe lemon.

Glimgold can see that behind the the group now clamoring to reach the safety of the hill that the land is aflood with black formless shapes pressing on. He strains to control his creature under his command, it has so much power now with the support of the wizard and the cleric that is is almost beyond his capabilities. Never had he before this witnessed the awsome powers that could be imparted to one of his creatures. He knew in and instant that if he lost control, or lost consciousness that his creature would not simply disappear, but join forces with the masses bent on eliminating the intruders.

His only thoughts were, 'Must maintain control, must concentrate, and hold focus on this nether creature.'

The joined forces of the two groups battled their way to the foot of the hill, but before they could begin the assent Glimgold collapsed. As he fell his robes gave a slight flutter.

Glimgold incantation was slowly waining under the onslaught. The creatures they faught while succuming to it awful magical powers were beginning even at that point of the necromancers collapse starting to eat away at the awsome power of the creature., slowly it was taking on the life forces of the oily horde it touched, but instead of them being destroyed it was as though they were attempting to overwelm Glimgold creature through subduction.

Welton looked back for only a moment his thought was simple. 'We must move now, if we dont, this creature will surely consume all beofre it vents the last of its power.' His old craony voice could be heard above the hoots, hollars, grunts, and yells. "Move,...... Move now or all is lost."

The heat of the noonday sun beats down upon the plane now, scortching the limbs of these travelers, and yet, all the while the smoke of battle bailfully smothers the area.

Like some booming voice draught up from the depths of the earth Welton could be heard to say, "Enough!".

The scene grows very still for a few moments as Welton turns his sight across the short stretch of land. There just barely seen in the distance he sees a bridge. The clutter of the morning mist has subsided enough so that the end of the trail they have saught is now within grasp. Welton closes his eyes but for a moment, his mouth hung open as if to draw breath from the very elements themselves.

Catherine stops for a moment, her clear blue eyes now holding stance on the wizard. She sees him raise high his staff. As she reaches out a hand, a dainty slender white hand, she but can only mutter a cry. Her voice trails off as though she were shouting within some long tunnel, "Noooooooooo!"

Tilcan bracers her and whispers softly, "Hush now me lady, for as much as we know how you love that cagey ol fool, you know he will do what is needed. Hush now for the sake of all of us."

Glimgold has since stirred as from a long sleep. He once again musters all his talents, and while the bog like creatures had for the moment stood still from the resounding boom of the wizards voice, for it shook the very earth beneath their feet, his creature continued to press on toward the group, menacing halos eminating that would surely consume all. He squinted at the creature he had so deftly summoned and it quivered a moment and then feel silent, only the crackling of the air near it could be heard over the din of silience.

Welton opened his eyes, they had gone now from near pure steel grey to opaic white, and he slammed his staff onto the ground. The clear blue stone turned white as the sun, and with palm of his hand in back of it as though to shade himself from the glow, it began to pulse.

Jerick reached down and plucked his friend from the ground but just for a moment. Tilcan motioned to Sheena to take the smallish creature and she did willingly. "Jerick, it will be up to you and Catherine to protect us all in the coming moments."

Jerick passed his friend to Sheena, and then squinted at Tilcan. "Fear not," said Tilcan. "I have but witnessed such a thing only once before, and if Welton is not careful, what he is about to unleash will not only cleanse this plane, but all who stand upon it. Link yourself to the cleric, for it will take the both of you to protect us all from the power about to be released."

Catherine had fallen to her knees, her hand stretching as high as she could muster. Her eyes closed to tightly now as if to bury fingernails into her palms as tear of blood pathed ever so slightly down her cheek.

Mindral pulled the helmet from Jerick. Golden locks hung loosely down to his smudged metal plate armor about his shoulders. "You'll not need this any more, not for what is about to happen."

As though in a trance Jerick stood in back of the still kneeling Cleric, he grasped her hands and jerked with the onslaught of power that was now not only flowing though him. He looked up to the sky but for just a moment, then as if a great storm was swirling about his frame his hair billowed out. Jerick pulled Catherine to her feet and felt the slightest touch of frame against him. Her head was bent back now buried deeply against his chest. He was now a conduit for her power, and as he once more called forth his holy light a great bubble of blue-white light eminated from them encompassing everyone in the party.

Catherine spoke softly, "Welton.............", but was cut short.

"Fear not my beloved, I shall not sacrifice myself to these creatures today. Now all, remain still, and quiet, for what is about to transpire can ripe the heavens themselves apart should I be not careful."

Welton was still holdling the staff at arms length. The glowing bright light now encompased it and the better part of his arm. His robes fluttered as though caught up in some maelstrom, and his slight frame could be seen wavery in the bathed glow. An amulet began to shine that hung about his neck.

With one word spoken under his breath, "Talmoth", sparks began to leap from the jewel buried in the amulet to the staff.

Tilcan spoke softly. "It is the Tempest of Alderoth, only but a few have mastered." He paused a moment and then as though seeking some prayer of solitude from some long lost lore of his people, "Protect us from this light, let it wash over us as a slight summer breeze passing through fields of flowers."

Welton jerked again as the amulet radiated a dark blue aura to the stone in the staff. It was as if the very cosmos was being drawn into its depths and then channeled. Great glowing arcs of of blue-white dark power leaped from the staff. Where ever they touched the barren land shimmering dark pools rose as though bringing forth a void. Creatures nearby simply vanished in a smoking haze, even Glimgold's creature which had stood a bashion for the group was swallowed up in the ensuing plague that that was now beconning forth around the group.

It was as thought he land itself was being drawn into some great vortex, and the party was standing upon a pumis. Creatures were devolving into nothing everywhere and the wizard continued to channel. Both Catherine and Jerick screamed as though in pain. Their voices were as a din in this void, but they held tight to each other.

Welton could be heard to say in a rasping, aged voice, "Now walk as one." Each person in the group as though in a trance followed Welton's lead. The staff, still clutching to the ground was cutting a path in front of them as they made their was across the void seeking sanctuary of the plateau that lay beyond the bridge.

What seemed like an eternity turned to a short walk. Welton was almost at the end of his strength when the group reached the foothold of the bridge. Both Tilcan and Mindral grasped the frail withering body of Welton as he released the last of his power. "Make way now," said Mindral. "That which was not will return quickly, and it shall not be happy that we passed its boundries."

The group fled across the confines of an old stone bridge long ago constructed as pathway to the island in front of them. What had been banished was now returning and as Mindral had spoken it was seething at a frightful rate toward the party.

Glimgold, still in the clutches of Sheena turned a mindful eye to the entrance of the bridge and spoke. "Ethemisal golem" There were an opening had once been now stood a rock as solid as any wall blocking the entrance to the bridge and cutting off any escape that could be.

"We shall not be passing by this way again," Said Glimgold, "but alas, it is what now must be faced once inside the temple that will make temper our lives."

As the group exited to the other side Catherine collapse from the arms of Jerick who had swept her up in his arms. His golden locks were forever to be scared with the white tempest of tint. He fell to his knees in total exhaustion along with the rest. Only Tilcan still stood for he was a mountain of a man. Every muscle rippled through his body like water washing across sands of a beach. His hair matted from exhustion he could only stand and look upon spires of crystals that now stood before them. The waning light of the day was cutting through spiraling structures.

It was early morning as a few began to stir in the slumber that had overtaken then from the previous evening. The ground was like velvet carpet as it succored them in soulem retreat. Even Sheena, a very slender and wirey half-elf not accustomed to luxury as other folk moaned a bit as she sleepily passed her hand over the finely manicured grass.

Catherine was already up for some time. She sat on one hip, her slender legs protruding ever so dainty from under the gosimer robe she wore. Her hands moved as if in song as a faint bluish revitalizing glow played songs around those who were still transfixed to succor relief from the past days tormoil.

Jerick rolled a bit at the weezing coughing apnea sounds of Welton snooring. The wizard was still exhausted as was expect. Jerick opened his eyes and stared transfixed at the beauty of Catherine. High elves though frail in look, and sculpted as though born of Venus, were awsome guardians of life.

It was passing close to midday at this point and each were in their own way stumbling from the sleep that was cleansing them. Catherine had hassened the effect, but even she knew that simple sleep was do more to heal the battered wounds than what she could do. Tilcan pulled himself to a sitting position and cast a dark brown eye in the direction of the gleeming tower.

"We really need to be about this business at hand, should we wake the rest?" He spoke as though not directing a question to anyone in particular, but as though he were casting his voice upon the air. The slightest movement of Catherine's finger pursed against her red lips.

"Soon", she said, "It wont be long now before all are ready."

Welton snorted once, then as though smacking his lips to drive away some fog of aftersleep he spoke. "Dang nabbit, I was really enjoying that soothing bath," referencing the efforts of Catherine, "just was hoping it might go on a little longer."

Glipgold was awake now as well and cast an impish smile in the direction of the aging craggy ol wizard. "I think we all know what you wee actually thinking of at this point, so there is no time like now for us to see if we havent made this journey for naught."

Everyone was awake now and all were intently watching Welton as he himself had drawn to a sitting position and stared into Glimgold.

"Do you spend so much time in the sewer because of your shortness?"

There was a moment of tension, then the old face of the man changed. A glint sparkled from his eyes and broad lips now upturned into a gargantuin smile. Glimgold himslef burst into a laughter that would have shaken bolders from tenuous escarpments.

Tilcan roared like a bull and then all started laughing. The scene turned to one of merriment as all began to let loose the releif of merriment. They were all in good spirit and finally one by one began to stand.

Mindrel looked about and spoke ever so softly. "Surely that would have been something amazing to see".

The chuckles continued on for some short time as the group, now fully awake began the short paced trek to the temple gardens that sat nessled amist the tall reaching spires.

"We have come this far", said Sheena. "Tis now the time of the awakening."

"Please", said Sheena, "Let's keep patients for the sake of our understanding." She removed an old worn parchment from a small pack she carried at her side and unrolled it oh so carefully.

Samll flakes of the manuscripted broke loose even with the care she took and fluttered to the concrete that was now under the groups feet. The nonday sun which shouldhave baked the cement into a hot platter had little effect on the structure. It was cool to them, and had the overwelming feel of a welcome mat.

She passed the document over to Welton who once more scanned it as he had done so many times. "Yep", he said with a almost broken voice, "this is what we have finally come to."

Welton looked up from the parchment. Before then stood a portal. The shimmering opening was moving gently like water on a crisp summer pool.

The group moved foward as though stepping through a mirror, their forms disappeared when the hit the surface as though they had moved beyond the existance of the here-and-now.

Inside they stood as one transfixed to sight before them. There in the middle of the rotunda stood an angel. It was not a living creature, but downy wings spread wide as though to catch the whispers of the wind spread wide across the scene. Pearl white, smooth as silk the face of the creature look upward as if beconning some long lost inspiration. The hair was folded gently laying across alabaster shoulders. Beneath the silken rob could be seen perfection.

In one outstreched hand was held an olive branch, the other was a sword pointing upwards as if transfixed to a message. The one thing though that caught all's attention was that the creature, if it could be called such was floating just barely above a pristine blue pool. Toes just as well formed were barely touching the surface of the water.

Tilcan, drew a breath, "I have never witness such grace."

Jerick knelt as if in solemn prayer, bowed his head, not raising his eyes to look upon the scene. "Surely, we are being gifted with such inspiration as has never been before witnessed in our time."

Welton looked around at all who now stood in the presense of this scene. "Awe people, could we ever get so held up in this." He was old and while beauty had it's affect of turning his eye, he was not moved as the others. "We are here for a purpose. This isnt just a single need. This is but one of nine spoken of in the ancient lore that must be unlocked as a part of our quest. Best we be about our business now for if we fail this simple test, instead of awakening a part of what will help transform the world, we shall certainly lossen a tempest upon us and all who exist."

Catherine, as moved as the rest, took a deep breath. The scanty clothing that covered her moved ever so slightly revealing a simlar form as the one that they now witnessed.

Glimgold moved forward and touched the surface of the pool, then pulled back his hand. "It's solid." He turned an eye toward Welton, "but you knew that already, didnt you?"

Welton knodded and stepped forward. He withdrew a rag from beneath his robe. Inside was a ring which he put on his little finger. He then extended his hand to a small indentation on the stone sill and paused a moment. "This is the key to the gate, it will open this portal for a given period of time. Once open we must," he made a point here, "all of us enter below. We have but a given amount of time to exercise the portal below. If we fail, we shall be entombed here forever, or until the next who dare to transpire tis place come."

Glimgold's face screwed up a bit. "Then there will be no need any longer for the stone golem, because if we do fail it will fall as dust back to the earth once again allowing transport into this shrine."

"Mindral, are you ready?" Asked Welton. "Tell us now, for of any here this is your expertise. The is no force in this world that can open the gate below, but remember, if you fail the tempest that will engulf us shall be swift and mercelous."

Mindral was as expert as any other of the craft of solving puzzles, picking blind locks, and uncovering the most hidden secrets from tombs of decay, but this made him shiver, and Welton could see it. Mendril drew a breath, "Ready as I can be, .......... for sure."

Welton touched the ring to the stone and it seem to melt from his finger forming a slightly luminescent pool. There was a loud crack and the pool which had been covering the depths shimmered amoment then disappeared. The statue began to sink ever so slowly. Toes drew ever closer to an object that now had become revealed.

Mindral jumped into the waste deep area moving down a slopping walk to a door with seven notchlike openings. Examining the cover the rest followed quickly. "Dang, it's like no lock that I have ever seen before, this may take a while."

"Let us hope," said Sheena, "That it wont take too long. The foot of that statue is drawing ever so close to the pestal."

Mindral passed a deft hand across the surface of the door like structure. "This is no lock at all but a simple combination. the surface is vocered with runes." Mindral's hand paused a moment as one of the runes glowed beneath his touch. He swinked a moment then turned an eye to Jerick. "Give me your hand." Jerick reached out with his left hand. "No, the other one, hopefully its the right one."

Mindral, holding Jericks hand passed his open palm across the surface. He stopped once it passed across a rune. Mindral turned Jericks hand, thumb up, then pushed Jericks hand into the opening all the way to the knuckles. "Don't pull it out unless I tell you to."

One by one Mindral did the same to the rest of the group. some he used the left hand others he used the right till there was but one hole left to be filled. "Now," he said. "If I havent messed this up we hopefully have solved this puzzle."

Mindral paused a moment, closed his eyes and also inserted his hand in the last of the openings. 'Please, please he said to himself, let me have gotten this series correct.'

The lock while seemingly not that complicated was set to a very specific series in insertions. Getting the progression wrong was like turning a wheel on a thumbscrew. turn it too much and you break the bone, turning it just enough would loosen even the stubborn of tongues.

There was a flash of light, then as the quiet settled over the scene each of the travelers found themsleves standing in a circle in a dimly lite room. There centered amongst them was a form. The heavenly form of some arch angel. It was turning slowly transfixing bight lucid eyes on each. The silence was broken from a voice that seem to come from the very air around them.

"I herein pass upon each of you a bond, one which where ever you may be will draw you together. You have shown great courage in this step you have taken along the final road and have successfully transpired this first of the nine great tests."

Light shown from the body of the creature. It bathed each of the travelers in a soft translucent soft yellow light. The eyes of this inspiration moved from one to each of the people that stood before it. As if it was passing some devine judgement upon each of the people it would stop for a moment, touch the forehead of the closest, then pass to the next.

"I grant each of you, knowledge that you will need now to take you unto the next step in this journey you have become bonded to. It is for you to master this, learn where and when not to use it. Know this, if you choose to call upon this power you must also understand you choose to accept the penalty of its use so be careful."

The aparition stopped. Hands folded as if in a prayerful position just below it's chin, and then it closed pure purple colored eyes. The wings of the creature now folded downa nd the scene lite back up. Each of these people found they were wearing galant new cloths. The creature finished covering itself and in a moment it flashed, then was gone.

Glimgold stood and stared but a moment. "Great, at least it could have gotten us out of here and past those pests outside."

Welton smiled, "Fear not, the creatures that stood against us will not impede us any longer."

The seven walked out of the shrine. The stone golem was gone, and they could see that in place of where black sludge pools had one been, now stood tows and rows of beautiful forestry. The bleak land that once had been now was transformed.

(It is surely my hope that all who choose to partake of this little story come with imagine, hope, and wonder. I hope I have entertained you all, I hope that in some way I have imparted inspiration for your own journey of the mind. If I have entertained I am thankful, if not, I can only hope that you will dream dreams of solice. If ou come away wtih some small inspiration of the heart, then I will feel satisfied. The journey is not done, but I leave it to all who stepped here to go forward with you own)