Claw2k11

Legendary

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Colmaz thought about it. After some deliberation, the alchemist said, "I would need to ask my companions for their opinion first, of course. It wouldn't sit right with me if I were to decide their allegiances for them."

@iotas

"What about you?" He asks. "Do you swear tour allegiance to me?" Sssalivan asks. "After all, my servants need to know who not to kill later when they torch this city to the ground."

@Claw2k11

Iosef, having already given away the night elf blade to the golem, draws his own bastard sword and lunges at him with a stab, using the deceptively longer blade to his advantage.

@BytheSpleen

The sword enters through the mercs chest, who in turn drops his blade and spits some blood in Iosef's face before falling to the ground himself.

"Shouldn't you get Earthrent now?" The bald priest asks. "This is gonna be hard to get through even after you get it!"

Legendary

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Colmaz was happy that Sssvalian seemed to be a reasonable fellow. Unfortunately, Colmaz was beginning to be a bit too trusting of the man in red. The alchemist wondered what he actually had to offer.

"What if we -myself, and my two companions- complete a set number of tasks for you? Once our number is up, you trade us the blade. Would that be fair enough for you, or do you want to add something?"

@iotas

"Or..." He said pausing. "You and your friends swear allegiance to me and I will give you Soulstealer, plus a few extra powers that will allow even you to battle. What do you say?"

Iosef wasn't particularly too distraught about the situation, since he was half expecting a complication like this.

"Well, I don't agree with Fate on the issue of just getting things handed to me, so go ahead : take the blade while I still don't have it. Go on. First one wins a lordship, right? I don't need that..."

@BytheSpleen

[@SimpleUnicycle]

Upon hearing that, most of the mercenaries began to whisper around and stare at one another, ready to backstab each other at the mention of getting a lordship.

The first to make a move was the massive man, Gorun, who smashed one of the men next to him. With that, everything erupted into chaos, many of the men starting to attack on another.

Only the orc, the twin humans and female elf didn't go on a rampage and instead protected the human in front of them from any attacks.

During the fight, a man was now charging towards Iosef, sword drawn and a crazed look on his face.

@Claw2k11

Maryvale's response to that was simple: just send the same amount of dark magic back. With a powerful slash from Dark Vibrance, she sends dark magic straight at Anna, on a collision course with her own light magic arrows. She wanted to give the others time to advance and make a move whilst she cancelled out Anna's attacks. Hopefully.

@Delta44

And the dark magic collided with the light arrows, truly giving them the rest to charge at Anna, however, before long, Lightspawn(think light elementals) appeared for each warrior present on the battlefield, thus canceling their numerical advantage.

@BlackPanther

The arrows hit him and because the arrows were energy arrows and not simple arrows, they hurt Knight quite a bit, however thanks to his thick scales, the damage they did was mostly superficial.

The avian, using her skill and agility had managed to dodge the attacks, however, that meant that Anna's strikes kept her from attacking.

"Dragon, please attract her attention, I have a strike that will definitely hurt her!" The avian said, loading three black arrows on her bow. The arrows emanated pure darkness, the opposite to what Anna was shooting.

Legendary

@Claw2k11

"Right." Maryvale might be so terrible at directions that she could get lost on a straight path, but when she could see the enemy and entered combat mode, she was like a heat-seeking missile in the tundra hunting an elephant. And, surprise surprise, she just so happened to be ready to fight.

Drawing the Dark Vibrance, Maryvale charges straight ahead, using the arrows fired for guidance until she was upon her target. If her directions were off, however, she wasn't afraid to follow one of the others.

@Delta44

And as soon as she charged towards Anna, a barrage of light arrows fly towards Maryvale and she could se Anna forming another barrage to fire at what she considered her enemies.

Iosef grunted, and tossed the blade almost unwillingly towards the golem, before walking onwards...if there was an onwards room next.

If not, he'd just stand around, with his hand on the handle of his blade.

@BytheSpleen

However, in case he didn't notice there over fifty people around him all on the edge, if he took even a step, he would most likely be attacked by one of them.

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"Well, I'm not against the idea, but I'm not sure what use I could be to you. I'm not much of a fighter. Besides, all I really care about is my alchemy, and I don't know how you could help with that. My other motivation is Soulstealer, and I have a feeling you're not too eager to give that up. Unless, you'd like to make a trade...?"

@iotas

"I'm always willing for a trade, though it depends what you have in mind." He says, still smiling. "But please, make it a fair trade..."

Legendary

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"Well, actually, we were hoping to skip the whole "defeat" part and negotiate with you for the sword," said Colmaz, trying not to anger him. "I think we'd stand half a chance in a fair fight, though."
He cleared his throat. "Was that all you cared to ask me, or is there something else you wanted?"

@iotas

"No, I have something else to ask of you." He says. "Join me..." He said smiling. "Everything you want will be yours. I was planning on hibernating, but since everyone wants me up and about, then why not give them a good show... What I mean, will you help me take over?" He asks. "I will personally make sure you will have whatever you want and/or need, so what say you?"

Legendary

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While Colmaz was idealistic, he wasn't idiotic enough to try and resist. He could chug one of his few agility potions and probably get away, but the motion of reaching for his potion bag was sure to set off a few alarms and probably get him killed in the process. He had no choice but to go with the lizardmen.

"This isn't the friendliest way to start business dealings," he said sourly, but he offered no resistance.

@iotas

The lizardmen nodded and led him out the city, one stood in front of Colmaz and the other behind him in case he would try to run away.

After an hour or so of walking, the two lizardmen reach a man dressed in red plate mail armor. His entire body was covered by the armor, except his head. The man had crimson eyes and crimson colored hair.

"Ah, hello, my good man!" The man greeted Colmaz. "I am Sssalivan, currently in my human form right now." He says. "O have a question for you and I need you to answer me honestly, do you really think that you and 50 wyverns can defeat me?" He asks. "After all, I defeated the Avatar of Evil, or as you know him King D, and the Avatar of Death on my own." He said, still smiling.

Legendary

@Claw2k11 Gorun nods, "I am sorry, but I don't think I'm interested in this sword. However, I promise I will not bother you here and seek out another blade." Gorun looked for approval from the death knight.

He simply thought it would be immoral to take the blade. Besides, his sword of Mythril was already pretty strong and well enchanted, and while it might not be a match for this blade it had served him well.

@RabidAnubis

"Very well then." He says sheathing Corruptor. "My master told me to give this sword to another warrior if you don't accept it, his name is Colmaz and he is currently in the city Towar, very close to Sssalivan and Soulstealer. Maybe we can accompany each other there?" The Death Knight asks. "My presence will make sure any undead stay away from you." He says. "And quite a few living creatures as well!" He says with a chuckle.

@Claw2k11

"Alright then, let's move!" She orders, walking ahead into the Death Marshes. "Elve, do you have any telepathic powers? Keeping in contact with our allies in the sky would really help."

@Delta44

"I can, and our dragon and avian friend have spotted her, or rather she spotted the dragon." He said as a barrage of energy arrows flew above them and right for the dragon.

Everyone, including the young knight pulled out their weapons and smiled. They were ready for battle.

@Simple Unicycle @BytheSpleen

However, before anyone could get Earthrent, over fifty people rushed in the temple and while they didn't attack anyone, they had their weapons drawn.

Connor could see a hobgoblin(Iosef) armed with a night elf sword. With him were bald man dressed in purple robes, a attractive young woman with purple hair and the same purple robes, a man dressed in a jesters clothing and a large manticore that was now hissing at the group of men that had just entered the temple. Far behind them was a large golem analyzing the figures.

Iosef could see over fifty people. Among them were several figures that stood out, a massive human as big as an orc, a orc in full plate mail, a female elf, two twin humans and another human in front of them(Connor).

"Stand down, human." The bald man said. "Asastasia herself, the goddess of time foresaw that the sword will belong to the hobgoblin here, let us get the sword and we will help you get any other sword you wish!"

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"Sounds great, thanks! I'm not too accustomed to horseback riding, so this will definitely be a new experience for me. I just hope I don't fall off and make a fool out of myself. I think I'll spend some time working on my poison idea, and then we'll take off. Now all I need are some plants and a bathtub full of ammonia. That second part is going to be hard, though. I should probably just use water." Colmaz was sucked back into his notebook again, before looks up at Garas.

"I'll go rent us a room at whatever inn I find first. We should rest up before charging into Sssvalian's lair and starting the peace talks."

Colmaz set off, only paying half attention to the road, too lost in his thoughts. He switched between looking for an inn, and keeping his eyes firmly in his book.

@iotas

And he was stopped by two lizardmen armored in plate mail. They had no hostile look on them and even smiled at Colmaz. One of them approached his ear and whispered:

"Sssalivan wishes to see you now, do not shout or even think of running and we'll kill you in a flash. Don't worry, he wishes to offer you a proposition."

@Claw2k11@Delta44

Of course as soon as knight is comfortable there is someone trying to kill him. A huff escapes him as he tucks his wings causing him to start plummeting quickly. As soon as he spots the avian his wings shoot back out and he gets next to them. "trouble 100 meters ahead. They are targeting only me so I can try to evade them if that is wished" his eyes focus on Ana, keeping her and her arrow in sight. He isn't totally worried since he noticed her before the arrow was set loose.

@BlackPanther

However, before he could even blink again, a barrage of arrows was upon him and the avian, he could try to dodge, or he could try to block them, he had only a moment to decide his action.

Legendary

This looks freaking cool! Is it too late to join?

@Swagmeister

It is... I'm sorry!

Legendary

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"We use persuasion, in either one sense or the other. I'm sure some words of the Grand Marshal's righteousness can convince him, and even then, our job is to collect the swords, not kill their hosts. We can do this a number of ways: intimidation, combat, stealth. The fact we have a dragon on our side also helps. The boy'll see soon enough - the innocent are so easy to corrupt."

A faint feeling of dread emanates from Maryvale as she utters the last line, looking back at her other companions with... well, it's impossible to tell. "But of course, when push comes to shove, the Grand Marshal said "by any means necessary". I won't endanger the lives of comrades for the sake of a troubled, morally-guided soul."

@Delta44

"Very well, milady." The gnoll said grinning. "We'll move on your orders! If we get this weapon, then the others will be all the easier to fetch!"

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"Sounds great. Thank you," said Colmaz. He was worried about talking to the guard, so he was relieved Garas was talking care of it. He passed the time by flipping through his notebook, looking over the poisons again and deciding what to do about the potions.

@iotas

And after about ten or so minutes, Garas comes out of the office of the Garrison Commander with a wide smile on his face.

"We have 50 wyvern knights with us, plus wyverns for each of us, if you thought riding a horse was hard, riding a wyvern is even harder!" He says to Colmaz. "They're gonna wait for us outside while we go talk with Sssalivan, if things go sour they'll burst in to save us and distract Sssalivan while we get Soulstealer, sound good, mate?"

Knight gives a slight nod before launching himself into the sky. From the ground, his shape is high in the sky but still visible. Of course, if he were to spot something his shape would be much closer to ensure accuracy. Since he doesn't wish to get ahead of the little group he flies in place. If needed, he would assist as well figuring that he would be helpful in many situations.

@BlackPanther

Only about 100 meters ahead of the group, there was a young girl wielding a beautiful shining bow. Judging from the magic energy coming from her, she was Anna... and she saw Knight. A shining arrow made of pure energy appeared on the bow and aimed right at night...

@Claw2k11
"Alright folks," Connor exclaims, stepping into the tavern, "we've got more people. Let's go get that sword!" Connor shouts to his group. Once they're following him, he would of course run out of the tavern and go to the temple.

@Simple Unicycle

The temple was a small bland building made of sandstone and lacking any decoration. Inside the building was a staircase leading down further into the temple and judging from the faint talking sounds, somebody was already inside, though probably they hadn't gotten the sword yet.

Legendary

@Claw2k11 Gorun looked at the Corruptor blade.

In a way, the dwarvern knight knew that the death knight's master was correct. This blade was simply insanely powerful, and there was no way that any kingdom could wield it responsibly across the span of several dynasties.

Additionally, the opportunity to learn what enchantment was on the blade was an exciting one. First and foremost, Gorun was an enchanter.

"Could you tell me exactly what the blade does? I think your master has a fair point, I can't imagine any of the king's current sons wielding Darkstalker properly..."

@RabidAnubis

"The blade has dark magic infused in it, even the slightest wound by this sword will Corrupt the target, turning them in a Shade loyal to the wielder of the sword. The time it will take to turn the target in a Shade depends on the wound caused by the sword.

This sword can also shoot black fire, a fire so hot that I can melt through any armor in seconds. As soon as the fire engulfs it's target, it will turn it into a Fiery Shade." He explains, still no hint of emotion in his voice. "Oh, and the sword can cut through any metal like a knife through hot butter.

"Now, will help Master Midnight to stop this mad hunt that will doom not only humanity, but every other species?"

Legendary

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Maryvale leaps from his back to the floor, landing with a faint crack slipping from the ground, and an even fainter grunt upon her landing. Standing, she surveys the area; honestly, it was all she expected the Death Marshes to be: a dark, foggy place filled with dead trees and a terrifying magic presence.

Well, terrifying to normal people, at least. The Dark Knight merely walks ahead a few meters, as her companions climbed from the dragon, excluding the Avian. Turning, she stares at the dragon. "D'gon, would you mind looking around a bit from the higher skies? I hear a dragon's sight is to be reckoned with by Avian kind." It was faint, though it sounded as though she had just smirked. "Avian, you act closer to the ground, if you would. We'll need you close by to both scout and help in battle, plus you can relay any information the D'gon provides. You may both take to the skies when you're ready."

@Delta44

The avian nods and takes up to the skies whilst the rest get their equipment ready, meanwhile the gnoll approaches Maryvale and whispers to her:

"My lady, the other universal weapons will most likely be already claimed by someone by the time we get this and while I have no qualms about killing, the little human knight might oppose us killing the other mercenaries and steal their weapon... what will we do if he does?"