Session Start: Wed May 19 18:30:38 2010 Session Ident: #Sharn 03[18:30:38] * Now talking in #Sharn [18:43:19] [51 Days A.T. out of Stormreach] [18:44:46] [The group stands about in the middle of a star-filled void, with a large, hideously brutish monster wearing spectacles. Mauz had received a forboding gift of a strange deck of cards.] [18:44:53] [Session Start] 06[18:45:34] * Mauz looks... haunted, to say the least. He's holding the cards in both hands, not even daring to look with them just yet. [18:45:56] [The monster stands beside Mauz, watching calmly as Mauz contemplates what he's done by taking the deck.] 06[18:45:57] * Marianysa looks at the cards in Mauz's hands. "Is...that what I think it is?" 01[18:46:10] Mauz? [18:46:29] "Is there any other part of the Archive of Unrelenting Scorn you would like to puruse?" [18:48:04] ... uh, n-no. Not right now. 01[18:48:25] Is that bad news? 01[18:48:32] ... you know, that's a pretty ominous name [18:48:37] [The monster nods and then disappears.] [18:49:24] [The party is left milling about in an infinite starscape, with only a melon-sized ball of burning blue to use as an immediate landmark.] [18:50:31] No Aun. We should go. 01[18:50:36] ... I wish I had a ceiling. Or a floor. 06[18:51:49] * Mauz tucks the cards into their helpful little container (where DID it come from?) and closes it. He still looks rattled. "Seriously. Starting not to like this place." [18:52:21] [Phanos shakes his head] "What `appen to bein sur mon? We ain't see no Aun in da gambly-place ya ugly fren take us too, but he be sayin der else'wa ta be lookin" [18:53:17] Mauz, just, uh...be REALLY careful with those cards. [18:54:31] ... maybe, yeah. Okay. Guide, are you still here? [18:54:39] [There's no answer.] 06[18:55:05] * Mauz moves to touch the light with his palm again, mumbling to himself. [18:55:10] "Hello and welcome to the Archive of Unrelenting Scorn. Would you like a guide to [18:55:10] aid you?" [18:55:19] Yes, please. [18:55:35] What about an Archive of Useful Information? [18:56:00] Or, at least, an Archive of Restrained Condescension? [18:56:24] [A 9-foot-tall hideous vulture-like humanoid with serated claws and a razor-lined beak appears out of starstuff. He is dressed in fine scholarly robes.] [18:57:01] "How may I serve you?" 06[18:58:02] * Mauz jekrs at the sudden appearance. "Are there other areas that we haven't explored, and if so... may we see them?" [18:59:16] "There are as many areas of the Archive as there are ways to sow chaos and hatred in the world. Which would you like to see?" [18:59:58] ...do you have any areas that aren't for sowing chaos and hatred? [19:00:04] ... are there any locations not devoted to either chaos or hate? 06[19:00:10] * Mauz looks Mari's way for a moment. [19:00:57] ... wait. Hey. Hey, guide. Why are you different than before? [19:01:26] [The creature seems not to hear Mari speak, but answers Mauz's directly.] "There are some, yes. Are you interested in learning more on anatomy? The Archive has an immense collection of medical aids." [19:01:48] [The creature tilts its birdlike head.]"I am no different than I always am." [19:02:30] No you're not. You were... 06[19:02:43] * Mauz grits his teeth for a moment. "Anatomy. Yes. Now." [19:03:21] [The vulture-monster twists its beak in an alarmingly disquieting grin.] "Certainly." 01[19:03:32] Huh? [19:03:54] ... I don't like you all that much. At all. And really, you're not the same guide as before. Where did it go? [19:04:02] [The void lurches into a cascade of light, and there's a feeling of freefall.] 06[19:04:21] * Mauz looks ready to move, but he's... tense. And then he's quickly closing his mouth and clapping a hand over it. [19:04:58] [The sensation ends abruptly with a flash of darkness. It takes a moment for everyone's eyes to adjust, but there's a dim, rudy light pervading the large hallway.] 06[19:06:00] * Mauz pauses, closes his eyes, and fights down the urge to vomit. "... ngh. Okay. Okay. Seriously, I'd like an answer. Where is the previous guide, and who specifically are you?" [19:06:04] [Metal stairs lead up to a balcony on each on each end of the hall, creating a second floor. On each side of the hallway, and on each floor, are cells, like a prison. The hallway extends into darkness. There's an eerie echo of metal slowly squeaking on metal.] [19:07:10] [The guide adjusts the sleaves of his robe.] "My name would cause your ears to bleed. But yes, I am not the guide you had earlier. He is busy with a new arrival." 06[19:07:28] * Mauz pauses. "Who's this new arrival?" 01[19:07:30] A new... 01[19:07:36] Of all the... [19:08:00] I think I know who, and I think my hunch was right about the bastard, too. [19:08:25] "I do not know. Would you like me to take you to him?" [The vulture-beast pauses, glancing upward.] "Oh, he has excellent taste." [19:08:59] ... before I answer that question, what prompted the compliment? [19:09:43] "He has asked to be brought to the heart of the Archive." [19:10:13] Ladies, I say we confront. Your thoughts? 01[19:10:37] We have to. [19:10:39] [Phanos laughs.] "What, I ain't got no say, mon?" [19:10:52] Ladies and *gentlemen*. Look, I have a bias. 06[19:11:49] * Mauz sighs. "Nonetheless, it looks like we'll be joining the nice man with taste. It seems we have some business to discuss. Guide, whenever." 06[19:12:31] * Marianysa scowls. "Yeah, let's go say hi." [19:13:37] "Certainly. The Libram of Violence awaits." [19:14:43] [The disturbing prison-wing comprising the "medical" section of the library distorts into a greasy black sludge, enveloping the group. A moment later there is another flash of black, and the party is standing before a horrifying scene.] [19:16:19] [The walls are lined with weapons of all kinds, and on each blade and protrusion, a creature is impaled. Most are humanoid, but there are seen great carcasses of dragons stuck upon massive spikes of crystal and feathered serpentine forms hanging from hooks like banners.] 06[19:16:32] * Aurora gasps. [19:17:47] ... I've had this dream before. Or something like it. 06[19:17:52] * Mauz still looks pale. [19:18:01] [Before them, however, a large khyber shard, shaped into the form of a greatsword impaling a dragon's skull on a pedastal. In front of that is Xev, holding Shezna by the hair, and a bloody dagger in his hand. He looks to all of you as Shezna's corpse bleeds onto the pedastal.] 06[19:18:42] * Mauz takes a moment to soak that in. "She... literally was ready to die for you. And you gave her a purpose, huh." [19:18:57] ... you're honest, I'll give you that. 01[19:19:10] Dammit! [19:19:21] [He looks at you, and his normally impassive face cracks into insane rage and anger for a moment.] "YOUUU-hmm..." [He regains his composure.] "You are correct." 01[19:19:39] You're disgusting. 06[19:19:54] * Marianysa 's face darkens. "So this is what you were after. A useless, boring library like this." [19:19:57] "I am become more than you can ever imagine." [19:20:19] "Kk-USELESS?! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" [19:20:27] Don't flatter yourself. I can imagine a whole lot. [19:20:30] And this? [19:20:32] This place? [19:20:35] [He doubles over in insane laughter.] [19:20:44] What good is a library with such a narrow focus? [19:20:48] It's pathetic. [19:21:02] "I'll show you." [19:21:05] [init] [19:21:12] Xev, making deals for power isn't something you do without knowing the consequences. Heh, I should know. What price will you pay for this, I wonder... 03[19:26:45] * NovaSeaker changes topic to 'Init:Xev, Mauz, Phanos, Mari, Johen, Aurora' 01[19:27:38] We know his tricks. He turns invisible. He uses people. He's run out of people to use. 01[19:27:47] Without others, you're nothing, Xev. [19:48:04] "I am more than I was. You failed to stop my apotheosis. I no longer have need of weaklings." [19:48:19] We'll see. [19:48:44] [As he speaks, lines of fire appear all over his body like tiger stripes, burning away his clothes, revealing a well muscled and genderless form.] [19:48:52] Oh, you're going to talk us to death. [19:48:55] That's appropriate. [19:49:39] [He speaks words of hatred that flow from his mouth like angrily glowing sigils, hovering around him, and then he begins lashing at the party with fowl, ancient words that project from his mouth and explode amongst them.] [19:49:52] [Mauz's Turn] [19:53:24] [Phanos's Turn] 06[19:54:07] * Mauz hisses as he's tangled up... but nonetheless smiles. He is suddenly further up, and levies a vile curse on Xev. The cards are fanned in his hands as he unleashes a spining crown of light... that burns up in Xev's light. "... hn." [19:54:37] [Mari's Turn] [20:00:43] [Johen's Turn] 06[20:01:17] * Marianysa rushes up the stairs with a yell, stabbing at Xev, but hitting only air. [20:03:58] [Aurora's Turn] 06[20:11:19] * Aurora rushes forward, trying to spread out a bit. She shouts out, and a tear in the world opens, and an entity of silver flame, wielding a blade, steps out of it. She herself bursts into a blinding silver glow that lingers. [20:14:11] [Mauz's Turn] [20:14:50] [Xev deftly sidestepps while uttering a vicious epithet at Mari, which hits her like a physical blow, causing her to stagger back.] [20:17:28] [Phanos's Turn] 06[20:17:47] * Marianysa braces herself with one foot. "Seriously, Xev. What're you trying to hurt, my feelings?" [20:18:26] [Mari's Turn] 06[20:18:26] * Mauz growls a little, taking a moment to center himself before he dances back and instintively calls on a little of the Deck's power. That done, he sends a beam of cold starlight down... to burn up in those tiger-flames again. [20:18:42] Well, shit. [20:22:29] [Johen's Turn] 06[20:23:01] * Marianysa darts forward, slicing at Xev's throat, but missing again. [20:24:57] [Aurora's Turn] [20:26:10] [Mari is blasted by the seething rage of the visible litany of hate whirling around Xev, digging its way forcibly into her mind.] 06[20:36:15] * Aurora moves to get a better view and shouts a word of primal authority at Xez. It doesn't take hold. [20:36:48] [Temper growls, tired of waiting for his opening, and charges Xev.] 03[20:36:55] * NovaSeaker changes topic to 'Init:Xev, Mauz, Phanos, Mari, Johen, Aurora, Temper' [20:42:06] [Xev sidesteps Mari and Temper, continuously chanting his fury and hatred, until he reaches a crescendo of scorn with a physically and mentally scathing rebuke, knocking both Mari and Temper off their feet.] [20:42:16] [Mauz's Turn] 06[20:49:27] * Mauz slides over, a smoky shadow. The cards spin around his hand, and he smiles as his eyes glow a baleful purple. "Freeze." Grasping claws leap from the earth and slash up towards Xev, aiming to chill his flames and, perhaps, his very soul. [20:50:20] This is the price of borrowed power, Xev! Suffering and agony! Eternal torment! [20:51:48] [Xev's chant stutters for a moment as the chill takes him, but his rage is no extinguished so easily...] [20:52:02] [Phanos's Turn] [20:54:16] [Mari's Turn] [20:55:18] [Mari can attest to Xev's undiminished anger, as it continually tries to force its way into her psyche at such close proximity. The visible sigils of his hate seem to compress all around her.] [21:00:19] [Aurora's Turn] 06[21:00:29] * Marianysa pulls herself to feet, still glaring at Xev. "So what're you so pissed about, anyway? Thought you got what you wanted? Or is it not everything you hoped for? Still feeling a little empty inside?" [21:03:40] "Hah-hahaha! You don't understand anything! You are all so flawed and disgusting! That you even exist is what angers me! Such imperfect beings!" [21:05:06] If you're so perfect, why do you even care? Sounds like you're pretty flawed yourself. [21:06:26] "BECAUSE THE WORLD IS FLAWED SO LONG AS YOU ALL ARE IN IT! EVERY LAST SQUIRMING ONE OF YOU!" [21:06:37] (Whoops) [21:06:41] "BECAUSE THE WORLD IS FLAWED SO LONG AS YOU ALL ARE IN IT! EVERY LAST SQUIRMING ONE OF YOU!" 06[21:07:44] * Mauz pauses at the tirade... and smirks. "It's funny. The voices scare me more." 06[21:07:48] * Marianysa grins nastily at Xev. "You mean, like you were until a few minutes ago? You really do hate yourself, don't you?" [21:08:53] "You're logic is so flawed it isn't even amusing." [21:09:25] "Comfort yourself in knowingg you won't have to live in such painful ignorance much longer." 06[21:09:28] * Aurora unleashes a torrent of Celestial water upon Xev, its holy chill piercing him. Divine power surges through her, and Mari's wounds are healed almost completely. [21:10:06] [Xev's eyes flare as he's doused with the cold.] "Mongrel BITCH!" 01[21:10:11] I'm tired of you, Xev. 01[21:10:26] I don't care what you say any more. I haven't even been paying attention. [21:11:06] If you can slay us, Xev, do it! Claim your destiny! If you can't... then you'll die knowing *mongrels* bested you. [21:11:29] "Understanding isn't a requirement for learning. I will teach you the purity of my hate by searing it into yoour bones." 06[21:11:55] * Marianysa stands up straighter. "Thanks, Aura." She turns back to Xev. "Well, you're partly right. You won't have to deal with us any longer. But that's because you don't have much time left. Someone as small and petty as you...just doesn't have a chance." [21:13:26] [Temper neatly kip-ups onto his heels and begins barreling into Xev. He doesn't seem to bother with the banter.] 06[21:14:31] * Aurora pauses, then glances at the braziers. [21:14:43] [Session Pause] Session Close: Thu May 20 00:00:00 2010