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The End of Day; [P] Vernon
Topic Started: Wed Dec 31, 2008 12:03 am (841 Views)
Yulth
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The day had vanished behind the horizon several hours ago. What little moonlight that could make it past the thick boughes of the marsh trees was the only source of illumination as he moved forward. He listened to the mixed sounds of the night life: insects, bats, the rustling of roosting birds, and some that belonged to the world of nightmares. The old man showed no sign of fear or paranoia as he trudged along paths that were just firm enough to keep him from slipping into the thick, sticky marshes.

He appeared human. His face was long and pale, countered by a thick black beard and balding black hair on the top of his head. He wore a brown robe, tattered, and covered in various stains. They smelled of the marsh and of old blood. He walked with a broken branch that served as a walking stick. Each foot had the sound of a sick sucking as his feet sunk over an inch into a layer of mold and decay before being tugged back out for another step. The sagging skin under his eyes were a sign of his age. He appeared to be in his sixties, if not older than that.

He paused for a moment as he came across a curious site. A small rodent had been killed and the corpse was laying across his path. With limited interest, the old man nudged the body with his makeshift walking stick, trying to ascertain the cause of death. A snake bite. For some reason, the snake did not finish its meal. He pushed the corpse off of the path into the waiting marsh for it to decay and add to the stench. He continued walking.
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Vernon
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Vernon spied on his most recent intruder from the air. He actually had other things upon his agenda, but decided to put them on hold as his gaze caught sight of a new arrival to his marsh. It smell like human, yet it was clearly the creature was no longer simply that. He was an infused, demon no less. He was not any of the few he knew to be in the divschatten, though Vernon did not know the scent of them all. There was also the lingering scent of blood on either the clothes or the man himself. A bounty hunter perhaps? But he didn't seem the type, nor did he seem like one seeking combat. Those his age tended to avoided such fleeting and daring trifles. He was here for another reason, but what?

Keeping his form of a large bat Vernon decided to follow this man for a bit before deciding what to do with him. He hoped he wouldn't have to wait long or else he might have to punish the old man for conjuring boredom as well as for his trespassing into the marsh. Perhaps the old man sought special herb or magical ingredients for some sort of potion he could divulge the secret to. That seemed most likely so far, but Vernon had been wrong before.

(Too lazy to do better XO at present)
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Yulth
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Without warning, the man stopped walking. His head had not turned to look at anything stunning. He had simply stopped. In front of him, the path continued without monument. The only mark was an open pool of water, no larger than a grown man's foot. The old man let himself to the ground slowly, his bones creaking like an ancient door. His face showed amazement and accomplishment.

Behind the tired eyes, Yulth watched as the ley line finally crossed another. He had been following the path of the magical energy for days without rest. It had taken him this long to find an intersection, a place of heightened focus and power. Yulth sentenced the young mage who told him how to trace this line to a long and painful death for his lack of clarity. Now, Yulth focused on the task. One hand slipped into his robe and brought out a single coal, smoking heavily as though it had been pulled from a fire. The smell of burning flesh wafted on the light wind as the embers ate into the man's palm. Yulth diverted his attention to the coal momentarily and whispered something. No sound left his lips.

The faint light from the coal seemed to sputter and die, only to be replaced by something more chilling. Visible, dark energy emitted from the coal and wrapped around it. The rest of Yulth's hand seemed to freeze and pull away in small shards of solid flesh. Within moments, the coal sat in a shallow pool of blood, sizzling and crackling as though the object was burning and freezing simultaneously. The old man showed no emotion as the powerful magic wrapped around his hand. With a careless toss, he dropped the coal into the puddle that sat atop the conjoining ley lines. A small puff of smoke marked its dissapearance into the darkness and it was gone.

The old man shook his mangled hand and watched as more flesh fell away onto the dank marsh path. Behind the skin were sharp, bone claws. He used his freed hand to tear into his face, more skin and blood tumbling to the ground as he worked. The face of the Osyluth became visible as he tore into his own false body, basking in the feeling of death as he clawed his way back into his true form.
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Vernon
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He stopped and for apparently no reason. Did he somehow detect he was being watched? Vernon hovered in the air before hanging himself from a tree to monitor the strange infused. There was nothing around that he could see, save a small puddle. As far as Vernon could recall there was nothing special about it, yet the man still lowered him self to it with a look on his face that seemed to show that the small puddle was everything he had been waiting for. Mages were a weird lot. Was it insanity form age or was the old man really on to some secret less known by even the master of the Marsh?

His oddities did not cease, but became stranger and stranger as the mage seemed to perform some ritual with a burning lump of coal. His shedding of flesh clearly brought him to his true form. His former human form clearly did not seem to match the various changes a human would have underwent to have such a strong demonic bond.

It was obvious the puddle served as some sort of focus for the ritual, though there was still the question of what the ritual truly was. Vernon doubted it was to conjure smoke or shed his skin, but held some greater purpose veiled by the smoke. The man did not seem as if he was focusing on the ritual, but rather seemed in a state of ecstasy as he true form bloomed beneath the false skin. Waiting until the being was finished might have been best, but curiosity got the better of Vernon. "Things indeed are not always what they seem," Vernon noted aloud before Yulth. I might not be enough to get the mage to babble on about his glorious spell, but Vernon was too lazy at present to demand that the mage declare what he was doing. He was still in the form of a bat, but there were no other creatures about for the voice to orginate from.
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Yulth
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The boney face of the Osyluth turned toward the voice and gave a sinister hiss. Although his skin seemed pulled tight against his skull, his lip still managed to peel back and reveal fang-like teeth. His eyes, buried in a deep socket, squinted slightly and threatened to tear the flesh from his own scalp. It was hideous. As Yulth peered directly at the large bat, the rest of his body was still taking shape. Sickening snaps and pops marked the lengthening of joints and bones as he tore from the remaining sack of fake flesh that he had used to disguise his travel. His large, scorpion-like tail was the last appendage to tear free from the mass. It raised threateningly over Yulth's head while he evaluated the bat.

He was not a bat, the ancient mage surmised. "Not what they seem," came a slow rumble. "I can pluck your wings and then we will see what things really are."

His voice turned to an amused laugh, directed at no one at all. Yulth's clawed finger rose to point at the bat, silently tracing some magical tendrils that circled the winged creature. He was intrigued by the aura that he saw in front of him. He had seen few so tainted. It reminded him of his own.
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Vernon
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Apparently he still had a few lessons to learn in tact. He had hoped to avoid invoking aggression in the mage, just because he was the Master of the Marsh didn't mean he had to feel like pulverizing all of the time. Vernon began the workings of a spell of his own when he realized there was only a slim chance of avoiding combat. He didn't know many defensive spells, but hopefully it would be enough to negate whatever the mage was planning.

"Just as I could shred your flesh and then we could see if another set was hidden beneath, but that wouldn't accomplish much," Vernon retorted.

"When wolves turn their claws against each other it is the sheep and shepherds that benefit," Vernon grinned as he let go of the branch. He landed on the ground in his casual rat-like humanoid form. Perhaps he could try getting this creature into the divschatten. It might even help him get a little more lee way with Lynthear. If it got bring apocalypse one step closer then it was worth it shot. Vernon's tail swayed behind him as he judged the infused's reaction. Had he ruined his plans from the beginning or was there still a chance to pull some use out of the human.
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Yulth
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Yulth watched the strands fall with the creature and followed him casually with his finger. He was in no rush. The magic flowed in the air like incensed smoke, curling in on itself while riding invisible gusts of wind. The wind drove it to the strange creature that had changed himself from one vermin to another. Yulth's laughter, his cackling madness, returned as he amused himself with the comparison. His indented eyes watched with amusement at the curious creature standing before him. His soul would be interesting, he had no doubt.

"Wolves and sheep. Shepherds as well," came a slow response as the laughter faded back into Yulth's throat. "Common, they do not concern me. You may keep them all."

Yulth's face twisted into a crazed smile, and his eyebrows pulled downward with devious thoughts. He felt the tingling of magic begin to tug at his own mind. It had a familiar feel. His own devices were returning to him with promises of new knowledge. Yulth always felt a thirst for this particular knowledge. To know of more pain and fear and how to make the world feel its own pitiful mortality.

"Foot, hoof, or claw, all fill the stomach and ripen the blood. That is the purpose of the common: to distract one another from those few who feast indiscriminately," Yulth explained in a strikingly coherent manner. "Are you distracted?"

(OOC: Attempted to cast Know Fear. Feel free to explain the fear IC or OOC if it picked up on anything or if it was nullified.)

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Vernon
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His spell would have likely him from Yulth's effect, yet it came too late. Bats erupted from Vernon's backpack and settled on the branches around them. Normally such a spell would effect the swarm first, but not if they came out after the spell had already found it's home. The effect wasn't immediately obvious to Vernon, yet as the human spoke of distractions he found disturbing thoughts coming to mind. Poisons failing, diseases being cured and driven into nonexistence, and worst of all a world that defied logical and was destined for perpetual existence. Clearly the being before him had something to do with these troublesome thoughts. It was looking more and more like he was going to half to show this human that his infusement did not stop him from filling the stomach and ripening the blood, though he could not give the being the satisfaction of knowing his spell had any worthwhile effect.

"Can't say I am at present, though I must ask a question of my own. What is it that separates you from the common? I'm sure you are not foolish enough to believe a demonic pact is enough to accomplish this," Vernon returned nonchalantly as reached a hand back to his backpack. The talk of food was making him hungry, though it didn't take much for that. Ironically enough it was a human foot that he withdrew. Technically it was tiefling, though the hint of demon was was removed. Perfect for keeping civil so long as as the human sought to do likewise. He brought the leg before him and licked the rotted foot as if it were a lollipop after inhaling it's succulent scent.
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Yulth
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Yulth's eyes followed the explosion of bats momentarily until he discovered they were content to sit among the nearby branches. He mused at how tight the accomodations would have been in the bag. This brought back his deranged sense of glee as he returned his gaze to the large rodent. He was still thirsting for what knowledge awaited him, and he was not dissapointed. Flashes of images played through his head, but they seemed to play in the opposite fashion from normal. The diseases were being cured and the world thrived for eternity. Yulth's smile looked like a deep slash across his boney face. This creature was strange indeed. He began to debate whether the rat would be more amusing in the bag of gemstones resting on his hip or let free to roam as a travelling entertainment. Yulth doubted he would have trouble following the creature if he was so inclined.

The old mage seemed unphased by the creature's meal, but he could not but have a thought. The condition of the limb was terrible, nowhere near the freshness needed for a decent ingredient. Yulth was appreciative that there were some scavengers around to clean up the garbage. His thought was followed by a short laugh, which may have seemed directed at the rat's commentary.

"Not but a thread in this marionette world, not but a thread," Yulth responded cryptically.

Yulth heard a sizzle from the small pool of water behind him and he turned his head to look at it with another cackle.
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Vernon
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Bothersome, neither his laugh nor the infused's comment hardly seemed to answer the question. Apparently he thought himself too grand to answer questions. Was the man before him just crazed and mad or simply arrogant? The answer was probably both. Either would likely make him less useful to Lynthear. Quite a pity. Vernon didn't let his irritation show. Vernon pondered whether he should even grace the useless comment with any hint of a reply. He decided against it as the pool the creature had performed some ritual over began to show new signs of life. Much of his view of the puddle was blocked by the mage, but he could clearly hear its sizzle. Perhaps the creature would be more inclined to answer a question of his work, the arrogant often took the opportunity to brag.

"Mind telling what you little ritual do, or will the conjured magic answer that question on its own soon enough?" Vernon asked with little attempt to hide his curiosity. Hopefully this question would go better than conversation fared so far with this possibly demented fellow. It seemed to be a summoning of some sort, though whether it's effects were soon to come or hours down the road was quite beyond Vernon's scope of magic.
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Yulth
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The sizzle was joined with a thin stream of smoke that smelled of rot and decay: the viscous soup that was the marsh was seeping into the air. Yulth's pulled nostrils took in the scent as though it were a good memory. His vision shifted and he eyed the puddle with more intent. He almost ignored the large rat entirely. It was his profane sight that drew his gaze so intently. Mixed vapors below the surface of the water fought with one another as the bindings that seperated life and death, dead from the undead, were pitted in a mortal battle. Yulth knew the fate of the mortal life when faced with eternal undeath, and he took joy in watching the flickering lights of life fade away into the abyss. The ley lines almost seemed to pulse as the magic was drawn inward to the puddle. Both sides would call for more power until it was decided. Yulth had spent months researching the ancient ritual. It was only when the greater powers pulled from the land itself that enough could be sapped for his own devices. It was working.

Yulth snapped his head back toward the rat as he asked about the ritual. It would be a waste to dispatch of the rodent. He could serve as a witness to a new age, one lost to the pages of history. His seemingly fixated smile shifted to something closer to a grin as he spoke.

"Another marionette to the play, another thread to cut the rest."
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Vernon
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A stench came to Vernon's nose that was even stronger than the foot's. Vernon put down the arm carrying tasty treat down as he took in the delightful scent by sniffing the air. It seemed to be coming from the pool, which was not too much a surprise as not much else could spontaneously conjure such a scent. If all of the being's rituals were so well scented surely he might have to have him around more often, though the mage seemed too annoying to have around often or even for to long a time. Vernon forgot he had even asked a question, though the pool and Yulth's captivated attention seemed to answer it well enough.

Vernon was pleased slightly to know that his guess had brought him close to the truth. It was indeed a summoning of some sort. It seemed he would have to wait until the creature came about to find out what sort of being was being summoned. He wondered if it was even possible do get anything but figurative babble out of the infused's mouth. Vernon was curious as to where all these threads were leading to, but he didn't care enough to ask and chances were the infused was even less in the mood to talk about it instead of giving some off topic cryptic message.

"A marionette with a fancy pair of shears, sounds like a wonder I'd be glad to see in action."
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Yulth
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Yulth cackled maniacally at the rat's comment, his mouth threatening to snap off in the process. He regained his composure quickly and stared at the vermin once again before speaking. "It will not be long now."

The words were not to brag or to be threatening. Just as a hostage claims that someone is coming to save them, it was a hope, or if the hostage had as much control over the matter as Yulth, a promise. He watched the pool again and made a sound of frustration. One ley line seemed to be pulsing more rapidly than the other. He would have sent out his sick laughter into the air had it been the correct line. Instead, it seemed to grow brighter as the magics of life started to overtake the dark essence that had been doing so well just moments before. It would have been a moment for reflection had Yulth cared about the implications for even a second. Instead, like any good player, he took the game into his own hands.

"If you choose to take your place on the stage, then play your part and sacrifice a pound of desecrated flesh on the altar," Yulth instructed with a motion toward the puddle.

His clawed hand reached toward the sky and he etched strange symbols in the open air as his wretched voice chanted arcane words quickly and with precision. The very sky seemed to bend and darken at his whims to reveal a blood red moon. It only grew darker and more foreboding as Yulth chanted. He did not concern himself with the sky at all, his eyes were pinned on the puddle. Slowly, his magic started to take effect. The dark omen would serve Yulth's purposes just perfectly, and only now did he allow himself to laugh again. He was winning.
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Vernon
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Was the remark truly so funny? Perhaps he was pleased the progress of his ritual. Vernon found the scent intriguing, but the rest of the pool's activities held far less interesting. Perhaps it was his ignorance in the matters magic. If the spell had nothing to to with disease, poisons or any such fun things it most likely beyond the scope of his knowledge and interest. If the summoned creature came forth to prove Vernon wrong it only would mean that his powers were more dormant that previously thought.

Vernon was surprised to be invited into the ritual, but was glad to see some sort connection being made with the mage. Vernon pondered using the foot, but ultimately decided against it as he approached. The foot was indeed desecrated, but he could do better than that. Sadly it would mean loss of a nice snack, but those were held in plenty and the infused didn't ask for much. Vernon went around the mage to an adjacent pool side, but stood further away from the pool. He no need of getting too close and conjuring the wrath of the mage or summoned beast. By the time Vernon reached his destination a once fair elven hand was in the grip of Vernon's clawed hand. It no longer looked fair in any meaning of the word. Dirty, discolored, riddled with maggots, and oozing sickening juices. It's odor bested the foot's, but still paled before the pool. To add to the list of descerations the elf had died by poison. A rather well seasoned snack. Vernon loathed to depart with it and nearly tossed the foot in instead, but he managed to do so after sampling a small bite off of the pinky. Yulth seemed focused on the pool, trying to tweak the ritual back on track or continuing it. Either way, trying to converse with the fellow seemed to lack a point, unless there was more he should do on stage.
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Yulth
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Yulth grinned as he looked at the large rat. The hand served its purpose well. Within moments, it was consumed by dark tendrils that were clearly visible to even the untrained eye. The mage was pleased, he had not expected the hand of an immortal to be sacrificed. That would only help him more. Yulth wondered if this rat would serve more use than he had originally assumed.

The first true signs of the ritual's success had appeared. The water not only seemed to boil, but it also seemed to gel and roll. A single limb, what looked like a glowing red hand, scratched its way through the surface for a moment before being pulled under again. The Osyluth in the back of Yulth's head could make no comment to ruin the mage's mood. Yulth took two steps back from the puddle. The puddle would not be a sufficient portal.

"Excellent, it is almost done," Yulth clarified to the rat.

They ley lines were beginning to dim. The fight would be decided soon, but the victor was already assured.

"You seem prepared," the Osyluth mentioned without expression. "I was curious if you would lash out at one of your pets," he said while motioning to the bats lined up on the branches, "before giving up your meal."
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