Ravagers in the Night (Renown) (Private)
Jan 21, 2024 20:29:59 GMT -5
Post by Bellighul//Amilcar on Jan 21, 2024 20:29:59 GMT -5
A blackened horizon shook with thunder, as the firmament above was bespeckled with bursts of white light. Lightning, common in Dragon's Cradle, darted across the clouds like snakes dispersing towards the edges of the earth. A maelstrom. The sheer force of the racket pulsed downwards into the night; reverberating in the bones of two guardsmen. They walked carefully, bearing flickering torches. The patrol was often a boorish task. Talking amongst themselves in the local dialect, having to draw themselves closer to hear even a shouting voice. Rainfall was, however, light, almost misting. The orange-red glow of their covered torches revealed more volcanic rock across the narrow meandering road. Illy paved. Noticing further down the road a large black carriage, fantastically adorned with spires and floral carvings in ebony wood about. The wheel of the carriage on its rear had gone missing, causing it to lurch downward and immobile.
"Someone lost a wheel, Davin." One spoke, muffled by the raging storm in the distance and nearing closer. "Another refugee. Probably a nobleman from the Ashlands. Let's hurry." They both caught the faint red velvet interior as the door lay limply open. The great draft horse, however, was covered in a burlap sheet. Its hooves were carved into the stone below with green-grey sparks. Curious, they traversed closer still yet cautiously. The eyes of this beast of burden seemed to glow. White hot. Burning even. As they neared, its skeletal features seemed more apparent. Thus, the guardsman ceased, lifting the torch closer and casting a bright dancing light open the scene.
Yet, something stirred. From atop the carriage, a short simian-like being arose, a wild tongue flailing about before twisted teeth. "Masssster is hungryyy. Runsss." It called out into the night before a hyena-like cackle bellowed from the ghoul. "Runnnnnsss!"
The guardsmen, puzzled but equally startled yelled towards the source. One shouted "Halt, fiend! We are..."
The silence was shocking. Before the other realized what had transpired, there was merely a streak of crimson in the firelight. Dragged into the dark. Seemingly ceaseless. His face had just contorted enough to show a horrible realization before their torch struck the ground. Thus, it rolled carelessly down on a slight incline, only to illuminate enough of the world around it to reveal a pair of large black wings perched above a guardsman's corpse.
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Several moments later......
The Lord of Ghouls wiped his chin of scarlet, a multitude of lavish rings about his hand. A rainbow of precious stones now stained red. His black robe hung loosely about a powerful but lithe frame and like a phantom, seemed to hover across the black rock beneath him. His garment dragged meters behind him, creating the sense of a giant waving shadow. His hunger was beyond belief, wild eyes dazzling with half madness and bloodthirst. Yet, as his feasting was over, two victims of his vampiric inclinations now lay torn apart. Those eyes slowly regained a sense of humanism. Dulling greatly but never quenched. His mane, splendid and oiled, danced behind him.
"To say I am starving Ronaldo, is an understatement." A grim smirk upon his pallid face flashed as he turned to face away from the ghoul. Now the lightning, godly and bright, struck down closer in the east. Illuminating several shadows rushing toward a distant village. The clamor of war ringing amongst the thunder. Though, a slight distance away one could see a Giant hurl a cart towards the shouting of their enemies. A small explosion of light followed. Storm Raiders had begun a siege against Hearthside, Bellighul planned to use this opportunity to his benefit. No one would suspect a vampire attack coinciding with a Raider operation. Further, an agreement between this dastardly group and himself occurred.
Assist and take what he wished.
Thus, the Necromancer chuckled to himself as Jacapo, his scarecrow manservant, tightened the lug on the carriage wheel. "Months in that chasm, with nothing more than vermin to eat..." Bellighul nearly gagged on the thought. "It's beneath a Sorcerer of my standing."
However, he was not alone, as a being drew closer in the night. A potential ally or worthy foe was yet to be seen. Alert, the Vampire turned towards the source and smiled, a crimson streak still across his cheek. "What have we here...."
"Someone lost a wheel, Davin." One spoke, muffled by the raging storm in the distance and nearing closer. "Another refugee. Probably a nobleman from the Ashlands. Let's hurry." They both caught the faint red velvet interior as the door lay limply open. The great draft horse, however, was covered in a burlap sheet. Its hooves were carved into the stone below with green-grey sparks. Curious, they traversed closer still yet cautiously. The eyes of this beast of burden seemed to glow. White hot. Burning even. As they neared, its skeletal features seemed more apparent. Thus, the guardsman ceased, lifting the torch closer and casting a bright dancing light open the scene.
Yet, something stirred. From atop the carriage, a short simian-like being arose, a wild tongue flailing about before twisted teeth. "Masssster is hungryyy. Runsss." It called out into the night before a hyena-like cackle bellowed from the ghoul. "Runnnnnsss!"
The guardsmen, puzzled but equally startled yelled towards the source. One shouted "Halt, fiend! We are..."
The silence was shocking. Before the other realized what had transpired, there was merely a streak of crimson in the firelight. Dragged into the dark. Seemingly ceaseless. His face had just contorted enough to show a horrible realization before their torch struck the ground. Thus, it rolled carelessly down on a slight incline, only to illuminate enough of the world around it to reveal a pair of large black wings perched above a guardsman's corpse.
__________________________
_______________
Several moments later......
The Lord of Ghouls wiped his chin of scarlet, a multitude of lavish rings about his hand. A rainbow of precious stones now stained red. His black robe hung loosely about a powerful but lithe frame and like a phantom, seemed to hover across the black rock beneath him. His garment dragged meters behind him, creating the sense of a giant waving shadow. His hunger was beyond belief, wild eyes dazzling with half madness and bloodthirst. Yet, as his feasting was over, two victims of his vampiric inclinations now lay torn apart. Those eyes slowly regained a sense of humanism. Dulling greatly but never quenched. His mane, splendid and oiled, danced behind him.
"To say I am starving Ronaldo, is an understatement." A grim smirk upon his pallid face flashed as he turned to face away from the ghoul. Now the lightning, godly and bright, struck down closer in the east. Illuminating several shadows rushing toward a distant village. The clamor of war ringing amongst the thunder. Though, a slight distance away one could see a Giant hurl a cart towards the shouting of their enemies. A small explosion of light followed. Storm Raiders had begun a siege against Hearthside, Bellighul planned to use this opportunity to his benefit. No one would suspect a vampire attack coinciding with a Raider operation. Further, an agreement between this dastardly group and himself occurred.
Assist and take what he wished.
Thus, the Necromancer chuckled to himself as Jacapo, his scarecrow manservant, tightened the lug on the carriage wheel. "Months in that chasm, with nothing more than vermin to eat..." Bellighul nearly gagged on the thought. "It's beneath a Sorcerer of my standing."
However, he was not alone, as a being drew closer in the night. A potential ally or worthy foe was yet to be seen. Alert, the Vampire turned towards the source and smiled, a crimson streak still across his cheek. "What have we here...."