Serious Plots 7: Why so srs?

[bc56]

Cyclopean Ruins
"Let's find out." Tethrik tries to take the unlit torch down from the wall.

[ChaoticHarmony]

Once again, Tethrik's great strength fails to pull the torch from the wall. After seeing Tethrik's incredible power, Armonia can only assume that the torches are magical in some way that prevents them from being moved. The wheels begin to turn in Armonia's head. "Maybe we should try the other chamber."

[bc56]

Cyclopean Ruins
"Sounds good. After all, we can't turn back." Tethrik follows Armonia into the other room.

[ChaoticHarmony]

(Cyclopean Ruins)

Returning the the centaur room, Armonia approaches the statue, his still flashing sword in hand. Swinging it with all of his force, Armonia aims for the thinnest part of the centaur's leg. The resounding clang is ear piercing, echoing throughout the room, but the statue remains unscathed. With a sigh, Armonia looks at Tethrik "I guess there's nothing to it." Walking back towards Tethrik, Armonia says "let's get this over with, I am so over fire."

[bc56]

Cyclopean Ruins
Tethrik lights the the centaur and prepares to fight.

[ChaoticHarmony]

Just as with the ram, a powerful breeze is felt as the flames get pulled into the centaur. Armonia prepares his sword as the expected explosion happens, revealing a tall handsome centaur with ebony skin and his fur the color of gentle candlelight. With a triumphant battle cry, he summons two scimitars of pure flame. Just as he is about to pounce, the red crystal Tethrik picked up begins to glow, firing a beam at the beast.

"Oh ho...I see you have beaten the Ram. VERY WELL!" the centaur's fiery blades vanish as he steps down from the stand. "You have proven yourselves in battle and have earned the chance to make things easy on yourselves. A RIDDLE EACH! If you solve them, I will light this fire, and you may proceed to the Lion. Or....if you prefer, we can remain with the hard way, which would be much fun for me" a wide toothy grin stretches across his face as he approaches.

[bc56]

Cyclopean Ruins

"I'll choose the riddle." Tethrik relishes another fight, but wants to remain fresh for the potential fight against the lion.

[ChaoticHarmony]

(Cyclopean Ruins)

"Yea, that sounds like a good idea, I'll take the riddle too!" Armonia says, nodding his head excessively

"Really? Are you sure? It would be one epic fight, probably ending in your charred remains which will add to the temple's power. No? Fine......" The centaur seems slightly depressed, as it was looking forward to a good fight. It clears it's voice then turns to Tethrik. "Ahem.....YOU WHO WOULD BE ENLIGHTENED, ANSWER MY RIDDLE TO SHOW YOUR MIND BURNS AS BRIGHTLY AS YOUR BATTLE PROWESS! I can bring tears to your eyes; resurrect the dead, make you smile, and reverse time. I form in an instant but I last a life time. What am I?"

[bc56]

Cyclopean Ruins

Tethrik thinks for a moment, then replies, "A memory." He's seen many riddles in his time, but not this one.

[ChaoticHarmony]

Cyclopean Ruins

Tethrik thinks for a moment, then replies, "A memory." He's seen many riddles in his time, but not this one.

"T-that's correct." the centaur stumbles back a few steps before righting himself. "well.....this is embarrassing, I don't have a second riddle ready. Usually there is only one person taking the trial at a time, and the few times there were more, they got the riddle wrong. Let me think for a second." he crosses his arms and looks away, stroking his chin as he contemplates what riddle Armonia receives.

[Murkus]

[Riverside Caverns]

Jim smiles, hefting Sticks' bident over his shoulder.
"Relax, boss-man. You know I'm not a fighter. If something comes up, I know when to fold 'em. Oh, and four of us." he says, using his head to gesture at Barnabas.
Then he gives Sticks a quick hug, just to give the man some semblance of peace at sending a teenager into his own traps.

[Riverside Cavern]

Michalson shakes Sticks' hand, then lets him and Jim say their farewells as he peers into the holes in the wall. He's put an ocular on his right eye, that lets him perceive currents and stirrings of magic much better than his naked eye would.

"Just... yes," Sticks returns Jim's quick hug. "Remember how much power that stave of mine wields. Don't hesitate to obliterate anything that you think could mean you harm. And that includes some unwelcome squatter of a monstrous disposition." He turns to Michalson and shakes the man's hand.

Michalson won't detect much in the way of enchantments out here... though perhaps just inside their is an ethereal glimmer of something on the floor. If he peers inside the semi-natural cave, it looks like a few scraps of leather and metal detritus have been left just inside the entrance. They would look like ordinary trash if it weren't for the threads of animating power that cling to them still.

It's hard to see much further than a few feet without a light. What will the two men use? If they can't produce something, the armored Eschelle says that she can fetch a light, but it's not exactly modern or great for caves.

[bc56]

Cyclopean Ruins
"Let's see," the centaur continues. "There are warriors among the flowers. Each wields a poison sword. Should you seek them in their home, they guard a golden hoard."

[ChaoticHarmony]

Cyclopean Ruins
"Let's see," the centaur continues. "There are warriors among the flowers. Each wields a poison sword. Should you seek them in their home, they guard a golden hoard."

Without any hesitation, Armonia says "Bees, Bees are the warriors among the flowers, each wielding a poison sword, I sought them in their home to gain their golden hoard." Armonia blushes a little bit as he mumbles this next bit. "Little greedy buggers wouldn't share."

[bc56]

Cyclopean Ruins

Tethrik waits to see if the centaur will make good on his promise.

[ChaoticHarmony]

(Cyclopean Ruins)

With a frustrated sigh, the centaur turns around and heads back to his stand"2 centuries since the last trial goer and this is how it ends? I never get to have fun anymore." Jumping up onto the stand, the defeated centaur grumbles, summoning a bow of pure white flame. "just had to pick the Ram first, lucky old goat always gets to fight....'sigh' TRIAL GOERS, YOU HAVE PROVEN YOURSELVES WORTHY AT MY FLAME, MAY YOUR INTERNAL FIRES BURN BRIGHT THROUGH THE REST OF THIS RITE, SO YOU MAY BASK IN THE HEAVENLY LIGHT!" the centaur fires off a burning arrow at the brazier, lighting it immediately. As it begins to grow, the heat in the room begins to dissipate, just like in the Ram's room. The centaur slowly begins to turn back into the bronze statue it once was. At the flame's peak it goes out, and a familiar 'plink' is heard, landing in front of the brazier.

"You know, I almost feel bad for the guy, not enough to let him burn me to a crisp, but still." Armonia says, walking over and picking up the new crystal

[Morty]

[Riverside Cavern]

Michalson uses a perfectly normal, strong flashlight to peer into the gloom. The scraps of magic metal and leather just inside the entrance look uncomfortably like the remains of someone who either didn't make it very far in, or didn't make it out.

[bc56]

Cyclopean Ruins

Tethrik goes to the chamber of the Lion to finish the trials. "I wouldn't have minded fighting him, but I really don't want to be weakened if we have to fight the Lion, although somehow I doubt that we will

[ChaoticHarmony]

"Gods I hope you're right." Armonia says. Tethrik and Armonia approach the Lion room, and already they can see a massive difference. The walls and ceiling seem to move, flickering as a fire does. The right torch is now lit, matching the left in its intensity. And, most importantly, the lion statue is gone. In its place lays a flesh and blood lion, twice the size of the statue they originally saw. Its mane consists of flames of almost every imaginable color, shifting constantly across its regal body. Its eyes burn with a vast intelligence as it begins to speak. "So.....you have made it past my brethren with nary a scratch on you. Impressive. Well....you now stand before the Grand Master of Flame for this temple. Tethrik should begin to feel a presence similar to Katrayne's enter his mind. Addressing Tethrik "You are not a follower of this temple, demon" Addressing Armonia "and you......I don't exactly know what you are, my sight seems not to work on you." the lion stands tall, shaking its fearsome mane before addressing them both. "regardless, you take on the Trials, tell me now why you seek the Heaven's Light."

[bc56]

Cyclopean Ruins

"Well, you see, I have a box that will only open when immersed in the quintessence. I seek to do so and find out what's inside." Tethrik would bet that the lion would be able to detect lies, so he doesn't bother.

[ChaoticHarmony]

The Lion narrows his eyes "Show me this box."

[bc56]

Cyclopean Ruins

Tethrik retrieves the box from his belt pouch and holds it up.

[ChaoticHarmony]

(Cyclopean Ruins)

The presence around Tethrik disappears as the lion's focus turns to the box. After a moment he roars in anger, vibrating the entire cavern. "WHAT TRICKERY IS THIS? YOU DARE BRING SUCH AN OBJECT TO OUR SANCTUARY?" the lion leaps from his stand, shining black claws extended as he attempts to pounce on Tethrik

[bc56]

Cyclopean Ruins

Tethrik is a lot faster than he looks. He sidesteps the attack. "You know what it is! Can you tell me?"

[ChaoticHarmony]

Armonia, not wanting to get hit instead, dives out of the way as well, rolling forward and landing on his feet, sword drawn

The Lion gracefully turns around, facing Tethrik again. "I DO NOT KNOW, AND THAT IS THE PROBLEM. AN OBJECTS AURA HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO HIDE ITSELF FROM ME, NO MATTER HOW GREAT OR SMALL" He takes several lighting fast swipes at Tethrik, aiming to rend his flesh "BUT THIS, THIS HAS NO AURA, ONLY OBJECTS OF VAST POWER AND POTENTIAL DESTRUCTION COULD HIDE THEMSELVES FROM MY GAZE!"

If Tethrik is hit by the Lion's paws, even a little bit, he should be sent flying back into the wall

[bc56]

Cyclopean Ruins

Tethrik is hit and sent flying. "Believe me when I say I don't intend it for evil. I don't even know what it is! I'm trying to keep it safe from my former employers!"

If the lion can sense alignment, Tethrik will register as True Neutral, a fact he only suspects of himself.

[ChaoticHarmony]

(Cyclopean Ruins)

"YOU MAY TRULY BELIEVE YOUR WORDS, BUT IF IT WAS THE TRUTH, THEN YOU WOULDN'T BE TRYING TO OPEN IT!" The Lion inhaled deeply, then exhales a ball of flame with as many colors as his name towards Tethrik. If Tethrik allows it to hit him, he will find this flame DOES sear his flesh despite his immunity to fire(radiant damage)

Armonia dashes forward, swinging his still flashing sword towards the lion's rear Achilles tendon, trying to cripple the beast to make it easier to take him down.

[bc56]

Cyclopean Ruins

Tethrik ducks ducks under the flame. He's fought enough celestials to recognize radiant energy when he sees it. He turns and grabs the brazier, holding it like a shield.

[ChaoticHarmony]

(Cyclopean Ruins)

Tethrik grabs the brazier, pulling it in front of him as a makeshift shield. He will find though that this 'shield' while not incredibly heavy, is insanely bulky. He will have total cover thanks to it, but he may have trouble maneuvering it if he doesn't use all of his arms.

Armonia successfully slashes the rear tendon of the beast, but strangely no blood comes forth. He then jumps back, pulling a gold coin out of his wallet and throws it at the Lion, his burning gaze fixated on it. As he does this, his flashing sword stops flashing.

The Lion roars angrily as he sees Tethrik dodge his holy fire, then again when Armonia slashes his leg. He turns towards Armonia, attempting to slash at him, only for Armonia to dodge in the nick of time, the gold coin he threw melting very slightly in the heat. "I DONT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE BOY, BUT I WILL SEND YOU BACK TO YOUR MAKER!"

"Aaw, don't do that! He won't be happy unless I bring something back with me. Your head might make a great gift, I could totally see it as a dinner center piece on his table." Armonia smiles widely, mentally keeping his fingers crossed that something good will continue to happen.

[bc56]

[B] Cyclopean Ruins[/B

The coin accelerates rapidly, striking the lion like a bullet. Tethrik takes advantage of the distraction to target the lion, attempting to charge him with the brazier. Maybe touching the brazier to him will destroy him like the ram.

[ChaoticHarmony]

Cyclopean Ruins

Seeing Tethrik charge the Lion from behind, Armonia attempts to distract the beast. "You know kitty, I heard the world began in flames, and so it shall end in flames. How do you feel that YOUR flames won't be around to see it?"

The gold piece zips in toward the Lion, as fast as a bullet. Before it manages to hit the Lion though, it melts into a tiny puddle of goo, which stains the floor. Though unhurt, the Lion is distracted by the flash of gold and Armonia's taunting. It roars another burst of divine flame at him, which Armonia barely dodges.

With the Lion thoroughly distracted, Tethrik rams into him with the brazier, putting as much force as he can into it. A loud clang reverberates through the cavern. CLANG! Tethrik has successfully.....pushed the lion forward 1 inch.

Quick as a heartbeat, the Lion faces Tethrik once again, swiping at the brazier with great force, trying to knock it out of Tethrik's hands