A group of us were sent out to the Old Praetorian Fort (and surrounds) to retrieve a collection of old bones, for a Collector-type person who was interested in artefacts (of the archaeological kind, not like magic items of awesome power!).
The Long:
Note: I've decided to make it a bit of a narrative, just to make things interesting. There's also a lot of stuff about Xandebaric, because I've finally got time to write about some of it, and now's a good time.
A merciless rain beat down upon Avatar island, where Marius stood, cloaked as ever he was in enveloping robes of black. Gaeron Hale stood to one side, outfitted somewhat the same with a few of his own personal touches. Each held a staff, and arrayed before them was a pentagram etched in blood both dry and fresh, lined with unholy runes in powdered infant's teeth.
They stood at a beacon of Necromantic power upon Britannia, they stood at the Temple of Fire.
Before these two Master Necromancers stood Taiba Skyfire, wet and shivering - and it wasn't jus the cold. A recent inductee to the practices of Necromancy, she'd had the unfortunate luck of attracting the attention of Marius the Black, and he had brought her to this place, to find out more.
"What makes you think you are prepared to learn the art of Necromancy?" Marius hissed, his words cutting through the dull throb of the rain beating down all around them.
"I .. I" Taiba looked around, pale with fright. A young, and inexperienced woman, the sight before her, and the visage of the two more experienced Necromancers caught her completely off-guard. Unlike Marius, Gaeron was feel more charitable.
"She sees spirits." He answered for her, much to Taiba's relief.
"Does she?" Marius spat, striking his staff into the ground with such force that the very shadows recoiled before him, and dust stirred in the ancient hall. "I am not at all concerned with her aptitude, as I asked why she thinks that our Traditions should be passed on to her?"
All three stood in silence for a long time, eyes on eachother, but their thoughts their own. Slowly, Marius raised a hand, pointing it towards the pentagram. The oozy blood slithered its way into the shape of a moongate, grisly clots dripping from it's sloppy edges. Taiba looked away in disgust, and Gaeron set his jaw. Marius simply peered into the blood, where an image took shape.
"Xandebaric acts once more." He murmured, letting the blood drop to the floor in a colagulated puddle that slowly went about draining into the rivulets that made the pentagram. When neither commented, Marius continued, eyes distant.
"Xandebaric has ere been a thorn to my plans. A capable Magician, and talented at enchantment, I fear he is actually, in truth, a powerful Shadow Mage, responsible for the planar corruption that allowed the Shadowpack wolves into our realm. The enormous difficulty that comes with breaching worlds is beyond most mortals, and if he is truly responsible for it, then we have right reason to fear him. However,"
Here Marius paused, a dark smirk on his face.
"his power is incomparable to that of Marius the Black."
Again neither Gaeron nor Taiba commented, whether to deny the truth of his statement, or incite his wrath. Few knew how capable Marius was, and most didn't want to push the ambitious wizard to see what he was truly capable of. Nor did they have a chance to interject, as he continued.
"What we know of Corona suggests that there is a lot more about the planes than we have yet to understand, and simlarly we must be cautious. Nor can we forget Azinith, as most would quickly do when an enemy lurks beyond their sight - but he is a cunning and terrible foe."
Marius eyes seemed to drift back to the present, away from his plans and desires. He looked at the other two, before waving his hand. Beyond the shimmering moongate lay a hazy image of Britannia, and more specifically, Britian.
"Xandebaric moves." He stated again, as though the point had not been made. "And we must move to stop him."
The three appeared at the bank then, before Henna and Scott, who were conversing with a fellow wearing green, and claimed to be a Collector. At the sight of Marius the Black, all fell silent. Even the Britain Bank guard was discreetly absent for the exchange.
"Greetings, Marius. I have heard of you." Said the collector.
"Undoubtedly." Said Marius dryly, stepping close to the man and levelling his gaze at the man. "Who are you, and what do you want?"
"I am the brother of those who helped fell the Praetorian Fort." Explained the collector, stepping back on his heel slightly. "I am also a collector of artefacts."
"Oh?" Said Marius, intrigued now. He too, was a collector of bits and pieces of Britannia's history.
"Yes," continued the man, "I've come looking for help in retrieving some bones. Perhaps you could help me.. err.. if you chose to, Marius." Said the man hastily.
"Do not overstep your bounds, bone collector." Marius snapped, turning his back to the man and making his way past the man.
"Wait, I can pay you! Well, I don't have anything just yet. Just.. friendship, but.."
"We can discuss payment later." Marisu said, flatly. For the moment, intercepting Xandebaric from claiming the prize Marius believed rightly his was enough, and the thought that there might be relics of power was tantalising.
"Very well." Said the man. "I shall await you here."
And so, a small, expeditionary force was gathered. Supplies were purchased and then via a magic gate, the group set out. Among them were Gaeron, Liselle, Ullalan, Bodhuna and Marius himself. When they arrived at the ruins, they were ambushed by Xandebaric's waiting army, and beaten back, and some of their number right to death. Marius managed to recall away after being horribly wounded, only to enlist the help of Gustav Bassett, Ciara, Bodal and many others who drove the force away through dilligent effort and brutal fighting.
Once the initial war had been overcome, many of those who had been called for aid disbanded, returning to other pursuits. In the end only Marius and a handful of others (Gustav, Bodal and Gaeron) continued the search each desirious of unearthing the bones. What they did find, amidst the carnage was a note, which spoke of not just bones being amongst the ruins, but a "fossilized rune" which was needed in Xandebaric's plans!
Marius decided, upon finding the note, that he must have that rune.
And so they continued on. Having started at the Old Praetorian Fort, they ventured South, through the forest, and then North to the river, encountering enemies all along the way. Amidst dark jungle ruins they searched, until after many hours of fighting they came across the fossilized rune.
With it secured, the group returned to Britain to assess the loot they had accrued, and Marius was given the rune for safekeeping. The Collector has not been seen since.
The Recent: Marius has examined the "fossilized rune" and it does not lead anywhere that conventional magics will allow. (It is not 'marked'). However, there are several theories that come with having an old rune: The first is that it is possible to travel back in time using an ancient rune. Two, that this rune contains the location of a powerful object or vast treasure. And the third is that the rune is possibly to another plane. However, these are just some of the possibilities the rune could be used for.
What is it? Why does Xandebaric need it? Is it safer in the hands of Marius the Black? These are the questions of the moment, and the ones that directly affect the outcome of Britannia!
Thankyou Seers for a lovely quest full of action, adventure and some role-play. I had fun with the dialogue. Excuse the time it took me to post about it - I cut my thumb up badly and it made it hard to post.
I hope we have continuation of this quest soon, though I'm quite happy to keep the "fossilized rune".
-M
