[Wehnimer's Museum, Study]

You notice a narrow spiral staircase.

Also in the room: Sarahoff, Armaxis, Lady Lyvonia, Maelkyth, Aranrhod (seated), Nofret, Tarkisis

 

>You see Armaxis Telexana the Dark Elf.

He appears to be in his 120's, has very long black hair, green eyes, and pale skin.

He has a tattooed symbol of Luukos on his neck, and a pattern of dark serpentine sigils tattooed upon both hands.

He is in good shape.

He is holding a serpent staff in his right hand and a scaled serpentine tower shield etched with arcane sigils surrounding the engraved symbol of Luukos in his left hand.

He is wearing a tarnished bronze Luukos symbol inlaid with a green malachite serpent, a glass amulet, a long night-black cloak slashed into shifting tendrils of tenebrous fabric, a black ora Luukos symbol, some black snakeskin leathers, an ancient signet ring, a narrow black leather sheath traced with sinuous veins of crimson, a deep black pouch adorned with a cracked black ora fang, a pair of well-tailored deep black leather pants subtly embossed with serpentine scales, and a pair of narrow-toed leather boots clasped at the knees by thin buckles of black ora.

 

 

 

Purgatory- penned and performed by Nofret Hrist

 

 

>Nofret recites:

 

    "Once upon a time--perhaps last week--there was a supremely evil dark elven sorcerer.  Oh, you can say, 'Is there any other kind?', but this man surpassed them all in wickedness and in passionate devotion to Luukos. His name was--"

 

>Nofret gazes heavenward.

 

    "Sixamra."

 

 

>Lyvonia grins.

>Nofret recites:

 

    "Now, most in the lands hated and feared Sixamra, for the Luukosian brought naught but death and destruction in his wake. And he was pleased, nay, delighted, that it should be so. "

 

    "But even the darkest may have companions and allies, and so it was with Sixamra. One of his most constant companions was another dark elven sorcerer, though one touched by Sheru rather than by Luukos. His name was Reiztes the Mad."

 

 

>Armaxis asks, "You have a very deeply-rooted death wish, don't you?"

>Tarkisis glances at Armaxis.

>Lyvonia begins chuckling at Armaxis.

>Nofret recites:

 

    "Long and long did the two bring misery, insanity and undeath into the lands. But at last the day came when the two met their match."

 

 

>Tarkisis smirks.

>Tarkisis asks, "Now, that wasn't obvious was it?"

>Tarkisis glances at Armaxis.

>Aranrhod grins.

>Nofret recites:

 

    "The Landing was invaded by a flood of Bregandian warriors and necromancers of semi-divine strength--and before it was over, Sixamra and Reiztes had spent their last favors, and were dead for aye and for all."

 

    "Most people would have said that this was the end of their story. But they would have been wrong. It was just beginning."

 

    "After death, the souls of the two sped to Luukos' realm. Reiztes was less than pleased about that--he had wanted to serve Sheru even after death, and it was something of a blow to learn that the only road, after death, to the Realm of Insanity, was through Luukos' kingdom."

 

    "But Luukos refused them admittance.  "

 

 

>Tarkisis glances at Armaxis.

>Tarkisis says, "I'm intrigued already.."

>Nofret exclaims:

 

"I can't have these two in my kingdom!" he complained to the other Arkati. "Why, they'd discombobulate the place in a week, and they'd be striving to become rulers of the realm in two! Away with them!"

 

 

>Tarkisis snickers.

>Nofret asks:

 

"Well, they don't deserve the peace of MY kingdom," retorted Gosaena. "They would bring chaos with them.  And enough souls in my realm have already suffered at their hands--I will not have them suffer more.  What say you, Lorminstra?"

 

    "The Gatekeeper shook her head. "Nay, they do not deserve to pass my gates."

 

 

>Aranrhod leans forward.

>Aranrhod appears to be trying hard not to grin.

>Nofret recites:

 

    "The Arkati debated for an unimaginably long time. At last, Jastev suggested that, since the two were too evil for Gosaena and Lorminstra, and too power-hungry for Luukos, they should spend their eternity in a section of Purgatory--which, by coincidence, bore a strange resemblance to Wehnimer's Landing."

 

 

>Tarkisis pulls her black hooded cloak tighter about herself, obscuring her body.

>Nofret recites:

 

    "Sixamra awoke, every bone and muscle screaming at him, flat on his back in the wreckage of a slum. "

 

 

>Lyvonia grins.

>Tarkisis covers her lips with the edge of her cloak.

>Nofret recites:

 

    "It was quite the foulest and filthiest place he'd ever been in, and it stank of garbage and rot and some things his fastidious nose preferred not to identify."

 

 

>Nofret wrinkles her nose.

>Aranrhod grins slowly.

>Armaxis leans very slightly on his staff, his eyes focused coldly and steadily on   Nofret.

>Nofret recites:

 

    "He was deeply puzzled, for his last memory was of fighting a Bregandian arch-necromancer at the North Gate of the Landing. "

 

 

>Lyvonia grins.

>Nofret rubs her chin thoughtfully.

>Aranrhod glances at Armaxis.

>Nofret recites:

 

    "Then he frowned. Obviously, the demons of the void had spirited his mind and soul away, and some prankish youngster had dragged his soulless body this vile place. Well, the world would have one less fool in it come sunset."

 

 

>Nofret grins coldly, her eyes reflecting no emotion.

>Tarkisis asks, "Are you really like that?"

>Nofret recites:

 

    "Sixamra staggered to his feet-and almost immediately fell down again. "

 

 

>Tarkisis glances at Armaxis.

>Nofret renews her songs.

>Nofret suddenly loses her balance and stumbles a bit to the left before righting herself.

>Tarkisis says, "I had thought you a ....kinder...and more gentle soul."

>Tarkisis glances at Armaxis.

>Tarkisis laughs softly, trying to hide her amusement.

>Nofret recites:

 

    "This happened repeatedly for a few minutes. Doubtless the demons of the void were playing with his sense of balance, making him clumsy and sluggish."

 

 

>Aranrhod snickers.

>Aranrhod clasps her hand over her mouth.

>Nofret recites:

 

    "He searched here, there and everywhere in the labyrinthine tenement, but he could not find the exit.  Finally, he stumbled into a decaying bedroom--and saw a hideous, dog-faced kobold facing him, staring at him with beady little eyes."

 

 

>Nofret sniffs disdainfully.

>Armaxis says, "I would suggest you not raise my ire anymore than it has been raised. Or else this museum will be nothing but crumbling ashes being sucked into the void."

>Nofret recites:

 

    "Oh, now, really,' Sixamra thought.  'This is too much. A Faendryl sorcerer being dragged into a foul nest of kobolds? Despicable.'"

 

 

>Tarkisis says, "Oh, such a spoiled sport."

>Tarkisis nods to Armaxis.

>Nofret waves her hand in a dismissive gesture.

>Lyvonia chuckles.

>Sarahoff gazes in wonder at her surroundings.

>Sarahoff says, "one way to remodel"

>Nofret recites:

 

    "He waved an imperious hand. "Begone, idiotic creature!" he said to the kobold."

 

    "At least, that's what he TRIED to say to the kobold. "

 

    "What he actually said was, "Blarrrgh! I'se sure is ugly!""

 

 

>Lyvonia cackles!

>Sarahoff gasps.

>Nofret recites:

 

    "Sixamra stopped in horror. No. No, it wasn't possible that he'd said that he was "

 

 

>Lyvonia says, "ooh I know where this is going"

>Lyvonia snickers.

>Aranrhod reaches out and holds Nofret's hand.

>Tarkisis tries to stifle a laugh so badly she nearly chokes!

>Nofret recites:

 

    "But, as he drew nearer to the kobold, he saw that what he feared was true. He was not looking at a living kobold, but at his own reflection in a mirror."

 

    ""Whossoever hass curssed me will ssuffer for it greatly!" he tried to hiss. "

 

 

>Maelkyth blinks.

>Sarahoff says, "thats the worst feeling, trust me"

>Nofret recites:

 

    "But it came out, "I'se so sawry.""

 

 

>Lyvonia begins chuckling at Sarahoff.

>Aranrhod snickers.

>Nofret recites:

 

    "Sixamra didn't want to think about the implications of his inability to say anything that a normal kobold wouldn't be able to say. Instead, he tore himself away from the mirror, and continued searching for a way out of this nightmare."

 

 

>Lyvonia cackles!

>Tarkisis bites her lip.

>Maelkyth chuckles.

>Lyvonia grins.

>Nofret recites:

 

    "He finally found a way out in the kitchen. That was also where he discovered Reiztes--or at least a kobold with Reiztes' insane expression in its beady black eyes--devouring a mud sandwich.  "

 

 

>Tarkisis says, "Hm, I think Andraste hit him with her stick."

>Sarahoff nods.

>Nofret smacks her lips.

>Aranrhod grins.

>Nofret recites:

 

    "By means of gestures and pictures scratched in the dirt floor of the kitchen, Sixamra and Reiztes managed, in some primitive fashion, to communicate, though neither one could explain their present predicament. "

 

    "It was Reiztes' idea that they should go out and prove to the Landing that, evil curse or no, they were still a force to be feared. Perhaps this would convince someone to betray whoever had so bewitched them. "

 

 

>Armaxis asks, "One person here is going to be severely regretting their words. I trust     no one else wants to be added to the list?"

>Armaxis raises an eyebrow.

>Nofret recites:

 

    "Sixamra agreed, and so they left the slum and made their way into the kobold village.."

 

    "As they stumbled through the hedges, their eyes flickering this way and that as they searched for anyone suspicious, Reiztes let out a low cry. Coming toward them were two of their greatest irritants--the rogue Dohrnara and the bardess Trefon."

 

 

>Aranrhod says, "Add away Armaxis"

>Sarahoff shrugs.

>Aranrhod says, "You are not hurting someone over words"

>Aranrhod says, "That is beneath you"

>Nofret recites:

 

    "Immediately, the two Faendryl-turned-kobolds began chanting the vilest of spells as the women watched them in bemusement. Completing the spells, they gestured at their foes--"

 

 

>Lyvonia grins.

>Nofret recites:

 

    "And nothing happened."

 

    "Kobolds are so cute when they try to do magic, don't you think?" said Dohrnara to Trefon as they strolled away."

 

 

>Armaxis raises an eyebrow in Aranrhod's direction.

>Maelkyth grins.

>Aranrhod nods to Armaxis.

>Sarahoff laughs softly, trying to hide her amusement.

>Maelkyth applauds.

>Nofret recites:

 

    "Yes," smiled Trefon. "And funny, too."

 

    "You can imagine the horror of Sixamra and Reiztes at this point. Not only were they now kobolds--a distinct comedown for two full-blooded Faendryl--but they were also powerless.  "

 

    "The only weapons left to them were their minds--and even at that, Sixamra thought to himself sourly, Reiztes' mind was somewhat less than logical, thanks to Sheru's 'enlightening' Reiztes with the shadows of insanity. If they were to get out of this mess, it would probably be up to him."

 

 

>Armaxis says, "Retaliating against slander is not beneath me, I assure you."

>Tarkisis says, "At least no one mentioned their smell and lack of coordination."

>Maelkyth blinks.

>Maelkyth mutters something inaudible.

>Lyvonia asks, "slander?"

>Aranrhod asks, "Slander?"

>Nofret recites:

 

    "By means of gestures and signs, he commanded Reiztes to go to Hearthstone to seek out some of their erstwhile colleagues--such as Ailyl and Naevlis, for instance."

 

 

>Tarkisis rubs her chin thoughtfully.

>Aranrhod snickers.

>Lyvonia asks, "whatever do you mean?"

>Lyvonia snickers.

>Aranrhod says, "That would mean it hit close to home"

>Nofret recites:

 

    "As for himself, he was going to the Shrine of Luukos beneath the Coastal Cliffs. Now was the time to implore Luukos for help, if it ever was."

 

 

>Maelkyth asks, "but, it has a Happy Ending... why be upset over that?"

>Aranrhod gazes in wonder at her surroundings.

>Aranrhod says, "Sorry Nofret"

>Nofret recites:

 

    "Sixamra had a long and dangerous trek of it. More than once he narrowly escaped being struck by the wildly flailing blade of a youngster who had spotted what looked like suitable prey.  "

 

 

>Aranrhod says, "For interrupting"

>Maelkyth blinks.

>Nofret recites:

 

    "But at long last, he made his way underground. Dodging a swarm of orcs, he scuttled down the hidden passageway to Luukos' Shrine and knelt before the altar. "

 

    ""Vat iss ziss?" hissed a voice from the darkness, as a red jewel shimmered in and out of the shadows. "How daress a kobold to defile zis holy spot?" "

 

 

>Tarkisis says, "Nevrek."

>Aranrhod appears to be trying hard not to grin.

>Aranrhod examines her fingernails.

>Nofret recites:

 

    "Kerven!  The very one who had converted him to Luukos! How fortunate that this man, above all others, should be here!"

 

    "In his impatience and desperation, Sixamra tried to speak. "It is I, Sixamra," he tried to say in dark elven."

 

    "Unfortunately, it came out, "Blarrgh! I'se aiming at him!"-pointing vaguely at the altar."

 

    "Kobold or not, you vill pay for zat!" Kerven shouted, emerging from the shadows."

 

    "Sixamra gesticulated wildly, tracing signs and pictures stating what had happened. He could see, about halfway through, that Kerven understood what he was saying.  For a moment, he dared to let himself hope."

 

 

>Aranrhod snickers.

>Nofret recites:

 

    "Then Kerven frowned. "Sixamra must haff been training you for zome time," he said thoughtfully. "I neffer vould haff believed that a mere kobold could display even a limited amount of intelligence.  Now, I vonder-vat is he plotting? Und vy did he send you to me? Because I vould make the best use of you? Or because he hoped that I vould be fooled as vell?""

 

    "As Kerven stood deliberating, Sixamra scuttled out of the chute and out of the underground shrine. "

 

 

>Lyvonia cackles!

>Tarkisis smirks.

>Nofret renews her songs.

>Nofret recites:

 

    "It was no use appealing to his former allies, he realized bitterly.  Their minds were as serpentine as the snake-god they served. They would never believe in something so straightforward as his being turned into a kobold. He didn't believe it himself-and he WAS the kobold."

 

 

>Tarkisis says, "Always overanalyzing, he is."

>Nofret recites:

 

    "A very battered Reiztes met him on the merchant road. He had fared no better at Hearthstone, having been webbed, bound, blinded, thumped and stunned by a Lord Snert and a Lady You-Know-Who before someone, realizing that a kobold who was attempting to talk might bear a message from a Grand Mage, had freed him."

 

    "There is no help for it," Sixamra said via sign language to his fellow kobold. "Obviously, we must have offended the gods in some way. We must go to Teras, to the Temple of Luukos, where I shall pray for our deliverance."

 

    "If that does not work, we can go to the Sheruvian Monastery and you can pray to the Jackal there. But first things first." "

 

    "Reiztes, having no better suggestions, agreed."

 

 

Nofret recites:

 

    "It took considerable ingenuity for the two to stow away on the Glaesan Star, and to avoid the other passengers for the eternity that the trip took. But at last the ship docked, and as the passengers scrambled to get off, no one noticed a pair of kobolds furtively sneaking off as well."

 

    "Slowly, slowly, they made their way into the Temple of Luukos, creeping through the wind tunnel and trying desperately to dodge the wind wraiths, lost souls surrounded by black clouds of hate and rage. Sixamra had always envied the undead he had never detested any until this moment."

 

    "At last they reached the altar, where Sixamra knelt and prayed. "My blood for thee, Lord Luukos. My life for thee, Lord Luukos. My soul for thee, Lord Luukos. Do with them as you please, for only the Serpent's infinite wisdom may guide me and make me complete.""

 

    "Sixamra awoke with a splitting headache and a vague memory of a prayer that hadn't gone so well. "

 

>Aranrhod leans forward.

>Lyvonia grins.

>Maelkyth grins.

>Nofret recites:

 

    "As he shook his head to clear it, he heard a cry of fear--could it be Reiztes?--coming from somewhere nearby.  He glanced up, and saw the biggest, ugliest kobold he'd ever seen glaring down at him."

 

    "Well, you two certainly messed that up," said the kobold in an exasperated voice. "The next time you're refused entrance to Luukos' Realm, you might ask yourself why first, before you offend him even more."

 

 

>Lyvonia chuckles.

>Nofret recites:

 

    "Now get up. You have quite a few youngsters to dispatch to the demonic regions before you die again today, so you'd better start making your quota. Understand?" The kobold waved a menacing shepherd's crook under Sixamra's nose."

 

    "Sixamra, cold realization flooding him, tried valiantly to say, "Yes, I understand." But it came out:"

 

"Baa."

 

 

*** end story ***

 

>Maelkyth leans forward.

>Maelkyth laughs.

>Lyvonia chuckles.

>Sarahoff smirks.

>Aranrhod grins.

>Lyvonia turns to Nofret and cheers!

>Nofret curtsies.

>Tarkisis chokes a bit before coming to her senses.

>Aranrhod grins at Nofret.

>Armaxis glances at Nofret.

>Maelkyth cackles!

>Sarahoff giggles.

>Aranrhod glances at Armaxis.

>Maelktyh glances at Armaxis.

>Maelkyth elbows Armaxis in the ribs in a playful sort of way.

>Tarkisis applauds.

>Maelkyth asks, "Tis funny, no?"

>Sarahoff says, "A very enjoyable story"

>Maelkyth grins.

>Sarahoff smiles at Nofret.

>Lyvonia nods to Sarahoff.

>Armaxis says, "You make a mockery of the faith with such filth."

>Nofret renews her songs.

>Tarkisis says, "Well told and quite creative, Nofret."

>Maelkyth shakes his head.

>Sarahoff says, "Oh come now Fork tongue, tis only a story"

>Lyvonia coughs.

>Maelkyth says, "not mockery... just light"

>Maelkyth grins.

>Nofret says, "I thank Armaxis for showing such restraint in my irreverent treatment of one of his fellow believers."

>Nofret nods to Armaxis

 

… more noise and jabbering…

… ad infinitum…

 

*** end  account ***

 

On a personal note, I’d like to laud and praise and grovel slightly in the presence of such a gifted story-teller as Nofret Hrist.  This session was one of my first introductions to the bardess, and I’ve yet to hear a tale that tickled me so.  You constantly amaze me.

I’d also take this moment to praise his Lordship Armaxis for exercising the grace and control he did (by way of inaction).  Your forbearance and posture spoke volumes to your nobility.

 

~Maelkyth Loarne, esq.