Death's Price

[Erana]

The Rheydin Library

Stepping into the pristine marble structure, you leave the serenity of

Newander Pond behind, and as you enter the large building, your footfalls

echo off the unyeilding stone walls and wooden shelves that line nearly

every square foot. Laden with thick tomes, each row is set with a gilded

steel ladder, mounted upon rails that permit the ladders to be moved freely

about. A large number of oaken tables, each illuminated by an ornate brass

candlebra are scattered neatly around the room, set with a pair of chairs.

[Exits: south up]

A large marble sign hangs here with Library carved into it.

(Invisible) (Charmed) A stone golem stands here to do his master's bidding.

(Invisible) (Charmed) Skwizgarr's Bodyguard stands here with his chest puffed out.

Forlan is sitting here.

A librarian is here sorting through tomes.

Skwizgarr taps a claw on his mask, 'Whadda yeh doin ere eh?

Forlan looks at Skwizgarr and takes him in fully.

Forlan says 'Thinking, so to speak.'

Skwizgarr lets out a laugh, full of menace, 'Ah, what about eh?

Forlan looks at you.

A stone golem keeps a keen eye on Forlan.

Skwizgarr continues to tap his demonic mask with one of his claws.

Forlan tilts his head to the side and says to Skwizgarr, 'My life and how I should live it...'

Skwizgarr's Bodyguard crosses his massive arms, and approaches Forlan, letting out a snort.

Skwizgarr looks over Forlan, and considers him.

Skwizgarr shakes his head, 'Bah, another light heart.

Forlan feels a bit insecure about the situation

.

Skwizgarr motions for his subjects to convene.

A stone golem turns their attention from Forlan, and looks to you.

Skwizgarr's Bodyguard turns their attention from Forlan, and looks to you.

.Forlan looks at Skwizgarr, 'Light heart?'

Skwizgarr looks over his bodyguard's shoulder at Forlan, 'Yeh be one walking the path of light.’

A stone golem tugs Skwizgarr's gii, and wispers something to him.

Skwizgarr snickers with the stone golem about their shared secret.

Forlan raises his eyebrows, 'It is the Righteous path. Is it not?', 'Light heart?'

Skwizgarr's Bodyguard turns to Forlan, and nods, but keeps silent.

You slap Skwizgarr's Bodyguard ringingly.

Skwizgarr shakes his head, his sinister voice echos in his mask, 'Pay attention you dolt!

Forlan flinches at the exploit.

Skwizgarr's Bodyguard nods, and returns his attention to Skwizgarr.

You can hear the faint whispers of Skwizgarr, talking to his subjects- the room grows oddly cold and

dark.

Forlan looks about himself in slight discomfort. He rubs his arms for warmth.

Skwizgarr pushes his bodyguard aside, and behind his mask Forlan can sence an evil grin.

Forlan tilts back from you not knowing what to expect.

Papers from tomes spiral about, letting loose from the shelves as Skwizgarr starts to speak in

tounges.

Skwizgarr vanishes, appearing right in front of Forlan, leaving his subjects a few paces behind.

Forlan Holding his ears, Forlan closes his eyes and begins to tremble in panic.

Forlan says 'What do you want from me devil?'

Skwizgarr taps again on his mask, that Forlan can see all the more clearer, his sinister voice

pierces the darkness like lighting in a storm, 'Your Soul...'

A stone golem giggles, small flakes of stone chip from it.

Skwizgarr extends his clawed hand to Forlan, 'Will you come willingly?

Someone enters the room.

Niron steps out of the shadows.

His voice full of malice Skwizgarr snarls, 'Or shall I take you screaming?

Forlan settles slightly and looks at skizgarr, 'Why should I come with you?'

Skwizgarr looks to Niron, 'You tell him.

Niron steps out of the shadows.

Niron bows before you.

Skwizgarr nods to Niron, and removes his mask- revealing his scarred visage.

Forlan looks to Niron and then back at you.

Skwizgarr shoots a gaze cold as death to Forlan, 'For you do not want to know the pain if you do not.

Skwizgarr replacing his mask, lets out a menacing laugh, 'Niron, this one knows not of The Merchant

of True Death.

Niron steps out of the shadows.

Niron sits down and thinks deeply.

Forlan stares horrifically at you.

Niron says Every war is fought by my elder….. in a way…..'

Skwizgarr nods to Niron, 'Yes, yes- and this is my new apprentice, Niron- she is deadly as she is

beautiful mind you.

Niron looks at Forlan.

Niron says ‘That sword you wield.........probably went through elder’s hands.’

Niron blushes as she sees you here. Such an effect on people!

Forlan sparks a slight interest, behind his fear. 'R-Really? Then ..... You would know of the war

between the elves and drow?'

Skwizgarr nods, and taps a claw on his mask, 'Niron is Drow.

You say 'I am the supplier of all war.'

Niron says ‘Ahye, that I am...........Though I do not discount my race........I put my emphasis on my profession.'

Niron says ’Think of it this way my young one.'

Skwizgarr looks to Forlan, and gives a pat on Niron's shoulder, 'She is a great ninja.

Niron says 'Why not profit from the inevitable...'

Skwizgarr nods, 'Ahye, and why not join us?

Niron says ‘ I return shortly, a shadow needs me to find it…”

You say, “Ahye, be well.

You say, “I shall tend to this one.

Niron bows to both before slipping out the back.

You grin evilly at Forlan.

Forlan looks displeased, 'At the expense of thousands? No, My quest is to find the truth in this

silly war.'

Skwizgarr shakes his head, 'Come I have much to show you.

You beckon for Forlan to follow -- sure hope they do!

Skwizgarr looks over Forlan, 'I shall watch over you.

Heh.

Forlan now follows you.

You nod.

- and what follows is crossing the park- taking a gate to Val Miran-

Burned down Rubble.

The buildings in this area have collapsed as the result of a recent fire.

The stink of oil still fills the area. Some large, along with several tiny,

footprints can be seen within the soot cover which overlays everything like

a soft blanket.

[Exits: north east south west]

Forlan the Recruit is here.

(Charmed) Skwizgarr's Bodyguard stands here with his chest puffed out.

(Charmed) A stone golem stands here to do his master's bidding.

Skwizgarr raises his arms, 'This is my work.

Forlan looks around with a wide jaw. 'What....was this?

Skwizgarr nudges Forlan to walk with him to the west.

Skwizgarr nods, and taps a claw on his mask, 'You see, I supplied those of the Hamlet.

Skwizgarr points to the war-torn buildings, 'And this be the result.

Forlan follows in silent horror.

Skwizgarr chortles, 'You see, I am a great force in this world.

You peer intently at Forlan.

Forlan looks at you.

Skwizgarr approaches Forlan, darkness and shadow follows him in his wake, 'You see.

Skwizgarr bends down slightly- now at eye level with Forlan, 'I get what I want, eventually.

Forlan watches with awe 'Aye, I can see why.' He looks to the rubble.

Skwizgarr places a clawed hand on Forlan's shoulder, squeezing it almost gently.

Forlan tense's at the notion.

In a dark tone Skwizgarr cackles, 'You should become one of my subjects.

Forlan says 'And what bidding would you have me do?'

Skwizgarr shakes his head, 'I will even be easy with my experimentations.

Skwizgarr looks over Forlan, 'I will have you follow me, and learn the ways of Death.

Forlan swats your hand away. ' No, I shall not be your harbinger of death.'

Darkness flicks about Skwizgarr’s body.

Forlan says 'For those who walk in the path of darkness and deceit... yes.'

Skwizgarr tightens his grip on Forlan, 'Hmm, then your soul- with you kicking screaming then?

Forlan says 'I aim to nullify wars, not full the fire..''

Forlan seems to measure you up and consider your size.

Skwizgarr pushes Forlan back, 'You dare lay such eyes on me?

You say 'To you I am a God.'

Forlan stands his ground, still trembling, ' I wouldn't win thats for sure, but I'm not gonna stand

by and LET you have my soul...'

*** Skwizgarr thinks, least not yet ***

Skwizgarr replaces his mask, 'What is it you most desire you foolish human?'

Forlan says 'To have Liadon's wish become truth, To unveil the reality of the Elven blood wars to

both sides'

You say 'Liadon?'

Forlan thinks intently for a moment, 'An elf, a good friend and a righteous heart...'

Skwizgarr shakes his head, 'An elf? This is a joke right?

Forlan stares at you..

Skwizgarr stares back with eyes cold as ice, 'You think you can scare me?

Skwizgarr snaps his fingers, 'Slade, come over here.

Skwizgarr's Bodyguard lumbers over, and glares at Forlan.

Forlan forlan looks about cautiously..

Skwizgarr pats Slade on the back, 'He was like you once.

Skwizgarr's Bodyguard nods, keeping his eyes on Forlan. 'Yeh.'

Forlan looks at Slade. 'Now look at him, snap of the fingers and he's all yours'

Skwizgarr nods to Forlan, 'Indeed, he saw the power of Death.

You say 'Which I am the vessle.'

Skwizgarr nods, 'So I will once again give you the choice....

Forlan says 'I have no doubt of the power of death. It is around us all days. It is the power of

life as well.'

Skwizgarr's Bodyguard draws closer to Forlan, 'Lemme show em boss.

Forlan says 'My answer is no.'

Skwizgarr nods to Forlan, 'Show em Slade.

Skwizgarr's Bodyguard nods and a grin sharp as razors crosses his visage, 'Consider it done boss.

Forlan eyes widen. 'Show me what?'

Skwizgarr’s Bodyguard grabs Forlan by the neck, and pushes him against the rubble that was once a wall.

Forlan says 'Gkkk'

Skwizgarr chuckles, and taps a claw on his mask, 'HE shall give Anume what she wants.

DAMN! You snap your fingers.

You say 'Release him.'

Skwizgarr's Bodyguard drops Forlan, and looks to you.

Forlan drops to his knees and gasps for air..

Skwizgarr bends down, and looks over Forlan, 'You alright there?

A stone golem looks about, and nudges Forlan.

*thwock!* You slap a stone golem ringingly.

You say 'Get back Golem.'

Forlan says 'Anu...me?'

A stone golem retreats behind Skwizgarr.

In a sinister tone, Skwizgarr speaks, 'My Queen, The Queen of Death.'

Forlan moves his jaw about to to stretch his neck back to shape.

Skwizgarr takes a deep breath, 'We can have it so you can never speak again.

Skwizgarr vanishes appearing in front of Forlan, 'Or perhaps, take your kneecaps?

Skwizgarr gives a swift kick to Forlan's legs.

Forlan looks intensely at Skwizgarr, 'You can torture me as best you like, I will not join you....'

Skwizgarr looks down to Forlan, 'You remind me of Slade....'

*thud* Forlan falls to one knee.

Looking to Slade you notice the horrific scars on his face, Skwizgarr chuckles.

Skwizgarr nods to Slade and then to Forlan, 'Oh, I was saving this for my next experiment...'

Skwizgarr's Bodyguard stomps on Forlan's other knee, and pins Forlan down.

Forlan shakes his head in protest, 'For what pleasure?'

Skwizgarr chuckles looking into Forlan's eyes, 'The pleasure of Death.'

Forlan bites his lip to keep from moaning.

Skwizgarr slips a syringe from his sleeve, it glints in the moonlight.

A Storm Giant guard walks in.

You say 'Oh great, the guards.'

Forlan shakes his head in helplessness.

You say 'Keep that one hushed Slade.'

* took the guard out*

A Storm Giant guard's leg is dismembered from his dead body.

Skwizgarr seems to fade from shadow into Forlan's view once again.

Forlan watches in silent horror as Skwizgarr mutilates a guard.

You say 'Well well, still not willing Human?'

Forlan says 'Why me? The luck of the draw?'

Skwizgarr lets out a menacing laugh, and approaches Forlan with the syringe

Forlan says 'No. I will not betray Liadon in such a manner.'

Skwizgarr looks to the Syringe, and then Forlan, 'Who said betray?

Skwizgarr starts to penetrate the skin on Forlan's neck with the needle.

Forlan says 'Promoting death when my mission is life? Betrayal.'

Forlan grits his teeth in pain.

Forlan says 'Ahh..'

Skwizgarr stops for a moment, his voice even colder than Forlan could imagine, 'Don't you see, I

wish to give you the power to end the wars.

Forlan says 'At what .... price..'

Skwizgarr contines again with the syringe penetrating now past the soft tisse, 'We have already

discussed this....'

The sting of the needle tenses through Forlan’s neck.

Skwizgarr shakes his head, 'I wish for your soul, and body- and your loyalty.'

Skwizgarr gives a quick nudge on the needle, now in Forlan's muscle. 'And you will have what you

desire.

Forlan says 'How could I, a 'light heart' as you say, follow you? The Merchant of Death?'

Skwizgarr takes one of his claws and places it on the plunger, 'Yes, yes you could, however-'

Forlan looks confused and anxious.

Skwizgarr continues in his sinister voice, 'You will become my subject, and act as such.'

Forlan looks at the syringe as best he can. 'Wh-what are you doing to me?'

Skwizgarr stares into the eyes of Forlan, ' And you will have what you desire, and shall so I...'

Skwizgarr looks to the syringe, and delves it now completly into the neck of Forlan, 'This is your

choice...'

Skwizgarr chuckles, 'As I told you, I get what I want, no matter what.'

Forlan says 'Yes.....'

Forlan looks defeated and ashamed. '....yes....

Skwizgarr's Bodyguard clenches Forlan tight against the cobbled street.

Skwizgarr releases some of the pressure of the syringe in Forlan's neck, 'So you accept then?'

Forlan nods tensely with eyes squeezed shut...

You say 'Quite honestly this fluid is my best work... I think its what you need."'

Forlan pop open in wild attention. 'What?

*** that cracked me up***

Skwizgarr pushes down on the plundger, injecting a fluid into Forlan, 'IT will just sting for a

second...'

You say 'Release him.'

Forlan flinches for a second, 'Eh..'

Skwizgarr stands back, and chuckles, 'You will feel it- Death- in your veins.'

Skwizgarr's Bodyguard almost gently releases Forlan, and props him up.

Forlan gets to his feet, staring wearily at the ground.

Skwizgarr takes a deep breath, 'Such a beautiful night for Death...'

*** more to come –chortle- ***