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Post by The Dementist on Jun 21, 2004 15:47:14 GMT -5
*The Citadel of Shadow is not a single Citadel. It is composed of ten floating islands, each one a mile across, that drift through the Plane of Shadow. On top of these islands are fortresses, made of iron and steel, that stretch high above the surfaces. They are imposing structures, to say the least. They are adorned with statues of beasts, most of which are actually golems that are ready to come to life for the defense of the Citadel.
The inhabitants of the citadel are the most motly crew ever gathered. They come from all walks of life, from all races. There is no majority. Humans make up the largest of the groups, but they are still a small group. Many of the mad outsiders known as Dementals reside here as well, along with other creatures from across the planes.
This Citadel is the motherhouse of the Shadow Alliance, and interplaner organization that has its fingers in many, many planes, government, and organizations. It is shrouded in mystery, and rumors, many untrue, about both the Citadel and the Alliance are numerous. However, they all have one thing in common - a mysterious man of great power rules both with absolute authority, with goals that dwarf anything the members of the Alliance can dream of.
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Post by The Dementist on Jun 22, 2004 16:06:11 GMT -5
*Thantal sits behind a table, one that is covered with exotic foods from across the multiverse, as well as several glasses of fine wines. At his side, stands a well dressed human, one of his personal servants. In the background, the screams of some soul who earned Thantal’s displeasure resound though the Citadel. Thantal takes a sip of the wine as the screams reach a crescendo, and sighs in pleasure as he puts the wine down.*
“It has a almost sublime quality, doesn’t it? It plays across your senses, tickling your mind before playing down your spine, before finally fading from memory.”<br> *The servant nods.*
“The wine is of an excellent vintage, m’lord.”<br> *Thantal looks confused for a moment, then chuckles.*
“Oh, the wine is good. But I was talking about the screams.”<br> *The servant nods, mutely. A man runs into the room, and drops to his knee.*
“M’lord, forgive me for interrupting, but news just came – the drow has been disposed, and the sewers are filled with rats.*
*Thantal’s face does not change, but the glass shatters in his hand. He looks at it, then tosses it aside.*
“Does the drow live?”<br> “It wouldn’t appear so, m’lord.”<br> *Thantal shakes his head.*
Well, we can’t have this, can we? Leave me. Both of you.
*The two bow, and practically flee.*
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Post by Rumerin on Jun 22, 2004 18:37:09 GMT -5
*A tall man with tanned skin, dark hair, light grey reflective eyes and an aquilline nose leasurely walks up to the front entrance of the Citadel- and knocks. He seems to have passed through the Shadow Plane unnoticed by the creatures there- or perhaps they just have no reason to attack him. Whatever the cause, he seems quite comfortable as he waits to be opened up to.*
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Post by The Dementist on Jun 24, 2004 11:16:50 GMT -5
*The thing that opens the door is a creature streight out of a nightmare. It's spiderlike body stands on fourteen long, spindly legs, each one with five joints, and each one ending in a humanoid hand, tipped with wicket talons. Where the spider's head would be, five wirthering tenticles, each ending in a bony, wicked blade move around a lampry like mouth. It has no discernable eyes, but the tenticles move in the stranger's general direction, which indicates it knows where the man is. The lampry like mouth moves, and the voice that emits from it is in the most pure, refined of accents, one that might be used by an extremely well educated noble.
"Jolly good day, sir. May I enquire into your buisness here?"
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Post by Rumerin on Jun 24, 2004 11:21:04 GMT -5
*Rumerin smiles politely*
A very good day to you too. I was hoping I might be granted an audience with lord Pendrell.
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Post by The Dementist on Jun 24, 2004 11:29:30 GMT -5
"An audiance with the lord Pendrell? Not many make such a request. Please, do come in. Of course, I cannot grant such a thing - he must do so himself. Please, follow me, good sir.
*The creature begins scuttling along down the hallway behind it. The hallway, assuming Rumerin follows, is grand, ornate, and horrid, decorated with the carvings of creatures, some of them so vile that even the fiendish mind would have trouble taking it in, many of them twisted enough the make the creature leading Rumerin seem normal. Three creatures, obviously of the same species as the one leading Rumerin, crawl along the walls and ceiling, for unknown reasons, occasionally tapping the surface they are crawling on with one of their tenticle blades. The creature turns one of its tenticles over its back, facing Rumerin.*
Might I enquire into your name and the nature of this audiance, so I may relay it to the Lord Pendrell?
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Post by Rumerin on Jun 24, 2004 11:39:40 GMT -5
*He follows, taking all in with a blank face.*
Of course. My name would be Rumerin, and I need to speak to lord Pendrell on a matter of business. He knows me, by the way.
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Post by The Dementist on Jun 24, 2004 11:45:42 GMT -5
*The creatures tenticle makes a rotating motion, which is intended for a gesture of affirmation.*
Ahh, you are him. Lord Pendrell does indeed know you. Then I am able to inform you that the Lord Pendrell will be able to meet with you. Allow me to take you to him.
*The creature turns down a hallway, this one with walls made of constantly squirming tenticles, though they part to allow Rumerin and the creature through - obviously, they would have grabbed any creature deemed hostile. A few eyes poke out of the walls here and there between the tenticles, though many of them look glassy and sightless.*
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Post by Rumerin on Jun 24, 2004 12:30:55 GMT -5
Very well, thank you.
*He looks at the walls with his reflective eyes. Interesting decoration. All the rage on the Transatives, no doubt. He really should get off of the Prime Material some more. Perhaps when all the troubles with Eluria are solved, he might take a trip to the Outer Planes. Yes, that would be nice. Perhaps he should even go home for a bit, see the family, and the slopes of Gehenna. Idly wondering whether his baby brother has left home yet, he follows the creature through the citadel.*
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Post by The Dementist on Jun 24, 2004 17:56:12 GMT -5
*The hallway ends abruptly in a large door. The creature uses all five of its tenticles to press spots on the door, seemingly at random and very rapidly. With a hiss of a spell being released, the door slides open, allowing the creature to climb through. Beyond is an elaborate room, full of similar horrid decorations, with an even more horrific desk, one that looks like it is made from the peeled faces of elves. Behind the desk sits a stunningly beautiful woman, her flame red hair pulled back behind her head. She rises to greet Rumerin with a smile that doesn't reach her eyes.*
Rumerin. It is good to meet you, after hearing about you. My father will be with us shortly - he has some things he must attend to. I'm not certian if you have heard of me. I am Vivia, Xealaz's daughter.
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Post by Rumerin on Jun 24, 2004 18:09:42 GMT -5
*He enters the room and bows to the lady.*
A pleasure to meet you, my lady Vivia.
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Post by The Dementist on Jun 24, 2004 18:13:42 GMT -5
*He enters the room and bows to the lady.* A pleasure to meet you, my lady Vivia. *She smiles, and offers him her hand.* The pleasure is mine. My father has told me so much about you, I am anxious to see if the legend matches the figure behind it.
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Post by Rumerin on Jun 24, 2004 18:22:36 GMT -5
*He takes the hand and brings it to his lips*
My lady, I'm afraid I am sure to disappoint- I am a simple man of business, and hardly a legend- unlike you, I might add. The stories hardly do you justice though, wonderous as they might be.
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Post by The Dementist on Jun 24, 2004 18:34:04 GMT -5
*She actually blushes and giggles.*
As smooth with words as father said you were.
*She grins now, this time with a good deal of interest.*
Oh? Then you have heard of my...exploits?
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Post by Rumerin on Jun 24, 2004 18:46:05 GMT -5
*He smiles*
Smooth? You make it sound as though telling a fair and gifted young lady the truth about that is a bad thing...
I have heard some of it, yes. To tell the truth, I thought them wildly exaggerated. I am more inclined to believe the opposite now, however.
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