Dogbert | June 30, 2010
by Israel “Dogbert” Reyes
art by Juan Diego Dianderas
The circular lecture hall shone with the rays of midday that came through the tall, clear gothic windows and into the polished marble floor of the hall’s bottom, where an elderly man in the black and gold robes proper of the Wise Council paced back and forth behind his podium, addressing his audience with the tone of someone who has done this same thing for decades. (more…)
Wicht | June 29, 2010
by Jonathan “Wicht” McAnulty
art by Kendall R. Hart
The wall surrounding the estate was a large, Taldorian affair. It fit well with the general feel of wealth that permeated the neighborhood and was complemented by the many trees planted all along the avenue. However, despite its daunting appearance, it was still just a wall and it did not greatly concern the two men on the other side of the cobbled street. They were more interested in the guards patrolling within. They stood beneath a stout elm tree. In the dark of the night, its shadow was sufficient to insure they remained unseen. According to the style of nocturnal burglars everywhere, each was dressed all in black. (more…)
Zuxius | June 12, 2010
South of Katheer, Temple Interior
25 Pharast 4709 AR
Using the last of my lighting stones I made my way down into the temple once more. The light seemed to panic the beetles the first time, so I decided to go with what worked. I assumed they would leave me alone as long as they had corpses to feed on. Once downstairs I spotted the beetle hoard feasting. They were like a mesh of squirming movement and I imagined if I fell into a pile of them, I would no doubt have to rush back to Katheer for treatment. The rotting smell had subsided and I knew it was due to my clicking and snapping friends. Regardless, the smell of beetle dung was musty and strong. (more…)
Montalve | June 8, 2010
Close to the witching hour, the streets of Westcrown are as deserted as they could be at any given time. They look lifeless, yet there is a certain rumor of life within them.
Taverns, both licit and not, remain open and from them come the spurs of life. Thugs and thieves of all kinds skulk the night in search of their next hit. Prostitutes fantasize in expensive brothels or tavern backrooms for that patron that would take them out of the streets, either to an honorable life or to one of exclusive debauchery. People of noble and common birth do shady dealings in dark alleys and secret rooms. They all have lookouts and watchers to keep them out of trouble. It is done with good reason.
Well guarded towers surround the city, while patrols of guardsmen and Hellknights search for troubles and illicit endeavors. (more…)
Curn Bounder | June 6, 2010
Caison stood on the bluff overlooking the burnt skeleton of the ship below. Through the darkness he could see embers smoldering in its belly and could smell the smoke that wafted up from the wreck. Amed and Nadilia slept, while Jun kept the watch. Caison should have been sleeping as well. His body ached, and the sling in which Amed had restrained his wounded arm refused to hang just right. The glass he had smashed on his way out of the ship had cut a considerable gash into his arm, and the abrupt stop after a twenty-five-foot fall had battered him. Though Amed had mended the wounds using the divine powers bestowed upon him by Sarenrae, Caison still needed rest to fully heal. Still, he could not sleep. Though the others were all convinced that the zombies who had chased him off the ship had been consumed by the blaze, he felt compelled to watch anyway. (more…)
Montalve | June 2, 2010
Karessa opened her eyes to the same grey and moldy ceiling as the day before and the mocking trap door in it. Her eyes quickly adjusted to the shadows coming from the torch’s fire. The woman twisted tiredly as she forced herself into a sitting position and shook her head. Her shackled wrists in front of her reminded her more of her failures and loss of honor than the cold stone bed or the cell bars set into her “bedroom’s” north wall. (more…)
malikjoker | June 2, 2010
Outside Tar Kuata.
2 Desnus, 4710
In an underground passage magically shaped from the sand, five men found themselves squeezing through tunnels so tight they had to walk sideways. A short Kellesh man carried a torch but the tight hallway focused the light and helped them little. They had faces hardened by long days toiling under the desert sun. Four were swarthy looking Kellishites, but a Brevan with a massive black raven on his shoulder led the group. He had short and thick dark brown hair and an unkempt beard. A tan and black cloak, fastened with the skull of a badger, covered his shoulders. Foul arcane symbols adorned the canary trim of his custom-made fighting gloves and a many-pouched belt ran diagonally across his chest. He wore loose fitting black clothes, the cuffs of his pants tucked into crenellation topped knee boots. A heavy leather combat belt with a scroll case dangling from a thin silver chain protected his waist.
The mercenaries continued forward, intent on their promised prize. (more…)
