Chronicles MA

[DonCorazon]

Given all the turnover, and the fact the previous admin vanished leaving the first post un-editable, here is a new thread for Chronicles MA, with the surviving players as of turn 41.

Abysia - Tifone
Atlantis - Jarkko
Shinuyama - Wrana
Caelum - sansanjuan
Ermor - calmon
Man - quantum_mechani
R'lyeh - DonCorazon
Nehekhara - Executor

Link to the old thread is here

[Darkwind]

Just want to pop in now to say best of luck to Chronicles MA! You've gone a lot farther than EA, I'll say that much. Following the stories is rather fun, I hope this doesn't end early.

[calmon]

I extended the hosting by 24 hours by request of ermor (me )

[DonCorazon]

One reason why the story part of Chronicles might have died is we have no audience and editing the wiki is a pain. If a another Chronicles game is ever started, I'd recommend posting entries here. I am going to throw my entries for R'lyeh here and maybe it will get me motivated to write some more

[sansanjuan]

Originally Posted by DonCorazon

One reason why the story part of Chronicles might have died is we have no audience and editing the wiki is a pain. If a another Chronicles game is ever started, I'd recommend posting entries here. I am going to throw my entries for R'lyeh here and maybe it will get me motivated to write some more

DC,
I'll post my thread too. Will continue shortly with another narration... (Something to write about now with Ermor and I hammering each other)

-ssj


Skree
War Minister of Caelum

Eres
Strom General turned prophet of Rapture, later turned dead

Kern
Wingless Mammoth Handler from Raven Valley

Rapture
The Almighty

Shercy
Sister of Kern and Kes

Kes
Brother of Shercy and Kes

Shivnay
Priest of Rapture

Mom
Mother of Kes, Kern and Shercy

Scrot
Mammoth sized mammoth

Nellick
Bodyguard to Rapture

Ennel
Scribe of Storm General Merien, Western Front
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Prologue
The thick air breathers stir below. Bound to the earth they plod like deformed Wingless. They don't look up. Pity. Soon the rarefied air of Caelum will stir and the shadow of my Icesword will fall on their shoulders.

Eres - Storm General 1st Army (The Gathering of the Cleansing)





Dear Mom,

"Join the Wingless" you said. "Make a name for yourself in the 'Cleansing'. It will toughen you up. The ladies like a war scar." Ha! Even the Wingless don't take cripples... so they hand me a pitchfork and prod. Now I'm freezing and knee deep in Mammoth s*h*i*t. I asked what happened to the last handler. The Iceclad smiled and told me to "check between Scrot's toes". Scrot, the biggest meanest beast of the lot... hates me already. The campaign rolls tomorrow. Tell Kes he can have anything he finds in my room.

Love Kern

Turn 1
Rapture smiles on me.

"You are my chosen".

His essence fills me.

-Eres Prophet of Rapture





Dearest Kern,

Everything will be just fine. Don't you worry. Show those beasts who's boss! I wish your father were here to see you now. As if a Wingless who can read and write is not impressive enough. Our son trains Mammoths too!

A priest (Shivnay?) visited our village in Raven Valley. They are tallying the families. Odd he is noting all the physical problems each Wingless bears. Also he said Rapture will be needing assistants and there is a shortage of young women (who, it is said, tend to be exceptional handlers of Rapture's many delicate tomes). Shivnay said even our Wingless girls can find opportunity in Rapture's fold. Your sister is eager to make an impression on this handsome priest. Kes didn't like him for some reason but couldn't say why.

Love Mom
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Turn 2
They suspected nothing. Their weakness was an invitation framed in gold. The power of Rapture was mine to command and I smote them.

Mammoths crushed.

Archers pierced.

No losses.

None escaped.

Rapture will be most pleased.

-Eres Prophet of Rapture







Dear Mom,

First Battle! Scrot was magnificent! He trampled 5 of the enemy and shrugged off half a dozen arrows. Not sure what they see in this swamp but soldiers (and handlers) do as they are told. Rumors of another campaign soon.

Love Kern
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Turn 3
Is this a test? My quill trembles in my hand. We again crushed the dwellers of another fetid swamp. Soon after I felt a Black Sorcery emanating from the land and it now rattles in my chest. My sword hangs limp in my grip. I can barely take wing. Oh Rapture... is this a test? Many of the others have fallen ill.

-Eres Prophet of Rapture



Dearest Kern,

How exciting! We've had a bit of our own excitement with the Brigands and all. With the Army on the march they seem to have taken advantage and are prowling Raven Valley and the road leading up to the Spire. I'm sure they will be brought to justice soon. Don't worry about us though. Your brother has strapped on your father's old sword.

Love Mom
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Turn 6
The campaign continues. Poor scouting miscounted the heavy calvary in the last province. We lost half the mammoths. Heads will roll.

The foul sorcery from that accused swamp continues to weaken me. I will wither and die without divine intervention. Is that your will Rapture? Alas I am too feeble to scry your plan for me.

-Eres Prophet of Rapture



Dear Mom,

Scrot went down yesterday. I'll miss the big guy. We were ready to stomp but a bunch of heavy cavalry hit the big boys hard. Scrot took a few with him but he finally fell. Command was oh so enraged at the poor assessment. Rumor is that something is wrong with the Prophet. He looks like hell and can barely draw a sword. Not very encouraging to the troops.

Love Kern
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Turn 8
-Journal of the Almighty Ascendant-

Eres has proven.... inadequate. His death on the battlefield.. welcome. The weak fledgling could not even fend off chillsick. I will seek a new vessel for my will.

The news from Raven Valley brightens me. My father's work their is evident. He only lacked ambition. I know the Bloodrites can strengthen even as they twist the bodies.


-Rapture



Dearest Kern,

The brigands have been wiped out by soldiers from the Spire! Also your sister Shercy has received the most wonderful document from that priest (such lovely quillwork!). She and many other girls (unattached so they won't be pining for their men) await summons to the Spire for the sage's Tome work.

Love Mom
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Turn 9
-Journal of the Almighty Ascendant-

I chafe at the tedium of searching these vast grasslands for sites of power. Alas I can not delegate the task as it is beyond the means of my incompetent underlings. I find their knowledge so... lacking it distresses me. Oh to be back among my tomes.

Suitable maidens have been noted in Raven Valley. The rituals must be hidden from the rabble. My research in Early Age literature shows the price of alarmed peasants

-Rapture
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Turn 11
-Journal of the Almighty Ascendant-

I muse on the path I've chosen. Instead of applying my considerable knowledge to Arcane research I find myself traveling these conquered provinces with imbecile bodyguards. No sites of power in this vast province. No gems filling with latent Power. Months wasted.

Scouts have reported ancient civilizations expanding under new banners. I shall reach out to them. They may prove... useful in my pursuits.

-Rapture


Dear Mom,

I'm back at Caelum. Many of these rabble provinces have proven tougher than our commander anticipated. Fresh beasts await us in the Capital. The news has been good from the other campaigns. There are rumours of other organized civilizations expanding their empires. Exciting indeed.

Love Kern
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Turn 12
-Journal of the Almighty Ascendant-

I happened across a brigand leader in this foul province. He told me his name was "Skum" and I detected no irony in his tone. Instead of having my guards slay him I struck a deal whereas he would supply my cause with some of his "fellers" for a small sum of gold. Though they reek they possess skills that might be useful in the days ahead. -Rapture
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Turn 15
Vellum musings

I find the world awash in Civilizations the equal of our own. The Almightly One spoke that this was so... many years ago. Ah but to hear of other Immortals touching the earth is different than staring across a swollen river at the puissant armies of another Immortal's civilization. Oddly Rapture urges caution when dealing these "others" in his last message. He senses the power in these rivals and would seek some as allies in the coming days. He has hinted that lightning will soon be ours to cage in ways unimagined. Ours to call. I have not seen a demonstration of these new powers but the high mages tell me that those susceptable will be maimed, dazed and easy prey for the Herds. I will think on this. Skree - War Minister of Caelum
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Turn 17
This span will be known as the Rat Wars. News from the front lays open before me. In massive hordes these rat beasts can overwhelm even a mammoth charge. Hundreds were killed yet still more came. New strategies are called for. Skree - War Minister of Caelum

Overheard in Offaltimes Tavern "Why gather the young maidens from the farms? I have faith in His Holiness yet... Why? Is it a man's yearnings or something more?"



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Turn 23
No soft pillow tonight. No woman for my bed. The siege drags on. When night falls the troops cease their idle banter. The rats own the night. Their vision is uncanny in the darkness. Tents are quietly moved closer to the High Seraphs. We've all seen what a Thunder Strike can do. When the siege breaks no one wants to be more than 30 paces from a Mage. The Mammoths bear scars from dozens of rat bites. Many too weak for the front lines. It is good we have allies in this War of the Rats. Yet allies are not always true. They are often born of convenience. When the Rats fall will there be treachery or will we build on our past cooperation? The seas to the North roil with creatures of unknown design. To the south the Undead have extended their lifeless hand. The fiery Abyssians touch our borders. Our only bond an insatiable thirst for conquest.

Ennel – Scribe of Storm General Merien, Western Front
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Turn 25
Quarter rations for both Seraph and Beast. The mammoths are weak and restless. The troops grumble in their cups. Will these walls come down? What will we face? Merien asked Skree for Mages of Nature knowing supplies might thin. The request went.. unanswered. Skree must be preoccupied with something beyond this castle, though we've heard nothing. Ennel – Scribe of Storm General Merien, Western Front



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Turn 26
Dear Mom, Sorry I haven't written for some time. Did you hear? Mammoths from horizon to horizon against a horde of rats. Those mammoths were MY babies. Rats and Ratmen were gelled under 10000 stone beasts and still they kept coming. A number of beasts fell or retreated but the day was ours. Rumor is the threat has now passed. That is well and good as they were frightening in both form and manner. Skree himself named the mammoths as instrumental in the battles outcome. How is sister? Does she work under the eye of Rapture himself? Love Kern



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Turn 29
Overheard in “Mangy Goat’s” Tavern



“I seen SPIDERS as big as THREE MEN with RIDERS ..an.. an.. hundreds of CORPSES all battl’n in Swashty Flats!”

“Aww Zink. You are so fulla oxen dung. “

“NO.. NO.. REALLY I saw it!

“ Like the time the short green fellas came outta the flying shield and had their way with you?”

“ That was bad ale. ‘Dis is REAL ‘dis time! All sorta magery and skellies crawl’n outta the ground and fire from the sky an.. an.. Awwwww.. fergit it…”
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Turn 30
Missives unanswered. Messengers rotting in endless holding queues of the T'ien Ch'i bureaucratic layers. We will chafe no more. We will awaken this beast. Better to die on the field than navigate the unfathomable regulations for an audience with the T'ien Ch'i War Ministry.

Skree – Caelum Ministry of War
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Turn 33
"Send for Kenc IMMEDIATELY!" Rapture screamed

The dead virgins are piled in the back of the room. A soon to be dead manservant wriths in pain at his feet as the poison from the Armor of Twisting Thorns stills his heart.

“The Armor has fused to my skin! Idiots! It... won't... come.. off!”

“I will bring sage Kenc immediately your holiness! The forging ritual must have ..ah.. went awry somehow...”

Panting with frustration the Pretender caught his advisor's eye.. “His research was flawed... just bring me his head.”

[DonCorazon]

Prologue

Eribon Coastal town, human settlement, 2029 Year of the Griffon

When we found Haldor, he was drenched in so much blood we thought him dead until the whites of his eyes blinked open, causing Erman to cut himself. Haldor cackled and ripped off pieces of his flesh until finally we bound the stocky fisherman in manacles.

Just that morning the burly lad had set out on his scully, blowing a kiss to Esmeralda with his gentle grin. Now she lay torn to pieces and Haldor a gibbering lunatic. No one in Eribon had ever seen such evil in those days.

Something must have happened to him out in the water, the smallfolk said, something that twisted his mind inside out. Would that he had but drowned and thus saved his family and spared us all the horror that was to come.

In the end though, we came to understand:

Beyond the sheltering blue sky is a horrible infinite darkness, waiting to spill forth. Beneath the gentle green waves is an endless hungering void, waiting to devour. Behind a fisherman’s smiling eyes is a fragile coil of sanity, waiting to be snapped. Beyond the gates of the Dark Citadel, is an unwitting world waiting to be conquered.

[DonCorazon]

Turn 1 - R'lyeh

Eribon, a human settlement

Not more than a month had passed after Haldor’s hanging when we found the merling washed up on our shores, wrapped in coils of sea weed. The once glittering silver scales had turned into a grey morass beneath bits of coral armor, but the warrior’s noble bearing was apparent. We could find no wounds or signs of battle on his body other than a gruesome severed hand, brackish grey with long dark nails, impaled into his intricate coral shield. When Erman rolled the body over, the face was amazing – so human-like and expressive. The merling looked like the cobbler’s son, but it was his eyes that caught our attention.

The eyes bore an expression of utter horror and madness, as if the merling had witnessed something terrifying beyond comprehension. We stood there on the shore, silent as a swathe of clouds passed over the grey sun, sending a cold chill to the four of us. Nobody said anything but all of us shared a thought – the merling’s gaze of horror was exactly like the one Haldor had while dancing in the blood of his family.

We knew then that there was something out in the sea, and I think then, in my heart, I knew the end was coming and nothing would ever be the same.

[DonCorazon]

Turn 2 = R'lyeh

Eribon, a human settlement

Erman lay in the bed above the smithy, where he kept the severed hand found on the merling’s shield, threshing as visions of a dark iron citadel beneath the waves permeated his dreams. The keep beneath the sea was filled with twisting, curved towers, organic and alien, a cold bluish light emanating from within. A thunderous rumbling from the gates as eons of silt shook loose and out of the gaping maw issued forth an army of something that looked like enslaved merlings, not unlike the one Erman had seen washed up on the shores some days past.

It wasn’t those beasts but something coming up from behind them that gave rise to a growing sense of terror. He heard in his dreams a set of footsteps slow, but loud, sending pulsing waves through the murky water. Each step brought a sharp stab of pain to Erman’s head and his heart pounded faster, a cold sweat breaking out through all of his pores. Each step the sense of terror increased, until Erman was wheezing for breath, his face blue, his eyes fluttering, his hands clenched around the sheets, the pain in his head tremendous.

We found Erman that morning, no sign of what killed him, just a trickle of blood around his ears and an expression of terror on his face, his sheets torn to shreds. I told Ulwuth then that we would be wise to leave Eribon and head for the safety of Ulm. I wish he would have listened to me.

[DonCorazon]

Turn 3 - R'lyeh

A secret note from Olug,enslaved hydromancer

Viadra, I hope this message finds you well, I must be brief, the Illithid masters are probing the minds of all the magi cadres constantly these days looking for signs of betrayal. I am not sure when they will realize I am insulated from their intrusions while in the Chamber of the Meteorite. I should have more chances to update you in the coming months as the masters are sending me out to uncover the ancient sources of aquatic vis to the west.

You should know the armies of R’lyeh are on the march. In Good Water Tr’goth the Illithid Battle Lord, in the company of the preacher known as the Hooded One, overcame the ancient water magi known as Yig Goloth and his band of sea trolls. You must tell father that the forces of R’lyeh are unstoppable – the Lord of Insanity himself has left the citadel heading east – no army can stop him for he freezes his foes in a deathgrip of fear. I do not know where you can hide from them – but the waters are no longer safe.

Your loving brother, Olug

PS Any news from Atlantis – we have heard nothing from them…

[DonCorazon]

Turn 4 - R'lyeh

Aesop, excerpt from Musings on the Dark Beyond, 1129

“None can say for sure the origins of the malevolent race known as the Illithid. The reknowned physician-scholar Demetrius of Arcos speculated that, based on the physiology of the few cadavers he was able to examine (no Illithid has ever been captured alive) these are extra-planar beings, likely from an aquatic, frigid environment. His studies proved the Illithid are not demons as they failed to exhibit adverse reactions to certain types of blessed waters. From my own studies based on interviews with survivors from the Typhalia massacre, I believe the Illithid have some ability to paralyze their victims with terror, perhaps some form of hallucinatory mind control, as the few survivors from that horrible slaughter had almost identical ravings about a horrifying being from the so-called “Dark Beyond” something called Azag…