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Wed 14th Feb 2024 04:36

Castle Capers Part III: Shadows of Darkest Light

by Tristan el'Mer

In a brilliant flash of light that was coupled with searing pain, shadows flashed before my eyes. I saw Her again. I know not if my actual body convulsed, but in the shifting of reality I was experiencing, I shivered, terror etched across my face. I had run from Her, abandoning Her directed cause, and now I would have to face Her as my life force ebbed slowly away from my surely limp form. As her sickly sweet voice entered my mind, Back so soon, my pet? I felt myself try to swallow the boulder-sized lump that was stuck in my throat. My stomach tightened and twisted. Total hopelessness seeped in, and I could sense the lavender fire in my eyes fizzle and disappear.
 
We had re-entered the castle proper with the intent of clearing out the remaining Bullywugs and cultists. The bullywugs were easy enough to deal with. There were so cultists, including some of those superior warriors, that had positioned themselves in a strong defensible spot that took a real toll on our group as we endeavored to take them down. By this point Nuri had a small cadre of Lizardfolk following her commands, and a good thing too. Once we learned the location that Borngray was holed up in, we headed that way.
 
Rhumor was leading, trying to secretly gauge the enemy strength near the entrance to the Elf’s tower, but was spotted immediately. We all rushed in. Despite my earlier warnings to myself to not become overconfident, I rushed in and let my mind slip just a little. A little was too much. As I rounded the corner to gain a solid vantage shot on the charging drakes a foul, vile, and monstrous creature emerged from the nearby refuse pit. It wrapped its tentacle around me and began thrashing and biting. I fought back, but even a solid hit from my sword was shrugged off like a grain of sand hitting a stone building. I managed to break free, but before I could escape its reach it grabbed me again, thrashing, biting, crushing, and then the flash of light just before the searing pain, and then all went black.
 
I remember very little after that. Conrad was nearby. I was wildly swinging my sword. I heard the most awful squelching sounds, but knew not the source. Then, the wretched creature’s grasp went limp, and I felt part of its life force bolster mine. Had I cursed it? I could not remember. Then I was throwing eldritch power with abandon at drakes. Or was I? Perhaps that was Nuri. Howls from lizardfolk and drakes alike. The foulest of odors permeated the air.
 
After the fighting was done I gulped down two potions of healing, and while this did help to clear my head, I still felt… less. I was seeing shadow everywhere, and I actively looked for the light. There was more fighting, in the barbican, though I cannot recall why. I need rest. Lots of rest. Just one more casting of prestidigitation to help clear the stench. I silently prayed there would be no shadows in my Trance meditation as I slipped into the slumber like state.

Continue reading...

  1. Goblins and Wargs and Minotaurs, oh my!
    16th of Flamerule, 1486
  2. To Greenest
    17th of Flamerule, 1486
  3. Greenest is the Blackest
    18th of Flamerule, 1486
  4. On dragons, monks, and shite
    19th of Flamerule
  5. Ethereal Me
    20th of Flamerule
  6. Revelations
    21st of Flamerule
  7. The Cave of Triumph and Terror
    22nd of Flamerule
  8. Liches Give Stitches, and other Horrors of the Dark
    22 of Flamerule
  9. The Long Road Ahead: Part I
  10. The Long Road Ahead: Part II
  11. The Long Road Ahead: Part III
    Midsummer
  12. Sleeping on Splinters
    Mid Uktar
  13. The Convergence of the Bizarre and Unlikely
  14. Castle Capers: Part I
  15. Castle Capers Part II
  16. Castle Capers Part III: Shadows of Darkest Light
  17. Castle Capers Part IV: Visions of the Past & Hints of the Future
  18. Mountain Dream Houses and How to clear out the vermin you find when you arrive:
  19. Through the Woods, and into the Air, to Blathokus’ House We Go!
  20. Castle in the Sky, I Can Fly Twice as High
  21. The Ice is on Fire
  22. The City of Splendors
  23. The Journal Entry’s title
  24. City of Splinters
  25. Faces, Masks, and Catnip
  26. Doppler DupliCity
  27. Amorphisms
  28. High in the Skies and Deep in the Ground
  29. Aberrations and Apparitions?
  30. Of Temples, Tombs, and Secrets
  31. The Journal Entry’s title
  32. Whispered Revelations
  33. Varam the Whipped
  34. The End of Many Ages
  35. Fridgid Waters, Fidgety Gnome
  36. Into the Lion’s Den, ehrm.. Dragon’s Den
  37. Severin’ the Snake’s Head
  38. Ghosts, Ghouls, & things that go bump in the night
  39. Black & White; Green & Grey
  40. Ancient Future
  41. Pig’s Pearls
  42. Jade Herrings, Elven boots, Hidden Ruins, Concealed Silver
  43. Scale Broken

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by 3 Armored Kittens · Prodromos v.1.1 - World Anvil 0.9.15.045 © 2017-2024 [en] | Anvil Time: 01:07, Jun 3 2025