Heroica RPG - Quest #79: Fading Spark

[Bricksandparts]

OoC: Knowing you Endgame, this is totally NOT the final boss battle. Plus he wasn't even in the top ranks.

Johon uses nostrum and smelling salts.

"You gonna be ok?" Johon asks Karie, somewhat worried.

[Kintobor]

OoC: Knowing you Endgame, this is totally NOT the final boss battle. Plus he wasn't even in the top ranks.

Johon uses nostrum and smelling salts.

"You gonna be ok?" Johon asks Karie, somewhat worried.

Karie perked around after noticing Johon and gave a halfhearted smile.

"Yeah... I think so."

Karie then looked down at her feet, even her shoes were subjected to the splotchy ink. She didn't realize how much of a mess she looked like.

"I don't know. It just... perhaps I was hoping for this job being something simplistic, something that I could just get done and say I did it without looking like a screw up.

It seems I can't even do that."

[Bricksandparts]

"Don't be too hard on yourself, this wasn't any simple task."

[Kintobor]

"Don't be too hard on yourself, this wasn't any simple task."

"Yeah, well, it didn't look that way at first."

Karie felt a little awkward having the Oculoid's arm wrapped around hers. The only part of the tattoo that showed was the palm, and the hands, since the makeup on her arm covered the rest.

"We'll wait for Althior to do something and then we'll move on."

[K-Nut]

Althior chews one of his Ether Cores. "Let's kill this son of a bitch, get the paper, and go home," He was obviously tired of getting sidetracked.

[Kintobor]

"Agreed, let's get this done."

[Endgame]

The Party:

Althior Emorith (And Finnegan) *Lucky!*

Level 35 3/4 Necromancer *Earns triple XP*

Power: 47 (52 for spells)

Power Bonus: +5 Spells

Defense: 6 (4+2)

Health: 45/45 (5+5+Chicken Drumstick (1)+34)

Ether: 48/48 (5+5+34+4)

Gold: 150

Equipment: Scepter of Divine Affinity (WP:12, Has ⅙ chance to deal Cursed effect on attacks and ⅙ chance to deal Blessed effect on successful healing, Staff), Spellbound Gloves (+5 power when casting Spells, doubled if target is weak to Element, Handwear), Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max Ether +4, Backwear), Medal of Glory (Wearer earns triple experience, Accessory), Robe of the Elven Necromancer (SP: 4, Body Wear)

Inventory: Dragoro (WP:8, Wand), Skeleton Decoy, Potion x6, Tonic x10, Grand Potion x4, Grand Tonic x2, Ether Core x2, Bedroll, Remedy x9, Mead, Smelling Salts, Diamond (Light), Topaz (Lightning), Amethyst (Darkness), Ruby (Fire), Sapphire (Wind), Garnet (Earth), Opal (Ice), Aquamarine (Water), Emerald (Wood), Skull Shield (SP: 6, immune to darkness elemental damage), Bone x3, Elixirs x3, Phoenix Incense x2, Dragon Scales, Garnet Lamp of Summoning, Deadly Poison, Grating Stone x2, Tasty Fish

Johon [AKA Alf Gregory] (Bricksandparts) 25 years old male human Barbarian > Raider *Lucky!* *Hastened!*

Level: 25.66

Power: 36 (24+8+4)

Health: 40/40 (24+8+1+7+0)

Shield Power: (5+1)

Ether: ~/0

Positive effects: *Immune to:* (*Fragile*, *Cursed* *Stunned* ), *Natural Respite*

Negative effects: (none)

Gold: 3024 (1726(1), 0GB(50), 0CB(50), 0GO(80), 0CC(70), 0GC(100), 0M)

Equipment:

Weapon - Sword of Decay (WP:8) - (once the target is inflicted with damage they lose a quarter of the power of the strike each following turn for three turns. the effect cannot be compounded with more strikes. Suitable to Mages, Knights and Barbarians.)

Shield - None

Artefact 1 (L1-9) - Heavy Armour - SP:5, protects from fragile-effect, suitable for barbarians and knights

Artefact 2 (L10-19) - Bravado Boots - 1/6 chance of being Lucky at the beginning of every battle

Artefact 3 (L20-29) - Sticky Gloves - Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up), suitable for rogues and beast warriors.[

Artefact 4 (L30-39) -

Artefact 5 (L40-49) -

Artefact 6 (L50+) -

Extra Artefacts: Helmet (+1 max health), Blessed Amulet – Protects from cursed-effect. Dog Statuette - (suitable for anyone, SP: 1, once named (Rover), speaking the name summons a dog almost certainly to tag along on madcap adventures and make snippy comments.), Hide of The Bleeding - restores 10 HP and 5 ether for every enemy the wearer kills, suitable for anyone, Scarlet Hood - +4 to power, immunity to stunned

Extra Weapons: Greatsword (WP:3), Focal Staff (WP:5, Focus Fire-Roll a 3 for 5 ether Suitable for clerics and mages),Gladius (WP: 15, Darkness elemental, 1/3 chance of Fragile on succesful hits), Stalker’s Mallet (WP: 8, usable by Knights, Barbarians, and Harlots. Has a 1/2 chance to seal the enemy) Tools: Shovel (1), Pick-axe (2), Magnifying Glass (1), Magic Compass (1)

Consumables: Potion (2), Venom (2), Mead (4), Smelling Salts (9), Nostrum (11), Trial Brew (1), Grand Tonic, Ambrosia, Grand Potion, Deadly Poison

Elements: Aquamarine (1), Emerald (1), Topaz (1)

Scrolls: Scroll of Sleep (1), Scroll of Blindness (1), Scroll of Sealing (1), Scroll of Confusion (1)

Quest items: Blue Rose

Karie Alderflask (Played by Kintobor) *Party Leader!* *Encouraged!* *Inspired!*

22 year old Human Rogue Witch, lvl 17

Power: 24 (lvl 17 + WP: 7)

Health: 23/23

Ether: 12/23

Gold: 77

Defence: 2

Equipment: Oculoid Palm (WP: 11, Whip, successful hits lowers the target's level. Coils around the user's arm and mimics a tattoo outside of battle.) by 1. Ethereal Cloak (SP +2, Max. Ether +4), Catsuit (Wearer has 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits; suitable to women only; bodywear)

Inventory: Grand Tonic (2), Mead (1), Remedy (1), Venom (7), Smoke bomb (1), Pixie Dust (1), Grand Potion (2) Telescope (1), Bedroll (1)

Quest Items: Entry 11, Map of Brendenton (1), Spider Coin (worth 1 gp), Forest Journal

Aretefacts/Weapons:Heirloom Dagger (WP: 3), Scroll of Newtity (costs 10 ether)(usable by ex-Amphibians only), Lover's Locket (Accessory, Protects from enamoured effect), Trickster's Mask of the Elf (Accessory, changes user's appearance into an Elf) The Rat Queen's Cape (Backwear, all Vermin type are Enamored with the wearer for the first three rounds of combat, Suitable for Alchemists, Beast Warriors, Chi Monks, and Witches), Sexy (WP: 7, Rapier, Disregards SP, usable by Knights and Rogues),

Gemstones: Topaz

The party guzzles down a cocktail of beverages and devours some Ether Cores, readying themselves for the onsalught of a battle before them. As they walk past the Deep's Pond, the Oculoid's virtiol still fresh in their minds, they can't help but feel a dark sense of foreboding: The purple plumes of smoke seemed to get closer and closer with every step... What were they?

After what seems to be an hour of walking, the party reaches the next portion of the forest. The party could hear the bubbling of the rapid moving water, a sturdy stone bridge suspended over the 20-foot plunge into the water below.

And, lo and behold, another two Oculoids lingered at the foot of the bridge.

The Red Oculoid seems a bit surprised over the hero's apperance, but the Blue Oculoid merely looks at the party in disdain...

"Wha-? Heroes...? Here!"

"It isn't as prepostrous as you make it out to be, Red. If those fools came my way, I would already be nibbling away at the last morsels of their souls, but... Unfortunately, a meal never idd come my way. Rotten luck, considering I'm starved..."

Edited September 5, 2013 by Endgame

[K-Nut]

Althior takes his Nostrum, seeing as he forgot to before. ( ) "Oh enough of this!" He pulls out his scepter, "Frankly I'm just sick of you. So please, please, get out of my way. And don't go on a three hour spheel of how superior you are, because you are clearly not, as we've beaten all of your cohorts before," Althior sighed, exhausted.

Edited September 5, 2013 by K-Nut

[Kintobor]

Karie stood in view of the Oculoid's so that they could see the mess that she was.

"You know who this whole mess belonged too? I don't need to tell you since you probably already scanned my mind, but still, I'll let you guess if you're feeling lucky. I'll have you know I'm more than capable of doing it again, should I need to."

Karie waited for the two to respond, most likely some snarky retort. She was ready to finish this crap and sleep. Maybe sulk over this, or do something else. Go out on that dinner she promised to go on with Masson.

Edited September 5, 2013 by Kintobor

[Endgame]

Althior takes his Nostrum, seeing as he forgot to before. ( ) "Oh enough of this!" He pulls out his scepter, "Frankly I'm just sick of you. So please, please, get out of my way. And don't go on a three hour spheel of how superior you are, because you are clearly not, as we've beaten all of your cohorts before," Althior sighed, exhausted.

"And you think we aren't sick of you? I've killed about fifty humans and half as many years."

Karie stood in view of the Oculoid's so that they could see the mess that she was.

"You know who this whole mess belonged too? I don't need to tell you since you probably already scanned my mind, but still, I'll let you guess if you're feeling lucky. I'll have you know I'm more than capable of doing it again, should I need to."

Karie waited for the two to respond, most likely some snarky retort. She was ready to finish this crap and sleep. Maybe sulk over this, or do something else. Go out on that dinner she promised to go on with Masson.

The Blue Oculoid speaks in a chilling voice, not a bit of sarcasm or smug superiority injected into it.

"To me, it is just a testament to how close he came to breaking you.

Now, believe it or not, we hardly have any time for verbal beatdowns, and definitely not a battle. Although I am simply famished, and could use some souls right about now... No. We are here simply to give you a warning.

Have you seen the purple smoke in the horizon, heroes?"

[Kintobor]

The Blue Oculoid speaks in a chilling voice, not a bit of sarcasm or smug superiority injected into it.

"To me, it is just a testament to how close he came to breaking you.

Now, believe it or not, we hardly have any time for verbal beatdowns, and definitely not a battle. Although I am simply famished, and could use some souls right about now... No. We are here simply to give you a warning.

Have you seen the purple smoke in the horizon, heroes?"

Karie didn't respond. She didn't want to listen to the green demon's voice ever again.

"Why? We know it correlates to your little scheme?"

Karie was slightly nervous. Just what was going on with these guys.

Edited September 5, 2013 by Kintobor

[Endgame]

"Think of it as a beacon of sorts... A signal to our wayard brethren. You'll have more than us three Oculoids to contend with, that is for sure."

[Kintobor]

A panicky look comes over Karie. More? Coming here? Wonderful, just wonderful...

"Oh... a beacon? There's more coming this way? I see, Well then... best we do something about that, eh?"

[Endgame]

A panicky look comes over Karie. More? Coming here? Wonderful, just wonderful...

"Oh... a beacon? There's more coming this way? I see, Well then... best we do something about that, eh?"

"You actually think you can stop us? Hah! Foolish girl..."

"I will be abundantly clear for you thick skulled pests: We have reinforcements. We have the documents, and we have the man who stole them from us in our clutches. We hold every card in our hand, and have stacked the deck in our favor for every eventuality. If you try to meddle with our affairs, you will die.

Can't get much clearer than that, can it? Ho ho ho... But just to prove my point, I guess a demonstration is in order."

The Red and Blue Oculoids combine their efforts, both of them diving into the tree on the other side of the bridge. Their inky bodies sink into its large oaken frame, the tree withering almost instantly. Now under Oculoid control, its roots rise from the ground, the towering pillar of wood no longer tethered to the ground. The two demons exit the tree, and in a burst of dark magic, knock it down!

The tree topples over the bridge, crushing through its stone structure and shattering it almost instantly.

The tree and pieces of stone and wood drift away, even the tree getting swept up in the forest rapids. The Oculoids float to the other side.

"There is more of that where that comes from, heroes. A lot more. Now, I will have to be content leaving you morsels behind... But if you'd like to waste your lives in battle, we await, heroes."

The Oculoids chuckle as they dissappear deeper into the forest.

The bridge forward was now collapsed, its pieces swept away... What will the party do?

[Kintobor]

"Ugh, of course it's not this easy."

Karie looks around to see if there's anything that could be of use, including planks of wood, fallen over logs, and supplies. While doing so, she addresses Althior.

"You got any gems that could be of use?"

[K-Nut]

"I do indeed..." If Karie finds nothing suitable, Althior uses his garnet to create a plateau to shorten the gap at the expansion of one ether.

[Endgame]

Karie searches the are, finding nothing of use: it seems that the Oculoids thought ahead (or, more likely, the Blue one did when while the Red one obeyed his commands.) However, they failed to anticipate Althior's extensive collection, the Necromancer forming a temporary bridge of rock over the gap. The party traverses, treading carefully... Every tree could hide an oculoid, and now the party knew there were more lingering around the forest. The party was the forest's only hope of purging the demons from inside of it. The path grows more and more convoluted, twsiting and turning, sometimes even looping before the party discovers the correct route. The flora and fauna ge drearier and drearier as they walk, this part of the forest lacking the normal life the rest of it was bustling with.

Finally, the party comes to a clearing, and they almost gasp at the sight:

The change was drastic as they stepped into the makeshift arena. Even the path they travelled along was at least somewhat lush and green... Here, there was no traces of life at all. Everything had greyed and withered, turning sickly shades of green and grey. There wasn't a single trace of life in this demonic clearing: every tree, plant, and blade of grass had been sucked dry... The party could see the corpses of smal animals scattered about, sucked dry of their souls. Not a single living thing dwelled in this clearing anymore, the entire area withered beyond salvation.

At their feet an intricate pattern of spirals and symbols lined the ground, the ink seeping into the dead turf and staining it black... An impressive assembly of oculoids were before them, all of them staring malignantly at the heroes. the party shrinks back as they take take in their morbid surroundings, the demons' chilling gazes shaking them to the core. Behind the horde of demons a man sits, unconscious: the awareness hexed out of him.

Was that Mr. Keolo?

The Oculoid Chief chuckles menacingly, his snickering growing into a chilling laughter as he notices the party's fear. His wounds had been healed from all of the life he had drained from this place, now brimming with power. He speaks, his words resonating around the dead forest.

"So you have arrived, heroes."

The Party:

Althior Emorith (And Finnegan) *Lucky!*

Level 35 3/4 Necromancer *Earns triple XP*

Power: 47 (52 for spells)

Power Bonus: +5 Spells

Defense: 6 (4+2)

Health: 45/45 (5+5+Chicken Drumstick (1)+34)

Ether: 47/48 (5+5+34+4)

Gold: 150

Equipment: Scepter of Divine Affinity (WP:12, Has ⅙ chance to deal Cursed effect on attacks and ⅙ chance to deal Blessed effect on successful healing, Staff), Spellbound Gloves (+5 power when casting Spells, doubled if target is weak to Element, Handwear), Ethereal Cloak (SP:2, Max Ether +4, Backwear), Medal of Glory (Wearer earns triple experience, Accessory), Robe of the Elven Necromancer (SP: 4, Body Wear)

Inventory: Dragoro (WP:8, Wand), Skeleton Decoy, Potion x6, Tonic x10, Grand Potion x4, Grand Tonic x2, Ether Core x2, Bedroll, Remedy x9, Mead, Smelling Salts, Diamond (Light), Topaz (Lightning), Amethyst (Darkness), Ruby (Fire), Sapphire (Wind), Garnet (Earth), Opal (Ice), Aquamarine (Water), Emerald (Wood), Skull Shield (SP: 6, immune to darkness elemental damage), Bone x3, Elixirs x3, Phoenix Incense x2, Dragon Scales, Garnet Lamp of Summoning, Deadly Poison, Grating Stone x2, Tasty Fish

Johon [AKA Alf Gregory] (Bricksandparts) 25 years old male human Barbarian > Raider *Lucky!* *Hastened!*

Level: 25.66

Power: 36 (24+8+4)

Health: 40/40 (24+8+1+7+0)

Shield Power: (5+1)

Ether: ~/0

Positive effects: *Immune to:* (*Fragile*, *Cursed* *Stunned* ), *Natural Respite*

Negative effects: (none)

Gold: 3024 (1726(1), 0GB(50), 0CB(50), 0GO(80), 0CC(70), 0GC(100), 0M)

Equipment:

Weapon - Sword of Decay (WP:8) - (once the target is inflicted with damage they lose a quarter of the power of the strike each following turn for three turns. the effect cannot be compounded with more strikes. Suitable to Mages, Knights and Barbarians.)

Shield - None

Artefact 1 (L1-9) - Heavy Armour - SP:5, protects from fragile-effect, suitable for barbarians and knights

Artefact 2 (L10-19) - Bravado Boots - 1/6 chance of being Lucky at the beginning of every battle

Artefact 3 (L20-29) - Sticky Gloves - Increases the amount of gold stolen by 50% (rounded up), suitable for rogues and beast warriors.[

Artefact 4 (L30-39) -

Artefact 5 (L40-49) -

Artefact 6 (L50+) -

Extra Artefacts: Helmet (+1 max health), Blessed Amulet – Protects from cursed-effect. Dog Statuette - (suitable for anyone, SP: 1, once named (Rover), speaking the name summons a dog almost certainly to tag along on madcap adventures and make snippy comments.), Hide of The Bleeding - restores 10 HP and 5 ether for every enemy the wearer kills, suitable for anyone, Scarlet Hood - +4 to power, immunity to stunned

Extra Weapons: Greatsword (WP:3), Focal Staff (WP:5, Focus Fire-Roll a 3 for 5 ether Suitable for clerics and mages),Gladius (WP: 15, Darkness elemental, 1/3 chance of Fragile on succesful hits), Stalker’s Mallet (WP: 8, usable by Knights, Barbarians, and Harlots. Has a 1/2 chance to seal the enemy) Tools: Shovel (1), Pick-axe (2), Magnifying Glass (1), Magic Compass (1)

Consumables: Potion (2), Venom (2), Mead (4), Smelling Salts (9), Nostrum (11), Trial Brew (1), Grand Tonic, Ambrosia, Grand Potion, Deadly Poison

Elements: Aquamarine (1), Emerald (1), Topaz (1)

Scrolls: Scroll of Sleep (1), Scroll of Blindness (1), Scroll of Sealing (1), Scroll of Confusion (1)

Quest items: Blue Rose

Karie Alderflask (Played by Kintobor) *Party Leader!* *Encouraged!* *Inspired!*

22 year old Human Rogue Witch, lvl 17

Power: 24 (lvl 17 + WP: 7)

Health: 23/23

Ether: 12/23

Gold: 77

Defence: 2

Equipment: Oculoid Palm (WP: 11, Whip, successful hits lowers the target's level. Coils around the user's arm and mimics a tattoo outside of battle.) by 1. Ethereal Cloak (SP +2, Max. Ether +4), Catsuit (Wearer has 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER and DAMAGE and Free Hits; suitable to women only; bodywear)

Inventory: Grand Tonic (2), Mead (1), Remedy (1), Venom (7), Smoke bomb (1), Pixie Dust (1), Grand Potion (2) Telescope (1), Bedroll (1)

Quest Items: Entry 11, Map of Brendenton (1), Spider Coin (worth 1 gp), Forest Journal

Aretefacts/Weapons:Heirloom Dagger (WP: 3), Scroll of Newtity (costs 10 ether)(usable by ex-Amphibians only), Lover's Locket (Accessory, Protects from enamoured effect), Trickster's Mask of the Elf (Accessory, changes user's appearance into an Elf) The Rat Queen's Cape (Backwear, all Vermin type are Enamored with the wearer for the first three rounds of combat, Suitable for Alchemists, Beast Warriors, Chi Monks, and Witches), Sexy (WP: 7, Rapier, Disregards SP, usable by Knights and Rogues),

Gemstones: Topaz

[Kintobor]

"The band's arrived."

Karie looked over the Oculoid horde. She took in a deep breath. The barren waste that was once the forest gave her a sense of foreboding dread. There were probably more Oculoids here than there were men working for Fleur. Where the hell were all this idiots coming from?

"I believe we deserve a monologue of what you plan to do, don't we? You've fit most of the cliches, so please, say something so I can check off my score card and potentially win a prize."

Edited September 6, 2013 by Kintobor

[K-Nut]

Althior looks over the Oculoid's and laughs. "Honestly, chief? This is all you've got? This is pitiful, truly, utterly, pitiful. I've seen beings more powerful than you, more in numbers than you, and they have fallen without me breaking a sweat. You Oculoid's think you are that high and mighty, but you don't realize, I have been to the other side and I have returned. I have seen things you would not believe there. I suffered there longer, much, much longer, than you could ever imagine! More than any sane person could withstand," As Althior recalls his time in death, his eyes subtly change to a golden color before reverting back to their usual hue. He nor his party notices. "Now, are you sure you want to play this game? Because not even death itself will keep me from stopping you. You don't believe me? You will fight us, undoubtedly, and you will most certainly lose. The name of Heroica will become one of misery. It will be known as the oncoming storm to you for millennia to come, and you will run away from her frightened, distraught, unbeknownst to the destruction you will face. Now, go ahead and boast of your power and superiority, but if you were wise, you would do as I say. Run. Simply run. For that will be the only thing that stops our wrath." He directs his staff directly at the chiefs eye, his eyes filled with rage. He did not lie, he had suffered in death for longer than anyone could have.

[Endgame]

"The band's arrived."

Karie looked over the Oculoid horde. She took in a deep breath. The barren waste that was once the forest gave her a sense of foreboding dread. There were probably more Oculoids here than there were men working for Fleur. Where the hell were all this idiots coming from?

"I believe we deserve a monologue of what you plan to do, don't we? You've fit most of the cliches, so please, say something so I can check off my score card and potentially win a prize."

The Chief drifts over to Karie, staring her down. The Witch closes her eyes, not wanting to leave herself exposed to the demon's bewitching powers.

"Bold words for someone I could bend to my will whenever I desired. Hollow words, as well... Your fear surrounds you like an aura, Witch. There is no escaping my wrath."

Althior looks over the Oculoid's and laughs. "Honestly, chief? This is all you've got? This is pitiful, truly, utterly, pitiful. I've seen beings more powerful than you, more in numbers than you, and they have fallen without me breaking a sweat. You Oculoid's think you are that high and mighty, but you don't realize, I have been to the other side and I have returned. I have seen things you would not believe there. I suffered there longer, much, much longer, than you could ever imagine! More than any sane person could withstand," As Althior recalls his time in death, his eyes subtly change to a golden color before reverting back to their usual hue. He nor his party notices. "Now, are you sure you want to play this game? Because not even death itself will keep me from stopping you. You don't believe me? You will fight us, undoubtedly, and you will most certainly lose. The name of Heroica will become one of misery. It will be known as the oncoming storm to you for millennia to come, and you will run away from her frightened, distraught, unbeknownst to the destruction you will face. Now, go ahead and boast of your power and superiority, but if you were wise, you would do as I say. Run. Simply run. For that will be the only thing that stops our wrath." He directs his staff directly at the chiefs eye, his eyes filled with rage. He did not lie, he had suffered in death for longer than anyone could have.

"You over estimate yourself, Necromancer. I can see the fury in your eyes, the weariness in your posture - Your undead army is gone, as well. You are alone, and the only lifeline you have now is the two idiots before you. You shackled yourself to them, and your power paid the price for your ignorance. It is a shame, really... You truly are similar to our Master. I will strike you down, though, Necromancer. No human has ever gotten away from me and lived to tell the tale. Do you hear me, spellslinger? Not one.

Pitiful horde? Hah. I could say the same about you. Strength comes in numbers, Necromancer... But in this case, you'll only be facing one Oculoid. Heh heh heh heh. That purple smoke? An incantation of mine... A lure, to wayward Oculoids. For centuries upon centuries our Master has been using us to reap information from all over the world... When he rounded us up for his Final Solution, some were too slow to hurry to the Citadel. Fortunately, I have managed to call upon each and every wayward Oculoid in the area. They work for me, for the time being."

The Chief looks away.

"Strength is numbers... Hmph. That is how you humans have gotten your way. It was always been how you got your way. Your ilk is like an infestation... Do you see this barren wasteland, heroes? This is what you will do, and what you are doing. At least I can pump back some life into this area when I have destroyed you. You don't have the intelligence to return the lives you destroy and ruin. I have peered into the hearts of so many humans over the years, heroes. And do you want to hear the truth? For a time, you scared me. You really did. It was terrifying to see the desires and lusts that each human held in their heart. I have yet to find a single human not bent on ruining the creatures and the world around them. The hearts and minds of mankind were terrifying to behold. All you do is destroy. Nothing more. Yourselves, and everyone else around you. To you people, the world is just collateral, something you try to destroy while you seek to take the lives of those who oppose you. Only humans house those thoughts, those desires, those cravings. Only humans.

The other Oculoids here are little more than disciples of our Master, just reflections of his will. Nameless creatures, following their lord's wishes to the letter. I am too, to a degree, I suppose... But I have lingered long enough on Olegaia to see why my Master does what he must.

Allow me to make myself clear, heroes... Do you know why we're here?"

The Chief reveals a set of papers... The Lifespark Documents!

"Do you know what this mission has been, heroes? Information suppression. Nothing more! All we have been doing is keeping knowledge of the spark away from you, to keep you from meddling in our schemes. There have been dozen of these operations over the past few months, and not a single human made it out. Dying for what? For knowledge worthless to them! I've taken the liberty of reading these documents I procured from the archaeologist... These papers hardly describe anything you don't know - For you and your insidious little employer, it is little more than a fairytale! You're dying just to read a description of something you've already heard!

I do not fear death, heroes. I am not an individual. I am merely a pawn, a tool for the future. But are you willing to die at my hands? Just to save a complete stranger, just to obtain some ultimately meaningless documents? Are you humans really foolish enough to face me?!"

The Chief bellows with laughter, shaking the entire party. Even Althior is slightly disturbed by the demon's rambling... This beast was dedicated to the heroes' demise, and even if they did win... Their agenda would not be hindered in the slightest.

Edited September 7, 2013 by Endgame

[Kintobor]

The Chief drifts over to Karie, staring her down. The Witch closes her eyes, not wanting to leave herself exposed to the demon's bewitching powers.

"Bold words for someone I could bend to my will whenever I desired. Hollow words, as well... Your fear surrounds you like an aura, Witch. There is no escaping my wrath."

Karie keeps her eyes shut, pacing her breath as he lingers near her.

"At least I am afraid. What is bravery? Going into battle foolishly, or going into battle scared, knowing you may never come back? Still, what does that make you? I know a man who did not fear death, for he had nothing to live for, at least when I first met him. You however, have nothing, do you? Just your masters will."

Karie slowly opens her eyes.

"I fear death because their's something for me to live for. Best of luck in Oculoid hell."

Edited September 7, 2013 by Kintobor

[Endgame]

Karie keeps her eyes shut, pacing her breath as he lingers near her.

"At least I am afraid. What is bravery? Going into battle foolishly, or going into battle scared, knowing you may never come back? Still, what does that make you? I know a man who did not fear death, for he had nothing to live for, at least when I first met him. You however, have nothing, do you? Just your masters will."

Karie slowly opens her eyes.

"I fear death because their's something for me to live for. Best of luck in Oculoid hell."

"Give any other creature free will, and they benefit the world - or, at the very least, don't destroy it. Give a human free will... And they do nothing but war with their own kind, dragging everyone and everything down in the process. I may have no name, no possessions... But I am actually benefiting this world. What good have you three ever achieved? When have you ever done something that will truly stand out, not get swept up by the passage of time? Just try and give your lives meaning. Find your soul mate, save your wretched little city, raise an entire army of undead.

You'll never find it."

[K-Nut]

"You over estimate yourself, Necromancer. I can see the fury in your eyes, the weariness in your posture - Your undead army is gone, as well. You are alone, and the only lifeline you have now is the two idiots before you. You shackled yourself to them, and your power paid the price for your ignorance. It is a shame, really... You truly are similar to our Master. I will strike you down, though, Necromancer. No human has ever gotten away from me and lived to tell the tale. Do you hear me, spellslinger? Not one.

"I don't need an army. I've never needed an army. You know I am powerful enough on my own. You've always known. And I never chose these two. They would have been my last choice, but they are still more of a threat you with me by their side. You know that. You know that everything that I'm saying is true because you have intelligence. You are trying to get at us through our weakness. But I have no weakness! You know that! I have lost all suffering. Used it all up in my time in hell, and I' determined not to go back. I will walk away from this alive. Because I am stronger than your master."

He turns around in annoyance, bouncing on the balls of his feet. He turns back to the Oculoid. "Oh, you like to think you're a god? But you're not a god. You're just a parasite, eaten up with jealousy and envy and longing for the lives of others. You feed on them. on the memory of love and loss and birth and death and joy and sorrow. So..." He pauses, a look of sadness beginning in his eyes. He had been lying to himself. He had this sorrow and loss in him like every other being, "I'm not-" He stutters, "I'm nothing like your master. I watched as time ran out for me, moment by moment until nothing remained. No time, no space, no life, no death, nothing! Just me!" Althior's eyes look human for the first time in a long while, "I have lost things, things that you will never understand! Secrets that must never be told!"

He loses the look of desperation in his eyes. He tried to keep away from the menacing gaze of the Chief. "But that's what makes me better than you. I have feelings. We have something to fight for, something wonderful to fight for. You follow a single order. You have nothing. And that is why your kind will go extinct. That is why you will cease at my hand! At our hand! We have weakness, and it makes us stronger. I have my values, I have my way of doing things that is unorthodox but it will do me wonders in the end! It will let me topple things like you, things that should never have existed in the first place, things that don't have the right to live!" Althior starts to yell. "You will fear me! You will fear us! We have the power! You. Have. Nothing. You parasite. You have no life. You don't deserve existence. And I will end you once and for all. Maybe not here. Maybe not today. But the Oculoid's will die. Because you are a disease."

Althior calms down, breathing in and out slowly. It takes a minute for him to compute, but he stares at the chief. "This spark you speak of. I know of it, It's only a fairytale. Something children are told in hopes of a better tomorrow." He laughs again. "You actually think it's real?"

[Endgame]

"You delude yourself, Necromancer! With every word you delude yourself, trying to deny that we are like mirrors to our own soul... A mirror you are desperately trying to shatter, but to no avail. Each word you speak trying to separate yourself from our Master, while it actually drives you closer. Our Master? he weilds fathomless power. he could destroy this entire forest in a minute if he felt so inclined. Would not last a single moment against him in combat. And yet... You are similar. Creatures born of suffering. But you cling to your last bit of humanity, Necromancer. There is still an iota of suffering festering in your soul, but you don't want to admit it. Our master is anything but human, nor was he ever... But he decided long ago that humanity must die.

You misunderstand me, boy. The documents themselves peak only of a myth about how the Spark came to be... A fairy tale, virtually. However, the spark itself is anything but... Do you want to know why, Necromancer? Because we Oculoids were BORN FROM IT."

The Oculoid Chief chuckles once again, drifting away from the party and back into the center of the formation. The inky runes he had etched onto the ground begin to pulse and glow, the Chief still cackling.

"As the Necromancer already knows, we Oculoids are only created with two things: our purpose and our vice. Can you guess my vice, heroes?"

[Kintobor]

Althior's Big Damn Speech.

Karie was taken back by Althior's speech. It was something she wished she had the courage to say, but felt too beat up and dirty to say. She looked down and thought about what he'd said. They'd picked her apart and left her to dry out in the sun. She felt weaker for having them tear her emotions to shreds.

Oculoid Chief's Wind Diatribe

"Oh, shove a cork into your megablock! What the hell do you know of suffering?"

Karie was getting ready to pounce. She began to churn her fear into anger.

"You claim to know what suffering is by watching outsiders, but how do you honestly know how it feels? I've been abused, beaten, shot at, stabbed, poisoned, disgraced, let people down, and you. Have. Done. Nothing!!! Perfection is the reason you fail as an intellectual being! I am imperfect, there, I said it. I'm a showoff, and I'm self centered. I wear padding and a corset, and this white makeup to make myself stand out. I have a dual pronged scar and a new spirally tattoo on my back from two occasions of when I was hexed. I'm dating a man who is potential psychotic, and I'm also a member of a group of vigilantes who do the Town Watch's dirty work. I dropped out of university and hit the streets, and I... and I..."

Karie takes a few deep breaths, having gone on a rather long rant. She felt she couldn't go on. It was stacking up, all her failures, but they were out. She no longer had to hide them.

"I was a screw up. I think I realize that now, but that was then, and this is now. I've got only one direction to go: up."