The Black Boxes - Waking the Boxes - Page 2

muldran · 12th February 2007, 03:19 PM

Blue stood at the Armoury, her arms folded across her (rather restricted by the armour) front.

"What do you mean, they don't know where he is?" she asked, the icy cool demeanour in her voice sounding out clearly across the road.

"Just that," replied her colleague, "They're saying he's sleeping... but they're doing all they can to not actually say if he's sleeping in the room they locked him in last week..."

Blue clicked her tongue loudly. "This is not good at all. When Muldran flung his energies at that box that Snaeval held - and sent it away - who knows what effect this had on the infection..." she trailed off.

"Infection?" asked her colleague, the voice raising slightly, "How did you come to the conclusion that..."

Blue interrupted the colleague, "It is of no consequence. What is of import is that we get this missing box. We find it, return it, and put an end to this thing now. Before it gets any worse..."

"But we'll need Muldran - he'll have to find someway to deactivate them like..."

"Like he didn't before?" finished Blue. Her voice softened. "I know Muldran. I've known him longer than you. He means well - but he's cursed. Can you name one thing - just one thing - where he has aimed to do the right thing... and yet it has still blown up in his face."

"Sometimes literally..." her colleague responded, a slight smile showing.

Blue shook her head, "The Shadow Court - and everyone who has an interested in preventing a catastrophe - need to locate that missing box..."

Cherry · 12th February 2007, 04:51 PM

After parting with Decardo once more, Cherry had not slept much more that night but had turned her mind to distractions. Though she was allowing her energies to regenerate, still there was other business that could be attended to....like Muldran's whereabouts. He could not just have vanished into thin air! A sentiment shared by both Gorthyn and Bertrand when she had met with them later that day in the Shadow Hall. As they talked they pooled together the rumours that had filtered through to them from one source or another. They had all heard that Muldran had last been seen in Trinsic so decided to see if they could locate him there. More worrying were the rumours that Bertrand had heard, of Vygorn being on the lose and possibly with a stolen staff from the Reliquary. And then there were rumours about the black boxes......Cherry had sighed in exasperation at how much could go wrong all at one time.

All agreed that inaction would get them nowhere but merely give the enemy time to grow stronger. Together they had travelled to Trinsic in the hope of being able to locate Muldran. Well locate him they did.....eventually. Merely recalling the events in Trinsic raised Cherry's anger. Politely Gorthyn and Bertrand had questioned the town guards with her about Muldran. After some vague accusation had been made against Muldran about him attacking a citizen the three Courtiers had been shown into a cell by Captain Kaelyn. There on the small cot, lay the sleeping form of their leader. He looked ashen and his sleep was ragged, as if disturbed by troubling dreams. The guards had made it clear they were not to wake Muldran, and had hustled the three out of the cell with indecent haste.

Bertrand had spoken stridently that it was inappropriate for the guards to be holding Muldran in a cell whilst they proved Muldran's innocence, should it not be they assume innocence until proven guilty Bertrand had added...but the guards had insisted that not only was this the safest course of action for trinsic's citizens it was safest for Muldran himself. Cherry had supported Bertrand and tried to emphasise that there would be repercussions the longer Muldran was held. One of the guards had taken this as a threat - so like a Trinisc guard - when instead Cherry was explaining that matters beyond what these guards understood required Muldran's input and all the while he lay in a cell matters could evolve and worsen. Cherry had also expressed her concern that Muldran was defending himself not attacking a man.....something the guards dismissed. Meanwhile, Gorthyn had seethed. He spoke with the guards tactitly and politely but Cherry could sense her fellow Lord Cardinal losing patience with the so called Trinsic justice system.

When finally the three departed Trinsic they did so without their leader and all greatly disgruntled. Bertrand angrily putting into words his intense dislike of the city; Cherry herself saying she could not to this day understand why Jordan Jurrel had sacrificed himself for the place, and Gorthyn speaking of the corruption in every stone and that he too believed as his companions did. Furthermore, he did not believe that Muldran would attack someone for no reason, Gorthyn knew Muldran always acted with the best of intentions, however chaotic the results sometimes were. Frustration at the guards rigidity in their approach riling the three further. Their one lead being able to talk on the morrow with the guard that had arrested Muldran.

Before parting, Cherry had voiced her concerns that the person Muldran had attacked might be Vygorn. Gorthyn said it would make sense of the whole puzzle. Bertrand had made to travel to Vesper to investigate Vygorn and Havocs possible resurgence there. And with passions heightened the Courtiers had gone their seperate ways to await the following day.

callumf · 14th February 2007, 04:09 AM

Callum heard the call. This was problematic but he needed to keep his eye on Muldran and his foolishness. So there was a trip into Ilshenar - this suited Callum's greater purpose as he knew where the trip would lead - and he needed something from there.

It always made more sense for exploring en masse than on one's own.

The Party gathers at Trinsic Moongate - Knights Templar Maderville and Taggart, Duchy of Trinsic Guard "Hildy" and Shadow Court - Salazar, Blue, Gorthyn, Callum and Bertrand

After a short delay the expedition left Trammel of Ilshenar and the Shrin of Humility

Scouts Look for Enemies, Monsters and Cowardly Brigands - but none are found.

The party made its way through Ilshenar and came upon something which looked very sinister.

The Party stop to Inspect the strange Gate and Pile of Bones

After a few firerce battles with Elementals of Fire and Air and vicious little imps the party found a magickal stone. Uttering the word that Blue told them they found themsleves inside what Blue called the Chamber of Virtue.

The Party Watches as Blue carries out her Ritual

Blue carried out some sort of magickal ritual here - she was wearing some sort of bracelet which shattered as she left the strange rift.

Hildy · 15th February 2007, 03:13 PM

The Barracks
Trinsic
Feb 15th

To: Mr & Mrs Fredrikson
Castle British
Britain

Dear Mum and Dad,

Sorry for not writing for a while. I picked up a bug and was sick as a dog for most of the last week. But I’m fine now and hope you both are too. I have some news: as of last Tuesday I’m promoted! Finally I’ve made it to Armswoman. I don’t know how long I’ll stay here, but I’m really trying my best. It’s easier without Captain Mainwaring – I suppose he’s still around? I’d ask Dad to drop something nasty in his soup but I know that’s pointless.

It was quite an exciting evening all round really. I got ordered off on an expedition to find a black box which is something to do with a mad mage I locked up just before I went sick. So I joined up with a bunch of strange people (they were nice enough, but most of them definitely over the outside edge of normal) and off we went. Through moongates, miles of stinking swamps, piles of skulls and bones, mountains with twisted dead black trees and elemental things attacking on sight. Then had to say a magic word (which I’ve forgotten) which took us into a seriously weird place, like a stone floor suspended in the middle of nothing, just black sky full of stars. The woman leading us had a sort of vision and then collapsed. She must have fallen pretty hard because her bracelet broke when it hit the floor. But she was fine when we helped her up.

So then we went to find a creepy tavern with no-one in it but apparently the box was there – I didn’t see it myself but I saw Taggart running off and the others said he’d taken it. So we went through all of that and then Taggart nicks the box. Anyway, we didn’t get it back. And it took me ages to get the swamp mud off my boots. But it was after I reported back that I got promoted so I guess it was worth it.

Went straight from that into defending against another attack from Vesper – makes a change from Yew, though they seem to have given up now. Not surprising really, there was no way they’d ever take Trinsic. I’m fine, just a few bruises here and there, so don’t worry about me.

The mad mage has gone now by the way. Escaped, or maybe someone broke him out, I don’t know. But when I went to take him some food last night, the bars were all broken down and there was no sign of him. I don’t think Taggart’s been seen since either. It’s all a bit weird, but I’ll just keep on being a guard and let other people worry about it.

Best go now, I’m on duty shortly. Take care of yourselves and I’ll see you soon.
Lots of love,
Hildy

muldran · 18th February 2007, 11:25 AM

Muldran sat in the ship, as it rounded past the port. He took a breath as another wave broke upon the bow, and sighed. His rescuer watched him with a steady gaze.

"What I don't understand..." started Muldran.

"...is generally, other people." finished the rescuer, "It would be the only thing that explains your amazing lack of common sense when it comes to meddling in things that you don't understand, then your quick backpeddling to fix them."

Muldran gaped.

"Well," said the rescuer, flicking her hair over over her shoulder, "surprised I know you this well? I'd have thought it would have been blindingly obvious."

Muldran grimaced, "Just because I didn't think you actually existed, and that the others were having me on..."

The rescuer laughed. "So," she said, "What's your next move? It's been almost a week since Taggart managed to swipe that box from under Blue's nose. i'm sure that all those who have the boxes have nearly been totally drained by the... well, whatever it is..."

Muldran snorted, "Hah! So you don't know everything! I've already worked out what's behind the boxes. Or rather, what was trapped outside, and got back in when I charged them with void energy..."

The rescuer sighed, "This isn't a competition, Mul. We've got to actually put this right."

"We?" asked Muldran, "Who asked you to help?"

"No one did," replied the rescuer, "But, unsurprisingly, I feel like I have an obligation to help out. If I hadn't vanished a few months back, if I'd actually spoken to you at the time, then I'm certain things would not have got to this state. Well, you wouldn't have done something quite so stupid, anyway..."

Muldran sat back, and banged his head three times against the wooden hull of the ship, "Ohhh... Why does this always happen to me?" He paused, "Have you any idea what it would seem like, if someone could be here, witnessing our conversation? They'd not have a clue what's going on! They'd imagine that one moment I was in a prison cell, next on a boat with barely a moments explanation, talking with you, who no-one has seen for ages, and they could be thinking all sorts of things, like did I plan this all along, just so I could let the thing get out and..." Muldran's voice trailed off.

The rescuer chuckled. "What we should do now, is just act as normal. Just for a few days. Until the moon aligns on the 22nd Day. That's the time. That's the day. That's when you'll be able to sever the boxes connections with the people who hold them."

Muldran stood up, and looked at the porthole, "We're almost there. I can gate through the gate to Umbra from there." He turned back to the rescuer, "You realise that this whole fiasco will cause trouble for the Court? With Taggart being affected, running away from his duties... The Knights Templar will likely never trust us again. I just don't know what to do..."

His rescuer opened the hatch in the hold of the ship, letting the sunlight in. A shaft of brilliant light fell across her face, and she moved the green hair out of her eyes again. She chuckled, her laugh an echo of Muldran's.

Muldra grinned at Muldran, "You'll fix it in the end, Muldran Skully."

muldran · 18th February 2007, 01:36 PM

A few days previously... Taggart's Point of View

Lord Taggart read the note again, their going to recover one of the boxes. Hmm he thought to himself while rubbing his chin. I haven't had much luck in finding the others who held the boxes perhaps I can meet them on this trip or at least see what was done with the Trinsic box. Remember the last few weeks creatures had been hunting him down that had been blackrock infected even when with others they would always run right for him. Not 2 days ago while on a trip to Ice dungeon he had been attacked by 3 different creatures infected by blackrock.

Getting my hands on a second box may allow me to see if the boxes are making me a target to this creatures or if their helping me fight them off.

Calling on Lord Manderville they made their way to Trinsic's Moongate to aid in the search for the "missing box" When they met the others who where searching for the box he was disappointed to see or not the others who held their boxes. But I least Lord Taggart thought their won't be others trying to take *his* box or try to make a grab for the other one. As those from the shadow court led him back to the place he got the first box he began to ponder on what he should do about the box if they found it.

Lord Taggart was lost in his own thoughts while blue performed her ritual to find the missing box which lead them to an evil tavern near the shrine of Honour. As Lord Manderville let the rag tag party there, Taggart sensed something powerful as they got closer.

AS they entered the tavern a pure white moongate dominated the room it was throwing off a huge amount of magical energy was this what he sensed? As Blue ran off to search the tavern he followed her scared if she located the box she would keep it from him, out in the open air on a table their it was a black box and this one was even really Black! Lord Taggart couldn't keep his excitement bottled up and he ran over to the box to examine it.

His whole world seemed to shrink to just be about this second box he had to protect it from those that would abuse its power but he didn't have the man power with him here to keep it safe. His only option would be to take it far from the others until he could summon more of the order to help protect it and secure the others. Without missing a beat he grabbed the box and pushing Blue out of the way as he ran out of the tavern as fast as he could leaving everyone else bewildered as to what happened as he shot off into the woods.

Decardo Imier · 18th February 2007, 11:54 PM

An excerpt from the shadow court pages

Quote:

I was wandering around Haven looking for Guardsman April with regards our discussion the other night when I spied fellow warrior at arms Bertrand. We greeted each other in typical warrior fashion and were approached by a brown robed man who claimed to have been seeking us for some time. I am not surprised I told him it had taken a while for the Court keeps itself away from prying eyes. It seems this man had run into Muldran recently and had shown interest in becoming a member of the Court. At this stage I sensed a familiar presence close by as moments later my beloved came into view. As always her beauty took my breathe away framed in her fey robes, but still there is that air of untamed power that surrounds her. It sent a uncomfortable feeling through my senses as always. With her familiar warm smile she greeted us and the newcomer whose name was Xanthaus. After continued conversation it was agreed that we should take our conversation of the Courts goings on away from prying ears in the streets of Haven, so we travelled by portal to the Shadow Keep in Rhovanion. Inside we carried on our discussions, and we were impressed by the words of the newcomer.

It was at this stage that Muldran walked into the room as confident as the sun rises each morning. He seemed unaware that the Court had been seeking him for many days or that we had put on hold all other tasks in an effort to locate him after he was taken from the Jail in Trinsic. He just stood before us and stated that the presentation was to begin soon in Umbra and that we better be off there as he was a guest speaker. Well I could not follow the wishes of the cardinals and restrain him now, it would not look good on the Court if Muldran did not turn up to give his lecture. So with an inner sigh we followed Muldran to Umbra and the University.

The Univeristy this night was well attended, a pleasant happening after myself and Cherry had spoken to the Lady of the University the week before. Inside the Hall were some familiar faces Lady Cerys our friend, fellow Courtier Callum , the Guardswoman Brynhild and the Kaldorian Commander Cal Soulshadow , with some of her men at arms along with many many others.
The presentation was given by Dorian of the University with Muldran guest speaking. I must admit the presentation was of the highest quality facts flowing back and forth with some less precise information fitted in between. I was very impressed.
I wanted to speak with Dorian on some of the questions he raised at the end but I had more urgent things to attend. I asked Muldran to accompany us out of the lecture hall so I could inform him of the fact his Cardinals wished him detained until he had answered their questions. He offered no resistance other than a feint verbal protest as myself and Bertrand ushered him through a portal summoned by my beloved to the Keep of the Shadow Order.

There is no need to go into here what transpired for that will come out when the Cardinals have reached a conclusion into their investigations. But I was surprised to hear of Muldra’s involvement. Muldran was ordered to stay in the Keep by word of one of the Cardinals and an armed Guard placed within the building. Bertrand also took the sensible step of removing Muldrans reagents and Magic books from his person.

After learning the basic facts of what had transpired with Muldran after handing a second black box to Lord Taggart I took it upon myself to travel to Trinsic to speak with the Capt there. I offered our regret at which Muldran had found himself and informed them that he would be dealt with sternly by his Cardinals. But the Capt would not drop the wanted notice for Muldran. One thing I could deal with and that was the damage to the wall of the jail. I informed the Capt that if she could produce a letter detailing the cost of replacing the damaged wall the Court would pay any costs involved. I did not explain I knew the source of the damage to the wall at the time for I felt that wasn’t necessary.

For the full story attached to this post click here

muldran · 25th February 2007, 03:04 PM

Everything was quiet.

Muldran sat in the room in the Shadow Order building. He stared out of the window, after writing his report.

Following Taggart's disappearance, the Court had arrested Muldran - arrested him! - and placed him under isolation in a room, commanding him to write a report and leave nothing out, about his part in this black-box trouble.

As he wrote, Muldran reaslised that there were many things that he'd just not thought to tell his friends and confidants - and how things had become completely out of control.

The presence within the boxes - the thing from outside - had been shattered when the boxes were split... But then something else - something unexpected - had found its way inside, and had started to influence those posesssing the boxes, making them want, need and desire to reunite the boxes.

Out of all of them, Taggart seemed the most affected, although why this was, Muldran didn't know. Something in his past, perhaps? If one was going to gather all the boxes - it would be him...

Muldran looked down at the newspaper in his hands, reading the report of something being built in Moonglow and...

What? A Blackrock detector? The Ruling Council were taking him seriously! Letting out a whoop of glee, Muldran rocked backwards in the chair, nearly tipping himself into the fire. Balancing himself by wheeling his arms in the air, he chuckled.

There was a way! Now he had to work out how to get all those who had a box to the location of the Blackrock Detector... And then work out how to use the Detector to...

There was a knock at the door. Muldran stood up as the Court filed into the room, to pass judgement on him... He hoped he'd still be able to fix this problem!

muldran · 28th February 2007, 02:10 PM

Blue sat at the table, next to Muldran. She pointed to the plan of the city.

"I see..." said Muldran. He drew a line from the construction site to the corner of the park. "And if the line of power works like *that*..."

Blue interrupted, "You would have to check that with Cherry. She is the one that understands the ley..."

Muldran nodded, "Quite. Of course. But that's what we'll need to do. With the Blackrock Detector being built, there'll be a confluence of..."

Blue had lost interest. "Saturday, you say?" Muldran nodded.

"That should give you enough time to find out what happened with the broken box... The one the Dark Lord shattered."

Muldran gulped.

muldran · 4th March 2007, 02:05 PM

The Court had inspected the box the Dark Lord had drained. They stood in the snowy, treelined cove, and looked out to sea.

"There's no one for miles around - and no ways to climb up here. Just the enterance back from..." Decardo said.

Cherry nodded, cutting him off, "Then it's the perfect location." She drew her cloak around her and looked over to Gorthyn, Bertrand at his side, as they emerged from the trees.

Gorthyn nodded gruffly, "This is the place then. It can be kept here, and the Order will guard it, to make sure that nothing else happens to it." He shot a look at Muldran who was shivering in the snow storm.

"Well - I thought this place would do. Although why the Court insists on these cold, snowy climbs, I have no idea." Mul's teeth chattered as he spoke, causing the sentence to go on for far too long.

Bertrand looked around the clearing. "So, the plan? We are all sure of it? Muldran, at 8 of the clock tomorrow, you will collect the Control Box from the Reliquary? I'll make sure that there is at least one other there to guard you."

Muldran nodded. "And from there... the box must be transported to Moonglow. I've paid the workers there to vacate the site, so that I can have the prototype device pull things in to the box..."

"Paid? Bribes? Skully, what did we..." started Decardo, his sense of honour stepping to the fore. Cherry laid a hand on his shoulder to calm him. Decardo gritted his teeth.

Bertrand picked up the rest of the plan, "Then, Muldran will perform the ritual that he used to activate the boxes, drawing the energy from the remaining boxes into the Control Box. And then one of us will have to bring it here...."

Muldran piped up, "And that will be that. Finished. And safe." He smiled at the rest of the Court.

Gorthyn studied him carefully. "And this will work."

"Yes!" Muldran replied, positively beaming.

"Skully, do you have your fingers crossed behind your back?" asked Decardo.

Muldran strode towards the sparkling gate, and left the wooded glade, followed by the Courtiers.

12th February 2007, 03:19 PM	#11
muldran Blackrock Horder Join Date: Sep 2006 Shard/Server: Europa Posts: 658 My Mood: Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Blue stood at the Armoury, her arms folded across her (rather restricted by the armour) front. "What do you mean, they don't know where he is?" she asked, the icy cool demeanour in her voice sounding out clearly across the road. "Just that," replied her colleague, "They're saying he's sleeping... but they're doing all they can to not actually say if he's sleeping in the room they locked him in last week..." Blue clicked her tongue loudly. "This is not good at all. When Muldran flung his energies at that box that Snaeval held - and sent it away - who knows what effect this had on the infection..." she trailed off. "Infection?" asked her colleague, the voice raising slightly, "How did you come to the conclusion that..." Blue interrupted the colleague, "It is of no consequence. What is of import is that we get this missing box. We find it, return it, and put an end to this thing now. Before it gets any worse..." "But we'll need Muldran - he'll have to find someway to deactivate them like..." "Like he didn't before?" finished Blue. Her voice softened. "I know Muldran. I've known him longer than you. He means well - but he's cursed. Can you name one thing - just one thing - where he has aimed to do the right thing... and yet it has still blown up in his face." "Sometimes literally..." her colleague responded, a slight smile showing. Blue shook her head, "The Shadow Court - and everyone who has an interested in preventing a catastrophe - need to locate that missing box..." __________________ Muldran Skully - Shadow Court (SCT) Find out more in the Shadow Court Forum.

12th February 2007, 04:51 PM	#12
Cherry Lady of the Pool Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 322 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	After parting with Decardo once more, Cherry had not slept much more that night but had turned her mind to distractions. Though she was allowing her energies to regenerate, still there was other business that could be attended to....like Muldran's whereabouts. He could not just have vanished into thin air! A sentiment shared by both Gorthyn and Bertrand when she had met with them later that day in the Shadow Hall. As they talked they pooled together the rumours that had filtered through to them from one source or another. They had all heard that Muldran had last been seen in Trinsic so decided to see if they could locate him there. More worrying were the rumours that Bertrand had heard, of Vygorn being on the lose and possibly with a stolen staff from the Reliquary. And then there were rumours about the black boxes......Cherry had sighed in exasperation at how much could go wrong all at one time. All agreed that inaction would get them nowhere but merely give the enemy time to grow stronger. Together they had travelled to Trinsic in the hope of being able to locate Muldran. Well locate him they did.....eventually. Merely recalling the events in Trinsic raised Cherry's anger. Politely Gorthyn and Bertrand had questioned the town guards with her about Muldran. After some vague accusation had been made against Muldran about him attacking a citizen the three Courtiers had been shown into a cell by Captain Kaelyn. There on the small cot, lay the sleeping form of their leader. He looked ashen and his sleep was ragged, as if disturbed by troubling dreams. The guards had made it clear they were not to wake Muldran, and had hustled the three out of the cell with indecent haste. Bertrand had spoken stridently that it was inappropriate for the guards to be holding Muldran in a cell whilst they proved Muldran's innocence, should it not be they assume innocence until proven guilty Bertrand had added...but the guards had insisted that not only was this the safest course of action for trinsic's citizens it was safest for Muldran himself. Cherry had supported Bertrand and tried to emphasise that there would be repercussions the longer Muldran was held. One of the guards had taken this as a threat - so like a Trinisc guard - when instead Cherry was explaining that matters beyond what these guards understood required Muldran's input and all the while he lay in a cell matters could evolve and worsen. Cherry had also expressed her concern that Muldran was defending himself not attacking a man.....something the guards dismissed. Meanwhile, Gorthyn had seethed. He spoke with the guards tactitly and politely but Cherry could sense her fellow Lord Cardinal losing patience with the so called Trinsic justice system. When finally the three departed Trinsic they did so without their leader and all greatly disgruntled. Bertrand angrily putting into words his intense dislike of the city; Cherry herself saying she could not to this day understand why Jordan Jurrel had sacrificed himself for the place, and Gorthyn speaking of the corruption in every stone and that he too believed as his companions did. Furthermore, he did not believe that Muldran would attack someone for no reason, Gorthyn knew Muldran always acted with the best of intentions, however chaotic the results sometimes were. Frustration at the guards rigidity in their approach riling the three further. Their one lead being able to talk on the morrow with the guard that had arrested Muldran. Before parting, Cherry had voiced her concerns that the person Muldran had attacked might be Vygorn. Gorthyn said it would make sense of the whole puzzle. Bertrand had made to travel to Vesper to investigate Vygorn and Havocs possible resurgence there. And with passions heightened the Courtiers had gone their seperate ways to await the following day. __________________

14th February 2007, 04:09 AM	#13
callumf &amp;quot;Can Set Custom Title&amp;quot; Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,902 Thanks: 16 Thanked 14 Times in 10 Posts	Callum heard the call. This was problematic but he needed to keep his eye on Muldran and his foolishness. So there was a trip into Ilshenar - this suited Callum's greater purpose as he knew where the trip would lead - and he needed something from there. It always made more sense for exploring en masse than on one's own. The Party gathers at Trinsic Moongate - Knights Templar Maderville and Taggart, Duchy of Trinsic Guard "Hildy" and Shadow Court - Salazar, Blue, Gorthyn, Callum and Bertrand After a short delay the expedition left Trammel of Ilshenar and the Shrin of Humility Scouts Look for Enemies, Monsters and Cowardly Brigands - but none are found. The party made its way through Ilshenar and came upon something which looked very sinister. The Party stop to Inspect the strange Gate and Pile of Bones After a few firerce battles with Elementals of Fire and Air and vicious little imps the party found a magickal stone. Uttering the word that Blue told them they found themsleves inside what Blue called the Chamber of Virtue. The Party Watches as Blue carries out her Ritual Blue carried out some sort of magickal ritual here - she was wearing some sort of bracelet which shattered as she left the strange rift. __________________ sigged by the awesome Legolandje!

15th February 2007, 03:13 PM	#14
Hildy Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 48 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The Barracks Trinsic Feb 15th To: Mr & Mrs Fredrikson Castle British Britain Dear Mum and Dad, Sorry for not writing for a while. I picked up a bug and was sick as a dog for most of the last week. But I’m fine now and hope you both are too. I have some news: as of last Tuesday I’m promoted! Finally I’ve made it to Armswoman. I don’t know how long I’ll stay here, but I’m really trying my best. It’s easier without Captain Mainwaring – I suppose he’s still around? I’d ask Dad to drop something nasty in his soup but I know that’s pointless. It was quite an exciting evening all round really. I got ordered off on an expedition to find a black box which is something to do with a mad mage I locked up just before I went sick. So I joined up with a bunch of strange people (they were nice enough, but most of them definitely over the outside edge of normal) and off we went. Through moongates, miles of stinking swamps, piles of skulls and bones, mountains with twisted dead black trees and elemental things attacking on sight. Then had to say a magic word (which I’ve forgotten) which took us into a seriously weird place, like a stone floor suspended in the middle of nothing, just black sky full of stars. The woman leading us had a sort of vision and then collapsed. She must have fallen pretty hard because her bracelet broke when it hit the floor. But she was fine when we helped her up. So then we went to find a creepy tavern with no-one in it but apparently the box was there – I didn’t see it myself but I saw Taggart running off and the others said he’d taken it. So we went through all of that and then Taggart nicks the box. Anyway, we didn’t get it back. And it took me ages to get the swamp mud off my boots. But it was after I reported back that I got promoted so I guess it was worth it. Went straight from that into defending against another attack from Vesper – makes a change from Yew, though they seem to have given up now. Not surprising really, there was no way they’d ever take Trinsic. I’m fine, just a few bruises here and there, so don’t worry about me. The mad mage has gone now by the way. Escaped, or maybe someone broke him out, I don’t know. But when I went to take him some food last night, the bars were all broken down and there was no sign of him. I don’t think Taggart’s been seen since either. It’s all a bit weird, but I’ll just keep on being a guard and let other people worry about it. Best go now, I’m on duty shortly. Take care of yourselves and I’ll see you soon. Lots of love, Hildy __________________ When the idea of any pleasure strikes your imagination, make a just computation between the duration of the pleasure and that of the repentance that is likely to follow it. - Epictetus

18th February 2007, 11:25 AM	#15
muldran Blackrock Horder Join Date: Sep 2006 Shard/Server: Europa Posts: 658 My Mood: Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Muldran sat in the ship, as it rounded past the port. He took a breath as another wave broke upon the bow, and sighed. His rescuer watched him with a steady gaze. "What I don't understand..." started Muldran. "...is generally, other people." finished the rescuer, "It would be the only thing that explains your amazing lack of common sense when it comes to meddling in things that you don't understand, then your quick backpeddling to fix them." Muldran gaped. "Well," said the rescuer, flicking her hair over over her shoulder, "surprised I know you this well? I'd have thought it would have been blindingly obvious." Muldran grimaced, "Just because I didn't think you actually existed, and that the others were having me on..." The rescuer laughed. "So," she said, "What's your next move? It's been almost a week since Taggart managed to swipe that box from under Blue's nose. i'm sure that all those who have the boxes have nearly been totally drained by the... well, whatever it is..." Muldran snorted, "Hah! So you don't know everything! I've already worked out what's behind the boxes. Or rather, what was trapped outside, and got back in when I charged them with void energy..." The rescuer sighed, "This isn't a competition, Mul. We've got to actually put this right." "We?" asked Muldran, "Who asked you to help?" "No one did," replied the rescuer, "But, unsurprisingly, I feel like I have an obligation to help out. If I hadn't vanished a few months back, if I'd actually spoken to you at the time, then I'm certain things would not have got to this state. Well, you wouldn't have done something quite so stupid, anyway..." Muldran sat back, and banged his head three times against the wooden hull of the ship, "Ohhh... Why does this always happen to me?" He paused, "Have you any idea what it would seem like, if someone could be here, witnessing our conversation? They'd not have a clue what's going on! They'd imagine that one moment I was in a prison cell, next on a boat with barely a moments explanation, talking with you, who no-one has seen for ages, and they could be thinking all sorts of things, like did I plan this all along, just so I could let the thing get out and..." Muldran's voice trailed off. The rescuer chuckled. "What we should do now, is just act as normal. Just for a few days. Until the moon aligns on the 22nd Day. That's the time. That's the day. That's when you'll be able to sever the boxes connections with the people who hold them." Muldran stood up, and looked at the porthole, "We're almost there. I can gate through the gate to Umbra from there." He turned back to the rescuer, "You realise that this whole fiasco will cause trouble for the Court? With Taggart being affected, running away from his duties... The Knights Templar will likely never trust us again. I just don't know what to do..." His rescuer opened the hatch in the hold of the ship, letting the sunlight in. A shaft of brilliant light fell across her face, and she moved the green hair out of her eyes again. She chuckled, her laugh an echo of Muldran's. Muldra grinned at Muldran, "You'll fix it in the end, Muldran Skully." __________________ Muldran Skully - Shadow Court (SCT) Find out more in the Shadow Court Forum.

18th February 2007, 01:36 PM	#16
muldran Blackrock Horder Join Date: Sep 2006 Shard/Server: Europa Posts: 658 My Mood: Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	*A few days previously... Taggart's Point of View* Lord Taggart read the note again, their going to recover one of the boxes. Hmm he thought to himself while rubbing his chin. I haven't had much luck in finding the others who held the boxes perhaps I can meet them on this trip or at least see what was done with the Trinsic box. Remember the last few weeks creatures had been hunting him down that had been blackrock infected even when with others they would always run right for him. Not 2 days ago while on a trip to Ice dungeon he had been attacked by 3 different creatures infected by blackrock. Getting my hands on a second box may allow me to see if the boxes are making me a target to this creatures or if their helping me fight them off. Calling on Lord Manderville they made their way to Trinsic's Moongate to aid in the search for the "missing box" When they met the others who where searching for the box he was disappointed to see or not the others who held their boxes. But I least Lord Taggart thought their won't be others trying to take his box or try to make a grab for the other one. As those from the shadow court led him back to the place he got the first box he began to ponder on what he should do about the box if they found it. Lord Taggart was lost in his own thoughts while blue performed her ritual to find the missing box which lead them to an evil tavern near the shrine of Honour. As Lord Manderville let the rag tag party there, Taggart sensed something powerful as they got closer. AS they entered the tavern a pure white moongate dominated the room it was throwing off a huge amount of magical energy was this what he sensed? As Blue ran off to search the tavern he followed her scared if she located the box she would keep it from him, out in the open air on a table their it was a black box and this one was even really Black! Lord Taggart couldn't keep his excitement bottled up and he ran over to the box to examine it. His whole world seemed to shrink to just be about this second box he had to protect it from those that would abuse its power but he didn't have the man power with him here to keep it safe. His only option would be to take it far from the others until he could summon more of the order to help protect it and secure the others. Without missing a beat he grabbed the box and pushing Blue out of the way as he ran out of the tavern as fast as he could leaving everyone else bewildered as to what happened as he shot off into the woods. __________________ Muldran Skully - Shadow Court (SCT) Find out more in the Shadow Court Forum.

25th February 2007, 03:04 PM	#18
muldran Blackrock Horder Join Date: Sep 2006 Shard/Server: Europa Posts: 658 My Mood: Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Everything was quiet. Muldran sat in the room in the Shadow Order building. He stared out of the window, after writing his report. Following Taggart's disappearance, the Court had arrested Muldran - arrested him! - and placed him under isolation in a room, commanding him to write a report and leave nothing out, about his part in this black-box trouble. As he wrote, Muldran reaslised that there were many things that he'd just not thought to tell his friends and confidants - and how things had become completely out of control. The presence within the boxes - the thing from outside - had been shattered when the boxes were split... But then something else - something unexpected - had found its way inside, and had started to influence those posesssing the boxes, making them want, need and desire to reunite the boxes. Out of all of them, Taggart seemed the most affected, although why this was, Muldran didn't know. Something in his past, perhaps? If one was going to gather all the boxes - it would be him... Muldran looked down at the newspaper in his hands, reading the report of something being built in Moonglow and... What? A Blackrock detector? The Ruling Council were taking him seriously! Letting out a whoop of glee, Muldran rocked backwards in the chair, nearly tipping himself into the fire. Balancing himself by wheeling his arms in the air, he chuckled. There was a way! Now he had to work out how to get all those who had a box to the location of the Blackrock Detector... And then work out how to use the Detector to... There was a knock at the door. Muldran stood up as the Court filed into the room, to pass judgement on him... He hoped he'd still be able to fix this problem! __________________ Muldran Skully - Shadow Court (SCT) Find out more in the Shadow Court Forum.

28th February 2007, 02:10 PM	#19
muldran Blackrock Horder Join Date: Sep 2006 Shard/Server: Europa Posts: 658 My Mood: Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Blue sat at the table, next to Muldran. She pointed to the plan of the city. "I see..." said Muldran. He drew a line from the construction site to the corner of the park. "And if the line of power works like that..." Blue interrupted, "You would have to check that with Cherry. She is the one that understands the ley..." Muldran nodded, "Quite. Of course. But that's what we'll need to do. With the Blackrock Detector being built, there'll be a confluence of..." Blue had lost interest. "Saturday, you say?" Muldran nodded. "That should give you enough time to find out what happened with the broken box... The one the Dark Lord shattered." Muldran gulped. __________________ Muldran Skully - Shadow Court (SCT) Find out more in the Shadow Court Forum.

4th March 2007, 02:05 PM	#20
muldran Blackrock Horder Join Date: Sep 2006 Shard/Server: Europa Posts: 658 My Mood: Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	The Court had inspected the box the Dark Lord had drained. They stood in the snowy, treelined cove, and looked out to sea. "There's no one for miles around - and no ways to climb up here. Just the enterance back from..." Decardo said. Cherry nodded, cutting him off, "Then it's the perfect location." She drew her cloak around her and looked over to Gorthyn, Bertrand at his side, as they emerged from the trees. Gorthyn nodded gruffly, "This is the place then. It can be kept here, and the Order will guard it, to make sure that nothing else happens to it." He shot a look at Muldran who was shivering in the snow storm. "Well - I thought this place would do. Although why the Court insists on these cold, snowy climbs, I have no idea." Mul's teeth chattered as he spoke, causing the sentence to go on for far too long. Bertrand looked around the clearing. "So, the plan? We are all sure of it? Muldran, at 8 of the clock tomorrow, you will collect the Control Box from the Reliquary? I'll make sure that there is at least one other there to guard you." Muldran nodded. "And from there... the box must be transported to Moonglow. I've paid the workers there to vacate the site, so that I can have the prototype device pull things in to the box..." "Paid? Bribes? Skully, what did we..." started Decardo, his sense of honour stepping to the fore. Cherry laid a hand on his shoulder to calm him. Decardo gritted his teeth. Bertrand picked up the rest of the plan, "Then, Muldran will perform the ritual that he used to activate the boxes, drawing the energy from the remaining boxes into the Control Box. And then one of us will have to bring it here...." Muldran piped up, "And that will be that. Finished. And safe." He smiled at the rest of the Court. Gorthyn studied him carefully. "And this will work." "Yes!" Muldran replied, positively beaming. "Skully, do you have your fingers crossed behind your back?" asked Decardo. Muldran strode towards the sparkling gate, and left the wooded glade, followed by the Courtiers. __________________ Muldran Skully - Shadow Court (SCT) Find out more in the Shadow Court Forum.