RP:Vuryal Takes Niawtu
Background
This is part of Vuryal's Vendetta story arc.
The Timelord Vuryal, angered by not seeing someone from "The List" appearing before him as a sacrifice, takes the Lycan cub Niawtu as prisoner.
Vuryal Seeks Niawtu
Vuryal falls into the tavern. No, not at once, rather as spectacles of lights that seem to twinkle like fireflies in the night. For a few moments, they are separate. After a passing glance, they begin to converse until the familiar figure of the fiend appears within the tavern. "Boo," is all he says in that raspy, deep voice as his gleaming crimson eyes flash hereto and thereto. The all-familiar amber stone topped staff appears next to the TimeLord, its beauty clutched within the darkened digits of the creature as he sets foot upon this plane once more.
Tiphareth offers a deep nod toward Vuryal, a reverence in his actions not commonly witnessed. "Greetings Vuryal"
Vuryal turns to face the patron of Trist'oth. "Same to you, Patron D'Artes." The fiend the holds up the severed hands of Lirithen, showing his acceptance of the gift. "I seem to have some extra hands these days."
Vuryal shouts, “Child? Where are you?”
Vuryal grins within the darkened shadows of his black hood. "Death is always pleasing. I hope he suffered. Long."
Tysinni feels the flare of anger within her glow brighter at the monster's entrance. Pushing her way out of the crowd, she gets as close as she dares before speaking to Vuryal. "She's gone."
Vuryal laughs at the feeble words of the woman. "Gone? No one is ever gone. I can snap my fingers and she appears before me. Do you know nothing, you swine? I am Vuryal, messenger of the Time Lords, emperor of Archmosia. No one lives unless I let them live."
Svilfon stares at Vuryal for a moment, before replying to Tiphareth in equally hushed tones.
Allesia sees notice of her pass, and patiently awaits for it to return. Realising it may take some time, she turns her examinations to Vuryal.
Ryeanna slowly emerges from the shadows nodding at and saluting Tiphareth and Vuryal in a slightly jaunty manner.
Vuryal dips his head at the disturbance projected by the appearance of the lich queen.
Vuryal laughs but replies not to the woman. Instead, he takes his leave out the southern door, footsteps not touching the floor, rather giving the illusion of walking as he floats to the exit. "Time for round two..."
Vuryal shouts, “Oh, child. Why do you hide? You do realize that it is pointless, correct, puppet?”
Niawtu lets out a considerably loud yip, if one were near they'd hear it coming from the Winter Berry Gardens of Frostmaw. After that she tries to remain silent*
Lared recognises Mahri, the lycan who he stopped to heal in Kelay way about a week back, he also, rather sadly remembers seeing her name on Vuryal's infamous list, but does not want to speak of such things in front of what he believes to be innocent children. "It is good to see you once more. How are your injuries healing?" The priest of Kanos introduces the uncouth little urchins proudly. "These are the future pillars of soceity. I am teaching them camping sing songs and other things. We call the organisation The Scouts. Society. for Cenrilli. Orphans. Unwashed Tearaways and Such. "
A cry goes out amongst the entire land. “Oh child. I see you. Do you see me? Perhaps I shall bring you closer!”
Tysinni follows the TimeLord outside of the tavern for the lack of a better idea at the moment. Today she had not the option of staying to the peripherals of the crowd and she makes a path forward, in range to communicate with Vuryal. "Like I said before, she's gone. You're not getting her."
Ranok strolls finally into the clearing. The shouts of Vuryal had attracted his attention. No comment was made. He'd done all he could to protect her. Enlisting the help of every resource he had available. A master tracker to hide her where she was. The most skilled Voodoo man in the land to supply the anti scrying and visibility enchantments. The same Voodoo Man that gave him a jar of dirt, of all things, that prevented teleportation in or out of any ring made of it. His gambit was that the unfamiliar brand of magic might make it more difficult to expect or overcome. Failing everything else, distance, and the residual magic of the ruins of Frostmaw where she was now would have to take up the slack. There was no other choice.
Narrator “Do you think your magicks can prevent that which is to come, child? Be sure to bring along your friends, for I am sure they will like to see the Hell you are about to endure...”
Vuryal turns to Tysinni, knowing not her name nor caring to know her name. "Shall I clap my hands or snap my fingers to bring her forth, peasant?"
Vuryal Brings Forth Niawtu
Vuryal slowly begins to walk closer towards Tysinni. Soon enough, he is within an arm's reach of her. He bends down, his stooping figure still massive with a slight scent of death emanating from his cloak. He squarely sends vibrant, flaring ruby eyes towards the woman's gaze, lifting up his left hand. "Boo..." he says, snapping his left handed middle finger and thumb together, the child Niawtu appearing immediately upon the "clack" sent resonating into the tense atmosphere.
Veriun faded into the scene as he had before. Slowly becoming visable as if he was progressly phasing into reality next to Svilfon. Peering at Vuryal with a tilted head as the parasite made it's preformance. Did nothing, said nothing. Atleast not yet.
Tiphareth shakes his head, laughing slightly at the doubters of Vuryal's power.
Vuryal grins as he turns to see the child now upon the gallows, no rope holding her in place but the portal to Hell squarely at her feet. "Ah, child. So nice of you to make it!"
Niawtu looks around, she seems a little confused at first, but when she realises what happens her eyes grow wide. She looks about the large crowd and then to Vuryal, and her skin goes as pale as possible. The child was wearing a pure whit cloak, pure white dress, and pure white pants. A diamond butterfly clip held her long white flowing hair back. Within the child's hand was a white rose that she had found in Frostmaw just that morning. The child is speechless.
Tysinni holds her ground at his approach, only wincing as she tries to face him down. The scariest 'Boo' in the history of the world is uttered and then the horrifying shock of seeing NIa appear out of nowhere right before the being intent upon her destruction. "No!" She runs forward, the only goal to get Nia as far away from that pit of foulness as possible.
Niawtu sees Tysinni charge towards her and yells "Sister! No! Please stay! I not want you hurt!" cold tears run down her face and freeze to her icy skin.
Vuryal reaches out with his right hand, the staff in tow, aiming it upon Tysinni. "One more step and you become part of history, pet. You could not protect her before and you will not protect her now. Did you think trinkets could stop me from doing this?" Just then, he phases out into a pile of snowflakes that begin to fall behind the child upon the gallows. They collect in a pile, the fiend reemerging into the scene, staff at the ready as he laughs with glee at the scene.
Niawtu feels as Vuryal appears behind her. She grows quiet, as her eyes look out amongst the crowd. The hand holding the white rose is shaking.
Tysinni freezes in place, wavering between dying foolishly heroic death (that wasn't her style at all) and trying to figure out a way to save the girl. The thief looks around the crowd, hoping against hope that Cornelius might show up with his prisoner. Not seeing either Corny nor his captive, her shoulders slump and she turns back to face Vuryal. "There must be something I can do. To save her life. I will do anything. Surely you can't -want- to kill a child. What is in it for you?"
Vuryal reaches out towards the white rose. "Oh, come now. Let us find you something more appropriate..." And with those words, the white rose shrivels up, a dead rose now held by the child.
Vuryal says to Tysinni, “What is in it for me? Nothing. I do what I want and kill who I want. What makes you think that I care if I kill a child, a pig, or a king? “
Vuryal turns is staff towards the portal at the feet of the solitude child. He murmurs some archaic words, the pit soon glowing an eerie amethyst as it opens wider, yearning to be fed like a newborn babe. Vuryal then speaks, the voice rising throughout the land.
Narrator *A voice calls throughout the lands of Hollow, reaching from sea to mountain. "I, Vuryal, Emperor of Archmosia, Messenger of the TimeLords, Parasite and Plague, offer up this child to the depths of Hell due to the failure to bring me someone upon the chosen list."
Niawtu looks at the dead rose that Vuryal had once been a rose with the same purity as the child, as she listens to his words. As Vuryal speaks she lightly reaches up and holds her right upper arm, where a deep brand of 13 was burnt in. She sighs, but her eyes don't show anywhere near as much fear as the previous day. Silently she says "Oh Great Mother, proctect all my family as I, 13, am to pass into the depts of Hell...." Her words were loud enough that those with good ears could hear. They were dark words, coming from such a pure child.
Veriun turned his reading gaze upon Ranok instead, at this point. With mild intrest. As if watching for the result of an experiment.
Leoxander really doesn't want those dead roses in his shop, as Vuryal would not be setting foot there.
Ranok simply put, didn't have any options. If Vuryal was so powerful that he could waltz through everything without even moving. In a different world, he would have labeled that unfair. In this world, that was just how things were, apparently. He didn't have any plans, nor any back up. His attempt to disguise his person would be seen through instantly, he felt. And what if he managed to save Nia? She would just be insta snatched away again, no matter what he did. So, his options would be a suicidal charge, or bringing someone else out from the list. He strides forward, "Vuryal. Ve hef zumone hyu might vant. Jolie. Hyu may know her as Tenebrae." He didn't have her in a coat pocket, but the dandy did.
Vuryal pauses upon hearing the name Tenebrae. "Where is the mistress of the night? I see her not presently."
Svilfon casts a dark glare towards Ranok as he offers up Jolie, but the wizard doesn't speak.
Allesia, too, knows the name Jolie by reputation. Unseen eyes turn to Ranok.
Niawtu looks up at Ranok as he speaks, her eyes full of sadness. She hurt the man, who was the closest thing to a father to her as ever, on several accounts... Yet he kept trying to save her. She wanted no one to be harmed for her safety any more, but kept her mouth shut. 'Let the adults talk' she thought, grimly, as she looks from Ranok to Tysinni and then partially behind her to Vuryal and back.
Ranok is calm, cool. Made of ice. He needed to be. His true emotions were locked away, as he always did. Only this time, it was important, "So hyu kan see a poor defenseless child, but not a sinkle chose vun hyu vant? Hy do find dat schtrange." His hat hung low over his eyes. He adjusts it. When he does, his face was not the face of Ranok, but of a different man. His eyes were electric blue, and his chin was as clean shaven as ever. None would know, but this persona was the one he adopted once before, and deemed Serimpesh. "Jolie iz beink kept by De Dundy ontil Nia's passage vas secure." He did find the apparent inability of Vuryal to magic up any of the chosen a strange one. He begins to formulate a theory, one that would be impossible to test. Therefore, a gambit.
Vuryal laughs at the demand of the man. "You think you can tell me what to do? Nay, poppet. I run the show and you are merely here to wipe my boots." And with that, the chronomancer phases from view, not reemerging anywhere, rather lying about the area as a mist as the next move waits in silence.
Niawtu quite suddenly glowers at Ranok, not as good as his glowers were, but her eyes were obviously saying 'your gonna get in trouble if you don't shush!' However she quickly shifts her face back to the normal smooth, if not stone-like, face she was holding before. Surely it was odd to have the knowledge of such a pure child (in both looks and soul) standing at what could only be described as the gates of Hell. She is silent as she listens between the two.
Veriun broke into his smile again as Vuryal reprimanded the smith, taking his hands out of his pockets and folding them over his chest as he watched the parasite 'dissapear'. Still holding on his actions. Still waiting.
A Foolish Hero
Lared is fighting with his conscience. After a few moments the young priest steps forward and addresses Vuryal. "If, if I were to offer to be sacrificed in her stead, would you spare the innocent child, please?"
Ranok speaks to the emptiness, "Who says I make a demand? Call it holding the chips until the pot was full. It seems that bluffing was the name of the game." His mind was churning. Vuryal wanted to create fear. Killing children was fearsome. But not as bad as snatching enemies from the ether to simply slay them. What caused more fear and despair then a bypass of every single effort you put towards anything in an attempt to hide? Nia wasn't anything but a child. Perhaps, it was not Nia at all, but an incredibly convincing illusion. What then? It was this gambit he was trying to run with. He had no other choice then to try to call a bluff that probably didn't exist.
Vuryal saya to Lared, “Fall upon your sword now, and I shall consider it. “
Lared said, "I have no sword, I am a pacifist, and unarmed, many have called me a coward as I refused to fight, but I am not afraid to die to save the life of an innocent. Please give me both your word that you will spare the child, and a blade, and I shall do so."
Vuryal appears besides Ranok, his left hand placing itself upon his right shoulder. "What makes you think you hold any piece of this puzzle, welp?" His hand then slides off the man's shoulder, falling to the fiend's side, only to disappear once again, into the mist that seems to envelope this area now.
Tysinni holds her tongue, not wanting to interrupt what could end up saving Niawtu's life. She glances at the girl, anger swelling at the situation she had been brought into. But she would hold her tongue and hope that Ranok's attempt would pan out. Though when the fiend vanishes, she starts to lose hope. As the mist covers the area, she uses her last gambit. "What if someone else were to take her place? I would be willing to offer myself up in her stead." It was the same offer the priest of Olric had made, but it was worth a try.
Vuryal tosses a rusty dagger before Lared. "I promise I will not kill the child. Now, be done with it."
Niawtu looks at Lared with distraut eyes. A slight growl emites from her mouth aimed towards the young priest, whom she had seen yesterday and says softly "No... No one be harmed in 'Lil Nia's place! Please.... He ask for ones on list... It my fault I here to be condemed... " she spoke from her heart and sounded as brave as a child could be. It was her choice now. Unless one of the ones from the list came forth, Nia was not going to allow harm upon any other innocent, as best as she could.
Vuryal wraps a grip about Niawtu's mouth as he reemerges behind her. He whispers "hush" to the child, dwarfing his own figure as the scene plays before them.
Tysinni looks at Lared with horror. Generally, she was not what one considered heroic, but her conscious was pricked at letting someone else die for her loved one. Even if she had robbed the poor man naked the night before. That was right as he thrust the blade into his own belly. "No!"
Niawtu's eyes open wide as Vuryal wraps his hand about her, she was contemplating trying to bite his hand with her fang-like teeth... But what good would that do? However, it is -very- clear in her eyes that she's very much considering it.
Lared takes the dagger, utters a quick prayer to Kanos, then, after a moment's hesitation, thrusts it deep into his belly. He cries in agony, then falls to the ground dying.
Ranok doesn't react. He was still holding that piece of ice. Could he bluff his way through this? Surely not. A thin, thin, thin line. One wrong word, and everything fell, "I happen to know a thing or two. That is all." A hundred questions he didn't ask or raise. That would be Ranok, not Serimpesh. Right now, that was the persona he was holding, and hoping it didn't break. Those electric blue eyes of his switch over to Lared. He gives a subtle shake of his head. He was believing his little theory more and more. That belief settled around him like a blanket. Maybe he was wrong, maybe he wasn't. But it was important that he hold fast. "You are the Lord of Time, are you not? What is another few hours? Jolie is being prepared for you. We intend to offer you as a bride. The Dandy was oh so ever excited at the prospect of wedding cake."
Vuryal snaps his gaze towards Ranok as the priest stabs himself with the rusty blade. "A bride? Ha. You would do better to offer her head than her hand."
Niawtu shreaks from beneath the hand of Vuryal and then actually does go to bite him, as hard as she could. She didn't know if it would work, but she thought it was worth a shot (no matter how hard he held her mouth)
Vuryal lets the child bite him, though his decaying skin might be more putrid than she might imagine. Regardless, he turns back into the mist, only to emerge beside the priest. "Such a pity. I rather would have preferred to see him in a stew. Wouldn't you, Lich Queen?" he asks, tossing the question towards Ryeanna.
Hans says to Vuryal, “alright lad, at's de deal done then child saved then? “
Niawtu doesn't pay attention to the taste that infected her mouth now. The child had been known to fly into uncontrollable rages from now and then and was beginning to shout and utter a large some of words that shifted between her homelands speek and common tongue... Several curse words were also strewn into the mix, as her hand begins to freeze the dead rose that she held.
Ranok looks upon the dying form of Lared. Hands go to adjust a lapel that he didn't have. There was precious little to help the priest. A gut kill like that would make him linger. It seems his gambit wasn't the first to run its course. Then the man's eyes seem to shift, just slightly. Flickering darkly. He strides over to the priest and kneels next to him, to whisper in the dying man's ear.
Ranok whispered to Lared, ""You truly offer your life for the child's? This is no gambit, is it." The man's hand tightens slightly on the shoulder of Lared, "I think he was bluffing. It's not too late to retract. I don't think he will hold true. This was what he wanted. Despair. The light of the land to diminish. A good man to offer his life in place for what may be just a doll. It's not too late to retract, Lared.""
Vuryal turns back to the child Niawtu. "Too bad I didn't promise to not keep you. Now, away with you!" And with that, the child disappears.
Vuryal disappears into the mist, the glowing portal upon the gallows going to black and the fading away as well.
Tysinni watches in relief as Niawtu is presumably sent back to her hiding place. Turning her attention to the girl's savior, she falls on her knees next to Lared. Really, she felt especially bad about robbing him the previous night now that he had sacrificed himself. "Healer! We need a healer here!"
Veriun Ignored both Vuryal and Ranok at first, as he placed a smooth hand over the forhead of Lared. And then the neck, checking the fading pulse. He then nods and stands, returning his attention to the parasite standing so close to him now. He speaks to no one in particular, as if signing of a page in a book. A finish of a chapter. "And so the child was exchanged for a preist. Whichever hell would have hungered for most.."
Svilfon steps forward and speaks to Ranok, ignoring the dying man beside him. "You tried to offer up a member of the mage's guild. You will pay for that, idiot." That said, the wizard turns on his heel and walks away.
Hans gets up, "alright I'll take at as ah yes," the odd ball elf saunters over to the dead human yanks the dagger form his gut and with bonk and blinding like form the Grimthwacker latter the priest is healed!
Tiphareth approaches the dying priest as the Eldermage retrieves a small vial from his sleeve. Kneeling down next to Lared the Drow uncorks the vessel and places it at the trail of sanguine fluid which spills forth from his wound. Having filled the vessel to a suitable level, Tiphareth replaces the cork and inserts the vial carefully into a pouch on his side.
Lared has never experienced such a strange form of healing, but really is not in a fit state to fully appreciate it. He opens his eyes blearily and looks at Hans. "Thank you, what did you hit me with?"
Hans said to Lared, "I do hope ye learned somethin' about dealing with vruyal, I'll nay be on hand te save yer butt every time oh an at will be twenty gold."
Ranok fishes out a press. He was going to save the Priest's life. Lared was lingering in a painful, painful death. Belly wounds like that took ages to heal. However, since there was magic, Lared could be saved. So convinced was Ranok in his theory, would he ruin this apparent deal.
Ryeanna grins at the power of Hans' Relic, "The Old Powers still remain strong, new powers rise and fall but the tries and tested remain the same."
Lared gave 20 gold to Hans. Lared said to Hans, ""Er yes.""
Tiphareth curses, blood of a martyr would have been far more powerful than blood of a would-be martyr.
Vuryal Finds a Loophole
Vuryal turns back to the child Niawtu. "Too bad I didn't promise to not keep you. Now, away with you!" And with that, the child disappears.
Lared is too weak to answer Ranok's whispered words, though he can yet hear.
Vuryal disappears into the mist, the glowing portal upon the gallows going to black and the fading away as well.
Veriun ignored both Vuryal and Ranok at first, as he placed a smooth hand over the forhead of Lared. And then the neck, checking the fading pulse. He then nods and stands, returning his attention to the parasite standing so close to him now. He speaks to no one in particular, as if signing of a page in a book. A finish of a chapter. "And so the child was exchanged for a preist. Whichever hell would have hungered for most.."