Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn From: hutch@hfglobe.intel.com (Stephen Hutchison) Subject: [DQ] Week 15: Masquerade Party Message-ID: References: <92328.132135344LWKC@CMUVM.CSV.CMICH.EDU> Date: Wed, 2 Dec 1992 01:06:05 GMT The DragonQuestors traversed their way towards the Dark Master's throne room. All silently knew the events to come would be the final say they had about their fate, and likely the fates of all too many others. Perhaps their chicanery would work to the point that they would defeat Lord Raven, and wrest back (some) control of their destinies. Otherwise, despite all their advantages and power and skill, all would be for naught if they lost, this time without even the slim chance of escape -- or life, for that matter -- they had had previously. Alita enjoyed having so many men around her. But assuming the form of Noira wasn't so pleasant. It wasn't constraining Kadrys with the _fake_ unholy symbol. As a matter of fact, that was the ironic, almost enjoyable part. But she hated defacing her looks, and Noira was just pure coyote-ugly. Besides, she hated impersonating someone who had worshipped a goddess that encouraged pain and suffering and denounced pleasure -- the exact opposite of Alita's ideals. It would be good to return to a more ... eye-appealing form. Kadrys inwardly sighed as more "sweet nothings" reached his ears, interspersed with Alita's pretense of mumbling as if spellcasting. His "revenge" was almost completed -- only the Dark Master remained. There was little doubt that the two vampires would clash, and Kadrys hoped fervently that he would prevail without having to use his more evil powers, without falling into the pit that 'Raelf Elder had warned him of back in the Inn. Lancos concentrated on the options the party might have. Now that the medallion and he had sort of reached an agreement to work together versus Lord Raven, he could focus correctly, and promised himself to make the best out of the situation. He still felt like he had to prove his usefulness to the others, although the deeper part of him knew that the only person that needed convincing was himself. 'Raelf was quiet. Then again, he had to be, in the golem's form. He knew that he -- or at least the golem body -- would be a prime target, and prepared his defenses. He had wanted to free SunStorm, but the Dark Master would have detected it, sacrificing the surprise factor the party had deemed necessary. 'Raelf just hoped not adjusting himself to the plane's evil, insane concept of magic was as wise a move as it seemed. ShockWave was barely responsive, buried deep in thought. And for a change, most of it was positive. His DiamondSword body had rejoind the Giant's body, so he was as whole as possible. 'Raelf had returned, increasing their chances significantly. And TrueSilver had shown sparks of his old self, even if those sparks WERE rather dim. 'All *MUST* work out for the best' he told himself. Valgar was somewhat dumbstruck by recent events. Kadrys, Miro, and 'Raelf had all seemingly died at one point, but were apparently all back now. Lancos was on their side, then their enemies', now theirs again. All this was stressful on his nerves, and only pure will kept the beast within him tamed. Pure will, and his determination to be free again would be his salvation. William's mind was a flurry of unorganized activity -- such is life for someone who truly understood this plane's warped sense of magic. Not that he'd use it except in an emergency -- that would be insane. He held back a chuckle. Coming from someone in his mental state, that was like a berserker calling someone overagressive. "What have we here?" the Dark Master said somewhat innocently. "Quite an array of incompetents. Well, report!" The party was momentarily silent. Then Lancos advanced a bit and spoke. "We have the prisoners for your disposal." "Yes, I can see that. But I DO have a few questions," Lord Raven announced. Of course, he knew the answers already, but enjoyed the "game" too much. "Primarily, who freed them in the first place?" "A troublesome elf," Lancos answered. "He must have been largely undetectable. I thought you had captured him with the rest." "So what happened to him? To Krastin? To the succubus?" "They attacked me, Dark Master, like you predicted," Noira/Alita replied, "and lost. The elf was killed by the golem, Lord. He and the ... um, female, are being prepared to become my new slaves since the others were freed. Otherwise my power is reduced and I am less useful to you. And Krastin failed you, Master, literally falling to pieces in the battle." The Dark Master was almost impressed. The words held some amount of truth, and the excuses even seemed plausible. He could see how others bent on domination could fail. Others without the ability to know the true situation. Others who trusted their servants. Others who lost control. But that was not him. It was time to complete the plans he had developed for these foolish meddlers. But they had used lies and deceit towards their cause, so he decided to see if they would take the final steps to their doom "willingly". He doubted it, but it was certainly worth the attempt. If only for the jest of seeing them try to wriggle out of it. "Very well then. Just put them on the pentagram. All is ready -- the occult defenders of Generica are weakened, my chief competitors are each taking their losses even now. We will act immediately, while the whole situation is to my advantage." "But... Dark Master, there's a problem." "IS there?" Lord Raven screamed, "Are you suggesting MY plans might FAIL? Hmm?! Speak up!" To their credit, the DQers stayed silent, not moving, not showing any emotional signs. 'At least they have SOME tact,' the Dark Master thought to himself. "But you are right -- there ARE a few problems. First, I need to get SunStorm's body in the correct place. But that is easy for me here, and even easier on the pentagram. Second, even with Kadrys' reappearance, that makes only four -- and I DO need five." "How about Krastin? He failed when it counted!" Lancos suggested. Raven smiled a bit, musing. "Perhaps... perhaps." "But there IS one more tiny problem," he continued, "to wit, that your childish masquerade was a failure from the start. To me, you are all nothing but naive, ineffectual pests." Raven gestured, and from the pit, the PCD sent a stream of magic at the DragonQuesters.