From: albert@chain.ssctr.bcm.tmc.edu (Rick Jones) Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: Krupp [GATM] Building the Perfect Beast Date: 23 Jul 1993 17:10:40 GMT Message-ID: <22p62g$ce0@gazette.bcm.tmc.edu> Well, I eventually made it back to the surface. Did you know _what_ lives in the sewers of Generica? Let's just say, I'm glad I was already dead when I went through them. Yoiks. It was nighttime when I finally popped out. I adjusted my hat and looked around. I must have had some pretty good aim, because I was only a few streets away from the building with those whacked kids. I walked around the building. Not too close mind you, I had no desire to get close to that place again. Rather run butt nekkid through the Shunned Center with ketchup poured all over my body. There weren't any lights on. I didn't know whether or not that was good. Zip was nowhere to be found. I assumed that he'd gone home by now. He was a smart kid. Besides, I had to see a mage about a monster. I knew they'd probably be at the Lighthouse, but the Ale House was closer. Hobbits are not known for their speed, but when most predators are built for folks twice as big as we are, you learn to move pretty darn fast when you need to. Anyway, I wasn't hindered by little things like walls or doors. I made a beeline straight to the Ale House. I took a deep breath, and leaped at the wall. I bouced off like a child's ball. Shoulda known better. I picked myself up and ran around to the front door. The same cuddlegirl from my previous visit was minding the entryway. "HimynameisKruppFarawayIneedtospeaktotheLadyoftheHouse," I blurted out. She ignored me. My charge must have been pretty damn low, if she couldn't see me. I concentrated harder on making myself visible and audible. "Hello, my name -" The cuddlegirl screamed. Looking back on it, I probably would have screamed if a translucent hobbit had appeared out of nowhere in the middle of my office. She also slapped the desk real hard. A tube of light sprouted up around me. I couldn't see through it. I tried touching it, but the damn thing shocked me. Great, a monster's turning the kids of Generica into turnip-heads, and I'm trapped in a Bouncer's Box. UNDERCITY..... "Mistress, you summoned me," Cyndai said. He nervously watched the cluster of children who circled her altar. They danced an ever-changing dance around a jade and amethyst statue. Cyndai noticed some of the same children who had started there a month ago. Three had fallen, their little hearts exploding from the constant dancing. As each child fell, the statue grew. As did Br'Nai's power. When he had started, it was a foot tall, made of softwood and painted with cheap laquers. Now it stood a head above the children, and the stone glistened from within with an eerie luminesance. The children who were still dancing unnerved him even more than dead ones. Their skins had gradually changed color to the colors of their goddess, in swirling blotches across their naked bodies. Not only that, but the skin had also flattened out, like they were becoming statues like their Mistress. I NEED SOMETHING OF YOU. "Whatever you desire. You know I am first and foremost your servant." A harsh, mocking laughter came from behind him. Korok, the purple and green eyed child/priest was leaning up against the entrance to the cavern. "Can' do puff. Just a smoke-n-mirrors mage." Cyndai glowered. He was a master-class illusionist, able to generate images and sounds so real they might as well be there. But, they were not, in fact, real. And for that, he was never allowed to join the prestegious Mages Guild. Relegated to cheap shows, and providing illicit services to various Low City pleasure houses. chanted Cyndai. Flames started to blossom from Korok's raggedy clothing. ENOUGH. THERE WILL BE NO FIGHTING. BR'NAI LOVES ALL OF YOU. AND YOUR FIGHTING UPSETS ME. The flames died. Both Cyndai and Korok prostrated themselves before her, and begged her forgiveness. OF COURSE, I DO. NOW, WHERE IS MY DARLING THIRD SON? A corner of the small cavern flickered, and a twisted parody of a halfing walked out of the wall. His eyes glowed with a purple light, and the normal jovial smile of a hobbit was a drooling, fang-filled grimace. As he approached the circle, he flexed his fingers, which distended and grew claws. "I am here. Two more unbelievers unfortunately committed suicide today. Tsk, tsk." He laughed to himself. GOOD, NOW THAT YOU ARE HERE, I REVEAL WHAT YOU MUST DO. THE GHOST OF KRUPP FARAWAY HAS SOMEHOW SURVIVED MY WRATH. HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISSAPATED TO THE FIVE WINDS OF CHAOS. EVEN NOW, HE SCAMPERS TO TELL HIS 'KAN MASTERS. THEY WHO HELPED DESTROY THE OTHER CHILDREN OF THE REAVERSCHILD. "Nothing shall come to harm you, beloved," shouted Korok, his fist in the air. The face of that statue creaked, and turned to face Korok. OF COURSE NOT, DARLING ONE, BUT THEY MIGHT HINDER OUR PLANS. SO, HEAR AND OBEY. KOROK, GATHER THE FAITHFUL, BRING THEM TO MY SIDE, AND HAVE THEM DANCE FOR MY PLEASURE. "So sez the tale. <>" Korok vanished in a puff of green smoke. BOGO, MY INSTRUMENT OF PUNISHMENT, YOU ARE TO FIND THIS CHILD. POSSESS HIM, AND AWAIT MY INSTRUCTIONS. An image appeared between the statue's outstretched hands. A small boy, dressed in typical low city rags, pacing back and forth nervously across a hardwood floor. Bogo snickered, "If I first I don't succeed..." and melted through the ceiling. NOW, CYNDAI, MY FIRST SUPPLICANT. YOU ARE TO RECEIVE THE GREATEST HONOR OF ALL. I SHALL GIVE YOU THAT WHICH YOU HAVE DESIRED ABOVE ALL. YOU, MY BELOVED, SHALL DO TRUE MAGIC. "But, but, but, Mistress. You said that it was beyond your power," sputtered Cyndai. WITH MY POWER, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE..... HOWEVER, YOU HAVE THE HONOR OF THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR YOUR MAGICK. AND... FOR ME. The children stopped dancing and gazed upon him, smiling rictus grins. Cyndai screamed, first from terror. Then from pain. -- Rick Jones "And when the night is cloudy, albert@bcm.tmc.edu There is still a light that shines on me, Systems Support Center Shine until tomorrow, let it be." Voice: 713-798-7352 -The Beatles, "Let it Be"