Swords'n'Sorcery Part 2
Episode Name: Swords'n'Sorcery Part 2 Written By: Genesis Cast: Caeli, Cristobal, Genesis, Jameson, Lao, Medes, Risa and Talesin. Produced By: Starfleet Directed By: Genesis Aired On: Fri Jun 06 02:53:32 2003 Stardate: 53267.8
Time: Fri Jun 06 00:11:03 2003
Stardate: 53267.5
The group has returned, gathered back in the holodeck. Lao says, "Do not pay any attention to the man behind the curtain," and grins. "Load program SS-Lao-Chapter-2." And the world shimmers. They are now on a road, in the middle of a forest. Nearby, a craggy hill rises out of the dark and gnarled forest, and on the top of the hill is a foreboding, crumbling castle made of grey-black stone. It's overcast, but nothing moves. The program is frozen.
A deep voice says, "And so the heroes, having made their plans, travelled for days overland, following Lao's map to the lair of the lich, Armanius, there to reclaim a certain book.
The program activates, and a fell wind picks up.
"We made our plans?" Medes stops, and turns to Cristobal. "Nathan, we have plans? What are our plans?"
Risa walks over to Jameson, dropping what semblance of a character she'd been working at. "I'm tired of the Shakespeare-speak," she confides quietly, eyes slowly shifting about. "You're enjoying yourself, I hope?"
Cristobal shrugs at Medes and says, "I think our plan was to go to the lair of the leech to reclaim a certain book."
Jameson nods to Risa with a smile. "Yeah, I think you've fought the good fight for the Shakespearean speak. Just be you. And yes, I'm having a blast." He looks to Cristobal and Medes then, "Yeah, are we healed now too?"
Cristobal shrugs at Jameson this time, "I guess. I wouldn't know though, I wasn't hit."
Talesin stands near Jameson and Risa, "Sounds like a plan, Eight. Drop the Shakespeare." he winks, dark eyes looking about, "Well, I'd assume we're healed and such..." a shrug, and he pouts, "Cut my cloak, it's splattered in blood..." okay, so he's dropping into character.
Risa flexes her muscles as a joke, quirking a grin. "I'm the super-healer. Unless you get really injured. Then you get buried." She then shifts her eyes to Medes, admitting, "I don't know about any plans. Except, you know, to follow this map, and kill the blue things."
Blink. "I thought we'd have more of a plan than that," Medes replies to Cristobal, scratching the side of her face and then staring at Talesin for a moment. "Uh... hunh." She blows out a breath. "Well. Great. I guess I can... sneak... ahead. Or something. And look for danger. 'Cause I'm sneaky. Like a thing that sneaks."
. o O Medes thinks "Freaking brilliant, Thea. Follow me into battle! 'I'm sneaky. Like a thing that sneaks.' You're such a dork."
Cristobal nods, "That works. You sneak. And when you see something, sneak back and...I guess that's where I kill it." He shrugs, "I dunno how complex our plans need to be."
Jameson nods to Medes, "That's a good idea. A scout. We also need a leader of sorts before we take off here. Rank works great for that for us normally, but which one of us makes the best leader? Cristobal?"
Talesin nods, "We need a leader, and someone to bring up the rear..." a soft sigh, "I get the feeling we're going to be needing our weapons, too, so..." a shrug, and he slides his book into a bag designed for it, putting a hand on his sword. "I wonder if these things pick up transmissions." he tucks a strand of hair behind his pointy fake ears again, glancing around.
The clouds roll across the sky as the party talks. The castle of the fell lich yet awaits in the distance.
Cristobal shrugs and says, "I'll do it if Thea doesn't mind. She's the only one present who outranks me."
"As long as I'm in position to run up and heal people and not be crushed underneath dying orcs? I'm fine," Risa notes, adjusting the armor beneath her clothing and staying in place.
Medes nods once. "Right." A pause. And then she whispers, "Stealthy!" And sneaks ahead. Like what? LIKE A THING WHICH IS SNEAKY. Okay, so she moves like someone trying to sneak in a cartoon. What do you expect from someone who's subtle like a orbital strike?
The shadows once again reach to envelop Medes as she steps into them, sneaking ahead.
Jameson looks to Cristobal to lead them then, as it seems he's been elected leader. He falls into place behind the fighter type, figuring that Risa or Talesin one will fall in behind him.
Talesin nods, "Toward the middle, then, Risa." he murmurs, pulling his cloak tighter about him with the faintest frown. It's cold!
Cristobal is comfy in his robe (and the heavy armor underneath). He sets off down the path, confident that Small'n'Sneaky will inform him if something comes up from the fore.
Risa follows after Jameson with a nod, and finally she just walks like herself. Granted, a 'herself' that's clothed in Greek clothing and armor and sandals with a pretty mace, but 'herself' nonetheless.
And so the group makes their way towards the castle. Medes, in the lead, makes no sound as she moves. Which is probably a little disconcerting, seeing as she should be. As she makes her way through the forest, she hears the low grunt of Bolia-- er, orcish. Right ahead.
Medes hisses and backs up rapidly, sneaking back like a tape rewinding. She gestures pointedly ahead in a way that /she/ probably thinks is subtle, but really couldn't read more HEY GUYS THERE'S STUFF UP HERE AND IT'S NOT GOOD unless she were using semaphore flags.
Or possibly skywriting.
*shink
*shink* That's the sound of the sword sliding out of the scabbard on Cristobal's back. He takes a battle stance and slowly walks forward.
Jameson does the battle creep behind Cristobal. He's glancing from side to side, watching for Orcabolians to come out of any place, really. He has his staff at ready, whether to attack, or to cast spells is anyone's guess.
Risa's stringed mace is at the ready, though she didn't look to ready to use it earlier. As quietly as she possibly can, she whispers to Jameson, "Don't make them kill each other; make them run. Holograms don't know they're not alive." There; her piece is said.
So Cristobal's Wolverine now. Talesin continues to move quietly, sword still sheathed. Why the heck is a mage carrying a sword, anyway? He glances over his shoulder warily, dark eyes narrowed slightly.
Medes sneaks forward and around slowly, moving in the shadows still. Sneaky sneak sneak.
. o O Medes thinks "Come out, come out, and let me stab you in the back!"
Got a problem with that, bub? Cristobal continues slowly along the path.
The group slinks up to Medes. The sounds of orcs talking amongst themselves is louder, now. And, yes, they are the same kind of orcs the group encountered before. There is a crackle of a fire, and the observant will notice a column of smoke rising over the treeline. Medes moves forward, and as she reaches the edge of the forest, she sees two dozen orcs camped at the base of the hill. And among them...the evil Caeli, their savage chieftain.
Jameson moves behind Cristobal, getting a look at the forest ahead. He leans in close to Cristobal and whispers something to their brave and fearless leader, being just as quiet as possible and still get the idea across.
Jameson whispers to Cristobal, "I could try and make them run before we ever get there. I can't guarantee it will work, but it might rid us of some of them anyway."
Talesin smiles faintly, creeping forward, as well, leaning in on Cristobal's other side to speak to him, once Jameson's done.
Caeli claps the orc next to him boisterously on the shoulder, recounting some past battle.
Talesin whispers to Cristobal, "They've got a camp fire that I could make flare up as a distraction..."
When in doubt, sneak up behind the leader. Medes has now stabbed Caeli in the back once today. Let's see if she can make it twice.
Risa purses her lips as she watches Jameson move off, then walks after the others as quietly as she can. It's not so terribly hard given that she's wearing sandals, but that just makes keeping up twice as hard.
Cristobal holds a hand up to the group, indicating for them to stop. He touches two fingers to his ear before pointing at the orcs. He mouths 'listen' and watches the Orcs, seeing if they say anything useful. He's can't see where Medes is, but he's certain she won't do anything like trying to attack them all alone.
Caeli roars in laughter. "You know what I like, Gluborg? I like sunflower seeds."
Caeli grins wryly as he looks to the Orcs about him. "*Chocolate covered* sunflower seeds."
Caeli concludes with a flourish and a waving of his sword, "Of death!"
Talesin just glances at Cristobal, before covering his mouth with one hand, shaking in silent laughter.
Gluborg roars right back, "I tried to tell that to the master...but you know what it's like with him. Persistence is futile!" Suddenly, Gluborg stands. "Did you hear that?"
Ok. Apparently they aren't going to say anything useful. And really, that was just odd. And, someone hears something. Cristobal points to Jameson, and gives the thumbs up. He then points to Talesin, and also gives the thumbs up. He nods his head at both of them.
Caeli's laughter stops as he rises, lifting his other sword and looking around. "No. But start looking anyway." Taking his own advice, Caeli leads a band of five of the orcs into the brush to look for what Gluborg heard. Or didn't hear.
Medes backs away and conceals herself. Well, she wasn't, apparently, fast enough to get a shot in on Caeli /this/ time, so she'll hang back until she has a very clear shot on him or... well, someone else. But Caeli first! Leader and all.
The orcs get up from the encampment, rushing to follow Gluborg's barked orders. They start to make for the treeline./
Medes sinks back into the treeline, flattening herself against the dark side of a trunk and listening carefully for footsteps. Waiting. Watching. Ready.
. o O Medes thinks "I have /got/ to talk to Aaron about getting me some souped-up hearing aids. Make me like an Andorian or some stuff."
Jameson creeps just a tad closer, trying to see. Once he is close enough to see, and hidden just behind a tree then holds his staff in both hands, "Mind Magic." He then procedes to cast his spell quietly. "Orcs you have heard our steps. Perhaps you misheard your leader's command. So now go searching all around, and go the other way from where I stand."
. o O Jameson thinks "Well, here goes nothing. Worst that happens? I become an Orc delicacy."
Risa smiles, if faintly, at Jameson's mind magic. Good Marcus. She continues creeping after him, peering out toward the orc encampment. In the quietest of stage whispers, she says, "Maybe if they all leave, we can go and do what we need to without killing any of them. Right? Just sneak past and get that book."
Talesin gets himself back under control, whispering, "Fire Magic." before saying softly, "Fire that burns for a blighted beast, increase your light so that they see the least." Oh, god. Someone make the poor child stop rhyming. Shakespeare might just crawl out of his grave and attack!
Cristobal just watches. He's done his leading, and there's nothing to kill yet, so he waits.
The orcs go looking through the pushes, avoiding the area around Jameson by about a ten foot radius. And then their fire suddenly roars, shooting out sparks and light. Most of the orcs turn, grunting and growling, as the fire lights up the area brightly.
. o O Talesin thinks "Corny, corny! You've got to start doing better. Or quit rhyming."
Caeli immediately bellows, "They're here! Form up in the camp, and don't get too close to the fire! *WE HAVE THEM!*" He leads his posse of five away from the woods and Medes, starting to form a defensive perimeter near the camp.
The orcs are, well, orcs, and not nearly as synergistic as their Bolian templates. At Caeli's order, they move away from the fire certainly, but don't do much more than rush the forest, hacking through the tree limbs and bushes, looking for their foes. Oddly, they all avoid a ten foot sphere of space.
Medes sneaks around, using the forest as cover and trying to avoid the hacking orcs. Can she get in through the perimeter and take out the leader? If not, can she get a clear backstabby shot on another one? These are the burning questions in her mind.
. o O Medes is rather adrenaline-soaked now.
. o O Talesin feels excited, amused and certainly enjoying himself a great deal.
Jameson watches the Orcs below scramble, then closes his eyes for a moment. "Mind Magic." He holds his staff in front of him. "I call upon the power within. My friends I hope to defend. By my speaking to your minds, none of my friends will you ever find. No matter what it is you see, you'll not trust your sight, but you'll listen to me."
A soft computer voice says, "Mind magic has failed. Orcish resistance in addition to insufficient casting."
. o O Jameson thinks "Damn. I knew it was too good an idea to work correctly."
Risa curses softly to herself at the computer's reply, shifting her eyes to the others. It's plain to see she feels frustrated, and she scowls as she slinks a little closer to the camp. "...maybe we could... I don't know, make a run for it and ... block the entrance, somehow?"
. o O Risa feels totally useless, and worried they'll end up killing orcs after all.
The orcs are cutting closer to Cristobal and Medes' locations.
Talesin nods softly to Risa, "I've got just the idea." a slight frown, "Fire Magic..." a pause, and a look of thoughtful concentration, "Powerful flames I beseech, I recall, cast yourself in the form of a wall!" Well, it's a little better?
Now, why the heck aren't my troops going over there... a-ha! The psychic one! Zip grunts, "Follow me!" to the five orcs hopefully still with him and stomps off in the direction of Jameson, both swords out and ready to carve the turkey. Or in this case, the Centauran.
A small wall of fire leaps up in front of Talesin. The trees promptly catch on fire.
. o O Talesin thinks "Okay, that wasn't part of the plan! Must... be... more... specific!"
A soft computer voice says, "Wall of fire has disrupted mind magic." And the orcs, shaking their heads, begin to converge on the location shared by Talesin, Jameson and Risa.
Well right. Leading didn't do all that much. Time to kill orcs. Cristobal steps out of his concealment and slashes at the nearest orc with his sword.
<CONTEST> Cristobal contests his Primitive Weaponry (Sword) skill vs Genesis's Primitive Weaponry skill (given disadvantage) and Succeeds!
Caeli and six orcs behind him are rushing over by Medes on their way to Jameson and the others. Cristobal steps out of the bushes, and cuts down an orc. My, these trees are old and dry -- the forest is catching fire rather rapidly.
Medes remains in the shadows, circling around as the orcs start to converge. Now is the time when we stab... once they're in range, of course.
<CONTEST> Medes (claiming advantage) contests her Primitive Weaponry (Sword) skill vs Caeli's Dodge skill and Fails!
As the Orcs get nearer and the fire rages, Jameson says, "Mind Magic." Then he raises his staff leveling it in the direction of Caeli and his group. "Those of you who follow their sire. Rushing on into the fire. As to me you draw so near, so increases your fear. What fear is it that I name? It's the fear of the roaring flame."
A bunch of orcs see Medes' near-miss with Caeli, and turn to her...and then look up at the flickering flames, and flee right back the way they came.
"Keth!" Risa hisses, "...we were supposed to construct the wall /after/ we got across. Now how are we--" The additional notification of the disrupted mind magic just makes her scowl. She pauses, then rethinks her scowling attitude, giving Talesin a light hug to show she's not actually peeved. In a more helpful tone, she says once Jameson's used it in his mind magic, "Sorry... got a little too in character there for a second. Keth, can you... move the wall in front of us, a little at a time? That might help us get past without having to kill or be killed."
Talesin nods absently, "Fire Magic." a pause, a look of thought. Jameson's making him look even worse. "Fire before me so near, that makes the animals run in fear, move forward like a steady hand, continue burning, like a brand." Well, it's a little better!
Caeli no longer has his orc entourage. He does a Matrix dodge out of the way of her sword and points, even as he charges on to Jameson. "You there! Kill her! The rest of you, with me!" Not particularly caring whether they follow or not, he reaches the three magic-users, and swings downward with both blades, one at either of Jameson's shoulders.
. o O Jameson thinks "OKay, now is when I die."
Cristobal moves towards Caeli and Jameson, attempting to interpose his blade in between the Bolian/Orc's.
<CONTEST> Caeli contests his Primitive Weaponry skill vs Cristobal's Primitive Weaponry (Sword) skill and Fails!
The wall of fire leaps forward, burning a path out of the forest and into the path of incoming orcs. Several are burnt, lighting afire. Other run from the steadily advancing flames.
. o O Talesin thinks "I could heat up all the swords to the point of being too hot to hold... But I'd have to phrase it right so that our swords don't do that..."
Medes dodges back away from the fire and, well. Looks for something to stab. Preferably from the back, but at this point, she's not really picky.
And look! There a number of orcs, fleeing from her location conveniently with backs to her!
Medes STAB.
. o O Risa feels proud of her group, and how well they're doing, as well as proud of herself for at least making a small difference in the number of orcs killed.
<CONTEST> Medes (claiming advantage) contests her Primitive Weaponry (Sword) skill vs a difficulty of Routine and Fails!
Medes wild stabbing attack fails to catch up with the fleeing orcs.
. o O Talesin feels excited, amused and a great deal of enjoyment
Jameson looks like he's going to faint for just a moment as Cris' sword stops Caeli's. He actually shrieks a little as he steps back. He collects himself a little then and aims his staff at any Orcs not fleeing or being burnt. "Mind Magic." He goes on to intone, "Orcs so brave, fighting your foe. Every step you make is woe. The ground below has joined the fight. It reaches up to grab your feet with all its might. With every move you make, you think the ground is stabbing into you like a stake!"
Of the ten or so orcs not running from flames, or their fear of the flames, six starts jumping up and down, howling in agony.
. o O Jameson thinks "What the hell, it worked."
. o O Jameson feels increasingly triumphant, and more than a little pleased with himself as he recovers from feeling absolutely terrified.
Risa frowns, faintly, at this newest bout of magic. She watches the battle carefully, eyes on Medes's attempts to stab the nearby OrcBolians. She briefly nods to Keth in a sort of 'good job' kinda way, then murmurs, "If we can just get in that castle and get that stupid stupid book. Though how we're supposed to get our one-thousand gold now, I have no idea."
Talesin looks thoughtful, "Okay, lets see if I can manage this one right. Fire Magic." he purses his lips, then tilts his head to the side slightly, "My /enemies/ bear weapons of cold steel, metal forged through flame. To save my friends their feel, molten metal, they were, molten they shall be, return them to how they came!" a gesture, and a silent prayer that it doesn't set everyone's swords flaming...
Of the two dozen orcs, half find their swords and axes melting in their hands. A number don't manage to avoid the molten metal. Caeli, however, stands untouched by the spell. It's chaos, orcs screaming, the forest fire getting perilously close to the heads of heroes and villains alike...
Caeli snarls in frustration as his blade is blocked. "Beezers!" he exclaims, flinging one sword haphazardly at Cristobal's chest, not really intending to hit him but hoping more to distract him, as he strikes with the other at the pesky mind-bending counselor. Again. With only one sword, this time.
. o O Talesin thinks "Have to stop the fire that's burning in the trees, but how... An elf would do it, so how do I do it?"
GAME: Cristobal spends a courage point.
<CONTEST> Cristobal (claiming advantage) contests his Presence (Willpower) skill vs a difficulty of Challenging and Succeeds!
<CONTEST> Caeli (claiming advantage) contests his Primitive Weaponry skill vs Jameson's Dodge skill and Succeeds!
Cristobal grins at Caeli and says, "Your orcs suck, Zip!," as he ignores the flung blade and again moves to try to keep the Blue Orc away from Jameson.
. o O Caeli thinks "You're telling me."
<CONTEST> Cristobal contests his Primitive Weaponry (Sword) skill vs Caeli's Primitive Weaponry skill and Succeeds!
Cristobal's blade cleanly blocks Caeli's. Jameson is saved, yet again, from a horrible skewering.
Medes looks for something else to stab. Hey, when it comes to battle, she's a one-hit wonder... hopefully not literally.
There are still orcs fleeing away from Medes...and, of course, Caeli is busying trying to skewer people in the other direction.
Medes moves to circle around Caeli, then. Fleeing orcs can flee. Caeli's trying to skewer people, and you know what comes after Bolians /skewer/ people.
Jameson is saved, once again. Well, he can't really do too much more magically as all the Orcabolians are either being burnt up, are hopping up and down, or running. Except Caeli, who keeps trying to stab him. Time to show him. Who's up for a round of Whack-a-Bolian? Jameson takes his staff and tries to do just that, whack Caeli with it. He yells as he does, "Feel the wrath of the Giant Momsi!"
<CONTEST> Jameson contests his Primitive Weapon skill vs Caeli's Dodge skill (given advantage) and Fails!
And it's just then that Risa stops trying to avoid attacking /all/ the Orc-a-Bolians... because Caeli's not a hologram. With her own possibly humorous little roar, she launches herself at him, flinging the pretty mace his way. No, she has no idea what she's doing.
<CONTEST> Risa contests her Primitive Weaponry skill vs Caeli's Dodge skill (given advantage) and Fails!
Talesin slaps his forehead, before frowning, "Fire Magic." a moment's thought, and he smiles faintly, "Trees and leaves should not have to suffer for the problems of another. Send these flames from where they came, let the fire cause Mother Nature no more shame." Stupid tree hugging hippy elf.
The flames on the trees douse...most of them. Since the fire's had so much time to spread, not all the fires are out, in fact, it's like a concentric circle around Talesin, where the edges are still aflame.
Growing increasingly frustrated with his inability to skewer Jameson, and then with Jameson's assault, and then Risa's, he snarls, baring sharpened teeth as he deftly avoids the staff strike and the mace strike. He leaves his sword interlocked with Cristobal's, instead lashing out to kick the human in the gut. The spellcasters will get theirs in a moment, reasons the Boliorc.
<CONTEST> Caeli contests his Unarmed Combat (Starfleet Martial Arts) skill vs Cristobal's Unarmed Combat (Starfleet Martial Arts) skill and Fails!
The orcs are scattered and fleeing, leaving Caeli the Exceedingly Vicious to fend for himself. Not a proud day for orcdom, when two dozen get routed by a ragtag band of adventurers.
Locking yourself in a holodeck for an hour or two a day for two months straight in an effort to bring yourself up to Klingon standards has the tendency to leave one a fairly intimidating opponent. Cristobal grins and brings his leg up to block the kick Caeli aims at him. He gives a quick shove with his sword to get a bit of room and brings the sword around in a strike aimed at Caeli's midsection.
<CONTEST> Cristobal contests his Primitive Weaponry (Sword) skill vs Caeli's Dodge skill and Succeeds!
Caeli howls as the sword makes contact, the hardened hide shell around him slowing but not stopping the blow, which laces across his abdomen. Oh, good. A new scar to go with the two he has painted on his forearms. He staggers back, hurling the sword fairly randomly at the group, and bellows, "If you have any idea what's good for you you'll turn about now. There's no-one to reward you, no benefit. You're on our soil, now..." and as he staggers back away from the group, he reaches down, grabs a clod of dirt, and smears it over the wound, grinning devilishly. "Go home, lest you wind up like your friend! Cold and dead with nothing to show for it!" With a final, ear-piercing shriek of agony and frustration, Caeli drags himself atop a skittish, tethered mare, rips the twine with one hand, and digs in his heels, riding off through the wall of flame towards the castle.
Jameson looks almost relieved as Caeli flees. "Wow, Cristobal. You saved my bacon twice there, big time." He looks around at everyone. "We all doing okay? Anyone injured?"
. o O Caeli thinks "It's soooo hard to find good help these days."
Talesin nods, "Just fine. You, however, need to learn how to dodge." he tosses his braid over his shoulder, tilting his head to the side slightly and moving about, surveying the damage. "We should take what we can find from their camp..."
"The Orc God has a point, you know. We have no one to repay us. But I assume we've got the urge for revenge to fuel us on," Risa murmurs, also glancing around to the others after Jameson's question. Idly, she wiggles her fingers as if to say, 'Madame Healy-Butt is ready to help!'
She watches Caeli retreat, does Medes, blinking a few times and muttering something in Bajoran to herself, too quietly to be picked up by translators. Thea wipes her sword on the inside of her arm and shakes her head slightly as she resheathes her blade. "I'm uninjured." She glances around. "We must avende our fallen eng... com... rade. Yeah."
Cristobal calls out, "If you think I need /gold/ for motivation, you're sadly mistaken orc! My blade's thirst for your blood has not yet been quenched!" Can anyone tell he's been hanging out with Klingons? He nods at Jameson and says, "No problem. And if anyone's character /is/ a budding capitalist," he glances at Risa, "the villains in these stories usually have a hoard of treasure and such."
The forest is still burning, and the castle stands above them, waiting to be assaulted.
Jameson hmphs at Talesin. He then looks to Cristobal. "We're going to need smarts to get past that castle. My guess is that the lich is magically powerful given that image he sent us. I don't know how effective that Keth and I will be. And there aren't enough of us who are strong arms to brute our way through."
"Guys?" Pause. "I know I'm all, Miss Obvious and stuff? But THE TREES ARE STILL ON FIRE!" Medes clears her throat. "We need to talk /somewhere else/ or /put them out./"
Risa holds up her non-mace hand in a 'don't look at me' sort of fashion when Cristobal speaks. "It was just an observation; I assume heal-y priestesses don't really have an urge for gold /or/ revenge, but maybe justice or something. So, in the name of justice, I say we storm the castle and get that book. Maybe it's got some kind of super-dooper spell in it." She then notes as an aside to Jameson, "I can repel dead-things. Or things of that nature. The lich may not be /so/ terrible a foe. Aren't liches dead? It looked dead, or undead, to me." She grins and nods her head to Medes, pointing her mace at the castle. "Onward we march, eh?"
Talesin shrugs absently, "Then we sneak under the cover of darkness. Medes can handle any sentries, especially if you tell them they're not seeing anything. A few guards knocked out..." a thoughtful look, "Yes, they are." a frown, "Fire Magic." another lip purse, "Flames that scorch the innocent tree, return home now. Leave, flee." a grimace.
The last of the flames, which appeared to be growing, wink out at that.
Cristobal shrugs and says, "There are enough strong arms. Me. Everyone stand behind me and throw fire and mind control them and what not. I'll keep them all off of you." No lack of confidence there. He grins and says, "Kidding aside though, Keth's plan is a good one. Good enough for a holo-novel, at least."
Jameson nods to that. "Then I suppose it's off we go."
Talesin grins, "Shall we swoon, or just recount to your lady love what a brave warrior you've been?" a mock bow, "I might have read it, somewhere..."
And with the final decision made, the scene freezes, and a deep male voice says, "And thus, our fearless heroes, casting aside any fear of the peril that awaits, decided to make their way into the lair of the lich..."
A female voice says, "End, Chapter 2, Swords & Sorcery, 'The Book of Sorrows.'"
The holodeck reasserts its normal appearance, and there's Lao, sitting on a folding chair, a drink in his hand, still in his wizard robes. "Yay! Great work, guys!"
Caeli stands beside Lao, still in orc regalia, clapping. "That was /awesome."
Talesin glances around, "Where's that voice coming from, anyway?"
Cristobal says, "That was me."
Lao raises a brow, and says to Talesin, "It's computer, Keth. It talks sometimes. Wow, man, you've been in here too long. Let's go get some munchies, and plan out when to meet next time..." And he heads for the arch.
