Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-26380985-20151217174935/@comment-26115871-20160111013504

Ronchellster wrote: You and your group of human adventurers (The composition of the team is up to you) were selected to face a very powerful Lich who lived in an abandoned mansion. The plot failed and now your team was forced to flee.

When you were away from the mansion, the Lich used one of her spells to summon a huge group of Hellhounds filled with aphrodisiac drugs.

What happens now?

Alright, so before I begin, let me explain the group that I am part of.

1) Casper, the hero and the leader of the group. He's a jack of all trades, having powerful magic and being one hell of a fighter. Known best for his gentle, caring personality. We just call him 'Hero'.

2) Roana, the mage of the group. We found her in the forest, the spawn of a hero and an elf. She inherited the elf's natural affinity for magic, and the hero's natural affinity for magic: the two have combined to make her a mage without equal. Her heritage has left her hated and shunned by the elves, and she's a very bitter, cold person with a hair trigger. While she obeys Hero, she's gotten on our nerves quite a few times. I'm her favorite target. We call her 'Mage'.

3) Orella, a former soldier we rescued from a particularly large group of bandits. Well okay, we just provided the distraction: she burst free from her prison and carved a path of death and destruction through the bandits towards us, nearly killing me as well before Hero talked her down. She's proven that her skills as a fighter exceed Hero's, and gained the nickname 'Warrior' as a result. Doesn't talk a lot, but gets the job done when asked.

4) Hagan, a reformed bandit. We found him during our last quest, and the only thing that kept him alive the first time was that I was the only person who could keep up with him when he fled. He later showed up and assisted us in infiltrating the castle of a vampire, and due to his heroic actions and his clear desire to help us he has gained the nickname 'Rogue'.

5) It's me! I've been a part of the group since it's creation. Unlike the others, I have several different nicknames depending on who you talk to. Hero calls me 'Squire', an affectionate nickname made because . . . well, that's what I am. Mage calls me . . . well, a lot of things, but when she's actually addressing me I'm known as 'Runt'. Warrior and Rogue have taken to calling me 'Prince' since our last quest where I nearly got corrupted by the Vampire, who was originally a princess. As for what I do . . . well, not much, really. I carry their stuff - their spare clothes, Mage's spell books and potion ingredients, Hero and Warrior's armor (when they're not wearing it) our food, and a few miscellaneous things - in a pack that's nearly twice my height.

Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty happy with my spot. I'd rather not fight, and save for Mage everyone's really nice to me. The pack took a while to get used to - I used to need several breaks when walking and had to sit out of chases - but now I can easily keep pace with them. Me being able to keep up with Rogue when we first met him and being the only one that was able to keep pace with him actually impressed most of them (save for Mage, who was angry that I had chickened out when I suddenly realized I was the only one following him).

Anyways, now that you know my group, let's begin the story!

Hero, Mage, Warrior, Rogue and I all head towards the mansion in the clearing. It's huge, dark, and very, very forboding. Mage is still causing a ruckus, her musical voice contrasting her annoyed expression. "So let me get this straight. The village has been hearing some strange noises from the mansion, so instead of bothering to look themselves they immediately wish to send us in?"

"Hey, a quest is a quest. We clear out whatever zombie or ghost has gotten inside and then we continue to the next city."

"Well if it's that easy let's just send Runt in to do it!"

We just ignore her. A long time ago I would probably shy away, but after putting up with her for half a year I've gotten pretty used to her dislike of me. So instead I take off my pack - which causes the usual clanking noise when I set it down - and begin searching through it before Hero quickly addresses me. "No need for the armor. We'll be stealthy, kill whatever's inside and leave. The village clearly holds this mansion in high regards, so we're going to keep the damage to a minimum."

Ah. I pick back up the pack, but I'm annoyed when Mage tells me to sit this one out. While Rogue and Warrior nearly snap at her for picking on me we're surprised when she loudly states that someone needs to stay with the pack, since it would just get in the way in such a cramped area, and we all know better than to just leave the pack out here. Too much of a possibility of someone attempting to steal from it. It's a valid point, and I ultimately agree to follow through with it.

So that's how we got to where I am right now, standing next to the pack as the rest of our group begins searching the mansion. It's not the most exciting job, to say the least, and I'm very quickly getting bored. Let's see, once we get to the next town. . . well, we'll finally be back in the Order's territory at least. Granted, this village is still anti-mamono, but it takes a bit for the Order to put up the wall around the border.

Now that I think about it. . . these villagers really shouldn't be scared of a few bumps in the night. And when they were talking about it, they sounded almost like they knew what was making the sounds, or at least they were assuming they knew. I guess it could be a ghost, which can only be harmed by daylight and holy magic, but didn't they have a mage?

There's a crashing noise from inside the mansion. So much for being careful. I can hear. . . howls? Werewolves? No, the howls sound more. . . I don't know, more demonic I guess. Maybe hellhounds? Those are pretty strong, even Hero has trouble fighting them. ..

And what exactly could I do to help, walk in and get captured? That's what happened when we were doing our last quest, and I'm not too keen on doing it again. Nope, not getting involved. I'd just make it worse.

Now the crashing noise is approaching the entrance. I think I can hear Hero's voice. . . he almost sounds scared. I listen closer, and I'm able to pick up a little bit of what they're saying.

"Mage, is it ready yet!?"

"No, not yet! Just keep running!"

The door bursts open, and to my complete surprise Hero, Mage, Rogue, and Warrior all come out of the entrance like a bat out of hell. Mage has a glowing ball of energy in her hands - the start of a teleportation spell. They're. . . fleeing? Eventually they reach me, and by that time I've put on my pack. "What's happening?"

"Just run, we'll tell you once we're -"

The mansion doors burst open, and a bluish blur zips past us, blocking the path back to the village. I can only gawk in surprise, which the lich notices with a smirk on her face. "Ah, you must be the . . . 'Squire' that the leader was talking about."

The book floating in front of her opens up and begins glowing. She's preparing her demonic energy for a spell, and from the glow it looks like this spell's going to be huge. Rogue glances at Mage. "How much longer!?"

"Almost there!"

The lich's book slams shut as a ghostly fire envelops her hands, and she gives us a ghastly grin as she launches the fire into the clearing behind us. We turn to find that she's using a summoning spell, and that several, several hellhounds are now erupting from the ground, all of them giving us lust-filled grins as they begin walking towards us.

"THERE!"

There's a brilliant light as Mage finally casts her teleportation spell. I can't help the sigh of relief as I close my eyes, bracing for the very uncomfortable feeling of being turned to energy to make the trip.

It never happens. When I open my eyes I'm startled to find myself in the clearing, the hellhounds all rubbing their eyes to deal with the blinding light. My pack's gone, as are Hero, Mage, Rogue, and Warrior. Lich looks rather confused as she eyes the spot my group had been, then eyes me. "She missed one? That's weird. She did everything right, she even got the pack. Why didn't -"

That's when it clicks. Mage didn't make a mistake, she didn't 'miss one'. She deliberately left me behind. The lich simple smirks as she makes a small ball of energy in her hands. "Let's see . . . wow, the mage in your group is quite impressive. I was expecting her to head for the village. Looks like instead she headed for the next town, in the Order's borders. Heh, guess she really got spooked. But what puzzles me is that it looks like she had no intention to take you with."

I honestly thought. . . I mean, she hates me, I've known that since we first met, but. . . I never thought she'd leave me behind. The Lich gives an evil chuckle as she eyes me. "Ah, I see. She found a way to get rid of someone she hates. Well, don't you worry 'Squire'. After we're through with you, we'll be sure to bring your remains with us, present them to your group, ressurect you, and let you rape the horrible mage who left you to die."

"B-but mamono can't kill! H-how -"

"Your concern should be the hellhound pack right behind you. I assure you, with how powerful the aphrodisiacs I gave them are, you're not talking them down."

I glance behind me to find she's right. They're picking up speed, and headed right for me. All of them. My response is to bolt for the forest. Me moving seems to trigger something in their minds, because suddenly all of them are headed after me, going full speed.

I don't know how long it is that I run before I dare to look behind me again. But I come to a stop when I realize I can't see them at all. A few seconds later. . . nothing. Did I really outrun them? No, not taking that chance. I resume running, even running through a stream in an attempt to make them lose my scent.

It's not long before I'm completely, hopelessly lost. Still I don't stop running. It's not until I take a sharp left and nearly run headfirst into the entire pack that I stop running, and that's only long enough for me to turn around and run the other way as they resume their chase.

But the weird thing is. . . no matter how far I run, I'm not getting tired. And when I actually start paying attention, I'm quite surprised at how fast I'm running. I didn't know I could run this fast. Is it because I'm always carrying the pack, and right now I'm not? I guess so, but -

WHOA WHOA WHOA! I quickly screech to a stop just in front of a ravine, the toes of my shoes hanging over the edge. There's a small river far beneath me. The other side's pretty far away, I don't think I could make that jump. It doesn't look like the hellhounds have caught up yet, I could go a different direction. But when I make that attempt a hellhound comes right from behind a tree and nearly catches me, forcing me to turn back. Fine, I'll make the attempt.

With that I pick up speed and leap. To my complete surprise I find that not only can I make the jump, I easily make the jump and nearly land four feet away from the edge on the other side. I turn around to find the hellhounds all screeching to a stop and looking at me in disbelief. It looks like the drugs they were under have worn off now, and they all begin looking at each other. "Did he just make the jump!?"

It's not long before several of the exhausted hellhounds make the attempt, and each one slams into the side of the ravine, quickly slipping down towards the river - too tired to climb the steep side of the ravine. Wow, really? I'm hardly even winded. . . okay, maybe I'm quite tired at this point. Now that I focus sweat is pouring down me. But. . . I still know I could run for longer. Well, whatever. I'm sure the hellhounds will find a way past the ravine soon enough, and as such I turn to run again - only to find the Lich literally an inch away from my face. She's hovering at just the right height that when I turn towards her I accidentally end up kissing her, and she pulls me close as she gives me one of the hottest kisses I've ever had.

I eventually push her away, shaking my head. No, it's wrong. I'm not going to let myself be corrupted. She's got a very peeved look that I'm resisting still. "Just how much stamina do you have!? Do you even realize you've been running for hours, and you can still fight me off!? Fine then, let's see how long you last running from m-e!?"

It's like cutting a puppet's strings. One second she's floating in front of me, and the next she promptly falls to the ground, with me unthinkingly helping to keep her from introducing her face to a hard rock. She looks very shaken as her book falls to the ground. "What the . . ."

The two of us look up to see the sun peeking out from behind some trees. A bunch of smoke rises from the ravine, and when we look over the edge we find all the hellhound have vanished. What's going on? Hellhounds can handle sunlight just fine. What was. ..

"You need to use magic to keep them summoned, don't you?"

The lich gulps as she begins backing away from me. I look at the book, then at the lich, who's no longer floating in the air. "I get it. When the sun comes up, you lose your ability to use magic."

And looking at her apparent age. . . even I could overpower her. She's lightly shaking her head from side to side, clearly scared now that she's completely lost her advantage. Right now is the time to strike. I could drag her back to town and let them do what they want, I could try to locate my group to ensure we could kill her, I could. ..

My big response is to walk over to her book and pick it up. She immediately tries to wrestle it out of my hands, which only proves how weak she is: she can't make me let go. I eventually shove her to the ground, mostly so she'll stop hitting me in an attempt to make me let go. Her response is to start backing away, a very clear fear in her eyes. I take one look and I know exactly what to do.

"Lich, I'm going to bring this book back to my group, as well as tell them about your weakness to sunlight. I'll explain that you managed to give me the slip, but that I doubt you're going to return to the mansion."

"Wha . . . you're not going to kill me?"

"I can't. They know that I can't kill a person. Besides, just dragging you around until night is probably a bad idea."

It's a terrible excuse. I'm sure that if I tried hard enough, I could find a way to bring her back to my group. She sees right through it, and realizes why I'm lying, why I'm justifying leaving her here alive. ". . . there's a necklace hidden in the back cover. I need that."

I look, and soon hand a necklace with a large diamond to the lich, who puts it on before - to my complete surprise - giving me a hug. And what startles me even more is that I return the hug. "Remember, the story is that you gave me the slip. If we meet again . . ."

"Yeah, I know. But still . . . thank you."

Three nights later, I manage to get back to the mansion. I can't believe how far away I managed to run. It's actually rather delightful to walk around without my pack. I never realized how strong my legs have gotten due to all the extra weight they've had to hold.

I can't see the trail from where I leave the forest, so my only indication that I have company is the voices I can hear from the other side of the mansion.

"Hero, look. I understand you're worried for him, but it's been three days. Either she's killed him or claimed him by now, and he'd be an incubus if she claimed him and incapable of becoming human again."

"No thanks to Mage."

"That's not what Warrior and I are getting at! Yes, what Mage did was despicable, but it doesn't change the fact that the lich is still here!"

I just smile as I slip into the mansion through the back door. Hero sounds determined to rescue me, while Rogue and Warrior appear to be trying to stop him from attempting to fight the lich. As it is, I soon lightly push open the front door and poke my head out through the door. "You are never going to believe what I did!"

I don't let them get over the shock of seeing me again before waving the lich's book in front of their faces. There's just something about the looks of shock, joy, and disbelief on their faces that just. . . it gives me that proud feeling. Hero wraps me in a hug that nearly breaks my back, while Warrior and Rogue just keep staring as if they've been turned to stone. "But . . . you killed the lich? YOU killed the lich?"

I just chuckle before shaking my head. "No. But I found out that she can't use any of her magic in sunlight, and I managed to swipe her spellbook!"

"Heh, still can't get over that 'can't kill' problem, can you?"

What!? "N-no, she just managed to slip away from me."

Hero chuckles before he ruffles my hair. "Squire, you are such a bad liar. You had her at your mercy, and we know there's not much that can escape you in a chase. But wow . . . the last we saw you were completely swarmed by hellhounds. What happened to them?"

"They vanished once the sun rose."

". . . the sun rose six hours after Mage teleported us out of there. You mean you managed to run from them for that long!?"

"Yeah! I mean, it took three nights to actually get back here!"

"Then how'd you get in the mansion?"

"Back door."

"Ah."

"So . . . what happened to Mage? And where's my pack?"

Hero grins before he gestures for us to go down the trail. "One's pretty far behind us because she's carrying the other."

"Race you there!"

I bolt down the trail at full speed. I'm rather delighted when I find the other three running after me, and yet the only one who even comes close to catching up (meaning he never falls so far behind that I can no longer see him) is Rogue, the fastest of the group. Well, he was the fastest.

It's not long before I see Mage, who's cursing and ranting as she attempts to drag the pack behind her. I screech to a stop right next to her. Or at least I attempt to: in reality I overshoot her by quite a few feet. I'll need to work on that a bit. "Hey Mage!"

"What the fuck - Runt!?"

I just chuckle as I show her the lich's book. Her response is a slack-jawed, bug-eyed stare for over twenty seconds before she abruptly shakes her head. "So you got lucky. Your pack's right here for you."

I just roll my eyes. Yep, that's Mage. It's not long before everyone else has caught up, and soon the five of us are headed down the trail again, with me in considerably higher spirits than before.

I rewrote this about five times for various reasons: too dark an ending, technical problems, couldn't find a good way to end it. . . this is the final result.