With both Usul and Gythrul dead, all attempts to ressurect them had failed. Herbert was considered their last hope.
Roleplay from Herbert 'The HalfBreed'
Herbert awoke startled. Sweat poured from his brow as he calmed his overactive breathing. Blood had seeped from the scarred tattoo during the night. He had witnessed another vision during sleep; A ghostly figure had appeared to him and issued an order.
Without a moments hesitation, he leapt up, swiped his belongings and ran into the night-- He needed some items; and knew exactly who to get them from.
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The teleport ritual was successful. The world spun round his head until a dizzy blur. When vision became clear once more, Herbert found he had arrived on the opposite side of the island in the region of Ardmore-- Somewhere close was the resting place of Usul... and now Gythrul.
Roleplay from Herbert 'The HalfBreed'
Herbert knew this area. He had travelled most of the rogue regions in the South-- These were his original homelands offered to the Half-breeds, still under the reign of Zraath. Somewhere close, he knew was a settlement, carved and concealed within a hillside. Ahead was a faintly worn grassy track, he followed it knowing it lead to the opening of the hidden cavern.
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He was greeted warmly by those guarding the concealed entrance to the settlement-- Men of similar stature to himself: tall with features of half man/half beast. Though Herbert had never met these individuals before, they treated each other instantly as Brothers without predjudice nor judgement, natural to their culture.
"I must seek 'The Usul'!" Herbert explained, "... and the Giant Erasmus".
After a moment of inquisitive thought one of the Half-breed guards gestured "Of course Brother, as is your right".
A guide was summoned who then led Herbert through numerous winding tunnels; cutting through other caverns where industry took place, as well as private dwellings for families; through more tunnels until finally arriving close to a small opening in the wall. The glow of torchlight seeped into the dark passageway from within the room as they approached. The guide stopped outside and motioned Herbert to enter.
Roleplay from Herbert 'The HalfBreed'
As Herbert stepped through the opening, his left shoulder began to throb. The scarred tatto began to throb agitatedly.
He entered a small carved out room. In the centre, upon the stone slab lay the sleeping body of 'The Usul'. Herbert approched the motionless corpes of Usul and gently touched his cheekbone-- cold to the touch; Yet Herbert curiously noted the warm loking texture of the skin; seemingly no colour loss, continued hair growth and no early stages of decomposition.
Curious... he pondered.
He heard a shuffle... turned and almost gasped at the sight of Erasmus 'The Giant One' leaning in through the opening, staring with stern expression.
"Half-breed!" he called out in a deeply gruff tone, "What are you doing here? I have work to do, speak now!"
Roleplay from Herbert 'The HalfBreed'
"Half-breed!" he called out in a deeply gruff tone, "What are you doing here? I have work to do, speak now!"...
"I come with words" Herbert nervously explained.
"I need more than words!" Erasmus screamed out as he entered the chamber and pushed Herbert aside. Herbert stumbled. As he regained composure he yelped out in pain. Erasmus glimped the creeping blood stain upon Herberts shoulder and paused for a moment. Reaching out he grasped the halfbreeds shirt collar and tore it from his back in one swift motion, exposing the apparent wound.
"You have the mark of Zraath?" Erasmus gasped, "Talk now...quickly"...
Herbert described the dream he had; of the ghostly figure of Usul appearing to him. Erasmus listened intently.
"Bringing Usul back this time has proved most difficult" Erasmus described, "I suspect the waters have been muddied from other sources of magic, disrupting my attempts.
"The Usul is in between worlds... a ghost" the halfbreed continued, "He demanded I seek the stones and bring to you. Seek help from the Portal Gods. He died fighting for the Goddess, wanted Ardmore for them as gesture for allowing him sactuary"
"Ardmore belongs to Zraath!" Erasmus bellowed out.
"The Usul is Prophet, he spoke of Ardmore as gift, but damn pesty undead creatures".
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The halfbreeds were accustomed to living beside the beasts of their lands, harvesting them as is their culture. The undead however were considered pests even to them.
Herbert continued "Stones the Usul say may be last hope for him and the Gythrul to return". He layed them in a pile on the floor. Erasmus placed them in a circle around the stone slab upon which Usul still laid motionless. After placing the final stone an eerie breeze gently blew through the caverns causing torchlight to flicker subtlely. Herbert stood back accidently knocking one of the stones. It rolled out of position and the gentle wind ceased.
"Imbacile!" Erasmus cursed, "leave now, I will finish this!". Herbert obeyed.
The fading echos of mantric tones could be heard as he left the room and walked the coridoors. Erasmus had begun a ritual in some unfamiliar ancient tongue and the power of the stones could somehow be felt...
