After a very long hiatus, we finally finished the quest for the Sliver Psalter.
In the last report, the party had been attacked by goblins during the night and then finally reached the ruins of the Monastery of St. Magnus.
Here is Brother Rowan's report:
Once we reached the monastery we poked through the ruins but found nothing of significance. We then decided to proceed into the monastery's catacombs.We wound through the twisting corridors until we heard a clanking, metallic noise above us. Looking up, we could see a metal with with sharpened iron spikes falling toward us. Lyla the druid and Jacor the priest managed to dive clear but Snake the reformed assassin and I were wounded when the spikes impaled our limbs. Fortunately Jacor was able to heal us and we could proceed. We then ran into a party of goblins but we dispatched them without much difficulty. We found that they were guarding a room with human captives chained to the wall. After we released them they told us that the captives were being used in human sacrifices. They also warned us of a giant spider in a nearby room. We avoided that path and went in another direction.
A little way further into the catacombs, we ran into three slavering worgs. After a mighty battle, we dispatched the dread beasts. Then we walked into a lair with more worgs forcing us to fight another pitched battle. After a little rest and recuperation, we were able to proceed.
Eventually, we found our way into a room used by the goblins. Tables and chair were strewn around. Only one goblin was in the room, but he was a major threat. Sitting upon what looked like a wooden throne was a massive, brutish goblin. When he saw us, he bellowed in rage and attacked with two spiked flails. I was able to block an attack with my shield, leaving the brute open to attack. My comrades did not hesitate. Under our assaults, the goblin lord fell. It was in this room that we found the blessed sword that is now in my possession.
The goblin lord was protecting the entrance to the crypts one level below. We climbed down the stairs into this lower level. In our first encounter on this level, we found ourselves engulfed in smoke. The odor of sulfur filled the air. Then the smoke parted and a demonic creature attacked. He grabbed me by the throat, nearly strangling me, until he threw me to the floor. The rest of the party responded. Jacor called upon the judgment of the Lord to smite the entity while Lyla used the power of nature to scourge its material form. Snake was able to sneak around and backstab it. With their attacks distracting the demon, I was able to rise and strike it as well. Together, we were able to vanquish the fell creature.
Throughout this level, we encountered a number of demonic or undead beings, including skeletons, imps, and hellish hounds, until we finally found our way into a crypt filled with tombs. In this crypt was a man on robes surrounded by animated corpses. Horrifyingly, this necromancer was raising the deceased as zombies!
We rushed to the attack, but the zombies blocked our path to the necromancer. Snake and I tried to cut through them while Jacor and Lyla used their powers to strike the necromancer. We began to take wounds so Jacor had to switch to healing. Whenever we would destroy one of the zombies, another would take its place. The powers of the priest and druid won out, however, and the necromancer fell. From then on, it was not difficult to mop up the remaining zombies. Searching the necromancer, we found the Silver Psalter, which we have duly returned to the Temple.
Game note - the general "plot" was inspired by an adventure written for the Dead Simple RPG. Go the Dead Simple page for some great stuff.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Saturday, February 15, 2014
The Laboratories
Part 3 of the Caverns of Tantalus
In the last episode, Rugen and Tee survived a pit trap and an attack from a giant spider. They found the entrance to the laboratories on the lower level.
We made our way down the metal staircase that took us into the laboratories that had been meticulously excavated from the caverns. Instead of rock, the walls and floors were made of metal. As we carefully wound through the hallways, we heard the clank of footsteps on the metallic flooring. I peered around the corner. Two armed men in gleaming red power suits stood in the hall, blasters drawn. Fortunately, they faced away from me.
"Imperial legionnaires," I whispered.
That was my mistake. The artificial walkways acted as an echo chamber and the sound of my whisper carried to the troopers. They turned and fired but I ducked behind the corner. I could hear them rushing towards us. I looked at Tee; he nodded; in a blink of an eye, our plan was set.
We jumped into the hallway, surprising our foe. I leaped forward and slashed my foe. My stun blade shorted his suit and he collapsed. The other trooper turned toward me, but Tee blasted him. He stumbled backward, wounded but saved by his suit. He tried to activate his comm device, but I was too quick. My blade hacked through his helm and he went down as well.
We tried to find our way through the maze of corridors but soon became lost. We entered a room that held a lot of technical equipment. As we peered around, we heard a voice.
"Halt!" it commanded.
We turned to look. Facing us with a drawn blaster was a Federation security bot.
"What is your business here?" it demanded.
"We are Templars serving as agents on behalf of the Federation. We are acting on official business."
"What is the password?"
My mouth dropped. Password? I looked at Tee, my expression of surprise clearly indicating that I did not recall receiving a security password during our mission briefing. Tee just shrugged his shoulders.
"If you cannot provide a password, you are clearly intruders. Prepare for elimination." The bot raised its blaster at us.
"Elimination? Wait!!!" I yelled, raising my hands.
"Password reset, authorization code Alpha 3281 Uniform Tango." Tee commanded.
"Password reset initiated," replied the bot. "State Federation security ID code."
Tee then rattled off his ID code and proceeded through the lengthy security protocol. We were then rewarded with a friendly "Password has been reset. Welcome to Inventory."
We then had a brief conversation with the bot. It had not seen any Imperial troopers but it was able to provide us directions to the main laboratory. With a courteous but unnecessary thank you we headed to the door.
"Remind me to have a little talk with Mission Planning." I commented to Tee.
Just then we heard a stern "Halt!" I turned to see the bot pointing its blaster on us again!
Will Rugen and Tee survive the fickle moods of a deranged security bot? Tune in to find out in the next episode of . . .
TALES OF THE TEMPLARS.
In the last episode, Rugen and Tee survived a pit trap and an attack from a giant spider. They found the entrance to the laboratories on the lower level.
We made our way down the metal staircase that took us into the laboratories that had been meticulously excavated from the caverns. Instead of rock, the walls and floors were made of metal. As we carefully wound through the hallways, we heard the clank of footsteps on the metallic flooring. I peered around the corner. Two armed men in gleaming red power suits stood in the hall, blasters drawn. Fortunately, they faced away from me.
"Imperial legionnaires," I whispered.
That was my mistake. The artificial walkways acted as an echo chamber and the sound of my whisper carried to the troopers. They turned and fired but I ducked behind the corner. I could hear them rushing towards us. I looked at Tee; he nodded; in a blink of an eye, our plan was set.
We jumped into the hallway, surprising our foe. I leaped forward and slashed my foe. My stun blade shorted his suit and he collapsed. The other trooper turned toward me, but Tee blasted him. He stumbled backward, wounded but saved by his suit. He tried to activate his comm device, but I was too quick. My blade hacked through his helm and he went down as well.
We tried to find our way through the maze of corridors but soon became lost. We entered a room that held a lot of technical equipment. As we peered around, we heard a voice.
"Halt!" it commanded.
We turned to look. Facing us with a drawn blaster was a Federation security bot.
"What is your business here?" it demanded.
"We are Templars serving as agents on behalf of the Federation. We are acting on official business."
"What is the password?"
My mouth dropped. Password? I looked at Tee, my expression of surprise clearly indicating that I did not recall receiving a security password during our mission briefing. Tee just shrugged his shoulders.
"If you cannot provide a password, you are clearly intruders. Prepare for elimination." The bot raised its blaster at us.
"Elimination? Wait!!!" I yelled, raising my hands.
"Password reset, authorization code Alpha 3281 Uniform Tango." Tee commanded.
"Password reset initiated," replied the bot. "State Federation security ID code."
Tee then rattled off his ID code and proceeded through the lengthy security protocol. We were then rewarded with a friendly "Password has been reset. Welcome to Inventory."
We then had a brief conversation with the bot. It had not seen any Imperial troopers but it was able to provide us directions to the main laboratory. With a courteous but unnecessary thank you we headed to the door.
"Remind me to have a little talk with Mission Planning." I commented to Tee.
Just then we heard a stern "Halt!" I turned to see the bot pointing its blaster on us again!
Will Rugen and Tee survive the fickle moods of a deranged security bot? Tune in to find out in the next episode of . . .
TALES OF THE TEMPLARS.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
A Creepy Crawly in the Caverns
Part 2 of the Caverns of Tantalus
Last time, our heroes fell into a pit trap but Rugen managed to grab the edge, and Tee, before plunging into the yawing, bottomless, chasm. Let's return to the action.
I began to slide into the abyss. Suddenly, I felt two strong hands grasp my arms. I looked up. Tee had made it to the ledge and was pulling me up. Saved!
Once we were again standing in the cavern, Tee easily jumped across the pit. He then threw me a rope. I swung over and rappelled up to the other side. From there, we continued to make our way through the cavern, using the oil trail as our guide.
Finally, we came to a door cleverly disguised in the rocky wall. Nevertheless, there was a small control panel. Tee accessed it and began to try various passwords to open the door. As he was doing this, a tremor shook the caverns and rocks began falling on our heads. We took cover as best as we could by kneeling up against the wall. Fortunately, the tremor subsided, but it left us distracted and unaware.
That's when I felt it. A large mass fell upon my back and I felt a stabbing pain in my shoulder. Howling with surprise, I spun my body, flinging the mass to the ground. It was a large spider-like creature.
I felt a searing in my flesh. I recited a quick prayer, and the pain subsided. The monstrosity circled, looking for an opening. It pounced again, but our reactions were faster. Tee blasted it with his laser while I struck it with my stun blade. The impacts knocked the creature to the ground, wounded and dazed. We did not hesitate but attacked again. I leaped upon the spider-thing while Tee shot again. Both our attacks struck home and the monster was finished.
Tee was then able to return to the control panel and shortly thereafter the door opened. We gazed down a flight of stairs into the gloom of the research station's laboratories.
Tune in next time for Part 3!
Last time, our heroes fell into a pit trap but Rugen managed to grab the edge, and Tee, before plunging into the yawing, bottomless, chasm. Let's return to the action.
I began to slide into the abyss. Suddenly, I felt two strong hands grasp my arms. I looked up. Tee had made it to the ledge and was pulling me up. Saved!
Once we were again standing in the cavern, Tee easily jumped across the pit. He then threw me a rope. I swung over and rappelled up to the other side. From there, we continued to make our way through the cavern, using the oil trail as our guide.
Finally, we came to a door cleverly disguised in the rocky wall. Nevertheless, there was a small control panel. Tee accessed it and began to try various passwords to open the door. As he was doing this, a tremor shook the caverns and rocks began falling on our heads. We took cover as best as we could by kneeling up against the wall. Fortunately, the tremor subsided, but it left us distracted and unaware.
That's when I felt it. A large mass fell upon my back and I felt a stabbing pain in my shoulder. Howling with surprise, I spun my body, flinging the mass to the ground. It was a large spider-like creature.
I felt a searing in my flesh. I recited a quick prayer, and the pain subsided. The monstrosity circled, looking for an opening. It pounced again, but our reactions were faster. Tee blasted it with his laser while I struck it with my stun blade. The impacts knocked the creature to the ground, wounded and dazed. We did not hesitate but attacked again. I leaped upon the spider-thing while Tee shot again. Both our attacks struck home and the monster was finished.
Tee was then able to return to the control panel and shortly thereafter the door opened. We gazed down a flight of stairs into the gloom of the research station's laboratories.
Tune in next time for Part 3!
Saturday, February 1, 2014
The Caverns of Tantalus
A New Space Templars Adventure
In neutral space between the Federation and the Empire, disaster has befallen a Federation scientific expedition. On the planet Tantalus, the scientists had been studying the indigenous life forms when a series of severe meteor showers forced their evacuation. Unfortunately, some prized research was left behind. It is of such a sensitive nature that it cannot fall into the hands of Imperial agents. Sending the Federation military to the planet could spark a major confrontation with the Empire so the Temple has volunteered to send two of their agents. The task has fallen to Brother Rugen and his trusty robotic sidekick Tee.
[Note: The adventure outline can be found here.]
Here is a summary of Rugen's video record:
Tee and I landed upon Tantalus very close to the caverns that housed the scientific station. We cloaked our vessel and proceeded on foot to the entrance. We encountered no danger along the way.
When we entered the caverns, Tee immediately spotted a trail of brownish liquid upon the ground. He bent to investigate it, touching his finger to the viscous fluid. His eyes performed a spectrographic scan and with his lips he "tasted" the liquid, performing additional scans.
"Bad news," he reported, "M351 oil."
"Imperial," I replied anxiously. They had obviously arrived before us and had some machinery in the caverns.
"It looks like they knew where they were going. We can follow it."
[Note: I rolled a boon for the first encounter. The oil trail may not look like good news, but I decided to create a trail that will help them find their way through the caverns.]
We proceeded into the caverns, following the trail of oil. At one point, the oil trail abruptly ended and then began again several feet further into the cavern. Foolishly, we continued to walk forward while we discussed the implications of this turn of events. Suddenly, the floor opened and we found ourselves falling into a deep pit. Frantically I reached out and just managed to grab the rim of the pit. Tee fell past me so with my other hand I grabbed his arm. He swung, hitting the side of the pit with a sickening thunk. I looked down and saw a rock, dislodged by our fall, dropping into the pit. I watched it until it disappeared into the blackness. I kept waiting, but never heard it hit the bottom.
My attention was diverted, however, as fingers began to slide from the rim of the pit.
"Tee, I can't hold very long! You need to get up."
"The servo in my knee is malfunctioning. I cannot move my leg at this moment."
"Use your other leg! Just hurry!"
Tee starting swinging in an effort to grasp the ledge himself. As he did so, my fingers continued to slide.
"Almost got it!"
"Hurry!"
At that moment, my I lost my grip. I began to slide into the abyss.
Tune in next time for Part 2!
In neutral space between the Federation and the Empire, disaster has befallen a Federation scientific expedition. On the planet Tantalus, the scientists had been studying the indigenous life forms when a series of severe meteor showers forced their evacuation. Unfortunately, some prized research was left behind. It is of such a sensitive nature that it cannot fall into the hands of Imperial agents. Sending the Federation military to the planet could spark a major confrontation with the Empire so the Temple has volunteered to send two of their agents. The task has fallen to Brother Rugen and his trusty robotic sidekick Tee.
[Note: The adventure outline can be found here.]
Here is a summary of Rugen's video record:
Tee and I landed upon Tantalus very close to the caverns that housed the scientific station. We cloaked our vessel and proceeded on foot to the entrance. We encountered no danger along the way.
When we entered the caverns, Tee immediately spotted a trail of brownish liquid upon the ground. He bent to investigate it, touching his finger to the viscous fluid. His eyes performed a spectrographic scan and with his lips he "tasted" the liquid, performing additional scans.
"Bad news," he reported, "M351 oil."
"Imperial," I replied anxiously. They had obviously arrived before us and had some machinery in the caverns.
"It looks like they knew where they were going. We can follow it."
[Note: I rolled a boon for the first encounter. The oil trail may not look like good news, but I decided to create a trail that will help them find their way through the caverns.]
We proceeded into the caverns, following the trail of oil. At one point, the oil trail abruptly ended and then began again several feet further into the cavern. Foolishly, we continued to walk forward while we discussed the implications of this turn of events. Suddenly, the floor opened and we found ourselves falling into a deep pit. Frantically I reached out and just managed to grab the rim of the pit. Tee fell past me so with my other hand I grabbed his arm. He swung, hitting the side of the pit with a sickening thunk. I looked down and saw a rock, dislodged by our fall, dropping into the pit. I watched it until it disappeared into the blackness. I kept waiting, but never heard it hit the bottom.
My attention was diverted, however, as fingers began to slide from the rim of the pit.
"Tee, I can't hold very long! You need to get up."
"The servo in my knee is malfunctioning. I cannot move my leg at this moment."
"Use your other leg! Just hurry!"
Tee starting swinging in an effort to grasp the ledge himself. As he did so, my fingers continued to slide.
"Almost got it!"
"Hurry!"
At that moment, my I lost my grip. I began to slide into the abyss.
Tune in next time for Part 2!
Saturday, September 14, 2013
The Escape
And now for our thrilling conclusion
Tee’s diagnostic system quickly repaired the short
circuits. He tottered over to his supine friend and began to administer first
aid. Rugen’s eyes opened and he spoke: “What happened?”
The princess responded. “Your friend’s last shot
knocked out the restraint controls, freeing me to strike down that vermin.”
At that moment, there was a loud pop and smoke issued
from the control panel. Alarms went off and more explosions echoed from other
parts of the Temple.
“Looks like my shot has shorted the power grid. This
whole Temple is going to blow. Let’s get out of here.”
Tee picked up Rugen; he and the princess began to run. Smoldering fires and sizzling conduits
filled the hallways with acrid smoke. Occasionally, another explosion pierced
the air. Confused guards, panicked worshipers, and freed prisoners fled toward
the exits, followed by the trio. They made it without incident out of the temple, through the jungle, and back to their ship. Tee place Rugen in the pilot's chair.
"Can you fly her?"
"I think so," Rugen responded weakly. He engaged controls and they were off. As they sped through the atmosphere, a flash of light blossomed from the surface as the Temple's power grid exploded.
When their ship reached space, Rugen looked to Tee saying, "OK, Tee. Get us out of here." Tee began making the calculations for the jump into hyperwarp.
"Hmmm. Looks like we have a computer malfunction. I'll have to make repairs."
"Make it quick! We have company!"
Two Imperial scouts were vectoring towards the Templar runabout. Rugen turned the nose of his craft and increased speed. The scouts began firing their lasers, but Rugen was able to evade their wild shots. Tee continued working on the navigation computer. Rugen engaged the automated laser turret, honed in on one of the scouts, and fired. The beam struck the enemy, rupturing the engine. The enemy ship was dead in space.
More laser shots. One struck the runabout. A shower of sparks erupted from the controls. Suddenly, their grav system shorted out. Rugen and Tee were strapped into their command seats, but the princess, standing behind them, suddenly flew up into the ceiling, bumping her head. Rugen returned fire. The enemy erupted in a burst of flame.
"Whew. We're free. How's the computer coming?"
Before Tee could respond, laser fire licked the runabout's hull.
"Another one! Long range but coming fast."
"The computer's fixed." stated Tee.
The enemy scout closed the range while blasting away with its lasers. Rugen returned fire; his shots hit the scout but did no serious damage. The enemy was more accurate, however. Laser fire scorched the Templar ship's hull; computer circuits began to pop.
"Computer's down."
"Holy Temple! Get it working!" Rugen shouted to his partner. He then muttered to himself, "Let's see if I can shake this heretic." Rugen fiddled with his controls and pushed forward on the throttle. The engines whined but the runabout began to outpace the scout. Laser fire flashed harmlessly past the ship. Then the ship rocked, and Rugen felt like he had been thrown back into his seat.
The runabout jumped into hyperwarp, and they were away.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
The Altar of Death
Part 3 of my Space Templar Adventure
Tee performed a quick diagnostic and repair, then the duo headed down the stairs into the crypts. Proceeding down one hallway, they spotted two guards walking towards them. Rugen leaped at them and with a couple of quick slashes dispatched the surprised minions.
As they continued, they heard growling behind them. Turning, they saw two giant hounds, black as night with glowing red eyes.
The hounds attacked. Rugen managed to stave off the one lunging at him, but the other locked its massive jaws around Tee's leg. The screech of rending metal pierced the air. Tee tried to shake the beast loose, but it clenched even harder. Rugen dispatched his opponent and came to Tee's aid. His glowing blade plunged between the shoulder blades of the ravening creature, and it collapsed.
Tee performed some additional repairs, although he still displayed a bit of a limp. The heroes pressed on, desperate to find the princess. Suddenly, a woman's scream pierced the air. They ran toward the sound. Another scream! Almost there. Then they burst into a large chamber. In the center of the chamber was a blood-stained altar with long, wavy dagger laying upon it. Suspended above the altar with force field manacles was a woman, stripped to her undergarments. She was in a swoon and reddish welts lined her flesh. Below her stood a robed figure with a pain stick in his hands. A cruel smile spread across his face.
"Too late, Templars," the man spoke as he turned to face the duo. "Soon, her life's blood will feed the almighty Zircon."
"We'll see about that!" Rugen replied as he unsheathed his stun sword.
As Rugen took his first step forward, the High Priest of Zircon held forth his hands. Sizzling bolts of energy shot from his hands. Tee dodged, but the arc of lightning struck Rugen square in the chest. Rugen was transfixed as the surge of energy coursed through his body. Tee fired at the priest. The shot struck its target. The priest staggered back, breaking his electrical death grip on Rugen.
Rugen shook off his wound and leaped to the attack. Weakened by the energy bolt, Rugen was too slow; the priest easily dodged the attack and jabbed the pain stick into Rugen's side. Rugen dropped to his knees as torrents of torture ran through his body and exploded in his brain. The priest laughed at Rugen's misery.
Tee squeezed off another shot. It missed, badly. The energy bolt nearly grazed the princess and struck the rear wall of the chamber. The sound of the shot drew Tee's attention to the wall. He noticed a control panel there. His robotic eyes zoomed in on it and he could make out the controls for the princess' force field. Then Rugen's screams of pain turned his focus back to the battle. He took another shot that hit the priest. Rugen used that distraction. Grunting through the agony, he slashed at the priest, catching him on the arm. The pain stick clattered to the ground.
Rugen stood. The two companions advanced upon their enemy. The priest scowled and spread out his hands. This time, a blast of concentrated air, like the concussion of an explosion, shot forth from Zircon's minion. The blast knocked the heroes to the ground. The priest used the delay to mutter an incantation. Flames licked around him and the wounds upon his exposed flesh visibly receded.
The Templars were back on their feet. Rugen lunged at the enemy, landing another blow. The priest retaliated with another incantation. Rugen' mind felt like it had been stabbed. Pain surged through his brain, knocking him to his knees. The misery continued; it roiled through his body until he could not resist any longer. He sank into unconsciousness.
Tee shot. The bolt whizzed past the priest.
"You missed," the priest scoffed. He pointed his hand. A lightning bolt discharged, striking Tee. The bolt shorted out his circuits; he was paralyzed.
"Now to finish you!" The priest drew a wicked, curved dagger from his belt and advanced upon the prone Templar.
As the priest advanced, he taunted the Templars. "You fools! Did you think you could best me? No one can defeat the servants of Zircon!"
"Wrong!" said the voice from behind the priest.
He spun around. The princess stood behind him, her arm poised to strike with a dagger in her hand. The priests raised his hands to ward off the blow, but it was too late. The dagger plunged into his heart. He dropped to the ground.
Coming up - the Escape!
Tee performed a quick diagnostic and repair, then the duo headed down the stairs into the crypts. Proceeding down one hallway, they spotted two guards walking towards them. Rugen leaped at them and with a couple of quick slashes dispatched the surprised minions.
As they continued, they heard growling behind them. Turning, they saw two giant hounds, black as night with glowing red eyes.
The hounds attacked. Rugen managed to stave off the one lunging at him, but the other locked its massive jaws around Tee's leg. The screech of rending metal pierced the air. Tee tried to shake the beast loose, but it clenched even harder. Rugen dispatched his opponent and came to Tee's aid. His glowing blade plunged between the shoulder blades of the ravening creature, and it collapsed.
Tee performed some additional repairs, although he still displayed a bit of a limp. The heroes pressed on, desperate to find the princess. Suddenly, a woman's scream pierced the air. They ran toward the sound. Another scream! Almost there. Then they burst into a large chamber. In the center of the chamber was a blood-stained altar with long, wavy dagger laying upon it. Suspended above the altar with force field manacles was a woman, stripped to her undergarments. She was in a swoon and reddish welts lined her flesh. Below her stood a robed figure with a pain stick in his hands. A cruel smile spread across his face.
"Too late, Templars," the man spoke as he turned to face the duo. "Soon, her life's blood will feed the almighty Zircon."
"We'll see about that!" Rugen replied as he unsheathed his stun sword.
As Rugen took his first step forward, the High Priest of Zircon held forth his hands. Sizzling bolts of energy shot from his hands. Tee dodged, but the arc of lightning struck Rugen square in the chest. Rugen was transfixed as the surge of energy coursed through his body. Tee fired at the priest. The shot struck its target. The priest staggered back, breaking his electrical death grip on Rugen.
Rugen shook off his wound and leaped to the attack. Weakened by the energy bolt, Rugen was too slow; the priest easily dodged the attack and jabbed the pain stick into Rugen's side. Rugen dropped to his knees as torrents of torture ran through his body and exploded in his brain. The priest laughed at Rugen's misery.
Tee squeezed off another shot. It missed, badly. The energy bolt nearly grazed the princess and struck the rear wall of the chamber. The sound of the shot drew Tee's attention to the wall. He noticed a control panel there. His robotic eyes zoomed in on it and he could make out the controls for the princess' force field. Then Rugen's screams of pain turned his focus back to the battle. He took another shot that hit the priest. Rugen used that distraction. Grunting through the agony, he slashed at the priest, catching him on the arm. The pain stick clattered to the ground.
Rugen stood. The two companions advanced upon their enemy. The priest scowled and spread out his hands. This time, a blast of concentrated air, like the concussion of an explosion, shot forth from Zircon's minion. The blast knocked the heroes to the ground. The priest used the delay to mutter an incantation. Flames licked around him and the wounds upon his exposed flesh visibly receded.
The Templars were back on their feet. Rugen lunged at the enemy, landing another blow. The priest retaliated with another incantation. Rugen' mind felt like it had been stabbed. Pain surged through his brain, knocking him to his knees. The misery continued; it roiled through his body until he could not resist any longer. He sank into unconsciousness.
Tee shot. The bolt whizzed past the priest.
"You missed," the priest scoffed. He pointed his hand. A lightning bolt discharged, striking Tee. The bolt shorted out his circuits; he was paralyzed.
"Now to finish you!" The priest drew a wicked, curved dagger from his belt and advanced upon the prone Templar.
As the priest advanced, he taunted the Templars. "You fools! Did you think you could best me? No one can defeat the servants of Zircon!"
"Wrong!" said the voice from behind the priest.
He spun around. The princess stood behind him, her arm poised to strike with a dagger in her hand. The priests raised his hands to ward off the blow, but it was too late. The dagger plunged into his heart. He dropped to the ground.
Coming up - the Escape!
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Into the Temple
Part 2 of my Space Templar Adventure
After the battle with the ape creature, Tee carried Rugen to a small, secluded clearing in the jungle. There, they spent the night while Tee used a med kit to heal his companion's wounds.
The next day, they set out, rested and recovered. They managed to slip by the guards patrolling the perimeter and sneaked into the temple itself.
The duo managed to blend in among the throng of worshipers, all clad in the same rough-spun cloth.
Ducking into one room to avoid some guards, they found themselves in a room filled with caged prisoners of many races from throughout the galaxy. Many had been beaten and abused. All looked like they had lost hope. Tee motioned Rugen to exit the room. Rugen hesitated. He wished to help, but to release the prisoners would be to risk their mission. One prisoner saw his hesitation and croaked out: "help." Rugen went to the man and spoke briefly with him. He explained that the prisoners were being used as sacrifices to the dark god Zircon. The princess had been there, but recently was taken away. The rest of the prisoners were doomed to share her fate. Rugen decided to act, whatever the cost. They could at least open the cages before they continued their search for the princess. Rugen gave the command and Tee was able to hack into the security grid, opening the cages. Then, they hurried out. Rugen hoped to return to provide more aid once the princess was rescued.
After a few wrong turns, the found the stairs to the crypts. Four guards armed with laser rifles blocked the staircase. There was nothing to do but fight. Rugen switched on his stun sword, leaped at the enemy, and with a spinning attack felled two of the guards. Tee began blasting away with his stun ray. The remaining two guards leveled their lasers and snapped off wild shots, one hitting Tee. The blast burnt through his borrowed robes and scorched his metal skin. Tee returned fire and another guard went down. Rugen faced the last guard, who continued to fire. Rugen dodged the shots, although another hit Tee.
"Back off, Tee!" Rugen commanded his damaged companion. Rugen struck at the guard, slashing his rifle and sending it skidding across the floor. The guard rushed Rugen, burly hands ready to crush the life out of him. Rugen ducked, tripped the guard, then dazed him with his stun sword. Their path to the crypts lay open!
After the battle with the ape creature, Tee carried Rugen to a small, secluded clearing in the jungle. There, they spent the night while Tee used a med kit to heal his companion's wounds.
The next day, they set out, rested and recovered. They managed to slip by the guards patrolling the perimeter and sneaked into the temple itself.
The duo managed to blend in among the throng of worshipers, all clad in the same rough-spun cloth.
Ducking into one room to avoid some guards, they found themselves in a room filled with caged prisoners of many races from throughout the galaxy. Many had been beaten and abused. All looked like they had lost hope. Tee motioned Rugen to exit the room. Rugen hesitated. He wished to help, but to release the prisoners would be to risk their mission. One prisoner saw his hesitation and croaked out: "help." Rugen went to the man and spoke briefly with him. He explained that the prisoners were being used as sacrifices to the dark god Zircon. The princess had been there, but recently was taken away. The rest of the prisoners were doomed to share her fate. Rugen decided to act, whatever the cost. They could at least open the cages before they continued their search for the princess. Rugen gave the command and Tee was able to hack into the security grid, opening the cages. Then, they hurried out. Rugen hoped to return to provide more aid once the princess was rescued.
After a few wrong turns, the found the stairs to the crypts. Four guards armed with laser rifles blocked the staircase. There was nothing to do but fight. Rugen switched on his stun sword, leaped at the enemy, and with a spinning attack felled two of the guards. Tee began blasting away with his stun ray. The remaining two guards leveled their lasers and snapped off wild shots, one hitting Tee. The blast burnt through his borrowed robes and scorched his metal skin. Tee returned fire and another guard went down. Rugen faced the last guard, who continued to fire. Rugen dodged the shots, although another hit Tee.
"Back off, Tee!" Rugen commanded his damaged companion. Rugen struck at the guard, slashing his rifle and sending it skidding across the floor. The guard rushed Rugen, burly hands ready to crush the life out of him. Rugen ducked, tripped the guard, then dazed him with his stun sword. Their path to the crypts lay open!
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