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Last time, our intrepid adventurers answered the summons of the leaders of the Churches of Luna and Celestia, who called upon them to aid in the destruction of a terrible artifact of dark power, the Heart of Darkness.
Fighting their way through a pack of bandits, and a garrison of the living dead, our heroes find themselves approaching the Heart itself, its fell heartbeat echoing through the stone of the mountain-bound dungeon.
Will they prevail? Or will they fall to its dark power? Only time will tell.
Fighting their way through a pack of bandits, and a garrison of the living dead, our heroes find themselves approaching the Heart itself, its fell heartbeat echoing through the stone of the mountain-bound dungeon.
Will they prevail? Or will they fall to its dark power? Only time will tell.
>>300055
"We must enter, it is the only way to defend our own right to live.. to love…" I star down at my engraved sword for inspiration letting it shine off the light before sheathing it. Better to use this ramming sword from before. Its mysterious enchantment is worth a try on this foul heart.
"We must enter, it is the only way to defend our own right to live.. to love…" I star down at my engraved sword for inspiration letting it shine off the light before sheathing it. Better to use this ramming sword from before. Its mysterious enchantment is worth a try on this foul heart.
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>>300061
Pressing the switch located near the door, you watch as it slowly slides away, revealing a corridor. Your light shows to the end of it, and you can see it takes a turn.
The heartbeats are getting louder.
Pressing the switch located near the door, you watch as it slowly slides away, revealing a corridor. Your light shows to the end of it, and you can see it takes a turn.
The heartbeats are getting louder.
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>>300071
Through your own fortitude, the magic of the trapped glyph has no effect on you, dissipating.
>>300069
You successfully pull him back.
>>300070
It was a glyph, and obviously a trap. Beyond that, you aren't certain.
Before you lies a room, and its centerpiece is what appears to be a very well-used altar.
Through your own fortitude, the magic of the trapped glyph has no effect on you, dissipating.
>>300069
You successfully pull him back.
>>300070
It was a glyph, and obviously a trap. Beyond that, you aren't certain.
Before you lies a room, and its centerpiece is what appears to be a very well-used altar.
>>300078
There's what appears to be a ceremonial golden dagger here, but you can almost feel the Evil in it.
>>300079
Hitting the altar at an odd angle, your beam careens into a corner, cracking what appears to be a coffin.
From it, you hear a great creaking, and a rotted mess of feathers and talons comes spilling out.
And then it gets up. Combat has begun.
There's what appears to be a ceremonial golden dagger here, but you can almost feel the Evil in it.
>>300079
Hitting the altar at an odd angle, your beam careens into a corner, cracking what appears to be a coffin.
From it, you hear a great creaking, and a rotted mess of feathers and talons comes spilling out.
And then it gets up. Combat has begun.
>>300083
Whatever's up there is with you, it seems, as the divine sword returns to your grasp.
>>300084
Your spell washes over the ghastly thing, and seems to do no more than make it twitch and drop feathers.
>>300085
Released from your control, the zombie is immediately taken by the Heart. While your attention is elsewhere, it bowls you over, biting and kicking.
>>300086
You're really away. If you could get any further, it would be called running away.
Whatever's up there is with you, it seems, as the divine sword returns to your grasp.
>>300084
Your spell washes over the ghastly thing, and seems to do no more than make it twitch and drop feathers.
>>300085
Released from your control, the zombie is immediately taken by the Heart. While your attention is elsewhere, it bowls you over, biting and kicking.
>>300086
You're really away. If you could get any further, it would be called running away.
>>300088
The Ghastly Gryphon takes the hit like a champ, your sword sinking into dessicated flesh. It slaps you with a half-hearted backhand.
4/5 HP
>>300089
You fill it with positive energy, driving the infernal life from it. It collapses to the floor.
>>300090
You strike the downed zombie, bisecting it.
>>300091
You scrabble hastily to your hooves, and nearly have them give out beneath you. But you're up.
Clarence, the Ghastly Gryphon turns to you, and attacks with its talons. '1d10'
Roll #1 8 = 8
The Ghastly Gryphon takes the hit like a champ, your sword sinking into dessicated flesh. It slaps you with a half-hearted backhand.
4/5 HP
>>300089
You fill it with positive energy, driving the infernal life from it. It collapses to the floor.
>>300090
You strike the downed zombie, bisecting it.
>>300091
You scrabble hastily to your hooves, and nearly have them give out beneath you. But you're up.
Clarence, the Ghastly Gryphon turns to you, and attacks with its talons. '1d10'
Roll #1 8 = 8
>>300094
You stare into the darkness, and it stares back at you. Give me a save. '1d10'
>>300098
Your sword swings heavy, and its light, blinding. This almost worked against you, but you still manage to clip a wing from this dead bird.
>>300097
Whatever that claw did, you take care of it. Clarence is back to fighting fit.
5/5 HP
Roll #1 1 = 1
You stare into the darkness, and it stares back at you. Give me a save. '1d10'
>>300098
Your sword swings heavy, and its light, blinding. This almost worked against you, but you still manage to clip a wing from this dead bird.
>>300097
Whatever that claw did, you take care of it. Clarence is back to fighting fit.
5/5 HP
Roll #1 1 = 1
>>300102
Your mind remains your own. But those tendrils of dark thought felt really creepy.
>>300103
It casually smacks the beam back into your face. You're on the ground again, nursing a burn.
0/5 HP, 4/5 wounds
>>300105
Your blast skims the beast, but causes it no harm.
>>300106
With a mighty swing, you sink your great blade deep into the Ghastly Gryphon. A shattering of bone and sinew, and a burst of light mark the damage you've inflicted on it.
It is rendered helpless.
>>300107
With practiced ease, your spikes of energy pierce the remains of the Gryphon. Letting out a gargled squawk of surprise, it stops moving, and begins to crumble to dust.
It's dead for good.
Your mind remains your own. But those tendrils of dark thought felt really creepy.
>>300103
It casually smacks the beam back into your face. You're on the ground again, nursing a burn.
0/5 HP, 4/5 wounds
>>300105
Your blast skims the beast, but causes it no harm.
>>300106
With a mighty swing, you sink your great blade deep into the Ghastly Gryphon. A shattering of bone and sinew, and a burst of light mark the damage you've inflicted on it.
It is rendered helpless.
>>300107
With practiced ease, your spikes of energy pierce the remains of the Gryphon. Letting out a gargled squawk of surprise, it stops moving, and begins to crumble to dust.
It's dead for good.
>>300116
You're fine. Never better.
>>300117
>>300119
It's a fairly nondescript stone table, with what appear to be channels down the side that lead to the back wall of the room.
Along the wall there is a rather plain tapestry of deep purple cloth, though a small portion of its fringe has been stained by the blood that used to flow beneath it.
You're fine. Never better.
>>300117
Your eye reveals the vast number of creatures who unwillingly donated blood to that alter. There were hundreds. And none of them went quiet.
>>300119
It's a fairly nondescript stone table, with what appear to be channels down the side that lead to the back wall of the room.
Along the wall there is a rather plain tapestry of deep purple cloth, though a small portion of its fringe has been stained by the blood that used to flow beneath it.
>>300124
>>300127
The blood seems to become less caked, and floats down the altar, as if drawn.
>>300126
You put a hole in the tapestry, but nothing else happens.
As the loose blood finds its way through the small channels at the back wall, the heartbeat increases in tempo for a moment, and then resumes its normal speed.
>>300127
The blood seems to become less caked, and floats down the altar, as if drawn.
>>300126
You put a hole in the tapestry, but nothing else happens.
As the loose blood finds its way through the small channels at the back wall, the heartbeat increases in tempo for a moment, and then resumes its normal speed.
>>300129
As layer after layer of blood melts from the altar, you can't help but feel that such a thing should simply be destroyed wholesale. No amount of cleaning would make this useable for anything else.
>>300130
No, it doesn't seem so. It usually found its place inside the sacrifice.
>>300131
Taking the tapestry down, you see blank wall, with a tiny opening where the channels lead through it.
>>300132
[hide]Your eye reveals that the wall is anything but blank. Aged writing, so old it has faded from sight, marks the center.
"Those who wish to worship the Undying Heart, take heed. The way is barred to all but the worthy. With sacrifice of Blood and Flesh, the way shall be opened."
Your eye sees no more.[hide]
As layer after layer of blood melts from the altar, you can't help but feel that such a thing should simply be destroyed wholesale. No amount of cleaning would make this useable for anything else.
>>300130
No, it doesn't seem so. It usually found its place inside the sacrifice.
>>300131
Taking the tapestry down, you see blank wall, with a tiny opening where the channels lead through it.
>>300132
[hide]Your eye reveals that the wall is anything but blank. Aged writing, so old it has faded from sight, marks the center.
"Those who wish to worship the Undying Heart, take heed. The way is barred to all but the worthy. With sacrifice of Blood and Flesh, the way shall be opened."
Your eye sees no more.[hide]
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>>300143
More blood washes away from the altar, and is siphoned into the channel. The heartbeat has grown stronger.
>>300144
It's all over you. Some of it even got in your mouth. It's foul beyond words. The stink alone was bad enough, but the taste! Ugh.
Still, you manage to get a little of it on the altar. Enough for two doors to appear on the sides of the room, leading out.
More blood washes away from the altar, and is siphoned into the channel. The heartbeat has grown stronger.
>>300144
It's all over you. Some of it even got in your mouth. It's foul beyond words. The stink alone was bad enough, but the taste! Ugh.
Still, you manage to get a little of it on the altar. Enough for two doors to appear on the sides of the room, leading out.
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>>300150
Proceeding down the left corridor, you halt at the corner and peer inwards.
Proceeding down the left corridor, you halt at the corner and peer inwards.
Your eyes are met with a room awash in an infernal glow, runes scribed into the floor and all aglow, with the heart at their center, pulsing with its unholy beat. It seems to be set on a pedestal, in the center of three concentric circles, each lined with runes.
You all make your way to the final door, a large gatelike affair, decorated with twining vines of Chaos, Grogarian bells and horns, and, at the apex, the Black Rainbow of Tirek.
Through the door, you can hear the heart beating loudly, as if it knows you're here.
As you prepare to open the door, the world is [PAUSED].
We'll pick this up Friday. 23:00 EST if you can make it, 00:00 if you can't.
Barring any mishaps, of course. And I want everyone here for this.
Through the door, you can hear the heart beating loudly, as if it knows you're here.
As you prepare to open the door, the world is [PAUSED].
We'll pick this up Friday. 23:00 EST if you can make it, 00:00 if you can't.
Barring any mishaps, of course. And I want everyone here for this.
>>300207
"Perhaps you have been down here too long, you seek to eliminate our allies now? Have you not heard the warnings about swimming too long in darkness and being unable to remember the light." I cast a heal spell for a show of light. "Remember what you are here for. Remember your light."
"Perhaps you have been down here too long, you seek to eliminate our allies now? Have you not heard the warnings about swimming too long in darkness and being unable to remember the light." I cast a heal spell for a show of light. "Remember what you are here for. Remember your light."
>>310502
Your eye pierces the door as if it were air, showing the interior of a large room. Inside is the heart, upon its pedestal and surrounded by three concentric lines. These lines are filled with arcane writing, and appear to be barrier spells. There are three barriers, and they are tied to the defenders of the heart. The third barrier seems to have the strongest ones, while the outer rings rely more on numbers to wear you down. The room itself seems to be paved in flesh, bones, and other viscera, and almost pulsing in time with the beating of the heart, as if it were part of an organism.
There are no traps.
There are no traps.
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As the door opens with a wet squelch, its hinges thick with unliving flesh, the room opens before you.
There you can see the Heart, its beat increasing in tempo as the door opens. From the walls and floor rise a large group of seven zombies.
The last battle to destroy the Heart has begun.
Lumiere, there is an additional weight in your saddlebag.
There you can see the Heart, its beat increasing in tempo as the door opens. From the walls and floor rise a large group of seven zombies.
The last battle to destroy the Heart has begun.
Lumiere, there is an additional weight in your saddlebag.
>>310596
Your dirk strikes true, and you finish off the zombie that Scratch wounded. It's dead once again.
>>310597
This is proving to be more difficult than anticipated, as the zombie knocks your mace back into you.
1/5 HP
>>310600
You successfully heal Truth back to full hits. She's still down, though.
>>310601
As the original zombie has already fallen, you swing your sword heavily into the next, almost severing its head entirely.
>>310605
You scrabble to your feet, and manage to squeeze a spell in there as well. The zombie takes a pair of hits, but does not fall.
>>310613
Once again the Divine seems to smile upon you, and in your hooves now rests a solid extension of their power. It will not dissipate once combat has ended.
Your dirk strikes true, and you finish off the zombie that Scratch wounded. It's dead once again.
>>310597
This is proving to be more difficult than anticipated, as the zombie knocks your mace back into you.
1/5 HP
>>310600
You successfully heal Truth back to full hits. She's still down, though.
>>310601
As the original zombie has already fallen, you swing your sword heavily into the next, almost severing its head entirely.
>>310605
You scrabble to your feet, and manage to squeeze a spell in there as well. The zombie takes a pair of hits, but does not fall.
>>310613
Once again the Divine seems to smile upon you, and in your hooves now rests a solid extension of their power. It will not dissipate once combat has ended.
>>310627
I roll my eyes behind my glasses. "I didn't mean it like that you overblown materialist. Thank you Clarence, dig me? If I wanted to offend, I'd do it better."
Given that I squeezed a spell off, which I assume was an energy spike, my two spells are on cooldown rotation.
So I'm going to
>>310633
Pull Choctaw up.
"Looks like you did, dig? How's that system working out for you?"
Roll #0 8 = 8
I roll my eyes behind my glasses. "I didn't mean it like that you overblown materialist. Thank you Clarence, dig me? If I wanted to offend, I'd do it better."
Given that I squeezed a spell off, which I assume was an energy spike, my two spells are on cooldown rotation.
So I'm going to
>>310633
Pull Choctaw up.
"Looks like you did, dig? How's that system working out for you?"
Roll #0 8 = 8
>>310631
Another zombie bites the dust, though it was probably helped along by spell and sword before you got there.
>>310633
The zombies are not impressed in the least, and slaps you off your hooves with a great thwacking noise.
0/5 HP, 3/5 wounds
>>310635
Your divine blade slices through them like a razor through cloth, but they still stand.
>>310636
It seems they keep falling before you can finish with them, so you direct your bash to the next nearest. It makes a decent thud, but doesn't kill the zombie.
>>310638
You, however, manage to finish it off.
>>310642
He's up, but he's still wounded.
The heart beats loudly, and a pulse of darkness washes out from it.
'1d10'
Roll #1 3 = 3
Another zombie bites the dust, though it was probably helped along by spell and sword before you got there.
>>310633
The zombies are not impressed in the least, and slaps you off your hooves with a great thwacking noise.
0/5 HP, 3/5 wounds
>>310635
Your divine blade slices through them like a razor through cloth, but they still stand.
>>310636
It seems they keep falling before you can finish with them, so you direct your bash to the next nearest. It makes a decent thud, but doesn't kill the zombie.
>>310638
You, however, manage to finish it off.
>>310642
He's up, but he's still wounded.
The heart beats loudly, and a pulse of darkness washes out from it.
'1d10'
Roll #1 3 = 3
>>310655
Your communing is successful.
>>310662
Sure you are. And you seem to be getting better, though the zombie only seems marginally worse for the wear.
>>310669
Your magic spreads amongst them, but they don't seem too bothered.
>>310670
Two fall, but the third remains. He's not happy with you.
>>310671
There's only two zombies left at the moment.
>>310674
Your attack is parried. How, we're not quite sure.
Your communing is successful.
So another group of fools seeks to end my existence. You will fail, as all the others have failed, and I will add your corpses to my ever-growing host of servants.
>>310662
Sure you are. And you seem to be getting better, though the zombie only seems marginally worse for the wear.
>>310669
Your magic spreads amongst them, but they don't seem too bothered.
>>310670
Two fall, but the third remains. He's not happy with you.
>>310671
There's only two zombies left at the moment.
>>310674
Your attack is parried. How, we're not quite sure.
>>310686
It fails to connect, and you take a hit for your troubles.
4/5 HP
>>310696
While it's difficult to maintain focus and engage in combat, you at least manage to avoid getting wounded.
>>310706
The sword, lacking the usual lightness of summoned weapons, nonetheless buries itself into the two, causing them harm, though not killing them.
>>310707
You target the mostly intact zombie, and do great harm. He's barely standing.
>>310711
You finish off the gravely wounded zombie, leaving only one before the room is empty.
>>310714
It still has some fight left in it, however, and makes a half-hearted swipe at you.
4/5 HP
It fails to connect, and you take a hit for your troubles.
4/5 HP
>>310696
I exist to serve my master's will, and my master has decreed that all shall become as he, a unliving servant of the Dark Masters.
While it's difficult to maintain focus and engage in combat, you at least manage to avoid getting wounded.
>>310706
The sword, lacking the usual lightness of summoned weapons, nonetheless buries itself into the two, causing them harm, though not killing them.
>>310707
You target the mostly intact zombie, and do great harm. He's barely standing.
>>310711
You finish off the gravely wounded zombie, leaving only one before the room is empty.
>>310714
It still has some fight left in it, however, and makes a half-hearted swipe at you.
4/5 HP
>>310726
It severs the connection with you as your dirk takes a chunk from the last zombie.
>>310734
Probably. Though those were instituted after we started up. I'll adjust the HP, though.
>>310736
Together, you and Scratch eliminate the last zombie with extreme prejudice, the powers of both Moon and Sun burning away at it from the inside out.
It's dust.
The room shudders as the first barrier shatters.
You will know them soon enough, meat.
It severs the connection with you as your dirk takes a chunk from the last zombie.
>>310734
Probably. Though those were instituted after we started up. I'll adjust the HP, though.
>>310736
Together, you and Scratch eliminate the last zombie with extreme prejudice, the powers of both Moon and Sun burning away at it from the inside out.
It's dust.
The room shudders as the first barrier shatters.
>>310763
It shrugs off your efforts.
>>310766
Your attack is thwarted as the skeleton parries and whacks you with its bony appendage.
4/5 HP
>>310767
Barreling past Choctaw, you smash into the skeleton. It staggers back a few steps, but is still ready to fight.
>>310770
Your Rampier is proving to be ineffective, as it nearly gets stuck in a zombie. You are bludgeoned with their rotting limbs.
2/5 HP
>>310772
It seems as if they were waiting for you to do that, as two of the skeletons manage to duck beneath your blade, and slash at your legs. You are on the ground, helpless.
0/5 HP
It shrugs off your efforts.
>>310766
Your attack is thwarted as the skeleton parries and whacks you with its bony appendage.
4/5 HP
>>310767
Barreling past Choctaw, you smash into the skeleton. It staggers back a few steps, but is still ready to fight.
>>310770
Your Rampier is proving to be ineffective, as it nearly gets stuck in a zombie. You are bludgeoned with their rotting limbs.
2/5 HP
>>310772
It seems as if they were waiting for you to do that, as two of the skeletons manage to duck beneath your blade, and slash at your legs. You are on the ground, helpless.
0/5 HP
>>310789
Raking sand is alright. Today was a sudden deluge of quests, after all.
Nope, you're down. That spell is proving tricky, and unruly besides.
0/5 HP
You fail to get up.
>>310791
One of the intact skeletons locks its empty sockets on you, and accepts your commands.
>>310797
You can't seem to get your hooves under you. One of the skeletons takes this opportunity to kick you while you're down.
0/5 HP 4/5 Wounds
>>310801
It hits this time, and puts a nice slash on one of those zombies.
>>310803
Attacking a skeleton, you crack the skull and collapse the one that attacked you earlier. It's gone.
Raking sand is alright. Today was a sudden deluge of quests, after all.
Nope, you're down. That spell is proving tricky, and unruly besides.
0/5 HP
You fail to get up.
>>310791
One of the intact skeletons locks its empty sockets on you, and accepts your commands.
>>310797
You can't seem to get your hooves under you. One of the skeletons takes this opportunity to kick you while you're down.
0/5 HP 4/5 Wounds
>>310801
It hits this time, and puts a nice slash on one of those zombies.
>>310803
Attacking a skeleton, you crack the skull and collapse the one that attacked you earlier. It's gone.
>>310817
You fail to rise, but the enemies are distracted by your more mobile compatriots.
>>310819
You, however, get up with no trouble.
>>310826
He's back on his hooves.
>>310839
Your sword continues to strike true, and cuts deeply into zombified flesh.
>>310848
Your dirk cuts in and ends the tortured unlife of the zombie before your skeleton can get tangled up in it.
>>310852
Your spell falters.
A dark pulse emanates from the Heart.
'1d10'
Roll #1 1 = 1
You fail to rise, but the enemies are distracted by your more mobile compatriots.
>>310819
You, however, get up with no trouble.
>>310826
He's back on his hooves.
>>310839
Your sword continues to strike true, and cuts deeply into zombified flesh.
>>310848
Your dirk cuts in and ends the tortured unlife of the zombie before your skeleton can get tangled up in it.
>>310852
Your spell falters.
A dark pulse emanates from the Heart.
'1d10'
Roll #1 1 = 1
>>310858
Nothing happens.
>>310863
Your mace smacks into it, doing minimal damage.
>>310866
There are only two remaining, but your spell decides to include the last free-roaming skeleton in its sphere. They all take a good amount of damage.
>>310869
Thrown off by your wounds, the sword goes wide and the skeleton tickles your ribs again.
3/5 HP
>>310878
The spell almost seems to work, but fizzles.
Nothing happens.
>>310863
Your mace smacks into it, doing minimal damage.
>>310866
There are only two remaining, but your spell decides to include the last free-roaming skeleton in its sphere. They all take a good amount of damage.
>>310869
Thrown off by your wounds, the sword goes wide and the skeleton tickles your ribs again.
3/5 HP
>>310878
The spell almost seems to work, but fizzles.
>>310885
It bats your sword away, inflicting a small degree of hurt on you.
4/6 HP
>>310887
Tired of all the pain and misery you've suffered in the short time you've been in this ruin, you unleash all your anger, your sorrow, and maybe a little love onto the zombie, crushing the unholy life from its carcass.
>>310894
At last the spell works, and Lumiere is back to fighting fit, his wound gone and his HP refilled.
It bats your sword away, inflicting a small degree of hurt on you.
4/6 HP
>>310887
Tired of all the pain and misery you've suffered in the short time you've been in this ruin, you unleash all your anger, your sorrow, and maybe a little love onto the zombie, crushing the unholy life from its carcass.
>>310894
At last the spell works, and Lumiere is back to fighting fit, his wound gone and his HP refilled.
>>310935
"My.. the aura of love has been corrupted and made to be.. a heart breaking shroud of darkness, I'm so sorry that misfortune was cast upon you friend. " I hold my head to the side dramatically whilst drawing my blade again. "I will avenge this unright immediately." Attack a skeleton.
Roll #0 10 = 10
"My.. the aura of love has been corrupted and made to be.. a heart breaking shroud of darkness, I'm so sorry that misfortune was cast upon you friend. " I hold my head to the side dramatically whilst drawing my blade again. "I will avenge this unright immediately." Attack a skeleton.
Roll #0 10 = 10
>>310941
It's a dreadfully rude thing, and snaps at you instead.
4/5 HP
>>310946
A sound of silent thunder accompanies your blow as the skeleton is hurled against the barrier walls, shattering into shards of bone and marrow.
>>310949
>>310951
You two make quick work of the remaining zombie, the spell dancing along the edge of Scratch's sword as if they were one and the same.
The second barrier cracks and shatters.
It's a dreadfully rude thing, and snaps at you instead.
4/5 HP
>>310946
A sound of silent thunder accompanies your blow as the skeleton is hurled against the barrier walls, shattering into shards of bone and marrow.
>>310949
>>310951
You two make quick work of the remaining zombie, the spell dancing along the edge of Scratch's sword as if they were one and the same.
The second barrier cracks and shatters.
>>310967
You strike at the barrier, and it crackles with energy.
>>310968
Nope, nothing doing.
>>310970
You run headlong into the barrier, bouncing off.
>>310971
Scratch is healed.
The Heart's beating is becoming labored. With a great noise of churning bone and flesh, the very walls and ceiling seem to come together to form two very large corpses. With a gurgling howl, they move to attack.
You strike at the barrier, and it crackles with energy.
>>310968
Nope, nothing doing.
>>310970
You run headlong into the barrier, bouncing off.
>>310971
Scratch is healed.
The Heart's beating is becoming labored. With a great noise of churning bone and flesh, the very walls and ceiling seem to come together to form two very large corpses. With a gurgling howl, they move to attack.
>>310980
The corpse groans at you, the holy energy coursing through its long dead flesh. You really hurt it there.
>>310981
Your spell blasts into it, chunks of flesh and clotted blood raining to the floor.
>>310984
Your sword falters, and you narrowly avoid getting stepped on as the undead beast lumbers around.
>>310986
Your spell has no effect.
>>310987
You narrowly miss and run betwixt its legs. It doesn't notice you.
>>310988
You however, it does. It manages to clip you with a slow backhanded swing.
4/5 HP
The corpse groans at you, the holy energy coursing through its long dead flesh. You really hurt it there.
>>310981
Your spell blasts into it, chunks of flesh and clotted blood raining to the floor.
>>310984
Your sword falters, and you narrowly avoid getting stepped on as the undead beast lumbers around.
>>310986
Your spell has no effect.
>>310987
You narrowly miss and run betwixt its legs. It doesn't notice you.
>>310988
You however, it does. It manages to clip you with a slow backhanded swing.
4/5 HP
>>310992
It smashes you with its foot. That really hurt. Luckily, your skill in fighting large enemies Which I almost forgot about saves you from the worst of it.
3/5 HP
>>310993
Your spell brings it to a knee, and it is helpless.
>>310994
Before your blow lands, the second giant zombie smashes you against the ground, leaving you helpless.
0/5 HP
>>310997
And climb you do, your claws digging deep in its rotted bulk. Slashing away, you carve great trenches in its back.
>>311000
Your spell burns away the downed zombie completely, and brings the other to helplessness.
>>311004
Your blade unleashes its power once again, severing the top half of the hulk from its lower end, ending its pitiable existence.
The final barrier to the Heart has fallen.
Its beating is intermittent, slow. Weak.
It smashes you with its foot. That really hurt. Luckily, your skill in fighting large enemies Which I almost forgot about saves you from the worst of it.
3/5 HP
>>310993
Your spell brings it to a knee, and it is helpless.
>>310994
Before your blow lands, the second giant zombie smashes you against the ground, leaving you helpless.
0/5 HP
>>310997
And climb you do, your claws digging deep in its rotted bulk. Slashing away, you carve great trenches in its back.
>>311000
Your spell burns away the downed zombie completely, and brings the other to helplessness.
>>311004
Your blade unleashes its power once again, severing the top half of the hulk from its lower end, ending its pitiable existence.
The final barrier to the Heart has fallen.
Its beating is intermittent, slow. Weak.
>>311030
This time she does not. As the shadow sinks painlessly into your chest, you feel a dark thought entering your mind, a single command. The Moon Dagger becomes a darker shade of midnight blue.
>>311031
>>311035
The Sun Dagger is taken from you.
This time she does not. As the shadow sinks painlessly into your chest, you feel a dark thought entering your mind, a single command. The Moon Dagger becomes a darker shade of midnight blue.
Kill them. Kill them for your dark mistress, the Queen of Night. Kill them and give their blood to the Heart.
You are under its influence for the next five turns.
You are under its influence for the next five turns.
>>311031
>>311035
The Sun Dagger is taken from you.
>>311049
Your spear haft thuds into Scratch, and the jolt adds a punch of its own.
4/6 HP
>>311050
You fail to grapple him.
>>311054
Your spell backfires, and you crumple to the floor.
0/5 HP
>>311056
Your spell slices through the fog of his mind, severing the hold the Heart had on him. However…
>>311062
He was already in motion and lands a cut across your face.
3/5 HP
Your spear haft thuds into Scratch, and the jolt adds a punch of its own.
4/6 HP
>>311050
You fail to grapple him.
>>311054
Your spell backfires, and you crumple to the floor.
0/5 HP
>>311056
Your spell slices through the fog of his mind, severing the hold the Heart had on him. However…
>>311062
He was already in motion and lands a cut across your face.
3/5 HP
>>311072
Your spell has no effect.
>>311076
It's not hard to hit, and the Moon Dagger sticks into it.
An unholy shriek rattles the walls as torrents of blood, far too much for such a small organ to hold, spew from the wound.
>>311078
>>311079
The Sun Dagger joins its sister blade in the Heart, and it shrieks again. Dust and loose stone tumble from the ceiling as the floor itself cracks, and the pedestal shatters.
With a great noise and a rush of wind, the Heart is gone, and the two daggers fall to the ground, rusted beyond repair.
The Heart is broken, and its fell presence gone from the world. The room's a mess, however.
Your spell has no effect.
>>311076
It's not hard to hit, and the Moon Dagger sticks into it.
An unholy shriek rattles the walls as torrents of blood, far too much for such a small organ to hold, spew from the wound.
>>311078
Well, that dagger sure seems to be doing the trick, but you know that it won't kill it for good. That mind control thing was its last line of defense, and it can't do that for a little while yet.
>>311079
The Sun Dagger joins its sister blade in the Heart, and it shrieks again. Dust and loose stone tumble from the ceiling as the floor itself cracks, and the pedestal shatters.
With a great noise and a rush of wind, the Heart is gone, and the two daggers fall to the ground, rusted beyond repair.
The Heart is broken, and its fell presence gone from the world. The room's a mess, however.
>>311089
I channel so of the Night's power through the dagger to burn off any remaining taint. I then kneel before you and offer the dagger with my head bowed.
"My mind was too weak to resist the sorceries of the heart, and it bent my will to its own. I thank the Night for taking my strength of arm while I was possessed, but I have wounded you none the less. I was weak, and deserve whatever punishment you see fit to give to me.
I channel so of the Night's power through the dagger to burn off any remaining taint. I then kneel before you and offer the dagger with my head bowed.
"My mind was too weak to resist the sorceries of the heart, and it bent my will to its own. I thank the Night for taking my strength of arm while I was possessed, but I have wounded you none the less. I was weak, and deserve whatever punishment you see fit to give to me.
>>311135
There are no hostiles.
However, you fail to resist the urge to pull the lever, and the entire floor of the room, save for the small spot around the lever, fills with spikes. Those establishment bums can't get out, but then again neither can you.
>>311137
You find nothing other than corpse leavings and loose stone.
The rest of the party is stopped when you reach the spike room.
There are no hostiles.
However, you fail to resist the urge to pull the lever, and the entire floor of the room, save for the small spot around the lever, fills with spikes. Those establishment bums can't get out, but then again neither can you.
>>311137
You find nothing other than corpse leavings and loose stone.
The rest of the party is stopped when you reach the spike room.
"Oh yes, we're finally leaving this place then.." I spin around and look inside my own satchel. I duck around the corner and put on my spare robes, the evening toned set with the baby blue background, the purple, dark blue and sea green square splotches of dye. I toss aside my old robes they're simply ruined by the corpses in here. "There much better."
>>311150
"Weakness in others has been the downfall of many strong people, both worshipers of the night and the ones that reject her truth. Those too tolerant of weakness in anyone soon wind up dead at the hands of their enemies."
>>311154
"Have you ever thought of doing something useful like designing robes for priests and armor for warriors?"
"Weakness in others has been the downfall of many strong people, both worshipers of the night and the ones that reject her truth. Those too tolerant of weakness in anyone soon wind up dead at the hands of their enemies."
>>311154
"Have you ever thought of doing something useful like designing robes for priests and armor for warriors?"
>>311165
I simply smile. "But its what I'm good at, I'm able to bring happiness to my fellow hoof'd stallions, oh and of course the ladies too, and even help flourish love everywhere my designs go! Why, it'd be a disservice to love for me to stop making these wonderful pieces.." I pause looking in the direction of damu and goatsburg for a second before turning back to Scratch.
"Thou, if I had another way to serve love's purpose.. perhaps.."
I simply smile. "But its what I'm good at, I'm able to bring happiness to my fellow hoof'd stallions, oh and of course the ladies too, and even help flourish love everywhere my designs go! Why, it'd be a disservice to love for me to stop making these wonderful pieces.." I pause looking in the direction of damu and goatsburg for a second before turning back to Scratch.
"Thou, if I had another way to serve love's purpose.. perhaps.."
>>311154
A little cheered up after Goatsberg's comment, I remark, "You look lovely, Clarence. You're not so bad after all. Maybe you'll learn to share your possessions as freely as you do your visage, dig?"
Hike on out to the surface. "I guess the offer from before still stands, Goatsberg. I know a quiet little anti-establishment place right under Canterlot's nose. Not like I want to be anywhere near those priests now that they don't need us."
>>311173
Cheerily stick my tongue out in defiance. "No one's ever totally free of the establishment, copper."
A little cheered up after Goatsberg's comment, I remark, "You look lovely, Clarence. You're not so bad after all. Maybe you'll learn to share your possessions as freely as you do your visage, dig?"
Hike on out to the surface. "I guess the offer from before still stands, Goatsberg. I know a quiet little anti-establishment place right under Canterlot's nose. Not like I want to be anywhere near those priests now that they don't need us."
>>311173
Cheerily stick my tongue out in defiance. "No one's ever totally free of the establishment, copper."
>>338549
"Yes, but thinking about it has made me realize something."
I magically bolt myself to the chariot.
"We get caught up in the differences so often that we forget they were the same person."
The floorboards aren't loose, right?
"You sought to praise Nightmare Moon by defeating those who would oppose her will. I serve Luna by protecting her flock."
What was that sound? Is the ship coming apart? Keep it together.
"In the end, we both want what is the best for her."
"Yes, but thinking about it has made me realize something."
I magically bolt myself to the chariot.
"We get caught up in the differences so often that we forget they were the same person."
The floorboards aren't loose, right?
"You sought to praise Nightmare Moon by defeating those who would oppose her will. I serve Luna by protecting her flock."
What was that sound? Is the ship coming apart? Keep it together.
"In the end, we both want what is the best for her."
>>338554
"It's easy for us to focus on the moon. A bright shining light in the darkness that guides us. Makes it easy to forget that we're all flowing through the darkness to begin with."
"It might take some time for me to explain things, though. Let's start with what you know."
The boat isn't swaying, right?
"It's easy for us to focus on the moon. A bright shining light in the darkness that guides us. Makes it easy to forget that we're all flowing through the darkness to begin with."
"It might take some time for me to explain things, though. Let's start with what you know."
The boat isn't swaying, right?
Once you've arrived, you are whisked to the Temple of the Sisters, and brought before the two Priestesses. After exchanging a short greeting, they get straight to business. The Solar Priestess is the first to speak.
"So it is done, then? The Heart is destroyed and its foul influence broken?"
"So it is done, then? The Heart is destroyed and its foul influence broken?"
>>338556
"What I know? Very well. The Night Mare rules the darkness and controls the night. Her power is as vast as the night sky. She fought with her sister, the Day Mare. It may have been over some insult, or her sister refused to bow before her power, or something else. Because the Day Mare was her sister, the Night Mare did not use all of her powers. Because of that, she lost. The Day Mare, not wishing to destroy her sister, banished her.'
"The Night Mare commands her followers to be strong, and to fight in her name against her enemies. She orders us to not make the mistake of showing our enemies mercy, but to also not be mindless killers like the followers of the Destroyer. Eventually she will break free, or her followers will free her, and she will destroy her sister and claim the world, and all that live upon and under it, as her own."
"What I know? Very well. The Night Mare rules the darkness and controls the night. Her power is as vast as the night sky. She fought with her sister, the Day Mare. It may have been over some insult, or her sister refused to bow before her power, or something else. Because the Day Mare was her sister, the Night Mare did not use all of her powers. Because of that, she lost. The Day Mare, not wishing to destroy her sister, banished her.'
"The Night Mare commands her followers to be strong, and to fight in her name against her enemies. She orders us to not make the mistake of showing our enemies mercy, but to also not be mindless killers like the followers of the Destroyer. Eventually she will break free, or her followers will free her, and she will destroy her sister and claim the world, and all that live upon and under it, as her own."
>>338563
As they hear this, both Priestesses break into smiles. The Moon Priestess especially.
"I told you to have faith, sister."
The Sun Priestess nods.
"True, you did."
>>338564
>>338565
They'll turn to you all.
"That's exactly what they were designed to do. Any other story you would tell us would inform us of whether or not you actually did the job."
The Moon Priestess nods.
"Though it is unfortunate that you lost several of your companions, the world will thank you for what you've done. And," she moves to a small gathering of chests. "So will we."
Floating each of you a small chest, the Priestesses divvy out your payment.
"Unfortunately, you will not be able to claim the portion of the reward promised to your three friends. But fear not, it shan't go to waste. We can keep the local orphanages stocked and running for several years with these."
As they hear this, both Priestesses break into smiles. The Moon Priestess especially.
"I told you to have faith, sister."
The Sun Priestess nods.
"True, you did."
>>338564
>>338565
They'll turn to you all.
"That's exactly what they were designed to do. Any other story you would tell us would inform us of whether or not you actually did the job."
The Moon Priestess nods.
"Though it is unfortunate that you lost several of your companions, the world will thank you for what you've done. And," she moves to a small gathering of chests. "So will we."
Floating each of you a small chest, the Priestesses divvy out your payment.
"Unfortunately, you will not be able to claim the portion of the reward promised to your three friends. But fear not, it shan't go to waste. We can keep the local orphanages stocked and running for several years with these."
>>338567
"Tried to what? Ask a heart questions? How heinous. Please, arrest me, by all means."
>>338569
"One should at least learn of their gods before they serve them. But you are lovely as you are, truly."
>>338570
"Unless I am to be joined in my search, then perhaps, for now."
>>338568
"Feh, Well, thank you, regardless."
"Tried to what? Ask a heart questions? How heinous. Please, arrest me, by all means."
>>338569
"One should at least learn of their gods before they serve them. But you are lovely as you are, truly."
>>338570
"Unless I am to be joined in my search, then perhaps, for now."
>>338568
"Feh, Well, thank you, regardless."
Using her telekinesis to pull the bellrope summoning the guards, the Moon Priestess orders them to escort you all out of the castle, and then leave you to your devices.
For all intents and purposes, this adventure has ended. But who knows what further adventures await on the horizon? Perhaps time will tell.
For all intents and purposes, this adventure has ended. But who knows what further adventures await on the horizon? Perhaps time will tell.