Post by Beldar on Apr 15, 2008 23:30:17 GMT -5
Dalgos, the high priest of Talos, had had a disturbingly lucid dream. He was certain that if they raided the small coastal town of Saltmarsh they would find the dark-skinned white-haired infant that he saw. He did not know why the Stormlord had sent him such a powerful dream. He only knew that he must act and retrieve the child. He hoped that once he had obtained her, the Stormlord's purpose might become more obvious to him.
The raid had an auspicious start. The sky filled with dark clouds as a gigantic storm cell approached Saltmarsh from the same direction as the raiders. The high priest's loyal followers clearly felt the energy. Dalgos was relieved by the absence of the usual nervous prattle that precedes battles.
As the raiders reached the perimeter of the town, Dalgos began to shout the war prayer in an ever crescendoing voice. Just as he reached the conclusion of the prayer, a massive lightning bolt struck the steeple atop the small town's temple of Ilmater. The steeple immediately crumbled onto the roof igniting it in a raging inferno of supernatural flame. This deafening event was accompanied by the sudden onslaught of a torrential downpour.
Panicked townsfolk cautiously emerged from their homes to investigate the clamor. Spying the fire, they rushed to try to extinguish it. In the confusion, they became easy victims for the well-armed and eager raiders.
Dalgos raised his spear above his head and threw it at a man emerging from a house that looked eerily familiar. The spear struck the center of the man's chest which exploded in a torrent of sparks and blood. The man looked down in horror as he realized what was pinning him to his door. Dalgos approached and wrenched his spear from the door. He smiled with some satisfaction as the now still corpse crumpled to the ground before him.
Dalgos kicked open the door and headed toward the far right corner of the one room hut. As he approached, he saw a terrified woman attempting to shrink even further into the corner in which she hid. As she turned, the top of the bundle she clutched fell away revealing the stark white shock of hair of the infant he sought.
He approached the woman cautiously, uncertain how to convey his intent to take the child alive. Suddenly, as the tip of his spear came within the reach of her tiny grasp, the child's hand shot out and pulled the spear directly into her mother's throat with surprising strength. The mother slumped still trying to protect the child she clutched, even as a mixture of denial and comprehension slowly crossed her now dying face. Somewhat taken aback, Dalgos made eye contact with child, who smiled and reached up with both arms outstretched towards him.
(C) 2008. Constructive criticism appreciated.
The raid had an auspicious start. The sky filled with dark clouds as a gigantic storm cell approached Saltmarsh from the same direction as the raiders. The high priest's loyal followers clearly felt the energy. Dalgos was relieved by the absence of the usual nervous prattle that precedes battles.
As the raiders reached the perimeter of the town, Dalgos began to shout the war prayer in an ever crescendoing voice. Just as he reached the conclusion of the prayer, a massive lightning bolt struck the steeple atop the small town's temple of Ilmater. The steeple immediately crumbled onto the roof igniting it in a raging inferno of supernatural flame. This deafening event was accompanied by the sudden onslaught of a torrential downpour.
Panicked townsfolk cautiously emerged from their homes to investigate the clamor. Spying the fire, they rushed to try to extinguish it. In the confusion, they became easy victims for the well-armed and eager raiders.
Dalgos raised his spear above his head and threw it at a man emerging from a house that looked eerily familiar. The spear struck the center of the man's chest which exploded in a torrent of sparks and blood. The man looked down in horror as he realized what was pinning him to his door. Dalgos approached and wrenched his spear from the door. He smiled with some satisfaction as the now still corpse crumpled to the ground before him.
Dalgos kicked open the door and headed toward the far right corner of the one room hut. As he approached, he saw a terrified woman attempting to shrink even further into the corner in which she hid. As she turned, the top of the bundle she clutched fell away revealing the stark white shock of hair of the infant he sought.
He approached the woman cautiously, uncertain how to convey his intent to take the child alive. Suddenly, as the tip of his spear came within the reach of her tiny grasp, the child's hand shot out and pulled the spear directly into her mother's throat with surprising strength. The mother slumped still trying to protect the child she clutched, even as a mixture of denial and comprehension slowly crossed her now dying face. Somewhat taken aback, Dalgos made eye contact with child, who smiled and reached up with both arms outstretched towards him.
(C) 2008. Constructive criticism appreciated.
