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Back to Empire on the HPe3000
... and ...
This is a first draft of a story set in the world of Greyhawk.
It is based on a home campaign so some of the people, places and things
may be different. Any helpful comments or suggestions are very welcome.
Thanks
Jason Zavoda
"Just keep walking." Talberth said to the others.
All around them stood orcs, most in small groups near the
walls, but they could not be avoided. Harald took them to the center of
the huge room, glancing left then right, searching for some sign of
their
companions.
Across from the stairs there were two doors, a passage opened
between them, on the righthand, up by the far wall, there was another
door, but lower down there was a wide opening. As they watched, it began
to disgorge more orcs, a rough and angry band.
Shouts rang out and hands pointed toward the four companions.
The orcs which milled about the room did not join in, but instead backed
away, moving closer to the walls and the dark corners. The orcs who
charged and shouted, most with crude weapons in their hands, came on at
a run, Talberth stepped forward to meet them.
The mage held an arcane wand, small symbols had been carved into
the dark wood and the grooves filled with a liquid silver. The writing
spiraled along the wand and ended in a silver cap that held a diamond
cut
to a long sharp point. Talberth whispered a word and the power was
unleashed, a symbol became dull and empty wood, the silver metal flowed
away and disappeared. The diamond glowed and from its tip there came a
bluish light, and as it left the wand it grew. A lightning bolt, it
left the wand with a thunderclap of noise, and swept across the running
orcs.
In between the blink of an eye it struck, three orcs in the lead
were touched first but it was past them and amongst the others before a
step could be taken or a shout escape their lips. Three dozen or more of
their band were touched by the single bolt, the flash blinded many for
a few moments leaving a purple blur staining their eyes. The noise of
the bolts passage drowned out the screams, but the spectacle was grim.
Those touched, spasmed in pain, jaws and teeth broke, clamping shut
as the energy coursed through, spines snapped as the orcs bodies were
contorted, hair burst into flame and their bodies smoked and stank as
greasy rags and skin were flash-cooked by the stroke.
Talberth was surprised at the result, he stood open mouthed.
These orcs were weak and frail, packed together, crowded in the passage
the magic bolt could not have wrought greater havoc.
"I don't think you will need to cast another spell." said Ivo,
impressed by the carnage.
The orcs which survived the charge turned and ran back down the
hall, more than half their number lay dead, they ran for the security of
their caves, most would rather surrender to the giants than face more of
these human foes.
* * *
"What was that?!" Ghibelline asked excitedly.
"Talberth I should think." said Telenstil while he put his
shoulder against the table leg and pushed.
"We'd better hurry." said Gytha.
The dragged the table away and attacked the wooden beam. They
could only free it from one bracket at a time and as it cleared the
first
it came crashing down nearly crushing Telenstil's foot, he leapt away
just
in time.
"Thank goodness for the grace of elves." said Gytha.
"I was never strong," said Telenstil, "But I have always been
quick."
"We elves have always been adept at avoiding falling wood."
laughed
Ghibelline.
* * *
(To Be Continued)