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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

Ian checks for Hollowshade and gakes a quick inventory of himself, especially his physical/ghostly health. Then he moves among the trees, looking for any sign of Oberon while keeping from being observed.

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 9:31 pm Post subject:

Hollowshade is with him, or at least a ghostly version of it. Ian feels cold and very strange, but the pain is long gone and he seems to be standing without any resistance. This is unlike anything he's ever experienced, like a lucid dream, but he knows this to be real. It has to be real...

Making his way to the forested hills, Ian sees a wonderful place with intense sunset colors and the warm light passing through the trees. The bark looks almost golden when it is hit by sunlight and Ian sees a congregation of fantastic creatures and humanoids from legends of the fey.

He finds a great tree and waterfalls where a court is held, and the creatures do not notice him. Only one being regards Ian, and that is the young man who looks like the spitting image of his grandfather Oberon. The man is fair and has both horns and a crown of golden oak leaves and rubies in place of berries. His limbs are constantly connected to the enormous tree that is both his throne and the seat of his court.

Ian notices that many creatures look relaxed and drink wines and ales, but most are clad in shiny, ornate armor and bears swords, shields and lances stylized to match the bearer. The Fair Oberon bears ringlets around his biceps, a crimson, leathery hide toga, and a white silk shirt with gold sewn into classical leaf designs. A short curved sword, a set of keys and two leather pouches also hang at his belt.
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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

Ian sheathes Hollowshade and walks up towards the Shadow of Oberon or whatever it is.

"Greetings." He doesn't get close enough to alarm the guards unduly.

"Oberon?"

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 4:59 am Post subject:

Oberon the Fair smiles, "Yes, I am Oberon, King of Shadows. Welcome to my court. You look familiar, spectre. Who might you be?"

As he welcomes Ian, people make way, now aware of the Spectral Ian's presence. Whispers travel quickly among the other creatures and beings here, though nothing is distinguishable.
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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

Ian bows in textbook style.

"I am Ian, of Amber, unwilling consort of Trouble."

He places Oberon's Ring in his hand and holds it out to the Fair one.

"If I might beg a favor, can you tell me anything about this ring?"

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Sat Jun 06, 2009 10:18 am Post subject:

The Fair Oberon squints for a moment and after hesitating, takes it slowly from Ian's hand. His gaze does not leave the ring. "Soo... familiar. Where. did. you. find. it." Oberon says monotonously, as if subjugated by the ring itself.
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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

"My grandfather, Oberon, King of Amber, gave me this ring, so that I might save him from whatever oubliette or dungeon he languishes in, probably at the hands of creatures of the Black Road, or other deities so malevolent I could probably never comprehend them properly. Nonetheless, although he is a grumpy and sometimes vicious man, he is my grandfather, and I do have some affection, and quite a bit of duty, that I owe him as his grandson, and sworn sword. Can you help me? I am not magically inclined, and quite frankly am completely out of my depth when it comes to dweomers and spells."

Why am I baring my soul to this guy? Ian wonders.

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 5:17 am Post subject:

The Fair Oberon does not respond to Ian's questions, bus as Ian speaks to him, and as the Fair Oberon looks at the ring, the change begins. Though he is not magically inclined, Ian feels Shadow change all around him.

The lines of Oberon's skin deepen and the dark mane of the King of Shadows is now sparked with grey and white hairs. The deformed, branch-like hands shorten and turn human like. The roots that connect to Oberon's arms and legs change and shift on themselves, but they do not disappear. They turn into massive iron chains, connecting Ian's grandfather to the massive tree behind him by his wrists, neck and ankles.

The ring, in Oberon's hands, has become solid and he puts it on. Ian has never seen his grandfather so shaken and confused. Oberon looks up at Ian, blinking several times in unbearable silence.

It's him! Oberon!
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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

Nothing could shock Ian more. His eyes sting with tears and his jaw falls open in what his mother would call 'that stupid look'. A second later, he recovers and draws Hollowshade. A white-hot anger burns in him. Whoever would dare imprison Amber's liege lord...the threat goes unfinished.

"Grandfather, I'm going to try to free you. I will bow before you and give proper obeisance later. It's Ian, Deirdre's son. Not too short to be a stormtrooper." He looks around carefully, expecting a gaoler of some kind to protest. If none is forthcoming, Ian hacks at the chain, in a spot where he couldn't possibly hit Oberon.

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2009 2:19 pm Post subject:

The whole area has changed along with Oberon, and the fair folk creatures that were the King's court are still changing, evolving and devolving into new creatures, more fearful and hideous things. As far as Ian can tell, they are falling from grace, having been under the same influence as Oberon himself has. Instead of attacking Ian, they moan and lament, for now.

Oberon looks at Ian and recognizes him when he sees Hollowshade. He has no time to protest and Ian takes a shot at the chain. Hollowshade chips where it strikes the heavy chain. The chain itself now has a deep scratch. Ian also felt a shock surging through his blade and his arms.

Coincidentally, or not, the weather quickly changes here and the ambient light disappears under massive grey clouds. Oberon looks around, at his surroundings, and at Ian several times. He shoves his ring on at last. His clothes are now in shambles, the sword of the Fair Oberon and set of keys gone.

"Thank you, Ian," Oberon says gratefully.
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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

Keeping an eye out for someone who might not approve of this, he hacks at the chain again, where he first hit it.

"I, of course, am open for suggestions."

As he hacks at the chain he asks Oberon. "Who imprisoned you, milord?"

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 6:30 am Post subject:

A deeper scratch has formed. Another chip off of Hollowshade and another surge of pain coursing through Ian's body, his physicality now complete. Ian can feel the various pains now, his body no longer held somewhere painlessly.

The creatures surrounding them have started to get up and continue their annoying and incessant moaning, some guttural and truly chilling. Ian can feel the hair raise at the back of his neck, as if the static charges in the whole area are changing dramatically, while the dark, heavy clouds continue to oppress the lit skies.

"No clue," Oberon answers. "But they will get what they justly deserve. Here!"
Oberon pulls on the chain Ian has been hacking at, creating tension and keeping it steady.
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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

"The chain is too hard to be broken with my sword. My sword will break in another few hacks. Keep the tension." Ian walks around the tree, bringing the Pattern to mind. His mother's words come back to him.

"Ian, wake up. I don't care how late you were up to last night. I said that if you find yourself in a jail cell one day, hope its a large one, with a bit of light. If you can move, you can manipulate reality in that Shadow. Use to make a link weaker in a chain, or a lock rusty on a door."

"I'm going to use the Pattern to increase the probability of their being a weak link."

Nihilistic Mind · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 7:54 pm Post subject:

Oberon looks at the darkening skies and continues to pull on the damaged chain. He says, "Hurry up with it... It's already getting dark."

The clouds continue to gather unnaturally fast and soon the sky has been blotted out and a weird twilight subsists.
The writhing creatures on the ground rise and look at Oberon and Ian.

Ian's strategy is working as the chain that connect Oberon's left arm to the anchor makes a strange sound and finally breaks.

As soon as that happens, the silhouettes surrounding Oberon and Ian begin wrestling them, scratching and attacking wildly.
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Ian · Joined: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 521 Location: South Carolina

Ian bursts into action, defending the King as best he can, hacking and slashing and willing to take a hit to keep the King in one piece.

A small part of him laughs at the thought of Caine and Eric being out of jobs when Oberon returns to Amber.

'Not out of it yet, pay attention!!!' He thinks to himself and he does.

If he clears the creatures nearest the King, he settles into a more offensive/defensive posture, taking what is offered and trying to not let them build their numbersup so high they overrun him.