IDK, you can summon them perfectly fine in-game. I always assumed they were just some weaker, more easily controllable copy.

"I'll take care of it," Tucharon replied as he decapitated the skeleton before incinerating it with a fire spell. Before he could catch his breath, he saw the lich floating towards them. "Oh no, anything but one of those," he shakily spoke. He still had magicka, but he was spent, both magically and physically, and needed a few moments to catch his breath. Unfortunately, it appeared that they would not have a few moments.

"Anyone got any bright ideas?" He just then noticed one of the others casting spells at the star. I hope that works, because Azura knows I am not looking forward to this fight.

Hearing Tucharon's comment Elissandre turned to look, spotting the lich. And sharing the altmer's opinion. "Freaking joy. That damn thing is more dangerous than all the zombies combined. Gang up on it before it starts casting spells. And if you know a reflecting or absorbing spell, go for it as strong as you can !". While speaking she turned on her heels and started running toward the newly arrived undead. Her decision part panic, and part reflexion - a lich might be a though physical opponenent, but a duel of magic would be way more dangerous.

Frantically dredging whatever magic she could and gathering it around herself in a mixed elemental shield. Not knowing what kind of spell the lich would use, she preferred a thiner protection to a failed gamble. The bastard upped the odds something fierce with that one... He probably though zombies were too easy. Damn the khajiit and his tests !

OOC: sorry for my lameness and long pause in posting, i was kinda leaving it to see who is still posting, it seems not many of us are still. and im afraid its only a little post from me, i just woke and im quite tired.....

IC:

Ignoring the lich that had many panicked, Korro threw away all sense of danger he had and leapt into the gorge. Knowing someone else was still stood on the first star he attempted to activate the second by jumping down into it. With accidental grace he landed feet first into another zombies face and sent it crashing down into an explosive collision with the stones below. "Hell yeah" he cheered, as if he were playing a game and just scored another point. As he stood on Star in the pit it began to glow also, but it had a different sounding resonation to the first. It seemed to anger the remaining undead much more than before. It even seemed to daze the single lich within, hopefully giving someone else the chance to catch it offguard.

Elissandre heard the change in the star's odd sound, which seemed to confuse and slow down the lich. Which was quite a relief, though she wasn't sure it would be enough. Unsure about how to deal with the creature, she decided to stick to the tactic she had already used twice on the zombies. Even if her hastily cast shield wasn't as good as the innate ability from her breton blood, it should take the brunt of any physical retaliation...

As she barged in sword-first, she found to her dismay that a lich was far more clever an opponent than a zombie. The undead moved aside, swinging it's blackened staff into her face. Despite her shiled, the impact almost sent her back on her hindquarter, stars frantically blinking in her vision. As she shook her head to clear them, she saw the lich back a little, leveling it's staff and pointing it straight at her with an ill-boding hiss of anger. She ducked to the side barely in time, feeling the fringe of a lightning bolt punch through her magical shield, sending a painful jolt coursing through her whole body. Damn if it had caught me square, I'd be toast.

Feeling a sudden need for caution, Elissandre gritted her teeth, circling around the undead to keep out of it's staff way, looking for an opening to strike.

"This is gonna be easy if this is all they've got" Luna smirked as Tucharon dispatched the skeleteon. It wasn't until she saw what he was worried about that the look of confidence on her her face was replaced with one of shear terror. She froze up, not knowing what to do, the last Lich she had come across had almost killed her. "A lich, why'd there have to be a lich" she murmured. Horrific images flashed through her head chilling her to the bone. She gave into her fears and let the knife slip out of her hand, "there's nothing I can do, it's useless", too frightened to do anything but watch helplessly as the others fought it.

"Absorption spell? Why didn't I think of it before?" Tucharon asked himself, then spent most of his remaining magicka casting a spell absorption spell. Hopefully it will be worth it. He rushed at the lich, somewhat recklessly. The powerful undead turned it's attention to him and cast a fireball at the Altmer. Fortunately, he absorbed the spell, restoring some of his magicka. Tucharon managed to close in and swung his sword at the lich.

The lich blocked Tucharon's blow with its staff. The sword did not bounce off the lich's weapon, but embedded itself an inch into the staff. The lich pushed back, letting go of its staff, with the sword still embedded in it, causing Tucharon to stumble backwards and fall to the ground. It cast a lightning bolt at the spellsword, although again, it was absorbed. But his luck couldn't last forever, and his absorption spell was running out.

"I don't suppose anyone could help me right about now?"

Arnand disregarded the Lich that had appeared, but decided to send a Headless Zombie of his summoning after it just in case things turned in the favour of the undead wizard.
Looking around, Arnand noticed two people were standing on the two stars. The undead, mindless as ever, has grown even more aggressive. Arnand tried using a few Turn Undead spells, but the horde was relentless. Instead, he cast a weak Levitate spell, flying high over the battle to scout out for more stars.

ooc: Perapsam I thought you were casting spells at the third star

Seeing that the lich was turning it's attention to Tucharon rather than herself, Elissandre sighed with relief. But kept moving, placing the undead between her and the altmer. Noting with satisfaction that her suggestion was working. Too bad I svck at mysticism. But let's not stray on woolgathering... She focused her attention back on the fighting. As Tucharon stumbled backward and ended up sprawled on the ground, the lich focused her magical battering on him, apparently trying to overwhelm his defenses.

A focus that left the undead, seemingly still confused, to ignore another threat. While the lich was gathering the power for another spell, Elissandre stabbed it in the back, aiming straight through it's rags to where it's hearth had been. Feeling the blade sink deep into dessicated remnant of flesh, the razor-sharp dwemer alloy sliding into what felt like soft wood or thickly packed fabric.

As she rocked the blade left and right, Elissandre felt a surge of energy from he blade, soothing the burns from the near-miss. Payback time, you damn pile of bones. As she savagely twisted the blade, driving the bones apart she felt the blade's trickle one energy peter out, it's magic drained for the time being. But as she kept hacking, the growing physical damage was soon enough to ruin the undead's animating magic, letting it crumble into first a heap of bones and rags, then into nothing as it vanished as it had appeared. The damn thing has been summoned, it didn't teleport in. But who played that trick...

Bending over Tucharon, she helped him to his feet, calling forth all the strength she could muster to lift the heavily armored altmer, grunting under the strain. And cursing foully as she saw yet another zombie shambling their way. Even more damaged than those already destroyed, with the whole head missing.

Noticing one of their own on the other side ? at least she supposed the flame-shrouded shape was on of their own, she yelled to him "Step on the damn star, maybe three of them will send the freaking corpses down.". Watching the headless corpse come closer. Commenting to Tucharon "Like the bridge. Get it's attention, I'll get it down and whe hack it to pieces."

"I second that!" Korro shouted upward to what Elissandre had said.

He was busy defending the circle he was stood upon which was helped by the fact the undead didn't seem to like coming too close to the stars. With his single knife he slowly slashed and hacked the oncoming zombies if they stepped close, maybe about 4 or 5 were down in the pit with him but were staggered back by the hits and dazed by the enchantment on the floor.

The 2 star's that were being stood upon, both resonated and pulsated with slightly different noises and colors, as if awaiting the 3rd to complete the spell, hopefull someone would make it to the other side of the bridge and stand upon the final glyph.


OOC: crap post but i cant really be arsed to detail things in this room anymore... i'm hoping once this is over with people will start posting again.

"Thanks, I owe you one," Tucharon spoke to Elissandre, as he stuggled to remove his sword from the lich's staff. My ebony longsword actually stopped by a wooden staff, he thought as he pulled the weapons apart. He picked up the lich's staff. Remarkable. A rare example of a summoned creature's weapon remaining behind instead of disappearing with the wielder. In hindsight this may prove more beneficial than if I had manage to kill the lich..

He turned his attention to the zombie now lumbering towards them. But before he cast a spell, an idea entered his head. He quickly picked up the lich's staff and while facing the zombie, offered it to Elissandre. "See what you can do with this," he said as he cast a weak fireball at the zombie to get its attention.

Elissandre took the staff from Tucharon's hand without much enthusiasm, running her fingers on the dent made by the sword. "I won't do anything right now. You've cut more than halfway through and I'd rather wait for a safer time to find out if the thing will work or blow up to my face.". Closing her mouth as the zombie rushed blindly toward Tucharon, enraged by the star's magic and the spell that singed it's mostly gone skin.

Emabrassed with the cumbersome staff, Elissandre chose to react with a variation on what the lich had done to her : she moved aside, letting the zombie rush and pushing the staff into it's legs. Sending the poorly coordinated undead flat on it's belly right at Tucharon feet. Wary about the spellsword's blade, she didn't drop on the zombie's back, but simply knelt to hack at it's legs, making sure it would never stand up again, letting Tucharon chop apart the rest...

Once their opponent was properly dismembered, Elissandre cursed when it vanished like the lich. "Damn, that's another summon, looks like someone finds the party's getting understaffed. And that moron of a mage keeps prancing with his flaming aura, tossing useless spells at that last star...". Feeling a growing anger at Amand's lack of action she yelled as loud as she could "Stop dithering with that damn star and step on it ! There are summon coming in, and If you don't move your precious backside soon we'll get swamped.".

Without waiting for the mage's reaction, she faced Tucharon again. ""If that idiot don't move, we'll have to do it ourselves. I'd say we don't try to destroy the undeads, we just run for it. Both of us, I don't know how long Korro will keep them at bay."

As the lich crumbled to dust and dissapeared Luna let out a breath that she didn't even know she was holding. It took a few moments for the feeling of relief to flood through her and to calm her down. Slowly she looked at the fallen blade, she didn't deserve to use it. She had let them down when she could of helped and cowering was no way to repay them for helping her, and she always repayed her debts. Elissandres shouting snapped her back to reality, the fool that had pushed past moments before was still casting seemingly useless spells at it. Luna plucked up the knife and walked across the bridge. Noticing Korro fighting below defending his star made her feel a stroke of guilt. "Heads up" she called as she hurled the knife at a zombie 's head, the force of the blow sending it sprawling to the ground at Koro's feet. Keeping an eye out for any more undead she moved towards the final star, stepping past the flamming figure and onto the star causing it to hum and glow like the other two. At least she would be of some use in this test she thought.

As Luna stood upon the final star the spell initiated.

All three markings sung at their own frequency and all became brighter and brighter until they flooded the room with a blinding light, combined with the high pitched resonation it gave a sense of unconciousnous as all sight and sound became too intense to register. When it all faded there wasn't a trace of the undead that lingered previously, not a spot of blood nor any of the creatures weaponry.

At about the time most would be regaining their senses, the door on the far side opened into a dark hallway. Soft padded footsteps alongside the sound of claws scratching the stones as they walked came forth. There was a sound of clapping as the figure applauded.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t244/klown-korpse/My%20Art/DroZarStoodbkground.jpg

"Well done my friends, it appears you have found me." The khajiit smiled as he stood there, most likely not what many had imagined in their heads. The khajiit stood a mere 5ft 6inches and looked as tho he was wasting away, a red flicker within his eyes and elongated fangs and claws. Despite his odd appearance he retained a humble and welcoming smile.

"I am Dro'Zar and i imagine you have questions. Ask away."



OOC: bit of a bad post but nice picture ^.^

Tucharon sheathed his blade and removed his helmet, carefully studying the khajiit. So this is our benefactor. He's doesn't look the part much more than Korro, but looks are often deceiving. Not to mention he's a vampire, so I have no idea how old he is. He tentatively took a few steps forward.

"Why exactly have you gathered us here? And how did you find us all?"

Having closed her eyes when the light reached it's pinnacle, Elissandre opened them to see the room was now clear of any trace of the undeads. Which to her relief included the generous serving spread over her. It was illusions. But damn good ones, and I'm good enough with them myself to judge.

But she still felt the lich's staff in her hand. [Since it don't comes from Dro'Zar's reception, I assume it stayed there]. She looked suspiciously at the enchanted piece of wood. But that thing should have vanished all the same. Which means someone else did the summonings... Her gaze drifted to the breton mage. Considering what that idiot did in the second room, he's almost too much the ideal suspect. But that would explain why that lich didn't strike as soon as it appeared. But how did this idiot think we would know another undead coming was on our side ? With that sort of tricks, it's no wonder he got kicked out. Even if he wasn't a necromancer, he's self-centered enough to be a danger to everyone around him...

The arrival Dro'Zar pulled her out of her uncharitable thoughts. Doesn't look like much, but with those claws and fangs... Bah not all vampires are blood-crazed monsters. And at least it seems he isn't got an overblown ego...

As he asked for questions, Elissandre made a gesture toward the rooms "It must have taken you some effort to greet us. Do you have some support already organized ?" With enough preparation he could have pulled that of alone, but it would take either a lot of time or a lot of power. But depending on how old he really is, odds are he's got both.

Arnand Erelue clutched the blank scroll he had used to summon the lich. Dang, he thought. A scroll wasted. He should have at least tried to train some more in Conjuration before summoning it, he might actually have been able to control the thing. Arnand felt bad for making everybody else fight the lich, but he was terrified of undead, or at least loose ones. The last lich he had come across had not nearly killed him due to skill, but moreover Arnand's intense fear of the being. Wondering how he would explain this to the others, he drifted back down to the ground. At last, silence had reigned over the room.

The Breton Mage was about to walk over the the person clutching the fallen lich's stave before a door opened, and the Khajiit strode in. He was very short, and obviousley vampiric. Arnand's attention was immediately dragged to Dro'Zar. Two questions had already been fired already, and Arnand believed it was his duty to allow the elderly Khajiit to respond before asking his own.

OOC: first a disclaimer, no more enemies appearing that i havnt stated unless asked about first, definatly no more lichs, summoned or not... and PLEASE can everyone who's still keeping track of this PLEASE PM me telling me so, i know a few have dropped out temporarily and asked to keep their chars in play but i really want to know who is still playing because it definatly doesnt seem like 16 people anymore, more like 4... sorry to be a nag but i feel a little let down *emo*

IC:

As the adventurers greeted him Dro'Zar listened patiently to the few questions, although admittedly he had expected more than a few but it was still early on. The flame within his hand still flickered magically and didnt seem to pain the khajiit despite having quite obviously charred black fur all up his forearms, but then he spread his hand forth and the flames shot out in small sparks to light the torches around the room and with that the flame in his hand died.

"I drew you here because you all have a similar desire, that which is similar to mine though may vary between you all." he stated but immediatly went on to his second answer.

"It indeed took some planning to prepare this place for your arrival but i had little help here and there." making it seem as though it was nothing and not worth boasting about. There was an air of humbleness in the way the khajiit spoke which to the socially inept might seem dismissive. "Although you may be the first to ally with me."

------------------

Korro stood shaking his head, the light had disorientated him so that he fell during the show, as he heard another khajiit voice above him and saw the lights come on he grabbed and sheathed both his knives and leapt up the stairs like an overexcited child before speaking up.

"Hmm i thought you'd be taller." he spoke with a bit of disapointment, completely disregarding how that might be insulting. "And what's with all the rooms in this place, the first one was awesome but i must say the rest svcked."

-----------------

Dro'Zar laughed and replied quite simply.

"They were simply tests, just as most of you had thought, but dont worry, there was no way to fail. Think of them simply as a questionaire." He said before awaiting a response from the room.

"A questionnaire." mused Arnand. "Then what did you use to determine whether we were worthy or not to meet you?"

After all, he thought, you wouldn't want any old person walking into a secretive organisation.

OOC: People dropping out seems commonplace on this forum, sadly.

The spellsword looked down at the still unimposing Khajiit vampire. The cat's tone was as mild and unimposing as the one who spoke it. If it wasn't for the rumors, the vampirism, and the undeniably impressive fort he set up, the Altmer would never would have suspected this Khajiit of being anything more than a pauper. One question answered, hundreds to go.

Tucharon replied, "So you are forming a...faction of some sort? And for exactly what purpose?" He had so many questions for the khajiit, but he wanted to allow the others a chance for their own questions.

OOC: I'm still here, Korpse. I've just been watching from the background.

IC:
In response to Arnand's question, Acerbus said, "I would imagine that it was to keep our composure under situations such as the ones presented over the past few hours. That and the fact that he wanted to understand our personalities. Am I correct?"

He looked at the Khajiit; frail and skinny in appearance, but obviously deadly. Dro'Zar? It has been quite a while since we've last seen each other. I wonder if he still recognizes me.

Luna covered her eyes as the light intensified, when she could see again she noticed that their mysterious host had finally shown himself. She tried to wait paitently for Dro'Zar to answer any questions the others might have but her temper eventually got the better of her. "Some questionaire" she retorted "you locked me in a cage, took my weapons, leaving me nothing to defend myself with, and scared the s*** out of me with that lich of yours!" she took a deep breath to calm herself down before continuing in a more civilised fashion "so if you would kindly return my belongings and show me to the nearest bed it would be greatley appreciated"

When Dro'Zar answered the questions, Elissandre listened with attention. Since joining forces with him would probably shape her fate for a long time. Or not if we do something stupid and the Legion stops on me. Bah, just being born is a death sentence. Even if there are a few exceptions.

"I don't think there's a clean, written goal. Oh probably some blanket statement like lifting the yoke of corruption. But we'll probably have to write the details on the move."

"No way to fail ? I find that a bit understated." She showed up the lich's staff. "That thing isn't an illusion, and I'd bet neither was the lich wielding it. The show was quite a masterpiece in illusion magics, but I think that finale was out of tune. A few octaves too lethal compared with the rest."

While speaking she kept an eye an Amand's reactions. She strongly suspected the breton mage to be the true culprit, but wanted more evidences before pinning the blame.

Luna and Elissandre's comments had made Arnand feel rather uneasy, and he shifted his feet a little. The Khajiit still hadn't given any indication of answering them - the Breton thought everybody might accept it a bit if he just came clean.

"Actually..." he began, "The lich was my doing. It was a scroll, which I didn't seem to have the guts to control correctly..."

Quietly, he prepared a small burst of Chronomatic energy at his fingertips - It wouldn't surprise Arnand if somebody decided to give him a good lashing for his idiocy. He sure didn't work well under stress.

But seeing the lich and the terror it had evoked into the people had once again fascinated him. The whole idea of lichdom did. Whilst Arnand would probably be around for a long time before he actively had a go at it, he would always want to acheive this immortality of sorts. To continue on his studies for all eternity. That would be wonderful, he thought.

For now however, he was little more than a Journeyman in the mystical arts. But he was expert in a few due to his already substantial intelligence. And whilst he had no common sense a lot of the time, this had indeed pushed him into the impossible.

Maybe...

maybe...