TechgnosisWeb Prime

Well, looks like we’re down to one a week, for now. I’m trying to ramp up to the three-a-week I promised, but between crazy weekends, eye infections, and just pure chance, it hasn’t been possible. Still, I keep pumping out bits of story. Special thanks to Eldrin for bugging me so I would put up this bit tonight!

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It took Jack the better part of 3 hours fight his way down to the port town of Brighton. From there, it would just be a short sprint to Zalman Keep. He looked up at the clock on the wall as he sat down in front of the computer. It was 11 o’ clock, and he hadn’t even started this damn quest yet. With a sigh, he picked up his mouse and placed his hand on the keyboard again. He wouldn’t be getting much sleep tonight, that much was certain.

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Rathnar, legendary warrior, hopped down from the boat that had carried him to Brighton. His heavy armor thudded against the weathered wood of the docks as he landed, startling some of the other nearby adventurers. He chuckled to himself, and started a brisk jog down the length of the dock, towards the town proper and the inn where he’d agreed to meet DethAdder.

Brighton was, as always, mobbed with adventurers. As a port town, it was home to a large selection of shops, selling everything an adventurer could need, from sturdy blades and functional shields, to the most exotic spell components and magical items. Almost anything in the world could be found in Brighton, if you know where to look, and if you were willing to pay the price…

Rathnar strode confidently past the milling crowds and the hawking vendors, heading directly for the inn. He didn’t have time to waste going shopping, not today. He pushed open the door to the inn, and narrowed his eyes, trying to make out who was in there as his vision adjusted to the dark interiors after the bright sunlight outside. After a moment, he caught a flash of bright purple robes at the far end of the bar, and started heading over in that direction.

A short, funny-looking man was wearing those robes, and as Rathnar arrived, the man spoke to a small crowd that was gathered around him. “Now, now, everyone has paid their fee, right? Good. Now, step back, while I summon, for your pleasure and edification, the most beautiful creatures on the face of this world!”

Rathnar smirked, amused. He’d seen this routine before. And he knew that they would be making a run for the hills in about 2 minutes. As he watched, the short man in the purple robes began chanting, glowing runes appearing in the air around him. After a moment, there was a bright flash… and a pair of absolutely mind-blowingly gorgeous women stood in the empty space between the crowd. Their bodies were curvaceous, flawless. Their eyes, a dizzying shade of green, to match the spring grass green of their hair. Delicately pointed ears peeked out from the curls of their hair. They wore just about nothing. As Rathnar and the short man watched, the summoned nymphs smiled and began walking among the assembled crowd. As they passed by each person, their eyes would flash a deep crimson, and the victims eyes would glaze over with lust. Few of them noticed that the nymphs were expertly pickpocketing them as they went along, disappearing many of their more valuable items.

<Rathnar> How long do you think that will keep them busy?
<DethAdder> LOL.. About 2 more minutes. Let’s get the hell out of here. N00bs.

The short man in the purple robes fluttered past Rathnar, who turned to follow him outside, sparing one last glance at the crowd of charmed imbeciles, as the nymphs took their time emptying out everyone’s pockets. In another minute and a half, they would disappear, back to wherever they had been summoned from.. And they would take their purloined goods with them, never to be seen again. This was not going to be pretty. Rathnar quickened his pace.