Following in Balthazar's Footsteps

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Aaronar
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Following in Balthazar's Footsteps

Postby Aaronar » Sun Jan 14, 2007 1:47 am

The following is a true account as perceived by me, and any errors are solely on the part of myself or those who provided information to me for events I was not there to witness personally.

I had arrived in the Nexus, on my way to Dundee when word from my guildmates reached me. Appearantly something big was happening in Verthedge Forest and it was felt that I should be there. More specifically that I should make haste across the bridge. That is what first got my attention, for there hasn't been a bridge in Verthedge, just the decaying remains of what used to be the only entrance into a corrupt land, the Dead Zone. The location of a dread fortress, and it's imprisoned inhabitant: Balthazar.

Immediately I made for the portal into the Eastern Mountains and wound my way down the pass and into the forest. It wasn't hard to follow the path, as it seemed that many had recently done the same just before me. Before long I had arrived at what I vividly remembered as a collapsed bridge leading into a land of death. Only now it was very much rebuilt. However no sign of who was responible could be seen.

Following the many tracks left across the bridge, I soon came upon a sight of pure horror, one that could easily cause a lesser man to lose heart and despair for the survival of this world. The mutilated bodies, in various states of buriel and partially animated by powerful magics, could be seen everywhere with no end in sight. And huddled together were some familiar and not so familiar faces, in a defensive posture near the newly restored bridge. Among those more well known and familiar to myself are the Holy Warrior Doyle, Thorin the Dainty, Iron Knight Topaz, Arlanna the Keen, and a score or more of others.

As I approached the band of adventurers, there was talk about the results of some scouting excursions and which direction the group should head. Hopes seemed high that with the area accessible we might finally be able to confront this villian and defeat him once and for all. It didn't take long before a course of action was decided upon, to move as a group towards the fortress and find an entrance. That however would prove much easier said than done.

At first we moved well, but it wasn't long before one or another started to fall behind. Maybe it was the sheer terror of the landscape, or the ferocity of the nameless horrors that were encountered. Despite this we stood firm, slaying those that engaged us, and keeping the clerics among us very busy. As one of only a couple enchanters most of my time was used to keep the clerics energized so that the warriors could be healed after each encounter. And soon enough it was noticed that some had fallen behind and out of sight of the main group.

Despite the lessening of our ranks, certain others pressed on, unhearing the calls to regroup and form some strategy besides the simple wandering around and charging the enemy. At this point we were already at the walls of the fortress. I announced that to ensure noone else was left behind, I would follow last so that those that go in first would have a signal for when to move forward. And a young cleric almost immediately fell behind, so I waited with her. She had become overwhelmed with the excitment and needed to catch her breath. Unfortunately my plan failed almost immediately for none waited and the group moved on.

In searching for a way into the fortress they followed it's exterior, which lead down to a beach. It wasn't until they were halfway around the fortress that it was first noticed I wasn't among them. During this time I escorted the young cleric Carmela along the beach, trying to catch up with those that had gotten out of sight. These beasts were more of a challenge than I expected, and each one became a long, drawn out battle. Carmela attempted to engage once, but was nearly killed from a single blow. After that she kept behind me, healing as we crept inch by inch towards the others.

Many marcs passed, and as we made our way around the fortress, it seemed as if we would never reach or companions. Just as I was considering opening a portal to get Carmela to safety we rounded the corner and saw everyone waiting there. And immediately I did notice that the Holy Warrior was not among those present. Some horror had managed to get a lucky shot in and Doyle fell to the foul beast. Fortunately Doyle returned to wakeful existance at a Life Monument and was able to make his way back to us. He followed our path making very good time, easily dispatching the countless monstrosities that attempted to block his way to reunite with the main group. By the time he reached us we had managed to complete the full circle around the fortress, finding no appearant entrance.

With the day dragging on, many weary and exhausted, and no appearant means to enter our enemies stronghold it was decided to head back to civilization. Saranf opened a portal back to Dundee, and half went back. One claimed that Balthazar had spoken to her, then stepped through the portal, another decided that he wasn't leaving until he could claim a trophy of his own from the beasts around us. It wasn't long before he came back running in fear at his unsuccessful attempt, but by then the portal had closed and Saranf did not have the energy to open another. That is when I opened a portal and informed those that remained that I would not open another portal. Sure enough everyone else went through to safey this time.

After this event I was informed that Balthazar himself was seen in the land, and was followed into Verthedge and across the bridge. Rumors that reached me conflict as to whether it was witnessed that the Demon Lord raised the bridge at that time or if it was already assembled. Regardless of who rebuilt it and at what time, it is disturbing to think that Balthazar would intentionally lead us into his own private domain where he has been imprisoned for generations. Who knows what traps and pitfalls he has devised that we could have walked into.


Aaronar

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