Giga Games 1/Giga Games.iso/net/d_d/caltech/fluff/assassin.flf

Text File | 1993-06-22 | 20.6 KB | 372 lines

                The Assassin -- Part one
                ------------------------


  Dan slipped quietly out of the Glowing Orb inn.  Careful as ever, he
contemplated his revenge.  He looked about, and then entered the shadows.
A minute later, a bat flew to the sky, heading toward the merchants
district.  Tonight the vampire will feast.

   Half an hour later, Dan stood in the shadows, his face twisted with
with anger, looking at his house as it was going up in flames.  Things
just weren't going the way he wanted them to. 'So be it,' he thought,
but his fists were clenched with anger.  Once more, he entered the deep
shadows of Agnast.  He would need magic if he was going to kill the
Guildmaster, and get away with it.  Besides, the traitor was one of the
wizard's friends.

  Will was pleased with himself.  Getting promoted made his day.  The
Guildmaster even gave him a ring of protection.  And all this for a
simple betreyal.  He jiggled. 'Dan probably didn't even know what hit
him,' he thought.  Never mind.  This day was fruitful.  But now he must
rest, for it will be dawn soon, and tomorrow morning (night, actually)
he will meet his new Master. 'Perhaps I'll work for the Guildmaster
directly,' he said to himself.  Fumbling for his keys, he dropped them.
He had drunk to much.  He picked them up, and opened the door.  The
drunken thug stumbled in, and decided to sit for a while, to gather his
strength to reach the bedroom.

  A hand was on his mouth, and another on his neck.  The hands were cold.
Unearthly cold.  Will felt his very life seeping from him to the cold
hands, who never got warm. 'cold' was all he could think about, as he
drifted to eternal rest.

  The vampire removed his hands from the dead body, and feasted. Then he
took out a scroll from his pocket, and read it. "adh*#@ hryp(ly$" he said
and suddenly the ring on Will's hand started to glow, as well as the
amulet on his neck. Dan removed them from the body, and then saw a faint
glow coming from the table. He looked under it, and saw a small silver
key glued to the bottom.  He took out a dagger, and with it released the
key.  Taking it, he went to the window and opened the shutters.

  A bat flew from the window, toward the north end of Agnast, where three
towers stood.

  The black bat flew over the city, toward the towers.  It landed a few
blocks away, and flew into the shadow of a small building, who's
inhabitants were found dead the following morning, their bodies dry of
blood.  No noise was heard, and if one were to look intently, they could
see a shadow flittering between the buildings.  But there was no one to
watch the shadowy figure of Dan this night.  He reached a building, not
thirty paces from the closest tower, his thirst quenched and his pouch
full.  Sipping from a potion that he found, he identified it as a potion
of diminution, which caused the imbiber to shrink when he drank it.  Dan
pocketed it, pleased.  He slowly opened a door and entered.

  It was dark inside.  But then, it was dark outside, too.  The room was
empty, its other two doors barred, and a thick layer of dust covered the
floor.  With certain steps, Dan came to one of the corners, and felt for
the secret catch he knew would be there.  Without a noise, a secret door
opened in the floor beside him, as it did an hour ago, when first he came
here, seeking a way into the towers.  He jumped inside, and the hole in
the floor stayed there, waiting for him to return.

  Dan assumed a gaseous form and drifted leisurly onward through the
damp corridors, feeling very much at home.  After a moment, the cloud
reached a dead end and Dan resumed his human form.  He removed the
needle, unconcerned with the worthless poison that could not affect him
now.  He pulled out his new found silver key and slid it into the key
hole.  The forward wall shimmered and faded, leaving the key to float
unsupported in the air.  Dan cautiously stepped forward and entered the
dungeon of the Black Tower.

                    The Assassin - part 2
                    ---------------------


  Dan decided to avoid traps by traveling in gaseous forms.  It was
easier this way, too.  The neophite vampire felt the damp surroundings
begin to affect him. He felt refreshed. Ready for anything.

Well, almost anything.

  The first part was easy.  Most of the basement floor was intended to
keep those who weren't supposed to be here out. This was done by a
series of well-hidden and extremely deadly traps. Dan avoided them all,
and found himself starting to like this place.  He knew that once the
wizards from the main tower discovered his presence, they'd send for
some sdventurers.  It was always adventurers.  Sooner or later, one of
would get luck and catch him unprepared.  So, remorsefully, he gave
up on the idea of living here.

  The cloud of gas reached an iron door. It passed beneath it. Dan
shifted back to his human form, and gound himself in the tower's
prison.  He looke about the damp cells.  Most of them were empty, which
was quite surprising for the Black Tower.  Frihy must be researching
other spells these days.  He wandered what those spells where.  He
dismissed the thought and continued his search.  There were a few orcs
here and there.  Dan walked on, looking at the miserable creatures.
Finally, he stopped in front of the last cell.  An ogre glared out at
him.  'This one could prove useful,' he thought, and Dan looked deep
into the the monster's eyes.  The ogre returned his gaze.  Dan slowly
mastered his new ability and drew the ogre's will to him.  He was
rewarded with the horrible sight of the ogre smiling at him.
  "Err, boss, can you get me outa here?"  it rumbled.
  "Of course, friend ogre.  If I may be so bold, what is your name?"
replied Dan, absently pulling a lockpick from one of the many pouches
about his waist.
  "Eh?" the ogre said, "You speak common?  Common?  No?"
  "Of course I speak common.  What was you name again?" asked Dan,
his nimble hands continuing to work on the lock as a smug smile played
about his lips.
  The lock opened with a rusty 'click'. "Jango" the ogre said in a stupid
smile. He stepped forward, forgetting the chain on his leg, and nearly
fell. "Can ya open dis, too?" he asked, his voice betraying a faint ring
of admiration as he eyed the open door.
  Dan opened the lock on the chain, and motioned for the ogre to follow
him. The charmed creature didn't think twice, and followed his master.
  Suddenly, Dan heard something.  He stopped abruptly and the ogre
bumped into him, almost knocking him off his feet.  This faint noise
carried and Dan now heard footsteps nearing the prison doors.  There was
a loud clank of keys, and as the door opened, Dan slipped to the shadow
of the nearest cell, waiting by its bars for his opportunity to strike.
Jango looked somewhat baffled, as he looked up and saw his master gone.
But he quickly jumped behind the door, to gain whatever surprise he could
on the person who would enter the room.  But the ogre was too nervous
from his unexpected freedom.  The door was only half open when he slammed
straight into it. There was an unclear shout from the other side, and the
keys turned. The footsteps sounded again. This time they were getting
away. Dan cursed under his breath. This was not supposed to happen. He
quickly turned to gaseus form and went after the guard. The ogre tried to
grab him, bit Dan dissipated through his hands. After a couple of minutes
he managed to catch up with the guard, who almost managed to get out of
the dungeon. Dan materialized before the guard's eyes, and striked.
The panicked guard ducked, and unsheathed his sword. He slashed for Dan,
and the vampire was hit. The blade cut through his flesh, and left it
unharmed. Dan chuckled, grasped the guard with both hands, aware that the
guard was helpless to harm him.  He started to drain the man's lifeforce.
The helpless guard struggled to break the death grip, but to no avail.
Slowly, the cold hands sapped his strength, and he dropped to his knees.
The, his conciousness wavered, and all went black.

  Dan looked down at the unconcious form and made a quick decission.  He
knelt down and bared the guards throat.  Dan bowed his head and went
about turning this one into a vampire servant, as Simon had done with
him.  He picked up the man and, wary of traps, stashed him in one of the
dead ends.  A moment later, Dan was working on the massive lock.  Dan
slowly opened the door.
  "It's okay, Jango, you can come out from behind the door." he said
softly.  The hulking figure appeared, surprised.  "Boss?" it asked.
  "Yes, it's me.  Come, follow me.  I will be in cloud shape, as before."
Dan shifted his form and the cloud drifted up the corridor.  The ogre
followed obediently.
  They reached the last corridor.  They could see the stairs, going up
into the darkness.  Dan floated forward with the ogre following behind.
Suddenly, fatelly, a click sounded faintly and the ogre burst into blue
flames, his agonized face looked at the vapor pleadingly for an instant
before all was burned away.

  Dan cursed, and drifted up the stairs.

                 The Assassin -- Part 3
                 ----------------------

  Dan floated onward, his thoughts fully concentrated on his mission.
He turned to human form, and walked in the shadows. The first floor was
where the entrence was, and thus there were many a guard from whom Dan
evaded skillfuly. He reached the stairs - he knew where they were, for he
had been here a couple of times in missions such as bringing the wizards
money for completing foul deeds for his LATE master, Sir Hakuj. He
climbed the stairs, and was now on the second floor, where the
apprentices were.

*************************************************************************

Downstairs, deep in the dungeon, the dead guard's body shifted and moved.
The transformation would take some more time, but it will be completed
before dawn.

*************************************************************************

  Dan stopped for a quick search in the apprentices' sleeping quarter.
He needed a specific spell in order to attain his goals, and he knew he
could deal with a few apprentices.  He eased into their room.  A few
skinny lads were sitting around a table, playing cards.  Dan played the
shadows of the dim room as only a thief can, and soon left carring some
spellbooks, the apprentices left, none the wiser.  'Good,' thought Dan,
'It wouldn't due to spring the trap this early.'  He followed the hallway
and examined his new acquisitions.  Most of the pages where a blur to
him, not being mageborn, but in the third one, he found words he could
identify.  He carefully removed the page and returned the books to their
unsuspecting owners.  In passing, Dan noticed the group playing cards,
watching their pitiful attempts at cheating.  'These would not survive
long among professionals.' he thought.

   Soon, Dan was going up a another staircase, this one leading to the
chambers of the more experienced Mages.  He moved slowly and carefully,
knowing that these could truely cause him harm.  He regretted having
kept his material form, for the Mages would detect such changes.  Dan
briefly considered going back down to change, but he realized that
sunrise was not far and he had little time.  After a few close calls,
Dan made it to the fourth floor.  He looked about, noticing the library
and the spell rooms.  Dan straightened his back and strode purposely
onward, the others, intent on their own concerns, ignored him.  He made
his way to the fifth and last floor, where Frihy the Black and Greyfist
the Mighty resided.  Cautiously, he neared Frihy's door.

*************************************************************************

Downstairs, the guard stood up slowly, moving about aimlessly.  Vaguely,
he wondered what had happened to him, but could not remember.  He moved
abio and as he realised his master can't be far, he tried to communicate
with him mentally. 'Master, can you hear me? What am I to do?'
  As he waited for a response, he practiced an evil grin.

*************************************************************************

  Dan tried to pick the lock leading to Frihy's rooms. When he didn't
succeed picking it, he tried another time with his magical picklock,
given to him (errr,purchased from will be more percise) from Highpeak's
thieves guild's mage. But the door won't budge.  He cursed silently, and
pulled out a potion bottle.  He unstoppered it and drank the bitter
contents.  Within seconds, he shrank to less than a finger's size.
Crawling, he made it past the heavy oaken door.

*************************************************************************

  Greyfist was reading a very interesting book. It was a theory book
which related to the_reverse gravity_spell, which he had problems
learning.  He studied the book thoroughly, and was just stating to
understand his previous mistakes.  He turned to the next chapter, intent
on his studies.  He came across a referrence to another book, one that
his collection did not house.  He started to close the book, when his
wizard senses warned him of nearby magic.  This angered him greatly, he
and Frihy had forbidden the others to incant at night, and he knew Frihy
slumbered in his room, worn from his exhaustive studies.  For a moment,
he considered finding the guilty one, but it had been weak magic,
probably a mere cantrip cast in passing by one of the students.  He
allowed the matter to pass and went to his bed.

*************************************************************************

  Dan allowed the effect to subside, and grew back to his normal size.
The wizard lay on the bed, tossing about restlessly.  Dan drew his blade,
intent on the Mage, but the prone figure continued his sleep.  Dan,
dagger in hand, approached the bed.  Suddenly, he felt movement in his
mind and knew his servant awoke.  He reached out and commanded his new
servant, 'Go to the cemetary and prepare two coffins.'

   Downstairs, a blank-faced form ambled about, following some inhuman
sense.  He walked like one dead toward the place of the dead.

  Frihy woke. Ever so slowly, he moved his left hand until he touched the
golden wand that rested there for such dire events. He was probing the
vampire's mind, slight probes that only masters such as only skilled and
powerful mages could hope to accomplish.  Frihy, discovering Dan's brief
distraction, grabbed the wand.  He cried, "Qualdsfh." his mind held the
image of this very room, behind the vampire.

  Dan threw the dagger, but too slowly. The dagger span in the air, and
hit an empty bed. At once Dan was aware of a presence behind him.
Knowing that all here were enemies, he turned and attacked.

  Both stumbled to the floor, but Frihy managed to pull a stone out of a
darkened bowl by the door, a stone that he had enchanted to radiate light
for all time.  The light shone like a small star, causing the vampite
great distress.  Dan reached out blindly and found the Mage's neck.
Keeping his eyes shut, he fumbled about with his free hand, searching for
the stone.  He found it and thrust it deep into his pouch, shutting out
the painful light.  Meanwhile, Frihy struggled weakly against his grasp,
his life force draining from him.  Dan, taking notice, released the mage.

  Frihy was numb and shocked, years of experience slipping from his
memory forever.  He stared at the vampire and recognition hit, "Dan?
But your dead.  The Guild Master, himself, gave the order.  Who's foul
arts brought you here, stalking the night?"  Seeing Dan's gaze, the Mage
let the matter drop.  He lowered his eyes in defeat, "What do you wnat?"

  'I need a favour' whispered the vampire,smiling.


                     The Assassin -- Part 4
                     ----------------------


  Dan absently bound the mage's hand as they talked.  He convinced the
wizard of his ability to take over the Guild and the wizard, fearing for
his life, knew better than to disagree.  Dan pulled out a scroll and
read a spell.  Some of the Wizards possessions began to glow.  Dan
gathered the glowing items, promising to return them as soon as possible.

  The vampire left through the window with a magical sword and some
healing potions.  His adventures in the Tower had consumed his time and
now he flew low, blindly, to evade the rising sun.  After an eternity,
Dan made it to a cemetary, where a zombie awaited him next to an
expensive looking coffin.  Dan hefted the heavy coffin and made his way
toward a large crypt.  He entered, sighing with pleasure, and set the
coffin in the corner furthest from the entrance.  He flung himself into
it, shut the lid, and slept.

   Dan awoke less than an hour after sunset.  'Tonight, I shall triumph.'
he thought, as he contemplated ways to rid his former master of his
pitiful life.  Suddenly, insperation struck.  He would turn the Master
into a zombie, so that he could forever cherish a symbol of this victory.
Finally, his plans were decided and he rose from the coffin.  He turned
to the patient zombie, "Remain here and guard this place."

   The thief slipped from the cemetary, unnoticed.  Nearby, a couple of
funerals took place, victims of last nights feeding.  Smiling to
himself, he left the town and entered the woods.  He found a special
tree and pulled on one of the dead limbs.  With a creak, a small door
opened and Dan removed a small bag.  He opened it and started applying
the make-up.  Within several moments, he stood there, looking like any
old man, his white hair contrasting well with his red nose.  He replaced
the bag and started walking back to town with a very strange walk.

  By midnight, he had staked out his former office in the Guild, where
a new master, Carl the Red resided.  He scaled the wall easily and was,
within seconds, working on the window lock.  'The fool,' he thought,
recognizing the familiar lock.  Quietly, he eased the window open and
sneaked into the room.  After a moment, he made sure that Carls name,
the Red, truely fit by slitting his throat.  He stashed the body in a
handy closet, keeping the sword, and slipped quietly into the corridor.
At once, he took to the shadows, quickly ascending to the upper floor.
He knocked on the lone door and was awarded with a harsh answer, "Not
now!"
   Dan, lamenting on such rudeness, tried to pick the lock with no
success.  Finally, he scribbled some words on a parchment and slipped
it under the door.  Momentarily, the door flew open and the GuildMaster
stood in the threshold, his anger quickly changing to amazement as he
recognized Dan.  The two stared at each other for a moment, then Dan drew
his blade.  The Guild Master jumped back and ordered his guards into the
fray.  Dan stood poised as he watched the pair approach.  He attacked
calmly, his sword clashing with the fighter on the right.  Dan whirled
in a complete circle, his second sword severing the arm of the guard to
the right.  Dan eased back, took a defensive posture and toyed with the
guards, once letting them score, laughing as the blade left him unharmed.
Quickly, Dan subdued the wounded fighter's will, silently commanding him
to attack his fellow.  The man plunged his sword deep into his friend's
belly.  Both fighter fell to their knees and Dan ran the left one
through.

   Dan turned toward the Guild Master, noting the personal Mage beside
him.  Dan ordered his failing minion at the Guild Master, who greeted
the guard with a ferocious attack that sent the warrior sprawling to the
floor, dead.  Dan, reacting to the distraction, reached the Mage.  But
the Mage had been watching and was prepared.

   The mighty discharge of energy caught Dan high in the chest, driving
him back.  Dan lunged and caught the Mage with a long, dreadful gash.
The Mage fell to the floor and Dan turned toward his former master.  The
Mage, gasping for breath, took out a dagger which shone with a blue
light.  He timed the combatants fight and swung.  Dan shouted in pain,
and barely kept his feet.  The Guild Master launched a fearsome swing,
which Dan managed to parry.  He dropped back and used the brief respite
to seperate the Mage from his head.  But the Guild Master scored with
a slash to Dan's midriff.  More determined than ever, Dan faced his foe.
The fight lasted for several minutes, until Dan triumphed.  A mighty
swing that had hewed deep into the Guild Master's left side.  Dan spun
and struck again, driving the Guild Master to the ground before inpaling
him with the blade.

   Dan stood over the body and watched the five guards come crashing
through the door.  He snatched the Chain of Mastery from about the
corpses neck.  Dan faced the group, a haughty expression on his face,
and spoke, "I have assumed Mastery of the Guild.  Kneel, fools, or
suffer my rage."  One by one, the guards kneeled, awaiting his orders.
"Fetch the Masters and guard this chamber."  The dumbfounded guards
rushed to obey.  As they left, the last guard heard him mutter, "I have
succeeded Master."