197 réponses à ce sujet

[Slim Warden]

Ah, lost loves, dirty secrets, and cheery places with Demon in the name, you really know how to tell a tale don't you?

[westiex9]

Slim Warden wrote...

Ah, lost loves, dirty secrets, and cheery places with Demon in the name, you really know how to tell a tale don't you?

I do my best what can i say

[TanithAeyrs]

Finally had a chance to catch up on your story. Plot twists everywhere, can't wait to see what happens next.

[Gilgamesh1138]

westie, you rock!

[westiex9]

The next case will be up soon guys, expect new characters and horrific crimes in ample doses (why im using the wizard emote i have no idea......)

Modifié par westiex9, 26 avril 2010 - 07:09 .

[Gilgamesh1138]

Because you are a magician with words?

[Slim Warden]

West I'm dying here I gotta get my fix of crime and mystery its what wakes me up in the morning, that and my alarm clock but you know what I mean.

[westiex9]

Not to worry slim ill have the chapter up later today, ive been bogged down with essays for uni (think fan fiction but without the lovely readers)  but once they are done my full attention is going to be on getting that chapter out

[Gilgamesh1138]

LOL, me too, me too! : D Ah essays, I remember those. : P

[westiex9]

Heres the First chapter of the new case, thanks to everyone for being so patient while i was working on Essays  Enjoy!

Demon Alley part 1

Rain, why does it always rain when I’m investigating?  I ask myself this every time I trudge through the torrent of dirty rain water, the scene in the market district is one of disturbing silence. The normally bustling heart of denerim is now cold and silent, much like the victim who lies bleeding onto the cobbles.

The Guard fill the empty street and maintain their distance, these Guardsmen are no strangers to the violence of the world, and yet hardened veterans now keep well back as if the place of this murder is blighted and they fear infection. Kylon stands over the body a Templar and mage at his side.

“The chantry will lead this investigation this is no common affair” the helmeted templar says in a commanding tone

“Even if what you say is true your numbers are too limited to scour the whole city for your culprit, the Guard are the only force large enough to scour Denerim” Kylon replies bluntly

“Perhaps a compromise can be reached Captain” the mage says in a placating tone

“Ah Erian just in time, this is Ser Eryhn and Enchanter Caleb they are the chantry representatives heading this investigation” kylon says

“This is your master investigator Kylon?” Ser Eryhn says in a mocking tone as she removes her helmet, the templar is a woman, dark haired and beautiful.

“Erian is the best investigator in the city, if you want to hunt whoever is responsible i suggest you take him along” Kylon replies in an irritated voice

“As I was saying we can compromise gentlemen, Ser Eryhn can lead the hunt while the Guard can send their best to assist” Enchanter Caleb says calmly

“Very well....I shall take your investigator along, provided he is useful that is” Eryhn says giving up the argument

“Lucky me” I reply sarcastically

“We should check the body Ser.....we must ascertain if this victim fits the patterns we saw in the tower and waking sea” Caleb says in a serious voice

“Very well, Harold lift up the shawl” Kylon says, a guardsman runs up and pulls back the stained cover looking back the entire time

And in an instant I realize why the guards kept their distance, as I stare into the eyeless sockets and look down upon the shredded corpse with its jaw torn free I know why they kept back.  This murder was committed by something far worse than any man, the slashed claw marks that run in trench like channels down the mutilated flesh are more feral and savage then any man made weapon.

“This is body shows all the signs that the ones in waking sea did, our abomination has come to denerim” Caleb says coldly

“Maker preserves us!” Kylon murmurs in a horrified voice

I just keep staring silently into the eyeless sockets where living eyes once gazed out at the world and glowed with the animated purpose of the living, Creators help me, we are hunting something now, and it is no man.
 

Modifié par westiex9, 28 avril 2010 - 08:37 .

[Gilgamesh1138]

YAY! Another luscious chapter. *bounces*

[Slim Warden]

Blimey an Abomination, I'm really anxious for next chapter this story is like french toast it just keeps getting better.

[westiex9]

 
Demon Alley part 2
Abomination, it doesn’t matter if your mother was a dalish or a human the word always carries the same meaning, horrors from another place preying on the people of this world in the skin of another. Back in the army we used to try to scare each other with tales about abominations, Darkspawn and other terrible things, never thought I’d end up hunting one though.

I’ve seen some pretty horrific things; I’ve seen the darkspawn and fought them up close, but when the Hurlock gazes  at you with its sickly eyes terrible as it may be this creature has never been a man, when an abomination stares it must be a twisted parody of its former self.

But before any hunting can begin, I need information on our target, after all knowledge can cut a foe deeper then steel any day of the week. And so stand at my desk a map of the city unfurled, and i wonder how forthcoming my new friends in the Chantry will be.

“So what’s the story behind this abomination how did this come to pass?”  I ask wondering if they will even
answer, the Chantry can be so vague

Ser Eryhn stares for a moment, no doubt calculating whether I should be allowed to know the story, she clearly decides I should and nods to Caleb

“What do you know of the Magister Calladus Erian?” Caleb in a tone more suited to conversations with academics then a former platoon sergeant

“Calla who?” I reply having never heard of the man

“Well, Calladus was a Magister who lived in the years of the Imperium’s height and was known for his writings on the fade; however he also consorted with demons and became an abomination in an attempt to overthrow the Archon of the time” Caleb says

“So what happened to him?” I ask curiosity peaked 

 “His plot was discovered by the legendary Magister Jovius who had him dismembered and burnt in the plaza of Minrathous by an angry mob, however while Calladus the occultists died that day his writings persisted” Caleb
says ominously

“The recent chaos in the circle left many vacant positions needing to filled and with such a short roster decisions
the Chantry objected to were made” Caleb says with a hint of resentment

“What the enchanter means is that we decided it would be bad policy to elect a known and outspoken libertarian to the position of chief archivist” Ser Eryhn replies in a bitter voice

“So what did this guy do? Pinch the scrolls for late night reading?” I ask

“Archivist Morywn used his new position to acquire access to the scrolls of Calladus, he summoned a demon of great power on the night of the anniversary of Uldreds attempted uprising” Caleb says matter-factly

“Why would he do this?” I ask naively

“He was long passed over for promotion and saw the position of archivists as a means to gain more prestige in the world, Morwyn suffered from a lust for power, and evidently the demon described in Calladus’s scrolls promised him that which he desired”  Caleb says darkly

“Two apprentices and one of my fellow templar’s died at that beasts hands, I’ve been hunting him across the land ever since”   Ser Eryhn adds with a tone of voice more bitter then the last

”Why denerim? Isn’t he just a demons mindless puppet now?” I ask confused

“If only it were so simple my friend, we believe even though possessed Morywn’s personality has affected the parasitic demon he summoned, Morwyn desires autonomy and power and the demon wishes to exert similar control”

“So why denerim?” I ask still confused

“Think! This is the city of a king and even one as strong as King Alistair can be influenced by blood magic, the beast has come here to feed and grow strong enough to seize power over the land!” Ser Eryhn says pointing with a mailed fist to the palace on the map

“Which of course explains the murders, morwyn has been possessed by a powerful entity from the fade and this creature has taken to feasting on mages and scholars to satisfy its hungers, with each victim it grows more powerful and more hungry” Caleb says calmly despite the subject matter

“The man killed last night was identified by his signet ring as Bann falwyth a noble famed for his collection of tevinter scrolls, our beast will kill again in a few nights to satisfy any hungers it may develop and we must be ready” Ser Eryhn says hands now pressed behind back in a military stance

“So our nasty has a taste for the smart ones, looks like we’ll have to begin narrowing down a list” I say pulling out a parchment  

“Remember anyone with connections to tevinter will likely be of interest to this demon, it is weak from millennia in the fade and will try to rediscover old writings to aid in its plans, and Erian” Eryhn says staring at me with icy blue eyes

“Don’t forget the creature is a blood mage, we may have to deal with its playthings too” the sentence fills me with fear.

A demon that feasts on the learned to satisfy its hunger, a demon that shares its repressed host’s desire for power, a demon that if allowed will pervert the minds of an entire kingdom. This Case seems a far cry from the usual murder or kidnappings I deal in, and the sudden realisation that the beast stalks some darkened corner of this city fills me with white knuckled terror.

Authors note:
Hope you enjoyed this; the mention of Jovious is no coincidence another fanfic I plan to release on day concerns Jovius’s descendants. But for now my focus is firmly on Erian and this dark little hunt.

Modifié par westiex9, 29 avril 2010 - 01:37 .

[Gilgamesh1138]

Oh the plot thickens and I am enthralled. Nice bringing in Jovius! Again westie, you spoil me! I can't wait for more. : )

[Slim Warden]

Gil did West just get more awesome, I believe this case just exemplifies epicness.

[Gilgamesh1138]

I agree Slim! It does indeed!

[westiex9]

Awww you guys are making me go all rosy with the nice comments  

On that note heres the Third part


Demon Alley part 3
On my suggestion we begin a search of Bann Falwyth’s townhouse, the man collected tevinter scrolls like beggars collect fleas and I figure the Beast killed him for more than just a late night bite to eat. As we enter the late banns city home I notice how vast it is, the entrance hall could fit several alienage homes inside it alone.  

“Greetings Ser knight I would offer you hospitality but the masters death has thrown the household into chaos” the butler says in a weary voice

“I was of the understanding that the bann had a much larger staff then one butler” Ser Eryhn says with a raised eyebrow

“Ah...yes...the rest of the household....unfortunately they are on errands across the city and will not be back for some time” the butler says in a still wearied tone

“Very well, if you would show us to the banns study we can attend to ourselves” Ser Eryhn replies dropping the matter

“This way milady” the butler says leading us down the long hallway to an end room with two massive oak doors

“This is the study of the late bann, I trust you will be able to find the information you require, if you require anything please call” he says leaving the room

The study could be better described as a personal library, the walls are filled with parchments and scrolls of skin and reed and some are so old they are slowly rotting into dusty piles.

“So this is the bann’s famed study, why anyone would want to collect the writings of tevinter is beyond me, nothing good ever comes of those magister’s” Ser Eryhn says as we scan the vast study for anything of use

“For once we agree templar” I say looking at a blackened skin with a red pointed star on it

“Hey Erian are those red points...people?” Castor says staring at the unfurled scroll pinned to the banns’ desk

“Ah what’s this? Is that...yes! The star of discord!!” Caleb says pulling out a quill and taking notes with far too
much excitement

“The star of discord? “ I say surprised

“The writings in the Chantry archive did mention something like this” Ser Eryhn says moving toward the scroll

“Care to enlighten us?” I ask

Ser Eryhn sighs “the star of discord is an ancient event in which the sun is eclipsed, this scroll concerns an ancient ritual that can be used to exert blood magic over an entire city, if he succeeded he could command the king and queen to do anything from declaring war with Orlais to punting kittens through windows” Ser Eryhn says with a slight grin

“I thought templar’s were meant to be stern and humourless? “ Castor says with a chuckle

“When I was a girl I thought all kings danced the remigold and slew tyrants, sadly it’s not true” she says with a sly grin

So Ser Eryhn has a sense of humour and feelings beneath that armour after all, who’d have guessed?

“we need to get this scroll to the chantry and find out where he plans to sacrifice these victims, if I remember my lessons in blood rituals he will be looking to kill each at certain points of importance in the city”  Ser Eryhn says as Castor rolls the scroll up and carries it under arm

As we leave the butler stands in our path, his eyes glazed and expressionless, he walks forward on feet that move erratically as if on puppet strings

“T-t-t the master’s things must not be taken.....” the butler stammers

“He’s being controlled by the abomination!” Caleb blurts out

“Did you think I would let you take my things mortals!” an inhuman voice not the butler’s own says

“Stay back demon!” Ser Eryhn says drawing her sword “You don’t want to cross me!” in response the butler lets out a maddening cackle

“You mortals are all the same, fragile and oblivious, take this butler for instance too much pressure and he will burst!”  The beast says its horrific laughter continuing

The butler begins to howl in pain and swell as his blood burns and becomes a corrosive fire

“The demon, he’s turning the butler into a bomb!” Caleb says trying to create a shield out of arcane magic’s

“No time Caleb!” Ser Eryhn says stepping forward “I warned you demon!” she says, she begins to recite a litany and with a raised hand calls down a bolt of arcane force

The energy rips through Butler’s body and he is sent flying down the hallway, he crashes into a wall with a sickening crunch and does not get up.

“Never did like hired help” Ser Eryhn Quips as she helps Caleb up off the floor

“Hey can you smell that?” I say as my nostrils pick up a vile stench coming from somewhere in the house, I know that stink anywhere it’s the smell of the dead

It doesn’t take long for me to find the smells source, the wine cellar; I open the door with a swift kick from my boot when it proves to be locked, and the door flies open to reveal a gruesome sight.

“I think I just found the rest of the household” I say staring into the abyss that is the wine cellar, the floor is littered with mutilated corpses  

“Makers Breath!” Castor says staring into the sea of death in the cellar, the walls are caked in blood and the floor is strewn with shredded corpses

“Looks like our demon used the banns’ servants to satiate its hunger” Caleb says as we walk down the creaky wooden steps into the charnel house cellar

 “He must have gotten through fifty people in one night!” Ser Eryhn says shocked “he couldn’t even feed on fifty in a week back in waking sea!” She continues staring down at the carnage

“As I said, the beast is growing hungrier every time he feeds, the more he eats the more powerful he becomes”
Caleb says shuddering at the thought of the demons current power

“Makers breathe! There’s one still alive!”  Castor shouts as he kneels beside a sickly looking man

“Maybe Caleb was right to insist you came along after all” Eryhn says with an almost friendly voice

This is no time for cheer though, Morwyn and his twisted master are planning something, and if they succeed who knows what they will do. Flies begin to buzz around the corpses and it soon becomes impossible to think, all life’s chaotic sound is drowned out by the raging buzz of the carrion eater.
                            

Modifié par westiex9, 30 avril 2010 - 08:18 .

[Slim Warden]

I knew you couldn't trust the Butler they're simply bred to be evil, and again you just keep making it more and more epic, this is officially my favorite case.

[westiex9]

Slim Warden wrote...

I knew you couldn't trust the Butler they're simply bred to be evil, and again you just keep making it more and more epic, this is officially my favorite case.

I know its always the same people isn't it Butlers,Viziers and Kings Advisors are always evil! its like the unwritten rule of fantasy

[Gilgamesh1138]

ROFL the butler did it! And Slim it is epic, and one of my favs.



westiex9 you are so wonderful.



Oh, and I posted fanart you two, I hope you will tell me what you think. I put some up of the characters in my story. I hold you both in high regard, so I would love to know what you think.

[westiex9]

Its official i have gone Rosy cheeked!

[Gilgamesh1138]

Well blush away my friend, you are made of the awesome, as is Slim. : D

[Slim Warden]

I love this thread, its just oh so lovable.

[Gilgamesh1138]

Hehe it is indeed!

[westiex9]

Demon Alley Part 4

Back when I was a child mother used to tell me stories about Arlathan and of how the magisters of the imperium sacked it and dragged our people off into slavery, in the tales she spoke of the terrible powers at the magisters fingertips. In the tales the magisters summon demons and call on the beyond to burn and destroy our ancient homeland.

Mother would speak of the horror of the imperium, of the altars soaked in elven blood and of the wicked men that consorted with things from the beyond, I thought they were just exaggerations for most of my youth, but I was wrong.

The infirmary is cold in the morning chill and the stink of blood and poultices hangs heavy in the air, the servant we found in the abattoir like basement of the late bann Falwyth seems physically better away from that slaughterhouse, but who knows what scars linger in his mind.

I sit by his bed and castor has his note pad ready to document any information we glean from the servant

“So listen, I know given the horrors you saw this may seem a little sudden, but we need to know if you saw or heard anything of use” I say in a calm voice

 He looks up, eyes still sickly from the event in the cellar “he came in the night, the others...they never saw his face...they all just followed him into the cellar where I was working”

“Followed? No one even tried resisting?” I ask

“Not one soul argued or fought, they just walk like dead things into the cellar, no emotion at all on their faces” he says in a disturbed voice

Castor looks at me with a worried look

“this....thing....its powerful enough to influence fifty people!” Castor says suddenly fearful

“This monster what did it do?” I ask

“Damn thing strode into the centre of the cellars, muttered something about how he’d corrupt the cities heart...and then he....did something” the servant says horrified

“What? Blood magic?” Castor asks

“thing started chanting in a voice I couldn’t understand...then the room filled with heat...everyone started to burst or fall to the ground bleeding, I felt weak...drained...I blacked out” he says trying not to sob

“Thank you, look get some rest...this will be over soon” I say reassuringly

“It will never be over....he’s everywhere now!” the servant murmurs as he begins to sob madly

As we leave the infirmary Ser Eryhn stands outside waiting for us 
 
“Discover anything useful?” she asks

“Only that out abomination is extremely powerful and plans to do something in the city heart” I say with a chuckle

“I’m going to go out on a limb and assume that something isn’t good” she replies her tone serious

“No it isn’t good, we need to find out when the next eclipse is, and more importantly we need access to the palace” I say

“Let’s go see Knight-Commander Tavish then” she says leading the way

“Where’s enchanter Caleb?” Castor asks confused

“He’s in the chantry library scouring the old texts for anything of use, and don’t worry there’s a templar keeping an
eye on him” she says with a grin

The doors to the Knight Commanders office hide much of the conversation from me and Castor, but it is heated and goes on for at least an hour. The Denerim chantry has been enlarged since the last time I was in denerim, like much of the city the royal couple wasted no time rebuilding the place. Still despite the new hallways and beautiful depictions of Andraste, like all the works of the chantry this place has a certain domineering air about it, like it’s trying to impose itself on all who enter.

The doors open after a while and Ser Eyrhn walks out with a serious look on her face

“How did the knight-Commander take it?” I ask in a cautious tone

“Better than I expected, a detachment of templar will be sent to the palace to aid us, oh and Erian” she says in a worried voice

“Yeah?” I reply knowing bad news is coming

“The eclipse is tomorrow, Queen Fiona is holding a banquet in honour of her husband” she replies with an ominous voice

“The perfect time for our killer to strike at the city heart” I reply darkly “we are going to need protection from blood magic if we are to stop this creature” I say rising from my chair

“I believe I can help with that” Caleb says surprising us all with his sudden appearance, he’s grinning and for the
first time I notice the mischief in his green eyes

“I take it you found something of use Caleb?” Eryhn asks

“Indeed Ser knight, our friend Jovious has provided me with a solution to our problem once again, take a look at this translated scroll” he says unfurling a fresh sheet of parchment

“Err...what is it?” Castor asks as he stares confused faced at the image

“This parchment I copied depicts the moment in which Jovious returns to minrathous with his army and destroys Calladus the Occultist” he says with an enthusiastic voice

“So how does this help us?” I ask

“Look at the bright star here above the scene; Jovious used a powerful spell known as the morning grace to counter the effects of Calladus’s blood magic, one that I believe I can copy......with Ser Eryhns permission of course” he finishes looking at Ser Eryhn the way a child with a stray cat looks at a parent when they want to keep it
“I’m willing to try anything at this point Caleb, you have permission, now come we need to prepare...we have a ball to attend” She says with a humourless smile

So we are off to the royal palace, this I would never have suspected, still if we can stop this beast in good time I might even have time to enjoy the party, assuming I’m still alive afterwards that is.
 

Modifié par westiex9, 02 mai 2010 - 11:29 .