Of the two new adventurers, the Gargoyle was the first to stir. Gargoyles, an ancient race of statues brought to life by one of the Wandering Wizards countless millennia ago, were known for their dormant existence and infrequent sightings.
Idris bore the distinctive traits of his kind. His rugged, stone-like gray skin found companionship in the intensity of his dark green eyes. Two horns protruded from his head, emerging amidst his shaggy black hair and curving gracefully on either side of a modest bun. Their tips painted in a dark blue complexion, a stark contrast to the earthy tones of his appearance.
Clad in red leather armor, accented by metal shoulder pads secured with silver buttons, Idris bore a short sword at his left hip, elegantly sheathed and attached to a brown leather kilt. His left hand held a vivid crimson spear, its hollow metal construction reflecting the light with an almost ethereal gleam.
Despite his imposing demeanor, Idris possessed a voice that carried a soothing and endearing timbre. "I tried to tell you," he indicated with a nod towards his unconscious companion, "they ain’t gonna send an army, no matter how important you think you are. However, regardless of the outcome..." He extended his hand gracefully. "...accept my heartfelt gratitude."
Time stretched before the Theriocephaly began to rouse. Menelik, presently taking the form of a Panther, shared the nature of his kind – Theriocephal are born from the Black Sands of the Azurill Desert on Drithel. Each Theriocephaly possessed memories of a distant life in a land far removed from Arrithia.
Menelik's gait oscillated between two-legged and four-legged, thanks to his retractable fingers and toes that transformed into powerful paws, granting him effortless agility. His eyes held a deep turquoise hue, faintly radiant with an inner glow.
A resplendent golden necklace, bedecked with an assortment of jewels and ornaments including a vivid green leaf at its heart, adorned Menelik's neck. Enveloped in black metal armor that enshrouded his entire form, even his swaying tail, he bore a war hammer upon his back and a mage's staff firmly within his grasp. The staff, hewed from brown wood and crowned with roots, cradled a forest green gemstone that radiated an aura of enchantment.
Menelik's voice resonated with a calm authority upon awakening. "I told you, you don’t want none!" he proclaimed, his eyes darting around in a defensive sweep.
"Where’d that cloth-clad ass disappear to?" Menelik questioned with a sharp edge to his voice. He turned to Zero and Maeve, his eyes looking them up and down. “You really all they sent?”
Maeve rolled her eyes before shifting her attention to Idris. "Sloth, the guy who had you, mentioned that there were two more of you?"
Idris nodded in affirmation. "Ye, we ended up getting separated in the castle." He gestured towards the floating monument suspended in the sky.
Responding with a smirk, Maeve said, "Show us."
As they entered the castle, its grandeur enveloped them immediately. The ceiling soared high above, enshrouded in shadow, while towering pillars reached upward endlessly. The castle sprawled out limitlessly, an intricate labyrinth of corridors and enigmatic chambers.
Zero's gaze wandered. "Where we go now?" he pondered aloud, his words reverberating through the expansive hall.
Surveying the surroundings, Idris knit his brows in thought. "Ight, I confess, the layout has changed. That central area there used to be an elongated hallway."
Menelik's annoyance surfaced in a snort. "Aren't Gargoyles supposed to possess impeccable memory?"
"I just told you it changed? You want this smoke?" Idris retorted.
"And I was just asking a question, give me that smoke bitch boy." Menelik shot back, defiantly.
An eerie darkness suddenly emanated from the staircase, capturing everyone's attention.
From the shadows emerged Sloth and a woman clad in matching crimson fabric, the brass chains draped her neck, waist, and hips. Following them appeared another figure, similarly attired, the cloth clinging tightly, unveiling numerous severed hands gripping their seemingly armless form.
Promptly, Menelik stashed his mage staff, unsheathing his warhammer, while Idris readied his weapons – his spear held in his left hand, short sword poised in his right. Maeve's hands remained concealed, clutching her daggers with determination.
Halting at the staircase's base, they formed a line, confronting the intruders. The one in the center stepped forward, her voice a blend of eager anticipation and malicious intent. "Master told us to come play."
With a graceful gesture, she introduced her companions. "You've already made the acquaintance of my brother, Sloth. Allow me to present my sister." She gestured toward the figure adorned with severed hands. "This is Pohlepa." Pausing, her gaze swept over the group. "Oh, nearly forgot – Master insists we avoid using our true names for now." She gestured again to Pohlepa. "...this is Greed…" A delicate motion revealed her own mottled, pale feet beneath the cloth. "...and I… I go by Lust."
Of the two new adventurers, the Gargoyle was the first to stir. Gargoyles, an ancient race of statues brought to life by one of the Wandering Wizards countless millennia ago, were known for their dormant existence and infrequent sightings.
Idris bore the distinctive traits of his kind. His rugged, stone-like gray skin found companionship in the intensity of his dark green eyes. Two horns protruded from his head, emerging amidst his shaggy black hair and curving gracefully on either side of a modest bun. Their tips painted in a dark blue complexion, a stark contrast to the earthy tones of his appearance.
Clad in red leather armor, accented by metal shoulder pads secured with silver buttons, Idris bore a short sword at his left hip, elegantly sheathed and attached to a brown leather kilt. His left hand held a vivid crimson spear, its hollow metal construction reflecting the light with an almost ethereal gleam.
Despite his imposing demeanor, Idris possessed a voice that carried a soothing and endearing timbre. "I tried to tell you," he indicated with a nod towards his unconscious companion, "they ain’t gonna send an army, no matter how important you think you are. However, regardless of the outcome..." He extended his hand gracefully. "...accept my heartfelt gratitude."
Time stretched before the Theriocephaly began to rouse. Menelik, presently taking the form of a Panther, shared the nature of his kind – Theriocephal are born from the Black Sands of the Azurill Desert on Drithel. Each Theriocephaly possessed memories of a distant life in a land far removed from Arrithia.
Menelik's gait oscillated between two-legged and four-legged, thanks to his retractable fingers and toes that transformed into powerful paws, granting him effortless agility. His eyes held a deep turquoise hue, faintly radiant with an inner glow.
A resplendent golden necklace, bedecked with an assortment of jewels and ornaments including a vivid green leaf at its heart, adorned Menelik's neck. Enveloped in black metal armor that enshrouded his entire form, even his swaying tail, he bore a war hammer upon his back and a mage's staff firmly within his grasp. The staff, hewed from brown wood and crowned with roots, cradled a forest green gemstone that radiated an aura of enchantment.
Menelik's voice resonated with a calm authority upon awakening. "I told you, you don’t want none!" he proclaimed, his eyes darting around in a defensive sweep.
"Where’d that cloth-clad ass disappear to?" Menelik questioned with a sharp edge to his voice. He turned to Zero and Maeve, his eyes looking them up and down. “You really all they sent?”
Maeve rolled her eyes before shifting her attention to Idris. "Sloth, the guy who had you, mentioned that there were two more of you?"
Idris nodded in affirmation. "Ye, we ended up getting separated in the castle." He gestured towards the floating monument suspended in the sky.
Responding with a smirk, Maeve said, "Show us."
As they entered the castle, its grandeur enveloped them immediately. The ceiling soared high above, enshrouded in shadow, while towering pillars reached upward endlessly. The castle sprawled out limitlessly, an intricate labyrinth of corridors and enigmatic chambers.
Zero's gaze wandered. "Where we go now?" he pondered aloud, his words reverberating through the expansive hall.
Surveying the surroundings, Idris knit his brows in thought. "Ight, I confess, the layout has changed. That central area there used to be an elongated hallway."
Menelik's annoyance surfaced in a snort. "Aren't Gargoyles supposed to possess impeccable memory?"
"I just told you it changed? You want this smoke?" Idris retorted.
"And I was just asking a question, give me that smoke bitch boy." Menelik shot back, defiantly.
An eerie darkness suddenly emanated from the staircase, capturing everyone's attention.
From the shadows emerged Sloth and a woman clad in matching crimson fabric, the brass chains draped her neck, waist, and hips. Following them appeared another figure, similarly attired, the cloth clinging tightly, unveiling numerous severed hands gripping their seemingly armless form.
Promptly, Menelik stashed his mage staff, unsheathing his warhammer, while Idris readied his weapons – his spear held in his left hand, short sword poised in his right. Maeve's hands remained concealed, clutching her daggers with determination.
Halting at the staircase's base, they formed a line, confronting the intruders. The one in the center stepped forward, her voice a blend of eager anticipation and malicious intent. "Master told us to come play."
With a graceful gesture, she introduced her companions. "You've already made the acquaintance of my brother, Sloth. Allow me to present my sister." She gestured toward the figure adorned with severed hands. "This is Pohlepa." Pausing, her gaze swept over the group. "Oh, nearly forgot – Master insists we avoid using our true names for now." She gestured again to Pohlepa. "...this is Greed…" A delicate motion revealed her own mottled, pale feet beneath the cloth. "...and I… I go by Lust."
