RPG:Champions of Geridarr (Page 3 of 6)

Indy woke up in a dimly lit room. He sat in a plain chair facing a simple table. On the other side of the table was another chair, with this man sittin in it http://towleroad.typepad.com/photos/unc … ledore.jpg The man in green armor who knocked him out stood behind him with his arms folded over his gun.

Indy shook his head. He looked at himself. They didn't tie him down. Indy made a move to get up.

"I suggest you remain seated, Dr. Jones. The knock out dart's effects may have not worn off yet. Besides, you'll want to be sitting down for what I'm about to tell you." The wizard looking man said to Indy. Indy remained seated.

"How do you know my name?" Asked Indy, thinking this old man was much more than what he appeared to be.

"Your wallet." The old man said and chucked Indy's wallet over the table with a smile. Indy took it and put it away.

"There is no need for alarm. You were attacked by Boba Fett here because you chose not to come quietly." The old man said

"Yeah...well make sure bucket head there doesn't pull another fast one or he's gonna get a bullet in his mouth." Indy said motioning towards Boba Fett. The man didn't move an muscle. His black visor remained frozen in place looking at Indy, still wondering about why his resemblance to a certain special someone was so exact. Down to the damn scar on his chin...

"My name is Albus Dumbledore, and I am a wizard. As you no doubt already know due to the Countess, you are in a 'tournament' in this land of Geridarr. However, it is not a tournament at all. It is a simply a means to distract the beings who come here from the truth. The Emperor, Raistlin Majere, is a mage of unspeakable and immense power. He created the tournament as a means of bringing beings here from every realm and dimension, so he could steal their souls. He is able to do this because he some how came into possession of a Phylactery of strange power. It is not like a normal phylactery, which would normally harness the soul of only ONE individual being. Instead, this phylactery absorbs the souls of beings who are killed while a Soul Crystal is in place in their spine. The Phylactery then transfers the power to the Emperor himself, making him even more powerful and immortal."

"So this guy is just letting everyone kill each other and absorbing their souls to become more powerful?" Indy asked, shifting uneasily in his chair.

"Yes."

"There is no way to take out a Soul Crystal once you have one?"

"Only the Emperor himself can do that. And as you can assume, he wont."

"So naturally, the promise of going home if you get through each temple is a lie..."

"Of course. This man only desires more power, more control. Nothing else."

"They always do... So why do you need me?"

"Because we need you to destroy the Phylactery, which is in a chamber in Castle Geridarr that can only be accessed by beings without Soul Crystals. And you, Dr. Jones, do not have a Soul Crystal in your spine. How did you manage to do that?"

Indy reaches into his satchel and takes out the shining swastika medallion. He tosses it onto the table. Both Dumbledore and Fett look at the medallion in shock.

"How...?" Dumbledore asks in wonder

"I found this back home. Had to go through those fun loving Nazis to get it..." Indy said rubbing the back of his neck to make sure there wasnt a Soul Crystal there.

"Nazis? So there is a connection with them and the swastika symbols being used here in Geridarr. So you got this from them? What year is it back in your world?"

"1939. Are you from Earth? You know about the Nazis?"

"Well, yes I am from Earth. Possibly a different realm however. A parallel universe in which things are very different. Do you know what this medallion is?"

"I heard the Draconian's call it a Champion's Medallion. Then they started calling ME a champion. Got me off the hook."

"Yes, these medallions are awarded to the beings who get through all the Temples and go to the Emperor. Only the ones that choose to govern a temple or a realm the Emperor controls get a medallion as well as the removal of their Soul Crystal. Those who ask to go home or rebel are killed by him."

"Right...so im guessing that you want me to go through all the temples, get the keys, go into the castle, destroy the Emperor, kill him when he's weak, and save the day?"

"Well...........yes. However, you will not be alone. The Vindicators will assist you. We are a group of beings who desire to end the Emperor's plot and free the people stuck in Geridarr. You would surely not be able to defeat the Guardians, much less the Emperor, on your own. You need help."

"Right...so bucket head here is gonna help?"

"No...he's too expensive. But he helps us here and there at times. He too desires to go back home." Dumbledore reaches to his belt and takes off a sack of silver that he hands to Fett for bringing Indy to him. Fett takes it, and nods slightly to Dumbledore. He walks out, looking at Indy one last time before heading down the stairs. As he goes down, a lizard man with dark grey and tan scales comes up, looking at Fett as he walks by. Fett pays him no attention and leaves.

"This is Flame. He is a most powerful being and one of the Vidicators. He will assist you in recruiting help for your mission downstairs." Dumbledore says to Indy motioning towards Flame. Flame stands behind him and nods to Indy.

"You mean I have to recruit from the scum down there?" Indy says to Dumbledore, jerking his thumb towards the stairs and the sounds of drunken fools.

"Unfortunately, Rutger, the bartender you met downstairs, is the only person allowing the Vindicators asylum. He will not report you for recruiting a party to help you take down the Emperor. However, others there may. So you must be discreet."

"Right...so how did you find out so much about the Phylactery and the Emperor?" Indy asked

"A former Vindicator, Superman, was able to go through the temples and gain access to the castle. He did some reconassance while there for us. Unfortunately, he was unable to reach the phylactery due to his Soul Crystal, or to escape because the Emperor defeated him. His is now one with the phylactery." Dumbledore says with an expression of sadness coming over his face.

"He killed Superman???" Indy asked, wide eyed. He couldn't believe a real Superman was here, AND was defeated by the Emperor.

"We're done for..." Indy says shaking his head.

"Have faith Dr.Jones," Dumbledore says standing "Now we have you. Now the Vindicators have hope. After recruiting a party, Flame will take you to the first temple, the Spirit Temple. Afterwards you will go to the next safe zone, Thorbardin, where you will meet more of the Vindicators. Now, I have other matters to attend to. Good luck, Indiana Jones." Dumbledore smiles and with a loud 'pop' he was gone.

Indy looked as he was about to ask a question yet remained open mouthed. He looked at Flame in wonder.

"He does that alot." Flame replied.

-------

Indy and Flame now sat in a booth. Flame had his own drink and Indy now had another mug of that fantastic ale he had before.

Indy had been suggesting powerful looking beings for the party while Flame told him whether or not they would work. He had been in Geridarr for some time and knew who was who. So Indy and Flame waiting for new 'contestants' to stumble in who would make good candidates. If they were new here, there was less of a chance that they were corrupted by the Emperor's plot and the lust for power.

Jack finally made it to the town in the desert. He missed his ship, the open sea. the freedom that it brought. He managed to drop off the donkey at a similar looking place as to where he originated. He made a big fuss about finally getting off. Jack was so stiff that he couldn't quite stand up, and started to bowleggedly walk away from the stables, a grimace on his face.  He missed rum.

He really wasn't sure where to go to start this quest of becomming a champion, so he pulled out his trusty compass, and looked for a heading. It pointed ahead of him, to a building with a tattered sign on it. Jack couldn't quite tell what it said, so he quinted at it. Apparently it was not in english.  But his compass said he wanted to go there and so he boldly walked in.

Only to find that it was a cantina.  Jack smiled. "Ah rum." and he walked up to the bar keep.

He managed to convince him to give him some wonderful rum, and as he leaned on the bar, he noticed two beautiful ladies down the bar from him. They were dressed odd to him, but the one with the white streaks in her dark hair was particualr stiking. He decided it was wotrh a try,

Flame rose, and Indy looked at him oddly "Where are you going?"  <<I thought I felt something...before.>>. He began to make his way outside of the bar, drawing stares from a few of the newer contestants. A funny walking pirate bumped into him and Flame looked over and hissed, causing the man to recoil slightly. He began to make his way to the desert. He had thought he felt something, very briefly. He wished he could fly, it would make this so much easier. He stopped by the stables, grabbing something quick and sturdy. He didnt want to be out long, the raiders became much more active after dark. He eventually found the cause of his search. An alien was collapsed on the ground, Flame thought it may be of use to the Vindicators, even if he wasn't he just felt bad leaving it to die of exposure. Besides, if it got rebellious Flame could always do away with it. He hauled it onto the creature and headed back to Tesba.

((I am making a slight change in what I said earlier.  Telepathic talk will be indicated in italics.))

Gorfin was flitting in and out of consciousness.  He managed to stay in long enough to send out a cry for help.  When he woke up next he was on the rump of some big animal.  He saw a scaled humanoid in front of him.  He saw a bag of water on the saddle bag.  He was too weak to reach for it.  He telepathically spoke to the lizardman.

"Water..."

The lizardman stiffened and turned to Gorfin.  Gorfin heard another voice in his mind.

"You're a telepath too?"

"Yes.  But please.  The water."  The lizard man nodded.  He handed the flask to Gorfin who poured the liquid on his hand.  He let out a physical sigh as the water was absorbed through his skin.  Eagerly he poured more.  When this was empty he poured another and "drank" that one as well.  The lizardman watched curious.

"What are you doing?"

"I drink differently than most as I have no oral cavity.  Or as you call a mouth.  I absorb the water through my skin."

"I'm Flame.  Who and what are you?

"I am called Gorfin.  My human companions called me Gorf.  I am an Eskellion.  What are you?"

Flame smiled and spoke audibly.  "A freak.  Like you."

Gorfin sat in the booth across from the grizzled looking man.  He would get some answers here and now.  But as the man turned to survey the bar Gorfin noticed he had no soul crystal.

"I'm Indiana Jones.  And you are?"

"Gorfin.  As you can see I'm a telepath.  Why do you lack the crystal it seems we all have?"

Link walked into the nearest bar that he could find.  Places like this were usually the best ones when one searched for information.  And if he was supposed to learn more about this Spirit Temple, this seemed to be the place.

The second he entered, he felt out of place.  There were beings of all shapes, sizes, and appearances.  Some armoured, some not. On many he recognized the soul gem that distinguished the contestants.  On others, there was none; signifying the civilians.  Seeing the massive array of weaponry, both obvious and not, he was glad that this was a safe city; hopefully there would be no contestant killing permitted in here, but, if he knew his taverns, that would undoubtedly happen.  Most likely a brawl would get out of hand.

Deciding that it was wiser not to be noticed by the masses, he slipped stealthily over to the barkeep, and leaned against the counter.

"Do you have any milk?" he asked.

The barkeep raised an eyebrow in surprise.  "Unless I miss my guess, you're another contestant, eh?"

Link nodded. "That's right.  Now, about my drink?"

The barkeep laughed heartily.  "Alright, I'll get you're milk.  The first one's on the house, until you can get some payable cash."

"But I have rupees; and plenty of them."

"If it's currency from your own land, it's not suitable here.  Look, this here's what we trade around." he flourished a coin that Link had never seen before.  "Until you get some of them, you're living off of charity, boy." 

Nonetheless, he gave Link the milk he desired, mumbling all the while about how strange it was going into a bar of all places looking for milk.  After that exchange, which, Link noted uncomfortably had attracted a sizable amount of attention, he retired to a small bench along the wall, and sipped his milk, while eyeing over the other contestants.

A man dressed sloppily was chatting with a woman (also in strange garb) who had a white streak in her hair.  beside her, another woman in strange skin seemed to be looking around curiously.  There were various armoured people, a man who looked like a enhanced Lizalfos, strange mouthless creatures (again with armour),  an unarmed older human in a wide-brimmed hat, as well as various others throughout the crowd.  Link groaned; keeping track of all of them was impossible.  He just hoped that one of them, maybe, could point him towards the Spirit Temple.

His milk finished, an his examination complete, he rose, and began to search through the crowd for someone who could give him some much needed information on the Temple, as well as on how to get home.  He didn't trust a ghost's information, not for any reasons.  He began to strike up conversations with various patrons.

"Gorfin.  As you can see I'm a telepath.  Why do you lack the crystal it seems we all have?" Gorfin asked

"I got lucky. So Flame brought you here? You new?" Indy asked taking a sip from his mug

Yes the lizardman brought me. He sensed a telepathic message I released before I collapsed from exhaustion during a fight in the desert. I had exerted too much energy. And yes, I am new to Geridarr. Do you and Flame have a way to get out of here? I think we all desire to go home...

"Well...we got a plan. Kinda... When I got here I met the wizard Dumbledore,a member of the Vindicators. These Vindicators apparently have a way out of the Emperor's little scheme and it involves a bunch of us storming through all the temples and getting into the castle. But first, we need more man power. Or alien power....or whatever."

Is this an offer to join the Vindicators?

"Well, yeah. We need all the help we can get. Flame trusted you, so Im gonna go with his judgement since hes been here longer. If you turn out to be a homicidal crazy alien who kills us all, I'll know who to go to. So what do you say?"

Link had witnessed a lot of magic in his time, but never had he experienced a mind entering his own, and talking.  It was... unnerving.  Nonetheless, he had been more cordial than half of those he had talked to.  Most of their answers and responses could be summed up with "Get lost".  And frankly, Link was tired of not getting answers. 

If this sorceror, this, "telepath" (Whatever that meant) could read the minds of those around him, maybe Link wouldn't need to ask people for answers; maybe this strange being could get them for him...  Only one thing to do.  He walked over to the strange sorceror and the older man, who, strangely, didn't have a soul crystal, yet appeared every bit a contestant.  He raised an eyebrow at that, and pulled up a chair.  He had a question burning inside his mind, and he just had to ask it.

"Who are you?"

The ocelot bolted for Tesba away from the raiders; Revolver riding shotgun. He was hanging onto the saddle, boots skimming the sand. He remembered watching something similar happen in an old John Wayne movie; Ocelot waited till he hit the next sand dune and pushed his weight upwards, flipping over the creature and landing in the saddle.

"I knew that would work."

He rode into Tesba through the city gates, the central part of the town was in spitting distance. The animal stopped at the streets, allowing for Ocelot to dismount. The city was vast, open; it reminded him of a movie he'd seen once, but couldn't put his finger on it...he wandered the streets looking for anything remotely helpful, and feeling like an old west gunslinger the whole time. Ocelot eventually walked by a slightly tall building, numerous patrons going in and out; loud music that could be heard out the door, he assumed it was a cantina.

"Time for a drink."

Revolver stepped in, shoving his way up to the bar; looking over the premises. There were all kinds of beings here, as if he was in some kind of fantasy land...well, technically he was...Just then, an odd, floating head in a fishbowl dropped down next to him.

"You look like you need a drink, stranger."

"Yeah...*long pause*...what have you got?"

"Everything."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"...Whiskey, in the bottle."

"Alright." A robotic arm brought one out from under the counter, along with a small glass. "There ya go stranger, first one's on the house. After that, you gotta pay."

Ocelot nodded, taking the bottle and glass. He looked around and saw no open tables or anything, so he just leaned up against a stone pillar between two booths.  The one behind him was loud and annoying; if there weren't any restrictions here, he'd probably shoot them. Ocelot poured some whiskey in his glass and downed it, eying the odd group in front of him.

((That'd be you guys.))

Vanessa had listened to Flame's explanation as to what was going on, before he'd been interrupted by the pirate, and decided that it was worth her time to join him. She gave a simple nod, Count me in

She looked over to Rogue, although she barely knew the woman she had a feeling that she would join them. She looked back to Flame, I think Rogue over there would be up to joining the party.

Flame nodded and headed towards Rogue. Vanessa took a moment to look around. More and more contestants were appearing, easily distinguished by the crystals embedded in their spines. Vanessa reached around to touch the crystal that was embedded into her aegis suit. She hadn't told the freaky lizard guys that she could actually take the suit off, but they didn't' need to know that.

Vanessa was practically at one with her aegis suit. It amplified her every movement, enhanced her strength and gave her protection in both armour and in weaponry. It had only been eight months since she'd found out she was a clone, Product Number three to be precise. But now was not the time to ponder on that. She waited for Flame to finish his conversation with Rogue.

**Well I'd assume that Rogue would be used to telepath's but then she doesn't know Flame **

While Vanessa waited for Flame to talk to Rogue, she moved to observe the run away pirate. He was dusting himself off and now seemed to be looking for something. Vanessa assumed he was probably wondering where he left his rum.

Her attention was soon diverted as more beings came into the bar. It was obvious that people were being zapped in from all points of time and possibly different realms. It was odd, yet Vanessa found it fascinating. In her time she could be transported from place to place via orbs of power. Although the freezing sensation had been pleasantly absent in her time.

She watched the bartender and wondered if he was actually a native or yet another traveller stuck in this place. He was not implanted with a crystal, so Vanessa decided it was safe to assume he was a local. She wondered if it was worth questioning him now while Flame was busy.