Stone Heart 7/12 (CoD)

An ancient ritual site, a place of power hidden away from the eyes of mortal men deep within the caverns of Theria. Runestones aligned in a circle echoing in powerful energy magics surround a stone tablet that reads,

"Betwixted frosty mountains and lakes of fire

Lay stone unturned and steel untouched.

Lest ye provoke one-eyed ire,

Bring about order that the Land yet may clutch"

All that must be done to activate this circle is a pulsing of sufficient energy magic; a task that Dun would find no difficulty in.

A realm of spirit and stone await them on the other side.


Yet, it seemed no cyclopses had occupied the far northern caverns, the tribe of oiled, wrestling cyclopses and their mystical rituals had indeed turned out to be a tragicly old rumor. The civilization had been lost, this warning clearly late.

Still, the blind energy magi could sense a ritualistic presence as good as anyone, and his remaining, gauntleted palm almost innately rose as he approached the circle's center with a firm nod to the remainder of the group.

"Alright, stand within the circle. Hades, Valero, pulse your energy with me."

The elder would wait until everyone was within the circle before beginning to flow mana through the stone.
(Dun Task)
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 "Within the circle, eh?"

The Warlord would quirk a brow as he approached the circle, squinting at it for a brief period of time, before slowly nodding his head. All he needed to do was pulse his energy alongside his father, and brother.

Strangely enough, Valero seemed to be carrying around a barrel with him.

Wonder what that's about...

Something to worry about later.

Valero's usual violet mana would move to swiftly envelope his form, flickering all around him, before it would slowly begin to join his father, and brother's energy as it flowed into the stone.

The Spirit Realm awaited them.
(Valero Task)
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As simple a task as any.

Every member of their family had experience with energy magic, and Hades was no exception. With Rinn's Boomstick still placed firmly on his back, the scholar moves forward to join Valero and their father in an exercise of their primary magic.

One hand first, then another.

Eventually, a cerulean aura begins to blaze around his arms, extending out to reach the objective and pour a sizeable portion of his mana into it.

If this was their ticket to the Spirit Realm, he would gladly help open it.
(Hades Task)
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 Urist would seemingly without any kind of fear step into the circle. The stout Miner's expression obscured by the stone armor he had encased himself in.

"Onolsedil, Mes Etas Ushul." He would say, an open reverence in the earth mages tone. After all, Terraheim was the realm of stone, the realm of the mountains.

And presumably, where the court of Urist's Mountain Gods was to be found. Admittedly, they were after another prize today... but just walking the same lands was enough for now.
(Urist Silverbane)
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Now see... The Avitus promised that he'd come back alive way, way back when to his wife. Did that stop his greedy rear from diving right back into danger? No, absolutely not.

Life was boring being chained to a house.

Thus as he strove forth towards the circle the others had gathered into he'd pull his hands from his pockets. To think he'd be dancing in the Spirit Realm soon enough... Where was that Teraphim who'd taught him of the spirits now?

Right, dancing with the Spirits too...

A brief frown flickers on the Asenite's mug, barely present for the minutest of seconds. Drawing in a slow breath he'd eye the Tasks as they began to pour their mana into the ritual. Whatever the Hel waited for him on the other side was going to be one Hel of a ride.

… He could do with more tales to speak upon.
(Thalis Avitus)
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 {NARRATION} As mana is pulsed and words are chanted, the runestones glow one by one, a force takes all of them. Words are spoken loud in a strange and foreign languge as the stone dissapears.

"DUN MHOR TUL AARAK

ENTRUMM NIRLAK DA EDHEKAL"

When site returns, they are no longer in a cavern filled with energy magic, but a large circle of stone. The air becomes stagnant and earthy, and there is no sky.

The first sound they hear is not falling earth, but a grand chanting. They are in an arena, filled to the brim with a Cyclopian audience. Each is twice the size of a single man, and their words repeat the message they heard during the traveling.

The walls are a shimmering silver, shining brilliantly with pulses of energy. Grand jewels and golds line each seat, and at the head of it all? A Cyclops gilded in pure arcainum clothing and armor sits at a grand table. His voice echoes in great power through the arena, quieting the chanting with but a mere handwave.

"Children of Eternia! You have called upon the ancient runestones our forefathers once placed on your lands. But before your plea is heard and you are welcomed into Dun Mhor, Mountainhall of Terraheim, your will must be tested."

A great resounding fills the halls as a gate is lifted. They have little time to react to all this before what must be their opponent is shown to them.


 Looking around in amazement, Urist would seem instantly... different. More at home than literally any time anyone here had witnessed him. It was so much like the tunneled mountain halls of his youth.


"Ïggal Tustzal-Num,

Rem Tustzal-Kashan,

Ôm Tustzal-Arel,

Okab Tustzal-Zagash,"

He would recite, The words escaping his stony suit, the stones shifting as Urist stared around him in awe... Before his gaze would shift to the one addressing them, and towards the challenge that lay before the group of them.
(Urist Silverbane)
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 No sooner had the ritual started, had they found themselves no longer in their own realm. No, now the six men, and a barrel found themselves within Terraheim.

The realm of the cyclops.

Yet, it seems like they had summoned themselves into what Valero could only assume to be an arena. The words that bellowed from the rather fancy, and dare he think it snazzy looking cyclops.

"Ah. Seems like we'll be fightin'."

The Warlord said, as a smirk crept across his face. Fighting things was his specialty. The eyepatch that covered his right eye would be removed, as the clockwork mechanism that had replaced it made itself known.

"Clock up.

With those brief words, Valero's entire body would find itself bursting at the seems with violet mana, as his mutated hands moved to grip onto the hilt of his blade, swiftly drawing it forth.

"Let's see what they've got."
(Valero Task)
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 You'd think after the Courier's failed attempt to embrace death, that he'd stop actively pursuing dangerous expeditions! Naw, instead of adhering to his promises, or attempting to better himself? Here they were.

On the cusp of Terraheim.

If alive? It'd make a grand tale, otherwise? It'd be sweet release . . .

Hazel flickered around the cave, a sharp inhalation took as antipcation began to claw at the cowpoke's physique. But, with the runestones illuminating one by one, and words out of nowhere manifested?

Gone.

Silence replaced by the grand chanting of an audience! Bewildered and wide-eyed by the abrupt change of scenery. Arch's hazel gazes briefly flickered a luminous green -- A surge of time mana.

The thunderous echoing of that arcaninum-clad Cyclops' voice, and the raucous chanting began to drown out. An attempt to foresee intothe stream of events that'd follow this was made-...

Likely a fruitless one, especially with a gate lifting.

Attention focused toward the challenge facing them.

"Big fella'! Let's see how hard it can fall."
(Arch)
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 Dun would find them drawn forth into the depths of a soil scented, cavernesque and nigh infinite expanse of stone, gilded architecture of glimmering metal and magnificent masterworks no doubt moulded from nothing less than the finest of apparel, arms, and armor forged from the nigh infinite and rare resources of Terraheim.

God, if he wasn't mostly dead, he'd totally have an erection right now.

As Urist did his Dwarfy thing, the elder of the Fireblooded would crack his back before glancing up to the great announcer, leaping forth with a front flip of surprising grace for an old man as he offered a fanciful jester's bow.

"I am Dun Task of the Mountainhall of Theria, and we will prevail against any tasks you set forth, for our spirit and resolve is stone."

Dun would slap his chest with his gauntleted hand in salute, before preparing for the battle at hand as he ignited in a shroud of fiery blue mana.
(Dun Task)
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 Was this a part of the plan?

As they arrived in the grand arena with crowds of cyclops chanting, Hades cannot help but tilt his head in curiosity.

Surely they existed in one plane or another, but for there to be such a grand spectacle waiting for them on behalf of the children of Terrahim? It was awe-inspiring to say the least.

A reminder that there was always more to learn of. To see. To experience.

But there is a test to be had before the marvels of the earthen realm can be enjoyed. A trial that they must overcome.

And he was ready.

A hand moves to run along the very fabric of reality before him, begging the riftmancer to shred downwards and bend it to his will.

There would be no fear this day.

"I get it. I'm ready."
(Hades Task)
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 From cavern to a circle of stone... Thalis's gaze slowly scans the area before them with a narrowed glance. Chanting - Why was there chanting in the afterlife exactly? With a click of his tongue the Sudburian's gaze finally catches the Cyclopian audience.

Silver, jewels, gold... Greed's the first thing that comes back to the Ookami's mind as a wild grin spreads along his mug. A fight for riches then?

No fear.

Electricity hummed about the pugilist's frame as his hands clenched into fists. A low cackle pours out from the Thunderlord as he looked towards the rest of the party.

"Well! At least s'a good welcomin' party. Fuckin' 'el I might jus' enjoy dyin' one day..." Thalis fell off into a murmur, focusing his attention on the opponent that would approach them.
(Thalis Avitus)
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 Dun Task says, "Urist, I can sense from the ether that Pascal...says hi."
 Urist Silverbane asks, "Pascal?"
 Valero Task says, "I miss Pascal so fucking much."
Valero Task says, "I miss him so fucking much boys."
 Urist Silverbane says, "I dinnae think I met Th'lad."
 When the gate ceases it's rumbling, massive footsteps shake the hall of stone. The crowd goes silent, and a massive Cyclops, one even greater than all those in the hall and the one sitting in grandeur. It's skin was covered in grand and elaborate arcanium; engraved with the many victories that this warrior of the stone has achieved.

It's axe was wreathed in blue flame, made of the purest sabathium and menacing in spikes of arcanium. The handle was of heavy black stone, and his face was covered in a golden mask.

He made no immediate words upon his entry; his body was an announcement in and of itself. With a great heaving, his axe was hefted into his hands.

"I am Dwalin Deler-Salul. Your might and will shall be tested by the blade of my Axe."

With a great pounding of the axe into the earth, dust scatters and drowns the entire stadium in a storm of earthen shards.

This would be their entrance to the grand mountain hall.
(Dwalin Deler-Salul)
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 Dun would simply give the cyclops a thumbs down. He was the superior gladiator.
(Dun Task)
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The Miner's revery broke as he saw the flaming axe. Eyes narrowed.

"Wha' Th'hels? Th'fuck are Y'doin' wit' a flamin' axe in feckin' Terraheim?!"

That was more than enough to incense the Miner into raising a stone to huck at the giant cyclops.
(Urist Silverbane)
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 Dwalin Deler-Salul says, "..."
 Dun Task says, "Square up."

Deler-Salul has inflicted an injury upon Dun Task. ("Crushed Ribs", "The massive heft of Dwalin Deler-Salul's axe barely making an impact with Dun cracks most of them in a single swing. Breathing will be difficult with how utterly damaged his ribs are.", "Temporary", "Duration: Medium (4 days)") **

 So this would be their first obstacle a rather massive cyclops, and his axe that burned with a blue flame that rivaled even the pulsating violet mana that enshrouded the Warlord. Without anything that remotely resembled hesitation, Valero rushed the creature, giant blade in hand.

Violet flames clashed with blue flames, and if it wasn't for the aid of his allies, there was no way in Hel he'd be able to stop them. Be it the relentless storm of fists that was Thalis, Urist who commanded the very earth to halt the man, Arch's constant bombardment of the man with flames, and fists, and Dun, and Hades combined attacks of energy.

Without them he'd have been down for the count.

In fact he should have been, after all the cyclops' axe had smashed into his right leg, fracturing... One of the bones in his legs. Val wasn't the smartest of lads, so he had no clue what was broken in there. Just that something was really broken.

"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. You're gonna fuckin' pay for that!"

Without missing a beat, the Warlord would use what strength he had in his legs to propel himself into the air, and as the others continued the fight, all of Valero's mana would begin to focus into his left leg until the shroud of mana that had once enshrouded him completely only covered his leg.

"EAT SHIT!"

Such awe inspiring words!

Anyways, with the energy now sufficiently coating his leg he'd soar towards the cyclops until his left leg connected with the rather large man's chest, releasing all the energy that had been stored there into him. Which needless to say, toppled the goliath.

Was he dead? Was he alive? Valero had no clue.

All that matters was he wasn't getting up anytime soon.

"Fuckin' hell."
(Valero Task)
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 The massive Cyclops falls upon them with great and controlled strikes; each desiring to rattle the bones and upturn the earth. His movements are beyond ordered, slow but brutally powerful. He spares no injury to each of them, delivering the judgement of Dun Mhor for their intrusion.

But their combined might, along with the final blow delivered by Valero Task, falls the Giant in brilliant fashion. When Dwalin Deler-Salul finally impacts the ground with a great earthquake, the crowds erupt in cheer and excitement.

The great king of the Mountain Hall rises from his seat as the cheers die out, his central pulpit beginning to morph at his command. The entire lecture was made of Soulsteel, and it was shaped like clay in his mighty hands.

"Grand warriors of Eternia, Dun Mhor welcomes your arrival and perceives your show of valiant strength. What is the reason for your visit, now that you have been proven worthy?"

They had passed the trial, and now gained entry into the Mountain Hall.

(Dwalin Deler-Salul)
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 Dun would pace forth with determination and valiance into the fray against the great cyclops, raising his fists as he engaged in invigored pugilism like he was still a young man, and not a near dead old one. Each resounding smash of flesh that rattled his metal bits would cause him pain, but the adrenaline and his uncanny resilience even in old age certainly helped.

Before he was the clown prince, he was Commander Task of the perfect defense.

With a raise of his palm the great smash of one particular slam would crack Task's metal ribs with the tanked force, though he would only grit his teeth with a bloody cough as he fell to one knee for a time.

At last, he'd rise and turn to the king of the mountain, offering respects and and a nod as he standed proudly, not kneeling before the king with certainty. Therians were warriors, they kneeled only to dragons.

"I am Dun Task, conqueror of the old one of the void, thief of Helheim's hammer, and my resolve is stone. Before my life ends, I walk all eight realms in a body of flesh; pave the path that my successors might make it their own."

Dun would nod firmly.

"I seek an Onyx of Terraheim not dissimilar from this gem of Uraheim, deeply attuned to your realm."

Dun would gesture the Sapphire of Uraheim forth, covered with a layer of permafrost as he turned back to his party.

"And they too might have requests."
(Dun Task)
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 Urist would groan beneath the pile of rubble he lay under, kicking out a leg to launch the stone that lay atop him to the side. Crawling out of the pile of stone, he would frown down at his torso, eyeing the spot where the Cyclops massive fist had connected.

Still, FIRE, in TERRAHEIM. The Scandal.

Standing up and reforming his stony shell, he would walk over to the others, making a point of not letting the pain in his gut change his stride.

"I'm here T'see the realm M'forefathers found our gods in. T'see th'realm Th'lords O'the mountains call home. N't'aid M'friend."

Admittedly, the Dwarf also wanted to take a hunk of Terran Stone home with him, but that wasn't likely to be hard to find. He thought the spiritual properties of the stone would make for.... interesting work.
(Urist Silverbane)
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 What an entrance it was! The chanting! The riches! The axe! Fists shrouded in the distorting flicking of time magic, a vast number possibilities and predications began to cycle throughout the courier's head . . .

Not all of them ended in a victorious triumph over the oaf; several of those prospective futures ended with the party eviscerated in gruesome fashion.

His hands clenched into fists. An account of possibilities were in mind as the rest of the party charged the beast; in contrast to the last odyssey into the Spirit Realm?

The cowboy's entire approach had changed; from a evasive gunslinger to quick-to-strike brawler. Arch focused on a constant bombardment of explosions, the magenta strikes of heated plasma and of course, a flurry of fists.

Alas, Caution was thrown to the wind.

What a mistake that was.

The cyclop's axe had separated arm from torso-... Didn't even take a genius to figure out the problem, a missing arm? That'll sting. With a swift kick to the large man's chest, Valero had fell the goliath.

With that taken care of? All that lingered on Arch's mind was his missing right arm-...

Adrenaline had minimized the agony, but for now? That trial had been overcome.

Blubbering in pain could wait.

A dip of his head was directed toward the mountain king. "I came to aid my teacher, as well as attainin' coin." How straight-forward.
(Arch)
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 {NARRATION} The great king listens to the request of these great warriors, his one eyes closed in thinking about the one great request. Granted, the lesser rewards would be found along the way, but the King had one place where such a gem could be obtained.

"...ah, you seek one of our rarest Gemstones for your collection? While the noble Onyx can be found anywhere, to create one worthy of your status?"

"You seek to slay the Forgotten Beast."

The crowd falls dead slient at the mention of such a figure.

"He roams through our halls in the dead of night, a creature without remorse or pity. Within his forehead is the most grand-cut Onyx we have ever unearthed. It has lived as long as this Mountain has existed, and it has no remorse. Slay it, and bring it's onyx to the deepest pits of Dun Mhor, where the rivers of Uraheim and the fire of Ifraheim meet. There, you will cast it in pure Sebathium, and retrieve the most powerful gem of this land."

Their quest was given to them, and the road was opened; a grand downwards staircase was shown to morph from a wall of Soulsteel. The king points to that staircase where the beast would wait for them.

"This creature will be your greatest challenge yet, Dun Task of Eternia."

 "The Forgotten Beast?"

A creature that roamed the halls without remorse or pity.

It would likely prove to be more than a challenge for any party. But Hades had faith. In his father, his brother, and the allies Dun had amassed over the years.

Taking the time to lightly bandage his broken hand, the Task looks to the others to gauge their reactions.

"I'm more than ready when you are."
(Hades Task)
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 There was near instant regret on the face of the Warlord as he landed on the ground. Perhaps leaping into the air with a broken leg wasn't his best call, but... It's what he decided upon.

Whoops?

In fact he was in too much pain to truly ask for a reward from the great cyclops. Instead, when the pain in his leg once more became manageable, the first thing he'd hear is.

'The Forgotten Beast.'

"Huh..." His voice trails off, as he slowly nodded his head. "I suppose I know where we're off to."

With grand staircase now revealed to them, Valero would begin to limp towards their destination.

"Let's fuckin' go."
(Valero Task)
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 Dun would listen carefully to the king of the cyclops, the elder nodding firmly as he smiled to himself with a light chuckle. The Fireblooded philosophy demanded a struggle, he would not have accepted an answer as easy as rewarding it.

"I am a perfectionist by trade and purpose as a martial artist and craftsman alike; I seek to create something second to none."

The elder would nod steadily with patience as he heard out what might occur, considering his options for a time briefly before with sureness knowing the right path with a smile.

"A worthy task to add to the Saga of Task, I dare say. Into the depths of the misty mountains we go. I would be disappointed if it wasn't noble King of the Cyclops. You have my thanks, your people are allies of Theria."

Task would pace forward towards the staircase with a final wave, his determination was clear. The beast would be fought in the depths.
(Dun Task)
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 Forgotten Beast.

There's a cock of the Ookami's brow as the description of the creature is placed before them. Not only did they have to slay it, but bring it into a pit as well. Thalis's nose scrunches up before his lips contorted towards the side of his mug.

This'd be a story to tell at least...

Crossing his arms against his chest he'd give a slow nod of his head. It was a grand task indeed, but the fights ahead would be perilous. Perhaps it'd even be harder than the trials of Xiuhtec that he embarked upon.

With a brief bow of his head he'd follow the party wherever they may go.
(Thalis Avitus)
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 Urist would simply nod and follow along. Slaying massive beasts and such is what Dun adventures were all about, so far as he said.
(Urist Silverbane)
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 {NARRATION} The way is open for the party to enter into Dun Mhor's interior, the section where the Forgotten Beast was said to lurk.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZC6QDvaodU&list=PLTqmpT6m0dj2A0C5AFPulsZLYhwc4rC84&index=4)

The descent down the mountain's halls is dark and lonely, passing by emptied living spaces and massive forges where the Cyclopes once roamed. Bodies are strewn in each room, and tracks of a great monster linger on engraved stone.

They enter into a circular space where the stench of freshly-slain corpses is the strongest; the Beast has been here.

Should they stick around long enough, the Forgotten Beast would come upon them.
[23:36] Dun would move forth without fear through the darkness, he was blind and old and near death as it was. Nothing could frighten him, nothing could hurt him, there was a sense of invincibility in being near death in truth.

Through the darkest halls of Terraheim's mountains they did go, those six determined Therians who sought the Onyx and all riches that lay between them and it. It was a worthy pursuit as any.

The scent of viscera was strong as Task entered the sight of the beast's hunting grounds, the old man cracking his back, neck, and arms with an idle yawn as he hummed to himself before turning to the group, grabbing a corner to put his back against with a nod.

"Grab a solid stone between you and it, and post up. This will be a stake out, don't want them ambushing you."

They would wait.
(Dun Task)
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 The taps of his arcanium-lined boots continued down the mountain's halls; Hazel eyes lazily scanning the walls they pass by with a soft hum. The giant forges were oddly interesting to the Ookami… Just how much metal was in this land, really?

Upon the first footfalls within the circular space his nose scrunched up. What more should he expect from a hunter within the spirit realm? Everything had to eat - Even the dead.

"Ambushin'... Yea', I can get behind tha'. Rather 'ave a decent jump on th' prey befer we get stomped out oursel'es."

With a firm nod he'd make his way over towards the nearest bit of stone that could obscure him from the center of the room. If this was a stake out then he might as well get ready for a long wait.
(Thalis Avitus)
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 As they came to the circular chamber, with the freshly slain, Urist would stop a moment, looking at the fallen Cyclops'. An incoherent grumble would escape the miner's lips.

"It isnae proper tha' Th'leave Th'kin T'simply rot, withnae statue T'remember 'em by."

He would say. Half tempted to begin erecting the statues himself.... but now was perhaps not the time, since they'd undoubtedly be wrecked in the ensuing fight.

Raising his hands and planting his feet in a stance, Urist would create a niche in the wall from which he could watch the chamber.

"Aye, Tunnel Fightin' isnae good if they get behind yeh."
(Urist Silverbane)
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 A brief nod would be given towards his father, as his one good eye drifted around the Dun Mhor.

"I ain't the biggest fan of this smell... It's.." He slowly shakes his head. "S'really fuckin' annoyin'..." The Warlord grumbled, as he glanced back over towards his father once more.

"Roger."

With that, he'd find a piece of rubble, exposed rock, or perhaps a pillar to lurk behind.

"Let's ambush this fucker."
(Valero Task)
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 The sight of freshly-slain corpses and the noxious smell evoked many questions. How often did those from Dun Mhor perish in these accursed halls? Idly scratching his head, before grabbing a position of his own.

"Wouldn't want to spoil our element of surprise."

His voice was low, cautious and waiting for the sounds of footsteps.
(Arch)
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"An ambush? Yeah, yeah. Let me see what I can do."

Hades moves along the shadows of the circular room, then begins to sink into them. Deeper, and deeper, until only the feint flicker of his energy aura remains.

He was ready and willing, as always.

"This should do, right?"
(Hades Task)
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 {NARRATION} While they group was looking to find places to ambush the beast, they'd learn a fair bit about the working of such grand Mountain Halls in Terraheim. A quick pulse of energy would reveal that this room had Soulsteel completely infused into each rock and plate of metal.

Large living spaces such as these could be opened to other spaces with an infusion of magic, linking these spaces to others in an instant. The staircase that was opened to the King could be opened to any other space due to the malliable nature of this spiritual metal.

It gave a grave notion that this Beast traveled and annihilated this space of the Mountain Hall in a single night, and still lurked isolated from the other sections of the hall.

A few rocks across the ground began to rumble, and Hades would be the first to discover where the beast was, because it was in the room with them.

The moment Hades slinks into the shadows, he feels it; it's shadow melded into the central pillar. A claw slowly slinks out of that pillar in an attempt to sever the head of Dun!
[23:52] While he did not expect his subversion into the shadows to work as a sensory tool, he is more than willing to make use of it.

As the vibrations are felt and the origin is revealed, Hade's broken hand lashes out from the shadows to give his father a heads up.

"Pops, heads up! It's here!"

The call to action comes with the rest of his frame emerging, aura flaring back to life.

The creature was upon them, and their element of surprise would prove to be less of an advantage and more of an opportunity to save a life.

"Blades up!"
(Hades Task)
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 Dun was naturally expecting the beast to ambush them, as befit a predator in its own dark domain. If he had been a typical person with sight, he might have been focused on the surroundings, and not have noticed the claw rising behind him.

But Dun was blind. This was his territory as a practical mole person Mole crab battle no fear.

Ducking under the claw, Dun's palm is raised to turn the force back upon the crab, leaping back with a surge of energy as he nodded to the party.

"Time to hunt."
(Dun Task)
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The moment Hades yelled out, Valero's entire body erupted with violet mana once more, as his clockwork eye went into overdrive ticking like crazy, as Valero darted towards the beast that dared to swipe his father's head off.

Well... As fast as a man with a broken leg could manage.

"Don't you fuckin' dare touch him."

Without missing a beat Val would leap into the air, bringing his rather oversized blade down towards the beast.

"Fuckin' prick."
(Valero Task)
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 Thalis's gaze continues to half-linger on the center of the room from his hiding spot - His face barely coming over the edge of the rock he was behind. As long as he could remain mostly obscured things should go smoothly...

Well, that was until the claw of some wild beast struck towards the pillar Dun was upon.

With a click of his tongue the Ookami soon bursts out from behind his cover in a blast of speed. Already the mind-numbing hum of electricity was dancing on the air; Those that got too close just might have their hairs standing on their ends.

"Take it fer all it's werth!" Thalis barked on out, his right arm aloft as he held the first bolt of lightning in his hand... A shame his left arm was already out of commission.
(Thalis Avitus)
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 Raising the Pyrelight Rifle Dun had given him in payment so long ago. A decade and a half of the miners scrimshawed runes marring the surface of the weapon.

Still, that didn't stop the mechanism from clicking shut with a surge of the Urist's will, a stone compacting before the rifle and flying out into the dark at the beast.

"Onolsedil, Etas Mes Alnis,

Okab Tustzal-Zagash,

Sobr Akith Onolsedil, Nerrid Lish Vesh, Egen Lushôn."

The only words coming from the miner more of his prayers in bizarre mountain language.
(Urist Silverbane)
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The claw of the massive beast barely misses Dun Task, a hiss of disappointment echoing out from the halls of the dead.

"Szzzeeeh kekekekeh. More in va ders. But..."

The massive onyx on it's head shines with great power, corrupted through the strange energies of this timeworn beast. It's claws clack with earthshattering power, capable of rending a man in twain with a singular stroke.

"Szzzmell different. Shinieszzz… new. No szzteel of szzzoul, and yet..."

Each clack of it's many legs sends shockwaves through the hall, it's wrath clear to them all.

"Eat you all the szzzame. Consume the Earthblood. Break the szzzurface."

It was fully intending on slaughtering this group, and breaking through the cavern that the King had made for them.

The large earth-crab rises to strike!
(Forgotten Beast)
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 The fight against the forgotten beast of Terraheim's depths was one of intense vigor and violence; the sands, magma, and gravity magic a haunting reminder of Task's old, greatest weaknesses and fears.

But he'd trained his body to become an iron crucible to defend against such snares, and in doing so he found this beast was a worthy quarry for his fests. Keeping his senses focused upon the battle as countless beams and blasts of decaying energy were laden forth to weaken the beast's carapace.

At last, Task saw his opportunity after a bombardment of beams and assailments from his sons and companions. Leaping forth with time accelerated reflexes and the skill of a master martial artist, a jester, and a killer, the elder of the Fireblooded would leap forth directly upon the crab's head, clasping the onyx imbued in his head before, with a ruthless and violent tug, it would be splattered out with ichor upon the ground, tossed safely before Task would pull back his right, gauntleted fist.

Forming a dragon's claw with his clawed digits, a blackened carapace of midnight black, condensed mana would manifest around the gauntlet as it turned obsidian before, with a violent and sudden gesture, the claw would be thrust forth through the hole the gem left right through into the beast's brain, a firm twist and gouging of gray matter made certain with a brutal, wet twist as the jester did a backflip off the crab.

Landing upon the ground with a thud as he dusted himself off.

"Anyone hungry?"
(Dun Task)
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 Well... that was certainly something. The potion running through his veins was keeping the bulk of the pain at bay, but rather than the dismay one might expect at losing his hand, Urist was displaying an entirely different kind of dismay!

"Blasted damned hand! Y'arenae meant T'break S'easy Y'feckin' worthless lump O'flesh!" He would mutter, one brawning boot, kicking the severed appendage away as stone enclosed the stump. Grumbling the grumbles anyone who's been nearby when a miner's pick broke, or a blacksmiths hammer.

"I Amnae sure W'should eat sommat what eats people." He would reply.
(Urist Silverbane)
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 {NARRATION} The combined might of the Father-Sons Energy Beam shatter the strange carapace of the Forgotten Beast, allowing Dun Task to crack off the Onyx with a satisfying snap. The party does not escape the beast's wrath as Thalis and Urist are taken by suprise by it's piercing claws. But, half of their adventure had come to completion.

When the energies of the Beast had dissapated as the creature crumbled, what was left behind was a plethora of metals that it had eaten in it's centuries of combat. While the dead would have to be honored by the stonesmiths and Sabathium-Singers of the Mountainhall, they still had work to do.

The staircase extended ever downwards towards the core of the mountain, where the forge the King spoke of rests. The great work of Dun Task is not yet complete.

They must forge on.
[00:34] Dun would dust himself off without fear as he clasped the onyx with a thoughtful hum, mulling upon the matters at hand for a time before nodding firmly in assent. It was time to move forth, there would be no half measures.

"The beast is slain. I respect that cyclops king boys, but I've faced far more horrifying creatures than this. The old one for one....hope I don't see him again."

Void crystals were bad for the brain.

Without another thought, the old man was doggedly lunging forth towards the heart forge of terraheim, as excited to examine the scenery for bits and pieces of research on artificery with soul steel as to finish the Onyx of Terraheim.

Even the task of making it whole took resolve; fitting for its bearing and realm.
(Dun Task)
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As the group ventured deeper into the Dun Mhor's, Valero would take a brief moment to halt down the staircase, to pull out a vial lax essence from his bag, which he'd get to work swiftly applying it to his broken leg.

Dulling the pain a bit.

"Right.... Deeper we go."
(Valero Task)
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[00:43] Leaving the hand behind, Urist would move to march along with the rest, idly carving crude fingers of stone on the end of his arm.

"I got some O'Y'metals. Ain't sure what the stuff's good for. What is it anyhow?" He would ask. Addressing Dun as they marched, at least partially to keep his mind off the pain.
(Urist Silverbane)
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 {NARRATION} Every step into the heart of Dun Mhor brought about a great reverberation. While the passage to that habitat was relatively short, this would be a long and winding set of steps towards the great center of the Mountain.

When they reach it, what they see is marvelous. Twin vents of the coldest water and hottest magma flow into seperate containers, a great forge of spiritual power that holds only the most well-renown tools of the trade.

Bars of Soulsteel line a great furnace connected to the fires of Ifraheim, while quenching vats of all-freezing water stand ready. Their task was to forge a setting for their onyx, turning it from a simple gem into a masterpiece of craftsmanship.

Along the walls of this place? Bars of every single metal that was known and unknown, each shining in the light of the furnace.

They would have to choose the correct bars, and cast a gem mold to create the setting.
[00:48] "Well..."

Valero's gaze slowly drifts around the forge, as a hand moved to awkwardly scratch at the back of his neck.

"I have no fuckin' clue what we're supposed to do here, but..." A glance would be spared towards his father. "You're the smith right? What do we need?" He pauses. "I'm aware that you're blind, but surely you know what we need to complete this, right?"

A nod followed his statement, as his gaze drifted away from his father, and over towards the plethora of ingots, his gaze drifting across each of them in search of something interesting.
(Valero Task)
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 Dun would glance about the various process as he clasped his onyx, clicking his teeth together as he hummed to himself with contemplation. The elder of the Fireblooded was nothing if not a talented artificer, metals were his baring in most cases.

"Uh. …..grab some soul steel, some arcanium, and uh.....Urist look for something earthy. Let your dwarf senses tingle."

The old man had no clue what to do. But he was doing it anyway.
(Dun Task)
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Nodding, Urist would stroll over to the bars of metal, holding out a hand towards them. Letting his will pass over them as he tasted the mana-flow for something properly earthen.

The smith had little idea as to what most of these exotic metals were, but he was Urist, his people had dwelled amongst the depths of the mountains, and worshiped their lords for untold years in the dark beneath the stone.

If there was one thing Urist knew, it was earth and stone. Even when it got all metallic-y.
(Urist Silverbane)
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] Glancing around the walls, with ingots strewn about. Scratching his head, before resorting to an age-old method-...

"Eeny, meeny, miny, moe."

"Catch a nysean by the throat."

"If they holler, kill them anyways."

"Eenie, meeny, miny-.... Moe."
(Arch)
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 Soul steel, Arcanium… Yeah, he could probably handle that. Hel, the man had Arcanium on his hands as they spoke. Shaking his hands for a moment he'd begin searching the racks to find the desired ores.

"Right, lesse 'ere.." Thalis murmured, narrowing his gaze as he began to rifle about his surroundings.
(Thalis Avitus)
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With their orders more or less given, Hades sets off in search of soul steel, something an energy magi might have more success in locating.

With a flip here and there, he seeks to locate enough to get the job done.

Or Dun, in this case.

"Think we'll be able to pull this off?"
(Hades Task)
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 As per his instructions Valero would get to work gathering Arcanium, and Soul Steel. Which he'd bring over towards his father so he could get to work on...

Whatever his project was.

"Best o'luck."
(Valero Task)
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 {NARRATION} While the Arcanium brought is of perfect quality, the Soulsteel is far less. There are multiple inpurities in the Soulsteel, which will make working it difficult. But, the metal is presented towards Task, and a mold for the gem sits in front of the forge.

There are multiple pullies to control the heat of the forge, while there are levers for the chill of the quenching water. This process must be overseen by two people, while one person works the mold and molten material.

There are three molds in total, and they must be broken away from the melted alloy to reveal the casing for the Gem.

How will the party continue?
[01:08] Task would proceed forth to the machine to gauge it steadily, nodding with a thoughtful hum as he considered the process at hand with nothing less than determination. This was a choice of what task was best fit for which member of the party.

But luckily, Task knew them all well.

"Hades, Arch, you're time magi, you can perfectly time the operation of the heat and water application during the process."

Dun would turn to Urist.

"Urist, you will aid me in parsing out the impurities of the soul steel during the process with your earth magic and my energy magic. I will also be controlling the alloy's path from within with my own energy magic. Valero, Hades, you will aid me in this if my power falters."

Dun would nod steadily.

"Three molds, three shots I'd say. But I think we can do it. Thalis, you'll help with the pulleys by Arch and Hades direction with your godly speed."

The process would begin.
(Dun Task)
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 Valero would fold his arms, and lurk close to his father. Ready to share his energy should he require it.
(Valero Task)
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Dun Task says, "Valero, your aid."
 "Aye, Y'are Understood." The miner would say, taking up position near the soul steel.

Once the process got underway, Urist felt out into the soulsteel, trying to grasp onto the impurities in the metal, the fragments of stone and other metals and draw them to the surface, drawing them out of the soulsteel and to him.

Trying to purify the soulsteel as it was worked.
(Urist Silverbane)
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 The moment he was called upon, the violet mana that enshrouded him would begin to drift from his form, and towards his father. Hopefully strengthening the old man.
(Valero Task)
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 {NARRATION} The process of forging with this equipment is much harder than these people realize. Arch was unable to keep the water at a temperature in which the casing would not crack, Thalis fails in his own task, and when the mold is taken out?

Multiple cracks are in the gem set, rendering it unfit for use.

There are two more molds remaining.
{NARRATION} The cavern begins to shake ominously as the first failure comes out.
Working the pulleys in a quick speed was... Hard to do, honestly. That was mostly due to having his left arm dislocated however! Low grumbles escape the Ookami as he darts back and forth only to hear they'd failed their task for now.

"Son o' a fuckin'..." Thalis growled, promptly grabbing hold of his left arm and popping it back into place with a loud groan. He'd dart back into work...
(Thalis Avitus)
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 {NARRATION} The combined work of all six of them, along with the final swing of Dun Task sends a massive reveberation through the cavern; the mold cracking open to reveal a perfectly created mold for the Onyx. Perfection, a great work that would house the Onyx.

But two mistakes spell doom for this group, as Valero and Hades somehow manage to mix the streams of Ifraheim fire and Uraheim water. The earth that is created?

It begins to take form of a massive golem, half ice and half fire.

Unbalanced balance, the antithesis of Terraheim itself.

"MADE... UNFINISHED."

"CONSUME EARTH... MAKE BALANCE."

The golem's newly-created arms start to absorb the metal across the halls, adding to it's paradoxical mass.

Should this not be put down? It would spell doom for Terraheim.
[01:30] Urist would.... immediately begin attacking the golem. Raising his rifle and setting it along the stony stump of his arm, sighting down the trigger and hurling a bolt of stone at the creature.

"Y'arenae welcome here Y'blasphemous critter. Go back T'yeh home."
(Urist Silverbane)
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 Toiling away in the sacred forge, it took a singular failed attempt before Arch stepped up to the task. The Onyx would be saved . . but the mixing of Uraheim's water and Ifraheim's fire?

A fatal flaw.

Icy-hot motherfucker.
(Arch)
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 "No."

Hades pulls the boomstick from his back and aims it at the center of the golem as it forms.

"No more golems. No more monstrosities. It dies here."

He was fed up, apparently. But rather than forcing out his energy magic, Hades taps into the power of time. Shifting his output from blue to green and charging his bullets with the magic of the chronos.

"I'll slow it down. You guys do the rest."
(Hades Task)
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 So.

Maybe Hades, and Valero might've messed up here royally, and summoned forth a giant golem of ice, and fire, but... But uhh…

Shit.

"I can explain."

The Warlord mutters, as his mutated claw-like hand moves towards the hilt of his blade, gently wrapping around it, as it was slowly drawn forth it's position on his back, where it would promptly be pointed at the creature.

"We brought ya' into this world. So it's only fair we take you out of it." Valero was technically it's parent, so it's only fair he's allowed to kill it.
(Valero Task)
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 Valero Task says, "...Okay. I can't actually explain."
 … They'd failed again. Thalis's jaw clamps tight as the arms of the created golem surge forth - It sought more to stabilize itself, and by the Gods was it about to take anything it could snag.

"Well... Figure tha' ain't wha' we're 'ere fer, is it?" Thalis called out towards Dun, promptly hopping away from the pulley system he'd been focusing upon. Brushing his hands of the dirt he'd get himself into a proper stance.

From the faint humming of electricity came the mind-numbing buzz of his blessing. Sharp blue fists rise on up in a flicker-frame motion... This was what it came down to wasn't it?
(Thalis Avitus)
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Arch says, "Twas' Valero's fault.."
Valero Task says, "As your resident Warlord. I shift the blame to someone else."
 Valero Task says, "It's Arch's fault."
 HotCold Elemental says, "FATHER"
 Valero Task says, "You're adopted."
 Arch says, "Fa-.. Actually. We're all fathers."
 Thalis Avitus says, "Y' get used t' tha'..."
 Urist Silverbane says, "I amnae a father."
 Dun would engage in nothing less than a masterful display of artificery, making something frankly...too good all things considered. The heart of terraheim born in a burning forge, the casing of onyx that attuned directly to Terraheim.

Too attuned, perhaps.

As the golem arose, Task would simply raise his fist with a smile, shaking his head.

"This is gonna be fun. Also I killed your mother."
(Dun Task)
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 Arch whispers: D-.. Did you just admit to killin'-..

 "I really hate golems."

Coming from the man that once wanted to make his own.

Hades slides into a rift to position himself behind the icy-hot terror and unleashes the full extent of his shadow magic, only to see the minimal effects. If they were going to tackle one of the strongest creations Terraheim had, he would need to pull from a difference source.

A different him, in truth.

And so, he pulls a trick from Spencer's book.

Another portal opens beside him, this one emerald green in nature. Through its foggy haze, another timeline can be seen by the Task. One where he had mastered the attacks of the Elemental and managed to best the beast already.

"I see. So the secret is hitting the weakpoints? How obvious." Cheating, surely, but he would take full advantage of it. Cheaters lived the longest.

Positioning Rinn's weapon the way the other Hades had, the scholar aims just between the ribs of their mortal enemy and fires off three bullets.

The first? A time chamber to slow the regenerative properties of the titan.
The second? To overcharge that same area with a mass of energy magic.
And the third? A bullet of the occult, aiming to corrupt and implode the other two specialized bullets.

If things went according to plan, HotCold would find itself imploding, plagued by the very elements that created it.

And naturally, Hades turns his back to the explosion to fold both arms over his chest.

"Die, already."
(Hades Task)
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 Task would engage in nothing less than a no holds barred pugilistic showdown against the golem of unnatural life, product of their own mad science as they attempted to refine the Onyx of Terraheim. Yet, the trial offered yet more worthy chances to face glorious enemies, and in that Task could not complain in the slightest.

Lunging forth with avid determination, his finger guns would repeatedly blast the beast as kicks and punches were slammed into its stony hide, leaving it cracked and ready as with a concussive, frigid shockwave, Dun was blasted off his feet the ground with a thud and a crack.

Only to sense the heat of the Boomstick, the flames of Rinn themselves protecting the party and ending the golem's life. Task would sigh with relief as he grimaced in pain, but there was a point of pride there.

All of his sons and disciples had made him proud.
(Dun Task)
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 ** HotCold Elemental has inflicted an injury upon Dun Task. ("Charred Cranium", "A great swath of flame blackens the skin of Dun Task's head, leaving it charred completely. Skin crackles and flakes painfully.", "Temporary", "Duration: Medium (4 days)") **

 The battle with the golem is hellacious, but Urist is... adamant on charging the thing. Bringing stones crashing down on it, trapping it's feet and doing everything he can to make it's life miserable.

"Rem Tustzal-Kashan,

Ôm Tustzal-Arel,"

The dwarf would practically scream the prayer at the mixture of fire and ice. Stony hate in Urist's eyes. The dwarf unbreaking even as the monster struck him down with fire, even as part of him felt his clothes and flesh burn, he raised his hand and rifle with it, letting spikes of stone rise beneath the beasts feet.

A grim smile on his face as he fell back to smolder and pat out the flames as best he could.
(Urist Silverbane)
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 This golem here was the closest thing to a child he'd probably ever have.

That's a bitter pill to swallow...

Yet, he was still more than willing to put the thing down. So perhapsit was a good thing he'd likely never have kids.

Oh well!

With each swing of his great blade he'd chip further away at the beast, hopefully slowing it down for his brother's final, and most dramatic attack.

Until the golem was dead.

"Good. It's dead." A brief nod follows, as he glances towards his father. "Now... How do we leave here?"
(Valero Task)
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 Dun Task says, "..."
 Arch says, "..."
 Arch says, "So I'm sick of the spirit realm."
 Dun Task says, "Sucks to suck."
 Dun Task says, "Two more to go."
 Arch says, "Fair enough."
 Urist Silverbane asks, "What D'yeh mean Arch?"
 Urist Silverbane exclaims, "This place is feckin' awesome!"
 Arch says, "Writin' 'my will when I get home."
 Urist Silverbane says, "S'jus' like home."
 Arch says, "This beat Uraheim by far."
 Urist Silverbane asks, "S'what even IS Soul Steel?"
 Urist Silverbane asks, "Dun?"
 Dun Task says, "The blood terraheim, Urist."
 Dun Task says, "What it's all made of."
 Dun Task says, "Supreme mana metal."
 Dun Task says, "Born of the very spirit of metal."
  You picked up Terraheim Onyx..

 {NARRATION} With one final blow, the child of all seven dies gloriously; the energies of both Uraheim and Ifraheim collapsing in upon itself with one final deathrattle. With that blow, balance was restored. A great reverberation echoed through the halls; cheering of the Cyclops who are now freed at last.

The voice of the king rings out, "Brave heroes! You have completed your great tasks and forged a gem of great power. Keep it; the death of the Forgotten Beast is enough to cover what you take home with you. Terraheim thanks you for efforts this day."

The runestones pop from the ground, the great King of the Mountain Hall spreading his influence to create another gate home.

Their mission complete. even if life and limb was taken for it.

[EVENT COMPLETE]