Game Thread: Alara

Malora smirks, Scholars have argued for centuries about that very question, not even I know what it means fully. Look into that bonfire over-there, see the frail fading flame with no source? That's an echo of the sacred flame. That peace you feel at the fire, the warmth that touches the darkness in your heart and staves away the mindlessness of hollowing, that's the sacred flame. The legends say that the sacred flame was created by saints of old who sacrificed their life to ease the suffering of others, but those are only legends. Others say that the fire predates the saints and started while the world was young. Afterward she looks around at the exits you had indicated. Well up there is the remnants of the city that was built about the Firekeep, it was once a flourishing little city but the war really ground it away. In there is the Firekeep itself, I cannot say what you'll find in there, few can open the doors and even few come back to say what they found.

Fading Soul. The fading soul of a lost Undead who has gone Hollow. Offer at a bonfire to gain 100xp or for trading. The soul is the source of all life, and even in undeath, or hollowing, the mind seeks souls.

Almian Legionnaire Soul. These soldiers from a distant land marched against the Firekeep at the command of those who would break the age of light. Offer at a bonfire to gain 150xp or for trading.

Legrion Tortoise Knight. The king of the Firekeep clad his strongest warriors in heavy plate and equiped them with weapons no normal man could carry. Their lack of manuverability was the inevitable end to these iron juggernauts. Offer at a bonfire to gain 1400xp or use for trading.

Legrion Lancer Soul. The front line troops that once defended the Firekeep from all it's foes. Nimble and equipped with a powerful spear they serve the King of Fire even in death. Offer at a bonfire to gain 200xp or use for trading.

Soul of Mahjim the Gate Warden. This warrior came to Legrion on a long pilgrimage from a far off land, and swore fealty to the Fire King. He stands watch over the gates of Fire Keep and deny entry to all who would violate the sanctity of the Throne of Fire. Offer at a bonfire to gain 2200xp, use for trading or to create a powerful item.

The imposing door to the Firekeep is emblazoned with four insignia; the sign of the shining sun, the head of the prowling wolf, a crescent moon and a great stone. The door seems fixed solid in it's place and seems to posses powerful magics.

As you come up the staircase, you see the city around the Firekeep for the first time. The buildings were once grand, but now are a mere echo of their former glory. You do not have much time to enjoy it though, as you notice archers on the outer wall, and above you on the ramparts of the keep some hollows in bright armour lining you up with greatbows.

Seeing the archers I duck back into the room with the bonfire and return to the chamber where I battled the guardian. There I had noticed a pathway leading, probably, to the walls, and I follow that path.

Climbing up the ladder you arrive onto the great exterior wall. On your left, the gatehouse extends higher still by another floor with access through a sturdy wooden door. To your right, the wall extends, with a group of soldiers (two manning a ballista pointed over the wall and on of those great archers looking back into the town) spaced out about every 40ft. You do not get a chance to decide your next course as you see a spectral red figure who is robed steps to the edge off the gatehouse and angrily wave his fist at you, before silently starting to make arcane gestures.

With a mighty blow the figure fades to silver, but then an identical figure comes up the stairs that lead to the room below, also performing a similar set of arcane gestures which he promptly finishes hurling a large ball of angry flame at you. After you can see past thi sball of flame he has disappears from sight again, probably ducking back down into the room below.

Your blow catches a figure, and by some luck it seems to be the actual mage. In response he reaches out with a shadow wreathed hand but you manage to dodge away from it. Seeing his attack missed, the mage and all the illusions come together and then step apart, in a way where it was impossible to see which way the real one moved.

You strike the figure, and feeling flesh unleashing a blast of psychic energy. The figure melts with that strange silvery effect you saw before. The remaining to figures silently pantomime laughter while completing another spell. The two figures become blurry and impossible to focus on, One of them tries to touch you again with a black wreathed hand, they merge again and step apart.

You strike the figure and are delighted to note it wasn't an illusion. In response it extends its hands and fires a gout of flames.