Kuriak's Great Crusade

[Darkwulf58]

Ok, that does it, there needs to be a Kuriak Action figure! I'm seeing Kuriak coffee Mugs and Tee's. Different shots of Kuriak with witty slogans. Very niche, very cool. What would be some good Tee's to have?

I Healed Kuriak

Worthy to Group with Kuriak

Kuriak /waved at Me

I Survived Mistmoore with Kuriak ( Replace Mistmoore with your favorite Dungeon or Zone ).

Kuriak was Here

Kuriak for President

[Ephirith]

Chapter VI: Who Rules... the Iksar Kingdom?

Without speaking, the Iksar pulled the hood off of a small, bound humanoid, and out poured a ruffled length of silken hair and two pointy ears. She was kneeling, facing a door. Go inside half elf, the Iksar said before she heard him turn and walk away. Slowly, she moved closer to the door. She reached out to touch it but hesitated for a moment. Before she could move her hand back, a voice from inside said 'Enter', passively, as if occupied by a heavy workload. The half elf waited for a moment and opened the door. Inside, she saw an Iksar seated in a high-backed wooden chair facing a fireplace. He was wearing a velvet robe and in his mouth was a regal, darkwood tobacco pipe. The Iksar took a puff and blew several bubbles into the room.

She stood at the doorway in disbelief for several moments before she decided to speak. When she did, the Iksar did not avert his gaze from the fire. He waited for several moments before slowly raising his head, as if he were deeply reminiscing about past triumphs and gallantry on the field of battle. He looked her in the eyes and she felt her knees weaken slightly. He smiled in a contorted, forced manner as the Iksar do, and said. "Welcome to my home, half elf. Please, make yourself comfortable. I have wine on ice there on the table." She approached cautiously. "It was bottled before Sebilis fell." he said frankly, gesturing at the wine, "You may not have noticed, but the Iksar do not make wine anymore. Who had ever heard of Iksar wine? This is exceedingly rare. On second thought, don't touch the wine, it cost more than you did."

The Iksar turned in his chair. "It is a marvel that this bottle survived the panic as they razed Sebilis-- the chaos. Our records and histories, so little survived.". The half elf looked puzzled by this strange, talkative Iksar, but he seemed not to notice. "Do you know who rules the dust we call Cabilis, elf?" She was silent. "No? I can assure you it is not Emperor Vekkin. Who controls the flow of goods and services throughout all of Cabilis? He sells you fresh food to bring home to your family. His mining operations feed the forges that armor our soldiers. Do you think Vekkin's meager taxes pay the salaries for so many legionnaires? War Baron Eator belongs to me. The necromancers, do they mind? Don't worry about them. They're nihilists, they don't care about anything. Glox sits in stupor. And you might find it difficult to make it into the ranks of the Scaled Mystics without my endorsement, or to endure expensive training in mysticism without my funding.

"And the Crusaders of Greenmist? You may notice they never seem to catch so much as a copper from me. Poorly trained, poorly equipped, they are a mockery, a last resort for desperate Iksar. Arch Duke Xog is helpless and impotent, his knights a scattered band of ineffectual hooligans."

"Elf, they sit in their shining towers and dreadful temples, and they bark orders to one another. But at the foot of their towers, in this plain building, in these barren and dusty halls, rests all the power and influence. They do not rule Cabilis; the Haggle Baron Klok rules Cabilis, as he now rules you, maiden. Remove your clothing and show me my new assets while I stroke my Klok."

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It had been several days since Kuriak had reported to Arch Duke Xog and he still hadn't heard anything. He spent some of his money dining on froglok tadpoles elegantly prepared in a bisque of emulsified goblin fetuses. Some of his money went to outfitting young Iksar, including a shaman named Zellana, who he equipped with a suit of banded and a deadly harpoon. He would need allies in the future and he hoped to cultivate a band of loyal Iksar.

While waiting for further orders he joined a detachment of Iksar from all disciplines in an expedition into Kurn's tower. There, they met foreigners who also had some interest in what may be guarded in the ruins. He spent several days fighting the skeletons and amassed enough bone chips to raise an army of undead. He learned to shatter the psyches of his enemies with unbearable terror and make them flee. He could coalesce strands of pure darkness into the physical world and burden his enemies with it, slowing their movement.

While resting with his party, a fellow Crusader delivered dispatches from Arch Duke Xog himself, instructing Kuriak to return to Cabilis and report at once.

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He arrived to find Arch Duke Xog on his balcony, looking out over Cabilis with a blank expression. When Kuriak arrived Xog did not turn to face him, he simply spoke.

Arch Duke Xog: Kuriak, in consideration of the information I am about to disclose, and the following assignment, I am promoting you to the rank of Knight, a full member of the Crusaders of Greenmist. This Knight's Khukri will no longer be much use in combat but it will ceremonially signify your rank and title. Keep it safe.

Arch Duke Xog: We have reason to believe the forces of Sebilis are plotting an offensive. We also have evidence they are receiving aid from their brethren in Guk.

Xog hesitated a moment, and turned to face Kuriak. There was great distress in his voice as he spoke.

Arch Duke Xog: Further, we believe the frogloks are colluding with somebody inside Cabilis. We need evidence. We need to find the traitor. To that end, Kuriak, I am deploying you to the froglok enclave in Guk. Once there, you are to hinder their operation in any way possible. Search for any intelligence you can find, and disrupt their capability to be of use to Sebilis. You are a knight now Kuriak, and we are granting you a small budget for the recruitment and retention of Pawns. Now travel to Guk, and do not return without news of victory.

Refreshed from a delightful stay in Cabilis, Kuriak prepared for his second overseas deployment, this time to the swamps of southern Antonica.

[Ephirith]

Chapter VII: The Guk Campaign

There is no doubt the frogloks consider themselves a peaceful and righteous race; as walking embodiments of the values of their creator, Mithaniel Marr. And though they might otherwise have much in common with the self-proclaimed 'good' races of Norrath, who also have their own ostentatious 'morals', the frogloks are far too fanatical to accept heathen outsiders with hospitality. Those races the frogloks view as wicked are slain outright in arbitrary moral judgment. Oftentimes, when Kuriak dragged a froglok into the shadows and pulled one of its arms off, or gnawed contently on one of its legs, it would quickly abandon its whimpered prayers and scream and croak for mercy. When it finally died, its last thoughts had nothing to do with courage, justice, or dedication to Mithaniel Marr. There was only terror, a pain-soaked and primal fear that lingered in its amphibian eyes long after Kuriak scooped them out, inserted a toothpick, and enjoyed a froglok-blood martini.

Kuriak interpreted this as signifying, above all, that fear was the ultimate force in the universe-- and that the metaphysical essence of terror, Cazic Thule, blessed his cause.

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Kuriak knew this was going to be a long deployment, and it might be some time before he returned to Cabilis. He carried enough beetle bakes, water, bandages, and bone chips to last for weeks should he be unable to resupply in Antonica, as well as 125 platinum to cover travel expenses and unforeseen costs.

He left the gates of Cabilis once more and made his way through Warsliks Woods to the ancient Iksar shipyards of the Overthere, where he was able to pay a wizard to take him to Nektulos.

From there, he made his way across the great deserts and plains of eastern Antonica, finally arriving in Innothule swamp after arduous travel. With his reptilian orifices itchy and containing a considerable quantity of sand, he was actually happy to see a damp swamp and he quickly immersed himself in the warm, muddy water.

The entrance to Guk was guarded by nothing more than froglok young and inexperienced pawns. However, Kuriak quickly found that the deeper areas were guarded by groups of far more powerful frogloks, aided by shamans. This was more than Kuriak could handle himself, so he sought an alternate way in. He swam down a lightly guarded tunnel and found a writhing nest of black spiders. He began to fight his way through them with much difficulty. While resting and suffering the effects of their poison, a powerful pair of elves approached from the tunnel behind him, a Teir`Dal and Feir`Dal working in concert.

The dark elf bathed Kuriak in a swirling torrent of flame that coursed around him, but strangely did not burn, and the wood elf gave Kuriak's scales the hardness of steel.

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Having demonstrated the strength of their magic, they continued on their way. Just before the dark elf disappeared down the tunnel, however, she turned to Kuriak and spoke to him.

Morloth: Archduke Xog is a foolish and small minded lordling. He does not see your true potential.

Kuriak: Xog has given me everything.

The dark elf shook her head with contempt.

Morloth: He seeks only to hold on to his meager gains in the ruins of the Iksar empire. There is a world to conquer and he does not see it. The true path of conquest lies with Hate... with Innoruuk.

Kuriak: I serve Cabilis above all.

Morloth: It is this inward focus that led to the ruin of your once great civilization. You may gain entrance to the halls of Neriak by giving red wine to a drunken merchant. From there you will see how a true empire is created... by manipulation of others. Hate be with you young shadow knight.

When she finished speaking the dark elf abruptly continued toward the depths of Guk, leaving a trail of flames and the smoldering remnants of spiders behind her. Kuriak had no intention of betraying Arch Duke Xog, and his connection to Cazic Thule had saved his life in the Swamp of No Hope. However, Morloth had displayed a great deal of power and an unsettling knowledge of Iksar politics. When his mission was over he would consider this further.

Unable to penetrate Guk's defenses by himself, Kuriak returned to the entrance where he was able to recruit several agents who were interested in plundering Guk's wealth. Together, they began to engage the frogloks' more formidable defenses and slowly advanced through the narrow halls. Kuriak sought not only to damage Guk itself, but also to search for any means possible to gather useful intelligence, particularly regarding Guk's cooperation with Sebilis and the frogloks of Kunark.

One of Kuriak's colleagues told him of the existence of a froglok enchanter known as The Scryer. He told of how the Scryer harnessed incomprehensible mental energy to project his consciousness and communicate with others over long distances-- perhaps even to Kunark. Encouraged by the prospect of having a nice conversation with the Scryer, the party drove onward.

Eventually they entered an expansive hall with a gilded spa and two massive founts of flowing water. In the back of the room was an altar, and upon the altar stood a froglok engrossed in a deep trance. As Kuriak moved closer, his head began to ache. His senses dulled. All the sounds around him became muffled and distant; his sight blurred and filled with coronas. He looked to his group mates, who were wincing and stumbling. With great difficulty, Kuriak attempted to afflict the meditating froglok with a disease. The spell dissipated almost immediately, and the froglok was unaffected. Suddenly, the dull ache in his brain intensified into a sharp, nearly unbearable pain. A voice spoke in his mind. Dharmoni. Zareph. Kuriak. Keroro. Dororo. I look in your minds and see naught but wickedness and greed. Heretics. Savages. Invaders. Little of Kuriak's vision remained discernable, but it was enough to see the froglok suddenly standing before him, eyes closed, a battle-axe in hand. The voice spoke again, clearer now, louder. Angry. Kuriak of Cabilis, Crusader of Greenmist. You will be interrogated.. The froglok opened its eyes.

Kuriak began to convulse as his mind crumbled. His eyes rolled back and he dropped to the ground, shaking and hissing uncontrollably. Then, in an instant, the pain dissipated and his senses returned, unaltered. He felt a strange numbness and tingling throughout his body. He turned toward his ally, the rogue Dororo. In the corner of his vision, he saw the Scryer swinging his axe frantically at his party. He didn't care. Kuriak casually walked toward Deroro, who was clearly still suffering mental bombardment. He placed his left hand on Dororo's shoulder, and with his other hand drove his sword through the rogue.

The dark elf collapsed with a look of horror on his face. Kuriak strolled around the room, swinging his sword at his groupmates. Keroro, a fellow Iksar and disciple of Grandmaster Glox, attempted to deliver a deadly strike upon the Scryer, who was relentlessly battering the cleric. Kuriak leaped in front of the blow, blocking it with his shield. He then swung with all his might at the monk's neck, but Keroro ducked out of the way. Kuriak pursued the monk, slashing with his sword in an attempt to land a decisive blow. The Iksar Swifttail had spent long periods of his life entranced in deep, meditative introspection as do all of Glox's disciples. His disciplined mind was thus hardened against the Scryer's energies, and better able to resist the assault on his sanity. Though he did feel some obscure oddness and fuzziness, the Iksar retained surprising mental clarity. He easily dodged Kuriak's sluggish and uncoordinated attacks, but found it hard to save the rest of the group.

The Scryer continued assailing the cleric, who was out of mana and critically wounded. He swung his axe and struck the dwarf's shield, sending him sprawling, limp and barely alive, into the corner. The Scryer turned to refocus his assault on the beleaguered Swifttail. To his surprise, the monk moved with coordinated grace and quickness. The Scryer began to focus the strength of his mind into a spell. His webbed hands began to glow red as they became charged with energy, until it was released toward the monk with a thunderous roar. Keroro felt his perception of reality waver as the energy rushed over him, and his strong mind begin to unravel as the spell overcame his mental discipline. The Swifttail knelt to the ground and gripped his head, attempting to resist insanity.

Kuriak calmly walked toward the monk. The Scryer also moved toward the monk, stepping over the dark elf crumpled on the floor, and raised his axe, preparing to cleave the suffering Iksar. Kuriak placed his left hand upon Keroro's shoulder. The froglok then felt a jolt, and then a sharp pain as a long knife entered his back. Kuriak also shuddered and froze. The rogue, severely wounded, had barely managed to stand and deliver the blow. With all his strength, he pushed on the weapon and drove it deep into the froglok.

In an instant, Kuriak collapsed to the ground, unconscious. The froglok began to thrash at the rogue, who dove out of the way. Keroro seized an opportunity to finish the froglok. The Iksar grabbed the Scryer around the neck from behind, and sent his foot driving into the back of the froglok's knee. He turned his body with the falling froglok and drove his weight toward the ground, sending the froglok falling onto his back. With remarkable speed and force, the monk then brought his staff whistling down through the air, where it landed upon the froglok's forehead and shattered its sturdy skull.

There was a sharp crack as the field of immense psychic energy dissipated. The party's headaches began to fade, and their senses returned.

Several moments later, Kuriak stumbled to his feet in a daze and stood over the fallen enchanter.

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He remembered only entering the Scryer's room, and a splitting headache, but had no recollection of the brawl. Confused, he began to recognize thoughts in his head that were not his own.

Memories, knowledge, and foreign emotions raged in his thoughts. He spoke with his group, and apparently the Scryer had taken control of Kuriak's mind during the battle and used him as a weapon, as a puppet. Kuriak was furious, and disappointed. They had nearly been killed and the Scryer had given them no useful information. The group retreated from Guk to tend to their wounds, and went their separate ways.

As Kuriak walked through the swamp near Guk, still feeling fairly lightheaded and confused, he spotted a froglok fishing in the swamp. Several strange words entered his mind. After a moment he recognized the words as froglok. He stood for a moment and watched the froglok cast his lure into the swamp. He kept thinking of strange words and phrases. One word stood out to him; he heard it in his mind repeatedly:

Tolapumj


.

[Razdeline]

go big kuriak

[myxomatosii]

Over the weekend I was stuck out of town in a hotel room with no internet, while browsing the forums here on my phone I came across this post and let me just say thank you. This post provided me a brief sanctuary from the boredom that is a conference with no wifi in your room and spotty wifi in the main hub a 10 minutes walk away. So terribad.

I look forward to reading more. Oh and I can finally look at the photos, yay!

[Aicha]

Just stumbled over this by accident. Very entertaining! [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[Snagglepuss]

I love reading different player fan fiction. WTB Porgat's Adventures!

[Ephirith]

Chapter VIII: The Crusader Returns

Castle Mistmoore has a long and prestigious reputation as a bustling hive of debauchery and deviance. From the safety of his gloomy halls, the everliving vampire Mayong Mistmoore rules over a harem of buxom dark elf women who have a cultlike obsession with their leader. Some believe the powerful vampire influences their minds and commands their loyalty with a highly addictive substance made of magically infused moonlight, while others think his wealth is so great and his figure so dashing that dark elves come from all over the world to join his lecherous parties.
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Kuriak awoke to find himself on the ground, looking into a sky obscured by a thick purple mist. The last thing he remembered was losing his mind and walking deep into the swamps outside Guk. He felt as though he was just waking from a dream that had last for months; his mind was filled with strange visions and cloudy memories that vanished rapidly as he regained focus.

With great effort he turned his head and spotted a large castle adorned with the insignia of Mayong Mistmoore. He lay outside the castle at the edge of the ravine, but before he could gather any more information he heard the echo of footsteps from below. A procession of lascivious dark elven women and gargoyles came into sight, headed for the afternoon castle orgy. Kuriak closed his eyes and pretended to be dead as they passed.
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After they were gone, Kuriak rose to his feet and augmented his form with shadows, obscuring him from view, and began to search for a safe place to clear his head. He had never seen such a high concentration of females before. He recalled an ancient Iksar proverb, which stated:

If women weren’t meant to be in the kitchen, then why do they have milk and eggs inside of them?

And suddenly Kuriak had clarity of purpose. He didn’t know how he ended up in Mistmoore, but he knew this place was an abomination and their behavior had to be corrected. Mobs of women cavorting and rubbing against eachother-- Lasna Cheroon splashing playfully in a bathtub with her girlfriends while Xicotl watches through the keyhole- disgusting. Only the Iksar woman is worthy of such behavior.

He emerged from the shadows and began slaughtering tangled, moaning clusters of women and gargoyles. Kuriak had a gleam in his eye and with every severed teir`dal limb he grew happier and more focused. He looked forward to reporting his success here to Arch Duke Xog when he finally returned to Cabilis.
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Mission complete.

[Tecmos Deception]

All I know is two things.

1) this thread is awesome

and

2) there is something seriously wrong with those 2 chicks on the left; WTF is sticking up over top of the Caster Mistmoore banner?

[phobus]

Originally Posted by Tecmos Deception [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

All I know is two things.

1) this thread is awesome

and

2) there is something seriously wrong with those 2 chicks on the left; WTF is sticking up over top of the Caster Mistmoore banner?

Judging by the thing to the left of the left-most woman's legs, err.. tails?

You know what they say in the Neriak Foreign Quarter: the bluer the berry, the sweeter the juice!