The Man Behind the Mask

[DungeonMaster]

"Ahhh... I believe the Naga goes by Charon, and by the looks of it... that ring he has is cursed... belonged to a lich or somthing, and is like... filled with an evil spirit. Uhh... the other once... was.... kind of quiet..." He turned to Charon and Jal, calling to them heartily, "I didn't quite catch your tales, my friends. Wouldyou like to come meet Miss Chronica? She's got quite a history... as do I, and both of you from the looks of it. Charon... I seem to recall an adventure that we have to plan. We must get the proper supplies for... each person to do their... job..." He sounded shady in his speaking, as if the words held a different meaning and as if his thoughts were on things other than the adventure.
His eyes glinted, and he whispered, "Poison? why poison?" The eyes filled with light and then faded and he spoke, even softer than the first time, "I understand." Chronica would be able to make out the words easily, but the others would barely be able to hear the whisper in the mask.

Charon looked up hurriedly, but spoke with amazing calm. "The ring again. Talking nonsense, just ignore us when I seem to talk to myself." He glanced over to John and slithered over to him and Chronica. He offered her his hand palm up. "I am Charon, former citadel guard, escaped convict, murderer." Now why did he go and do that? He didn't have to tell her he was wanted. Then again, he told Jal without even thinking about it. "I have many nicknames like The Butcher, Blood Cobra, The Boatman, Bloody Smiles, and some names that are pretty vulgar and full of obscenities." ~Yes, take her hand and feel her flesh, for next time you touch her is when you devour her beautiful neck.~

[Jal-Koon]

Standing still had caused the sludge around Jal's feet to gum up, he took several awkward steps forward and gave a half-hearted bow. "Greetings, I am Jal-Koon, a soul sucking coward for lack of a better description. I live off the essence of others, so I am not generally liked by the living. So kind of you both to associate with me."

[Chronica]

Chronica curtsied to both Charon and Jal, smiling as she did so. "A pleasure to meet you both." Then turning her piercing green eyed gaze upon Charon, she lifted her upper lip momentarily flashing a bright white elongated fang. "It seems that I must watch my neck around you," she paused and leaned forward and whispered in his ear, "But just so you know, I'm half Angel, and with the evil of that ring in your blood there is no telling what it may do to you." Chronica pulled back, the corner of her mouth quirked in a slight grin.

Charon whispered to Chronica, but not as himself, rather the ring was speaking through him. "Seems we shall have much fun together, you and I." He shook his head, backed away, and said "If you'll excuse me, I have to put this thing in its place." He bowed his head, went to a dark corner, and spoke sharply to the ring. "Why must you put me in a position of certain death, demon? Your games are tiresome and lacking in humor." ~You are being paranoid, Boatman. I am a demon, and my powers will protect me from her sorcery.~ "I'll make good note that you said 'you', not 'us'." ~Need I repeat myself? I'm a demon, not a nun.~ Charon cursed at the ring and returned. "Sorry, a slight debate in the line of dominance. So, what's the plan?"

[DungeonMaster]

"It seems that first we must... go find your lich... dispose of the ring... let Jal-Koon arise to Lichdom in the other's place... find a pure soul... remove the mask... and... slay a dragon so we can destroy the mask... but... is there anything else we need to do?" There was a flash of light in the helmet and the mask reached out telepathically to the demon, ~They're plotting our destruction... I propose that we both work for their demise and then together we find an individual stupid enough to don us both.~

[Jal-Koon]

Jal counted their tasks on his bony fingers and mumbled to himself. He gave Charon's ring and uneasy stare. "It would seem we have quite a bit on our plate, and I'm guessing that ring isn't going to make any of easy..."
He went into a glazed stare in Chronica's direction.

[Cain]

Joe finaly showed himself, comeing from the back and holding a goblet in one hand.
"Ah hello there. Sorry to keep anyone waiting, did any of you need anything?"

The ring looked at Charon then back to the mask. ~You have my attention.~ Charon felt the ring's presence leave his mind. The action worried him not in the slightest, for it was a wonderful repreve from the constant whispers that made him lose more and more of his sanity. He sighed satisfyingly. "I think we're good to go. Unless our lovely friend Chronica has something to add?" With the ring gone for the moment, Charon could afford to be his old self again.

[Chronica]

Chronica looked at herself to double check what she was wearing. Loose fit leather slacks, decent set of boots, all she had to grab was her sword and the two canteens Joe had behind the counter. "Joe can I get those two canteens filled? If I run out I'll manage. Two should be enough though."