The Man Behind the Mask

[DungeonMaster]

"Wait... sir... do you have anything carbonated that's poisonous? Like... brews perhaps... with all their foam. Could you make them poisonous by adding something ingestible? It would only take five minutes or so. I just need something to assure that when I hit with this needle... it kills. I could do with just... your table wash... that sounds like a good one. Do you have any chemical table wash?" He was talking a blue streak at joe, who he assumed would be taking notes and preparing to deliver his order. He didn't even pay ettention to joe, as he looked around the shop. "Can i take a few of these chairs into the back room to make some traps as well? I might need a few bolts and some springs... umm... oh... an i need any type of flammables or explosives, including liquor, that you can supply me with... errrr... um.... that I can carry with me safely. I need to keep these people alive so that I can get inside that tomb..." The light vanished and the man looked at Joe, saying, "What did the mask ask for? Don't listen to it... it's crazy."

[Cain]

"Oh he seems to just want poisons, explosives or flamibles, and trap materials. While I probably have the bolts, springs or even wire necissary, but I'm not selling my chairs. Flamible liquids are easy enough to find, and if I used that venom offered by Jal, I think I can provide a poison without taking too long."

Charon had sat at a table and waited patiently for his companions to prepare themselves. He tapped his fingers on the table top and started to remember a party of three particular bounty hunters chasing him. One was a large wolf with a pretty big sword, there was a tiger warrior with a beautiful sword and armor, and a strange shark thing. He had eluded them many times, mostly due to the magics of the ring. "End of the road, laddy. Your days of killin' innocents and drinkin' blood like it was ale are over." The three had cornered him at a cliff face, a fifty foot drop to the rocky bottom. ~They've only just begun, chum-chewer!" The ring flashed a brilliant red, exploded, and Charon had appeared in a small town many miles from his original position. A town inhabited by pirates, thieves, and criminals, a perfect haven. "Good times." He looked at his ring, smiled at it, and stroked it with his index finger. ~If you don't destroy me, those good times don't have to end.~ He looked at his companions, the friendly look in his eyes being replaced with a look of malice and deception. "Perhaps, perhaps not."

[Jal-Koon]

There was a slight tension building in the air. Years of fear had given Jal a sort of sense for danger and it was once again active. He began to pace, spreding more inky sludge in his wake. He may have been anxious, but his true fear wasn't going to let him back down from a quest that would allow him to finally become a lich and escape the Reaper for good.

[Chronica]

Chronica sat down to wait as the others prolonged the journey. When she finally had enough of the boys seeking things they should not want anyway she spoke loudly so she knew all could hear her, "I think we should get going, the sun will fall before we leave if you keep this up."

[Jal-Koon]

Chronica's announcement yanked Jal away from his thoughts. He turned to her in amazement "What, you want leave now? Fearsome creatures lurk in the daylight, who knows what abomination we may face!

Charon turned his head to face Jal. "The creatures of daylight are not what should be feared. The lich's lair is an abomination from hell itself. Fearsome, demonic creatures patrol its borders, and God knows what lurks within." His voice had changed somewhat. It was no longer cheerful and normal, but rather deep and dancing on the edge of danger. He slithered to Chronica's side. "I am with her. I understand the precaution of being prepared, but come now, shouldn't we start our journey before the next century?" The ring eyed Chronica warily, sensing her angelic energies. ~We leave her to the master's desires.~

[Jal-Koon]

Seeing that both Charon and Chronica were more that ready to leave, Jal knew he had no choice but to agree. " Aw, fine. Let's get moving then, I suppose I'm not getting any younger."

[DungeonMaster]

The man in the mask remained silent, and then he growled from under th mask, and the white, smoky light began to roll forth from the eye sockets, signaling the mask having control. "Alright... if you want to leave, I suppose I could do without my traps, but I would like to state that it is I and not the puny mortal wearing me, that wishes the journey to be safe... as... if he dies before he removes me... my soul is replaced by his and the mask remains a cursed item. Long story... no need to tell it... just... be sure he doesn't fall in battle." The light went away again, and the man raked his nails down the mask, attempting to tear it off in vain. He moved to the door and kept trying to get it off, "Damn this mask! Let's just get this over with... get this... blasted soul... out... of... my... face!" He growled as he stumbled through the door and out into the warm afternoon air.

[Jal-Koon]

Jal gritted his teeth and prayed that this possessed mask and demonic ring would not be his death. He hoisted his bag onto his shoulders and set foot outside. "This should be an adventure to remember..."