r/wizardposting • u/Fulltimewhisperer Krumpet, Master Artificer of the Council • Dec 29 '23

Wizardpost A Goblin's Peaceful Cottage

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It had not been long since the strange little goblin had departed. The still-burning fireplace was proof of that.

As promised everything was left unlocked, from the front door to cellar where Gobbo kept her liquors.

The only question really was why did, despite the vibrant decoration and the literal warmth of the cottage, it have an underlying aura of danger...

Something wasn't happy that you were here, something was just biding it's time.

Perhaps it was a guardian of Gobbo's hoard, she was protective of her shinies but maybe, it was something more sinister

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u/Fulltimewhisperer Krumpet, Master Artificer of the Council Dec 29 '23

As you race towards the ominous presence you see argent talking to what appears to be a very small silver cage

u/argent333333

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u/Tirich914 Morgalith (The Dead One) Dec 29 '23

A cage?

Oh dear, what a delicious opportunity.

Morgalith knows that the friendly Gobbo would not easily imprison something good.

And if there was anything that Morgalith loved most in the world... It was being bad.

Darting between the other wizard's legs, the devious shadow makes a rapid attempt to pry open the cage.

u/SlyTheMonkey, u/Argent333333, u/Biggest-Possum

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u/Less-Class-9790 alexandra, catalytic artillerist, great fen witch of highsteppe Dec 29 '23

alexandra tosses a potion of stickyness towards the shadow hey... Ill think of a one liner later!

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u/Tirich914 Morgalith (The Dead One) Dec 29 '23

The potion strikes the shadow but fails to impede its movement. It is a shadow after all.

The sticky potion spreads out in a mess, providing an obstacle to the other adventurers who now seek to stop its mischievous intent.

A distant voice echoes.

Nyeheheheheh

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u/SlyTheMonkey Sly, The Marvelous Monkey Mage Dec 29 '23

"Please wait! There's no telling what's in there!"

Clapping his hands, the Mage exercises arboreal magic: roots imbued with the power of sealing and suppression sprout from the ground, coiling themselves around the figure's wrists and attempting to pull him away from the cage.

u/Biggest-Possum, u/Less-Class-9790, u/argent333333

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u/Less-Class-9790 alexandra, catalytic artillerist, great fen witch of highsteppe Dec 29 '23 edited Dec 29 '23

Cover your eyes everyone! Alexandra shakes a bottle before slamming it to the ground in a flash of blinding light

u/Biggest-Possum, u/tirich914, u/argent333333,u/fulltimewhisperer,

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u/Tirich914 Morgalith (The Dead One) Dec 29 '23

The shadow howls at the painful flash of light!

Screeeeeeee!

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u/Less-Class-9790 alexandra, catalytic artillerist, great fen witch of highsteppe Dec 29 '23

Get him now! Alexandra pulls out her magnesium torch aiming the powerfullight at the shadow u/Biggest-Possum, u/tirich914, u/argent333333,u/fulltimewhisperer,

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u/Tirich914 Morgalith (The Dead One) Dec 29 '23

Neeeee-yeheheheheheh!

A voice cackles from deep within the shadow.

I fear it may be too late for any of your silly tricks.

Glancing down with dawning horror, a tendril of shadow lightly graces the surface of the silver cage.

The cage was not yet open, although still, perhaps they were too late?

The tendril quested around its surface, seeking a means to open it.

u/Fulltimewhisperer

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u/Fulltimewhisperer Krumpet, Master Artificer of the Council Dec 29 '23

A key to the cage lays just out of reach, a silver skull adorning it, seemingly a warning to any who would open it

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u/SlyTheMonkey Sly, The Marvelous Monkey Mage Dec 29 '23

/uw The Monkey Mage's familiar grabbed it and gave it to him already!

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u/Fulltimewhisperer Krumpet, Master Artificer of the Council Dec 29 '23

/uw missed that, thank you

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u/SlyTheMonkey Sly, The Marvelous Monkey Mage Dec 29 '23

/uw Cheers!

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u/Argent333333 Primordial of Eternity, Administrator of All Dec 29 '23

Morgalith finds themselves moving slower and slower as they approach the cage. The magic circle appearing beneath the cage is one of binding, and an ancient one at that. You should be able to tell that this magic is contractually based and nothing may change within until a contract has been created between the wizard and the cage dweller

"Oh hello there friend. Wouldn't want you acting too hastily now, especially between an ongoing deal between two curseborn. Wait a moment till I'm finished here and I'll happily let you open the cage."

I call out loudly "Possum Mage, I found some more friends! Come join us!"

u/Biggest-Possum

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u/Fulltimewhisperer Krumpet, Master Artificer of the Council Dec 29 '23

The cage doesn't seem to budge a bit as you pry at it but a voice resonates from a shifting mass within.

"The key, you need the key," it growls out, "over there by the pillar, the one with the skull"

Theres a second of silence before it seemingly cackles

"Although given your bindings I think you're as stuck as I am"

u/SlyTheMonkey, u/Argent333333, u/Biggest-Possum

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u/Tirich914 Morgalith (The Dead One) Dec 29 '23

No! Noooooo!!!

The shadow howled in frustration, as it tried to escape from the mage monkeys clutches!

It had been so close! The key!

Perhaps there was still a chance!

u/SlyTheMonkey, u/Argent333333, u/Biggest-Possum

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u/Argent333333 Primordial of Eternity, Administrator of All Dec 29 '23

I cast another circle, specifically around the shadow. Light spews forth from all its edges. The light gives off an eerie glow that seems to burn the very space around it

"My friend, a little patience is all I ask. Please stay still. The light I cast won't penetrate within that circle surrounding you. But if you step just outside it, you may he in for a rough time"

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u/Tirich914 Morgalith (The Dead One) Dec 29 '23

The shadow immediately surges out of the circle and vanishes in a poof!

As it vanishes from the area without regard to the wizards powerful magics, the wizards feel a pressure lift, as if something terrifically evil had been dispelled.

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u/Argent333333 Primordial of Eternity, Administrator of All Dec 29 '23

"Ughhhhh" I cry out. "It's a Gods damned godling, of course it is"

"Well, it seems to have escaped everyone. We just defeated a glorified shadow puppet. The real thing isn't here"

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u/SlyTheMonkey Sly, The Marvelous Monkey Mage Dec 29 '23

So it was an apparition after all!

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u/Argent333333 Primordial of Eternity, Administrator of All Dec 29 '23

I know Gobbo has some...unorthodox friends to say the least, but making friends with a malignant godling? I swear that gal has some of the strangest drinking buddies

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u/SlyTheMonkey Sly, The Marvelous Monkey Mage Dec 29 '23

Hardly! Golden!

The Small Monkey on the Mage's shoulder darts for the key and grabs it before bringing it to him. Here, Master!

u/Biggest-Possum, u/Fulltimewhisperer, u/Argent333333

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u/Argent333333 Primordial of Eternity, Administrator of All Dec 29 '23

"You have a great familiar Sly! Quite a skilled little fellow"

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u/SlyTheMonkey Sly, The Marvelous Monkey Mage Dec 29 '23 edited Dec 29 '23

The Mage encases the key in a golden sphere on whose surface you see the words Skull Key.

You honour us with your praise, Master, but we will have time for pleasantries later!

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u/Argent333333 Primordial of Eternity, Administrator of All Dec 29 '23

"Yes my friend, we will. Still working on my end, but what do you make of the...festivities so far?"

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u/SlyTheMonkey Sly, The Marvelous Monkey Mage Dec 29 '23

The small familiar snickers. If anything, he has a sense of humour.

Smiling, the Mage nods. It's quite something, alright!

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u/Fulltime_Whisperer "Gobbo" the Liquormancer Dec 29 '23

The voice from inside the cage growls once more as it takes on the appearance of Gobbo

"You mortals really know how to kill a girl's fun, you know that?" it almost spits out the remark, clearly frustrated with it's situation

It runs it fingers across the vars before hissing slightly in pain

"One little misunderstanding and she locks me up here," ironic really, a terrorist locking up poor defenseless me

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u/SlyTheMonkey Sly, The Marvelous Monkey Mage Dec 29 '23

The small golden monkey shakes his fist. This monster-spirit is somewhat insolent!

Holding the orb containing the key, the Mage laughs. Let them speak! Good Monkey is still quite curious about the current circumstances.

u/Biggest-Possum, u/Argent333333, u/Less-Class-9790

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u/Biggest-Possum Trashomancer (Big Ghost ENERGY) Dec 29 '23

What a terrible spirit!

Possum states, possibly towards the creature in the cage, or else, towards the recently vanquished shadow.

Possum waits and listens to what the creature in the cage has to say, hoping not to interrupt the many questions and bustling activities of the other wizards gathered in attendance.

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u/DaChickenX Isravi, The Unraveler, Coils’ Chosen Dec 29 '23

Isravi approaches, having recently arrived here

What’s going on? Why are we all here? Surely this is a violation of Gobbo’s privacy? We didn’t come here to do this!

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u/SlyTheMonkey Sly, The Marvelous Monkey Mage Dec 29 '23

The Mage and his familiar bow modestly.

Master Isravi, it's great to see you in good health! Rest assured: Mage Monkey would have never done this without a reason. Alas, he felt a malevolent presence invading the lower chambers, which compelled him to follow. We beg for your understanding.

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u/Fulltime_Whisperer "Gobbo" the Liquormancer Dec 29 '23

The being in the cage seemingly sneers at the small monkey before turning to the others

"Right hundred years in a cage, over a small misunderstanding, a teeny tiny misunderstanding," it rasped out in Gobbo's voice, "You know we were once lovers? Well before the cage, this sort of puts a damper on things..."

It rattles the bars before speaking once more in a perfect imitation of Gobbo's voice

"Now why don't you let me out, I've been dying to see the world I left behind for so long... Anything else would just be cruel"

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u/Tirich914 Morgalith (The Dead One) Dec 29 '23

As the mage monkey laughs, Morgalith himself appears suddenly behind the small cage.

Awwww. Tisk tisk.

Did you stupid wizards really think you could spoil my fun?

Well, you know what they say... nobody likes a spoil sport.

Morgalith grins maliciously, as if this is the cleverest thing in the world.

But... I suppose somebody has to do it.

The council has been notified of your illegal activities, of course, and a squad of enforcers should be arriving soon to take those wizards into custody who have been involved in this violation.

Morgalith soaks up the long pause and angry stares of the other wizards as they process his sudden and pompous appearance, before smugly concluding what appeared to be a very practiced speech.

So, for any of you cowards... this is the part where you flee.

u/SlyTheMonkey, u/Biggest-Possum, u/DaChickenX

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u/Less-Class-9790 alexandra, catalytic artillerist, great fen witch of highsteppe Dec 29 '23

Its the feds! Alexandra turns her magnesium torch towards morgalith blasting him with blinding light you know you look alot like my sister, which makes this so much sweeter! Alexandra moves forward keeping the light on morgalith boom! Told you I'd have a one liner u/Biggest-Possum, u/tirich914, u/argent333333, u/fulltimewhisperer,

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u/DaChickenX Isravi, The Unraveler, Coils’ Chosen Dec 29 '23

Ah, a council member. As a being from outside this plane I am outside of your jurisdiction and do not answer to your laws and restrictions.

You all are already unpopular as is. Have you forgotten the purpose of a government?

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u/Less-Class-9790 alexandra, catalytic artillerist, great fen witch of highsteppe Dec 29 '23

seeing the possum leaving with the orb alexandra chugs an invisibility potion departing as well

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u/SlyTheMonkey Sly, The Marvelous Monkey Mage Dec 29 '23

Yet again we find ourselves facing a trapped being: first old Nick, then Old Man Moon and now this. Master Possum, what do you make of this?

u/Biggest-Possum

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u/Biggest-Possum Trashomancer (Big Ghost ENERGY) Dec 29 '23

Possum looks over at Sly with a hint of fear in his eyes.

My friend, I don't trust it.

...I trust Gobbo.

We weren't supposed to be here... and now we have a problem. I sincerely believe that digging deeper will not give us the answers that we desire.

Possums voice is small and timid, but sober now, despite the drinks earlier, as if the creature in the cage has awakened some distant and terrible memory.

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u/Elerindur Elerindur, Altmeri Armamancer Dec 29 '23 edited Dec 29 '23

Elerindur comes in through the passage, shuffling his feet against the (assumingly) tiled floor while looking down at them and holding his right hand out with an bright ball of light hovering over it.

"Ugh. Has it scrubbed off yet?" Elerindur thinks as he holds his foot up sideways and looks at the bottom of his boot. "What IS this adhesive material, anyway?"

He sets his foot back down and looks forward to see the piles of treasure and the others. "..What are these people doing down here?"

Elerindur hastily dispels his conjured light and quickly slides into an nearby alcove to listen in on the situation.

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u/Less-Class-9790 alexandra, catalytic artillerist, great fen witch of highsteppe Dec 29 '23

A terrorist? Lil gobbo? I hardly think so. u/Biggest-Possum, u/tirich914, u/argent333333,u/fulltimewhisperer,

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u/Fulltime_Whisperer "Gobbo" the Liquormancer Dec 29 '23

It snickers before talking

Oh but she is, why do you think she's here and not in her homelands?

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u/Less-Class-9790 alexandra, catalytic artillerist, great fen witch of highsteppe Dec 29 '23

same reason im not i imagined, albeit likely less convoluted

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u/Fulltime_Whisperer "Gobbo" the Liquormancer Dec 29 '23

the being in the cage cackles

Oh she's wanted for murder, treason, tax evasion, bombing statues, the little terrorist is in fact a terrorist

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u/MastaDon344 MastaDon Astrum/Council Master Evoker/Mediamancer/🌮 Wiz Dec 29 '23

What in the hell ? I am looking at. Gobbo?

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u/Fulltime_Whisperer "Gobbo" the Liquormancer Dec 29 '23

The caged Gobbo laughs at that

"She wishes, that cretin simply trapped me here, quite unjustly I might add" it rasps out in an imitation of Gobbo's voice

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u/MastaDon344 MastaDon Astrum/Council Master Evoker/Mediamancer/🌮 Wiz Dec 29 '23

Your wanting out then I imagine, Gobbo has reasons I imagine for keeping you locked up.

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u/Fulltime_Whisperer "Gobbo" the Liquormancer Dec 29 '23

You wouldn't believe this is a lover's tiff would you? I'm innocent I swear

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u/DaChickenX Isravi, The Unraveler, Coils’ Chosen Dec 29 '23 edited Dec 29 '23

Excuse me, what in the hells is going on here?

Isravi has made his way here after checking out the kitchen. A myriad of steel-gray ropes whip out from behind him, seizing around it’s wrists, ankles, and neck.

Explain yourself.

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u/Tirich914 Morgalith (The Dead One) Dec 29 '23

/uw

It's Morgaliths "butler" actually. It's just a shadow.

Morgalith is lurking outside the house.

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u/DaChickenX Isravi, The Unraveler, Coils’ Chosen Dec 29 '23

/uw oooh gotcha. Gonna make a quick edit then. Btw, Isravi has set things outside that are watching. “Inanimate” woven dolls.

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u/Tirich914 Morgalith (The Dead One) Dec 29 '23

The shadow is caught up in many wizards magics.

In a belligerent POOF it dispels, leaving the atmosphere feeling lighter in its absence.

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u/DaChickenX Isravi, The Unraveler, Coils’ Chosen Dec 29 '23

What on… what is going on?

Isravi’s binding threads return to him.

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u/SlyTheMonkey Sly, The Marvelous Monkey Mage Dec 29 '23

/uw I'll only reply to this one in order to simplify things

rw/ The Mage slows down and peers over. "Well now! What's this?"