The Overlord's Tower

[Overlord]

The Overlord sat in his fifteen foot throne. "So, master, do feel like showing yourself yet? Or would you prefer to have the minions go out and capture some more...volunteers? He he" Gnarl spoke, the minion master, and basically his father. "Give a few more days. Get the werewolves in here. My armor's hungry." Gnarl yelled out to a brown minion for him to go get the beasts. In short days time, he would make himself known to this world. And then it would bow at his feet.

[Overlord]

Twenty peasents were assembeled before the Overlord. Most from different villages. Two werewolves, the smartest of their race, stood behind the throne. He stood, and glanced at the cowering men. "Do you know why you lowly pieces of dung are here?" Gnarl spoke, glaring at all the fearful people. The werewolves leaped onto two of the men, snarling, and tearing at the poor men. They were dead within seconds. Both wolves contained a blood crystal, they tore the attribtutes from the fading people, their stamina, strength speed, and everything else they possesed. The brown minions started to kill the others, as the werewolves repeated their ritual. The last peasant was left for the Overlord. He stepped off his throne, and grasped the fifteen year old's neck. He activated his own blood magic, forcing her to die in his hand. Her eyes faded to a pure white, and he released her. Her body crumpled on the ground, and he felt a rush of energy enter his body. He sat back down on the throne, and the minions dragged the bodies out of the throne room. The werewolves, both as dark as night, approached him. They held the blood crystals out towards him, and he put a hand on each orb. Instantly the blood and power of the farmers entered his body, and he jerked to try to get away. The werewolves held his hands there, and after another fourty seconds, it ended. "Gnarl...The time...has almost come..for...me to...make myself...known..." It was a huge rush, and he needed to sit down. He felt dizzy, which was soon replaced by newfound strength. His time was drawing near.

[NPC]

"Sire, would you like me to fetch you something to drink?" He motioned to the minions, who pointed toward each other. One raised his hand, and yelled "NO NOSE GOES!!!!" Immediently seven of the nine touched their noses. The eighth looked around, and slapped the ninth before his hand reached his nose, then his claw went to his nose. "HA HA! You no nose!!!" The one who was forced, punched his slapper in the face. "FINE!" He marched off to go get some water.
"Sire, I suggest finding the greens first. They are deep within the elven lands, and could be of great use for scouting missions."

[Overlord]

The scion of evil nodded. He took the water, and drank, removing the plating from his mouth first. He replaced it, and grabbed his weapon sitting beside him. "I shall take fifteen browns with me. Keep in contact. And send out for some more...'Volunteers' I shall use them on my return." He walked toward the edge of the throne room, his aura glowing with increased intensity. He stepped on the platform, below a three thousand foot drop. The platform moved, and flew to a different part of the tower, the spawing pit. He realized this would create a stir in their foul pit. He also realized that once he stepped out of his new home, the tower would be seen to all. The platform landed, and he stepped off.

[NPC]

The pit went silent as a thousand yellow glowing eyes went to their master. "Maaaster?" One said as it stepped up. "Time to go?" The Overlord nodded, and the minions looked toward each other and cheered, a very loud cheer. They became hectic, running around, arming themselves. "That's my mini catapult!" "No it's mine" "MY CORSET" My shield" MINE!" "Yours, just kidding, MINE!" Those were heard many times, each time changing, their short stature, and imature behavior was almost comical. If they weren't arming themselves for world domination that is.

[Overlord]

The Overlord thought it would probably be best to move on to the elven lands as soon as possible. But first, Nughlon might be worth attacking, for a warm up. "MINIONS! WE MARCH TO NUGHLON!" The rules were known amongst the minions, fifteen go, the rest stay until he came in possesion of new minion relics. Fifteen of the finest came, and followed him onto the platform, leading towards the entrance of the tower. The flying platform stopped, and he stepped off, followed by the fifteen. As he walked through the five remaing gates, the guards cheered, and the last massisve gate was opened. He looked back, and the tower began to faintly grow into existence. This would cause attention, but at least now people would know he was there.
(The Overlord left Toweian.)

[Arias]

Arias landed gently some distance away from the tower, shifting into the form that Gnarl knew him best as, but not before making sure the area was clear of any unwanted eyes. Adjusting his clothing and weapons, he confidently made his way up to the main gate. Without stopping he walked through the gates which had opened automatically as the creatures who infested the tower saw his arrival and hastily opened the massive doors.
Arias quickly made his way to the throne room where Gnarl frequently inhabited. He looked around the currently empty hall and sat down on the throne. One of the creatures would undoubtedly have notified their master and Gnarl would arrive at his earliest convenience. Until then he was content to wait.

[Overlord]

Gnarl was sleeping when Arias arrived. A brown Taera strode into his room. "Gnarl. The one, uh. guy. He's back again." Gnarl rolled his and shifted in his bed. "Tell him to wait." The brown began walking out of the room. "He is sitting on the master's throne." Gnarl's eyes snapped open, and he sprinted out of bed so fast it was hard to believe he was so old. "No says anything to him! Far as we know, the only person who has touched his throne was Heral the duster." Gnarl pulled his cloak tighter, and entered the throne room. If the Overlord came back, and saw this... thing in his chair, there would be hell to pay. He was just touchy his chair. "Arias. What another... unpleasant surprise. You really should start calling ahead."

[Arias]

Arias smirked and leaned back in the chair, making himself more comfortable. "But then who would keep you on your toes in your old age Gnarl? Everyone needs a change in their daily routine every now and again to keep them from growing senile. I saw your new blood's work in Nughlon. Destructive, yet unfocused as he let his minions run unchecked throughout the city. Word of his exploits will travel quickly, perhaps too quickly. Just make sure he doesn't gain the wrong sort of attention this soon in his campaign, or his life shall be short lived. But other than notifying you briefly on the exploits on your overlord, I also was curious of your knowledge on rings of powers."
Arias rested on arm on the chair's arm rest and the other one he had propped underneath his chin. Casually Crossing his legs, he watched Gnarl.

[Overlord]

Gnarl looked blankly at him. "Oh gods not this again. Knew you wouldn't just drop into to say hello. I may tell you what you want to know. But your gonna have get off the throne first."

[Arias]

Arias grinned and slowly stood up then walked a few paces to stand in front of Gnarl and looked down at him. "Better?"

[Overlord]

Gnarl rolled his eyes and pushed him out of his way. He wasn't intimidated by Arias. Many years ago, when they first met it was hard not shudder when even thinking of his name. Now, in strange way. He was his friend. Sort of. Gnarl sat down on another chair on the right side of the room. "Now, what do you want. Your company is not my first choice."

[Arias]

Arias smirked as Gnarl walked past him, then calmly turned around. Even though Gnarl no longer seemed to fear him, he knew the old creature held a healthy amount of respect for him.
"I would like to know if you have any information on the rings of power, or more specifically, the ring of dimensions."
Arias glanced around the massive room, bare of furnishings except for the main throne and the seat which Gnarl was currently sitting on.

[Overlord]

"Hmph. Good luck with that ring. I suppose I'll get straight to the point as I don't want to waste your... precious... time. Or mine for that matter. The ring of dimensions. Capable of ripping worlds in two. Don't know what they were thinking when that one was made. I've heard rumors that its off the coast of the dwarven the lands. Best bet, I'd go off from Dwarten dock and look from there. There's supposedly an island where the ring is housed. Course this are just old legends and rumors. But, its not called Dwarten dock for nothing. 'bad water' is the translated version. You take a boat from there, you better make sure it's ready for a Kraken. The island itself. I don't know to much about it. It's supposedly guarded by some... rather large. and angry. monster. That's all I know about the island." He took a moment to catch his breath. "Why do you need this ring? I don't quite think you'd be the best one own it, being as your power hungry. You want to kill lots of people because your a bad ma- excuse me drak?n. Knowing you, I think even you would get to caught up with the ring. It will destroy you Arias."

[Arias]

Arias shook his head. "You know me best. Do you really think that I am so petty or thoughtless to attempt to gain the power of another ring? Even now I am all but invulnerable, and the time it would take me to master yet another ring would take many years. The ring is not for my own use. But it is wise to keep power where you can see it, and control. If a random person just happened to pick up that ring, I would rather said person were operating where I could keep watch on them, and dispose of them if they ever misuse the ring, or attempt to make life more difficult for myself. I am sure you understand this, as there are plenty of artifacts in your treasury you do not wish to see used against yourself. But your information is adequate enough, rumors they may be. There is always a shred of truth in every rumor, no matter how wild it may seem, as I am also sure you understand when you hear rumors of the overlord's prowess. Exaggerated most, yet all with a sliver of truth."

[Overlord]

"I assure you, if anything the rumors about the Overlord are understating him. He's growing in power. He knows blood magic. With that at his fingertips, not much can stop him." Gnarl lied, the Overlord was already very powerful. But he lacked wisdom and tactics. Powerful as he may be, the young fledgling still needs a brain. The youth of today. Gnarl shook his head. "Anything else?"

[Arias]

Arias nodded. "Growing in power yes, and but only once he has gained enough power is when none can hope to stand against him. But you and I both know that is quite a ways off. He needs direction which only you can provide him. I am too busy to offer him sound advice and look after him, and he doesn't know enough to respect me when I spoke to him in Nughlon. He still has a lot to learn, and there is no use in hiding that from me. I helped put this overlord into a position of power, so I do care for his well being. But do make sure that the next time we speak he understands that there will be consequences if he chooses to disrespect me again in the future."

[Overlord]

"Bah! The Overlord is not some young puppy to try to be kept in line. You can't expect him to respect you. While yes you have helped him to get here, you also took off the leash. He's not going to be controlled. He will not respect you, unless you show him. Don't try and break this one Arias."

[Arias]

Arias smirked. "Oh, you misunderstood me then. I only asked you to give him fair warning, because the next time we meet, he will respect me. And you don't have to worry about me breaking him. When I'm finished, he will still be able to complete whatever task you set before him, just now with a healthy respect for me. Whatever warning you give him will determine however pleasant or painful the encounter may be."

[Overlord]

"Arias. Truly your wisdom seems to be slipping. You underestimate the young warlord. He will not respect you, if make movements against him. Around him, if he hears of you and your influence. It might go better for both of you. Last thing we need is bad blood. Well.... we have plenty of that an- OH NEVERMIND! My point is. You two don't need to be on different levels of the food chain. Equals. For if you move against him in any way, to force his respect. He will get stronger. And he will come for you. I am sworn to him. If you do this, he will disappear. But return greater than before. Now lets just avoid all this an be friends hmmm?" Gnarl didn't want his master and Arias to be going for eachother's throats. Aragohm would never have the leadership it needed.

[Arias]

Arias' eyes flashed briefly in anger. "I do not allow my subordinates to disrespect me, as I am sure you do not allow yours. Disrespect breeds contempt and rebellion and would harm my cause much more in the long run than if your Overlord learned to respect me now. Understand, I intend to make no move that will hinder the Overlord's cause, nor is my wisdom leaving me." He smiled slightly as he continued. "Besides, if he did decide to come for me, what hope could he have? He doesn't know my power, nor have I demonstrated it's full extent to you. Merely a small fraction that I am sure you won't soon forget. And it is not arrogance that speaks now, but experience and knowledge. There are few in this land that could hope to stand against me, and the Overlord currently is not one of them and shall not be for a considerable amount of time. "
Arias moved so that he stood behind Gnarls' chair. "The Overlord and I could never be equals...at least not in his short human life. You are one of the few that I consider an equal to myself, and only because of your considerable years and experience. The Overlord has neither, only a raw power that is yet unfocused and uncontrolled. Until he masters this, for it requires knowledge, understanding, and wisdom, he is yet another subordinate. Powerful to be sure, but still beneath me. If you ever wish him to be my equal in his lifetime you had better begin teaching him soon. Not only to control his abilities, but the consequences of his choices as well. Everything he does affects everyone else in some way, and some action or inaction that he performs could very well lead to his death. He still has much to learn Gnarl."

[Overlord]

Gnarl gazed back. "There.... is something else. There's another power deep down in... another. One who could replace hm." He paced back and forth in front of him. "He's one of the king's lap dogs. Warrior priest bah! Though I have heard some nasty rumors.... heh heh.... of the worst sort." He stopped walking, and looked over at Arias. "Now. Him. And the Overlord together. They have a chance. You may want to try catch that bull before he learns the mistake of angering you. He's on the up and up. I've been hearing more and more about him to. Just something you may want to look into."

[Arias]

Arias moved to the balcony and stared thoughtfully out into the distance. His own spies had neglected to mention this tidbit of information to him. He would have to make sure they were more informed in the future, or replace them if they were no longer up to the task. Especially since this one was close to the king himself. He turned around and slowly walked towards Gnarl.
"A warrior priest you say? And close to the king? Do tell me more. My informants are...woefully lacking on this subject."

[Overlord]

"Sounds like your informants need a reminder of who they work for." Gnarl paced around a bit, "Alas, I don't know much more other than his title. An odd one really, even by human standards." He stopped, looking right at Arias. "The Grazon. Now do go and run like a small dog to ever so eagerly know more. That's all I know about the man."