Apostles of Doom

CRACK! Another lightning bolt lit the sky above them as it struck one of the pack D’Wargs that was nearby. As Tal Gor’s sight returned after the flash, he saw that the D’Warg’s leather bags looked a bit charred, but the D’Warg had continued gnawing on the head of an alvar while it simultaneously fought to slash the throat of the hippogriff with its hind claws.

Seeing this, Tal Gor was tempted, but he could not always rely on Lord Tommus to rescue him. He needed to learn to do things on his own.

Actually, my lord, I was seeking advice, Tal Gor replied.The D’Orcs will prevail. However, as you can see, there is a wizard, and it is shooting both lightning bolts and fireballs. I was wondering about trying to deflect or perhaps attract the essence of Fire to keep it from roasting my tribe. I got to thinking about how you used a Fire gateway to suck the heat out of the Abyss, and was wondering if that could be used to suck away a fireball from a wizard.

Lord Tommus tilted his head for a second and then grinned, or Tal Gor hoped it was grin. It was a rather different look on his lord’s face. He had to grip his saddle tightly as Schwarzenfürze lurched, grappling with her prey. It was hard to see what was happening on the other side of the D’Warg, who was vertical in the air and clawing away at her prey.

Great idea! Here, this is a link to the primary Fire portal in the Abyss, Lord Tommus said.

Tal Gor shook his head. He knew this vision was all in his head, but it was still bizarre how Lord Tommus was suddenly handing him what appeared to be a flaming thread that led off… somewhere.

Tal Gor reached out with a spirit hand and took hold of the portal. He shuddered as he felt the raging energy of Fire. He was suddenly engulfed in flame, lighting, light, energy.

Pull back a bit, Lord Tommus instructed. Another lurch as Schwarzenfürze shifted, her hind claws scrambling to disembowel the hippogriff, helping bring him back to this reality.

Tal Gor pulled back. Fire was too overwhelming, too powerful. He had heard warnings about the raw elements; now he understood them.

So, when a fireball, for example, comes towards you, simply reach out with your mind and with this portal link, Lord Tommus told him.Focus on the Fire link and the fireball becoming one. If you must, fling the link to Fire at the fireball and allow them to connect. The fireball will follow the link, I guarantee it.

A loud belch from Schwarzenfürze caused both Tal Gor and Lord Tommus to stare at the D’Warg, who was pushing away the remains of the hippogriff’s corpse, along with that of its rider. They watched as the two shredded corpses fell through the air towards the distant ground.

Very impressive, Schwarzenfürze! Tom said to her from his spirit form. To Tal Gor’s utter surprise, the D’Warg turned to stare directly at Lord Tommus and gave him a short bark. How the D’Warg could see a spirit form — something that should only exist in his mind — was more than a little puzzling.

Tal Gor shook his head and looked around. They were once more slightly separated from the rest of the battle. He directed Schwarzenfürze to head towards the orcs, who were regrouping. At this point there were only about twenty alvar and hippogriff pairs left.

As he came abreast of the other orcs, Lord Tommus, who was still there in his mind, spoke up. It looks like your concerns were well-founded!

Tal Gor looked towards his vision of Lord Tommus, who was pointing to the center of the remaining alvar. Approximately half of them were encircling an older, taller, unarmored alfar, who was gesturing and waving a staff around. Suddenly another fireball burst forth from the wizard’s staff, this one heading directly towards the orcs!

Now! Do what I told you; focus it through the summoning stone. That should give you more control, Lord Tommus instructed.

“Wyvern turds!” Elgrid Rage Wracker shouted, seeing the fireball coming towards them.

“We are toast! Scramble!” Bor Tal yelled.