http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/ A class site dedicated to Warlocks in the online game World of Warcraft. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:36:34 GMT vBulletin 1440 http://wowmb.net/forums/images/warlocksden/misc/rss.jpg http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/ http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/461-ulduar.html Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:28:34 GMT I still have yet to step one foot inside of Ulduar, if you can believe it. For someone as into the Lore of the game as I am, it kills me not to... I still have yet to step one foot inside of Ulduar, if you can believe it. For someone as into the Lore of the game as I am, it kills me not to explore the dungeon. I haven't even made it all the way through Naxx.

There are a few reasons I haven't. For one, my guild (which was once one of the top 50 Horde guilds in Vanilla WoW) had a bit of a falling out and nearly all the more notable members left. This left me, my IRL friend (a Pally), and 3-4 others sitting around. On top of that, nobody else on ever really wants to group or do much of anything. Any instancing I've done since has been pugs or scraped together by the three of us interested at any given time.

I originally joined this guild because my other good IRL friend (whom I also used to work with) was the GM. He recently stopped playing and passed leadership on to someone else. My pally friend isn't much interested in raiding, and so the two of us have jumped on board the PvP train and tend to spend most of our time doing the Argent Tournament Dailies, and then hitting WG whenever it's up. When we're not doing that, we tend to be working on our Alts.

I'd like to see these raids all the way through at least once (and even visit those 5 mans I haven't touched). But I'm not sure how to go about doing it. It would seem rather odd leaving this guild I've been apart of since the beginning for another, and I don't know if my friend would even care to.

Heck, if 10 of you guys joined that would totally rock. Anyways, i just had to get that out there and off my chest. ]]> Pernicious http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/461-ulduar.html http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/380-how_change_your_forum_theme.html Fri, 01 May 2009 18:31:54 GMT Greetings fellow Warlocks Many of you already know that you can choose different themes for how you view the Warlocks Den Forums. But for those of... Greetings fellow Warlocks

Many of you already know that you can choose different themes for how you view the Warlocks Den Forums. But for those of you that don't, I thought I would let you in on this little secret of the Den. Currently there are 3 themes for you to choose from.

The Forum Default (Also listed as Darklock) - This is the default skin of the Warlocks Den. You'll probably be most familure with the dark Warlock Purples as seen on the home page.

NightShift - This theme is a more generic theme for the forums. A very good theme if you're at work and would like something that doesn't stand out as much as the other two themes. The only issue with this theme is that some of the Administrative text (written in yellow and orange) is a little difficult to read on the light background.

Pernicious - This theme was named after me because, well, I made it. It features a dark red patterned background, violet borders, and has the Warlock Malefic gear in it's logo.

You might see other themes listed when you go to change your theme, but some of them might not fully be supported. Quite often they're works in progress and might not work as expected.

How to change your theme

1. In order to change your forum skin, you'll need to go to any of the forum pages and click the "UserCP" button along the top menu.
2. Next, select "Edit Options" from the list on the left. It will be under the heading "Settings & Options"
3. Scroll to the bottom of this screen until you see the "Miscellaneous Options" section.
4. Click the drop down under "Forum Skin" and choose your theme from the list.
5. Click "Save Changes" to make your selection your default theme.

It should be noted that the homepage will not change regardless of the skin you choose. It will always display with the default theme... For now...
Enjoy! (o)l ]]> Pernicious http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/380-how_change_your_forum_theme.html http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/367-reporting_posts_how_helps_everyone.html Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:26:21 GMT Another feature of the Den often over looked, or even completely ignored, is the "Report Post" button. Located at the bottom right of every post, this button () can be your greatest ally.

I can understand having reserves about using this button to "tell" on someone. But doing so can save a lot of trouble for others. Here are some issues you might want to consider using this feature for:

• Report mean, offensive, or poor posts
• Report spam or other advertisements that don't belong here
• Report a post that isn't in the correct section
• Report something that is inaccurate and could mislead a lot of people
• Posts that are off topic or are taking the thread away from the OP's post.

All of these are valid reasons for reporting posts. Moderators are constantly scouring the site for these very issues. They have to read everything on the site and as a result, might not see the issue until it has been up for a while. Doing this will get the attention of myself and the other Mods very quickly so that they can resolve the issue before it escalates. Also, it helps keep the information you read accurate and well organized for everybody else.

There is no repercussions to you for using this feature, the person you report will never even know they've been reported let alone whom reported them. If the Mod's determine that your report, while a valid concern, doesn't require any action, you will not be reprimanded either. We wish to encourage use of this feature and we don't want you to stop using it. It makes our jobs easier :Sly:

So remember, don't be afraid to report a post but make sure that you do so wisely. ]]> Pernicious http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/367-reporting_posts_how_helps_everyone.html http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/366-death_knight_sub_forum.html Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:07:32 GMT I feel that this is a good spot to remind you all about the Special Death Knight Sub Group. In the Sub Group, you'll be able to find Death Knight specific information to help answer your questions to improve your leveling, spell rotations, and gear choices. Think of it as a small tunnel branching off one of the vast caverns within the Warlocks Den.

To access the Death Knight group:

1. Click on the "User CP" link at the top of this page.
2. Click on "Group Memberships" listed in the left hand navigation.
3. Locate the Death Knight group and click the Join Group Radio button on the right, then the larger Join Group button under it.
4. Return to the Forum Home Page and scroll down to the "Other Class Discussion" Section. You'll now see a Sub Forum listed, "Death Knights!"

If you've joined the group as I outlined above and still don't see the Death Knight group. Please drop us a line in the "Contact a Moderator" forums.

Enjoy! (o)l ]]> Pernicious http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/366-death_knight_sub_forum.html http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/129-creating_figureprint.html Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:24:17 GMT Hey everyone,

I thought I'd share my experiences with the FigurePrints website. Figure prints, if you don't know, are miniature statues of your in game character. Using a combination of the World of Warcraft 3d models found in the game along with your Armory profile, this company has developed a method of "Printing" your Digital character into an actual physical model. This process isn't new. It has been used for some time to create low grade or low quality models as drafts before moving on to a higher quality production model. Figure Prints doesn't do this, instead they take that low quality print, and enhance it as much as possible, package it, and send it off to you as a highly unique collectible.

I recently had a chance to get a Figure Print of my own made. I thought I would share the process I went through.



Create your Figure Print account

The first step is to create an account at FigurePrints.



Then you'll want to click the button below. Figure Prints are so popular that they cannot meet the demand so instead they offer drawings. If you get selected then you get an opportunity to purchase a Figure Print.



You'll know you won because you'll receive the golden ticket via Email. Ok, so it isn't gold, nor is it a ticket. But it might as well be.





Outfit your toon.

So now you've got your credit to make a Figure Print. If you don't already have an armorset, you might be looking at the prospect of ordering a ugly little statue, your toon needs work.

I highly suggest opening the WoW Model Viewer, Visiting the High End Armor website, Asking people here at the Warlocks Den for ideas, and just all out researching decent Armor.



Once you got your armor picked out, you'll need to go out and get it. That may mean organizing your Guildies to raid raid raid and pray for the drops you need, If your a tailor you'll be farming gear to craft what you can, or you may eye one of those Battle Ground sets (as I did) and farm Honor till you get it.



Keep in mind that there is no way to replicate the Glow on armor or weapons. If you know of an Awesome staff you'll want to use, make sure it is awesome because of the model underneath and not just because it glows. Some glowing weapons look quite ugly when the glow is removed.

Arranging and Ordering your Figure Print

So now you got your gear and your ready to go. The first step is putting everything on in game just as you want your Figure Print to look. Then you need to log out of WoW and check your Armory Page.

Make sure the Armory is updated to show the armorset you want. This might take a few hours or even a day or two, so make sure you allow yourself plenty of time before the Figure Print credit expires. I gave myself a week.

Log-in to the Figure Print website, and click the "Make me one" link. From here, you'll need to enter your Character's name and Realm.




This will take you to the customize and pose screen.



Here you have a few options. You can Hide or Show your Helm, Cloak, and Tabard, Sheath or wield your weapon or ranged weapon.

Also available are the options to change your characters pose,


or the base your character stands on.



Once you have everything figured out, you'll be able to view your statue in 360 degrees. If you see a few things that look a little funny, you'll have to trust the artists over at figure Prints to fix it. As they say, they have to look over your selection and fix things such as shoulder pads or other armor/weapons that intersect other parts of the model, as well as identify any points that look weak or too thin to hold up when the print is made.



When your done, place your order. I placed mine the week of September 5th, and received it the week of October 5th. So if that is any indication, it takes about a month to receive your figure.

Here are some photos of mine:




]]> Pernicious http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/129-creating_figureprint.html http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/123-warlock_image.html Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:20:21 GMT Image:...
The Warlocks Den Forums


This was the result of a few hours play in Photoshop. It is a composite of Figures taken from the WoW Model Viewer, a photo of a gothic church, as well as several flame photos. I also did a bit of work creating things in Photoshop. I'm not completely satisfied with it, but it's late and knowing me I will not continue it tomorrow. I decided to post it before it is lost in the many folders of my computer. ]]> Pernicious http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/123-warlock_image.html http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/99-chapter_10_prisoners.html Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:46:19 GMT “Awake then, are you?” A snide voice asked, “Yes, well then. Margaret would you be a dear and fetch some water for our guest?” Pernicious... “Awake then, are you?” A snide voice asked, “Yes, well then. Margaret would you be a dear and fetch some water for our guest?”


Pernicious could hear his voice, and the sound of somebody walking, a door opening, and then closing. His head ached and throbbed and it was just too much for him to open his eyes just yet. He barely managed a quiet groan.


“You've been apprehended trespassing on Alliance held territory, we also have your friend the Tauren, and your demon is being held in stasis. Every time we release him he tries to burn our buildings down. Quite an annoying fellow, you know?”


Pern could hear the man inhale deeply and slowly exhale, shortly after the sent of smoke wafted past his nostrils. Then he heard the sound of a chair sliding across a hard floor, and then footsteps approach him.


“Not a very talkative bunch, you and the Tauren.” Pernicious felt the man grab his jaw and turn his head from side to side. “What your feeling wont go away, you'd do well to just get used to it. We've dealt with your kind before, Warlock. The wizards of Dalaran placed a spell on your mind to prevent your casting. Your no better than a farm hand now.”


Pernicious forced his eyes open. The sudden surge of light that assaulted him forced them shut once again. After a moment, he eased them open again and let them adjust. He was tied to a chair in the center of a wooden room. A large window was open letting in pure sunlight that reflected on the hard wood floors. The man standing in front of him was tall, muscular, and looked very intelligent. He wore blue robes with white accents. Across his chest was a velvet tabard with a gold eye that had three arrows pointing down from it like tears.


As Pern studied the man, a woman entered the room carrying a tray with glasses and a pitcher of water. She walked over to the table, set it down, and began filling the glasses. Pern returned his attention to the man.


“That tabard, So I'm in Dalaran?” Pern said with a weak voice as he looked around.


“Of course not, don't be ridiculous. Your in Lordamere Internment Camp, where you'll spend the rest of your days until the powers that be decide otherwise. Your friend has already been released into the camp yard, but I wanted to question you personally.”


“What is it you want?”


“You were found carrying a bag containing jewelry that appeared to be made with Bloodstones. They weren't Bloodstones, however, what were you planning on doing with them?”


Pern sat up strait in his chair and leaned forward, using the movement to mask the puzzlement crossing his brow. The warden leaned forward eagerly to hear what he had to say.


“I was...” Pernicious began, “I was going to wear it.”


The man sat back in his chair, clearly not pleased, and Pernicious smiled inwardly at himself.


“You horde are all the same. Think your so cleaver. Well, we'll see how you do after a few days in the camp!” The man stood up angerly and slapped the water out of the womans hands sending it toppling across the floor of the room. “This one gets no food or water until he tells the truth! Guards!”


Two soldiers quickly entered the room, followed by a Mage wearing the same tabard as the man had. They seized Pernicious, untied him from the chair and harnessed his hands behind his back, and pushed him forward out of the room.


The Internment Camp was old. Only a handful of buildings remained standing. There were two watch towers positioned on either side of the camp yard, and soldiers positioned all around them. The camp itself consisted of a large wall built from the trunks of trees that had been pushed into the ground side by side around the perimeter of the camp. One building resided in the camp, and it looked as if it were about to collapse any minute.


Kodec sat in the yard, propped up against the wall. A few members of the Forsaken sat scattered around the yard and in the building. Pern was untied when he entered the yard and wandered over to where Kodec was.


“So,” The Tauren said gruffly. “Your alive.”


“Yeah, but I got this splitting headache.” Pern rubbed his head knowing there was little he could do about it. “Supposed to keep me from casting any spells.”


“They don't seem to know what to make of me. Just lead me in here like cattle.” Kodec said slowly.


They sat in silence for a few hours. Pern concentrated on ignoring the throbbing in his head, while Kodec slept. Then a bell tolled and the other prisoners seemed to gather together in the center of the camp. Kodec and Pern got up and joined them to find out what was going on. A small group of guards and Mages entered and the prisoners all lined up side by side in two lines.


Two guards walked over and escorted Pernicious away from the group. The rest of the prisoners were given their evening meals and sat down to eat. The guards stood watch over Pernicious until the meal was over, then left.


When Pernicious rejoined Kodec, the Tauren handed him a hunk of bread. “Here, eat this.”


“Thanks.” Pern ate the dry bread as quickly as he could to avoid being spotted.


They both sudden came aware of the other captives looking at them, over their shoulders, around corners, trying to remain inconspicuous. After a while of this, and eventually ignoring them, Pern and Kodec settled down for the night. Inside the building were a series of cots all pushed close to one another and all appeared to be occupied by various Forsaken bodies.


“I was thinking of sleeping outside anyways,” Pern said, and the two found a nice spot in the yard under a tree to sleep. Of course neither of them could sleep under the circumstances. Pern found himself close at one point, but was disturbed by a soft rustling sound from behind him. A quick glance found Kodec also alert but unmoving. The sound would come and go, but always sounded louder when they could hear it.


Kodec sprang to his feet and dashed around the tree and Pern did the same. They found themselves face to face with another Tauren. Pern noticed that this Tauren had a brown and tan hide, shaggy hair, and one of his horns had been broken off.


“It is you,” the Tauren said looking at Kodec. “I wasn't sure when I saw you earlier.”


“What?” Kodec stammered.


“No Tauren can mistake a Bloodhoof when they see one.”


“Bloodhoof?” Pernicious asked.


“Who are you?” Kodec said, ignoring Perns question.


“My name is Tronk Thundercleft. Human agents from Stormwind put me here.”


“Then you are the one we came looking for!” Pern started. “What happened to the Bloodstones?”


The Tauren's eyes widened and he looked around quickly to see if anyone was close enough to hear. “You must guard your words in this place, not wise it is to speak of the gems. It's not what you think, Those undead I'm trapped here with had the gems, stolen from Sylvanas herself! I was lead to believe these were unclaimed gems, and was attempting to purchase them for our shaman back at Thunder Bluff.”


“I see,” Kodec said gruffly. “So these Forsaken here are traitors to their own. Fitting they should end up here.”


“What should we do now?” Pern asked.


“I've learned that the humans plan on sending the gems off to be studied. I was trying to figure out how to escape this place and recover them on route when you two showed up. That makes things easier, I thought. After all, no prison standing can hold a Bloodhoof for long eh?” Tronk laughed heavily and slapped Kodec on the shoulder. Pernicious raised a brow in confusion.


“My friend here had a block put on him, he cannot use his magic,” Kodec explained. “I fear we may not be as useful as I believe.”


“The humans don't have the ability to block your magic, Blood Elf. They simply placed a pain in your head that acts up when you try. Push past it and you'll regain control, you'll see. Now, as for the escape,” Tronk pulled some twigs and a rock toward him and set up a crude model of the camp.


“We'll need a diversion here,” Tronk pointed to an area along the wall in the back of the camp. “That will have to be your duity Pernicious.”


“My duty, what am I to do there?”


“I do not know, but whatever it is it must be enough to pull the guards away from their posts and give you time to meet up with us at the front. Kodec and I will be here,” He pointed again. “I discovered this part of the wall to be weak, and the two of us should be able to remove this part of the wall with little trouble.”


“Very well,” Kodec said. “When shall we begin?”


“We must wait until the couriers leave, I estimate they'll be gone tomorrow afternoon.”


“Tomorrow night then?” Kodec asked.


“Aye”


Pernicious glanced toward the back of the camp, the pain pulsing in his head had become sharper. How am I going to create a large enough distraction when I can barely think?


Pern grinned, an image of Nirzip entered his head and an idea began to form amidst the pulses of pain.


________________
To be continued... ]]> Pernicious http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/99-chapter_10_prisoners.html http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/92-time_keeps_slipping_slipping_slipping.html Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:27:03 GMT Just wanted to say, I'm not threw with the Chronicles of Pernicious. I've just once again become uber busy with deadlines at work, deadlines with my freelance work outside my primary job, keeping up with my health, fixing my marriage (which ties in with the health thing), AND my guild finally hit Black Temple! There's just not enough time in the day I tell ya.

Anyways, I got a bit more to write on the next chapter before I can put it up. Hopefully soon. I also have an idea for a guide that I want to whip up for the den. We'll see how that goes, that one will take a while to piece together.

Anyways, just checking in with you all.

-Pern ]]> Pernicious http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/92-time_keeps_slipping_slipping_slipping.html http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/70-chapter_9_enemy_my_enemy.html Fri, 30 May 2008 14:45:25 GMT Pernicious, Kodec, and Nirzip stood looking out the window of the Tavern. The sea of townspeople turned Worgen looked like a giant mass of fur,... Pernicious, Kodec, and Nirzip stood looking out the window of the Tavern. The sea of townspeople turned Worgen looked like a giant mass of fur, occasionally howling up at the moon as the last bits of transformation completed.

“We need to get out of here,” Kodec said softly as he backed up from the window then added, “and fast too.”


“Yes yes fast... You know what. IIIII'm thinking this might be a good time for me to say good-bye, its been swell, really has. I hope you give em hell and all, and get caught in their throats on the way down. Toodles!” Nirzip scampered across the room but was caught up by Pernicious who had seized him by the horns.


“Not yet Nirzip, we're not done with you!” Pern said.


“Upstairs, maybe we can buy some time and escape off the roof.” Kodec suggested. Pern grabbed some chairs and propped them up against the door in a feeble attempt to keep the Worgen out, then followed Kodec up the steps into the second floor of the tavern. Again they stood transfixed looking out the window at all the Worgen. From this new vantage point, they could see that the Worgen from the woods were also entering the town and mixing with the Townspeople. Fighting broke out as the two mixed, but ultimately the Forest Worgen prevailed and took charge of the townspeople.


“I see now,” said Kodec. “Those howls we heard as we fled Shadowfang Keep. They were to the Forest Worgen, not to chase us, but to keep us in the town until night fall. I should have realized it.”


Pern realized what happened too, “All those claw marks on the town buildings, and the scars on the people...”


“Yeah, you two are pretty dim alright.” Nirzip agreed, and Kodec shot him an angry glance.


“We need a plan,” Pern broke in before they started up again. “Unfortunately, the Tavern is in the center of the town! Brunswick must be in on it too, lead us here intentionally knowing it would be difficult to escape.”


“Well, I say we kill as many of them as we can and fight our way out!” Kodec said angerly as he looked down upon the Worgen.


“Those townspeople are innocent! It's not their fault a curse was put on them.” Pern mulled it over a moment. “I'm going to see what they're up to.”


“You'll get yourself killed!”


“No I wont, I wont even leave this room.” Pern began another spell and shortly after he completed it, a tiny green eyeball floated in front of him. Pern waved his hand forward and the eye shot forward out the window, down the roof, and droped into the mists of the Worgen. The tiny eye went unnoticed as it wove in and out of the beasts. Pern was searching for anything that might help them escape when suddenly he collided with Brunswick himself. Brunswick didn't seem to notice as he, and what Pernicious took to be the other Councilmen, were busy holding their hands up casting a spell. None of the Councilmen had changed into Worgen. Pernicious blinked then returned to himself.


“Brunswick and the other Councilmen are casting some kind of spell. I think they're the ones that changed the townspeople. If we can stop them, maybe the townspeople will help us chase out the Worgen!”


“But how in Azeroth are we going to get to them? If you haven't noticed, there is a sea of Worgen between them and us”


“Nirzip,” Pernicious began.


“No, No, Absolutely not, I've seen those eyes before. Oooh sure, what you can't take them yourself? Once again needing me to save your butts? You think you can just boss me around? Hmmm? Well you can just forget about it. I'm going home!”


Pernicious grabbed him by the ears and moved very close to the imp. “You'll do no such thing. I need you to sneak over to the next building and create a distraction.”


“And how do you think I'll manage that? A little guy like me creating a distraction big enough to attract all them out there? And then what? They get in, they sniff around, find me and we have a cuppa tea together?”


“They're moving! We've no time!”


“Your a Demon! Get a hold of yourself! All I'm asking you to do is just to go over there and burn the place down.”


“Burn? Oooh heh heh, Fire, I can do that. Yeah, its been a while since I've burned anything!” And with that Nirzip leaped out the open window skipped along the rooftop and hopped down, then made his way in the darkness to the next building over. It appeared to be a store of some type with lots of burnable items inside.


Meanwhile the Worgen were throwing themselves at the door and it wasn't long before Pern heard the chairs he placed in the way creak and tumble out of the way. They heard the sound of claws on wood as Worgen after Worgen flooded into the Tavern growling as they moved. Suddenly the next building over Exploded with flames. Chairs launched through the windows and onto the grass outside blazing orange while inside firebolts shot across the shop and exploded as they hit tables walls and everything else. Above the noise Pernicious could hear a high pitched laughter as the imp worked at bringing the building down.


“Its working, look!” Kodec said, and Pern followed his arm to where he was pointing. The Worgen that had been entering the Tavern stopped and turned their attention on the Shop. Slowly the Worgen began walking towards the building, they too hearing the imps laughter. Meanwhile, those that had already entered the tavern were quickly running up the stairs.


“We got to move now!”


Both, Pern and Kodec climbed out onto the roof of the Tavern and slowly crept away from the blazing building and the attentions of the Worgen. They lowered themselves down the side of the building dropping as quietly as they could. And crept behind the next building they could find, slowly working their way over the fence, and around the various farming equipment that lay about until they arrived at the other side. They were now much closer to the back of the army and could make out the Councilmen standing together focused on the Worgen below.


“I say we charge them!” Kodec said as quietly as his deep voice would permit.


“Yeah, that has worked out so finely for you before, hasn't it?” Pern said then looked around for anything that might let them get closer. The councilmen were standing in the middle of the town square and there was nothing near them that they could hide behind to get closer.


“Well I don't think we have much choice.”


“Alright then, lets do it,” Pern said. “Ready?”


Kodec transformed into his Ghost Wolf form and crouched down low, while Pern summoned dark magic into his palms. Without a word they sprang from their hiding spot and ran towards the Councilmen. The Councilmen hadn't noticed them at all until Kodec was practically ontop of them, and by then it was too late to yell anything other than. “No! You don't understand!”


Kodec collided with Brunswick sending him toppling into two others, then transition back into his Tauren self as a Shadowbolt whizzed by striking another of the council. The other council members buckled under the added strain of their spell several of which toppled over onto the ground, their energy expended. The leader of the group strode forth drawing a sword and pointing it at them.


“What are you doing? You haven't the faintest idea what you've done!”


“We've come to free the townspeople from your wicked spell!” Pern retorted.


“Our spell is the only thing keeping order in this town, those people will die without our control!”


As if to accent his point, all the Worgen began howling. Those that were townspeople shook their heads as if a cloud had been removed and turned on the forest Worgen. Snarls erupted as the two groups clashed in battle, biting and clawing anything they could reach.


“I think he may be telling the truth Pern,” Kodec said. “None of them are reverting back to their human selves.”


“You guessed wrong, Elf.” The human said with as much distain as he could. “Arugal cast this curse upon the town, and his power is far beyond that of any of us!”


“Ahhhhhhhhhhh!” A high pitched squeal assaulted their ears as a frantic imp, chased by a pack of Worgen, leaped over Brunswick. The Imp took special care to stomp on Brunswick's head as he did so.


The councilmen turned on their feet just as the pack of Worgen collided into them. Snarling the beasts swiped and clawed the Council members. But they were prepared and instantly transformed into very large Worgen themselves.


“Kodec, I think we should leave” Pern said backing away from the fight.


“Agreed.”


The two of them, and Nirzip, ran for the town gates as fast as they could. Throughout the entire village Worgen snarled and snapped at each other while the Councilmen struggled to regain control and order. Kodec lead the way through the main gates and down the road away from Shadowfang Keep and the cursed town. After they had run for a while and had put much distance between them and the Worgen, they slowed to a trot and eventually down to walking.


“We'll have to report on this when we get back” Kodec said.


“If we get back. So far it seems that everything is out to get us” Pern replied. “And you can bet that if the Dark Queen hasn't heard back from those rogues soon, she'll send another party out after us.”


Kodec grunted as he considered the matter.


“Heck, even if we make it back to Silvermoon, she may demand that we be turned over to her as compensation of the rogues she lost. Not even Sunsorrow would be able to help us then.”


Kodec stopped walking. He looked down at the bag Pern had strapped across his torso and after a minute of thought, he finally spoke.


“The Queen of the Forsaken is not one to be trifled with. From all that you have told me, I believe that she only wanted you killed because she believed Sunsorrow was keeping secrets from her. And since he is the ambassador from your nation, killing him wouldn't be wise. However you, Pernicious, are expendable. Do something to show her you are useful, and you're life will be spared.”


“Yeah, but what could I possibly do for her?”


Kodec only grunted, once more deep in thought. And the two began walking again.


“Perhaps I could present her the head of a dragon, think she'd like that? I hear some dragons roam in a place called the Burning Steppes. Or maybe it would be enough to kill this Arugal person. After all, it was he that killed her men.” Pernicious chuckled, “The irony of it, killing the man that killed the men she sent to kill me. I'm sure that would do it!”


“Pern,” Kodec said seriously, “You need to find the fifth Bloodstone.”


“But what good would that do? She probably made that up just to get me away from the Under City so her men could kill me and play innocent.”


“You said it yourself, the rogues had four pieces, and yet five were missing. I believe she intended to recover the fifth piece anyways. She just included you thinking you wouldn't survive the trip anyways.”


“So Sylvannas wants the pendent eh?” Pern pulled out one of the Bloodstones and looked it over. Its crimson glow softly radiating from the stone. We'll need to know what's in these that makes them so valuable.”


“How do you intend to find that out?”


“Back when the Blood elves worked with the Alliance, I had a friend that lived in Dalaran. I heard he had moved to South Shore after Dalaran's destruction.”


“So? “ Kodec asked.


“So I think he might be able to help us track down this Pendant.”


“The Tauren from the report was captured two weeks ago. It's doubtful that, even if he had the Bloodstone, it's still in his possession.”


“Well, that's something we'll just have to find out.”


Nirzip, who had been muttering to himself ever since they left Pyrewood, suddenly stopped dead in his tracks and began yelling. “Unbelievable, here we are in the middle a trail through the woods, on the run from a pack of hungry, ugly, and very smell Worgen and here you two are chit chatting about friends in this town and that and ooh scary lady trying to kill you and jewelery and calmly strolling about like nothing is wrong. Well let me tell you something, I've been sitting here dealing with it and enough is enough. I need food or something to burn or...”


Nirzip's sudden silence drew their attention. The imp stood in mid rant, on the side of the road and looked rather ghostly. Pern could see right through the tiny creature, it was as if he had been frozen in place.


“Nir...” Pern was cut off as an incredible force suddenly slammed into his back sending him toppling forward head first to the ground. Just as he blacked out he caught a glimpse of several humans, each casting various spells.

"By the might of Dalaran, you will surrender yourselves!"

Then Kodec fell on top of him. The last thing he remembered, just before he blacked out, was the burnt stench of the Taurens Hair.


------------------
To be continued... ]]> Pernicious http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/70-chapter_9_enemy_my_enemy.html http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/64-chapter_8_pyrewood.html Tue, 27 May 2008 12:00:00 GMT “Welcome to Pyrewood.” Said a deep course voice from behind Pern and Kodec. They had just climbed over the wall into the town and jumped at the... “Welcome to Pyrewood.” Said a deep course voice from behind Pern and Kodec. They had just climbed over the wall into the town and jumped at the unexpected voice.


A thin stringy looking man, with a bushy graying beard stood looking at them. He wore tattered overalls and a woven hat, his feet remained bare and were covered in dirt as were his hands. His eyes sunk into his skull and were very dark. Various scars littered his exposed flesh, some looking to be as old as he was while others looked fresh. The mere site of him shook the two travelers to the bone and neither would forget this mans face for the rest of their lives.


“Modruk,” the old man said and stuck out his hand. Pernicious stared at him a moment before his brain recognized the gesture as the humans way of greeting, and stuck his own hand out to shake it. “A pleasure, a pleasure. We don be a getting visitors much up in these parts, recon you already know why that is, don't cha? Sure this be an alliance town, and sure as my father is buried in the grave you two boys are Horde, but don chu be lettin that get yer self down or nuthin. See we don care much who you side with really, we're just a pleased to have new faces ta be talkin to.”


As he spoke, the old man turned and lead them into town. Pern was surprised at the vigor with which the man moved, it certainly didn't speak to the age he appeared to be. The town consisted only of a hand full of buildings, all made from wood that looked centuries old. The streets were made of stone laid down side by side to create paths from one building to the next and into the town center. They weren't kept up very well and grass and weeds grew up between the stones and up the sides of the buildings. Pern couldn't make out any farms, mills, or even stables with which to house horses. What he did notice were the claw marks that were carved deeply into the wood that made up the buildings and fences.


As they approached the town center, they began to see more towns people. They all looked just like Modruk in that they were very thin with eyes that sunk back into their skulls. They all bore scars on there skin as well. The center of the town contained a very decorative fountain with the statue of a man at its top.


“That be Greymane. Gilneas Greymane, the ruler of these parts if he be still breathin,” Modruk said as they walked passed it. Modruk lead them to the town hall. It was the largest of the buildings and featured a tall tower with a clock face on it. The clock, Pernicious was surprised to notice, was still working. “Now, you boys be sure'n stay out a trouble while I have a word wit da Mayor. Sure'n he'd like te know bout ya'll.”


Modruk entered the Town Hall leaving Kodec and Pern standing in the town square. None of the humans showed any signs of hatred or disgust at them, something that unnerved Kodec more than he cared to admit. In fact, the people that did pass them by greeted them with great respect and courtesy. Pern held tightly to his bag, checking once again that the Bloodstone's were still there.


“Those stones,” Kodec began. “What are they?”


“I don't rightly know. Sylvanas sent me out here to collect five pieces of jewelery that were made using the stones. They were stolen from the Undercity. What confuses me is why the four rogues we traveled with each carried a stone with them.”


“A setup.” Kodec muttered.


“I was thinking that same thing,” Pernicious said. “But I was sent to collect five stones, they only had four of them.”


“Perhaps there is some truth to what the Dark Lady said and there is still one stone out there.”


“Perhaps...”


Modruk came out of the building at that moment with another man dressed fine expensive clothing. This man, unlike the rest of the villagers, was very heavy set and had a bushy silver beard that matched his equally bushy and silver hair. He stood about a foot taller than Modruk and walked without the slight hunch Pern had noticed many of the other villagers have.


“Greetings Travelers! I hope that Modruk has been treating you kindly?” The silver haired man chuckled deeply giving Modruk a smack on the back as he did so. “I am Brunswick, a Councilman of this town as it were. At the very least, I keep things in order.”


Pernicious looked from Brunswick to Modruk and then around the town. Brunswick looked almost alien compared with the townspeople. His extra weight, silver hair, fine clothing, clear speech, and the very mannerisms in every motion he made.


“I'm Pernicious, and this is my friend Kodec. We stumbled into your town seeking safe haven from the Worgen that had been chasing us.” For a brief moment Brunswick's expression flickered from joy to anger and then back, the change was so fast that Pern was almost certain he had imagined it.


“Yes, they're troublesome creatures, certainly.” Brunswick continued, “Friends, lets not speak of such abominations, please, please, lets to to the tavern for some drinks and to discuss the outside world.”


“A great idea Master Brunswick, ideas like that tis why your a Councilman isn it. Drinks wou'd be right splendid bout now.” Modruk exclaimed and began marching toward the tavern. Brunswick shot his arm out and grabbed hold of Modruk's shoulder causing him to stop his march.


“I'm afraid you won't have any time to join us Modruk, did you forget?” Brunswick asked Modruk who stared back at him with a bit of disappointment in his eyes.


“No no 'course not, Modruk doesn't forget. Your right, always right, gots me some things to do. Well met travelers, be seeing you later then. Always a pleasure.” Modruk bowed, then with one last look toward the tavern, he sighed, turned, and set off in the opposite direction.


The tavern was another building made with would so old that every surface was warped with deep grooves in the wood grain. The claw marks that seemed to cover all the buildings in the town, were especially apparent here. One of the central pillars in the tavern was torn to pieces and no longer boar any weight. As a result the ceiling seemed lower there as gravity tugged on the ancient wood.


It was getting late, and the sky was rapidly getting darker. The tavern, which Pernicious expected to be full at this hour, was completely empty save Kodec, himself, and Brunswick who sat back and drank heartily while asking about the war and what had happened with Prince Arthas.


“A Death Knight? Ho ho, Uther must be rolling in his grave now!” Brunswick slapped his knee, chucked, and took another deep sip of his ale. “And what of the Elves?”


Pernicious's expression darkened, and his voice became more grim. “Arthas destroyed our home, ripped the very heart of it from us. We're rebuilding, but recovery hasn't been easy.”


“A shame, you know the only reason this town hasn't been succumbed to the plague was due to the help of you elves. Don't think for one minute that we've forgotten!” With that, Brunswick finished his ale and stood up. “Well my friends, enjoy your stay, I have some matters to attend back at the Town Hall. The inn is just up the street, your more than welcome to stay the night.”


They waved Brunswick off and leaned back in there chairs. Both were quiet for a while, then a slow realization occurred to them. Kodec was the first to mention it.


“It's awfully quiet isn't it?”


“I was thinking the same.”


“Something doesn't feel right about this town. These claw marks look to be Worgen, but they have adequate defenses around the town to keep them out.”


A high pitched squeal caught their attention and they both jumped to their feet, weapons in hand. Suddenly a small object shot through the window and skidded across the floor to there feet.


“Nirzip!” Pernicious exclaimed, “Where have you been?”


“No time, no time. The Worgen are here, outside, evil, fuzzies, with sharp claws. Barely made it here. It's the people, evil tried to kill me, but I'm too fast, I zipped in and out and over and under. Ha ha they couldn't catch me if they wanted, anyways I made it to warn you. They're coming!”


Kodec, who had stopped listening and run to the window, shouted “Hey come look, quick!”


Pernicious ran to the window and peered out. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness, but when they did he instantly regretted looking. The townspeople had gathered outside the tavern in the middle of the town. They looked like they were in agony, some dropped to their knees, others on the ground rolling around. Few were still standing, but barely doing so as their bodies thrashed about changing with every movement. Their noses growing into long snouts, torsos extending and hunching over, their legs extending and bending at odd angles, and every inch of their bodies began to grow thick black matted hair.


A piercing howl broke forth and Kodec and Pern retreated from the window covering their ears.


“The Townspeople... They're turning into Worgen!”


“Sheesh, I just said that! You guys never listen to me!” Nirzip folded his arms and glared at them as more howls joined the first that still echoed in their minds.

------------------
To be continued... ]]> Pernicious http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/64-chapter_8_pyrewood.html http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/63-chapter_7_fight_flight.html Fri, 23 May 2008 23:26:16 GMT Kodec snapped out of his shock when he felt the table push against him, the Worgen had resumed their attacks on the door. “We need real help... Kodec snapped out of his shock when he felt the table push against him, the Worgen had resumed their attacks on the door.

“We need real help Pern, so unless you got something else in your bag of tricks I suggest you get back over here and help me!” Kodec shouted over his back, clearly aggravated.


The Imp Pern had summoned didn't look at all impressive. Short in stature, long twisted horns, a hooked nose, his hair matted and uncombed, there was nothing that really spoke to great strength or ability about him. Still it stood where it was glaring at both Pernicious and Kodec.


“So, what, you go and get yourself in trouble again? Oooh, and I bet you think I'm going to help get you out of it. Well you can forget that, I've done enough already. On sure I think I may hang around a bit and watch them eat you before I return to my home world, but you wont trick me in to aiding you this time. No way. By the way, when did you get the cow?” The Imp said in his fast, high pitched, and annoying voice during which time Pernicious helped Kodec keep the door closed.


“Nirzip! I didn't summon you here to watch us die. I fully expect you to uphold our agreement.” Pernicious yelled over the noise of the Worgen shoving the door open a crack and them shoving back.


Nirzip spat on the ground and muttered a few things in an ancient demonic tongue then walked over and helped to hold the table against the door.


“Thats it?” repeated Kodec looking puzzled.


“I don't have much control over him, unfortunately.” Pern muttered, “But I'm sure he will be useful.”


“So... which of you brilliant strategists trapped us in a room with no doors or windows to escape through?” Nirzip asked in his usual shrill voice.


“Maybe if we feed it to those Worgen, they'll let us leave.” Kodec said, glaring at the imp from the corner of his eye.


“Enough you two!” Pern barked while shoving the door back in place after a particularly powerful thrust, “We need a plan.”


“I thought that was a plan,” mumbled Kodec.


“I've got a plan, its a really really good one too!” Nirzip squealed, “First you two hold that just as your doing now... and I go back to my world!”


Just as Nirzip turned to walk away from the table and as Pern reached out to grab the imp by his horns before he could vanish, the door blasted apart sending all three of them tumbling to the back of the room with the table just behind. They collided with the wall just as the table reached them and the impact shattered the wood as if it were a pane of glass.


“Ugh, You alright Kodec?” Pern grunted as his vision focused.


“I'm alive.” Kodec said grimly, then as his voice trailed off he said “for now.”


Pern's vision focused just enough that he could see what had distracted Kodec. Standing in the doorway was not just the Worgen, but a man. The man was dressed all in black from his boots to helm. Black robes clung to his body, large curved blades protruded from the pads on his shoulders framing his head like sinister talons. His face was obscured by a black cloth that covered his nose and mouth, and the helm hid the rest of his face so that only his eyes were visible. His eyes betrayed a hunger for magic that rivaled that of the Blood Elves. In his hand was a black staff with a green flame that was surrounded by a black spiked collar.


“I...” The man said with a booming voice, “am Arugal. You two have been giving my pets a difficult time and as such have distracted me from my work. This is unacceptable. Still, anyone that can give them trouble is certainly worth examination.”


“Guys, I really really don't think this guy is here to help us fight the Worgen!” Nirzip said.


“What do you want with us?” Pernicious asked as he climbed to his feet.


“Me? I could care less about you. I let my Worgen hunt anyone they care to.” Arugal said dryly, “It keeps them... happy.”


Arugal walked closer into the room looking them each over then turned and walked back to the door. He spoke, this time addressing his pets, “Take care of them, and do not disturb me again!”


Just as Arugal walked through the doorway, a crackling blast of bright orange and red fire struck his backside sending him tumbling forward into the hallway. Everyone became silent instantly as Arugal regained his footing and stood up again. Pern shot Nirzip a questioning glance.


“What? You know how I hate being ignored! He didn't acknowledge me once!”


“You little...” Pern started, but was quickly cut off by Arugal's roar of rage as he strode back into the room pointing a finger at the imp.


“Leave that one for me! I will teach it to attack the lord of this manor!”


“Forget this, I'm not going without a fight!” Kodec roared and lunged at the dark mage intending on slamming him into the stone wall. Instead, the mage struck Kodec with the staff he was holding sending Kodec spiraling back against the wall.


Any sense of order vanished as Nirzip began hurling firebolt after firebolt into the Worgen crowd as they began to funnel into the room through the doorway. Pernicious summoned the shadows to his hands and released a ball of shadow magic into the face of the first Worgen to pass through then the next. He realized that they would soon be overwhelmed.


Kodec recovered and threw down two more totems. Pernicious noticed the effect of the first totem immediately. A Worgen lept through the door and clawed at Pern's outstretched arms, but where Pern had expected deep gashes to appear, only a faint scratch surfaced. The second totem was flung into the middle of the Worgen and almost immediately all their attention was focused upon it.


“What are you mutts doing? Get them!” Arugal demanded, but the Worgen didn't even appear to hear him, focused as they were on the totem in their midsts. Pernicious suddenly recalled a spell he had learned in his childhood and focused on the Mage, uttered the curse.


Arugal's eyes widened as he reached for his throat. He tried to cry out but all his words came out in the same demonic tongue the imp had used earlier.

Pernicious grabbed Kodec by the arm and ran through the doorway with the imp close behind. In all the confusion and not being able to understand their master's orders, the Worgen didn't chase after them. Taking the lead, Kodec lead them down the hallway the way he had gone earlier, and took the path he had seen the other Worgen come out of. The path led to a stair well and they quickly began to climb. As they neared the top Kodec peered back down into the darkness they had just came from. Howls broke the silence, Pern's curse had worn off and now the pack of Worgen were as furious as the master was sure to be.


“Faster!” Kodec yelled and neither Pern or the imp protested. Bursting through the doorway at the top of the stairwell they found themselves standing in the courtyard of an old keep.


“Shadowfang Keep! Ofcourse, I should have known.” Kodec mumbled. “Hurry, this way!”


As they ran toward the front gate, Kodec explained. “Years ago, when these lands were the center of battle in the third war, it was said that a wizard, one of the Kirin Tor, broke from the Alliance. They were battling the scourge, you see. Every time one of his friends fell, his corps was brought back to life to battle against him. They say it drove this wizard mad. They say that the wizard attempted to summon creatures to help fight against the Scourge.”


“Demons?” Pern asked as they reached the gates, “Was he a Warlock?”


“Ugh! These gates are rusted shut, they will not open!” Kodec looked back over his shoulder in the direction of the howling sounds “Up the stairs, fast!”


The three bolted up a stairwell adjacent to the gates running down the hallway in search of an exit. Crossing the room and leaping down stairwells they fled and through another door but it was locked.


“Stand back!” Kodec rammed his shoulder into the door which heaved and creaked under his might, but didn't give way. Again he tried with no success.


“My turn” Pern said as he pushed Kodec aside. Focusing the energy into his hands, and feeling the heat blaze against his soul, Pern released a massive firebolt that shattered the door into a million tiny fragments and set the surrounding frame ablaze. Just then, Pern realized that Nirzip wasn't anywhere to be seen.


“Nirzip! He yelled looking around. Blast that imp where has he gone?”


“No time! He's on his own now,” Kodec said grabbing Pern and pushing him through the doorway.


“The dark wizard,” Kodec continued from earlier, “Wasn't a warlock. No, he didn't summon any demons that day. It was he, Pernicious.”


“Who?” Pern said between gasps, the flight was taking its tole on him. He wasn't used to such physical activity. They had finally made it out of the Keep and were running along the main road that joined with it.


“Arugal, and it was he that first brought Worgen to Azeroth.”


“You mean, Worgen aren't natural to Azeroth?”


“They're as natural as the Orcs are.” Kodec replied. “There! A town up a head, we'll have to take refuge there.”


“Can we trust the towns people here?”


“No, but I trust the Worgen even less right now!”


They cut through the forest and ran along the outer town wall, not wanting to enter from the main entrance where they would be so openly seen. They continued until they found a spot they could climb over. The sounds of the Worgen were much louder, but didn't sound like they were getting any closer. It was almost as if...


“They're calling to the Worgen in the woods! I bet they're letting the entire forest know we're here.”


“Then we best get over this wall” Kodec said as he pulled him self up. He reached down and with one arm lifted Pernicious up and over the wall, then dropped down beside him.


“Welcome to the town of Pyrewood.” said a deep rough voice from behind them.

------------------
To be continued... ]]> Pernicious http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/63-chapter_7_fight_flight.html http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/62-my_absence.html Fri, 23 May 2008 23:23:10 GMT Hello everyone!

I'm back. I just wanted to explain why the Chronicles of Pernicious hasn't been updated in such a long time. You see, I got very busy at work, raiding, and doing freelance illustration that I didn't have any time to put towards the Chronicles. :Angry!:

That ended a week or two ago, so you may be wondering, why haven't we been seeing any stories? Obviously I've been posting in the forums a lot, so I must have time right? Well I did have time, in fact, I'm actually two chapters ahead right now. (o)l

The problem is my Subscription ran out on the Warlock Den website. I had no moneys in my PayPal account to resubscribe. DOH. But no worries, the PayPal money got transfered over, and I donated once again to an Ad Free subscription, and I did a second donation to this wonderful website.:D)

Now, lets find out what Pernicious and Kodec have been up to, shall we? ]]> Pernicious http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/62-my_absence.html http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/40-chronicle_update_delays.html Thu, 01 May 2008 18:42:24 GMT I'm aware of at least two of you that read the story I've been crafting, and as such i felt obligated to explain why I haven't updated recently.

I've been busy.

Shocker right? My job recently put me on a very high priority fast turn around (read crazy) project that has kept me too busy to write. When I get home I've been plunged deep into raiding, performing the very valuable services only a warlock can offer. I'm sure you can forgive me for playing the game over writing about it in my short departure from work, Can't you?

Anyways, I have managed to get a few words in here, and there, and I can say that the next chapter will be ready soon. ]]> Pernicious http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/40-chronicle_update_delays.html http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/27-chapter_6_worgen_halls.html Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:15:22 GMT Pernicious hung from his chains looking nearly as dead as the Forsaken that hung on the other side of him, Kodec noticed. He had only known... Pernicious hung from his chains looking nearly as dead as the Forsaken that hung on the other side of him, Kodec noticed. He had only known Pernicious a short time he knew, but still he couldn't help but wonder if this pact the Horde made with the Blood Elves was worth it. Already being with this Blood Elf had nearly gotten him killed by the Scourge, set him along on a trip that would end with their murders, and along the way they all had been captured by the Worgen that would not only eat them, most likely, but do so while they were alive to see it.

Still, Kodec mused, these events hadn't really been this one Elfs fault, just a string of misfortune that happened to follow him along. He still hadn't fulfilled the quest he was sent along on, to extend an arm of support from the Tauren to the Blood Elves, and that comforted him in some odd way. Once he completed his quest and reached Silvermoon, he had nothing to look forward to but to sit beside Lor'themar Theron and be the ears and voice of Thunderbluff to the Sin'dorei people. This task did not thrill Kodec as he would be confined to the city and little adventure would befall him. Perhaps this is why he had returned to the Under City rather than continue on to Silvermoon after he broke free of the Scourge in Corin's Crossing. At the time he told himself it was to check and see if Pernicious had escaped and headed to the Under City himself. Though what difference did this one Elf's life mean to him? They had only just met after all.


Kodec tried to adjust the iron clad grip the shackles held on his wrists but they held fast and wouldn't move. Briefly he considered transforming into his wolf form, but he quickly dismissed that idea, His wolf legs were nearly as thick as his wrists were and it wouldn't much difference. Plus he would loose the use of his thumbs and wouldn't be able to do anything with his hands.


“Psst!“ Kodec whispered, trying to get Pernicious's attention without making too much noise. “Hey, kid!”


Pernicious still hung limp in his shackles, and the only sign that he still lived was the subtle movement his chest made as he breathed. Only one of the Forsaken remained. One had perished during the ambush, having been ripped in half by two Worgen that caught him off guard. The others just simply weren't there and Kodec had no desire to learn of what had befallen them.


The room they were in wasn't much unlike that of a meat cellar. Stone walls closed them in and four tall wooden beams stood a few feet apart in the center of the room, as equal in distance from each other as they were from the walls. Two beams on each side had been connected with yet another large beam that ran along top of them. It was from hooks nailed deep into the beams over head that they now hung. No device was adhered to the floor to shackle their ankles, so whomever had hung them bound their feet with ropes and let them hang.


Kodec stared at the hooks fully aware that, while his legs were bound, he wouldn't be able to get enough leverage to lift his chain off the hook. Then an idea formed in his head. He looked toward the only door into the chamber to ensure they weren't being watched, then he swung his legs up high over his body and pressed them against the wood. With all his might he pushed his feet against the wood and pulled the chains down trying to yank the hook out of the wood. His feet slipped and he fell back down crying in pain as the shackles dug into his wrists. Again he brought his feet up over his head and pulled with all his might and once again he tumbled back down, pain pulsing around his wrists.


The wood was old and felt slippery with the mold that had grown over it, but that did not stop Kodec from trying once more. This time, he felt the hook give just a little before he fell back down and that gave him the strength he needed for another attempt. This time the hook slid free from the wood and Kodec came crashing down on his back with a loud thud.


He stood up quickly fully aware that he had just made enough noise to wake an entire city and half expecting the door to burst open with Worgen. He waited a moment, but nothing happened. There weren't any tools in the room with which Kodec could break his shackles, so he gathered up the chains and tossed them over his shoulder. Then he walked to where Kodec hung unconscious and lifted him up with one hand. With his other he shook the chain until it fell free of the hook, then he set Pernicious down against the wall.


Opening the door, Kodec peered down the hallway. Nobody was there so he slowly crept from the room. Kodec checked every door he passed for signs of life as he made his way to the end of the hallway. Once there he discovered that his hallway joined with yet another. The hallways were dark with only the occasional torch lighting the way and like the room before it, consisted only of dark grey stone.


Kodec was about to turn back when he noticed a slight flickering just ahead in the darkness. He took a step towards it when he realized that it was coming from somebody walking down another hallway that joined with his. Very quietly at first, but slowly growing louder, he heard grunting and the sound of something being dragged. Quickly Kodec turned back around the corner into the first hallway he came from.


The sound drew louder and the light brighter. Whom ever it was, most likely, was heading to the very room he originally came out of. As fast and as quietly as he could, holding his chains tightly against him so they wouldn't make a sound against the fur of his body, Kodec ran down the hallway and dove into the room the moment the flickering torch rounded the corner into his hallway. Kodec dragged Pernicious behind a table that sat along one edge of the room to hide him. He then Tossed the chains he had been carrying up over the beam above them and grabbed hold of the loose end as it came back down at him. Hoisting himself up, he pretended to be unconscious.


The next few moments were filled with grunts and that scraping sound as if somebody had been dragging a very heavy bag. Finally the door swung open and a somewhat scrawny, yet still dangerous looking, Worgen came inside pulling a bag behind him. Squinting through his semi-closed eyelids, Kodec could see the bag was full of bones, torn leather, and pieces of dented misshapen metal.


The Worgen deposited the bag along one of the walls and turned to face his hanging prisoners. Licking his lips, the creature leaned forward to sniff the Forsaken. A claw reached up and very lightly touched one of the exposed bones on the rogues leg, tracing the bones contour down until it met the spot where skin still clung to it. Then the Worgen inspected Kodec, saliva dripping down its chin at the sight of so much meat.


The Worgen leaned forward to sniff him, just as it had the Rogue. Kodec contemplated releasing his chains and attacking the Worgen but before he made up his mind to do so, a quiet moan seeped out of Pernicious's mouth. The Worgen spun around facing Pernicious, who had been laying behind him behind the table, and flashed his claws.


Kodec released his chains and dropped behind the Worgen. With one swift move he had pulled the chain around the Worgens head and pulled tightly trying to strangle the creature. The Worgen howled with shock and immediately began pulling at the chain. Kodec was surprised at the strength the Worgen's nimble body contained and more than once the Worgen lifted him off the ground and pushed him back into a wall in an attempt to break free. Again it howled and trusted Kodec backward into yet another wall, but Kodec refused to yield, instead pulling on the chains even harder.


Again there was a loud howl, only this time Kodec realized that it wasn't from the Worgen he held, a second Worgen had entered the room. The new Worgen leapt across the room in a single leap, swinging from the wooden rafters above, and slammed into Kodecs side. Kodec spun around, pivoting on the captive Worgen holding fast to the chain. Kodec struggled to keep the chained Worgen between him and the larger Worgen.


If this small Worgen is giving me so much trouble, how can I hope to deal with the larger one, Kodec thought grimly. The Large Worgen made two quick thrusts at Kodec, and he was just swift enough to swing the smaller Worgen in the way.


Then, Pernicious moaned again, and the great Worgen remembered he was there. Snarling, the Worgen turned on the semi-conscious Pern who lay at his feet. Thinking quickly, Kodec charged forward shoving the smaller Worgen into the larger and sent them both tumbling into the corner walls. Quickly Kodec snatched up Pern and ran for the door.


Too slow. The larger Worgen had already covered and trusted himself over the table and in front of the door. The smaller Worgen, obviously winded and weak from the earlier struggle, also was advancing on them from the corner.


Even winded it would be a challenge to battle. Kodec reached around for anything that might help him as he took step after step backward with Pernicious in one arm. He felt the chain from his wrists, and the belt on his waist. His satchel was still attached, they hadn't taken it when he was captured. Suddenly Kodecs mind traveled to the bag he had seen the first Worgen drag in. He had suspected the bones to be the remaining body parts of the missing Forsaken and the bent metal and torn leather to be pieces of the armor the rogues had worn.


If I'm right, he thought to himself, then we have a chance!


He reached deep into his Satchel and removed a small wooden totem. The tiny object was carved with care, and had runes painted upon it. It was taller than it was wide, one end had a face painted on with wooden horns on it, the other came to a small point. To the Worgen it looked as dangerous as a rabbit, and they didn't flinch at all. The two Worgen continued to growl slowly while closing in on Kodec and Pern.


Just a little further, Kodec thought, as he backed himself and Pern up to the wall. The two Worgen moved closer and flashed their deadly claws and long fangs, too caught up in their own bloodlust to conceive Kodec's plan.


“Finally!” Kodec cried, and with one swift motion he hurled the small wooden totem to the space just between the Worgen. The wooden spike piercing the stone floor with ease. The Worgen stared at it blankly and seeing nothing of interest happen, they turned their interest back to Kodec. Suddenly the Totem errupted in a great fireball of flame striking both of the Worgen, who had moved into its radius, and igniting their fur on fire. They howled in agony, dropping to the floor and rolling around trying to extinguish the flames. The Totem pulsed again and again the Worgen howled.


Kodec grabbed the bag of gnarled bones and searched through it until he found what he was looking for. The bags of the Forsaken. He found the bags and pulled them free, then he grabbed Pernicious and fled the room and down the hall. The Worgen continued to howl and whine, and there inhuman cries echoed down the stone hallway sending shivers down Kodec's spine.


“Where... are we?” Pernicious said with a cough from over Kodec's shoulder.


Kodec didn't say anything, instead he ducked into the next room he came across, after inspecting it for occupants. He closed the door tightly, then slid one of the tables that were in the room up against the door. He then set the bag down next to Pernicious and looked at him.


“How do you feel?” He said in his heavy voice. Pernicious had been feeling the back of his head, where he had been hit and knocked unconscious.


“Like an ogre danced on my head.” Pern replied. Kodec moved behind him and examined the injury. Dried blood caked Pernicious's black hair making it difficult to see the actual wound. That didn't dissuade Kodec who placed both his hands over the injured spot and muttered softly. Pernicious couldn't see what was happening but if he could, he would have marveled at the rich green glow that now bathed the Taurens hands.


The energy seemed to swell up around his fingers growing brighter and brighter, then slowly began to drain from his hands and into the wound on Pernicious's head. A few minutes passed and the Pernicious's pain slowly ebbed and was replaced with a feeling of energy and power like that of a rushing river.


When he was done, Kodec lay beside Pernicious and without realizing it, they both fell asleep.


A loud bang shook the room rousing both Pernicious and Kodec from there nap into a state of heightened alert. The door shook on its frame and barely was held back by the table Kodec had pushed behind it.


“The door!” Kodec yelled and the two threw themselves against it as another crash assulted the door. Somehow they managed to keep the door shut. Vicious snarls and roars came through the tiny cracks along the door's frame.


“There has to be at least five of them out there. I don't think we can hold them back for long.” Kodec cried as the door was slammed again, this time opening a crack and then slamming shut with the force of their efforts.


“I feel better now,” Pernicious said.


“Great, just in time to die I'm afraid!”


“I can feel my magic, I mean,” Pern said as the door once more cracked open. With a grunt they managed to push it shut again.


“Well if memory serves me correctly, your powers didn't help much last time around. So forgive me for not leaping with joy.”


Pernicious sighed and said, “Then I'll get some help. Think you can manage this for a minute?”


Without waiting for an answer, Pernicious moved away from the door and into the center of the room. It took just a moment to clear the chaos from his mind and block the sounds from his ears so that he could focus. At first the energy was slow in coming, but soon it blasted over him like rushing water over the falls and his entire body was surrounded in violet hues of marvelous energy.


“I call forth a being of power!” He cried as the energies grew in strength shooting up from his feet and focusing above his head. The light produced by his spell was so bright that it breached the cracks in the door and even the aggressive Worgen halted in their attack. Pernicious continued his spell speaking in a demonic language that burned Kodecs ears to hear.


Suddenly a small rift appeared, and the pressure in the room was altered slightly. Kodec shivered feeling the temperature drop as well. The rift grew in size and the energy grew brighter and brighter until Kodec couldn't bear it anymore and covered his eyes. Then the room went dark, the pressure restored, and the cold seemed to stifle then retreat. Kodec opened his eyes.


In front of him stood a demon. It had long horns that branched from its head and ended in sharp points, its fingers ended in razor sharp claws, fangs jutted out of its mouth, and its face bore a scowl of severe contempt and loathing. And, Kodec couldn't help but notice, it stood three feet tall.


"This is it?" Kodec finally exclaimed.


“What? You were expecting someone else?” The imp said, its voice a high pitched shrill.



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To be continued... ]]> Pernicious http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/27-chapter_6_worgen_halls.html http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/20-chapter_5_journeying_through_silverpine.html Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:28:38 GMT Pernicious was frozen, held tightly in the grasp of his captor unable to break free even if he tried. The swiftness of this creature shocked the... Pernicious was frozen, held tightly in the grasp of his captor unable to break free even if he tried. The swiftness of this creature shocked the undead guard as much as he and it took Pern a moment to realize that the being that grasped him by the arms was a Tauren. The undead immediately surrounded the Tauren, unsure of his attentions, and Pernicious was amazed at the speed at which they moved. Each of them held an array of daggers at the ready and held positions that would allow them to strike at but a moments notice.

The Tauren that held him had a dark brown almost black coat of fur, and had clothing that was tattered, much like the undead that surrounded him. He looked as if he hadn't slept in days and was constantly traveling. Pernicious was speechless until he felt a faint spark of familiarity from the Tauren's eyes.

“Kodec?” he gasped.

“Where did you go?” The Tauren demanded, shaking Pernicious as he spoke. “I barely escape with my life and here you are safe and sound!”

Pernicious signaled to his guard that everything was alright, and after a long moment the undead regretfully put there weapons away. Pern turned back toward Kodec. It had occurred to Pernicious that Kodec thought he had used his own magics to save himself leaving the Shaman to his death.

“It wasn't my doing,” he pressed then glanced at his party. “I would explain if I could, but right now I am being taken to Tarren Mill and unless you were to join me, I haven't the time to do so.”

Kodec looked at him long and hard, then released him. His face hardened and he glanced toward the inner halls that led to the Under City then toward the band of undead that stood waiting impatiently. “Very well, lets be off then.”

The undead lead Pernicious out of the castle proper and through the court yard to where five mounts had been waiting for them. Kodec followed closely behind.

“Must everything in this place be so fowl?” Pern muttered under his breath as he examined his mount. It resembled a horse and very well may have been a horse at some point in its life, but currently it stood little more than a pile of bones. Bits and pieces of skin and muscle still adhered to the bone in places and, Pernicious felt as he ran his hand over the steed, fel-magic hung around every joint and tendon. The magic, Pern realized, was all that held the mount together. The realization made his skin crawl.

“I'm afraid they weren't anticipating you,” Pern said to Kodec. “They've only five mounts.”

“It is no matter,” Kodec said dryly, shifting into his Ghost Wolf form which looked just as haggard as his normal form in Pernicious's eyes.

None of them spoke for the first leg of the journey. They traveled around the outer walls of the ruined Kingdom of Lordaeron under which lay the Under City they had just left. They followed a dirt road along the edge of the forest trying not to look at the many bodies that hung limply from the trees as a warning to those that might get too close. Upon entering the Silverpine Forest, Pernicious let his mount drop back to where Kodec had been trailing behind them. In hushed tones he began talking.

“I was summoned to the Under City,” he began. “I had asked them to summon you as well, but they said they couldn't locate you.”

The white wolf snorted and continued to walk, not looking at him.

“Look, I'm in trouble here as it is. The Queen of the Forsaken is cunning and I fear she saw through the ruse I used to cover for Sunsorrow.”

“Sunsorrow? The Blood Elf Ambassador?” Kodec finally spoke, “What a fool to think he could keep anything from her!”

“He didn't want to tell her, I could see it in his eyes. So I spoke up.” Pern said, “Told her about the SI:7 agents after the Bloodstone.”

“You did what?” Kodec yelled catching himself too late. One of the undead glanced back, then eventually turned back to the road. Kodec continued in a whisper, “That is Tauren affairs and doesn't concern the Undercity.”

“I told her one of your Tauren was working with a Blood Elf agent of ours. She believes the Bloodstone's to be the very same stolen from the vaults of the Under City not long ago and has asked me to return it.” Pernicious sighed, “The Ambassador believes that she is using this as a cover to kill both me and the Blood Elf agent in Tarren Mill.”

Kodec growled in understanding. “That would be her type of trickery. I believe you in that you didn't leave me for dead, and its fortunate for you that I did not perish as I wouldn't be here to help you now. I'm unsure if these undead we travel with would kill an Ambassador of the Tauren, especially one descendant from Cairne Bloodhoof himself, even still we must be prepared. Remember what I told you, the Forsaken care only of themselves, don't think for one moment you can trust them any more than you would a starved wolf to not bite.”

The continued on their journey through Silverpine Forest when the company came to a halt. One of the undead dismounted and seemingly vanished into the forest on the left of the road, another did the same on the right. The two that remained with Pern and Kodec signaled for them to stay put and blended into the tall grasses along the sides of the road.

“What's going on?” Pern wondered out loud.

“The wizards of Dalaran are up ahead, three of them, they're heading in our direction.” Kodec said, he had transformed back to his native Tauren form. Kodec stared down the road with unblinking eyes. Pernicious recognized it as a type of magic and looked around for any place they could take cover behind.

“Those Forsaken you were with,” Kodec said, “They're sneaking up behind the wizards. One ahead of them was spotted, no... it was intentional. The others ambushed the wizards.”

Kodec shook his head, and Pern realized his sight had returned to his body, “Your friends are dangerous ones.”

“No friends of mine,” Pernicious muttered.

“I doubt we could run now and be free of them, they'd find us before we got twenty yards into that forest. Besides, we might run into more of those wizards from Dalaran.” Kodec sighed and stretched his back out, “I'd hate to admit it, but we're safer with them at the moment.”

The rogues returned, cleaning the blood off there blades, mounted up, and the six of them pressed on. They set up camp as the sun set over the distant mountains and the moon rose high up into the chilled night sky. Kodec and Pern sat around the fire staying warm while the Forsaken, having no need for warmth, remained further back in the shadows between the tents they had erected.

Pernicious sat staring into the fire watching the primal energy lash about like fabric in the wind. Of all things, fire had been the one element in the universe he related to most. He could feel it burn just under his skin whenever he felt passionately about something or called the magic forward. Like all Blood Elves, Pernicious was ever sensitive to the magic around him. He could often feel it through the stone floor where a mighty spell had been cast years before, or the occasional trace of it on the evening breeze. Such a sensation was assailing his nostrils now actually, and it made him look up from the fire.

The forest was quiet. So quiet it made Pernicious anxious and he shifted how he was sitting frequently hoping that the feeling would pass. He glanced over at Kodec and sensed that he too was suffering from the same ailment. Just then one of the Forsaken stepped forward into the camp fire light, peering deep into the forest, a moment later Pernicious heard a noise coming from the direction he was looking. Everyone was alert at that moment and jumped to their feet, weapons drawn. The campfire was quickly snuffed out with loose dirt and everyone sat quietly in the darkness waiting, listening.

An ear shattering howl broke the silence. To Pernicious it sounded as if it originated right behind him. Several dark forms lept out of the shadows and attacked. Pern could hear that the rogues and Kodec had engaged the enemy, whomever it was, and were loosing. One of the rogues was lifted high in the air and Pernicious, who could see little in the moon light, saw enough to know to roll aside as the undead body was thrown at him.

His blood boiling thick, Pernicious felt the magic swell up within him and burn under his skin. His hands blazed with fire lighting up his face in a terrible grin as he set his gaze on his target. Pernicious raised his hands to release the spell which ignited the target into a blazing inferno. The sudden burst of light blinded everyone and for a brief moment all the fighting halted, the only sound being the burning creature that shrieked in pain. Pern heard a loud crack long before he felt the pain. As he landed on the ground he saw a broken piece of timber fall next to him. Just before Pernicious blacked out a giant foot stepped into view. It was thick, covered in black fur, and ended in dangerous looking claws, and it belonged to a very hungry looking Worgen.


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To be continued... ]]> Pernicious http://wowmb.net/forums/blogs/pernicious/20-chapter_5_journeying_through_silverpine.html