You find yourself in E1M1

[foq]

>The place seems pretty calm, maybe it's better to ponder transporting lava before you waste all your cells or worse on something you could have done another way. Maybe shooting it with your plasma pistol for a while would be enough to break the lock?

[Shadowswift]

>The place seems pretty calm, maybe it's better to ponder transporting lava before you waste all your cells or worse on something you could have done another way. Maybe shooting it with your plasma pistol for a while would be enough to break the lock?

You try the Plasma Pistol, but after a few minutes, you realize that the pistol's slow rate of fire will not be enough to keep this lock hot enough to melt it. You'll need something much hotter and much more constant. You consider the DKC's blade, but he admits that even its fire isn't hot enough. Well, might as well go look around. The Stone Door on the other end of the room looks promising. You head over to it. Before you can get a chance to touch it, the drops, opening up a hallway lined with blue-grey brick and a blue stone floor. Sure is dark...from what you can tell, it leads straight for about 40 yards, then forks off to the left and right. However, about 20 yards in, there is another passage off to the left. You head down the hallway, keeping an eye on your radar.

No hostiles in range.

Off to the left is a small hallway leading to a door. The door takes you back to the room you first arrived in. You turn around and continue down the long hallway. To your left is another long hallway with what looks like a Gold Door on the right. At the end of the hallway, it forks off yet again to the left and right. Off to your right, the hallway corners off to the left. You explore off to the right and find yourself in a mid-sized square room with a large pillar in the center. There is a button on the far right wall. You press it and the floor below you drops like a lift. There is nothing interesting here. You grapple back up and head in the other direction. As you pass the Gold Door, you see two windows on either side of it, barred with small stone pillars. It is too small for you to squeeze through. There is a huge archway in there with a door made of iron, stone, and wood. You can only assume that this is the exit...awesome. Further along, you head right in the fork, only to find that the fork just leads around a small rectangular brick wall that is open on one side like a cubical. There are some zombies nailed to the wall here. You wonder exactly how they are still here. Why didn't The Captain or the Shadows kill them yet? You attempt to hit one with your axe, but the axe bounces off of it as if it were made of solid stone. You puzzle this for a moment...they look like zombies. They writhe around on the wall like zombies. They moan like zombies...yet they are completely indestructable. Weird. You opt to free the indesctructable zombie, only to find that there isn't actually anything there keeping the zombie on the wall. It's just...there, like some kind of weird decoration. Oh well...you leave the zombie alone and continue on your path. The path leads on just like the last few, breaks off early to the left and then, at its end, forks off left and right. The early break off to the left leads back to the room you first arrived in...again. You turn around and head back to the fork and take the right passage. Ahead, the passage corners to the left. You head along it. The DKC grabs your shoulder and halts you in your step. Right below the tips of your toes, the floor opens up to a huge pool of lava. Well, there's one step accomplished. You found the lava. Now you just have to figure out how to transport it. It'll take a machine of some sort; you definitely cannot move it by hand, unless you find a Pentagram of Protection. Nothing you currently have in your inventory can withstand that kind of heat.
"The only substance that I can think of that can withstand the kind of heat we need without transfering it to the carrier's hand is runestone. Runestone is practically indestructable, and doesn't transfer heat or electricity." So where do you find runestone? And if it is indestructable, how will you craft a carrying bowl for it? Questions, questions, TOO MANY QUESTIONS!!! Fucking locks. This is seriously starting to aggravate you. You wonder if maybe there is a solution that you missed somewhere. There has to be, because you're pretty much stuck here. You can't go back to The Sewage System, there's no portal or slipgate. Can't go forward, the exit is blocked off by a stupid fucking lock. If only your arms were longer or something, maybe you could reach through the window and unlock it from the other side. %$!&*#@!%&@+*$

>

[metchsteekle]

>inquire DKC about the wall-zombies

[Shadowswift]

>inquire DKC about the wall-zombies

"Zombies...true undead thralls, caught in a physical limbo of neither life nor death. They are entirely impossible to kill, but they aren't exactly invincible. They are soulless, fearless, and nearly indestructable by standard means. The only real way to defeat them is to dismember them entirely." Fascinating. What about the ones on the wall? "Punished for their flaws. Some zombies, being soulless, often find themselves uncontrolled by our masters. It's a flaw in their design. Rather than destroy them, the masters made examples of them by sticking them up on the wall for any potential enemies to see. They are never released, and never tended to. Zombies need no food, drink, air, or shelter. Those particular zombies have likely been there for a thousand years or more. This manner of punishment on our own minions is meant to show our enemies our merciless nature." So, why don't these bleed like other zombies do? Why does your axe bounce off of them? And what exactly is holding them on the wall? "That would be the work of Chthon. They are bound there by his magic, and protected by an impenetrable field of Earth magic. They cannot be harmed, but they cannot be released either. They really are just decorations meant to adorn our realm and please our Elder God masters' eyes." Well, you asked...


>

[foq]

>Inquire DKC about runestone... hmm, impenetrale field of Earth magic. Is there a way to use Earth magic to make an impenetrable field in the shape of an indestructable gravy boat for the lava?

[Shadowswift]

>Inquire DKC about runestone... hmm, impenetrale field of Earth magic. Is there a way to use Earth magic to make an impenetrable field in the shape of an indestructable gravy boat for the lava?

You imagine that would most likely work, except none of you knows any Earth magic. You ask the DKC about runestone.
"Most of the runestone in this dimension has already been harvested and used in the creation of the various runekeeps that dot the land, no doubt you've visited one already. The House of Chthon is a good example of a runekeep." Now that you think about it, you've never really been anywhere in Quake by yourself except for the Slipgate Complex...but you continue to listen. "The lava in this land is very hot and isn't very viscous. It is almost as liquid as water. I would suggest using your Quad Damage to scoop up a bit of the stuff, but as runny as it is, it would just slide off." What about this place? Is this place a runekeep? "No, sire. Aside from being a shine to our Elder Gods, it is just a castle, made of ordinary stone, iron and wood. There may be some runestone used in some of the decoration, but carving it may prove as difficult as carving the lock itself." You ask him to think harder. The way he talks, he sounds like he knows this place intimately. "Hm...metal is strong, but maleable. Stone is strong, but it can cleave. The locks used in these castles are mighty, capable of surviving even the strongest blows. They can be melted under high heat, however. The same heat wouldn't even scuff runestone, but if hit with a powerful enough strike, it might cleave apart." The DKC adds this little equation up in his head, using his fingers to count. "I think I have an idea that may work." He darts off in the direction of the entrance. You follow quickly. "Those obelisks in the courtyard..." He yells while running. "I am fairly certain they are made of runestone." You yell to him, asking how he plans to turn one of those into a bowl. "With my might alone, I cannot. However, with our combined might..." He raises his blade. Oh yeah...you forgot about that little ability, didntcha? You arrive in the courtyard and pick out one of the nicer-looking obelisks. "Hm...if The Captain were here, he could make short work of this with one swipe of his scythe. We will have to make due, however. Lend me your strength, my lord. Darkscythe, lend me your strength as well." The DKC eyes SFX. "If you have any strength, lend it to me." The combined might of you and all of your followers funnels into the DKC's blade. You drop to your knees, weak and struggling to stay awake. In your blurred vision, you see the DKC ready his blade and strike the top of the oblisk. The blade halts as it bounces off of the runestone. "Damn it...it wasn't enough." You urge him to try again. He will have to strike just the right spot in order to get it to cleave off. "As you command." He tries again...and again...and again. "I can't get the blade to stick, my lord. I'm afraid even our combined might is not enough." You fumble around in your inventory and toss him your uad. The DKC instantly absorbs the runic magic. Your combined might within him is amplified by four. "Yes...I can do this!" He strike the stone again. His blade sticks in the side. A loud crack is heard. The top of the obelisk cleaves off and drops to the ground. The DKC focuses hard, then lands a punch with his gauntleted hand on the flat part of the runestone. Much of the stone crumbles, giving way to a hallowed-out triangular bowl. Perfect! The DKC releases your energy back to you and your followers. His uad Damage wears off. He hands you the bowl.

You got a runestone bowl

"Please be careful, my lord. If so much as a drop of that lava falls upon you, it could seriously injure you, if not kill you." You play around with the bowl. It is solid, but light as pinewood. You hurry back to the lava pit and scoop up a generous amount. You take the stuff back to the Gold Door and pour it into the keyhole. The lava makes quick work of the lock, turning it into a shimmering pile of slag at your feet. The door yields before you. You are now free to exit the Shrine and continue on. As you pass through the Gold Door, taking care not to step into the molten pile of slag on the ground, you hear a voice in your head.
Are you sure you want to leave now? You left something important behind.
Not wondering exactly where that voice came from or anything like that, you contemplate what you could possibly have left behind...

>

[foq]

>Yeah, we left some important Shadows behind... and killing them won't do any good. Fuck that shit, exit the current area and move on.

[Shadowswift]

>Yeah, we left some important Shadows behind... and killing them won't do any good. Fuck that shit, exit the current area and move on.

Right, then. You charge through the archway into the exit. Suddenly you find yourself in unfamiliar territory. Everything is black...pitch-black, no...blacker than pitch...more like void-black. You move around, but don't seem to get anywhere. The feeling lasts for minutes...hours...days...you check your console...you can't see it. The light from the screen can't penetrate the darkness. You flail around looking for anything to grab on to. You call out to your followers, but your voice makes no sound. You cry for help as you silently, helplessly float in the void. Then...in the blink of an eye...

You find yourself in E4M4.

You check the clock on your console. Only fifteen seconds had passed since you went through the exit. That was a total mindfuck...you wonder if that is supposed to happen, or if that was some kind of Shadow influence. You look around you. Your followers are at your back. A long sloping hallway stretches out before you. A pair of torches mark the path on the walls of the hallway. Sure is dark in this place, darker than most places you've been thus far.
"I feel him calling...I feel her calling as well..." The DKC glares at the ceiling as he mutters something about calling. You ask him what's up. "Yogg-Shargoth is here...Shub-Niggurath is here as well." Whaaaaaaat????? Shub-Niggurath is a Shadow, too? The same Shub-Niggurath that The Captain chopped into a thousand tiny giblets?!? "My...kinsmen are here, as well...as are my minions." Kinsmen? "Yes. Remember I told you about how there was once four Commanders?" How the hell? Two of them were killed before the Shadows invaded this place. "Yes...it would seem that the Shadows' power to reap souls back from the Nether and convert them is far greater than anyone could have imagined...." He glares a little more. "....far greater, indeed. It seems that Vol-Balgruth is back, as well." Who the fuck is Vol-Balgruth? "The traitor Elder God...the same one I, myself, slew a thousand years ago. Now I remember his name. He calls to me, as well." So, now what? "Their voices in my head are....deafening. I can barely hear your words at all over theirs. You are...my Lord...my leige. I will not...betray you." You back away from him. "Go, Stockton. Take SFX and get away from Darkscythe and I. We will remain here and wait for you to silence our former Masters." You beg him to come with you. "I cannot...I fear I will threaten you more than aid you should I go with you. The closer I get to them, the less control I have. Here, take my sword. I will await your return. Go, now."

...shit.

You got the Commander's Blade!
Darkscythe has left your party.
The Death Knight Commander has left your party.

You head up the slope and around the corner. It's really dark here! You can't see very much at all. Your console beeps.

Non-friendly units detected 30 yards ahead and to the right.

Not good. You can't see them, but they will more than likely be able to see you. You can't tell who or what they are, either.
Not.
Good.

>

[metchsteekle]

> does SFX have a light/

[Shadowswift]

> does SFX have a light/

You ask SFX if it has a light. A bright LED bulp between his blaster cannons shines in your face. That would be an affirmative.

>

[foq]

Great, other Death Knight Commanders and shadow Elder Gods. Surely destroying them would provide the Shadows with an immense amount of energy... not good.

>inventory check

[Shadowswift]

>inventory check

-Phoenix's Inventory-
-Ammo-
(98 ) Shells
(10) 30-06 Rounds
(70) Energy Cells
-Weapons-
Grappling Hook
Maglite
Badly-Bloodied Hand Axe
Fireman’s Axe
Commander’s Blade
Plasma Pistol
REALLY Super Shotgun
Enforcer's Blaster Rifle
Lightspark Rifle
Thunderbolt
-Consumables-
Ring of Shadows
Biosuit
(6) Stimpak
(1) Medikit
-Miscellanious-
Brass Key
USB Flashdrive
Fully-Stocked Toolbox
Complex Networking for Dummies Manual
Runestone Bowl
(2) D Cells


-SFX’s Inventory-
Empty

Your console buzzes harder as you notice the blip on the radar getting closer. Shit...you site your Thunderbolt at the dark figure moving closer to you. As it gets closer and closer, you realize it is not a Shadow, nor is it a Quake monster. Rather...it appears to be a Ranger.
You demand he halt and identify himself. The man smiles at you. He has no weapons on him. You approach him. You ask him who he is and what he's doing here.
I am just a friend, sent here to help you. You inspect him. He has no dogtags, no console, and no rank on his shoulder. This raises certain red flags in your head...Don't worry, Sergeant. I am something of a...special operations instructor. I have come here to offer you a bit of aid. You look as though you could use it. You demand his name once more. Call me Protos. Now then, why don't you give me a sit-rep? You fill the man in. Really? Oh, my...that is quite a problem, isn't it? You study his movements. You feel as though something is definitely...off about this man. However, he is posing you no immediate threat...and if he really is a ranger, and really is spec ops as he claims, you probably don't want to piss him off. If what I know about these Shadows is correct, they are basically harvested souls wrapped in pure Darkness. That dark energy acts like an ectoplasm, which gives them the ability to be tangible. Yeah yeah yeah, you already knew that. What else? Well, it would seem to me that if you wanted to destroy a Shadow and not dispurse its energy, you simply need to kill the soul and absorb the escaping energy. ...aaaand you're going to absorb this energy...how, exactly? You aren't. Absorbing raw Shadow energy can overwhelm a man and potentially kill him. However, if you had the right conduits... He reaches into his satchel and pulls out a burlap sack. He tosses the sack to you. You open it up and find several crystals inside. The crystals are very...bland and transluscent. They don't seem to have any color to them, almost as though they are empty. Those crystals can absorb energy and store it, even Shadow energy. They are small, and will likely only be able to hold the energy from either a few lesser Shadows, or one higher-ranking Shadow. There are only a few of them there, and I don't have any more to give you at the moment, so only use them when you absolutely have to kill a Shadow. I would recommend using them on those Elder Gods and Death Knights you told me about. You thank him. Don't thank me yet, my young friend. There is still a long journey ahead of you...however, I sensed right away that you show some amazing potential...perhaps even as much as my last student. Anyway, I must be off. I will be around when you need me, but don't bother calling me. You ask him to wait, but he rushes away. You try to follow, but he is amazingly fast. You can't even find him on your radar anymore.

[foq]

>It would be a good idea to try getting to one of the Elder Gods and wiping him out. Maybe ask DKC who would be best to remove, Shub or the other guy?

[Shadowswift]

>It would be a good idea to try getting to one of the Elder Gods and wiping him out. Maybe ask DKC who would be best to remove, Shub or the other guy?

You radio the DKC and ask him who poses a bigger threat.
"My Lord, I will not lie to you. All of the Elder Gods, save Lord Chthon, are here in this castle, as well as my three fallen brothers. It is likely you will have to face each one before we leave this place. I cannot tell you where they are, exactly, but I can tell that the three Elder Gods are far enough apart that you should be able to fight each one separately. My fallen brothers, on the other hand...it is likely that you will have to face all three of them first...and it is even more likely that they will attack you as a team." Fuck that! "I understand your frustation, my liege. Trust in my Blade, and it will help you come out on top." Buh...one Commander's Blade in the hands of a relatively weak human versus three Commander's Blades in the hands of some super-powered beefed-up 10-foot tall Death Knight Commander Shadows. Yeah, real good odds, there. "You will understand when it comes time to take up my Blade against them. Trust me." Alright, whatever. You opt to trust in him, since he hasn't steered you wrong yet. But....gawd...you think back to the fight againt The Reaper, when you first met the DKC. You remember him taking on The Reaper single-handed before The Captain finished him off. His strength and speed were unbelievable! You have no doubt that the other three DKCs are every bit as strong and swift as he is, so this fight will be like going up against three Reapers. In other words, you're fucked. You have no Quad Damage, and no DKC of your own to help you out...but you trust him. You don't really have a choice. So, to answer your own question, you will likely have to face each fight in a chain. The three amigos first, then Elder God 1, Elder God 2, and Elder God 3. No way of telling which order the Elder Gods will come...but that's ok. You can handle them, hell, they've already been killed once. Shub-Niggurath is just a big mass of white tenticles, no real threat there (that you know of...). Yogg-Shargoth may be a little more challenging, providing he has some lava to throw at you. If not, then all you might want to worry about with him is his psychic abilities. Now...the third one, this Vol-Balgruth...you know next to nothing about him. All the intel you have on him is that he is a master of Arcane magic. That, in and of itself, gives you reason to fear him...

Hey, cheer up, buddy! It could be worse! At least you don't have to fight a Shadow Chthon!



>

[foq]

>and then Phoenix was into battle with the Death Knight Commanders