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Post by Ai on Aug 22, 2004 13:33:50 GMT -5
Lok stood before the ruins of the Vile Tribe city of Ruid. He sighs heavily, and walks in. The members of the Vile Tribe give him a dirty look, yet say nothing. Even though 30 years have passed since Ghaleon's tyrant rule, the tribe is still reeling with injuries and poverty. Very few are strong enough to fight. Lok makes his way up to the eldest here, and has a talk with him.
"Old beast, tell me, where am I to find the Blue Dragon Fiend?"
"What?"
"You heard me, foul thing. I wish to seek out the Blue Dragon Fiend." Lok pressed. The old Tribesman gave him an odd look.
"What would a human want with the Fiend?"
"My business is of no concern to you. TELL ME!" Lok drew his sword and pushed it to the Tribesman's throat. The ones who could fight, drew their weapons, and encircled Lok. Lok took his sword back, and looked around at his foes.
"I would NOT do that if I valued my life." Lok thrust his sword into the chest of the nearest fighter, and spun to his left, facing the other Tribesmen. He drags his sword through his chest, and into the chest of the next one. He kicks a third in the face, knocking it out cold. As the fourth and fifth Tribesmen thrust their spears at him, Lok ducks down low, and with a single slash upwards, severs them both in two. Lok turns to the old man, and kicks him over. He puts the sword up to his throat again.
"Answer me. Or they all die. This whole village."
"Alright.. Alright...don't kill anymore, I beg of you! In the village of Lyton, in the caves of the wind. Follow the cave down, until you reach a full steel door. There will be instructions from there on. Now, begone, foul human!"
"Hmph. I'm only half a human." Lok muttered. He turned, and walked out, headed back out of the Frontier.
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Post by Mega Raptor on Aug 22, 2004 13:38:59 GMT -5
Seris stood and stretched, working a few kinks out of his back as he walked east down the mountain trail.
Following this path, I'll swing up past Vane and be at Meribia in no time... It'll be good to be home again. The young warrior adjusted the position of his glaive across his back, looking up at the sky.
"Heh, seems like it's going to be another good day..." he whispered to no one in particular, before setting his sights back on the path ahead of him and continuing on his way.
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Post by Triyun on Aug 22, 2004 14:23:24 GMT -5
A silver horse under the moonlight galloped through clearing the Nanza Passes rockey chasm. Aboard it Mablung watched into the distance, his elf eyes percieving all on the starlit horizon. South to the edge of his eyes were forests and he made a sharp turn to the west and began heading towards Larn. His thoughts turned back to the parting with his goddess.
"Mablung I wish you well in your quest, but be warned those who seek the dragon do not travel an easy path, your strength is great and have fought many foes but those that lie ahead of you will be the greatest. To be a dragon master in these times will bring you up against the Dark God himself eventually. You have been one of my greatest servents but I fear for you."
Mablung nodded and bowed before the throne of the great Goddess. He then took his leave and went away and began his quest to seek the red dragon."
His mind emerged from the flashback. Before him he saw an encampment in the distance, evil men were in it practicing a pagan ritual of some sorts. He could see a maiden in distress, a human girl of young age.
"Haste be upon you, Moonstrider."
As he spoke to his horse, the steed galloped at an increased rate. Mablung unhooked his bow at the edge of his saddle and drew from his side quiver and arrow. He pulled by that string aiming carefully. One of the camps sentries was in range quickly and he let loose the arrow into the sentries neck. He fell instantly. He then fired off another arrow as he went past the camp hitting one of the priests in the rear of the rib cage piercing his lung with the arrow. Mablung then rode his horse into the camp manuvering off the horse and drawing his sword. The men charged forward but as they approached they felt the fearung and paused in there approach.
"I say away with you men of evil, you fathers were not of this disposition, why do you sully there name."
His strength in his voice gave them grave doubt of their chance of surviving. But their surviving priest had great sway over them and so consumed with evil was he that he would oppose a knight of the Goddess without fear.
"You are but one against thirty men, what hope do you have to stand against us elf lord."
"I have faced threats worse that you, I appeal to your humanity, what is left in you and unspoiled to turn away. If you refuse, I shall assail you and leave your heads upon pikes and burn your carcases in this very unholy fire which you prepare for the innocent."
With that he used the sword to cut the wrap around his sceptre on his belt and a brilliant light poured forth from it. The men stepped back as he wielded it and hit the dark priest over the skull with it. Its touched burned him and he staggered back in fear.
"I hunt viles and those who do vile-work all my anger and hatred are directed towards them. I have nothing but reverance for men, for I am of an age when the deeds of men only were that of valour. I implore you to repent and your lives will be spared. I do not seek to spill the blood of man on this night and sully the pure light of the moon and the stars."
The men immediatly began to run away, for they were filled with absolute fear and the darkness which had allowed their egos and hearts to feel in absolute control was gone and doubt filled them.
Mablung returned his sword to his scabbard and went over to the maiden who was tied down. He drew his dagger and cut the bonds and whistled for his horse to return.
"Your name my-lady."
"Abbial, I am a hand maiden in the temple of our Goddess, in the city of Larn."
"How fortunate my friend and I are travelling there as we speak. Come we will bear you as far as the temple there."
With that he lifted her on noticing she had already recieved some wounds, grievous ones.
"Moonstrider, now make all haste, for her injuries must be healed there."
The three with that began moving through the moonlight at great speed.
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Wind
Gamma
Boom.
Posts: 294
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Post by Wind on Aug 22, 2004 15:17:06 GMT -5
Kal awoke, startled, by the sounds of a traveler passing along the way. Kal grabbed his things and rolled further off of the trail to see who was coming. It was a redheaded warrior. He was pretty pale, but seemed well-traveled.
Kal leaped into a tree above, waiting for the traveler to walk by. He wanted to know the traveler's intentions before hailing him as a companion.
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Post by Mega Raptor on Aug 22, 2004 15:36:03 GMT -5
Seris paused... he could have sworn he'd heard something move just a moment ago. He took a quick look around him, and shrugged to himself, he continuing on his way. He hadn't taken a step before hearing a cry from down the road.
"What the hell?" he muttered, before running ahead for a better look.
It was a lone merchant from the look of things, being attacked by a monster. The creature was remeniscnet of a wasp, but was nearly as large as a shepard dog. The merchant was barely managing to dodge the creature's lethal looking stinger.
Seris wasted no time, swinging his glaive off his back and into his hands, he cried out to get the monster's attention as he lept up into the air, swinging the blade down and around at the bug.
The creature was faster than it looked, however, and it easily dodged the attack, swinging around to the side as Seris landed, his glaive digging into the ground slightly.
The monster made its move, buzzing in, stinger at the ready... only to encounter a metal blade with rapidly embedded itself in its chest. The bug crashed into the ground behind Seris, twitching slightly but otherwise not moving.
He stood and yanked his glaive out of the earth, returning the weapon to its proper place before reaching for his knife and pulling it out of the bug's mid-section.
The merchant got to his feet, still shaking slightly, "Y-you saved my life! T-thank y-you!"
Seris just shrugged it off, "It was nothing, really. Just try to be a bit more careful on these trails. They're safer than they used to be, but still pretty dangerous."
The man nodded, "Is there anything I can do to repay you? That thing would have killed me for certain..."
"Like I said, it was nothing. You don't have to do anything. You're heading for Nanza, right?"
The man nodded again.
"Well, you're almost there. Just keep following the pass."
"R-right... thank you again, sir!" the merchant said before quickly gathering his belongings and continuing on his way.
Seris waited until the merchant had passed a decent distance before looking over at the tree he'd paused under and calling out, "You can come down now! I have no idea who you are, but I know you were spying on that whole thing!"
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Wind
Gamma
Boom.
Posts: 294
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Post by Wind on Aug 22, 2004 15:47:22 GMT -5
Kal dropped down from the tree he was perched in, and after standing up from the crouched landing, approched the man.
"I was going to follow you for a little while longer, but that little display proved that you're not one of the bad guys." He said as he extended his hand, "I'm Kal."
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Post by Mega Raptor on Aug 22, 2004 15:49:47 GMT -5
"Name's Seris," he repiled, cleaning the blade of his knife on a handkerchief before sheathing it again before shaking Kal's hand, "What brings you here?"
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Wind
Gamma
Boom.
Posts: 294
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Post by Wind on Aug 22, 2004 16:10:34 GMT -5
"I'm just wandering," He replied, "Just as I have been for a very long time."
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Post by Triyun on Aug 22, 2004 18:30:27 GMT -5
The port city of Larn came into view as the sun rose behind them. Abbail smiled weekly as they went down over the hill and towards the town.
"I am Mablung, watchman of Althena, open the gates, I bring wounded in need of medical attention."
He cried out and the gates were openned. An elven bred horse like moonstrider and its rider, and elf lord, were not common in these parts during troubled times such as these and many made way in awe, thinking it perhaps a king or prince.
Moonstriker went through the streets towards the temple and Mablung dismounted. Temple guards came rushing out as Mablung carried Abbail up the temple steps.
"Who goes there?"
"I am a friend. I am Hir-Mablung Iauerog of the House of Elenedhel, I am night watchman of Althena's shrine. I found the maiden Abbail in the thralls of evil men. I dispatched them and brought her here in upmost haste. Please where is your house of healing."
They looked at the Abbail and from Mablung's appearance believed him in earnest. They then showed him throw a flight of stairs to a great white room where healing priestesses attended, and he lay her down on a bed. The priestess in charge then requested that he leave the room.
"We thankyou for your services rendered, is there a charge brother knight?"
"Merely a good meal of roast swine and wine, a bed to spend this night, a bath, stable for my horse, and then a good reference for booking a sturdy ship to sail alongside the coast to my destination."
"Consider it done. We shall show you to the guest quarters and the temple baths. Tonight you shall eat with the high guards and we can share stories of waylaying viles and evil men."
"I shall very much like that."
He bowed and one of the lower guards showed him to a guest room. It was on the second floor of the temple and overlooked the bay. He laid his hand pack down and went to the closet changing into temple robes, he put his valuables armor and weapons into a safe and then locked it taking the key into his hand. He then exitted and handed his dirty clothes to the guard.
"See that these are washed, I will go to the bathes."
"Aye sir."
After taking a bath he returned to his room feeling refreshed and headed then to the stables to ensure the well keeping of Moonstrider. Once satisfied his accomadations were sufficent he headed to dinner where he spoke of the surrounding wilderness and shadow of evil men in these parts. Afterwards he headed to bed and in the morning he readied himself to head out. After retrieving his clothes and equipment he set out on his horse. He learned of a good ship and crew to hire and headed down to the docks. Upon finding the ship he managed to reach a deal with them dropping him off along their journey to pick up furs in the forests of the south. A small dock was near the red dragon temple that he would drop them off on.
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Post by Juan on Aug 22, 2004 21:17:15 GMT -5
Ashra's horse shuffles as it stands just outside the town of Reza. It had been a long trip to get here from the border of the Frontier, a long long trip. 'But he said that this would be the place, the perfect place to wait to stage out of to fight him'.
A storm cloud brews around the mountains, the thunderous sound rippling over the town.
Ashra's eyes narrow at this. Conditions were good for a battle, perfect for taking out what he wanted. The ride through the mountains could be perilious, but could end up giving his target trouble.
'He was right', Ashra thought 'it has been easy to find out where he was going, and even his mode of transport.' Ashra has the slightlest of smirks. 'Clearly not able to act discreet with his title.' Ashra thinks, the smirk folding back into Ashra's cold exterior.
Ashra taps the horse with his heels, breaking into a trot, heading up the mountians. Former alliegances would not affect his resolve.
Mablung must die.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
On top of the hill, night begins to fall. A flash of sparks ignite into the air followed by muttering. The sounds grow and grow, until the muttering becomes bellowing shouts.
The twilight suddenly blackens into the most pitch black of night. As the twilight restores, a small flame grows and grows on top of the hillside. Soon the flame is as tall as a man, fed by no wood but by some dark spell, its color that of darkest black and violet.
Rawanuk lets his hands fall to his side, allowing a moment to gaze into the Black Flame, enamored by its nether-glow. He seldom allowed himself such moments, giving them to himself as a reward occasionally. After about a minute, his raises his hands again. His mask glistens as the sun finally sinks beneath the horizon.
"It is time, my new pet, for you to grace this world with your precence. As my Knight does his mission, so shall you. Your mission shall be one that you will find natural, for it is builded into your very being!" Rawanuk cries to himself, building in loudness as he continues.
Rawanuk however falls silent. He raises his hands slowly higher and higher until they are high in the air. He slowly murmurs in a strange tounge, unknown to nearly all in this world. The flame seems to kindle and move with each sound, each word, each sentence and each verse. As Rawanuk does this, he begins speaking louder and louder, until his bellowing begins to echo into the small town near which this hill stands.
Suddenly with the last verse, the flame begins to waver, then expand higher and higher, stretching thirty feet into the air. Rawanuk grins sinisterly beneath his mask.
Inside of the shadeous flame, something moves. Slowly, a long spinding pole moves out of the flame. As it hits the soil, a claw seems to extand out. Suddenly, another such pole extends and lands. In the flame, more stirring occurs. Suddenly, in the flame, red dots appear, moving around randomly in the pure black of the center of the long veritical flame. Suddenly, a large mass moves out of the flame. The bulky and armored and twisted body shifts, clearly not showing any sort of real solidity with its form. Connected to it are the two poles, and more and more begin to come out. The red nots expand into pupils of white glaring eyes, covering the creature's head. Rather than staying still, the eyes move around the head, moving from place to place. Four gaping fangs crunch together in anticipation. More poles extend, legs in actuality. The foots extend on the poles, holding the abomination standing on the soil. The eight and final leg leaves the apparent portal, and the flame begins diminishing, leaving the beast's unblinking eyes roving about its head, as it peers around itself.
This abomination of a spider, flesh yet not flesh, solid yet not solid, lowers its jaw, letting out a guttural growl. The creature, shifts its feet, revealing in the dark night its bulky form. Twenty eight feet long, and twenty three feet high, its long form quivered with delight of its new surroundings, barren though they are.
Rawanuk smiles again beneath his mask.
"My creature, my Ambiath'c, you know what you are to do." Rawanuk takes pleasure as the creature reacts to his word, and especially to its name. It lacks any visible ear, and yet it reacted clearly to Rawanuk's words.
"Now my beast, do wish your heart desires! FEED! CONSUME THE FLESH AND BLOOD OF THEM ALL, EAT! FOR YOUR HEART'S DESIRE IS BY MY DESIGN, AND BY PLEASING YOUR HUNGER OF FOOD, YOU PLEASE MY HUNGER OF SOUL!"
Ambiath'c quivers again at the command. It raises opens its maw, salivating drool at the mere thought of all he will eat. It lets out a shattering horrid screech, as it moves towards the village, its movement not making a sound on the ground.
Rawanuk raises his hand, and mutters some words at the flame. The flame dances slightly, then retreats, dimishing until nothing remains on the soil but the scorch of it's form, along with the marks of the beast.
Rawanuk's hands fall beneath his robes. He walks towards the village, slowly after Ambiath'c. He wonders curiously if by the time he gets there everything would be slaughtered already.
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Post by Squall on Aug 22, 2004 21:25:00 GMT -5
The orc quickly found out he could not run from this warrior. Even the dumbest orcs know when they are outmatched in everyway. The rapier's blade ran through the orc's throat,killing him
"Nasty creatures.....serves you right for killing those travelers"
A laugh sprang through the forest
"Foolish fox! Searching for Utopia"
Crix turned to look around him,Frost coming out of his other sheath
"Who's there?!"
"Utopia! Utopia! Such a foolish idea!"
Out of the corner of his eye Crix saw the shadow spring. He side step out of the way,then spun to chop the shadow through the mid section. The shadow spun in air,out of the path of the swords and back into the forest
"See you later Foolish Fox!!"
Crix sheathed Ember and Frost and countinued on his way
"Meribia soon. I need to rest before I countinue anymore. I really need to stop staying up for days...."
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Post by Mega Raptor on Aug 22, 2004 21:38:29 GMT -5
"Heh, that sounds familiar. Seems a lot of people have taken up traveling aimlessly lately," Seris replied.
Including myself, but maybe it's time to change that. I've made enough silver to help my folks out...
"Anyway, you got any particular destination right now, Kal? I'm heading for Meribia. If you're headin that way, you're welcome to tag along if you don't slow me down too much. Safer in numbers and all that."
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Post by Triyun on Aug 22, 2004 22:33:22 GMT -5
The ship made it to land amonst the great storm hitting the shore. It crashed upon great rocks outside a fishing village. It was a bit farther from the temple than he preferred to go.
"Moonstrider my friend. This is terrain not suited for one of your kin, for the path is rugged, and many hooves have lost their footing. I charge you with ensuring all is well at the base of this hill. I forbode some evil marches here, strength which none here can hold alone."
With that the horse neyed and watched its master head up the mountain pass full of rocks to its snow capped top.
------------------------------------------Elsewhere on the Mountain---------------------------------
Silver Fang and his tribe sat around three large fires. They burned a orange glow and columns of smoke rose into the air. Silver laughed jolly as young cubs danced around the fires. He then stopped many of the elder did as well. This moutain reeked of Vile. There stench was approaching and fast from the air.
"Draw axes let these kind approach us, they will find a host of axe wielders ready to spill their blood!"
The viles known as vampire, half bats half men, demons of extraordinary evil descended. Silver fang raised his axe as one approached. It struck with its sword, sending tremendous force into him. He countered back with his axe smashing the sword. His axe then sung as he smote down the vile demon upon the mountain. He turned and found himself slammed with a mace by another of the evil breed. As he fell to the ground before losing conciousness he could see his other kindred falling. Then there was a light and the vampires shrieked in the night as it was as bright as day. He felt himself being picked up then heard a whish of an arrow and felt himself fall to the ground.
About an hour later he awoke. He reached for his axe seeing only a body, that seemed human like, though fairer and glowing under the stars. The man looked at him.
"You've awoken beast-folk, of I am of the Quenda, you call us elf-folk. My name is Hir-Mablung Iauerog."
"Then we have something in common."
"Oh?"
"Where old."
The beast man laughed, Mablung joined with him.
"Well met, not many of your kind can speak any of the elder tongues."
"Not many of your kind have a sense of humour."
"True. Touche my friend. A good heart is worth more than a hundred good minds"
After this initial exchange the beast looked around.
"Where are my kin?"
"With the seregrauku, my bow was only able to down the one which took you before they ascended to high and the fall would be to great."
"I thankyou then for your service but I must get moving if I am to save my kin."
"Then if I could, ask you to accompany me on my quest, I know not pathes through this region well and wish to get to the temple of the red dragon. I saw them head towards a ruin nearby, that I guess is where their enclave is."
"Thats three days pursuit by foot."
"And with beasts of your size, they can become glutton on blood and still many of your kindred be alive. It is a hard reality, but as you know the truth."
"If I detect a hint of jest in that statement, I will strike you down."
"Rest assured there is none."
"Then no time to lose. Take this."
He gave him a leaf.
"Rest assured it will let us travel with swiftness not seen since our youth."
"Thankyou."
The two ate them and started off at a fast pace through the rugged terrain.
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Wind
Gamma
Boom.
Posts: 294
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Post by Wind on Aug 22, 2004 23:47:28 GMT -5
"I've got no destination in mind," Kal replied, "And I'm pretty sure I can keep up. So I'll tag along for a while, and it's good to have someone to talk to anyway."
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Post by Mega Raptor on Aug 23, 2004 0:09:44 GMT -5
"Alright then," Seris said, before turning back to the road to Vane and continuing on his way without another word.
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Meanwhile...
Meribia was a city that had grown rapidly in the last 30 years, easily maintaining its place as the largest city in the world. Unfortunately, with that expansion came an influx of the lower class, and the lowest of the low lived in the slums.
While the rest of the city served as a shining beacon to the races of the world, the slums were nearly ignored. Priests and Priestesses of Althena made frequent visits, but there simply wasn't enough support to help everyone.
It was a perfect hiding place for the followers of Zophar.
A man and woman sit at dinner after sunset. The man has spent all day working at the docks, and is glad to finally have a warm meal in front of him. His wife has spent the entire day at home, taking care of their children, the oldest of which has been gone for years.
The man brushed some of his dirtied red hair out of his eyes before continuing his meal, when suddenly there was a crash. Both parents got up to investigate the sound.
A few minutes later, they knew what had happened.
The lone window in the room the children shared had been broken, and every one of their children was gone.
The two stood there, in a mixture of shock and disbelief, as black gloved hands moved out from the shadows behind both of them...
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