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Post by shadowknight on Oct 1, 2017 0:05:16 GMT
A void of shadows stretches eternally in all directions. An inky emptiness devoid of anything. Light, color, sound, even time was absent; meaningless against the vast expanse of nothing.
"So, you want to know how the story ends?" It asked, not a sound so much as a feeling. A tremor through the void. "Tales can have so many endings," the void shuddered again, the darkness swirling on an invisible current. Slowly, images began to fade into focuse, "did the heroes triumph after a glorious battle? The land United once more." The image depicted the events in perfect clarity; however, like a mirage on black sand the picture changed to one of blood and ash. "Or were they consumed by the darkness? Their skulls crushed beneath the Night-King's boot." Slowly the image faded to darkness and was still once more.
"Perhapse both are true, perhaps neither. Perhapse something else happened entirely. What does a God-King do as despere sets in? Everyone always frets about what the outcome of such an action might have. What kind of ending they will see." Suddenly the void was no more, eternal darkness replaced by blinding white light. "What if the story didn't simply get a new ending....but instead got a new beginning." ................................................. Morning's first light stretched across the skys of Artania, the great forests began to stir, the first of the birds singing as a warm breeze swept through the underbrush. Bolts of distant lightning faded, chased by distant thunder. The wind dieing down as a messenger form the kingdom of Desmod,located near the border of Sabros, rode his horse hard along the forest's rain slickened paths. His message was for the King of Lebrith, the nearest kingdom to Desmod, telling of Desmod's fall and warning of approaching doom. The messenger exited the great forest at the top of a large hill overlooking a great green valley, the distant spires of Lebrith welcoming his tired gaze. Driving his burdened mount even harder, he flew across the damp plains until the Great Gate of Lebrith stood before him.
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Post by shadowknight on Oct 1, 2017 2:13:45 GMT
Galen Farrel: Sunlight drifted lazily through cracks in the wall of Silverson's Tavern, it's dim light glinting off of a half empty mug of beer. A large man sat solemnly staring into the dark liquid, lost in thought. Galen had just finished his latest job, escorting some merchants cargo between kingdoms, and had earned a good sized purse of coin. Now he saw fit to spend it the way all free lance sellswords do. " Another round." He said, not having to speak to loud in the near empty bar. The barmaiden was at his side in moments with a fresh mug and a warm smile. He returned the smile and slid her some gold as payment. This wasn't their first meeting, Silverson's tavern had become a frequent stop on his journies. The drinks were bad but it was the place he picked up most of his contracts., and it helped that the serving girl was beautiful. As she walked away to get more drinks Galen started on his second mug, wondering just what this new day would bring him.
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Post by Zeritia on Oct 1, 2017 2:24:49 GMT
Ben
Within the city of Lebrith, more specifically near the prison that housed those who broke the laws of the land stood an man with a rather long spear in his left hand resting on his shoulder. The other hand held out with an open palm as several armored individuals stood across from him, one armored figure in particular handed the spear wielding male a thick sack of leather which jingled as it was placed within the spear-toting individuals causing a large smile to appear on his face. The now smiling gave the armored figures a quick head-gesture. "It's been a pleasure doing business with you lads, hope we can do it again." He flashed them a quick wink causing the lead figure to scowl. "I'd hope to not be weaseled of anymore coin from you in the future Benedictus Tergum."
This caused the smiling spear-mans smile to widen "Now Captain Jerome, how can you say that? I thought my increased pay was quite within my right." The now named Captain Jerome's scowl widened "I'd suggest leaving before you join your bounties in their cells Tergum." Benedictus's smile remained cheerful as he pocketed the bag of coin. "Until next time then, Cap'n." He gave a quick salute before walking off towards one of the many pubs that filled the city, best contemplating how to best spend and preserve his coin.
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Post by Knukails on Oct 1, 2017 3:04:27 GMT
Vokun
"The fuck you you lot looking at"! Shouted a foul mouthed man. The gawking crowd swiftly averted their eyes from the scene. Six heavily armed men transported a cage towards the castle of Lebrinth. Inside the small cage was what looked to be a teenage boy. Said boy was covered in scars & looked to be under fed & cramped in. His ears were muffled & eyes hidden behind an iron blind. His neck was connected via chain to the bottom of the cage along with chains attached to each of his limbs. "If you fucking touch my merchandise ill take that goddamned hand'! The foul mouthed man spat at a child that wandered to close. He was Graff Chezick, leader of this war band. The weapon he was transporting was gathering more intrest than he wanted. 'If the damned king wasn't offering so much i would never give the damned thing up'. the boy in the cage lurches to the side at the same time the cart transporting it bumped a large stone. tipping the whole thing over. Graff's anger over flowed.
Taking his anger of the upcoming transaction out on the boy by beating him through the cage, making a loud long ruckus in the middle of the Market.
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Post by MugiwaraBlair on Oct 1, 2017 5:48:48 GMT
Wassa
As the War Band leader's hand revved back to strike again at his caged parcel, a large weathered hand closed its grip around his forearm. He pulled and struggled and cursed, to no avail, before getting fed up and deciding to make a fight of the altercation.
"Ai'ght you lanky crone-
He was interrupted when she swept his legs from under him with a nonchalant swing of her left leg and releasing her grip, letting him crash to the ground.
"Save your breath, I know how your act goes, tisn't new and tisn't special"
Graff drew his sword but almost immediately let it go with a groan of pain when the wizened knight,s boot crushed his wrist. Her valid eye glaring at his 5 companions.
"Go on lads, draw your blades, make my day"
With that she took her foot off their leader's arm and turned to the transport. She leaned down to grab to side of the cart to pull it back upright and picked up the cage like a stack of hay to it back on the cart before moving to the front to take hold of the tug.
As she started leaving she told the war band:
"You can collect your gold at the castle later"
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Post by Knukails on Oct 1, 2017 6:03:31 GMT
Vokun
"You fucking old bat"! Graf cried out from the pain. He vision blurred more from his rage than it did from the pain. "How dare you touch me you fucking sow"! He looks to his men. "I'll give 500 gold to the man that bring me her fucking eye"! His men drew sword & charged the old woman. Graf rushed to the rear of the cart & fumbling with one hand opens the cage. He pulls the safety on the chains holding the boy down & pulls him out of the cage & into the dirt. Ripping of the blinds & mufflers he struggled to remember the command phrase through his pain. "Bastard of the pit, kill that which pains me...Fucking kill that goddamn slatterned whore"! He drops what looks like broken bones attached to handles. "KILL"!
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Post by MugiwaraBlair on Oct 1, 2017 6:45:46 GMT
Wassa
She sighed inwardly and dropped the cart's tug, in the same motion she drew her arming sword she also slammed the first mercenary who reached her across the face, dislocating his jaw and tearing his cheek open, he fell to ground and clenched his face, screaming in horror. She grabbed the wrist of the second one mid-swing and hacked off his arm in a downward cleave, immediately chaining into a rising horizontal slash, taking off his head and opening a gaping gash in the third one's neck, then turned her blade in a downward arc to deflect a strike by the fourth, before grabbing him firmly by the throat, tight enough that he dropped his weapon to grasp at the arm that was now holding him over a foot off the ground, and ran her sword through his heart and out his back.
The last of Graff's men moved in from the left, thinking of exploiting her blind spot, a literal blindside, but while half blind, she was not deaf, and heard his steps. He realised his oversight the moment just preceding her warg head pauldron plowing into his ribs and his breath leaving his chest. As he lay gasping he saw her stand over him but didn't have time to articulate any thoughts of begging before her boot turned his head into a puddle of mush and bone fragments.
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Post by Knukails on Oct 1, 2017 7:01:17 GMT
Vokun
Graff was in a frantic panic. With his only good hand he struggled to get his weapons armor on. Screaming at it to move, to kill, to do something. Giving up after covering its vital area's he hears his the screaming of his men cease. "DO SOMETHING YOU WORTHLESS HELP"! He screamed. Sweating like a rainstorm & desperately trying to keep from reliving himself. The boy lifted his head & their eyes met. When they did, Graff could feel his heart sink. "Fear". The boy said in a low broken voice. "Smell like prey". He picks up the weapons dropped for him. "T-thats right"! "You smell prey"? He stutters. "Yes". Replied the boy. "Smell fear, smell prey...kill prey". Graff felt a tinge of relief. "G-good, now go...Kill your prey"! No sooner did the command leave his throat he felt a sharp pain in his chest. Looking down he saw his blood running over the boys hands. The boys dull golden eyes staring blankly into his own. "W-what..."? He whimpers. He could feel his innards ripping & tearing as two growths ate into his torso. He tried to scream but all he could manage was a gurgle. When the boy pulled his weapons out they were no longer to small broken looking bones. They were twin bone made daggers, the blood covering them vanishing within & the dagger grew a little longer.
The boy stood back as a wash of weight left his mind & body. He felt light, clear thought of his own slowly returned. But he didn't have time to dwell on it. His nose picked up a pungent scent. "Predator..." He exhaled. "Bear...Mother Bear....". His flanks shook, a shiver rolls down his spine as a rush of adrenaline hit his system. He wanted, no, he needed hunt this Predator. He shivered hard from the lack of sustenance, lack of water but those thoughts meant nothing. His eyes took in this Predator he smelled. She was massive, nearly as large an Orc male. She smelled old & withered but gave off an aura of vitality that could challenge the roughest of beasts. "Mother Bear"! He roared & charged.
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Post by Dragonseluna on Oct 1, 2017 8:24:03 GMT
Luna
The day started off quiet, the birds had begun to sing their melodies and the air was welcoming and warm as it soared past the cloaked woman's body. This wasn't the first time she had woken up before the crack of dawn, rising out of her slumber like an undead soldier summoned to do its Master's bidding. Of course, she never stopped to look at the City of Lebrith for she had been there many times before with her father, learning the names of the Nobles and Mages she would someday walk the same halls with. To her, those days were far out of reach. As a child, she used to roam the streets of Lebrith as if she was an explorer of the unknown, venturing down alleyways and crevices, throwing caution to the wind. She began to pass through the crack in Great Gate when she heard muffled yells that overshadowed the regular hustle and bustle of the city. She sighed and knew that her adventuring spirit wouldn't allow her to sit this one out as she tried to remember the direction of the noise.
The crowd that was there had echoes of it previously beginning to disperse but it had stayed for one lone reason. A fight had broken out, primarily between an owner of a cart and an elderly woman who was clearly better trained in swordplay and had the experience to prove it compared to the man's meager band of mercenaries. Luna would watch in awe of her work, however, she would have to hold her stomach as the woman executed these men without mercy. Clearly, the owner believed he was some vestige of a God if he thought his men could defeat such a profound warrior. When the last of the men had been dispatched Luna had begun to leave the scene along with most of the crowd however she glanced at the caged boy the man was yelling at.
For what seemed like an eternity she saw him plead for the caged boy to fight for him... until that very boy killed his 'Master' in a heartbeat. She expected someone to in fact save the boy from captivity, a small glint of hope she assumed most people held within their souls but that was not the case. As the boy began to sniff the air Luna could feel the air of the city thicken with despair. The boy was clearly looking for a new target as if he was some savage beast. He began to yell a name and she could see his new victim would be the warrior woman. Without hesitation, she exhaled the magic words "Llaw Eci." She moved her left hand down and her right hand up, furthering the distance between them while her palms lay flat as if they were pressed against glass. A cold wall of Northern Ice rose from thin air, separating the woman and the boy. The wall was tall enough to make the boy's first attempt at attack difficult, however, her wall of ice was not as strong as it seemed, practically cracking as it had begun to form. Her magic energy was not prepared for such an early usage.
Luna would finally yell from the crowd, "Behind you!"
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Post by MugiwaraBlair on Oct 1, 2017 8:45:26 GMT
Wassa
"Behind you !" she heard from the crowd. A warning for the feral boy's assault rush no doubt. When she turned to deal with him however, a wall of ice stood between them, the mysterious samaritan was a mage. She wiped the blood off her sword on the gambeson of her arm before sweating it, all the while the feral boy clawed at the icewall with his bone daggers, breaking through and lunging at her as the guard clicked on the scabbard.
She caught both of his arms, stopping cold his double downward thrusts, he kicked wildly at her torso but his toes caught only plate and the kicking soon turned to flailing when his arms where stretched on either sides, on the verge of dislocation. He growled at the predator in defiance and was promptly silenced when her forehead crashed into his.
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Post by Knukails on Oct 1, 2017 8:56:08 GMT
Vokun
Darkness. The boy's brain was violently bashed against his skull. He almost slipped into the bliss of unconsciousness but instinct & pain get him at the edge of consciousness. He's body ached, his throat felt like a desert, he spent all the energy he had in his charge. 'Was best effort'. he thought. He waited for the sharpness of death...'what'? He struggled to focus his dazed eyes on the person that bashed is brain about.
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Post by MugiwaraBlair on Oct 1, 2017 15:42:20 GMT
Wassa
She dragged the limp unconscious boy back into its cage on the cart, a precaution in case he awoke before they reached the castle, then piled up the bodies behind it before going back to the front to grab the tug.
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Post by Dragonseluna on Oct 1, 2017 17:28:49 GMT
Luna
With the fighting at a close, Luna gave a sigh of relief. She was ever so curious about the boy, but she chose to take a few hours to finally relax in a familiar place. She'd love to visit the castle and talk with her father's old friends but that wasn't an option. Without hesitation she ducked into a crowd of people who started to finally leave the scene of bloodshed. She made sure her rapier was still hanging from her hip, its cleanliness the only thing that would point her out in a crowd. It was as reflective as a mirror and looked brand new.
She finally made her way to a tavern her Father's more questionable friends spoke of. The sign read Silverson's Tavern high above the door frame, nailed at a slight angle so it wasn't perfectly straight. She made sure her cloak was covering most of her robes and the hood hid her face before opening the door and stepping inside.
There were only a few patrons this day, which made Luna relax ever so slightly as she made her way to an empty table. When the barmaid approached her she whispered "Just water, thank you." The barmaid stared at her oddly for a moment before Luna finally put a small pouch of gold on the table. She stared in the woman's face and simply said "You never saw me." In a hushed tone.
With that, the barmaid complied, coming back moments later with a cup of water. Luna looked at the patrons silently, placing her hands on her cup. "Ezeerf." The cup almost shot out of her hands and a sharp hiss would fill the room as the water in the cup began to cool down far enough to become freezing cold but not frozen.
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Post by shadowknight on Oct 1, 2017 17:55:25 GMT
Galen
The door to Silverson's Tavern opened with a loud search from the hinges. A thin figure in a dark, hooded, tunic slipped in. Wordlessly he approached the bar, taking a seat next to Galen who was on his fourth flaggon.
"Your late" he said in a low tone, not taking his eyes off his drink.
"And you smell of drink, what is that your seventh?"
"Fourth actually," he downed the contents and set the empty mug down hard, "where have you been Hawk"
"Took longer than normal to gather contrats. Most nobles in Lebrith are donating resources to the kings war effort. Not many have the gold to hire a free lancer...not at your rates anyway." Hawk slid Galen a small scroll with the list of names, jobs, and pay offers. Galen grunted as he looked over the list.
'Shit jobs the lot of them' he thought angrily "thanks Hawk," he said as the man got up to leave, tossing him a small leather pouch "here is your cut.....plus some extra for keeping Marla safe while I was gone. Tavern wouldn't be the same without her."
"No problem. " Hawk said looking down at the sack. He hesitated , choosing his words carefully before speaking again. "Raven, there was another reason I was late." Galen eyed him curiously but remained silent. Hawk continued, " I passed Graff and his boys as they entered the city. I don't think they recognized me, they were preoccupied transporting some prisoner. Given what happened the last time the two of you crossed paths I figured you'd want to settle things."
Galen sat I'm silent thought before standing, sliding his helmet on his head. "Thanks Hawk, I owe you one."
" You can repay me by not dieing." Hawk said as Galen marched past him and out the door. "Good luck Raven."
Neither man had noticed the figure who had entered moments before. Nor did they realize the new patron was within earshot of their conversation.
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Post by Zeritia on Oct 1, 2017 19:39:45 GMT
Ben
There seemed to be some kind of ruckus that was going on, what happened specifically? Ben didn't ask,that was a guards duty. Speaking of guards in the distance was a small cadre of guards coming to assess the scene. He already harassed Captain Jerome, no need to have more banter with the scowling captain. With that he made his way towards one of his favorite taverns. The Silverson's Tavern such a nice and mundane tavern, not overly flashy like those upper city taverns and not a den of filth like those in the poor quarters. He moved to enter the building just as some armored fellow walked past him, from his gait...it looked like a person with a purpose.
With that small observation made he entered the tavern humming a cheery tune, gaining some looks from the other patrons due to his abnormally large weapon. Oh well nothing he could do about it, with that he sat at one of the empty tables propping Old Reliable on the table. Adjusting the spear so that it stood out of the way of anyone who would walk past.
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