Introduction
But all things come to an end. Though history does not record the fall of its great civilisation, its repercussions are still being felt today. History became as myth, and the world was plunged into the Age of Darkness.
Now, in the Age of Discovery history is about to repeat itself.
(This RP takes place in the world of Altaea.)
Reviews
Music wrote:I would give this RP such a high rating even if I hadn't participated in it. You all have done a great job of both developing your characters spectacularly as well as portraying them in such a way. The plot is character-driven, but, at the same time, that makes it all the better. It allows characters to truly behave as they would in reality, rather than following a script. In addition, the options presented to the RPers in the OOC help move the story forward. The setting is well-developed and important to the characters and the overall experience. Meanwhile, posts are filled with interesting style and proper mechanics. The one piece of advice I could give is to break up longer paragraphs into shorter segments so that readers don't look at it and immediately stop trying to read under the 'tl;dr' mentality. All in all, an excellent RP, and I would highly encourage anyone who loves fantasy RPs to ask about application!
Tiko wrote:I found this RP to be quite well written. The posts were thoughtful, well done and assisted in furthering the story as a group. The characters themselves were well designed, providing insight into them as individuals, and they had distinct and identifiable personalities without dragging the story down. The plot is eye catching and serves to hook both the players and the readers in without revealing too much too early. The lack of full information leaves a reader or a player wanting to find out what happens next, and keeps the story moving forward. It creates depth and levels of information that you have to explore to discover. The included wiki provided plenty of background information into the world that was a nice added touch that assists readers in understanding what's going on, as well as provides information for players to build off from. The only thing I didn't give a max rating to was mechanics. While the posts very well done, and cleanly written, there were [i]many[/i] spelling errors that simply running posts through a spellchecker would have caught. Overall though, I found this RP to be very enjoyable to read through, even though I myself am not a player. It has a lot of promise, and I hope to see it continue to be a successful game for all involved.
The Story So Far... Write a Post » as written by 17 authors
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She picked up her drink, keeping an eye on the situation… that is until Osefi, who’d been quiet until now, shook the tavern quite suddenly with a roar and heaved their table across the room. Jade just stared blankly at the empty spot her table was previously resting for a long moment before she heaved a sigh.
“There was still food on that table… Alright, I have to get involved now,” Jade grumbled, standing up. She left her shamshir leaning against the side of her chair, she wouldn’t need it for what she had in mind. Jade used a chair to step up on a table, then vaulted over a patron, landing on the bar with the leather pouch at her feet. She turned dramatically, pointing an accusatory finger at Jack.
“Jack Highwind, the Black Cat of Sarife accepts your humble offering of treasure. You just bought yourself some bad luck,” she grinned, snapping up the pouch.
With smoke filling the bar, it was a perfect opportunity to stretch her powers while others were distracted by fighting or blinded by smoke. Her eyes shimmered with a strange energy as she peered through the smoke and found the only other swordsman that wasn’t engaged by one of the other group members. He had a perfect position in line with the thugs that were fighting with Vinsces and there were plenty of heavy objects that weren’t bolted down within reach.
A deep hum resonated through the tavern as she flexed her power, and with a subtle flick of her eyes, she sent a heavy table, the chairs adjacent to it, and the two patrons sitting at it flying through the smoke on a double intercept with the un-engaged swordsman and the two thugs fighting Vinsces.
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"Cowardly swine! Your tricks will not save you!" He seethed.
Vinsces' attack staved the second attacker's head in with a sickening crunch and the man fell forward, his rapier clattering loudly to the floor and his dark red cape spooling around him like a puddle of blood. Another of the swordsmen dashed forwards, swiping at Vinsces' throat with his sword.
As the last two men moved to engage Vinsces there was a deafening roar and they turned just in time to see the table flying through the air towards them. one of the men hurled himself across the room, diving out of the course of the table as it collided with his comrade. He rose to his fet only to find himself bombarded once more with furniture and hcollapsed in a heap as one of the chairs shattered against his skull in a shower of splinters.
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“Jack Highwind, the Black Cat of Sarife accepts your humble offering of treasure. You just bought yourself some bad luck,”
Jack smiled wryly at her.
"Should that be your wish, my lady, you best hurry, lest our giant friends make short work of your intended victims." He winked at her before turning his full attention back to his own enemy.
Meanwhile, his own opponent had managed to avoid his first two attacks, and even drop a disgusted remark in the meantime. He reacted as any street thug would, slashing away blindly to keep Jack at a distance until he could see his opponent once more. Jack proceeded to smile coldly at the man's remark.
"Cowardly? Don't make me laugh, fool." He said grimly as he closed in on his opponent once more, the saber making a scraping sound as it wandered along the wooden floor, Highwind seemingly unbothered by the foul stench in the air. "There are no rules in a swordfight. This is not fencing. This is battle!" He roared, and as he got within range, he hit the floor, instead of thrusting his saber, spinning around in a kick aimed for the back of his opponent's knees to fell him. He got up on his feet fast again, following up the attack with a series of fast kicks, allowing the martial arts training he had once had, to shine through.
Whenever there was an opportunity, he thrust his saber forward in fast stabs for his opponent's vital organs, occasionally aiming for a fast punch or, when close enough, elbow punch to his opponent's face, aiming to keep him on his heels at all times. His opponent seemed to be an experienced fencer, but Jack Highwind was more than just a fencer. There was an important double-standard in his life; He claimed to be a gentleman - however, when there was a fight, Jack Highwind abided by no rules - he fought dirty - unless in a case where he greatly respected his opponent or fought him under the rules of a formal duel. Neither was the case this time, and he considered the Borgia a fool for his remark.
Vinsces yanked the table legs out of his opponent's head with a sickening wet sound, just in time to see another Borgia approach him. A sword came at his throat, and Vinsces barely had time to get the solid legs up to block it, yanking his head back at the same time. The impact of the blade in the wood made even his gigantic arms shudder. Vinsces made a circular motion with his shoulders, as if to loosen them up, and then looked down at his opponent.
"Nice attack." He said, his humorous attitude gone as he added with a roar: "Now go to sleep!" He raised one of the table legs in the air, and let it smash towards the man's face in a powerful downward, backhand strike that could've crushed a solid rock.
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The last of the Borgia continued to backpedal, fending off Highwind's attacks with quick footwork and deft parries. Nevertheless he was on the defensive and would be quickly overwhelmed. Seeing that the situation had taken a turn against him he seized his cape by the clasp and tore it from his shoulders, casting it at his opponent before making for the door.
"I shall not forget this insult so readily, cur." He spat through clenched teeth, his lips curling into a cruel sneer beneath his goatee. His features were sharp and cruel, with narrow, dark eyes and a sunken cheeks. "The Borgia will have your heads for this." And with that he turned heel and ran.
If tensions in the tavern had been high before, now they were unbearable. The watch would likely hear of the scuffle soon and then there would be hell to pay.
The woman stood still, having watched the fight unfold with a passive air of disinterest. Still she seemed an enigma, her every feature disguised by the heavy cloak about her body.
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"I shall not forget this insult so readily, cur." He spat. Jack smiled tiredly.
"Of course you shall not, friend. Until the next time, then." He replied, his polite manner of speech back again, and he even bowed to his opponent as the man slammed the door and fled. When he was gone, Jack laughed brightly while shaking his head in awe, one of the few times when he actually laughed. He patted Vinsces friendlily on the shoulder.
"I thank you for your help, my giant friend." He chuckled. "I fear I would not stand here now had it not been for you."
"Bah, don't mention it, little bother." Vinsces grinned, blushing slightly while scratching the back of his neck, as he let out another burly laugh. "Bwahahahaha!" Trying to avert the attention from himself, something Vinsces only enjoyed when drunk, he dunked Osefi heavily in the giant orc's back, and added: "You should be thanking the table tosser, not me. Bwahahahaha!"
Jack chuckled again as he turned to Osefi and Jade.
"Indeed I should. I thank you as well, Master Orc, my lady. I had not expected such fearsome allies when I picked this fght. It seems Lady Luck blessed me far more than I had first thought. I shall not fail to repay the favor when the opportunity arises, you have my word on that." He looked at Jade, and added with a smile and a bow: "As for the reward for that gentleman's head, you may keep it. The opportunity might just arise one day soon to earn it, should he attempt to make good on his retreating promise."
Jack frowned.
"We'd best take our leave for now, however, 'lest the noble members of the City Watch arrive and catch us in this unsightly mess." He added with another bow: "If I might make a suggestion, friends, there is still room on-board the Batavian, and I shall be leaving for the north soon enough, while the winds are right and the cold has not yet fully grasped the earth in its firm grip. I would gladly accept your company should you wish to join me. The company of good friends do tend to make a journey quicker, moreso considering it won't be long before we are forced to walk rather than sail the skies." He smiled, referring to the diminishing fuel of his beloved Batavian.
Vinsces made a thumbs up with a stupid grin.
"I've had a lot of fun with you, little brother!" He declared. "I'm coming along! Bwahahahaha!"
Jack smiled and nodded. Soon, he turned to the cloaked woman.
"I am not enough of an insensitive brute to ask why those men were chasing you, my lady. However, I would advise you as well to leave before the Watch arrives, lest you find yourself in far more grim a situation than that of being pursued by these gentlemen in scarlet. I hear the city's dungeons are rather unpleasant, and no doubt the City Watch would make you an invitation you could not turn down should they catch you here. That would not be an advisable arrangement, considering your relations with the brutes of the Borgia family, and their penchant for assassinations." With that final advise, he bowed to her, and turned to Osefi and Jade.
"Shall we proceed and make a subtle but hasty retreat, friends?"
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Osefi’s jumbled mess of teeth shined from between his gleaming tusks, returning the grin which Jack and Vinsces granted him. He gave a brief nod of agreement to Jack’s assessment; one doesn’t all but ruin a tavern in a city such as Northwall without drawing all too much attention. And if the bravado of the Borgia were any indication, the city watch weren’t likely to see things their way.
“Far be it from me to turn down adventure, Captain.” He said, throwing his proverbial hat into the ring. “But that still leaves another issue.” The orc reminded, gesturing over his shoulder with a meaty thumb towards the mysterious woman who was still standing more as an ethereal enigma than a human being.
The towering orc allowed Jack to speak his piece, his gifted silver tongue doing a far better job of approaching the strange female than Osefi could have hoped to. However he made one glaring error in Osefi’s mind, which with a slight lean of his broad shoulders he made known via a whisper into the pirate’s ear.
“Why don’t you offer the lady a ride? Least we could do would make sure she makes it safely outside the city walls.”
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He let out a sigh, and slapped himself on the forehead.
"Master Orc, you are indeed right, and you humble me." He admitted. "It must be that the excitement of the recently passed fight have robbed me of my common senses." He turned to the woman, and continued:
"I apologize profoundly for my lack of courtesy, my lady." He held his hands out in an open and inviting gesture. "But it is as my friend has said - I will gladly extend to you the invitation to travel onboard the Batavian Skyship. I am her Captain as well as her humble servant, my lady, and it is under my protection that every person onboard walks her deck safely. And among the clouds I guarantee you will be both free and safe from anyone who wish to do you ill. You would do my beautiful Batavian and myself great honor, if you would accept my invitation." He bowed politely to her once more.
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Jade was wanted for hundreds of crimes in Sarife, though there was no real reason for the Northwall watch to try and capture her unless they had some kind of extradition treaty. She figured only the most travelled thugs and bounty hunters would have heard rumors of her escapades as the "Black Cat" all the way out in Northwall, though there was sure to be someone who would surprise her. Information had the most irritating habit of spreading out to the unlikliest of places.
"Now-like! Stop talking pretty at the girl and get your feet moving. If she wants to come with us, she will keep up. Judging by the entrance she made, she is plenty swift," Jade said impatiently while moving to the other side of the doorway and planning out her escape route. She still wanted to stop by the marketplace and pick up some clothes that would be more comfortable in the humidity. "It's probably better if we split up. I know where the Batavian is, and can make my own way there. The rest of you should figure out a place to meet up."
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"I have no intention of heading to your vessel." She said with an imperious tone. She turned her head as though something had caught her attention. "However, we must leave this place at once or the only place we'll be going is a prison cell." As soon as she had finished speaking the sound cries of the watch could be heard from down the street and the woman made for the door, clutching the grey of her cloak around her shoulders. "Follow me." she beckoned the others with her free hand.
The crowd parted tentatively for the group, tension still thick in the air as the patrons eyed the band warily and as they set foot out the door the first of the city watch arrived on the scene.
"Halt!" The armoured man cried out, pointing at the woman. She ran.
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"And I would never dream of forcing you to, my lady."
Then, things quickly escalated, as the sound of the city guards came closer. Highwind followed the woman outside, his back against her, backing out with his eyes still on the rather unsavory group of people the left behind. Vinsces was the last one to leave, his giant figure blocking the sunlight from the door, and with his spear ready in case the crowd decided to try and launch at them. His eyes, however, gave them a grim warning of what would happen if they tried. Even the giant understood the seriousness of the situation, and was ready for another fight should it come to that.
And then, a "Halt" warned them of the City Watch. The woman began to run.
"Far be it from me to judge a fair maiden..." Jack said. "But the lady in question seems to rather lack the virtue that is politeness. If I were not a gentleman, I might have been offended." He looked up at Vinsces, who laughed burlily, slapping him heavily in the back, and replied cheerfully:
"There'll be other women to woo, little brother. Don't you worry! Bwahahahaha!"
"Oh well, I suppose that's correct. I suppose then, we better make a rather hasty retreat, then, lest we be locked away in the dungeons in this unsavory excuse for a settlement." Jack chuckled, flicking a lock of hair out of his forehead, and gesturing with his thumb at the alley that the woman had disappeared into. He looked at Osefi, Vinsces and Jade, and then, with a sudden grin that disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, he turned around and started down the alley.
"After you, little girl." Vinsces said to Jade, with a broad grin and a gentlemanly gesture. "Bwahahahaha!"
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As she approached the end of one alleyway an armoured man appeared to block the exit, spreading his arms wide to catch her, only for the woman to turn sharply into another of the branching corridors paths as his hands clawed at the air. Down the steps of another alley and past a rough iron gate she ran, the new pursuer close behind the group, occasionally making a wild swing with the cudgel in his hand, hoping to take down one of the fugitives. When the others had made it past the gate the woman stepped out, slamming the iron door shut and wedging it closed with a plank of discarded wood. Just in time, as the watchman slammed into the gate, reaching through the bars to claw at her vainly with a snarl of frustration. A brief smile of satisfaction crossed her cowled face as the woman once more darted around a corner.
"In here." She managed to gasp out breathlessly, swinging open a door of splintered wood that hung loosely to the brick wall by a single rusty hinge. She closed the door behind them and braced herself against her knees, panting deeply.
Inside the darkened room a few men looked up from their cards, their faces fixed with mute confusion as they sat frozen with surprise, like a living painting. The room was dimly lit by a few candles and the smell of stewing meat and vegetables wafted through the place, accented by stale ale and watered wine. The gambling hall was fairly packed, with a number of men with rough and weathered faces sitting on long benches before low tables that stretched between the gnarled beams and pillars of the low ceilinged room. To a man they had assumed the same still life poses as their gambling counterparts, seemingly shocked at the sudden intrusion.
"We will be safe here until they stop looking for us." The woman whispered, coughing as she caught her breath.
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"Do try and keep up then, little boy. It would be a shame if this little girl had to rescue you, wouldn't it?" she laughed. "Careful not to scrape those shoulderpads!"
Jade followed the mysterious woman with ease until she made a turn and left Jade face to face with another member of the watch. She threw her desert tunic into his face and planted a foot firmly in his gut. Without losing her momentum, she stepped up onto his chest and leapt from his shoulders, catching the ajacent rooftop and swinging herself up onto the roof. Jade let her crimson scarf unfurl as she traversed the rooftop and expertly wrapped it about her face and neck while following the group from above.
"I liked that tunic..." Jade muttered as she slid down an angled roof, then skipped across the top of the gate and landed in a cat-like crouch behind the mysterious woman, just in time to hear the gate slam shut behind her. She allowed herself to be led into a darkened room full of men playing cards, and took a deep breath when the door was closed. Jade exhaled unsteadily, and clasped her hands behind her back to hide them; shaking like some amature on their first run, winded and out of breath. This humidity was going to be the death of her. That was when she realized all eyes were on them. Her gaze darted between each table for a quick moment... a distraction was in order. She stepped forward, pulling her scarf off gracefully and twisting her full, pouting lips into a smile.
"Ooh, cards! I love cards!" she exclaimed ditzily. "But I don't know how to play... who's going to teach me?"
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Vinsces grinned at the girl, and retorted:
"Bwahahaha, don't you worry, little one. It takes more than a few guardsmen to stop the Invincible Vinsces! Bwahahahaha!"
The giant followed his friends through the maze that were the back alleys of the city, without looking back. Jade leaped unto the rooftops, but she, too, kept up with them. They could hear the guards scramble to catch up to them far behind. Jack Highwind took up the rear, but kept a good pace. For a moment, he stopped behind a corner, and looked back, letting out an annoyed: "Tch. These courageous guards do not know when to throw a hunt." With those words, he continued following the others without as much as a hint that he was stopping to fight the guards.
Trusting the woman, the group soon got rid of the guards, however, and came into a large gambling hall, packed with people. Only then did the woman stop to catch her breath. So did the others. Vinsces heaved a loud sigh instead of panting for air, and Jack seemed only slightly bothered by the run, but just the same wiped some sweat off his forehead. He shook his head as he looked around, a frown of dislike on his forehead. Even a pirate, he was not fond of gambling halls like these, as they tended to attract much the same type of clientele as that of the tavern they had left earlier.
"We best be careful, friends." He stated in a low voice. "I have difficult times differentiating the noble patrons of this establishment from those corageous gentlemen of the tavern that we so narrowly escaped. I would not trust the walls to be deaf or blind." He added with a frown. "Just the same, let us find a comfortable place to occupy, lest we draw unwanted attention to ourselves, with which will undoubtedly come a repetition of our previous escapade."
"What?" Vinsces looked stupidly at him. Jack afforded himself a tired chuckle.
"Let us sit down, my big friend." He clarified.
"Oh. Bwahahahaha!" Vinsces laughed burlily.
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The men at the table seemed startled by Jade's appearance and eyed her warily as she joined them. Gradually, and most reluctantly they explained the rules of the game. The aim, it seemed was to get the sum of one's cards as close to a certain figure without exceeding it. When they were done one man, who sat with a hunch over the end of the table dealt the girl a hand of cards from under his thick robes.
The bench creaked loudly under Vinsces' weight and the other men at the table barely looked up from their game to acknowledge the two newcomers presence until an upturned cup was slammed onto the table infront of Vinsces. The other men looked at him with wearily expectant expressions.
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Dealing was the key to cheating at this game, but she didn’t think they were likely to let the “rookie” gambler get a hold of the deck. Maybe they would pass it her way so she could “misplace” a couple cards from the deck, which was hard to do without sleeves. Jade kept a careful ear on the rest of the party so she could bail when they decided what they were going to do.
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Before long only Jade and one other man remained. He had stony, cruel features and an eyepatch that covered his left eye. His weathered skin was like old hide and his wide mouth with its thin, drawn lips seemed to curl into a snarl as he regarded the young woman. He wore an old naval overcoat of dark brown that on closer inspection was decorated with insignias and badges of service. He thumbed the cards in his one good hand.
"Not often we see a lady around these parts." He uttered in a gravelly voice, fixing Jade with his remaining green eye.
The cloaked woman followed Jack and Vinsces to their table and with only a glance at the cup spoke.
"Evens." Her voice was quiet but certain.
"He hasn't even made his throw yet." One of the men snarled disdainfully at her foolishness.
"Evens" She said again, looking down at Vinsces expectantly.
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Reaching a hand up to his lip and retracting it, he saw that it had stopped bleeding. The blow had actually caught him off guard, he considered to himself scornfully. Nonetheless, the lesson had been learned and such tactics would not be effective next time. Having ordered the closest thing to an herbal tea, he waited patiently for the situation to continue in its final act.
"Hey are you that guy who wants to get beat up?"
Erdu looked up quickly at the man and then returned his gaze to the table. The man was too often given to drink, he still favored his left leg from some injury ages ago, his right shoulder gave him trouble though he wanted everyone to think it was still his strong arm, and he didn't really want to fight. He was just looking for a way to make a little money. Though it would have been rude, Erdu had learned, to tell the man everything he was displaying, he did respond.
"I am Erdu-Tonshi," he said with a slight bow of his head. "Please sit and drink with me. I do not think I could stand up to your blows now, eh?" He pointed to his bruised face and winced to make it appear as though it hurt far more than it actually did. The man paused for a moment, and then chuckled as he sat down roughly. "Please order something for yourself," Erdu offered and placed sufficient coin on the table. Licking his lips, the man quickly grabbed the coin and barked an order towards the bar with a smile.
"So you do this alot? Charge people to beat you silly?" The man's expression was as inquisitive as it was entertained.
"Well," Erdu began with a small smile. "I enjoy observing how people from different areas fight. Unfortunately the best way to do this is to create the fight. I always to lose on purpose, which makes people feel good about themselves and not regret spending the meager amount they do to fight me."
"Don't that scare you none," the man asked sincerely as he took an unhealthy swallow from his mug. "It is true that sometimes they do get carried away. But thankfully I have never been seriously hurt." He smiled as his tea arrived, stepped in barley and bits of vegetable which made it more like a soup, but still it was appreciated and he let the serving girl know such. "Well here's to you Erdy!" The other man took another healthy swig of his liquor as Erdu took a single sip from his own before placing another few coins on the table. "Here is your coin. You may go."
Erdu's new guest responded with a characteristic "huh?" But then looked up to see a rather large man standing behind the tea drinker. "You need to step outside," the recently appearing figure said in a quiet but menacing tone.
"I believe the arrangement was for a single round of unarmed combat, which you won. I return your payment to you. You may go." Erdu's voice was calm and almost pleasant sounding as he sat sipping from his tea as though unaware of the man towering over him. "Bart take yur money and leave this little guy alone," the sitting man offered.
"Shut up," Bart barked, stepping to the side of the table to face Erdu. Picking up one of the coins he flung it at Erdu where it bounced off his skull with a soft thunk that seemed to go unnoticed. "I dont want my fee..." Setting down his tea, Erdu spoke up, interrupting the larger man. "You intend to take me to an isolated location, kill me, and take my money." Erdu paused to observe a menacing smile fade as quickly as it had appeared on Barts face; his prediction was accurate. "This is not part of our agreement. I would like for you to leave now."
"You look here," Bart started, putting a large fist on the table and leaning over to get in Erdu's face. Again interrupting, but more loudly, Erdu addressed all of those who had been listening nearby in the small tavern. "This man is determined to attack me and take what is mine."
"You challenging me?" Bart stepped back as his chest swelled. Erdu stood smoothly in response and a second later Bart threw his hands to his own throat, choking. The motion had been fast and nothing more than a blur to most onlookers, but Erdu's strike to the throat had crushed it, putting Bart on a path to suffocation and ultimately death. Instantly three others who had been lounging nearby moved towards the table: one to Bart's side with the others flanking Erdu. He had expected additional company but did not put the number at three. "We can end this peacefully," he offered a final time. The face of the man with Bart showed fear, he would run. The others would as well, but not without being first convinced.
"As you wish," Erdu answered taking off his cloak and laying it over the chair casually. As the man to his right stepped in behind him, thinking to seize the moment as a chance to strike, Erdu stepped deftly to the attacking side. With his face just out of range of the blow, Erdu drove his opened hand inward and upward, feeling several ribs shatter as he made contact. The man's forward momentum from his wild swing now carried him sloppily into the table where he slid over the top and onto the floor next to Bart who was gasping for his last breath.
The second man, slightly more cautious continued to approach from the left. Seeing his heavy forward stance, Erdu put one foot on the table and launched himself rapidly upward in a high arc more than a foot over the man's head. He watched with a sort of wonder, as was to be expected, leaving him unprepared for the followthrough. As Erdu landed in a crouch he immediately swept out a foot, taking the mans legs from under him and toppling him near his partner. Before his back had hit the floor, Erdu was over him driving his head down with a blow that compounded the momentum from the fall. The man's body landed with a dull thud that was accented by a sharp crack.
Standing over the man's head, Erdu quickly and tenderly lifted it off the floor as he looked where it had struck. Though it had sounded as if his skull had cracked, it was in fact a floor board taking the full impact. The man was fine, though unconcious. "His head broke the floor," he explained with a soft grin to the room of onlookers. Placing the mans head gently back on the floor, he gave it a quick pat and returned to his chair. After putting his cloak back on and leaving a few extra coins for the trouble, Erdu looked at the man now kneeling over the deceased Bart and his two companions.
"It is time, I think, to find new friends," he offered in dry consolation.
Though these would pursue him no further, Erdu knew it was never best to linger after such things as it would only give others time to ask questions they needn't ask. Waving a quick goodbye to his drinking friend, who sat still with drink poised halfway between the table and his mouth in awe, Erdu turned to the door and made his way out on to the street.
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As he neared a corner, he heard something shouted in the distance followed by a "Hey you." Turning down the side street, Erdu hastened his pace and began looking for alternate routes across the city. Though he could likely defeat each of the young men in the group, he recognized the straits of his position. He was the stranger and would, by reasoning of the commoners, be considered the guilty party. A group of 5 would soon swell to much larger numbers. Even should he be victorious over such numbers, there would likely be some interference by local authorities. Then there would be an investigation, or not. Either way, to strike would result in his being waylaid for too long from his destination.
As he turned quickly into an alley he could hear the shouts begin to grow in number; citizens were finding a new target for their lingering frustrations. Turning towards the wall, Erdu took two quick steps and planted his left foot on the wall as he vaulted himself up and turned to face the opposite direction. Grabbing hold of a window ledge, he secured his feet against the wall for a moment before launching himself to the right again, further down the alley along the wall to another ledge. As he pulled himself up on to this second ledge, a good 15 feet above the alley, he saw a tall figure on a separate rooftop not that far away. Watching for just a moment, it was clear that the person was also in flight, and moved with some confidence.
As he made his mind on the matter, an angry voice sounded from below. "He is up there on that roof!" Though he knew nothing of the figure, he knew from their motions that they would likely have a better idea of where to go when one sought a bit of solitude. Not waiting for more to gather, Erdu took off quickly in the direction of the other he had seen.
In moments he dropped down to the street roughly where the other had only to find himself in a rather dark and nondescript alley. There was a sinlge door that looked unlocked. Without knowing what may lay on the other side, Erdu considered entering as a less favorable option. Though it was dirty and wet, the allet was dark and not likely to be searched any time soon. It would have to do.
Taking a sitting position against the wall a short distance from the door, he began to clear his mind. As he enerted the first plane of meditation he considered his actions, both wise and foolish, and let them drift away like clouds. He had thrown himself into a mirky situation, but he knew finding a way out would begin with a clear mind and refreshed body. Though his eyes were open, he was no more aware of his surroundings than a fish is of water. Entering the second of three planes of meditation, Erdu felt his body become light as his mind ascended to higher thoughts.
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"That's no way to address a lady, friend." Jack casually told the man. Vinsces gave the woman a wink and a burly laugh.
"Don't you worry, my lady. I've never failed a beautiful woman so far, and I don't plan on starting today. Bwahahahahaha!" He closed the mug with his hand, and started shaking it, rattling the dice inside as he placed it on the table in front of everyone's eyes. There was a heavy silence while they were waiting tensely for him to remove the mug. Vinsces looked around at the men.
"Evens." He said with a sly expression on his face, and with a wink of his eye to the woman, his hand resting on the mug, ready to raise it.
Jack's eyes soon drifted, disinterested, from the game to the beautiful stowaway, who had involved herself with a group of card sharks. Jack Highwind found himself fascinated with the woman. Very few humans would dare to sneak on-board the Batavian, but this young woman had dared. Jack Highwind had always had a weak spot for corageous women, it was true. A frown did spread on his forehead, however, as he began to suspect her plans to cheat the other men at cards. Then, his attention was captured by her fingers waggling under the table, in a language he knew very well; the intricate sign language of the Brotherhood of Thieves. Instead of replying, he looked back to the game at his own table, cleared his throat slightly, and then stood up, making his decision.
"Excuse me, gentlemen. I suddenly find myself in need of a breath of fresh air, and so I shall temporarily retreat to the exterior of this fine establishment." He said, bowing. The men barely looked up at him as he withdrew from the table with his small mug of spirits in one hand. Vinsces looked at him for a moment, but the giant noticed the expression in his friend's eyes, and decided to let him withdraw at his own leisure, giving him a grin.
"Don't you worry, little brother. I'll win this game for us in no time. Bwahahahaha!"
Jack gave a smile before wandering over to Jade's table to silently watch as it proceeded. He watched in dislike as the woman used her female charms, not to mention her well-proportioned body, to fool the other players. They were, one after another, knocked out of the game, until Jade was alone with a large, burly man of unsavory character. Jack then flashed his fingers in a silent message: "I'm going outside. Be careful. He's no simpleton. Trying to cheat him will put you at great risk." With that, he left the table abruptly, opening the door and stepping outside into the daylight.
He leaned against the wall, relaxing as he sipped his drink, and let his eyes scan the dark alley for any sign of guards having followed them. He shook his head with a sigh of disbelief, remembering the picture of the woman gambling with the giant sailor. Jack Highwind was barely past his teens himself, but he knew well enough a pirate when he saw one. The woman certainly had a knack for getting herself into trouble.
It was when looking around that he caught sight of the man, a skinny stranger sitting in a meditative posture in the alley, his face and body covered by a cloak. It was an unexpected sight. Jack frowned in confusion over the man's odd choice of meditation site, and then, catching the attention of the man, he bowed politely.
"I apologize for interrupting your meditation, friend." He said. "It was not my intention to disturb your concentration."
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Quickly and smoothly standing to his feet, Erdu was aware of his now restored physical state. Only the small bruise on his cheek resonated with any pain. Pulling back the hood of his cloak, Erdu met the man's gaze for an instant. This was one of no small courage, or troubles. And his posture revealed some measure of martial training.
"No interruption," he offered with a small smile and bow of the head. "I am Erdu-Tonshi. You seem troubled, may I assist you?
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The other men quickly and joylessly split the money with barely a word exchanged. Some left the table amid sour grumbles and the next player took the cup. A handful of bronze coins were shovelled towards Vinsces and the woman.
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"Well, you know, I like to travel and nobody wants to play cards with a girl. 'It's not a game for girls,'" she said, badly mimicking a stern male's voice and giggling afterward. Her opponent seemed nonplussed... she would have to step up her game. "So I like to find places like this and try to learn. I guess I'm pretty lucky or something," her gaze drifted with feigned inattention up to the rafters and about the room while she rested her chin in her palm and idly tapped her fingers next to the small pile of coins she'd earned while she waited for him to deal. "Because, like, I'll win a couple hands and then the guys get all grumpy and don't want to play anymore. I think they just get upset because they lost to a girl."
She glanced down at the cards as they slid to her and bent her face down card up so she could look at it without showing it to her opponent. Jade locked eyes with her opponent for what felt like a long moment while she probed the air for images or emotion. She was very careful not to probe him directly, since her clumsy, untrained talent was more than likely to alert him of intrusion or even harm him. "I'd like another card please," she smiled calculating that the card she received would bring her total to 16, give or take. She'd been careful the entire time not to use any of the practiced hand signals gamblers often used to signal the dealer of their intentions, and at the same time, had kept an ear towards the door to listen for signs that Jack had gotten herself into trouble.
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Outside, Jack watched as the stranger stood up, and revealed a slightly bruised face under the cloak.
"No interruption," the man replied with a small smile and bow of the head. "I am Erdu-Tonshi. You seem troubled, may I assist you?"
Jack gave a slight smile, and polite bow of his own.
"I am Jack Highwind, Captain of the Batavian Sky Ship, and I thank you for your generous offer, friend. But my problems are of a simple nature, and of no true concern. I would not wish to burden yourself with such." He tilted his head slightly, and continued: "Forgive me if I seem rudely inquisitive, friend. My curiosity sometimes get the better of my traditional upbringing. But I would like to ask about the curious choice of location for meditating? Surely a more quiet, not to mention less unsavory, location would better suit such activity." He bowed again, adding as explanation:
"I practice some level of meditation myself as well, yet I would never dream of meditating in a location where any passer-by of questionable character could end my life with the stroke of a dagger, and rob my body of valuables."
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As he spoke, Erdu thought of being robbed by a band of men with knives. He had not yet had the pleasure of such an encounter, and the thought of the challenge it presented brought a small smile to his face. After determining to find himself in just that situation someday soon, he returned his attention to the man at the door.
Taking a calm step towards the door with his hands in plain view, he continued. "What you say is true; can any man bear burdens that are not his own? Perhaps our destinies are not mingled, yet my offer stands. But now I am most curious: you claim to captain a ship of the sky? How is such a thing possible?" Though he had seen much in the year since his departure, this was the first Erdu had heard of boats that sailed through air. The mental image his imagination created broadened his smile and brought warmth to his face. "I must see it!"
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The man continued to stare at Jade with an unflinching gaze as he tapped limply on the table with his lame hand, signalling the dealer for another card which landed face down before him. He reached down, palming it into his existing hand. There was nary a flicker of emotion on his face as he checked the cards out of the corner of his eye. He remained silent, evidently waiting for Jade to fold.
The cloaked woman approached Jade's table now and sat down beside the girl, wrapping herself in her cloak as though shielding herself from a strong wind.
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View All » Add Character » 39 Characters to follow in this universe
Newest
Onatha
Al Mayrin, Kanal tribe
Seig Krowne
A former prince of Kronezwall, now a wandering swordsman.
Selene Randoval
Member of the Shriah Order, motive unknown.
Inali Ismene (Black Fox Learning)
A young cecaelia making her way through the world in search of knowledge.
Captain Jackal Highwind
A renowned sky pirate, explorer and renaissance man who travels the skies above Altaea in his airship, the Batavian.
Jade Tel'hana
The Black Cat of Sarife
Vincent de Fanel
A magus
Caim Pendragon
A free knight
Eria Millieuelle
A travelling priestess
Trending
Captain Jackal Highwind
A renowned sky pirate, explorer and renaissance man who travels the skies above Altaea in his airship, the Batavian.
Inali Ismene (Black Fox Learning)
A young cecaelia making her way through the world in search of knowledge.
Seig Krowne
A former prince of Kronezwall, now a wandering swordsman.
Jade Tel'hana
The Black Cat of Sarife
Selene Randoval
Member of the Shriah Order, motive unknown.
Onatha
Al Mayrin, Kanal tribe
Caim Pendragon
A free knight
Eria Millieuelle
A travelling priestess
Vincent de Fanel
A magus
Most Followed
Jade Tel'hana
The Black Cat of Sarife
Eria Millieuelle
A travelling priestess
Seig Krowne
A former prince of Kronezwall, now a wandering swordsman.
Selene Randoval
Member of the Shriah Order, motive unknown.
Vincent de Fanel
A magus
Inali Ismene (Black Fox Learning)
A young cecaelia making her way through the world in search of knowledge.
Captain Jackal Highwind
A renowned sky pirate, explorer and renaissance man who travels the skies above Altaea in his airship, the Batavian.
Caim Pendragon
A free knight
Onatha
Al Mayrin, Kanal tribe
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Fullscreen Chat » Create Topic » Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients: Out of Character
Discussions
Most recent OOC posts in Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
Re: [OOC] Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
Farewell. It was fun while it lasted and I wish you all the best.
Re: [OOC] Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
Re: [OOC] Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
On top of work and training we still don't have internet here, so I'm hard pushed to find time to post. Once that's sorted though I should be able to post at least a little more regularly since I have a bit of free time in the evenings.
Re: [OOC] Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
Re: [OOC] Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
Re: [OOC] Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
I was going to be ducking out anyway, Im just making that much much sooner than later. I have enjoyed running with all of you and will look forward to future runs in the Altaea universe or elsewhere.
Thanks
Re: [OOC] Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
Re: [OOC] Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
I've been waiting for Xian to post in the meantime. But I might have to just jump in when I get back from work.
Re: [OOC] Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
Re: [OOC] Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
I have been away for a while and honestly Erdu as a character is a bit of a mystery to me. But I am determined to relearn him and get to where I can reinsert myself into this.
I imagine I will be jumping back into the followon RP as well, but one thing at a time.
Thanks
Re: [OOC] Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
Also, I'm finally able to clear the character list of all the redundant profiles. I've eliminated all our absent members. If somehow you feel your profile was deleted unfairly then PM me and we can discuss it, but given how I only deleted profiles for players who haven't posted in the last few weeks I think we should be fine.