Introduction
The Land of Tane
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Locations โ A1
Gods โ A2
Races โ A3
Classes โ A4
Story โ A5
Characters and Character Creation โ A6
A1 โ Locations
Godsprings and Delta โ the god of life, Shakkel, struck the cliffs that mark the edge of the northern Icefields with the hammer that forged the world, unleashing four streams of water called the Godsprings. The water from these four springs is of a holy origin, and has properties that can heal and rejuvenate. The Godsprings are watched over by the Clerics of Shakkel, to whom he gave both the Godsprings and the city of Delta that rests between them. It is in Delta that all clerics study the histories, practice healing and aiding magic, and converse with their gods. Delta is home to the largest Temple of the Gods yet to be built. A dome of translucent silver light covers the city of Delta, protecting it ceoma ll that would harm it. The water which comes through that dome is clean and free of all threat, and anything that passes through the shields finds themselves purged of all evil that once contaminated it. This dome also serves as a shield against beings of evil nature; it is said that a black mage attempting to pass through the shield without the protection of Shakkel will be stripped of his soul. This has never been tested, with good reason.
The Seshamine Range, Cliffโs Edge, and Eagleview โ the Seshamine Range is the oldest, and most dangerous, mountain range in Tane. Inhabited by ferocious creatures that exist nowhere else but among its aged peaks, only the most experienced travelers risk a journey through these mountains. Most try for Two-Range Pass, a small gap between the tips of the Seshamine and Dala mountain ranges. It is said that, once, these two ranges were on in the same, forming a sort of arc around the Thurgood Plains, but that Furogh; the Earth-Shaper; struck down one o the many mountains to form a pass between them, that the plainsmen could make contact with the humans of the Godsprings and strengthen their people. Cliffโs Edge and Eagleview are cities built at the edges of the Seshamine Range; one on one side of the mountains, the other opposite it. Cliffโs Edge wasa city of the horsemen from the Thurgood Plains, and Eagleview the city of men venturing out of Godsprings. When the two people met in Two-Range Pass, the cities became mixed. Cliffโs Edge is a center of trade between the horsemen and the people of Godsprings. Eagleview is a center of trade between the elves in Elfingrove and throughout Thenet and Bulson Woods, and the people of the Godsprings. Eagleview is also the home of a graceful Temple of the Gods, and to the greatest Tower of High Magic in all of Tane.
Thurgood Plains, Drak Shat, and Malimoor โ the Thurgood Plains are the home of the great horse-tribes. Once a barbaric, tribal race, though they still travel in family clans during the summer while they raise their herds, they have developed a system of cities that house the people during the winter. These cities are called Drak Shat and Malimoor. Malimoor is the more recent city, and so of a more sturdy construction; built of stones imported from the dwarves in the Dala Range. Drak Shat, their first city, is built almost entirely of wood and thatch; now, when buildings burn, they are replaced with stone, so there are a few dwarf-work houses there as well. Drak Shat is their main trading camp; this is where they drive their herds for the three-week summer trading fair every year. As such, it is populated throughout the year; some plainsmen who have left their nomadic ways to become merchants or craftsmen maintain a permanent residence. Malimoor, on the other hand, is abandoned during the summer. The businesses there open only when the merchants and craftsmen arrive a few weeks ahead of the others. These are people who were selected at the end of the previous winter to end their herding early and take up the mantle of shopkeepers for the next year. New shopkeepers are chosen every year. Malimoor would not have been built at all, but for the fact that another city was necessary to support the growing population of plainsmen and to give a house to those who could not make it to Drak Shat because of early snows.
The Gray Plateau, the Swamps of Dethe, and Grasshome โ the Gray Plateau was once the home of a grand city, spanning almost seventy miles in all directions. This city was the only home and the birthplace of the kinderlings, or, as they are known to elves, barilas; little elves. However, a century in the past, it became the focal point fot eh armies of Zerval; god of light; and Helkara; goddess of the dark; struck it down to prevent her enemies from making a collective attack on her children. The kinderlings fled, and have become a separated, wandering race, finding hoes among all the races. They have never returned to their home on the Plateau. There is nothing left that can live there; it a plateau of perpetually burning ash. Only a few of the hardiest men and women, and all of them children of Helkara, have managed to resettle there, in the little city of Grasshome which has sprouted in the wake of Helkaraโs wrath. They survive there by trading the endless supply of ash for food and water from the plainsmen, who can then sell the ash to mages and clerics for use in their spells, as the unholy ash is an extremely potent component. To keep her children alive, Helkara has promised to continuously replenish the ash. About twenty miles away from Grasshome, on the other side of the Assifin River, lie the swamps of the Dethe. The Dethe being reclusive and almost at toal mystery to the rest of the races of the world, not much is known about the Swamps. No mapper who has ever gone more than ten miles into the Swamps has ever returned. Countless mappers and adventurers have simply disappeared after daring the seemingly featureless forest of monsters and Dethe. No one has ever seen a full-blooded Dethe; only the half-bloods that they sent out from their lands to โwatchโ the other races. Because little is known about the apparently neutral Dethe, every disappearance or death that occurs in the area where one has taken up inhabitance is blamed on them. It is said that the Dethe can suck out a manโs soul, if they get too close. No one has ever seen it done, but many still maintain that it is true.
The Dala Range, Hardard, Shakere, Aldet, and Califine Lake โ the Dala Range is the largest, and safest, mountain range in Tane. It is ancient and riddled with the thousands of caves; natural and not; which give homes to the dwarves. Because these fearseome fighters and powerful smiths live here, any monsters which might have once made their homes here had long since fled to the safety of the Seshamine Range. Still, this range is harder to cross during the winter than the Seshamine; there are very few passes, because its residents use caves, and those few fill to the brim with snow during the cold seasons. The only sanctuaries that a mountain traveler can reach are the cities of Hardard and Aldet, both on opposite sides of the Califine Lake at the direct center of the Dala Range. They are small mining towns built in surface caves not used by the dwarves. They are kept supplied all through the summer, and as soon as it gets cold, ten months worth of supplies are stocked up in deeper caves to ensure that anyone who comes to these cities for refuge will be able to survive. There are no permanent residents of these cave-towns. They are only inhabited by stranded adventurers. The only other city in the Dala Range is Shakere, the city of the dwarves. Seven miles below the surface, it is virtually unreachable by any who are not dwarven. It is a sprawling complex; a perfect example of the beauty of dwarven craftsmanship. Tall, thick, twisting spires carved out of the very rock are the houses where the dwarves live. The spires are hollowed out, with slabs of stone left between each set of rooms. These rooms are accessible by the twisting stone walkways which spiral up the sides of the pillars, and dwarves can cross from one pillar to another using arching bridges which were left un-carved. As dwarves are not people to stay in the home, they are more likely to be found in the workshops or working and sparring in the caverns; each dwarven family needs only one level in these pillars, because all they do in them is sleep. These pillars run in a spiral around the central area, a slight depression in the floor of the massive cave the dwarvesโ carving created. This area is where the wares produced in the workshops are sold. It is also where public meetings and celebrations are held. This area, in itself, is almost a mile across. There is a clear, sluggish river running through the center of the depression; bridged by dwarven hands; that is a drain for the Califine Lake. This lake, forty miles wide and one-hundred and twenty miles long, is the largest in Tane, and is considered sacred by the dwarven and dragon folk. It is also several miles deep, and inhabited by shadow water beasts, some of which have never been seen. It is filled by rain and snowmelt, which is constant in these frigid mountains, and by underground springs. It drains through dozens of underground rivers, like the one running through Shakere, which keeps its level more or less constant.
Thenet Woods and the Elfingrove โ Thenet Wood is a vast temperate forest, covering hundreds of miles in all directions, lying to the west of the Thurgood Plains and the Seshamine and Dala Ranges. Thenet Wood is made up mostly of deciduous trees, like oaks and maples. In the far northwest it transforms into the expansive evergreen realm of Burson Pines. It, along with Burson Pines, is the home of elfinkind. In its lower reaches, directly beside the Elfinflow, is Elfingrove; the river-side home of the elven race. The elves make their homes within the vast trunks of the Tree of Life. There is only one Tree of Life in Tane; the reason that it wasnโt named as a species. To the idle observer it would appear that the elves make their home in a massive grove of strange, star-leafed trees; thus the common name of Elfingrove. The truth of it, however, is that the entire grove is made up of one tree; the central trunk serves as a meeting-place for the elves, but they do not live there. Thick branches spread out from this central trunk, the lower of which arched downwards and then burrowed into the earth. These branches put out roots of their own, eventually becoming their own trunks. The Tree of Life, as commoners call the great trunk at the center, spreads for twenty square miles. To kill it, one would have to burn the entire grove, thus destroying the whole organism. And even then, the millions of seeds that it has put out to sleep over its long life would germinate, and at least one of them would survive to become a new Tree of Life. Each massive trunk on he Tree of Life is entirely hollow, allowing a beautifl home for the elves. In turn, the magic of the elvesโ eternal life nourishes the tree. Though the elves can live without the tree, the tree can not live without the elves; an imbalance relationship, but the elves have no intention of betraying their home. The elves have another word for both Elfingrove and the Tree of Life. Elfingrove, they call Shalk-shafa, Home of the Joined Ones. The Tree of Life they have named Misara, as she is their goddess. For the rest of the world, she is the Goddess of Rebirth; responsible for passing the dead on to another life. Though travelers are permitted to passthrough the grove, none who are not elfinkind have ever been accepted inside Shalk-shafa.
The Burson Pines, the Blackwaste, and the Ruins of Fortend โ the Burson Pines is a vast wood, almost as large as Thenet wood, but mad up entirely of evergreens. It, too, houses an elfin race. Burson Pines is home to the drow. They prefer the constant shadow and the quiet of a world where the leaves neither shake nor fall. As it is, they tend to live in hollowed-out hills that they call Mitoko; or โmy-placeโ. They are easy to defend, and very difficult to find, as the entrances are in the ceilings and are covered in natural turf. Once, they inhabited the entirety of burson Pines, with a single city that commonfolk called Fortend, and that the drow had no name for. They simply called it the drow word for city; Fortdiend; which was translated into the common name. However, in the same event that made the Gray Plateau, the city of Fortend and a strip of forest sixty miles across and almost three hundred miles long was destroyed by Helkara as punishment to her children for consorting with the children of Zerval. This destroyed area became known as the Blackwaste. It never grew back, and Fortend was abandoned. The drow have never built another city. Few dare to venture into the Blackwaste, for it is inhabited by the wandering souls and corpses of the drow who did not escape their goddessโ wrath.
The Icefields and the Sheffindai Desert โ the Icefields in the north no longer have any ice. The glaciers which gave them their name; and their random scattering of rounded boulders; have long since receded. Now, they are a vast and fertile land which provides most of the farming in Tane. Mostly flat and almost entirely featureless, except for the boulders and the patchwork colors of the different crops, they are a boring land. And because they are so well inhabited, there are not many monsters there to contend with. The most common enemy here are highwaymen and an occasional wyvern; the few who dare come down out of the mountains hundreds of miles to the north and hunt the livestock. There are no true cities; instead, the flatlands are scattered with small towns where farmers can trade their goods and where adventurers can rest and restock before moving on to more dangerous country. The Sheffindai desert, inhabited by a nomadic, and generally dangerous, people called the Leyathin, is an entirely different story. Extending as far as the eye can see, and further, to the east of the Dala Range, it s a desert of sand and little else. There is almost no water, and the few soaks and oasis that do exist are the subjects of constant war between the Leyathin tribes. Despite the danger of entering a volatile war-zone such as this, many adventurers are too drawn by the many rare monsters; such as giant snakes, scorpions, lizards, and sand-dragons; and by the rumors of vast treasure buried somewhere beneath the sands to pass it up. No one has ever proven the tales of treasure. More adventurers die than survive.
The River Shakkel, Tarshaโs Canyon, and the Elfinflow, Samul, Assifin, and Talek Rivers โ the River Shakkel is the vast, swift ribbon of water that is created by the joining of the four Godsprings. It stripes across most of Tane, running into the Seshamine Range, where it has burrowed out the deep gorge of Tarshaโs Canyon which slices the Range in two. From this canyon, it runs into the Elfinflow and the Samul, Assifin, and Talek Rivers. Tarshaโs Canyon found its name in an old childrenโs story; no one knows if the legend is true. Tarsha was a beautiful woman; half plainsman, half elf; who learned the plans of the army of Zerval from her husband, a general there. When Helkara heard that Tarsha knew the plans, she sent an agent in the form of an enticing young man to learn them. Rather than be tempted into giving her husband away, Tarsha fled to the nearby canyon and hurled herself off its edge. It has been said that Helkaraโs shriek of rage was heard even beyond Tane. In the end, Helkara discovered the plans anyways, and the war was ended in the destruction which created the Gray Plateau and the Blackwaste. Tarshaโs futile death became a tale to teach loyalty, discipline, and honor to the children of plainsmen and elves alike, though both races claim that Tarsha appeared more like their kind.
A2 โ Gods
Shakkel โ the God of Life and Death, and all the non-humanoid races
Furogh โ the Eart-Shaper, and the god of dwarves and orcish folk
Zerval โ the God of the Light, and of humans and kinderling, and one of the Warring Twins
Helkara โ the Goddess of the Dark, and of the drow, Dethe and kinderling, and the second of the Warring Twins
Misara โ the Goddess of Rebirth, and of the elves, drow, and Dethe.
A3 โ Races
Humans โ a good but easily corrupted race following Zerval. They generally range around 5-6 feet in height, and tend to be very strong physically. They are a sturdy, adaptable race; the reason that there are so many different cultures of humans. A new culture seems to develop in every separate climate. They can be almost anything, though they generally prefer swords over bows and magic.
Elves โ a neutral, but generally good, race following only the goddess of Misara. Generally ranging around 6-7 feet in height, and very delicate, though lovely, in appearance. They are a slim, quick, but brittle race that requires some type of forest to survive. They have an innate talent for magic; especially spells dealing with nature; and lean towards becoming clerics or mages. They much prefer long-distance battles and ambushes with bows or slings over fighting face-to-face with a sword or a club.
Drow โ a neutral race following both the goddess Misara and the goddess Helkara. Ranging from 6-7 feet tall, like their elvish cousins, they resemble something between elf and human in their strength and build. They, like humans, are incredibly versatile; though they prefer double daggers to sword and blunt weapons, and magic to any weapon at all. They are a reclusive people, nervous about mingling with the other races, lest they once more face the wrath of their goddess Helkara. Most drow will attack any non-drow that wanders into their home forest. The entire race has a special fondness for the collection of literature.
Dwarves โ one of the most ancient races, following the god who shaped the earth, Furogh. Ranging from 4-4.5 feet tall, 5 at the highest, they are a stocky and powerful race that runs with a rolling, galloping gate. They dislike being away from their mountains, and thoroughly enjoy creating things. Though they prefer stone, they will work with almost any material. They prefer hand-to-hand combat with axes or hammers, but will use a heavy crossbow or ingenious dwarven invention of they must. Dwarven clerics and mages are incredibly rare.
Kinderling โ a neutral race following both of the feuding twin-deities, Helkara and Zerval. They are not like other Halflings from outside of Tane. They are not always happy and carefree; though there are rare specimens that act this way. Most of them, in fact, are nervous and sometimes even malicious. They steal because they have to, having been literally blown out of their home on the Gray Plateau and scattered to the winds a hundred years ago. They have since held a grudge against all the races that follow only Zerval, and have become stoic, if sneaky, people. However, once one becomes close to a kinderling, one can find the cheerful Halfing that lives inside all of them. Only when they know the people they are talking to will they be their natural, sprightly selves. They are more commonly thieves than anything else, but startling intelligence and inner strength make it possible for them to be magics, clerics, or fighters as well.
A4 โ Classes
Mage โ mages use magics which are generally not involved in nature or healing. They are a secretive people. No one outside the Circle of Magic knows what goes on in the Tower of High Magic. Mages can wear any color they like. Alignment can be identified by the talismans they carry; each mage carries the talisman of the god who they worship. Mages can not wear metal armor, as it interferes with their casting.
Cleric โ clerics use magics involving nature and healing, and usually not the sort of damaging spells used by mages. They are an open and generous people. The citizens of Tane turn to the clerics at Godsprings for help in times of trouble, and it is up to this priesthood to provide that aid. Clerics can not use bladed weapons, only blunt.
Fighter โ fighters are the ones who run into battle and destroy the enemy, hopefully before those silly mages have the chance to wiggle their fingers and cast their spells. They can use any weapon they want, but prefer larger, and often sharper, weapons. They know no magic until they reach a much higher level of practice. MUCH higher..
Thief โ thieves are the sneaks, spies, item-collectors, and trap-finders of a party. They are, in part, responsible for keeping the party alive as they wander. They are highly valuable for collecting information. They must be relatively small in stature, and can not carry much that is heavy or noisy; thus, light armor and small weapons.
Custom or Advanced Classes โ not all of these classes will be accepted. A custom class would be a merging of two classes, like thief and fighter, or cleric and mage, or cleric and fighter. An advanced class would be something like a Paladin, or a Necromancer, or an Assassin. These are highly specialized classes, and should only be requested if you have a history in gaming, and a very clear idea of what is involved in that sort of class.
A5 โ Story
The peace is fragile in Delta, the river-city of waterfalls and crystal, where the clerics dwell. Someone, or something, is taking lives, and even the combined talents of the Clerical Council and the Conclave of Magus can not locate the perpetrator. The death toll is rising, and citizens throughout the lands of Delta have begun to panic. Some have gone so far as to seal themselves within their homes, cutting themselves off completely from civilization. If this continues, the Council and the Conclave both know that Deltaโs very society will begin to shut down. That is something that they, and the rest of Tane, can not afford.
Enter the heroes โ a motley band of adventurers who have, indeed, never met. Purely by coincidence, or perhaps by the will of the Gods, they have journeyed at the same time to shelter within the once-safe streets of Delta. They gather now at the call of the great mage Errus, who has summoned them from their rest on the streets to offer them a new job โ a new journey. You must hunt the killer down.
The job is not as easy as it sounds.
Rules
1. No god-modding or power-play. Please die occasionally, or get hurt at least. That's what we have healers for.
2. Don't be ridiculous. This is a serious roleplay. Use god names, be creative with characters' personalities and appearances. Anyone read Dragonlance? Yeah. Those were good characters. (Raistlin fangirl --> Everscale)
3. Keep it PG-17 with romance and swearing. Gonna do something crazy? Please fade to black.
4. Stay within the world. If you're going to have a crazy development in your character, you must check it with Everscale first.
5. One character per person, until further notice. (Note: Yes, Everscale is breaking this rule. For plot reasons only. Because she knows the plot.)
6. Keep track of your items in your Equipment section of your profile. Make sure to update it often.
7. Follow the character skeleton.
8. If you're going to use another race's language, make sure to put the translation in parentheses next to it. Generators are permitted. Do not expect everyone's use of language to match up - we're not all using the same system. You are also allowed to make it up as you go, if you see fit.
9. If you read the rules you will know that you have to name your favorite race at the bottom of your profile.
10. This is a fully literate RP. 500 words per post, full sentences, correct punctuation and grammar and capitalization, stay in one tense.
11. Post at least once a day, unless you have notified Everscale that you will be doing otherwise for a time.
12. There will be no reservation of characters. Quality is what matters โ if I like your character they will be accepted, regardless of open spaces. I will allow the group to grow to up to 10 characters.
13. Do not just get up and walk away from this RP. If youโre going to leave the RP, let me know. Tell me if you will be gone for more than a couple of days. Post at least every other day, when possible.
14. Make sure that there are two posts between your posts.
15. If you have read all the way, you will know that you are to disregard the former requirement and add a roleplaying sample of at least 500 words to the end of your profile.
A6 โ Characters and Character Creation
taken ~Valence Damacus - Mage~ taken
taken ~Jonnovan Cerali - Ranger~ taken
taken ~Freah Lioncourt - Ranger~ taken
taken ~Cazik Norven - Monk~ taken
taken ~Everen Skygrace - Cleric~ taken
taken ~Terrah Roth - Warrior~ taken
1. No god-modding or power-play. Please die occasionally, or get hurt at least. That's what we have healers for.
2. Don't be ridiculous. This is a serious roleplay. Use god names, be creative with characters' personalities and appearances. Anyone read Dragonlance? Yeah. Those were good characters. (Raistlin fangirl --> Everscale)
3. Keep it PG-17 with romance and swearing. Gonna do something crazy? Please fade to black.
4. Stay within the world. If you're going to have a crazy development in your character, you must check it with Everscale first.
5. One character per person, until further notice. (Note: Yes, Everscale is breaking this rule. For plot reasons only. Because she knows the plot.)
6. Keep track of your items in your Equipment section of your profile. Make sure to update it often.
7. Follow the character skeleton.
8. If you're going to use another race's language, make sure to put the translation in parentheses next to it. Generators are permitted. Do not expect everyone's use of language to match up - we're not all using the same system. You are also allowed to make it up as you go, if you see fit.
9. If you read the rules you will know that you have to name your favorite race at the bottom of your profile.
10. This is a fully literate RP. 500 words per post, full sentences, correct punctuation and grammar and capitalization, stay in one tense.
11. Post at least once a day, unless you have notified Everscale that you will be doing otherwise for a time.
12. There will be no reservation of characters. Quality is what matters โ if I like your character they will be accepted, regardless of open spaces. I will allow the group to grow to up to 10 characters.
13. Do not just get up and walk away from this RP. If youโre going to leave the RP, let me know. Tell me if you will be gone for more than a couple of days. Post at least every other day, when possible.
14. Make sure that there are two posts between your posts.
15. If you have read all the way, you will know that you are to disregard the former requirement and add a roleplaying sample of at least 500 words to the end of your profile.
A6 โ Characters and Character Creation
taken ~Valence Damacus - Mage~ taken
taken ~Jonnovan Cerali - Ranger~ taken
taken ~Freah Lioncourt - Ranger~ taken
taken ~Cazik Norven - Monk~ taken
taken ~Everen Skygrace - Cleric~ taken
taken ~Terrah Roth - Warrior~ taken
[b]Character Skeleton
In the description section.
Name:
Race:
Class:
Age:
Alignment:
Level: (start with 0, I will announce level-ups)
Appearance: (please include a picture and a description of at least 100 words, OR a description of at least 300 words)
In the personality section.
Personality: (at least 200 words long)
Diety:
Likes:
Dislikes:
Life Goals:
Fears:
Quirks:
In the equipment section.
Weapons: (normal weapons to begin with, no magic.)
Armor: (normal armor to begin with, no magic.)
Gear: (anything else that you carry, assume that rations are provided)
Animals: (if you have a horse, mule, dog, or cat, which you should not have to start with)
Magic Items: (you should not have these to start with)
Spells: (for mages and clerics, you start with five zero-level spells, I will announce when you can level up. Each time, you will gain a certain number of new spells, which you can take from any of the levels at or below your current level. If you have an idea for a spell you would like to create, you may suggest it to Everscale.)
Clerical spell list ๏ http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Cleric_Spell_List
Druid Spell list (also for clerics) http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Druid_Spell_List
Mage spell list ๏ http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Sorcerer/W ... plement%29
In the history section.
History: (where were you born, who was your family, what rank were you, how did you become what you are today? At least 400 words.)
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Setting
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Valence and Everen
Delta. Home of the Clerical Council. The city of marble and pearls. Valence had never seen it before - he had spent most of his life traveling beyond the shelter of civilization, learning magics beyond the reach of those mages who were too frightened to risk their lives for it. He knew he was probably the only mage alive in Tane who had never seen Deltaโs shining streets and towering, misty waterfalls. He did not mind it all that much โ discovering such beauty late made it even more impressive to him, and today was an exceptionally beautiful day to be in Delta. The brilliant morning sun shone through the waterfallโs mists and cast the air to a heavenly, golden hue.
It was too bad that the cityโs people did not reflect that mood. But then, that was why Valence had been called here, to meet for his first time with the mages of the Conclave. He would never have set foot in Delta if there were not some problem that needed solving.
Black robes swept around his ankles as he walked through the near-abandoned streets towards the center of the city. They worked well to conceal the burnished leather armor that marked him as a cross-class, but such garments could do nothing to hide the glimmering silver sword at his hip. What people walked the streets of Delta on this morning paused to stare as the bladed mage passed them, and Valence could only do his best to ignore them. He knew what they were thinking โ no mage carried a sword. No mage was permitted it. That was a lie, of course, and he was a clear example of itโฆ but that was what they thought nonetheless. And it made sense. Every class had its restrictions, to maintain balance between them. Valence was a Battlemage. That did not mean that he could fight with the prowess of a trained warrior, as well as use the spells of a mage. It simply meant he refused to be helpless if his magic failed him. Spells would always be his first choice of weapon.
Shaking his head slightly at the stupidity of the people who surrounded him, he turned a corner and found himself standing at the central square of Delta. He was not sure why they called it a square โ it seemed very obviously a circle to him โ but that did not particularly matter, in the end. These were simply stray thoughts, not pertaining to the matter at hand. He pushed through them and stared walking again, striding out through the nearly nonexistent crowd, crossing the โsquareโ to enter the Lost Cause Tavern at the far end.
The Lost Cause was a different story entirely from the impossibly quiet streets of Delta. In the wake of the recent killings which had plagued the city, the people of Delta craved company, if only for the sake of being in a public place where they could not be knocked off without anybody seeing. From wall to wall the Inn was packed with people who drank and sang and laughed with the nervous desire to appear normal. Why the Council and the Conclave had chosen to have him come here, he did not know. They were intelligent people. Surely they realized just how packed the place would be.
No matter. What was done, was done.
Valence wove his way in amongst the people, seeking a gap at the back which would allow him to slip up the stairs to the private meeting rooms available only upon appointment. He had been assured by his messenger that he had an appointment. Pity the messenger if he was wrong.
He escaped the suffocating city crowd without much hindrance โ few dared stop a mage with a face of purpose โ and slipped up the stairs, down the hall, to the only open door. Beyond he found what he had least expected.
The Conclave had promised him that a representative from the Clerical Council would be waiting for him, and for the other adventurers who had been summoned to join together and save the city of Delta. He had never once suspected this representative would be a child. This cleric could be nothing else, with a delicate face and large, innocent eyes atop a body no larger than that of a ten-year-old girl. Were she not garbed in the white of a full-fledged cleric, a rank no child could reach, he would have been certain of it. But she did wear the robes, and there was no way she could be so youngโฆ
She looked up as he entered and stopped in the doorway, but she did not seem concerned by his abrupt pause. Rather, she came to her feet and swept across the floor to bow to him, one hand on her heart in the prayer of Zerval.
โWelcome,โ she whispered, and Valence could not help but marvel at how happy she sounded to see him. โMy name is Everen. You must be the mage, Valence Damacus?โ
He could only numbly nod.
Delta. Home of the Clerical Council. The city of marble and pearls. Valence had never seen it before - he had spent most of his life traveling beyond the shelter of civilization, learning magics beyond the reach of those mages who were too frightened to risk their lives for it. He knew he was probably the only mage alive in Tane who had never seen Deltaโs shining streets and towering, misty waterfalls. He did not mind it all that much โ discovering such beauty late made it even more impressive to him, and today was an exceptionally beautiful day to be in Delta. The brilliant morning sun shone through the waterfallโs mists and cast the air to a heavenly, golden hue.
It was too bad that the cityโs people did not reflect that mood. But then, that was why Valence had been called here, to meet for his first time with the mages of the Conclave. He would never have set foot in Delta if there were not some problem that needed solving.
Black robes swept around his ankles as he walked through the near-abandoned streets towards the center of the city. They worked well to conceal the burnished leather armor that marked him as a cross-class, but such garments could do nothing to hide the glimmering silver sword at his hip. What people walked the streets of Delta on this morning paused to stare as the bladed mage passed them, and Valence could only do his best to ignore them. He knew what they were thinking โ no mage carried a sword. No mage was permitted it. That was a lie, of course, and he was a clear example of itโฆ but that was what they thought nonetheless. And it made sense. Every class had its restrictions, to maintain balance between them. Valence was a Battlemage. That did not mean that he could fight with the prowess of a trained warrior, as well as use the spells of a mage. It simply meant he refused to be helpless if his magic failed him. Spells would always be his first choice of weapon.
Shaking his head slightly at the stupidity of the people who surrounded him, he turned a corner and found himself standing at the central square of Delta. He was not sure why they called it a square โ it seemed very obviously a circle to him โ but that did not particularly matter, in the end. These were simply stray thoughts, not pertaining to the matter at hand. He pushed through them and stared walking again, striding out through the nearly nonexistent crowd, crossing the โsquareโ to enter the Lost Cause Tavern at the far end.
The Lost Cause was a different story entirely from the impossibly quiet streets of Delta. In the wake of the recent killings which had plagued the city, the people of Delta craved company, if only for the sake of being in a public place where they could not be knocked off without anybody seeing. From wall to wall the Inn was packed with people who drank and sang and laughed with the nervous desire to appear normal. Why the Council and the Conclave had chosen to have him come here, he did not know. They were intelligent people. Surely they realized just how packed the place would be.
No matter. What was done, was done.
Valence wove his way in amongst the people, seeking a gap at the back which would allow him to slip up the stairs to the private meeting rooms available only upon appointment. He had been assured by his messenger that he had an appointment. Pity the messenger if he was wrong.
He escaped the suffocating city crowd without much hindrance โ few dared stop a mage with a face of purpose โ and slipped up the stairs, down the hall, to the only open door. Beyond he found what he had least expected.
The Conclave had promised him that a representative from the Clerical Council would be waiting for him, and for the other adventurers who had been summoned to join together and save the city of Delta. He had never once suspected this representative would be a child. This cleric could be nothing else, with a delicate face and large, innocent eyes atop a body no larger than that of a ten-year-old girl. Were she not garbed in the white of a full-fledged cleric, a rank no child could reach, he would have been certain of it. But she did wear the robes, and there was no way she could be so youngโฆ
She looked up as he entered and stopped in the doorway, but she did not seem concerned by his abrupt pause. Rather, she came to her feet and swept across the floor to bow to him, one hand on her heart in the prayer of Zerval.
โWelcome,โ she whispered, and Valence could not help but marvel at how happy she sounded to see him. โMy name is Everen. You must be the mage, Valence Damacus?โ
He could only numbly nod.
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Jonnovan
It was almost overwhelming how wasteful the mortal races could be when it came to things such as holy ground, or beacons of progress. The ranger, one accustomed to surviving on meager rations and minimal shelter, was thrown off by the sheer amount of silver, gold and jewelry put into building the city of Delta. And that was only the streets. Jonnovan scowled as he peered at the buildings. If the ruling council or whomever ran the city sold even half of this expensive swaddle, the city coffers would be near to bursting. Then they could replace the structures with, say, steel and concrete? Any sort of material that did not require near-daily maintenance or expensive magics to maintain would be great, really-
"Stop it, Jo." the dusky-skinned traveler smiled to himself as he made his way through the thoroughfare of Delta. Despite abandoning his family trade of mercantile dealings, some of the instincts for hunting down a good economic gain still remained. Jonnovan shrugged to himself. At least he never got ripped off when stopping for supplies.
Returning his thoughts to the outside world, Jonnovan noted the marked lack of citizenry. Whatever the details of this job were, it was clear that the city itself was shaken by the ordeal. Even the local square was almost completely devoid of people. Feeling rather peckish, the ranger adjusted the bow on his back, stood straight and brandished a warm smile before he approached on of the few merchants that were still selling during this time of trial. Jonnovan knew why: the fruit seller could not afford to stop selling, even for a day. Probably indebted to one of the higher echelons of trade in the city.
"Hail, good sir!" the merchant immediately arose from his morose stooping and stared at the approaching southerner with wide eyes. The poor fellow obviously had not been expecting anyone to come by today, much less choose to shop at his shoddy little stand instead of one of the interior stores.
"Y-Yes, hail...lord." Jonnovan maintained his smile as the merchant took him in. Dressed in combat leathers and buckles abounding, a heavy bow slung across his back and a large knife on hip, Jonnovan looked like he should be guarding some backwater castle in the plains instead of eyeing apples in the Shining City. "Is there...anything in particular I could help you with?"
Jonnovan scanned the red and yellow fruits with a trained eye. In his clan, the first skill children were taught in the real world was which foods were good, and which were 'blending'. Merchants often found themselves with a unit or two of inferior goods out of a batch of twenty, and were forced to distribute the lower quality items among the good ones to make the impact less noticeable. With deft hands, smile never wavering, Jo picked up five apples. Three of them were obviously bruised and had been hiding at the bottom of the bin. The merchant smiled sheepishly as Jo held them up for him to see. "I'd like these."
"T-That, you don't-" ignoring the stammers of protest, Jonnovan produced twenty silver pieces from the coin purse at his waist and pressed them into the calloused hand of the seller. The merchant gaped at the sum, grossly overpaid considering the apples were two copper a pound. Before he could say something though, the odd soldier had somehow cleared half of the square and was well out of normal talking distance.
Now this is more my speed. Jo grinned stupidly as he stepped through the doorway and into the Lost Cause. It seemed that even in these bright paragons of civilization, dank ruffians could find a place to call home. Or at the very least a drink that could have passed for ogre piss. Jo inhaled deeply, taking in the sour smell of stale ale, dried blood, unwashed bodies and, of course, vomit.
After only one large bite out of one of his apples--he'd left the bruised ones in the refuse bin outside--Jo overheard a snippet of conversation nearby. A man who looked like he belonged in a child's tale as a goofy villain, and a young maiden that was wearing some sort of clergy uniform were making formal introductions. Jonnovan could have sworn he heard the girl call herself Ereven.
"Shcuse me," he said, trying not to spit out bits of apple as he addressed the pair, "But did you shay your name wash Ereven?" Jo swallowed, placed a hand on his hip and eyed the girl curiously. "You're not really a cleric...right? I thought clerics gained their position through years of study and stuff..." Jo took another bite of the apple and his eyes lighted up as if suddenly recalling something important.
"Oh! I'm Jonnovan Cherali, tha misshiv shaid I'b s'posed to meet up with a cleric and some other hirees here..." he glanced at Valence, screwing up his face, a looking quite the fool with cheeks stuffed full of fruit, "Aint'choo a magsh? What kind of robe wearer ushes shwords?"
As an afterthought, Jo offered Everen the last of his unblemished fruit. "Apple?"
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Freah
"That son of a whore I swear when I find him I'll... I'll" Freah murmured under her breath as she traveled down the streets of Delta "It's always too damned bright.. and clean here" she thought aloud. She once again found her self in this overly beautiful city in her opinion she always felt so out of place here. But the clients paid good, so once again Freah was crawling back. Her last one had coned her out and she had wasted time and gold trekking around with him. As soon as they turned the bandits in Lawler took the money and ran. Freah was left with nothing but a hundred gold in her pouch not much, especially when your low on supplies after spending almost a month searching for bandits. She had heard through acquaintances that there was a cleric in Delta looking to put together a party of travelers. Nothing specific was know but Freah figured it couldn't hurt to take a shot.
As she came up to the Lost Cause she felt as though she had come to the port in the storm. A place where she could actually relax and not feel as though everyone's eyes were on her. She would blend in to the thieves and drunks, Freah pushed her way to the bar between a man who was staring into his pint and pair of men that were singing old war songs. As the pair to her left decided to crack their skulls together as a show of they're strength; she ordered her own pint and made her way to a table next to the fireplace. She watched over her pint of ale as a Mage headed upstairs who was then followed by someone who appeared to be a ranger like herself. "Hmm... I think I'm going to check this out", maybe this is who she had heard about.
Freah crept up the stairs behind the other ranger hoping not to alert anyone to her presence.
Shcuse me," he said, "But did you shay your name wash Ereven?" he, placed a hand on his hip and eyed the girl curiously. "You're not really a cleric...right? I thought clerics gained their position through years of study and stuff..." he took another bite of the apple and his eyes lighted up as if suddenly recalling something important.
"Oh! I'm Jonnovan Cherali, tha misshiv shaid I'b s'posed to meet up with a cleric and some other hirees here..." he glanced at the Mage, screwing up his face, a looking quite the fool with cheeks stuffed full of fruit, "Aint'choo a magsh? What kind of robe wearer ushes shwords?"
As an afterthought, Jo offered Everen the last of his unblemished fruit. "Apple?"
"That fool is Ranger, Zerval help us all if she expects to get anywhere with him" she thought to herself. The man who called himself Jonnovan had practically spit bits of apple on the young Cleric. She thought for a moment about going in but then again she wasn't really invited, she decided to keep her spot just outside the door. Listening to see if the conversation turned to anything important like gold or treasure all things Freah was in need of. She was good about living by her means but even the best survivalist needed gold.
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Cazik Norven
Departing from the bounty collections office, Cazik opened the letter that had been waiting for him while he walked. Reading over it, it appeared that an organization known as the Conclave of Magus wished to solicit his service in the matter of dealing with a killer who was giving Delta a lot to worry about lately. The Conclave, if memory served they were some sort of order or guild of mages, probably very important people. Well, Cazik was a relative newcomer to the area so he didn't really know, and he wasn't particularly well informed when it came to magic either. But on thinking about the killer, Cazik did realize the city seemed unusually empty, he had not paid particular notice to this until now since he was not a regular of the city. The people must be very afraid of this killer. Glancing at the letter a final time before tucking it away in the satchel he wore across his back, it seemed he was to attend a meeting a private room in a local tavern known as The Lost Cause. An inspiring name to be sure. According to the letter, he had a week before the meeting was to take place. That would give him time to rest up and prepare.
Not wanting to waste time, Cazik decided to go ahead and gather the things he would need. He headed over to a general store, hoping to buy a water skin and a first aid kit for use later. As he walked down an alley toward the shop, two thugs stepped out of a doorway, twin predatory grins on their features. A smile came to his face. "Fomus and Renan, how fortuitous that we should meet here." They seemed rather puzzled that he should know their names, but they laughed dangerously and advanced on him.
"Times are tough buddy, we're gonna require your valuables now." Cazik saw a merchant begin to walk down the alley, the merchant saw the confrontation, but seemed unsure what to do.
Cazik realized it had begun to get dark, and with the streets and alleys nearly empty he should have expected trouble like this. Looking around he said, "Well I suppose it is about that time, should have expected this." The two men were both a head taller than Cazik and had him by at least forty pounds. The merchant at the end of the alley decided to jump in to help the smaller man who looked to be in trouble and ran at the thugs.
The men turned slightly to look at the merchant and quickly deemed him a non-threat. However in the time they were turned, Cazik made his preemptive strike. Normally he wasn't one for starting fights, just ending them. The reason he was making an exception this time was he knew the two men from wanted posters pinned up in the bounty office. Five gold apiece for robbery. Not enough to justify searching them out, but if they were just going to present themselves like this...it was a short walk back to the bounty office.
As the men turned back towards him, Cazik unleashed a psionically enhanced punch straight into the solar plexus of the one on the right, actually sending him soaring through the air and tumbling down the alley. The other man stood dumbstruck at the disproportionately strong attack coming from the smaller man, giving Cazik all the time he needed to land a front snap kick to his chin, knocking him out cold. He hadn't needed any psionic power for that one. Still, he stood breathing deep, controlled breathes through his nose. Psionic attacks were not without cost. The merchant made it to him just as the last man fell to the ground. After assuring the merchant all was well, he recognized him as the merchant he bought supplies from. In tribute to the man's courage in at least trying to help him, Cazik took him along to the bounty office and let him claim the reward. The merchant was much obliged by this and insisted on giving Cazik the gear he requested, as well as some knife-care equipment and a coil of rope he had not thought to ask for. As he returned to a tavern he lodged in he counted the day a success. He still had the bounty of 75 gold from the capture of Meristi, and he had the gear he would need for work in the future.
When the appointed day arrived, he made his way to The Lost Cause. Collecting his belongings, and a new set of clothes similar to what he already had, purchased with a small amount of bounty money. He had deposited most of the money he had collected but for ten gold pieces with his banker in the city, a friend he had made early on in his time as a bounty hunter. One thing he had picked up on quickly after arriving in the city was the way investing money in a bank was a good way to increase his means. Making money by having money. He made his way into into the bar, nimbly weaving amongst the patrons until he found his way up the stairs and into the private room. As he walked up the stairs he saw a human woman loitering outside the room he was to meet in. He looked skeptically at her and pushed the door open. "Might I suggest listening from inside the room?" Seizing her up, she looked like a tough customer. That said, he didn't recognize her from the bounty office, and he kept a book of bounties just to keep track of them.
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Valence and Everen
For one short moment, Valence wasโฆ mind-boggledโฆ staring at the tiny cleric girl in consternation. Was it possible to look so much like a child and still be full-grown. He looked her over again, searching for any sign that she was, in fact, an adult. And the signed were there, if difficult to see. The swell of her breasts, though they were small enough to fit her childish form โ the gentle curve of her hips, the way she held herself. All if it pointed to a woman of at least seventeen years.
She looked, perhaps, twelve. In the back of his mind, Valence began to wonder if the cleric had some kinderling blood, but he was lucky. His was a mind that could process many things at once. Perhaps too many things.
โI am Valence,โ he agreed quietly with her greeting, giving her a slight bow. Everen seemed to skip with excitement.
โOh, this is so exciting!โ she cried, pressing her hands together before her and staring into the darkness of his black hood, enthralled. โIโve never met a black mage before. Can you really summon demons?โ
โI-โ Valence started, but thankfully, they were interrupted.
Or perhaps not so thankfullyโฆ
"Shcuse me," he said, trying not to spit out bits of apple as he addressed the pair, "But did you shay your name wash Ereven?" Jo swallowed, placed a hand on his hip and eyed the girl curiously. "You're not really a cleric...right? I thought clerics gained their position through years of study and stuff..." Jo took another bite of the apple and his eyes lighted up as if suddenly recalling something important.
Everen looked at Jonnovan through wide, innocent eyes, not seeming to understand the warriorโs confusion.
โI am a cleric,โ she answered him. โI earned my robes almost a year ago now.โ
Valence stared at the warrior with immense distaste, bordering, perhaps, on loathing. It was creatures like this, so simple-minded, two-dimensional thinkers, that had driven him away from the swordwork of his upbringing and encouraged him to follow his talent in magic. He had not wanted his brains being beat out through his ears โ he rather liked them to stay inside of his skull. It was too bad this manโs had already, apparently, been beaten.
"Oh! I'm Jonnovan Cherali, tha misshiv shaid I'b s'posed to meet up with a cleric and some other hirees here..."
Everen seemed to feel differently about the big, friendly, (stupid), warrior. She smiled up at him and bowed to him as she had bowed to Valence, giving him the blessing of Zerval.
โIt is nice to meet you, Jonnovan,โ she told him in her sweet, childish, accepting voice. โMy name is Everen, yes.โ
But the warrior had already rushed on.
He glanced at Valence, screwing up his face, a looking quite the fool with cheeks stuffed full of fruit, "Aint'choo a magsh? What kind of robe wearer ushes shwords?"
Valence gave a small, tired sigh. Yes. Simple-minded. Very simple-minded. He simply gave the warrior a dark look and did not bother responding. He was very good with people, and generally quite friendly.
But only as long as those people did not make themselves look like idiots in front of him.
As an afterthought, Jo offered Everen the last of his unblemished fruit. "Apple?"
Everen gave a pleasant little laugh, as though the offer had surprised her.
โThank you,โ she answered brightly. โBut, no, I have a mission to complete! The Clerical Council will not be pleased if I become distracted.โ
Valence, in the meantime, had turned from the disgusting sight of the warrior to stare at the door.
โWe are not alone,โ he observed quietly. Everen looked up eagerly, wondering who might be coming through the door to join their already mismatched party and help her save Delta.
For one short moment, Valence wasโฆ mind-boggledโฆ staring at the tiny cleric girl in consternation. Was it possible to look so much like a child and still be full-grown. He looked her over again, searching for any sign that she was, in fact, an adult. And the signed were there, if difficult to see. The swell of her breasts, though they were small enough to fit her childish form โ the gentle curve of her hips, the way she held herself. All if it pointed to a woman of at least seventeen years.
She looked, perhaps, twelve. In the back of his mind, Valence began to wonder if the cleric had some kinderling blood, but he was lucky. His was a mind that could process many things at once. Perhaps too many things.
โI am Valence,โ he agreed quietly with her greeting, giving her a slight bow. Everen seemed to skip with excitement.
โOh, this is so exciting!โ she cried, pressing her hands together before her and staring into the darkness of his black hood, enthralled. โIโve never met a black mage before. Can you really summon demons?โ
โI-โ Valence started, but thankfully, they were interrupted.
Or perhaps not so thankfullyโฆ
"Shcuse me," he said, trying not to spit out bits of apple as he addressed the pair, "But did you shay your name wash Ereven?" Jo swallowed, placed a hand on his hip and eyed the girl curiously. "You're not really a cleric...right? I thought clerics gained their position through years of study and stuff..." Jo took another bite of the apple and his eyes lighted up as if suddenly recalling something important.
Everen looked at Jonnovan through wide, innocent eyes, not seeming to understand the warriorโs confusion.
โI am a cleric,โ she answered him. โI earned my robes almost a year ago now.โ
Valence stared at the warrior with immense distaste, bordering, perhaps, on loathing. It was creatures like this, so simple-minded, two-dimensional thinkers, that had driven him away from the swordwork of his upbringing and encouraged him to follow his talent in magic. He had not wanted his brains being beat out through his ears โ he rather liked them to stay inside of his skull. It was too bad this manโs had already, apparently, been beaten.
"Oh! I'm Jonnovan Cherali, tha misshiv shaid I'b s'posed to meet up with a cleric and some other hirees here..."
Everen seemed to feel differently about the big, friendly, (stupid), warrior. She smiled up at him and bowed to him as she had bowed to Valence, giving him the blessing of Zerval.
โIt is nice to meet you, Jonnovan,โ she told him in her sweet, childish, accepting voice. โMy name is Everen, yes.โ
But the warrior had already rushed on.
He glanced at Valence, screwing up his face, a looking quite the fool with cheeks stuffed full of fruit, "Aint'choo a magsh? What kind of robe wearer ushes shwords?"
Valence gave a small, tired sigh. Yes. Simple-minded. Very simple-minded. He simply gave the warrior a dark look and did not bother responding. He was very good with people, and generally quite friendly.
But only as long as those people did not make themselves look like idiots in front of him.
As an afterthought, Jo offered Everen the last of his unblemished fruit. "Apple?"
Everen gave a pleasant little laugh, as though the offer had surprised her.
โThank you,โ she answered brightly. โBut, no, I have a mission to complete! The Clerical Council will not be pleased if I become distracted.โ
Valence, in the meantime, had turned from the disgusting sight of the warrior to stare at the door.
โWe are not alone,โ he observed quietly. Everen looked up eagerly, wondering who might be coming through the door to join their already mismatched party and help her save Delta.
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Freah
Freah looked up at the monk that was coming up she was just leaning against the wall so she didn't expect him to acknowledge her but he did.
"Might I suggest listening from inside the room?"
"So are you inviting me in, if you are I'll gladly take you up on that offer. It'd be much easier" she said. Following the monk felt odd to Freah she had seen them in passing before but never this close. As she entered the room she finally got a good look at the mage that had gone in before the simple minded ranger. He looked like one would expect a mage to look.
The Cleric looked young but not necessarily as young as the other men where thinking her to be. Maybe it was because Freah was a woman as well and she could see the subtleties that showed the young woman's true age. "I am Freah Lioncourt I heard tell of a Cleric in need of a party to help subdue a foe. I would like to offer my services, I am very good at what I do and I have found everyone I have ever set out to find", she said with a slight bow.
Freah always tried her best to be courteous to potential clients, not that she was rude to anyone in general. This was the way she always put herself out there to a client, she always kept her mouth shut unless something to do with catching whomever they were searching for. But then again Freah had always had clients that rich men who didn't like the thought of getting they're hands dirty. They definitely didn't like the fact that they had to rely on a woman to find the person they're looking for either.
As she got a closer look at the other ranger she cold tell where he hailed from, what deity he followed and that he had been foolish in his youth. It seemed to Freah that it hadn't changed much. She had never seen him before which meant that they had never tried for the same job before now. Now the cleric was young and Freah figured it was her first "real" assignment from the church, the young woman couldn't been much older then eighteen. Everen was alight with that young naivety that new clerics all possessed that is up til they got out into the real world. There plenty of corrupt clerics out there, the pristine robes tainted by the atrocities that the world had brought upon themselves. Freah had been raised with religion in her home but her parents never followed what they tried to teach they're children. In fact her parents were one of the worse examples for anything religious, so Freah had grown to make her own thoughts on religion. Yes she believed that there was something greater than herself that had seen fit to put her on this world, but other than that well she wasn't really sure. She always felt that having a means to survive were a little more important.
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Terrah Roth
Terrah was late to the meeting, which was no surprise to her. It wasn't her fault that the guards held her up, or that the child had an interesting stone that he refused to sell for less than thirty pieces. It took ages for Terrah to find a merchant who'd buy some of her old books, and even longer to convince him to give her thirty pieces. Then there was the flower girl, who smelled better than her flowers, which were great by their own virtue; Terrah just had to know how she did it. Upon asking for the time, Terrah went pale, followed by a sprint that she'd likely never top again.
The streets scarce of people blurred by and Terrah whizzed around corners into the central square. Across the square was the tavern she'd been directed to, and she flew across the square to it. She slowed just long enough to confirm that she had the correct tavern, and then burst in. In contrast to the deserted streets, the Lost Cause Tavern was filled to the brim with pedestrians who didn't want to be out where they could be caught alone in some alley. Ironically, starting a fire in here would kill half as they tried to funnel out the small door and everyone was so busy that no one would notice.
Terrah brushed the thought from her mind, but didn't forget to locate all the windows in case something did happen. Her mind ran a hundred miles an hour, and by the time she located the stairs to the meeting rooms, she'd forgot how full the building was and tried to sprint through the people in her way. Needless to say, she slammed into a wall of a man with a beard that could make even the most foreign hermits jealous.
"-nwhat'shyer probl'm mish? Gotsh 'omewhere yah gots ta be?" Terrah wasn't often rendered a child in comparison to men, but when he stood, everyone in the tavern was.
"I, uhh, do actually. With the council actually!" She swallowed as his eyes narrowed. "But you probably don't care about that. Or me. I mean, I'm like a bug to you, you could squash me if you wanted."
"That'sh a good idea, mish."
"Oh no no no it's not. You squish me and the whole tavern sees, sees you kill me. You don't wanna be a killer right? Especially when a killer's what everyone's lookin' for?"
"Don't be tellin' me-" Terrah lost him. She saw a gap in the patrons big enough for her to slip in and she did. The giant of a man lost her in the crowd and, too drunk and too lazy to make any effort of chasing her, went back to drinking.
Terrah sighed with relief when she looked back to see if he was following, and yelped in pain and surprise when her foot caught the bottom stair and tripped her. Catching a stairway with her face was the last thing she thought would be preceding her meeting with the representative from the council, but she smiled and told her self to enjoy life's little surprises. Wiping her nose of the small amount of blood that dripped from it, she climbed the stairs.
Topping them, found the room she was directed to, and opened the door and went in.
"Agh so sorry I'm-" Terrah interrupted herself by tripping in her haste, but caught herself before she fell again and continued, "I'm sorry I'm so late, I...uh...distraction..."
The room was quiet and Terrah felt all eyes on her. Only now did she take in her surroundings and see who had gathered. To her immediate left was a stoic looking monk with a shaved head who stood several inches above herself. Terrah'd seen monks before, but rarely and she'd never spoken to one. Already this adventure was getting fun. To his left, a tall, tanned ranger with enough battle scars to match Terrah's from her youth. Unlike her, he wore them with pride. He was easily the eldest, but not by too much. Guessing other's ages at a glance was something Terrah was good at. To the ranger's left and directly across from Terrah stood a man who fit her idea of a young black mage. He had sharp features and chilling eyes. Terrah met his gaze defiantly, because she felt if she didn't he would somehow dominate her. To the mage's left was a cleric, although at first glance he mistook her for someone's child. She almost passed over her but stopped when the thought occurred that no adventurer would bring their kid to a meeting to discuss a bounty, and therefor had to be a member.
Looking at her with renewed interest, she realized she was not just a member, but as the only cleric, she must have been the council's representative. She was so young, but then again, they all were. At last Terrah's eyes fell to the girl to her right, bringing her gaze full circle. This girl looked similar in age to Terrah, and her equipment gave her away as a ranger. She was significantly shorter than Terrah, but size didn't matter when you could fill your attacker with arrows before he even got close. With a barely audible sigh of relief, Terrah, for once, was the most womanly woman in the group.
She realized that the room was still quiet and remembered that she forgot to introduce herself.
"Terrah. Uh..I am. I was told to come here? To help investigate the murders? Uh, I'm pretty handy with a sword, I guess, if that matters. So...hi." She waved excitedly and smiled like a kid. Hopefully everyone would liven up in a bit, as she'd hate to have no one to talk to.
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Valence and everen
The number of people packed into the little back room at the Lost Cause was increasing much too quickly for Valence's tastes. A solitary creature in nature, he had never enjoyed large crowds, and to him this group counted as large. He had, for as long as he could remember, preferred to travel alone. Shaking out his long, dark hair, Valence sank back a step away from the others, finding solace nearer to the wall, and to the windows. Perhaps they were a little too far up for a warrior to jump without hurting themselves, but magic had its advantages. Many of them.
A mirror opposite to the dark robed mage, Everen's childish smile only grew brighter as each person came through. She bounced lightly on her toes, staring around, waiting for the people to settle down before she greeted them with yet another dainty bow.
"Welcome," she called to them in a chiming tone, gazing into each of their eyes through large, trusting violet orbs. Valence scoffed quietly under his breath. What sort of creature could trust that easily? It was all too clear to him that she had never before left the streets of Delta, or likely the cathedral's sheltered walls. Someone who did not understand the ways of the world could only be a hindrance to them, experienced warriors that they were. They had been summoned to combat a silent, invisible killer, a creature that no one had yet spotted and survived. How could they take the murderer down if she was getting in the way? "My name is Everen Skygrace. The Council has sent me to oversee you in this mission."
"Oversee us?" Valence asked coolly, one sharp eyebrow pitching up over his spiteful blue eyes. Clueless as ever, Everen turned her sweet little smile on him.
"Yes," she agreed. "I am to heal you, and ensure that everyone comes out of this battle alive."
"Except the killer," Valence suggested wryly, and Everen's eyes widened.
"Oh, no," she gasped. "He is to survive as well!"
Valence stared at Everen for one very long moment, and then with a flick of his dark hair turned his back on her, staring through the window of the Lost Cause, out onto the streets of Delta. Everen gave him a confused look and turned back to the others.
"My father says that the killer is a man of magical means," she told them quietly, glancing over at Valence in concern. Not because he, too, was a man of magical means, but because she had clearly upset him, and that bothered her. Much more than it should have, he thought. "He, or she I suppose, entered the rooms of those who have died without ever opening a door or window, and left no traces behind. Father says that it is likely the killer is not in the city, but based somewhere outside, and capable of travelling instantly. We are offering a down payment of one hundred silver pieces each, and another one hundred and fifty when the killer is brought to justice."
"Do you have the slightest idea what is involved in bringing down a rogue mage?" Valence asked in a tone caught somewhere between curious and disdainful, turning to look at her again.
"I have never met one before," Everen answered. "How would I?"
Silent in his exasperation, Valence cast his gaze across the others. Two rangers, a monk, and a warrior. They looked experienced... but how could warriors who knew nothing of magic fight one of his kind and survive? Especially that big ranger... Jon, had he called himself? That man had a brain the size of a Valence's eye.
The number of people packed into the little back room at the Lost Cause was increasing much too quickly for Valence's tastes. A solitary creature in nature, he had never enjoyed large crowds, and to him this group counted as large. He had, for as long as he could remember, preferred to travel alone. Shaking out his long, dark hair, Valence sank back a step away from the others, finding solace nearer to the wall, and to the windows. Perhaps they were a little too far up for a warrior to jump without hurting themselves, but magic had its advantages. Many of them.
A mirror opposite to the dark robed mage, Everen's childish smile only grew brighter as each person came through. She bounced lightly on her toes, staring around, waiting for the people to settle down before she greeted them with yet another dainty bow.
"Welcome," she called to them in a chiming tone, gazing into each of their eyes through large, trusting violet orbs. Valence scoffed quietly under his breath. What sort of creature could trust that easily? It was all too clear to him that she had never before left the streets of Delta, or likely the cathedral's sheltered walls. Someone who did not understand the ways of the world could only be a hindrance to them, experienced warriors that they were. They had been summoned to combat a silent, invisible killer, a creature that no one had yet spotted and survived. How could they take the murderer down if she was getting in the way? "My name is Everen Skygrace. The Council has sent me to oversee you in this mission."
"Oversee us?" Valence asked coolly, one sharp eyebrow pitching up over his spiteful blue eyes. Clueless as ever, Everen turned her sweet little smile on him.
"Yes," she agreed. "I am to heal you, and ensure that everyone comes out of this battle alive."
"Except the killer," Valence suggested wryly, and Everen's eyes widened.
"Oh, no," she gasped. "He is to survive as well!"
Valence stared at Everen for one very long moment, and then with a flick of his dark hair turned his back on her, staring through the window of the Lost Cause, out onto the streets of Delta. Everen gave him a confused look and turned back to the others.
"My father says that the killer is a man of magical means," she told them quietly, glancing over at Valence in concern. Not because he, too, was a man of magical means, but because she had clearly upset him, and that bothered her. Much more than it should have, he thought. "He, or she I suppose, entered the rooms of those who have died without ever opening a door or window, and left no traces behind. Father says that it is likely the killer is not in the city, but based somewhere outside, and capable of travelling instantly. We are offering a down payment of one hundred silver pieces each, and another one hundred and fifty when the killer is brought to justice."
"Do you have the slightest idea what is involved in bringing down a rogue mage?" Valence asked in a tone caught somewhere between curious and disdainful, turning to look at her again.
"I have never met one before," Everen answered. "How would I?"
Silent in his exasperation, Valence cast his gaze across the others. Two rangers, a monk, and a warrior. They looked experienced... but how could warriors who knew nothing of magic fight one of his kind and survive? Especially that big ranger... Jon, had he called himself? That man had a brain the size of a Valence's eye.
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Cazik Norven
As he looked at the girl, she responded saying, "So are you inviting me in, if you are I'll gladly take you up on that offer. It'd be much easier" What a strange way of putting it, he supposed that meant she hadn't been originally invited after all. And it wasn't like his word carried much weight here. Oh well, not like he cared too much any way. She introduced herself as Freah and it sounded as though she was a capable tracker, someone who would come in use when hunting a killer. Cazik took a position against the wall by the door and glanced at the people in the room.
There was a ranger who seemed entirely too friendly, amicable, and a little absent-minded for someone as grizzled as he. Then there were the two others, the rare battle mage and a cleric. They seemed as opposite as any two people could be. The black-clad mage was a well-built man, and while there were few outward signs of him being a bad person, Cazik was unable to shake a sense of foreboding looking at him, he just seemed...cold somehow. On the other hand the cleric, a girl who looked younger than Cazik himself was dressed in white and green, and looked to be of an order that worshiped Zerval. She positively radiated happiness and friendliness. Her youth was a bit of a surprise, though Cazik was well aware that skill and age were not necessarily correlated. Still, something about her demeanor, was she too friendly? Cazik decided he would just need to watch his own back, at least until he got a better idea of who he was working with.
He was about to introduce himself when another woman stumbled out of breathe into the room. She said her name was Terrah and apparently she was a warrior. She seemed by turns embarrassed and sincere. But Cazik was not about to let his guard down in a room where everybody was for hire.
Before he could introduce himself, the cleric, Everen was her name, got into a discussion with the battle mage, revealing their differences were more than just skin deep. She then detailed the task they were given as well as the reward. When she finished, Cazik wondered first how he would go about apprehending a rogue mage. Then he wondered if the reward would actually be worth the considerable effort and danger involved.
Taking the initiative when Everen finished talking he said, "My name is Cazik Norven, and I will help you apprehend this killer. That said, do you have any other information that could be of use to us?"
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Jonnovan
The girl was friendly enough, if a bit dim, Jonnovan thought, but the spindly fellow in the robes was off. Jonnovan was under the impression that the mage did not like him. With a smirk and a wave, he dismissed the thought. That man had no reason to dislike Jo! Stiffly, Jonnovan returned the little cleric's bow and nodded in ascent. Apples were quite distracting. Especially the good ones.
When the mage stated that they had company, Jo turned to see a new couple enter the scene. An odd couple at that. The first, he recognized as a follower of some sort of monastic tradition. Those folks were the only ones odd enough to cut off each and every hair they could find, and they always had this still air about them. Looking over the second, Jo was not sure what to make of her. A tracker? A woodsman maybe? She had a bow, but exuded something that screamed mother earth. Whereas Jonnovan was all leather, steel and buckles, Freah was green, aloof and woodsy. Two sides of the same coin, he mused.
Outside of the room a commotion could be heard. Deep voices, loud grunts and the scuff of boots on wood. Jonnovan's hand hovered over his kukri and stayed there for a long while until the next comer entered. This one was...pleasant. By that, Jonnovan was smitten. Leather, steel and buckles. Jo had always had a thing for women that could hold their own in a fight, and liked it even more when they had proof. Judging by her scars and the hand and a half sword she wore, there was no doubt this one was a warrior. "Uh..." Jonnovan struggled to find his words, swallowing the now tasteless bite of apple as he stared into Terrah's striking crystal eyes. Now that was beautiful. Finally regaining his proverbial footing, Jo smiled and was about to greet the newest arrivals when the cleric--Everen, he remembered, spoke again.
She and Valence were having a bit of very brief interlude. Three to five words per answer. Apparently the mission was not as simple as he had initially assumed. Jonnovan furrowed his brow in consternation, wondering why on earth anyone would want to spare a killer. Then the reward...silver? For a murderer? Even if it amounted to a couple gold, it was still unheard of to have a serial killer's bounty amount to...well, not much. At least twenty gold was the accepted minimum for a bounty-worthy murderer. Given this was the Shining City, the situation seemed increasingly suspicious. Shaking away his doubts, Jo indicated the other three with a wave of his hand and a cordial smile.
"Hey there. Jonnovan Cerali, ranger and soldier of fortune." he clasped Cazik's hand without preamble, nodding in respect. He had no doubt that the monk could leave at least two of those present in crumpled heaps on the ground before the others knew that they were in danger, without even drawing his weapons. Pugilists were wily like that. Turning to Freah, Jo inclined his head slightly. "Always nice to meet someone who knows how to use a bow. At least, I hope you do...where did you learn archery? I studied a broad...or two."
Flashing a wolf-fanged grin, Jo allowed the lewd jest to set in for a second as he turned to face the last to arrive. "Lady Terrah," he bowed deeply. In his years as a sword for hire, too many times Jo had been addressed as Lord or Sir Cerali for no other reason that grating, archaic mannerisms. As a fellow sellsword, he hoped that Terrah would appreciate the irony. Rising from his bow, Jo struck an akimbo and smirked. "You strike me as a troublemaker...strange, for someone that doesn't look all that big and scary."
Upon hearing the bit about encountering magi, Jo turned on his heel and fixed the darkly-cast wizard with an appraising gaze. "I've met a mage. I've killed three. They're mortal, as far as I can tell."
There was no malice or threat in his voice, simply fact. Not wanting to diminish his personal feats, Jonnovan purposefully neglected to mention that two of them had died with an arrow or knife planted in their back. The third was a different matter entirely. Facing a mage in a fair fight was easily one of the hardest moments of his life, one that he barely managed to struggle through. He rather liked the dour mage, and did not want him thinking less of Jo. After a second or two Jo resumed his cheery air and nodded to Ereven.
"So, little cleric. Where to first? While I'd rather not accept a job that requires the watchful eye of the god-touched, I'm strapped for cash. Let's get going, yeah?"
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Freah
When Jonavan started to introduce himself to her Freah finally got a good look into his eyes, Ah he plays a fool but those eyes are that of a man who knows precisely what he's doing she thought.
"Always nice to meet someone who knows how to use a bow. At least, I hope you do...where did you learn archery? I studied a broad...or two."
She smirked at the joke, "Flattery will get you nowhere, but forest is my teacher and the need for food in my belly the lesson. Sometimes it is that the need for food that makes for the best teacher" she said. She could tell that Jonavan enjoyed the company of women and tried his best to get it when ever he could, but such is they thought and ways of many a man that live. When he turned to the new comer and started in on her Freah could only shake her head, "You try to hard Jonovan" she said.
"I've met a mage. I've killed three. They're mortal, as far as I can tell."
"Yes but a mage is something hard to go up against without a way to keep him from speaking a spell. It's best to stab them in the back and get it over with especially if they have the reputation of murdering people." she said Freah had never been afraid to kill someone by shady means, especially if that person could kill you with a word.
When Jonovan joked about needing cash Freah laughed, "I agree and I believe we are all here because we need gold in our pocket. Now where was the last know whereabouts of the mage. There might be a clue as to where he went or maybe who his next victim will be" she said as she stood next to Jonovan. She had never been the type to dance around anything by trying to be humorous. She didn't see the point especially when peoples lives were at stake.
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Valence and Everen
Everen shifted uncomfortably when the topic of killing mages came up, glancing around the dark-robed Everen. The man watched Jonnovan through unfathomable eyes, impossible to understand...
But his face was smiling.
"You must be quite the warrior, to have killed so many of my kind," he murmured, gazing steadily at Jon through ice-blue eyes. "It takes strength to take lives."
He turned to Everen, not taking the time to wait for a response from the big ranger. His eyes shimmered brilliantly. She gave her head a tiny little shake, and turned her attention to Freah's question.
"We can not be sure that it was a mage," Everen told the group at large. "We only know for sure that it was a magic user. But we do know where it went."
"How?" Valence asked, even before the girl had the chance to tell them where. For some reason, he seemed to think that how they had found the man - or woman - was more important.
Everen's little brow furrowed in confusion, but she answered him. "We did not find him ourselves. Your Conclave said that they followed a trail of magic to the southwest, towards Eagleview and the mountains. They could not follow it all the way..."
"Why?" Valence murmured, pressing the young cleric further. Everen hesitated, staring at him. He looked too fiercely interested... why would he be interested in why they had not been able to follow? Did it matter?
"I do not know," she murmured. "They did not tell my Master and I am not high enough in rank to ask."
Valence blinked slowly and seemed to sink back a step, as though in his intensity he had advanced on the girl. Now, without a word, he turned again and gazed out the window of the Lost Cause, his eyes thoughtful.
"A magical trail," he whispered. "Planear magic would leave the most distinct path. Or perhaps necromancy... but necromancy would do little to help a wizard appear in a room without moving a window or a door."
He bit his lip, absorbed in his thoughts.
"There are not many planear mages in the Eagleview area," he whispered. "But if he traveled past Eagleview, and went into the mountains, he will likely be hidden amongst his own kind. We will need to find a way to identify him."
"I'm sorry," Everen whispered. "I have nothing."
Valence waved his hand almost irritably and looked around at the group.
"We had best start traveling now," he told them. "If we wish to follow this trail of magic even as far as the Conclave followed it, we need to hurry. Most trails will fade in a matter of days and we can not afford to wait until he kills again and leaves another trail for us."
"I agree," Everen whispered, then gave them all a childishly sweet smile. "Thank you all so much for agreeing to help the Council."
"If i had done it to help your Council, I would not be wearing black robes," Valence answered her frigidly, and then he brushed past the gathering of warriors around him and out the door, heading back into the crowds of the Lost Cause, and to the near-abandoned streets beyond them.
Everen shifted uncomfortably when the topic of killing mages came up, glancing around the dark-robed Everen. The man watched Jonnovan through unfathomable eyes, impossible to understand...
But his face was smiling.
"You must be quite the warrior, to have killed so many of my kind," he murmured, gazing steadily at Jon through ice-blue eyes. "It takes strength to take lives."
He turned to Everen, not taking the time to wait for a response from the big ranger. His eyes shimmered brilliantly. She gave her head a tiny little shake, and turned her attention to Freah's question.
"We can not be sure that it was a mage," Everen told the group at large. "We only know for sure that it was a magic user. But we do know where it went."
"How?" Valence asked, even before the girl had the chance to tell them where. For some reason, he seemed to think that how they had found the man - or woman - was more important.
Everen's little brow furrowed in confusion, but she answered him. "We did not find him ourselves. Your Conclave said that they followed a trail of magic to the southwest, towards Eagleview and the mountains. They could not follow it all the way..."
"Why?" Valence murmured, pressing the young cleric further. Everen hesitated, staring at him. He looked too fiercely interested... why would he be interested in why they had not been able to follow? Did it matter?
"I do not know," she murmured. "They did not tell my Master and I am not high enough in rank to ask."
Valence blinked slowly and seemed to sink back a step, as though in his intensity he had advanced on the girl. Now, without a word, he turned again and gazed out the window of the Lost Cause, his eyes thoughtful.
"A magical trail," he whispered. "Planear magic would leave the most distinct path. Or perhaps necromancy... but necromancy would do little to help a wizard appear in a room without moving a window or a door."
He bit his lip, absorbed in his thoughts.
"There are not many planear mages in the Eagleview area," he whispered. "But if he traveled past Eagleview, and went into the mountains, he will likely be hidden amongst his own kind. We will need to find a way to identify him."
"I'm sorry," Everen whispered. "I have nothing."
Valence waved his hand almost irritably and looked around at the group.
"We had best start traveling now," he told them. "If we wish to follow this trail of magic even as far as the Conclave followed it, we need to hurry. Most trails will fade in a matter of days and we can not afford to wait until he kills again and leaves another trail for us."
"I agree," Everen whispered, then gave them all a childishly sweet smile. "Thank you all so much for agreeing to help the Council."
"If i had done it to help your Council, I would not be wearing black robes," Valence answered her frigidly, and then he brushed past the gathering of warriors around him and out the door, heading back into the crowds of the Lost Cause, and to the near-abandoned streets beyond them.
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Cazik Norven
"Hey there. Jonnovan Cerali, ranger and soldier of fortune." Cazik gave a slight smile and a firm handshake to the man. Just because he wasn't a social person did not mean he couldn't be friendly. And it seemed the ranger was both sociable and friendly. He certainly wasted no time in hitting on the female members of the group. As he listened to the conversation between Jonnovan and Freah, he learned a little bit more about the two of them. Freah definitely seemed to have a survival mindset. An asset both helpful and dangerous. She would be a capable member of the group, but he didn't doubt she would leave them to the wolves if it meant her survival chances would go up. And now Cazik was sure the was more to the ranger than the friendly demeanor. Killing three mages was no easy feat. Freah brought up good points about taking on the mage. It was likely the best way to take the rogue mage down would be through quickly, and preferably from a distance. Tough luck for him that he wasn't a ranged specialist. Besides, Cazik doubted it would be that simple.
As Everen and the battle mage began going over the tracking of the mage, Cazik became convinced that there was something more than a little off about the mage. He was entirely to intense, almost angry in his queries. It was possible that he had a personal stake in the matter, maybe the killer had gotten a friend of his or some such thing. Still, there definitely seemed to be something going on with this guy. That was unfortunate seeing as he was the only mage in the group, making him one of the most valuable in efforts to defeat the mage, and consequently now he appeared the most dangerous and untrustworthy as well. As they discussed the magical trail, Cazik was able to basically understand what they were talking about, if not the mechanics of how such things actually worked. He doubted his ability to assist or contribute to such talk as he had little experience in this area.
Waiting patiently for the conversation to conclude, Cazik followed the mage as he stormed out. Presumably to follow the magical trail. Or at least he hoped that is what he was doing, Cazik could not really be sure when it came to magic.
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Jonnovan
This was getting a little too technical for Jonnovan's liking. Magical trails? Planar magic? Colorful robes? These were not things that the young ranger was accustomed to. Gingerly, Jo scratched the back of his head and waited for the cleric and the mage to finish their odd conversation. Not having much knowledge in the way of magic himself, Jonnovan did not feel that he had any business adding his own insight on the situation. He did think that they might be overreacting though. Magic, like training with a sword, was a learned skill set. One did not simply wave one's hand and devour a soul with the first spell. Lights. Cantrips. That one little trick that made it sound like someone was talking from another direction. Jo liked that one.
Finally, the pair concluded their talk and the group was off. Jonnovan was happy, if not a little nervous. Although Valence was his favorite by far, Cazik held a close second for his cordiality. The ranger girl, Freah, must have realized Jo was not all wind and bluster, for he expression had changed from one of apprehension to one of wry interest in a hurry. Terrah was...intriguing, to say the least. The child, cleric, Everen, was another matter entirely. Jonnovan felt that he was good at reading people, but he did not know what to make of Ereven. Was she dim? That could not be the case, because the girl had ascended the ranks of the clergy and received the patronage of a deity for a reason. Simpletons were not normally awarded such a boon.
What truly made Jonnovan uneasy was the group dynamic. While the ranger had spent the last few years travelling in caravans as a guard, or operating in a unit of soldiers to help break sieges, it had been over eight years since he had been a part of a real adventuring group. Though, this hardly counted as an adventure. Still...they had the warriors in Tarrah and Valence., with the latter also filling the role of an offensive spellcaster. Attackers in Cazik and himself. Utility in Freah, and healing in Ereven. It was a broad assumption, but to Jonnovan, they very nearly met the archtypal adventuring party. Although he did not say it, or even think it as they left the building, Jonnovan prayed that this would not end as badly as the last.
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Freah
Freah nodded and followed Cazik and Jonanvan out the door, she hoped that there was something other than a trail of magic to go by because that was one thing that was difficult for her to track. She now understood why the city was so barren lately everyone was afraid to go out for fear of being the next victim. Freah could help but feel sorry for the people, just being in the pub for the amount of time they were she was getting anxious to get out again.
Being out in the open always made Freah more comfortable then being around so many people. She looked over to the fighter called Terrah, "So what do you think of all of this" she asked the other female. Freah didn't feel comfortable speaking with Erven about her feeling on the assignment they have been given. She didn't want the Cleric to know how she felt about it. To her it seemed a little foolish to go after such a strong foe, but Freah had given her credentials. To her that was like giving her word to someone that she would do her best to find whomever they were searching for.
Despite the fact she thought it foolish, Freah had lived a hard life so a challenge was something she never backed down from. To some it might be a flaw to Freah it was her life and livelihood she had to find this evil mage. And if need be she would assist the others in stopping him from hurting another person even if it meant she would give up her own life. She had no family that would miss her anyway so what would it matter.
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Terrah Roth
Terrah was quiet for the most part. Magic both intrigued and frightened her, and when the mage, Valence, spoke, it reminded her of the latter. She tried to listen to the conversation, but Valence kept using words she didn't understand. Instead, she did what she did third best: pretend to listen. Jonnovan Cerali, who had introduced himself to the monk, though Terrah had nonetheless overheard, was so far the only one she liked. Valence was too creepy; Cazik was too stoic; Freah, frankly, struck her as a bitch; and Everen looked too young to be their leader. Jonnovan was cute, at least, and though he bowed oddly while speaking to her, she did not reply, not wanting to interrupt.
Valence and Everen had finished their conversation, or so Terrah thought. She'd been eyeing the woodwork around the room. It was beautiful, lightly stained, and clearly expensive. One day, Terrah hoped her own home would be made of such wood. Her thoughts were interrupted by Valence brushing past her abruptly and leaving the room. Everyone followed suit, so Terrah took the cue and took up the rear. Luckily, having a sizable group meant that the sea of people in the pub parted. It was a strange and exhilarating experience, and it made Terrah feel like a VIP. She waved cheerily at one of the onlookers.
Once outside, Terrah remembered the noticeable difference between the outside air and the stuffy air of the town. She breathed in heavily, taking in the crisp air. Perhaps living outside might not be so bad.
"So what do you think of all of this." Freah's voice filled Terrah's ears, but it took a second for her to see the girl looking at her. She forgot her earlier preconceptions, either from lack of attention, or the change in air.
"Like, hunting this guy?" She looked at Freah quizzically, then answered for her. "Well, I figured we could just improvise when we find him. There are six of us and one of him, and I think Valence and Ev probably count double. Pretty sure the guy can count, and no mage's a dumb mage. We've got a good advantage." Terrah shrugged. After all, how tough could one mage be?
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Valence and Everen
Valence walked in silence, concentrating on the thrumming of magic in the air. It was a difficult thing to do so close to civilization, here where the Consolate of the Rose worked their magic every day. The air was polluted with magic, and while on another day he might have found the sensation pleasant, now it was simply irritating. How was he supposed to locate a single person's signature when there were thousands of names scribbled in the air?
He lost the trail in the central square and stopped moving, a hiss of frustration escaping his lips. It didn't matter, in the end - the Consolate had already tracked the offender far beyond this place, and he was now familiar enough that he could pick the trail up again with ease. Still, Valence hated imperfection, and that he had lost the trail was more than enough to annoy him.
"Is everything alright?" Everen asked, stepping up behind Valence with a look of concern in her large, innocent eyes. She looked so much like a child... it sent shivers down Valence's back. He hated children.
"Fine," he answered shortly, then turned back to the rest of the party. "If there is anything you need in town, get it now. We may not return to civilization for quite some time."
And he left it at that, turning and striding off once more towards the exit of the city. He seemed to have no intention of waiting for the others. Everen smiled after him almost sadly, before turning back to the group.
"I apologize," she murmured, bowing slightly to all of them. "My superiors warned me that he does not enjoy being near so many people. If you could please tolerate him, just until the end of our journey... I promise that he was summoned only because he is best at what he does. You do not have to spend any more time with him than it will take to kill his brother."
"I heard that," Valence called back over his shoulder, but kept walking. He did not want to answer any stupid questions that might have been brought up by the cleric's choice of words.
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Cazik Norven
Walking along the spacious streets, Cazik wondered decided he liked this, this openness. It was actually far preferable to packed, bustling streets, people hurrying along toward one place or another, loud and noisy. Like the bar. Still, this was not how a city was supposed to be. He could find peace in nature, a city was supposed to bustle, he reckoned. He would put things right here. He would end this killer. Carrying his staff in his right hand he reached into his pack, glad he had brought it to the meeting, and pulled out the small pebble of coal he carried with him. Absently looking at the small lump, he tossed it up and down a few times before catching it and kneading it with his left hand. Cazik wasn't really meditating right now, but he still found the process soothing.
Continuing down the road, the band received a number of looks from the few people on the streets, and from people inside their shops and apartments. They must look an odd collection, such a motley collection of fighters, mages, clerics, and rangers. There did not seem to be much call for adventurers in this town, so the people watching had to know they were going after the killer. That made Cazik a little uneasy, he did not like to advertise his movements in such a manner. Still, he felt confident he was reasonably prepared to at least handle any non-mage opponents that would get in their way. He was relatively small in stature compared to traditional fighters, such as Jonnovan, and because of his choice in armor and armament many opponents unacquainted with magic assumed him to be a mage or cleric. This often led them to believe him a weak physical combatant and doing everything in their power to engage him at close range. A devastating miscalculation on their part Cazik was quick to correct. Still, he did not think anyone particularly acquainted with either class would make that mistake, he definitely didn't feel like a mage or a cleric.
Still following Valence, Cazik heard Terrah saying to Freah, "Well, I figured we could just improvise when we find him. There are six of us and one of him, and I think Valence and Ev probably count double. Pretty sure the guy can count, and no mage's a dumb mage. We've got a good advantage." He fell back to walk closer to the two women. Still staring ahead he said, "That is incorrect. I do not pretend to know much about the particulars of different sorts of mages and their magic, however I have seen enough of them to know that fighting them is not so simple a matter as numbers. I have witnessed some who wield powers capable of manipulating the minds of others, turning entire parties against each other and letting them tear each other apart. Indeed, we may have actually outnumbered ourselves if we encounter such power."
Cazik stopped talking when Valence stopped ahead of them, obviously frustrated. It seems he may have lost the trail he was following. Not that Cazik could see it, they could just be walking around at random for all he knew. Valence meanwhile seemed to be of short temper from his response to Everen, and the way he just turned and walked away impatiently after telling everyone to get what they needed. Cazik had all he needed, he didn't plan on carrying much money around outside of the city anyway. Everen's comment puzzled him though. Brother? Did she mean a literal brother, or just a brother of the magic arts. Valence seemed even more impatient, if not hostile at this and Cazik decided to not pursue the matter. Still, it looked like Valence was absolutely repulsed by Everen, though it seemed the feeling was not mutual. Cazik really hoped there would not be fighting between the two. He did not want to have to choose sides between the group's only mage and only cleric. Looking at Everen Cazik said, "I do not require additional supplies. I am ready to depart at any time."
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Jonnovan
"Oh..." without a word of clarification, Jonnovan slipped way from the group and jogged back into the square. It took a minute, but the ranger managed to find an outlet for travelers sundries. Once inside, Jo began his swift perusal of the odds and ends. Unsure of where exactly they were going, nor certain of how long the mission would take, Jo grabbed a bit of everything. By the end of it, Jonnovan hefted a sizable bundle onto the counter. The clerk behind the desk eyed Jo skeptically, as if unwilling to believe that anyone would want to buy such a motley assortment. Much less would they have the gold to pay for it. With a sigh, however, the clerk began ringing up the purchase.
In the end, it came out to be roughly one gold and thirty silver. A backpack pressed against Jonnovan's shoulders as he exited the shop. He waved a friendly goodbye to the clerk, who smiled awkwardly and responded in kind. The pack bristled with items. This was going to be fun. Jo caught up to the party in short order, falling in line near the more sociable trio in the back. He grinned at the train of conversation. Boy did he like Cazik. Such a learned fellow. At the mention of mind magic, Jo screwed up his face in thought and interjected. "Psionics, I think. The magic that messes with your thoughts? I think it's called psionic something or other."
While Jo did not pretend to know anything of the subtle ways of magic, he was well traveled and knew many small details. One of the most interesting facts, to him anyway, was the division of magic. It came in several flavors, the most recognizable being arcane and divine. If you took the roll of an adventurer, you may eventually stumble upon a more esoteric branch of magic. Primal. Psionic. Shadow. There were probably more, but Jonnovan was barely aware of the difference between the ones he knew of. Just the sources were different, in his eyes. Magic of the universe, the gods, nature, the mind and...somewhere much less pleasant than this world.
With a shrug, Jo sidled up next to the Valence.
"You look mad." he stated plainly and honestly. "Or, maybe frustrated? I dunno. Still unpleasant either way, am I right? Oh, since you know all this magicky stuff, would you mind telling me if there's anything else I should buy while we're here? I have..." Jo deftly unslung the pack and brought it to his chest, opening and indicating several pouches and the items therein. A hemp rope, a couple bars of soap, four flasks of oil, three water skins, seven whetstones, two empty vials, two small bedrolls, five candles, seven pieces of chalk, and of course, 15 days worth of trail rations."
He shrugged awkwardly, as if the next thing he was to say would be insensitive. "I figured you might need some chalk or something to make...runes...or...something. Do you need beeswax for rituals too? Holy water for some divining?" this last part was meant to be a joke, as he said it with a smirk.
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Valence and Everen
At first Valence was irritated at the big man's approach. He talked too much, smiled too much, and he could not seem to take a hint. Valence had not been particularly friendly, to any of them, and three of the group seemed to be getting the idea that he did not. Want. To talk to them. But this massive, dark-skinned warrior and the childish cleric were more clueless than he liked. Idiots, both of them...
But they were idiots he was stuck with. At least for the time being.
Sighing quietly, he turned to gaze at Jonnovan, taking in his words. At first it sounded like pointless blather to Valenceโฆ and then he listened a bit closer to what the big man was saying.
"You look mad." he stated plainly and honestly. "Or, maybe frustrated? I dunno. Still unpleasant either way, am I right? Oh, since you know all this magicky stuff, would you mind telling me if there's anything else I should buy while we're here? I have..." Jo deftly unslung the pack and brought it to his chest, opening and indicating several pouches and the items therein. A hemp rope, a couple bars of soap, four flasks of oil, three water skins, seven whetstones, two empty vials, two small bedrolls, five candles, seven pieces of chalk, and of course, 15 days worth of trail rations."
Huh. The man was actually trying to make intelligent decisions for the partyโฆ who would have thoughtโฆ?
He shrugged awkwardly, as if the next thing he was to say would be insensitive. "I figured you might need some chalk or something to make...runes...or...something. Do you need beeswax for rituals too? Holy water for some divining?" this last part was meant to be a joke, as he said it with a smirk.
Valence was quite surprised by these words โ and pleasantly so. In fact, he found himself smiling slightly. Laughing at the warrior. How long had it been since an idiot like this had managed to make Valence laugh.
โYou are an idiot,โ he chuckled quietly, shaking his head. โBeeswax and chalk is useful, yes. Holy water is the clericโs realm.โ He flicked his hand dismissively back at Everen, who had occupied herself with the others.
โSo,โ Everen called brightly to the group at the back. โCazik, Freah, Terrah, are you excited to see who the killer is?โ
It was a stupid question, really. Who was ever excited to meet a killer? But to Everen, their answers were important.
Setting
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Jonnovan
It was good that he finally got a rise out of the mage, but the reaction was confusing. Jonnovan was not sure whether he was being laughed at or with. Although Valence laughed and smiled, his words spoke differently. Jonnovan huffed indignantly and scowled at Valence. A few years ago, Valence would have been knocked flat on his ass and missing several teeth for so brazenly insulting a Cerali, magic or no. It was good thing--for both of them, Jo suspected--that time had tempered the ranger. In any case, he figured that Valence was not the sort to shrugging off a punch to the face and forgiving and forgetting. Of course, that was just a hunch.
Taking note of the casual air of disdain that Valence fronted, he wondered what this man had against holy people. As a merchant, Jo would not have had any love for the clerics. As an adventurer, he valued their skills as medics and providers. As a human, Jo found the faith and spiritual fortitude they granted the common folks was a boon unto itself. After a moment of thought, Jo gave the question voice.
"Why do you not like clerics? Or is it just Everen?" he quickly glanced back, coloring slightly and nodding a silent apology to Everen. Tilting his head in thought, Jonnovan remembered the second party he had adventured with. There was a warlock therein, and though he recalled her being present only briefly, he remembered how the woman spoke of other arcanists with contempt. How she sneered at the years of study it took to achieve what she could wield in a day, with a simple contract. Was this the same, he wondered.
"Oh...and I can grab some beeswax once we get out into the wilds...the shop did not have any that was not crumbling to dust." not wanting a pregnant silence to manifest, he quickly resumed chatting. "So what do you know of the murderer? I fear I may have missed some bits of the conversation on my run for supplies...have you picked up the trail already?
Setting
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Valence
Valence chose not to answer the question about the cleric. There really was not need to answer - what did it matter why he hated holy beings? One of the answers was obvious, of course. He wore the black robe, he was a dark mage, but then there were dark clerics as well. And he hated them almost as much as he hated the clerics of light. No, it had little to do with his class - mostly, it was a personal choice. He hated clerics. He hated their softness, how clueless they tended to be, how gentle they were. He hated their pity, most of all. Valence had always hated to be pitied...
"I know many magi," Valence answered evenly, not sounding nearly so hostile as he had been at the start. "And I know how to track them. The trail was easy to find."
He sighed then, shaking his head.
"But yes, it is a trail I recognize. This man... I knew him when we were children."
(sorry it's so short but i can't used Everen until the others answer or i'm sure they're gone)
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Everen Skygrace
There is good in everything and everyone. That is the will of Zerval.
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"I must walk my own path, the outer path."
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What good is life without pain?
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Cazik Norven
"I must walk my own path, the outer path."
Valence Damacus
What good is life without pain?
Everen Skygrace
There is good in everything and everyone. That is the will of Zerval.
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Cazik Norven
"I must walk my own path, the outer path."
Valence Damacus
What good is life without pain?
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There is good in everything and everyone. That is the will of Zerval.
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Dungeons and Dragons: Kiss My Eyes
1, 2by Everscale on Tue Jan 10, 2012 7:58 pm
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- Last post by Smith
on Sun Feb 05, 2012 4:52 pm
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Dungeons and Dragons: Kiss My Eyes
Most recent OOC posts in Dungeons and Dragons: Kiss My Eyes
Re: [OOC] Dungeons and Dragons: Kiss My Eyes
Well, I just posted before Ever's most recent one, so I figure I gotta wait for someone else to post again before it's my turn...
Re: [OOC] Dungeons and Dragons: Kiss My Eyes
Yeah...I get caught up with work and shit.
Whatevs, I got nothing for a while and my post's up.
Whatevs, I got nothing for a while and my post's up.
Re: [OOC] Dungeons and Dragons: Kiss My Eyes
hey guys sorry for the delay in posting... don't really have much of an excuse... (looks at the floor in embarrassed manner)
Re: [OOC] Dungeons and Dragons: Kiss My Eyes
Sorry my last post is so short I'm on the run busy today but I wanted to get a post up.
Re: [OOC] Dungeons and Dragons: Kiss My Eyes
Ok like major apologies and chizz. I usually hang out with my friends for most of the weekend and so I'm away from my computer, but I got my post up, late, as usual. It's not terribly long but meh, not much to talk about.
Re: [OOC] Dungeons and Dragons: Kiss My Eyes
You have a Class that you are in - there are four main classes. Warriors, Rogues, Mages, and Healers. Within these classes, there are separate sub-classes.
Warriors - Knights, Mercenaries, Bounty Hunters, etc.
Rogues - Thieves, Acrobats, Bards, etc.
Mages - Mages, Necromancers, Seers, etc.
Healers - Clerics, druids, etc.
There are uncounted number of sub-classes in each Class. Within those sub-classes, members have formed their own guilds, with names and missions of their own. Some of these guilds will come together when hired to form "parties", like the one forming now.
Warriors - Knights, Mercenaries, Bounty Hunters, etc.
Rogues - Thieves, Acrobats, Bards, etc.
Mages - Mages, Necromancers, Seers, etc.
Healers - Clerics, druids, etc.
There are uncounted number of sub-classes in each Class. Within those sub-classes, members have formed their own guilds, with names and missions of their own. Some of these guilds will come together when hired to form "parties", like the one forming now.
Re: [OOC] Dungeons and Dragons: Kiss My Eyes
To clarify, in case you were confused - the classes are a sort of guild system. You are a member of a guild and each guild has its set of rules. This is not to say that people outside of the guilds do not know how to use swords or some minor magics - they are simply not funded, and not considered adventurers. If you want to be hired for your skills and put to work with them, you join a guild. Or rather, in this case, a class.
Re: [OOC] Dungeons and Dragons: Kiss My Eyes
Bam. Posted, son >:O
It's a bit long, but I felt like the merchant bit was required.
It's a bit long, but I felt like the merchant bit was required.
Re: [OOC] Dungeons and Dragons: Kiss My Eyes
*laughs* Hey, Talis~ ^.^ It certainly should look familiar. Same world~ Not same plot and characters though... >.> There's no Dessana here to mess up these guys' day. Just a screwy mage named Valence and an innocent cleric named Everen~
Oh, and I made the opening post!
Oh, and I made the opening post!
Re: [OOC] Dungeons and Dragons: Kiss My Eyes
TALIS! Get yo a** outta this thread and back to The Gift! There's a new post :D
Re: [OOC] Dungeons and Dragons: Kiss My Eyes
Ohay Talis! I was just going to go check out your shit, and then I realized that Mirryv'll just sleep through the night and follow the army in the morning. She's such a rebel, going to bed early and not drinking...
Re: [OOC] Dungeons and Dragons: Kiss My Eyes
Hmm... This looks extremely familiar...
Nah, I kid, I kid. I just wanted to stop by and say hello, Pixy, mini, and OMGWTF Smiff?
Nah, I kid, I kid. I just wanted to stop by and say hello, Pixy, mini, and OMGWTF Smiff?
Re: [OOC] Dungeons and Dragons: Kiss My Eyes
I am in the process of writing a starting post. It may take a while and be very long, but bare with me... >.>
I should have it up... before the day after tomorrow.
I should have it up... before the day after tomorrow.
Re: [OOC] Dungeons and Dragons: Kiss My Eyes
So what sort of time frame are we looking at for starting? Just curious.
Digging everyone's characters, looks like this will be fun!
Digging everyone's characters, looks like this will be fun!
Re: [OOC] Dungeons and Dragons: Kiss My Eyes
I made my character Everscale let me know if she's cool or whether I need to edit.
Edit:
Sorry Everscale I forgot to put the RP sample on my charrie sheet I was tired and totally spaced it I'll get that on there really soon.
Edit:
Sorry Everscale I forgot to put the RP sample on my charrie sheet I was tired and totally spaced it I'll get that on there really soon.
Re: [OOC] Dungeons and Dragons: Kiss My Eyes
Interested? Check. I too enjoy D&D...I want to get back into doing the tabletop with my friends...
Also Dragonlance = :D
I'll give this some time to steam, but I'll likely join.
Also Dragonlance = :D
I'll give this some time to steam, but I'll likely join.
Re: [OOC] Dungeons and Dragons: Kiss My Eyes
I'm interested luv me some D&D I'll come up with a charrie sheet for ya.