Hidden Away

(((Let us get this ooc-ness over as quickly as possible.

RULES

1: If you have a comment on these rules, the plot in general, or whatever, don't post here, either keep it to yourself or send me a PM

2: Don't ask to join, if you don't know whether your character would be acceptible or not, reread the plot. If you're still unsure, bang your head on a wall repeatedly, if you still don't know, PM me. Skipping step two is optional

3: No R-rated content (Nudity, sexual scenes or innuendo, heavy gore or cursing

4: No homosexual (slash) content (call me hompohobic if you want to)

5: Y'know, it would be really nice if you could provide enough information in your post to accurately depict everything going on, seeing as, y'know, the rest of us DON'T know whats going on in your head and you actually DO have to explain it?

6: Lists of any sort are NOT acceptible.



PLOT

Takes place in a fantasy world consisting of two countries (And two countries only, there are no elves vampires dwarves or whatever, all inhabitants are pretty much human, except for a few have the ability to wield magic, and that magic must be accessed through hard training. Yes, I know this story inside and out, we all have imaginary countries, this used to be mine.) Legend says that when the Creator made the world, it took every thing good that had ever been made and ever could be made, and put it together to create a lush, fruitful and green land, and that land was the pride of his work. And then he took everything left over, all of the dry bad, pestilent and useless things, and threw them in a corner, and that waste became the other country.
Needless to say the two are always at odds. The inhabiitants of the first, blessed land (called Calyst) believe that the inhabitants of the other are inferior, and were never meant to be; the world was given to the inhabitants of the first country, and they have made it their mission to eliminate these 'lesser persons' from it.
Likewise the dwellers of the second country (Ahmrahn) believe that the Fates have cheated them, and that they were meant for better than the wasteland which they were given; the inhabitants of the first country - in their opinion tender and soft and stupid from living in luxury - do not deserve such riches. As a result these two countries are always at war, and the border bertween them is a constant battlefield. Except for a narrow strip of mountain range which is mutually feared by both sides; none who have enterd that narrow valley into the range have ever returned. But recent discoveries of ancient texts and prophesies have led to beliefs that deep within that mountainous place is a relic in which all the power of the Creator is preserved. The country which held in its hand such power, could easily conquor the world in a single moment. This has led to a decree pretty much the same in both countries, promising wealth, happiness, anything a person could wish for to anyone who caputres the relic for his or her country.


IN BREIF

Calyst: Good, fertile rich blessed sacred lush etc. country blessed by the Creator. Inhabitants believe that the inhabitants of Ahmrahn were a mistake and do not deserve to live, and that it is their mission to cleanse the world of the filth of Ahmrahn

Ahmrahn: Desert wasteland. Hot scorched infertile dry, etc. Country cursed by the Creator, inhabitants believe the fates have cheated them and that the weak (because they are unused to suffering) inhabitants of Calyst do not deserve the riches of their country. They believe they deserve it.

Setting: Recent discoveries point to a magical relic strong enough to win the eternal war for whichever side finds it. Pretty much teh only people powerful enoguh to use it to this potential are high officials in the governments of the countries, and have offered rewards of pretty much whatever you want if you bring back the relic to them.


Any questions? PM me.))

Alaina pulled the coarse fabric of her hooded cloak closer about herself. How did people LIVE in such wind? she wondered as her brown hair whipped at her face. To attempt to subdue the runaway locks, she released her hold on the cloak for a moment, thus getting her hair under controll and her cloak out of conroll. As she struggled to pick herself back together, she studied the landscape about her, gray rocks and boulders covered the area, the plains were behind her, a long, waving sea of green, which faded as she got here. If she squinted, she could see the darker green fringe of the Elendar forest behind her, with the mountains rising up behind them. Ahead of her she saw nothing. Well, something, but hardly so.
Gray dust rose ahead of her in dunes which turned to brown, the wind was hot and dry, and the land beneath her feet was rough. But the main thing she saw ahead of her turned her heart to ice and her blood to cold water. Two long, narrow mountains rose up to form the beginning of a rocky valley. Nobody who had gone in there had ever come out alive. She had to stop being frightened to remind herself why /she/ was there.
For Calyst.
Those two words had been the reason and logic for almost everything Alaina had done in her life. She was educated in history, to learn pride in her country. Her father taught her skill with a short bow, so she could fight the enemies of Calyst. Men died, for Calyst, Calyst Calyst. Alaina loved her country, with every part of her she did. The mountains, the rivers, the plains, the woods, she coudln't imagine a land more beautiful, more perfect, more wonderful.
It didn't make sense that such a land as what lay ahead and to the right of the ravine, the wasteland of Ahmrahn should exist, it was an unseemly blot on the perfection of an otherwise untarnished world. A blot that ought to be gotten rid of, except the pure evil of the country made it strong, hard to defeat. But Calyst would win. Good always won, it would this time, when she brought IT back.
That thought made her smile. She could finally do something of worth in the country. For some reason or other, women werent allowed in the army, chivalry and all that apparently. But women hadn't been restricted from this quest, and her blue eyes had started to shine at the mere thought that she couldf inally do something of worth for her country. Of the best worth. She could give it what it had stived for all these years; she coudl obliterate the horrid blot which was Ahmrahn. She could find the relic and bring it back to the High Mages to use. She would be a heroine, she would be a saviour. she woudl be recognized.
Alaina was not normally recognized. In appearance, homely, and in temperament quiet, she didn't attract much attention. Her long brown hair was usually kept back in a braid for the sake of being out of her way, and she spent her time working at home when she wasn't doing something to support the war; sending materials to the front or somesuch. She didn't talk much, either. But she had talked when she heard the notice for the quest. a quest extended to anyone who called themselves of Calyst. She had talked her way right into this place, into the walking staff in her hand and the ordinary, hardy traveling clothes on her back. ANd by the look of that valley and the rumours surrounding it, talked herself right into her death.
For the first time since setting out, Alaina seriously wondered what she'd gotten herself into