Adrian Rios's Story

Attention!
The High Monarchy of Asrinon is calling upon any able bodied men and women to assist in the apprehension of bandits and murderers. All those interested, please come to Bran, capital city of Asrinon. Regardless of applicants, all those who assist will receive 500 gold. Double if those taken from the town of Jaski are brought back alive. The search and apprehension of said criminals will begin on the 8th of Aendas.

Whether you be mercenary, bounty hunter, or law-bringer, you see this post on the local tavern wall in all major cities south of the Rydony boarder. You look at the date and realize you have just enough time to make it to Bran in time for the contract. Without so much as a second thought you begin your journey to Asrinon, in hopes of finding either fortune or justice.

It was a crisp, clean autumn morning in Asrinon. The wind was cool and the large mountains surrounding the capital of Bran blocked the sun from burning its locals. However, things were not quiet within the quaint capital, as news of the attack at Jaski was still firmly in the minds of the community. The first major battle of the war in the north had occurred only days earlier, and now this grim news was returning to their ears with the new information that some from the village were taken. The unease only grew with the sight of a few strangers around Bran, having come to the secluded nation with the intent on claiming the bounty for the thieves. Numerous guards were walking around the city, directing the bounty hunters and mercenaries to the castle with the hopes of easing the minds of the locals. The men and women were directed, mostly escorted, to the "Fortress In Stone," an ancient structure built long ago, even before the founding of the city or nation. It was entirely made of stone, having been carved into the nearby mountain that overlooked the city. Local archaeologists believe it was once constructed by the Dwarves, but later abandoned as they went deeper into the earth.

Inside the fortress lies numerous hallways and rooms, almost like a maze for someone who doesn't know where they are going. The structure was circular in design, with a throne room sitting at its center. In the stone seat was the Queen of Asrinon, Mara Judiya. The Queen of the Black Rose, as she is commonly known amongst foreigners, was the 18th in the Judiya line and is currently in the 26th year of her rule. The queen sat upon her throne, looking just as regal as one would imagine her. She had long black hair, with a few streaks of gray appearing near the roots. Her garb was red and blue, but she wore no crown as it wasn't Asrinon custom. Her nickname was derived from her cold, black eyes, as one was able to tell the difference between her pupil and cornea. She looked upon the one kneeling in front of her, her adviser whispering information into her ear. "So, you come from the Temple of Maraic in Romara?" Her voice was stern and lacked any hint of true curiosity.

The person before her rose his head, revealing a one-eyed young man with a mock respectful grin on his face. "Yes, Your Majesty. The Head Priest was worried about what had befallen the town of Jaski and sent me to see what assistance I could offer." The Queen raised an eyebrow, looking at the man unconvincingly. "The Temple of Maraic, huh? How is High Priest Gerard doing these days?" The man let out a small chuckle, bowing his head back down. "He's doing just fine, Your Majesty." The Queen let out a sigh and looked at her guards. "Put him with the others by the stables." The guards escorted the man out of the room and left the Queen with her personal guard and her adviser. "My Queen, was that wise? High Priest Gerard past away over a month ago due to age." The Queen looked at her adviser, standing up and handing the middle-aged man a note. "Save for that man, only a few others outside of our own men have shown up on time. I need anyone I can get at this point. With the fear of war looming over our heads, we can't simply spare men from the border. So, this is the best we can do. If anyone else arrives within the hour, have the guards direct them to the stables. Once the hour is up, read that note." The adviser bowed and watched the Queen as she left the room with her guard.

The old stone door opened, the stables being revealed to Adrian. What was referred to as the stables was more of a back exit from the Fortress In Stone. It was a cave hidden within the forest, but hadn't likely been used in centuries. There were only a few men besides himself, mostly bounty hunters and mercenaries trying to earn a quick treasure. "Is this all there is?" One of the guards looked at Adrian, then turning his head back to the group in front of them. "Her Majesty could only put off the mission so long. As was explained to the others as they arrived, you will be assisting the local guard in the search, nothing more." Adrian smirked, knowing the man felt like his pride was being stepped on with the hiring of outside help. Adrian looked at the structure of the cave, amazed the Queen was allowing outsiders to see it. To him, that meant she wasn't very cautious, or she didn't expect them to return. Neither boded well for the man.

The sun was nearing the center of the sky over the charming countryside surrounding Bran. Perfect amount of light for some reading. A hooded man walked down the main road to the City of the Black Rose Queen, a white staff in one hand and a large leather bound book in the other. His head was down, staring directly at the book with great intensity. The book seemed to be his world, not paying mind to any of the other nuisances of life. However, he seemed to be aware of his surroundings, seeing as he perfectly avoided tripping over rocks or holes without even lifting his eyes from the text. He soon approached the gate of the large city and was halted before he could get past the main gates. Two halberds blocked his way, but he had stopped without looking up from his book. The man at the registration desk stared at him expectantly. "What's your business here?" the guard asked suspiciously. The hooded man faced his body towards the desk and stepped up to it, all while still reading the book. After a few silent moments, the guard looked as if he were going to speak again, but the hooded man raised a large black stony finger, signaling for his silence. Surprised by the hand that sat in front of him and the unexpected gesture, the guard sat there in silence and withheld his statement. The hooded man then snapped the book shut and put it into his satchel. He then raised his head to face the guard. "I'm here to assist your queen with her bandit troubles." The hooded man stated plainly.

The guards eyed each other, unsure of the man. "Your the second man with an eye-patch to have come through here today. Is it standard for you types or what?
" From beneath the hood, the man produced a simple smile. The guards chuckled to each other, but not in a mocking way. "Right then, name?" the guard asked him. "Xandur." he stated in a pleasant tone. The man eyed for a second, then wrote it down. "Alright then. Your lucky, you just made it. Guess that means your the last one. Jacob here will escort you to the....stables." The guard said oddly, gesturing to a guard behind. The two nodded to each other and the hooded man began to follow the guard into the city.

The city seemed rather active at the moment. He had weave his way through the crowd to keep up with the guard. Though, you could feel tension in the air. Though they went about their daily lives, these apparent attacks so close to their beds had obviously offset them. Still they scuttled on with their shopping and sawing and hammering. Anything to make them forget, to try and say for a awhile, I am content. What with the continent slowly circling the proverbial sinkhole into war, they tried to remain happy. Admirable.......but naive.

They had finally arrived to what they called 'The Stables'. It seemed that in this city, stables meant 'cave in back of castle'. Odd that they would reveal an escape point to a band of mercenaries, foreign mercenaries at that. Xandur wasn't worried though, he rarely ever was. The other men and women there were quite the colorful cast. It seemed a fellow patch was their, a dwarf, a tribal, a noble? Wait.....no, clergy member. Symbol of Janos was a dead give away. Xandur was never really popular with men of the cloth. It had something to do with him being agnostic, he suspected. And finally.....a little girl? As he entered the cave and made his way to a rock, he examined her out of the corner of her eyes. There was something off about her. Her eyes and their spacing, her nose and her cheek bones. Her posture was what gave it away though. She was an Elf. Though, he wondered what had happened to her ears.

As he sat down, he pulled out his book and began to read it, holding it in his massive stone hand. Every so often, the pages would turn themselves.

Alberon just listened to the conversation pass back and forth. He watched the Tribal with interest, they were a different people. But what interested him most was her large tiger. Wondering how one came upon such a mount or beast and actually tamed it. She must have some amount of skill or magical prowess, not to mention intelligence and willpower to control such creatures. Next came the little mage talking to the dwarf, something seemed off about her too. He just couldn't manage to place his finger upon what. And then came the one with the eye patch, he had obviously seen a lot in his days. He had the aura of a veteran fighter and adventurer around him. Added onto that they had a second mage in their travels. One wearing some kind of stone gauntlet riddled with markings, he also seemed human, though was far too fair looking in a sense to be. Half-Breed maybe. Walking at his side was the Dwarf, he couldn't even guess a thing about him. He seemed kind atleast, he had offered food and chances to converse none of which Alberon had taken yet. Dwarves were rather new to him, he had only seen them a few times. And this was the first time he had prolonged contact with one. They were generally reclusive, hiding and digging in the mountains, rarely leaving, some traveling to trade their fine jewels and stone across the world.

Alberon decided now to join in the conversation, removing his helmet to hold it at his side he looked down at the dwarf. "Aye, what are you traveling for? Its rather odd to see a dwarf out of their Mountainous Holds." His asked in a casual tone, moving his gaze from the dwarf to the female mage. Giving her a polite nod and smile before looking ahead again as he awaited the Dwarf's response.

After a few moments of waiting in the cave, two men entered the cave. One, an obvious official, and the other, he suspected, to be the Captain of the guards. His suspicions were confirmed when the official addressed him as so. It was only too obvious that the captain felt threatened by the presence of the mercenaries. It seemed their orders were to assist the captain and his men in locating and destroying the bandits. Apparently a unit of guards had disappeared looking for them. Meaning that they succeeded in the first part of their mission, the last part though seemed to have turned the tables on them. What Xandur was most surprised about that no one knew the guards were. What, did their families just assume that their took up most of their life. Well, now that was a complete fact.....most likely. Unless they were sold in the slave trades. Most people believed slavery to be dead.....then again most people are naive and try very hard to remain so.

As they set out, Xandur had not looked up from his book. Occasionally the page would turn itself, but he was not reading it. He was actually examining everyone with closely without directly looking at any of them. He had yet to pull his hood down so it was quite easy to spy on people. So far, he didn't exactly feel comfortable with the paladin and the man with they eye-patch. The paladin for obvious reasons, but the man with eye-patch acted looked like someone trying to hide something, and hide it well for that matter.

He then started to eavesdrop on the conversation the dwarf and the elven girl were having. He was correct about her being an elf and she seemed like a sweet young girl, risking life and limb for her parents. Though I'm sure her father would much prefer her being safe and sound in his arms for a birthday present than anything she could buy him. He somehow always sympathized with parents, it always left him to wonder if he was a parent. He wasn't even sure if he was old enough to have a child. He wasn't really sure of anything, but that was why he was here.

The dwarf seemed rather friendly, an outdoors man type who thought against the norm. He was probably getting on in years and when that happened, dwarves either became extra grumpy or extra friendly. This one seemed to be leaning towards the latter. The dwarf then directed a question to the entire group. "ell I'd ask that ta each of ya." He must have been referring to when he asked the girl why she was here. He snapped his book shut with a loud thump and put it away in his satchel. He was walking in front of the dwarf and elf, so to answer his question, he spun around and faced them, walking backwards with the greatest of ease. "An odd question for a group of mercenaries. Well, an odd question for a group of mercenaries and a paladin of Janos." he said in a pleasant tone, as he flashed the paladin a small grin. He then turned back to the two. "I myself-" he lowered his hood, revealing pointed ears and the giant scar over his left eye."-am here to make contacts. The more people you know, the easier it is to get information." Xandur said in the same tone, a small smile spreading on his face.

"You see, I seek certain information that no one across two continents have been able to answer." He gave a pause, thinking about how much he should tell them. He then eyed the dwarf for a moment. "I wonder if you can help me with something. Ive asked the experts at both Kurenvar and Garron about this gauntlet, but none have been able to tell me it's craftsman. They haven't even been able to tell me what it's made of." Xandur explained as he lifted the gauntlet up to show him. He then placed his hand on the stone arm and the etchings and runes on it began to glow purple. Suddenly, and unlatching sound could be heard and the gauntlet came off of his arm, revealing his stump just below his left elbow. He then extended it towards the dwarf. "Would you mind glancing at it?"

Xandur then looked towards the elf girl and gave her a warm smile. "By the way, I'm Xandur, just Xandur. Nice to meet you all."

(For everyone's next post we're going to do a time jump. Respond, inform, etc. in the first part of your post. The second part will be arriving at Jaski. See below for help)

Adrian quietly listened to the conversations around him. A few of the guards were jumpy at the sight of a tiger appearing from the woods. "At ease men," said the Captain taking a brief glimpse back. "Tribal's are a bit off. That beasts more of a pet than anything. Just keep moving." the guards looked at each other, deciding to somply follow their Captain's orders and hope for the best. Not long into their journey they emerged at a road, the Captain motioning them to follow the road north. "Glad to be out of there. Alright, this road will take us to Jaski." The Captain begin to quicken his horses steps, if only to annoy those following behind on foot. Adrian looked toward the sun, despite its rays his gaze was fixed. The Priest's teach us that the sun is a remnant of the god Maraic, left behind in this world as it made the voyage into Feryn. Before that, the world was eternally bright under the Gods light, making it impossible for other life to flourish this way. When Adrian heard this, all he did was question who made the moon. The obvious answer often given is Frenviir, the one giving balance to the light with dark. An interesting story, but one with too many plot holes for Adrian to take seriously. Realizing he had drifted off for too long, he continued following the group, staying behind the two bounty hunters from earlier.

(Afternoon... The Arrival at Jaski)

The road was moving up an incline as they went deeper into the mountains, each stretch of road like a small hill unto itself. The sight of a guard in the distance was visible to the entire group. He was flailing his arms trying to get their attention, even though there was nothing else to see. Adrian paused in his steps, taking a deep breath and looking toward the way they were heading. "I can still smell the smoke?" He said under his breath, hoping no one was paying attention. They continued along the road, arriving at the guard's location. "Report!" shouted the Captain, who clearly was embarrassed by his men. "We've kept the area clear just like you said, Captain. No one has come or gone since the guard group who went missing." The Captain pressed on, the guard following. "So, none have returned?" The guard nodded, the Captain taking a deep breath. "Fair enough. Report back to Bran, we have dragged this out long enough. Inform the Royal Adviser all guards in the missing unit are considered to be dead, unless we find evidence of the contrary. Move out." The guard bowed his head and began walking down the road back toward Bran, trying to avoid eye contact with the group. the Captain didn't like giving up able-bodied men, but someone needed to inform the Queen of what they have found. Truthfully, the unit should have been considered dead days ago, and their families informed. Sometimes hope overrules sense, especially in quiet places such as this.

The Captain, made it up the final stretch of road, the former town of Jaski now in full view. He had only read reports and not seen the town with his own eyes until now. A part of him still wishing it had stayed that way. The town was burned to the ground. Despite the fires having perished days ago, the faint stench of smoke and ash littered the air. With a population of forty, Jaski could not be seen as a threat to anybody. Even so, what buildings there were had collapsed, and the livestock had been killed. Bran guard had taken care of the dead, thirty-three in total. All that was left was whispers and shadows. The Captain dismounted his horse, walking toward the charred remains slowly. As he entered the village, he could hear the crisp remains breaking under his foot. He quickly shook his head, trying to regain his composure. "The last unit went after the bandits blind and it cost them. Men, see what you can find amongst the rubble." The guards dismounted their horses and began looking around.

Adrian scoffed at the notion of searching for remnants, even if the orders were only to the guards. The bandits burned the town and left none alive, except for those they took with them. Adrian sighed and began looking around what remained of the town, if only to hurry the search along. He stepped onto a destroyed house, looking through the remains. His eyes locked onto an object near the center, glinting lightly from the sun's shine. He walked over and flushed out the object, revealing a gold necklace with an emerald amulet. Odd choice of jewelry for simple townsfolk as the item could probably fetch a hefty sum in Bran. Adrian pushed the necklace deeper into the rubble until it was no longer visible, for fear the others might start to catch on to what was really going on. This was no work of ordinary bandits. The town was massacred and burned, leaving little to no trace. If the bandits did take hostages, it would be the livestock for food, not people who no one else in the world would care about. Add onto that the valuables left behind, it was clear this wasn't done for profit. The people who did this were looking for something, and Adrian knew they had found it. His only option know was to tell the Captain what was going on, or keep his mouth shut. If the Captain knows, he might turn around to get more men, which would add time onto this I can't afford. He looked at the other hided hands, wondering if his suspicion about them was correct. Some have to know by now that there is more to this. The only question is, will they say anything? The Captain seems like a coward. If they speak he might call off the whole thing, bounty included. So, they would be out 500 gold, possibly, if they talk. The Paladin wouldn't want to give up the chase for criminals, I doubt the tribal has seen enough mercenary work to connect the dots, though I could be wrong. The others fall into that, no gold no talk, group. He continued pretending to search the area, lifting the occasional piece of debris and acting concerned for the others who were taken. He kept an eye on everyone else as well, waiting to see if someone would talk or not. If someone said something, the chances of the Captain calling off the hunt were about fifty/fifty. If they didn't, well then maybe Adrian had been lucky enough to stumble upon others dangerously risky enough for what he believed was to come.

Xandur felt a very familiar expression spread across his face when the dwarf named Hogar announced that the stone baffled. Xandur expected no more from the dwarf but knew he had to at least try. He was about to take the gauntlet back, when Hogar piped up. He stated that the reason he couldn't identify the stone was that it wasn't from this plane and that he should seek the help of a Magi familiar with conjuration. Xandur's eye lit up with intrigue and excitement. He had a lead. After seven years he finally had a lead. Not a very strong one, but maybe he could finally figure out who he was. "Thank you master Hogar. You don't know how much you've helped me." He stated with genuine happiness. He then raised his stub and the gauntlet flew out of the dwarf's hands and reattached itself to his stub. The symbols glowed once more, and the limb began to move once more.

Suddenly, the elf girl who called herself Theresa, stated she recognized the stone as well. She then pulled and ankle bracelet off of her leg and showed it to them. The stone was of a slightly different color, but the symbols seemed to resemble the ones on the gauntlet fairly well. She stated that it was apparently a family heirloom. Xandur was about to comment on it, but it seemed they were to be quiet since they were nearing known ambush sites so Xandur remained quiet. Sooner or later though, he would have to speak with Theresa.

They finally arrived at the site of the attack, and almost immediately, Xandur felt a disturbance. Something about this place was wrong, but he wasn't entirely sure exactly what it was. Everyone seemed to be receiving orders about what to do and what not to do, but Xandur simply ignored the Captain. Xandur immediately made his way to the southwest part of the ruins of the village. He walked over a pile of rubble that he suspected used to be a house and crouched down, supporting himself with his staff. Xandur then reached up and removed his eye patch and placed it into his pack. He then breathed in slowly and opened his milky white dead eye and closed the other.

Light and color seemed to swirl out of existence into a torrent of nothingness for Xandur. Then, images and sounds could be made out, but just barely. After a bit the sounds and images became clearer, and what he stared at now, was a truly perplexing sight. The ground was teala nd the sky was purple. Streams of technicolor light danced through the sky and the very moon seemed to display a horribly twisted face with blood coming from every orifice. The entire village seemed to be on fire, the flames scarlet as blood. Sheep ran every which way, bleating for sanctuary and mercy. The sheep were being systematically slaughtered by what seemed to be statues wearing scary human masks. Their goal seemed to be slaughter and destruction. Xandur only saw this for maybe 9 seconds before he immediately closed his eye and opened his normal one. Blood was running from his scarred eye and Xandur was breathing heavily. He slowly stood up and shook his head. Though, he knew no matter how hard he tried, he would never forget those images. Things seen by your minds true sight could never be forgotten.

He looked about and noticed a few of the others seemed to have figured out what he had. That this was no bandit attack and that the situation was far more different that the Captain believed or was equipped for. Xandur wasn't sure what to do, if he said anything, than they might not be payed and they would be sent away. Xandur needed to be here and needed to do this. He then noticed the other eye patch guy seemed to notice as well. The after affects his true sight showed he seemed to be hiding something that had to do with the attack. Xandur wiped the blood from his eye and approached the man.

Xandur walked up to him with a friendly smile and patted him on the shoulder with his normal hand. He then spoke in a hushed tone, his words not matching what his face displayed. "How do you think we should proceed about this. We know each other knows about what really happened here. I know your hiding what happened, though I don't know why. Right now it doesn't matter, because if this turns out to an international incident, we get called off. If the Captain gets a hint of this being to much for his men, then we definitely get called off. Since you seem to know more than I do, I'm referring to you. So what do you think we should do?"

Xandur's expression never came as Adrian said what sounded like passive threats. He too knew they could not turn back, though he was now intrigued on what was so important to this man. He stated that if they went further, lives would be lost. Xandur walked closer to him, smile still on, though his words sounded cold. "Sacrifices are always necessary when standing upon the threshold to greatness." was all he said as he backed away. The Captain called for people to report, but no one seemed to be talking. Good. They sent out once again.

After hours, the group finally stopped. Xandur felt the presence of the scene in front of them far before he saw it. Acts like those left imprints upon multiple planes of existence. The sight was rather gruesome, but Xandur did not flinch or even bat an eye at the scene. He had seen much worse. It did not comfort him to know that an act of such barbarism had no sway over him, in fact it rather disturbed him. He still didn't know who he really was, after all of these years. The Captain cut down one of the men who was strung up and gave a small prayer for him. A noble gesture and sign of deep faith. Maybe this man had some redeemable qualities after all.

A cold presence that had been watching them ever since they stopped at the scene finally made herself known. It was an Elf, a white haired Elf. She spoke brazenly and her voice seemed to be filled with confidence. But, Xandur sensed wavering in her f=voice and she was surrounded in a shroud of confusion and mild desperation. Hogar and Theresa immediately began questioning the Elf, but Xandur was not fooled. He stepped out of the group, to the right of the Elf woman, a good distance away. "Are we supposed to believe you were waiting for us? Or perhaps hoping for a group such as ours?" Xandur slammed his staff into the gorund and began slowly walking towards the woman, an oddly sinister smirk on his face. His dead eye flashed purple for a brief second. "So.....when did you lose our friends here? You are seeking the same thing as we are, but seemed to have been following the wrong group......or the right group, if you had seen anything....." Xandur paused for a moment. Then chuckled a bit. "Which you didn't." He then stared at her for a bit. "You see, I see a lot of things." his dead eye flashed purple once again, but only for a brief second. He then turned around towards the Captain. "Her objective and ours is the same, she should join us. She managed to evade detection for the better part of a day. She's obviously skilled." He then turned around and gave her a genuine warm smile, completely different than the sinister one he gave earlier. "I would be willing to vouch for her." Xandur was not sure if their goals were the same, but they needed another magic user and she was obviously skilled. Having her on the team would only increase their chance of survival.