Pallas's Story

The village had encroached on the sacred domain. The wattle and thatch houses clustered close to the oppressive might of nature, a dark labyrinth of twisted trees and roots. Not many years had passed since the forest had spread beyond the artificial boundary created by man. Hundreds of trees had been felled for fuel and for their fragile shelters. The forest was angry.

Through the fence of thorns that girded the skirts of the mighty trees, shadowy figures could be seen. Even from the most fleeting glance, it was clear that they were not human. Spiralling horns and reverse-jointed legs marked them out as creatures of the wood, an ethereal glow emanating from the smaller creatures.

The Waywatchers had gathered. One of their number would be leaving the confines of the sacred wood, called by the earth to serve beyond her wild places. The ceremony had begun.

Pallas, small and wiry compared to the massive stature of the guardians around him bent a knee at the approach of his chieftain. The satyrs around him raised their voices in a lowing chant, a song of the elder days when Mother Earth walked, life blossoming in her wake.

The chieftain's hand rested between Pallas' twisting horns, a pulse of green flame scorching a blackened print onto his scalp. The mark of the wanderer. A sacred duty undertaken once in an age.

With a shout like a thunderclap the assembled company raised their voices in the chant of unbinding, the thicket of thorns peeling back to allow the blazing daylight into the shadowy depths of the forest floor.

Taking up his weapons, Pallas stepped into the light. Behind him, snuffled the hulking form of Calydon, a great forest boar gifted to him as a mount and companion for his travels.

---

The villagers toiling in the fields that steadily advanced towards the tree-line scattered like hares before a hunt at the materialization of the Satyr. He was an imposing figure, ivory horns and a mane of black hair curling away from his extended snout.

They had learned to fear the black-fletched arrows falling like spring rain should they cut too close to the dark forest. A few reached for pitchforks and axes, but the aggressive rumble of the monstrous boar kept them in check.

He passed under the wooden wall, reaching out to touch the trunk of a mighty pine, a lament for the deceased spirit passing his lips. Calydon lowed as they entered the settlement proper, driving more settlers from the streets, the long-bow grasped in the Satyr's hand deterring any of the militia from intervening.

The winged figure was bound in the village's centre, a circle of wary civilians surrounding him and his companion. He noted the hammer-wielding warrior and the stir he had caused among the pitiful humans. A slayer, steadily ridding Mother Earth of her wonders one by one.

Spurring the beast forward, Pallas lumbered into the square knocking an arrow to his bow-string.

Kael didn't know where the strange and large man had come from but he had quickly gotten rid of the pesky villagers so she assumed he was someone of importance. She sighed and looked around the village and then back at the man. He had said his name was....Thorin? Interesting name. She glanced at the extended hand for the man with the wings.

"A beast slayer...interesting...." she muttered while crossing her arms. She was tired of walking and starting to get hungry so if someone didn't come to tell her what she was supposed to "help" out with in this damn village she swore she was going to kill someone. Probably the man who had tied up such an intriguing creature.

Kael suddenly sensed another being come rushing into the center of the village....It looked like a Satyr, and he appeared as if he was going to attack. She sighed, annoyed and moved to stand behid the bulky human. At least his size would be useful in blocking any arrows, should the little creature attack them. She kept a weary eye on him just in case, ready to defend herself should the need arise. Hey, she might even be lucky enoug that this village would end up being damaged as a result. She smiled.

Vanel was crouched behind a bush on the northern side of the village, waiting for his familiar - with its light temporarily diminished - to return from a brief scouting trip. The village didn't seem like it would be that much of a threat, but you never know what sort of xenophobic types might be in the village. There had been plenty of times when he had ventured into a hostile village without knowing, so the scouting routine had basically become mandatory.

The small blue orb of light shimmered in front of him, indicating that his familiar had returned from the trip. The orb of light casually darted around him, softly pulsing with light every now and then.

"So, what's it look like in there?" asked Vanel, gripping his staff firmly.

"Pretty average village, but it looks like some adventuring types have wandered into town," said the Eladrin. "One Nephilim, some warrior type on a horse, a girl, a satyr, and a living construct, of all things."

Vanel groaned, and started to get up. "A Nephilim. You're completely serious?"

"Yep! The villagers even had him bound up until the horseman showed up!"

"And a living construct? This is starting to look like a bad adventuring story."

"Well, at least they've got a master mage to stand in the back and prod them along, right?"

"Shut it, you. At least there's definitely something afoot in this town. I guess it's time we showed up," Vanel replied, getting any dust off his robe, heading into the village, the staff thudding softly along the dirt road. People on that side of the town were giving him somewhat odd looks, but most decided not to bother him, since he was carrying an inscribed staff and had a blue orb of light floating around him. Upon making it roughly to the center of the town, Vanel stopped by the side of a building and just watched, waiting to see what would unfold.

Kael grumbled at the appearance of two more beings. A giant ....metal....thing made it's way over to them and said they would be working together. Kael just stared at thing....it was huge and....She didn't ever want to admit it but intimidating. She frowned at the feeling of a mage. And a powerful one if she was correct. She felt him out and glanced in him direction before looking around at all the strange beings that were now too close for comfort. She back a bit away and slipped behind a building, latching onto the wall to climb up onto the roof. With her cloak pooling at her feet while she crouch-walked to the edge, she kept an eye, ear and nose on every person she could see.

Well, at least things were starting to get interesting...

Ren watched from the trees, looking at the village below. Big enough for a good reward, but small enough for Ren to question it. No one had noticed him yet, but thats pretty much why he is a rogue. Though he prefers the term "Ranger", as Rogues are generally referenced with thieves and assassins. But its not like he had a choice. He had no magic, and his curse made him lack the strength of a warrior......and the capability to wear proper armor. But, he was small, agile, fast. And he had combat skill. Enough to hold his own.

Ren recognized none of them. Which was strange, because he had seen quite a few adventurers. He wondered however if this would lead to any problems with him getting the job. After all, he looked like a kid. And he didn't like sharing the knowledge of his curse, he found it....embarrassing. To say the least. But he sighed. There was no way he would be able to receive this contract without alerting everyone to him being there. He hoped from tree to tree, making his way to the roofs of the actual village, remaining stealthy. Thats when he saw the construct. He must have moved in when he was gone. He sighed. He needed whatever money he could get. He had no other choice. He thought out what he was going to say. Make some sort of good impression.

"Well, as much as I would love to see you all attack, tie up, and kill each other, I do believe that at least one of you had some sort of problem. So maybe before everyone starts fighting, we could hear each other out first, and not instantly resort to violence? Instead, I don't know, maybe work together?". It was the only way he would have a chance of being included, he figured. Of course, dropping a name helped, and while he wasn't some big and famous knight, his good deeds did earn him at least a little fame. "Names Ren, by the way....".

Kael raised an eyebrow at the small human that had jumped across the roofs of the village. She chuckled at his boldness and jumped off the roof to stand near the crowd of people again. Her hood was still down and her hair still flowing freely around her shoulders she chuckled again and spoke loud enough to be heard.

"Ah such courage for one so small. Interesting little one. I am Kael."

Thorin turned at the thunderous footsteps of the contruct approaching. He looked upon it in wonder, never having before laid eyes on such a creature. Turly it was a marvel. The ingenuity of those who bent magic to their wills was impressive indeed. Shortly after the construct stated that they would all apparently taking up this quest together the monster hunter caught sight of the satyr in teh distance, bow in hand it appeared poised to strike. Thorin pulled his hammer from his belt slowly as his eyes locked with the small horned man, a fiery look in his eyes as if he was daring the beast to fire. Before the satyr could loose an arrow a wizard and a rogue appeared both apparently casting their lots in with the group. The satyr seemed hesitant to fire, not from fear but uncertainty. A non threat for the time being Thorin took his eyes away from the satyr, yet kept his hammer firmly in hand should the beast do something foolish and fire upon the warrior. The female mage spoke a word of greeting to the young rogue.

"Ah such courage for one so small. Interesting little one. I am Kael."

She said kindly. Thorin came to stand at her back, his bulky frame dwarfing her lithe form.

"I am Thorin Balderson, well met lad. This is our party then it seems yet we lack a heading and a goal."

Malik was about to shake the hand of the one who so kindly saved him untill he turned around twords the satyr. He quickly moved infront of this man called Thorin Balderson "Please dont.. drop your weapon stand down for the people, they seen to much blood shed already please stop" Malik said kindly but sterm. " We are all he for the same reason so there is no need for fighting " Malik said looking at everyone that had shown up in this village. his eye where filled with sadness for the people living in fear " Sorry, My name is Malik a cleric of Obad hai its very nice to meet all of you"

Malik stood there not moving an inch doing what he tought was best, but he was not sure if it was his place to get in the way. " you saytr you a protecter of the forest right, I ask you to stand down this is not the time or the place for this"

Thorin turned to stand at Malik's back, protectively he eyed the satytr in the distance. He didn't say a word, no word was needed. In his hand was Thorin's hammer, in his eyes the unafriad glare of a welcomed challenge. Should the child of the forest think he brave enough to stand against Thorin then the monster hunter would show him just how very wrong he was. Should he show wisdom he would accept the refusal of combat, admittedly more than a bit dissapointed but he would accept in none the less. No all that was left was to wait and see what decision the archer decided.

There in the shadows of the forest, stood the slender yet muscular Dark Elf who was rather eager to see what the noise was about. He eyed everything, taking nothing for granted seeing as how the smallest worm could turn out to be a deadly enemy or trap. The rouge looked at a tall muscular looking fellow accompanied by a few others. Where were they staring, he pondered the thoughts before analyzing the situation. He was too well covered for them to notice so, some one else perhaps. Mercutio grinned showing his white fang-like teeth before appearing behind the group and stepping from the shadow of a house. "Travelers, I see you are in need of assisstance?"

Due to the strange bustle in the small farming town with all the travelers gathering together, they payed no heed to another individual who walked through their defenses like a shadow. This individual was a Drow, A dark elf. Such an individual person of such a race would not be liked lightly, unless several of the villager's recognized his face, he was here years ago when his heart was broken, on a moonlit night.

His name was Zaldir Kestal. To him, the village was slightly worse then what he left it as. The large wall, the distrust of the locals, and to be more bluntly, the desire for help grew larger. Zaldir kept his hood up and his swords well hidden, as he approached the crowd of villagers crowding around a cleric and several other individuals he had no time to identify.

"Why here? I have no need to be here." He said to himself not feeling completely at ease with himself and the villagers look on strangers. Yet perhaps he'll be enlightened as to know what purposes and intent the people want with adventurers like the growing crowd of individuals.

"Casshern." Came a voice in his head as a pain came into his heart. "Okay okay, you win." He quickly muttered as he uttered a prayer of repent to the Deity who so closely marked the roads in his life. His amulet glimmered in the light of the sun as he walked through the crowd and towards the group of adventurers. He said nothing as the individuals seemed to be talking amongst each other and not to him directly. He took his time to look at the villagers. Several of them had pitchforks and seemed ready to drive almost all of the newcomers out.

Zaldir sighed as he looked at all the children huddled in the sidelines watching. He remembered of times where he himself as a boy, would be like them whenever someone new came to talk with his clan leader, then his own mother. But, those were happier times. Now Zaldir was alone in the world, about to join up with a group of strangers it seemed. "Seeker be with you all, May his servant be ever at your service."