A band of adventurers that were chosen for a quest that started out for mere stones through deceit. Nightfall is coming to Gaia with the Second Rising of Eras. The Champions will either plunge the world into darkness or bath it in everlasting light.
The Alneh Sanctum, the land west of Skyfall, home of treacherousness bogs and devious races.
Description
Official Alneh Military FileBirth Name: Axinn
Family Name: Sparkcross, a family that has provided merchants, blacksmiths, and warriors almost exclusively.
Age: 84 Cycle Passings
Weight: 159 stones
Height: 5'10"
-Strength: Slightly above Orange average
-Agility: Slightly below Orange average
-Intelligence: Fairly average across all racial boards, meaning that for an Orange, it is rather high.
-Durability: Prone to burst of energy in combat rather than sustained warfare. Having said that, however, he is in peak condition and can carry out low-number combat for long periods of time.
-Combat Prowess: Fitted and trained in Weapon Arts of Single Sword, Long Bow, Cross Bow, Dagger (both thrown and wielded) and heavy shield. He also belongs to Center Heavy Vanguard General's 2nd Wave Battalion. Tradition Heavy Vanguard Armor.
Observation Notes: Taken on his Maturity day, the same as all his peers, it was quickly noted that Axinn showed extreme loyalty to the royal family and even to the nobles themselves. While not expected, this is smiled upon. When he showed adeptness in martial combat, as well as strategy, he was quickly elevated in both his training and rank. He has acquired numerous scars, burns, and markings during his training, the most notable being a burn that trails down the right side of his face and then down the center of his back, along his spine. Another interesting mark, or rather, apparatus he posses is the Alneh 'Ghosthand'. Having lost his own during his training with Scaleman chieftan Rul'Xir'Muurth, he was sent home and had a metal hand grafted onto the stump. This hand was then augmented to change shape and solidity to his will, and with a thought, he can make it a normal hand, clawed, or into an almost smoke like consistency, being able to control the 'ghost hand' at a range of almost forty feet. This only helped him further his career, an odd arsenal added to his extensive training. Value to the God-King is rated at above average, for a common soldier.
Personality
A cunning strategist, and an adept warrior, he is disciplined in all aspects of the Warrior's mind. No liquor unless in celebration, healthy diet, constant vigil, never falter. Laughter is only affordable if it is at times of guaranteed safety and comfort. Most importantly, let all personal slights and wrongs fall before your feet, taking offense at only the greatest of insults. Always defend the honor of the God-King and the Highmourne family, and to the Alneh Sanctum, pure in blood and unrivaled in might.
They are lesser races, but they have their uses and their exceptions. Keep an open mind but always remember you are superior in training, in experience, and in stature. Even the lowest of us, our Mud-Eyes, are above a human king. Human gods, in fact, every other being's Gods are lesser than ours. They an inconsistent, unreliable, and above all else, driven on faith. Our God is here, with us. He speaks to us, holds us, reassures us, and leads us. Nothing more and nothing less. He is an assured thing, based in life and fact.
Axinn holds these 'Personal Laws' high in his mind, however, he sometimes forgets the rules about drinking and laughter. His time among the lesser races has somewhat altered his perceptions and thoughts. However, he still holds true to his heritage, and will always put his nation first. He awaits the day he is called home.
Equipment
Axinn carries with him his personal armory, and little else. He was taught to live a spartan life style, and that luxury weakens a warrior. He has his own home, near the Skyfall - Alneh border, a small hut and a personal stable for his steed, a red stallion named Breaker. As for weapons and shielding, he brought with him his Vanguard armor, Vanguard Longsword, and Vanguard bow, all of which are crafted from black marble and Alnehian steel. He also carries with him his family's ancestral blade,
History
Axinn, as stated, started his career at the age of maturity. After graduation at the age of 52, he served his time on active duty, taking Leave Until Needed. He then set off to seek worldly experience in Skyfall. However, he never fails to leave Alneh for long, keeping his hope right on the border. While he bears no animosity towards the other races of the world, he doesn't exactly care for them. He offers his services as a sell sword, and an adventurer for hire.
So begins...
Axinn sniffed the air. It reeked of human. It was something he had grown accustomed to in his time outside of Alneh. While it still aggravated his nostrils, at least it didn't cause him to cry out like it used to. He wasn't as familiar with this town as he used to be, or even this tavern in general. He rarely left his hut and it had been almost five years before his last going out.
However, the son of the Sparkcross family did as he was told. His blade, his long bow, his set of throwing daggers, and his spiked buckler were all left by the door, though he did keep a special eye on them as he made his way towards the bar. His ceremonial kilt and leggings were his only attire, aside from boots and his odd metal hand. A hefty purse of clinking coin hang off his belt. He ignored all the looks that came his way, his eyes wondering for familiar faces, only seeing none to be found...Slightly disappointed, he took a seat at the emptiest end of the bar.
Without so much as tilting his head, or even tensing his muscles, he gazed at the loud mouth from the corner of his eyes. He sighed and slid a coin across the counter, asking for something strong, and a lot of it. He would not let his night be ruined by another one of these moronic short-lived.
"Yes, I would suppose I am. However, I am no frog, nor am I related to such creatures in any way. If you wouldn't mind, madam, and I use that term as loosely as it can be used, I would like to be left, in peace, for now." Axinn answered her, his own voice thick with the accent of his home. Almost raspy, sharp, bitter, refined, his tone like that of a fine, aged wine.
With a gritting of his teeth, he simply fell back into his training on dealing with the other races. He didn't think them so lesser now. Living here, in this land, he had seen what some of them were capable of. And how numerous they were. "We are the swamp fae. That is our King's official name for our race. We do not hail in blood from toads or frogs or snakes or whatever else you humans as a race dream up."
He took a long gulp from his own glass. The alcohol he had ordered was a bit finer than ale, and expensive as well. But it was his anniversary of life, the day of his birth. He had an excuse to live it up a little bit. "What about yourself? You race resembles furless simians and rodents."
Another gritting of teeth. Another sip from his beverage. "I was given Axinn as my name. My family name is Sparkcross, and if you know anything of my people, then it is obvious I am a warrior. Or rather, I will be, when I am called home. Right now, I am on an extended vacation of my own taking." He swirled his glass before emptying it, his posture becoming somewhat more relaxed.
"Axinn, to my people, means both sword and shield. It is a fitting name, considering my training." He paid little attention to this woman's elven features. The Alneh believed other fae to be inferior as well. "And what about yourself, female? May I inquire to your title?"
"...I recognize the name. You would do well to stay away from any ships flying the Alneh colors, female. I do not say that as a threat, however. Just...friendly advice, perhaps." He slid another gold coin across the counter. It had no imprinting that claimed it for one country or another, but is was a simple, blank golden coin. Something stronger this time.
"And...you sail on a ship? I have never taken a voyage on a vessel of that nature. Travel by sea is something my race views as unnecessary in almost every circumstance. And...if you are a pirate, like I can only assume, then I take it you would disagree." He slowly sipped on his own drink once more, his shoulders dropping, an indication he was relaxing all the more. He felt eyes upon him, but for now, he shrugged it off. If need be, he could defend himself from any ambush...his weapons were close enough...
"Maybe I didn't underestimate your mind after all. You remembered something as simple as a name after only hearing it once. I'm impressed." It was a sharp joke, one with an edge. He couldn't help it. Axinn had been raised to look down on anything and everything that didn't share his people's heritage. However, some things change. While he didn't like them, he at least had a respect for them. Just as he was about to say something, when he was interrupting by...some...thing. He didn't smell of flesh and hard work, not like other races did. It made his nose shrivel...
"Your kind care little for mine, and the same can be said in reverse. Honestly, many of my people think your to be a young, unintelligent, race that thrives on trivial matters such as gold or emotional greed, instead of important things like heritage and racial tradition. However, I've spent enough time among you...people...to see that there are exceptions to the rules." He rubbed the stubble forming on his cheeks from days without hygienic care and gave her another look over. "You are...an odd female. Incredibly so. Fascinating, but also, somewhat annoying, on a personal level." A smile soon crept on his lips, revealing his teeth and eyes, sparkling. "May I see your ship?"
"I partook in enough stealth training to make sure I can get around easily and quietly enough. I might just have to take you up on the offer." He moved away from her almost too-personal proximity after a moment. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to make sure my belongings are taking care off. They are rather heavy and...rather noisy. I will meet you outside, Female Thresher."
Axinn had traveled light, leaving some of his belongings in the storage chest back at the Flask. He carried with him now only his belt of daggers, his short sword, and his heavy kite shield, with both the sword and shield strapped to his bare back. He gazed at the vessel with an appreciative eye. It wasn't something he would call...grand...But it was rather nice. Well made, to say the least.
He kept silent for now. Something in the air didn't sit right with him. He felt like he was being followed, but the old warrior was paranoid, and he hadn't seen anyone that stuck out as of yet. Best to keep his thoughts to himself. "I will say it is...nice..."
Axinn raised a brow at the female pirate he had been chatting up. "I do not believe I am nice by human standards. And your people's attempts at humor are...still odd to me. But I would not mind a 'romp', whatever that word means for simians. As long as you do not mind a romp with toads." His own attempt at a Skyfall joke. He had no idea how it did, and he didn't have much time to focus on it either, as the odd man from before nearly knocked him from his feet.
"Help you? Why would I
"Help you? Why would I help...Oh for God-King's sake, get yourself off of me!!" He cried out, nearly throwing the man over board. "Why would I help you? Its not my problem what happens to you!"
Axinn finally came out of his reverie. So, it seemed there was another Alneh on board. His skin was a shade of green, he could tell from the way his fellow poison fae carried himself. He didn't need to see the color of his skin for himself to be sure of it. He only gave him a nod, and a hand signal, clearing it up that he would not interfere in any way.
He took his position next to the first mate, staying close by. He had taking a fondness to her, the way a child might to a bet. An attractive pet. Anixx had delved into the beds of...things that would get him shunned back home. He didn't mind though. Now, he wasn't as stuck up as he used to be. And she was funny. He'd keep an eye on her, hand on his short sword, his eyes on the now cloak-less man.
Axinn merely arched a brow at the female pirate beside him. "No, I've flown before, a long time ago. It doesn't affect me too badly. I am a more...feet on the ground type of male, however. I pray to my Lord that we won't be in the air for more than a week."
The simple truth was, he hadn't flown since his first arrival to Skyfall, back when he used to adventure with a group of humans. They were long dead now though, and honestly, he would be lying if he said he didn't miss them. Good companions, to the core. Honorable people who looked past he racism. He let himself delve into memory, for the time being.
Axinn gazed upwards towards his fellow Alneh. He had no clue who he was here for. But who ever it was, it was the Highmourn family's will, and he would not interfere. A smile crept to his lips, almost tangible. The wind felt glorious, he had to admit. He missed the storm of the Alneh Sanctum. Powerful, long-lasting, destructive, and yet beautiful.
"Good. While I have no intention of leaving any time soon, I do have a horse to attend to, and I really don't have associates that would come check on him if I was absent. As you said yourself, Jess Thresher, people do not take kindly to my kind."
Axinn almost snickered, as he had no clothes on his chest to grab, aside from the diagnol belt of throwing daggers. He helped guide her hand however, as he had nothing better to do. His mind was eerily calm, considering how most of his race would react. If the Cloak was watching him, he had no doubt that he was disgusted with Axinn. Not that he honestly care however. Anniversary of Birth. Time to celebrate. Make merry. Or in this case, as a human would say, 'Make Jess Thresher.' His smile only grew wider.
Axinn merely ignored his companion, hopping off of the boat and making for the sand. Stripping himself down to the bare minimum, he set in place, moving in odd formations. It was an Alnehian warriors way of greeting the day, a form of slow movement, quick burst of energy, and prayer all at once. Once he had started, he began to address her.
"I see no awkwardness in it, Jess Thresher. We coupled and that was that. If anything comes of it, that is for the God-King to decide, not you or I." He paused for a moment. "I will admit, it was an enjoyable time."
"It is a Lirthkig Dez'Mir, the Sun's Dance. Its a form of exercise, as well as a prayer to our royal family. I will understand if you do not agree with our thoughts or beliefs, but it is our way, and I never see the Alneh changing." He had seen a half-masked twinge on her face, betraying her thoughts about his Lord and the Family. But, she merely did not understand. He would not fault her for it, this time. "And...yes, female, I enjoyed that part quite a bit. You are far more flexible then Alneh women, and that is a feat in and of itself."
Did Alneh blush? Maybe it was the heat and the sun that made his cheeks just the slightest bit more orange this time around. It faded quickly as he resumed his 'dance'.
The Alneh yawned, loudly, ignoring Jess behind him. Let her do as she wish, it was not his problem. When he had woken up, he had noticed that a far amount of the people he had boarded with had left. But the Cloak had not. That meant whoever his target was, was still on board. He didn't care if it was someone else, but Jess...would be a different story.
"Fine. Your name. Jess. I do not believe it is necessary to say each time I address you. Your gender should suffice. Speaking of which, if you'd like, we can experience each other again, tonight. I plan to stay, for awhile, if it is alright with you." As he was saying all this, he was slipping into his clothes, his eyes glancing to the approaching figure, now and again.
He regarded the incoming figure with more interest now, his mind slightly buzzing at Jess' sheer proximity. If he didn't know any better, that level of personal closeness often indicated a desire to mate, in his culture. What an odd female.
"And greetings to you...what...ever...you may be." He had never seen one like that before, and honestly, it was bringing back his races tendency to shun the unknown. The...male? almost disturbed him on a moral level. But he did his best to hide it. "May I...or we...help you?"
"I've never heard of you...people." He had almost called them abominations, for in Axinn's eyes, that is what the man was. Something about him didn't seem natural. He suddenly wondered that if he cut the man, would he ooze blood or something else? He'd put a gold coin or two or something else.
He then glanced an odd eye at Jess, before taking the bottle for himself, swigging down a little more than a mouthful. It was good to start the day with the drink. Its how he did everyday. "My name is Axinn, male Artificer. I am an Alnehian."
