Here we are.
Just a dot.
nothing fancy.
dot
You have lived in the empire city of Martell all of your life.
When the kingdom was established, a spell was put over it that anyone born within the walls has an arcane mark of the city's symbol(a simple M in a circle) on the right side of their neck.
This was done to make sure only true citizens could enter the city, but also marks you as an outsider of the smaller towns, living without help of the luxurious city.
Martell was destroyed by a trio of powerful mages, leading a wave of undead creatures.
You wake up in the desert several miles away from the pillar of smoke that is now Martell.
You followed out a tanned half elf with a caravan wagon and you are either in or around it as you wake up the morning after the attack.
There is no horse or any other beast if burden there to pull it, but you could have sworn a four legged creature was pulling it the night before.
There is an empty saddle in the harness that something appears to have disappeared out of.
The tan half elf that helped you escape is asleep at the head of the wagon you wake up in.
Grrr - just finished a long post and forgot to copy it to the clipboard. Stupid site timed out. GRRRRRRR. Will try to get it up again.
The short athletic woman wakes early and quickly climbs a nearby stone outcropping to look back upon the city she has called home the entirety of her life. What she sees is a nightmare, no, it is worse than a nightmare. Smoke rises in great plumes and the smell of burnt flesh is readily apparent. Despite the horrors in front of her, the woman sits down and bows her head in prayer.
Athena, Lady of Wisdom, Lord of Battle. Grant me insight that I might learn the cause of this horror and someday avenge it. Give me the wisdom to help those with me who escaped the nightmare that was Martell.
The woman then bows her head in silent prayer while simultaneously stretching and moving through a series of arm and leg movements which are elegant, yet clearly designed to teach the body motions to be used in combat.
After another ten minutes or so, the woman quietly rises and returns to the mysteriously horseless wagon. Not knowing what to expect, or whether the undead and their mortal leaders might suddenly spring forth from the ruins of the once great city, Znierca maintains a quiet vigil waiting for the few other survivors to arise.
When the first one awakens:
Morning. I would say "good", but it seems rather unfitting considering what we all experienced last night. The sun is up, and unless we all wish to spend more nights in the cold of the desert, we should soon set forth to see whether any villages that Martell has for so long ignored are willing to accept survivors of from the city.
"it's worth a shot anyway, the man says, he then casts arcane mark on himself mimicking the one the city grants to those born there this should help
Lulu was wandering around most of the early hours and soon as the others are awaking. she climbs up to the man still sleeping and starts to poke him with her little staff.
Mister, Mister, Mister, Mister this continues until he wakes up.
Malwoa places a new candle on her candlestick. She looks up at the waning crescent moon, and begins to walk.
>>what... What now. The city burns behind me.<<
she sighs. She was already close to an entrance when the undead attacked, and managed to slip out. She began to walk around looking for survivors.
>>This moon doesn't help. It's a hopeless moon, fading into darkness. I hope i find solace in the sun as it rises tomorrow.<<
the wind picks up further, blowing out her candle.
>>it's... So cold.<<
she sets down her candlestick and gets out her flint and steel.
>>the wind blows, heralding death as it always has. While the sun hangs in the sky, the winds sear and burn, and as night falls, the winds chill and freeze. Could the winds not have blown out the torches of our enemies? No, it remained still. And as the few remaining survivors flee, it once again brings it's suffering, as the town burns, weakening the barely living survivors. when the sun rises, the winds shall cause even more to suffer, burning in the winds.<<
the candle finally takes to the spark, and she picks it back up again, shielding it as she walks.
>> oh, but even then, the winds won't have enough. Sandstorms will blind those that get lost, and they will die unable to find their way, as they are torn at by the sand.<<
she once again looks up.
"Even so... In these dark times, there will be hope for those who can make it through. I lack the moon's guide tonight, only sustained by what i have. I'll make it though. The moon will return, and so will everyone's hope... Everyone that lives, anyway."
Malwoa sees a cart leaving the town, and follows after it, staying outside of the cart, never sleeping. She watches from slightly afar, waiting until someone approaches, or everyone is up. She is quite tired from the events of the day, and even more so from the lack of sleep. She wears a long robe, her mid-legs sticking out underneath the robe's end, and a thick hood. She has a pouch strapped to her side, and a strange-looking bladed mace strapped to her side.
"it's worth a shot anyway, the man says, he then casts arcane mark on himself mimicking the one the city grants to those born there this should help
Nex jolted awake after a particularly bad nightmare into a worse one. Still half alseep he jolted upright and whipped out his sword into a fighting stance. His muscles screamed in pain at the sudden movement, reminding him that fighting the waves of undead was yesterday's problem. Yes yes it was coming back now. He stayed behind with Master to buy time for the others. Eventually Master ordered him to protect this last convoy, and he would find Nex eventually. A cursory examination revealed some members of the convoy awakening. Best begin gaurd duty...
Nex did a circuit of the camp, looking for danger.
vincent starfall was siting on the out side of the convoy wondering what will happen next. he was covered in some average entertainers cloths. next to him was a tan bag with symbols swirling around it. he leans over and pulls out a few daggers and stats juggling them to pass the time.
the entobian walks up behind nex.
"Hello, what are you up to?"
The half elf asleep at the reigns wakes with a start.
The whip made of scaly blue leather grasped in his right hand arcs over his head and cracks jarringly loud in the mostly quiet desert.
"Proteus keep going! We have... to... oh..."
He yells to the empty reigns in front of him before realizing that he had fallen asleep.
"Um hello. I guess I should uh. Introduce myself. I'm Samuel Firbolg. I was a trader, taking things from Martell to Nirvana. All the way across the world. We should probably get to know each other. I assume I'm bringing you to Nirvana with me? That's where I'm going. No where else to. So, who all is here?"
He is tall(he is a half elf after all) and semi-muscular, with dark hair and green eyes. He has a short beard and mustache. He has on a white button up shirt, not buttoned quite all the way and dark pants tucked into heavy boots.
In the covered wagon, there is not much space between a watertight barrel, a chest and a couple crates.
A backpack sits next to him on the driver seat.
The dark haired shorter human looks at the suddenly stirring half-elf. She offers her hand:
Well met. I am Znierca. I think that most of us would like to join your . . . caravan. But, er, you seem to be missing your beasts of burden. I remember it last night, but it appears to have run away.
Lulu leans back a bit as the "tall" man cracks his whip. her eyes widen with wonder at the neat trick.
" Pleased to meet you.." she says then she notices the backpack.
climbing rather quickly to the other side of him she starts to open the back pack what's in here, you got any neat stuff? hey Pix you hungry?
the tiny winged fairy thing flutters around making some sort of whimsical notes.
Yeah I guess your right, you don't eat big people food do you.
she barely has the backpack open when she notices the back of the wagon and all the stuff.
Wow you gots all sorts of stuff,! she exclaims with excitement as she climbs into the back of the wagon checking out the barrels and the crates. (hoping they are not locked)
hmm, that or the animals were summoned, and yes I do seek transport,I am Payet Best,
Lulu finds that the barrel is tightly sealed, the crates are nailed shut, and the chest is openable with a latch, but only contains a leather shell of armor, a blanket, a pillow, and 50 feet of rope.
"Proteus returns to his own plane when I sleep and our connection loosens. One moment."
He stands with his eyes closed and arms crossed for a minute.
"Proteus eh? so izzat a specific summon, or is that a type of summon?"
Lulu is rather disappointed in what she finds. you are so boring, you would never have fun in the glade, right Pix?
the tiny flying creature simply flutters about emitting some more musical tones.
As he is summoning, lulu watches, just as he is about to finish can I taste you? I want to see if you really are boring or fun
Samuel doesn't respond, as he is deep in concentration.
A dragon-like creature of a yellow and green pattern fades into existence next to him, fadeing in and out before solidifying, blowing sand out from under where it now stands.
It has a long neck and thick scales, and something like a mane of hair down its back.
It nudges Samuel with its snout and speaks in a low rumble.
"Good morning, Master."
Znierca raises an eyebrow as the half-elf begins his ritual.
My parents tried to teach me of the planes. But, I prefer this one. The land, the other cities, that is what interests me. Have you been to them? What are they like? I have read about Nirvana, is it on an ocean?
Lulu totally forgets the question when the ....thing appears.
she responds to it though Good morning!
Turning to the lady that is talking of places
Pix and I are from the Glade, I'll bet you never been there, well of course not, you have to be invited like i was, by Pix here. I just arrived from the glade yesterday, seems a lot has happened while I was with Pix.
turning her attention back to the big thing that appeared.
what are you? what color do you taste like?
"I wish it was good..."
He scratches the giant lizard under the chin with both hands.
"This is Proteus. He is one of the major reasons we're alive right not. He pulls my cart and we fight alongside each other. We agreed on his name, after the god of change, as he is rarely the same, day to day."
He looks over to Znierca.
"I have never been to another plane myself, and Proteus only his and this one."
The dragon chimes in.
"It is hard to describe."
Back to Samuel.
"Nirvana is bordered by an ocean on one side and a forest on the other. It truly is beautiful."
He turns to Payet.
"Proteus is one of a kind, a type of outsider known as an Eidolon."
To Lulu.
"I would prefer you not, uh, ... taste me...."
If you and him are friends then why do you fight? she asks a bit whimsiclly. not really even waiting for an answer.
I think you probably taste.....hmmmm....hmmmm she seems in deep thought BLUE! she blurts out. Yup, definitely probably Blue.
Lulu leaps off the wagon. I haven't been to the city in sooooooooooo long, I forgot what it was like. I wonder if that magic hat shop still has the blue pointy wizard hat?
that magic hat shop went out of business about 80 years ago, after some big magic explosion caused all sorts of commotion.
looking to the others, can I come with you guys to nivvy rana?
"I am Proteus. I... do not taste like a color...."
It very obviously sounds confused.
"She's just a hatchling female... I think... just go with it."
Those that don't understand draconic hear Proteus growl something and Samuel growl back.
Payet snorts and says
"si tepohada assumed jacioniv ekess qe siksta baked, jaciv tiric ti vorq ekess qe vi nuwa'jimos, shar hak wer scaleless iri vorq allike ekess ir ti kema persvek identifying astahi"
"I think you definitely should come..."
If she didn't know what happened, Samuel felt that it was better she didn't...
"Let's get you hooked in Proteus."
He begins hooking the dragon into the harness in front of the cart.
He looks at Payet with a raised eyebrow.
Lulu smiles at the offer, somebody wants her around. it had to be the best feeling in the world, well this world at least, except the time Pix invited her to the glade.
Lulu takes a stroll around the wagon to see where she could sit. that's when she sees it... the pillar of smoke, the destruction in the distance.
the whole time she was looking things over she was whistling a little fey tune. but it suddenly went silent ans she stood there staring at the city she once called home many years ago.
" hi I am Vincent Starfall." He states in a lazy tone while putting his daggers away."yes I would like a ride."He looks over to proteus and says
He picks up his bag and slings it over his shoulder and walks over to Samuel and raises his hand to offer to shake hands.
Just as he completed his circuit without noticing anything, he heard a voice ask "Hello, what are you up to?". Literally jumping into the air from being so startled, Nex whipped around beginning to unsheathe his sword out of reflex. What he saw when he turned to voice was the empty air. Lowering his sword Nex thought, S+~~, barely the first day and already I'm at someone else's mercy. Well, if they wanted us dead they probably wouldn't have spoken.
Hello to you as well. I'm trying to keep this convoy safe, so if you don't mind revealing yourself so I'm sure you're not a threat, I could put away my sword and talk civil like. Even as he spoke, Nex eyes darted back and forth.
"Uh.... Look down. I am quite short compared to you. My name is malowa. Yours?"
the entobain was quite startled when you drew your sword, and jumps back herself. She quickly put her hand on the strange mace at her side, but retracted it after you spoke. She looks up at you, symbol of the town showing from underneath her hood.
i have got to stop doing that...
Oh, sorry about that, my eyes are still cloudy from sleep. My name is Nex, and I'm a warrior like yourself. Glad to see you got out of.. His voice broke, Well, there. Come, join our group of surviors. We don't have much but safety in numbers. Lets see what the others are up to. Sheathing his sword, Nex began to walk towards the wagon where there was the most commotion.
"I'm actually a healer by trade- but i can defend myself if need be."
she walks after nex, seeing what the others are up to.
Znierca's eyes grow large at the mention of forests and oceans.
I have always wanted to see an ocean. And a forest. I would love to see strange places like this. My parents told stories of such places, and I have seen many drawings in books, but to experience such things would be wonderful.
A healer you say?! Well, I think we're going to become the best of friends. Nex gives a feirce grin while stroking his sword hilt.
Nex arrives at the cart to see a half elf, a faen, and a strange creature looking at the smoke pillars from home. Hoping to brighten the mood by giving everyone something to do, he spoke up. Greetings friends, my name is Nex, Nex of Steel. You might remember my face from the escape. This here is Malowa, she seems to have just joined us. I was hoping we could gather ourselves and discuss what to do next. I have no desires other than to guard everyone, but I'm sure you all must have a plan. Why don't we all gather the others in a circle around here and share our plans?
lulu stood there stareing at the smoke from the city she once called hoem a long time ago. she touched the mark that identified her as a resident, wondering what that would mean now.
she hops up on the back of the wagon and finds a seat still looking out at the mess behind them.
after a bit she looks forward What happened? she asks indicating the destroyed city.
her cheerful voice is a bit more somber for a change
"Undead. Undead and powerful wizards happened."
she looks back at the town and sighs.
Looking back at the smoke slowly wafting up from the burned out husk of what was only a day before her home, Znierca shakes her head:
The question is not what happened. The question is why?
"I saw them, there were at least three of them, one female and two males, the female looked to be in charge,"
Why did the mages do this? The exact motive isn't clear, but I suppose like all evil folk it comes to the joy of destruction and power. Nex frowns. But as to how they managed to succeed in destroying our great city is beyond even me. I know, knew every guard that defended that city for the last twenty years, and none would have gone down easily. I know you must want revenge as do I, but now is not the time. What our next step is though is up to you, and I suggest we it soon before the enemy begins patrolling around here.
"Right now, we need to focus on putting some distance between us and the city. I don't know if they can or will catch up to us. Everyone climb onboard. There isn't a lot of space, but I wasn't expecting 6 other people. There's food in the bigger crate, but try to go light. That's all we got besides the emergency trail rations."
"I can make water, if you need it."
"Thanks. That's in the barrel, but it would be nice to not have to use it outside of emergencies."
Once everyone is on the cart, he calls to the dragon creature.
"Let's go Proteus."
The dragon responds with a "yes master," and the wagon is off.
Nex watches the scene behind them, scouring the landscape for enemies. This time taking care to look down for smaller creatures.
Perception-
But his eyes end up resting on the billowing smoke, wondering where his master was, and if he was alright.
Although preferring to travel on her own two feet, Znierca climbs aboard the cart and also keeps a vigil for any undead, or archmages, that might be following the group. First she scans behind the wagon, and then in front, before repeating.
Perception:
Payet sits near the front of the caravan and strums a few bars