The iron gray clouds overhead blot out the sunlight, drizzling rain and promising a furious storm to come. The citizens of Trunau begin spilling out of their huts and cottages, grim-faced as they prepare for the ceremony to come. The giving of the knives is a sombre affair; a celebration of the promise of youth in stark contrast with the dismal reality of life in the Holds of Belkzen.
Whether you have recently turned twelve or your birthday is in the coming days, you have been looking forward to this day for months. The ceremony marks your acceptance as a citizen of Trunau, with all of the rights and responsibilities that go with that title. Anxiously you stand, in line with a half-dozen or so of your peers as you await the master of ceremonies. Most of the children present are lifelong friends of yours, raised in the holds and hardened by life on the savage orcish frontier. Unfortunately, the ceremony is a reminder that many of you will not make it to adulthood.
You head out into the centre of town, spying the nervous children who await the arrival of Halgra of the Blackened Blades, the Chief Defender of Trunau. Every few months the town gathers for the giving of the knives, and you are familiar with the proceedings which are to come.
Halgra of the Blackened Blades arrives, and in her hand she holds a number of leather belts. Each is attached to a sheath holding a hopeknife, a symbol of final defiance in the face of the orcs which have claimed the surrounding lands. In silence, she strides down the line handing one to each child present along with a lump of black coal. She then heads toward the front of the line, facing the children with a grimace.
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Albert could barely contain himself when he saw the belt. Adulthood! He was finally going to be a man, and his dreams of being a knight were closer than ever.
"Mother, I will make you proud. I swear it by my honor." He muttered to himself.
He was afraid and excited, but when he looked at Halgra the only thing that passed though his mind was terror. She terrified him. Shaking he waited for what came next.
Brother Olrik of the local church looks upon the gathering with pride, though he is of a different race, and has seen the ceremony many times, he is always happy to see more of the children coming of age and accepting responsibility.
Olrik is nearby to Halgra, and frowns slightly at her sour expression.
Holding her spellbook tightly to her chest, Diadra watches curiously as Halgra walks down the line handing each twelve year old their hopeknife, She ays nothing as she takes her own in one hand, simply staring at it in wonder.
So this is the object which everyone considers the key to adulthood? Interesting. To make such a large deal out of... receiving something used for a suicide. This bears further thought when I have more time.
Mykhail accepts his belt passively, eyes downcast. More responsibility. The young man's heavy shoulders rise and fall in a muted sigh.
The big lad casts around surreptitiously, gauging the reactions of his peers. Seeing Albert's stricken look, Mykhail does his best to look afraid and sick too.
“The lines which now mark us are a symbol of duality. They remind us that we still have some life in us, that the orcs have not crushed our spirit and as long as there is breath in our lungs and blood in our veins we will fight to keep our place in these lands. They also remind us of death’s shadow. That it is better to die on our own terms than to live as cattle for the beasts who would try to take us from our homes. If ever you are taken, remember these lines, that they may save you from a fate far worse than the sting of your hopeknife.” She says. Her voice is smooth, yet powerful and you can tell that she is a woman used to roaring over the din of battle.
“Go now, to your friends and family. Celebrate this day, for tomorrow you are responsible for yourself.” She states, and with a curt nod she turns to leave.
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Now that the ceremony has finished, Albert felt a strange peace of mind. An adult in the eyes of the town! Still nervous and excited he gestures a quick "see you later" to his father and walks by Mykhail.
"I thought I was going to faint... Mykh, I'm so nervous I don't know where to go now! Do you want to do something before the festivities starts?"
Albert smiles, waiting for his pal answer.
Mykhail glances around, then back to Albert. He really is talking to me...
"Uh, yes? What should we do?" He asks awkwardly.
Diadra follows Albert very closely, sheathing her blade. She peers out at Halgra one last time before turning to her companions. "If you two are to go off and have fun, I certainly would like to join you. I have dancing lights as one of my spells for today, just for that sort of occasion. It might be funny to prank some of the others into thinking they are fey creatures."
Mykhail nods, smiling. "Carving names is a good plan. I..." He snaps his mouth shut as Diadra approaches. A new friend and a girl? Is someone playing a trick?
The big lad keeps his eyes down, but he cannot hide his smile. Friends? Multiple? This is the best day ever.
Diadra frowns at the suggestion to abandon her spellbook. "Where I go, this book goes. It never leaves my side, not even when I am eating or sleeping." She turns to Mykhail, cocking her head. "Is he okay? This one seems to be a bit at a loss for words." She leans forward as if examining the boy. "Hm... you aren't under some sort of curse are you? That would be unfortunate indeed; I don't have a spell to solve that problem. Not yet anywho."
Mykhail blushes furiously as Diadra leans in to stare at him. He takes a shuffling step backward and looks back at the ground. "I mean, there's the big oak outside the gates. It might be ok for carving names. I mean, I guess. Maybe. If you want to. It's stupid..." He blushes again.
Diadra nods. "I think that would be an acceptable location. And with our new hopeknives, it should be simple enough to leave a lasting imprint on the tree." She hugs the book closer to her chest. "And admittedly, it would be fun to see what the outside world is like. I've never really been out due to my illness."
Diadra nods. "Oh yes, I am quite alright. From what I've noticed, it only really affects me when I cast one of my more advanced spells. And even so, it looks a lot more frightening than it truly is. I just cough up a bit of blood is all." She says this all quite calmly, as if it happened to everyone.
As you approach the city gates, you see the two posted guards engaged in conversation. Their backs are turned, and the buildings leading up to the gate provide adequate shadows to dart between if you wish to remain hidden. A small cart sits 100ft or so from the two men, and would make a perfect stepping stone to help you over the wall.
Diadra takes a look at the cart and smiles, realizing exactly what she has to do in order to climb up the wall...
... however quickly learns that she cannot possibly climb with one hand grasping onto her spellbook. She quickly plummets to the ground, worse for wear and certainly embarrassed. The only thing more hurt than her bottom is her pride.
Myhail laughs, unbelieving. "Yes! Ok! Let's go!"
As they approach the wall, Mykhail starts to get nervous. "I don't know...maybe..." He looks up to see Diadra scampering across the space to the cart. When she falls hi bolts forward. I am coming friend.
"I am here. Climb onto my shoulders."
Still red from the embarrassment, Diadra picks herself up and gladly accepts Mykhail and Albert's aid. She is boosted up almost effortlessly by the two and as she gets to the top, looks down and gives a slight nod. You two certainly have my thanks," she whispers.
Diadra, as you slip and begin to fall you feel the strong hands of Mykhail scoop you up just before you hit the ground. Albert approaches, like a shadow in the night, and together the young men boost you to the top of the wall. Though only twelve, these two are larger than most of the teenagers in the village. Together you all clear the wall, dropping down to the other side with the a dull thud. The guards are oblivious to your presence, and now that the wall obscures their view you are free to move toward the great oak. You see it standing alone, roughly 500ft from the wall and over toward the road which leads to the city gates. The drizzle has now become light rain, and you can see dark clouds rolling in from the north.
You notice the harsh landscape of your homeland for the first time in detail as you stand outside the protective city walls. Having never been outside without the protection of your parents or older townsfolk, it dawns on you that this land is truly wretched. Jagged hills of dry rock dot the plains before you, casting long shadows in what little sunlight peeks through the clouds. A pang of pure, undeniable fear lurches in the pit of your stomachs for just a second as you realize how fragile the city of Trunau really is.
You catch sight of the oak once more, and the adrenaline quenches the fear in your stomach. Adventure calls!
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"We... we made it! We are outside. But this landscape... I've never imagined it to be this ugly. Even the hills are menacing..."
He turns to his friends I'm terrified... even Hagra isn't this scary... and whispers trying to disguish his fears with a smile:
"Let's stick together and protect each other. That's what good friends do."
And he draws the hopeknife Halgra gifted them, the blade helping him to stay as calm as possible in this place.
"Even the land wants to bully us." Mykhail sets his jaw, a look of determined defiance on his shy face. "I don't like bullies."
He starts jogging toward the oak, hopeknife clamped in a white knuckled fist.
Cringing at the idea of physically exerting herself, Diadra shakes her head and instead walks at a normal rate. "I think I will leave the racing antics to both you and Mykhail here." Unconsciously switching to the deceptively beautiful Infernal language, she continues. "After all, for a wizard of my considerable power..." Blinking, she shakes the thoughts off, switching back to the Common tongue. "N-nevermnd."
I thought I had rid myself of that other voice some time ago. No matter. More research must be done to determine when it comes and goes...
As the two boys eagerly race toward the tree, Myhail pulls ahead and reaches the oak first. Diadra arrives a few moments later.
Mykhail slaps his palm against the tree and lets out a triumphant whoop.
Diadra spends her time walking to examine her spellbook. Now what was it that I prepared? Ah right, enlarge person and... hm, hopefully I don't burn anything down...
You all eventually reach the tree, and draw your hopeknives. Diadra carves her name elegantly into the soft bark, her years of scribing spells into her book showing in the curves of her writing. Mykhail writes his in a sensible script, and Albert eventually gets the spelling of his name correct (with some help from the others).
Mykhail, you are the first to notice the cloud of dirt and dust moving swiftly toward Trunau in the distance. Shielding your eyes from the rain you come to a realisation that leaves a sick feeling in your stomach; Orcs on the ride. You point it out to your friends, spying three figures on wolfback making their way with great haste.
Diadra squints as she peers at the approaching figures. "I see, orcs..." She closes her eyes to think. "At our level of skill, I suspect that our chances of survival should we stay here are... less than five percent. I would most certainly suggest running."
And almost immediately after finishing those words, her eyes bolt open and she quickly scrambles towards the gate.
Mykhail grounds himself, spreading out his feet on the wet soil and dropping into a fighting crouch.
"I hate bullies..." He growls around the deep scowl on his face.
Think Usov. 3 Orcs and their wolves. You can't fight that alone. Your friends are scared and the town needs warning. More will be coming.
Mykhail puts his head down and sprints with purpose back toward the fort. He easily overtakes the others and almost plows into a sentry.
"Orc scouts. 3 on wolfback, headed this way. It looks like scouts. We should kill them and evacuate the town." The boy stands up straight and tall, shoulders back and rises to just below the guards shoulder despite being half the man's age.
As you all make your way to the gate, Mykhail is the only one coherent enough to explain what's going on. The guards greet you with confused looks.
"What're you kids do- ORCS! WE'RE UNDER ATTACK! TO THE WALL!"
Everything starts to move very quickly, as you hear a horn sounded and men and women rush from their homes, weapons in hand. As the gates close, you see a dozens of Orcs running behind the riders, along with a few ogres and goblinoid slaves.
The guards turn to you "You two, get to shelter, it's not going to be safe here for long. You, big guy," he says, motioning toward Myhail "Grab a spear and man the wall.
Mykhail sets his jaw and nods once. He hurries to a nearby weapons rack and hefts a long spear. So unwieldy...I'll probably just throw it and use my fists. Grimly, he walks to the ramparts to take his place among the soldiery.
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[oob]Yay![/ooc]
"N-N-NO! I won't hide like a child! I am an adult now!"
Albert is still visibly shaken, that's the power of orcs in Trunau.
"I am scared... but so are the rest. We have to fight the fear and survive! And I won't let my brothers and my new friend put themselves in danger while I cower in a shelter!
And finishing that Albert goes for a spear, sword and shield and walks hastily by Mykh, nodding at him and bracing his weapon still fear of what was coming next.
Diadra look back to see her friends go pick up arms. She shakes her head with a sigh. "You two are liable to get yourselves killed... however, I suppose I cannot leave you to your fates alone. I suppose I shall join you." She follows closely behind Albert and casts enlarge person on him just as the orcs begin to close in on the gates. "I believe this might be of some use to you." she says before turning to Mykhail. "If you wish me to use my magical abilities on you as well, please do stick close by."
Mykhail stares grim faced toward the horizon.