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Finally, After a year of training within the order, under the stern gazes of its many masters, The day of trail has come. Well, the first day, anyway.
Cedric Addresses you all within his own chamber with a booming smile and a captivating yet forceful voice.
Today, is a great day, not only for the you, but for the order. Today, the order will gain a bounty of new, and great members. Today is the first day of the TRAILS, These series of tests will push you to the limit, testing you for everything you have learned up to this point, as well as testing your resolve for what awaits you after these trails are over. Today all of your hard work, dedication, and discipline will pay off, You are the greatest of your generation, you have come to serve the noblest, and greatest of causes, it is to those of you who will become knights this day, that the weight of the world rests upon. Do not forget any of that. These trails will not only test your mettle, they will help aid us in the determining of your future roll within the order. We seek to place each individual where there skills may be of the most use. Those of you who fail your trail, shall be training an additional year, but fret not! few should truly fail, if any at all! Now then, go, complete these tests with pride and honor!
After his speech you are ushered out with the odd score of the others, and notice yet another score of trainees being ushered in from the opposite side of the chamber before the doors close shut behind you.
you are left waiting within an antechamber in the underplex of the Orders Fortress Temple, Even after a year you cannot help but marvel at the beauty and craftsmanship of the temple. Silver halls inlaid with gold trimming depicting all kinds of pictures, tokens, symbols and much more, tapestries telling the tell of great heros, battles and the several "prophecies" that the strange oracles tell of. Golden Braziers with ever-burning oil lighting everything in a golden glow. Suddenly A loud, militaristic voice disturbs your thoughts. You look down to see an older dwarf clad in armor walk in yelling in a voice louder than you though possible from a dwarf, and whats worse is its almost as if its his normal voice.
ALRIGHT YE BLIMEY PEACH BEARDED DAFFODILS LISTENNNN UUUUPPPP! ME NAMES DARNIT ROCKSHOULDER, I AM TE OVERSEE YE FIRST TRAIL! FOLLOW ME!
he leads you deeper into the complex until the walls of carved stone and gold fade into the grey and black of natural caverns.
YE FIRST TEST, SURVIVAL! THERE BE ONE ENTRANCE, AND ONE EXIT TO THESE CAVERNS, YE FIRST TEST, IS TA FIND THE EXIT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE! BE WARNED, THA CAVERN RUNS A WHOLE DAYS WORTH O' TRAVEL IF YE KNOW THE WAY! EACH O' YE WILL BE GIVEN A MAGIC BELL, IF YE EVER FIND YE'SELF LOST, ALONE, AND WANTIN TO CRY LIKE A NO BEARED BABE YE RING THAT BELL AND HELP WILL COME TO YE! THOSE O' YE THAT MAKE IT OUT WILL BE GRADED ON THE SPEED YE MADE IT OUT AND YE CONDITION. BE WARNED, ALL SORTS O' VARMITS MAKE THERE HOME IN THESE TUNNELS, NUTHIN YE YOUNGIN'S SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TE HANDLE THOUGH!.. OH! ALSO, YE ARE TO BE ALLOWED TO WORK IN GROUPS O' THREE AN NO MORE! IF YE MAKE IT OUT SOLO YE WILL GET A BONUS TO YE GRADE! YE GOT AN HOUR TO PREPARE! FORM YE TEAMS, OR ASSEMBLE YE GEAR WHEN THE BELL CHIMES TIS TIME TO ENTER THE TUNNELS!
The dwarf hands you each a bell in a pouch and marches out of the room.
My Alias created
Nitrus looked around and huffed. The small fiery gnome clearly didn't like this whole 'standing' around thing. Short spiky red hair, bright green eyes look at the group impatiently.
Short, brightly colored, vials all over him, pockets, belt, pouches, even his backpack seemed to be filled with the things. If you have been with the order long, you would recognize him as one of the healers in the order.
The only kind of armor he seems to be waring is a very well made shain shirt, other than that, there is not much defencive items on the small creature
Come one, come on. We don't have time to loose, there seems to be a time limit you lot, hussle hussle!
A tall lanky human straightens at the fiery gnome's words. He's wearing a breastplate emblazoned with the symbols of the order and torag, god of smiths. On his back is a large metal shield, and a war hammer hangs on his belt. A large pick rests on his shoulder. His helm is in his left hand so you can see a friendly, smiling face with short blond hair. Despite his armor he moves easily and gracefully. A pack sits beside him. All his equipment looks expertly made and fashioned. Despite his warlike equipment he seems like a friendly sort.
well then pilgrim, we have an hour or so, don't we. Let's start with intros, why not. Call me Bill, Metal Bill most call me. You are?
Fine fine. If you think we have time, who am i to stop you. Nitrus Shortspark, field medic for the order... or well, hope to be. Also, a bomb expert! he says proudly. If you look at him, and the way he moves, you are not sure if the little gnome might just explode on his own or not
Bill smiles in his friendly way.
glad to meet you Nitrus. A medic, I envy your profession, being a healer and that. I'm a...ah...Oracle I think its called. For the lord of the forge. Metal is my friend, tool and weapon. But I don't tell the future. Not that sort of Oracle. But I really like to think of myself as a smith, a crafter of weapons. I made these two myself. My mother made this breastplate, and my father the shield.
Bill's calloused hands touched each item as he talked, as if communing with them.
Um, what do you mean, bombs?
Felix listened to the speeches as he looked around at the gathering. The room they were in was just as overly-garnished as the rest of the area had been and he had to restrain himself from commenting on the sheer wastefulness of it all. What's the point of putting gold on everything? It's simply an unnecessary use of wealth. he thought to himself.
Felix was a large, solidly built man who carried a large, strange sword-like pole arm with a 4 foot blade strapped to his back and an equally odd slightly curved blade resting at his hip. He carried both weapons as if they were a part of him, the confidence in himself apparent in his posture as he rested one hand comfortably on the hilt of the sword at his waist. As various people began grouping Felix sighed and stepped forward and nodded greetings to those nearby.
"My name is Felix. I'm a Knight of the Dragon and servant of the Order. It is my duty to protect all and I intend to prove my ability to do so in our coming trials. If any wish to join me I will promise to guard their back as they guard mine."
His green eyes lights up. He takes a few things from his back pack. He holds up each piece, explaining a few properties. Then finally
If I mix them in the right order and put them in a vial, then throw it... he leans forward as to whisper
After his little outburst of fun, he looks up at the new spoken up man
Hey big guy... everyone is big to me... except small people... yes. Well right. Good to meet you mr Felix. Nitrus Shortspark, medic and bomb expert. At your service... and if you hug me... you better be fire proof
I don't think we'll be hugging you anytime soon.
Ralmar interjects into the group. He dresses himself quite simple compare to the rest group and if his weapons on his sash weren't there, he would have appeared as pilgrim rather than a trainee of the order. Of course, being a large half-orc doesn't strike a regular image of one of the monks of the order.
Bill turn towards the new speaker
hello sir knight, I'm Bill Smith, weapon maker and Oracle. Is that a katana? I have only heard about those, supposed to be fine weapon work. If it's is not an imposition, may I look at it?
Bill looks fascinated by the thought of a new weapon to examine.
Bill notices the half orc in supprise, distracted by the thought of seeing an actual katana.
Oh, apologies, my fascination, distracted me. As you probably heard I am Bill Smithson. And you are.
I don't think we'll be hugging you anytime soon.
The gnomes looks at the half orc. Crossing his arms
Good thing. Or we all might regret it. In other news, Nitrus Shortspark. Here to help heal and to blow things up. other than that, delighted to meet you all. Now can we please get going, want to get this over with. No time like the present and all that. Dont worry, will try my best to keep you all good as new till we reach the end! Doctor's word! he exclaims
The door that all of you had entered a good half hour before and from which the Sargent had left shuddered with a resounding BOOOM!
Those with good hearing might have heard a muffled voice from the other side..."Locked by Tundar! A-a-an I is late! Well..."
Another resounding boom and the door splinters and cracks under the weight, Then another. With a third and final Crack, the door gives way and a bolder rolls through followed by two fuming guards.
Guard 1: "I got the damn key right here you Oaf!"
Guard 2: "Headbutting the door down? Seriously!"
Yet the boulder keeps rolling and only as it gets closer and 'stands up' do you realize that there is a dwarf that you hadnt seen at the great hall in the middle of the rough stone, muttering: "late late late..."
Pausing briefly, eyes blinking rapidly, he takes in the group, then utters loudly:
"Rockjaw. Who be you, by Tundar!?"
Now that you get a good look at him, you see a Dwarf clad from head to foot in rough hewed stone so marked with chips and abrasions as to resemble worn stone moreso than the once finely crafted and engraved stoneplate it was. To its side rested a literal slab of stone masquerading as a shield, atop the pile of rocks sat a smaller one inset in a helmet so banged and dented and visably run through with cracks as to draw testament to the hardships it must have endured. Of the rock in its center, a face so smashed and misshappen, with a scowl and dull grey eyes framed by a scarred and bleeding brow blankly looked out over the small group gathered.
Oi! Oi! Yes! You! Stupid one who just bashed in a door with your head! Come here! Let me have a look at that noggin of yours!
Nitrus marches through the crowd, clearly angry then without waiting pulls a chair and stands on it, looking at the dwarfs head
He jumps down and scowls at him
You better stick with me, I have a feeling you will need medical attention just by getting up in the morning!
Witnessing this strange series of events, Ralmar speaks up, 'As I was going to say, My name is Ralmar Lots, Monk in training."
Bill is stunned by the new arrival.
stone for armor! But how, and why?
Witnessing this strange series of events, Ralmar speaks up, 'As I was going to say, My name is Ralmar Lots, Monk in training."
He looks at the half orc. His eyes narrow
You better not be as reckless like the dwarf here... are you? Or I might just have to tie you all down for your own safety.
Rockjaw pushes aside the little gnome, grumbling as he does so.
"outta my face. Why we even here? What we gotta do? Tie him up? That it?"
As he pushes aside the gnome, but not before he sports a fresh bandage over his eye.
Rockjaw then starts moving. Heading towards the half-orc. It is akin to a boulder moving through a forest, not shifting course for anything.
Nitrus simply steps aside. Just glad he can make bombs quickly. And doesnt need to carry them around.
Oi! Oi! You big barreled bruiser! Careful! Fine... next time you loose and eye or arm, find another doctor to help you. Bah. No manners and no sense of safety... pffft. the little lava gnome moves away. If he wasn't a doctor he'd... he laughs to himself as he pictures the dwarf with a fiery beard
Ralmar raises his hand towards the advancing dwarf.
"No we are not doing that. It is a survival race through a cave."
He cannot fathom what would make the dwarf go to that conclusion. Did he hit his head too hard there?
"So, groups of three, I wonder who to pick," the tall, weaponless human muses. "I'm Arryn." He shakes hands, starting with Ralmer and Metal Bill.
The gnome rushes forward and skids to a stop in front of the newcomer Oi! Down here. Yes. The gnome. My name is Nitrus. Healer and bombardier. Excited to meet you. Eager are you. Well. Any injuries im happy to help with.
Ralmar shakes hands with Arryn over the gnome. "Ralmar. Nice to see someone polite around here."
He notices that Arryn doesn't have any visible weapons on him. "You don't seem to have any weapons on you."
He huffs then goes to stand to one side, mumbling he goes over his equipment again. If they wanted to ignore him. Fine. Will see how things go in this cave. As he mumbles he preps the catalyst for his bombs and put them in his bandolier. Ready to be grabbed and prepped for throwing. 3 Curative infusions, and many potions. All hand made and rechecked. Yup. He was ready.
Arryn glances down at the strange gnome and half-smiles. "Hello, Nitrus. Good to know you're there, just in case. Hopefully no injuries here, though."
Turning back to Ralmar, Arryn's smile widens. "Weapons are for amateurs."
Ralmar cracks a smile."We will see if you still believe that after this."
Bill looks around the room
So, who wants to be in which group?
As long as I can blow stuff up! the gnome excitedly chirps up again And I will to keep the group in one piece too. By the way he added as an after thought
A tall human steps forward introducing himself. "I am called thoros, I worked as a caravan guard before joining the order."
Thoros has a massive axe and a smaller hammer across his back and is wearing a well made breastplate.
"where should we stash our extra gear?"
"Considering that he said three or more, I say we should all be together."
No no no. A party of three, no more. Those were instructions I blieve!
"Really? Its hard to tell with that with the way he talks, but if you guys said so.."
yes he said groups of there and no more. Though I agree his accent was...unique. I can heal a bit, if that helps choices.
Thoros will bring his hammer, rope, flint/ steel, torches, a waterskin and 2 day's worth of food.
Medical people need to split up, so our charges have some medical assistance. he points at the rock faced dwarf That hard head will need a lot of medical attention. I know it...
"Good idea. So who wants to go with who?"