Character RP

Dotaria wrote://Nice post bro, though we kinda made Davin end up in Sea Town..... Just in case you didn't know.//

\\I'm having Davin come back to Sapphire Lake, where he will march on King Amek, and then (hopefully) your guys navy will meet up with the army near Beleriand to transport us to Mycra?//

//I'll wait in Mycra then. FOR A SURPRISE i'll most likely sneak on board.//

\\Visualized like this//

//Sneak aboard it is, If that's ok. I've been reading post just haven't seen a good time to re add my charater//

//just play it out Grothbord. That's what I did make it up as you go along!//
"Who did this!" cries an assassin with fear, "It was probably those fucking mercenaries, when I meet them I'll gut them like pigs!" cried another.

"Twas the Rul clan," said Riut with grief,"Erea wanted to buried with his men once we do that we'll move again."

"But, why here!" said an assassin.

"Because, we'd be open to attack if they return. Now lets get this don-" Riut was cut off by a voice in his head 'No, bring us to the safe house. It'll give the men a chance to come to terms with it.' 'Who are you? Are you me?' Riut thought. The voice chuckled, 'No Riut, I'm your guard, call on me when you wish and I will help you.' "Erea..." Riut said aloud. The camp stood silently watching as a slight light emitted from Riut.

"WHAT IN THE HELL!" One of them cried, "OH GODS HE'S CURSED! SOMEONE HIT HIM WITH WATER!" They scrambled to retrieve their pouches of water. Throwing it at Riut it instantly evaporated as it hit the shield. 'Riut, once you reach the safe house, Find King Vala, warn him of Rul. They are coming...' Riut becomes aware of the men scared, frightened, and pulling their swords.

"What the hell? Did you guys see a ghost?" Riut asked.

"What the in the gods name was wrong with you!" They all said, only differently. "You were glowing!"

Riut looked at his hands and saw a mark imprinted on his hand. It was the mark of the guided. 'Yes Riut, the gods have great plans for you.'

//Mark of the guided, imprinted on the backs of Riut's hands//

//hey falling stars, just a suggestion. Since you are already in faxview why dont you warn King Vala? That way king Amek isnt being bombarded by attacks on all sides.//

As Sloan led Ethan's band through the ranks of gently billowing tents, he noticed very few banners of the Sea Town Lords. In fact, Roche and Crabb where the only two banners of major Lords he recognized. House Kalwell and House Reyde were a noted absence. Even without those numbers though, Davin's host was massive; the banners of hundreds of Lords were billowing in the wind, as well as the banner of a mercenary company, the Iron Thunder. It is said that during the company's charge, the metal plates on the horses clang together so loudly that everyone on the battlefield is deafened. Ethan also noticed many free riders and hedge knights had filled in the ranks left by the missing lords. One of five in the army appeared to belong to no lord. Upon passing through the Barley Gate, Ethan looked up at the murder holes, where grim eyes looked back. The city was barren. Few walked the stone-packed streets, and of those, many were escorted by soldiers. The market showed little signs of improvement, with only a few commoners buying necessities. Most of these were well into their older years. Stalls that normally hung every sort of wares were empty of even basic necessities. Ethan assumed that Davin had appropriated most of the crops for his armies.

Their column continued to weave its way through the city, approaching the White Dalia, the central keep of the city, and the home of House Rowe. My home. The keep itself was not white, more grey stone and gravel. Actually, it was named for the Warrior Lady of House Rowe, the White Dalia, who conquered all of Southern Eremor, much like what Davin was trying to do now.

//Ibsenia, I left the battle open for you to do the boarding scene. Do you want to do that and me finish the battle?//

The ships bumped, as the other one pulled alongside, dozens of enemy soldiers jumped aboard. Marcus called to the men to drop their bows and draw their swords.

"Protect the ship! Repel boarders!"

Marcus drew his sword, and began cutting and parrying. He soon found himself fighting a 3 on 1 battle. Parrying and whirling, he saw a weak spot and stabbed, bringing down a red-clad soldier. The other two quickly sychronized their attacks, and Marcus began to sweat a bit as he desperately parried both of their attacks, walking backwards. Then, he bumped against the edge of the boat. Trapped between the two men and the sea, Marcus fought ferociously for his life. Just as he was about to give up, and embrace the sweetness of death, one of the soldiers jerked up as a sword popped out of his chest, slick with blood. Marcus took advantage of the other soldier pausing in shock to cut his head clean off. Turning to thank his savior, he was surprised to see Arcus grinning at him.

"Hey Marcus, doing alright?"

Marcus cracked a smile, and nodded. "Yeah, I had it under control."

Arcus laughed and turned back to the combat, only to see that the battle on Ved Dovah had already been won. The men cheered, but Marcus knew the battle was far from over. Leading the charge, with Arcus by his side, he jumped off of the Ved Dovah to take the other ship.

They took the ship by surprise, who was now bereft of soldiers, and swept their way up to the stern, where the captain and his personal guard fought for their lives. Suddenly however, the gap they had been leading close up, as more sailors engaged Marcus' soldiers. Marcus and Arcus fought back to back, and Marcus admired Arcus' ability to fight lithely. Then, time froze. A enemy soldier stabbed, and Marcus whirled out of the way. The jab breezed by Marcus, and stabbed directly into Arcus' back. Marcus screamed as he watched the light leave Arcus' eyes.

Marcus remembered watching Arcus' laughing when he was sparring with Marcus, and watching him sit around the fire eating. How seriously he would take his job of drumming, it all came back to Marcus as he watched this young man, this boy, die.

Going into a fiery rage, Marcus whirled and spun and stabbed and slashed. His vision turned red, and he had no record of what he was doing. Next thing he knew, Jogo was restraining him as Arthur screamed at him.

"Damnit Marcus! Stop it! Its over! They are dead! There is nothing we can do, and the battle is won! Look." Arthur gestured to the broken and battered Mycran navy retreating over the water. Marcus slumped in anger and despair, and looked over at Arcus, lying there frail and limp.

"He deserves a funeral Arthur. All of these men do. They shouldnt have died."

"I know Marcus, I know."

"How many did we lose? How many men will never see another sunrise?"

"13. thirteen soldiers. Jogo, release Marcus."

Jogo released Marcus, and he fell to the ground in a slump, while Arthur went about cleaning up the remains of the battle.

Marcus layed on his cot on the upper deck after the boat was cleaned of blood and the bodies of their men were wrapped in linen and stored belowdecks to be given a funeral. Arthur saw him laying there, dead to all emotion, and he told the helmsman to take the helm. He walked over to Marcus. "You alright brother?"

Marcus looked at him, "Yeah, I'm good. Just a shame the boy died. He saved my life, and when I dodged a thrust it went into him. It should've been me, I've lived a bad enough life."

Arthur punched the man in the chest, hard, "Don't you EVER fucking say that! The gods do what they will, and they take who they take. It's not your time yet, so don't talk like that. Be happy for him, he moved on to his ancestors and is drinking mead in the Hall of Vendov, with other warriors great and small. He was a young lad, a valuable asset to this crew, and a good friend of ours. He didn't die a boy, he died a man, and I'll miss him like a brother would. Be lucky you knew him for the time you knew him. Men die, it's the end of every man's journey in this life. He died a way a warrior should, with a smile on his face and a dead enemy at his feet. Be proud of him, and mourn for him, but we have more men we need to take care of. You're our leader, even on this boat you tell me where to sail. We can't lose our leader after every time a good man dies. Protect and lead the others, but remember Arcus's sacrifice for us."

Marcus looked at Arthur, and smiled. "Thank you Arthur. We will bury them right?"

"A ceremonial cremation would do better, so we can spread their ashes to the sea or to a strong wind so they can still live among us," Arthur said, then pulled a pouch from his bag laying on his palate next to Marcus. "I keep my half-brother's ashes in this, so he can guide me. I talk to him a lot, especially when I pray."

Marcus took the ashes, "How did he die?"

"He was killed in the battle that banished me. We were fighting side by side in the line. My horse went down, and I was damn near killed, but being the big brother, he came back for me and helped me up. We fought on foot for a while, maybe an hour or so, I dunno, but an arrow storm came down. I fought with a sword and shield at the time, and I raised my shield. My brother... He took one in the heart. He fought with the greatsword I have. I went over to his body, and his last words to me were, 'Damn it, good damn run, but damn it.' He then clutched by hand and said, 'Brother, don't get yourself killed because of me. I love you, though the clan might not I do. I love you brother...'" After that, Arthur paused, choking back tears. He then said, "I don't remember much of that, but my gift took over. When I came too, the battlefield was on fire, and the clan we were fighting were slaughtered by it. I was banished by my own father, who had to if he didn't want me and my whole family killed. He told me so when he did, and I asked him If I could be there for Kaidan's funeral. He let me be there and spread his ashes. I kept some of them, and kissed my stepmother goodbye. She loved me like a mother should, not many women did to their husband's bastard-born children, but she lost 2 sons that day. I heard she damn near killed herself."

Marcus was quiet for a while, "Damn Arthur, I'm..."

"Don't," Arthur said, "I miss my family, but these are my new brothers now. Maybe I'll return to the Frostlands a hero, maybe I won't, but the god's will me to do their work. That's the way of things. We'll burn our dead by the Century Oak, then return to Sea Town. I already told the Lord Admiral, and after a bit of a discussion, he gave us leave to do so."

Instead of burying them, The men collected driftwood planks for each of the men, and placed them there, to be lit on fire. They lit all the other soldiers, and then last of all, lit Arcus' plank. Marcus watched the plank disappear into the horizon, the flames blending into the setting sun. Once they plank was gone, Marcus turned to Arthur and gave them him leave to set the ship towards Sea Town.

When they arrived at Sea Town, Marcus was a much harder man. The Flag of House Ocren was flying overhead, and when they went to receive their payment, King Davin was gone, and Lord Ocren payed them in stead. Marcus observed Lord Ocren was a fat, whiskered man. He was clearly a bought man, and loyal only to Davin's gold. This reflected a lot on Davin, Marcus thought.



Marcus shared these thoughts with Arthur.

"I dont think Davin has many friends Arthur. He surrounds himself with cowards and greedy men. This may be his downfall. The commoners dont love a cruel king. Why is every king in this land so ignorant of the commoners? If I was a king, I would rule benevolently. Ha! Thats what we should do! Take over Eremor and rule it" Marcus says in jest.

"Honestly, you wouldn't be a bad king Marcus" Arthur says honestly, "I would follow you."

Marcus rolls his eyes and continues, "Anyways, we need to find more men, so lets go on a recruiting drive. We should also talk to Lord Ocren about keeping that ship we captured. I think you can change his mind. Maybe SPARK a few ideas." Marcus laughs.

The night has fallen on Faxview, most of it's citizens are in their houses, except for the one who are drunk. Riut, went through the town alone, sticking to the shadows of the buildings caused by the moon. He moved quickly. He made it to the door of the the King's Castle. Slipping over the low wall he glides to the door, takes out his dagger, a nail, and a piece of parchment. He nails it to the door and leaves. Riut awakens to a knock at his door. "Riut, you must hear this!" the assassin says to Riut who is rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"What is it." Riut mutters to the other assassin. The man walks over to Riut and hands him a letter.

"A runner gave this to me. It's a letter from King Vala."

Assassins-
To the members of the guild. I have no fear of these Rul men. Unless you can prove their coming then I will take no action to counteract this threat. I wish to meet with a party to discuss business. Midday to my castle. No weapons.

The letter ended with the king signature. "Grew, get Humn and Folock we ride to Faxview." They put on their armor and a few minutes later they are riding to the city of Faxview. They arrive in the city center.

"What's your plan Riut?" the assassin Grew asks.

"I let my spirit tell."

"HALT! What is your business here peasant."

"King Vala wished to meet with the assassin's guild."

"Dismount and come with me." They follow the guard into the interior of the castle. Seating themselves around a table they wait. Vala enters moving with a purpose.

"You assassin's are out of your blasted minds. What in the hell where you thinking posting that on the door of my castle," he exclaimed, "you could have started a panic if my guards didn't find it first! What is this about the Rul, they never invade towns."

"My majesty, let me explain" Riut says as he stand up "I'm a guided one please listen to my spirit it tells the-"

"Enough of this bullshit! The last guided one was found killed on the slab mountains." The King interrupted. "Tell me the real reason why you put these obscenities on my doorstep!"

"It's tr-"

"GET THESE ARSES OUT!" Enraged Riut leaps across the table and tackled the man. 'Here we go Riut'. Riut feels himself float out of his body. Looking around he walks forward into the fog. He emerges into a clearing with a table and tea. Riut runs and embraces Erea who is sitting pouring tea.

"Where is that man?" Erea asks as Riut sits down and sips his tea. "Crumpet?"

"No thank you Erea, AH your majesty!" The King emerges from the white surrounding the men. His face pale and utterly scared and surprised at the men.

"AM I DEAD!?" Vala exclaims

"No," Erea laughs, "Only, not if you count your soul being pulled from you body into the land of the Gods." The King faints. As he hits the ground a slight puff is heard. Riut walks over and pours cold water on his face, he awakens. "Now before you faint again your majesty, we have business to discuss." He explains the situation to the King. A slight drum is heard in the background. Erea finishes explaining. "Well it seems that time has caught up to us, I bid you all farewell." They awaken to the assassins slapping Riut and the guards about to pour water on the King. Riut blocks his face, the symbols on his hands glowing.

"Riut we have to go! The Rul have set a messenger to the palace telling the King he has one week to surrender Faxview to them, or they attack." They run, mount their horses and ride back to the safe house.

//I'm going to try and get you, Ibsenia and Dotoria, to help defend Faxview in my next post. Time to connect our stories//

//A couple edits, for both everyone and you. Vala resides in Ashwood, not Faxview. No biggie, he can just be inspecting his lands

Furthermore, i have decided that Faxview is a small port village, and the main city is Ashwood. Faxview is simply Ashwoods port. 

How can we defende Faxview? We are in a war right now.//

Arthur chuckled, "I was planning on selling the sow. She's too unruly and slow, but she'll give us a couple hundred dragons, considering the fact that she doesn't have that much damage. Recruiting men however... Do we want to recruit here?"

"Actually, this King Davin guy has me a little worried. He's keeping company like that lord? I don't want to fight for a man like him," Marcus said, voicing his concerns.

Arthur smiled at first, "We're mercenaries, we aren't supposed to have souls! I muat say though, I agree. It's the right of the victor to impose anything upon the vanquished, but I don't want to be a part of that. Let's take the gold an run, I say."

"We have to honor the contract first... Why don't we ride to Sapphire Lake and see them for ourselves? We have enough money for horses for all the men... We should get there in a week if we ride hard," Marcus said.

"We still keep our honor, but if we confront the man, we're liable to be attacked..." Arthur said, "I'd rather die on a ship." Arthur paused. "Let's go to Sapphire Lake. I think we can take them on."

Marcus nodded, "Where to keep the ship?"

"Beach her with the others I guess, they'll seize our ship if shit gets ugly," Arthur said.

"Sounds good, let's go tell the men."

//We could have a betrayal by King Davin....//

//I wasnt considering that, but if you think we will be betrayed, then we shouldnt. Plus, i bet most of the fighting men have been drafted anyways.//

//Assassin ready. I will post later. Sorry if I haven't been posting.//

//grothbord, you could meet up with the other assassin in this thread, Falling Stars aka Riut.

//Ok, Let me read where Riut is.//

//also, you can post as frequently or infrequently as you like, it just has to be good when you do post.//

Caleann left the town of Faxview and entered the forest. She noticed that the forest was mostly devoid of plants, similar to her home forests in Elverand. Towering above her several hundred feet were redwoods, like spires into the sky. They blotted out the sunlight such that the forest was a dark place. All that surreounded her were trees and dead needles. A small trail had been hewn out of the light undergrowth, leading deeper into the Black Forest away from Faxview.

The Black Forest reminded her of her home in Elverand. She was an elite ranger for her kingdom, skilled in tracking, archery, and infiltration. It was normally her duty to protect the kingdom, both from internal and external threats. While Elverand primarily stayed neutral in wars, they were unwisely getting involved in this one. She was in Faxview to make an alliance with Southwind, on the terms that if they refuse they will be conquered. She was no diplomat, and those were rough terms, but she felt confident in her fearsomeness that surprising the king in his summer home would not be a problem.

Into the forest wound the path, surrounding her with an eerie quietness. A clearing up ahead made her squint. She lodged an arrow in her bow, which she hung once more on her back. She entered the clearing, and a small cottage lay to oneside. Other kings may have had palaces and mansions and castles, but the people of Elverand and Southwind were different in that they used the magic of the forest to their own use, adapting to the forest, rather than changing the land to meet their needs. The people of Elverand lived in the trees, and the people of Southwind were simple folk.

Guards outside the cabin stopped her at the entrance to the meadow, and pointed their spears at her neck. She let them, knowing that they had no idea who she was, and knowing that she could worm her way out of this situation alive if it got ugly. But she did it for another reason as well. Perhaps the men would get a superiority burst, and underestimate her powers, and let her speak to their king. She did not know the relations of Southwind with Faxview, but she assumed they were friendly. It turned out fine, as they let her pass, but insisted that she disarm herself before entering the cabin. She did so, but the men then thoroughly patted her down. They did not discover the dagger hidden in her sleeves, which she took to be incompetence.

She approached the king, who looked nothing like a king, admiring his hunting trophies along a wall. She was disgusted in his sport, but admired them to win favor.

"King Ledgric. You know why I am here?"
"I know why you are here, I know not who you are."
"I am Caleann of Elverand." She bowed then //(not a curtsy)//.

He approached her, his face as flat as a plate, and watched her in her bow. He then put his index finger under her chin and raised her head to eye level. He moved the finger over her lips. Their faces were centimeters apart. He stared into her eyes, considering her. She stared back into his eyes, not wavering the stare. Then he took a step back, sat down, and motioned for her to sit.

Caleann looked straight at him. The King had been respectful, yes, but perhaps he had taken the ritual too far. The meeting did not go as planned, and she almost came to the point of slitting his throat on multiple occasions. Finally, a deal was agreed upon, and an alliance was made. They remained there for the rest of the day, speaking about home, and of their friends. She still did not understand the Ritual, but it worked wonders on the tree people, instilling a sense of wisdom and calm in them. When done right, it also unlocked doors in the magic that binds the universe together, and telecommunication was possible. The greater the distance though, the more energy would be spent. At this range, she could probably send a few brief messages, but the amount of time and energy it would take would probably set her back days.

However, first thing the next morning, she channeled, focusing on the energy in her core, and directing it a distant mind. She felt his conscience, a dim speck, glowing brighter and brighter. She reached out, and smothered her energy over the silvery sphere. At first the entire sphere seemed to harden, creating a steel wall, but then loosened, burst, and interwove with hers. The Alliance has been created. You may continue as planned. Then she departed, rushing back towards herself, until he was nowhere to be felt or seen. She felt her consciousness secure itself once more within her skull, and solidified the walls that were usually there. She pictured a brick wall, and all else disappeared. Then, letting the bricks slide away, and her view recede to blackness, she opened her eyes.

About a third of an hour had passed, and the king seemed to be leaving. He understood that an alliance would mean work, and that armies would need to be prepared. He also offered to transport Caleann back to Elderand, which she agreed to. They moved out, skirting the edge of Faxview, and boarded the Sea Dragon, a sturdy wooden ship. This time she was able to lead Acorn onboard, and prebuilt "stables" were there. The interior of the hull had been thickened with iron, giving the ship an unparalleled strength, though it did slow it somewhat. Any ship that tried to ram it, would have a nasty surprise waiting for them.

East Ibsenia wrote://also, you can post as frequently or infrequently as you like, it just has to be good when you do post.//

//infrequently for me//

//I will assume Caleann is a different species, like an Elf. And King Legdric is one, and they are feuding tribes. But now an alliance has been made, so something can happen. Idk what. Because Southwind is a vassal of House Rowe, so he wouldnt be a king if he was lord of Southwind. So he will be more a king of his "people." If you know what i mean.//

//Ok, I think I know what I'm going to do then. Luck with the war.//