This is a story of fantasy and magic, where most monsters thrive, wheather they be elves, half beasts, orcs, or even the normal average human. Most are accepted into the Tripoli Fair, there are some, wolf-men, or howlers they are called, they tend to live near or with orcs on the boarders between Gurtal and the Bandit's Forest, although some go to Tripoli, they are disliked by most, but still accepted. Every ten years it happens, and every ten years it goes. Most gather for the stalls, entertainment and other things, but some may come for the test of might. The king of Tripoli land, Trifus, usually finds some sort of great evil to be dealt with.


Warriors, magicians, and other people with great powers come to the fair, in search of this quest the king announces at the end of the fair, and one would usually know what he may announce if they have heard what is going on in foreign lands these past years. A great evil risen, led by an evil lich called Ristus, he will stop at nothing to conquer the neighbouring cities of Tripoli, and Tripoli itself. And they say the reward is greater than ever, but they too add so are the risks.

Lands of Gurtal are dangerous, and lie east of Tripoli, one must pass through "Bandit's forest" to get to it, given its name for it's incredible number of bandits in the area, you are rarely ever safe while walking through it's seemingly safe forest path. Near the end of it, the land becomes barren, signs of evil, signs of Gurtal nearing. Skeletons, demons, creatures of evil thrive in Gurtal, they all usually have somewhat of an idea of how to fight, even the ones who's jobs don't require it.

The neighboring cities of Tripoli, Yurt and Jaskal. Tripoli is the strongest military terms of them all. Although of recent there has been talk of Tripoli weakening as Gurtal lands expand, The whole army of Tripoli have yet to do anything, but even though their army is considered strongest of the three cities, it is still too weak to do much against the lich king.

But past wars seemed like they were going to be lost, when they wern't, no point in losing hope now. Nor doesn't help when a small rally of troops are sleeping in the night while passing through the forest to find their weapons stolen and their armour missing.

Hope is not lost for these lands, if all strong, mystical stand to defend, Tripoli fair will not be as jolly this year, as evil rumours turn into truths, but king Trifus knows that there are still the mighty warrior, fighters and wizards to apply at the end of the fair.

One knows there is much to do while awaiting the recruitment to begin, shops to look at, they may even have mystical goods to aid one on such trips. Food to eat, people to have fun with, there is quite a lot. Even though it may not be as jolly this year, people still do their best.

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Righto, this rp will be hosted by yours truly and Xeno himself. Hope you liked the introduction.

Character sheets will have to include the following:

NAME:

AGE:

RACE:

HISTORY( Not nesscary but it will have to be explained later in the roleplay ):

APPEARANCE:


My character sheet will be made soon, when some people join.

Now, let us move on to the rules

THE RULES:

One: One shall not god mode.

Two: One shall not talk of anything modern, or anything of the sort.

Three: Obey the hosts

Four: Do not join into the RP until your sheet is accepted.

Five: If you're going on vacation, please say so.

Six: If you are unsure about your post, PM it to one of the hosts. They will deem if it is appropriate for the RP or not.

Seven:Every OOC post (excluding those by Hosts for announcements) should be accompanied by an IC RP post.

Eight: Pictures as appearances will not be allowed, but feel free to let a picture inspire your character, but it will all have to be done in text.

Nine: One's IC post must exceed the total number of sixty words

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NAME: Rankor Deathronk

AGE: Twenty-one

RACE: Human

HISTORY: Rankor never liked either of his parents, forced him to work at their farm in Tripoli, tending to the crops and the farm animals, it was hard work, it kept Rankor fit and strong. Soon after becoming a teenager, Rankor learnt how to use a sword, but preferred the hammer. He worked hard, very hard. Soon after leaving his parents at the age of sixteen, he found a job as a mercenary, getting jobs to patrol areas, protect things or people, which only helped his muscles grow. He soon bought his own war hammer, which was enchanted, an old man sold it to him, for quite a cheap price of two hundred silver coins, most of what he made. Rankor didn't really knew what it did untill he actually hit something, it was then he realised what it did and decided to keep quiet about it. He still works as a mercenary, and has come to Tripoli fair in search of King Trifus and his announcement he makes every ten years that many people gather round to see, he chooses a select few, and sends them on their way. Rankor hopes he is one of the chosen.

APPEARANCE: Rankor has dark brown hair flowing down to just above his shoulders, it may be tied into a pony-tail at times, if not tied it looks like what it would if it wasn't. He has a very short and quite prickly beard leading up to his hair, his nose a bit long and slender. He has dark brown eyes, quite like his hair colour. He stands at about six feet and three inches. His build is not large, nor small and fragile, something quite inbetween showing that he isn't one you would like to mess with. He wears an old, worn out pair of leather shoes.

On most occasions he prefers wearing a layer of leather clothing, although on some he wears his steel armour. Rankor is never seen wearing a helmet. And even when he is in leather armour, there is almost always a large war hammer strapped to his back, there seems to be something stuck into it at the wooden handle of it. One would see a small black amulet around his neck going down to his chest, when one inquires about it, Rankor usually ignores all questions, but he can be seen clutching it tightly when nervous or angry.

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PEOPLE IN THE ROLEPLAY:
Fieren
Milcham
Pipster
Xenonight2
Shadowsworn
Loric
Kitty
PEOPLE TO JOIN:



AND MAYBE:
Str1der

Not sure about Str1der, I heard Xeno telling me he might join.

((Posting is allowed. Please post your character sheet and wait for a Host to accept or deny you.))

NAME: Kolosis Godhowler

AGE: 62

RACE: Wolf-men. They have no official name, except the slang word "Howlers," given to them by Tripolians.

HISTORY: Inside RP.

APPEARANCE: A humanoid wolf. Seven feet tall when not hunched over, grayish white fur. Armor is red and gray, mostly chainmail and leather. No gauntlets or shoes. Ancient Howler symbols are inscribed on the armor. He also wears a gray Howler war-kilt. (I've never been one for armor descriptions.)

((By popular request *fanfare* Here I go!))
NAME: Xyichi Windfury

AGE: 160

RACE: Elf

HISTORY: In RP

APPEARANCE: Athletic, yet not muscular build. About 5'6''. He has a very young face. His skin has a slightest tint of red. His hair is white with a tint of gray. It's short, barely shoulders length, and is hardly ever combed in one direction. His eyes are a light green, but show a depth in his personality that he rarely ever shows. He has a few light scars on his face and arms. He wears light leather on his legs and wrists, as well as a layer under his elaborately designed chest plate. He wears cloth wraps on his legs, starting below the knee, covering his feet as well. Strapped to his back are two thin shortswords, each with an elaborate design, much like the chest plate.

Name: Absath Silver
Age: 20
Race: Human
History: Your everyday, typical adventurer. He left his home land in search of fame and treasures, and thought that the Tripoli Fair would be an awesome place to find some of both things.
Appearance: Long, black curly hair, and a black bandana covering his head, and an untamed beard stretching across his face. He's got very dark brown eyes that can be mistaken for black, and a few scars here and there. He's got a typical adventurers tunic on, and a pair of boots. He's got a sturdy, short battle axe, weighing alot less then an averaged sized one, and a shield equipt.

I smell good RP
Can we start this tommorow? Its 12 PM here where I am XD.

Name: Ticket Sunder
Age: 40
Race: Gnome
History: Your everyday smart, bitter, megalomaniacal , asshat of a warlock. Dedicating his whole life studying and casting demonic magic. He has always been fascinated by the lands of the Gurtal, and thought this Tripoli fair would be a good chance to gather up a motley crew and adventure into it. Behind that bitter shell, hes a funny and thoughtful gnome. But after years of being shunned for his work he has grown used to being a jackass. He has messy black hair, a ridiculous mustauche, and a long spread out beard. He Wears a navy blue robe, carries a dark wooden staff with a black gem mount, and a monocle for show, even though hes dirt poor. He practices magic meant to induce pain and suffering.

(Didnt notice that I added the appearance pip?)

((Please add an apperance, Fieren. Nice history, too.

Btw, Phantom, accepted.))

((Thumbs up for Mil! And Phantom, I pm'ed you about some things with your char sheet.))

Name: Ama-Deus*

Age: Mid 20's

Race: Human.

History: Mother human, father human. Mother was raped by a bandit (the father), who then gave birth to him. At an early age, his mother was killed by his father, and Ama-Deus was orphaned. Lived in an orphanage til 18, when he decides to go to the Tripoli Faire to look for answers. And revenge on his father.

Appearance: 6'1", he has long, brown hair with a short goatee. A short scar crosses his left eye. He has a very exagerated face, large brow and cheek bones. He has rough, scarred hands and short fingernails. Large demonic tattoes cover his fore-arms and back. For his age, he looks increbily old, and is very battleworn. Prefers to wear loose, dark clothes. His green eyes show no mercy and scare the most battlehardened warriors.

Enjoy!

(* cool people dont have last names)

[edit] Fixed. Happy now?
[edit2] Ok fixed it again. Im going to be doing this all day.
[edit3] Ok, i fixed appearance, making it sound ALOT better. I just knew i'd spend my whole day doing this. Also changed the name.

Name: Alyssa de Chatillon
Race: Human
Age: 20
History: Born the illegitimate daughter of a minor noble, she was raised as a servant in her father's house. A much too imaginative child for her situation, she was a misfit among her peers, and frequently scolded for forgetting tasks set her, and for wandering off. At 18, she left in the night to seek her fortune as an actress and writer. Finding little success, she's had to turn to thievery to make ends meet. Sometimes she goes into black moods for days on end, strung out on drugs and alcohol.
Appearance: about 5'6.5", she has untiday dark hair and dark eyes. Her face is streaked with dirt from living in a tiny flat in the slums of Tripoli. She wears plain clothes, a cast off coat, breeches, and a noble's white dress shirt, once expensive, now torn and stained from wear. She has a knife concealed up one sleeve, and another under her coat. She has become skilled at using her weapons in the slums, where fights break out often.

((Zorthas, you're accepted.

shadowsworn, of course you're accepted. Wait for Pippin, though. (Of course, he'll say yes.)

Ramstein, not accepted. Half-demons aren't suggested, seeing as we're going to be going around killing tons of demons and Undead. Also, demons wouldn't be allowed at the Tripoli Faire due to them, being, well... Demons.))

(( Shadowsworn accepted, Ramstien, that just shows you didn't read all of the introduction, or at least understand it properly. ))

((RP will begin once Kitty joins.))

Ok fixed it, happy now?

Ok fixed it, happy now?
((Cmon add some history to it Ramstien. Tell us what he looks like too.))

((We starting this anytime soon?))

Ok, fixed history and appearance.

((Zorthas and Ramstien, I have sent you both pm's. NEW RULE ADDED, CHECK! ))

Ok I fixed appearance, and changed the name.

OOC: I probably won't be able to be online at all tomorrow, going up north for the day with the rest of my family.

(( The roleplay will be started when Kitty and Loric join, we will delay it if Loric hasn't join yet for a bit, but not too long. If he doesn't join, we'll start it. No one else except the two and Str1der are allowed to join now unless I allow before the roleplay starts, PM me to ask, I will either accept you or decline. But don't bother with a char sheet in the pm, for I may decline. ))

NAME: Orthon Aldinach

AGE: Unknown

RACE: Demon

HISTORY: In Roleplay.

APPEARANCE: Orthon has the look of a human warped and twisted into darkness. Sullen blank eyes with a tinge of dark red, square a face which lays host to a matted mane of black hair. His well shaped arms support a muscular figure which sets a threatening tone, paired with great posture which he holds high, towering above the ground. His skin has a charred black appearance which blends well with his armor; An armless black platebody wielding the design of a split halo with a serpent erupting from the center, two grey boots which extend up to the knees with opal studs at the ankles, thick black platelegs, and a widened longsword in a grey sheath tied to his waist which serves as his life-long companion. Although Orthon's age has been forgotten, he gives off the appearance of a 30 year old man.

((Sorry to keep everyone waiting ><))



NAME: Vivica

AGE: 120

RACE: Elf

HISTORY: In RP

APPEARANCE: Tall and slim, of obvious elven descent. She has the porcelain features of a young woman; light grey eyes that seem glazed over most of the time, pale skin, a small mouth and wispy red hair.
Dressed like an avid collector, she wears a crimson bodice with many pockets on the front, and scuffed knee-high boots. A slight glimpse of her thighs is given between her boots and her dark, layered skirts, which conceal various pouches around her waist. Her fingers are covered in rings, and her wrists with bracelets, collected upon her travels.
She would look the perfect picture of a harmless tourist if not for the flail attached to a collar on her neck. Held with a metal clip, the long chain rests upon her hip and ends with a pointed weight, dangling near her legs. Her other weapon, a small dagger, is kept on a leather strap on her leg.

((Accepted, kitty.))

Rankor approached the fair entrance, a large gate, walls surrounded the fair, they were recently built, no one really knew why. It was early in the morning, the sun barely risen from the sky as he looked up. Everyone knew what time the king made his appearance, which is when the sun is in the middle of the sky, near the end of the festival.

The sounds of excitement rung through the fair, chatter and happiness, the smells were wide and ranged from cooked meats to other things of food. Rankor grunted in anger as a child ran past him, bumping into his leg. Every once in a while as he walked through the fair in his leather leggings Rankor placed a hand on the wooden part of his warhammer and let go once more.

Rankor stopped infront of a shop and peered into the little tent that sheltered it, warhammers, axes, swords, shields and bows surrounded the tent. Rankor knew this place well, he too knew the shopkeeper, Peter, a very rich man who's stalls were known throughout Tripoli, he comes to the fair every time it is hosted, and brings his tent with him.

Rankor grinned, "Why, hello Peter... Your warhammer still serves me well, ever since the day I bought it." The middle-aged made only smiled and said, "Good it did, my weapons never let anyone down" in a deep rough voice. "Good to see ya Peter, looks like you are succesful as ever" Rankor said, in a slightly smoother voice, but by no means not rough. "I am, I am Rankor..." Rankor took a quick glance around the shop, he gave his farewells and left.

Rankor now had a slight smile on his face as he left the shop, he never knew why he sold that warhammer for such a cheap price. Rankor now had a bit over three-hundred silver, all gained from doing missions as a mercenary. He never knew the job could be so profitable, he barely did anything, and didn't really plan to for some time, untill today, awaiting the king's anncouncement that is to be heard when the sun reaches the middle of the sky, he expects to be chosen as his name rings through Tripoli as one of the best with blunt weaponry. Rankor didn't really like the way people stared at his strapped hammer or himself if they knew who he was, and ignored them. Rankor sighed deeply, thinking about what the king would say as he continued walking blankly in a straight line.



(( Loric was accepted by me Xeno, he is to meet us in the bandit's forest, there will be a battle there ))

Alyssa walks through the fairground, enjoying the sights and sounds: exotic spices waft through the air from the stalls of foreign traders loudly hawking their wares in an assortment of strange languages; there are people of every sort and description around her; she hears the sound of coins clinking in purses and money pouches and she smiles in expectation of an interesting and profitable day.

As she walks through the crowd, she trips and falls, nearly knocking over a man in white livery emblazoned with a black hart. Initially irritated, the man sees blood on Alyssa's pale forehead, and hastily pulls her up, mopping her forehead with a handkercheif he pulls out of his pocket.

"I'm so sorry sir," Alyssa says repeatedly, wincing as she does so, while the man wipes away the blood.

"That's quite all right." The man eyes her, concern evident in his voice. "Will you be fine? I could have one of my servants tend to you, if you...?"

"No, thank you. Thank you for helping me, but I don't want to hold you up. You obviously have many places to go."

"Yes, well, be careful."

And Ayssa smiles, and walks away, limping slightly.

A few minutes later, she sits at a table in a makeshift pub, counting silver from a bag that the man probably still hadn't even realized he'd lost. She smiles. Yes, this would be a very good dasy indeed.

Xyichi yawned, and waited. He hated waiting. He sat in a small pub, watching people go by, having fun. Xyichi wanted to have fun too. But he knew if he did anything he would become absorbed in it, and completely miss the event. He didn’t want that happening again.

He tapped his foot against the ground a couple of times, not daring to look to the sun again. How long has it been since he last checked? The sun was just barely peaking over the land. It had to be close to midday by now. He checked… it was barely farther than it was the last time he checked. This was going to be a long day.

A group of children passed by the pub with a handful of prizes, laughing and giggling like they were having the time of their lives. Who know, they probably were. A few armed men and women walked by as well. They were probably there for the big event too. Some of them looked like they were having fun too. There were all kinds of people of different races, and ages and genders. Xyichi eyed them enviously.

He continued to tap his foot as he looked around the pub. There were very few people of interest. He saw a suspicious looking human woman looking at something or another, but he didn’t pursue it.

He sighed heavily. Don’t look, he told himself. Don’t look at the sun again. But… it could be nearly midday by now, and I may miss it again. But, but… He looked again. And of course it hadn’t moved an inch. He half squinted/half glared at the sun. Move, he willed it. Move already!

Finally, he couldn’t take anymore, and stood up abruptly. He was going out there, and he was going to have fun, whether he liked it or not. He shifted uncomfortably and sat down again. He wanted to have fun, and enjoy himself, and be like everyone else there, but this was just too important. He had to wait, even if it was boring.

He shifted uncomfortably, yawned, and waited.

Ticket walked down the dirt road, skimming through a recently purchased book. His servant imp servant followed sulking somewhere behind, carring a bag of books and silver while being harrased by a gang of children. "Bah! Top notch my warlock ***! My grandmother could learn these with practice. Rubbish!" He waved his fingers and muttered something. It started a beautiful yet sinister looking green fire on the book and he tossed it aside into a puddle of mud. The fire didn't lose any of its power and eventually there was nothing to call a book anymore

"Maybe a drink to kill time before that blasted king begs us for help." He walked into a familiar makeshift pub. Nothing much to see. A barfight, a so so attractive woman counting silver, a half asleep elf. He sat himself down and slammed his bag down to the table, counting what silver he had left. He felt eyes on his hefty bag of silver but he paid no attention. After the drink was slid in front of him Ticket poked his servant imp with the tip of his sharp staff. He then shouted something in a strange tongue. The imp pulled out another spellbook, mumbling something in the same tongue. Ticket slammed the heavy spellbook onto the table and began reading.

Trumpets sounded in the distance.
"Adventurer's and warriors and wizards and mercenaries and such, head to the Main Stage for the King's Speech in three hours!" Announced the heralds around the streets.

(( Ugh, Xeno please, it's barely past 9. Just give us one or two more posts, then bring out the heralds, etc, etc. ))

Tripoli Fair was everything Vivica expected and more. All of her senses were bombarded at once upon reaching the grounds. There were people of every race, speaking foreign tongues, and merchants selling outlandish items. It was a collector's dream, as no one could tell what rare item could turn up at random. She didn't know where to start!

Vivica was just leaving a booth selling intricate silk veils -- supposedly from the orient,-- when she felt a sharp pain in the small of her back. She stopped her browsing and rubbed the spot as best she could through the thick fabric of her bodice. Though her back was covered, she could picture the smooth surface of the stone that was embedded in her flesh, a constant reminder of what she had come to Tripoli for.
I will find it, she told herself firmly, I musn't allow myself to be distracted from what is truly important.

Rankor frowned, trumpets were sounded and he clamped his ears tight, then came quite a loud shout, "Adventurer's and warriors and wizards and mercenaries and such, head to the Main Stage for the King's Speech in three hours!"

Three hours... Rankor looked up at the sun and then back down. "Alright..." He said to himself.

Rankor walked quite a bit, looking at shops, few caught his eye, as he saw the same things, over and over again, untill he stopped at a makeshift bar, called 'The Jumping Jack' "How stupid..." Rankor once again, mumbled to himself about the bar name.

The sun now glared through the sky, as trumpets sounded once more to be at the main stage of Tripoli fair in one hour, the sun's heat got to Rankor as he made his way in the makeshift bar, he saw a thin woman, holding and counting a bag of silver coins, he then saw a quite short, crazed looking man. His gaze soon turning to another man, he seemed quite bored, as if waiting for something, but as his eyes saw the man's ears, he found out it was not a man at all, but an elf. Rankor sighed, once again thinking about the speech, he semi-conciously took a seat on a two chaired round table and went into deep thought of what he was going to do.

Sweeping the silver coins back into the bag, Alyssa goes up to the bar.

"A small glass of brandy while I'm waiting."

She flips a silver coin to the bartender, then goes back to her table, a small glass in one hand. Out of the corner of one eye she sees a warrior come into the bar, and frowns a little, pushing the bag of silver into a pocket. There were too many dangerous adventurers around this year.

Pulling out a worn pack of cards, she begins expertly shuffling.

"Hey stranger," she says, calling out to Rankor, "want to try your luck?"

"By the good Gods what is this shit!?" Ticket slammed down the ale. "Bartender! When did ale taste like bitter piss?" The bartender, obviously insulted, walked straight up to ticket. He was a portly man, with a lot of obvious muscle behind him. He raised a nasty sledgehammer from under the bar table. "Take that back and I wont crush your puny skull" he shouted. Ticket laughed and raised his staff. Green fire sparked in his hands.

(( Now, why don't you two edit those posts to make an IC post too, that's the only way the story will continue, Kitty will post soon... Hopefully. For now, we roleplay with ourselves, describe the time pass to make it one hour till the announcement.))

If I hear those damn heralds one more time... Vivica seethed to herself. She was growing frustrated as the Tripoli vendors weren't turning out to be as useful as she percieved them to be. That, coupled with the heralds running around shouting about some quest for the king, and the growing ache in her back... it was enough to drive a girl mad!

Seeking refuge in a nearby bar, though it looked so run down it was hard to even call it that, Vivica bought herself a drink and looked over her wares. At least the day wasnt a total loss, she thought, toying with the miniature wooden dolls she bought. I'm a sucker for all things cute.
Her happy thoughts were interrupted by a ridiculous short man in a robe, yelling to the poor bartender about his ale. It seemed as though things were turning to fisticuffs, so Vivica quietly assembled her trinkets and moved to a vacant table.

Rankor took a seat, his deep thought interrupted by a gnome shouting at the bartender about something, he payed no more attention to that. It was then he heard a sound direct in his direction, he turned slightly to hear the sound better, "Want to try your luck?" Rankor smirked a tiny bit, by looking at the woman she seemed like the one who would have the swift of hand.

"Uh, sure... Not much of a card player though." Said Rankor as he seated himself opposite to the woman. "Tell me the idea of the game." Rankor said with a smile.

"My money back, or this bar is a crater!" The bartender ignored him and swung the sledgehammer. Ticket slid to the side and dodged it. He then set the bartender's apron aflame with the green fire. The bartender, in all his panic, accidentaly tried to pour the beer on the fire to put it out. It grew twice it's size . The bartender screamed and ran out of sight to the back of the tent. Ticket let out a wicked laugh.

"Um..." Alyssa looks uneasily at the retreating form of the barkeep and then at the madly cakling wizard.

She fumbles her shuffling, and cards spill out over the table. With a mumbled ****** she gathers them up quickly, and begins shuffling once more.

"The game's called Prastonata. You ever played it before?"

OOC: For the purposes of the roleplay, I don't have to say any actual card game rules, do I?

(( Nah, not going to play it anyway, read this post to see why. ))

"The game's called Prastonata. You ever played it before?"

Rankor frowned, his attention now drawn to the little warlock who set the bartender on fire, he glanced back to the woman saying, "Prastonata? No, no. I havn't played it, and I better be going to do something." Rankor stood, he approached the warlock with a slight frown on his face. He stopped just before him saying, "Oi..." Rankor paused his sentance and examined the person, then continued "Gnome, no burning of the bartenders, danger to everyone else, what if this whole place caught fire, eh?" Rankor didn't really care if it did, but he was looking for a fight.

Just then before Rankor could get a bit more rude, the trumpets were sounded by the heralds again. "Citizens of Tripoli! Due to certain reasons... The king will not be attending the Fair today, instead... There will be a trusted emissary to explain the adventure that every fighter, wizard, or warrior is to go on. And now that mentioned, please, anyone interested make their way to the wooden stage in the middle of the fair, thank you." The ending trumpets were sounded. As it ended, Rankor casted a quick glance to the gnome saying, "Watch yourself." He gave him a menacing grin and proceeded to leave the bar to make his way to the stage area.

Rankor, slightly happier than before soon made it to the stage area, there was a small crowd already there, last time there were huge masses of people, but then again... The risks weren't as bad in those times. Rankor got slightly closer to the stage and awaited the emissary to talk, it was obvious that more people were to come, but not that many.

As the gnome continued to threaten the barkeep, Vivica's attention turned to a waifish young woman talking to a short warrior-type with a hammer. The girl's mussy appearance didn't cover the sly look in her eyes as she shuffled a deck of cards and beckoned the man to join her. I'd like to collect her.. Vivica mused to herself, looking on with interest.
The scene was again interrupted with the gnome setting the barkeep afire. This is bloody ridiculous, who knew the fair would be so hazardous-. With not a second of peace the heralds started up again, the warrior left immediately.
Eh, may as well see what all the commotion is. Not like this godforsaken fair was of any help to me.
Hiding her wares within her skirts, Vivica left the bar and proceeded to the center of the fairgrounds.

"Bumbling fool' Ticket growled. He poked his imp in the shin and shouted in that strange tongue. They started off for where the emmisary's location. After he made it to the crowded square he struggled himself onto a chair with his imp helping. Important thoughts came back to him. "The lands of Gurtal.... yes.. need some kind of party to follow me. Going alone is suicide." Among he saw the 2 women and the man watching as the fat, overly dressed emmisary made his way up the podium. Ticket's mind went into brainstorm.

"...make their way to the wooden stage in the middle of the fair, thank you."

Xyichi stood abruptly. Finally! Some action! He thought to himself. As funny as the scene in the bar was, whatever was going on in the middle of the fair had to be important. He half-ran/half-stumbled out of his chair and raced ahead.

He approached the stage, and smiled and nodded to various people. Although they may all be competing against each other, Xyichi had no ill will towards any of them.

To his surprise, Xyichi saw a few people from the bar among the small crowd of people. He smiled to himself. My, my... this may be a real treat after all. Finally!

He got close to a particularly bitter looking man, seeing what fun he could get out of him. "'Ello!" he exclaimed to Rankor, with a large, goofy grin on his face. "Certainly aren't that many people here, and I was hoping for some real fun here too... For what reason are you here?"

(( Shadow, your character is now part of the squad by being caught like you asked, I hope you don't mind me just roleplaying that part for you, because I really didn't want to waste anymore time, and we already agreed on it. ))

The emissary eyed the crowd, it wasn't very big to start with. "As all of you know, the king will not be attending the fair for... Reasons. And also... As most of you know, Gurtal's forces are impending upon Tripoli. All gathered infront of the stage are subject to be sent to Gurtal on a quest, so as to say without hesitation, so if you are not willing to be chosen like this, go now." Said the emissary in a firm voice. First there was a low mumbling inbetween the people of the crowd, then slowly, one by one people started leaving the area untill there were only a few other people left, including the two woman, the short gnome, the elven fighter and a few others.

"Just begin the choosing already... Ugh." The emissary continued after catching his breath, "What we do know of Gurtal, is that in it's heart... Is a book." He paused for a somewhat dramatic effect, "This book powers all their army, the hordes of skeletons, demons, and other misformed creatures. The book is not protected by anything apart from what surrounds it... Gurtal. If one can get close enough to this book, to chop it, or rip it, tear it in half, one page of it gone and Gurtal will be no more, nor will Ristus." Just then, the elf approached Rankor saying, "Ello!" He then asked him why he was here, before Rankor could give his somewhat rude answer, one of the people who were not at the tavern shouted out, "Thief!" As he clasped the women by the neck in a tight grip. The emissary looked to the man, "Bring her up here, she will be sent with the others"

The emissary began choosing, he pointed to Rankor, and gestured for him to approach the stage, for he was well known of his skill with the blunt weaponry. A few sabotagers, sneakers would be nesscary, the emissary thought as he pointed to the tall and slender elven woman, and gestured for her to come up to the stage. Then the elven man, he was pretty much the only man who looked strong enough to even swing a sword from out of the little group of people now left. And then last would be some sort of mage, someone able to use the ancient powers of magic, the gnome looked just like the one, as he was gestured to come up to the stage too.

(( Any other characters posting further feel free to control the emmissary too. ))

The Emissary began shaking everyone's hands. Ticket too lost in thought to even feel the emmisary shaking his limp hand. "That book... destroy it? Bah! That kind of immortal power.....if I could just study it, read it... if only.... yes..." A small grin of satifaction appeared on his face.

Vivica smiled as the emissary pointed at her, beckoning her to join the warriors on the stage. She could feel the excitement building within her; A quest! This is excellent. Perhaps in Gurtal I will find what I am looking for... not to mention more training with my flail.
Fingering the chain attached to her neck, Vivica looked at her associates, sizing them up. There was the wild Gnome mage from the tavern... definitely a loose cannon, the warrior with the hammer on his back, a strange elven man... and the young woman with the deck of cards. I knew she was a vile little thing, Vivica though to herself, her eyes lighting up.
She approached the woman, who was looking very unhappy, and whispered into her ear coyly,
"Such a pretty thing should be wearing a dainty little frock, not dirty rags. I could dress you up if you'd like."
She stuck her tongue out playfully and waited for the girl's reply.

Alyssa looked around her from where she lay, thrown by the king's men onto the wooden planks of the stage. She recognized a few people from the tavern, though at the moment they were mostly focused on listening to the king's emissary. The guards, Alyssa saw, didn't leave the stage, standing instead at either side, ready to grab her if she made a run for it.

Rubbing her arm where it had struck the hard floor, she stood up slowly, casting a look of loathing at the guards.

"Dirty rags?" she said, with a wan smile and a shrug, "Maybe, but at least I don't have to worry that I'll be robbed."

Ignoring the chatter between the chosen, the emissary said, "You will be taken to the begining of bandits forest by a caravan, there you will be dropped off. There you will make your way through the forest and into Gurtal, there you will find the book and destroy it, simple enough? Good, good... Now, let me lead you to the caravan, tis' just outside the fair."

After a good bit of walking, the caravan was there. "All in, ca'mon." He continously gestured to get in the caravan. Rankor stepped it, it was quite big, enough for five people. Rankor took a seat in the middle for no real reason.

Ticket struggled his way onto the caravan and his imp followed carrying his bag of spellbooks. He gave a silent snarl as he saw the tall man who thought he was all high and mighty in the bar. He struggled himself yet again onto the corner part of the caravan. If he was to get the book, he had to stay on everyone's good side. "So.. this bandit forest. Tell me about it."

Xyichi could not help but smile. It was starting! It was starting! He practically leaped onto the caravan. He sat right in the front.

All he could think about was what the emissary said. They were going into Gurtal. This had to be important. He couldn't wait to start.

The people were filing into the caravan, and Xyichi wished they could just get in and go already. He didn't care much about them anyway, seeing as they were the people from the bar. He already didn't think much of them. But, if they would be working together, then he should at least get to know them. He scoped them out as they entered.

He looked at Rankor. He generally looked like a bitter guy. But he didn't know much about him.

He looked at Ticket. Compared to Ticket, Rankor looked like a Saint (well, at least he didn't start bar fights). Ticket seemed like anger ran though his blood.

He sighed. This was either going to be a really good trip, or... well, he didn't try to imagine what it would be like if it wasn't fun.

"And you have a mouth on you too," Vivica said, a bit miffed that the girl seemed unaffected by her comment. She petted the girl on her head lightly as the group was herded towards a large caravan, like cattle.

"So is this it then, they give us the quest and just like that we leave?" Vivica asked aloud, to no one in particular. She took a seat across from the warrior with the hammer.

This is definitely going to be an interesting ride...

Alyssa sat in sullen silence in the caravan, looking at her hometown for what might well be the last time.

The purse barely had anything in it, just enough for a few drinks and maybe a loaf of bread...

There wasn't much space in the caravan either, certainly not enough for any sort of privacy. The others were all either a bit strange (that elf she'd spoken to earlier, what was her name...), or decidedly mad (that gnome, Ticket), and they seemed to actually want to go on this dangerous mission.

With a sigh and a wince at the throb of pain in her back, Alyssa moved closer to the back of the caravan.

"I'm... sorry, if I was a bit... blunt, earlier," she said to Vivica as she passed her, "Mind if I sit by you?"

"Were off" called the rider. The whiplash of rope could be heard and the horses sped off. Ticket sat there polishing his staff. Examining the others. He scratched his funny hair and sighed. "Bandit forest..." He thought to himself. "Wasnt what it was called before all of this. Memories came back. Painful ones. Familiar faces being hacked apart by marauding bandits. He shut his eyes and shook his head. "That was a long time ago.." He muttered.

Rankor hummed lightly as the rest of the ones entertered the caravan, the gnome said something about the forest, but he took no notice of it, after her was the elf. Then the woman who was annoying the skinny looking one came in, sitting next to her, Rankor stared at her, keeping her gaze on her and turning his head as she sat down. "Ooh, this'll be fun" Rankor let out a little smirk. He heard the skinny woman say as she entered the tavern about sitting next to the one with the mace, "Feel free to, skinny lass, she doesn't own the caravan." Rankor said, not letting her answer.

The sound of whipping was heard, the caravan was sent of to the bandit's forest, it was a bit far, but not too far. Rankor's small smirk turned into a wide grin as he continued to stare at the woman, taking no notice of the surroundings. "This is great..." He tried his best not to chuckle as he continued to grin, but his bones were tired and returned to his normal, somewhat of a frowning face. "...Your name?" Rankor asked in a firm voice to the woman.

Ticket was playing a game of some sort with his imp. Nothing any regular person would ever see. It involved cards, dice, and a strange demonic totem. They played and conversed in that strange demonic tongue again. Then the caravan driver hit a bump and stopped the caravan by accident. Ticket, being the small cuddly gnome he is, flew straight into the lap of Elf woman, screaming the whole way.

"Feel free to, skinny lass, she doesn't own the caravan," the gruff man with the hammer. Vivica nodded to the young woman and adjusted her skirts so that she could take a seat, her voice taking a passive tone, "no offence taken, love, its not as if you want to be in this situation."

The caravan picked up speed as it travelled towards the forest, Vivica would have dozed off if it wasn't for the man with the hammer staring at her so intently. What the hell does he want... she thought, her brow furrowing slightly. What if.. what if he's a pervert!
Her imagination was cut short when the man spoke, asking her name.

She was about to reply but was interrupted when the caravan went over a bump and. Vivica found herself knocked over by the angry gnome who had flown into her. Swearing, she tried to get up, but the chain to her flail was entangled in the little man's appendages.

Alyssa fell more than sat down beside the elfwoman. She spread her coat out under her head as well as she could. Then, with a faint disconsolate sigh, she stared outside at the lands passing by the slowly moving cart.

She hadn't left Triploi, hadn't even considered it, since her escape from her father's house. She was too skinny and weak to live long in the wild, and she knew nothing of woodscraft. The city had always cared for her, in its own way, there were always people willing to be fooled out of a few gold coins, and careless people walking about, wallets bulging, practically asking to be robbed. She had never been exactly content, but she knew it could be worse. At least she had clothing (as dirty as it might be) and didn't have to sit in the dirty alleys with the rats, begging for a pittance, like so many. When she couldn't take it anymore, there was always a bar nearby, or someone willing to provide a fix for a few gold pieces.

... and now it was gone, forever, most likely. If she ever tried to sneak back, the guards would find her, and this time she would be strung up for the crows to peck at as the crowds cheered.

Alyssa sighed again. It wasn't as if the countryside around Tripoli was even interesting, just grubby little farms and flatness, with the occasional tree.

Behind her she heard the big man suddenly ask her name. At that moment she felt the cart rock, and banged her head on the hard cart floor.

"Not even the raods around here are worth a damn," she said irritably.

Turning over, and clutching her head with one hand, she looked at Rankor with one eye. "My name's Alyssa. What's yours?"

Rankor stared at the woman, and then all of a sudden Rankor got shoved deep into his seat as the caravan stopped all so suddenly, he let out a low moan of pain, as he clasped the left side of his head. "Bloody... Driver!" He shouted out, forgetting what he asked the elven woman.

"Bah... Shouldn't have shouted that out loud." Rankor let go of the left side of his head, the bash wasn't very evident, but faint signs of blood were seen. "It'll heal on it's own anyway..." As Rankor adjusted him properly into his seat, the woman next to the elven one called out to him, "My name's Alyssa. What's yours?" Rankor looked to her, she seemed to be hurt from the sudden stop too, "It's Rankor... Alyssa" He added at the end. "Now..." He returned his gaze to the elven woman, "...Your name?"

"SON OF A IMP!" Ticket scrambled the chains off of his body. Brushing off his cloak he retook his seat and mumbled more to himself. He stuck his small head through the window. "You bloody driver! Next bump that throws me off my seat and... I'll... I'll turn you into a toad!"

Ticket sat back down. The anger started to cool down. Again with those visions. Now of a little burning village, frantic gnomes running everywhere, dead bodies.... everywhere, and one lone gnome child, staring in awe and fear at the whole situation. He squinted, holding back a scream.

Vivica gagged as the gnome roughly flailed around, shaking loose from her chain.
"OY! watch it, thats attached to my neck you know..." she growled, massaging her neck. The thick collar had left an angry red mark upon her fair skin.

The gnome took his seat, after harassing the driver, his face was scrunched up and he seemed to be in pain. The sudden vunerabitily surprised her,
Jeez, I hope I didn't hurt his feelings too badly... He's pretty touchy for someone about to go on an epic quest.

Giving her head a quick shake to clear her thoughts, Vivica turned to the man who had been staring at her so intently.
"My name is Vivica," she said frostily, adjusting her bodice, "and staring is rude."

simpletons.

"My name is Vivica," the woman said, Rankor grinned, especially when she added, "and staring is rude." Rankor chuckled, returning his face to a slight smile, he did not answer, merely turned himself, looking straight ahead, he turned his head slightly, he looked at the gnome then remembered him shout as he bashed into the elfess. "And what is your name... Gnome?" Rankor grinned. "I suppose none of you think I'm a fun guy, due to the usual emotionless face I put on. But... Let me tell you this, it is quite hard to maintain a grin, for it hurts the bones you see? I've been praciticing this as off recent, it's been doing pretty well." He said, looking to each one in the caravan.

"And so we stop!" shouted out the driver at the front, the horses went to a slow trot, then to a complete stop. Rankor pushed the door open, looking out side, they were stopped on a dirt path, tall green grass on both sides, as you looked forward they would dissapear into the forest ahead, where trees were almost stuck to each other, or so it looked. "Off all of you go then..." The driver said, looking to everyone. Rankor sighed, and began walking forwards into the forest, expecting everyone else to do the same.

-------------------------------------

(( Alright people, Milcham has left due to school work, which I am quite angry about, but lets forget about that... Feel free to make us progress through the forest and describe what it looks like inside in your posts. ))

Name:Nicholette
Race:Magical Fairy/Wolf
Age:17
Appearence:misterious and gorgouise blonde hair crystal blue eyes glowing apperance
Weapons:magical powers levitates and throws crystals threw hands and eyes can move things threw eyes
Backround:mother is a fairy and my father was a warwolf i only change on a full moon and i go completly wolf and crazy
Attitude: very lively

(( Your posts were deleted for a reason, delete it now. ))

(fairy wolf.. LMFAO)


"What, you're just going to leave and expect us all to follow?" Vivica called out to the man with the hammer... Rankor.
"I'm so very sorry," she said, stepping off the caravan and onto the dirt path, "but I'm not about to walk haphazardly into a forest with a bunch of strangers, no matter what King has commanded it." When Rankor did not turn to reply, Vivica threw her hands up in disgust and turned back to the caravan.

She took a few steps back and looked at the small group coming off the caravan. "A few exchanged words on a bumpy caravan ride is by no means a proper introduction," she said, rather loudly.. so that Rankor could hear her, "and if we're going to be working together to destroy this book, we need to know each other's strength's right?"

"Bah.. its Ticket.. Ticket Sunder" He replied as the crew got off the caravan. He hopped off the caravan, scanning the thick forest. He felt eyes on him. Many eyes. "We should watch out for things that want us dead." He tapped his staff to the floor and green fire engulfed the black tip crystal. "I heard some of these petty thieves are cannibals." He chuckled as he trotted along with the party.

Ticket snarled as they went through the forest. Thick foilage, bugs biting viciously. He began to miss the warm hearth of a library or lab. Yet again with the feeling of being watched. What made it worse was that the multiple Cicada sounds made it impossible to hear footsteps. This time even his imp became paranoid. Green flames flickered on it's hands as it followed Ticket quickly. "I dont like this... " He took off his monocle "Were target practice in this kind of road. I say we move through some other way."

Getting off the cart slowly, still rubbing her head, Alyssa made a rude gesture at the driver's back, as he moved away. She looked into the forest, the trees were thick around the path, nearly blocking out the sun, even in daylight. Alyssa shivered.

"I'm good at 'petty thievery'," she said with a sardonic smile in the direction of the gnome, Ticket, "and being where people don't think I'll be."

Rankor just began entering an opening in the forest when the other woman shouted out, Rankor sighed, turning. "Alright! Gnome! Get back! It seems we arn't going yet..."

Rankor began walking to the woman, and then stopped just before her, he put his left hand behind his back, pulling out a strap, then grabbing the warhammer. He began leaning on it, it was quite large, a good bit shorter than him. Rankor lowered the grip on the warhammer, as to cover up the embedded jewel in it with his hand. "Well, I'm quite good with a warhammer, can do some tracking, lost some animals around the farm, ya see?" Rankor smiled, he knew she had no idea that he worked in a farm as he was little. "So... What can you do with that thing." Rankor looked to her neck.

"Its a flail," Vivica said shortly, unclipping it from her collar and swinging it in a small arc. "It looks harmless, but I could snap your ankles with it."

Grinning, she let go of the chain with her right hand and let it fly forward towards Rankor, pulling it back at the last second. Her smile faded a bit when he didnt flinch, just watched the small weight hit the ground.

"So, we have a warrior farmboy, a thief.. and a magical gnome?" She said, turning away from Rankor. "This should be interesting."

"Its a flail," Vivica said shortly, unclipping it from her collar and swinging it in a small arc. "It looks harmless, but I could snap your ankles with it."

Grinning, she let go of the chain with her right hand and let it fly forward towards Rankor, pulling it back at the last second. Her smile faded a bit when he didnt flinch, just watched the small weight hit the ground.

"So, we have a warrior farmboy, a thief.. and a magical gnome?" She said, turning away from Rankor. "This should be interesting.""Yes... a gnome." He cackled as he tossed a green fireball up and down on his free hand. "Many wonderful under this robe." His imp chuckled al ittle from that. "Setting your innards on fire, melting skin, very pleasant."

He stopped abruptly.

"Huh...." There were bloodstains, not fresh, not old. Judging by the stray equipment and a lonely sword, some violence happened here. Whoever lost was dragged away too.

Edit:((Lucky charms for breakfast. Already introduced myself somewhere above))

Rankor frowned as the woman addressed her as a 'warrior farmboy' but it was true, could've been said in better ways. "Not to forget the great elfess with a flail, mind you, I am quite reknown around Tripoli." Rankor said, quite proud. "So, what we have is a theif, quite and stealthy, another fighter... Or so I hope, and some warlock madman." He said quite serious and blunt, "Not too bad, eh? Could be better."

Rankor looked around, noticing the gnome looking at something. "He turned his head sideways, not looking to the elfess behind her, he said, "Alright, lets go, you too Alyssa. Rankor walked up to the gnome, and frowned as he saw the lone sword and blood stains across the ground. "Well... As many people know, the forest isn't quite safe." Rankor looked to the gnome who called himself Ticket. Rankor approached the sword, pulling it out of the grass, the tip of it appeared to be bloodied. "Anyone need a spare sword before we enter?" he asked inquisitively.

"Give it to the girl." Vivica said, motioning towards Alyssa,
"I've heard things about this forest, unpleasant things, even more unpleasant than cannibals... and if our plan of action is to just dive in headfirst, then we'll need all the defence we can get."

She took the sword from Rankor, and walked over to the young woman. "Think you can handle it, dearie? This isn't card games." She gave the sword to Alyssa, letting her slender fingertips linger on the girl's hand. With a quick smile, she averted her gaze and asked aloud.

"Gnome! You said we should take another route, are you familiar with this forest?"

"So so...." Ticket said, "I know a place nearby.. no bandit's would bother to go to that rundown crater." He scanned the place a bit.

"Ah, here... right here.." He cleared a few vines and incinerated a spiderweb with his green flame. Behind it was an old neglected signpost, barely keeping itself standing. Further behind was a muddy road almost completely covered with leaves. "We follow this, it'll cut us through a good third of this forest unseen, and we'll have a place to rest by nightfall." All of his words were void of the anger and biterness he showed earlier. "Come, theres some.... stuff.. I need to see."

Alyssa looked at the sword with some skepticism, and nearly dropped it as it was handed to her. She swung it awkwardly about once or twice, then hung it on her belt, where it quickly got tangled, and nearly tripped her up.

Scowling, Alyssa took the sword up in her left hand, and walked with it dragging in the dirt of the path behind her.

"I've never used one before. I've always found that quick thinking and a hidden dagger work just as well. And I'm not dead yet, am I?"

She turned to Ticket,

"As long as we have some sort of shelter over our heads at the end of the day, and there aren't bandits coming out of the woodwork, I'm happy."

Alyssa thought for a moment, then, in an undertone, said,

"Well, as happy as possible anyway."

"Give it to the girl." Rankor nodded, carelessely dropping it into the place of her hand. He turned to the gnome, who talked about a rundown crater to go to. "A rundown crater, eh?" Rankor frowned.

Just then he noticed Alyssa talking about the sword, seems like she never used one before,
"I've never used one before. I've always found that quick thinking and a hidden dagger work just as well. And I'm not dead yet, am I?" Rankor frowned once more. "Never used a sword? Then it'll just be a burden for you to carry it, as your daggers would be much more useful, throw it away." He commanded in a firm voice. Rankor then turned to the gnome, "Follow him." he followed the gnome into the forest, it was dark, the sun did not pierce through the trees, vines spread all across the floor, one would trip if not careful. "Woaah!" Rankor shouted as the tip of his shoe caught over one, he just managed to balance himself. "Careful of the vines, might end up face-down in animal dung."

"Left 48 paces.... right a few more, then northeast a bit... Then to the party's suprised Ticket was tumbling down to a small treeless land. He cursed in the demonic tongue he knew well, at least until his eyes laid on the signpost and the area behind it.

A village. Completely burned to a nice crispy color of coal. His face was solemn, it was a grief stricken face without tears. He walked up to a sign, the party followed, not knowing what to do or say. He brushed the debris and a small gnomish skeleton off the signpost.

"WELCOME TO GNOMEREAGAN"

"Whats left of it..." He mumbled.

Vivica took a long look at the ruined village, and then cast a sympathetic look at the small man.

"A pity..." she said quietly, brushing an unruly strand of auburn hair out of her eyes. "This was your home, right? This is why you were acting so strangely..."
she trailed off uncertainly and fiddled with the clasp of her chain.

Rankor frowned, he followed the group blinded, untill the gnome looked to a sign, there was a rather short skeleton of gnome structure blocking it, the sign read, "Welcome to Gnomeragen" Rankor grumbled angrily, "Why are we here anyway? We wasted a good hour twisting and turning, we go straight forward from now on, straight!" Rankor shouted, obviously not pitying the gnome.

"Any who wish to live better follow me, or you'd end up choked by a snake's tail, if not captured by some madman that lay in the forest. Rankor looked to the town, it was burnt down, Rankor didn't care though. Rankor looked around, then took a few steps left, avoiding the town. He didn't turn, but said, "Feel free to waste a good few hours sitting around at some burnt down town." He continued on.

Rankor frowned, he followed the group blinded, untill the gnome looked to a sign, there was a rather short skeleton of gnome structure blocking it, the sign read, "Welcome to Gnomeragen" Rankor grumbled angrily, "Why are we here anyway? We wasted a good hour twisting and turning, we go straight forward from now on, straight!" Rankor shouted, obviously not pitying the gnome.

"Any who wish to live better follow me, or you'd end up choked by a snake's tail, if not captured by some madman that lay in the forest. Rankor looked to the town, it was burnt down, Rankor didn't care though. Rankor looked around, then took a few steps left, avoiding the town. He didn't turn, but said, "Feel free to waste a good few hours sitting around at some burnt down town." He continued on."Whatever floats your warship bastard." Ticket headed for a certain building in the town. "I didnt come to weep, I came for important 'items'. I do hope you notice we cut through a third of the forest already." Sometime later he stopped in front of a house, a few steps around and he lifted a hidden trap door. "This was my old library and study. Nightfall is coming and I dont want to sleep outside with those oh so kind bandits." He began to walk down.

The library, unlike the rest of the town, was in great shape. Luckily it wasnt discovered and ransacked. And suprisingly, there were very few cobwebs. The torch with the ominous green fire in the middle must have kept the spiders away." Ticket walked through and started browsing the shelves for something.

"By all means, hurry on. I will sleep here for awhile and poke around Gurtal myself."

Vivica watched the Gnome as he entered his building, and then switched her gaze to Rankor's slowly retreating figure.

"What on earth are you two doing?!" she cried, raising her hands in disbelief. "Men! Honestly..." she looked to Alyssa helplessly, "we've only just started this quest and already they want to split the group up!

HEY, RANKOR! The Gnome's gone for provisions. Surely we can spare a few more minutes for him to gather some things."

Shaking her head, she sat on the ground and adjusted her skirts.

Rankor slowly trudged on, his feet sinking into the mud as he stopped for he heard a shout from behind, "HEY, RANKOR!" Rankor turned slowly with a smile, "Yees?" he said in an equally loud shout. "Want me to stay?" Rankor grinned, he had ignored everything the gnome shouted to him as he left to get his 'secret items' Rankor turned his face into a contemplating look, then said, "Oh, alright... Just for you." He said jokingly with a chuckled, he sat in the mud, staring up at her as he waited.

'Mmmmm.... Gurtal... Gurtal... everything about Gurt- ah! Here" He lifted a huge book out from the dwarf shelves and put it on the floor. His imp took the book and placed it in the carrying bag. "Now for something else..... " He knocked open another thicker book and there was a hollow storage in it. He lifted 4 potions from it. "Here, give these to the others and keep one for yourself." He tossed Vivica three potions. "These things are three day's worth of food and energy all in one potion" He stuffed his in a nice, safe pocket. "Keep them safe. Use them wisely. You could fight for 3 days straight if need be."

He tapped dust off his navy blue robes and studied a small picture frame nearby. Studying it for a long time... Then reality slapped back at him, and he hid the frame before anyone can see. "Well.... thats it..."

The sun was setting. "We already cut through a third of the forest, as I've said before, and this is probably the only decent shelter in this Godless place."

OOC: whoops. Edited.

Alyssa frowned.

"I really don't like this place, but it doesn't look like we have anywhere else to go." She shivers and looks around at the woods as though scared bandits will come swarming out at any moment.

Vivica put the vials of potion into a pouch hidden in her skirts. "It helps to be a little patient you know," she said to Rankor with a small smile. She stood up and dusted herself off, looking concernedly at Alyssa.

"Are you cold, love?" she said, putting an arm around her shoulders, "or just frightened. You know, we're safe here with big bad Rankor to protect us." Vivica rolled her eyes in the direction of the warrior with the hammer.
"Heaven forbid we helpless ladies be left alone in the scary woods where we can be 'choked by a snake's tail.'"

Giggling, Vivica rubbed Alyssa's arm. "Should we stay in the study for the night? Its not as if we need to rush this quest."

The sun set and light rain was begining to pour down upon the town.

Rankor sighed, looking up to the darkened sky, it had begun to rain, light pellets of water dropped from the sky, not very noticable. "Heaven forbid we helpless ladies be left alone in the scary woods where we can be 'choked by a snake's tail." Said Vivica as Rankor lowered his head, gazing back to her. "Matter of speech... It's raining, in the study we go."

Rankor stood up from his sitting position and walked to the gnome's studying area. He sighed and leaned against a wall next to one of the beds, waiting for the other two to enter, he was slightly wet, nothing noticable.

"Hmmmmm" Ticket sat there by the large torch, changing the flame's color with a snap of his finger. He finnaly settled on the regular orange and struggled himself onto the human sized bed. His imp handed him the book about Gurtal and sat in it's own pile of pillows and blankets.

"Quite the interesting place really..." He said grimly, flipping through the book. "Flesh eating creatures, walking dead, and things too horrid to be sketched into this book. He flipped to one page with a portrait of a large intricate book. He was silent...

"Heh, sounds like barrels of fun," Vivica replied, as Ticket muttered to himself.

She took a seat on the edge of one of the beds at the side of the room, beckoning for Alyssa to join her. She also loosened her bodice a bit, and emptied out some of her pockets, placing the trinkets on a nearby shelf.

"What else does your little book tell us?"

Alyssa sank down into one of the beds. But, as tired as she felt, she wouldn't dream of going to sleep now. Half listening to Ticket, she quietly got up once more, murmuring as she passed the others about taking the first watch.

She sat down with her back against the wall, just in sight of the others, near the cellar door. She carefully pulled out a folio of pages bound with string and a piece of charcoal, and began to write.

Rankor pushed off the wall he was currently leaning on, as Alyssa passed him, talking about taking the first shift. Rankor looked to her just as she stopped barely in his vision. "First watch? You sound mighty tired." He said in a slightly raised voice so she can hear clearly from the distance, Rankor yawned soon afterwards, "I myself, arn't that tired... But yes, please watch out." Rankor chuckled.

Rankor turned back to Vivica and Ticket, "Well... Lets hope thats all there is out in this forest, for we may just encounter something more skilled, stronger and bigger." Rankor smiled weakly. "Lets see what kind of crap you read, Ticket." He moved over to the large bookshelf, eyeing the book titles... "Bloody hell, sounds like a bunch of babble to me." He said, after flicking through pages of one book. He closed it with a slam, then said, "Well, I am not the smart one myself, so I wouldn't know." Rankor looked around further, then jumped onto one of the beds, it made a horrible cringing and cracking noise, as if close to breaking. "Ah... Crap..." Rankor stood up quickly, as to avoid breaking the bed completely. "Alyssa will sleep there... She seems to be lightest of us all."

Rankor then moved to the next bed, slowly sitting on it, a slightly lower sound of cracking was heard. "Almost as bad." Rankor frowned, "It'll have to do." He placed his muddy leather boots onto the bed, staining it. Rankor sighed happily as he rested his head on the pillow. "This is rather nice, even though I am quite good with blunt weapons... Still havn't got much coin, wonder what our rewards will be..." He pondered as he rested his eyes. Rankor breathed deeply, then opened his eyes, "Oh, I am a deep sleeper, so just incase something actually attacks, give me a good slap on the face, it'll wake me." Rankor quickly stood up before falling into deep sleep, "Actually... It would be better if I didn't sleep for a while." He stood up, yawning. Rankor approached Vivica, stopping before her saying, "So... How did you live your life before this?" He said in a tired, bored way, obviously just trying to strike up a conversation.

(( Now you guys have a nice bit to work with, so lets try and increase detail and post length. Not nesscary but it would be nice, eh? ))

"Well, I am not the smart one myself, so I wouldn't know." Rankor said as he continued on.

"What a suprise." Ticket said without a hint of humor. "I think there are some children's fairytales somewhere in the back shelves Rankor."

The man was somewhere to the side complaining about the sturdyness of the beds. "I never intended to have 'tall' guests." He grabbed his staff from the corner and began polishing it with a cloth. The orb on top seemed to gleam in satisfaction as the dirt, dust, and mead was snuffed out. His small gnome body loosened up from exhaustion.

"After all this lot, I plan to sit in my study back in Tripoli and read. Read read read. Till the grim reaper feels like oiling his scythe and claiming me."

Alyssa looked up breifly from her writing as she heard Rankor mention her name.

"Mmm? Oh... no I'm not tired yet, thanks."

The others continued talking, but Alyssa's gaze returned to her writing. Unconciously chewing a nail on her left hand, she frowned as she looked over one particular passage.

After what seemed like an hour of staring at nothing, Alyssa, with a sigh of irritation, packed away her writing. Outside, she heard the hooting of an owl, and she stopped to listen. It was a sound she seldom heard in the city.

She gets up slowly, and walks over to the others, who are still talking.

"You know, I don't really know any of you. Its strange. Before today I lived mostly alone. Me, my writing, an opportunity for a little money here and there, that was about it... oh, there were other people in the slums, like me, a lot of them, but none of them really friends. I never really expected it to change, I guess. I don't know whether I should be happy or not."

She smiled wryly, then turned her head toward Vivica.

"So, what's your story?"

Vivica twisted her mouth a bit, uncomfortable by being put on the spot by Alyssa and Rankor. She hugged her knees and sank back onto the bed,

"Its nothing too interesting, not in my opinion anyways..." she rolled onto her side and pulled out her miniature wooden dolls. "I guess you can say I'm a collector. I like to travel around, I've seen a lot of places, but... its not sporadic or anything. I'm not after little trinkets like this."
She tossed the dolls aside and sat up on the bed, her back to the others.

"I'm after this," she said, pulling her bodice half-off her body, her pale back exposed. In the small of her back, embedded in her spine was a round stone, emerald in colour. "Rather... its match, look familiar?"

She shivered slightly, waiting for their reply.

"Mmm? Oh... no I'm not tired yet, thanks." Rankor nodded lightly, as she stood up soonafter, walking to Ticket, Vivica and Rankor.

Rankor yawned lightly as Alyssa gave her short speech, not listening to it, he turned to Vivica who now sat upon the bed. "Its nothing too interesting, not in my opinion anyways... I guess you can say I'm a collector. I like to travel around, I've seen a lot of places, but... its not sporadic or anything. I'm not after little trinkets like this." Rankor smiled lightly, looking to her. "I'm after this," she said, Rankor watched with much interest as she pulled up half of her top, revealing a green, round stone in her back, Rankor paused for a second, staring at it, then pulled out his warhammer, looking to the red, round stone embedded too into his hammer. "Uhm... No, I havn't." He said walking towards her.

Rankor sat next to her on the bed, looking to her, asking curiously, "Why?" he said, his face quite serious.

Blushing as Rankor sat on the bed, making her slide forward a bit, Vivica quickly covered her chest.
"Um.. er.. well, its a long story," she stammered, readjusting her clothes.
"Where I come from, twins have stones like mine embedded into their flesh. My sister and I were the same." She took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a few seconds before continuing.
"They hold great powers as the twins mature, binding them for life. Her name was Ophelia, and.. she was brutally murdered some time ago. When the body was found and brought to my family, her stone had been savagely removed from her."
Clasping her hands tightly, Vivica fought back tears. She played her vunerability off as anger, and tilted her head back. "I need to find it. I have to."

((Incredibly sorry for keeping anyone waiting. And…I’d just like to point out that this roleplay was an amazingly entertaining read. One of the best ever! And with that, off we go!))

The newly settled village of Tripoli, whose population barely reached past two-hundred, had never known such a tragedy as the brutal murders of Jonas and Anne Aldinach. Their murder brought to light just how un-safe the seemingly harmless place called Tripoli truly was. The murder was all but enough to cause half of Tripoli’s oldest residents to immediately pack up and leave. Most devastating of all, was the fact that Jonas and Anne had left behind a son of twelve years, named Orthon.

Orthon was picked up by local, and only, guard to the Village of Tripoli, who went by the name of Cavis Mornosah. Orthon, being the first to stumble upon his parents mangled corpses, immediately fled to Cavis for help. Out of pity for the small boy and fear for his safety Cavis took him in as his own son. Orthon wasn’t the greatest of fighters, nor was he the most fit to wield a weapon. This didn’t stop Cavis, however. Cavis’s persistent and protecting nature matched up perfectly with that of Orthon’s timid and shy personality. Cavis raised Orthon up to be one of Tripoli’s most loyal guards, and eventually, one of the first to enlist in Tripoli’s army.

Orthon grew up in Tripoli’s peak days. He saw it rise from a small village of two-hundred to a city tall and majestic whose population was without number. The filthy dirt roads were replaced with rich cobble-stone streets, the villages crumbled shacks were removed and in their places were erected tall stone buildings which lay host to multiple families. Around the city grew tall walls which lay a secure atmosphere, and in the center of it all was the Castle of Tripoli in which Cavis sat as King. Orthon and Cavis had indeed succeeded in raising one of the finest cities known in history, and all was at peace, for a time.

Orthon was the age of 17, the night of King Cavis Mornosah’s murder, the most unexpected of all things to come. Out of all the citizens of Tripoli who grieved for the loss of their noble and just King, he who took it hardest of all was none other then Orthon Aldinach whom had been stationed in the Castle at the time Cavis was killed. Orthon blamed himself for the death of his old ruler and mentor, and this mental conflict slowly tore him apart day by day. Every morning brought the memory of the dead corpse of his father figure, everyday brought strong denial about how he could have stopped the murder from happening, and everyday Orthon drove himself closer and closer to insanity. Orthon grew thin and pale, he took on the strong appearance of one in dire need of medical attention, and his hair grew long and scraggly. Orthon knew that the end was near for him… and he embraced this welcoming thought.

One dark night, Orthon fled the prosperous city of Tripoli and made straight deep into the heart of its surrounding forest. Orthon took very little. Enough food for a week long journey and the clothes he had on his back were all that he brought with him. He intended to commit suicide away from the city, thus to save others from grieving over his death as they had for Cavis’s. He needed to end his misery once and for all, and this seemed to be the only way to do it. Deep in the depths of the Tripoli forest, however, darkness took him.

3 days into his journey, Orthon was approached by a small group of bandits during the night. The bandits, seeing the sick and frail Orthon clumped in a sleeping mess on the forest floor, immediately chose him as a target. Two bandits closed in from the front while one came from either side of him. They could taste victory in the air, and already, the sounds of their spoils jingling in their rucksacks rang loudly in their ears. Orthon, however, was ready for them.

Orthon broke his seemingly crippled form on the ground and gained his footing quickly. He immediately sank deep into a trance, half awake, and half in a coma. The all too familiar taste of blood wet his appetite. Orthon’s vision had changed to a mad race of black and white. Five blurry dark figures closed in around him on a white as snow landscape. In an incredibly natural motion, Orthon rushed forward to the nearest figure and drew from its sheath, the bandits very own hunting knife. In another swift action, Orthon sank down to the bandit’s right side and lunged forward, tearing through the bandit’s abdomen spilling out fresh blood onto the now damp forest floor. This was it; this was what Orthon hungered for. The fresh scent of blood and the glory of a dominant killing had only been known to Orthon twice before. Once when he murdered his parents, and once when he murdered Cavis Morsonah.

With the first bandit, now lying on the ground dead, Orthon shifted his weight ever so slightly, leapt into the air, and landed full force on the shoulders of the nearest bandit. The bandit’s shoulder blades were crushed instantly under Orthon’s body weight and a cry of both terror and pain echoed deep into the night. Orthon then proceeded to crouch lower, and with a single swipe cut a deep slit into the exposed throat of his victim. The bandit died before his body slumped to the ground.

Orthon no longer had a need to defend himself. The remaining three bandits had turned and fled deep into the night, obviously realizing their mistake at underestimating the small sickly boy for a pushover. Orthon was left to dwell on his slayings. Not just the slayings of the bandits, however. The memory of Anne and Jonas Aldinach, as well as Cavis Morsonah was restored fully to his mind. He now realized that he himself had been the murderer, and he remembered just as strongly the sensation he had received after the slayings. Orthon’s weakness came, however, after the murders. At the time of his previous killings, Orthon had been too mentally unfit to maintain his, “killing trance” longer then he felt fit, but in recent months while going through so much mental conflict and self-destruction, and being paired with the need for self-defense, Orthon had tapped fully into his power. He no longer held thoughts of grief or suicide. Instead, he felt the need to kill and to explore his true potential. With the slaying of these bandits Orthon was now left in his killing trance, and he knew he would never leave it again. This would be Orthon for the remainder of his life.

Having discarded his life in Tripoli, which he now viewed as sad and pathetic, Orthon spent the next few years in the Tripoli forests. Often he would meet wild creatures and bandits, but with his might he would slay them all. He lived just like the animals, killing for food and killing for dominance. His “killing trance” heightened his senses to their full extent, far beyond that of a normal human being. His strength, body size, and intelligence also received incredible boosts. He was undefeatable when it came to both challenges of physical and mental proportions. Every time he killed he gained the knowledge and secrets trapped within the minds of his victims. Because of this, he now knew more about the forest then most of its eldest inhabitants.

Orthon’s new found lifestyle came with costs, however. Along with all of these bonus’s came downsides, each of which Orthon calculated as acceptable. Sullen blank eyes with a tinge of dark red now squared a face which lay host to a matted mane of black hair. His well shaped arms supported a muscular figure which set a threatening tone, paired with great posture which he held high, towering above the ground. His skin gained a charred black appearance which blended well with his armor, a full set of light steel alloy, which he gained through several battles and successful killings.

Orthon eventually established his own territory deep in the forest. How long had been forgotten to him, but in the back of his well crafted mind he knew that it had been hundreds of years since he had left Tripoli. His long life span, Orthon concluded, was a result of his “Killing instinct” which greatly improved his health. His name and age had since been forgotten to him, but such factors were not important to his new lifestyle. He had cleared all un-necessary thoughts from his mind to make way for a new creature to erupt in his place.

Upon his first unique encounter with a creature he had never seen in the forest before, it was when Orthon realized the truth behind his existence. Orthon had spent several days in his shelter which was nothing more then a large hole he had carved out from underneath a large fallen tree stump. This was all that he needed to survive, and if he wished to keep the delicate ecosystem of the forest intact and above all keep hidden, this type of shelter would serve him best. On about his fifteenth day in camp, Orthon awoke to find several tall armored creatures awaiting him outside of his tree. Their armor was intricately designed; all of them wore an armless black plate body wielding the design of a split halo with a serpent erupting from the center, two grey boots which extended up to the knees with opal studs at the ankles, thick black plate legs, and a widened long sword in a grey sheath tied to their waists.

However, what particularly caught Orthon’s attention was the frightening fact that these creatures bore the same resemblance as Orthon had took on ever since he had gained control over his “killing trance.” The creatures spoke to Orthon in a tongue he had never heard before, yet he understood it as though he had been exposed to it all his life. The words of this language were long, slurred, and vicious. A deep rasping growl would often rise from the depths of these creatures’ tongues. It was as music to Orthon’s ears.

“We are of the Koutac clan,” spoke the largest creature, “we seek shelter for the night after our long journey from the land of Gurtal. We now head east towards the land of Tripoli. We see you are not of our clan, yet we hope your doors are open to us.”

Tripoli… Orthon had heard this name before. It rang like a coin dropped down a well in the back of his mind. Orthon answered these creatures back, as fluent in their tongue as the creatures who first spoke it had been:

“Who you are is of no concern to me; I will not deal with the petty needs of those aside from myself. Before I slay you, however, I seek information. What are you? You are the first of your kind I have encountered, yet you bare a striking resemblance to me. And how is it that I know your tongue?”

The largest of the creatures was again the one to speak:

“Your words confuse us, as of course I hope you are jesting. As I have already stated, we are of the Koutac Clan, a strong clan of demons from one of the outermost posts of Gurtal. Your small threats mean nothing to us, as you can see, we by far out-number and out-wear you. If you shall not let us into your home openly, however, we shall kill you and take it by force.”

Demon… The word echoed in the back of Orthon’s mind countless times. So this was the answer to all the riddles. Surely after all this time, Orthon couldn’t have still thought himself to be human. He was by far smarter and more fit then any human he had ever known in his lifetime, and this explained the “killer trance” as well. It must be the nature of a demon to be violent and ruthless. A sense of pride grew deep within Orthon as this thought passed through his mind. He now knew who he was… he was complete.

Whether or not it was from rage at the mere threats of the intrusive demons or from the boiling urge to kill, Orthon didn’t care. He threw himself at the demons and found them, for some reason, to be easier to destroy then any other prey he had found in the forest. Quickly the largest of the demons was down, and before the other two could even react Orthon was upon them hacking in a swift and deadly manner. All three of the demons now lay in a heap on the ground, nothing more then three large carcasses. Orthon took his prize, three new sets of armor and weaponry and a large green jewel which appeared to have been removed from a solid object of sorts. Orthon left the jewel where it lay. Such material possessions meant nothing to him, for he could think of no such use for it. He quickly, however, bore the armor and weapons as a sign of his strong opponents defeat.

Orthon absorbed the knowledge of the defeated demons and was amazed and what he had learned. He gained memories of three different demon childhoods, the land called Gurtal, and the secrets of the Koutac Clan. More interesting, however, were the memories Orthon felt to be more recent. Visions of a burning village and several stout creatures fighting for their lives flashed before Orthon’s eyes. He recognized these creatures as gnomes, for he had slain several of them before. This village seemed interesting enough, seeing as it would have been the first civilized existence he had known within the boundaries of the forest. Having lived within the bowels of these forests for hundreds of years and never knowing such a place could possibly have survived for such a time, Orthon set forth on his journey toward this Gnome village.

Rankor looked sympathetically to Vivica as she held back tears, "Ah well..." but he couldn't find anything else to say. "So what you need is," Rankor tapped the jewel inside his warhammer with his pointer finger. "But green, eh?"

Rankor stood up, leaning heavily on his warhammer, Rankor nodded lightly to Vivica then walked to Ticket, "We all have a problem don't we? Gnome friends dead," Rankor pointed to Ticket, "Sister dead." he pointed to Vivica and, "Some quiet theif who likes to write, having problems in the slums" he pointed to Alyssa. Rankor's face went grim once more, "I... Myself don't really have a problem, no coin you could say if that counts." Rankor yawned out of boredness, then approached Alyssa, but continued on up the stairs to the burnt area above. "I'm going out for some fresh air." he said bluntly.

Rankor stood outside, breathing in the air, still leaning on his warhammer. He saw a figure approach, footsteps heard. "Oi! Who be you?" Rankor said in a very loud and hostile voice.

Alyssa was just getting up, when she heard Rankor's challenge.

She froze for a second, then moved quickly over towards the beds where Vivica and Ticket were lying.

"There's someone outside!" she hissed, grabbing her sword from where it lay beside one of the beds.

**Really REALLY sorry for the late post savvys. Nice post by the way Loric.**

Ticket slammed his book shut and tossed it perfectly into the bookbag. He was quiet, sullen, with a frown slabbed onto his face. He looked at his imp. The small creature was shuddering, obviously confused, not by the dangerous presence, but by its familiar aura. One the imp only knew too well. It broke the silence by screaming in the demon tongue. Ticket snarled and turned to his comrades.

"A demon! Eyes open or we're all dead before sunrise!"

"Rankor! Get down and shut the trap door or your going to die!" He looked at his party, obviously confused. "Before we fight, you must know something. I'm quite sure you have never read, much less seen a Gurtal demon." He ordered his imp over. "They're fast, powerful, and far more intellegent than us.... well maybe just you three combined." The fearful frown was replaced by a strong, evil smile.

"Tis going to be an interesting night."

Vivica jumped off the bed the second Alyssa went for her sword, unclipping her chain she clenched it tightly in both hands.

"What on earth is he chirping at," she said, nodding towards the imp who was screaming and shuddering wildly, "make it stop!"

She stood beside Alyssa protectively as Ticket was yelling at Rankor to come inside, "I'll keep an eye on you my pretty," she said with a strained smile, trying not to look as agitated as she felt.

"A demon! Eyes open or we're all dead before sunrise!" Came a shout from under, it was the voice of Ticket. He then continued shouting, "Rankor! Get down and shut the trap door or your going to die!" Rankor frowned lightly, not taking his eyes off the demon he shouted back, "Ca'mon Ticket! If you're so scared I'll be getting into trouble, you come help!" Rankor eyed the demon with somewhat interest. "You mean harm.... Demon?" Rankor asked bluntly still leaning on his warhammer, the red jewel embedded in it's wooden handle began glowing, if one would notice.

(( Sorry for the somewhat short post, I just wanted to show you guys that I was active, not planning on leaving the topic, but I can't do much untill Loric posts again. ))

The journey took all of what Orthon's mind calculated as 2-3 weeks. Stopping only twice to rest and once to kill for food, he made excellent time by any standards, spanning the distance of several hundred leagues on foot. On about the 20th day of his journey, Orthon picked up the scent of charred wood. This was a sure sign as to the vacinity of his destination.

As fit as he was, however, Orthon took this time to rest. As far as he knew, demons could currently be inhabiting the gnome village he had previously viewed in the memories he gained from the demons of the Koutac Clan. Either that, or the gnomes still held control. The gnomes, however, wouldn't take his presence lightly, seeing that they would have just sustained a recent attack by his kind. No matter what Orthon encountered would prove hostile to him, so he would need to be prepared.

After several days of hibernated rest, Orthon was on the move again. Setting out at nightfall, Orthon traveled swiftly and quietly through the shadows, the scent of charred wood growing ever stronger all the while. The last day of his journey passed quicker then expected and Orthon was soon at his destination, the gnome village.

Orthon attested he was within 50 feet of the forest line surrounding the village, and so he crept forward stealithly through the shadows. After peering through fallen branches and dense shrubbery, Orthon attested that the demons had infact won their battle. What he knew only as a blazing inferno Orthon now saw as crumbled ruins and splintered wood which filled a clearing in the dense forest. Orthon also observed, however, that the village was not inhabited by either demon or gnome at this point. It appeared completely deserted.

Before heading into the remains of the village, Orthon did a quick sweep around the perimeter. A destroyed village would attract looters, and Orthon didn't want to be caught off-guard. Orthon searched every inch of the surrounding area of the village several times until he felt that there was truly no one around. He then made to step into the wreckage, but was forced to hold himself still due to the appearance of an unknown figure.

Orthon saw him clearly with his excellent vision. He came as a large dark figure through a trap door apparently situated on the base of a destroyed building. On the white landscape only Orthon knew, he analyzed the newcomer. It was a human, however, it did not appear to be a bandit. This was a rare thing to the forest, for the only humans Orthon had ever encountered had been weak thieves and bandits whom hide in the shadow and strike when they feel their prey is offguard. This figure, however, bore weapons and the physical appearance of a warrior.

Orthon was intrigued. This man was obviously from outside of the forest and as such he would have valuable information. Matters of the outside world, however, mattered not to Orthon. What truly interested him was the village in which the man stood. What Orthon had no way of knowing, though, was whether or not this man was present during the battle which decided the village's fate. Orthon would have to extract this information verbally as opposed to killing the man to gain it.

Orthon, crouched low to the ground, crept once more around the perimeter of the village to approach the man from the front. Orthon wouldn't want to startle the man or appear a threat at first glance. For all Orthon knew this man was not alone, and so he would need not to appear in a hostile manner.

When situated directly in front of the man, Orthon made his presence known by emerging from the forest line slowly and cautiously. As he did so, several means of communication met Orthon's ears. One was a shout from the man demanding Orthon's identity. The other was from another figure not currently visible to him, it was a warning. Orthon knew now that this man was not alone, and from the directed note of the warning Orthon presumed there were more then just the two voices in the village.

Apparently this unseen figure knew not only that Orthon was approaching, but that he was a demon. He also had presumed Orthon to be a threat. Orthon took this as a wise move of judgement, however, this worked against what Orthon wished to accomplish. Another shout was emmited from the man towards the unknown voice, and yet another directed towards Orthon wishing to know whether or not Orthon was a threat to him. Orthon seized this chance to speak.

"I bare no harm to you, human. I simply seek information about the village in which you stand. I have taken residence in this forest for several years, you see, and as such I have never seen civilized society within it's borders. This would have been the first and only I had ever encountered, and because of this I wish to discover knowledge of it's past existence. I seek such out of pure curiosity. I need to make two things known to you and your group. First off, I must know whether or not you have any information pretaining to this village itself, and second, I must bid you know that if I feel you are lying to me I have other ways of extracting information. One of them is your death."

Orthon drew his longword from the sheath tied to his waist and held it at an arms length from his body.

"Speak quickly, human, for I have short patience and will easily be inclined to strike you down. I have no sympathy nor do I have pity. I will not feel sorry for you if you make the wrong choice. There would be several others in your party from which I could learn."

Ticket heard everything away from the demon's sight. "Since you seem so confident, I'll let you play leader today... Rankor." He let out a broad smile. "Tell him what he wants, then get struck down. Or dont say a word, and have him extract it from your corpse."He tossed a green fireball back and forth with his imp like a game, waiting for his reply.

OOC: Sorry, but I'm really busy lately. I don't think I'll be able to post properly (you know, not minimal crap) till Wednesday at least, Thursday at latest. Sorry.

Rankor tapped his warhammer against the ground impatiently, the red gem inside flashing so vibrant that it let a red glow cover most of his shadow. Rankor watched the figure approach, his charred appearance looked strange to Rankor. "You ain't a good lookin' one are you?" Rankor mumbled to himself.

Once the man had been full in his vision, he looked quite different from a human, his skin dark, charred one could say. He stopped, and began talking. Rankor wasn't listening at all, he made an obvious yawn in the middle of it, but near the end, he heard him mention something that prickled Rankor's skin lightly as he drew his longsword, "...for I have short patience and will easily be inclined to strike you down..." Rankor looked up to him for the first time with a grin, thinking of what he should say as he continued his speech. "Alright... So what is it you want?" Rankor chuckled lightly, then didn't waitfor him to answer, but continued. "Nevermind that, nevermind. Tell you whatmate!" He said in a somewhat strange voice that made him look like a drunkard trying to fool the bartender. "Yoou... Join us, help us destroy all Gurtal and so on, eh? And we... We will be quite grateful, fair trade eh? Of course, I'm sure as hell able to give you a fight if you want, I'm the best of Tripoli! Demon or not... You will be the one who will be struck down if you do not comply." He said confidently, as it was quite true.

Rankor didn't bother listening to what Ticket was saying as he waited for the demon's response. "I may do need a bit of help... If he is what he looks like, or what that idiot gnome says he is." "Oi! Ticket! Come." He barked, not turning his gaze from the demon, but kneeled down to the red jewel embedded in his pole handle and mumbled, "...Now." as he said that, the stone on the top end of the warhammer widened on each side by a good bit, then sharp spikes seemed to come out of the impaling end of the warhammer. Rankor smiled lightly, raising himself to full height again, the warhammer was now his height exactly, Rankor adjusted his grip. "Many thanks... Peter."



(( Btw guys, if you don't remember, Peter is the guy who sold Rankor his warhammer, more info to be revealed on him later ^_^ ))

A light emitting from the man's battleaxe fell over Orthon, revealing him to the darkness. He did not shrink back, however. Instead he held his position strongly and firmly, un-intimidated by his company. The man spoke in a light-aired and somewhat lazy attitude, at first asking Orthon what it is he wanted. Orthon began to think that the man had not understood him.. then he realized just what was going on. The man was toying with him and obviously did not see him as one worth recognition. The man then went on to speak about a sort of, "Deal."

"You... Join us, help us destroy all Gurtal and so on, eh? And we... We will be quite grateful, fair trade eh? Of course, I'm sure as hell able to give you a fight if you want, I'm the best of Tripoli! Demon or not... You will be the one who will be struck down if you do not comply."

The tide had apparently turned in the man's eyes. He offered up a one-sided deal to Orthon and then went on to claim to be all the more worthier of existence while challenging him to a fight. As Orthon watched, the man appeared to speak to his battle axe. As he did so it increased it's size and gained spikes protruding from it's blunt edge. A fight now appeared inevitable, and Orthon quickly gave his response.

"Well, what I understand from your offer is that while you obtain everything you seek and desire, I am supposed to make off with the feeble thought that I allowed you to use me?" Orthon spoke in an incliningly adgitated tone. "You are young and foolish... I feel it is my duty to share with you that you are not the best at negotiating. I now have no more need for words with you.. You have given me all that I could gain through conversation. If you dare say you wish for a fight, I'll give it to you. Not only will I be satisfying your needs, but I shall get what I want as well."

With that, Orthon quickly sheathed his weapon and leapt high into the air, landing like a cat on a treebranch on the village perimeter. Orthon knew better than to blatantly attack an enemy in the open while others remained out of sight. He would have to draw them out before taking on an aggresive offense. The pain and suffering of this human would surely be more then enough for his companions to join the battle. Orthon would let his enemy come to him.

"Your move, human." He spoke clearly to the night.

(( I'm going to be away for a while, guys. I'm not quite sure how long at the moment, but I'll try to keep you posted. ))

Ticket walked up the trapdoor steps. "Oi! Ticket! Come." Rankor barked. "Yes, yes..." Ticket Replied. The small gnome got up, his position gave him the look and fortitude of a human. He tapped his staff on the floor and the gem ornament on the top burst into a tamed green flame

This was the first time Ticket got a good look at the demon. Black, charred skin. Small traces of humanity here and there. Ticket walked up by Rankor. The gnome muttered something and tapped the man's shin. Out of nowhere a blue field covered Rankor like a sheet, then quickly dissapeared. "This will garuntee deflection of the first hit, then it will just lesson the pain later on." He then stood ahead of Rankor.

"Dead or alive," Ticket said loud and clear,"Youd still be much fun to dissect." He cackled and opened his hand. Levitating on it was an eery blue flame, with blue static charges emitting from it. "Rankor, do keep the head intact to make the later experiment more enjoyable."

(( Try and avoid the spelling mistakes Fieren. ))

Rankor watched the man, his eyes not changing direction.
"Well, what I understand from your offer is that while you obtain everything you seek and desire, I am supposed to make off with the feeble thought that I allowed you to use me?" said the demon out of no where, Rankor opened his mouth to speak, but he then continued, "You are young and foolish... I feel it is my duty to share with you that you are not the best at negotiating. I now have no more need for words with you.. You have given me all that I could gain through conversation. If you dare say you wish for a fight, I'll give it to you. Not only will I be satisfying your needs, but I shall get what I want as well." Rankor grinned lightly, listening intently to what he was saying. Rankor stared at the man, he soon sheathed his sword and jumped onto the tree, Rankor tried not to sound impressed, "High jumper I see."

Rankor approaching him, mumbling lightly to his warhammer as the red jewel still shone brightly. "Your move, human." the demon said, "Mh, quite so, It seems like you cower from the battle." Rankor said bluntly, attempting to provoke him. "Come down and you will recieve what you have brought upon yourself." Just then Ticket came from the trap door, approaching him and tapped him on his shin bone as a blue light encased Rankor, but soon dissapeared. "Ahah! Good stuff." he nodded to the gnome after he had said what it does. Rankor kneeled down to Ticket for a second whispering, "Shoot him down from there with one of your fireball things. I'll take it from there." Rankor stood up once more. "Vivica!" he shouted, expecting her to come from the trap door to help too. "No match for me, but I better be safe..."

(( Please don't be too inactive Loric, you too Shadow. ))

Alyssa heard Rankor shouting for Vivica. With a hand that was shaking slightly, she brushed her hair out of her eyes, then, with a terse nod to Vivica, she ascended the stairs, holding the sword (covered in ashes) awkwardly in one hand.

As she came to the top, she paused for a second, with her head just out of sight. Curously enough, she found her mind wandering back to the day she had left her father's house. The feel of the wind on her face, a mixture of fear and excitement. Closing the back door on her past forever, and going off on her own, forever.

Slowly, Alyssa emerged from the cellar, into the cool night, among the remnants of the gnome village.

Her eyes darting around quickly, she stepped closer to the others around the trap door.

"Where is it?" she whispered.

Vivica was close behind Alyssa as the two went out into the open air. Standing between Alyssa and Rankor, she craned her neck to get a look at the demon through the branches of the tree.

"Its up there," she said quietly, touching Alyssa's shaking hand, "in the trees, its so ugly."
She averted her eyes in disgust at the charred black thing.
"Kill it."

"Kill it."

"Oh we can kill it." Ticket replied. His imp was besides him, holding its own fireballs. They both held the fireballs back, ready to toss.

"Run. T'would be a shame to kill something so intelligent." They tossed the balls in unison. They soared across the air leaving a smoke trail.

"I'll keep him trouble. One of the ladies will watch me while the other will follow you. Hurry."

((Sorry, cant really make the fight interesting until everyone is on at least once the same day.))

(( Alright you guys, I'm back. Incredibly sorry for the delay! ))

To Orthon's surprise, not one, but four figures emerged from the trapdoor. One after another they crept as though shadows and made their place behind the man as though servants awaiting their orders. The first of the three, however, was the one who interested Orthon the most. It was a gnome, and one which bore a strong resemblence to the ones Orthon witnessed being slaughtered in his obtained memories. This excited Orthon, for if he couldn't gain the needed information from this man, then the gnome would make an excellent replacement. Orthon was more than sure that this gnome contained vital information about the village.

However, Orthon had already made it quite clear that he was a threat. This meant that an exchange of words at this point in time would be all but useful. He would have to find another way to get what he needed from the gnome, and the only scenario which Orthon found realistic would be to draw him away from the rest of the group. But how to go about doing it?

Closely behind the gnome came a short imp, whom in the darkness made his predecessors appear to be that of giants. The imp was an odd companion of this group of warriors and his presence puzzled Orthon. However, he let this thought sit for the moment.

The next to emerge was a human female. She out of the revealed group bore the closest resemblence to the bandits Orthon had encountered in the forest. She held a ragged appearance, dust and dirt smudged her face and covered most of her torn clothes. She was small in size yet appeared to be capable of dealing with most challenges. Even the weapon she bore, a large knife, was similar to that of a bandit. However, she did not appear to realize Orthon's location. This could be used to his advantage, seeing as the man didn't give much a sign of realizing where Orthon had fled to, either.

The fourth to emerge from the trapdoor was a female elf. Tall and slender in the darkness, it was as though she was emanating a strong majestic aura about herself which set her apart from the rest of the party. No doubt, this creature could see Orthon in the darkness. Her presence seemed familiar to Orthon as though he had felt it before, almost as though in a dream. This deja vu, however, Orthon paid little attention to.