Chronicles of Roissha *Closed* Chapter Two: Into the Depths of Madness
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The sleepy elven village of Kharn lies in one of the many great plains in the Magnus Duchy. The town is small, barely four-hundred people. Normally a village of this size would have been wiped off the map or sacrificed to focus on the larger ones seeing as it holds no visible strategic value. However this is not true; the town was built on top of an underground well which had a strong concentration of water elementals. The town is ruled by the battle hardened elven warlord Tanan Lassaelynn. For decades he's held his ground here and has seen his share of battles, there are many legends that surround him and the locals speak of him in hushed tones almost as if they fear him.
At least that's what you've learned from your last few weeks in the place. It's a peaceful village in essence. The guards watch and protect the people; the people in turn tend to the farmland which supplied the village with its food supply. Oddly enough however there is very little in the terms of house hold magitek here. You'd think of anyone the farmers would at least use something to speed up the farming process. One particularly chilly evening you've returned to your quarters only to find an odd note laying on the floor as if it had been slid under the door.
The town square at midnight, tonight.
The note was written in elegant cursive lettering, as well as direct and to the point. With no identifying marks the only way to discover who sent it would be to show up
...Later that night...
You reach the town square at the same time as numerous other figures. All of you looking at each other cautiously. The sound of footsteps can be heard over the mutterings of those around you and a tall slender man carrying a torch approaches this group. His pointed ears immediately give him away to be an elf and an ugly red scar across his face shows signs of his experience in fierce battle. He gets within ten paces and the light illuminates everyone clearer.
"I'm sure you're all wondering why I requested your presence here tonight. I've been observing your movements throughout my town. You carry yourselves as warriors I've noticed, but for who do you serve? Ah sorry, where are my manners? My name is Tanan Lassaelynn. I rule this town. I have protected it from outsiders such as yourselves for several years now" He talks very directly to all of you; his voice stern and harsh for an elf. During the brief pause in speech he takes a cursory glance over you all. "Well then, back to the task at hand. You were summoned here because I have a task for you. Think of it as a test of loyalty to this village and our fine nation if you will. Do this for me and my doubts about you will be erased and I won't be forced into more... Extreme measures" He smiles a cold calculating smile. "Well, why you don't you talk it over with your new allies," He says making a gesture to everyone "Then tell me what you decide upon."
At least that's what you've learned from your last few weeks in the place. It's a peaceful village in essence. The guards watch and protect the people; the people in turn tend to the farmland which supplied the village with its food supply. Oddly enough however there is very little in the terms of house hold magitek here. You'd think of anyone the farmers would at least use something to speed up the farming process. One particularly chilly evening you've returned to your quarters only to find an odd note laying on the floor as if it had been slid under the door.
The town square at midnight, tonight.
The note was written in elegant cursive lettering, as well as direct and to the point. With no identifying marks the only way to discover who sent it would be to show up
...Later that night...
You reach the town square at the same time as numerous other figures. All of you looking at each other cautiously. The sound of footsteps can be heard over the mutterings of those around you and a tall slender man carrying a torch approaches this group. His pointed ears immediately give him away to be an elf and an ugly red scar across his face shows signs of his experience in fierce battle. He gets within ten paces and the light illuminates everyone clearer.
"I'm sure you're all wondering why I requested your presence here tonight. I've been observing your movements throughout my town. You carry yourselves as warriors I've noticed, but for who do you serve? Ah sorry, where are my manners? My name is Tanan Lassaelynn. I rule this town. I have protected it from outsiders such as yourselves for several years now" He talks very directly to all of you; his voice stern and harsh for an elf. During the brief pause in speech he takes a cursory glance over you all. "Well then, back to the task at hand. You were summoned here because I have a task for you. Think of it as a test of loyalty to this village and our fine nation if you will. Do this for me and my doubts about you will be erased and I won't be forced into more... Extreme measures" He smiles a cold calculating smile. "Well, why you don't you talk it over with your new allies," He says making a gesture to everyone "Then tell me what you decide upon."
It'll start off a bit slow as I get a feel for everyones characters and what keeps the group flowing, so my apologies if it's underwhelming at first.
"Let me deal with this guy" Garrant whispered to Kinglet before stepping forwards
"Why must we prove our loyalty to you? We are simply passing through, your backwater is just a stop for us"
Garrant's face was obscured by shadow, yet his eyes seemed to glow a bright emerald green in reflection to the torchlight. He had stepped forwards from his position next to a smaller, similarly dressed figure and was addressing Tanan with a cold flat tone.
It was true, this was just a stop for them, an opportunity to maybe 'stock up' on goodies in the meantime but a stop nonetheless. Garrant suppressed a small chuckle, to think, they'd even considered robbing this blokes manse.
"Why must we prove our loyalty to you? We are simply passing through, your backwater is just a stop for us"
Garrant's face was obscured by shadow, yet his eyes seemed to glow a bright emerald green in reflection to the torchlight. He had stepped forwards from his position next to a smaller, similarly dressed figure and was addressing Tanan with a cold flat tone.
It was true, this was just a stop for them, an opportunity to maybe 'stock up' on goodies in the meantime but a stop nonetheless. Garrant suppressed a small chuckle, to think, they'd even considered robbing this blokes manse.
Fitzgerald knew it I knew it was a bad idea to stay in town last night to enjoy that, sophisticated conversation with that barmaid. Fitzgerald looked around and saw a slender fellow walk up to Tanan. "Well, I am Fitzgerald the Suitably Amazing" said Fitzgerald to Tannon, his blond hair swaying and catching the glint of the moon as he turned to look. "If your task is noble, I shall lend myself to you."
"Mh," Kinglet acknowledged.
She fidgeted slightly, her heels scraping against the ground, and her light eyes began their dutiful prowl of their surroundings. While Garrant moved, Kinglet watched. And when he spoke, Kinglet watched some more. Well, all-right. Kinglet's eyes hardly ever took a break from darting about and noting her surroundings. Each detail, no matter how small, would be taken note of, for you never knew when you might have to fall back to utilizing that lonely pitchfork leaning by the haystack to their right--or when the bucket with the iron reinforced cast on the left by the well would come in handy. And so she watched, took note, and listened.
Though she did smile slightly, her thin lips twitching at their corners, as Mister Suitably Amazing introduced himself. She glanced at him, tilted her head so far her ear almost touched her shoulder, and blinked at the fellow.
She wondered if he was carrying much coin.
She fidgeted slightly, her heels scraping against the ground, and her light eyes began their dutiful prowl of their surroundings. While Garrant moved, Kinglet watched. And when he spoke, Kinglet watched some more. Well, all-right. Kinglet's eyes hardly ever took a break from darting about and noting her surroundings. Each detail, no matter how small, would be taken note of, for you never knew when you might have to fall back to utilizing that lonely pitchfork leaning by the haystack to their right--or when the bucket with the iron reinforced cast on the left by the well would come in handy. And so she watched, took note, and listened.
Though she did smile slightly, her thin lips twitching at their corners, as Mister Suitably Amazing introduced himself. She glanced at him, tilted her head so far her ear almost touched her shoulder, and blinked at the fellow.
She wondered if he was carrying much coin.
Eovik shimmies down from the small roof he was perched upon. "Aye elf it seems you are an ambitious one to have assembled the people that stand here tonight." He glances around at the group currently in the square. "I have no need for your ambitions as it leads to only destruction but I would be a fool to think I could walk away from this meeting tonight without repercussions so go ahead tell me of your task and we shall see what I choose." Eovik leans against the wall content to hear the elf's reasons before resorting to any actions.
He was perched upon a dog house so its not like everyone couldn't already see him 
Fitzgerald watched as more people began to question the elf. these people seem to have no sense of adventure he thought, his hair gleaming and his golden armor shimmering from a single blade of moonlight that fell upon him.
Tanan watched as the human approached him. Taking note of his stance and pace. Lithe and well balanced, the human clung to the shadows like it was second nature. He'll have to try harder then that to be intimidating however. Thought Tanan as he smiled in acknowledgement as the human spoke. Well, questioning my request for a pledge of loyalty is one thing. Insulting my town is completely another...
"Maybe you should choose your words carefully from now on," Tanan spoke softly, but the threatening undertone was most certainly present. He motioned to either side of him and a few men moved out of the darkness each holding rifles trained on the group. "My men and I tend to get less charitable when our home is insulted. But, back to your question of loyalty. It's proving loyalty to this nation. When a noble calls upon a civilian for aid, you are expected to serve. Would you not agree? If not I can bring in the High Nobles..." Tanan smirked as he ended his sentence. "Oh look, another one of your group is approaching perhaps he may be more willing."
Ha. I believe I put that one in it's place now to deal with... The Suitably Amazing? This was unexpected to say the least
Tanan let out an quiet sigh as he looked to Fitzgerald then clasped a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you my friend, I am glad to here you are willing to serve your nation in it's time of need with no doubts or fear. Unlike some others. Perhaps you can coax them to see this our way?"
To the side a dwarf shimmied off the roof of a doghouse of all things. Tanan looked amused as the dwarf spoke and questioned his reasoning for this gathering.
"My reasons are my own scarred one and should you be cooperative you will learn of them in due time. I shall say no more of those things. Look to Fitzgerald here. Willing to sacrifice himself without a second thought. True courage, are you afraid then dwarf? For I believe the world has little use for cowards." Tanan's tone became harsh and his eyes narrowed as he turned his attention to Eovik.
"Maybe you should choose your words carefully from now on," Tanan spoke softly, but the threatening undertone was most certainly present. He motioned to either side of him and a few men moved out of the darkness each holding rifles trained on the group. "My men and I tend to get less charitable when our home is insulted. But, back to your question of loyalty. It's proving loyalty to this nation. When a noble calls upon a civilian for aid, you are expected to serve. Would you not agree? If not I can bring in the High Nobles..." Tanan smirked as he ended his sentence. "Oh look, another one of your group is approaching perhaps he may be more willing."
Ha. I believe I put that one in it's place now to deal with... The Suitably Amazing? This was unexpected to say the least
Tanan let out an quiet sigh as he looked to Fitzgerald then clasped a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you my friend, I am glad to here you are willing to serve your nation in it's time of need with no doubts or fear. Unlike some others. Perhaps you can coax them to see this our way?"
To the side a dwarf shimmied off the roof of a doghouse of all things. Tanan looked amused as the dwarf spoke and questioned his reasoning for this gathering.
"My reasons are my own scarred one and should you be cooperative you will learn of them in due time. I shall say no more of those things. Look to Fitzgerald here. Willing to sacrifice himself without a second thought. True courage, are you afraid then dwarf? For I believe the world has little use for cowards." Tanan's tone became harsh and his eyes narrowed as he turned his attention to Eovik.
Isaac steps forward as he begins to speak, trying to gain the attention of Tanan's. "Forgive me milord but for what reason should we trust you? You say that we are suspicious yet, you bring us here only to further your goals and then threaten us with consequences should we not heed your words?" Those close to Isaac can see his face starting to turn red for a moment before he takes a short, deep breath. "But go on, tell me more of your deal and should it intrigue me i'll lend you my strength."
After that Isaac steps back and starts glancing around at the others Tanan's has gathered, wary of what might happen. All the while keeping one hand on his gun and the other near his sword just in case something bad should happen
After that Isaac steps back and starts glancing around at the others Tanan's has gathered, wary of what might happen. All the while keeping one hand on his gun and the other near his sword just in case something bad should happen
Trace touched the handle of his sword, ready to use it if this came to force. "Why should I help? I'm the Grand Templar! I have loyalty else where" He said in a commanding tone of voice, "This notion of joining a city for no reason at all seems and as unnecessary."
Trace chuckled to himself lightly, he found it amusing that this person expected complete obedience from him, he had spent years as a mercenary, the leader of some Mercenary's in fact. He had friends and all the loyalty he needed there, why should he join here?
He still glanced around at the people around him, he saw the person who introduced himself as Fitzgerald, who looked like a walking wall, Easily enough to best, Explosion underneath his feet should make the battle one of th easiest..
Trace chuckled to himself lightly, he found it amusing that this person expected complete obedience from him, he had spent years as a mercenary, the leader of some Mercenary's in fact. He had friends and all the loyalty he needed there, why should he join here?
He still glanced around at the people around him, he saw the person who introduced himself as Fitzgerald, who looked like a walking wall, Easily enough to best, Explosion underneath his feet should make the battle one of th easiest..
This is growing irritating, all I ask is for one thing, put them in a situation they can't refuse and yet they find new ways to refuse. Look, more questions I cannot answer, well. This is amusing. Look at the timid one, so unsure of himself. Insect. Then the mage in the back, the sword won't help. I almost wish this will boil down to conflict. No, don't think like that. there is a job that needs to be done. Diplomacy is key...
Tanan looked up at those around him. Questioning him, making motions for their weapons. The situation was certainly not working.
"Ok, ok. Everybody just calm down. There is now need for this to get violent. I brought you here because there is something that must be done. It's not only for this city, it for the entire nation. As citizens of the Magnus Duchy you are required to aid nobles in time of need. My rank puts you at my command. I do not wish to enforce it however. I am currently requesting your services in as nice a way as possible. Where you got the notion this was pledging direct allegiance to me is unheard of."
Tanan said exasperated as the situation was degrading before his eyes. He expected a lack of trust sure, but not such readiness to raise weapons.
Tanan looked up at those around him. Questioning him, making motions for their weapons. The situation was certainly not working.
"Ok, ok. Everybody just calm down. There is now need for this to get violent. I brought you here because there is something that must be done. It's not only for this city, it for the entire nation. As citizens of the Magnus Duchy you are required to aid nobles in time of need. My rank puts you at my command. I do not wish to enforce it however. I am currently requesting your services in as nice a way as possible. Where you got the notion this was pledging direct allegiance to me is unheard of."
Tanan said exasperated as the situation was degrading before his eyes. He expected a lack of trust sure, but not such readiness to raise weapons.
Eovik returns Tanan's raptor gaze "You'll not get a rise out of me elf I long ago learned the virtue of being calm and calculated" Eovik raises his left handto show his scarred hand. "you a noble and a general should know the importance of such a trait so stop your petty insults and state your task.
"If you wish to get me to fight against my will. You will need to hire me and the Templars" Trace said as he took his hand away from the hilt of his sword, I can always just protect myself with magic anyway. "Now, unless you wish to hire me formally, I will be leaving." Trace waited for a few moments, before turning his back and walking away.
"I wouldn't leave if I were you," Tanan said "If compensation is what you wish then I can offer you something of value. It should be obvious that I know a little about each of you. Perhaps I can entice with my aid in locating a certain item of interest to you." The elf spoke slyly, using whatever advantage he could.
Now, if I can manipulate the others as well..
Tanan looked towards Eovik. letting out a resigned sigh as he did so. "You are right good dwarf. My earlier response was harsh and unneeded. I simply request your aid as well as the aid of the others. I've promised this task will be revealed in due time and so it shall. Surely you learned patience as well."
Now, if I can manipulate the others as well..
Tanan looked towards Eovik. letting out a resigned sigh as he did so. "You are right good dwarf. My earlier response was harsh and unneeded. I simply request your aid as well as the aid of the others. I've promised this task will be revealed in due time and so it shall. Surely you learned patience as well."
Maverick chuckled slightly as he saw the maneuverings of his comrades, silently to himself of course. His face was a mask of Indifference, but Maverick was practically beaming with anticipation that Tanan was an agent of the nobles. 'Oh how NICE. A Pawn, moved about by the Machinations of those Proud Bastards. I wonder what they're doing right now? What do they need that requires the use of US, not Armies or Assassins or Emissaries. Only Freelancers....Huh. I'm fairly sure they'll try to kill us later on.'
Maverick looked at Tanan and coughed slightly, drawing his attention. He then spoke "While I have nothing personal against the Nobles, could you at least tell us what the Nobles ask of us? We should know at least that much before we consider doing as you ask."
'Fool. He thinks himself a Master Manipulator does he? Does he believe that mere Wealth would be enough to manipulate anyone? The Arrogance of the Nobles makes it plain that you are naught but a Tool Tanan. Once I've gotten what I need from you, your bodies will join my Family's, as they rot in the ground.'
Maverick looked at Tanan and coughed slightly, drawing his attention. He then spoke "While I have nothing personal against the Nobles, could you at least tell us what the Nobles ask of us? We should know at least that much before we consider doing as you ask."
'Fool. He thinks himself a Master Manipulator does he? Does he believe that mere Wealth would be enough to manipulate anyone? The Arrogance of the Nobles makes it plain that you are naught but a Tool Tanan. Once I've gotten what I need from you, your bodies will join my Family's, as they rot in the ground.'
Trace stopped dead in his tracks. He turned around quickly, using his mage abilities to form a blue fire around his knuckles, "My sword!" he yelled loudly, rushing over to be close to Tanan, "You better tell me where it is! I don't do well with blackmail." He was furious, somebody was trying to blackmail him into a task. It's rightfully mine, why should I have to do anything to get it? he thought to himself.