RP - Age of Darkness

[Darth Marsden]

Spoiler: Question for curlycrouton and a few minor notes

Where exactly is your wound? In post 56 it's your shoulder, but in number 58, it's your arm. I you could let me know, I'll amend this if need be.

Also, I don't have a problem with Authoron being a powerful undead demon, and having abilities to match, but you do make a good point about him possibly being a bit overpowered. I don't mean this as a bad thing, but this seems like El Chicken's first time in an RP thread. But hey, we all had to start somewhere, and as long as he doesn't do anything massive without checking with others first, I trust him to keep himself in check.

By the time Kris made his way through the throng of creatures, it was too late. The building has been taken ablaze, beyond saving. He stared at it, the flames dancing across the whole of the frame. Even if he had wanted to, he doubted whether he could move. The sight had him transfixed, and he could focus on nothing else.

He barely even noticed the goblins retreating, nor the armour-clad warrior steal another horse. Later he would remember these things with surprising clarity, but at this moment, all he could see were the hopes and dreams of his village destroyed a second time. He had not cried when the world had ended, nor when he was perforated by an arrow during his travels and had been forced to tear the thing out with nothing to dull the pain. He hadn't shed a single tear in years. But now, with everything he had gone, all of the village's efforts wasted and the weeks of pain and suffering finally coming to a head, he fell to his knees and wept.

He stayed there for several minutes, the fire casting a dark shadow over him, until a desperate call of 'A Healer! We need a healer!' reached him. His face red with tears, he tore himself from his state and headed over to where a small group of people had gathered. As he approached, he wiped the tears from his eyes, but made no effort to conceal his condition.

Krolk saw him first, and motioned for the others to let him through. As Kris made his way through, he saw the Gnoll holding the unconscious Thekt in his arms. Looking up, Krolk had a curious look on his face.

'You are a healer?' he asked, a disbelieving tone in his voice.

Kris didn't respond. Instead, he knelt besides the half dwarf, half orc and placed his hand over the wound in his shoulder. He closed his eyes and began reciting one of the few curative spells he had learnt on his travels. The words sounded strange and foreign coming from him, but as the group watched, the wound seemed to heal itself beneath Kris' hand.

As he finished the incantation, Kris opened his eyes briefly and watched as the creature beneath him opened his. He gave a small smile. Kris smiled back briefly before collapsing. He had never had to heal a wound as grave as this, and he was unsure whether he would recover or not. But he hoped he would. Despite everything that had happened, he had two scores to settle, and if it was in his power, he would not leave this earth until they had been paid in full.

 

[El Chicken]

Spoiler

Well, these are goblins,In most games and rp they are considered to be one of the weakest monsters. Also i wasnt told how many goblins, only dozens (which i assumed wasnt many) but i'll try to find a challenge for myself, but i will keep this in mind for my next post, Sorry again guys. Oh and will do Marsden, this is my first rp..

 

[Darth Marsden]

Spoiler: You've nothing to be sorry about, mate.

Seriously, you're doing fine. When I said 'dozens', I actually meant 'dozens and dozens', so loads. And you're right, goblins are a weak race in this particular adventure. Plus, I did say they weren't very well armoured. And I do recall you describing your sword as somewhat huge, and I image you using it in this instance somewhat like a scythe. So yeah, you're good.

 

[Whiskyjakk]

Krolk had had worse wake up calls than this but luckily, with his pounding hangover and the shock of meeting a horde of screaming goblins, he couldn't remember any of them. He was glad to have helped Kris save Thekt but now it was time to look after his own skin.

Something exploded in the blazing inn and the Gnoll dived to the ground again. Realizing that the town was on fire he resolved to go and retrieve his steed from the stable for a quick get away. He'd never hear the end of it if he left her behind. Sticking to the backstreets and avoiding combatents he arrived at the cheap stabling accommodation he'd been hiring since he got into town.

Minutes later he emerged on the mottled black and brown, two headed cow affectionatley known as Rhino. Holding his broom aloft, ready to whack anyone who tried to interfere with his escape, he rode as fast as he could for the gate. The cavalry had arrived ... it just didn't intend to stick around for very long.

 

[El Chicken]

Spoiler: Thanks :)

Thanks i was starting to get a bit worried there

Authoros looked down at the human, 'An impressive display of healing magic' he said with a reassuring tone, for a demon. Kris had tears in his eyes before he collapsed. Authoros was taken aback by this, He had not seen a human cry before, they were usually strong at heart unlike these cowardly raiders. Authoros paused for a moment thinking about what future was ahead of them now.. After a while he finally said 'So... Where do we go now?' in an inquistive tone loud enough for the surrounding people to hear. But no villager answered, they were too busy weeping and mourning their loss. He did feel sorry for kris, which he thought quite strange.. Authoros felt more angered than upset, But he would willingly help kris otherwise he would not be known by fear and respect at all, Because the realms would be destroyed by esinders unquestionable power and wrath.

 

[curlycrouton]

Spoiler

It's in the shoulder, but the pain kind of shoots down the arm

As Thekt discovered he was being held in someone's arms, a most undignified position for both a dwarf and an orc he immediately leapt to his feet, and gruffly recognised Kris' healing him, not wanting to be seen as a coward or weak by the rest of the group, but secretly inspired by Kris' act of great kindness.
"Ach, you're alright son, you're alright"
Unfortunately as he spoke the words he realised Kris was lain on the ground. For a moment he feared he was dead, and called for help, but the others assured him he was merely sleeping from the exhaustion. He heard reports that Kris had broken down in tears upon seeing all that he'd worked for destroyed, and he too felt great sorrow at the sight of the burning building.

It seemed the majority of the goblins had left now, apart from a few straddlers and hardcore fighters who the Gnoll was bravely dealing with, armed with nothing but a broom. He wanted to make an inspiring speech, like the one his father had given at the top of Mount Darghum when they had driven back the enemy, but he had not got the energy for it. Instead, he calmly took out his pipe, lit it, and stood where he was thinking about what had just happened.

 

[Darth Marsden]

Spoiler: Minor Points

whiskyjakk - the village is in ruins, and the tavern was the first building to be repaired. Well, it was, anyway. I don't have an issue with what you're doing, just the description of the place you're doing it in And I hope we haven't seen the last of Krolk, I liked him.

El Chicken - I'm unconscious, so how can I look at you? I do have dried tears down my cheeks, so you could tell I've been crying, but at the moment Kris is lying on the floor, so he also couldn't brush your hand off.

Minor things, but worth pointing out, methinks. And just so you know, when I say methinks, it's never seriously.

It was several hours before Kris awoke, and as he sat up he felt the dried tears on his face. He quickly licked his fingers and wiped them off. Looking around, he saw the fire had mostly died out, leaving the former site much like the rest of the village. The others were shifting the goblin carcasses to one side, and several villagers were digging a hole in which they were to be thrown.

Slowly, he stood up. He felt drained. It had been a long time since he had used any magic at all, and never on such a scale. He looked around, trying to find the dwarf-orc he had saved. Eventually he saw him, looking after those who had been injured in the attack. He took a deep breath and thought things through. There was nothing holding him back here. The villagers wouldn't rebuild again, afraid of the consequences of what would happen if they did. He was free to do as he wished. And he wished for vengeance.

Slowly he walked over towards the ruins of the building site. As he got closer, he saw what he was looking for. His sword, still lying where he'd dropped it. The memory of the fire still raged in his mind, and he still felt the heat as he reached down and picked up the blade.

One of the villagers saw him and rushed up, asking if he was all right. Kris assured him that he was, and then said a few words quietly, so no-one else would hear them. Since the first day of destruction, the village had looked to him for guidance. From tomorrow, they would look to themselves. The villager said a few words back, and then left him.

Turning west, the direction the horde had arrived and retreated to, he looked out. Somewhere out there, the man who had condemned his village lay. And beyond that, the man who had condemned the world. Maybe somewhere along the way, he would find that religion he had been searching for. Maybe it would find him. Or maybe he would die, alone and forgotten, buried in a pauper's grave. He neither knew nor cared. All he did know was that he had to go.

Suddenly, he realised that the others were watching him. Smiling, he slid his sword back into its scabbard. 'So,' he said, looking at the group as he did so, 'who's with me?'

 

[curlycrouton]

Spoiler

I'm tempted to say "you have my axe"

"Aye, I'm with you, by the axe of my father, and the green skin of my mother" All the resentment, cynicism and general ill feeling he had felt for the world for the last twenty five years seemed to have dissapeared, pretty much overnight, it would be fair to say he'd been changed by the experience. He readied his pack and shook Kris' hand, a smile creeping over his face, before spreading into a hearty laugh.
"So then, who else will join our fellowship?"

 

[El Chicken]

Spoiler

Sorry again, i didnt read with much detail.. I sort of skimmed for the important stuff like that last extract for example. I ve edited it now so it fits now though so no worries hopefully. Oh and Whiskyjakk i have a question if your still there, does this mean that your leaving the rp for good? What about you Limos? You still there, because you havent commented for a while..

Authoros knew that if he didnt help kris, then there would be two things that would inevitably happen.. Firstly the rest of the realms not under esinders control would be destroyed. Secondly he would not be able to fulfill his destiny, to become feared and respected across the realms. 'I'm with you until the end.' He finally announced, Better dead than working for that bastard esinder. He already had all his items ready, so he stepped towards his new comrades and turned around facing the now destroyed tavern, awaiting further instructions.

 

[Whiskyjakk]

Spoiler

No worries mates, Krolk is not going to ride off into the sunset yet! I was just emphasising how cowardly the gnoll is.

Seeing that the battle was over Krolk reined up before he reached the gates. He looked down at Rhino, "Moo" said one of her heads and the other replied in a sarcastic tone. "You sure you don't want to leave anyway? This place has basically been razed to the ground again. In case you hadn't noticed with all the explosions and everything". Krolk ignored the cow; hearing animals talk was a sign of crazyness and Krolk didn't want to look crazy.

Kris and the newcomers were standing in the middle of the village talking. As the Gnoll eavesdropped on their agreement to go aquesting he silently made up his mind to tag along. They looked tough enough to deal with whatever evil was 'stalking the land' and new locations and epic battles were usually good opportunities for scavengers like himself.

 

[Darth Marsden]

Spoiler: State of Play

Glad to see most of us are still in this! I've sent a PM to Limos, so I'm not gonna set us off until I hear back from him. Shouldn't be too long, I know he's still lurking around somewhere.

 

[curlycrouton]

As Thekt waited, he noticed a shadow moving behind a ruined building. As he drew closer to it, it became clear that the shadow was in fact a goblin, injured and close to death. Thekt put his axe to its throat.
"Who was that horseman who sent you?! Speak or I'll strike your head from your shoulders!"
"Ha!" The goblin gurgled. "I'm as good as dead anyway. Your town is in ruins, you might as well give up now!" Thekt pressed his axe down harder. The goblin was practically dead now, but it forced out a last few words.
"You're.........all......dead.......men" It then died where it lay. Thekt, in anger, picked up the limp body and threw it against the wall, yelling with rage, before giving it a final stamp to the face and rejoining the rest of the group.
"Little bastard didn't budge".

 

[Limos]

Spoiler: OH NOES!!

I feel like an idiot now, I kept checking the thread but I always saw the same post under mine and I didn't realize we had gone to another page. Sorry guys. Didn't realize anything was happening.

Hubbin and Stubbin were contentedly snoozing behind a large barn and just beginning to come out of their slumber. Rising slowly to their feet they look in astonishment at the destroyed buildings. They walk to Kris and tap him on the shoulder.

"Did we miss something?" Stubbin says, "We seem to have dozed off for a bit."

 

[Darth Marsden]

Spoiler: Don't worry about it.

Happened to me a couple of times when I first started posting. Don't beat yourself up about it.

Hope you don't mind the actions I make your guy(s) do, but it seems in character, so... Let me know if it's not and I'll change it, yadda yadda yadda...

Kris laughed. 'You seemed to have missed a good fight. Sorry.' He looked round, and saw that everyone was ready to leave. Turning round, he smiled at the two-headed creature beside him. 'But there'll be plenty more along the way. And if you wish to take any of the leftover weapons with you to sell, then you may have as many as you can carry. All I ask is one of the long staffs for myself. I suspect it may be a while before I am fully recovered, and a walking stick will probably be useful.'

Before Stubbin could say anything, Hubbin was already rushing over to the pile of weapons lying next to the bodies. The group laughed as they watched the Ettin half sprint, half stumble before settling in front of the weapons and sifting through them. After a minute, the creature threw a long staff over towards Kris, who leant forward and tried to catch it. He missed and it fell to the floor in front of him. Leaning down, he picked it up before testing it and, deciding it would do, relaxed his stance.

'We're ready to leave when you are, guys,' he called to the pair.

 

[Limos]

Spoiler: It's okay

I don't mind as long as you have a purpose, such as getting yourself a staff, but please don't make a habit of it.

"We are ready to go as well." Stubbin announced. He gingerly plucks the sack from Hubbin and closes it with an air of finality. "I'm sure there will much more loot to be had brother"

Hubbin harrumphs and takes back his sack. "Why leave good look lyin round?" He picks up another dagger and slips it into the sack before getting up. "Kay, I'm ready."

 

[curlycrouton]

"I think we're all ready, to where do we journey?" Thekt said, leaning on his gnarled wooden staff.

 

[Darth Marsden]

Spoiler: Fair enough.

I'll try not to do it again, Lemos.

'The same way the darkness came from. West.'

The group moved forward, leaving the ruins of Saturnalia behind them as they started their journey. Thinking onward, Kris remembered that he had gone roughly in this direction on his travels years ago. If they continued in this direction, then they would likely come upon Ravendale, which was about 8 days on foot. It seemed as good a place as any to go.

Spoiler: The journey begins... and other cliches.

Ok, I'm going to throw the journey to Ravendale open to you guys. I've been guiding this thing a bit too much, and I want to see what you guys can come up with. Nothing too massive, it's still relatively early days for the group, but otherwise, go wild.

Remember that Kris is still a little weak from his healing spell, Hubbin and Stubbin are carrying a large sack mostly full of pilfered goblin weapons, Krolk is riding his two-headed cow named Rhino and Authoros is walking, looking like death reheated. At least I assume he's walking. He could be softly floating 5 feet above the ground for all I know.

So... go!

 

[curlycrouton]

Thekt studied his ancient map long and hard.
"From what I can tell, the quickest way to Ravendale would begin by taking us through the Wailing Forest. Bear in mind comrades, that evil things lurk there, shadows creep and lost souls cry, and the risk of danger is great, but going around would add another two or three days to our journey. I leave this matter open to debate, but be quick about it! Kris, what do you think?"
He lit his pipe once again, and pondered the issue.

 

[El Chicken]

'I say we go through the forest, and slaughter any who hinder our progress.' Authoros intoned viciously, making a gesture with his armoured guantlet signifying the death of any fool he may encounter.

 

[Darth Marsden]

Kris shrugged. 'Through the forest it is then.' A shudder went down his spine. He hoped it would be more friendly then the last time he heard of anyone entering it. He leant on his staff as he turned to face Thekt.

'Since you have the map, may I suggest you guide us through?'