Eldaire

[OOC: I'm gonna control the actions just a little here. If anyone objects then please say so. I can quick edit if there's something about your behavior that you'd like to change. It's just easier to get us started, y'know? As for you Duke Sar, I don't know about a direct fight yet. I plan on this being very long and I think it might be best of you to send your minions to attempt to thwart us on your way. You can control them though, but they should probably lose without inflicting heavy damage in the beginning. As the story progresses, we might lose a member or something, y'know. I still think that the players should make it to the direct fight though.]

Just as Matt finished his 12th plate of food he moved his chair back from the table slightly, patting his stomach. "Whew! That hit the spot. I feel like I could fight a giant now!" He was startled out of his pleasant feelings by the loud blowing of trumpets that brought pain to his sensitive ears. Every warrior in the hall looked to hear what the king would have to say.

"Welcome to my home, noble warriors! You have been called from near and far to serve the worthiest of purposes. Now, if I have your attention, let me describe to you the dangerous task at hand. There is a great evil building to the north. Most of you have probably already heard of the terrible Duke Sar. He is gathering forces to the north as we speak. We seek an army of the greatest warriors in the land to fight against this evil. We expect he will attempt an invasion of our fair Estel any day now. The journey will be perilous and you will have to march directly into the black lands of Amarth. There will be giants, goblins, orcs, undead, and other horrors that cannot even be comprehended. Many of you may perish. To those that wish to leave now, feel no shame in doing so. This quest is not for the weak of heart."

The king stood silent for a moment, giving the warriors a chance to walk away. A few looked around for a moment, nervously, and then walked out the door. There were still a few hundred left afterwards.

"Thank you for so readily serving your country. The fate of all its inhabitants rests in your hands and so all of its inhabitants thank you for making this decision. Now, we can't allow all of you to go, obviously, though I dare say most of you will be allowed. If you will kindly follow me, the selection process can begin. As you walk through that door, take a coin. If your strength is great enough, the coin remain as it is. However, if you are in the slightest way weak, not to say that those not chosen are not strong anyway, the coin will glow with a golden light."

The warriors all lined up and began walking through the doorway, drawing coins as they went. Matt, Dreggan, and Vanelee stayed together. Nina, however, had disappeared. They were at the end of the line, and when it came their turn to draw the coins, Vanelee went first. The moment he took it into his hands it began to glow brilliantly. There was no disappointment in his eyes, he merely stepped to the side and waited. Then came Dreggan. When he noticed it was glowing he became quite irate.

"I've chosen a faulty one. I demand a redraw!"

"I think you've had plenty of redraws," said Matt. With that, he reached for Dreggan's other hand, pulling it out into the open. At least a dozen coins were held in it, each one glowing.

"Ah, yes, well I just wanted it to be fair is all." Dreggan had a bit of a sheepish grin on his face. He threw the coins back in, but somehow it seemed as though the pot were more empty. Matt merely sighed. Matt drew his and it glew as well. He smiled broadly.

"Does that make me a winner?" Dreggan smacked Matt in the back of the head at this remark. "What?"

"Just follow us," Dreggan said, frustrated. As the group proceeded to walk out they were pulled aside by an elderly old man dressed in an extremely ornate flowing green robe.

"Wait one moment warriors. Your purpose is not complete yet. This way." He walked into a different room, much smaller than the room the warriors were walking into. They could hear the king wrapping up his speech to the army as they went in. There was also a shadowy figure that hid in the corner of the room, unoticed to all but Dreggan and Venelee. They recognized it as Nina instantly, but chose to remain silent. In the room there were three chairs in the front, and two much larger chairs in the back. The three and the two were facing one another. Matt walked to one of the three chairs with his usual huge grin. The other two warriors proceeded to sit in the other chairs.

"Just one moment please," said the sage. They waited for a while. Venelee stood perfectly still with a placid look on his face. Dreggan eyed the room, as if for something he could find value in. Matt fidgeted in his chair, obviously bored, making no attempt to conceal it. After a few minutes, the king walked in.

"Your majesty!" spoke Vanelee and Dreggan. They then stood in reverence. Matt simply sat and looked puzzled. "But weren't you with the good warriors?" Dreggan slapped him again and Matt stood as well.

"Those warriors were not what I was really looking for, though I'll admit they were an added bonus. You are the ones I sought."

Matt looked over at Dreggan with a smug look. "Told ya we won." Dreggan merely shook his head.

"Please be seated. I assure the honor here is mine." This was quite a compliment coming from a king. "You see warriors, there is a prophecy that says the chosen warriors will rise up in times of darkness to save our fair land. What I said earlier was true. Duke Sar is gathering his forces and preparing for an invasion. However, fate has ordained that with our current defenses we can only lose. The coins are ancient magical artifacts made centuries ago by the elves to find the chosen warriors in this exact time. You three may not be the only ones, so we will keep searching and more may join you along your way, but for now we are out of time and we must begin to take action. I will use that army I have gathered as a diversionary frontal assault. It is up to you three to infiltrate his domain as you see fit and put an end to his dark plans. Our trust is in you warriors."

At this point Dreggan stood. "There is a reward right?"

"Of course good soldier. I expect that if you complete this perilous task, nothing in my treasury will be off limits to you. You will live as royalty for the rest of your days."

Dreggan's jaw dropped. He fell back into his chair, eyes glazed as he tried to imagine the amount of wealth in the royal treasury.

"Now warriors, you know your task. I apologize for being so brief, but I don't want to draw any attention to you. All must think you are the outcasts if you are to maintain stealth in your mission. But beware, I am sure a sorcerer as powerful as Duke Sar knows nothing of this prophecy. He will be on the lookout. Now go and save your land. I bid you goodbye now warriors, and you go with all our trust."

As the king and the sage left the room, Matt noticed a few jewels missing from his crown. The three then simply stood and exited the castle. "You can come out now Nina," said Venelee. Matt was astonished to see that she had been eavesdropping.

[OOC: Okay. I'm not gonna write any more. I don't want to control you guys after this. Duke Sar, you could have had a spy there. It's up to you. I made that sage guy a little sketchy on purpose. Now, let the game begin!]