Eldaire

The first thing Matt noticed when he walked into the city was that the castle's draw bridge was down. From inside he heard faint sounds of fighting, but they were overwhelmed by the sound of feasting and merriment.

Strange. I wouldn't expect royalty to just welcome peasants into the castle.

Matt was a young man, 18 years of age with brown hair that turned blonde when the light shone upon it. His eyes were deep and rich normally, but when he fought they seemed to become electric and full of energy. They were never the same color for more than an hour or two. He was bout 5' 11'' and weighed about 190 lbs. He was muscular, but one wouldn't think it to look at him. He always carried himself like he was afraid of the world, so people always assumed that he was just to weak to assert himself. He was clad now in a brown cloak that covered all his other features and a pair of moccasins on his feet. The hood of the cloak casted a shadow over his eyes as he crossed the bridge making his way to the castle.

What he saw in the castle was not entirely unsuprising. There were two gaurds immediately within the gates.

"Please wait here a moment," spoke one of the gaurds. Just past them Matt could see two warriors fighting. One seemed to be garbed in palace attire, while the other was dressed more in knight fashion with chain mail armor on and such. The palace's warrior was obviously superior. He was merely toying with the night. When he caught a glimpse of Matt, he dodged a coming swing of the knight's sword and stepped behind knocking him out effortlessly with the butt of his own sword.

"Incredible!" cried a nobleman who had been watching from the side. "I never thought I'd see the day when Valish the great would be brought down so easily! Do you think maybe our entrance exam is a little too tough Kregar? I doubt there's a man alive who could beat you!"

"This is his majesty's wish and so I obey," replied Kregar. "They must pass me before they can be allowed to the feast."

Feast! Matt thought as he rubbed his growling stomach. That sounds pretty good.

"Excuse me good sir. Could I challenge?"

"But of course! All are welcome to challenge!" Kregar replied confidentally.

Matt began to walk into the courtyard when one of the gaurds stopped him whispering "I do not reccomend this sir. You saw what just happend to the great Valish."

"I'll take my chances," Matt replied. He stepped in front of Kregar and cast his cloak aside. As Matt stood to his full height, the gaurd kicked himself for the assumptions he had made about him. Under the cloak he wore a white sleeveless shirt and grey pants cut off before the feet to ensure that they would never trip him. A cloth belt secured the pants to his waist and a staff of about 3 feet in length was strapped to his back. Matt took the staff out, unfolded it, and locked it into place. It was now about 6 feet in length. He threw it against the wall and then the strap which fell lightly on the staff, hanging around it. He threw the cloak over to cover the whole pile.

"You may want that weapon," Kregar replied.

"I wouldn't want to hurt you," retorted Matt with a sly grin on his face.

"Insolent peasant! I will not spare your life as I did your superior before you! Prepare yourself!"

Kregar lunged forward and began to swing his sword, but then pivoted around and swung it from Matt's side instead. Matt easily dodged, not even turning to face him. Kregar followed with many more attacks, all of them unsuccessful as Matt faded back. He wasn't even stepping back, just hovering off the ground a bit.

"Stop running!" yelled an enraged Kregar.

Matt then stood still, but Kregar's swings merely met with Matt's chi before they could get to him. All the blows were stopped half a foot from Matt's body. Matt still hadn't lifted a finger.

"Stop playing, fight me!" Kregar continued.

Matt reared back and threw a single lightning quick punch to Kregar's stomach that doubled him over and sent him to the ground as he dropped his sword. Matt picked up the sword and held it to Kregar's head.

"You lose," he said. "I'll keep you conscious though as you will appearantly need to stay here to fight the coming warriors."

Matt dropped the sword next to Kregar and went over to pick up his staff and cloak. Once his staff was secured and his cloak fastened around his chest, he said, "Now, where's that feast!"

"Well fought warrior. I'm sorry I underestimated you so. Follow Slimon here and he will guide you to the feast. Enjoy."

Kregar then stood back in the courtyard, awaiting the arrival of more warriors.

[OOC: Join in! It'll be fun! If we've already started by the time you get here, just say your character just caught up or find your own original way to enter the plot! BTW, for my character's powers and stuff think kid Goku from DB.]

Bob Biter

Chewing on a boar's leg, Dreggan watched the stranger easily defeat the guard and make his way in the feasting crowd. He stifled a laugh as he saw the newcomer feel proud of himself for his victory. Walking up behind him, he lay a hand on his shoulder and spun him 'round.

Dreggan wasn't an imposing man. He stood at a mere 5' 7'' and appeared to weigh no more than 130 lbs. He was dressed in simple but durable travel clothes, consisting of basic yet slightly wide-fitting dark grey pants, calf high black leather boots, a light grey cotton shirt and a sleevless dark grey tunic. A black sash secured the tunic to his waist, as well as a pair of sai criss-crossed at the small of his back, just below a small backpack. A pair of black leather forearm bands appeared to hold several long needles.

His salt and pepper hair was cut in a short, practical style and his dark brown eyes looked sharp and alert. As he looked the stranger over, he turned to the guard standing at the gates and said, in a mocking tone:

"Don't be proud of yourself for defeating that fop! He's the fourth guard they've put there, as a few of us seem to be more than a match for whatever passes for security here. This one had only defeated two knights before you came along, and one of them was drunk!

The one I battled was a mercenary they hired to beef up defences in preparation for the feast. He was big, but painfully slow, not only did I dance circles around that guy, but I also managed to put my hand on his coin."

As Dreggan said this, he pulled out a small leather pouch filled with a few dozen silver and copper coins.

"Based on the loot, it would seem that the lug was in desperate need of work!"

A loud bellow was immediately heard near the banquet tables. Apparently, the hapless merc had discovered that his pouch was missing and was berating those closest to him at that time, blaming them for the loss of his money.

"Ah good! The entertainment has begun. Now, pardon my curiosity, but I'd like to know both the name of the style you fight with and the one your mother gave you. I'm Dreggan, of the Grey Fog Thieves' Guild. My dextrous Savate style and sleight of hand skills are legendary where I'm from, which is why I had to leave, you understand..."

__________________
A plan is just a list of things that don't happen.

Eldaire

"Well met Dreggan. My name is Matt. I fight with the Seichi style. Essentially, I rely on controlling my spiritual energy. I come from a temple far away. I decided that the temple was not where my future lay, so I left to find truth in the world. I'm not quite capable of calling myself a master yet. I still can't fly or anything and there are many other powers I'm still trying to master, but I'm well on my way and training hard. Now, let us go and meet the other adventurers."

SSJwrestler

As the two great warriors continued their conversation, unannounced to them a new warrior had entered through the gate of the castle.

This new warrior was covered in a brown hooded cloak, which was apparently worn and battered from travel. This cloak hid all of the warrior's features from view, but his status as a warrior was apparent because the bottom of a sheath lsightly petruded from underneath his cloak.

Upon entering the castle gate, the warrior turned to the first gaurd and asked "May I gain entrance to this castle kind sir?"

The guard responded "Only if you can defeat our new champion." nodding his head to the right, drawing the warrior's attention to the new champion standing ready to fight in the courtyard.

The new champion stood nearly seven feet tall, with long disheveled hair and a beard to match. His weapon of choice was a double bladed ax equal in size to his own height, and he sported only heavy armor on his right shoulder and thighs. The rest of his body was covered in elk hides and dark brown leather.

"You challenge me?" the champion asked, laughing, as he pointed at the new warrior. "You is to small to fight Bareth..."

For being so stupid, the champion was partially correct. The new warrior stood only about 5 feet 7 inches tall and the frame he bore underneath his cloak appeared to be frale.

"Very well then.." the new warror said lowering his hood, revealing his face for the first time. "If thats what it takes to gain entrance to this castle, I will fight."

The warrior appeared to be of elvish descent, judging by his facial features. He had slightly pointed ears and a slightly upturned nose. He had red triangular markings at the corners of both of his eyes and slightly above the area between his eyebrows. His hair was dirty blonde color and lay shaggily on his head, covering his forehead and some of his ears. The warrior's most noteable feature though were his soft grey eyes, that eminated warmth and understanding.

Without even removing his cloak the warrior stepped forward to meet his new opponent. Bareth smiled menacingly and took the first move. He lunged towards the elvish warrior and brought his ax down with tremendous force.

The elvish warrior dodged the attack effortlessly and seemed to almost dissapear for a moment, reappearing standing on the hunched over back of his enemy. Drawing his sword, the elvish warrior brought the butt of the sword's handle down on the back of Bareth's neck in one fell swoop. That's all it took.

Bareth fell to the ground like an enormous tree falling in a forest. As he fell, the warrior jumped off his back with ease and landed on the ground near the guard. Sheathing his sword, the warrior looked up at the gaurd with his warm grey eyes and asked "Am I allowed in the castle now?"

The guard looked at the young warrior in utter shock, and could only nod a yes in reply.

"Thank you" the warrior said in a gracious tone with a slight smile.

And with this, he returned the hood of his cloack back over his head, and walked to a nearby wall. Where he leaned his back up against it and slid down until he was seated quietly.

Bob Biter

With an amused look, Dreggan noticed how quickly the new guard was dispatched by an elf. Chuckling, he turned to Matt.

"Oh look, another one bites the dust! If this keeps up, they'll have the serving wenches standing a post very soon!"

Following the elf with his eyes, Dreggan decided to find out more about him. Deftly, he removed one of his needles from his left arm guard and threw it with amazing precision. It stuck in the wall with a slight "ping", a mere 2 inches from the elf's head.

Without any display of emotion whatsoever, the fighter removed the needle and inspected it, not even looking up to scan the crowd for the source of this thing.

Slightly irritated by the display of nonchalance, Dreggan made his way to the elf.

"Well, well, aren't we the eye of the storm and all. Sitting there so calm and collected like that. You look almost tranquil, elf. One with the universe and all that? So what brings you here?"

__________________
A plan is just a list of things that don't happen.

SSJwrestler

Lowering his hood, the elven warrior smiled and looked up at Dreggan with his warm grey eyes, replying " That was very good aim sir. You are quite skilled as a warrior."

"The name given to me by my clan is Dureredar, but I am no longer with my clan since they banished....I mean....we got separated. So people have just been calling me Vanelee, which is what you can call me."

"I am simply a wandering elf, enjoying the countryside, and looking for work. I have some skill as a warrior, so after hearing about a king's request for worthy warriors, I thought I'd try my hand at the mission."

"But now I am not so sure I am qualified. I saw both of your battles while I watched from outside the gate. I tend to go unnoticed at times. And you two are both worthy warriors."

"It is very nice to meet your acquaintance Dreggan and Matt. I wonder what other warriors will wander there way into this castle."

Bob Biter

Slightly taken aback by Vanelee's genuine calm and friendliness, Dreggan actually paused before going on in his usual motormouth banter.

"Um... yeah... well as a thief I must say it's quite an honour to be called a "worthy warrior" by someone who can outlive me by dozens of generations. Ah, thank you? I guess? Anyway, since we're all almost on intimate terms here, why don't we make our way past this rabble and actually find out what it is we're supposed to do... and how much we're going to get for it!"

__________________
A plan is just a list of things that don't happen.

SSJwrestler

"Yes Dreggan, I agree." said Vanelee, again lowering his hood. "I must say though that this feast also sounds very appealing. I haven't eaten in sometime, and as you well know long journies do put a strain on a man's stomach. What do you say Matt? Food time?"

With these words, the smiling elf stood to join his fellow warriors.

Bob Biter

"I already ate, but please go ahead. I'll hang around and try to get my hands on some more mon...I mean adventurers."

With that, Dreggan made his way into the crowd.

__________________
A plan is just a list of things that don't happen.

Eldaire

Matt looked up upon hearing his name. He already had a turkey leg in one hand and a loaf of bread in the other. His mouth was grease covered and his cheeks were puffed out like a squirrel's. His cloak had been cast aside by the door.

"Rmf. Rngls fmr frm."

He set the loaf down and grabbed the nearest mug. He drank heavily, beyond the point of washing the food down. When the mug was empty after one chug, he replied more understandibly.

"Yeah, food's good. But we need to find out what this mission is too. It had better involve certain death. It's been so long since I've been condemned to certain death."

He proceeded to stuff his face, sitting at the nearest table. The nobles and warriors alike looked on in awe as he ate enough to feed a family of four for a week.

[OOC: We need a villain if someone wants to play that role. If nobody out there in tf land does though, we'll just make one up.]

Dixie

A pair of twinkling mischievious eyes peered out from an over-sized green hooded cloak at the robust roaring men devouring the racks of lamb and turkey legs and pouring rich red wine down their thick throats.
Croutched in a darkened corner, surveying the feast with hungry eyes and a watering mouth, a child-like girl waited for the perfect moment to snatch an apple from the plate of an inebriated warrior.

Timid black curls peeked out from the edges of the hood, a slight nose with a healthy smattering of freckles, dancing green eyes, and a ridiculously innocent grin. The age and childish build of the girl hide an acute and curious power, a magic which she has neither learned to understand nor control in her short lifetime.

Her small build made it easy to go unnoticed, however, and that was how she had learned about the quest.

'At last!' A warrior in the middle of the room had fallen asleep on the table and left a whole plate of food nearly untouched. The girl-child crawled quietly under the tables, picking her way through bones, dropped weapons, shields, and large feet. When she reached the spot where the sleeping warrior sat, she peered up through the cracks in the table, noted her surroundings, and let one hand wander up to the plate and snatch down its contents. She sat cross-legged under the large oak table and nearly swallowed an entire turkey leg whole. In her famished state, she didn't notice the young man with the amused look on his face leaning down to watch her devour the food.

__________________
talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

Eldaire

Matt looked up with curiosity, a piece of turkey hanging from his lips. He watched a piece of food seem to miraculously disappear from the sleeping warriors plate. The second time, he saw a small hand as the culprit. He looked under the table and smiled at the little girl.

"No need to hide down there miss. Pull up a seat next to me! I'll share!"

SSJwrestler

Vanelee had followed Matt into a massive dining hall a number of yards from the courtyard. Vanelee surveyed the hall with his warm grey eyes, noting that there were nearly fifty different warriors occupying an extremely long table, which was covered with heaps of food. The food ranged from fresh fruit to racks of turkey legs to cooked boars. Vanelee's mouth watered.

Approaching the table timidly, the young elven warrior took a seat at the very end of the table on a bench tha had been placed there. Looking down at all the food, Vanelee took up a small vine of grapes, and began eating them one at a time, savoring their sweet taste. It had been such a long time that he had a full meal, he could hardly believe this much food could be in one place.

Finishing his grapes, Vanelee reached under the arms of his neighboring warrior and grabbed a turkey leg. As he reached for the turkey leg he noticed one of the warriors had just passed out after having to much ale, leaving an entire plate of food on the table. Vanelee shook his head, cursing the man for wasting the food. However, when he looked back at the man, while returning the turkey leg to his plate, he saw that all the food had vanished, except for a lone turkey leg.

'What in the world?" the elf wondered, as he again looked back at the plate, making sure that his hunger wasn't playing tricks on his eyes. This time there was no food left, but Vanelee caught a glimpse of a small hand retreating underneath the table, the source of the dissapearance. Exchanging glances with Matt, who had just saw the hand to, and become alert. Vanelee dropped his head under the table to investigate.

Upon doing this, he exchanged gazes with a small green eyes girl, wearing an oversized green cloak, devouring the vanished turkey leg. He also saw Matt had decided to investigate to, and chose to remain quiet and let Matt talk to the young girl.

Bob Biter

An indecently self-satisfied Dreggan had found his way into the main dining hall, clutching more than a half-dozen pouches of varying sizes in his arms. Surveying the large table, he saw that there was no place left to sit. He then put most of the pouches in his backpack, but left a few big ones out, which he held up high for all to see.

"HEY! DID SOMEBODY DROP THESE?"

A great number of heads whipped in his direction. Smiling, Dreggan tossed the pouch to the far left corner of the hall, sending a dozen warriors in various states of drunkenness lunging for them. Hair was pulled, punches were thrown, threats were bellowed and half the seats were cleared.

"Ahhhhh! Now THAT'S better."

Dreggan than sat down facing Matt, on the other side of the table. He also caught glimpse of Vanelee. Both men seemed to be preoccupied by something under the table. Frowning, Dreggan tried to lauch his most indignant look.

"For the love of god, gentleman! Save your sleazy shenanigans 'till after dinner. Ah mean tha nuuuuurrve!!"

He then proceeded to empty a fine bottle of wine left by the money starved idiots.

__________________
A plan is just a list of things that don't happen.

Dixie

Startled at the sudden attention, the girl jumped up, hitting her head on the table, causing several goblets of wine to spill and a grumble to eminate from several disgruntled guests.
She dropped back down, rubbing her head, and did not protest when the young, gentle-looking elf guided her out from under the table to the bench between himself and the young man who had spoken to her.

The elf warrior's warm green eyes soothed her fear momentarily and she accepted the food they offered her ravenously. She began shoveling handfuls of the delicious meats into her mouth and it was only when she came up for air that she realized that both of her hosts were eyeing her curiously. She blushed bright red with embarassment at her lack of manners and stared down at her ransacked plate.

Suddenly, she realized how vulnerable she was out in the open, having drawn so much attention to herself and her eyes darted around anxiously. She began to slip silently back under the table, but was held in place by the young men on either side of her.

'Oh hell,' she thought, 'how can I get out of this one?'

__________________
talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

SSJwrestler

"Dreggan!" Vanelee called, seeing his friend return to the hall as he raised his head up from the table, leading the small girl to sit on the bench with Matt and him. "How nice of you to join us once again, and don't worry we're weren't doing what you thought we were. We have discovered an ever kind young miss amongst us."

Following his greeting, Vanelee leaned back to allow Dreggan a view of his guest. The young girl was thoroughly enjoying her food, and stopped upon being introduced. Realizing her new surroundings, she tried to escape underneath the table again, but this time she was held back by Matt and Vanelee who gently grasped her arms.

"You need not fear young miss." said Vanelee looking down at the girl with his warm grey eyes and smiling. "Please sit and join us for the feast. We are all worthy warriors, and no harm shall come upon you. Especially while you sit with us, for these two warriors next to me are among the strongest that I have seen, and while I can't say that I am at their level, I know that if things get rough we will all fight."

However, Vanelee sensed something different about the girl, a hidden power perhaps. He also sensed that she had been taking care of herself for quite sometime anyways, and a few more troublemakers would be no more problem.

"So sit and eat...um..." Vanelee halted because he didn't know the young girl's name, and did not want to offend her by addressing her incorrectly.

"Um, young miss, may I ask your name, so that I may know how to address my new friend?" Vanelee asked timidly, not wanting to come on to strongly.

He sat staring at the girl, smiling broadly and eyes twinkling, awaiting her reply.

Dixie

'Her name?' She couldn't remember the last time someone had asked it of her and the boyish good looks and charm of her companion almost made her forget it entirely.

"Nina'...Nina' Templa," she stammered.

It was an elvish name and surprise registered on the face of her host. She must have elfish blood in her, but she was not an elf.

She began to relax a little and, for the first time, was curious about these young warrior's stories. Maybe they could be of assistance to her, maybe she could use their strength to her advantage.

She started to warm up to her hosts, smiling unreservedly and accepting the goblet of wine they offered her, though she had never drank the cursed stuff before.

__________________
talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

SSJwrestler

Vanelee smiled back at Nina now. But in the back of his head he wondered how much elvish blood she had, and what sort of powers a demi-elf would have. He had never met a demi-elf.

"Well Nina, me an my friends would be most happy if you were to join us for dinner, like I said before." Vanelee spoke, his grey eyes twinkling again. "But, before we eat I think it would be fiting for you to meet Matt and Dreggan."

With this, Vanelee opened his arms and motioned to Matt an Dreggan to introduce themselves.

Eldaire

"Serale Nina. My name is Matt. I am what you would typically think of as a monk. I have spent my days training in the art of Seichi. I have recently reached a level of skill so as to be required to leave the temple and train myself out in the world. Obviously, I saw this gathering of warriors as the perfect opportunity."

Matt began eyeing the food. He wished Dreggan would hurry up so that they could get back to the eating.

[OOC: I am about to start the storyline (after Dreggan makes his reply) and I would like to know if anyone has suggestions before I sentence us to a quest nobody else wants to partake in. I'm thinking Through the Ice or Lord of the Rings type thing, y'know. Evil sorcerer threatens safety of the world. We gotta stop him type thing. His tower is a long way off and we encounter many adventures along the way.]

SSJwrestler

OOC: Quest sounds fine to me, how are we all going to be chosen by the king though??

Dixie

OOC: i don't have to be chosen cause i'm cool like that. i mean, uh, i'm a stowaway type i think. i'd have to be, what king would choose a scrawny little girl to fight an evil sorcerer? anyway, i'll also note here that my character vaguely resembles edward from cowboy bebop, at least that's what i had in mind, except slightly less on crack.

__________________
talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

Bob Biter

OOC: Quest sounds fine also. As for the selection process, either have the king send out some discreet psychics to look for the best of the best (meaning us) or have a more formal duel with the guards or champions or whatever, or maybe we just stumble into the "secret meeting" first and are chosen because of that. The possibilities are endless. BTW, good call on Ed, Dixie. I now have a pretty decent picture of what your character is like.

Dreggan eyed the little girl suspiciously at first. His guild often trained children in their thieving crafts, because noone ever suspected children of any serious wrongdoing. However, he quickly relaxed and went about introducing himself when it was his turn.

"I'm Dreggan of the Grey Fog Thieves Guild. I rob from the rich and give to myself. I am an untrustworthy, lying backstabber if there ever was one. I'm very pleased to meet you!

As for my worthiness as a warrior... well, let's just say I fight dirty and to win. My Savate style focuses on kicks and aerial attacks, and my sais and needles pick up where my legs leave off."

Before finishing that last statement, a flash of movement was all that was seen from him by the rest of the group. In the blink of an eye, a needle was imbedded in the mug Nina was just bringing to her lips. A small trickle of red wine started to fall to the table.

"I believe you're waaay too young to be drinking, little miss!"

Chewing on an apple, Dreggan continued.

"So what's the deal with this gathering? To tell you the truth, I just came here for the free food and easy pickings, but I wonder what could prompt so many people to show up here... What do you guys think?"

__________________
A plan is just a list of things that don't happen.

Dixie

Nina sat silently, feigning disinterest in the conversation. She acted distracted by averting her eyes and playing with her food, but she was careful to catch every word that was said about the quest.
'These boys know less than I do,' she realized with disappointment.
She considered ditching them for more likely lads, but there was something about Vanelee that amused her, though she couldn't put her finger on it.
As for the others, Matt was a glutton with atrocious manners and Dreggan was nothing but a common scoundrel with an ego the size of a giant's forearm.
Nina loathed men, especially men such as these, lies, all lies.
As she was glancing about in disdain, there was a large eruption of noise by the door. A drunk guard had stumbled in and was now laughing boisterously with a group of his friends, who were all in various stages of intoxication.
"And then he threatened to strike me with a lightning bolt!," the guard roared with laughter, doubling over and slapping his knee. "And the stupid kid tripped on his way to attack me and was knocked unconscious!" Another eruption of laughter. Nina chuckled to herself, she had never seen such a gathering of miscreants.

__________________
talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

Dixie

OOC: hehehe

__________________
talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

SSJwrestler

As Vanelee conversed with Matt and Dreggan, he kept a slose on eye on Nina, who was trying to disguise her easedropping by playing with her food, but she had one major tell. Her ears perked up as she listened, much as an elf's do when listening intently, this was a dead giveaway for Vanelee.

'Why is this girl really here..' Vanelee began to think to himself, but his thoughts and slight suspicions were interrupted by a drunken guard who had just entered the hall and was making a ruckus. With this, his mind was cleared of all thoughts and he returned to his careless demeanor.

Turning to Dreggan, with a smile once again on his face, Vanelee said "Dreggan, you are not nearly as bad as you say you are, I can tell. And as for us being here, I haven't a clue either, but it must be of some importance for all these warriors to be gathered in one place."

Finishing these words, Vanelee turned back to the table and picked up another stem of grapes, eating them in same fashion as before, savoring the sweet taste.

'Mmmmm..' he thought.

Bob Biter

"Ever the optimist, aren't you Vanelee? Always trying to see the good in all things, even me? Woah, there pal! You should take a cue from our little sprite here, judging by her face, it took her about 2 seconds to figure out how much of a dreg I am. I mean hey, that's part of my name, isn't it? Dreggan? Anybody?"

Seeing the drunken guards come in, the thief got a ravenous look in his eyes.

"Oh my... pickings don't get easier than this, people... I'll be right back."

With that, Dreggan was on his feet again, flask of wine in his hand, pretending to be just as drunk as the guards and responsive to their stories, just as he was liberating them of their money purses. These wretches were just too easy to pass up.

__________________
A plan is just a list of things that don't happen.

SSJwrestler

Vanelee only smiled and popped another grape into his mouth in response to Dreggan, who had just ran off to relieve a couple of drunk guards of their money bags.

While he was preoccupied with the guards, Vanelee looked to his side to see how his new companions were getting along. He saw Matt still filling his mouth with every piece food near enough for him to get his hands on. Upon seeing he was being watched, Matt waved his hand vigorously, still holding a chicken leg, and smiled gleefully, cheeks puffed out like a squirrel's filled with nuts.

When he looked at Nina, Vanelee saw that she was simply swirling the contents of her near emtpy goblet around and looking down at the table. He wondered what was wrong, but a quick look up and a smile from the young girl reassured him.

Vanelee redirected his attention to Dreggan, who had joined the drunken soldiers in an Irish jig. Vanelee noted how quick Dreggan's hands were as he relieved the guards of their money bags. In response to seeing this, Vanelee only shook his head and smiled.

All of a sudden, the doors to the hall burst open, and trupmets sounded, announcing the arrival of royalty. Vanelee looked on with his twinkling eyes open with attention.

Dixie

'Finally' Nina thought, turning to watch the King's arrival. 'Now we can get down to business.'

The King entered and all the warriors stopped their drunken revelry and stood at attention. He was accompanied by two pages, 5 guards, and what Nina presumed to be the Queen. They were all dressed to impress, as if trying to stress the importance of the gathering. The King's rich red cloak, well-manicured beard, and golden crown gleaming with jewels stood in sharp contrast to the shabby garb of the warriors assembled there. Nina caught Dreggan nearly drooling over the wealth before him and smirked thinking what a lark it would be for him to rob the very King he had come to serve. The King moved to the head of the royal table and lifted the goblet there.

"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..."

__________________
talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

Menoman

Stomping down the nearly black hallway, his coal black velvet cape swirling behind him, he was almost to the door at the end. There were no other doors in the crued stone hall, and it was cold and damp, underground.

The black leather boots he wore sounded almost like hooves as he was furiously stamping them with each step. Above the boots were impecable leather pants that were swishing as his steps grew faster and faster, on the left side of his pants there was a fur attached from his hip to nearly his knee, on the left were 2 black pouches, old leather and cracked badly. The belt that held his pants up was also leather and in worse condition than the pouches. Tucked inside his pants he wore a sleeveless leaver tunic to keep his black armor off his bare skin. The armor itself shined like a mirror and had a crest of two dragons intertwined on the chest of it. It was nothing that would protect him from a blow from even the smallest of blades. The cape was the only thing on his shoulders.

A loud crash erupts as he finally makes it to the end of the hall and rips open the door. Two steps into the door he screams in a deep almost inhuman roar "What's the king up to, boy!"

The boy he spoke of was entangled in a metal contraption, he was not human. His skin was extremely pale, but he was not an elf either. He was a Terok. To be born a Terok meant immunity to all weapons except those created of pure silver. They can also see thins that nothing else can see, They are messengers for kings so that they may not be killed before they return with any news.

"If you don't speak then it's you own death fool" in a deeper voice, not at all angered, seemingly melodic. The boy stayed silent.

"fool" the man snickered as he spun a gyroscope near the boys left arm. The contraption squeaked and moved as 6 blades already inside both thighs, shoulders, and eyes, dug deeper.

Body completely tensed from his white matted brown hair down to his cloth slippers, the boy spoke in a cringing, painful voice.

"He has a plan!!" The machine stopped, shaking unstoppably the boy wept. "He is going to send warriors to the castle, I saw it last night, he is going to try to seige your castle. There are many brutal warriors at his meeting, That's all I know I swear it" his voice was uncontrolable and changing tone when a splinter of pain hit him from moving even a little.

"Heh Teroks are good for something"

He turned around and closed the door behind him walking at a normal pace back up the hall.

"Bring what you will, mortals. I recieved this kingdom by murder and I'll keep it by murder. My people fear me for a reason. Yours also fear me. I'll be happy to oblige you if you wish death upon yourself. Lord of Horringrad, Duke Sar, fears nothing..."

[ooc: sooooo... how bout a fight? If this is what you wanted for a villain. :P]

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Dixie

OOC: lovely, welcome to the game darlink.

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talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

Bob Biter

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A plan is just a list of things that don't happen.

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!]

Dixie

'I knew these three were the ones,' Nina mused as she watched her companions enter the small room. She stayed crouched low in the darkest corner as the King spoke with them, a slight smirk on her face.
When the King had left and Vanelee had called her forth, Nina slipped quickly from the corner to his side and smiled broadly.
"You are the ones I've been looking for," she announced, stepping in front of the warriors, "I will accompany you on this quest and keep you safe as long as I have breath."
Dreggan and Matt seemed slightly amused by this last comment, but Vanelee registered only a complacent look tinged with a slight sadness. Nina knew that to them it must seem ridiculous for a mere child to offer protection to warriors, but they would learn soon enough.

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talk is cheap, so i buy every word you said.
scared me half to death, now i'm half dead.

Bob Biter

(OOC: Eldaire, my character's name is DREGGAN, with an "A". Thanks!)

As the king and the sage left the room, Dreggan noticed that some jewels were missing from his crown, looking towards Vanelee, he saw a condescending look on his face.

"What? Hey, I didn't do that! Besides, I'm not about to offend someone who just offered us the easy life just for dispatching some merlin. As for the sage, I'm sure he didn't need this, though."

Dreggan then held up an ornate ring that the sage had been wearing on his right middle finger.

"Yep, still got it!"

As Nina emerged from the shadows, Dreggan's smug face was as radiant as ever.

"Awwww! So what are you gonna do to all those mean Orcs? Coo them to death? Punch them in the kneecaps? Ha! I certainly hope whatever skills or powers you might be keeping from us are better than your lurking!

So, everyone, how's about we go equip ourselves a little better before leaving town. I can safely say that I have enough coin here to bankroll our outfitting. And if you're all real nice, maybe I'll even share! How's THAT for commitment? A THIEF! SHARING! I'm sure even Elves never lived long enough to witness that!"

With that, Dreggan waited for his companions' decision, subtly ignoring Nina's scathing glare.

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A plan is just a list of things that don't happen.

Menoman

Aspis's coin did not glow, he was very nervous about that, he was quite sure he would not be chosen strong enough, he knew he was merely a servant.

Throwing the coin down, "I can't do it" He walked out of the room, and out of the castle. Looking around very nervously he walked away from the castle, when he was sure nobody was looking he ducked into the brush and began to convulse. About five minutes later a shape took to the sky, completely black and bony with large broad wings.


meanwhile, Duke Sar was sitting atop one of his mid level towers patiently standing starring at the moon, it was hard to see, there were scattered flames across his landscape. Probably from the scavenger orcs. They seemed to like to burn their victims homes after they stole all their belongings and did unspeakable acts upon them.

"Ahhh, its about time." Looking off to the right of the moon it was pitch black but somehow he saw the dark figure swooping toward his castle from above the clouds. About 10 feet from the tower its wings swung open and slightly angled backwards, and started beating intenstly. The white hair on the duke was pushed back behind his head about a foot. Then came at ease when the creature landed on the side of the tower.

Again, the creature convulsed. Getting impatient the duke stood and watched, tapping his finger on his elbow. Standing naked was the "weakling" from the castle.

"Sir, my apologies for the delay. It is true the king knows of what your doing. He called forth many of the warriors from around his kingdom. He used these glowing coins to chose who was strong enough to go on the attack. I have no idea how the way he chose the warriors is of any importance to their skill, but I do know, at least 4 of the ones that I saw destroy the guard at the door of the castle, were told they are not wanted. Strangely enough." He took a bow after he had finished his report.

"Well then, perhaps I shouldn't worry about the king as much as I have, apparently his primitive knowledge is going to be his own fall. Using a petty little magicians trick of illuminating an object to determine the power of his army, hah! I will enjoy this immensely."

Laughing in his deep voice seemed to make the nude shapeshifter's body vibrate along with it.

"Aspis, Go to the top of the peak you see in the moonlight to the east. You know the Orc Champion awaits there in a cave. Tell him that I want him to send 20 of his orcs to the Kings castle. I'll send 2 of my gargoyles to carry them to the castle. I want them there by daybreak, if they are not. You'll end up back with the king for good, and your identity will not be hidden this time."

Without a word the shapeshifter performed another change, this time it did not take nearly as long, but it was much more painful.

He took off into the night...

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SSJwrestler

With a slight look of sadness on his face Vanelee looked at Nina and thought to himself 'Child...while your powers may be great great...unawakened but great...I fear the trials we will endure on this trip may be grave. However, it is your decision and you seem able, so I will only smile for now and lend what little help I can in lessening the burden you have placed upon your own shoulders.'

Forgetting his saddened thoughts, Vanelee quickly threw on his typical smile and turned to Dreggan, saying.."Dreggan, if you are gracious enough to share your booty, stolen though it may be, I will gladly accept your assiatance. Thank you. And as for elves never seeing the day when a thief shares, I hope that this is not the last noble deed we see from the likes of you, though I'm sure it's not."

Then turning to a glaring Nina, warm grey eyes twinkling, Vanelee cast her a soothing smile while saying "Thank you for your assistance Nina. I'm most sure that you are quite capable of helping us on our journey, that I am."

These words seemed to lighten the young girl's mood, as she smiled slightly. Vanelee's grey eyes tinkled a little more upon seeing her positive reaction.

"Matt? Are you going to outfit yourself with Dreggan's assitance?"
Vanelee asked turning to the pieous warrior. "Though I must say that I'm not sure what you would require to become outfitted. Your Sechi style of fighting requires no weapons, but you do have quite an appetite. Perhaps some food for the journey?"

Eldaire

"Food for the journey? Heck yeah! Though, I doubt we will be able to carry more than a light snack. You are correct about my garb though. I require no armor, for my Seichi style is its own armor. I already have a weapon that I will not part with. As for clothing, I have trained my body to handle all types of climates from the coldest mountains to the hottest deserts. As for you Dreggan, do not be so hard on Nina. She can come if she likes. The more the merrier! Regardless of how powerful she is, she will be fine for at least the first part of the journey, for it will be largely in our home territory and there will be no enemies the likes of us wouldn't be able to protect even an infant from. By the time the journey becomes more perilous, we will know whether she has what it takes. Welcome aboard Nina!"

Matt turned then to face the north woods. "Shall we be off then? Our journey is great and our time is little!" Suddenly, a dark figure above the woods caught Matt's eye. Was it his imagination, or was something big flying their way?

SSJwrestler

Noticing that Matt's eyes had suddenly darted to the skyline above the north woods and that his ora had suddenly become active, Vanelee looked to the same location, just in time to catch a dark figure flying out of sight.

Looking around at his companions to see if they had noticed this new form, Vanelee thought to himself 'Seems as Duke has made the first move, I must be on alert. For mine and....own safety. This quest has many hardships ahead, I didn't think we would come upon them this fast."

Bob Biter

"Easy there, folks. We'll have plenty of time to catch up with that... thing once we get equipped. I'm heading for the alchemist's and food shop. I need snacks and potions. Matt, are you coming? Nina? Vanelee? "

Dreggan then headed for the shops, counting his available money with an almost saddened look on his face, since he was about to... to... BUY something. The very thought...

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A plan is just a list of things that don't happen.

Eldaire

"Food! Food! Food!" Matt continually sang as he bounced behind Dreggan.