[System]
Race | Age | Sex

Appearance

Personality

Background
* Profession (Optional)
* Class
* Heritage

History (Optional)

Motivation

Capabilities

Attributes

Combat [0/1]

*
*
*

Intelligence [0/1]

*
*
*

Charisma [0/1]

*
*
*

Health [0/1]

*
*
*

Faculties [0/1]

*
*
*

Agility [0/1]

*
*
*

Mysticism [0/3]

*
*
*

---

Equipment
*
*
*

Money
For simplicity's sake, we're doing 3 types of coinage. Royals (Gold), Lordlings (Silver), and Commons (Copper). They each measure 20 of the previous coinage. 20 Lordlings makes a Royal and 20 Commons makes a Lordling. You will roll for your currency. You will roll a D10 for Royals, D20 for Lordlings, and D100 for Commons.

Languages

Rannic Ulfsson

Human (Thaegar) | 27 | Male

Appearance

Rannic stands at an impressive height (6'3), with a powerful physique and callused hands made for combat. His mane of hair is as brown as a wild oak, his eyes as green as leaves. He's not unhandsome and generally sports a robust beard, had he not shaven once he entered the Blackwood. His adventures in the Northern Marches had destroyed much of his ancestral armor, so he now wears what banded plate and leather he can to maintain protection. With large hands, long legs, and broad shoulders, he makes an imposing figure to face down in combat.

Personality
Rannic is honorable and blunt, though he has a streak of free spirit from having been separated from his home for the last four years. Though he can be a bit gruff, he's earnest enough and tends to keep his word. As with most Thaegars, you'll find him a terrible enemy or a loyal friend given enough time to make his aquaintence. He values nothing more than to be implemented back into Thaegar society, though he's become comfortable with his lot in life. Gold and glory are fine companions for the young man, but it will take more than that for him to forget his father's word or his oath to his the thane.

Background
* Professional Soldier (Optional)
* Lower Class
* Son of the Blacksmith and Basket Weaver

History (Optional)

Motivation
Rannic seeks to slay a Dragon or Giant, and to return either head to his clan for recompense of his previous crimes.

Capabilities

Attributes

Combat [1/1]

* Two Handed Sword [2]
* Unarmed [1]
* Two Handed Blunt [1]
* Two Handed Cleave [1]

Intelligence [1/1]

* Legendry [1]
* History [1]
*

Charisma [1/1]

*
*
*

Health [1/1]

* Strength [2]
* Constitution [1]
* Toughness [1]
* Stamina [1]

Faculties [1/1]

* Resolve [1]
* Perception [1]
*

Agility [1/1]

* Running [1]
* Outdoors [1]
*

Mysticism [0/3]

*
*
*

---

Equipment
*
*
*

Money
3 Royals, 7 Lordlings, 20 Commons

Languages
Drimgoth, Northern Tongue

[User]
Kyiriniae'aea sagged with relief as the human mage stepped through the portal. She didn't much like humans, they could be powerful but their short roach like lives made them unpredictable and grasping. Still, given her other companions were literal cannibals, she supposed she could tolerate the arrival of so useful a pawn.

"I did," she admitted, smiling winsomely and stepping forward, holding out her hand like a human noble so that the mage could take it and kiss it in the proscribed fashion. She made a gesture that encompassed room.

"We are in a place called the Blackwood," she explained, taking a step back and gesturing to one of the chairs by the table in her newly cleaned study. The chaos had been put to right and she even had taken the time to properly set up the alchemical equipment in the corner. The tower still didn't quite look lived in, but it no longer resembled the ruin it had when she had first come in.

"I'm afraid it was something of a desperation move," she confessed, her lip quivering ever so slightly to convey fear and vulnerability as she took her own seat. She badly wished she had some wine, but that would have to wait, instead she offered the human some of the roasted boar that her servants had brought her.

"I am Kyiriniae'aea, though you may call me Kyra," she introduced herself. She chewed on the end of one of her long blonde locks for a moment before continuing.

"I am afraid I have been cursed by a Warlock," she admitted, "and if you were willing to aid me, I would be forever in your debt."

[Assistant]
Today was a reminder of why Emilio did not have a particular love of hilly countries. Truly it was an omen of bad business if the man had to get out of his cart and push it himself. Though perhaps it also spoke of necessity for other goods, as the stubborn would persist or unprepared fools would be in need of wares or in want of luxury. Those thoughts kept running through his mind repetition as he assessed the land idly for its goods and what needs he could meet. That was at least until they would finally be able to peer above the 'final' hill and see human form again after their hours of journey.

The Dre Costan would work quickly to dust himself off. There was no time to change into more formal wear but he would be presentable for sure. Fixing his hair back and putting on a confident smile. By their way of dress it would have to be impossible to mistake them as anything other than the Knights of the Skull. A hand would pat his ass's head as he'd stride ahead. Cutting the sizable distance slowly as he spoke with a voice that would certainly reach the men.

"Gentlemen, what a sight for our weary eyes! Straight from Varian's Crossing we've come here searching for Olderin's Refuge. I believe none could mistake you as anything other than its protectors." There was a certainty to his words. Strange one might think for being new travelers of Blackwood.

"Any warnings, expectations, news you would wish to impart?" He'd ask as he kept his approach slow and closing the gap, cart behind.

@POOHEAD189

[User]
Ithaca blinked, turning to look behind her when the Draconic thing halted speaking, grunting in acknowledgment. Mari suddenly realized he was a Drogator, rumored to be a dying people. Other than a few stories of their ferocity in combat and some vague legends of them being from another world, she wouldn't know much. It was likely just surprising to see one in person. Unnverving likely. So much like a Dragon of legend, and yet somewhat similar to a man in a very eerie fashion.

"Ah, you kept your word!" Ithaca said, clearly joking about being surprised. "I'm glad to see you up and about, and less smelly."

She almost looked like she was going to pinch the bridge of her nose playfully, but decided to take a sip of the drink Mari got her instead. She had her priorities straight. It was clear she had already had a few, hence her stoic demeanor giving way to cutting loose a bit.

"Allow me to introduce you. Kane, I would like you to meet Mari." She said, turning around on the stool to present them both to one another. "A very brave woman I met just today on the road. Mari, this is Kane. One of the most honorable fellows I've ever met. He seems tough, but throw a chicken breast and he'll chase after it like a dog."

Mari heard a very threatening growl from the Drogator. It actually vibrated the wood beneath their feet. However, a moment to reflect would reveal it was actually chuckling. A few of the patrons, including a commoner couple clearly on a date gave small yelps of surprise. Comically, the girl looked at the guy she was with when she realized his voice sounded just like hers and he nearly fell out of his chair. One might not blame him but in the Blackwood, bravery was a virtue.

"It is an honor to meet you." Kane said, bowing how he could in such armor. "What brings you to such a place?"

"I was going to ask her that myself." Ithaca remarked, her chest facing the crowd and her elbows behind her, resting on the wood of the bar.

[Assistant]
The mad, squealing bray of the beast behind him was almost more haunting than it's very real charge not a minute earlier. Torsten's side bit at him with a stabbing pain that simultaneously ached like he had not felt in months. But it was nothing he couldn't handle, as long as he kept his posture at a certain level. Luckily for him, the forest allowed him to move hidden behind brush and gloom. Unfortunately, it also allowed other creatures to potentially do the same.

The forests of Norgard were primordial and vast, and Torsten would not feel so unused to such thick woodland. The very roots of the towering trees ripped and shaped the very earth beneath his feet, making much of the ground uneven and misshapen, and the rest would be covered in bushes or thick grass that quieted the footsteps of whatever walked upon them. What was strange wasn't the thickness of the forest, but the dim lighting. Even a forest as great as this with such a large canopy above would have more sunlight cutting into the darkness.

Doing his best not to stumble, Torsten would almost not see the sudden drop in the underbrush before it reached the front half of his leading foot. Likely to his surprise and horror, he would notice the drop was actually a footprint. A footprint as large as his torso and very humanoid in shape. Small roots and vines jutted out of the now softened earth below, as if gasping for air from whence they were pressed.

Luckily (in a fashion), the accompanying war cry Torsten heard next didn't sound like it came from whatever Jotun or strange forest creature. It was a piercing scream that carried bloodlust wherever it echoed, spreading across what bits of the foliage it could. Judging by the echo, it likely came from the south. The birds springing to life and fluttering away mostly came from that direction as well. When the forest spoke, one need only listen.


[System]
Age: 26

Previously affiliation: The Shinarus Domain

Description: Angel is 1,70 meters tall, with short black hair and dark brown eyes. Her pale skin contrast heavily with her hair and eyes and gives her an almost unnatural image in many people's eyes. Her straight short hair reaches just under her ears and is often disheveled, giving it a wild look. She has a piercing on the left side of her lip and 2 on her left eyebrow.
 At first sight, her body lacks any defects or scars, but under the clothes she wears is hidden a huge scar from a blade that slashed her back as a child. In addition her left arm had to be amputated due an incident and she had it replaced with artificial one. The new arm is the same proportions as her real one. She hides both of those under her clothes.
 Her favorite clothing is: Black leather pants, tall boots with a 2 cm heel, red short tank top and a black tight fitting leather jacket.

Skills: (Any relevant abilities that your character possesses) Angel as a mechanic first and foremost. She had traded her skills as one on many different kinds of vessels in order to travel and well earn enough to be barely able to feed her hunger of Essence. Even when she is suffering from withdraw symptoms, she is still able to actively repair machinery, although slower than normally. In addition she is good with knives and unarmed combat with her raw strength being quite to satisfactory levels from all the heavy machinery she has to operate and move around as mechanic.

 In addition from early age she discovered she posses psychometry, or the ability to read information from objects she touches, when she has just 'fed' her hunger for essence. Which proves quite useful when trying to fix heavily damaged machines of any kind.

Biography: (Your character's past leading up to their service aboard the Outlander) Born on planet Omriel, one of the ruins of the now so called Faded kindom, Angel was thrown away by her parents as a child. She lived on the streets for a time, before she was places in a hellhole of a orphanage. Every day was a struggle to survive in the unfair and decaying world of her home planet. Between the corruption, the crimes and the struggle to live with the hunger, Angel's childhood was not a happy one. As a child and a girl at that, she was quite weak. She was often bullied and even if she managed to get some money somehow, if she was found out, they would be immediately taken by the bigger children. As such she learned to hide, lie and run quite fast.

 When she was ten, she already was moving around with a hidden weapon of sorts. A shiv, she made using a piece of cloth and a metal nail. It was a savage world and you either did what you had or got 'eaten'. One day when she was going back to the orphanage, she took a less crowded route to avoid pickpockets, but instead got attacked by some man with a knife. He slashed at her back, but luckily for her, while it was a big injury, it was not a fatal one. When he approached her to finish the job or do whatever else his sick mind thought up, she took out the shiv and stabbed him in the stomach. The man took a few steps and fell to the ground. Before he died, Angel quickly jumped on him, using the chance to drain whatever Essence was still left in him. Afterwards she ran away from the place and was later taken to a rundown hospital where they simply put a bandage on her wound and sent her away. No one really asked any question about the whole thing. It was later that night when she first found her ability to read information from objects, when she touched an old broken down mechanical clock at the orphanage that was simply collecting dust and found where exactly it was broken.

 The following years as she grew up and slowly turned into a woman, she started to learn to fight as she had to constantly protect herself from the boys at the orphanage and the other people with bad intentions out there. That's why she also took the chance to hang around repair shops for ships and other vehicles. She was ready to work with little to no pay even, just as long as it kept her away from the cursed orphanage as much as possible. Being smart and quick to learn, she picked up the knowledge of technology quite fast and with time, she started to get paid normally for her work.

 At the age of 15 she had about enough skills and knowledge as a mechanic to be taken on ships. As such, she quickly left the orphanage, all she really had were the clothes on her back so that didn't really take long, found the first ship that was heading offworld and convinced the mechanic on it to take her as an assistant. From there things began to change, as with time she learned more and more and eventually she was hired as full paid mechanic for ships. She traded her skills on many vessels and visited many worlds. The pay wasn't really great most of the time, but every now and then a well paying job would come and she would be able to afford to feed her addiction for essence. In time she got a little bit of a reputation among certain circles, as her supernatural ability was quite useful when trying to repair a very damaged vessel, where the more you tried to repair it, the more problems appeared. There were a few cases even where there were people who paid for Essence for her, just so she can assist with their very precious ships to get back running.

 One day, as she was just sleeping next to the engine of the ship she was currently on, a message flashed on her PDA. It business proposal, which while dangerous one, also seemed to have more than generous pay. She wasn't one to shy away from danger to get her pay, as such she left the ship she was on, the next place it stopped and took another one to get to the planet where her new workplace was waiting... the ship Outlander.

[User]
"Bring it down!"

Simon looked up and saw the huge beast that lumbered in from out of the darkness. It was huge, and it's mass suggested that it had more than enough bulk to sustain several heavy hits to its body without even breaking a sweat.

Immediately the team opened fire and he retreated several feet away, taking a knee as the beast roared and lumbered through the assembled men and women, taking swipes at people but generally being a big slow nuisance. He took aim with his rifle and sighted its legs, tiny as they were, supporting its mass with little difficulty.

"Structural weaknesses. Let's see how you fare against molten metal."

With a trigger squeeze, a bolt of red hot steel shot forth from his railgun and punched through its lower body, issuing a pained bellow from the creature as it slumped forward, one of its legs now useless from the thigh downward. Simon squeezed the trigger again and a second bolt punched through its other knee, severing the limb from its joint as it now roared in pain, swiping in fear at whatever was the closest. He kept up the fire, sending bolts of molten metal through its bulk now, suppressing it so that maybe one of his comrades could issue the killing blow.

[Assistant]
A volley of bullets slammed into the creature, erupting in a grisly explosion of dark blood as they barrelled into its flesh. A barrage of plasma roared through the air, smashing into its legs, and knocking it to the ground with a distinct 'CRASH!'. A grenade wormed its way into it's elbow joint, and the detonation which followed left only a withered stump, burning and leaking, in place of its hooked-hand. A burst of hot slag smashed into its crooked leg, slicing through steel and flesh like scissors through paper.

The creature let out a sharp wheeze, pulling its limp body across the tunnel floor, as a trail of hot blood seeped out of the fresh holes in its wound-ridden body.

Zharrus knew that a craving for essence could do horrendous things to a man, but he'd never seen anything like this before. His black eyes gazed down into the creature's fiery pupils as it slid forwards, and he realized that whatever man had once lurked inside this steely husk was long gone.

Its limp jaw flopped open, and a raspy clicking noise slipped free from its throat.

'Hehahaheehaheheheahah...'

It's laughing at us.

The creature's single remaining arm slid down to its chest, tearing away one of the metal panels which was fused to its grey flesh.

The dim tunnel lights flickered, and Zharrus caught a brief glimpse of the belt of explosives which were woven into its skin.

"GET BACK!" He roared, but it was too late.

BOOM!

Fire flooded the air, as the train tunnel shook and jolted. Huge lumps of debris fell free from the ceiling, barrelling down into the ground and burying themselves into the floor. The sheer force of the detonation sent Zhaarus flying back through the air, fire lapping at his flesh whilst the air around him crackled and burned. A wave of agonising heat drenched the tunnel, biting and gnawing at the group with searing gusto.

By the time the smoke cleared, Zhaarus was lying on his back, surrounded by rubble and limp corpses.

[User]
He couldn't see what had happened after it fell. The only thing he felt was relief, he was about to fight a nigh indestructible being with a knife. Then heat, a blinding light and a deafening boom. It was so bright that everything faded to white, the heat was so hot he could feel his blood boil under his skin, the sound so loud that his bones rattled. Flames licking at his body. Toying with the idea of eating the tasty moral before them. Before the flames could consume him the shock wave hit, he was flung far and fast from the epicenter. He flew like a rag doll his body tumbling across the tunnel, he smashed against a wall. His world went black and his head fell forwards.

He blinked, awake. Dust was still settling, he hadn't been out long. Attempting to get to his feet was possible, his old friend had saved his life again. His armor was drained of power, a joint in the knee and shoulder seemed to have been fused. He attempted to move again it only gave out a soft groan. All of his gear was gone now, nothing of his old life remained except himself. His heart hammered in his chest, nearly nothing compared to the heart break he felt at this point. Memories flooded him, people he served with now gone. His only tie with his family had been crippled. He relaxed and looked into the darkness the pain wouldn't fade, it tore at him and devoured his soul. Thousands of things rushed through his mind yet he couldn't come to move his free hand and release himself from the armor. It was only the first few hours and things had already changed drastically for him. If the mission were to continue like this, they may never reach the end.

"I had thought that when the armor failed me that it would be the day I died." He thought painfully. After a moment he released himself and stood. His environment suit was burnt and torn, it was covered in blood. He stared in the gloom at the dark green armor, its dings and dents, the scorch marks. It all made up who he had been. His hand covered his stomach, he took a step away from it and his foot hit something metallic it skitted across the now dry ground. Reaching down his fingers wrapped around the grip of his pistol. "At least something remains." He spoke aloud. He had no clue if the others had survived, there was rubble almost sealing the tunnel. He had been across from the group and was now on the side with the exit. "Anyone alive over there?" he spoke into the blackness. The air smelled of singed flesh, mold, blood, dust and a particularly gnarly metallic smell. His mind rolled over to a new thought. This was a worthy end for his former self. And this mission was a worthy end for his life, he'd regroup with his men in hell it seemed.

[Assistant]
It was working, they were bringing this monster down! Angel even managed to fire another bolt of plasma, before the creature finally fell to the ground. She let a smile appear on her face, but in the next moment the creature tore off one of the metal panels on it's body to reveal the explosives underneath. Angel's eye twitched for a moment, she was too close! She had closed the distance so her plasma gun be more effective, but it turned out to be a bad idea after all." Ohh bloody hells!" She she whispered, before managing to do a single jump backwards.

 BOOOOOOOOOOM

 The explosion happened while she was in the air from the jump. The blast wave hit her hard and threw her backwards with great force. The next moment, she felt herself powerfully smashing against the tunnel walls. Then pieces of concrete and metal started hitting her. The heat was almost impossible to stand, it hurt to even breath! Then a few moments later she felt a piece of concrete fall on her leg. Every part of her body was already hurt to a degree from the slam into the wall, this surely broke her leg! She let out a painful scream through the dust cloud. Her ears were ringing, her head was spinning... she felt like she was going to die, but somehow that didn't happen yet. She laid on the ground among the pieces of metal, concrete and flesh. She had troubles staying awake...

 She was painfully crying while the dust was settling, but she couldn't really move. It was painful to even try. She feared no one survived this explosion, as for a while there was no sound(probably from the explosion turning her nearly unable to hear). If no one was left alive to help her, then it meant this was going to be her end after all. Broken among the rubble, as she slowly died. Her mind wandered to that dream of hers. The small repair shop on a sunny planet. At least she was going to die with something beautiful in mind! Then as her hearing began returning, she heard a voice. At first she thought it was an illusion created by her mind, but no! There really was someone alive!

 "Help!!! Please!!! I can't move!" She tried to shout, but the voice that left her mouth was a lot weaker than what she wanted. Using the fact her artificial arm was a lot more durable and survived the crash intact, she took a small piece of concrete and began hitting a big chuck of rubble next to her to give her position." Here!" She let out another call of help.


[System]
BASIC
Goes By (Nicknames): Maleficent (alter-ego); The Winged She-Elf; She-Devil, Devil's Incarnate (by Thorin); Delva, God-Mother (by Fili & Kili).
Royal Titles: Lady of Ambaróna/"Fangorn".
Other Titles: First Commander of Isengard, Sauron's Most-Trusted Servant (as Maleficent); The Watcher; Guardian of Durin's Folk.
Age: 5,739 (Looks 37-38)
Gender: Female
Race: Elven Hybrid (Sindarin and Noldor Bloodlines)
Other Bloodlines: Silvan and Teleri (Through her grandfather's relatives)
20/20 Elvish (10/20 Sindarin, 6/20 Noldor, 2/20 Silvan, 2/20 Teleri)

APPEARANCE
Face Claim: Angelina Jolie
Hair Color: Medium Brown
Eye Color: Yellow-Green (Boldly-luminous when furious/angry)
Skin Tone: Creamy
Height: 5' 8"
Weight: 119 lbs
Body Build: Slim

Finger Claws:

Curved Daggers:

Combat Outfit:

Dresses for Two Towers/Return of the King

Wing-Cloak

PERSONALITY
OVERALL PERSONALITY
Likes: Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits, Ents, Happiness, Animals, Peace, Music, Plant-Life, Training, Flying/Sightseeing, Yearly Seasons.
Dislikes: Death, War, Chaos, Greed, Spiders, Maleficent, Orcs, Sorrow.
Strengths: Fighting/Combat, Flight, Knowledge, Wisdom, Harsh Temperature Resistance, Protective/Affectionate Nature, Keen Senses, Agility.
Other Powers: Wallcrawling, Banshee Scream, Enhanced Strength, Telepathy, Telekinesis.
Weaknesses: Stubbornness, Loneliness, Anger, Vindictiveness, Split Personality.
Fears: Sauron, Losing Family.

Elegant | Unpredictable | Capable | Headstrong | Mysterious | Maternal | Observant | Intelligent

Everyone believed Saeril to be born as a creature of chaos and pure evil, but they just do not know the true story. In actuality, Saeril is a good-hearted, nurturing individual, who highly valued the peaceful natures of Middle-Earth, whilst having the passion to support and protect its various realms and inhabitants. Born during the First Age, Saeril is a strong-willed she-elf, and the last of an ancient Elven clan from Fangorn Forest. A very intelligent, loyal-to-the-bone perfectionist, who stays true to her word, she focuses on finding the best intentions for others, to the point of making great judgment calls, as much as willingly risking her life, in the process.

From the despair of her devastating past, following the Deceiver's corruption upon her mind, Saeril is truly hurt and very lonely inside, having to be caused by the guilt and horror of her cruel and malicious deeds, as well as the amount of pain and trauma she had to endure. After being rescued by Gandalf the Grey, she was left "more Orc than Elf", while her other alter-ego "Maleficent", a psychopathic representation of her corruption, still lingers within her mind. However, after Sauron's defeat, this other personality dissipated, giving back her natural Elven beauty.

The ultimate goal was to redeem and dissipate this inner darkness from within, but she never anticipated it to be a challenge when she rekindled herself with her Dwarven godsons Fili and Kili, whilst having to closely bond with a young she-elf named Yavanna, whom she had grown to love and deeply care for, as if she were her own daughter. Determined to protect both the Sons of Durin and the Bright Star of Middle-Earth, Saeril will become extremely aggressive and violent, whenever someone threatens, or has inflicted any sort of harm to them; as this contrasts her more-gentle nature, she will be blunt and gladly let the offenders know the price. In addition, since witnessing the death of Fili, she will go to great lengths, if it means to prevent Kili and Yavanna from falling under the same fate.

Both as "Maleficent" and herself, Saeril is a ruthless, immensely-formidable warrior in her own right; despite withholding a certain elegance, she's truly a very deadly foe for anyone who'd dare challenge her personally. A vast majority of her strength came from the enchantment Sauron had placed upon her, as well as the supernatural connection he was able to forge between them; even while she was formerly his chief of the Isengard legion, she possessed a number of abilities that have allowed her to stand her own, and even overpower the most skilled of individuals. Due to this connection, she's able to enhance these abilities. She also shows herself to have great telepathic power; either taught or naturally inherited from her parents and/or ancestors, she can read the minds of others, conjure up visions through physical touch, and receive thoughts from a certain distance.

Saeril will not hesitate to comfort, guide, or advise others when they seem to need it. Proud, proper, and almost-completely fearless, she will never bow to anyone she disagrees with. Evident by her relationship with Thorin Oakenshield, it's complicated when it comes to terms of the trust; she betrayed him (as he claimed) by "stealing" the starlight jewels from his treasure hoard for King Thranduil. Although she was claimed as not "trusting", Saeril openly showed that she cared a great deal for him, saving his life multiple times on different occasions.

BACKGROUND
Place of Birth: Fangorn Forest (Also known as Ambaróna).
Family:
- Kili Durin (Godson; Alive) (Dwarf)
- Fili Durin (Godson; Deceased) (Dwarf)
- Dis Durin (Co-parent; Alive) (Dwarf)
- Vili Durin (Co-parent; Deceased) (Dwarf)
- Hermia (Mother; Deceased) (Noldor Elf)
- Lysander (Father; Deceased) (Sindarin Elf)
- Ulla (Aunt; Deceased) (Sindarin Elf)
- Kinloch (Uncle; Deceased) (Sindarin Elf)
- Kriva (Grandmother; Deceased) (Noldor Elf)
- Disgla (Grandfather; Deceased) (Silvan/Teleri Elf)
- Fidnai (Great-Grandmother; Deceased) (Teleri Elf)
- Sahov (Great-Grandfather; Deceased) (Silvan Elf)

Other Relations:
- Gandalf the Grey/White (Mentor/Friend; Alive) (Maiar)
- Thorin Oakenshield (Friend; Deceased) (Dwarf)
- Aragorn II Elessar (Friend; Alive) (Man)
- Lord Elrond (Acquaintance; Alive) (Half-Elf)
- Tauriel (Acquaintance; Alive) (Silvan Elf)
- Haldir (Acquaintance; Alive) (Silvan Elf)
- Gimli (Acquaintance; Alive) (Dwarf)
- Thranduil Greenleaf (Acquaintance/Friend; Alive) (Sindarin Elf)
- Legolas Greenleaf (Acquaintance/Friend; Alive) (Sindarin Elf)
- Yavanna Undomiel (Friend/Daughter-Figure; Alive) (Elven Hybrid; Mortal/Sindarin/Noldor)
- Bilbo Baggins, Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Peregrine Took, and Meriadoc Brandybuck (Acquaintances/Friends; Alive) (Hobbits)
- Azog the Defiler & Bolg (Enemies; Deceased) (Gundabad Orcs)

[User]
"Out for a little adventure, aren't we, your majesty?", the wizard asked as soon as he noticed that the princess was among the group. However, having to look up at the approaching goblins, they were on the run again...unaware of an invisible Bilbo nearby.

Going through the caves, the winged-elf immediately felt relieved once the sun shined upon her. Flying down the mountainside, she was still by Yavanna's, and the brothers' side, relieved that they both managed to stay through the predicament. "Five, six, seven, eight. Bifur, Bofur, that's ten. Fili, Kili, Saeril, Yavanna, that's fourteen. And Bombur, that makes fifteen.
"Where's Bilbo? Where is our hobbit? Where is our hobbit?!", Gandalf shouted at them as they finally came to a stop; Saeril finally able to land near her godsons and the Star of Rivendell, tucking in her wings.

Fili was looking around, along with his brother, not being able to find their burglar amongst them. 'Where could he be?'
"Curse the halfling! He's lost?!" Dwalin looked for him in vain, but he was nowhere to be seen.
"I thought he was with Dori!", Gloin was quick to foist off any blame.
Dori was still panting from the run. "Don't blame me!"

[Assistant]
Yavanna couldn't help but smile as she heard Gandalf. "Something called out to me. Maybe I just wanted to help out." she told him, before they finally made it out of the caves and out into the sunlight. The sunshine was bit bright, and the warmth wrapped around everyone...Yavanna stopped with the young Dwarves. Leaning against Fili to rest a little bit. She still was aching a little bit, from the fall of the bridge.

Looking around, she looked worried. Bilbo was gone. "Now...now...no need to blame poor Dori." Yavanna told Gloin. "No wonder, with all the chaos. Poor Bilbo probably got lost." she said softly.

Kili was relieved, the moment they all got outside. He stood with his brother and the young Princess, trying to catch his breath. "He can't have just left us." Kili said, feeling dissapointed, that Bilbo was gone.

Back inside of the cave, Bilbo stared at Gollum for a few long moments. Debating wether or not to kill the odd creature. He had a sword. He was invisible..it'd be quick...and he'd have a free way ahead of him. He swung his sword...but slowed down...the sword not even touching the odd creature. Bilbo lowered his sword. He couldn't do it. Taking a few steps back...he took a little run. Leaping over Gollum...using his head as a little thing to push away from...and running for the exit.
Gollum shrieked, screamed cursing Bilbo for being a thief.

Meanwhile, the Dwarves were debating about what happened to Bilbo. "I'll tell you what happened!" Thorin spoke up "Master Baggins saw a chance and he took it! He's thought of nothing but his soft bed, his books, his garden since he left! We will not see the Hobbit again! He's long gone."

Kili looked at his uncle, his expression still held the sad disappointment and slight shock at his uncle's accusations. But young Bilbo had caught up, he was leaning against a tree..invisible. But he heard the Harsh words Thorin had spoken. He finally decided to take off the ring, holding it his grip.

"Now...he isn't!" Bilbo said; now visible as he stepped out from behind a tree. Kili smiled as he heard Bilbo. Yavanna just smiled brightly, seeing Bilbo. "Bilbo...we'd given you up." Kili said with a slight chuckle; surprised to see him. Thorin stood there shocked, sinking his sword into the ground slightly. Bilbo just smiled, as he patted Balin on his shoulder.

[User]
Fili felt the leaning coming from the princess, who seemed to be tired from all the action. Not refusing, he allowed her to catch her breath, just as Saeril walked to them, and moved a lock from her exhausted face. All the winged she-elf thought was that she was okay, and out of the hands of their enemies. She jumped into the fray between them and the goblins for a reason: they were not to suffer from the effects of harm, especially her godsons, as well as the princess herself. Saeril wouldn't give the young elf that kind of fate. Absolutely not.

When Bilbo appeared, Fili was dumbfounded, and a little confused. "How on Earth did you get past the goblins?", he asked.
"How, indeed", Dwalin agreed.
"What does it matter? He's back", Gandalf cut in, giving a grateful smile. Saeril couldn't help but give the same smile.

[Assistant]
As Fili didn't seem to refuse, Yavanna gave him an exhausted but warm smile. Before she smiled softly at Saeril, whom stood besides them. It had been a bit of a crazy start to her part in this adventure so far. But she was glad, that everyone was okay.

Bilbo just let out a soft chuckle, hearing Dwalin and Fili. He tucked something into his pocket, before his hands fell by his side again.
"It matters." Thorin said. "I want to know!" he rose his voice slightly, with authority. "Why did you come back?" he asked looking at Bilbo.
Bilbo glanced over towards Thorin, with a slight sigh. "Look, I know you doubt me. You always have." Bilbo said "It's true, I do often think of Bag-End. I miss my books, my arm-chair, my garden. You see, that's where I belong. It's home." Bilbo said. "But that's why I came back...because you don't have one. A home. It was taken from you." Bilbo said softly, looking at Thorin. "And will help you take it back, if I can."

Kili smiled at Saeril softly. His hand reached out, giving hers a soft squeeze. He then smiled hearing Bilbo's speech. But the happy moment of rest seemed to be cut short, when they soon heard shrieks and growls from not so far distance. Orcs...
Thorin glanced in the direction of the sounds. "Out of the fire..." "Into the frying pan." Yavanna finished the sentence, as she heard the shrieks.

[User]
Azog and his warg army have showed up, seeing the group down by the mountainside. "Run them down! Tear them to pieces!", he yelled in Black Speech to which Saeril was able to understand perfectly. A couple of wargs came running down the mountain, howling.

Saeril's smile dissappeared when she saw the wargs coming. "Run. Run!", she started small until she raised her voice for them to hear. Turning to the younger she-elf, and the brother, she told them. "Stay together, I'll catch up".


[System]
---

This section will be updated with information about the world including kingdoms, cities, lore, legends and artifacts.

---

---

Player Characters

---

An index of accepted characters deceased and living.

Amheurst the Knight played by: @Polybius

Echo Kaiser played by: @rechonq

Gish played by: @Gentlemanvaultboy

The Mindskitter played by: @GodOfWar

Clabeth played by: @kkbird123

NPC Characters

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* Amheurst, The Broken Knight
A young knight leans against a boulder, his brow heavy with sorrow. The knights armor is sparse, a verdigris marred spaulder, a single gauntlet on his sword arm and old rusty greaves. In his arms he cradles a broken longsword, broken clean off about half-way down the blade. It may have once been a fine weapon indeed.

Amheursts' father was Sir Bran, Lord of Guilliam Keep.
* Bosham Gar, Troubador & Actor
A thin haired aging man cloaked in shaggy clothes paces in agitation. He clutches a mask with 3 faces. It appears to be crafted from a precious metal. The three faces reflect joy, anger and insanity.
* Pelinora, Priestess of Kant
A very beautiful woman with a stern expression on her face crouches over a small circle of pebbles. She is incanting a spell and gesturing with her hands. She is cloaked in the deep green robes of the God Kant, The Weary Watcher. Her eyes grow wide as a fire erupts from her palms, creating a small blue-flamed fire. She sits down and begins warming her hands over the eldritch fire.

[User]
"Memories?" Gish asks slowly, shaking her head from side to side. Had it been insider her head? That would make sense, but she hadn't forgotten anything. The long night she had seem all those years ago was still fresh and clear in her head. Clearer now than ever before, as though she'd lived it all again. She didn't feel like anything was missing. In fact, it felt like there had been more to what it had shown her.

"I don't think so. I don't think it eats them." She stammered, but was cut off by the rustling of the brush as the thing floated back into view. She reached into her pockets and whipped out the first thing she found. She brandished the simple wooden flute like it was a legendary sword, never taking her eyes off the thing as it seemed to raise up its tentacles in supplication. "Careful. It's still a leech. And maybe a witch. Maybe."

[Assistant]
"Memories?"

"Careful. It's still a leech. And maybe a witch. Maybe."

 "There!" shouted Amheurst, louder than he intended. The vines had parted, the sickening creature returning to view.

"What a foul abberation..." thought the knight. He raised his sword once more as the creature in turn raised two horrid tendrils...and turned them in acquiescence and formed a cross. Instinctively Amheurst crossed himself with his free hand. His sword lowered. His heart no longer sure. The girl had brandished some sort of instrument, and the pale man had said not a word but defended them both nonetheless.

 "I don't think it means us any harm...or...it doesn't realize we don't like that...whatever it did to me!" Amheurst looked at his two unlikely companions to see what they would do.

[User]
Echo turned as it exited the shrubbery as well. He noticed the girl wielding a fife like a knife and smiled a bit as if to chuckle to himself in this tense situation. The knight also drew his sword at the sight of it emerging, but as it crossed it's tentacles the man lowered his sword and made the symbol on his chest. It was rather odd, but slightly reassuring nonetheless. As it stretched two more tentacles out with hands turned up, he understood that it was meaning for peace right now. Perhaps this thing couldn't speak either.

Echo didn't dismiss the wisp but he dimmed it's light. Echo could see that the creature was vying for peace at the moment, but it didn't seem like the girl got that message. He waved his lantern in front of her to get her attention. When he got it, he took a deep breath and made a calming motion in an attempt to get her to relax a bit. He was still on edge though. He never saw a creature try for peace and they betray it, but a man did try it once. Fortunately it ended well for Echo and not so much the man, but he wasn't going to let it happen again. He kept his guard up for any unwanted movement's of the ethereal arms toward the three. With his free hand he waved to the creature in an attempt to communicate with it.

[Assistant]
She looked up at the mask guy when he drew her attention, motioning for her to lower her weapon. She had a moment of indecision, then actually looked down at what she had in her hands. She gasped, then replaced the flute in her pockets. She felt around in there and felt the comfortingly cold metal of her little craving knife, and shook her head in embarrassment over having grabbed the wrong thing. But she didn't draw the knife.

She looked back at the mask guy and saw him waving at the leech witch thing. "Easy for you to be so friendly. It hasn't been in your head." She patted the side of her head for emphasis, and suddenly realized that something was missing. "Gah!" She croaked, looking frantically around until she spotted the big reed hat that had been knocked from her head earlier. She dove for it, snatching it up and pulling it down over her head. She squatted there, looking out at the others from between the reeds. It didn't matter. They'd seen everything, hadn't they? Especially the leech witch thing. There was no point now, but she felt naked without it.

[User]
The Mindskitter was, once again, surprised by the new species's reaction(s). Amheurst didn't interpret the abomination's gestures as peace more than he saw it as a "hesitation of murder" or "mistaken conduct". Yet, the pale man waved in greetings, a pleasant development (and perhaps apology for damages). Gish... floundered a bit in her efforts. At least she found it unnecessary to actually arm herself in this situation.

 Proceeding with it's greetings, the Mindskitter took one of it's physical fore arms and impressed it into the dirt surrounding the non fire, it detailing a clear message. Writing the word "harm" into the soil, the beast quickly crossed out such grammar with the same tentacle. Perhaps this correspondence would make the Mindskitter's motives much more clear. Yet, now approached the risky stage. It formed a third phantom tendril, and extended each growth to each respective member of the party, the same peaceful 'palms upwards' motion upon each. Driving it's second fore tentacle into the dirt, the Mindskitter quickly wrote a more instructional message;

"Speak with me"

 It made sure to draw this literature close to that of which was crossed out, a method it hoped to use to remind them "I will speak with you peacefully". It did not enjoy using these terrain enscriptions, and tried to keep them as short as possible (the Mindskitter's knowledge and creation deserved a cleaner surface). Sadly, such was unavoidable. It prepared a message for those who grappled it's tentacles; "I am the Mindskitter, the beast of knowledge, what do you wish to ask of me?"

[Assistant]
The faint echo of distant voices mixed with the ambience of the cave as Luciel trekked down into the darkness, cascading glints of light from the sun behind him shown in brilliant untamed metals within the cave walls. It was more than enough for them to find their way, though the sounds worried him to a considerable degree.
Hoisting up the tatters of the tapestry cloak as not to trip, Luciel drew his sword with his other hand. Under the fabric, the blade could offer little more than a surprise stab if need be, and the plan of where to go from there wasn't entirely thought out. However, with the fading aid of the sun's whispers across the walls, the bright amber hue of a fire now took its place.

Peering from around the corner, a group of maybe five figures stood around the telltale fire Luciel had expected. Their various sizes and shapes worked a cautious curiousness from him, though he merely watched. With a shout from an armored man, their attention turned to a peculiar creature floating from the vines to address them. The chimera took advantage of this moment to ease out from where he hid, sweeping across the opening passageway leading to the entrance of the cave like a shadow. Into the opening of the room, he quickly realized there was little cover within reach. Almost frozen from the shock of this realization, he contemplated retreating back to the corner before his body instinctively dropped to the floor with a dull click of his boots across stone.

"T'szeem...leear..." he whispered, the tapestry settling over him and assuming his motionlessness which meshed with the uneven rocky floor to become little more than part of the shadowy scenery. What was a sound and a whisper, soft like the wind, became nothing but nondescript shadows and the faintest glint of steel from the tip of the shortsword catching the faint reflection of the fire's light in the way a dull gem might.
Luciel did his best to steady his breathing, muffled by the thick fabric while he watched the creature, which invoked familiar feelings of wonder, begin odd motions as if to converse with the group.

Darkly, Luciel wondered what kind of stuff the group had on them, and if he'd get a chance to pick through their remains if diplomacy with the beast ended with bloodshed.

[User]
Gish steps forward to see what the thing was writing on the floor, then shirks back as one of it tentacles moved toward her. She hopped from one foot to the next, turning over the words on the ground in her mind. After considering it carefully she pulled the flute out of her pocket and used it to gently push the tentacle it offered away from her. "No. No. No thank you. I've had enough, thank you. No." She muttered.

As she moved the tentacle her eyes lingered on the liquid still coating her arms. The leech thing was really fragile. She'd done that with a stick, without even trying. She looked to both of the others. "I think I'd be able to handle any funny business it tried to pull if either of you gave it a go."

[Assistant]
Echo was relieved to see the creature not making any more moves for the three of them. It did instead extend one of it's physical tentacles out and began to write in the ground. It seemed it couldn't talk either. It wasn't really odd that something of this particular shape didn't have a tongue or vocal chords, at least in the human sense. It wrote the word harm in the ground which almost brought up a red flag for him, but when it immediately crossed it out, the opposite happened instead.

Echo began to feel more calm around the thing now. He could tell that the line through the word was intentional to mean the opposite. It now formed a third phantom tendril and extended it upwards like the others. Each tendril was reached out to one or another of the party. He still watched carefully as it wrote it's next message trying to see if there were any other underlying messages. It was written close to the first message, despite the available space, and he wondered if there was supposed to be a correlation. When it finished it was quite clear that it could speak through it's tendrils, but he was a little unsure whether to fully trust it or not.

He decided to not care and give it a chance. He had been living without his memories quite fine and if the creature was to eat them, then he wouldn't even know what he was missing. He reached his hand out and grabbed onto the phantom tendril. Immediately words rushed to him. It was like he was hearing them, but he know no real sounds were being made. He didn't feel any other sensations at the moment so he felt like the mindskitter was actually just communicating now. He wasn't sure if it could hear his thoughts, but as clearly as he could picture the words in his mind he thought, "Hello, I am Echo. I am unfortunately mute and unable to physically speak. If you can hear this then please respond."

Echo was beginning to hope that the mindskitter could hear him. The opportunity to express a deeper message through speech was something he had not had for quite a while. Perhaps this beast of knowledge could be a godsend instead.

[User]
""I am the Mindskitter, the beast of knowledge, what do you wish to ask of me?"

 The pale man holding the lantern appeared to be concentrating on the aberration, coaxing something from its mind.

 "A beast of knowledge...? Amheurst had heard of such things-in strange tales told late at night at his father's table. Amheurst would sit quietly in the shadows listening to men and women with scars and weapons with names like Lightbringer, Goblin-Bane and Firebrand. They would talk and tell stories of deep dungeons, catacombs and dead cities along the Bright Road.

 The Bright Road...

 An ancient underground path built by gnomes or dwarves long ago and lit by gas lights drawing their fuel from somewhere incomprehensibly deep below the crust of the Sphere. That is where Amheurst was headed when he ran into this...thing..

 "Do you know the way to the Bright Road?" he asked the Mindskitter, doubtfully.


[System]
Human appearance:
True appearance:
Equipment:Black armor, broken heart and mind.
Role:Offense.
Power:Shadowstep, shadowmeld (can teleport through darkness, and fade into darkness at will.)
Weapons and tools:Scythe of Souls, can safely store human souls for later release into the afterlife, Axe of Vengeance, used to punish those who upset the balance.
How do you view Humans?:To save humanity, I must give it something to fight against, to fight for. They must earn their survival.
Other:I know that I may die for my way of living, but it must be done.

[User] The human nods thoughtfully. "You work around here?" Xerces gives a half grin. "I guess you could say that. I travel a lot in my line of work." He sighs. "I've got to get going. Maybe we could talk again sometime. You've got my number. See you around." He stands up and walks over to a small car, and begins driving away. Xerces waits for a while, staring out at the water. He abruptly stands up, and walks downtown. I need to find that other Protector, Athe, again. Maybe he could tell me what's happening.

[Assistant] He needed information, about anything, whether it's the Rifts or where the Protectors were last seen. He had planned to go around the city, asking the Vendors for any information that they had. He was going to start with a Vendor that set up shop downtown, near the City Park. The Park used to be a hotspot for Protectors, as well as Angels and Demons. If he could learn when they were last seen, that may help him learn what happened. He left the Hotel, and set off towards the Shop. He was moving rather quickly, but he tried his best to blend in.

[User] He stops, and looks around. Where can I find a Vendor? He walks around, searching for someone to give a sign of recognition. He searches for a few hours, and keeps searching for another portal. What is causing those? He shakes his head. I need to fight something. He walks to the entrance of the park, and looks around for something to duel.

[Assistant] As he enters the Vendors shop, he immediately sees the Vendor. "I have questions." Athe says to the Vendor, who just looks up from his register and replies, "Ask away, what do you need?" Athe then spends the next couple of hours asking this Vendor questions, which he gets few actual answers for. A few Humans entered the store, as normal. But to the Humans, it sounded like they were talking about some weird Anime or Sci-fi movie. One piece of information that he did get was that many of the Protectors disappeared at the same time. What could that mean? How did they disappear? Where did they go?

[User] He hears a thud and turns, raising his scythe.....nothing. What's going on? He walks down the park walkway, and sees a glimpse of reflected light. He walks towards it, his battleaxe ready. It bursts into flame, and he walks around the glimmer. What is that? It has an unearthly polish to it, glimmering and sparkling even in pitch black. That thing is dangerous. He carefully walks towards it, and pokes it with the handle of his axe. It rolls over, and revels itself to be....a helmet. A Protectors helmet. He picks it up, and looks around. What happened here?

[Assistant] As he was getting the inconclusive answers, he became more confused, which began to irritate him. When he gets angry, it never ends well. He knew this. 'This is going nowhere...' He thought to himself. He needed to find Xerc again, and at least try to come to an agreement on something. Maybe he found something that Athe didn't? Maybe he knows something that Athe doesn't?

[User] He stands up, and walks down the street, helmet in one hand, battleaxe in the other. He keeps trying to remember who's helmet he has, but to no avail. He lets out a roar of frustration, which echos throughout the park he's in, and turns, walking in the general direction of that vendor he was at earlier. Maybe he would find Athe there. He turns at the sound of a riiip. and sees....another portal. But it doesn't appear to go to heaven or hell. It's just....there. A hole in the world. He immediately closes it, and begins teleporting to the nearest vendor, jumping from shadow to shadow.

[Assistant] As he heard a mysterious roar, both he and the Vendor look towards the park. He then quickly grabs his sword and rushes towards the door, until he slams into someone who is coming in the store at the same time as he was attempting to leave.

[User] He steps fully out of the shadow, and growls, his eyes flaring. "You again?" Then he sighs, and says "We have a problem, Athe. Look what I found when I was tearing my way through that nearby park." He holds out the Protectors helmet. "Do you recognize this?" He puts the helmet on the counter, and looks around.

[Assistant] He looks at the helmet after entering the store again. "Vaguely. I've seen it before, yet I don't remember who's head it belongs to... Where did you find it? He says, then locks the doors and puts up the CLOSED sign. No Humans needed to be involved in this. Whatever is going on, it's starting to ramp up...

[User] "I found it just inside a Rift in that nearby park." He examines the helmet, and looks back at Athe. "Why would a Protector go into a rift?" He looks almost scared. "Athe, the portal I found it in led to...Limbo."

[Assistant] "Nothing makes sense. Damn it!" He says as he goes back to the counter and puts his sword on it. "Limbo... Is a place that shouldn't exist. The Catholics call it Purgatory. We never, ever, go there. Nothing that you can say will make me go there. Off limits." He explains as he tries to calm down.

[User] "What if that's where all the other Protectors are? Trapped, stuck in Limbo? We know at least one of them is, and that's the only clue I've had in years."

[Assistant] "If that's the case... Then we are out of luck. There is no coming back from that wretched place." He says as he leans against the counter. "No one comes out of Purgatory. The only way to do it is to become a Monster in either Heaven or Hells army."

[User] He stares at the ground. "That's not....entirely true." He glances at Athe. "Athe.....that's my homeland."

[Assistant] "Yea... That may very well be true." He says, trying to come up with a plan. "If that is true, then you should be able to travel through that plane. But I am not. If I go there, I don't come back."

[User] He reaches out, and tears open a shadow, making a pitch black hole in the world. "If you went with me, I could keep you save from the things that exist there. I wouldn't say live there, because they aren't exactly alive anymore." He laughs softly. "I'm not exactly a Protector. Not in the way you'd think. I'm more of....an emotion, given form."

[Assistant] "Then you can travel unscathed. I, on the other hand, will not leave this plane. I am a Protector. I have a duty to uphold here. Since no other Protectors are present, the threat is high." He says, looking at the hole. This "Protector" continues to amaze Athe. Something new happens every time they speak. "While I refuse to enter Purgatory... I may be able to... Provide assistance to you while you're there."

[User] He nods. "Thank you. Now lets go see what happened to your friends." He steps through the portal, and his disguise vanishes immediately. The flames that make up his body glow at the same brightness and color of the fires surrounding him. He turns back, his eyes glowing orbs of his flaming power. "Until we meet again, Athe."

[Assistant]
"Yea yea. Don't get too hurt. I will still need help when you get back." He says as the portal closes.

Now... The adventure begins... What now?

[User] He walks through the silent Underworld, unnerved by the lack of monsters. What happened? He travels throughout the whole of Limbo, searching for any sign of them, but only finding darkness. He searches for months, and finally finds a stained weapon. Well, this can't be good. He opens the portal again, and pops out in front of Athe, barely a split second from when he left. "I only found a few weapons. Whatever is taking them, I'd think it would have to be.....The Creator, or The Destroyer. Or some Arch Angel/Demon on the level that we've never seen."

[Assistant] "Back so soon?" He says as he turns around, as if nothing happened. "So it's not just Earth... Oh boy." He says as he thinks. "Normally the powers never touch Limbo... We have some work to do."

[User] "Oh no. I've been gone for almost five years. Time doesn't work the same in Limbo as it does here. It is much slower there." His ax glows in flickering bursts. "I need to rest." He collapses to the ground.

[Assistant] "No matter how time moves, you found information. Now we have something to work from." He says as Xerc collapses. Athe then proceeds to move Xerc to the back of the store, which, oddly enough, looks the same as the last Vendors store.

[User] He lifts the stained sword he found, and tosses it on the table. "That was all I could find." He sits back against the wall, and sighs in exhaustion.

[Assistant] "You need rest. I will look at the sword and see what I can find." He says as he walks to the table, looking at the sword, but not picking it up. "There doesn't seem to be anything special about it. Hm..."

[User] "When you hold the hilt, it glows blue. That tell you anything?"

[Assistant] "Enchanted. Some kind of spell. I don't know much besides that. I say that we keep it, just to keep it safe." He says as he carefully moves the sword to a workbench.

[User] "Or until whoever lost it takes it back." He sits up. "Do you have any food? I haven't eaten in a few....weeks, I think."

[Assistant] "Fair point. There's food, just take what you need." He says reassuringly, he was kind of glad that Xerc found the sword. He felt like it was finally a step in the right direction.

[User] He eats all the food he can reach, then looks back at Athe. "What makes me so different from the other Protectors?"

[Assistant] "Well, from what I can tell, you are more of a physical form of emotion. You are unlike anything that I have ever seen." He says as he continues to look at the sword. "I would guess that you being formed in Purgatory was the beginning of all this madness. You being created may have unlocked a chain of events that we are living out right now."

[User] "Great, so I'm to blame for all your problems? I believe that if I'm so different then the rest of you, I may or may not have been a prototype. A test to see if Protectors would work in the first place. If that's so, I also believe that I was corrupted somehow, given the fact that I want to fight humans, whereas you lot want to save them." He looks around. "If that's so, what if this was just an experiment, and now it's over?"

[Assistant] "You are not to blame. You didn't start this. The event that created you caused this. If anything, you are one of the few things that may save us." He says, leaning his back to the table. "If this was just an experiment, then that means that someone started it. We need to find who that is. You are, potentially, the key to fixing all of this."

[User] "Then what should we do? Go back to the place where I was created?"

[Assistant] "It may be our only option... Which is not what I would prefer, but we can do it." He says, regretfully. "I will need time to prepare for a journey like this."

[User] "I understand completely. Take all the time you need."

[Assistant]
"Good to know. I will be gone for a few hours. Try to stay put. If you do venture off, don't cause any trouble, please." He says as he gathers his things and walks out. He took his sword, and nothing else. He is going to search for something that could assist him on the journey.

Now, time is yours. What will you do?

[User] He stands up, and walks around the Vendor's store. I've never been in one place for so long. Is this what home feels like? He walks to the window, careful to hide his true nature. He looks across the city he's in, and feels trapped. My purpose is violence. I have to find something to take it out on.

[Assistant] Pedestrians are traveling about the city, just normal transit. The soft hum of natural and human sounds fill the air. No one seems too worried about anything. Just living.

[User] He takes his hand off the windowsill when he realizes that the heat from his body is staring to melt the plastic. He paces the store, agitated.

[Assistant] The Vendor notices his agitation. "You are a special one, right? Not like the rest?" He says as he appears to be organizing alcohol behind his counter.

[User] He nods, showing his true face briefly, with his spiked black helmet, and burning eyes.


[System]
Age: 15

Element: Light

Appearance:

kiyasuriin.deviantart.com/art/Sunligh…
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd…

Personality: Vera is a laidback yet confident individual with a desire to be warm and amiable towards others. She gives off a refined, elegant vibe that may make her come across as arrogant or cause her friendliness to be perceived as superficial. She may also seem nonchalant and even a little naïve at times. Vera has the tendency to take her privileges for granted and overlook the needs of others, usually unintentionally, but takes no offence at being reminded about her display of such behaviour as she is willing to learn to get along with others, unless of course, that means going against anything she feels strongly about.

History: Vera was born into a well-to-do family that owed their wealth to their ownership of SnuqHomes, a well-known furniture and home accessories company in the region where she grew up. Being an only child, she was constantly pampered with expensive gifts by her parents, but not so much with their time due to their busy schedules. Still, Vera was contented with her life and all it provided her with, right up till her early teens. Well, till she turned fifteen, to be exact, for that was the year when she learned that she was gifted with the element of light, much to the dismay of her family.

Due to general prejudice towards Elementalists, Vera's parents, who were highly-respected business figures were apprehensive about the status of the family. They were acquainted with many who were not exactly tolerant of those gifted with elemental powers. If word got out that their own daughter was an Elementalist, much trouble may follow. At a loss of what to do, Vera's parents resorted to travelling to an Elementalist community in secret in an attempt to seek advice regarding their current situation. That was when they learnt of Elemental Academy, a solution that they were thankful for. After they returned from the visit, Vera was promptly and discreetly sent off to the academy where she was free to use her gift and no longer had to hide it.

Equipment: A pair of dome magnifying glasses she experiments with to attempt amplifying her powers.

[User]
Jordan woke at the usual time.

Rolling out of bed, he thumped to the floor, face flaring in pain. "Oh happy day." Jordan's room was still shadowy and gray, and as he drew himself up into a facsimile of standing position, a beam of light shot over the horizon and flashed in his eyes. Grumbling faintly, he rummaged through his bedside table and found his toothbrush. Plucking a few remaining items and wrapping a towel around his neck, he made for the door.

As he was opening the door, Jordan's foot happened to be in the right place at the wrong time, and he-

"Son of a bitch!" Jordan yelled, dropping his things and reaching for his injured toe. Cradling his foot in the doorway, Jordan whimpered. She did a number on me, that's for damn sure. Jordan coughed, dropped his foot and gathered up his things. He had a full day ahead of him.

---

A half-day, actually, as the note on the door of his office helpfully informed him. He'd also spotted a notice on the Headmaster's door. Hadn't bothered to read it though, since he could do that when he was actually fully alive. The short walk to the Hot Springs had helped, in that the still cold morning air had made his breath cloud ahead of him, and in the early morning wakefulness came at the behest of exposure to the elements, or so his drill sergeant had so stolidly proclaimed all those years ago.

Jordan was still reminiscing on the arduous task of pulling whole logs through mud and sleet in torrential downpours when he absent-mindedly wandered over to the baths. Setting down his towel and other amenities, Jordan stripped down. Based on the assumption that there were still no students awake at this hour and the knowledge of the scheduling for the hot springs which he used regularly, Jordan could go naked in the hot springs without any real worry of being seen. He could still feel the aftereffects of his old injury and his muscles were taut and raw.

Jordan sank down into the water with a contented sigh, feeling the heat work its way through his bones. He might not be a huge fan of water when trying to wield sand, but he could appreciate the beauty of the Hot Springs every morning he had a soak in one. Jordan was about to close his eyes when he spotted something odd floating nearby. Did somebody leave a towel behind? In the middle of the pool? A faint sense of recognition dawned on Jordan and he lay his head back and exhaled slowly.

"Hey Kano."

That must have been what the note was about, Jordan realized, as he'd known the Headmaster to frequent the Hot Springs on several occasions. He simply hadn't ever accounted for the fact that their schedules might overlap. A long silence fell.

"Did you see my-"

Jordan cut himself off, and decided to be on his best behaviour. Despite the relaxing nature of the steamy waters, an uneasy awareness spread over him at the realization that he was very much at the mercy of Kano, should the Headmaster decide that Jordan was acting too brash. Which of course, reminded him of the note he'd received before the Night Run. Which reminded him again of the Night Run, and what had happened during. Damn, but I am good at pissing off people who can mop the floor with me.

"I'm going to beat the pulp out of a student again. Thought you should know. Figured if anybody's going to be cleaning up after me, they could do with some warning in advance. He's a real hot-head. Reminds me of myself. Of course, if he keeps picking fights with teachers, he'll soon realize exactly what happens when you bite off more than you can chew."

[Assistant]
Dia - Uh, Where Am I Again?

---

Dia looked around groggily, trying to remember where she was. It appeared to be early morning, maybe seven judging by the light.

Her surroundings were.... Not very familiar. Or, wait, yes they were. They were very similar to her down. But this, this wasn't her down.

Not to mention, her clothes were dirty. Why was she sleeping in dirty clothes?

Movement.

Dia shifted and her eyes feel on Felix. Then everything that had happened came back to her.

They'd settled into the tree for a while, but it hadn't been comfortable. And when the fog lifted, older students had found them and told them it was over and time to get back to the dorms.

They'd been one of the last to make it in, and Dia had remembered the interaction with the other boy. Not wanting to bring someone into her dorm with not really knowing the shy girl or how she might react to a visitor like such. So she'd insisted on going with Felix back to his.

Things had gone simply enough, and they hadn't had to deal with Silas. Not that Dia remembered his name.

They'd been exhausted, and it hadn't taken much prompting from Dia to sleep alongside each other. She curled into him and fallen asleep fairly quickly.

With her bearings straight, she carefully crept out of the bed, yawning and stretching. She had some small scratches and some bruising from the tree incident, but otherwise felt alright. She looked at Felix's hand, frowning. She would have to convince him to appear at the Nurse for that.

She found the flier not long after, and breathed a sigh of relief. Tension she hasn't realized was building was swiftly leaving as she made her way back to sit on the edge of the bed.

[User]
The clinic was full of casualties of the Night Run. Bruises, cuts and even a couple of broken bones that had gone unreported until morning. She sighed as she checked on the two girls. One with a small amount of water in her lungs, the other with frostbite. Apparently they'd woken a local creek up while blundering around in the dark. The nurse tutted. This was really too much to put the new children through. Before they'd even gotten real control, even. They'd be fine, thankfully, and she left them to sleep it off, putting a flyer down next to each of them.

Algorithm@Pseudo Stygian

[Assistant]
Vera's eyes fluttered open, the large amber orbs meeting the light that streamed in through her room window. She always liked waking up to the Sun, for it gave her the bright mood she would always start her day with, and for a moment, it felt like home. That was of course, until she sat up and looked around. Oh dear, what a mess... That reminded her - she had yet to unpack and sort her stuff out. What a night it had been, and it was all coming back to her - the trials she had gone through as well as the people she had met during the 'Night Run'. Admittedly, it was the most fun she had had in a long time.

It was hard to believe, but they actually won! What were the chances of that? Or rather, it was Silas who officially won. Right, she had a dorm mate now. Hopefully he knew a thing or two about keeping the place clean, since she never had to do any of it herself before. Perhaps some kid would be willing to do it for them on a regular basis for a pretty penny? It would have to be someone she did not quite know, though. She could not do that to someone like Silas. He was a friend, and friends should not be paid to do stuff. Friends deserve treats. That would have to wait, though, for there was still much to settle after class...

A wave of panic swept through Vera. Class! What time was it? She immediately reached for her watch and took a look at it to find that she was late. Scrambling off the bed and bolting out of her room, she wondered if her dorm mate had slept in as well.

"Silas? You still here, love?" She called across to the other room.

That was when a slip of paper right by the main door caught her attention. She went over to pick it up, and what was written on it provided her with much needed relief. After lunchtime, huh? It would be good to use the time to read up on her element at the library. For now, she could take her time to wash up and get ready for the day.

---

The walk to the standalone building for fire elementalist training was long, but Xavier always found it calming. It was almost like the calm before the storm, for unbelievable chaos and craziness could ensue upon stepping foot into the building itself. It was clearly located further away from the rest of the school for practical reasons - accidents involving the destructive element were probably the worst kind. However, this isolation also gave a sense of exclusiveness for the fire students.

Of course, those present at the building were still in harm's way. That was what instructors like him were there for, to ensure students did not hurt themselves or others, as well as to answer any questions they might have relating to the element. It was obvious that the first-years would require most attention, especially this early in the year. None of them seem to be there yet, though. He had been informed that students would be starting training in the afternoon.

He took a glance at his watch, before heading around the back. Guess there's still time for a smoke before they start coming in...


[System]
Species: Half-Bear
Age: 8 (physically adult)
Gender: Male
Appearance: 10ft, 550lbs. Unusually long torso. Tawny brown fur with dark brown grizzling.
 Claws are aggressively trimmed and filed down to thick nubs. Concealed in thick holocaust cloak/robes, gloves, and heavy boots. Carries a coarse wooden staff. Cloak decorated with typical druid paraphernalia. Colorblind (Yellow-green)

If disrobed, and on all fours, would pass easily as just a very large bear.

Bio: Offspring from the "sordid" (depending on who you ask) relationship between a forest hermit and a she-bear. Learned his craft and appreciation for honesty, integrity, and reverence for natural beauty from his dad. His "Good looks" from his mother.
Shy/sentimental. Has a brother the same age, and numerous younger siblings. Due to events in his home province before his birth, his father is magically connected with a rather expansive magical woodland, which suits him fine. Local logging town and his dad have a 'mixed feelings' relationship about each other. Cedar helps with diplomatic solutions. Is still young and naive in many ways, but shockingly adult and mature in others.

Skillset:
Woodcraft,
basic potion lore,
basic anatomy,
ecology.
Possesses "Speak to animals" spell-like ability.
Superhuman strength.
Superhuman sense of smell.
Low-light vision

Spells:
"Enhance/grow vegetation"
"Entangling roots/vines"
"Light heal"
"Detect magic"

Equipment: Dark brown and green 'holocaust cloak'/robes. Large wooden staff. Small hand axe. Small boot knife. Ball of twine. Antler knapping tool. Flints.

Other: Will arrive 'later' than other players.

[User]
[NPC Post]

Matilda watched impassively as the baker introduced himself. She kept her silence through the exchange, eyes narrowing with mounting paranoia as it passed. The knight waited for the two elves to finish, but Jazdia went upstairs instead of returning. That suited her just fine. Briskly following after, Matilda spared a glance to ensure no one followed before disappearing from the common's view.

"I will not pry into your past, or your network." The orc caught Jazdia before the latter entered a room. "But I require your words that it will not negatively affect the mission at hand."

[Assistant]
Jazdia was clearly not pleased with this untimely interruption. Though Matilda's suspicion was probably justified, they had all the chance in the world to join in and listen when she had a talk with Baker. Heck, it even would save her time from explaining to their team leader how the devices works.

"No, it will not," she replied with a deadpan expression. "On the contrary, I just solved our communication issue and ensured we can leave safely. From what I heard we probably have multiple targets, so splitting might be an option. Anything else? If not, I will take my leave and rest."

[User]
[GM Post]

"None. That will be all, miss Jazdia. I will see you tonight."

There's nothing but the elf's own word to it, but Matilda had to be satisfied with that much for now. Returning downstairs, the orc sat alone and glowered at the rest of the room as she had her meal and waited for Anderson's delivery. She'll make sure no mistake will happen before the departure.

After that? Maybe she can catch some sleep.

*****

Time passed. People were roused an hour before midnight, to fully prepare for the rescue mission. Reinhold was already up and awaited, still rather haggard but with a hint of sharpness that was absent from his earlier form. As promised Anderson had horses and a wagon delivered earlier, though not in person considering the other tasks he had to do. Cedar shared the wagon with Veronica, the horses seemingly too distressed by the latter's presence to allow riding, everyone else having their own horse to ride. At the forefront rode Reinhold, the hunters' words rang true as he traced the terrain without much difficulty despite the limited lighting.

The half moon offered sufficient illumination to reveal dark silhouettes. Still, it made for a slow travel. The horses couldn't move quickly, for even an errant pebble or branch could prove hazardous should they trip on it. Besides, Reinhold regularly had to stop and wander sideways to ensure that they're on the right track. Progress, however, was steady.

It was about four hours in when the first issue arose. Reinhold's guidance had slowly led the party toward the village of Fanghorn, where one particularly lowkey baron Otto von Kruber resided and ruled from. Around five miles out, Matilda ordered for a scrying for confirmation. This particular scry seemed to have punched through a veil as she abruptly gained direct vision of the prince sleeping in a well-furnished room. He looked unharmed at a glance, but that's not the issue - it was the location, which pinged not from Fanghorn but from Pesti instead, about seven miles to a different direction. That village was governed by one Sir Caspar, who received the land for contribution on quelling a potential rebellion a few years ago.

What to do?

[Assistant]
It was three or less in the morning when Veronica reported her finding. It was the pinpointed location of the prince himself and his general well-being which apparently remained unspoiled for the past six days.
What concerned them was the part where her finding conflicted with the hunter's account, which pointed to Fanghorn as the location where the kidnappers went.

Jazdia huffed and dismounted from her horse. It was not really a big deal for her, but she wanted to hear what the team leader had to say about this information, and the intel gatherer herself.

So the elf opened her pocketwatch and called for an emergency meeting. The map of Kindeance opened, and her enchanted arrows provided the light. Ten minutes at most.

"How much is the enemy on each site?" she began, eyeing Veronic. "In Pesti especially."

[User]
[NPC Post]

Of course it wouldn't be a smooth sailing. Which path would be the right one? It'll take at least half an hour to get to either villages, so checking both was still within the time table but that relied on one important thing. Which, considering how competent their enemies had been so far, was probably some wishful thinking.

"Veronica, what are the chances of our enemies noticing the scrying?" Matilda wasn't well-versed in matter of magic, but she had better general knowledge than most. Skilled far-seers were great boon, but nowhere near impossible to predict and counteract. "And as the elf said, try check the amount of potential hostile on both sites. Surprise may no longer be on the table now, if we are to divide our force we need to split it accordingly."

[Assistant]
The journey through the night had so far been rather uneventful. Sight was sufficient enough to not have the horses break their legs but the journey was still slow. Kaito could not help but find the whole ordeal of traveling through the wilderness at night rather boring. Rather odd considering he was born as a nocturnal predator. Throughout the years the fox had grown rather accustomed to the human way of life.

However the night was about to turn more eventful as the party stopped due to Veronica spotting the prince with her scrying. "Well, isn't that convenient, that the captors of the prince drop their guard after learning that we are on their tail." Spoke the kitsune sarcastically. It wasn't that he didn't trust his teammates, however the result of the scrying was rather fishy.

"Aaron Delving has already seen us fight and should be aware of Mathilda's prowess as well. He knows that he isn't dealing with just the run of the mill soldiers. If I was him I would try to have us split up and ambush 1 group at a time with my full force. But that is just me. Maybe I give him and his cronies too much credit."

[User]
Cedar rode in the back of the wagon, not of necessity, but of quiet amusement and silent comfort. (For the most part.)

It had never occurred to these folks that he did not NEED to ride a horse at all to keep up, or even to ask him about it. It had occurred to him that the only person to see him naked and moving about on all fours, really moving about on all fours, (Dame Matilda had gotten a glimpse the day before, at the rendezvous at the old fort tower, but had said or remembered nothing. Maybe she was wanting to keep him fed and rested? She clearly didn't understand bears at this time of year.) Had been Henri, the tutor. That fellow had been chagrined to watch him sentry, investigate, and rig for hostility all around that tower for well over an hour in that condition.

What, did they think he could only run on two feet? That the thick pads on his palms he concealed with gloves, were just ornamentation?

He had hastily inhaled the last of the soup, after he had talked with baker about the matter earlier in the late afternoon. Had convinced the long eared man that he did not want to overwork Nina, when the same work had already been done elsewhere. He had been civil, he remembered, to Nina's relief, if the reactions he caught (from just out of eye shot) were an indication. Regardless, his dinner was still settling, so he was indeed quite content to laze in the bed of the wagon for the time being, though he felt a bit at odds about letting Reinhold do all the tracking in the dark. Full humans couldnt see like he could.

Smell like he could either.

He giggled, dodging a lurch from the wagon, at the double meaning, remembering the farmer's poor dog getting its first whiff of bearman urine hours earlier. 'Bigger and scarier than you thought huh, boy? Not like a man at all, am I right?' He had chortled inwardly then, when it had taken off like a terrified rabbit.

He yawned lazily, then tugged off his gloves. Then his boots.

He really was NOT accustomed to wearing them this long, and they constricted and bit at his extremities, especially the boots: ornaments meant for public exhibition, not for actual use or protection, they only forced his paws into shapes more pleasing for human eyes, rather than affording protection. He wore them for the benefit of others, rather than his own. Well, outside of being accidentally shot anyway, by terrified townsfolk and zealous guards. They, and the robes served a fine purpose for that. Ordinarily, he preferred to be unencumbered and unclothed. Movement through the woods was as sleek and easy as a fish in water that way. It was the way he had spent his early childhood, and was the way his younger siblings were right now, almost certainly-- snuggled up in a pile on the floor of his dad's cabin, with Mama, and his dad buried in the heap someplace. This would have been their last year denning at home; dad would have been working hard to finish their cabins in time for winter.

He was suddenly homesick, and contemplated removing his robes. He felt out of place, out of touch, far from home. There was a chill in the air, but it wasn't that bad yet. It would just prompt his fur to thicken, like always. Bushier, thicker, floofier. Not like the sleekness of spring and summer. He looked down at the sleeves of his robes. The hand woven fabric, made from hand spun thread. Somewhat clumsy stitching down the seams. It, along with the boots and gloves, were not meant for, nor made for long term use. A tool, like a knife, or a walking stick. A thing, a sign to indicate civility to humans, that they would otherwise be blind to. A physical embodiment of the love and protection his father had for him. All hand made by him. He struggled between the urge for physical comfort, to remove them, and the longing for emotional comfort, to keep them on-- as he huddled and tucked up like a big brown ball in the back of the wagon.

Abruptly, the wagon stopped, ending the reverie. Veronica (he was having difficulty with all the names-- another newcomer who's silent, still movements sent instinctual wariness, if not waves of terror down his back, sending the fur bristling whenever she was around. The decidedly nonhuman scent didn't help. He wondered how she managed to ride the horses... Maybe that's why she was in the wagon's front?) had gotten down and performed a far more skilled augury in a cup of water in the moonlight than Vanquis would every be capable of, (It didn't even explode! Not even steam!) As they approached a forlorn and somber fortress town. He could smell the smoke of the chimneys. The animals the people kept. All towns smelled like that. (Even though this one was still some distance off.) Even Hdur, where they just left, and where he had left Jorry, sleeping peacefully on that bed. He had dared not disturb her when he saw her that way. The shopping could come another day.

Now, people would be in beds here too, unwary and unaware of the group of frightening people parked in the edge of the woods in the silver light the moon was shedding, like furtive beasts in the night. He would know; he was one. Well, half anyway.

He overheard her talking with the others, mostly Matilda and the long eared woman, Jazdia, about the prince having been moved, and for the need to split up. He looked down at his robes once more, then decided. He folded them neatly, tucking the removed gloves into the folded parcel of fabric, then placing the large boots on top in the front of the wagon, before tying the seed pouch to his left wrist again, then languidly oozing off the back of the wagon on all fours. He figured being spotted and identified as a civilized creature was not what they really needed right now, since they would need to split up in secret. With his nose to the ground he was a better tracker anyway.

He lazily plodded up to the small knot of conspiring group leaders to let them know he could take the task of finding the path the kidnappers had taken from here along with Reinhold, who was struggling in the dark, while they decided among themselves, giving them a bit of a scare in the process.