<div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">First of all, thanks to everyone who was patient with me in the restarting of this game. <img alt=";)" src="./images/smilies/wink.gif" title="Wink"/> Finally, it’s back under way, and I hope all of you enjoy it immensely.<br/><br/>It’s my intentions that Akiada will be brought in rather quickly (Likely within 5-6 posts), and Kotoko shortly thereafter. Thanks to our two newest players for sticking with me – I know it’s been a long wait to finally hop in on the action. <img alt=";)" src="./images/smilies/wink.gif" title="Wink"/> Also, thanks to our current players for your patience and understanding – I promise you, the wait will be well worth it. With A LOT more in-depth story-telling coming your way, I just hope everyone enjoys their own storylines as much as I enjoyed creating them. Also, new classes will be available for those who complete their story arc (With Sherani’s based off the ‘Weretouched Master’, Lilium’s based off my own creation – the Magi, and Ureck’s based off another of my own homebrew creations.), along with additional abilities. Don’t feel left out, Kotoko and Akiada! As soon as I figure out where you fit the best, your playstyle, and how the story ends up playing out…you’ll both get your own custom-crafted storyline as well! &gt;:3<br/><br/>Also – decided to start this up before the cinematics were completed! As more and more gets done, I’ll add them, and let everyone know. <img alt=";)" src="./images/smilies/wink.gif" title="Wink"/> Expect A LOT coming soon – just wanted to get the game under way, and not force folks to wait on my slow-arsed typing! XD<br/><br/>As-is, thanks for the patience, thanks for not getting too frustrated with the reworks on the character sheets as I tweak rules and feats to find a sort of balance I’m comfortable with, and I simply hope everyone enjoys things from here on out!<br/><br/>*Note!!* The first post is going to be a little slow. Going to give everyone a smidge to get back into the flow of things. Not to mention, I’m not feeling at my most creative right now… XD<br/><br/>Let’s get back to it! &gt;:3 Om nom nom….</div></div></div><br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">Also, one final thing! I’m removing the ‘Rated R’ rating, and bumping it up to, more or less…anything goes. For those of you who enjoy graphic digestion, we’ll go with it (I do ask you to please put it in a spoiler, with a warning beforehand, though! ). For those who want to sex the heck out of a party member, or even one of my NPCs…go for it. As-is, now, anything goes. Enjoy!</div></div></div><br/><br/><br/>The gravity of the situation seems to finally sink through to the party. The three travelers finally managed to lay eyes on the worst sight they could imagine – the refugee camp. These were not fighters. They were not those skilled with a blade, or potent in the use of magics. These were normal people, those who only wanted to survive, to ensure their families were well cared for and living comfortably.<br/><br/>Things in the city were slowly reaching a boiling point. The noble’s district was all but cut off to the ‘unwashed hordes’, as they are so callously called. With the majority of the remaining food being horded by those with money, the remaining population (Numbering well beyond two thousand people), were forced to scrounge. Already, the prices of meats and cheeses had soared out of sight, well beyond the reach of the common folk. To make matters worse, every day the price of grain rose. Now, even bread cost a month’s salary to the common folk. As the weeks waned on…there would likely be no food available whatsoever.<br/><br/>That is when the refugees would suffer most. Those with physical strength and skill, or magical talents, would prey upon them one by one. Hundreds would be lost within a matter of two months. The alternative? Try to make the multi-week journey to Falteen…past the roving bandits, the raids of the Gorvax tribe, and the enormous wild animals who’d – slowly but surely – worked their way closer to civilization.<br/><br/>For the commoner, walking beyond the walls of Espen was death. Staying was death, though much slower.<br/><br/>To make matters worse, a somewhat renowned slaver by the name of ‘Lesik’ seems to have set his sights upon the struggling town of Espen. It seemed impossible – why would a small-scale slaver want to cause such disruption in a city of many, many hundreds? To move from capturing five or six at a time, to hundreds? It seemed impossible…yet, there might be something far more nefarious working under the skin of the city. What that was remains to be seen…<br/><br/>Within a matter of weeks, the predation would start. With food caravans raided by bandits, farmers forced to abandon their homes, leaving them to wild animals and raiders, and the law enforcement crooked at best…Espen was on it’s way to a disaster that would cost the lives of hundred.<br/><br/>There were only three with the courage to stop it. To save lives…to be heroes.<br/><br/>Lilium – the beautiful, enchanting Kitsune from far to the north of Espen. Her beauty is only matched by her prowess with spells, capable of freezing even the strongest of foes with a simple gesture, or raining havoc down upon her foes with balls of fire and arcane power. Her companion, Rak, stays at her side, as steadfast and loyal as he’d been his entire life. Every step closer to Lesik brings her one step closer to her goal – getting her hands on the strange machine that seems to increase the power of animals. Surely it would work on Rak…?<br/><br/>Ureck – A skilled runner for an underground organization known as the ‘Grangers’, or ‘Guild Rangers’. His life has been little more than scribing for those in charge, running their messages where they needed. His single attempt at defying those in control changed his life forever – ensuring his love was devoured right before his eyes. Throwing off the shackles of servitude, Ureck finally has a chance to make a difference. To get vengeance for those who stole his life and love away from him. With allies to aid him, it seems like his dream would become a reality…<br/><br/>Sherani – The wild shifter from the Falteen forest. Her years in the forest taught her to survive, to to be strong and fierce in combat…and, likely most importantly, how to pick up a quick meal when the urge struck. However, she was in a bad position. Her father was tied down, unable to aid the farmers of the region, unable to aid in the removal of the enormous, crazed wild animals the stalked the countryside. Sherani’s mother had, somehow, been captured…and now, was being held by the Gorvax tribe, death threatened upon her if ANY word came of Sherani’s father aiding the locals…or trying to save his mate. If her father, as strong as he is, was tied down…what could Sherani hope to do…?<br/><br/>With questions still circling – Why was Espen being targeted, and for what purpose? How did an artifact from a long-gone civilization suddenly become unearthed in the midst of the chaos? Who were the real hidden players behind the city’s slow, but steady, decent into chaos? – The small, but brave, group travels northward, intent to reach the camp of the only allies the party might call on for aid – the Hevex. Could such a small group change the course of history for hundreds? And…were there others out there to aid them…?<br/><br/>The light in the darkness, the single flickering candle…slowly begins to grow in intensity…<br/><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"> Chapter Two - Unexpected allies : Part One – Hours to live</span><br/><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"> Ureck </span><br/><br/>Finding a rapier, or at least something that very much resembles one, turns out to be a rather easy task. A bit of searching reveals that one of the farmers actually has a weapon that has been passed down throughout the generations, an old family heirloom belonging to his great grandfather, who fought in the Genevian wars.<br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">DC 24 <span style="font-weight: bold">Knowledge : History </span>check, if more information about the Genevian wars is wanted.</div></div></div><br/><br/><br/>The weapon, as it turns out, is not a rapier – but an elven slimblade. Crafted by elves, it has almost perfect balance – no doubt, since it was awarded to an outsider, it was due to some incredible task or incredibly heroic act. The blade itself is long, thin, and slightly curved, much like a very thin scimitar or falchion. When Ureck gives it’s balance a check, he finds it cutting through the air like a knife through butter, just a simple flick of his wrist able to guide the finely-balanced blade exactly where he wants it to go. Whilst the blade itself doesn’t look like too much, it is an exquisite weapon, with faint, golden scrollwork spread along both sides of the blade. Honestly, it’s a miracle it hasn’t been stolen yet.<br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">For those who can speak elven, the elvish scrollwork reads as “Honor Above all”. As suspected, it was likely a weapon offered for some great service to the elvish people a long time ago.</div></div></div><br/><br/>The middle-aged otter explains the need for food or money is more pressing than any sentimentality, especially given it’s a weapon he’s never before used in his life. It was only for what minor protection it might offer that he brought it at all. Judging by his state (He is skinny as a rail, and his wife and single child are also looking a bit thin…but, at least, in slightly better condition than HE is), he’d not even be able to use the blade, even if he wanted to.<br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">Ureck is able to get the blade for 10 gold. It is a Masterwork Elven Slimblade. If he’d prefer, he can also trade one or two rations for the blade, which will be MUCH more readily accepted than gold. The blade itself is worth at least 100 gold…however, getting through the slums and finding someone actually able to pay that price would be more dangerous than the money is worth…</div></div></div><br/><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"> Lilium </span><br/><br/>Rak, surprisingly enough, is waiting just outside the partially built walls of the southern exit by the time Lilium picks her way through the innumerable refugees. The sight was pitiful – at least one out of three looked unhealthy enough to be practically starved. Everyone was quite, keeping their eyes down and their attentions focused upon what they were doing, as if everyone besides their immediate family was foes. It is possible it was true. Still, a few of the younger males do look up to the beautiful kitsune and smile as she walks past, their eyes following her until she disappears out of sight behind a makeshift tent, or into the milling throng. A few others gaze upon her tiger-stuffed, round belly enviously, obviously wishing their own was even partially as filled as hers.<br/><br/>As soon as Lilium picks her way through the rubble, stacked up in the open spots to prevent animals from attacking without at least a bit of warning, Rak is upon her, practically knocking her to the ground in his excitement. It had been less than twenty minutes, but her loving companion practically acts as if it had been a lifetime, nuzzling his slender muzzle against her side, and offering her more than a few licks on the palm of her hand (amusingly enough, actually drawing it into his muzzle…and slightly down his throat…during one of those little licks, just to tease her with that soft little feeling she seemed to enjoy so much).<br/><br/>With his side pressing against her thigh as he walks, Rak chatters away inside of her head as usual, as if the next stage of their journey together was just as casual as a stroll in the park.<br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold"> In the wilds….</span><br/><br/><br/>The journey proves to be surprisingly uneventful. The cool, green grass of the rolling hills outside of Espen crunches softly underfoot, leaving in it’s wake a sort of soft, ‘spring’ smell in the air. Nearly four hours into the journey, the four travelers come upon an old, abandoned farm – likely one of the last to be abandoned, given it’s proximity to the city. Upon closer inspection, it is very easy to see that there had once been a garden, rows upon rows of wheat and barley, and a few other mixed items like corn and pumpkins. It looks like whatever had once been there is already long-since raided, either by the house’s last occupants, or one of the many roving bands of bandits (Or even Gorvax raiders!) that made the countryside their home.<br/><br/>The house also seems to be raided, with little more than ceramic plates and clothing left behind. A single smear of blood on the inside of the door hints at just what might have happened to the house’s previous occupants…<br/><br/>Nothing of use, or to lead to any clues of who might have done this, are to be had inside the run-down old home.<br/><br/>The time wanes on, the hours of hiking seeming to fly past in an instant. Of course, the hike is made both a little more difficult for Lilium, Rak, and Sherani, with the added weight of digesting prey filling their bellies, and easier due to the little tingle of nutrions spreading throughout their bodies, the pleasure of being so utterly full and content – it made the added weight an easy one to bear. Even muscles, normally tired after a few hours of constant travel, seem not even the slightest bit fatigued, the nerves in seemingly every inch of their bodies overwhelmed with the incredible and constant pleasure of those nutrions coursing throughout their bloodstream, seeping into their very beings.<br/><br/>It was not until just two hours before nightfall the party finds their first real evidence of wild animals – and just how huge they were getting. This particular one, a raccoon that should have weighed no more than ten pounds…was easily nearly seven hundred pounds. Even a dire animal of it’s type would only be half as large, if that – it was enormous! Thankfully,it also appeared to be dead, the fur and flesh around it’s jaws, eyes, and paws corroded away almost to the bone. It was acidic in nature…but definantly not from the effects of a creature trying to digest it. The corpse appears to be almost two days old, judging by the smell (And nasty condition),  but whatever had killed it didn’t appear to have any interest in devouring it, either whole or cooked.<br/><br/>Deciding it would be best to put distance between the creature and themselves, the party continues on for another hour, just until the sun begins to sink too much to see. Camp is hastily made in a small copse of trees, protected on one side by looming boulders, and the other side by dense scrub cover , tents are set up, and bedrolls are unpacked. After a long day of hiking across the countryside, it was time to, finally, take a break. Not to mention, the location was perfect for a fire, where the light would be mostly hidden from those who – from a distance, at least – happened to be going by.<br/><br/>With a small, easily concealed fire made, the trio has a chance to relax and take a load off, at least for the night. Tomorrow, another day’s travel, with the party reaching the lycan encampment either late that night, or early the next morning. Tonight, though…it was time to relax!!<br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">Adanoa – Fully digested by Lilium in 4 hours time.<br/><br/>Nutrions (May pick 2 from the following list) – Athletic, Improved Natural weapon (claw), Silksteel stomach (+1 belly AC), Predatory inclinations (+1 vore check)<br/><br/><br/>Prendar – Partially digested by Sherani. (4 more hours remaining, or 2 of rest)<br/><br/>Nutrion – Wriggly - +1 to active escape checks, usable 1/day<br/><br/><br/>Nera – Partially digested by Sherani (4 more hours remaining, or 2 of rest)<br/><br/>Nutrions  (May choose 1 of the following 2) – +2 str, Intimidating Rage (Masters of the Wild, Page 25)<br/><br/><br/>Vrillik – Fully digested by Rak in 8 hours time.<br/><br/>Nutrions (May choose one of the following 2) – Weapon Proficiency, Tiger Claws,  Or +1 to attack when using the full attack action.</div></div></div><br/><br/><br/><br/>With a long day of travel behind them, the party is finally able to get a few hours of well deserved relaxation and sleep – tomorrow, another long walk, and possibly their first glimpse of the Hevex shifter camp (or, for Sherani, a sight they has been seen more than a few times.).<br/><br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">Going to allow a bit of time to folks to kinda get back into the flow of things (Me included). Feel free to RP as much as you like. I’ll be moving the day ahead when everyone decides to go to sleep! ^_^ There will not be much interaction from me, unless something creeps up on you during the night. &gt;:3 I do want to know who will take what watch, soon as everyone decides on it!<br/><br/>Once more, welcome back to the game. Let’s get this rolling! &gt;:3</div></div></div>