<div align="center"><strong>  <span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 24pt;"><span class="bbc_u">The Keepers of the Seed</span> </span> </strong><br/></div><br/><br/><br/><em>“Long ago in the forest of Rosewood a band unlike any other was going to be formed. Forged from bloody battles, painful losses, and inspiring courage. These few would walk into the pages of history with the world resting upon their very shoulders. But, before all of this a simple action needed to take place. The first step towards greatness, care to guess what that step was children?” the old man says while looking down at the curious faces sitting upon the floor in front of him. <br/><br/>“Really? Not a single guess.”the old man looks upon huddle mass.  “A bar fight!” yells one of the children as the others giggle at his words. “Betrayal? Smashing stuff? Visions?” The children quickly start to list off everything they had heard since they were able to form words. The old man chuckles and mutters a few simple words as the voices from the children go quiet. The children turned towards one another baffled at the loss of speech as the old man turns a page from his book. “All that and more children, All that and more. Let us begin.”</em><br/><br/><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="bbc_u"><strong>Chapter 1 The Meeting of the Keepers. </strong></span></span><br/><br/><strong>Dirk:</strong>Everything was going just fine, your contacts were on their marks, the set-up was a snap. You even got to the safe house without a hitch. The only problem with it all was that said safe-house was a disguised jailhouse. The likes that you never had seen before. For this particular jailhouse was mobile and the guards clearly deaf. No matter the insult of bride you granted them in turn for freedom seemed to work.<br/><br/>Cursing your luck and vowing a swift return to the petty town that ratted you out you, forcefully, set off down the bumpy dirt roads of the Rosewood forest, heading towards the city Corret, where you would have to bribe the guards for a third time to get away once in their jail. But along your trip you take note of the attitude the four guards are taking with you. They seemed worried over something and on edge each night.<br/><br/>On the dawn of the 3rd day they break camp and you decide it’s time to figure something out. Palming your utensils they gave you for breakfast you look for a way out to get your goods once again.<br/><br/><strong>Lisa</strong>: Traveling about the human lands always seemed to brighten you days that the elven gods have given you. For today was just as blessed as the day before. You are given the chance to see the joys of Corellon and his miracles with each step you take. Such steps have brought you to a nearby abbey that rests within the woods of Rosewood. It is a small place home to a number of monks and priests.<br/><br/>But unlike the other abbey it seems that this one has been formed from the forest itself. Six large trees form the main hall as the canopy branches arch over and create the ceiling. All matter of wildlife flitter about as monks tend to them and their own needs. Here you are to meet the head priest and seek blessings as you travel through the woods. More out of a formal need to show respect then fear of their god. Entering into the main room you start your search.<br/><br/><strong>Mercury:</strong>Days have passed since last you saw your prey. Elusive as a fox and as fast as a hawk you finally have tracked the beast to its lair. A large moss covered cave rests a mere 100ft away and the tracks of the creature lead straight up to it. Along with the sprinkling of blood from the arrows you spent trying to slow the beast down. But little escapes your keen ears and you hear it panting within its home.<br/><br/>A week ago you heard word that some foul creature was slaughtering villagers in the evening and dragging them away to feed upon their flesh. Knowing that you cared somewhat about the poor folk and a bit more about your own survival as you traveled about the woods of Rosewood it was better to hunt then be hunted. With years of practiced ease you prepare to bring the creature to death. Beside who else could track a Dire wolf this far and not be harmed?<br/><br/><strong>Jareth:</strong>Wiping the blood clean from your blade you look upon the fool that challenged you for right of passage upon the road you ride upon. Not wishing to harm the man at first he would not be cowed into submission from stance or threat. He came with wild abandon and tried to strike you down. A few moments later he was gone from the world and into the arms of the gods themselves. A blessing if he was always this way with the people upon “his” road.<br/><br/>Kneeing the sides of Calamith you continue on your way as you head up toward the village of Morlic about a days ride or so, or so the map you purchased from the hunter had said. Still the man hadn’t haggled to much over such a gift of direction but upon looking at the page once more you believe that it clearly was outdated. But with a road in front of you, you travel on. That was until you reached a crossroads that wasn’t shown upon your map. One branches left and the other right. Cutting two paths into the forest as you come to a halt. Which path leads to Morlic and which delays your travels farther.<br/><br/><strong><br/>Ayi'yan:</strong>A number of arrow peppered bodies flash through your head as your memories flash into your head of the last task the abbey had given you. Raiders, thieves, slavers, murders, your priests had said they were. Like you needed an excuse to slaughter those weaklings as they fled into the brush to hide from your arrows. They had cried and begged to the shadows as you ended each of their lives in glory of your church. But still the memory flitted about your mind as you meditated on the days events. The abbey was expanding and the elders were sending you farther and farther away each time. Making you wonder as to why this was the case as others came and went from the abbey to nearby hamlets. Did the abbey not like your methods?<br/><br/>Of course you were brutal and swift when it came to dealing with filth, examples needed to be made. But you feel their gaze upon you each time you report. The glory of the abbey you say as you mimic their words. You feel like it is towards it’s glory but somehow they do not. Opening your eyes and clearing away the incense you see a scroll case upon your side. Beaking the seal you see a request in an elders writing. Meet with a local priest and bless her travels is all that is say. Holding it up to the flames of a torch you see the other message. “Watch them until they exit our woods it says.”<br/><br/><strong>Gorvis Wendelin: </strong>Trouble here, Trouble their, trouble is everywhere. Since you left the safety of the travel minstrel’s band you wonder if anything in this world can be claimed as safe and peaceful. Well perhaps not peaceful but at least safe to the degree. Still you snuggle into your warm blanket as the cold of night lifts up and the sun break through the tree limbs of the forest of rosewood. You look out of the bushes you called home for the night and see the dummy fire and bedroll untouched. Clearly the man in the tavern was laying about body snatchers in the night. It was pleasing that you rigged his wagon to lock up before you left town the day.<br/><br/>Stretching your tired and cold limbs you quickly remake the fire and start to make breakfast. Pondering over where you would need to go from here. Hundreds of places were good to view and observe but only one would work for your needs. A sudden snapping noise from behind sends you flying into a bush as a tree limbs crash through the canopy of trees. Calming your heart you return to your meal as another sound echoes through the woods, the sounds of horses and wheels.<br/><br/><strong>Orchid:</strong>Wind, water, earth, and fire. All these things are nature and you it's guardian. For decades this has been and for centuries to follow it will be. But at times a balance will tip towards one side or another and you are called forth to do what is needed to bring it about once more. Bringing the scales into alignment. So you find yourself deep within the woods of Rosewood seeking just what it was that the woods called to you out to preform. Like wisps they speak in whispers and keep the truth hidden from your eyes. You know that you must follow for to ignore them only brings trouble and misery to those around. But lately the woods words a distant and unclear. The task is muddy like the waters you see upon the storm. Fear echos from the trees and animals lash out in anger. Something is happening within the woods and the order wishes to know. You find yourself upon the dirt road of Rosewoods forest once more. Heading towards an unknown direction with the woods itself as your guide.<br/><br/>