<div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 36pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;">Dragon Sword</span></span></div><div align="center">(http://i.imgur.com/OpHeEKc.jpg?1)</div><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;">An exciting quest of swords and wizardry for the Nintendo Entertainment System!</span></span></div><br/>It is said that the world was carved from the bodies of old gods.  The seas their blood, the mountains their bones, the sky their breath, and its life-giving soil a gift to mortalkind.  The oldest temples were built on places believed to be close to the ears of the gods so the faithful can better commune with them.<br/><br/>Although most folk today acknowledge these as myths and tales of bygone cultures, there are some who see some truth in the matter.  In the desolate reaches of Mardir there is  naught but sorrow; its volcanic ash blankets the sun so that crops cannot grow, its burning morning winds deadly to those caught outside the mountain-carved cave-cities.  The people are led in worship by High Priest Sargin, who teaches that only with the return of the Dragon Orbs can the sleeping god of the earth arise and vanquish their enemies once and for all.<br/><br/><div align="center">(http://i.imgur.com/NVXrUVm.jpg)</div><br/>For centuries Mardir was a backwater, abandoned by neighboring realms and empires.  But within the last year an army of monsters and men marched out from its mountain passes, laying siege to villages and burning them to the ground. (http://www.andreasrocha.com/gallery/2009-11-09-Burning-Village.jpg)  The messengers, the Mouths of Sargin, tell all that their lord wants nothing less than the legendary Dragon Orbs!<br/><br/>Flanked by a ring of mountains to the north, east, and west and the sea to the south, the prosperous nation of Xeneria has so far managed to elude the ravages of war.  But good King Adrat knows that it's only a matter of time until the dark priest's forces turn their eyes to his realm.<br/><br/><div align="center">(http://i.imgur.com/MKdoCNk.jpg?1)</div><br/>Sitting on his throne, his frame worn by years of politics and worry, Xeneria's ruler waits to hear the news from his messenger.<br/><br/>"Has Alliaris heeded our call?"<br/><br/>"Yes, she has!" the messenger said excitedly.<br/><br/>Two rows of trumpeters stood tall and proud, flanking the red carpet leading from the front doors of the throne room all the way up to King Adrat himself.  The chorus of trumpets went off to signal the elven mage-knight's arrival; even though he never met with her face to face, there was no mistaking her identity, for the tales of Alliaris' exploits were known from the capital city to the borderland villages.<br/><br/><div align="center">(http://i.imgur.com/p0wcNex.jpg)</div><br/>"It is good to have you here, My Lady," King Adrat said.  "As you probably heard, these are dire times in the continent of Nelaria.  My royal scouts confirmed the worst: Sargin's forces are advancing beyond Mardir to outlying nations.  Whether they be merchants, refugees, or wounded knight-errants the story is the same: villages that still burn and black-clad sorcerers commanding hordes of monstrous beasts."<br/><br/>King Adrat took a drink of water from a cup provided to him by his butler before continuing.  "Sargin cares nothing for diplomacy or plunder; his soldiers fight any who stand in their way, but I know, as do the other rulers of Nelaria's realms, that his vile cabal seeks the Dragon Orbs."<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">What Alliaris knows</div><div class="spoiler_body"><em>Everyone knows the tale of the six Dragon Orbs, but only a few learned scholars truly understood their significance.  It was said that in the early days of the world before the rise of mortals that the dragons, emissaries of the Gods, stored pieces of divine essence in magnificent circular crystals.  Their magic, when used for good, could make the land prosperous and wipe away disease.  When used for evil they could destroy entire civilizations.  Nobody really knows where they are anymore, or if they even exist.  But if they do, then they can't fall into the hands of a fiend such as Sargin!</em></div></div><br/>"I am afraid that the Dragon Orbs are no mere items of legend.  Fortunately none of the six lay within our nation's borders, but Sargin won't be content to leave us be if he's victorious.  That is why I summoned you here; even now his minions eye the seas and mountains surrounding our country, ready to mobilize if I send any detachments.  But a single skilled warrior such as yourself can easily slip their notice.  I heard the tales surrounding you, I know that that there are few in all of Xeneria who can best your skill.  You must find out all that you can about the Dragon Orbs, prevent Sargin's forces from learning the same."<br/><br/>King Adrat stood up and walked right up to the mage-knight.  His eyes were intense, carrying with them words of absolute sincerity.  "I know that I'm asking much of you, but if we lose then our peaceful days will come to an end.  And if we ultimately triumph, then your service will live on in the memory of not just Xenera, but the world!"<br/><br/><br/><br/><div class="floatleft">(http://i.imgur.com/GZ9Nsqk.jpg?1)</div><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body">Hi there Frozen Star!  I am Maple the Fairy, and will be helping you out on your quest! &lt;3<br/><br/>You can find my advice in handy-dandy notes like this spoiler box!<br/><br/>In system-based RPs, the OOC box stands for "Out of Character," and is used to communicate out-of-game information such as die roll links. (https://elliquiy.com/forums/dicebot.php?r=65367)<br/><br/>It's also useful for me to communicate information about what your PC knows, which Skynet will tell you!</div></div>