Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Light =&gt; Light: Exotic Small Groups =&gt; Topic started by: IrishWolf on 18-11-2013, 11:14:59</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>IrishWolf</strong> on <strong>18-11-2013, 11:14:59</strong>
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				Dark days dawn across the world of Veen, as kings and lords cave and crumble to the whispers of demonic agents. Small, petty wars spring up across the lands, as nations and races clash in blind fury, weakening themselves without even knowing the true enemy. At each other’s throats and unable to comply or hear the will of their gods, the mortal children of this world, help to fuel their own coming destruction. Evil they cannot or will not see, gathers it's strength, to strike against them, an almighty blow, that will crush all resistance. If anyone was to see the danger, they would find no hope, no chance, to stand against it. <br><br>Zruloh, a powerful demon lord, paced around the edge of his massive war room, inside a grim fortress in the frozen northern wastes. About large tables, leaning over maps, pointing at small models and talking softly stood dozens of warriors, planning campaigns in the south. Humans, who’s bodies were slowly succumbing to mutations caused by contact with demons, talked with goblin chiefs, who had been forced into the army or tried to get hulking giant chieftains to understand the very basic of plans. Here and there, lesser demons stood, uncaring for the plans of such creatures. Cringing slaves waited in the alcoves, ready to offer the finest of wines or crudest of liquors, depending on the taste of those who summoned them.<br><br>“When” demanded the demon, in a deep, unearthly voice, as he suddenly stop his pacing and glared around the room.<br><br>“Soon milord” answered General Thaddeus, a muscled human in plate armor, his hair graying and a pair of curling, ivory horns protruding from his brow. It was he, a mortal and not only of the lesser demon minions of their lord, who would be leading the destruction of the free world. A strange choice, given the fact that demonic beings rarely consider even the long living mortals, never mind those that rarely make a century old, to be idiots at best.<br><br>“A few more months and we’ll have the greatest army ever assembled” the human continued, as the others shrank behind him, “Even if those fools manage to stop trying to stab each other in the back and work together, we’ll outnumber them ten to one. Victory will be assured with a little more patience.”<br><br>“I have had centuries of patience” growled Zruloh through a maw of wicked fangs, “And it wears thins but…a few more months, I can wait.”<br><br>-------------------------------------------<br><br>“Then our bargain is made” rasped the undefined, ethereal black mass, which was the representation of death. A twelve-fingered hand emerged from the darkness, made from the bones of every living animal on Veen. It seemed to float there, unattached to a wrist or arm, hovering there. Clenched within those terrible digits, were several spheres of different colored light. They pulsed faintly, in the grasp of cold bones, almost in the same rhythm, as the breathing of a deeply sleeping man. It was like, if they were simply tapped, beautiful, strong light would shine out from them, to fill any room they were in or dance about, catching every eye.<br><br>“The souls” the voice rasped, sounding like a wind among dead leaves, holding the hand towards three shinning, vaguely humanoid shapes.<br><br>“Thank you” said a definitely female being, although her form seemed to waver between human and elven features, as she gently cupped the spheres in her hands, “Brothers, I will take them back to the mortal realm, hopefully we are not to late.”<br><br>-------------------------------------------<br>Weak sunlight filtered through a heavy cover of depressed gray clouds, which seemed to always hang over the Barrowlands. A mournful breeze drifted through the tall mounds of earth and stone, rustling among the long, dead grasses, which covered them. Everything felt heavy, as if the very air was pushing down upon the dead. Here and there, patches of flowers lay wilted, their colors faded and dull. There was an unnatural lack of bird song or the chirping of insects, as if nothing lived in this land, only the cold, uncaring of those that past on from life. From time to time, across the massive graveyard, there was the faint crackling sound, as weather worn stone finally gave into the unyelding power of time. Nothing lasts forever, not when&nbsp; no one maintained it.<br><br>Two day’s travel from the borders of the realm of the dead, something living stirred within a mound. A human male, muscled and dressed in clothing from ages many many years passed. He shifted about in a burial chamber, as though he stirred from slumber. With a groan, he woke suddenly to the darkness, clutching at his left side, above his waist but below his ribs, as if he was trying to hold in his guts or lifeblood. Tears flowed from his corners of his eyes and soaked his braided mustache. For a moment, he looked around, seeing nothing, feeling at his side, until he was convinced there was no terrible wound there and the strange tears stopped. He blinked, clearing his eyes and and unable to shake the feeling, he began to pat himself down, trying to find the source of this fear.<br><br>Instead, he found a smooth, thin, rectangle tucked under his tunic, resting on his stomach, just above the belt around his waist. Having no other course of action, he pulled it from the checkered cloth and stared at it, as a soft glow issued from the piece of ivory, dimly forming a pool of light around his hand. Holding it up, he discovered the edges of his rectangular prison. A slight panic built in his chest, He couldn't say in this small, tight chamber. His breathing quickened, as eyes darted back and forth. He beat and kicked at the walls, mighty fists and powerful legs slamming fruitlessly against stubborn stone until the panel at his feet broke away under the blows and crashed to an unseen floor.<br><br>Sensing freedom, he madly wiggling and writhed, until man fell out into a rough passageway, leading through the heart of the mount. His panic continued to grow, as he stared around at walls lined with stone panels, marking the places where bodies were stored for their deathly slumbers. It was a driving, primal need, causing his heart to pound on his ribs and his lungs to suck in quick breaths of stale air, tasting of rotten flesh. He had to get out! Picking a direction at random, he raced down the crude hallway, his booted feet stirring the dust, his eyes unnoticing the slight lighting of the gloom, until he ran into a massive, if off center and cracked slab of stone. With a grunt of pain, he bounced back and slammed his shoulders into the wall. Like the rest of the rest of the corridor, the wall was line with evenly spaced slots, each to hold a body but unlike the those deeper in the mound, this part of the wall had been heavily exposed to the elements, the stoned thinned and worn. <br><br>And as he slammed back against it, the wall gave way around him and he fell into the disintegrating graves. Chunks of stone, bones, parts of bones, scraps of clothing and small personal items rained down upon him. Something jabbed into his bicep and he grabbed at it, finding a dagger, the steel dull. Scrambling to his feet, and slamming his free hand hand against his body, trying to dust himself off, he looked around wildly, until his eyes finally caught on to the slivers of dim light cutting through the darkness, allowing him to calm down. Breathing slow, he spotted the glowing tablet, where it had fallen among the rubble. Picking it up, he turned to the door and began to prob the edge, feeling the earth and worn stone crumbling away under his touch. Seeing his chance, he beat away at the door frame, until he could get an arm through a hole but he was unable to loosen any more. Tucking dagger and tablet into his belt, he grabbed the door slab with both hands and pushed. Muscled flexed and his skin flushed red, until there was a moan, like the very bones of the earth were moving and slab slammed down to the ground. 
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				Title: <strong>Re: Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Siereis</strong> on <strong>19-11-2013, 00:22:49</strong>
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				The first thing she saw was a flicker of light through her shut eyelids.&nbsp; The intensity of the light increased as if begging her to wake up.&nbsp; The tall, awakening elf slowly parted her eyes that felt like they were heavy with sleepiness.&nbsp; Her sleep had been as if she had been there forever.&nbsp; It all felt quite wonderful.&nbsp; With her mind still foggy from dreariness, her thoughts turned to the day before...only to draw a blank.&nbsp; That was odd, she couldn't remember anything about going to sleep nor the events of the day prior.&nbsp; However, as her mind continued to frantically dance around as if looking for answers the girl suddenly realized she couldn't remember her own name, nor anything at all about herself.&nbsp; The pleasantness of waking was quickly replaced by the frantic grip of confusion and fear on her throat.&nbsp; From her sleeping position she quickly sat up, her breaths coming heavily as her large blue eyes glanced around for answers.&nbsp; Her long, tangled hair draped down in front of her face and the blanket that had been placed over her fell into her lap, covering only her lower half for the moment.<br><br>Her keen eyes glanced around the large room.&nbsp; By the look of it, she had awakened inside a temple room of some sort.&nbsp; The once white walls - while obviously once immaculately clean - were faded with age and cracks.&nbsp; The floor as well, once made of the finest of marble tiles, was broken as tree roots pushed their way through.&nbsp; Shaking her head to clear her confused mind, the unnamed girl decided to figure out where she was before figuring out who she was.&nbsp; Oddly enough, as she pulled the blanket to the side, a single stone tablet rested at her side.&nbsp; For the moment, she did not pay much attention to it, but somehow knew it was her's to take.<br><br>Reaching up to pull her hair out from in front of her face and tucking it behind either of her long ears, she then proceeded to climb from the bed which she rested.&nbsp; Pulling the blanket off of her, the elf started to move her legs and arms - why did they feel as if they had never moved before?&nbsp; What's more, as the blanket was pulled off of her tall and slender frame, the girl discovered that she was not clothed for sleep at all.&nbsp; Instead she was clothed in a dull red, form fitting dress that clung to her body.&nbsp; The dress with a neckline that came down to mid chest and lace at the hem and arms, was obviously not made to be walked in for long distances, would have been more at place at a dance or wedding.&nbsp; It came down to just below her knees and while it did not show much skin, it did cling to her.&nbsp; What's more, her feet were clad in a pair of matching high heels with golden straps that crossed her toes and heels.&nbsp; This was all very confusing - why was she here?&nbsp; Why was she dressed this way?&nbsp; And who was she anyway?<br><br>Deciding not to think too much, her body ached to act.&nbsp; She got down out of the creaking bed before placing her high heeled feet on the ground with a loud clap.&nbsp; Standing, the elf smoothed her dress down her frame before looking for a way to go.&nbsp; By the looks of things, nobody had obviously visited this place in a long time.&nbsp; There was one hallway out of the place on the far side of the room.&nbsp; The only light coming from holes in the ceiling that allowed beams of light to fall until they splashed on the marble floor.&nbsp; Not wasting much time, the elf female started to make her way towards that hallway.&nbsp; The only sounds in the room was swishing of the hem of her dress against her long legs as well as the clap clap of shoes against marble floor.&nbsp; Despite being littered with roots, the elf seemed to walk easily in the high heeled shoes and her graceful strides allowed her to quickly reach her destination.&nbsp; She kept the stone tablet that had been at her side clutched in one hand.<br><br>In front of her was a door, undamaged and from the lack of wear or age, apparently enchanted.&nbsp; Realizing that the door was probably the only way out of this....tomb...was through the door, the elf reached forward to take the handle before pushing it open.&nbsp; It gave way easily as if it were meant to be opened by her.&nbsp; As the door parted, she stepped out into the outside world and her eyes were immediately assaulted by the dull light of the sun.&nbsp; Shielding her eyes with one hand, it took her a moment to glance around at the obvious burial mounds surrounding her.&nbsp; Even the own door she had stepped from was one such mound, built into the side of one of the taller hills.<br><br>The chill of the dull landscape and slight wind against her dress clad form made her shiver in place.&nbsp; The dress had little protection against the environment, almost as if it were meant to never actually be worn by a living person.&nbsp; She grasped her hands on her sides before starting to walk forward into the mounds, those high heels digging into the moist ground slightly.&nbsp; It became obvious quite quickly she was alone.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SugarAndSpice</strong> on <strong>19-11-2013, 00:30:17</strong>
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				As gasp of air through long dead lungs, expelling ash and dust, a parody of a baby's first cry on leaving it's mothers womb. Murrin's eyes snapped open and faced with only with darkness and the dankness of hot breath in confined cold spaces she sought escape. Her claw scraped at the stone in an unfettered frenzy, three of the walls held fast testament to those who had carved the slabs centuries maybe even millennia ago. One side however was not so strong, under repeated gouges it crumbled revealing the much more yielding earth.<br><br>The primal need of light and air raced through her like adrenalin and she started to dig. She tore at the dirt as if it was an enemy's flesh, scrambled past roots, crushing the bones of others buried in the earth around her. Until finally she broke through into the air, it was the sweetest thing she had ever tasted. Getting to her feet she stood tall, silhouetted against the pale sky, she howled in delight the sound carrying for miles around. Life had stirred in the Barrowlands.<br><br>Her teeth spread in a grin she prepared to bound down the side of the barrow when her foot encountered something too smooth and clean to be a bone. She peered at the tablet, which glowed in a strange pale light. She picked it up in one had, instinct telling her that it would be wise to keep the artefact with her.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Belisuavious</strong> on <strong>19-11-2013, 04:46:02</strong>
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				"Jareth!" The name was shouted out into the dark confines of the mound. The man had awoken with a start, clutching at his stomach through the rough tunic he was clothed in. Breathing heavily, he sat up and quickly pulled the tunic off and threw it across the small room, feeling for the wound he knew must be there. But his fingers only ran across the puckered remains of an old scar.<br><br>Why had he been so panicked, so shocked? He wasn't in any danger here, not at the moment at least. He sat on the rough stone table that he had been laying on, leaning forward and resting his head in his hands. His golden hair fell around his head, leaving only a straight line of sight to the floor between his legs. Who is Jareth? Or who am I, he wondered.<br><br>Shaking his head, he stood. None of that would be answered by moping around. "First things first." He muttered to himself. "Where am I?"<br><br>He looked around the small confines. It seemed familiar, yet he couldn't quite place it... Suddenly there was a snap, like a dam breaking. It was a burial mound! How could he have forgotten, it was like the one that had been prepared for... for... for who? He stopped as he had been looking around. Why couldn't he remember this, this one thing that had been so clear for a heartbeat before.<br><br>He pulled on the previously discarded tunic, knowing that it wouldn't do any good to go wandering about in a pair of shoddy trousers and nothing else. He briefly wished he had a belt before something caught his eye. Under the cloth he saw a faint glowing tablet. Puzzled, he reached down to inspect it, though he couldn't quite make out what had been written on it. Shrugging, but keeping hold of the tablet, he used the glow to locate the entrance, a small tunnel that he had to stoop to enter, blocked off at the end by a wooden door.<br><br>The door was weak with age, which didn't make sense. 'How long was I laying there?' He thought to himself. It couldn't have been long, though he felt very well rested despite the stone table he had been on, yet there was no way he could have slept for that long. Pushing the thoughts of magic and faeries from his mind, he put his shoulder to the door and pushed. His bare feet dug into the earth as the door first resisted, then gave way and tumbled him into the outside world.<br><br>Standing up and dusting himself off, eyes narrowed against the sudden brightness, shrouded as it was behind the clouds, he looked around. He saw more graves that seemed to stretch on forever. As his eyes adjusted he saw that it wasn't all that bright out after all, as though even the sun didn't want to come here and did so only reluctantly. He took a few steps, hoping for another sudden epiphany like he had earlier, then had another sudden realization; He needed some shoes.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wheresmycow</strong> on <strong>19-11-2013, 05:02:53</strong>
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				<em>Wake up...</em><br><br>In an unadorned stone mausoleum, worn by the years of neglect and whims of weather, lay a large figure on top of a granite slab.&nbsp; For centuries, it had lain there, undisturbed and unmoving, a skeleton of what it once was.&nbsp; But now, vitality coursed through its veins, hot vitality that made it stir as it began to wake up from its eternal rest.<br><br><em>Wake up...</em><br><br>Claws untested for years began to clench and scratch at the granite, leaving deep groves.&nbsp; From a crack in the roof of the mausoleum, a gentle breeze teased black and red fur, and animal ears flicked in response to the sensation.<br><br><em>Wake up...</em><br><br>A weak beam of sunlight began to move through the mausoleum, guided by the movement of the clouds.&nbsp; As the beam traced the length of the furry form on the slab, it rested on the creatures face.&nbsp; Flinching at the light on its eyes, there was a growl of annoyance at the intrusion of its deep slumber.&nbsp; Lips peeled back, revealing the sharp teeth along its muzzle.&nbsp; The figure tried to shy away from the light, but the slumber had been broken, and what had been laid to rest was awakening again: a deep resounding rage.<br><br>And then golden eyes snapped wide open.<br><br>----------<br><br>From outside of the mausoleum, there was a yawn and the sounding of something shifting and moving inside.&nbsp; It approached the stone door that sealed the mausoleum tight.&nbsp; Even worn down through the ages, it was still a formidable structure.&nbsp; The sound of hands scrabbling to find purchase and a loud grunt could be heard from inside, as whatever inside struggled to free itself.&nbsp; Then there was a moment of panting before silence.&nbsp; Followed by an explosion as the stone door burst outward, showering the immediate area with debris as an entrance was forced open.&nbsp; The stone door pinwheeled as it flew, crashing into other grave markers and smashing them, gouging tracks of grave dirt, until it finally succumbed to the forces acting on it and shattered into large chunks that impacted deeply into the earth.&nbsp; Clouds of dirt filled the air, obscuring vision until the mournful breeze swept the clouds aside.<br><br>At the newly opened entrance stood a large gnoll.&nbsp; From the glint of its golden eyes, surveying the landscape, it was clear that whoever he was, he was angry.&nbsp; At it was most definitely a he, as all he wore was a pure white loin cloth.&nbsp; The purity of the colour could have only been some kind of joke, as there was nothing sacred or holy about the figure that exited its former stone prison.&nbsp; Taller than any normal gnoll, he looked like something from Hell had spawned him, or perhaps he had been spat out of Hell itself.&nbsp; He sucked in deep breaths of the musty, sickly air of the graveyard, frowning at he unsavoury flavour.&nbsp; Lifting up a thin, white tablet, he squinted at it, his brows furrowing in confusion before he dropped his hand back to his side.<br><br>In a deep, rumbling voice, the gnoll spoke, "Where is this place?&nbsp; Why am I here?"<br>He looked back at the tablet.<br>"And who am I?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SugarAndSpice</strong> on <strong>19-11-2013, 20:05:15</strong>
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				Once Murrin set foot on the solid ground, instead of the shifting earth of the barrow she took a proper look around. Rows upon rows of barrows surrounded her, she frowned, trying to dig from her mind where she had been before she woke up in a grave. But it was like trying to catch a dream, it dawned on her that she didn't even know what her name was, the rhythm of it played on the edge of her mind but refused to reveal itself.<br><br>Standing to her full height she put her nose in the air and sniffed for signs of life. The air was permeated with the smell of the long dead, yet underneath that she smelt other smells. Life scents. She fixed on one she recognised as gnoll and walked cautiously towards it. It was large and unmistakably male.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EndofDivine</strong> on <strong>21-11-2013, 04:35:53</strong>
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				Cecilia didn't understand why she was standing amongst this field of death. Sure, she understood the logical reason behind it but emotionally it just didn't make any sense. Why would these people listen to her? What could she possibly offer them? Why her? She fidgeted nervously, taking a deep breath to calm herself and doing her best to look as collected as a servant of the divines should on such an important mission. Her hands were clasped together in front of her, one on top of the other, as she stared out onto the graveyard. <br><br>The irony of searching for life among a graveyard wasn't completely lost on Cecilia and she half entertained the idea of this all being an elaborate prank - a ritual they put all the new members too naive to know any better through. But if there was anything she had learned about her templar brothers and sisters it was that they didn't joke. This was serious and she was here for a reason: to serve as a liaison between the heroes of ages long past and this world. They were the last desperate shot in the dark by a dying world - hope where there was none - and she was supposed help them acclimate to the situation as best as she could and help them through their interactions with modern society. Hardly glamorous work but still necessary. Cecilia was just happy to do her part. Helping to save the world is a pretty big deal...even if she was just to be a glorified chaperone. <br><br>Cecilia's head tilted back, her eyes squinting against the rays of the sun. They should be awake soon, confused and stumbling into the world like lost children. She stood patiently for what seemed like an eternity, her posture rarely changing except for an occasional shift in her weight or a roll of her shoulders, her lips pressing together and her white clothing making her contrast sharply against the drabness of the graveyard as she scanned the horizon. <br><br>Then she saw them - figures in the distance, the newly reborn heroes. She wasn't sure what to expect from them but she had to admit...the idea of finally meeting them almost made her want to scream and jump in excitement. But she wasn't to call attention to herself. They would find their way to her on their own time. It was important that they were given their space for now as they put what few pieces of their own personal puzzle they retained together. Baby steps - don't overwhelm them with information, take things slowly. Cecilia exhaled to calm her nerves, repeating everything she was taught in her head over and over. Her eyes closed as she practiced the speech she had prepared for just this moment just to keep her mind focused despite the enormity of the situation. But underneath her calm exterior, she was a whirlwind of excitement; her hands shook slightly and her legs bounced with anticipation. Soon, she'd be face to face with those she had dreamed about meeting for so long. <br><br>She couldn't help but smile - half out of excitement and half from relief - as another figure appeared, and then another. It was really happening...the heroes were here and they were going to <em>save the world</em>.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Belisuavious</strong> on <strong>21-11-2013, 20:29:47</strong>
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				Thankfully, the ground was soft and loamy, aside from the occasional root or stone that he happened to hit while walking. His first thought had been to break into one of the nearby mounds and see if anyone had been buried with shoes, but that plan fell apart quickly. Not because he had any problems with robbing a grave - he had woken up in one after all - but because if they were all as old as the one he had been entombed in, there wouldn't be all that much left.<br><br>Instead, he decided to take a closer look at the tablet he had found. He wasn't entirely sure he could read it, though some of the letters and words were familiar looking, although he didn't know why. Besides, he hadn't learned to read until, well he couldn't remember but he was pretty sure he had been able to at one point or another. Maybe if he ever found a way out of this place, he could find someone who could read it and explain what it said. For that he would need money, which led to all sorts of problems. He had no weapon, one set of poorly made clothes and he wasn't even sure what sort of skills he had. He vaguely remembered something about blood, but why that came to mind he wasn't sure.<br><br>Looking around the vast barrow land that surrounded him, he knew he had to pick a direction and just start walking. This land of the dead couldn't go on forever, right? Looking all around him, he thought he saw a person standing off in the distance. Deciding that it was better than nothing, he began walking in that direction.<br><br>"I'm going to need a name sooner or later." He said to himself. "But the problem is, I don't know what to call myself. I suppose I'll get to it eventually."<br><br>He could call himself Jareth, for that was the name he had shouted when he woke up, but for some reason he knew that would be wrong. Whoever Jareth was, they had done something to him. Neither had he thought to look for a name in the burial mound that he had awoken in. He let the matter rest in the back of his mind as he continued walking.
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				Title: <strong>Re: Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wheresmycow</strong> on <strong>22-11-2013, 01:42:08</strong>
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				Confusion filled the gnoll's mind.&nbsp; He had woken up with his veins filled with rage, ready to smite whatever foes were in front of him.&nbsp; Instead, he had been greeted with stifling silence, surrounded by cold stone and the stink of the grave.&nbsp; As the immediate fury subsided, another began to slowly burn inside of him.&nbsp; Why was he left abandoned in a mausoleum?&nbsp; He wasn't dead, he could tell that much.&nbsp; Yet he had been laid there, on a stone slab, with only a loin cloth on him for the sake of modesty.&nbsp; And as he tried to figure out who could have left him there, he realized that he couldn't think of any group.&nbsp; He couldn't think of any one.&nbsp; No faces, no names.&nbsp; And on further realization, he didn't even know his own name.&nbsp; A nameless being, with no sense of history, no tether to the past.&nbsp; Nothing inside the structure had even given him a hint of who he could have been.&nbsp; Only a thin white tablet that seemed to glow faintly was his sole possession, and even then he could not fully comprehend the significance of it just yet.<br><br>So he did the only thing he could think of, which was leave, channeling that burning rage into a method of escape.&nbsp; There had been some faint satisfaction at the wanton destruction, but the sight that greeted him only reinforced the fact that he was alone and lost.&nbsp; A graveyard, a place for the dead, and him the only living thing to awaken.&nbsp; Maybe he was dead, and this was his hell.&nbsp; Had he ever believed in hell before?&nbsp; Before he could ponder further, a change in the air made him turn his head.&nbsp; He wasn't alone.&nbsp; He could smell hot blood.&nbsp; There were other living things here.&nbsp; Tensing, not knowing if they would be enemies or not, he spotted a cautious figure approaching him.&nbsp; It was a gnoll.&nbsp; <em>She</em> was a gnoll.&nbsp; What was a female of his kind doing here?<br>"You," he said, gnollish words spilling from his tongue, "you are a gnoll as well.&nbsp; What are you doing here?&nbsp; Why are you naked?"<br>His eyes narrowed at her, trying to get a better look.&nbsp; Was there something familiar about her?<br>"Do I know you?&nbsp; I am trying to remember but-"<br><br>As he tried to think harder, to dredge the memories from whatever black pit lay in his mind, a searing pain erupted inside his brain.&nbsp; With a loud, angry growl, the gnoll clutched at his head with one paw, stumbling backwards.<br>"Rrr-argh, what is this?&nbsp; Why can I not remember if I have met you or not?"<br>Attempting to force it made the pain only grow worse, and he clutched at his head with both hands, falling to the ground as his teeth clenched tightly from the exertion.&nbsp; It wasn't long until he couldn't maintain it, and he panted heavily as he uncurled himself, slowly getting back onto his feet.<br>"What sorcery has robbed me of my memories?&nbsp; Tell me who you are, and what you know of me."<br>His words weren't so much requests as demands, and for a moment, the gnoll was perplexed.&nbsp; He was a male, yet he was taller than a female and giving orders.&nbsp; Who was he, that he was so comfortable to speak like that.<br><br>Before he could plumb the mystery further, the scents of other lives became stronger.<br>"Hold that, there are more people here.&nbsp; They don't seem to be fellow gnolls."<br>Immediately, the gnoll made way towards the other scents, the soft dirt shifting under his heavy weight.&nbsp; He didn't move quickly, opting to be quiet about his approach.&nbsp; If they were enemies, no need to announce his presence before he could see what he was dealing with first.&nbsp; The gnoll flexed his claws, feeling the strength in them.&nbsp; Somehow, he knew that whatever was out there wouldn't find him to be easy prey.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>IrishWolf</strong> on <strong>22-11-2013, 07:29:28</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Every story has a beginning, and this one began with pain. Bright, searing pain that blanketed the nerves, left the victim gasping for breath, his body in so much shock he couldn't even scream, though his mouth gaped open like a beached fish. Eyelids slammed back, though that made no difference to the darkness around him, arms spasming as he reached out desperately, vainly hoping to find some way to stop the agony that wracked his chest.<br><br>And then it stopped. Drenched in sweat, the man blinked, panting, taking deep breaths to steady himself as he tried to work out where he was. Somewhere small, from the feel of the air, the closeness of the walls felt rather than seen. He reached out with one hand, fingers running over the smooth stone that surrounded, up and across the roof only inches above his face. Some inscription lay directly above his head, and the man squinted in the darkness as his fingertips ran across it like a blind mans.<br><br>Unseen by anyone, his brow furrowed. This was a coffin. Why was he in a coffin? In that moment, it occurred to the man that, besides the pain of his awakening and the situation he was in, he knew nothing about where he was, or even who he was? All at once his chest started to rise and fall rapidly as the man rolled sideways in panic, bracing against the bottom of his prison, muscles tensing as the lid of the coffin grated slowly upwards. Grunting, the man pushed harder, spitting out a harsh "Move, damn you!" as the tablet topping the coffin slid another two inches, then froze. With one last feral roar, the man slammed his entire weight upwards, rewarded with a harsh crack, a heavy crash and a burst of blinding light that sent him falling back inside the coffin, eyes screwed shut. Lungs breathed air that no one had disturbed for years, the fetid aftertaste of the dust knocked up by the fallen tablet making him retch as he stared at the walls around him in the thin light coming from a hole in the roof of the room. <br><br>Coughing, trying to clear the dust from his throat, he climbed from the coffin, slowly. After the burst of energy, he felt stiff, as if he hadn't moved in a very long time. Stretching, he walked around the circular chamber he was in, searching the walls, until he found the door, a piece of carved stone, which wouldn't budge when pushed on but shifted and groaned when he pulled. Forcing his fingers into the edge and drawing a deep breath, he braced his feet and pulled with all his might. Grunting with the effort, as arms bulged and it felt like his sockets were about to pop, when the door swung open, crushing his hopes of an easily escape. Beyond the door, was a pile of rubble. There had been a cave in at some point and it had closed the central chamber, far better then any door ever could.<br><br>Defeated, the man slumped against the raised dais the coffin had rested upon and leaned his head back, as if to ask what was wanted of him. And thats when he got a good look at the hole in the ceiling. It was small but the earth and stone around it looked loose, if he could only widen it a little, he might be able to wiggle through, if he could get up there. Glancing around, his eyes fell upon the coffin lid. If he leaned that against the wall, he might be able to jump from the top and either miss and break his neck or he might be able to grab the edge. Forcing himself to stand again, he snatched a handful of rocks from the rubble pile before the door. With mighty heaves, he threw the rocks, smashing them into the earth around the hole and breathed in relief, as it widened. <br><br>Next came the muscle work. He had to drag the coffin lid over to the wall, closest to the hole he had widened and then lift it, so that he could climb up the thing and still be high enough to each his target.&nbsp; By the time he was ready to try it, there was a light shine sweat about his brow. Scrambling up the coffin lid, he tried to balance on the edge against the wall, his booted feet barely keeping from slipping, as he turned around and gathered himself. Almost falling, he jumped with a grunt of effort. At first he didn't think he was going to make it but then his hands touched the jagged edge of the hole, which began to give way. Somewhat hanging them, slowly slipping down, he wildly clawed at he edge, until he knocked enough away in his frantic haste, to find a solid piece of earth. Panting, he clawed, pulled and wiggled his way out, the red and blue tunic he was wearing getting covered in dirt, until he lay upon the burial mount. Standing, he stumbled away from the hole, fearing that the ground might give way under him. <br><br>And came into sight of another newly awakened man, who had been wandering among the graves for roughly an hour. The two of them were nearly mirror images of each other, although one was bearded and the other mustached. As these heroes of a nearly forgotten age stared at one another, emotions were sparked by memories, locked away inside their minds. Anger, envy, jealousy flashed through them, replaced by deeper, older and stronger feelings of love and trust. The one with the mustaches took his hand away from the hilt of the dull dagger and raised his right hand, waving for the man standing atop the mound, to come down and join him. Without knowing or understanding why, the bearded m,an did, slowly climbing down from atop the place he woke up in.<br><br>"What's your name" asked the first man, his gray eyes staring into blue ones of the second.<br><br>"I..." said the second, suddenly looking confused and worried, "I don't know! Whats yours?"<br><br>"I don't know either" whispered the first, suddenly pulling out the ivory tablet, hoping for answers there but was disappointed. The only thing written upon the otherwise smooth piece of bone was, Hero's Tomb. What that was, where it was or why it was written there, was unknown but perhaps the answers where at this Hero's Tomb. They were in a grave yard, that much was plain, so maybe it was nearby? He looked back at his counterpart and couldn't shake the feeling that he knew the man and knew him well, like they had spent a lifetime together. <br><br>"So" said the bearded one, "What do we do?"<br><br>"We" said the mustached man, "Head for that and get a look around."<br><br>He had raised one tattooed arm and pointed towards a large hill in the distance, where they could see the land for miles around and where they would find a one Cecilia. As they set out, walking side by side, towards the first step of a new destiny, they also set themselves on a path to mingle, with gnolls.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SugarAndSpice</strong> on <strong>23-11-2013, 11:15:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The sight of the gnoll she had scented was something to behold, Murrin had never seen one so tall, even the tallest females she had known would only reach his shoulder. And yet she felt no fear, knew that for some reason, she couldn't place it, that she should have the upper hand, the power in this situation. And yet there he was growling and demanding things of her. She scowled at him, sneering at his display, replying in the language of their species.<br><br>"I don't know your name, I'm missing my own as well, but what kind of a male are you whining on the floor like a pup that has lost it's mother. Stand up straight when you talk, and by the goddess grow some balls<br><br>Murrin didn't know why she was not suffering from the kind of pain that this male gnoll was. The longer a soul is in the hands of death the longer it can take to adjust back to the world of the living. Being the youngest of the heroes Murrin was, in a sense, closer to the living than the others. Murrin also caught the scent of the two brothers on the wind.<br><br>"I recognise the scent, as if I encountered a lot of these things, they smell small"<br><br>Crouching close to the earth Murrin moved towards them alongside Volkar, wondering at the faint feeling of annoyance that he wasn't letting her take the lead.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wheresmycow</strong> on <strong>26-11-2013, 01:12:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I don't know what kind of male I am, I don't remember.&nbsp; What about you?" the gnoll snapped back, looking down at the smaller female.&nbsp; "What kind of female is so small, being unable to reach my shoulder?&nbsp; Perhaps you were the runt of your litter?"<br>Though he didn't know where the source of the feeling was coming from, there was a desire to fight for dominance right then and there.&nbsp; Which made no sense, males never fought with females for dominance.&nbsp; But for some reason, it affronted him that she was walking beside him instead of behind.&nbsp; He wanted to swear to the Goddess for his confusion and mixed feelings, but the idea of it was unpalatable.&nbsp; Just who the hell was he, to feel so completely unsettled and upset with what it meant to be a gnoll.&nbsp; Before he could act further on his strange ideas, he could smell the scents getting closer and closer, too close now.<br>"We should hold this for now.&nbsp; With the other scents approaching, we may need to present a united front to gain some advantage.&nbsp; Especially if we are outnumbered."<br><br>Striding forward, it wasn't long until he made out the figures of two humans, males, walking towards them.&nbsp; The gnoll held up a hand, both to signal a greeting towards the two humans and to have the female gnoll hold.<br>There was a moment of consternation, as the gnoll was unsure how he was supposed to communicate, when he found human words spilling forth, "We intend for no conflict."<br>The gnoll's eyes widened, blinking in silence for several moments.&nbsp; Did he just say that?&nbsp; When the hell did he learn how to speak the human tongue?&nbsp; All of these questions were completely maddening to him.<br>"We are..." he looked at the female beside of him, "travelers.&nbsp; Our clan is lost to us."<br>Strictly speaking, he had told no lies.&nbsp; And the gnoll was uncertain as to how inexperience these humans were when it came to half-truths in the first place.<br>"We require food and water."<br><br>For a moment, the breeze changed direction, and as the gnoll sniffed the air, his ears stood up in alert.<br>"There's more of them.&nbsp; Hidden," he growled in gnoll before switching to human.&nbsp; "Tell your friends to come out.&nbsp; Neither of us have the intention of being ambushed."<br>To accentuate his point, he drew a clawed finger up and swept where the other scents were coming from.&nbsp; There were more coming, and one of them was hidden somewhere he couldn't immediately see.&nbsp; Where this humans lying in wait for the two gnolls?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SugarAndSpice</strong> on <strong>26-11-2013, 01:29:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Murrin scowled at him, her lips pulling back from her sharp teeth, still conversing in gnoll "Careful what you say, I have a better shot at your throat than you have at mine" She said no more on the subject as she had to admit that a united front would be better, especially if they needed to fight a path through unknown enemies <em> Nobody disciplined him in respect</em> She thought, though she couldn't remember any details she knew that he was a rare one to dare insult her.<br><br>She scented the others around them, they were not all the same scents, that much she was sure. She raised an eyebrow to hear a gnoll speak the human tongue so fluently. Hearing the words made her wonder if maybe she too had a similar skill, after all she was sure she'd at least been near humans before. But now was not the time to experiement, her eyes scanned the surrounding barrows for the other presences.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Belisuavious</strong> on <strong>26-11-2013, 20:27:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He walked for some time, still not entirely sure where he was going or why. Still, it had the benefit of distracting him from the nagging feeling in the back of his mind that he knew so many things and yet he didn't. Instead, he focused on putting one foot ahead of the other and keeping an eye out for someone, anyone, in this place.<br><br>Soon enough, he heard what he thought to be growling not too far away. It was low, and could have just been his imagination and desperation to find something out here, but he seized his chance anyways. Some nagging part in the back of his mind told him to not be entirely foolish, and heeding this unknown command, he quickly stooped and grabbed a rock that fit comfortably in his palm. For some reason he just knew he could throw this hefty stone with considerable accuracy, and going into this unknown situation, he didn't bother trying to find out where this thought came from.<br><br>He quickened his pace, and managed to catch the last part of a growling command from a voice too deep to be human. <em>Gnoll</em> the starnge part of his mind told him. But if not friendly then it was definitely not hostile either. Raising his voice, he called out to the pair.<br><br>"Hey there!" He shouted, his voice loud and clear. He was a little shocked at the volume, but even if he didn't know why, his was still the body of Daeryn and his voice had been trained to carry across crowded and noisy battlefields. "No need to worry, I had no intention of ambushing you in the first place." He continued, drawing closer, both so he wouldn't have to keep yelling and so the strangers could see him. There had to be another something around here, since the two gnolls were obviously not talking to him at first.<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EndofDivine</strong> on <strong>30-11-2013, 01:41:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Each second that passed caused Cecilia's excitement and anxious smile to fade slightly. The figures in the distance started as just silhouettes, her mind filling the shapes with heroic forms draped in fantastic armor and glimmering in the light. But as they drew closer, she began making out features; some wore the clothes of peasants, some lacked the stature and form she had imagined, and...were those <em>Gnolls</em>? The gods sent her gnolls?! Cecilia's hand rested against her face, a sigh escaping from her as she tried to deal with the mess this situation was quickly becoming.<br><br>But her contemplation was cut short as raised voices reached her ears. Her eyes looked down at the scene below her; they were arguing or perhaps even threatening one another judging by the postures of those she could see. Fantastic. Cecilia rolled her eyes at the display, suddenly wishing she was anywhere but here. Sadly, it was her duty to make sure their egos didn't clash - at least not violently - and she wasn't about to let the world end with some kind of macho pissing contest between those that were <em>supposed</em> to be saving it.<br><br>She wasn't supposed to interfere, at least not yet, but she still needed to get closer. She needed to hear what was being said and she needed to be in a position that would allow her to intervene should it come to that. As she walked down the hill toward the gathered heroes, she could only hope it wouldn't come to that. Cecilia shook her head to herself, laughing at the disaster this was quickly evolving into. So much for the plan...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>IrishWolf</strong> on <strong>30-11-2013, 21:29:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The brothers, although they didn't know they were at this point, had been walking for a time, mostly in silence. Conversation had either proved a strange loop of questions, which couldn't be answered or proved awkward, as neither of them remembered anything of interest. However that silence had proven companionable, as if they didn't have to talk to each other, just enjoyed the fact that they were around one another. They could no longer look back and point out the barrow they had meet upon but they could still make out the hillock, which had been their chosen point to survey the area and decide their next course of action. It was then, when they encountered their first companions, those souls restored to life from the pages of history and the one they saw first, was the powerful form of a male gnoll. <br><br>Now, the Warrior Kings of Sean and Rath, had never seen Gnolls in their past life and never heard of them. They had battled the wide spread goblins and hobgoblins, wandering giants and monstrous beasts before, treated with a Dwarven clan and dealt with Elven merchants and other humans tribes but they had lived far from the Sea of Glass, where Gnolls had roamed in their day. It had been many lifetimes after the brothers, that some of the hyenamen had been forced from the open grasslands of the southwest. However that did not stop them from instinctively dropping into fighting stances, fists clenched, with the mustached one grasping the dagger, as the Gnolls did fight the image of monsters or at least, evil humanoids.<br><br>However, they were both startled when the first of the creatures (as there were two of the things), raised a paw-like hand in the sign of peace and spoke to them. They didn't recognize the language at first but as they ran the words over their tongues and looked at each other, they realized that it sounded a lot like what they would have called Trade Tongue, which it was. By the time Volkar, a language called Common among humans, had evolved from the mishmash merchants had used among the varying cultures of the world and subsets of racial languages that had started appearing among isolated communities of the elves, dwarves and goblins. Talking softly but swiftly among themselves in their native tongue, the brothers puzzled out just what had been said, all the while keeping an eye on the two creatures. <br><br>"We" said the mustached one started, speaking slowly, "Are lost too."<br><br>"What others" asked the bearded human, just as another voice rose from among the burial mounds around them, off to their left. Together, the brothers turned, so that they were face both the pair of Gnolls and the man, as he came hurrying into view. Blue and grey eyes flicked from Gnolls, to man, as the brothers touched shoulders, reassuring themselves that there was someone to watch his back, if this turned nasty. And there were more hidden among the rocks, if the creature had been right in asking for their so-called friends, to come out of hiding, friends they didn't even know where there. <br><br>"What are your names" asked the brother with the dagger, acting on sudden inspiration. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wheresmycow</strong> on <strong>03-12-2013, 01:31:31</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Why go for your throat when I can tear your head off, little pup," the gnoll growled back, though it lacked the same vitriol as his earlier comment.&nbsp; Whoever he was, he wasn't inclined to take any disrespect, but he wasn't going to have a fight with the female right here and now, not with these humans watching on.&nbsp; Already there were three of them, all three male, and there was the scent of some others out of sight.&nbsp; While one of them, away from the two grouped together, protested against any hostile intent, the two others went into a more battle ready stance.&nbsp; The gnoll should have felt threatened by this, but part of him understood the threat that two gnolls and a sudden stranger posed.&nbsp; The other part of him felt oddly cool and calm.&nbsp; No, that wasn't quite right.&nbsp; There just a well of confidence in him that didn't feel threatened by such a small weapon.&nbsp; Still, threat or no threat, he felt compelled to diffuse the situation some what.<br><br>"Lower your weapon," he said to the one holding a dagger, sitting down on his haunches to indicate a more relaxed stance.&nbsp; "Let us have a peace talk then, if no harm is meant to be had."<br>The question regarding his name stirred a faint shimmer of pain in his head, making him wince slightly, and he shook his head, "I would give my name, and ask for yours in return, but I can recall no such thing.&nbsp; I have woken up to circumstances that have left me little in the way of information that I could give you in a peace talk.&nbsp; There is no use in asking for the females name either, she is presumably in the same situation as I am."<br><br>Taking a look at the three men again, the gnoll's eyes widened, "Wait, perhaps you have woken up in the same way.&nbsp; In a mausoleum, with only the clothes that you wear right now and no memory as well.&nbsp; Is that true?&nbsp; Are you also prisoners of the present with no link to the past?"<br>Before he could say any more, the scent that he had caught earlier seemed to be growing closer and closer.<br>"This one doesn't smell male.&nbsp; I think it's a female of their kind.&nbsp; You are smaller than I am.&nbsp; If you are confident in your skills, perhaps you can hunt her and bring her here."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SugarAndSpice</strong> on <strong>03-12-2013, 02:54:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Murrin snorted at the request, some unknown confidence at such a request rose up in her and her mouth twisted into what passed for a smile in gnolls, though for other species looked more like a mad grimace If you think that you can handle these three without me babysitting you, old man She dropped to all fours, wheeled around and shot off in Cecilia's direction, the dead air enhanced the few living scents making it easy to follow.<br><br>She soon saw the small female figure and stopped a short distance from her to show she wasn't planning to attack her You should come with me,I have a feeling you are same as us Murrin's skill with the so called Common tongue was passable enough to understand but she did not have the same eloquent grasp of it as Volkar, after all her only contact with humans had been while stealing from them or killing them.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EndofDivine</strong> on <strong>04-12-2013, 00:53:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Cecilia had lost herself in her thoughts as she slowly made her way down the hillside, outwardly cursing at the fact that she wore sandals rather than some sort of hiking boots. Someone should have told her there would be this many hills. And speaking of things someone should have told her...gnolls?! How on earth were those creatures considered heroes worthy of the gods' attention? <br><br>A voice from behind her snapped her out of her thoughts, a surprised gasp escaping from her as she spun around, her hand hovering over the small sword at her hip. It was one of <em>them</em>, come to collect her as though she were part of the group that had gathered. It was at least a promising sign to see them coordinating like this. Cecilia's hand slowly drifted away from her weapon, composing herself and straightening her posture; it was important that she represented the order properly, even in front of the creature before her. Her voice was calm, a hint of pompousness lingering on her words. "Very well, I shall come along with you. Take me to them." This of course shattered any hope of her following the plan or sticking to the script she had rehearsed countless times in her head. Maybe it was better this way? It would be much easier for her to keep an eye on everyone if she were mixed among the group from the start, the time when they perhaps needed her guidance the most. <br><br>The trip back to the others would be a quiet one, at least for Cecilia. She had nothing in common with this gnoll and nothing to say that was of any importance and she inwardly hoped the gnoll shared the same sentiment. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wheresmycow</strong> on <strong>08-12-2013, 23:49:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I'd rather die than have you watch over me," the gnoll retorted as she left.&nbsp; "Exercise caution."<br>He watched her slink away, mildly impressed at her skill though he tried not to show it.&nbsp; She didn't need to the ego boost as far as he was concerned, and in the power games they were playing with each other, it would make her look superior to him if he acknowledged her skills.&nbsp; Despite being a male gnoll, he despised the idea of losing to the female.&nbsp; Something from his hidden past.<br>Looking to the human men, the gnoll spoke in a low voice, "There is something that must be taken care of.&nbsp; Presumably it will not take too much of our time."<br><br>Sitting on his haunches, he gave the three men a closer look.&nbsp; Two of them seemed to share resemblance to each other, though they had a different pattern of fur.&nbsp; Humans called it facial hair, but fur was fur.&nbsp; Unlike gnolls, they had much less, and sometimes grew it or cut it completely, or ornamented it.&nbsp; Some bemoaned the lack of it on the top of their heads, while others deliberately removed it.&nbsp; It was... amusing.&nbsp; He paused for a second?&nbsp; Wait, how did he know this?&nbsp; He had just met these humans, and he couldn't remember a time when he met any other.&nbsp; How did this information suddenly appear in his head?&nbsp; Why was it that useless information seemed to float to his memory unheeded, but every time he searched it was a struggle he couldn't win?&nbsp; Perhaps there was a key to this then, some kind of trick.<br><br>Before he could muse any further, and whether or not the two similar men were from the same litter or not, the female gnoll had returned, now with a female human.<br>"Any longer and I may have died of old age, little one," the gnoll grunted.&nbsp; "This would be the other matter I was talking about.&nbsp; Female human, we are having a peace talk.&nbsp; I would have your name, so I know who I am dealing with."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>SugarAndSpice</strong> on <strong>09-12-2013, 18:10:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I didn't realise you were so close to death, Old one She threw carelessly back at him as she walked up to the group with the human female. She hadn't bothered to ask Cecelia any questions as she was sure plenty of them would be asked and maybe in turn answered. During the walk back she had tried to see if she could grasp her name, yet all that was coming to mind was a Muur sort of sound but she still couldn't place it.<br><br>As Volkar spoke to the female Murrin inspected the human men, they struck her as being leaders, there was a promise of strength despite their ragged appearences. <em>Maybe guardians of a human settlement</em> She frowned as various information about human settlements entered her mind, why would she have gone anywhere near them when Gnolls controlled the Sea of Grass?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Belisuavious</strong> on <strong>10-12-2013, 04:45:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The gnoll-speak was confusing for him, having never heard it before, and only vaguely knowing what a gnoll was. The common tongue was more familiar, although he found himself groping for a word or two here and there. He kept silent as the other humans approached and spoke with the gnoll, still trying to figure out what to make of this situation.<br><br>"That sounds about right." He cut in as the large gnoll talked of waking with no memory. He suddenly remembered the tablet he held in his hand. "I'd be willing to guess you all woke with one of these as well." He held the ivory stone up for the others to see. It crossed his mind that he hadn't actually read the thing yet, but that could wait for later.<br><br>"I don't suppose you'd have any idea of what's happening?" He directed this to the newly arrived woman that the smaller gnoll had apparently run off to get.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EndofDivine</strong> on <strong>10-12-2013, 14:24:16</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Her stride was cautious as she came into view of the assembled group, her heart and breath almost frozen in her chest as she approached. Her eyes scanned over each person from head to toe in turn, studying them and trying to assess the situation as best she could. Those before her were underwhelming to say the least. She wasn't sure what she was expecting to find out here but it certainly wasn't this. It didn't help that each assembled member seemed lost and confused, which she supposed was to be expected considering the circumstances. Then the larger of the two gnolls spoke, asking her name. Yes, getting answers was always a good place to start. Hopefully she could alleviate some of the confusion and unease she sensed among them, though most of the unease seemed to be shared between the two gnolls rather than between human and gnoll.<br><br>Cecilia clasped her hands in front of her lap, her attention and voice directed more at the humans among her rather than the gnoll who had actually asked the question. "I'm Cecilia Sevandir; priestess and oracle of the Order." The corner of her mouth curled slightly in a smile. She usually enjoyed the responses such an introduction garnered from civilians; surprise, awe, amazement. Those who had suffered greatly from the constant warfare always seemed taken in by her the most. They pleaded with her, begged her to take pity on them - as if her prayers on their behalf wouldn't fall onto deaf ears. That was always the hardest thing for her to do - to pull her arm away from those that clung to her like a life preserver and dismiss their tales of sorrow with an apology. There wasn't anything she could do to help those people...until now. That was part of the reason she even agreed to this in the first place. But the souls gathered in front of her now didn't seem phased in the slightest when she gave her name and title. Of course they wouldn't be impressed...why would they be?<br><br>One of the men spoke next, the smallest out of the three and easily the least intimidating, asking the question she both looked forward to and dreaded all at once. Of course she knew what was going on and she wanted nothing more than to speak for hours with those around her about about destiny, fate, adventure, and saving the world. But that was too much, at least for now. They didn't even know their names, much less who they were or why they would be here...it wouldn't exactly be an easy story to sell. "Yes, I do have an idea what's happening." Cecilia grimaced as she struggled over how to continue, with how to lead them along toward their destinies without overwhelming them or scaring them away. Her head titled back and her hands rested on her hips as she exhaled deeply toward the sky. Finally, her attention turned back toward the man that addressed her, the beginning of her story addressed almost exclusively to him before her head turned to include the others into her tale.<br><br>"Like I said, I'm an oracle. Months ago..." Cecilia's eyes entered an almost dreamy state as she began to speak of her vision, almost as if she were recalling a fond memory, "I saw figures congregating at this place, lost and without purpose. Their path was lost to them, their course clouded. There was something they needed to do and yet, they knew not what it was." Cecilia sighed as she continued, her shoulders shrugging as if there was something she couldn't explain to herself. Her arms fell heavily back to her side, her hands smacking audibly against her legs, the dreamy fondness replaced with a look of sadness. "At least that's what the Order tells me. I'm like you I suppose. Whatever I saw was so intense that it robbed me of my memories...and my ability." The last admission came much slower and felt almost pained, as though the loss of her visions stung her greater than the loss of her memories. <br><br>"But I'm here now and while you may not know your purpose, I do know mine. I am here to guide you, to help you recover what you are and what you should be." Cecilia approached Daeryn, her hand gesturing toward the tablet whose existence he had shared with the others previously. "I believe the first step has already been made for you. If you desire to reclaim your past, then the next step is yours to take."
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Return of Heroes: Quest for the Tomb</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Wheresmycow</strong> on <strong>11-01-2014, 01:25:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Not as close as you will be if you continue to try my patience," the gnoll grunted back before listening to the oracle's words.&nbsp; Her admittance that she had some idea made his ears perk up in interest, and he paid her more attention, trying to tease out if she was dealing truthfully with them or if she was concealing anything from them.&nbsp; Though she was human, he found that he could understand some of her expression, the way she formed words and the tone used, and the posture of her body.&nbsp; It wasn't a great read on the human female, he found the female gnoll much easier to understand in comparison, but he could tell that there was some sincerity to her words.&nbsp; Whether or not she was hiding anything from him was beyond his ability to detect, though perhaps when more of this mystery about who they were was uncovered, he would know better.<br><br>Digesting the oracle's words, the gnoll began to laugh in the hyena-like giggle that was typical of gnolls, but it came out much deeper, as if coming from deep underground and through the mouth of a wide cave.&nbsp; A heavy fist pounded the ground in humour, and with casual strength he crushed a tombstone in his other hand as he pushed himself up onto his feet.<br>"I see, I see.&nbsp; So blind males and females are to be guided by an oracle who has lost her sight.&nbsp; Most amusing, most amusing!"<br>The gnoll continued to laugh, slapping his knee in a very human-like gesture of amusement.<br>"So who we are, our identities, is held ransom until we complete some unknown duty, given to us by unknown beings.&nbsp; I would say that sane people would call that crazy and be more obstinate."<br><br>"So I say agreed, I will let you, blind oracle, guide me.&nbsp; Because sane people do not wake up in a graveyard with no memories.&nbsp; Already we are involved in some insanity."<br>Holding up his white tablet, he tossed it at Cecilia's feet.<br>"What duty has been given I can not read.&nbsp; So if you have not been robbed of all sight, then you will read it and we can be on our way yes?"<br>The large gnoll looked at the others, eyes meeting theirs with a grin full of fangs.<br>"So who else will join in on the insanity?"
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