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 Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 7:45 pm
Perhaps you have heard of a world both strikingly similar and vastly different in comparison to our own. A world of beauty, wonder, mystery, and magic, some call it a world of Perfection.
Unfortunately, this is where the line between optimism and imagination is overstepped. This same world of intriguing fantasy also holds disease, famine, mistrust, monstrous creatures, racial tension, territorial factions, and all the conflicts that often stem from such things.
The background story is simple enough. For the longest time, there were three known races: Human, Elf, and Untamed. They struggled, they argued, they warred, and in some cases-- they banded together when failed, ghastly Wraith creatures of the god of creation escaped their heavenly prison and began to lay siege upon their world. In this chaos was formed a paradoxical peace, a harmonious sense of cooperation like never before seen.
However, the races move ever closer to the day that they shall ultimately overcome the Wraiths and their evil designs. Thus the black and white diffuse once again into an ugly gray as the species began to slowly degrade themselves back into a state of bickering. Further disruptive of the wartime peace has been the appearance of a fourth sea race known as the Tideborn race. Curiosity and goodwill has found itself overpowered by fear and mistrust.
The harmonious city-pillars of Archosaur and Thousand Streams have begun to rot from within as the termites of self-centered factions and violently hateful groups have broken out in full swarm.
The only hope for diplomacy and peaceful coexistence now falls in the hands of those willing to risk their lives and all they hold dear in order to protect the peoples of the world. These are few and far between, and fewer still with true power and skill to make their ideals a reality.
Let us now follow two such people as they discover several others much like them, all in one place:
Mercenary Faction, Dwn2Bsnss.
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Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 8:46 pm
"Thank you, sir. I will go consult her now."
The young human male of orange, spiky hair and a thinly muscular build offered General Summer of Archosaur a modest bow and then proceeded to follow the detailed verbal directions which weaved him elaborately through the city-- a bit too elaborately. In fact, had he not been instructed to follow the directions exactly, he could have cut down his walking time threefold. This boggled the mind of Baskin Sohjeff, for the general was renown for many things, a keen sense of direction being one of them. Surely this would be more prominent, and not less, in the grand city in which he was stationed!
Regardless, after his third weave through the notoriously busy western district, he finally came upon a large pool in a remote section of Archosaur, vice-capital of the world alliance. It was there he saw a small group of assorted classes and races, among them a woman whom hailed him on sight.
Her wave was a cheery one, and her flowing hair a rare blushing pink. She was tall, lithe, and clothed in what appeared to be pure azure silk of the finest arcane ware. Yet also on her person was the sheath of a very large sword, the golden hilt of which being crafted so masterfully to resemble a ferocious lion, with inviting mesh indentations placed oh so precisely for a set of fingers that it must have been custom crafted. Her "armor", somewhat low cut and periodically frayed at the bottom, only added to what Baskin considered already stunning beauty.
"Baskin, brother of famed General Lieu! Welcome, and yes, I'm used to being stared at."
Blushing only very slightly as he realized that he had indeed stared just a moment too long, he proceeded forward to stand before the woman. "Good afternoon, ma'am. I assume you are--"
"The one who sent for you, yes. I am Sera, leader of the mercenary group Dwn2Bsnss. Despite what many have called your birth weaknesses, defects, whatever they say behind your back, you have proven yourself to be an extremely capable person in many of those things which you can and have done-- battle included." Baskin stood silent, listening, holding in check his inner shock at the woman's bluntless and...sincerity? "Yes, you...You are different, and different is in all too short a supply. Your will is a force of its own, and I wish to recruit that will to my mercenary group."
"...Mercenary?"
"Yes, you heard right! We're little known and like to stay that way, but we are the premier peacekeeping force of our time, built due to and well suited for the turbulent times which all our races face. But yeah, enough of that spiel. You want to prove yourself, and you want to do justice. This is your chance at both. Are you in? Of course you are, I see it in your eyes."
Baskin blinked, and nodded. "I...you honestly can see it, this much I can tell. I feel that you are quite--"
Sera broke out into laughter. Very hearty laughter. "You flatter me, Baskin! But yeah, shut up and listen to your first mission. Kingston Forest surrounding Inn of the Eagle. A disturbance, Elves and Untamed. Slavery, battle, murder, the works. It's rather delicate, extremely dangerous, and completely your trial job. Though, I will allow you one partner if you so choose."
"...Pardon?"
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Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 9:08 pm
"My brothers?" A voice, quite on the verge of booming,sailed past Baskin and addressed Sera. It drew her attention with a sort of authority that was hardly recognized by humans and never purposely implied by the man that half-wittedly demanded it. He was merely born into a force that was quite influential, as Baskin would come to find upon turning his eyes.
With shoulders wider than Archosaur's gates, a chest fit for only the strongest mallets to pound upon, features stern enough to cut through glass, and an overall build that rose this being up beyond the clouds, Hasani's presence became engraved in the moment. His presence, surely, was something else, as often demonstrated by those whom vacated the street at the mere unsheathing of his shadow.
"I gotta answer their call," The untamed, dressed in the qualities of a most prideful lion, calmly continued. His gentle voice betrayed his image and set those whose backbones quivered at ease. Sera, in either case, was likely not moved. "No matter what trouble be brewin', I can handle it," The gleam of metal reached a height as Hasani repositioned his body slightly to where the sun could elaborate on the fine metals contained within the large hammer thrown across his back. It tended to take the eyes off his tanned, healthily glowing hide. Maybe even from the exotic markings sprawled all over his arms. "Ya can expect that of me, yeah?"
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Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 9:33 pm
Having been introduced to several shocking factors in all of fourty-five seconds, Baskin found himself once again susceptible to the staring habit as Hasani approached the company, but found freedom from it somewhat quicker this time, as Sera was quick with her counter speech.
"Of you, Hasani? Undoubtedly. Your hearing and timing prove yet again to match the strength of your body as a whole." She grinned, indeed unmoved.
She then proceeded to make a flourish-point at the manly, effeminate...man, Baskin, so previously introduced to everyone but Hasani. "Baskin, brother of general, meet Hasani, son of elder. Hasani, Baskin. Hey, you're practically friends already! Well met. Okay, save the chat for the road. Read this oracle, and when you're done with it, hand it back to me so I may erase the evidence of it from all history but that of our minds." She extended her hand out to the both of them with the rolled up piece of parchment.
Baskin, in his politeness, allowed Hasani to read it first.
Meanwhile, Sera continued talking. "Well, Baskin, nevermind choosing. It would appear your partner has chosen you. I would wish you two luck, but I sincerely doubt you'll need it; after all, you either die or you don't, right?" She elbow nudged Baskin jokingly, and then Hasani.
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Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 5:50 pm
At Sera's grin, Hasani couldn't help but bear his pearly white fangs. Being the onlooker that he was, perhaps Baskin was trying to decipher whether this smile boar threatening or humored tenses.
In any case, the stretch of the lips faded as soon as both of Hasani's orange spheres rolled in their sockets towards Baskin. The piercing features lightened a bit. The impressionable lion expressed his silent evaluation of his companion. Each and every little detail was assessed automatically within the man's brain, then compiled together in a short and sweet report his person could fully understand. When this occurred, a small, yet quite noticeable, surge of skepticism washed through each fiber, calling for Hasani's nose to be scrunched and passive lips to form a bit of a frown. Regardless of second nature habits, though, a massive hand was summoned from his side, laid out for any human straight ahead to take a hold of.
"Hello, friend," Was his accompanying mumble that was soon drenched with Sera's ensuing words.
And then a curious expression reached Hasani's face as the book was placed in his hands. He opened the pages and glared shallowly at the words, then turned his eyes to Baskin. They were softened. "This would be better in your hands," He stated. "My eyes see, but I don't understand," Thus, the oracle was placed back in Baskin's hands. Hasani pushed out a heavy breath as he addressed Sera. "I haven't gotten the hang of these words yet. I will, soon,"
The lion man's left ear flicked as an ignorant smile came to his face. His bushy facial hair stirred a bit.
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Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 7:17 pm
Baskin, again in all politeness and goodwill, overlooked Hasani's look-over and focused his attention at Sera's words and Hasani's giant hand, his own he placed in his; though tempted to shake with some of his considerable hidden might, his modest side quickly won the inner battle and he shook with perhaps a medium amount of strength for the average human warrior. He offered Hasani a nod and a small smile at his comment as their boss continued her speech.
Upon Hasani's admittance to illiteracy, he calmly took the scroll back once more. "In that case, let's see..."
He looked it over for a few moments of quiet reflection. "From my understanding...an Elven faction of small to moderate numbers and extremist ideals has taken at least a couple dozen Untamed travelers hostage. Given the history of the elusive and certainly brutal faction, it appears likely that they have committed several crimes against them in the space of the three days they have held the hostages, including torture, rape, murder, forced labor, and likely few to no provisions in the way of...livable conditions. The exact reasons for their brutality are reportedly varied, insanity and general hatred not to be easily overlooked in any way. It is also likely that the initial encounter resulted in a battle with casualties on both sides, though perhaps more on the side met with ambush. Um, oh-- doubtless there are some wounded whom are in a critical state, if not dead. This conflict threatens both races with the possibility of an escalation to war, and should be handled efficiently-- and perhaps even more importantly, humanely and justly to those still living."
He stared at the scroll for a few more moments as if to continue, but he had no more to say and thus returned the parchment to Sera. "I'm honored by the trust you offer me in assigning me to resolve this." He turned to Hasani. "In addition, I look forward to your company and to your, no doubt, considerable assistance in the matter."
Sera's hand clenched the parchment tightly, crumpling it severely. And then, it simply turned to ash which she scattered to the ground at her feet. "General Summer, in his wisdom, quickly offered to investigate into the matter of the disappeared Untamed, before the leaders of Lost City decided to step in instead. No doubt he quickly became suspicious of foul play, and has been ever vigilant to catch catalyst situations before they could react, so to speak. This one, he has deferred now to us after reports from his informants. He trusts in our credibility and effectiveness, which time and again-- okay, you ******** get it. We're great, so keep up the legacy and keep the peace in your saving of the hostages before certain nations grow impatient. If no questions exist for me, I will now teleport you personally."
"You can tele--"
"You got it. It became a necessary skill for the sake of privacy, but I'm certainly no master. Both of you, stand perfectly still. I will send you half a mile into the forest. From there, your target is likely some five to, say, eighty miles North. Happy trails?"
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Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 7:47 pm
"Humanely and justly?" Hasani queried shortly after Baskin had finished reading the oracle. The lion man gathered his parted lips together, silently stewing over what it was to be humane and just. His heart and mind gave him plenty of definitions, many of which conflicted and even criticized each other. The lion man tuned his ears back into the conversation, just in time for Baskin's last few words. "I do too, friend. Our strengths... they will mix in a new way."
Sera might have mentioned Hasani hadn't worked with a human before.
Quickly, the lion man shifted his eye sight to Sera. "These displays of old traditions, they're... new to me. I lived under my fathers wing, and it was warm, comforting, regardless of my strength. I remember he told me stories of captured Brothers who escaped their fate, but I didn't know until I had become a young man that they weren't true stories," He gave himself a moment to think over the point he was trying to make. Another route had wiggled into the Untamed's mind, parting his lips effectively for the words to come out. "I don't understand hate. I don't understand where it comes from or why someone would hate me, and you know I can't hate..."
Hasani's eyes flowed to Baskin for a moment. He merely gazed absentmindedly, then shifted slightly. The attempt to rid oneself of an awkward lack of knowledge was obvious. Sera had seen this lion struggle with such feelings before, as he only possessed a heart and a handful of common sense. "But, it's been-" Hasani sighed. "-going on for awhile. Who was the first to open their eyes?"
"General Summer...If no questions exist for me, I will now teleport you personally."
Hasani had kept his mouth shut and didn't plan on shifting strategies before the course of the teleportation had been run. His body grew stiff and his eyes closed. When they opened, scattered lighting from above the trees cast itself down to greet them. The lion glanced upwards and grinned widely. "The wind says hello," He noted. "It feels nice, having it flow through my mane- against my skin. It's relaxing," A frown surfaced. "That won't be the case long, but I can enjoy it now."
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Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 8:04 am
Sera found herself grinning uncontrollably by the time she initiated the teleportation. These two would be an interesting team, no doubt...if they didn't completely fall apart during the mission. (They would be observed in secret.)
Baskin had grown stiff as well, eyes closed. Even after he had felt the momentary rush, the spin, the drop from a height of about six inches, he remained stiff, rooted, blind, as he felt the wind calmly graze his face and cause the folds of his robe to mildly flutter. "You know..."
His eyes opened. "I think that, already, I see in you the traces of a similar spirit." With that, he began to walk forward, in the direction of North. Sera was no beginner at this either. "I unfortunately can't offer any answers aside from my own interpretation, which is that people judge too quickly, and then help pass on the tendency to others younger than themselves." He shrugged. "Oh-- She was grossly exaggerating, by the way. Approximately five to twelve miles. No doubt it would benefit us to draw weapons and speak somewhat low, if we are to speak."
He drew from a sheath on his back a simple steel longsword, standard military grade. Nothing impressive about it in the slightest besides its well-sharpened blade; he took good care of his weapons.
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 12:48 pm
Hasani's interest, and ears, perked slightly at Baskin's speech. Each word was handpicked from the wind and placed to fester atop Hasani's mind.
Talk of spirits managed to confuse the lion, though that in itself was not too difficult a task. That was set off to the side a moment as the topic of premature judgment was brought to the forefront. Hasani couldn't exactly recount how many times the avoidance of such a concept had been advised, then discouraged within the course of two separate breaths. "I'm guilty of that myself," He stated, slightly disgruntled. Somehow, he felt Baskin knew. "Not on the same level, but I'm guilty nonetheless, and I try my hardest to try and not judge others. It works sometimes."
And then, the length of travel they were to endure. Hasani's lips curled back into a grin. He was happy to find that this trip would not be so long, though he was, admittedly, more relieved for his companion rather than himself. "Ah, this will be a short trip, then."
The lion drew his hammer with one arm and swung it upwards. The metal thudded against his bare shoulder.
"Um, this talk of spirits," Hasani finally touched the topic after a few moments of walking. The trees lost his interest as the leaves blended together, appearing so mundane. "We are the same, regardless of race?" Baskin would find Hasani's clear cut eyes draped across his presence until he answered. Once he confirmed this, the lion would laugh heartily. "Alright, I must make sure sometimes! I can't tell you how many times people try to talk circles around me with their ideals," Hasani's posture turned more serious as his laughter left the air. "That's commendable, in any case. Although it's mainly the elves that look down on us, I've had my share of disgust from humans. Just as I'm sure my brothers have shown distaste towards your kind- and possibly even you on many occasions."
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 2:23 pm
Baskin nodded solemnly as they walked. "From all that can be learned in the span of a few minutes, I see certain similarities between us, obvious physical differences aside. Race matters very little to me." He laughed shortly at the talk of confusing ideals. People can be strange-- or was it just Hasani's way of interpreting things that muddied it? Possibly both.
"I'm rather used to the disgust of others by now, as I get plenty of it from even my own race. My rhythm is actually more thrown off in the rare instances where I do not receive disgust, until I come to expect such from that person. Commander Sera, in general, should require much breaking in for me. She certainly makes an impression..."
He went silent for a few moments, taking in whatever was or wasn't said. "Mm...By the time this mission is through, I intend to have made real impressions as well."
His fingers tightened around the hilt of the blade, loosened, and tightened once more. He had allowed Hasani to walk beside him and offered him some eye contact in return for his own, but kept careful, somewhat indiscreet surveillance on the area as well.
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Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 7:24 pm
"I've managed to be treated the same way by my people as well. Some don't like the policies my father puts in place. Most of them see fit to cut their tongues at me. They know I would not lay a hand on a brother of mine, 'less they were the first to do so," Hasani paused a moment as his left ear flicked. Only the sound of a few leaves flowed on by, cutting his suspicions of a third set of footsteps cleanly. He continued onward, catching up to Baskin with fast, long paces, then proceeded to slow his speed. "I don't have any intention but to change their minds. They are untamed, and I guess I share their fiery stubbornness, but they must see that my father's mind is not as warped as his body. With old age, he's only become stronger. I-"
Hasani took in a breath and prepared to push out another statement, only for it to be lost with his thoughts. He sealed his lips and glanced off to the side. Both his ears lowered a bit.
"Well, um-" The lion tilted his head up. The image of his former strength seemed regained as his muscles flared. "I may not be gifted in the same ways, but I'm gifted still. I've used my power to do what help I could this far and I don't plan on that changing anytime soon," A small laugh came to the man as he smiled a bit in self-reflection. "It's just hard being patient- getting to that small bit of power that is waiting for you on the other side of life. Especially for an untamed, who thirsts for so much more."
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Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 6:49 pm
"I, too, have found some things very hard to wait for. Some changes, some advances...the lack of progress can be overwhelming at times." He glanced down at the ground, allowing himself to slip a little too much in thought. "However, I have faith in the power of the unexpec-- wait. That was a footprint. And there's another track, this one clawed--"
"Heeeelp!" Came a feminine voice, seemingly of a child or teenager, approaching them from the front yet still out of sight.
"Quckly, the bushes." He grabbed Hasani's wrist and pulled lightly, then he himself diving behind cover. Listening closely, he heard maybe three or four sets of footsteps approaching-- an escapee and her pursuers, Baskin surmised, readying himself to make a move.
His suspicions were confirmed as an Untamed youth came barreling down the path, untransformed, a small trail of blood spilling out behind her. and covering her feet along with the dirt from the ground. Behind her came three elven men-- two archers and a cleric? Sure. They were obviously trying to catch her, if not kill her.
It about then hit Baskin full force that they had not taken the time to make any sort of battle plans. He only hoped Hasani's actions would coincide well with his own. (He did intend to spare lives if at all possible, but expected he would have to at least fight these men.)
Oh, one of the archers was a woman? His bad.
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Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 7:16 pm
Hasani large body was thrown into the bushes. His eyes narrowed as he stared through the leaves, hammer drawn and held tightly in his hands. The ensuing silence made the lion's legs restless. They ached to be sprung into action and only moments later would such an urge be visited. Until then, Hasani perked his ears with a heightened attentiveness. Each sound of the forest sailed into the furred receptors, though anger only bristled from the man's skin as the girl's voice reached his ears.
The hilt of the hammer creaked slightly as Hasani's strength caused it to bend ever so slightly. One archer turned his head, his senses stimulated and simultaneously perplexed by the noise. However, that was the least of his problems-
As the end of the hammer came rushing into his face.
The archer feel back, startling the other two as the presence of a pissed Untamed became rather evident. As Hasani realigned his balance to face the other two, he felt the end of an arrow caress his cheek. Both eyes and one set of very sharp fangs flared. The surge of strength was held back, though, as more arrows whistled towards Hasani. The lion dodged a good few, but felt one pierce his shoulder. He roared in pain, but remained persistent in his slowed progress.
These elves surely felt the heat of battle, regardless of how small this engagement was. The cleric shook as he prepared the magic equivalent of a big a** band aid. Hasani's deep growl surely didn't help.
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Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 8:02 pm
Baskin waited for an opportunity, forcing himself to allow for Hasani's solo moment and the ensuing injury. As the cleric prepared his heal, Baskin leaped out from the bushes and unleashed a blade stroke stroke straight through the bow of the still-standing archer-- and then stomped his foot onto the felled archer's bow, kicking it far back out of reach, into the trees somewhere. He then arched his sword to and brought it to face the cleric, just inches from his forehead.
"You may heal your ally, but you now stand no chance of victory. The three of you will put your hands up where we may see them, without fear of any violent intent. You will then be tied to these trees here until further judgment of our superiors may befall you. In return for this sparing of your lives, which could be gone by now, my ally must also be healed."
The female stepped back some, fearfully. grabbing a low, hanging branch and ripping off a stick. "W-who the hell are..."
"We're here to provide aid. We're from Archosaur. Oh, yes, your wounds will be healed as well."
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Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 1:25 pm
Hasani found his hands fiercely gripping his hammer regardless of the supposed stop to the action. He bore his teeth and heightened his stance, intensifying his appearance. The archer left standing backed up against the tree directly behind her and slid down to her feet. "Alright," She said. Her eyes lowered to view her companion's bloodied face. "We surrender. Alex-" The cleric glanced to her. "-heal him."
"Hold on," Hasani broke in, practically making both conscious enemies jump in their skin. He picked the felled archer up and pushed him to the tree, then, with a robe stashed away in his bag, he tied the man up. The second archer was tied up shortly there after. The top of Hasani's mallet was pushed into the dirt. The rising dust from the motion served as a sort of warning. Clearly, these elves did not want to get on the bad side of this untamed, for even now, his feral instincts seemed to call for his rage to seep through. "Now you may heal your comrade."
The cleric went to work. He placed his hands over the archer's face. A bright light surrounded the man's features, then disappeared. His wounds, save a few patches, had all but disappeared. The female untamed was taken care of shortly thereafter.
Hasani then tied up the cleric. The lion swung his hammer up over his shoulder again. His watchful eyes didn't sway from the tied elves. "How are your wounds?" Hasani asked the female untamed, then proceeded to growl as one of the elves tried to scratch his leg.
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