Aaron Winsett
Sage
Seeker of Knowledge
Knowledge is a weapon. I intend to be formidably armed.
Posts: 419
Sacae Fame: 1
Lycia Fame: 2
Profession: Student of Magic
OoC Alias: Feldsky
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Post by Aaron Winsett on Jan 1, 2010 14:53:06 GMT -6
Interest sparked in Aaron's eyes as Wein spoke of Dragons locked in combat, and mages of tremendous power. Wein had never given him any reason to think him crazy before. He wondered for a moment if the archer had hit his head on something a little to hard, but decided that his tale was well . within the realm of the possible. What he'd just seen this past night was the impossible.
"I'd like to here something about that, Wein, but maybe not just now." Stories were always catching Aaron's interest. The different tales he read showed the brilliance of life. It was all so varied that you would never exhaust the store of life's experiences, whether fictional, or true.
The Mage looked and saw the woman they had encountered in the forest. He stood up and greeted her, wincing as he climbed to his feet from a sore bruise on his back.
"Bridget, I'm Aaron. And this is Wein, if you hadn't already met." Aaron mentally rolled his eyes at himself for his choice of words. Oh, hello. Nice to meet you. Should we get out of this roaring death trap of flames? Yeah, he definitely would need to work on speech skills when this was over. Then he realized what he was worrying over after escaping a full blown forest fire. Oh... sometimes I act like an airhead.
"As for repaying, you don't owe me anything as I'm partly responsible for the blaze. There was a fight earlier, and a fire started..." He stated it seriously, eyes weighted with the burden of his mess. He would simply have to carry this and use it for inspiration to get better. "I'm glad you made it out alive, but, Wein here is the one who came in and led us out." Aaron glanced at the bowman. "That's at least one I owe you for tonight, partner."
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Wein Lowell
Sniper
The Noble Arrow
If you're a glory hound, then I'm king of the glory hounds
Posts: 268
Lycia Fame: 2
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Post by Wein Lowell on Jan 2, 2010 20:00:11 GMT -6
Wein perked up at Aaron's words. It wasn't often that he was able to regale others with stories of his travels. The mage was right, though, now wasn't really the time for stories. The archer remained solemnly silent as the she-thief introduced herself and thanked him and Aaron for getting her out of the fire. Wein wasn't really sure he could take her words at face value. Despite her now-pleasant behavior, he couldn't help but remember her death threat back as they were escaping the blaze of the forest. It could have just been the heat of the moment, no pun intended, but there was something...he'd keep an eye on her.
As Aaron finished speaking, Wein rose to his feet with a groan, dusting the grass and soot off of his pants. His whole body ached. The archer only been in such a dire situation once in his life before, and it wasn't something he wanted to repeat. If it wasn't obvious, Wein wasn't much of a thrill seeker. No matter how much he fought, or how far he traveled, he would always just be the same Ostian scholar at heart.
"Don't thank me for something like that," he said to Bridget. "What was I supposed to do, leave you in there to die?" He adjusted his quiver. The strap was digging into his shoulder after all that running. Wein looked back at the forest. The fire had moved on deeper into the forest, leaving the outer-rim of trees black and dead. If anyone hadn't gotten out by now...well, he just hoped they had.
"There's no point in staying here," he said, turning to his two companions. "If any of our friends are still alive, they're long gone from here." Wein looked around, surveying the landscape. Now that he thought about it, he recognized this area. His father had taken him and his brother hunting here once. That meant the city of Ostia was nearby. "We've still got a mission to do, and Ostia is only a few days away. If any of our compatriots are thinking the same thing, maybe we can meet up with them there." He looked at Aaron, then to Bridget, then back at Aaron. "Sound good?"
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Yaen
Swordmaster
Prince of Blades Mad Swordsman
Now let's play the Song of Swords.
Posts: 305
Sacae Fame: 2
Bern Fame: 3
Lycia Fame: 1
Profession: Vagabond
Affinity: Thunder
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Post by Yaen on Jan 2, 2010 20:39:20 GMT -6
Yaen had lost his grip on the girl somewhere during the chaos of the moment. The heat was becoming unbearable, and the smoke! Yaen wasn't sure how much more of the haze his lungs could take. Each breath was more painful than the last. "Where did...everyone go?" he coughed out, looking around for any signs of his companions. "Wein! Aaron!" he shouted, but his shouts were lost in the roar of the flames. All he could do was keep pressing forward.
The Sacaens vision was getting fuzzier. He could barely see the ground he was walking on. "Nnn..." He staggered for a moment, and looked down to his hands. He could barely make them out. "This is really how its going to end?" he asked himself, before breaking into a violent cough. "It's over...I can't...It's just not worth it..." he muttered, falling down to his hands and knees. Breaking into another coughing fit, he could have sworn he heard something amidst the roaring flames. Footsteps? Looking up, Yaen could scarcely make out a figure as it approached and stood over him. It took him a moment, but he recognized the face. "...Alan." he muttered with what little breath he could breath. It was a hallucination, he could see that. But just to see that face, with that cruel smirk again.
The Sacaens weak limbs suddenly felt as if they were burning from the inside, and not the outside. "Thats right...I can't die yet...I have to survive...I have to get stronger! And when I do, I'll find you, and then, I'll be the one to pierce your heart!" he shouted. "I'm coming Alan!" With renewed strength, the sacaen forced himself to his feet. Adrenaline rushing through his veins, he charged through the burning forest. He felt a strange feel on the air, and recognized it as the wind. He was almost out! With a final shout, he charged and jumped, and rolled out of the forest onto a meadow. he rolled and rolled and stopped just short of a stream. Weary and oxygen deprived, he let out a heavy sigh, then slipped into the bliss of unconciousness.
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Bridget
The "Before" years
[M:0]
My eyes are up here. Look up here!
Posts: 47
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Post by Bridget on Jan 2, 2010 23:29:25 GMT -6
Bridget's eyebrows rose. Ostia. O-S-T-I-A. So, these guys were heading there too. "Aaron. And Wein. Pleased to meet you." she said pleasantly. "And your plan...Sounds fine to me. Supposing you wouldn't mind me taggin' along." she added. Bridget stood up and stretched, her muscles sore. She had been walking for so long, and just when she'd settled down to rest, the fire had happened. But she wouldn't make a fuss.
Bridget took a strip of red cloth from her bag and tied it around a small burn on her leg. "I suppose you know the way out of here, right?" she asked the man named Wein. "If not, I've got a map." Bridget finished the knot and stood up. She felt wobbly, but nothing too bad.
So, if they're headed for Ostia, and were in the same forest as I was...huh. They were probably coming from Laus too. What a strange coincidence. Bridget's introspection was brought to a halt when she saw something rolling near the stream. "Uh." she grunted, pointing a finger at it. It looked...like a person. Bridget ran down towards the figure, feeling a slight pain in her leg. When she reached it, Bridget leaned down and saw a face. A vaguely familiar one. "I think this is one of your friends." she called out to Aaron and Wein. "I think we might need to take a break."
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Selk Mar
Knight
Posts: 114
Profession: Protector, Mercenary
Affiliation: N/A
Affinity: Thunder
Profile: Selk Mar
OoC Alias: Hewhostandsalone
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Post by Selk Mar on Jan 3, 2010 0:26:23 GMT -6
The person that Bridget had spotted along the water was in fact Selk. Somewhere in all the flames, smoke, and shouts he'd lost the group and had become exhausted, nearly unconscious at this very moment. He was partially on the bank of the water, with the rest of him being in the water itself. It was all he could do to keep his head above water so he didn't drown. He suddenly began coughing, spitting up water as he did so. "Uuuhhhh....." He moaned. He tried to open his eyes and managed to get halfway, but he couldn't go any further. His vision was blurry, too. The smoke had irritated his eyes. What's....going on? I heard a voice....ack....chest's burning....eyes itching....at least....feels cool...and wet....soothing....augh....
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Denzel
The "Before" years
[M:-190]
Posts: 76
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Post by Denzel on Jan 3, 2010 7:29:40 GMT -6
Denzel just sort of collapsed on the bank of the river beside him, completely unable to see what his comrade's condition as like. He undid some of the straps on his armour so he could breath more easily as he cursed his young lunges which couldn't hold up in this situation. He was vagualy aware of people talking casually nearby, and took it as a sign that he could take the liberty of lowering his guard. maybe a short nap.
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Kishou
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Be gone, evil ones!
Posts: 24
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Post by Kishou on Jan 4, 2010 15:55:50 GMT -6
Kishou stood reserved from the group, watching them talk amongst themselves, Wein and his friend, Aaron, was it? Then that girl, Bridget... well, it was a bit hard to keep his eyes towards her face and not her chest, so he decided to avoided contact with her entirely. Thankfully Bridget (or anyone else for that matter) didn't seem to notice him staring... or blushing.
His attention was brought to the fallen men by the stream, exhausted from running and battle. It was times like this Kishou wished he had the healing arts his master Doug had, but all he practiced on was the art of light magic. It was that enough that helped guide him and some of these souls out alive, so it's something.
The monk quickly knelled down to the rider, feeling his forehead gently. Burning hot. He looked up frowned when he saw one man nearly half submerging himself in the river as a means to cool down. He was pretty sure this wasn't all of them either.
"Bridget is right," Kishou said. "We can't go on with the men like this. They need rest, or at the very least, to be away from the burning forest. Something tells me this stream isn't far enough."
He leaned over started to lift the soldier off and away from the stream, but found himself struggling at the sheer weight of his body weight and armor. After a few tries, he managed to drag his body off of the river, but was panting afterwards.
"A little... help perhaps?" He asked between breaths, to no one in particular.
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Lilith
Shaman
Never forget who you are, for surely the world will not
Posts: 169
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Post by Lilith on Jan 5, 2010 21:42:27 GMT -6
Lilith had been in sort of a trance for the past few weeks. had it been weeks? It felt like a day to her. She was thinking about the winding roads of her dark art. She knew how easy it would be to slip into such a trance and never come out. He teacher had once told her that dark magic was so complex and mysterious that many a scholar had withered away trying to find its secrets. As the heat from the fire raged around her, her mind snapped back to reality. She thought of all the training she had missed while she was locked inside herself. Of all the friendships she had neglected.
"I will not be conquered," Lilith whispered to the heated air. She saw a riverbank not too far off, with only a small section of fire blocking her from it. She flipped through her tome, unable to find any helpful spells. Snapping the book shut, she waved her hand and wordlessly told the energy she released from her palms its intent. An orb, black as iron, sped through the air at the fire. It flew to the base of the flame and enveloped it, robbing the fire of air. Lilith repeated the motion until her path was clear.
Using what little energy such spells left her with, she staggered through her path and made it to the riverbank. She collapsed on the sand and splashed water on her arms, cooling her sweaty limbs. She noted that Denzel was to her left, and not far from him was Selk, both of whom seemed to have exhausted themselves as well.
Lilith grabbed a handful of sand and left it slide through her fingers. "I... I vow to never neglect my training again... I will not be overcome." After swearing the quiet oath to herself, Lilith broke out into exhausted, fevered laughter.
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Aaron Winsett
Sage
Seeker of Knowledge
Knowledge is a weapon. I intend to be formidably armed.
Posts: 419
Sacae Fame: 1
Lycia Fame: 2
Profession: Student of Magic
OoC Alias: Feldsky
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Post by Aaron Winsett on Jan 6, 2010 9:59:26 GMT -6
Aaron thought it was about time to get on the road to Ostia as well, (and to put some distance between them and the forest), when Bridget pointed out one of their companions by the water. The monk from earlier was already moving to assist, but Aaron went over anyway. Good. The some others made it out.
Aaron joined the monk in helping move the others up, away from the stream a bit. They would be fine after they had recovered from the ordeal. Aaron himself was still struggling with his breath but had begun to get over all the smoke inhalation. He'd just have to get used to it. Mages used fire, and fire made smoke.
The green haired mage turned to the man in the robes, and began to speak.
"Thank you for helping us get out of that fire, Light Mage. I'm Aaron Winsett, a journeyman mage." He looked the man up and down as he extended his hand in greeting. The other man stood about the same height, and looked a bit older. Aaron couldn't tell how much.
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Wein Lowell
Sniper
The Noble Arrow
If you're a glory hound, then I'm king of the glory hounds
Posts: 268
Lycia Fame: 2
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Post by Wein Lowell on Jan 6, 2010 12:43:48 GMT -6
While Aaron and Kishou assisted Denzel and Selk, Wein ran over to the riverbank to Lilith, who had come stumbling out of the forest and laughing feverishly, helping her over to the others. Selk and Denzel seemed a bit waterlogged, and Lilith a bit out of it, but they looked fine nonetheless. He couldn't tell now, but it didn't seem like any lasting damage had been done. These three showing up, that only left Yaen, Wyatt, and that knight. What was his name again? Melchi? Malkey? Malokai?
The archer looked back at the forest. No one there. He glanced down the stream. No one there. Wein stood up. There was nobody else. He turned to the others. "It's good these guys got out of the fire, but we shouldn't stick around. There might be more of those monsters, and I think everyone could use a meal and good night's rest."
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Bridget
The "Before" years
[M:0]
My eyes are up here. Look up here!
Posts: 47
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Post by Bridget on Jan 6, 2010 15:53:20 GMT -6
Bridget reached into her pack and took out some dried meat and bread. "We'll eat now, and if everyone's got the energy to move on, we'll move on." she said. Bridget got a serious look on her face as she prepared sparse sandwiches for everyone. "Oh, by the way." Bridget began to pass them out, to everyone who was awake, and saved some for the less-than-conscious ones.
"What exactly WERE those things? I saw some animal-like bodies, so I'm guessing those are the monsters you talked about." Bridget said as she handed Wein his sandwich. After asking her question, Bridget went to the hysterical girl and placed her arms around her. "Calm down, calm down." she cooed. This felt just like home; making food for strangers and holding strange children.
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Lilith
Shaman
Never forget who you are, for surely the world will not
Posts: 169
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Post by Lilith on Jan 6, 2010 16:10:06 GMT -6
Lilith felt rather awkward after the bought of laughing, as it had drawn the large-chested woman Aaron had been talking to to her. She wondered what kind of woman would be wandering around a forest alone. By the way she was dressed, she was either a courtesan or a thief... But she was the only other woman around, and Lilith felt comforted by that fact. She took hold of the sandwich given to her by said woman and smiled.
"Er- My name is Lilith. I am a student of Elder Magic and... well, I've not been all here lately. I got caught up in my meditations and forgot about the world. I was laughing at how stupid I was... I'm not distressed, nor am I mad. I was just... celebrating my escape," Lilith said speedily. "Thank you for the food, mistress... er, what was your name again?"
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Kishou
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Be gone, evil ones!
Posts: 24
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Post by Kishou on Jan 6, 2010 16:13:23 GMT -6
Kishou smiled as he exchanged hand shakes with Aaron. "No thanks are needed; any devout monk would always lend a hand. I am Kishou, a monk of Etruria on a pilgrimage of sorts."
He accepted the sandwich handed casually by Bridget, and recalled what she asked about the bones. "I didn't see much of the battle," the monk admitted. "But I noticed it was possibly a possessed wolf, taken over by an unholy force. Something must have corrupted the lost soul beyond reason. It's... not normal."
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Aaron Winsett
Sage
Seeker of Knowledge
Knowledge is a weapon. I intend to be formidably armed.
Posts: 419
Sacae Fame: 1
Lycia Fame: 2
Profession: Student of Magic
OoC Alias: Feldsky
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Post by Aaron Winsett on Jan 6, 2010 22:08:40 GMT -6
Kishou was from Etruria. Aaron remembered that Lillith also was from Etruria. Was there a reason that the people there were leaving. Perhaps Etruria really was preparing for war.
Aaron listened to the monk speak. The mage didn't know about unholy forces, and possesion, but those creature definitely hadn't been wholesome.
"They resembled wolves, but they seemed crazed, and their mouths were acidic." He touched his hand to his face where the creature's breath had singed it some, considering." He thought that this alone may be enough to bring back to Laus as intelligence, but wanted to wait on some other opinions.
Aaron headed over to Wein. "I want to get away from here too, but I just don't think the other's can make it now."
OoC: Anyone object to a timeskip? And if not, to when? I'm thinking midday.
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Wein Lowell
Sniper
The Noble Arrow
If you're a glory hound, then I'm king of the glory hounds
Posts: 268
Lycia Fame: 2
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Post by Wein Lowell on Jan 6, 2010 22:28:35 GMT -6
Wein shuffled his feet as Aaron walked up. He looked back at the forest, then back down the stream, then up at the sun. Still no sign of Yaen. He hoped he was all right. "Then I'll carry them," he said anxiously. He looked around again. "I just want to get out of here."
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