Vadim
Recruit
[M:0]
Grab something sharp and pointy!
Posts: 30
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Post by Vadim on Oct 22, 2011 13:45:15 GMT -6
Things seemed to have settled down until Elias suddenly disappeared. Vadim was about to reply to Wyatt when he too disappeared from sight. ”What the hell is this?” He questioned, realizing that Ralph wouldn’t have seen what was going on. ”Wyatt and Elias have disappeared… oh hell!” He yelped when the magic light started to surround him as well.
When he opened his eyes they were blurry and he was dizzy, thankfully he was able to find some open ground to turn and throw up on. When he was done he leaned back against whatever was behind him and groaned. ”Oh, wow that felt bad.” Apparently traveling by magic didn’t agree with him, but then again, it was much better then being dead.
His shoulder still throbbing he looked around and saw Elias and Wyatt there, and the woman, and he set his lance aside for now. ”Uh, thank you for your help.” He said to the woman, beyond that, he was still confused as to what happened.
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Ralph Meglane
Rogue
The Sightless Wanderer
Dishing out his own brand of justice.
Posts: 276
Etruria Fame: 1
Affinity: Wind
OoC Alias: Sarria
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Post by Ralph Meglane on Oct 23, 2011 14:15:12 GMT -6
Ralph felt a strange but familiar pulling sensation. He couldn't seem to recall where he had felt this before, though being in Ostia made him think it was related to that.
Regardless he was suddenly not where he was a few seconds ago. The ground was different, the air was different. "A... teleporting spell of some kind...?" he recalled from his past.
Ralph sheathed the sword he was still holding, and waited for someone to speak up.
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Elias
Mage Knight
The Crimson Mage
I'm just saying that the problem isn't going away, no matter how good we get at stabbing them.
Posts: 451
Etruria Fame: 1
Sacae Fame: 2
Lycia Fame: 1
Profession: The Crimson Mage
Affinity: Fire
Profile: Profile (updated)
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Elias on Oct 23, 2011 18:44:06 GMT -6
"Shh, stop squirming." The woman spoke, her voice firm. She was holding a different staff now, the one she had used before laying upon the ground uselessly. Of course the one she was telling to stop squirming was the writhing little red headed bug, wrapping his arms around the steeds neck as he closed his eyes tightly. His entire body stinging in pain. "The weapon that struck you was as tainted as the one wielding it. This is the poison leaving your body, it's going to hurt." She added, a strange quality in her voice. It was disappointed, firm, yet to anyone with ears they could easily pick the concern hiding behind it all.
Brushing a stray strand of greying brown hair from her face and behind her ear, she looked the red haired boy up and down. Then she turned her head towards all the others she had summoned here as well. The newly healed Elias slowly and sheepishly let go of the steed's neck, laughing nervously, the horse just whinnied as if in laughter. "Everyone, this is Liza Kutald. She's my, well, mother." He supposed, it felt weird to refer to her as such, even if it was true.
She pursed her lips, and gave Elias a sort of look before smiling warmly. "Yes, well there will be time for introductions later. Who's injured? I can treat them, make sure to tell me specifically if the beast who attacked you got their mouth on you or not. ESPECIALLY if it was a wolf. My husband will be along shortly, after we noticed there was an attack, he went to go double check the wards."
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Oct 24, 2011 19:16:44 GMT -6
Wyatt relaxed, sheathing his axe and moving forward to the older women.
"Um, yes Ma'am. I was bitten on the shoulder by one of those...used to be human things. I used some medicine on it, and it feels all right..." he said, rotating his arm to show he still had full range of motion.
Wyatt looked about the house, now this was impressive. And the magic they'd used...that was some powerful stuff. Way stronger then the magic Gabriel and Aaron had at their disposal. Though the fire Elias conjured was pretty strong in and of itself.
"You surprised me back there Elias. I didn't know you were so skilled."
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Vadim
Recruit
[M:0]
Grab something sharp and pointy!
Posts: 30
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Post by Vadim on Oct 25, 2011 15:43:53 GMT -6
[OOC: I have not forgotten you! ] Vadim listened as things were explained and the woman, Liza who was also Elia’s mother, asked who was injured. Wyatt spoke up first and then Vadim looked to her, albeit sheepishly. ”I didn’t get hit by anything, ma’am, I fell on my left shoulder. I injured it a long time ago and it’s bad, when I fell and hit it it rattled me.” He sighed, slightly embarrassed. ”Something for the pain would be most appreciated.”Afterwards, he looked to Elia. ”Elias, I owe you an apology, since we met I have been an ass. So, I’m sorry, you’ve saved me twice now and got wounded from it, you have my deepest thanks.”
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Ralph Meglane
Rogue
The Sightless Wanderer
Dishing out his own brand of justice.
Posts: 276
Etruria Fame: 1
Affinity: Wind
OoC Alias: Sarria
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Post by Ralph Meglane on Oct 25, 2011 16:03:20 GMT -6
"I dunno. How does my back look?" He had applied a vulnerary, but he couldn't tell if he was still injured. The teleportation rattled his senses, and he had a hard time getting back to normal for a bit.
"So... this is the place Elias was talking about? What do you know about what's attacking the city?" Ralph felt that there was no time for small talk, Laus would soon fall to the same fate as Ostia if nothing were done.
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Elias
Mage Knight
The Crimson Mage
I'm just saying that the problem isn't going away, no matter how good we get at stabbing them.
Posts: 451
Etruria Fame: 1
Sacae Fame: 2
Lycia Fame: 1
Profession: The Crimson Mage
Affinity: Fire
Profile: Profile (updated)
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Elias on Oct 25, 2011 19:53:45 GMT -6
"If it was only one of the remnants, then you should be fine with simple healing. It is the demonic hellhounds you must watch for, their blood is acidic and poisonous, as is their saliva. Everything about then is corrupted, and an affront to nature." She walked a bit away from the group, and opened a tall cabinet. Inside there were several tall rods with gems adorning the top, magical staffs for a myriad of reasons and maladies. She removed one in particular, and came back to the group of young men. "It was wise of you to apply medicine quickly, but wounds caused by these creatures are slow to heal and cause great discomfort." She held the staff aloft, a gentle healing light filled Elias and his wounds began to close magically, and after just a few moments he was completely healed. She turned her head to the other red headed youth, and began to work the magic on him. Speaking as she moved from person to person, healing each one's wounds in turn.
"The things that are attacking the city? It was human's folly that caused the city to fall, but what followed was by no means human. It's a corrupt magic, one that disgraces the name of everything me and my husband stand for." She shook her head, eyes shut. "However, my husband can explain this better then I." She smiled, the lines in her face contorting the expression, fitting her like a glove. She smiled, often, as she always did. While she continued to heal everyone, even the slightest and most unnecessary wound, Elias uncomfortably shuffled on the spot. This wasn't quite what he was expecting his return to home to be.
"Oh, um, thanks." He replied, distracted. Liza looked at him for a moment, almost confused. It says a lot when someone is to be taken aback by humility. His eyes traces the outline of the home, not really wanting his gaze to linger on any one thing for more then a few seconds. It was just as he remembered, well not exactly. It's more cluttered then before.
In the center was the tree, as Elias had mentioned before, but it wasn't a normal tree. It was huge, atleast two yards wide. This was the oldest and largest tree in the forest, which was precisely why the family of mages made their home here. The room itself was made of wood, and felt quite comfortable. A nice warm flame flickered in the back in a makeshift fireplace, the flame itself was a nice blue color, obviously denoting a magical source. Probably the same one lit by his father all those years ago, a flame that didn't burn but still kept the home warm. There was comfortable looking wooden furniture scattered around the home, and a doorway into the kitchen none too far away. Upon a table near them was a collection of odd things, things that Elias probably couldn't even pronounce. It seems he had been gone a long time, he didn't even recognize what his father was researching now.
Typically, especially since this was the home of a mage, there was several bookshelves. Filled to burst with books, many of which having loose pieces of parchment hanging out of them, likely covered with little notes his father always transcribed while researching what ever caught his fancy. There was also a few cabinets, most notably the one that Liza just got her staff from. Curling around the base of the trunk were several stairs that led up to the ceiling, where the second floor awaited if they needed to head that way. His old room must of been up there, probably converted to a research room by now, not that it would bother him. All spare room in this home eventually became that, what with how his father and mother quickly moved from project to project with little abandon.
It was certainly a shocking change from the dead wasteland they saw only moments ago. It seemed like this place, at least, remained untouched by the monstrous taint. "Don't worry about being rude to me, I'm immune to it." He scratched the back of his head, giving a small and forced laugh.
"I didn't think I'd ever see you with a horse again Elias." Liza remarked, finished with her healing.
"Oh, um, yeah Liza. I just met this horse." He did that fake little laugh again, but if she was convinced or not was a mystery as she neglected to bring it up again.
"Heath will be here shortly." She said instead, leaving Elias alone for now.
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Elias
Mage Knight
The Crimson Mage
I'm just saying that the problem isn't going away, no matter how good we get at stabbing them.
Posts: 451
Etruria Fame: 1
Sacae Fame: 2
Lycia Fame: 1
Profession: The Crimson Mage
Affinity: Fire
Profile: Profile (updated)
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Elias on Oct 27, 2011 8:18:22 GMT -6
As if he was summoned his self, through a complicated ritual involve too many children to count, his father appeared through the door. He was tall, dark brown hair that was beginning to grey with age. He walked with a bit of a limp, but it didn't even appear to hamper the Druid's movements, long since has he adapted to it, when travelling long distance he rode on horseback. He looked around, with kind dark brown eyes and set his gaze upon Elias, it lingered just for a moment before he looked to the others. "Welcome to my humble home." He looked warmly at the travelers, and his son. "My name is Heath, Heath Kutald." No one would notice that Elias had a different last name, but that's because he never told anyone. Root was his name from the orphanage, he never changed it. "It's been a while Elias, I thought I'd never see you with a horse again. It's been, what, seven years now?"
"Yes, seven years ago when my father was trampled to death." She shook her head solemnly. "Elias never rode a horse again."
"I miss your father, good man." Heath shook his head and continued to look at the others. You see, the problem Elias had with his parents....
"I assume my wife told you about what is happening in Ostia. About the doom wolves and remnants, about the corrupt magic at work in these ruins. It is dark, cruel, and an affront to nature. An affront to everything I stand for, I have spent the last year trying my best to study these creatures, but I have yet to find anything significant."
It wasn't that they were cruel to him, or even mean. In fact they were perfectly polite, and didn't much mind his presence...
"I have however discovered a way to ward them. You see, they can sense each other. Sense corruption, even just bits and pieces will draw the beasts like a magnet. I keep them away with my own elder magic, it's nowhere near strong enough to stop them, but it confuses them. Gives them something else to smell, so to speak, it makes them want to leave this place be. It's how this small grotto has remained untainted for so long. But I fear it's only a matter of time, once something more intelligent rises, my wards will be broken in a matter of moments."
The didn't smother him either, force his hand and cruelly train him to be the best mage possible. No matter what Elias might say to the contrary, those were all lies, to his self. They made him believe that things weren't quite this way. No what they did was something far different, you see Elias' problem with his parents was...
"You guys..." His hands shook violently as he held on to the hem of his robe, his grip going tighter and tighter with each passing second, each word that his father spoke, each syllable of magical dribble. "You can't...."
Elias' problem was that they ignored him.
"What is it Elias? Do you have something to add?" Liza spoke. Elias wasn't really a son to them, not like the normal situation. He was many things, an assistant, and apprentice, a helping hand, but not a son. He was adopted, purely because of his base magical talent, years upon years ago. They trained him, treated him like their child, but it was fleeting. Eventually... They simply grew bored of him, and moved on to some new project. He helped, he helped as hard as he could, he did everything he could to try to recapture their attentions. No matter how loud, no matter how good, and no matter how red he became, it was never enough. It would never be enough.
"I ran away two years ago. I could of died, there's creatures all over Ostia, one of them could of, I don't know, DEVOURED me. They almost did! And you can't say a single word! And what's worse, you send some random SHAMAN after me!? What were you trying to say!? You have a new apprentice, a new project, do you even remember her name!? It was Griselda!" He shouted, far louder then he ever remembered being in his entire life.
"You can't even... Show relief I'm alive? Anger I left? Worry that I could of died? Or did you even notice!?" Heath tried to open his mouth, probably to say something predictably trite and pointless. "No, I don't want to hear it! It's too late. It's been too late... For fifteen years..." A few tears began to leak in his eyes, but with a heavy sniff of the nose he wiped the from his face. "I wanted... To be a hero. To be the Crimson mage, I wanted EVERYONE to love me. I wanted to make everyone see I was... I was worthwhile. I was important, that I was a hero. Everyone loves heroes, so that's why I... " He wiped his face again, but each time, each tear he removed was replaced, twice as hard twice as pathetic.
"Elias..." Liza tried to near him, but Elias pulled his self away.
"No... No. It's alright. I was your assistant, a friend. But I didn't want to be a friend... I wanted to be a son." He rubbed his temples lightly, small circles, shaking his head.
"You guys listen to Heath, you can tell me when he's done." Elias didn't look at his father, he didn't look at anyone. Instead he took the horse by the reins and the two walked out from the home and into the grove. He grabbed the reins of the horse, clamoring atop it. It's been... Well it hasn't been that long. He rode a horse back in Etruria, but he had been too scared to ride properly then. He patted the horse on the head and it let out a whiny, almost an empathetic one. He looked down at his hand, at the toy ring now adorning his hand.
He didn't need to live to become a hero, to try and get attention, to force his parents to love him. He didn't need to challenge all the men who come visit his father, hoping to impress him. He didn't need to get his self almost killed, he didn't need to scream, quite simply he didn't need them. He had other people, people. Alice, Garnet, Mana, maybe even Ralph. He was the color white, and he could go any direction he wanted.
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Oct 27, 2011 11:59:36 GMT -6
Wyatt felt incredibly uncomfortable during the whole outburst. A son...not treated like a son. He'd always wanted his father to treat him like an equal instead of his child, and he never got the chance to show him what he'd learned. He'd come a long way from the little kid who left home to enlist in the Laus army...but there was no place to go back to...
Don't appreciate what you have until it is gone.
"Excuse me." Wyatt said, nodding to Elias' parents. In truth, he didn't know too much about this place or what was going on here. And he really didn't care to, that was for knowledgeable types to figure out. He'd do fine just being as the support. Instead, he followed Elias out of the house, spying him on his horse.
"Hey. You all right there?" He asked. He wasn't sure if it was his point to say anything on his issue. "You wanted to stop here because of your folks, but I've got no vested interest here if you want to move on. All of this magical stuff is way over my head."
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Elias
Mage Knight
The Crimson Mage
I'm just saying that the problem isn't going away, no matter how good we get at stabbing them.
Posts: 451
Etruria Fame: 1
Sacae Fame: 2
Lycia Fame: 1
Profession: The Crimson Mage
Affinity: Fire
Profile: Profile (updated)
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Elias on Oct 27, 2011 12:40:22 GMT -6
"I'm alright, sorry you had to see that." He sniffed heavily, rubbing the tears all around his face, but not quite looking at the man who came out after him. He ended it with a sigh, and tried to perk up. "It wasn't anything really, just a lot of things that really needed to have been said a long long time ago. But I'm over it now, that's why I wanted to come here. Put it behind me, y'know." He coughed hard, getting the sad out.
"Anyways, this was just a stop. I'm not going to be satisfied until I saw Ostia with my own eyes." He patted the steed on the head, it whinnied in response. He should stop by the stable later, get a saddle, he hadn't ridden bare back since he was thirteen. He's likely to hurt his self. It made him wonder a bit, just where this horse was from. He was, well, the horse was bit of a jerk. But lately, atleast right now, he was being almost kind. Well kind for a demon. He seemed to like the mage well enough, what with his constant harassment.
Well trained too, tamed. Maybe he ran away from someone? Well that's not for him to know. Unless horses magically learn to talk. He hopped off the horse, silly considering how he just hopped on it, and stood at the ground. "Thank you though, Wyatt." He didn't really know how his parents felt, and really he didn't care. Not anymore. "When everyone else is done, we'll sneak like spies into Ostia. I'll be right back, I'm going to fit a saddle onto him... " He held the horse by the neck and gently lead it to Heath's stable. He used to a have a horse, here next to his father and mothers, he died seven years ago. After his grandfather died.
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Oct 27, 2011 13:03:06 GMT -6
"That may be so..." Wyatt said, listening to Elias. "But it's not always that easy to leave things like this. I know I always thought my home would always be there...but not anymore. These things destroyed it, and I left my home on good terms."
He stayed silent for a second. "I'd at least say you should have a normal Good Bye before you leave. These are dangerous times, you might not see each other again."
He didn't intend to sound quite so morbid, but it was the truth. If he'd have known when he left home that he'd never see his family alive again...
You don't know what you have until you've lost it, it was always true.
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Ralph Meglane
Rogue
The Sightless Wanderer
Dishing out his own brand of justice.
Posts: 276
Etruria Fame: 1
Affinity: Wind
OoC Alias: Sarria
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Post by Ralph Meglane on Oct 27, 2011 13:06:55 GMT -6
"Hmph..." Ralph didn't exactly know how Elias felt, but he knew what it was like to want to be a hero. "Come on, Vadim, we'll figure this out without them. Thank you for helping us, ma'am." he said, and walked out the door.
"Elias..." Ralph couldn't find the words to describe what he wanted to say. So he just remained silent after that. Sometimes you just didn't need to say anything.
It was time to return to Ostia. No more distractions now. Perhaps at the end of it all they would find what was truly causing this corruption.
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Vadim
Recruit
[M:0]
Grab something sharp and pointy!
Posts: 30
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Post by Vadim on Oct 28, 2011 19:08:06 GMT -6
”Thank you.” Vadim said to Elias’ mother when she healed his shoulder. It took the pain away, totally, but he knew it would not last. He had had healing magic on it before and if it had been so simple to heal then it would have been done soon after it had happened. But he was grateful all the same for the healing attention, it eased his pain and his mind.
But that didn’t last long as Elias’ parents started to speak more and this got more then a little personal, and awkward. When Ralph spoke up Vadim stood and nodded his agreement. ”Yes, thank you.” Vadim said to the couple and followed Ralph out the door.
Vadim knew less then what Ralph knew to say and moved to Elias, placing his hand on the young man’s shoulder, a show of support even if he said nothing. ”I’m ready when you guys are.” Vadim said, planting the butt end of his lance into the ground with a firm thump.
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Elias
Mage Knight
The Crimson Mage
I'm just saying that the problem isn't going away, no matter how good we get at stabbing them.
Posts: 451
Etruria Fame: 1
Sacae Fame: 2
Lycia Fame: 1
Profession: The Crimson Mage
Affinity: Fire
Profile: Profile (updated)
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Elias on Oct 29, 2011 21:29:44 GMT -6
He fiddles with the saddled, his mind vaguely remembering bits and pieces about how to do this, he didn't trust him mind though, and rather let the memory in his muscles take care of it. He used to set the saddles for his mother and father's horses as well as his own back when he was younger, and even after the incident even though he shouted and screamed at the horses throughout the process. He wondered if they remembered him... Yep, by the way they were cowering it seemed they, indeed, did. He didn't know whether to be proud or saddened. The horse stood there, allowing itself to be saddled, in fact it seemed almost happy. If a horse demon monster devilspawn of the void and whatever abominations dwell there could actually feel any other emotion but evil. He was skeptical, but there it was.
He heard people speak, trying to comfort him, it was a weird feeling. Most people were simply annoyed, rather then empathetic to his problems, not that he'd blame them, they were petty and annoying. Completely ruining weddings and visits to the church, making every family get together suitably awkward, and unable to be saved by even the mightiest potato salad. Wyatt, in particularly, smacked his unreasonable ass with his smooth wisdom. It hurt, it hurt to be attacked with vicious logic. "I... You're right. I know it." He didn't look at them, but pretended to still be fiddling with the reins of the Demon. "I just..." He sighed in defeat. "I should. Man... This isn't very heroic or awesome. Stupid emotional issues and personal problems, ruining everyone else's day."
He turned around, his eyes finally dried, but still shone a bright puffy red. A testament to all the frustration and anger that poured from them moments earlier, where he vented the ire that had build up for years. Like a dam with a thousand little cracks, where no one knows when it will shatter. It wasn't completely broken, oh no, rather it was a hasty patching job using hairpins and plaster. It looked fine from the outside, but Elias knew that one day it would burst again. Maybe nothing will be able to stop it. "I suppose I'll go say something to them. Even after all that, they still may know something useful."
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Wyatt
Hero
The Volcano
How can someone win if winning means that someone loses?
Posts: 463
Etruria Fame: 2
Sacae Fame: -1
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Post by Wyatt on Oct 31, 2011 21:31:13 GMT -6
Wyatt watched Elias go with a small smile. It was never good to leave on bad terms. He had nothing else to say while Elias did what he had to do, so he began scouting the area around them. The ground was rough and dead, and Wyatt could swear he felt like he was sinking into it sometimes. Must be the effects of his giant pack, it was like carrying another two people on his shoulders.
When Elias came out of the house once more, Wyatt turned from the building. "We'd best get going. I really don't want to have to fight more of those things in this forest."
Wyatt felt oddly anxious. Something in the city was calling...as if he had to be there. But what was it? He had no experience with magic, but he knew that this was more then just a feeling. Something he felt deep down in his gut, something that set the hairs on the back of his neck on end.
Something powerful.
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