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Post by Augustus Nacht on Oct 15, 2015 21:17:02 GMT -6
The ship pulled into the harbor of Aurnion. Yet another haul of passengers bound for the mysterious isle who sought to make their fortunes. Yet there were three among them that were out to find a different sort of fortune. Rather than simple gold or jewels, they sought another thing that was presumed to be hiding within the mysterious isle. They sought power. A green haired man stood at the forefront, his crimson eyes possessing a hardened cold look as he surveyed the port "city" of tents. Following up behind him was a violet haired Sacaen woman dressed in vibrant green robes and a gruff looking mountain of a man with a greatsword upon his back.
The gruff warrior briefly departed from the group to return with his white steed, mounted upon it's back while leading a black stallion and a chestnut roan. The other two individuals in the trio mounted up on their own steeds as well, only a sparse few words being exchanged. Compared to the other arrivals, they seemed like the most organized bunch of the lot. Though it didn't take an eagle eye to note something off about them. Perhaps it was simply the hardened exteriors, but most people seemed to stray away from the group.
"Come. Let us survey whatever serves for a market around here and then find lodging." The green haired man spoke at last, leading the other two away from the rest of the new arrivals.
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Orys Durrandon
Wyvern Rider
Posts: 107
Profession: The Ambitious Rider
Affinity: Fire
OoC Alias: Oleg
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Post by Orys Durrandon on Oct 16, 2015 2:45:17 GMT -6
His basecamp had been built with a few simple things in mind. One. It was to house many resources. Comfort was not their issue on this new frontier, nay. They needed to build, and fast. Aurion was a tumor on this pure land, as hard as it was to admit. While they had discovered this island first, yes, they had no idea on how to apply their skills on it. Most saw it just as something to drain and use until it was about as useless as the mainland, and then link it to some of the kingdoms on the old land. They had no vision. It was a sad thing to realize, but... Orys had this vision.
It was a new beginning. Why ruin such a land? He could bring it to the levels of those other kingdoms. A new land for all those who had grown tired of being under the boots of the old kings or prophets or what have you. He'd pick up a crown from the gutter and place it upon his head and he'd wear it PROUDLY as the name of Durrandon would rise from the dirt and onto being the kings of this island. But would the people understand what they wanted, in the end? Humanity was a fickle thing, and it never truly could choose what it wanted. It needed heroes and prophets and kings to stay afloat, yet most of those had died or grown corrupt. The world needed a new breed of them.
Second, it was built with trade in mind. Easy access for boats to come in and out, and... As sad as it was, they'd have to trade with the tumor that was Aurion. So, Orys took Balerion and they flew out into the air. Their goal was to reach Aurion and land, and possibly negotiate some sort of a trade deal. Perhaps exchange some protection. Until they'd be powerful enough to take over the city, that is. Balerion quickly landed on the outskirts of the town, allowing Orys to hop off and casually walk trough the gates.
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Auria
Pupil
Either way, she wasn't about to let a bad attitude stop her chances of success.
Posts: 11
Affinity: Ice
Profile: Auria
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Auria on Oct 18, 2015 14:13:10 GMT -6
Opportunity knocked, and Auria was wise enough to answer. Aurnion was a new frontier filled with countless possibilities. A new land with new chances to make a new life for herself. No one knew who she was, and she was a world away from the depressing life she once lead in the western isles. Admittedly her plans to become rich and famous were failures that fell short at every turn. The plans to become a well known mercenary were weak, and they depended on her untrained magical skill. She had difficulties even casting the basic dark spells of flux, so it was foolish to even imagine she'd be some kind of masterful mage so quickly. Meanwhile her plans of getting in good the graces of an influential person were even more foolish, as no noble in their right mind would dare speak to a ragged wretch such as her. She lacked the good upbringing and polite conversation skills required, and her robe was more akin to a burlap sack then the silken threads of well known magi. Right now no one would respect one like her, and that would not change until she made a name for herself.
That's why Auria decided to come to Aurnion. Aurnion was a new land only just discovered. The people there needed all sorts, even untrained mages such as herself. After hearing the news a form planned in her mind as she headed to the sea, winding up in some shanty of a port town. It was a town in which there was a desire for capable young men and even young women to work on the countless ships heading off to the sea. While sailor was not something she counted among her skills, she applied for a job as a spare deckhand. An application that was accepted much to her surprise. She was not exactly a picture of perfect health, nor was she particularly strong to start with. Still the necessity and urgency the shipowners faced overcame any objections they had, and they hired her along with others barely qualified for the work. Everyone was heading to Aurnion, which would imply that there was a lot of people willing to work on a ship, but it was just the opposite. All the best were scooped up almost instantly, and the others were forced to make due with the stragglers and peasants desperate to make some coin. She was grateful, she earned a little bit of bread and managed to cross the ocean as well. Still it was difficult and grueling work, unlike what she was used to. It made Auria's body ache and cry every moment as she pushed herself clearly beyond her limits, but she was determined to never give up. Harder things have happened to her, and if she could survive back then, then she could survive now.
Though it felt like an eternity, her time on the ship was short. While she was grateful for the coin, she couldn't deny her joy upon leaving. Just stepping off the ship and onto the virgin land filled her tired body with a bit of hope. Her mind raced with possibility. Maybe things could be different now. Then the dark part of her mind chimed in. It was more likely she would die. Even so, she would rather die then live the rest of her life a penniless wretch. This burlap sack of a robe she wore would change one day, even if she must die for that to happen. It wasn't like anyone would notice her death anyways. She was alone in this world, something that she hoped to change one day. A change that Aurnion may bring. Aurnion might just be the chance she needs. That feeling was where hope hid, deep inside of her. A small flame that warmed her tired heart.
Three people stood out in the crowd unloading from the ship she worked on, and it was not the first time Auria noticed them. The whole trip over they stood out, and something about them made Auria feel uneasy. Although she was hardly one to judge, they did not look like they belonged, and it was like they belonged to another world. Was it their confidence? Something that was foreign to the pupil. Or perhaps it was just a weird feeling she had? Or.... Maybe she just thought that man had the eyes of a killer.
She shook her head, shaking out that thought. Everyone in this world was a killer, so that meant little in the end. She was no saint herself. So Auria took her mind off of them. Now she needed to focus on herself. Perhaps that little bit of gold she made on the ship could cover lodging, maybe even a half decent meal. She hadn't had anything good to eat in what felt like years.
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Post by Plot Device on Oct 19, 2015 17:19:33 GMT -6
The scents and sounds of a human town were easy for these creatures that resembled Mauthe Doogs, but were much MUCH larger. It didn't take long for the pack to find a small group of them, six of them broke off from the pack to start it's attack here.
(You guys get to control them from here. Also, there are more but PC combat wise there's only six.)
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Celeste
Thief
"Mmm, you're so nice and warm..."
Posts: 3
Profession: Thief
Affiliation: Sacae
Profile: Click me!
OoC Alias: Alex
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Post by Celeste on Oct 20, 2015 17:08:17 GMT -6
Also on the ship was a stowaway. Celeste had stayed near the back of the ship since she managed to get on board at the last second. It had been easy enough, though far from dignified, to convince those who caught her before the ship had set sail to forget that they did so; A purse of gold here, some slight disrobing there. Thankfully Celeste hadn't needed to go any further than that. Even so, she was now safely on the ship and was just about to get off at this strange new island.
Celeste didn't really know what had drawn her here; It was more a thief's instinct than anything. She had been low on luck lately; Any takings Celeste could've made would've violated her code of honour, finding herself in the houses of widowers, orphans and sometimes those who were in danger of losing their house. It was at times like this that Celeste simply had to walk away and try another building. It was only through the pot luck of overhearing local chatter that Celeste has caught wind of this new isle. However, she figured that anyone who was able to make the journey here must be, as they say, "filthy rich", which meant Celeste would have yet more opportunity to make her own fortune. Better yet, she may be able to use her skills to earn money legitimately in this new society. Celeste was hardly notorious, being anonymous and viewed as little more than a pest, and that was she liked it.
Stepping off of the ship, Celeste decided she need to "make new friends" as it were. She scanned the faces of the other traveller nearby to see who would she be best off with; Three people stuck out to her in particular; The first was what appeared to be a woman with long green locks, though she had little in the way of figur---"Oh, that's a man." Celeste realised. He seemed to be both physically capable and intelligent enough to fend for both himself and Celeste, if need be. However, he seemed to be nothing short of cruel, so it Celeste came to the conclusion that it would be safest to follow him from a distance, and definitely out of sight, which would be no problem given her experience in remaining inconspicuous as a thief.
The second person that caught Celeste's eye was a large bearded man with an equally large sword strapped to his back. He seemed much more powerful than the first man, but also a little denser as well. He seemed very grumpy and discontented, but Celeste's intuition, which she had built up over many years of requiring street smarts as an orphan, told her that the man harboured no hatred for the travellers around him.
Finally, Celeste surveyed the blue haired woman dressed in little more than padding. Like Celeste herself, this woman was Sacaen. This gave Celeste some reassurance and allowed her to trust the woman more than the two men, despite her obviously sub-par health and agility. Celeste would have to teach her the wonders of yoga and meditation when possible, but for now it'd have to wait.
After some thought, Celeste decided that she'd tail the effeminate green haired man. Despite him feeling not at all safe or friendly to Celeste, she knew he would get things done the most efficiently out of the three she had analysed, and how hard could it be for a thief such as Celeste to stay out of his site until she had gotten better bearings on him? Readjusting the tyrian coloured cloak she had "acquired" while on the journey across the sea, Celeste made as if she had her own business at the harbour, all the time watching the unaware green haired man out of the corner of her eye. If possible, Celeste would keep tabs on all three of the adventures, but just this one would have to do for now.
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Post by Augustus Nacht on Oct 20, 2015 23:19:25 GMT -6
The... "market" didn't prove to be too fruitful as the Ruinz trio had found. Scarce food, drinkable water, a few blades and armor of iron with a rare sighting of silver that were quickly bought up by the influx of adventuring types who sought to find their fortunes. Nothing of interest all told. Instead, the collective sight turned to lodging. Which was more like, "buy a tent and throw it somewhere". Everything was so ramshackle about this assortment that it was clear there was very little true leadership among the tent "city" of Aurion. But it was no less than necessary where the matter of staging the emerald haired Druid's expedition. He'd already sold a few of the treasures that remained among the small reserves that the three of them had put together. Most of it had already gone to... certain other matters. But that was neither here nor there for the time being.
"Pitch the tents, hitch the horses. I'm going to look into the state of affairs around here and perhaps some additional 'help'."
Nacht spoke to Georg and Saleena before departing from their company for the time being. His walk took him about hither and thither, listening in to the various goings on of Aurion. From the myriad rumors of what treasures, secrets, and horrible inhabitants were upon the isle to the mentions of some kind of work posted upon a central bulletin board. Eventually, Nacht found his way to the board that the settlers and transients had spoken of. Spotting a high reward bounty for some sort of creature in the wilds. Apparently an advanced scouting group got in over their heads and only one of the members had survived. Following his return, well it all spoke for itself really.
Plucking one of the wanted posters from the board, the Druid made his way back to the other two Ruinz.
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The baleful hounds howled as the delicious scent of human flesh mixed with the scents of horses, pegasi, and wyverns. A veritable feast was to be had for the pack of monstrous beasts. Woods were left behind as they emerged from the cover of hiding, making for the gates that opened to allow the passage of a few people returning from their own venture out into the wild. The unfortunate individuals caught in the first attack screamed in pain and horror as the monstrous hounds' jaws ripped flesh from bone and blood flowed.
But 6 of the pack in particular rushed into Aurion, howling out a bone shaking cry.
---
Nacht heard the screaming first, pausing briefly in his steps before turning to listen. Yet more cries filled the air, including the howls of the creatures. The Druid reached into his robes, withdrawing his Eclipse tome as he walked over to gain a better viewpoint. Once one of the hounds came into his view a good distance off, he stopped in place and a hand rose palm up as words of power slipped from his lips. An inky black ooze seemed to form in the center of his palm, glowing with a pale unholy light. After a moment's more, he whipped his hand outwards, the ball of darkness soaring through the air before impacting against the unsuspecting beast and earning a cry of pain as it was blown clean off it's fight by an eruption of elder magic. Yet the beast was not done just yet, beginning to rise as the rest of the hounds that entered the "city" began to attack the people.
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Orys Durrandon
Wyvern Rider
Posts: 107
Profession: The Ambitious Rider
Affinity: Fire
OoC Alias: Oleg
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Post by Orys Durrandon on Oct 23, 2015 12:11:37 GMT -6
It happened in a quick flash, like most things like this did. First he had entered trough the gates, Balerion roaring and flying out into the sky. That should have already caused him to worry... Balerion was usually loyal (and lazy) enough to stay on the ground whenever Orys left him somewhere. Yet he hadn't, and that in itself would lead on to the hard time he was about to face. He had managed to leave the gate area when the beasts of hell rode upon the town with their snarling and drool. He had not noticed them yet, then.
The first thing he had noticed was the people running away. It was utter chaos, and he quickly pulled his spear into a ready position. He had left his javelins with Balerion, and the wyvern was flying in circles above the town, roaring in a clearly discontent and perhaps even a bit annoyed manner. Orys turned his head towards the gates, and what awaited him was utter carnage. Filthy beasts, blood running down their chins as they ate and feasted upon the flesh of man. Even on this island monsters were a problem... A problem which caused him great discontent. Would his people be safe on this island with these beasts around? No matter. He'd deal with them accordingly.
Or so he thought, until one beast flew past him. It had been flung by something, that he knew. He looked up to only see Balerion in the air. It was not his beast that had aided him, then who? He had no time to ponder upon this as the man charged forwards with his spear, using the beasts' dazed state to his advantage as he stabbed his spear deep into it's back while it was rising up. Sadly, he was in the middle of the storm.
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Auria
Pupil
Either way, she wasn't about to let a bad attitude stop her chances of success.
Posts: 11
Affinity: Ice
Profile: Auria
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Auria on Oct 24, 2015 18:59:09 GMT -6
The market was as ramshackle as one would expect for a market that has only been open for a few weeks. The barest essentials cost entire bouillons of gold, and price gouging ran rampant among anything even resembling a food stand. It made sense in a twisted sort of way, the island was dangerous and unexplored. There were no farms, few hunters, and being so far off the mainland made importing food difficult. That, combined with the simple fact that everyone had to eat, meant that the merchants could charge whatever they'd like and someone somewhere would buy their handful of dried jerky. The island was being flooded with adventurer types, not fisherman and certainly not farmers, and there seemed to be danger outside the somewhat safe confines of Aurnion. At least if those bounty posters were speaking the truth. Things were bad, and they were only going to get worse before they got better. It did however mean that a brave hunter could make a lot of money right now... While Auria's skill was in question, her bravery was not. Well her willingness to put herself in danger for coin might be more accurate of a thing to say.
So Auria stood with a hungry grumble in her belly as she tried to find anything resembling an inn. There wasn't. Of course, who'd have time to build a building at a time like this? Of course if people rushed here in droves like they have been, then an inn would be sure to follow, it was only a matter of time. She was no pampered princess who could only sleep on the softest of down, but she did have her heart set on a good night's sleep in a bed. Any bed really. Oh well, she would live. If anything she was in a better position then most, she knew how to sleep on the ground. Sounds odd that would be a skill, but it was definitely not a thing the average person was used to. Going to bed hungry and on the ground, it made her nostalgic.
She should at least see if there was anything she could buy that wasn't prohibitively expensive. Doubtful, but she was determined for this day to not be a waste. She stood in the market, well handful of merchants, calling it a market might be stretching. Then again she was from the Western Isles, where you can find anything, buy anything, just as long as you have the coin. Most markets would seem woefully understocked in comparison with that. Even so, this one was particularly desolate. She stood at a blacksmith's stall, eyes a knife. It looked like a knife, with the pointy bit and the shiny sheen and everything. Whether it was poorly made or not was not something she could tell, but she sure looked like she could. Holding it in her hand, turning it over with an appraising look, nodding silently to herself. Truth was she needed a knife, mostly to skin animals if her 'hunter' thing worked out. Dark magic didn't harm the body, it harmed something else in a way she didn't quite understand yet. Still it meant she could kill an animal and it be all intact. That's probably a good thing.
"How much for this knife? Please be reasonable, I had a long trip and I'm in no mood to hear a merchant bullshit me about the price of a shoddily made knife." She looked at the merchant with tired eyes. She had no idea what this was worth, but hopefully she looked like she did.
"Oh that knife? It-" A shrill shriek ripped through the air, drowning the voice of the nervous merchant. He stopped mid sentence and his head darted around to see where the scream came from. He turned his head back to Auria, or where she stood before darting at least. His knife vanishing with the blue haired girl.
Auria was not alone in her fleeing, people all over the market were running off from the source of screaming. A screaming that only grew louder as more voices joined it. Some of the foolish cocksure warrior ran forward with weapons of steel and silver, she didn't dare turn around to look and see what happened to them. She could only hear the blood curdling screams of men having their throats torn out.
The thing was when a crowd runs, it's so much slower then when one or two people run. People pushed each other, shoved each other, and formed a nigh impassible wall of flesh. Auria was pushed, shoved, and she was too weak to fight it back. Hunger, lack of sleep, malnutrition, exhaustion from working on that boat, all of it combined into a cocktail of weakness. It was only the fire of danger running through her veins that kept her moving.
Someone shoved her, harder then the others, knocking her to her feet on onto the ground. The people behind her surged forward, stomping and fleeing from a snarling barking noise. Auria drew up into a ball on the ground, trying to avoid being trampled. She was pushed, kicked, and hurt. Her eyes shut tightly as she heard the thunder of footsteps around her. Short lived thunder, but at the time it felt so much longer. The air was thick with the stench of fear, and the smell of rotting flesh. A vile smell that would make a grown man gag.
She heard a growling, slobbering, vicious noise and she was too afraid to open her eyes to see what it was. It was a smacking noise, like that of a wild dog tearing into flesh. Something she feared was actually happening right now. She could hear the sound nearby, but not quite in front of her. Maybe several yards away, the panicking crowd distant enough now that it was almost deathly silent in comparison.
She cracked open her eyes and saw that her fears had come true. A... monster. There was no other word for it. A giant wolf like creature, covered in dark fetid flesh. The beast's vile maw dripping with blood and viscera as it dined upon the entrails of so poor woman who could not run fast enough. Auria couldn't breath. Her chest grew tight as fear gripped her like a vice. A squeak escaped her as she tried to move her body. She tried so desperately to move. It would not respond.
Almost as it could smell her fear, the monster turned its head to her. Staring at her. Maybe it heard her. Maybe it smelled her. In any case it was aware she existed now. It turned from its dinner, slowly nearing her. "No. Nonono." Auria squeaked as she tried to move again. Crawling backward ever so slightly. The creature respond with a disgusting bark that sent blood and guts flying. Violently jerking its head about, mad and monstrous. It began to run, fast. It had been several yards away to start, but in moments it had already cleared over half of it. She scrambled, padding her body over quickly. Where was it? Where was...
She finally found it just as the creature neared. She focused, she prayed, her emotions were all over and frenzied. Her fear fueled her, it pumped through her veins, it made everything go in slow motion. She held her flux tome that had been hidden away and as quickly as she could she conjured its magic. It devoured her terror as a catalyst for the magic, such a powerful and raw emotion called upon the void. Like a glutton the void gobbled up that fear and used it to create a blast of darkness. Not like a flux spell, contained and controlled, but more like an explosion. A burst bubble of shadows that fired just as the creature lunged for her. There was no way such a frayed attempt at magic could have been controlled, but the sheer force of her fear lent the spell strength beyond her. The force of the burst of magic sent the hound flying back, like smacking something out of the air with a bat. The monster rolled on the ground a few times, dust and dirt covering its rotten black coat of fur. Still it barely reacted to the hit. In an instant the creature return to its feet as if nothing had happened, completely unharmed.
Meanwhile Auria only barely managed to find her way on to her feet. Her chest heaved with deep breaths, her weak body growing weaker with exertion. She felt drained, physically, mentally, and emotionally. The fear that had overcame her now felt like a dull knife in her ribs. It remained, but it was if she was deadened to the pain. It worried her, but honestly not dying trumped anything else at the moment.
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Celeste
Thief
"Mmm, you're so nice and warm..."
Posts: 3
Profession: Thief
Affiliation: Sacae
Profile: Click me!
OoC Alias: Alex
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Post by Celeste on Oct 25, 2015 9:18:02 GMT -6
Having spent some of her time swiping gold from the shop keepers, who gave even herself a run for her money in terms of thievery, Celeste had managed to accumulate a further 200 gold. Adding just 30 coins to her own personal purse, she kept the rest in a small satchel on the side of her hip; As much as Celeste would've loved to take the opportunity to start building a personal fortune, she needed to make sure she had some currency left over in case of an emergency.
And soon after there was one, though it certainly couldn't be rectified with money. Celeste was one of the first to hear the screams. Screams cut short as the large, hound-like creatures sunk their teeth into tender flesh. Celeste didn't need a second warning. She shot off into the nearby foliage, flipping herself up onto a thick and knotted branch. Poking her head above the foliage, Celeste was now able to get better bearings of her situation; All around she could see people screaming and running. Some stopped to help the more vulnerable, some did not. It sickened Celeste that she was watching children being torn apart before her very eyes, but she knew she couldn't dive in and save every single one directly. She would have to somehow stop the monsters which were ransacking the market, but how? As a thief, Celeste only wore light clothing, trading in protection for speed. She would have to move quickly and strike effectively. Luckily for her, the creatures had focused their efforts on the crowd.
Waiting until the last beast had passed her, Celeste jumped off her perch and dived onto the back of the monster, plunging her sword into it's back as she landed. Miraculously she made it. Any damage caused was superficial, but now Celeste had purchase and would be harder to throw off. Advancing further up the beast's hind, Celeste was surprised that she had not been noticed yet. Evidently these...things were desensitised to pain, so how was she even supposed to stop them? She could probably take out the beast's eyes in a swift strike, but it would likely still track its prey by scent. If she tried to stab through the creature's ears, it would likely be slow and messy, giving it time to fight back. Trying to identify a weak point, Celeste held herself back. If she were to strike a vulnerable part, the beast would take notice of her. Trying to get help, Celeste looked around and saw the bearded mountain of a man from earlier. He seemed to be performing...admirably.
"Hey, you! Beardy guy! Over here!" Celeste called, desperately flailing her free hand about. She only got a fleeting glance from the man due to him being occupied by his current predicament. "Listen, no one here's going to take down one of these things on their own! Try and shake yours off so you can help with mine!" Celeste stopped. She was talking to a man. Men never did what they were asked. They needed to feel superior or fulfilled first. Clutching head in embarrassment, Celeste called out once again, a little more pathetically this time. "Please...I need a man's strength to save me from this beast!" Celeste could not believe what she was saying, but it had better work.
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