Eric
The "Before" years
[M:0]
There are worse flames than mine where you're going...
Posts: 21
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Post by Eric on Oct 20, 2009 16:37:57 GMT -6
"Now, concentrate, Eric. We don't want another fire, do we?" Eric and his (unofficial) magic teacher were in the largest clearing they could find, facing the blacksmith's grinding stone. They had been working for over an hour; even so, Eric showed no sign of exhaustion from his many uses of magic. On his master's command, Eric ran the magical formula through his head one last time, chanted them under his breath, and a fireball began to form in his outstretched hand. When it reached the size of a beach ball--which, as usual, took just under a second--Eric's teacher muttered, "Now!" and Eric pushed the fireball toward the target. I've got it, I've got it, he thought to himself, trying not to imagine the last time his aim had been bad. It was right on target, about to hit, and... An image of what had happened during one of his failures crossed Eric's mind before being tamped down. But it was enough. Gah, no! The fireball had jerked before hitting its target, and only through Eric cutting of his energies did it avoid hitting a tree. Sighing, thoroughly frustrated, Eric turned toward his teacher, his hands held up in defeat. "I just can't seem to do it!" "What do you mean? That was certainly an improvement over last time." "Last time was a huge mistake. I've had several times where I got that close to the target. I'm not getting any better." His teacher, as Eric had expected, placed a hand on his pupil's shoulder. "Don't worry, it's just control you need to work on. Everything el-" Eric gently moved away, letting his teacher's arm drop. "I know, 'The power is there, you just need to practice, most people lose control when they first try,' you've told me all of this. I just...I want to see myself improving." Eric went over and sat on the target--it was only waist-high--and started trying to calm himself. His teacher kept his distance, knowing his pupil well; he would soon be up and ready to try again, if not today, tomorrow (if he found time).
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Kasey
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Posts: 7
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Post by Kasey on Oct 22, 2009 16:01:14 GMT -6
Kasey was on her way back to Eric's house from the church, having just been practicing her healing abilities. She was thinking about the small but good improvement she had made during practice, she had been practicing with small animals. When she finally made it to Eric's, she found him sitting on his target looking a little sad. She knew he had probably just finished practicing and went to comfort him, but before the words escaped her lips his mom called for dinner.
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Kasey
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Posts: 7
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Post by Kasey on Nov 4, 2009 16:46:21 GMT -6
They headed towards the house, and after a delicious meal of roast chicken they went to bed. Kasey lay awake in bed and thought about her family. Where is Abel? Where are my parents? Are they all dead? but she reminded herself not to think about such things and dosed off to sleep.
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Eric
The "Before" years
[M:0]
There are worse flames than mine where you're going...
Posts: 21
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Post by Eric on Nov 7, 2009 12:44:08 GMT -6
Waking well before Kasey, Eric set about his usual morning task of looking for work. The village still hadn't recovered completely from the bandit attack of many years before--Eric's father Manual had been one of the unifying forces of the town--but Eric was glad to see that he was getting more and more time to practice magic all the time. Many of the people that had left for jobs to pay for repairs had returned with help, and while Eric was used to hard work, there were now others better suited. So it was that he found himself at his usual training place, ready to start practicing anew; his teacher didn't like to be woken early, and he had loaned Eric a tome exclusively for practice. *** "Darn it, why?" It had taken less than half an hour for Eric to realize he wasn't making much progress. He slapped the tome onto a rock he usually rested on and started pacing off his frustration. I know how it works, I've memorized everything teacher taught me, I've got the power...or so teacher says, anyway. What am I doing? He looked over hopelessly at the thoroughly undamaged target. "If you can't reach the your goal, maybe you're looking too high." His teacher had told him that...maybe he was trying too hard? But what could he do to make it easier...? Snatching up the tome, Eric went to his normal spot...and then took several steps closer. Clutching the tome, praying furiously to whatever higher power happened to be listening, he called up his fire, took a last deep breath, and fired. A very satisfying boom and a flash of light lit up the clearing as the target was set ablaze. Made of metal with wood propping it up, it didn't burn long, but the fire had been hot enough to crisp the supports to ash in seconds. "Yes, yes!" Eric hissed to himself, pleased with his work. If distance was the problem, all he had to do was stay at close range; if he worked fast enough (or had a stupid opponent) he could do it. After another energetic hour of practice, Eric collapsed at the edge of the clearing, weak with satisfaction as he eyed the faintly glowing target. "Why in Elibe didn't I think of that before?" he asked himself. Of course he knew: he hadn't wanted to back down in front of his teacher. Failure had seemed better than a handicap. But now... The sun was high over the horizen, so, with renewed confidence, Eric set off for his home, where no doubt he would find something to do. ((I couldn't leave it, but I want to wait a bit for the bandit attack. If Kasey can't get on, I'll hurry it up, but...I like ellipses. XD))
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Kasey
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Posts: 7
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Post by Kasey on Dec 25, 2009 14:45:18 GMT -6
Kasey awoke with a start when Eric's mom opened the curtains. The sun shone in covering her bed in a bright light. Another nightmare? This is getting crazy I- "Come on sleepyhead, you shouldn't still be asleep at this hour!" "Sorry, I've been sleeping later as every day goes by I can't figure it out." "It's fine I just don't want you to sleep to late or you'll be up all night. But enough talk, lets get some food in you!" They headed down the hall to the kitchen and Kasey ate breakfast. When she was finished she headed back to her room to get dressed. She then headed outside to do her chores. She finished them quickly wanting to get to work, healing the wounded.
Ooc: Sorry I haven't posted in a while, I've been grounded.
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Eric
The "Before" years
[M:0]
There are worse flames than mine where you're going...
Posts: 21
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Post by Eric on Dec 28, 2009 20:09:39 GMT -6
It was about time to go home; Eric didn't have many chores to do anymore, with his mother constantly enlisting Kasey for various tasks instead, and he was ready to find something to do for himself when an unexpected call went out: "Attack! Everyone take cover!" A village far from the great powers like Ostia and so close to Etruria could never survive perfectly defenseless, but this particular one had been put to the test years ago during a bandit attack...and had been found severely wanting. With all effort put into rebuilding, very little had been spared for improved defense. Eric knew he would be needed. So he made his way from his practice area at a furious speed, half of him exuberant at the chance to put his knowledge to the test and half-panicked at all that could go wrong. As much as frustration could cloud his thinking, Eric had always liked to take time to analyze things and work out scenarios. It looked like he would need to think fast. He arrived at the watchtower--a small wooden structure that just barely deserved the name--and what he saw instantly stripped all hope he had of making a plan. There were already several scouts surrounding the tower--presumably those of the announced attacker--and it would only be a moment before they noticed Eric. I might as well give them a reason, Eric thought grimly after processing the scene. Ducking into the nearest building--the smith's forge, of all places--Eric settled himself at a window facing the tower. Which, of course, wasn't nearly as close as the practice target had been. Okay, my attack usually veered about three feet from the target at long range. My targets now are only a little farther than that, so...maybe four feet to the right? No, it only veered sharply when I panicked after getting distracted so... Wait...why don't I just aim at the center? The idiots are clustered tightly, but those three are broad fellows...that'll work.Eric's aim wasn't too far off; it struck just right to throw one of the bandits straight into the tower, face first. The other two turned away fast enough for one to be stabbed in the back by the town watchman, while the last jerked out of the way, head swinging wildly between trying to find Eric and the known defender. During an interval, Eric risked another shot at the bandit, burning off some of his leather armor and showering dirt at the impact site. Obviously not much smarter than his friends, the bandit turned stupidly toward Eric and went the way of his second companion. Just as Eric was congratulating himself, the watchman sprinted off to the side, showing Eric what he had missed: the first bandit, of course, hadn't been killed after all, and was dashing off to warn his companions. It wasn't long before he was lost in the woods. "Give it up, Schyler, you'll just attract the others if you follow him," Eric called to the watchman, who was looking ready to charge after the escapee. Schyler slumped in defeat. "I should have seen him. This job is not as easy as my dad said it would be..." Schyler walked back and leaned on his tower, exhausted even after only a short fight. He was hardly older than Eric--about fifteen--and he had only taken a watch by the encouragement of his father, the usual watchman. Right now, he looked ready to give said parent a piece of his mind. "Relax, Schyler," Eric assured him. "You did the best you could, and those three could have caused a lot of chaos if you hadn't been here. I could never have taken them on myself." Eric close his tome and smiled at the older boy. "Cheer up and shape up; we have work to do, don't we? You need to go tell your dad to get everyone organized, I'll help get the evacuation started." After a few seconds of catching his breath, Schyler's face was set. "You're right as usual. See you in a minute." At this, he set off along the west side of the village. "Let's get this party started," Eric muttered, heading opposite both Schyler and the woods the tower faced. *** Nearly a mile away from the village, the burned and battered scout crashed out among his allies, breathing hard. "What 'cha see?" the apparent leader of the group asked--"apparent" because he had simply taken the role upon himself, no questions asked to anyone. "Easy pickins'," the scout replied, straightening with a grin. "Couple o' boys that might give us trouble, but they seem to be the worst of the lot." With a new, malicious air, the leader shouted, "It's ours!" and led a charge into the woods, headed for the stirring village.
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Kasey
The "Before" years
[M:0]
Posts: 7
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Post by Kasey on Dec 30, 2009 10:09:18 GMT -6
Kasey was helping with dinner when she heard the announcement. She knew Eric would have gone to help the second he heard the warning, he was always eager for something to do even if it was dangerous. Kasey ran to the watchtower and found the bodies of two bandits. When she looked up she spotted Eric. She walked over to him and asked what happened. When he finished explaining she knew she would be needed for the attack that was coming.
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Abel Caritas
Myrmidon
Whatever happens, keep moving on.
Posts: 120
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Post by Abel Caritas on Dec 31, 2009 21:50:54 GMT -6
Abel swiped a bandit with his blade as he and the others sideswiped the charging bandits. They were just in range of the village archers. Abel had come up with the brilliant plan on the fly.(OK, so he just happened to show up at the right time, big deal XD). He slashed at the man again and this time the man was ready. He blocked the attack and stabbed at Abel, only for it to be blocked. Abel shoved the man back wards so that he could block an attack from another bandit. Suddenly he was fighting two on one, blocking and slashing. He took a slice in the leg. Ahh... he thought, paying no attention as accumulated several more wounds. At least I seem to be holding them off.../i] Abel found a opening and exploited it, smotting one of his enemies. Just then, two more showed up. Great It was then that he noticed that some of the bandit's continued to charge twords the village while others began to slow to face this new enemies.
OoC:Epicness!!! I finally get to show one of my plans for Abel. I wanted him to be so good with a sword that,unlike certain myrmidons who use two, could wield one sword yet take on to people or a dual wielder(that's okay right? or should I of waited for sword master?)
What an epic post to become lvl 3 ;D
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Post by Theian Geian Makarn on Dec 31, 2009 22:00:52 GMT -6
Theian slithers behind an enemy bandit and stabbed him in the chest. He fell, and Theian laughs. "Ha! The zombies of the Ostian cities weren't as much fun as these losers! Eragon, Francis, you alright? Tonight, we fight for another person to join! CHHAAAARGE!!!"
He jumps in front of another one, and begins to slash rapidly at the bandit's axe, making it impossible for him to strike back.
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Francis
The "Before" years
[M:0]
I Hate Small Towns
Posts: 34
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Post by Francis on Dec 31, 2009 22:57:04 GMT -6
"I hate small towns."
With a grit of his teeth Francis gave a former ally a knuckle sandwich before gutting him with his axe, kicking the dying frame off the end. He couldn't fight as nimbly as the others, obviously, so he had to resort to the brutal simplistic way. Watching his blue haired ally charge in like a fool he couldn't help but shrug and trudge on after him. It was for pay and this twist in roles of DEFENDING a village was something he had to get used to anyways.
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Garnet
Hero
The Scarlet Brand
You call these bandits? You should'a seen what I had to deal with in Sacae!
Posts: 330
Etruria Fame: 1
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Post by Garnet on Jan 1, 2010 16:04:58 GMT -6
Garnet moved up and stood alongside Abel, turning so that the two of them would be able to fight against enemies in a the whole half-circle in front of them. He held his buckler out in front of him in his left hand, ready to catch and deflect whatever blows he could.
Abel had managed to evade, and combat two bandits without taking too many injuries. He'd even managed to take one of them out, but now there were three bandits attacking the two of them.
Wordlessly, he pressed his blade against the arm of a bandit that was attacking Abel, and gave it a yank. The blade he used wasn't made to be razor sharp, but the nicks and cuts on the blade from battle damage were enough to cause a ragged cut in the man's forearm.
The bandit recoiled in pain, with a roar, before switching his weapon to the other hand and giving a lightning quick strike. Garnet easily pressed the off handed blow aside.
Yes, Garnet was preying on those who were distracted by others. That was the best way to win an engagement. Garnet prepared a blow to take the bandit's head, and struck, but he was anticipated by his enemies. As he struck at "Lefty", another bandit threw an axe blow at Garnet. The blow landed before the merc could respond, sending him sprawling back.
As the red-head checked himself out he found that the armor on his chest had received yet another scrape to the collection he'd accumulated, but that that was the most effect he had suffered from it. That, and for some reason his breath seemed to be coming in shorter spurts.
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Post by Cefia on Jan 1, 2010 16:08:26 GMT -6
"You hate small towns, I hate small ships," Cefia muttered after Francis. She didn't care for what they were doing, but her employer decided to help a village, so she would as well. A bandit on the side came trudging at her, but instead of facing the man up front, she grabbed a nearby barrel and placed it in between the two. The guy saw it coming and halted right before running straight through, so she grabbed him by the shoulders and gave him a headbutt. The man tumbled backwards before having a hard heavy boot on the face.
"Alright, now its getting fun." she smiled like a pirate who found treasure, exposing her teeth. She was missing a few here and there, but nothing that didn't get in the way of life.
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Eric
The "Before" years
[M:0]
There are worse flames than mine where you're going...
Posts: 21
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Post by Eric on Jan 1, 2010 20:13:32 GMT -6
Eric had already been forming a plan for any number of bandits between six and a score. With new allies to reckon in, it took half the time to think it out. "This makes it simple," he sighed to himself. He had planned to stay on the ground, backing up the decently large but woefully underarmed defense force of the village. Now he just planned to climb up the watchtower and provide an occasional distraction.
I'm assuming that I have some kind of good luck on my side...right. Eric shook his head and dismissed his second plan in the last minute; he wasn't doing any good standing there, and plans were to be made in leisure time. He needed to help--
"Whoa!" he shouted, diving out of the way as the watchtower collapsed. Three burly bandits were cackling over their triumph on the other side.
"Theodore is going to go crazy," Eric muttered, snatching his tome out from when he had pocketed it and charging a fireball. The tower had split neatly in half, and it took almost no effort to light the farther half on fire. The bandits scrambled away in shock. "Yes, yes, I'm still here," Eric spat at them, holding out a hand and summoning more fire. "Don't worry; there are worse flames than these where you're going." One of the bandits--having left his axe in the debris that was now kindling--immediately turned around to run, only to be smote by a fireball. Good thing I was so close to the base of the tower; hitting them at this distance is easy, and they can't hit me yet. The others were obviously terrified by the failure of their clever plan, too, and their disarmed fellow was barely recognizable from behind by the time they reacted. One immediately charged at Eric, axe raised; the other, obviously not used to combat, stayed back as if unsure of what to do. He got his wish; Eric ignored him and sidestepped his clumsy new opponent, knocking him off-balance with another strike.
This is too easy, Eric thought. We may have over-prepared, getting ready for the Nabatan bandits to come back. They wouldn't be this-- CLONK!
Nobody liked to be wrong, but most people didn't get clocked by the blunt side of an axe when they were wrong. Eric's fireball exploded in a rush of combusting air, sending Eric and the bandit he had been fighting onto their backs. Struggling to refocus his eyes and his mind, Eric lifted his head to confirm his suspicions; the other bandit, dismissed as a coward, stood weaponless and dumbstruck at having his blow strike. The second condition left him quickly, and he moved to remedy the first.
"Bit hard t' smart off when yur brain's jiggled, eh?" he sneered, picking up his axe again and standing a bit off. Eric couldn't see why he wasn't finished off already until he noticed something: his tome was gone, but it--and Eric right arm, which he held it with--was hidden from the bandit's view. He's scared of me? It worked, but for how long?
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Abel Caritas
Myrmidon
Whatever happens, keep moving on.
Posts: 120
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Post by Abel Caritas on Jan 1, 2010 20:26:19 GMT -6
Abel watched ask Garnet took the hit. Unfortunatly one of the men fighting him took the advantage of this distraction and slashed a good sized gash across Abel's leg. Abel kicked the man in the knee and ran to Garnet's aid. He ran up and wrathfully began to slash rapidly, and all the bandit could do was block. Abel finally calmed down and quickly dispatched his enemy. In his rage he had wondered a little ways from where he had been. He turned to see the other forgotten enemies begin to get up and head for Garnet.
OoC:ya it's lame.And no comments Eric
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Francis
The "Before" years
[M:0]
I Hate Small Towns
Posts: 34
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Post by Francis on Jan 1, 2010 21:34:04 GMT -6
Francis pushed a bandit away from striking a blow on his red haired comrade from before, Garret he said his name was...or Garnet, he'd have to learn it. Giving him a thump across the face with his axe he pressed onwards, stopping to notice two bandits engaged against a down cloaked boy. He'd seen scenarios often like this, though he was usually on the invading side, so he was confused on what to do at first, before charging in to join in on the fun.
One of the bandits looked up and, seeing as this group of brigands had left before knowing of Francis' betrayal, turned and smirked,"Heh, looks like yer kuck just dun gone ' run out boy! Three of us, one of ye-" an axe went through the man's gut, as he stared in shock at his former ally's assault. Francis then gave the man a good skull bash head to head to help knock the dying man off his axe, having took note of how the green haired girl had done it, before standing in front of Eric,
"Come on then Charles, let's do this." Francis addressed his comrade, who snarled and got ready, attention away from the boy.
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