Zero
Myrmidon
Wandering the world to perfect his technique and find his rival.
Posts: 62
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Post by Zero on Sept 24, 2011 20:23:58 GMT -6
"The sun was shining early in the morning around the rolling plains of Sacae. A fresh morning dew glimmered as it dripped off of the green grass and wild game ran about the fields. On this day a young Sacaen man would begin his journey. It was a simple journey but Zero expect much out of it. He simply wished to travel the world and perfect his technique and become a renowned Swordsmaster."
*Zero calmly stepped out of his hut,greeted by his fellow tribe members and his father,who had all wished him the best of luck on his journey.*
"May the spirits of the Earth protect you and guide you is what he was told."
*Zero calmly nodded with a smile on his face,shook hands with men and gave friendly hugs to the women.*
"When I return and if I return, I won't let you down, I will bring pride to the Kutolah tribe and to the Sacaen name!"
*As Zero set off into the wide open field,his sword carried in it's sheath on his hip and food rations and Vulneraries carried in his pack,he lets out a relieved sigh, and casually strolls across the plains.*
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Post by Vince Altus on Sept 27, 2011 19:47:12 GMT -6
A horrid smell filled the air as the second of three bodies was consumed by the fire made from brush and spare wagon parts. Vince stood beside the blaze, staring impassively over the plains as the bodies of his comrades were consumed by tongues of flame.
It had been a simple mission really, one that they only sent fresh graduates on. A Lycian envoy was being sent to Bern to request aid against Etruria, one of it's first official actions in the war. Thoughts of battle were much harder for the country to cope with now that Ostia was gone--Vince cringed with that last thought.
It had been an ambush, a complete slaughter with no time to react. One moment, they were stuck in a patch of mud. The next moment, arrows were raining from the sky, ripping through the wagon's thin canvas and piercing their bodies. Vince had been saved by his armor, the famed armor of Ostia...but the ambassador and the other soldiers...
As Vince watched the last body wither to ash, he realized that returning to Araphen was pointless...If anything, he may have to finish the ambassador's mission on his own. He sat against the crippled wagon, comtemplating where he would go next as he stared at the dead pull-horses.
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Zero
Myrmidon
Wandering the world to perfect his technique and find his rival.
Posts: 62
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Post by Zero on Sept 27, 2011 20:27:07 GMT -6
"Zero had been walking across the plains of Sacae for at least three days now,wondering when he'd ever run into any kind of town or for that matter any kind of action as he was bored out of his wits. Looking across the horizon, he could see smoke rising into the sky which alarmed him within moments."
"Someone is in trouble? Someone is burning down our sacred plains? These thoughts raced about his mind wildly like a buzzing bee as he dashed across the plains,his left hand held firmly onto the hilt of the blade he was carrying not easing it's grip for even a moment. Calling out as loudly as he could to see if anyone was injured."
"Hello! Is anyone out there? His voice echoed across the plains waiting for a response. Hoping desperately, that there wasn't yet another bandit attack happening in the vicinity."
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Post by Vince Altus on Sept 28, 2011 14:33:49 GMT -6
"Hello! Is anyone out there?" Vince froze as the voice rang out across the plains. It could be the same group that had ambushed him earlier. He stared deep into the remnants of the fire as his mind raced. Finally, his training instincts took over; always be on the defense.
Moving slowly and carefully to avoid clanking his armor, he strafed to the back of the broken cart and gingerly climbed inside. He frowned as he navigated his way inside, crouching to keep his head from bumping the frame. Finally getting himself settled in the cart, he faced the only entrance and slowly detached his chest shield with his left hand as his right hand readied his lance.
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Zero
Myrmidon
Wandering the world to perfect his technique and find his rival.
Posts: 62
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Post by Zero on Sept 28, 2011 14:47:15 GMT -6
Zero's eyes widened in terror, as he rushed forward and approached the damaged and charred wagon and carriage. Looking around the surrounding area he observed the damage done to the vehicle noticing charred ends and axe markings against the grain of the wood. Gently running his fingers across the broken down wagon as once again called out for any survivors.
"Hello! Is anyone in there? It appears you must've been ambushed by the local bandits! They'll attack anyone that happens to pass by their territory!"
Looking around the carriage carefully,he noticed an armored figure reflecting off of the sunlight entering the small window of the carriage. He steadily held his left hand firmly on the hilt of his sword just incase this was some kind of trap.
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Post by Vince Altus on Sept 28, 2011 14:56:42 GMT -6
Vince listened to the voice...Sacaen, male...Not much else to go by. Still, the voice's owner was right next to the wagon, and currently had an advantage as Vince couldn't tell where exactly the voice was coming from...if he was armed...Vince would have to make the first move.
He turned to the left side of the cart, swinging his lance as he did so to slash the canvas open. The fabric fell away and Vince found himself facing a male Sacaen. He was indeed carrying a sword, a lucky guess, even more fortunate, the sword was still sheathed, Vince had a clear advantage.
"Yeah...we were ambushed, and you're with them, aren't you?!" Vince brought his shield arm to bear and readied his lance...if he so much as flinched toward his sword, Vince would have the first strike.
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Zero
Myrmidon
Wandering the world to perfect his technique and find his rival.
Posts: 62
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Post by Zero on Sept 28, 2011 15:51:43 GMT -6
Zero took a leap back in surprize as he eye'd the Knight standing before him,knowing from the looks of his armor he was from some Lycian nation,possibly Ostian as they're most likely known for their heavily armored knights. This man was no exception he towered a good foot in height over Zero as he nervously swallowed but did not reach for his blade.
Sir,I'd like to ask you this one question please. Do I look like the type of person who'd associate with moronic Brigands? I'm a proud Sacaen of the Kutolah tribe and we would never terrorize travelers. No matter how disliked my kind is, we are hospitable to those who are attacked on our plains. Now, would you mind explaining to me just what had happened to your wagon and why you are stranded out here on your own?
Zero cautiously observed the knight,trying to eye his movement and predict what he'll do next. Hoping that he won't have to engage such a large and armored man since he would be at a considerable disadvantage if he had to. Still Zero didn't even think of reaching for his blade in this kind of situation as it would send the wrong signal to this stranger. For now he'd would have to prove to this man that he wasn't an assailant in hopes of ever surviving this random encounter.
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Post by Vince Altus on Sept 28, 2011 17:28:35 GMT -6
Vince eyed the man carefully...His clothes were different from the ambushers, but he was largely ignorant about Sacaens so that could mean nothing...nevertheless...he wouldn't strike yet...
"The cart got stuck in the mud, but I think one of the wheels snapped from strain...It was planned, some Sacaens came, called themselves something like 'Di-ute' (Djute)...They all had bows...Hit us with a barrage...They didn't stand a chance." Vince's eyes strayed towards the fire as he finished his sentence. After a moment's pause, he started and re-focused on the Sacaen. "So...what makes a Kutolah different from a 'Di-ute'?"
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Zero
Myrmidon
Wandering the world to perfect his technique and find his rival.
Posts: 62
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Post by Zero on Sept 28, 2011 18:41:08 GMT -6
Zero calmly sighed in dissapointment,shaking his head in disbelief as he calmly runs his fingers through his hair as he ponders for a moment for something to say in response to this comment as he exhales and takes a deep breath before speaking again.
"Well for starters,The Kutolah tribe is considered the greatest of the Sacaen tribes,we pride ourselves in honesty and wouldn't attack travelers,it's tribes like the Djute that give our race a bad name. We Kutolah although of nomadic birth,are honest and hard-working people,we have a sense of honor and would never claim a person's life in such a cowardly manner. Some tribes however are tainted and scarred by the predjudice our people have received for years. That particular tribe you mentioned is most likely one of them.
But not all of us are bad people,some tribes like mine are quite hospitable and friendly,willing to help out a traveler in distress. Those bandits often terrorize our own people and it's dishonorable to attack a fellow sacaen.
Anyways my name is Zero of the Kutolah tribe,and I've recently left my village to travel the world to perfect my swordsmanship and technique and to one day aspire to become a SwordMaster,I yearn for such a title so I can bring honor to my name and to my people. I also wish to see what the world outside of my country is like and what it has in store for me as well as meet someone I can call a worthy rival for my ability. From the looks of your armor I'll assume your Ostian,I've heard many stories of how that nation is known for their strong armor. But if your heavily armored how did you lose?
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Post by Vince Altus on Sept 28, 2011 20:02:19 GMT -6
Vince narrowed his eyes as he considered the explanation, but then nodded, satisfied. The explanation was too lengthy and detailed to be a lie, and Vince, like everyone else, had heard the tale that Sacaens never lie.
"...I'll accept that explanation for now." Vince reattached his chest shield and set his lance butt on the ground. Ducking out through the hole in the cart canvas, Vince stood at ease beside the cart and looked down at the Sacaen. "As for losing with all my armor..."
Vince turned towards the cart, looking pointedly at the multitude of arrows stuck in the cart wood, to further prove his point, he ran his hand over the wrinkled canvas, dozens of small punctures. "My armor's the only thing that kept me alive, my less protected comrades are ashes instead of me because of it..." Vince stared into the fire again, it was little more than smoldering embers at this point. "When they fell, the arrows stopped, I couldn't have fought them by myself, I would have been slaughtered...So I laid still." Vince looked back towards the Sacaen, "Sometimes prudence is key."
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Zero
Myrmidon
Wandering the world to perfect his technique and find his rival.
Posts: 62
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Post by Zero on Sept 28, 2011 20:16:36 GMT -6
Zero simply nodded in agreement to the Knight's statement as he looked at the horrific scene before him feeling remorseful and upset by his predicament. "Well I admire your courage and commitment to your cause it's befitting for a Knight such as yourself you guys are near impervious to physical blows but just imagine if there had been someone wielding an Armorslayer among them,I hear those swords have such powerful blades they can cut clearly though thick armor as if it were wood."
Zero,reached up at a nearby tree and picked off a juicy red apple,as he eye'd it carefully,rubbed it on his shirt and then tossed it into the air. Closing his eyes,he concentrated as he gently unsheathed his blade and cleanly sliced the apple in half down the middle. Seeing as how it was ripe and free of worms, he offered one half to the Knight.
"By the way, I don't think I've even got your name yet sir,isn't it customary for one to introduce themselves?" He took a bite from his apple and sheathed his blade as he said this.
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Post by Vince Altus on Sept 28, 2011 20:25:45 GMT -6
Vince took the apple half and smiled. "I'm Vincent Altus, and you were correct, I am...was..." Vince paused to consider, "...am a knight of Ostia."
Vince frowned for a moment, reminded of his country's fate before turning his attention back into the apple. He bit deeply into it and spoke as he chewed. "So...Where does one go to perfect his swordsmanship and technique?"
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Zero
Myrmidon
Wandering the world to perfect his technique and find his rival.
Posts: 62
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Post by Zero on Sept 28, 2011 20:33:03 GMT -6
Zero smirks as he took another bite from his apple,pondering for a moment. "I really don't know I haven't really been outside of Sacae much, aside from Bulgar though, Bulgar is Sacae's largest city and despite it's residents being of nomadic birth it's quite similar to any of the major cities in the other countries."
"However I'm still starting out on my journey as a Myrmidon,I did pack some food and healing Vulneraries on me as well as my sword but I've still got a long ways to go before I can aspire to SwordMaster. Most Myrmidons however tend to go to fighting arena's to get stronger and earn a decent amount of money in the process. Although the losers are usually dead or badly wounded."
"To be honest with you I really don't know where to get started. I'd rather not provoke a group of bandits on my own cause that has severe consequences."
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Post by Vince Altus on Sept 29, 2011 15:29:54 GMT -6
A fighting arena...Vince had "trained" at one of those when he was still a young recruit. It didn't exactly pique his interest though, too purposeless...He bent down and started unfastening his leg armor.
"Well," Vince talked as he worked, "I had my sights set on Bern." That much was true, the mission had been to request aid from Bern, and, as an added bonus, he could always just try to join the Bernese military if things in Lycia got any worse..."I don't know what we'll find when we get there but...I'm sure we'll run into action just by trekking through the country." Another truth, they might even get lucky and run into some Djute. Vince smiled grimly at the thought. "What do you think?"
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Zero
Myrmidon
Wandering the world to perfect his technique and find his rival.
Posts: 62
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Post by Zero on Sept 29, 2011 16:33:40 GMT -6
Zero smirked confidently at his new traveling partner and firmly shook his hand nodding in agreement,getting ready and prepared for the road ahead of him.
"Well then Vince,let's get a move on and seek out some action for now. Speaking of which though where would you say the nearest arena is? I've really been itching to go to one cause I'm thinking we could use the money for now while we are traveling the world. What do you say about that Vince?"
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