Cthatur - Rise of the Separatists

[unyeth]

Cthatur - Rise of the Separatists

Still open

OOC = http://roleplayerguild.com/showthrea...hlight=cthatur
Interest Check = http://roleplayerguild.com/showthrea...hlight=cthatur

Rules

The rules are as follows. Obey them and I will not kick you out, ignore them and I will kick you from the rp.

- Don’t GodMod
- Don’t play an incredibly overpowered character
- Don’t be unpleasant or rude
- Post OOC posts in the OOC thread
- Do be enthusiastic and imaginative
- Swearing in RP is allowed but not gratuitously. We don’t want people being offended.
- No racism, no sexist or anythingist remarks OOC we want people of all sexualities, races and genders on board, BUT IC some elements of racial hatred makes sense (Beasts hating Humans etc)
- Be realistic – we do NOT want things to be impossible
- We want this to be a little fast paced, if you are going AFK for longer than two days please comment on the OOC thread to allow another player to interact with your character to enable RP fluidity
- BE literate. We want a paragraph a post at least, with character development and interaction with other characters. This is integral for the roleplay to flow well. Use spellcheck we want people to understand what your saying
- FINALLY be friendly and have fun

***

Three hundred and fifty years after nuclear fall out on the planet Isislia, Cthatur, the largest city on the mainland is under the threat of rebellion. After the nuclear war, the first to get their greasy hands on power were the pigs. The swine were some of the most affected by the nuclear radiation; however they were greatly helped by their already existing and growing intelligence. Over the course of fifty years they evolved, like many other animals, to stand on two legs, and grew to vast sizes. Standing at around eight foot, these monsters became greedy, seeking power and chaos. Being so overpowered they quickly took control of the ruined cities, building fortresses as a display of wealth and power.
Up till present day, attempts at rebellion came and were appropriately disbanded. The Pigs had the help of other resentful newly evolved beasts and disgruntled machines, and as their support grew, so did their control. Humans had no place in power as they were the ones that hunted, ate and controlled the beasts and as their last betrayal to the planet brought the fiery explosions that tore through the mainland. In the city of Cthatur is was not uncommon for humans to be slaves – punishment for their crimes three Centuries before hand. Those that weren’t slaves went to the underground or the surrounding lands and seas.
As the Swine remained in power unchallenged their rule became a dictatorship, and the human excluded regime became a hellish dystopia where unless you had money and weapons, you would no doubtedly fall into the hands of the slave traders or cults that ruled the city streets. The beasts and machines started to realize the mistake they had made in allowing such a regime take hold, and soon a select few sought out the help of the humans that were remaining in hiding. These were aptly named The Separatists, and were amassing members of every creed and race be they machines, animal kind or human.

Its present day, and the Separatist leader K’trin has sent messages to the far reaches of the wastelands and beyond. You have received a message via courier saying the following:

Greetings traveller

My name is K’trin of the Cthatur Separatists and it is my aim to recruit strong minded and powerful adventurers to aid our rebellion against the Swine. For too long has their regime gone unperturbed and unpunished and it is time their devilish dystopia was brought to a spectacular end. I am asking for individuals to join me – I do not care if you are beastkind, Machine, human or even alien – what you are means nothing to me; however your skills, powers and knowledge will greatly aid myself and the other Separatists.
Whether your seeking adventure, power or justice, your assistance is needed, and you will be well paid for your troubles.
There will be a ship leaving from the outskirts of the wastelands to cross the Halo at dusk on the fourth rise of the second moon so you have plenty of time to prepare and say your goodbyes. There is a map showing where the vessel will be.
I will not be present, for it’s safest for me to go unseen and remain unknown, but you will be escorted by some of my followers dressed as Swine Guard.
Speak “K’trin has called for assistance” and they will allow you aboard.
It will be a journey through the night before you arrive at an abandoned trading post and there you will be met by T’nat who will take you from there.
Bring whatever supplies you deem necessary

K’trin

Start from the receiving of your letter and the journey to the docks...

---------- Post added at 09:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:37 PM ----------

It was cold - deathly cold on the morning a haggard traveller arrived at the caravans of the Cayasette tribe. He was caught by guards that wrapped him in furs and took him to the elders tent. Outside it was still dark, and congregated outside the dimly lit tent, the rest of the snow people listened as the traveller revealed his message. Inside, standing to the left of the elder stood a figure shrouded in furs and wearing a skull headdress. She looked fierce and cold, she was young, but from her stance she did not look it. The room was silent as the people listened and awaited upon the elder to speak. She stood.
"Family, fellow tribesmen and battlewomen, the humans of Cthatur have called for our assistance." The room was awash with suspicious whispers and disbelief as the elder continued to speak, voiced raised the elder continued to speak "As free humans we have an obligation to respond." The chattering continued. A tall muscular man carrying a spear stood along with a few of his comrades, "We heed the call for help. Myself and my best men will travel back with the courier to lend our assistance."
"Be seated" The elder said loudly, she watched the men reluctantly and obediently sit down before continuing. "Your offer for help is appreciated however there is no need for our spears and knives when the battle is against guns and machines." The room silenced as if hypnotised by the woman's calm and authoritative tone, "No, our weapons will gain them nothing in their war other than casualties, and it is for this reason i am selecting one of you and one of you alone to pack your things and make for the dead Mainland." She surveyed the room... silence... Behind the elder, the blue eyed figure suddenly looked chastened, looking at the elder, fear betraying her cold exterior... "It seems that what the rebellion needs is not more swords and spears but magic... Few of you are practitioners in the arts of magic and even then... Most of you are healers and fortune tellers." The elder looked stone cold as she spoke after a long pause, "and it is for this reason, i will be sending my young assistant to the wastelands..." The elder was cut off with an outburst of fury from the warriors in the room
"Why send her out?! she knows nothing of battle! This is an insult to the warriors of the tribe" The muscled man shouted, the rest of the room echoing his sentiments. The girl standing behind now was panicked looking, eyed darting and focusing on the crow in the rafters as insults flew her way. The elder went silent, eyes fluttering when suddenly the room was thrown into darkness as a swirling figure of flame appeared infront of the arguing crowd. Panic ensued.
"SILENCE" the elder roared her eyes glowing amber as she spoke, her left arm guiding the fire elemental across the room. "THIS, this is the power the rebellion needs" The elemental roared and seemed to fill the entire tent as the screaming masses fell silent in panic and awe. "They need the power of the elements not of sticks and steel." Satisfied at the now silent crowed she muttered something and the elemental vanished; she proceeded "Unyeth is the only one here, other than myself that is trained in summoning and reaching the elemental plain." All eyes in the room fell on Unyeth, she stood up taller trying to remain unreadable, and tentatively stood next to the now frail looking woman commanding the room. "I am by no means strong enough to make the journey to the Mainlands, even though my power is great. Unyeth on the other hand is strong, she is young and can make the journey - she is a remarkable student and shows excellent potential, infact her skills may outweigh mine someday; however her skills will be needed more in the mainland." She beckoned the young blue eyed woman in front of her, " She will be a worthy ambassador for the Cayasette tribe, and will benefit from the adventure." The elder shrank back and gestured to Unyeth "She will not be going alone... she has her guardian" She nodded to Unyeth and the girl signalled to the bird that landed on her shoulder. The bird had presence and power despite its ordinary appearance. Eyes glowing amber the black feathered bird ruffled as it surveyed the crowd. "She will be leaving on the morrow alongside the courier, and will be taking our respect and prayers with her. It's a dangerous journey and an even more challenging mission. We let her go in the promise she will return to take my place as elder." The Elder stood, giving a warm but secret look to Unyeth before standing in front of the room. "Leave us."
The room dispersed quickly till it was only the elder and Unyeth sitting face to face, the crow now settling next to the older woman. Unyeth took out her pipe and began to fill it with herbs. Calmly she lit it, she didnt say anything but her hands shook as she smoked. The elder did the same before stroking the bird and sighing "you understand why i chose you, yes?" The red haired girl nodded, removing her skull headdress now fully revealing her vibrant dreads "and you accept what i am asking of you?" The girl nodded again, taking a drag - the fragrant smoke forming shapes as she looked down ready to speak.
"I am the only one able to reach the elemental plane other than yourself, and i have the physical and mental strength to make the journey. I understand why you chose me, but..." She looked out the open door of the tent at the snow gently blowing in "it will be the furthest i have been from the snow... from the tribe." her voice caught in her throat, however her face continued to give nothing away.
"You need to expand your horizons and see the world as it is now." the old woman puffed smoke out of her cracked lips before smiling a little "who knows... maybe the sun in the Mainlands will warm that heart of yours girl." She cackled as Unyeth remained cold. The crow cawed in appreciation of the hags comment before settling again to small soft strokes, "go into it confident... remember you will never be alone." Unyeth nodded and excused herself, walking into the snow to reflect on the evenings events and what tomorrow held. The crow joined her, snow slowly settling on the both of them.

[Cadvin]

-Three days prior-

Karkazn walked down the street, just behind the master. He had never let racism stop him, and now walked the city without fear, protected by his automaton. The machine fascinated Ichstein, more than simply building it. Its worldview was meticulous, scientific, infectious. He had been afflicted with its conviction that all things could be measured, could be understood. He felt, almost, that he had wasted his life building, when he could have spent it understanding what already existed. But alas, his thoughts would have to be saved for another time; they had arrived at the party.
"This time," Said the clockmaker, "You can actually come inside. The doors here are big enough. Everyone is rather eager to meet you." He was about to turn the doorknob, but hesitated. "Oh yes, and you don't need to apprehend anyone that touches me. This is a party, not an arena, I'll be quite alright." He laughed, and they stepped inside.

--

It was nighttime when they left. Ichstein was drunk. Not on alcohol, for he refused anything that would dull his mind, but drunk on his own thoughts. He couldn't stop looking at the sky.
"Sometimes I wish I didn't live in the city, if only to be able to so clearly see the stars as you can elsewhere. I've heard they are breathtakingly beautiful out in the plains." Karkazn merely nodded. He could see every star and nebula from the city as easily as he could from the country, but the master's eyes were not as good as his. They were indeed beautiful, but no more, in his opinion, than a brick, if examined closely.
"I wonder what it would be like," Said the master, "To travel away from the world, amongst the heavens. Oh, what marvels I would see! If only- Oh, hello."
Three figures had stepped out in front of him: a lynx, a wolf, and some sort of horse or large donkey. The horse was holding a bat, and the other two had knives.
"Karkazn, I- HAGK!" Ichstein fell to the ground as he was stuck in the stomach with the bat.
"No orders," he growled, slicing the inventor's throat to keep him from speaking. From behind him came a terrible crackling sound, but he barely noticed it. "No machine." There was a soft 'shunk' as the wolf drove his dagger deep into Ichstein's stomach.
Another sound from behind, this time like two pieces of wet meat slapping together. The wolf turned around to see his lynx partner falling onto the ground from where he had hit a wall. The horse's twisted body was laying on the ground, and the automaton was barreling towards him.
"No... mere machine..." Coughed Ichstein Gorcheqz, blood bubbling out of the slice in his throat but somehow still managing to laugh.

-The present day-

Karkazn stood at a street intersection, watching the world go by. These were good places to think. No one really noticed you.
The trial had acquitted him of any murder charges, and it was ruled self-defense. But it had hardly been a trial. After all, no one cared about street trash. Moreover, all of his master's wealth, belongings, and property now belonged to him, though he had no idea what to do with it.
That, in fact, was what he was currently thinking about. What was his purpose now? Did he have one? It had been clear before. Serve the master. But now, the master was dead. And long before he died, he left not old his property, but also his freedom to his creation.
It was puzzling. When one makes a clock, they make exactly as many pieces as are needed for that clock. It wasn't possible to take out a cog and have the clock still function. Was the real world different?

Karkazn's thoughts were interrupted as a man approached him. He was holding a piece of paper.
"You called Karkazn?" The man asked. The automaton stared at him for several seconds, and then responded. His voice was deep and hollow, with seemingly random pauses between words.
"I AM KARKAZN, FOR I HAVE BEEN NAMED, KARKAZN, BY MY MASTER."
The man offered him the letter. "This's for you, then. Be best if you read it now, then get rid of it so nobody finds it."
The automaton carefully unsealed the envelope, and retrieved the letter. It took him about five seconds to read it carefully. He looked up. The man had vanished.

So, he mused, carefully tearing the letter into tiny pieces. It seemed that he was not necessarily a lost cog, merely one taken from one broken clock to repair another.
Perhaps he would even fit.

[DrNightKOT]

Kott aimed the Steamgun at the target, which was a simple scarecrow and pressed the trigger. The wave of deadly steam hit the target soon, giving quite a damage to scarecrow. Kott instantly released the trigger, sweared silently and looked around. The thing he did is vandalism, harm of property, and if he is not lucky, the milita is going to beat crap out of him for that. For slighly burning the scarecrow.
As he looked around, his worst expectations came to life - a soldier was going to him. A long man with camouflage gear and a goddamn bulletproof helmet. Kott also knew those guys wear gear to successfully perform police actions. He stood there, in panic. This depends on his luck...
...The soldier didn't even care about the scarecrow. He gave a message to Kott with words "Some dude got to our walls and asked to let him in. After some time we managed to persuade this guy to say his reason for visit." the soldier took his helm of his head and continued with a grin "Then he gave us message and we killed him." when the soldier noticed the expression on Kott's face, he corrected himself "Joking. We just sent him back." Kott's expression became lighter, he was feeling terribly lucky. That soldier didn't care about scarecrow. Kott took the message and soldier left...



Karma recieved the message with less incedents. She was facinated, excited, overhyped. Karma looked around her house, searching for something to write excuse with. She found a pen, a piece of paper and quickly wrote words "Gotta beat Swine, will get back later." The paper appeared on the table with piles of books. Karma chuckled. She needs to tell this to Kott...


Kott already packed himself up - everything was ready in his backpack. He already told the officers about the message, they didn't argue about it. Just chuckled and told Kott something about patriotism and wished him to "...strike the justice with power of steam of Thurn!" Every officer is obligued to say something like that to every leaving soldier of Thurn, but this was an overkill. But as Kott started leaving the building another person entered it. Karma went into the building with an envelope, and at first walked towards Kott to say about it, but the General interrupted the conversation that didn't had time to start "Karma, Kott recieved the message too..."

...A pair of two modern looking lynxmen were going to their target. Both of them looked around in fascination - they never left their home before. And they would probably never get back - as they left, the village was attacked by waves of aborigens, coming from night...

[unyeth]

Unyeth looked into the faces of her weather beaten mother and father and said nothing. Her father, a tall, muscled, red haired warrior, lay his hand on her head whilst her mother held the muntjak headdress tightly. Slowly, the girl pulled away from her father and lowered herself so her mother could don the headdress. She stood, an imposing intimidating figure, swathed in furs and bones, a large skull shielding the most of her face. She turned to face the rest of the crowd gathered to say their farewells, and finally her gaze landed on the elder. Her cracked grey face broke into a small smile as she handed a small sea lion tooth on a string to the girl, who took it humbly before nodding her head. She fixed it to her sash of totems and looked to the snow covered wilderness before calling to a crow that circled leisurely in front of her.

One small wave and she left...

***

A week passed and Unyeth had arrived on the shore of the mainland. It was a lush coastline, however the damage of the nuclear wars were still evident. To her left as she was escorted off the seavessel she turned and saw a mammoth submersivle, its rusted hull home to a few hundred seabirds making the most of the sea spray. Shuddering she looked up the bird and spoke... without moving her lips... What do you think that is Nannet? she asked as the bird settled on her shoulder, I would hazard a guess that its the ancient wreckage of a nuclear powered submarine. Unyeth looked blankly at Nannet; being a free human with no contacts to cities of any kind technology was foreign to her, and this giant submarine may as well of been alien for the difference it made to her understanding. She plodded on up the soft beach, followed by a mutated mule, feet stumbling a bit on the grey sands before reaching some shade. This heat... its unbearable... Unyeth muttered to Nannet, before reluctantly taking off another layer of furs, bundling it up and strapping it onto the mule. Nannet meerly chuckled aloud,unbearable for you but bliss for myself and the mule the crow flapped its wings in front of the tired beast, cawing wickedly as it bucked in panic.
Unyeth all but swatted the bird out of the air and scolded it for being so cruel. After a brief pause, Unyeth said farewell to the ocean and ventured into the twisted palm jungle, mule following - its three eyes waging permanent war with the flies that kept trying to make their way into its sockets. Light was fading fast, so Unyeth quickened the pace, Nannet dissapearing everynow and then only to return with full canteens of water. It always amazed Unyeth at the birds inginuity and navigational skills... but then again, as she had to keep reminding herself, he was no bird at all...
As light continued to fade, visibility became poor and the terrain more so... travel would have to end soon, the mule had already had to be released as its hooves could not manouver across the jungle floor - remaining in this humid, dark and dangerous environment was not an option. Muttering some small quiet words, Unyeth pulled what looked like a bird talon from her sash, and breathed on the totem. Its vibrated a little in her hand and, with perfect timing, clutching her belongings she swung her right hand up and caught... something... that pulled her out of the tree cover and into open air. Smiling a little she swung her body to straddel the summoned creature. It resembled a frost covered vulture, its eyes multifacited and its beak severe. As it flew, Nannet flew above, tiny in comparison to the mount Unyeth rode. You will waste all your energy summoning Frostkind Nannet said sternly as it powered its wings to keep up with his mistress. Unyeths facial expression did not faulter at his words. Her eyes glowed a steely blue as her lips continued her channelling. Yes... but its better than being... sapped dry by whatever beasts lie in that jungle... She struggled with her words, mind focussing on controlling the raw power she was currently astride.
Night fell as Unyeth landed her elemental mount. They landed on soft grass, in a clearing lit by strong moonlight. The Frostkind looked glorious in its surroundings, but Unyeth could feel its desperation for freedom and tug for power taking its toll, and with a small bow and even smaller words, the bird dissapated into mist. Unyeth staggered to a rocky outcrop and swung her pack underneath it before collapsing heavily, breathing shallow. She spoke, aloud this time to a noncholant Nannet that was preening itself in a small puddle on the rock, "if i cant get used to summoning... mid-teir Frostkind... how do i hope to summon upper-tier Firekind..." heart rate racing, she reached into her pack, taking out a bed roll and wrapping herself in it, looking out around the dew covered clearing. She reached into her pack and removed her pipe, cramming it with herbs, before lighting it and taking a drag. Her heart rate slowed and her facial expression became one of peace. "How far have we got to go now Nannet?" She exhaled slowly, "How far till we reach the legendry Cthatur?" The bird settled next to Unyeth and rifled through her bag looking for seeds On foot - 6 days, by air, around 2... We will reach the wastelands in a day by air... when we get there, there will be no stopping and no drinking ground water... we will stock up in the morning, and if we fly to the outer rim of the wastelands, we can camp in the starch trees before our final excursion. The wastelands will be hell... like nothing you have ever seen... So rest, smoke do whatever, because the next few days are going to leave you drained.
Unyeth took this in slowly, she tried to hide the fear in the back of her mind.. the wastelands? these places only existed in old wives tales yet here she was about to venture out into them... She ignored Nannets cruel and almost malevalent tone, and finished her smoke, mind elsewhere.

[Cadvin]

Karkazn was in the workshop, assembling a watch. One of his fingers was slip open, revealing a much smaller pronged appendage that grasped the clockmaker's tools with expert precision. He inserted the very last jeweled gear into the mechanism, slotted it into the case, and closed it. He put on the time adjuster and winder, and then set the finished device onto the table, next to the thirty others he had built this morning. His finger snapped closed with a click. Perhaps he would sell them later; he would need more money to buy more materials to create more devices to sell. He wasn't entirely sure how to sell them, or even why the money was needed, but it was what the master had done, so there must be some reason. No doubt it would become clear in time.
It had been a day since he had received the letter. The boat would arrive in nine. He would have to be on the other side of the Halo by then, to be taken to this side so he could travel back to Cthatur. After all, that was the letter's instructions. He walked outside, stooping to get past the doorway, and locked the door, for the last time in what could be a very long while. He pushed the key into the mailslot; he could get the door open without it. He set off, towards the west.

--

Outside the city was the farthest Karkazn had ever been from the city.

It's hard to say what he thought about in the small journey to the Halo, or what other worlds he concocted in his logically mad mind. But one thing is certain; it was not boring. Even though once you have seem one sad, deflated shrub all the others look the same, Karkazn could see each one as a new marvel, if he wanted to. In fact, he did not truly know what boredom was. He had been told that it was a desperation to have something to do or think about if you had nothing, but Karkazn never had nothing to think about. And even if he purposely halted his imagination and merely sat, unthinking, he was not bored. It was simply not an ability that he had.

The Halo, however, presented another problem. The boat would be departing from the other side, and he had no boat on this side with which to cross it. There was, however, a much easier if slightly more risky option. He did not know if his frame supported it, but if anything began going wrong he could always quickly abort, and find another solution.

--

Apparently, mused Karkazn, water pouring from his body as he emerged from the murky depths of the Halo some days later, he was fully equipped with submersive capabilities. Intentional or not. Though travel had been very slow, as he was forced to half his speed so his mechanisms wouldn't work too hard against water friction, in addition to the erratic underwater terrain. But he had made it to the other side with no negative effects besides silt in his frame that would soon be ground out. He quickly surveyed the terrain, and checked it against what he knew of the terrain from the composite map in his memory. It told him that he was a ways north of the docks, but at a nonstop walking pace he could reach it in half a day. Which was good- if crossing the Halo had taken much longer, he would have missed the boat.

[DrNightKOT]

The duo was moving terribly slowly and they knew it. Too much time spent on finding the way, too much time spent on shooting some mutated rabbid rabbits and then, even more time spent finding the ACTUAL way. Kott and Karma knew they were incredibly slow and they just can't make it in time. Even though they found the way, they were moving slowly. They needed a ride. And to their luck, an old railway depot showed it's ruined outlines. The sun was going down, and the duo started going there at nearly running speeds.

"Majestic piece of useless junk." Kott said, inspecting the first train, that was apparently heavily damaged by the damaged roof. "What do you have, Karma?"
"I think this one is working." She replied, having some basic idea about it's insidings. Kott quickly got inside of this one, tried to launch the systems and stated "Living, no fuel, requires oil or some power source, it's a hybrid" After some seconds of silence, he noted the stare of Karma. Having no idea what does that mean, Kott asked her about this.

"Can't you see the motor here? It's basic electrical one." Karma said.
"Yes I can, and no the magic won't help, this is not main motor." Kott stated. "But you are thinking in the right direction."
Kott walked towards the oil based motor. Waited for some time, looking at it. And then, used hydration spell to pour in water inside. Karma stood there trying to figure out what Kott did. "Karma, charge up the electrical one and take controls. I'll revive this motor."
Karma did the order immediatelly. After some mere seconds the train, working on power of magic moved through wastelands at the incredible speeds, right towards Halo...

[unyeth]

Unyeth woke with a start, body shaking... despite the desperate cold of the night she was sweating. She staggered to her feet and tried to find water. Clouding her mind were memories that were by no means hers - memories of power, of strength and frozen glory. She fell at the edge of a small pool and, kneeling bent over she gritted her teeth. Her hands felt stone cold, her body awash with frost rimed feathers, she was vast and ruled over the lands of ice and snow; she had... power...
A rock slammed into her head and she turned, matted red hair covering most of her face except for fierce, glowing blue eyes. She grimaced and all but shrieked at the crow that promptly lobbed another stone at her head. This time, it did its job, and Unyeth fell back and landed in the pool. She came too instantly as the cold water enveloped her. She shot up and scrambled out of it, lying spread eagled on the rocks. She didn't dare look at Nannet, so kept her eyes tightly closed in shame. The pull of elemental power was of no comparison to any other magics other than necromancy, and as such, Unyeth still found it almost impossible to resist. She felt something light land on her chest and she opened one eye. They were still blue, but greyish like a winter storm - lacking the fierce glow that was present before. Peering at the crow she mumbled "thanks" before flopping her head back. Nannet didn't seem amused, he seemed frustrated and replied you have to learn to get control over yourself and your desires
"i dont desire power!" Unyeth replied frustrated
some part of you does, otherwise you wouldn't have kept a part of that Frostkind with you. Nannet was as cold and blunt as ever
"I... That wasn't deliberate... I didn't choose to retain its memories... it just happened..." Unyeth panicked. Everything about her was supposed to resemble control and strength, yet her earlier display showed her weaknesses.
nothing 'just happens', besides we don't have time for you to wallow in it. We need to get moving, and you will need to summon again. Maybe stay away from mid-tier Frost elementals this time, stick to the ones you can handle. Unyeth stood slowly and glared at the bird. Nannet was in a callous mood today... maybe his desire to be free was roused by her 'performance' but she reckoned that it was anger at being contained... Nannet got like that sometimes.

Two hours after the incident they were airborne once again, this time not astride a vast frost vulture but on a large crow looking bird, made out of what appeared to be steel. It was a lower-tier storm elemental, commonly known as a stormcrow, but was vastly easier to control for a long journey. They passed vast forests and the occasional abandoned city, and as they neared the wastelands, the trees became bare - stark reminders of the war wages three centuries previously. Alien flying creatures attempted to keep up with the woman on her mount, but the stormcrow left them in its jet stream. As night began to fall, they came to rest, exactly as Nannet had advised; on the rim of the wastelands amongst a ring of starch trees that played menacing shadows across the landscape. They landed and Unyeth dismissed the large steel mount. She shuddered as it dissipated. How are you holding up? Nannet enquired distinctly more positive than before. Considerably better... summoning a lesser elemental was a good idea. She stretched and looked at the vastness of the wastelands. None left in you? The crow asked, feigning concern. None at all Unyeth replied, ignoring the niggling voice in her head that was still reeling from the night before. Camp was made quickly and efficiently and fire was easily started - the land and wood being bone dry. It was baking, even though the sun had fallen. Unyeth lay in her bed roll in just a lightweight vest and nothing else. She lay attempting to look at the sky but it was shrouded by the gnarled branches of the dead mutated trees. She sighed. "Such a long way from home..." she poignantly said aloud, before once again lighting her pipe. She was intimidated by the next days journey... it would indeed be hell...

Sleep was restless... shrieks and screams of the inhabitants of the wasteland sounded like a night chorus, keeping Unyeth tossing and turning... Nightmares followed all that journeyed into the wastelands.

[Cadvin]

Nightmares, of course, could only follow those who dream. But dark thoughts and feeling may follow all, as they did Karkazn. A strange sensation had been with him for many days now, but he wasn't certain what it was. The realization struck him not long ago, traveling near the coast to the docks. Suddenly, a starving, doglike creature with five legs had risen up from behind a rock and launched itself at him, snarling and spitting like a thing possessed. He had only meant to throw it off of himself, and at most dissuade it from attacking again. But as he grasped it, it had broken in his hands, like a fragile toy in the hands of an careful child.

Suddenly, Karkazn had felt very alone in the world.

He had spent some amount of time that night taking the corpse of the creature away from the water, and even longer digging a six foot deep hole. Very carefully, he lowered the creature in, putting it in a position that looked like it was asleep. Then he filled in the hole, and spent the rest of the night standing still at the unmarked grave. He had known what to do because he had done it for his master. It had been in the will that he should. A cruel request, but, thought Karkazn, perhaps a necessary one.

That morning he set off again, a lone figure in a desolate wasteland, with no friends in the world but himself. He... wasn't sure what he would have done had no one been waiting on him, counting on him. But, so unlike himself, he didn't speculate on what might have been. He didn't want to. He just kept walking until the dock was in sight. And then until he was stepping onto the wood, which was fortunately designed to take heavy loads. It was about half a day before the boat was going to leave.

((I don't know if the boat's there yet, so I tried to leave it ambiguous.))

[unyeth]

Morning came, as mornings usually do, to bake the dry toxic desert that is the Wastelands. On the perimeter of the vast dust bowl, Unyeth and Nannet had woken - as neither of them had particularly slept, and were stocking up on whatever water they could find. Unyeth had donned her skull headdress and was in the process of laying down a guardian enchant whilst Nannet observed her every action from a nearby scalded tree. The pair remained silent - neither looking forward to the final days journey... They had to get across the wastelands to the Halo in a day, and due to the staggering heat and radiation levels they needed all the help they could get.
Unyeth was scared, although you wouldn't notice it. Her hands were still, her eyes level as she concluded her enchants and looked determined at the desert. She looked at Nannet before moving a cold pale hand to the eagle talon she had around her totem sash. Her fingers felt it, rolling it slowly over in her hands before looking at Nannet again. "Here we go..." Nannet remained solum and silent, staring at the small claw in Unyeths hand. They had good reason to be serious, for what the girl was about to summon was a beast. Unyeth inhaled deeply before pressing her thumb on the point of the talon, drawing blood and then went rigid as the first drop hit the floor.

The elemental plain was turmoil, her sight was staggered, and illuminated out of the gloom she saw the familiar Stormcrows cirlcling over head. She needed something bigger - much bigger. There were six kingdoms - Vann, Joar, Jordskjeiv, Vinden, Isen and the dead realms. Wind whipped around her, sand caught in it tearing at her soft skin. Nannet was no where to be seen, being a bound elemental he could no longer walk these plains. She turned through the blistering winds to face the realm of Jordsjeiv - Earthkind territory. She walked trying to hold herself upright but the further she went the weaker she became. Eventually she stopped walking and stood, legs apart, feet firmly dug into the ground. Her hair was being blown across her face, visibility was low as sand continued to be picked and spun around by the wind. She squeezed her thumb and the small cut bled onto the sand. It sunk in and then vanished, and as it did, the wind stopped and the sand in the air fell to the ground.
Silence.
She remained still but her eyes darted frantically around her, til she saw what she came for. The sand to her left had raised and an indeterminate shape of spiralling rock and sand slowly raised itself. Its glowing eyesockets fixed themselves on Unyeth who reached frantically for the small talon which was glowing and burning brightly. She ripped it off its sash, and threw it at the creature - it travelled slowly, but as it travelled towards the syphon of sand it sped up and grew. The creature roared and Unyeth roared back, her voice ageless and powerful...
"Earthkind of Jordsjeiv - With this totem i bind you."
The creature tried slamming its way back into the sand, but to no avail.
"You will obey my will and mine alone"
It writhed furiously in front of Unyeth
"You will leave these realms... and be bound to me...till i release you from your bonds"
the glowing talon slammed itself into the beasts chest.
There was no noise, but a sudden shock wave spread through the elemental plain, as the binding process was completed. The Earthkind dissipated into nothing and all that was left was the glowing, scalding hot talon that it was bound to. She scooped it up and cried out as it burned her hand. She attached it to the totem sash as fast as she could before making her way back to the point where she entered, all around her the merciless winds picked up again, leaving her mouth bone dry. She had been there only around ten minutes, but it felt like hours... Time moved differently in the elemental plains and as such, Unyeth was severely weakened. She felt her body spasm a touch but ignored it. She couldn't break down till she reached the boat.

With a few short sporadic words, Unyeth was back on the rim of the Wastelands. Warmth returned and her rigid body collapsed to the ground, where she lay momentarily as Nannet nudged the now cold talon on his mistresses sash. Is it done? Have you bound the Earthkind? Nannet asked, eyes glowing intently. Unyeth slowly nodded and tried to sit up her head aching like nothing else. She had gone to the elemental plain a few times, but this was the second time she had succeeded in binding a mid tier elemental to a totem, and the first time she had done it unescorted. There was no time for congratulations as they had a long journey to accomplish. Straightening up once more, she breathed lightly onto the talon, before watching it glow again. She grabbed her things and doggedly ran into the desert wastelands, Nannet flying closely behind her. The earth shook slightly and just like in Jordsjeiv a vast shape came out of the sand. Still running Unyeth bellowed "Take us to the Halo..." before waiting for the creature to envelope them.
She travelled across the plains not on a frost or steel covered elemental bird... but in a sandstorm...
and fast.

---------- Post added at 02:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:49 PM ----------

((i will reach the boat next post and ambiguous is a good idea allows the others to not be like left behind))

[DrNightKOT]

The train flew through the deserted plains of wastelands, powered by formerly hybrid engine. After few modifications though and some time of thinkering Kott decided not to work with oil based motor and leave the work to the electric motor. He got to the control panel and with lots of bored yawning started controlling the train. Meanwhile Karma decided to check the interior of the rest of the train. As she walked through the corridors and doors she was thinking about her own problems. She wasn't sure if Kott knew about her feelings, but she was sure he was - she is quite obvious. But he didn't say anything...

...With those thoughts Karma suddenly found something curious in the train - an old assault rifle. 30 bullets, 4 clips and body armor with helmet. Karma took it all without hesitation, but knew that she won't be wearing it - she had her own good suit. The heavy stuff Karma found was indeed heavy and she slowly walked towards the machinist's room. As she walked inside and dropped her stuff, Kott asked her, standing near the window "Where the hell did you find it? This would come in handy though." Kott started looking into window again. "I think I can see some flying bastards that want to eat us."

This discovery shocked Karma. She never knew how to fight someone. But after some time, she took the situation with less fear and already took her position near the second window. Kott didn't appreciate her movements though - Karma instantly heared an order to get to the controls as Kott was changing his vest to bulletproof one and got a helmet over his head. He then took the Assault rifle and walked to the window. Checked if the clip wasn't empty and started aiming for the flying monsters. Flying monsters called "Iohan's flowers", and looking like dragons, or flying dinosaurus. More like a mix of both. Kott couldn't care much about biology right now, he was more interested in "bullet mechanics". He was aiming for the head and after a short time of very problematic aiming (train and Flower was moving, not counting the shake of the old and unrepaired rails) he shot a short round at the monster, missing terribly. After realising an error, he fixed the ironsight and went for another round. This time the round was twice as long and actually hit the animal. Flying monster screamed and tried to attack the train - dangerous foe. Failing to pierce the metal the Flower went for another try. But it was too close this time to miss - Kott aimed for an accurate headshot and didn't miss. The animal had it's head broken, pierced and smashed open by the zink and other heavy metal and had no chances - after two seconds of purely reflexive flight the monster fell on ground with soul piercning screams.

Kott grinned. He was told that each fight with those monsters is dangerous. But he couldn't remember why - this one was easy. Maybe they were on train? Or had normal weapons, not some kind of magic and steam guns? Kott's theories were broken as Karma yelled "There are two on right!" Kott understood it quickly. He got up from his improvised position and went to another window. He hit it with the handle of weapon and broke it - terribly bad way to work with tech, but the events asked for this. Kott started shooting other Flowers but Karma said "Four on left, one in front! Are they ending?" Kott decided to ask another question instead of answering:
"How much ammo do I have?"
"Like, five clips"
"Crap. I think we are going to have a long battle. Karma, screw controls, scavenge the full train for weaponary and ammo."
"Me?"
"DO IT NOW"
After some time yelling, Kott continued shooting down the following monsters. After dealing with right ones, he quickly got to the left side. He noticed one thing - they were not trying to attack in group. Only one lonely kamikaze tried to attack and usually got shot. But this statement is no longer true - he heared a heavy bang in the back side of train. The animals targeted Karma. Kott sweared and started shooting without much mercy or long aims. He knew that he had no ammo, but when the Flowers would break the train into different parts, Karma is doomed.

Karma was running through the trains, hearing the metal clangs of claws and roof. The train was well made - the Flowers didn't even penetrate the cover. This won't hold them long though - after some time her railroad car would just split up with Kott's side and she would be alone. Karma ran through the interiors, checking the places. Now it came time for the last car that she didn't check - sealed fully, dark from inside. Karma casted the spell to light up the situation and ran into the section.

To her surprise she felt something wet and disgusting under her leg. Looking down she barely held her vomiting reflex - she stomped a human internal organ. At first she found this disgusting, but disgust was replaced by fear - someone did it some time before and this was very soon. Spine chilling situation. Maria prepeared one of her dangerous combat spells but walked on - she suddenly felt herself terribly brave. And then she saw even more disgusting image - lots of mulitated bodies were lying around one strange human looking creature that was muching on them. Silently. Karma barely held herself again and looked at the creature with fear. And it turned around with a terrible toothless bloody grin.
"Come here my dear. You want to become more useful?" the kannibal said
"I am quite useful in living situation you monster" Karma repied walking backwards. Electrocution is dangerous spell and Karma never casted it close. But now it was another case - the enemy was at the ten meter distance. Few second later it tried to jump over it's victim but failed - his body was charred by electricity. Karma picked up the first sharp thing she found and finished the monster off. With clear disgust she checked every single room in the car - those creatures can be more. But she only found terribly disgusting bodies of dead people and a backpack full of assault rifle ammo. Everything was bloody. Karma gulped, grabbed the ammo backpack and walked away.

Bloody boots and hands were reminding her about this bloody place. Karma diconnected it from the rest of carriage, still being afraid of beasts that can come out of it. After some time she returned, and returned just in time. She saw numerous beasts flying around train, already targeting Kott instead of her. Dosens if not hundreds of flying beasts - and lots of them were falling on ground. Kott was in his position, slightly tired but much better aiming, conserving every bullet he had. Karma dragged in the bloody backpack and despite it's condition Kott instantly grabbed a clip from it.

The battle in Wasteland went on, and the train was winning. Kott wasted half of his newcame ammo, but the monsters were hurt too. Only a dosen of weakest ones were following, those that couldn't fly faster to reach his cabin. Kott finished those off too and after a minute of safety check he fell on chair of machinist. The fight ended, and after an hour of Karma's storytelling the train finally came to the Halo...