Jade ran as fast as she could. She wasn't use to running. As a prostitute she rarely had to do much. But now that she had a chance to escape she was going to do it. She kicked off her heals. It would be easier to run without them. She knew she wasn't the fastest person around but she would do everything she could to get away now that she had the chance. She hoped one of the Gods or Goddesses would take pity on her.

LordMarwain said
“Wait I have something for you.” He handed a small box to Lily. Inside was a thin whistle, shaped like a small wooden rose. “I would hate it if such a beautiful young lady would be harmed in the coming chaos. That’s why, whether you choose me or not, I give you this gift.” Two figures approached. It were druids, carrying large scythes. When they stood before them, they turned their face to the crowd, so that the two could talk in private and not be looked at anymore. “When you blow on the whistle, those will come to your aid, whether you need one or one hundred. I personally trained them to fight. Their scythes go through enemy’s like they go through crops. For I am the crops god.” He laughed a gentle laughter. “That last part was a joke, but it is how another god called me a while ago. But what do you expect from one who knows only war.” He placed his hands on the wall, leaning backwards and looked at the sky, enjoying the warmth of the sun. Tavon let out a small sigh. “I had hoped it would be this peaceful forever.” Then he looked back at her. “So which way do you want to go?”

Lily's breath caught in her throat. She hadn't truly expected to be approached by a God. Especially so early in the festival. She looked around. Mostly because she was sure that there had to be some mistake. He had to be talking to another woman named Lily. When she saw no one around but the druids he called she turned to him. She held out the roses that she held in her arms. "You are welcome to have them Tavon. Thank you for choosing me."

The old man Brom walked up the stairs to the old priest. "Hi there my old friend," he greeted. "You finished it?" the old priest asked. "Yes, all my knowledge is in those books. A bit of the forbidden knowledge was stolen by a boy, but that won't be a problem." He put the large bag with all the books down. The old priest gestured to a few other priest, who rapidly transferred the bag to the backside of the temple, and then away from sight. "It is your burden now old friend, I carried it long enough.” The priest looked at him and raised an eyebrow. “But why did you not offer it to the gods? I know for certain it is a gift worthy enough to attract a few.” Brom turned around and started walking down the stairs. “Because after a live of gathering information, I’m tired and you might use it for good.” He looked at the circle of people gathering around the pyre, waiting for the right moment to offer their gifts. Brom smiled when he walked past them. And with a confident stride he walked into the flames.

KatherinWinter said
Jade ran as fast as she could. She wasn't use to running. As a prostitute she rarely had to do much. But now that she had a chance to escape she was going to do it. She kicked off her heals. It would be easier to run without them. She knew she wasn't the fastest person around but she would do everything she could to get away now that she had the chance. She hoped one of the Gods or Goddesses would take pity on her.

Erä watched the girl run, she certainly had spirit, running like that.
he saw she was limping a little bit. Understandable, in her profession.
The raven swooped down and Jade heard a whisper ring in her head.

"Let us make this a fair hunt"
Jade could feel her bruised and beaten body, hurting less with every step she took.
Her mangled loins pulling back into shape, the marks on her arms and neck fading away.
a shivering pulled through her body, she felt great, better than she has had in the years in this line of work.
"Now earn my gift"

MasterOfMetal said
Erä watched the girl run, she certainly had spirit, running like that.he saw she was limping a little bit. Understandable, in her profession.The raven swooped down and Jade heard a whisper ring in her head."Let us make this a fair hunt"Jade could feel her bruised and beaten body, hurting less with every step she took.Her mangled loins pulling back into shape, the marks on her arms and neck fading away.a shivering pulled through her body, she felt great, better than she has had in the years in this line of work."Now earn my gift"

Jade didn't question her good luck. She didn't know what God had helped her. She didn't care. She would honor who ever had chosen her. But first she had to escape. She looked over her shoulder at the guy behind her. She might not be the fastest runner in the world but she was clever. She might be able to lose him in the crowd. She ducked down low hiding her tall body among the shorter. Then she slide into an open tent. That should give her time to catch her breath and think.

KatherinWinter said
Lily's breath caught in her throat. She hadn't truly expected to be approached by a God. Especially so early in the festival. She looked around. Mostly because she was sure that there had to be some mistake. He had to be talking to another woman named Lily. When she saw no one around but the druids he called she turned to him. She held out the roses that she held in her arms. "You are welcome to have them Tavon. Thank you for choosing me."

He smiled and accepted the roses. "Come join me for a little stroll," he said to her while standing up. They walked through the streets, When they turned around the corner, suddenly they were standing in an open circle in a large orchard. Golden apples were hanging from the trees. The sun pleasantly warmed their skin. "Welcome to my home," Tavon spoke, while planting three of the roses got from Lily as a gift. Each of the roses grew considerably in size when they touched the earth, turning into a table and two chairs. The thorns withdrew so you wouldn't be hurt when you used them. Tavon sat down and gestured Lily to do the same. "Tell me a little more about yourself my beautiful champion."

LordMarwain said
He smiled and accepted the roses. "Come join me for a little stroll," he said to her while standing up. They walked through the streets, When they turned around the corner, suddenly they were standing in an open circle in a large orchard. Golden apples were hanging from the trees. The sun pleasantly warmed their skin. "Welcome to my home," Tavon spoke, while planting three of the roses got from Lily as a gift. Each of the roses grew considerably in size when they touched the earth, turning into a table and two chairs. The thorns withdrew so you wouldn't be hurt when you used them. Tavon sat down and gestured Lily to do the same. "Tell me a little more about yourself my beautiful champion."

Lily blushed. She had never been one to attract attention. She wasn't use to people noticing her. She was a quiet shy girl who was easily over looked. She followed her God through the streets trying to convince herself that this was real and not some type of dream. When they turn a corner and find herself walking into an orchard. She looked around in wonder. She loved the feel of the sun against his skin. She shyly took one of the chairs. "I don't know what to tell you I am not a very exciting person."

KatherinWinter said
Lily blushed. She had never been one to attract attention. She wasn't use to people noticing her. She was a quiet shy girl who was easily over looked. She followed her God through the streets trying to convince herself that this was real and not some type of dream. When they turn a corner and find herself walking into an orchard. She looked around in wonder. She loved the feel of the sun against his skin. She shyly took one of the chairs. "I don't know what to tell you I am not a very exciting person."

"If I wanted a very energetic person I wouldn't have looked for a person like you my dear. I leave the very exciting and energetic people to my brother. It was the way you looked at the people, enjoying yourself without the need to become the center of attention, that made me look at you. And I noticed the girl able to grow prized flowers. I know how large such a task is for a human, because I am the one who taught your ancestors to do it. I just want you to tell me a bit about your past. The things you have experienced and the feelings you felt. I can see you're nervous. If you want to take some time first to relax and make yourself more comfortable, then by all means take it."

LordMarwain said
"If I wanted a very energetic person I wouldn't have looked for a person like you my dear. I leave the very exciting and energetic people to my brother. It was the way you looked at the people, enjoying yourself without the need to become the center of attention, that made me look at you. And I noticed the girl able to grow prized flowers. I know how large such a task is for a human, because I am the one who taught your ancestors to do it. I just want you to tell me a bit about your past. The things you have experienced and the feelings you felt. I can see you're nervous. If you want to take some time first to relax and make yourself more comfortable, then by all means take it."

Lily looked down at her lap. "It's just that I am very shy. Most people overlook me. I like to watch people." she told him in her soft quiet voice. "You can learn a lot by quietly watching people. I have learned many secrets by just watching and listening." she blushed. "Not that I was trying to learn secrets or anything. Like I said most people overlook me. My past isnt very exciting. My mother was a single parent. She never would tell me who my father was. She grew flowers and sold them to support us. When she passed away a few years ago I started growing and selling them to support myself."

a slight breeze flew through a graveyard, a hooded figure stood over a fresh grave. as he stared into the grave he could sense the restless soul buried below, he knelt down and reached into the grave and his hand passed through like the earth covering the grave never existed, he grasped something and pulled his arm out of the ground and pulled the soul out as well "Welcome to the afterlife" he said to the soul as he sent it to the Underworld.

A wraith appeared and knelt, its sharp bladed hands touching the ground and its head down as it spoke, "my lord, a champion is needed and sacrifices need to be made"

The hooded figure turned to the wraith, "Then go, and find me a worthy champion to lead my armies also send out the ghouls for a hunt, tell them to capture a sacrifice and a feast" he started to walk past the wraith "tell the banshees to prepare the pit for the sacrifice"

the wraith with his head still low, "yes my Lord, your orders are my command" the wraith vanished as his final words echoed

The hooded figure looked around and then raised his hands and a portal appeared to his domain and when he walked through it the portal shut

Seeing the altar free and an others coming up behind him Misha decided this was the moment.
He took a deep breath and clenched his fist around the goat's leash.
Solemnly he stepped forward, he took the satchel from the goats back and put it down beside the altar.
From it he pulled a long knife, he put it in front of him on the altar.
He placed the goat on the altar and looked up at the sky.

"To all the divines!" Misha said in a booming voice. "I bring you a sacrifice of future! This goat has served me well for some time and would for years, it is my future milk and cheese that I give up, as well as companionship. It is a timeless clasic! I present to you: A goat!"
With a wide gesture Misha grabbed took the knife from it's hilt, it glimmered in the light of the fire.
"But there's a twist." His eyes glimmered like the knife in his hands as he slid it along the creature's throat.
"I shall also give you a presentation of skill." The razor sharp knife flashed as it slid across the carcass. Quickly skinning it.
"It will not be raw meat that I shall give you.." With expert eyes the prize bits of meat where cut out and placed upon the altar before him.
"But a meal that would befit a god." From the satchel Misha procured some spices and marinated the press meat.
With a grand gesture he placed the meat on a grill he put over the sacrificial pyre. The fire flared up as he blew into them.
Silently he stood as he watched the meat slowly cook, sometimes flipping it over.
He was awaiting an awnser, trying to hide his nervousness.

a wraith appeared before the Alter that Misha was at "The God of Death and Fear welcomes your sacrifice mortal" he hissed as he floated about "and he has a offer for you, should you take it, he will speak to you in person the the Domain of Fear"

Misha stood petrified, staring into the glowing eyes of the creature that stood before him.
He recognized the monster from the horror stories his grandmother liked to tell. A wraith, a creature beyond death, from the domains of the Torturer of souls.
"The god of death..." He muttered. "And fear... Appreciates good cooking?"
Misha's face showed a mix of fear and confusion.

In Dim Halls, the trinity sat and watched. From a Steel, Copper and Stone throne, three men looked at a burning pyre. A festival, a feast, in honor of the gods.
"A day of joy. To keep people happy, one must give food and games." Said the the one on the Copper throne. He lit his torch with the flames of the pyre.
"But it is not a day for US!" said the one on the Steel throne. "All can claim glory an praise. They should worship us if they want our attention."
"Indeed, we would not want the outcast, the unworthy." replied the stone throne.

"But A Spark, it can leap from any fire, any pyre. Even those who do not believe can build and dream, can achieve." the torchbearer continued.
"Very well, brother, we will listen and see. Will you then create when one is deemed worthy?" the one on the Steel Throne pointed his sword to the stone throne.
"I will, as I have done before. Will he carry the hammer, the sword or the torch?" he answered, lifting a builders hammer.
"That is yet to be seen, we have no contenders yet."

The three looked at the pyre. The smell of roasted meat filled the Dim Halls.
"What about the goat farmer, the cook?" the builder offered.
"He is certainly skilled, but not fit for sainthood." the soldier commented.
"Then test him, for he stands in presence of death and fear. What would he do when not afraid?" The torchbearer raised his torch above the pyre.
"That we will. I shall grant him bravery. If he intrigues us more, we shall grant him more." the builder raised his hammer above the pyre.
"And if not, he will live his live as a noble carver, applying skill in his own way." the soldier raised his sword above the pyre.

In Misha's eyes, a fire started burning. Warmth filled his body and voice. He is not afraid, he can never be afraid again.

KatherinWinter said
Liz looked down at her lap. "It's just that I am very shy. Most people overlook me. I like to watch people." she told him in her soft quiet voice. "You can learn a lot by quietly watching people. I have learned many secrets by just watching and listening." she blushed. "Not that I was trying to learn secrets or anything. Like I said most people overlook me. My past isnt very exciting. My mother was a single parent. She never would tell me who my father was. She grew flowers and sold them to support us. When she passed away a few years ago I started growing and selling them to support myself."

"It seems like you had a difficult time, but only after hardship and hard work true beauty can shine." Tavon stood up and walked to Liz. "It is time for you to walk at the world with a little more confidence." He took her hand. "I will give you a part of my power. Use it to defend the cultivated nature of this world. Teach mankind to grow the flowers that you adore so much. Teach them to respect nature. But above all, live good. Keep enjoying the little things in life. Do what feels right to you. And for now enjoy the festival." Liz felt a kind and gentle power flowing through her body. When she closed her eyes could feel the plant life of this place. A power that gave her the ability to shape and bend nature. She opened her eyes. She stood in the city again. Left and right people walked past her, unaware of what happened. She could feel the flowers in the city growing. Then for the last time she heard his voice. "We will meet again my beautiful champion. Remember to enjoy yourself and when all chaos comes, don't forget the whistle."

Misha could feel the terror wash away, his heart burned, his muscles relaxed. He stood tall and confident.
He didn't know why, but he knew not to question it. This was the defining moment.
"Then I dare step into the domain of fear. I will speak to the Torturer of souls."
As he spoke the words he expected a shiver to run along his spine, but not this time.
Misha strode forward and extended an arm to the wraith.

Satúm enjoyed his day greatly. He enjoyed his mead, his women and meat,
but when stumbling past the temple stairs, he was reminded of his predicament.
'Damn.. still no offering..'
He looked at his half empty cup 'Could I perhaps.... Nah..'

'Here goes nothing, literally'
Satúm took one last swig, threw his mug on the gound, whiped his mouth and started walking up the white steps.

Satúm, calmed by the drink, walked to the alter, empty handed, he had a plan, a bold plan. quite clever he thought.
'To all the divines, whose eyes pierce clouds and flesh I call!'
He raised his empty hands to the sky
'I bring you.. NOTHING'
a confident smile on his lips
'nothing physical that is.
I offer a promise whoever will accept it!
Any promise!
Who will take my offer, oh great devines!'

LordMarwain said
"It seems like you had a difficult time, but only after hardship and hard work true beauty can shine." Tavon stood up and walked to Liz. "It is time for you to walk at the world with a little more confidence." He took her hand. "I will give you a part of my power. Use it to defend the cultivated nature of this world. Teach mankind to grow the flowers that you adore so much. Teach them to respect nature. But above all, live good. Keep enjoying the little things in life. Do what feels right to you. And for now enjoy the festival." Liz felt a kind and gentle power flowing through her body. When she closed her eyes could feel the plant life of this place. A power that gave her the ability to shape and bend nature. She opened her eyes. She stood in the city again. Left and right people walked past her, unaware of what happened. She could feel the flowers in the city growing. Then for the last time she heard his voice. "We will meet again my beautiful champion. Remember to enjoy yourself and when all chaos comes, don't forget the whistle."

Lily looked around the festival. She felt different and yet she felt the same. All around her she could feel plants all around her. She could feel them growing and glowing. They reached for her eager. And yet no one around her paid her any attention. Did any of them feel the energies that seemed to roll off her? Did any of them know she had been chosen? Would she be able o tell when someone else was chosen? She would just have to wait and see.

Haedorman watched the mortals and their little celebration of himself and his brethren while he lounged on his couch and sipped his wine with one hand a twirled a mace around with the other hitting objects and slaves alike but Haedorman was too tired too care. Tired not from a large amount of muscle work or from excising his brain but tired from doing nothing.

MasterOfMetal said
Satúm enjoyed his day greatly. He enjoyed his mead, his women and meat,but when stumbling past the temple stairs, he was reminded of his predicament.'Damn.. still no offering..'He looked at his half empty cup 'Could I perhaps.... Nah..''Here goes nothing, literally'Satúm took one last swig, threw his mug on the gound, whiped his mouth and started walking up the white steps.Satúm, calmed by the drink, walked to the alter, empty handed, he had a plan, a bold plan. quite clever he thought.'To all the divines, whose eyes pierce clouds and flesh I call!'He raised his empty hands to the sky'I bring you.. NOTHING'a confident smile on his lips'nothing physical that is.I offer a promise whoever will accept it!Any promise!Who will take my offer, oh great devines!'

Haedorman thought the boy bringing a goat was funny, if not cliche, but this man who was wine stained and stunk of liquor dared to offer himself, and others of course, nothing? Haedorman was weighing up ethier sending down a rock and crushing the man for his nerve to be so arrogant in front of him or to go down their and recruit the lad as he clearly had some sense of humour even if he was dim witted or no

Valios rode his white horse along the road trampling down children and hitting the slow and elderly with his sword when they got close to him begging for a coin or so. It was curious however that so much activity had picked up on the road for the past few days and they all seemed to be going in the same direction, Valios was so curious he even had half a mind to stop ask a peasant what was happening but he knew talking to "those people" was far below him. So instead Valios continued along the road preparing himself for whatever savage festival the peasants were holding and the foul sights and smells it would hold.

Valios was pleasantly surprised for once when he saw the temple, a fine piece of architecture that was!

Valios entered the temple, leaving his steed outside, and studied the fine carving along the walls, not paying notice to large demons in the room.