[IC] In the Land of Heartstone

[catmint]

Ryu's ears perked when he heard talk of a wealthy fellow. He immediately patted them down and stood up. he had heard everything he needed. He prowled smoothly up the stairs, acting nonchalantly. Despite his pounding heart, from the thrill and horror. Ryu took a deep breath, eyes scanning down the silent hallway. It would be hard for anyone to hear much with the rowdy drunken elves and people. Ryu felt a chilling smile form as he made his way down the hall silently. Stopping at the end, uncertain at first if this was the right room. But thinking back to the conversations he had eavesdropped on, this had to be the one. Besides, if he was going to get a meal it wouldn't matter in the end. Taking another deep breath, he knocked on the door. Ryu waited nervously, fidgeting with his hands behind his back.

[Laggia]

Bazgulub Knew what they stood and stared at. Sighing Bazgulub Took an defensive stand to readdy himself for the battle to come if they didn't run away, which was not likely as that would noly bring dishonor to their tribe. Bazgulub Spiled mail made metalic noises as he moved into the possition. Growling at the orcs he awaitied the first orc to strike. Bazgulub had meet a couple of orcs in the dessert that had tried to steal the axe from him for themself, But it only ended with their bloody corpse to be laying on the hot sand and paint it red. * Morgathar If i somehow die in this battle it was an honor to be wielding you for the time that i have.*

[thewizardguy]

jorthon said
((Im using that name in a few Rps and this is the first time I used Raphion so still trying to get used to it.))Raphion kept his hand on his knife unsure of this lady. Raphion studied the Lady then he gave a slight bow and said "Thank you for your kind words. However the group I seek are my kinsmen. We may not be the same but our goals are to free the people from the Alderian Empire's rule. we should be neighbor countries not one country."

((Lol, makes sense.))
"Such a determined young fellow....." The woman smiles, coming slowly closer You feel oddly strange as she draws near, as if your skin is sollidifying. Even more odd is the fact that you've lost the ability to move your feet.

[thewizardguy]

SomeoneSomewere said
Favnir nodded and said," I'll fly a bit before hand, keep an eye on things. I'll see you in three hours." He stood, winding his way back to his path. He walked, breathing in deeply through his nose. He might also hunt a bit before hand. He took to the sky once he reached clearing, flying out far past the perimeter before going higher, straight up. After reaching the appropriate hight he leveled out. From the ground, he would appear to be a large bird. He gazed down at the ground, still having shocking clarity. He flew to the edge of the forest, searching for any odd movement inside the trees.

After a moment of looking around, a snap grabs your attention. Turning around, you see quite an odd scene. An elf in bright green armor, pinned against a tree at a height of three meters by a net of roses, each of them covered in thorns. Although badly shredded, the elf still lives, as can be seen by the rise and fall of his chest. However, he is onviously unconscious, either from pain or blood loss. He smells odd. While obviously there's the scent of roses and blood, there's the smell of something more than that. It's a smell you've never smelt before, and yet it smells as familiar as burning wood.

[thewizardguy]

catmint said
Ryu's ears perked when he heard talk of a wealthy fellow. He immediately patted them down and stood up. he had heard everything he needed. He prowled smoothly up the stairs, acting nonchalantly. Despite his pounding heart, from the thrill and horror. Ryu took a deep breath, eyes scanning down the silent hallway. It would be hard for anyone to hear much with the rowdy drunken elves and people. Ryu felt a chilling smile form as he made his way down the hall silently. Stopping at the end, uncertain at first if this was the right room. But thinking back to the conversations he had eavesdropped on, this had to be the one. Besides, if he was going to get a meal it wouldn't matter in the end. Taking another deep breath, he knocked on the door. Ryu waited nervously, fidgeting with his hands behind his back.

After a moment, the door opens to reveal a smiling fellow dressed in bright green robes, lined with a thin covering of silver. Obviously this is a quite wealthy elf, and he looks you up and down, seemingly slightly confused over the nature of your presence. "Hello? My friend, don't stand outside like you've lost your way, Come in!" He almost forcibly drags you inside, although it's covered in shoulder pats and a beaming smile. Before you've recovered from this surprise you're sitting on a chair and there's a cup of wine in front of you. "Tell me, what brings you to my door? I hope you don't bring bad news."

[thewizardguy]

Laggia said
Bazgulub Knew what they stood and stared at. Sighing Bazgulub Took an defensive stand to readdy himself for the battle to come if they didn't run away, which was not likely as that would noly bring dishonor to their tribe. Bazgulub Spiled mail made metalic noises as he moved into the possition. Growling at the orcs he awaitied the first orc to strike. Bazgulub had meet a couple of orcs in the dessert that had tried to steal the axe from him for themself, But it only ended with their bloody corpse to be laying on the hot sand and paint it red. * Morgathar If i somehow die in this battle it was an honor to be wielding you for the time that i have.*

The lead orc stood forward, recovering from his surprise, smiling. He looks at you and smiles. "I have been looking a long time for that axe. Honor to you, Wielder. But it seems I will have to take it from you." He moves forward, his friends moving back to form a ring around you and the other orc. Shrugging off a cloak, a rippling set of muscles is revealed, as well as a set of Dragon Scale Mail. His face is scarred, and his cloak was covered in skulls. Some Orcs take the skulls of those they defeat in duels, and there were more than twenty there. He drew two axes, each masterfully crafted and balanced, before dropping into a combat stance. "I am Dunmur, of the Black Rock Clan. May victory go to the strongest, Wielder."

[catmint]

thewizardguy said
After a moment, the door opens to reveal a smiling fellow dressed in bright green robes, lined with a thin covering of silver. Obviously this is a quite wealthy elf, and he looks you up and down, seemingly slightly confused over the nature of your presence. "Hello? My friend, don't stand outside like you've lost your way, Come in!" He almost forcibly drags you inside, although it's covered in shoulder pats and a beaming smile. Before you've recovered from this surprise you're sitting on a chair and there's a cup of wine in front of you. "Tell me, what brings you to my door? I hope you don't bring bad news."

Ryu was stunned by the elf's welcoming nature. He felt his heart sinking, it was so much harder to take the life of someone so seemingly innocent. Ryu suppressed a sigh, reaching forward to take a sip of the wine before setting it back down. "I'm sorry..." He began, trying to find the right words. Ryu didn't plan on fooling this elf, might as well get it over with. Ryu even considered just leaving, but that thought was interrupted by a stomach growl. His left hand snuck behind him, feeling the knife in the leather sheath. "It's just that I'm terribly hungry." He took a deep breath, standing up from the comforting seat. "Hopefully you won't be missed." With surprising speed, Ryu whipped out the knife and lunged forward. He sliced at the elf's neck, making sure he was too busy choking on his blood to scream for help.

[thewizardguy]

The man reaches out, his hand closing around your wrist. He then twists it, forcing you to turn even as your velocity sends you tumbling forward, and you crash over the couch he had been sitting on, into the wall behind him. Of course, this is what you've gathered later. To your immediate experience, there's a brief moment of weightlessness before harsh reality smacks you in the face, and you spend the next ten seconds trying to remember your name. "Quite impatient, aren't you? Most people who try to kill me at least wait until after the wine to make an attempt on my life."

[catmint]

Ryu is silent for a moment, feeling sick to his stomach. It takes a few seconds for the world to stop spinning and for Ryu to realize what just happened. "Wha-?" He says in astonishment, eyes wide. He realized, in the amidst of being spun around his hood had slipped off. Ryu immediately shoves it back on and stood up. His expression is one of a deer caught in the wilderness, short breaths. His eyes darted between the fallen dagger, the elf, and the door. "You run into this sort of thing often?" He asked, mentally kicking himself for the tremble in his voice. Ryu inched quietly towards the door, ready to break into a sprint.

[thewizardguy]

The man sighs, raising an eyebrow. "I'm an elf noble in a human court with alleged connections to the resistance. When every major organization in the vicinity wants you dead, an assassination becomes rather commonplace. I mean, when a random stranger comes to my door dressed inconspicuously with a knife behind their backs, it's not that far a step to take that they're here for my head." A human woman walks into the room, carefully closing the door, as she casts a disapproving eye over the couch, which has been thrown to the floor by your fumbled attack.
"Honey, did you really have to throw her over the couch? That was quite expensive." The woman seems utterly nonplussed at the presence of a would-be assassin, as you find yourself suddenly portrayed. It might have been insulting, had it not been less gruesome than the truth.
"But Samantha my dear, you know I can't help it. It's my sense of drama." The man walks to the woman, presumably Samantha, and draws her into a long kiss, completely ignoring you and the knife. However, you do find they're conveniently positioned between you and the door, and you have the idea that for this man there is no such thing as having your guard down.

[catmint]

Ryu forced a nervous laugh, "Good point." He mumbled and cursed under his breath. He stiffened when the human woman entered the room, but she didn't seem any more concerned then the noble elf did. He didn't bother correcting her of his gender, being the least of his worries. Ryu grew uncomfortable with the passionate kissing but it gave enough time to scoop up the fallen dagger and sheath it. It was clear to Ryu it would be of little use against this elf. "Since my assassination plan has been foiled, I'll just take my leave now." Ryu said stiffly, a wide and forced grin on his face. "Especially since you seem to be... um... busy..." Ryu gulped, craning his head to look around the couple and out the door. Maybe he would have enough time to just grab a liver from a commoner on the way out of Laroche City.

[thewizardguy]

Briefly, the woman breaks off from the kiss, only to walk over to you, and push you over to the sofa like a schoolteacher. "Now don't be silly. The poisoned wine will be taking effect any second now, and you'll only hurt yourself if you run. Now stay still, and in a minute it'll be done." She sits you down, placing a pillow behind you, and you realize that you DO feel oddly sleepy, although you'd assumed it had been the aftereffects of your collision with the wall.
The noble elf sighed, leaning against a wall. "You know, honey, you don't have to coddle the assassin."
"Nonsense. If someone's going to die, they might as well be comfortable." Samantha then proceeds to try and get the sofa upright again. The noble elf rolls his eyes at you, as if expecting you to sympathize with his situation, and walks over as the four of them right the two couches, before your vision clears and you realize they DIDN'T suddenly duplicate. However, that's probably the only thing that didn't go wrong during your little liver-eating escapade, and you realize that you're beginning to feel whoozy and dizzy, quite probably due to your impending death.

[catmint]

Ryu blinked fast, brow furrowing as he tried to register the situation. "What?! No!" He burst out in a panic, standing back up. Which he immediately realized was a mistake as his vision blurred completely. He flopped back down, holding his forehead in his hand. Once again the world spun, and the floor seem to wobble from side to side. Ryu searched for ways to escape this situation but he only turned up blank. Ryu's nails dug into his seat, tearing at the cloth. Ryu tried to right his vision again, closing his eyes briefly before forcing himself to stand up. "Damn it, I only wanted a good meal to eat." He growled quietly, cursing whatever god was listening, if there even was one.

[FoxFireOfDawn]

Xerxes was at his camp site where he had set out his little group of rebels. They had luckily come across a series of abandoned shacks that they now used as their base of operations. Sure, it could all collapse at any given moment but it hadn't done so far yet, so it's was fine, right? Xerxes sighed, getting up and checking his food supply as his Susuwatari did their daily given tasks. It was still quite full, thanks to the river that had been discovered. Sure, it took quite a bit of time getting to it, but at least they had food and water. Xerxes took this time to thank the river that he didn't have to go into the city. Sadly, he was soon reminded wherever cities are, there are large shadows, making them a popular place for Susuwatari that hadn't yet been claimed, lost and frail, to be located. He could train them to be the best warriors of all time with time. Then his plan would be completed! He laughed as he thought of this, soon packing his equipment, water and food for the journey. Xerxes soon set off, moving through the dense forest towards the city.

[thewizardguy]

As the happy transracial couple finished repairing the furniture, you find yourself growing continually weaker. Within moments, there's a darkness at the edge of your vision. However, you suddenly find yourself sitting on a chair. In front of you is a man dressed in a black robe. He's wearing a Japanese Oni Mask, smiling at you in an expression of hungry glee, the eyes fixed on yours. The room has frozen, and as you look around, you find the man and his wife standing absolutely still, and, disconcertingly, you see your own body, barely holding itself upright. "Do you want to live?"

[catmint]

Ryu opened his mouth, trying to find his voice to respond. "Y-...." His voice trails off but suddenly it's like a jolt of electricity seizes him. Ryu knows that he doesn't want it to end here, he needs to keep pushing through. "Yes!" He finds confidence in his voice, forcing himself to sit up straighter. He waits tensely for the man's reply, eyes pinned on the oni mask with desperate hope.

[jorthon]

thewizardguy said
((Lol, makes sense.))"Such a determined young fellow....." The woman smiles, coming slowly closer You feel oddly strange as she draws near, as if your skin is sollidifying. Even more odd is the fact that you've lost the ability to move your feet.

Raphion tried to step back some but he could move his feet he pulled out his knife then said "I don't know what your doing but whatever it is I won't go down easily." Raphion raised he hand and aimed it at the women then focused his energy ready to use his magic at any time.

[thewizardguy]

FoxFireOfDawn said
Xerxes was at his camp site where he had set out his little group of rebels. They had luckily come across a series of abandoned shacks that they now used as their base of operations. Sure, it could all collapse at any given moment but it hadn't done so far yet, so it's was fine, right? Xerxes sighed, getting up and checking his food supply as his Susuwatari did their daily given tasks. It was still quite full, thanks to the river that had been discovered. Sure, it took quite a bit of time getting to it, but at least they had food and water. Xerxes took this time to thank the river that he didn't have to go into the city. Sadly, he was soon reminded wherever cities are, there are large shadows, making them a popular place for Susuwatari that hadn't yet been claimed, lost and frail, to be located. He could train them to be the best warriors of all time with time. Then his plan would be completed! He laughed as he thought of this, soon packing his equipment, water and food for the journey. Xerxes soon set off, moving through the dense forest towards the city.

The city, overall, is quiet. However, there's an odd, dark undertone. As a mage more attuned to the less bright side of magic, you find your senses tingling. Something is here, and it's giving off enough of a dark aura to feed an army of demons. Whatever this thing is, you're confident of two things. It's really, really evil, and it's powerful enough to mess with the very fabric of reality. The place is practically swarming with Susuwatari, feeding off the background energy that this thing radiates, and you find that you could relatively easily amass a substantial force based on this city alone.

[FoxFireOfDawn]

thewizardguy said
The city, overall, is quiet. However, there's an odd, dark undertone. As a mage more attuned to the less bright side of magic, you find your senses tingling. Something is here, and it's giving off enough of a dark aura to feed an army of demons. Whatever this thing is, you're confident of two things. It's really, really evil, and it's powerful enough to mess with the fabric of reality. The place is practically swarming with Susuwatari, feeding off the background energy that this thing radiates, and you find that you could relatively easily amass a substantial force based on this city alone.

Xerxes laughs with joy, a feeling of pleasure sweeping through his body. "Aahh, beautiful!" He exclaims, sighing happily before getting back to business. He would find out what made this place so deliciously evil later, but right now he would need to gather Susuwatari. So, that's what he did. He tried persuading them, gathering them up, using anything to make them go to his side. After a while, he had gathered a large group of Susuwatari, which made him giggle with glee. Now to find the source of what is giving off the dark aura. Xerxes tries to pinpoint the area where it's gathered the most, exploring every area in his reach. Hopefully, one of these areas had whatever was radiating this aura in it.

[thewizardguy]

catmint said
Ryu opened his mouth, trying to find his voice to respond. "Y-...." His voice trails off but suddenly it's like a jolt of electricity seizes him. Ryu knows that he doesn't want it to end here, he to keep pushing through. "Yes!" He finds confidence in his voice, forcing himself to sit up straighter. He waits tensely for the man's reply, eyes pinned on the oni mask with desperate hope.

There's a sharp pain, as Ryu finds that the word 'yes' is stemped onto the table. Then the pain spreads, as if his skin has been ripped off. It burns like fire, and he sees long lines of text covering his skin, the 'yes' glowing insidiously red. The figure with the mask fades away slowly, as things seem to blur. The pain has hit your head, and it's like someone's trying to rip your brain out through your eyes. Then, as your vision clears, you find yourself standing, your strength restored. The room is covered in blood, and as you look down, you see the elven nobleman on the floor, his chest ripped open, and your hands covered in blood. The woman is holding his body, screaming and sobbing, and you can hear the heavy thumping steps of men running towards this location. You feel full, presumably you ate the man's liver while you were ripping him apart. From what you see, you used nothing other than your bare hands. However, you feel oddly detached.
Suddenly, there's a soft voice. The woman turns and screams, running towards the door to another section of the room. In the door opening stands a small child, perhaps eight years of age. She's staring, eyes wide, at the scene before her. Samantha grabs the child, picking her up and running, attempting to save the child. However, you're quite certain you could catch up to them......