I'm an Interdiscplinary BA, searching for a job in the current market, and this site has been my introduction to role-play. I prefer medieval and/or sci-fi roleplays and am a fan of Star Trek, Star Wars, RWBY, Fire Emblem Awakening, Superheroes, and Fairy Tail.
Gwyneria scowled. No way in hell was she going to let Cicero die here. Not after all that they'd been through. Not after all the times she'd healed his sorry hide! Best way to help him though was to find a way to thin out the undeath, and quickly. There was no water in the desert air though. Icicles wouldn't do the trick. And the undeath likely wouldn't care about light all that much. So within her hands, she formed a fireball then hurled it down within the midst of the undeath horde, away from the immediate area that Cicero was standing his ground.
The dusty stone gleamed under the blistering sun above. Music rang through the air from street performers while traders and locals shuffled too and fro among the store fronts, covering their head to guard their eyes. The smells of spices, fruits, and animals hung heavy in the already heated desert air, only slightly alleviated by the sea breezes coming in over the sandy beaches.
Felix swiped the sweat off his brow as the ship sailed into port. “Sure is hot here.”
Jim grunted which seemed like an acknowledgement the way Felix nodded.
Cicero took a deep breath and exhaled, "Back again. Time for a wardrobe change. I hope desert robes are your style." He grinned at Gwyn.
She pursed her lips, wiping her brow. “I believe I can manage…Do people willingly live in such heat?”
"I did." Cicero shrugged. "Now you do too. Shall I call you snowflake?" He chuckled.
Gwyn scowled then muttered to herself as she tried to shake off the discomfort.
The Captain bellowed orders as the crewmen scrambled to lower the sails. The captain smoothly cruised to the dock like a professional. Jim and Felix tied to the dock securely. Cicero checked his things and his heart sank. He whispered to Gwyn, "There's a problem…" He scratched his head, "I have no money. Did Dalius pay you for those prisoners?"
She frowned. “I know we did all get our own share from those bounties.” She reached into her bags, searching for her money pouch. “Where did yours go? Surely you didn’t spend it all buying that cabbage.”
Cicero stared abstractly in the distance as the thought occurred to him. He rested his forehead against the boat's side and stated, "It's with the Libertalia…along with my armor.." He groaned quietly under his breath.
“Rats.” She finally got the purse up, counting the coins carefully. “We’re going to have to make more somehow.”
"What kind of knight doesn't have his armor…or horse? It feels like I'm less of one every day that passes…" Cicero muttered to no one in particular.
She glanced over to him. “All that can get replaced though. But not the man…” Then she glanced out as the ship came up the pier. “Besides, your horse would be cared for back at whatever stable you left her, right?”
[color=orange]“...Yes.” He finally replied. “Merlin should be fine. Now that he’s not in any danger being around me perhaps it is for the best.” He raised his head up and said determinedly , “We will clear this whole thing up and regain our lost valor.” He thumped his fist against the ship to punctuate his remark.
“Indeed…” She double checked that all her things were in order, then straightened up. “Would there be a mailing service here?”
[color=orange]“There should be some mail birds in the town.” He replied. “Let’s do some shopping.”
“Alright…” She touched a scrap of parchment she also had in the sack before slinging it over her shoulder. “Shall we still go with Freda and Cyrano as names?”
“For now. With my friend, we won’t have to.”
Just then the Captain called out, “At last we have made it! I hope your journey was not too unbearable. A storm or two here and there, but we are here! Now…” He coughed, “The matter of the payment..”
Cicero eyed Gwyn nervously.
She simply sighed. “How much do we owe you?”
He sighed deeply. “On account of the windy journey, multiple storms..” He counted off his fingers, “Carrying obvious fugitives..”
Jim raised an eyebrow, “That would be extra..”
“A lot extra…” Felix turned around towards them.
Gwyn pursed her lips. “How much extra are we saying?”
The Captain laughed uproariously, “Hah hah hah harrr! It not be but…what do you have on ye?”
“...Tell me what you expect first.” She stared at him while reaching in and silently counting the coins within, trying to figure out for herself just how much they had. “If reasonable, we’ll pay. If not…I’m sure we can have some civil negotiations.”
He scratched his beard, “I’d say 1000 pieces for the full ride with fugitives. It’s only fair, right lads?”
Jim grunted in agreement.
“Right!” Felix remarked back.
Gwyneria frowned. Just enough, though they’d definitely need to be careful with getting anything else… Then took out the coins and sighed. "There you go."
The captain tilted his head, then went and counted the coins, before placing it into his pouch. "A pleasure doing business with the two of you."
"The pleasure is all ours, I'm sure." She hoisted her stuff up then looked to Cicero. "You know your way around from here, right?"
"Of course. This way Freda." They disembarked the ship and headed toward the town bazaar.
The two purchased appropriate desert clothing and supplies for their journey. They even had enough leftover for a single older camel. Cicero spoke the language well enough. Then they headed into the sands.
A few days' journey by camel and they arrived in the badlands. The desert was so hot and smoldering that their clothes stuck to their skin. They traveled by night to avoid the intense heat. Instead, they dealt with the freezing temperatures which Gywn was far more comfortable with.
It was about 1am when they reached Cicero’s former mercenary outpost. It stretched about a quarter of an acre. It had a barracks, 2 watchtowers, a couple of storehouses, a stable and a small perimeter fence with only a single stone gate allowing for entry. “There it is.” Cicero remarked. “Hopefully it’s not abandoned. Otherwise this will be one quick trip.”
She glanced around. "I don't know. Seems at least a place to stay…"
The gate was open and swinging in the wind oddly. It creaked as they dismounted their camel and stepped inside. “Something’s off. Can you sense anything?” Cicero inquired.
Her brow furrowed, then she closed her eyes and felt around her.
Roll: 1d20 + 1 = 19, success.
She sensed faint traces of corrupt magic emanating from the barracks.
Gwyneria breathed out in alarm. “Dark magic’s been used here.”
The duo investigated the compound. It revealed broken door frames, scratch marks on walls and arrows stuck into the watchtower. “It’s been raided..” Cicero muttered grimly. “This is the work of demonfolk. But..” He yanked an arrow from the tower, “This is good quality steel. Not something they have easy access to.”
"Why not? Couldn't they be supplied?"
"It must be someone or some group with access to a lot of resources."
Suddenly they heard the sound of moans coming from the barracks. A dozen lumbering figures spilled out of the doorway and windows. They wore rags and were disfigured. The flesh was halfway decomposed on their bodies. But yet, they were moving.
“Undeath.” Cicero stated darkly. He drew his longsword and removed his shield from his back. “We need a better position. Up the tower, NOW!” He ran toward the nearest watchtower and held his ground, jerking his head for Gwyn to climb.
Gwyn quickly scurried her way up, watching out among the undead. Finally, she made the top, honing her power. "I'm safe. Get up here!"
The first of the creatures had reached Cicero by the time Gwyn was safe. He engaged them in a flurry of strikes and repostes. It was clear they were not very tactical in their approach. They were singular in their mission: To destroy the living.
Cicero managed to lop the head off the first of the horde, but many more began to swarm before he had a chance to climb the tower. He was struggling to defend and attack. Without his full set of armor, the enemies hacked at his shield and sword relentlessly.
Manzur found himself in the opposite watchtower seeing everything going on. His ally lay wounded nearby, the reason why he had stayed there for so many days. The undeath would not let them leave. Their water and food were running low. However, the arrival of these strangers provided a perfect opportunity to leave. Would Manzur attempt an escape, or help the strangers?
Yes, Ashe is accepted. Go ahead and submit her when you're ready.
As for how skills are acquired, it depends on the story and roleplay. Based on the character's choices and actions, they can gain new skills or develop in other ways. Gwyneria for instance gained a heightened ability to detect subtle uses of magic due to her actions during the arena when doing her best to figure out what exact spells other spellcasters were using.
It would therefore be up to Spiffy and I what exactly would cause the growth and what exactly would effect that growth, but being able to roll for other's luck would be intriguing for her to have, so if she showed the character to use something like that, she might gain that ability. The other might depend on how bad her rolls are.
@Steel Legion Spiffy and I discussed things. While you'd need to wait until after the other two are introduced to become part of the story since this is done Lord of the Rings style, you are welcome to join in still. It could be interesting to have a non-combat character.
@Steel Legion While we appreciate that, we are only looking for two new players. If you really want to join in and someone else bails out, you could be among the first we'd contact. But please be aware of that.
@Timemaster Co-GM here. Ashe looks good on my end. I would say that we would be happy to let you roll the results then let us know. We could certainly work with those backstory elements as well.
“Hey-Ho, Jim, Felix!” The captain yelled down to the two men leaning against the ship side. “I don’t pay you for your lolly-gagging! Up the rigging and set the sail!”
“Aye, aye, Captain!” The shorter man grinned, playfully saluting before he nimbly rushed up the mast.
The taller man sighed loudly, "Aye captain.." He slowly pushed against the ship side and walked toward the rigging for the sail. His posture sagged at the shoulders and his neck was bent forward. His face had a tired, bored expression on it. How he got the job Cicero couldn't guess.
“Come on, slow poke.” The short one called down to the other one. “Last one up gets the weevils.”
Gwyn blinked. “Weevils?”
Cicero cocked his head, "I hope they're not on my cot."
The taller man shook his head and began to climb until he reached his compatriot. "One day you're going to get yourself hurt moving so fast."
The small one just grinned, looking back at him. "It won't be so bad." Then he swung out to the rigging and started unfurling the sails. "You'll be there to catch me."
The two went about doing their business as Cicero leaned over the side of the ship for a few minutes. He stared at the waves deep in thought, "So...Who do you think that hooded figure is then?"
Gwyn furrowed her brow, joining him in looking over the water. “The one that encouraged you into the tournament in the first place? Would we have enough knowledge to even guess?” A hand started fiddling with some loose strands in her hair. “True, we can be sure that he’s a powerful sorcerer and that somehow he teleported your blade into the king’s chest. But other than that, we cannot be sure who he is, what he is, what his motives are, or why the king seemed to perhaps recognize his work.”
Gwyn’s roll: 1d20 + 0 = 8. Fail
Maybe if she had more of that potion from before, she could…She shook her head. How could that possibly help here?
Cicero sighed, "Do any of your contacts in magic have a way of discerning this type of thing? Certainly a mage of his level could not remain concealed forever. Perhaps there is a list of most powerful users somewhere." He turned to Gwyn empathetically, "Pray tell me there is.."
She pursed her lips. “It would depend on where he studied, and if he was open with the amount of power…I’m not sure I could even rely on my own contacts, as they are. My peers and professors are by and large still within Ispar. They may not care that much about what happens in Alvion, but if they still may care about, my being branded a criminal…” Her eyes went out into the horizon, growing distant in its stare.
Cicero turned again to the waves and rubbed his eyes in frustration, "Perhaps there's some thread tying his exploits. Rhakkar the demonfolk is all I can think of. Roh was savaged by their ilk. A faint lead to be sure, but the only one we've got.."
"Yes…Do you think they would know?"
"Perhaps." He replied, "We can only try."
She blinked. “Oh, certainly with them…My apologies, I was wondering about someone else.”
Cicero looked inquisitively, "Who do you mean?"
“My parents…” She pursed her lips. “Of course, I don’t know if they’d even know. It’s not like they are the type who’d commonly look at bounties and the like. But if they heard news that I was on the run after a king’s assassination...How would they even respond to that? Would they believe it? Decry it as false? Would they worry I was mixed up in some dark crowd? They were worried when I told them I wanted to explore the world on my own. This could only prove those worries correct.”
Cicero scratched his 5 o clock shadow, "Where are they now? Could we get ahold of them?"
“...They should still be at home, in Ispar.” She looked to him. “Surely we couldn’t just send them a letter.”
He frowned, "Without it being intercepted…unsure. Don't you mages have some kind of hand wavy magic message powers to relay pertinent information? I don't know. Like a family heirloom you can make glow or whatnot!?" He shrugged struggling for some idea that would help their predicament. He really had very little idea about how magic worked. It seemed like something that would take years to understand even the most rudimentary theories about it.
She blinked, then let out a laugh. “No-No…That sort of thing typically requires a seeing stone of some kind. Or many, many, many more years of study and learning.” Then she shook herself. “I do know some that could speak right into others’ minds. But that required either years of knowing the other person, the other person to be nearby, and/or having the innate sense on how to do so in the first place. That I never had, though I do hope to see if I could figure it out eventually. None of that though would help with contacting my parents.”
Cicero frowned. He scratched his chin again in thought. Then his eyes widened, "How about a coded message? Something only your parents would understand, but knew was you."
Gwyn hummed. “Perhaps…Thank you.”
“Come on, Jim!” The hobbit shouted from up above. “If I didn’t know better, I’d mistake you for a land-lubber!”
Jim grunted in response as he yanked the sail with surprising force. It seemed that if he put in the effort he could accomplish a lot.
Cicero glanced back from the two sailors and replied, "Well, we're in this together aren't we?" His tone was serious, but his face was kind.
“Yes…” She swallowed, then rested a hand on his on the railing. “We’re in this together.”
He took hold of her hand firmly and smiled. Her's seemed so small and delicate in his, yet he sensed a faint energy emanating within. Like the power of a storm, or whirlwind, lied dormant just under the surface. Ready to be unleashed at her command. The same power could be used for good or I'll, yet Cicero knew very little about her. That will come in time. He thought. They were on a life and death journey together. Their destinies forever intertwined. Without a doubt, the Kingdoms would never be the same because of it. He was sure they would get to know one another over the weeks, months or years ahead?
Suddenly he heard the shout of the Captain which snapped him out of his musings, "We've got fair winds behind our backs lads! We shan't be too long now!" He cackled boisterously.
With that the sails furled fully, catching the wind fully as the ship sliced through the sea. The seagulls called out their goodbyes, and the two were on their way to other shores. To clear their name, and find out what lay ahead.
Because if it is, I'd be interested in joining. My choices would be between a Kugawa Sollen mercenary of the Junchiro tribe who simply seeks adventure and to help others, a Naasaki Crow Laguz who was captured, enslaved, sold to Yvelstor mines, but keeps escaping and would join the quest for the Dawn artifact if granted his freedom afterwards, or a Faye mage who simply seeks to learn and to prove to those within the kingdom that mages aren't monsters.
Marigold huffed, standing near Bancroft who'd she'd run beside. "As if any vermin lord would honor that..." She muttered under her breath.
Surely these Abby folk wouldn't be gullible enough to fall for this ruse. Vermin 'lieges' never kept their word. And to give up that sword...Mother told her those stories before, though she could barely recollect them now. But the sword of Redwall, that always triumphed over any foe that fought against the abbey. If they just gave up that, how could they defend themselves?
Covertly, she crouched down, then rested an arrow into her bow and waited. When the time was right, she'd be ready.
Hi.
I'm an Interdiscplinary BA, searching for a job in the current market, and this site has been my introduction to role-play. I prefer medieval and/or sci-fi roleplays and am a fan of Star Trek, Star Wars, RWBY, Fire Emblem Awakening, Superheroes, and Fairy Tail.
<div style="white-space:pre-wrap;">Hi. <br><br>I'm an Interdiscplinary BA, searching for a job in the current market, and this site has been my introduction to role-play. I prefer medieval and/or sci-fi roleplays and am a fan of Star Trek, Star Wars, RWBY, Fire Emblem Awakening, Superheroes, and Fairy Tail.</div>
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