Cyrania

Kings and Killers: A Classical Fantasy Adventure (Chapter 1)

Arthur Travers

Arthur nodded his head at Lapis's invitation. "I would be happy to join in, thank you." Then followed her into the tavern, eyes focused firmly on their recent travelling companions and with the journal clutched within his satchel. All through the journey after Dalious had given it back to him, he'd kept watch on it and looked over it when he dared. Recordings of vile rituals, the scribbles of a man consumed with a lust for power who paid every price to gain more. He needed to get this to his superiors...Someone higher up, more trained in resisting the darkness needed to glean all the information they could to right what wrongs could be righted, then burn the vile text. But all his superiors were in Avalon and he still had a task to complete here. So he would have to take on this dreadful burden, and pray dearly that he did not fall into the temptations within. If what the group had said about freeing slaves was true, then it would seem one of his strongholds was overthrown. But the others...

He took the offered ale and sipped it down, overlooking the tavern itself. It was surprising how similar but different such a place was from home. The walls were sunbaked clay instead of dark timber and roughhewn stone. The floor was far more sandy. Veils, turbans, and other desert apparel was far more common throughout the crowd. Colorful curtains dangled in the back where men partook in their hookah pipes. And yet, there was still the barkeep overlooking everything from the bar, barmaids passing around the drinks as they went among the tables and patrons, men huddled together to discuss various matters, a stage where a bard sung his tale, and tables in the back which near rang with the sound of rolling dice.

He sighed. Of course such a vice would afflict every corner of the world. His attention then turned back to the table with his current companions. He would not want to miss anything that was going on.

Kings and Killers: A Classical Fantasy Adventure (Chapter 1)

"It depends on where you want to head." Arthur raised his head from the book Dalious had given him. "Our original destination should not be more than two days away. If you have some other destination in mind though, the desert is far and vast." Then his eyes went to skimming through the book, his skin paling.

What sort of person wrote in this journal?! So much in here was dark and unholy, and all the detailed rituals...This couldn't be the pirate's doing. For all his odd behaviors, he did not seem to have the knowledge and intelligence for such acts. And the luck mage and the warrior on Helah didn't seem the type either, nor would likely allow their pirate companion to hand over their journal. But looks could be deceiving...

He couldn't help but watch them all carefully as the wagon clattered as it rode on, keeping close to Lapis. She seemed capable of holding her own, but if one of these three was really a dark wizard, he certainly would not want either of them to be caught off guard.

Kings and Killers: A Classical Fantasy Adventure (Chapter 1)

Gwyniera's Journal

"I do not know why you wouldn't tell her so, where is-" Then the book was slammed shut as the caravan came up.

The Merchant's Caravan

Arthur whispered back to her. "I'll be sure to." Then he spoke out to the others. "You all clearly have gone through much hardship. We can give you what aid we can here. It must have been quite the struggle you went through." He moved to watch Dalious, glancing at the book he'd handed him. His skin paled, then he looked back up at the pirate. "Where did you get this?

Kings and Killers: A Classical Fantasy Adventure (Chapter 1)

Gwyniera's Journal

@Timemaster @Fetzen @Sol Grim

"You really should get better at answering questions. A shimmering avatar of light rose from the book in front of them, arms crossed in obvious frustration. "I can only answer questions that my writer had the answers to herself and could write down. I have no clue who that dark mage was nor why Gwyn and her new friend were taken. On the question of Rhakkar though, I can actually answer." The pages started flipping below the avatar into far into the journal section. "Rhakkar was the name of demon born opponent Cicero was fighting in the arena when the sudden rain fell. Within the fight, Cicero sent his sword flying, and it was suddenly teleported up to the king of Avalon's booth and struck him down dead. From that, Cicero was falsely accused of being behind the king's assassination and the two had to quickly escape to leave from there. All indications lead then to Rhakkar being connected to the people behind the king's death and to that black cloaked mage that Cicero kept seeing but also kept mysteriously vanishing. Their main goal has then been to find those two and figure out why they killed the king.

The Merchant's Caravan

@Samara

Arthur peered out from where he sat, pushing his dark auburn bangs away from his eyes. "They certainly seem like they've been through something...They probably are dangerous to get on the wrong side of, but they don't seem inclined to do anything rash at the moment. More just exhausted. He turned to Lapis. "I am new to these parts and so can understand if you'd rather not stop, but I would like to see if they could use some aid. I would be an unworthy example of my order if I did not try to offer assistance to those in need.

Kings and Killers: A Classical Fantasy Adventure (Chapter 1)

@Timemaster

Within the journal, the pages were filled with scribbles and writings, all rather neat but almost frenzied in their design. Among the notes could be found drawings of things connected to the pages, some of monsters, some of spells, some of magical artifacts. The very pages had a thrum of magic as if Gwyn's very essence had infused her writing.

At the start of the notebook were a rough table of contents.

2- Spells

45- History & Old Legends

120 - Personal Notes

Can find specific subjects by asking the book.

Kings and Killers: A Classical Fantasy Adventure (Chapter 1)

We're just about to add a new person. We prefer to add characters incrementally, so if we like your character entry and you're willing to wait, we could line you up.

Kings and Killers: A Classical Fantasy Adventure (Chapter 1)

Gwyneria

@Spiffy@Timemaster

Gwyneria pursed her lips. "We could try. But it would need to cover us getting all the way to there." She pointed across the hallway, a wide open airy space far different than what else they'd seen before. "The walls seem to say to step only on the friends of demonfolks...Though there might also be a pattern up there for how to get across."

Cicero spotted where the first poor guard fell through the ground, noticing the pegasus tile was back upright after dropping him through the floor. Examining the tiles closer to him, he could see that several had those spring mechanisms and only a few did not. In fact, in front of him, only the dragon seemed safe while the griffin, unicorn, and eagle all would open up if stepped on.

Kings and Killers: A Classical Fantasy Adventure (Chapter 1)

@Kaga Classs

Perhaps in the future. We're just about to have another person join.

Kings and Killers: A Classical Fantasy Adventure (Chapter 1)

Gwyneria

"I would say not..." Then darted beside Cicero, drew out her rapier, and lunged for the guard that Ashe was not attacking.

Attack Roll, Success

Opposed Initiative: Gwyn 15, Soldier 14

The guard raised his sword to react, but her blade pierced right through before he could block the attack then she stood back upright, withdrawing the sword as well. The guard stumbled back, stepping onto a tile of a pegasi. The tile shifted underneath and he screamed in terror as he was swallowed down.

Gwyn blinked, then looked about the room more carefully. All the tiles were very specifically decorated with different creatures, some of which seemed to match those on the walls. "...Another puzzle?"

The other guard, meanwhile, leapt towards Cicero. "Infiltrator!" His scimitar then swiped towards Cicero.

Guard's Attack, Miss

Roll = 1d20+2 = 7
Miss

The sword missed Cicero by inches.

Kings and Killers: A Classical Fantasy Adventure (Chapter 1)

@Timemaster@Spiffy

Gwyneria

Gwyn's eyes furrowed as she took in the map. "That way would be the way out." She pointed back the way she and Ashe both came then showed it down on the map. "Unless they had a guard change, they should be able to clear it on their own. However, there do seem a number of guards that way." Her finger pointed the opposite way, through a door that she and Ashe had not gone through. "So if we don't want them to be attacked from behind, we should seek to take them out."