Jay009

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Barracker was impressed by Alison’s invisibility cloak. It was quite the spectacle and would definitely come in handy. Especially in the hands of Alison, who was super light footed, even by Rogue standards. With a significant edge on human ears, the vampire could barely pick up on the faint footsteps of Alison, but could not place her exact location. He made sure to compliment the newcomer, after Zell had finished his humorous rhyming couplet, which strangely had a familiar tune to the playtime songs of Valhiems children.

Like Adam, Barracker had also noticed James’ strange choice of words. Current leader. The Paladin bristled at the word ‘current’. After Adam praised the Clerics leadership, Barracker added. "A better captain, I could not ask for”.

As for whether Alison would be allowed to have access to an adventurer’s source comm. Barracker said it was worth a shot and left the others to talk it out.

After Frederick had gone off to start cooking, Barracker enjoyed the light hearted conversation around the table and the relaxed atmosphere. He was eager to hear more about Clive's ghostly steed. He didn’t recall anything like that in Mytheria before, it was definitely something special. Barracker was glad Zell prompted the question.

“You seem a more than capable rider,” Barracker said to Clive, recalling how Clive appeared onto the battlefield with Daisy, rearing up on the horse in a glorious spectacle. “When you rid off to find help at Cherrad, you got there and back to us in a flash.”

After listening to Clive, Barracker remembered somethings that he wanted to mention, so he directed it to everyone at the table about the new inventions he had witnessed at the Temple of the Quinity. “Fenna, can you believe Tyrion has actually made that skateboard you told him about. All the kids from the orphanage are fighting over it and falling off it. Mother Anne is pulling her hair out.” Barracker laughed. “It is an interesting toy your son has, now that I have seen it, I am surprised Tyrion could visualize the contraption after hearing about it just the one time.”

He also went on to mention Adam's gift to the orphans. “And Adam has given yet another toy for them to occupy themselves with. He grew them a whole climbing frame in the Temple garden’s. It was quite the sight to see. It definitely took their minds off the war, and will bring much joy to them.” He leaned over to give his friend a pat of admiration and also added to Fenna, “Mother Anne asked after you, she hopes you are well.”

When his food came, the aroma had him intrigued, as he was smelling different ingredients, yet it looked just like the same stew Frederick had served him before. He was not here for James’ cooking, so he did not know what to expect. The first bite was more marvellous than he had expected. It gave him a heat, which set his mouth on fire, his eyes watered a little. He turned to Frederick, then James mid-sentence. “I never knew heat could be used as a flavour, it does not overpower the other flavours. It only enhances them.” he gave a thumbs up to the two of them.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@LoksfjoerI hope you have a good time, see you when you get back.

@TeyaoThat is absolutely hilarious.

@ZapdosCannot wait to see what that leaf orb does.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Meanwhile, at the bar, Frederick was pouring the drinks for everyone and he asked what Barracker’s thoughts were on the new person. Barracker leaned up against the bar, “Her handshake was firm and true. She has the grip of a soldier and the eyes of one too.” Barracker strokes his chin, “It is strange that the source saw fit to make her a rogue though.” Barracker finished, thinking out loud. He shook his head, I do not know this woman, this is all just a feeling… Strange. He looked at Frederick putting the drinks onto the bar one at a time. The old man raised a bushy eyebrow at him.

Barracker started putting the drinks onto the two trays. “Don’t mind me, just a dumb soldier's intuition getting carried away”. He looked over at the table, watching Alison manhandle the sweet MacKensie in comical fashion. “She seems nice and MacKensie clearly likes her.” he smiled.

MacKensie was a good judge of character. Barracker thought back on the mission at the Temple of Hades. That day… He could remember clearly the shame he felt when MacKensie caught him taking his lamb’s blood vial. My exterior will now and always be a monster, but she showed me that in case my interior matches that exterior, it matters not. I am no monster. And so this was true for Hardul, the dwarf MacKensie had captured but stood up for, who had been forced to work for the cult. Sometimes people show hard exteriors or have hard circumstances surrounding their actions, but even this does not always show what their true heart is. MacKensie has taught this to me, and I trust her judgement. Whatever she had noticed about Alison, the Paladin had a good feeling about the Rogue.

“Frederick, all done, the drinks are all put on the trays and ready to go.” He said to Frederick and was answered back with a nod.

“Come lets go,” with a tilt of the head, the two picked up a tray each and made their way back to the table.

"Cheers bruv," Zell said as Barracker put the final drink down with a nod and took his seat.

Alison and Adam were talking, with Adam explaining what was going on, as it related to them specifically. Barracker did not know what to relay but left his party to fill in the gaps as he was not one of the ‘Earth people’. Barracker thought it was so strange how they all called their entire world ‘Earth’. To him Earth was just rock and soil and was just one of the six elements. But this was probably one the smaller things on the peculiar list of differences which split the two worlds apart.

Barracker enjoyed his drink, remaining attentive to the conversation. At a random point in the conversation, he made eye contact with James, who must have noticed, both Zell’s and Barracker’s facial injuries. His leader would have been smart enough to figure out what had happened, considering how angry Barracker had reacted to James’ information. While James was watching, Barracker patted Zell on the shoulder to show all was well and gave a slight nod to James. He would get the memo.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

"Is everything alright? I heard... banging..."

Before either swordsmen could reply, another could be heard approaching fast.

"Whoa there, fellas!" "Why were ya'll fighting? What happened?"

Clive was honest and straightforward and MacKensie was so caring, they both meant well but Barracker held back as he felt it wasn’t his place to spill the details. MacKensie knelt in front of him and he smiled, as she tilted his face up to the light.

"It's nothing guys. Barracker and I are just screwing around and it got a bit out of hand."

Barracker was not a big fan of lying so he restrained himself from saying anything at all. When MacKensie went over to Zell to check on him, Barracker gave a smile and a nod to Clive to reassure him that everything was ok.

"We're fine. Go on," he told them. "We'll be down in a sec."

Once they were gone, Zell took a breath and got to his feet. Barracker followed suit, then walked over and clasped forearms in a warrior's handshake, giving eachother a pat on the back for good measure. "Thanks for going along with that, mate," Zell said.

“No problem, friend. You can pay me back by letting me and James help rid you of this curse”.

"Everyone has enough on their plate, right now. After the battle, if everyone needs to know then, then fine. But let's just see about saving Valhiem before we go about tackling my problems, eh."

“Sounds good. As long as you know Second Chance needs you. Don’t let Baphomet tell you otherwise.” Barracker put his hand out towards the door. “Shall we”.

The two swordsmen joined the rest of the group in the bar-room. Barracker greeted those he had not seen yet this morning. When Alison arrived and MacKensie introduced her to the group, Barracker was cordial, but knew a rogue when he saw one. Interesting. He pondered to himself. I wonder how someone like MacKensie would have struck up a conversation and acquaintanceship with such a person. Not that rogues were necessarily bad people, it was simply an adventurer class like any other, they just seemed like an odd pair.

When she said where the woman was from, it took Barracker until he had seen the reactions of his party to realise that Alison was from their world. Something that astonished the Paladin. This is incredible, another that is not bound by the source.

He waited to introduce himself, he gave a warrior’s handshake, clasping her forearm. “Barracker Kassel, it is good to meet you Alison.” he smiled warmly. “I am not as special as the rest of you all,” he joked in a jolly spirit. He was feeling in a much better mood since all that tension with Zell had been resolved and the weight had been lifted off his shoulders. “I am a simple Valheim boy. But I’m here to help, and I can start by getting you a drink. What are you having?”

He smiled and nodded after getting her drink of choice, then proceeded to go around asking everyone else which beverage they favoured. Then went with Frederick back to the bar to collect the tray of drinks.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

OMG I'm gone for ONE day and Kass and Zell are throwing eachother around the room :O

@Zool

I definately went overboard on throwing Zell at the wall, Lol.

@AvaPI love the setup for your powers, it was very well done to picture the scene on the Thieves Guild yard with Allison and Kerensa.

@Zapdos@TeyaoLoving the interaction posts between you guys. Also thanks for setting up my inclusion on the Baphomet storyline Teyao.

@LoksfjoerLoving the build up of Fenna and the wellspring interaction, I can't wait to see whats going to happen.

@Dark Cloud@Zool@SaiyanGreat making the fight scene with you all, even the small contributions made the scene great.

To everyone, great posts, This is the best roleplay I have been apart of. All the writers and characters make it what it is.

I will do a post tomorrow by the way.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

The moment had taken him aback and put him in two minds. He knew he had gone too far and been disrespectful by storming in like this, but he also knew who he was dealing with. Damn you Baphomet. As he was sent into the door, slamming it shut, he knew by the look in Zell’s eyes that he was seeing red. I am going to have to fight back. The first two hooks landed, and then came forth the explosion of pain. He never realised how strong Zell was.

He weaved the third strike, a hook meant for the face, then locked Zell’s arm with his own, dragging the fighter into a vicious headbutt. He then proceeded to pick Zell up and fling him across the room. No part of Zell’s body touched the floor until he smashed into the opposite wall and came crashing down onto the chest of drawers, knocking the lamp off and bringing both Zell and the furniture tumbling over into the ground.

Barracker marched over, hoping the fight was done. But when he got close, Zell sprang up and wrapped his arms around the Paladin’s waist and lifted him off the ground. Barracker managed to punch him a few times before he was plummeting to the floor. Lucky though, they both hit the edge of the bed to absorb some fall damage and then bounced onto the floor.

The two friends rolled around on the ground, hitting eachother and trying to get the top position…

--------------------------

The two of them were sitting on the floor, backs against opposite walls, facing each other. Their breathing was a bit erratic. Barracker could tell that the hate had disappeared from Zell’s eyes, the fighter seemed back to himself. Baphomet is gone, for now, the Paladin thought, as he touched his own face, checking for any injuries. It was hard to tell but he guessed that he might have suffered a broken nose and fractured cheekbone.

“You hit like the very giants that created the Sibliconians,” he said as a straight faced joke.

It took him a few moments to order his thoughts of what he wanted to say, on a serious note. “I am not mad at you, only Baphomet. Only he deserves the blame for this mess.” his breathing levelled out, “You are cursed Zell, just like a hundred men before you. You do see it, don’t you?” The two men went back and forth for a bit. Barracker was glad that the two were on the same page, that things were ok between them. Just a couple of guys hashing things out, albeit in the most primitive way. I think with my muscles way too much. Odis would be disappointed, but would probably laugh.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Once back at The Mended Drum, Barracker said hi to whoever was down on the ground floor and gave a nod to Federick. He spoke to MacKensie about the utmost urgency, to speak to Zell and his whereabouts while she was eating. He explained it was an important conversation, needed as soon as possible, just to comb through a few important details to the fighter. A few truths he needed to hear, but he explained, he would not impose the details on her and interrupt her good meal. She informed him that Zell was out and so he bid her a goodnight, he was mentally exhausted with his day at the library. His eyes were sore from the long reading session. MacKensie did say something that intrigued him, she wanted to introduce someone to Second Chance, he did not think much on who it could be. Too much thoughts about Zells problem with Baphomet stuck in his head.

Where are you Zell?

Barracker tried to sleep, his mind and body not given into sleep, his brain wired as if he had taken the ‘purple fungus’, a mushroom given to enhance the state duration of being awake and to fend off any residue of tiredness in the body. He needed the sleep, more to pass the time rather than to recuperate his exceptional vampiric endurance. Speaking of which, he would need a blood vial soon. But this could wait until just before the battle, he had thought, the cravings making itself known. He ended up getting one of the books he’d borrowed from the library and reading more from it.

--------------------------

The morning came and the Paladin went down for Federicks breakfast.

No Zell.

Then he went to the Military Centre, this was to speak to his second in command of the Bats, Sergeant Warren Burns. After a while, watching captains, sergeants and soldiers flowing in, the vampire got frustrated.

No Zell!

It was getting close to lunchtime and Barracker wanted to get his talk with Zell out of the way before meeting the new person, Alison, so he went back to the Mended Drum to go upstairs and bang on the fighter’s bedroom door.

“Zell! Open the door!” Barracker said loudly.

As soon as the door opened a little, he barged his way inside the room. “You fool, damn you. You lied to me, you lied to your so-called friends and you are defiantly lying to yourself.” The vampire could hear his own heart and breathing. The built up tension in his body finally spilling out. His stare was ice, “There is no person who can control the deadly whispers of the Oblivion Prince of Might, ‘I can make you strong’. ‘Your friends are holding you back.’ Sound familiar?…” He shoved the book into Zell’s chest roughly. “...Baphomet!”.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Dark Cloud Welcome back Dark Cloud, great post back for your return.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

‘A comprehensive analysis of the princes of the oblivion plane’.

‘The rise and fall of Michealangelo Young’.

‘Baphomet, the voidling prince of might’.

These three books stood out profoundly in Barrackers mind, these three were deciphered and rummaged through thrice over. Carefully dissected each page, pages flickering back and forth through. Other literature rinsed over, but eventually placed in a pile of books to be forgotten about as they would hold too much knowledge about things that were not relevant. Based on the information James had given the Paladin, the pale man had taken upon himself to help with the task of dispelling Zell’s curse. They had both been in quite a predicament, a dilemma consisting of high level stress thrown their way and Barracker suspecting that the two must have felt as if they were losing part of themselves in the process. This was worrying and he would like to be of help to James, the captain of Second Chance always being around to take on everyone’s feelings and bring balance to the group with his skilled management. But he was also in trouble, the very least he could do was help cut the list of problems down on what his party members had to struggle with. Not being from this world and pushed into a line of fighting for Mytheria, this was enough to deal with.

He slapped a hand to his head, his chin tucked in, shaking his head a little. Focus, stay focused on the goal. This can work. Everything is here in these three books.

‘A comprehensive analysis of the princes of the oblivion plane’- Book I, a collection of quotes and sources that provided a full breakdown on the motives and personalities of the six most powerful entities of the Void.

‘The rise and fall of Michelangelo Young’-Book II, a breakdown of one of the more notable cases, and ruination of the notorious nephew of the Empress at the time, during the mythic age, Ileandra Young. Someone so made of steel and divine blood was consumed by hatred. No, no. Not just hatred, something else. Paranoia, tricks, anxiety, leading into bad actions that could then bring on guilt, depression and insanity too. Some say before Baphomet got to him, he could not be beaten or out witted. He was remarkable and he was righteous.

And lastly there was, ‘Baphomet, the voidling prince of might’. Book III was about the devil himself. There were six devils in all, of different aspects of power. Baphomet was of 'Might.' This book mainly referred to the time that Baphomet managed to gain so much influence that his cult used a Wellspring to tear a rift in reality that was big enough to allow him to set foot in the mortal realm. This era of the Mythic Age was dreadful and full of suffering, but after several defeats, the first special ‘Raid Group’ of the strongest, fully ascended adventurer parties eventually managed to defeat and banish him back to the oblivion plane. Those adventuring parties formed ‘The Council of Heroes’ who became an institution within the Churches branch of Government.

He truly feared for Zell but also knew his captain needed someone to be there for him too, but did not know how to approach James’ unique problem just yet, other than give him some words of encouragement and support. Zell however needed confronting quickly and harshly, a big reality check for the man who was falling like all the others that fell before. The ritual had failed because of Zell, which meant he was already going down the dark path, step by step. James had shown remarkable resilience and Barracker judged him to be steady enough to handle his own issues with resolve for hopefully long enough to deal with Zell first, but he would not ignore his captain.

His eyes remained engulfed in the books as if they were flames of a fire flickering away. His eyes were sore from the constant squinting, his neck began to sore, his posture was all bent for way too long, The vampire had thought maybe it was in the early evening but the time had passed on and on. So much reading went on until Neebs had taken himself to Barracker and told him how long he had actually been here and had told him the time, which proved to be even later than he had thought. The Academy was already closed but Barracker had used his ‘Piety Rank’ to gain access, but now it was so late that even he had to go.

“That late? I didn’t realise.” He looked back at the book as he closed it. “It is remarkable how much I have learned. Is this your area of expertise?” The vampire had thought maybe, someone more knowledgeable on the topic of dark domain could be of help. To hear something extra that wasn't at the forefront of his mind, or didn’t have the right level of importance surrounding it, he might have missed.

“Dark domain you say? Aw shucks, my specialization is in the Water Domain. Not even close to Dark, I’m afraid. Sorry about that.”

A water mage, huh? The vampire paused a moment, stroking his chin as he considered how he'd awakened to his Domain finally, back in the fight against Zigmund. Perhaps a second try at the tutoring might be successful this time. But it was not nearly important right now, so the thought was gone as quickly as it came.

“May I take these three books, I will return them tomorrow as soon as I am done.”

“Yeah sure, why not. Bring them to the front.”

Barracker gave his thanks. Don’t worry. James, Zell, I have you covered.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Neebs was sorting the bookcases out, from polishing to sorting the books out in alphabetical order. His job was fairly high ranked, he did a bit of everything but he enjoyed working in the libraries. While on the task, his attention was drawn onto the doors flinging open, the man, no, a vampire, seemed to be in distress. He had noticed that the vampire appeared to be wearing a Paladins tower shield. He asked in a friendly manner how he could be of assistance.

“I am looking for the history section, more in-depth of curses and contracts from princes of the oblivion plane,” the man said before introducing himself as Barracker Kassel of Second Chance.

“Well adventurer, right this way.” Barracker followed the mage up a set of stairs and round a corner. “High level curses ay?” He said in passing. But Barracker did not elaborate, so Neebs changed the subject. “Second Chance, that name has been popping up a lot around here lately. Mr Sirius has been working with the tech division, I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting him.”

Barracker responded politely but his tension was noticeable, clearly not receptive for any small talk right now.

“Well friend, I will leave you to it, any questions or help required. Just give us a holler.”

“You have my thanks,” the Paladin said absently, already fingering through the literature.