Jollan

Ascension's Monster Tamers

don't mind me, just snoopin'.

Ascension: Monster Farm

geez, dont get a reply out and all the sudden peeps think its dead lol. sorry yall just been a tad busy, will get something out soon

The Vanishing Kingdom

Kistal

For Kistal, the journey to Kalla would unsurprisingly go off without a hitch. People would worry about bandits on the roads, but truth be told, if the greedy merchants of Portea were good for anything, it was in the fact that they at least kept Portea's immediate trade routes clear of brigands that may try to steal their goods. If someone were to stay on the main roads leading away from Portea, they would normally have a fairly safe trip, as mercenaries could be seen keeping an eye out any time during the day and night. Kistal, traveling at night, would see small squads of men at arms walking in a loose group with two or three lantern bearers. Lantern bearers would normally have a lantern hooked into their halbreds, so that the light was out of their eyes and was enough to fill the area around them in light as they patrolled, but should they lower their weapon, it would come unhooked so that they can fight. The lanterns were metal and easy to refuel over torches. Every now and then, a few of the friendlier squads would wave or greet as Kistal passed. They were smaller in number, and were either carrying wooden round shields with their alliance painted on them.

The two more prominent smaller groups tended to have shields painted in white, trimmed in green with a red lotus on them, or were a two tone of grey and cobalt, its insignia a hammer with fours wings. These groups belongs to the Lonnette and Dalkain families, nicknames the Red Saints and the Iron Souls. These mercenaries are usually volunteers or paid only what they need to maintain their gear. They aren't always professional soldiers, but they volunteer to serve so that there is some representation of their district's merchant families. Most had other jobs within the city or in the farmlands to tend to on top of their mercenary work.

Most of the time however, Kistal would run into large groups of heavily armed mercenaries moving in various disciplines of formation. the rougher looking ones could care less about their form, while the higher paid ones, usually farther from the city where more trouble would occur, marched their patrol in tight formation. This was the Calibris family's mercenaries. Well armed, maintained, and given all the funding needed to complete any task. The elite ones found marching further from the city has special golden crests on their helmets, their shield, as all the Calibris mercenaries carried, were kite shields, with the middle pained olive green, the edges trimmed in gold, and a gold insignia of a dagger pointed down to three rings at the tip as if it were touching water and making a ripple effect. While the earlier brutes had plenty to say about the satyr skipping town, the elites were steady and disciplined, allowing Kistal to pass without so much as a single word.

-Kistal would find himself arriving in Kalla on the same day as everyone else currently in Kalla-

Allanon

The building Allonon arrived to was exactly as stated, though inside, it seemed to be a different tale. The lamps were out, some on the floor, tapestries ripped down, furniture upturned, cushions tossed about, pedestals collapsed to the ground in pieces alongside the shattered remains of whatever piece of art they held, be it a bust or pottery. It was a large ballroom made to both train, practice, and entertain, with a hallway in the back that lead to some living quarters, as many people also lived in their place of business here. There were a few bloodstains, minor at first, but progressively worse the further they got to the dark doorway leading to the hall. They were still fresh, as if just spilled only moments ago. At the door way itself, it looks like there were smears, as if something landed there and then drug itself inside. He could faintly hear someone crying from down the hall, though the door was closed and locked. The door however, was a simple thin wooden one, more for privacy than anything, and probably wouldn't stand up to much abuse.

Allanon made the quick decision to not request for Madame Valia with the scene before him. He immediately drew his sword at the sight of blood. This was too recent. He crept along following the blood trail with a focused expression on his face. He could hear a faint crying. Possibly the wounded person. Possibly someone else. He took a few moments to listen at the door and in the hallway. He wanted to hear if there were any threats still around before helping the injured.

When Allanon stepped closer to the door he was able to make out that the faint sobs sounded like they were coming from a woman, the faint flickering glow of fire light barely tracing the bottom edges of the door.

Whatever happened was recent, so whomever was responsible for this clear assault and battery could not have gone far. The last eight years had been almost nothing but a fight for survival spending every moment prepared for the worst. This door was the only way to further explore the building, so he immediately got to work on forcing it open. This would be the only way he could get answers.

Immediately upon pushing through the door he would see a body in the hallway on the ground. Upon inspection of his gear, it was a Calabris mercenary. There was a small ornate tri-bladed dagger in his chest, not part of their usual kit, Allanon should know for certain. The rooms to the sides were all empty, and at the end of the hall, there was an opening into a living room, with the legs of another body peeking around the corner. Whenever he decided to move up, he would see that the man was also dead, a blue silk veil wrapped around his neck, and the belt of his pants undone. There was a quick gasp as the crying stopped, just a few paces away was Madame Valia. She tried to stand, but fell rather quickly, trying to grab the lampstand to catch herself but it crashed to the ground with her. She had multiple injuries and bruises across her face and body, but the main was was her right leg that she just tripped up on. It was black from bruising in multiple areas. She was Varuk mostly, though her ears gave hint to something else being in her bloodline, maybe Sylve? And despite her title of 'madame', she actually seemed fairly young. "S-stay away! Leave me alone! Haven't you bastards taken enough!"

Valia

Allanon did not address the woman he assumed was Madame Valia immediately. He could tell she was not likely in immediate danger, but she would not be dancing anytime soon. He checked the body more thoroughly with an expression of contempt. A part of him wished he had been here in time to kill the Calabris merc. However, this man had a family. Did Allanon have the right to play executioner? Perhaps he had something that could give him more information than she could. Besides he wanted to give her some time to gather her wits.

"Be careful with that leg. Move the wrong way and your career could be permanently over." Allanon finally addressed the Madame with a firm tone. "Tell me, what is the Calabris family doing? What business did they have with you?"

Valia shook her head, she was still weary of him and didn't let her guard down, but the man was already acting differently than the others. "Those men mentioned that name as well," she said shakily. "My career is already over," she mentioned lowly looking at her leg, her voice quivering still in pain, "but I'm not worried about that." she said. "My girls have been slowly disappearing the past two weeks...And... now these men....these men tried to take me away. At first as an offer to be some Calabris person's personal dancer... that they have been....'looking' for one to suit his desires. I can only imagine they had been taking my girls.... I refused to help them, and then...they did this to me and my home. Said if i couldn't dance for their lord, that i should...." she couldn't finish the sentence as she shook her head, *they tried to force me to... and... I... I snapped." she finished, her hands shaking, the hand that stabbed the other man in the hall still covered in his blood.

Allanon sheathed his sword after assessing the danger had already been dealt with. He wished his fellow Ironblade, Marik Kane was here. He was a gifted Isoli healer, but he was the only Ironblade in what would be considered a "safe" place. He had returned to Tundral to be under the protection of his people. Of all the Ironblades, Marik was the most secretive, and he was the only one to not tell anyone how he owed the Calabris family anything. There was no way he'd be here in Kalla anyways.

"I am Allanon," Allanon said with a level tone. "I am an enemy of the Calabris family. Let me help you to a healer. I can help you get somewhere to start over, but I'm going to need your help hunting down those bastards. Tell me everything you know about them."

"My name is Valia," she said, starting to calm down. She timidly held a hand out to him to help her up. She couldn't even touch the ground with that leg as it was, let alone walk on it. When he assured her that he was against the Calibris family why gave a pained smile, "I believe that would make the both of us. Ah, thank you..." she said as he helped her up. "I can't leave here. This is my home, live or die," she started about him mentioning starting over elsewhere. "I don't know much about this 'Calabris' family, other than what those men mentioned. When my students started disappearing, I was worried that they may have lost their desire to continue dancing. Though, when their family came looking for them, I grew worried. I guess these men, like for me, have been looking for dancers to enslave to this family you speak of."

Before helping Valia up, Allanon bound her wounded leg to the best of his ability to make sure any broken bones would not move and cause permanent damage. He made sure to make this clear as to not upset her further. He felt the same sentiment she had towards not leaving. "I'm afraid I do not know Kalla very well. I'll need your direction to a healer you trust."

He remained silent for a short while as he mulled over the information he had now. What they were doing was pretty equivalent compared to the work they had him to all those years ago. Even though he never worked any of their slave operations the odds were his team laid out a lot of the foundational work for their current operations.

"If you can tell me everything you know about your students I may be able to track them down and rescue them from whatever is planned for them. Where did they live? What were their daily routines? Anything that can give me a clue."

Valia "Our healers are at the temple, beside the inn, close to the markets. People may undoubtedly have their questions..." she mentioned, noting that the site of him nearly carrying her out of here may draw quite some attention. "Though...it may be a bit safer there... As for my girls, they were all local and here in town, all Varuk, very talented. Aside from their duties at home with their families, the only main places they would visit would be here, the market, and the oasis for water."

Ren

Some of the older children scurried away at the proposal, knowing too well what promises like that could cause, awkwardly taking their younger siblings by the hand and running off, making it sound like another game. others were all to willing to share what they knew about the town, mostly what cool lizard they saw at the oasis this morning. Meanwhile, a man was leaning against a tree not to far off from her shop, one leg crossed at the ankle and his arms crossed. Ren would be able to instantly recognize him as Sahale, a broker, a person who delivers contracts for assassinations and other wetwork operations. Brokers tended to be retired assassins themselves, as they would be the best people to use to track other assassins to deliver jobs. This particular broker was easily recognizable because he always seemed to find Ren no matter where she was, like he made it his personal business to be the only guy to deliver jobs for her. If she noticed him while talking to the kids, he would just smile and pull one arm up to wave, then cross his arms again. It wasn't till the kids eventually left the he sauntered his way over with that smug grin of his.

"Hey there sweet cheeks, been a while! It just so happens I wasn't looking for you this time, I was in the middle of another job! Imagine the odds!" he laughed. He pulled a fat pouch of gold out and plopped it on her counter. "BUT, I did just so happen to acquire a contract you may be interested in, just about ten minutes ago really." He leaned in close. and whispered, "Some mercs tried to take the package they were picking up for a spin and got canned, need ya to clean house before the dirty laundry gets aired out and I mean as soon as possible. The target is a beautiful half Varuk and Sylve woman with long hair, she is a dance teacher in town. House with the blue banners just down the road." He leaned back up and tapped his sheathed sword on his shoulder. "Its a shame for such a beauty to go to waste, female targets always leave bad tastes in my mouth. Anyway! Consider that the down payment, gorgeous, and the completion will be worth twice as much. Some guy named Calibitch or whatever is shellin it out. Take it while you can. Take care, doll face, I'll find ya when I need ya, or rather, when you need me~." With that, he went on his merry way towards the markets.

Ascension: Monster Farm

"Great! Then its settled!, lets grab some food and head out. We can come back here and rest up or something while we wait for whatever might be troubling the town." Bidzil then tried to lead his his two companions with him to a vendor to buy some food that they can eat on the road so they don't lose much time. Sedna followed easily.

Nix, however, now knowing that this girl and her younger brother would be traveling alongside then approached them with a curious look on her face. Her head tilted as she looked them both up and down and then leaned forward, most likely in their personal bubble, and gave them a few sniffs to capture their scent. She leaned back away and then then crouched on her haunches, now looking down at the bug that followed Jones. Her ears twitched backwards for a split second before she looked back up at Jones. "No more hurting Sedna, or I'll eat the bug...o-okay?" Nix asked. Though it was very much a threat, she didn't sound angry, and it looked like she meant it, her voice still sounded as if she was still a bit weary of Jones, but if Bidzil decided to trust them, she would try to trust them. Now that she had their scent, she would be able to keep track of them much easier should anyone get separated.

Bidzil returned with a small bundle of food, he didn't get the chance to hear what Nix said, but he did see her actions from afar as he walked up. "Oh! I see Nix decided to get your scent, that means she putting her trust in you," he started excitedly, ".....or taking note of it if she thinks she will need it later... Anyway! I brought us back some food for the road. I guess I may have to cook up one of the steaks for us though." he added, much to Nix's enjoyment.

Final Fantasy: Reverence [IC] [OPEN]

Bidzil had a wide grin across his face, he knew he shouldn't press anymore for information, and he wouldn't mind throwing down a bunch of drinks, but he did have to be somewhere later and in condition to fight as well. He laughed heartily alongside the old man before he gave a response, "Well, I'd love to see how many drinks we could go through, but me and the miss here are having a little night on the town. We are both retired, met in service years back. Thought we would get out and see the world without lookin' through war goggles for once, ya know? I don't want to get too carried away and not be able to remember tonight," he finished as he put his arm around Annika. "Tell ya what though, before we go, you and me, strongest drink they got, I'll buy." he said with a grin, "how bout it?"

Ascension: Monster Farm

Bidzil nodded at Jones, "Oh, uh...stay the night?" he said looking down to his money pouch, which only held a single gold coin now. "I don't think I can afford that now. I saved enough to get food, but I was thinking I could be back home in Sunfire by tonight, I don't know if I could stay. But what the guards said was interesting....maybe I could just camp tonight?" he said to Jones, the last part mostly to himself in thought.

Nix then interrupted, "Momma wouldn't like that..." Nix stated wearily. "She doesn't like us out in the woods late at night."

Bidzil looked to her, "Maybe, but she doesn't have to know...Besides, with you here, we'll be fine. We can sleep in shifts." Bidzil then turned to Jones, though Nix looked like she still wasn't sure about his plan. "We were about to get some food to eat if you wanted to join, then we are headed out to the forest to look around before tonight."

The Vanishing Kingdom

@Honesty Crow

When Juliana mentioned he would be there shortly, he smiled and gave a small bow, which ended up being closer to a nod than anything, and thanked her. He looked around the store with all its fabrics and clothes, though only a few fully made garments to show the tailor's talents, as it seemed like everything was custom fit here. Definitely way over Bidzil's budget....even if he had money. There was then the sound of another set of footsteps approaching, prompting Bidzil to turn to see who it was. Bidzil's eyes widened a bit with a smile as he saw a familiar face walk into the room. "Well, I'll be... I never thought I would see you again. Who would have thought that you came all the way out here." He reached his hand out to shake Aerex's. He stopped for a moment and looked around. "H-hey, didn't Joan leave with you as well? Is he in town too? There's something I need to tell you two if you haven't heard already, but you may want to sit down first."

@drewccapp

The merchant took the silver coins and inspected them, honestly, three silver was a little much in most places, but for a foreigner out in the middle of the desert, most usually paid. He wrapped up a loaf of bread and handed it to him, still warm and with a flaky outer shell. "Ah, a man after the fine arts I see. Well, those lovely flowers don't normally come out until night time at the taverns or during festivals. But maybe madame Valia can help you. she is one of the finest dancers around, she has been teaching other girls for a few years now. She hasn't been herself recently though, guess something has been on her mind. Got some big party we should know about?" he ended with a deep laugh. "She could be just down that street, a few houses away from the chieftain's place. You will know it when you see the blue silk banners.

@Kaia Tau

Ren's shop drew some attention from the local's, not really used to seeing magic, let alone one that spawned an entire shop. A few warrior looking men seemed to take interest, but not to her store, though after a moment of watching one of the men tapped on the other's shoulder and jerked his head towards the market, and they went on their way. There seemed to be a couple girls following behind them, quietly. Not a moment later though,a small group of kids would run up, fascinated at some of the items on display, but when it came to books, a number of them didn't even know how to read them, and their interest wavered more towards the gadgets and magic items instead.

@Lotrix Molick

The table Kistal served was close to another table with some of his regulars. A large brutish looking man, though actually very kind, and his friend liked to come her for a drink or two in the morning to take the edge off the day. But it seemed like the big guy was down once again after hearing some troubling news that hit a little close to home.

"Oi, did ya 'ere? That bastard, Lord Calibirs, sounds like he's been lookin for some new girls for, eh...'entertainin' purposes." the big gruff man said at a table to his friend, already half drunk.

"You shouldn't talk like that about him, you never know who h has listening-" the other man tried to tell him.

"Oh shut it...He already took my daughta. Wut do I care if he hears me. I'm so buried in debts, I'll probably never see 'er again. Least he is leaving us alone this time. Word is 'e wants one them dancing girls from the deserts. Got some...Varlick tribe or whatever on pay." he stammered.

The other man sighed. "Look, you are going to have to let it go, you are already working yourself to death, it wasn't your fault. We will get her back soon, I'm sure. As for those in the desert, I couldn't imagine what that must mean for them..."

Ascension: Monster Farm

Bidzil nodded to the older man behind the counter. "That sounds perfect! I just need to consult my accountant!" Bidzil said with a big smile. He the squatted down next to Nix, disappearing behind the counter, and with Sedna joining for the sheer sake of feeling included. The three of them squatting on their haunches, save for Sedna who was floating, they huddled close and began discussing their financial situation in hushed tones. "Okay so how much do we have again?" Bidzil asked.

"Twenty gold, we would only have one gold left, Bid..." Nix said in dismay. "I don't think we can both eat on that, can we?"

"Why sure we can! How much do you think food costs?" Bidzil replied.

"Those raw steaks were two gold each alone..." Nix pointed out.

"Thats because they are special monster steaks, obviously."Bidzil said confidently.

To this Nix stopped for a moment with her head titled to the side and a single ear pricked up. "Really?" She stood up for a moment, her eyes barely level with the counter. Her hands popped up on the counter-top as she slightly lifted herself up and sniffed the air before quickly dropping back down on her haunches with Bidzil and Sedna, who was just watching the conversation go back and forth. "They don't smell special. Smells like meat..." With the mention of that, Nix's stomach grumbled fiercely, to which the three of them all looked down at her stomach.

"Alright then, tell you what. If we can't afford to eat before we leave, I'll cook one of the steaks and we will split it. Sound good?" to this Nix nodded happily and both of them stood straight back up, Sedna a little slower on the uptake. "I am al clear to go! Nineteen it is! Thank you sir!" he said with a smile as he made the exchange. When they walked out of the shop, Bidzil noticed Jones and Hurrah standing outside, not to far from the weapon shop. Bidzil waved at them, "Hey you two!" He called out to them. "So, where do you two plan to go?"

The Vanishing Kingdom

Trantis lake lay empty and the ground as dark as that of the forbidden forests of Death's Pass. The town that had floated upon it waters now lies desolated as the buildings had collapsed to the ground. Two men stood at the edge of the lake, overseeing the wreckage. One with long flowing green hair, the other, tall and muscular, face covered with an ornate mask. There were small piles of clothes everywhere, still warm from their previous inhabitants bodies, yet not a soul in sight. The masked man leaned forward and picked up what looked to be a doll next the a broken down pier.

"Do not mourn for them. They too once sent their men to murder my people for their own selfish gain. This is the price for their ancestor's folly.... Your first lesson I shall teach you," the masked man said, tossing down the doll. "In war, your enemy must be completely wiped from existence. Not just the men, but the women, and the children. You will be seen as a monster, sure enough, but grieving women and vengeful children beget rebellion and more bloodshed in the future." He turned towards the green haired man and held his arms out . "Am I not all the proof you need of this truth? This town will serve as an example for those who seek to oppose my birthright." He then turned and started walking towards the dark woods to the east.

"Follow me and leave this place behind you. You are no longer a man bound by this lake or its people. Bardus shall spread the word of my arrival in Salna. In the meantime, I shall prepare you for what is to come."

In Salna, an odd man wearing stilts, a worn out fur cloak, a basket helm, a smoking pipe, and carrying a hoe with a thick blade shambled up to the front gate. He took a deep breath and called out to the guards at the gate."Hear me, ancestors of tyrants! The final days for those who oppose the vengeful king draws near! In three weeks time, this town will face the judgment of King Jeevak of the Grandis Empire! Submit! Lest you wish to perish like the people of Trantis!"

This caused a stir in the crowd that had gathered to watch, and really caught the guards' attention. The stir turned into panic as there were a lot of people with family in Trantis. A small group of guards assembled to arrest the man, though, in a flash, the first man to move towards him suddenly stopped walking forward. An outcry from a woman in the crowd as she seemed to be the first to register what happened. The guard slumped and fell dead to the ground, the odd man's farming hoe lodged into his skull, piercing through his helmet. The towns people backed off as more of the guards moved in to attack the man who was now retrieving his weapon, but each one fell to the surprisingly nimble enemy, who seemingly dispatched them with fluid ease. When the tenth body hit the ground motionless, the other guards backed off to regroup and make a new formation, but were knocked over by a freak gust of air that seemed to come from the odd stranger.

"Do not rush your fate." He said as he dipped a hand into one of the fallen guard's wounds. he then drug the dead man over to the wall, and using the blood, wrote a message on the wall. "A NEW KING RISES. THE GRANDIS EMPIRE HAS RETURNED," it read. The man wiped his hand off in his fur cloak and turned towards the people with a bow. "You have been told, you are no longer ignorant. We will return." With this, the man then hobbled off. The man's pipe seemed to start billowing out smoke, turning his image into nothing but a haze, gone when the smoke dispersed.

---

2 weeks later

---

Bidzil woke up in a sweat, though, the heat baring down through the window he was sleeping next to the cold night before. He was currently in Kalla, the one and only town in the Killiman Desert. The heat was something he was used to in Trantis's summer, but it was a bit different when there wasn't an ever present body of water around to jump into. Sure, there was the few spots of water around the town as it sat in an oasis, but people didn't take to kindly to others jumping in the water they used daily for their chores and to drink, as he had found out the night he arrived. Bidzil kicked the thick blankets off and got out of the bed he rented for the night, and started to get himself ready for the day. His gear and jacket were locked in a rental chest at the foot of the bed, thankfully it didn't look like it was tampered with. He popped it open and threw the jacket on and then equipped his gear. He patted himself down, making sure everything was still there and in the right place before heading out the door. The first thing he wanted to do, is get something to eat, and then get supplies for the road, so he needed to head towards the market first.

The markets were packed with people bartering and selling their wares. Here was plenty of things to choose from in the market, from dates and melons, to corn, millet bread, even potatoes and lamb meat. The smells of all the different vendors cooking their foods was enough to drive a starving person mad. Though Bidzil was originally making a beeline for the opportunity of a filling breakfast, he found something else that caught his eye. Out to the side, just south of the main merchant tent, sat a tailor's shop with Aerex's name on it.

“No way...that couldn't be...but... I don't know any other tailors with a name like that,”] he murmured. He found himself making strides to the store to see if he was right about his assumption.