Necrophage

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Oz nodded in response to Jenso's side of the conversation. "I guess it would be a wasted effort. Alright, we'll keep going."
The other question Oz answered as they continued down the corridor. "Zelriane is a sore spot for me. He happened upon my town looking for a book. The book in question was a keepsake of our village leader's daughter, Angela. I regret that day that I didn't simply take the damned book and give it to the demon." There was pained expression on Oz's face but he quickly hid it and smiled back at Jenso. "Angela was stubborn and no one realized who they were dealing with. Joshua Kario, our village leader was killed. Many others were severely wounded but I was able to save the town through raw tenacity. That and the uncharacteristic mercy of Zelriane. He rolled his eyes at the thought. "Though of course now that I think on it I believe he was getting his kicks with me and didn't act out of mercy. It was right before I found myself waking up here in a claustrophobic golem that I fought Zel again."
Oz shook his head absently. "I'd say it were a mistake to chase him but I had to. Everything in me called for it. He had tracked down Angela who'd been on the run since the incident in Kario. He held on to a long pause. The wind in the corridor whistled. "Zel had caught her, tortured her and preserved her just long enough to die in my arms." Oz's frustration started to come out in his voice. "And despite all that, all I was able to do was land some glancing hits on the bastard! I trapped him, outsmarted him. I pulled out all the stops!"
The color had drained out of his face and he was speaking softly now. "I wish I could have done more. Zel is thousands of years ahead of me. All I wound up being in the end was a punching bag."
Oz finally looked up again, being drawn back to the present. "That brings me here." He said calmly.

A Hero Tale {Complete}

There was certainly something off about all this. Oz tapped Jenso on the shoulder. "Hey, so.. if they are attacking hundreds of places at once then they're low on man power here right?" He looked around for any sources of observation, cameras, magic-sources, whatever. Oz had this obscure feeling like there was something watching them. "I don't do the whole subtlety thing that well but it kind of feels like we might be falling into the plan of whoever's master here. Why have me imprisoned in a golem in that room.. FULL of golems and have none of them active." He glared ahead. "I think we're being funneled in this direction on purpose. Either we ruin their plan by shifting directions first or we follow through and hope they don't overpower us." Oz grinned devilishly. "And by shifting direction, I mean to go straight up." He peered up at the tightly shifting gears and menagerie of stone work floating above.

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Oz followed Jenso on the way out. There was one thing he needed to get straight with Jenso, however. That one thing was deeply connected to his stubborn nature. "I may not be at peak performance, friend, but I'll get one truth out for you. I will not cower behind you if we run into trouble. No way, no how. If my arm were blown off I'd still find some way to fight. I won't let you get wounded in my stead."

Oz grimaced as they moved. He was sore but driven. "When we find the fight, and we will find a fight if what you say is correct, then these aches won't hold me back. You can trust me to watch your back." Oz insisted.

A Hero Tale {Complete}

"Jenso.. Good to meet you! Too bad I get the pleasure in such a sorry state but for what it's worth I'll help you." Even Zel had a companion. Maybe this was exactly what he needed to even the odds, more individuals like himself. "I'm afraid you know more about this place than I do. I don't know how long I've been out." Oz peered up and around at the walls looking for a way out. "I don't feel like being in one of those things again so whatever you're doing here we'd best get underway." He shoved a thumb at the nearest golem. "I'd prefer not being here when those things wake up. It'd make for a helluva bad day."

A Hero Tale {Complete}

The man relaxed a little at that and walked up for a closer look. He cocked his head to the side as he gave Jenso a good once-over. "Yeah.. yeah you certainly don't look the part.." He extended his arm to Jenso for a customary handshake. "I apologize for that accusation. I hate saying this but Zel just kicked my ass -- again. Since I'm clearly still alive it would appear he didn't finish the job either -- again. Maybe he's just bored and sees me as some level of amusement." The man glanced away for a second and let out a dejected sigh. "He probably won't finish the job until he's taken everything else from me first. Sick bastard." He stopped mulling whatever he was thinking about and came back to the moment. "Oh, pardon that. My name's Oz."

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Amidst the row of stone figures one of the golems violently exploded, scattering stone bits everywhere and knocking adjacent golems over. Purple energy fizzled off of them and rippled off of the figure hidden inside one. He stretched, bones cracking uncomfortably. "Where the hell am I?" He muttered as he looked around. The man seemed to be in his physical prime and was fairly tall too. He had blond hair and eyes as clear blue as the ocean. He was also covered in bruises, scrapes and had bags under his eyes. This dude had seen better days.

After seeing the weird room he looked right at Jenso. "Who are you? Zelrianne's lackey?" He took up a fighting stance. It was easy to tell he was uncomfortable with his current wounds.

Petrichor

Ramm stood over one of the empty spots at the table. He wasn't going to sit down so he just leaned against the table and his weight pressed it down on his side. He used the graphite to draw a big 'X' at the signature spot and then stood up again and leaned once more against the wall.

"You may have my signature for this guild but I refuse to give you my blood. Are we dealing with a cult or is this an endeavor of grand adventure?" He questioned. "I've had my business in shady dealings before and not once have they asked for my blood. I will not make practice of spreading it around. I do not trust men that would want it. I am no master of magic but I do know it can be used for ill in the wrong hands." He looked at the others already bleeding themselves for this cause and scoffed. "I will bleed for you in real combat but in paperwork? No! To think they could make paperwork more painful."

Ramm also seemed to skip the part where he couldn't read...

Petrichor

Still here...

Vendetta Inc.

@King Tai It's a shame to hear that. I'll be around.

Petrichor

A cobbled carriage drawn by nothing but enchantment bumped down the rough roads. The mage inside was making his rounds like many other strange traders of magic and tech alike. Unlike the noisome cars that frequented these roads this bewitched carriage had no motor to make sound over the beautiful music of the forest. The plump mage in gaudy, purple robes sat in the front. He held reins that strapped around to the bottom of the coach. One had to be wary in these parts. Reapers and all that. Regardless of the fact the mage hummed a marry tune and shifted jollily to it in his seat.

Wildlife in this area was thinning. Perhaps it was because they sensed a coming danger that men could not. "I remember when these parts were bustling." The mage muttered to himself. "So much life, now it's all going gray." He sighed. This man was here to peddle his trade; enchantments, potions, household goods that most would consider snake oil. A legitimate business man - and he heard a sound no trader wants to hear!

A loud snore cut the air like logs being sawn. Then a snort as whoever it was settled. The mage pulled the reins back and cursed. "Again! Damn stowaways.." The coach rolled to a stop, hill or no it stayed in place. As he hopped from his perch the mage took his staff, clacking it against the road every few steps he took. He gawked in awe at the creature sprawling amongst his luggage. How the hell did something that big hide in his goods!? This mostly naked cat-man had to be at least a head taller than six feet. The cat scratched his furry abs and flopped over again, completely unaware he had been discovered. The mage, a little intimidated by the size of his guest, made good of his staff and gave his stowaway a poke. His guest simply batted it away like it was second nature and rolled over.

That was enough to tip him over. "You! Get up! This is illegal and dishonest." The mage commanded. The great cat-man finally roused. He rubbed his eyes with a forearm and grumbled something unintelligible and angry sounding. "If you want to keep going you'd better damn well pay for it! I don't even know who the hell you are." The mage kept going, he must have been really pissed.

The stowaway finally responded. "Yeah -- about that. I'm Ramm." He scratched at his disheveled mane thoroughly as he kept talking. "How 'bout this cherry-face? I guard you until we get to Auguston. After that this gets put behind us."

The mage's face lit up a bright red on queue. "Cherry-face!? Not happening, beasty." He retorted.

Ramm's face stretched into a terrifying toothy grin. "Beast? Where I come from that's a compliment." He chuckled a little. "Fine. I'll walk. I can smell the town from here anyways."

There was a visible relief in the man's eyes. At the same time his own curiosity was piqued. "Smell the town? What do you mean?"

Ramm perked up at the question. "You don't know do you? Haven't been around Auguston for a while then. Town smells like burning ever since the line got closer. Makes it easy for me to find but hard to stay." He looked around at the bleak forestry. "Can't blame the wildlife for running off when they've got senses like mine. Given the choice I'd leave with them. Too bad I love fighting, and fighting gets me paid." He beamed at the trader.

Safety seemed to be pressing on the mage's self interest. "Fine, I'll take you to Auguston but that's it." He concluded.

___________________

Auguston was worse now than Ramm remembered it last. The smell permeated the soil. The fabled reapers must've been getting closer to them. He hadn't the opportunity to meet them in combat yet but relished the thought. It excited him.

One of Auguston's last, most resilient attractions was also his destination. "The Lazy Dragon." Ramm muttered as he looked at the sign. Fitting for a place to gather a fighting force. Someone needed to wake that dragon and who better than an elite team of fighters. He stomped gracelessly through the door and into a tabled area. The inn itself wasn't far better than outside. The dour mood that had settled across the town had infected the patrons in here too. A mad grin settled on his face. That meant a clash would hopefully happen sooner than later. He plodded toward the curtained off area and stuck his head through to look at the menagerie gathered together. Tabby cat, a centaur, an elf. That was a collection. He stepped all the way and paused next to the elf. He gave her a discourteous sniff. She smelled like dead people. Finally he shrugged and leaned against a wooden beam. Most people in this town smelled like dead people. Roasting the dead wasn't even a terrible smell, it was everything else they burned with it. He finally introduced himself. "Name's Ramm."