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5 yrs ago
Wraith smells like beans
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Conspiracy Theory: Mahz will never return from vacation.
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13 years and going strong.

I'm waiting for the moment someone in my city mentions roleplayerguild as their hobby.

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Helen is approved @Maxx
Was that a bump???
Please tell me how bad it is.





[indent] With her own statement to the Queen concluded, Kym stepped backward to join the group again. As the girl with the crow stepped forwards to say her part, Kymir watched the queen’s stale expression. How could a woman with this much influence and wealth sit upon this throne while her homeland suffered? Kym’s gaze faltered for a moment as she suddenly thought of how the queen had also escaped a difficult life to forge a new one. The biggest difference was that this woman built a new world for herself and her people, while Kymir was trying her best to forget it.

The last to speak stepped forwards. It was the tall woman with the spear. Kymir looked over the forced bow she presented and found herself tracing the scars along her body. She’d seen scars like that before. The woman’s request only confirmed Kymir’s suspicion. Kym felt her heart sink into her stomach. Her right hand clenched into a small fist to keep it from shaking, and suddenly the room felt much warmer. Darington. Slavers. The gladiator arena. Kymir and this woman had grown up in the same city but faced much different horrors. Kym was here for the reward so that she could stay as far away from her past as possible. This woman was here because her past returned to her. Her own request seemed so foolish next to that.

The queen washed this information down with an entire glass of wine. Kymir yearned for a bottle herself, but the fire inside of her stomach now was not from alcohol.

Did this woman ever meet Mikhail? The thought was so sudden that Kymir’s hand relaxed from shock. No… She couldn’t have.

It was that moment when Kymir felt the queen’s gaze upon her. She lifted her eyes just in time to look into the woman’s gaze as she ridiculed Kym’s request. The queen was also running from her past. She too refused to return to it. Kym couldn’t blame her for that. For the fear of what could have been had she not escaped. Yet Kym did not sit upon a throne of influence and wealth such as the Queen of Exusia. Kym could not raise an army devoted to her cause. Kym never had magic on her side.

There was one outcome of this quest that did not seem so bleak. If this group were to succeed, the other woman from Darington had a chance to save her daughter. Kym vowed then and there to help her, no matter the cost. She’d never stood up for the other children at her orphanage, or the children from the streets that went missing in the night. She only had the time to worry about her own survival then; the circumstances were different now. Kymir was confident that she could help, and the first step was to give the Queen what she wanted.

To venture into places like The Sorrowfields, New Kaimeria, and (worst of all) Desolation would sound like a death sentence to any right minded individual. Kym was proud to say that she wasn’t that sort of person. How horrible could these places be after so many years of hiding from the horrors of Darington? Each of these places sounded equally treacherous, except with different types of danger to be wary of. This journey would require immeasurable amounts of stealth, brains, and a skilled hand with a weapon. Kym looked around the room and saw a good amount of each within the group that stood before her. Most of them possessed more of it than Kym herself.

The girl with the copper blonde hair requested to see the glyphs for herself and Kym nodded along. It was doubtful that the queen would allow them a night’s stay on the floating island, but she would be foolish to send them off without showing them what they would be looking for. Kym was personally interested in the information anyways. The queen hadn’t been descriptive enough to satisfy that itch.

The girl with the slouch-- had any of them introduced themselves yet? Kym only knew Artur’s, Lan’s, and Fourteen’s name at the moment. That left four of them with no title of their own except for the description Kym made up for them. She made it a point to ask them their names as the slouched one finished speaking. Kym turned her head to look at the queen. She was curious about the “insurance” as well. Was the queen aware that more glyphs would be found in those lands, or was she sending them off on a gamble? It seemed like Desolation would be the only place that could have more of these glyphs of the past. That is if the cataclysm that occurred there hadn’t wiped them away, or if the people that died there hadn’t had the time to carve them yet. Kym was also doubtful that New Kaimeria would be home to any of this information either. At least not to any information that wasn’t kept under lock and key by the Kaimerians.

“I’d also like to know if you have any information that confirms the existence of more of these glyphs. I also wish to know as much about the history of Deadwood as you can describe. Seeing the glyphs will let us know what we’re looking for, but we should also understand the history if we’re to look for it in other places.” Kym knew the general public knowledge of the creation of Deadwood, but she hoped that the queen would have a bit more insight than most.

"I accept your quest nonetheless."
Oh?





Kymir finished taking in the grand sight of Exusia before her just as another member of the troupe put their weapon to… sleep. Kym’s eyes glanced over the mecha-creature with a glint of curiosity. It was the first time she’d seen a weapon like that. The user was brave to be so obvious with his magic. Kym didn’t think poorly of anyone who practiced the arts, but she was aware of the reason why the public opinion thought differently. Even so, Kym was looking forward to seeing his weapon in action. Kym noticed the next man in line step up and eye what the owner called a “magishell” with interest as well.

“I don’t… suppose my bird counts as a weapon?”

Kym’s attention was drawn to the speaker, and she took in the sight of the other archer in the room with a light smile. This young woman carried a black bird on her arm and a crossbow as long as her body. Not only that, but the girl was covered from head to toe in paper talismans. Kym’s interest in this group was growing by the second. Each person here seemed to have their own quirk. What better company than the most odd characters in an odd world. Then again, Kym hadn’t expected any normal being to take on such an impossible quest. There was even a giant golem of rock that seemed to move of its own accord, who proceeded to point a small boulder of a finger in the knight-ish man’s direction.

“You. You are a commander of authority. I respect you.”

Was there a natural leader already in place?

It was then that she heard the girl, with the lightest shade of red hair Kym had ever seen, request a moment to freshen up before meeting with her royal highness. Kym’s eyes brightened at the thought of cleaning the sand from her clothes and hair. Perhaps they could even request a bath. Oh, how she yearned for a hot bath and a glass of refreshingly cold water. Could such pleasant things be offered in Exusia to visitors from below?

“No.”

Kymir’s heart felt as if it had been crushed.

“Let us make haste. Tabitha awaits.”

“What kind of royal is named Tabitha, anyways.” Kym muttered to herself as she began to follow the group. When she noticed the nearest knight that surrounded them eye her, Kym simply smiled and tilted her head like she hadn’t said a word. She then turned her head to the side to see who she was walking next to, but found herself looking up at the tallest woman she’d seen since Darington. The woman was busy watching something else, so Kym turned her head towards the exquisite halls before them.

Soon they entered the Queen’s throneroom. Kym had to admit that she was impressed by the Queen’s taste. She was even more enthralled by the woman herself. Pale white skin, most likely as soft as a newborn’s derrière, and a tall head of bright white hair. A ruby red rose sitting perfectly within a line of pearls. The woman’s smile made Kym uncomfortable alone, but it was the way the Queen spoke to them that made Kym’s shoulders tense.

Move closer? Kym didn’t fear the woman, but she had no intention of breathing the same, blessed air as the witch queen. Her feet carefully guided her into the light of her majesty's throne. She stopped before the Queen dared to command her to.

This woman really needs to touch some grass. Kym mused to herself. Surely the grass up here wasn’t real.

“... but why? Down there, money is truly worthless when you get down to it.”

Did she really just say that?

Even after witnessing the glory of Exusia for the first time, Kym was still under the impression that this floating rock was no different than the land below. While Exusia was no doubt safer than the lands of Deadwood, Kym believed that the same dynamics of human, or inhuman, nature thrived here. A class system, racial prejudice, a means of seizing power and keeping it, and above all a master to answer to. This master in particular being a Queen of condescending nature from what Kym had gathered during these few moments. There was no guarantee that the Queen would soften if they returned with the answers she seeked. There was no reason to believe that they would be treated equally if they chose to live out the rest of their days in Exusia either. Perhaps the people would welcome them with open arms, but all of the Queen’s horses, women, and men would think of them as refugees of the lower-realm.

Kym couldn’t think of any way she could find a proper means of living here. In a place as rich as this, the cost of living was surely higher than below. She couldn’t imagine herself living as a maid, a servant, or even worse as a bar wench. She had the highest respect for the women with those roles, but she would never take such a position willingly.

The most pressing argument that Kym had against Exusia was that each citizen answered to the Queen. Kym answered to no one. Her decision to return to Alphos was made long before she stepped foot in the floating city. She would certainly have a target on her back after receiving the Queen’s reward, but she could live a much more comfortable life than before.

Each of the other’s answers were respectfully made. Kym understood why some were choosing to remain in Exusia after their journey. Deadwood certainly was a “cesspool of chaos and discord”, but that was all Kym had ever known. It was still her home, chaos and all.

Kymir nodded with respect to the man who called himself Artur of the Bastardborn. He was the first among them to deny a new life in Exusia, and also the first to let the Queen know that they weren’t amused by her tone. Kym wondered if any of the remaining party members would say the same. Would they think that Artur and herself were absolutely mad for choosing a life down below?

Kym allowed the bastard born man a moment to let his words sink in before she took a step forward. In an act of mutual respect, although she didn’t expect the same from the Queen, Kym bowed her head before she let her eyes look into the Queen’s.

“My name is Kymir. I’ve joined this quest not to live on Exusia, but to live comfortably in the place I’ve called home. I have also wondered what happened to these lands many times before and I hope that we may return one day with that knowledge.”

“I will ask only for the reward of coin. I could also hope that Exusia may consider helping the lands below if the knowledge we return with is to your satisfaction.”





When Kymir left Alphos those few nights ago she never expected to step foot in the city above the clouds.

It was hard to believe that Exusia’s Queen hadn’t placed this quest years ago. Her majesty wanted to know the history of the cataclysm before now, surely. So what was it that kept her from asking for help until now? Somehow this must mean that the Queen’s own citizens could not fulfill her wishes, or perhaps they were too frightened to step food in these lands ever again. Kymir believed in the latter, but she had it in her heart to give the Exusian’s the benefit of the doubt. Surely some of them were confident to roam the lands in the name of the Queen. Either way, Kymir wasn’t surprised that her majesty would leave it to the scavengers of Deadwood to make the journey for her.

Still, Kymir was filled with a fresh feeling of excitement as she stepped into the Bone Sea for the first time in a while. The first day’s journey was spent speculating. Kymir thought of any way this quest could go the wrong way. She also wondered where the group that answered the Queen’s call should start first. To that, Kym really had no answers. She just hoped that someone else would have that in mind. What discoveries would they make? Would it shatter previous speculations, or would it only lead to more questions? Kym wasn’t certain of anything, but she knew that an open mind would yield the best results.

For the next few days, Kym’s focus was more on her surroundings than the journey ahead. She kept an eye on the horizon and her ears to the wind. She was fortunate to see a group of sandwalkers in the distance before they saw her. Kym was glad that this land was called the Bone Sea. The large structures of bones were the greatest advantage in this sea of sand. Kym hid in them, slept in the empty bellies or skulls of the beasts, and often used their shards to carve new arrowheads. In her opinion, the Bone Sea would be easy to survive in, if not for the lack of water and the lurking Beast of the Sand beneath.

Except she forgot to account for the sandstorms.

Kym was nearing the Hope Passage when her eyes set upon the glooming wall of misery. “Well, that’s not a good sign.” She said to herself, yet her voice was anything but grim. With a shrug, Kym untied the blue scarf from her waist and proceeded to wrap it around her head for protection. Her pace quickened, and she made it to the entrance of what she assumed to be Exusia’s makeshift base by the time the sand arrived.

“I am here to answer her majesty’s request. Which tent shall I find her messenger?”

The guards posted there, quick to retreat from the sandstorm, gestured inwards and dared to shout an answer before the sand could coat their throats. “In the cent-”, but he cut his sentence short. His gaze brought on a look of terror as he stared behind Kym into the storm. Kym turned to see what struck him so, and immediately understood his fear. She ran past the guards and into the encampment before they could sound an alarm.

“The Clansmen have arrived with the storm!” Kym shouted into the nearest tent. The men inside didn’t believe her at first. They laughed while Kym withdrew her butterfly swords and moved away from the tent. The clansmen were already upon the encampment. Kym could see the frontline breaking through the camp’s lines easily. The soldiers in the tent were still laughing when the first wave of clansmen hit. Kym turned and continued further into the camp before she could be caught up in the fight. She shouted a warning as she went by groups of travellers and Exusia’s men but she was sure that the sandstorm muffled the sound. At least she tried.

Kym kept going further into the center of the camp. Her eyes searched for the tent where the messenger would be. If she could get the warning to him first, perhaps backup would be sent their way. There! A glimmer of a brightly colored, rather large tent. A few more metres and she’d be-

-too late. A wave of clansmen came from Kym’s left and barraged the nearby tents. A man dressed in the skin and skull of a beast burst from a tent next to her with a war cry. Kym turned to face him, holding her blades at the level of her chest. “I bare no ill will for the Clan of the Bones!” Kym shouted, as if her statement would keep him from attacking.

The clansmen acted as if she said nothing. He raised a giant blade carved from the stone of a beast, it’s handle wrapped with leather stomach lining and stained with red blood, and pointed it at her chest before charging. Kym planted her feet firmly in the sand. Her left blade collided with the bone machete and stopped it mid-air. Her heels digging into the earth as she stood her ground. The clansmen, startled by her strength, cursed her in his language, but had no time to react to her second blade as she swung it towards his stomach. It cut cleanly through, blood flowing from the wound and drenching the sand between his feet. Kym stepped back from the man and let him drop to his knees. Most of the clansmen around her were busy raiding the tents to notice her victory, but she knew that wouldn’t last long. She moved to crouch near a cart, out of sight of any clansmen that roamed, and her head turned to look in the direction of the messenger’s tent.

The sandstorm quelled for just a moment. The space that opened in front of her was enough to show that the group that gathered for the quest were still standing. Perhaps the messenger was as well. Kym searched the storm for any sign of clansmen and with no sight or sound from one took off in the direction of what remained of the tent. She felt as she was nearing it just as a clansmen towing two horses behind him galloped out of the storm. He swung an axe made of bone her way, bellowing a victory cry.

Kym raised both of her swords to meet it. She hadn’t been prepared, and the assault knocked her off of her feet and onto her back. The clansmen galloped away, his laughter fading into the wind. Kym groaned from her place on the ground. The stiff bow on her back had dug into her shoulder and lower back upon landing. At least she’d held onto her blades.

A gust of sandy wind blew into Kym’s face and she grimaced. Her scarf had been knocked loose as well. Kym spat onto the sand next to her and got back to her feet. “I hope the Queen doesn’t mind a little sand.” Kym chuckled to herself before she continued towards the remains of the tent.

“I don’t expect her majesty to grace us during a sandstorm, do you?” Kym asked rather loudly as she approached the group so that they would hear her over the storm. Except, just as she made it close to them, a bright white light engulfed the area around the tent. Kym took a step back in an attempt to avoid it and her foot felt solid ground beneath it. “Huh?” The light faded, and Kym found herself standing in one of the grand hall’s of Exusia.

Kymir was speechless, for the first time in her life. Her very existence felt wrong. Her body was telling her that she didn’t belong here. Everything about this place was just too… perfect.

Her first instinct was to lower her swords. The blood of the clansman still clung to the edges of her blade and she was glad to realize that sand clung to it and kept it from dripping onto the stone floor. Kymir sheathed the blade in her left hand, and pulled a square of worn leather from her pocket to wipe her right blade clean before sheathing it as well. A man had approached them and began to speak. Kym listened to him as she removed her scarf and tied it to her belt.

She was the first to step forwards out of the group, even though she had been the last to arrive.

With a bright smile on her face, Kymir approached the man as she began to remove her bow from across her chest and back.

“I’m sure all will go well. We are here on behalf of the Queen’s request, after all.” She said as she handed the bow over to him. She kept her same smile and gaze on the man as she proceeded to undo the attachments for her quiver and butterfly sword sheath from her belt. After she unceremoniously handed them over to the man, she raised a finger into the air. “Oh! I almost forgot.” She grinned before leaning down to pull her dagger from her boot. “That certainly would have made things uncomfortable.” She said as she placed her final weapon into his care. All done, Kym politely stepped off to the side so the others could take their turn. As she stood to the side, she continued to stare at the room around her.

So this was Exusia...

Better late than never


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