Graterras Chapter 2: A Second Chance [IC]

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

((um, whoops))

Edited June 5, 2014 by Hukuna

[Chevaleresse]

Replying to Marcus, Xavier reminisced a bit. "Being a Cinder Knight isn't all blood and glory, though I'll admit I have a desire for the second. I try to help people out wherever I can, even with mundane things like fixing walls up, for example. I learned a bit from a carpenter in a village I helped. It's proven to be surprisingly useful." He then turned back to his work, with the occasional glance at the golden Victonari. A strange one, him. I'll have to speak with him sometime.

((Hukuna, he was speaking to Xavier, not Orpheaus.))

[Zephyrus the Priestess]

Helzebeth - Wall Team

With a hardened resolve and a steely look set in her eyes, Helzebeth nodded. Now, let's get down to business.

Looking towards the crowd that Lady Jupiter-- or, rather, her sister had indicated earlier, she said, "I suppose we ought to begin lessons-- I'd like to imagine the damage and fear that a rain of arrows can bring to the enemy."

[Chim]

Sigurd – Frontliners

The argument between Chauff and Bjorn was very entertaining. Sigurd walked right behind them with a smile on his face and doing his best not to laugh. “Ya, it’s always nice to stretch out before a battle. It’s not necessary since I’m always ready, but just to be sure,” he said as he grabbed the nails.

“Are you a fighter like mister Orpheaus too?”

Sigurd turned around. He didn’t like to be compared with that shiny showoff. He was about to say something when he noticed it was just a kid who asked the question. “Yes, I am. The name is Sigurd. Who are you and shouldn’t you be hiding in a safe place right now?”

Edited June 5, 2014 by Chimchain

[Notus]

Marcus-Frontliners

"He, yeah I can see it's use now. Though I think I still enjoy demolition work better." he answered the elf, trying to keep the conversation up while they worked. Thinking on the subject, the young man couldn't hold a smile as he remembered the many times he came around his brother's building toys, only to smash everything apart while playing the giant.

"How long have you been on the job as a Cinder Knight, Xavier? You seem to have travelled quite a lot." Marcus asked again, curious as always.

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

Bjorn and Chauff-Frontliners (Kid isn't significant to name the post after him.)

"I am Timothy, and don't worry Mister Sigurd, I will be hiding." he said, a smile on his face."I don't want to though. I want to help you guys fight. Mister Orpheaus is strong, but he looks very sad sometimes, I hope he and You protect us. Are your swords as pretty as his?" he said, eyeing the blades.

"They are very Pretty, you should show the lad Sigurd." Said a very Jolly Bjorn. "Yea, but don't let him hold it, might put out an eye." added the pessimist Chauff. (as as he says, Realist.)

[Chim]

Sigurd – Frontliners

The boy, Timothy, reminded Sigurd how he used to be in the past. He too was always excited and wanted to join on raids. His stepfather never allowed him, saying that the battlefield was no place for kids. That’s why Sigurd picked up a bow in the first place. So he could stand somewhere safe but still participate in the raids. When Olaf, his stepfather, saw that for the first time he burst out in laughter. Not only because Sigurd had no talent to be a ranger, but because he was cheeky enough to find a way to join the raids. That was the very first time Olaf said he was proud to be his father and gave him his first sword.

Sigurd smiled when he recalled that and turned his attention back to Timothy. “My swords aren’t pretty and shiny like Orpheaus’ sword,” he said. “Mine are plain steel and a piece of art. That’s true beauty when it comes to swords; they need to be strong, just like their wielders. That’s why mine are better.” He said that last part with a large grin. His swords were his pride and he loved to show them off. “Here, take a look. But be careful, they are sharp.”

While he showed his blades, still holding them for safety, he turned to Bjorn. “What’s your story, old-timer? How did you, a fellow Northman, end up here?”

[Chevaleresse]

Xavier - Frontliners

"Oh, I've been a Cinder Knight for most of my adult life. I started training young, and adventuring young. Let me think here. . ." Xavier paused for a moment, looking up into the back of his head. "I think I've been at this for eighty years now, or something like that?"

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

Bjorn and Chauff - Frontliners

"Well, lad I used to be a sailor, had some fighting experience due to the amount of pirates." Bjorn said, as he started his tale. "I sailed everywhere around these 9 islands, carrying all manner of spices and goods from place to place. However, when you get old, you have that urge to settle down, and rest those tired bones of yours. I traveled for awhile looking for such a place." He smiled, his pearly whites showing. "And that was when I met Orpheaus and the people of Passtrough. It was a pretty bleak day, 6 years ago. It was raining horribly, so I was looking for shelter. I came across this town, It however, was under attack, by a single man. A horrible Figure, 7 or 8 feet tall, with strange armour. the right half, an Angel, the left a Demon. Our shiny Golden Victonari was fighting him alone out in the field. Terrified, the town stood still as they watched the battle between the 2, even me. They matched each others blows, 1 for 1, neither having an upperhand at anytime. But it quickly started to change. Orpheaus started to tire, after almost an hour of straight fighting, the Mysterious Figure, somehow, with inhuman energy was still fighting like a madman. It was looking so bleak, that was when I jumped into action. Pulling my dual swords, I rushed to his aid, getting there just in time to catch the felling blow. The town following my example, all rushed towards him as well. The Man knew he was outnumbered, and retreated." Bjorn took a deep breathe, he had been talking pretty fast, tiring himself out a bit. "Ever since then, I stayed around here. Now I am too old to fight, but I would stand next to Orpheaus on that battlefield again if I could. I know he probably seems odd to you, I know he certainly was for me at first. But I came to find he was a warrior just like me. His spirit is strong, much like yours Sigurd. I can tell just by standing near ya, you will be a powerful warrior." Bjorn placed a big hand on Sigurd's shoulder. "If he doesn't die first." Chauff added.

[Notus]

Marcus-Frontliners

Marcus whistled. "Holy... that's a fair ammount of time! You elfs really don't show your age uhn?" he said, realizing his companion was older than his grandfather.

By that time the wall was looking a lot better. Marcus turned again to Orpheaus, who had been immerse on his work and didn't take part on the conversation. "What about you Orpheaus? You're a sort of templar too, right?"

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

Orpheaus-Frontliners

"Paladins are essentially templars, yes. Though I am not a paladin of Bartimis's order. I am of the Order of the Platinum Dragon, otherwise known as Bahamut." he said. "It is an order entirely comprised of Victonari, as they are the only ones who are accepted by Bahamut as champions of his faith. I have been traveling almost a century now after completing my training there, I am sure Brass told you I have been here for 8 years. Why, I can't really say, I just have felt like I am compelled to stay here, protecting these people. However, I have to leave one day, I must find Sunglimmer's Sister sword, Dawnshimmer. "

[Flux]

Nero - Scout Team

"This mission is dangerous, I can't have anyone with cold feet. If you think even for a second, that you aren't cut out for this, leave now." He said, his voice harsh and clear. "Y'all understand?"

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

Nero scoffed. Just who did this man think he was?

"I'm more ready for this than you could possibly comprehend," he said simply. "Let's hurry up and do what we're here for."

He was acting bluntly, but frankly, whatever patience he'd had before was running out. He was frustrated. He agreed to travel with Odin so he could get revenge, not so he could stop at every village and help them with their problems. He needed to get stronger, and that wasn't going to happen by sitting around cutting up corpses.

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

Odin/Jeneve/Steele - Scout Team.

"Aye, don't worry about me, I am ready as well." said Odin, his ember eyes aglow.

"Me too" added Jeneve, while she was ready, was was more excited if any of the undead would have anything interesting, or some ancient artifacts she would be able to sell off.

"Good" Steele grunted. "Now then, we need to go into the forest, try and ascertain their position, and not get caught. While it is day, we have no idea how many undead are out there, some of them might even be active during the day, so be on your guards."

"Alright, you got it Steele." said Odin. "I'll keep me eyes peeled. Nero, your magics can at least make us harder to notice correct?" he said peering back at the sorcerer.

[Chim]

Sigurd - Frontliners

Sigurd couldn’t believe the story Bjorn told him. Not only was Orpheaus able to fight one on one with the Gentleman, but he had survived the encounter. Hell, the whole village had. “You met that half-angel bastard? He completely annihilated us a while ago!” Sigurd yelled. He put his swords back and ran off towards Orpheaus, while still carrying the nails.

Anger got the best of Sigurd while he looked for Orpheaus. The one-blow defeat he suffered at the hands of the Gentleman was a disgrace. It still haunted him as his pride wouldn’t allow it to happen a second time. Even worse was that someone who wasn’t even worth to be called a warrior, was able to hold his ground. In the name of Aelia, Goddess of the Wind, I will get to the bottom of this. And I will defeat the Gentleman!

“Oi, you shiny bastard!” he yelled when he finally found Orpheaus. He dropped the nails and started blurring out questions. “What’s the deal with you fighting one on one with the Gentleman? He completely destroyed us, but now I hear you can fight him off? Were you holding back when you fought me or is there a trick in defeating that bastard?” Sigurd said as he grabbed Orpheaus by his armor.

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

Orpheaus - Frontliners

"I would suggest you unhand me." Orpheaus said, calmly, not a drop of malice in his voice. Orpheaus didn't really know what Sigurd was angry about. Who was this Gentleman he was talking about? "I do not know what you speak of, perhaps we should talk about this after you calm down."

With that Bjorn and Chauff arrived on the scene. Bjorn upon seeing Sigurd grabbing Orpheaus pulled out his sword. it was of a similar design to Sigurd's own swords, though it looked much older. "Sigurd, drop him, otherwise I will be forced to fight you." he said, all hints of his former jolliness gone. Chauff didn't say a word, he just looked on.

[Notus]

Marcus-Frontliners

Now Marcus was surprised. Not so much for Sigurd's outburst but rather for whaat he had said.

"What? You mean the weird armour monster?" he turned to Orpheaus, puzzled. "He is talking about a... thing with a half angel, half demon armour we fought not long ago. Is that true, Orpheaus?"

[Jory]

Drug'thok Grunara- The Wall

The sorcerer finished his tea, still chuckling over the last bit of conversation he'd had with Brass. His initial impressions of the Victonari had been incorrect. The man was quite amicable and after a few cups of tea they had gotten to know each other quite well. Suddenly, the half-Orc's face took on a more serious tone. "Earlier you asked me about my people. If you would like to know more, I will not deny you this information. However, every half-Orc's story is different. Oftentimes we are persecuted by the other races due to their blind hatred for our Green brethren." Dru removed his cloak, revealing a plain grey robe. He moved the shoulder over so the Victonari could see the brand on his neck. It was a horrid brand, spelling out the phrase 'traitor by blood.' The sorcerer covered it back up and looked at Brass. "I received that mark when I was still a boy. The villagers did not appreciate that my mother had taken an Orcish lover. Anywhere we went, I was called 'half-breed' or 'mongrel'. I cannot blame them for being fearful of me. It is simply what they know- that Orcs burn and pillage. It took me many years of meditation to come to terms with this realization." He smiled lightly. "The Earth taught me to be unshakable. To not let distrust worm its way to my core. That is what it is to be a half-Orc. It is to feel fear from those you wish to care for. It is to belong only with those who see not race, but character."

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

Orpheaus-Frontliners

A visible reaction could be seen on Orpheaus's face as it clicked in his mind. "I fought that creature nearly six years ago, is it back? I never killed it, in fact, I would have been killed if not for Bjorn over there." he said pointing to the Older man who came chasing after Sigurd. "I didn't think much of it at the time, he was just some maleviolent creature. I was in no shape to chase after it." Orpheaus looked pained. In 6 years so much could change, Orpheaus was terrified.....6 years ago he couldn't have been much stronger than these heros now. And they claimed this creature....what did they call him? The Gentleman? had apparently killed all of them as if they were defenseless wildlife.

Brass - Wall Team

"I can't say I understand friend, I had never been treated that way here in this village. It seems I lived a blessed life compared to you." Brass sighed. He looked straight at Dru, his eyes, kind and accepting. He placed his hand on the Half-Orc's Shoulder once more. "You would make a good son of Magnus, it is ashame the Nine-Fold see only the Victonari as their children." His voice was filled with emotion, He was moved by the Man's story. It took a strong soul to survive such torment. "I am proud to fight at your side Drug'thok, Shaker of the earth. May we shake the battlefield together, and woe be the fate of anything that seeks to oppose us."

Edited June 7, 2014 by Hukuna

[Flux]

Nero - Scout Team

"I'll keep me eyes peeled. Nero, your magics can at least make us harder to notice correct?"

Nero turned to the dwarf.

"Yes," he replied. "I can muffle our movement and play a few tricks on their eyes and ears if need be."

He was a little confused as to why Odin had been put in the scout group; he had always seemed like a frontliner to Nero. He didn't ask the dwarf, but he wondered if he had other talents that Nero was unaware of, or if they were just this short on people.

[Zephyrus the Priestess]

Helzebeth - Wall Team

With the loyal wolf at her heels, Helzebeth walked along a long row of trainees firing at targets, watching them with a keen and careful eye. She'd decided that patience was going to be an important key in dealing with the people here, but if anybody acted far too out of line, she didn't have many qualms about playing hard. The mere sight of Hunter intimidated them, though he'd known better than to just let his natural instinct take over and rip at people's throats-- he was far better than a savage, simple-minded wild beast after all... But occasionally he'd find a reason to snarl at somebody behind his master's back. How dare they even attempt to disrespect her behind her back.

Not having much experience in mentoring others-- let alone dealing with many others at once-- the ranger referenced her father's lessons and methods. Patience and dedication-- a lot of both, really. It didn't seem like they had much time left till the hated Undead arrived.

Because the men and women on their hands were still quite a number, she and her sister, Jupiter, had agreed to split the group between themselves for the time being. For once the girl worried that she wasn't doing efficiently enough.

"Keep a steady arm and try to aim a little bit higher. Now, this aim here, it needs a little work," she told a nervous-looking man, adjusting his grip on the bow and arrow.

So far so good. The half-Elf hoped that the fiery archer was doing better in a way. If all went well, then they'd move on to more distant ranges-- perhaps with actual moving targets. Where was a mechanic or a tinkerer or an inventor of some sort when you needed one...?

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

Scouting Team

And they headed out under the influence of Nero's magic, hushing the sounds of the ground they were treading. The forest was deadly silent, it put an unnerving edge on the team. Any sound would ring out for seemingly miles, the snapping of dry wood, the crunching of leaves. The air held a terrible tension so thick, the Team could almost feel it. However, Steele led on. It was evident he knew the woods, as he skirted gracefully trough the trees. He tried to move as quickly as possible with out being brash.

That was when they heard it, Clear as day, a haunting melody. "Break her spine, clean her bones. She knows to much, she knows of the secret love. It will be fine, no one else knows.......til footsteps fill the room. Small child, son of mine. You have seen to much, I have no choice. Cleave him in two, I feel great sorrow for you. But you saw what you shouldn't of."

Steele froze dead in his tracks. A look of horror in his face. The group definitely had an idea of where the enemies were, but Steele look indicated something......unforeseen. He quickly turned to the group and muttered as quietly as he could "We need to get back to camp now." a look of utmost urgency on his face.

The singing abruptly stopped at this point, the discordant melody ceased to be the only thing filling the air, now dead silence hung it its place.

[Flux]

Nero - Scout Team

Nero muttered under his breath, waving a hand to finish the spell. It would keep their voices muffled for a short while. He turned an urgent look on Steele.

"What are those voices?!" he hissed. "Why is it so urgent to go back?"

If these were enemies he could take, he didn't want to waste any time backtracking. Besides, even if they weren't, what better way was there for him to improve than against a formidable foe?

Edited June 7, 2014 by Flux

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

"That is the song of a Death Knight." Steele said. "They are powerful heros, who in their life strayed from the path of good, and pay for their sins by being forced to live forever in undeath. I know this particular Hero. His name in Life was Gebraul the White, however after he fell to insanity, he was known only as, Desius the Butcher. I am sure you heard him singing his song, in remembrance of his most dreaded sin against humanity itself. He was having a secret Love Affair behind and his wife's back, and she found out. He strangled and beat her to death. His 4 year old son witnessed him do the deed, then he cut him down. I never expected an undead this powerful to be leading this force. We need to warn the others immediately there is no way we can fight him here. He can easily gather his troops this forest is brimming with them."

They heard a mad cackling, and a dry raspy voice filled the air. "So you interrupted my song? PREPARE TO DIE!!!!" shouted a Knight in Ink Black armour. His bones were blackened, as if they were burned, yet he managed to move, he began a terrible wailing, it was sure to alert the nearby undead.

[Flux]

Nero - Scout Team

"So you interrupted my song? PREPARE TO DIE!!!!"

Nero swiveled to face the knight. He gave a small grin in the corners of his mouth.

"It wasn't very good anyway."

He looked over his shoulder at the others.

"You all head back quickly to warn the village," he said. "I'll try to distract him." There was a melancholy smile on the corners of his mouth. It was strange. Normally he wouldn't care about the others. But something was different. This was the same feeling he had when the Gentleman attacked.

"It makes the most sense. My powers give me the greatest chance of escaping."

With that, he returned his gaze to the undead soldier.

"Will you be the one to finally remove me from this cursed earth?"

Edited June 10, 2014 by Flux

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

Steele-Recon Team

"Nero, the Undead of this power are immune to illusions." said Steele "I will distract him, I suggest you all run and warn the others, I don't think I will be coming back." said the man in Black. stepping ahead of Nero.