[HK] The War Camp of Queen Hellishly [Recruits Welcome!]

[[ The Dark One ]]

The knights guarding the camp were right about someone or something of a Dark or Undead nature watching the Queen's camp keeping out of sight and near the outskirts of the dense forest. Skeletal footprints in the dirt and the faint smell of decay in the air would be the only things they could use to track such a creature, they could find its place of origin which was a hole in the ground but for now it was still moving and they should be more concerned with where it was headed and its intentions. The forest was dense but could still be navigated as they searched for this creature though they should be cautious about a situation involving a Necromancer or a creature able to manipulate Death.

The Camp was also a place it could hide with many tents and makeshift stores all around while the sounds of the camp would drown out most noises making it difficult to search everywhere without pushing past groups of people in their way. For now the skeletal creature was on the loose and could be anywhere around the area leaving the Knights with many unanswered questions and places to search keeping them busy for the moment.

High above the Camp a few black birds could be seen flying around slowly circling the area but from this distance they would appear to be normal creatures especially when the shrieked out like an animal ever so often. A few of the pitch black birds descended down from the blue sky and began perching on certain buildings and places high up for them to survey like birds do most of the time. Few would be able to sense the small creatures supernatural origins and only if they looked closely would they see the pupils of their eyes were glowing a bright vibrant green showing even further that they were unnatural in nature.

A few of the Crow's perched ontop the Royal Alehouse and silently watched everything around them cocking their heads left to right like a bird and even picking their feathers with their beaks. The little spies took notice of one of the knight's on horseback approaching some unknown men riding wierd insect like creatures instead of horses, the birds acted as eye's and ear's for the Dark Entity that was taking an interest in this traveling War Camp choosing to eavesdrop and infiltrate its perimeter.

[Pandumb]

arrow The hills outside the War Camp - Piqued Curiosity

As businesses both noble and nefarious alike took place upon the grounds of the War Camp of Queen Hellishly, a rather strange pair visitors observed from a hilltop bordering the camp. A man and a beast, curiously observing a sight they had not seen in quite a long time on Gaia, if at all. The first of them was a man, a holy man, dressed in the black robes and rosaries that the people of Gaia had come to associate with the Buddhist monks of Japan. They were not a terribly common sight in these lands, which served to make this oddly-dressed individual stand out even when there was nothing around him to stand out from.

Still, even among holy men, there was something rather odd about him. Buddhist monks were known to shave their heads bald in a rejection of the material world, yet curiously enough this monk still had a head of long, dark brown hair tied back into a ponytail. There were also glints of steel from armor on his right hand and his shins, which was not a very common sight on men of such peaceful disposition. He carried a long, thin stick-shaped item wrapped in cloth that was almost certainly a weapon of some kind, and that only served to add to the number of strange things that set him apart from other monks.

The second standing right next to him was even more out of place than the monk. A large beast, seated on its rear and staring off into the distance with docility. It had the shape of a giant bear, yet its fur coat was a mixture of black and white and it held little of the ferocity that people normally associated with bears. It was too peaceful, too pleasant, as peculiar a bear as the one next to him was peculiar as a monk.

It was a rare, uncommon beast. A symbol of many things to many cultures. It was...a giant panda.

"Ohhh, look at this," said the monk with a sort of amazement, "This is definitely new. It looks like some sort of camp, with a number of armed soldiers surrounding it. It must be some sort of military encampment. Never thought we'd see one of those. What do you think of it?"

The panda replied. "Warf!"

"I suppose you're right," said the monk, as if he actually understood what the panda said. He probably didn't, but that was of little consequence. "I can't see anything as to indicate their origin, though. I haven't heard of any local wars being waged in this area, either. Could this be the start of a campaign?"

Thus the panda spoke again. "Warf!"

"A conquerer, huh?" the monk replied again, rubbing his chin in thought as he leaned against his knee, squinting his eyes a bit to get a better look at the encampment. He wasn't close enough to see very much, but that did not matter. The monk was looking for something that couldn't be seen with the naked eye. "You just might be correct. That could mean a lot of things for this land. It's worth giving a look into."

The presence of a conquerer amidst these lands carried a number of implications for the monk. In times of great turmoil and chaos, history has often dictated that an individual rise up to bring an end to it by uniting the land and bringing about peace. But these lands were not at war. There was no turmoil aside from the number of dark forces that lurked within the shadows, stepping out of the darkness from time to time to bring suffering to the innocent. These were lands where heroes were meant to rise up against that darkness for the sake of the people, to protect their homes and their loved ones. If the leader of this warband sought to conquer and unite these lands, would they not end up bringing war and ultimately causing the chaos they wished to eliminate?

This was something that he, the wandering monk Tenkai, needed to discover. Was this warlord a seeker of peace and benevolence? Or would they be another Oda Nobunaga, driven by ambition and militarism? Would they be another Liu Bei, or another Cao Cao? Tenkai was determined to find out.

"Let's go then, Kuroshiro," said Tenkai, as his furry friend went forward onto his forelegs. With a quickly exhaled "hup!", the monk hoisted himself onto the panda's back as the peaceful monochromatic bear plodded down the side of the hill, heading towards the encampment at a slow yet steady pace as to not alarm the numerous soldiers and knights guarding it. Tenkai had no idea what manner of person was behind this warband, but he had a feeling the encounter would turn out to be interesting nonetheless.

Hellishly

(( I don't know what knights you have free to encounter him as he approaches, so you guys decide how you want to do that. :3 ))

[None for me thanks]

Chronix_Dragon_Knight

(Thanks!)

As the man spoke to them, one of the Wandern fell from his Wurm, clearly badly injured judging by the bloody bandages on his torso and left arm. It was not exactly surprising that this Knight had never seen a Wurm, they were not a common mount. Difficult to tame, the Wandern were among the few groups of people that chose to do so. More than one would-be beast tamer had found him or herself gutted by the flat blade tails of the carapaced beasts, but again these particular Wurms had their tails well-covered to prevent such a thing.

The female Wandern gave the Knight a weary, almost annoyed look. The male at the left Wurm spoke up. His voice was deep, accented as many Wandern were. "We are merchants, and we would plead for your aid here. Our caravan was attacked, bandits. We managed to escape but... there were twenty of us before.." he said as the wandern riding behind him slipped off the beast to go to the aid of the injured one who had fallen from his Wurm. He moved the bandaged Wandern to the floating wooden platform being pulled by one of the three Wurms. The platform shifted a bit, but stayed hovering roughly one foot from the ground.

"Will you be able to accommodate us, or do we keep moving?" he asked. Many eyes were upon the Knight as they waited for an answer.

[Chronix_Dragon_Knight]

DEADMAN BISHOPP

(Thanks!)

As the man spoke to them, one of the Wandern fell from his Wurm, clearly badly injured judging by the bloody bandages on his torso and left arm. It was not exactly surprising that this Knight had never seen a Wurm, they were not a common mount. Difficult to tame, the Wandern were among the few groups of people that chose to do so. More than one would-be beast tamer had found him or herself gutted by the flat blade tails of the carapaced beasts, but again these particular Wurms had their tails well-covered to prevent such a thing.

The female Wandern gave the Knight a weary, almost annoyed look. The male at the left Wurm spoke up. His voice was deep, accented as many Wandern were. "We are merchants, and we would plead for your aid here. Our caravan was attacked, bandits. We managed to escape but... there were twenty of us before.." he said as the wandern riding behind him slipped off the beast to go to the aid of the injured one who had fallen from his Wurm. He moved the bandaged Wandern to the floating wooden platform being pulled by one of the three Wurms. The platform shifted a bit, but stayed hovering roughly one foot from the ground.

"Will you be able to accommodate us, or do we keep moving?" he asked. Many eyes were upon the Knight as they waited for an answer.

Glancing around the small band of people Chronixous moved closer since their business had been stated. Upon reaching them he dismounted and walked over the man who appeared most injured. “I can use some of my magic to heal his wounds though rest is still needed to fully recover.” Giving the group another once over he wanted to be sure they would not get mad at him for using magic since some people were known to be very superstitious.

Chronixous placed his hands over the man chest in a gentle manner. Upon doing so his eyes closed as a faint white glow enveloped the two. “That should help him recover from the blood loss at a faster rate. Are there any others who are in need of care just like this man here. I can only use so much healing magic in a day so it would be best for those who are in a similar shape as he. To answer your question I would welcome you to the camp but I do not run it. Be on your best behavior and I am sure you will be welcomed inside.” A smile came to life on his face since it was nice to do some good for people when he had a chance.

Upon finishing up with the wounded man he walked back over to his horse mounting the saddle once more. “Please follow me and stay close so that people will know I am accompanying you.” Taking up his reigns once more Chronixous soon was on his way back to camp making sure to lead them to an area where they could check in and state their business. This way no one complain that this many new people showed up unannounced.

[Hellishly]

Tenkai Matsumoto

(( I don't know what knights you have free to encounter him as he approaches, so you guys decide how you want to do that. :3 ))

The guards flanking the camp entrance below peered up, their eyes squinting against the sunlight. One had a hand over his brow.

"I think it's a bear." he said to other, "But it's white."

"Did he paint it? Maybe he's some sort of jester?" the other seemed to think this idea was pretty logical, and grunted in approval. They both continued to stare as the monk and his partner approached. He must have been a comedian, dressed as he was. While the queen and much of her retinue had come from the far east, many of her soldiers had never seen it, having joined up in the myriad small towns and cities they passed on their way to Gaia Commerce.

They walked forward to meet the newcomer, shields low at their sides and using their spears' long shafts more like walking sticks.

"Yello there, stranger." one said cheerfully, "You've the honor to approach the camp of the Queen of Commerce. If you come in peace, you are welcome. Is that... animal safe around crowds?"

[Pandumb]

Hellishly

As Tenkai neared the camp, he was approached by a number of armed guards. The monk did not seem to look troubled nor intimidated by the action, being as calm as anyone who understood a guard's duty to investigate strange new arrivals. As far as new arrivals went, there were probably few as strange as Tenkai was. They seemed to be a little perplexed by the panda he was riding into their camp, as if they had never seen a beast of its like before. That was not entirely unexpected considering the relative scarcity of the giant panda.

At the very least, it did not appear as if they viewed Tenkai with apprehension, and well they should not. He didn't mean them any harm, as holy men were often quite peaceful. They did not raise their spears anxiously and point them at him to keep him at bay. In fact, the one that was speaking to him was rather friendly. The monk listened to his words curiously, perking up a bit at the mention of the lord of the camp...or rather, the lady.

A queen? thought Tenkai. I can't remember the last time I've encountered a queen. And the Queen of Commerce at that?

Tenkai was not aware that Commerce had a queen. He was at least aware of the fact that the "Lands of Commerce" was the general name for part of the Gaian mainland that included a number of kingdoms and cities, among them being the city of Durem most notably. Each city and city-state had their own form of government and inter-city relations, but there was never any talk of a royal family of Commerce that claimed rule over the entire region. Was this 'queen' the very conqueror Tenkai thought he would encounter within the camp? Had she already staked her claim and proclaimed herself Queen of Commerce?

"I do?" asked the monk, looking surprised at first. He then smiled at them peacefully. "Well, it seems so. A camp this large could only be led by someone of great importance, I imagine. But yes, I do come in peace."

He then looked down at the panda he sat upon.

"Him?" he asked, as if there were any other pandas around the guard was referring to. "Oh, he's perfectly safe. He's a good bear."

Not exactly the most detailed of statements, but it was succinct and to the point, punctuated on Tenkai's part by a genuinely pleasant smile. He seemed to feel confident the panda posed no danger, and for that matter it hardly looked like the large beast was capable of hurting a fly. At least on purpose, of course. The large fuzzy creature looked at them, innocently dumbfounded with its pink tongue sticking out of its lips, blinking at them with its beady eyes.

"Warf!" it said, which would roughly translate to "ohai dere imapanda."

"So, a queen, you say?" asked the monk, "I must admit, ashamedly, I was not aware the lands of Commerce had a queen. If at all possible, I would like to request an audience with Her Majesty."

Truth be told, Tenkai owed no allegiance to any monarch. However, courtesy was still something of a second nature to him, and he did not wish to disrespect their lady with irreverence by forgetting the proper honorifics. It was a product of his own upbringing, more or less. Still, the monk was rather curious as to the nature of this self-proclaimed queen and what she sought to accomplish in these lands. Why such a thing would be so important to a humble monk like him remained to be seen.

[Chaindragger]

His companion seemed suddenly indecisive, so the Chaindragger struck out on his own, in the direction previous indicated. The ride to the forest was a short on, but as he approached his steed became difficult. The horse was uneasy and it did not take long for Tsuru to understand why. The smell of death was in the air. It was faint, but there nonethless. He got close enough the forest to dismount and tie his horse to a tree. The horse protested and Chaindragger tried to calm it. When it began to whinny loudly, he knew he could not keep the horse with him. He untied it and with a slap on its rump sent it running back towards the camp. His mission would now be handled on foot.

[Chaindragger]

[ The Dark One ]

The knights guarding the camp were right about someone or something of a Dark or Undead nature watching the Queen's camp keeping out of sight and near the outskirts of the dense forest. Skeletal footprints in the dirt and the faint smell of decay in the air would be the only things they could use to track such a creature, they could find its place of origin which was a hole in the ground but for now it was still moving and they should be more concerned with where it was headed and its intentions. The forest was dense but could still be navigated as they searched for this creature though they should be cautious about a situation involving a Necromancer or a creature able to manipulate Death.

The Camp was also a place it could hide with many tents and makeshift stores all around while the sounds of the camp would drown out most noises making it difficult to search everywhere without pushing past groups of people in their way. For now the skeletal creature was on the loose and could be anywhere around the area leaving the Knights with many unanswered questions and places to search keeping them busy for the moment.

High above the Camp a few black birds could be seen flying around slowly circling the area but from this distance they would appear to be normal creatures especially when the shrieked out like an animal ever so often. A few of the pitch black birds descended down from the blue sky and began perching on certain buildings and places high up for them to survey like birds do most of the time. Few would be able to sense the small creatures supernatural origins and only if they looked closely would they see the pupils of their eyes were glowing a bright vibrant green showing even further that they were unnatural in nature.

A few of the Crow's perched ontop the Royal Alehouse and silently watched everything around them cocking their heads left to right like a bird and even picking their feathers with their beaks. The little spies took notice of one of the knight's on horseback approaching some unknown men riding wierd insect like creatures instead of horses, the birds acted as eye's and ear's for the Dark Entity that was taking an interest in this traveling War Camp choosing to eavesdrop and infiltrate its perimeter.

The Chaindragger's investigation quickly brought results. The scent of death and decay was obviously there, and it wasn't from some stray animal carcass. He crept through the woods and paid close attention to everything about him. This was not only so that he could report back to the queen, but he was fearing an ambush. He noticed a small patch of woods not very far in where the tree and foliage appeared to be dying. The rest of the forest was thriving, and the Chaindragger did not like the look of this. It was seeming all too familiar to him. He approached the area and it was not long before he found the hole in the earth. The stench was worse here, and he knew he had found what he was looking for.

[[ The Dark One ]]

The guard known as "Chaindragger" seemed to be one of the few people that knew about the Dark Entity's presence around the War Camp tracking it by scent and tracks alone bringing him closer to the forest. Once within the perimeter of the trees and bushes he would feel as if he were being watched by someone or something while he neared closer to the clearing with all the dead gnarled looking trees surrounding the dark empty crater in the ground. The crater was only about six feet deep into the ground and was the size of a man while the stench of decay wafted through the air letting him know this was more than him being paranoid or things just being his imagination.

In the dense trees a few green glowing eyes would stare at him watching quietly as he surveyed and looked around the clearing acting as little spy's and giving feedback to the unknown creature that seemed to be manipulating them. A few bird shrieks were heard as the Crows erupted from the branches of the trees showing themselves before soaring and flying off to join the others that were circling and flying above the camp letting their feathers dissolve into tiny black particles in midair before they could even hit the ground.

The crater had what looked like skeletal finger marks clawing and crawling to the surface in the dirt aswell as footprints leading away and towards the Camp itself letting him know that by now the creature was already ahead of him and could most likely be within the Camp or on the outskirts. He probably wouldnt notice this since it was only for a split second his shadow flickered before returning to normal showing some sort of unknown and unfelt manipulation.

Back within the perimeter of the Camp the Crows perched ontop the Alehouse watched the newcomers on the rare steeds known as "Wurms" aswell as the man known as Tenkai riding what appeared to be a trained Panda. They silently watched as another set of glowing green eyes watched from the dense and constantly moving crowd before the humanoid pulled a dirty brown cloth over its face to hide its identity aswell as its body cloaked and hidden behind rags blending in with the many customers and vendors all throughout the Camp.

The Queen wasnt the only one interested in the Commerce as a whole and wasnt long before her traveling War Camp would gain the attention of other like minded beings and creatures curious to what her methods or intentions might be since they may interfere and conflict with their own agenda.

[Chaindragger]

"Damnation." The Chaindragger muttered. He cursed himself for sending the horse back. He had seen enough. What's more, he could eyes upon him. He turned slowly and began walking back the way he came. Running would let the enemy know that he was on to them. He strode towards the edge of the forest and away for the crater. He wanted to hurry, but knew he could not be too obvious. It was as bad as he expected. Dark powers were indeed conspiring against his queen, and he could only hope that he would be able to warn her in time.

[[ The Dark One ]]

[ Hm such a shame nothing is progressing further..... ]

[Pandumb]

[ The Dark One ]

[ Hm such a shame nothing is progressing further..... ]

((Did you see that he responded? Or did you miss it because he didn't quote you?

And I guess Hellishly has been busy lately, from what she told me))

[[ The Dark One ]]

[ Im waiting for others to respond or get involved, it would be pointless to keep posting things if only one guard is around etc.

Im biding my time.... ]

[Pandumb]

[ The Dark One ]

[ Im waiting for others to respond or get involved, it would be pointless to keep posting things if only one guard is around etc.

Im biding my time.... ]

(( If you know who they are, why not contact them?

This is my last OOC post, though. Don't want to clutter. Just waiting for Hellishly.))

[Hellishly]

Tenkai Matsumoto

"Big tent, right there in the center." the guard said, gesturing lazily. He seemed fixated on the panda bear. His partner seemed to be growing more nervous the longer the big animal remained in from of him. They allowed the monk through without much more ado, but stared after him when he passed to watch the bear's rear end disappear into the city of tents.

The queen's camp was a constellation of raised pennons, heraldic symbols, house sigils, merchant's flags and diplomat's, and a thousand more flags which heralded nothing at all save for bright, cheery colors. Soldiers and tradesmen slogged through the happy mud with lewd songs on their lips and swords on their hips, or else hammers, or else chequebooks.

The queen's tent was, as the guard had said, the massive one in the center of it all. Inside waited the queen, whatever sort of queen she might be.