Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Mm." Passion unconsciously stirred in the soft grass of the forest, completely unaware of the battle that had just ensued a few moments ago. She sniffed curiously at the air, the putrid scent of corpses easing her from her slumber. With one last deep inhale her eyelids shot open revealing two bright eyes. She sat up quickly and brought a hand to her mouth as she tried to suppress a cough. "Oh, God what is that?" She squinted her eyes as she scanned the immediate area, but she wasn't prepared for what she saw. Dozens of bodies lay lifeless just a few yards away from her. Her breathing picked up speed as if trying to catch up with the pounding rhythm of her heart. Passion stood up on shaky legs and began to run away from the field of bodies; she didn't make it far before she fell back to the ground, gasping as she caught herself on her hands an knees. That was when she saw it. Her clothes, they weren't right. They weren't at all what she had put on that morning. They weren't even something she owned, but she still felt somehow possessive of them. Passion knew this wasn't home, that this place wasn't normal but something told her it wasn't a good time to ask questions.

There was a strange feeling building up inside of her. She wasn't quite as frightened by the carnage as she displayed. Deep down she felt like she was running because there was danger. Not because it was horrendous. She felt like she had to get into the shadows. To hide. To survive. She felt vulnerable and disoriented. So first things first, she had to find shelter and ask questions later. From her position on the ground she could make out a small group of people not too far off. But why should she trust them? Someone had to have killed all those people. Once again Passion stood up, but this time she ducked behind one of the many trees in the wooded area. She'd observe them from a distance and decide what to do next.

((Intro. n.n I made Passion a little paranoid because of her newly acquired thieving class. I'm fine with her being noticed. If not then she's bound to slip up while following the group.))

Alora smiled at Korsu, surprised by how easy it was to heal people. "You're welcome. We can't have our party-members dying, can we?" Finally the wound had closed, and Alora's mouth curled into a satisfied smile. She moved her hand across Korsu's back. "There you go. Are you okay?" She smiled and looked behind her at Andy. He seemed to be passed out, or even worse, dead. Alora bit her lip and got ready to run over to him, but she wanted to be sure that Korsu was alright, so she hesitated.

((Great intro, Mooneh! x3 Oh, and I didn't really get the description of healers; could they only heal once per level?))

Passion stared on at the group, in particular a pretty young girl in a dark kimono. It seemed as if her hands were emanating an entrancing blue light. How was she doing that? Was it.. Magic? She gripped onto the bark of the tree tighter. That was it, wasn't it? Magic. Just like she had read about in her favorite books. Was that what had brought her here? What had changed her clothes? Passion let out a small sigh as she continued to watch on.

But something wasn't right. She could feel it. She didn't understand what it was, but something was causing her heart to race. Without thinking she swiftly reached into a space in between the many leather belts that wrapped her torso and pulled out a gleaming dagger. Then continuing the smooth movement she offensively pointed it straight at a tall and slender man. She had no idea how she knew to do such things, but it made her feel protected in a way. Not completely powerless. "B-b-back off. I'm w-warning you!" She tried her best to sound confident and threatening, but it didn't come out quite that way.

There was something frightening about this man; beyond his blood-stained clothing. Something in his crimson eyes sent chills up Passion's spine and made her want to turn and flee. But she couldn't flee, she had no idea where to go. And turning her back on this stranger seemed like a terrible idea.

((Thank you! And I'm not sure, but I think you can only bring someone back from the brink of death per level. But you can heal plenty of non life-threatening wounds? That's how I understood it anyway.))

Aansalath looked at the woman, taking in her appearance. She wasn't wholly unattractive. Younger than he would have truly liked, but in pure essence attractive. His un-blinking eyes stared into hers for a moment, studying her reaction. Well...a moment for him was only a few seconds, his mind thinking of a million ways he could seduce her. It wouldn't be too awfully hard, he thought. He looked her up and down a couple more times, taking in her scent as well as overall appearance. A fighter's body, but leaner than the norm, Thief. Feline's eyes Excellent night vision, horns Hybrid. He sighed, hearing her words, and smelling her fear. She was new to the game, to any game of war, or of secrecy. He held back his sly smile, the smile that said "this is all too easy".

Soon after she told him to back off, as his thoughts were soon finished, he put his hands up and pretended to be threatened. His eyes softened, though the red didn't help with this part. He walked with measured steps, slow and carefully placed, towards her. His blonde eyebrows went up as he said, "Worry not mi'lady. I won't harm you." The cream colored shirt opened slowly, as if he weren't approching a half-human, but a frightened animal. "I am not armed," his chest was exposed to show that he certainly had no weapons on his body. He stopped when he was a foot from her, putting himself in danger....if he wasn't vampire. A smug thought reached his mind, How superior to these things am I. His face stayed still as a lake, as unchanging as a mountain. "Might I ask your name mi'lady? I am Lord Aansalath, but you may call me just Aansalath. I am truly honored by your beauty."

To match his gentlemanly stance, he bent a bit at the waist, giving her a bow. His long hair fell forward over his shoulder, showing him that it too was blood stained. His throat tried to growl, but he held it back. It would be a terrible thing to give himself away at this moment. His right hand offered it self to her, almost as if he wanted to shake her hand. He looked at her with eyes dripping with charm, and a smile that seemed as warm as a fire crackling merrily in a hearth. He left out no detail to his gentleman style.

Rock Jaw had long fled the battle between the players and the humans, retreating forth all the way to Level 2's door way. Since he was an AI, he wasn't restricted to having short cuts or skipping ahead. Alexander was once again a thorn in his green side; he wanted to kill that human so badly it was almost serious. Rock Jaw wondered what was behind the path way to Level 2, maybe a desert and if so, that would be bad for a hunter like Rock Jaw who needs lots of cover.

Alexander was busy making preparations for the players’ way ahead in Level 5, boosting his ranks and drafting those within the settlements. Anyone who had some armor and a weapon needed to join the High Arch Military who was above thirteen years of age. Women were excluded of course, not because of sexist military beliefs, but because woman in High Arch culture were in charge of politics and arranging how settlements function while the men fought in war. Alexander wasn't proud of the draft, but he wasn't going to let years of development fall by the hands of these 'players'.

Gathering the youngest of those who have been drafted and forming them in formation, Alexander prepared to give them a speech meant for their ears only. If the gate failed, he needed a back up plan to make sure his people lived on.

"Look at all of you, young soldiers willing to die for the cause, dressed in your family's armor and sporting a weapon forged with steel. You men will be all that is left of the warriors from the High Arch military if you fail. When this gate's defenses are passed, I wanted you all to retreat to the settlements and evacuate them. The bastards may get our homes, but they will not get our people. It will be your job to tell the tale of our story, to tell the tale of the thousands of men who gave their lives, fighting to the last breath to defend their home, the only home humans have left that we know of. Tell this tale proud and right, to inspire the youth's of your next generation to fight for what they believe in. That is your mission, which is your task as the current generation of soldiers for the High Arch!"

The ranks cheered with hesitation, they thought how inspirational Alexander was, but at the same time they didn't want to tell the tale of defeat; they wanted to tell the tale of victory to their children and so they could pass in on to theirs from generation to generation. They had a duty, but they wished it would never be taken.

"Helious..."

Another whimpering servant like the man before stepped into the throne room, hearing his dark lord's call through his command of the Warp, as it grabbed at his mind like a talon scrapping a chalk board.

"You call master?"

Marquis let out a noise that could very well be a yawn due to his boredom of current events or he was just tired. The players had stopped advancing due to a new recruit to their ranks; he wanted only the strong to make it to his Citadel.

"The Players need to be tested for strength, send in the Skin Flayers and see how they fare. Make it Level 2; the GM won't like it if I place them in the Level 1 stage since they are too...Chaotic for that."

The servant nodded and scurried off to the beast keeper's lair deep within the citadel. Down many flights of stairs, the pale skinned man reached his destination and rang the skull bell at the counter of the Beast Keeper's office. The Keeper was demon wearing clothes stitched together from demonic beast hides, most likely hunting trophies. The arrival of the servant gave him the signal to send in the Skin Flayers, he had received the message from Marquis up top already.

The Skin Flayers were teleported to the middle of Level 2, where they could remain hidden in many ways to strike unexpectedly. These creatures were large skeletons draped in skin from numerous creatures, mostly humanoids like elves and humans, maybe even Orcs or ogres. Their long claws burned like lava when they cut and their eyes as red as a ruby's shine.

((Hm... I just realized this, but does the game have day and night setting or do we just put it when necessary?
Edit: Minron, sorry I didn't notice you had sent the skin flayers already... I just have a small enemy group as my character goes in, that ok? If its not I'll re-edit my post.))

The Reaper continued his stride, eventually summoning the stones beneath him to move before his next step. It increased his speed and progress quite pleasingly. He was within five miles of the group. "Are you any good?" He cried aloud, waving his left arm. Beside him, five human shaped stone golems formed up. He gave a light smile as commands were relayed into the AI database.


Stone golem, threat level: 1, level 1-3 creatures, primarily melee, no protection to magic, excels in defense. Attack commands, recieving... complete.


Weak, but not weak enough the creatures could be dealt with in one blow. It would be a momentary sight. It was the set-up. Two miles and closing. Firasi flung himself to the ground purposely, covering himself with some dirt, using his quick momentum to cut himself among a grounded tree branch or two. He took his short sword and cut himself a little below the ribs. No major damage. Just enough. One mile and closing. The stones moving beneath him stopped, his feet doing all the work as his human measures came through: sweat, fear, bleeding, breathlessness. The stone golems began to converge to attack as they were programmed. It was time to begin. "Someone? Out there! Help, please!"

Passion felt her face become warm with a blush as Aansalath's lips gently brushed against her hand. She watched as he began to make his way to the group, unsure of whether or not to follow. But if she trusted him.. and he trusted them.. Then it was alright, right? She began to trail after him, not entirely liking leaving her hiding spot to be out in the open. As she walked she eyed Aansalath from behind. She found herself scrutinizing his pants, aching to know what was in them. Feeling an urge to be close to him, to let her hands wander.. He must have some lovely treasures. Passion bit her lip as she contemplated all she could gain from this man.

She looked up as he jerked his head around, as if looking for someone. Passion shook her head as if to clear it of those thoughts. Why was she thinking of material gain at a time like this? Her eyes trailed in the direction Aansalath was looking, but her eyesight wasn't quite as keen as his. She opened her mouth to say something, but was too slow. He was off. Apparently to help someone in need. She stood there for a moment, watching him run. Should she go? It seems awfully dangerous.. But, if someone is in trouble then there might be a reward in saving him. A mischievous smile came across Passion's lips, but it didn't last long. Her old self was still struggling with this new persona and she quickly covered her mouth with her hands as if she had said her thoughts aloud. Despite the guilt she felt for thinking only of her own gain, she felt as if she couldn't help it. And noone had to know the real reason why she wanted to help.

With that Passion set off after Aansalath. She'd catch up soon enough, as thieves were inherently nimble and agile; it also helped that he was only running at a human's pace.