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 Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:05 am
Urban Thorne  Eternity in an instant. The sounds of screams echoing in his ears, the searing heat of flames rippling across his skin, the visions of bestial shadows flitting across firelight dancing in his eyes... the echoes of agony seemed to echo in his senses for an eternity. But as he slowly straightened, his fierce will bending the divine warning into a knowledge, rather than a sensation, his half-slitted eyes drifted to Eva as she was setting arrow to bow-string. A moment or two more later, he finally managed to find his voice.
"...A change of plans, Evalin", he said unsteadily, his pale face turning towards the north-west. "We depart to the north and west. I fear the Beast... or it's servants... have struck again, and the village shall need whatever aid we can manage for it...."
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:07 am
Urban Thorne Minai chan "And send a messanger to the company to the North. Instruct them to head east.. and to bring their medics."
His eyes trace the eastern skyline. "The Beast has struck again.."   At the first sign of unsteadiness, Johannes found a robed arm appearing beneath his steadying hand, Asmyrra darting forward with a battle-honed reaction time as her commander and friend staggered. Blue-tinged features conveyed consternation as she watched the transformation of his features, slanted eyes half-closing as her mind conjured images from the past, of the times she'd seen a similar reaction from Johannes. By the time he had regained his self-control, if not his composure, Asmyrra had a look of quiet intensity, and readiness, waiting for the orders she was certain to come.
And the order did come. Dark-stained lips curved faintly in a thoughtful frown as she listened, then a decisive nod was offered as he finished speaking. Raising her free hand to her lips, she sounded a piercingly sharp whistle, only slightly amplified by mystic Arts, guaranteeing the attention of their soldiers. "Knights, ready yourselves for imminent departure and fast travel. We march immediately!"
Slanted violet orbs did a quick survey of the area, searching for a figure amidst the sudden explosion of movement and preparation, before her heavily accented words pierced the din again. "Commander Arethos, find your fastest runner and report!"((Writer's note: As I was reading over stuff, I kept stumbling on my attempts to phonetically type out Azzy's accent. It bugs the eye, and doesn't sound quite right when I try to say it. As such... think Imma drop the phonetics, and simply ask everyone to imagine her accent as a pronounced Slavic trilling on the "R"s, a near-"French" transposition of "th" sounds to more of a "z" or "t" sound, and a definatively Brittish elongation and over-pronunciation of consonants. Hopefully this will work out. ^.^; ))
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:08 am
[Apple.Tequilla]  Never mistake tears for sadness...The arrow slid soundlessly into the quiver as Eva grimaced. Another attack. More bloodshed and more sightless eyes staring out in horror at what had killed them. Damn that creature and any that would lower themselves to serve it. Coiling the bowstring, she returned it to the waterproof pouch on her belt then settled the bow itself across her lap and picked up her reins once more.
"I will follow you, mi'lord, wherever you should go."
Even into the belly of the Beast itself. All the better to rip it apart. With these dark thoughts accompanying her, Eva urged her mount forward. Leaning back, she whispered the quiet challenge that rose unbidden.
"Let us see if we can race the wind, eh?" ...that will only bring you grief.
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 2:09 am
Urban Thorne [Apple.Tequilla] "I will follow you, mi'lord, wherever you should go."
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Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 5:25 pm
(( Since Keeper seems to be MIA at the moment, I'm just going to continue on and he can catch up when he gets back ^.^ ))
Quickly Johannes and Asmyrra gather their team and head east. The feeling was strong.. Johannes thinks to himself.. It can not be that far away. Perhaps we will arrive in time to give the creature a send off of our own..
Sure enough, the racing horses soon catch sight of smoke down in a glen beyond the forest canopy. Plunging into the sparse forest depths, the party carves out a shortcut to the merchant road leading down into the valley where a dark cloud seems to be hovering overhead. Within minutes they are affronted with the scent of burning wood, flames from the buildings leaping high into the air. The village is in tatters, the streets filled with chaos. Small imp creatures, their skin a dark, devilish red, seem to the torturing victims who are too injured to walk. They bite and claw at them, then leap back, only to return to taunting once more. The demonic cries mingle with sporadic screams, most of which seem to be originating now from the center of the village.
Johannes signals to the medics to span out.
"Archers back" he calls out to the others "Warriors ready!" and with that, he takes off into the heart of the village. Leaping over debris and doging falling rafters, Johannes cuts through the havoc. As the dark looming figure of the Beast comes into sight, There you are.. Johannes leans in to his horse, urging him forward.
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Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 2:16 pm
"...Evalin, we're drawing nearer, and I believe it is time we discuss something of our plans on how to handle our errant Lord Johannes, and his heretic compatriot. For unless I've misjudged my brother, even in the depths of his errantry, the events occurring in the distance afront of us will have drawn him as inexorably as it has pulled me," he murmured as he allowed his soot-coloured steed to pick it's way down the footland trail. The pensive look deepened for a long moment, before he seemed to nod to himself, one hand sweeping the deep hood of his robes back, his other gently slowing his steed even more as he made an invitation for Eva to ride beside him.
"I have a few ideas of how we might proceed, dependant upon what we find... but in this, you will have a part equally important as mine shall be... and as such, I would like your thoughts before we proceed."
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Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2008 3:21 pm
Never mistake tears for sadness...The mare pulled back without Eva needing to even twitch the reins. It was a pleasant surprise though it barely registered with her as her eyes closed. It was easier to imagine the field this way with the imagined village laid out in her head.
"Tactically speaking, it would probably be best if I were to enter separately from you mi'lord. Surprise is a valuable advantage. Depending on what is left of the surrounding buildings, I could most likely keep my prescence from being known and still have a decent shot. If their numbers are great, I would try and get as many shots in as possible then join you unless prevented otherwise."
Such as by the Beast itself.
"But then I speak from a view where there is only us or them. With the Beast attacking as well...such chaos is not exactly conducive to strategy." ...that will only bring you grief.
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Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 5:03 pm
[Apple.Tequilla]
"But then I speak from a view where there is only us or them. With the Beast attacking as well...such chaos is not exactly conducive to strategy."
"A sound thought, spoken as someone who's worked as a ranged supporter before. I offer a few amendments to the picture, if you would consider," he murmured as they continued down the barely-worn path. "Instead of making your way into whatever wreckage there may be available, I would offer the idea of perhaps seeing what hidden locales you can find amongst these hills. This being mountain country, you should have no shortage of vantages to perform the necessities of your work.
"There is also one other matter of importance that we must be clear on, Evalin," he said, pausing his steed and turning towards Eva, his pale features betraying a hint of intensity... and possibly anger... though directed not at Eva, but something distant. "It is critical that we do not bother with engaging the minions of the Beast, no matter how clear the shot, no matter how terrible the atrocity. The sword-arm of the Cathedral is the force that shall battle those creatures. We are a tool, an impliment of extreme precision... I am certain you've seen the one-time Cardinal that travels with our fallen Brother. She, and only she, must be the target of your fletched doom."
After a brief moment, Uriel seemed to pause, almost visibly reeling himself back under control, that calm exterior slowly drifting back into place as he turned his stallion down the trail again, urging it back into a slow walk. After a long moment of silence, he shook his head softly, that brandy-smooth baritone emerging once more, this time coloured with a faintly apologetic tone. "...my apologies, Evalin, I simply find myself very... agitated... by this turn of events, and their origin. I ask you forgive my unseemly anger."
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Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 9:54 am
Never mistake tears for sadness..."My forgiveness is yours though you have no need of it mi'lord. Such agitation is understandable given the circumstances. I shall position myself to the west to keep the sun from my eyes. Hopefully that will give me an agreeable shot as well. I assume we shall strike then withdraw which suits me fine but I was wondering what should be done with those under Johannes command. Are we to leave them to the Beast?"
Though the obligation was clear, Eva still shied from the thought of abandoning anyone to the creature. If she was ordered to...she would manage. It would haunt her thoughts long after but she would manage. This feeling of humanity kept her worst fears at bay but the ease with which she could turn away was troubling. It hurt but she could handle it. Was it natural that dealing death even through simple inaction came easily? The idea was an irritating one for she had no answer. Perhaps she was simply growing a bit more callous. Perhaps the denouncers were right.
She shifted uneasily in her saddle, looking blankly out at the road before them. This introspection thing always led to bad places. She was still too unsure of herself to become anything beside maudlin by looking inward. Watching Uriel out of the corner of her eye, she sighed and waited for his response. Eva was still waiting for that moment when he would realize that he had judged her character badly and dismiss her. While she dreaded the coming of such a moment, its inevitability also made her anxious. ...that will only bring you grief.
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 7:29 pm
[I hope it's alright hat I made it night... If it's not, I'll change it.]
Moving stealthily through the maze of trees, the only sounds the fawn made were inaudible to humans.
This was her first time visiting this village; she did not know its name. Upon exiting the forest, the pearly moons lit a clear path for miles, their vibrant glows unobstructed by thick trees. The gangly creature made it’s way at a slow pace toward the tiny village. The fragile houses were set in neat rows, creating a maze of turns. Seeming to have a set destination, she moseyed toward the eastern-most homes, passing a sleepless child on the way.
The child, having never seen a fawn, was amazed at the spotted, innocent-looking creature. The fawn stopped at the makeshift doorway, protected only by a cloth, where the child stood, gawking. She touched her nose to his small, outstretched hand, and, satisfied, the child returned to his bed and the fawn to walking.
Coming to the right dwelling, the wondrous fawn slipped past the defenseless door, seeking out a sleeping woman. She was slick with sweat though she was cold; distraught with nightmares that her unborn child would be born sick like the last one; and in pain with the kicks of the agitated, restless baby;
An enchanting and astonishing event began to occur as the fawn neared the end of the silver moonlight. A faint light seemed to becoming from inside the fawn, and she started shaking as if to strip water from her fur. Slowly, the fawn’s limbs stretched and morphed to create human legs and arms, the body and head following quickly. The silent spectacle was as grotesque as it was beautiful. As suddenly as the transformation had began, it ended, leaving a pale, naked woman in place of the fawn.
She whispered indecipherable spells quickly, one hand on the woman’s face, the other on her swollen belly. Almost immediately, the woman’s movements settled, as did the baby’s, who would be born healthy.
Making her way back the forest, still naked, she seemed to glide into the comforting cover of trees and rogue growth that was the forest, leaving no trace of her existence behind, including foot - or hoof - prints.
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 5:37 pm
Strange Little Horror Making her way back the forest, still naked, she seemed to glide into the comforting cover of trees and rogue growth that was the forest, leaving no trace of her existence behind, including foot - or hoof - prints.  As Rizel retreats back into the safety of the forest cover, she notices that the night seems unusually warm. Odd, considering your state of undress, you should notice this because you do not remember it being this warm before you entered the village. The clouds in the night sky peeking through the canopy of the trees reveals rather quick moving clouds. A storm is coming. As if to confirm this theory, a crack of thunder resounds over your head. The clouds are moving even faster now, almost as if a tornedo is forming above the city. You immediately realise this is no natural storm. Nature does not move so quickly on her own. Within a matter of minutes the warm humidity in the air becomes thick and stuffy, and the clouds swirling overhead take on a crimson hue.
Suddenly lightning strikes the village beneath, and again, and again. Then as if air were a solid sheet of stone, you hear a crackling sound as the sky is ripped open. From the black void on the other side, small devilish looking imps and larger demonic beasts come pouring out and into the village. Their skin is a deep, vibrant red and their eyes glow like burning coals. Seconds later dozens of these unholy creatures lay seige upon the village, their demonic cries now joined with the horrified screams of the townspeople.
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 7:31 pm
The suddenly warm air surprised Rizel, making her look up into the sky. She noticed fast-moving clouds, a sure sign of a storm. Something is amiss, however; the clouds move too fast, the lightning comes too soon, then the sky turns a deep, violent red.
Captivated by this phenomenon, Rizel remains at the edge of the forest, gripping a low tree branch. Lightning strikes the small village again and again, mercilessly. Apalled, she surges forward, only to stop at the sight of foul, demonic creatures swarm the village, coming from a void in the sky.
Realizing now who is close and what is happening, Rizel is momentarily frozen with fear. Shaking away the panic, Rizel begans convulsing, transforming into a large, reddish-brown and white deer with menacing antlers. As soon as her long, agile deer legs were completey formed, Rizel took off in a flurry, eager to get as far away from that monster as possible, the screams of the villagers haunting her all the way.
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:54 pm
[Apple.Tequilla] "Are we to leave them to the Beast?"
Turning to face ahead once more, Uriel quiets for a long moment, considering the phrasing of his next words... after all, one had to be careful in explaining truely cold-blooded things to those outside of his own particular sect. After that long moment of thought passed, his voice emerged quietly once more, outlining something of his thoughts.
"It is my intention to try and talk some sense into our wayward Brother while you position yourself. If all goes well, he and I will depart, and our conflict will be over... but if it does not, as I expect it to, we will have to be somewhat more... direct...," Uriel murmured, turning to face Eva once more. "If I can manage, I will endeavor to try and lure his heretic witch away from him, and out of convenient aid of her cohorts... and I will keep her occupied while you align your shot. I believe that if we can rid Johannes of his witch, we may be able to talk some sense into him, before he goes any further astray..."
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Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:23 pm
After darting one hand into a pouch for a moment, emerging a few seconds later with a small feather and a bottle of some silvery liquid, Asmyrra spread her hands wide, a sibilant hissing whisper emerging from her dark lips as she began to chant, thin fingers twisting in arcane gesture as she entoned a spell of haste. As the spell completed, her left hand closed with definative fierceness, the vial and feather within disappearing with a faint hissing crunch, a small trickle of blood-mixed quicksilver streaming from the bottom of her hand as the world around her seemed to slow.
Ignoring the biting sting coming from her left hand, Asmyrra drew the swords bound to her waist in a single blurring motion, and darted after Johannes with a clearly magically-enhanced speed.
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Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 2:53 am
Strange Little Horror Realizing now who is close and what is happening, Rizel is momentarily frozen with fear. Shaking away the panic, Rizel begans convulsing, transforming into a large, reddish-brown and white deer with menacing antlers. As soon as her long, agile deer legs were completey formed, Rizel took off in a flurry, eager to get as far away from that monster as possible, the screams of the villagers haunting her all the way.   The deer flees into the protective depths of the forest, leaving the awakening chaos behind her. However, she only gets a a few dozen meters away before a black feathered hawk swoops in out of no where and dives into her path, forcing the deer to come to a screeching halt. The hawk disappears into the brush at your side long enough for you to feel the shift in the air as a familiar concentration of magic forms where the creature vanished. From the thicket, an ebony skinned woman emerges. Long, black tresses with occasional silver streaks pour fluidly down her shoulders and caress her firmly toned body, successfully covering the woman in a godiva-like manner. Her pale, bloodless eyes stare deep into the deer's frightened gaze, knowing that fear was not necessarily from her arrival but a reflection of the fear she felt when she realised she was running from the inevitable arrival of the Beast. The deer knows instinctually the feel of another witch, although she can not get any sense of the other woman's intentions. However, it does not take long for this dark creature to clear that up.
"Some healer you are," the detatched, emotionless words murmur quietly, "Now the mother and her unborn child can die horribly at the hands of the Beast's dark minions?" she queries, coming to stand before you. "Let me guess, you take comfort in knowing that she will at least be healthy as she is torn limb from limb, capable of feeling with unclouded distinction the sensation of the imp's eager talons as it rips off her flesh and crushes her womb?" Her face is expressionless and distant as she tilts her head faintly to the side, her eyes burrowing deep into your soul as biting words slip effortlessly from those darkened lips. "How fortunate for you to have such offerings of comfort."
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