Mission Info

[ssAntonio]

'You have traveled far from your home to finally arrive at your destination. Whether you arrived by foot, cart or in company others you will find yourself standing before the gates of Aren of the Seven Holy Cities. To either side you can see another city jutting out farther down the mountain range and in the distance a barren desert stretches out, disappearing into a raging whirlwind.

A pair of soldiers stand guard at the entrance of the gate they stand firmly in your path but easily part for a small amount of coin. As you cross through a spiraling network of buildings and pathways become visible to you. At each cross way of bridges a sign stands to inform you what can be found in that direction, likewise a few buildings sport a map painted on the side of their building. The city is alive with motion. People of all different races can be seen moving about, none pay you or anyone else arriving any mind.

As you stand there you remember your orders: "Learn of the Rebel supporters and remove them." It is best you get to work soon.

 

[ssAntonio]

Three Months Ago



'Through one way or another a scroll detailing your mission has found its way into your possession. Attached to the scroll is a black sack of strange coins.'

Quote:

The Lost Alloy

...Rank: B
Description: Assistance with a domestic issue of Earth Country is being requested by the Village Hidden in Stone's Tsuchikage. In one of their territories they are having issue with a rebel faction, through reports it has been noted that these rebels have found supporters among the higher echelons of the city. Due to trade agreements between our villages we feel it is of utmost importance that we respond. As such we are responding by sending you with a small task team to lend assistance.

In three months time you will be deployed to the Earth Country. You will find a large mountain range that runs along the borders of Earth and Sand. Built into this mountain range is a cluster of enormous cities; Aren, Ehrlitan, Karakarang, Karashi, Ubaryd, Ugarat and Yath Alban. They acknowledge themselves as the Seven Holy Cities. You are to find entrance to the Holy City of Aren. Once there you are to find and eliminate rebel support with the utmost discretion. To aid in your actions we have supplied you funds, as these cities adhere to no other monarchy but their own and do not acknowledge foreign currencies. It is advised that you do not reveal your capacity for Ninjutsu, the Holy Cities hold a strong prejudice against shinobi and those with the ability to manipulate chakra.

Also attached is information on the factions currently existing in the city.

*You have been Provided 5,000 Jakatas*

Attached Notes

Holy City of Aren
Aren is the third largest city, located on the border and is built into the side of a mountain and sprawls deep into it. The inhabitants believe that their God built the mountain with his bones to protect them against the treacherous world and specifically the rage of the Whirlwind Goddess.

The city faces a large desert that spans are large portion of the northern Sand Country. To the Arens the desert is known as the Holy Desert of Raraku and in the center of it a sandstorm rages. Their religion says that the sandstorm is never ending because of the endless rage of a Goddess known as Sha'ik.

The city houses hundreds of thousands and is a central hub of commerce for the Earth Country.

Holy Falah'd
The Royal Family of the City, so ordained by the first heroes of Aren. The family rules over the city and oversees all aspects of politics, war and economics. The family is led by Aka'Bashi, who currently carries the title of Holy Falah'd into his current age of 87. He has two sons and a daughter. They reside inside of the Citadel and rarely exit.

Priests of Aren
The priests of Aren make up the body of Politicians and Merchants of the city. They have powerful sway over all aspects of politics and economics, as well as preach the ways of the Seven -- Their religion. However it is noted that many priests carry their own motives and often lead to escalated disagreements amongst each other. There is however only one Bishop who oversees all the priests, Havarseth. He is usually found within the Citadel.

It should be noted that the religion preaches heavily on the sanctity of the soul. It is a sin to manipulate or bear your soul to the world, as such all those who do are soul-less and are not to be trusted. Dealing with one who is soul-less is to welcome them to steal your soul, as such most Arens will avoid those who are condemned as if they carry a plague. In the eyes of their religion Chakra is the manifestation of the soul and as such manipulating it is the ultimate sin, leading a tremendous hatred towards shinobi.

Holy Army
The soldiers of there army number in at least 80,000 . Not much is known about them besides they serve mainly as personal guards to priests and protect all of the City's entry points. They are led by the Eldest Son of the Royal Family, Aka'Sosan.

Malazan Army
It has been noted that recently a foreign army has taken station inside the city. They number 10,000 and look to be war weary and rather pathetic in appearance. It is believed they were originally here to assist the city in their war with the rebels, however were attacked and worn down by those same rebels and the feiry nature of the desert.

Irikura
Native to Earth Country, the Irikura Clan have always been stone masons and metal smiths. They were among the first people to discover the art of forging metal into tools and weapons which boosted their status during times of war in the past, even going to aid in battles themselves. However as things got peaceful the clan's prestige declined and they returned to their roots, making tools of exceptional quality.

Supposedly they were the original inhabitants of these mountains. However now they leave in the lower recesses and spend almost all of their time mining the ore veins found in the mountain.

This clan of people exhibit gray skin and black eyes, giving them an unnatural look. They seem to have the ability to pour their chakra into stone and metal, allowing them to be able to manipulate it to some degree. Due to this they are shunned by the rest of the city's inhabitants.

The Whirlwind Rebellion
A rebellion formed from the civil dissent within the Seven Cities towards the Priests and how they mishandle the cities and grow wealthy off of the inhabitants. The rebellion is an assortment of Irikura, Desert Warriors and dissidents from the Seven Cities. They are led by a woman who claims to be Sha'ik Reborn. The size of their army in unknown however they hide in the desert and raid the city and it's mountain passes from time to time.

 

[ssAntonio]

Event Log

This Event shall last no longer than 30 Days Real Time starting tomorrow. You may post your arrivals and begin your adventure as you see fit today.

Each Day in Real Time will represent 4 Hours Passing in the Story. Should you choose to do nothing the event will progress naturally along a preset story. However every time you interact with a NPC the story will alter based upon what you do or say to them.

Each Day a Post will be made here detailing new events. This post will also be Updated as players cause certain changes in the City. Keep track of the on goings here. Likewise a list of NPCs that you can readily interact with are listed here. As more is done this list will expand.

Whenever interacting with a NPC, attempting to garner new information or likewise affect the story, please quote my name in your post. I will respond in return to give you the results of your actions.

Quote:

Current Time
...Day 2
...12 AM

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City Happiness
...Tension - City Lock Down
...Business is Closed

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General NPCs
Aren Citizens
City Soldiers
Merchants
Priests

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Notable NPCs
Holy Falah'd Aka'Bashi
General Commander Aka'Sosan
Princess Sisirinah
Holy Son Aka'Parth
Bishop Havarseth
Priest Gaveth
Master of Commerce Vstim
Priestess ???
Priest ???
Leoman of the Flails
Prisoner #2
Prisoner #3
Kalam Mekhar
Sai Orasakai
Thief ???

Quote:

Players
Shinken //-// HP: 80 //-// Status: Full / Well Rested //-// Jakatas: 4,380
__________________________________________________
Michio //-// HP: 169 //-// Status: Hungry / Tired //-// Jakatas: 4,200
__________________________________________________
Kaito //-// HP: 46 //-// Status: Full / Well Rested //-// Jakatas: 4,500
__________________________________________________
Juugou //-// HP: 22 //-// Status: Starving / Falling Asleep //-// Jakatas: 0
__________________________________________________
Nisha //-// HP: 30 //-// Status: Hungry //-// Jakatas: 0
__________________________________________________
Arina //-// HP: 17 //-// Status: Hungry / Tired //-// Jakatas: 4,300
__________________________________________________
Shun //-// HP: 35 //-// Status: Starving //-// Jakatas: 0
__________________________________________________
Averus //-// HP: 50 //-// Status: Starving //-// Jakatas: 5,000
__________________________________________________
Takera //-// HP: 50 //-// Status: None //-// Jakatas: 4,850
__________________________________________________
Hajime //-// HP: 50 //-// Status: Starving / Falling Asleep //-// Jakatas: 1,800
__________________________________________________
Haikyo //-// HP: 18 //-// Status: Starving / Exhausted / Excruciating Pain //-// Jakatas: 4,000
__________________________________________________
Shiro //-// HP: 35 //-// Status: Tired //-// Jakatas: 5,000
__________________________________________________
Sora //-// HP: 25 //-// Status: Tired //-// Jakatas: 5,000
__________________________________________________

 

[ssAntonio]

Event Log
(Day 1... Noon)

The heavy sound of metal clad feet resounded at the gate of the Holy City Aren. A contingent of fifty soldiers, all dressed in dirty yet majestic armor, lined up before the gate in two structured columns. Standing between the two columns, separated by an equal distance, were three figures. Each wore covered by ragged, brown cloaks that were stained by the elements and what appeared to be bodily fluids of all kinds. Their heads were covered by potato sacks that had slits made for breathing but no eye holes. Each figure was bound in tight chains around the ankles and wrists. Likewise a metal collar was fixated to each of their necks, a chain extended from one collar to the next, while a pole extended to either side of the collar for a soldier to keep hold of and direct the prisoners.

The soldiers waited patiently as the city guards spread the gates completely open for their arrival. The people of the city whooped and hollered and applauded the soldiers.

The contingency continued to move with their prisoners through the city, making way through the busy market as activity fell silent and parted immediately for them to pass until they made their way to the front steps of the Holy Citadel. All was silent save the heavy boots of the soldiers. With controlled preciseness, six of the soldiers detached from their regiment and moved up the steps with the prisoners as the remaining about faced and dropped to a kneel.

At the top step, the soldiers forced the prisoners to turn to face the people before dropping them roughly to their knees and removing the sacks from their heads. All three were badly beaten and bloody, their faces unrecognizable beneath the matted long hair and beards.

A whisper broke out amongst the watching people. However, a hush rippled over them as two figures approached from the Citadel. One was a man who was laden by his years, he stood bent despite the glorious armor he donned. The other was a stern looking man, he was dressed in the priestly robes of the Seven, however he was adorned by luxurious jewels on his neck and hands.

A man stepped forward from the regiment and knelt to the two, "My liege and father, I present to you the captured and dishonored General of the Whirlwind, Leoman of the Flails." The man announced.

The market and steps of the ignited a chorus of applause and shouts of joy, the ranks of soldiers rippling as they pounded against their armor with gauntlet fists.

Raising a hand for silence, the Holy Falah'd nodded towards the priest beside him. "Leoman of the Flails, traitor to the Seven, you shall be trialed for your treasonous sins before the Gods and the Holy Falah'd. Should you be found guilty you will be executed immediately." The man said, his voice was punctual if only shrill. His words hung amongst the crowd of people causing them to immediately begin murmuring to themselves. With a nod from the priest, the Holy Falah'd and himself retreated back into the Citadel. The soldiers returned to their regiment with the prisoner and followed after.

The people immediately returned to their bustling activity, a sense of tangible tension and fervor filling the air.

 

[ssAntonio]

Event Log
(Day 1... 4 PM)

The harsh winds raged against the walls of dungeon, rattling every cell with such force that debris smoked the air. A lone man hung by his arms from the ceiling, naked and chained. His body was bruised and battered. The man swung in his bonds to study his new environment. He was gagged and his lips bleed freely from several cuts. The man was Leoman of the Flails and he had been returned home... to the Seventh Level of the Holy Dungeons of Aren...


~*~

"They caug't 'im, tha sonuvabitch." The slurred words rung out in the empty basin of rock. The earth here took a sudden slope downwards for several hundred feet before flattening out to a circular summit. Every dozen feet the walls of the basin had been sculpted away to provide ringed walkways that stretched almost all the way around. On each level there were doorway shaped holes that led into a network of channels that fed deeper into the earth.

At the center of the basin several tents had been organized and set up. Standing at the intervals of fifty feet were pathways between the tents and doubled guards at each one. A pair of the soldiers stood at one such pathway talking to each other. Like the rest of their fellows, they wore the worn down, patchwork armor and sported various scars and burns on their faces. "Shame I say. Let the poor basterd go free I say. Leo a nice guy, type of guy that wouldn't piss in your skull afta liberating your body of it. An' let me t'ya, that's who you'd wanna die't." The soldier that spoke had tufts of hair missing from her head but still sported a ponytail that draped around her shoulders. "'Cuz it mattas much of Engi Holy s**t wah gon' hap'n to ya skull afta you dead? Cuz ya dead, Tinker, ya dead. Ya head an' yo body separated an' ya dead, ain't gon' matta if someone piss in ya skull any'mo than if they don't if ya dead!"

A whistle blew out and silence broke immediately in the basin. At the rim of the basin stood a man no taller than five foot, six inches. He had grey eyes, which remained unyielding as he surveyed the basin below him, and a tanned, lean face. From the shoulder down his left arm was missing completely. "MALAZANS, FORM RANK!"

 

[ssAntonio]

Event Log
(Day 1... 8 PM)

~: Outside the City :~

Upon a large sand dune that gave view of the entrance of the city of Aren stood a giant of a man, over seven feet tall, heavily muscled, his flat, broad face tattooed like shattered glass, his teeth filed, and his hair tied into a braid that hung down the left side of his chest. He wore a cloak made of the hide of some foreign animal, over an armored vest that appeared to be made of clam shells. Above his loincloth was a wide belt decorated with shriveled ears. He carried a two-handed Ironwood sword with a stone pommel and wooden grip. The man had not moved from his post in hours and as night fell, he continued his silent watch of the city.

~: Deep in the City :~

The sound of metal on metal clanged in a rhythmic pattern. Sparks flew and the shadows of men flickered, grew and shrunk again with torch light. Ever the obedient workers, the Irikura continued to toil away in the underbelly of the city... An excited murmur, however, rippled and stopped the line of workers. A light of green bathed over them before fading away... work soon returned to normal.

 

[ssAntonio]

Event Log
(Day 2... 12 AM)

The city is normally illuminated by a bright, warm light but as night descends the strange of orbs of light dim to a cool, soft light that bathes the city in a gentle white.

Despite the cool colors, the city is silent with fear. Taverns are full to the brim with travelers and citizens who could not make it home in time. The word 'Hak'Vesh' can be heard in their muttered conversations.

The shadows of the city flicker unnaturally as those that have no safe haven are forced to hide and run among the side tunnels that can be found hidden behind buildings.

The Holy Army can be seen posted at every intersection of the city. Brigades of the City Guards marched through the city. Every person was checked for Citizenship, once provided they would be escorted to their home residence with a full set of guards. However any foreigner would be detained and brought in for questioning.

 

[ssAntonio]

Event Log
(Day 2... 4 AM)

~: Outside the City Gates :~

The alarms of the city continue to wail. The sounds of marching can be heard as the city gates open to reveal a large battalion of Holy Soldiers milling out. It is announced that Citizens or Foreigners alike, none will be allowed into the city at this time and if the crowd before the gates did not disperse immediately, lethal force would be used.

~: Inside the City :~

The alarms continued to wail throughout the entire city. It was now known that there was more than just one Hak'Vesh in the city. In fact it was known among all the soldiers that they were now dealing with Shinobi from the land of Sand. Soldiers marched through the city in cells of eight, weapons drawn and shields at ready, a strange glow of power reverberating from their armor. Every intersection of the city's paths and bridges had a cell in position to defend, leaving it where every cell of soldiers were always a few moments away with moving cells always shifting between them.

~: Inside the Holy Citadel :~

The Holy Falah'd Aka'Bashi stormed the through the halls followed by regime of Priests that prattled away there warnings and instructions, but he paid them no heed. He was in no mood to hear them. His only daughter had bound her soul with another man, a foreigner, possibly a Hak'Vesh or worse a Shinobi. There were had been several sighting of shinobi in the city walls now and with the capture of the two just a few hours earlier, it was now believed they were being attacked by the Village Hidden in Sand.

The man had worked hard on maintaining the peace between Stone, Sand and the city of Aren. They had made many trade deals and political maneuvering, they had bolstered their army many times over and vastly improved their weaponry and technology. And more so they had welcomed the presence of the Malazan Empire into the city, the treacherous bastards were too powerful an ally to ignore in the face of a potential three-pronged attack. With the Whirlwind Rebellion and now the news of Sand... it was only a matter of time before Stone thought it was a ripe opportunity as well. He had to prepare...

~: In The Mines :~

A whispered conversation was held outside of a particularly large hut. A large Irikura man stood before several others, his eyes set on a human he saw resting in a tub of water within. The words of Chosen One and Prophecy was thrown around but the Irikura man was uncertain... With a grunt he would instruct the crowd to disperse back to their original tasks, himself as well. Words would be exchanged soon enough.

 

[ssAntonio]

Event Log
(Day 2... 8 AM)

~: Trial Room :~

All through the night citizens and foreigners alike had been picked up and brought to the trial room. Over time the overly packed room dwindled as groups of people were selected and interrogated. Most were escorted back to their homes, inns or directly out of the city. However a few were detained and thrown into the dungeons below. Less than three dozen detained civilians remain in one of the trial rooms when the Holy Falah'd Aka'Bashi enters, an escort of priests and soldiers following in his wake.

The room is silent. The soldiers salute and the priests bow, waiting as the Holy Falah'd makes his way to the large throne that sits on a dialysis before the watching priests. He takes note of the new faces but makes no move to address it at the moment. Instead the large but elderly man stands before his thrown to address the remaining detained civilians. "I, personally, will oversee the remaining of the interrogations before the trial of Leoman of the Flails takes place. You will form an orderly line to be seen one by one, guards please ensure this is done in a timely fashion. Now... let us begin.."

~: Dungeons :~

The sound of steady boots can be heard throughout all levels of the dungeon. A small army of seven hundred soldiers march through the corridors and passages, making their way to the lowest level.

Any prisoner who takes the chance to look will get to see the army as it passes. These soldiers, unlike the Holy Soldiers that have been seen up until now, are not dressed in ornate armor but instead carry no armor at all. Instead they are dressed in leather jerkins, the color of it seemingly drained and dulled. The skin of these soldiers are pale gray, their eyes pure black and seemingly empty. They move as if nothing else matters but the action they are currently follow.

Even after they have passed by the unnerving feeling that you have just witnessed something unnatural can not be shaken.

 

[ssAntonio]

Event Log
(Day 2... 12 PM)

~: Aren City :~

The city was oddly quiet. Where there was usually bustling crowds and shouting merchants, there stood cells of soldiers and marching patrols. The tension in the air was palpable. The lights that normally illuminated the city with soft, caressing light in the night and warm, cozy beams in the day were replaced with a startling bright, white light that offered little in way of shadows. However, shadows still clung to certain buildings and recesses. The darkness beneath bridges stood a tone to dark. And where there should have been movement within packed buildings, nothing could be seen within.

~: Desert City // Tunnels :~

In the center of the city that sat hidden at the base of the mountain, men and women had gathered. Armed with scimitars, maces, and crossbows, they stood about in their worn-out armor baking in the hot sun. Before them stood a giant of a man, a monster in his own right as he stood at seven feet tall. In his right hand he held a blade almost the size of a normal man. With a wave of his weapon to the air, the gathering of 2,000 men and women of the Whirlwind Rebellion let out an overwhelming war cry. Eyes cast to the mountain before him, the man let out the command and at once the disorderly lines of the rebellion surged forward to raid the city from their tunnels.

~: Dungeons :~

From the deepest recesses of the dungeon, a man is surrounded by a large army. Two step forward to cut from his restraints. His body thumps to the ground seemingly lifeless. Another man, dressed in the holy robes that designated him as the Bishop of the City, watched from a distance. With a gesture from the Bishop, the two soldiers reach for the man but one is immediately tackled. With a savage force that defies the wounds that lacerate the man, he tears away the head of the soldier from his body before turning to face the impassive faces of the remaining army. In unison they draw their swords and point it at the man who in return drops the head and submits to being restrained yet again.