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Post by Elcie on Mar 7, 2013 10:34:02 GMT -5
Elcie stood in front of the general and folded her arms, her eyes darting from side to side as she took in the size of his army. The mercenary was no fan of zombies, but now was decidedly not the time to start shooting. "That depends," she said. "What's the meaning of this? Who's been raising the dead?"
They seemed to be marching from Mage Manor, which didn't seem right. She knew the Mages only by reputation, but they didn't seem like the sort to engage in necromancy. Something was definitely wrong here - but it didn't necessarily affect her, not yet. Elcie wanted answers.
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Post by Tiger on Mar 7, 2013 20:23:59 GMT -5
((Mage Manor))
Tiger didn't have the breath to spare on a relieved sigh, but she was glad the spacefleeters seemed happy to welcome the mages aboard their ship. There was probably some ooh-ing and ahh-ing owed to the shiny spacecraft; Tiger decided she'd attend to that later.
"Thank you," she gasped as she reached the others. "Have you seen any of the others? I was with Krisseh before - "
Just as she thought of the Librarian, she heard his voice in her ear. She jerked violently, hands curled into fists, before realizing nobody was there. Just air and grass and shadows...shadows...
"The Archmage is at the mouth of the Ebi River. Go there. And look after my gloves."
"...Did any of you just hear that?" she asked, watching something...coil through the shadows at their feet. "The...Librarian says the Archmage is at the mouth of the Ebi River, and we need to go meet her."
She reached into a pocket of her torn cloak, and found the Librarian's gloves nestled there. She would definitely be keeping them safe. Aside from the usual 'don't incur the wrath of a shadow creature with unfathomable power' rule smart characters tried to follow, the Librarian had bought them time to escape.
"We should get as many of the others as we can and go," Tiger pressed.
((Sorry for the holdup!))
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Post by Lord Hayati on Mar 7, 2013 20:34:00 GMT -5
Near Mage manor:
Krisseh looked heartlessly at the stranger. She had a feeling that the person shouldn't be trusted, but she didn't care. she followed her general.
She began to prep her mind on casting magic, incase the Stranger, Elcie, decided to attack. It was likely she wouldn't, because of the size of Hella's army.
She grumbled.
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Post by Amneiger on Mar 7, 2013 21:26:32 GMT -5
((Just outside Mage Manor))
"The Ebi River?" Amneiger said. He didn't question how Tiger had gotten that message; the mages probably had magic to communicate over long distances. "Fine by me." He turned towards the pilot. "Find the mouth of the Ebi River on the map, and prepare to launch." Amneiger looked around outside the shuttle. The zombies were getting a little too close and a little too numerous, and there were no other mages in sight except for Azzie, Tiger, and Zephyr, all of whom were on the shuttle already. "I don't think anyone else is coming. We're leaving." He closed the shuttle door. "Are we ready to go?"
"Yes sir," said the pilot. "Course plotted."
"Good. Lift off."
"Got it." The shuttle lifted away from the ground, leaving the dirt and grass behind just as the first zombie stumbled into the space where it had been.
The shuttle's rattle crackled with an incoming message; Commander Fraze wanted to talk. Amneiger went up to the front of the shuttle to reply. "Commander, one of the mages with me just told me that the Archmage wanted to meet us at the mouth of the Ebi River. We're leaving Mage Manor and heading there now."
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Post by Pixie on Mar 7, 2013 21:40:35 GMT -5
Ellen's jaw dropped as she watched Dragus gave himself up as a prisoner and surrendered his blade into the shadows.
What is he thinking? Oh, I am glad someone wants to look out for me, but what he is doing is risky. I hate to have another dragged into this... Well, that's not exactly true. We stand stronger together. Yet, we are horribly outnumbered... I'm not sure even a fully powered knight could more than dent them. I can't act out of line or they might hurt him. I must do this, no matter how much I hate it...
With her mind far away from her body, she moved her limbs like they were a puppet's, and trudged forward as the undead that circled her began to advance. It would be a long journey, one which she predicted she would hold in contempt, forever.
One step after another. One step after another. One step after another... And GAH. Two dozen miles to the castle. My mind is my worst enemy... Oh, I regret breaking down on capture, I hate to seem as weak as I am!
Her moping was in time uninterrupted by Brick's reminiscing.
"Pardon, sir, I have not heard of that place. See, I moved here not even two weeks ago. I could hardly manage to navigate Amberdale... I know a lot from the books, but global studies has always been my worst subject." She responds, deciding against telling him off for thinking once living in a place gave someone the right to take it over.
She shivered in disgust when the nearby buried undead were drawn right out of their graves. A sense of hopelessness numbed her, as the forces her friends had cut down replenished in number. She glanced down at herself, and found she was worse for wear. The small wounds left behind from Brick's healing ached dully and oozed minute amounts of blood. Her raspberry tunic was stained a deep crimson in places from the heavy wounds prior to the healing. The damp cloth clung to her. Her leggings and boots where also blood-splattered, and the sight made her head spin.
If only clothes could regenerate too... I still want to heal the rest of these wounds, but if I grab my pouch the undead might spring on me
"Brick, May I heal myself with a potion, and some bandages, from my bag?. It's the basic potion that boosts healing rate tenfold... pink, fizzy, tastes like melon rind. I can assure you if I had anything tricky in there I would have pulled it out already." She inquired, as she pointed at her satchel that sat at her hip.
Say, I ought to get to know the brave knight, to know my allies.
"Honorable Knight... may I ask your name?" She inquired, and clasped her hands. "You surrendered yourself to keep me safe, and yet I don't even know you! My name is Eleanor, Eleanor Jayfield, - Ellen for short."
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Post by Bacon on Mar 8, 2013 14:35:59 GMT -5
((Shuttle))
As the shuttle took off, Bacon holstered Stella. It was the first time since he got the rifle that he'd fired her at live targets. Er, targets that actually moved on their own. No, wait, that might not be accurate either, depending on the type of zombies these were. The first time he'd used the rifle on actively hostile targets, that is. Then again, "actively" might imply...
Nevermind.
"Hey Cal, we're taking off in a shuttle." He paused, considering what he should tell the ship to do. "Follow the zombies, and if you get a clear shot... no, wait a minute, they could have prisoners or hostages. Cal, can you tell the difference between a zombie and anyone else that might be with them?"
"I'm still trying to get a lock on the specific energy signatures they emit. As long as any innocents with them lack similar supernatural/magic auras, I'd be able to tell the difference. Given the variety of lifeforms on this planet, there's a 27% chance the answer to your question is "no". ...probably, can't crunch the exact numbers at the moment. A little busy with reentry."
Bacon nodded. "27% is too high. Just follow them for now, and report back to me regularly." He turned around to ask Amneiger a question, but he was already on his comm with Fraze, it sounded like. He made a mental note to ask him later.
Taking a seat, he looked at the mages. Three of them, including Zephyr. "My name's Bacon," he told the other two. "Any of you know what's going on here? Where those zombies came from?"
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Post by Draco on Mar 8, 2013 16:49:52 GMT -5
Dragus walked nodded his head and began to walk with Brick, Ellen, and the army of zombies. They walked for a little while before they started to speak. He looked to Ellen to answer first.
"My name is Dragus Ocard. If you want to get formal my full title would be Azure Knight, Dragon of the Skies, Dragus Ocard. But, of course, that's just all formality, and has been a bit meaningless the past few years."
He turns his head in the direction of Brick.
"I grew up here. So I have heard of Bridgelough, but to be honest, I can't seem to remember where it's located, nor have I ever visited it."
He glances around, eyeing the zombie soldiers around them, taking note of what weapons they have, what armor they have, and tried to find any weakness. He continued to talk while taking small notes and forming a plan.
"A lot has happened the past several years. Some of it I was here for, some of it I was away on business. A few wars have broken out, so this land has seen it's share of battles. But the guilds usually rile together to fight of what is invading. Occasionally some of the guilds would squabble, but that has calmed down recently, most importantly the ninjas and pirates. The most recent problem the land had to deal with was the underdeep rising and infecting much of the land. Some areas and people are still coping over that."
He looks Brick up and down, trying to find something about him.
"I'm afraid if the knights were what they used to be, your master would have had a bit more trouble taking over the castle. At least a bit of resistance. Honestly, I'm not even sure where the king disappeared too."
Thinking about it, that was a mystery. He had heard rumors that if something large happened again, that several knights would take the king somewhere safe. He hoped it was true, the last thing they needed was to figure out who would be the next lord of the lands. But the real question was why was he the only one left in the castle?
He continued walking.
----
((Somewhere Along the Ebi River))
The ninja army continued to walk, growing tired of waiting all the time. It didn't take them long to spot a single figure approaching them. It was Draco.
He waves them down and slows his run to a walk.
"I was just coming to warn you. I'm surprised you were all ready mobilized. I guess the elders thought it was important enough."
One of the head ninjas in charge of the group nods her head.
"They were afraid of what was happening after we got several birds from different locations. Marching we haven't spotted any signs of these living dead, but we have a idea where to find them."
"Castle Kestrel."
The ninja nods.
"So we march to the castle then?"
The ninja nods her head again.
"You're now the highest ranking ninja here. So it's your decision."
Draco nods his head and begins walking in the direction of the castle.
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Post by ♥ Azzie on Mar 8, 2013 22:32:59 GMT -5
Azalea shifted in her seat on the space shuttle, crossing her legs so that her injured foot was elevated. She looked around as it began to lift off. She'd never been inside a space shuttle before- never thought she'd ever be inside a space shuttle, for that matter- and it was interesting to look at. It was actually quite comfortable, as far as vehicles went, and her approval was amplified greatly by the fact that it seemed safe.[/s] She felt a strong friendship toward the people sitting there with her, even though she'd barely met most of them. She thought she was feeling awfully happy for someone who'd just escaped an undead army's attack, but she quickly decided not to think too much on it. They were all alive, and the others were fleeing- they had to be- and that was what mattered.
"I'm Azzie!" she replied when Bacon spoke. "Uh... Those zombies were sent by a woman named Miss Jensen to take over the kingdom. Apparently she used us to get some tools to control the zombies, but I don't really understand how." She shrugged. "Maybe we can ask her after we meet with Celestial."
She turned to Tiger. "By the way, thanks for saving me back there." She grinned gratefully. "You okay?"
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Post by Tiger on Mar 8, 2013 23:23:21 GMT -5
((Shuttle))
Tiger dropped into one of the seats, leaning back and crossing her arms tightly while Azzie explained the situation. "Tiger," she said in curt introduction. "I don't really know much more than Azzie - Jensen's got it into her head that fighting the Guilds is a big challenge, hence the zombie army and the conquering Dunburrow thing. ...Did we mention that? She has the castle, too."
"By the way, thanks for saving me back there."
"Of course."
"You okay?"
"I suppose. Physically. I used up just about all my magic back there, but it'll be back in a few hours. You?" She glanced at Zephyr as well.
Tiger didn't bother adding that she was worried about the others. She hadn't seen Krisseh, Draco, or Dragus since they stood on the battlefield. It had been even longer since she'd seen Ellen. Tiger wanted to believe they'd escaped - most of them were mages, and the Librarian was a powerful ally - but she'd seen a lot of fighting, and not it was rare that even most walked away from the fight.
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Post by Fraze on Mar 10, 2013 6:00:49 GMT -5
((Leaving Mage Manor))
"That depends. What's the meaning of this? Who's been raising the dead?"
"Our leader resurrected my three compatriots and me," Hellas answered. "We in turn have been gathering more soldiers from their graves. Our commander seeks to conquer this land. And you, what are your loyalties? You appear to be neither a Mage, nor a Knight, nor one of those...shadow warriors. And I rather doubt you are a peasant."
"Brick, May I heal myself with a potion, and some bandages, from my bag?. It's the basic potion that boosts healing rate tenfold... pink, fizzy, tastes like melon rind. I can assure you if I had anything tricky in there I would have pulled it out already."
Brick, having been watching Hellas' and Elcie's exchange with suspicion, looked back at Ellen. "If it helps, go right ahead. Wouldn't want you to fall ill." He paused to consider. "We're in for a long march. I could have our commander send a horse for you, if you want. Nice thing about being dead; after you've slept for three hundred years, won't nothing get you tired." He chuckled a bit at his own joke.
"I grew up here. So I have heard of Bridgelough, but to be honest, I can't seem to remember where it's located, nor have I ever visited it."
"Hmm. I should aim to visit there, if I get the chance. I'd like to see if my old home is still standing."
Brick listened to Dragus' description of recent events. "This land has always been valuable. Good farmland, good coastline for trading. The Mages were more or less an independent country within our borders--still are, from the looks of it. Everyone wanted to rule this country." His expression grew serious. "Things were just starting to change when I was alive. People were making new tools, learning new things, forming new alliances that looked built to last. Part of me'd hoped there would be an end to it all, another part knew that was just wishful thinking. And yet, here I am now."
--------
((Frazeshuttle))
"Commander, one of the mages with me just told me that the Archmage wanted to meet us at the mouth of the Ebi River. We're leaving Mage Manor and heading there now."
"Well, that'll work too," Fraze muttered to himself. "I'll be there in about 30 minutes," he responded. He navigated the shuttle out of the hangar and through the gap that was opened in the force field surrounding the station. He set off in the direction of the planet.
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Post by Huntress on Mar 10, 2013 8:26:38 GMT -5
Castle Kestrel and southeast of it
Hunty breathed a bit more easily when the archmage left. Not getting turned into frogs yet, then. Bloody Mary always insisted that this underlying assumption of her was utterly profession-ist, but the captain insisted that she'll rather be prejudiced and human-shaped.
Fraze's response came fast enough. "Depends, is this an in-person sort of talk? If so, I'm meeting Celestial soon, town at the mouth of the Ebi river. Otherwise, let's hear it."
For a moment, the captain fought her sense of non-froglike preservation against her sense of wanting to be present when other guild leaders were going to pass potentially important decisions that she might hear only when the resultant catastrophe hit the pirates in the face. She sighed.
"We'll be there," she said into the communicator. "In uh... soon. Don't do anything interesting before we get there. Feel free to get the boring parts out of the way, though."
Hunty beckoned the ragtag bunch of rodents plus one Zylaa to follow her and clattered down the stairs.
"Looks like there'll be an official-like meeting," she said, "and it's anyone's guess whether our glorious leader catches wind of it and shows up. If not, we'll need to represent her interests, if yes, we'll still need to represent her interests or get hacked into tiny pieces. Straightforward enough, I think. Get some provisions from the kitchen while we're at it."
They went through the kitchen, left it behind subtly but noticeably emptier and found their way to the orchard where the blarf's huge furry shape dozed blissfully. Hunty prodded him awake with a trout, climbed up and produced the map.
"Town at the mouth of Ebi river," she squinted, "that'd be this little coastal place... Stinky-pile-o-poo, is this it?"
"We went there for provisions three months back," said Bloody Mary. "They're the guys who'll explain to you at every opportunity that foreign explorers who draw hasty conclusions because of local fish gutting traditions ought to be shot, and prefer to be called 'that village at the mouth of Ebi River' if we'd be so kind."
"Ah yeah." Hunty settled down on her mattress and prodded the nearest available part of the blarf again. "Okay, boy, I'm initiating absolute full speed here. To the place with all the tasty fish innards."
The blarf yelped eagerly, shuffled around on spot until everyone was on his back, and then initiated full speed.
He didn't use it often, because it took a massive toll on his energy, but for a short sprint of ten to fifteen miles, he was capable of moving at the speed of a train. Six stocky paws thudded into the ground and soon enough, the eldritch furball disappeared from sight in a cloud of dust.
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Post by Lord Hayati on Mar 10, 2013 15:46:49 GMT -5
((Unnamed Town))
Malleus slowly wandered into the town. It seemed to be extremely run down, despite it being fine a few days ago.
A scent of undead fouled the air. Something had happened to the place while he was gone.
"... Did a necro mage ravage this place? ...so be it."
He arranged his cards. It seems the amount of mages were small recently, but he did have 4 fire spells contained, just incase something happened.
dashing to the graveyard, he noticed why the smell of undead was strong.
all of the graves were empty.
Even his mask/turban did nothing to quench the smell. It permeated through the air.
he quickly gathered info from the villagers who were brave enough to talk... and quickly made his way southeast, on the trail of Sukhbataar.
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Post by Pixie on Mar 10, 2013 20:34:12 GMT -5
As Elcie approached the army, Ellen gives a passing, hopeful, glance at the unfamiliar lady and hoped she was on her side. She figured Elcie wouldn't be enough to free her and the knight, but there was still a chance... She turns to Dragus as he gives her his title.
"Sir Ocard- may I call you Sir Ocard?" She asked with a quick curtsy.
"Thank you, Sir." she nodded at Brick, then downed half of the healing potion. She gagged a little at the taste, but she felt the rest of her wounds begin to heal much faster once she took the potion. They would be mostly closed by the time they reached the castle. She rolled up her loose sleeve on her left arm, and with some difficulty, tore open a gap in the seam onf the left upper leg of her leggings, near the wounds. Ellen noted the dagger cuts on her hand from when she grabbed it, and a small wound left on her cheek. She bandaged up the injured areas and held a wad of gauze to her face.
She heard him offer her a horse, and then crack a joke. She laughed along weakly as a courtesy. It seemed off to be laughing about one's own demise. She didn't really want to need to accept his offer, but she was already running low of stamina and becoming short of breath, and it was becoming difficult to ignore.
"Yes, I could very much use a horse. I have little stamina since I don't really train this form. " She replied. She listened when Dragus talked about the area's recent history.
The talk of wars across the river then was all truth? Mrs. Tormal wasn't just spreading idle gossip, I suppose...
"Mr. Brick. Why did you want progress to stop? Did something happen, in particular?" She asked, as curiosity got the better of her.
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Post by Bacon on Mar 12, 2013 0:42:43 GMT -5
((Spacefleet))
"All right, report to the training center, I'll let them know you're coming. We can start you on some simulations to see if you're ready to get back into the action. Get a psych evaluation once you've completed that. We aren't involved in any actual action down on the surface just yet, so hopefully you'll have time to get back on your feet."
Andy stopped mid-stride as he took in the Commander's reply. A psych eval, he hadn't thought about that. The last time he took one the results were... not in his favor. Not that he wanted to fight back then, come to think of it. He'd just have to be honest with the shrink and hope for the best. Well, as honest as he could reasonably be.
He pushed the thought out of his mind as he approached the training center. One of the trainers was waiting for him. "Andy, right? The Commander said you'd be coming."
Andy nodded. "Yeah, hi. I was going to put on some training armor before I got here, but my pass key to the lockers isn't working."
The trainer took the small rectangle and looked at it. "Woah, yeah, this is an old one. We updated our security protocols a while back, and these keys are incompatible with the newer system. I'll get you a new one later, but for now we have some training gear on site."
Andy nodded. "Sounds good. What do you want me to get started on?"
The trainer shrugged and brought up a small screen. He slid his finger across it and mumbled to himself. At the last the trainer replied, "Well, I like to train by starting with the student's worst skill and working our way up to their best, so for now let's see how you do with some marksmanship drills, and we can get to your specialties later?"
Andy nodded and followed the trainer inside.
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Post by Elcie on Mar 12, 2013 8:46:02 GMT -5
Elcie smiled. "No. I'm a mercenary, my loyalties are for sale. Are you buying?"
As soon as she'd said it, she wondered if it was wise. Someone whose army was mostly made up of the dead couldn't possibly care that much about the well-being of their living soldiers, hired or otherwise. And while she had no particular loyalty to the kingdom, she didn't want to see Dunburrow destroyed.
But insinuating herself in this army would keep her protected from her enemies outside, and she needed the money. If the general refused, or if the job got too dangerous, she had no qualms about cutting and running.
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