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Topic:
The Ultimate Fantasy Community (A Flagship RPG - Open to All)
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Kartanym
Registered:
May '02
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Date Posted:
9/9/06 2:02am
Subject:
RE: The Ultimate Fantasy Community (A Flagship RPG - Open to All)
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Character GM Re-approved (long story)
Name: Nithanial Aanalasi
Species: Human
Gender: Male
Age: 25
Faction (Allegiance): Independant
Home: Manrenthain
Place of Birth: Dark Realm
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LightSide_Apprentice
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
May '01
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Date Posted:
9/24/06 3:31am
Subject:
RE: The Ultimate Fantasy Community (A Flagship RPG - Open to All)
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Reynar_Tedros, Kartanym
Late Hours of the Morning (Approaching Midday in Manrenthain)
City of Men, Eastern Manrenthain, North Eastern Callanthorith
Merek peered around the doorway of the cabin, far enough to see what was going on and close enough to where he could remain undetected. He saw no other persons nearby. The sounds of the city could be heard only too clearly: the chatter of citizens and merchants alike, busy with the affairs of the day; the rhythm of drums and sweet song of music; and, the clanging from the smithy, an endless beat that carried across the winds.
A clear dirt road led from the cabin into the city proper where Merek watched distant figures moving about, conducting their business. He watched as a dog ran down the length of the road, barking at some unseen thing. Before long Merek saw the canine running beside a Knight on horseback heading back into the city. Neither had noticed Merek, but midday was approaching and there was work to be done.
Within the city, meanwhile, Nithanial Aanalasi observed an unusual amount of activity from the Knights of Manrenthain. He caught sight of two heading toward the northern part of the City of Men earlier in the morning, and just caught sight of another pair heading in the same direction. That in itself was not entirely unusual, but for the rush they seemed to be in.
A fifth Knight, dressed in light armour, a predatory bird upon his shoulder, entered the city from the east some half an hour before midday. Nithanial recognised the man as some type of scout. No doubt he brought word, or had been summoned, from afar, but to who or for what reason Nithanial knew not. All he knew was that some serious event was cause enough for the presence of so many Knights in broad daylight, hurrying as they were, nothing more.
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Can we not, for just one moment, appreciate the simplicity, and timelessness, of two souls in love?
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Reynar_Tedros
Registered:
Jul '06
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Date Posted:
10/7/06 6:03pm
Subject:
RE: The Ultimate Fantasy Community (A Flagship RPG - Open to All)
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IC: Merek Therosis
City of Men, Eastern Manrenthain, North Eastern Callanthorith
Merek's sight made it past the doorway of the ramshackle old cabin. He didn't see anyone else nearby, but the sounds of the city were clearly audible. Citizens chatting back and forth, merchants selling treasures to wealthy customers, and music being played, drums the authoritative instrument.
A clear dirt road led from the cabin into the city, where distant figures could be seen moving about, minding their own. Merek watched a dog run down the road, barking at something. He didn't know what it was, and as the canine trotted beside a Knight on horseback heading into the city without taking notice of him, he sighed in relief. He didn't like lives being lost unnecessarily. It wasn't good for business.
Merek took notice of the sun's position in the sky. Midday was growing nigh, and it was best that he be off to meet the contact. He turned back to the old man without uttering a word.
"Off to work so soon?" the bearded man said without glancing back at Merek. He was steadily eating a peanut butter sandwich and taking small gulps of water. When there was no response, he turned around expecting to find Merek. But there was no hooded assassin to be found. He chuckled. Quick one.
Merek moved in and out of the shadows, remaining undetected. There was work to be done.
Tag: LSA
-----signature-----
I shook Chuck Norris' hand.
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LightSide_Apprentice
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
May '01
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Date Posted:
10/8/06 3:22am
Subject:
RE: The Ultimate Fantasy Community (A Flagship RPG - Open to All)
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Reynar_Tedros
Late Hours of the Morning (Approaching Midday in Manrenthain)
City of Men, Eastern Manrenthain, North Eastern Callanthorith
Merek's return to Manrenthain was a simple first step toward fulfilling a contract he had only recently caught wind of. Details on the hit were, admittedly, scarce. Perhaps that was part of the allure of it all.
From what little he knew, Merek understood that his meeting was to take place with one Borelanor Cullrodan, who sought a skilled assassin for hire. More appealing than the mystery of the assignment, however, was the expected price one might be in a position to demand upon success.
The meeting was set for midday. Borelanor arrived six minutes thereafter, entering the shed from its adjacent stableyard, where he left his donkey. He cast a quick glance around him and fiddled with the coins in his pocket, as he waited for any signs of an interested party.
-----signature-----
Can we not, for just one moment, appreciate the simplicity, and timelessness, of two souls in love?
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Reynar_Tedros
Registered:
Jul '06
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Date Posted:
10/8/06 9:56am
Subject:
RE: The Ultimate Fantasy Community (A Flagship RPG - Open to All)
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IC: Merek Therosis
City of Men, Eastern Manrenthain, North Eastern Callanthorith
The meeting was set for midday, and Merek made his way to the designated shed right on time, according to the small, golden watch that he always kept inside his cloak. He took a glance at the picture on the bottom of the opened part of the watch. He closed it just as quickly.
There was currently no sign of Borelanor Cullrodan. Was he here, studying Merek's movements as one contact did earlier in his career, or was he really late to his own rendezvous? Merek searched the shadows as he entered the shed. The man was nowhere to be found.
He then heard footsteps outside. He glanced out of the window, standing to the side of it and thus revealing no part of himself. A man had left his donkey at the stableyard, and was approaching the shed.
Merek looked around, and found a nice, dark corner of the shed at the top. He swung his arms out to each side of his body, his two custom built blades extracting from his sleeves. He jumped towards the wall and stuck both blades in it. He pulled out his right one and stuck it in a higher position on the wall. He released his left blade, pulled himself up to the right one, and stuck the left blade higher. He did this until he reached the top of the wall, where he hung as still as a statue. The man entered the cabin only seconds after.
The contact glanced around him, not taking notice of the being high in the shadows. He fiddled around with the coins in his pocket, waiting for his assassin to arrive. Little did he know.
Merek pulled out both blades and kicked off of the wall, falling to the floor and landing with such grace that not a sound was made.
"Your late."
Tag: LSA
-----signature-----
I shook Chuck Norris' hand.
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LightSide_Apprentice
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
May '01
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Date Posted:
12/3/06 1:48am
Subject:
RE: The Ultimate Fantasy Community (A Flagship RPG - Open to All)
- Date Edited:
12/3/06 1:50am (1 edits total)
Edited By:
LightSide_Apprentice
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Reynar_Tedros
Late Hours of the Morning (Midday in Manrenthain)
City of Men, Eastern Manrenthain, North Eastern Callanthorith
Borelanor Cullrodan was a successful merchant, in fact he was one of the wealthiest merchants in the district. A man of his position possessed money enough to buy what his whim desired. Unlike many men who fall into wealth, he knew better than to waste his money away on gambling, and alcohol. He much preferred investing in the establishments that drew profits from such activities. And, he enjoyed his position of influence.
That position allowed him a great degree of freedom in Manrenthain. His only enemy, his only threat, were the Knights of the great city, those loyal servants of the King who could not be bought with money, or promises of power and wealth beyond imagining. The very thought of the Knights caused him to grumble aloud.
"You're late," came a confident, almost arrogant, voice from behind.
Startled, Borelanor turned on his heel and reached for the dagger he kept at his belt. He drew it quickly, and waved it threateningly at the stranger. It was all instinct. And, it was wrong. Hadn't the man said that he was late? "Who're you?" Borelanor growled. "How'd you know to find me here?" What he failed to ask, what he feared most, was how the stranger managed to approach him unnoticed.
He knew the stranger had come for the contract, for the likely reward it offered. What he did not know was the identity of the stranger. For some reason the man looked familiar. Only Borelanor was not sure he knew the man's name. Perhaps he had seen him in passing. The gods knew how many people the merchant must have met over the course of his wicked life.
-----signature-----
Can we not, for just one moment, appreciate the simplicity, and timelessness, of two souls in love?
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Reynar_Tedros
Registered:
Jul '06
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Date Posted:
12/3/06 4:01pm
Subject:
RE: The Ultimate Fantasy Community (A Flagship RPG - Open to All)
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IC: Merek Therosis
City of Men, Eastern Manrenthain, North Eastern Callanthorith
Startled, the contact known as Borelanor turned on his heel and reached for the dagger he kept at his belt. He drew it quickly, and waved it threateningly at Merek. "Who're you?" Borelanor growled. "How'd you know to find me here?"
Merek's face remained stoic and emotionless, though Borelanor couldn't have noticed if he was frowning or if his face looked like a Picasso painting, for the hood of his long white cloak that flowed silently behind him in the calm breeze concealed his face completely.
The assassin took a step forward and began to roam about the room, never taking his shielded eyes off of the man before him. His arms hung lifeless at his sides, and not even Superman could hear the inaudible sound of his footsteps. He spoke not a word, but all the while he was instilling fear into the contact. Merek had to be fearful, he had to be enigmatic, for that was how he earned his respect. No one would cross him because of his actions. They were too frightened.
"You know what I'm here for," he said, his cold and emotionless voice just as chilling as his appearance. That was all he would say for the time being. That was all that was necessary. Little did Borelanor know that Merek Therosis was not there for the money. He had unfinished business that needed fulfilling. He had a hole in his heart to fill.
Tag: LSA
-----signature-----
I shook Chuck Norris' hand.
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LightSide_Apprentice
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
May '01
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Date Posted:
12/8/06 5:41pm
Subject:
RE: The Ultimate Fantasy Community (A Flagship RPG - Open to All)
- Date Edited:
12/8/06 5:44pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
LightSide_Apprentice
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Reynar_Tedros
Late Hours of the Morning (Midday in Manrenthain)
City of Men, Eastern Manrenthain, North Eastern Callanthorith
There was no telling who the man was, really. Borelanor thought he saw a face beneath that hood, but whatever he caught sight of was concealed within the dark folds of the man's overhead garment. Despite that, or perhaps because of it, the uneasiness within the merchant remained. Borelanor was not entirely sure who he was dealing with, and that raised all sorts of concerns.
"You're here for the contract," he reasoned. His eyes narrowed as he watched the mysterious stranger roam about the room. It was easy enough to gaze upon the man when there was no sign of the being's eyes, though it did not ease Borelanor's nerves in the slightest. "Ten silver pieces - that's what I'm offering. The target is William Wentworth, one of the Knights of Manrenthain."
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Can we not, for just one moment, appreciate the simplicity, and timelessness, of two souls in love?
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Reynar_Tedros
Registered:
Jul '06
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Date Posted:
12/11/06 10:55pm
Subject:
RE: The Ultimate Fantasy Community (A Flagship RPG - Open to All)
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IC: Merek Therosis
City of Men, Eastern Manrenthain, North Eastern Callanthorith
"You're here for the contract," Borelanor reasoned. His eyes narrowed as he watched Merek roam about the room. It was easy enough to gaze upon the man when there was no sign of the being's eyes, though it did not ease Borelanor's nerves in the slightest. "Ten silver pieces - that's what I'm offering. The target is William Wentworth, one of the Knights of Manrenthain."
Merek clenched his right fist as he heard the target's name. All those years...
"I could care less about how much you're offering," Merek said, revealing more emotion than he had in a long, long time. "Tell me where to find this man."
Merek was ready to extract his blades if Borelanor offered any sort of denial.
"Da...ddy!"
"Nooooooo!!!"
His eyes began to water. Vengeance would be his.
Tag: LSA
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I shook Chuck Norris' hand.
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LightSide_Apprentice
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
May '01
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Date Posted:
4/24/07 10:30pm
Subject:
RE: The Ultimate Fantasy Community (A Flagship RPG - Open to All)
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Reynar_Tedros
Midday in Manrenthain
City of Men, Eastern Manrenthain, North Eastern Callanthorith
Few assassins cared little for the coin they were paid. That this stranger appeared somewhat disinterested, if not entirely indifferent, to the bounty was among the many unusual qualities he displayed. Were Borelanor a more intelligent being, he might have given a second thought to engaging in business with present company. But, he wanted the Knight dead. The assassin would go a long way to making that happen.
In the unlikely event that the stranger fell short of success, well, Borelanor did not worry so much about that. If he saved some silver in the process, so much the better. Perhaps he would strike upon a thread of good fortune and the assassin would succeed, and manage to die in the process. The very thought brought a wicked smile to the merchant's face. Certain twists of fate simply required a guiding hand.
"You can find the man within the Palace," the merchant said. "He serves there as one of the guards." He slipped his hands into his pockets, and supressed his smile of confidence. "I have reason to believe he may be out on patrol in the next two days. Some trouble at the Kingdom's borders, I'm told."
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Can we not, for just one moment, appreciate the simplicity, and timelessness, of two souls in love?
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Saintheart
Title: Manager and Wandering Swordsman of the RPF
Registered:
Dec '00
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Date Posted:
5/7/07 5:37am
Subject:
RE: The Ultimate Fantasy Community (A Flagship RPG - Open to All)
- Date Edited:
5/7/07 5:45am (1 edits total)
Edited By:
Saintheart
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OOC: Characters and opening post approved by GM.
Name: Kensukiro Atsukai
Age: Mid-thirties
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Homeland: The land of Karuto, across the sea
Profession: Warlord
Bio: He is the Chosen of his people, one of two twins marked by destiny for the greatness of the Karutan people. His narrow, almond-shaped eyes are dark, his skin golden, his shoulder-length hair black as obsidian. A long scar cuts its way from his temple to his cheek. His blade, Iss-hogai, Sunset, has been his since his early days. He united the people of Karuto beneath his blood-red banners in a campaign of war carried on from his late father, the Sunset Warrior. Now the Karuto people are reaching across the sea to take their destiny in Manrenthain. And Kensukiro's hatred for the land he proposes to conquer knows no bounds.
Name: Saigo Kuliya
Age: Early fifties
Race: Human
Gender: male
Homeland: The land of Karuto, across the sea
Profession: Bird trader
Bio: Saigo Kuliya is a small, genteel man with a thin lock of prematurely grey hair on an otherwise bald head. He has been operating his small store in Quandalore for about twelve months. It is a place for pet birds, and Saigo has travelled extensively through the land of Manrenthain, north to the darkling marches, and west to the borders of faerie, capturing rare and exotic birds. Saigo is quite accommodating to any customers he finds.
IC - Kensukiro Atsukai
Shoreline, the Blade Cliffs, Southwestern Callanthorith
The day had greyed over. Here and there, thin shafts of light sheared through dark, brooding cloud, glinting down on the hundred-and-fifty-foot heights of the Blade Cliffs, turning their sharstone walls silver in the fading light. The Sea of Souls, dotted with thrusting formations of bared rock, churned and murmured restlessly around it, throwing itself onto the white sands of the shores at the foot of the Cliffs.
Kensukiro Atsukai scanned the clifftops for a long moment with dark, thin eyes, then turned contemptuously away. He was not impressed by the beauty. Instead he was pleased. The tide was slowly going out, and the majority of his forces had safely landed. The withdrawal of the tide was creating a wider patch of sand for the forty thousand footmen and cavalry he had brought ashore.
Not that they would need the patch of sand for long; the muted chaos of the beach landing was steadily declining as his dark-clothed, grim warriors formed themselves into columns and began their march to the northwest, towards the break in the cliff line and the wide, inviting patch of rolling hills that lay several leagues distant.
"My lord khanten?"
Kensukiro turned back at the question to the four men riding up to him. Each wore fur-lined helmets, padded armour, and a long fur-gripped bow across their backs. His four commanders; each one strong and quick-witted, each commanding ten thousand, one mark, of the army he had brought onto this shore. Luki, the man who had spoken, reigned his horse in. He bowed his head respectfully as Kensukiro's gaze fell upon him.
"There is word from the priests' caravan, my lord. The fukhagi humbly request my lord's presence."
"Very well." There was no hesitation in the khanten's reply; was he not the Chosen of Karuto's gods as much of its people? He looked at two of the other commanders. "Shoden; Dairogin. When your marks reach the hillsides, deploy in a defensive perimeter and send scouts out; a three-mile radius. And have keensighted men on those clifftops. If someone comes by sea they will meet us. Luki, your force into position behind them and commence fortification of the encampment. Suliko--I will need your force encircling the civilian encampment, on the shoreline."
"Your will, khanten," they replied in unison, and scattered like a covey of departing hawks.
Kensukiro, meanwhile, mounted the destrier standing patiently beside him, and rode down towards the temporary encampment. A trail of salutes and war cries followed in his wake. The khanten had no need of a bodyguard amongst his people. His people were his bodyguards. Including the five thousand colonists who were now unloading their wares, to take up the road his army had, following in their wake. After they had landed, his men would beach the fleet of cogs and barques and they would be here.
Just off the shoreline, a small canvas tent had been erected. Kensukiro noted the thin line of greenish smoke emerging from the entrance. The khanten moved directly inside. There were many more dangerous things in the world than smoke.
The beady eyes of five bald men greeted him from the corners of the tent like cats awaiting the approach of a juicy mouse. They were robed in black as deep as Kensukiro's hair, the shoulders of their cloaks surmounted by raven feathers that shifted in an unseen breeze. The tent was dark and stank of blood.
Unhesitating, Kensukiro walked to the middle of the half-circle that the five priests formed, hands by his sides. Utterly unafraid. "What word of the gods?" he asked.
"Much, Chosen," replied one.
"Both great and low," said another.
"You wished my presence?" said the khanten.
"Indeed," replied the priest. "The gods have granted your request. You wished clear skies, thunder in your advance guard, lightning in the van. This they have done. Are you prepared to pay their price?"
"I am," replied Kensukiro. Again, no hesitation.
One of the priests shifted his cloak aside. An infant was brought forth from the shadows of the cloak by a hand more like a claw. Kensukiro recognised the infant. His infant son, born to one of his concubines.
The khanten looked up steadily at the priest holding the babe. "What is required?"
The priests seemed to smile as one. "Little, Chosen. A measure of blood from his hand." The hand holding the infant was joined by another, this hand holding a knife.
Kensukiro stepped forward after a second or two. He took the outstretched offerings into his own hands. Looked at them again. "A measure of blood?" he asked.
"Isaki, Gukir, and Cerniko measure their gifts by quantity," said the priest. "Blood enough to run the length of the blade would have done better, but the Lords of Shadow are satisfied with this much of it."
Kensukiro regarded the priest for a moment.
"What will the gods give for all of it?" he asked.
Kensukiro could almost feel the shock running between the five dark figures. And just as quickly, the shock vanishing, replaced by a greedy hunger. "You give this child to us? To give to the gods?"
"You will provide it to the gods," said the khanten. The infant shifted in his gloved hands. "The knife in your hands, the words from your mouths, will be better than mine." Kensukiro held out his child and held out the knife.
The priest moved slowly forward and took the knife and the child from his hands. Infant and knife wheeled away into shadow. The remaining four priests came forward. As one they bowed to him. "It shall be so, khanten," said the priest. "The Lords of Shadow will not forget."
Kensukiro turned and left the tent, out into the fading sunlight, looking up towards the rolling hills that were his army's entrance to the lands of Manrenthain. How many children, he wondered, lay in those emerald fields beyond?
TAG: LightSide_Apprentice
OOC: To everyone playing: Before I start getting brickbats for the above, let's be clear about a couple of things. One, this post and the character are approved. More than that, though, Kensukiro is evil. Very evil. But he is only a character of mine. He doesn't reflect who I am. And I firmly believe that the deeper the darkness, the brighter the lights that burn within it. This is my gauntlet, thrown down to the forces of good in this game. Make no mistake, I propose to do exactly the kind of terrible things with Kensukiro that you would expect from a evil villain. Conquest, war, death, evil acts. Stop Kensukiro if you can. And, on a lighter note, I look forward to playing with, if not against, many of you in the months to come! 
OOC: Also, given the hour, I propose to do a first post for Saigo possibly tomorrow (if anyone cares  )
-----signature-----
Michelle: my Italian queen, my angel, my reason, my wife.
Jessica: my little princess, my daughter, born 10 August 2007
Director -- Star Wars: Knighthood
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Saintheart
Title: Manager and Wandering Swordsman of the RPF
Registered:
Dec '00
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Date Posted:
5/8/07 1:21am
Subject:
RE: The Ultimate Fantasy Community (A Flagship RPG - Open to All)
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IC - Saigo Kuliya
Early morning, City of Quandalore, Western Callanthorith
The cries of the bread-sellers woke Saigo, as they had every day since he had been here. The small man rose slowly from his flat, thin bed, sipping from the water bowl he kept by his bed. In the front room of his small store, the sigerhawks sensed his movement and began to rustle in their cages, while the pigeons in the cages on the floor of his bedroom cooed softly.
Saigo got to his feet. And performed the series of exercises that would have appeared strange to any person who knew the little exotic bird merchant on Bull Lane. His body moved in graceful, smooth arcs and lines, hands turning in open palms and closed fists, his body not so much swaying on its feet but flowing as if he were submerged in water. At length, Saigo took a deep breath and ended the movements, dressing quickly in his light robes, and chewing on the wheat germ that passed for his morning meal.
He crouched at the foot of his bed and lifted the thin tatami mat. Beneath lay a small wooden plate, set into the floor. Saigo put the bed aside for a moment and opened the plate, drawing out several items from within. A thin, finely-crafted line of shiegtwine, light as a hair, unbreakable as steel; a palmful of rounded disc shapes (though he was supremely careful not to touch the edges); three small orinshi,--smoke bombs; and two light throwing daggers. As it was drawn, each item disappeared into the folds of Saigo's robes, but each within an inch or two of his hands. Saigo replaced the wooden plate, pushed the bed back into place, and frowned over the marks on the floor of the room until he was satisfied the movement had left no trace.
The bird merchant stood and moved into the front of the store, where half a dozen birds trilled their welcome as he ran his hands across the tops of their bamboo cages. He had always been fond of keeping birds, since he was a young boy, long before he had ever commenced their sale ... he located a small iridonis, a tiny, azure blue bird, chittering in a small cage made of dwarf bamboo that Saigo had crafted with his own hands. The bird was a delivery to a guardsman of Quandalore, who was due to marry later in the month. He was seeking a bridegift for his wife; the iridonis was perhaps the smallest and most affordable of those avians he had.
Saigo stopped to pick up a gnarled walking stick which stood close by the door to his bedroom. He gripped the stick one-quarter of the way up its length and gave the most subtle of twists. The bottom three-quarters of the stick dropped away from the top quarter, and there was a metallic hiss as the glint of steel sparked off the windows. Saigo drew the sword-cane from its disguised sheath, marvelling once more at the crafting. The gods of Karuto had ensorcelled this blade; thin and light though it was, it had as much strength in the steel as many of the crude long swords Saigo had seen in Quandalore. Sit-ghan was its name; the Needle. It had no handguard.
But Saigo rarely needed one.
The exotic bird seller returned Needle to its sheath, picked up the iridonis's cage, and picked up the triangular reed hat he favoured on hot days such as this. Saigo shuffled out the front door of his store. He locked the door behind him and started up Bull Lane, tapping his walking stick slowly as he moved, considering his path to the guardhouses of Quandalore, the Merchant City.
TAG: LightSide_Apprentice, anyone in the city of Quandalore...
-----signature-----
Michelle: my Italian queen, my angel, my reason, my wife.
Jessica: my little princess, my daughter, born 10 August 2007
Director -- Star Wars: Knighthood
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LightSide_Apprentice
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
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Date Posted:
5/12/07 12:41am
Subject:
RE: The Ultimate Fantasy Community (A Flagship RPG - Open to All)
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Saintheart
After Dawn
Shoreline, the Blade Cliffs, South Western Callanthorith
A fisherman's life was not a cruel one so much as it was a life pulled by the strings of Fate. Some said that the gods pulled those very strings--the fortunes of man, and other creatures throughout the world, and its surrounds. Whether the gods controlled Fate, or left it to its own devices, none lived to tell for certain. Cronal was one such fisherman, and he believed that Fate was beyond the control of any single being, even the mighty gods.
He was camped at the top of the Blade Cliffs where he picked at his recent catch. The fish tasted best when prepared over an open fire. Cronal's only regret was that he could not have enjoyed more pleasant surroundings. Witness to the arrival of a foreign fleet, Cronal saw firsthand the destruction caused by the Karutans, though he knew not yet of their name, or culture. His meal, while of sufficient quantity, failed to satisfy.
There were so many foreigners that Cronal could refer to them not as visitors, but only as invaders. They came with a mighty fleet, bearing an army strong enough to threaten the free kingdoms of Callanthorith. The fisherman hardly ate his meal. Instead he set it aside as he stared.
He saw nothing of the merchant ships and wagons that once filled the shoreline. Like a dark wave, the invaders swept across the beach until they swallowed it whole in their presence. And, then, without breaking stride, columns of armed men poured forth up the shoreline, toward the lands beyond.
Cronal caught view of some of the scouts that were sent out. Though he was far enough from them to avoid danger, he knew they were just as likely to spot him, as he had been to glimpse their approach. He set his food aside, and headed back to his shelter. The Blade Cliffs were no longer safe.
Saintheart
After Dawn
Quandanlore, Central Callanthorith
Humans were certainly aplenty within the Merchant City. While they were among the majority, there were stranger, more diverse beings to be found than humans alone. Saigo spotted a glowing ball of light fly past him with such speed he imagined it might have been a trick of the rising sun; he saw the familiar form of a Knight from the distant human city of Manrenthain, more heavily armoured than the modest guards normally patrolling the Trade City.
Among some of the stranger visitors to the city was a being clad so thickly in fur that it was impossible to identify gender, or species at all. It must have been the first time Saigo spotted such a sight. More familiar to his eyes were the scantily clad men and women from some primitive tribes, the occasional elf, dwarf, and even their regional counterparts who, though similar in form and appearance, were of quite different cultures and manner.
Saigo reached the western guardhouse as the sun crept past the distant horizon. He was greeted by one of the humans stationed there. "Good morning," said the man, as he stepped into the city proper. "May the sun warm your skin, and the clouds wash your thirst with rain."
From within the guardhouse called the voice of another man. "I bid you patience, I shall not keep you long." The man was the same Saigo met earlier; soon to be married the guardsman had approached Saigo with an interest in purchasing an azure bird. When he exited the guardhouse to meet the salesman, it was with an expectant smile, but not an ungrateful one.
-----signature-----
Can we not, for just one moment, appreciate the simplicity, and timelessness, of two souls in love?
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Saintheart
Title: Manager and Wandering Swordsman of the RPF
Registered:
Dec '00
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Date Posted:
5/13/07 10:03pm
Subject:
RE: The Ultimate Fantasy Community (A Flagship RPG - Open to All)
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IC - Saigo Kuliya
After dawn, Quandanlore, Central Callanthorith
As he was waiting for the guard to arrive, Saigo contemplated the sights he had witnessed. The knight, as they seemed to call such a warrior, came to mind first. He would have been an impressive figure to the peasantry, Saigo conceded; one could only imagine the fear such a figure would create charging down a farmer or petty thief on horseback, lance lowered and forty pounds of armour providing solid protection against the hurled rock or pitchfork. But the Karutese had seen their share of armoured warriors over the endless years of war, too -- as had Karutese peasants.
Those peasants had not simply accepted the superiority of men such as these 'knights'. They had developed ways of dealing with them instead -- ways that focused on using the very metal of their armour against them. Such armour usually had to be shaped to the wearer, and was effective against decent clubs or edged swords. However, if one was using a pick or other heavy-pointed device, the armour often pierced and, better still, the armour itself would push back into the knight's own wound -- holding and tearing the wound further open, aggravating his torment. The same principle of piercing applied to the use of arrows against such armour ... and a decent Karutese archer could put twelve arrows into the air in the space of one minute. Saigo had seen battles where the sun would dim from the cloud of arrows obscuring it.
Saigo was surprised to see the knight here, though. In his travels he'd been under the impression that the knights of Manrenthain kept closer to home. It troubled him -- but also reassured him, for the knight seemed to be alone rather than riding in company. Which suggested they were not in great numbers here.
So much the better.
And it was equally reassuring to see that the knights appeared the highpoint of military discipline and equipment here. The guardsmen he'd seen around -- much like the one walking towards him now -- didn't have the same quality of equipment as the knights. They tended much more towards chain mail or leather armour, coupled with long shield, long sword and spear. Of course, the situation might be somewhat different if it came to war, but Saigo doubted it. Quandalore was a merchant city, and merchants usually were tight with their money until the need was right upon them.
Saigo bowed deeply to the guardsman who had offered him greetings, and stood to await the younger man. The bird merchant took the measure of the guardsman as he arrived: his helmet and armour well-polished, his tunic clean ... but his shoes were fraying, and the hose and other garments he wore had clearly the look of poverty to them. The Karutese merchant smiled gently, lifting the caged iridonis for the guardsman to see. "This one has found that you seek," said Saigo, his accent gently bending his words. "Many hours of patience it required, but I have obtained the same."
Saigo let the proper amount of compassion for the young man's apparent financial state to slip into his voice. "I ... presume ... you have been able to locate the funds with which to pay for this little azure miracle?"
TAG: LightSide_Apprentice
IC - Kensukiro Atsukai
Early morning
Blade Cliffs, Southwestern Callanthorith
"My lord khanten -- word from the camps. Your will is achieved; Shoden and Dairogin's marks are deployed in defensive configuration, Luki continues the fortification of the encampment, and Suliko stands ready to defend the civilians, should the need arise." The messenger took a breath. "Shoden reports one of the scouts has encountered a native fisherman, although he could not be captured at that point."
Kensukiro nodded. "He does not need to be. We will deal with the natives soon enough. Send word that three scouts are to trail the fisherman back to his shelter, or village. They are not to engage but report back once they have found him. Meanwhile, Shoden and Dairogin are to expand the scouting range from three miles to ten, using outriders. They're to hurry -- word of our arrival will soon spread, and we need to be on our way before there is any opportunity for the natives to organise. I require the location of every village, small town, or fortification in the area as soon as possible. We know this area was a major trade egress for the city of Quandalore. We have now cut it off. I wish to strengthen our hold on the area. And send word to our engineers in the civilian encampment; I will need their plans for the construction of siege weaponry in the next four days. Is that clear?"
"Your will, khanten," said the messenger, and hurried away.
The warlord of the Karutese people stared down onto his encampment. His bodyguards around him would certainly keep him safe, but there was almost no need for it. He stood atop the Cliffs, the rolling grasslands of Callanthorith to the east, the Sea of Souls to the west.
Now it was a matter of where and when.
The word that his agents in Callanthorith had sent him were correct, it seemed; there appeared no standing force capable of threatening him in this area. If, as he suspected, there were only villages nearby, he expected militia to meet him -- in which case it should be a short exercise for his troops. He had not been informed as to any fortified strongpoints in this area, in the way of what the natives called 'castles', but even if there were he had ways of dealing with that as well.
His plan of conquest had begun.
TAG: LightSide_Apprentice
-----signature-----
Michelle: my Italian queen, my angel, my reason, my wife.
Jessica: my little princess, my daughter, born 10 August 2007
Director -- Star Wars: Knighthood
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LightSide_Apprentice
Title: Manager Emeritus
Registered:
May '01
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Date Posted:
5/21/07 4:20am
Subject:
RE: The Ultimate Fantasy Community (A Flagship RPG - Open to All)
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Saintheart
After Dawn
Quandanlore, Central Callanthorith
A bright smile illuminated the watchman's face. He was so overjoyed at the sight of the blue bird that he clapped his hands and rubbed them together excitedly. "You brought me the prize I so dearly wanted," the young man said. "I shall repay you as we agreed." And, with that, he reached into the purse at his belt, and withdrew in his palm a handful of copper, and silver coins. These coins he held out with his right hand. With his left, he reached for the cage. "I do hope the beauty did not trouble you terribly so," he said, eyes turning from the bird to Saigo.
The guardsman who passed the salesman initially glanced toward them with curiosity. "A fine specimen," commented the older man. "Might I ask where it was to be found?"
Keen to purchase the delicate creature, the younger man gave little mind to the other guard. His eyes were all but locked and tied to the object he hoped would please his beloved. "I am grateful to you, friend," he said to the merchant, though the guardsman hardly gazed away from the avian. "Perhaps you will come to our wedding celebration?"
Saintheart
Late Morning
Shoreline, the Blade Cliffs, South Western Callanthorith
It was late into the morning, a few hours short of midday when word reached Kensukiro from each of his scouts. The three who returned from tracking the fisherman discovered a large village on the edge of the Cliffs, just east of the beach. Further east was a smaller cluster of shelters, but little else. Other scouts confirmed that a dense forest lay to the west, with little in the way of settlements in its vicinity.
One of the three spoke up upon his return. "My lord, khanten," he began slowly, "these people are weak, and their numbers no match for our own. Yet word of our arrival travels quickly. There are travellers along the road, and wagons. Some might already be on their way to Quandanlore with news of our presence."
Meanwhile, Cronal set to keeping within his shelter. There was little hope for him should the invaders seek to attack him. He was afraid, and knew not what else to do. So, he remained hidden and hoped that his shelter would go unnoticed.
-----signature-----
Can we not, for just one moment, appreciate the simplicity, and timelessness, of two souls in love?
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