|
|
Post by A hooded figure on May 27, 2009 22:37:20 GMT -5
A group of cloaked men lay in wait. Their target was once a captain in the Mittelmarch Guard, but followed Baethor when the Jovians invaded. The Man came stumbling down the street on the way home before curfew through the alley the group was hiding in. One of the men approached the former captain "change sir?" he asked. The man pause for a brief moment staring at the rogue. "Go see the relief agency friend, they can help you more so than I." The hooded man smiles wickedly "Oh no good sir, you can assist me much more so than they." With these words the remaining men in the group grab and overpower the man. Gagging him the men quickly disappear into the sewers.
The next morning the town guard is called to a gruesome sight. A man who was reported missing just this morning dead at an inn. His hands and feet have been severed, and he has been disemboweled. On the wall written in the mans own blood is a single word. "Traitor"
|
|
|
|
Post by Sir Nichtmar on Jun 4, 2009 8:09:11 GMT -5
Hunched over, his teeth filed down, his pointy ears covered by a bandana, dirt rubbed on his face, and Nichtmar goes unnoticed walking through Mittelmarch. It seems almost like it should be, the hustle and bustle of vendors, travelers coming in and out for trade, but there is a tension. Fear can be seen on the faces. People do what they must to live, Jovians or not. Nichtmar notices a commotion down the street. ‘Traitor’ can be seen drawn in blood on the wall. Meanwhile guards clean up a slaughtered body. “Gruesome,” he thought. He recognized the face of a former Mittelmarch soldier. He sighed and hung his head as he walked past the site.
“This war will change us forever.”
“Cheap Armor,” a sign said down the way.
He walked towards the vendor. It was armor from dead Mittelmarch soldiers. Some was stained with blood. He recognized a black helm with silver rivets. It was his. He picked it up bringing it to his head. He then noticed his war skirt. He couldn’t find anything else. He bought the armor and went on his way. He’d have to make the rest. He found an old loyal smith that let him use his tools and made himself some new armor. He went to the Silvermoon tavern, and had a seat at the bar. They had some new owner. Nichtmar ordered and ale and sat deciding what he should do next.
|
|
|
|
Post by ziglerrobertson on Jun 4, 2009 11:48:01 GMT -5
It is early afternoon in Mittelmarch and light streams from the single window in Zigler's room. After a brief battle with the sheet covering him the Bard fully awakens and starts preparing for his rounds. Recently the tips at Cedric's Inn have been declining, along with any valuable information. Because of this Zigler has been 'Inn hopping' the past few weeks.
As he walks downstairs to the bar Zigler can see that the regulars, the few that are left from the increasingly deadly caravans, have already started drinking. One young Scout is mumbling about dancing red demons. Hiding a smile Zigler sits down at the bar, orders a beer and breakfast, then chats with Cedric to see where the newest 'hot spot' is.
"The Tavern's been getting alot o' folks lately," says Cedric.
The Bard nods to himself and replies," I'll head there then, see if I can't drum up some more buisness for you."
Cedric shakes his head and begins to wipe down the bar as his wife sets a plate of food in front of Zigler. Giving him a kiss on the cheek she asks,"Thanks for the help, will we see you back tonight?"
"Oh, I'll be back. You can count on it tonight," replies Zigler as he takes hold of a biscuit. Once finished with breakfast Zigler goes back to his room to clean up and prepare for the night.
He thinks to himself, "It's still early so I should be able to do a few soft warm up songs to get started. Later on I'll have to switch to loud bellicose and drinking songs...."
Nodding to Cedric on his way out Zigler heads through the streets to the Silvermoon Tavern. Once there he walks in and approaches the owner, who is currently behind the bar. Sitting down at the end of the bar Zigler switches between surveying the room and discussing the nights entertainment with the owner.
"We haven't had a Bard in here for awhile," the man says,"matter of fact it wasn't until after the attacks on the caravans got so bad that business picked up. I..." The man drones on about the massacres as Zigler sees a familiar helm sitting down the bar. Tuning towards the owner he looks at the large figure of a man, moving his head to and fro for different angles.
The owner gently shakes Zigler's shoulder," Hey, where'd you go just now?" The man follows Zigler's gaze,"Him, he just walked in about an hour ago, paid up front, good customer."
"Right," replies the slightly shaken Bard. Forcing his eyes back to the owner," It's a small crowd so I'll start off with some slow songs, then later on I'll pick up the beat." The man agrees and walks with Zigler to the small, raised dais.
Turning towards the room at large Zigler addresses them all by saying, "This first song is a little light, it's called a Dragoon's Lullaby......"
|
|
|
|
Post by Sir Nichtmar on Jun 5, 2009 6:47:48 GMT -5
Nichtmar didn't turn from his drink, but he raised a discreet brow when he heard the title of the song. He then turned with his ale in his hand to listen to the bard sing.
|
|
|
|
Post by rtiir on Jun 5, 2009 7:56:16 GMT -5
Meanwhile not far outside Mittelmarch in the the Greatwood, Marcus, one of R'tiir's assassins heads for Jove. He is going to report the kidnapping to the Emperor, because it is not how a true Jovian acts. R'tiir waits for him leaning on a tree.
"Why are you heading North?" asked R'tiir in his snake like voice.
"Um to report to the Emperor of Shatar's um current..."
In one motion R'tiir unsheathed the blade on his back and slit Marcus's throat. He fell to his death and R'tiir vanished.
|
|
|
|
Post by ziglerrobertson on Jun 8, 2009 3:56:10 GMT -5
".....We're soggy burnt and hairless, but friends what's really bad.
is that's the most fantastic sex that I have ever had!"
There is bunch of shouts and a few claps as Zigler finishes his set for the night. "Thank you, thank you all for being such great tippers!" laughter, "Remember, if you want to hear more just drop by Cedric's Inn on the lower east side of the city. I'm there every night save Tuesday and Thursday. Goodnight ya'll!"
With that the Bard walks towards the bar to settle up for the few drinks he had this night, while being pounded on the back and fending away offers of more. Once settled he stumbles towards the door of the Tavern and walks back to his room at Cedric's. The large man in the familiar helm still on his mind. He had lost track of the man amidst the crowded Tavern near then end of his set and Zigler did not spy him on his way out.
|
|
|
|
Post by storyteller on Jun 8, 2009 9:45:21 GMT -5
Shatar is dead. The Jovians that occupied Mittelmarch are dead or have returned to Jove. They didn’t just surrender. The battle was nearly fought to the last fighter on both sides. The allies left with their injured and Mittelmarch is left with a void of power and almost defenseless. Much of the city was devastated by trebuchet attack. A section of the wall was destroyed. The Shogunate and the Dragoons act as interim guards to the city, until the army can be rebuilt. This was but a single battle in an ongoing war with the Jovians, but something seemed wrong about this victory.
Moving the story along to after taking back Mittelmarch.
|
|
|
|
Post by A hooded figure on Jun 9, 2009 22:40:49 GMT -5
A small force dressed in the armor and garb of Jovians crept through the streets. Approaching the warehouse one of the men looks at the rest and quietly whispered, "remember we need to make sure we are seen and escape cleanly, if you are caught you know what to do" The man patted the small vial in his tunic, and watches the nods from his men. "Alright then" said the leader, lets move. The men crept up to the building and as quietly as possible barricaded the doors, the lighting flaming torches threw them through the windows. Flames slowly began to creep up the walls of the building that so recently had been used as a Jovian aid station, and even now still held a large amount of food and medical supplies. Hearing the cries of the approaching soldiers the men's cries rent the night "For the empire!", "Revenge for our general!". The group stayed by the fire long enough to be sure the soldiers saw them and ran off in all different directions. As he ran the leader clutched his vial in his hand and hopped against hope that this night would not see him taking his own life rather than surrender to the town guardians.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sir Nichtmar on Jun 12, 2009 7:08:19 GMT -5
Nichtmar, chased after one the Jovians as other rabble guards chased the others. He tackled one of them and with a knee in the mans chest, he held the tip of his sword to his throat.
"Enough!"
People in the background could be seeing going to the well for pales of water to douse the flames.
|
|
|
|
Post by A hooded figure on Jun 12, 2009 22:01:06 GMT -5
The man under Nichtmar's gaze is little more than a boy, staring up at the knight with frightened eyes.
"Please, they said if I didn't help them they would kill my family!"
The boy begins to sob
|
|
|
|
Post by Giggles "Adguin" on Jun 13, 2009 20:54:41 GMT -5
OOC; trying to work my guy into a story without destroying the flow of the rest. If I did just that with this one, delete or move it where it is more appropriate please. I choose this cause it had the Tavern in it and that's where I need to work him.
Giggles appeared outside of this event and found it amusing. While he could sense a dark energy coming from the man who held hios sword to a weakling he decided too look into it later. Giggles went to the tvern bought a ale and ask the barkeep, "Sir I am a traveling graves keeper. I take the bodies of those who can't be buried at home and give them a more appropriate resting place. Who would I talk to to receive a 'compensation' for my services of riding you of some Jovian corpses?"
"Is that why you smell of death sir?" was all the bar keep asked, blinking his eyes rapidly as if that would take the smell away.
"Yes it is why just today I had to fish a body from a pond. It had been there for three days and looked like a..."
"I get the idea sir," The bar keep quickly replied. "For a modest fee I'll let others know of your services."
Giggles dropped a coin pouch in front of the man. "This will cover your fee."
He opened it, looked in and his jaw dropped ever so slightly. "Yes it will! And who is providing these services?"
"Giles. I will return tomorrow and if news is good I may have a extra tip for you as well."
"Thank you sir and will you write your name down for me on this parchment so those can write you a message."
Giggles wrote his name quickly and left.
The barkeep chuckled to himself when looking at the name on the paper.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sir Nichtmar on Jun 18, 2009 8:58:35 GMT -5
Nichtmar realizing he is just a boy, he moves the blade from his throat, but he knows not to trust anyone these days, he leaves his knee on the boys chest.
"Who are 'they'?"
|
|
|
|
Post by A hooded figure on Jul 7, 2009 20:06:13 GMT -5
The boy stammers "they didn't tell me thier names, they just threatened my family and said i was to help them... please i just want to go home to my ma and da, the work in the merchants quarter."
Nichtmar notices the boy seems to be clutching something in his hand. From the look in his eyes he seems terrified. The boy whispers "damn Jovians couldn't just leave"
|
|
|
|
Post by Sir Nichtmar on Jul 15, 2009 7:44:26 GMT -5
"If you are what you say, then why are you dressed as a Jovian?"
"Hey!" Nichtmar grabs his hand, ripping out the vial.
"WHO DO YOU WORK FOR?!"
|
|
|
|
Post by oof on Jul 22, 2009 16:45:32 GMT -5
Terror fills the boys eyes, "I can't say anything, if I do Rin will kill me, I'm suposed to drink that if i was captured"
"WHO!" bellows Nichtmar
A voice floats out of a nearby alley, "let the boy go Nichtmar. He doesn't know anything"
|
|
|
|
Post by Sir Nichtmar on Jul 23, 2009 7:43:50 GMT -5
Like the release of pulled bow string, Nichtmar's blade fires towards the voice from the Alley.
"Oof...?"
Nichtmar stands, unsure but for some reason he doesn't lower his blade.
"What's the meaning of this? What game do you play?" His words unflinching.
He lets the boy slip away.
|
|
|
|
Post by oof on Jul 26, 2009 15:06:23 GMT -5
Oof steps into the light from the street, and holds both hands at his side to show he is unarmed. Looking at Nichtmars sword he sighs
"So this is what it's come to eh? After all the times we have fought side by side you think a naked blade needs to be kept between us?"
Oof chuckles slightly
"at least it's good to see you are still wary. You ask what game I play, why it's simple the only one worth playing. Mittelmarch needs to be secured sir knight, and with the forces of the jovians all but decimating our standing army in retaking the city, what is to stop the populace from rising up in a fit of temper if the food runs short?. Who do you think their hatred will be aimed at, Nichtmar, if the harvest is bad from the war and we have to ration this winter? Do you honestly believe they will blame the jovians? An enemy miles away more perceived than felt? During the occupation the jovians were gentle to the citizens never unnecessarily harming or killing anyone. Or will they perhaps blaim the forces and leaders of Mittelmarch, who twice wrought horrible destruction upon the city, justified or unjustly it doesn't matter. Who will they turn their hatred against Nichtmar, those who they cannot strike at, or those that they can."
Oof lowers his voice to barely a whisper
"You ask what I am doing nichtmar" he gestures to the people down the street fighting the fire, "I am giving them someone to hate, before they turn that hatred upon me"
|
|
|
|
Post by Sir Nichtmar on Jul 30, 2009 11:37:31 GMT -5
Nichtmar lowers his blade as Oof comes out of the shadow and listens.
"Then what are we going to do? Someone should lead us, maybe you should run for King? You seem like you got a plan. I am a servant, not a leader. Run for King and you'll have my support. Sure your ways aren't always aligned with mine, but maybe Mittelmarch needs a new way of thinking."
Nichtmar looks towards a inconspicuous Wagon.
"Seperate matter my friend, I am secretly despersing troops to Dunland. I've spoken with Anvil and we are goading an attack from the Jovians with guerrilla tactics. We will attack their supply and trade wearing Dunland colors. The dragon will extend its neck to dunland and we will slit its throat."
|
|
|
|
Post by oof on Aug 12, 2009 16:39:34 GMT -5
Oof grins "ahh the idea of being king has crossed my mind I will admit, but there are still many things that need to happen first. And you are correct I do have a plan"
Oof Looks at the wagon as well
"Unfortunatly if I am to make a sucessful run for king my friend i will need to stay in the city, and rally the people to my cause, too long have they known me as a simpleton. Though you should go if you can to the aid of anvil, and help with the logistics, be careful though you are very recognizable, you wouldn't want to tip the hand of Mittelmarch by bringing the jovians down on us."
Oof begins to walk away back into the alley. Over his shoulder he says
"Fair journey Sir Nichtmar of Mittelmarch, I will do my best to hold together our home in this time of turmoil."
|
|
|
|
Post by Giggles "Adguin" on Aug 12, 2009 22:02:52 GMT -5
"Hu......a Hill Giant as a king....." Giggle's think to himself as he listen from a distance....
"They truly are a stupid race, easy to manipulate, even better as undead minions to me..." Giggles begin to formulate a plan to give Oof his support while taking the power of the throne for himself should he succeed in getting the throne. "I must find a way to contact him, he will think of me as a simple peasant but I will show him how powerful I can be, without tipping my hand."
He begins to follow Oof from a safe distance hoping that he doesn't hear his foot falls or catches his smell in the air.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sir Nichtmar on Aug 17, 2009 9:53:29 GMT -5
Nichtmar takes his leave and meets with his other Dragoon brothers to do a little planning.
|
|
|
|
Post by A hooded figure on Aug 17, 2009 23:00:38 GMT -5
A hand grabs Giggles from behind and a dagger is pressed to his throat. "Sir!" a voice calls from behind Giggles. Oof turns and looks at the two men standing in the alley. "Yes?"
"He was following you sir" is the reply.
Oof scrutinizes giggles carefully "This trash isn't worth my time, be done with him and meet me back at the guild, we must discuss your failure this night" With that Oof turns and walks away.
The boy who was captured earlier by Nichtmar slashes his dagger across Giggles throat, and as the bloods begins to flow throws the soon to be corse into the gutter, and disappears
|
|
|
|
Post by Giggles "Adguin" on Aug 18, 2009 19:41:45 GMT -5
After both men leave, Giggles start to burn with anger at the disgrace that has befallen him, as well as the black blood stains that are on his good clothes now. He starts to curse at himself, he still felt pain and that deep cut to the throat hurt more then anything he had ever experienced. He was about to follow the boy and kill him for his insolence. But something stopped him inside. He decided to get his clothes cleaned and start looking for a way to to get the job he needs.
Oof and the boy would come later.
|
|
