Battlegrounds

[Blitz]

[MT]

This is the place where you can request a random battle for your party/units to face. If you are using your Pathfinding skill to request a location battle, please note it. These battles can take place anywhere within the Empire lands so you can feel free to request something more specific. Doesn't mean you'll get it, but you can always ask.

[/MT]

[Blitz]

(OOC)

Well'p, let's give this a shot. Battle for Grant whenever someone gets a chance.

(/OOC)

[WindRider]

[MT]
Bobcat x3
[/MT]

[Blitz]

Grant's mind drifted above the treetops as he walked quietly through the verdant forest. He tried to dwell on the chirping of jays and larks while the steady thump of his staff against the ground forged a tempo in his hand that echoed in his footsteps. Unfortunately his attempts to enjoy the nature that abounded around him was continually interrupted by two men’s voices, breaking through the quiet like an ax pounding against a tree trunk.

"I can't believe that you don't believe in fate!" Joel snapped ad Edwin after a blissful three seconds of silence. "You're a monk, doesn't that mean that you have to believe in fate, or something. All I ever heard in when my ma drug me to church is that the Highfather knew what I was going to be when I was just a baby."

"You're still confusing wisdom with fate," Edwin said, quieter than the archer. However even his patience was wearing as the third attempt to explain religious dogma to Joel looped back in on itself. "The Highfather sees all and knows all, but he doesn't force anyone into what he wants. He allows men to choose their path, he just already knows what that path is--"

"And how is that not fate?!" Joel burst in.

"Fate means that we are destined to do something--"

"Which we are destined to do what the Highfather wants."

"No," Edwin slowed as if he were talking to a child, which for all intensive purposes he was, "we do what we want. Whether we lead the Holy Church, or join the ranks of the Legion, we still do what we want. The Highfather just knows what that will be before it happens."

"So what? Does he make stuff happen to prevent us from going down the wrong path."

Edwin shook his head, "That would mean that he would break his own laws. The gods are not to interfere with Nevendaar directly--"

"But they do, all the time!"

"So do, and risk incurring the wrath of the Highfather. Others like Wotan and Gallean tend to tell their people what to do."

Joel scoffed, "And then we have thousands of elves in a holy war against the Empire."

"Perhaps," Edwin said somberly.

Grant's eye drifted down from the treetops to the densest part of the canopies. His mind drifted back to Temperance and the swarms of arrows that materialized from every tree around the city like nettles. His mind's eye watched as the defenders atop the city walls were felled like cattle, unable to fire their own arrows with anywhere near the precision of the elven archers. He watched as mages cast spells in an attempt to fell the forest protection, only to have it spring anew in the next moment. And he watched as Gwendolyn, his love, died with an arrow lodged in her throat. He blinked back the tears that stung at his constitution.

"So if the Highfather tells us to do something, then that is fate?" Joel said, breeching the silence again.

Edwin groaned, "No. No no no no no! Even if the Highfather directs us to do something, we still don't have to do it. We could refuse."

"That'd be pretty dumb," Joel chuckled.

"Yes, but it is still an option."

Joel shook his head, as if Edwin's continued persistence on the inexistence of fate was the ramblings of a lunatic. Finally he turned behind him and asked, "Is that what you believe to?"

Grant listened for any response, but only caught a slight squawk of surprise, then the continued silence of the only other person accompanying the three men. Maria. A young acolyte that Grant had requested join them on their trek to Abrissel, had been quiet the entire walk. Hell, she had been beyond quiet. Grant would have put her level of interaction on par with a catatonic. The young woman never spoke. And only nodded or shook her head meekly if asked a direct question. However Grant imagined that this question just bounced off her down turned head like a pebble of an ogre's back. Joel apparently didn't get the response he was seeking either, and turned his voice to Grant, "What about you mage? Do you believe in fate?"

"Oh, hell. Don't ask him."

Grant chuckled, "Yes, Joel, I believe that there is such thing as destiny."

"See!" Joel bellowed triumphantly at Edwin.

The monk shook his head, "You think that's it? He's just getting started."

Grant stopped and turned to face the others. "But I don't believe in fate."

'...What?" Joel scowled.

"Fate is the determination of the gods on what the people of Nevendaar will do in this world. And I'd have to agree with Edwin, our choices in life are not fated by any of the gods. However destiny is the design of eternity, something grander than mortals, gods, and whatever. I have seen what wizards can do, magic that can control the power of the gods and open portals into planes of existence far beyond our understanding. So I believe there are grander designs that lead us into infinity. Destiny is not the will of the gods, but rather the inevitable interaction between man and their pursuit to be greater than that which is divine."

Joel's frown deepened. "That is the last time I ask you for your advice."

"What?" Grant laughed while Edwin suppressed his own smile. Grant even thought he caught a glimpse of Maria smiling though it was passing beneath her hanging bangs.

"You mages are just idiots. I ask you a simple question about fate, and you start taking about planes of existence and infinity. It's a wonder you can even find your way into your robes in the morning! I can't ima--"

A sharp growl cut off the archer's next sentence. Three large bobcats rushed out of the scrub, darting towards where Maria stood stunned at the sudden appearance of the wildcats. The levity dropped from their air like a stone, and Joel and Edwin moved with practiced grace. The monk slid a slender longsword from its sheath, stepping in front of the acolyte with grim determination. Joel deftly slid an arrow onto his bowstring, raised the weapon, and let go the shaft with one fluid motion.

The arrow slipped into the lead bobcat's shoulder as if it where designed to fit there. The cat stumbled in its dead run, unable to slow. Edwin shifted a step to the side, slipping the sword horizontal, and letting the bobcat's weight take the animal cleaning across the tip of the sword. Blood spilled down its side. It crashed forward to where Grant stood, swinging his walking staff up with all his strength. A crack echoed against the bobcat' thick neck. Both its spine and the staff broken.

Grant frowned at the half of the staff that he held in his hand. It had been a gift from his mother when he had graduated from magic college. The staff was obviously ruined, the wood broken and split so that it shed splinters like a wooden rain. He sighed, tossing the remaining segment to the ground, turning his full attention to the action.

The remaining two bobcats were fiercely attacking Edwin, who was trying to ward one of the cats off with his sword, while trying to shake the other off his back. Joel was quickly loosing arrow after arrow at the animals, but the quick felines were doing an admirable job dodging the bolts while taking turns slashing at Edwin's sides and legs in an attempt to drive him to the ground. Where they could attack his jugular and turn their attention on the remaining pray. Fortunately, Maria was mumbling spells as quickly as she could, mending the blows that scored on Edwin's flesh. It was a losing battle. The spellcasting was beginning to wear on Maria, and the gashes were appearing more regularly with Edwin's fatigue.

"What the hell are you doing?" Joel snapped, letting another arrow fly.

"Hm?" Grant blinked.

"Edwin's getting killed and you are just standing there! You're a mage! Smite them or something!"

Grant considered snapping back a retort, then shrugged. He closed his eyes, muttering a phrase of power words to evoke the blessings of the Highfather. A glowing circle appeared where one of the bobcats stood and both animals danced back in confusion of the strange appearance of Grant's summoning circle. Light poured up from the ground for a moment, taking shape into an empty suit of armor that towered over the men and beasts. Everything froze for a second. Edwin stumbled back to catch his breath, Maria let another flurry of mana to help the monk recover while the bobcats and Joel stared up at the hulking figure.

Suddenly the empty helmet jerked down to peer at the two cats with invisible eyes. The cats hissed in anger, as the living armor took one step forward, then brought the massive sword in the armor’s grip around with one swipe, slicing the bobcat in half. The remaining bobcat turned to flee but the armor’s long stride kept pace with ease, and the massive form swept its sword low, cutting the legs out from under the animal before putting it out of its misery.

No longer in danger, Edwin collapsed to one knee, as Maria darted to his side, chanting the healing spells in an attempt to mend the damage done. Edwin waved off her attempts, ignoring the scratches, turning his eyes in gratitude at the stoic armor, as it vanished back into the ether.

Joel, however, was not content to be thankful to the summoned being. Instead he spun on Grant with a vengeful glare, “What in the Highfather’s name were you doing? Edwin could have been killed!”

“I doubt it,” Grant said walking past the archer.

“Hey, I’m talking to you! How could you just stand back and let those animals attack, while risking your own friend’s life.”

Edwin started to say something in Grant’s defense, but the mage beat him to the punch. “Joel, you’re out of line. Do you actually think I would have let Edwin die? You need to gain some perspective. If you three can’t deal with a couple of animals, then you don’t stand a chance against the minions of Bethrezen, or Mortis, or even Gallean. These little kittens should have been a walk in the park for you, and I shouldn’t have needed to summon that armor. You’re going to need to grow up if you expect to take on the world. Because, I won’t always be standing behind you to pull you out of the fire.”

Joel fumed, stunned at Grant’s rant. Grant however didn’t wait for any retort, and spun on his heels, continuing in the direction of Abrissel. To be honest, he wasn’t angry with the archer, not even slightly. All three members of the group had managed admirably. But they needed to know what was on the line. Their lives were dedicated in the service of the Highfather and the Empire. An individual lives were a commodity that he couldn’t afford to become to attached to. He wasn’t just a person anymore. Temperance had shown him that. He was a tool to protect hundreds, perhaps one day, even thousands. And if it was his destiny to die in the service of thousands, so be it. If that meant he sacrificed his friends and his command in the same pursuit, then that would be his goal. He hoped that one day, his service would garner the praise of historians and wizards, but that was his own little narcissistic crutch that he kept to himself, and was something that he wouldn’t share with anyone.

He wasn’t sure when Edwin started walking next to him. Just that he was there.

“Too harsh?” Grant finally asked.

“Maybe, but it could save his life someday. He’s still young and has too many ideas of king and country. It’s better that he learns harsh truths from allies rather than enemies.” Edwin watched the road pass slowly before them, before muttering, “And for the record, you can pull my hide out of the fire any day you like.”

Grant smiled, catching the wink that slipped from below the monk’s long hair, but didn’t respond. Hoping only that he would always be able to be there for the other man, to provide that service.

[WindRider]

[MT]
Grant - Copper Ore, 100 Gold, 300 XP
[/MT]

[Blitz]

(OOC)

Battle for Grant.

(/OOC)

[WindRider]

[MT]
2x Thug, 2x Thief, 1x Archer
[/MT]

[Blitz]

Grant leaned back in the rough oak chair, his eyes drifted to the sunset that lingered in the air like a bright haze. He watched as Luna, the moon, began to free itself from the fetters of the sun’s rays. Like a great eye that turned its crescent gaze upon Nevendaar, Luna peered down on the landscape with her white aura, shedding a layer of twilight into the town. He smiled, picking his teeth with a sliver of wood he pulled from the arm of the chair. The warm smell of Miss Behrt’s dinner stole up after him reminding him of the delicious meal. Grant chuckled, unsure of what he had done to garner the Highfather’s blessings so as to place Miss Behrt in his employ. The woman was simply a miracle worker.

“Is there anythin’ else I can get fer you?” Miss Behrt said from the doorframe of Grant’s chamber.

“No, Miss Behrt,” he said, turning over his shoulder to offer her a bright smile, “as usual you have done far to much already. I am just going to finish this lovely tea, then go to sleep, warmed by your mutton filling my stomach. Thank you.”

Miss Behrt chuckled, her short round face blanching at the compliments. Her merry blue eyes twinkled as she tried to get her humor under control. Her husband had died in the first Great War, and her only daughter had married away to another town further towards the interior of the Empire. So Grant figured she was unused to the compliments. He also figured she was just happy to have some company to tend to. She wiped her soft hands on her apron, before pulling it around her plump waist, pulling an irate strand of graying hair out of her face so she could beam at him without being reminded of her age. “Oh, you are to kind, m’lord. I told you tha’ it weren’t no trouble, and tha’ you needn’t be makin’ such a fuss. If you be changin’ yer mind, let me know and I’ll be happy to get you some more tea, or some biscuits from the kitchen.”

Grant laughed out loud, “Go to bed Miss Behrt. If you are so bound and determined to dote on me, you can wait for morning. I’ll be just fine.”

“All right, good night m’lord,” she turned from the doorway.

“My name’s Grant, Miss Behrt,” he reminded her, but she waved off the reminder as if he was a foolish child muttering some nonsense. He in turn could only smile helplessly. His eyes drifted back down to watch twilight turn to night over the town. He scratched under his open tunic that replaced his usual mage’s garb. He propped his bare feet up on the banister of his small balcony welcoming the warm breeze that played up from the south.

He glanced down at the front gate where he could make out Erin’s figure standing studiously next to the barred wooden gate. Guessing by the other person’s shape and body language, Grant guessed that Maria, the acolyte stood silently next to her, waiting for their watch to be done to be welcomed by the generous arms of sleep. On the opposite side of the town, Grant could see one of Edwin’s monks and Grant’s apprentice, Nicholas, making a round along the interior wall. Their voices wafted over the quiet town, audible, but undistinguishable as words.

Grant nodded, enjoying the town’s atmosphere. He reached over and picked up the earthenware mug that sat on a small table near his feet, flicking the sliver of wood off the balcony. Drawing the cup to his nostrils, he inhaled the moist scent of the black tea with the hint of peppermint that clung to the inside of his nostrils. He mumbled another thanks to Miss Behrt, taking a long sip of the tea, letting the warmth permeate down his throat, across his chest, invading his body with a welcome relax. Closing his eyes, he leaned his head back, letting the gentle breeze play with his hair, tempting him to fall asleep in the chair rather than move to the nearby bed. He slowly sipped more of the tea, readying himself for dream’s embrace.

He hadn’t quite finished the cup when a cry of alarm pulled him instantly from his half slumber. His eyes flicked around the town until the caught sight of a shifting orange glow on the opposite end of town. Confused, he watched the shifting light, trying to place what it could be in his mind until a shriek ripped him into action.

“Fire!”

Grant swore, dropping the mug to the tabletop. Without bothering to slip on his boots or robe, Grant dashed out of his room, down the stairs where he nearly ran over Miss Behrt who was blearily moving to the door to see what the ruckus was about.

Grant steadied the woman, “Stay here, while I see what’s going on.”

“What is it?” she cocked her head.

“It looks like some a house caught fire,” he said over his shoulder as he darted out the door. He heard her gasp in alarm, but she stayed put, like he asked her.

He understood her alarm though. Fires were serious in little towns. A simple hearth fire could gut a small town and could be responsible for several deaths. Solace was already springing into alertness as villagers raced towards the well in the town center, grabbing heavy pails to try to get as much water on the blaze before it spread to other homes. Unfortunately, Solace was still to small to have any real established fire squad. And too small to be able to form a water line from the well to anything closer than the nearest buildings. Fortunately, with Grant’s recent focus to transform the town away from its grass roots, many of the vital buildings like the granary and temple were constructed of stone, and had their thatched roofs replaced with wooden ones that could stand the occasional ember without igniting into a fireball.

Grant picked Edwin out of the morass of people scrambling for water. The monk was dress only in his light pants, and his well muscled physique was already tarnished with soot from being close to the flames. Grant grabbed the monk by his shoulder, turning his attention briefly from the task at hand. “What’s happening?”

“The roofs of two houses at the edge of the village somehow caught fire. I haven’t had time to find out what happened, but I do know that the two families are all out of harms way. If we can get it under control, we should be in good shape. The houses are next to the garden, and fifty feet from the nearest other buildings.”

Grant nodded releasing Edwin to what he was doing, and quickly chanted a spell. The golden glow of Grant’s summoning circle appeared on the ground as the massive form of a living armor emerged into the night. “Help the villagers fight the fire,” Grant barked at the hulk of iron. The armor nodded silently, then quickly scooped up a pair of troughs in a nearby pig pen and started to move towards the blazing houses.

Grant spun to return to the town hall, when he caught sight of Erin and Maria running up to him.

“The fire..” Erin huffed out of breath.

“I know. Come with me to the hall to get the water cart.” Grant said as he started to move back toward the large building in the distance.

“No,” she breathed, “the fire, I saw how it started. It wasn’a accident. We saw a pair of lit arrows fired over the wall. Someone lit those houses on purpose.”

“What?” Grant stopped, his eyes spinning across the wall’s top to try to catch a glimpse of more shafts that pierced the night.

“Maria and I already checked where the arrows came from. There isn’a sign of anyone still there. I tho’t we should come back and let you know,” Erin said turning her attention on the fire suppression attempts. The living armor’s empty helmet could be seen in the midst of the fire, slamming down flames, keeping the fire from spreading.

Grant’s mind spun, “Why would someone light two houses in the village on fire, then vanish?”

“I don’t know, but I’ve gotta bad feelin’ about this.”

Maria nodded in agreement.

He swore in dwarven then glanced back to the fire, “We’ll just have to put that on hold for now. Help me get the water cart. We’ll look for answers later.”

Flanked by the two women, Grant started to jog back to his home. His mind worked on the question as he moved, but was cutoff from his thoughts as Miss Behrt shrieked and ran outside. Grant blinked in confusion until five men, all dressed in dark leather tunics emerged from the hall. He could see them all clearly in the glow of the fire behind him. They pointed at the running woman, and one man raised his bow, drawing an arrow to the string.

Erin was already sprinting ahead, charging the five men while Grant furiously let the words spill from his lips. Electricity tore from his fingertips, slamming into a line of the men with angry sparks of light. The men grunted, and spun, glaring in Grant’s direction. But with the flames at his back, the men squinted into the inky black that spread up between them and the glow of the fire.

Erin meanwhile had managed to dart between the men and the fleeing Miss Behrt and roared in anger, thrusting her spear into one of the men’s sides. The iron point of the spear slipped through the man’s leather jerkin with ease, and buried itself into his side, below his ribs. The crumpled to the ground with a dying shriek. Erin jerked the spear tip free and turned to face the other men who were drawing long daggers and shortswords to defend themselves from the woman. Erin bellowed at them, her fiery hair taking on a life of its own amidst the glow from the conflagration.

The men staggered back in confusion for a moment then rushed at Erin with enraged fervor. Erin stepped back, slapping one man’s sword back with the butt of her spear while parrying another man’s dagger with the blade of the spear. The third man charged under Erin’s guard, slamming his dagger into Erin’s thigh. She swung her fist around and the man lunged backwards to avoid the blow. Now sooner had the long knife been remove then white magic swirled around the injury. Knitting it. Leaving the white flesh just under Erin’s breaches clean and fresh of any scar.

Grant smiled at the look of shock on the men’s faces at Erin’s immediate recovery, while both he and Maria started mumbling new spells, to best combat the thugs and protect Erin from their direct assaults. Lightning spilled from Grant’s fingertips, hammering into two of the men’s chests, while the others leapt clear of the bolts. The man with the bow raised an arrow to his check and fired it towards Grant. The aim was high, and the arrow thudded into the ground behind him.

Erin lost no time, leveling her spear at the two men that were recovering from the lightning strike. The spear tip bit across one man’s throat, then whirled around to slam up into the other man’s jaw with a sickening crack. She lunged at the man with the sword, who caught the spear with the guard of his sword, and twisted. The spear clattered from Erin’s grip and the sword smacked her armor with a dull thunk.

Erin staggered back then quickly ducked, snatching up one of the dead men’s daggers. She spun on the remaining men with the look of the possessed, her hair alit with reflected ferocity. The men however, had enough. The bolted for the walls, sprinting with all of their strength. A third bolt of lightning managed to cut down the archer, but splashed against stone instead of hitting the final thug. Erin chased after him, but skidded to a halt when the man vaulted over the neck-high wall with far more ease then the young woman could have managed. She swore then turned to see Grant moving towards where Miss Behrt sat huddled behind a pair of fruit barrels. When Erin neared she could hear Miss Behrt explaining what had occurred.

“..came from no where! M’lord, I’m so sorry, but when they ransacked the hall and I couldn’a stop them. I tho’t I was gonna die!”

“It’s alright, you’re safe now. Did they say what they wanted?”

“Yes,” she blinked looking up at Grant, “they were lookin’ for you. They threatened to kill me if I didn’a tell them where you were. I told them that you were out fightin’ the fire, but they said I was lyin’. Said that you wouldn’a risked yer neck for some peasants. When they turned back to talk between each other, I ran. I’m so sorry!”

Grant’s brow clouded and he turned to Maria, “Check her out, make sure she isn’t hurt anywhere. Erin, come with me. We’re going to see if we can track down that last thug, and find out what this is all about.”

“Aye.”

Grant and Erin ran to the town’s main gate. Edwin met them, saying that the living armor had gotten the flames down and that the villagers were taking care of the rest. Grant quickly filled him in to the situation, and Edwin gathered his two monks and sprinted towards the outside of the wall where the intruder had made his escape. Grant stood for a moment while Erin stood next to him, starkly aware that the mage was the target and that she should try to protect him.

“Erin?”

“Aye?”

“Where did you say those arrows originated?”

“O’er there, next to where the Singie River bends closest to Solace. Why?”

Grant looked in the direction she indicated, “Edwin and his monks can try to track down the man’s trail, I’d like to see if we can head him off.” He didn’t wait for Erin to agree and dashed into the forest. Erin grumbled something about ‘a guard’s work’ and darted into the stands of trees after him. It didn’t take long for them to see the shape of a man standing in the dark.

“Joel?” Grant asked in a quiet voice.

Joel glanced up from where he was staring at the ground, stunned by the mage’s approach. The archer didn’t respond other than to look back down at the ground in front of him. When Grant got close he saw the intruder, lying on the ground, dead. An arrow jutted out of his chest like a quill in an ink well. Grant knelt by the body, and checked the man’s pockets and hands, but found no indication why he would set a town on fire to search for Grant, and no weapons or articles that might give a clue to who he was, or where he came from. Grant looked up at the archer, “What happened?”

Joel shook his head, “I was out boar hunting and got too far away from the town. When I was heading back, I saw flames coming from the town. I was worried that something happened, so I ran back. He,” nodding his head at the body, “came out of nowhere. I told him to stop, but he turned on me. I thought he was.. I don’t know. An elf, I guess. I didn’t mean to…” Joel stuttered, stared at the dead man.

Grant sighed, standing, “Go back to town and help them clean up. If you see Edwin, tell him to stop looking for the intruder. You got him.”

The archer nodded dimly, then turned and walked like a condemned man towards town. Erin watched him go, then as soon as he was out of earshot turned and whispered to Grant, “You donn’a believe ‘im, do you? He’s had it out fer you since I met him. An’ even before that, so’s I hear. If he got rid of you, he would be all the happier, and he would have known to shoot arrows at the houses on the garden side.”

“That’s enough,” Grant muttered, staring down at the dead man.

Erin pointed at Joel’s back, “You cann’a be serious? Out boar huntin’? I’ve ne’er heard such a foolheaded thing to say. It be just an alibi, and he shot his own lad to cover his tracks.”

Grant looked up at the woman, “That’s enough I said. I’m not going to listen to baseless recrimination. Yes, Joel’s excuses are pretty coincidental, but that doesn’t mean anything but.”

“So yer just going to—“

“I’m going to keep my own council,” Grant said with a fierce finality. “I’ll worry about Joel.” He sighed then softed, “I need you to worry about other threats.”

Erin glared at him, then threw her hands up in defeat. “Fine! But don’a say I didn’a warn you.”

Grant chuckled, “Alright, when I’m dead, I won’t say you didn’t warn me.”

Erin stared at him for a minute, then let the glower on her face soften into a smile and a soft lilting laugh. She shook her head, then watched him with a sidelong glance that sparkled in her emerald eyes, “Yer an odd one at that.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Grant bowed slightly. “Now come on. We’ve got some work ahead of us tonight.”

[WindRider]

[MT]
Grant - Healing Potion, 90 Gold, 500 XP
[/MT]

[Blitz]

(OOC)

Battle for Grant please

(/OOC)

[Deimos]

[MOD]Well, this is my territory now. One that seems to have been invaded...

Grant:

1Centaur Strider and 1Scout on the front lines
1 Adept and 1 Oracle behind them for support.

Have fun.

[/MOD]

[Arderius]

The wind blew across the long grasses of the Verdant Plains as Gaven looked through the spyglass towards Abissel. His long brown cloak flowed in the brisk breeze as Jewel and Rave stood together behind him. Jewel was wearing a brown cloak just like his while Rave wore his normal black attire, seemingly unaffected by the chilling breeze that even his mountain heritage could not expel from his bones. "So . . . is it finally time for the black sheep to return?"

"That's lost sheep Gaven, not black sheep." Jewel corrected him.

With a slight smile, Rave answered the pair. "I think black sheep actually suits me better. Heh . . . but yea. Our supplies are quite low and I'm sure you two would like a bed for a night or three. Besides, I think it's finally time to go visit my brothers . . . and father."

"I wouldn't mind seeing that. I'd like to see where you came from, it's not like you really speak of your family much." Gaven's curiosity peaked.

"I'm sorry I don't but there's a reason for that. If you don't mind, when we get to Abissel, I'd prefer to go alone. I'll meet back up with you a day or so later."

Jewel and Gaven both looked at each other with curiosity, then back to Rave who was just staring off in the direction of his home town. "That's fine, tell you what." Jewel said as she cheerfully poked Rave in the ribs. As always she received the reaction only she's ever obtained. His smiling and backing up with an inquisitive look. "We'll go and get most of the supplies and look around the city while you handle your family obligations. Then when you're ready, you can locate us, and we'll act from there."

"Yea, Jewel and I can keep each other busy while you are gallivanting with your family." Gaven spoke with crystal clear intentions.

Rave smiled, a fake, sad smile. "Thanks guys." Tearing his gaze from Jewel's, he looked back towards the city. Without speaking another word, they headed for Abissel.

At first, time seemed to stand still as they trekked forward across the plains. But sure enough, the glint of light that was Abissel was getting slowly closer. As night began to fall, they were still a few hours away. "Hold up Rave, let's set up camp." Gaven called, physically exhausted. "Come on man, you're walking us ragged. It's been hours without a stop. You'll get us to the city and we won't even have the strength to find a place to stay. Don't worry man, the city will be there tomorrow, but for now we'll rest."

Reluctantly, Rave agreed and they began setting up camp.

(OOC)
Battle Request for Rave, Jewel, and Gaven.


Rave is brewing a Life Potion, (to be completed 05/04/07).
Jewel is brewing a Potion of Healing, (to be completed 05/02/07), then immediately brewing a second Potion of Healing, (to be completed 05/04/07).

(/OOC)

[Blitz]

[MT]

Rave - 3 Goblins, 2 Goblin Archers, 1 Goblin Spearman guarding a Mine.

[/MT]

[Arderius]

"I'll start a fire." Gaven said to the others as his eyes scanned the ground for any loose wood, as Jewel stretched and began clearing a patch in the long grass for them to lie in.

His eyes still drawn towards the city he once called home, Rave replied. "Gaven, I think it'd be best if we don't bother with a fire tonight."

"But aren't your plains full of Bobcats and other creatures that will keep away if we have a fire going?" He asked as though Rave didn't know what he was talking about.

"Look around, . . . what do you see?"

"Nothing, just grass." Gaven replied, now uncertain.

"These plains aren't like the mountains, if a fire is to be used, we'll have to keep constant watch. As well as dig a pit for the fire to make sure it doesn't catch to the grasses. And now that the light is almost completely gone, it will be a bit more tricky to start while making sure not to catch any other grass on fire." Running his hand through the tall grass to emphasize his next point, "It also hasn't rained for a while, making the grass dry. Basically a single spark can set it off, that's probably why mages at Abrissel will probably be working to get it to rain within the next few days. You also have to keep in mind that it's nearly impossible to locate a readily fortifiable area in case of ambush while you rest. This grass can hide any number of opponents, the least of which are Bobcat. The fire can just as well draw attention, and I'd prefer not to call too much attention to myself while heading for Abrissel."

"And you used to be fun." Gaven said with a sneer, only to recieve a sharp elbow from Jewel.

Even though Rave was looking away, he heard the air escape from Gaven's lungs and allowed himself a smile. Jewel and Gaven began to huddle together under a fur blanket as Jewel called out to advise Rave. "Make sure you get some sleep Rave, you don't want to be tired when meeting up with your family."

"Thanks Jewel, I'll be fine. G'night." Rave stayed still with his eye locked on the city in the distance as he glazed over her reply. However, he was able to catch the soft words from Jewel to Gaven, telling him "not tonight." Eyes scanning the skies, he tried to pick up the occasional angel above Abrissel that brought him hope when he was a young child. With a deep sigh, he laid down in the grass. With his arms supporting the back of his head, he began scanning the stars. 'What am I doing? I don't even know if I'm ready for this. What if I don't measure up? What if my father's right? What if I'm not good enough to prove I didn't deserve to be treated like that?'

As the questions all swarmed around in his head, he came to a realization. "Pfft. This is pathetic. I never doubted myself before, or believed a single word my father said had foundation. I'm just nervous. Suck it up, face him down, and put him down if I have to." He whispered to himself. Picking up on the movement from Jewel and Gaven's direction caused him to bite his tongue. He wasn't sure why, but he thought it was best to keep his shame of being the family's black sheep to himself.

Drawing one of his daggers, Rave flipped it around so the blade ran under his arm. With the dagger between his arm and the ground, he slipped into a light sleep.



Through his uneasy dreams, the tips of something touched his chest. Jumping from his dreams, his eyes were suddenly open and the dagger's blade was pressed against Gaven's throat. "Shhhh . . . " The sound came from larger man's lips, used to getting this response when waking Rave. "We've got company. They're not trying to be quite, but they're a ways away."

Keeping his tone low as well, "What is it? Where?"

Pointing in the direction of a slight hill, Gaven moved to retrieve his massive war axe as Jewel craweled up to Rave. "What is it?" She asked, so close he could feel her breath on his neck and smell her fragrance.

Taking a deep breath through his nose he brought his attention back to that which woke them. "Not sure. Haven't been in the plains for a few years. But it's not a Bobcat that's for sure. That sounds like speech."

"Your right. But I don't recognize the dialect." She said as her hand now rested on Rave's shoulder and she leaned forward and closer to him, completely oblivious about the affect this was having on Rave.

Soon Gaven was back beside them, his massive weapon in hand. "Sounds familiar." After a moment he smiled and spoke with joy in his whisper. "Looks like we do get to have some fun."

"What do you mean?"

"That's goblin speak. I've killed enough of them to know that. Haven't a clue what it's sayin' though. Let's go have some fun."

"Wait." Rave cut him off with a puzzled look. "No. Something doesn't feel right about this."

"Why's that?"

"Look how close we are to Abrissel. That's like a ten, fifteen minute hard ride by horse. And I don't hear any horses or other steeds of the Goblins."

"What are you saying?"

"Goblins would need a real good reason to be this close to the city. And if they don't have any steeds, that would be because they don't want to draw any unwanted attention."

"Well they sure weren't very quiet."

"I don't know."

"So you just want to follow them?"

"It'd be best. At least until we figure out what they're up to, and why Abrissel hasn't dealt with them since they're this close."

"Then can I have fun?" Gaven asked sincerly.

Smiling at his over-anxious friend, Rave suddenly felt like he was talking to a three year old. "We'll see."



Three figures moved silently through the tall grasses as they closed on their targets. As they neared the greenskinned goblins, they're heavily accented speach could be heard, and even translated listened to carefully enough. But it was Gaven with the most experience with goblins and was able to translate quickest for the others. "Idiots." He whispered with a silent chuckle. "They're lost. Seems they can't find the path they used to take them to a hole near here."

"A hole? What do they mean?"

"Dunno, summtin . . . they are using the hole to get something from the ground."

"They've located a mine in the area?" Rave asked.

"That makes sense."

"Wouldn't a mine this close to the city be under it's control?" Jewel inquired.

"Only if Abrissel knew about it. Or it's possible that the goblins recently took control of it and killed the guards and workers from Abrissel and the news hasn't made it back to the city yet." Rave said as he slowly followed the confused goblins. "Either way, we wait till they locate the mine. Nothing happens before that." The last sentance was directed soley for Gaven.

"Yea I get you. I'll do nothing . . . un til they find the mine."

As they continued to follow, Rave signaled he was going to move closer for a better look. He already knew there were three of them but that was about all he knew. Closing in, he quickly had a better take on the creatures. One had a morningstar in his belt, while another had a rusted sword. The third was carrying a pickaxe designed for use in a mine. All three were dirty, even for goblin standards. They've definatly been inside a mine. Considering they each had an empty pack on their back, it's a good bet that they had left the mine to drop off their bounty and just couldn't find their way back.

In a few moments a land mark was located and the goblins had their bearings. Rave stopped to wait for his companions to catch up. "What'd you learn?" Jewel asked as she placed a hand on Rave's shoulder to get his attention when he had known about her approach for the last four minutes.

"Where's Gaven?"

"He's just stashing our bags, he'll be here in a few minutes."

"Good. From the looks of it, they're the grunts. I'm willing to bet that not only are they the ones digging in the mine, but they're also the ones that have to trek the product from the mines to wherever it is they store it. But if they're out wandering around like this, chances are good that they've got others guarding the mine. And if they took it over from Abrissel, it's looking good that it will be a large force. I guess it just depends on whether or not they've found the mine, or raided it." Rave paused before adopting a softer tone in his voice. "Jewel, one of them have a morningstar. If something happens and you end up on the wrong end of the one with that weapon, you be careful."

"Come on Rave, you already know I can handle myself."

"I know, but those things are tricky. In a strange opponent's hand, they can be completely unpredicatble and if one lands a blow, it's . . . Jewel, just please be careful."

Jewel looked at Rave, unsure how to react. She opened her mouth as if to say something but Gaven came through the grass. She just smiled and nodded.

"So, what's happenin'?" Gaven asked with a whisper as he crouched down with the others.

"Definatly a mine. More than likely there's more guarding it. One of the goblins we're following," He said as they began moving after the greenskins. "has a morningstar in his belt, the most dangerous weapon among them depending on ability."

"Meh, mah axe can cleave through all three and their weapons at the same time."



After following the now non-lost goblins about an hour, they were looking down from the top of a grassy, rolling hill. There was a dip at the point at the bottom of the hill where six hills began, completely circling it and making it one of the lower points in the Verdant Plains. There was a hole, the mine's entrance, in the base of one of the hills. The hole was about four feet high and three feet wide. "That's why Abrissel probably doesn't know about it. Even if the mages located the minerals, they may not have been able to locate an entrance."

"Big deal. I just wanna end 'em." Gaven said as his girlfriend shook her head with a look of disapointment. "Six against three. These odds are boring. How about we just wait until they take us back to their main camp?"

"You want to wait?" Jewel, with a playful nudge.

"Good point, lets just take them now."

"It's too far away, I can't make out any of their words." Rave said to get the couple's attention.

"I can't make it out either, they're just a bit too far away. Not only that, but they seem to be whispering, I guess they really don't want Abrissel to locate this place. But we've got bigger problems." The largest of the three spoke.

Recieving a silent stare from the other two, he indicated the goblins at the mine with a nod of his head. "The two with the crossbows are keeping a careful eye on the surrounding hills. Any potential opponent will have the high ground true; but with crossbows, that won't matter. They'll be able to spot any advancing enemy early enough that they'll be able to shoot them down before much else happens, we'll need to act really fast to prevent that form happening to us. And, I just don't think I can move that fast guys." He said honestly.

It being not often that Gaven speaks of his inabilities, Rave let it sink in before speaking. "Well, I'm the fastest of the three of us. I'll need you guys to act quickly when I make my move."

He took a step away into the grasses but was stopped by a hand on his arm, Jewel's hand. "What are you going to do?"

A cocky smile spread upon his lips. "Just be ready. I'll make my move in about ten minutes." He then vanished into the grasses.

Jewel turned to her boyfriend. "He's going to do something stupid isn't he?"

Gaven smiled broadly, almost giddy from the affect some of Rave's actions had on his girl. "You know it."



Rave had completely circled the clearing created by the connecting hills. Now on the other side he peered from the grasses down towards the mine's entrance, sizing up the goblins. 'This will be a tough one. I haven't been tested by a crossbow's quarrel in a while, I'll have to be on the top of my game.' Leaving his fighting knifes and daggers in their sheaths, he sighed heavily. Standing to his full hight, and thus out of the grass, Rave walked casually forward and onto the hill's downward slope.



"What is he doing!?" Jewel said with hussed alarm.

"Hehehe, this is great." Gaven replied only to get an elbow in the side and a stern look from Jewel. "What! That's classic Rave."

"He's going to get himself killed!"

"What makes you think this time will be any different? From all the crazy shit he's pulled, that we know of, do you really think this is out of the ordinary?" The look Jewel shot Gaven made even him cringe. Quickly changing the direction of the conversation, he pointed Rave out. "Get ready."

Still only a few steps out of the grass, Rave called down to the goblins, acting like a lost wanderer. Both archers released their quarrels at him only to see him seemingly trip to fall forward and roll a few feet, their bolts missing him completely.



Spotting Gaven and Jewel charging down the other side of the clearing, Rave pulled himself from the ground. His stumbling act bought time, but maybe not enough. All the goblins had now spotted him. While the archers reloaded he called out. "Sorry bout that! I just tripped! Can you tell me the way to Abrissel!?"

A second bolt was released his way, but he was ready. Side-stepping it, he knew his ruse was over, all he could do now was keep the attention on him. Changing up to a run, he spead down the hill yelling bloody murder as he did.



After his initial stunt, Jewel spotted Rave dodge at least two crossbow bolts as her and Gaven charged down the other side to try and get there before their friend became a pin cushion. Rave was fast but he'd only be able to dodge those bolts for so long. The closer he got, the higher the risk of his speed not saving him. It always worried her whenever he would pull something this dangerous. To make matters worse, she knew he would do things like this to keep her from getting hurt. Gaven got it straight a long time ago that she was capable of taking care of herself, but they'd only known Rave for about six months. When she had tried to confront him about it, he acted as though he would normally have opted for such dangerous things. That's all it was, acting.

Gaven was about three steps ahead of her when he let out his Clan battlecry. The nearly ear splitting yell didn't even faze her. It was the six goblins that seemed to be caught off guard as they were all watching the clearly suicidal human trying to charge them by himself. With practised precision the two weilding the crossbows stayed on target while the rest turned and drew their weapons.

Gaven's battle axe sliced through one of the miners with ease, snapping the mining pick in two as it did so while Jewel began to use her battons to connect with the rusted sword. With a throaty grunt, Gaven heaved his battle axe and let it fly. He aimed for the goblin holding the spear as him and his friends each weilded closer combat weapons. Anger boiled within him as the goblin seemed to easily side step the now aerial massive weapon, but redemption came as one of the crossbow goblins hit the ground.



Being close enough to see the instance of surprise on the goblin's face that recieved the axe in the back, he was also close enough to see the other goblin turn a lighter shade of green. The fear in that one's eyes was unmistakeable as it turned and fled, no longer in Rave's path. Jewel was pushing back one of the goblins with a flurry of blows from her tonfa but it was Gaven he was worried about. Rave had seen the large warrior throw his axe before. It takes a tremendous amount of strength to weild that weapon as the Clan member did, but whenever he tossed it. That was when Gaven would put every ounce of strength he had behind the large weapon. The stress on his muscles made him weaker for a short while afterwards. Factor in that the goblin with the spear and the one with the morningstar were closing in on him, it didn't look good.

It took ten seconds flat for him to get close enough to aid Gaven, but by then his friend already had a shallow gash across his ribs from the spear. Coming up behind the spearmen, Rave called out to get his attention. His chosen target turned only to catch a glimpse of the human (who just moments ago he thought of as suicidal) flying through the air. The man in black moved with startling speed as his foot connected with the jaw of the greenskin.

Landing easily, he backed up as both spear and goblin hit the ground hard. Drawing both of his fighting knives, he held the handles so the blades were facing downwards. "Why don't you at least try someone that's armed?" Picking up the spear he had dropped, the creature leveled it at Rave.

The creature's glutterral speach was too thick for Rave to translate, even at this closer range. But it was the meaning that was perfectly clear as the spear was picked up. Sidestepping the thrust, he spun and was suddenly beside the creature holding the weapon now too long for the combat Rave preferred. "You don't stand a chance." The words came matter-of-factly as one of his fighting knives sliced through the creature's left bicep.

Dodging backwards, Rave stood casually. His hands (and knives) were at his sides and he looked as though he were extremely laid back. Watching with barely any interest, it was obvious the slice in the muscle provided too much pain for the goblin to properly weild his spear. The creature only had one option. Hefting the weapon in his right arm, he poised to throw it. As the weapon left the finger tips, Rave had already made his move.

Moving parallel to the spear as it left the goblin's hand, Rave sheathed his left fighting knife. Reaching the goblin's side, he moved with practised ease. The blade of his remaining fighting knife burried into the goblin's lower jaw. Looking over the creature's shoulder, he spotted Jewel running toward Gaven with a horrified look on her face. As he pulled his knife from the now dead goblin's head, Gaven his the ground from a morningstar blow.

Rage began to boil up within Rave. His breath became laboured as he broke into a run forward. The goblin didn't wait, he turned and ran. Straight into Jewel's tonfa. With the goblin out cold, she ran for Gaven, tears streaming down her face.

Standing by, unsure of what to do, Rave sheathed his knife as Jewel administered one of their potions to her boyfriend. He looked down at his hands as they shook slightly, yet uncontrollably. 'I can argue with the best of them when I wish it. I can face down a man twice my size. I can go against creatures that would make other men piss themselves. I can face odds that would pause a group of men. And this is what makes me shake? . . . This is what I'm afraid of? . . . Loss . . . '

Picking up the sound of a slight moan, his head snapped back the way Jewel had come from. The goblin that weilds the morningstar was waking. Suddenly calm and collected again, Rave headed towards him. As he did, he pulled his father's knight's dagger from the sheath on his right thigh. The blade glinted in the low lying light, catching the creature's attention. It looked up pleadingly but found no mercy. Cutting the creature's throat, he turned away.

Feeling a pang of guilt, it quickly vanished as he spotted the goblin that he had thought ran away. It was levelling the crossbow at Jewel. The knight's dagger that once belonged to his father fell to the ground, burrying it's point deep. Every muscle in his body strained as he broke into a dash towards her. With each breath he got closer, but after a pang, so did the crossbow's quarrel. The race between man and bolt would end badly, he knew that already. Rave wouldn't have the time to get Jewel out of the way, and even if he did, the bolt would get Gaven.

Both closed in, all the while Jewel was worried about the guy she was mothering. Jumping sideways into the path of the bolt, Rave's mind seemed to slow it down. He couldn't react to do anything else, but why did he have to watch the bolt as it advanced the last few meters instantly? His jacket had flown open in his mad dash and he watched the bolt's head tear through his shift and then his flesh. It only went in an inch or so into his left shoulder.

Grunting he bit down on his lip and changed direction. Running towards the crossbowman, the goblin tried feverishly to reload before he was reached. It was useless, in about half the time it would take to get reloaded, Rave was already drawing his right fighting knife and a dagger on his left side while being only a few meters away. The goblin tried to swing his crossbow like a club. Ducking under the swing, Rave stepped to the goblin's right side. Spinning on the ball of his right foot, he slammed the dagger in his left hand up into the sternem of the goblin. Continuing his turn, Rave followed up with his fighting knift to cut the goblin's throat.

Letting it fall to the ground, he stopped and took a breath. Looking at the bolt shaft protruding from his left shoulder, he sheathed his knife. Bending down, he pulled his dagger from the goblin's sternum. Using that dagger, he cut the protruding shaft from that which was burried in his skin. Folding the opening of his jacket over what was left of the bolt, he turned and headed back towards Jewel and Gaven.



Gaven had regained consiousness in time to see Rave dive in between the crossbowman and them. He was able to watch the entire episode that transpired between the two. Jewel helped him sit up as Rave returned to them. "Nice work Rave. Did that quarrel get you?"

"No worries man, it was way wide. Guess the goblin was still shaken up after he ran." Rave replied but none-the-less got eyed by Gaven. Jewel was obviously happy that Gaven was allright.

"Where's my axe?" He asked as he looked around and saw it still sticking from the back of the downed creature. Rave grabbed it with his right hand and pulled it free. He then drug it over to it's owner. Gaven had noticed that Rave didn't move his left arm much at all while doing that.



Rave had left the others back at the mine a few minutes ago. His excuse was to retrieve their packs, but he had a more urgent reason. When finally he was out of ear shot, he took off his jacket to get a better look at where the bolt had entered his body. Luckily it hadn't gone in too deep, but that wasn't the problem. The problem was the fact that the bolt was barbed. Gingerly testing it, pain shot throughout his body imediatly. Pulling out a dagger, he bit down upon the handle, and retrieved a fresh one. Biting down hard, he began the long process of prying out the barbed bolt.

About a half hour later, he returned to the clearing to find Gaven had moved all the goblin bodies over to the one that tried to take out Jewel with the bolt. Unknown to him, Gaven had found the shaft of the bolt he cut off. "Hey guys, I found the bags. Sorry it took so long, looks like he put them in a better spot than last time."

Everyone was silent for a few moments as they looked around, it was Pearl who broke the peace. "So, what do you want to do about the mine?"





[OOC]

My first RP in over a year . . .
I'm really gonna have to get the hang of this again.


-Used one Potion of Healing

Jewel Brews:
- A Potion of Healing to be completed on (05/06/07)
- Imediatly after she will brew a Potion of Restoration to be completed on (05/08/07)

Rave Brews:
- A Life Potion to be completed on (05/08/07)


[/OOC]

[Blitz]

[MT]

Rave - Stakes a claim on one Gold Mine (earns 50 gold per week), 85 gold, 20 L, 1 Iron Bar.

[/MT]