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Lau
01-15-2010, 02:27 AM
I pray this message makes it's way to you for it may be the last chance we have, Collier is under seige by the Horde our scouts failed to return to us with any warning, and our garrisons patrolling the cliffside and river had been ambushed and destroyed, we are at half strength, we lack the weapons to arm the militia and have resorted to crude makeshift attempts at weaponry and armour. I can only pray that our defenses hold long enough.
Your friend
Samuel Stergran III

The Seige has gone on for three weeks now, the food is running low, as is our moral, with but a handful of soldiers and the women and children beginning to outnumber those still capable of fighting I'm afraid that they are losing what little hope we had, I fear the reinforcements will not arrive in time, we have but one option.
I rememberyour warnings my freind, but I simply cannot allow this place to fall there are too many innocent lives at stake.
So for now we pray.
Your friend
Samuel Stergran III


The proud city of Collier, it had been the safe haven for refugees during the long and brutal wars that raged along the borders of Nivec, but that was until the war came pounding at it's walls. Time was short, it had not the supplies to feed every one and not enough soldiers to drive the attackers back, their only saving grace were the bridge and bastions that lay along it's thick stone walls, the hordes masses could do little against this defensebeing pelted with arrows, spears rocks with every approach. Though few speak ill of them for they had no choice in their fate it is sad to say; if not for the flood of refugees the defences would've held, but the grim reality came crushing down upon them, and it weighed heavily upon the hearts of those left alive inside the city walls; that they would starve long before any help came from the capital. The enemy was but a horde of brutes and madmen backed by a leader that few even believed existed but regardless the way they rolled over city after city only a brilliant tactician could've lead them that far and gathered as many as they had. Rumours abound that it was a foreign with nothing at stake in in this war save for a pile of gold and rumours even dared to go as far to say that this mercenary refused payment, never-the-less his schemes were picking the nation appart, for gold or to simply watch the world burn around him who really knows.

Within this town, like many of the Eylesian empire's grand cities a secret lay buried and forgotten, a dark tomb deep beneath the city locked away from any and all it was not a place of death, but marker of past sins, and a symbol to the grandest of Jails; the Black Moon that sits still in it's part of the sky unmoving eternal and ominous, a reminder of what happed nearly a millenia ago.

Demons, beasts, and the divine all of seemingly godlike power rose up and ruled the land plunging it into war, playing games with the lives of mortal men since time immemorial until a much stranger beast appeared trailed by the unknown figure that held it's leash, this beast grew with every life it had taken and it's hunger grew greater as it became more and more of a monster not even these gods could stand toe-to-toe with this shadow. Banding together in the last months of their inevitable fall it seemed almost as if they had chance it was in the capital of Nivec where the strongest of these 'gods' had gathered their power the beast waiting outside the walls like a hungry dog cirling a the tree his prey foolishly climbed up, little did they know that it's master was within the walls of this fortress, he alone slew the gods his pet waiting for him even it had been fooled by this 'being' this 'puppeteer' he chained the beast and harvested the souls that lay trapped in it's flesh it was him who gave rise to the Black Moon a prison of souls that swelled with the power of those locked inside. The beast was slain, the puppeteer disappeared behind the curtain, and the God's that once led the nations of man were gone leaving a shattered and broken world to languish in the legacy left for them.

Most unexpectedly a new world arose from the ashes of the old, the decaying corpses of the old kindoms proved to fertilize the earth for a new one to take hold and grow into a most beautiful existence, and peace seemed to reign over even the inherent greed, and ambitions of man, the past had gone on to teach the futility of war or for those sinacle souls they feared the return of the monster that reared its head during the wars of old a beast that had become known as the Rhistal. The ancient ideologies persisted in many cultures, aswells as many a legend story and rumour, to this very day there are whispers of the 'Puppeteer' the last demon, the last god.

All this was to change upon the seige of Collier, the tombs below were far from forgotten but none ever entered the cursed halls, etched in the stone altars were glyphs each unique, but falling to one commonality; the key was human will a design of the Puppeteer's choosing, when people gather and their wills become desperate their thoughts unite into a single unique aura, this was the fickle nature of the key, the thoughts and feelings that made up the key would decide which cell it would open, and so we come back to the seige of Collier.


All of those within gathered in the square the thunder outside the walls of the barbarian hordes went quiet as the prayers grew in volume, a silences fell as a single voice climbed above all others that of a young boy no older than ten singing a song that not even he knew the words to

'In the time of men when we begin
all there is to meet the end
in his gaze we meet our fate
pray for forgiveness surrender our hate

but my dear friend you should know
the shadow will grow
the shadow will grow'

This pounding melody repeated as the remaining villagers were overtaken by the desire to chant these words, but what was most unfortunate that these words were the ones the resounded within their hearts the oath to a god who's power would've rivaled that of the Rhistal itself if only he wasn't betrayed by his own kind long before the beast rose from the dark. The thoughts that woke this beast were that of hate, that of a will to destroy their enemies, it was the dirge of the death god Thanatos.

With their chant echoing into the sky pulling free a shard of the Black Moon this black spike came crashing down the earth itself shuddering and a ripple of dust reached from the rear flank of the barabarian ranks to the front stopping their advance could in shock, and confusion. As they stared at the spike that had peirced the earth and stood tall behind them, it's smooth glass like surface began to crack, slender jagged trails frantically criss-crossing the entirety of it's form. Peice by peice shards fell from this spike at it's core peicing through even the deepest of balck were glowing white eyes, like a grand finale it ripped itself free revealing it's form to the light of day, a dark imposing figure, it's sleek horns sweeping backwards between tattered wings spread wide stretching out as if to assure his freedom, his black flesh akin to a rough armor while retaining a certain grim beauty, and proud physique, it's faceless stare was more than enough to send a wave of fear rippling through the barbarian ranks. There was no escape Thanatos stood in that path firmly and stepped out from the crater of his arrival wings folding up behind him opening his hands wide his wicked talons shining in the sunlight. The air hung heavy but as he moved forward through the stillness of these awe struck hethens the grass and earth itself seemed to die under his feet and spread outward at an increasing rate. Arms outstrecthed to his sides he expanded his influence, the grass turning black and withering, he pushed this influence forward sweeping it through the barbarian ranks, and panic grew as they began to fall their bodies withering to dust and the wave passed, not a single corpse remained in the wake of this power just barren earth, and black ash.

They didn't even stand a fighting chance against this monster, taking flight he perched upon the highest spire of collier a voice peircing the minds of Collier's citizens "I thankyou for my freedom for this you will live beyond today," his voice seemed to be but a whisper "I am the Death God, and you are now my subjects those of you who wish to leave do so before the sun falls from the sky, those of you that stay I promise you this, you will never fear death for it will never come for you but a price must be paid for this, flesh and obediance, make your decision live, leave or die."

Lau
01-15-2010, 02:30 AM
That is as far as the story goes, twas the Birth of Death and his price of flesh was not for sustanence but of a body, for not even the Death god could walk freely his true body could not survive the human world none of bretheren could so they took human sacrifces binding their souls into the bodies of young men and women, they would inhabit the body while the human souls are forced out devoured, but there are a few acceptions, some demons prove to be more benign, or they choose the path of growth, and loose themselves in the process.

In weeks Collier was transformed looking toward the old city one can make out the dark landcape veiled in fog,and this persisted for some time, no living person as come or gone from it's borders in nearly two hundred years, fear fueled this and the rumours had spread through means unknown.By some godsendt the magics of the Glyphs were in place for the Death God had followers among his kind whereas he held no real emotion save for self preservation and the balance of life and death his followers though loyal were cruel beyond words but so were his rivals. As the complex intricasises of the glyphs are made known to the world it is found that in the presence of another demon they flee to the next city, and so the domino effect laid itself out before the world just waiting for that slight nudge.

This world needs not the wars fueled by Demon heirarchy, in the past it tore the world to shreds and left ruin in it's wake, the true terror born from the Birth of Death was enough to drive a shard of fear into every living man woman and child and the unchanging and eternal face of war rose it's head the fear of Thanatos gove rise to his brothers and sisters one by one until all cities gave rise to a Demon or Divine, and each of them twisted into the image of those brought froth from the black moon. Even more terrifying since the Glyphs had no where to go they scattered to be found by cults and wanderers alike giving rise to lesser evils, and angles, a conflict without side utterly ignoring the darkness on the horizon a grand shadow cast by a single figure.

And so there it lays, the way of the new world reverting to that of the old, and it is time again for the game to start anew upon this massive chess board that is Eylisia, the players are many but few have mastered the game.

The rain hit hard stinging upon the skin of those brave enough to venture out into it, a rain like this only came to quench the fires, and to wash away the blood, the flickering sky cutting clean sillouettes onto the walls and floors as the light peirced the windows of Naline's home, unable to sleep as the world rumbled around her with wind and and thunder, the sky bombarding the earth with rain and lighting, her ceiling dripping like clock work marking every second that past. Curled up in a rocking chair by the fire wrapped in a thick blanket, alone with her thoughts. The battle may bring some to her door, she was the only healer in this small village replacing the old woman that passed away naught but a week ago leaving her alone and inexperienced with nothing but the old journals and books of this clinic. The rumours had abound for weeks, one of the Lords was taking the feild in person which to her only meant there were more graves to dig, and less wounded to sew together, all for the better she though cinicaly.

A strange pounding came at her door, purposeful and desperate but slow and growing slower with each thump. Tossing off the blanket she went to her door her long red hair hanging back in braids, and fair skin glowing white with every flash of light that passed across her narrow features. Pulling back the door she leapt backward as a broken body fell inwardcovered in blood not all of it his own, his armour unique and his eyes inhuman, and poisonous green flowing like fire trapped beneath a sheet of ice. He struggled to pull himself in across the floor, staring at her as she backed away in fear until his strength gave way and his body fell limp. Gathering herself, balling her fists as her mind slowed it's spin allowing her body to take action, she pulled the heavy mass as far as she could into the room. She couldn't help him on the floor as he was and he was far too heavy to move on her own, braving the rain she darted across the street and into the tavern already soaked to the skin from just a few moments the bar tender casting a curious gaze from beneath a heavy brow "What's got you in such a rush?" His accent was heavy, a northener built for the cold but migrated south below the snow feilds, his brew had made him a nice living back home so going south was more than affordable.

She huffed and gasped for a moment pausing to collect the breath that the icy rain had stolen away "I need help, he's badly wounded, I cant move him by myself!"

Just as some of the other patrons moved to ask questions the blacksmith stepped up "We'll get the 'who' 'where'n'what later Charley get off yer ass and come with me." Jacob was the local smithy he'd been around for quite sometime he'd been helping the old woman from time to time whenever soldiers were brought into town besides if the patient died he'd have to pick up the weapons and armour anyway, Charley on the other hand was his apprentice and the Mayors son so he was at the beck and call of Jacob, but to look at the pair they'd seem like father and son, both large and dark haired skin darkened by harsh sun, and feirce blaze of the forge.

Bolting across the street through brutal rain they made it quickly geting him to the table, in moments he was removed of his things armor crashing to the floor with a heavy solid thud, she was quick to find his wounds cleaning sewing and and bandaging them as they came, his leg seemed to be broken aswell but with several hours of work behind her and with the able hands of Jacob to help her, her first patient was going to live......for now but she'd have to watch closely.

Lau
01-16-2010, 12:33 AM
(I'm going to write this from event to event not exactly a chapter basis but not too short as to ruin it, so I hope you all enjoy and tune in for my next episode night night and take care
your DJ Lau)
Tending to her duties in the early morning as Naline always did, studying Old lady Flynn's medical journals on the side, rule number one was seeing to the patients; that being tall dark and unconscious in the next room. The first thing was checking and changing the bandages, all the while her thoughts wrought with assumptions. He was a sand-lander or desert dweller it was his bronze skin that brought that it mind, it was unmistakable especially this far north. She found herself running a hand through his hair thinking of the strange color of it, stained black fading to red as it grew closer to the roots and finally white like his hair had been dyed far too many times and washed even less there dried clots of blood and dirt. As she went about changing bandages she noticed the abundance of scars most of them seemed to be cauterized burned shut more alarming even were the ones she had bandaged last night had burned themselves closed and the stitches were but small lines of ash.

Her astonishment distracted her, she hadn't noticed the pounding on the front door, and even worse the open eyes staring up at her, he grabbed her arm she screamed and down came the door, but a moment later. Naline retreated with her back against the door as Jacob rounded the corner, her patient rising from his bed, barely standing under his own power, Jacob moving between them "Are you alright Naline?!"

Catching her breath and straightening her thoughts "I'm alright, just taken by surprise is all, it's alright Jacob thank you for your concern." Jacob wasn't taking his eyes off this young man obviously still in pain, Naline rounded Jacob returning to the side of her patient urging him to lay down "You shouldn't be up."

"I shouldn't be alive." He whispered "Thank you."

Lau
01-17-2010, 11:34 PM
Jacob was checking up on Naline, not exactly trusting her new house guest, just looking at the boy boiled his blood. Dirty Sandlanders were devil worshipers in his mind, blaspheming the true gods of North Haven the nation buried among and beyond the vast and icy mountain ranges. He hesitated on his way out, not bothering to mention what had been brought to him earlier this morning, hector the gaurd had been scouting all night looking for more survivors thinking they could've dragged themselves toward town, and he found a large blade five feet long single edged broadsword a foot wide andtwo inches of thick steel. It was impossible to imagine that anyone could handle such a thing what ever could wasn't something that was likely to have died in battle, these thoughts were pointless it was just a weapon and he needed to do something with it. Maybe he'd just melt the thing down, but it was a shame it would be amusing to see some of the townsfolk test themselves trying to wield such a thing.....That made up his mind he was going to plant it in the square with Charley's help the spring festival was on it's way a strong man competion would suit such a thing perfectly.
..........
Naline spent the rest of her day trying not to think about her patient, but the small details kept slipping into her mind, those strange green eyes, the burned out scars, nothing made sense 'he' wasn't your average youngman, and asking him was out of the questions as he'd already fallen back to sleep his wounds may have closed on the outside but inside was another story, and she had no way of telling. The villagers visited her throughout the day putting her basic stitching and common remedies to practice, it was a good life kept her busy though a little too quiet sometimes.

By the time dinner rolled around Naline found herself in the kitchen brewing up a stew, she never really had time to go to market, but her patients often bartered food for treatment it was the same with the old women and Naline didn't see much point in changing tradition. She heard unsteady footsteps knowing now who they belonged to "I thought I told you that you shouldn't be up." She turned to see him leaing in the doorway a bit more steady than before, but he didn't look like he was going to let himself fall anytime soon.

"I can't abide just lying there, I'm sorry, but I can't....Besides I never got your name." He grinned weakly.

"I'm Naline and you are?"

"I'm Aze."