One thing: http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e181/GunsnArmor/map1-1.gif
This map shows starting places for Red Altar and Keepers of the Secret. Once started you can go anywhere you like, and do anything to defeat or weaken the other team. Yup, It's gonna be that flexible. Nothing planned except for what happens when one side wins.
Hanadam Hitius
Hanadam sat upon Mayuhns' chair in the council room, him being appointed the new leader after Mayuhn's assassination from a member of the Red Altar. He was reading an old book Mayhuns gave to him a while back. It was a thriller, about a deranged man that stalked young women that lived alone on farms and manors, and did perverse things till dead. It ends with him dying by the stabbing of a pitchfork, and falling into a stream. As he read this book, he thought about what his speech would be to his loyal guild brothers. He was very depressed about his best friend's death.
Jo'Puma
Jo'Puma had just seated himself in one of the chairs, and patiently waited for the others to arrive. He watched the expression on Hanadams face. He could see some kind of emotion in him. He seemed to be...somewhat sad. Though clueless to what it could be...
Gro-Bolg Madrukh.
,,Heyah!" Sir Madrukh roared as he swung down his Claymore, neatly cleaving one of the wooden practice-dolls in two with brute force.
,,Haha!" He laughed, finally putting his sword away and allowing himself to rest after many hours of intense training.
,,Tomorrow I shall set forth and cleave four trees and carve replacements from their wood."
He grabbed a dirty cloth and used it to wipe the sweat from his face. Cloth still in hand, he entered the council room, where a meeting had been called for this morning.
,,Good morning, friends!" He greeted. He noticed the grim face of Hitius and wisely opted for silence. The knight sat down in the creaking seat next to Jo'Puma.
,,Did something happen?" He whispered to the Khajiit.
Deryll Farfing, Red Altar army closest to the Bronze Guild.
,,The proper way to deal with the Undead is to shatter them into many fragments, each the size of a fingernail at its largest." An extremely white Breton said to those around him. No one really paid attention to him, or to his lessons.
,,You said that a thousand times already! Now pay attention, we're trying to find the guild!" One Dunmer snapped. Deryll laid his eyes on the elf and sneered.
,,Filthy necromancers, all of them." He thought.
,,A word of true wisdom can never be repeated too many times. Since you seem to be distracted, I shall have to instruct you again right from the beginning. Now, an Undead is......" All turned away from him and tried to shut their ears.
Ahn
Ahn strode into the chamber and sat down across from the others, obviously not happy to be there. He had just been given the message that he was needed a few minutes ago, and had quickly teleported to the guilhall.
"I want to know why I was pulled from my work in Mournhold for this, and why you're sitting in the Guildmaster's chair," he said, pointing to Hitius.
OCC: Erm, do any of these places have names the only place I know on mainland Morrowind is Mournhold. I'll have it that Phiona was the assassin.
Phiona, Eastern Mountains, close to the army
A mer in neltch leather landed lightly on a boulder. She sat down to rest, having kept a merry pace foir the past few hours. Removing her helmet, Phiona smiled, everything had gone well. She'd managed to get inside the "Bronze Guild" easily enough.
What was just as pleasing was the extra wieght of liberated gold from the Guild's treasury. All without killing anyone unnecessary. Absentmindely, she twirled her prized dagger between her long, dextrous fingers.
Opening her canteen, Phiona drank deeply of the blessed refreshment. Stowing the now empty container, the scout/thief/ assassin girl stood again and retrieved her helmet. Time to meet up with that army heading this way.
OCC: I've edited the map to have the names of the cities. Also, I forgot what OCC means.
Hanadam Hitius
"When everyone's here, Ahn. You'll know." Hanadam spoke without looking at him, him being concentrated on the book. It somehow flushed his sadness. "I'd like everyone to be prepared. So patients." he turned the page in the book.
Jo'Puma
"Well...I don't know. But I'm getting suspicious." Jo'Puma whispered back to Gro-Bolg. He got out his own book, that he liked very much aswell.
Gro-Bolg Madrukh.
Sir Madrukh nodded shortly to Ahn.
,,I suppose we shall wait." He mumbled and began to meditate.
Reggard Wolfbite
a loud thud broke the guildhall silence as a steel dagger plunged into the large table with the full power of a 210 pound nord behind it. "ho, bronze guild! it is i, reggard wolfbite!" announced reggard loudly. the noise seemed to awaken his guildmates but none of them moved more than a slight flinch, possibly because they were accustomed to reggards rambunctiousness. "why the long faces, bronzeys? --and where's Sayn?" the nord asked quizically. all the excitment had gone from his face and he sat down humbly, without removing his hand from the dagger, which was now a good inch and a half into the already weathered table.
EDIT:
-OOC means out of character
-is sir madrukh like that one orc in oblivion? the white stallion orc?
Hanadam Hitius
Hanadam sighed, and put his book away, knowing without proper silence he wouldn't be able to read. "Hello....Reggard."
Jo'Puma
Jo'Puma could not get his eyes offf of the knife stuck deep in the table. It was so sudden, loud and disruptive. "That was....an odd way to inter a room."
Reggard
Reggard spoke aloud to the room. "what's going on here fellas?", he asked with a stern look in his eyes.
Hanadam Hitius
"We're waiting...for the others to arrive. Because, I have something very, very important to say. I'm a little stressed out right now, so I just might lose it if you continue to talk. So please, be quite as I try and read my book." with that said, he got out his book again and began reading once more.
Reggard
"my apologies, hitius," said reggard with utmost respect, bowing and plucking his knife from the large circular table. propping his legs on its surface, he went to work quiely sharpening his blade, wondering what was to come once everyone had arrived. something that could cause stress to a man so composed and efficient as hitius must surely be troubling news to the guild. still, he waited. it was worth more than his "job" to anger the man.
OOC: it may take awhile for everyone to post their characters getting here...
OOC: I'm starting to realize how long it's taking. When's everyone loging on?
OOC: we just have to be patient
OOC: maybe we should move this discussion to the planning thread? Best not to fill the playground up with posts consisting only of OOCs.
Ahn
Ahn rolled his eyes at the nord's entrance and obviously urgent need to be obnoxious. He looked around the room quietly, wondering what could have happened.
Had Sayn stepped down? Was he absent and Hitius was forced to lead in his stead?
He was more than a little annoyed at the fact that Hitius insisted on reading rather than speaking, but decided to hold his tongue for the time being. He could be patient for a moment or two longer.
Reggard
everyone's in such a mood, reggard thought to himself as he caught Ahn rolling his eyes out of the corner of his vision. the nord found himself scraping the blade harder and harder against the whetstone in his hand, until it almost slipped and he decided to heath the weapon. after slipping it into his boot sheath, he kicked back and reminisced about the time he killed a massive argonian who looked like a daedroth in a mead-induced rage.....
Deryll Farfing.
,,Is anyone listening?" Deryll asked.
,,No!" A hundred voices shouted in unison. The Breton rolled his eyes and moved tot the head of the pack.
,,Ah, someone is over there. Could it be our ally we were told to meet?" He asked himself and moved ahead of the army to meet with the stranger.
OCC: That's Phiona.
Gro-Bolg Madrukh.
Sir Madrukh opened a single eye when Reggard Wolfbit stormed in and quickly made a mess again.
,,I repaired that table week ago. Make it last longer, this time." He grunted and returned to his meditation."
,,Reggard's always a noisy guy, but he can be a great help in battle."
OCC: I don't know about any Orc or the White Stallion. I'll check it up. Edit: There are some similarities indeed.
Phiona
She crouched low, one hand holding her bow, the other resting lightly on the ground near a trail of animal tracks. Mmm..... a buck by the looks of it, fine dining tonigh-
Phiona's thoughts ended when she heard a large group of people approaching. The closest person, a man about ten meters ahead of the others, came to her directly. She seemed to recall seeing a near albino like this man some time ago but had never spoken with him.
Standing up to address him, she said beneath her neltch helmet. "Hail, sir. Are looking for some bronze? Many come looking in this area for some; I just found a bunch, recently at that."
Dagon
"And so the Nerevarine took vengeance on the crazed Almalexia. For the Goddess had become so despearate in holding her position that she had forgotten what her position was; she forgot that she served her subjects and in so doing, Almalexia's fate became inevitable." An Imperial man who looked to be in his fourties spoke to his audience.
"Reclusive Sotha Sil became yet another victim of the Goddess' mad quest to remain in power. But when Almalexia attempted to betray Nerevar reborn, her power failed her, and so she was undone." The bard paused, taking the time to gaze at the faces of all those listening.
Letting go of his storyteller's voice, Dagon spoke as a teacher would to his students. "Let us remember the fallen Tribunal for their benevolent deeds, their services to us. We shall learn from their mistakes and ensure this does not happen again. That men and mer, heroes and saviors even, should never be tempted to invoke the blessed curse of immortality."
When the crowd departed the town square, Dagon walked through the streets, brooding over his own message. No mortal should ever be tempted to invoke the blessed..... He shook his head wearily, it would seem that even in spite of his warnings the others would attempt the ritual.
Of course, he could refuse to be a part of such folly, but Dagon couldn't bring himself to abandon the Red Altar, yet. He left his brooding behind with a nice dinner at the Great Bazaar.
Deryll Farfing.
Deryll bowed before the Netchclad mer.
,,A good day to you. As a matter of fact, we are indeed looking for some bronze. A bussiness transaction, so to speak. Of course, we may have to hammer the bronze into a more profitable shape first." He spoke. He noticed the track s at his feet, though only because the tall Bosmer had been looking at them first.
,,It appears that we have cheated you out of your dinner with all the noise we make. Perhaps I can offer you some of our own food? They're only rations I'm afraid. Not the most tasty meal."
Phiona
An amused smile played a cross her face at the continued use of code. Phiona lifted her helmet off her head and held it loosely in her left hand. "Very well, if those rations are good enough I might just feel generous enough to show you where the bronze deposit is."
Deryll Farfing.
,,Then it's a deal! We shall give you a meal, and you tell our miners where to start digging!" The Breton clapped in his hands and ordered some rations (bread, dried meat and scrib yerky) to be brought. He had to repeat the order twice before the army noticed he wasn't rambling on about the Undead.
Phiona
She accepted the humble offering and sat down cross-legged on a nearby rock to eat. "If you have a map, I could give you a good place to enter the hall." Phiona said after swallowing the meat, feeling less need to entertain the chirade.
"Otherwise, I could lead you all there myself." The Bosmer continued once she'd consumed the bread and jerky. Since she didn't believe there would be need to wear her helmet again for awhile, Phiona gathered her hair and with practiced prescision, bound it.
Astin
A weathered Imperial stepped forward from the battalion of men loyal to the Red Altar. He seemed to have heard the conversation between the mer woman in Netch, and Deryll, who had made a name for himself with his nagging, as he handed her a rolled piece of parchment; a map.
"If you would," he said plainly.
Phiona
She accepted the parchment, and dutifully marked the location of the Guildhall. However she did not give the map back, Phiona kept it for several minutes before handing to the Imperial. "I took the liberty to scout the area; there are three possible paths, each are marked on the map."
"One path is the fastest and most direct, it's the same route I took to get here, but it is also a rather tight fit for a large group. The second one," she pointed to the northernmost. "Is the one they use to move supplies over land. That would be the easiest to go through, but they'll probably have watchers overseeing the path."
"Finally," Phiona continued. "Is a roundabout area on the coast. It ties into the first route, it might be the safest, but the Guild might have posted watches their because it's how I escaped."
The Bosmer looked up at both men. "Whichever route you all decide to take is fine with me 'cause I'm not going with you. I have a lot of their treasury in my pockets and I know where to make good use of it." She stood and said casually as she walked away. "I'll be in Mournhold if you gentlemen need me."
OOC: I am going to edit this post in a little bit.
Deryll Farfing.
,,And off she goes. Too bad, we could always use an extra archer. Most of these Bosmer are pretty good." Deryll mumbled and turned his full attention to the map. After a while, he'd made his decision though not being the absolute authority in this army required that he informed the other officers and ask for their opinion.
,,I suggest the northernmost path. That way, we can raid any supply convoyy we come across. We will have to look out for spotters, of course. So perhaps two smaller stealthy groups should detach from the main one and follow each side of the path, acting as our spotters and sweeping any of theirs they come across."
Lexie
They didn´t hear her open the door, totally sondless she hesitated for one second in the doorway, spotted Jo´Puma, which revealed a faint smile in her face. She gave the Khajiit a small sign and sneaked hastily to his side and sat down.
She let her long black hair partly cover her face and peered through the hair-curtain at the others in the room
Men! phah! As always babbling and boasting, like turkeys..I wonder what they want from me...
Hanadam Hitius
"Finally..." he said aloud. "Well," he pushed his book to the side of the table. "I wanted all of you here, Lexie, Jo'Puma, Gro-Bolg Madrukh, Ahn, and Reggard Wolfbite. Today is vengeance. Mayuhns Sayn was assassinated last night." he paused, and waited for everyone's responses.
Jo'Puma
Jo'Puma was looking at Lexie, smiling, though he wasn't sure why. He couldn't remember her at all. "Hmm...may- wait, what the hell?!" he was thinking to himself when all of a sudden Hanadam leaked the news. "What the-..." he was completely shocked. He did not understand at all why someone would murder the dark elf.
Gro-Bolg Madrukh.
Madrukh's eyes flashed open, a terrible anger flashed behind his pupils. He leaped up out of his seat, stomped down on the floor, cracking the wooden boards and roared.
,,Assassinated?! Infidels! Cowards! Treacherous murderers! Why, why would they?! What quarrel did they have with him?! And even if they did have reason, then why resort to this lowly tactic of assassination?! They have no honour!"
He regained his calm somewhat and realized that Hitius had a meaning for telling them like this. He looked around him and saw that not the full Bronze Guild was here, but those who were most capable of fighting a war, using whatever talents they had. And he had used the word 'vengeance'. With this realization, he sank down on his knee and bowed his head.
,,This shall not go unpunished. My sword is yours to command."
reggard
upon hearing the earth shattering news, reggards eyes snapped away from lexie's tight leather chestpeice and moved to hitius's saddened and grave looking face. he was shocked beyond words.
seeing the orc's nobleness and realizing the magnitude of the situation, he too stood and swore allegiance. "as is mine.....guildmaster." the last word sounded strange to him, but he might as well get used to it. "shall i keep a watch on the supply route?"
OOC: maybe he could spot them but be too late in returning....and go to mournhould to drink away his sorrows and maybe meet the bard or phiona? just an idea. gimme feedback.
Ahn
Ahn raised an eyelid when Lexie walked in. He hadn't actually met most of his guildmates, due to the secret nature of the guild, and she was one of them.
Ahn didn't move. He reacted the same way he would have if someone had told him a bird died sometime yesterday. He had barely known Sayn, and his death really only meant a rough leadership change for the guild to him. In the minor uproar that had broken out in the room, he stayed silent, not being one for swearing undying allegiance or anything. He wasn't the most fanatical followers of the guild, but he did have some loyalty; the guild provided him a home where he had none.
He wasn't going to swear an oath of vengeance, or put his sword under anyone's command. He would simply help where he could without making a big deal about it.
"So are we going to swear oaths all willy-nilly, or listen for a moment to find out who exactly our enemy is?"
reggard
upon hearing ahn's words and seeing his obvious lack of awareness that the enemy (being whoever it was) obviously wouldnt stop after just killing sayn, reggards temper flared slightly. he clenched his fists and bit his lip, but held it back. he may have been a barbarian at heart, but those he trusted as friends held his unwavering loyalty. madrukh would understand. "yes...let us all regain our tempers and listen." he sat back down and waited.
OCC: This is the playground, please continue the discussion about the measurements in the planning thread.
Also, I think everyone reacted to the news now. Edit (minque): yeah ok, deleted posts!
Gro-Bolg Madrukh
Sir Madrukh stood up. He was no longer in the mood to sit, so he stood, towering over everyone else in the room.
,,Grave news indeed. Tell us of your plans, Hitius."
Deryll Farfing. (I'll assume everyone agreed with his plan.)
Deryll waited patiently as the army got itself sorted out in three groups. Two stealthy ones that would sweep ahead and one larger group that would drive the final blow to the Bronze guild. The Breton caressed the hilt of his rapier.
,,Soon, soon I shall have the power I need to cleanse this world of the foul Undead."
OCC: I wished I hadn't killed off Fervus. He would have been wonderful in this rp with Deryll.
Hanadam Hitius
Hitius smiled somewhat. So much loyalty and honor in both Reggard and Madrukh. "I'm sure this won't be their only attack. Reggard, go out and inform the other scouts to look better, aswell as be on the look with them. Tell me if you spot anything or anyone. The rest of you figure out the best means for retaliation if we are to be invaded. I'm going to get ready." with that said, he got up from his chair, with book in hand, and left the room.
Jo'Puma
Still a little shocked about the news, and also frightened from Madrukh's reaction, Jo'Puma just sat there, breathing deeply.
Ahn
"Well," he said when Hitius left the room, "We know that we have an enemy...when was he going to tell us who we're fighting?"
Lexie
She smiled when she heard Ahn´s reply...
Yes, indeed when is he going to tell...? or isn´t he? Maybe he wants us to figure things out ourselves?
She sat still, looking at the others, wondering if anyone should approach her....or did it show? What she was doing for a living..or rather did!
Reggard Wolfbite
reggard nodded and turned to leave. picking up his runed claymore, which he had left near the door, he sheathed the weapon on his back and went off to his duty.
a small unused side passage out of the guildhall led him to a forested area near the supply route. moving with minimal noise in his leather and fur amor, he climbed some rocks and scanned the gaurd towers. one whistle from reggard caught the nearest gaurd's attention, and three more in quick succesession told him to pass along the message to tighten the watch along the road. several more whistles echoed from each gaurd, passing the message down the line, until the noises faded out and reggard was sure everyone was alert and vigilant.
satisfied with the completion of his first task, he jogged briskly north, a little past where the last gaurd tower was, and perched in a clump of rocks. there, he kept watch and waited. although he didnt know what to look for, if he saw anything unusual or anyone armed, he would report back to the guildhall and warn the others.
OOC: this may prove to be a very confusing post. i was a little "out of it" when i wrote it, so it may be edited soon, but the gist of it is, reggard is watching the supply route and the watch has been tightened.
Hanadam Hitius
Hitius tightened his cuirass, the last peice of his armor to put on. "I should problably tell them about the enemy, now that I think about it..." he said outloud. "And also the threat they bring..." he placed his sword in it's hilt, and walked out of his room, towards the council hall door.
Jo'Puma
"What if we suprised them? If we wait by the doors, we could jump them when they walk in." Jo'Puma proposed, as he scratched his furry chin. "Just an idea..."
Ahn
"So, do we have any evidence that there is an imminent attack?" he asked, thinking that barring themselves in the council room would be a little extreme when there was not even a battle yet. Things like that should be reserved as last resorts.
Sure things looked bad, with Sayn's assassination, but there seemed to be a lot of jumping to conclusions among his guildmates, and even with the new guildmaster. He wondered if Hitius was too dazed by his friend's death and the new responsibilities thrust upon him. He wouldn't say anything yet, though; Hitius seemed to know a bit more than everyone else, though he wasn't sharing.
Hanadam Hitius
Before Hitius intered the the council room, he made a turn down the hall, and into Sayn's chamber. Some of the members took his body to where a burial would take place. But nothing had been done to his room, and Hitius reached into his desk and pulled out small, square papers, which seemed to be notes. After breifly looking at the first few, he gently placed them in his pocket. "I wont tell them everything..." he walked back into the guild hall, and into the chambers. He didn't say anything, yet, and just sat down.
Ahn
Ahn watched as Hitius silently entered the room and sat down. He stood there silently himself, just looking at Hitius, silently asking for an explanation. He realized that the guild was somewhat of a secret society, and needed to remain so, but it didn't excuse the withholding of information at this point.
"So...is there anything you would like to tell us?"
People are willing to risk their lives for him, and he won't even tell them what they're fighting or what for. he thought to himself.
Gro-Bol Madrukh
Madrukh nodded to Jo'Puma.
,,Perhaps that would work if the numbers are roughly equal. Yet how many are there? I propose we make an alternate plan as well and use Reggard's report to choose what we shall do. Now my alternate plan, in the case of heavy numbers is to let one of us make a last stand while the others escape through the secret tunnel." He said.
,,Or maybe we should abandon the idea of a fight altogether. There is honour in avoiding bloodshed."
Hitius then reentered the room.
,,Guildmaster, is there anything else we should know?"
OCC: Yes, an Orc just talked about avoiding bloodshed and it being honourable. Fear and suffer, for certainly the world has been doomed by those words!
Deryll Farfing
,,Alright, move out! The main group will keep a steady march and commence its movement half an hour after you've left. Move swiftly, yet silent. Be on the lookout for any guards, no matter where they may be holed up." Deyll ordered and the two sweeping teams set off.
OCC: Reggard's free to see or miss them. They'll be sneaking. But the main group is going to stick out big time when it arrives.
Jo'Puma
Jo'Puma shook his head. "No, we don't have a secret tunnel."
Hanadam Hitius
"But fleeing might have to be our strategy. If we all die,-...oh, thats right, I should tell you more about who we're fighting..." Hitius paused for a moment. "This secret was between me and Mayuhns Sayn for years, even before this guild. I wish for none of you to tell anyone, even our other guild members. Only you five shall bare the secret..."
[b]Gro-Bolg Madrukh.[/b]
Madrukh frowned.
,,I know we don't have a real secret tunnel, but that side-passage we never use and Reggard just used to leave does lead quite a bit away from the main entrance. It's exit is well concealed behind rocks and shrubbery. I'd say that counts as secret." He grunted. Before he could say anything else, Hitius had begun his explanation, soon pausing to let the weight of what he was going to tell sink in. Madrukh took advantage of the pause.
,,Reggard, can we tell him? The man has his faults, yet he is a loyal ally, the kind with which I am willing to fight any opponent if I have him at my side. He won't tell anyone, I'm sure of it. And he is risking his neck by keeping guard. Not to mention that he already knows of the assassination."
Ahn
"Since he said 'you five' when there are four of us, I would assume Reggard to be the fifth."
Lexie
"I suppose I don't count then?" This was her first reply, her voice was dark and low and she looked at the men with a scornful smile
Ahn
"Don't worry, you're included. Though I'm not sure that it's a good thing," he said, waiting for Hitius' explanation.
Hanadam Hitius
Hitius was slightly annoyed. "Anyways, since everyones done interupting me..." he paused again, "The guild that assassinated Mayuhns Sayn, goes by the name 'Red Altar'. Most of them wear this traditional armor, that looks somewhat like some of the ash monsters back some years ago in Vvardenfell."
Jo'Puma
"I remember reading about some of those a while back. They actually threatened the people on Vvardenfell." Jo'Puma thought to himself. He was scratching his chin, not realizing he was kind of starring at Lexie. He was just daydreaming, thinking about this Red Altar guild, and ash monsters...for some reason.
reggard
half an hour passed, and reggard decided to advance up the trail. half-climbing along the rocky hills that fringed the path, he scurried several hundred meters and crouched, concealed among the rocks. if anything happened to him, he would be out of earshot of the other gaurds. he was on his own.
ten minutes he waited, scanning the trees and the road with a hunter's practiced eyes. a cliffracer rose skirted the mountains, a squirrel dropped a nut, a wolf pack moved stealthily. an exchange of words floated by and into his ear, coming from the end of the path leading away from the guildhall.
"any gaurds, no matter where....."
it was a human's voice, and sounded official. an order, no doubt. reggard was faced with a decision. rush back to the guildhall, alerting the gaurds on the way, or stay and observe.
the former choice seemed more logical, as there was no one else remotely near this area who would have gaurds posted, besides the bronze guild. thus, he concluded, whoever was headed towards the guild was an enemy of sayn. jumping down off the rocks into the flora behind them. going at a jog, he headed back towards the bronze guild hall, alerting gaurds on his way.
heres a drawing, in case that was confusing.
^^
R ^^^
######^^^^_______#####
#.............ferns and trees
^.............rocks
R.............reggard
___..........path
OOC: reg doesnt know about the army or the stealth teams, he only heard someone who sounded official.
OOC: maybe something could delay him, perhaps?
Ahn
"So they started a guild war," he said flatly.
"So, Hitius," he began, "Do you want us to fight or relocate before they get here?"
Hanadam Hitius
"I don't know...." he faintly said, and he thought. "We should fight. If maybe they are too strong, we shall fall back."
Jo'Puma
"So...are we ready then?" Jo'Puma asked the room.
Deryll Farfing.
,,Look!" Deryll looked and saw someone run off along the path they were going to take.
,,Ok, change of plans. We've already been discovered. Split off in three equal portions. We're going to storm all three routes at the same time! No, we won't need as many troops on the narrow trail. Send a quarter to the narrow trail and split the remainder evenly on the other two paths! Move!" He ordered.
Deryll himself moved to the narrow trail, where he expected the Bronze guild to make its escape.
,,If they have any good fighters, they could smash through a lot of opposition there where we're forced to come one by one. After all, this army consists of amateurs."
Gro-Bolg Madrukh
,,That's the spirit. Don't look down, Hitius! We shall stand strong and drive them back for sure!" Madrukh cheered.
,,Though keeping a plan of escape in line would help. If we win this fight, they'll come back with more. We should leave at the end of the battle regardless of the outcome. I suggest we don't take the caravan trail. That's where the enemy will surely be watching. The coast might be safe, but with that storm looming, the sea might flood the trail. Then there is the narrow path through the hills. If we meet opposition there, we can only hope that we are the better fighters. Only one man fits at the narrowest point. One man there can hold an army if that army consists only of weak fighters. Decide, Hitius."
OOC: you failed to mention how many men are under uh..."farfing's" command
OCC: Not that many, about twenty in total. That makes five on the narrow trail and 7.5 on the other paths. (yup, 7.5. Any volunteers for a cleaving?) It looks like someone is severely underestimating the Bronze guild. I would have put this in a pm, but everyone needs to know. Ok, a post to make this legal.
Gro-Bolg Madrukh.
Having said his words, the knight walked out of the room to retrieve his equipment.
Gro-Bolg Madrukh
He returned, fully suited up in his worn and dented suit of iron plate armour. The giant Claymore that was his pride sat in its scabbard on his back. Almost instantly, he noticed that there was some bad blood flowing between Ahn and Lexie.
,,Squabling like a married couple. How adorable." He thought.
,,This is no time for anger among each other. Focus on the real enemy."
OCC: I'm going to bed. I'm fricking melting here.
Ahn
Ahn smiled at the humor of Lexie's comment, both because of her presumption in thinking she could best him, and becase she obviously misunderstood his earlier statement.
Touchy, isn't she? The voice in his head echoed. Ahn chose to ignore it, as he often did when the voice spoke.
"Nobody's underestimating your fighting ability," he said aloud in a condescending tone, "I was merely stating that being included isn't such a desirable thing. Now start worrying your pretty little head about the guild war ahead instead of your imagined insults."
Lexie
She gave Ahn one of "those looks" people used to accuse her of giving to them, but didn't answer.
Ok, he thinks he knows best, then let him,
I wouldn't be surprised if I'll save his ass more than once, before this is over!
"I...I used to know Sayn" she said silently, "In fact we were rather close" She blushed which annoyed her greatly
He said there was some things going on, but he never got around to tell me more
Ahn
I'll bet she's known a lot of men. the voice that was not his spoke in his mind.
Clever. Ahn responded.
"Are we even going to try to fight outside, or are we barricading ourselves in here, as the khajiit suggested?" he asked, focusing his attention from Lexie to Madrukh.
reggard
Reggard entered the room quietly and took in the situation. lexie was squabbling, pretending she could fight, and trying to suck everyone into her personal life. "listen up, kids," the nord began, demanding the entire room's attention with his booming voice. "we've got company. soon. i heard orders being issued about a mile down the supply route. best make ready...im not sure how many of them there are or even who they are, but we should never underestimate our enemy. i have alerted the gaurds and i await master hitius's order to stand or to flee. i vote we fight." with that he took an at-ease stance beside madrukh, whom he had spent many hours in the practice rooms and on patrol with, and gained much respect for.
Ahn
Ahn had barely spent any time with any of his guildmates, preferring to stay at the guildhall only when he needed free lodging or supplies. He realized how much like a leech he was, feeding off of the guild, while doing so little for it, but he didn't care. They could kick him out if they wanted, yet they didn't. What he lacked in presence at the guild, he made up for in the occasional big favor. Sayn would sent him a letter with intructions, and he would carry them out. That was the extent of his guild activity, and he guessed it was enough for Sayn. he wondered if Hitius would think the same way...
Reggard spoke then, and Ahn wanted to immediately punch holes in his plan on the grounds of him being a nord, but unfortunately for him, it was a solid one.
"Let's just get this over with so I can go back to Mournhold. I've got business there."
Lexie
Lexie smiled, tied her hair back with a leather strap and turned to <Reggard
"OK, you heard him" she said nodding at Ahn, " Let´s get this over with"
Not that I have any business in Mournhold.....just yet! But I might.....if everything goes my way
Deryll Farfing.
Twelve men had gathered in front of a bronze door mounted in the mountainside. Deryll looked at them all, then at the path leading along the coast and finally shook his head.
,,We've already been discovered, so we won't wait for the remainder to catch up. Allow me." He spoke and stepped in front of the door.
,,Heyat!" He called and a sphere of light formed before him. It shot towards the door, then carved through its hinges in several passes before dissipating. Everyone involuntarily took a step back as the heavy door slammed down on its side.
,,Alright men, charge!" He ordered and fell back to the last wave. He wasn't a frontline fighter. He didn't need to. For him it was an easy trick to strike out at his enemies from afar, even beyond corners.
Gro-Bolg Madrukh
Madrukh nodded at Reggard. Then, he heard the unmistakable sound of something heavy slamming into the ground.
,,The door has fallen. Our decision has been taken out of our hands. To arms! Gather round and strike down all those who dare enter!" He ordered, realizing that at times like these, it was ok to go over Hitius' head. He would have to answer for his insubordination later, but not now.
The knight turned to the small door that separated this room from the rest of the building.
,,Reggard, my friend! Let us fight side by side! They shall taste the might of my Trollcleaving blade!"
Reggard Wolfbite
Reggard nodded back at madrukh and unsheathed his claymore from his back. whoever...or whatever came through that door wasnt going to last long on this side of it.
Ahn
Ahn drew his sword and looked to Hitius.
"Are there any other guild members in the building, Hitius, or is it just the six of us?" he asked; not liking the odds if they were the extent of the guild's defense. He was by no means a coward, but he wasn't unnecessarily courageous either. He wasn't willing to die for a lost cause, and he wasn't above leaving the fight if losing was inevitable. He was a realist.
Lexie
Lexie stepped forward, beside Ahn, unsheathing her sword. It was a sword meant for a considerably bigger person than Lexie, but she held it as easily as if it had been a dagger.
"So Dunmer, you surprised?, I bet you didn´t think I could be of any use did you?. But I assure you, I can handle this piece of weaponry quite professional!"
Lexie was all smile, she loved to shock men like this, she really didn´t look like she could be any good with weapons, but she was far stronger than it looked like.
Ahn
Ahn shrugged at Lexie's display, "Great, kill something when it's time."
He had to admit that it was somewhat impressive, but not all she made it out to be. He guessed she had something to prove to everyone.
reggard
reggard glanced over his shoulder and nudged madrukh with his elbow. "all this boasting from that girl...methinks she just wants attention," he whispered to the orc. "however, hitius must have had some reason for bringing her here. i just hope she wont be too hard to drag along if we need to run."
Gro-Bolg Madrukh. (Let's get this fight started.)
Madrukh took one short moment to glance at Lexie, in particular on her sword. He then glanced at the Claymores Reggard and he wielded.
,,Hmmph, you could say so. But aren't we boasting of our swords as well? If this goes on, we'll soon be holding a competition to see who has the biggest sword." He whispered back. It was then that a Dunmer with a shortsword rushed in.
,,Bronze guild, we bring death!" He shouted adn skidded to a halt when he saw them. His eyes wandered to the Claymores, which were even larger than usual. Being the first to charge in now seemed like a bad idea.
,,As you wish! You bring death, we give it out! Leave now for I am your life's end!" Madrukh roared.
Deryll Farfing.
Deryll shook his head from behind the wall.
,,Oh dammit, an Orc." He muttered to himself.
,,Heyat!"
Gro-Bolg Madrukh.
Madrukh's eyes widened when a sphere of light rushed out from beyond the corridor, passed between the soldier's legs and then continued onward into the council room.
,,Watch out!" He warned as he jumped to the side to avoid the spell.
,,Mages! An evil mage! Is this your idea of honour? To pelt us with your little sparks from beyond our sight?!" Enraged, he swung at the soldier who had already retreated. Soon though, he was back, with half a dozen others, standing in rows of two because the corridor was too cramped to fit more.
,,I, Gro-Bolg Madrukh, I challenge you! Come forward and taste my blade!" Madrukh shouted. Another spell flashed around the corridor and hit him squarely on the chest. The Orsimer was driven back by the physical punch the spell seemed to possess. He flew back till he hit the wall where fortunately, the spell dissipated. He reached down with a hand and felt the half-molten area where the spell had struck him.
,,Damn mages!" He thought as he got up and moved back to join the battle that had started.
OOC: kinda taking some liberties with the architecture here...
Ahn
The council room in which they stood was at the very center of the guildhall. It had four doorways, one on each wall. The guildhall itself also had four doorways, three of which would be entered by the three pathways discovered by their enemies: the northern entrance, the western entrance by the coast, and the main southern entrance. What they hadn't discovered though, was the western tunnel.
Ahn realized that the western tunnel would be their only way out in a worst case scenario, so he decided to have a clear path to the council room's western door at all times so that he could take the most direct route to safety if the fight started to look bad.
Their attackers came from the eastern door, and he jumped into the fight just as Madrukh was blasted away, his slender body attempting to fill the gap left by the burly orc.
I haven't tasted blood in awhile... the voice said.
You mean a few hours? he responded mentally as he ran his sword through the nearest opponent.
reggard
Reggard shook his head with a smile on his face when he heard the orc's noble challenge. when he was blasted back, however, reggard roared with a beastial fury and sent the full weight of his blade crashing down on a lightly armored breton standing in the doorway. just as soon as he had felled the soldier, though, another stepped up. reggard pulled his sword from the body just in time to block a quick sword slash from the man he faced. the recoil was absorbed through the nord's limbs and dissapated, not moving him even the slightest bit. after a quick thrust into hiss oppenent, which knocked him into the man behind him, reggard found the time to glance back at madrukh, who sat crumpled on the floor. in any other circumstance, reggard would have rushed to his aid, but with more than half a dozen men in front of him and only a scrawny mer beside him, he felt he was of better use in the front with his sword.
Gro-Bolg Madrukh.
There was not enough room for him to step in. While the cramped conditions kept the enemy from swamping them, it also prevented them from lining up and form an effective defense. Again he looked down on his cuirass, noting how the iron above his heart had thinned considerably. That spell had surprised him. While it was weak on its own, its eerie ability to sustain itself while pushing against its target, and its ability to change directions made it something to be wary off.
Then, a loud bashing reached his ears, yet it seemed like a whisper over the clash of battle.
,,Another group?"
He turned to face the door just as its hinges surrendered to the blows.
,,The coast detachment has arrived!" Seven soaked Dunmer shouted.
,,I see! Welcome! Now let us see who is the better warrior!" Madrukh shouted back and rushed forward.
The first Dunmer raised his shield in defence when the Claymore came down. But the knight drove his blade through the Bonemold shell with incredible strenght and cut through the arm behind it. The Dunmer yelled, and Madrukh sliced open his stomach with his backswing. He then thrust the Claymore into the man's chest and drove him back into his allies who were still standing in the cramped corridor.
,,Flee now, or die!" Madrukh roared.
,,They're at two entrances now! Let's hope they won't make it three!" He added to his fellow guildmembers.
Deryll Farfing.
,,This is taking too long." Deryll noted and then called out.
,,I'm going to put down a barrage. Hold the door but don't advance!" He ordered before releasing a pair of Heyat spells. The two bolts of light brushed against the ceiling as they flew and entered the council room, before diving to chest-height and circling the room, one clock-wise and the other counter-clockwise.
(Getting hit probably won't kill anyone, but it will hurt and bring the victim out of balance cause it keeps pushing.)
Lucien
Waking up early was hard for Lucien, and he groaned when he rolled out of bed. As he dressed, a faint knocking was heard at his door. "More the merrier," Lucien said with a half smile as he let his two former guildmates into his home. One went immediately to the food cabinet and withdrew a loaf of bread and a wheel of cheese that Lucien had been saving for quiet some time.
After some conversation, and much eating, the two guildmates came to an important topic that caught Lucien's attention. Apparently, there was much fighting between guilds, and they were becoming more and more reclusive with each other. The guild Lucien used to be in had just seen a small band of what appeared to be soldiers crossing through the forest. Lucien pondered this, and asked if the two men would like some wine.
Lucien went to his cold storage, which happened to be a small inlet of water underneath his foundation. He withdrew Tamika's Best and uncorked the bottle. The lovely aroma of fruit filled the small house, and the other men licked their lips in anticipation. Lucien poured three generous portions into small cups and the three began to reminisce. Lucien couldn't help but feel afraid of massive guild wars, for there were many in the country of Morrowind, and many people could die.
OOC: Did my best with what little information I had, sorry if it is wrong.... not really sorry, Ill just edit.
Ahn
After making light work of a few attackers, he heard that they were filing through another entrance. He figured that if they found two entrances, the third would come soon enough.
"We have to leave now!" he shouted.
If they do use another entrance, the battle will be even more hopeless.
Gro-Bolg Madrukh.
Madrukh gritted his teeth. Avoiding an unneeded battle was fine, but running away was the worst dishonour that could befall a knight. By now, the corpse had slided off his Claymore. The knight raised his massive sword before his face, closed his eyes and focussed.
A soft swishing reached his ears.
,,Damn mages!" He howled as he ducked the two bolts of light that streaked through the room. The group he'd pushed back now surged forward again. It didn't matter, he was ready.
,,It is not a retreat if I take it right through the enemy. Furthermore, I'll be distracting them and give my friends their chance to slink away unnoticed."
,,Go! I'll hold the line!" He shouted and rushed forward to meet his foes. The corridor was too cramped to swing a Claymore, so again he levelled the blade like a lance and speared two of the attackers. He released one hand's grip and used his full weight to swing the weapon around with his other, even with the two corpses stuck to it. Red Altar soldiers were either thrown against the walls or forced to jump away. Madrukh barrelled through the last two who were still standing. With everyone on the ground, he took his chance to clean his sword of the extra weight and then took off.
,,You will not get our relic!" He shouted at any would be pursuers.
,,We don't have a relic, but the more motivation for you to chase me, the better."
He dashed through the still open door. The coast drew up before him in the form of a high cliff. The thunder of pursuing feet hammered in his ears.
,,They'd better taken their chance and left. I'm not going to turn around now! It will be a leap of faith!"
,,Great forefathers, I put my life in your hands! Let my landing be soft!"
Deryll Farfing.
,,Relic? what relic?" Deryll asked himself. He hadn't heard a thing regarding a relic. He smirked.
,,A bluff, of course."
,,They are trying to escape! Advance!" He ordered. The Breton drew his rapier and stepped around the corner while firing another Heyat.
Lucien
After an hour or so of fond memories and remembering bruises that have long since healed, the two guild members gave Lucien a crucial piece of information.
"You'd better keep up your physique and remember how to use your weapons brother, war is on your doorstep." And with that final phrase, the pair bowed low and left the small home. Lucien sat awhile next to his stove and pondered what the men had said. He withdrew a small herb that grew around the area, a genus of Hackle Lo but not the plant itself. He lit a clay pipe and went out of his house into the small cove where he lived.
Walking around the beach next to the water always seemed to calm Lucien. The smoke from his pipe formed lazy curls around his head as he walked, leaving a trail down the beach. The strong scent of the leaf was unmistakable, and Lucien reveled in it.
After a while, Lucien returned to his home. The cheese and bread had been eaten, and the wine was nearly gone. Lucien smiled a relaxed smile, then went into his pantry. Lucien smiled again when he saw that nothing but a head of lettuce was left, and the lettuce had already begun to wilt. So, after a few minutes of preparation, Lucien made ready for the hunt.
Out in the wild, Lucien had shot a small deer. Cleaning and salting the meat took less than an hour, so Lucien took the meat back to his house. He kept more than enough for a week, then packed the rest in a sack to sell the next day. He sat down next to his stove and nodded off to sleep.
Ahn
Since Madrukh offered to sacrifice himself for everyone else, Ahn accepted. He wasted no time in fleeing the scene through the secret pathway. He didn't comletely abandon his guildmates though, as he grabbed Lexie's arm without warning and pulled her along as he ran down the corridor that led to the tunnels.
Ahn
"We're getting out of here," he answered without slowing down, "Unlesss they have a surprise waiting for us at the end of the tunnel here."
OCC: I'm guessing that Phiona won't meet Lucien, so I'll just move her along to Mournhold.
Phiona
Taking a deep breath, the young Bosmer came to a halt a little ways from the city gates of Morrowind's capital. Finally, that route never gets any easier, no matter how many times I take it.... Taking the appropriate time to catch her breath, Phiona strode through the streets to the Winged Guar.
The Khajiit bartender sniffed her when she approached him. "The tree-climber reeks of sweat and dirt; she has the same room as always." He growled.
Phiona nodded and went directly to her room. Throwing her ruck sack down on the bed and stripped off her armor, laying it neatly on the floor. The Bosmer slapped the water in the nearby bucket on her face and sighed as the cold took hold.
Not a moment after changing clothes, the door opened and a middle-aged Imperial appeared in the doorway.
Dagon
The familiar Bosmeri woman glared at him, "Do you ever knock?" He ignored the retorical question. "So, you killed Mayuhns Sayn then?" Phiona nodded, rising from her bed, her eyes level with his.
"And the Bronze Guild's whereabouts are now known to the army?" Dagon had no reason to ask a questionb he already knew the answer to, but he asked anyway.
"Yes, they'll be eradicated, our leader will be made immortal, and-" She paused, "Yes, we're moving forward with the plan."
The Imperial sighed and put his hands in his pockets. "Very well," With that he turned and left, leaving the murderess to enjoy her trade.
Lucien
Waking up early, Lucien packed the salted deer meat and loaded it onto his back. His thick thigh muscles were used to a load like this, so Lucien didn't bother with a cart.
About midday, Lucien arrived at the gates of Mournhold, in all its splendor. "Home for so many..." Thought Lucien, and he strode over towards the meat vendor.
After acquiring a reasonable amount of gold for the amount of meat he carried, Lucien decided that his days of hermitage in the woodlands deserved a pint and a good smoke. Coughing his way into a local inn, Lucien picked a corner of the room that had the least amount of Hackle-Lo smoke in the air. He waved at the barkeep, and the barkeep made ready a pint. Lucien stuffed and lit his pipe, then walked over to get his drink.
About halfway through the pint, Lucien remembered that he was supposed to buy more salt and a new whetstone. Feeling in his pocket for money, he counted about eight coins. Sighing to himself, then chuckling, he drained his pint and tossed the barkeep two coins.
On his way out, Lucien saw a very intriguing Bosmer female enter the Winged Guar. Pulling a drag on his pipe, Lucien shrugged and went to find someone who sold salt.
Phiona
Although the man was a tantalizing propsect, Phiona reminded herself to sell the loot before finding male company. Walking to the Great Braziar (sp.), the Bosmer located her typical fence, a pawnbroker. Phiona was pleased as her plunder earned quite a sufficient amount of the Empire's gold.
The gold in her ruck sack, she went back to the Winged Guar and deposited her earnings in her room. Now, She thought, the anticpation was nearly overwhelming.
Lexie
She followed Ahn closely, prepared for whatever they would encounter...
He still think I´m a burden, but he hasn´t seen nothing ...yet!
Lexie was focussed, adrenaline pumped through her body, she was prepared..no doubt.
She smiled at Ahn´s back...
"Men...they´re all the same, I did hope this one would prove to be different, but we´ll see"
Lucien
As Lucien payed for a bag of salt, he caught a glimpse of himself in a shiny silver platter the merchant had for sale. "The years look good on you, friend," said the merchant with a toothy smile. "Thanks," muttered Lucien, slinging the salt over his back.
As few stalls down the row Lucien saw a couple of bards chanting a Morrowind hymnal. Eager to join, Lucien asked if he could accompany the bards. They lent him a lute and together they sang and played their way through the history of Vvardenfell to the Disappearance of the Dwarves. After a while, Lucien tipped the bards and left with five coins left. "Just enough for a whetstone," he thought to himself.
The merchant who sold him the stone told him that there was trouble in the mountains, and to be wary on his travels home. Also, he told Lucien to be wary of thieves, they were everywhere these days. Lucien thanked the man and set off with his salt and his new stone. Lucien decided to investigate the Bosmer female he saw earlier, and he ran a hand through his hair. "Hopefully, I wont freeze up this time," he thought to himself, and he recalled an earlier encounter that left both of them embarrassed.
Heading into the Winged Guar, Lucien looked for the Bosmer he saw earlier.
Ahn
He kept up the fast pace, running through the twisting and turning corridors that were constantly descending. He looked back to make sure Lexie was keeping up.
We're almost to the tunnel.
They reached the tunnel entrance soon after, and Ahn noticed that the sound of battle was now very faint. He assumed that they hadn't been followed. He entered the tunnels without a word and lead Lexie through them. He didn't know if she knew her way through them or not; many guildmembers didn't, but he himsefl used them quite often; usually as an entrance.
Lexie
Damn...he´s fast!
Lexie followed Ahn, trying her best to keep up with him. Sweat was forming on her forehead, not so much from exhaustion, but from excitement. She felt she finally could prove herself worthy, and just not the "bad" girl from Desele´s! She glanced back..Nope they were not followed...as fas as she could see. Her bow bumped up and down on her back as she ran, as did the quiver....
Heh..reassuring!
She wasn´t familiar with these tunnels, but Ahn apparently knew them like his own pockets..so no problems..
"Ok, Dunmer..now what?" she panted as she almost bumped into him...
Phiona, Winged Guar
She sat down at the bar, a goblet of red wine in one hand. Phiona sipped gently on the beverage, staring distantly in front of her with a somber look. It was a long practiced facade, she looked like a delicate, approachable maiden or a young widow.
The Bosmer cast a gaze over the front of the tavern, making eye contact with the man she'd passed before. True to her act, Phiona quickly averted her gaze staring back to the wall, hunched with false tension.
Dagon
He watched the man walk away with vague interest, the bard had a foreboding feeling about the man, or what might happen to one such as him with that thief-Bosmer here. Still, he did not follow him, the Imperial counted the septims from this one venture.
Lucien
Lucien didn't see Phiona in the corner, and he felt a little embarrassed. He quickly made his way to the barkeep and noticed the Khajit give him a dirty look. "Did a Bosmer pass through here not too long ago?" Lucien asked.
The Khajit didn't move a single muscle in his face, just kept on staring at Lucien as if to bore a hole through his face.
"Thanks," Lucien replied. Casting a cursory glance over the crowd, he still could not find Phiona. Shrugging disappointedly and sighing, he left out the front of the Winged Guar. The salt he was carrying was light weight for his legs, so Lucien shouldered the salt to one side. With his other hand he stuffed and lit his pipe. Puffing twice and then grunting with effort, Lucien set off for the gate. Singing his favorite tale about how a mudcrab saved Vivec, Lucien set off for his home.
Deryl Farfing, a few hours after the battle.
Deryll sneered. No one seemed interested in talking. He shook his head. The only news they had received was that three people escaped.
,,Alright, take this bunch to headquarters for further questioning. My task is done here, so I won't accompany you. Don't let them escape, no excuses!" He instructed then walked into the back room which appeared to be some sort of office. He let himself slide into a comfortable chair and closed his eyes.
,,A hunt? It does seem I will have to do that."
Gro-Bolg Madrukh.
A green form washed up on the shores of Vvardenfell. A mudcrab came by to see if it was edible, but left when the giant flexed a fist. With a grunt and collossal effort, the Orsimer came back onto his feet after nearly drowning. He had cast away his armour, and had broken the blade off his sword. Only the hilt remained clutched into his hands, the hilt that carried his weapon's soul.
He suppressed a shiver as he looked around at his suroundings.
,,I need to find shelter and build a fire before I catch a cold. Then, I'll see to my next move."
Phiona, Winged Guar
Three stuffed sacks sat before her on the bar, most of the patrons had stumbled on home, now it was time to devide the spoils. The Khajiit opened the bags and did the work of counting and sorting. Phiona was just bored out of her mind, there was no art, no sport in simply walking past some drunk and taking their money.
"I get 38% as always," The bartender said, Phiona nodded and took her share. The Bosmer threw herself into her bed so taken aback by not getting a chance to work a man's heart that night.
James.
james who ahd been sneaking along the edge of a road on vvardenfell, was surprised to see a lone orc sitting for himself at the road, smirking James checked his shotgun, assuring that it was loaded, he jumped out.
"Okay green skins, I want your money, your alcoholic beverages, and anything else of value to satisfy my needs", he said with a smirk, as he aimed his shotgun at the orc.
Gro-Bolg Madrukh.
Madrukh looked up from the fire. A strange man stood before him, holding two......metal tubes? The Orsimer furrowed his brow as he got up, slightly unsteady. He was still weakened. But a knight, no matter how weak he felt, would never give in to the demands of any force of evil, whether ancient Lich or simple bandit.
,,I am sir Madrukh. Remember it well, foul delinquent. I have no money, no alcohol, nothing of value indeed. Except for one thing, the sword on which I pledge my honour!" He spoke, gesturing at the swordhilt that he'd tied to his waist with a rope. Even if it still had a blade, it wouldn't look like much. A battered grip of leather and a rusty crossguard which showed countless nicks and scratches. He raised his fists and took one step closer.
,,Now begone before I challenge you! Repent your ways for crime does not pay! One day, you will meet your match. Hope it is not this day."
OOC: Ok, perhaps that is a bit too aggressive, but I am trying to remain in-character with him.
Trebonius, approaching the two
As Trebonius was returning to his small house from a trip to a village nearby he was humming an old tune he had learned in Wayrest. All the years he had spent in High Rock, fighting for the highest bidder in the small squabbles the many Breton lords and rulers had with each other, had hardened Trebonius, making him a person hard to impress. He had seen all the cruel things life had to offer, but he still had hope for the good things life could still offer him.
Thinking about philosophies such as this he came upon two strange travellers in front of him. An Orc and a Breton-like individual were apparently bickering over something, the Breton holding a strange iron staff pointed towards the Orc, as if it was something threatening. Trebonius decided to try and intervene.
"What seems to be the trouble here, travellers?" Trebonius asked in a gentle tone. He did not wish to anger the two travellers further.
Gro-Bolg Madrukh.
Madrukh was caught by surprise at the arrival of yet another stranger. This one appeared to be of the better sort though. More polite anyway.
,,Hrhm, my ears are still filled with water."
He moved to cover Trebonius with his back.
,,Please stand back, sir. This man is a robber. Be careful for he might wish to harm you."
James, exasperated.
James was angry of having been brushed away just like that...'but then again, green dude propably never seen a shotgun before', Listen are anyone of you guys gonna give me some money or something to drink, or do I have to get creative he said with a sigh.
The sound of something big moving behind him brought an end to his argument, especially when the shadow of a large creature on two legs, and large arms, went out before him.
"Please tell me that the shadow I see is an hallucination, and there is really nothing standing behind me", James said pleadingly at the imperial and the orc.
Trebonius, surprised
"This man might try to harm me with what? His odd looking staff? It might impress a child but surely not someone like me. I've seen Orc children more frightening than this man." Trebonius said, rather arrogantly. He was a rather quiet man who spoke with wisdom whenever he felt the need to do so, yet now he was rather annoyed by this apparent highwayman.
As most veterans, Trebonius knew how frail most things were so he prized his own time and how he spent it more than anything, knowing that it's hard to build a life brick by brick, yet easy to collapse it in one fell swoop.
The sounds he heard behind the suspicious man however, worried him more than the man himself.
OOC: What is that thing, Tellie?
Gro-Bolg Madrukh.
Madrukh snorted.
,,I can smell it. It is real. You still have a chance to step aside. If you vow to walk the straight path from now on, I shall fight to protect you till my last breath, if so needed. You have my word as a knight."
Trebonius, rather amazed
Trebonius quickly drew his old axe and ran up to the Ogre. With a quick strike to the throat he slew the dying beast, almost beheading it in the process. It was always business first for Trebonius. He had been amazed however by the skill of the apparently harmless man. It took great skill for a mage to fell an ogre in two shots, and even greater skill for an archer to do so, yet this man seemed to be none.
"Your skill borders on the amazing, Breton. I've been in many battles and skirmishes, and Gods know how many plain old slaughters, but I've never seen such skill in all my days. Where did you acquire your fine staff?" Trebonius asked, thinking he had met another student of the science of war, another battlemage like him.
Gro-Bolg Madrukh.
Madrukh was stunned. But the blunt command made his blood boil.
,,It had not yet shown any sign of hostilities! What gave you the right to.....harm it like this without provocation?!" He howled, glaring at the man who was stuffing something into the noisy tubes. The other man had moved forth and slain the Ogre.
,,While I cannot approve of your willingness to obey him, I do agree that the Ogre had to die. Better to die quick, than to suffer and despair." He grunted.
When the man however began a pleasant conversation with the murderer, Madrukh turned away in disgust.
,,How can anyone speak so calm after a senseless slaughter like that? And did he forget he is speaking to a robber?"
James.
James looked back and forth between the two guys, deciding to placate the orc first. "ok, listen I'm sorry alright, but I cant have a job to save my life, stuff always happen to me, after all, how can someone who is an account manager in the bank of Vvardenfell, be ambushed by several kahjiits claiming that I stole their moonshugar, I swear, after that I jsut realized I had to life a life as a criminal".
"And if it calms you donw big jaws, I don't like to kill at all, and I only rob people when the things I sell from my adventures isn't enough".
Turning back to the mage he laughed a bit. "The thing I'm using is called a shotgun, basically it shoots out a large amount of small iron or lead balls, at a high speed, capable of tearing off limbs, or making holes big enough for a man to stick his head through, in living bodies", he finished.
"So now that we have gotten over the former unpleasantries, allow myself to introduce myself, James Pathertrory...adventurer I guess you could call me, it's what I do for a living".
Trebonius
"Amulius Trebonius at your service." Trebonius said with a slight bow. He had gained that habbit after introducing himself so many times to High Rock lords.
Trebonius also looked slightly at the Orc before continuing, as he found him intriguing. An Orc who seemed to have an actual sense of honour and duty. Impressive to say the least. Most of the Orcs Trebonius had met in High Rock were either trying to kill him or knock him over the head so they could save him for "later"...whatever that meant for Orcish bandits.
"Hm, my good friend." he said, turning to the Orc who seemed to be upset. "Do not be upset for the death of that Ogre, since it surely wouldn't have acted in kind if it were for our own deaths. You should be thanking our...friend for acting as he did."
Trebonius didn't really care for the feelings of most Orcs, being used to killing them but this Orc seemed special. Trebonius had never seen one quite of his kind before. Nevertheless, most of the things he said were out of courtesy, if nothing else.
Gro-Bolg Madrukh.
Madrukh straightened.
,,Sir Gro-Bolg Madrukh. Knight, unattached." He proudly proclaimed.
,,Perhaps the Ogre would not have acted in kind. But that doesn't make it right." He replied to Trebonius before turning back to James.
,,Perhaps you were right in doing that, perhaps you were wrong. However, the fact remains that I have nothing to offer you. I hold no possessions I can part with."
Gro-Bolg Madrukh.
,,Well, that is good to hear....I suppose." The Orsimer replied with aprehension. With this man, he wasn't sure of anything except for one thing. He had not yet deserved the knight's trust.
Trebonius
"Well, if we are all settled with this petty squabble we could head for my humble home which lies nearby. There, you can warm yourself up Sir Madrukh since you seem to be freezing. And you Master James can tells us the tale of you acquired your skill with your crosbow...staff...weapon. Meanwhile, you all seem to be thirsty so I suppose we may share my wine." Trebonius said as he pulled out a small leather pouch in the shape of a pig which contained wine. The snout of the pig was also the place from where you drank the wine.
Trebonius had travelled with many strange people in his day, yet never had he travelled in such strange company. He had a habbit of slaying Orcs on sight when he saw them out in the wilderness, lest they get an advantage on him and he had a habbit of avoiding strange people like the man with the staff, yet now he could make an exception.
James
James looked at the battlemage for a second. "I'll drink to that good sir, so lead the way will you"?
Gro-Bolg Madrukh.
Madrukh thought for a while. His honour told him to reject the offered help. But really, a warm fire was a pleasant prospect. But his honour was stronger. Then again, the man hadn't literally offered help, just invited him to his home. He couldn't refuse an invitation, it would be an insult.
,,Very well, sir. I would be honoured to accompany you. However, I am afraid I will have to reject your offer of whine. I swore off the alcohol when I began my quest for knighthood."
OOC: An Orc who doesn't drink, in the alcohol-heavy TES universe notwithstanding. Can things get any weirder?
Trebonius, at his home with the 2
"I must say, Sir Madrukh, you put Orcs to shame in a good way, if you get my meaning." Trebonius said with a warm smile under his bushy eyebrows.
After travelling for about an hour or so they reached Trebonius' home. It was a quaint little cottage, made of stone with a wooden roof. It had a day room in which Trebonius spent most of his time reading or entertaining the rare guest and a bedroom in which Trebonius slept. It was humbly furnished, with furniture purchased from traditional Dunmer carpenters. To the untrained eye one might say that a Dunmer lived in the house, yet the books, not one about the Temple among them, clearly denoted a foreigner or "outlander" as the Dunmer called them.
As they entered he took off his travelling robe, of dark blue, afterwards his left pauldron (he only had one) then his gauntlets, then his mail vest which he kept underneath the cuirass. He also took off his leather boots. After taking off all his cumbersome armour, he slipped in a light robe which he used around the house. Trebonius then pointed towards the table in his living room and invited his guests to sit down.
"Now that we have arrived here in good health, we can talk. What tidings do you bring, my young masters?" Trebonius asked in a voice which was warm to the soul yet instilled deep respect at the same time. He carried himself as most battlemages did, and had a reputation to match. It was little known in Morrowind however, and that was the reason why Trebonius settled there permanently.
Gro-Bolg Madrukh.
Madrukh frowned.
,,News? I'm afraid I haven't kept track of the world in a while. Beyond that, I am unsure of where I am as well. Somewhere on Vvardenfell, I guess."
Trebonius
"Well, Sir Madrukh, first of all you are now near the town of Llolanthis Heights, in mainland Morrowind. And second of all, there must be a reason I found you in a ditch on the side of a road, in nothing but your underwear and the hilt of a sword tied to your waist. Something terrible must have happened to bring someone such as you in such a state. I deem myself worthy to hear of such things from you, so confess. You have nothing to fear. We are in the middle of the wilderness here and quite safe from anyone who might be looking for you." Trebonius said, reassuring the Orc.
He then looked at James which, seemed to be eyeing his more prized possesions somewhat oddly. He did mention making a few coins afterall so this gave Trebonius a reason to keep an eye on the mysterious traveller.
Gro-Bolg Madrukh.
Madrukh frowned. Not angry or even annoyed, just a frown of deep thinking.
,,I promised to keep matters a secret. I cannot break this promise, even if the man I promised to now walks with the ancestors. However, I believe I can tell you how I came here. I was in battle, and tried to distract the opposing forces so that my friends had a chance at escape. I led my pursuers to the edge of a cliff, where I jumped into the ocean. Since the weight of my armour and sword was too much to handle, I was forced to dispose of them." He said slowly. He then tapped the hilt he still carried.
,,I disposed of everything of great weight, except this. A blade can be reforged, but this hilt will never leave my side till the day I perish."
Trebonius
Trebonius stood and gently played with his bushy eyebrows. He did so whenever he was thinking deeply. His life in Morrowind had been peaceful for many years now and he did not really wish to enter a war again. It had been long since he last killed a human being, yet such a feeling didn't leave you easily. Sometimes, when out in the cold, Trebonius' hand would hold itself tight, as if gripping an imaginary axe handle. Eventually Trebonius would realize, and his hand would unwind yet, when Trebonius wasn't aware his hand would still go in that position, clutching the phantom axe. Phantom of war, one might call it. He thought heavily whether to help this stranger out. In the end, he spoke.
"Through ways unthought of we have met Sir Madrukh, yet I sense that through ways unspoken will we help eachother. Call it, Battlemage's intuition." Trebonius said with a slight smile. "You have my aid and my oath, Sir Madrukh, to help you in your noble quest until death itself parts us. Now, what is a knight without his armour? Come, I will lend you some of my own!"
I knew an Orc would be the death of me someday.
Gro-Bolg Madrukh.
Madrukh held up his hands.
,,No, please. You are much too kind. I simply can't accept such an offer." He said, putting up a polite strugle. He relented though.
,,I would be honoured with such a gift. If you ever require my aid, just ask."
Trebonius, looking for armour to give Madrukh
Trebonius rose from the table after giving one last look of caution to James, who seemed to be very interested in Trebonius' more valuable possesions. After leaving the table, Trebonius went to his bedroom where he had a magically sealed chest, which he quickly opened. From that chest he took a few pieces of armour and an old axe of his to offer Madrukh.
He soon brought them to the table, trying to clean them up a bit using an old cloth. There was an old steel cuirass with an intricate symbol etched on the breastplate, representing a heraldric raven. Afterwards there some iron greaves which had a little rust between the joints, two large iron pauldrons, one steel gauntlet and a pair of old leather travelling boots. Besides the armour, there was also Trebonius' previous axe, which had an iron blade and a wooden haft with rather intricate carvings representing a rose coiling around a sword.
"Those are from my...older days. The breastplate is from the time I served the Barony of Dwynnen, with its Order of the Raven, and the axe is from the time I spent in Wayrest, serving Queen Elysana. Hence the rose coiling around a sword, symbol of the Order of the Rose." Trebonius said, speaking about his time as a freelance battlemage and the various High Rock knightly orders he aided. "I hope you find them to your liking. If you wish, master James, I also have some lighter garments for you, if you wish."
Gro-Bolg Madrukh.
Madrukh examined the cobbled together suit of armour with care. It was a bit rough around the etches and a rather tight fit, but he was sure he could easily modify it to his needs by loosening the straps.
,,Words cannot express my gratitude. I thank you friend." He spoke solemnly, tracing the raven with a thumb.
,,You are a well-traveled man, I might add."
Trebonius
"Well, I also have a few ivory-engraved rings and necklaces around, courtesy of King Lhotun of Sentinel. But they are not as impressive as my armour and weapons. I hope you do not dislike the lack of an additional gauntlet. The problem is that I never really liked it when my spell hand was covered by metal, it didn't really mix well with spark spells you see. I have a pair of fine vambraces made from tanned leather lying around though, if that is to your liking." Trebonius said with a smile as he left the table once more.
He was soon back however, with two vambraces. Some people called vambraces the alternative to gauntlets, since they left the hand completely free of any encumbering armour, while protecting the forearm. These vambraces bore the symbol of a heraldric dragon etched into them, an obvious sign that they were from Daggerfall. The left one was rather worn, but the right one was in perfect shape, an obvious sign that Trebonius cast spells with his left hand while using his right hand to wield his axe.
"Now...let's get back to more important matters, namely your rather odd arrival to mainland Morrowind. You mentioned a battle. I suppose there were other survivors besides you, and I also have reason to believe that if the enemy is a determined one, he would try to seek you out and destroy you one by one. Am I right?" Trebonius asked, raising his eyebrows as if to show knowledge in matters which he didn't really understand. He didn't want to appear as unknowledgeable however.
Gro-Bolg Madrukh.
Madrukh nodded gravely.
,,That would be a reasonable assumption. As for other survivors, I don't know how many there are or where. And I doubt that anyone will hunt me, as long as I keep quiet. We Orsimer are not exactly known as fishmen. Honestly, I was convinced I would not survive my swim in that storm. Everyone will assume me dead. Still, discretion would be for the best." He replied.
,,So I would request permission to remain in your abode for the night. I need time to think on what to do."
Ahn
Ahn's back was turned, so Lexie couldn't see him smiling in amusement.
I never was a fan of the Tribunal. he thought, walking on without a look back.
An open mind, remember? his traveling companion reminded him.
"Right," he answered aloud, stopping for a second to get his bearings to determine the fastest way to Mournhold and away from the whole of the Bronze Guild forever. That was his hope, at least.
(OCC: I'm sorry for ditching the roleplay. I don't know what got into me those years ago. I guess I was still too irresponsible to own a roleplay. I know this is dead, but I'm just letting you know.)
I played with a guy, around 55 years old, I think, he only had like 5 clubs and still shot in the high 90s. He had a big titleist cart bag which he pulled on a trolley....
Ranana, this RP's dead. Has been for more than two years, by the look of things. Try not to commit acts of thread necromancy in the future, please.
And, seeing as it is gone, the mods might as well lock this so that it sinks back to the bottom, where it belongs.
Your wish is my command!
Locked!
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