[The Contract] Signing

Crovax leaned back in his chair, raised his right arm, and motioned briefly to one of his guards. The soldier stepped forward and produced a fairly large leather pouch, clearly heavy with coin. The guard dropped the bag on the table with a loud thud, the unmistakable clinking of coins filling the air. Crovax slowly pushed the pouch across the table. Dryden leaned forward and casually glanced inside. 

'Consider this a deposit. Much and more will be provided should you follow through with the deal,' Crovax said as he watched Dryden counting the coin in his head.

'One final question. Do you have any requirements or restrictions about how we accomplish the mission?'

His eyes narrowed slightly in confusion, but Crovax shook his head. 'None. Do what you must.'

Dryden smirked slightly. 'Very well. Then all that is left is a little bit of paperwork...' Without breaking his gaze, Dryden motioned over his shoulder. A man clad in plain gray robes stepped out of the shadows with a parchment in hand. He laid it down before Dryden and handed him a quill. Dryden quickly signed his name along the bottom of the document and then slid it over towards Crovax. 

Crovax looked the document over, reading everything that had been discussed during the meeting. He looked up at the scribe still standing over Dryden's shoulder and chuckled. 'My, do you work quickly.'

The scribe smiled bashfully and nodded his thanks. Crovax then picked up the quill and scribbled his signature before sliding the document back to Dryden. Grabbing a small metal seal and a stick of blood red wax from the other side of the table, Dryden held the wax over one of the candles until it started to melt. He then quickly smeared it on the document, next to the signatures and firmly pressed the seal into the hot wax. Pulling the metal stamp away from the document, a grinning skull plastered in blood red wax finalized the document. Dryden handed the document back to the scribe who quickly slipped away.

'When shall we begin?'

[The Contract] Requests

'Please, have a seat,' he motioned to the vacant chairs across the table from him. Crovax stepped forward and took a seat, brushing his cloak over the back of the chair. Dryden made a subtle motion with his hand and a pair of guards clad entirely in black appeared as if from nowhere, flanking the Vox of the Hoard.
'Gentlemen, we would like a little bit of privacy to conduct some business. See to it, if you would.'

Nodding almost in unison, the two guards moved away from the table, quietly slipping through the crowd. As if their mere presence was message enough, the patrons of Smuggler's Haven seemed to disappear into the night. Within  moments, the bar was completely empty, save for the guards, the bartender, and the party gathered around the table in the corner.

'Can I offer you or your friends a drink? Some food perhaps?'

Shifting his chair forward slightly, Crovax rested his forearms on the table. 'I require the services of your brotherhood. I have been led to believe that you can help me with a unique situation.'

'Straight to the point, I can respect that,' Dryden chuckled softly. He leaned back in his chair, a slight smirk playing across his lips. 'And what can I do for you, Crovax?'

'We have a... how shall I say? A situation that is approaching. During this engagement, we need the assistance that you and your brotherhood specialize in. We require supplies. A steady stream of them, delivered to specific locations.'

Nodding slowly, Dryden idly flipped a platinum coin over his fingers. 'Seems simple enough, which of course means there is a catch. What supplies are needed? And how much of them?'

A slightly smile crept across Crovax's elven features. 'True enough, true enough. The supplies are fairly basic. We will need provisions - both food and drink, mounts, and basic armament for roughly one thousand men.'

Dryden's eyebrow raised slightly in curiosity and amusement. 'And the delivery locations?'

'Well, that is more likely to change over time. But for now, we will need initial deliveries to be on the Westbridge side of the Tripower Blockade.'

While his eyes seemed almost to be laughing in amusement, the rest of Dryden's face was an indiscernible mask. He watched Crovax without blinking for a few moments, before slowly nodding.

'That will cost you.'

The Lost Tome...(continued)

Tsabicaran sits at his desk in his personal chambers within the High Hall. With a heavy hand he turns another page careful  to not damage it. He looks towards the parchments resting next to him and begins to scribbleupon them. "Hmmm" he says in deep thought.  He turns back to the tome turning yet another page. Hours go by and finally the last page is turned. Again looking over to the now many parchments resting next to him he makes his final scribble. He picks up the parchments and begins shuffling into order. Leaning back in his chair he lets out a sigh. "Now to begin studying them properly" ,he says with determination. Flipping thru page after page and at times going back to reread  certain pages hours pass. He slams the set of parchments down on his desk and grabs his pipe. He pushes clumps of mixed dried grasses  into the pipe and strikes a match upon his cheek. Carefully placing  the match over the opening and drawing heavy upon the mouth piece he  shutters dropping the pipe and the match. With a blank stare he begins to stand up from his resting position. He quickly snaps out of it and stomps on the match, picks up the pipe and places it on his desk. "Crovax...Psycho...I must inform them of this now." He says with a hurried voice.

step away from The Temple

After months in The Shadow Temple Psycho`s patience had been growing thin. Been growing thin. By his own admission he had killed more of these worms than the Elder Monk had led him to believe even existed. Psycho had counted his days total at 21 Legendary Veserab. Psycho told the Head Monk that it was time he travelled outside of the temple. The Elder Monk again reminded Psycho that his journey from apprentice to guardian would would succeed only when he posses the 4 virtues. He prayed to the gods to give him insight into his attaining his other virtues.

As soon as he stepped from the temple, a flood of senses returned. He received a mental note from Crovax about  a storm brewing within the Moonshae Islands. 'A stone  wall has broken open along the Moonshae seaboard you should  investigate it.' 

Psycho was ready and happy to leave the temple. The Head  monk had proven too tight lipped. On top of the Monks  and the Order Psycho also had two books he needed to concern  himself with. The Tome of Endless Pages he had given Tsaroth and now a book of Shade Magic. 

Psycho Set off from the Shadow Temple and traveled to the Moonshae Islands. He had learned much as a monk and was looking forward to putting some of it to use. By the time he approached he saw the massive storm brewing.

The Storm came on quick and strong, the sea which was normally calm and beautiful was now a dark monstrous wall of freezing waves threatening to sink any boat that would dare travel upon its hungry waves. Finding the temple wall without knowing it was there would have been very difficult.

diary of a mad man in prison pt.2

Then one day I saw a note the new clans were forming an alliance and HE was there my archrival I could never forget that face. The face of an ill beat bastard child of a half orc and an elf. Only to make an elf by some magic he was born just an elf not an orc how that was possible was beyond me. But I hated him so much the fear of the kill would not be the same till he lay slain in my arms as I take his soul as my own. I've taking many of lives but never this one. He would be my greatest feat. I knew he must die for me to remember whom I was it had to be certain he knew. But he was ranked high among the clergy of the radiant heart even higher then he was before. I had to stalk my enemy carefully follow his steps to Phils bar where he sat with Dryden drinking tea thinking they were safe. Watching as Serenity penciled away the notes from what was becoming of the new dawn. A dawn of no evil surely this isn't possible as long as the wizard with out a name is alive and kicking! He then followed Crovax to smugglers haven where the lonely human tried talking since to the bastard. Learning Crovax's every move was my main goal! He must be slain and now! The voices will never stop in my head until I know! I know! I must know who I am and I stand for! Arrrgggg!

diary of a mad man in prison pt.4

Months become days. Days become Hours. Hours become minutes. Minutes become seconds. Seconds become a shear fact of life that I'm stuck in this shit hole forever nothing to do accept scribble the time I have left on a small piece of paper. Trying to figure out whom I am. Not having any luck just having the soul of the once dead person with me. Haunting me in my sleep. I have a make shit flower bed in here but after all it's not what I choose I'm getting rusty with my swords. As I lay to waste in this after life I call hell. Will I get out I have no clue but to wait. As I write this only seconds go on. Not minute's as I'd hope. Just seconds sitting here waiting to die being fed only cookies to keep me alive. At least this bitch named Sara made good cookies or else I'd hate myself forever. She gives me a good sugar high too. Oh how I love Sara you complete me I say as I fall into a deep slumber which is only seconds. How long have I been in here for I ask myself. After all the sentence is one hundred years. One hundred years is just a lifetime for some human maybe but for the bastard elf it's just the dawn of a new day. One hundred years for a bastard elf like Crovax is like one hundred hours for him. He's not getting rusty out there living among the start of a civil war among the masses. A lot will die surely and we will have the capitol of tripower to thank for finally standing up to the vectorian retards. But then it goes back to asking myself who I am and what am I fighting for? What is my name? I be who!?!?!? Who I am I! My release was an uncommon one no one came. No one cheered when I was released out into the night to go along and mingle with them . The Bastard wasn't even there to laugh at my misfortune. However there will be a price on his head now. Someone will get him maybe not me. Perhaps another assassin just as skilled as me, trying to figure out his place in the world. I may still not know who I am. But as long as I'm breathing good will never purge out evil. It will always be lurking in the shadows ready to attack when you least expect it! 

This is what I send to you Crovax. WAR is on between you and I. For I may not know who I am but I do know one thing you will not survive on your own.

[The Contract] Introductions

The ageless blond elf walked confidently into Smuggler's Haven, flanked on either side by Warriors of the Radiant Heart. The shady tavern in the depths of Makou was crowded at this time of night, just about every seat taken by some random denizen of the outlaw city. Stopping just inside the door, he started to peer around, searching the faces that surrounded him.

Almost immediately, a young boy slipped through the crowd beside the elf and his entourage. Clad in rough spun, nondescript clothing, he couldn't have been more than four and ten years old. Motioning to the trio, he turned his back on them and started to slowly push through the masses, cutting a path towards the back corner of the bar. The soldiers followed behind the boy, moving smoothly between the patrons until they reached a table against the back wall.

The massive wooden table, covered in half burned candles and scattered with parchment, was occupied by just a single person. His tattooed face bathed in the light of a cluster of candles, he seemed absorbed in the document resting in front of him.

'Sire, may I present sir Crovax Brightmantle of the Order of the Radiant Heart,' the young boy said, puffing up his chest and looking straight ahead.

Looking up slowly, his cold eyes seemed to take in every detail of the people in front of him. Finally looking at the boy, he nodded slowly.

'Thank you, Morigon. You may go,' he said as he slid a coin across the table. The boy scooped up the coin, beamed brightly, and quickly disappeared back into the crowd.

'Please, have a seat.'

diary of a mad man pt. 3

When the preparations were ready to find and kill the fallen angel into Crovax's palace were set in motion he only needed one thing a magical carpet that could whisk him away to his prey. He searched long and hard, then found it for the time to strike. But when my spy returned to me to tell me that Crovax had been hidden away in training and couldn't be bothered at all it was the perfect time. Crovax would be all-alone. His mentors gone and his brother Tsabicaran was in a meeting with others trying to get them as his patrons of the order. With the carpet he moved quickly to the fallen angel. She would be dead in a matter of minutes. One by one the meteors hit her barely phasing her. He pressed on deathly aware that the BASTARD must die to his blade tonight! Finally after what seemed to be hours but only minutes she was dead! He quickly moved to the next target. With one slick move the meteors hit harder then before and he was dead. Into the building he went. Walking slowly not making a sound. Shaking with fear and excitement of what Crovax would do if he saw him first. Then he saw him The bastard elf himself he was tall in the picture in his belt pouch he had drawn of him. But it was correct he was indeed tall and slim but muscular. This would be an easy match for I had faith on my side! He will be dead by me! One by one the rocks hit Crovax causing him to drop the joint in which he smoked on the ground. Quickly Rosso without loosing concentration of the spell picked it up and knew it was a gift from the gods. He went on powering down the elf with no giving up. All Crovax could do is watch as he lay there in shock as the illusionist continued to attack his poor frail body. As the final hours passed for Crovax, he gave a girlish scream to try to alert someone of his death but no one came. I waited what seemed like forever to find the next person to slay but no one came. So I moved out with his corpse in hand so I can cast as my own and trapped his soul inside of it. Hours upon hours passed when the deed was surely done. Being brought to the temple of life was the corpse of Crovax where his final resting spot would be. But there in his eyes he seen the bastard elf lying there in the coffin getting up ferociously surviving the beat down of his life. Crovax yelled into the streets "That guy right there tried to kill me! Lock him up in the brig so he will never get out!" Malar attending the funeral quickly grabbed me and through me into this cell I now call home.

Kefkabridge no more

Westbridge had a strong energy that hung in the air the days leading up to the Battle. The clan had banded together stronger than ever and had rallied at the hall to tell tales of adventure and debrief their fellow brother about what they had heard about the invading force.  The Order was Not only going to to show up and Defend the free people of Westbridge they would lead the attack.
 
Psycho had indeed led his troops into battle when Invasion Day came. Zekai, Marlo Variable, Psycho , Crovax, Sliver, Kaster and Lynk all defended and pushed the Vectorian lines back.  Original had led a second team of wizards, Galactus, Nydia, and Sangraal down below the city to investigate another finding. Vorcet's information to enter through the west was indeed valuable.  As the masses clogged up the north gate and market square the Order entered through the west gate and began cleaning the South and East gates of all Vectorian reinforcements.

After 20 minutes The Order had racked up more Vectorian bodies than the streets could handle and the Vectorian forces were quickly overrun by the flood of Auxiliary Radiant Heart Members. The fighting left many dead on both  sides, but the tides of war had turned in the favor of the  invading force.

A Late Night Stroll

The gray, rainy day had turned to a dark, quiet night. The rain left a crisp, clean scent in the air. Serenity loved this smell deeply and felt that it was like a metaphor for what was about to occur that night. She took a deep breath and glanced around. She was standing in a dark alley, just outside of the street lamps glowing yellow light. She heard a man whistling a tune as he walked down the street, his footsteps echoing as the sound bounced between the buildings. Serenity saw the man walk past her, his cold eyes staring in front of him, but not really looking at anything at all. "He seems to be distracted" thought Serenity. She watched as the man looked up at the evening sky, the scar underneath his jawline accentuated by the glowing light of the streetlamps, still walking nonchalantly down the street. He looked back toward the street and abruptly stopped.

Psycho stepped from outside of the darkness. He had been standing in the dark space between the reach of two street lamps. Psycho's black flaming hair flickering and fighting against the wind, with his red armor shining amidst the light, looked absolutely menacing. The man seemed to be shocked into place. Serenity came from behind the man and uttered the words 'unsohaiorz'. Roots suddenly sprung up from the ground and entangled the man, holding him into place. Crovax and Draven came out of the alleyway opposite of Serenity. Crovax said "Good job Serenity. Good job Psycho." Psycho nodded at Crovax and walked toward the man. "What business do you have here in Westbridge? Did you really think you could commit murder here and not suffer the consequences?" The man, having regained his composure, sneered and spat at the ground in front of Psycho. "It's my business, not yours. Who do YOU think you are? You think you scare me?" said the man.  Draven walked directly up to the man and towered over him. He said "We are the Order of the Radiant Heart. We spend our lives cleansing the realms of evil scum like yourself. We protect the innocent and the good. Essentially, we are your worse enemy." Crovax walked over to the man and said "What's your name? Who are you?"

A Beautiful Day (Part 2)

Rain started falling, first lightly and then quite heavily. Serenity stopped in front of the entrance hall to the Order and then knocked upon the door. She was greeted by a dwarf with black flaming hair. She could not believe her eyes as she saw black flames surrounding this person's body. She smiled tentatively at the dwarf and said "I have something I wish to bring to the attention of the Order of the Radiant Heart. I witnessed a man murder a woman without hesitation or reason. It was quite clear that evil had long seeped the soul of this man." The dwarf nodded at Serenity and said "Come in. Some of the others are sitting by the fire. By the way, my name is Psycho." Serenity nodded and said "It's a pleasure to meet you Psycho. My name is..." "Serenity. Serenity Kaze." said Psycho. "We know of you because of the message you placed with us a few weeks ago." "Good" thought Serenity "I was able to gain their attention and show them that my intentions are true and pure."

As Serenity entered into the clan hall, she curiously glanced around...hoping that she was setting her eyes on a place she would be able to be a part of. But for now, there were greater matters at hand. Psycho and Serenity entered a room, with a fireplace that held a warm, toasty fire. Standing beside the fire was a tall bald man, with blue eyes and a pointy beard. He turned his head toward Serenity and Psycho. He smiled and said "What do we have here?" A blonde elf was sitting beside the fire. He glanced at Serenity and then glanced back at the fire. Psycho said "She says that there is something she needs to bring to our attention. Something quite important." The elf sitting beside the fire nodded and turned again to Serenity. "My name is Crovax. Please tell me your urgent news." Serenity nodded and told the Order of what she witnessed.

The faces of the Order grew somber, but there was a sense of eagerness. "An eagerness to dispose of this evil" thought Serenity. When Serenity finished her story, Psycho said "Well it seems that we must find this man at once. Draven",he turned to face the man standing beside the fireplace, "I don't suppose you've heard news of this man Serenity described to us?" Draven glanced at Serenity and back at Psycho "Unfortunately not." Crovax stood and said "Earlier today, while I was at Phil's Bar, I heard about this man, distinguished because of his scar underneath his jaw line. I overheard someone say  that they saw him renting a room at the Healing Wound Inn." Draven turned to Crovax and said "Well then. Can we go tonight?" Crovax smiled at Draven and nodded "We go tonight. The sooner we rid the  realms of this evil, the sooner the world can be free to prosper once  again." Psycho turned to Serenity and grinned "I don't suppose you  have time for a late night...shall we say...stroll?"