The Roses are born

(ooc : This is supposed to have been roleplayed... as my final rp scene in which Sylus may have an active hand in anything.) (ooc : as you can see its not turning out that way. SO here is my retirement... in a role) 

The knights stand quietly in a non descript field... roses have grown everywhere... from everything... and the entire field is bathed in satin moonlight. They have come from everywhere ... from all walks of life, from all different races and creeds. they came for one thing.... they came... To save you. Sylus appears before them and smiles MY friends. Today marks the dawn of a new era. An era of darkness and war... and yet an era of heroic and much needed purity as well. I will not longer simply walk the lands... helping whoever I can. MY influence has become to great... and the elder gods have deemed it time for me to take followers and retire back into the mists. he sighs and looks down I will miss you all... and I wish I could fight beside you on the fields of battle... but im confident in those gathered. In the days to come.. you must grow stronger... gather in numbers... and help begin prepairations for the oncomming darkness. WHo knows how long we have... but lets make our time valuable. Stand before me now... My Roses. One by one they stand before him... kneeling and being touched lightly on the forehead... while rose petals fall from the heavens upon them. Silently Sylus whispers as he has ordained the last of them... his daughter... who he saved for last Zariel... you have made me so proud. Your will and resolve grows every day just as your heart does. You are my shining star my dear. And with you I will always be. Stand and be recognized Knights... and go into the world... as warriors... as diplomats... as advisors... but mostly... Go as Brothers and Sisters... Go as family. and you will never fall. one by one they leave...and soon he stands alone. Letting the illusion of the roses fade he sighs and sits back quietly... his troubled eyes closing. Go easy on them solomon... or they will kill you He smiles at his words.. knowing his blessed knights will never fall. The dark eyes open... red swirling within them and an evil laughter erupts from his lips Sure I will... Ill take good care of them. Quietly he leaves... the enormous bat wings taking him airborne. This is gonna be great. Sylus

Ransom

Angelica stood in her clan hall, wandering around. She was close to the Market Square. She heard a whimper and a shuffle. Quickly she moved to the Square to see what the noise was. She looked around and saw nothing. Then she looked down and saw the little Halfling, Eleni. She was beaten and bruised, hurt badly. Quickly Angelica tended to her wounds. Angelica asked, "What had happened? " to which the badly injured Eleni replied, "Jhinta took a girl... I tried to stop him but I failed... ". Angelica asked Eleni to describe the girl. Eleni described a young girl of Elf decent, with blonde hair and green eyes. Instantly Angelica knew who the girl was. It was Bethia, she had seen her at the Knights of the Rose gathering earlier. Angelica felt a tang pull at her heart. As she sat with Eleni and tended to her, darkness swept over the Square. Jhinta had arrived. Angelica met his eyes and stood up. Eleni follow Angelica's lead, ready for a fight. Jhinta had come to brag about what he had done - and discuss a ransom. Jhinta asked for eight thousand platinum and negotiations between his people and the Knights. Eight thousand platinum, Angelica reasoned, was nothing for the life of the young Elf. The negotiations on the other hand, would be a problem. She knew the other Knights would not approve. Reluctantly, Angelica agreed. Jhinta demanded half of the platinum now, and half when he took Angelica to see Jhinta. Angelica hesitated, and Eleni quickly objected. She said that the other half would be given to Jhinta only when Bethia was safely away. Jhinta quickly agreed. So Jhinta left the square. Angelica and Eleni exchanged a look when suddenly - Angelica was gone.

Seline's journal pg 14

Two days later, I met this Samoth. A dedicated Cyricist if I ever were to describe dedication to - insanity. He foamed at the mouth and tried to intimidate me by threats of torture - acted the complete raving maniac...I left rather than hear any more of his ravings. Annother couple of days past and I finally was able to speak with Queen Simbul. I explained the problem with the key and dilemma about destroying it in the first place. She gave me an example of one of the Seven that did destroy a Gift from Mystra. Weak example considering that the one destroying the item..was one of the Seven. However, it gave credence to my belief that if it has to be returned to the weave....One of the Seven are the best choice for doing so We stopped at the High Way Inn for a bite to eat, and to watch one of her companions in a match in the nearby arena - one Darrigaaz sadly he was outmatched, but it was a good competetion. After the fight ..who should show up but Samoth himself: then the real battle began but one of wits and words rather than spell and sword. He opened by calling me a coward for leaving..I parried with telling him that I don't have time for raving lunatics but if he could stay civil we might have a talk... Then he tried a feint with threats of danger to me, I evaded them them with some information on the protections on the key namely that if injured I cannot get to it. It is protected from me being forced to get it. Seeing a percieved opportunity, he lunged with threats against my family and loved ones of harm in order to force me to reveal or give up the key. I shattered his attack with the blyth reply that as I am an orphan, I have no true family and the only one I LOVE is Mystra. Scrambling to recover he tried to redirect the attack with warnings of Possible damage to those I know and to the people of this realm. I reposted with informing him that In the event the key were used there would be DEFINATE damage to all. With a final flurry he then tried to overpower me with threats that with me gone..no one could get the key, I sidesteeped and blocked with the information that with me gone no one would know who HAD the key, and the knowledge of where the key is and who has it is what would only be lost. Even this event I had planned for. Seeing he had met his match he finally acquiesced to a draw. And revealed his true intent..to also ensure that the key was not used, but was destroyed. Altho it is His intent...it is not necessarily the intent of the unnamed one he works for. At least he never said one way or the other. I grabbed at the opportunity - and got him to pledge to guard me...to ensure the safety of the key. Who would have believed..an alliance between one of Cyric and one of Mystra? Uneasy as it may be, and I feel that at the first opportunity he will try to wriggle out of it, yet we have one. Altho, as soon as the key is taken care of I fully expect him to try to kill me... More to come -- with the Grace of Mystra.

Seline's Journal pg 13

Friday 13 Myrtul Mystra; sometimes your service gets real interesting!! After rescuing Mirage from guardianship of that item and giving After reliving Mirage of guardianship of that key, and giving After relieving that Sunite of guardianship After rescueing Mirage from having to guard the key, and giving her back her life, free from the key's influence, She now opens her yap even louder - attracting all those influences she wished to guard the key from...and sending them my way. Sigh, perhaps I should have left her to die. No. She was a vessel of the key to start with..and does deserve a life without it's influence. Altho, she surely tries my patience. Couple of days after restoring her soul and bringing her back to life, a "friend" of hers came to speak with me...After I told him why I refused to return the key, he left troubled but apparently satisfied with my decision. Then I met Distortions, Interesting Woodswalker. He also is interested in protecting the key in order to protect nature. We discussed the difference in the realms of nature and magic a bit, and he finally saw that a Mysterian is perhaps the best person to guard the key. We sat and enjoyed a meal - between drunk pirates I had to throw in the river to sober up - during our discussion. His parting warning to me was to beware of one called Samoth, who worked for someone that desired to USE the key. 

Between Brothers [Part 2]

"Icehawk..." "What do you want, Fire?" Ice didn't turn. "I want to know where the hell you've been. People are worried." "Yeah?" Icehawk sneered, "Like who? I can't think of a single person that would." "Like me, ya damn ingrate," Firehawk frowned, "The people of Nytek are looking for you. Eleni isn't looking to happy as of late either." "Psshhh," Icehawk scoffed, "Like she cares!" Firehawk stepped forward, grabbing Icehawk by the front of his shirt and hauling him off the gunning chair. He glared down at Icehawk, snarling. "That woman cares for you! You know it! I know it! Everyone that sees you together knows!" Icehawk returned the glare. "Do they? Do you? I sure as hell don't..." His expression dropped from angry to profound sadness. The voice that spoke wasn't Ice's normal strong voice, but a horribly soft, down-trodden one. "She betrayed me, big brother..." Firehawk blinked, not understanding. "She slept with another man..." Firehawk blinked again. He was lost for words, not expecting this at all. "Sh-... She what?" "You heard me..." Icehawk's voice was still soft. Firehawk released him and looked at him, shocked. "How could she do that to you?" Firehawk was dumbfounded. "Why dont you ask her, I sure as hell dont know. I lo-... I loved her, Fire..." Icehawk collapsed into the gunnery seat and broke into tears. Tundra took the moment to step forward and rub against Ice's legs, trying to comfort his master. He looked at Firehawk, directing a message at him. /He's been like this for a week. I don't know what to do.../ Firehawk nodded at Tundra and looked at his brother. So much they had endured in their lives, yet something like this could never be softened. "Do you need me to do anything for you, little brother?" Icehawk took awhile to respond, "Just let whoever cares know Im alright. I should be back in port in another day or so." "Take all the time you need, Ice." Firehawk turned to leave. "Fire?" He stopped and looked over his shoulder. "Thanks for coming for me." "I'm your brother, it's what I'm here for..."

Between Brothers [Part 1]

*BLAM* Another hovering target fragmented under the intense firepower of the Freons rail guns. Icehawk didn't flinch, smile, or anything else, just looked for the next one. Another target was vaporized, then another. Tundra, his Displacer Beast familiar, sat behind him in the gunnery room, watching him, his expression unreadable. He knew full well what was going on, and he hated seeing Icehawk like this. /Ice, you're going to run out of ammunition soon. Dont you think its about time to stop?/ "I already told you, Tundra, I'll stop when I feel better..." /Yeah... Right.../ Tundra sighed and turned back toward the entrance, he headed down to the helm room, checking the sensors and comm crystal for anything new. Nothing was. He was bored mindless. He and Ice had spent more than a week out here in the middle of nowhere, northwest of Westbridge. Ice's grief over Eleni had drove him to pack up and ship out. For a week, Icehawk had done nothing but stare out at the horizon. Tundra had smelled the salt of tears. But in the past two days, Icehawk had been set to his railguns, eliminating target after target. He had eaten little, and Tundra was worried about him. Just then, something faint blipped on the ping screen. Tundra hopped into the chair to look at it. It wasn't as big as an airship, but it was airborne, and heading in his direction. Tundra knew what it was. A few minutes later, the large form of a draconian came into view. Tundra opened the hatch with his tentacles and waited. Firehawk alighted inside, stooping a little to fit his tall frame. "Where is he?" /Where would you think? At the guns.../ Firehawk nodded and made his way into the ship. Tundra padded softly behind him. They entered the gunnery area together and there sat Icehawk, unmoved, unblinking, and still elminating targets as fast as they launched.

The vibrations

A creeping vibration hummed through the ground , all around Mirage could feel it. Her heart ached, it raceed with fear, a deep fear on that was almost out of control. Her hands trembled, beads of sweat poured down her forehead into her eyes, stinging them. The vibrations were getting stronger, she must do something, anything to get the key back. She knew if she didn't that those vibrations would become the thunderous sounds of the evil beings that were after it....and the thought of that was....mortifying. Tears ran down her cheeks, the vibrations causing painful spasms in her chest , nmaking it difficult to breathe, Mirage dropped to the ground, clutching her chest and heaving for breathe, Everything started to blurr as she fell to the ground, she looked up into the sky, nothing but a mass of grey blurr, the vibrations stronger then they have ever been before, she knew they were so close, searching looking. If only she were stronger, if only she had a way to stop this right now... this pain would stop, the key would be gone and they could be defeated. But as of right now there was nothing she could do but hope and gods, she was losing it slowly, she clung so tightly to what little hope she had left, she had come so far but lost so much with this war. the blurring got worse, mirage pressed her hand against her chest so hard that her hand began to ache and then her arm, then came the most severe pain she had ever felt, her body wriithed in agony. A firelike feeling ran from the base of her spin e to the top of her head making her cry out in pain. A voice came into her head as the vibration grew stronger around her, it cackled inside her head....telling her that all is lost for her and that she would die.....we shall see she thought and collapsed in pain, the vibration gone.

Musings of a Vampire...

*thinks to himself* Today was quite a day. I wake up and bite a hole in my lip... bad start right? Then on my way out of my ship, I suddenly fall. I realise halfway to the ground, that my ship has been stolen. Sleeping in a barn does not do good things to the back. So halfway down or so, I catch myself, landing softly on my feet, and set off, whistling for my displacer beast and my catgirl. I'm walking through Market Square about mid-evening, when I spy the newest Rose Knight, Bethia. I had heard about her... Something about an oath to destroy the Sabbat, if I recall correctly... So at any rate, I strike up a conversation in the usual manner, and she brings out... Get this, a stake and holy water. So we're bantering back and forth a bit, then Eleni, and Tanaka, a knight of the Rose, come into the picture. Tanaka bared steel, and Eleni had the gall to actually charge me. I kneed the woman in the mouth, unfortunately. Tanaka was never a threat. Once I grew tired of listening to thier chatter, I sank my fangs into Bethia's neck, immobilising her. I then spirited her away to a special hiding place that only I know. She sat there in the dank, dark room, in water up to her waist, waiting. Once I had Bethia safely locked in the cell, I wrote a ransom note listing my demands in return for Bethia's life. The note was answered rather quickly by a Knight of the Rose named Angelica. We are currently in negotiations for the release of Bethia... More will come soon. Jhinta il'Sthan, Leader of the Sabbat, Leader of the Black Fist.

The tormented visions of a young woman

Bethia sits in a small room, its stone walls cracked allowing slits of light to tease her with the distant smell of fresh air, far different from the dank and decay she smells now. She rocks silently, looking down at her pale skin smeared with slime from the moss covered walls, and the foul water she sits waist deep in, silently she calls out to The gods, her faith holding true, as her swollen and glassy eyes peer about her. Standing, she slips, and plunges into the water, jumping slightly as rats run about her, holding back tears she calls out "Somebody help me?, please!"she falls down again almost in defeat. They will not let me die, The Vampires can not win. Bethia folds her arms, and rests her head upon them, and sobs quietly for a while. She laughs suddenly looking about her, "I'm mad, who could possibly hear me, who would know I am here?"Bethia sighs, and begins to dig at the wall with her hands.

Wondering

A baren wasteland of jaged rocks and unforgiving terain streatch out endlessly in every direction. The midnight sky was clear of clouds but rich with stars that shed a meager helping of light onto the teraine below. It was late, well past the nights mid point whene it came. All this time without so much as a whisper on the winds and now this. The call sent out by his god was strong, so stong, it nocked the figure of his perch slowly turning to the stars the figure whispers to the wind "I hear you M'lord, as you call, so shall I take up the fight, I am yours to command" with that, a new star was born in the heavens as if to guid the wonderer on his path. standing, the lone figure frees the dust from his robes, gathers his gear and sets out on his journy. pausing only to ask himself "has the godess returned aswell?'

A conversation with Samoth

Mirage stood just south of Market Square, thinking on so many things that her mind whirled so badly she did not even notice that Samoth had follwed her from Market Square. She turned to him and said in a rather rude way "What do ye want?" Mirage was not to keen on seeing him, afterall they taught eachother so badly with bloodshed. Samoth looked at her in his wicked way and said "I want to talk to you." Mirage looked a little surprised and said quietly "About?" Mirage rose her eyebrow in a questioning way and backed up a bit as Samoth said his peace. "The key I've been hearing about." Mirage looked away abruptly,her heat pounding even more...."I no longer have it...." "What is the significance of it?" Samoth asked. Mirage forcing herself to speak said quietly and reluctantly "It opens the four winds and all the resources of the realms, gives the owner full power"Samoth then in an almost demanding way asked "And who has it now?" His voice was forceful but Mirage continued with her explanation trying to stall. " ....of many things, but ye must be of magical aquaintance..." Her voice was shaky....deep within her heart she knew this was a terrible person to ask her such things....someone she despised.....what did he want? Samoth chuckled as he spoke hi words cut through her almost as though a knife were peircing her "My mere existance is magical, but you stray who has the key now?" Mirage looked at Samoth and sighed. " Seline would not give it back t' me after I sent it t' her to look at....it almost killed me....she is hiding it...ye will not find it"Samoth let a slow wicked grin come to his lips, Mirage could feel herself almost swallow her heart, it was beating so hard, her fear almost uncontained. "If ye do find it....I ask that ye give it t' me t' be destroyed..." Her plea was a shot in the dark what else could she do? Mirage did not know why Samoth wanted that key, nor did she know his in tentions Samoth looked at Mirage his grin in full scale, her steps going backwards slowly and then stopping, a hard lump had developed in her throat but outwardly she was as cool as a fox. Again he spoke this time confidently. "People talk, under the right influence...remember what I said? How people serve purposes?" Mirage bit her lip slightly and nodded. "You have just served mine greatly." Mirage narrowed her eyes on Samoth her outward appearace dark and serious... "Let me just say, if ye do happen on that key, ye will have a sect of evil beings after ye ten times worse then ye are...go for it....they are coming......" "And they will find ye and they will get the key...and all that ye hold dear t' ye and true t' yeself will crumble" Samoth rolled his eyes at Mirage, all that had been dear to him had died long ago and he could have cared less. Besides , he was retained to get the key, by whom he wasn't going to mention, even though the lil' one was demanding to know, he would never tell her. After a moment of painful vibration, Mirage decided that she had enough of the conversation. Mirage stood her heart racing as the pain left her slowly....the vibratrions in the ground, it was them....she could feel them....she had to go...she turned to Samoth her hand on her sword and said "Goodbye Samoth."

A silent observer. RE: A conversation

Unknown to Mirage or Eleni, there had been a shadowy observer to their conversation. Ron Macdougall sat in an alley nearby, listening silently to their exchange. He had not been liking their line of thought. They seemed a little to mad at Seline who only wanted to help. This sounded like it was going to need a little interference. Seline didn't have her entourage, they had said. This was true, but she did still have him. For some reason he couldn't explain, he still wanted to protect Seline. He had given her a oath, and his word was the only thing he had left. Making sure the conversation had ended, he bounded off into the alleyways, making his way for the gate. By daybreak, he would be in Torregiano and heading for the Cloud Strike. His duty was clear. Mirage had said she needed Eleni to help, that she couldn't do it alone. Looked like Seline would be needing his...

A Dragon Lament (cont)

Ryel's voice quieted, along with the others as a small statue rose out of a large goblet on the altar and moved to one of the shelves. Eleni quietly wiped her face as she watched. Ryel kissed Eleni's forehead as the ghosts began their lament again. Eleni whispered, the words barely audible, "I'm sorry... I'm so very sorry..." Ryel whispered in Eleni's ear, "Shhhh... he knows you loved him." Eleni shook her head softly and rested against Ryel, closing her eyes as she listened to the song, lost in thought and memory. Ryel rocked back and forth, Cyel's body crumbling as he watched. Eleni wiped her face with her hands and wrapped her arms around her legs, curling into a ball on Ryel's lap, her soft voice whispering with the ghosts. Ryel lifted his voice with the ghosts again as he closed his eyes. The two sat there for a week, no food, no drink as the lament was lifted in their son's name. Ryel smiled to himself, knowing that Cyel would get to meet the woman who had given him life. Their souls meeting again in the cross over, he had many years yet before he got to see his many sons, daughters, friends, and family again. He was still needed here, his desire to follow them across stopped by a promise once made to the greatest friend he had ever known. But he wondered... would they be there waiting.. would they welcome him when it was his time.. The lack of sleep kept him thinking, the past, his son, watching him grow.. hearing his first word.. the word echoed in his mind. He saw the clearing then, and his best friend. As Cyel climbed on Tenchi and hugged him he spoke, his voice small and with the sweet sound of innocence, "Tentree." The memory walked away as the lament entered his mind again. He watched his boy grow again and he looked down at the little halfing in his lap. Ryel thought, trying to figure it out, he should be dead by now. The curse that went with seeing the ghosts should have shattered his heart by now, sending him to be a ghost until it healed and he could return to his body. He should have felt that pain by now. It should have happened.. and during the week he waited, waited for it to come, but it escaped him. He realized with his brother's ghost crossing over that the shattered hearts would come no more.. and so now he had to deal with his son's death in a way that he had not had much recent experience in. He must live through it. Ryel tightened his arms around Eleni. He lifted a silent prayer to Kossuth, in the final moments of the lament. The ghosts stopped singing, the voices trailing off as the end of the lament echoed in the shrine, around the realm, and in the ears of all those that had ever held the three of them in their hearts. Another child was gone.

A Dragon Lament

Ryel knelt in the shrine he had set up to his fallen sons, daughters, friends, and family. Small statues lined the walls along with paintings and sculptures. They were of his those that had fallen. Their bodies no longer carrying their essences. A small altar at the head of the room holding two rather large goblets that flash the names of the fallen was hidden behind the body of a young man. The man looked very much like Ryel, the silver hair, crimson eyes, dark skin, all the same. Cyel's body lay unmoving as his father knelt there. The ghosts began to lift their lament. Their voices in perfect harmony, spreading to other ghosts. Though not many can see the ghosts, their sorrow was felt by those closest to Cyel, his his father, and Eleni. The ghosts lifted their voices, giving words to the good deeds that the young man had done. A lone living voice was lifted in harmony with the ghosts, Ryel's voice was calm and even, his emotions flooding into the lament. Eleni quickly and quietly entered the shrine, her steps faltering as she saw Cyel's body. She stopped with a small gasp, raising her hands to her face as if they could stop the tears from coming. Ryel continued to lift his voice in the harmony, the statues, paintings and sculptures coming to life and singing along. His voice finally falters as his head drops, tears creeping down his cheeks. Eleni covered her mouth with her hand as a sob erupted from her. She walked slowly over to the altar and fell to her knees, staring at the body, her eyes momentarily free of tears. Ryel noticed Eleni and lifted his head, watching her. He spoke in a small broken whisper, "He's gone." Eleni chewed on her lips a moment, reaching out to touch Cyel, then pulling back, staring at his silent form. Without warning, she began shaking and sobs poured forth from her. She bowed her head and cried. Eleni managed to speak one word through her sobs, "How?" Ryel walked on his knees to Eleni, and slowly wrapped his arms around her. Ryel spoke a single word, "Fate." Eleni spoke loudly, her words echoing in the shrine, "Fuck fate. Fate is nothing." Ryel sat and folded his legs in front of him, lifting Eleni into his lap. She leaned into him, crying, as he rocked her back and forth, the lament continuing around them. Eleni spoke softly again, "Fate." Ryel responded with a whisper, "It was his time." Eleni mumbled something, as if she were trying to say more, angrily, but her words were overtaken by her sobs. She buried her face in Ryel's chest and sobbed uncontrollably as she wrapped her little arms around him and held on tight. Ryel rocked back and forth with her in his lap as he again began to sing along with the ghosts. Eleni hushed slightly, her sobs slowing after a while as she listened to the song. As her crying stopped, she closed her eyes, and with a soft, broken voice, joined in. 

A conversation

Mirage walked into the Market Square, her eyes filled with a look of anger beyond words. Her arms crossed tight against her chest, her walk quick and brisk. She happened upon Angelica, Eleni and Lateralus, they were in conversation when she arrive d. Lateralus noticed Mirage rather quickly and said "What's wrong?" His inquisitive mannor made Mirage almost burst in anger and tears began to flow. Angelica noticing this asked her if she was thinking about what happened earlier with Seline. Mirage nodded, wiping her tears away from her cheeks and trying not to cry even more she said quietly "She tricked me, she stole the key from me..." Mirage looked off into the distance as she said these words... Seline walked through the Market Square.... Mirage watched her.... Narry a word. She burst out into an angry fit of words and emotion... " I must get that key back.... But I cannot do it alone." Eleni, questioning the importance of the retrieval of the key asked Mirage "I thou ght you would be glad to be rid of it, wasn't that the goal in the first place?" Mirage with a slight amount of hesitation in her voice turned to Eleni, a grave demeanor upon her face.... " It must be destroyed and I am the only one who can d o that, she took the key away from me after..." Mirage's words trailed off slightly.... Seline had again walked through the Market Square and again narry a word... Mirage started to speak again this time quieter and more reserved in her speech. "After I had sent it to her in desperation for help, she claims that she cannot allow it to be destroyed.... But she does not understand... That key was created from me inside o' me... I guard that key.." Mirage's anger showed throughas she continued "If that key is not destroyed people will die, not swiflty but slowly.... And there will be such an overthrow ion power like ye and I have ne'er seen." Eleni in her own beautiful inquisitive way asked "what does it matter who has power if we are all dead, we all die anyways? Besides, Seline is no longer protected by her entourage and does not have the friends you have" Mirage sighed and nodded, but added.. "That may be so.... But she has her magic... I may good with magic but not like her..... I cannot do this alone Eleni...." Eleni smiled and Lateralus grinned... Indeed she did have friends. 

Seline's journal pg 12

Monday, 1st day of Ches Well journal here we are again... Learned a few things since last we spent time together.. Created a new mage spell.. Variation of the priest's Mystra's Insistance Now I can do something if needed about Wynd or Jhinta. If I have help.. Altho the cost is tremendous on the caster.. Literally takes almost all of one's essence to use it. And seriously changes one in ablities. *ooc forces reroll* I used one in the process of creating it.. And now The weave is even stronger in me.. Just the knowledge of how to use it.. Is ... Gone like a cast spell. Then as I am wandering thru Market square, looking for new components. I see a notice from one called Mirage she desires to destroy a magic item Well... I Know that that is forbidden by Mystra.. so I had to do something. I can't believe she just Transported something that dangerous to someone she didn't even know!! Obviously, she was the wrong person to guard it. Then when I found that without it she would die without it, simpleminded as she is, she didn't deserve that so, remembering that the Clone spell is basically a different version of what happened to her, I had to do fast research into the Clone spell and Gem of Spirit holding spells to trasfer her spirit from the key into a gem. Mystra smiled on my efforts and everything worked out well. I got the gem to her just as she was about to pass over to Sune's kingdom...and as she died, the gem activated She appears to have made it thru alright.. The key is safely stored and will remain so till I speak with Simbul. Till later, Journal..

Freedom

Mirage sat in her clanhall, a sense of worry overcoming her, not a soul had responded yet to her query and she was wondering if anyone even cared. The waters of the healing pool usually relaxing to her did nothing for her now, her face buried in h er hands she began to cry. Just then a voice suddenly appeared in head, someone she did not know.... A woman's voice... Mirage lifted her head and looked around wondering if she was losing her mind, tears still fresh on her face.... The woman, a follower of Mystra announced herself as Seline. "Let me see the key, I think I know of a way to help you but I must see it to be sure." the lady seemed very genuine in her ways. Mirage agreed to send her the key, she cast a transportation spell on it and soon enough Seline had the key. She could tell that what was said was true, the key indeed was magical..... And what is magical is forbidden to be destroyed and so Seline informed Mirage of her intent. "All will be taken care of, the key is in good hands now" Mirage became furious, what did she mean it was in good hands? Does this woman not know what that key is? Mirage could feel her spirit waning... She went t o Market Square. Mirage looked around angrily her heart beating with a loud thumpo deep within her chest, her anxiety growing, as now she had come into a mantal arguement with Seline, informing her that her essence was in that key and that she would die if it was not returned to her. Seline wanted the key kept hidden secret, she wanted Mystra to handle it, Mirage simply could not accpt that, there was too much potential for the key to end up in wrong hands. Mirage continued her struggle with Seline grappling over who was going to deal with the key, who would hold it... In the end though, Mirage became ever weaker.... And Seline won out the conversation. Seline decided that she knew of a way to help Mirage with her essence, remove it from the key and place it into another entity.... Mirage at this point just agreed to do anything but still wanted her key back. She insisted right to her near death that the key return to her, but with Seline busy at work with cloning the essence of the key and placing it into a gem , her insistance turned almost on deaf ears... In truth Mirage would not die, only in body, but she still felt she would, she rasped for air, her chest heaving, her hands clentched, she collapsed to the ground. She lay almost lifeless in the square.. Seline had completed the transference of the essesnce just as Mirage began to slip away with the ending of a chant and a seance and her own blood it was done... Mirage's essence was unlocked from the key and placed in the gem. Seline went out to find Mirage at The Market Square... She knelt down and placed the stone in Mirage's clenched fist. Mirage suddenly burst out in a loud scream that echoed through the streets, heard for miles away it seemed... She said to Seline " Ye must... Swear..." she was so weak it barely was audible..... " The key is safe she said.... Mystra will deal with it..... It is no longer your concern...." Mirage tried to sit up but fell back, Seline said "Relax , ye must..." Mirage lay back and held the gem in her hands and uttered a few simple words... Her essence in turn released and she disappeared into thin air... She was free and the key was still abound.... Locked away ... (to be continued) 

Morning routine, and a scroll...

Darren wakes, handling his usual morning practices as every other day. a short trip around his home, followed by a short trip around the realms... only this time he notices something unusual as he steps into the square... the lady mirage, in a seeming hurry, tacks something to the lamppost and then rushes off, as though she were preoccupied... He doesn't remember a time when last he hasn't even earned a nod from the lady, and this time it was like she didn't even see him! Stepping up to the post and glancing at the scroll, understanding washes over him, she IS distracted, seemingly by something important. "So she needs the help of anyone that will give it," he thinks to himself, chuckling, "i would hope i could be strong enough to offer anything!" With that, Darren straightens the robes he wears over his newer, shorter form and looks off in the direction in which he seen the lady leave. "perhaps..." he says, trailing off as he begins to seek her out...

a scroll posted at Market Square

Hello fellow people of the realms, My name is Mirage Medelia Proudfoot, I come to you with an awesome challenge. A challenge that could change the realms forever... I need every wizard, every priest, every warrior , every mind..... To aide me in the destruction of a simple key. You see this is no ordinary key...... This key contains the magical force to unlock and control every element and the four winds of these realms... It was created by a sorceror who orginally placed it inside of me..... It was removed not long ago..... But there is a slight problem, not e ven the creator knows how to destroy it. So, I ask again...... You will people of the realms reach out and help me? I will be waiting for you all to return a reply..... We must act quickly though. Thank you for all your attention.... Mirage.....

Lord of the Fallen

Shadows crowded in around the figure as it stepped within them, moving in impossible silence the dark figure crossed into the heart of the old catacombs, coming to a complete hault as it looked around itself, the eyes seeming to shed the darkness. "I need to know!" It shouted, it's hands moving towards the blades under it's cloak. "Who sired me! Why was I brought into this .... eternal darkness... Why send me into this endless damnation!" A torch lit up, providing light as several shadows entered the room, revealing the face and handsome very young features of the speaker. "The Bard.... Artanisssssss... Fool you are for seeking." Hissed a shadow, The shine of steel eminating from weapons around him. "This is someting... You will never learn." * * * * * A lone figure rose from one knee, covered with blood, much of it his own, even as he stood his wounds began to close and heal themselves. "With each kill I grow stronger." He rose his blade up, shining clean and free of blood to touch his forehead. "I will find you." He swore, his breath full of pain. "You will be made to pay for your crimes, for the hell you have forsaken me too." He grimced painfully as he turned on one foot, his teeth grit together bitterly as he staggered each step over the bodies.

Finding Edea (2 of 2)

Eleni made her way down the back alleys of Meznoberranzan, her small form keeping well hidden in the shadows. Watching from a dark corner, she saw the ripple of Psions' robes. Invisible though he may be, he was making little effort to be quiet. She jumped to follow without looking and was stopped quickly by a sword of dark metal slicing her arm. The sting was unbearable; it must have been poisoned. She spun around to see two guards grinning down at her. With grace and speed, she drew her twin daggers and made quick, deliberate attacks, intending first to disable the women from calling for reinforcements. Vocal cords cut, Eleni finished incapacitating the guards and slunk back into the shadows, taking off after Psions. When finally she found him, telling him that Edea was heading back to Westbridge, he used his magics to make a quick return. They gathered at Phil's Bar. Eleni sat on the couch while the others stood loudly talking. Adaire approached the couch, his voice soft. "You need assistance, lady. May Mielikki heal and bless you." With his words, the poison was purged from Eleni's body, and she smiled, laying back to rest. Edea explained how, in fear, she had run off for a few days to the forests, needing time to think. She had not realized she'd been gone so long and worried Psions so. She brought him good news, that the sickness she'd been feeling was merely what ill accompanies the blessing of pregnancy. When she heard that her lover had left in search of her, all she could do was mount a search for him, fearing for his safety. A voice without a face piped in questioning the legitimacy of Psions' claim to Edea's child. The couple became enraged, but their protests couldn't bring the wizard from the safety of his anonymity. Seeing no good coming from further dispute, Adaire took Psions and Edea to their home, letting them rest quietly and take joy in their good fortune. As they left, the voice called behind them, "The Cyricist who fathered your child will come looking for it..."

Finding Edea (1 of 2)

On the second day of their trip, Psions and Eleni camped just outside the city limits of Meznoberranzan, Edea's home and her suspected whereabouts. It was too risky to enter the drow city at night, so they rested as best they could one at a time, the other on watch while one slept. The night was uneventful, and at daybreak, Psions woke his small companion. In the morning's dull light, they quietly packed up camp and set off, hoping to find Psions' love today, praying she was not too badly hurt. They kept slightly south of the path as they neared the city's large western gates. They stopped near a large tree and Psions cast two spells in near silence: the first would allow Eleni a decent understanding of the drow tongue for some time; and the second made Psions completely invisible. Eleni climbed a tree with a good view of the main road and the gates and waited for her friend to return with word. They'd agreed that if he made no contact with her before sundown, Eleni'd head back home to Westbridge and form a larger search party. For six hours, Eleni maintained vigilant watch of the road and city gates to Meznoberranzan, listening for mention of Edea's name or an escaped girl being turned over to her matron. A few times, there was enough still and quiet to let her mind wander to her own life. It seemed she'd learned so much in the past year, but was the application of new-found knowledge worth the risk of lost possibilities? Had her fickle heart already done too much damage anyway? Could someone like her ever serve any god or greater purpose well? Eleni sighed quietly, her train of thought broken by the sound of soft footsteps in the distance to the west. She looked to the gate guards who seemed not to notice. She looked out over the road, and in the distance saw three figures moving towards her, only one of which was drow... Edea. Quickly, she climbed from her roost and walked through the trees toward the group. Softly, she whispered, "Edea?" Edea jumped slightly, looking around. "Yes?" Eleni stepped from the shadows and touched Edea's shoulder. A soft sigh of relief passed from Edea's lips. "Where is Psions? I must find him." "In the city." "We have to go get him!" Edea almost ran toward the gates, her companions holding her gently back. "I'll go, Edea." Eleni looked to the two human men who had joined Edea. "You two make sure she gets back to safety." Adaire and Ramiel nodded, and the halfling turned to go. "Eleni! Wait! Tell him... tell him I love him. And that I'm with child." (continued...) 

Rythryn

Chimes ring in the distance, a gong goes off in a temple, monk chant can be heard in the courtyard. I stumbled upon this sanctuary not long ago. I sit in the trees and listen to the absolute beauty. This here is the most beautiful place I have been to since being brought here. Let me elaborate for you. The outlands, the spire, all dimensions converge on this spire. Here all magic is dead, *smirks* the one place I am safe from myself Walking along I happened to trip over a lose rock, which in turn twisted my ankle Just my luck, not a priest in sight... well there is nothing in site. I look for something to support my twisted anke, but find a stick long enough to use as a walking staff. I began walking on this twisted ankle, favoring the left side of my body. I walked for what seemed like days in a random direction. I found myself in a strange area. Everything here seemed to be made from glass shards, volcanic glass, even the trees. I looked back in the direction i came from, to see the same view. I had wondered if I was carrying any sort of key on myself, and walked into door of some sort, a portal. Probably. I walked for what seemed like days on end My ankle had healed itself, but my rations were running out, and I was becoming exhausted from the amount of arcane magic i was casting.. and from all the running I had been doing getting away from those spells gone awry. One of my "mishaps" had tracked me down, a mezoloth... I was too weak to fight back. I taxed the remainder of my reserve spells putting up my defences. There was nothing more I could do The Mezoloth began toying with me, like a cat would a mouse before pouncing. I do suppose this was its vengence for me summoning it to this desolate plane. It had kicked me sending me smashing through the volcanic glass trees, sending shards in all directions. Stalking after me like a terrible dream. My hands slide trying to push myself to my feet, but are only cut by the glass shards. I reach outward to grasp my staff for aid. Another foot sends me flying across the stone ground In a blink the demon was upon me... One hand on my throat crushing my wind pipe A terrible glee in its eyes sent shivers down my spine. It tossed me back along the ground. My staff laying at the tip of my bloody hand. If I was to die.. I was to die on my feet. I grasped for it as I could hear the clomping of the beasts steps The beast rising its spear above me.......... I awoke in a field. Luck had brought me to a druids grove... but how did I end up here? The staff in my hand seemed to glow softly, but I could feel the raw power The locals had forbid me to cast magic in their grove, and in doing so nursed me back to health. Once I was healthy enough, I began walking agian. I came across a sound I had not heard before... Human's.. singing. Though it was not the mind numbing tunes of a Bard.. but methodical music.. chanting. Chimes ringing in the distance. A gong goes off in the temple.. and chanting heard in the courtyard a tear roles down my cheek. Even the noise of Humans can be beautiful.

Changing of Professions

*A peice of parchment is nailed to one of the post in the Healing Wounds Inn* *In fluid stokes of someone that spent meny of times wrighting.* I'm an elderly Priest Named Maxamoto. Some of you might have heard of me. I once Followed the Teachings Of Celestia. But I've lost my Faith when are home was destroyed. And when Celestia left. As you all know the power of a priest to heal the wounds of souls and bodys of people comes from their devotion and beleaf of their God/Goddess. But because I have lost mine I have also lost my power to heal. So I post this in hopes a few out their read this. Because their is nothing good about a Priest with no beleaf, and I need, no want to learn more about another profession. What I am looking for is a master of Forest Walking(ooc Strider) or Elemental summoning(ooc Sage), I have a fair bit of knowlage of the arcane arts with my old dusty spells books(ooc for thoughs of you that remember way back then) to teach me what it is to become a Forest walker, or a Elemental summoner. Old Man Maxamoto. old dog trying to learn new trix.

Search Party

Psions paced nervously around Eleni's office while the raven-haired halfling packed her bags. "Stop pacing! You're starting to make ME nervous." She tossed a small pillow at the fidgeting wizard. With a heavy sigh, Psions clutched the pillow to his chest and fell onto the couch. "I can't help it." His voice was full of worry, depression trying to pull him down again. "It's been nine days, Eleni. NINE DAYS! And she's sick! This isn't good. This can't be good. What if she was caught by her matron? What if she's being tortured!?" "She's not dead, Psions. I know that for sure." The woman's voice was calm and collected as she tied up the last pack of supplies and turned to her companion. "We'll try to make this a quick excursion. I'll keep quiet post outside Underdark, watch those passing in and out and listen for any mention of her name. Do you maybe have some spell to help me understand Drow better? I know a little, but not enough." The wizard nodded slightly as Eleni continued. "You sneak in and out as quickly as you can. I don't want you getting hurt." The halfling woman slung one pack over her left shoulder and handed the other to her tall friend. Psions' expression had grown serious and determined, while Eleni kept her calm, detached demeanor. This trip, dangerous though it may be, would give Eleni time to consider her life without dealing with its stresses for a few days. For her friend, however, the mission was far more important. As they began their journey toward the drow homeland, Psions stared ahead with fierce determination, whispering quietly, "We WILL find you, Edea, my love." 

Response

When you return, a single piece of parchment with Eleni's small graceful script lies on the neatly made bed. A box of about three inches cube wrapped in midnight blue paper holds the page down. The note reads: Icehawk------- I understand your decision, but I cannot stay here on the Frost Bite without you. It grows more cold and lonely as each hour passes. If I thought it would make everything all better, I would fill this letter with promises, but I think that would do more harm than good. Know that I love you. I'm so sorry I hurt you... *large ink smudge* I will probably be staying at Elaine's or at my office on the Errant Venture. Both are in Westbridge. If you can't reach me either place, you know there are other means. I need time to think too. I thought... *angry scratchings* I thought I knew better. *weakly penned, a few splotches* I love you. I'm sorry. ------------Eleni. The box contains a little card: +-----------------------------+ | Merry Christmas, beautiful. | | For Icehawk. | | With Love, Eleni. | +-----------------------------+ Beneath the card is a platinum ring engraved with several tiny, intricate snowflakes. [OOC: Find me online sometime to get the ring. :} ] 

Knights of the Rose

As most days are spent now-a-days, I stood at the Market Square in Westbridge. I watched the goings on and the comings and goings of people. I casted spells where asked. This is much easier then things I used to have to do in the past. My eyes have seen more then any soul should ever have to see. I laugh as I think of things like the Hemelia plague that came to the realms just a while ago. People feared it but none really died from it. They say it was an awful thing and the realms couldn't stand it again. This makes me laugh. The Great Plague, some time around the year 600. It killed off almost twenty thousand people within the 3 years it had free reign. A Council of Wizards was formed to find a cure to the plague. While working on it, members of the Council fell. While dismal, it had to effect. Until one day, the leader of the Council fell. It gave us a renewed fuel to fight for a cure. Within months we had a cure. It took us the course of a year to innoculate the world. I think now if Hemelia became such a great plague, what would we do? The Council of Wizards is no more, I am the only surviving member to my knowledge. There is no group that would take charge and try to save us. After setting on that for a while, I noticed Lord Sylus had appeared for an instant. I nodded at him and smiled. He posted a message to the already full post at the Square. I knelt at the post to read the writing and as if in answer to my thoughts, there really was a new-age Council of Wizards. Or at least something like it. The Knights of the Rose were being reformed. I remember the group from a year back or so, under guideance of Lady Hanali. I hadn't thought to join the group then. Now, however, I feel I had a purpose. Once more I could serve and do good. I nodded to myself and reminded myself to talk to the next Knight I saw. 

A vow

My feet dragged as I wandered into the Square, holding my head up despite the weight I felt on my shoulders. Nothing was getting better; in fact, sometimes I thought it was getting worse. I couldn't shake the feeling that we had come back too soon, and couldn't escape the fact that I was finally seeing my home through mature eyes - it wasn't as perfect, as happy as I'd remembered. At least we would be going soon. Not long now, and we would be on our way back to Tenchi's home. A while away would give me the chance to get rid of the stigma everyone placed on me. Moving to the bench, I felt a frown begin to tug down the edges of my mouth, and I spun around to dramatically plop onto my usual seat. I slid my back off my shoulders and set it down beside me, sighing. Lifting my head, I noticed the message board and the message posted on it. Standing, I moved over curiously, picking up my bag and letting it drag behind me. "Knights of the Rose," I murmured, a stray memory returning to me at the name. Slowly reading the message, a strange stirring building in me. Maybe, this is what I was looking for. A place to belong, something to fight for - if only I wasn't leaving soon. Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I nodded at the board and turned away. I would join them. It may not be soon, but I would, and until then I would train myself. It wasn't the direction I had ever envisioned myself with, but it was a goal, and that was more than I'd felt I'd had for some time.

The Call (Knights of the Rose)

Sleeping upon a cot at Myth Drannor, Moonlite opens her eyes as she feels the wind calling her awake. A warm glow surrounds her body. Moonlite smiles as she feels a warm, strong and comforting feeling enter into her body...then a feeling of distress and sorrow. Moonlite whispers "How odd..Lord Sylus has never sent such a strange call before.." Moonlite rises from the cot and straightens her clothing, her brow furrowed with worry. Moonlite whispers as she glances about Myth Drannor, "Lord Sylus needs me.." Moonlite utters a magical spell,a wind arrives and surrounds her completely, leaving behind a trail of dust. A gust of wind appears at Market Square, and just as quickly as it came, it also had gone....leaving behind Moonlite, the Moon Princess. Appearing before Lord Sylus, she curtseys before him and softly whispers "I got your call Lord Sylus..how may I be of service?"

The Garden of Roses

The call had been sent, and the knights had come. Zariel, Tanaka, and Moonlite... that was all he needed to see to know he was ready. He returned to market square and he looked at all the responses from those who are interested in becomming knights and he smiled. Evil dont stand a chance.to the message board he adds this.... The Knights of the Rose.To many evils are allowed to walk freely and openly among us. Too many tradgedies go unpunished. The knights are the vision of Myself, and the goddess Hanali. The defenders of the realm are overwhelmed. and the innocent suffer because they have no help. The knights stand for these people... for all peoples, no matter race or religion. We do not simply kill evil. We promote goodness and purity. We encourage those who have lost hope or faith... to rekindle the light in their hearts and believe once again in the purity of the soul. The knights fight against oppression, and slavery. They slay the demons that walk around inside the hearts of the innocent, and they bring peace to those who suffer in silence. Most importantly tho... We teach those who wish to be free, to be strong. We train them in the arts of life and defense. We give them the tools they need to defend themselves further, and by strengthening them... we strengthen our walls against evil, and aginst the corruption that eats at the soul of the realms. Quietly he posts the note and before walking away .... a rare smile touches the lips of the Pure one and he writes... Come to me .... Roses of hope, Knights of Purity, Souls of Light. Come to me .... My Knights of the Rose Sir Sylus Shadoween, Rose Knight. 

Shattered heart

The broken man sits among the rubble of his home... tears falling from his eyes. Again he risked his heart... and again.. it has been shattered. He peers around himself quietly... the world has lost its magic... lost its love. He cannot see his own divine light even... for it has been eclipsed by his destroyed heart. He looks down at his hands... hands that have done so much good... and hurt so many. He quietly closes his eyes and goes through the images in his head... so many loved ... so many lost. his heart knows the love of so many...yet never is it constant... never is it truly his. he quietly stands... and walks to marketsquare... there among the people he makes the decision. Im going to die. it is not an easy decision... and even the demon inside him tries to taunt and tease him into continuing his existance... but his heart overshadows even Solomons great influence. He has fought for so long... and for what? to watch as his enemies attack and harm his children? to watch as those he shows love to are hurt and die... to have his heart destroyed at every turn? Fuck that... and fuck this world! but even as the words leave his mouth he knows he loves this world and all its people... and silently his heart cries out. and so he sits... in the center of market square... his decision? Call upon the light of the realms... assemble the knights... and then.. when they can protect his world for him... die.

The removal

Cerebelles appeared from a flash of light, this was right after Sylus used most of the power he had to find him, combing each realm, and in the process tearing himself up. Cerembelles was a kind looking man, his features very frail and thin, her height only 2 feet tall, his robes that of a purple velvet flowing downto the floor and piling almost as if in puddles. His hair a stark white ran down his back, the centuri ies of age showing greatly. Mirage stood slowly and walked a circle around him, almost in a defensive way... Her heart pounding, this was the man that had plagues her life for over 170 years..... The one who created that key, the one who put it inside of her. "This key must come out Cerembelles.... Please, they will kill me when they find ye if ye do not remove it..." Mirage kneels down as she speaks almost praying to him it seems, she begs him, his face remains still.. Finally he speaks these words "Lay on the ground, on ye stomach, and I will draw it out.... But.. Ye MUST help me destroy it afterwards..." Mirage nodded and obediantly lay face first on the floor. Cerembelles stood over her, his hands lifted and his eyes closed in deep concentration, he utters many words Mirage does not understand. The pain come on slowly and knocks her out.. As she lay out cold on the floor, Cerembelles extracts her soul, retriving the key within, he hold the key in his hands and replaces her essence, her soul back inside of her body, Mirage wakes up almost immediatly screaming in extreme pain! "Oh gods! Get rid of it! Please!" "Unfortunatly it is not that easy..." To be continued 

It has begun...

In the midst of a terrible arguement Mirage in her moment of anger collapsed to the ground in extreme pain. Her very essence seemingly ripped from her..."Oh my gods..." she screamed in agony on the ground, Zaneritos, whom she was arguing with moments before came to her side. "The key...it must be removed....it has begun...." Mirage writhed with pain on the ground in the clan hall, she managed to get one last sentence out... "Find Sylus.....go find him ....NOW!" Mirage screamed in utter pain.... Zaneritos took off quickly to look for Sylus. Mirage passed out on the ground in her clan hall......it has begun.. 

Insomnia. (A response to The Call.)

[Perhaps a bit late, but here we go.] Another night of restlessness. Eleni had too much on her mind, and her insomnia was becoming more prevalent again. She lay in bed for an hour or so, listening to Icehawk breathe, considering waking him to hear his voice, to talk idly till her mind was eased and she could find a bit of rest, but knowing how hard he works, how much he needed his sleep. She climbed carefully over him and pulled on her black clothes, leaning in to kiss his cheek softly and whisper, "I won't be long," before quietly sneaking out of the Frost Bite. Icehawk had stirred a little, as if to ask her not to go, but Eleni needed some conversation or at least a bit of fresh air. By the grace of Sune, she made it quickly to Westbridge and climbed the stairs of the Market Square Cafe to take her usual thinking spot on the round table on the roof. She'd been hoping to find a friend or even a stranger with whom she could discuss the philosophies of love and truth and self, but the streets seemed oddly barren. Fewer people seemed to be venturing out into the streets at night, perhaps noticing the recent rise in the local vampire population. Even the undead seemed scarce on this night, though. The black-haired, black-clad halfling's skin almost glowed in the moonlight, its pale radiance such a stark contrast to its dark surroundings. Looking out over Market Square, she noticed an odd glow and wondered how she could have possibly missed it when she'd gone through the square. She looked down at it, unable to discern the words or its meaning from where she sat. She jumped from the table and moved silently over to the ledge, staring at the strange light intently for a while, considering whether she should investigate or not. Her decision was made for her though, as a figure moved quickly into the square. In the darkness, she could not be sure but she thought it Kalina, whom she had the pleasure of meeting on a couple occasions. Her interest seemed also to lie in the strange message. Shortly after Kalina moved on, more people, one by one, came to investigate, some Eleni recognized and some she did not, each reacting in their own ways. Her curiosity was becoming too much, her feet itching to pad downstairs and see the message for herself. She could not tell if those reading it had been drawn to it or simply passing by, but there it was, she saw it too, and it was out in the open to be read. Silently, she crept to the square, cautiously glancing about before moving to the enigmatic note. Quickly she read it, her lips curling to a smile as she noticed Sylus's seal upon it. His gentle advice and guidance had helped her greatly in the recent past, and he had earned much respect and admiration, as well as friendship, from her. The message, however, seemed to call to those who had already served him, some warriors of the past she knew nothing about. She walked quietly from the square and headed east, back toward Torregiano and the warm bed that awaited her. "It was not for me," she told herself, considering the call during the long walk home. "He needs people he knows, people who are pure, kind, GOOD. That isn't me. Still..." She turned her eyes upwards, staring at the radiant night sky, feeling blessed to be up at this hour able to see such beauty. In soft prayer, she whispered to the dark expanse, to her friend, "If you need me, Sylus, I am here for you. I may not be the best warrior or the purest heart, but you're deserving of my fealty and respect. If you find me worthy, I am here." She continued her walk home in silent thought, having found no peace of mind, but rather more to consider. Dawn was breaking as she arrived at her lover's home--or was it now also her home. Exhausted from the long walk between the two cities and her lack of sleep, Eleni slunk into bed next to Icehawk, comforted as his arms wrapped around her petite frame, and for a few hours, she slept. 

The ring

Mirage awoke from her deep slumber, sensing something in her room, a presence perhaps. She scoped the room slowly, Here eyes landing on the vanity where she had laid the ring she had made him.... It glowed with an awesome brillance, the roses etched in it no longer red but a whiteish silver.... she knew in her heart who it was, but she dare not say the name... She sank down underneathe of her covers and triesd to recover her sleep that had escaped her , but her task proved unfruitful and she lay there all night thinking ....staring at the cieling... 

The Call

Grecia wakes with a start and peers around. Wha.. Who? There? He sees noone yet... Something is ... About. There is a strange ... Feeling ... In the air.. A .. Summons of some sort. Dressing quickly, he grabs his pack and heads out of the Inn. He looks ab out .. Then turns toward Market Square, If there is something up, someone there might know about it he ponders as he walks. When he reaches the Square for some reason there is noone about, so he checks the message board. Ahh a new one, he thinks as he reaches up with his right hand to steady it The Knights of the Rose he reads, then in the flickering light he notices the Seal of the Rose and his birthmark at the same time.. Perhaps it is just the lighting but ... Dang! It is there!... On my wrist!... then the lamplight flickers again and that similarity is merged into the rest of his birthmark. I wonder,he ponders, if just maybe, this .. Group might know something... They do seem to be of noble intent Wonder.. Wonder if any of them might know what this means He rubs his wrist as he thinks things over. Wonder if they.... Perhaps can use me? Scanning the rest of the note he looks for a person to contact.. But with no luck. Well, mebbe one will find me.. If I leave a sign of interest.. He sits down at the edge of the fountain and digs out one of his unused spell pages and his quill. To The Knights of the Rose, please contact me or leave note with whom I may contact. Yours Grecia Gaiannas Alchemist and Horticulturalis. then he signs it with his seal - that of his birthmark A strand of Roses as he does so.. He notices again, the center of his mark... Looks very much the same as that of the one on the poster ... Frowning curiously, he sticks the note to the board. Then shrugs and heads back to his room.

Protectors of House deMystra has Fallen

The Protectors of House deMystra have fallen. I, the Former Captain of the Guard, have been betrayed by those I trusted. A few remain loyal. Those that do, are either slaves, or fellow undead. I no longer claim obedience to Niami. I serve a new God now, though he shall remain nameless for a time. A new order has replaced PoHM. In time... Those that betrayed me will pay. In time... All will know who I truly am. Until the time is ripe for me to reap the sorrow I sow, I will feed. We will all feed... 

In the Market...

Kalina walked slowly towards Market Square. Her mind so deeply wounded by the past transgressions, and her regretful parting with Sylus. She glanced down at the ring that hung on a chain from her neck. Glittering platinum, meant to be given to Sylus as a token of her heart forever. She clutched the ring in her fist and bowed her head with her eyes closed, fighting back tears. Kalina had no idea how her mother could have broken so thoroughly what she once thought was so deep. She tilted her head back, looking up at the sky, when a blinding flash of light arced through the sky. Her heart rose for a moment, beating wildly in her chest. Automatic, her feet sprang of their own accord into a dead run toward Market Square. Her mind raced, could it be Sylus...could it be... She arrived, the square empty, and her heart sank. As tears anew started in her eyes, she noticed a parchment on the fountain. With quiet purpose, she strolled to it, and quietly read the summons. Kalina laid a hand upon the call, gently running a finger over the words, almost hoping to draw something, anything, from it. As tears rolled silently down her cheeks she began a whisper that would be the last her voice was heard aloud. I'm so glad you're gathering what you worked so hard to have so long ago. Good Luck my love." Kalina looked to the sky, trying with her mortal eyes to locate a single star. Failing, she looked to the cobblestones and removed her hand from the fountain. She began walking slowly away, her voice gone from her throat, her love gone from her side, and only the silence of the night to keep her company.

the calling

I was sitting at Phil's bar just about to go out an wonder the realms looking for people who needed assistance,after a long talk with one of my good friends. When the calling came to me, I was excited to have been called to rejoin the Knights of the Rose. Now i wait to see what will happen now. The Knights were always a big part of my life, and they were always willing to help. And now i get the chance again To be one of them

The Call

The dark hours of the night in westbridge... The streets are oddly empty. The adventurers either gone on their quests or wisely indoors. A lone figure walks the streets, clad in dark black robes. His seven foot frame strangely casting no shadow. He walks on through the streets to Market square. He walks with purpose... Direction... And stands before the fountain. With one raised hand magic energies begin to gather. The stars themselves seem to shiver as the magic energies are drawn upon. Then, with no warning, Red and Silver energies spring from the mans outstreached hand and the call is sent. The call to arms for the Ros E Knights is sent, soaring energy like a comet streaks across the realms. Heed the call, Pure warriors. Answer the summons, and find your destinies again. The world needs you once more. With that Sylus walks away... awaiting response. 

(PS : There is a note on the way about how to respond to this and an ooc explaination of what is going on... just gimme a sec 

Questions

Things have been going well. I am part of the Guardians once again, but i find that i am haunted by the same question... what now. The lady with whom my encounter started this question. I find I am afraid still... What I don't know. I always had a plan. What happened to that plan? What am I doing back here again? besides being who i've always been... Am I here to fulfill my destiny? what ever that may be I am still young... and have to remind myself of this on a constant basis... But the questions still remain... What now? Whom can honestly answer that question? Those with a plan of some sort What am I really afraid of? Am I afraid to persue those dreams I had in my younger years.. Why? That answer is not simple. Afraid to persue in chance of failure? or afraid to take a chance that I might succeed? Here and now, I am embracing my destiny. Even though I am alone in this adventure. I look up into a new sky every morning and sometimes it seems so easy to forget. A new day is a new beginning. Yeah even though I'm alone, it's....... ok Rythryn Veladorn 

Jhinta il'Sthan and Illyria

Greetings, Realms. Illyria has agreed to a wedding proposal, and we have scheduled it for 2 days from today. The location is unknown as yet, but will be noted on the announcement board in market square tomorrow. Illyria and I would like to extend an invitation to all who dare to observe. the time, while still uncertain, will be either near to 9 am EST, 7 pm EST, or 10:30 pm EST depending on availability of the Immortal who agreed to marry us. Blood and Honor, Jhinta il'Sthan 

Song for an Angel

Throughout the center of Westbridge, music could be heard, a delicately fingered guitar and a woman's soft voice singing. From where you stood, the words were unintelligible, but if you followed the sound to a small cafe just south of Market Square, and maybe made your way up the stairs onto the roof... Eleni sat on the round table, her legs crossed and her back towards the stairs that lead down to the cafe below. She swore at herself quietly, unsatisfied with her writing. In frustration, she strummed a few heavy chords on her guitar before taking a deep breath and beginning the song again. The guitar work was simple and pretty, a soft, melancholy song. Quietly, she sang: I didn't mean to leave you standing all alone; our last kiss passed through your window. I walked home through crowded streets, climbed into empty sheets, tried to tell myself that I had to go. But my heart it wants too much; it feeds on the fire of your unexpected touch. And your heart's just starting to awaken. How can I stay when I already am taken? Isn't this a lesson I've already learned? Playing with passion we'll all get burned. It takes courage to love you say, I don't know that I'm that brave. And there's no right or wrong that I've discerned. In truth, I think our hungers are the same: you long for my blood, and I'm addicted to the pain. No difference when I find myself lost in your embrace not knowing which flame to chase. And my heart she wants too much; she feeds on desire and your empathetic touch. And your heart's just starting to awaken. We tremble so close... maybe we're already breaking. Maybe we're already...... The song faded to a quick and quiet end, as if neither singer nor song were able to continue. She folded her arms around her guitar, looking out over the city, lost in her own thoughts. 

Hallucinations

It had been a long time. Since the days of battle with demons, since the days of his free wanderings of the land. Sylus sits alone in the observatory of his ship. He looks out the large skylight at the stars above. He wonders, what the hell have I been fighting for? I have battled Demons, evil wizards, dragons and above all... The Demon within. And for what? Was the world any different? Had he made a difference? Children still starved in the street, slaves still suffered under the whips of their cruel masters, and evil still lurked in every dark place. What the hell has he been fighting for? *Snap* Once again his mind began to reel, his sanity collapsing in on itself. He watched as the stars began their dance and moved across the sky of their own accord. The walls of the room seemed to breath. He stood and ran from the room, but the floor and hallway began to twist and he found himself falling through an endless darkness. Finally the darkness receeded... He could feel he was not right, the world around him was fake... The voices came then... " Your such a failure.... I cant beleive your my father... You always fail! "Oh stop feeling sorry for yourself... Suck it up and accept life..." " You will give in to me... You must... Its your destiny... Your far too weak to stand against me!" "Father.... I was afraid ye would never return to me.... That my prayers were in vain" So many failures... The walls closed in around him and he panics ... Thrashing about madly, calling upon his divine power and finding none to call upon against these... Phantasms.. And then.... In the darkness... He sees a light. The soft glow of red and green... In his mind he hears one voice... The voice of a single unknown person. A Rose Knight Stands against evil, in all its forms... In any place. Then more voices join in reciting the code of the Rose Knights. No matter the odds, no matter the danger, the Knights stand true and united against the forces of darkness. They protect the weak, and the helpless. They redeem those who can be saved, and those who are lost to evil... Find peace on their blades. Compassion is their weapon, Courage their armor, and they draw their strength from the love and purity of the innocent. when he came to he was in the library, the crest of the rose knights burned into his palms. He knew what he must do. Gathering himself he moves to the desc... and begins writing the call to arms for the last hope. He writes a calling... to the hearts and minds of those who will be.... The Knights of the Rose

A Response[Part.1-2]

A meteor shattered besides him, mere feet from the dancing boy. The gleam of silk flashed in the murky light of nearby torches, a brilliant blue kimono creating shallow facades of the true physical being. "ALMOST!" snarled Wildren, his fanged maw gleaming with sweat. The archmage snapped his thumb and index finger, producing a dazzling array of magic missles that sped furiously towards the barely visible opponent. A few of them were led astray by the shadowy figures swirling through the dungeon, these exploded into starbursts as they were expended on the oily black onyx used throughout the keep. Two managed to find their true target, causing his magical defenses to spark and flame in protest. In retaliation, both hands were raised, summoning a band of icy blue elementals from a nether gate. "You know, your getting better," Kyarn said, dodging an errant lightning blast. "You've managed to destroy half my defenses, and you've still got almost a full spell repetoire. That is unless you've been changing that too." He turned around in place and cast off sparkling dust in four different directions. "Yaggla'roth Velshooooooom," the boy mumbled, and a wall of force marred by a single gaping hole appeared between the wizards. Wildren snickered triumphantly, flapping his tattered black wings to bring himself to the level of the hole, and releasing a summoning of his own, that of a minor death armed with a horrid looking lochaber axe. The skull of the creature split apart, revealing a skeletal grin as the creature lunged at the child within. Kyarn, with eyes still closed, looked to all as if he did not even acknowledge the powerful magical being that closed in on him by the second. Deep concentration was neccesary now, the time for second guessing and procrastination was gone. The lochaber axe sliced cleanly through the prone form's neck, causing black blood to gush through the wound and splatter across the cobblestone and newly created wall of force. Wildren eyed the dead body suspiciously, his hand drifting down to his weapon belt. "...Black blood?... But the boy is human..." Wildren thought, his suspicions growing stronger and stronger. "Damn." With frantic response, he spun around as quickly as his u upward arc of his weapon only barely parried the blinding white blade of kyarn's primary katana, a purple flickering light engulfed the combatants as Wildren's sword was thrown violently from his hand. The attack was defeated, but the older and wiser archmage knew that the child never went into battle with only one blade. He could only watch as the second sword followed the second one, only slightly more horizontal in cut, slicing off his weapon belt and producing the very amusing spectacle of a archmage of strife dressed only in a pair of underwear beneath the waist. Kyarn hit the floor almost as soon as the pants did, laughing uncontrollably. Wildren's skeletal creature managed a smile of it's own, but was soon dismissed by the grumbling archmage. "Your only mad because my last spell was better then yours, a simulacrum spell with demonic components drawn through a everlast contingency spell." Wildren swore again, as he used a simple mending spell upon his belt. With a click the belt was back in place, but his pride had been moved down a notch. He would have to remember to return the favor. Soon. For now, he had much to discuss with his fellow strifelord, the time for practice was over. After a short afternoon recess, the leaders sat lazily in Kyarn's bed chambers, along with a few other bored cyricists. Silverblade argued heatedly with Vassago over some trick dice, it was a mute point anyways, both of them had been seen using levitation spells over the dice and it would have been an idiot's point of view to even bother trying to right the wrong. Kyarn looked over at Wildren and began the meeting. "What's been up? How's your daughter?" Wildren snarled and glared at the boy. "I don't have any daughter, and if I did she would have been used for last month's company barbeque anyways. What is the meaning of this?" The boy laughed and held his hands up defensively. "It was only a jest wildy, some of us still have humor left somewhere in our skulls. What i meant to talk to you about are these scurrying little rodents that seem to have some preconceived idea that they can toss words around without us acknowledging them." Wildren poured himself a glass of vodka and nodded in agreement. "You do of course know what im hinting at yes? give me a sign." Wildren once again only nodded and leaned back in his chair a little more. "K, you mean the Black Roses? That Turiya guy?" Kyarn nodded. "He's not even an issue. All of them combined still aren't an issue," Wildren said with a very end of conversation tone of voice. Kyarn shook his head and looked back at him, his wide shiny eyes betraying his insatiable lust for intrigue. "That's not true, they speak badly about our clan members, and boast unrespectably of their own strength. You know the rules, heretics live only as long as they keep their mouth's shut, well uh.. they live longer anyways." Kyarn muttered some words lazily and created a circle with the curves of his hands. The boy then motioned for Wildren and the other strifers to look into the image that appeared. A typical dark elf sat deep within the shadows of a city dwelling, the architecture of the building looking very similar to those in Westbridge, one of the largest cities in these parts of the realms. A smug look upon his face was ordinary to the extreme, all drow seemed to have some idea that they were somehow better then those they were around. Infact, most of the picture seemed ordinary as well, minus the fact that this drow had decided to walk the surface. "This is Turiya," Kyarn said with the slightest hint of disdain. He waved his hand over the surface of a nearby half drank chalice, the vodka within changing to show pictures of other dark elves residing on the surface. "There's most of the others, you can view them as you wish, i'll keep the enchantment up as long as you'd like." The others purveyed the scenery for a few minutes, the wizards using minor enchantments to write notes without actually writing notes at all. Zhenance raised his hand. "Yea?" Wildren nodded towards the priest with his usual subterfuge, his crooked jaws looking menacing for no apparent reason. "They all look the same, why don't we just kill as many dark elves as possible, it's not like we'd lose much in doing so." Kyarn giggled and urged his comrade to respond. "Because of alot of reasons, most of them bad. Let's just focus on them right now, we'll leave that thought for another meeting." Kyarn shrugged with a yawn and a sigh, and stood up to his full 5 foot 4 inches. "If they cause you problems, kill them. If they don't, talk to them. Find out what they're up too and whether or not they would be willing to rescind all those petty little remarks they have made. We might have use for them, even if you don't think so." With a snap, the boy was gone, leaving only the slight mark of brimstone upon the ground. [The End... for now] 

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