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Post by Aderyn on May 9, 2009 21:58:53 GMT 5.5
Racing. Laughter. Freedom.
Aderyn was running through the wood, uninhibited, and completely relaxed. It was a bright day, the warm sun had found itself high in the sky by this time. Still, the forest was cool, having been protected from the heat by the expansive canopy.
It seemed like once more, Aderyn was in her world. And still, she was running. Her red hair glinted in the sun as she passed through a small clearing. At times like this, it was quite easy to forget about the atrocious war; all of those people that had been hurt, killed…how dangerous being where she was truly could be.
None of that mattered though. Not then. She reached the bank of a stream and finally stopped, a laugh of exhilaration escaping her for a moment before she kneeled by the waters to take a drink.
She closed her eyes for a moment and laid herself out upon the bank her emerald eyes staring up at the treetops. The woman sighed, half in content, half in frustration. She would be contented to run about this forest for a week or so, before the call of the stone cities would rise in her again.
Why could she not find somewhere to belong permanently? She released the ideas at that moment. No. She would let herself be contented. It seemed to be all too soon she would be back in the city working as a healer. Oh, so much death. So much hurt.
She rolled over on her side once more chasing the thoughts from her head and closed her eyes to listen to the birds and the stream, once more falling to relaxation.
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Post by Groar on May 10, 2009 0:19:51 GMT 5.5
Death. Despair. Slavery.
A lone figure skulked through the forest, letting the shadows guide him across the forest floor. He moved with a pronounced swagger, hidden deep beneath a layer of sheer might, but under all that was an ingenious mind. This was undoubtedly a servant of Mortia, and to be specific it was Groar.
Groar had traveled many arduous miles since being released from his prison, he was free and finally able to wreak havoc once again. The world of Arysia was ripe and ready, all he had to do was help Mortia take it. So Groar traveled on, wearing his normal leather attire, and his quiver and bow slung across his back.
Thus far the trip had been a lonely trip, but the sound of running and laughter had caught Groar’s attention. The sound was a long distance away, but still Groar pursued it at a high rate of speed. It wasn’t long until he was there watching a red headed woman run about, before finally laying down on her side. At this time Groar silently drew a black fletched arrow and notched it, with a practiced stroke he released the arrow. It bolted through the air, closing the distance between it in the woman in a mere second, but the arrow did not strike her. It had struck the ground only a few inches from here head.
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Post by Aderyn on May 10, 2009 1:12:01 GMT 5.5
For all the calm, it seemed alien to be filled with a panic and a terror. Nonetheless, Aderyn's heart instantly began to hammer and such emotions did sweep through her as the arrow was let fly and stuck itself firmly into the ground. The woman bolted upright, finding herself planted firmly on her feet; eyes not yet leaving the feathered arrow.
Of course things had been going too pleasant.
She slowly shifted her gaze, her mind seemingly reaching out into the ground to sense. To speak to the trees. To ask where this ill omen had come from. It did not take long for her to lock eyes with the being, and she set her lips tightly in a straight line. There was no mistaking the alliance the man held. Whether it was his crooked smile, the unfriendly glint in his eyes, or perhaps simply the fact he had struck out against what appeared to be a helpless woman as she lay by the river that let her know, Aderyn did not know herself. This archer would be no friend to her.
She opened one of her hands, palm facing the creature and shifted her weight. If he wished to fight, she would be obliged to defend herself. "I am not as harmless as I seem," she said brazenly. She had never before been caught in such circumstances where she was utterly alone to face an enemy on her own. In the back of her mind, she was quite frightened.
No, she was not harmless. The power of the dryad ran through her veins. But also the blood of humans; her magic was not inexhaustible as it was to dryad. She would need to rest after this skirmish, she was certain. Though, she was quite thankful for that human blood as well. It affected her powers to be more offensive in nature. Perhaps she could escape from this alive.
Perhaps a small quake would cause him to lose his footing? Or, she could simply coax a tree from the ground before him, and block his line of sight long enough to make a stealthy escape. Her face remained emotionless, though tense, and Aderyn made no move other than to hold her emerald eyes on him.
He could have very well killed her there. What had stilled him?
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Post by Roy Foxheart on May 10, 2009 5:52:33 GMT 5.5
Roy stood in the center of a clearing, his hands placed together with his eyes closed. His mind was focused as the ground around him began to shine, a magical circle forming around his feet. Lightening sparked from his body as he channeled the natural and elemental energies through his body making it shine lightly. A slight flame ignited at his feet as he spoke his incantation. “EGO dico super copiae copie of vis , incendia of vita quod nex. Coniecto vortex , relevo offendo!”
Roy's eyes flashed open as he lifted his arms up tensely, the magical energies pulsing out of his body as the circle brightens. A flaming vortex rose from his left arm, lightening from his right. A smirk formed on his face as the two twisted together following his arm movements, “YES!” he shouted with joy, letting loose his concentration for a moment and pulling his arms down to his sides in a victories arm pump. “Wait... Crap.” The vortex hair pinned and dropped down onto him, causing an explosion and sending him airborne.
”The things that can happen when forming new spells. I really should have been more careful with my casting, I... wait my coin purse! I left it on the ground!” Roy thought in those moments that seemed to pass like hours as he crashed into the river, spraying water in all directions. He sank for several moment, letting the pain sink in and die down before flipping around and swimming back up to the surface and puling himself out onto the bank. “Ouch.” Standing up slowly he shook the water from his robes and hair before noticing the rather good looking woman standing tensely on the shore, staring out into the trees. “Good morrow ma' lady, might I say you look rather beautiful this day.” Roy looked from her to the trees, trying to figure out what she was focused on.
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Post by Groar on May 10, 2009 8:42:01 GMT 5.5
As the arrow firmly planted itself in the ground a smirk began to wind across Groar’s face. He adjusted his footing setting them firmly in the ground, dirt forming around his foot from the force. Pleasure swelled up inside of him feeling his every fiber as he watched alarm and panic spread through the once tranquil opening. Groar reached back across his shoulder and skillfully notched another arrow, but this time he kept his aim down.
“And why are you so hasty in your actions? I never said anything about you being defenseless now did I?” Groar replied with a voice that sounded like stones grinding together.
Another sound entered Groar’s field of hearing, this time it was the sound of chanting, then the sharp distinct chirping of electricity, followed by the crackle of fire. The sound came to his left, behind his shoulder. Groar’s hearing was of excellent condition, and at this time he knew there were two potential foes. A plan began to concoct in Groar’s head, always trying to stay a few steps ahead. He backed up a few feet, just as a man entered his field of vision, then he backed behind a tree so he was out of sight to the man but not the woman.
‘All I need is for him to take a few steps forward,’ Groar thought. ‘But maybe I shouldn’t be too hasty, maybe I shall just leave them with a message.’
Groar swiftly pulled up his bow and released his arrow, this one once again aimed just barely above the woman’s head but it was only a distraction. Groar shifted to his bat form, a dark black bat with a wide wingspan of close to four feet and took to the air. He busted through the canopy and winced as the sunlight pierced his eyes. Groar quickly flew to a concealed position behind the woman and man and gave his warning.
“Mortia is back, and so are her minions. Go out and tell Arysia the news, Mortia will rise again.”
And with these last words Groar was off, once again in the form of a jet black bat…
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Post by Aderyn on May 10, 2009 9:09:50 GMT 5.5
Hasty? Then he had not been seeking an easy prey? She took a deep breath, flexing her fingers once more. Her mind fled once more to the things she could do to aide her escape. She would not have long to decide on a course of action, that was certain. The man still had his bow ready, and an ample amount of arrows still resided in his quiver. How was she supposed to fight someone who was not restrained in power as she was?
A spark of energy flashed through the woman as she stood unyielding in her eye contact on the man before her. The forest was trying to tell her something. She frowned for a moment. What was that? She wondered. Aderyn's thoughts didn't stay on such for long, though. Immediately the man reached for another arrow, and the redhead shifted weight to dart away. Oh, perhaps the speed of the dryad would keep her safe.
Then, something happened that distracted both figures. A man fell from the sky. She looked at him quizzically as he righted himself; quickly turning her eyes back to the other man as he repositioned himself behind a tree. She could still see him, but she doubted the newcomer's line of sight would gift him with the same opportunity.
The newcomer spoke to her, as he finally righted himself, “Good morrow ma' lady, might I say you look rather beautiful this day.”
Beautiful? "Uh, my lord are you well? That was quite a fall." she replied slowly, not totally prying her attentions away from the large man in the tree-line. What a curious young man to have crossed her path. Perhaps he could aide her? Or did he fall into his doom as well?
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Post by Roy Foxheart on May 10, 2009 20:29:21 GMT 5.5
Roy brushed some of the remaining dirt off his back side as he stretched out his arms and back. “Yes I am quite well, it was only a thirty foot fall, I've been through worse.” He began to take a few steps forward, still unable to recognize anything of interest hidden in the canopy.
“So, where is the fire?” he asked playfully as the slight sound of a bow tensing could be heard, 'Was that a bow or tree branch?' he thought as an arrow flew past his face, nearly making a new entrée for all fancy restaurants, fried ear on a stick. Roy's smile slowly turned into a frown as his face morphed into one of shock. “Ah, what was?” he said turning his head to the side to see the arrow now stuck in the ground. “So... I guess I found said fire?!”
”Mortia is back, and so are her minions. Go out and tell Arysia the news, Mortia will rise again.” These ominous words made the blood in Roy's veins turn to ice, his face grew pale as he thought of the terror that would ravage the land now. “What” he said slowly, barely making any sound as the bat flew off.
His calm demeanor soon snapped back, his blood returning to its plasma state and his face regaining color. “Well, that was a rather large bat. I bet he would be a meal for at least a week.” he laughed, it wasn't to funny but he laughed. Mainly to cover the slowly growing fear in his gut. This would be a long year.
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Post by Aderyn on May 11, 2009 1:08:02 GMT 5.5
She could not bring herself to answer the newcomer; her eyes were still focused, and her mind strained to read her surroundings. If this standoff continued much longer, Aderyn would certainly need to take action. Lying in wait was going to make her go crazy. If he would simply kill her, then this would all be much easier.
As the second arrow was let fly, the redhead gasped and ducked a bit, allowing it to pass safely over her head. Still it provided enough distraction for the man to shift into a large bat and begin to make a quick escape; but not before leaving them both with words of warning. Perhaps those had frozen her more than the arrow had, and it wasn't until the bat was far off into the distance that the woman finally tried to still the creature in his retreat.
Still, she could not gather her thoughts fast enough and it was already too far away. Mortia was back? Clearly that man knew more. If she had been quicker, if she had caught him in a tangle of vines and thickets...perhaps more information could have been gathered. Aderyn made a sound of discontent, and for a moment the earth trembled. Oh, it was her fault that he got away.
Still, before the quake became too dangerous she recovered herself and tossed the other man a glance as he began to laugh. With the threat now passed, or merely the immediate one, part of her other demeanor surfaced. Also tied with her dryad blood, her motherly instinct came to the forefront. "Are you certain you are not hurt?"
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Post by Roy Foxheart on May 12, 2009 4:42:46 GMT 5.5
The quake shook Roy back down onto his rear, his balance still not back to normal from his fall. Her failed attempt to catch the bat creature had a scary repercussion on th eland, so he made a note not to anger her. “So do you have any idea who that batman was, or why he was attacking you?”
With a smile Roy looked into her forest brown eyes and gave her a nod. “Yes I'm sure, I have been through much worse in my travels. Have you ever been chased by a volcano?” He let out a kind and friendly laugh as he cracked his back. He turned his back to Aderyn and moved back over to the water's edge. Running his hand through the water he spoke calmly, almost in a whisper “So, Mortia has returned. That is a problem, and a problem I can't allow to flourish.”
He stood back and returned his gaze to Aderyn, then to the arrow that stood out of the ground. “So do you have a name fair lady? I'm Roy Foxheart, a wandering man of good fortune to have met a beauty like you.” he walked up close and got down to her eye level, took her hand and kissed it.
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Post by Aderyn on May 12, 2009 10:10:23 GMT 5.5
For a moment Aderyn moved to go help steady the man. She, of course, was used to her powers, and how to keep her ground during them, for the most part. Still, the man recovered quite nicely on his own, and so she halted in her advances. He tossed her a question, one that seemed routine enough. Certainly such an interaction would warrant curiosity, and it was only natural for one to seek answers.
Still, Aderyn had no idea how to answer. So, she spoke quickly. "I have never seen him before." She flashed her eyes back to the forest, watching for a moment the very spot where he had faded from perception. Would he come back? It seemed unlikely. He had left them with a warning--he would have no use to kill them now. "As for why he attacked...I was alone. Probably a seemingly easy target." She turned back to him.
"Have you ever been chased by a volcano?” Aderyn frowned for a moment and studied the man. Chased by a volcano? What on earth had he done? "No, I can't say that I have." She finally responded slowly. She was about to ask him a question when he turned away. She clamped her mouth shut and just waited, her thoughts inadvertently making up for the silence. It seemed her mind was whirring, swirling and completely filled by questions. For such a short encounter, her mind was completely overrun.
Roy murmured something, though for the silence of the forest, and Aderyn's sensitive hearing, it seemed quite clear enough. A problem he would not allow to flourish? It was not one man's task to save an entire country. It was her problem as well. Indeed the problem of any that called themselves Arysian.
Before she had a chance to respond, though, he had turned back to her; inquiring for a name and offering his own. Spouting off another compliment. Her hand was swept up, and kissed. Rather courtly, in Aderyn's opinion. She fleetingly wondered if the Roy that she had just been introduced to had any ties to it. "Good fortune? Good sir, I must say that it appears I am the fortunate one. If you had not fallen here, I am quite certain that man would have killed me! My name is Aderyn," she responded lightly, with a smile.
She politely withdrew her hand and looked at him again once more. "What did cause you to land here, if I may be so bold as to ask?"
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Post by Roy Foxheart on May 14, 2009 4:46:01 GMT 5.5
With a smile he gave a nod to Aderyn, her fair hand sliding out of his, “Such a beautiful name it is.” With a slight bow of his head he laughed a little bit. “Maybe it was luck that has been a blessing to the both of us, you are alive and I have met you.” A thought crossed Roy's mind as he spoke. I wonder if she is a mage like myself? “But I would say that luck is with us, if we know Mortia is back. Preparations are needed, armies need to be warned“
Roy gave his head a small hit with his knuckles, letting a a sigh “I was conjuring a new ability, merging lightning and fire into one grand spell. It would be the most powerful spell I had ever masted and fully original. Alas, it failed when the achievement went to my head and caused a spasm. The fire-bolt came surging down upon me, causing an explosion and launching my body across the forest. I wonder if Cyrus was blasted away by the spell too?” He took a look into the forest and frowned for a moment. “Well, he'll find me sooner or later.”
With a light spasm of his muscles he let out a small chuckle of laughter. “That is the life of a sorcerer-mage, trial and error until you give up or get it right.” Roy's thoughts started to plan out what was to be done with Mortia, and more importantly who to align himself with. Determining who was the true good and who was a manipulator trying to sway him to the side of evil, Mortia. “So are you a mage? That was some rather advanced Earth magic.”
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Post by Aderyn on May 14, 2009 6:31:52 GMT 5.5
Aderyn agreed. It did appear that fortune had indeed smiled upon them, for whatever it was worth. She frowned lightly for a moment and then looked into the forest once more. All of the armies. They would need to be warned. And what a grand task that would be. She comforted herself in knowing that it probably wouldn't be hard to believe; the times were growing very dark.
The man answered as to how he had dropped in. "A new spell?" Perhaps because she never had to worry about spells and learning and practicing them like that Aderyn had never even considered how wrong they could go. "Cyrus? Who is Cyrus?" She asked curiously. If someone was lost out in the woods, and alone no less, after what had just happened.
“So are you a mage? That was some rather advanced Earth magic.”
Aderyn laughed lightly as she shook her head. "No, I am not a mage." She replied as she shifted her weight and tucked red hair behind her ears. "I'm not entirely sure what you'd call me." She finally offered. Crossing her arms for a moment in thought. "I am a half-blood. Part dryad. That's where the power comes from anyway." Her magic was natural. Not learned, and more linked to her emotions perhaps than a mage's.
It required no practicing to use---and in fact, she had been working such elemental generations and manipulations since she was a young girl. Still, her powers were not inexhaustible like they would be if she were full blooded.
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Post by Roy Foxheart on May 15, 2009 7:12:50 GMT 5.5
“Cyrus, he is my crazy dog. Named after a man I heard of in the legends I used to read in my master's study. Cyrus was a great conquerer who was just and not very greedy. If you exclude the fact that he took over other nation's lands. When he finally died his will had said to bury him in one of the most modest tombs you would think the leader of a notion would want, a simple stone mausoleum that was decorated in no fancy way.” With a crack of his wrist, Roy raised his finger up to his slightly pink lips blowing out a loud whistle.
The sound echoed on for a few moments before dying out. “Oh, a half breed you are.” Roy bit his tongue as he realized how demeaning and rude that must have come off as. “That came out wrong, I am sorry I meant no disrespect with my words. It must be very interesting being half dryad.” Roy kick himself in the leg, it was a small action that most likely would have been overlooked by the common person.
Fortune then seemed to sprout on Roy's side once again as a barking could be heard in the distance, foot fall slamming on the ground. “Ah, here comes Cyrus.” he said with a relieving sigh which quickly turned to confusion. “Wait, what is that second sound?” Roy looked closely into the darkness of the tree canopy seeing the black head of the dog appearing, behind it a large creature, bigger then a lion or wolf. “CYRUS WHAT DID YOU DO!” Roy shouted out as the dog flew past him with paws trampling the grass that wasn't kicked up. Roy looked to Aderyn and smiled “Time to use that Earth magic.” Clasping his hands together, lightning started to sprout from his palms, pushing his hands apart. “Levitas Offendo” the lightning jumped forward and struk the beast. “Your turn.”
((you chose what creature they are battling, it should be more fun that way))
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Post by Aderyn on May 15, 2009 13:12:01 GMT 5.5
Aderyn was slightly relieved that the companion which Roy had misplaced was not human. After all, they had just had a foul run-in with someone who was intent to harm; there was no telling what other foul people were yet lurking in the trees and woods. They were bound to pay very little mind to a dog, however, and as such, Cyrus should be safe. Still, finding him might prove to be a bit tricky. Aderyn might have to tap into her powers to sense the forest for him; as much as she wished to save her energy.
“Oh, a half breed you are.” For a moment, Aderyn's temper flared; not strong enough to cause the land to shake and tremble this time, still a few of the flowers that nestled themselves by the trunks of the trees withered for a moment. A half breed was not a kind term to refer to the people like her. It made them sound like chattel; it made her feel like chattel. It was well that he apologized, and almost immediately Aderyn forgot her anger. "It is well. You are not the first to call me such a thing."
Regretfully, she also knew he would not be the last. It would not be so horrible, Aderyn assumed, if it didn't make her sound like less of a human being. Well, perhaps she was less human. But less valued on either side of the spectrum. She had never really run into any full-blooded dryad; but Aderyn assumed that they would look upon her the same way most humans did: as an outcast. Different from the rest.
Roy let out a sharp whistle, and for a moment Aderyn panicked. What if that man heard and came back? What if he was not the onlu fell creature to lurk among these trees? She raised a hand, in vain it seemed, to caution him. It was too late, truly. The damage had already been done.
It did not take long for a furry black-furred creature to bound into the clearing with them. What was not so welcome was the troll-creature that followed behind. Roy immediately flew into action; and Aderyn floundered in thought to think of the best thing to do in such a situation. She did not wish to exhaust herself here---there was plenty of forest to cover before she reached a city or town. She might need to defend herself later.
But that meant relying on growth magic. She frowned lightly a moment, leaping lightly to the side as the angered creature slammed its fists into the ground in a fury. She landed gracefully and motioned upward with her hands, the earth instantly complying with a sudden growth of vines and bramble to wrap around the creature. However, Aderyn was no fool. Such plants would not hold the creature for long, and so waved her hand once more, the wrapping vines turning to stone. "It won't hold him forever," she murmured, half to Roy, half to herself. Still, it would buy them time to decide to run or stay and fight.
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Post by Roy Foxheart on May 16, 2009 8:14:00 GMT 5.5
“I really hate trolls.” Roy sneered as he clasped his hands together, preparing to use another one of his favorite attacks. The winds around him began to pick up, more lightning sparking from his body as he gathered magical energies. Below his feet shone a large magical circle, holding triangle inside of which was a diamond. Runic words scrawled across the ground as the markings grew brighter, Roy glowing slightly in the center.
Interlocking his hands and taking in a deep breath, thunder clouds began rolling in. “I wish I hadn't whistled and taken your advice, yet I shall not let this dampen my day or harm my fair lady!” He leaped forward and placed his hands onto the side of the ugly troll monster, instantly dirtying his hands with the unkempt body of the beast.
“Lux Incendia Ventus Unda Tenatio!”
From around Roy came the wrath of the elements, fire water lightning and air struck the side of the strong beast. The force of the attack sending Roy backwards a good ways. Giving a smirk as the dust started to clear Roy gave a big thumbs up to Aderyn “We showed him!” HE called triumphantly, the troll nowhere in sight, only a large hole where it once stood.
Cyrus began to bark ferociously towards Roy, making him feel uncomfortable, something that didn't seem to happen often in the past but more as he continues in his travels. “ What is your problem Cyrus,” The sound of breathing behind Roy grew as he spoke, “I got him. He can't hurt anyone anymo-”
Roy's body was tossed like a rag doll as the troll smacked him across the clearing and into a large redwood tree. His body fell limp to the ground as Cyrus sprang at the monster. Clawing and bitting at its limbs to no avail as he was too tossed to the side like a rag doll.
Slowly pushing himself off of the ground Roy gave a look of dissatisfaction to the troll his thoughts flying in many different directions as he contemplated how the beast was still breathing. “How are you still...Alive!” He stood back up and winced in pain, holding his side with one arm, the other not moving. “Hey, big guy, I've got round three right here!” He lifted his right arm, gathering energies into it, “Levitas Telum” his lightning arrow spell struck the troll who seamed to brush the damage off. “Have any tricks over there Aderyn? I think I'd need some time for a stronger spell.” Raising his right arm back into the air the magic circle reappeared under him. It would take him a few minuets to gather up enough energies for he attack, leaving him wide open and afterwards utterly exhausted.
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