Shrines of Balance (Private) (R)

Status
Not open for further replies.

Shiney

Sometimes, we come back!
    • 8,429
    Posts
    21
    Years
    OOC: First up, this roleplay is private. If you want to try to get in, feel free to PM me, but the chances are not in your favor.

    In the land of Terrodal, a mystic land of swords ans sorcery, of knights and goblins, of mace and magic, of princesses and peasants. All is well under the empire, which has stood longer than recorded history. The Empire of Terrodal spans two continents, a massive stretch of land north and south. The Empire is known worldwide as a terror of military might, and a wonder in terms of economics and global trade. However, despite recent leaps in technology and learning, Terrodal remains a land of deep culture and tradition. Most people, both in a cultural, and literal sense refer to it as the 'heart of the world.'

    And this will soon prove true. Worldwide, it seems as if everything that possibly can has gone wrong. Water currents stopping, weather systems behaving eratically, or failing. Lakes and rivers stagnating. Reports of evil spirits, and villages vanishing entirely from the face of the earth. Moreove,r even the geniuses at the academy of arcane science cannot find a source to these disturbances.

    The emporer, though, is seeking a more, traditional cure. He's offered massive rewards, both to his own men, freelancers, scouts, mercenaries, killers, thieves, even common folk. He gathers all he can to his capital, where he enlists them in an effort to find nearly forgotten relics of the past. Shrines that supposedly were the creative forces behind the powers of the world. People from all flocks of life come to swear the oath of fealty, before leaving in search of these shrines. Solo, or together, following every sort of lead to just wandering aimlessly, all seeking the claims of eternal wealth and prosperity the emporer has promised all those involved in the restoration of the world.



    There is no form, since I personally find it better to describe your character through the efforts of in-character roleplaying. Begin at will. ^_^
     
    A swish of my hand brought the staff to my fingers. Growling a little I snapped it down at the ground. The area around me was becoming as acrid as the Mosambique Desert in the far south. Not exactly a pleasent area to vacation...

    To my suprise and relief, a trickle of water appeared under my staff. Smiling, I poured more effort into the Water Call, pulling a small stream from the earth. Swinging the staff over my head, I pulled grass out of their seeds and aided nutrients from my newly called water into the roots of the dying trees.

    A quick fix.

    But who knew how long it would last?

    I sighed to myself and leaned onto the staff, my slightly gimping walk taking me back to my mount. Exodus was a wonderful steed, and I considered myself lucky to have come by him years ago. We were off to restock supplies before heading out again in search of the shrines.

    Ah yes, the shrines.

    My long, auburn hair flicked in the wind as I hoisted myself into the saddle. To town, then.
     
    Duck. Step step. Cut, twist. Block. Curve, thrust.

    My blades were stymied once again in front of the weapons master. He threw them up then snapped his own longsword down in front, a thrust-low. Faster than I could believe, my own scimitars caught it in the appropriate X. A stalemate. At least, he thought.

    Even before the screech of metal had faded, my foot snapped out past the tangle of steel. It connected squarely with his face. I followed up with a devastating whirling technique, sending my blades in sweeping arcs, unpredictable angles. He was forced back against the wall, a scimitar blade resting lightly upon each shoulder.

    Thunder cracked close by and we both jumped, putting away our weapons. Another lightning bolt fell from a clear blue sky right outside the window and the two of us fled for the stone-protected depths of the Palace. I thought back to the first time this had happened, how the Prince of Azad, the jewel city of the deserts would not flee from any lightning storm, no matter how out-of-place. Now... And then too, it had been a matter of life and death. I merely recognized that now.

    I growled, "Does the Seer have any idea what needs to be done to fix this?"

    The orc swept up beside me, robes flying and said, "Yes, my Prince. Come with me." We followed.
     
    I rode through the gates to the courtyard without a stir. After all, the guards could handle death obsessed black mages, but my garb made it very clear that there was no telling what would happen. Of course, the palace would be a lot more difficult, but I could manage.

    I was riding Vahier, a warhorse of unknown breeding, but excellent training. I was far from an expert on horseflesh, but I had learned enough to tell that he would do, especially with the training he had been given.... His deep brown coat and gentle step made him appear to be more of a nobleman's pleasure ride than a warhorse, which suited me just fine.

    My pale, almost milky green eyes surveyed the coutyard, and I noticed that no one seemed to want to meet my gaze, and I smiled. I was wearing flexible leather boots, dyed blue, as well as blue pants, and on my chest, I wore the traditional armor of a blue mage, a medium peice that could provide some protection without hampering movement, painted blue with thin lines of gold. My graduation present, of course. And a typical saber hung from a sheath on my back, rather than at my waist. I could hold my own with it, but it wan't my area of expertise. My blue turban was wrapped firmly around my head, hiding all but a fringe of my short-cut bright orange hair as I moved towards the gates. I was a blue mage, and no one seemed to want to confront someone who wielded totlaly random magic so far...
     
    A summens. Who cared? I growled a little and pulled Exodus through the gates, merely stating to the gaurds that I was the red mage. They smiled and one took Exodus from me, leading him off to the stables.

    Looking about, I cuffed a strand of loose auburn hair behind my ear. I saw a group of people all heading in the same direction, though on different paths. I quickly ended up beside the loner.

    "Summened or here for the reward?" I asked dryly.
     
    I looked over at the young woman who had mved beside me, and gave a grin. Both for the irony of the situation, and at having somenoe willing to talk to me. Being a blue mage typically meant that most outside your school were a bit wary of you... "You could say that, yeah. But in my vcase, it's more of going to them to demand a reward." Imsaid, my grinning turning somewhat devilish. I was fairly sure I had an advantage over most of the people here. I knew exactly where one of these places the empire was looking for happened to be, even if the memory stung.
     
    We were led to the Palace foyer, where the Seer explained, "For whatever reason, the forces that hold the natural world in balance have been slowly thrown out of alignment, with... Well, obvious results. The centers of these forces are numerous Shrines, scattered across the land. At the least, this imbalance must be investigated. I have already taken the liberty of summoning two magic-users here to assist me."

    I nodded my understanding and signaled the guards to call the pair in.
     
    I stepped in with surety, my head held high. Looking those already in the room over with my odd crimson-eyed stare, I spoke softly, quietly.

    "All right, so you sent a summon to my school for the best Red Mage we had to offer. I'm here. What do you want with me? If you think that a couple of magic users alone can stop this hell..."

    I trailed off, a pain spasming through my left thigh and back. I crumpled against my staff, biting my tongue.

    "I'll do everything I can," I finished slowly, forcing myself back upright.
     
    I looked at the woman beside me as she gave her... introduction, and sighed, turning to face forward again, giving an elegant bow. "I am Hirilon, certified of the seventh circle of Blue Magic at the academy. I am willing to provide whatever expertise and imnformation I may have to aiding this situation.
     
    My violet eyes took in the travel-stained state of their garp, the dust and dishevled hair. "Tomorrow," I said, tucking my thumbs through my swordbelt. The Seer looked at me in confusion and I added under my breath, "They need rest, and I need to ponder my own course of action." Indeed, for me, things had suddenly turned fuzzy, the world contrasted in shades of grey. It did this whenever I was about to make an important decision in my life, especially one that affected more than myself.
     
    I looked the swordsman up and down. "Are we offered a place to stay here, or would you prefer we found a place in the city?" I asked quietly. His violet gaze was odd. It almost reminded me of someone.

    I winced a bit as I realized who.

    Shuddering, at least mentally, I awaited an answer, leaning heavilly on my staff. Healing abilities to work marvels on any wound save my own. I laughed at the irony of my own situation quite frequently. Sometimes, it was the only thing I could do that would keep my from driving a blade through my heart.

    That, and this acursed sense of duty that brought me here...
     
    "The Palace extends its hospitality to you, of course," I said. "We will give you the finest guest apartments. Follow me." I spun on my heel and strode off, trusting in them to follow. I was used to that, and it showed in an aura of general command and total self-confidence.

    Behind me, falling into step with the visitors, I heard the weapons-master, Aginor, rowl, "The Prince does you a great honor, giving you the apartments by his own hand."
     
    I nodded my agreement, a couple of steps behind the others. It wasn't that I was being disrespectful. Quite the contrary. I was a terribly respectful person.

    But my disability proved as disabling as ever.

    Growling a little under my breath, I expended an amount of magic and tightened a band of air around my knee and ankle. I walked akwardly now, but at least I was a little faster.

    Catching up, I smiled at the weapon's master. "Yes, he does. Though it seems a little rude that he has yet to inquire our names."

    Again, I wasn't being disrespectful. I was merely playful.
     
    I nodded, though my attention aws diverted. "Indeed he does, but I feel that this will be an honor well earned by the time we are finished. If conditions continue to deteriorate, I doubt there will be any of us left who can remember what honor means." I said slowly, as serene as the blue I wore, my thoughts moving several times faster than I could ever hope to on Vahier...
     
    "I'm sure you'll get to know each other wonderfully later on," the grizzled warrior grumbled. His tone didn't suggest it, but he was bantering right back at the red mage. Arriving at our destination, I spun about and said with a smile, "The guest wing. You may pick from any othe the rooms, or if you have specific requirements and don't wish to wander about, I can find one tat will suit. I do hope you will get settled in and comfortable, dinner is at sixth low in the Water Gardens."
     
    Opening a random door, I found myself in a comfortable apartment. It was much nicer than I was used to, and I smiled gently, closing the door behind me. Tossing my pack onto the cream and crimson dressed bed, I flopped down as well.

    I yanked my pants off in an angry fashion, staring at my leg. The left limb was mangled and scarred terribly. Burn marks sent jagged bolts of lightning all across my thigh and my calf. My knee was a mess of scar tissue. The back of my thigh was covered in the same scarrings, as well as most of my lower back, I knew. My hip was the only place the scars were neat and orderly. Six long, horizontal scars ran across it.

    I stared at my leg, dreaming of how it once looked. My skin was creamy and smooth, and my steps were sure and graceful. Now, I walked like a grizzled warrior. Oh well. It wasn't much like I could do anything about it...

    Sighing, I pulled a small box out of my pack. With a wave of my staff, clothes began to file out, though the box was much to small on the outside for that.

    I waved each one away in turn. Finally finding the dress I sought, I pulled it on. The fashion was nothing like the slutty clothing most women today wore, but indulging in those would mean an exposure of my... deformity...

    The dress fit me well, anyways. And it was good enough for dinner.

    A yawn escaped my lips. I really was tired...

    I slowly fell into a light doze.
     
    I sighed with relaxation as I stepped into a room, and making sure that it was as of yet un-occuiped, I closed and locked the door, and sliding the thick curtain across the window so that no one could see in. Perhaps paranoid, but I had my reason. I slowly slipped out of my clothes, and claled on the blue magic, feeling for it's presence. Immidiately, I heard it.


    "You should not use it without reason." I sighed again, and thought back "You are right, of course. But I must do this, I packed for travelling hard, not politics and royalty." "As you say, but there will be a price for this, you will know when it is time." The layed out clothes immidiately began to shift, the fabric becoming fine silk, the armor becoming more decorative, with traces of red, the gold growing mroe dominant than before, the turban gaining an opal gem in the bottom of the frong, large, and oval shaped. "God, I have such a distaste for formalities..." I said, beginning to dress in the now fine clothes, staggering slightly from the energy flooding away from me, leaving me weak.
     
    "I suppose they'll want me to change," I grumbled to the Seer, seeing that my guests were suitably appointed.

    "You must observe the forms, my Prince," the small, mousey man said, nodding his agreement.

    I sighed exasperatedly and said "Have someone draw me a bath and set out proper dining clothes. The red silk overtunic with the gold under. White linen pants, the black boots and a red sash. The Regent's Seal as well." The man nodded and I strode off to my room to change from the battered and sweaty leather armor and cotton baldric I was currently dressed in.
     
    I smiled to myself as I awoke. It was getting close to dinner. Stretching, I magically smoothed out the wrinkles in my dress, watching the deep turquoise fabric shine. The gold accents along the bottoms of the bell sleeves, hem, and neckline glittered. I pulled the shoulders a little farther down to secure them safely. The off-the-shoulder dress was flattering on my figure.

    Smiling again, I slipped into a pair of heels and pulled my long, black hair out of my face and let it spin into ringlets. Good enough for dinner, anywyas.
     
    The steaming waters were wonderful, easing my worn and bruised muscles. I spent too long in the baths and wound up having to rush to my chambers to dress, adding in a decorative sciomitar, almost worthless in combat.

    The Water Gardens themselves were beautiful, a dome with waterfalls falling around the circular interior and running into a canal that wound around to carry food past the guests dining there. I seated myself at the head of the table, awaiting my two guests.
     
    Status
    Not open for further replies.
    Back
    Top