Finding Help in Low Places (Moderated/Closed)

[Kale]

The dead man's steps were light and nearly without sound. His body moved in a graceful manner, balancing the weight of his body on the balls of his feet. A heavy dark cloak obscured his features from the view of those around him. Even with his others unable to see him, his mere presence seemed to cause an uneasy feeling to course through those around him. He had no idea why it happened but it was as much a part of his life as the hunger was. Even accompanied by the uneasy feeling, Kale would not have stood out save for one thing. It was the smell that accompanied him. Lately it seemed that the metallic smell of blood hung about him heavily. No amount of washing seemed able to cleanse him of it. Kale let his eyes sweep this scene before him from behind the safety of his cloak's hood. The four that had everyone's attention focused on them seemed out of place. He could clearly tell they were comrades but all of them were of different races and none of them seemed as though they belonged in the type of city Sunberth was. His eyes locked on them for a few moments. The way their eyes darted was all that Kale needed to see to know they were uncomfortable in Sunberth. He had this nagging feeling that he was not the cause of their unease. The former gladiator peeled his crimson tainted, sapphire colored eyes from the group and let them refocus on the other group that seemed to have gathered close to him. In the time since he had become what he was now he had realized one thing. The females of a species always tasted better than the males. So when his eyes crossed over this second group it wasn't to size them up as possible threats. Instead, the thoughts that crossed his mind had him almost salivating. His eyes clung to what seemed to be this group's leader. The man looked familiar. He could not shake the feeling that he should know the man. The memory flashed through his head like a bolt of lightning. The memory of the day he died. The day a sword had ended his life and something had given him another one. The dead man began to move towards his old adversary. Things were much different this time. He wouldn't be the one that ended up impaled on the blade of a sword. He had only moved a few feet when a compulsion settled over him. He tried to resist the compulsion for a moment and exact his vengeance with righteous fury. Kale snarled silently at the overwhelming urge to not take his vengeance. He had no other choice but to obey. He had begun this trip not knowing what he was. Along the way he had learned much more then he cared to admit. He had learned that he in fact was not technically alive. He had also learned that his actions were only his actions as long as they suited the patron that had given him unlife. When he went against his patron's wishes his will was bent until he was forced to obey. He decided in that moment that he would accompany this group and their bastard leader. Their leader's head would make a fine trophy and their women an even finer meal.

[Vuil]

There was a buzz running through the city, whispers of the Jamouran and the company he brought with him. Vuil had heard the rumour flitting through the masses, and could no longer ignore her curiosity as it began to spread through the Crimson Edge. It would only be a matter of time before Cade acted on the talk. Figuring that it would be likely that the Crimson Edge would become part of this, the dark haired woman made her way down to the area where the Jamoura had been recruiting. Sure enough, there was the brute, Cade, speaking to the large ape about going on this mission. A wry smile touched her lips, walking forward and standing within the group of Crimson Edge members. Of course she was going on this mission. It sounded like too much fun to risk missing out. A brow raised when she saw some of the other members that had chosen to tag along. Well, she supposed they were asking for all walks of life.

[Roka]

The gossip had droned around since the appearance of those from the Spires. Roka had not paid much notice to the rumors of why they may have arrived or what they could be doing. It did not matter to him. He had gone about his tasks set for the day, but upon returning to the home he shared with Kalila, he learned of the Crimson Edge’s offer to assist those that had come from the Spires. Without much contemplation he knew he would tail along. The city would hold little meaning without the few he cared for and he was sure they would have all offered their services. That was in their nature.

He turned up shortly after an assembly had begun to coagulate, his only belongings were held on his person. He flitted through the crowd smoothly, his eyes scanning the feet of each present with little concentration. He stood several paces behind the front row of prospects, examining the visitors. The one that truly peaked his interest was the Jamora. He had never seen one, only heard stories of great and clever Apes that inhabited the Spires. It was quite a surprise. He was rather intimidating, and made him unnerved, but most did, by merely his prudence alone.

He shifted his weight as he remained, a soft and sullen expression laid rest on his features. His dark hair lashed around him in tender strokes, wafting something to his senses, a smell of copper and dated plasma. He swallowed hard to strangle the sentiment from his canals. He huffed quietly, ‘It was unreasonable for me to assume there would be a group of people in Suberth that didn’t smell like they had bathed in bereavement.’ Roka thought with a shake of his head, eyes cast down and a cynical smirk.

[Lyalya]

Lyalya looked around at her comrades, this was it. Her first true adventure in Sunberth. To say the least, she was excited. Her veins robbed fiercely and and her mind spun with the possibilities more complex than a spiders web. With hair blonde as sand in the sunlight and fair as spun silk, a body sculpted and curved to perfection, paired with her being such a thrillseekers was sometimes a dangerous combination. To say the least but she was fun and adventurous and it added to her overflowing bravery.

This would be a trio to remember, she thought as she looked at the giant ape warrior. She wore her leather pack on her back loosely to provide easy access to her blade.

[Andalusia]

Andalusia stood amidst friends; Stigandr, Kalila, Lyalya, Roka, Lusa, and Jean were a few that she could mention. She found comfort in their presence, and even more so on the attendance of some other familiar faces, especially Cade, whom she found security and strength from. He epitomized confidence, fearlessness and intimidation, and with just one glance he could inflict fear, anxiety, and insecurity. But as her leader, he was the exact opposite: in him she found her support, her power, and her courage. He embodied a good leader in terms of appearance and control, and was truly the backbone of the Crimson Edge.

She focused her gaze on what appeared to be the leader of the team from The Spires, who spoke just as clearly and confidently as Cade. Her ears perked up and her face lit up when she heard him mention his need for hunters. "Perfect," she thought to herself, quickly glancing at Jean, knowing she was probably thinking the same thing. She, as well as the auburn-haired woman, would fit in well in whatever they had planned. The Jamoura, or at least, that's what they referred to him as, was obviously the head of their group, despite his companions appearing more ferocious than he did. He made no mention of his name, the names of his teammates, a detailed introduction of the task at hand, or the problem. He merely stated what they needed, at that was that. He was concise and straight to the point, the mark of urgency and seriousness. Andalusia plucked up all her courage and melded it together, condensing it and hoping that it would be enough to get her to speak fluidly and confidently. She gathered more strength from the presence of her peers and their leader, and ignored the pulses of fear that would bludgeon her chest whenever one of the Crimson Edge would speak. And when it was her turn, she had effectively prepared herself.

"I'm Andalusia," she began, her voice low and a little authorative. It sounded a little foreign, because it wasn't normally how she sounded, but it surprisingly suited her. She did not falter or have any lengthy pauses as she spoke. "I'm a hunter, so I've got a lot of experience with hunting and using a bow and arrow. I have a hunting dog, so that aids in my hunting, and my defenses, as well. I also have a horse, so you need not trouble yourself about that." She almost stumbled with her last sentence, but thankfully she'd survived it. Stifling a heavy sigh, she shifted her eyes towards the people who knew her best; would they be surprised?

[Massacre]

Massacre had come along solely because that was his job. He didn't care about the Spires, whatever that was, or the Jamoura. He was a mercenary now, and if his fellow mercenaries were going to the Spires, then so would he. He wasn't about to let his new family run off without him. The Zith had been to the tall forest before, though he had never actually seen the Spires itself. The city was rather difficult to find on one’s own, and Massacre didn't know it was there to begin with, so he had never found it. In fact, he had no idea that they were even going to a place he had been before. Massacre joined the gathering crowd, spotting the ape-man first and foremost. He was large by all standards, larger than even the Akalak's who were notoriously tall. The creature was covered in muscle and fur, and looked like it could snap any one of them in half if it wanted to. Massacre's eyes drifted over the other two, finding them uninteresting, until his gaze settled on the Zith. This brought a surprised intake of breath to his lungs. Massacre had never expected to run into any other Zith in Sunberth, much less one who was apparently part of a team from some mysterious city to the west. And there was another Zith! Two Zith in one place, three if he counted himself. This was surely going to be an interesting venture. Massacre made his way to the front of the crowd, near to Cade, though not out of any desire to be close to the Crimson officer. He only wanted to make himself known to the other Zith. Should they all end up traveling together as was the plan, there would be some interesting conversations ahead. Plus the chance to speak in his own language again instead of the clumsy human one would be a nice bonus.

[Ana Sol Starris]

Squeezing between the tall people to get a better look, Ana clung to their shadows in hopes of being overlooked by the tall ape. The little thief, after all was not suited for the tasks mentioned in his continued speeches, the same thing, over and over again. She wondered if thats all the monkey knew how to say, that their intelligence wasn't wide as it was rumored to be. What were these larger than man gorillas called again? Ana strived for the word, looking around her memorybanks, she had continuously called them talking monkeys and not by the name they were given. Tapping her foot quietly as she tried to conjure the name up, they were from the Spires, they could talk, and they lived in trees and were uberly large.. Wrenmaes voice drifted into her mind, as if answering her, but was too light for her to understand fully, but no she was just remembering the first time they had met. He had mentioned them, he was the cause for her desire to see the Spires and yet she could not remember... Furrowing her eyes in frustration then gasping lightly as it came to her, the Jamoura!! The Jamoura. Grinning broadly, her memory might be crud but at least she could think about certain things to remember more of it. It was quite useful as other bits and pieces of information waddled around her mind at the same time that linked to the targetted piece of information, memories, within her mind. Memories usually from the beginning of the season were easier remembered, then something from last season or the seasons before that. Staring up at the Jamoura, she knew she wouldn't be any help.. Besides eating their supplies up, but she had other talents as well. Maybe she should introduce herself? On second thought, maybe she shouldn't. Ana was small, scrawny, and those ape hands looked as if they could break her in half if given the chance. Now she was worried, what exactly was the crisis going on in the Spires? The lovely little fantasy like city she had been told about by Wren, there were certainly to be more Jamoura.. Why didn't the Jamoura handle this on their own? Instead of coming to Sunberth, a most venomous city.. Rife with anarchy and chaos, blood spattered walls, red stained streets, filth and vermin around every corner. A knife to a back, when trust was presented.. But the Crimson Edge certainly didn't thrust a knife in a members back when they had their trust, though Ana wasn't particularly loyal to them and only a few within (though if the chance presented herself, she would try her very best to help out a Crimson Edge member.) No, she had some use... She was quick on her feet and just as a fast learner, if push came to shove, came to pull- she could run from danger and get stronger peoples help. That was useful, wasn't it? Nodding to herself as if to confirm, she stepped foward grimly "Ana Sol Starris, I know I don't look like much, but I bet I'll be useful in many ways.. I'm a very fast learner after all, just give me tasks to do" She smiled, pulling at the corners of her lips into that upward grin to show she wasn't going to back down from these silly fours proposition. What made these four think they could walk in without the city going crazy on their hides? Non-humans weren't especially treated with the highest regards, they'd soon as be enslaved then welcomed if they didn't watch their backs. Anas eyes looked over the four with sudden interest, what gave them the confidence to waltz into the anarchist city? She wanted to see, and not only that, she wanted to see the Spires and more of its Jamoura.. There were underlying motives to these few reasons, she wanted away from Shroud. The abusive nincompoop who thought he was so cool, so badass and strong, her fists curled as the thoughts tumbled in only to further anger her. That stupid man, with his split personality and eqaully stupid daggers, and his just as stupid 'discipline' beatings and denial of her right to learn, to become stronger. That was right, he kept denying her want to know magic, her brother was to teach it to her but fate had to be cruel and say 'no way' and take her brother to Dira! She didn't really need magic.. Just that she thought it may be useful in the future. Anas aura went a tad darker as she formulated plans to get him to agree, ideas springing in her mind to be sprung, time was certainly running out for her to learn, and in the future- he would regret teaching her, she wanted him to have that regret of her learning from him... She'd be stronger and she would show him whos boss! She would have to try and convince him sometime before the 43rd as her last attempt had failed with a beating. Silently she was being urged by the little voice of a blood lusting monster within, she'd get him to teach her, and she would practice while away in the Spires. After all, Sunberth can't penalize you if you're not in its city limits! Of course.. This was all hypothetical. Ana had her doubts she wouldn't be able to convince him this time around either.. If she didn't learn from him, she'd learn from someone else.. Either way, she'd still show him whos boss. Ana affirmed to herself, going with this backup plan.

[Rail]

Rail let out a grating snarl when he first heard that he was to go on this trip alone. He understood the necessity, she wanted him to be more useful but it still hurt to be sent away. With a snort of annoyance he let his gaze fall on his temporary master. The big barbarian was certainly an imposing figure but Rail was not comfortable taking orders from him quite yet. Though it vexed him he felt an annoying urge to at least show some manners to those that had come so far. Letting out a deep sigh he trotted up to the small recruiting party and gave them all a respectful bow," My name is Rail. I specialize in unarmed combat though I do have some small experience in both hunting and stealth. And it is quite a pleasure to meet you all." With his introduction over he gave one last respectful bow and turned to go and stand near the back of the group in an attempt to watch the proceedings.

[Leon Von Strova]

Leon sighed, nodding to the rest as he accepted the quest as his own. He would step up beside the others of his group, watching the big barbarian. He flexed his fingers as he sighed, To the spires we go. He stepped forward, twirling his hand to the side, "I am Leon Von Strova. I am an unarmed combatant. My father taught me the skills of an acrobat." He gave his introduction and stepped back

[Sarahi]

Didn’t Take long for the sunberthian barbarian to get word of the Spire crew looking for assistance. Now if one was brave enough to enter this city on their own free will they were desperate and desperate people paid well. Well, that was a theory Cade would run with on this. He gave word to his motley crew of misfits all ranging from a skilled cook to the skilled killer. This is what made Crimson Edge the guild it was today, the diversity of skills, races and religion and all under one banner of the Blood red double dagger known as the insignia of the CE.

The half blood myrian and his entourage, numbered over twenty, found the spire people and the might jamourian who he had found out went by the Name of Torth. Being the captain of this mercenary clan, Cade approached the ape, his dark sullen eyes with svefran blue hues stared deep into the jamorua’s brown, fierce gaze not once breaking eye contact. His hand never ventured far from the hilt of his longsword, just from the first glance he could tell that this three man crew would be a formidable match if he were to stray from politeness but Crimson Edge’s numbers would be a match in itself as well. Another aspect that this clan has strived for, safety in numbers.

“ I am Cade and Captain of the The Crimson Edge Mercenaries, we will enlist into your campaign..... for a fee of course.” He exclaimed, waving his left hand to the mixed race crew standing guard to his rear to introduce themselves.

Sarahi stood in the back near Rail and tried to calm him. It wasn't fair that he had to have a second master for the time. "Don't worry, it won't be that bad..." She smiled at him then walked up to the recruiting party. "My name is Sarahi. I spent years in the desert fighting for my life. I'm handy with a sling. I can hunt." She nodded to the men then went to stand by Rail again.