Finding Help in Low Places (Moderated/Closed)

[Daniel Alecson]

Daniel had come in with the rest of the Crimson Edge, he hadn't said much yet. Daniel had been standing towards the back of the group, a bit off from the main group but close enough to show he was with them. Daniel didn't have any real idea what they'd be facing on this mission. From looking at this group of recruiters and the kind of people they were recruting , it was obvious they were desperate. Daniel was pretty sure this was going to be highly dangerous, odds of survival were likely low. This was exactly the kind of thing Daniel was looking for, the entire reason he'd joined the Crimson Edge. If he were to die then he was too weak to live, if he survived then he'd have proven his strength yet again and likely walk away with a hefty paycheck.

"I am Daniel, son of Alec, and I stand with the Crimson edge. I'm a swordsman by training and trade. My skills tend to be more lethal than not but I'm just efficent at disabling an opponent as killing them", Daniel said in a calm, smooth tone to Torth. Finishing his little introduction Daniel affixed Torth with a cold stare, sizing him up as an both an opponent and an employer before taking his place with the rest of the Crimson Edge.

[Zandelia]

Zandelia had found it interesting to follow the large throng of mercenaries and rogues, much of their number comprised of Crimson Edge members and prospects. She had only heard rumours of the race known as Jamoura, fleeting whispers and half-told stories filled with so much disbelief as to leave none the fool for knowing they were untrue. However, the reliable words of oral tradition were once again proven to be wrong, mere twisting’s of bias and cynicism. Zandelia could scare believe her single eye as she watched the mob gather around them, their gazes weighing and judging every move – the Sunberth population always enjoyed a show, especially if violence was a distinct possibility.

And with these idiots it very well could be a certainty. Mercenaries, thugs, thieves and reprobates. They must be desperate indeed to come here seeking aid, especially with all of the other more beautifully peaceful cities to look to. Even if they did go there too their presence here smells of having little else to call upon she mused to herself as she watched many step forward for the chance of glory and riches.

“And here I am, torn between two worlds and three decisions in one petching afternoon” she muttered to herself as she continued to watch those who stepped forwards to become registered and told the specifics of the meeting instructions.

She had two true options open to her, the third being a mere middle ground of transience in truth. She could leave Sunberth to seek out curiosities and foreign discoveries for a while – visit the Spires and perhaps beyond. She been out into the world of Mizahar before, roaming the lands from city to city in search of answers she never fully received. The Spires would be another location to add to her life’s story, perhaps brimming with new information and useful additions to her arsenal of tactics. It called to her as only bounties of true, untainted beauty could so. However, she felt a sense of foreboding about leaving, the perception that if she did not stay then, all that she had gleaned would dissipate into nothingness. She had spent years trying to build her way up from the grime and mud, years that were not so easily returned to her should they be taken. There was a third concern too, that of the future of the Crimson Edge. As she continued to watch others from her loose band join she began to realize that the majority of them were not over-skilled.

And they could get themselves killed…petch… she sighed inwardly to herself as she knew what she would be forced to decide. Her network was not altogether too cohesive, nor as it sophisticated. No, it took much more skill and status to forge a strong and varied web of intelligence, a net of the night. What she had would last without her for a season or so, would survive long enough to be there when she returned.

“Never know either, might even come back the stronger for it. Money, power and alliances buy more than enough to service my needs” she muttered as she stepped forwards into the mass of bodies, forcing her way to the front where those in the way did not back away from her.

“Zandelia, of the Crimson Edge also,” she opened with, her voice strong and confident, “and you have my weapons to use as you see fit, so long as I get to do things the way I like to. I have many talents I think you will find,” she finished as she paced her way towards the gathered Crimson Edge members.

She still had time to make provisions, to gather those who knew her and helped her together and warn them of what lay ahead. She could plan and scheme her way into keeping them safe and hidden. It would not take altogether too much after all, they were the ghosts of Sunberth – not worth mentioning and forgotten after a few moments. No, she had time to make arrangements, and that time she would not waste.

[Cyllena Tarnarath]

It was amazing the things Cyllena would often do for money, that and somehow she had let the big caramelized walking ox of a male Cade talk her into staying around Sunberth a little longer then she had originally intended to do. Then again she was also still recovering from her little accident off the city limits back when the Djed Storms had hit the world. She still bore the scars from that fateful mistake in choice. That day had been another reason to add to a long list of why it was better to travel by land then by boat for the young woman, which was ironic given she was a native born Ravokian, who also wasn’t so good at swimming. Standing next to her steed, which often followed Cy around like a shadow or as if it was a dog and not a horse, Cyllena listened as many of the members of Crimson Edge offered their services to the little band that had arrived in the city of death. Finally it seemed that the spot where the ape and his companions were standing was clear, so Cyllena gave her mount a pat on his muzzle, signaling to him to stay put and approached the male leader. “I answer to the name of Cyllena Tarnarath. I am skilled with a weapon known as the rope dart. It can be both non-lethal and lethal whichever the task at hand calls for. I am also skilled in riding and horsemanship not to mention wilderness survival. As I’m sure you can see I have my own steed so you shall not be needing to provide me with a way to get to your homeland, other than an escort. I am a mercenary by trade, anything else will be extra.” She informed Torth before stepping back to soothe her stallion who was starting to feel a bit nervous around the growing crowd.

[Shishi]

A glint of gold light reflected into Shishi’s eyes as a coin flipped in the air. The woman took a deep breath as she stared at the group from behind a tree. The coin hit the dirt with a quiet tap as metal hit dirt. Shishi’s eyes burned into the crowd, but focused on Cade. He was going to leave her alone there, by herself. But the woman knew where he was going. Should she follow?

In truth for once Shishi was actually thinking of her future. The woman wanted to be with Cade, but she was scared because she has never left Sunberth. The city was her home was she ready to leave it. She couldn’t even remember where Cade said he was taking off to. Shishi wanted to be with him, but her mind raced through scenarios. She felt insecure. What if Cade left her while he was in this foreign land. She knew no one, she had no connections, she didn’t know where anything would be or how she’d survive. But Cade was going.

The woman sighed as her arms rested against the tree. She turned slightly to see what the coin decided her fate would be. The shiny side was up, it was decided. She would follow Cade to this new world if he beckoned her now. She picked up the coin and walked towards the crowd. She stood slightly away from the mass as she found Cade. She stared at him and wondered if he’d even notice she was there.

[Creeper]

Sunrise on the 43rd of Spring Torth was glad to be heading back to his forest. This town was full of vagabonds, murderers, and the like. But the worst part, the town was full of false confidence. Many people came forward to help, but he could tell most were just looking for an easy hand out. They saw hundreds of people come forward, but only manages to find a little over twenty that were even worth their weight. Guilherme was tending to the small herd of horses he had managed to gather. They would have to ride hard. They had enough horses for everyone, as well as spares to give the first a bit of a rest. Torth hated to say it, but he knew many of the horses wouldn't survive this trip. But unlike many of his brothers back home, he knew how to make the hard decisions that they would sit and ponder about for years. He watched as all the volunteers began to gather around, many of them carrying everything they owned. They would all do just fine, there was something in each of them that made them a cut above all the others in this... festering pit of a town. When everyone was gathered, Torth in a commanding voice over them, "We will be riding for The Spires today. This will be a long, exhausting ride, and there will be very few breaks. So if you can't handle it, bow out now, for if you fall behind, you will be left behind. For those of you that can fly, or run on your own, please do, we need the horses. But do not fall behind." Guilherme quickly helped everyone pack and mount their horses, and the rough group of arms-for-hire rode out into the wilderness. Some of them would feel sadness for others, others a tinge of fear, but all of them had excitement for the unknown, for the adventure, for the Miza within them. 78th of Spring, Morning The group arrived at Base Camp early in the morning, Syna just beginning to kiss the sky. The entire group weary, sore, bedraggled. The last several days they had seen trees bigger and wider than many of the buildings in Sunberth. But those were the small ones. The group would see a grouping of thrown together buildings and lodges, and many tired, and exhausted Jamoura. They would be approached by a large, authoritative Jamoura, "Thank Caiyha you've arrived. And with so many. I knew the son of Marn could pull off the impossible. Let's get you all up to date on what we know. Firstly, your father Marn, has disappeared, leaving myself in charge. Secondly, the rate of citizen reclamation is quite slow, we need many more people getting into the city." He turned toward the group, sizing them up. "A bit rough around the edges, but they will do just fine. All of you, you can rest today over in the longhouse. A few things of importance. For every bell you spend within any fog, most prevalent is that within The Spires proper, you must spend two bells outside of it. The effects of the fog are magical, and will change you if you do not wean yourself off of it. Also, many of you are here to capture the citizens within the city so we can get them out of the fog. We want them alive. Assume every animal is a Kelvic, so do not hunt for food in the mist. We have several guides that will show you the layout of the city and assist you if necessary. If you have any questions, or need anything, ask one of the Hahk'Shatara members around, recognizable by the large, carved staves they carry. Go rest in the Longhouse, grab a meal in the Mess Hall, tomorrow, you work." OOC : You are now in the Base Camp a few hours away from the city of The Spires. The locations are written up, but are currently pending approval, so expect those coming soon. Be sure to post in the Character Registry. Please include items you brought with you from Sunberth, as well as the employment you seek, so that I can get your employment added to your SS threads. The majority of you will be Mercenaries, but a few other jobs are available, things like tending the horses, healers, cooks, etc. I will begin posting individual moderated threads for everyone, as well as a few overarching things. If you need to know anything specific, or get anything in particular, do not hesitate to ask.

[Sapphire]

OOC: Before anyone yells at me for posting on a closed thread, I have permission from Shep to post here because Sapphire can't be away from Ximal. Sorry for intruding.

Sapphire strutted at Ximal's side. He was just going through his normal course walking through Sunberth. Her clothes chaffed on her body but she still held the same grace in her walk as the animal her Kelvic form took after. It was a normal day for her and Ximal but then something caught his eye. Her trusted master made his way over to a small group of four. They were a very strange group. One of them was a gorilla like giant, another almost like a human bat. One of the others vaguely smelt like a dog whom she guessed to be a dog Kelvic or worked very much with animals. The last person seemed to be completely normal, but wouldn't that make them the weird one? Xi was promising to go with them to a place that she had never heard of. What were the Spires? It sounded like some kind of cult or something of the sort. No matter, she would follow Ximal to the end of the world. She had only been with him about 10 days now, but he had made a major bond with her the very first day they met and it only grew through those ten days. She would go with him to these Spires that the people had spoke of. Sapphire did not speak, did not move, just nodded her head and got ready to go with him.

[Archelon]

Thread Award "..." And the Results!!!!: Gains : All save Sapphire(You didn't say anything D:): Negotiation - 1 All including Sapphire: Lore: Leaving Sunberth for the spires. Would you like some extra turtle sauce ? : Interesting thread, you look like you're starting off on the right foot for a grand adventure. Have fun.