Devotion: A Crucible Story (Sevris)

[Verilian]

Timestamp: 50th of Fall, 512 AV Location: The Vitrax Sevris was training, as he did most days, in the courtyard of the Vitrax. He showed more promise than many of the apprentices at his level, at least in the ways of combat, but still he had not been offered a chance to prove his worth to Rhysol. Time and again he watched as apprentices, ones whom he considered less worthy than himself, went off on their Crucible's and returned soldiers.. those that actually came back, at least. Many who embarked on the Crucible never returned, presumed dead, though if they were alive it meant they had betrayed the Ebonstryfe, and then death would be a preferable state. Training was no different than most days, apprentice after apprentice faced off against each other, battled, and one of them would lose. Afterward members ranking higher than they would critique what they had done, show them how to do right what they had done wrong, and move on to the next pair of apprentices. Once again it was time for Sevris to prove he was a better warrior than his peers. He was called to the ring, armed with his double bladed sword as was his preference, and waited for his next challenger. "Dolath Okar, step forward!" Dolath was a fairly new apprentice, though one who showed promise himself. His weapons of choice were a pair of morning stars, small clubs with a steel spike head on the end, good for smashing through shields but quick enough to be maneuverable in a fight. They were excellent weapons against the Ebonstryfe's most hated enemies, the Syliran knights, but not so effective against a faster opponent with longer reach. Dolath stepped into the ring, taking a few practice swings as he did, before facing Sevris. All they had to do now was wait for the command to fight. "Take their weapons," the commander ordered, a cruel smile coming over his face. He looked to each apprentice as their weapons were taken from them, before continuing. "As Soldiers, you will often be required to go into situations unarmed, especially if you are undercover. Sometimes, you will have to improvise your weapons. You'll begin this fight with nothing, but as it goes on, I will toss in different weapons and objects for you to use. When I order it, you will discard your current weapon for whatever new ones are available. Understood? Now, begin the spar!" Dolath didn't hesitate, he advanced on Sevris the moment the command was given to begin. His style was aggressive, but he was unskilled in hand to hand combat. His advance left openings that Sevris could exploit if he saw them, assuming he could get out of the way of Dolath's charge. The apprentice was attempting to tackle Sevris to the ground, and if he was successful, he would bash Sevris in the face until the apprentice surrendered. Of course, things rarely went the way one wanted them to in a fight, and Sevris would be smart to try to avoid losing so quickly.

[Sevris]

Sevris Lazarin couldn't help but welcome the challenge of another Apprentice. Rather he win or lose, the thrill of attaining victory can be quite intoxicating. Here the higher ups would have to be finally impressed with him if he got the win. No, when he got the win. That type of thinking is the way people die. He must never doubt that he could win a fight even when the odds are completely out of his favor. He readied his weapon, sporting his usual Double-Bladed sword, a rare fighting style not seen even in Mizahar. Sevris wanted to make his style famous, and become renown for it. However, it seemed that the Commander that was in charge of the match had a different plan for Dolath and Sevris. "Take their weapons," the commander ordered, a cruel smile coming over his face. He looked to each apprentice as their weapons were taken from them, before continuing. "As Soldiers, you will often be required to go into situations unarmed, especially if you are undercover. Sometimes, you will have to improvise your weapons. You'll begin this fight with nothing, but as it goes on, I will toss in different weapons and objects for you to use. When I order it, you will discard your current weapon for whatever new ones are available. Understood? Now, begin the spar!" Almost instantaneous Dorlath wasted no time and begun an abrupt charge towards him. Sevris was taken aback for a second before he also broke off into a charge. He wasn't going to be foolish and wrestle with him. He had to use his intelligence in all fights. When they came within reach of each other, Sevris tried an unsuspecting maneuver. He slid tackled. Diving forward feet first he aimed for the kneecaps of Dorlath. Dorlath not totally unsuspecting after realizing the movement, tried to jump over him, but Sevri's foot caught the very edge of his thigh and slightly propelled him over the side. Sevris quickly tried to get back into a fighting position. With Dorlath only few feet away from him. A charge would be foolish, so he prepared for hand to hand combat as Dorlath angrily got back up. Sevris dashed forward with slight step and sent hard roundhouse kick towards the left side of Doralth's head.

[Verilian]

The thing about roundhouse kicks was that they only worked well as a finishing move. They took too long to perform, and they were easily spotted, and Doloth was far from being finished. While the slide had taken him by surprise and sent him to the ground, he quickly spotted the spinning attack and was able to dodge the roundhouse easily enough. Unfortunately this took him away from Sevris, rather than closing the distance between them as he would have preferred. That mean he would have to approach again, and Sevris would be ready for him. Of course another charge was out of the question, but Dolath was still quick to move in, shuffling his feet forward and leading with a hard right hook. He was aiming for the head, but Dolath never expected to land such an easily blocked blow, and when Sevris inevitably blocked or avoided the attack, Dolath followed it up with a jab from the same fist. It was a move meant to stun, not inflict any real damage, as it was difficult to put any major amount of force behind a jab. It was also meant as a distraction, and another attempt for Dolath to move in closer. Punching was one thing, but Dolath wasn't trained in any fancy kicks of maneuvers. What he knew of fighting, he had learned in tavern brawls and on the streets. As soon as he had successfully closed the distance between himself and his opponent, he lunged forward, attempting to engage Sevris in a grapple. This was only so that he could bring up his knee and drive it into his fellow apprentice's gut, hopefully knocking the wind out of him and sending him to the ground. Everything depended on how Sevris reacted to his attacks though, and things could easily go a different way.

[Sevris]

Sevris was slow to acknowledge it using his head he was sure that Dorlath was educated in the ways of hand to hand combat properly. While a novice himself he was able to still damage a foe if he was unaware to do battle with him on his level. But Dorlath kept up the attack vigilantly, which Sevris could respect. However he it didn't change his attitude towards the fight as Dorlath sent in a right hook towards his head. Sevris raised his hands to up and blocked the punch, but he sent a hab after it. Sevris stepped in and parried it, but also did a simple move where he did a semi-circle twirl towards Dorlath and sent a hard left elbow to the other Apprentices face. Not a knock out blow but it certainly hurt Dorlath as he stumbled back from the initial shock of almost breaking his nose on that attack. Sevris didn't let up as Dorlath created enough space by stepping back a couple of feet to keep himself from falling. That was all the space the Lazarin needed to take a side-step and send another left kick, this time hitting him squarely in the stomach. Dorlath keeled over as the kick hit him, it also wasn't a knock out hit but it was enough to make anyone buckle getting hit so cleanly. He did that on purpose so that it would knock the air out of him. Hopefully stopping any counter-attack, he might have. So Sevri's went back into position and pressed the attack with a jumping front kick to the open head of Dorlath. The kick also landed cleanly as Dorlath tried to parry the attack by putting his hands up to block but was not good enough to block it. The attack landed on the left side of his temple. Hopefully that would knock some motor skills out of wack. He was always using his head, as he went back into fighting position waiting for Dorlath to get back up so that he can press the attack again. No mercy was ever given. Not here...not in Ravok.

[Verilian]

Dorlath was hard pressed as Sevris sent kick after kick his way, taking several nasty blows in the process. The kick to the face was not as effective as Sevris hoped. Such a blow should have staggered his opponent, or even knocked him out cold, but Dorlath managed to fall backwards just as the kick landed, negating most of the impact as he was already moving backwards. Dorlath performed a rather impressive, perhaps accidental, backwards somersault and was back on his feet just in time for the battle to change. New weapons," the commander shouted as Dorlath rolled to his feet. Two items were brought in to the fighting ring. One was an entire chair, which landed only a few feet away from Dorlath, and the apprentice wasted no time in snatching it up and swinging the entire thing at Sevris. The second item, brought in by one of their fellow apprentices and quickly placed on the ground right in front of Sevris, was a glass mug filled with steaming hot apple cider. If Sevris attempted to reach for the mug, it would mean he would not have time to dodge the chair, and the wooden object would smash into his back, breaking into pieces. If he chose to ignore the mug for the time being, he would have a chance to defend against the chair, but it would also give Dorlath a chance to go for the mug as well. Either way, there was a chair wielding Ebonstfyfe apprentice coming at him, and he had a decision to make.

[Sevris]

Dorlath is a lot more resilient than I thought. The thought process was popping in Sevris's head but was abruptly interrupted when the commander ordered weapons into the field. Nearest to Dorlath an entire chair was given to him. Near the Lazarin a glass mug with what seemed to be steaming cider. It didn't take long for him to make his decision. With the force of the throw Sevris jumped out the way as fast as he could, not going for the glass mug. But there were more deadlier weapons at his disposal, which was what he hoped for. He looked back, sure enough the chair had broken into pieces, a leg long and sharp enough to be used as a weapon. He picked it up as Dorlath started to make a move to the glass mug. Sevris let him as he moved forward to get in better position for his charge. He would be determined to dodge just one swing of the dangerous liquid, after that he would be his. Dorlath stood fast and returned his attention back to Sevris who was just a few yards away. Eyes locked on each other, Sevris had no intention of going easy. For all he know Dorlath could bash his brains in with that mug. The Apprentice started a slight skip in the man with mugs direction. He poised it high in throwing position, something that would be a mistake in the long run. Sevris cocked his hand when he was within range and threw the leg like a mini-spear at the glass. Dorlath saw it at the last second and moved his arm closer to him, but hesitated so he would not spill the contents on himself. That hesitation would cost him as Sevris closed the gap with a right straight to the face. The man fell back like a tombstone with the contents of the cup sent in the air. Some specs land on top of Sevri's hand which burned immediately. Most of it and found its way on Dorlath's arm and chest. His cries of pain was pleasure to Sevris's ear and helped him ignore the pain. Wiping the cider off his hands he went to work on attacking Dorlaths face with all his arsenal of moves. Either beating the man unconscious or to death. He was putting the pressure on Dorlath.

[Verilian]

The match was over much faster than the commander had expected, a fact that disappointed him somewhat since he had several more amusing weapons to toss into the fray. But his amusement wasn't the point of the exercise, and as Sevris pounded his opponent into oblivion he proved that he was quite capable of defending himself, even without a conventional weapon. Dorlath lost consciousness after only a few blows, but the commander did not call the fight to an end. Instead he shouted a new order. "Return their weapons!" The morning stars and Sevris two bladed sword were all tossed into the ring, though it was rather obvious that the nearly dead and unconscious Dorlath was not going to be using them himself. What the commander wanted should have been clear, though if Sevris showed any sign of confusion or hesitation the commander would yell, "Kill him," to confirm any doubts. After the fight Dorlath, or what was left of him, was dragged from the courtyard and the other apprentices were dismissed, except for Sevris who was asked to remain behind. Once everyone was gone and it as just Sevris and the commander, he was led into the inner warrens of the Vitrax and down a hall until they reached the commander's office. It was clear when they entered that the man rarely used the space, it was dusty and the desk was littered with old papers. The commander lit a pair of candles, casting a glow about the room, and then motioned for Sevris to have a seat. "You did well today. You have been doing well for some time now.. I wonder, do you feel you are ready to prove your devotion to Rhysol? Are you ready for your Crucible?"

[Sevris]

Sevris had a moment of elation. Not that it was the fact that he reveled only in plunging his double bladed sword into the Appnrentices heart, effectively killing him permanently. It was more of the fact that he was the victor. He loved the feeling of winning, no matter the cost. It was this type of thinking that would push him to do whatever he wanted, for himself and Rhysol. Speaking of the devil, Sevris was summoned into the inner warrens of the Vitrax and down a hall until they reached the commander's office. Where he was mentioned to take a seat. He was hoping this would lead to where he thought it would. "You did well today. You have been doing well for some time now.. I wonder, do you feel you are ready to prove your devotion to Rhysol? Are you ready for your Crucible? "Yes, I am ready to prove my worth to Rhysol. I've been ready for a very long time." Time to put his skills to the ultimate test. To please the most powerful god to bless this land. Rhysol.

[Verilian]

Of course he was ready. Sevris was used to victory. He thought it was impossible for him to fail, that he was infallible, that he would always succeed. At least, that was the commander's view of him. In the commander's eyes, Sevris was just like any other apprentice he had met, though Sevris had a better knack for killing than some. They all thought they were ready, whether it was true or not. The commander was neither surprised, nor impressed by his response. But it was not the wrong response. If he had said he was not ready, that would have surprised the commander, and he would have likely just killed Sevris there and then. "Hmm... we'll see," replied the commander, entwining his fingers together as he leaned forward, just as Sevris felt a blinding pain on the back of his neck, and everything went black. --- Timestamp: 51st of Fall, 512 AV Location: Unknown Sevris woke to the sound of birds chirping... no.. not to the sound of birds chirping. It was the lack of birds chirping that actually woke him, for all along they had been chirping, and then suddenly, they had stopped. Everything had gone still, silent, and it brought about in him an unease that caused the apprentice to stir. He found himself alone, naked, and unarmed, stranded somewhere in the forest. The air around him was cold and bit at his bare flesh. The only sound was that of his own breathing, and the soft rustling of leaves as the wind passed through them. The sun in the sky was low and slowly setting, and if he knew anything about navigation that would tell him which way was west.. though such knowledge would not help him, since he had no idea where he was to begin with. A quick search of his immediate surroundings would turn up with only one thing, lying on the ground not far from where he was himself, a crude iron dagger. It's edge was worn from use, but it was the only thing he had. It was unlikely that Sevris had ever spent much time out of the city, few Ravokians had, and being from a privileged family such as the Lazarins made it even less likely. He certainly had no training in wilderness survival to speak of, but even an untrained person would know that they needed to find shelter or start a fire before dark. It was fall, and while the city of Ravok itself was always pleasant and comfortable, the surrounding wilds were not and temperatures could plummet suddenly. Fire would keep him warm, especially with his lack of any sort of clothing, and fire would keep away the animals. There were rumors of wild things in the forest, unnatural and warped, which had begun to appear after the great storm that nearly flooded the city at the beginning of the year. Not to mention the normal creatures, the wolves, the cougars and bobcats, and whatever other wild beasts lurked in the woods. Whatever Sevris decided to do, he needed to decide quickly, because soon it would be dark. OOC : Okay, so first I'd like to apologize for taking so long. My work schedule is back to normal now, and life has settle down once more, so I should be posting regularly again. Now, as to the thread. Feel free to kind of make a general post.. build a fire if you want, or.. I dunno, forage for berries, or whatever. Post your reaction to waking up in the fire. Whatever you want. The only rule right now are, you can't find Ravok, you can't find a cave or anything like that, and you can't find any meat. In the next post, things will get interesting. Oh, and as to your missing items, don't worry, you'll get everything back before the end of the thread.

[Sevris]

Sevris shook his head. Still unaware that the seen before him was real. And not some vivid dream or some vision. It was to his immediate attention that he wa snow naked. The cold bit at him and snipped like an impatient mother. He did not know why he was here or how he got here. But he had to do something for the meantime. The cold was to hard to ignore, so he would have to start a fire before the sun set less it get even colder at night. He looked around his immediate surroundings for anything useful. And to his great surprise there was a dagger there. Used and worn out but it was something, better than nothing. So he would use this to get what he needed at the moment. He didn't know to much about making fires, but his family had told him the basis before. Humans were good at surviving in places like this. His antics would not put to shame of his heritage. He scavanged around the area, looking through pathway for a certain type of rock. The Lazarin didn't find any so he walked away from his now open camp, to look for rocks. He was walking for a couple of minutes. Being sure to leave marks of his own passageway back to his camp. He came upon a bed of rocks, some of it looked like the type of rocks he was looking for. He bent down to inspect them closer, with the knife in his hand he went to experiment. He struck it with the knife. A small shower of sparks flew from the rock. He smiled, but the smile was short-lived as the cold slapped him back to reality. He collected a bunch of the rocks and went back to the camp to drop them off. For now he needed the ingredients to make a fire. So he went to the trees to get wood and small piece of grass so that he could start a fire. Within an hour he had himself in position to make a fire, so he got to striking the flint with the dagger, but it wasn't that sharp. So it took him an extremely long time. But on his way back and forward looking for wood. He passed by some berries. He weren't sure if they were safe to eat but they didn't look like the deadly kind. He wasn't even sure there were those types of fruits in this area. Wherever this area was. After finally getting the fire started with several attempts ending in him actually kicking the fire, which he immediately regretted. Sevris went back to collect the berries thinking it was either this or die looking for food. So Sevris looked at them carefully but could discern nothing from them by looks alone. So he took a bite. To his great avail they were raspberries. A pleasant jam he didn't have often but it would do well for him now. He stuffed his face and brought a handful back to the camp. He laid down close to the fire as the sun was setting, beginning the peak hours of night. He didn't know what was in store for him. But he would be ready for whatever it was. He was sure that Rhysol would be wanting of his skills soon.