Placeholder Lion, The Mercenary.

Our hero does some local work for an out of towner.

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A lawless town of anarchists, built on the ruins of an ancient mining city. [Lore]

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Lion, The Mercenary.

Postby Markus Andres on November 29th, 2014, 8:57 am

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64th of Fall 514 AV

Lion

The man mused the name to himself, he had found himself quite fond of the name that had been bestowed on him by Fallon. It was a fitting name for his mercenary endeavours. He found it strange to find himself in this position. Him... a mercenary. A sergeant knight of the righteous and most powerful force of good in the world- a mere mercenary in the employ of a fat greedy merchant. Whose wealth had come from gods know what. But he had given his word that he would uphold the contract. Protect the man and his shyke. He had the wealth to spare for a mercenary of Kvist's worth, which alone made the source of his income suspicious. Which was one of the reasons Kvist had accepted the contract. If he dabbled in slavery, Kvist would know his next target in the crusade to free his family from the clutches of slavers. His employment had lasted several long days under the man. He was a cheerful fellow when business had been taken care of, but when business had not been taken care of, he was a harsh and uncompromising man. A will of steel. Trust was a rare commodity in Sunberth, one that took a long time to develop. A bond that wouldn't appear over days, Kvist had done his job. Truthful at every turn and done his hardest at every job. But nothing in the few days of employment indicated that his employer was dealing with slaves. Which had made it easier for Kvist to carry out his job without any nagging guilt constantly taunting his knightly ideals.

Kvist was standing by the ship that his employer had arrived in some days earlier. The Lions job had been quite simple the past couple of days of employment. His size had been enough to keep unwanted company away from the ship. Or merely caused people to go gather in larger groups to take him down. The mercenary knight didn't know, but the man sworn to a god of peace kind of hoped someone would do something. For it had been some long uneventful days. But he supposed if he got paid then everything was fine and dandy, though he wished that something would happen soon. If only something simple. Something that would let him stretch his legs and get back to the real reason he was in the city. Finding his petching family. But the petchers seemed to have gone underground once Kvist and his help had begun the investigation.

The knight looked disgruntled when the merchant appeared. He looked to be in a hurry and the Lion pushed himself away from the wall when he realized the man was headed directly for the mercenary knight. In Syliras his rank carried a little respect, here, not so much. Mercenaries were a dime and a dozen. Always a new blade to replace the lost one. He had often wondered what led people to this profession... Riches? Glory? Make a name? Boredom? For the thrill? Kvist knew that he would be amongst the latter if he stayed in the profession, which he most certainly had no intention of.
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Last edited by Markus Andres on April 18th, 2015, 2:10 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Markus Andres
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Lion and the prey.

Postby Markus Andres on April 18th, 2015, 1:54 am

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'Lion'

Kvist perked his ears when his employer came close enough that he felt confident enough to chat with the knight in disguise. The usually calm man seemed agitated. Perhaps something to do with the errant boy who had just arrived. It was a common enough occurrence that Kvist had not considered it unusual, but this time it seemed to have meant that Kvist was needed to do some actual work, other than standing around and watching wooden ships rot in the water.

'One of my couriers are running late. He was procuring some...' The captain paused as he looked at Kvist. Obviously evaluating the trustworthiness of the knight in hiding. If only he knew he might trust him completely. But it seemed the knight failed the evaluation as the captain continued.

'A package for me.' Another brief pause. 'I need you to go find out what is taking him so long and if this wretched city hasn't gotten to him, then get him back here. If that son of a bi-'

”-Has taken your package” Kvist subdued a snort. ”I'll gut him and return the package here. What does this illustrious fella look like?”

The captain looked at Kvist for a couple of long ticks. He probably wasn't used to people cutting him off mid sentence. But if time was of the essence, Kvist didn't want to waste any time listening to him issue orders he probably didn't want to give in the first place. The captain finally opened his mouth again, tone a little less pleasant, but none-the-less still professional, but Kvist could hear the authoritative captain wasn't in the mood for Kvist to cut him off. Or the apparent lack of care on the part of the knight didn't help either.

'Yea yea. Forties, sunken in belly, hunched back, crooked nose. Missing teeth. Black hair with bald spots.' He seemed in thought again. Obviously this was not one of his regular couriers or else he might have remembered more. Or else he just didn't give a shyke about what his couriers looked like. 'He wore a brown cloak today, hood up. He was heading for the Reaches.'

Kvist was in thought. He usually avoided Robern's Reaches. The area was Daggerhand territory. Which meant it was less filled with unsanctioned gangs running amok, only Daggerhand thugs running amok. A place he would enjoy putting a couple of wings of knights and crush the fighters and put law and order to the place.

”Well... I'll be back in a few.”

The Reaches wasn't far away. Which made the couriers tardiness more problematic. The captain reached out with a hand. 'Wait, look for the house with scraped red paint just beneath the roof. Above the door. There the package is under the floorboards in the far right corner of the second room.'

Kvist looked at the captain for a long tick. Seemed that the man had a hidden stash. Not that Kvist cared about the content, but knowing where to look helped tremendously.

”Understood.” The knight responded impatiently.
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Markus Andres
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Lion, the mercenary.

Postby Markus Andres on April 18th, 2015, 1:55 am

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Kvist was off. He didn't run, running attracted attention. Kvist didn't want attention, especially not when entering a place like Reaches. But his pace was hurried. A high pace. He made a final check of his gear as he came closer. Sword, dagger, shield, armour. He was ready for combat if it came to it. There were no sounds of combat, which... was neither a good nor a bad thing. Combat he could avoid, silence gave no indication of what was going on. Which he didn't enjoy particularly. Reaches was a large place. Many buildings and with little more than scraped red paint between door and roof to go by, it might take some time. Time he didn't want to spend wandering around Daggerhand grounds.

Emerald eyes scanned the streets. Looking for the hint of red. He quickly found a different route when one of the armed gangs of thugs that patrolled the streets came by. He found a second alley to dissappear into out of sight from the larger road he had been on initially. The captain had probably hidden his stash in one of the back buildings away from larger paths. Kvist took a gander out from the corner of a building, saw a singular figure stand outside a building. Judging from his stance he looked quite jumpy. His head kept swaying from side to side, ensuring no one could sneak up behind him. Kvist took a deep breath. If he approached the man, he would spot him, undoubtedly. Kvist glanced up. No the rooftops were too old and rotten to support his weight. He'd crash through at any moment. He prepared himself to go out and pass by the building. When a voice called from inside and the guard came running in.

Kvist silently thanked the gods as he emerged and made his way down the back alley. Above the door. Red scraped paint. A busted in door under. Sounds from within as Kvist leant against the building. Knelt next to the door. Making him as small as possible. Trying to get a take on the situation. Stealth had never been his forté, but seemed that the men inside were busy yelling at one another.

Petch

'Petching moronic piece of shyke!' Voice full of wrath yelled. In response another man defended himself. 'I had to do it! You saw him! He attacked me!' Kvist peeked through the busted door opening and saw a bleeding man on the ground. Gurgling as two men, neither impressive pushed one another. One of them the man Kvist had seen outside. A third voice, hidden from his eyes called.

'Enough, stop fighting and start tearing this place apart! But first, kill him. And hurry, before the Hands come!'

There was no time to wait any longer. Without waiting. Without even thinking Kvist made it through the door. One of the thugs was kneeling next to the courier. The courier looked beyond saving, but Kvist was not about to let anyone be murdered in front of him. Might be a scumbag sunberthian courier, but Kvist was still a knight. The thugs right arm was reached out with a dagger, about to slide it between the couriers ribs and end his life. The right side of his ribcage was exposed and vulnerable. Kvist didn't think twice as he piston kicked the man directly in the chest. The rib shattering kick broke several of the man's ribs and sent him sliding across the floor with a surprisingly weak voice. Perhaps he had managed to wind the man as well, which would have been an added bonus. Kvist drew his dagger and quickly pursued as the two, he assumed, others were still too stunned to act upon the sudden attack from the knight. With little remorse, Kvist knelt and the dagger stabbed into the soft flesh between the ribs and thigh. Not immediately fatal, but unless the man had magical or divine aid, it ought to knock him out of the fight.
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Lion, the mercenary.

Postby Markus Andres on April 18th, 2015, 1:57 am

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The third man appeared from the other room. Brandishing an axe. Not any axe. An actual war axe and not a peasant tool. This looked like a real fighter, not a thug. He also looked leaner than those guys. Like he could actually swing that axe properly.

The third man came at Kvist. Kvist jumped back as the axe swung by. Kvist found himself against the wall when he took another step back. A quick glance told him the guard was getting up from under the killer. Though the killer seemed to be holding on to him. Pleads for help were coming between whimpers. Kvist ducked low. Axe crashed against the wall behind him. Kvist leapt forward. Shoulder dug into the man. He felt it straight away.

Armour. The man was wearing armour.

Kvist was already mid motion to fatally stab the man, as the dagger came as a follow up. But the tip couldn't even penetrate the layers of chainmail that kept the man protected. But Kvist was larger and the tackle itself sent him stumbling back. Kvist reached back and retrieved his shield. He wanted to get the Peacekeeper too, but it was too large for combat inside of this room. Kvist needed to call on his magick. He couldn't fight two enemies if one was armoured. Too risky. He needed to make this quick. The screams from the man was undoubtedly attracting the attention of the Daggerhand. Kvist didn't want to fight those guys. Kvist sought inward. Sought the astral pathways that carried the maelstrom of energy he wanted to direct to more useful areas. He beckoned and forced energy into his thighs. He felt the strength. But he was not going to let it simmer in those thighs.

Kvist feigned another attack at the third man. He fell for it, axe came out to stop the attacker – instead it found air. Kvist propelled himself in the direction of the man who had stood guard outside. Knight's left foot touched the ground. Found his balance. Right leg swung forward and down. Forced to the ground. Found the man's shin and scrapped down the leg. Peeling away a layer of skin. Boot scrapped down his leg and stomped onto his foot. The Guard not suspecting an attack widened his eyes as a shriek escaped his lips. Kvist rotated his upper body. Left arm rose with the shield. The teethed metal shield collided with the guard's face. Face turned into a mess of blood and broken teeth and skull. Kvist swung his right side forward again. Dagger found the man. Lower than Kvist had intended and further back. It sunk deep, but Kvist was forced to let go of it as the man fell. Kvist spun around to face the third man. Who in a tick's time had seen Kvist cross the room and utterly dominate one of his friends.

Kvist was surprised by the determination with which the third man came at him. Kvist reached for the Peacekeeper, but the man was too quick. Axe came in. It was deflected by the shield. Flew over Kvist. The knight jumped back and away. Over the two incapacitated men who whimpered in their pain. Kvist dodged to the right. Kept the shield between him and the attacking man. Trying to get into a better position. The room was too small for his liking. He also felt the strain on his thighs. The magick empowered him, true, but they also caused the acid to build up faster as they demanded their precious oxygen. It could be offset by more magick, but Kvist was not interested in risking his legs. He could handle this the old fashioned way. Half a smirk of a man enjoying himself, Kvist moved.
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Lion, the mercenary.

Postby Markus Andres on April 18th, 2015, 2:01 am

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Weary legs pushed Kvist forward, caught the Third by surprise as Kvist punched for his face. His fist swung just short of the face. Kvist grimaced, he saw the axe under him. Pressed against his chest plate. Petcher had managed to keep him at bay. Kvist threw his head back as he read the opponent correctly. Axe came up. Trying to catch Kvist in the jaw from below. He saw the axe head miss him by less than an inch. Felt the air as it brushed by. Kvist felt the pull of Dira. He felt the adrenaline in his veins. This was exciting.

Kvist sent himself forward again. Shield rose and the teethed edge dug into the third's elbow from below. Keeping the axe from descending again. The man grimaced and yelped as the metal edge dug into his elbow. The sudden shock released the axe from his grip. A swashbuckling fighter would probably have caught that axe to the amazement of the crowd, Kvist tried to keep things simple. Right arm came in again, hooked the man in the jaw. His face was throw aside. Kvist stepped forward and right leg piston kicked the third in his upper thigh. He stumbled back. Kvist didn't give him room to breathe as he pursued. Right leg touched ground and Kvist stepped into the man, shield leading. Forcing him up against the wall. Kvist threw his head into the face of the man. Heard a crunch as his forehead struck the man in the bridge of his nose. Kvist dipped as low he could with the right of his body. Right arm reached down and caught the man by his right leg and pulled. The man fell with a crash. He was dazed and confused. Offered little resistance other than a weak punch here and there.

With the man on the ground, Kvist straddled the man and hammered the shield down again and again. Arms became broken and mangled. Until they no longer offered resistance. Then the shield descended upon the man's unguarded face. The mess he left was ungodly and he pushed himself back and away from the dead man. Grimaced a little at what he had done. Looked to the other two men. One of them was still alive. The initial victim. Kvist dipped low and picked up the waraxe. Intending to fix that problem. The man raised his arms in defense, the axe cared little as it smashed through his defenses and left a gaping hole in his chest. Kvist withdrew the axe and found his dagger as well. He looked at the grisly scene around him and remembered the courier. He rushed to his side, only to find that when Dira had come to collect the others, she had taken him along with her. The wounds too grievous. Hazelnut coloured eyes looked into the room one last time before Kvist slid a hand over his eyes and closed them. He sighed as he wished he could've been there a little sooner. Just another chime and this man might have lived. Long moments ticked away as Kvist silently cursed the city for all the death it brought.

The package!

He found the room in question and started hacking away at the floor boards with the axe. Piece of wood flew away by each swing. Soon he broke through. With a single heave he pulled the floorboard away and reached into the darkness and found a box wrapped in cloth. He replaced it with the waraxe and left the house. He had entered it only a couple of chimes earlier. But he felt the buzz as adrenaline wore off. Covered in blood, it was no use trying to pretend that nothing had happened. So he stuck to the back alleys the best he could on his way back to the ship. The package felt a little heavy, but he didn't care about the content.

Kvist dropped the package wordlessly on the captain's desk. The man looked up with a single question on his lips. Kvist shook his head. The courier was dead. But judging from the blood covering the knight, so was those who had done it... Unless the captain thought Kvist had done it... Either way, the man had his package. Kvist had carried out his job. The captain seemed satisfied, but the knight would have preferred that the courier had been there as well.

But Sunberth was Sunberth...
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Markus Andres
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Lion, The Mercenary.

Postby Sayana on June 26th, 2015, 6:00 pm

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Markus

Skills:
Skill EXP
Philosophy +1
Investigation +3
Land Navigation +2
Stealth +2
Unarmed Combat +3
Dagger +2
Tracking +1
Acrobatics +2
Flux +1
Tactics +1
Shield +2
Dual Wield +1
Axe +1


Lores:
  • Unarmed Combat: Piston Kick
  • Tactics: Disarm opponents quickly by speeding up legs with flux
  • Unarmed Combat: Headbutt

Comments :
Great thread. I liked the mix of investigation and combat. I didn’t realize quite how brutal Markus was though. Enjoy the grades.


Don't forget to edit/delete your grade request in the grade request thread.

If you have any questions or concerns about your grade please feel free to send me a message (like really, I’m all ears if you feel like I missed something).

Enjoy.
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