Solo [Sanctuary] Up In The Morning

Aoren feels it's time for a change.

(This is a thread from Mizahar's fantasy role play forum. Why don't you register today? This message is not shown when you are logged in. Come roleplay with us, it's fun!)

Built into the cliffs overlooking the Suvan Sea, Riverfall resides on the edge of grasslands of Cyphrus where the Bluevein River plunges off the plain and cascades down to the inland sea below. Home of the Akalak, Riverfall is a self-supporting city populated by devoted warriors. [Riverfall Codex]

[Sanctuary] Up In The Morning

Postby Aoren on March 20th, 2015, 2:14 pm

Image

12th of Spring, 515 AV

Spring had brought with it a chance for a new beginning.

Aoren stood watching the sun rise over the horizon from his vantage point. He breathed in the warmth that came with the change of seasons. He barely noticed the chill of the night as Syna smiled upon the world once again. The past two seasons had been seasons of change for Aoren. He reflected on them thinking on all of the actions that he’d taken. He couldn’t say that he regretted any of them though some had been very much out of character. Was that such a bad thing? He didn’t think so.

Aoren was changing.

He couldn’t tell whether or not it was for the better. What he did know was that he was not the same man that had set out from Syliras a year ago. Aoren spread his arms wide taking in a deep breath allowing the invigorating rays of the sun to flow over him. While he experienced no grand transformation that Caelum went through day in and day out he felt better. The Drykas man wore only a pair of linen pants and a loose fitting linen shirt. He was barefoot and free of any other burdens having risen shortly before the dawn. Something in him had spurred him on to greet the new day. Perhaps it was just the restless energy of Spring taking hold of him. To that end he fully intended to work off some of that excess energy by whipping himself into shape. He’d been remiss about his routines since coming to Riverfall but he was feeling up to getting back into them.

Bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet he rolled his shoulders and shook his arms getting himself loose. Aoren reached down grasping an ankle pulling it upwards to stretch his thigh muscles in that leg. He held the position for roughly thirty seconds before switching to the other leg repeating the stretch. He sat down extending his left leg outward while resting the sole of his right foot against his thigh. He leaned forward reaching out to grasp his toes holding the position until he began to feel the stretch take effect in both his lower back and his leg before alternating. The cycle continued for a few more minutes while Aoren loosened up the muscles in his legs before taking off at a light jog. He grimaced slightly as he felt the natural curves of the earth press against the soles of his feet. It had been some times since he’d run in the wilderness barefoot but he’d already begun and he wasn’t going to stop just yet.

Aoren kept his pace as even as he could. His running ability had been diminished after several seasons of nothing but intense study with only a minimal amount of physical activity. The bare minimum to be exact just enough to keep himself healthy. He felt stiff. The muscles in his body didn’t feel as strong as they’d once been. He would have to work on that. He’d made a promise a long time ago to someone who had been put to rest for several years, he intended to keep it. If only because he felt the need to protect the people who he was growing closer to with every passing day. He kept running trying to inhale through his nose and exhale through his mouth. If he could keep his breathing under control he might increase his stamina while running. It would take quite a bit of work before there were any real results.
User avatar
Aoren
Of things long forgotten...
 
Posts: 1264
Words: 1240868
Joined roleplay: August 27th, 2012, 4:26 am
Location: Endrykas
Race: Human, Drykas
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets
Plotnotes
Medals: 8
Featured Character (1) Featured Thread (1)
Guest Storyteller (1) Overlored (1)
Donor (1) One Thousand Posts! (1)
One Million Words! (1) 2013 Mizahar NaNo Winner (1)

[Sanctuary] Up In The Morning

Postby Aoren on March 20th, 2015, 2:20 pm

Image

Aoren broke out into a sprint. He pushed himself to run as fast as his legs would carry him over a short distance as he made laps around the Sanctuary compound. When he felt a burn in his legs he pushed down with concentrated effort propelling himself into the air attempting to twist his body in mid-air. The goal was to perform a hands free front flip powered solely by his lower body strength. The maneuver was not so successful. For all of his trouble Aoren misjudged how high he should have jumped and came down onto the ground landing on his side. He hissed in pain as he felt one of his shoulders scrape against the ground. He lay there for a moment, his breathing elevated, and his heart beating faster in his chest.

With a sigh he rolled flat onto his back before pushing himself up to his feet. Dusting off his pants he shook his head then rolled the shoulder that had rubbed against the ground. It was sore with some of the skin rubbed raw from the dirt. Feeling the gentle urging of Rak’keli’s gift, Aoren brought a hand to his shoulder clasping it lightly. The soothing light of the Goddess of Healing washed over his shoulder taking away the minor scrapes and the worst of the soreness. He would have to be more careful and remind himself that it had been quite some time since he’d performed some more advanced acrobatic maneuvers. Still, Aoren was not deterred. He rubbed his neck massaging a tight spot before jumping up and down lightly to get a feel for his balance. Closing his eyes he centered his attention on the motion of his own body doing his best to get back into the rhythm of fluid movements. When he felt more comfortable he took off at a light jog once more.

Aoren contemplated on how to go about getting back into the swing of using his body as effectively as he once had. He would have to spend some time considering good methods of getting himself back into shape if not even better shape than he had been since he began his studies. Sweat was beginning to bead on his forehead and along his lower back. His breathing certainly wasn’t coming as evenly as it had when he’d begun. That was enough to tell him just how far he had to go before he was where he wanted to be. Taking as deep a breath as he was able he picked up the pace breaking out into another sprint. He kept up the speed for a good ten seconds before he grunted bearing down with his legs and tilting forward catching himself on the palms of his hands.

This time rather than try to propel himself into a flip solely using the weight of his legs, Aoren combined the strength of both his legs and arms to complete the maneuver successfully. He’d done it before on several occasions but this time would be different. He didn’t simply stop after performing one flip. Doing his best to take hold of his forward momentum Aoren allowed his body to keep rolling. As the bottoms of his feet touched the ground he pushed forward continuing the tilt catching himself with the palms of his hands completing a series of three successful flips. He stopped himself after the third flip swaying slightly getting a little dizzy.
User avatar
Aoren
Of things long forgotten...
 
Posts: 1264
Words: 1240868
Joined roleplay: August 27th, 2012, 4:26 am
Location: Endrykas
Race: Human, Drykas
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets
Plotnotes
Medals: 8
Featured Character (1) Featured Thread (1)
Guest Storyteller (1) Overlored (1)
Donor (1) One Thousand Posts! (1)
One Million Words! (1) 2013 Mizahar NaNo Winner (1)

[Sanctuary] Up In The Morning

Postby Aoren on March 20th, 2015, 2:22 pm

Image

Well, that was productive.” He smiled to himself despite the pounding of his heartbeat in his ears. He felt lightheaded, likely from the continued movement. He wasn’t exactly accustomed to moving in such a manner repeatedly but he was aiming to change that. Aoren clasped his hands behind his head expanding his chest in an attempt to breathe easier. He kept moving. If he stopped he knew he would just get dizzier and fall over. As he walked he thought on places around Riverfall that might be useful in the training regimen that was forming in his mind.

The city itself offered a variety of ways to increase the maneuverability of his body. Just getting around took effort. He decided that he would use that to his advantage. It would certainly do him some good in the long run. He’d been sedentary for too long. Dropping his arms, Aoren took several more deep calming breaths. His heart was still racing but it wasn’t time to take a rest just yet. Bringing his right arm across his chest he caught it in the crook of his elbow and pulled firmly until he felt a stretching along the muscles in his upper arm. He repeated the stretch with his opposite arm before dropping them swinging both arms back and forth.

Okay. Here we go.

Coming to a halt he closed his eyes feeling the growing light of the day upon his body for just a moment. Opening his eyes he took off at a run once more. His pace was slower than when he’d started out. The repeated break between jogging, sprinting and walking was making him increasingly aware of just how unpracticed he’d become at regulating his running speed. To that end, Aoren grit his teeth pushing just a little harder in spite of the burn he’d begun to feel in his thighs and shins. Glancing at the high wall of the Sanctuary compound he found an idea that just might break up the monotony of the running. It was something he’d only ever seen some of the most disciplined and skilled fighters back in Syliras accomplish. Aoren had spent more than a few seasons honing his skills in the Fighter’s Pit. He was nowhere near the level of skill of many of them but with time he might equal them.

Grunting he did his best to increase his speed as much as he could give in that moment. As he turned the corner around the Sanctuary, Aoren darted toward the wall. Just before he might crash into the stone he jumped up trying to catching himself on the flat of the stone using his momentum to continue running. The result would have appeared as if Aoren was running along the surface of the wall. For all of his effort though his foot slipped and he stumbled tripping. He was spared a face full of dirt and grass by rolling and landing on his side. The impact wasn’t especially forceful. The only real wound he suffered was to his pride. Aoren sighed inwardly.
User avatar
Aoren
Of things long forgotten...
 
Posts: 1264
Words: 1240868
Joined roleplay: August 27th, 2012, 4:26 am
Location: Endrykas
Race: Human, Drykas
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets
Plotnotes
Medals: 8
Featured Character (1) Featured Thread (1)
Guest Storyteller (1) Overlored (1)
Donor (1) One Thousand Posts! (1)
One Million Words! (1) 2013 Mizahar NaNo Winner (1)

[Sanctuary] Up In The Morning

Postby Aoren on March 20th, 2015, 2:25 pm

Image

It’s going to take a lot more than just a spur of the moment decision to pull that off, Aoren.

Aoren also wasn’t used to using much of the environment around him in his acrobatic techniques. He’d seen it done before but had never really attempted it himself. As he brought himself back to his feet he dusted off his pants and his side. A noticeable sheen of sweat covered his body and made the fabric cling to him in various places. He was thankful for the fact that he was doing all of this early in the morning before the heat of the day took hold of the world. Deciding to give his exercises one last go around, Aoren jumped up and down on the balls of his feet for a few seconds to get himself as limber as he could. He was going to give everything he had on this last lap around the compound.

Caelum is going to frown when he sees the scrapes.

The thought made Aoren chuckle and lent some relief to the aching he was feeling in his body from so much exertion. Letting out as steady a breath as he could manage, Aoren inhaled through his nostrils and exhaled through his mouth. It didn’t do much to alleviate his breathlessness but it was something. He hoped that with time it would become easier to breathe as he grew used to doing such strenuous activity. With that he pushed those thoughts out of his head and took off. Aoren started slow. The pound of the dirt beneath him was what he focused on. He ignored the soreness on the bottoms of his bare feet. He pushed past the ache in his shins. He forced himself to keep running despite the burning in his chest as his lungs complained at the strained effort.
User avatar
Aoren
Of things long forgotten...
 
Posts: 1264
Words: 1240868
Joined roleplay: August 27th, 2012, 4:26 am
Location: Endrykas
Race: Human, Drykas
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets
Plotnotes
Medals: 8
Featured Character (1) Featured Thread (1)
Guest Storyteller (1) Overlored (1)
Donor (1) One Thousand Posts! (1)
One Million Words! (1) 2013 Mizahar NaNo Winner (1)

[Sanctuary] Up In The Morning

Postby Aoren on March 20th, 2015, 2:27 pm

Image

Aoren took off.

He gave absolutely everything that he had left in him in that last lap. He ran, sprinting as fast as his legs would carry him, his breath coming in short gasps. He could feel the wind on his body but all he could hear was the pounding of his heart in his ears. As he rounded a corner, Aoren let out a pained grunt as he pushed himself into the air. He angled his body sideways jutting out a hand performing a one handed cartwheel. When his feet touched the earth again he stumbled. Instead of fighting the forward motion this time however, Aoren went with it. He allowed himself to tilt forward. As he tipped he caught himself by placing the flat of his palms upon the ground and kicking his legs up into the air flipping his body forward. He repeated the flip as his heels touched the ground one more time before the strength seemed to leave his legs. Aoren fell down to one knee.

His chest was heaving. Sweat was rolling down the side of his face, the early morning light seemed too bright and his head was spinning. He closed his eyes pushing back a small wave of nausea that hit him. When he didn’t feel as if moving would cause him to pass out he opened his eyes rising to his full height. Reaching down he grasped the hem of his shirt lifting it up over his head, Aoren used the shirt to wipe his brow. He made himself take a few slow steps forward before walking for a few more minutes. He felt good about how much he’d pushed himself but he wasn’t entirely satisfied with the result. He still had much work to do before he was at a place where he would be satisfied with what he could accomplish with his body.

Spring was a season of rebirth and change. Aoren was determined to change himself. Whether or not that was for the better only time would tell but he was going to do it. Making his way through the entrance of the Sanctuary he could hear the sounds of life stirring. The other residents of the compound were either waking or beginning their daily tasks. Aoren made his way toward the tunnel that would lead to The Within and from there he would head to the bath. The day would be a long one but that wasn’t a bad thing. He took a look around the Sanctuary as he passed the pastures, the Animal Healing School that Kavala was working so hard to start, and the other facilities within the compound.

This is my home.” Aoren smiled. Thoughts of Caelum, of Lillian, Xira, Adrien and Kavala brushed across his consciousness.

He was going to work as hard as he could to both protect it and pull his own weight. As he neared the tunnel leading down to The Within he began forming a plan on how to make that which was already good, even better.
This was his life. It was time to decide how to live it.
User avatar
Aoren
Of things long forgotten...
 
Posts: 1264
Words: 1240868
Joined roleplay: August 27th, 2012, 4:26 am
Location: Endrykas
Race: Human, Drykas
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets
Plotnotes
Medals: 8
Featured Character (1) Featured Thread (1)
Guest Storyteller (1) Overlored (1)
Donor (1) One Thousand Posts! (1)
One Million Words! (1) 2013 Mizahar NaNo Winner (1)

[Sanctuary] Up In The Morning

Postby Caelum on March 27th, 2015, 2:25 pm

Image
Thread Award




Aoren



Skills
Acrobatics +3
Bodybuilding +2
Endurance +5
Running +5


Lores
Running: Barefoot
Breathing Technique: Increased Stamina
Acrobatics: Running Front Flips
Acrobatics: Wall Running





Notes


Well done as always. Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns and don't forget to edit your post in the grade request folder to reflect completion. :) Keep on being awesome.
User avatar
Caelum
The best way out is through.
 
Posts: 1961
Words: 1093768
Joined roleplay: March 18th, 2010, 10:27 pm
Location: Riverfall
Race: Ethaefal
Character sheet
Storyteller secrets
Scrapbook
Journal
Plotnotes
Medals: 11
Featured Character (1) Featured Contributor (1)
Featured Thread (1) Guest Storyteller (1)
Lore Author (1) Peer Reviewer (1)
Trailblazer (1) Donor (1)
One Thousand Posts! (1) Extreme Scrapbooker (1)


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests