Curse

Retribution X · Dec 07, 2005, 01:28 PM // 13:28

Um, yeah, he was TRYING to listen...

IC
Xanthos Laughed, then replied, "then i must teach you how to wield it! Balthazar himself was my trainer."

he held his blade up, and right after the hilt, balanced it upon one finger. "This is the aft of the blade. a balanced sword must have this." he said, in a quite voice.

After observing Anna's blade, he spoke again.

"this sword is inbalanced. good thing you haven't met a formitable opponent." Xanthos commented, "it would cleave right about here, leaving you weaponless." he pointed to a slight flaw in the temper of the blade.

"This is a very old blade sir." Anna Replied, unsure about what he was saying, "it's my fathers. he died just before i went to the crystle desert."

Xanthos paused to look into her eyes, before speaking again. "here, this is a ceramonial blade. let me give you a lighter blade."

Anna's eyes' flashed as he drew a longsword from his belt. "here" Xanthos Said, "Take it. it's a perfectly balanced blade, made by Balthazar himself. it is priceless." Then he added "nice meeting you!"

Synapse · Dec 07, 2005, 04:10 PM // 16:10

Anna took the sword that Xanthos offered. It felt as light and swift right now as her fathers sword felt while under the enchantment of illusionary weaponry! She almost believed that she could do damage with this sword un-aided by her magics. Common sense prevailed however and Anna replied, “I – I cannot accept such a wonderful gift as this. I have no way to pay for such a sword and it’s beauty and balance is wasted on me. Besides, it is my illusion magic that deals the damage. While I am enchanted even my father’s old sword becomes light and swift……..It is just the down time between the end of the enchantment and the time I re-cast it that this sword would do me any good. But alas I have not the skill to use it without my enchantment on me. For those intervals I have stances and I try to disengage if I can, while I wait to re-cast. You see, my skills are in tactics – not swordsmanship. No sir, I thank you for this offer but I am content to bury this, my fathers sword, deep into the hearts of our enemy.”
With that, she left him and went to look for the monk.

Symeon · Dec 07, 2005, 04:34 PM // 16:34

It was now late evening and most of the adventurers aboard the ship were making for their beds. Having talked with Inf, and changed Inf's mind a bit concerning Cantha, Symeon went back up on deck briefly, noticing Anna and the young warrior boy he had dueled earlier talking about swords. He went back down into the sleeping quarters.

Something had been bothering his mind - why was Eric the monk on this ship? Was he, like Inf, just here because of a getaway from trouble? Or was he different to Inf, did he really want to fight in Cantha? In any case, Symeon pictured himself fighting in a group with the few people he had met so far, and a monk to aid them would certainly be a great thing.

He saw Eric a little way down a corridor, and approached him.
'Why hello, Symeon' he said.
'Greetings, Eric,' replied Symeon.
'Something on your mind?'
'Do you know the ranger, Inf,' asked Symeon.
'Yes. I have spoken to him once or twice.'
'I spoke with him, for I saw him - stealing apples - in the market, and then run off to the ship, as if he was being followed. After that, I noticed you talking to that family and those guards and then running to the ship.'
'And...' the monk looked uncertain.
'Inf was on this ship only for a getaway. I think I may have just changed his mind a bit about Cantha. I was just wondering, since we are obviously known to each other and will probably therefore be in a group together, whether your reason for being on this ship was similar to Inf's?'
'Well, yes,' said the monk. 'It's a rather long story, but I rescued some children from some slave dealers and came to Lion's Arch, met their parents. But I was approached by guards for stealing, so I asked the parent how I could get out. He pointed to the ship to Cantha, so I ran here.'
'Ahhh,' said Symeon nodding. 'That would explain what I saw. But, are you wishing to fight in Cantha?'
The monk suddenly turned away. He appeared to be looking at something, like a vision, and briefly mouthed a word. Then he turned back.
'It is not the reason I came on this ship, but yes, if I am going to Cantha, I guess I will generally join in the fight.'
Symeon smiled. 'Then let us be blessed by the Gods as we fight together,' he said.

The monk smiled briefly, and then they both turned to see Anna approaching.
'Hi, Symeon, hi Eric.' She smiled at both of them, and sat down on a stall. She winced, then said 'Eric. I have been wondering - about how you got me on this ship...'
'Partner in crime?'
'Yes.'
The monk laughed.
'Well...' he began.
'I am not really much of a criminal...is there any particular reason why you said what you said?'
'No, not really,' replied the monk. 'I just noticed you being stopped by the guard while everyone else was being let through, and you looked like a nice person. I came over to see what was going on, and just thought of a way to let you on the ship.'
'Well,' said Anna, smiling. 'Thank you, then.'
'No problem,' the monk said and winked.
'I'm tired. See you two tomorrow,' said Symeon.

They all split up and went to their beds.

----------------------------------------------

PS: this is getting reaaallly good! As long as all the characters who entered the story keep up the posting, we should have a great story here!

Retribution X · Dec 07, 2005, 05:42 PM // 17:42

Xanthos headed into the cabin, looked his bunk in dismay, only 6 feet long by 2 feet wide. why did they give him a lady's bunk? He tried fitting his 6 1/2 foot frame on the bunk, but decided against sleeping there, and found the floor not to his liking either.

Where was your mother when you needed her? Well, she was most likely at the bottom of the bay that used to be Orr, dead.

He tried to forget, but it kept popping up, so he let the feelings take over.

He felt like he was there again, when Orr fell away into the sea, the ground shook, people screaming, buildings falling. His father was in kryta, he had joined the mantle. his mother well, there she was, under a large stone that fell off a house, crushing her under it's weight. Suddenly a figure in a long black robe appeared beside him.

"Follow me." it said, in a raspy hollow voice, "before you are another loss in this destruction."
"My familly is dead!" Xanthos yelled, "Even my younger sister! Grenth couldn't even spare her."
"Ahh, so you think." It replied, "would you be wasted, without revenge?"
Xanthos set his chin, then replied, "No, i won't. Lead me away!"

The being rushed them to a large cave, which he entered, beckoning Xanthos to follow. Xanthos carefully entered, as bandits were in the area. Suddenly Xanthos fell to ground unconcous, as he was hit, hard. The 2 bandits crept up on the other being, and the one swung his club, but dropped to the ground in agony, rubbing his chest where his heart should be. the other knelt beside his dying friend, looking up in amazment, as the being had revealed it's true form...

Towering above the kneeling bandits stood grenth, scepter in hand, looking at them with cold eyes of fire.

The bandit shook in fright before replying, "Grenth! i'm sorry, i didn't recognise you! I didn't mean to! i wouldn't have ever dreamed it!"
"Get out of my sight cur!" Grenth bellowed, "Before i take you too!"

The bandit rushed out of the cave, screaming with fright. Grenth sealed the cave off, so no more unwanted visitors came.

4 other being appeared then, these uncloaked. Dwayna knelt beside Xanthos, and healed him with a touch.

Xanthos look up, and saw Dwayna, and 4 others, asked, "Are you a goddess?"
Dwayna replied, "Yes, i am Dwayna. the others are melandru, lyssa, Balthazzor, and i believe you know grenth."
Xanthos immeditaly rolled onto his stomach, face down, replied with near agony "I didn't recognise you my lords! I'm sorry! please fogive me"

Balthazar spoke up, "Xanthos, you are home now."
"I am dead?" Xanthos asked, uncerain, "and went to the rift?"
The cave roared with laughter of the five, then Grenth replied "No, there are things you must complete first.

TO be continued

Symeon · Dec 07, 2005, 08:21 PM // 20:21

Symeon awoke, a strange whurring noise seemingly coming from inside his head. It was annoying, and he slapped his head a few times, and lay back down. It was probably just something you get from being on a ship, he thought. After a while he managed to get back to sleep.
He dreamt.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
He was walking. On a beach. He looked down, but couldn't see his feet. He didn't care. He walked by the side of the sea, and the water was warm. As it washed up over his feet he felt woozey. He ran, and slipped over. He looked sideways from on the ground and saw something in the water. It was an axe, a flaming axe. It was burning bright in this eyes, almost blinding him. He reached out for it, and it disappeared.

Suddenly, he fell into a cave. In the cave he found people standing around him. They were the people he had met - Eric, Anna, Inf, Xanthos, guards in Lion's Arch, old friends in the Lionguard, friends from his old adventures...
And one final one. It was a tall figure, dressed in armour and red robes. Symeon could not see inside his helmet but saw a beard hanging out. And the figure also had long, womanly curls coming out of the helmet, and Symeon noticed slender hands coming out of the armour, and symbols on the figure's armour, and water flowing from the hands. And the figure suddenly formed a small tree like a platform and sat on it.

It was a blur, but Symeon, in his dreaminess, realised the figure was Balthazar-Melandru, the combination of man and woman, war and nature, war and peace, lust and love.

The other people around were stepping back. All was very blurred. But Balthazar-Melandru spoke:
'Symeon Aethril, my greatest of followers, who empowers the tiger and the values of nature in his battling and in his peace. Symeon the courageous, the good, the generous, the understanding. Symeon, the greatest of all that follow such great a combination as I. Go unto Cantha, and fight well, but do not do so without protecting your friends, your comrades. Respect the nature you fight in, the creatures you fight amongst, the environment you charge on. Act by the true spirit of Balthazar-Melandru, and you, greatest of my followers, shall receive a reward truly great. Look to the world as your heart judges, follow your instincts. You shall fight gloriously, and for your respect of me, you will receive what you were born to receive.'

'Th-thunk ye-ou,' Symeon's words were like those that weren't meant to happen in a dream, it all evaporated and he awoke.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was morning.

chris_nin00 · Dec 07, 2005, 08:55 PM // 20:55

After talking a bit with Eric and his belief's, Infamous left the table with an a head full of thoughts again.
-Cantha huh? That's a bunch of suicide! I haven't even rested since that Flameseeker crap! The gods didn't even help us there! It was all full of deceit! I need to go back home... I need a break...
-Eric seemed to believe in gods differently from other people. I wonder what made him that way?
-Xanthos gave me some apples earlier in the day... I bet he did something to them.
-The hot mesmer...
-Canthan Cuisine stinks!
He also had a near empty stomach. He didn't like the Canthan Cuisine. Ugghh. Poison hits the spot anyway and a nap to go along with that. It's almost night anyway. Infamous walks out of the galley and to the quarters. He hears---
'Footsteps,' Infamous thinks. He spins around and sees the Warrior that was sitting with the hot mesmer.
'Oh, hello,' Inf. says
'Hi Inf. I've been wondering something. It wasn't really the desire to go to Cantha and fight that brought you on this ship, was it?'
'Oh no, hes on to me,' Infamous thinks,'Better use my cool suaveness'
'No, why, how did you know?' Replies infamous in a collected tone

.
'I saw you steal the apples, Inf,' he said, winking.
Shiznit... and it all went down hill from there. The jig was up.
But it didn't look like he wouldn't tell the authorities. He looked to good for that.
'I should be fine' Infamous thought.
Infamous didn't listen to the rest of the conversation. He just smiled and nodded.

When Symeon left, Infamous, with a backpack on his shoulder, chose a quarter instead of the cargo... he knew it was safe here.

Once he got in he got in, he set the place up. Bow on the desk, poison on the bedside. Flint and tinder on the wood. And the 6 apples stayed in his backpack.

Infamous jumped into the bed,
"Ouch!" Infamous yelled as his butt hit the base of the bed.
This is some crappy Canthan roomservice! The beds don't even have cusions...
'I've suffered through worst conditions...' Infamous said with a scorn look on his face.

Infamous stripped into his whitey tightys and went into the bed.
-Being 18 had its rewards

Retribution X · Dec 07, 2005, 09:21 PM // 21:21

Xanthos Leaped out of bed, breaking the bedframe with his head, yelling so loud it rocked the entire ship.

Xanthos was in a bad mood, and the captain that came to see what was wrong was his vent. the captian went flying into Infamous's room across the hall, breaking a hole in the wall.

Xanthos was now awake, as were the rest of the passengers, and Xanthos sprinted across the hall into Infamous's room, and seeing Infamious getting out of bed in white tightys yelled again!

Xanthos was Quite embarresed now, and ran unto the deck. He put his armor on as he ran. Then, he saw that mesmer again, laughing at him.

Symeon · Dec 08, 2005, 07:46 AM // 07:46

Fairly long post here. Guys, keep it up, Shimus, Hawk3y3. This story is going well, and we're nearly reaching Cantha now!
------------------------------------
Symeon awoke to a great deal of commotion, though he wasn't sure what it was about. He noticed other people getting up, and someone running around.
'Uhhhhhhhh' he moaned.
Then he got up, put on his clothing + armour, and stepped onto the deck. People were all walking around.

Then the captain of the ship announced:
'Comrades! We shall be reaching our destination in two days, as a strong wind by luck is carrying us swiftly across the ocean!'
Everyone cheered.
Then someone said, 'Look! Over there! On the horizon!'
Everyone went over to the side to look at what the person was pointing at.
On the horizon, in the still slightly dark morning sky, they could see faintly five lights, beaming across the sea. And they could also see very faint outlines of hills all along the horizon.
'Those are the Golden Lighthouses of Cantha!' said an aged elementalist. 'There are ten of them, five on each side of the great city and port, Kuri-Lenghe! And, they are made of gold and stretch twice the height of a normal lighthouse into the sky!'
Everyone oooohed. It was setting in, their adventure in Cantha really was close at hand.

'So we're landing in this Kuri-Lengy?' asked a young necromancer.
'No,' said the captain, striding forward. Everyone turned to face him. 'We land in the base camp, Cantic, that is a kind of trading post and camp for foreigners. Firstly, these ships are too big to be able to dock amongst the thousands of other ships in the Kuri-Lenghe docks. And secondly, they want to separate the foreigners.'
Everyone broke into chatter. People were pointing, laughing, sharing their thoughts.

As breakfast approached, Symeon headed down into the eating quarters, to sit opposite Inf and Xanthos, who were chatting merrily.
'So, what do you think of the mesmer?' inquired Xanthos.
'She looks fine,' said Inf, and they laughed.
'And you, Symeon,' said Xanthos, and they both turned to face Symeon. 'You must have a fancy for her.'
Symeon stared straight forward, munching on a bit of Canthan hard toast, then chuckled. 'I am thirty-five. You could say I am old. You two and her are young. I do not desire for that kind of love anymore.'
They laughed. Xanthos spoke again 'Symeon, surely you fancy her. I saw you talking to her earlier.'
Symeon replied: 'Can an old man not speak to a young lady without being said to fancy her?'
They laughed again.
'You've been in love before, surely, if you're 'old'?'
Symeon was silent. He didn't want those thoughts to come back.
'Symeon?'
'Yes, I was married to a woman in Lion's Arch.'
'Oh,' said Inf. 'So...'
'I do not wish to speak of it.'
------------------------------
Symeon's wife Elina had suffered under the Mantle. When she bore his baby that had the birthmark of Balthazar-Melandru on it, they had seized the baby and the woman and took them both to be killed amongst the Chosen in the jungle, on the Bloodstone. When they returned they sought Symeon to try him for religious wrongs, so Symeon fled to the adventure in the desert, the jungle and the mountains. He had witnessed his wife killed on the Bloodstone. He assumed the baby was killed elsewhere.
--------------------------------
'So, you will not love again?'
'No, I don't think I will. I feel after all I've been through that I'm too old for such things now.'
They were all silent. The mesmer and the monk at another table were also silent.
The waves hit the side of the ship. The wind was howling, pushing them ever closer towards Cantic and the start of their adventure.

Shimus DarkRaven · Dec 08, 2005, 09:02 AM // 09:02

No compy for a day or so, hunting expedition. But here I go:
-------------------------------------------------------------

Shimus awoke at the yell of the Seaman's scream from the crow's nest.

"Land, Ahoy!" Shouted the Seaman.

Finally, thought shimus. Finally, indeed. After a long haul from his departure, and what seemed like way to long a time period for a ship such as this, he stepped out onto the deck in the warm morning seamist.

"So, Captain, I believe my fare was already accounted for, and all?" Shimus stated.

"Aye, I told you the day of the deed, did I not? You must have tuned me out like you always do!" The Captain replied, half-jokingly.

"Fare the well, old man. I have business, and must be off." Shimus said as he departed with a friendly wave.

Cantha. What a sight to behold it was. One might say the gods were reborn anew with this land. Standing on the beach, Shimus walked softly as the sand crunched underfoot. It was an oddity too; the sand here was a deep maroon.
To his left, was a small port town nestled amongst the thick overgrowth that could only be called a jungle.

"Hmm, we seem to be off course," Shimus mumbled to no-one in particular, "We must have landed in the jungles of a Kiurn-hai, the western edge of Cantha."

Mumbling some other things, like cursing the old captain for dropping him off about a five-day hike to the temple he needed to be at, only hastened his impatience and will to be off again. Shimus readjusted his armor, dropping his elementalist training and brought back memories of the Monk, renewing his secondary proficiency in the art of healing. This way; thought he, he could travel as a passing healer, a solid guise if ever there was one. He started off across the dock he was on now, and preceded to walk into the nearby town, intent on getting something to eat and finding a way through this place.

He arrove in the town famished. So he decided to take in his nutrients by means of the local tavern. Stopping into the tavern, he quickly seated himself in a corner table, away from the light and commotion that was the common room.

"What can I get for you, dear?" An elderly serving lady asked.

"A bowl of the thickest mutton or beef stew you have, with a pitcher of ale to wash it down." Shimus stated in a monotone voice, concentrating on the map across the jungles of the Kiurn-hai.

"That comes to 5 gold, dear." The serving lady stated.

Shimus just dropped a pouch on the table, slid it over to her, and said, "Keep the change, but make it a double-fast order if you can, good lady. I have business to be off to."

She nodded slowly and started off. With his concentration fully on the map, Shimus withdrew his utensils, his compass, to plot to most viable course over the jungles as possible without losing too much time. The more time I'm here, the less time I have to ensure the safety of my sister, thought he silently. Before too long his food was ready, and he was well on his way when there was a commotion in the commons room. It seemed a drunkard didn't know his place, and was causing trouble for the other patrons of the tavern. Shimus just ignored this and returned to his map. Then the drunkard, making his way to Shimus's table, slipped and bumped serving wench that dumped a platterful of some sauce all over Shimus's satin clothing.

Any other situation, I'd kill the guy, Shimus thought silently. But not today replied he to himself. Shimus helped the drunkard up, sat him at his table, even ordered him some food and drink, but then Shimus got down to the point at hand.

"Look 'Sir', I'm new to this land, and I'm in need of a guide through these here jungles. You will do this, to replace these fine clothes I lost. These clothes, were a gift to me from Ralena of Ascalon. You have no choice, so just sit here and eat and drink what I ordered for you." Shimus said in a gruff voice.

"Lisshhen her you litthle punk! I don't takshe orders from anyonse, let alonse youse!" The drunkard slurred out. Within the second of the man trying to get up to leave, Shimus had a dagger at his gut. He motioned for the man to sit down, which under duress, the man did.

"What's your name, or shall I just address you as I would a common dog?" Shimus almost sneered out.

"William Carlyle, a local to these parts, and I'm not a dog!" The man actually made out without slurring a word.

"Well, Bill, it seems like you and I have a little trek to go on, meet me at the general store with your things. If you do not arrive, I will hunt you down and kill you in a most unmerciful manner, starting with your fingers. Now off with you!" Shimus seethed.

Shimus went to pick up the matierials he would need for a hike through a foreign jungle, towards the Temple of the Precursors, situated roughly a two-day hike from the city of Kuri-Lenghe. The only known path was lost, as the jungle undergrowth is just as bad as of the overgrowth. Thankfully, in losing his satin clothes he gained a guide, which was a price he was thankful, and said a blessing to each god. To his sister he thought, I must make it to my sister. He recited the mantra of his clan to give him courage, then set off to find the man once more...this time, it was time to hike through the treacherous jungles of Kiurn-hai.

To be continued..

--The Shim

The undead Mesmer · Dec 08, 2005, 01:36 PM // 13:36

Hey so whe are in cantha now? (i already am so dont worry) now hmmm where to continue?
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Baltimore: Thanks Mako.
Mako: No problem matey now what are you gonna do now?
Baltimore: Whell i need some money for food so i think that i am gonna get a job.
Mako: I know a job for you a Ship from Tyria has docked here maybe you can help with unloading the cargo.
Baltimore: Good idea. Thanks again Mako.
Mako: No...
But before Mako could finish his sentence Baltimore ran off to get himself a job.

It should be here somewhere. Aah there it is.
Hey Captain could i get a little job here?
Sure matey you can help us unload the cargo you whill get 200gp when you are done.
Thats more then enough Thanks sir.
So Baltimore unloaded some cargo and got his payment, He whas tired and whent to the bar to get some beer and food.
Bartender: Some strange folks have came with that ship you better get not near them. They are sitting over there,
The bartender pointed in the direction to a dark corner of the bar
''Maybe i can get myself a job as a guide there''
So Baltimore ate his food thinking of where he could lead the travelers.
''Whell its annything or nothing''
Baltimore walked up to the Strange travelers and asked.

''Hello I am Black Wizard Baltimore, Let me be your guide in your travel through the majestic world of Cantha''

Synapse · Dec 08, 2005, 02:21 PM // 14:21

edit:OOC: I just re-read and noticed that Symeon's timeline said two days until landfall but I saw the monk hit the beach and....well.....sorry to steal 2 days from the story...

IC
The last night on the ship Anna couldn’t sleep. What with the cursing she could hear from Xanthos’ cabin about the accommodations and her own mind racing with conflicting emotions she ended up pulling on her rouges armor and going topside. It was the fist time she wad worn this armor. She had left home in the enchanters set so not to draw attention to herself and had been wearing it while aboard. She had been noticing some overly long stares from some of the adventurers, Inf in particular. So it was probably a good thing to put on this more modest attire., besides it was made for her particular specialty now anyway. She thought of Xanthos, the young swordsman, so quick and precise with his weapon, and Infamous, the eagle eyed ranger, who had been pretty much keeping to himself. These young men were both very handsome but it was Symeon who attracted her thoughts most of all…..there was a quiet strength about the man that was quite alluring to Anna. She found herself imagining the two of them together in some other setting…….it had happened for her mother…..it could happen for Anna too… - suddenly she burst out laughing, she couldn’t control it – the absurdity of her thoughts and the tension of the recent days – Anna was overcome with laughter. She was still laughing when there was a large crash, cursing, and she saw Xanthos running up the stairs, dressing as he ran.

Later that day the boat made it’s arrival and the adventures ended up in a base camp that had been set up to receive them. There was a flurry of activity around the ship as it was unloaded and eventually, after a hectic day they were relaxing over a meal in a dark corner of a tavern.

Symeon · Dec 08, 2005, 05:42 PM // 17:42

It was the day of landing, and everyone was crowded at the front of the ship, watching the shore get ever closer. They could see many details of the base camp, and the pier on which they would unload was very close now.

Then all of a sudden, they were beside the pier, and the ship anchored. Symeon noticed Canthan men tugging a rope from the ship and tieing it round a pole on the pier. Eventually the ship stood still.

With a heave and a thud, the unloading platform fell onto the pier, and everyone crowded over. There was a general shuffling, as everyone carrying their possessions, about one hundred of them, gradually pushed their way down. Someone fell into the sea and everyone laughed but helped him back up and wrapped warm towels around him.

They all made their way into the base camp, waving and cheering at the crew of the ship.The crew would probably soon join them when they all headed off on their visit to the main city.

The adventurers dispersed into different groups, some going off to wander, some heading straight for the pub sign. Symeon and his friends found each other and strolled around a bit, noticing many Canthan people smiling at them. It felt very weird, and they were all rather weary and the feel of walking on land was a little sickening.

They saw a small tavern, and headed in. There were some other adventurers and a number of Canthans around. They all ordered some simple looking food and drink from the barmaids who spoke Tyrian. Then they headed into a fairly dark corner of the tavern to sit on the floor around a delicately made low Canthan table. Their food and drink came and they were comfortable.

Suddenly, an aged and wise looking figure approached them.
They all turned to face him as he said:
'Hello I am Black Wizard Baltimore, Let me be your guide in your travel through the majestic world of Cantha'.
He was a Canthan with a large beard. He looked very old but friendly and knowledgeable. They accepted merrily.
After they had eaten and quenched their thirst sufficiently, 'Baltimore' showed them around the base camp.

They decided to take rest in the upstairs of another tavern, and bade farewell to Baltimore, saying they would see him tomorrow. Tomorrow, when they all made their way to the capital city, to marvel at it and to be received by the emperor. They got into their beds and slept well.

chris_nin00 · Dec 08, 2005, 07:08 PM // 19:08

8 year old Infamous was an apple eater. He loved apples, and he could not get enough. He always kept to the saying, an apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Until one day.
Young Infamous woke up one day having massive headaches and aching muscles. His parents hired a monk to come check on his sickness but the monk had no luck with the cure but he did find the origin of the malady.
It was an apple.
He concluded that some apples were filled with devourer eggs with poison. This strange disease had been going around town, to anyone who ate an apple from trees that harbored spiders/insects.
Infamous was near a coma until his Grandfather, a master ranger, came up with a cure. He had loved his Grandfather.
Since then Infamous had newfound energy. He was able to run faster and have better eyesight than a normal kids his age.
But with more energy came a flaw. He now dislikes apples. And his perspective of the world grew grim. He hated people for not helping him when he needed help.
His Grandfather always said during target practice to think of the thing you hate the most as the target. Infamous has used apples ever since that statement. It helped him improve his marksmanship greatly.

Infamous woke up with an immense headache. The ship lurched forward.
'We're here at the camp'
'look at the sights'
'Cantha has an amazing scenery'
Mysterious voices outside. We must've hit port.
Infamous got up and pack his things and went up on deck.

It was crowded, about 100 people or so. But there was one thing still nudging his brain.

"Captain!" Infamous yelled, "Captain!"
"How may I help ye'?" said a voice behind Infamous.
"Ahh!," Infamous squealed, "Oh it's you. Is this a round trip? Is this ship going back to Kryta?"
"Too late for that son," said the captain smirking, "This was the last trip. Remember that sea monster we hit? That usually doesn't happen. But do you know why it happened?"
"No," replied Infamous.
"Two words," smiled the captain, "Mating Season. We won't leave for another 3 months!"
/Gasp
Infamous turns and looks towards the sea.
"Surely there is another way back! Right? Right? Are you still there? Dammit!"
Infamous was pissed, this was the second time that the captain disappeared.
"Someone must be playing me," Infamous concluded, "Must be some sort of mesmer or just a really strange captain."
By this time everyone was off the boat. Infamous got off and looked around.

Infamous looked around the outpost. There's a pub, and some Market stands. Market stands, but no apples.

'So, there is no trip back to Kryta, there are no apples, I'm stuck on Cantha for another 3 months due to mating season, Cantha food stinks, and lastly Cantha is suicide."

Infamous headed to the pub for a drink. He needed it.

The undead Mesmer · Dec 08, 2005, 09:08 PM // 21:08

Baltimore happy because he got himself a job bought himself 1 more beer.
"I can finnaly help some people again, When whas it that i last helped people killing that lich? 4, 5 months ago?"
Baltimore drank his beer and whent straight to bed. "I need to got lots of energy when whe are going to the Capital city of Cantha. I sure hope that i remember the way"
And so Baltimore fell asleep and didnt dream that night.

"Kukulukooooooo" Shouted a Chacken waking up Baltimore,"Ok lets get those lazy Tyrians out of bed for the sake of Grenth"
He creeped over to the door where one of the travelers stayed, The one called Symeon.
"3.. 2... 1...." Baltimore took a deep breath and shouted. "WAKE UP SYMEON WHE GOT A LONG WAY TO GO IF YOU WHANT TO GO TO THE CAPITAL CITY"
"I think he fell out of bed" Baltimore entered the room with a big grin on his face.
"What are you so happy about?" Symeon asked. "Whell this is my first day since a few months that i guided somebody from one place to another" "But dont worry you wont get lost"
"Thats good" Symeon said Let me get my stuff and wake up the other and whe are ready to go.

Baltimore walked down the stairs and waited outside the bar for around 30 minutes. Those Tyrians sure are slow Baltimore Mumbled.
Aaah there you are Baltimore said with a huge smile while the Tyrians walked outside.
Ok first a couple of rules.
Dont but dont ever leave the road these jungles are dangerous and even the vines can kill you.
Second when you see a little fluffy creature that looks kinda pinkish You should run away at once is that perfectly clear?
The Tyrians nodded their heads.
One more thing, Errr i forgot what that whas. Lets go Travelers a long travel awaits you.

30 minutes later....
Ok everybody this is our first stop this hill whill give you a clear view of the area whe rest here for a couple of hours so you can get used to the weather.
And i you whanna know whats so special about it hehe you whill learn it soon enough....

----------------------------------------------------------------
Hehe a chacken is a Canthan chicken ok?

Guardian of the Light · Dec 09, 2005, 01:22 AM // 01:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Symeon

Will admit you as the last one. go on then.

-----------------------------------------

WOOT THANK YOU

---------------------------------------------

Name: Light Guardian Jack
Age: 24
Profession: W/Mo
Worshipped Gods: Dwawna and Balthazar
Bio: Born in and raised in Cantha and leader of the Guardians (an elite group of 7 one for Light, Darkness, Spirt, Wind, Water, Fire and Forest)

History of the Guardians: These elite 7 are one the highest miltary forces in Cantha. Their job in Cantha is to to maintain peace.....at least before Sengii showed. Their Job mostly was formed around making sure powerful guilds weren't up too no good. Heres a quick descrpition of the rest of the Guardians

Forest-Female-R/E(earth)
Fire-Male-E/Me
Water-Male-E/N
Wind-Male-E/X
Sprit-Female-Mo/N
Darkness-Male-A/N (yep hes an assassin

)
Light-Male-W/Mo-Me

However the Guardians are rarely on the same asignment and are ussally spread across Cantha (you'll only really see Me but you might get some to see some others

)

--------------------------------

Jack was waiting to greet some fighters from Lion's Arch, he remembered a talk with the Queen earlyer....

Queen: You must greet these heroes to our Capital they should fell as if their company is greatly appreciated!"

Jack: Do you have ANY idea how busy the Guardians are with war ALREADY! I can't fit this meeting in!

Queen: If you weren't head of the Guardians then right now I would have you beheaded!

Jack (calming down): I'm sorry my queen it's just were too busy when are they scheduled to come.

Queen: They had left a while ago they should be here in 3 days.

Jack: Tomorrow Me and Alex are going to kill the leader of the Sengii whos in charge of attacking the Capital we won't be back for about a week.

Queen: Why don't you sent just Alex he seems up to it.

Jack: Perhaps your right but I don't know if we should risk putting him in alo...

Queen: He has been though harder assignments

Jack: Very well I'll come

Secretly smiling was he walked towards the door because he had nothing to do for 2 days ^_^.

Now here he was waiting for them to come with a couple of "heroes" as he had been told. He didn't know if like the heroes which stopped the titans or just a load of soldiers which could lift half what he could.

One thing that was on his was about the Water Guardian which hadn't come to the scheduled meetings of the Guardians for about 2 months. He feared the worst but remembered the time which Alex had not come to the meetings for about 3 months but it had turned out he had met a girl along the way back to The Capital and well......

Meanwhile...

Alex had remembered what Jack said "You can't take them all alex don't even try" running towards the camp of the Sengii....

finally he arrived. He had prepared himself for anything he could imagine....but this surpised him...

"WHAT EVERYONE'S DEAD!!!" Alex said

After seeing that no Sengii came out after he took him Cloak off (cloaks grant assassians invisibility for a while) he decided to check the bodies. They all seemed to point towards one point. They also didn' have their weapons drawed.

"A single creature did this?"

He had no idea what kind of creature would do something so quickly and powerfully.

He started making towards the Capital to make it for the next meeting.

---------------------------------------------------------------

The other Guardians will slowly reveal a very big twist I will un-veil

.

Symeon · Dec 09, 2005, 07:48 AM // 07:48

The several hundred adventurers from the ships trudged along the worn out road, following Baltimore and a number of other guides, and escorted by some Canthan guards.
Symeon had a thought on his mind - he had seen Eric the other night, when he looked out the window, saw him running to the alchemist shop, and then after that he ran off towards the beach. What had he been doing?
He tried to put it off as Baltimore announced they were resting on this hill. They had a good view of the area, and faintly they could see far away the walls of the city.
He had been told they would reach there in two days, and would be received first by one of the Canthan 'Guardians' and then by the Emperor in the grand courtyard. The Guardian would be on the first day, then the Emperor the next.
'What is the Emperor like?' asked Symeon.
'He's very young. About 11. And from birth he had a strange disease related to leprasy,' said Baltimore.
'The disease where your face gets mangled?' asked someone.
'Yes. Oh, and he's very small, and he thinks a lot of himself.'

Shimus DarkRaven · Dec 09, 2005, 09:22 AM // 09:22

A little background on Shimus, as not much is known:

Shimus DarkRaven, of the "Crimson Dawn" Demonslayer clan, was born Shimus Trell, of the Trell household, a peasant landowning family in southeast krtya along the coast of the ocean. For ages, all the Trell family knew was how to cultivate, seed, and farm the land. "Farming was in their blood" he heard often. About two years after Shimus was born, a warlord from the Maguuma Jungle with his raid part started attacking frontier homes, Shimus's included.

James Trell, his father, and Ilena Trell, his mother, thought it wise to send Shimus away so he could be protected. So they contacted James's father, who was a warrior trainer by way of the Samurai sword, and in turn hoped Shimus would learn how to defend himself in this cruel world. Thus, at age four, Shimus along with his other sibling, a lone sister named Erin Trell, age three, were shipped to the biggest city near them: Lion's Arch.

From here, Shimus's Grandfather, James's Dad, took them in. His name was Derek DarkRaven. For appearance's sake, Derek thought his grandson should carry his last name too make it appear he wasn't picking kids off the street.
From this point forward, chores and rigorous training was all Shimus knew, from carrying water-buckets up the stairs to build endurance, while his sister Erin became tutored in the ways of the Lady from Derek's housemaid. Thus slowly, Shimus and Erin drifted apart and became less frequented with one another.

Shimus, until the age of 14, knew nothing but Derek's training. He also was excelling at it; he had learned to proficiently wield Swords, with his secondary preference in axes, and his last preference towards Hammers. Meanwhile, his Sister, Erin, was almost proper enough to be passed off as a Lady of the High Court. By age 18, with his Grandfather in failing health, Shimus was forced to debase his Samurai training by hiring himself out as a mercenary for pay. To make ends meet, his sister was forced into prostitution as well. With both their livings, they were able to sustain their grandfather's home.

They lived quite peacefully in their professions until Shimus had gathered a reputation for being very deadly if crossed. The High Court made a decision to 'get rid of' Shimus's family. Shimus having contacts all the way to the Chairman of the High Court, knew about this ahead of time, told Erin, and they had to leave Lion's Arch. They made it out of town just after news in earshot came to them that the DarkRaven manor was burnt down.

They traveled very far, so far north they even were above the known map regions, the only other area up here distantly close by was The Divinity Coast, and Loamhurst. Shimus, with some help from sister, built a cabin in these woods. Again; they settled down and lived for a couple years quite undisturbed until, at age 25, they were disturbed by a number of the Shining Blade on a routine boundary check. Shimus fought as hard as he could, but in the end succumbed to their numbers. That was the last time he ever saw his sister.

From that point forward, he marched back to Lion's Arch, to everyone's surprise, and shocked them even further by signing up to be in the White Mantle. Upon further inspection; the White Mantle turned him down but kept him around on a "freelancer" basis.

Shimus wandered aimlessly for so long, he couldn't even remember much of his Grandfather anymore, just his training, so he gripped that, and faith in the Gods to be his courage. He beseeched Balthazar, Lord God of War, for any direction his life might take. Balthazar himself called down to shimus to search the Maguuma Jungle for a band who called themselves, "The Crimson Dawn," one of Balthazar's Main warbands. They, Balthazar said, were his champion slayers of all that was un-natural. So Shimus went. Searched he did, and finally on the eve of the winter solstice, he found their encampment on the edges of the western Maguuma Jungle.

He met the Clan, but their first meeting was anything but warm and friendly. The treeguards shot him with drugged darts and bound him to a tree near the center of the encampment. When he woke, he asked for an audience with the leader of this Clan. The leader graciously accepted and even deigned to tell him his name was "Lloyd Balfour, Lord of the Crimson Dawn." Shimus then told his fanciful tale, half not believing it himself when it came out of his lips, but he sword to the man, on oath of his family, he did not lie, not one single word.

Then Lloyd had to mull it over. He did so by making Shimus go through even harder training then his Grandfather made him, and they made him run the Gauntlet, with each member of the clan holding bamboo rods to smack across Shimus's back. The gauntlet ran for exactly 500 hits, as Balfour had decreed.
When Shimus was done, his back was a bloody pulp, he sank to his feet, but never once whimpered or cried. He just kept saying, "This pain is nothing compared to what I have been through! NOTHING!" As Shimus groaned it through gritted teeth.

Lloyd, impressed with his diligence and determination, inducted him into the Clan. From there on, Shimus learned to use every weapon possible, as well as the art of switching his secondary training without so much as thinking it.

"There is nothing we can't conquer, There is nothing we cannot know, and There nothing in this world that can hold us back." Was the credo of the Clan, and he memorized it word by word in under and hour, and one day while training, he chanted it softly, and it seemed to grant him the courage to continue one. Lloyd, again, was impressed. He decided that Shimus would be his infiltrator into the White Mantle, for purposes he said, were of mutual interest to both Shimus and the Crimson Dawn.

One day, while Shimus was idling in Druid's Overlook, he overhead that this "supposed clan" of demonslayers that had been hiding on the edge of the jungle was annihilated by a marauding party of Shining Blade. From then on, the only thing that fueled Shimus was pure hate for the Shining Blade, and the will to find any of his old shattered family.

This was the history of Shimus DarkRaven, nicknamed "The Phantom Blade"

This was his story.

--The Shim

Synapse · Dec 09, 2005, 04:15 PM // 16:15

On the days march to the capital city Anna found herself walking with Xanthos and Infamous. Xanth and Inf were enjoying a friendly but spirited debate over the merits of each others chosen primary form of combat and Anna was a listener rather than a participant to most of it. Finally, as there seemed there would be no end to it she blurted, “I’ve done both…….stood in the back and lobbed energy with my wand and stood toe to toe and had the blood of my enemies strike me in my face. I prefer to taste my enemies blood rather than have it all disappear into the sand before I get closer enough to see it.”
The both looked at her with more than a little amazement and then Xanthos laughed and said, “That seals it then, all real men – and Anna – to the front!” With that he drew his blade and with a roar he dashed through the adventures ahead of them in a mock charge that left many laughing and some cursing as he knocked them from their feet in his mad dash forward.
“You really bring out the worst in people, Anna.” Infamous muttered. Their eyes met and they both laughed. “I hope you get your chance to taste blood if that is what you wish”, Infamous said. “I, however, prefer to taste wine. And this sorry Canthan excuse for food – bleh – I grow weaker by the day for lack of proper nourishment. Hopefully this capital city has more to offer.
At that point they shuffled to a stop and word was passed back that they would be resting atop the hill. Anna decided to move forward to see what could be seen from the hilltop and to maybe see Symeon……..he had been unavailable to her since arrival having been much involved in preparations and seemed to be assuming a leadership role among their group of adventurers. He had been near the head of the column with that strange wizard Baltimore.

EDIT: inserted the word 'primary' in line 3 for Retribution's delicate sensabilities... sheesh

Retribution X · Dec 09, 2005, 04:33 PM // 16:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synapse

On the days march to the capital city Anna found herself walking with Xanthos and Infamous. Xanth and Inf were enjoying a friendly but spirited debate over the merits of each others chosen form of combat and Anna was a listener rather than a participant to most of it.

Umm, Xanthos can be a W/R... he is gonna change soon...

IC:

Xanthos thoughts were distant while they were walking, about the mantle, the charr, and the stone summit.

All of a sudden, he heard a roar. Anna shrieked as a giant snow wolf emerged from the jungle trees. Infamous fitted an arrow to his bow, and strung it in record time. the beast roared again, and Xanthos burst out laughing.

Infamous was puzzled. "What the heck are you laughing at?" he yelled, "You think this is funny?"

Xanthos looked at him like he was stupid. "Oh, Sorry, i guess you havn't met Suicide." Xanthos explained, "I found him in theshiverpeaks."

Infamous Growled, and Xanthos drew his blades.

"We are not alone here..."

Symeon · Dec 09, 2005, 07:10 PM // 19:10

Infamous shot the wolf. A few seconds later, they saw a whole pack of wolves emerge from the trees, about thirty of them.
With a flash the pack of wolves drew upon them. Everyone briefly panicked but then remembered they were fighters and brought out their weapons and powers. Their first fight in Cantha!
'They don't look like Ascalonian wolves or Shiverpeak wolves to me,' said someone.
'They look high level, 27 or 28 maybe?'
'Fight!'
'Raaaaaah!'
They drew into combat, and with all their might beat the wolves. Thanks to good monking no-one had become permanently hurt.
There were lots of 'Phew's as they moved away from the hill and headed down the road.

After much walking, resting, gazing and other things, the hundreds of adventurers found themselves near the walls of the city. Along the road moved trading carts, horses, merchants, slaves, oxen, and tour parties from around Cantha.

The huge orange walls stretched as far as they could see down to the coast, and a long way in the other direction. The land outside the city was covered in farms.
As they approached the gate, they took in its size. The gatehouse rose high above their heads and the gateway itself had several layers of iron portcullises.
They were receiving many looks from the people around, but they all stood in front of the gate.

Someone looked out a little window from high above and said 'Kinching-hai?'. But then they saw the person's face cringe and say 'Ah. Who comes? Fighters of the Tyria?'
'Yes,' said Baltimore. 'The adventurers of Tyria have come to aid Cantha, and they will be received by the emperor.'
'Manda Che Hilit!' shouted the man.

Then, layer by layer, the portcullises rose up. When the gateway was clear, the man said 'Welcome to Kuri-Lenghe, golden city of the light, port of riches, capital city for the Cantha!'
And there, in front of them, lined up on either side, was a long line of Canthan guards, and at the end, they could faintly see a person in shining dress with arms spread out.

'The Guardian of the Light welcomes Tyrians to the great city!'

(Guardian of the Light continue this bit I guess)