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<blockquote data-quote="Chasmodai" data-source="post: 1037017" data-attributes="member: 12445"><p><strong>A Chance Encounter</strong></p><p></p><p>Roland's reaction was much similar to everyone else's. Having recovered with much aplomb, he ran upstairs and rummaged about his room, finally coming back with a wooden toy sword no longer that his prodigious forearm. (For those who have not seen my brother, he is huge). It was a toy that I recognized, and in the process of growing up, dreaded. It was the object of much fears and the source of many bruises. I had often wondered who had given Roland the damned thing and now, it seemed, I had my answer.</p><p></p><p>After some catching up (there wasn't much of that. How do you catch up with someone who was missing from your life for over twenty years?), we retired to our rooms and agreed to continue our conversation the next day.</p><p></p><p>The next day found myself being dragged to church in the middle of the morning, where I promptly fell asleep. Afterwards, we had a brisk breakfast and I finally had a chance to talk to mother, the reason for my being home.</p><p></p><p>Of course, she had to spend two hours talking to Ingram first, so I had time to waste. I spent it by catching up with my two rather eccentric brothers, Nathaniel and Windchime. Nathaniel was a scholar of the priestly sort and he was always found either hunched over a book, or arguing theology with a cleric of Joramy. Windchime was a lot more agreeable, even if he was strange. He was born as William, but he joined a monastery and changed his name. One usually found him in the garden, practicing the strange martial arts he picked up as a monk, or in the church, meditating. </p><p></p><p>As you may have noticed by now, I am, as they call it, the black sheep of the family. </p><p></p><p>++++++</p><p></p><p>Mother's request was simple. She wanted me to head down to the Kron Hills, find a place called Mount Stalagos and investigate rumors of a cult that was growing in the area. Roland, who was the one who usually went for such quests, was unavailable, as he had to undergo some sort of religious pilgrimage and his paladinhood required this of him. Windchime had other responsibilities, Nathaniel was unfit for such exertions and Arabella, my younger sister, was in Verbobonc to see a mystic for the disturbing visions that had been plaguing her lately.</p><p></p><p>Since I was the only one without any sort of responsibility, I had to go. As if this was to be some sort of comfort, Ingram was to go along with me.</p><p></p><p>Even as I found myself resigned to the fact that I had no other choice, another part of me was growing eager for another adventure. <em>"Yes!"</em> that part of me cried. <em>"Go! Adventure! Test yourself! Push your limits! Get killed!"</em> </p><p></p><p>It seemed that the other part of me was quite humorous.</p><p></p><p>We set off the next day towards Verbobonc, where I had a small house we could make our 'base of operations'. It was, perhaps, my most public of hideouts, and therefore the least likely to give away any of my secrets. "We should go see Arabella first," I said to Ingram as we trotted through the gates of Verbobonc. "She'd want to see you,"</p><p></p><p>As we made our way to the Graceful Swan, where Arabella was staying, a man came up to us and tugged on Ingram's cloak. "Excuse me, sir knight," he said, in a voice that didn't sound quite human. It was halting and artificial sounding, as if it was unaccustomed to speaking. "You must help me,"</p><p></p><p>I frowned at the man, whose face was shrouded by the shadows cast by his hood. I generally didn't trust men who kept their face hidden, and made to get rid of him at once, but Ingram beat me to the punch. "What is it? What can I help you with?"</p><p></p><p>Stupid paladins. "Uncle Ingram, are you sure we should do this?" I whispered into his ear.</p><p></p><p>"He sounds clean," Alkain whispered back at me. I sighed heavily. I was in no mood to get myself ambushed and if Ingram wanted to play the martyr, he was welcome to.</p><p></p><p>"I need you to help me find my master. He has been kidnapped by a man who calls himself Bleak. Please, you are a knight. You must help me," the man continued. The last two sentences were said in a plaintive tone of a man who had no other choice, but I could detect a certain tinge of wrongness in his voice. This man didn't sound natural.</p><p></p><p>"I will help you. Do you know where this Bleak is?" Ingram said, in the tone of voice only paladins could muster. Before the man could answer, I directed another question at him.</p><p></p><p>"Why haven't you contacted the proper authorities? I'm sure they would help," I said. The man shrugged helplessly, his shoulders moving in a mechanical motion.</p><p>"They cannot help me without proof, and I do not have any proof," he replied. "Please, you must help me," he implored of Ingram. All of a sudden, I found myself thinking of that man in the village and the fiend that galloped behind them. My hackles rose; I definitely did not want to face that thing again.</p><p></p><p>"Where is your master? Show us the way," Ingram said.</p><p></p><p>"Show you the way," I interrupted. At the strange look Ingram gave me, I shrugged. "Sorry. I?m not cut out for this. This is more your gig. Look, after you're done with the rescuing, head over to the Graceful Swan and look for me and Arabella, alright?"</p><p></p><p>Ingram nodded and turned to the man, who was already scurrying away, into the deep shadows of an alleyway. I moved my horse as quickly as I could in the crowded streets, silently saying a prayer for Ingram.</p><p>++++++</p><p></p><p>Not to be insulting or anything, but I was genuinely surprised when, barely two hours later, Ingram trooped into the Graceful Swan, Alkain and a young boy in tow. (The man had been asleep for over twenty years, and was still getting his bearings. I knew it was, in some way, a responsibility of mine to see that he adjusted well, but when a Paladin takes it upon himself to go on a quest, you don't stop him. Trust me; I?ve lived with one my entire life.)</p><p></p><p>The hooded man was nowhere in sight. Apparently, he had been telling the truth and had been looking for his kidnapped master. Well, you learn something new everyday.</p><p></p><p>I had introduced Ingram to Arabella, and translated for them (my sister is mute, and communicates using sign language) as they had an awkward conversation. Arabella was not even born when Ingram left for the war and the two of them had no fond memories of each other to speak of.</p><p></p><p>"Zander, I met a pair of fine gentlemen at Bleak's hideout. They helped me rescue the boy," Ingram said, gesturing to the sleeping child in Alkain's arms. "As a token of appreciation, I invited them to dinner. I hope you don't mind?"</p><p></p><p>"Of course not," I replied graciously, acting every bit excited to have guests for dinner (I wasn't really. But I had to put up appearances). "I'll get things prepared right away,"</p><p></p><p>That was the fateful day I met Duo, Leonardo and the rest of the 'Wild Bunch'.</p><p>++++++</p><p></p><p>Duo - also known as Karel Vichnyas - had a quest. It was a lifelong quest, one that would no doubt take his life someday. But currently, he was off on a sidetrack, wondering if it was all worth it.</p><p></p><p>He stood on the Fire Bridge, just outside the main complex of the Temple of All Consumption, set directly in the center of the caldera that was known as Mount Stalagos. The cultists of the All-Seeing Eye had committed some unspeakable atrocities before, but know, Duo felt that they had gone through a whole new level.</p><p></p><p>Before him lay the shattered corpse of Tobias Valdane, templar of Joramy. His armor was torn, his bones pulped by the huge wooden clubs of hill giants. A brave man, one who could command the force of the volcano and direct it outwards, becoming a force of nature that was nigh unstoppable.</p><p></p><p>Steam rose from the body and the armor, making it too hot to touch. It was an unnatural phenomenon, and the wild man Aranjit said that it was, "Only to be expected,"</p><p></p><p>Zook Fulham was also missing, no doubt lying dead in the small room of darkness and dread that lay within the complex. This place had taken too many of his friends and comrades and if he kept on, it would no doubt consume him as well. The Temple of All Consumption - how fitting.</p><p></p><p>There was some comfort in today's foray at least. Gracus lay dead, and the Fire Bridge had finally been cleared out. They conducted a funeral for Tobias, and Zook too, when M'aric the firenewt found his body. They looted the place, taking whatever they could carry back with them, and headed back to Verbobonc.</p><p></p><p>As they trooped through the gates two days later, tired and weary, the group split up to make business more efficient. Duo and Leonardo headed for Bleak's shop to sell some books they had managed to find; Aranjit and M'aric went to look for a place to spend the night while Donovan went home to the Zurin manor, returning to his wife, eight months heavy with child.</p><p></p><p>But it seemed that there was to be no rest for the wicked. They confronted Bleak on his motives and the necromancer turned on them. He fired off a spell at Duo, freezing him in a magical hold. Unable to move, Duo could only watch helplessly as several zombies appeared from the walls and began attacking Leonardo.</p><p></p><p>The Lion of Truffont fought bravely, but he was out numbered and Bleak kept throwing spells at the warrior, trying to break through his defenses. At the point when things seemed the most hopeless, there came the sound of steel ripping through flesh, a choked scream and the door broke down. In charged a man, blond, tall, imposing, his force of personality almost drowning out the entire room. He encased himself in shining full plate, a symbol of Heironeous stamped proudly on his tabard and shield.</p><p></p><p>The man stood side to side with Leonardo, fighting off the zombies one by one. As the press of undead came nearer, the man flung out a hand and channeled forth a blast of positive energy, fuelled from the very essence of Heironeous himself. A bolt of lightning spread from the man's outstretched hand and it danced amongst the zombies. When the smoke cleared, the zombies lay in a charred heap on the ground.</p><p></p><p>Duo was stuck in one position, unable to move or turn. As such, he hadn't noticed another man and a... construct dash into the room. The man, dressed in simple white robes, lifted a hand of ruby and flung it outwards. If Duo could blink, he would have. A dragon of shimmering ruby flew from the man's palm and swept through the remaining zombies, reducing them to ash.</p><p></p><p>The metallic construct dashed for one wall, easily evading the zombies. It struck at the wall, once, twice, thrice and the wall broke apart. Out tumbled a small bundle wrapped up in cloth, although Duo couldn?t see what it was.</p><p></p><p>Bleak, seeing that he was getting the losing end of things, decided to beat a hasty retreat. He activated a hidden door in the back of the chamber, casting one last spell before he dashed into the darkness. The room was suddenly covered in mist, a cold, chilly mist that seeped into their bones and threatened to freeze them from the inside.</p><p></p><p>Leonardo and the man in plate cut down the remaining zombies and they too, decided that it was time to leave. The rumbling of the building, and the few rocks falling from the ceiling seemed to persuade them to move faster somewhat.</p><p></p><p>In the chilly fog, movement was painfully slow. Duo, tucked under Leonardo's arm, could only watch helplessly, feeling useless, as Leonardo fought to raise his feet off the ground, one after the other. The construct, carrying the bundle in its arms, only managed to get to the door before its frozen joints gave out and it collapsed. The man in robes managed to catch the bundle before it fell, and as the cloth fell away slightly, Duo then noticed that a small boy lay shivering within it, sound asleep.</p><p></p><p>They ran out of the building, cutting down whatever undead resistance they could. By the time they got to the street, the spell on Duo had run out and he was once more able to move. As the building's roof fell in on itself, Duo looked at the Leonardo and then at the two strangers.</p><p></p><p>"Hello. My name's Duo,"</p><p></p><p>It was then that Duo met Sir Ingram Morius.</p><p>++++++</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Chasmodai, post: 1037017, member: 12445"] [b]A Chance Encounter[/b] Roland's reaction was much similar to everyone else's. Having recovered with much aplomb, he ran upstairs and rummaged about his room, finally coming back with a wooden toy sword no longer that his prodigious forearm. (For those who have not seen my brother, he is huge). It was a toy that I recognized, and in the process of growing up, dreaded. It was the object of much fears and the source of many bruises. I had often wondered who had given Roland the damned thing and now, it seemed, I had my answer. After some catching up (there wasn't much of that. How do you catch up with someone who was missing from your life for over twenty years?), we retired to our rooms and agreed to continue our conversation the next day. The next day found myself being dragged to church in the middle of the morning, where I promptly fell asleep. Afterwards, we had a brisk breakfast and I finally had a chance to talk to mother, the reason for my being home. Of course, she had to spend two hours talking to Ingram first, so I had time to waste. I spent it by catching up with my two rather eccentric brothers, Nathaniel and Windchime. Nathaniel was a scholar of the priestly sort and he was always found either hunched over a book, or arguing theology with a cleric of Joramy. Windchime was a lot more agreeable, even if he was strange. He was born as William, but he joined a monastery and changed his name. One usually found him in the garden, practicing the strange martial arts he picked up as a monk, or in the church, meditating. As you may have noticed by now, I am, as they call it, the black sheep of the family. ++++++ Mother's request was simple. She wanted me to head down to the Kron Hills, find a place called Mount Stalagos and investigate rumors of a cult that was growing in the area. Roland, who was the one who usually went for such quests, was unavailable, as he had to undergo some sort of religious pilgrimage and his paladinhood required this of him. Windchime had other responsibilities, Nathaniel was unfit for such exertions and Arabella, my younger sister, was in Verbobonc to see a mystic for the disturbing visions that had been plaguing her lately. Since I was the only one without any sort of responsibility, I had to go. As if this was to be some sort of comfort, Ingram was to go along with me. Even as I found myself resigned to the fact that I had no other choice, another part of me was growing eager for another adventure. [I]"Yes!"[/I] that part of me cried. [I]"Go! Adventure! Test yourself! Push your limits! Get killed!"[/I] It seemed that the other part of me was quite humorous. We set off the next day towards Verbobonc, where I had a small house we could make our 'base of operations'. It was, perhaps, my most public of hideouts, and therefore the least likely to give away any of my secrets. "We should go see Arabella first," I said to Ingram as we trotted through the gates of Verbobonc. "She'd want to see you," As we made our way to the Graceful Swan, where Arabella was staying, a man came up to us and tugged on Ingram's cloak. "Excuse me, sir knight," he said, in a voice that didn't sound quite human. It was halting and artificial sounding, as if it was unaccustomed to speaking. "You must help me," I frowned at the man, whose face was shrouded by the shadows cast by his hood. I generally didn't trust men who kept their face hidden, and made to get rid of him at once, but Ingram beat me to the punch. "What is it? What can I help you with?" Stupid paladins. "Uncle Ingram, are you sure we should do this?" I whispered into his ear. "He sounds clean," Alkain whispered back at me. I sighed heavily. I was in no mood to get myself ambushed and if Ingram wanted to play the martyr, he was welcome to. "I need you to help me find my master. He has been kidnapped by a man who calls himself Bleak. Please, you are a knight. You must help me," the man continued. The last two sentences were said in a plaintive tone of a man who had no other choice, but I could detect a certain tinge of wrongness in his voice. This man didn't sound natural. "I will help you. Do you know where this Bleak is?" Ingram said, in the tone of voice only paladins could muster. Before the man could answer, I directed another question at him. "Why haven't you contacted the proper authorities? I'm sure they would help," I said. The man shrugged helplessly, his shoulders moving in a mechanical motion. "They cannot help me without proof, and I do not have any proof," he replied. "Please, you must help me," he implored of Ingram. All of a sudden, I found myself thinking of that man in the village and the fiend that galloped behind them. My hackles rose; I definitely did not want to face that thing again. "Where is your master? Show us the way," Ingram said. "Show you the way," I interrupted. At the strange look Ingram gave me, I shrugged. "Sorry. I?m not cut out for this. This is more your gig. Look, after you're done with the rescuing, head over to the Graceful Swan and look for me and Arabella, alright?" Ingram nodded and turned to the man, who was already scurrying away, into the deep shadows of an alleyway. I moved my horse as quickly as I could in the crowded streets, silently saying a prayer for Ingram. ++++++ Not to be insulting or anything, but I was genuinely surprised when, barely two hours later, Ingram trooped into the Graceful Swan, Alkain and a young boy in tow. (The man had been asleep for over twenty years, and was still getting his bearings. I knew it was, in some way, a responsibility of mine to see that he adjusted well, but when a Paladin takes it upon himself to go on a quest, you don't stop him. Trust me; I?ve lived with one my entire life.) The hooded man was nowhere in sight. Apparently, he had been telling the truth and had been looking for his kidnapped master. Well, you learn something new everyday. I had introduced Ingram to Arabella, and translated for them (my sister is mute, and communicates using sign language) as they had an awkward conversation. Arabella was not even born when Ingram left for the war and the two of them had no fond memories of each other to speak of. "Zander, I met a pair of fine gentlemen at Bleak's hideout. They helped me rescue the boy," Ingram said, gesturing to the sleeping child in Alkain's arms. "As a token of appreciation, I invited them to dinner. I hope you don't mind?" "Of course not," I replied graciously, acting every bit excited to have guests for dinner (I wasn't really. But I had to put up appearances). "I'll get things prepared right away," That was the fateful day I met Duo, Leonardo and the rest of the 'Wild Bunch'. ++++++ Duo - also known as Karel Vichnyas - had a quest. It was a lifelong quest, one that would no doubt take his life someday. But currently, he was off on a sidetrack, wondering if it was all worth it. He stood on the Fire Bridge, just outside the main complex of the Temple of All Consumption, set directly in the center of the caldera that was known as Mount Stalagos. The cultists of the All-Seeing Eye had committed some unspeakable atrocities before, but know, Duo felt that they had gone through a whole new level. Before him lay the shattered corpse of Tobias Valdane, templar of Joramy. His armor was torn, his bones pulped by the huge wooden clubs of hill giants. A brave man, one who could command the force of the volcano and direct it outwards, becoming a force of nature that was nigh unstoppable. Steam rose from the body and the armor, making it too hot to touch. It was an unnatural phenomenon, and the wild man Aranjit said that it was, "Only to be expected," Zook Fulham was also missing, no doubt lying dead in the small room of darkness and dread that lay within the complex. This place had taken too many of his friends and comrades and if he kept on, it would no doubt consume him as well. The Temple of All Consumption - how fitting. There was some comfort in today's foray at least. Gracus lay dead, and the Fire Bridge had finally been cleared out. They conducted a funeral for Tobias, and Zook too, when M'aric the firenewt found his body. They looted the place, taking whatever they could carry back with them, and headed back to Verbobonc. As they trooped through the gates two days later, tired and weary, the group split up to make business more efficient. Duo and Leonardo headed for Bleak's shop to sell some books they had managed to find; Aranjit and M'aric went to look for a place to spend the night while Donovan went home to the Zurin manor, returning to his wife, eight months heavy with child. But it seemed that there was to be no rest for the wicked. They confronted Bleak on his motives and the necromancer turned on them. He fired off a spell at Duo, freezing him in a magical hold. Unable to move, Duo could only watch helplessly as several zombies appeared from the walls and began attacking Leonardo. The Lion of Truffont fought bravely, but he was out numbered and Bleak kept throwing spells at the warrior, trying to break through his defenses. At the point when things seemed the most hopeless, there came the sound of steel ripping through flesh, a choked scream and the door broke down. In charged a man, blond, tall, imposing, his force of personality almost drowning out the entire room. He encased himself in shining full plate, a symbol of Heironeous stamped proudly on his tabard and shield. The man stood side to side with Leonardo, fighting off the zombies one by one. As the press of undead came nearer, the man flung out a hand and channeled forth a blast of positive energy, fuelled from the very essence of Heironeous himself. A bolt of lightning spread from the man's outstretched hand and it danced amongst the zombies. When the smoke cleared, the zombies lay in a charred heap on the ground. Duo was stuck in one position, unable to move or turn. As such, he hadn't noticed another man and a... construct dash into the room. The man, dressed in simple white robes, lifted a hand of ruby and flung it outwards. If Duo could blink, he would have. A dragon of shimmering ruby flew from the man's palm and swept through the remaining zombies, reducing them to ash. The metallic construct dashed for one wall, easily evading the zombies. It struck at the wall, once, twice, thrice and the wall broke apart. Out tumbled a small bundle wrapped up in cloth, although Duo couldn?t see what it was. Bleak, seeing that he was getting the losing end of things, decided to beat a hasty retreat. He activated a hidden door in the back of the chamber, casting one last spell before he dashed into the darkness. The room was suddenly covered in mist, a cold, chilly mist that seeped into their bones and threatened to freeze them from the inside. Leonardo and the man in plate cut down the remaining zombies and they too, decided that it was time to leave. The rumbling of the building, and the few rocks falling from the ceiling seemed to persuade them to move faster somewhat. In the chilly fog, movement was painfully slow. Duo, tucked under Leonardo's arm, could only watch helplessly, feeling useless, as Leonardo fought to raise his feet off the ground, one after the other. The construct, carrying the bundle in its arms, only managed to get to the door before its frozen joints gave out and it collapsed. The man in robes managed to catch the bundle before it fell, and as the cloth fell away slightly, Duo then noticed that a small boy lay shivering within it, sound asleep. They ran out of the building, cutting down whatever undead resistance they could. By the time they got to the street, the spell on Duo had run out and he was once more able to move. As the building's roof fell in on itself, Duo looked at the Leonardo and then at the two strangers. "Hello. My name's Duo," It was then that Duo met Sir Ingram Morius. ++++++ [/QUOTE]
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