Siege of Aldera - Tuesdays (rp thread)

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Raganui
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Re: Siege of Aldera - Tuesdays (rp thread)

Post by Raganui » Mon Oct 19, 2009 3:58 am

Idiots.

Blasted idiots.

That's what they were. All of them.

At night, the things that are out and about would be able to see better in the twilight of the woods, the near absolute foreboding darkness that they had been stumbling around half-blind in cause Curunor and Darius were 'concerned that it might tell the enemy where they were'. Were it not worse to have to fight them when you cannot see or perhaps fall into something cause you didn't have a light? They were all strangers to the region and Peran was probably the only one with good outdoor training.

The night's events and words made the druid think over his choice of companions critically.

Curunor, the thief. Never seems to stick with any sort of weapon, but is accurate with those darts. He'd have to discuss with him about taking the spikes from bugs so he could make darts. Still, he was too cautious and not very social. He also needed to let others help him, the rags he was using on his wounds could stand to be burned at this state, even a good washing with magic would be unable to fully clean them. Plus his skills in first aid seemed lacking.

Darius, the swordsman. Able in combat and social, he still got on Peran's nerves. The druid didn't know why, but something about him... maybe it was the way he focused on the elf instead of his own hide. Speaking of the elf...

Arinia... a mystery. He thought she had said she was a mage... a wizard if you will, or perhaps a sorcerer. Either way, he didn't know what she was doing here. She's handy enough with that crossbow but... she seemed like a child. Unknowing of even oranges and just her presence. She didn't seem to be fit for this.

Mei, the bard. Seemed nice enough, even if he did stare at the elf a lot. Still, it was nice to have someone that might be a treasure trove of knowledge. Bards generally held tales of many legends, which in turn held many truths. And the songs of bards were bordering on magical at times. His biggest problems seemed to be a lack of a sense of direction.

Lastly the dwarf, Brother Argus as he called himself. A cleric by name of some dwarven god... Peran couldn't remember which. Either way, the extra hand for healing would be very useful and allow Peran to focus on his other spells. Perhaps he could talk the dwarf into trading shields.

Still, they were all good people... perhaps. If they would just listen to him while out there, it may help keep them intact. Now, where was the cheese?
Ninja Ninja.

tampamac2002
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Re: Siege of Aldera - Tuesdays (rp thread)

Post by tampamac2002 » Tue Oct 20, 2009 6:06 pm

Although stumbling around in the dark had it's drawbacks, Mei felt like they had accomplished much.
They had a chance to work as a group.
The group was able to dispatch another round of bugs from the area.
Brother Argus displayed his healing craft, even if it was on Mei when he was unwounded.

However, most of the time he was firing his crossbow at shadows. Everyone assured him he was hitting the bugs, Mei just had to take their word for it though.
And Arinia, she couldn't even cast a light spell to keep the way lit. I'm beginning to wonder about her 'training' as a wizard.
In the morning, hopefully, Mei would push the group to explore the canyon mentioned in the diary. It was too dangerous to try and go there at night.

So, overall a good nights work. After some rest, the real challenge will be dealing with the canyons by the farm.

Ayrik
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Re: Siege of Aldera - Tuesdays (rp thread)

Post by Ayrik » Tue Oct 20, 2009 9:09 pm

After finishing his breakfast, Darius stood up and walked out the door, a pensive look on his face. Stopping outside the door for a moment to let his eyes adjust to the brighter light of the morning, Darius walked to the edge of the cliff overlooking the docks, and stared out at the ocean. A strange feeling was building in his chest, the pressure threatning to tear him apart from the inside. What was he doing? He didn't know these people, his companions, the farmer, the townsfolk, none of them. It wasn't like he had a special connection to anyone....

Shaking his head, Darius let out a sigh. It had always been like this for him, always coming up with an excuse to avoid responsibility. Darius didn't like responsibility, he wasn't a fan of work, and always slacked off no matter what he was doing. When he was living with his mother and grandfather, helping on their family farm, he had always shirked his duty. It made his grandfather mad, and his arm had not weakened much from his adventuring days... Gods, but those switchings had hurt. It hadn't bothered him much though, a bit of pain was a good exchange to avoid the work. But he had truly loved the old man, it was his grandfather's stories that had put the spark of adventure in Darius' heart, and it was that same grandfather's blade, given when the old man passed away, that Darius now wore at his side.

Thinking further, it had been the same at the academy. Then his grandfather dies and his mother ended up selling the farm, his father had shown up. Darius had always resented the man, although he knew deep down if it had been his father's choice he never would have left his mother. When his father left, Darius had been forced to go with him, and had been left at the academy. Of course, this was all supposed to be for Darius' own good. His instructors had all said he had potential, his mind was sharp, reflexes were quick. His strength left something to be desired, Darius had slacked off in his physical training as much as he had on the farm, but it had left him learning how to take a beating. The instructors were certainly not any kinder than his grandfather had been when it came to laziness.

It hadn't really been the work that bothered Darius anyway...everyone always had such damned high expectations of him! He had ran away from the academy for the same reason he had dissappeared when he lived on the farm. Failure. Darius' greatest fear was failure, so he had come up with a simple solution, if he didn't try then he couldn't fail. He had taken up the life of a wandering adventurer because all the tales had made it out to be a glamouros life, a few quick fights, save a damsel and you could live like a king until you decided to move on. Unfortunately that wasn't the case, and Darius, facing failure, had constantly moved on, often times before he had even asked if someone needed his help.

Now Darius realized he couldn't do this anymore. Now, there was no choice of running away. Even if the boat came back early, he had already started, and the idea of the shame he would face from this cowardly approach made him blush from even thinking about it. Despite his past, his pride kept him from abandoning the cause.

But what could he honestly do? This was probably his biggest concern. He didn't know anything about these bugs...had he endangered everyone by voting to stay out after dark? And then by refusing the druid light? That had been a tactical decision, but was it the right one? He had learned at the academy about the foolishness of carrying a torch when scouting, but that was against human enemies. Still, in a fight that torch would have ruined him. He still remembered the time it took for his eyes to readjust to the moonlight after being blinded by the torch, to have to fight enemies with an everchanging light source could be more dangerous than fighting in the dark. Why was he trying to justify his decision to himself? Darius knew his reasons, but nobody else did...

Maybe that was the biggest problem. Despite the few conversations on the ship over, and the small talk while they were in the inn, he realized he didn't know anything about his companions. He trusted them in a fight, but would he trust them with his life? He doubted they would abandon him, honestly, but would he abandon them? Would his fear overcome him in a desperate moment and leave him unable to help them? Looking down the cliff, Darius almost considered stepping off the edge, although deep down he knew he could never do that. He felt like he was breaking up inside.

Taking a deep breath and assuming that confident look he had worked so hard to try and perfect, Darius walked back towards the inn. They may as well go check on that farmer now, Mei had been mentioning those canyons ever since the had searched the farmhouse, and he was sure the rest would be wanting to get started as well.

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Gulfwulf
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Re: Siege of Aldera - Tuesdays (rp thread)

Post by Gulfwulf » Wed Oct 21, 2009 1:24 am

+200 to Thaelon, Raganui, tampamac2002 and Ayrik for rp posting.

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Raganui
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Re: Siege of Aldera - Tuesdays (rp thread)

Post by Raganui » Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:46 am

The walk back went... well. The druid kept thinking over what might help against these bugs, a repellent or some kind of pesticide. Nothing came to mind. Well, aside from the proven 'smash them, stab them, burn them' and so on. But that took a lot of work, was extremely dangerous, and would not be something farmers could do well.

"We really need to think of a plan of action."
Ninja Ninja.

Ayrik
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Re: Siege of Aldera - Tuesdays (rp thread)

Post by Ayrik » Tue Oct 27, 2009 5:50 pm

The trip back for Darius seemed a haze. He remembered rushing to the farm before more bugs could come an finish them off, and a slight rest while everyone else decided to go back to town and report what they had found. Darius had remained uncharacteristically quite during this time, and made the trip back to town in a kind of half-daze, only occasionally looking around at each of his companions, as if to assure himself they were still there, that this wasn't just a bizarre dream.

Despite his outward apperance, the fact was that his mind was swimming. The realization of the day before that he couldn't run away had seemed to fill him with desperation, and he had been much more reckless than was his custom in response, almost as if some dark, hidden part of him had been pushing to get himself killed, so he wouldn't have to face what was before him. It had almost happened too...he had let his gaurd down in a crucial moment, and the giant bug had almost killed him. It wasn't until the administrations of Peran and Argus had brought him back from the brink of the abyss that things had finally started to sink in....not that he had much time to consider it since the monstrosity that had hit him in the first place still stood. This time he had approached the fight more readily, cautious of himself, the creature, and the surroundings, and it seemed to have made at least a bit of difference. He was shocked again to see that Arinia had found them, and something inside him made him unable to let his gaurd down when there was a chance she would be in danger because of it...

However, once they were back in town with no immediate threat present, Darius decided to hold back, letting the rest of the party move on without him. There had to be something here, something he could do to keep his body and mind occupied while he tried to shake the feelings that were welling up inside. Making a decision, Darius approached one of the gaurds and inquired about their training grounds, where they were and if he would be able to use them. He had always despised combat training at the academy, but for some reason now it just felt...right.

mineption
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Re: Siege of Aldera - Tuesdays (rp thread)

Post by mineption » Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:31 pm

Trudging through the forest alone was especially hard on Arinia. It wasn't so much the fact that she was alone or that she was surrounded by all sorts of giant bugs - she travelled alone in forests enough to know how to avoid danger.

No, it was that she felt abandoned by the others. All the while she couldn't help but think that they had no reason to have her around. Some shots from her crossbow were not enough to justify a share of the reward. With thoughts like this, she was on the verge of tears by the time she found them in the cave.

Come on, get a grip...

Ayrik
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Re: Siege of Aldera - Tuesdays (rp thread)

Post by Ayrik » Wed Nov 04, 2009 12:56 am

It was late when Darius made it back to the Inn, and he was dripping with sweat. Approaching the innkeeper to ask if he could have a tray of food sent up to his room, he seemed oblivious to anything else around him as he made his way up the stairs. Once in the room, he swung the door to shut it, but it remained slightly opened. Standing as if in a daze, he dropped his sword, then collapsed on all fours, shaking violently.

mineption
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Re: Siege of Aldera - Tuesdays (rp thread)

Post by mineption » Wed Nov 04, 2009 3:25 am

She sat there in her room, tired of walking and thinking of what to do, how to do it, the consequences of this and that... Arinia just wanted some alone time now.

Never did she think that she will have free time here, but it was now she realized that she needed it for herself.

"Boo!"

The voice scares her and she lets out a little yelp as she collapses on the floor, looking up at the figure.

"Gotcha."

Ayrik
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Re: Siege of Aldera - Tuesdays (rp thread)

Post by Ayrik » Wed Nov 04, 2009 3:59 am

The sound from the room next door seemed to jolt Darius out of his stupor. Looking around, almost surprised to realize he was in the Inn, his fingers found the hilt of the sword from where he had dropped it. The short squeal sounded like Arinia, like something had startled her, and then there was the thud of someone collapsing... It was unlikely that someone, or even something, would attack here, especially without rousing the other patrons, but Darius was determined not to be caught off gaurd again.

Holding his sword in both hands, just in case, Darius inched his door open and peered into the hallway. Finding it clear, he slowly moved towards Arinia's room, he didn't want to alert anyone inside that he was there if he could help it. Standing outside her door, Darius didn't hear anything that sounded threatening, but again, his tense nerves refused to allow him to let his gaurd down, and he positioned himself nest to the door, where he could hear what was going on while watching the remainder of the hallway...just in case.

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