Fantasy Into the East (IC)

[Bacon is fluffy]

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A soothing breeze washed over the elves, jostling their hair and the flame ebbing and flowing within the hand of the all too willing noble among them. Following its wake was the prompt flight of the woodland birds in the area and the ceasing of skittering and scurrying from the woodland animals. There was no great cry of a wolf or the stampede of a herd of deer. The clouds overhead froze in place, as if held in place by invisible strings. What was left is silence and a ceasing of life itself. A presence not unlike a giant towering over a mere man emanated from all around the small band of foreigners, yet there was nothing to speak of. Lesser being would be overtaken by the instinct to freeze in place, while those of a higher caliber would be faced with a primal sense of dread.

However as soon as the sensation came, it too went the way of the transient winds themselves. The sounds of trees swaying in the wing formed a chorus with the explosion of life soon after. The rays of the sun which ceased to beat upon the elves came back in full force. The world seemingly continued to spin, but the sensation of being watched would not entirely leave even the most magically inclined. "tread carefully young ones", a soft, yet nervous voice which contrasted with the overwhelming presence was carried along the winds.

Oreo Cookie LadyOfStars

 

[Bacon is fluffy]

A pungent smell assailed her senses, washing over her body like a tsunami which ripped the very foundations of her psyche and cast it aside just as easily. Her hand slapped to her mouth. She strained her mind to fight the involuntary gurgles as her chest ebbed and flowed to heave its contents against her will. Her pupils dilated like a great chasm as she slammed her forehead into a brickwall with all her might. Still she quaked and heaved coarse breaths while blood slipped through her wound. A shrill shriek akin to a pig sounded in the distance, causing her to gasp for breath. She withdrew into a fetal position and clenched her fists until her palms bled. Though she shook, her body was as rigid as a board. She clenched her eyes shut waiting for the inevitable when a snort from a beast stuck its snout into her room and sniffed about. She heard the putrid wretch fervently searching for prey, its inhales much akin to a vacuum which made her slide along the splintery wood floor. Her eyes opened, though she didn't know why. Masochism? Curiosity?

Whatever the case may be she clenched her teeth to fight a shriek as its slobbering blackened craw was inches from her. When a bell rang, causing it to whimper. As it scampered off, thunderous thuds could be heard as all broke apart in its wake. She shook in half amazement, thinking about what could sunder the earth as easily as one cracked an egg. But before she could look outside she shot up in bed, covered in a profuse sweat. Her hand met her forehead as she heaved for air that wouldn't find its mark seemingly. In the stark darkness she felt around her bed, looking for her husband's warmth. Though all that met her palms was but a mere groove and some scattered sheets. She sobbed, long and hard, frozen in place with the impulse to shoot forth and never come back to St. Coraline. Yet she couldn't even will herself to take the first step over the bed, let alone flee the city.

FireMaiden Evil_Mercy Oreo Cookie LadyOfStars

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A couple of soldiers entered through the backdoor of a local tavern situated in a district sandwiched by a whore house and drug den. The barkeep was a short fellow with a prominent hunch with his vertebrae peeking through the thin cloth that was his vestments. He pointed toward the corner of the dimly lit room and said, " Aye your rat scalleywags, take yer cut and GO". The two grinned and performed the sign of the light, which was nothing more than the index and middle finger held together at the forehead, to represent one's mind being with the sun. To be free of darkness beneath, the inner evil that tempts us all. " Move! Before I ch'nge me mind"! The two soldiers grinned again as the barkeep slammed the door with a force which shook the tavern at its core. " Ahh m'lord, tis nice to see you. What can I get you"?

The soldier on the right was Tahm, to his left was his brother Sahl. They laughed at the switch old man sweeny could pull with his customers. The two of them for weeks now, had been enjoying the laxness of the town guard as of late. Though there were more demi-humans running about, they were able to take more breaks. Smoke more foreign drugs, and enjoy the finer things in life using their position as a means of getting what they wanted. Gleefully they snatched up a crate and a barrel, one of which was the mischievous unnamed chest. Both were promptly placed on an ox driven wagon, headed to Port Landcaster. The trip would take little more than an afternoon. The patrols and checkpoints along the main roads leading to St. Coraline were absurdly lax as well. " Say Sahl, what might be the reason things be so strange"?

Sahl who had been perusing the goods, his grubby hands simultaneously wrist deep in crates of dried beef and sweet bread. " Ye think too much silegier. Do ye wanna jinx it"? Tahm whipped the reins on the oxen to after the civilians passed through, but was somewhat still apprehensive about the situation. " No brother never, but ye ever get the feeling something be...off"? Sahl was shoving his face with beef when he turned with a full mouth to his brother with an indignant tone, " This be aboot the demi-humans"? Tahm shook his head profusely and stammered, " uhh ha ah tis not that but brother you have to admit something be off. Demihumans are one thing, but to let us shirk our duty"? Sahl fell silent as he angrily ripped the beef stock with his grimy yellow teeth. " Just keep yer eyes on the road. I'll do the thinking".

Gizmo

Spoiler: p.s

Just thought I'd add a few more factors for y'all to consider when heading to St. Coraline or any settlement on the Peninsula. And giz, I've placed ye in the wagon.Fire maiden and evil, if you could include giz that'd be awesome. :3

 

[Bacon is fluffy]

Market District
The Dark Creator
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The vampire coming from the Western gates would have noticed an abundance of guardsmen of different rank and role. There would generally be at least two watching the gates from dawn when they first open, till dusk when they closed. In general the standard procedure would be to stop every person, even if a long line stretching for miles would form. One can never be too careful with checks, especially when magic's involved. Normally there would be dogs to sniff out the non-humans, with nostrils sharpened by the arcane arts to detect even the most sly of hybrids and humanoids. Seers would accompany them in case of a false alarm and to detect any abnormal cargo one my be carrying. Newly invented gunpowder, contraband, and even foreign foods are all regulated carefully. Or rather, they would normally be. Things have gotten lax at the capital, so no one would have even thought to stop the Vampire as he strolled in through the western entrance. Its doors left open and nearly pulled off their hinges, townsgaurd barely even conscious. Those that were, were lax as if they were on downtime with their families; eating good foods and enjoying the finer things in life, all while in uniform.

However there would be one guard which didn't stand for this nonsense. At the first junction leading into town a stalky knight approached the vampire, with a height exceeding 8 feet, he eclipsed the man's figure and bathed him in shadow. His armor was thick, but glistening with runic magics that shined brightly in the sun, which partially were used to intimidate people. Sleek steel plates seamlessly forged together to form a suit of arms which nary had even the slightest of weak spots which to exploit. Yet he moved as if he were in civilian clothing, with a eye possessing a crimson gleam. His broad shoulders wide like mountains and arms like cannons. He held his hand out to gesture the Vampire to stop,not a single creak from his metallic armor. Nor a single word to accompany his command, his presence alone would be enough to take a normal man back due to the runic powers bestowed upon him.

Oreo Cookie LadyOfStars

Crossing into Anduin, one would see an intimidating guard tower, with finely crafted blocks of stone and armaments for soldiers to use in case of an attack. Though now they were lonely, devoid of life and abandoned. The town's edge would carry the stench of decay, strongest where the barren trees reside, marked by the grayed earth. Approaching the walls one would notice a lack of guardsmen on duty, miles towering 100 foot walls left unmanned. Their catapults as lonely as the former check points marked by guard towers. An air of levity inundated the usually poor and struggling country side of Anduin, which were little more than vassals to the lords of St. Coraline. Meanwhile the streets outside of the walled city would be filled to the brim with peoples of all walks of life. Aristocrats jawwing away with peasants, demihumans such as elves and dwarfs playing cards with humans in taverns. And a bustling city which seemed to be in a perpetual state lively chaos. Although every now and then you might come across a guard's watchful eye. His fingers tightly wrapped around the stalk of their spears and shoulders slumped. Those who were consciously doing their duties, were often ignored as by civilians would pass through without a care in the world, even when threatened.

Spoiler: notes

Even though both mentions different exposition,they're both one in the same. Dark creator just required different details since he's within the city and our elf buds needed other details as they are still looking to enter. Combine both descriptions to form a picture of reluctant townsguard and a city seemingly in a perpetual state of festivities.

 

[Bacon is fluffy]

Market square
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Mercy...kindness, and compassion? What is it about the idea of avoiding bloodletting which convinces the masses of its virtues? How can one with the weight of their loved ones and comrades riding on their backs even consider such a preposterous notion?

One night on the outskirts of Anduin, east of the river and enveloped in the shadow cast by the Anduin mountains, Grahm was ordered to guard the entrance of the mines. The blackness even with a full moon was said to only exasperate the eclipse of its shadow, making even the nose on your own face invisible. A green recruit back then, he hadn't learned the lessons of duty or the virtues of discipline. His mind wandered off as he looked off into the distance absentmindedly at the looming darkness that was only staved off by the mere torchlight. " Keep focused private, you'll have plenty of time to marvel at the darkness later", snapped his senior. The man was not small, but compared to giant he had to look up as a child would to their parent. The giant looked down and nodded his head, before staring out at the road.

" Not much of a talker eh? Well we'll be here for a while, so if'n anything be on your mind, lemme know", he said slapping the statuous man's thigh. He flailed his hand for a moment and chuckled, " gee built like a rock...". Not much would be said between the two as they stood out in the darkness every night. A routine would be formed with a young man who was proficient with combat, but somewhat withdrawn, and his talkative senior who tried reaching out to him. Together they slowly became more acquainted with eachother, if that extent only went as far as their presence in the darkness. However, that all changed the night a woman in shambles stumbled through the dark, with claw marks etched into her back. Grahm ran forth and left his post. His meaty hands caught the limp body of the pretty girl whose back was stained with a fresh coat of crimson, enough to leave the taste of iron in his mouth. "My baby...please...my baby", she said, wrapping her arms around his wrist.

Grahm's eyes became blood red, teeth were clenched and body was flowing with a deathly glow. His partner ran forth, turning to face the mine, then his friend. He stammered as his body failed to meet his demands. " Argh big fella get back here! We can't abandon our post! Get BACK HERE"! His throat burned and stabbed at his esophagus as he strained to get the generally obedient giant's attention. " Come---arh---back"! Grahm didn't seem to register his senior as he frantically tried to patch the woman up. His eyes seething rage which ebbed and flowed at the whimpers of the woman who cried out in agony at the slightly bit of pressure placed on her back. "Please I know you have your duty, but my baby is still out there, alone in the dark! Being chased by god knows what"! Grahm merely nodded his head as her grip lessened. The blood had pooled in his palm, a once vibrant being in his hand fell silent. With gentleness not befitting of the giant, he placed her down before letting out a battle roar that echoed in the emptiness of the valley. He erupted into a rage once more, in search of the aforementioned child, leaving his partner alone.

A day which was deemed the New year's massacre. Grahm had found nothing, not even a trace of the dead woman or his partner. The mines which they were supposed to guard were raided by galthons, a race of shapeshifters. Under the cover of roaring machinery, they slaughtered all those within. The incident required the mine to be cleaned out, but it was at the cost of the workers who entrusted their lives to him. It was near the end of the clean up when Grahm would come face to face with the slitherine looking temptress, who was bound by beams of glowing light. She cackled like a hyena and looked the giant in the eye with a knowing expression. The scales on her face rubbed together as they made an unnatural expression, which her people were taught to brandish to humans after a kill. "Trust no one, question everything. Kindness and compassion have their own consequences young man".

The giant who stood before the vampire would not be deterred. He nodded at the question and only said, " ID". The main office at each major gate would give passes out, especially to those of non-human descent. In his other hand he had already brought out rusted chains, which clinked and clanked as they slid from a compartment in his armor. They hit the ground with an audible thud and drew up a cloud of dust upon impact. He'd grip his chains to make them rattle ever so slightly as the sun seemed to rise higher in the sky at that moment of the standoff. The citizenry around him seemed to pause together, their cheery gazes locked upon the dutiful soldier before maligning into expressions of indignation. " No ID. then. Jail", he said while gesturing his fingers toward himself, to signal the vampire to come forth. " Hey leave em alone"! The voice of a farmer boomed from behind the giant, followed by another. And another, accentuated by the sound of what seemed like a stampede, as the crowd began to swell in response to the giant. Grahm's did not flinch though, but his stance was far more ready to fight, than not. A simple slanted of his torso, arms raised at the ready, in response to the leverage his body would give him now. Though even in his measured aggression, he never closed the door to the vampire, hand still readied to accept his identification papers.

The Dark Creator

St. Coraline:
Western gate
On the outskirts of the Edwin incident
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Built into the granite wall itself would be a small looking office at first, but upon closer inspection would delve deep into the wall itself. It was meant to be the first line of defense and literally act as the gatekeeper's office. There was no line today, nor has there been for quite some time. People passed through freely, forming a contrast between those who were exceedingly cheerful. And those who were tossed aside, wretches in the gutter and clinging to life in the shadows of the once pristine city. A crowd much akin to magnets were form to watch the high elves begin to enter their humble settlement. Though none blockaded their advance, everyone from young children to soldiers would gawk in amazement at what they just saw. Only a few kept their gazes fixed forward as they performed what little duties left to them. Mayhaps there would be the occasional peasant who did not stop pushing their cart, but overall it would seem as if life stopped so as to witness the arrival of these pristine beings. Who oft were held in higher regard, nobility or not.

A small group of guardsmen did come to meet the elves though, one was perpetually smiling while the other two had their expressions hidden by their standard helms. Instinctively they held their polearms, with their grisly, yet intricately crafted spear heads pointed at them. This was merely a warning in their custom, a signal to stop as the axeheads and their curved, yet sharp edges glistened in the sun. However, the smiling one stepped forward,releasing a pressure not unlike the sensation the elves felt in the forest. It was subtle nor nearly as pronounced as it was back then, but one attuned to the sensation would react involuntarily. " ah ah ah boys, that's rude to our guests". The already on edge soldiers tightened their grips on their weapons, even shaking ever so slightly before reigning them in. Held at their sides with one arm, but still gripped by their other hand, so as to keep themselves at the ready for any funny business. They stood erect like statues and awaited for the exchange, as their commander simply waited for Aurum's response.

Oreo Cookie LadyOfStars