NationStates Jolt Archive

All was peaceful in the small Spootian village, it was like this most of the time in the village, the Halfling was never an aggressive creature and only rarely struck out in rage, on the other hand there were the Toop Clans, sort of Halflings gone wrong, they lived for Death and Pillage, nothing more, the Toop had fought the Halfling on many occasions but never in the organised fasion that they had been in the past months, it was like the Toop had began to hunt the Spootian down and make it extinct, it was for this reason that a small party of Toop raiders had positioned themselves outside of the village borders, they stared waiting for the right time, children played around as wimmin attempted to control them, men wandered the forest forraging berries all of them unaware.

it was now that was the right time, the Toop marched forward slowly, mobidly, they swung their axes striking down the small children and the wimmin, the Men grabbed spears and ran to protect the innocent lives but it was too late, the Toop had formed tight ranks and the poorly made spears merely shattered on contact, it was a true bloodshed.

The Bard Sproon was the first to find the village, all his friends dead and soem dying, this was far too much for one Halfling to handle, everyone was dead, a tear rolled down his cheek as he realised what he needed to do, grabbing a Spootian Spear he stormed off into the dark of the Forest, the future of the Halflings depended on him.

(OOC: join in with your own character at any time, you can fight for the Spoot or the Toop but no armies, Humies, Elves and any other fantasy creatures are allowed, Sproon is on his way to the Halfling capitol of Storne, he'll need to travel far and hard)

ooc: I assume its ok if I bring in a couple of characters...

A party of three vastly different figures were seen in the distance heading towards a small village.

There was a winged horse, atop which sat a beautiful, young female elf (http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b360/DMG2005/ArmaiCorvianna.jpg) that stood at five foot three inches. To the horses side, a tall man (about 6'5") dressed in armor but covered by a cloak, walked in long strides. Shortly behind the two, a small dwarf (http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b360/DMG2005/vivi.jpg) looking figure scampered quickly but clumsily.

The elf was whistling an old elven tune as her long hair swished from side to side. The large man was not showing any emotion on his face as he seemed to be concentrating on something in the distance. The small dwarven mage did his best to keep up with the larger figures as his large eyes peeked over the side of his jacket.

Sproon stared into the distance, he could see three strangers in the road, it had to be fate, these people were either here to kill him or here to help him, he ran towards the group hoping for the best and praying that they would not kill him, grabbing his lute he began to play a tune hoping that they would be impressed and join him

Ahoy three strangers in the road,
Will you aid me in my quest,
The Toop did destroy my humble abode,
A terrible anger they do possess,

So please dear strangers aid me in my quest!

They murdered the wimminfolk,
And slaughtered the children,
They lit fires for the smoke,
and were followed by a Wren,

So please dear strangers aid me in my quest!

He bowed and looked up at the small group, had it worked, well they hadn't killed him yet.

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

The Toop Cheiftain sneered, this Majikal tome held the key to destroy the Halflings at last, it told him how he should fight and how he will win, it was a truly wonderful book, truly worth the men he had lost attempting to sieze it, now the Toop were no longer pillaging bandits now they were fully capable fighting warriors, the Toop around him had began to chant "TOOP TOOP TOOP!" Yes, the Toop were winning now!

"Oh, that sounds terrible," the elf said, "Of course we will help you... what can we do?"

The large man and the dwarf mage stood behind the winged horse that held the female elf.

bump.

"I am on my way to the City of Spootopolis, to get there I must travel through perilous territory and pass by Toop held ground, if you assist me then I will gladly give you all the spoils and an amount of money when we get to Spootopolis, that is, if you want to help."

"Of course we will help... right boys," Ar'mai said to the man and dwarf. The two of them nodded in confirmation of her decision. "And we don't want your money or anything..." Ar'mai said.

She then began to introduce everyone, "I am Ar'mai, princess of the Akenea'raeheal clan. That is Sir Bane," she said as she pointed to the large cloaked figure, "He is a knight in the court of King Alfred. And that little looking fellow is Loki," she said as Loki greeted the traveler. She covered the side of her mouth with her hand so that Loki couldn't hear, "Though he looks quite small and is often clumsy, he is actually a powerful mage when he wants to be."

Gaetric had been walking in the forest for some time when he heard footsteps and hid in some brush beside the road. The sight that presented itself was a wonder. Many different races travelling together and all armed. He readied his bow, veiled his face and jumped out of the brush he yelled...

"HALT! I am Gaetric of the Chumai sept of the Taardad Aiel (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aiel#Culture). Who are you and to where do you travel?"

The group must have stared at him for at least five minutes but he had grown accustome to it. A sun darkened man of 7' 3" with red-gold hair and gray eyes was a rareity in these lands and especially one who walked around with a belt knife, three spears, a buckler, and bow and quiver. They must have been shocked to see that anyone could have hidden in the brush but his caidin'sor saw to that with its earthen colors. He just sat and waited for them to answer...

A boy of 14 with silver hair watched the progressing travellers in a vision he had conjured in a pool of water. He was a powerful mage, and had been cast from his village for it. He had retreated to this forest, refining his skills. It had been a good four months since he had seen other intelligent beings in the forest besides Icewind. Prehaps he should see if he could be of assistance; he sensed great pain in the halfling leading the group. quickly packing up his belongings, he summmoned his spirit animal to join the phisical realm again. A vast dragon could be seen for a moment in the sky, but by the time it landed, had shrunk itself to the size of a horse, sunlight gleaming off its sapphire and emerald scales.
Shall I carry you Aeros?
No, I'm fine. The dragon shrunk still further, to the size of a rat, and curled himself inside the warm satchel on his companion's back. In a few minutes, they reached the road, sat on a rock, and waited for the approaching group.

The three figures of Ar'mai, Sir Bane, and Loki turned and stared at the newcomer for a moment.

"You don't have to be so rude," Ar'mai said, "You have asked politely for us to stop than we might, but ordering us to halt will get you nowhere."

Ar'mai turned her head back to the path and urged her winged horse on. Loki and Sir Bane followed behind her without saying a word.

Gaetric stared at them and then quickly followed behind. He said...

"I am sorry. You must be their Roof Mistress. I ask permission to join your party and adventure through these foreign lands. May I ask where it is you are going?"

"I know not your meaning of 'Roof Mistress'," Ar'mai said. "Though you are welcome to join us provided that you have manners... we are escorting him," she pointed to Sproon, "Through these dangerous lands to the City of Spootopolis."

"Wonderful! I will scout ahead!"

And with that Gaetric sprinted ahead...

Several minutes later and a few miles up the road Gaetric noticed a young boy sitting on the side of the road apparently waiting on someone or something. He spoke to him...

"Hello wetlander! For who do you wait?"

This one did not stare as much as the others. He soon answered his question...

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

Cain was a newly raised Asha'man very strong in the One Power. He had set out on a journey to find a Warder and had somehow found himself in a land of strangers and midgets. His burgundy coat and black trousers fit snugly to his muscular and athletic body. He wore the sword pin and dragon pin with honor and had been told that when he returned he would be raised to Baijan'm'hael. As he walked down the street he noticed a caidin'sor clad Aiel talking to a young boy.

"Praise be to you Atha'an'aman. I am Cain, a Asha'man. With who do you travel in this strange land?"

Noticeing the new wetlander Gaetric spoke...

"I am Gaetric of the Jindo sept of the Taardad Aiel. I travel with other wetlanders to bring a troubled man to a city called Spootopolis. Do you wish to join with us we will greatly appreciate your gifts."

"Indeed I will. I am in search of a Warder. Perhaps you will be williing to be bonded. Only time will tell."

"I am Aeros, of Coldbrook village. I have lived many months in this forest, honing my skills, after being cast out for my magical abilities, and having a spirit animal." Icewing poked his head out of the satchel and purred contentedly.
"I scryed your party from a distance, but couldn't tell what you were up to, except that the Halfling is in great mental pain. Pray, tell me, what is your purpose, and prehaps I will join you."

"We travel to Spootopolis to attain an audience with the King of the Halfings for Sproon. I am sure the others would appreciate your abilitys."

Cain looked at the boy and said...

"Abilitys? Please tell of what these abilitys are. The Asha'man may be pleased to accept another brother."

"Well, let me show you. Icewing! Come here!" the dragon burst out of the pack and quickly grew to the size of a stallion. Aeros jumped on his back and whispered something, and the dragon vaulted into the sky, higher and higher, till the figures on the ground were mere specks. Then, standing up, he jumped of the dragon into the void.

He fell fast, but, mind locked in concentration, slowed himself magically, reducing himself to a gentle freefall. Next, he began to change slowly until, after a few seconds, wings appeared on his back. He now flew swiftly downward, hurtling to meet the forest floor. He pulled up and, discarding the wings, summoned several flat-topped stones he saw below. He strained agains their weight, but managed to position them below into a stone staircase he hopped down. It didn't quite reach, but luckily he spotted a lake nearby. Summoning some of the water, he froze it to create a ice slide. Sliding down to the bottom, he collapsed happily. He had never had people to display his powers to before and, as a driven perfectionist, had overextended himself. He went into a deep sleep, all the while praying the people bore no ill will.

Meanwhile, the Ar'mai, Bane, and Loki had walked up, witnessing the boy show his abilities.

"Why do people feel like they need to prove themsleves to strangers?" Ar'mai asked.

"I don't know... I was always taught by Grandpa that I should only use magick when I needed to," Loki commented.

Ar'mai smiled at him. She then hopped off her horse and walked over to the sleeping boy. She muttered a quick chant under her breath and ushered energy into the boy.

Aeila sat on a tree upon a cliff, watching the lands beneath. Seeing an odd party seeming to form she decided to join. She looked human, albeit somewhat on the short side at 5'3", save for two broad angelic type wings. As she thought on it she growled, people always got her confused with an angel and expected help.

Shrugging, she adjusted her very skimpy clothing, spread her wings and vaulted down to glid to meet the strange funny people.

ooc: pic http://underpower.non-essential.com/index.php?comic=latest

As the new figure descened from the cliff, Bane removed the hood of his cloak for the first time, revealing his brown hair and beard. Stepping to Ar'mai's side, Bane confronted the incoming figure, "Who and what are you?"

Meanwhile, Loki continued to stand where he was without saying a word, as he watched all of the people.

As she landed, her flexed her wings to deal with the airflow that had bent a few feathers out of place. "I am Aeila, and I am me." She replied, "Who are you?"

"I meant... of what type of people are you?" Bane said as he sidestepped the question. "You know... I am a human, Ar'mai there is an elf," he said pointing to Ar'mai who was still leaning over the boy, "And that little fellow back there," he said pointing to Loki, "Is a dwarf... a mage or wizard dwarf."

Loki didn't say anything, but instead lowered his head so that his hat blocked any view line to his large yellow eyes.

The elf seems to be able to channel as well. It appears the boy is well trained but has overexerted himself. He will need to be trained in stamina but he could be raised to Dedicated as soon as I brought him back to the Black Tower. Thought Cain as he watched the boy be roused from his sleep by the elfs Healing. He then announced himself again. "I am Cain. I am an Asha'man trained well in the One Power. I offer my services to your party."

Gaetric sat in awe of the boy. He knew some of the Wise Ones and Aes Sedai could do thing beyond belief but sprout wings?! Even the Asha'man seemed to think highly of the boy. The party was beginning to grow and gain many different abilitys...

"No idea, so who are you?" She asked again.

"You don't know what you are?" Bane asked again.

Ar'mai had stood and now looked at Cain, "What do you believe to be the 'One Power'," she asked him curiously.

"Nope, no idea." She replied, "So who are you, and quite dodging the question."

Frustrated with the Aeila, Bane decided to change the question, "Well, where are you from then? From what land to you hail?"

"I'm from up there." She pointed to the cliff. "As to the land, again, no idea. And what is your name?"

Loki continued to look on, as Bane finally gave in, "I... am Sir Bane."

"It is a pleasure to meet you Bane, and the rest of you as well." Aeila replied

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not Far Away From The "Group"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lady Katerana Jumantur Aes Sedai was by no means normal. A Gray, she was considered a borderline, of all things, Green. The Battle Ajah, the Green were, and yet the Gray were mediators, diplomats. She was considered harsh, cold, and frightening, and yet she was warm and kind to those whom she both knew and had met before. The daughter of a minor Andoran royal house, she was rich and regal in everything she did.

Jiantera Aes Sedai was another matter. One of the Blue Ajah, she was considered tough and not brittle. She was a plump Altaran, one who seemed to be more fit managing an inn in Ebou Dar than doing dangerous deeds in the service of the White Tower (or, the rebel White Tower, she being Blue). Nonetheless, she was conviced in the ideals of her Ajah, and strived to follow them above and beyond her duty.

The third sister was a petit Domani named Karaen Aes Sedai. She moved with the natural grace of one from her nation, was exceptionally preportioned, and yet seemed to be beyond the reach of all men. A Yellow, she was, and from the mountain city of Katar in the Mountains of Mist. Like all the others, her mission was to sniff out Black Ajah wherever they might lurk.

They each had a Warder. Katerana's was an Arafellian named Kulteruk Aseen, a strong, lithe, and tacticurn man. Jiantera's was a young Mayener, an idealist, named Iloyin Hsan. Karaen's warder was a stock Saldaean named Moishan Tralka. They were all dedicated to their Aes Sedai.

All in all, the three women all wearing their stoles with the colors of their Ajah, the three men all graceful, yet dangerous, made a very odd traveling party to be seen coming down the road.

Aeros' vision slowly swam back. He found himself surrounded by a buch of interesting people, as well as a dwarf, halfling and an extremely beautiful winged woman.
"S-s-so, c-can I join you?" he asked the smiling people.

Gaetric saw a large party walking down the road. He immediately noticed the deadly grace of the men who seemed to fade in and out of vision for what they were, Warders, which meant the women were Aes Sedai. He took Cain's attention away from the young boy and pointed to the party. "Aes Sedai. With Warders. Perhaps you should speak to them?"

"I will. It appears we have a Blue, Gray, and a Yellow comeing our way." said Cain as his vision was enhanced after grasping saidin. The sweetness filled him and he smelled the smells, saw the colors, and heard the serene sound of the forest like no other could. It was all so far from the battle that raged in side him. He tryed to keep himself balanced on the paper thin edge fighting back the fire and ice of saidin at the same time. He had waged the battle many times before and was accustomed to it. Wrapped in the void he became cold and calm. No thoughts entered his mind as he walked towards the Aes Sedai. He barely heard the footsteps of Gaetric following him. It appeared he could be a Warder. But that thought was far from his mind, engulfed in sadin and surrounded by the void. "Good day Aes Sedai." said Cain. "For which tower do you swear your loyalty?" he did'nt have to ask that question. There was a Blue with them but he did...

Loki walked up next to Ar'mai but continued to say nothing. Ar'mai looked up as she was aware of Cain and Gaetric's departure to greet the incoming party. "There is something I don't trust about them," she said to Loki though she wasn't specific in whether she was talking about the incoming party or the outgoing one.

Bane stood his ground and watched on.

Aeila finished stretching her wings and looked at the other people who were newly arrived.

bump for yafor and spooty...

His vision returned, and his feet stable, Aeros stared at the angelic figure nearby. He walked up to her sheepishly.
"Hello, my name is Aeros."

ooc: SPOOTY! Get over here...

(OOC: I'm here but also lost, what the hell's been and happened since i been sleeping.)

ooc: lmao...I went ahead to scout and then found N Y C(a young mage) and another charecter I made who is similiar to a mage but has a lot of differences...DMG found Theao(Ailea) and I just walked up to Yafor(the Aes Sedai) to try to talk to them...

(OOC: - just -)

Sproon looked at the Plethora of adventurers around him, where had all these people appeared from? Well one thing was certain, the Toop wouldn't mess with a group this large.

Toop
Cheif Tooke looked at the large group, they all seemed armed, trained and skilled, he looked quickly at his army and back at the group, he needed more men.

"Hello there, Aeros was it?" Aeila asked, "Also who is everyone else?"

bump

"I'm now quite sure," Aeros said with a pained grin. "Everytime I look it seems this group gets larger and stranger."

OOC: Maybe we should close this off soon. Many more characters will make the RPing sort of hard to manage.
/not an rp genius

ooc: indeed it will but i think were gonna break into smaller groups soon...

"What's wrong?" She asked, noting the pained look on his face.

Well, I tried to impress them with my magic, and I guess I overextended myself....I've never been somewhere with other people where I could use magic freely. When I lived at home, they discovered I was a mage. At first, they accepted me as long as I didn't use it except for healing. But that winter, there was a landslide that destroyed several houses before stopping right before mine. They blamed me, and a mob came for me. I returned home to find them, including a man about to slit my mother's throat. I managed to cast a repelling spell at him, and he..he fell off a cliff. I fled with my family, but I knew they weren't safe. so I came to this forest, alone, to train and try to come to terms with myself. It's been a long time since I've seen people..."

"Ah, you're people have an odd view of magick then." Aeila replied

"Prehaps, but, on the other hand, it did appear I let disaster strike everyone but me. Fate is cruel."

"What you going to do?" She replied

"Join you on your quest to help the halfling, I suppose. It is not fun to be alone all the time."

"I'm just here to see what the commotion is, at least right now anyways." Aeila replied

Loki stepped forward and talked for the first time, "We are getting to help Sproon reach the city..."

"'City?"

"Yeh... he said something about going to the City of Spootropolis," Loki said before he became quiet again.

ooc: wheres yafor!

"I would like very much to go to this city. My magic is strong, but I havn't had a teacher, or supplies. It would be an...enlightening experience."

"You could visit the White Tower for teaching," Loki suggested, "There are lots of wizards and mages there that will teach you magic."

"A fine plan that is. Tell me, if you will, what route we must take to get there, and how far is it?"

Loki tugged on his hat, "Actually... I am not quite sure."

"I just traveled for a long time and eventually I found myself in front of the White Tower," Loki explained.

"I could tell you where it is, a man of our's left the village to seek out the tower, first we must get to Spootopolis then I can direct you!" Sproon spoke up for the first time in a while, he shy around strangers and so many had arrived in such a short time.

"You speak softly halfling. What is the mattter?"

"This is your quest?" Aeila asked the halfling.

"this is my quest, the Toop came to my village and slaughtered all but myself, I were out in the Forest Clearing looking for inspiration." The events of not too long ago bought tears back to the one foot high man.

"Ah, then you need to get your peoples mobalized to defend themselves." She replied as she crouched down to be on eye level with the halfling. As she did, her wings seemed to shrink and curl upward.

"I am not familiar with the term mobilise, if you mean to get them moving then consider it done." Although rather sarcastic the statement was true, the Spoot Halflings had no military as they did not see fit to do so, the Toop did and were watching the group from heavy cover, slowly they were building up to attack this seemingly random group of mis-fits.

"Yes get them moving, but more specifically, get them moving in a martial fashion, otherwise these, what'd you call them, will walk all over you and your kin." She replied

"I have an idea to get them moving," Aeros whispered with a twinkle in his eye, "Just give me a moment."
And, just like that, he cast a spell of invisibility around himself, walked to the back of the group and coaxed his dragon out of the satchel, chuckeling all the while.

OOC:Sorry, I've been sick, unable to get to the damn comp...I'll be more active soon.

BIC:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Road
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lady Katerana Jumantur Aes Sedai, guardian of the Spine, cousin of LAdy Moiraine Damodred, niece of King Laman, who had slaughtered the tree, cousin of both Barthanes Damodred and Galladrin Riatin, who had fought for Carhein before the Dragon's invasion, and protector of House Jumantur, a distant royal relative, cooly stared at the Aiel, her eyes full of anger.

"And you are here...why? The Car'a'carn is not here. Indeed, he nw wages a war against the Shadow, one which will be capped by Tarmon Gai'don, the Last - " She stopped dead. "And why do you have a..." she shook herself, as if cleansing herself, "A-a-asha'man, with you?" She seemed fazed all of a sudden.

All three of the Aes Sedai graped Saidar, the True Source giving delight to them. It was the that they heard the words 'quest'. "May we be of help?" asked the graceful Domani Aes Sedai as she glided over to the others.

"Wht do you fear me?" said Cain. "The Dragon has cleansed saidin. I have no effects of the taint, I am not going mad. Oh and for your question I believe you may be of help. I know that you are bound to keep from useing your power as a weapon but you can heal and keep violence from happening as well as I."

Gaetric then said "I am here because I did not want to go to the Shaido but did not want to bother the Car'a'carn with the bleakness that nearly consumed me. I am sorry if I frighten you."

"I fear none!" Katerana declared, but a faint tinge of pink touched her ageless cheek.

OOC:Blargh, sorry for the length of the post, but my thinking cap isn't working.

ooc: dying?

sadly yes. Got a little out of hand/confusing with so many characters

sadly yes. Got a little out of hand/confusing with so many characters

I agree.

*Proclaims RP Dead*

(OOC: very much dead as I (Spooty) am taking a break from RPing as Spooty, to be honest Spooty is a difficult nation to RP as, the people want war, murder and famine, things which would really not phase Spootians, so i'm now RPing as Kaduna, a hotbed of Murder, Betrayal, the Occult, Fear, War, Seedyness and deprevity)