NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: The Dominion has no tech level of such, it is more fantasy past tech. Therefore anyone with an interest can become involved in this RP. As long as it is treated with a respect I am told this will work very well. Join if you wish, any tech level. Try and keep it within the same kind of area Im looking at here though please, so no spaceships with gargantuan weapons. I would NEED an enemy, however any other role you wish to fill of your creation will be more than welcome. Thank you.

IC:

"Its going to be a cold night, son."

The wind blew over the hill, fierce and merciless. The man's long hair was dramatically blown behind him. On top of the hill he stood, leaning with his ornamental staff taking the full brunt of his weight. The man's son stood beside him, looking out across the great expanse of land before them.

"One day, son, this will be yours. My time is up. I am expired."

The man's son said nothing. What was there to say in an emotional moment between father and son? Many in their land had never, and would never, experience a moment quite like it. The last light of day peeked over the horizon, stretching its hands out across the dominion before it slipped away from sight. It lost its grip on the earth that stood mighty before the two men and dissapeared. The man took flight. His tone of voice quickly changed into one of haste.

"The sun has set. It has set on the Dominion, it has set on my time. Leave me be. I am off." The man turned and took a quick glance at his son that seemed to last for more than the moment it was. "Stay upon that hill. Do not cry for I am not gone. Love all you see. Help it to grow. I am with you, guiding and helping. I am not gone. I leave you be. Leave me be."

He removed a single pendant from his neck. He walked back to his son, who bowed his head to let his father place the pendent upon him. "Goodbye son. Goodbye Ale'ard." He kissed his sons forehead and walked off into the wind, his cape flowing behind him riding the current.

The nightbird let out its call. Ale'ard looked into the sky, as a small watery bead ran out of the corner of his eye, dripping onto the floor.

----

Market day was always busy in the Dominion. Ale'ard walked through the city, his rank only shown by his cape and sword, of which many ignored. An old man with grey hair and an unshaven face approached him. As he spoke Ale'ard drew back, noticing immediately the pungent smell on the mans breath and the multiple gaps in between his blackening teeth. His voice was croaky and deep. "Genuine gold jew'ery, sir?"

"I have no interest in your wares. I seek a man who goes by the name of Ritingdon. Can you lead me good sir?" The man looked at him cautiously. He put out his hand, but instead of offering money Ale'ard placed his hand on the hilt of his weapon and pulled it out no further than an inch. The old man narrowed his eyes before nodding and signalling for Ale'ard to follow. "Lead me well stranger and I shall reward you well."

The old man lead him away from the market and out towards the suburbs. He was paranoid, looking around him at every step, his hands hunched together in front of him by his chest. He turned on Ale'ard quickly, causing him to stop. "Wait." Raising one eyebrow to ask what he was waiting for, Ale'ard did as he was told. Suddenly the man ran back around the corner and hid behind a few boxes. Two city guards walked around the corner. They stood to attention upon noticing Ale'ard.

"Stand down men. What business have you here?"

"We search out the vagrant named Opiligius. He infests this place you stand. Be warned, he is not pretty."

"Very well. Continue with your duty." They moved on, marching in step each heavily clad in black armour shining in the hot sun, with halberd in their right hand. The old man cautiously came out of hiding with a worried expression upon his face.

"Say nowthing, I am that man they seek. Follow." They journeyed through the suburbs before ducking into an alleyway. "I go no further." The man gave Ale'ard instructions. He enacted them to the word, coming to the end of the passageway and veering right, he took the steps up to the wall. He followed the city wall along until he came to the fifth set of steps. He headed down them into a street in which he would find many a harlot. It was the fifth building on his right.

It appeared these woman were not just ladies of the night. Few dared approach him, but after the first two, the message was sent when he drew his weapon and held it by his side. He approached the building and replaced his sword within its sheath before entering. The smell in the building was of a substance he was unfamiliar with, Hexelthene. It was a common narcotic in these parts, and only these parts. He walked a bit further in, to find undergarments strewn about the residence. Upon drawing some curtains over a doorway, he walked in on a man and a lady. The lady screamed before covering herself up, as the man Ale'ard seeked, Ritingdon, took up arms.

"If you fight me, have the decency to clothe yourself." Ritingdon stood with his shortsword held forward, ready to defend, his overlarge body exposed for all to see. He went forward towards Ale'ard who struck him a blow with his fist to the back of his head, sending him towards the ground, before disarming him. "You attack a noble. You have guts a plenty." The woman now partially clothed couldnt help but laugh at his wit. He spat on Ritingdon. "I seek you not for crimes you have commited, although your actions thus far have swayed my decision, but for the help you can offer me. Clothe yourself and I shall speak with you." The woman sauntered out of the room, looking at Ale'ard, smiling.

Justice in the Dominion was served poorly by the city guards, but swiftly and justly by the noble class. It wasn't uncommon for lower classes or lesser noble class people to be exploited by the nobles, such as Ale'ard. Ritingdon was rich, yet one of those exploited. He was a supplier of services others dared not venture into. "I require two-hundred and fifty men for military service under my command. I offer you no money, but a clean record from this point on. I trust you can deliver? They need be fit and healthy, I dont want any riff-raff. The best of your lot will serve me well." Ritingdon nodded. He was the slavemaster in these parts, and seller of bodily services, a relative king of the prostitute underworld.

"I can deliver."

"Everybody out." Ritingdon stood beside his wagon, caged and covered in a black rough material. Some men staggered out of the wagon clearly confused as to their whereabouts.

"These are the men?"

"They are, good sir. I have held my end of the deal, and yours?"

"I shall see to it by nightfall. Have no fear." Ale'ard inspected the rabble of men before him. "There appears to be 248 men. I specifically asked for 250. They have a purpose, you know."

Ritingdon climbed into the wagon and drove out one more man, clearly dehydrated, collapsing on the floor when he was left to stand on his own. "I asked for healthy men. I said fit to fight. I did ask for 250." He drew his sword and swung it towards Ritingdon's neck, hovering just a few centimetres from slicing it open. "You. You have dissapointed me."

As Ale'ard lowered his sword, Ritingdon rushed back to his wagon. "You have mercy. I find you a man. By nightfall. I find you.." The wagon rode off. Ale'ard turned to the men before him.

"What are these chains upon you?" There was no reply. "Are you devoid of the ability to formulate words? Speak to me. I am no slaver."

One man spoke up. He was broad-shouldered, and poorly fed. He looked strong enough. "We are slaves. We are chained to keep us in line."

Ale'ard silently made a note of this man for the future. "Here is the deal. I feed you well. I keep you in accomadation that is both clean and dry. I provide you with clothing. However, in return, you must provide me with service. I will train you in the use of a weapon. In combat. You will fight by my side, for me. You are the Dominion soldiers. Do we have a deal? Speak now."

The men mumbled a 'yes'. It was a better way of life that what they had before. "I shall free you. And then comes your first lesson. Who is strong enough to carry this man?" Ale'ard pointed towards the man on the floor. Two men stepped forwards and lifted him to his feet. "I can see Ritingdon has done me well."

Ale'ard formed a rough shamble of a formation out of the men. They lined up in rank, and he led them in a march. He noted they would need more training. Hopefully some food in their stomachs would do them well.

---

Over the next few months Ale'ard trained the men to be warriors. It was a small army but big enough for the task at hand. The men quickly mastered forming up, having to do it five or six times a day. Food helped them immensely, and their clothing uniform and neat. They were told to keep their uniform clean and tidy, and their weapons free of dirt. Men were given swords to begin with, trained well in their use. The weak swordsmen soon fell from the group and were trained to use a missile weapon. The training was tough, but would prepare them well.

In those few months, the men had come far. They were battle ready. They marched the next day.

OOC Immaterium a nice place for a god of Light and Shadow to pop in

OOC:
I'm willing to give you an enemy, but first I need details such as where do you want this to go, and what you had in mind.

OOC Ri-an dont go scaring them now
iam going to have Wolf stop by hunting a Chaos beast from my time if its ok

OOC: If you like, but, you assume I'm using a major baddie, Their at Kajeenith's coronation in my ascension to rule thread. Since he (She?) is just starting out again, I'm using a lower level baddie to help him (Her?) get back into the grove of things.

OOC: The Dominion has been taken over by Ale'ard, the new ruler. My rough idea was this. But feel free to take it in a slightly different direction if you wish. He has some opposition to his rule, the enemy. The Dominion is made up of almost autonomous cities and regions, ruled mainly by the criminal underworld. As seen the nobility and upper classes have links with this, so its a bit dodgy this whole place. Ale'ard hopes to unite the peoples, by taking what is rightfully his and keeping it under his rule. As ruler he has every right to do so, but obviously the criminal underworld wont be too happy about this.

Thats a rough outline, without telling you what to do.

OOC: If you like, but, you assume I'm using a major baddie, Their at Kajeenith's coronation in my ascension to rule thread. Since he (She?) is just starting out again, I'm using a lower level baddie to help him (Her?) get back into the grove of things.

OOC sorry my Friend not this time as you know why
got to half my time and thinking oh an check tg iam going to ask you some thing
oh and i do a IC later

OOC: The Dominion has been taken over by Ale'ard, the new ruler. My rough idea was this. But feel free to take it in a slightly different direction if you wish. He has some opposition to his rule, the enemy. The Dominion is made up of almost autonomous cities and regions, ruled mainly by the criminal underworld. As seen the nobility and upper classes have links with this, so its a bit dodgy this whole place. Ale'ard hopes to unite the peoples, by taking what is rightfully his and keeping it under his rule. As ruler he has every right to do so, but obviously the criminal underworld wont be too happy about this.

Thats a rough outline, without telling you what to do.

OOC: Right then, my initial thoughts are as follows:

- The main nemisis of this thread, will be one of my people that have links to your criminal underworld. Now, I'm heavy into fantasy, and as such I benifit directly or indirectly from the spread of Chaos, strife, panic and disorder, because they all lead to destruction. So, an organised united nation hurts me.

This nemisis is using the criminal underworld to keep things from becoming organised and united by your hero Ale'ard. Also, as things progress, I'll also use the nemisis to summon great mythological creatures from various mythologies around the world to oppose and sometimes stomp you flat. you just never know quite what I'm going to do next.

This nemisis, so you know oocly, is male, and has magic. Not nearly as much as some people in my nation, but enough to stir up trouble all the same.

Though most threats will not be overly magic based, unless you have a magic based character in your party or have some other form of arcane defence, for the occasions that I do use a major magic threat, including disease and supernatural disease, I will provide an out, in the form of the legendary Magi-masters. A group of 8 learned men and women that know more about magic than is realisticly possible.

I will also use a pattern.

One post by me by of the nemisis initiating the next attack or some other event.

I'll wait for you to post something, anything, as a way of marking the passage of time.

Then, I'll post the event actually starting.

Then, posts between us and anyone else participating resolving the event.

Then four or five posts by you and anyone else participating.

I am going to assume the nemisis has alot of power and control among your criminals, and many contacts of a useful nature.

Not every event is violent or confrontational.

How does that sound?

OOC change it from Chaos Beast to Chaos God Tzeentch
http://www.games-workshop.de/warhammer40000/races/chaos-space-marines/articles/wallpapers/tzeentch-1024.jpg

he escapes from my time and cames to Dominion to hide and to plan
but caming after him is Wolf to kill him,which will send him back

OOC: The idea sounds good. Ale'ard, to recap, is marching towards a very small town to recruit in a Ghengis Khan style way. Ill wait for an IC post from you.

Blaine stood in his tall tower in the center of a small town named, well, its name remained unimportant. The tower was very tall indeed, and had the remarkable property of being invisible to the naked eye, and completly untouchable, unless Blaine, one of the Void Wizards of Kajeenith, wished for it to be seen and entered. Otherwise, all anyone would find was town hall. The stairs, would lead to the second floor like normal.

Blaine was looking out over the westren horizon, the only advisable way in. Surrounding terrain made entry difficult with small groups of people, and large groups, well, large groups could just forget about it.

Blaine had been staring through a telescope all morning long, searching the landscape for a certain something. What, he did not yet know, but knew he would know when he saw it.

Then, he saw Ale'ard and his men approaching.

"Trouble it appears, is heading this way." he thought.

"Wait, that man there, is he the same man I heard was hunting down Opiligus? I wonder whatever came of that." Blaine thought to himself.

He stepped back, and rubbed his chin with one hand. His chin had a full years growth of beard, and it was as grey as common steel. Blaine himself had a good tan, and wore nothing but solid black robes. All anyone ever seen of him, was his grey beard.

Blaine went to a cage in his tower, and plucked out a single worm.

"This day you will serve me well. Remove this man from this place before he spoils my search." Blaine commanded the worm.

The power of the void flowwed into the worm, and it twisted and turned, and grew. Blaine threw it in the direction of Ale'ard. By the time it reached him, it would be a full 30 feet long, and half as tall. It would have grown a mouth filled with fangs, each dripping a deadly toxic acid. Its skin would have grown black, and thick. It was no longer a common worm, now it was a Voidworm.

Ale'ard stood still. Something had caught his senses. Suddenly his men were taken aback, as he whipped his head around to face the enemy. It was unexpected to face something so big and abstract, but nevertheless it showed agression. "Hold steady."

His men, to their advantage, would fight their first battle against a non-human. Archers loaded from their quivers and took aim, not firing. The soldiers formed up. Ale'ard stepped forwards. "What is this.. thing?"

Drawing his sword it caught the light, the writing on the side glowing a bright orange, before turning back to the indentations upon the metal that is truly was. Something evil was about this place, and where evil was, Ale'ard and family were near. "I fear this beast has power far greater than any common worm."

An arrow flew up and hit the worm. It was a rather large target and not hard to miss, but the arrow out of line could prove fatal. Ale'ard was unsure if it had any effect on the beast or not, but it was stuck lodged in its neck.

A strike to the weak point is one always to be taken up at every oppurtunity. Ascertaining the weak spot however..

Ale'ard closed his eyes, and held his sword in front of him. The words of his father lay on his mind. His memories were plentiful and meaningful, his father was truly with him. Beside him. He focused on the beast before him.

The worm recoiled and bellowed with pain.

It fixed Ale'ard with a glare, and opened its jaws wide. everyone without exception could feel the wind and the environment around them being drawn towards the worms jaws, even the men themselves. It lunged for Ale'ard intending to eat him.

Hit or miss the worm would continue and burrow into the ground below.

The men dug in, trying to keep their footing. Some lost balance but were held up simply by the ranks of men around them. Perhaps a simple fight against a non-human enemy would not be such a good morale booster after all. Either way Ale'ard stood steady.

His eyes widened as the worm came crashing down towards him. Almost instinctively he ran towards the worms body, avoiding its jaw. Slashing wildly at the hope of causing some kind of damage, he rolled clear of the body of the worm following the head making a groaning noise as he went. A small patch of grass was attached to his armour. He removed it awaiting the return of the worm.

He could only hope its next blow was not fatal.

The men dug in, trying to keep their footing. Some lost balance but were held up simply by the ranks of men around them. Perhaps a simple fight against a non-human enemy would not be such a good morale booster after all. Either way Ale'ard stood steady.

His eyes widened as the worm came crashing down towards him. Almost instinctively he ran towards the worms body, avoiding its jaw. Slashing wildly at the hope of causing some kind of damage, he rolled clear of the body of the worm following the head making a groaning noise as he went. A small patch of grass was attached to his armour. He removed it awaiting the return of the worm.

He could only hope its next blow was not fatal.

The worm came up away from Ale'ard, from beneath a group of men, Jaws still wide open. It got back out onto the ground, stopped, and hacked up thick black fluid.

The fluid condensed into a solid block of shadow, which grew and expanded, covering the area in an impenitrable fog of night, obscuring the worm and giving it an environmental advantage.

the worm made a circle, and like a train, barrled towards Ale'ard at top speed.

OOC: In my next post, the worm dies.

He had always been fit and agile, but never inpenetrable. The black smog was striking fear into the men, shocked by what they saw. Some of their number had fallen, but their leader now faced life or death.

Placing his sword between his hands, flat against his forehead Ale'ard jumped onto the worm while it was travelling full speed and tried to stay mounted on it. One more arrow was let loose into the rear of the worm. The most loyal troops were itching to help, but just werent trained.

Ale'ard dropped his helmet and shield on the ground. He held on for dear life, attempting to get any kind of attack in.

Ale'ard had managed to somehow get the killing blow in. The worm shuddered and recoiled and let out an inhuman scream of pain as it died. It stopped.

Great white bolts of energy flashed all about, and everything shook and trembled as the powers of creation rushed in to fill the void left behind by the worm.

One final great bolt, and everything was back to normal. Not even the dead remained, claimed by the power of the void, the wounded, including A'e'ard where however, completly healed and restored to full strength.

Back at blaine's tower...

"Ohh that just irks me. No one makes Blaine look like a fool and gets away with it. Mark my words soldier boy, you will pay." Blaine said. It didn't travel outside of the room he was in, but he said it all the same.

Ale'ard lay on the ground for a moment, before standing. Some troops rushed over, but he sent them back to be counted. He needed to know how many men had been lost. Picking up his helmet on the way to count, he counted his blessings. As he put away his sword the writing shimmered the golden orange colour once again. Holding his helmet beneath his arm, he counted the men.

"239. We've lost 11. Eleven good soldiers. Onwards we march men, we can recouperate and recruit the lost when we arrive at the city." Replacing his helmet on his head, Ale'ard led the soldiers on.

He hoped the next battle would be less, challenging. His troops, although well trained and equipped were as of yet inexperienced in real combat. He hoped they were spurred on by their leaders performance. Secretly he was hoping that enough people would support this cause of his to join. Without support, this was an impossible task.

Blaine watched angrily as they reached the town.

OOC: Last post of the night.

IC:

The troops presence in the city was a sight for the inhabitants. Those who dared to show their faces anyway, the ones that had nothing to hide it seemed. At first women grabbed their children and ran, but it quickly turned into an advancement asking what they were doing.

Clearing the town of the criminal underpin that kept it running was a huge task, but for now the city could begin to be liberated. Known places of interest were ransacked and wrong do-ers dealth with accordingly. A local militia, as pre-determined, was set-up to enforce the change. A Dominion banner flew high above the town hall.

Ale'ard was keen to move on, but knew something was still lingering about this place. He slept with these thoughts. His sleep was deep, and informative. His father was with him that night.

OOC: Last post of the night.

IC:

The troops presence in the city was a sight for the inhabitants. Those who dared to show their faces anyway, the ones that had nothing to hide it seemed. At first women grabbed their children and ran, but it quickly turned into an advancement asking what they were doing.

Clearing the town of the criminal underpin that kept it running was a huge task, but for now the city could begin to be liberated. Known places of interest were ransacked and wrong do-ers dealth with accordingly. A local militia, as pre-determined, was set-up to enforce the change. A Dominion banner flew high above the town hall.

Ale'ard was keen to move on, but knew something was still lingering about this place. He slept with these thoughts. His sleep was deep, and informative. His father was with him that night.

One other man noticed the change of power, besides blaine. This man wore silver armor, with a gold chain. He carried a longsword, and generally kept to himself. He had nothing to hide, but offered nothing either. he had come here with his trusted warhorse, and from where he came from, no one could possibly say, except to say he had come from outside the village a day before Ale'ard. He was a traveler going from place to place in search of his work, yet he wasn't a mercanary for hire, but if Ale'ard told him the truth of his mission, he would go with ale'ard if Ale'ard so desired. Unlike the rest of the village, which had an uneasy presence due to Blaine, the area around this man was calm, and peaceful. This man had a holy aura nothing could possibly smother, and his horse had a similar effect.

Though appearing older than even Ale'ard, the man was as strong and energetic as a man of 20.

OOC: I brought him in, to give me something to do inbetween Blaine posts. For this town, let Blaine be kingpin.

As for this new man, there is far more to him than I posted. Be honest with him, and he'll accompany you for the duration of this thread. I don't often use him, because although he is not the strongest, he's my favorite for many reasons.

Ale'ard was told of a mysterious man in these parts, a new arrival. From where he was not informed, and working for who he was told nobody. Such an image had been built up that he couldn't resist finding this man. He was told to look in one location.

Upon his arrival, a man was being thrown out of a bar, and raised voices followed him. He knelt down to aid the man, asking what was the problem. His face was bleeding and his breath smelt strongly of alcohol. He got up on his feet, saying one thing before slipping into unconciousness. "Behind.."

Ale'ard quickly turned in his place, to see a horse being led around the corner. He sprinted after it, darting around the corner, a door was being closed. The street was deserted besides it. Puzzled, he knocked on the door. The face he was greeted with was an elderly woman with greying hair and a wrinkled face. "Yes?"

"I am looking for a person. I know not his name but I have a ver good description."

"The Paladin lives not here. Sorry."

She went to close the door, suddenly re-opening it. "Your Salarkin's son arent you? Yes, you are. Ale'ard right?"

"Yes, and you are?"

The old woman laughed, and said while smiling, "Im Trina. I used to keep the animals before I retired, all at an expense of your father. We were very close. Last time I saw you, you must have been two foot shorter and 60lbs lighter."

They both laughed before hooves on the ground caught Ale'ards ear, and out of the corner of his eye a flash of light from a shiny surface. He looked round to see the man he searched for. "Trina. I shall return later I hope. For now, I have someone to speak to."

Before Trina could say anything, Ale'ard was off. The words, "Excuse me, sir. I have words with you", could be heard.

Ale'ard was told of a mysterious man in these parts, a new arrival. From where he was not informed, and working for who he was told nobody. Such an image had been built up that he couldn't resist finding this man. He was told to look in one location.

Upon his arrival, a man was being thrown out of a bar, and raised voices followed him. He knelt down to aid the man, asking what was the problem. His face was bleeding and his breath smelt strongly of alcohol. He got up on his feet, saying one thing before slipping into unconciousness. "Behind.."

Ale'ard quickly turned in his place, to see a horse being led around the corner. He sprinted after it, darting around the corner, a door was being closed. The street was deserted besides it. Puzzled, he knocked on the door. The face he was greeted with was an elderly woman with greying hair and a wrinkled face. "Yes?"

"I am looking for a person. I know not his name but I have a ver good description."

"The Paladin lives not here. Sorry."

She went to close the door, suddenly re-opening it. "Your Salarkin's son arent you? Yes, you are. Ale'ard right?"

"Yes, and you are?"

The old woman laughed, and said while smiling, "Im Trina. I used to keep the animals before I retired, all at an expense of your father. We were very close. Last time I saw you, you must have been two foot shorter and 60lbs lighter."

They both laughed before hooves on the ground caught Ale'ards ear, and out of the corner of his eye a flash of light from a shiny surface. He looked round to see the man he searched for. "Trina. I shall return later I hope. For now, I have someone to speak to."

Before Trina could say anything, Ale'ard was off. The words, "Excuse me, sir. I have words with you", could be heard.

Rahegalhoff had been heading to the inn, for a good nights rest.

He stopped, and turned.

He said nothing, but Ale'ard could feel that he was ready to hear Ale'ard's words. There was such a presence of command about him. He was a true leader of men.

His horse turned and eyed Ale'ard. It felt like they were holding something back.

"You have quite the reputation in these parts. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Ale'ard."

Ale'ard bowed down to this man, and offered forward his hand. "I am embarking on a mission to unite the Dominion you see. However, I cannot do it alone. I am apparent heir to all you see before you, and as such wish to do as much good as I can for it. This is the first port of call for me, and we have already started work.

Therefore, I ask you for your assistance. We need to do more, and things get harder than this."

"You have quite the reputation in these parts. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Ale'ard."

Ale'ard bowed down to this man, and offered forward his hand. "I am embarking on a mission to unite the Dominion you see. However, I cannot do it alone. I am apparent heir to all you see before you, and as such wish to do as much good as I can for it. This is the first port of call for me, and we have already started work.

Therefore, I ask you for your assistance. We need to do more, and things get harder than this."

Rahegalhoff said nothing, and stroked his long beard.

"For as long as you continue upon the path goodness, I shall assist you." Rahegalhoff said. his vopice, it had such command in it. Rahegalhoff enclosed Ale'ard's hand in a firm but not crushing grip, and shook hands.

"But know this, no lie can stand before me." He said. It was one of his abilities. He immediatly knew truth from lies.

"There are many lies in your nation. I hope to someday tell the story of how Ale'ard the great restored his nation." Rahegalhoff said in a more normal tone.

The horse eyed Rahegalhoff.

"Yes, friend. no point in hiding it now." Rahegalhoff said to his horse.

"This is my most trusted friend in all of everywhere I've been, and his name is Starfire. But, Starfire is not an ordinary horse." Rahegalhoff said.

They were enclosed in a sphere of white. Then the white faded.

Starfire was no ordinary horse. He had a unicorn horn on his head, and Pegasus wings on his back. His muscles were big. His entire body, even his mane were whiter than the driven snow, and he seemed to glow abit. His eyes were still black though. He was an Alicorn, and put every other creature to shame through his majesty and beauty.

Rahegalhoff still had a gold chain around his neck, but his armor, it was now white. His sword, it no longer seemed common steel. It was Mythril, the legendary pure enchanted silver of the wizards and elves of days gone by. His shield, it was as white as his armor.

"I am Rahegalhoff Mesquchoku, Holy Paladin, Defender of the weak, protector of the innocent, slayer of the evil and dark, servant of The Omnisource. I am one of many, and lead scores of paladins, my brothers and sisters in The Omni, but am here in your nation alone. I follow Omnisource, but for this time, will also follow you. I see the day has drown to a close, let us repair to our beds for a good nights rest" he said.

But, Rahegalhoff would not go to rest. He would stand the entire night, watching the village and keeping vigil.

Meanwhile...

Blaine paced his tower.

"HE'S HERE!" Blaine exclaimed.

"I must contact the other, and warn them of this tunr in events. Its time to unite the underworld and drag this princeling to an early grave." Blaine said.

He formed a little ball of energy.

Into it he put these words.

"You are warned my brothers and sisters in crime. The throne seeks to cleanse the nation and restore balance. This alone would not be much of a threat, but to make matters worse, He now has a Paladin by his side, but not just any Paladin, The Holy Paladin. If we do not unite and act swiftly, we will soon find ourselves at the end of a sword."

Then, the orb split into many, and flew away to warn all the criminal underworld of Seltor.

Ale'ard awoke the following day, rested and mentally planning the course of action for the coming day. Finding Rahegalhoff filled him with confidence he did not have before, and seemed to have a positive effect on the troops when he was around. He had an aura about him that Ale'ard had no doubt would inspire his troops to new heights. He then remembered what he said about truth and good.

"I have been so far. Ive told him why and what we are doing, or he knows what we are doing," he thought to himself.

"Your armour?" Ale'ard turned around to find Gaselton standing there ready to move out. Gaselton was the man who had stepped forward, now the second in command almost of the army. His leadership skills were strong, and he fought well in training. "You said we were to move out when the sun is at 18° in the morning sky."

"Yes. I did." Ale'ard stood up and walked over to put a white undergarment on. He proceeded to put his armour on. "The troops are ready?"

"Fully, they await you outside." Gaselton walked over the pick up Ale'ards sword in both hands.

"Thank you." Removing it from Gaselton, he attached it to his armour. Picking up his helmet from the table on the western wall of the room where the sunlight rest. Ale'ard had marked out where the shadows fell on the wall at the correct time. He put his helmet under his arm and stood waiting.

He could visibly see the sun move across the wall, rising quickly in the sky. When the marker came out of the shadow, he walked quickly to the door to face the troops. Instead of lining them up he walked over to Rahegalhoff.

"I have thought about what you said, and have decided to tell you everything we are about to do and ask for your guidance. We march to Bew, a small river village run by a rogue known in the area. Safe passage will be hard in the valley but it is the only route known. We seek to remove him from power and bring him to justice for his crimes against the people. It will be bought under my control and a local militia set up as done here."

Ale'ard paused for a moment before adding "Its good to have you by our side. I have faith in your abilities."

"I have thought about what you said, and have decided to tell you everything we are about to do and ask for your guidance. We march to Bew, a small river village run by a rogue known in the area. Safe passage will be hard in the valley but it is the only route known. We seek to remove him from power and bring him to justice for his crimes against the people. It will be bought under my control and a local militia set up as done here."

Ale'ard paused for a moment before adding "Its good to have you by our side. I have faith in your abilities."

"Thank you. As for the valley, when we arrive to that point, Starfire has agreed to lift you upon his back to the sky so that you might see what is to come. Have faith that all things shall follow through as we see fit. You seek one man for justice, I seek aother, Blaine, The Void Mage. He hides somewhere in this land, and I have no doubt, he may be a powerful figure among the many crime syndicates, but blaine is no leader. If there is a mastermind behind your criminal underworld, it must be one of your own citizens. Blaine most likely works for him, or her, or even them.

If any of your men so wish, I will assist them in becoming a Paladin, so that even after I am gone, you shall still have the services and powers of a Paladin, but only if they have been called through their faith to do so.

When you are ready, we should head out, least our inaction be our undoing.

When we get to this man you seek to bring to justice, ask him anything you wish. As long as I am near, he will be helpless to do anything but tell the complete truth." Rahegalhoff said.

From his hidden tower, Blaine watched them.

As they progressed, Rahegalhoff would walk ride among many diffrent members of the army, sharing with them, bits and pieces of his own wisdom and experience, as they needed it. An invaluble asset indeed. Even Ale'ard was subject to various pearls of wisdom and helpful stories from days gone by.

OOC: Just let me know when you get to the valley.

It was a short march outside of the town marched before the troops entered the valley. Two hills rose up high on either side, and were covered lightly in shrubbery. The valley itself was well walked, the grass dead along the path from trampling, but supplied no cover for an advancing army. "Tough luck" were the words that sprang to Ale'ards mind.

He paused, concerned about what could be waiting. He was expectant of an ambush, and his men knew full well what that would mean. Ale'ard knew not of who ruled the wilderness, only of whom ruled the cities. A large bird flew overhead, swooping down onto a branch at the mouth of the valley, opened its large beak and closed it before taking off and landing on a branch a few metres further down.

It was clear what bird it was, the bird symbolising protection for the dead.

Ale'ard looked behind to Rahegelhoff.

OOC: Perfect. You must have read my mind. meanie.

IC:

A thunderclap echoed off the walls.

Blaine appeared before them.

"WELL!" he yelled.

"If this doesn't beat all. First you kill my pet voidworm, then you take MY town away from me AND get a paladin? Your either brave or a fool, and soon we shall see which. Brave h may bee, But I am Blaine, the voidmage, and I have more control over this country than you do, princeling. NO ONE will take our country from us. Now perish." Blaine said.

Blaine disappeared.

The canyon trembled and buckled.

A pit opened, and the dead rose from their graves, lead by the eleven men Ale'ard had lost to the voidworm. Only, they were alive, and diffrent. They were under Blaine's control and had no free will.

"They are dead, and their souls no longer inhabit their body. These are not your comrades and countrymen, only their semblances. They shall die as easily as a living man might, with the power of Holy." Rahegalhoff said.

Then he bowed his head in prayer.

A white glow infused all their weapons.

Rahegalhoff drew his weapon, and without saying another word, Starfire took flight, and charged the ranks of the undead. In all, Ale'ard was matched man to man.

The undead charged in turn, their weapons drawn, their rusty armor clanking, their voices uniting in a single long drawn out moan that was really disturbing.

OOC: It will be easier and harder at the same exact time as the voidworm. Easier, because they're human, harder because their dead, sort of, but, your weapons are temporarily enchanted with goodness and life, which is to undead as a water is to fire.

The first battle awaited Ale'ards men. "Draw your weapons", he yelled across the ranks. Swords were drawn and arrows removed from quivers and loaded.

The undead charging Ale'ards army drew closer, as the men put up a shield wall ready to defend against the coming attack. As the enemy drew ever closer they began to advance slowly in an attempt to counteract the force that they would hit with. Ale'ard himself stood with his sword held high sweeping it forwards and down, slicing across a portion of the front line.

The shields held better than Ale'ard had expected and swords were seen clashing everywhere, parrying attacks and delivering fatal blows. Ale'ard battled hard, fighting each undead as they came with his two handed sword. He kicked one away before thrusting at it, missing before being attacked by yet another, delivering a hard blow to his armour. Winded, he staggered backwards before a soldier thrust a sword into the undead warrior.

Ale'ard looked up in thanks, before watching the man die after a fatal blow from one of the undead. Screaming in rage he burst forwards into their ranks swinging visciously, inspiring some men to advance also.

Everything became blurred as Ale'ard focused on one of the enemy at a time. Everything around him was in the background, he didnt care what others were doing. The noises of combat could barely be heard by him. The world appeared to slow down.

OOC: Left it here to give you a chance to do something to help the undead if you wanted.

Rahegalhoff was demolishing the undead from behind the undead army.

Soon, all the dead were gone, their bones and skulls laying everywhere.

An ill wind blew.
Rahegalhoff began praying, to concecrate the dead, so that they would not be able to be used in battle again. He stopped short. Raised his weapon.

"MOVE BACK!" he yelled at the top of his lungs.

A dark evil chant was heard on the wind. The dead bones rose, and clustered together.

The void soldiers stood up, and rose, not yet dead, to join in with the mammoth collection of bones. Their bodies shattered.

What resulted was not human, though made from human bones, human flesh, and human blood.

It had three heads, four bodies, ten legs and fifteen arms.

"a construct. An undead construct at that. Marvelous." Rahegalhoff said.

The thing snarled, and leaped over the shield wall.

"Keep it busy." Rahegalhoff called.

He kneeled beside Starfire, His sword in the ground. Starfire kneeled as well.

Both nodded their heads in silent prayer.

30 seconds passed. The air got hotter.

30 seconds passed. Hail began to fall from a clear sky, and wherever it struck, it burned with saint Elmo's fire. A fire that burned only the wicked. The construct turned to ash and blew away. The hail stopped. They won.

Rahegalhoff walked among the army, providing healing to the sick and injured.

Ale'ard stood and observed the damage. A few lay dead from the beast, and some littered the battlefield in the fight against the undead. It seemed the wilderness was just as dangerous as the battles they fought in the cities.

"You are truly an amazing man, Rahegelhoff. If it weren't for you Im sure we would all be done with by now. I thank you." Ale'ard bowed his head.

Rehegalhoff was someone Ale'ard could finally look to for guidance since his father had left. He was definetly a father figure in Ale'ards eyes, and with such power and command of his abilities. What not many knew was that Ale'ard had trained as a sorceror as well as a warrior. He longed to use the abilities for good, but they were not honed. His master died when a life long enemy attached him with magical binds to a plank of wood standing in the ground and burnt it with a flame so brilliant it burnt for days despite the limited fuel available.

At this point, Ale'ard made a promise that at the next city, he would develop his skills. It was clear magic would be needed to overcome some challenges that lay ahead. He put his army into a marching formation and led them through the valley ahead, and inevitably to the city.

OOC: Roleplay the arrival at the city if you wish. Sorry I didnt reply for very long.

Ale'ard stood and observed the damage. A few lay dead from the beast, and some littered the battlefield in the fight against the undead. It seemed the wilderness was just as dangerous as the battles they fought in the cities.

"You are truly an amazing man, Rahegelhoff. If it weren't for you Im sure we would all be done with by now. I thank you." Ale'ard bowed his head.

Rehegalhoff was someone Ale'ard could finally look to for guidance since his father had left. He was definetly a father figure in Ale'ards eyes, and with such power and command of his abilities. What not many knew was that Ale'ard had trained as a sorceror as well as a warrior. He longed to use the abilities for good, but they were not honed. His master died when a life long enemy attached him with magical binds to a plank of wood standing in the ground and burnt it with a flame so brilliant it burnt for days despite the limited fuel available.

At this point, Ale'ard made a promise that at the next city, he would develop his skills. It was clear magic would be needed to overcome some challenges that lay ahead. He put his army into a marching formation and led them through the valley ahead, and inevitably to the city.

OOC: Roleplay the arrival at the city if you wish. Sorry I didnt reply for very long.

OOC: No worries, holidays are hectic.

IC: Rahegalhoff rode at the forefront of the army and into the next city. By his side was Ale'ard.

Rahegalhoff said nothing, it wasn't his place to. He saw things only a paladin could see, and with a single look identified a few trouble spots and a number of criminals.

Blaine was hidden nearby.

He had hired an assasin to stalk Ale'ard, and at the right moment, kill him.

Rahegalhoff awaited only Ale'ard.

The city was moderatly bigger than Blaine's city, and some unsavory types darted into allies and such.

Rahegalhoff prayed for a blessing of redemption for those that had strayed off of the path of good.

A man hobbled up to Ale'ard. "I have news."

Ale'ard turned to Rahegelhoff. "We arent alone in our battle, I have my friends and contacts in most cities. They are my eyes and ears and have been a great help so far."

"A den full of people who call themselves 'The Dealers' are to be found in the Bachinsk region, thats north from here. They exploit the citizens, collect debts and make their money from selling horrible things to the factions who fight for power. People are to be found on street corners with horrific burns not from fire but from something else, probably sold by The Dealers. Its a bad time here. I pray for your success in what you are doing. I fear throwing your weight around won't do much though, but your the general."

"Thank you. You have done good work. This is invaluable information."

Something caught Ale'ards eye, a flash of light like metal being hit by the sun. He turned to find nothing. A door swung open down an alleyway and hasty footsteps could be heard. "We find these Dealers. Im guessing they are a major part in this city's hardships."

The army knew what to do, they split up into groups and took different routes to where they all were going. This way they made their presence known, and there was a chance that they would trap people in the place they would end up.

"I have some business to attend to in this city. I shall leave to do so when this objective has been accomplished. I am willing to give you control of the army, but if you wish not to be in command, Gaselton will be.

The choice is yours."

OOC: Im going to just develop Ale'ards character a bit at this point. So Im saying you can roleplay the actions of the army or I can continue with a different leader.

A man hobbled up to Ale'ard. "I have news."

Ale'ard turned to Rahegelhoff. "We arent alone in our battle, I have my friends and contacts in most cities. They are my eyes and ears and have been a great help so far."

"A den full of people who call themselves 'The Dealers' are to be found in the Bachinsk region, thats north from here. They exploit the citizens, collect debts and make their money from selling horrible things to the factions who fight for power. People are to be found on street corners with horrific burns not from fire but from something else, probably sold by The Dealers. Its a bad time here. I pray for your success in what you are doing. I fear throwing your weight around won't do much though, but your the general."

"Thank you. You have done good work. This is invaluable information."

Something caught Ale'ards eye, a flash of light like metal being hit by the sun. He turned to find nothing. A door swung open down an alleyway and hasty footsteps could be heard. "We find these Dealers. Im guessing they are a major part in this city's hardships."

The army knew what to do, they split up into groups and took different routes to where they all were going. This way they made their presence known, and there was a chance that they would trap people in the place they would end up.

"I have some business to attend to in this city. I shall leave to do so when this objective has been accomplished. I am willing to give you control of the army, but if you wish not to be in command, Gaselton will be.

The choice is yours."

OOC: Im going to just develop Ale'ards character a bit at this point. So Im saying you can roleplay the actions of the army or I can continue with a different leader.

"I do not mind leading the army, but beware, you are a marked man. I do not want to attend your funeral so soon." Rahegalhoff said.

He was used to leading armies.

He walked through the city doing the sort of thing he always did, heal the sick and the injured. Perform miracles for the maimed and those missing limbs, and internal organs. Bring comfort to the downtrodden, and generaly just being a blessing to the city. And for all this, he charged nothing.

"I want to relearn the ways."

"Its a dark path if you choose not to use what I teach in a way to benefit."

"I know of this fact."

"Very well."

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

Ale'ard walked through the black abyss, purple currents of electricity zapping him. He concentrated hard, taking the pain with some kind of superhuman strength. "Gah."

"HOLD IT!"

"Argh." The storm cloud disbanded.

"You did well. You need to practice this skill more, but for now we shall move on. I think you have had enough damage done to you today. Let out your agression to allow you to study better tonight. Here is a new spell for you to learn."

The Master, dressed in long black robes with the black hood up, sporting only a symbol of the sorceror on the left breast, rose one foot into the air. His arms were held out either side of him, forming a cross with his body, palms facing upwards. Two red balls appeared in his hands, and as he clapped them together they ignited into a fireball hovering in front of his face. Wrapping his hands around it and pushed it forwards towards a target. The target burned violently and disintegrated quickly into nothing.

"It would have a slightly different effect on a living thing, but all you need know now is its both a challenging spell, and a very effective one. Teaching begins now."

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

Ale'ard stood in the middle of the room, his black robes on with the hood over his head. A black mark appeared on Ale'ards wrist, like a tattoo.

"You have done well. I suggest going to Lipyin next, to see Master Julin. He will teach you well, and award you your second marking."

~snip~
OOC: Intresting shall I follow you with the army? and, turning Ale'ard into a mage, affords me so much more. When he gets stronger, I shall visit upon you, my third most powerful character, and a true test of Ale'ard's skill and strength. My one and only Magekiller, Id, The Demon of Elru.

IC: Within days the city was cleared of crime, thanks to Rahegalhoff's skills, and The army's strength. Rahegalhoff introduced some diffrent training techniques from many places to both the army and the Militia. both would find that it made them much better in nearly ever sense of the word.

The first off, were exercises that needed no weight, yet made one more physicly fit, and stronger, as strong as one's body could naturally be without the use of drugs.

Secondly, were the standerd training exercises of the Mage army of the wizard king Rakdos, from the ancient days. These techniques allowed non-magic soldiers to draw upon an elemental Plane and add its power to their attacks. Having this ability added a whole new diminsion of strategy, and Rahegalhoff was there to help them all.

The army would follow Ale'ard to each city, so that if indeed he needed help, they would never truely be far away, even if the time it took for them to cleanse a city, and for him to train were of diffrent lengths.

OOC: And those exercises I mentioned in the first part, those really do exist, and have been known to heal all sorts of physical problems. I could point you to the website if you like.

The techniques of Rakdos, Those don't exist in RL as far as I know.:( However, an army with such abilities is a perfect compliment to a mage king. Their not actually using magic, but its magic that gives the weapons the Element, meaning that in case of revolt, Ale'ard still has superior power, and can at any time he wish, stop them from accessing the Elemental Planes, because of the seal.

Now, give me something I can use to set up a private Blaine attack on just Ale'ard. I'll take care of the army.

For the army, which you can still RP a general or two if you wish, I assume you've heard of the Abominal Snowman. The army is going to face the Abominal Snow Giant, from the Frozen Reality of Frez, and his wife the Fire Giantess from the Burning Reality of Nova.

For the Love of something don't quote this post unless you trim the ooc clutter.

Ale'ard walked through the dark streets. A small animal scuttered across the street in front of him, as a cold wind picked up. His hood still covered his head, and the marks on his arm began to burn. They were meant to. It was a warning. Something wasn't right in this place. The more markings made the more susceptible the person was to these signals.

Ale'ard, knowing his own strength, decided to flee down a dark alley, emerging at the end. He paused and looked around, his markings burned more fiercely than before. He turned to see nothing, and span back round on the spot to find nothing again. He darted up a set of stairs, leading to the gate of the city. All the while his markings burned more fiercely.

He turned quickly on his feet and something caught his eye. He fell backwards, before rising to his feet using the city wall. He leant back on it. Something was coming towards him, he wasn't sure what yet. It was too dark. His markings began to glow a dim orange. He was primed for attack.

Something else caught his eye.

Ale'ard walked through the dark streets. A small animal scuttered across the street in front of him, as a cold wind picked up. His hood still covered his head, and the marks on his arm began to burn. They were meant to. It was a warning. Something wasn't right in this place. The more markings made the more susceptible the person was to these signals.

Ale'ard, knowing his own strength, decided to flee down a dark alley, emerging at the end. He paused and looked around, his markings burned more fiercely than before. He turned to see nothing, and span back round on the spot to find nothing again. He darted up a set of stairs, leading to the gate of the city. All the while his markings burned more fiercely.

He turned quickly on his feet and something caught his eye. He fell backwards, before rising to his feet using the city wall. He leant back on it. Something was coming towards him, he wasn't sure what yet. It was too dark. His markings began to glow a dim orange. He was primed for attack.

Something else caught his eye.

The something he felt chasing him down, was the assasin Blaine had hired. Knowing he had been caught, the assasin rushed towards Ale'ard sword drawn. The assasin went straight for the heart.

The other something, was just a mirror, in which Ale'ard could see his own reflection but, this was an even deadlier attack, for Blaine had cast a spell not easily removed by even the most experienced of magic users, and had awakend Ale'ard's personal temptor, tat one part of Ale'ard that knew Ale'ard best. To turn Ale'ard to the path of darkness.

OOC: So, explainations, the assasin is a highly skilled non-magic assasin, feel free to RP both sides of that as you wish, just make it look good, after all, Blaine did have to pay the man over five million Gold pieces.

As for the personal Temptor, we all have experience with that in every day life, Blaine just enhanced it to Psychopathic levels. Its designed to add a twist and a struggle to every choice he makes. Its hard to get rid of, because tempatation is a natural part of us, and no amount of magic can get rid of it. Don't fret, with time and good decisions, it will slowly die on its own. If Ale'ard is religous, long talks with whomever he believes in also help.

In one last moment self-defence movement, Ale'ard cast one very simple spell. The sword hit Ale'ard straight in the chest, causing little damage. The concentration coupled with his instinct of survival meant that his skin had become as hard as stone. After a long day of teaching he was tired, and couldnt maintain it for much longer.

Ale'ard dropped this guard, and went on the offensive. He hovered nearly one foot off the ground and formed a fireball in his hands. Pushing it towards his assailant he fell to the ground, the fireball just fizzling out into nothing. Severly weakened, Ale'ard stood. His temptation to go for broke had gotten the better of him.

Time seemed to slow down for Ale'ard. He remembered something from his earlier magical days. He was a small child and his tutor had taught him how to transform an object into another. They turned apples into oranges, and mice into rats. It never went much further, but this was all Ale'ard needed.

He focused on the weapon his assailant held in his hands. If this succeeded Ale'ard hoped his strength alone would see him through. As the blade was just about to hit him, a full on blow, the edges became blunt. Ale'ard was knocked to the ground by the blow, but it didnt do much damage. He went on to use the Assassins confusion to his advantage, standing and running as fast as he could. If he could make it back to either the Magic Guild or his army he would be safe.

He knew not where Rahegelhoff was, and his army could be anywhere. The Magic Guild was far away, and the assassin was running after Ale'ard. His guess was that the assassin could keep the pace for longer than he could. He would be hunted down and inevitably beaten to death.

Ale'ard was staggering, his head spinning from the earlier blow. He fell to the ground.

In one last moment self-defence movement, Ale'ard cast one very simple spell. The sword hit Ale'ard straight in the chest, causing little damage. The concentration coupled with his instinct of survival meant that his skin had become as hard as stone. After a long day of teaching he was tired, and couldnt maintain it for much longer.

Ale'ard dropped this guard, and went on the offensive. He hovered nearly one foot off the ground and formed a fireball in his hands. Pushing it towards his assailant he fell to the ground, the fireball just fizzling out into nothing. Severly weakened, Ale'ard stood. His temptation to go for broke had gotten the better of him.

Time seemed to slow down for Ale'ard. He remembered something from his earlier magical days. He was a small child and his tutor had taught him how to transform an object into another. They turned apples into oranges, and mice into rats. It never went much further, but this was all Ale'ard needed.

He focused on the weapon his assailant held in his hands. If this succeeded Ale'ard hoped his strength alone would see him through. As the blade was just about to hit him, a full on blow, the edges became blunt. Ale'ard was knocked to the ground by the blow, but it didnt do much damage. He went on to use the Assassins confusion to his advantage, standing and running as fast as he could. If he could make it back to either the Magic Guild or his army he would be safe.

He knew not where Rahegelhoff was, and his army could be anywhere. The Magic Guild was far away, and the assassin was running after Ale'ard. His guess was that the assassin could keep the pace for longer than he could. He would be hunted down and inevitably beaten to death.

Ale'ard was staggering, his head spinning from the earlier blow. He fell to the ground.

"Ale'ard!" Rahegalhoff shouted.

Him and ten of ALe'ard's best men came running.

Rahegalhoff spotted the assasin

"You ten stay with him." Rahegalhoff ordered.

He took off after the assasin.

No mortal man is faster than a horse without magic, and this assasin had none. Starfire was no horse, he was better, he was a War Alicorn. Rahegalhoff caught up and caught the man. Starfire had some magic, as he was a magic creature by nature, and so immobilised the assasin.

Rahegalhoff rode back and dropped the defenceless man at Ale'ard's feet.

"This is your assasin. He is now defenceless. this is your country, not mine, and thus subject to your rules regarding the attempted assasination of royalty." Rahegalhoff said.

OOC: After we take care of this, Giants are going to attack. You may want the Mage Guild on hand to assist.

"This man is to be executed as an example to others. I mean business, and I wont let anything stand in my way. I will do this."

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

The mans execution was due, but out of Ale'ards mind. He was at the Mages Guild begging for their support. "We are dealing with very dark magic."

"As a First Mark Magic User, you have no say in our actions, royalty or not."

"With your support we can-"

"Theres no question about it. We are powerful and can help you, but there is no benefit for us at the end of the day."

"I can make it worth your while. I fear that something big is yet to come, something no normal man can defeat."

"Ale'ard, we cannot. Unless something threatens us immediately, we wont support any war you wage on something we cannot see or detect. That is the-"

"Hear me-"

"No." The answer was clear, made as the bells rang out to signal the mans execution. Ale'ard hoped his would be the only head to roll today.

"This man is to be executed as an example to others. I mean business, and I wont let anything stand in my way. I will do this."

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

The mans execution was due, but out of Ale'ards mind. He was at the Mages Guild begging for their support. "We are dealing with very dark magic."

"As a First Mark Magic User, you have no say in our actions, royalty or not."

"With your support we can-"

"Theres no question about it. We are powerful and can help you, but there is no benefit for us at the end of the day."

"I can make it worth your while. I fear that something big is yet to come, something no normal man can defeat."

"Ale'ard, we cannot. Unless something threatens us immediately, we wont support any war you wage on something we cannot see or detect. That is the-"

"Hear me-"

"No." The answer was clear, made as the bells rang out to signal the mans execution. Ale'ard hoped his would be the only head to roll today.

"ALE`ARD YOU HAVE FOILED MY PLANS FOR THE LAST TIME. NO SERVANT OF THE MAD GOD KAJEENITH SHALL BE DEFEATED. NOW YOU AND THIS PUNY MAGE SCHOOL YOU HIDE IN SHALL HENCEFORTH BE DESTROYED." Blaine roared from far off. It was easily heard by the entire city, the mage school, and at least 15 miles out into the countryside.

The west side of town became very cold, and a great dark cloud appeared. the otherside became very hot and magma boiled up from far below.

A blizzard raged on the west, and an eruption occured on the east.

Then, the blizzard abated, and there stood a sight to behold. It was as a frost Giant, but far more powerful. Its breath was as chilly as the great winter wind.

The eruption ceased, and there stood a Fire Giantess, but even stronger than normal.

They met in the middle, and began attacking everyone, and every thing in sight, civilian building or otherwise. They made their way towards the mage tower.

"Half of you take Frosty and use the fire technique, the other half take the Fire Giantess and use the water techniques.

The giants threw balls of their perspective element at the Mage Guild.

Rahegalhoff took to the air, trying to dry their attention outside of town.

"Now lets see them sit back and watch!" Ale'ard thought to himself.

He directed his army away from the giants, so as to keep numbers up. He felt that they would be of little use in this battle. He ran towards the mage tower, a path missing the giants. He was greeted by The Grand Magi. "Damn it, Ale'ard. You can do little in this battle, but you are free to try anyway. You know a fire spell, correct? I think you know what to do."

The Grand Magi directed a number of mages to construct an elemental shield around the guild tower. The problem of the two conflicting elements had been proven, and manpower was quickly diverted to attacking the creations and limiting the damage they did. The Grand Magi was the best magic user within the guild, but when it came to ordering the magical defences, he was inexperienced. This had been proven.

The Mage Council of nine Magi and The Grand Magi fought them off as best they could. Other magic users fled the guild, some were brave enough to stand and try their best with the training they had received. Most fled.

"Now lets see them sit back and watch!" Ale'ard thought to himself.

He directed his army away from the giants, so as to keep numbers up. He felt that they would be of little use in this battle. He ran towards the mage tower, a path missing the giants. He was greeted by The Grand Magi. "Damn it, Ale'ard. You can do little in this battle, but you are free to try anyway. You know a fire spell, correct? I think you know what to do."

The Grand Magi directed a number of mages to construct an elemental shield around the guild tower. The problem of the two conflicting elements had been proven, and manpower was quickly diverted to attacking the creations and limiting the damage they did. The Grand Magi was the best magic user within the guild, but when it came to ordering the magical defences, he was inexperienced. This had been proven.

The Mage Council of nine Magi and The Grand Magi fought them off as best they could. Other magic users fled the guild, some were brave enough to stand and try their best with the training they had received. Most fled.

The Giants layed about them with their weapons, hurting many, and destroying buildings. They were also gravely wounded.

Blaine appeared between them.

"Fire and Ice combine, Fire to burn Ice to cool, bring forth that stranger of the deep the Water Giant, child of the Ice and Fire Giants.

Ice and Fire disappeared, and a purple giant appeared. His skin was as water, and bladed weaponry went right through it.

"Switch to Ice and energy Tactics!" Rahegalhoff yelled.

Blaine pointed at the tower. Void Magic spewed forth and attacked the tower, weakening the Shield.

The Water Giant turned into a Tsunami and crashed upon the tower.

Rahegalhoff flat out disappeared.

An old man replaced him. He was legend. He wore dark blue wizard robes. and glowed blue. He was Quis, The Magi Master of water magic.

"Enough of this childs play simpleton void mage. I've drowned bigger threats beneath my waves. I am Quis, The Magi master of water, and I shall stop you." Quis gathered more and more energy, until his body shattered into a massive tidal wave, wich wound around and around the the Giant, stopping him. A gigantic octopus grappled the Giant.

Now, would the Mage guild realise thier part and take action to destroy the water ogre? Blaine had disappeared.

"ATTACK!"

Ten continuous sparks of electricity spewed from the fingers of each Mage on the council. Each was distinctive in its own way carrying a slight different quality, which completely changed its colour. The sight was an impressive one.

Ale'ard stood back and watched, powerless to do anything.

The Magi moved their hands to manipulate the magical currents and as they did the intensity of each spark became bigger and then fell away. They kept this up for a whole five minutes, when some of the Magi couldnt hold it any longer. Ale'ard looked over to The Grand Magi, who stood with his hands in the air, doing something.

Nobody was quite sure, but whatever it was he had a very good reason not to be distracted.

OOC: Im not sure what would happen if this thing was to die. Take this spell however you like, maybe a magical contained keeping the water within or something else.

"ATTACK!"

Ten continuous sparks of electricity spewed from the fingers of each Mage on the council. Each was distinctive in its own way carrying a slight different quality, which completely changed its colour. The sight was an impressive one.

Ale'ard stood back and watched, powerless to do anything.

The Magi moved their hands to manipulate the magical currents and as they did the intensity of each spark became bigger and then fell away. They kept this up for a whole five minutes, when some of the Magi couldnt hold it any longer. Ale'ard looked over to The Grand Magi, who stood with his hands in the air, doing something.

Nobody was quite sure, but whatever it was he had a very good reason not to be distracted.

OOC: Im not sure what would happen if this thing was to die. Take this spell however you like, maybe a magical contained keeping the water within or something else.

The Giant disappeared, and Blaine fled.

Thus, the one hit by the death spell was the Magi-master of water.

The Water and the waves crashed towards the guild, but all water concentrated to the spot before the doors, becoming the magi-master of water.

"That, was a strong death spell young man. You may have even killed me." The Magi-master said referring to The Grand Magi. A little water ball vanished into the air.

The Magi-master was fading quickly.

OOC: But don't worry, if you can't heal him, I got that covered too.

A cleric dashed out of the door instantly. It was an ability to sense the injured or dying that bought them out. Seeing the dying man, the cleric got to work.

Her long blonde hair flowed about as her very light blue attire moved about as though by the wind. Her arms moved in such a way to look like a dance, as her hands began to glow blue, while walking over to the water mage. She layed her hands upon him, concentrating hard.

People from the right angle noticed her facial features blurring into one, and soon after her whole body became blurred. She faded slightly into nothing, leaving a blemish in the air with her shape, as a blue stone appeared on the ground. The blemish dissapeared.

The Magi stood in awe. It was the biggest sacrifice for a cleric, giving their life to save another. There was a small chance that the stone could be used to revive them, but chances were it would fail. Ale'ard stood shocked.

One Magi walked over and retrieved the stone, marked with the Clerical Symbol, as everyone awaited for the hopeful return of the Mage. The cleric continued to work the magic from beyond the grave unbeknown to most.

Everyone waited to see if it would work.

A cleric dashed out of the door instantly. It was an ability to sense the injured or dying that bought them out. Seeing the dying man, the cleric got to work.

Her long blonde hair flowed about as her very light blue attire moved about as though by the wind. Her arms moved in such a way to look like a dance, as her hands began to glow blue, while walking over to the water mage. She layed her hands upon him, concentrating hard.

People from the right angle noticed her facial features blurring into one, and soon after her whole body became blurred. She faded slightly into nothing, leaving a blemish in the air with her shape, as a blue stone appeared on the ground. The blemish dissapeared.

The Magi stood in awe. It was the biggest sacrifice for a cleric, giving their life to save another. There was a small chance that the stone could be used to revive them, but chances were it would fail. Ale'ard stood shocked.

One Magi walked over and retrieved the stone, marked with the Clerical Symbol, as everyone awaited for the hopeful return of the Mage. The cleric continued to work the magic from beyond the grave unbeknown to most.

Everyone waited to see if it would work.

The Magi Master of water slowly awoke.

"I feel like I've been hit with ray's two ton supernova spell." he said.

Ray being the legendary magi-master of fire and the Two Ton Supernova spell being one of his best.

"But, to sacrfice her own life. I owe a great debt indeed. Therefore, I and my brethren Magi-masters shall share with you, greater powers of magic, than that which you currently have. We use no symbols or tattoos, only our knowledge, and the power with which to accomplish that magick." Quis, the magi-master said.

"Our markings are a magical construct to enable us to better hone our abilities in a time of need, and also as a safety net against misuse of magic, and to enforce the magical law."

"That is correct, the higher we advance the more power we are entrusted with. After the incident in which a rogue mage took the lives of five hundred citizens in a circus tent with illusions and evil magics, we had to find some way to do so." The Grand Magi stood reminiscing about the whole event. "We do however teach anyone who wants to go so far the most powerful spells we know. Sometimes, as we well know, they are outdone. Thats what our top Magi work on constantly, new spells. An outsiders help is always very much appreciaed though. I feel not only we, but also our newest student Ale'ard, would greatly benefit from these teachings."

"Our markings are a magical construct to enable us to better hone our abilities in a time of need, and also as a safety net against misuse of magic, and to enforce the magical law."

"That is correct, the higher we advance the more power we are entrusted with. After the incident in which a rogue mage took the lives of five hundred citizens in a circus tent with illusions and evil magics, we had to find some way to do so." The Grand Magi stood reminiscing about the whole event. "We do however teach anyone who wants to go so far the most powerful spells we know. Sometimes, as we well know, they are outdone. Thats what our top Magi work on constantly, new spells. An outsiders help is always very much appreciaed though. I feel not only we, but also our newest student Ale'ard, would greatly benefit from these teachings."

Quis paused, and looked skyward.

"Dang lazy bubble." he remarked.

Suddenly a massive fireball fell from the sky. It unravled itself and great spurts of fire shot into the sky, compressing back upon a single spot.

"I am Ray, the Magi-master of Fire."

A great thunderbolt shot diown from the sky, and an old woman slowly appeared from it.

"I am Kado, The Magi-mistress of the Sky powers."

a square of tile rose upward into a stone golem, which crumbled to reveal a man.

"I am Ros, the Magi-master of Earth."

Ros held out a book. A woman leaped out of it.

"Markings are a good thing, not only for your reasoning, but they have other uses too. I am Scria, the Magi-mistress of Runic magic."

The plant life died momentarily, before perking right back up and becoming even better than before.

A new woman just appeared, and had a strong Miasma of Death Magic, yet life flowed from her.

"I am Khalan, the worlds single most greatest healer, though not by choice. I wield the powers of Life and death, and am considered a Magi-mistress, though I am not death herself, but she is my friend."

She clapped her hands, the healer that give her life to heal Quis appeared, ressurected.

"Now, try not to do that again dearie, I'll show you some better ways to go about that without killing yourself.

A thick black cloud appeared.


It condinscend into another man.

" I am Agrinja, Learned Magi-master of destruction, but not with the help of the Mad God of Destruction."

Then finally, from all the Magi-masters, and the magi in the mage guild, even ale'ard himself, came flowing energy. It condensced into a very old man.

"I am the strongest of them all, and their Leader. I am Xos, the Grand Magi-master, greatest of the Archwizards, first of the line of Merlin, and the only mortal capable of casting the magic of the Gods without actually being a God. I am also the last." Xos said.

Then Rahegalhoff appeared.

"Disorienting." was all he said.

Ale'ard stood there, waiting for something more to happen. He felt it would be of great help to have the Mages Guild behind him with this further power. Their influence stretched far and wide across The Dominion, with almost every town having a branch within. It was a major power within The Dominion, and with any luck, eventually only second to Ale'ard.

"I greet you all, and welcome you. I feel we have much to learn from you." The Grand Magi stepped forward, greeting them.

The Mage who carried the cleric stone inside came out, whispering something in one of the Magi Masters ears. His reaction was one of shock. "A child?"

He followed the mage back inside.

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

"Yes, instead of ressurecting the deceased Cleric, this small child was bought to life."

"Most peculiar. What do you know?"

"He says he has come to help the future leader in his quest." Upon hearing this the child turned around, his eyes black and nothing else, but somehow it was comforting and did not scare. "He wishes to see him. He asked by name."

The small chold spoketo the Magi Master. "I do not know why you keep me here. I only wish to speak with and march with the to be King Ale'ard, son of Salarkin, of the family of Gerel. Seventh in line after King Georgas, the last King Of Seltor. Is he here?"

"Let him free, Ill take him to see Ale'ard."

Ale'ard stood there, waiting for something more to happen. He felt it would be of great help to have the Mages Guild behind him with this further power. Their influence stretched far and wide across The Dominion, with almost every town having a branch within. It was a major power within The Dominion, and with any luck, eventually only second to Ale'ard.

"I greet you all, and welcome you. I feel we have much to learn from you." The Grand Magi stepped forward, greeting them.

The Mage who carried the cleric stone inside came out, whispering something in one of the Magi Masters ears. His reaction was one of shock. "A child?"

He followed the mage back inside.

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

"Yes, instead of ressurecting the deceased Cleric, this small child was bought to life."

"Most peculiar. What do you know?"

"He says he has come to help the future leader in his quest." Upon hearing this the child turned around, his eyes black and nothing else, but somehow it was comforting and did not scare. "He wishes to see him. He asked by name."

The small chold spoketo the Magi Master. "I do not know why you keep me here. I only wish to speak with and march with the to be King Ale'ard, son of Salarkin, of the family of Gerel. Seventh in line after King Georgas, the last King Of Seltor. Is he here?"

"Let him free, Ill take him to see Ale'ard."

OOC: I'll gloss over most of what the mages teach, touching only on the more intresting parts, allowing you to advance however you wish. I am going to share one thing for sure, the art of teleportation, and Temporal Teleportation.

IC: The first one off the block to begin teaching was Khalan, she walked into the place of the healers, and shared with them a wide variety of techniques, spells, and other medical knowledge, such as certain poisons that are actually benifical under certain conditions.

Two other Magi masters had just been sitting non-chalantly nearby. It was unclear when they had arrived, just that they had always been there, but that clearly wasn't the case.

One was a woman, and near her, space itself danced and cavorted like a living thing.

"I am Stellae, Magi-mistress of Spacial Magicks, and this fellow near me occupied with his tea, is Chrono, Magi-Master of Temporal Magic. Don't worry when we got here or where we came from, its just part of who we are." Stella said.

OOC: I will showcase one magi-master per post. the Medical techniques Kahaln shows, involve Medicene from all eras of time, and all forms of technology, provided you have those forms. therefore, it doesn't matter what Tech level your involved with in the future, you will already have a sound medical basis with which to ICly treat wounds and the like. And of course, medicene can also be used as a weapon...

OOC: You seem to have this planned out very well.

IC:

Ale'ard stood dressed in the black robes he was becoming familiar with now a days. He awaited the teachings of the Magi Masters. Meanwhile his army was resting and recruiting even more members after losing a fair few men in the last conflict.

The Mages Guild Tower shone a bright yellow light from its top, a sign to the other guild buildings. It was the dawn of a new age, and the Mages Guild had aquired a new enemy. It was a warning symbol, created by the Grand Magi. Instantly he received a message from another Guild building.

This was the dawn of a new age most certainly. Never has a king been a magic user. Never has a king received training from foreign influences. Never, in 634 years had a king ruled over the whole dominion. Never, in 646 years had the Dominion been united.

OOC: You seem to have this planned out very well.

IC:

Ale'ard stood dressed in the black robes he was becoming familiar with now a days. He awaited the teachings of the Magi Masters. Meanwhile his army was resting and recruiting even more members after losing a fair few men in the last conflict.

The Mages Guild Tower shone a bright yellow light from its top, a sign to the other guild buildings. It was the dawn of a new age, and the Mages Guild had aquired a new enemy. It was a warning symbol, created by the Grand Magi. Instantly he received a message from another Guild building.

This was the dawn of a new age most certainly. Never has a king been a magic user. Never has a king received training from foreign influences. Never, in 634 years had a king ruled over the whole dominion. Never, in 646 years had the Dominion been united.

OOC: I try.

IC: After Khalan was done, she still remained with the healers, preferring to spend her time helping and healing others.

Then Ray, the fire Magi-master stood up.

"I am master of all fire based powers, but not all of what I know is offensive, though certainly I'll agree that Fire based power, Scientific or magic, has always played a major part of any battle or war. But, apart of fire, is Ice, for what is cold, if nothing more than the lack of heat. Things can only get to be so cold, and no amount of science, and no amount of magic can ever change this. This is why Ice is considered to be a part of the fire element, even though the Ice portion has its own symbol. But let us not forget the legions of frost magi out there who specialise in such magic.

Instead of launching into the defensive portion, I'll start with a small measure of weather control, and show you how to make a ll kinds of snow, and of course more fiery weather, such as a firestorm. That will bridge into the offensive, ending with defensive and effect magic." Ray said.

And like Khalan, Ray took a whole day, and a whole night sharing his knowledge, and all that would entail.

All the Magi masters taught from the top down, first sharing things with the Grand Magi of Seltor, ensuring his continued control of the Guild. Another reason was that The Seltor masters usually knew how to teach their students better than outsiders like the Magi-masters, while still being able to learn from the Magi-masters.

OOC: This way, you can imagine up all sorts of new magic, and not get called a cheater for it, being able to fall back on the teachings of the Magi-masters.

It will go like thus:

Healing
Fire
Water
Earth
Sky
Space
Time
Destruction
Runes
Energy/Magiscience
Necromancy

OOC: Thanks. Ill just let this run in the background then, and move onto RP Gaselton, the second in command.

IC:

The sun rose over the city, and suprisingly the work was not quite done yet. Some small pockets of resistance were still to be found, and small dens of criminal activity.The army was sent to one location to rectify a problem, and the militia was slow to set-up. People lived in fear, and couldnt break this fear and join up. The militia so far was pitiful.

Attacks on troops were fatal but luckily not too frequent. Gaselton had luckily not been attacked as of yet, but leading the assault of this building would, for sure, see his abilities put to the test.

They crashed down the door and moved about the place, guard dogs were quickly disposed of and men ran at them poorly armed but highly skilled. Gaselton dodged one blow, delivering one with his guantlet into the criminals back, sending him towards the floor. Two more soldiers detained him, and carried him out. It was quickly found that this was a gambling den. Illegal gambling was happening even when they turned up and the takings were rich.

The tables were smashed up and the money retrieved for the rebuilding of the city or the financing of the army, and the men were either killed in fighting, or detained. A few fled but they were only the patrons, and all of these were set free.

Actions such as this were becoming less and less, but still happened. It was vital to knock out the financing operations of the criminal underworld. Gaseltons next job was to route out the leader. A tip bought him to a decrepid building, with smashed windows and boarded up doors. They entered, only to find an empty warehouse. "Turn this place upside down, there must be something more."

Rats scurried about. One was slightly larger than the others, and was actually a highly advanced colony of nanites, but it was impossible to tell the diffrence. This rat was Blaine's eye. It scurried all about in normal Rat fashion, except, it always managed to avoid its own death. It ran into a rathole, and dissolved. Due to the small size of nanites, Gaselton and his men would be unable to see them flying through the air, and into the other rats.

Inside the rats, they took over the Rat brain, and connected them all together in a single rat hive mind.

The rats clustered together, at blaine's orders. His only offering to the criminals hidden inside and nearby to escape their fate.

The rats clustered together and even scrambled over each other.

Then as a single entity, The Rat Swarm pounced on Gaselton.

OOC: the Rat Swarm is the weakest enemy to date. But its also the hardest to hit, because the rats are crawling and scratching all over Gaselton. Every few seconds, a new wound is opened. Rahegalhoff or any of the Magi-masters can easily be summoned with a simple yell, should you feel their presence neccessary. I would advise at least calling for Khalan/ a healer afterwards to check for disease.

IC:
Meanwhile, back at the guild...

Quis stood up. this day it was his turn.

"Ice is also a part of the water dominion." he said.

Later that day, a good laugh was had all around as an ice spell exploded in his face freezing him solid.

"I think you need to revise that theory of freezing, Quis." Ray said with a laugh as he unforze Quis.

"Well, it was you who gave it too me." Quis said. Then he realised what he just said.

"Curse you Ray!" Quis said with a raised voice and a grin.

Ray stood and laughed all the harder. He loved a good practical joke.

Then he himself was frozen.

"And that, is why you should carefully think over anything Ray tells you. Most of the time its true, but a good .01% of his words are actually practical joke." Quis said.

Ray defrosted and walked away laughing.

OOC: Christmas time is so hectic. Sorry once again. Ill be more regular with posting after the holiday period. Merry Christmas too!

IC:

Gaselton stood with rats attacking him, trying to shake them off, hitting them with his gauntlet and striking them with his forearm. He was weighed down by the sheer number of them attached to him, falling to the floor. His men proceeded to carefully attack the rats with their weapons, trying to not stick their swords through a gap in the armour plating. Gaselton let out a deep resounding yell as his helmet was knocked off by afew of the rats.

He rolled over, kicking and hitting himself. Standing, he ran towards a wall and turned onto his side to try and rid himself of the plague beset upon him. A rat whimpered almost, as it was squashed between his hulk of a body and the solid wall.

The struggle went on before almost all of the rats were gone, and Gaselton ran into a wall once more, denting his armour and removing one more rat. The wall began to move, revealing a secret entrance to somewhere.

Gaselton stood there ignoring the last few rats. Sweeping his arms about to rid himself completely he remarked "I knew there was something more to be found. Call for a cleric or healer, i think im wounded. We must explore.

We are so close. I can feel it."

OOC: Christmas time is so hectic. Sorry once again. Ill be more regular with posting after the holiday period. Merry Christmas too!

IC:

Gaselton stood with rats attacking him, trying to shake them off, hitting them with his gauntlet and striking them with his forearm. He was weighed down by the sheer number of them attached to him, falling to the floor. His men proceeded to carefully attack the rats with their weapons, trying to not stick their swords through a gap in the armour plating. Gaselton let out a deep resounding yell as his helmet was knocked off by afew of the rats.

He rolled over, kicking and hitting himself. Standing, he ran towards a wall and turned onto his side to try and rid himself of the plague beset upon him. A rat whimpered almost, as it was squashed between his hulk of a body and the solid wall.

The struggle went on before almost all of the rats were gone, and Gaselton ran into a wall once more, denting his armour and removing one more rat. The wall began to move, revealing a secret entrance to somewhere.

Gaselton stood there ignoring the last few rats. Sweeping his arms about to rid himself completely he remarked "I knew there was something more to be found. Call for a cleric or healer, i think im wounded. We must explore.

We are so close. I can feel it."

Khalan teleported in.

She used a few medical spells to scan.

"Well, I've got good news and I've got bad news. The bad news is, your infected with Bubonic Plague. The good news is is that by the time I'm finished with this sentence it'll be gone and your wounds closed. That being done I'm going to take my leave now. Have a nice day." she said. She was gone. Gaselton was healed. His armor was up to him to fix though.

Meanwhile...

Ros, The Magi-master of Earth magic stood up.

"Earth magic is complex and vast, yet simple and miniscule. All the powers of nature, are contained within the smallest of seeds. While it is true Nature is more than just the powers of the ground, it is through Earth magic that much of nature can be maintained, and communed with." Ros said.

He would show them how to commune with the spirit of nature, speak with animals, even shape-shift into creatures. He would show them earth spells, and give tips on how to maintain magic plants. He would show them how to listen to nature and care for its needs. How to minimise droughts and famines, and increase the likeliness of bountyous harvests. He would show them many things.

"I want some troops to stay here and keep this place free of anyone shady. Ill take the rest down to explore this place."

Gaselton cared not for his armour at the moment, he could iron out the dents and repair it when he got back to the surface. The path downward was cold and damp. Where it led he didnt know, but he was sure it was of great importance or it wouldnt have been hidden. The way was lit dimly with torches, flickering and casting shadows on the walls.

There was a smell of something unfamiliar, something unpleasant. One of the troops jolted, looking up quickly into a dark corner. This place was spooking some of the troops. Gaselton hoped it wouldnt affect their ability to fight if it came to it.

He grabbed one of the torches, holding his weapon in the other hand. He cast it about, finding a picture on one wall. It was of a man being hung drawn in a crimson red ink, or something else that made a mark. Casting it further down the wall a hand mark smudged across the lining of the wall also in red was seen. A scream could be heard far in the distance.

This place wasnt a nice one that was for sure. A cool breeze came from somewhere further down the passage. It gave Gaselton goosebumps.

Another scream could be heard. It was more chilling than the last, making the hair on the back of his neck stand on end.

He took a deep breath, before walking further down the passage, followed by his nervous troops.

Rahegalhoff took up the rear. He muttered a prayer in Latin. The men could feel something great, something spiritual settle in there hearts, giving them a boost of courage. They also found themselves blessed with the ability to see in the dark, but only temporarily.

"Wonder what we found." he said quietly. He was glad he left Starfire back at the guild.

Back at the guild.

Kado stood up.

"Let not my earthly brother fool you. The powers of the sky are just as much a part of nature. I am the last of the natural Magi-masters, meaning that with my teachings and the ones before me, you could take and start an order of Druidry, for druidry serves nature and her elements. When you see a thunderstorm, can you not see her fury? Of the things I teach, one of the most useful will be Weather Control. Weather Control should not be left to just any old mage though. When Ale'ard truely becomes King, he should appoint a group of mages to include himself that he can trust with his life and those of all his citizens to be entrusted with the right to control the Weather, for it can be both a great blessing to the farmer, and a powerful weapon against the King, thus the neccessity for his inclusion, and the requirement of absolute trust."

And that entire Day Kado spent showing them Sky Magics, and training Ale'ard and those he so indicated with his trust in Weather Control. All others would find themselves unable to even find the secret location of training, which of course took place on The Flying City of Shevat, in The elemental Plane of Air. They would only come back to the guild that evening, late in the night.

OOC: You understand what I mean about Weather Control being a great weapon and a blessing? And just out of curiosoty, who did Ale'ard choose as trustworthy enough to learn weather control with him?

Space and Time are going to take a few posts to accomplish.

OOC: The Mages Guild and Ale'ard are closely linked, so the eventual trustees would be a group of magi from there. For now it would be the most highly appointed mage, The Grand Magi. I wont go into why just yet but Ale'ard and The Grand Magi have some link or other.

IC:

The army walked into a dead end. Gaselton looked all about him, at each of the three walls, the ceiling and the floor. "This cant be it. Search this place again."

The men, after a few minutes found something on the wall. Two placeholders with two runes above each one were embedded in the wall. A small incscription was placed under them, and on another wall above a supposed doorway were the two rune incriptions again. One of the placeholders was taken by a sky blue gem, very dirty having been there for a long time, but a gem nonetheless.

Gaselton was stuck at what to do. He could order his men find it, lay a trap or ambush and catch anyone coming down here to enter, or wait it out. COnsidering he had already pushed his weight about a bit, it was unlikely anyone would enter the building let alone this underground area.

Above ground however, by some force or other, the fifteen men guarding the warehouse lay dead inside where they stood.

Something was happening. Gaselton was unaware of this fact.

Rahegalhoff was on edge.

"Something's up." was all he said.

He looked at the Runes.

"We need the help of Scria."

Scria appeared out of a summoning Rune Rahegalhoff knew how to draw.

Scria looked at the runes.

OOC: Now, what do those Runes say? She can read runes, she's the premier expert in the field of Runes and Rune magic. If they require certain actions, let me know.

IC:

Both Stellae and Chrono stood.

They turned to the Grand Magi.

"What do you and your brethren know of both normal Teleportation, and Temporal Teleportation? Its the art of moving from one spot to another without traveling the distance inbetween in the frame of an instant. In the case of Temporal Teleportation, its moving from one point in time, to another, without traveling the seconds inbetween." Stellae asked.

Scria looked at the runes for a few moments. "I believe it to be a lock mechanism, and by the corresponding runes on the wall and above the door, I would say something needs to be placed in that gap. However, did anybody notice these runes?"

Gaselton walked over. "What do they say?"

"You can see nothing else, When you look in my face, I will look you in the eye and I will never lie."

"What does this mean?"

One of the troops stepped forwards. "If I may sir, it is a riddle whos answer is mirror."

"Mirror?" Gaselton was speaking rather loudly, with his back to the door. The troops looked amazed, causing Gaselton to spin on his feet, and watch the last few moments of the door turning into a mirror. "This is just a huge puzzle, is it not?" He was talking to Scria. "Are there any other messages on the walls?"

"No. That is it. Your guess is as good as mine."

Gasleton looked into the mirror, at his own reflection. Something caught his eye, causing him to stare in the reflection coming around the corner behind him, slowly like a gas.

The area they were in slowly turned dark. The runes were glowing.

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

"We know a lot about this magic. We can move freely if we have the ability within ourselves. Some can even transport others or groups. That is all we know though."

Scria looked at the runes for a few moments. "I believe it to be a lock mechanism, and by the corresponding runes on the wall and above the door, I would say something needs to be placed in that gap. However, did anybody notice these runes?"

Gaselton walked over. "What do they say?"

"You can see nothing else, When you look in my face, I will look you in the eye and I will never lie."

"What does this mean?"

One of the troops stepped forwards. "If I may sir, it is a riddle whos answer is mirror."

"Mirror?" Gaselton was speaking rather loudly, with his back to the door. The troops looked amazed, causing Gaselton to spin on his feet, and watch the last few moments of the door turning into a mirror. "This is just a huge puzzle, is it not?" He was talking to Scria. "Are there any other messages on the walls?"

"No. That is it. Your guess is as good as mine."

Gasleton looked into the mirror, at his own reflection. Something caught his eye, causing him to stare in the reflection coming around the corner behind him, slowly like a gas.

The area they were in slowly turned dark. The runes were glowing.

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

"We know a lot about this magic. We can move freely if we have the ability within ourselves. Some can even transport others or groups. That is all we know though."

Rahegalhoff snapped down his visor to activate the Gas Mask properties. He looked in the mirror, looked down the hall from the way they came, looking for the diffrences between the two.

Scria drew protective runes over herself, shielding herself from Gas, explosiens, most low level spells, and most poisons.

"If all else fails, I will draw exploding runes over the walls until we blow our way in." Scria said.

She too was looking back and forth, memorising the diffrences between the mirror.

If it was a mirror that didn't lie, then the hallway must be lieing.

Then an Idea struck her.

"Rahegalhoff, couldn't you use your Aura of Truth on the hallway? If the mirror is telling the truth, then the hallway must be lieing Couldn't your Aura of Truth then force it to show us what is really going on in this hallway without the use of mirrors?" Scria asked.

"While yes, it is worth a try, even the Aura of Truth can be defeated by a strong enough force. But, I'll leave the final choice to Gaselton. I've also been looking at the diffrences in the mirror and in the hallway." Rahegalhoff said.

Scria drew a wind rune. It blew in fresh air from the mirror and back up the hallway where Gaselton's dead men were. Though she didn't know they were dead either.

"Ahh, that's better." she said as the wind hit her.

OOC: So it breaks down like this, I'm leaving the progressing decisions up to you. If you decide to take the Aura of truth path and have things go that way, then just keep going, it takes no words from Rahegalhoff, just a quick whispered Prayer. He's also noticed what the mirror says versus what the hallway shows.

The wind Rune was just for kicks, but should you actually have a Gas blowing down the hallway, well, that's blown away now.

IC:
Back at the Mage Guild...

"Ahh, but that is just the start. Becareful with Temporal Teleportation. Now, let us go into Warp Points. Basicly level Two Teleportation. I can extend a Warp point around this entire Guild, forcing all who would seek to enter away to some randomly determined point. Like wise, I can create a Warp between Yon two pillars connecting this Guild with Ale'ard's Castle." Stellae said.

"But that's just half of it. Perhaps one of the strongest defences ever devised, was encountered in The Place Beyond. Don't worry about the name, seperate Reality Seperate rules Sepertate Time Space Continuum.

The point is, is a Temporal Space Warp, in which a Warp is placed in all directions around Ale'ard's Castle, but the castle itself is placed permanently in a single moment of time. Thus, in any second other than that second, it is impossible to find or access Ale'ard's castle, save through his express written permission, at which point those who wanted to access the castle would be given a seal to pass through the Warp Barrier. Those who do not posses such a seal, would find themselves elsewhere, such as a Dungeon. There are many ways to use Warp points. They require little daily maintence by a trained space mage, doesn't even have to be very powerful, just strong enough to Cast Warp." Chrono said.

They went ver many aspects of Space magic that day, half of which bled over into Time magic.

Gaselton thought to himself at this point whether it was actually a gas at all. Something passed through his mind, from a dream he once had. A spirit, with no face, but caped in black, flowing freely in the wind. The area itself had no effect on him other than what being in a dark room would. Perhaps it was simply darkness?

He too cast his eyes towards the mirror and back down the passageway, looking for excuses. His men were unphased, also feeling that nothing had happened but darkness being cast upon them. One of the troops cast a light.

"Good man, I dont know where you got the materials to cast the light from but it is of no importance. Now lets get this situation sorted out. What do we do about this door?" Gaselton opened the floor to suggestions. He knew his leadership and strength had nothing to play now.

"Blow it inta bits," one of the soldiers remarked. It was a fair suggestion but Gaselton swung towards the controlled opening by finding the missing piece of the puzzle.

"Do what we must. Rahegalhoff, try your Aura Of Truth. Men, try and find something we can try and use. I will see if I can find anything immaterial to aid us such as more text. Scria, is there anything further you can do to aid either effort?"

"Is light what you need? Allow me." Rahegalhoff said. He knelt, and prayed.

A great billowing Golden fog emminated from him. This Fog had three effects.

It provided light, comfortable to see in, yet capable of lighting even the darkest of places.

It rendered everything and everyone it touched completly incapable of lieing, living, dead, inanimate or otherwise, thus destroying any and all illusions in the entirety of the building.

It healed and restored the men to fighting strength, and gave each one the courage to face even the darkest things from hell, as well as polishing and fixing their armor.

Scria nodded.

"Runes have many powers. I will use two scouting runes. One will fly through walls and floors and ceilings and tell me everything it sees. The other will return to check on your men above." Scria said.

She dre two runes in the air. One took off through the mirror. The other one headed back upstairs to the dead men.

Then it returned flashing.

Scria looked at it, then turned to Gaselton.

"I'm sorry. your men you left to guard the upstairs are no longer a part of the living world." was all she said.

Then she drew a hypercomplicated rune even the great artists would have had difficulty following. Its purpose was so simple it was childs play. It just expanded upon itself through the walls, just barely beneath their surface. It analised everything, learned its secrets. It would take a few minutes. then its true purpose would show.

Meanwhile the scouting Rune returned from its trip throughout the building, and in a tiny voice, it reported its findings for all to hear.
OOC: So, take the voice of the rune, and tell us what it says. The Hyper Rune, its a back up plan.

IC:

Back at the Guild. Chrono took all of the second day showing Diffrent Time magicks, and repeatedly warning of the dangers of messing with time.

Then, Stella and Chrono passed on the most powerful spell in all of Time/Space magicks that the Grand Magi could cast:

Orbital Bombardment.

It took many diffrent forms in many diffrent places, usually manifesting as a Meteor Storm, but other possibilites also have been known.

"Use it with caution though, for Orbital Bombardment destroys the entire environment within a great radius indeed, The smallest possible radius being exactly 50 miles accross in Diameter."

With that, Time and Space were done. They went back to maintaining the Continuum, disappearing with a gentle sigh of wind.

"It gets quite cold down below, but I suppose what you really want to know is that the way is poorly guarded and leads to what you desire."

Gaselton was pleased the efforts of his men would not be wasted, but was still frustrated at having to gain access first. He was about to say something when the voice was heard again. "There are three ways when you bypass the mirror. One leads to a dead end, one to where you want and one to your certain death. The central passageway is the dead end."

"How about the others?"

"It seems that the route of death is less dangerous in many ways. Traps and suchlike litter the way down the correct path. This should make finding the correct one easier?

Oh, and theres a gem on the otherside of the mirror that seems to fit that gap over on the wall."

Gaselton looked in disbelief. Behind the mirror they couldnt pass lay the key to allow passage past the mirror. "There seems no other way, surely?"

The same soldier stepped forward as before. "Blow 'er up, sir?"

"It gets quite cold down below, but I suppose what you really want to know is that the way is poorly guarded and leads to what you desire."

Gaselton was pleased the efforts of his men would not be wasted, but was still frustrated at having to gain access first. He was about to say something when the voice was heard again. "There are three ways when you bypass the mirror. One leads to a dead end, one to where you want and one to your certain death. The central passageway is the dead end."

"How about the others?"

"It seems that the route of death is less dangerous in many ways. Traps and suchlike litter the way down the correct path. This should make finding the correct one easier?

Oh, and theres a gem on the otherside of the mirror that seems to fit that gap over on the wall."

Gaselton looked in disbelief. Behind the mirror they couldnt pass lay the key to allow passage past the mirror. "There seems no other way, surely?"

The same soldier stepped forward as before. "Blow 'er up, sir?"

Scria stepped between them and the mirror, banishing the scout rune.

"Why do that, when I already have the keys to the entire building, and everything connected to it?"

Scria traced a single simple rune on the mirror for show.

The Hypercomplicated rune bagan to glow, and surfacing from beneath the wall, came more of it, traced along every square inch of the building. The Rune had scribed itself. It even traced along the mirror and seemed to absorb Scria's Rune.

The Mirror would begin to open normally, as though the proper keys to open it had been used.

Beyond, no traces of the Mega rune would show, it had never surfaced.

The Mega rune burrowed itself back beneath the surface of the wall, before the mirror opened.

Meanwhile...

Agrinja, Magi-master of Destruction stood.

"Anti-magic is perhaps one of the best known tools for restraining magic. Your marks you use tell me you already know something of Anti-magic. more than likely, only complete Anti-magic. Allow me then, to expand your knowledge of the powers of Destruction." Agrinja stood.

That day he spent time showing off varying destructive spells, how to speed up or slow down Entropy, and how to control the degree of Anti-magic used, whether its just limiting higher powered spells, or just allowing cantrips. He even showed them how to tap into creative magic, and create things on the spot.

Gaselton was slightly miffed, as expected, knowing that Scria could gain access all along but didnt. However, they were through now so he didnt compain. When the mirror opened, the force went through. WHen questioned about the dead above he simply replied "we dont know whats up there, I wont risk anymore men."

Sure enough, after walking twenty metres of so the path split into three. Gaselton stood a distance away from their entrances. Holding his hand behind he said "hand me a helmet". He closed his eyes, and chose a path. He threw the helmet down the right passageway. Nothing happened but the clang of the helmet. "The easy path is this one. Another helmet." He threw this one down the left passageway, and suddenly arrows flew from the walls pinning down the helmet, and fire erupted from the walls. "The correct path. Have your wits about you men."

He knew of one man in the army that was a hand at disabling traps and suchlike. He walked ahead. He disabled a few, before he got to one trap. "This is no mechanical trap, sir. This is a magical trap, or at the very least the mechanism itself is magically trapped. Either way I cannot disarm it."

"Very well. I would not like to find out what the trap is. Is there no way?"

"Not that I know of. Then again I am a simple foot soldier with limited knowledge."

Gasleton let off a huge sigh. "If it isnt one thing its another", he thought to himself. The reward at the end must be worthwhile to have gone into the trouble of protecting it to this degree. The runes words went around in his head, that they will find 'what they desire'.

What would they find? He had hoped it would be the leader of the undeground movement.

Gaselton was slightly miffed, as expected, knowing that Scria could gain access all along but didnt. However, they were through now so he didnt compain. When the mirror opened, the force went through. WHen questioned about the dead above he simply replied "we dont know whats up there, I wont risk anymore men."

Sure enough, after walking twenty metres of so the path split into three. Gaselton stood a distance away from their entrances. Holding his hand behind he said "hand me a helmet". He closed his eyes, and chose a path. He threw the helmet down the right passageway. Nothing happened but the clang of the helmet. "The easy path is this one. Another helmet." He threw this one down the left passageway, and suddenly arrows flew from the walls pinning down the helmet, and fire erupted from the walls. "The correct path. Have your wits about you men."

He knew of one man in the army that was a hand at disabling traps and suchlike. He walked ahead. He disabled a few, before he got to one trap. "This is no mechanical trap, sir. This is a magical trap, or at the very least the mechanism itself is magically trapped. Either way I cannot disarm it."

"Very well. I would not like to find out what the trap is. Is there no way?"

"Not that I know of. Then again I am a simple foot soldier with limited knowledge."

Gasleton let off a huge sigh. "If it isnt one thing its another", he thought to himself. The reward at the end must be worthwhile to have gone into the trouble of protecting it to this degree. The runes words went around in his head, that they will find 'what they desire'.

What would they find? He had hoped it would be the leader of the undeground movement.

"Allow me to assist. and, Gaselton, you may have the wrong idea. The Great Rune I scribed upon the walls automaticly spreads throughout the building, and everything it touches. Should I find an obstacile I cannot pass any other way, I can use that rune a certain number of times to get past that obsticle. It takes time for the rune to spread, so I could not do it any other way, which was why I originally sought another way." Scria said.

She traced an outline of Gaselton, turning the outline ino a Rune man.

Then she sent it walking down the hall, to literally spring the magic trap on purpose, so as to figure out how to beat it.

OOC: I'll continue with the Magi-masters momentarily. For all intents and purposes, the outline of Gaselton is capable of springing traps. This way, no one gets hurt, and we see what the magic trap is.

The force now walking down the hall triggered two arrows to fly from the wall, and set-off some spikes to sprout from the floor.

"They both have boxes, sir. Does this mean that the trap is nothing or doesnt work?"

Theres only one way to find out. One of the soldiers stepped forward. "I will."

"Sorry?"

"Ill walk and try the trap." Before Gaselton could say anymore the brave soldier walked forward, and nothing happened where the trap was placed. Everyone began to walk forward before he turned on his heel, pupils dilated and skin turning pale white.

The soldier fell to the floor. He scrambled backwards from something, into the arrow trap, killing him. "What is this?"

Another soldier went forward, without prompting. It was clear the Ale'ard had created a strong, brave, army. He turned again, but instead of falling backwards, he walked backward in circles. "Its a Hill Beast. It summons something. I hate Hill Beasts more than anything. My one fear."

He walked back towards the army, but was stopped by some magical force. The men couldnt see anything but the man. He lifted against the forcefield, before his blood sprayed backwards and he fell from five metres, a snapping sound coming from his legs.

Two men had already sacrificed themselves, enough was enough. Gaselton drew his sword, dropped his visor and walked proudly through the trap. He stood back turned. Raising his sword he span round to attack whatever was behind him. Suddenly he stopped. His father stood behind him, a belt in his hand just like he had done when he used to tell off Gaselton at home. It was like a tyrannical regime.

"Your not real." The belt came towards Gaselton, whipping the sword out of his hand. Gaselton looked down to his empty hands. The belt came again as he grabbed it was his left hand, the gauntlet stopping any pain being inflicted. He took his right hand to his fathers face, knocking him to the floor. He picked up his weapon, and plunged it through the chest of the fallen man.

He fell to the floor. He had killed his father. "Hes dead." He murmered. The trap box flung open and seeped blue/black liquid on the floor. The rest of the men carefully advanced. Gaselton stood up. "A to the death fight with what you fear most."

"What is it that you killed?"

"Nevermind. Onwards. We have work to do." Gaselton had done it, but this gave him no pride or reward. He kept trying to think that it was just an illusion, but something negated this feeling each time it surfaced.

He had killed his father.

~SNIP~

Rahegalhoff was by Gaselton's side, should he wish to talk.

Scria walked a bit behind everyone. Though she was indeed strong magickly, she was physicly weak, and not an ideal party lead.

"My father is the one person I have ever truly feared. He was a bastard. It feels so good to have killed him. Does that make me sound like a bad person? After everything he ever did.."

He knew that whoever they were to face, or to find, was hidden this well for a reason or really didnt want to be found.

OOC: Sorry about the delayed posting. Havent had a computer for some time.

"My father is the one person I have ever truly feared. He was a bastard. It feels so good to have killed him. Does that make me sound like a bad person? After everything he ever did.."

He knew that whoever they were to face, or to find, was hidden this well for a reason or really didnt want to be found.

OOC: Sorry about the delayed posting. Havent had a computer for some time.

"Ahh, to conquer your own fear. in your case, literally. I felt good when I conquered my fear of small dark tunnels." Rahegalhoff said.

Gaselton eyed the passage carefully, it slowly descended once again, but into darkness this time. He grabbed a torch from the wall, and continued downward. It became smaller and smaller. "You were saying?" Gaselton couldnt help but laugh at the irony.

The tunnel was cold, and Gaselton could feel it. "We must be near," he thought to himself. He heard something up ahead, as the flame flickered and touched his helmet. He could feel the heat coming from the torch. He crouched slightly to fit under the ceiling, but he was no small man as it was.

A small insect ran down his body, before he flicked it off.

He heard some hushed voices up ahead. The scraping of a chair on stone floor. A slight lit piece of wall ahead.

Had they found it?

Gaselton eyed the passage carefully, it slowly descended once again, but into darkness this time. He grabbed a torch from the wall, and continued downward. It became smaller and smaller. "You were saying?" Gaselton couldnt help but laugh at the irony.

The tunnel was cold, and Gaselton could feel it. "We must be near," he thought to himself. He heard something up ahead, as the flame flickered and touched his helmet. He could feel the heat coming from the torch. He crouched slightly to fit under the ceiling, but he was no small man as it was.

A small insect ran down his body, before he flicked it off.

He heard some hushed voices up ahead. The scraping of a chair on stone floor. A slight lit piece of wall ahead.

Had they found it?

Rahegalhoff saved the rest of it for later.

Scria smiled. There were times when it was good to know how to right things in the air.

She took out a wand.

"Is this it?" she wrote in the air. it stayed there just long enough for gaselton to read. Then she wrote "What do we do?"

She handed him the small wand.

He took the wand, and tried to write something to follow. It was pointless since he couldnt help but whisper it as he wrote. "Push our weight around. We have some men, and by the sounds of it theres only a couple of people around that corner."

He handed the wand back, and turned to peer around the corner. Three feet could be seen, and hushed voices could be heard. "How long until they get here?"

"I wouldnt be suprised if they had been killed on the way down."

Gasleton turned to order the attack. He hoped they were no formidable opposition, either way they could lunge from the darkness and take them by suprise. He waved his hand to beckon people forwards, peered back round and the feet were gone.

He took the wand, and tried to write something to follow. It was pointless since he couldnt help but whisper it as he wrote. "Push our weight around. We have some men, and by the sounds of it theres only a couple of people around that corner."

He handed the wand back, and turned to peer around the corner. Three feet could be seen, and hushed voices could be heard. "How long until they get here?"

"I wouldnt be suprised if they had been killed on the way down."

Gasleton turned to order the attack. He hoped they were no formidable opposition, either way they could lunge from the darkness and take them by suprise. He waved his hand to beckon people forwards, peered back round and the feet were gone.

Scria and Rahegalhoff came around the corner ready for a fight.

"What? They were here a minute ago, I could have sworn they were. Voices, Feet of people.."

They moved into the area at the end of the tunnel, it was breathtaking. It was like a real room. A fireplace was lit, although where the smoke went was unclear; and the smoothe walls were lined with pictures and sucklike. Gasletons eyes were the first to rest on two figures.

The first was sheltering behind the second, who was dressed in black with gold ornamentation in a pattern around the garment, a gold TG imprinted on the breast pocket. His face was guant, scarred down his left side across his eye and down to his mouth. Gaselton immediately recognised him for one reason. He therefore knew who the one behind him was.

"Tzulos." The thing behind him smiled.

The man stood with his head bowed and his hands held by his chest so that only his fingertips were touching. He glanced upwards into a corner of the room. A cold breeze swept around the room, as if from nowhere.

The thing behind him was like a small human, with scrappy cloths hanging off of it. A pseudo-human. It clambered up Tzulos' back and whispered in his ear. He petted the thing on his shoulder. "Why are you here Gaselton?"

"I have come to end the tyranny you have over this city." The pseudo-human snarled at Gaselton, spraying saliva at him. It fell just before him from across the room. What the other half of it was, wasn't quite clear, but it was suspected a small dog. "I believe you to be the cause of everything."

"I am far from the cause. I am the creator. I am the destroyer. I am the One."

"You like to think you have power."

"Power so vast your pathetic human brain couldnt cope."

"Arrogance so great it has poisoned the mind you once had Tzulos."

"Arrogance is not a trait I behold personally." Something had bought Tzulos and Gaselton together before now, but nobody except them knew what.

"How could you do what you did? You have yourself to blame for how youve ended up. An outcast. A pseudo-human just like your pet. Because your not human are you?"

"I AM HUMAN!" Tzulos' voice was powerful, booming around the cave. He paused for a moment. "Your just jealous. Thats what it is. Jealous of what I am. Jealous of how much greater I am than you. You always have been.

"You couldnt bear it. You were a drop-out, and I, yes I, Tzulos, gained immense power while you were captured and sold as slave labour. How does it feel?"

Gaselton, at this remark, bowed his head. "Of course I knew you were coming all along. It was of no significance. I knew you werent alone and I knew of why you were here. It is of no significance to me. Ill dispose of you just like the countless people who have come here before you."

"How did you.." Gaselton remembered something he saw a few times on the way down to this underground lair. He spotted a black movement on the ceilings of the tunnels, quick moving, but passed it off as imagination or fear. "You sent that thing?" It snarled at Gaselton again, lurching forwards before Tzulos stopped it.

Tzulos smiled. "So glad you could make it, anyway. Havent you ever wondered what happened to your family?"

"What?"

Tzulos simply laughed. He laughed more and more, seemingly finding his own laughter humorous. It became more manic the more he did. He stopped and looked at Gaselton for the first time. "Go on, be angry. It will be your own downfall. Go on, I dare you to. Be angry that I disposed of your family, held in their cages like the animals they were. Torturing them and seeing how much pain they could withhold. Your family were always special, but you were the reject. You had to leave the School Of Jaq, because you werent like them. Were you? You were the outcast. They never looked at you the same way again, did they?"

Tzulos paused and watched Gaselton. He was growing angry. "And your mother, she was a pretty one. I didnt keep her in a cage like the others. She had her own spot right.."

Gaselton ran towards Tzulos drawing his weapon. He felt weak.

'I dare you to be angry.' Gaseltons eyes widened as he remembered what Tzulos said moments before, and Tzulos saw it. He laughed, and clicked his fingers. Gaselton dissapeared from the others view.

He looked at the others, smiling evilly.

OOC: Gaselton is gone. Continue the fight as you would. Ill continue this side-narrative later. Beware, Tzulos is incredibly powerful. He graduated from the School Of Jaq, a not completely legal school of thought, in magic. It has a bad reputation for harnessing bad sorcerors, like Tzulos. Gaselton's family were like a small part of the School, the good side. Despite being extremely accomplished sorcerors, compared to Tzulos they were nothing.

"What? They were here a minute ago, I could have sworn they were. Voices, Feet of people.."

They moved into the area at the end of the tunnel, it was breathtaking. It was like a real room. A fireplace was lit, although where the smoke went was unclear; and the smoothe walls were lined with pictures and sucklike. Gasletons eyes were the first to rest on two figures.

The first was sheltering behind the second, who was dressed in black with gold ornamentation in a pattern around the garment, a gold TG imprinted on the breast pocket. His face was guant, scarred down his left side across his eye and down to his mouth. Gaselton immediately recognised him for one reason. He therefore knew who the one behind him was.

"Tzulos." The thing behind him smiled.

The man stood with his head bowed and his hands held by his chest so that only his fingertips were touching. He glanced upwards into a corner of the room. A cold breeze swept around the room, as if from nowhere.

The thing behind him was like a small human, with scrappy cloths hanging off of it. A pseudo-human. It clambered up Tzulos' back and whispered in his ear. He petted the thing on his shoulder. "Why are you here Gaselton?"

"I have come to end the tyranny you have over this city." The pseudo-human snarled at Gaselton, spraying saliva at him. It fell just before him from across the room. What the other half of it was, wasn't quite clear, but it was suspected a small dog. "I believe you to be the cause of everything."

"I am far from the cause. I am the creator. I am the destroyer. I am the One."

"You like to think you have power."

"Power so vast your pathetic human brain couldnt cope."

"Arrogance so great it has poisoned the mind you once had Tzulos."

"Arrogance is not a trait I behold personally." Something had bought Tzulos and Gaselton together before now, but nobody except them knew what.

"How could you do what you did? You have yourself to blame for how youve ended up. An outcast. A pseudo-human just like your pet. Because your not human are you?"

"I AM HUMAN!" Tzulos' voice was powerful, booming around the cave. He paused for a moment. "Your just jealous. Thats what it is. Jealous of what I am. Jealous of how much greater I am than you. You always have been.

"You couldnt bear it. You were a drop-out, and I, yes I, Tzulos, gained immense power while you were captured and sold as slave labour. How does it feel?"

Gaselton, at this remark, bowed his head. "Of course I knew you were coming all along. It was of no significance. I knew you werent alone and I knew of why you were here. It is of no significance to me. Ill dispose of you just like the countless people who have come here before you."

"How did you.." Gaselton remembered something he saw a few times on the way down to this underground lair. He spotted a black movement on the ceilings of the tunnels, quick moving, but passed it off as imagination or fear. "You sent that thing?" It snarled at Gaselton again, lurching forwards before Tzulos stopped it.

Tzulos smiled. "So glad you could make it, anyway. Havent you ever wondered what happened to your family?"

"What?"

Tzulos simply laughed. He laughed more and more, seemingly finding his own laughter humorous. It became more manic the more he did. He stopped and looked at Gaselton for the first time. "Go on, be angry. It will be your own downfall. Go on, I dare you to. Be angry that I disposed of your family, held in their cages like the animals they were. Torturing them and seeing how much pain they could withhold. Your family were always special, but you were the reject. You had to leave the School Of Jaq, because you werent like them. Were you? You were the outcast. They never looked at you the same way again, did they?"

Tzulos paused and watched Gaselton. He was growing angry. "And your mother, she was a pretty one. I didnt keep her in a cage like the others. She had her own spot right.."

Gaselton ran towards Tzulos drawing his weapon. He felt weak.

'I dare you to be angry.' Gaseltons eyes widened as he remembered what Tzulos said moments before, and Tzulos saw it. He laughed, and clicked his fingers. Gaselton dissapeared from the others view.

He looked at the others, smiling evilly.

OOC: Gaselton is gone. Continue the fight as you would. Ill continue this side-narrative later. Beware, Tzulos is incredibly powerful. He graduated from the School Of Jaq, a not completely legal school of thought, in magic. It has a bad reputation for harnessing bad sorcerors, like Tzulos. Gaselton's family were like a small part of the School, the good side. Despite being extremely accomplished sorcerors, compared to Tzulos they were nothing.



IC: Scria smiled and Teleported everyone out of the building, except the other creature. She would handle it one on one.

"so, boy, are you ready to die?" She said.

She covered the area in an Anti-Teleportation Field, No one, and no thing could get in, or out. The Hyper run she scribbed Collapsed the entire building and its secret passages, sealing them in that one, little room, no way in, no way out.

It was just her, and Tzulos, and the other Thug.

she started off with a very simple Rune, in fact it looked like a Bird. It was like Piano wire, and cut very easily into flesh.

But, then the bird Multiplied, by 1,000. then the 1,000 Rune birds each individually multiplied by 1,000.

All 1,000,000 flew at Tzulos and his companion, like 1,000,000 daggers. they were Wire Thin, and could even fly into Armor.

A Rune on Scria's robes that red 10 counted down to 9. When it reached 0, the battle would end, one way or another. It was inevitable.

Tzulos stood there, unmoved by what just happened. His pet, the pseudo-human, still sat on his shoulder. "Your simple magic amuses me."

A wound across his face, like others, healed up instantaneously. Tzulos stood awaiting yet another attack. Something had happened that nobody could explain, granting him, one man, power so great that he could move worlds.

Nobody knows how, or why, but Tzulos escaped from this event with the one solitary scar down his face. He had turned evil that day. He had become powerful beyond belief. The School dismissed him after an incident one day in which he sent fifty-five young men to some place or other, and each one returned warped and disfigured five hours later. He spent a detention period tormenting one teacher mentally using nothing but the powers of his mind. The teacher turned insane and was to this day being treated. Incident after incident had to be kept secret. Then he escaped.

He walked forwards and slumped down into a chair, crossing one leg over the other, and let the chair support him, holding his hands together in his lap. He smiled at Scria.

Tzulos stood there, unmoved by what just happened. His pet, the pseudo-human, still sat on his shoulder. "Your simple magic amuses me."

A wound across his face, like others, healed up instantaneously. Tzulos stood awaiting yet another attack. Something had happened that nobody could explain, granting him, one man, power so great that he could move worlds.

Nobody knows how, or why, but Tzulos escaped from this event with the one solitary scar down his face. He had turned evil that day. He had become powerful beyond belief. The School dismissed him after an incident one day in which he sent fifty-five young men to some place or other, and each one returned warped and disfigured five hours later. He spent a detention period tormenting one teacher mentally using nothing but the powers of his mind. The teacher turned insane and was to this day being treated. Incident after incident had to be kept secret. Then he escaped.

He walked forwards and slumped down into a chair, crossing one leg over the other, and let the chair support him, holding his hands together in his lap. He smiled at Scria.

8

Very faintly, deep below the Crust, beginning in the very core of the world upon which The entire nation of Seltor sat, a Rumble occured. It wouldn't stop.

"Simple magic is some of the worst magic to underestimate. That one spell told me how to kill you. You heal up due to Regenerative powers, a simple power to take away. do not be so childish to assume that just becuase someone casts a simple spell, that their powers are simple."

Another Rune appeared and tightend itself around him, banishing his Regeneration, forever.

Scria's powers built upon thimselves, to such a point, the room was vibrating dangerously. Scria turned into Runes, and disappeared, into the walls. She wasn't gone, not by a long shot, but now, nothing physical effected her.

The Birds made another pass.

But now, Rune form Scria appeared at the top, and a flood of magma began to appear, centered upon Tzulos.

OOC: If you have further plans for him, rather than just dying, I have an exit option availible, should you wish to take it. It stems entirely from his phrase "I am the Destroyer".

OOC: It was my intention, hence the knocking back Scria and not enacting his wrath upon her. Im quite happy to let him sit here and continue what hes doing for a little while, before dissapearing like Gaselton. If you feel your exit thing would work better, go for it by all means. Ill leave it up to you. I just thought this would build him up to be more powerful for later on.

IC:

"I do not underestimate your power. I know you to be no fool, and therefore you wouldnt have faced me alone if you had not the power to do so." Tzulos knew Scria remained about him, somewhere. He got up from his chair and simply cast the attack aside with a swoop of his hand, while walking towards a table.

He pulled a draw out, and took out a sheet of paper and two knives. He took one and attached the piece of paper to the desk. He then took the other and cut an odd shaped hole in the paper. He lay the second knife by the paper, careful as to its positioning, and took some ink and covered his finger in it, before flicking it across the page in two directions diagonally.

"You are a rune mage unlike any other. Well, youve lasted longer than any before now. I have little time to play these games though. I must leave sooner or later to take care of other.. 'business'."

He moved towards the middle of the room, and crouched down, looking around every so often awaiting Scria's return.

OOC: It was my intention, hence the knocking back Scria and not enacting his wrath upon her. Im quite happy to let him sit here and continue what hes doing for a little while, before dissapearing like Gaselton. If you feel your exit thing would work better, go for it by all means. Ill leave it up to you. I just thought this would build him up to be more powerful for later on.

IC:

"I do not underestimate your power. I know you to be no fool, and therefore you wouldnt have faced me alone if you had not the power to do so." Tzulos knew Scria remained about him, somewhere. He got up from his chair and simply cast the attack aside with a swoop of his hand, while walking towards a table.

He pulled a draw out, and took out a sheet of paper and two knives. He took one and attached the piece of paper to the desk. He then took the other and cut an odd shaped hole in the paper. He lay the second knife by the paper, careful as to its positioning, and took some ink and covered his finger in it, before flicking it across the page in two directions diagonally.

"You are a rune mage unlike any other. Well, youve lasted longer than any before now. I have little time to play these games though. I must leave sooner or later to take care of other.. 'business'."

He moved towards the middle of the room, and crouched down, looking around every so often awaiting Scria's return.

Tzulos saw a man appear in the room. He had white hair, white skin, and black Leather Clothes. Not the shiny kind either. His clothes just kinda seemed to absorb the light. They were covered in blood, as was his skin, and his hair. His lips were balck and twisted in a sick sadistic Grin. His eyes looked right straight at Scria, where she was now, then at Tzulos.

"Geheheh. Two little mages down in a cave, along came me and then there were none. Geheheheheh. Such weaklings." He said. He sat on a pile of molten Lava like it was a bean bag chair.

"You know, Scria's really going to be disappointed in the next few minutes. I know what your going to do, but to really get her good, even at your power level, you should use Micide's burning Rot. even in Rune form it'll hit her, forcing her to flee instantly. Oh wait, that's right, you couldn't have known that, that reality was born, lived its entire life, and was destroyed before your grandparents were even concieved." The man said.

"well, I'd love to stay and chat with another Twisted soul, but I REALLY must be going now. Innocent Virgins don't torture themselves you know. If you ever get stronger, seek out The Void. I could always use another Soul as dedicated to Evil as you are. I might even gift you with some measure of control over The Void, the Highest form of Destruction, and with it, the Ability to uncreate. Ta ta." He said. He disappeared. A scroll rolled over to Tzulos's feet, detailing Micide's Burning rot.

"Oh how careless of me." Kajeenith said.

Micide's burning Rot was a Supernatural Disease, that completly Creamated its target in five seconds. It was very hard to cure. It was also easy to cast, and its method of casting was listed. Why, a powerful man like Tzulos might even be able to cast it on his first try.

Scria didn't do anything, hoping Tzulos wouldn't cast it.
OOC: Taking a diffrent path, with the same effect.

OOC: It was my intention, hence the knocking back Scria and not enacting his wrath upon her. Im quite happy to let him sit here and continue what hes doing for a little while, before dissapearing like Gaselton. If you feel your exit thing would work better, go for it by all means. Ill leave it up to you. I just thought this would build him up to be more powerful for later on.

IC:

"I do not underestimate your power. I know you to be no fool, and therefore you wouldnt have faced me alone if you had not the power to do so." Tzulos knew Scria remained about him, somewhere. He got up from his chair and simply cast the attack aside with a swoop of his hand, while walking towards a table.

He pulled a draw out, and took out a sheet of paper and two knives. He took one and attached the piece of paper to the desk. He then took the other and cut an odd shaped hole in the paper. He lay the second knife by the paper, careful as to its positioning, and took some ink and covered his finger in it, before flicking it across the page in two directions diagonally.

"You are a rune mage unlike any other. Well, youve lasted longer than any before now. I have little time to play these games though. I must leave sooner or later to take care of other.. 'business'."

He moved towards the middle of the room, and crouched down, looking around every so often awaiting Scria's return.

Tzulos saw a man appear in the room. He had white hair, white skin, and black Leather Clothes. Not the shiny kind either. His clothes just kinda seemed to absorb the light. They were covered in blood, as was his skin, and his hair. His lips were balck and twisted in a sick sadistic Grin. His eyes looked right straight at Scria, where she was now, then at Tzulos.

"Geheheh. Two little mages down in a cave, along came me and then there were none. Geheheheheh. Such weaklings." He said. He sat on a pile of molten Lava like it was a bean bag chair.

"You know, Scria's really going to be disappointed in the next few minutes. I know what your going to do, but to really get her good, even at your power level, you should use Micide's burning Rot. even in Rune form it'll hit her, forcing her to flee instantly. Oh wait, that's right, you couldn't have known that, that reality was born, lived its entire life, and was destroyed before your grandparents were even concieved." The man said.

"well, I'd love to stay and chat with another Twisted soul, but I REALLY must be going now. Innocent Virgins don't torture themselves you know. If you ever get stronger, seek out The Void. I could always use another Soul as dedicated to Evil as you are. I might even gift you with some measure of control over The Void, the Highest form of Destruction, and with it, the Ability to uncreate. Ta ta." He said. He disappeared. A scroll rolled over to Tzulos's feet, detailing Micide's Burning rot.

"Oh how careless of me." Kajeenith said.

Micide's burning Rot was a Supernatural Disease, that completly Creamated its target in five seconds. It was very hard to cure. It was also easy to cast, and its method of casting was listed. Why, a powerful man like Tzulos might even be able to cast it on his first try.

Scria didn't do anything, hoping Tzulos wouldn't cast it.
OOC: Taking a diffrent path, with the same effect.

Ooc:due To Circumstances Beyond My Control, I Am Leaving For Nearly An Entire Week. My Grandmother Is On Her Death Bed, And It May Be The Last Time I Ever See Her Alive. Thanks For Your Understanding.

OOC: Im truly sorry to hear that. I will wait for your return when you feel like it. Theres no need to feel like you should reply in a week, just do so when your ready. Ill understand.

IC:

Tzulos swooped down to pick up the paper and in one swift moment moved over to the table with the paper still attached. He picked up the knife again and cut his finger open, dripping one drop of blood onto the parchment. He moved away reading the paper, swirling on his feet every now and again taking in what was on the page. "Right then."

He burned the paper, its ashed on the floor and turned to cast the spell. "I dont have much time. Do you choose to finish this now and come out from hiding? I wouldnt like to keep our good friend Gaselton waiting."

No response was heard. He turned on his feet, to find him staring eye to eye with Scria. They stood for what seemed like minutes, before Tzulos faded into nothing, and flew through Scria, leaving her soul in tatters as he went, before dissapearing for good.

If he ever faced Scria again, it wouldnt be any time soon, and if it was she wouldnt be able to look at him. It was a long term fix for a short term problem. Tzulos had no concern for his victims.

OOC: Im truly sorry to hear that. I will wait for your return when you feel like it. Theres no need to feel like you should reply in a week, just do so when your ready. Ill understand.

IC:

Tzulos swooped down to pick up the paper and in one swift moment moved over to the table with the paper still attached. He picked up the knife again and cut his finger open, dripping one drop of blood onto the parchment. He moved away reading the paper, swirling on his feet every now and again taking in what was on the page. "Right then."

He burned the paper, its ashed on the floor and turned to cast the spell. "I dont have much time. Do you choose to finish this now and come out from hiding? I wouldnt like to keep our good friend Gaselton waiting."

No response was heard. He turned on his feet, to find him staring eye to eye with Scria. They stood for what seemed like minutes, before Tzulos faded into nothing, and flew through Scria, leaving her soul in tatters as he went, before dissapearing for good.

If he ever faced Scria again, it wouldnt be any time soon, and if it was she wouldnt be able to look at him. It was a long term fix for a short term problem. Tzulos had no concern for his victims.

OOC: Im truly sorry to hear that. I will wait for your return when you feel like it. Theres no need to feel like you should reply in a week, just do so when your ready. Ill understand.

IC:

Tzulos swooped down to pick up the paper and in one swift moment moved over to the table with the paper still attached. He picked up the knife again and cut his finger open, dripping one drop of blood onto the parchment. He moved away reading the paper, swirling on his feet every now and again taking in what was on the page. "Right then."

He burned the paper, its ashed on the floor and turned to cast the spell. "I dont have much time. Do you choose to finish this now and come out from hiding? I wouldnt like to keep our good friend Gaselton waiting."

No response was heard. He turned on his feet, to find him staring eye to eye with Scria. They stood for what seemed like minutes, before Tzulos faded into nothing, and flew through Scria, leaving her soul in tatters as he went, before dissapearing for good.

If he ever faced Scria again, it wouldnt be any time soon, and if it was she wouldnt be able to look at him. It was a long term fix for a short term problem. Tzulos had no concern for his victims.

Tzulos was completly mistaken in his theory. Scria had no soul in that body. It was a puppet of her real body, and so, she was uneffected. Even still, he had no concept of the degree of healing and prowess Khalan had.

And so...

Back at the mages guild.

The real Scria appeared, mildly peeved. After a brief talk with Khalan and Xos, it was decided that no mercy would be taken upon Tzulos, and should he ever come into contact with the Magi-masters, they would no hold back this time, innocent nearby civilians or not.

So, Scria went with the guild masters, and greatly expanded their knowledge and skill with runes. She also informed them of Tzulos and Gaselton.

The only thing of any real note on Scria's part, was that the real scria was only 24 years old. She had brown hair, black eyes, and was very very gorgeous. Nowhere near as old as the Scria Tzulos faced. There were secrets, not even the Magi-masters would share, no matter what.

OOC: Don't think that it is so easy to mark out a Magi-master. I have used nowhere near the true extent of their skill. But that is not their purpose here, their only here to share knowledge,

By the way, Grandma did a complet 180, and is doing MUCH better now.

OOC: Im glad to hear that.

IC:

Tzulos found himself where he belonged. This was where he had been hiding from the city law forces and harnessing his power. His revenge plan was in full swing, not caring of his hinderance to Ale'ard and his bid for power. This, for him anyway, was home.

His familiar ran down the passageway, in a small zig zag pattern. "Now now, Hark. We have work still to be done."

The pseudo-human span around, looking at Tzulos with raised eyebrows. "Yes, Master." The small creature grew into a larger than life human, 6"5' and very well built. He began to walk down the passageway again, this time in a straight line, slamming his feet down heavily.

Tzulos followed him, before they reached a doorway. Tzulos squeezed past Hark in the narrow passage, and waved his hand over the door as the lock and handle operated together to open the door. The door locked behind them. The room was an empty chamber carved into the rock, with a small alcove. Tzulos walked over to the alcove and lit the light. The room was doused with light, the floor suddenly becoming covered in items.

The table in the middle of the room was the centre of attention, but one thing Tzulos was particuarly interested in. A trap door lay closed beneath Hark. "Trust you to always be standing on top of it. Open it up, lets go see our visitor."

Hark bent over and pulled the trap door up, he grabbed a club from the table and headed down. Tzulos cast an invisibility spell on himself and followed.

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

Gaselton sat in the room, in the corner, severely injured. Something healed him moments later. What though, he wasnt sure about. He was alone as far as he knew, and couldnt help but notice one thing. Some tools lay on a table by the door. The tools were irrelevant, the door was what he was drawn to.

Locked, he decided to arm himself. However, he couldnt pick up the instruments, but studied them carefully. They appeared at first glance to be simple instruments you would use in surgery, but that view quickly became distorted. They were for torture.

The door swung open, light blocked out by something. Gaselton took a step or two backwards, bumping into the wall. The thing advanced. Gaselton had nowhere to go, and was pinned. The thing picked him up in one hand, and threw him into a chair. Helpless, Gaselton was strapped in.

The door remained open. A small scratching of metal was heard. Two instruments moved about the table. Once strapped down, whatever the thing was lost interest and went to close the door.

Suddenly, a face appeared in front of Gaselton. He jolted backwards. "How co-operative are we feeling today, Gaselton?"

OOC: Not much I can do at the moment ICly.

IC: Next up was Xos.

"Magic and Science are thought of to be to seperate entities. They are, and yet they are not. I can weild pure energy itself, and can do at will, what an Atomic Bomb spends its entire life building up to do once. I can turn Dead energy into life energy, Transmute Law to Chaos and back again. I can make Evil Good, and Good Evil. I can Crystalise magic itself, and rival even the Gods themselves in power and knowledge. I can do nearly anything I think of, yet I cannot teach you the same percentage of my knowledge, as the others have, for there are things I know, you can only learn through multiple experiences, some of which, require natural Death and natural rebirth, so please forgive me if what I teach seems as minor in comparison.

I am going to teach you how to bridge the Gap between Science, and Magick, and create a new power, Magiscience. There are runes that scria did not teach yesterday, that she could have. She did not, because these runes are Magiscience Runes, and are part Scientific Symbol, part Magick Rune." Xos said.

He cracked his neck, and stepped forward.

Tzulos left the room, as Hark stood there staring at Gaselton, looking in bad shape. He sniffed heavily, and averted his gaze, stomping out of the room and slamming the door behind him. Gasleton was left strapped in place. To further add to his difficulties magical restraints also held him in place.

He looked about the room properly for the first time. It was bare apart from him and the tools. They tormented him, the only thing he could see. Mocking him and making him feel like this was his end. They laughed at his misfortune.

He looked down at his near naked body. He shut his eyes. The sight was too bad to look at.

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

Gaselton was awoken by a presence. He looked about. A figure was bent over the desk, scurrying away doing something. It was clearly not Hark, and didnt look much like Tzulos. A small lamp lit the desk. A figure walked part way through the door. "Are we ready for the tests?"

"Yes master."

"Lets begin.." A figure came towards Gaselton with a needle like object. It moved towards his arm.

The world around Gaselton grew darker, until nothing existed but black. He could no longer hear. He found it difficult to breathe. He had passed out again.

OOC: I know im making it quite hard to give a reply at the moment. Sorry about that. Im building up to something though. Ill put more focus on Ale'ard again also, dont worry.