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Post by Jagan on Jul 28, 2005 14:40:05 GMT -7
NAMES
And it just so happened in those days that a person's name held power and magic. And the Sorcerer with the most magic was the Shape-Shifter. But to change forms meant his name was vulnerable and the enemy might try to use it for his own gain. One time the Shape-Shifter lost his name and when he did great power was stolen. But the power was too strong. The thief whose soul was already blackened and corrupt felt the magic eating at him and destroying him bit by bit. He could not use the name but for short periods of time and one day as he set it aside a young cadet saw it and picked it up . With nearly unbearable pain he carried the name and its power back to its owner and the power and magic was returned to the clan and the Shape- Shifter. __________________
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Post by Jagan on Jul 28, 2005 14:49:24 GMT -7
BETRAYAL
JURNYMAN’s face turned completely white. His expression was one of disbelief. @)Angel~ could not hear what was being said but watched as the as the envoy delivered the papers bearing-... what horrific news she could not imagine. JURNY was looking down as the messenger continued to speak; then he nodded. The messenger took his leave.
JURNYMAN sat down on his chair, the papers he had just received in one hand hanging down at his side. And the other covering his face. His head was bowed.
@)Angel~ came over and stood by his side. “what is it my liege?” She knelt down beside him.
JURNYMAN shook his head. “I can not believe it is true but here is proof.”
@)Angel~ took the papers from his hand. She read them quickly and looked up into JURNYMAN’s eyes. She could see the devastation and pain clearly written there. The Captain they had trusted had deserted the clan and joined forces with the enemy camp and was leading attacks against clan members. One soldier was already dead.
“Can this be true?” She asked, unable to believe the words she had read.
“Yes, there are reports from all sectors and a CTC Clan Member unaware ^virUs^ had gone rogue was attacked and killed last night. We must gather the clan together and decide how we are going to deal with this.”
JURNYMAN stood up. He went over to the wall where his Black Pearl Demon Screamer was hanging. He touched the gleaming blade. He could almost feel the magic. He remembered how it sang as he wielded it in his hand. He ran his fingers over the hilt where it was engraved. The names of his men who had given it to him were all there. And there was the Captain’s name too. He drew his hand back from the letters. Was that so long ago? It seemed as though he had crawled out of the pits of hell when he had returned from the volcano that last time. And the many weeks he had been lost to all, delirious with fever.
He took down the heavy sword and held it high, turning it slowly to let catch the light on the blade.
“Send for the messengers. It is time for the clans to meet. And get my horse ready I will meet with G_3 myself. This must be dealt with now. “
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Post by Jagan on Jul 28, 2005 14:53:47 GMT -7
The innkeeper at The Boar and Skewer had never seen so much activity. People were coming to town from all over the land. Normally the town was very quiet; just the occasional hunting party would come through; stop and sell a few pelts, have a drink at the pub, maybe stay a night or two and be gone again. But nothing like this.
Many were dressed in exotic garb from far away places. Some were in worn and battered working gear, other in silks and metals forged by magic. They were seasoned warriors he could tell. Their weapons and armour were well used he could see - but of the finest quality. More and more began to gather and soon his inn was filled to capacity.
He began to notice all of the guests were of the same clan; they all wore the symbols of CTC or SOC ; the lettering intertwined on some. The shields and guidons carried the warrior’s symbols and animal Heraldry but all had the clan symbols as well. They greeted each other congenially and everyone seemed in good spirits . They were gathering every day in the pub some were making speeches and then they would separate into small groups, study maps and discuss strategies quietly amongst themselves. Different groups would intermingle back and forth.
The innkeeper began to realize that the clans had rallied together and war was imminent. Finally after days of planning ,a big meeting was held and every one was talking loudly and making speeches of brotherhood and loyalty. The poor Publican could barely keep up with the demand for ale and food. And finally as dawn began to break, they gathered up their gear and horses and began to disperse into the far reaches of the land.
And the innkeeper knew that what he had seen would somehow echo into the annals of history. He shuddered.
“Someone has just walked over my grave,” he thought to himself and went back to work.
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Post by Jagan on Jul 28, 2005 14:59:34 GMT -7
WAR
And in those days there was a warrior so bitter that his soul was black and his mind could only dwell on imagined injustices and grudges he carried close to his heart. And his thoughts were clouded by hate and jealousy. And this warrior was a leader of a clan called a Guild. And he persuaded his Guild that his beliefs were true and they began to attack members of the CTC and brotherhood of SOC. At first the warriors of CTC/SOC shrugged the attacks off as petty annoyances. But then the Guild members started telling the townsfolk how you could attack the mighty CTC and they would do nothing and the Guild continued to cause minor scrimmages and boast to the town folk of their prowess.
And a gathering of the clans was called and night and day they began to patrol all corners of the Shade world.
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Post by Jagan on Jul 28, 2005 15:04:13 GMT -7
THE DOGS OF WAR
A messenger brought news the enemy clan chief, Mardi, was seen at the Xian Ra pub. E.Z.D. nodded. He gathered up some gear and prepared to make the long journey.
It was late evening when he arrived and set up sentry duty at the ladder where the necromancers guard the short bridge. He sat there alone the whole night. The darkness was cloying and thick. He could smell the imps in the near distance and hear the rustlings of the Dark Clerics. He could see the glow of their lanterns as they appeared and disappeared just as quickly.
He tended a small fire which he poked at from time to time, quietly dwelling in his own thoughts. Finally as dawn was about to break he could see a figure come up the ladder to the clearing.
"Who goes there!" he yelled
"It's brother DigMeUp. I hear the enemy is holed up in town?"
"Yep! Just waiting him out, brother just waiting him out."
The Gargoyle is a magical being that guards the broken bridge that floats high above the world and leads one to the ladder into the mystical territory that is Xian Ra. Some said he was once a wizard that had been cursed by Demons. His magic remained but he could not move. Cursed and trapped, he cast his evil spells on travellers who tried to pass.
DigMeUp knew powerful magic too. He used a spell to twist the Gargoyle onto the ladder entrance, effecting a guard, which left him free to hunt
About mid-morning the General (G_3),himself, made his way into the small camp.
The three soldiers bided their time all day: regaling each other with tales of adventures they had been on, taking turns patroling the enclave, tending the fire and cooking their meagre provisions.
Then early that evening the enemy was briefly seen but had retreated back into town.
The General went back to base camp and MissFizz, who had arrived a few minutes before, took over watch on the ladder from DigMeUp.
G_3 was in that uneasy place between waking and sleep when the messenger came into his tent and woke him. DigMeUp had sent word that clan chief, StrmLord was on his way to try and break Mardi out of the town. He was at the ladder and most probably would be going through.
G_3 pulled his armour and helmet on and fastened the hilt that sheathed his heavy sword.
When he came up he ladder he saw a melee' of Demons, Necromancerrs and Dark Clerics.
He backed off knowing that they were angry and would cast their magic at the first victim they saw. When StrmLord came through he would be the target of their wrath and they would attach themselves to him.
G_3 waited on the long bridge that was home of the Demon Lord. Then suddenly he saw Mardi come by towards the ladder! He ran over to see E.Z.D. fighting StrmLord and Mardi. He could hear the loud clanking of metal on metal as swords came to blows and the grunting as the warriors lifted the heavy swords and ducked a hit. He joined the fight. Houdini and Lewd had by this time arrived and were in the midst of the battle.
Monsters were everywhere! Swords were flying! And magic was weakening the warriors and their opponents.
Finally the enemy was vanquished. MissFizz came up the ladder she had been guarding and saw them standing there; E.Z.D., DigMeUp, Houdini, Lewd and G_3 shoulder to shoulder, weary but triumphant.
They were blood-soaked and dirt was crusted into their wounds.
The enemy lay dead at their feet.
At that moment everything had changed.
She helped them pick up fallen gear and weapons and slowly and solemnly they made their way into Town.
*The 'Dogs of War' are traditionally, Fire, Sword and FamineThe spirits white as lightening Would on my travels guide me The stars would shake and the moon would quake Whenever they espied me.
With a host of furious fancies, Whereof I am commander, With a burning spear and a horse of air To the wilderness I wander.
By a knight of ghosts and shadows I summoned am to tourney Ten leagues beyond the wide world's end- Methinks it is no journey.
-Anonymous Poem
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