Fire On The Horizon

[Darkthought]

Please post your character in the OOC thread before your first post here, and keep OOC chatter in the OOC thread... thank ya!

The shores of Tyrn... a dark and unknown land far removed from the majority of comings and goings on other shores. The land mass itself is savage and, in most areas save the coastline, untouched. A few medium settlements have been set up inland, but most of the populous stays to the coast. It is what they know, and have known, for generations.
The larger coastline cities have become known by some notorious pirates, and become the home for them in "retirement". The residents, at first glance, are a barbarious and wild, though some hierarchy and civilized structure has been implemented throughout the land... and above it all, watching and twisting the fates of the masses, is him.
He is ruthless, he in unfeeling, he is power, he is savage, he is fierce, he is violence... and he is in control of all. He is Darnak. Under him all bow... his eyes and ears are everywhere.
His 'Gornachai' rule the underlings... Six massive vampiric-like creatures who carry out orders at any cost, led by their commander.
Their massive army network are snivling, virtually brainless, bulks of muscle, letting muscle and metal carry out the orders given to them.
It has been this way for years. Minor peasant revolts are squashed... usually within days, if not hours. Nothing could stand up to Him. Nothing... until now??

Enter our heros.. to defeat the evil, or become another chapter in futility is yet to be determined. A handful of characters should make up the group... whether they are all working together as a group, or some in the shadows for a while... I leave it up to you.
The pirate flags are on the masts, and the wind is blowing from an angry storm outside. Who will you be? A retired veteran looking for a last taste of blood? A marooned young blood who can't help getting involved? The local wizards understudy... or maybe you're a Gornachai? The Gornachai commander? A dark unclassed character secretly in the employ of Darnak (PM me for this role please)?

I'll be taking the reigns as Darnak... and Captain Mordue. He's captain of his ship, but doesn't have to be the leader of the "good guys" (I rather expect it to be more of a comittee group)... Grab your eye patch, sand down that peg-leg, and wipe that parrot crap from your shoulder... it's time to discover the Fire on the Horizon!

 

[Darkthought]

Darnak

The platform he stood on, one of four on each corner, hung out from the top of his massive stone tower. The platforms themselves were formed as mighty jagged claws, cantalevered out from the ebony-black structure. The tower looked like it had been created, not built. If there was any seam in the black rock, it was undetectable to the naked eye.
The wind blew violently as he gazed over his empire below. He knew power, and he loved it. The petty beings he allowed to reside in his lands were mere pawns to amuse him throughout the days. They feared and trembled below him, as it should be... as it will always be. A grotesque smile grew on his face. All was as it should be. The spirit of the land was broken, and he was sewing it back together with puppet strings.

 

[Firesprite]

Saretha emerged from the captains cabin, the freshening wind blowing her jet black, straight hair across her face. She stood braced on the deck, her bare feet accustomed now to the shifting deck beneath her. With one hand on the railing, standing beside the figurehead she impatiently brushed the wisps of hair from her eyes. The call had come but a moment before from the crows nest that land had been sighted and she breathed a sigh of relief. Water was becoming dangerously low, and there was very little food to be had. Salted beef was getting quite tiresome after so long with nothing fresh.
She leaned forward over the railing, straining to see the smudge of grey on the horizion that meant land, unaware that as she did so she looked like a twin to the proud figurehead beside her.

 

[Darkthought]

Mordue

A lock of his red hair blew across his sight line. He brushed it back impatiently while his eyes strained towards the coast ahead. What was this land that lay before them?
He had heard tales of a new coast years before, and had worked hard to put together a crew of the best, on the best boat, with the best supplies. A new coast meant new ships, and new bounty. He had not let any detail escape him before setting sail... yet the journey was one of faith. Faith in the whispers he had caught in the dimly lit booths of nameless taverns. Faith in nothing but his keen sense of the truth. False faith to a lesser man... the only true faith to Mordue.
He caught movement out of the corner of his eye, but made no movement or action towards it. He knew it was her. He'd found her as an abused harlot before taking her for himself. She was supposed to have been a cloud passing by in the night, but there was that thing... that thing that kept her here. That thing that stayed his hand from striking, that thing he would never admit to anyone, not even himself.
Her nose for the water had surprised him at first. She grew sea legs in no time, and knew the weather and the stars almost as good as he. She had the respect of the crew... but after Stolly became lighter in his shorts, it was more than understandable. He'd never even seen the flash of the blade before his future children fell to the floor.
An undetectable smile came over his face as he put his focus foward on what lay ahead.

 

[Firesprite]

Saretha turned slightly, seeing the captain out of the corner of her eye before resuming her stance. Fingering her knife tucked into the sash at her waist she smiled slightly to herself.

 

[Darkthought]

Darnak

A whimpering voice from the shadows behind Him breaks the air.

"Master... a ship approaches"

He slowly turns and looks down upon the grovelling creature before Him. It's armor, though well placed and properly sized, looked overly large and out of place on the wisp of a lifeform.

"What is it, friend or foe? Visitor or returning vessel?"

"It hasn't been told to me yet, I.... I do not know"

A flash of anger is evident in His scowling tone, "You disturb me with nothing? Run dog. Run and find something to tell me before you waste another minute of my time. Feel grateful I don't hurl you over the edge now... get out of my sight!"

He watches in grim amusement as the form nearly trips over itself in its haste.

So, a ship arrives. Likely just another pirate looking to refill his rations... still, it may bring something to amuse me.

He turns and walks to the south platform, focusing His vision to the ocean far away. The wind howls with some new anticipation, a light rain slowly weaving it's way towards the rocks below.

 

[Darkthought]

Mordue

"Helm, bring us to the edge of the harbour," he shouts out without breaking his gaze.

"I feel that great things are before us," he says quietly to the figure beside him as he stares towards the coastline. "Keep your eyes open, and your dagger close... there's no doubt many new eyes will be on us. I believe it's time to change into something more appropriate."

With this, he turns towards he slightly, then heads to the cabin. It would do him no good to go parading around in new lands dressed like a rich Captain. That was Grimble's job. The fool wore it well, but didn't understand why he put him up to it.

He paused at the door briefly, glanced back quickly, then went in to change.

 

[Firesprite]

Sigrath feasted on the succulent flesh of girl.
Maintaining himself at full strength took two, sometimes three a night. The first a servant, slightly bitter with pride and vengance, the second, a young girl, sweet and pale in the bloom of her youth, but the snob in him liked to hunt in society such as it was, and it pleased him to to select them like a fine wine. They knew who he was, and wished to spare their own necks. If he was seen at a gathering, they would open their own veins to him, let him sample of their essence, all the while hoping that they would be spared once again. They were cowed. Completely and thoroughly. Their blood tasted of their passiveness and it was only rarely that he tasted true fire from any of them. Tonight it was different.
The girl in his arms gave one last convulsion and breathed her last. She'd been a jaded creature, in the past she'd opened her veins like all the rest, very few knew her for what she was. With a bloodstained grin Sigrath corrected himself; what she had been. He dropped her on the stone floor at his feet and stretched, claws unsheathing and vestigial wings unfurling. He'd tasted it once before, and he recognised it now that he tasted it again. A traitor.
He looked around the room at the minor nobility gathered there. They were little more than peasants themselves. Only good for simple tasks and petty manoeverings really. He dismissed their cowering forms with a wave. Waiting impatiently for their departure he began to form a plan. But first, he had to tell Him.

 

[Darkthought]

Mordue

Mordue quickly changed into deckhand scrubs, and placed his ornate rapier into an old leather sheath. New places always got his blood moving, and this was more than a new place, more than a new harbour or city, this was a new land... a new continent. The thoughts of adventure and prosperity ran wildly through his brain.... He would not be quick to reveal his identity. He ran his fingers down the scar on his left cheek with a repetative, natural motion. Stories of his sordid past were best left there, in the past.

After a quick check of his appearance, and seeing it met his approval, he walks back out onto the deck to survey the new vision before him.

The harbour was busy with activity. His vessel was not the largest present, but it was without question the finest.

"Grimble, check your attire," he barked to the greying sailor.

The old fool had forgotten to change... he was an imbecile at most times, but Grimbles ability to play the distinguished Captains part still amazed Mordue.

The ship slowly passed the wave break, and turned slightly towards an empty slip. Many eyes were fixed upon the new arrival... Mordue loved it. The first glimpse at his future... the first glimpse at his fortune... the first glimpse at his destiny.

 

[Firesprite]

Saretha had no such disguise. As the only woman on the ship it was clear that she was the captain's lady. And as such she was able to guide Grimble subtly. Changing from her pants into a red embroidered dress and matching shawl, she brushed the tangles out of her long jet hair and prepared to step onto this new land.

 

[Lady_Siren]

Serena drew in a deep breath of sea air. They were close to the coast line now. They had been out at sea for what seemed like a lifetime. She glanced at her first mate as he stepped to the railing beside her. "Are you sure you want to go through with this? You can live a happy live with us." she smiled soflty "I knowI can and I plan on it. However this is something I need to do. Darnak took all that I loved from me..." she looked back towards land "and for that he must pay."

 

[Darkthought]

Darnak

He scowled at the coming storm. It reminded Him of the tasks at hand... meaningless trife that He spent His time with. It was time to make a new move... time to extend the grip He held so firmly upon the choking land.
He made his way back down the sharply formed stairway, not pausing to recognize the salutes of guards standing fixed at their posts.
He wound the last bend and entered the dim council room.

"Light the signal... call in the Gornachai," He hissed to the first subject He saw, "I'll be waiting for them, they know where... do not hold them up with idle chatter, send them immediately."

He looked down upon the awe-struck creature. It held His eyes very briefly, then cowered below Him.

He wasted precious few seconds before grasping the creature by the back of the head and snapping it's neck. He turned to the next... an orc-like creature of noticeably larger stance and significance, "You light the signal. Do not delay, unless you'd like to join him."

The form, a sargent of arms, wasted no time in exiting the room to complete his task.

That's the way it should be... that's the way it will be.

He turned quickly and headed to the Culdinate, a round room whose only allowed occupants were Darnak Himself, and the most trusted Gornachai.

Time to pull the strings once again.

 

[poohlive]

"Storm's a coming," Rocky leaned back on his knees, looking out at the horizon. Black clouds lingered out in the ocean, coming ever closer to shore. He wiped the sweat lingering on his forehead before turning back to Sabaka, who stood at the edge of his garden, his arms folded over his chest.
The man nodded, nothing more.
Rocky gave him an odd look, "You can at least say yes or something."
"Yes."
Rocky gave a bit of a laugh before turning back ot his work. Carrots stuck out from the ground, among the sprouts of impending weeds. His hands, dirty and with a few scratches, helped take away the little weeds so his carrots could continue to grow.
Arduous job, which took several hours off of his time a week, but he felt good doing it. Nice to put his hands in the dirt and do some grunt work.
"How about helping a bit? Those heads of lettuce aren't going to clean themselves."
Rocky liked this spot. The land stood high above the cliffside, above the city harbor that it looked down upon. Hardly anyone climbed this high, and no one cared that much. The city had certain trails, but they didn't lead to the top of the cliff for several miles, and by that time one got lost in thickets and surrounding forests that it becomes pointless.
A little bit of magic remedied that, and he got to stand day and night over this lovely piece of beauty. The city didn't bother him, and he didn't bother the city.
The few ruffions that did decide to bother him, met Sabaka. Everything in its place, and everyone in their kingdom.
He considered this his own kingdom. His little piece of land. Technically Darnak controlled it, he controlled everything, but Rocky never let that bother him. Just a little cottage out of the way, and a small garden to keep them stocked with food; the forests provided the rest.
Besides the fact that Sabaka hardly ever talkd, he was happy.
The storm threatened to overtake them in a couple of hours. Since he just finished the last of the pesky weeds, he brushed himself off and got to his feet.
"Come, I think we should turn in early. I don't like the looks of things out there."
Sabaka only grunted. He moved back into the house, his tall frame having to duck to occupy the door. Rocky followed.

 

[hybirdx]

Max looked at the sky right out in the oceans path on a tree barnch up high, to him, the sea was a perfect place to be, no rules, no leaders, just him an water "Its only a dream Max... Only a dream..."

"Max! Max come down here!"

Max groaned as he jumped down the branch. "Comming."

He walked slowly behind the girl who called him, back to the underground city.

 

[Darkthought]

Mordue

With a quick glance towards Saretha, Mordue settled in just a few paces behind Grimble. The ship was moored to the slip, and held fast in place. The harbour was impressive... able to handle massive cargo ships and passenger vessels, while maintaining an ordered flow through the port area.
He gazed to the bow of his ship as he prepared to walk down the ramp to shore. It had been months since he'd left it's deck. Even during the brief stay over to resupply, he'd stayed aboard to plot the next part of the journey.

I'll be back before the night is through.

As he walked down the ramp he noticed the name and crest at the port bow were worn, part of the wording faded.

I'll have to remember to get that fixed.... that's not suitable for The Raven

He looked over the massive carved-wood prow off the bow... It's feathered head had been worked in perfect detail, flowing out from the front of the ship like an extension of her being, not an addition.
He was about to crack a smile, but the rumblings behind him caught his attention. He swung around and gazed upon the darkening sky drawing close in the horizon. Flashes of light were evident throughout the dark mass, all too close together. It was obvious they were in for a good storm.
Just when he was about to pull his eyes from the storm, another flash of light gave out, and in it he caught the outlines of another ship approaching the harbour.

More company... I hope they make it before that storm.

Grimble turned and barked out orders to the ship to anchor and batten down for the storm. He noticed him rubbing his ribs slightly, and a small chuckle escaped him. Saretha must have given him the "gentle" hint.
With that, they all headed for the port authority to "register the paperwork" for the stay... or just bribe the hell out of the harbourmaster like usual. The short walk over reminded Mordue what solid ground was like... unfit stuff that never gave sway.

He'd get his land legs back soon enough.

 

[Firesprite]

Sigrath looked down at the Orc sent to summon him. With a casual backhand he sent the Orc sprawling. Grabbing his cloak, Sigrath headed toward the high council chambers, deep in the tower.

 

[Firesprite]

Saretha, nodded in satisfaction as Grimble responded to her elbow in his ribs. With one hand she held down her blowing skirt, the wind of the impending storm was picking up quickly. Glancing around her in pretense of taking in the scenery, she saw Mordue head toward the harbourmasters. Kicking Grimble in the shin she nodded in the correct direction. Grimble took his place a step ahead of Mordue, leaving Saretha to walk beside her lover.

 

[Lady_Siren]

Serena's ship anchored just a little off shore. She looked at the enroaching storm clouds with a frown on her face. She knew her crew would be fine but she still worried. She looked to her first mate "I want you to stay with the ship and make sure she makes it through the storm ok. I'm going ashore to see if I can find out a little about Darnak and see what the locals think of him." Her first mate shook his head "You can't go out there alone!" protective as always he worried about her well being. "You know I can take care of myself, if it will make you feel better I'll take Alex with me." He hesitated then finally nodded. Alex was one of the burlier sailors and just as over protective as her first mate. She summoned him quickly getting the life boat ready to take her to shore. When they finally were in the boat and lowered to the water she began to feel nervous. She had dreamed about this revenge all her life. Now that she was setting it into motion she felt a strange fear creep up her spine and fille her being. Ignoring it she helped row the two of them to shore and to her future.

 

[Darkthought]

Darnak

He watched as Sigrath quietly entered the room. He was the first to arrive. Always the first.

"Sit Sigrath, the others are not here yet. Some are far, it could be some time before all have arrived"

He looked for some reaction, but as usual, got none.

"I'll need the others before we start, but do you bring news, or just seek news?"

He looked across at the dark figure. He knew the answer before he asked. Sigrath always had information... whether it was useful or not. What it would be this time he didn't know, but he preferred to hear before the others arrived.

 

[poohlive]

Rocky sat in his favorite chair, leaning forwards as Sabaka began making a fire. In no time the place heated up, and Rocky could already the long day of gardening began to lift from his shoulders.
He sighed, able to relax a little bit.
Sabaka took this time to stare at the door and clean his sword. Rocky had given up on him a long time ago. The man looked like a war was going to break out at any moment. Rocky hoped being up here would relax him, but in all honesty, he became more nervous than ever.
Everything made him jump. His sword gleamed now, it hurt to look at it in the sunlight. He just kept polishing it over and over again.
"You want some soup?"
The man only grunted, which Rocky had learned a long time ago meant, 'why, yes dear boy, I've love a cup of soup, but my superior manliness can not prevent me from spilling in any way that I depend on others, so just make enough for two, and I'll eat mine as soon as you fall asleep.'
"Right."
Rocky began making a bit of soup. Just a few vegetables, nothing more. They had some salted meat, very delicious elk if he wasn't mistaken. He threw a few cubed pieces in there as well. Before too long a wonderful aroma began moving through the house.
Rocky's stomach agreed this would indeed be good.
Outside, somewhere, thunder could be heard.

 

[hybirdx]

"Max sir!"

"Yes Sumuu? Are yu the one who called me here?"

"Yes I am."

"How come?"

"I had heard there are new arivals at the port,"

Max's face darkened, he knew thre was a risk for new arivals, for the surviving revolters, and the newbies

"Are they with Darnak?"

"We are not sure, but we doubt it, we did not see any of them yet."

"I'll go take a look, and I will go alone, I don't want any of getting caught in the storm go it?"

"Yes sir!" Max quickly put on his cloak, and grabed his sword. the left not telling any body else

 

[Darkthought]

Mordue

The harbourmaster was like the others he had met. Simple and eager, with a nose for gold. A few coins, and no questions. It was how everything should run. The only difference with this one was his lack of information. No matter the coins on the table, or the muscle in his face, he didn't seem to have anything of value to say about the land or the people. The only thing he would repeat was "stay out of the shadow". Nothing to profound... every land he'd been in had its own "shadow", but strange that he wouldn't elaborate. He'd have to do things the old fashioned way... head to the bar. His men knew the drill well... drink and have fun, watch for anyone interesting, ask the right questions, and, most important of all, try to stay out of any real trouble for the first night. No sense causing to much of a stir... it seems they already had just by pulling in to port.
This place was... unusual. It intrigued him, but something about it made him keenly sensitive... like all the hairs on his neck were about to stand up, but not quite yet. He had his eyes open, and his rapier unstrapped. It could be a long night after all....

 

[hybirdx]

Max sat at an bar, silently watching his targets talk to the harbor master, and knowing his luck, they would comehere for a nights rest. "Any thing else Max?"

Max looked up to the kind waitress, and gave an small smile "No thank you Silvia!"

 

[bobo_daclown]

Dansk Layor:

Sitting in a comfortable tree, Dansk daydreams about the odd stories his father told him years ago: before his accident. Dansk smells the air and realizes that a storm is coming. He pulls on his tunic and pulls back his long dark hair. He walks the few miles into the town and as he breaks the treeline, he notices the dark clouds hovering over two large ships and a small craft in the ocean. Avoiding the nasty trails down the cliffside, Dansk climbs down the rockface to the town. Just outside of the village proper, he bathes his face and hands with well water and strolls into town.

In this sort of town, certain things are trivial. For instance, even though Dansk is only eighteen, he could own a weapon, drink mead, and be put to death. And on a dreary land mass such as this, nothing is better for stormy weather then having a dagger by your waist, getting some mead from the bar, and avoiding the other possibility.

Dansk walks to the only pub in town and promptly takes a seat at the bar. Without a word, the barkeep brings over a stein of mead and returns to the other customers.

 

[Firesprite]

sorry about the delay


"I'll need the others before we start, but do you bring news, or just seek news?" Darnak said, his voice like oiled silk.

Sigrath bowed low, one fist on the ground, his eyes on the flagstone floor.
"Lord," he said "I found treachery in a woman, a woman with contacts. I have been watching her for some time. She has been speaking with merchants from the south. I believe with further investigation I will be able track down this worm of rot."

His eyes darted off the floor to Darnak to see how this news was received before dropping back to the floor.