The Armageddon Gospels

[Guest]

A small Hasper comes running noisily into the registration room, causing several registrants to lose their place on their forms. To others, it is a welcome break from the monotony of filing out paperwork when they'd really rather be working on their backstabbing, parrying, and sword-swinging skills.

"Areor!," the small Hasper whisper-yells to the registrar.

"What is it Master Limwick?" The registrar is an aged human and he carries about him a majestic dignity and an almost gradfatherly air of patience and kindness.

Instead of speaking aloud to the room, as Areor would clearly have preferred, Limwick huddles close to the older (and taller) man and whispers noisily in his ear. The words are unintelligible from where the students are sitting, but from the look on Areor's face, they are also clearly too loud from where he is.

Then Areor's face goes chalky-white. His rosy nose and cheeks take on a deathly pallor as the rude little Hasper's words find their mark. While Limwick rushes out of the room, perhaps to unburden more bad news elsewhere in the Academy, Areor stands up and addresses his new students.

"You can complete your registration forms in the training hall. Now, all of you, follow me. We have very little time.

 

[Guest]

Maiana

Ahhh, finally.

Maiana had been watching the menagrie of heroes and wannabe heroes parade through all day. Some looked impressive, others seemed to be way out of their league.

She chuckled. It was usually the ones who didn't seem like much that were destined to be heroes. Once upon a time she didn't seem like much. She could remember Relmin and Cavrat taking bets on how long before she ended up going home either with her bags packed or packed into one herself.

Relmin died a savior to the world of Sardun and no one would ever know of his sacrifice. Cavrat's death was much less romantic and without the merciful swiftness of a heroes death. Both of them taught her as much in their dying as in any heroic deed she saw them perform.

It could be anyone...any time.

Following the old schoolmaster into the training hall and surveying her classmates, many of whom she would probably watch die, she found herself doing what Relmin and Cavrat did to her so many years ago.

She wondered who would be the first one to go.

 

[muskokan]

Corona watched another of her race scurry in and then back out of the room before the announcement that the gathering would head into another hall.

She followed the master into the training hall, wondering what awaited her here and what the rush might be.

 

[Morgoth]

Orres Esseliam stood, cracking his neck twice in quick succession, stretched, and followed Master Limwick into the adjacent room. As he walked, slowly, relaxed, he took in the other heroes-in-training. Some looked as if they'd barely last a day. Others as if they could take on an entire army of darkness. He payed attention to his instincts, nowadays. You couldn't afford not to if you lived in one of the border towns, anymore. Especially if you were that town's law. He sized them up; all of them, gauging strengths and weaknesses and always figuring which would be the first to fall. As his eyes fell on the gargantuan Geliam, the first thought was Definitely not him. When his eyes roved over the Hasper, it changed to One of the first.

 

[DarkThoughts01]

Shen stood slowly,sighing and picking up his tiny piece of paper,holding it carefully in two fingers as he deftly flicked his wrist,the spiked chain in his hand coiling up his arm like a snake.
He surveyed the others quietly,moving a bit more then the others so as not to bump or get in the way.He looked each person over Very Carefully,knowing that a shorter person doesnt necissarily mean a disadvantacge,especially at their juuuuust shorter then eyelevel with his waist.He bent almost all the way over and slipped under the door,giving a small sound of annoyance as he squirmed a bit to get through easier.

 

[poohlive]

Gorret followed the others, out of mere curiousity more than anything else. His hand, clawlike and deadly in its own right, grasped the hilt of one of his swords by his side, twinkling with ferocious sharpness in the noonday sun.
He was alone, as he had always been.
Gorret walked, his pace quick and demure. He slipped through the crowd as if he were nothing more than a shadow. It wasn't until one of them bumped into him that he hissed, dirty and growling in the back of his throat.
Gorret felt venom stirring at the back of his throat, popping and sizzling, begging him to teach the stupid human a lesson. Have his hand deformed for the rest of his life, that would teach him to watch where he was going.
He didn't though, merely grinned, his bloody razor teeth promising him more than enough pain if he crossed Gorret again. The human disappeared into the mass, and the Melith went on his way inside.
Something of importance awaited him there.

 

[Guest]

Areor

Looking out over the assembled mass of humans, Cyrilli, Hasper (one mammoth Galiam) and half-breeds that was trickling into the training hall, Areor wondered what many of them had been wondering as they surveyed each other. He could see that most, if not all of them posessed some experience beyond that of a raw recruit, hungry for gold and glory but all experience is not good experience.

They entered the training hall silently, content to keep to themselves. Areor saw Haspers, generally jovial and friendly by nature, ignoring their own brethren. He saw Cyrilli, bound by blood bonds stronger than anything he as a human would understand, sulking in the corners and keeping to the shadows.

Many had the mercenary eyes of theives and their gaze fell upon everying golden in the room, and little else. Others had the look of bullies, keeping a hand on their weapon and an eye on the other weapons in the room, looking for the first opprotunity to use it.

Perfect, most of them either intended to rob each other or murder each other as soon as they were out of the Academy. Those that weren't inclined to do either appeared to be content to leave the others at the first opprotunity.

This isn't the group he would have chosen to do this, but it was the only group he had. It might be months before a new batch appeared and even then, were his chances much better? The last group he'd sent out into the world quickly became one of the most feared group of muderers in Sardun. His original hope had been to send this group out after that one but looking at them, he wondered if he'd just be throwing fuel on the fire.

It didn't matter, this scraggly band had another job to do.

Now that all, or most of the class was assembled, Areor finally spoke to them in his booming Magi voice, the one he reserved for spells that were of particular fearsomeness.

"I have good news class. This season's study will be cut short. In fact, shortly after I finish speaking here, you will be on your first comissioned quest. It seems that most of you have at least a rudimentary knowledge of adventuring as you've brought your own supplies and weapons so I don't feel too heartbroken sending you out without having received the full measure of my attention."

This was greeted with silence. Some of the looks of contempt had vanished and were replaced with a silent respect. However, that may have been due more to the timbre of his voice than the weight of his words.

"The Gospel of Marah, long housed in the church of Marah here in Meridia, has been stolen."

This was greeted with a few gasps.

"The gospels of Marah actually consist of three books. All but one has been stolen while being transported to the Holy city of Maranor. The Archdiosece of Marah felt it wiser to hide the gospels rather than leave them were they'd been lying for centuries. Well, now two are gone."

This was greeted with a stunned silence.

"The thieves have about eight hours head start. The gospels were stolen last night. We assume that they are headed for the Naja desert as that is the only place in Meridia where they would be reasonably safe. The Naja nomads have fearsome warriors amongst them, but the days when they could repel an entire army are well behind them."

"We need you to recover the gospels of Marah. The theives will be taking the most direct route to the Naja which means braving the cold of the White Forest. Pack something warm to wear, and try to come back alive."

 

[OregonGal]

Bryntii

meticulously, she re-wrapped the book she was reading after marking her place, she placed it back in her pack before hefting it over her right shoulder. Not really looking around she followed the crowd to the training hall and moved to approximately the center of the room they all occupied and stood silently listening to the staff member that was speaking to the group.

She looks around at her classmates cum companions before speaking to the group as a whole.

"Do we need to wait for anyone to get the proper gear or are we ready to delve into the forest?"

Her eyes roam the room, not really expecting any answers, just hoping for someone else to head for the door first as she has never been one to lead, but not wanting to waste time while the others wait for someone else to make the first move.

 

[muskokan]

Corona

Impressed by the magi, listens carefully to the tale.

She had hoped for a little official training but she did have some well learned private lessons under her belt. Without thinking her hand slid to a small scar on her midsection *well learned indeed* she thought.

*straight into the forest* she thought taking a mental inventory of her belongings.

" I have enough" She pipped up to the call of the cyrilli hoping that others would follow suit and that they could be on their way. If there was to be no training there was no use in wasting time.

 

[Adrenaline]

Deisa's eyes, already uncommonly large, widened progressively throughout the school master's speech. Good news? Good news? How could the shortening of the semester be good news? She enjoyed study and had been eagerly looking forward to improving her skills. She had reached some level of competency, and was well on her way to controlling her inherent abilities but...to go on a quest now?

She's jolted out of her panic by the words of the cyrilli, reminding her of the far more dire news that had just been relayed to them. The Gospels of Marah had been stolen. She had known that trouble had been imminent, hence her decision to leave her own personal troubles behind to put her mind to a greater cause. If they were to have any chance of catching the thieves they would need to leave immediately and she was relieved that she had replenished her supplies as she had entered the city.

Deisa takes a deep breath and walks nearer to the side of the Hasper who had just spoken, fixing a resolute expression on her face, hoping that this was enough to express her readiness. She did not trust her voice to convey her steadiness just yet.

 

[chewbacca71]

Revlin

Revlin tilted his head to the side as he regarded the Hasper that had just hurried into the room. This Hasper did not look familiar at all, but years of travel kind of fogged his mind to details. If he had been someone that he had met before, he at least would have had the courtesy to stop and chat, not just run back out of the room. Revlin thought to himself * This is just starting to get interesting* . Pulling himself up with his hoopak, Revlin courteously waits for the others to go first, eying a few of the other students to see if anyone has a moneypouch that looks full. Sighing in boredom, Revlin brings up the rear of the group.

Being a Hasper has its advantages but height is not one of them. No matter where Revlin stands, the overlooming trees of taller beings around him make it impossible to see what is going on. His sharp ears bring back the message that the ancient human is babbling about, but he would prefer to be able to see for himself. Relvin sees a Galiam off to the side and thinks to himself *That is just what I need* . Revlin walks over to the Galiam , reaches up and taps him on the knee. "Excuse me, Sir Galiam, but would you lift me up so I can see better. While these assembled heroes mostly have magnificant backsides, that is not what I came here to see. " Revlin waits to see if the Galiam had heard him.

 

[poohlive]

Gorret wanted to start off at a run towards the door. His first instinct was to just bolt it, and make sure everyone could see him gaining the first lead. A fearless group in this insolence of cowards.
They just stood there, waiting for someone to lead.
He sighed, wishing he weren't as smart as he was, otherwise he would have run off, tried to become the leader of this band.
As it was though, he knelt down next to the Hasper that spoke earlier. She was of his kind, at least partially, he could see that in her movements. Slow, and deliberate. A hasper, but still, one he could at least dismiss as somewhat useful.
"You are a lightfinger," Again, his mind was doubtful, as he remembered she was only half. Half nightblade, half lightfinger, half a human. However, she was probably the most talented among them... for the moment.
"I need your help. At the church of Marah, where these items were stolen, the theives might have left some clues. Not something I could see, mind you, or any normal human. Something only a fellow thief could see."
He bent down, his long scaly snout emerging from the cloak, and red piercing eyes, which he tried not to be too menacing, shown like the blood moon itself. It was his gift, and curse.
"Would you help me, see if you can spot anything that might be of help to us?"

 

[Master Nerd]

As the old magi finished speaking, Tokudo took a look around the room. Several people were talking amongst themselves about what had been said. Privately, he was glad that such an opportunity to test his skills had risen. After all, he could never know how skilled he was without pushing himself to the limits.

He waited for somebody to say or do something, but several munutes passed and nobody so much as moved towards the door. Running after the thieves would probably mean death, especially alone.

He approached the magi. "Excuse me, but might we investigate the crime scene for clues?"

 

[DarkThoughts01]

Shen listened carefully and silently.He shouldered the heavy chain across his arm and shoulder and stood like a mountain around the others,waiting and listening patiently.some might take him for slow,or dumb as h just...sat there.in fact,he was listening to almost every conversation in teh roomand finding more information out before he proceeded.

 

[muskokan]

Corona watched carefully as the reptillian like form bent to speak to her. *very respectful* as she listened. Although she knew that it was rarely deliberate many of the taller races tended to look down upon her, and other hasper, without thinking of the level of respect that came with level eye contact.

She felt a kinship to this person. Though they may be of different races it was there.. there was just something about them.

"If it will get these others in motion I would be more than cheerful the scene" Just then she heard someone also speak the same sentiments.

"Shall we?" She asked anyone who cared to hear.

 

[Adrenaline]

Deisa hears the Melith ask the Hasper for help and is thinking of a way to include herself when a human approaches her. She smiles in relief that someone had. She also senses a power in the human although not one entirely like her own. The Hasper beside her had heard him as well and voiced her assent.

"Of course, we should go. It is a logical course of action and we should move without delay as the distance between us and the thieves increases the longer we linger." She raises her voice in the hopes that others will hear and go with them to the church.

She smiles at the human, the Hasper and though it wobbles when she glances at the Melith, it held as she made a move to the door hoping fervently that she was not alone.

 

[Morgoth]

Orres snorted loudly, derisively. "Are you all just going to stand around here? Or maybe you'd like to investigate? Or maybe, you could pull your heads out of your asses and realize that we don't have the time for either. Come with me or stay here or look for clues. Do what you want. But I know that the thieves have stolen the Gospel of Marah! Perhaps the most important book in the world. And we're standing here, gaping at one another!" At this, he snorted again, turned, and walked through the door, not even looking back to see if they'd heard him.

 

[Adrenaline]

Deisa turns around sharply as an angry voice fills the room. She quickly moves aside as the warrior stalked from the room, shrugged her shoulders at the rest and followed behind him. She knew that the theft of the books marked the start of dangerous times but the thrill of what lay before her gave her new energy.

 

[poohlive]

Gorret moved, walking alongside the short one, eyeing the rest of the group. They seemed either restless or indecisive. Two qualities that would get the most of them killed. He held the door open for what looked like the small group that would follow in his guide to the church.
Well, not to the church exactly. The report was that the books had been stolen in transport from the church. So, there was probably a caravan of some sort, either abandoned, or fled. He hoped whatever evidence was left wasn't mishandled too much, especially for that of a small lightfinger to find.
He didn't feel to be any sort of leader, but this was his plan, and his responsibility, more or less. He would guard the hasper with his own life, if that came to it. Little stood between them and the church, no doubt, but she had plenty of skills, and there might just be a clue at the church that could point out something... from their race, to a weakness.
As he held the door open, his eyes met the Vasher. At least, partial Vasher. Her eyes were more almond than round. He picked up at least half human. Another halfbreed. They seemed to be commonly linked here. He didn't take it as an offence though. Halfling usually got the best of both species. He nodded, holding the door open to her. She seemed as concerned about the theft and the Hasper as he did.
"Gorret," His thick voice gravelled out. He didn't raise a clawlike hand to her own, but understood their greeting just the same.
"Your people live near the desert, if I'm not mistaken. Would you know any information about the nomads, or the desert itself? Seems like if that is our destination, we should be made aware."
People were heading off in two directions now, the ones who left the meeting hall. One, following the hot headed human, went dead North, to the NAjir desert no doubt. The other seemed to wait by his own side, with the Vashman, to follow their own clues.
Still, others held inside, either unsure, or possibly getting supplies. He could understand that, although as a Nightblade a man who wasn't prepared was dead in the water.
"The church should know where the caravan was hit..."

 

[muskokan]

Corona

Corona watches as the obviously impatient human male storms out of the gathering and a couple others follow. She is sure to stay out of anyones path.

She hears Gorret introduce himself.

*I think I like this one.. we seem alike.. if only in our forms of thinking. No use running off if we've only got a direction to go. Truly strength of muscle and strength of mind do not collide in one body* She thought.

She made her way along as Gorret did and heard his thoughts on the church.

being sure to be heard she raised her voice slightly
"Surely any trail the caravan and thieves left will lead us in the correct direction whether we look for clues or run off as the others. And I am Corona, my pleasure Mr. Gorret"

 

[Adrenaline]

Slightly nervous in talking with the Melith she nonetheless acknowledges his greeting and that of the Hasper.

"Deisa, Mr. Gorret, Corona. Indeed both of my people are near the desert and while the nomads keep watch as best they can, their numbers have depleted over recent years, as has been said." Deisa paused before continuing, "They are friendly to strangers although my presence may cause them to be more wary than warranted." She gestures to her claws and smiles weakly. "However we must get to the caravan to search for clues immediately. If they are indeed heading out to the desert the trail will become much harder to track. We will not only be facing the difficulties of the desert environments but of the surrounding settlements. The Vashar are there as well as the nomads, and they do not take kindly to humans passing through their lands...to say the least. Again another sticking point" She blinked as they emerged outside, adjusting to the sunlight. "If we are to ask for any aid from either faction, I would not put myself out as a spokesperson. The nomads only tolerated me."

She looked up to the sky and judged the sun's position. "It will be hellishly hot as well, with not much shelter to find the further we go. I hope that we are all equipped with enough water for the journey ahead."

 

[muskokan]

"Let us begin then, No time to waste, we must make haste. Please forgive my ignorance, which way shall we go?"

The rhyme slipped out of Corona's mouth inadvertantly, and she hoped that the others wouldn't pay it much heed. She was already forming the bard songs that would be sang of her when she returned the books to their proper place..

the true size of this quest was not fully upon her, though rarely did the full weight of any plight come into her mind.

 

[chewbacca71]

Revlin

Having not received an answer from the Galiam, Revlin decided just to listen carefully to what was said. He noticed that a few of the adventurers were getting agitated and were looking for immediate action. Revlin decided that it was best to at least do something, so he decided to study some of the gold gilding on the the fancy mouldings around the room corner.

His knife did not seem to be up to the task of stripping off the pieces of gold, so Revlin decided to look for other amusement. He noticed that one warrior had actually started an exodus out of the room. Whistling happily to actually have something interesting to do, Revlin followed the others who were leaving the room.

 

[poohlive]

Gorret smiled, looking at them both. With a nod, he made his way to the town. The town itself wasn't that much worth. It seemed as if the local college was most of its income. Just a few buildings. A blacksmith, general store, and the like. The smell of fresh bread caught his nose, and little children running along the streets made him think of home in the underground cities.
No matter what species, children were children.
At the far north of town, amidst some less than adequate apartment buildings, was their destination, a church of Marah. Here, he paid his respects, as much as possible, and moved up the stairs toward the large oak double doors.
Inside, the stained glass gave off an eerie incandescent feeling. Like going from day to night in just a few minutes. He held the door open for everyone willing to follow.
"Does anyone know Marah's ways? What we are supposed to do, or who we're supposed to talk to?"

 

[Morgoth]

Orres turned to the people who had followed him. "I'm glad to see somebody heeded my call. If we're going to find the thieves, however, we have to think this through. I assume that the caravan took the shortest route through the desert, so if anyone would be able to produce a map it would be helpful. As for their course of action, I would once again guess that they are simply running North. Therefore, due to their head-start, we'll all need to be running in order to catch up to them. Though there will be breaks, they'll be few and far between. Just to warn you now. Now, does anyone have a map? Yes? May I see it?" he asked as a shy human produced one. Orres unrolled it on the ground. "Gather around. We're here", he said, pointing to a dot on the map. "And the desert is here", he stated, his finger circling a broad area. "If the caravan was headed from here", he said, pointing to another city, "then the caravan should be somewhere along this line." Alright. Since the line happens to be slightly larger in the real world, we'll form four person groups. Try to mix as many skills and advantages as possible per group, of course. We'll leave as soon as we're sure no one else is coming with us."