"The Myths of Magic & Monsters" (closed)

[Alice2015]

"The Myths of Magic & Monsters"​

Generations of Man have been raised on the myths of magic and monsters, as well as the mayhem and madness that often play a part in these tales. Man has neither seen nor experienced these things, of course. Mayhem and madness are sometimes a part of the daily dealings of Man, but magic and monsters do not exist...

...at least, not in the Land of Man.

But what if there is a place beyond the Land of Man...

##################​

Day 1...

The door of the Dead Boar Inn bursts open. A young woman rushes in, her face filled with panic. She is young, beautiful, and dressed in expensive, rare silks and wears a gold colored head band...

...or is it a crown?

And wait, her ears. They're pointy!

https://i.imgur.com/E8iAkCa.jpg?3

She searches the tavern floor, studying the faces staring at her. Her gaze sets upon you, three friends sitting at a corner table. You are:

...A soldier on the run after deserting from the King's Army. You have a price on your head.

...A street urchin who feeds himself through thievery. You have a price on your head, too.

...And a Scribe who fled the service of an abusive master, stealing the man's prized possession, a leather bound book that ironically has no words or images on its pages. Oh, and yes, you have a price on your head, too!

The pointy eared girl rushes your way, begging, "Help me Obi Wan..."

Wait, wrong story!

She begs, "Save me, my valiant heroes! They are going to kill me!"

Referring to the three of you as valiant heroes is strange, of course, as all three of you are running scared, fearful for your lives, avoiding the gallows or at the least a dark, dank cell for the rest of your lives, which will surely be short and miserable.

The doors of the tavern burst open once again, and four big, burly men with weapons surge in. One hollers, "Get her! Kill her before she uses it!"

The pointy eared girl looks to the three of you again. She sees a mix of confusion, hesitance, and outright fear in your eyes and body language. She flashes her hands out over the table, and despite having had nothing in them, you see a golden cloud of mist-like powder fill the air before you. It covers you entirely, and you breath it in as well.

A moment later … wow, do you feel good or what?

...The Soldier feels strong and courageous, like he could take on an entire enemy army by himself.

...The Thief feels very much the same, with the sense that he is incredibly quick and agile.

...And the Scribe has a sudden realization: the book you stole is a Tome of Magic, and somehow you understand one spell from it!

The four men will be upon you in 10 seconds!

What do you do?

CLOSED. Thanks.

 

[ManInTheLoft]

Karn: a 22 year old deserter. My unit was sent on a suicide mission. I fled; the others were all slaughtered. I was declared a traitorous coward and have been hunted for months.

As my eyes and lungs clear off the strange substance that exploded from the beauty's hands, I feel more courageous and strong than I ever have before.

I flip the table at which we are sitting and rip off one of its solid legs, wielding it like a club. I pull out the only real weapon I still possess, a dagger with an 8 inch blade. I let out a loud roar that is so uncharacteristically frightening it actually scares me a bit.

I am ready to attack and kill all these men myself if necessary, to prove I am not a coward and, if possible, to protect and impress this beautiful young lady. Maybe I'll get laid...? It's been a long time.

..........................................​

Antorio: an 18 year old orphan who has spent more than half of my life on the streets, begging and stealing to stay alive. I would normally flee without hesitation in a situation like this; I'm no hero, never was.

But that cloud of whatever it was affects me, and I find myself emboldened. Being a thief and constantly on the prowl for a mark, I have already taken notice of a nearby tavern patron with both a purse of coin and a dagger on his belt.

I rise and feign fleeing from the approaching men. I collide with the patron, easily snatching both items from his belt without detection. If it appears I, my mates, or the girl are in danger, I will throw the dagger at the chest of the most threatening man, then immediately search for more weapons to use or simply attack with my hands.

I have always been able to defend myself with my hands (though normally I would flee if the chance arose), and now I feel very confident and able. I might even surprise myself, as did Karn when he bellowed at the attacking men.

..........................................

Wicker: the now 19 year old, 4th son of a poor craftsman who had been given away at age 6 to a merchant who beat or ridiculed me on a daily basis. I was secretly taught to read and write by my master's daughter, Domma, with whom I became lovers at an early age.

Domma hoped that one day the two of us would flee our home together and that, as a Scribe, I would find skilled and well paying work to support us and our future children.

After my master learned that I was bedding his daughter -- which I would discover he had been, too -- he beat the both of us more severely than he ever had before. Domma was accidentally killed, and I fled, barely able to walk.

I returned to my master's home weeks later and stole his prized possession, a leather bound book that he had kept hidden in a locked trunk. Over the years of my service, he had occasionally taken it out, opened it, and talked over it in a strange tongue I did not recognize. I never understood the book's significance or value; I only took it because it was special to my master, and he had taken something special from me.

When the pointy eared girl did to us whatever it was she did, my mind was suddenly filled with the realization that the book was a Tome of Magic. And I suddenly realized that as its current possessor, I had the ability to protect it and myself ... with magic!

I grabbed it up in one hand and held it to my chest, as I held my other hand out toward the attacking men with a halt gesture. For reasons I cannot explain, I call out my dead lover's name, as if it is supposed to initiate what is to happen: "DOMMA!"

I don't know what's going to happen, but I am confident something beneficial to me and the others will occur.

 

[Alice2015]

The attacking men hesitant only momentarily as Karn flips the table before him. They continue forward, now drawing weapons if they hadn't already had them out. Between the four men they brandish 2 short swords, a 10 inch long dagger, and a small ax.

The growling bellow from Karn startles the men once more, but it doesn't stop them. They all turn their attention from the girl they pursue to the 3 men at the table. Well, okay, the one man at the table. Antorio appears to be fleeing, and Wicker doesn't appear to be a threat at--

But suddenly, an unseen force pounds against all 4 men, as if they were suddenly struck by the winds of a great storm. It only lasts a second, but its enough to make them all pause in confusion.

That's when Antorio's knife sinks into the chest of the lead man and Karn charges forth, whipping his club and slicing forth his knife. One man goes down, then another and another. The fourth backs away, turns, and flees for and out the door.

With the exception of the crying sobs of one injured man, the tavern goes silent with the other patrons in shock.

After a moment, the girl with the pointy ears thanks you profusely. Then she tells you, "We must go, quickly, before others come."

 

[ManInTheLoft]

Karn: I stand over the dead and dying, my club and dagger dripping with blood. I'm shocked at what I've done; I've only been in battle once, but I stayed back of the fighting line and can't honestly say I even swung or stabbed my weapon. And now I have killed two men in the most horrific ways. And ... it feels so good! I'm not a coward! I'm a powerful, brutal warrior! I ... I am Karn the Killer!

Antorio: In contrast to my larger and scarier friend, I am very aware and in tune with the situation. I leap forth, snatches up another dagger and chase the fourth man as he flees out of the tavern. I stop at the door and holler, "And don't come back."

Yeah, it sounds a bit silly when I say it, but as Karn soon will be, I am feeling good! I'm no longer afraid of bigger men, of armed men. I feel as though I could have killed that last man with only my bare hands. The scared little street urchin exists no more.

I turn back toward the others, smile large, and whoop with excitement. I look around at the tavern's patrons and call out, "Who the fuck's next?"

Wicker: I'm initially somewhere between the other two in my reaction. I look to the hand I'd stretched out as if I only just realized it was attached to my body.

Magic! Magic sprang forth from my hand, from me! I look to the book in my hands, then opens its front cover. Right there on the first page where previously there had been nothing whatsoever, there are now words in a strange, foreign language I've never before seen.

And yet, I can read them! How is this possible?

I read and learn that it is a spell, a defensive spell, named The Unseen Wall. I realize that it is the spell I just casted against those men. It stopped them for an instant, just long enough for Karn to whoop ass on two of them while Antorio took down another by sinking a dagger into his rib cage and heart.

I read the text and learn more about the spell. It says that I can use it to a stronger effect as well as more often if only I meditate in a peaceful place, concentrating and imagining how I would use the spell to my benefit.

When I reach the last of the text, I am shocked to see more words fade into view. I can't read these words, despite their being in the same language. I turn the page to find it, too, filled with the strange language. The next page, too, then another and another. I flip through all of the pages, finding them all now filled with the text. And as with the note at the bottom of the first page, can't read any of it. I smile, though; I know somehow that if I meditate and concentrate, one day soon all of these words, all of these spells, will be mine to use.

The girl tells us you, "We must go, quickly, before others come."

Karn: "Whoa, wait, hold on. I want to know what just happened to me." I look to my weapons, to the blood dripping off of them. "What did you do to me?"

Antorio: "To us! To all of us! Did you see what Wicker did? I don't know how he did it, but he--

Wicker: "We must go!" The others look to me. "They're coming, more of them, like she said. I can feel it." The others question me about how I can feel something like that, but I simply stress to them, "We have to go or we're all going to be caught and killed." I look to the girl, then to them. "She's special! Can't you see that? And if we don't get her out of here right now, we're going to--"

But I don't get to finish what I'm saying. The other two are suddenly snatching up weapons from the dead -- Antorio also looks for coin purses and other valuables -- and Karn leads us out of the tavern.

Outside I look to the girl and ask her, "Where are we going? I have a feeling you are the one with the plan."

 

[Alice2015]

Girl (whose identity hasn't yet been made known): Outside, I tell them, "We must get to the cave behind the fall in the Black Woods. I must get back to my Realm and save my Lands from the dangers which it faces. You must come with me, for I have no heroes as valiant as you, nor as skilled in your abilities."

I can see a questioning look in the faces of each of you. I explain, "I used magic to bring out the true heroes hidden within you. That magic will subside here in the Land of Man. You will return to who and what you were. But in my Realm, in the lands of magic, you will continue to be strong and brave and quick and wise. You will become the men you always wanted to be, and no one will be able to take that from you, as so much has been taken from each of you in the past."

I start away from the three of you, up the road into the dark, begging, "Please! We must go, now!"

Possessions:

Karn: Level 1 Warrior (Potential Archer)

• Short sword.
• Daggers, 2.
• Coin: 8 coppers
• Other valuables: none of note

Antorio: Level 1 Thief (Potential Assassin)

• Daggers, 4.
• Coin: 1 gold, 2 silver, 26 coppers
• Other valuables:
  • Gold pendant (value: 2 gold)
  • Royal Seal token (value: unknown)

Wicker: Level 1 Wizard (Potential Seer)

• Dagger, 1.
• Coin: 4 coppers.
• Other valuables:
  • Tome of Magic. (For spells, see 1st post of this RP.)

Note regarding value of coins, products, and services:

• 1 gold = 10 silver = 100 copper
• 1 copper = US$10
• We aren't going to be really strict on this subject. This is supposed to be a fun adventure, not a lesson on economics.

 

[ManInTheLoft]

(I realize now that it is going to be hard to write 3 characters in 1st person. I am going to switch to 3rd person so that I can mix and match actions.)


"I used magic to bring out the true heroes hidden within you. That magic will subside here in the Land of Man."

The three of us listen to what the girl with the pointed ears has to say.

She hurries away, saying, "Please! We must go, now!"

We look at one another with expressions from confusion to excitement.

Karn says, "What's going on? What's happening? I need to more before I go running off with this woman. And what's with those ears?"

"She's not one of us," Wicker says. He is more intelligent, more educated, and more aware that the others; they each have their skills and experiences, and Wicker's lay more toward areas that allow him to understand that this woman is something … fantastic in nature. He clarifies, "She's not a human. She's something different, like an elf or sprite or something."

That causes the other two to laugh. But Whicker challenges them. "She used magic on us. You saw it. You felt it. And she's got pointy ears!"

They stare at each other a moment longer, but Wicket points out, "She's getting away … and they're coming."

He hears quickly approaching horses, and a moment later the other two hear them, too. They head off after the woman, but then Antorio calls out, "Look!"

Tied to a post are the three horses belonging to the dead men. "Let's take those," he says as he heads toward them.

The other two follow him and mount up, then head into the dark after the woman. Karn offers a hand to the woman as he says, "We have questions, but for now, let's just get out of here."

They will follow her lead so long as it seems safe.

(OOC: Did they find anything more on the horses? I added the horses below already.)

**********************​

Karn: Level 1 Warrior (Potential Archer)

• Short sword.
• Daggers, 2.
• Coin: 8 coppers
• Other valuables:
  • Horse with tack.

Antorio: Level 1 Thief (Potential Assassin)

• Daggers, 4.
• Coin: 1 gold, 2 silver, 26 coppers
• Other valuables:
  • Horse with tack.
  • Gold pendant (value: 2 gold)
  • Royal Seal token (value: unknown)

Wicker: Level 1 Wizard (Potential Seer)

• Dagger, 1.
• Coin: 4 coppers.
• Other valuables:
  • Horse with tack.
  • Tome of Magic. (For spells, see 1st post of this RP.)

Note regarding value of coins, products, and services:

• 1 gold = 10 silver = 100 copper
• 1 copper = US$10
• We aren't going to be really strict on this subject. This is supposed to be a fun adventure, not a lesson on economics.

 

[Alice2015]

(OOC: I totally understand about the 1st person present stuff. I think I will go third, too, since I will eventually have more than one PC or NPC. And past tense. It's just too hard to write present tense here and past in all my other role plays.)

Even from as far away as she was, the girl could hear the discussion taking place back in front of the tavern.

The men stole three horses and caught up to her on a wide cart trail that led into the woods. The big man offered a hand and said, "We have questions, but for now, let's just get out of here."

She took the offer and swept up to sit behind him. She wrapped both arms around his waist, grasping his belt just above his groin. Her hands were very close to his manhood, and she wondered with a smile whether or not that bothered him in the way that caused a male response, as such contact from a young, beautiful woman did sometimes.

"I have answers for you," she responded, "but they can wait until we are safely away from this place."

They rode off into the woods at a comfortable canter. The cart path divided in two, and after she directed them down the lesser used of the two they slowed to a trot. It divided again, this time into one cart path and one footpath. They took the latter but were forced to walk the horse while avoiding low hanging branches.

Soon enough, they were forced to dismount and walk the beasts of burden. Upon reaching a clearing in which the moon shone down upon them, she finally explained herself. "My name is Queen Annaleigh. Or, it would be if I'd been permitted to take my place on my throne in The Realm."

She looked to Karn. "As for my ears, the people in my homeland will likely look at you and ask 'What's with those ears?' just as you have about me."

To all three of them, she confirmed, "I am not one of you, and I am not a human like you. I am not an Elf. At least, we do not call ourselves that. But as your legends speak of such creatures, you may think of me as such. And yes, I used magic on you. Here, in your world, I have magical powers. In my Realm, though, I do not. Don't ask me why, for I simply don't know."

She looked to Wicker and told him with a pleased smile, "In my world, you will have the ability of becoming a great wizard."

Again to the other two she said they would each come to be far more than they could ever be here. "I can not explain how it happens, but moving from your own world to another enhances one's abilities. However, there is a cost as well. You cannot be present in my Realm unless you are in service to a person of status. You must be at the service of another, otherwise you will be considered an interloper and will be killed."

She gave them a moment to consider the pros and cons of going to this unfamiliar world, then pointed out something more they should consider. "Even in my service, you may very well be killed. While the crown belongs to me by law and by custom, I have been usurped. There are many who wish to see me on the throne. There are many more who wish to see me, or at the least my head, on a pike. I cannot guarantee your safety if you come with me. What I can guarantee you is that you will live a life of purpose, greatness, pride, comfort, and honor. You will get all you have ever wanted, all that you have ever dreamed, all that you have ever deserved."

She hesitated again, then added, "If you live, that is."

Annaleigh let them discuss their situation.

(OOC: I added some things they found on the horses. They would obviously pool the "sized" things or things that were applicable to them individually and divide them between themselves. If you can think of something I missed that you thought would have been found on the horses, just add it. If you question whether it's too much, PM me.)

**********************​

Queen Annaleigh: Elf

• Small dagger.
• No money.
• Other possessions of note:
  • Gold crown

Karn: Level 1 Warrior (Potential Archer)

• Short sword.
• Daggers, 2.
• Chain mail (upper torso only) and helmet. (Increases defense.)
• Coin: 8 coppers
• Other possessions of note:
  • Horse with tack and grain.
  • Bed roll and saddle bags.
  • 1 set of clothes.

Antorio: Level 1 Thief (Potential Assassin)

• Daggers, 4.
• Coin: 1 gold, 2 silver, 26 coppers
• Other possessions of note:
  • Horse with tack.
  • Bed roll and saddle bags.
  • 1 set of clothes.
  • Gold pendant (value: 2 gold)
  • Royal Seal token (value: unknown)

Wicker: Level 1 Wizard (Potential Seer)

• Dagger, 1.
• Horse with tack and grain.
• Bed roll and saddle bags.
• 1 sets of clothes.
• Coin: 4 coppers.
• Other possessions of note:
  • Horse with tack and grain.
  • Tome of Magic. (For spells, see 1st post of this RP.)

Note regarding value of coins, products, and services:

• 1 gold = 10 silver = 100 copper
• 1 copper = US$10
• We aren't going to be really strict on this subject. This is supposed to be a fun adventure, not a lesson on economics.

 

[ManInTheLoft]

"My name is Queen Annaleigh."

We listened to the girl's claim, and each of us had a different reaction...

Karn's mind was filled with thoughts of becoming this Queen's Consort. She was a beautiful young woman, and she would need a strong, confident man to protect her and help lead her Realm. Of course, he wasn't considering that perhaps she wouldn't want him to be her lover and fellow ruler of the land. What ever that stuff was that had made him feel so confident, it hadn't started wearing off yet.

Antorio's mind was filled with visions of riches beyond his wildest dreams. Surely that was what Annaleigh meant, wasn't it? He would serve her faithfully, and during the process amass a fortune that would eventually make it irrelevant whether he was serving someone from that realm or not. Or, maybe he could collect his fortune in gold and jewels and come back here?

Wicker was the only one who was relatively clear headed, despite being told he would become a great wizard in Annaleigh's world.

"Where is this world? What's it like? What are these dangers about which you speak? Who is it that has stolen your throne? Do they have an army that's going to run us down like chickens in the road?"

She addressed all of his questions, and then Wicker asked the other two, "Are you sure this is what you want to do?"

Together, they both responded with confidence, "Hell, yeah!"

Wicker only shrugged his shoulders, looked to Annaleigh, and said, "I'm in, too, I guess."

(OOC: I added a couple of things, too.)

**********************​

Queen Annaleigh: Elf

• Small dagger.
• No money.
• Other possessions of note:
  • Gold crown

Karn: Level 1 Warrior (Potential Archer)

• Short sword.
• Daggers, 2.
• Chain mail (upper torso only) and helmet. (Increases defense.)
• Coin: 8 coppers
• Other possessions of note:
  • Horse with tack and grain.
  • Bed roll and saddle bags.
  • 1 set of clothes.

Antorio: Level 1 Thief (Potential Assassin)

• Daggers, 4.
• Coin: 1 gold, 2 silver, 26 coppers
• Other possessions of note:
  • Horse with tack.
  • Bed roll and saddle bags.
  • 1 set of clothes.
  • Gold pendant (value: 2 gold)
  • Royal Seal token (value: unknown)
  • Fire starters.

Wicker: Level 1 Wizard (Potential Seer)

• Dagger, 1.
• Horse with tack and grain.
• Bed roll and saddle bags.
• 1 sets of clothes.
• Coin: 4 coppers.
• Other possessions of note:
  • Horse with tack and grain.
  • Tome of Magic. (For spells, see 1st post of this RP.)
  • A partially filled journal book, quill pen, and ink pot.

Note regarding value of coins, products, and services:

• 1 gold = 10 silver = 100 copper
• 1 copper = US$10
• We aren't going to be really strict on this subject. This is supposed to be a fun adventure, not a lesson on economics.

 

[Alice2015]

"Where is this world?"

"It is far from here, but, at the same time, it is very near," Annaleigh answered, obviously not satisfying Wicker. She tried to explain, "It's distance from here, from the Land of Man, is not important."

She was going to say more, but Wicker asked another good question, "What's it like?"

Annaleigh smiled with obvious joy. "It is a land of wonders, of beauty, of marvels you've never imagined, even in the fairy tales from which you pulled the name Elves."

"What are these dangers about which you speak?"

The queen-to-be knew this was coming as well. She shocked Wicker and, to a lesser degree, the other two with a single word, "Monsters."

As if she was speaking of mad chickens that would chase children around a farmyard, Annaleigh shrugged her shoulders. Monstrous creatures unlike anything these Men had ever seen were as much a part of her world as was the magic that these three had only just seen today. She told them, "You learn how to deal with them."

Annaleigh thought she actually saw a bit of eagerness in Karn's face. She wondered whether he was that courageous or whether he was simply still affected by the magic she'd used on him.

"Who is it that has stolen your throne? Do they have an army that's going to run us down like chickens in the road?"

Annaleigh couldn't help but giggle at his question. Chickens again, she thought, recalling what she'd thought earlier. "His name is Lord Marhume. He is a powerful wizard..."

She looked to Wicker as she spoke that word. He was coming to realize that he could control magic energies and would -- or could, if he survived -- one day become a powerful wizard himself. She looked to the other two and continued, "And yes, he has an army. It is large and with it Lord Marhume was able to sieze and retain my Realm. But, it can be beaten. There are many people loyal to me. They only need someone to lead them."

That last comment very pointedly was directed at the three of them. She continued, "You may think that three men from the Land of Man can not make a difference in another world. You would be wrong to think such a thing. I came here to your Land knowing that only here would I find my valiant heroes. And find them I did."

Wicker asked the other two, "Are you sure this is what you want to do?"

Together, they both responded with confidence, "Hell, yeah!"

Annaleigh smiled, pleased. "You will not be sorry."

She looked to the more reluctant Wicker. But he only shrugged his shoulders and joined the others. "I'm in, too, I guess."

"We must rest now," she told them. "The entrance to my world is three days from here, and we have much preparation before we can pass through it. You may tie the horses to a tree in the woods and join me if you wish."

Annaleigh walked into the middle of the small grassy opening. She held her hands out before her with fingers splayed. Then, after speaking words they wouldn't understand, a fire suddenly sprung up. Its color wasn't quite right, more varying shades of magenta than reds, oranges, and yellows like what the men would have expected. It burned brightly and warmly despite having no obvious fuel source.

Next, she swept her hands before her to the left of the fire. Out of nowhere, a beautiful lean-to of colorful fabrics appeared. It was just large enough to contain a small but equally beautiful bed of large, comfy pillows. Annaleigh performed one last bit of magic, sweeping her hands yet again to cause a semi-transparent wall of pink to surround the meadow.

"No one can see us from beyond this protective barrier," she told the three as she went to the bed and began removing her laced boots. "You may make your beds near the fire."

She set her boots near the foot of her bed, laid down, and closed her eyes. Unless they had further questions for her, Annaleigh would be sound asleep in seconds.

**********************​

Queen Annaleigh: Elf

• Small dagger.
• No money.
• Other possessions of note:
  • Gold crown

Karn: Level 1 Warrior (Potential Archer)

• Short sword.
• Daggers, 2.
• Chain mail (upper torso only) and helmet. (Increases defense.)
• Coin: 8 coppers
• Other possessions of note:
  • Horse with tack and grain.
  • Bed roll and saddle bags.
  • 1 set of clothes.

Antorio: Level 1 Thief (Potential Assassin)

• Daggers, 4.
• Coin: 1 gold, 2 silver, 26 coppers
• Other possessions of note:
  • Horse with tack.
  • Bed roll and saddle bags.
  • 1 set of clothes.
  • Gold pendant (value: 2 gold)
  • Royal Seal token (value: unknown)
  • Fire starters.

Wicker: Level 1 Wizard (Potential Seer)

• Dagger, 1.
• Horse with tack and grain.
• Bed roll and saddle bags.
• 1 sets of clothes.
• Coin: 4 coppers.
• Other possessions of note:
  • Horse with tack and grain.
  • Tome of Magic. (For spells, see 1st post of this RP.)
  • A partially filled journal book, quill pen, and ink pot.

Note regarding value of coins, products, and services:

• 1 gold = 10 silver = 100 copper
• 1 copper = US$10
• We aren't going to be really strict on this subject. This is supposed to be a fun adventure, not a lesson on economics.

[/QUOTE]

 

[ManInTheLoft]

The Elf's description of where and what her world was excited Karn and -- to a lesser degree -- Antoria, the latter of whom wasn't nearly as brave yet was eager to learn if this world offered wealths to be taken to which he had had no access here.

Wicker, on the other hand, was a bit frightened of this world that he was yet to even see. Yet, again on the other hand, the prospect of learning magic excited him! What he had done back there in the tavern was still with him. He knew what he'd done, yet at the same time, didn't know how he did it.

As Annaleigh retired to her lean-to, Wicker opened the Tome of Magic again. He couldn't read anymore than he had earlier, but the words at the bottom of the first page almost seemed to be wavering before his eyes, as if taunting him to learn them. Yes, he was going to follow Annaleigh to this world of hers; he had to know more of this magic of which she spoke.

Around the odd looking fire, they each laid out the bedrolls from their stolen horses, tied to a tree just inside the mysterious wall the Elf had created around them. Karn stayed away from the wall, fearful of it; over time, he would come to learn that he didn't like Magic and Magic didn't like him. Antorio, however, neared the shimmering wall, studied it, and began to reach a hand out to touch it.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Wicker warned. When Antorio asked what would happen if he touched it, the magic user said, "I don't know. I just don't think I would do that if I were you."

Antorio pulled his hand back, studied the wall again, then retired to his bedroom. Wicker handed out some dried jerky and a bottle of weak wine he'd found in his horse's saddlebags, and the three of them chatted about the days events. The magic Annaleigh had used to make them more heroic had, by now, worn off; whether openly or in their own minds, they were beginning to question whether or not they were the valiant heroes for whom she was seeking.

But they were all three committed to this new adventure. They eventually fell asleep near the gently buzzing fire. The next morning, they were up at dawn, in their saddles minutes later, and following their Queen toward the portal to her world.

**********************​

Queen Annaleigh: Elf

• Small dagger.
• No money.
• Other possessions of note:
  • Gold crown

Karn: Level 1 Warrior (Potential Archer)

• Short sword.
• Daggers, 2.
• Chain mail (upper torso only) and helmet. (Increases defense.)
• Coin: 8 coppers
• Other possessions of note:
  • Horse with tack and grain.
  • Bed roll and saddle bags.
  • 1 set of clothes.

Antorio: Level 1 Thief (Potential Assassin)

• Daggers, 4.
• Coin: 1 gold, 2 silver, 26 coppers
• Other possessions of note:
  • Horse with tack.
  • Bed roll and saddle bags.
  • 1 set of clothes.
  • Gold pendant (value: 2 gold)
  • Royal Seal token (value: unknown)
  • Fire starters.

Wicker: Level 1 Wizard (Potential Seer)

• Dagger, 1.
• Horse with tack and grain.
• Bed roll and saddle bags.
• 1 sets of clothes.
• Coin: 4 coppers.
• Other possessions of note:
  • Horse with tack and grain.
  • Tome of Magic. (For spells, see 1st post of this RP.)
  • A partially filled journal book, quill pen, and ink pot.

Note regarding value of coins, products, and services:

• 1 gold = 10 silver = 100 copper
• 1 copper = US$10
• We aren't going to be really strict on this subject. This is supposed to be a fun adventure, not a lesson on economics.

 

[Alice2015]

The quartet rode or walked their horses through the sometimes thick forest, arriving at a small clearing at midday. They ate the remainder of the food in the saddlebags of the stolen horses, after which Annaleigh gathered the three men together for training.

"You each have talents and skills," she told them, "but you are raw and in need of molding, like clay awaiting to be turned into a beautiful vase."

She tasked each of the heroes-to-be with an activity, and she again used her magical powers to help them:

"Karn, you are a strong man, but you lack experience with your sword," she told the rookie Warrior. "But even more, you lack confidence in your abilities. You must fight that lack of faith in yourself."

Annaleigh raised her hands high above her head and waved them downward in an outline that, a moment later, magically became an exact copy of Karn himself, complete with sword and dagger. She told him, "You must fight yourself, you must fight off and defeat that which holds you back, Karn, if you are to become the warrior you wish to be, the warrior who will lead my army and return rule of my Realm to me."

Annaleigh turned to the street urchin. "You are quick and nimble, Antorio, but as with Karn, you lack confidence in yourself. What's more, you hold a fear within you, a deep fear, driven by the false feeling that the dangers surrounding you are overwhelming. You can defeat these dangers. You will defeat these dangers."

She waved her hand before her … and to the surprise of the others, Antorio simply disappeared. Unknown to them, he suddenly found himself deep in the forest, alone. It was dark and spooky and filled with noise from animals the little man would know and others he wouldn't.

Wicker had disappeared with that same motion of Annaleigh's hand. Only, he didn't really disappear from this place; he disappeared from this time. He was still in the clearing, only now he was alone. Annaleigh's voice came to him, You must learn to shut out the physical world and concentrate on the world within your mind.

Suddenly, the Karn copy took an offensive stance, leaning in toward the Karn original, and bellowed out a fierce roar and charged him.