The Wanderer's Quest

[hybirdx]

Not too far from the Jhaalen Woods, An young fighter just woke up. "Oh man..... What a night!" As the fighter got up From the tree he had been sleeping on, an whimper came from behind "I know! We haven't eaten in almost a month. Come on, lets see if we can find something to eat in the woods I found on the map."

As he walked around the out skirts of the woods, he saw an group of people "What the..... I thought nobody would come this way!" *whimper* "no, maybe we shouldn't go stealth. They seem trust worthy people" He walked up to the group not saying anything, Just waving his hand as an alai.

 

[The GrandMage]

Linden

"Tanglers only live in the Woods. This is the only woods on the planet where they do. They live around these 'dead zones', and kill animals to keep the soil alive. Animals shy away from these areas, so they kill anything around them, so be on the lookout. Treants watch after them, and all the trees around here. Being as plantlike as they are, I guess they see themselves as guardians or something. I don't know, no one does. We should just be glad Treants don't eat meat, or I suppose we'd be dead already."

He stood, mute, as these people started appearing. For a forest known for killing people, there seemed to be does of people just hanging around inside it. They must be crazy, or just stupid. Perhaps both.

He sighed, and let the others deal with this, climbing up on his horse and looking the way that Koyuki had gone with the treant. He turned his gave ahead of himself, and sighed, waiting for the group to start moving again as he slipped into his own little world.

 

[Dark Warrior]

Zeslakk

Before Altalus could respond to Zeslakk's threat, a rather large figure came over and introduced himself in a gruff voice. The companions stood, their mouths open in surprise, as another figure made his way over, this one not saying a thing but waving in a sign of friendship. Zeslakk was the first to recover.
"Good day to you, sirs. I must say, this is a strange place to meet other people... but let us not be strangers, for that is the last thing we would need in this place. I am Zeslakk, a traveller from the distant West. I shall ask you both this: who are you, and what in the name of the Gods are you doing... here?"

 

[hybirdx]

The ninja was silent for an moment, then after constant nudges by his fox, he finnaly spoke. "My name is Zylo..." The fox whipered again "Oh and this is Yami, We come from the east. For some strange reason Azure wnated me to come this way." Zylo became silent for an moment as he took off his mask. "I should be asking you the same thing, what are you doing in such a desolent place like this?

 

[gohan18]

Feng

I think for a minute then I replay. "My name is Feng Brilam, and as for why I am here I was compeled to walk this way". I then grab both sides of my hood and slowley pull back on it."Please do not be alarmed when you see my face",I say to the others. I pull it back to expos my orc like face. I realize at this moment that the handle of my sword is now visible.

 

[Zircon]

Altalus

Altalus stuck his tongue out at Zeslakk, but the cowl hid that gesture. He knew that it was childish, but so too were the numerous tricks that the Gods have played on him over the years. He has no memory of his past, and thus he has no identity, except what others have viewed him as. His life up to this point would have made the Gods rolling on their sides laughing. So why had things suddenly changed and the Gods ‘require’ his help? So partly, he wasn’t really joking. Zeslakk was a devout man, totally enamored with his God. Zeslakk’s God probably love him, but Altalus had no such luxury. To Altalus, the whole world was laughing at him, including the Gods. So, in defiance, Altalus laughed back at them.

Suddenly out of the complete blue, two strangers approached our little band. From the dead zone no less. So Altalus was incorrect in his first assessment. It wasn’t a dead zone after all. Somehow, these two, plus the fox had managed to survive, when no other creatures could. He wondered how these three had managed to escaped the Tangler, unless they didn’t sleep at night.

But he remained silent, and went to check on the remaining horses. Well, the newcomers would have to walk. Altalus wondered again if the Gods were laughing at the comical scene before them. Here, Altalus was holding the reins tightly so that the horses won’t bolt again when one of the newcomer revealed himself...

 

[hybirdx]

I must ask you all this" said Zylo "Had Azure and his freinds asked you to come here? I had been having dreams to find a group of people In the woods.... Now I found you!"Zylo be came silent for a moment, remembering all the dirty tricks Azure played on him for leaving his training grounds. "I hope this isn't another trick from that bastard Dragon!"

 

[Dark Warrior]

Zeslakk

Zeslakk recoiled at first from Feng's hideous face, the fact that the half-orc wielded a sword now quite disturbing the cleric. He recovered his composure, his nose still a little wrinkled from the sight of the strange creature.
Zeslakk tore his attention away from the half-orc and to the other one, the human known as Zylo.
"I have never heard of this Azure... who is he?"

 

[hybirdx]

Zylo's look at feng was torn by Zeslakk question, "Hmm? Azure?" Zylo looked up to the sky "He's a god, or at least thats what he says" Zylo quickly turned to Zeslakk Trying not to laugh at his confused look "He is not know around these parts because he's an eastern spirit, but where I come from, he is all to well known. He is considered the God of the sky, yet..... I'm not sure if he is what he says he is, being a god that is."

 

[Dark Warrior]

Zeslakk

Zeslakk pondered what Zylo had said, interested in these Eastern Gods. Having come from the far West, they were completely unknown to him.
But Zeslakk's attention was brought back to the Half-orc.
"I... do not believe I have ever met one of your... kind... sir." Zeslakk said, noticing now that what he thought before was a large figure was actually a larger-than-large figure, hunched over. The thought sent shivers down his spine.

 

[gohan18]

Feng

"I can tell by your face your are either fearful or disgusted. I have no intention of harming you or anyone here. Now since Zylo and I have told you about us, What shall we call you and your friends" I stare into the eyes of the people around me and I can feel the tension because of my presence.

 

[The GrandMage]

Linden

He sighed, and took the reins. He pulled the horse around, and gave it a few nudges. While everyone else sat around, tempting the scavengers who had come to feast upon the bodies of whatever had angered the treants, he left.

He kept a keen eye around, watching the forest as he led the horse of the trail, following the treant. He settled himself in, and took a deep breath. Insane, they were all insane....

 

[Dark Warrior]

Zeslakk

Zeslakk noticed Linden travelling further into the forest. He understood why Linden would want to press onwards; the place was giving Zeslakk the creeps, and they were on a mission to save the world, after all.
Zeslakk then turned back to the half-orc.
"I will not lie to you, orc. I am a bit, both disgusted and fearful. I am foreign to these lands, and to your people, but from what I hear..." his voice trailed off. "The one who just rode forward is Linden," he changed the subject, gesturing towards the path that Linden had just travelled along, "and these are Talia and Altalus." he continued, gesturing to each of the others in turn. "I do not like to seem unfriendly, but we are in a hurry." he said, now looking from the half-orc to Zylo, and back again. "I cannot give away too much of our objective... only because I am still very much in the dark over it... but, if what you say is true, Zylo, and this Azure you speak of is truly a God, then we may very well be the ones from your dreams. You are welcome to come along if you wish, but I am sure you all know about these woods..."
With that said, Zeslakk bowed to the strangers and walked over to where Altalus held the horses. Zeslakk picked one of the horses that Altalus had readied for riding, and swung himself up into the saddle, happy that he had another of the creatures beneath him. He then set off, not very eager to leave any of the companions alone in this place, his primal instinct to help taking control of his thought.

 

[gohan18]

Feng

"That sound like a good idea, now I might see some battle" I start walking with the group down the path. I have a wierd sense that we are not alone. I have had this feeling every since I have been in the woods, but now it is stronger. " I have a funny feeling this is going to be really exciting",I say to myself in a whisper.

 

[The GrandMage]

Linden

He turned at a sound, and brought the horse to a stop. The others were moving. He'd follow them. Easier than wandering about by himself. He turned slowly, looking deep into the forest, and slowly raised a hand, grabbing the hilt of his bastard sword.

He stared slowly at the trunks of dead trees, listening for more soudns of movement. They'd been here too long, one of the scavengers had come to eat whatever was left of what had angered the treants.

And now, finding nothing, it, or they, were turning their sights of the travelers. "Oh damn."

 

[hybirdx]

Zylo stood there for an second, "Well Yami?" The small black fox went in front of him, looked back, then started moving again "Thats enough for me!" With that Zylo followed the others, keeping his pace with the hoarses

 

[Dark Warrior]

Zeslakk

Zeslakk noticed that both of the travellers were following them, somewhat surprised. The fact that they were walking into almost certain death was nearly enough to make him turn and run, but he at least had a purpose - these two strangers... well... who knows.
Satisfied with the fact that safety was in numbers, Zeslakk pushed his horse onwards, leaving the two newcomers with Altalus and Talia. Those two could look after themselves, he thought, and, besides, he could sense no evil emanating from the two strangers, and so he rode forwards to see how Linden was going.
He slowed immediately when Linden came into view, his sight firmly locked on the surrounding forest, his hand on his sword hilt. Zeslakk followed the man's gaze, but when he looked back, noticed that Linden was looking somewhere else now.
"Linden... what is it?" Zeslakk hissed, slowly riding forwards as he looked to the left and right of the path.

 

[The GrandMage]

Linden

His eyes flicked over to Zeslakk, and he gave a small shake of his head. The horse shifted under him, and he heard it again. He pulled his sword free, turning to stare off into the forest.

"Let's just say I think we should get moving."

 

[Dark Warrior]

Zeslakk

Zeslakk nodded, knowing that what Linden may lack in brainpower, he made up for with his instincts, and it would be wise to trust the man in this matter.
Zeslakk turned in his saddle and saw the others approaching. He gestured to the road ahead, before calling out to them.
"Everyone, we have to speed up. Come on."

 

[gohan18]

Feng

"It doesn't matter how fast we go, they will still be there".I grab the strings that tie my cloak together and loosen them up. I yank off my cloak and grab the sword handle. I take it out slowly not making any sudden movements."But if you want to move faster its fine by me"

 

[Zircon]

Altalus

Altalus let Zeslakk be the leader and welcome the newcomers. Meanwhile, the dead zone made the prospect of a cold breakfast a reality. After feeding the horses, Altalus took a small chunk of hard bread as breakfast. Well, beggars can’t be choosers.

‘Hey, Zeslakk, is Lyskall coming? If not are we suppose to be where we are, wherever the hell we are?’ But only the wind answered, as the group hurried out the vicinity. Something had spooked, if that’s the right word, Linden and perhaps to an extent, Zeslakk.

Altalus was beginning to dislike the ‘sixth’ sense that Linden had. Although, this extra sense had saved him quite a bit since this whole fiasco started. Well, the Gods had better hurry, before Altalus got hungry again, or the rest might be wondering, like Altalus, that all of this had been a cosmic joke.

 

[Dark Warrior]

Suddenly, Zeslakk halted as he heard a distant rumble. He spun around to face it, and saw, from the midsts of the forest, a giant - hmmm, now what was that... a giant beetle, by the looks, at least as high as a human and twice as long, with a great black carapace and a horn, at least 2 feet long, on the front of it's head. It was thundering through the forest, dodging trees with an agility that belied it's size and shape. For a moment, Zeslakk readied himself, preparing to fight, but when the giant beetle came closer he saw the figure riding on it, and he paused, a tiny smile spread across his lips, as the tiny rider bounced and desperately held onto the mount, his strange clothes bobbing up and down, making his ride seem somewhat uncomfortable.
"Lyskall..." he whispered to himself, relaxing.

 

[The GrandMage]

Linden

As the beetle-rding God popped up to screw with their lives again, he heard the crunching of dried, dead sticks and leaves moving away. It could be the God had scared them. Or maybe they were going to attack.

It was hard to tell what a God riding a giant beetle would do to those things. He kept his sword drawn, but relaxed his guard. He kept it there, but was more worried about this new trouble.

"Well, look who it is."

 

[gohan18]

Feng

As I am walking with the strangers I see a figure coming out of the woods. He is riding a giant bug of some kind."Will somebody tell me what in the hell that thing is." I take a stance to attak if necessary. I can feel the mercury swirling around in the blade as I put it in a readed position.

 

[Dark Warrior]

Zeslakk

Zeslakk watched in silence as Lyskall brought his steed to a halt just before them. The little god stared from one member of the group to the next.
"Good to see you all made it alive and well. And you brought some friends, too. How excellent." he said. He looked across at Feng, who seemed about to attack him. "Ooo, an ugly brute you are, aren't you?" he giggled at his own joke, before waving a hand, sending the half-orc to the ground with some invisible force. He chuckled some more.
"I would advise you not to attack me, half-orc. I have more power in one finger than you do in that big, huge body of yours. But, anyway, onto other matters."
The God took a long breath, as the companions looked on, eager to hear his tale.
"As you know, and as your new friends may not, you have been summoned by me to save the world. Of course, back in the good days, I could actually get real heroes, but now... look at you. I don't know what the world has come to." he looked down at the ground and shook his head. "But, anyway, what I need you to do is travel further north, past the White Wall."
Zeslakk's jaw set hard and his face a little white. "The White Wall? No-one has ever set foot further north of those mountains and come back to tell the tale of it!"
"Ah, but the same has been said about this forest, and no doubt you will make it out of here."
"But, but..."
Lyskall frowned at the priest. "No buts, Zeslakk. If you have any faith in that false god of yours, you'll know that he'll get you through it."
Zeslakk closed his eyes for a moment, struggling to maintain his calm. "False... god...? I believe you are lying, little one."
Lyskall laughed. "Well, it is unimportant right now. My point is, that there have been certain... events... in the Far North that have happened, and these events may threaten the world."
Lyskall paused a moment, staring from one of the companions to the next, trying to work out their emotions. A small smile lit his face. "I am sure you will all be quite surprised by the world to the North. There are people living there, contrary to what you folk like to believe. Though they are quite different to you, much, much, much different, in fact, as different as a stone is to a... ahem. Sorry, I babble a bit much. Ummm, so, go North." he stopped again.
The companions waited a moment, ready for him to continue, but he made no move.
Finally, Zeslakk spoke up. "That's it? We need to know more if we are to..."
"Oh, no doubt you'll work it out pretty quickly when you get there." Lyskall interrupted. "Even for Mortals, it should be fairly easy to work out what you must do. And besides, I have pressing business on the Plane of the Gods, and it would take to long to explain. Now, are there any questions?"
Zeslakk was starting to get very impatient, as were the others, no doubt. "Just tell us! It will only take minutes, please, at least..."
"Look, we Gods are different to you Mortals, OK? We have busy agendas and besides, I'm not allowed to reveal anything more to you, it goes against section 8:2 of the Book of Heroes, volume 2, chapter 11. Now, again, I'll ask: any more questions? I will do what I can to answer them."