Difference between revisions of "Unti Family/Nerta/A5S1"

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! width=60% | Main Thread
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! Dancer's Tale
! Secondary Thread
 
 
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|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Roleplay
+
|Type=Letter
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
|Recipients=Everyone in the Agyrian Academy
+
|Recipients=Personal letter to Dancer Rea
|Content=Restless.
+
|Content= ''The crude words are barely legible.''
  
Nerta paces in her new tent while the stiffly dressed Captain Axel sighs. His new mistress seemed far too akin to a panther before bars.
+
Hey Crown Rack,
  
"You need not worry m'lady, your soldiers shall see the creatures off with little difficulty."
+
Ancient treaties, something something. I'm passing through and don't care about your brawl. Leave me out of it.
  
Truth be told she had little worry of that, not after the entire army had marched in on her heels. No, she was more pensive that the archers were in harms way while she was safe and sound. But she wasn't going to have that argument again.
+
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
 
Besides, Bob was here and the Old Man wanted a word with him about some deed or another.
 
|Title= [[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
 
  
 
|-
 
|-
|colspan=1 |<center>{{Message2
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Type=Letter
|Sender=Aeravon Velaryon
+
|Sender=Dancer Rea
|Recipients=All nobles of Ar Agyr
+
|Recipients=Personal letter to Nerta the Weaver
|Content=It looks like a new noble emerged from our ranks today, yet my lazy servant failed to properly report this. Welcome, Lady Nerta Unti!
+
|Content=Who the hell do you think you are, child?
 
+
|Title=King of Thalmarkin
For the North,
 
|Title=Judge of Ar Agyr, Duke of Avalon, Margrave of Fronepu
 
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
 +
  
 
|-
 
|-
|colspan=1 |<center>{{Message2
+
! Balin's Tale
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Sender=Jacinda the Driven
 
|Recipients=Everyone in the Agyrian Academy
 
|Content=Found another Dragon's Tear, in the lair of a small pack of monsterkin here in the Seven Rivers.
 
|Title=Adventurer
 
}}</center>
 
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
|<center>{{Message2
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|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Varan
+
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
|Recipients=Everyone in the Agyrian Academy
+
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
|Content=Undead were protecting another Dragon’s Tear in Zwering, the reanimated Grehkian general who was the final guardian put up a hellish fight. A wearying battle, but nothing a good massage and bath can’t sort out!
+
|Content=“So you, must be Balin.”
|Title=Adventurer
+
 
 +
The words come from a woman rumbling along the dirt path to the construction site. Her wheelbarrow of bricks clacking, she stops by the man who’d given the orders to get to work. She had a gruff voice, bright eyes and somehow was able to shlep bricks in a cloak.
 +
 
 +
“Big priest like you, how do you help people?” She jerks her chin toward the worksite, “Besides big temples I mean.”
 +
 
 +
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
|<center>{{Message2
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Roleplay
 
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Soren Navaar
+
|Sender=Balin de Chaol Ghleann
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
+
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
|Content=His room at the Wolf's Den Inn was small, but he rarely traveled with a lot of belongings outside of his weapons. Sitting off to one side was his bow, unstrung, next to a quiver of arrows. Beside that was his spear, and quarterstaff. Finally, his sword rested on his lap as he looked at the man before him. Soren sat face to face with a familiar figure for the first time in years. Long, once dark hair that was gray with age, pulled back and tied at the bottom, a ferocity in brown eyes that Soren knew as one of actual skill and burden, and a figure that looked like it could still fight years later. That was Felix Calanar, former Duke of Nothoi, and man he called Grandfather. Sitting in his lap were two objects wrapped in cloth. He had shown up out of the blue, and let himself into Soren's room without a word, and now, the young lord did not know what to say.
+
|Content=Balin was outside the temple in Bessimir, overseeing the construction. He was in a particular good mood as construction of the temple was going on schedule and soon the shack that it once was, would turn in a small but beautiful temple. He was already planning how to decorate it, to best represent his chosen god, the Wolf Lord.  
  
Felix began. "The Calanar network spans continents. Not one of you brothers is left un-watched, even if you don't realize it."
+
The temple itself was being built from a combination of stone and wood logs, giving it a rustic look, set near a backdrop of a great forest. Balin liked the rustic look as he wanted the temple to feel like it was a part of nature, as we all are. He wanted to be close to the woods where wolves often prowled, so he could hear their voices during his meditation hour. Visitors would also appreciate the beautiful howls of the wolves during service, he was sure of it.
  
Soren nodded. "Does that mean?"
+
He was woken up from his musings by the gruff voice of a woman. He turned to face her and blinked a few times, gathering this thoughts.
  
Felix nodded. "Locke is going to search for Cayden."
+
"Indeed I am. I'm glad you noticed the temple. It is not big yet, but one day, perhaps it will be."
  
"Uncle Locke? He rarely leaves the estate anymore. Why would he go?" Soren asked, concerned more for his brothers than himself. Uncle Locke made him nervous. Of all the Calanar family he knew, it was the core family surrounding Locke that was the most nerve wracking. Every one of them seemed to have the strength and willpower of kings and queens in their own right. Nothing the Navaars could ever amount to.
+
He thought a moment about the woman's question.
  
Felix didn't respond. Instead he continued. "Velden is going to find Lucius, and I am here for you. It's time for your inheritances."
+
"I am priest. I help people with their spiritual journey and help them be closer to their chosen god. The life of a Northman is harsh and full of danger, so we must be ever closer to our Gods if we want to persevere and survive."
  
Soren blinked. "Inheritance?"
+
He drew a breath and continued.
  
Instead of explaining, Felix unwrapped the first cloth item. An old set of seals, a map, and family heritage documents, proof of his bloodline, and ancient claim to countless regions that the family once thrived in throughout Beluaterra, a number of them were lands now belonging to Ar Agyr, and an old map of Beluaterra from before the blight took hold. A reminder of what daimon slayers fought for.
+
"The Savage Lord commands and makes the most deserving champions prosper. He is my chosen God, and the God that this temple is dedicated to."
  
Soren swallowed hard, as he looked from item to item, setting many of them aside on the bed next to him. "That is... generous, grandfather, but I don't know how well those claims will hold up today." The last one was a seal for the Consul of Melhed. Taking a deep breath, he set that aside without thinking too hard on it.
+
"But what brings you in this parts? And what name can I call you by?"
  
"Move the sword," Felix ordered, and Soren immediately obeyed as he unwrapped the second package.
+
|Title=Count of Bessimir, Priest of the Old Gods
 +
}}</center>
 +
|-
  
Soren paled. The sword that was revealed was a twisted piece of metal and blade. It looked like it could belong to some fantastic dictator in some fairy tale for children. It almost seemed blighted, and he hesitated to even touch it. The weapon had been worked and reforged over the years into something usable as a weapon. As Soren accepted the sword, he looked between it and his grandfather.
+
|-
 +
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 +
|Width=100%
 +
|Type=Roleplay
 +
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
 +
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
 +
|Content="Big priest, big temple..." she gestures to Balin, "big ego?"
  
"A daimon's sword. Taken from one of the creatures during the fall of Heen by your great grandfather. He would use their own weapons against them. As the next in line of our family to serve Beluaterra, this weapon is yours should you wish to use it."
+
The woman didn't wait for a reply. She just throws a brick underhand at Balin's chest and closes in.
  
Soren, ever calm in most situations, looked down at the weapon and shuddered. "It is... an honor. I suppose."
+
"Prove yourself 'champion', Wolf Lord's watching."
  
Felix laughed. "It's no honor. It's a burden."
+
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
 
"Why now?" Soren asked, almost naively.
 
 
 
Felix, still chuckling, almost seemed like a daimon in his own right. "You're mostly free of the Blue Tower these days. Welcome to the family."
 
|Title=Count of Seven Rivers
 
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
|<center>{{Message2
 
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Aibhlidhn Dubhaine
+
|Sender=Balin de Chaol Ghleann
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
+
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
|Content=Your analysis of coastal defences is well founded Lord Aeravon. We've had several periods when hordes from the ocean struck our coastal provinces and caused extensive devastation. We would need to keep militia stationed all along the coast to have much hope of disrupting such attacks. It's possible in principle but in practice militia tend to desert unless kept a close eye on.
+
|Content=As the brick flew from the woman's hand, Balin surprised as he was, didn't manage but gape at the woman and the audacity of having a brick thrown at him. The brick hit him square in the chest with a loud "THUCK", driving him back a few steps. An unexpected and strong hit. He rubbed at his chest with one arm, taking the measure of the woman with renewed interest.
 +
 
 +
Who was this woman that would challenge him on the steps of his temple? But this was not a time to ponder and meditate. She was closing in fast. His chest hurt and that didn't happen often. He was indeed a stout man, though rather short, and had been in a good deal of scrapes in the past. Not often would a blow have such impact. No, this fight he would not take lightly.
 +
 
 +
He regained his composure and positioned himself in a low guard, arms open, alike a wrestler might take and spoke in a low growl.
 +
 
 +
"I accept your challenge. Let the Wolf Lord watch and delight himself in this."
  
The decision to claim Hopidrii was an experiment at a time when we did have sufficient nobles to manage the extra land. It's unfortunate that we've had three prominent nobles succumb to illness in recent weeks. I'll abandon the region once we've regained Lloringel and Tepmona so that we can then consider which other region to bring back under active control. Bit Havil and Jyl are both possibilities if we consider Thalmarkin or Vordul Sanguinis threats to our borders, or perhaps one of the hinterland regions in the north.
+
In the distance of the forest, a faint howl pierced through the noises of the day.
  
In hindsight - which is sadly much better informed than foresight - I probably should have abandoned Hopidrii before we sailed south. However I don't think that would have made a difference to the hordes as reports from my peers paint a bleak picture of increased raids everywhere since the incident in Keffa. Whether this is normal mischief or the presage of a new Invasion is hard to tell. Either way we will be watchful.
+
|Title=Count of Bessimir, Priest of the Old Gods
|Title=Queen of Ar Agyr
 
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
|
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|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
|<center>{{Message2
 
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Rogan McGhee
+
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
+
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
|Content=After the battle in Ieara the young nobles second approached, “sir, those peasants were not running from the monsters towards us for protection, they attacked us in cohorts with those beast”.  Rogan nodded his head as he cleaned his weapon and gathered himself, “Tippson, they are pure savages and these are strange lands, we need to slip through to the capital and regroup with the main army”
+
|Content=As the brick connects, Nerta scuttles across the ground.
|Title=Knight of Mhed
+
 
 +
"What did you say? Harsh and full of dangers, right?"
 +
 
 +
Her movements precise, she balances on her hands as Balin staggers back and kicks the man's stomach while he rubs at his chest.
 +
 
 +
"You remind me of someone." Springing into a pounce, Nerta hisses, "You both talk too much when there's fighting to be done. I wonder if you'll be as annoying..."
 +
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
|<center>{{Message2
 
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Soren Navaar
+
|Sender=Balin de Chaol Ghleann
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
+
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
|Content=Lloringel just got blindsided by another horde.
+
|Content=The woman was quick, too quick. In the span that Balin took to recover from the brick, she was on him, kicking at his stomach. He spun and retaliated with a sweeping kick to her side, and so the fight began in earnest.
|Title=Count of Seven Rivers
+
 
 +
Through the forest leaves, one could hear the rising wind, for it moaned and whistled, while branches off of the large trees crashed together as if drums were beaten to a secret rhythm known well to those denizens of the forest. If the birds up in the trees had looked down towards the temple, they would have seen a stound man, with a long braided red beard and a spiked mohawk, trading blows with a pale and terrifying woman, in a rhythmic back and forth, much like a dance, a wild and terrifying dance. Those birds would have heard loud hits reverberate through the forest, as fists connected with fleshy parts, and feet scraped loudly on the ground. They would have heard low growls and battle cries, taunts and jeers, as the two combatants were engrossed in raucous and chaotic dance, much as two wolves might in the deep of the forest.
 +
 
 +
And those birds would have missed a great big wolf standing at the edge of the clearing, watching with focused eyes that burned like fire.
 +
|Title=Count of Bessimir, Priest of the Old Gods
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
|<center>{{Message2
 
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Orders
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Rowan Hawk
+
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
+
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
|Content=Warriors,  
+
|Content=Balin’s kick sees Nerta miss her pounce and land beside the falling man. From there it becomes a scrabble in the dirt. With elbows and feet striking hard, while hands pull.
 +
 
 +
As she fumbles for the brick, the spidery woman catches a blow across her jaw. It leaves her next smile as red as his hair, yet her hissing words hardly seem upset.
 +
 
 +
“Good. You fight for real.”
  
If you are in Lloringel rally your men and prepare for the second wave.
+
The wolf steps from the forest as she matches his bet, but the raise is cut short by the sound of something else. Something hungrier than a wolf….
|Title=General of Ar Agyr
+
 
 +
“Zombies!”
 +
 
 +
Chittering, Nerta pushes Balin away while corpses from the logging camp lurch toward the pair. Slavering for flesh, the first three break into a starved rush as Nerta climbs to her feet and reaches for the spear in the wheelbarrow.  
 +
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
|
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|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
|<center>{{Message2
 
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
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|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Filippo Greybrook
+
|Sender=Balin de Chaol Ghleann
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
+
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
|Content=Why were were there meager units left in the region before the TO completed?
+
|Content=Balin wiped the blood from his face, as he looked in the direction the woman pointed at.
 +
 
 +
"Zombies! Pah! They always ruin any fun I'm having", he muttered angrily to himself, as he started running towards the nearby table where many papers and construction plans laid scattered, and near which he had placed his large war-hammer and round iron shield. "Everyone, get back to town!", he shouted to the workers nearby, as he pushed them out of the way.
 +
 
 +
It was a bad timing for an invasion as the armies of Thalmarkin were busy on the southern front, in a useless war over the pride of an Agyr queen. There would be no outside help today. Today, it would only be Balin and the strange woman, who had certainly impressed him with her skill and still did not know the name of, that would face the undead horde. It would certainly be a challenge, and Balin's smile widened at the thought of it. The Savage Lord often challenged his followers, and today Balin would revel in the challenge.
 +
 
 +
As he picked up his war hammer and shield, he made a short prayer to the his God asking that this fight bring glory to the Wolf Lords name, then moved to where the woman was picking up her spear and reading for battle. Today he would be her shield wall, and she would bring death to the shambling bones that dared defy the laws of nature.
  
Signed.
+
Up high, in a nearby tree, a squirrel collected nuts for the winter. Had it looked down towards the temple, it would have noticed a horde of undead shambling closer, hatred of all that is living showing in their cold dead eyes, while commoners fled the construction site. Had it looked to the right, at the edge of the clearing, he would have noticed a large wolf out in the clear, looking on at a red headed stout man nearby a fierce looking pale woman, both readying their weapons in defiance of the incoming undead. It would have seen the wolf snarl in what looked almost like a grin of satisfaction. But the squirrel saw nothing, as it was busy collecting nuts, oblivious to what was to happen.
|Title=Knight of Mhed
+
|Title=Count of Bessimir, Priest of the Old Gods
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
|<center>{{Message2
 
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Greyson Stewart
+
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
+
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
|Content=Sir Greybrook,
+
|Content=Balin's words are punctuated by a crack of bone as Nerta's spear swings through the lead shambler. Following through she pivots to kick the second before it can rakes her, and grabs the third on her way down, slamming it to the ground.
 +
 
 +
"Don't worry Balin, we'll finish later."
 +
 
 +
Nerta hisses in that strange voice as her spear pierces the skull of the prone figure. The net words come after a hard swallow and sound more normal, and amused.
  
Firstly, I do not consider my original command meager and secondly, the takeover was 90% complete when the horde attacked. I, for one, used all of my time supporting the takeover, when I suppose some scouting would have been a good thing. Lesson learned.
+
"Don't die."
  
In Honor,
+
The pair of Guardians stand shoulder to shoulder as the scouts of the horde pour from the woods. This would be a grim harvest but the pair were outnumbered by the roving tide. Without aid, neither of them would see nightfall.
|Title=Noble of Ar Agyr
+
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
 
  
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
|<center>{{Message2
 
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Aibhlidhn Dubhaine
+
|Sender=Balin de Chaol Ghleann
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
+
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
|Content=Had I known a fresh horde would strike Rengo whilst that from Tepmona was striking Seven Rivers I'd have stayed behind to defend the TO rather than moving to intercept. My bodyguard wouldn't have been sufficient to win us the battle but at least it would have blunted the blow somewhat.
+
|Content=Balin hefted his shield blocking an incoming bony arm, then smashed his war-hammer into the grotesque mass in front of him, hearing a satisfying *crack*.  
  
We all make miscalculations on occasion, especially when facing enemies who can emerge from the undergrowth without warning. I made such a miscalculation and have no qualms about owning it.
+
"Indeed, Wolf Lord willing, we shall bring death to the.." Balin's words falter for a second, "umm.. dead things". Balin cocked his head to one side thinking about what he just said, but was pulled quickly out of his revelry by the foul stench of the undead surrounding the two of them. He began to fight in earnest, blocking for the woman with this iron shield, and smashing bones and flesh that came too close with his warhammer, and while the pale woman expertly pierced through the heads of the undead, or out through their spine, dealing them an instant second death, the final death.  
  
Now everyone in reasonable proximity to Fronepu return here and I'll dish out gold to allow you all to recruit further troops. Those too far away should make for your nearest bastion and provide regular scouting reports whilst we put ourselves in good order.
+
The two warriors danced, in a crazed yet synchronized dance of death, dispatching the shambling masses, left and right. But as the dead fell, and the piles of bones and rotting flesh grew taller, more came to take their place. It was a fight to be remembered, a fight the bards would have written songs for and told stories by the hearth fires, but alas, there might not be anyone to remember it. The dead came and came and did not stop, while the man and woman fighting side by side felt the shield grow heavy, the spear pierce with less power, and the war-hammer rise slower with every blow. Yet, it was clear that the red haired stout man and pale ferocious woman would not stop, not until the air stopped flowing in their lung and their heart stopped pumping blood. It would not be long now.
  
Move to Fronepu if you can.
+
On one side of the battlefield, on a small hill, a gopher peered out with interested. But it did not look at the battle, nor to the undead. It peered at a large gray wolf mere paces from the hole the gopher called home, howling loudly towards the darkening evening sky.
  
Anyone who needs gold send me your request.
+
As it howled, it grew colder and colder still, and fine, powdery snow began to fall, covering the land with a white blanket. As the gopher watched, the keen wind carried the wolf's howls through the dark forest, and new howls responded, at first distant and few, but as the large wolf kept howling with insistence, the howls grew louder, and closer. As moments past, the baying of the wolves sounded nearer and nearer, as though they were closing from every side, soon joined by low and terrifying growls and snarls coming from just outside the clearing.
  
We need to rebuild our strength swiftly and push back hard.
+
The gopher ran back into its hole, a smart choice when apex predators come near, and so it could not see the rows of white fangs glistening in the fading sunlight, as saliva dripped from their snarling snouts. But as the gopher hid inside it's hole, it could still feel the earth trembling under many powerful paws, as scores of wolves moved as one towards a great battle unfolding near a small wooden temple, with an image of a Great Wolf carved above the open gate.  
|Title=Queen of Ar Agyr
+
|Title=Count of Bessimir, Priest of the Old Gods
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
 
  
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
|<center>{{Message2
 
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Aibhlidhn Dubhaine
+
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
+
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
|Content=Letter from Eugenica Snodaert
+
|Content=Nerta hadn't fought like this since [[Unti Family/Nerta/A2S4|Seven Rivers]], when the dead had stretched to the horizon and only Bob had dared join in battle. Bob, Mielba and..... '''Jacinda'''.
 
 
Message sent to the rulers of Beluaterra (7 recipients) - 2 hours, 21 minutes ago
 
Rulers of Beluaterra,
 
  
It has been an honor to serve along side you, the Realm Lux Nova will cease to exist. Our last members wil dissolve into the ranks of the Irondale nobility. Nova. Will not longer be able to stop the hordes. Once more ai heave the lukewarm goat bladder to the heavens so I may let the trickle of salty sweet goat wine tickle my pallet. Here is to all of you and for the new Light,
+
The memory earns the next zombie a vicious stab while claws scrabble at the shield and wolves howl.  
yours until the end times,
 
  
Eugenica of Bym from Ibladesh.
+
Jacinda, Mielba, Vankocuf .... ''Soren''.  
yours,
 
  
eugenica
+
Her spear falls as dead hands grab her from behind and Nerta is pulled from Balin's protective shadow. Suspended in the fetid embrace of three, her cloak finally opens and hands grab at the creatures around her, warding off their snapping jaws with a hiss of her own.
  
Eugenica Snodaert
+
"Shut up Old Man! I was distracted...."
Pontifix Maxima of Nova
 
  
A somewhat disappointing turn of events given that Irondale did nothing to help the Novans in recent months whereas both we and the Vales mounted expeditions to the south. I hope they were at least offered the Fianik coast or the old Angmarian lands around Heen.
+
Nerta stabs one with a knife while claws rake across growing chitin and the horde presses Balin.
 
+
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
This could of course be Irondale prepping for war with Thalmarkin as there's been bickering between the two in recent weeks.
 
|Title=Queen of Ar Agyr
 
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
|<center>{{Message2
 
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Aeravon Velaryon
+
|Sender=Soren Navaar
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
+
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
|Content=Sometimes it is just easier to brave the cerulean expanse, Steward Aelanta. The friendly harbors should make it a fairly enjoyable journey.
+
|Content=Soren absently wondered who would mess with their own realm’s road signs. Instead of going home through Yipinalke from the tournament, he had gotten turned around and gone north during a bout of fog. A trick played by the Mist Walker if he had ever seen one. A sigh as he ran a hand through dark hair and looked up at the sky. I may as well keep going, he decided. Go the long way home, or turn around and risk trouble with more border guards. He had already hidden his livery and was passing through as a well armed bard. For the tournament, he had taken the spear on his back, and at his hip was his sword.
 +
 
 +
Silence filled the air, as if something had stirred driving the wildlife away. Ignoring the signs, and bored by himself, he decided to hum and fill the empty air. Each note crept a little louder than the last, subtly at first, until Soren’s lips quirked into a smile and he started, singing as they rode along until his voice echoed over the land.
 +
 
 +
They're rattling their rapiers
 +
And prancing in their livery
 +
They're howling at the gates again
 +
Hot time in the old town tonight
 +
Get yourself together
 +
And meet me ‘low the mezzanine
 +
We're gonna have a reckoning
 +
Hot time in the old town tonight
 +
Tonight, Tonight,
 +
We're gonna make it our own
 +
But we're gonna do it right
 +
Tonight, Tonight,
 +
We're gonna make it our own
 +
But we're gonna do it right...
 +
 
 +
A couple of verses later, the song ended, and Soren felt more alive and ready for whatever lingered in the region. Unbeknownst to the singing bard, he was wandering ever closer to the source of the silence until the first signs of unlife made themselves known. Low groans and the sounds of grinding joints and cracking bones rippled across the air. The dead walk once more, he realized in time to see a one-armed creature shambling after something else. Checking to make sure nothing was lingering behind, the young bard readied his gear and let his horse go free as he started after the dead. His spear on his back now, and a hand on his sword, just in case.
 +
 
 +
The call of the dead creatures grew louder, as he moved along. A lot more had gathered, and it looked as though they were advancing on some people. A village must be nearby, he determined and drew his sword.
 +
 
 +
Soren’s blade, forged from an old daimon weapon during the fourth invasion, demanded attention as he drew it. The nearest undead immediately turned towards him. A clean swipe immediately took the head off of one of the creatures, and another cleaved through a second. Grinning. The man fell into song as began to cut a path toward the survivors. "This is our house, Are you ready for the fisticuffs, The fuss, the muss, the row, the fray? Hot time in the old town tonight."
 +
 
 +
The first few dead dropped before they could do more than turn to him. The flat of his sword connected with one skeletal figure, knocking the skull free into the air like a ball until it landed somewhere near Nerta and Balin. Let’s show them how I won the tournament in Unger. Warmed up, he took a step back and switched to his spear. The dead would surround him long before he would reach them, and he needed the buffer. "This is our house, Take your medicine, And fly the fiddlin' back away, From whence you came, Hot time in the old town tonight."
 +
 
 +
Soren’s spear skill was more like a staff with a sharp extension, as he bludgeoned and  jabbed his way through, parting the dead within his defensive radius. "Tonight, Tonight, We're gonna make it our own, But we're gonna do it right. Tonight, Tonight, We're gonna make it our own, But we're gonna do it right."
 +
 
 +
Balin and Nerta were finally in sight. Recognizing the priestess he wondered if he should thank the Emperor he had made it here until she was swarmed by the dead. The young count broke off his song with a roar as he pushed through the crowd of dead and drove a spear straight into one of Nerta's captors pinning it into the dirt. Using the weapon as a vault, he jumped and slammed feet first into another of her captors, and came back up from the ground with sword drawn.
  
For the North,
+
Flashing a grin at Nerta, the feeling of relief lighting up his face, as he pulled her free from the last creature and cut it down. "You had better not die on me, Nerta."
|Title=Judge of Ar Agyr
+
|Title=Count of Seven Rivers
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
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|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
|<center>{{Message2
 
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Aibhlidhn Dubhaine
+
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
+
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
|Content=Judge Aeravon speaks wisely. Whilst our hinterland is so plagued I recommend anyone travelling alone or in a small party take advantage of our merchant fleet to avoid traps and ambushes.
+
|Content=The bard's grin is repaid with a scowl as Nerta shoves him aside to assist Balin.  
  
We will get the hinterland back under control and when we do those who are responsible for preying on our good peasantry will taste the full force of Agyrian justice.
+
"This is like Seven Rivers."
|Title=Queen of Ar Agyr
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
  
|-
+
A claw glancing off chitin, she sweeps the spear through the shamblers on the left flank of the crimson haired man.
|
 
|<center>{{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Orders
 
|Sender=Rowan Hawk
 
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
 
|Content=My fellow warriors,  
 
  
I am still wounded, but only lightly so. I was on my death bed in Lloringel but am recovering. I am thankful for the response to get me out of this land, my former home. I am rallying what remains of my men, and I will be here to greet you all to stand against the undead. I had initially set my unit to return to the capitol, but I could not live with myself to abandon you all for this fight. The undead are numerous and we will need every soldier available. I will stand by the warriors of Ar Agyr in the morning and together we will drive out the undead horde.  
+
"There must be a commander. Someone working for the Sunken Kingdom.".
|Title=General of Ar Agyr
+
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
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|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
|<center>{{Message2
 
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Filippo Greybrook
+
|Sender=Balin de Chaol Ghleann
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
+
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
|Content=Why are there so many rogues? It wasn't like this in Dwilight when I roamed.
+
|Content=This was a battle like no other that Balin had ever been in. The dead kept coming, and were overwhelming their skill with sheer numbers. Dead arms grabbed at him from every direction, while the woman was grappling with multiple shambling corpses, her spear on the ground. Balin knew he could not reach her in time. Perhaps the end had finally come. He felt a pity no one was there to watch it and write about the the glorious death these followers of the Old Gods would earn this day.
|Title=Knight of Mhed
+
 
}}</center>
+
Suddenly, a new voice joined the cacophony, and singing none-the-less. Just as he looked towards the direction the song could be heard, he saw a young noble with dark hair and grey piercing eyes, burst through the ranks of the foul creatures, smashing into the undead that were attacking the woman. Hope returned as the woman flung off the dead creatures pinning her down, and picked up her spear. He was momentarily stunned as he he heard the noble refer to the pale woman as Nerta - the leader of the church. A grin formed on his face. Of course! This would explain her prowess in battle and why she was here looking over the new temple in Bessimir. He was brought out of his thoughts as a fleshy dead fist missing a few fingers connected to his helmed head, bringing his focus back to the battle. He roared as he smashed the owner into the ground with his war hammer.
|-
 
  
|-
+
Balin then heard Nerta mention an undead commander, and he looked to the left flank where she pointed. She was right, the shambling corpses had no faculties of their own, and only did the bidding of their commanders.As he looked closely to the left flank, he saw a figure up on a skeletal horse starring down at them with cold blue eyes. Hope rose in his chest. He pointed excitedly with his war-hammer and shouted, "Up there! On that horse!"
|
 
|<center>{{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Sender=Aibhlidhn Dubhaine
 
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
 
|Content=We've had massed rogue outbreaks several times during my reign, the Rainbow Invasion being the worst - that saw a single army of 120k CS ravaging the coast between the Vales and Fronepu. The difference this time is that multiple hordes are appearing regularly in diverse locations across the East.
 
  
The Keffa Incident has a lot to do with this as magic became easier to cast and the witches who plague all lands have therefore become more dangerous. But I also see the migration of the Obeah from the Rines peninsula as strongly contributory. That made it impossible for the Novans to properly contain the threat from the Necromancers and now their realm has fallen allowing the rot to spread.
+
But the momentary hope quickly faded as reality struck and he saw the rows upon rows of undead filling the space between their small party and the commander. Although there were three of them, he could not see an end to the dead and knew that even with the new noble joining in the fray, it would just be time before they all three fell. It was ironic that a bard should join this battle, the very person he wished was here to observe and write songs about this glorious death, yet he too would be fated to join them in the afterlife. He knew in his heard that they would not be able to make their way up where the commander stood unmoving, and pierced them with icy blue eyes filled with hatred. Balin spoke a short prayer, readied his weapon and prepared to die.  
  
There has also been mention of other hordes north of Thalmarkin and to the west of Irondale but I've not seen scout reports to gauge just how bad the situation is in those parts.
+
Just as Balin roared defiantly, he was surprised to hear loud howls surrounding their little group, accompanied by low growls and snarls, and terrifying sounds of snapping of teeth, bones breaking and flesh being torn apart. He stood there stunned trying to understand what was happening. And as he stood there, he saw the undead part, as if a great sea was being separated into two, a path forming straight up towards the commander. He gaped in wonder at the widening path.
  
I've tasked our bolder adventurers with seeking out scrolls useful in battle but for the most part we need to rely on our steel and our determination to see us through this period. At least our cities are on the coast so if pushed hard we can withdraw to our havens and hold there.
+
From the top of the church, an small brown owl watched with interest as on the left flank of the great battle, large wolves with massive jaws and sharp teeth bit, smashed and tugged at the undead, pulling them apart, and forming what looked to be a path up the hill. The owl didn't understand what it was seeing, but it watched nonetheless for it had never seem such events before and likely it never will again.  
|Title=Queen of Ar Agyr
+
|Title=Count of Bessimir, Priest of the Old Gods
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
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+
| [[File:DeathKnight.jpg|center|200 px]]
|<center>{{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Sender=Aeravon Velaryon
 
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
 
|Content=Our city-ports are massive bastions with towering walls and strong denizens. However, we cannot rely on this alone to weather us through the upcoming winter. These cities need food and with right now only Seven Rivers contributing the harvests will barely cover the needs. Even in autumn when they are extremely bountiful we are going to start missing food. It is clear that we need to sally forth and brave our way through the sea of hordes, and this is what we are doing, but a long term strategy on how to keep our reclaimed lands our should be defined. If these marauding hordes continue to run rampant it will be a challenge.
 
 
 
For the North,
 
|Title=Judge of Ar Agyr
 
}}</center>
 
 
|-
 
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|-
 
|-
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+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
|<center>{{Message2
 
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Aibhlidhn Dubhaine
+
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
+
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
|Content=We're in a bit of a pickle as hordes seem to be infesting much of the continent since the Novans abandoned their homeland for Irondale and an extra sword to recapture the lands we've lost in recent weeks will be much appreciated.
+
|Content=Nerta’s spear slices through another shambler on Balin’s flank as the roaring man smashes a pair with shield and hammer. Breath steaming as the howl goes up from the woods, the woman cracks a grim smile.
  
Everything's suddenly gone very quiet around Lloringel. Let's hope it stays that way until the TO is concluded.
+
“I think you’re right Old Man, the Gods ''are'' watching.
|Title=Queen of Ar Agyr
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
  
 +
Her grey cloak snaps as Nerta springs past Balin, and her spear swings through an arc to sweep a zombie into the waiting jaws of a wolf.
  
|-
+
“Come on! Time for a real fight!”
|
 
|<center>{{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Sender=Greyson Stewart
 
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
 
|Content=I must say, with all due respect, that the Queen has certainly just jinxed us. 
 
  
In Honor,
+
As zombie guards are mauled by snarling wolves the imperious death knight pulls on the reins and lashes at the hounds of the Wolf Lord. His skeletal steed rears up to display the standard of the [[Sunken Kingdom|Dread Necromancer]], before thundering down the growing corridor. As the death knight closes those baleful blue eyes flicker to witchfire green and the black blade ignites.
|Title=Noble of Ar Aygr
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
  
 +
“[[Unti Family/Aldo|ALDO!]] Necromancer!” 
  
|-
+
The galloping horse seems to move beyond the font of power as something drags away the greenish glow. Hunting for its master, the death knight twists around as Nerta first springs off a falling zombie, and then the back of the wolf biting it. 
|<center>{{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Sender=Ryosuke Guile
 
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
 
|Content=A glorious day for all humanity! Well done Duke Remus!
 
  
The timely arrival of Duchess Scarlett was well within the Masked One’s knowledge, and together you beat some rather impressive odds. Gethsemene stands as a shining beacon in these troubling times!
+
Like a thunderbolt, Nerta's lance pierces plate and unseats the thing. But the champion felt no pain and the black blade flashes even as they fall. Nerta catches the blow with a hand but the death knight is too strong and blood bubbles between chitin as the pair crash to the ground. 
  
Vox Noctis,
+
Nerta screams as the thing tears the blade free for another swing. Abandoning the spear, she leaps back as the blade slices through her cloak instead of her side. Cradling an arm she draws knives as the shadow of the death knight rises and blood splashes in the dirt.
|Title=Hierophant of Irondale
+
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
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+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
|<center>{{Message2
 
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Aibhlidhn Dubhaine
+
|Sender=Soren Navaar
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
+
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
|Content=Unique Item Lost
+
|Content=Soren snatched up his spear in the ensuing chaos and returned it to his back. The hammer swinging man seemed to have things back under control as Soren cut down a few more dead nearby. Cursed Emperor he thought to himself once more as he deflected a hand axe and sliced through another creature. Nerta had already gone springing ahead. Trusting her to do what she needed to, he continued to hack away at the risen dead as they broke free from the wolves. He was trying to help two people at once, and it split his attention.
(Personal message) - 10 hours, 51 minutes ago
 
As you regain consciousness from your wounding, you realize that you have lost the Vial of Scherzer's Ashes!
 
  
In this morning's battle in Lloringel I was separated from my guards in the melee and had a great heirloom of Ar Agyr, the Vial of Scherzer's Ashes, ripped from my unconscious body before being rescued.
+
A fist collided with his side, knocking the air from his lungs as he turned and cut down the dead creature. It was only a matter of time before the divided attention got him killed. He knew he should just go back and help the other person clear up the dead.
  
A generous bounty will be paid to whoever recovers the Vial.
+
The plan broke off before he had even taken a step back as Nerta screamed. Without a second thought, the bard rushed in her direction, cutting through a pair of skeletal creatures as he ran to stand beside her. She looked to be injured, but still ready to fight. That's just like her, he thought to himself. Leveling his blade at the death knight, he growled and prepared to fight. "Let's see how you like daimon steel, you bastard!" The sword he pointed at the creature was passed down from the fourth invasion, a weapon taken from a daimon during the fall of Heen, and it gave off the feeling that it was exactly that. "Nerta, just tell me what you need me to do," he grunted as he blocked the death knight's weapon, and then deflected it away.
|Title=Queen of Ar Agyr
+
|Title=Count of Seven Rivers
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
 
  
 
|-
 
|-
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+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
| colspan=1 |<center>{{Message2
 
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Jacinda the Driven
+
|Sender=Balin de Chaol Ghleann
|Recipients=Everyone in the Agyrian Academy
+
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
|Content=Great Queen,
+
|Content=Balin recovered quickly from his momentary awe at the path the wolves had created towards the undead commander. Nerta was right, the Old Gods were indeed watching. He saw Nerta rush by him and charge the death knight, and with a loud bellow rushed in after her. He saw her spear pierce deep into the Knight throwing him off of his rotting steed. He rushed in at the knight, trying to take his focus away from the pale woman, as she leapt backwards, trying to dodge the undead's blades that had already bit deeply into her arm.
 +
 
 +
He ran at the scourge, dropping his shield and holding his war-hammer with two hands, while roaring a defiant challenge. He didn't stop as the undead knight lifted his large swords and sliced at his head aiming to cleave it off in one swoop. Though Balin's short stature had in the past been joked about, today it proved an asset as the large undead simply wasn't used to hitting targets so close to the ground. At the last moment, Balin slid on his knees right under the whistling swords, and came up around the side of the undead warrior, swinging his warhammer in a large arc and smashing it straight into the back of the creature. The blow was so powerful that it knocked the undead onto his knees and arms, stunning it momentarily.
 +
 
 +
And yet, it was not vanquished. Balin knew that it would take three to slay such a powerful creature, and he was off balance trying to regain his footing as well. He would not recover in time for another blow. The creature was already shaking off the stun and was trying to crawl back on it's feet. Nerta's spear and Balin's warhammer had weakened it greatly, and it was in a vulnerable state, a sliver of the back of his neck open to the sky, while his rotting head was still facing downwards, visible in between the heavy armor and helmet that it was wearing.
  
I have found your heirloom, though I need rest now, where should I meet you to deliver it?
+
Balin looked towards Soren and hoped he would see the opening in time to act.
|Title=Adventurer
+
|Title=Count of Bessimir, Priest of the Old Gods
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
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|<center>{{Message2
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
|Recipients=Everyone in The Old Gods
+
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
|Content=The Old Man wonders what's going on in the deep south. With Ar Agyr busy tending local matters there's little talk of another crusade.
+
|Content=Nerta stands in the shadow of the leering skull as the black blade rises for another swing. Armed with only a knife, she prepares to dodge the looming death, but crashes into the Crystal-Cursed bard.
 +
 
 +
Eyes wide and wild while Balin barks his challenge, Nerta lets out a hissing chitter.
 +
 
 +
“By all the Gods!”
 +
 
 +
As the warhammer crushes the death knight like an avalanche, Nerta shoves Soren toward the toppling giant.
  
Anyone have any news?
+
“We don't have time to be fancy. Just hit the thing!”
|Title= [[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
+
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
|<center>{{Message2
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
 
|Sender=Soren Navaar
 
|Sender=Soren Navaar
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
+
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
|Content=I'm on my way to Lloringel to assist.
+
|Content=Soren stumbled forward and readied his weapon. "Sorry for thinking there might be an actual plan!" Stalking forward another step, the young knight took on a different demeanor. Years of training drilled into his skull from a young age took over and he side stepped the tumbling creature, bringing the blade down on its back. The ground felt the force of the impact as the creature hit. Not letting up, Soren had already looped his blade around, picking up momentum, and brought it down on the creature's skull, cleaving through helm and head alike.
  
Might I suggest we change the melee and ranged formations?
+
The ethereal blue light that gave the creature life sputtered before them like a candle buffeted in the wind. A wretched screech rang out from the creature, and around them numerous dead began faltering in response. As their flames guttered out, corpses quickly littered the earth, and the will-o'-wisp grew brighter, the flame steadying as it drew power from its subordinates. Soren brought the blade up once more and drove it through the creature's armor, praying the metal would disrupt the flame's regeneration. Another deafening screech cut through the air, the death knight struggled to get up, failing to even get to its knees with the blade in its back. As it fell back down, the blue light dimmed, faded... The banshee's howl that came next pushed Soren back as the flame scattered into the air. The creature's final death throes sending a cold, clammy shock wave through the area, and then, at last, silence from the thing.
  
With melee in box, it means they will last longer, and with the ranges forces in a line, they will do more damage.
+
Soren wrenched the blade free and looked between the two. "Do we hunt the master next?" he asked, referring to the Necromancer, and glancing at the wolves finishing the job behind them.
 
|Title=Count of Seven Rivers
 
|Title=Count of Seven Rivers
}}</center>
 
 
|-
 
|<center>{{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
 
|Recipients=Everyone in The Old Gods
 
|Content=Not a bad idea Soren, but I'm to ask: Know any good songs to go with the March?
 
|Title= [[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
|<center>{{Message2
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
|Type=Letter
+
|Type=Roleplay
|Sender=Soren Navaar
+
|Sender=Balin de Chaol Ghleann
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
+
|Recipients=Everyone in the Old Gods
|Content=A song Priestess?
+
|Content=Balin watched with satisfaction as the green light faded from the undead commander's eyes. Soren's blow had hit it's mark true. A deadly spear, an expertly weighted war-hammer and a razor-sharp blade was what it took to fell the death knight. This would be a battle bards would write songs about for years to come. A lucky thing then, that the wielder of the sword just happened to be a bard.
 
 
I might have one up my sleeves here. An old war song. The music is a bit rough
 
  
--------------
+
As Balin looked around he noticed that the remaining undead now stood aimless and without purpose, without a commander to instill its will into them. The wolves were making short work of remaining undead, soon after retreating into the forest. Against all odds, the battle had been won. He took a deep breath relishing the crisp air, the life that still hung to his body, placed his warhammer at his back, and turned his attention on his companions. Noticing the blood on Nerta's hard he came closer to her, and clapped her friendly on the back.
  
As the drum beat started on that day, heard a hundred miles back
+
"Nerta! We live and breath! I suppose the Old Gods still have need of us." His shoulders shook as he laughed merrily. "Do ya need some help bandaging that wound?"
A hundred thousand arrows fly, and the blue sky turned to black.
 
Yes, that foul hail, you see, it lasted all day long
 
And the army marched, banners high, burning hearts still strong.
 
  
The battle, yes, the battle had begun.
+
Had Balin looked up towards the edge of the clearing, where the forest meets green grass, he might have noticed a large grey wolf, with deep piercing eyes, watching the battle end, his snarl looking almost like a grin of satisfaction. He might have seen the wolf bob his head as if in a nod, before turning away and disappearing into the great forest of Bessimir.
The battle, yes, the battle, nowhere to run.
+
|Title=Count of Bessimir, Priest of the Old Gods
 
 
As the first blows struck, cries called out, judgement for their sins
 
The warriors march, pure of cause, a thousand smaller wins.
 
As combatants fall, final breaths, the field becomes a flood
 
With wolven howls, our heroes push, through sweat, tears, and blood.
 
 
 
The battle, yes, the battle on the rise.
 
The battle, yes, the battle now, hear our howling cries.
 
 
 
The last foe falls, beneath cold steel, despite the fearsome clash
 
Driven from the field they say, powerful as thunders crash.
 
Heroes cheer, victory, still they mourn the cost
 
A toast held high, a drink or two, for the ones they lost.
 
 
 
The battle, yes, the battle stopped at last.
 
This pack of wolves must move on, a tale for their past.
 
|Title=Count of Seven Rivers
 
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
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|<center>{{Message2
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
+
|Recipients=Personal letter to Dancer Rea
|Content=Soren,
+
|Content=As the champion crumbles to dust, Nerta's Graft fades with a shuddering twist of pain. Chitin gone, blood flows and Balin’s friendly hand sends Nerta staggering.  
The Old Man will not stop singing this now. I hope you're happy. He just mutters about Gor Ault and some ancient war.
+
 
|Title= [[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
+
“I’ll need bandages and alcohol. The thing hit harder than you.”
}}</center>
 
|-
 
  
|-
+
Adrenaline wearing off, Nerta almost collapses to the ground cradling her arm. But she nods to the great wolf on the edge of the forest.  
|<center>{{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
 
|Recipients=Everyone in The Old Gods
 
|Content=A few more legends have been recorded in the [[Old Gods/Legends|library.]] Some are more, colourful than others...
 
  
Anyone know of any other local stories?
+
“I think we can say the Gods are pleased and if so, who am I to say otherwise? Welcome Guardian Balin. May your hammer always be ready.”
|Title= [[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
+
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
 
  
 
|-
 
|-
|<center>{{Message2
+
! Vel's Tale
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Sender=Gadwin Ardent
 
|Recipients=Everyone in The Old Gods
 
|Content=I came to this land determined to learn of the Old Gods. I have read some of the materials in the library but I would very interested to hear the thoughts, teachings and opinions of those who have followed the Old Gods. Is there one or more among you who would be willing to guide me in these early times of discovery?
 
|Title=Knight of Daisha
 
}}</center>
 
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
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|-
|<center>{{Message2
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Type=Letter
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
+
|Sender=Vel the Explorer
|Recipients=Everyone in The Old Gods
+
|Recipients=Everyone in the Agyrian Academy
|Content=The Old Man says yes, though I'm more qualified to teach you about hunting.
+
|Content= Greetings,
 +
 
 +
Hello everyone!, I was just passing by in Firbalt before I saw the guild hall and decided to join. I look forward to the correspondence's and the story telling.  
  
What brought you here, another with visions from the Gods or just a grudge against the Children?
+
Signed
|Title= [[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
+
|Title=Adventurer
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
|-
 
|<center>{{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Sender=Gadwin Ardent
 
|Recipients=Everyone in The Old Gods
 
|Content=I have had no visions. I am no prophet or seer. I also hold no grudges as of note, against the children or anyone else.
 
 
I simply heard rumors of Old gods being found again here in Beluaterra. Small bits and seemingly inaccurate in many cases. But what I did hear stirred me. I had to learn more. And so here I am.
 
|Title=Knight of Daisha
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
  
 
|-
 
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|<center>{{Message2
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
|Recipients=Everyone in The Old Gods
+
|Recipients=Everyone in the Agyrian Academy
|Content=You must be new or have led a charmed life Gadwin. Hope it continues.
+
|Content= Hello Vel,
  
Either way, the Old Gods are the masters of this land and the monsters their Children. We are in contest with the beasts to control this land, a contest we seem to be losing given all the wild lands. Our goal is simple, to win the love of the Gods and vanquish the monsters through the strength of the human spirit.  
+
Happy to have you though things have quieted some ever since the Temple was founded.  
  
What had you heard, something different than this?
+
What sort of things are you interested in learning about, or studying?  
 
+
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
Actually we've lost most of our Augurs lately. Wonder what they know that we don't...
 
|Title= [[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
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|<center>{{Message2
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Type=Letter
|Sender=Quincy Stormreaver
+
|Sender=Vel the Explorer
|Recipients=Everyone in The Old Gods
+
|Recipients=Everyone in the Agyrian Academy
|Content=Fellow faithful,
+
|Content=Lady Nerta,
  
I'm pleased to announce the opening of the temple in Aesh.  I invite a priest to preach in my lands at their earliest convenience and and elder to enlarge the temple. Please remove the Dashi influence from my lands as soon as possible.
+
Right now I am doing a tour of the major cities of the lands and the various realms. I have found that Firbalt is beautiful with the many verity of flower that can be found there!
  
Iron Within and Sexy Velvet Without,
+
Any information you can have of the others would be most pleasing, I was hoping to head to Reven next to see what the remolding the new ruler accomplished though I wouldn't mind taking a detour if you are willing so i can explore your region with more than a outside look. (( rp opprunity))
|Title=Keeper of Law of Irondale
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
  
|-
+
Signed
|<center>{{Message2
+
|Title=Adventurer
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Sender=Soren Navaar
 
|Recipients=Everyone in Ar Agyr
 
|Content=Priestess,
 
 
 
I am honored to hear that my song went over well. Perhaps I shall commit it to the Academy Archives in the Seven Rivers Bardic Wing if we ever reclaim it from the beasts that plague it.
 
|Title=Count of Seven Rivers
 
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
|<center>{{Message2
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Type=Letter
|Sender=Ryosuke Guile
+
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
|Recipients=Everyone in The Old Gods
+
|Recipients=Everyone in the Agyrian Academy
|Content=Faithful Believers in the Old Gods,
+
|Content= I'd actually considered a tour of the land myself once. I had been heading down to Firbalt to bring some books from the main Agyr campus. Turned into an ill fated expedition thanks to the mess in Keffa. You're certainly welcome to come up here, though I don't really have a home either.
 
+
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
I have come across a text within one of the libraries of Fianik, one that gave me pause in my perusal... I can see hints of all of the Divines within this tale. I shall attach a copy of the repaired text here:
 
 
 
"Once upon a time, on the slopes of the Great Mountain, there was a village where the people known as "Happy" lived, their very existence a mystery to the rest of the world, obscured as it was by immortal clouds.
 
 
 
Here they played out their peaceful lives, innocent of the litany of excess and violence that was growing in the world below. To live in harmony with the spirit of the mountain called "Dragon" was enough. Then one day a group of Strangers arrived in the village. They came in darkness, hidden under deep hoods, but no one noticed them: they only saw shadows.
 
 
 
You see, without the Truth of the Eyes, the Happy-folk were blind.
 
 
 
In time, the Strangers found their way into the highest reaches of the mountain, and it was there that they found the caves of unimaginable Sincerity and Beauty.
 
By chance, they had somehow stumbled upon the Place Where All Good Souls Come to Rest.
 
These Strangers, they coveted the shining jewels in these caves above all things, and soon they began to mine the mountain, its rich seams fueling the chaos of their own world.
 
 
 
Meanwhile, in the town, the Happy-folk slept restlessly, their dreams invaded by shadowy figures digging away at their souls.
 
 
 
Every day, people would wake and stare at the mountain. Why was it bringing darkness into their lives? And as the Strangers mined deeper and deeper into the mountain, holes began to appear, bringing with them a cold and bitter wind... that chilled the very soul of the dragon. For the first time, the Happy-folk felt fearful... for they knew that soon the Dragon would soon stir from its deep sleep... And then came a sound. Distant at first, it grew into castrophany so immense it could be heard throughout the heavens.
 
 
 
There were no screams. There was no time. The mountain called Dragon had spoken.
 
There was only fire.
 
And then, nothing."
 
 
 
I wonder if any might have thoughts upon this tale? I assume it regards Jobo's Mouth and the far past, but am unsure. The Jedin Massif is the only Great Mountain I know of at present. I am most curious about this "Truth of the Eyes", much moreso than the resting place of souls. I would dare not disturb a well earned rest, but I would most certainly seek out this item, or concept, or technique... whatever it is, I would seek it. If any have information, I would be greatly appreciative.
 
 
 
((OOC: yes, the story is inspired by song lyrics, shoot me :P))
 
 
 
Vox Noctis,
 
|Title=Hierophant, Defence Minister of Irondale
 
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
|<center>{{Message2
+
|colspan=1 | <center> {{Message2
 
|Width=100%
 
|Width=100%
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Type=Letter
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
 
|Sender=Nerta the Weaver
|Recipients=Everyone in The Old Gods
+
|Recipients=Personal letter to Dancer Rea
|Content=That's quite the story, almost lyrical.... By the Gods is the Old Man going to start singing some more?
+
|Content=  
|Title= [[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
+
|Title=[[Melhed/Foederati|Foederati]]
 
}}</center>
 
}}</center>
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 

Latest revision as of 07:23, 4 July 2022

FrozenForest.jpg
Dancer's Tale
Letter from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Personal letter to Dancer Rea
The crude words are barely legible.

Hey Crown Rack,

Ancient treaties, something something. I'm passing through and don't care about your brawl. Leave me out of it.
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Letter from Dancer Rea
Message sent to Personal letter to Nerta the Weaver
Who the hell do you think you are, child?
Dancer Rea (King of Thalmarkin)
Balin's Tale
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in the Old Gods
“So you, must be Balin.”

The words come from a woman rumbling along the dirt path to the construction site. Her wheelbarrow of bricks clacking, she stops by the man who’d given the orders to get to work. She had a gruff voice, bright eyes and somehow was able to shlep bricks in a cloak.

“Big priest like you, how do you help people?” She jerks her chin toward the worksite, “Besides big temples I mean.”
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Balin de Chaol Ghleann
Message sent to Everyone in the Old Gods
Balin was outside the temple in Bessimir, overseeing the construction. He was in a particular good mood as construction of the temple was going on schedule and soon the shack that it once was, would turn in a small but beautiful temple. He was already planning how to decorate it, to best represent his chosen god, the Wolf Lord.

The temple itself was being built from a combination of stone and wood logs, giving it a rustic look, set near a backdrop of a great forest. Balin liked the rustic look as he wanted the temple to feel like it was a part of nature, as we all are. He wanted to be close to the woods where wolves often prowled, so he could hear their voices during his meditation hour. Visitors would also appreciate the beautiful howls of the wolves during service, he was sure of it.

He was woken up from his musings by the gruff voice of a woman. He turned to face her and blinked a few times, gathering this thoughts.

"Indeed I am. I'm glad you noticed the temple. It is not big yet, but one day, perhaps it will be."

He thought a moment about the woman's question.

"I am priest. I help people with their spiritual journey and help them be closer to their chosen god. The life of a Northman is harsh and full of danger, so we must be ever closer to our Gods if we want to persevere and survive."

He drew a breath and continued.

"The Savage Lord commands and makes the most deserving champions prosper. He is my chosen God, and the God that this temple is dedicated to."

"But what brings you in this parts? And what name can I call you by?"
Balin de Chaol Ghleann (Count of Bessimir, Priest of the Old Gods)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in the Old Gods
"Big priest, big temple..." she gestures to Balin, "big ego?"

The woman didn't wait for a reply. She just throws a brick underhand at Balin's chest and closes in.

"Prove yourself 'champion', Wolf Lord's watching."
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Balin de Chaol Ghleann
Message sent to Everyone in the Old Gods
As the brick flew from the woman's hand, Balin surprised as he was, didn't manage but gape at the woman and the audacity of having a brick thrown at him. The brick hit him square in the chest with a loud "THUCK", driving him back a few steps. An unexpected and strong hit. He rubbed at his chest with one arm, taking the measure of the woman with renewed interest.

Who was this woman that would challenge him on the steps of his temple? But this was not a time to ponder and meditate. She was closing in fast. His chest hurt and that didn't happen often. He was indeed a stout man, though rather short, and had been in a good deal of scrapes in the past. Not often would a blow have such impact. No, this fight he would not take lightly.

He regained his composure and positioned himself in a low guard, arms open, alike a wrestler might take and spoke in a low growl.

"I accept your challenge. Let the Wolf Lord watch and delight himself in this."

In the distance of the forest, a faint howl pierced through the noises of the day.
Balin de Chaol Ghleann (Count of Bessimir, Priest of the Old Gods)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in the Old Gods
As the brick connects, Nerta scuttles across the ground.

"What did you say? Harsh and full of dangers, right?"

Her movements precise, she balances on her hands as Balin staggers back and kicks the man's stomach while he rubs at his chest.

"You remind me of someone." Springing into a pounce, Nerta hisses, "You both talk too much when there's fighting to be done. I wonder if you'll be as annoying..."
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Balin de Chaol Ghleann
Message sent to Everyone in the Old Gods
The woman was quick, too quick. In the span that Balin took to recover from the brick, she was on him, kicking at his stomach. He spun and retaliated with a sweeping kick to her side, and so the fight began in earnest.

Through the forest leaves, one could hear the rising wind, for it moaned and whistled, while branches off of the large trees crashed together as if drums were beaten to a secret rhythm known well to those denizens of the forest. If the birds up in the trees had looked down towards the temple, they would have seen a stound man, with a long braided red beard and a spiked mohawk, trading blows with a pale and terrifying woman, in a rhythmic back and forth, much like a dance, a wild and terrifying dance. Those birds would have heard loud hits reverberate through the forest, as fists connected with fleshy parts, and feet scraped loudly on the ground. They would have heard low growls and battle cries, taunts and jeers, as the two combatants were engrossed in raucous and chaotic dance, much as two wolves might in the deep of the forest.

And those birds would have missed a great big wolf standing at the edge of the clearing, watching with focused eyes that burned like fire.
Balin de Chaol Ghleann (Count of Bessimir, Priest of the Old Gods)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in the Old Gods
Balin’s kick sees Nerta miss her pounce and land beside the falling man. From there it becomes a scrabble in the dirt. With elbows and feet striking hard, while hands pull.

As she fumbles for the brick, the spidery woman catches a blow across her jaw. It leaves her next smile as red as his hair, yet her hissing words hardly seem upset.

“Good. You fight for real.”

The wolf steps from the forest as she matches his bet, but the raise is cut short by the sound of something else. Something hungrier than a wolf….

“Zombies!”

Chittering, Nerta pushes Balin away while corpses from the logging camp lurch toward the pair. Slavering for flesh, the first three break into a starved rush as Nerta climbs to her feet and reaches for the spear in the wheelbarrow.
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Balin de Chaol Ghleann
Message sent to Everyone in the Old Gods
Balin wiped the blood from his face, as he looked in the direction the woman pointed at.

"Zombies! Pah! They always ruin any fun I'm having", he muttered angrily to himself, as he started running towards the nearby table where many papers and construction plans laid scattered, and near which he had placed his large war-hammer and round iron shield. "Everyone, get back to town!", he shouted to the workers nearby, as he pushed them out of the way.

It was a bad timing for an invasion as the armies of Thalmarkin were busy on the southern front, in a useless war over the pride of an Agyr queen. There would be no outside help today. Today, it would only be Balin and the strange woman, who had certainly impressed him with her skill and still did not know the name of, that would face the undead horde. It would certainly be a challenge, and Balin's smile widened at the thought of it. The Savage Lord often challenged his followers, and today Balin would revel in the challenge.

As he picked up his war hammer and shield, he made a short prayer to the his God asking that this fight bring glory to the Wolf Lords name, then moved to where the woman was picking up her spear and reading for battle. Today he would be her shield wall, and she would bring death to the shambling bones that dared defy the laws of nature.

Up high, in a nearby tree, a squirrel collected nuts for the winter. Had it looked down towards the temple, it would have noticed a horde of undead shambling closer, hatred of all that is living showing in their cold dead eyes, while commoners fled the construction site. Had it looked to the right, at the edge of the clearing, he would have noticed a large wolf out in the clear, looking on at a red headed stout man nearby a fierce looking pale woman, both readying their weapons in defiance of the incoming undead. It would have seen the wolf snarl in what looked almost like a grin of satisfaction. But the squirrel saw nothing, as it was busy collecting nuts, oblivious to what was to happen.
Balin de Chaol Ghleann (Count of Bessimir, Priest of the Old Gods)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in the Old Gods
Balin's words are punctuated by a crack of bone as Nerta's spear swings through the lead shambler. Following through she pivots to kick the second before it can rakes her, and grabs the third on her way down, slamming it to the ground.

"Don't worry Balin, we'll finish later."

Nerta hisses in that strange voice as her spear pierces the skull of the prone figure. The net words come after a hard swallow and sound more normal, and amused.

"Don't die."

The pair of Guardians stand shoulder to shoulder as the scouts of the horde pour from the woods. This would be a grim harvest but the pair were outnumbered by the roving tide. Without aid, neither of them would see nightfall.
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Balin de Chaol Ghleann
Message sent to Everyone in the Old Gods
Balin hefted his shield blocking an incoming bony arm, then smashed his war-hammer into the grotesque mass in front of him, hearing a satisfying *crack*.

"Indeed, Wolf Lord willing, we shall bring death to the.." Balin's words falter for a second, "umm.. dead things". Balin cocked his head to one side thinking about what he just said, but was pulled quickly out of his revelry by the foul stench of the undead surrounding the two of them. He began to fight in earnest, blocking for the woman with this iron shield, and smashing bones and flesh that came too close with his warhammer, and while the pale woman expertly pierced through the heads of the undead, or out through their spine, dealing them an instant second death, the final death.

The two warriors danced, in a crazed yet synchronized dance of death, dispatching the shambling masses, left and right. But as the dead fell, and the piles of bones and rotting flesh grew taller, more came to take their place. It was a fight to be remembered, a fight the bards would have written songs for and told stories by the hearth fires, but alas, there might not be anyone to remember it. The dead came and came and did not stop, while the man and woman fighting side by side felt the shield grow heavy, the spear pierce with less power, and the war-hammer rise slower with every blow. Yet, it was clear that the red haired stout man and pale ferocious woman would not stop, not until the air stopped flowing in their lung and their heart stopped pumping blood. It would not be long now.

On one side of the battlefield, on a small hill, a gopher peered out with interested. But it did not look at the battle, nor to the undead. It peered at a large gray wolf mere paces from the hole the gopher called home, howling loudly towards the darkening evening sky.

As it howled, it grew colder and colder still, and fine, powdery snow began to fall, covering the land with a white blanket. As the gopher watched, the keen wind carried the wolf's howls through the dark forest, and new howls responded, at first distant and few, but as the large wolf kept howling with insistence, the howls grew louder, and closer. As moments past, the baying of the wolves sounded nearer and nearer, as though they were closing from every side, soon joined by low and terrifying growls and snarls coming from just outside the clearing.

The gopher ran back into its hole, a smart choice when apex predators come near, and so it could not see the rows of white fangs glistening in the fading sunlight, as saliva dripped from their snarling snouts. But as the gopher hid inside it's hole, it could still feel the earth trembling under many powerful paws, as scores of wolves moved as one towards a great battle unfolding near a small wooden temple, with an image of a Great Wolf carved above the open gate.
Balin de Chaol Ghleann (Count of Bessimir, Priest of the Old Gods)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in the Old Gods
Nerta hadn't fought like this since Seven Rivers, when the dead had stretched to the horizon and only Bob had dared join in battle. Bob, Mielba and..... Jacinda.

The memory earns the next zombie a vicious stab while claws scrabble at the shield and wolves howl.

Jacinda, Mielba, Vankocuf .... Soren.

Her spear falls as dead hands grab her from behind and Nerta is pulled from Balin's protective shadow. Suspended in the fetid embrace of three, her cloak finally opens and hands grab at the creatures around her, warding off their snapping jaws with a hiss of her own.

"Shut up Old Man! I was distracted...."

Nerta stabs one with a knife while claws rake across growing chitin and the horde presses Balin.
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Soren Navaar
Message sent to Everyone in the Old Gods
Soren absently wondered who would mess with their own realm’s road signs. Instead of going home through Yipinalke from the tournament, he had gotten turned around and gone north during a bout of fog. A trick played by the Mist Walker if he had ever seen one. A sigh as he ran a hand through dark hair and looked up at the sky. I may as well keep going, he decided. Go the long way home, or turn around and risk trouble with more border guards. He had already hidden his livery and was passing through as a well armed bard. For the tournament, he had taken the spear on his back, and at his hip was his sword.

Silence filled the air, as if something had stirred driving the wildlife away. Ignoring the signs, and bored by himself, he decided to hum and fill the empty air. Each note crept a little louder than the last, subtly at first, until Soren’s lips quirked into a smile and he started, singing as they rode along until his voice echoed over the land.

They're rattling their rapiers
And prancing in their livery
They're howling at the gates again
Hot time in the old town tonight
Get yourself together
And meet me ‘low the mezzanine
We're gonna have a reckoning
Hot time in the old town tonight
Tonight, Tonight,
We're gonna make it our own
But we're gonna do it right
Tonight, Tonight,
We're gonna make it our own
But we're gonna do it right...

A couple of verses later, the song ended, and Soren felt more alive and ready for whatever lingered in the region. Unbeknownst to the singing bard, he was wandering ever closer to the source of the silence until the first signs of unlife made themselves known. Low groans and the sounds of grinding joints and cracking bones rippled across the air. The dead walk once more, he realized in time to see a one-armed creature shambling after something else. Checking to make sure nothing was lingering behind, the young bard readied his gear and let his horse go free as he started after the dead. His spear on his back now, and a hand on his sword, just in case.

The call of the dead creatures grew louder, as he moved along. A lot more had gathered, and it looked as though they were advancing on some people. A village must be nearby, he determined and drew his sword.

Soren’s blade, forged from an old daimon weapon during the fourth invasion, demanded attention as he drew it. The nearest undead immediately turned towards him. A clean swipe immediately took the head off of one of the creatures, and another cleaved through a second. Grinning. The man fell into song as began to cut a path toward the survivors. "This is our house, Are you ready for the fisticuffs, The fuss, the muss, the row, the fray? Hot time in the old town tonight."

The first few dead dropped before they could do more than turn to him. The flat of his sword connected with one skeletal figure, knocking the skull free into the air like a ball until it landed somewhere near Nerta and Balin. Let’s show them how I won the tournament in Unger. Warmed up, he took a step back and switched to his spear. The dead would surround him long before he would reach them, and he needed the buffer. "This is our house, Take your medicine, And fly the fiddlin' back away, From whence you came, Hot time in the old town tonight."

Soren’s spear skill was more like a staff with a sharp extension, as he bludgeoned and jabbed his way through, parting the dead within his defensive radius. "Tonight, Tonight, We're gonna make it our own, But we're gonna do it right. Tonight, Tonight, We're gonna make it our own, But we're gonna do it right."

Balin and Nerta were finally in sight. Recognizing the priestess he wondered if he should thank the Emperor he had made it here until she was swarmed by the dead. The young count broke off his song with a roar as he pushed through the crowd of dead and drove a spear straight into one of Nerta's captors pinning it into the dirt. Using the weapon as a vault, he jumped and slammed feet first into another of her captors, and came back up from the ground with sword drawn.

Flashing a grin at Nerta, the feeling of relief lighting up his face, as he pulled her free from the last creature and cut it down. "You had better not die on me, Nerta."
Soren Navaar (Count of Seven Rivers)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in the Old Gods
The bard's grin is repaid with a scowl as Nerta shoves him aside to assist Balin.

"This is like Seven Rivers."

A claw glancing off chitin, she sweeps the spear through the shamblers on the left flank of the crimson haired man.

"There must be a commander. Someone working for the Sunken Kingdom.".
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Balin de Chaol Ghleann
Message sent to Everyone in the Old Gods
This was a battle like no other that Balin had ever been in. The dead kept coming, and were overwhelming their skill with sheer numbers. Dead arms grabbed at him from every direction, while the woman was grappling with multiple shambling corpses, her spear on the ground. Balin knew he could not reach her in time. Perhaps the end had finally come. He felt a pity no one was there to watch it and write about the the glorious death these followers of the Old Gods would earn this day.

Suddenly, a new voice joined the cacophony, and singing none-the-less. Just as he looked towards the direction the song could be heard, he saw a young noble with dark hair and grey piercing eyes, burst through the ranks of the foul creatures, smashing into the undead that were attacking the woman. Hope returned as the woman flung off the dead creatures pinning her down, and picked up her spear. He was momentarily stunned as he he heard the noble refer to the pale woman as Nerta - the leader of the church. A grin formed on his face. Of course! This would explain her prowess in battle and why she was here looking over the new temple in Bessimir. He was brought out of his thoughts as a fleshy dead fist missing a few fingers connected to his helmed head, bringing his focus back to the battle. He roared as he smashed the owner into the ground with his war hammer.

Balin then heard Nerta mention an undead commander, and he looked to the left flank where she pointed. She was right, the shambling corpses had no faculties of their own, and only did the bidding of their commanders.As he looked closely to the left flank, he saw a figure up on a skeletal horse starring down at them with cold blue eyes. Hope rose in his chest. He pointed excitedly with his war-hammer and shouted, "Up there! On that horse!"

But the momentary hope quickly faded as reality struck and he saw the rows upon rows of undead filling the space between their small party and the commander. Although there were three of them, he could not see an end to the dead and knew that even with the new noble joining in the fray, it would just be time before they all three fell. It was ironic that a bard should join this battle, the very person he wished was here to observe and write songs about this glorious death, yet he too would be fated to join them in the afterlife. He knew in his heard that they would not be able to make their way up where the commander stood unmoving, and pierced them with icy blue eyes filled with hatred. Balin spoke a short prayer, readied his weapon and prepared to die.

Just as Balin roared defiantly, he was surprised to hear loud howls surrounding their little group, accompanied by low growls and snarls, and terrifying sounds of snapping of teeth, bones breaking and flesh being torn apart. He stood there stunned trying to understand what was happening. And as he stood there, he saw the undead part, as if a great sea was being separated into two, a path forming straight up towards the commander. He gaped in wonder at the widening path.

From the top of the church, an small brown owl watched with interest as on the left flank of the great battle, large wolves with massive jaws and sharp teeth bit, smashed and tugged at the undead, pulling them apart, and forming what looked to be a path up the hill. The owl didn't understand what it was seeing, but it watched nonetheless for it had never seem such events before and likely it never will again.
Balin de Chaol Ghleann (Count of Bessimir, Priest of the Old Gods)
DeathKnight.jpg
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in the Old Gods
Nerta’s spear slices through another shambler on Balin’s flank as the roaring man smashes a pair with shield and hammer. Breath steaming as the howl goes up from the woods, the woman cracks a grim smile.

“I think you’re right Old Man, the Gods are watching.”

Her grey cloak snaps as Nerta springs past Balin, and her spear swings through an arc to sweep a zombie into the waiting jaws of a wolf.

“Come on! Time for a real fight!”

As zombie guards are mauled by snarling wolves the imperious death knight pulls on the reins and lashes at the hounds of the Wolf Lord. His skeletal steed rears up to display the standard of the Dread Necromancer, before thundering down the growing corridor. As the death knight closes those baleful blue eyes flicker to witchfire green and the black blade ignites.

ALDO! Necromancer!” 

The galloping horse seems to move beyond the font of power as something drags away the greenish glow. Hunting for its master, the death knight twists around as Nerta first springs off a falling zombie, and then the back of the wolf biting it. 

Like a thunderbolt, Nerta's lance pierces plate and unseats the thing. But the champion felt no pain and the black blade flashes even as they fall. Nerta catches the blow with a hand but the death knight is too strong and blood bubbles between chitin as the pair crash to the ground. 

Nerta screams as the thing tears the blade free for another swing. Abandoning the spear, she leaps back as the blade slices through her cloak instead of her side. Cradling an arm she draws knives as the shadow of the death knight rises and blood splashes in the dirt.
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Soren Navaar
Message sent to Everyone in the Old Gods
Soren snatched up his spear in the ensuing chaos and returned it to his back. The hammer swinging man seemed to have things back under control as Soren cut down a few more dead nearby. Cursed Emperor he thought to himself once more as he deflected a hand axe and sliced through another creature. Nerta had already gone springing ahead. Trusting her to do what she needed to, he continued to hack away at the risen dead as they broke free from the wolves. He was trying to help two people at once, and it split his attention.

A fist collided with his side, knocking the air from his lungs as he turned and cut down the dead creature. It was only a matter of time before the divided attention got him killed. He knew he should just go back and help the other person clear up the dead.

The plan broke off before he had even taken a step back as Nerta screamed. Without a second thought, the bard rushed in her direction, cutting through a pair of skeletal creatures as he ran to stand beside her. She looked to be injured, but still ready to fight. That's just like her, he thought to himself. Leveling his blade at the death knight, he growled and prepared to fight. "Let's see how you like daimon steel, you bastard!" The sword he pointed at the creature was passed down from the fourth invasion, a weapon taken from a daimon during the fall of Heen, and it gave off the feeling that it was exactly that. "Nerta, just tell me what you need me to do," he grunted as he blocked the death knight's weapon, and then deflected it away.
Soren Navaar (Count of Seven Rivers)
Roleplay from Balin de Chaol Ghleann
Message sent to Everyone in the Old Gods
Balin recovered quickly from his momentary awe at the path the wolves had created towards the undead commander. Nerta was right, the Old Gods were indeed watching. He saw Nerta rush by him and charge the death knight, and with a loud bellow rushed in after her. He saw her spear pierce deep into the Knight throwing him off of his rotting steed. He rushed in at the knight, trying to take his focus away from the pale woman, as she leapt backwards, trying to dodge the undead's blades that had already bit deeply into her arm.

He ran at the scourge, dropping his shield and holding his war-hammer with two hands, while roaring a defiant challenge. He didn't stop as the undead knight lifted his large swords and sliced at his head aiming to cleave it off in one swoop. Though Balin's short stature had in the past been joked about, today it proved an asset as the large undead simply wasn't used to hitting targets so close to the ground. At the last moment, Balin slid on his knees right under the whistling swords, and came up around the side of the undead warrior, swinging his warhammer in a large arc and smashing it straight into the back of the creature. The blow was so powerful that it knocked the undead onto his knees and arms, stunning it momentarily.

And yet, it was not vanquished. Balin knew that it would take three to slay such a powerful creature, and he was off balance trying to regain his footing as well. He would not recover in time for another blow. The creature was already shaking off the stun and was trying to crawl back on it's feet. Nerta's spear and Balin's warhammer had weakened it greatly, and it was in a vulnerable state, a sliver of the back of his neck open to the sky, while his rotting head was still facing downwards, visible in between the heavy armor and helmet that it was wearing.

Balin looked towards Soren and hoped he would see the opening in time to act.
Balin de Chaol Ghleann (Count of Bessimir, Priest of the Old Gods)
Roleplay from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in the Old Gods
Nerta stands in the shadow of the leering skull as the black blade rises for another swing. Armed with only a knife, she prepares to dodge the looming death, but crashes into the Crystal-Cursed bard.

Eyes wide and wild while Balin barks his challenge, Nerta lets out a hissing chitter.

“By all the Gods!”

As the warhammer crushes the death knight like an avalanche, Nerta shoves Soren toward the toppling giant.

“We don't have time to be fancy. Just hit the thing!”
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Roleplay from Soren Navaar
Message sent to Everyone in the Old Gods
Soren stumbled forward and readied his weapon. "Sorry for thinking there might be an actual plan!" Stalking forward another step, the young knight took on a different demeanor. Years of training drilled into his skull from a young age took over and he side stepped the tumbling creature, bringing the blade down on its back. The ground felt the force of the impact as the creature hit. Not letting up, Soren had already looped his blade around, picking up momentum, and brought it down on the creature's skull, cleaving through helm and head alike.

The ethereal blue light that gave the creature life sputtered before them like a candle buffeted in the wind. A wretched screech rang out from the creature, and around them numerous dead began faltering in response. As their flames guttered out, corpses quickly littered the earth, and the will-o'-wisp grew brighter, the flame steadying as it drew power from its subordinates. Soren brought the blade up once more and drove it through the creature's armor, praying the metal would disrupt the flame's regeneration. Another deafening screech cut through the air, the death knight struggled to get up, failing to even get to its knees with the blade in its back. As it fell back down, the blue light dimmed, faded... The banshee's howl that came next pushed Soren back as the flame scattered into the air. The creature's final death throes sending a cold, clammy shock wave through the area, and then, at last, silence from the thing.

Soren wrenched the blade free and looked between the two. "Do we hunt the master next?" he asked, referring to the Necromancer, and glancing at the wolves finishing the job behind them.
Soren Navaar (Count of Seven Rivers)
Roleplay from Balin de Chaol Ghleann
Message sent to Everyone in the Old Gods
Balin watched with satisfaction as the green light faded from the undead commander's eyes. Soren's blow had hit it's mark true. A deadly spear, an expertly weighted war-hammer and a razor-sharp blade was what it took to fell the death knight. This would be a battle bards would write songs about for years to come. A lucky thing then, that the wielder of the sword just happened to be a bard.

As Balin looked around he noticed that the remaining undead now stood aimless and without purpose, without a commander to instill its will into them. The wolves were making short work of remaining undead, soon after retreating into the forest. Against all odds, the battle had been won. He took a deep breath relishing the crisp air, the life that still hung to his body, placed his warhammer at his back, and turned his attention on his companions. Noticing the blood on Nerta's hard he came closer to her, and clapped her friendly on the back.

"Nerta! We live and breath! I suppose the Old Gods still have need of us." His shoulders shook as he laughed merrily. "Do ya need some help bandaging that wound?"

Had Balin looked up towards the edge of the clearing, where the forest meets green grass, he might have noticed a large grey wolf, with deep piercing eyes, watching the battle end, his snarl looking almost like a grin of satisfaction. He might have seen the wolf bob his head as if in a nod, before turning away and disappearing into the great forest of Bessimir.
Balin de Chaol Ghleann (Count of Bessimir, Priest of the Old Gods)
Letter from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Personal letter to Dancer Rea
As the champion crumbles to dust, Nerta's Graft fades with a shuddering twist of pain. Chitin gone, blood flows and Balin’s friendly hand sends Nerta staggering.

“I’ll need bandages and alcohol. The thing hit harder than you.”

Adrenaline wearing off, Nerta almost collapses to the ground cradling her arm. But she nods to the great wolf on the edge of the forest.

“I think we can say the Gods are pleased and if so, who am I to say otherwise? Welcome Guardian Balin. May your hammer always be ready.”
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Vel's Tale
Letter from Vel the Explorer
Message sent to Everyone in the Agyrian Academy
Greetings,

Hello everyone!, I was just passing by in Firbalt before I saw the guild hall and decided to join. I look forward to the correspondence's and the story telling.

Signed
Vel the Explorer (Adventurer)
Letter from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in the Agyrian Academy
Hello Vel,

Happy to have you though things have quieted some ever since the Temple was founded.

What sort of things are you interested in learning about, or studying?
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Letter from Vel the Explorer
Message sent to Everyone in the Agyrian Academy
Lady Nerta,

Right now I am doing a tour of the major cities of the lands and the various realms. I have found that Firbalt is beautiful with the many verity of flower that can be found there!

Any information you can have of the others would be most pleasing, I was hoping to head to Reven next to see what the remolding the new ruler accomplished though I wouldn't mind taking a detour if you are willing so i can explore your region with more than a outside look. (( rp opprunity))

Signed
Vel the Explorer (Adventurer)
Letter from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Everyone in the Agyrian Academy
I'd actually considered a tour of the land myself once. I had been heading down to Firbalt to bring some books from the main Agyr campus. Turned into an ill fated expedition thanks to the mess in Keffa. You're certainly welcome to come up here, though I don't really have a home either.
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)
Letter from Nerta the Weaver
Message sent to Personal letter to Dancer Rea
Nerta the Weaver (Foederati)