Le Craint Family/Mariana le Craint/On the Road - Tales from Mariana's Journeys.

Roleplay from Mariana le Craint

So it begins Lacing up her thick leather boots, she brushed away the dirt and dust, smiling at her reflection in the polish. Opening the loose floorboard of her room, she took out a large box. Within it, a thick leather overcoat with a dark hood. She held it out in front of her, there was little that could distinguish it from a crowd of people. Perfect she thought. She took out a small blade and hand crossbow, placing them on her hip she closed the box and placed it beneath the floor board once again. Moving over to the table with a simple mirror, she took out her blade and carefully began cut her long hair. Slicing each length of hair, letting it drop to the floor. Her long silver hair was now cut short and rough, she was no expert. She stepped outside her manor, looking back briefly before heading towards the stables. She had sent word and a horse had been saddled ready, a few others had been gathered, each looking more inconspicuous than the last. She gently brushed the side of the horse before mounting him in one quick motion. The pure black stallion had been chosen for his speed, not sparing any amount of gold to find the perfect one. With a simple hand gesture, they all departed quickly. It wasn't long before they reached the gates of the city and they were out heading south.

Mariana le Craint

Roleplay from Mariana le Craint

A close call Slinking through the streets, moving between the shadows of the buildings avoiding the direct moonlight. A hooded figure moves fast, avoiding the few people that roamed the streets. A flash of light from around the corner as a guard carrying a torch rushes down the street into the tavern. The hooded figure dashed for the alley, disappearing once again into the shadows. Clutching a large sack, she checked the knot holding the opening together. "Good, nothing has been lost." She whispered, pulling the strings taut. Checking over her shoulder and looking over into the streets. More guards with torches raced down the street, shouting about searching the street for something. The hooded figure moved to the wall of the house, reaching for a notch in the wall and pulling herself up onto the roof. The cold breeze of the night wind brushed through her hair, pushing the hood back from her head. Mariana darted across the thatched roof, reaching the end she leapt for another roof clutching the sack tightly. Below, she came to a simple stable. Horses screaming at the sounds of the commotion of the guards. Mariana slipped through a gap in the roof, brushing her arm against a rusty nail causing her to wince in pain, unlatched the gate to the horses and led them out of the stable in a stampede. Mariana jumped on to the back of one of the horses, following the herd of horses as they rushed out of the village. Looking back at the commotion as villagers and guards gathered at the outskirts of the town and watched as the horses disappeared into the treeline. Mariana, clutching on to a branch of a tree, dangling above the ground. Pulling herself up and sitting leaned up against the trunk of the tree, rested and caught her breath. "That was too close that time." She weighed up the pouch, a long grin formed across her face, "That was successful though, I shall make a note of this place." She chuckled as she climbed down from the tree, following the sea breeze towards the coastline.

Mariana le Craint

Roleplay from Mariana le Craint

Escape from capture Silence. She could hear nothing. The sounds of the bandits had calmed. The unfaithful who had the gall to stand in the way of a servant of Obeah. Mariana was careless. She had been caught. The sack that not resided on her head began to rub uncomfortably. She waited however, ensuring that there was not movement nor any sounds. The ropes had began to loosen, rubbing them against the coarse bark of the tree she was tied to weakened them further. Before long, the rope snapped, freeing her hands. Proceeding to remove the sack from her head, she looked around. There was nothing. The bandits that had captured her before were gone. A sly smile crawled across her face. She approached one of the nearby tents, her weapons placed within a chest. "Careless" she thought to herself. Taking back her blade and a small pile of blankets, she covered herself and waited. Before long, the bandits returned. Many of them settling into their tents. As one began to approach the tree, he grew concerned and rushed closer. In one quick motion, Mariana leaped out of the sheets and planted the blade deep within the back of his neck. Dragging his body to the tree, she tied him up and placed the hood on his head. Returning back to the sheets. The cover worked for quite some time. Having stayed as quiet as she did, none of the remaining bandits noticed that the corpse that sat hunched over on the tree was not her. This gave her time. She waited till the sun fell below the horizon. When the moon replaced the sun she began to move. One by one she visited the tents. Most were sleeping having drank wine stolen from a village nearby. Visiting the tent where the leader remained, just as she was about to piece his back, she noticed something hanging from his neck. Something that caused the rage to build up inside her. A symbol, to the common eye this would mean nothing however to an inquisitor this meant everything. She stopped herself, leaving the tent to find a rope. She could feel the rage building within her however she calmed herself, the thrill of giving a worthy punishment was enough for her. She returned to the tent. Gently lifting his ankles and feeding the rope through it, tying the mans legs together. Repeating the same for his hands before finally waking him. Taking her blade she gently pushing into his back causing the man to scream out in pain. She began to laugh at this, repeating it over and over, "You shall be punished for your transgressions. Not just against me, but for the sins of worshiping daimons." Pointing out the neckace, she ripped it from his neck and threw it into the fire. Before long, his body remained motionless. Mariana stood up, wiping the blade clean. She took a torch from near the fire, ignited it and threw it into the tent. Not looking back, she continued back towards the town. In the direction of the homeland.

Mariana le Craint

Roleplay from Mariana le Craint

On the trial of gold The sun had set long before the ship finally docked on dry land. The ship rested briefly up against an abandoned harbour, the only life that remained was nature reclaiming many of the houses. Climbing down from the ship, carefully crossing the slowly rotting dock. She signaled the ship to continue sailing on. She stopped inside what would have been the harbor masters house. She waited for a few minutes, allowing the ship to depart, before coming out of the house. She slowly made her way through the remnants of the house, watching her step to make sure she didnt make to much noise. To her surprise she caught sight of the distant flicker of a fire within the centre of the town. She made her way towards a nearby stable, watching and listening as a couple of Bandits camped round the open fire. "The boss keeps on boast'in 'bout his treasure. Maybe we should take some of it" He chuckled and took a swig from a hazy bottle of what one can only assume to be ale. "Na, y'know he' like a dragon 'ording all that loot. He keep a watchful eye on all that all the time. Not possible." "That's what you think, I found a tunnel the other day. Avoids all of the idiots that guard the place, just gotta find the sewer entrance to the manor, its not too far from here y'know." Mariana had heard all she had needed to, she drew her dagger and made her way to the fire. Slowly and carefully. With a quick motion, she pushed the blade deep into his back. Withdrawing the blade from the mans back and slashing at the other. The two of them lying still on the floor. She went through the first mans pockets, finding a very crude map. She took this and headed off. Toward the location of this 'horde'.

Mariana le Craint

A meeting with Alyn Fontaine

Roleplay from Mariana le Craint

The Wilds of Weghie With the moon high in the sky, the gentle breeze of a cold evening blew through Mariana's hair. She sat comfortable around a fire however, a tent set up between two large oak trees. The smell of roasting boar filled the air and the gentle crackle of wood on the fire. Mariana sat on a fallen log with a book in her hand, her hair tied back, wrapped in a thick cloak of fur. She closed the book and placed it at her lap. Resting her hand on the smooth leather cover, brushing off dust from the spine. She reached into her bag and took out a waterskin, pouring it out into a simple mug. The pungent smell of red wine, mixed with the smell of the boar was delightful. She took a deep breath followed by a wine. Checking her surroundings, listening out for movement. However, none could be heard. This disappointed her, resting her hand on the hilt of her blade. She withdrew it from its holster and began to polish the sleek blade, moving from handle to tip, taking great care to clean the blade. Inspecting the edge, watching it glow in the firelight, she smiled at this. She placed her blade back into its holster. Picked up the book and began to read once again. Enjoying the calm of the wilderness, something she had come to value.

Mariana le Craint

Roleplay from Alyn Fontaine

The letter, received by message stone in the traditional way, read, "Lady Mariana , your Grace, a pleasant and surprising invitation, I thank you. I shall find your camp if you will only provide some details as to the whereabouts. Having been a soldier scout and leading archers and special forces for most of my career, I shall find you, have no fear." The man who attended was older, but trim, sporting a short military haircut and his rainment was military in style but evolved over many years for comfort and functionality. Everything that needed to be sharp was blisteringly sharp, and his leather trappings were silent and tended with care. A shortbow, powerful but compact was slung over his shoulder and a hood pulled high, a small pack for travelling light carrying only the essentials. In his hands, he bore a brace of rabbits with but a single wound apiece. He alighted the camp, "I've brought supper", he exclaimed by way of greeting, though he truly did not care for rabbit - out here in the wilds, you took what protein you could get and all tasted the same once scorched to a smoky cinder. "I've never been to the far north east", he continued after dinner was taken, "though I am travelling more now that we are beset by rogues, than before. If you don't mind me saying so, Margravine (?), you're a long way from home. Care to explain a little something about that?" In regards the far east islands, there was little to tell, "It was old and staid and grown too cumbersome. Ancient old compacts kept the nations rigid into death and massive alliances forbade any movement or change. It was an affront to the Titans and they sunk it", he lamented, but not with bitterness, over plum brandy and several cigars. He offered her the butt of a smoke with raised eyebrows.

Alyn Fontaine

Roleplay from Mariana le Craint

Mariana stood to greet the Viscount, offering out her hand in greeting. "It is an honour to meet you Viscount Alyn Fontaine, I am glad that you could join me this fine evening." Mariana was dressed in her usual garb. Thick leather boots, dark red trousers with the ends tucked into the cuff of the boots and an dark woolen overcoat, a fur lined hood rested on the top of her back. There was little armor that protected her, rather it was more suited for quick movement. She offered the viscount a mug of ale that she poured out from the waterskin same as before. "I would be lying if I said I usually come this far west, in honesty this is the first time I have traveled so far from my homeland. I am one for travel you see. Before I came to these shores I sailed the high seas, to this day I still long for that freedom. I suppose this is the best way I can achieve this. My compulsion to explore has never subsided." She took a sip from her mug and let out a deep sigh. "There has been so much destruction within these lands. In a way, travelling among many of the ruins allows me to try and experience what some of those who went through it must have felt. Therefore, I am glad you could join me. To experience this alone is one thing, however to meet someone new creates hope within my heart." She stood up and moved to the fire, taking a small knife she skinned one of the rabbits that Alyn had brought with him. Taking care to ensure as much meat as possible was spared. She carefully placed these pieces on sticks and rested them over the fire. "As a child, I once heard about the island that was once called the Far East. Sadly the few stories I hear about the island are not good, a lot of suffering. It sounds like you have had your fair share of suffering, something I cannot truly relate to, but it seems you have found a place here within these lands. Mariana was hesitant but took the cigar out of politeness. She took a strained puff followed by heavy coughing. "Cigars are something I could not adjust to. My father was a heavy smoker so I am used to the smell, however it seems my body cannot handle it. You shall have to forgive me." Before long, the strong smell of roasted rabbit filled the air. She stepped towards the fire, taking two of the skewers, offering one to Alyn. "If you do not mind me asking, could you tell me about Nothoi? I have not been able to learn about many of the other realms within these lands. The explorer within myself will forever be curious about all those that share these blighted lands with us."

Mariana le Craint

Roleplay from Alyn Fontaine

Alyn leaned back and took a long draught in his cigar, and stubbed it out, out of respect for his new friend. "Nothoi is a staunch defender against the Daimon hordes and undead alike. A fierce warrior culture backed by a strong code. The Daishi faith is prominent and coaligned with the realm, but we do not have religion forced on us". The warrior loosened his blade in the scabbard out of habit; his bow and arrow were nearby and ready. One could not help but noticed he traveled light. "My family made our name and our fortunes in the far east. My sister Alys was also from there, in Cagil and I myself were in Tara. Oh, these were old and powerful realms, you have no idea, and we were both newcomers. Still, I rose through the ranks as a Baron here or a count there. I was even Demikritos of Nothoi for a term. But since I lost my command of the mountain region of Ren Madragas, I prefer solitude to leading men to their death. I travel where I want, take what I want from the rogues, and sometimes you meet new people on the road". The Knight grinned, draining the last of the powerful brew. Maybe he should take more care with his provisions if he were to be hosting guests more often, "Sometimes those people throw a bag over your head and your body into jail for a few weeks, mind!"

Alyn Fontaine

Roleplay from Mariana le Craint

Mariana couldn't help but smile at this. "This road we have chosen is a mysterious place. I suppose you can never know what is awaiting behind every door." She took a sip from her drink and a bite from the roasted rabbit, savoring the taste, "Bandits within these regions seem very fond on pouncing a lone explorer, most of the time it ends worse for them, one needs to be careful." "Nothio sounds like a interesting place, maybe one day I shall be able to visit the realm. I would be greatly interested in seeing it with my own eyes. Especially learning that respectable men, such as yourself, reside there. Maybe I shall be able to find more refined discussion." She began to chuckle with this comment, causing her hair to rustle and loosen from the bun it had been tied in. She removed the dark red ribbon from her hair, allowing her silver hair to flow down her back. "The Far East that you speak of sounds like wonderful place, it is a shame that such ancient empires found their grave at the bottom of the sea. Though the culture still remains in people such as yourself. Through that, the stories and the history shall never be lost." She took a sip from her drink once again, this time however she placed the cup down on the log that she sat on, and turned so her full body faced her guest. "Sadly, I do not know much more than Beluaterra and Dwilight. However I have found this region to be comfortable for once such as myself. The open wilds ease the mind. For me personally, it gives me a chance to relax and connect spiritually. I spent my early days on the frontlines, witnessing much of the horrors that come with the undead and the damage that the Daimon plague did to these lands. Much like you, I am more fond of... reconnaissance..." She stopped for a bit, lost in thought. She began to twist the single ring that adorned her index finger, softly brushing the skin of her palm. "I dont mean to presume you age, but you speak of great experiences with an aura of refinement. Did you see the damages that came with the Daimon invasion? The books only say so much and bringing it up within Obia'Syela is sort of... morally taboo. However, I feel its important to speak of these things, teach the younger about the strength of humanity against such great odds. If you dont mind, could you tell me about it?" She looked upon him with hopeful eyes. A glint of childhood fascination glowed within her silver pupils. This was however quickly swallowed by concern, hesitation and fear. None the less, she remained silent and listened to what Alyn would say.

Mariana le Craint