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Post by SbFe_Fluegel-kun on Jan 21, 2015 22:04:49 GMT -5
SbFe_Ika-tsun.eThe man shakes his head, "Then you will die... many times... until you break. Worry not, probably after the first few times, you won't remember a thing. If you wish to fight... let me know," he says grimly. If I fight, then I won't die?Lost in thought, I stare into the fire pit before me. Seemingly entranced, I shuffle over to the warmth and discover a new sensation that washes over my skin: warmth. "I can fight to survive if necessary, but I'm not in the best shape. Do you have a weapon I can use?" If I don't fight, then I'll die.This warmth brings with it a fading memory, and the sound of something familiar. The haze before my mind's eye clouds my judgement, but in a brief moment of lucid thought I pick up a nearby plank of wood and hold it into the fire. The end ignites and burns wildly, and suddenly a rush of feeling flows through my arms and legs. This warmth was somehow... familiar? MadscotsmanHe shakes his head, "No... but I have something possibly more powerful. The essences of spirits long forgotten... " he offers six gems: One dark red, like blood. One pale and pure. One dark and cloudy. One blue and bright. One orange and crackling. One faint and green. "Take one." he offers to both of you. Lost in muddled thought as flames dance in my eyes, my mind re-enters the present time at the production of the gems. Disoriented by the sudden mental deceleration, I steady my balance by swinging the newly ignited torch across the darkness. Seeing it vanish before my sight and the clarity with which my eyes could see, my mind comes to one conclusion about this rediscovered element of nature. "A weapon..." I mutter, closing my eyes to the others before me. Reopening them, I feel a warmth from inside I did not know before. If there were ever a moment to touch the silver lining of truth, now was it. "Iron." I speak, my voice cracking from disuse, but solidly. "A weapon... with iron... and fire." The words resound within my skull and vibrate through my body, steeling my resolve as I speak, even with this tired and weary frame. "I... cannot fight... but I can forge," I say firmly and coarsely, holding the torch aloft as if to declare a new kingdom or holy land. The words mean little to me, but somewhere deep in my mind they resonate and grow in intensity to the magnitude of conscious thought. I look around me, and to the man presenting the gems. Meeting his gaze slowly, I speak to him in a direct voice unbecoming of the form before him. "I require... a hammer."
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Post by Madscotsman on Jan 21, 2015 22:05:56 GMT -5
I study the gems curiously and cautiously glance back at the hooded man. "Can you describe the properties of each, or are those forgotten as well? I want to make sure I choose wisely."
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Post by Rainbow Rage on Jan 21, 2015 22:16:48 GMT -5
The man nods.
He holds aloft the dark red gem.
"Ragnarr... the raider. He was a giant of a man, a brute and a terrible foe to behold. He died in his sleep after he raped one too many women... she slit his throat after he was done."
He grasps the pale gem. "Sophia, the faithful. She was a soldier, no doubt, but she was known for her prayers... supposedly she was the last one the Gods imbued with power before they died... When they did... so did she."
He lifts the dark and cloudy gem. "Kris. She was a heartless women. Subtlety was her method of destruction so much that... we don't know how she died, but she grasped her blades tightly as I found her corpse."
The blue gem shimmers against the fire, "Lethan, the Bold. A warrior known for defending the invading Sathian forces. I can't think of a fighter who could match him. Sadly, when he surrendered... he was executed."
He looks at the orange gem and sighs, "Another, executed. Burnt at the stake... Yemon practiced witchcraft. So they say... "
Finally, he lifts the green gem. "I must confess... I know nothing of this one. You may each take one, perhaps you will have more luck than the other pilgrims."
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Post by Madscotsman on Jan 21, 2015 22:22:32 GMT -5
I stretch out my hand for the blue gem. "Perhaps Lethan can lend me some of his boldness, I find myself lacking in that area."
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Post by SbFe_Fluegel-kun on Jan 21, 2015 22:38:41 GMT -5
The man nods. He holds aloft the dark red gem. "Ragnarr... the raider. He was a giant of a man, a brute and a terrible foe to behold. He died in his sleep after he raped one too many women... she slit his throat after he was done." He grasps the pale gem. "Sophia, the faithful. She was a soldier, no doubt, but she was known for her prayers... supposedly she was the last one the Gods imbued with power before they died... When they did... so did she." He lifts the dark and cloudy gem. "Kris. She was a heartless women. Subtlety was her method of destruction so much that... we don't know how she died, but she grasped her blades tightly as I found her corpse." The blue gem shimmers against the fire, "Lethan, the Bold. A warrior known for defending the invading Sathian forces. I can't think of a fighter who could match him. Sadly, when he surrendered... he was executed." He looks at the orange gem and sighs, "Another, executed. Burnt at the stake... Yemon practiced witchcraft. So they say... " Finally, he lifts the green gem. "I must confess... I know nothing of this one. You may each take one, perhaps you will have more luck than the other pilgrims." A choice...I frown at the stones as each is presented in order. Could one of these perhaps abate this pain? Or is the meaning of existence to suffer, perhaps to die? I reach out to the stones, but an unseen and unknown force stays my hand. "What if... I choose... none of them?" I ask in a voice of metal scraping stone, though with all the fervor of a man with everything to lose.
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Post by Rainbow Rage on Jan 21, 2015 22:49:50 GMT -5
The man looks to you as you grasp the blue stone. "Lethan... a fine spirit" he comments as he turns to the other.
"You may refuse. You know the fate of the othere's pilgrims, but I cannot force you to do anything. As for a hammer... there might be one at the armory."
Madscotsman You gain +3 Strength and Vitality, +1 Dexterity, Shield Focus, Weapon Focus, Arcing Strike, Defend and Shield Bash.
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Post by SbFe_Fluegel-kun on Jan 22, 2015 0:09:57 GMT -5
The man looks to you as you grasp the blue stone. "Lethan... a fine spirit" he comments as he turns to the other. "You may refuse. You know the fate of the othere's pilgrims, but I cannot force you to do anything. As for a hammer... there might be one at the armory." Seeing the other touch one of the gems and noting no outward ill effects, I slowly reach out to the orange gem. Orange represents fire, like the burning torch I now held in my hand, and fire provides light for the eyes and warmth for the flesh. Surely with the power of fire and iron I could fight in my own way. Carelessly, I let my arm go slack, and the torch draws ever too close to my flesh as a searing pain ignites in the limb. Fire... can also cause pain.Distracted, my hand wavers, and my gaze falls upon the pale gem. Its soft gleam gives a heartening feeling... could prayer really stave off the hunger this world causes? My eyes light up as I give pause to stare at it, and through countless imaginary moments I see possibilities unfold in a mind wracked with distress and fatigue. An inner fire, igniting a forge within my body, folding the iron of my soul and strengthening it for the tasks ahead... But... even iron can rust.Truly, this body is weak. Perhaps weakness is what causes pain, and if pain is proof of existence... What do I need...?With weary eyes and soul, I gaze once more at the man before me. "Which is strongest... The iron anvil... the iron hammer... the iron sword... or the iron smith?" I force the words out despite my rasping and aching lungs, now depleted of air. In compensation for his answer, I offer the man the only thing I have left: a grin, with lips cracked and teeth yellow. Comprehension having dawned for the second time on this hollow existence, I extend my hand for the orange gem, enclose my fingers upon it, and tighten my grip on the torch by my side. My mind utters a small prayer that this choice would not forsake me. I need... a forge... like none before it.
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Post by Rainbow Rage on Jan 22, 2015 7:08:19 GMT -5
SbFe_Ika-tsun.e You gain +1 Agility and Dexterity, +2 Intellect and Willpower, Pyromancy, Staff Training, Searing Touch, Exhaustion and Flame Aura.
The man nods at both of you. "Good, perhaps you might live, pilgrims. I'll return to this fire at a later time, I do hope I meet you then," he shifts his weight as if to leave but before he does he says, "Tell me, do you know your names?"
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Post by Madscotsman on Jan 22, 2015 8:58:34 GMT -5
As the spirit of Lethan's essence joins with my body, causing the cold's bitter bite to ease, I drop my arms to my sides and reflect on my past life. I've only waited in this cold cell for a few minutes, yet already my memories seem to be fading like the chiming of a distant bell. I sense that I haven't long to solidify what recollections I can before the sands of time for me run low. I spend a moment recalling everything I can about myself, filling my head with pictures of childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, until my skull feels as though it will burst with identity.
"I remember. My name is Cliff. I was named for my grandfather."
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Post by Rainbow Rage on Jan 22, 2015 12:33:09 GMT -5
Cliff
He nods and says, "A pleasure to meat you, Pilgrim Cliff.... call me Alastair. If you survive a visit to the armory and defeat the Fiend... you very well might find me here again," he says as he moves towards the door.
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Post by SbFe_Fluegel-kun on Jan 22, 2015 20:15:29 GMT -5
SbFe_Ika-tsun.eYou gain +1 Agility and Dexterity, +2 Intellect and Willpower, Pyromancy, Staff Training, Searing Touch, Exhaustion and Flame Aura. The man nods at both of you. "Good, perhaps you might live, pilgrims. I'll return to this fire at a later time, I do hope I meet you then," he shifts his weight as if to leave but before he does he says, "Tell me, do you know your names?" My... name?My brow furrows and my eyes darken in the gloom of the mezzanine, only my brow lit by the beacon in my hand. Something so close to a person should not seem so distant, yet I cannot recall anything beyond the fire. Who am I...?A spark shower ignites in my mind as a single flash of a memory comes, and though I see much in that brief moment I hear but one word. Spoken aloud the word seems ridiculous and without edge, but I do so in spite of my mind. "Smith..." I say in a voice that seems a bit stronger, but still raspy as before. "I had... another name, taken... from a great prophet... but I cannot..." as the rasp trails off. As my voice falls, I notice something out of place: the cold from the rain has seemingly abated, though the feeling of its impact has not. As this sensation fades into normalcy, my mind turns to thoughts of the armory, and my sole purpose once again comes into view. "I cannot fight..." I say as Alastair turns to go, "... but I can forge. Let me show you... how to win without fighting... how to defeat the strong... while being weak." I offer him a sign of goodwill, curling my right fist into my left palm and inclining my brow to him. "We shall... meet again," I say with all the rasp of what remains of my voice.
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Post by Rainbow Rage on Jan 22, 2015 21:24:39 GMT -5
Smith
Alastair cackles as he leaves, "You might not be able to fight, but you will learn, or die. Good luck to you," he says as he steps out into the rain, the only company now the more vigorous man not far from you.
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Post by Madscotsman on Jan 22, 2015 23:00:24 GMT -5
I turn to the other person who had been talking to the hooded man who called himself Alistair. "When I took Lethan's gem, I felt a rush of vitality enter me. Did something similar happen to you when you claimed the spirit of Yemon? You say you're a Smith, do you think you could make me a shield? I feel the need deep within myself to wield a shield in defense of those who cannot defend themselves, but I don't think this need comes from my self."
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