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Alone
Sept 28, 2012 16:34:14 GMT -8
Post by Tristan Aleona on Sept 28, 2012 16:34:14 GMT -8
It was another day in Durmstaldt. The city was bustling, people shouted prices and deals in the market, scantily clad women winked at passerby's and pointed over to the local Brothel.
Everything was normal but one detail everyone had already forgotten. It wasn't the strange string of murders, or increase in the cost of cheese. It was a missing person. A missing person who until recently had been missed by all. Now the mourning was left to a singular person.
Tristan walked through the city carrying a glare as cold as the metal blade strapped to his hip. It had barely been a month, and already everyone seemed to have forgotten about his deceased sister.
Deceased. The word was an insult. Murdered. That was the proper term. It had been just over a month until that wizard came to town and killed his sister. No one had seen or heard of that bastard since then.
His feet moved knowing the way well, his eyes darted about looking for danger and his ears listened for any hints of an assassin.
He finally came to the gap. A tiny, insignificant gap that most people would pass by without a second glance.
His hand searched for the tell, and pushed down. The way was open.
Tristan had no idea why he had been summoned by the Thieve's Guild, but he would soon find out.
As he entered, various cuthroats, thieves and other unsavory characters nodded to the half-elf. Many of them still showed some concern. Without a doubt, this was what was left of his family.
"Tristan my boy!" comes a booming voice. He looks over to the end of the room at a table. A man, rugged beard, many piercings and brown eyes that looked like bloodied soil waved him over.
"Hello Robert," said the half-elf addressing the leader of the Guild, "why am I here?"
"Straight to business as usual," says the man with a grin, "just what I've always liked about you. That and that potent drink of yours."
Tristan grinned, "Not my cutting wit or charming smile?"
"You're not my type," says the man.
There's a brief pause in the conversation as Tristan sits, a girl, just younger than Tristan pours him and Robert a drink and the two toast to good health and fortune.
"So," says Robin, "I've good news for you, and bad news."
"Bad news first," says Tristan.
"The bad news," explains the veteran thief, "is that your stay in Durmstaldt must come to an end for the time being."
Tristan's eyes narrow, studying the man's face for any trace of a lie.
"It's true," says Robert, "word is that a certain guard you killed has friend looking for you. Now this normally wouldn't be a problem except word has also gotten out about your mage hunt and certain... interested parties are quite keen to ensure you never find him."
"What's the good news then?" asks Tristan, hoping for some consolation.
"The good news is that the Thieve's Guild looks after their own. We can get you out of the city, and we can even help you find work and bring you in from time to time."
Tristan's face begins to contort into an expression of rage. He still has much to do, including finding the mage who killed his sister. As if reading his mind, Robert continues. "There's more. We've had ears all over for you, Isabelle's murder was an attack on all of us as far as we are concerned and while we can't do much we can tell you that her murder has left the city."
"What about the other murders? They are displayed in public just like hers."
"Someone else," explains Robert. The older man reaches for a block of cheese but it vanishes before his hand can get it, "Someone who also appears to be responsible for the fact that I can't enjoy a damn slice of cheddar," growls the man.
The two drink a little longer and discuss what Robert has learned.
Hours pass and soon it is time to go.
Time for Tristan to leave his home once again.
Time to leave Durmstaldt.
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Alone
Oct 1, 2012 12:17:11 GMT -8
Post by Tristan Aleona on Oct 1, 2012 12:17:11 GMT -8
Tristan returned to his home. He used the back alley's, rather than the main streets. This was his city, these were his streets. Every vantage point, every ambush site belonged to him. Of course it helped that the Thieves Guild monitored the alley ways.
As he approached his home he noticed a couple of people in cloaks he did not recognize. Not just the cloaks, but the way they held themselves. The way they concealed their knives.
Tristan had a sneaking suspicion that these people were not native to Durmstaldt. The way they held themselves suggested they had little to no armor or weapons and given who it was that wanted him, he felt safe assuming they were mages.
Sneaking in and out of his house didn't seem like a viable option, and to be Frank, Tristan was a bit annoyed to be leaving. Of someone wanted him dead he'd be sure to leave them a message: don't send novices to kill me.
Taking a deep breath Tristan pulled a combustion flask from his pouch and threw it in between the two mages. With his right hand he drew his sword and put a barrier in front of himself in case they fired off any spells.
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Alone
Oct 1, 2012 12:34:53 GMT -8
Post by DM One on Oct 1, 2012 12:34:53 GMT -8
The two mages had been hunting the young man for days now. They had no clue who the man they were hunting was only that the boy was to be killed and they'd be rewarded with a small fortune in gold. The pair had been working together for a number of years now. The elder mage teaching the younger one for a while now. An odd cycle which had been going on between the pairs respective families for generations now. Gustav, the older mage had done his research and had been prepared for the boy's incendiary devices. His younger partner, Sebastian was not so wise. Screams quickly filled the ally way as the flames caught on his robes. These were not screams of pain but more so of horror at what could happen next. With one hand holding a ward before him, Gustav with a quick snap of his fingers, cast a quick frost spell on the flames before them extinguishing the fire before it could spread. "Sebastian you fool, wards man, use your wards. We've trained for this!" "Sorry master," the mumbled the young mage, his pride wounded more than anything. "You fool, he'll get away, kill him!" roared Gustav. In quick succession the younger mage set of a few balls of fire, all hastily shot off and not even remotely on target. Gustav watched in disappointment as the flames caught on the wood buildings around them. Maybe the smoke would force the boy out into the open. Rattling off a chain of spell words Gustav began to float up to the roof level, ready to shoot down the boy as he ran. With his foolish companion still on the ground the elder mage sheathed his hand in a blue fire ready to use one of his signature attacks.
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Alone
Oct 1, 2012 15:52:42 GMT -8
Post by Tristan Aleona on Oct 1, 2012 15:52:42 GMT -8
Tristan can't help but smile as the younger wizard (Sebastian if he heard correctly), blind fires. More importantly he referred to the other as master. "Let's see how much he cares for his apprentice", says Tristan to himself. The master had made himself more open than his apprentice, but his preparation made the half-elf wary. Tristan threw a smoke bomb in this time and with his sword drawn quickly darted in to the shroud of smoke and tumbled behind Sebastian. He pulls his chain-dagger out and held it to his throat. "Don't move." He growls, conserving his breath in the smoke.
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Alone
Oct 1, 2012 16:26:17 GMT -8
Post by DM One on Oct 1, 2012 16:26:17 GMT -8
Gustav's eyes narrowed as smoke filled the narrow alley way. Running through the list of spells in his mind that he could use to obliterate anything below. The elder mage had seen the target dart into the smoke and could only assume one of two things; A) He'd found another way out of the alleyway or, B) He'd killed Sebastian and was waiting for his chance to kill the elder mage in a moment of weakness and sympathy. Either way, there was only one real response to this new turn of events. Obliterate anything in the alley. "I'm sorry Sebastian," he mumbled quietly under his breath. Willing himself a little bit higher into the air, a few feet above the building now, the elder mage summoned an arcane torrent of flame from his outstretched hand. Without so much as a word, dozens of shards of blue flame rained down on the alley way, exploding on impact, sure to incinerate anything below.
Meanwhile on the ground Sebastian could feel the blade pressed up against his neck. Whimpering a little he almost fainted when the man growled in his ear. In fact he was so terrified he did two things, both as instinctive as the other. First, he peed himself. He could feel the warm liquid falling down his legs and turning his robes warm and moist, sobbing pathetically as he did so. Second, mid stream, he transformed. Years and years ago, on a battlefield almost 7 years ago Sebastian had been under the tutelage of another master. One who specialized in transformation and alteration. While Sebastian had been almost completely useless at the more impressive spells the one he had mastered was transforming into a rat. This spell had been so ingrained into his mind that he could will himself to transform almost instantly. So right as the rain of fire began to fall, the piss still drenching his robes the boy began to transform. Very quickly he shrank in size dropping to the cobblestone floor. Unfortunately as he fell to the ground, mid transformation when his features were a mixture of man and rat, a shard of blue flame exploded next to him, flame quickly engulfing half of his face. But his screams could only come out in rat screeches as he finished his transformation. Now finished in his transformation his rat instincts took over and he fled to the sewer grates a foot away to the left of where he'd been standing as a human a moment before.
((OOC, I am 100% sure this is not what you had in mind when you told me you needed some NPCS))
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Alone
Oct 1, 2012 22:40:25 GMT -8
Post by Tristan Aleona on Oct 1, 2012 22:40:25 GMT -8
Tristan reacted with moderate surprise and disgust as the apprentice soiled himself and turned into a rat. As he changed back Tristan threw a knife dead center at the apprentice. Then he noticed the older wizard above... Instinctively Tristan slashed his sword up and blocked the first explosion. He then proceeded to see his half elf agility to weave, pounce and tumble through the flames. His skin burned and he winced as one of the balls dropped right next to him, grazing his armor and exploding. He felt the force hit his rib cage and he rolled with the momentum, towards his earlier barrier, spring boarding off of it as it shattered from the rain of fire. As he flew through the air he launched his hook knife onto the roof of the building for a second and sprung off, flinging his hooked dagger into the wizards chest.
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Alone
Oct 2, 2012 9:46:31 GMT -8
Post by DM One on Oct 2, 2012 9:46:31 GMT -8
The elder mage watched the cloud of smoke and debris intently, looking for any sign of life in the wreckage below. Taking a deep breath trying to relax, Gustav could feel the decrease in energy from his body. That last spell had been taxing and really what he could use right now was nap and something to eat. But, business was business and it took priority. The boy must die. It was that brief moment during which his mind had wandered where the half elf had thrown his hooked dagger. If it hadn't been for the glint off the blade the feeble attack might have worked. As it was the chain was at it's maximum extent, him being so high up and all, that all was required was the ward he'd kept up and the blade was knocked effortlessly back into the smoke and haze below. Floating a bit higher up into the air, well out of range of the knife now, Gustav evaluated his choices. The cunning elder made had one last big spell which he could use the level the entire area. But that would be even less inconspicuous than the battle that had gone on so far. So the mage opted for a more subtle approach. Fumbling through the many pockets of his enchanted robes Gustav pulled out a vial full of a black mist. Uncorking the bottle the black mist began to flow out. Quickly falling to the ground below the mist would quickly prove to be more than a match for the boy. What would happen, in a matter of seconds, is that the black mist would begin to take on a thicker constancy and anyone trapped in it would slowly suffocate as well as be blinded. And just to ensure the boys death Gustav rattled off a few more spell words and with his hand glowing a rich green he aimed his magic towards the ending of the alley way. In response to his magical command the wooden blanks which made up the houses of the alley began to twist and contort to his will. Quickly cutting of any avenue of escape the boy might have had.
A few blocks away Sebastian emerged from a sewer grate, reverting to his human form as he did so. For a moment his world dizzied in pain and all he could think about was the agony going on over one half of his face. Already the skin was twisted and scarred an angry red. To top it off that idiotic half elf mongrel had thrown is damned knife and while the transformation had spared him a mortal wound it had still managed to slice off his paw. What that meant, was he'd lost his hand in that stupid fight. Now clutching a bloodied stub where his hand had been before, and half of his face burned and twisted Sebastian fell against a building side and wept. With a blurry eye he watched a squad of guards rush past him in the direction of the battle which was still raging. It wouldn't take long for the guards to get there and then the squabble would turn into a major fight.
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Alone
Oct 2, 2012 12:47:32 GMT -8
Post by Tristan Aleona on Oct 2, 2012 12:47:32 GMT -8
Tristan cursed as his blade bounced off the Ward but this was by no means his last ditch effort. Quickly he cut two barriers, one beneath him and one just shy of the wizard's torso, faking disappointment at the close miss. As he dropped back down the barrier became prism textured and Tristan immediately cut another one as he landed before thrusting his blade straight into it with a flurry of blows.
(Tier 4 + tier 3 sword attack for your op mage.)
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Alone
Oct 2, 2012 14:21:56 GMT -8
Post by DM One on Oct 2, 2012 14:21:56 GMT -8
Floating up above the alley the elder mage was dumbstruck by the half elfs agility and speed. Watching him leap gracefully up the building and enacting the magic from his sword he knew it was too late. A grimace of pain flashed across the older mans face as the targets blade sank into his torso. Just like that he lost all concentration and his spells faded. The wall at the end of the alley quickly returned to it's normal state, leaving an entrance open once more. The spell that had kept him floating in the air faded and he dropped like a rock hitting the ground with a sickening impact. A dull wet thud mixed with the sound of cracking bones reverberated through the alley. As Gustav lay there battered, broken and bleeding in the alley he began to inhale the very choking fumes he'd put there just a moment before. Slowly his world went dark. "Damnit," he thought. "That bastard Sebastian got away too..."
As the battle came to a close the city guard closed in on the alleyway. If Tristan was to make his escape from the city, now would definitely be the time.
((OOC now I can chase you as the guard or be done with my role in this. Up to you just lemme know.))
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Alone
Oct 3, 2012 19:57:05 GMT -8
Post by Tristan Aleona on Oct 3, 2012 19:57:05 GMT -8
As the the mage fell to the ground, Tristan's barrier dissipated and he dropped as well with a thud.
"I hate mages," he grumbled to himself.
As he began to walk away a sharp pain in his side where the explosion got him flared up.
It appears the adrenaline was already wearing off.
He scanned the area and saw no sign of the rat-boy. He could only hope he had gone off to die somewhere.
Tristan gave a kick to the dead body of Gustav and his mind began to form a plan.
A few minutes later, he was in his house and dropping the corpse onto the floor.
He quickly packed everything he could, reagents for making his fire flasks, and smoke bombs, some extra knife templates to sharpen, a wet stone, and of course rations, water, and a bedroll, as well as a change of clothes to put over his armor.
The half elf sighed as he realized what a limited supply he could carry. The thieves guild had done well in keeping his supplies stocked, and while they were cheap and easy to find, he was saddened to waste so much of it.
"At least it won't be totally wasted," he thought.
He poured some of the mixture on his wound and felt a stinging pain as any dirt was rinsed away from it, and then covered it with clean cloth. His armor he patched up with some leather scraps he had, and packed what he could of those as well. Then he proceeded to put one of Isabelle's old dresses over his armor.
When he finished packing he turned his attention to Gustav. He stripped the clothes from the old mage, and threw them in the fire place. Then he proceeded to put some of his own clothes on him, and cut off his ears, throwing them our the window for stray cats to eat.
A few moments later Tristan walked out of his house and discreetly, struck a flint on to his door, setting the house, and the body inside ablaze.
Eventually they would probably realize that Gustav had not survived the fight. Sebastian may show up as proof, or someone will have no heard from him. But for now, the dead wizard's corpse would be a reasonable decoy. The missing funds, as well the lack of sword could easily be seen as evidence of looting the corpse, and it was a common practice to cut the ears off of dead elves. Some people paid well for it.
Tristan walked away from the blaze, Isabelle's shawl pulled over him.
As far as women went in Durmstaldt, there were definitely ones uglier than he.
In the cover of night, (and his sister's dress, which plenty of men attempted to peak under) he left Durmstaldt.
(OOC: I'm just gonna sneak out I think)
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Alone
Oct 4, 2012 13:04:50 GMT -8
Post by Tristan Aleona on Oct 4, 2012 13:04:50 GMT -8
As Tristan came to the gate, he realized the guards may recognize his face, luckily there was a nearby women who had a fan carelessly sticking out of her purse.
He walked over and pretended to trip, bumping in to her and immediately excusing himself.
The lady was quite drunk and assumed it was her fault anyways.
As she walked away, Tristan pulled out his new fan and put it in front of his face, walking past the guards without incident.
Soon he was out of the city, and along the pathway. The field was open and inviting, and as Tristan scanned the area saw no hiding spots. Just an open field, with a few small rocks nearby.
"Hey there girlie, ever been with a real man before?"
Tristan turned, keeping his fan near his face. In the full moon's light he could see a rather fat man, with a long sword on his belt. Stumbling towards him. He was most likely a drunk kicked out of town for the night. Common practice for people who messed with Durmstaldt's working girls on the night shift. Once he sobered up in the morning he would be let back in town. At least he's not a mage, Tristan thought to himself.
"Excuse me, I must be going," he answered in a high pitched voice."
"What's yer rush honey?" asked the man as he grabbed Tristan's wrist, the smell of booze seeping from his pores.
Tristan immediately snatched his hand away and slapped the man across the face.
"I never!" he said in the same feminine voice.
This facade may prove to be a little fun.
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Alone
Oct 4, 2012 13:42:23 GMT -8
Post by DM One on Oct 4, 2012 13:42:23 GMT -8
The night had not been kind to Marcus. He'd been roaming around town, going from tavern to tavern with his buddies. Drinking and whoring his way through the night. But then his purse had been picked by a thief. All of his money was gone. Then some stump scared mage he'd tried to rob had thrown a fireball at his ass. With no money and singed ass he'd gotten pissed. So when Marcus had been detained by the guards for his loud and rude behavior he'd made the foolish mistake of drawing his sword. He had immediately been tackled and beaten with the flats of their blades. The one stroke of luck he'd has was that he'd been thrown from the city instead of imprisoned. So now he'd spent the last few hours laying in the field switching from anger to depression. But now his luck had turned for the better. A lady, albeit and fairly ugly one, had wandered out of the city at night. Far enough so the guards wouldn't help her. a rather unwise decision.
"Hey there girlie, ever been with a real man before?" he asked drunkenly as stumbled over to the "woman."
"Excuse me, I must be going," she answered in an odd pitched voice."
"What's yer rush honey?" asked the man as he grabbed at her wrist. The odor of booze unmistakable.
Then, of all the things the woman slapped him across the face sending him stumbling backwards a step.
"I never!" she said in the same odd pitched voice.
"Mmm I like a little bit of fire in a girl," he mumbled, his speech heavily slurred. "Should bring some of that passion this way girl, I got a shinny gold coin in it for you. Stumbling forward Marcus reached began to reach for his belt, trying to, luckily unsuccessfully, untie the rag that counted as his belt. It was time for Marcus's luck to change.
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Alone
Oct 4, 2012 19:44:26 GMT -8
Post by Tristan Aleona on Oct 4, 2012 19:44:26 GMT -8
As the drunkard began trying to undo his belt Tristan recalled all of the countless noses he broke of those poor fools trying to have their way with his sister.
After a long day of being forced out of his home and attacked by mages, Tristan felt some nice relaxing rapist murdering would make him feel better.
"No means no!" he shrieked as he drew his sword from under his dress and lunged straight at the man's chest.
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Alone
Oct 8, 2012 12:41:08 GMT -8
Post by DM One on Oct 8, 2012 12:41:08 GMT -8
While any competent swordsman would have been able to evade such a simple thrust, Marcus was not a competent swordsman. Especially not when he was drunk. So, to put it simply, the fat drunk man got stabbed through the gut. Letting out a shrill shriek Marcus stumbled backwards, the swords slipping back out of him as he fell. His eyes wide and bulging out of his head head he pawed desperately at the hole in his big belly. Weeping pathetically he fumbled for his sword, desperate to claim revenge. For while the wound hurt and he would surely bleed to death if left to his own devices, it was not an immediately mortal wound. Managing to pull his swords from his scabbard he pulled himself to his feet, blood pouring from the wound. Lifting a shaky arm he started to retaliate to the odd woman. But before he could do so his head was taken clean off. Suddenly, at least from the recently decapitated Marcus's perspective, three horseman had appeared. In reality they'd been riding for some time. On their way back to Durmstaldt they'd come upon what appeared to be a helpless woman desperately trying to defend herself from the drunken advances of a scumbag. Being noble knights of Durmstadlt they had made all haste to the pair and taken appropriate action in slicing the mans head off. Now circling the "girl" were three knights on horseback. Each of the three wearing thick and expensive looking plate armor all adorned with intricate design unique to their respective houses. Each also adorned the tabard of Durmstadlt, unique only to recognized knights, marking their status. Wearing a chain coif over their heads the three also had a shield each strapped to the backs of their horses, long swords and a spear. "Ho there fair maiden. Be not afraid for we are noble knights of Durmstadlt," said the man who had slain the ignoble Marcus. "I am Sven, and these are my companions," he continued. Pulling back the chain hood he looked down smiling at the "woman." Revealing bright blonde hair and handsome smile he extended a hand towards the damsel. "Please fair maiden, allow us to escort you back to the town proper. Tis no place to be for a woman such as yourself. Allow us to personally escort you to the city. I swear to keep your maidenhood safe from such rapscallion as these," nodding to the corpse at his feet. Sheathing his bloodied sword Sven gave the woman another of his well practiced charming smiles.
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Alone
Oct 9, 2012 19:52:24 GMT -8
Post by Tristan Aleona on Oct 9, 2012 19:52:24 GMT -8
Tristan immediately sheathed his sword in his skirt and replaced the fan in front of his face. He had no idea what to do. As the blood dripped down his face, and on to his sister's dress he had an idea. The same tactic that Isabelle often used to get her way.
He began to fake cry.
"First my boy friend cheats on me! Then this pervert tries to have his way with me, and then YOU come along, getting blood all over my dress and expect me to just hop on and ride whatever comes my way? What kind of girl do you take me for?" he squealed in his girl voice.
With that, he turned and walked away from what must surely be some baffled knights.
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