First Five Starts Here
Chance and Khamyra separate and look around. It is like they can hear soft footsteps, but they can’t see anything moving.
Then in the majestic light of the decorations a figure appears in front of them.
Chance pushes his wife behind him, starting to turn over to the Champion.
“Calm down chump, it’s just me,” Velencia says becoming fully corporal now.
The quarter elf, brow furried and frowning, stops his transformation and turns back. Shakes his head and moves to the side.
Khamyra is shaking her head with a smirk and the two embrace. “Congratulations,” Velencia says softly to the Warlock, a soft smile on her face.
Chance is eyeing her up and it doesn’t go unnoticed.
“I know, I know,” giving him a sharp look back, the Priestess continued, “I know I gave a gift to you at my party, but I decided to give you both another few gifts.”
The Warlock’s eyes open as the Dark Priestess pulls out some lingerie that looks, well, fantastic and practically illegal. Khamyra’s eyes bulge and she lets out a little laugh.
The Champion finally gets a smile on his face, and nods his head, “very nice, not that we will be seeing a lot of it tonight of course…” he finishes with a mused tone.
Velencia shakes her head, and then turns to the large man, “I, in no way, condone your new job, but I also do not want those amazing children to be without their father,” she says, pulling something out of her pocket.
Chance gives her a furried look, even a little worried.
She laughs a bit and puts out her hand. A necklace pops out and dangles. It is a small one, round, made of a weird stone and has the symbol of Finster on it.
“Despite my dislike for you, our Lord has reminded me that you are part of this as much as I am,” she says, almost choking on some of the words, “so this necklace will allow you to turn invisible for a short time when you invoke the magic imbued in it.”
Chances eyes grow big, slowly takes the necklace and looks at it.
“Put it on and I will tell you what to do, I mean I am sure…” she starts off in what was going to be an insulting rant, but stops herself, “it is simple to ignite, but know this, it can only be used once a day. At High moon it resets itself.”
The Champion nods his head, puts it on, then looking at her.
“Place your finger on it, and say ‘neviden’ and it will turn you practically invisible,” Velencia says looking over the necklace, “it is not as good as the Warlocks spell, but it is damn close. So if you are in danger, use it, get to a place where you can stand still and do it. The only thing I have yet to perfect is movement… as you well know you could almost see me and hear me. Standing perfectly still… you are completely invisible.”
He nods his head, places a finger on it and says “neviden” and he shimmers for a moment and disappears (will be 95% invisible for 20 rounds – 2 minutes).
Khamyra’s eyes get big and smiles, “you better not use that at the bath house in Camerondale you little pervert,” she mused.
Velencia chuckles a bit, “now move around.”
The Champion moves and it is barely visible, but they can almost see an outline of sorts. It is tough to see, but it is there. Much more hidden with Chances thieving background.
“How do I become visible again?” Chance asks as he is looking at his transparent hands.
The Priestess laughs and turns to Khamyra, “it only last for a minute or two, so you have to wait it out.”
Khamyra gives Velencia another hug and she welcomes it. “Thank you, you didn’t have to do this.”
The both of them can hear Chance moving around, closing in on the well, wishing people were around so he could scare them.
The Priestess nods, and whispers “you told me Chance didn’t have a father in his life, really at all… lost most of his family members, I just didn’t…” she went to continue and she could see tears starting to stream down Khamyras face.
“I love you my Priestess,” the Warlock says and again embraces her.
Velencia smiles wide and nods her head. They hug for quite some time. Eventually Chance appears. He is leaning on the well watching his hands appear out of thin air, big smile on his face.
“So cool…” the Champion says then looks over, “thank you.”
Khamyra shakes her head with a big smile.
The Priestess starts to move to the back of the yard, “Congratulations again, you two. If you have time Tuesday I’d like to meet with you about the temple below… you know…” she says trailing off and she disappears past the decorations and lights.
Just then your wedding party finds themselves stumbling into the backyard.
“There you are!” Dash says, arm draped over River, rosy cheeked, bleary eyed.
Khamyra turns to them all, huge smile, “I love you all, you know that right?”
Chance walks over and puts his arm around the Warlock, and looks on too, nodding his head.
They all nod, smile and like a tidal wave they come in for one final hug of the night, a huge group hug with a few tears, a laugh or two but mostly the feeling of family and love.
“We waited for the moment with Velencia, she asked that you had privacy and no Camerondale guard wandered in on you,” Renata said, somewhat musing, “she didn’t want to sacrifice a person on your wedding day, it would of been a downer.”
Chance smiles at everyone, still a bit teary eyed. “If you don’t mind, I am going to go bed my wife now…” he pauses, another big smile across his face, “…my wife.”
He finishes looking to the Onyx Elf next to him, practically glued to his side. She looks up and gives him a sultry warm smile.
“OK!” Novalee says, somewhat loudly, “that’s our cue!”
She grabs the group and marches them out of the backyard.
The couple stays a few more minutes hand in hand, walking the backyard and the magical feeling it has. Dropping a silver piece down their “Wishing Well” and then heading inside.
To their surprise, upon entering the kitchen, they glance up to the loft and see a few white lanterns, softly lit, some streamers and when they reach the top; more rose pedals across the bed, some mulled wine and two glasses on the end tables.
Chance walks over and grabs a note.
“To the dynamic duo of magic, of might, of Finster and now, the bedroom, growl!” The Champion says reading the note, chuckling a bit in between, “We love you so much, enjoy your night. DS.”
A raised eyebrow and a quick glance tells Khamyra he does not know what DS means… “DS is Dark Society, my husband.”
Then a look of realization washes over him. Looking down, “I hope they got all the thorns out of these flowers, because I am the only one doing any pricking tonight…”
The loft was silent, and the quarter elf glances over to a now, naked Onyx Elf giving him a deadpan stare, slowly shaking her head and a big smile growing.
“I should just go sleep out by the well tonight after that… well… pun,” she says with a muse and a smirk.
In a flash, the Champion was turned, light emanating from his now naked body. Khamyra, surprised, could feel the power, and her eyes are now beaming too. They both lay down in bed and make love while in his Champion form. It was maybe the best sex they ever had.
Mondalay (Monday) 7:00AM
“Getting married is like chaining your nut sack to an anvil during a sale on swords… get up!” the Crier yells much to the displeasure of the town.
The two wake up, in each others embrace and just smile. “I swore, I blinked my eye once, maybe twice and yesterday was gone,” Khamyra says in a somewhat disappointed tone.
Chance caresses her cheek and gives her a kiss on the forehead, “it was the second best day of my life, my love…”
She nods, “well it was the best day of mine, I love my kids to the moons and back, but the pain I went through, oh nelly…” she says with a chuckle, “no pain yesterday, only love and love and more love.”
The two intertwine and make love for a good hour.
Then after a pause in their action, they hear a knock on the door. Chance sits up, a grumpy look on his face. “This better be good…”
By the time he made it downstairs, with just his pants on, the door opened to Novalee’s cheery face.
“M’Lord!” she says with wide eyes, “Oh, I mean, Chance! We brought you breakfast in bed!”
Luella, Trinity and Novalee all pile in and push the Champion back up the stairs to the loft where Khamyra, covered over her top, looks on, wide eyed and a huge smile.
The trio of girls allows them to get dressed, and then they come back up. There was everything for breakfast as all 5 of them had a wonderful meal, chit chatting about the night before and the wonderful wedding.
They make quick work of eating, so they can leave and let the happy couple do what they have too; and they did just that, a few more times in the morning.
It was a cloudy day, a bit muggy, But the couple spent time out in the back as people they hired, cleaned up the yard. Eventually they went and got their kiddo’s back from her mother and her family. Sisse was off Monday with her working on Sunday.
Novalee, Dash and Cullun were in the house when they arrived back with Krusty and Crayon. The afternoon flew by, dinner was served by Novalee and the evening was wonderful with friends, laughs and good times.
After the couple put the kids to bed, their ideals of spending some time on the balcony was squashed when it started to rain, so they just snuggled together, and made love, much quieter before falling asleep.
Tuskalay (Tuesday) 7:00 AM
“I told my wife she could do whatever she wanted with me last night, she handed me a broom and told me to clean the kitchen, figures! Get up you slags! It’s 7:00 am!” the crier yells and his voice echoes through the roadways.
Khamyra was already up soothing Crayon who seemed to have had a nightmare. Chance gets up and takes Krusty down to the bottom floor and sets her up with her chair. Sisse, the governess, arrives and helps out the couple.
After a quick breakfast, Chance is already heading out the door, “have to get going, first day back with Black Ward, don’t want to be late.”
Khamyra stops him and gives him a sad look, “already back to our lives, huh?” she says, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
The Champion engulfs her with a huge hug, and they just embrace each other for a long moment, “unfortunately yes. Have a good day… my wife.”
She smirks as she turns towards the table, “you to… my husband.”
Riding Toby is one of Chance’s favorite things to do, he is such a great horse and it is something still fairly new to him. He makes it to Camerondale, the stables, pays his copper and heads into the Black Ward Compound.
Chance gets engulfed in “welcome backs” and “how have you been’s” as he made his way to the Captain’s office. The door is open and Harlow sees the tall man outside. She waves him in.
“Close the door,” the Captain says, giving him a warm smile.
Cybil and Bastian are in the room as well, sitting drinking some beanwater.
“It was an amazing wedding Chance, you two looked great…” Harlow started.
Bastian smiles, “great food, music and company, thanks for letting us be part of it.”
Chance nods as he sits down, “yes, thank you, all for coming, I appreciate it.”
The Captain pulls out a parchment as does Cybil, “well onto business, let’s talk about this Varow guy, shall we? What do you know?”
The Champion nods his head and talks about all the things he knows; went missing shortly after Atticus was “cast out” or “destroyed.” He is back, alive per his ex-wife and the single attack on Khamyra and himself (keeping Velencia’s name out of it).
They are writing things down, asking questions. Then the group moves on to Lady Charota.
Chance talks about how she arrived, her invisibility traits with her and her people, her disdain for her ex-husband and that the Society does not trust her very much.
The meeting took a good hour, hour and a half, and a lot of information was exchanged.
Harlow puts her quill back, leans back and stretches a bit. “So what about Velencia, care to inform us of her whereabouts, I mean we have the general idea and all.”
The Champion chuckles, “even if I did give you that information, you would send everyone to their death trying to deal with her…”
“Yeah, sure,” Harlow says a bit, in a sarcastic tone, “we can hold our own you know…”
Bastian buts in quickly and forcefully, “no, we couldn’t. She is the most powerful woman on Legon right now, between her powers, her god-given magic and her status with the new Finster religion… we would be lambs to the slaughter…”
Harlow’s eyes are big looking at the master Witch, and so is Cybil.
“Tell us how you really feel, Bast?” Cybil snarks.
Bastian twitches and wrings his hands a bit, “I did, and I mean it, watching her in action,” he shutters a bit, “one touch and poof! There goes your soul.”
The room is quiet, while Chance is just sitting there, looking down nodding his head. “Not to mention, I am not sure my Lord would like you to bother her, so you would have that to contend with too…”
Harlow puts her hands up and stands, “Ok, understood, Damn… tongue in cheek, people.”
Bastian and Cybil leave after saying goodbye.
Harlow pours more beanwater for her, and she sits back down. She is in her usual black shirt with a semi-low collar showing off her rack, tight black pants, and her weapons on her side.
“So I need you to get with Helkyr, have your weapons checked, he will let you know if you need anything different and such…” the Captain continues.
Chance frowns knowing his sword is going to be an issue, “Silent Fate,” but the dwarf already knows that.
“Then head home. Take a nap, I have you on stake out tonight,” she says, eyeing the tall man up.
He gives her a look, “stake out? Really?” the new BW member says, kind of excited.
She nods, “yes, it is why Valentine is not here this morning, she has been working over nights organizing this. She will fill you in with the details but the long and short of it is… the City has been having random burglaries, break ins and such. Reports have it to a group of people raiding a location. A quick in and out. Each time it seems to be different, so it has been hard to pinpoint when and where… so… we need a few extra eyes on the matter. Your elf eyes are perfect for this.”
Chance nods his head and smiles, “sure, sounds good to me.”
“Be at the steps of the compound at 9:00 PM, Valentine will get you going then, “ Harlow says looking at the Champion, “well? I am not going to write up an invitation! Get going!”
Chance snaps up out of the chair and smirks, “yes Captain, as you say,” and he walks out the door.
As the Champion leaves and closes the door, he almost runs into Valentine who is a bit bleary eyed, unarmored and her hair is up in a ponytail. She stops and takes a long look at the tall quarter elf.
“On the job, what an hour, and already getting in my way,” the small elf assassin muses, giving the Champion a look.
Chance nods a bit in respect, “yes, Boss, I am. Was just talking with Cap,” he says but gets interrupted by another agent.
“Valentine! I didn’t expect you here this early, can I do something…” the man, dressed in full rogue division armor, wide eyed and smiling at the Rogue divisions boss.
Valentine sighs, and looks to you, “Chance, this is Garret, Garret, this is Chance,” she says pointing you two out.
Chance looks to the man, who is bug eyed, mouth open and in aw of the Champion.
“The-the-the Champion,” he stutters, then regaining some composure, “I heard you have rejoined the Ward. Youngest agent in their history, Champion of the Court and of the Dark Cleric Finster.”
The Champions eyes grow to slits a bit, even teasing with a beam of light.
Garret steps back, wider eyes and Valentine shakes her head seeing that a little annoyed,
“He is a god now, he is no longer a Cleric,” Chance says slowly and precisely, “and yes I am his Champion.”
The man nods his head, looks down for a second, “sorry, sorry, I, I, did not know, But I do now…”
Putting out his hand to shake the stammering man, the Quarter Elf turns his expression back to a pleasant one, and nods his head, “nice to meet you Garret.”
Garret carefully smiles, nods again, shakes the big man’s hand and quickly walks off.
All the while Valentine is standing there shaking her head, “I think you made him piss himself, can we not threaten everyone over semantics please? God, Dark Cleric, we know who he is…” She finishes looking back up to him.
“Of course,” Chance says, smiling a bit, then putting his hand on her shoulder, “it’s good to be back.”
The large man exits the compound and heads over to the Castle.
Puffy clouds, a clear blue sky under them and a good breeze flowing through the City this morning, and Chance welcomed it. People passing by, chatting and living their lives. He takes a deep breath, feeling the warmth of the air, wondering how quickly everything will be buried under snow in the next couple months.
The guard allows the Champion in the Castle and walks through. He turns down a corridor to get to the training area and he is face to face with Affinity, the Queen of Camerondale. She was talking with a man, who then turns and the man walks the opposite direction.
“My Queen,” Chance says, bowing a bit and walking towards her.
She turns to him, a big smile on her face, “there is my Champion, a good morning to you,” the Queen finishes, walking up to the tall man.
Chance takes a moment to stare into those eyes, and feel her power over him. He shudders a moment and then regathers his thoughts, knowing it is probably much too late to hide anything from this mind reader.
Affinity puts her hand to his waist and looks up, even blushing a little. “I know, I know, me too…” she says softly, feeling the fondness between the two of them.
“The wedding was amazing, it truly was… thank you for letting us be part of it,” the green eyed royal says with a slight smile.
Chance nods and grabs her hand, kisses it. “We appreciate that you took the time to be with us, you are very important to me, to us. I was honored to share that celebration with you.”
She puts her head down, snorts a little and backs up. Gets herself back in a perfect Queen-like fashion, “Chance, we have got a request for you. We will have to talk about it soon. Tomorrow if it is possible?”
The tall quarter elf nods, and gives her a warm look, “Yes, your grace, please send a notice to the Black Ward so they do not schedule me differently,” he says standing tall and in perfect clarity.
Affinity had to giggle as she nodded her head, she strides by Chance, only to give him a little squeeze on the arm and off she goes.
In high spirits, Chance walks to the back courtyard and over to the training area.
“Harder, girl, harder… bones are not some twigs to be snapped with a brisk passing of wind!” Helkyr says, his voice loud and echoing against the Castle walls, “harder!”
A loud female laugh could be heard and a trailing comment, “bet your wife says that all the time!”
By the time Chance makes it to the grounds, Helkyr is almost toppled over in fits of laughter, Talia is leaning on her dual bladed pole and is giggling herself.
“See we are, ummm… hard, at work,” the Champion muses, walking a bit closer.
Talia whips around and races for Chance giving him a big hug.
The big man engulfs her in a hug, laughing all the while.
“Dare I say, no prissy boys back here?” Helkyr says, gaining his composure and wiping a tear away from laughing, “what can we do you for, Chance?”
The Champion walks over and unsheathes his sword only to have Helkyr’s eyes bulge a little and back up.
“I know, Black Ward wants me to have you check up on my weapons, make sure they are good and give me the ones I might need,” Chance says in one breath.
The Dwarven Master of Arms gives you a look, and then back to the sword. “You already know my thoughts on that atrocity, no offense, Champion,” he says with a bit of sarcasm and disgust. The Dwarf walks into a tent, and comes out with a box. Place it on the table.
Talia wide eyed, “oh, what’s in there?”
Helkyr, shaking his head, “just supplies Talia,” he replies, opening it up to find neatly organized, completely black daggers. He grabs two and hands them to Chance, then a longer one, he also hands it to the Champion.
“I know you like to dual wield from time to time, use this small sword to be your companion to your sword, a bit more range, hardier and the handle is excellent. He hands it to Chance.
The Champion grabs it, twirls it a bit and swings it a few times, it has better weight to it than the daggers.
“I know you couldn’t hit the broad side of a castle, but…” he says, trailing off a bit, walking back into the tent, coming back out with a light crossbow, and a string of bolts. “Here is your crossbow and 20 bolts. You really need to train more on this, so make it a priority?!”
The quarter elf nods and smiles looking over the two of them before him, a bit of regret, and a wave of how much he missed them.
Helkyr finishes off with some supplies, a whet stone, metal oil, etc. Chance remembers where they all go on his armor.
After another long hug from Talia and a hardy handshake from the Dwarf, the tall man heads back to the compound to drop off his supplies.
Chance stops to talk with a few more people, but makes it back to the stables and mounts Toby. The Champion takes his time, only trotting home, enjoying the weather and the respite. “It’s going to get real busy for me soon, real busy…” thinking to himself.
Turn Based Starts Here
Chance: Trotting home I will dismount Toby as we get closer and lead him to the pen. Then with a big smile on my face walk into the house, looking around as I walk in.
DMaster: The house is fairly quiet. Khamyra is organizing a pile of papers, looks over to you with an eyebrow raised.
KHA: Well, that didn’t last long, did it?
Chance: Roll eyes.
Chan: Let’s not throw out any bad puns this morning eh Khamyra? But no, I am going to be on a stake out tonight, so I am off for the afternoon.
Smirking as I say that
DMaster: Takes a second, but she then frowns and looks down. A small sigh is heard.
Chance: Chan: Guess they are putting my eyes to use
DMaster: KHA: Ahhh ok. That does make a bit of sense.
Chance: Chan: I know, I know, you have gotten use to me being home.
Walking over to her and put a hand on her shoulder
DMaster: KHA: Well that’s good then, you can come with me to Velencia’s
She says looking up and over her shoulder to you.
Chance: Chan: Really? OK. Sure, I guess. I can go, as long as we are not raiding the Temple.
DMaster: She nods,
KHA: No raiding, just an update to the situation down there. By the way, Sisse is out back with the Kiddo’s if you wanted to spend some time with them.
The Warlock is gathering up her papers. Glancing over, you see Novalee is reading a book on the couch and sipping tea. Dash and Cullun have come in, said hi and they are now eating breakfast.
Chance: Chan: I am going to spend a little bit of time with the kiddos before we have to go.
DMaster: She nods her head as she is placing some things in the shelves and the like.
KHA: They will like that.
Chance: Head to the back
Chan: I will nap when we get back, from meeting with Velencia
DMaster: You walk out back, it’s a beautiful day out. The Kids are crawling through the grass, Sisse seems to be doing a textile like training with them, getting them a feel for different things, etc. You help out, and spend some time with the kids. After about 15 minutes, Khamyra joins. It was really nice, then you grab a snack that Novie made and look to head out to the High Priestess with Khamyra.
Chance: Making sure to gear up before heading out. I am going to wear my armor and strap my shield on as well.
DMaster: You have your sword and that new long dagger with you. As you are leaving, your wife raises her eyebrows and snorts.
KHA: Interesting, we are just going to discuss what we have to do and you’re strapping for war?
She chuckles and shakes her head.
Chance: Give her a look.
Chan: hey, its Velencia. You can never be too prepared for that bitch.
Smirking at her
Chan: I would rather be prepared then not at all.
DMaster: She looks at you from the corner of her eye and nods in agreement.
KHA: Fair enough.
Chance: Chan: let’s get going, we better not keep her waiting or she might get her panties in a bind.
Chuckling a bit.
DMaster: Khamyra chuckles,
KHA: Doubt she is wearing panties at home… just saying. Let’s ride!
You ride for about 15 minutes and Khamyra slows down. She pulls some dust, traces a symbol. The component is hanging in suspense.
Chance: Looking around with my hand going close to my sword
DMaster: She says the word “Pazinot.” The component disappears with a poof. By then Khamyra stopped completely. She is scanning the hillside.
Chance: Hand tightens around the handle of my sword still looking around, as I stop Toby.
DMaster: Then you see River appear what seems to be out of a rock, and beckons for you. Khamyra doesn’t get off her horse, she trots over to River.
RIV: We are all clear, head on over to the temple and the entrance.
Khamyra nods and looks at you.
KHA: Let’s go my little garrison.
Chance: Smile and shrug my shoulders.
Chan: let’s get this over with shall we?
DMaster: You guys get to the opening for the temple that was carved out. There is the 100 foot straight away that leads to the half constructed temples entrance. Shemrata swings by and greets the both of you.
Chance: Greet Shemrata
DMaster: Rayven takes your horses, leads you to that tunnel and walks you to Velencia’s compound.
Chance: Just walking as Rayven leads us, not saying much. Wishing I was getting my nuts kicked in by a 8 foot orc that smelled of stale cheese instead of talking with this twat.
DMaster: You go through the usual doors, down the hallways you are familiar with. Then get put in the war room. There is a cleric of sorts in the far part, working on what seems to be a piece of jewelry. The only other person in there now, walks over shakes both your hands. It is Hamza.
HAM: Hey you two, good to see you.
Chance: Nod at him, shake his hand.
Chan: Good to see you too.
DMaster: After a minute, Velencia finds her way in. Dressed in a modest dark robe, her hair up and looks to be carrying a mug of some sort of liquid.
VEL: Oh. Hey. Where is Rayven, she was to tell me when you showed up!
HAM: She went looking for you.
Just then Rayven comes ripping in the room, red faced, catching her breath.
RAY: My Priestess, the Champion and…
She stops when she sees the stare she gets from Velencia.
VEL: I can see that…
Rayven, bows a little and high tails it out of there.
Chance: Shake my head at that.
DMaster: Then the tall woman glances over to you.
VEL: Oh, you brought the chump
She double takes and almost laughs.
VEL: Heading into battle are we?
She says that with a serious snark. Hamza and her go to the main table with maps and such. Getting the table organized for the meeting.
Chance: Sigh and shoot her a look.
Chan: Never know with you, and just remember, me and Khamyra are still a package deal, Velencia
and refocus myself looking around the room.
DMaster: Without even looking at you.
VEL: Easy Chump, thought you were working. Anyways…
She moves a few papers around, then gets a hug from Khamyra that makes her giggle a little.
VEL: My babe, sorry, lot on my mind.
She gives her a hug back.
VEL: To start off, I am not planning to get down there until the weekend, and even then… it will be reconnaissance with multiple exit strategies.
Chance: Chan: Really? What happened to kick the door down, bash some heads and move on?
DMaster: She gives you a quick look.
VEL: I’ll get to that. We are finishing up some necklaces and a ring or two that should protect us… by us I mean you two.
She points at you and Hamza. Hamza snickers, shakes his head.
VEL: Yeah, its a laugh riot. I don’t want you shitting drawers and running again.
Chance: Chan: yeah, that was… terrible. Hated that.
Look down, shake head.
DMaster: VEL: Rawek is putting the finishing touches on the more powerful necklaces, making them last longer. Unfortunately you might have to bind them.
Chance: Just looking on letting them do most of the talking knowing magic is not something in my wheelhouse.
DMaster: VEL: We have a rough outline of a map we can look at before we head down again. But there were areas we did not hit.
She flips a paper with some drawings on it in the air, a bit frustrated.
VEL: We can’t wait to much longer though, there are a few shadows that have found a way up into our construction area from time to time. If they decide to come up in a group, it could get dicey.
She frowns a bit, shakes her head
VEL: They are a pain in my perfectly rounded ass.
Hamza furries his brow and leans a bit back to take a look at her butt, only to get a playful swat from the Priestess.
Chance: Chan: Just a rough outline? We won’t know exactly where we are going down there? Sounds like the same ol’ shit.
Looking over at Velencia
DMaster: She kind of nods her head and frowns.
VEL: I have Cullun looking through some of his books and doing research, seeing if there is ever a map or even a description of this Temple.
HAM: So…
Velencia gives Hamza an evil look, from the corner of her eye. He shrugs his shoulders.
VEL: Yes I know.
KHA: Uh oh, what…
Chance: Chan: okay, out with it. If some information or what not needs to be shared, now is the time.
DMaster: Khamyra backs up a bit, crosses her arms, eyebrows raised
VEL: We are pretty sure…
She sighs
VEL: It is some form of Atticus down there
Khamyra’s eyes bulge.
Chance: Throw hands up.
Chan: oh just grand, because of course it is… typical.
Eyes turning to slits beaming a bit of power out of em
DMaster: The Warlock is shaking her head, staring.
KHA: Umm, how? How is that possible?
Velencia walks to a section of the octagon room, grabs a staff that she took from down there.
VEL: This is a staff of one of the Priests, or whatever they were. The symbols are of Atticus, the staff has power, but after further testing Rawek says it is generating god given power, obviously not Finsters or Animaxes.
VEL: Meaning Atticus, is still around, at some level.
Chance: Chan: well wouldn’t he be like Finster was before he ascended? I mean he had some power, just not as much as before when he was a god…
DMaster: Hamza looks over and slowly nods
VEL: Yeah, essentially, except he is only in this world, where Finsters essence was privy to the “soulcast,” and, this world, though it took a lot of power for him to manifest to us.
She rifles through a set of scrolls.
VEL: Cullun and myself after further research, and its still a guess in someway, we found out, you can’t destroy a god. Banish, beat them up, jail them… but they can’t be killed. They will survive at some level.
Chance: Put my hands on my hips, sigh loudly.
DMaster: The group looks over to you.
Chance: Look at them.
Chan: Could explain a bit about Imyrillion. Animax defeated her, but….
DMaster: VEL: No you twit. She was never rumored to be “destroyed” chump, just cast out. So she was still about, although almost forgotten.
Chance: Chan: Fine, fine. So what do we do then?
DMaster: She chuckles, throws another paper in the air playful like.
VEL: That. Is the million platinum piece question.
Chance: Chan: …and we definitely can’t let him get loose. I mean what if he were to align himself with the Iron Wench?
DMaster: Velencia scoffs a bit, looks up, trying to get you to stop talking.
Chance: Chan: Could be waiting for something or someone to help unbind him from the temple? Maybe Varow for all we know? I mean it’s not like I have enough on my plate.
DMaster: Khamyra walks to you, grabs your arm and gives you a slow down look.
VEL: Damn Chump, paranoid much? You are about a decade behind in lore. It’s not like that, at least we don’t think. He is a shell of himself, extremely dangerous, but nothing more than a cornered animal.
Chance: Give Khamyra a glance, then back to Velencia.
Chan: and that is when an animal is the most dangerous and unpredictable, when it is cornered. I mean WTF.
DMaster: Khamyra squeezes a bit tighter seeing you are getting worked up.
VEL: Yes, yes. But he has been down there for almost 1400 years. If he was going to go somewhere, he would of went by now. Kerenza kept mentioning him as a coward, and I don’t think she was wrong on that account. Hidden deep in the temple where no one can find him.
Velencia and Khamyra exchange glances.
Chance: Throw my hands in the air
Chan: Nothing good comes of those exchanged glances!
DMaster: KHA: We might of stirred the pot a little? And it is why it is important we get down there and deal with it quickly, huh?
Velencia nods her head.
VEL: How would we ever know what was down there, let alone a “destroyed” god.
Chance: Shake my head.
Chan: Typical Velencia.
DMaster: VEL: Excuse me?
Fire starting to build in the Priestess.
KHA: Easy, lets just keep this a friendly chat, ok?
Hamza has a shit eating grin on his face.
Chance: Walk a bit a ways, keep my back to them.
DMaster: VEL: It’s why we are proceeding with extreme caution.
Chance: Nod my head, just thinking
DMaster: KHA: He has to be tied to the temple, right? Being a coward is one thing, but 1400 years in one place? Why wouldn’t he of ventured out?
The Priestess nods
VEL: Well, I agree. That is my final, teeth gritting, bit of information
Chance: Turn around.
Chan: Oh, THIS, is the teeth gritting bit of information… not that he lives? You want to talk about typical Velencia?
DMaster: VEL: Chump you better get yourself in check, and quick.
She dips her head a bit, literal flames shoot out her eyes. Khamyra walks over to you.
KHA: What the hell Chance?
Chance: Shake head.
Chan: Never mind
DMaster: In quiet conversation.
KHA: Dammit. No, not nevermind. What is it?
Chance: Grab her arm.
Chan: Do you not remember what your mother said, it is something I have been thinking about… a lot. We seem to seek out danger. Or maybe it is just fucking attracted to us. We take three steps forward, almost get our block knocked off and get sent back 5!
DMaster: Khamyra sighs, thinks for a moment, knowing you are right.
KHA: Then who is going to take care of this? I hate to say this, but it is true… we are the heroes here, Chance. We are. If we don’t… then who? Then what? It’s not just us in danger, its hundreds if not thousands of people.
Chance: Nod head, look into her eyes.
Chan: You are right. Just…
DMaster: She squeezes your arm, knowing your kids are everything to you two.
KHA: I know hun, I know.
Velencia clears her throat.
VEL: Is the Chump done with his little tantrum?
Chance: Two can play that game, thinking to myself. Lets some power flow, let my eyes shoot out some light, and growl.
DMaster: Khamyra turns and looks at her with a scolding look.
KHA: Every. Goddam. Time. Fuck!
She turns and walks to the table in disgust.
VEL: Anyways, we think his power, it is bound…
She sighs again.
VEL: By the underearth.
Chance: Grit my teeth
Chan: The what? Really… wait, what?
DMaster: Velencia all but laughs at you.
KHA: Great, what does Rawek think of that?
VEL: Not sure, never can tell with that bird… but he is the one who “felt” it out
Chance: Taking a step back, gather my thoughts and just listen
DMaster: VEL: So later this week, like I said, I want to do another reconnaissance mission. We can get down there, check out a few spots that we didn’t make it too and get the hell out. Engagement is not something we want this time around…
Chance: nod my head knowing being back in the Black Ward isn’t helping this situation. Looking over at the three of them and sigh a bit.
DMaster: A few more bits of info are exchanged, then river takes you back to your horse. Khamyra was going to stay for a bit longer and your wife wanted you to get some sleep
Chance: I will grab Toby and mount him and make my way back home. Letting all this information swirl around in my head as I ride, grumble about that shaved head, tattooed twat, as Rohlia likes to call her. Getting close to home I will dismount Toby and lead him to the pen, and make my way into the house.
DMaster: It’s quiet. Novalee is on the couch, book flopped on her belly, her head tilted and you can hear her softly snore. Sisse is at the table reading a book, she looks up, puts her finger to her lips
SISS: Kids, asleep
Chance: Nod my head
Chan: I am going to take a nap as well Sisse (whispering)
DMaster: She nods, smiles and goes back to her book.
Chance: Being as quiet as possible I will go upstairs and take off my gear and gently lay in the bed
DMaster: You toss and turn, since you slept good last night. One of the kids were fussing and you got Crayon before Sisse could, soothed him back to a sleep, then laid back down. The kids woke up an hour later, Sisse got them. By then Khamyra is sitting on the side of the bed, rubbing your shoulder.
KHA: Hey hun. I will try and keep the house down to a dull roar so you can get a little more sleep.
Chance: Chan: Thanks hun, I mean I know what would put me right to sleep…
Wiggle my eyebrows.
DMaster: She gives you a quick, playful, wide eyed glance and shakes her head.
KHA: Uh, no. Tempting, but no.
She says with a giggle. The Warlock sighs a bit. Then you maybe got another hour of sleep. By 6PM, the kids were loud, Novalee is cooking and life has resumed in the Axion household.
Chance: Deciding sleep isn’t going to happen I go sit out on the balcony, just looking out over the rail
DMaster: So as the house got back to life, you are sitting on the balcony, watching a few puffy clouds roll by. Khamyra comes up behind you, hands you a mug of One Eye’s brew.
KHA: I think I have a problem.
She starts taking a slug of the ale.
Chance: Take the mug.
Chan: Thank you. Uh oh, whats the problem?
DMaster: KHA: I have this mental block about Velencia. I somehow think either one of you is going to be mature enough to have a civil goddam conversation.
Chance: Look down, clench my jaw.
DMaster: The Warlock is rubbing your back.
KHA: I am always in the middle it seems. And, well it sucks.
Chance: Nod head.
Chan: I don’t mean to put you in the middle. But…
DMaster: Interrupting.
KHA: You always do though.
Chance: Clench my fist.
Chan: Khamyra. She killed my best friend, put many of my friends in harms way and is the nastiest piece of garbage Legon has ever seen… sorry if you are at an inconvenience, but considering I want to gut her slowly for a half day while she watches…
DMaster: Khamyra steps back and looks down, swishes her drink a bit. A bit thrown by your comment.
Chance: Look over to her.
Chan: That just doesn’t go away. Maybe it’s time you gave up the ghost on this, huh?
DMaster: She nods her head, gives you a quick glance and heads back inside.
Chance: Sigh and look down over the backyard. Shaking my head. Small smile forming on my face after a while, as I hear all the noise coming from downstairs.
DMaster: You have dinner with everyone, help clean up, cuddle the kids and before you know it, 8:30PM rolls around.
Chance: Making sure to take Silent Fate and my new short sword, kiss the kids and Khamyra as I head out the door. Pay the fee for Toby when I get to Camerondale and make my way towards the black ward compound, making sure to get there so I have time to gear up.
DMaster: The sky is all but dark, some purple on the horizon line. Stars are starting to pop out, the large moon is about 3/4th full and the only other moon you see is full, and just about going in front of the large moon now. You head inside and it’s really busy, probably because of the current project / stake out. You hear from across the room
VAL: Chance get in your gear, get to the top of the steps!
Chance: Chan: as you say, Valentine.
Making a quick beeline for my office and gear up
DMaster: You gear up, double check things, looking good. weapons: SF, Long dagger, 2 other daggers, light crossbow, 12 bolts.
Chance: Quickly make my way out of the compound and to the top of the stairs
DMaster: You walk out to an argument between Valentine and the Captain. It does not seem too serious as the other agents are pretty relaxed. The shorter Assassin elf, looks at Harlow.
VAL: Go home,
The Cap gives her a look, and sighs.
Chance: My eyes get big seeing them arguing
DMaster: VAL: I don’t care if you are the Captain, you need to go home, get some rest, I have it covered from here
HAR: If anything…
Valentine puts her arm on her shoulder and smiles. The two exchange looks and they smirk at each other. It’s been a long time they have worked together, they understand each other.
VAL: Yes, you’ll be the first to know…
The Captain looks around, then points at you.
HAR: Keep him in control, ok?
Chance: Chan: reporting as ordered.
Give the Captain a museful hurt look.
DMaster: A slow smile grows on her face, she turns and walks off. Valentine gathers up a few agents, 4 to be exact. One being that Garret that you met earlier.
VAL: We already have 4 spots scouted and with agents, you are going to join them, be the 2nd shift so-to-speak.
She is handing each one of you a smaller bag
Chance: Looking in the bag she just handed us
DMaster: There are a few wrapped rations, 2 water skins, and some odd looking bottles. Also a weird cylindrical object and what appears to be a whistle?
VAL: I know, for those who have been working this all week, it is time to suck it up. New comers, learn to deal with it.
Chance: Nod my head to Valentine
DMaster: VAL: The group that has been doing these smash and grabs, we feel wait for the “change in guards” so… we are not going to change guards. We are in our spot all night. Talking to a minimum, no sneezing, I don’t even want to know that you blew ass either. Stealth is key. According to our reports from Vermeer and Magus Orion, they will only be around for about 10 days, and we are on day 5. We are not going to have infinite chances.
She looks over the 4 of you, handing you a hand drawn map.
Chance: Quickly look at the map she handed us
DMaster: VAL: If you see them, and you better be fucking sure, then use the whistle and flare. If you hear and see the flare, be ready to run and run fast. One will go to the right of the flare, the other to the left. Intelligence tells us, they like to split up and reconvene. We need to be everywhere to catch them. She sighs and shakes her head
VAL: I know we really want to be home playing knuckle bones, but lets get this done, Cap is stressing and you know what that means
GAR: She is all over you…
The new guy says, smirk on his face. Valentine points at him and nods.
Chance: Shaking my head still not saying much
DMaster: VAL: Get to your spot, and be undetectable. You are Black Ward for a reason, this should be easy. Your partner will be there already, they will leave at 5. you will leave at 7 unless they hit a spot before that… then you will be relieved.
Chance: Nod my head to Valentine, as if to say, “understood.”
DMaster: VAL: Now get, except you Chance.
The other 3 all but disappear in silence
Chance: Giving Valentine a look as I am the only one remaining
DMaster: She sighs.
VAL: I need you to be on point tonight? Having you back is great, but if history reminds us, you can be a bit of a wild card.
She hands you a sealed note.
VAL: Are we going to have another goddamn tug of war with you and Finster, or with the Royal court?
Giving you a look.
Chance: Look down at the note
DMaster: It’s from Affinity wanted to see you 8:00 AM tomorrow.
Chance: Chan: there shouldn’t be an tug of war, Valentine
sigh a bit
Chan: It’s just they want to see me at 8am tomorrow
DMaster: She tilts her head and gives you a look.
VAL: OK.
Chance: sigh, knowing this isn’t going to sit well with Valentine
DMaster: VAL: One day Chance, one friggen day and we are already getting notes for you to be somewhere else. I intercepted it from the Cap. So… lets get this under control ok? Find out what it is, then return the note when you can.
She stops and pauses for a moment
Chance: Chan: Yes Valentine
DMaster: VAL: I mean, royal requests, are… well royal requests. But no more perfumed notes and random missions for your… ahem… god.
She turns. You look down to the note then back up and she is gone, looking around, it was like she vanished.
Chance: Shaking my head knowing I better get to my spot or Valentine will have my ass, and so will the Captain
DMaster: You as well, in the shadows of the road and alleyway, disappear. You follow the map into the merchant district. Make around a few stalls, quickly crawl up a wall in an alleyway, look across and pinned against a chimney is Veritaan.
Chance: find my spot and hunker down, so I can still look around and observe everything
DMaster: You sit next to Veritaan. (All talking is whispers from here on out, so you don’t have to type quiet)
VER: Hey bud, how goes it?
Chance: Small smile on my face I sit next to him
Chan: it is going good Taan, but Valentine said to keep talking to a minimum
DMaster: He shakes his head with a smirk.
Chance: Looking at him grinning
DMaster: VER: This is night 5 for me, believe me the noise down there will drown out everything. I am used to it.
And there does seem to be a bit of noise, a bar or two open, people still walking around.
Chance: Chan: well my first day back Taan, I don’t want to screw this up. I have missed all of this and all of you.
DMaster: He smiles again and nods.
VER: No worries, got the bag?
Chance: Chan: I sure do
Hand him the bag.
DMaster: He takes it and opens it
VER: Goddammit, again. she puts these in with the food and water.
He takes out the two weird bottle looking things
VER: Piss bottles
Chuckles a bit, shaking his head. He grabs a ration and starts gnawing on it.
Chance: Shaking my head as well, smirking
DMaster: VER: Would love a juicy steak with all the fixins, its day 5 of spiced jerky and cheese. I am going to shit out a midget goat and a 5 legged cow soon.
Chance: Chuckle.
Chan: well what I wouldn’t give to be back home with the wife and kids right now, but this is what I signed up for.
Not taking my eyes off of the area
DMaster: VER: Yeah, so apparently it wont be hard to spot, it will be loud and it will be fast. They say 7-8 people do the job. They have hit some high end places so far, and it is important we nab them. The PR nightmare if we don’t get this clamped down.
He takes a big bite, frowns and slowly chews.
Chance: Chan: we will catch them Taan, don’t worry. I didn’t come back to fail.
DMaster: He snorts a little
VER: Same ol’ Chance I see
He chews and chews, maybe in hopes it will turn into something better. Looking like he wants to spit it out but swallows instead
Chance: As he is chewing, I will keep scanning the area
Chan: well, I wouldn’t say same old, by any means.
smirking, as I look out
DMaster: VER: No, I mean full of optimism and hope, someone who hasn’t allowed this job to drag him down.
He chuckles a bit, takes a slug of his waterskin
Chance: Chan: well try dealing with the Royals, the Black Ward and a god… you have to remain optimistic
Wedmak (Wednesday) 2:00 AM
DMaster: He nods his head. The area quiets down. It gets to be 2:00 am, you down a ration, drink half of the water skin, piss in a bottle. Nothing happens.
Chance: Just keep looking around and remain focused.
DMaster: Around 4:00 am, You see movement on your rooftop,
Chance: Tap Veritaan on the shoulder
DMaster: He glances over.
VER: Fuck
Valentine quickly gets to you, frowning.
VAL: Time to head home, they hit a friggen home in the upper district.
You see Veritaan sink his shoulders
VER: How are we supposed to stop that, halfway across the City?
The lead Assassin shakes her head
VAL: Wait five minutes, Taan, then head back, after another 5, Chance you head back.
Chance: Nod my head at Valentine
DMaster: Veritaan is grumbling about the food, and pissing in a bottle another night. After 5 he goes, then after 5 you head back. DM: Todd rolls a 1. It never fails. It is always a plot twister for sure. You climb down and you see someone with a hood drawn, look over and tilt their head to get a better look at you. Definitely been spotted.
Chance: Stop dead in my tracks.
DMaster: They turn and start to sprint away.
Chance: Damn it! Thinking to myself. Grumbling, damn it! I can’t let him or her get away. I sprint after them.
DMaster: DM: The chase. Two rolls by Chance, one for over-all speed, the other for Acrobatics. DM will roll for the hooded figure, and match things up.
Chance: Give chase.
Chase Written Out
The figure quickly darts down another alleyway.
Chance starts to race towards the way he went, and he is struggling with his decision to go full Champion, that will be quite visible or just do this as Chance the man.
In the meantime The Champion heads towards another alleyway, just in time to see the figure disappear again down another passage about 30 or so feet down.
“Dammit,” he mumbles to himself, as the quarter elf races further down the alleyway he just turned down.
Turning the corner, he almost falls over a barrel that is now rocking back and forth in the alley. Looking further down, Chance notices another barrel that has been tossed aside, some garbage and a box of tools splattered across the ground.
The Champion, jumps the barrel and heads down. He can now see the figure, who was slowed down a bit from putting debris in his way. He makes the decision, “this is getting me no where fast,” he says as he starts to transform into the Champion, boosting his speed.
The extra push takes even himself by surprise and almost trips over some tools scattered about. Growling a little he bolts farther down the alleyway.
He gets to the opening to see it is a main road, across this street is the northern warehouse district. He just catches a glimpse of the hooded figure darting down another alleyway about 30-40 feet away.
With the extra speed he zips across the street almost knocking over a now frightened patron of the City, seeing this large man, with glowing eyes in black armor almost running him over in the middle of the night.
Chance finally gets to the alleyway and he can’t see anything. His dark vision has been in and out with lanterns here and there, and then areas of complete darkness. He unsheathes his sword, slowly makes his way down the alley.
After halfway down he sees that there is a dead end, a good 30 foot wall on all sides, no real way to escape. As he continues to walk, he suddenly hears a thud and a groan to his left.
Quickly, he runs to that location only to see a metal grate, half covered by a barrel. The Champion rips the barrel out of the way and then stops. “I could be going down in the lions den here, I should get some backup.”
He sheathes his sword, walks to the street and flags down a guard. The man races over, only to skitter to a halt seeing his eyes and skins glowing and pulsating.
Chance turns back to his normal form, “go get Valentine of the Black Ward,” he orders the man, holding up his ring. The man turns and high tails it back down the street.
In his head, he felt this is the right thing to do. The raid on the Temple with Velencia, fresh in his mind, going in blades a-swinging, almost dying… in fact, having Khamyra’s mother having to get resurrected.
Soon Valentine and Garret run over to you, a few guards are starting to matriculate over as well.
“I gave chase to a hooded individual,” he says pointing back down the alleyway, “I think they went into a grate about halfway down.”
Valentine slows down from her trot, stops and is staring at Chance, wide eyes under her hood. Garret in the background, weapon now drawn looking about, keeping alert. He is working with the guards to canvas the area quickly. The hood over Valentines head now gets pulled down and a befuddled look is apparent on her face. She shrugs her shoulders, “OK, you were spotted then? Son of a bitch. OK, and..? Where did they go from there?”
The Champion looks a bit shaken now, “uh, well… I,” he starts only to get interrupted.
“Garret!” Valentine barks suddenly, seeing Chance in a cold sweat, “go to the guard house, get a quad out here immediately.”
The new BW member stops, sheathes his weapon and starts to run off.
Then she looks back at the Champion, “…ok and?”
“I mean if I gave chase, I could of been running right into the lions den, I mean I needed too…” he started but did not finish.
Interrupting with a quick flash of speed, Valentine has a dagger out and has the tip of her weapon to the breast of the armor Chance is wearing. She pushes him back to the Alleyway entrance.
“You see that symbol Chance?” she starts, her face starting to flush and get angry, “it is Black Ward. We are elite, we are the best there is… We do not stop and worry about what, giant rats? A few thugs? A parade of blue haired clowns?!? I mean why would someone lead you to a hide-out to begin with? Black Ward also means using your head, and I was not mixing words when I said you were a bit of a wildcard, we never know what we are going to get with you, from day to day.”
She pulls the dagger away, huffs a bit and looks down. Sheathes her weapon, “your talent base is incredible, your fighting skill is way beyond your age but…” she says, turning, starting to rub her temple, “your decision making can be absolutely infuriating…”
Chance sighs, looks down. Realizing what he did, and then it dawns on him, because of his little argument with Velencia, he was worried about the ideals of; “head first, bash some skulls and move on,” that he yelled at the High Priestess about.
After a few short moments of silence, Valentine turns and looks to the big man briefly, “I just can’t do this right now, I am so fucking tired,” she says in a uncharacteristic shaky voice, “you were, what? Afraid to follow? It is an extension to the sewers for the warehouses, they are probably half way around the city underground! I don’t even want to think about the fact you are the Champion of Finster and have all this extra abilities… what were you thinking?”
The Champions face flushes, not sure what to do at this point, or what to say.
“If this is related to the smash and grab,” she starts, then takes a hard swallow, “this is going to blow up in my face, I can feel it. Giving away our positions, that we are watching these areas, is a huge red flag, enough for them to pick up and get out of the city. The public relations nightmare this is going to cascade upon us is…” she finishes with a grunt.
Hands on her hips, she sighs again and looks down. Valentine grabs her hood pulls it back over her head.
Shortly after the four guards make their way over. You know the “quad” as the more upscale guards who are good at investigation and finding evidence.
“Go home Chance,” Valentine says, not looking at him, “get to the compound after your little brunch with the royals. We need to talk further…”
Chance starts to move then stops, “can I at least…” is all he got out.
“Now!” she yells, turning her hood a bit, clenching her fist.
Back To Turn Based
Chance: Nod my head at Valentine, sigh a bit and make my way back to the compound.
DMaster: It was a long walk, you are kind of numb, now realizing your mistake and one that could be devastating. You get there, it’s pretty much empty. A few people leaving, that were working the stake out.
Chance: making my way towards my office, slumping down in a chair.
DMaster: It is roughly 5:30 AM
Chance: taking off my armor. I kind of slam the chest piece down on the floor, angry at myself. Putting everything away, I will head for home.
DMaster: Clouds were coming in all night and it is pretty overcast. But the winds were warm and the temp steady. You will probably have to turn and come back right away, but your home for now.
Chance: well the note said 8:00 AM. So I will at least grab something to drink before heading back to Camerondale
DMaster: The house is very quiet
Chance: Make my way in the house and just sit at the table, not wanting to wake the Kids or Khamyra
DMaster: After a few minutes of quiet, Novalee comes in, all quiet. A long overshirt, her hair a mess, bleary eyed. She glances up and quietly talks
NOV: Oh? You’re up? or Home?
Chance: Nod head and smile.
Chan: Yes. Back. Home.
DMaster: Novalee’s eyes bulge a little and she stops.
NOV: Oh…
Chance: Take a deep breath, sigh a bit.
DMaster: She frowns walks over and gives you a big hug from behind the chair, she can see the pain in your eyes.
NOV: It will be alright.
Chance: Smile a little, welcome the hug.
Chan: I sure hope so, I sure hope so.
DMaster: She walks over to the pot and starts up the water
NOV: That is what makes life so interesting… even on your best day someone will have something bad to say.
Chance: Chan: hmm, I like that.
Sigh, looking down
DMaster: CRY: I once smelled my finger and tripped balls so bad I ended up in my mother-in-law… get up!
Novies eyes light up and looks to the door with disgust.
NOV: Wha? He did what now?
She ends with a giggle.
Chance: Shaking my head
Chan: as if this day can’t get any worse, we have to hear that terrible cryer
DMaster: The house starts to wake. Sisse makes her way through, the kids come down. You move out of the way for them. Give them some kisses and a hug. Then Khamyra makes her way down and sees you. A big smile starts across her face. Then see’s your expression and she stops. Just is looking at you.
Chance: Chan: Mornin’ Love.
Go give her a hug.
DMaster: She welcomes it, then grabs your hand and walks out the back with you.
KHA: Spill it, I know that look, and it is not a good look.
Chance: Chan: I don’t want to bother you with this, I can tell you later…
DMaster: Khamyra grabs your chin, and tugs at it, to make you look at her.
KHA: Start. Talking.
Chance: Chan: Fine, fine. (Explain what happened)
DMaster: She is nodding her head, pacing a bit.
KHA: I know you have to get going now, but yeah. I see both sides. You were fresh off arguing with Velencia about rushing in without planning, but on the other side of it, you have more than enough tools to take care of yourself.
She scoffs, and gives you a long purposeful look.
Chance: I will look at her too, smile softly.
DMaster: KHA: I will leave you with this thought. You were so quick to jump on Velencia about the underground Temple, but we had confidence, we had the tools and the power to take on just about anything… but here, Valentine is giving you a different look on things, essentially agreeing with the High Priestess in some ways.
She touches your arm.
KHA: You are consistent, and learn from your mistakes… I love you for that. Even if it was a bit extreme with this event. Just know the next time you want to yell at people for rushing into things, just try and look at the facts first ok, my love? We all have our strengths for a reason.
She gives you a peck on the cheek and heads in.
Chance: Nod my head.
Chan: I will be home soon.
Get on Toby and head to Camerondale, pay the copper, head to the Castle.
DMaster: You’re let in and immediately greeted by a guard.
GUARD: Right in here Sire, they are waiting for you.
He opens the throne doors
Chance: Nod my head and follow to the throne room
DMaster: A smaller table with breakfast food is on it. Boz, Affinity, Cass, and Xavier are all sitting down. They look up and smile
BOZ: Chance! Come sit, have some breakfast with us.
Chance: Chan: as you say, my King
Giving him a small smile
DMaster: Everyone gives you greetings and smiles. DM: Todd rolls a good number in regards to letting his emotions show, so he is clamped down – in regards to Affinity and Cassie; they don’t really suspect anything. Everyone is fairly quiet to begin with, eating and drinking bean water. When the group starts to ease up on the eating, Affinity clears her throat.
AFF: So, we have received a request…
The Queen starts off with a bit of a snotty tone. Bozutto rolls his eyes a bit and shovels in some eggs
CASS: Oh, here we go…
The Baroness says under her breath, letting out a small giggle only to get a sharp look from Affinity
Chance: Chan: and the request is from?
Looking up from my plate of food, eyebrow raised.
DMaster: AFF: Princess. Azatina.
She says, pulling her napkin from her lap and flopping it on the plate in front of her, looking down a little perturbed.
Chance: Chan: OK, what does the Princess want, your grace?
DMaster: Boz is quiet, eating his food, shaking his head a bit. She gives you a look. Like she is trying to read you, she can sense something is off.
AFF: They require your assistance. They need the Champion of the Court of Camerondale apparently, to help them dig up old buildings and bones… and the like.
Cassie sighs a bit, shakes her head knowing Affinity does not like the Princess.
CASS: Hun, its a bit more deeper than that
Affinity shrugs her shoulders. Boz still eating and drinking his beanwater, trying to avoid his wife’s gaze.
Chance: Be as serious as I can, not in the mood. Then looking over, a bit curious. Raising an eyebrow
DMaster: CASS: They found what they are calling a Roundel. It is something that… I don’t know, civilizations did 1500 years ago.
She takes a quick bite of food.
CASS: Munch munch, gulp. A larger scale city surrounded by what? a circular pit?
Chance: Chan: well surely I am not being requested just to help dig up old buildings and bones? Am I?
DMaster: Boz chuckles, then quickly stops and keeps eating feeling Affinities eyes on him.
XAV: I hope not. They uncovered the roundel, and when they started working through it… there was something not right.
Chance: Shake head and scoff.
Chan: Of course. (mumble) Why can’t people just keep things buried for Finsters sake…
DMaster: Everyone stops and looks at you.
Chance: Clear my throat,
Chan: Sorry, my apologies, you were Saying Duke?
DMaster: He has a half smile, half curious look on his face, but continues.
XAV: There are noises, explainable ones. The past few days a guard disappeared and the more they research, the bottom of this round pit, is a pool of… water? Rumored to have a wide ranging uses. Healing and the like.
CASS: Once things were starting to unravel, they stopped all excavation. Azatina is now heading into the area, and has requested you to join her.
Chance: Chan: so the quick of it is, they don’t want just the Champion of the Court, they want the Champion of Finster there?
Looking around at the table, seeing how they react
DMaster: They all seem to nod.
AFF: I believe that is one of the same, Master Chance.
She gives you a look, then takes a long gulp of the mug in front of her.
BOZ: We are sending some guards, diggers and 2 Black Ward agents, well you and another one now.
Affinity sighs loudly, shaking her head.
Chance: Nod my head
Chan: Since I did such a bang-up job with the Stronghold of Finster, she would like me to see what I can do there…
Just stare down at my plate.
DMaster: They all nod their head, a little curious about your demeanor right now.
BOZ: Good good, you leave Monday AM. It’s a day and a half journey to get to Iasall. So pack accordingly.
Chance: Chan: How long will I be there?
DMaster: BOZ: Not sure, depends on how long it takes to, I am not sure, clear out the roundel, is what they call it? Or secure it, bury it again, whatever they need.
Xavier nods, looks at Cassie.
CASS: You know the drill Chance. It could be a day, could be 2 weeks… This Iasall place is nothing we have seen before.
Chance: Furry my brow.
Chan: Iasall? Hmm, interesting.
Stand up, thinking that is what Talia said to me.
Chan: Is that all that was needed of me M’lord?
DMaster: Cassie smirks, she must of read you.
CASS: Yes, Talia seems to have her hand in everything nowadays, get with her before you leave. She has most of the information, been working on it for weeks. She seems to be down with Esmershard, below the library when she isn’t training.
Chance: Frown looking at Cassie, sigh. Then bow to them.
Chan: I will make it a point to talk with her before I leave, M’lords, M’Ladies.
Turn and walk out the door, head to the compound to get my beating.
DMaster: You head into the compound, it’s pretty busy as usual. A stout blonde woman spots you, and yells across the floor.
CYB: Morning Chance! Cap wants to see you in her office, asap
Chance: Sigh and look down a bit. Then straighten up and head to the captain’s office. Get there and knock on the door.
DMaster: You hear a muffled “come in.”
Chance: I open the door and go in closing it behind me, looking around the room.
Chan: I am here as Valentine requested.
DMaster: Valentine is perched on the far side of the office, they were talking when you came in. The little assassin elf is in some ragged old clothes, with some brown belts around her, small bag, holding her daggers and such. The Captain is standing at her desk, her shirt a bit tight fitting, but black as the night, BW symbol in between her boobs, in the stretched area of the shirt. Dark leather pants, daggers at her side and some shit kicking boots. Her hair is down and she looks a little worn. She gives you a pretty cold look as you enter.
HAR: Sit.
Chance: I grab a seat and sit
DMaster: She sits down at her desk and rubs her temples. Staring at her desk for a moment. Valentine is rummaging around her side bag she has on her.
HAR: That was some night, last night, huh?
Looking up, giving you an eyebrow raise.
Chance: Nod head.
DMaster: HAR: I am not sure what to do. This was… well… I don’t want to get in front of myself. Valentine saved your ass by dismissing the other agents. If they knew you pulled off a pursuit for… what were the reasons?
She gives you another look, shrugs her shoulders.
Chance: Shake head.
DMaster: HAR: Chance! The reason?!
Giving you a wider-eyed, angrier look.
Chance: Chan: I didn’t know what was down the grate, it could of been anything. So I went for back-up.
DMaster: Slowly nodding her head, Harlow glances over to Valentine who looks absolutely exhausted. She is forcing down an apple now.
HAR: This is why I am having a hard time dealing with this. The ideals of getting back-up is sound. But… not in this situation. In fact, it shouldn’t of been an option considering what was at stake.
She is tapping her desk thinking of what to say next.
HAR: Sacrificing something, so important to the welfare of the entire City… for a whim, for something remedial. It is near unacceptable to me.
Again the Captain looks over to Valentine.
VAL: If history repeats itself, you always bounce back from your errors. Your track record shows us that.
The Assassin looks at the apple a bit in disgust and throws it into the trash.
VAL: So, I am going to give you a 90 day write up on this. We can’t ignore the fact that it happened, but with the ideals that you always right your ship… we are just going to keep moving forward. I will have some papers for you to sign tonight. In 90 days, you keep your nose clean, those records hit the fireplace, understood?
Chance: Stay straight, nod head looking at them both.
DMaster: HAR: I am trying to refrain talking to you like a green star cadet. But I also have to remind myself, you have not gone through that training, nor do you have a quarter of the experience of anyone else. I am not taking away the fact you have faced more monsters than most of the 1st and 2nd star guards combined, but in practical experiences… you have to use your head, gage the risk to reward scenario. Does chasing a culprit into a sewer system worth it? To stop a possible breech in our plans we have been working for, the past 7 days and for the safety of the City… fuck yeah. It is worth it. You have to know that.
Chance: Nod head again.
DMaster: The Captain stands up, walks around her desk and sits on the edge of it, right in front of you.
HAR: Look at me.
Chance: Look up to her.
DMaster: She has her hand up, tapping the ring on her finger
CAP: This means you are the elite. You are one of the very few. Your abilities and strengths have afforded you this opportunity to be… the Cities, the Kingdoms guardians and I need to know you are on board with this.
Chance: Nod head.
Chan: Yes, Captain.
DMaster: She frowns at your cold unemotional answer.
HAR: Anyways…
Standing up, she walks back around the desk, sighing all the while.
HAR: Valentine?
VAL: You will report here at 7:00 PM. We will work through the papers, and then we are having a full Rogue Division meeting. We are switching this up, one of our outside agents got some intel. In hopes we can nab these fuckers before they skip town, we have a new plan.
Chance: nod my head, agreeing
Chan: So the hooded figure, did you get any clues to where he might have gone?
DMaster: The two of them glance at each other and smirk.
HAR: If you would of taken 10 seconds to even just look down the grate… you would of noticed the guy you were chasing broke his leg. We found him in a fetal position, holding his leg, crying like a baby.
VAL: No lions…
She says half joking, half smart-ass remark. Captain is shaking her head.
VAL: You have to know better… We are not going to harp on this, but this could of been devastating.
HAR: My head on a platter, devastating.
Chance: Still not knowing what to say glance down a bit, nod head.
DMaster: HAR: And the information you were really looking for. That hooded man had no connection to the smash and grab. Just a disgusting excuse for a man, who likes to rape and assault women.
Chance: Taking a deep breath, looking back up.
DMaster: Captain glances at her desk, then sighs, purposefully.
HAR: I forgot how well connected you are
She flips a paper around her desk then pushes it to you.
HAR: Apparently you are going on another dig. This is straight from the King; Princess Azatina seems to need your services…
The sarcastic tone is not missed by you.
Chance: Nod my head
Chan: so I was informed, over breakfast with the royals
DMaster: Valentine dips her head and sighs. Captain grits her teeth, and glances over to Valentine who looks like she got caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
HAR: Yes. The chain of, ahem, command in regards to communication… seemed to take a quick detour last night.
She is tapping her desk, Valentine not missing that either.
VAL: Sorry Cap. Just wanted to talk with him about his loyalties.
Chance: Chan: I don’t want no tug of wars, I came back to the Ward thinking I could still do some good… not create this, dog’s breakfast.
Give them both a strong and long look.
DMaster: Harlow nods a bit.
HAR: Let’s just roll with what we have… A royal request is, well a royal request. No ways around that.
Valentine sighs loudly and gives you a look.
VAL: 7:00 PM Chance. Now get.
Chance: Chan: as you say Valentine.
Stand up, straighten myself up and go towards the door. Making my way towards the entryway of the compound and rather quickly. Thinking it is time to do some research on Atticus and then get with Talia. Make my way to the library see if I can find some more information on the destroyed god.
DMaster: You are standing in front of an older woman, she has a baffled look on her face.
WOMAN: Umm, I don’t know of this Atty-case you speak of…
Chance: Grunt.
Chan: Atticus, my good woman, Atticus. The Evil god that was cast out of the god-plane and destroyed, or…
DMaster: You see her eyes wide, mouth wide open. DM: Velencia and Cullun barely has anything on him. The library would have zilch.
Chance: Chan: well, shit. Nevermind then.
Forget it, I will try to find Talia.
DMaster: You head underneath the Library. The smell of old tomes and a smoke pipe hits you as you open the door to the 90ft x 90ft room, walls lined with books, relics, nick-nacks. A few tables in the middle. It is all but empty except for one man, leaning in a comfy chair on the left wall, smoking a pipe and reading a book. You recognize him right away as Esmershard.
Chance: Walk closer to him
Chan: Esmershard, have you seen Talia?
DMaster: Gives you a small startled look, then frowns a bit.
ESM: Oh.. hello to you too, the back room with Genesis
Pointing with a bit of annoyance.
Chance: Chuckle a little,
Chan: good to see you Esmershard, sorry, have a lot on my mind.
Smiling at the older man
DMaster: He nods, continues to read and puff on his pipe.
Chance: Make my way towards the back room, chuckling knowing how excited Talia will be to see me.
DMaster: You head back, and Talia is talking with Genesis, pointing at a wall with tons of things hanging from it; the map is of a circular thing, most likely the roundel. Then with what appears to be a city map surrounding it. She is slipping on her armor, looking to be gearing up to train.
GEN: Talia, we looked, there is nothing about that in the books.
TAL: There has to be, damn.
Chance: Clearing my throat
DMaster: Talia turns and sees you. She is in her plain under-garment wear for her armor, half the armor on a table. Big smile, she almost trips, and then finishes putting on her greaves. Then makes it over to you and gives you a big hug.
Chance: Hug her back, laughing as I do.
Chan: so, I was suppose to talk with you.
DMaster: TAL: Oh? You were?
Genesis smiles and nods. She is in her usual brown, nondescript robe.
TAL: Say Hi to Gen, you rude dick.
Chance: Shake head, look at Genesis.
Chan: Morning Gen, how are you?
DMaster: With a smile you remember from the dig last time, she nods.
GEN: Doing well Chance, thank you.
Chance: Go on to explain about the request made of me, in short form.
Chan: Princess Azatina made the request.
Smirking a bit at Talia
DMaster: She looks stunned
TAL: Makes sense, you saved Azatina from the last dig, why not bring in someone who has dealt with this before… didn’t know about this… at all. I wonder if they will send in a scribe or diggers or… hmmmm.
She glances over to Genesis.
TAL: Did you get called for this?
Genesis shakes her head
GEN: There was something on the board, but it was filled already… Sakine has seniority. I imagine she grabbed it, but I didn’t think it was for a dig.
Chance: Slap forehead.
Chan: Oh, boy. Sakine.
DMaster: Esmershard walks in, working on his pipe, glances over.
ESM: Sakine got the call this time, they leave Monday.
TAL: What?!?! We are sending a group of people?
She gives you a look.
TAL: Could of told me that!
Chance: Chan: You didn’t give me the opportunity too, you lunatic.
Shaking my head and looking at Talia
DMaster: You see that look on her face, it’s flushing and the mind is bouncing off the inside of her skull. Genesis gets wider eyes, then glances at you.
TAL: Fuck that, I’m going…
She storms out of the room. Genesis chuckles and smiles, knowing, that is Talia. Esmershard glances back as he was heading into his office and snorts.
GEN: Guess you are not getting the briefing
She says with a snort too, as she walks back to her desk
Chance: Chan: oh man that temper of hers
looking at Genesis, shaking my head.
Chan: I better catch up with her before it becomes a full blown shit show
Trying to catch up to Talia knowing how she is when she gets something in her head
DMaster: She is pretty fast, you chase her across the road, up to the Castle and inside. She is standing in the entryway, big smile on her face. Cassie is in front of her, shaking her head and a smirk.
Chance: Chan: damn it Talia slow down will you, you could have at least waited for me
DMaster: She whirls around, smiling. Cassie standing there with a smirk on her face.
TAL: I guess I don’t have to officially be invited, I can just go with you… uh duh, of course I can!
A loud high pitched squeal as she runs to you and hugs you. Cassie gives you a look like, “good luck, you’ll need it.”