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Post by Joseph Barros on Sept 18, 2008 17:06:22 GMT -8
Shit yeah you can! Bring it!
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Post by reiphil on Sept 19, 2008 9:28:35 GMT -8
sorry guys! couldn't show but i'll do my best to get my ass over there next week.
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Post by Joseph Barros on Sept 20, 2008 14:28:29 GMT -8
Yarr! Captain Merric Cortana. Former scourge of the seas now supposedly reformed and a captain in Arthur's Royal Navy. Legendary among the common folk for his reputation of only targeting the wealthy and leaving travelers unharmed. For 50 years Captain Cortana eluded capture and made no effort to hide his blatant disrespect for law and those in authority. Cortana often taunted his quarry leaving rude messages and effigies. It is said that once even the king himself was once fired upon by a single arrow with a note daring him to try and remove him from command. On occasion he has even gone so far as to strike wealthy shop owners on land but this has not been a consistent behavior.
None have seen his face for he chooses to wear a captain's hat and bandana covering his eyes and hair. Rumors of his physical appearance over the years have of course varied greatly as a result from tall and thin, short and fat, bearded, unbearded, and everything in between.
All that changed following the ascension to the throne of the boy King Arthur. The details are fuzzy (as is generally the case with Captain Cortana), but the popular story is that under Arthur's command and natural leadership, not to mention being the first king in a long while to inspire the aid of the common folk due to being a just and fair ruler, Captain Cortana was finally apprehended and given a choice; face the hangman's noose or join the Royal Navy! For a man who has lived like Cortana has for as long as Cortana has it was an easy choice... Continue to breathe!
And so the legend of Captain Cortana enters a new chapter. A former outlaw and brigand now travelling the lands under the umbrella of the Royal insignia. But has he truly reformed or is he but a wolf in sheep's clothing? And if he is reformed who is to say that the death of old grudges would come as easily as his supposed reformation? Only time will tell...
Edited because I can't spell beard
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Post by agroson1 on Sept 20, 2008 21:12:21 GMT -8
Nice. And thanks for jumping into the new story so freely and readily. Take 500 exp for the write up and another 950 for Thursday.
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Post by reiphil on Sept 21, 2008 2:18:49 GMT -8
Rounce Darkmagic
The Darkmagic family was a large branch of families that were the top wizards of the age until suddenly a plague fell upon the house, wiping out the strongest of their blood. Now slowly falling into ruins due to the lack of their magic contingent, the Darkmagics were in trouble. However, one day, the Darkmagic family in the lands of Moreno Valley, gave birth to a small young boy. Straight from the womb, this boy had the strongest magical prowess of the entire Darkmagic clans across the lands. He was named Rounce.
Rounce grew up knowing he was special. Trained from early on, his magical powers surpassed all of his teachers, siblings, cousins, everyone. He quickly grew bored and impatient with his elders and he used his magical abilities to twist, befuddle, and overpower everyone to get his way. The Darkmagic family was proud of him as he was the savior to their fortune and all was going well, even though the young Rounce was arrogant. Yet tragedy struck the family.
Neighboring wizarding families grew scared of the Darkmagics growing power. They sent assassins to kill Rounce and his family to stop them from producing any more powerful wizards. And one fateful day while Rounce was eating lunch with his parents, the assassins struck.
The assassins made quick work of his parents, slaughtering them mercilessly in front of his eyes. Not trained for combat, Rounce couldn't think of a single spell to cast at his enemies. He had hundreds of spells to choose from, yet not one could come to his mind. Finally Rounce unleashed something within him, a power that even he hadn't known he could control. The assassins fell, and their family insignias were revealed to Rounce. Rounce couldn't remember anything of the next few days, yet when he awoke he was in his own house, covered in blood. Reports of those days told of a demonic magical presence that destroyed all of the neighboring wizarding families.
Quickly Merlin found news of Rounce's exploits and sent for him. Rounce, still horrified by what he had done and seen, went silently. However, there was no punishment. Instead, Merlin decided to study Rounce. Rounce was allowed access into a school set up specifically by Merlin. Rounce was allowed limitless gain of power and knowledge, unlike the training he was given before. After many years of ardous work, Rounce knew he was one of the best wizards in the world. Rounce worked himself hard to prove himself to Merlin and became one of his agents. It was time to show the world that Merlin wasn't the only one who could control the forces of magic in the world.
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Post by Joseph Barros on Sept 21, 2008 11:06:42 GMT -8
-2 Cha for being from MoVal. Only ugly people live there.
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Post by agroson1 on Sept 21, 2008 19:05:25 GMT -8
500 exp for Rounce writing a good background.
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Post by Joseph Barros on Sept 21, 2008 21:31:23 GMT -8
We rocked it today team. Great play.
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Post by earthwizard on Sept 22, 2008 20:09:26 GMT -8
Kriv Balasar the Dragonborn Paladin, devoted to the King of Britons and Queen of Ravens. A back-story in two parts.
Part I
Monoc and Lisean Balasar lived on a secluded island off the coast of Wales for several decades. Twenty-five years ago they hatched their last brood. Among the six, three died in the first two weeks, another after five, and only one survived past two months. Kriv was a good child. He obeyed his parents and grew very rapidly. At five years old he stood five feet tall, but still shorter than either of his parents.
The family lived a simple life. Monoc would often go hunting for days at a time, occasionally bringing Kriv along to learn the basics of survival. Lisean taught him lessons in history and religion, though he didn't pay much attention. Often though, Lisean would get a distant look in her eye when speaking of the politics of the mainland. Kriv would have to call her repeatedly to bring her back to the present.
One cold wet morning the eight year old Kriv awoke to the caw of a raven on his window sill. He looked around, but did not find his mother in their stone cottage. His father, Monoc, had gone hunting and was not expected back until the evening. Kriv ventured out into the mist in search of Lisean.
He saw a figure through the fog and decided to play a prank and surprise his mother. He did not realize that she was perched on the edge of the sea cliff. As he crept up, in the silent manner his father tried to teach him, his heart began to thump in his chest. This will be funny. A shadow drifted through the fog and Kriv shrank back. Just a bird. He paused, gaining courage. The shadow of his mother stood, and teetered on the edge, also waiting, also gaining courage. Now or your chance will slip by. He leapt out and shouted.
Lisean thought of her past life, her life before Monoc, her life on the main-land. She yearned for those old days. She was deeply depressed by the pain she endured when she had to leave. Though she loved Monoc, Kriv and her other children, she could not bear the pain any longer. She peered over the edge of the cliff. I am old. She told herself. One step closer. She wondered what it would have bee like to fly like the ancients. They will be fine. Monoc is a good man. He will take care of Kriv and raise him well. She reassured herself. An inch more. And just as she was ready,
"BA!"
The shout startled her and she whipped her head back in time to make eye contact with her last brood-ling son. "Kriv" she whispered in surprise, heart stuck in her throat. Her body began to fall.
Silence struck suddenly as Kriv watched his mother disappear into the mist below. He clung to the edge for an hour, tears pouring from his eyes. Then he crawled home and curled up in his nest-bed crying and calling out to his mother the rest of the day until Monoc returned from hunting.
"What is it, son? Tell me what is wrong. Where is your mother . . . "
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Post by earthwizard on Sept 22, 2008 20:19:21 GMT -8
Part II
As the years went by, Monoc raised and trained Kriv in the ways of battle - the ancient ways of their dragon ancestors. Monoc, having understood his wife, did not blame Kriv for any wrong doing. He had compassion and love for the child. Though, it was only in the physical struggle of sparring that Kriv could deal with the guilt of that fateful day. And Fate, it would seem, would come to call upon Kriv again.
Monoc grew older and feeble, already being well matured when Kriv was hatched. Though Kriv did not take to hunting with the same enthusiasm that his father had (in part a result again from his guilt of sneaking around), he managed to provide for himself and his father as Monoc grew older. They lived an outwardly peaceful life, practicing tai chi or fishing in the mornings and relaxing or sparring in the afternoons.
In the evenings Monoc taught Kriv to meditate. During many of these sessions, Kriv slipped into trance and found himself wandering the banks of a river. He caught glimses of a human woman occasionally. Sometimes she would talk with him, sometimes not, but always she had a raven nearby. Kriv began to be wary and respectful of the creatures in his waking life as well.
Three years ago, Kriv was again awakened by the caw of a raven on his window sill. That day he planned to set out on a hunting trip. The day began well. Kriv gathered the throwing axes he preferred over the longbow of his father. He checked on Monoc, still sleeping. He packed some food and ventured out into the usual misty morning and began heading for the few hills that dominated the island.
Near midday Kriv traveled through the hills and came close to some wild sheep that populated the island. However, he did not know that he also was being targeted. With his attention focused on the sheep, Kriv was caught by surprise as a giant lumbered out from a nearby rock formation, beard flailing wildly. It was quickly upon him with its long stride and wielded a tree-like greatclub. The first hit sent Kriv sprawling on the ground.
As the giant came in for another swing Kriv was able to tumble out of the way and stand up. An axe quickly appeared in his hand and he hurled it at the giant, striking the leg. Blood poured from both combatants now. Kriv was unprepared for this battle, though, and the giant easily gained the upper hand. Again Kriv was knocked to the ground and nearly unconscious. The roars of the giant faded and a voice whispered, "Kriv".
Mother, he thought.
Then a resounding thunder-like boom shook the air and ground around them. Kriv looked up to see the giant stagger backward, then raise his greatclub up over his head - the final blow to send Kriv to the ferrywoman he saw in his trances, and two arrows thudded into the giant's exposed chest. Again, the giant staggered backward. Then appearing in Kriv's vision was a shining glimmer of steel. A man stood between him and the giant. A great man, wearing a crowned helm. He raised his magnificent sword and in one blow beheaded the giant. The man then turned to the beaten dragonborn and offered a mailed-hand in friendship.
"Well met, child of dragons." He said, "I am Arthur, King of the Britons."
Kriv was helped to his feet and looked about. He saw other knights with the King and also a man dressed in robes carrying a staff. The wizened old man was giving him a strange knowing look.
As the party left the scene, Kriv leading the way back to his home, ravens descended on the giant's corpse, picking at the flesh and eyes.
Thus Kriv entered the service of King Arthur and parted ways with his elderly father. Upon leaving, Monoc bestowed upon Kriv his grandfather's greataxe. A mighty, magical weapon, that would find great service with its new wielder.
Edited, because I'm obsessive.
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Post by Joseph Barros on Sept 22, 2008 22:43:35 GMT -8
Not to be nitpicky, (well ok I am, though hopefully in a polite way ) but according to Gary, Arthur is still a boy at the moment having only somewhat recently taken the throne. No more than 17. He explained this to me Thursday night, so I have no idea if he made that clear to the rest of you. He hasn't even met Gwynevere or even begun to assemble his round table, yet. If this is news to you, or anybody else for that matter, it might be a good idea if Gary posted more details concerning where exactly we are on the timeline.
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Post by agroson1 on Sept 23, 2008 8:38:01 GMT -8
YEAH!!!! The DM needs to post this info for the players to know this stuff!!!
Oh shit...I AM the DM. I'll make a final call on timeline's today and post it.
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Post by earthwizard on Sept 23, 2008 9:11:50 GMT -8
Ha! Oh, okay, thanks for pointing that out to me, Joseph.
Err. . . so I guess Kriv's backstory will be receiving some edits. I'll make it coherent when the DM gets off his lazy ass and tells us players a little bit more about this "England".
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Post by vinnytheelf on Sept 23, 2008 22:52:33 GMT -8
Ha! Oh, okay, thanks for pointing that out to me, Joseph. Err. . . so I guess Kriv's backstory will be receiving some edits. I'll make it coherent when the DM gets off his lazy ass and tells us players a little bit more about this "England". Its rather clever of you making him a Welsh...Dragon'born...
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Post by agroson1 on Sept 24, 2008 12:06:17 GMT -8
Arthur is currently 22 years of age and has been on the throne for 6 years at this point. He does have a few Knights at his table, but has yet to meet Lancelot. Guinevere is to be his Queen...ceremony to take place in the near future. Orders will follow.
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