Game Thread Introduction - Ren ir'Lareth

eraserpaste · #1 11-12-2010, 07:48 PM

The sun is high above Ren, shining brightly behind the occasional cloud. Where might Ren be found this afternoon?

Ghostwheel · #2 11-12-2010, 10:13 PM

Outside in the hot noon sun Ren puts down the spade with which she was turning the ground in the monastary garden and gazed up for a moment at the glowing orb in the sky before turning back to her work, her thoughts in a muddle. Damn that man--if only Hextor would damn him to burn in some painful afterlife for all eternity! She attacked the ground quickly, imagining herself digging holes into Brent's face and body. Sure, he was a paladin of their mutual god--but his words still hurt despite the facade she raised against them. Damn him for using the words he did, just because she was a woman. I'll show him, she thought to herself, mounds of dirt flying in anger as her determination strengthened and her anger grew. What was so special about casting spells? Sure, you were channeling the very will of Hextor, but that didn't mean that he was better than her, did it? Just because she couldn't cast spells... she muttered in annoyance under her breath before rising to allow her back a rest for a moment.

No, Brent was a small matter compared to what Feldor had foreseen just a few days past; that she would have to leave her home, leave the church, and travel to some unknown lands. Cross some great ocean, leave the islands--maybe forever. Tears reached her eyes, but she angrily stuffed them down with an effort as she bent down to tend to the earth once more. Would she ever see her friends, her companions, those she had laughed and fought beside ever again? Shame began to fill her; was this Hextor's way of telling her that she wasn't good enough? First he refused to grant her spells as he did other clerics and paladins, and now she was being forced to leave her home. Was she really no good, not useful for anything? She had tried her best to please his will, acting as the priests had told her to, yet it never seemed to be enough and the feelings filled her with guilt. Had she done something wrong? What other reason was there for sending her off?

She continued digging, listless now as her thoughts descended into melancholy, dreading the day soon to come when she would have to leave her home.

eraserpaste · #3 11-12-2010, 10:43 PM

One of the newer initiates of the Church interrupts Ren's train of thoughts rather abruptly, not even considering that he might startle her. "Battle Sister ir'Lareth! A messenger has come to the church; he wishes to speak with you."

Ghostwheel · #4 11-13-2010, 02:04 AM

Barely stopping a surprised jump, Ren forced her first instinct down, suppressing the rage that suddenly washed over her; an imperceptible shiver moved through her hand which twitched toward the weapon at her side, though she showed none of her feelings to the neophyte. This was bad, some small part of her that remained cold and impartial noted; the feelings of rage and bloodlust were growing more and more frequent, and were harder to hide. She had heard whisperings amongst the elders of sinister things, but drove them from her mind with a litany to Hextor.

"A messenger? Where from and bearing what message?" Ren asked as she put her spade to the side, beginning to walk toward the church and expecting the initiate to run after her as she moved quickly. She composed herself--it would be undue to show the initiate anything but pure strength. After all, the strong showed the weak how to act by example, and protected them from enemies both without and within.

eraserpaste · #5 11-13-2010, 01:29 PM

The initiate does indeed follow Ren, mostly out of curiosity to hear the message. "He is from Verzada. He would not say anything but that he is on official business." He alternates between jogging and walking, not having the urgency to walk as quickly as Ren.

Ghostwheel · #6 11-13-2010, 07:18 PM

Ren glanced at the initiate who struggled to keep up with her brisk pace with a disapproving scowl; the two reached the entrance to the church in good time, and Ren quickly pivoted on a foot to look down at the neophyte. "Initiate, you will wait for me here in the antechamber. If I do not return within five minutes, you will return to your duties. Understand?" she says quickly, more an order than a question before spinning once more and moving through several rooms towards where she thinks the messenger might be waiting.

A messenger...? It felt like a bad omen--what if Feldor's premonition was true, and this was the first sign of it? She mentally sat on her trepidation, forcing it out of mind and out of sight, glaring at herself inwardly; she must not show any of her feelings, and represent Hextor's church well to a messenger of Verzada who would probably report what he saw. Well, I will deal with it when it comes, she thought to herself before opening the last door to the chamber where the messenger should be waiting.

eraserpaste · #7 11-14-2010, 07:12 PM

The initiate, slightly startled by Ren's impulsed pivot, gives her a firm nod. He obeys her command just as he knows any initiate of Hextor should.

When Ren opens the door, she sees a man who hardly looks like an official messenger. His long, wavy blond hair falls unrestrained against his shoulders. He looks like he hasn't shaved since yesterday, and his smile is very inviting. He's not wearing a uniform, as one would expect from any messenger. Instead, he is clad in loose clothing: a dark sharkskin vest over a white shirt with excessively puffy sleeves and laces up the front, a large, vibrant green sash tied around his brown pants, and a wide-brimmed hat. Highly noticeable are his earrings; several dangle from each ear, and there are no pairs to speak of.

"Honorable ir'Lareth! It's a pleasure to meet you, milady." His voice is smooth, and it employs a tone not unlike a merchant's. "I'm here to extend to you an invitation... but! It would be rude of me not introduce myself first! I am Tervis, Luck-Spinner extraordinaire." He removes his hat and bows deeply. He replaces his hat and says, "Our fine city Verzada is hosting a grand tournament - for those as skilled as yourself." He grins charmingly at Ren - a smile that has never failed to charm a common woman. "But, this is no ordinary Arena tournament. You see, the purpose of the tournament is to determine the best fighters of the island. The winners are to escort a team of experts and diplomats to the elven lands and back."

Ghostwheel · #8 11-15-2010, 02:58 PM

Taken aback by the man's smile and easy manner, Ren takes a step back, suddenly unsure of herself; had Feldor heard of this man's coming? Had anyone talked to him already? Was this some trick that Brent was playing at her? But the man seemed so nice...

She suddenly felt underdressed compared to the man's vivid regalia and hat, her own long hair tied in a severe bun atop her head, her armor easily noticeable beneath the off-beige robe which she covered it with to stop the sun from cooking her inside her metal protection. A blink or two as she tries to get her bearings before she is able to reply to the man.

"A tournament? Have you talked to my superiors about this? I can't just leave the church without notice. There's all the paperwork to fill out..." Ren murmured the last to herself--it's obvious that she's more than a little charmed by the man, and almost ready to follow him back to the city, but her sense of duty and ingrained obediance to the authority of the higher echelons of the church holds her still. "The high priest--Feldor, have you spoken with him? And why me, of all the people here? Why now? Who else is there? I've never been to the city... What's all this about?" Ren's eyes widened as she began to take in the breadth of this proposal. Leave her home, perhaps forever, and sail off to only Hextor knew where to guard a bunch of stuffy officials? She had never seen the ocean, though she had heard tales of it, and her discomfort with the idea in general showed with a twist of her lip as caution began to replace enthusiasm.

eraserpaste · #9 11-18-2010, 07:35 PM

Tervis speaks confidently with a smile that could assuage all worries. "Milady, you needn't worry about that. I have spoken with your superiors; they believe you are most fit to represent the church. They understand the urgency of the situation if you are to accept, and will deal with all of the paperwork."

Tervis chuckles at Ren's torrent of questions. "I have spoken with the high priest. He spoke very highly of you, and said something about 'the prophecy'." There is a glint in his eye. "Perhaps my news shows you of a way to your destiny?"

Finally, he makes an attempt to reassure Ren. "If you'd like, I can accompany you to visit Yur, the governor of the isles, before you are requested to arrive at the Arena. He should be able to explain the situation involving the elves and the ship."

Ghostwheel · #10 11-19-2010, 07:13 AM

Biting softly on her lower lip, Ren expresses her doubts in her posture, slowly folding her arms below her breasts in thought as she tried to assess the situation. "You have?" she asks when the envoy mentions having spoken to Feldor. The old priest must have felt something speaking with Tervis if he was so forward as to mention his premonition to the man.

"Well... I suppose so," she murmurs after another moment, put more at ease by the man's charm and ease of speaking before looking directly at Tervis once more. "You'll accompany me then? I would like to understand exactly what's going on--and it would probably be fitting to bring the light of Hextor to any godless heathens we might encounter," she muses with an aside as she slowly comes to a decision.

"Very well," she nods slowly, unfolding her arms and letting one hang at the belt that encircles her hips while the other rests unthreateningly on the hilt of the weapon at her side. "I'll be ready to leave in a moment's notice--let me simply confer with Feldor and confirm that all is in order? Protocol, you understand," she says, a necessary implication in her words just in case the man was lying. Feldor was astute enough to check the man's credentials, and she wanted to speak with her mentor one last time before leaving, if only to say goodbye to the only person who truly cared about her in the whole compound.

She glances once more at Tervis to make sure that he's fine with the arrangement, and if there's no problem she motions that she will be back soon once she is ready to leave before going to speak with Feldor.

dragune185 · #11 11-19-2010, 06:57 PM

Tervis bowed graciously, his arm out to his side. "But of course, we do not wish to cause discomfort, follow your protocol. I will be outside waiting,"

He stood up, catching his shaken loose hat with a graceful shrug.

The inside of the church is simple and yet sophisticated. Black stone lines the back of the perfectly straight pews, and in the back of the church stands the image of Hextor. His body wrought with strain and on his shoulders the entire world. Two arms were holding the world, meanwhile, all around him, he fought against countless other gods and angels. The scene, if not for it fine detail of gore was dramatic and awe inspiring. With it's twelve foot tall globe, and life sized people, lookers of the statue could not help but be amazed and nauseated at the same time.

The tiles a patchwork of black and gray in diamond shaped patters. A red streak of carpet ran down the middle. It was made of the finest wool available and only the high priests were allowed to walk on it. The walls were a lined with a long row of red fabric that dangled before grey stone walls.

The office of Fedlor was behind the statue, through a tall portal. Darkness was beyond the portal, but after five feet, there was a stone door, set on a track.

After a knock on the stone door, the door slides back noiselessly and into the wall. Fedlor's office is lined with scrolls, books, and weapons. Almost every type of weapon was there. Bladed, blunt, spiked. But the most dominate weapon was flails. Some of them were exotic and thin made of bones and shark's teeth, others were heavy metal, with shining balls at the end.

Fedlor sits at his desk. He was a mammoth man, with shimmering green eyes, and a bald head. His jawline was strong, lined in perfectly trimmed salt and pepper hair. As Ren enters the room his eyes open. His hand recedes from a black case. It is easilly five feet long and five feet wide. The case is made from black lacquered wood, with a gleaming silver handle. An intricately carved pattern of Hextor's symbol was embossed on the wood. Silver, shimmering pant was in the groves, and a scarlet trim lined the letters in the bottom.

"You are leaving? I knew it was coming as soon as I saw the messenger. I had this prepared for you,"

He reached across the surface of it with his large calloused hands. His large fingers fumbled with the latch for half a second, before it came free. Then, he pulled back the lid revealing a shimmering set of interconnected chain links. There were three rings that the chain hung from. They were perfectly smooth, and looked to have slots for the fingers. The metal that comprised the spiked chain was insanely polished, almost to the point that one could see their own reflection.

"I am glad that you are leaving us, for you can now see what the world has to offer. As a parting gift, the church has given you one of its most prized possessions, the spiked chain that our church founder used to fend his land against the attack of the sea creature many decades ago. They say it embodies the ferocity of the sea and the sky. Blended into the weapon is lightning and acid,"

Feldor paused. "We also give you these,"

He presented another wooden box this one was several inches thick and about a foot long and two feet long. He unlatched it, revealing a pair of gauntlets. "Hextor's gift to a fine young woman who will no doubt make our church proud," he said. His voice was thick with effort, as if he were holding back tears.

"I will pray that Hextor keep you, and shelter you when no other can,"

Ghostwheel · #12 11-22-2010, 07:25 AM

"I--I don't know what to say," Ren quavers for a moment as she accepts the two, buckling on the bracers and wrapping the spiked chain around one arm, making sure that none of the spikes are placed in a position that would hurt her or others, feeling their power coursing through her as she extends her fingers. "F--Feldor," she answers her voice thick with emotions as she launches herself at the old cleric, burying her face into his habit as she begins to sob, holding the old cleric tightly.

"What will I do without your guidance, Feldor? How will I know what choices to make? Am I even worthy of going? W-will I be able to fulfill the church's percepts?" the questions gush out between gasps and sobs as she lets out some of the frustration and doubt that have plagued her into the priest's chest, feeling his warmth even through the heavy armor she wears, his scent and presence comforting. A minute or two pass as her sobs begin to subside before she slowly pulls away from him, wiping away the last dredges of her tears with the back of a gauntleted hand.

"Battle-father," she addresses him formally, bowing low in obeisance. "I will do whatever it takes to make the church proud. To make lord Hextor proud," she slowly rises, looking at him full on, the last remnants of her tears finally gone as she steels herself once more. "To make you proud," she says, barely over a murmur as her steely gaze softens and her eyes water a little. Her last goodbyes said, she quickly turns away once more, leaving him with a smile rather than tears as she leaves his office, stopping briefly at a mirror to make sure her face is free of her sorrow, steeling herself once again as she goes back to Terwin.

"I'm ready," she says, nodding to him with no indication of the torrential emotions filling her in either her voice or face as she grips the spiked chain in one hand while making a fist with the other, savoring the feel of the heavy gauntlet on her hand.

dragune185 · #13 11-23-2010, 10:10 PM

Tervis is standing with his back to the door, twiddling a piece of grass between his fingers while humming gently. As he heard the approach of Ren, he turned around, a smile on his face. "Good deal, you look smashing,"

He eyed the chain and then back to her. "We will be taking one of those lovely coracle boats you hear so much about, to Verzada,"

"If we are in danger you certainly look like you are in control of things," he laughed gently. "Well come along now, we don't have all day,"

Tervis lead Ren to the shore where an aventi man stood with a small wicker like basket. His bright blue eyes held Ren and Tervis in almost reverence. He smiled pleasantly. "You no say you bring girl," the aventi spoke with a slurring and fluid tongue. Despite his fluidity, he was still not the best at speaking Common.

"I didn't, yes, but she wanted to meet the governor, and I figured it was best for her to ride with me," Tervis stated. He walked over the basket, and then out stretched a hand to Ren. When she accepted, he helped her into the basket. The basket was maybe four feet long and three feet wide and it bobbed dangerously when the two of them got in. But it didn't tip over thanks in large part to the aventi.

The travel across the waters was fairly uneventful. The aventi powers through the water with his agile limbs. In the far distance the clouds have shifted from an occasional white, to a dark and grim gray. It was the sign of an approaching storm.

"You ever ride in one of these things?" Tervis asked as he watched the sun beginning to painting the sky pink and orange.

After he negative answer, the rode in silence. The only sound was the sound of waves lapping. The main island came into view almost immediately after they left the makshift shore, and with passing moment, they loomed closer to the capital city.

The capital city like a lot of the island was a conglomeration of all the islands creative outlets. The city was nestled against a sheer face cliff made of white rock that had been polished and then chiseled into a mural that covered the several hundred feet tall face. The image was that of a woman swimming with sea weed which had been expertly placed to cover her nude form. The massive woman was nestled in the mouth of a clam. Her eyes were half open, while around her seemingly perfect face, her hair spiraled in luscious and voluminous curls that were tossed fro by the current.

Around her massive body, humanoids floated of all races, exposed to her, and the sea and they all reached to touch her, to be close to her. She was as much a part of the sea as she was a separate entity, so the futility of the humanoids reaching out for her was ironic as they were surrounded by her, by the sea, and her life sustaining power. The scene was accented with color by a multitude of different metals which had been chiseled by hand.

Beneath the scene of the personification, was the glorious city of Verzada.

The buildings were composed of stone, compacted sand that had been hardened by heat and even coral. Despite the distance from the island, Tervis and Ren could see the city bustling with rickshaws and vendors. They moved with nor purpose, a random shuffling of bodies all surrounded by sea kin architecture. The circular windows that looked like portals and the tall, arching entrances were just some of the common place influences of sea kin architecture.

As the coracle ship bumped against the shore of the city, the aventi helped Ren out and then Tervis before jumping back into the water, and carrying his ship away.

"The inner chamber is where we can find Yur, though at this time of day, I am afraid he may be out. I will show you the arena. After you get settled, we will then see if he is available."

Tervis lead Ren into the city, and towards the arena. It was a medley of sounds and races all moving to some unheard rhythm. The air held a slight tinge to it. An air of excitement that the peaceful countryside didn't have. The tinge that said that people lived and moved, and didn't bother to think about anything else. A sort of carefree nature that was bound with mercantilism and worry. Despite the worry however this place was no slum and everything was filled with exuberance. From the yelling of a street vendor the of children.

The arena, while still inside Verzada didn't hold the same energy that the costal part of the city did. In fact, it held quite the opposite. A quiet intesity that seemed to have been made into the stone. The buildings in the mercenary district were not nearly as prestine as the ones in the coastal portion of town. The change was sudden, almost as if there was a line.

One moment there were children playing and rickshaws rambling by, the next, it was quiet. Barely anything moved aside from Tervis and Ren. It was an eerily pleasant sensation.

The arena sat on a small hill, amongst other towering buildings. It was in this arena that once held Akuhethi's triads and marathons. It also used to be a part of some unspeakable past that was always left unsaid. Something that few if any still remembered. What crimes were committed within the stone walls was a mystery of the place, and one that was so well hidden that not even historians knew.

What was known was that the building was a marvel of architecture and ingenuity. The outside was a tattered remnant of a mural. It like the mural that shadowed the city was mammoth in scope and portrayed a personified ocean.

The face however had long since been eroded away, and several chunks of her body were shattered and lay crumpled on the side walk.

Tervis lead Ren through the rubble of fallen columns, up the stairs towards the front entrance. The sound of battle could be heard. Metal striking metal, and the heavy grunts and shouts of war. There was the sound of scuffling, followed by a sharp clap that sounded like thunder.

"Good! Again," a gruff voice answered.

There was thunderous eruption of metal on metal, and another clap.

Tervis lead Ren past the ticket booth, and towards the gated entrance. A man stood with beady eyes, and a black cap. "I have one of the arena members," Tervis says.

"Put her with the rest of them," he said pointed to a small entrance beside the iron gate. Tervis motioned for her to move through, where she was met with a barracks of sorts. Rows of beds that were lined against the walls, with a single door that lead towards the battlefield.

"This is where you are staying," he says. "I don't think that Yur will see you this late. Tomorrow is the arena though, I will be here."

He turns to go, "Any questions?"

Ghostwheel · #14 11-24-2010, 07:40 AM

Ren was full of wonder and excitement, yet also nervousness and worry both on the boat ride and the travel within the city. The boat kept her worrying whether she would sink in her armor should she fall, despite the precautions she had taken, and the city was very different from the calm and quiet of the monastary. It put her on edge, and her hand kept wavering back to the chain wrapped around her metal-clad hand, ready to unleash it at a moment's notice, though thankfully the moment never came.

Upon reaching the quieter area surrounding the arena Ren began to relax once more, shoulders untensing from tension she hadn't realized was there at the sounds of sparring within its enclosure. This was more the world she knew--one of the precepts of Hextor was to maintain one's martial prowess, and she had never been known for shirking those duties. She glances at Tervis for a moment, wondering if she would appear weak for asking if he was leaving her here in this strange place, and decided against asking the question. Showing weakness in the face of adversity was a sin allowed only to the weak, as were excuses and doubt, and she refused to doubt her god's path for her.

"No, I will remain in the area for today. My faith will hold me during the battles and they shall fear my wrath on the 'morrow," she answers in an almost emotionless voice, bowing her head in a moment of contemplation as she draws on her unwavering beliefs to hold her steady and guide her weapon in the coming battle. The newness of this place was taxing, and she resorted to what she knew to weather the shock of such a different place.

Once Tervis leaves she finds her way to the place where she will rest before the coming battles, and murmurs a few of the catechisms of Hextor's doctrine; "My faith makes me strong. Hextor guides my blade, and while he is with me I shall not fear. He protects me from the magic and blades of my foe, and in his name I shall carry the light of his faith."