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Post by EK - Shadow of Death on Feb 8, 2004 19:16:17 GMT -5
Don't sneak up on us like that without announcing your presence. You would have a throwing axe embedded in your face right now if you han't mention my name said Waldo with a calm, grim tone and a serious face. He drops the bound bandit and pulls out his axes Who are you, and how do you know of us?
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Post by Archmage Turanis Altaine on Feb 10, 2004 12:40:53 GMT -5
The young mage smiled and looked at the bodies, " Me? hmmm... I guess you can call me Heirochan..." He looked up at waldo with his ruby eyes, appraising him. "Well... half the forest could hear you talk, but I was just maybe 20 yards away during the combat..."
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Post by Shura on Feb 10, 2004 15:23:51 GMT -5
Balthus raised an eyebrow, 'So you just watched? Does the killing of men amuse you then? I suppose you were elsewhere when our dragon struck, then.'
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Post by Archmage Turanis Altaine on Feb 11, 2004 9:05:07 GMT -5
Frowning at balthus he scratched his head, "I do not enjoy the killing of men, that is the reason I didn't come to anyone's aid. I don't care how bad they were... they weren't beyond redemption as I am."
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Post by EK - Shadow of Death on Feb 11, 2004 11:31:45 GMT -5
It is only the blackest of demons who are beyond redemption said Waldo, resting a throwing axe on his shoulder and placing the opposite foot towards the newcomer You are not increasing your chances of survival
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Post by Shadowdragon on Feb 11, 2004 22:17:51 GMT -5
<Knightslayer> Hold a moment Waldo. We could use another able body when we reach our destination.
***Turning to the newcomer***
I would, however, suggest that you come up with some answers quickly. I know not how long Waldo over there will actually wait before deciding on using that axe on his shoulder.
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Post by EK - Shadow of Death on Feb 12, 2004 7:26:45 GMT -5
Waldo turns to Knightslayer, an incredulous look on his face.
He admitted to being beyond redemption! Even if he's joking, this is a very serious admission. How do we know that someone like that won't backstab us when he gets the chance? Or even defects to the enemy in the middle of combat? I, for one, am not gonna take my chances with one so blighted. I live to exterminate them.
He turns back to the newcomer, awaiting a response, his hand twitching in anticipation of launching the axe on his shoulder.
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Post by Archmage Turanis Altaine on Feb 12, 2004 9:04:20 GMT -5
Sighing the youg mage holds up his hand, "Tell me, Do you have children? If you do then you'll realize how precious they are to us... I spent all my time devoting myself to magic, so much that it caused the death of my wife and children... I went off on one of my sojourns... and when I came home the house was gone..." His eyes watered as he spoke, but his will held and he fought back the urge. They held a pain only few could ever understand and most hope to never know.
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Post by EK - Shadow of Death on Feb 12, 2004 11:46:15 GMT -5
You mourn for death? And this makes you beyond redemption? spat Waldo, baffled We are surrounded by death, Heirochan! How many dozens have you killed? How many hundreds more will you be forced to kill? We are right now on a mission to kill something! If you consider your pain to be great, compare it to having your entire village razed and burned to the ground and being forced to watch as the invaders crucified the survivors. And for what? Merely as a show of strength. No political motivation, no reason... merely to show off.
Waldo drops the axe from his shoulder and sticks it back into his belt.
We spare lives when we can, but make no mistake, we live in a world of death and you will be expected to make your contribution to it in one way or another said the ranger, unnervingly cool despite his harsh tone Now, shall you join us, at least until we reach the next town, or will you stay here and continue alone?
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Post by Shura on Feb 12, 2004 15:18:30 GMT -5
Balthus allowed himself a half-smile. To be honest, he thought that the newcomers admission bordered on melodramatic pretentiousness. Then again, you never knew. His own experience with the fantastic power of magic and the hold it could have on mortal men struck a sympathetic chord within them. Reserved as he was however, he would not volunteer a sob-story of his own. Sometimes simple life experience was the best teacher in the realms.
'Redemption is the charge of his own soul,' he declares, 'but I will not object to this one joining us. Should he be willing, I may scry him for the presence of evil in his soul, if it will allay your fears.'
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Post by EK - Shadow of Death on Feb 12, 2004 16:27:05 GMT -5
That will do for now agreed Waldo, lifting the bound bandit to his feet But we shouldn't wait any longer. As I said, there are likely more bandits like him nearby
Waldo looks down the path towards the adventurer's guild. He pushes the bandit back towards the group.
Would one of you lead him? I'm going to scout ahead.
With that, the ranger disappears into the underbrush, running through the wilderness down the path.
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Post by Archmage Turanis Altaine on Feb 13, 2004 9:31:54 GMT -5
Watchng the ranger dissapear, Heirochan sighed and noded at the others. "He knows himself and his business I'll give him that. Shall we?"
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Post by Shura on Feb 14, 2004 15:41:52 GMT -5
Balthus nods and smiles wolfishly at the bandit captive, 'Now be a good lad, and everything willl be fine. Stray more than five paces from me and fry.' Raising a hand tatooed with arcane sigils threateningly.
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Post by EK - Shadow of Death on Feb 14, 2004 16:29:31 GMT -5
Waldo runs for about an hour through the forest, keeping a silent vigil and checking for danger at every turn. At the end of his run, he scales a tree and attempts to disguise himself as well as possible, throwing axes at the ready, and awaiting the arrival of the others.
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Post by Shadowdragon on Feb 18, 2004 14:02:17 GMT -5
As Waldo sits watching for the rest of the group to catch up (slowed as they are by the captive), he notices something moving in the underbrush south of the path.
<Human Archer> I'll walk. Durn fools. Ya think them there marks scare me? Ya'll never met the boss. HE'S scary. Yer all just a bunch a ruffians what got lucky on account of that damnable owl flyin through like that.
<Knightslayer> Lucky ruffians? We are neither you fool. We may have come together by chance, but it is our choice to seek out and destroy the foul wyrm that is contaminating the very lands you and your "boss" seek your plunder in. Don't tell me you hadn't noticed the glaring lack of fat merchant caravans to be robbed, or lone travelers for you to murder in their sleep, or the near complete lack of anything worth even hunting for food. No, we are neither lucky, nor ruffians. Now, you have a name I presume? Or, shall we just call you dung-brain?
<Human Archer> Call me what you will mighty child of the forest but most that know me call me Rethog.
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