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Post by Bramus Prayer on Apr 14, 2007 12:14:05 GMT -8
The morning light begins to peek through the tavern room window. Bramus wakes up and sits up, slowly shaking the sleep from his eyes. He gets up and throws on his wrap pants and walks over to the window, he opens the drapes and looks out over the city. With a deep breath, he puts on a forest green sleeveless shirt, laces up his boots, and secures his sword belt on. He places his sword in its scabbard and his axe in a loop on his belt. He puts on his bracers, tightens them appropriately, then places his gloves on. Finally ready to go!
"Ready..."
Bramus heads down, inclines his head to the Anya with a smile and steps out of the tavern. Bramus walks quickly to the stables and jumps on his horse, a large grey war steed with a green circle around his right eye, Bramus thought this better than branding the horse and a easy mark to recognize. He leads the horse out of the city and as soon as they clear the main gate, he spurs the horse on and they are off. The spring air feels good as rider and horse fly down the road. After a good distance, Bramus steers his steed off the road and toward a specific hill, one that once over-looked the town of Whitestone. Bramus spies the ruins near the hill and jumps off his steed.
"My keep..."
Bramus approaches cautiously and secure his steed to a nearby tree and carefully overlooks the ruins. He moves about the rubble, picking up various items. He finds a book, partly charred and flips through the pages. After a rueful smile he places it down and steps to his former warm up area, behind the ruins.
Bramus pulls forth his sword and axe in a fluid motion and comes to a ready stance. He swings his sword slowly and smoothly, his axe always protecting vital areas while moving. He then moves the axe as well, slicing the air with calculated movements. His feet move carefully, side to side as if to meet a attacker head on, his knee's bend carefully and he stabs the air in front of him, pivoting on his strong foot. Just as quickly, he spins to his weak side and slices the air with his axe where his sword just was. Bramus practices various attacks and moves, with a concentration keened from years on the battlefield and adventuring. His face and arms pick up a light sheen of sweat from the warm up. After a time, he walks to his horse and pulls forth a water-skin. As he drinks, he looks down a what remains of Whitestone and remembers his life there once...
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Post by Bramus Prayer on Apr 22, 2007 8:11:56 GMT -8
Bramus turns from the hill and makes his way to his horse. He gives the horse a good pat and jumps on. He takes a last look at the ruins and makes his way back to Lochling. On the way out, he spies some foot prints coming from the nearby woods, out to the ruins. He stops his horse as he looks at them and looks about. He looks into the forest and peers around a bit, as the foot prints look fairly new. Said out loud more to himself.
"Who would want to look through the ruins... Thieves more like, maybe stonemasons..."
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Post by talon8midnight on Apr 22, 2007 8:58:23 GMT -8
A galloping can be heard in the distance, a dot on the horizon at the moment is the only thing that can be seen...
As the moments shorten, Talon sees the familiar form of Brahmus, just as he had expected.
Noting Brahmus's serious posture, Talon calls aloud from the horse. In a joking manner he says "Oh Brahmus, you brave hero... I am a Lady in distress. If you save me from my bucking horse, I shall reward you with a big tusky kiss!"
Laughing at himself just as much as the expected response, Talon dismounts.
"G'morning old friend, I knew you had to come to see it eventually." I figured that I would offer a hand in a little spring cleaning. I may not have a broom but will a 82 slay create a big enough breeze to defeat the necromantic dust bunnies?"
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Post by Soranal on Apr 22, 2007 12:04:24 GMT -8
(plot post, not soranal)
As the galloping horse comes to a stop, the air is suddenly very quiet. Both warriors can feel it immediately. Something is out there, watching them. The hairs on the back of their necks tingle and they can hear their own heartbeats pounding on their ears.
As the two ready themselves, they spy movement down the hill. In the shattered remains of the town they see furtive movement here and there. They see a sillohuette for brief moment and it is decidedly mishapen. Whatever they are, they have not approached, but they seem like they will.
That is when they hear noises from below the keep itself....
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Post by talon8midnight on Apr 22, 2007 14:01:19 GMT -8
"Oh look, we have squatters at your old keep! Let's go show them owner's rights!"
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Post by Bramus Prayer on Apr 22, 2007 15:29:54 GMT -8
Bramus holds up his hand to Midnight, concentrating on the ruins for a moment.
"Something came up from the town, and there is something under the ruins..."
He turns to face the ruins, weapons out in a heartbeat. He motions with his head for Midnight to follow him. Bramus carefully moves toward the ruins, to better hear the sounds, he scans behind him occasionally, looking for a ambush.
"Listen..."
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Post by talon8midnight on Apr 23, 2007 11:18:42 GMT -8
Adopting a hunched and light footed posture, Talon follows Bramus quietly, his muscles coiled so tight that they could snap. His pulse quickens, his eyes widen to see everything around him, and lastly his breathing shallows as his body and mind become one. He has singular focus as his mind quiets itself to rest idle, in that dangerous place warriors call the zone.
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Post by Bramus Prayer on Apr 23, 2007 20:18:49 GMT -8
Bramus treads ever so carefully to the ruins edge, he turns the axe in his grip, the axe blade down. Bramus looks to Talon and points to the ground, motioning for him to stay close. Bramus rolls his wrist, the longsword whirling in response. Bramus takes a careful knee, and listens intently to the sound, he also looks to the rubble for movement. Bramus also slows his breathing and scans for threats...
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Post by Soranal on Apr 25, 2007 19:58:55 GMT -8
As Bramus listens at the ground, he can make out the sounds of conversation. It is in a language he doesn't recognize, but he can tell it's intent. It sounds like military squad commands. He also hears the tell-tale sound of a crossbow winch, several in fact, but it sounds almost as powerful as a ballista's pull!
The two warriors on the hill are nearly startled by the hoarse roar that comes from the ruins of the town. As the look in that direction, they can see several misshapen forms slowly approaching them. They don't seem too comfortable in the light and as their forms become clearer, they appear to be dwarves that have been twisted by some foul means. Only malevolence can be seen in their eyes as they slowly approach.
It has become very quiet under the keep...
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Post by talon8midnight on Apr 25, 2007 22:52:11 GMT -8
These are Nasty, but not genrally a threat by a few. If they start swarming out we best get going, we got a fight on our hands either way. These are dwarven slaves of the Barakur, an underground stone race that helped us defeat the brood a few times. Downside is the enemy of my enemy is my friend, until he becomes my enemy again.
Watch for their weapons or claws, they are twisted by some foul element and may be harmful beyond just the pain.
Ready to take action, What's the call?
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Post by Bramus Prayer on Apr 28, 2007 4:46:40 GMT -8
Bramus grips his sword tighter and looks from the ruins to the dwarves.
"We fall back tactically, this in not worth our lives. Start heading back and I will cover you movement, once you get there turn and wait for me, leap frog. Take my horse and get ready to fly if need be."
Bramus hands Talon the reins and slowly backs up weapons at the ready in case they charge. He scans behind himself occasionally and looks to the ruins in case a attack comes from there. He readies himself in case they attack...
"Never a dull day here..."
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Post by talon8midnight on Apr 29, 2007 0:13:21 GMT -8
With a nod, swiftly, well as swiftly as a late-middle aged half-orc can run, Talon hurtles to his destination scanning behind him, as oft as he can without compromising his progress. If Brahmus is threatened, he will dart back to aid the escape by, overpowering aggresive force. Sweat beads his brow, but he ignores it. Pain arcs up his back, but he ignores it. His Knees ache with every heavy footfall, and he ignores it. " I'm getting way too old to adventure this way, Talon thinks to himself."
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Post by Soranal on May 2, 2007 18:51:43 GMT -8
(plot post... you know the rest...)
As the warriors begin their retreat, they can hear more of the guttural Baracoor language from below the keep. As Bramus backs past an opening, he hears a loud twang and an enormous crossbow bolt goes flying through the air where his head was just moments ago. The warped dwarves quicken their pace a little and start to fan out in an attempt to block their retreat. The way behind is still clear though. The horses are starting to get spooked...
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Post by talon8midnight on May 4, 2007 9:05:44 GMT -8
Don't let me stop you, Brahmus. No more time for Talk let's get safely back, then you and I can put heads together for a strike force.
Here's the reigns, Race you to the edge of the watering hole!
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Post by Bramus Prayer on May 4, 2007 16:29:54 GMT -8
Bramus curses and turns away from the numerous dwarven mutations. He jumps on his horse, and takes a last look at the ruins and his former home and sends his steed into a sprint away from the area.
"Fly Talon!"
He makes a quick glance over his shoulder to ensure they are out of attack range. After they are a good, safe distance away he slows the horse to a trot and begins looking for Midnight.
"What were those things..."
More said to himself that anyone. He places his sword in its scabbard and slows his breathing, thinking of what to do next.
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