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 Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 10:14 pm
 A dark valley lined with nothing but shadows and dust. It's uncharted territory for those dwelling in the Holy City. Very few know of its existence, and even fewer know of its lurkings. Some say the gateway to Hell itself lies within its darkness, some say its just a bunch of rocks like all the other mountain ranges. Of course, these accusations are nothing but mere speculation to the few who know of its existence. All and all, its pretty far off from the city and all the other mountainous areas.
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Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:59 am
Gabrielle was annoyed at herself. She had lost mouths looking for the Pearl of Diamond. People had assured her that it was a beautiful stone. She had even see drawings of it. If only the Monk at the Monastery who was writing the cure, had properly stated the ingredients! But No! The Pearl of Diamond was a...flower. One that can only be found in this dark cloistered location.
After weeks of travel through the mountains, she was now in sight of the valley. She had heard tales about the place. After weeks of ups and downs in the mountainous forests, she was on the descending side of the mountain, standing on a pile of rocks which gave a full view of the valley. A full view was a little exaggerating as only dust and shadows could be seen from where she was. "Looks like a great place for a beautiful flower!" she joked. She wondered how even a plant could grow under such a shadowy cover.
The sun was very low on the horizon and she was not looking forward to reach the place, especially at night. Therefore Gabrielle decided to spend the night where she was and reach the valley the following morning. The stack of rocks was offering some shelter and she gathered wood for the night. She prepared the fire place but waited before lighting it up. There was still enough light and warmth for the moment. She needed food and water. She had followed a little stream for the last days and therefore that was easy task to do...easy, easy...for the water...but food... She walked to the stream and spent the following hour catching a fish. She ended up with a decent one after a tough fight. She filled up her bowl with water and walked back to her camping place.
The sun was now hidden. She started her fire, to cook her fish and boil the water. She looked towards the valley and could not repress a shiver. Only darkness was below her.
((for consistency, Gabrielle is 27 in this episode.))
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Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 5:38 pm
Sobriel made his way into the valley, girpping his sword tightly. Beads of perspiration were making their way down his face and neck, and his heart felt as if it was going to explode out of his chest. It was wooded here, and the sun was gone. One would think that anyone of elven blood would feel somewhat at home here, but Sobriel only felt fear.
If his gloves were removed, one could see that the knuckles gripping his sword were white. He had been walking through these mountains for weeks, possibly as long as a month. The valley had been hard enough to reach, let alone finding Baldrian. Of all the things to search for in this valley, an herb? Sobriel had some difficulty believing that this was the only place in the world where it grew. But no matter, the man who had hired him had promised a hefty donation to the Church upon its delivery, and anything for the Church right?
Something snapped behind Sobriel, and he broke into a run. Whatever it was had spooked him, and he didn't have the inclination to find out what it was. He kept running as swiftly as his legs would carry him, and silently thanked the gods that he had the foresight to wear light armor. He tripped over a stray root, and flipped in the air before falling flat on his abdomen. He spat dirt out of his mouth and rubbed it out of his eyes before seeing the woman he had landed near. He stood suddenly, raising his sword in front of him. He spoke rapidly, his breathing shallow,
"Friend or foe?" he asked quickly, sword between himself and the woman.
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Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 5:55 pm
Gabrielle was relaxing around her fire. The night was deep and the silence was heavy but she felt somehow in peace. Well that was until something made a noise which echoed in the forest. She heard some running footsteps heading her way. She slowly stood up and grabbed her sword. The course seemed more like someone fleeing than attacking. Better safe, than sorry... Aqual in her hand, she could not help but jump when someone landed a couple of feet away from her.
She stared at the new comer who quickly rose. His sword promptly in his hand. He was obviously an elf. Gabrielle skimmed through him. She raised an eyebrow at his question. "It depends on who YOU are." she answered. Her amber gaze did not blink as she stared at him. Obviously he was scared, but she doubted that he feared her. Maybe he saw something in the woods. He did not seem a threat but demons were taking so many shapes to reach their targets that she help her guard up, waiting for his answer.
((Hey William, have you posted your profile somewhere? I did not seem to be able to find it ... sweatdrop ))
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Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 10:54 am
((First page of the "profiles and skeletons" sticky on the main forum of the guild.))
"Sobriel Ethieran, Paladin of the Light. Now who are YOU?" he asked her hostily. He eyed her up and down. She didn't look like she wanted to harm him, but smiles had often hid knives. He still gripped his sword tightly, locking her eyes with is own. He relaxed his grip for a moment, alming down slightly.
"So then, name? Rank too, if you have one." he spoke quickly, his breathing calming down. He could hear his own pulse in his ears, and as his breathing calmed the thumps of it faded. She didnt seem like much of a threat, and would have opted for talking rather than combat. But no matter, until she proved she wouldn't attack him or kill him in his sleep, he would still be on his guard.
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Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:27 am
((Thanks. I could not find you in the Holy Knight faction...))
The man in front of her seemed a little on the edge. About his age with blond hair, she found him somehow...cute. At his name and rank, she put her sword back to her sheath. She hesitated into playing further with his nerves but that would have been mean. And if the woman was cold, she was not a bad person. "Gabrielle Camille, Holy Knight. This is an honor to meet another Knight, Lord Ethieran." she said with a bow. But her amber eyes seemed to be laughing. As for her rank, she did not recall him mentioning his and therefore she kept hers to herself.
Without another word she sat. For a knight she was finding him quite rude. He was popping up in the middle of her meal and without excuse was pointing his sword at her and barking at her with no courtesy. Gentlemen do not exist anymore... she thought to herself. Taking off the fish from the fire and finishing to prepare her tea. She wondered if the man would show some politeness. So far he was still standing on the side of her camp site with his sword in hand. She sighed.
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Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:25 pm
Sobriel sheathed his sword quickly, bowing deeply at the waist before speaking.
"A thousand pardons, Lady Camille. I did not recognize you as a Knight." he spoke before standing.
"You'll have to excuse my... entrance. There are stories about these woods, and I got spooked is all." he said before approaching her campsite a bit more closely.
"Please, do not call me "lord". I'm a low-rank paladin. Though I'm not sure if I'm worthy of even that title anymore, running about like a novice from the switch." he spoke to her courteously.
"I meant no offense by coming in so brashly, nor by barking at you. Again, I ask your pardon." he spoke again and observed. She had set herself up fairly well with this site. But he would not invite himself to stay. He would talk to her, still. But when the time came he would leave and set himself up elsewhere.
"Now then, mi'lady, what brings you to these darkened woods?"
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Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 8:45 pm
Gabrielle listened to the flow of words coming from the elf. His rudeness was obviously due to his fear. Now that he knew her an ally, his politeness was as high as any other Holy Knight she had met before and even better than some. Lady...you should not draw so quick conclusion... She smirked not at his fear but at his change of ton.
"The woods can be scary..." she commented, her gaze lost in the fire. She had known and still knew fear. Despite courage, it was normal for a Knight to feel fear sometimes.
As he asked her the purpose of her presence in the woods, she raised eyes towards him. Some company even so talkative could be an interesting change, especially in such a dark night. "Have a sit, Sir Ethieran." her facial expression was nor cold, nor friendly as she invited him to sit next to the fire. To answer to his question, she was brief. "The Valley below..." she paused. Well if I invited him, I should have some conversation I suppose... "And you?" she asked, as if talking was hurting her jaws.
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Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 9:37 pm
Sobriel sat down cross-legged on the other side of the flame. He layed his sheathed sword across his lap before speaking to her.
"An alchemist I met sent me on a journey for an herb in a potion he's devising. He promised a hefty donation to the Church upon its delivery, so I've become a bit of a sword for hire." Sobriel explained to her,
"If the information I've gathered is correct, it should be located in the Valley." he explained to her.
He stared into the fire she had started and a smile started to form on his face.
"You know, for a minute or two there I thought I was in some serious trouble when I landed in your camp here. You seem to have made out quite well for yourself. I take it this isn't your first time outside of a settlement?"
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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 5:09 am
Gabrielle nodded. The valley as lugubrious as it was contained numerous unique plant and flower species. But only braves dared entering the shadows of this haunted place. She did not judge his action. So few was done for the Church. She just hoped that the purposes of the alchemist were as pure as his donation. Money to the Church was one thing, but if his potion were to kill hundreds of innocent, whatever amount he could provide would never repay what he took. But so far from civilization, in the middle of this dark woods, she was not to question his actions. Life was difficult for everyone.
"Maybe you are..." she whispered. As friendly as the man was, she had trouble with people trusting each other so fast. That was a capability which she had lost years ago. Even if he was a Holy Knight, she was keeping her distance. But she knew that her words were harsher than she intended. "Forgive my ways Sir Ethieran." she stayed quiet then answered his question. "I have been on the road for quite some time indeed." She gave a brief smile. "You...do not seem used to being so far from civilization. Is that your first time?"
Without waiting for his answer, Gabrielle handed the elf knight a wooden stick with a cooked fish. She had two and wasn't that hungry so why not sharing.
-------------------------------------------------
((Gabrielle left the thread a looooong time ago.))
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Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 5:43 am
"Perhaps I took a wrong turn somewhere...." Norix said finding himself in much confusion as to his current location. As far as his eye could see, this was nothing but a barren valley with no civilization whatsoever, but a large sense of adventure and curiosity inclined Norix to continue onward and discover what lies above the hills, a town perhaps, even a small village would do, so long as he was doing as his Dark Lord wanted him to do. In fact Norix almost feared that Tokushi could even hear his thoughts.
The darkness that the area brought with it was a plus for him. The more shade, the better range his pendulum could reach, and more generally the stronger he is. He wasn't sure what he would face when he was in this dusty valley, creatures, other knights, or even nothing at all, but he was confident that whatever came his way he could handle, so there was no reason for him to worry too much about it.
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Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 5:52 am
Shiroka arrived at the border of the valley after days and nights of travel. She was tired and weary. The gloominess of the place was not helping her to feel upbeat. She sighed as she lent against a three and let herself slide. Sitting was a delicious feeling and she sighed of ease, but did not smile. Her eyes wandered on the valley down below.
She was on the hills around the valley. From where she was she had a perfect sight of...nothing...or rather of the mist and darkness of the valley. She could not see what was laying beneath the mantel of mystery. She did not like the place. It reminded her of something but she could not figure out what.
Chasing her thoughts with a chuckle, she took her back and looked for some food. She needed some rest before going any further in the depth of the valley.
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Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 9:11 am
A burst of flame occured to your left and soon retuned to nothing. From it spawned Jin who sat lightly on your left shoulder. He was surprisingly light even for his size which could make anyone wonder how he got anything done being so small but he was who he was for a reason despite his imperfections. Jin smirked promptly as his eyes trailed over to Shiroka "Quite a far drop" He said a loud. Soon Jin lifted himself off of your shoulder and pushed himself towards the ground. He landed in a croushed position as he began to examine the mist. His eyes seemed to flicker with intregue for he was not used to the outside world and ist mysteries. Despite his age he was still rather sheltered thus he knew very little but what he did know was enough for him to get by.
Jin sat down for the moment to meditate, he had expelled a lot of energy before he had come here and he felt he would need to be atleast 80% before trying to do what he planned to do.
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Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 3:45 pm
Norix couldn't get enough of the darkness that covered his trail. Darkness to him was like ecstasy, he could just let it take him away. unfortunately he had a task at hand and didn't have time to bask in the beauty.
"Now....where am I?" Norix said attempting to see through the misty black darkness of the valley. At this point he didn't even remember how he got to this place anyways, so it's best if he left.
"This is just a valley so...." Norix stopped talking to himself, making his way in a direction he felt could get him out. He assumed if the ground continued to elevate, he would eventually make his way out of the valley to do what Lord Tokushi had ordered him to do. His wounds seemed to be healing up incredibly well seeing how it's only been several hours since Tokushi's serpent had sunk it's teeth into his shoulder. His arm could work just fine, nothing but a slight soreness, so long as he didn't do anything too strenuous.
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Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 6:32 pm
Shiroka made an impressive jump when Jin popped at her shoulder. Her eyes were wide open and her heart raced for a second. "Jin!" she exclaimed. Her eyes followed her leader as he landed on the floor. She smirked. What a team! she thought. The Red Guard was indeed composed of very unique personalities and creatures.
The white hair woman went back to her dinner. She did not offer Jin anything. Not that she did not want to share, but first she remembered Jin not eating with them at the Dojo and second she did not want to disturb his meditation.
Shiroka was about to close her eyes and take a nap when she heard a voice. She looked at Jin, despite the fact that it did not sound like him. Her Leader was still in meditation. The woman frowned and tried to pierce the mist with her eyes, without any real success. As she listened more attentively, she heard a voice again. She stood all at once, her hands clenched on her staff.
A shadow appeared in the mist, walking straight towards them. The close it got the finer the contours of the silhouette. A man, taller than she, which was not a difficult thing, with dark hair half hiding his face. From where she was she could see only half his face, with a red glowing eye looking straight ahead. The swan maiden shivered, although she was not cold.
"Who goes there?" she asked with a strong voice. She was not recognizing any Red Guard in the new comer.
((I assume that Azure Knight & Hasu-Kumori are the same person. Am I wrong?))
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