A few moments of silence pass after the last warrior proclaims himself, before Sigurd bursts into laughter once more.

This time he contains it relatively quickly and throws his arms out wide. "Welcome to Prontera warriors! Welcome to the dawning of a new age. An age where men are no longer the pawns of petty gods. An Age of Mortals!"

He grins and steps to the side, waving a hand towards his guards. "My friends here have tested your abilities and approve of you joining our cause. They would like to give you a gift to show their support."

With that the five guards step forward, their arms held outwards. A few moments pass and then a great light bursts forth from each. The light covers the warriors, and fills them all with a feeling of hope and passion.

The guards yield to Sigurd after a moment passes and the light dims. "I'd like to welcome you into our fold, but I'm afraid I have a few pressing matters to attend too. Please take this opportunity to explore Prontera and rest yourselves. Come back to the courtyard in two hours time."

Sigurd turns and walks into the castle, his guards falling in line next to him, instead of behind.

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All character have received a level up. All characters have received 5 stat points. Please pm me your new stats and I will pm you an updated character sheet. If you have questions, have lost your character sheet, or need info regarding feats please ask.

An Age of Mortals? That is pretty funny. I've seen how savage these people can be. They are more violent than the gods themselves. Not sure how worthy they are of surviving the war that is on its way. More than likely they will be scorched like a moth to a flame... then again they would quite literally be scorched. However, they are one of the most determined races. No matter how little chance they have they give it their all. The humans would most likely fight to the last man. That settles it then, the era of gods will end and I shall watch as the humans take claim over this brave new world. You best not disapoint me. I have tried to not take sides until now.

After the doors close behind the king, I turn to the others and say "See you lightweights later." I simply walk off in the direction of the tallest building. I leap a few times until I reach the top then sit down by the edge to examine the humans. While observing them I couldn't help, but whisper to myself "I hope these creatures are worth saving."

Bryce simply watched on as the great king left the warriors. Something didn’t feel right to Bryce. With such powerful soldiers why send for warriors such as us? Is it as expendable pawns he looks upon us? Before Bryce could think further he heard "See you lightweights later." Bryce fought back the urge to say something. If these are to be my comrades it’s best not to start any unnecessary drama.

“Guess I’ll see you boys in a couple hours.â€

No sooner did the King dismiss us then two of those previously fighting left. Kayn took the time to check his blade before silently walking back down to the main road back towards the library that he saw on his way in to town.

He noticed on his way that the townsfolk were paying him more attention than when he arrived. Might it have been due to the fight? Or was it due to the majority of the "warriors" leaving after the first test... Regardless, Kayn made sure to hide his elven features and slipped into the library.

Inside it was practically empty. And it was probably for the better. Kayn walked over to where the older documents seem to lay. There were many books around, but only the oldest manuscripts were still written within the pages of scrolls. Most the time they weren't even in these human's native tongue. Luckily, that wasn't a problem for Kayn. Kayn picked one and kicked back in a chair and began to read.

After Sigurd dismissed the warriors for a short period Raines stood with a beaming smile on his face.... Which all of his fellow warriors ignored and walked away from. Seems like this was a tough crowd.

Raines secretly hoped he wouldn't be grouped with this bunch for long, as they seemed to be quite a depressing lot.

Shrugging at the situation Raines harnessed his bow and rewrapped his scarf, taking care that the scarf partially his his bow and quiver, but did not restrict access to them. He didn't fear an attack in such a large city that would require his bow to be used, but he was trained to be cautious.

With that he took off down into the city to find some food.

@ Ende - A voice belonging to a small looking girl peeps up from behind you. It seems like she's asking what you're doing on this tower. Though small, she seems to have a commanding presence which is accented by her flows of blond hair reaching down to the floor and her fingernails, which are well over 4 inches in length, but appear incredibly healthy and even sharp. She's also wearing an incredibly beautiful necklace that seems to be fitted for an adult woman.

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@ Lausen - Clouds float above you lazily as the day slowly inches on. Very suddenly you hear a raven call out and notice two raven perched on a parapet near you. Both seem to be staring intently at you.

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@ Kayn - The library is relatively silent as you sit down to read. Suddenly you catch the slightest hint of someone breathing. Someone that you did not know was in the library. You look to your left and see a man sitting in the shadows reading and old scroll. You completely failed you notice his presence before this, but now that you are looking at him, his aura floods you, blinding your 6th sense. You notice that the man is missing a hand just a moment before his eyes catch yours.

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@ Rainesroth - Your quest for food takes you down one of the many market streets crowded with passerbys. Nothing you see seems to peek your interest until, out of the corner of your eye, you notice an incredibly beautiful woman. She standing at the corner of an intersection holding a very large bushel of the most delicious looking apples you have ever seen. In fact she's eating one with her right hand, and balancing this huge bushel of apples on her hip with her left hand. She sees you looking her way and winks. You suddenly get a very cold chill down your spine.

Kayn was deep withing his reading. The scroll was stretched out in his hands as he leaned back in his chair. Looking at the outside of the scroll could be seen a rune. The rune was similar to an arrow pointing up. So it would come to reason one would understand Kayn's shock when he saw someone out of the corner of his eye only to noticed a man missing his right hand. Kayn almost fell back in the chair he was leaning in.

The man locked eyes with Kayn.... and Kayn was rendered from his elven powers. Could this possibly be? Kayn glanced at the scroll he was reading and then back at the man. "Are... are you really whom I think you are?"

Rainesroth's body instinctively stiffens as a chill runs down his spine. His hands throb, aching to reach for his weapons to defend himself. But he restrains them, knowing that he can't make a move in such a crowded place, and that if his fears are correct, his life would be forfeit the moment his fingertips touched his bow.

He stood, scarf whipping in the light breeze, as people crowded and shoved around him, staring at the woman with the apple. He inclined his head slightly, wishing to show that he deferred the street to her crossing, but not wishing to take his eyes off her.

On top of the tower, I viewed several things. The constant bartering, a pickpocket getting caught stealing, drunks brawling outside of a bar, and children running around playing hero. I was completely absorbed in my observations until I heard some noise not so far away. I look in the direction to see a bold little girl. I had yet to have an actual conversation with humans. The closest I had was a few words during that test and a few saying my name. This must be carefully done... I don't want to cause any unneeded hostility. "I just wanted a nice view of the city, little one. Was wanting to see the sites, but I'm a little shy. So here I am."

Bryce laid against the tree in the courtyard in a peaceful daze. He sat taking in the sounds around him. Before long he was nearly sleeping. His rest was interrupted when he heard a croak call out. Bryce opened his eyes, but saw nothing in the area. Still he couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. Finally he looked up to see two ravens glaring at him. “Oh, it’s just some stupid birds.” He lays back down and tries to relax again, but something was nagging in his gut. Something wasn’t right about his feathered friends. He grabbed a stick and whipped it at the birds. “Get lost!”

@ Kayn - The man does not respond to you for many moments, but sits, staring at your face with a deep contemplation.

You feel something creeping into your mind. Softly at first, then more forcefully as you try to resist. The man continues to stare into your face while he makes his way through your mind.

"You have courage, young one." You feel the thought, rather than hear it, as it courses its way through your body.

"A warrior true. Honorable, Loyal, Calculating." Each word echoes through your body, jolting your frame as though it would shatter your bones.

"But what is it you would fight for? I see little to motivate you. Would you betray the will of the Gods, just to have something to cling too?"

As suddenly he entered your mind, he leaves, and you fall back into yourself, like a sea no longer held parted.

The man smiles at you, and it is not an unfriendly smile. Nor is it a caring smile. He holds his fist to his chest, a warrior's salute, and disappears, leaving you to deal with the rush of senses that return to you.

-----

@ Raines - The woman flashes a grinning smile, and her eyes light with a terrible cunning.

She crosses the bustling street undeterred, and passerbys part around her as they would a great tree. But they do not look at her. Whether it is because they do not see her, or do not wish to acknowledge that they see her, you cannot tell.

She reaches your side of the street and grins boldly at you, before tossing an apple in your direction. She turns before you catch it, and disappears into the crowd.

You are suddenly overcome by the urge to bite into the apple, and as your teeth pierce its flesh a vision of horror flashes through your skull. Fire within, flame without, you see a world turned to ash. Everything you've ever loved, hated, respected, feared...all of it, gone in a flash, and left in a smoldering heap.

Soft, honey-kissed words seep into your thoughts. "You see the world as it will be, little elf. And you think that king has the might to stop it? You think you've the might to stop it? Tis the will of more than just the Gods, elfling. Tis the will of the worlds."

The words seem to flow through you, mixing into you, and suddenly you feel weakened, as though your body was made of molasses. You drop the apple instantly, and spit out all taste of it, and begin to feel instantly better.

"The bees are in the flowers, young elf. And you are far from home."

The words whip through you, and then you feel alone, yourself again.

-----

@ Ende - The little girl clicks her tongue at you, and suddenly seems much much older than she looks. Her body grows none in size, but she seems to loom over you, a dark crazed aura flashing up around her.

"You always were so unreliable Ende." She smirks at you.

Her hand flashes out towards you, her fingernails, sharp as knives. They graze your cheek only slightly, the smallest cut possible, leaving only a tiny trickle of blood.

The girl, body growing to the size of a grown woman, one to match her deadly aura, puts the fingernails to her lips, and lightly sucks off a tiny droplet of blood.

She cackles maniacally, and looks down upon you. "Fallen though you may be, but the blood still runs strong in you! Pity you were so weak. And to think, my lord might actually worry that you are siding with the pathetic humans."

She jumps back, landing on the edge of the tower, and looks over, down to the people below. "Chattel, Ende! That's all they are. All they ever will be. Remember that."

She grins savagely. "You know....I could plummet to my death right now, make it look like you killed me...break your ties with the humans, at least for a little while. But I won't. I will let you have this little adventure. For three reasons. The first, of course, is that my lord wills that Sigurd and his lot be left alone. Two, I want to see just how far that pretty lot think they can go, including you. And three. Someone. Called in a favor. For you."

She smiles maliciously and vanishes.

-----

@ Bryce - The birds shuffle left and right, flapping the wings, wary of the stick. But they do not fly. Nor do they caw. They merely sit, staring you down so intently, their eyes might pierce your soul.

You feel as those you are being search, as though someone is pilfering through your memories. You feel frozen, paralyzed, not with terror, but merely a will. As though a will you could not disobey was commanding you to stillness.

On of the ravens flaps it wings, rising off the parapet, slowly climbing higher and higher. He seems to grow larger in your eye, larger and larger still, until he blots out the sun.

The second raven floats down from the parapet, landing some distance from you, and immediately transforms into a nearly silver haired beauty. Her image is not meant to impart beauty however. As she stands, her shortish silver hair spikes up, like gleaming metal. Her body is wrapped tight, black leather, white fur, her skin the color of death.

She holds her hand towards you, and you feel a piece of yourself slip away. She makes a fist, as if holding on to something, and slowly she pulls her other hand up along her body to her lips. She shushes you softly and winks, before bursting into the sky, shifting immediately into crow form and flying towards her partner.

The sun returns to your eyes, blinding you for an instant. When you look again, all sign of the ravens is gone.

Shortly after my response, something rather unexpected happened. This girl suddenly felt more malicious and even knew my name. Before I could even wrap my head around what just happen, I felt a sudden sharp pain on my cheek. This girl cut me before I could even react. This, however, was the least shocking of the events. She went from a tiny thing to a woman in an instant. She went about mocking me and the like. The one thing that bothered me was at the end of her little speech, before she vanished. "Someone. Called in a favor. For you." Who would do this? I had severed all ties from that place so long ago. I had no other choice, but to leave. No one there would hold favor to me after what had happened... not even her. Most importantly, this means that someone knows that I am here. The only way for this is if they kept an eye on me for a while. What reason would they have for this? All this time and no action. This is unlike them. Something is going on. I look down at the people and say in response to the vanished woman: "Chattel, eh? Perhaps, but such is your fate... as was mine."

"You have courage, young one."

…

"A warrior true. Honorable, Loyal, Calculating."

…

"But what is it you would fight for? I see little to motivate you. Would you betray the will of the Gods, just to have something to cling too?"


These words rang so loudly in Kayn’s mind that he no longer knew if the man he saw was truly even there to begin with. So strong where these thoughts of words that he couldn’t trust his own sense of sight. But no sooner does he have time to think about it, than the vision of the man vanishes. Disappears while holding his only good hand against chest.

What had just happened? Kayn shook his head and noticed that he had all but dropped the scroll his was holding on to at the time. At the time, a picture of a giant dog that had runes under it spelling “Garm.” But Kayn could hardly pay it any attention at the time. The man’s words still echoed strongly in his head. Throbbing through his skull: "But what is it you would fight for?”

What… I fight for? I…

Kayn hardly could make a cognitive thought. It was many moments before he had completely recovered from that strange encounter. Kayn had decided to walk off the matter. He left the library after placing the scroll back where he had found it and began to walk down the back streets. He pasted a few people who were washing clothes, or unpacking a cart. But mostly he was left to himself. Unlike the main road which was bustling with people. Eventually Kayn found a single tree in the corner of an ally. He leaned up against it, and dug into his pack and pulled out a roll of parchment. He unrolled it to find a picture he had drawn many years ago. It depicted a thick forest with a lake. The trees were spaced out but so thick above that very little light was shown. But just then, a strange thing happened: For just a brief moment, almost as if it had not happened… within the blink of an eye, the picture changed. The lake was dried up and the trees burnt to the ground. But it had gone by so fast, that Kayn still debated if he hadn’t just imagined it.

If I were to cling to anything… I think I know what that would be.

Kayn rolled the parchment back up and places it into his bag. It seems as if those two hours were about to expire. Kayn then pulls his hood farther over his head and makes his way back towards the King’s courtyards.

As soon as the ravens disappeared so too did the paralysis that consumed Bryce’s body. Bryce scrambled to his feet in awe of what just appeared before him. “An illusion? It couldn’t have been real, could it?” He frantically looked around the area to see if anyone else was there, but he was alone. More then a minute has passed, yet his heart rate still hasn’t slowed. Bryce couldn’t shake the feeling; there must be a reason for this encounter.

What bothered Bryce more then anything was the fact that this thing said nothing. It felt like his very soul was being stripped from his body in that moment. The fear of being able to do nothing got to Bryce. Never has he felt so helpless. He shook the thoughts of the thing from his head and began towards the place they fought the king’s guards. “What surprises await this time

Rainesroth falls to a knee, terrified, as the burning images sweep through his mind.

"The bees are in the Flowers, young Elf. And you are far from home."

And then, in an instant, it was all gone. Raines shuddered, shaking off the feeling of despair, and rose to his feet.

Had it been a warning? Or a Taunt? Or a little bit of both? He wasn't sure either way. Honestly though, it only half mattered to him. He had to go on regardless.

"The bees are in the flowers, the honey's in the comb. The world is all around me, but I am far from Home. My dear lady, there is a reason for that."

Raines turns and begins walking back towards the castle courtyard, still to shaken to worry about anything else but meeting with Sigurd.

@ All - The four warriors entered the courtyard in their own separate manners, but each one wore a similar expression. Sigurd stood waiting for them, his small contingent of men nearby.

He spoke as soon as the last warrior was within earshot. "So it seems you've all had visitors? Well, I trust it matters little in the long run. You're all here for your own reasons, but you won't be scared into hiding. The reason for that, is that you all know there is only one logical path by which to achieve your goals. The Gods can no longer rule us."

His speech was powerful, but there might as well have been crickets chirping. None of the warriors so much as smiled. He worried silently to himself, "This batch is odd, but something tells me I dare not turn them away. They are important, each one of them. Perhaps they are the few I have been looking for? They must meet Lifth. She will know if they are the ones."

As if summoned by that thought, a young woman entered the courtyard. She was an average Ponteran woman, slightly taller than normal, strikingly blond shoulder length hair, and eyes that shocked with icy blueness. The oddity that set her apart was the ease of her pressence. She showed none of the fear or anticipation that the normal citizens showed. In fact, she was so bold that she walked directly up to Sigurd (it might be worth noting that none of the guards moved towards her) and stared directly into his eyes.

"You should have called for me earlier. You should never have let them leave after passing the second test. Have you gone mad?! Do you think this is a game?! Wittle Sigurd pwaying war. Wittle Sigurd better than the Gods! You know the only reason you aren't dead yet! Remember it you fool."

The woman rounded suddenly on the warriors, staring each one of them down icily. Her hands went instantly to her hips and she began chewing on her lower lip, pacing momently, only to pause and stare intently again.

"They'll do," she remarked suddenly, rounding to Sigurd again. "But then, you already knew that didn't you? Brief them, and do whatever else you think is necessary. Alsvider has been made ready, I ride at your command."

And with that the fiery woman walked away, not back out into the city, but past Sigurd and into the castle.

Sigurd shook his head calmly and made a face at the warriors as if to say "What can you do?" He shrugged and turned to his guards. One of them left without a word and Sigurd sauntered over to the warriors.

"Your mission, gentlemen, is to escort that young woman, whose name is Lifth, to Hodmimir Forest, to the Northeast, past Bulvang. Normally this could be done easily by airship, however, situations have caused that to be impossible. Instead you will travel the Iyluur road along the coast and then north to Bulvang. Supplies and mounts will be provided to those without, as well as funds for the trip."

He paused there, smiling broadly. "You will not enjoy this assignment friends, but I cannot express to you the importance of it. Keep her safe. Learn from her what you can. And for the sake of Midgard, work together. I've already had to many teams of fine warriors falter over petty disagreements. Remember always, tis the Gods we're fighting, not ourselves."

The guard returned, leading along four of the finest horses to be had, at least on Midgard. Two donkeys were following behind, apparently so obedient they didn't need to be led. The steads were finely groomed and saddled, clearing ready for travel, and the donkeys were heavily ladden with bags, though they seemed to show no sign of their burden.

And then, Lifth entered the courtyard, sitting atop one of the most majestic horses to be found. Though only two hands taller than the over mounts, it was clear that he outmatched them in every possible way.

Lifth spoke quickly and sharply, "This is Alsvider. You are not to touch him. If you do, I will kill you, if he doesn't first."

She nodded once to Sigurd, and whispered something in Alsvider's ear. The horse sprung forward, full gallop in a split second.

"You won't have to ride hard to catch her. She'll slow down once she passes out of the city. The horses are grand, food and other supplies are in the packs. There should be a purse on each of the horses. Use the money as you see fit. And good luck, when next I see you I promise to give you a more forgiving assignment."

Sigurd turned and walked back into the castle, his silver-white armor gleaming.

--------------

P.S. Do not rp anything with the money. I will be implementing something soon that will allow you to spend it.

Upon returning to the castle, I just couldn't shake this feeling. I've been pondering as to why the gods would keep an eye on me even after taking the side of humans. They would have taken action. Who would call in a favor for me? Why am I even still alive? My mind was such a jumbled mess that I didn't even hear the king speak. Then when in my clouded state I just realized something. In my fight earlier I wasn't able to pull off half the stuff I was able to before. Maybe the gods have already taken action for my betrayal. I just began staring at my hand. Not since I was, but a child did I feel so powerless.

Shortly after the king was done speaking, a woman walks to his side. She proceeds to talk down to Sigurd. I was lifted from my sour expression and begin to smile. "I'm beginning to like this woman already." She said the very words I felt like saying the moment he started talking his non-sense, several hours ago. Once Sigurd was done telling us our mission, I hopped on a horse and proceeded to follow after the woman. This is going to be interesting.

It wasn't long after Kyan arrived back at the courtyard of the castle, that he was followed by the other three. It was still rather cold despite the time of day, as if the gods were trying their best to make us as uncomfortable as possible. But Kayn didn't dwell on that much as Sigurd began to speak. Not soon after that a woman walked into view. And while she was so boldly speaking to the king, a flash of memory blinked into Kayn's mind. It was a relapse of the dream he had outside the city in the tree. It's as if this... Lifth... fit into it somehow.

After the change of words (and Lifth's less than kind warning about 'her' horse) Kayn was presented with his own. Kayn always believed that the horses of the wild were the most majestic... and that those bred within the walls of towns were as lowly slaves in comparison. But these horses were different. They gave the aura of the beasts of the wild, yet they would bear someone in travel.

One of the guards handed the reins to Kayn. Kayn then removed the reigns, bit, and harness from its head, and then carefully unbuckled the saddle. He took the purse and attached it to his own belt and jumped on his horse. He looked back at the guard and nodded his head. Kayn spoke few elvish words to the horse and it took off towards Lifth.

Raines couldn't really keep up with everything that was going on. All he knew, was the King had charged them with escorting this human female to Hodmimir, and that horses and gold were being given to them.

Still slightly confounded by his encounter and vision earlier Raines takes a mount and the lead for a donkey and begins to follow the others.

He did note that the seemingly arrogant Dark Elf had decided to adhere to nature and ride bareback. A rather odd gesture.

Not long after Bryce and the other warriors returned to the castle courtyard Sigurd began to speak. It would appear Bryce wasn’t the only one who had a strange encounter. Bryce still couldn’t make heads or tails of what it meant, instead he just kept quiet and went with the flow. A strange women walks up to Sigurd as if he was any other man you’d pass in the streets. She began to talk down to him, this peaked Bryce’s interest. He watched carefully as she walked away.

Sigurd told us our mission. To summon hundreds of warriors, to test our battle skills, just to escort a woman? Who could this girl be? Bryce was confused and hesitant to grab the reins from the guard, yet curiosity drove him to mount the horse. He followed after Lifth not knowing what to expect.