Private - "You"

Roland Rutledge · Apr 29, 2018

Roland stared at the message before him. It was sent anonymously, asking for the former duke to come to a neutral location in the dead of night. It reeked of a trap but was so obviously one that Roland second guessed it. After all, if it were Astor, this could be his only way to get in contact with him. What, honestly, concerned him the most about the message was the fact that it ended so abruptly as if the one writing it had been attacked. It ended with, “Please comply. I’m s-” Sorry? Scared? Serious? Sure you will have interest in what will be discussed? Tapping his chin Roland considered his options. He could simply choose to ignore the message, but what if it was someone who needed help? Or, hopefully, someone willing to help him? He hadn’t been sent word of the royal army headed his way, which was good, but that didn’t mean Astor had decided not to attack. This message may be the only way to prevent it. With a frustrated screamed, he rubbed his temples as the indecision consumed him.Try as he might he couldn't figure out who had sent him the message, much less why.

Several drinks later, he had managed to come to some sort of conclusion. The message was likely a trap, but even so, it told him something. At the moment what he lacked the most was information, he had to find a way to resolve that. The quickest way was tracking down this lead and finding out where it led. With that in mind, he gathered his gear and prepared to head off, alone. He was running low on allies of late, he couldn't afford to lose one of them to this foolishness.

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

Several hours later, Roland pushed forward on his horse. His indecision had made what was a reasonable ride, to one that required a blistering pace, and his chestnut mare had taken the brunt of it. Still, his UI indicated he was within the window, if not the latter half of it as he arrived at the old fort. Much like the rest of Norofva, it remained deserted or rather abandoned by its previous tenants after whatever foul magic had scaped the landscape into the pitiful shape it was in today. At this time of night, it was hard to pick out the sickly slopes of uneven terrain that dotted the landscape, something that Roland was quite happy not to have to look at. Removing himself from his horse, Roland strode forward confidently towards the outpost, eyeing it's shadowy features carefully as he thumbed his ring. "The first step to avoiding a trap..." Roland thought as he walked forward, "..is knowing its there, so what do these outposts hold, and how can I avoid it." Stopping a few feet short of the entrance, Roland called out, "I don't think this dwelling is up to your standards. I was expecting something a bit more lush, and luxurious." It was a buff, but it was all he could rely on at the moment.

@Pandora

Pandora · Apr 30, 2018

Before Roland was what he would have to assume the outpost. Far more of a ancient ruin that anything else. The ceiling of the ancient structure had caved in at various points. Making it more like a open labyrinth than a dungeon of the normal sort. The Bloodwastes were some of the most corrupted in Norfova. Not too far from the infamous Bloodthrone mountain.

This place was dangerous for that reason alone, let alone the fact that Roland had come here on a whim to discover the meaning behind a certain request. Someone wanted his attention. As the dust blew past the swordsman of wind. No life stirred. Perhaps this journey was indeed for naught.

The air picked up some more.

A eerie howl was in the distance. The Bloodcursed Dire Wolves surely could smell the ex nobles blood on the wind. There was still time to turn back?

Did he?

Why should a man who had become so involved in Terrasphere that he barely left? Where he found normal life awkward? When he was one of the strongest there was of the pro players?

Of course he didn't run back yet...

Before him now was a roofless hall with small broken statues in two rows before a shattered stained glass window. A few bleached white skeletons were strewn about. There were once people here but no more. How long ago did they perish?

Still no one.

Of course not. It was still some time before the very late hour of 3 to 4 AM.

So he waited...

The night went on and no enemies approached.

Finally... Witching Hour came.

A chill would run down his back. The stars twinkled in the early morning sky as the sense of foreboding grew more and more. The hairs rose on the back of his neck as the skeletons emitted a quiet bluish hue in the night Their jaws chattering so hard they cracked and shattered. The dead trees scattered in the distance seemed to howl into the darkness.

A black feather blew past Roland's frame. It came from above...

"Alone? Trusting fool, however this one time it is good for you lost sheep. It allows you a chance at enlightenment."

The corpse of a decapitated body fell right in front of him. Worms and various vermin emerged from it's neck wound and scattered past Roland's feet.

"So much has changed and yet so much has not. You wretched idiots cannot even maintain a coherent civilization. How expected of simpletons. Yet you all somehow survive day after day following your false beliefs in a world ruled by the dark."

"That can always change."

@Roland Rutledge

Roland Rutledge · May 2, 2018

Roland openly looked at the body before him with disgust, before turning his vision upwards. "I hedged my bet and decided that if this was an attempt to capture or kill me, I could evade it." For a moment he stood there, glaring at Merkaba. She was not on his short list of suspects that he had expected to see. What exactly was her end game here? There'd be only one way to find out.

Carefully, Roland stepped away from the rotting corpse, choosing one of the broken statues to rest upon. Crossing his arms he gave Merkaba a questioning look, "I'm somewhat surprised to see you here. After Dormont fell, and the kingdom was initially founded, two of the three player guilds disbanded, their leaders disappearing with them." He paused cocking his head to the side as if he was having trouble recalling, "What was your guild called again? Crown, Coven? Something like that."

Taking a deep breath, Roland pushed himself upright once more, "Regardless, what was the point in forming the foundations of Astorea, to only abandon it immediately after? You can blame us for being simple-minded idiots, as usual, but the blame rests as much on your shoulders as it does my own. When you and Steele disappeared it created a power vacuum that Astor forced himself to fill. As you can see it's ended poorly, with Astor relying on the NPCs to rule. It took some time, but their influence in his decision is clear. I do not doubt that he plans to shove this nation into one of their hands, likely at the behest of the largest bidder.

Roland paused tapping his chin, "That said, you never were one for others, if I remember correctly, I normally found you buried in some book, snapping at anyone who tried to disturb you from your research, I don't see anyone like that can truly have an interest politics or a national crisis."

Again he paused flashing her a cold smile as the veins on his face constricted tightly around his features giving him a ghoulish appearance, "So where does that leave you? You already had the chance to step in and decide the fate of this nation but decided against. Instead, you've been missing in action for even the largest game-changing events. Only to reappear the moment Astorea is split in two? You say you are here to possibly 'enlighten' me, but I think whatever it is you've been hunting while we've been squabbling has turned out to be something you can't handle on your own. So I'm guessing the real reason your here is that you need my help in some way, shape, or form. Unless I'm wrong lets just cut to the chase, what do you want me to do, and what do I get out of it?"

Pandora · May 2, 2018

"I remember you being a insufferable buffoon not worth my attention. It would seem I was only partly correct."

The Dark Lady made a elegant descent to the ground a good distance from the swordsman of wind. Her wings expanding for a time before folding behind her. A red glint passed over her slanted glare.

"You are also a completely brain dead moron that cannot see when something is better left as is. "

The air blew as her feathers rustled and her dress billowed. There was something different about the fabric of her garb. It was moving independent of her even when the wind was still. Almost as if it was... alive.

"You have a lot to say...and I allowed you to say it. Now it's time to close that loose mouth of yours and listen closely sheep."

Merkaba raised her chin some as she was obviously talking to a lesser human being.

"You remember my Coven do you? Good, that makes this simpler. I created Coven as a method to bring in the rest of my followers from the Prime Dimension into this reality. I needed Shepherds, guides for the lost sheep and lamb like you and the rest. I hoped to bring you enlightenment and to begin the Great Transference of human kind into a new realm closer to the dark gods that govern all things."

She raised a hand to him as she spoke. Her words and face as cold and blunt as ever. Her lip curled slightly upwards.

"I the Dark Descender had come here to spread the ways of the dark and create a new kingdom dedicated to the true nature of man. So what do you think of... hahaha... Astorea? Of course you've already made that clear haven't you?"

A dark aura rose around her. Merkaba pointed a finger at Roland sternly and her eyes glowed red. Her wings stiffened outwards and a thin black substance began to creep very slowly up her wrist from under her dress' sleeve.

"Everything I do is for a reason. Astorea was made as the foundations for my New Babylon. I care not who rules it, however I do very much care about it straying from my plans. That shall be the homeland, the gateway that all shall enter for the Great Transference! It is my future throne to rule from on high!"

Suddenly she relaxed some. Her hand pulling back as she shrugged. A shrug from Merkaba was one of the strangest things. The woman rarely showed such a action especially towards her own words of grandeur. The thin smile remained on her face.

"Or that is what I would have said to you."

The shadow that now rested in the palm of her hand extended into a large and very lethal looking scythe. A yellowish flame burned in mono eyed skull of some untold demon set upon the blade. She rested it's shaft in the dirt as she continued.

"Things are different now. The situation warrants a different approach and you are only going to make things more difficult."

She pointed her scythe at him.

"I would tell you to back down and forget this ridiculous scheme of yours. However it is far more efficient to just reap you. Being a Successor has it's benefits. You will find it hard to come back from this ignorant wretch."

Fight, or Flee?

@Roland Rutledge

Roland Rutledge · May 7, 2018

Flee

Roland let out an annoyed grunt as Merkaba laid out her intentions. His fingers began to blur as he prepared a spell with use of his spell ring, leaving his mouth free to berate the witch as he did so. "Ah yes, I had forgotten you were a stark raving mad lunatic with a pension for thinking she's better than everyone, what's worse is you just wasted a night of my time that I could have used to further bolster my defenses. Did you really think I'd come alone without a reasonable means of escape? Give me a break."

With a flourish Roland finished his spell, causing his visage to flicker brightly. "Merkaba I'm leaving. If you're as all-knowing as you think you are you'd know it'd be a waste of time to chase me. Astor will take no quarter in such a circumstance and will not rest until my lands are his once more. Unlike you, I haven't deluded myself into believing I can withstand the full brunt of the forces he has at beck and call. But I won't be a pawn any longer."

As he spoke Roland's spell rippled through the area, causing tendrils of lighting to spur forth among sudden gusts of wind. With a heavy clap, a burst of blinding bright blue light exploded where he stood, sending a concussive force of wind through the room as several arcs of electricity shot forth to the various exits. As sudden as the burst of lighting had come, however, the spell ceased, leaving the spot where Roland had been standing empty.

He had gone with the spell, disguised as a bolt of lighting, attempting to disappear in the dark of the night away from this place. He left his horse, unfit for the ride back, where it was, instead relying on the winds to hopefully put distance between him and any pursuers. Lucky or not the night was dark, and the winds howled in anger, as Roland attempted his flight.

Pandora · May 8, 2018

Roland Flees!

"Wretched coward even now. Did you really think..."

A seal of demonic origin. A slash of a scythe breaking the forbidden powers free...

Merkaba's wings expanded as a wave of black shot out a abyssal force shaped like a claw of black lightning shot from the rip where the seal was shattered before her. It moved fast, faster than wind, fast as the lightning itself more seals appeared and shattered throughout the path of Roland's escape. Dark hands reaching to claim him for their own.

"Fool, if only you had not run. I must..."

No other word's emerged from her mouth. A large bloody hole was now in her chest. Merkaba's blood mixed with a black oozing substance poured unto the bloodcursed dirt as she gasped and placed a hand over the wound.

"Urgh... damn. I... let my guard down... you think... this is enough...ingrate."

Merkaba's body glowed dark as she struggled to breath. The wound began to slowly close on it's own...

Roland was the wind, the lightning, the unstoppable. The dark claws however were gaining. Moving at a speed that should not even be possible. The landscape tore past them in a blur. Old ruined pillars breaking into dust as the claws shot through them after the man.

And then it stopped.

Roland would find himself standing in the middle of Norfova. The claws and rips that formed them were gone.There was nothing else around except for one red eye glaring at him with merriment. Nose to nose he was with some young woman he never saw before in his life.

Hiya good lookin' . You're Roland right? The guy that made all the Head memes? Too bad it's not that kind of head yeah? You almost made another one if you don't watch yourself pretty boy."

A smile and a back up of several steps into a massive curtsy..

"Greeting's hup n'ghft. Y' ah Elica Mirg."

She looked back up at him and gestured behind him.

"That woman was not someone you would get along with. She's ... how would you say? A antique? Much like a lot of this world and ours. Things get old pretty fast. Chaos ah syha'h ahuh'eog."

A smile as she put her other hand into a pocket of her gothic dress. For her looks her personality was rather ...unrefined at times? But not others?

"We don't have a lot of time for this arc of yours so I'm gonna keep it quick! Those who rise against the establishment are always good for business in my neck of the woods!. I'm the Dark Descender! Disciple of Nyarlieth! Teacher of the one true way! Hahahahaa... and all that jazz."

A bored flap of a hand towards the distance.

"Elly, eh Merkaba, damn these names.... is a remnant of something useless. So, I am the one you should talk to Mr.Rutledge, sir! Mr.Smexy is very happy with your style. You're kind are more fun to follow. You all came here for a good time, what's so good about stability yeah? Lloignah!"

The Dark Descender or rather the new one, slowly approached him.

"Don't try to run from me... multiple choice isn't something that works on what I can do sexy..."

Her eyelid lowered as she twirled a strand of raven hair around her finger.

"Now... what are you up for? Can we get some total anarchy out of you?"

@Roland Rutledge

Roland Rutledge · May 9, 2018

The wind rushed past Roland as he fled. How long had it been since he had moved at this speed, unrestrained? He constantly had found himself hampered by the speed of his allies, relying, and depending on him to be a hunk of flesh before them. He hadn't realized how much he longed for the days of playing the game solo, trecking through the unknown wilderness searching for treasure. How had things become so...different? It was a long and complicated answer that Roland really did not want to address. Not that it mattered much, as he didn't have much time to think on it, as from the corner of his eyes he spotted a dark energy surging in his wake.

"Damnit... Merkaba, just give up already." Roland said through gritted teeth as he quickly formed another spell, bouncing leagues forward in the form of another bolt of electricity. Again, and again, he dashed forward using every bit of skill, he had saved, but somehow the dark claws still managed to make up ground. Eventually, he found himself in the middle of the desolate plain, gasping for breath, and unsheathing his sword. "Fine, if you won't let me flee then it's a fight yo...." He stopped in sudden shock as an unknown girl appeared before him. "Ack!" he gasped falling backward in surprise.

Confused Roland stared at the girl blanky for a few moments as she explained. "Ah." He said returning his sword its home, "I had thought you were her." Even though he had put his sword away, his shoulders remained tight, as he eyed the girl from the side unsure of what to make of her. Still, while negotiations still seemed to be on the table, he thought he'd better make use of them, "I'm not going to lie, I have no idea what you two mean by Dark Descender, nor have I heard of Nyarlieth. Though it sounds a lot like..."

Roland shook his head, "It doesn't matter. My goals are the same as they were before Merkaba attempted to attack me. I had hoped it would involve a force to help strengthen my borders, but Anarchy..." For a moment Roland's lip turned into a smile before he forced it down back to a much more guarded demeanor once more, "Anarchy works too." He said it without having to lie. Gears turning once more in his head.

Pandora · May 9, 2018

"Oh...."

A finger to her chin before she snapped the same finger but a moment later.

"Damn forum rp's! Ahh doesn't matter! The Dark Descender is just some flashy title I got anyhow! I was just a girl that broke outta a psycho ward before Master Narth came along!"

A hand over her mouth before a cold glare at Roland.

"You tell anyone that, you'll be dead a split second later. I can do things... pretty instantaneously hahahaa. I got ears too sexy man."

Something seemed to suddenly bother her as she tapped the right side of her head with her finger, like someone trying to kick start something that was running funny.

"H''s yar already? ...Urgh yeah yeah. So...you seem pretty snazzy Rollin' Roland If you seek anarchy we could be good friends...and heh, I do like a variety of excitement too!"

She blushed as she winked at him.

"We'll keep Elly the dung bat off you so you can focus on bringing discord and all. Ahhh... this is like, your big chance to impress Master Narth! If you prove to be someone he can use. Maybe we will meet again? There is quite a lot he can give you... but you gonna have to lose a little thing in exchange. Nothing important! A human is a human. We all are the same existence just in a different shade. Hahaha... Wasn't that intellectual of me? I spend too much time with these guys lately Hahahaa... welp! Gotta run."

Turning away she made a single hard wave of her hand just at the wrist and up.

"If you lose or win, doesn't matter. We want people that don't give shits and know who and what this shitty life we gotta live is about. Fuckin shit up for the giggles! You have a chance to join the winning team, IF you play ball you can play for us in Armageddon. C-ya."

Then as if the world blinked. She was gone.

@Roland Rutledge