The Search for the Diamond Staff

((Starting a new RP. It's open to everyone except Gary. I just want to use my characters again.
One last thing...Can I add a third character to the characters thread? I already killed off my villain, so I was hoping that I could throw in a mage to complete the classic RP job circle. Anyhoo, here we go.))

The diamond staff.....It was crafted centuries ago during the great Mage Wars. It's sole purpose was to end the wars and begin a new era of peace.
However, it was not to be. The staff harnessed incredible power, and could drain other mages of their magic. It fell into the wrong hands and was used to ensure the victory of the Kilthworn, a guild of ruthless battlemages.
The Kilthworn leader, Rendil Kyarjin, used the staff to steal the magic powers of his enemies and add it to his own. One of Rendil's most loyal soldiers, however, wanted the power for himself. When Rendil least expected it, the soldier attacked Rendil and tried to take the staff from him. The two of them touching the staff at the same time caused a flux in the staff's magical power. The staff was bonded with whomever wielded it. If a new wielder attempted to use the staff, the staff would have to erase it's previous bond and form a new one with the new wielder.

However, because the soldier grabbed it while Rendil was still the current wielder, the staff attempted to form a bond with the soldier, but it could not erase it's bond with Rendil since he was still holding the staff.
The staff, in a state of confusion and flux, unleashed all of it's magical energy in an enormous explosion. The Kilthworn guild hall was overtaken by magical energy, and soon, everything and everyone in the guild was turned to stone.
The blast of magic was so powerful, it caused a tremor that split the ground beneath the guild. The guild temple sank into the Earth and was never seen again...........

That is, until two mercenaries took a job that required them to venture down underground and retrieve the diamond staff.
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When the world looks up and shouts "Save us!", I will whisper, "No".

Spoiler:

((Yay, new RP! Kai was getting somewhat bored.))

It always came down to the mobs, she noted irritably. Once they figured out you carried a demon in your head, out came the torches and pitchforks, and then it was off on a merry chase until you finally managed to escape.

This mob was a little smarter, which was saying something - someone had found a crossbow, and there was a crossbow bolt in her leg. She had reverted to leaping awkwardly from tree to tree as they fell behind, and finally dropped her unnecessary load. They stopped around what she had dropped, and she took off into the higher branches of the trees, vanishing from sight.

On an oddly wide branch, she sat down and studied the bolt in her leg. Just for inquiring around about some magic-absorbing staff, they'd chased her off. She'd even weeded that old lady's garden and watched the village kids beforehand! Even if her asking had been a little...harsh, there was no need to shoot a girl in the leg...

She pulled the bolt out slowly, wincing a little, and tore off a strip of her cloak to wrap around the open wound. It was already healing, but it never hurt to appear vulnerable.

With a final glance at the broken body of the man she'd asked, she took off again, spurred on by the gentle whisperings of the demon within her mind.
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Sold my soul to Square Enix. Never been happier.

Spoiler:

Bastian sat impatiently in a local diner while Sara was out asking for directions to Lyn's Brook. Bastian toyed with the food on his plate, thinking back to the crazy mage who had hired them.

"Now I need you to go to some backwater town and look for any clues as to the whereabouts of the Diamond Staff. I will pay you graciously for it, and even make you guys generals when I take over Callan." said the small, eccentric mage in a high, but raspy voice.

The mage wore light blue robes and had a pink wizard's hat perched on his bald head. He had bushy gray eyebrows and a long hooked nose that stood over his enormous silver beard. The beard was large and big, that it practically engulfed the tiny mage, who was only four and a half feet tall.
Bastian could care less about why the man wanted the staff, all he needed was the money.
"Okay, whatever. Just tell me what the name of the town is."
The mage looked up at him curiously.
"I told you already...Lyn's Brook! You're supposed to ask the seer there where to find the Diamond Staff!"
"A seer? You didn't say anything about a seer."
"Yes I did! Do you honestly think those backwater bozos will know what a diamond staff is anyways!? Only a seer would know, and that's why you're going to ask him!"
Bastian scowled at the mage. He hated seers. They were all a bunch of smug jerks.
"Before you go, let me give you this." The mage handed over something red and greasy. Bastian unrolled the item and looked at it.
"This is a strip of bacon! Why are you giving us bacon!?"
The mage chuckled.
"Now now, don't be fooled by it's appearance! This is not an ordinary piece of bacon. This is bacon...from a turkey! Everyone knows turkies harbor some type of dormant magical abilities, and by using products of their body, one can use the magic that the turkies themselves use!"
Bastian started to have second thoughts about this job.
"Of course, turkey magic wasn't enough, so I had to imbue some of my magic into it as well! With this bacon, we will be able to keep in touch with each other, just in case you find any important info or run into any unexpected obstacles that you need my incredible intellect and insight to help you out."
Bastian wasn't sure whether or not to believe the crazy old man, but regardless, he stuffed the bacon into a small cloth sack on his belt. The mage smiled at them both, then suddenly looked furious.
"What are you still doing here!? Go on, get out! You got a job to do!!"

Bastian sighed and leaned back in his chair, blancing his fork on the tips of his fingers. Suddenly, Sara came running through the diner doors.
"Did you get directions?" he asked.
"Even better, I found someone who was willing to give us a ride there. He's a merchant carrying some valuable goods, and if we provide him with protection, he will drop us off at Lyn's Brook."
Bastian got up and smiled.
"Great! let's get going!"
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When the world looks up and shouts "Save us!", I will whisper, "No".

Spoiler:

Last edited by Faceless on Sat 17 May - 10:52; edited 1 time in total

In a dark cave, somewhere deep beneath the surface, stormed a massive, ominous figure, walking through the barely lit tunnels. His bulky body barely fit in the cave, and at times, he was forced to smash his way through the more stubborn rock formations. Eventually, he came to a door, a large door, guarded by two men in hooded cloaks.

"Open the door, mortals, the master awaits." The armored figure boomed, his voice filled with malice.

The two did as they were told, and flung to door open for the man, who stepped inside to enter a rather lavishly decorated, yet gothic and evil, throne room. Armed guards and numerous casters filled it, and on the opposite side of the room sat a being shrouded in darkness.

The armored man took several steps forward and then knelt before the seated man.

"Your haste is welcomed." The shadowy figure spoke in a sinister voice, "I have a task for you."

"Anything, my liege." The hulking man responded.

"There is a staff, one of unspeakable power..."

((Also, if you're wondering, that's Ardent. I've brought him back, and if you need details, his character sheet has been heavily revised.))
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She had been told to visit the seer of Lyn's Brook, and it was in that direction that she ran once the mob had given up their search for her.

The small town was near her old home, and there were people around that she knew from her old life. Undoubtedly, the story of the demon girl and her mother had spread to the town, but if they tried to apprehend her again...

Well, why would someone try to catch someone they thought was dead? Or, she noted with a small grin, a better question would be why would someone normal attempt it.
_________________
Sold my soul to Square Enix. Never been happier.

Spoiler:

What a pleasent day Artak thought as he walked on the small road.

Trying to relax he moved forward, not really sure where he was heading, as always, he had heard though from people he had passed that it was some village or something not far where he was heading.

The thoughts that went in his head was the thoughts of a warm bed for the night and perhaps something good to drink.

Now what was that place's name now....Lyn something...oh well I will know when I get there. smiling a bit to himself he kept walking in a relaxed pace.
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The best way to fight is to run the other way!

Blackhart stormed out of the cavern into the decayed ruins of a once great castle. The rotted foliage, crumbling structures, and essense of death accented his own aura of evil. He knew his task, and he would fulfill it.

He whistled, sharply, calling to a horse which stood in the nearby graveyard. The black steed trotted to him, it's great ebon armor dully glinting in the sunlight. The Death Knight mounted the beast, and steadied himself upon it.

Somewhere in the world was the Diamond Staff, where that was, he didn't know. But someone did, and he'd tear the location out of them.

"HYAH!"
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Sara sat in the back of the merchant's caravan. She had expected a few bandits to at least attempt an attack, but it was all quiet. Sara sighed. The heat was unfathomable, and the wind was harsh. There was an occasional breeze of cool air, but it was immedeately replaced by a gust of hot wind. The air itself scorched her nostrils as she breathed in.

Bastian had flown off to scout the road ahead, but it was mainly because he didn't like being near Sara when she was hot. She got sweaty and stinky, and would get angry at Bastian for no reason. He didn't like that, she yelled at him enough as it is.
He flew over the dusty road, and searched between trees and under bridges. Nothing. As he was flying, he sighted a small town in the distance. He assumed this was Lyn's Brook. He flew back to the caravan and landed next to Sara, then shifted back to his human form.
"We're almost there. It shouldn't be much longer."
Sara let out a sigh of relief.
"Good. The sooner the better. I can't take much more of this heat."
_________________
When the world looks up and shouts "Save us!", I will whisper, "No".

Spoiler:

Time for a short break.. Artak thought as he went and sat down by the side of the road he had followed.
He couldn't really remember exactly how long he had been walking, but he sure hoped that he would reach that village soon.

Pulling up a small bottle he had with him he drank some of the cold water as he could see something in the distance from where he had been walking from earlier.

Propably just some farmer or some traders I guess... he thought as he stretched his legs a bit before jumping to his feet and begun walking again along the road.

Can't wait to get to that village...I am hungry...
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The best way to fight is to run the other way!

It was close to midday when she arrived in Lynn's Brook. Around that time of day, she typically looked normal, save for the hair, which she could explain away as albinism or an accident with an alterist, so she walked straight into the town with the hood of her cloak down, meeting the gazes of the townspeople with what she hoped was a friendly smile.

Hopefully, the urge to wreak havoc on the town wasn't communicated to her face.

There were a few people shying away from her, but she was used to that. Instead of asking around immediately (which tended to make one look suspicious), she found a small inn and went inside in search of food. Looking for priceless magical treasures wasn't all chasing after people, shaking down old people for information, and dramatic battles in places with a ridiculous amount of traps. Sometimes a girl just wanted a good lunch and some time to take in the sights.

'Even if that girl's more than a little insane?'

"Especially then!" she replied, aloud, and started eating.
_________________
Sold my soul to Square Enix. Never been happier.

Spoiler:

Lyn's Brook, the name of the town was prevalent in Ardent's mind. It was the place his master had directed him, and so he swiftly arrived. Tact wasn't his strong suit, at least, no longer. He wanted nothing more than to simply storm the town and rend the secrets from its people.

However, that was not an option. He had to use stealth, think before he acted, and that would be a difficult task. Even without his armor, he was far too obviously dead to exist amongst Humans. He would need a mortal to do his dirty work.

The Death Knight realized all of this before he stood in the shadows of the forest along the road. It was now that he awaited some pitiful human to pass, so that he might enslave the husk once the soul was consumed.
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Bastian and Sara had arrived in Lynn's Brook. They asked around for the location of the seer who supposedly lived there. They soon found out that a smug, evil seer had once lived in a shack just on the outskirts of town...But he was gone. Some of them claim he vanished, others said he died and turned to dust as all seers do. One guy just said that the seer had shrunk to the size of an ant, and was living inside his head, telling him the secrets of the Callanian government.

Bastian was annoyed and pulled the bacon out from the cloth sack and waved it around in the air.
"Dammit, you stupid mage! The seer isn't here!" he shouted.
Sara backed away from him, as it looked rather silly to be waving bacon in the air and yelling at it. Suddenly, the bacon sprung from his hand and floated around in the air. The mage's voice echoed through the town.
"HE ISN'T THERE? HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? MY INTEL TELLS ME THAT HE CURRENTLY LIVES IN BARTHIS WITH HIS FIANCE'. DID HE MOVE AGAIN?"
A look of sheer rage appeared over Bastian's face.
"We're not in Barthis...We're in Lynn's Brook, where you told us to go." Bastian said through gritted teeth.
"WHEN DID I TELL YOU TO GO TO LYNN'S BROOK? THERE'S NOTHING THERE BUT HICKS AND DICKS! I TOLD YOU TO GO TO BARTHIS!"
Bastian grabbed the bacon and hurled it off into the distance.
"You stupid, old fart!!" He yelled.

Bastian rubbed his head in frustration.
"Let's get out of here. There's nothing here for us anymore."
Sara groaned.
"Can't we just rest here for a little while? It's gonna be dark soon, and I hate traveling at night."
Bastian looked at the sky, and saw that the sun had halfway vanished beyond the horizon.
Damn. That was fast.
"Alright, we'll stay here for the night. But in the morning we leave."
Sara did not argue this and they both made their way to an inn.
_________________
When the world looks up and shouts "Save us!", I will whisper, "No".

Spoiler:

Finally here! Artak thought as he entered the village. Now I hope I can get something to eat...and somewhere to sleep to..

He walked around for a short time before he found a small inn. When he entered he saw that it wasn't all to many people really.

He didn't see anything that seemed out of place as he went to the innkeeper,or the one he thought was the innkeeper.

Paying for a room for the night and to get something to eat he sat down by a table just by the door.

Well this wasn't to bad so far. he smiled to himself and started eating.
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The best way to fight is to run the other way!

'Well, that's something you don't see every day...' he mused.

'How come we never got yelling pieces of bacon coming to town when we were home?'

'Maybe because it was a backwater village where nothing exciting happened? Anyway, they mentioned the seer. Go keep an eye on them.'

She skipped out of her room and down the stairs. There were a few faces she recognized, but they didn't appear to remember her. And there was a new traveler eating by the door. The man and woman with the bacon hadn't come in, but there was only one inn in the small town... With a smile that made a nearby townsperson shudder and move away, she sat at an empty table to watch.

((She looks different from the way she did previously; I'll go change it on her character sheet now.))
_________________
Sold my soul to Square Enix. Never been happier.

Spoiler:

Bastian and Sara went in the inn.
The innkeeper was an odd looking man. The mans eyes were looking to the sides of his head, and did not seem to move when Bastian and Sara approached him. He smiled at them, showing his crooked yellow teeth.

Bastian bought a room from the man, despite Sara complaining about not having her own room. Bastian pointed out that one room was cheaper than two, but she did not agree with this. She smirked and said; "How do I know you try anything funny?"
Bastian groaned.
"We've shared a room several times in the past, and I never tried anything "funny" those times."
"Well there's a first time for everything."
Bastian groaned again. There was no point in arguing with her. Sometimes he wondered if she actually wanted him to try something, but he doubted it. He heard Sara sigh. She seemed somewhat disappointed that he had not chose to continue arguing with her.

She had hoped to tease Bastian a bit more, but he made it obvious he didn't want to argue. She looked around the room, wondering if there was anybody she could trick out of their hard-earned money. She noticed a woman sitting at an empty table, watching them. Sara felt an odd chill go up her spine. The woman looked very familiar, but \Sara couldn't quite recall her.
_________________
When the world looks up and shouts "Save us!", I will whisper, "No".

Spoiler: