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Elvin
Admirable
Omnipresent Hero
Endless Revival
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posted February 02, 2011 02:43 PM |
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I have been unable to follow this due to time constraints but will get to it soon enough  Haven't forgotten about you.
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H5 is still alive and kicking, join us in the Duel Map discord server!
Map also hosted on Moddb
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PeterFarkas
Adventuring Hero
LeBronTosaurus
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posted February 02, 2011 03:02 PM |
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Quote:
Great job, Peter, looks like you can handle even this absurd situation. You're a good Khan. 
About strat, unfortunately it's not my idea, so credit goes to Great-E (LotA topic, page2) for an inspiringly massive sanctuary abuse
Furthermore, not to spoil too much, I also have my ideas for the next week, also featuring a "guest contribution". I just don't want to show all my cards, mwehhhehheeeee
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"The one who makes most mistakes often loses" - Elvin
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markkur
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Once upon a time
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posted February 02, 2011 11:19 PM |
bonus applied by Elvin on 14 Feb 2011. |
Edited by markkur at 23:22, 02 Feb 2011.
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Arantir's defense
Arantir was alone in the huge central chamber of his keep, standing once more at a window, looking out and trying to prepare his mind for this unfolding threat.
“How has it come to this? Why has Giovanni returned? How has he? Here I am, without warning, understanding nothing, while his armies overrun my realm.”
He looked out to the interior courtyard, it bustled with movement. There was no panic yet. His troops were moving under orders and assembling for battle.
There was Ornella, sitting atop her mount, out front and barking orders. Her authority respected and unquestioned. She spoke with a large vampire captain that soon left under her commands in haste, disappearing out of sight. She, he could rely on, she he trusted with everything.
Arantir sat down in a large chair carved in his favorite theme of orbs, dragons and swords. The time when that chair was made seemed ages ago. A far-off day that now seemed an effort in folly, displaying a power that now fades? Had She abandoned him now? Why was his realm now in peril?
“I cannot have turned Her against me. It was just last year that Her favor was clearly mine. I brought Ornella back, She had granted that. She gave her back to me as a reward for my dedication. So what is happening now? What have I done to find her wrath?”
He considered his own question as he slowly spun his old reaper’s staff with both hands, as its butt-end rested on the rock floor between his feet.
“That is not it!” He loudly beat the floor with the staff. “She is still my master and I have never stopped serving Her. Something else is at work here.”
An earlier thought returned. Does Ornella feel blind service to me as I do to my Master?
“It matters not. She has always been my servant and long before I raised her. Maybe that’s it, that must be it! I was granted Ornella because of this doom. Then, I didn’t know that is was for my need to come. I should have realized that purpose was behind my success at calling for her return. Blind as I’ve been, I can see that now. She is with me now because of Giovanni’s return. Markal too, I must not forget that menace.” Arantir looked across the room to his silent companion.
“The world has been undone. Nothing is as it was.”
His eyes of piercing green light landed on the summoned creature in the hall not far from him.
“Nothing to say to all of this my boney specter? For once I would have liked you to have words to wield instead of battlefield dread. Arantir waved his hand and the room’s light wavered amid rapidly changing shadows that ended in a quick flash of energy...the avatar was gone. “Silly to call on you for advice.”
The necromancer had not summoned the monster to council, he had called him to feel closer to his Master, hoping maybe they would be better united in some strange way, Her favor clear and his doubts dispelled.
“Yes, very silly of me. Rather, very weak of me. Where in Ashan’s shadows is Vladimir? Why will you not tell me?”
Ornella entered the room. Her movements brisk, her aura determined. A couple of her lieutenants followed a few steps behind.
“The army is ready my Lord Arantir but first I must give you the latest reports.”
“Why is it that I doubt it is going to be news I care to hear?”
“Because It is news I did not receive well. Betrayal reeks everywhere.” She had his focused stare directly on her clenched fists.
“There is still no trace of Vlad and we need him now more than ever. Generals that may not ever have been our strong allies or shown you loyalty have still done the unthinkable and sided against you, against us. Reports of “The Alliance” has spread like a well-planned plague. The remaining necromancers have wilted like little flowers in the fires of the battles to the north.”
“No lord remains with us?”
“One does, Zoltan. He is in the tower and getting any artifacts that we can use for our casting powers. By his own initiative he gathers for our needs. I think it best understood that he remains loyal to your Master. He thinks you Her true servant and will not side with the usurpers. I know that he can be trusted. Raven was sneaking out of camp unnoticed by all save Zoltan. He discovered her intent, they briefly exchanged blows and he captured the weakling and imprisoned her in the dungeon. “
“What of the others?”
“Naadir and Kaspar are not to be found so it is clear they have already fled. I saw Orson with a large group of Zombies two days ago but at the time I thought he was just preparing for battle. However, he is now missing too and we must assume he‘s left our camp.”
“They are no surprise. Kaspar and Naadir are winds that blow where they will. I must already appear under the curse of doom, for them to flee and rush to our enemies. Though I am not shaken by the choice of those two, Orson’s weakness is disturbing. He always projected strength and appeared minded in the struggles of lesser bones but no matter, the zombie lord has fled too, so be it. It appears gathering gloom can unnerve even those with un-dead hearts. Enough of the ill news of defection. That picture is clear to me now.
What of the North? Where does Giovanni’s army stand presently?”
“The intruders are about a week away from this spot where we stand, Their line stretches from just south of the small town of Skull-Hill in the west to the trading port of Thief’s Cove.”
Arantir looked up when she mentioned the port, it is one of the two largest towns in the north. Thinking about the other large trading town; “ is Ridgeway yet in our hands?”
“ No, it has fell and is just behind Giovanni’s front-line. Lucretia has been seen there with a band of vampires and they have ceased to advance.”
“Waiting for reinforcements” , Arantir guessed.
“They have taken a very large area of Heresh. They will have left guards to hold several key places. They will have suffered losses in the fighting and with that, their forces are now stretched over a lot of ground. They must be weak at points, but with these tidings, it is not possible for us to attack. We will form up our army in a strong defensive position and we do that right here. This is the best defensive terrain between our forces.”
Arantir knew that fact without looking at the map that he now unfolded on the table. Just as he placed weights on map corners, Zoltan walked in and upon seeing the large scroll, walked straight to the table.
Arantir turned to the large necromancer; “What did you acquire for us ?”
“Several Helms and Wands. I could find no more amulets, seems we’re wearing the only ones we have. I did pick up moon-blade for myself. I feel bone-naked without it. The others, all had the same knowing grins . Anything linked with “moon” was a good omen to Zoltan.
“ I also looked for your special staff but now I see why I could not find it. Arantir’s prized Netherworld Staff leaned into a corner of the huge stone hearth. Yes, I retrieved it earlier, I am hoping for an advantage against Giovanni and that he does not carry one. It occurs to me now that we are fortunate our deserters left in such haste.” Had they been more clever than afraid we could be facing even longer odds.
“I found something else” Vlad began informing again. It was buried under a big pile of cloaks, boots and scrolls.”
Zoltan handed Arantir a very bright shining object. It is the Golden Horseshoe.
“With morale of no matter, against Giovanni anyway, I thought this might give you an advantage. It‘s supposed to be filled with luck.”. Arantir took the artifact. “Thank you, I need luck right now and don’t care if it comes from the world of the living. He held it up; “I did not know we had this either.” “It’s probably been there for ages” added Ornella.
“Back to the map. Here are Giovanni’s forces. Here is the main road north. No doubt they will just march straight south. I doubt they think we can stop them. Ornella, I want your Vampires, zombies an wraiths blocking the passes through these hills. Zoltan, place all of our liches and skeleton archers on this two hills. I want them behind felled trees anything to give them protection on those heights. I will have my own personal wraith-guard and command all of our them in our army to reinforce where needed. We all need to stay in central locations so we can see as much of the battle-field as possible. That will be the best way to regain our fallen numbers. One last thing; we have only one well in this area. I want it moved to a secure central spot at equal distance for us all. Our timing in its use needs to be perfect. “
They all left the chamber to join the army and make their final preparations.
***
Zoltan stood motionless on the center hill and studied the northern horizon. Arantir and Ornella are standing near the center of the army.
“One thing I forgot to ask” “What of Giovanni? Have our spies kept track of his location?”
“No my Lord. We do not know his movements since he captured our fort at Black Root.”
He’s probably with Lucretia at Ridgeway”.
“Doesn’t matter. We’ll know soon enough.”
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evinin
Supreme Hero
Servant of Asha
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posted February 03, 2011 09:56 AM |
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Very interesting, Mark.  I really like your stile of writing.
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LordGodric
Known Hero
The Griffin Rider
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posted February 03, 2011 06:54 PM |
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I still have time to get into this?
looks fantastic!
Me be Wulfstan!
haha! to arms, felow dwavers! show them the wrath of arkath! fight for good ale, long beard and glowing gold! defend the honor of our ale brewers, beard braiders and gold diggers!
ps: i don't promess i'll write very well in english, despite i write pretty well im portuguese i dont think i am that good in english, but i gonna try.
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gnomes2169
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Duke of the Glade
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posted February 03, 2011 07:33 PM |
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Quote:
I still have time to get into this?
looks fantastic!
Me be Wulfstan!
haha! to arms, felow dwavers! show them the wrath of arkath! fight for good ale, long beard and glowing gold! defend the honor of our ale brewers, beard braiders and gold diggers!
ps: i don't promess i'll write very well in english, despite i write pretty well im portuguese i dont think i am that good in english, but i gonna try.
Great  Welcome to the club.
Don't worry about english skills, as long as we can understand you, you're good!
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Yeah in the 18th century, two inventions suggested a method of measurement. One won and the other stayed in America.
-Ghost destroying Fred
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evinin
Supreme Hero
Servant of Asha
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posted February 03, 2011 08:02 PM |
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Edited by evinin at 20:04, 03 Feb 2011.
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Oh, great, we will also have Wulfstan! I'll send the letter later or tomorrow.
Oh, and they are only female characters left... 
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Duncan
Famous Hero
The Pathfinder
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posted February 03, 2011 11:17 PM |
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Quote:
Me be Wulfstan!
Welcome aboard! I'm glad you would take that character. We might need to work together a little bit (as I mentioned Wulfstan in my part), but for the time being let's just wait for your first story.
As to your English, take it easy. Doesn't look like you have problems with it Just a small word of advice if I may, use proper capitalization. Other than that it's okay.
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But now I have come to believe that the whole world is an enigma, a harmless enigma that is made terrible by our own mad attempt to interpret it.
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markkur
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Once upon a time
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posted February 04, 2011 04:25 AM |
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Quote:
I really like your style of writing.
Thank you evinin. I'll share this;
Over the years I have always had trouble with using too much "passive voice". I love "description" and that for a time caused me to be less "direct" than my English teachers wanted. I think I am finally getting the right balance for me.(everyone has to find their own voice) but it took a long time to get here. I signed on for this because I have a long tale already well-started and thought this might sharpen my skills. And...it has. It's almost like being back in school
@LordGodric
Welcome to the Tale and don't worry, you'll do fine. Remember this; <IMO> some rougher english, here and there, could actually project character very well...for a Dwarven Hero
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PeterFarkas
Adventuring Hero
LeBronTosaurus
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posted February 04, 2011 03:21 PM |
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Well, yeah, sometimes I also have hard times putting words like 'manifest' into an Orc hero's thoughts
So, welcome, LordGodric, sit down have some ale and write
And it really seems like women are not popular in games like this one
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evinin
Supreme Hero
Servant of Asha
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posted February 04, 2011 03:35 PM |
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Quote:
And it really seems like women are not popular in games like this one
Indeed . Which is a shame because their letters are truly interesting (especially Isabel's one). If Zehir wasn't my favorite character (alongside with Raelag), I would probably choose her.
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evinin
Supreme Hero
Servant of Asha
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posted February 05, 2011 12:45 AM |
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Quote:
Hmmm... I guess that I could play Isabel, since she is so separated from all the other heroes, but I won't promise that I can get both done in the week... Though writing for Findan is actually becoming easier, so I think that I can do it.
I think that we should wait a little bit longer for participants.
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LordGodric
Known Hero
The Griffin Rider
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posted February 05, 2011 01:13 AM |
bonus applied by Elvin on 14 Feb 2011. |
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So here is... I think it maybe a bit long... maybe i got too excited?
“Damn, who’s tossing papers around? Don’t they know someone can fall?” mumbled Wulfstan, as he took the paper and noticed it was a letter. His head was aching a bit. Maybe he had too much ale last night.
He broke laughing at that idea. It’s impossible having too much ale, at least if you’re a dwarf and your name’s Wulfstan.
The words were dancing and shaking while he tried to read.
Ok, he could have had too much ale.
He left his room and went to the corridor. That was some of the few parts of the capital that wasn’t in the underground. The gentle sunlight entering through the windows embraced him, as he walked to a barrel filled to the top with water. He sunk his head in the water, very loudly. When he took his head from the water, Wulfstan noticed two of the royal guard’s men looking worried to him.
“Everything’s alright, my Lord?” asked one.
“Oh, yay, no worry, fellow” Wulfstan said, returning to his rooms.
“A good king you are
But there was someone better
If the dwarves you don’t leave
You will suffer from the old king
Tolghar will return and you – dethroned
Leave with good or with bad be gone.”
The fateful words hit Wulfstan’s heart as a blacksmith’s hammer hits the incandescent metal.
“Arkath protect me” whispered the king.
What tha heck was that? Could he trust that letter? If so, how could Tolghar return? He was dead! Dead and buried, with his ancestors. Maybe as a undead? No, a undead could never take the throne of Grimhein.
And if that letter was false?
For some reason the king had almost certainty the letter was hot. A cold fear passed through his skin, riveting its claws in the king’s chest. And that was an uncommon thing. Wulfstan could count on his fingers how many times he felt that way. It was never a good sign. The last time he was chosen king.
“Bring me Erling, now”. Wulfstan exited his room roughly, ordering at his guards “I don’t care what he’s doing, or where’s he, I just want him here right now”.
“We’ll get he to yar presence as fast as Arkath’s hammer in havoc” answered the guards, in their shiny armors, running making a relaxing metallic noise, that echoed in the stone corridor.
Erling was, lately, the most wise and trustworthy counselor of the king. Maybe he could help Wulfstan.
“So and what you are going to do now, my Lord? Stay or go?” Said Erling after a long silent. The throne room was the more secure room of the castle. The two dwarves were alone in front of the ancient throne, make in solid stone, covered with runes. Erling combed his beard, white as the featers of the owl on his shoulder.
“By Arkath hammer! I’ll stay, man! No one will ever say I run from a problem, ya know?”
“So, my Lord needs to be alert, these sinister words put more worry and sorrow in my heart than I can speak”.
Wulfstan looked at a image of Arkath, depicted ond the wall behind the throne.
“I’ll be alert, Erling, I’ll defend our people. No dead king will menace our country”
“So be more alert, my Lord, because that letter could mean that the menace is not to our people, but to thou only. And there is nothing more menacing than a dagger in the shadow”
Wulfstan remained in silent a moment.
“Do ya really think the ol’ king was better than me?”
Erling tried to gaze into the king’s eyes, but Wulfstan looked away.
“So, the part that really disturbs you is where it says that there was someone better”
“Be sincere, Erling, and be swift, the truth of the heart is lost if it’s worked by the mind too much”
“You can be too direct, impulsive and explosive, my Lord, but I can swear by Arkath Forge, you’re a good king. I saw it now: you think and worry first about your people than in yourself”
---------
Wulfstan sat on his throne with a sigh. He had a reunion with some clan chiefs. A very unsatisfying reunion. He still had papers to sign, relatories to read, people to speak, and that cursed ominous letter didn’t let he concentrate totally in anything!
One of his guards approached.
“What’s up?” asked Wulfstan “Be swift, man, mind ya?”
“My King, Rutger, tha Knight, brings a message from Lord Duncan”
“Oh, let the man in!”
Rutger entered the stone hall with total respect, and bowed in front of the dwarven king.
“Salutations, oh King of the Stone Halls”
“Cut that, man, you’re friend of Duncan, you’re friend of mine”
“You honor me, King Wulfstan”
“Bah! What my friend Duncan have to say, it’s something about the marriage? Maybe he what some help with Freyda? Did she already put him to sleep in the living room?” Wulfstan laughed at the idea.
“I wish it was something as easy to solve as that” answered Rutger with a sinister tone in his voice.
-------
Wulfstan reunited three of his most trusted warlords. If a friend in need call, Wulfstan would ever answer swiftly. If the friend was a human named Duncan, he would be even more swift.
In the clan hall, a round room with a stone table in the center and decorated with the symbols of the clans, Wulfstan summoned this meeting. The four formed an interesting group.
The first was, of course, Erling, the old and kind of mysterious counselor of the king. With his serene look and the owl Trolinga on his shoulder.
The second was Ebba, a famous female dwarven bear rider, about who there was many tales. Most of them were true. She was ferocious and brave. It was said she was raised by bears.
The third was Brand, with his face covered by a red veil, was an obsessive studious of the ancient runes, in a notable lust for power. Years made him a powerful warlord.
“So, ya guys – and lady – are the one I’ll entrust some tasks. Our ally, and my friend, Duncan is having trouble in his borders, and needs help. I will send some troops to assist him. And, I’ll personally lead that troops”
Ebba looked surprised, Brand didn’t show reaction. Erling already knew the king’s plan.
“Erling will take care of the things while I’ll be out here tearing the crap out of the heads of those who dare to menace our allies”
“Ebba, I need you to prepare as many warriors as we can prepare and be ready to depart no later than tomorrow”
“Yes, my king. If that’s yar oders I shall go now. May Arkath bless ya with tha bravery of a houndred bears”
“Yay, go lady. Brand, ya will stay here and be ready to defend this city”
“My Lord expect an attack? Here in our capital?”
“Not a siege, but maybe… I don’t now. Make the guarde be alert, and be alert you self, there are strange things around here these days.”
“Yes, my Lord”
“That’s all, you can go now.”
“Yes, my Lord”
Erling sat on a stone chair.
“Thou looks kind of happy, my Lord”
“Yay, I like tha idea of be outside our frontiers, traveling again. And seeing Duncan is good too”
“But you’re leaving. As the letter said”
Wulfstan started walking around. They stayed in silent, the steps of the king were the only sound that broke that stillness.
“Are you leaving to help a friend, or to flee from the dead king phantom?”
Wulfstan stopped and stared at the old dwarf. If someone else dared to question his courage he would deliver his royal fist in the nose of that person. But Erling could do that without that risk.
“I’m not leaving, ya see? You’ll be tha regent. And tha regent is almost the king. So you’ll be almost me. So I’ll be here, then, in fact I’ll not leave, but stay here”
“I see your point” Said the counselor with a light smile.
“I’ll solve the human’s problems and be right back to smash anyone, dead or not, who try to take tha throne from me”
“Or from, me, if I’m you”
“So, the one who will be right back will be ya?”
“But in fact none of us is actually leaving, so how can we be back, if we are not gone?”
Erling crossed his arms laughing.
“Damn” said Wulfstan laughing too “Yar good with words, ya know”
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evinin
Supreme Hero
Servant of Asha
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posted February 05, 2011 10:15 AM |
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Wonderful, Godric! And your english is good, I don't know why you were so worry. Are you and Duncan working together? (just for info) Anyway, I'm looking forward to your story, too. It's also almost time for the Monday narrative.
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Duncan
Famous Hero
The Pathfinder
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posted February 05, 2011 10:51 AM |
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@Godric: Excellent indeed! I especially like this part:
Quote:
Maybe he what some help with Freyda? Did she already put him to sleep in the living room?
And I was thinking of having Rutger got ambushed if no one plays Wulfstan, lol...
I have yet to come up with my next part... soon...
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But now I have come to believe that the whole world is an enigma, a harmless enigma that is made terrible by our own mad attempt to interpret it.
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markkur
Honorable
Legendary Hero
Once upon a time
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posted February 05, 2011 03:59 PM |
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@Godric
Quote:
“Be sincere, Erling, and be swift, the truth of the heart is lost if it’s worked by the mind too much”
I really like the writing and the message... Muy Bueno
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LordGodric
Known Hero
The Griffin Rider
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posted February 05, 2011 06:41 PM |
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oh, thanks people, very good to know you liked it.
Well i use to write poetry and fictions as a hobby, in my free time, in portuguese of course, and sometime ago i tried to translate one of my texts to english, but the result was very poor... But i got myself suspresed with my own result this time =P of course I see some points that could be better specially descriptioons of the scenary, that my limited vacabulary don't allow me to do as well as i wanted, if i don't want to search the translation in google or in a dictionary...
anyways...
Well, i think it would be good to work togher with duncan, what do you think, duncan?
At least, in some point there should have a dialog between the characters...
I also have to add that I loving the others texts. One I liked specially was gnomes vision of Ossir, a ranger i always imagined as a serious guy.
and I have to congratulate you, evinin, for this excelent idiea!
anyways, I'm waitin for monday ^^
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evinin
Supreme Hero
Servant of Asha
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posted February 05, 2011 08:33 PM |
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Quote:
and I have to congratulate you, evinin, for this excelent idea!
Thank you! I think that it's a good time to thank you also and all of the other participants (special thanks to Mark). You all really made the game great.
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gnomes2169
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Duke of the Glade
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posted February 06, 2011 05:48 AM |
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Great job all!
Also cannot wait for Monday... The one bright spot in my day after I get done with school...
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Yeah in the 18th century, two inventions suggested a method of measurement. One won and the other stayed in America.
-Ghost destroying Fred
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Duncan
Famous Hero
The Pathfinder
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posted February 06, 2011 10:18 AM |
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Edited by Duncan at 12:20, 20 Feb 2011.
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The Dream
Duncan gathered dozens of marksmen from the nearby castle. His second-in-command was Dougal, the archer commander. They both then went to the barrack ahead to reinforce their troops with some squires, but only a pack was available. Not only that, most of those veterans were somewhat out of shape. Perhaps not much activity after peace was the cause. No, that’s not it, Duncan thought. It was the absence of a reliable commander, that’s why. His mind then went to Laszlo, a solid and tough infantry commander whom the Holy Griffin Empire was once used to rely upon, before he turn renegade and joined the red band.
Laszlo. The red band. Two names that all people in the empire were familiar with due to the sufferings they caused. Could it be that what was going on in the southern border now had anything to do with the remnant of the red band? While Duncan was pondering on that thought, Dougal broke silence.
“Only humans in our troops, Sire?”
Duncan realized he couldn’t get Irina as she was needed to patrol the eastern border. But he needed to measure how bad the situation is before he committed more generals into this menace.
“We will rendezvouz with Klaus in south. His army of paladins should help us enough. I’m just wondering why he alone cannot handle this situation.”
Then his mind went on to something else.
“I have difficulty tracking the trace of Queen Freyda,” his tone was in despair, “do you have any suggestions?”
Dougal was feeling empathetic, but he knew nothing about pathfinding. He urged himself to be creative proposing ideas or solutions, but in a failed attempt he replied, “I’m afraid I don’t, my Lord. But I’m sure our Queen knows her way.”
My wish exactly, Duncan sighed. In deep thoughts Duncan was that they all marched in awkward silence to their first stop.
**************************************************
The army camped on a hill above the surrounding terrain, where they could see elsewhere in a distance about several kilometers. They arrived there just before dark, so they could still observe peace in the villages. Everybody shared the same thought that compare to what they saw at that moment, it’s really hard to imagine what was going on in south, and what would happen later should they fail to suppress it. But it was not long until sunset and they needed to rest quickly, for they will continue marching before dawn.
Duncan was busy that night arranging things. He emphasized to Dougal that it was imperative for them to gather as much information as they could before the real action took place. They dispatched two scouts going two different directions: one to the north and one south. The north scout was instructed to return home and wait for the news from Rutger and King Wulfstan, whether the dwarves would help the Unicorn Empire. As soon as the news came he should immediately rejoin the rest. Needless to say he was also to confirm that the royal marriage would be cancelled due to the threatening circumstances. (Duncan was in a hurry when he left that he didn’t have chance to confirm the cancellation himself.) The south scout was sent to bring news to Klaus and assess the situation ahead, so Duncan could come up with suitable plans before they entered the region.
Dougal left the tent when Duncan was still busy with his sword. “Why in all of sudden the weight of the world is on my shoulders now,” he said to himself, painfully. His eyes were heavy, but he couldn’t sleep. He was tired but not physically, rather his mind that needed a break. He continued thinking, “I swear I would not fall asleep until I know something about Freyda…” He couldn’t sleep…
A figure then broke into the tent. Though hidden behind the cloak, one could easily notice that it was a woman. When she revealed herself, Duncan jumped from his place and screamed.
“Freyda! Where have you been!?”
“I’m truly sorry, my dear. I was looking for you before I left but you were not in your room. Yes, it was the letter. I believe you’ve got your hand to it now that you’re also here.”
Puzzled than ever, Duncan bombarded her with lots of questions, “But… you left alone? Without company? Nobody in the kingdom knew where you headed. Those in the castle mentioned nothing about you either. How are you supposed to deal with what’s ahead? And the marriage? Our marriage? Doesn’t it mean anything to you?”
Duncan knew he actually needed not asking the last question. He waited for Freyda’s response, but he saw nothing but glimmering and watery eyes.
“Of course it does, dear,” Freyda finally responded. “But you know I am Queen, and I should always put my people over personal issues.”
“It is our people. I don’t care much about being King, but before or after, they are my people, too. And stop talking about personal issues. The bonding of two people is also the bonding of their problems. Your problems are mine, and likewise, mine are yours. We have to get used to that. You have to get used to that.”
Freyda said nothing back. Duncan thought perhaps she felt guilty after all. Or perhaps there was something else she had not told him. Truth be said, the fact that she left alone still needed explanation.
When the sound of a man approached, Freyda rushed out and said, “I have to go. I’ll meet you in south. Worry not, we’ll see each other again soon.”
Before Duncan was able to say anything, she disappeared into the night. All that left was someone shaking his shoulders. It was Dougal, and he said, “Sire, we have to leave now, as planned.”
Duncan woke up. Damn, that dream!
**************************************************
The band continued their march the following day. They moved very swiftly and were expected to arrive at midnight. Dougal saw an Angel dwelling on their way and Duncan gave him a signal for recruitment. Just before sunset, the south scout returned with some news.
“Tell us, soldier, what news you bring?” Duncan demanded.
“My Lord, I don’t know how to say this… but it’s Laszlo. He’s been rampaging the villages and dwellings nearby the town. Gen. Klaus has been able to hold him from attacking the town, but he’s afraid without reinforcement, the town will soon be crippled and Laszlo will have the upper hand.”
He came back from his grave? Before Duncan could think of anything else, the scout continued.
“General said that if we arrive on time, we would crush him with no trouble. But that’s if Laszlo plays on his own. Rumor has it that he’s also expecting a second wave.”
“Speak clearly, soldier,” Dougal interrupted.
“There’s another force wreaking havoc in Wolf and Raven Duchy led a priest. We still don’t know if they’re working together or separately.”
Duncan was thinking and hoping that his homeland, Stag Duchy, was okay. He’s been long away from home since he moved to the kingdom with Freyda. Too many good people he knew well back home, and to think there’s now harm lurking and potentially bringing misery to them was a much sorrow Duncan could bear. He let Dougal continued interrogating.
“But we have Valeria there, do we not? She has problem turning things down?”
“Yes, Commander. In fact, she’s known missing after several encounters with that priest. She was last seen in Raven Duchy.”
Finally Duncan took over. “You have fulfilled your task well, young man,” he said. “This information you bring is vital for our next action. Now we have to move faster to help Klaus dealing with Laszlo, and we will deal with the other duchies later on.”
“That is provided our army is big enough for those upcoming many battles,” Dougal rhetorically commented.
“In such a case, we would depend on our good friend, King Wulfstan, and his dwarven army. Let’s wait for the good news from Rutger.”
One thing could not escape Duncan’s mind since the beginning of the events, so he asked the scout again.
“Any news about Queen Freyda?”
“No, my Lord. None about the Queen.”
We are about to arrive, and no news about Freyda yet. The nightmare seems not wanting to go away. As Duncan thought of that, he paced his steed faster as an exemplary act he wished the others to follow.
____________
But now I have come to believe that the whole world is an enigma, a harmless enigma that is made terrible by our own mad attempt to interpret it.
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