Deserted

Carvings of the Galaxy

Well, I guess I know a quick out for any Sci-Fi game... antimatter aliens.

Humans "Greetings from earth, we have a custom of grasping appendages as a sign of friendship."

Aliens "We too hold this custom. Allow us to partake in such a cultural exchange in peace."

*Kaboom!!!!*

People on both sides "Dude! They just blew up or diplomats! Oh, no they didn't, let's kill 'em all!"

Carvings of the Galaxy

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Echo Montegawitz

---

There was really very little threat to Tahlia as she consumed who-knows-what. Most threats in food came from pathogens contained in poorly prepared or foreign raw foods. Beyond that protein was protein, carbohydrates were carbohydrates, fats were fats, sugars were sugars, and fibers were pretty much everything that the body had no clue what to do with. Now, mind you, don’t just go out devouring your way through the countryside. Berries and seeds were not uncommon to be poisonous, containing chemicals to drive the wrong type of animals off (such as insects or bears) some roots were toxic as well making sure that critters didn’t munch on them, and likewise some leaves held those exact same defensive mechanisms. However, on the local level these would be sure to have an affect to the bodies of those who could eat them without the troublesome poisoning. Such as caffeine, it was toxic to a brain the size of a pinhead, cocaine was dangerous to medium sized animals. However, while bigger and more muscular, these aliens were relatively the same size as a human. One thing could be sure, bio-chemistry was the same. There was no substitute for carbon for cracking and bonding, and alien or human cells had to all function off of that same principal. Water was another absolute, there was no other chemical or combination of chemicals that could substitute it. Without water the delicate work within a cell could simply not function. Not only did it function as an insulator as well as a conductor, a cleanser as well as a solution, it could also range in PH from one end of the spectrum to the other. Water was water was water, and life could simply not function on the atomic level without it.

The most real threat was that the bread was infused with vitamins that were not something that earth used. This would likely be caused by the use of a vitamin that was common on one world wile being totally foreign on another. While plants and animals had a great deal of vitamins, they were distributed and diluted. Most vitamin supplements were highly concentrated in order to compensate for a body's inability to absorb them without the other needed support structures of a natural infusing of the molicules. Such an overdose could be dangerous.

There was also one theoretical possibility that was quite a real danger if not coming across as complete fiction. It had inadvertently been resolved without anybody even noticing it. The bread, the ship, the aliens, they could all have been made of antimatter. While the name held some level of magical mojo to it as though it was some mystical imperceptible sparkles, antimatter was a substance just like any other substance and was completely undetectable due to the fact that it was simply matter spinning in an opposite direction. There was not really anything mystical about it. In fact, it was theorized that entire planet's, entire civilizations, entire galaxies were made of the stuff. The only reason it was so rare on Earth was because everything was already spinning one direction, and it took a great deal of energy to get it to turn around. Such matter would seem harmless until it came in contact with normal matter that was its counter. The two particles would annihilate each-other upon contact... and none too gently either. However, due to the fact the two ships and inhabitants were not rapidly boiling away into nothing but a massive bath of radiation, we can assume that was not the case.

At any rate, Echo didn’t care. She simply slumped in a corner of the cell wishing that there was something to sit or lounge on. Her head had been stuffed so full that her stomach didn’t even notice its own vacancy. She had plenty of busy work in her head right now that the lack of chores didn’t really bother her. She though in silence, contemplating twelve things at once. The waiting was actually welcome relief from the insanity of the day.

Carvings of the Galaxy

I could. However, I've been holding myself back so that I'm not always the one that it's like "Okay guys you can go ahead and p..."
"Done!"

Carvings of the Galaxy

Surreal. That was the word for it. Right now the world seemed like a big practical joke, and the walls would open up to show a television crew on a hidden camera show getting a good laugh. Aliens weren’t real, Echo didn’t get arrested by authorities much less hulking alien creatures, people didn’t shoot each other or crush each other's windpipes, and Benji wasn’t some lightsaber wielding ninja, nor could he die. Let us not forget that it wasn’t in the nature of the world to end, people didn’t sleep 100 years even if they were somehow frozen. Heck, people didn't even live 100+ years. It was unbelievable, literally unbelievable. The failure of Echo’s suicide made her doubt the reality even more, she didn’t suffer any freezer burn much less frostbite.
Echo couldn’t help but sputter out a laugh at Owen’s freak out session. And then laugh... and laugh... and laugh. It would have been kind of creepy as though she were losing her mind, but it was an honest and genuine touch of humor that kind of made you wonder if you had missed something in the bleak situation. “Only now, after there is no point in resistance, does our cowardly lion of two years and a day find teeth to bear on entities that question our intentions! And naturally, it would have to be our doctor! Naturally. Doctor, heal thyself! What in could we possibly do to convince our captors of our complete ignorance and indifference toward them, now? Of course! And of course, now there are aliens! How coincidental that the ones who might have functioned as a solution to mankind’s failings only arise almost immediately after our downfall! We hold the irony of the fellow who starved in his bomb-shelter for lack of a can-opener! This is all so fantastically orchestrated for calamity, you might expect to find it on laugh-net!”

Echo shrugged, since her hands were still restrained and slumped back against the wall. She shook her head, her hair dislodged and obstructed her vision. “Not to mention our line-up of misfits that include The Godfather! Director McFarrell, I am going to track down your skeleton and sink it to the bottom of our latrine!”
At any rate, there really wasn’t anything to do until the alien police (if that is what they were) had finished searching the ship and contacting people with real power. It could be hours, even days. There really wasn’t anything more than wait, complain, argue, and wait some more.Let me guess, everyone is going to expect me to be the adult here and dig us out of this situation.

Carvings of the Galaxy

Dude *Thumbs up*

Soturi: Death of a King

Running through the elaborate but untended grounds was difficult in the dark of night. The fight seemed to rage all around, and soon Trent found himself out of sight of Kate. Where in the world had she gone? He frantically looked one way and then another, tossing his hood back to get an unobstructed view. However, out of haggard topiary and bucking and swaying paved paths, there was simply no sign of her.

Suddenly, Trent's hood constricted around his throat as someone grabbed hard and yanked back in an attempt to throw him to the ground. Instead, he stood fast, not even having to adjust his stance. He turned, but not in haste, a Rough Ranger had a good grip of his clothing. Seeing Trent's face it was clear, he was now sure he had properly identified the young man. The fellow might die tonight, but he was not about to abandon his duty.

His enchanted blade swung to remove Trent's head from his body. However, the scalding brilliance of light magic would slice through even the most hardened steel and tear through any form of darkness it might encounter. However, it found it's efforts in vain, as Trent caught the blade with his bare hand. A devious smile crossed Trent's face as he held back an outright laugh at the effort. Then, his other limb came crashing down, and the relic of wars past as well as enchantment after enchantment placed upon it was shattered into a thousand pieces like dried mud.

Shock and fear came only after an utterance, "You broke my glowy, sharp, pointy thingy! I'm mad now!"
It felt great, Trent was not tired or sore, he was thriving off of the fear that wafted from the capital, from Chazwall, from Gravit, even the village just over the hill. At this moment, in this turmoil, when everyone quivered with fear from the monsters that were very real... Trent was indestructible. This was the sort of reign of darkness that Gerud had labored toward for decades, and Lewoada for centuries. This could be the first steps to an undying night, a world of darkness and fear that would never end, and ever fuel the creatures of darkness. Trent was one of them, one of the remaining murders of boogie-men. Now was time for a maniacal laugh, of which Trent obliged.

The power did not freeze his mind though, it always made him see things more clearly. It would have been easy to silence this witness, especially right now. However, violence, at least when provided by a creature such as himself, destroyed the powers he held; and he would need them in order to survive. However, even greater than simply being identified, the greater threat was if this fellow reported a boogie-man was on the loose. That would destroy Kate's trust, that would get rebel, king's men, noble, or peasant, elf, human, gnome, or dwarf on the alert, working together in order to destroy his entire murder. However unlikely the possibility, Trent was not going to allow that to happen, just as he was not going to allow a reign of darkness to occur. Fear had its place, some might say that it was needed. He was a propagator of fear, call it good or evil, but he always thought of it as a service. Courage only exists in the face of fear, and courage was needed for good things as well as bad things to take root... it was the initiator of change.

Trent grabbed hold of the fellow's leather armor, but something didn't seem to make sense as the terrified eyes of the man locked on Trent's. He let the fellow go with a shove. "Gerud?"

The Rough Ranger obscenely melted away like a mix between wax melting and meat rotting away incredibly fast. The tall and slim form of Gerud took its place. "Sloppy, to say the least. Did I not teach you to be invisible whenever danger was present?"

"Gerud! You tried to chop my head off with an enchanted blade! You jester! I’ll have to remember that ‘sharp pointy thingy’ line! Where in the world did you even get an enchanted blade?! Better question, why did you try to chop my head off in the first place?" it was like a practical joke or a hazing at the attempted murder that had just occurred.

Gerud smiled with a sly humor that was quickly brushed aside. "It is important you witness your own ability on a night like this. However, I am disappointed that you were so lacking in discretion. Tell me, what were your plans for the witness?"

An arrow raced past the two, not even a concern. They were invisible now, Gerud would have made sure of it. Not only that, but carnal weapons had proven to be entirely useless against the two of them. "You were the one to teach me to never reveal anything to anyone, especially to you."

Gerud turned and looked Trent in the eye. He was delighted but had some serious work ahead... then again Gerud always had serious work ahead. “The time has arrived, Trent. This night we will secure a reign of darkness. This magnificence we have been gifted with will last indefinitely. The immortality of Lewoada might be well within our reach for once, she is willing to finally teach us the defilement needed. The only variables are ‘how far’ and ‘how long.’ With you as an asset, we could secure the entirety of the nation, and you will find borders a fantastic time-peace.”

“No, Gerud, just enjoy the moment, get your immortality quick while the nation burns, but don’t get greedy! Do NOT set up a reign of darkness! That’s what Lewoada doesn’t understand, we can’t. The harder we push towards that, the more consumed our shadow will be and then there will be no reason for fear once they topple your efforts, then you will starve. One CAUSES the other.”

“Do not confront the inevitable, pup. Your options are but two fold, either fulfill your obligations to this murder, or prove yourself dead weight. However, progress will be made without your consent.”

“I’m calling this one, Gerud, don’t do this or I will be forced to stop you. It will be for your own good.”

“There is a staunch misconception in your argument. I am your superior in both ability and rank. You have yet to teethe, pup. You are a mere apprentice, a dreamwalker. How would you hold your own against a master and a legend? What would you do? Kill me? You would destroy your own efforts with each futile blow. You haven’t even learned how to hold onto your ability while releasing your rage! I have the winning hand, boy. Not only can I kill you myself, I don’t need to. All I need do is expose your location to the King’s men. They will carry out your murder FOR me. Once you are dead, perhaps your little friend would be willing to take your place.” In an instant, Trent lashed out, a shaft of deep indigo lancing from a weapon he sported often while in other people’s dreams. Trent was also suddenly fully revealed to Gerud, garbed in dark crystalline armor that was entangled with roots. Mounted in the center of his breastplate was the symbol of his likeness, an iridescent scarab. Gerud’s arm suddenly slumped dead against his side without sign of blood. No, it wasn’t violence... technically, just simulated violence such as in a dream. However, the effects were much longer lasting. They weren’t permanent, just longer lasting than someone could expect to live. It was really only effective against an opponent who was asleep, which was a habit that most people tried to break.

Gerud flew back, literally, and suspended himself in the air drizzling with confidence. It was a rookie against a master, what could possibly be the outcome?

Trent said nothing, simply charged again. Gerud held up his hand to repel the youth at a whim. However, suddenly noticed that his extra limb that was used to aid in his control was disobediently missing from the equation. His smile slouched into a gaping mouth, and his eyes widened as he narrowly dodged Trent’s wild hail of blows. Gerud, being a boogie-man, was always both asleep and awake at the same time. It was needed so that there was both a front during the day, but enough time and energy in order to study all night long. Gerud had never known a conflict with another boogie-man. He was the sole student (or at least so far as he had known) for his entire life until Lewoada recruited Trent. This sort of conflict was relatively common before the likes of them had been purged hundreds of years ago in a door-to-door search for any form of darkness. Since then, they had to abandon internal conflict simply because there were so few that there wasn't really anybody to have a conflict with. So, in all of his studies, Gerud found himself at a complete blank. Trent had known that the day of conflict would arise. He took this into account when he noticed that his priorities varied so drastically from his two associates. So, he trained on his own as much as he could. In a real fight he would have lost, but in this case, it was loser against complete loser.

Soturi: Death of a King

@RyderTheWriterYou are up for PC, dude.

Soturi: Death of a King

@Birds and Bear Bloodshed in your back yard, dude.

I hope that was a bit unexpected. I was figuring that although outnumbered by rebels in their ranks, the King's-men are the ones better equipped and trained and the odds are heavily in their favor.

Soturi: Death of a King

Kate and Trent

The foxes stole across the fields of Lacramur in the darkness. Darting over hills but mostly sticking to underbrush and low lands and rock outcroppings attempting to be invisible to the night hawks and owls that would dare give away their position. It was two of them, and if you watched carefully from your window, you might see the moonlight quiver as they made their way along. Kate and Trent were the two foxes, speeding along as fast as their tired legs could carry them. The alerted eyes of all creatures of the night looked everywhere, and they were being hunted.

Of course they did not attempt the incognito, Trent was too indifferent on things like that. Besides, the Gnome was stubborn as a cottonwood stump. They could not possibly drag him along while moving quickly. So they used the disguises to make him believe that they were going with Trent's plan only to reverse their strategy shortly after he had vanished. It was not easy going. Every bridge, every road, every perimeter and every wall was waiting for the two to slip up and approach. Everyone, and I mean everyone, was being stopped by guards and asked questions. Trent believed it was because the guard had found the Gnome, but Kate knew it was more than that.

At one point they witnessed some 5000 strong troupe heading to the capital. Completely ignorant of the way the world was twisting around them, the patrols were heavy, but what was not understood is that the sweep was only part of their orders as army after army was moved to key locations for a strike against the Meagher strong-points rooted throughout the land. If they were not subtle or quick enough to strike it would mean civil war... and in the world of a tyrant that was unacceptable.

However, this night, and even with the other pressing needs, a cavalry unit had spied the two fugitives, and now the end was closing in rapidly. Horses dug divots in the grasslands with a quiet clopmity-clomp muffled by the dead of night. The hearts of the fugitives made a louder thump as their ears ached to hear something more than the silence.

At first, they started to run towards a small village in order to hide in the streets, but Trent grabbed Kate's shoulder. Frantically he pointed in about a mile away. There was a black splotch of the landscape where the moonlight refused to go. It was the woods. If there was anywhere to hide, that would be the way to do it. If, that is, they could get there before the cavalry circled in. There were probably 100 mounted Rough Rangers, the elite cavalry that patrolled the wilds. There were 10 in this division, complimented by conscripted rangers and normal cavalry most of which were veterans. They were trained in tracking, archery from horseback, battlefield tactics, and spears. They were renowned for slaughtering fleeing Sotouri and uprooting bandit camps that outnumbered them. Each was well versed in each area they patrolled, knowing shortcuts, the locals, and the wildlife like the back of their hands. And, yes, they were so good at their jobs that they were closing in on Kate and Trent.

Without a word Trent and Kate began picking their way down a valley, only to suddenly notice a silhouette on a hilltop with a demanding perspective just off to their side. Trent pointed the other direction as well to reveal that there was another sentry above them. They pressed against the rock outcropping not daring to breathe much less move. The only thing saving their lives at this point was man's downfall... darkness. There was only black and silver at night. They would have been seen in a second if it was a full moon.

Hooves, more of them. A dozen more horses cut them off in front, blocking off the valley. Not that it mattered even if they tried to make a run for it. It would be a joke to run a mile in comparison to a horse.

Kate could feel the foolishness spark and ignite in Trent. He was about to do something stupid and desperate and probably do it to try to protect her again. However, a gallop broke the silence. Someone whispered to the Rough Ranger on the hilltop. Though the words were soft, the dead silence of the intruded night seemed loud, "Fire in the capital, sir. You can see the glow of the fires on the smoke from Eastridge.”

Perhaps it was their sheer exhaustion, but it didn’t seem that Trent was surprised by the news.

The troops seemed to lose momentum. Horse after horse began collecting atop the hill. Their attuned eyes all turned toward to the messenger. The noose was loosened for the moment.

Trent shoved Kate hard to start racing towards the forest. They would, of course have to pass that manor, but manors meant fields, elaborate grounds, civilization, and no longer be at the disadvantage to the Rough Rangers. People discussed the situation and the news as quietly as possible thinking that they had some sort of say.

Suddenly their momentum came to a halt and the two of them collapsed into each other. One of the cluster on the hilltop was looking their direction, and he would have spied the motion had they not stopped there in the shadow of a short ridge. Nothing but murmurs and their thunderous breath could be heard. They had passed the troupe now, and they were well on their way to the grounds and leaving the horsemen behind. Hours seemed to pass before the rider turned his steed to glance at his associates.

They moved, the hedges were not far now.

“Hai!” The soldier’s voice broke the night. They had been spotted...

With no other options Kate and Trent sprinted towards the grounds as fast as possible. Hooves thundered on the ground and it made each footfall seem humorously short and slow. Even as fast as they could run, the horses could easily quadruple it. In a matter of moments they were overrun.

“Stop in the name of the king!” A horseman demanded.

It didn’t really matter. They weren’t going to stop.

One horseman charged spear ready to strike the fugitives without caring who they might be. No one defies the orders of the king. However, he seemed to dismount in a sloppy mess, and actually collapsed into Trent. Then the truth became known, the rider was now covered in his own blood and rapidly losing life as he fell from his horse.

There came the clash of steel, and a scream of agony. The Rough Rangers were killing each other! Horses raced too and fro some with riders, some without. People struggled in the darkness locked in mortal combat. It was impossible to tell exactly what was going on.

A stray soldier hurried toward the two, screaming orders. “Inside, now! Go!”

He was bleeding profusely from an arm that hung dead at his side, but there was still fight in him as he stood as a rear guard.

“To me kingsmen! To me!” someone shouted from the inky night, his voice disrupted by the jostle of horseback as he rallied his men. However, conflicting cries of salvation from farther away could be heard. Salvation, that is, if they could survive.

“Rebels forever! Down with the tyrant!”

“Free on range! Free in spirit!”

Soturi: Death of a King

@RyderTheWriterSo, any preference on what you want your character to decide on incognito vs. making a run for it? I'm also dumping Blont unless you want to puppet him.