Genkai

A Dragon's Roar: Beyond the Blood, Beyond the Blight

Kingdom of Ferelden: Somewhere in the south...

Julien did seem sincere in his condolences but Wystellia was ready to move on to more productive topics of conversation. To her knowledge, you couldn't bring back the dead, nor could you change the past. He was right though, the trails and sacrifices you made after you became a Grey Warden weren't spoken out loud. It was only until it was too late, did the consequences and risks finally come into focus. The fact they didn't have long to live, if they made it through the countless battle. But also the fact that they could be targeted by the hordes themselves. These instances of pain and suffering were to be carried and worn around their necks like medals though.

They were meant to be strong fighters and protectors and even if they had regrets about joining, they couldn't turn back now. Wystellia had heard about one who did try to leave, he was hunted down and killed on the spot. She didn't want to die a coward nor a traitor. She kept quiet as they were left to their own thoughts. She looked around and tried to see if she could sense anything approaching them. She could not. Julien asked if they should move on and make the fire or if she was fine with sticking around. "We may as well do it here, we're not going to be staying for long anyway." She told him and walked over to get her staff.

Pointing it near the river, she lit a fire and quickly added some branches and leaves to keep it going on its own. She then drove a stick through her own fish and propped it up near the fire to cook. She'd only bother eating bits of the insides so she found no reason to waste cleaning the outside. If the fire got out hand, it wouldn't be hard to put out, which was part of why she wished to stay in the area. She then walked over and began to drink some of the water, cupping her hands together and crouching beside it. The method wasn't great, like their fishing, but it would do her just fine.

"Once we get going in the right direction," She laughed a little. "we should pick up the pace. I don't want to spend the night out here even if it's likely we will, I want to give us plenty of distance between Ostagar and ourselves." Even though Wystellia wanted to go back and check over the battlefield, it could wait. In fact, it needed to. The mage walked back over to the fire and glanced to the older man, almost wishing he had a solid plan. Of course she was a Grey Warden too and making a plan also fell atop her shoulders. "Maybe when we set up camp tonight," If needed. "we can try making some traps."

Sure she had read books but she knew she wasn't good at trap making. There was no harm in trying though. if they didn't try, they'd be fools. Wystellia rotated her fish and looked at the fire. Even in daylight, it was still a bewitching sight. "Part of me wishes we could just throw fire under the earth and kill the darkspawn." She muttered. "It isn't that easy though and I'm sure dwarves have tried already." She shrugged and stood up. "I doubt they've tried pretending to be one and trying to see where the Archdemon is hiding. If we get desperate enough, let's do that." She joked, though she wasn't sure how close they were to being that desperate.

They had to fight the odds against them, not just the Darkspawn.

Not Everything is Lost

I know you haven't finished your sheets yet so let me know when you're ready to get rolling or if this isn't going to work out. I'm just trying to figure out the active stuff and things that may be on some kind of hiatus before I go back to school.

Death wasn't a dream?

Now that she had been given the green light, Botan quickly saw herself out and went to collect what might be useful to them.

Once she was happy with what she had, better to be safe than sorry in her mind, she was ready to cross over to the Human World. In order to do so, the process could be a little time consuming as well as tiring but Botan knew she couldn't be helpful unless she was a human. Botan had to drink a special brew which wouldn't take effect for at least an hour. During that point, things would be very painful for her but once it was over, the potion had done its job. In order for her to be granted her spirit powers when she wanted to go back, she had to drink another potion which would then allow her to summon her oar, float and whatnot. The blue haired girl was escorted down to the Human World by a co-worker and then she was dropped off near where Yusuke went to school.

Knowing Yusuke, he probably wasn't there or was in the process of making an escape. Botan put on her purple backpack which was filled with her supplies, and went off in search of the lazy teenage boy. As she wandered the sidewalk and looked around, she started to fall in love with the living all over again. Looking at them from afar had been nice but it was entirely different to do so when she was actually among them, able to get up close and hear conversations and feel them brush against her as they walked. The girl had changed into some street clothes, a pair of blue jeans and a green hooded sweatshirt. Under that was a white and black tee shirt. She had on plain sneakers and her hair was up in its usual ponytail.

Botan looked up at the sky and pocketed her hands, not having felt such a chill in many many years. She wondered if it would rain. She hadn't considered the weather when she had packed but she wished she had. Botan saw Yusuke's school up ahead and then saw the boy leaving from it, with a scarf wrapped around his neck. Funny, she would have thought he'd be too stubborn to wear such articles of clothing, even in the middle of winter. She jogged up to him, hoping not to miss him. "Yusuke!" She called out and grabbed onto his shoulder. "You should be in school." Botan lectured as she released him and stood beside him. "Don't tell me you're running off to play hooky when you've got a break coming up." She frowned, not sure why an extra day of goofing off would be so important to the boy.

{ Huh, that's interesting. I'd assume still she's been a Grim Reaper for a good amount of time but mentoring a Detective would be a new endeavor for her. I also made up the process of being able to go over to the human world. )

Surviving the Struggle

Yom @Xeronoia @Orior @sMoKe and @Aphelion the IC is finally up, as are some quests so refer to those. Any questions, just ask here. ^^

Surviving the Struggle

Prologue

The Mauve Warden, a dwarf named Berick Hazentall, scoured the region of Ferelden for the next generation of Wardens. Berick was part of the Warrior Caste and had been a Warden for nearly five decades, taking it upon himself to patrol The Deep Roads during the peace between the last Blight and the one now upon them once again. Berick was given an exemption due to his high standing as a decorated Mauve Warden which allowed him to travel on the surface while maintaining his family's status. When the nightmares began to get worse and he saw visions of dragons attacking the countryside with bloodied shreds of body parts littering the ground, he was determined to increase the numbers of the Wardens.

He also put a notice for the other regions to send help if they could.

In the meantime, Berick Hazentall went across the region to keep an eye out for those who exhibited the strength as well as morals which embodied a defender of the innocent, as well as slayer of the Darkspawn. Having found six Wardens, each unique in their own skills, he took them all back to his kingdom, Fuchsia so they could complete The Joining. The Joining is now a two-part ritual which inclu a Warden's Companion. The first part for the Pokemon is a battle like the Warden's. It's to demonstrate itself in combat against a horde of ten Darkspawn ranging from Hurlocks to Pokemon which had turned into demonic creatures filled with rage. The Companion would need to defend itself and prove that is has the capacity to either outwit the collection, beat them or evade them.

Once that was over, they undergo a two day session which they are chained in place, unable to sleep, starved, exposed to extreme conditions such as injury, cold, heights and other instances to provoke stress. Should the pokemon survive, they are given the blood of a Darkspawn that has been mixed with their Master's blood. This cements the bonding between a Companion and its Master and it fortifies the bond and determination the pokemon shares with the Warden. At the same time, the potential Warden is tasked to go into The Deep Roads to fight Darkspawn head on while under the supervision of a Senior Warden.

After they have slain enough to gather vials of Darkspawn blood, they retreat to the surface and travel to the Lost Tower where their pokemon are undergoing their second test. As they all stand in a circle on top of the tower to remember the fallen Wardens, victims of previous Blights, and those who aided them, the Senior Warden must recite the following:

"Join us, brothers and sisters. Join us in the shadows where we stand vigilant. Join us as we carry the duty that can not be forsworn. And should you perish, know that your sacrifice will not be forgotten. And that one day we shall join you."

The Wardens would then drink the blood they gathered, along with that of their pokemon. While this would only cause a mild reaction from the pokemon, this could be much more harmful to the Wardens. They have a 50% survival rate or become corrupted and die from exposure to the blood. Pokemon, on the other hand won't show signs for a few days. Should both make it a week without showing signs of rejecting the rituals, they will become full fledged Wardens. Both the Master and its Companion will gather with the other select few recite the following oath:

"In war, victory. In peace, vigilance. In death, sacrifice."

Our tale of struggle begins in Redcliffe Village only two weeks after The Joining. The Mauve Warden has left the six newest recruits while he goes to Viridian City to appeal to the King and Queen and ask for more people to help in the fight against the Blight. So far everyone has waved him off but he is determined to continue recruiting and talking about the dangers until his final breath. For now, the six new Wardens and their Companions must decide what to do now. They've been tasked to spread the word of the newest Blight but also to help people in need and to not turn a blind eye or cold shoulder to anyone, no matter their circumstances. Berick Hazentall made sure the six had ample supplies and knew how to contact him if any of them saw the Archdemon. For now, they would have only had dreams with the dragons. Sadly, those dreams were a warning, a view into the future of Ferelden if they didn't act quick enough.

Chapter One: The Beginning of the End

As the six watched the Senior Mauve Warden leave with his Xatu beside him, the sun was slowly climbing above the mountains, finally shedding some light on the humble town. Sasha Estute let out a sigh and removed her glasses. Without them, she could still see but couldn't read anything. She pulled out a cloth from her leather messenger bag and quickly cleaned her glasses. "This place is filthy." She muttered, disapproving of the dust everywhere and lack of real roads or pavement. Of course the only places that put in the time to make a place hospital were those like her hometown of Highever. The silver haired scholar tilted her head back and looked at the glasses in the coy sunlight before putting them back on. Her Onix was behind the group but knew that in such a tight village, it would be better if it stayed out or went underground and just kept an eye on his Master.

Thanks to The Joining, the blood both parties drank made it possible to sense where each other were, but also where gatherings of Darkspawn were as well. But it also meant they knew where the Wardens were, it was indeed a double edged sword. While the woman in lace placed her hands on her hips, Devon raised his arms above his head and stretched. "Man, being back here brings back memories." He said. They had just arrived and Berick Hazentall had shown them around before quickly leaving but Devon felt like he was back home. If his home stole his beloved boots. "Watch your gold, silver and copper coins guys." He warned. "This place is full of sticky fingers. If I ever find out who nicked my boots, I'd offer to buy the guy a drink." He laughed and put his arms behind his head, his fingers lacing together. "Something might slip into said drink, I have sticky fingers myself." Devon chuckled and gave a smirk.

Sasha looked over at the redhead and then at the others, not sure if she approved them getting side-tracked by a petty event. Even so, they needed to figure out what to do. They had been told to warn people of the Blight, fight enemies and help people. It was all a little vague. And while she had read about the Wardens of the past, it was still hard to picture herself someday in a history book doing good deeds and saving the day. Sasha knew the real chance of her making a difference was slim though. Only a few people did good, most others died a painful death with no one even remembering their name, let alone face and cause. "We should probably check the local Request Wall." She told them. "It's something many cities and landmarks set up to list the help people need in the area. It lists the general description and any needed details can be found with the requester." She explained.

A mild growl from Devon's stomach could be heard. They had been traveling from The Kingdom of Fuchsia to the Kingdom of Olivine while trying to shake off the effects of the blood they had to drink during The Joining. He was hungry and tired and couldn't thinking about do anything except getting something to eat. "I think I saw that last time I was here, it was in the Tavern." He said and looked to the others. Since no one seemed to object, the party of six turned and walked back through the village, kicking up small clouds of dust as they walked. They came to a steep hill and Devon pointed to the wooden building built into the mountain above the village. "There it is..." He said darkly. "Watch out. Their ale may be good but it's not worth it when it's served by thieves." He pouted as they kept climbing up. When they finally got to the top and headed inside, they were welcomed by the smell of fresh bread, grilled fish and beer.

The tavern was small and located above it was a inn where people could rent rooms. There was also another inn down in the center of the village but it was newer and cost more. It was near the shops as well as the blacksmith. There were long wooden tables and stools inside and off to the left across from the bar, there was a stone wall with papers nailed to it. The group went over and saw four requests for aid. Devon looked over them and figure the most interesting one was from the blacksmith who needed some things from Granite Cave and the Korcari Wilds. Sasha on the other hand, found her heart set on the chef who wanted to cook with better ingredients. Of course The Mauve Warden had made it clear to not break up into small groups but to stick together if possible. Sasha stepped back and looked around. "Why don't we get something to eat and discuss our options?" She suggested.

"Sounds good to me." Devon said and sat down at the nearest table, bringing his backpack around to his lap so he could quickly check his inventory as it had been four minutes since they entered the tavern and inn and he wanted to make sure no one was targeting his goods again.

Death wasn't a dream?

Thanks. I'd take almost any job really but being miserable at one's job is also a big issue some people have. I've heard plenty of people stuck in desk jobs where they do nothing but sit around. It can be complicated for sure.

Death wasn't a dream?

Driving probably does suck, I wouldn't know personally though. Commuting is hard on everyone, if people get to stay home or in the city to get things done, they are surely winning at life someone. Lucky bastards.

I'm trying to get out, as intimidating as the "real world" is I can't imagine being in school for a long time, it's not worth it. Though getting a PhD is at least some kind of goal to reach for. Hopefully she's still doing something somewhat productive. Of course if time wasn't an issue and grades weren't, I'd be happy to stick around and have fun expanding horizons and stuff. Beyond a B.A though, the effort shouldn't outweigh the reward and it's a tough choice some people need to be sure about bothering with.

Death wasn't a dream?

If I wasn't stuck commuting 1-2 hours a day, I'd happily take more than 3-4 classes and maybe speed things along...but right now it's hard to hit everything on the check list when I have to factor in time spent on a train. I'm happy with my core/major classes but the others seem pointless ad the "fun" ones fill up fast. Either way, I'll be glad when I'm out and clawing for some kind of job *laughs*

Death wasn't a dream?

I should be out of school, but it seems you need 427 specific classes to get a degree/graduate these days. And most are only offered by bad teachers or at 4 AM every other year. :/

Death wasn't a dream?

Glad to hear work isn't holding you hostage. A lot of my partners have gotten busy it seems. I figure if I can help, they'd ask, otherwise I just figure it's a real life issue and try to wait. Of course if I don't hear from people for long periods, I just assume that's that. Glad to hear that's not the case here though. I should have a reply for you tonight or tomorrow. I start school next week so any writing I can do that isn't graded before then, is golden in my book.