Hellis — Roleplayer Guild

Nieven appeared to have heard of more comrades who Valen could only assume she had thought dead. A part of him wondered if he should follow, there were few enough of his kind that didn't try to kill him after all. He decided against it, as they needed to go check out the boat. If it was gonna be a problem, it was better to not be caught unwares. And so it was that he crept along the shore towards the boat shortly after arriving.

Valen put a hand above his eyes for shade and glared at the ship that lay anchored rather far up the shallow waters. It was an ashlander craft, there was no mistaking it. Which he argued, meant problems. He knew not what his new possible allies and comrades did here, but by the looks of it they weren't on a picknick. He levied his spear and shield back onto his back as he moved alongside his new found comrade in arms. But he kept his distance, not trusting him enough to readily be in weapons reach. He crouched low as he made his way towards the boat., Trying his best to figure out what they were dealing with. It was a sizable vessel and he wondered quietly if it had brought a full crew with it. That would pose a problem if it came down to a fight. He wasn't sure he had enough arrows to put them all down.

As luck would have it, there would be no armed guards coming at them. So , Hargjorn in his endless wisdom began to wade out into the water. Valen, having just come from the sea decided this was divine punishment and sighed. In silence, he moved with Hagjorn and heaved himself up the aft hatch. He hung back, something prickling in the back of his mind. Where was all the crew?

 His eyes snapped up at the sound Hagjorns cry for help and his finger deftly pulled a arrow out of the quiver and onto the bowstring in one smooth movement.A hooded figure was besetting his newfound ally to what purpse Valen did not know. What he did know was that he was not going back on any slave ship, and he would not die here due to folly on his or any others part. With the precision, discipline and for once sober mind of a veteran he knocked the arrow and pulled back. His back straight, his legs finding his balance against the gently rocking of theboat, he let lose his arrow. Aming for the center of the attackers mass he argued that is such a tight space the attacker could not move to avoid. Especially since he was attempting to kill Hargjorn.
 
'Twang' went the snap of the string as one sharp and shiny bodkin arrow sailed towards its target.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj9jkVQS-No

Spring Wind Keep

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Three Days prior, Spring Wind Keep. 
13th Day of the Summer.

The walls of Spring Wind Keep was said to once have been gleaming white. These days the once white stone was cracked and whittled and grey. Where unbroken and flawless facade once had stood like a challenge to invaders, there was now large carvings made by inhuman claws. Where once there was a great oaken gate, there was now a massive iron one, courtesy of the dwarves. Spring Wind, one of the closest rallying points to Nubina, and the furthest you got on the sacred border. Spring Wind where they had lay low a Lich and his massive horde of shambling abominations.

Now the keep was alive with movement. Outside it camped the combined might of the Cardinals Call. The army of mercenaries, displaced knights, zealot paladins and begrudging priests. Lady Ailida Stormsparrow glared down at the seething mass of soldiers and camp women, of peddlers and would be merchants. A voice broke her trough her reverie.

"For there to be merchants this far out and so close to the enemy. Nothing motivates the people of Nual Rahn like the clinking noise of gold" Her brother, Elithan spoke gently as he leaned out over the wall.

"Hopefully,  by the end of this war, traders will traverse this place by foot and horse once more." She responded, brushing a lock errant stray hairs out of her eyes. "The Shield of Ebelia, The Grave Knights. Every Melfic Lord who ever had lands beyond the sacred border. They are all on board.. Even survivors from the before the closing of the gates are answering the call. If father saw us no..."

"If he seen you ride infront this army he would likely start dreaming of a empire." Elithan laughed and put a hand on her shoulders. "Our Father, bless his soul, was not for want of ambition. Never forget that." He said and she nodded solemly. He was many things their father. A hero of Naul Rahn, a stern but loving father, an ambitious and shrewd commander. Their uncle was the politician, yet it was he who had the least desire to expand their influence.

"I will make sure the support runs high and that you are informed of everything that happens here and elsewhere. You have the daunting task to prove to the still cumbersome and cowardly that this will work." He said and she shot him a smirk. That was that spark of confidence that the two seemed to fan into flames within others. The mark of true leaders.

"We will take back what was taken from us all. With fire and with sword." She said, her voice steady as the mountain, as clear as ice. He smiled back with the same confidence as she had shown, he repeated her words.

"With Fire and with sword."

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Greater Cardinal Camp, three days later.

The Camp of Cardinals Call was a massive pit of mud at this point. The rain had begun to fall late last night, and it would seemingly keep that way for a while still. The air is thick and cloying with the smell of soldiers doing their business, of food both spoiled and fine and many other smells you better not think to hard about. There was nothing particularly glamorous about camp life. It was a lot of scuffles, much drinking and worrying. And this was no different.

 But the Duchess army was a different story. Several of the militant orders had a presence. Paladins and Clerics were seemingly drawn to the woman who spoke of crusade rather then war. Who spoke of reclamation rather then vengeance. And her coin drew mercenaries from all over the world. Here were women and men from the Jade Isles, wearing exotic armor, swinging expertly forged swords. There were the Bahmen: 7 foot, bronze skinned men with bows the size of themselves and arrows as large as a mans arm. There were mages, sifting trough tomes and scrolls, and alchemists brewing concoctions and remedies.

  Of course, Duchess was not along in her war. On the other side. In Melfic, The council prepped their armies under various lords. The Operathians had their call to arms heard from each mountain top. The alliance would bring to bare, the entire might of three powerfull kingdoms. And they would need every man.  

The camplife kept churning. Kept grinding as men and women of importance wrote and inscribed, discussed and planned. And then there was the decision made. A courier ran as fast as he could and set off on his horse. Another man ran to speak with the camp heralds, the ones with the horns and the great voices.

Suddenly, said horns sounded all across the camp, picking up from the center and spreading. And then the Bellowing began.

"THE DOUCHESS WILL SPEAK! YOU WILL LISTEN! IT IS TIME! IT IS TIME!"

The Time was here. The Duchess would speak, and they would move.

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Fifth Hour, 15th Day of Summer, Belias Shield Encampment, Greater Cardinal War Camp. 

The  large tent smelled of incense, which spoke volumes of how expensive it had to be becouse most a armby camp of this size smelled was offal, shit and mud. Yet, the tent smelled strongly of the incence. Kneeling on the floor that was made up of a carefully placed straw mat, was several men and women in armor. The Shield of Elbia. Clasping his pendant in both hands, Theowald recited the First Prayer of Elbia. 

"I vow this day to you, so you may guide my path. I owe this day to you, for you have protected me. I will do your bidding, in life and in death, it will be the shield of your people and I will let nothing break me. Elbia vos irnun."

"Elbia vos irnun" The other four knights let out in unison, their conviction like steel in their voice. As they all rose to their feet they turned to await the last of their number currently in camp. A small shrine was put up before him, and its single candle flickered unsteadily from a breeze as the tent flap was opened and a elderly man with only one eye entered. He wore the shield same everyone else present. He had a aura of command about him.

"Chapel Master Atham" Theowald spoke with reverence as he rose to his feet.  "Belia be with you." He touched his hand to his arm, where his shield would have been. The Chapel master touched his shield, which he actually wore on his arm at the moment. His sword was also in his sheath, meaning that the time had come. It was time to march on the enemy.

"The Duchess is making her speech in a few. It is time we link up with the others." The man said with a small nod to the others who silently gestured in greeting. "Today is the day."  He left as quickly as he appeared, to go talk with other commanders no doubt. 

"Yo' nervous lad?" Alexus, a Rahnian of dark complexion spoke. He was almsot as big as Theodor, but had opted for a bigger shield rather then a massive sword like the one Theowald wielded. Alexus was just shy over 50 and only got away with calling the 43 year old lad because he had beaten Theowald many a time while sparring, even at his age.

"Nay o' friend o' mine." Theowald said as he slipped on his shoulder plate and arm protectors. Flexing his arm to see it fit him smoothly, he did the same with his other arm and grieves.

"Ya' sure. You look a lil green to me." On Theos other side stood a woman with a sharp angular face, pale skin and shockingly green eyes.Her red hair was cropped to the extreme. Mathea was a Melfician who only survived becosue she had traveled south for the initiation ritual. Her entire family, down to the remotest known relative was dead. She had been on Melans Tears wall during Perseverance. It showed with the way her red hair had patches of white from stress and the scar that ran across her forehead drove the point home. She was a warrior now. War was what she knew. 

"I blame that on your cooking Lea." He smirked at her as she raised an eyebrow.

 "Aye? IT was ye' 'ho cooked last time Theowald." She shot back with a shrug. Her belt had a very nasty looking warhammer hanging from it. He had seen it used. He would not argue with her.

 "Let us go see what our Commander has to say then, shall we." Theowald deflected the comment as he shouldered the massive blade he wielded with such ferocity on any other day. The three left in a strangely uplifted mood. There was something bewilderingly exhilarating when it came to marching into the Unknown.

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Short Summary:

The Douchess is addressing her troops shortly. Make your way to the center of the cap, there you will find a massive wooden stage of sorts. This is where she will speak. The camp is like a small city worth of tents, stake out your own place and make your way from there.

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Cᴀɴɴɪʙᴀʟɪsᴛɪᴄ Yᴇᴛ Cʟᴀssʏ

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