Lord Zee

The Hero has betrayed us

You have my permission for the arrow grab as I am currently using it in my post. Just be aware that it is never a good idea to get close to rogue type, or you might end up without a hand. Or an attempt to cut off your hand that is :D

The Hero has betrayed us

Do the undead even count as sacrifices? I always thought you would need something alive for that type of magic to work.

The Hero has betrayed us

Being thoroughly ignored wasn't knew to Garen, he quite actually liked being ignored. It meant that no one was paying any attention to him, no unwanted eyes where they should be. However, in this instance, Garen was conflicted. On one hand he wanted nothing more then to be talked to or even acknowledged more then just as a tool. The other hand, the one that was dominated by his instincts told him to remain quite and listen, figure out what was going on before acting. That was the greatest mistake a person could do, act without thinking and the consequences of such actions were usually dire.

Garen was not in the mood to think today, his head still slightly hurt from his night of booze. So when Remus revealed himself in the form of the girl that had commanded him earlier, he drew his bow up, prepared to fire at her. He listened to the ex-demon lord talk about the plan, though he felt he was missing out on crucial information, Garen was intelligent enough to figure out that he obviously wanted revenge upon Sven for his untimely death. He did not like where this talk was going in the slightest, talk of power and magic never went well with each other. He had comrades other then Sven who, to his knowledge, joined the bastard in his conquest or died. Those that did join him, craved the same thing that he did- power.

When Remus finished talking, he addressed a Kolonis, a name that seemed familiar but Garen was to busy focusing on what he said, to pay any attention to that. Garen eyed everyone that stood there as they began to talk. A large man, probably human, seemed opposed to the idea and Garen couldn't agree more. A human female summoned a sword to her hand when Remus began to talk, but now, there was a hint of doubt on her face. Then the odd Lizard man spoke, Garen had noticed him before but hadn't really thought anything of it. What he said made Garen think that these people were obviously summoned here for a reason, one that was quickly beginning to look bad.

Garen decided to go against his better judgment and speak aloud for everyone to hear. First he addressed Remus, "Remus, as much as I hate Sven now, he did one good thing before falling and that was killing you. Anything you say can't be believed, your words are poison."

He then turned his gaze to the group as a whole, "Though I don't know what exactly is going on, whatever your planning sounds just stupid. In my experience, the word Cultist isn't one that should be taken lightly, especially if it promises power. Even if you did manage to kill Sven by with voodoo magic, we certainly don't need another tyrant, or the return of an old one."

Garen spit on the ground after finishing, while still looking at the others to gauge their reactions. His bow was still aimed at Remus in the girl's body.

The Hero has betrayed us

The blade cut through the air, making contact with an undead's neck who looked like he had once been a baker. It didn't take much effort to completely slice through the flesh and bone, leaving only a headless corpse on the ground while the head itself rolled out of sight. By now Garen had left a pile of bodies in the street with various limbs strewn about as well. Both of his blades were covered in blackish blood and the smell was absolutely awful, but he continued on while watching the others.

It did not take long for a few glances to come his way. While they talked, he killed without discrimination. He even felt a pang of enjoyment but that quickly got swallowed up in guilt, with a hint of anger. Before long, the inevitable happened, and someone spoke to him. Garen paused, cleaning Dusk off on a corpse's clothes, had he just been called 'Arrow Man?' His furrowed his brows and then saw what the girl had been talking about. Another girl, or young women, he could't really make it out from where he stood but what he did see was that she was running from one undead who was putting on a very poor chase. It was incredibly ridiculous and he felt embarrassed just watching her but he had to help, it was the right thing to do at least.

Without saying anything to the girl sitting on the bench, he turned his body towards the other girl (@Ashevelendar). Garen then took out his bow, notched an arrow and drew back aiming correctly so her pursuer would line up with the shot. Satisfied, the ranger fired the arrow directly into the undead's brain. It fell over with a muffled groan. With any common sense the girl would figure out that she was relatively safe. In the meantime, Garen notched another arrow and began to walk over to the group. He felt uneasy with the demon standing so close to people that resembled humans, so he had his bow out as a precaution.

When he got close enough, the ranger stood attentively and spoke in a gruff voice to anyone who was listening, "What's this then? Or did I miss the memo about the town meeting?"

The Hero has betrayed us

<Snipped quote by Lord Zee>

True enough, though I've found that a high surplus at the beginning can make a reversed effect of actually causing people to drop out from the sheer lack of organization. It's a tricky business.

@ArenaSnow

I do suppose your right, I have seen that happen before. I guess its 50/50 then, either it works or it doesn't.

The Hero has betrayed us

I say the more players the merrier. Sad to say, but you never know who might drop out.

The Hero has betrayed us

<Snipped quote by Lord Zee>

Her only real appearance was hovering near the scene of the final battle, but she took off before the hero could intercept her. It's possible he saw her fleeing the scene, as her robes in such a context would be somewhat distinctive and fully activated; but it would have been a glancing visual more than anything else, perhaps deja vu.

@ArenaSnow

That's what I had been wondering from what you have said about her, thanks!

The Hero has betrayed us

Arrrrgggg!!! I can't hold it back!

@Lord Zee Have these people failed their city? (Reference)

@Cuccoruler

They certainly did. I have to admit I've heard of that show, but never watched it.

<Snipped quote by Lord Zee>

Given Kolonis's close association with the inner workings of the Demon Lord's plans and her primary focus having been to take the hero down, she'll probably be aware.

@ArenaSnow

Now would Garen recognize her?

<Snipped quote by Lord Zee>

Given that Astiroth was actually there laying in defeat trying to get up when he watched the hero kill the demon lord. He will. If you want, we could say they helped each other escape, thanked each other and went their separate ways.

@BKburke

Thanks, but no thanks. Its a good idea, don't get me wrong but I kinda like what I have far Garen. Though I do have to say, he'd probably only know your demonic form right? Since you are disguised as a human after all.

The Hero has betrayed us

A loud moan startled Garen from his slumber and he he shot up with sword in hand, only to find himself alone in the ruined tavern. Daylight beamed down through several holes in the ceiling, making the place uncomfortably bright. He set his sword on the counter and closed his eyes, letting a fresh breath of air into his lungs. Then exhaled slowly, trying to regain some composure and a semblance of clarity. The ranger had been on edge ever since, well... ever since Sven turned on the world. He stopped caring about how many days had passed awhile ago. It was all irrelevant to him, time that was. There wasn't enough in the world to fix the mistakes that had caused all of this blatant destruction. He mindlessly grabbed the closest bottle next to him and put it to his lips, but it was empty, just like all the other bottles on the counter. He opened his eyes, looked at it in thought, before tossing the bottle behind his back. The glass shattered against the wood, and he heard another moan from outside.

He didn't really know what this town was called, only that it was in the Tyrant's path and subjugated to the same fate as all the others. Arriving late seemed to be the only thing he was good at anymore, not like he could have helped any of these people even if he had arrived before Sven. He was too powerful, and now had an army at his back, the same creatures he had once sworn to destroy. Funny how things tend to happen like that, once you get a taste for power, it all goes downhill from that moment. He shifted his weight on his bar stool of a bed, and it broke from underneath him suddenly, sending Garen onto his back.

With what little pain he felt, he let out a long sigh and stared up at the ceiling with his arms outstretched. He could just imagine what the denizens of the tavern would think of him, 'One of those elves again.' He chuckled softly for a moment, then went back to a blank expression. There was no more people in the tavern, or the town, it seemed pointless to laugh at a dead people. Another moan broke his silence. Well, they were still out there, just not alive. The thought of necromancy made his stomach churn. Where had Sven even learned any of that? It didn't really matter Garen thought, he just did now. More moans could be heard from outside, so he thought it was probably time to find out what all of the fuss was about.

He got up slowly, using the counter as something to lean on. He was still slightly tipsy from last night, not to mention sore from sleeping and old wounds that were still healing. Some would take longer then others. His bow, for the life of him, was all the way at the end of the counter with his quiver. He put them both on without much fuss then grabbed his swords. He looked them over carefully, they were perhaps his greatest treasures. Dusk was his sword touched by darkness, slightly black in color and very handy in a fight against a creature of the light, while Dawn was his sword blessed by the light. Slightly white in color, it had helped him bring down many a demon and other corrupted creatures. How he had got them was quite the tale but it only pained him to think about it, those were better times. He sheathed both of them, before creeping up to one of the broken windows to take a peak outside.

At first he only saw undead, and a lot of them, all on a beeline somewhere deeper into town. Looking back they way they were coming from made him rub his eyes. He wasn't still sleeping was he? Opening them again, he saw the same thing, or should he say people. In the distance he saw the most peculiar group of people, just gathered around, probably talking to one another. More alarming was the unmistakable form of a demon looming above them, spear in hand. He couldn't really make out the others in great detail from where he glanced at them and because he really didn't have anything better to do, he walked over to the door to gain a better look at these newcomers. He had thought that towns destroyed by the Tyrant were pretty much places of taboo, or only as painful reminders of what was coming. So this very much intrigued him, as he covered his face and pulled his hood up.

He grabbed the door knob, only to have the door itself fall outwards into the street. He frowned, tossing the knob to the side he stepped out into the middle of the undead. Which in hindsight, probably wasn't very smart but he was Garen "The Arrow" Trask, and he found that adrenaline made for the best cure for a hangover. Not really wanting to waste arrows, he unsheathed his swords and began to make quick work of the former townsfolk. He tried not to think that these people were once normal, even alive just like him. No, he told himself that they were dead now and without much choice, he believed it. For the others down the street, they would soon see him without mercy, putting down the dead that barely fought back. It wasn't the best of introductions, but he didn't really plan to talk while there was work that was needed to be done.

The Hero has betrayed us

Garen "The Arrow" Trask

Age: 36

Gender: Male

Race: Elven

Personality: More of a bitter individual due to the recent times. With the world in certain peril, he's not very optimistic about the future anymore. At times, he can be nice but mostly cold.

Alignment: Chaotic Good

Class: Ranger

Equipment/powers: Being the good ranger that he is, he couldn't go anywhere without his trusty bow and other weapons hes picked up on his adventures. It's in his nature to be equipped for survival.
He carries;
Etched Mahogany Bow
Steel arrows in a leather quiver
Two enchanted short swords - one blessed by light and the other touched by darkness. Both deal a respectable amount of damage to beings on the opposite side.
One vial of poison

History: His parents always told him that their home burned down when the Demon Lord came. He and his people were forced to wander in a nomadic fashion for a time, living off the land and keeping each other safe. Garen grew up with the notion that if he made himself the best that he could be, he would be able to find his people a place they could call home again. His father and uncle taught him the ways of the wild, and it took him years of practice to be able to use a bow as an extension of himself. To be able to feel the pull of the string and release with the accuracy of the ancients was a gift passed down generation to generation. His people had their share of hard times, from the occasion demon to humans who wouldn't leave them alone, but they made the best of what they could.

Then one day things changed, and Garen met Sven. His first impressions of the hero were much different then when they would part ways. Here he saw a boy ready to take on the Demon King and bring peace back to the land. It would take time, and a great amount of effort but Garen saw hope for a future free of tyranny and he pledged himself to Heavensward. In the beginning, things were good and he even taught Sven the ways of his people. He did not see Sven as a hero, but as a good friend, something that was even more important to him. Time and time again, Sven and his allies brought down demons, monsters and those who were corrupted and all the while Garen helped to the best of his abilities. He was offered many items of power but only took the two swords that he wields now. He didn't want to look flashy, that was never him and the swords suited his personality. After all the time on the road, Garen began to see a change in Sven. It was subtle, now that he thought about it, Sven's cocky attitude became bigger then himself, playing with his foes before killing them and fading away from the promises in the beginning. Then the fateful day that shattered Garen's hope for a better future finally came.

He was wounded to say the least, and some of his clothes were blackened from soot and fire when he watched with great pride, as Sven killed the Demon King. Finally, after all this time, he could find a home for his people without fear of tyranny. To his horror, Sven sat on the throne and an malicious smile crossed his lips. Garen tried to dissuade him from his course of action, pleaded with him to do the right thing, but the Sven he knew was gone. His 'friend' turned into an even bigger threat then that which he had just killed. Sven asked him in return if he would join him in the new world but Garen stood tall and boldly exclaimed, "No."

Sven smiled, and charged him, blade drawn poised to strike him down. But Garen had anticipated him to attack, and just like that the ranger was gone. It was a fancy bit of magic, he had picked it up in a dungeon in his early days with Sven, never really finding a use for it until now. It allowed the user to teleport to a specific location just once, and Garen had chosen to return to the last place his people had been at. It didn't phase him to see the place empty, they were nomads and probably would be forever now. He fell to his knees realizing that the world was about to become a whole lot worse, for now there was little hope for a better future. Only the certainty of war.