Omni5876

Rise of the Shield Hero - From Another World

Fer agreed with Cole. The veteran adventurer seemed to spend all his ti me at the Inn. One might even say that there was more beer flowing through his veins than blood. This could be due to him loosing so much in his fights on the Arena as a gladiator.

Some could also say that having seen so much death, much of which was caused by his own hands, could lead a man to drink. Being disconnected from the world could be a coping mechanism. The young hero had seen much of that in the camps in his own world. Too many men would seek the solace of alcohol to escape the horrors of war.

Fer himself had contemplated it but his goal of rescuing his brother and sister, Maria gave meaning to his killing. Now, he was thrown into a world that required him to kill. Ironically, it had also given him a tool that was almost incapable of doing so. Perhaps it was for the best. He unconsciously rubbed his bracer. The stone felt warm to the touch as if it fed off his emotions.

A smirk appeared on his face. He looked up suddenly noticing Cole’s surprise in his voice. He looked around to verify that the masked woman had indeed vanished. The shield Hero’s eyes narrowed. These…shadows seemed to be anywhere and keeping an eye on them.

A dark thought crossed his mind. Had they been watching when the trio took on the bandits? If so, would they have come to their aid should the heroes needed them to? Or would they just make sure to retrieve the holy weapons and summon some others?

Fer had known that he was not the first user of the Shield. He wondered if the report he had received regarding the man who had gone on his own and gotten killed was true or if it had been fabricated. It was true that the King was in perilous position. Auriel had explained how Malromarc was a Matriarchy. The fact that a man now held the throne probably has the king in a very perilous position.

The young hero was no stranger to the politics of power. He had seen many shake with one hand while holding a knife with the other. He had been a fool to think that this world was any different. This was not a story like the ones his younger brother used to read with knights and dragons. There was no black and white. There was no clear heroes or villans. Cole was right, there was much for them to know. What they did not know COULD hurt them.

The pair walked together. He noticed many give Cole warm smiles and then either ignore him completely or give him a suspicious and cautious nod. Fer wondered why there was such animosity towards the shield. What would have happened in the past? He needed to not only trust in Auriel to give him data. He would have to dig for it himself.

He turned to Cole. “I have said this, and I will say it again. As long as I draw breath. I shall be your shield. I will follow you. We are a team but judging on the looks and what the two emissaries have said, you being the face of the team is probably for the best.”

When they finally arrived at Marcino’s usual haunt the pair entered. The place was a loud and chaotic as normal. Apparently in this world it was not unusual to be drinking even so early in the day. Marcino greeted them with his usual rough manner. Apparently the bow had some interaction with him. Was this directed by the throne or was the bow hero trying to recruit him too? Either case did not bode well for the small trio.

Fer pursed his lips when Marcino all but refused their request. He could understand why the older man did not want to go with them. Many had hinted that the prey was nowhere near Marcino’s level. The only way to tempt such a man was by offering money. However, that could backfire if the mercenary raised the price so high that they could not pay him.

Fer should have waited for Cole to finish but he could not help it. He raised his voice in a calm and assertive tone. “You are right. This job was given to us. Yet, there is more than one way to skin a cat. We are not asking you to skin it for us. We just need a safety net. No true warrior goes into battle without a back up plan. Only a fool confuses bravery with recklessness. I am sure we have much to learn from you. So we ask only that you assist us.” He looked sideways at Cole to see if he would object then continued. “Of course, you would be compensated. What would be your price?”

Reality's Champions

I know I have been silent but If I may. I believe that the powers issues could be solved in game. Being thrown into other dimensions is a great explanation why my shinobi would at first have trouble even channeling his chakra. At first, the mechanics might back fire or be null for some of my Jutsu until I am able to find balance. The same could be true of other powers except for weapons and such. As we move through the story we can finally use some of our powers or perhaps even find substitutes.

Second, being in an unknown world has its own challenges. Society and its rules are completely different. We will not be OP so we will have to be careful not to upset the order and become targets. Even if we were to kill without discrimination this could have an impact on the story line itself.

Finally, I think that it will be fun to see the dynamic of the group. Establishing a structure is always hard especially for people who may be solo or have differing views. While I do believe that goals and end states are good to think about. I don't see them as completely necessary to move forward.

just my two cents.

Rise of the Shield Hero - From Another World

Just respond. I’m a bit busy. I’ll put something up Sunday hopefully sorry guys

Broken Skies

Arn felt the stare that Tyrhallan shot his way. The mage felt a bit of shame at not disclosing all the information but he knew that if any one, the Knight Captain would understand. The shame increased when the silver haired superior expressed his own apologies. As a person who considered a weapon and nothing more, the mage felt that whomever he entrusted his powers to, could use him in any way. The Captain had done nothing in Arn’s book to warrant an apology. However, the senior mage understood the burden of leadership. Victory is often a price paid in lives. Many did not know this but the reason Arn had refused command was because deep down in inside he was afraid to send people to their deaths. He could barter with his life with no issue, but the thought of even asking someone to die by his command did not sit well with the battle mage. This was the reason he was usually one of the first in the fray, trying to eliminate as many threats to give the rest of the Shooting Stars a higher survival rate.

He wanted to protest the apology but knew that Tyrhallan would hear none of it. Instead, he nodded his acknowledgement that he would be required to rest.

It seemed that the Knight Captain was hell bent on making his face burn with shame as he innocently told Eilis she was in good hands. The sudden realization that his hands were still somewhat firmly attached to the small waist of the young girl made his checks all but flare. He slowly retired his hand to prevent the blind girl from thinking something was wrong and instead turned to Tyrhallan. His side had started to ache again but he did not want to dishonor himself and the captain by showing weakness.

The mage was glad that luck would be in his favor by materializing the same person who was meant to be used as a distraction from the topic that was Eilis and their sudden connection. Distraction or not, Arn had truly been concerned about the fate of the Spider and was glad that except for a broken leg, the younger knight seemed to be in fine spirits. It was refreshing to see the familial banter that the two exchanged. Life was short in the battle field and often, the ties made in such environment were stronger than many. This much was evident in the faces of these battle hardened men who still mourned the loss of a comrade.

Yet war was merciless and often, those far away from the fray made cold calculated decision not having seen their battle brothers die or heard their last breath. Arn had been very successful detaching himself from these ideas. It would be very easy to hate those in power for their careless use of human life. The mage had contented himself in carrying the tags of lost team mates as remembrance and living each battle for what it was. It was also true however, that he did not have the courage to set strong bonds with any one in his own squad. Perhaps these two men lamenting their losses were much braver than he.

Arn’s anger was still stoked when he heard of the decision by those in power to perhaps even dispose of the Knight Captain. Though the decision was not completely unexpected or un heard of, it still brought a stiffening to this body and the balling of his fists. The second he had met Eilis he had started to question such rules and regulations. The senior mage swallowed. Was his connection to Eilis responsible for his sudden surge of feelings and thoughts that spanned more than just daily routine and procedures? The thought made him shudder. His whole life he had lived in a bubble. The danger with letting people into your bubble is that it was likely to be a doorway for other things, good or bad, to come in.

The battle mage’s answer to the request of the Knight Captain was simple. “You have my word, Knight Captain, that I shall not utter a word unless directly authorized by you.” He thought about but what he would say next and continued in the same assertive tone. “If I may be so bold. Your men entrusted you with their lives because of their loyalty to you. They would not regret doing so and would not see their death as a loss. I feel the same way. My current condition is not a result of your failure but a result of my willingness to pay any price to see the mission completed because that is what you entrusted me with. Should you ever require my services again, I would follow you without question.”

Broken Skies

@deia876lat I just read the post. just so you know Arn is not afraid to slapaho lol. Poor Eilis she whishes she was no one of interest as do all who are.

Ill try to post something tomorrow.

Rise of the Shield Hero - From Another World

is it my turn? If it is, my apologies. I was waiting for @Whoami

Broken Skies

Also, me and @deia876lat spat some lore in our talks. I mentioned that the Ship was named after a hero of the war against the Sorcerer King and Dei mentioned another hero who had been instrumental in taking him down. Do you have any guidance on that?

Also, a calendar. If I read the lore correctly, it is about 100 years post cataclysm. so is the dating sequence starting since then i.e. 100PC. Do the months have names? How many days in a month? What are the days of the week named?

Also, the Mage's rank structure. The way I see it, they are kinda like a monastic type of situation. would they have a rank structure similar to Pope>Cardinals>Bishops> etc? I mean, I know that we established their power rating but I was not sure if we had cemented an actual structure. I assume the Archmage is the bid daddy and they have a seat in the King's court.

Is there a Joint Chief possition for the Knights?

Not trying to make it confusing but I was just wondering.

Broken Skies

I dont mind making a new character. I just did not know if you needed them as canon fodder or if they would be permanent. I mean, I can totally flesh out Tobi as new character.

Broken Skies

technically only Arn is out of commission, Leo too I guess. I mean, I could RP the Shooting Stars. Maybe even give you a quick facts about them Or do you want us to have new characters?

Broken Skies

Her words were somewhat of a revelation to him. He had lived with the feeling so long that it had been almost something of a necessity. It had fueled his magic. It had made it that much more destructive. It had earned him a title that was known through out the mage ranks even as high as the Archmage.

Yet not once, had he felt that it was something outside of him. The mage had always felt anger as long as he could remember. It had been cooled by his mother’s loving and gentle nature despite their plight. He had felt powerless which meant he had sought power.

Most mages felt something akin to pleasure when they used magic. The power that flowed through them as they taped into the Aether made them feel invincible. Indeed, the feats they could produce were next to miraculous. This had been a way for him to channel his anger.

More and more he was visited by memories of his past. All the injustices, the torment, the pain and finally, the death of the person most precious to him. All these had incrementally added to the pool of repressed anger. Though it was true that as time passed, his anger became more tempered more focused, it never truly disappeared.

Even his way of acting, of talking were all focused on ensuring that his anger remained intact to be released in a fury of flames that very effectively burned any and all before him. He had power now and only one fate awaited any who stood in his way.

He sighed at the truth in her words. Arn could see it now. His mind’s eye could see how the benefits that his anger posed but he could very well see how it could consume him.

The battle mage would indeed want to turn back the hands of time. He wished he could save his mother from the life she had to lead. If he had been a tenth as powerful as he was now, none would dare harm her. Was this why he was trying to use his power now to prevent any harm to fall on Eilis?

He selfishly appreciated and enjoyed the physical touch. It sent sparks down his spine. It caused hi to feel warm inside, which translated to his touch. The wounded mage was about to protest her trying to get up but he was silenced by the journey of her hand. He could not help but look at her face. Confusion on his own as she finally traced his jaw.

Arn was transfixed. Even if she had not asked him to listen, there was little he could do. Even through Dark Sight eyes, it seemed she could look right into his soul. Who was this girl? Why had she made such an impact in him? It had not been the first time he had been with a girl. With a fame such as his, some junior mages had attempted to make passes at him. He had no interest in any of that.

But Eilis was different. Her words seemed profound and spoke to him on a level that not even the wise instructors of the Cauldron or the Academy had impacted him. His intelligent mind wanted to ask more of this theory. He took a breath to speak but her gentle fingers on his lips stopped any words from coming out.

She wondered why the mage had decided to champion her. He seconded her question in his mind. What was this deep connection he felt to her? Did it had to do with how both of their strong affinities to Gia’s life force? He searched his emotions to make sure he had not developed some feelings but he already knew this could not be it.

Suddenly he remembered to make sure to explain that what he had meant when he told her that she had awakened something in him he thought lost was not a declaration of love. The mage had forgotten the enjoyment of human connection. He did not necessarily felt attraction to her on a lust, or romantic level but more on a link that

As if she had read his thoughts, she spoke of wanting to be knight. His face flushed with embarrassment. Did she believe his vows were nothing more than bravado in an attempt to impress her by seeming like a hero?

His thoughts were interrupted by her attempt at standing up. When Eilis wavered he instinctively held her by the only place that seemed possible, her waist.

As if the world itself was stacking against him, he heard a familiar voice and his head snapped up in time to see the wide grinning face of the silver haired Knight Captain. His eyes also caught the face of poor Tobi that communicated apology and distress and finally wide eyed amazement at the scene before him.

Poor Tobi had been caught unawares as he heard somebody talk behind him. He had too busy gawking at a regular knight he never even heard Tyrhallan’s approach. Turning, his mouth all but flew open. The young man had heard of all the knights of renown but he had most definitely heard of the Sky Baron.
.
All the young mage could do was produce a strangled croak to answer the questions posed to him. He could not even move to stop the Knight Captain from disturbing his senior’s episode. Not that he could have. Though there was not really a rank comparison between mages and knights, respect and deference was still expected. Tobi was merely a apprentice mage. Still, his loyalty towards Arn made him try to block the man’s path to no avail.

He rushed behind him trying to utter a warning or an apology but all he could do was stare at what many considered a celibate or perhaps eunuch Arn holding a young woman by the waist.

The senior mage scowled at Tobi who merely shrugged and pointed with his head towards Tyrhallan as if that explained his inability to stop the man. Arn turned his attention towards the Knight Captain.

“My apologies Knight Captain. You are correct. We should be resting. This is Miss Eilis, a refugee.” He upheld his promise and did not divulge her secret. He did not necessary mean to lie to Tyrhallan knowing him to be an honorable man, but his word mean that the other man would just have to find out on his own.

He continued in an even professional tone. “A doctor that came in to check on us earlier did mention he had berated you regarding my condition and those of others who participated in the mission. My apologies for taking that. A leader’s burden of command is never limited to just the events of the mission.” He bowed his apologies,

Arn turned to Eilis and spoke to her softly. “Miss. Eilis, this is Knight Captain Tyrhallan. It was he who led the assault to save the refugees from the Veimese frigates. Please sit, you have to rest” His hands gently pushed her back into the bed.

He turned to Tyrhallan. “She is unable to see clearly right now” he offered as explanation in the even the Knight Captain would wonder why she did not seem to be able to focus on his position.
“Is Knight Dalmer alright? We got separated when you saved me from my aerial drop.” He quickly changed the subject not wanting Eilis, or what had probably seemed like an amorous scene be the topic of conversation.