Fantasy Champions of Khorin

[Robertaka123]

The land of Khorin, which is similar to the Persian empire of 500BCE, is watched over by a pantheon of gods. These deities are quite powerful, but are not invincible themselves and thus grant the people below them aspects of their power to carry out their goals instead of acting on them personally. These blessed heroes, called champions, are powerful beings that can only keep their status for a short time, and it must be used to complete a task set forth by the god that gave it.


The current group of champions have been summoned to complete a grand quest for the pantheon as a whole, and as far as they are aware the fate of their world rests on them retrieving the lost artifact of Menaphite.

 

[Robertaka123]

All of the Gods and Goddesses could feel it, an ancient power, much older than any of the current generations were around to see, was resurfacing. There was a pull that came soon after, it was the sign that the Gods needed to meet in order to solve the problem facing Khorin.


The gates of the divine mansion blasted open, and the servants within went about preparing for the meeting of the Gods. The servants were merely small balls of power set aside by the original Pantheon when they gave up their invincibility, but that information was lost to all the current Gods except Solomon. As the servants set about a few left the palace to find the remaining Gods and bring them to the Mansion hidden in the sky so that a meeting could be held.


Solomon, knowing what was going on as soon as one of the servants floated by him and gave him a sense of urgency to return to the mansion, threw up his hands in defeat. "Can I get a century of peace around here? That's all I ask for, one century to relax." With a sigh he sat up from his usual resting spot on the cloud and began walking along them towards the mansion, hoping he would not have to wait long for the other gods.

 

[Panacea]

Dage was admiring his collection of skulls on his throne room. The skulls were prizes of old "heroes" that found there way into the underworld to ask Dage for eternal life. He remembered putting those people through challenges that were literally impossible. Just to mess with them. Just to kill them.


He frowned whenever an orb floated in his view. "Of course...." He muttered under his breath. Although he was annoyed, he had to admit to his curiosity. It wasn't everyday that the gods were summoned. Even if it did seem like it...


He groaned and began to follow the orb back to the mansion.

 

[Quark]

• Abisali
• Nergui

• 
  
  
  Along the streets of the city, a young boy with raven coloured hair was running around idly. He had been doing so for the last hour or so, and didn't seem tired at all. Perhaps it was because he looked to be merely 13 or 14 years old, or perhaps he was quite fascinated by the stalls that were laid out in the day. He hadn't been to this city for a while now.
  
  
  "Oh cool," he gasped, his eyes widening in glee when seeing a stall that was selling snake skins. Abisali probably wouldn't use them, but they seemed interesting to look at, especially under the sun. Just as he was about to walk towards there, his body jerked to a stop. He turned, looking around, evidently confused.
  
  
  "Wha..." he murmured as if he was lost. Nobody really gave him a second glance though. What was that rather... odd aura he had felt? Deciding that it would be best to perhaps ask the others, he headed towards a rather quiet alley. It was then that an orb of light had descended towards him. He gave a small nod and smile. "I was going to go anyway." he said as light emitted from his body and his body floated into the air, with wheels below his feet.
  
  
  With the fastest speed he could achieve, Abisali flew away from the city and towards the mansion. "Wonder if the others have arrived," he murmured before pushing himself to go faster, not wanting to be late and missing out on what's important.
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  Within the courtyard were several men lined up. Each had a glaring face towards a small platform in the centre, and their swords were gleaming under the light from the sky. One of them walked up as he drew his sword, his head lowered towards the figure that was kneeling on the platform. It was a woman, with piercing eyes and blood-red hair. Though her hands were bound by coarse rope, her eyes didn't have any fear, as if she was simply observing him.
  
  
  After not seeing sunlight for a few days, Nergui's eyes finally adjusted to the glaring light. Only to have the glare of the sword flash into her face. The man, or rather her executioner had raised up his sword ready to cut her head. So this was what Nadir had decided, just as expected, the woman thought as a small bitter smirk painted across her face.
  
  
  In the next instant, the sword swung down. Suddenly from where she was crouching, she launched herself up like a snake rising from the ground. Her mouth opened while ducking past the sword. The movement was so quick that the executioner had no time, to stop evade from her teeth sinking into his neck. Like a sabertooth tiger closing its jaws on its prey. A strangled cry and the clattering of the sword, there was a small gasp and quickly the other 11 men drew their swords towards the woman who was now standing up, the bottom half of her face full of blood.
  
  
  Not even waiting for the executioner's breath to cease from where he was lying down, Nergui jumped into the air off the platform. She twisted her body in the air, just as the tip of the swords made a red line across her left cheek. Upon descending down, she raised her hands in front, towards the man in front of her. Just as his sword had made contact with the rope and cut a fraction of it, she lifted a leg to kick herself away from another incoming sword.
  
  
  Finding her foot finally on the ground again, Nergui twisted one of her wrists, and the half-cut rope finally was severed. The guards were quick to react as one was soon just one step away. Just like before, she merely took a small side-step as the sword passed near her left ear. Her hand grasped onto his wrist while the other onto his neck to pivot his body towards the left, to be stabbed by another two swords. The man coughed out blood, having his abodmen stabbed by his comrade's weapons and she let go of the meat shield to run past the guards.
  
  
  Not even interested in engaging fighting, with a leap, her hand grasped onto the top of the wall and she hoisted herself up. At the sound of footsteps, she merely turned to them. There was a slight triumphant look in her eyes as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Without even a word, her figure became a mere shadow that had jumped onto the rooftop building nearby.
  
  
  "Quick, we must alert the master! The tiger woman has escaped!"
  
  
  

 

[Field Marshall]

Jin was training in a barren rocky area slicing up boulders with rapid speed. Many cleanly cut rocks lay about the area with Jin in the center holding his katana with his shirt lying on the ground behind him. He looked at another boulder this one 10 yards away, he swung his blade with speed imperceptible to the mortal eye. This created a vacuum of razor sharp wind extending the range of the sword and splitting the boulder in two. He sheathed his blade and then scanned the area around him with his eyes taking in all the remaining rocks. He then did what would look to the mortal eye as his blade blurring and him barely pulling his sword out of its sheath. The remaining boulders then just fell into clean cut pieces.


An orb of light came down from the sky and delivered a message. Jin nodded to the orb and then watched as it flew back up to the sky. Jin made a few hand seals before placing his right palm on the ground expanding a magic circle around with. It flashed a bright gold then he was transported from the field of freshly sliced rocks to the Mansion. "I guess our time has come." Jin commented.

 

[Captain Spooks]

Sadri walked through the main gates of the Divine mansion, both arms were stretched out behind his head. The orb was closely behind him, and it quickly sped up to go into the mansion.


"Been a while since I was last here," the god grinned and he looked to the orb. It gave no response, what a stupid idea to have servants that can't talk. Sadri stopped to come through his har, but he stopped when he sensed some of the other gods approaching.


"Looks like everyone's coming," Sadri grinned as he waited for the others to arrive.

 

[Branden2396]

Vashti walked aimlessly throughout the garden, stopping every once in a while to smell a flower or check a plant. The roses were all in beautiful bloom. A servant walked with her, caring a platter of finger foods which she delicately ate as she walked.


She was so wrapped up in the rose bushes she didn't notice the orb until her servant cleared his throat. She turned her attention over to the orb, reviving the message she nodded with a smile.


With a flick of her wrist she dismissed her servants and then was circled in warm pink light as she was transported to the Mansion.


"Hello everyone." She greeted kindly, seeing she wasn't the first to arrive.

 

[Quark]

• Abisali
• Nergui

• 
  
  
  The orb of light disappeared the moment that he had arrived at the entrance. The fire-wind wheels below his feet disappeared and Abisali landed on the ground. With very light footsteps he ran towards where he felt the presence of two other gods.
  
  
  He found Vashti, the God of Love, and Sadri, the God of Life. Like a relatively hyperactive kid, he raised his hand to wave at the both of them as he approached them both. "Your hair looks nice today, Vashti," he complimented the Goddess before turning to Sadri. "Did you notice the weird, old... power earlier?" he asked. His brother wasn't here, and thus it was most logical for him to ask his counterpart first.
  
  
  @SirArk
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  After running along the rooftops for about several minutes, the red-haired woman stopped to jump off the edge of a building. Her feet landed nimbly onto the side window before landing on the ground. She ignored the stuttering and the gasp of the stranger, who had fallen off their feet when a woman suddenly jumped down in front of them. Nergui listened as she stood up. There were no sounds of the guards coming here yet, but that would only be a matter of time.
  
  
  Her fingers flexed a little before she turned to run into the alley. First, she needed to get weapons. And perhaps a change of attire to hide herself.
  
  
  

 

[Robertaka123]

Solomon smiled as he neared the mansion, seeing that others had already arrived. Within the main room of the mansion was a large meeting table, as the main purpose of this building was to hold meetings between the gods. As he walked around the table, towards the seat opposite the door, he greeted the others. "War yes, hello. Death, good to see you. Life, excellent to meet you. And of course, Love..." When he spoke it seemed forced, clearly showing his distaste of such pleasantries. Upon taking his seat he looks over the group and frowns. "No Order or Nature... We will simply have to make do." He paused for a moment, adjusting his chair. "I'm sure you are all unaware as to why we were summoned here, only knowing it was urgent. From what I have gathered thus far it appears the seal upon the tomb of Menaphite has been broken and a rogue group has begun the process of attempting to claim the items of power that lay within. These people are clearly powerful, as they managed to break a seal that was put in place by the first generation of gods." Taking a breath he leaned back in his chair and awaited a response from the other gods.

 

[Panacea]

Dage was lazily listening to what Solomon had to say. He had always found the intelligence God rather....boring. Always droning on about necessities and such but whenever he mentioned the tomb of Menaphite, his ears perked up. "The seal was broken?" He asked aloud. That would've been some incredible feat.


The seal had been intact for ages, constantly preserving the tomb of valuable and powerful items. No way some mere mortal could've opened it, at least now without some kind of boon from a higher force. Even though the event definitely was a pressing matter, Dage couldn't help but be impressed by it.


He shook his head slowly in amazement before settling back in his seat and placing his elbows on the table. He then rested his chin on his folded hands, awaiting the continuation of the speech.

 

[Branden2396]

"Thank you, Abisali. Lovely to see you again." Her tone." slightly clipped. War was so violent and messy, and while Vashti wasn't agaisnt men fighting over her, was was just so not lovely. She sat silently, listening to the news of the broken seal. Usually such meetings bored her, but this matter seemed pressing and urgent.


She sat forward, clearing her throat she questioned. "What are we to do? We certainly cant let the artifacts get into the wrong hands, let alone have someone unleash Menaphite

 

[Quark]

Abisali:





The rather stiff tone from Vashti didn't go unnoticed by the young God, but he didn't comment on it as he sat down. Before he could wait on a response from Sadri, Solomon was already doing the rollcall again. Sitting in a cross-legged position, he propped his right elbow on his knee and rested his face on the hand. There was a rather distracted look on his face while he fidgeted the hem of his shirt with his free hand, but he certainly heard Solomon's words clearly. Otherwise he wouldn't have suddenly raised his head. "Eh? Was that what it was?" his eyebrows furrowed a little, equally concerned as his brother Dage was.


At Vashti's question, he raised up his hand to speak. "The worst case scenario is that the artifacts are with the wrong people." he said, his voice suddenly more mature than earlier when he was at the markets. "If they could break the seal, it would only be a matter of time before they will come to learn of how to use the artifacts for destructive purposes." He paused for a moment looking between all the other gods. "I'd say, we need to know more about these people before we can decide the best course of actions. Perhaps we might each select a few humans to gather information first?" he suggested, looking over at Solomon and Dage.

 

[Robertaka123]

Solomon listened to the other gods, looking over to Abisali when the god of war suggested getting humans involved. "Are you suggesting that we elect champions?" He thought for a moment before continuing. "Hopefully that will work, seeing as we both down in numbers and power since a threat as powerful as Menaphite was unleashed. Hopefully we can find viable candidates soon, as time is running out before they find the artifacts." As he finished he stood up, scratching his head. "I guess now we begin our search." Solomon walked into another room of the mansion, hoping to get some alone time while searching for a champion. Sitting down on a cushioned stone chair he closed his eyes and began projecting himself downward, towards the capital city of Khorin. The city was very creatively named Khorin as well, but Solomon was too busy to fret over petty things. Glancing at the city he saw a woman running through an alley, her red hair setting her apart from the others. A ways behind her was a group of guards, likely chasing this girl. Focusing on her he was able to get her name, Nergui. Criminals were known to be intelligent and resourceful. The situation was not ideal, but it was something that needed to be rushed and hopefully after observing some more he could use her as his champion.

 

[Quark]

• Abisali
• Nergui

• 
  
  
  The Prince of War gave a short nod at Solomon's rhetorical question. "I'll let you know if I find any good ones!" he called out a Solomon had just quickly excused himself. When the red-haired god had left, he stood up. As much as he wouldn't want to get to "work", it was a pressing matter. Chaos was dreaded but the power that he had sensed seemed to be even more dreadful. He walked over towards Dage. "Brother, how will you be searching? I was wondering, whether those who have sought after your challenges may be worth my tests?" he said.
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  Running around the corner, her figure blurred into nothing but a red and black shadow and disappeared from the eyes of the two guards that were following her. They looked around in alert, their swords gripped tightly. If they did not catch her soon, Nadir the merchant would -
  
  
  There was a sudden shift of air, and one of them whipped up his head, just as the tip of a bread knife sunk into his forehead. There was barely a yell, before the other swiped his sword just above her ducking head, cutting some stray red strands of long hair. Her feet on the earlier stabbed guard, reached past the sword to grab onto his shoulder before flicking her wrist to aim the small stolen knife towards his head. Panting a little, Nergui dropped the body onto the floor, completely unaware that her movements were being seen by someone. Though her face was blank, her eyes showed a hint of rage. If this was Nadir's way of thanking someone, the wealthy merchant would surely pay. She grabbed onto the short sword that was strapped onto the side of the guard, and stood up, slipping into the shadows of the alleyway.
  
  
  

 

[Branden2396]

As Solomon excused himself and the brothers began talking between themselves Vashti stood. "Well this has been a lovely meeting but i have other affairs to attend to." She laughed lightly at her own joke. "I will see you all soon id imagine." Vashti took her leave. She always found mortals puzzling. They dawdle over unnecessary and frivolous items, then again, Vashti reminded herself, she just added a whole new wing to her palace full of mirrors. But as she walked through some downtown pub in Khorin, having abandoned her godly glow and shimmer gown for a more subtle look, she wondered if any of these people would be fit to be her champion.


She soon found a potential candidate. Even from this distance, across the bar, she could feel his heart. Large and strong. He was a handsome man, muscular but not overbearingly so, dark shaggy hair. Vashti was truly surprised that more women and men werent crowded around him, begging for his attention. She sat back and watched his interactions to further understand this man

 

[Panacea]

Dage was deep in thought whenever his brother came over to him, asking questions. He listened before shrugging his shoulders. "Aw, come on, Brother, you know I don't plan anything out that isn't direct combat." He laughed before clearing his throat, his serious look back on his face.


"Those who sought after my challenges are mostly idiots. They're impossible." Dage nodded slowly, his eyes closed, his head still rested on his hands. "But maybe, what you need is an idiot. Someone who is willing to charge into something. Someone who knows that war is an action that will eventually lead to death."


@Quark


Sven sat in a bar, silently staring at the wall in front of him. It was that day. His day of birth. He quickly glanced around at all the beautiful women around him. But they didn't matter. He wanted to be alone. He always wanted to be alone on his birthday.....

 

[Quark]

@Knight Nate