Side Quest: An Adventure in Thainden

[Kana]

The leader of the Thainden, has discovered a map to a secret crypt. The way to it is treacherous, and ridden with danger. Of course the King himself cannot take a journey such as this himself, so why not hire the best team of adventurers in Volna?


What will the prize be in the lost catacombs, of the most successful King in Dwarven history? Precious jewels never seen in the vast lands of Volna? Or maybe a secret scroll of the ancient Dwarven knowledge, that in the wrong hands could spell the end of the great nation of Thainden?


The Catacombs of Runzad will have our two heros facing untold danger, and great risks. It will take the skills of a highly trained Shadow Sun Ninja, and a Thief- Acrobat, to withstand the trials that await.


What will become of our heros? Will them make it to the prize at the end of the dungeon? What is the prize? And what untold mysteries will they uncover as they advance further and further in the isolated parts of Thainden?

 

[Dirtbear]

(Poke)

 

[Kana]

"Stupid Axium. Stupid weather. Stupid Life!" Alliana day was going so well. Her horse trotting slowly up the mountain side in search of the entrance of the great Dwarven nation. The sun beaming down viciously on her back. Looking around seeing nothing but rocky cliff sides and bouldered ledges, she sighed as she tried to locate the entrance. 'Why didn't he provide me with a map of some sort? Because her is just a selfish brute!' she screamed in her head frustrated. Halting her horse, she sighed as she surveyed the area for any sign of the allusive entrance.


Not seeing that could resemble an entrance she brought her horse to a trot continuing on to through the mountains, while reflecting on her so-called master's orders.


Earlier that month..........





"So let me get this straight. You want me to travel weeks worth of horseback riding to Thainden, for some stupid king?!", Alliana screeched in a righteous fury. Stomping around the sparingly lit study, her protests falling on deaf ears. "Axium are you even hearing a word I'm saying?!" The man in question continues to ignoring her writing his response to the leader of the Dwarven nation. Alliana opened her mouth to complain once again but then she felt an intense burning sensation on her throat. Her body convulsed as the painful sensation started to spread across her entire body. A choked pant attempted to force its way out of her windpipe, but the mind-numbing pain caused her only be able to cough out in agony. Falling to her knees she grasped her neck trying to wish the pain away.


"I believe my dear you forgot who exactly in charge here. I say you jump. You jump." the scorching heat around her throat amplified as the dark haired wizard slowly sauntered over to her, glaring down at her crumpled form. "You are my slave, and you are mine to do with what I please. Be thankful I did not kill you" Alliana glared up at the condescending sorcerer, wincing as the pain settled, the burning heat withering away. She bowed her head on the floor in defeat trying to hold back the tears of frustration and shame.


"Now you may want to listen to this. It may be the key to your freedom" Axium smirked as the silent girl glanced up in shock wondering if the words were really true. Could she be freed of the man who has been the bane of her existence for the last three years? With her full attention Axium relayed to her her the mission that may give her back her long desired freedom.


Back to present day.........





'This mission requires your set of skills. If you are successful and achieve the reward the leader of Thainden bestows on you. I will return to you your freedom, and release you from the curse that binds you as my servant.' The enchanters' words ringed in her head as her horse trotted through the mountainous region. After a couple minutes of unsuccessful searching her horse comes to a sudden stop, causing her to slam her head against the horse's neck. Clutching her head in pain a string of curse words came streaming out her mouth. "Ugh! You idiotic horse! What the heck!" she hollered as she heard the horse grunted taking a couple steps back."What the h-" the words were lost as she gazed up to see the gleaming entrance of the great trading city Dwarvencourt. She smiles and maneuvered the horse over to the gates. Jumping off her horse she then marched over to the massive metalic stone gates. 'No wonder I couldn't find this gate it, almost fuses with the mountain wall!' She huffed annoyed at the thought as she reached the gates.


"Halt! State your business!" Alliana sighed as she pulled out the Axium's letter and the document with the King's royal seal. "As you can see I am on a mission for the great wizard Axium." she stated as she leaned and shoved the parchments into the guard's face. Grunting the guard searched over the paper, before throwing Alliana a suspicious glare. "Open the gates!" Alliana grinned mockingly at the guards before walking through the colossal gates and into a bustling market.


'Great......how am I going to find my way in this mess?' Alliana groaned in her head and heads out into the buzzing crowd, praying that she will find her way to her mission.

 

[Dirtbear]

The sky was a wonderful blue and there where soft clouds on the horizon. The crags were peculiarly darker this time of the season and it brought a more nostalgic memory to the mountainside. The timber sparingly dotted the face of the mountain and snow was here and there up close to the peak. There was butterflies and birds flying in the air in a trance as the prey tried to avoid the predator. One butterfly was alone and flew off away from one of the Thainfluor, precious lily-like petals with long violet stems, and was evading the interception of a craghawk. The craghawk flew down and whisked the butterfly away with its ferocious wings and the butterfly manged to find it's strength. And as it flew away through the brush and shrubbery around the side of the mountain, the craghawk followed behind closely, anticipation it's meal. The butterfly dove down the cliff side and the wind streaked past, blowing the butterfly off course and higher to toward the peaks. The craghawk saw it's prey in turmoil and finally decided it was time to end the chase. The butterfly fell towards the floor and was groggily making an attempt to get close to a tree with an opening in it's trunk. The craghawk slid it's wings flat against it and dove with precision, coming closer to the butterfly. The talons came out to snatch it and within seconds it would be upon it. Inch by inch the time slowed as the craghawk was hovering over the butterfly with it's talons.....

"A----a----aahhhhhhhhHhhhhhhHhHHH! BAaaaaack FIENDS!" shouted a rough coarse voice.

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Thundering down the path of the mountain was a short, stout man flailing his arms about the place. Arrows streaked by, missing narrowly and piercing wood and stone alike. "I swear by my beard, I'LL END YOOOOUS! Away with yous!" he shouted again as his axe made it's way into the craghawk. Feathers and blood spouted from the bird and his face was covered in it. "GAH! Damn--- ptu ptu --- bird. All in my mouth! GRaaaagh can I get a break!" the short man shouted, shaking the bird off his axe making his way close to the cliff side. The arrows kept coming and shouts from behind increased. The man looked back in his chase and saw them round the corner. Men in furs and women with bows following with ferocity of the silvercats of the north. He yelped and hurried forward, not wanting to become their next meal. He ran away from the main path and stumbled through the shrubbery and dodged arrows and tree trunks. He hardly had time to notice the upcoming cliff that dropped deep off the side of the mountain. Being busy dodging arrows and man eating savages and all that. He was feet away from the cliff side when he emerged from the shrubs and cried out before stopping. He stood inches from the edge and saw the drop and took a deep breath. He looked back and heard they were in the shrubbery and it was only a matter of time. He backed up towards the bushes and paused for a second. 'Here goes---', an arrow bit into his flank, '---yeoww!' he shouted as he dropped out of sight.

The small butterfly emerged from the hole in the tree and flew out. The small orange striped butterfly landed on the Thainfluor it was previously seated on and bathed in the sun. Having lived another day...

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