Fantasy Tales of Ristafel

[Darksoul180]

The priest stayed silent for awhile. His face was still frowning towards the Samurai as his new found friends began to leave. The preist was happy that no blood was shed, and no further violence was enforced. Things worked themselves out, as they always did. The priest let out a long and sigh, and began to look around. He closed his book with a loud thwack, and placed it carefully back into his satchel with the rest of his holy scriptures. He knew that he was no longer wanted around, he was attempting to stop a fight, and enforce Crea's will. Although some people just did not want to accept it, and instead wanted to insult the Priest. It was not in Gustav's nature to hold grudges. So he simply began to walk away, as he heard the rest of them talking about an upcoming adventure.


The priest began to walk around the table, and got as close to the Samurai as he could. He purposely pushed pasted him. Then walked up to the bard. He almost interrupting him, looking at him, with a hardy grin. Gustav reached into his tool-belt's pocket and pulled out a small paper, and the rest of his coin. He held out a clenched fist looking at the bard, and pushed the contents of his hand into the chest of the bard. Letting go, for the bard to catch.


"I loved the music dear sir! Please take my hand out as it is the rest of the coinage i have, i believe it to be 5 gold pieces, and also i overhear tales of adventure, the paper is a call sign, simply place it in the sunlight and set it on fire, and it will tell the Goddess Crea where you are, and through that i will find you! Use it if you need a Priest's help in you quest!"





The priest smiled at the group, and started to walk out of the tavern. Attempting to catch up to the Monk and Etherborn.


"Vallen! Ayrenn! Do not leave an old priest behind! I wish to join you!"





He shouted, gently jogging towards them.

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

Ayrenn frowned deeply and opened her mouth to call out to Hadi, but she stopped. Her eyes glanced down to the dirt road for a moment, as if thinking. Kyubi watched Hadi disappear with bored eyes, and than began to look towards Vallen. The golden Etherborn flicked her honeyed gaze up to him as well. She listened to him speak carefully, paying attention to each word. Ayrenn let out a gentle sigh.


"Sometimes people just do not understand... They stick to their own reasoning, instead of listening to someone else's." Ayrenn murmured to him. Her eyes glanced up to his, and she smiled reassuringly. The sound of Gustav's voice startled her.


"Ayrenn! Vallen! Do not leave an old priest behind! I wish to join you!"


He called out while jogging slowly over to them. Ayrenn smiled at him happily.


"Of course! You are welcome to join us!" She exclaimed back, laughing softly.

 

[ComradeSenpai]

Hachi felt nothing underneath his armor as that half-man priest tried to push past him. Instead, he turned to face his companions, ripping apart the half drafted death waiver.


"That was a waste of ink and paper. Still, I won a moral victory, and I think that's probably just as important." he said, nodding to his group. Hachi decided to give them a once over; it was important to know your soldiers' abilities. He had a bookworm with no life experience, a minstrel he could employ as a biological weapon if necessity demanded, and a woman with... he wasn't sure what Emerald could do, but by the gods did she have a great body.


It was no army, but it would do.

 

[Darksoul180]

"Fantastic!"


Gustav let out a loud sigh of relief, happy that his new found friends enjoyed him. He glanced at Kyubi with a smile, and he dug deep into his satchel, and pulled out a little paper with some ancient writing on it as well as a big bright orange.


"I heard someone was in need of some food! And do i have a deal for you!"





The priest began to do something odd, he held the little paper into the wind, and starting murmuring something small to himself. Gustav was humming under his breath, saying a few words to himself, while starting to whistle a small tone. A tone heard near churches of the area. The song was known as the Song of Nature's Redemption. It was a light and romantic tune. After his quick whistling tone was over, the paper blowign in the wind caught fire, but not any ordinary fire, a bright blue and purple fire. He waved it around as it was some sort of magic trick, and then pressed it to the orange. The orange caught fire, and turned into a bright pink color. The priest smiled.


"This was an old trick i picked up from an old druid near the swamp region. It is said to extend the life and heighten the health of any creature of Crea's dream that has eaten it!"


The Priest knelt down, holding the new magical fruit out to the wonderful deer, hoping he would accept his gift.

 

[DergTheDergon]

Vallen smiled faintly back at Ayrenn. "Yes, I suppose that is true... in fact I must admit that I am probably very guilty of the same... thank you for listening, Ayrenn."


Vallen was then startled by a familiar, jolly voice: That of priest Gustav. Vallen waved towards the man in greeting, smiling towards him. 'It would seem he is forgiving of my violent ways... or at least is choosing to overlook them for now.'





Vallen watched curiously as he noticed what the priest was holding in his hands, trying to discern what Gustav was up to. As the paper suddenly caught fire, Vallen saw the yier glowing brilliantly along with the already beautiful flames, and when the spell was finished, the yier radiated strongly from the orange, exuding an air of positive energy the likes of which he'd never felt before. He watched excitedly and curiously both as Gustav offered Kyubi the orange. Being alongside these two very kind souls was lifting Vallen's dampened spirit ever so slightly.

 

[MechaGhoul]

"Aye, you too can live a life aboard t' high seas!" declared the Pressmaster Crawley, as he licked at his lower lip, as he looked up and down at a man who appeared to be a carpenter. Matthew kept his hand against the wall of a local town building, as he stared at the man while intensively observing him. The man just stared at him blankly, appearing somewhat nervous as he saw the man focusing at his torso.


The Pressmaster quickly tapped on his coin-purse at his right side, which was just above his bottle of rum at his hip, and below his Cat of Nine-tails. He quickly grabbed his bottle of rum as he took a swig from it. With a satisfied smirk, he corked the bottle and returned it to his side. "As I was sayin', A well-built man, with t' strength and stamina o' an ox would be quite able at sea. Especially if you be up for scrappin' t' barnacles from t' lower regions." He smirked as he gave a knowing nod, as he licked at his lips.


The carpenter looked terrified as he squeaked something out and just left the area in fear. Matthew H. Crawley took the time to lean around and take a good look at the carpenter as he was leaving. "T' stern looks properly structured and well-maintained. He'll come aft, and if I don't get as many as I like, I'm goin' t' drag him thar by t'hairs decoratin' tha mantle." Matthew had a blissful look of joy on his face, as he thought of dragging a man to the port for service.


Matthew began chuckling as he noticed a group of three, followed by some strange creature. Then again, with all of his time at sea, many land creatures whenever he returned to shore seemed strange. He performed a dramatic flip of his hair he swaggered on towards the group.


Taking a quick glance at Vallen, he smirked as he spoke up. "How's t' prow lad?" Matthew began examining the boy intensely, beaming a rather prominent grin the entire time. He walked around him and the group, as he paused for a good moment when he stood exactly behind Vallen. "Those shores be ripe fer dockin', and I'd very much gladly do t' deed." He chuckled a bit before giving him a quick and firm pat on his posterior. "Ah, jus' as I thought." After that he shook his head as he quickly took a few steps back and walked towards the right side of the group.


"Ah, but I've business t' attend to." He peered at them as he crossed his arms over his chest for a moment, before he pointed at them. "So, you three, have you dreamed about a life at sea?" Matthew found himself drawn back towards the Etherborn Vallen as he waggled his right index finger in a playful manner. "Oh bu' I know tha you lad, yer thrivin' fer a grand venture o'er t' oceans blue." He licked at his teeth, and gave another smirk as he gave a showy bow, "Pressmaster Crawley 'ere ta tell ya o' the service at sea."


"So what be your names?" Matthew quickly inquired.

 

[Darksoul180]

Still hand stretched waiting for the response from Kyubi, the Priest glanced up at their new sea-legged friend. Going on about his dirty deeds, docking a ship, or such. The Priest loved the idea of more friends to make, and his cheery smile never left his face as he looked up at the Pressmaster.


"The Name is Gustav, Priest Gustav of the village on the outskirts of town! Although, may you wait for a more proper greeting and conversation Mr. Crawley? I am currently attempting to befriend this magnificent beast! Only after will i contemplate your offer! Although i will say a life on the seas will not be for me! I have very much of my own business to attend too, and a village and life to return to at the end of whatever path the Goddess Crea has put me on today! Though, the wondrous adventures that it may entail tickle my fancy! Just a moment though!"


The Priest did not want to seem rude or blowing the man off, and he kept his smile on his face, and looked back to Kyubi, waiting for the response of the animal to his now purpleish/pinkish orange.

 

[DergTheDergon]

Vallen watched Kyubi's reaction to the newly-magical fruit he had been offerred. So much so in fact, that he did not notice Matthew's approach until hearing a hearty "How's t' prow lad?" At which Vallen's gaze shifted towards this unfamilliar man who had just given him the strangest greeting he had ever heard, entirely confused as to its meaning until the man rather lewdly made it clear, complete with a firm pat to vallen's 'prow'. Trying to seem far less embarrassed than he truly was, he took a moment to calm himself, then spoke up.


"I am known as Vallen, monk of the Bursting Palm. I am drawn towards adventure and I must say a seaward journey sounds tempting. Though you must understand, I shall only go if my friends here also take interest. Good to meet you, Mr. Crawley." He extended his right arm towards Matthew for a handshake.

 

[MechaGhoul]

Pressmaster Crawley glanced back at the Priest Gustav, as he stroked at his beard. "Gustav ya say?" He idly focused on the strange spawn of a creature that was given the name Kyubi, but he found himself drawn more towards examining the priest himself. He began chuckling as he said he was not interested at a life at sea. He smirked as he moved a few strands of hair, "Oh you'd enjoy a life at sea. You a drinkin' man? We can discuss o'er a mug o' ale."


He smirked as pushed part of his bandana back. "After all..." He gave a knowing and charismatic grin, "t' oceans hold many mesteries and ventures. As many a man can attest." Matthew then glanced back towards Vallen who introduced himself, and mentioned that he held interested in a sea-ward journey. He grinned wider as he licked his lips and began chuckling.


Boisterousily, he reached over with his left hand as he clasped the hand and shook it. "Aye! Now thar's the spirit lad Vallen. No need fer 'Mister', ain't aboard tha ship jus' yet. Still much ta say! Also a drinkin' man? Scuttlebutt 'n business o'er a mug."


He glanced towards Ayrenn for a moment, but he returned his attention back to pair.

 

[Blumenkranz]

"Of course, nice sir! You are the bard here, and I am but a mere consumer of the beautiful songs you and your brothers write. I am sure you will know better than me how to recite speeches!".


Laria opened the book by a page with a bookmarker. It contained a small text written in precious calligraphy titled "Plea for Help". The librarian then timidly handed the open book to the bard with a wide smile in her face, already impatiently awarding the result of the magnificent words of this man.

Plea for Help

​

Ladies and gentlemen of this fine place, allow me to rob you mere minutes of your peaceful rest!


Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Laria, and I am one of the many archivists working at the capital's library. This may not seem like the start of a great tale, but please keep listening!


I am fairly certain everyone here has heard about about Sigmar's legends. A long forgotten king, a great man who sacrificed himself in order to allow Ristafel to flourish.


As the legend goes, many years ago, perpetual winter hit this country. Our farmlands became sterile, our rivers became solid mirrors and the livestock was put to eternal sleep. A terrifying ice age, during which people were fairly certain that Crea had left this world to never return.


But Sigmar the Great suffered just as much as his kingdom did, even if he could have had everything he needed if he wanted so. But that was not the matter, because Sigmar's pain came from his kingdom's. The land was crying, its people dying, and the king could not stand this anymore.


He went on a journey across this world and the dream world. He promised his people that when he came back, this nightmare would be over. His plan? To meet Crea herself, and ask the goddess for help. Not a task many had been able to complete, as not many have left the world of nightmares with enough sanity to narrate their adventures.


But Sigmar succeeded. The king met Crea in person, and pleaded for piety for his kingdom and its people. Crea offered him a pact: Sigmar would become winter itself, and this ice age would become linked to his existence: once he disappeared, so would Ristafel's suffering. The king gladly accepted.


It is said he spent his last days hiding in a hidden tomb inside these mountains, taking that terrible ice age with him. Sigmar's Mausoleum, they call it, but truth is it is a place of no name. The legend says he was buried with his personal guard, the same faithful armor that protected him from thousands of wars, and his legendary sword, Dunhavenim.


But of course, this is only a legend, and many people doubt to this day that Sigmar ever existed. However, I have studied the Elegy of the Dead King throughly for a long time, and I have come to the conclusion that Sigmar, indeed, was a real king, and this legend was true. In fact, I may have been able to pinpoint a narrow area of where his tomb could be located. This area happens to be a few hundreds of meters up in these mountains, which is why I have come here to ask for help.


Dear fellow countrymen, I come here asking for help in this dangerous journey. It is not guaranteed that we will find the tomb, nor that coming back alive is an option, but I offer the little wealth I have for those who accompany me, and if we manage to find it, great riches and fame will come to each one of you. Bards will sing this tale for the ages to come, for we will have revived a lost piece of history.

 

[DrBones]

Beltway pored over the text he was given. Flowery handwriting, prosaic orientation, and Beltway's own partial illiteracy all convened to make reading it as difficult at possible. It took him more than a quarter-hour, but he at least managed to glean some information from it.Sigmar the Great... ice age... meet Crea... winter itself... hidden tomb... legendary sword... great riches and fame... bards will sing for ages to come.


Beltway's grin flickered for a brief moment, a scarcely-noticeable tell of his true feelings of the piece. "M'lady, 'tis quite a piece! Merry, I hath heard of such stories far in the northlands and bugger-all else, and it is unbelievable indeed that the Great King Sigmar wouldst be naught but a fallacious myth! Give me but a moment, and I shall board the stage and offer forth a cry of recruitment. Prithee, a cheer and a hope in thy heart would surely aid my enunciation. 'Twould be the least you could do for such a favor, m'lady!"

 

[The Velveteen Rabbit]

Slowly, the white deer took a single step towards the strange orange. His black tipped nose twitched as he smelled it. The overwhelming fruity scent of the discolored orange made Kyubi's ears flinch with delight. Opening his mouth wide, Kyubi took the fruit away from the priest, and ate it in one bite. He chewed slowly, his mouth moving from side to side. Although he enjoyed it greatly, Kyubi's glowing green eyes showed no sign of it. Ayrenn laughed softly at her companion's reaction, and scratched his head.


The Etherborn became distracted when a man seemed to appear out of nowhere. She blushed slightly in embarrassment at his gesture towards Vallen, and occupied herself with petting Kyubi. Ayrenn turned her attention back to the man when he began introducing himself.


"I'm Ayrenn. It's nice to meet you." Her voice died down to a whisper as Matthew began speaking to Vallen and Gustav. She stood quietly, listening to them speak.


Kyubi began to act a bit strange, and suddenly he was filled with energy. A new energy, like he was a calf again. He nudged up against Ayrenn's stomach lovingly, and flicked his tail from side to side. Ayrenn stifled a laugh by biting her lip.

 

[Xenonia]

Emerald peered over Beltway's shoulder to read the note, then cast a suspicious glance at Laria. There was something... Off about her. Emerald couldn't say for sure, but what she did know was that the girl's Yier aura was much stronger than she expected. Emerald decided against pointing anything out however, considering how rude she felt it would seem. Turning her attention once more to Beltway, Emerald spoke up with an idea. "That priest from before, Gustav, gave you a card to summon him, right? Why not enlist his aid in this endeavor? He seemed more than willing to take any quest he could." She smiled, hoping to sway Beltway to her side. "And besides, if there really is some evil undead king or such, we really need all the help we can get."

 

[DergTheDergon]

Vallen raised an eyebrow at the term 'scuttlebutt n' business', before deciding rather embarrassedly that didn't really want to know what it meant enough to ask. Noticing that Matthew gave Eyrenn little more than a passing glance before ignoring her, he spoke. "I don't drink very often, but I suppose there'd be no harm in taking up your offer... if my friends here are also interested, as I mentioned prior." He gestured towards the two he'd been originally speaking with, particularly more towards Ayrenn, to insinuate that she shouldn't be ignored. He then noticed Kyubi acting much more energetic than before, lovingly nudging his owner. "Astonishing... impressive trick there Gustav." He then glanced between the two of them for their responses.

 

[MechaGhoul]

Matthew just stared at Ayrenn for a moment, as the creature was doing something. "Yeah Ayrenn." He paused for a moment before speaking up, "That thar stag seems t' want t' shag you. Don't seem natural." Matthew reached for his bottle of rum as he uncorked it and took a swig. "Right ain't sure what ta gamble on that." Matthew shook his head as he corked the bottle up and returned it to his side.


He glanced back at Vallen, "Course thar be no harm! I'll buy ya a mug at the local tavern. Ventures of t' sea be most glorious!" He said as he extended out his hands in a grandiose gesture before cackling again.

 

[Darksoul180]

The Priest was happy that Kyubi toke his gift, and he smiled sweetly, and stood back up, and looked at the strange swashbuckler. Gustav thought he was strange, but none the less a friendly character. He started to eye him up, before deciding to respond to the mans previous question.


"Well, a Priest is not normally one to drink, but this Priest has had his fair share of drinks, mixtures of many many varieties on his travels, and i think it would be rude to decline your offer Sir. So, if you are offering a drink, then it shall be my pleasure! Crea did promise me an adventure of sorts, and i believe i have found where i should be today!"


Gustav said this all while bowing to the well traveled adventurer. Then he thought more about such offer, and decided to side with his new friend Vallen.


"Although, i will say i do not wish to go anywhere before consulting more deeply with Ayrenn, i wish for us all to be together on this plight! Also, if you do not mind letting us know what your plan is once we agree to join you on your quest?"

 

[Blumenkranz]

Laria noticed Emerald peeking from behind Beltway's shoulder. At first, she thought the woman was trying to read the paper, but then the librarian realized she was staring directly at her. Perturbed by the gal's glare, Laria decided to avert her eyes towards the bard's face and dedicated him a warm smile.


"Alright sir!", said the archivist as she delicately grabbed her chest with both hands. "I am sure your recitation will be unsurpassable. Please, do your best. I have faith in your glibness!"

 

[DrBones]

Beltway looked at Emerald curiously.


"If I had need of a man of the cloth, my attentions would be elsewhere. However, if m'lady believes such a man would prove useful, I shall use it post-haste."


Beltway turned his attention to Laria, and flicked his nose dismissively while nonchalantly averting his eyes.


"'Tis naught but a favor among friends, my dear lily! After my business with this crude charm is through, I shall make tracks for the stage!"


Beltway ran his thumb along the runed slip of paper Gustav handed to him. It was relatively simple, made of cheap paper and inscribed with cheap inks. With little though put into his actions, he flicked the paper into the tavern's roaring fireplace, and made his way up to the stage.

 

[MechaGhoul]

Matthew wagged his left index finger. "Business'll be discussed o'er t'mug. The tale o'ventures will be most grand, I assure ya." Matthew said with a as he glanced back at the group. "Take a bit o'time if ya wish to think." He noted with a nod as he smirked, and flipped a bit of his hair. "Course if ya ain't wantin' mug o'ale coul' always get some good ol' water. Either way, still on me."

 

[CallSign]

Four walls, a ceiling, and a floor. A door and a window. Heavy cloth covering the window. A bed, recently relieved of its sheets to cover said window. A pile of belongings, topped with armor and an axe with cross embellishments. Two plush bunnies, each missing an ear and leaking stuffing, yet somehow still plump. A dim candle burning in the corner, providing enough light to see it all.


Curled up on the floor, holding her head, lay a badly hungover Dragonkin. She counted all the items in her room for the umpteenth time since she had awoken to this accursed hangover. Last night's drinking had been great fun, but she was unsure that the morning after was worth it - especially not this morning.


Lily had expected the tavern's other patrons to be rowdy come morning, but this? This was absurd. The first song hadn't been painful - pleasant, almost - but the duet made her look at her axe in a way she never had before. However, she had weathered the storm of the madman's shouting, thinking the morning's woes finally over - but she was wrong. Then came the clash of flesh on steel as the samurai was slapped, and other assorted sounds, and the headache flared up again.


Enough is enough, Lily decided. It's time to take the day. And so she threw her pile of belongings into her bag of holding, strapped the bag onto her belt, heaved her axe across her shoulders, and exited her room. Or she would have, if the door was wide enough to let her axe through on its side. She adjusted her position, grumbling, and headed out into the tavern proper to seize the day.

 

[Darksoul180]

A light flashed in Gustav's eye. A message, he looked up towards into the light of the day. He then closed his eyes, and toke a deep breath.


"It seems the call-sign i handed that bard was already burnt. So, either they need my assistance on an adventure, or he carlessly burnt it. either way Crea is assuring me to make my way back! Sir Mathews, I have reason to believe that making our way back to the tavern is in both our intentions. One to discuss your tales over some fine Ales, and then to find out what the bard has burnt the call sign for!"


The Priest turned back to the tavern, motioning his group to follow behind him! The tavern was not very far, and he walked in, looking for the bard once again.


"Hello Sir Bard! I see you have already called upon me?"


The priest announced loudly wile entering the doorway. Paying no mind to the character wielding a large axe. The priest was awaiting a responce, and for his new friends Matthew, Vallen, Ayrenn, and Kyubi to file in behind him.

 

[DrBones]

"Indeed I have! I hath called you here, for but one reason: I need more of those slips. Methinks rewriting them to call a different person is a feasible task, and so I shall enlist your aid! Oh, and one of the fine ladies that thug behind you attempted to seduce has need of your services. Methinks she is in need of certain ministrations that I dare not inquire about!"


With a knowing wink and a nod, Beltway clambered up onto the stage. He looked at the crowd around him, seeing little of interest. Hm, he thought, I do not see much of worth. Perhaps one or two of these simple folk has enough reason to flee their homes to join us, but not more than a couple.


Beltway cleared his throat, and called for the attention of the various bar patrons.


"Ahem! Hear ye, assorted barfellows and farmhands! A fair scholar from far off yonder hath come to thine fair community in search of aid! Many years ago, our great goddess saw fit to plunge the world into ice! Stories tell of a great king whose bravery and power enabled him to beseech Crea herself... Sigmar, Great King of the Elder Cities! Yea, Crea did end her reign of ice... damning Sigmar to the same fate! Our fair scholar has traced the location of the Great King's last resting place... and his treasures amongst his bones!"





"Priceless riches hath been lost to his tomb... weapons of power unbidden... glittering gems weighing of five-stone and higher... ancient knowledge long-ago lost to human eyes! All these and more could be found... with thine help! If thou art mesmerized by mine promises, seek the purple-haired scholar within this very tavern's walls! Thou art expected to provide thine own provisions and equipment. Speak now, and be recorded in the annals of history!"

 

[ComradeSenpai]

Hachi stared at Beltway, who gave a fancier, better sounding version of what Laria just said. Hachi had already signed up for it, but he felt that, as an integral member of the team, he should contribute in some manner, and get the crowd fired up.


"ORRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA" The samurai drew his sword, and thrust it into the air as he gave a thunderous war cry.

 

[MechaGhoul]

Matthew chuckled a bit as he smirked. Good, everything was going as it should be. That one decided going to the tavern was best, which it was. After all, taverns were always good places to discuss the life at sea. Pressmaster Crawley swaggered on back to the tavern as he glanced back towards Averynn and Vallen, "Come on, come on."


He pushed open the bar-doors as he saw a performer take the tavern stage. Matthew began eying him up and down. He gave a smile as his eyes were glancing back down at Beltway. Matthew kicked his right leg back as he rested it against the wall, "Mugs'll wait fer now." He noted, as his eyes focused back onto the performer.


Matthew clapped a bit as the bard spoke of adventure. He raised his right hand into the air and cackled, "Is he as good with t' tongue as you are?!" Matthew said as his eyes glimmered as he licked his lips. "T' seas will look fondly on this day."

 

[CallSign]

Lily's mind may have been clouded by her hangover, but she knew a call to action when she heard one. It sounded like a great undertaking was being prepared, and great undertakings required great parties. Lily didn't know about the others gathered, but she knew she had a great axe, which qualified her to be a member of a great party. She began to step up to volunteer her services, when suddenly the samurai screamed, inflaming her headache.


Oh, it's on. Lily approached the samurai silently, axe ready in her hands. She slid her grip higher on the pole, then swiftly swung the bladeless end at the back of the loudmouth's knees.