Fantasy The Art of War

[Icerex]

"I need only a cohort of brave men, and I shall Unmake the world"

-Field Marshal Asier Irlian, 924, 2nd Era

Wars are won by nations, battles are won by individuals........

In the year 1242, the world was in chaos. Armies marched the face of the globe, destroying all in their path. Cities burned and nations perished in the fires of war. So many souls where lost in the slaughter that the gods themselves awoke and took notice, fearing that none would be left alive if the destruction was not halted. Speaking among themselves, they concluded that the nations of the earth where to be sundered, until none where left mightier then their brethren, unable to grow too strong and once again threaten the balance of the world. In order to accomplish this, the gods turned to Banath, god of tricksters, thieves and lairs, as well as one of the only gods to take an active role in the affairs of men. They gave permission allowing Banath to use his power and upset the current events of the world, stopping the chaos. Banath agreed, and being ever so devious, saw this as an opportunity to entrench his own ethereal designs upon the mortal world, unbeknownst of the other gods. Descending to the world of Arda, Banath visited the turning points of the world, places where huge events where to be decided by minuscule actions. At each of these places, he gave a slight "nudge," tipping the ordained action in favor of the gods design.......

​

 

[Icerex]

(Map is up, let the rp'ing begin)








Isca, Helcar:


Marcus~


Marcus adjusted his pack, tossing down a few coins to pay for his drink as he left the bar. He blinked as he stepped out into the bright noonday sun, pulling down the hood of his cloak to shield his eyes. He set his halberd to his shoulder and started off down the busy street, his large frame creating a clear area around him as people stepped out of his way.

 

[Shadow]

Ilithian Confederacy:


Elora adjusted her cloak around her shoulders and headed outside. She turned back to look at the shop she had just left. She shrugged her shoulders uncomfortably at the new weight in her pack. At least everything she bought should come in handy. She waded through the crowd, trying to ignore the annoying pushy people.

 

[Anakin]

Kal shivered. It was cold in her house. She closed her eyes, feeling her long lashes brush against her protruding cheekbones. She'd been getting skinnier lately. There was certainly a lack of food for her as of late. Sighing, she pulled her cloak around her skinny shoulders, slipping slender feet into well worn leather boots. Pulling her door open, she stepped into the open, fingers gently touching her thigh where several daggers hid beneath the folds of her unassuming clothing.


Sighing, she looked around hesitantly, happy her eyes met with no one she knew.

 

[Soviet Panda]

Scen looked at the empty road that streched agead of him. Turning around, he looks at the empty road the reaches behind. How long has he been on this road? He picked it at random and decided to follow it, figuring 'What's the worst that could happen?' Boredome, that's what. Oh, he stopped at a town every now and again to resupply, but he was expecting bandits and bears the size of small cottages, at least an exitically colored bird. But no, everyone steered clear if him. The bears were of depressingly normal size, and all the birds remains a rather boring shade of brown. And all he could do, was follow that road.

 

[Icerex]

Isca, Helcar


Marcus~


He nodded at the guards, a couple of his old campaigning buddies, giving a wave as he left Isca through the western gate. He stopped for a moment, looking out over the wide expanse of waving grass before him, a sea of shimmering movement. Some say this was the birthplace of Helcar before they became the mighty empire, but he didn't really believe them. He smiled to himself. Humans.


He squinted, his cat-eyes picking out a small smudge on the horizon, near one of the few stands of trees to dot the plains. The legion camp. Couldn't be more than a few miles away, Marcus thought to himself, and with that, he started walking down the wide dirt road, intent on making the camp before dark.

 

[Czeshire]

Dear Lords, was it always this warm outside the North? Ragna thought to herself as she rode upon Verja, who let out a huff as if agreeing with his master's thoughts. The journey was indeed long, but compared to their past travels, this was far from treacherous. The sight of grass instead of snow told the warrior that she was getting close to her destination, at the Legion's camp where she was told was west somewhere outside Helcar. She would find it, one way or another..


The chains of her flail jangled lightly behind her as it rest in its holster on Verja's saddle as the great boar trudged with heavy footsteps down a wide dirt road. Suddenly, Verja's snout lifted up slightly, as he began sniffing the air.. There was someone nearby..


Training her eyes ahead, Ragna looked into the distance where she could see a figure with a long weapon walking down the road. Hmm... "What do you think, Verja?" The boar just huffed quickly before continuing to head down the road. With any luck, this traveler might just lead the duo to their desired destination.

 

[Shadow]

Elora finally reached the gates and nodded to the guards as she passed them. She frowned at the long road ahead, leading to Helcar. As much as she disliked humans or people in general, she half wished she had someone to accompany her. Preferably someone who was interesting to talk to, not obsessed with themselves in the slightest, and willing to keep quiet sometimes. She thought about the ideal companion as she started down the road.

 

[Zelda18]

Daire squinted down at his faded map, finally folding it carefully and sliding it into the pack strapped to his back. He was pretty sure he was at the Western gate of Isca, but he couldn't be completely certain. This was the furthest North he'd ever been, and despite his map he'd struggled to make it this far without getting lost once or twice- or four times, as it was. The path before him was a dusty winding one, seeming to be void of any other travelers.


He avoided the guard's eyes as he walked past the gate, steadying the heavy pack as he eased into his stride. It was practically dusk now, but he was used to traveling by night- or at any time, really. Hopefully joining the Legion would allow for some rest, some routine to his directionless travels.

 

[Icerex]

Isca, Helcar


Marcus~


He was only half way to his destination when it began to grow dark. "Aw, shit. Well, that's what you get when you stay up all night indulging in some extra-curricular activities," he said, smiling to himself. Marcus checked the straps holding his weapons and gear in place, then crouched down, settling into a runners stance. He breathed out and took off, accelerating until he was running full-tilt, his legs covering the ground in long strides.


One of the reasons that the Calee are so valued as soldiers, is their ability to cover huge distances in a short time, being able to keep up a tremendous pace for days.


Marcus breathed steadily, the impact of his feet on the hard ground creating miniature shock-waves as he traveled down the dirt road. His ears perked up as he heard something, swiveling as they tried to pinpoint the noise. There, dead ahead, some sort of animal, and it was a big one. A few moments later and Marcus had almost reached it, coming to an abrupt stop, feet sending up a cloud of dust as they halted his momentum by digging into the earth.


@Czeshire

 

[Czeshire]

As Ragna and Verja continued down the dirt road, the warrior's Sabre-tusked boar grunted and suddenly came to a stop. Before questioning her companion's actions, Verja had turned his body around for Ragna to see for herself what had caused the beast to halt its advance. There, coming up to the duo fast, was what seemed like a humanoid figure that covered more ground than most actual humans could. But Ragna's trained eyes knew better than to believe it was a mere human. No, this figure was most likely a Calee, the feline-human hybrid with great speed and the heart of a true warrior. Ragna admired the race's pride and ferocity in battle, and was sure to never underestimate them.


Just when Ragna thought the figure was about to ram right into her and Verja, (which might have been a fatal mistake on the stranger's part), he had stopped in front of her and her companion. Ragna's eyes did not blink, staring upon the stranger with a gaze as solid as the northern glaciers themselves. She had not even bothered to reach for her flail; the Calee in the past have proven to be too swift for such a weapon and would leave Ragna better off using her bare hands..


"..."


@Icerex

 

[Icerex]

Isca, Helcar


Marcus~


A small frown on his face, Marcus gazed intently at the strange woman and her animal companion. She seemed to be a Magnë, and if that was the case, should be treated with caution. He had only had a few chances to observe members of that renowned race, one of which was on a campaign in Ithalia, where he had seen first-hand what a few of their berserkers could do to an infantry company.


Marcus smiled, rolling his shoulders and stretching his arms, maximizing the bulk of his 6' 3'' muscled frame. "Good evening," he spoke, using that disarming tone that most of his species possessed. "What brings you out on a fine night as this."


@Czeshire

 

[Czeshire]

Good evening. Those were the first words the Calee had spoken to Ragna. She assumed the male before her wanted to approach on a light note and refrain from starting a confrontation. But learning from experience, the northern warrior knew that words meant nothing. He had even thrown in a smile with the greeting. Ragna was not phased by the friendly greeting, her glacier-blue eyes watching the Calee like an owl watches its prey before going in for the kill. Verja had growled and let out a snort that blew up a bit of dust from the ground below, legs anchored back as if ready to charge. But Ragna released her companions' leather straps, giving the large boar a soft stroke upon its head before the beast let its legs relax to lay itself on the ground so the warrior could dismount it with ease.


Ragna raised her hands to either side of her helmet, which she removed to let down her shoulder length ice-blond hair and set it on the back of Verja's saddle. She had then proceeded to step forward in front of the male Calee with her 6'1" frame. Ragna was on the thinner side, but carried extreme amounts of physical power in her muscled physique that no human could fend off. Her seemingly aggressive approach softened the slightest bit as her unamused expression turned to that of curiosity. Though hopefully the Calee was not awaiting a greeting in return, for that was sadly not the case..


"I seek the campgrounds of the Legio IX Auxilia. Am I far from there?" Her voice was direct and stern, perhaps even a little demanding for an answer. This is not done to enrage others, it was simply how the Magnë conversed with others. Though when she is not given an answer to her questions, that is when she begins demanding for an answer. And although war and battle run in the warriors' blood, Ragna could not say she was exactly looking for a fight. The journey had already been long and exhausting, which left the Magnë and her companion tired.





@Icerex

 

[Icerex]

Isca, Helcar


Marcus~


A feral gleam could be seen in Marcus' blue eyes as he found himself face to face with an impressive specimen of the Magnë race, his tail thrashing the ground. His grin grew until it showed most of his sharp white teeth, the rising moons light gleaming off the ivory surfaces. "The ninth you say? Indeed, you are very close as it were, it's not but an imperial mile from here," he spoke in a low whisper, a touch of a growl escaping his lips. "But I must ask, what is one of your race doing so far from Kelare? I thought that the Empire had only a small company of Magni up near The Free Cities?"


@Czeshire

 

[Czeshire]

Why was this Calee grinning? Was there something amusing about Ragna? Surely it wasn't that. No matter. The warrior was only interested in the answer she had hoped for, which was the distance of her destination. A mile? That was more than doable. Ragna could say she was relieved to hear her answer from the Calee before her, almost to where she would thank the male. But that thanks had gone far away when Ragna was stationed with the new question at hand. Why was she here? Just the very thought turned the Magnë's expression as cold as the Northern Mountains. She could say that the true reason of this journey was to help avenge her father's untimely demise, but that would sound like a fool's desire. No, Ragna must look at the more pressing matter that was bigger than a murder..


"My so-called 'king' is planning an invasion. I am unsure when...but the warriors are recruiting in attempt to crush the entire continent." She said king with as much venom as a Novindi Rattler.


"I would imagine the Northern warriors will most likely target the weakest nation, beginning at Alera and then proceeding to the Ilithiän Confederacy. Eventually, they'll make way to the Empire of Helcar itself." Ragna felt her anger boil inside her at the thought of fighting against her own people, her own nation.. "But this tyranny is unacceptable, and I will not allow this to happen." Her voice was strong, and absolute. If abandoning her nation and joining these mercenaries will help keep balance in the continent, then so be it.


@Icerex

 

[Icerex]

Isca, Helcar


Marcus~


Marcus was having fun with the Magnë, seeing her confusion at his playful attitude. But his face grew serious as the woman began to tell him of an impending invasion, from the Kelare no less!. He rubbed his chin with one clawed paw as she finished, his tail slowly tapping the ground. "Honestly, I have no reason to believe you," he Marcus replied. "As far as I am aware, Kelare has no current incentive to attack the mainland." He paused, nodding at her. "Then again, I'm not Magnë." Marcus folded his arms, gesturing. "You still have yet to answer my question. What are you doing here?"


@Czeshire

 

[Czeshire]

Of course the Calee wouldn't have a reason to believe her. The Magni have been a mostly docile race who haven't sought war since the battle of Novindus. But surely this stranger wasn't fool enough to dismiss the thought completely. Whether the Calee believed Ragna or not was truly not her concern though. He could live in blissful ignorance, until the day finally came..


"Whether you wish to believe me or not is your choice. You will see when the time comes." Ragna was ready to turn and continue on with Verja, until she heard a repeating question from the Calee. Ragna hated people repeating themselves..


"That is none of your concern, Calee.."

 

[Icerex]

Isca, Helcar


Marcus~


Marcus frowned. Arrogant fucker. Very well, I've got better things to do, he thought to himself, looking up at the moon. "Sorry I can't stay, I'm sure you'd just love to chat some more, but I've got to be going." With that, he settled into a starting position and took off, the wind of his passing sending a shiver through the roadside foliage. He called back over his shoulder, his voice carrying well over the still nighttime air. "I'll keep in mind what you said about Kelare though, someone at the ninth might find it interesting!"


@Czeshire

 

[Soviet Panda]

Sven pulled the worn flier from his pocket. Recruitment for some mercenary camp or another. There was good money to be had fighting. And there would be even more when the others in the group died. There was also a steady source of food, and a place to hide when it rains. All and all, it was a good job, being a mercenary. Now, he just had to reach the damned place. He had entered the right kingdom, but he couldn't remember how long ago he had done so. Either way, it was late, and he needed to find somewhere to set up camp.

 

[Czeshire]

Ragna cared not for the Calee's farewell. What had caught her attention was what he had said as he ran down the dirt road. Someone at the Ninth? Could that mean..


"Halt!" Knowing the calee probably wouldn't stop, Ragna leaped up onto Verja's back and fastened on her helmet, giving the boar's sides a kick with her heels for the beast to quickly rise and take off down the road at full speed. Verja was obviously not as fast as a Calee, but it was been proven for the great beast to keep up with the wild horses of the Western grasslands. Verja charged onward in a steady pace, Ragna's eyes trained forward at the off-running Calee, holding Verja's straps with a solid grip as the duo did not falter in their chase. "I said halt!"





@Icerex

 

[Icerex]

Helcar


Marcus~


Marcus growled in irritation. This woman must be from the nobility, no other explanation existed for her demanding and patronizing attitude. He rolled his eyes and slowed his speed until he was running level with the woman and her strange mount. "What now!" He called out, not taking his eyes off of the road in front of him.


@Czeshire

 

[Czeshire]

Thankfully, the Calee seemed to respond to Ragna's call, seeing that he had begun to slow down in order to be at level with her and Verja. She looked over at the feline-humanoid for a second to realize the tone in which he replied to her call. What now? This secretly irritated the warrior; Magnë were known for their short tempers, and Ragna was no exception. But this was no time to attempt to quarrel with the Calee. For now, she needed him..


"Lead me there.." Her tone made it sound very much like a direct order to do so, but in reality it was a genuine request. Her once hard stare softened only the slightest as she stared over at the Calee male.


@Icerex

 

[Icerex]

Helcar


Marcus~


Marcus' ears perked up at the request from this strange woman. Her tone was demanding, but an underlying hint of sincerity colored her words. His breath came in quick bursts as he continued to run, his studded sandals biting into the hard-packed earth of the road. "I'm afraid I don't understand," he replied, glancing at her. "Take you where exactly?"


@Czeshire

 

[Czeshire]

"The Legion of the Ninth. You're headed there, correct?" Ragna's glacier-blue eyes blinked subtly as she looked down at the Calee. As thought before, she did admire the race's pride and ferocity in combat, so she had given this male more patience and less harsh responses. Well, she tried anyway.. But she was on a mission, and if this Calee could take her to her destination, the warrior could not pass up the opportunity. Ragna just hoped that the male would comply with her request..





@Icerex

 

[Icerex]

Helcar


Marcus~


"Indeed I am," Marcus replied, blinking slowly, his eyes studying the woman as he slowly came to a stop. Now this was an interesting development, a Magnë that was interested in the Imperial legions. An informant? Mercenary? Something else? He rubbed his chin. "In fact, I'm planning on signing up as an optio." Waving his hand dismissively, he continued. "Yes, yes, I know. You don't like people asking about your intentions. Very well, I'll lead you there, but we had better get going if we intend to get there before complete darkness."


@Czeshire