<span style='color:purple'> Out of Character Timestamp: 12 Tria 81382 Who: Persius Twyla (with NPC, Skerny Valcourn) Where: somewhere amidst the Gyakusatsu Wearing: a cape tied around his neck to cover his wings. This is mostly an introduction to my character, Persius Twyla. Anyone is welcome to join in and play it by ear. Persius has been paid to take a merchant to a shady dealer in the forest. However, when traveling the woods, its always better to travel in numbers, so feel free to join.</span> In Character: The constant nagging of the old merchant was becoming too much to bear. He constantly whined of being tired, of being thirsty or any number of other complaints. Persius was use to much quicker speeds and had begun to wish he had passed on this job. He looked back at the old merchant, a mere shell of a 'dragon now, was obviously much more impressive. This only made Persius more questionable of the job. He had seen many old 'dragons, and none that had ever aged like this. He must be sick as well as aged. <span style='color:blue'>"Old'en ,"</span> he asked, <span style='color:blue'>"What manner of disease has settled your body?"</span> He stopped and turn to face the old 'dragon, anxious to learn the answer, and also how the old merchant would handle the insult of the question. As he suspected, he was met with a stare of confusion for a moment. When he finally got his thoughts together, the old merchant only replied <span style='color:blue'>"Falters Skel."</span> <span style='color:blue'>"Falters Skel? Never heard of it."</span> He turned and began weaving his way through the trees again. He heard the old 'dragon panting, trying to keep up. He trusted less in less in this job as he proceeded now. So few things added up. He had never heard of a trade that couldn't be made in Tarhesia. What made this one so secretive? The old merchant was another problem. In Persius' many years of traveling, he had never seen a 'dragon so old. Rather or not this disease of his was real or a story, he didnt know. But if a disease such as that did exist, he would have to investigate further. For now, he would have to trust his judgment and ability to get out of trouble. He had taken a job, and would never cancel it until he knew it wasn't what was he was told. Perhaps he could manage a bit more information out of him if he let the old'en stop to rest. Taking a quick sprint, he ran a wide circle around the old 'dragon. He pulled to a quick stop, looking deeper into the forest. <span style='color:blue'>"This is a good place. We rest here for now, Old'en."</span> As tired as he appeared, Persius expected to be met with relief at the thought of a break. His actual response was much less reassuring. <span style='color:blue'>"We move on." </span>the old 'dragon responded<span style='color:blue'> "We cant afford to wait. And my name is Skerny, not Old'en. You'd do well to remember that."</span> Persius laid quietly next to a tree, if the merchant wished to travel ahead alone, he could. The old merchant had showed too much of his hand, and Persius needed time to think. A helpless merchant would never talk down to his guide in the Gyakusatsu, less he be left alone in the wild forest. As Skerny grumbled and finally came to a rest, Persius kept his eye on him, so he could study him. In his stern concentration on Skervy, he almost missed the snapped twig behind him. Someone approaches.
OOC: Hey! I decided to join. It just so happens that I have a character of mine camped in this area. Who: Fautal Vliemd Wearing: Cargo pants and a t-shirt IC: Fautal had only been camping in the area for a couple of weeks in this area. He had hoped to recover from his battle with a particularly dangerous arden named Xavius in this area. He wanted to blow off some steam mostly at the event. He wasn't able to kill the other arden, instead he barely managed to escape a horrible end. Xavius wasn't one to simply kill his enemies. For some time, bandits had been taking enjoyment in raiding his little camp of the supplies that he had which annoyed him greatly. He knew how to survive on the land alone but he still enjoyed some home comforts of civilization. When bandits came in he scared them off. Lately the bandits had become more violent. One bad encounter resulted in Fautal killing one of them off. That scared them greatly but they came back more ruthless than ever at the loss of that 'dragon. So recently he had to take to more lethal tactics. Fautal was now out hunting for whatever animal he could use as food and this was his fourth hour of searching. He hiked over some rough terrain he then saw a clearing. Bad memories returned to him of his meeting with Xavius. Fautal now avoided these clearings at all costs. You could never know what foul demons would be waiting for you there. He then decided to press onward avoiding clearings like the plague. Fautal came back to his camp some time later a little tired from his day of hunting. He sat down and decided to make himself a meal. Before he got started he heard something in the distance. It wasn't an animal noise, no, it was the sound of other 'dragons talking. Fautal moved in closer to investigate. He assumed these were more of the bandits that were in the area. So he prepared for the worst. Fautal saw one older dragon and another bright red dragon. Fautal was moving in closer trying to see if he could discern their intent in this area. Something unexpected happened then. A twig snapped under his feet. He silently cursed to himself before noticing the bright red one turning in his direction. Fautal immeadiatly raised his defences casting some protective spells over him just in case these two here hostile.
Persius pulled the cape off before he even had his head turned, and it fell on the ground. His claws kicked up a storm of dirt and leaves as he moved, and in a split second, the cape was flying off the ground. Persius landed on the side of the tree, his claws digging into the bark. For a matter of moments, he seemed to almost hang sideways off the tree, his misshapen wings fully stretched. He then plunges off the tree, his cape clutched between his claws. His original plan (to subdue the intruder before he knew what had happened), was about to fail, and he knew it. He saw that the intruder was not only a caster of magics, he had also managed to act faster than he had. He was relieved to see that the 'dragon had only cast some kind of defensive spells. He made a quick decision to suspend the attack and see what the intruder wanted. He dared not go up against a slinger of spells with only a cape and his claws. He rolled to the ground, just short of the stranger, his teeth barred in a hint of threat, his claws stretched out: ready to jump. <span style='color:blue'>"Who are you?"</span> he grumbled. <span style='color:blue'>"What do you want here?"</span> Amid the commotion, Skerny ran off into the forest. Rather in fear or for some other reason, Persius was unsure.
"That's just the same question I was wondering about you," Fautal said angrily. He waited for a response.
Slightly relaxing his stance, Persius answered <span style='color:blue'>"I'm not sure anymore. I believe my charge just ran away."</span> Forcing a few moments glance away from the stranger, he looked around and saw no sign of the old merchant. <span style='color:blue'>"I'm a guide, name is Persius."</span> he continued. <span style='color:blue'>"I'm taking the old man to the twisted tree."</span> He motioned into the deep forest, <span style='color:blue'>"He has to meet someone there. Beyond that, its not your concern, stranger."</span> Off in the distance, he hears another broken twig, this one obviously from the old merchant. It appears the old 'dragon hadnt gone too far. <span style='color:blue'>"Now its you're turn, stranger."</span> he said. <span style='color:blue'> "Whats you're business here?"</span>
"I just needed to get as far away from one of my enemies. He was that dangerous. If I had stayed somewhere nearby he'd have found me and then who knows what he would have done to me." Fautal was starting to calm down. The other arden wasn't hostile but the other one thought he was.
<span style='color:blue'>"Hmm It seems my aggression may have been uncalled for."</span> Persius relaxed his pose. <span style='color:blue'>"My apologies. I believe this job has me a bit on end."</span> Persius looked around for any hint of the old merchant. <span style='color:blue'>"Tell me this, stranger."</span> He saw no sign of the merchant, and the stranger it seemed may be educated, judging by his use of magic. <span style='color:blue'>"What do you know of a twisted tree deeper in the forest?"</span> <span style='color:blue'>"I follow this blasted old 'dragons directions,"</span> he complained, <span style='color:blue'>"but I feel he is leaving something out."</span> Getting a better look at the stranger, Persius suddenly felt bad for showing so much aggression towards him. He would be glad when this miserable job was over.
<span style='color:blue'>"There is safety in numbers,"</span> he said <span style='color:blue'>"you should stay with us for as long as we travel the same direction."</span> He let out a loud yell, <span style='color:blue'>"Skerny!"</span> He listened for a response, but received none. <span style='color:blue'>"Return now, or lose you're guide."</span> After a few moments, he heard a grunt from behind a nearby tree. The merchant answered <span style='color:blue'>"Yes. Well, if you're sure its safe. But I suggest we part ways with this stranger."</span> Persius was clearly startled by how close the merchant had actually hidden. He was a lot more crafty than he had given him credit for. <span style='color:blue'>"He stays."</span> Retying his cape, and repositioning it. <span style='color:blue'>"I already trust him more than you. While I lead the way, he will watch my back... If he wishes to join us, that is."</span>
It had been several hours since meeting each other on the trail. The merchants whining had grown less often lately, which along with the way he was looking around more nervously, had led Persius to believe the old man thought they were getting close. Persius had spent many days in this area of the woods, and knew them well. He had never noticed any tree as large and malformed as the one the old man described. As best he could gather from Fautal, he knew nothing about it either. As Persius began to warn the others of another poison-thorned plant, a voice came from behind him. <span style='color:blue'>"We're here."</span> was all the feeble old merchant said. <span style='color:purple'><span style='width:100%;font-weight:bold; font-size:10px'>Out of Character</span> <table class='ooc'><tr><td> I have no plans set up for this event, just playing it by ear, so however you wanna handle it here, its cool </td></tr></table> </span>
"Well I guess all we have to do now is wait," Fautal went over and sat down near the tree to wait. Whatever this old one had in mind to do wasn't his business at all, so all he could do is watch.
Persius examined the old tree. It was actually a lot less impressive than he was expecting. He found the lack of interest showed by Fautal to be somewhat reassuring. This job had put Persius at ends, but he was glad that it hadn't seemed to distress his new friend. It seems his imagination had gotten bigger than the job: It wouldn't be the first time. The tree, was more than just twisted, it was also sickly looking. The leaves were smaller than the other trees. The branches drooped lower. The trunk twisted around on itself. It was a creepy sight amid the other trees. <span style='color:blue'>"Something is missing,"</span> he said looking towards the old merchant, <span style='color:blue'>"I thought we were meeting someone here. Why arent they already here?"</span> Turning his attention back to the odd tree, he dug his claws into the bark and pulled. The bark crumbled rather than breaking off in pieces.
"Well this is certainly strange," Fautal said at the sight of the tree bark crumpling. "Could that be where this merchant wanted to meet his contact?"
The old merchant would be the one to speak up first. <span style='color:blue'>"I'm afraid no one else is coming."</span> His voice showed no emotion as he walked towards the tree. He even seemed less winded and tired already. Persius immediately felt a (proverbial) noose tightening around him. The merchant was up to no good after all. But what was he up to, exactly? <span style='color:blue'>"What have you pulled here, old'en?"</span> This time he used the name with a bit of venom in his voice. Persius eyed his every move. Even Fautal seemed a bit confused, but it was hard to tell what he was thinking. <span style='color:blue'>"Relax, Persius."</span> Skerny responded simply. <span style='color:blue'>"I have brought you here to do you no harm. In fact, it is quite the opposite."</span> The puzzlement on Persius and Fautals faces was obvious, but neither dropped their guard towards the old 'dragon.
"Then just what exactly do you plan on doing then? If you haven't noticed this has been a very confusing day for me. So could you explain on what you want," Fautal said. There was a slight bit of venom in his voice.
<span style='color:blue'>"This tree is special to me"</span> the old 'dragons said. <span style='color:blue'>"For years I have found it a comfort. It looks like I feel."</span> Skerny calmly ran his claw across the trees trunk. <span style='color:blue'>"If I told you why I wanted to come here, you would have thought me mad."</span> Persius stepped away from the tree. <span style='color:blue'>"Then why?"</span> <span style='color:blue'>"I would have you kill me here,"</span> he said simply, <span style='color:blue'>"And bury me among this old trees roots." </span> The old dragon saw both surprise and mild disgust in their eyes. <span style='color:blue'>"My disease, rather you believe its real or not, is killing me slowly and painfully. Very soon, I will scream in pain and be forced to the ground, until my back snaps."</span> For a few moments, Persius stood staring amazed at the old merchants earnestness. He turned back the way they have came. <span style='color:blue'>"I don't deal in death, Old'en." </span> He started walking away. <span style='color:blue'>"My job is over. Come or stay, it's your choice."</span>
Fautal had a slight bit of sympathy for the old one. He went over to him and asked, "Is this really what you want? To die?"
Persius saw that Fautal intended to stay with the old 'dragon. He continued back towards town. The job, as simple as it was, was over as soon as he learned no one was coming. He ran his jobs to the letter. Changing things after the job is taken is never acceptable. He found himself remarkably unconcerned about the old 'dragons well-being. He seemed more interested in the mans disease. He'd have to look into that soon. He continued on, walking slower than usual, in case Fautal wanted to catch up. ______________ MEANWHILE... ______________ Skerny held a bit of hope in his eyes. He was suddenly glad they had ignored his cries to leave the stranger where they met. The guide had left, and only the stranger seemed to have any sympathy for his pain. He answered the 'dragons question by lifting his arm. Underneath his arms, his pelt was discolored and swollen. <span style='color:blue'>"Its already starting to snap ribs. Death for me now, would be a blessing."</span> <span style='width:100%;font-weight:bold; font-size:10px'>Out of Character</span> <table class='ooc'><tr><td>Feel free to do whatever you want with Skerny, kill him, leave him to die, rob him, convert him to christianity... lol whatever. </td></tr></table>
"Alright. I promise this will be quick," Fautal said. He then went away a distance and then cast a spell that instantaneously killed the old one. Fautal then proceeded to bury Skerny, after doing this he went back along the path that he came along. After an hour he caught up with Persius.
