Survival of the Fittest (Open)

[Alister]

((Recruiting Thread (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?t=20428)))


Thousands of bare branches reached for the sky, looking to grab the moon and make it their own. It was the scene in Brokenthorn post winter, after the season left its frosty mark on the tainted forest. The road leading to the woods was bumpy to say the least, causing the wagon to jump occasionally into the air and land with a resounding thud. The road hadn't been travelled much since the harsh rain storms of winter hit Scara Brae. Storms that put adventurers into a reclusive state deep within the modest walls of the city. That however wasn't the case for one traveller, who now found himself on a course for the dark woods of Brokenthorn.

"Sir, we will arrive shortly to the foot of the forest." Stated the wagon driver, a bald cowering man named Crawford. "Like I said before I ain't going any further than that though."

Next to Crawford sat a silent wizard named Alister Cain. His appearance was that of a middle aged man- with his black glasses, greying hair, and wrinkling face. "That's fine, just be sure to return in two days like we discussed before." Alister retorted in a voice reeking of sophistication as he flipped through a series of maps that depicted the forest.

There was a breif pause in their conversation, which was followed by another bump in the road. "Might I ask what you plan to find in Brokenthorn?" The sloppy driver questioned, while pulling hard at the reins in an attempt to stabilize the horses.

"Knowledge Mr. Crawford. Simply knowledge."

"You know they got libraries for that. If I recall correctly, Scara Brae has one of the finest in all of Althanas."

"Look here, I hired you for transportation. Not company. Theres plenty of taverns back in the city for that." The wizard tucked the maps into his robe pocket and eyed the driver.

"Well alright Mr. Alister."

What seemed like an hour later the wagon came to a halting rest. All around the duo was a thicket of bare trees, signifying that they had finally reached Brokenthorn. A foul breeze blew from within the forest and climbed into Alister's wrinkled nose, making him wince slightly. The stench had a scent of death and decay, serving a warning to anyone who dared to step foot under the dark canopy.

"Alright Crawford, be back here in two days, at sunrise." Alister proclaimed as he cautiously stepped from the wagon, into a mixture of dry dirt and loose leafs.

"You got it. Just make sure you're here, because I ain't waitin' around! You linger to much in these woods and you'll end up in the belly of a spider." With that final warning the wagon driver took off, a weak feeling of unrest slowly forming on his face.

He isn't coming back. Alister thought as he took his first step towards what would likely be his un-doing.

The scene painted ahead of the wondering wizard was one of twilight. An almost barren canopy lit barely by the watchful eyes of the moon. Hundreds of lifeless and bare branches swaying with the cool breeze. The odd serene state of the forest was clearly a bait, a decieving act that drew travellers into it's dangerous core. However that wasn't the case for Alister Cain, he had heard the rumors that spread through the city. He knew that the forest harbored towering spiders and various other unstable creatures. The middle aged wizard was here to prove a point to himself though. To show himself that he could survive two days in the perilous forest.

With a sigh and a limp, the wizard took a second hesitated step towards the (almost) tranquil woods.

[Archanex Jotham]

Not too far from Alister's position, the Overmage stood tall and proud. With his excursion from Scara Brae's City Guard Headquarters, the Overmage was recently hired into City Guard. He wanted to directly serve the court of The Valeena Family. The small group of guardsken from Scara Brae were numbering around the twenties of heads. Jotham served as an Magi supporting the main flank of the group. Rumors recently sprouted that a Dark Magus was at work in Scara Brae, possibly somehow connected to the fell Necromancer named Xem'Zund.

With his eyes focused on the pulse of the Elemental Manna, the Overmage could feel a great disturbance all about him. Something unnatural and wicked lurked within Blackthorne, that much was certain. He wondered if he would get to see the Liviol Sanctum in this trip.

As he walked with his fellows, Jotham adjusted the city garb that was a standard uniform. Used to his Overmage's robes as attire, the Magus felt like a fish out of water. His eyes were narrowed as they searched about the trees, searching for any sign of danger. He'd been in Scara Brae for numerous months now. During his stay in Scara Brae, the Overmage started a rigorous training program under the careful watch of the city guards of Scara Brae. Employ had been the first order of business. After that, the Overmage was busily researching the secrets of the Arkanos Arts so that he could grow in considerable knowledge and power.

Some of the guardsken were on horseback, whilst many others walked on foot. The Overmage was amongst the group that walked on foot. Several other magi and archers supported the front line warriors, with another rear-guard of warriors surrounding the whole group. The Overmage was in the middle of the group as he walked. His battle-staff doubled as a walking stick. He carefully pushed the stick against the ground every few paces to check for sudden mud-slides or other natural disasters of the forest. Also, the trees were rumored to contain a sentience that was almost predatory.

The Overmage was weary of that and tried to walk around roots where he could. For he did not wish to attract threat from the more dangerous entities of the forest. Some of the younger magi in the group around him generated an increasing amount of fear. Jotham placed a hand on the nearest of the young scholar-magi.

"Be calm, Raz." Jotham said quietly. The younger magus was in his early twenties and had probably never been this deep into Blackthorne before. The Overmage could understand the wizard's fear. "I will fight alongside you my friend." Jotham could see the nimbus around his companion relaxing just a bit, and the Overmage smiled. He felt his own fears being alleviated as he comforted his friend.

From what the Overmage knew of Raz, the youth was a fellow from Scara Brae's Academy in the City. The Mage's Guild was hiring Wizards constantly and training them often from scratch. Jotham considered himself lucky that he was a little bit better than the average Magi, but not by much. Jotham closed his eyes for a moment...

[Revenant]

The icy wind which whipped through the sea of bare trunks carried with it the tinge of death and decay. At the best of times the Brokenthorn Forest was a dangerous place to be, and this winter was far from the best of times. Something had roused the creatures of the deep forest, pushing them towards the outer edges, towards the places where civilized people dared to tread. The humanoid predators who stalked the forest, thieves, bandits, and outcasts, suddenly had to contend with beasts of a primeval nature.

The scent on the wind told William Arcus just how well that contest was going.

But the worst of the lot, disgorged from Brokenthorn’s bloated innards, had been the spiders. Hairy beasts, large as a horse, had scuttled forth, ensnaring man and beast alike in their webs. Their territory and influence grew larger with each passing week, and their boldness had grown to the point where they had even started venturing forth to capture prey instead of waiting for the prey to come to them.

The last of these incidents had been a merchant caravan, filled to the brim with raw ore and mining equipment returning from one of the Windlacer mines. No one had fretted too much when the shipment was a day overdue, winter travel in the wild of Scara Brae wasn’t the easiest after all. But when a lone man stumbled into town, detailing how the caravan had been pulled, screaming, into the forest by eight-legged terrors, the owners of the caravan realized that they had lost a small fortune.

Banding together with other concerned interests, the merchants lobbied the Scara Brae guard for action. Already spread thin by the increase in crime brought on by the frigid winter, the guard had little they could do but post a bounty on every set of spider fangs foolhardy mercenaries dared venture forth to claim.

And that’s me, William thought, slinking through the bare trees, foolhardy mercenary extraordinaire.

William knew the shallows of Brokenthron Forest well. Though he had grown to accept and control his demonic power, and despite that the constant desire he felt to murder those around him in gruesome, violent ways was less overwhelming than it ever had been, the revenant still preferred to limit his contact with the civilized world. And so he tended to spend most of his time in the forest, away from the temptation of Scara Brae City.

It also didn't hurt that the dangers abounding in Brokenthorn often gave him a chance to loose his murderous impulses without guilt.

I get to hunt down these spiders, tear them apart, and then get paid for it, he smirked, curling his lips in a vicious grin, All in all, a win-win situation.

A commotion at the edge of the forest caught William’s attention. An elderly man disembarked from a wagon and proceeded towards the forest with a limp. The wagon driver behind him just shook his head as he whipped his reins, pulling slowly away from his departing passenger.

An old man entering into the night forest by himself? William questioned, sliding down into a low crouch behind a tree to better observe the man’s movements without being seen. Is he also here for the bounty or is he just a fool?

Interest piqued, William slid from the shadows of his hiding spot and followed at a cautious distance, shadow the hobbling old man.

[Alister]

The floor beneath Alister's feet was covered in brown lifeless leafs. Every patient step the wizard took made a crumbling noise that echoed off the bark of the surrounding thicket. Each prod of his glass cane resounded with a rhythmic tap.

You make enough noise to wake the dead, mortal. A spiteful voice chimed in from deep within the chasms of Alister's mind. One that hummed dark intentions and evil. It was the chant of Nerconith, a necromancer's spirit that had been trapped in the wizard seventeen years earlier after a brief study in the dark arts.

You just can't have the dignity to give me a days peace? Retorted Alister, his face contorting to reveal a mangled grin. He was beginning to cope with the fact that he would be stuck with the spirit. It's alright, I could use your company. For once.

The twilight of the surrounding trees produced an eerie glow, one that had no doubt awaken the necromancer's spirit. It seemed that the only time Necronith would communicate with the wizard was during the night. It made Alister wonder what the demon was up to the rest of the time he was locked within the prison of his mind.

Consider yourself lucky I even resort to communicate with a weakling like you. If I wasn't so repulsed of the idea of being trapped in this crippled shell for eternity, I would have let you die years ago.

The wizard simply laughed at the necromancer's statement, you take so much credit for something that is far from your control. If it wasn't for me you would still be trapped in the pages of your memoirs...

...I'd be better off a prisoner in the pages of my book, than in this pathetic excuse you call a mind. Must I remind you that your powers wouldn't be spit without me? It was a reminder that hit Alister like a punch, one that was completely the truth. The necromancer had made him stronger, but it was at a cost that he would have preferred not to pay.

Alister didn't respond. Even though he was getting used to the demon, he sometimes couldn't find the words to bat back at the demon.

A mad man's laugh echoed off the inner walls of Alister's skull. In fact your being stalked as we speak, by a creature much more powerful than you, no less. The ghoul's voice disappeared after his last statement, leaving the wizard in a state of paranoia.

Turning to face the ebony thicket behind him, one that seemed completely devoid of life, the wizard winced. He was trying to catch a glimpse of his stalker, who surely was there. The necromancer, despite being an evil bastard, never lied to the wizard. His intuition and ability to sense things the wizard could not had proved a useful tool many times in the past.

"Whose there?!" The wizard shouted into the night, like a coyote separated from the pack. His response to the vacant forest served as a reminder that even wizards could sometimes be a cliche.

[Archanex Jotham]

When the Overmage closed his eyes a curious thing happened. A flash of energy burst across the field of the Elemental Manna, and burst across the adventuring party from Scara Brae. It happened so quickly that the Overmage wasn't even certain where the flash of light came from! Jotham felt a tremendous pain overwhelm his body, and there was an overwhelming sensation of darkness. Feeling like he was floating for a few moments, the Overmage just as suddenly regained his awareness. Several screams filled the night air, and the Overmage turned to look in the general direction of where his party was previously located.

Nothing. Furthermore, he wasn't anywhere near Raz or the other Magi sent by the City Guards of Scara Brae. Jotham frowned at that, and attempted to orient himself. Someone called out to the dark that was nearby, very close indeed. It was an unfamiliar voice. Jotham turned in the general direction of the voice in order to see another Wizard's back. The Overmage was dumbfounded by this mysterious turn of events. Where is the rest of my crew? What in the hell just happened!? It would take the Overmage considerable amounts of research later on his life to figure out that they'd just been attacked by a malevolent force lurking deep within Blackthorn.

Checking his person, he was relieved to see that there was nothing missing.

Jotham walked over to the other Wizard. "Hey there, did you just see a really bright light?" Realizing quickly that the other fellow was distracted by something lurking in the darkness, the Overmage frowned once more. It better not be those blasted Spiders I keep hearing about. Or worse yet, Spider Magi... Jotham cursed his luck just then. He turned to look at the other Wizard for a long moment. "Hey there, if you need any help, I'm from the Scara Brae Mage's Guild. I'm on employ from the City Guards!" Jotham clenched his battle-staff tightly and prepared for combat if it should arrive.

Though he was a pacifist by nature, the Overmage had been studying with the Mage's Guild and the City Guard for the past few months and weeks. That education process had increased the Overmage's capacity to learn and prepare himself for the unknown dangers in the world of Althanas. Jotham breathed heavily as he felt his heart racing. If spiders were to begin their attack, the Overmage was prepared to face any that came their way...

[Revenant]

Damn I’ve gotten rusty, William chided himself as the old man turned and addressed the darkness, commanding him to show himself. Some woodsman I am. Can’t even sneak up on a cripple in the forest at night.

As he had merely been curious about the older man’s intentions in the forest, William was fully prepared to step into the open and reveal himself when a second man, looking somewhat disoriented, approached from further into the woods.

What the? William dropped back to his hiding position, instantly on alert and carefully watching the newcomer. Where did he come from?

Making matters worse, the newcomer wore the colors of not only the Scara Brae City Guard, but the Mage’s Guild as well. He had come out of the woods and, noticing the old man’s readied attention towards the shadows where William lie, adopted a combat stance.

Well that’s just great, William grumbled. Typical Scara Brae guard; too busy to send someone out when it’s really needed, but perfectly willing to just jump in and open fire where they aren’t.

Plus, he added, scanning the surrounding woods, they almost never work alone.

Despite this, the area around him seemed clear of any further movement.

Well, they’ve already spotted me. Dragging this out any longer will only make me seem that much more suspicious.

“Whoa there,” William called, putting his empty hand up as he stepped into the open. “No need for any of that. Name’s William Arcus and I’m a mercenary out here looking for those bounties that the guard were too busy to look after themselves.”

William sneered the last bit, putting as much sarcasm as he could into it. Walking heedlessly, the layer of dried leaves crunched under every deliberate step.

“Was just making my way to camp for the night when I saw this one here hobbling his way into the woods. Dangerous times out here right now, and seeing him making his way in all alone got my interest up, is all. I was just watching to see what he was up to and where he was going.”

William now stood fully out in the open, ten feet away from the two men. If they wanted to attack him, now would be their best chance.

“No harm intended, yeah. And no harm done.”

[Alister]

To Alister's surprise, two men appeared from the moonlit meadow. On one side of the wizard was a well dressed, rather polite mage, displaying a combination of good manners and calm posture. His voice dragging on with a tone of authority. Alister barely shot him a glance before returning his stare to the tangled thicket, where a second man was approaching.

"Guard huh, kind of strange seeing you guys outside the city walls. This one of your coll-" The question was answered for the mage, as the shrouded figure emerged from shadow. What Alister had guessed was a man, what could've been a man, was now looking more like the withered outline of a Concordia bandit. The stalker wore a bandana and hood, that slightly muffled his words, but Alister was able to make out 'mercenary' and 'no harm intended.'

Damn necromancer, getting me all worked up for no good reason. He thought while lowering his head and cane.

"Well, this is certainly an odd twist of fate." The wizard finally spoke up, "I thought I was the only person insane enough to venture into the core of Brokenthorn this time of year."

Alister took a moment to get a better look at Jothem, who looked to be a bit disoriented. This blast he had mentioned earlier had momentarily hampered him in some way. "So mage, what the hell type of blast should I have seen out here in the depth of the night?" He questioned between glances back and forth between the two strangers.

All around the forging gang were hidden dangers. Thousands of shrouded eyes and shuddering fangs. Dormant enemies waiting for the right moment to satisfy their blood thirst. If it weren't for the careful stalking of the Revenant and the sudden appearance of Jotham, Alister would have already been half digested in the moist pit of some creatures stomach.

[Archanex Jotham]

Seeing the situation unfolding before him, the Overmage relaxed his guard for a moment, then finally lowered his own staff. The man that approached from out of the darkness was clearly not a threat, at least not yet. Jotham looked upon the pair for a moment examining the nimbus clouds that surrounded either man. One had a considerably darker cloud, William, whilst Alister had a considerably friendly air about him. It was not in Jotham's nature to judge others unless they posed a direct threat to him. Still not having a firm grasp on the situation at hand, the Overmage sighed for a moment. They did not have answers for him either.

The Elemental Manna flowing about this region was particularly darkly tinted, so much so, that the Overmage cringed when he looked at the residue. The trees themselves gave off an eerie aura and seemed to have faces that stared at the trio menacingly. Calls from the various night creatures sent a chill up his spine, but the Overmage suddenly realized that everything had gone dreadfully quiet. Even the distant screams of his companions was stilled now which worried him greatly. He turned in the general direction of where he had left the original Adventure Party.

Jotham took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling. He thought of his many adventures back in the land of Ayenee. This was nothing like those adventures at all. Many of his former companions in the Overmage Guild would have definitely liked this realm of Althanas. Jotham took a look at William, and then to Alister. His eyes studying both of the lads for a long moment before he answered Alister's question.

"I don't know what exactly happened. We were attacked by something a ways further off from here. After that, there was this flash of light and I ended up here with you fellows."

Jotham shrugged in a helpless sort of posture. He still held his staff in a powerful hand. As he shrugged, he relaxed a moment later but kept his eyes fixed on the wild-land around his person. Observing the Elemental Manna, the Overmage knew that many dangers were constantly around him. Starting to prepare his best spell, the Dynamic Fire, Jotham poured some considerable Manna into the spell. As he began to charge his power, the nimbus around him began to glow with a brilliant edge, his eyes were glowing as well. He looked at his companions.

"Be on your guards, I was attacked not too far from here. The enemy is every where."

Jotham warned, hinting at the greater danger that Brokenthorn Forest had to offer. It was not a nice place to be at all.

[Revenant]

After a cursory inspection, the mage from the City Guard shifted his attention away from William and towards where a chorus of screams reached them before growing ominously silent.

I was right, the wretch was traveling with company, William thought. Beside the guard mage, the elderly man showed a sudden realization of the hostilities that prowled the night.

Oh for the love of …, the revenant shook his head disapprovingly. The elderly man had struck him as a rank amateur when he had just hobbled his way into the dark woods, but this proved it.

Get used to it, he told himself. The City Guard’s bounty is just going to bring out the would-be thrill seekers. You’d think they’d be smart enough to wave spider bait away from here.

At that moment the guard mage started glowing. Brightly.

Then again maybe not.

“Fuck’s sake, guardsman,” William hissed, moving up to the glowing mage, “are you trying to call everything in a mile radius down on us?”

Then, turning to address both men, “listen, it’s obvious that the two of you don’t know enough to keep yourselves alive out here for more than a night.”

Glaring at the man turned beacon, “probably even less.”

“Now, the smart thing for you two to do would be to turn around and walk right back out of here,” William looked pointedly to where the screams had died out, “but I have a feeling that if I leave you alone, you’re just going to get yourselves shanked or eaten or both.”

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not doing this out of some humanitarian bent,” William rubbed his fingers together as if sifting through coins, “but since I’m already out here doing the City Guard’s job for them, I figure aiding you both out a little more can’t hurt.”

All of William’s desire screamed at him to kill them himself, but he pushed it aside, There’s no pay in slaughtering them.

“So what you’re going to do is give me your names and do as I say,” he continued, gesturing at the guard. “Starting with putting yourself out.”

As a side note, he added, “That is, of course, if you want to survive this little foray.”

[Alister]

Bunnying Approved


"My name is Alister Cain." The wizard replied while extending his arm, that was ignored by William - who seemed to still be speaking even through the wizard's introduction- but was well received by their other companion.

"And I am Jothem Archanex." The Mages Guild deciple finally spoke up.

Three names, from three different walks of life. Alister thought as he scanned the two men. A guardsman, a cripple, and a... Alister paused his thoughts, trying to establish what exactly the third man was. A mercenary?

The self made leader of the pack was a dark man, who carried an even darker personality. In the first few minutes of their meeting he had not only managed to rumble on about the whole situation, but also take control of it. He was now the leader of the bunch, whether he liked it or not.

The other man, Jothem, channeled magic in a way that was completely foreign to Alister. Instead of just casting spell after spell, he seemed to focus on one at a time. It spread curiosity through Alister's mind and painted the surrounding thicket in a bright glossy yellow. He seemed to completely ignore William's demand and just go right on preparing his spell.

What kind of magic requires full attention to cast? He pondered, being the ever so curious wizard that he was.

"Jothem. You wouldn't happen to have a name for that spell, would you?" He spat in an inquisitive manner, fighting hard to keep his voice just above a whisper.

"Dynamic Fire." Jothem responded, his eyes now scanning from tree to tree in a calm fashion, radiant flickers jumping from his flesh like lice tranfering from one head to another.

"Well I'll tell you what. If whatevers out there does decide to show it's face, you keep that up." Alister's mind was now moving a million miles a second, causing his voice to pitch in excitement. "I can increase fire radius with my magic. Spiders, bandits, it doesn't matter. The bastards won't even stand a chance."

As the wizard explained his game plan, William just shook his head. He didn't say anything, but his facial expression read more clearly than a book-

Amateurs.

During the mixture of greetings and conversation the environment surrounding Alister must have slipped from his mind. It seemed now there was only a dying echo of cries and shrieks, all from the area that Jothem had obviously came from. Around the trio though, there was silence. The only sounds came from the calm breeze forcing leaves to rustle and branches to slap together.

"I..." Alister tried to speak up, but was shot down instantly by William.

"...Silence, you two have already managed to alert the whole damn forest of our intrusion."

[Archanex Jotham]

Focusing on his magics, the Overmage channeled his power now for a good few moments. Knowing that once a battle started, the Overmage might not have another chance to channel his ability like that ever again. It was do or die in the Wild Lands of Scara Brae. Brokenthorn Forest hung around them like a mist, the darkness spreading deeply all about. Above, the moon was clouded over and there was strangely very little noise in The Wild. Jotham's eyes glowed with the fury he was charging up from within, focusing the Elemental Manna with proper concentration. All other matters were ignored, except for the inquiries of Alister.

Jotham understood that Alister was a Mage as well, and that the two would somehow be able to combine their powers. With the shining light of his radiant nimbus cloud, the Overmage only thought to keep the trio alive just a bit longer. The Hospital of Scara Brae and the precious Monks of Ai'Bron were a ways off. As they walked, the Overmage suddenly heard something moving in a ways to his left. Then more noise came. Jotham cursed in the back of his mind, but concentrating on the Dynamic Explosion came first. Jotham would have to concentrate on playing a support role in this mission if they were to survive. He was anxious to see if there were any survivors from his group wandering about The Wild. Maybe its someone from my Adventure Party? He thought to himself as he walked.

His hands were shaking by now. Power flowed through his body as he walked on, moving deeper into the wilderness and following the commands of William Arcus to a degree. Once Jotham released the flood-gates of his spell, the Overmage would have to concentrate on the ability and solely the ability. As Jotham concentrated, the temperature around the Overmage changed in a subtle way. Degrees moved upwards quickly as the area around Jotham got slightly hotter signaling his use of the Elemental Fire. As this task was near its completion, their stalkers revealed themselves.

Bandits! Scara Brae and Concordia Forest were known for their wayward bandits, hooligans, and general scoundrels patrolling for an easy gold piece. This adventure would prove no different. Jotham's eyes could detect unknown patterns of Elemental Manna as they converged upon the trio. He saw several distinct nimbus clouds counting at least six of them that were immediately visible. When the bandits made their presences known, the group of would-be waylayers began to make a lot of noise stirring something else in the woods. That something else didn't reveal its presence just yet though.

Jotham looked at his companions.

"Take cover, we're surrounded!" He commanded taking a leadership role of his own. "I count at least six different nimbus clouds. But that's what I can see in front of me." One of the bandits walked in front of the others, clearly the leader of the group. Jotham stopped all movement as continued to concentrate on his spell. By now, the nimbus around the Overmage was glowing powerfully. Jotham noticed that the bandit's leader was looking around the small trio carefully. He carried a spear with him along with several other pieces of equipment. Clutching his battle-staff tightly, the Overmage prepared for imminent combat.

"What's this, a group of kids?" The bandit began with a sound of anger in his voice. "I don't need to get into the routine, but I'll do so anyway. Give up all your belongings and we'll let you go quietly. Resist, and there will be trouble, which do you prefer?"

Jotham saw that one of the bandits was talking to the leader in a hushed whisper. The bandit looked at Jotham after that. "Oh how interesting, you must be from the City Guard-folk that came parading through here a short while ago. Our boss crushed those maggots in one fell swoop. He must've missed you somehow!" The bandit readied his spear and prepared to attack Jotham specifically. The other bandits rushed at Alister and William Arcus respectively revealing their numbers. "Let 'em have it boys! That City Guard fellow is mine!" The bandit leader said as he approached Jotham.

"Alister, prepare that spell now!" Jotham cried. "You've made a foolish mistake attacking us dead on now! You shall feel the wrath of the Overmages!" Vulnerable to attack, the Overmage waited until the bandit's leader began his movement. Then, the Overmage prepared his impressive power. Focusing his attention on the bandits around him, the Overmage yelled a war cry as the Dynamic Explosion was released. Prepped to its full power, the Overmage was suddenly surrounded by an impressive blue burst of energy. Jotham reached for the bandit leader even as he felt the spear impale his already damaged leg. Grabbing the bandit's head, the Overmage screamed as he released the power from within. The elemental energy flowed about his pursing subtly changing the environment around him. Grass began to burn from the heat, trees became scorched, and earth became blackened from the power. All around him, streaks of blue fire burst outward latching on to the enemy that was closest. Like hungry serpents, the tongues of flame crawled across the grass and latched onto the bodies of various victims. Screams filled the night. As Jotham's hands touched either side of the bandit leader's skull, the thief screamed with terror. Jotham squeezed as hard as he could and focused on burning the man alive. There was a tremendous gathering of the elemental energy, and the man's head exploded with a sudden burst of sinew and gore. Hot blood and flesh poured on the Overmage's body, making him bloodied.

Once the floodgates were unleashed, bursts of fire were everywhere. And spreading quickly throughout the environment. The cold night air served to increase the speed at which the blue fire spread. Bandits howled as their bodies were scorched to the core by the blue fire. Jotham fell to his knees as his spell finally began to die down around his person. It would take a few moments of rest for the Overmage to be ready to cast the spell again, as there was a cool-down price. Jotham's eyes crackled with the blue energy, and the nimbus around his body quieted down to a dull glow...

Jotham was now vulnerable to attack as he attempted to catch his breath.

[Revenant]

“Fucking City Guard,” William hissed as two of the bandits emerged from the brush in front of him. The dull grey of their matte blades seemed to soak in the light that the self-proclaimed Overmage, Jotham, billowed in droves. Vicious sneer split the bandits’ faces as the fearlessly approached William, driven forward by the command of their leader.

Why should they show fear, William’s deep scowl blackened his face, I’m just another helpless mark, right?

William and his ‘companions’ were seriously outnumbered, but most of the bandits’ bulk was focused on the glowing guardsman. Given some luck, Jotham’s spell, aided by whatever magic Alister had prepared, could drive a wedge between the encroaching forces.

Then the fun begins, William smiled within the depths of the tattered cloak he pulled tightly about him. The revenant did his best to appear harmless and frightened while he quietly coaxed forth the power in his veins. Sadistic joy in the bandits’ eyes told him that his ruse was working, and the familiar spider web of pain spreading throughout his body let him know that the demon was his to command.

That’s right, just a little closer, William watched the bandits stride confidently forward. His body was taught, the body of a hunting cat ready to pounce, and the world around him faded to black as everything but the approaching prey fell away. And still they came forward, three men locked on a course that would end in violence and blood, the forest echoing with the steady crunch of leaves under their boots. One of the bandits grunted, a bubbling sound rife with the imminent satisfaction of bloody release and William fought hard not to snarl in reply.

Two steps out of reach, a movement of the clouds cast a shaft of moonlight onto the clearing, revealing William’s naked, vicious grin to the world. This was no grin of elation or satisfaction, but a grin of raw, primal desire for nothing more than pain. Suddenly realizing that the man they faced was no prey, the bandits stopped dead. The world around the three of them paused on the edge of a knife, waiting for a catalyst to send it tumbling into madness and chaos.

And then Jotham unleashed his spell.

A wild surge of energy filled the clearing, bursting forth from the glowing Overmage. Lines of fire raced a wave of blistering heat throughout the forest, catching the unprepared bandits by surprise. Reflexively, the two men turned their bodies away from the blast and brought their hands up to shield themselves. It was all that William needed.

Releasing his grip on his demonic power, William loosed a bestial howl that echoed through the forest, sounding in concerted time with the screeching wail of the bandit’s leader. But where the bandit’s cry was cut short with a wet squelch, William’s voice roared on, twisting and contorting until no one could mistake it for a human sound.

A wave of heat, similar to the wake of Jotham’s spell, poured off the revenant’s demonic frame, withering the earth around him that had been spared the Overmage’s wrath, and filled the clearing with the strong stench of charred flesh. William moved forward to engage the startled bandits as the transformation overtook him, consuming his body with molten power.

The first bandit barely had time to register what was happening before William was upon him. He turned slightly trying to catch sight of William, but only managed a ghost of a scream before the razor edge of twisted bone claws sheared through his neck, tearing out his throat and nearly decapitating him. His body slumped to the dirt, hands feebly clutching at the ruined mass of flesh that had been his neck.

Given slightly more time, the second bandit managed to jerk back from the nightmare made flesh that was William. His blade came across in a panicked arc, seeking to drive the revenant away through sheer desperation rather than martial skill. William’s mocking laughter chilled the blood as he sent the blade crashing from the bandit’s hand with a casual backhand and then stepped up to plant his other fist deep into the man’s gut. Wide, disbelieving eyes locked onto the revenant’s burning orbs, freezing time into a second that dragged into eternity before a flick of William’s wrist rent the man’s belly open and spilled wet viscera to lay in a pile in the moonlight.

William did not silence this one, savoring the man’s anguished screams against the background of the cool night like an aristocrat savoring fine wine, and only when the screams turned to a sobbing gurgle did the revenant turn to seek new prey.

[bctb107]

Congratulations to the teams who made it into the playoffs and thank you to everyone who’s participated this season :) Things have gone much better than expected.

In case anyone has missed my post on the forums in the event of a tie in a playoff match you must play a 3rd round as a tiebreaker.
Also, just to remind everyone there will be no matches on Thursday, November 25 since it’s Thanksgiving :)