MQ: From The Ashes, I Arise Anew.

[Elthas_Belthasar]

(Note: Ope!!! Recruit Thread (http://www.althanas.com/world/showthread.php?26202-MQ-From-The-Ashes-I-arise-anew) This is the Age of Rebuilding. This project is dedicated to Findelfin.)

Elthas was looking at the map that lay before him.

It was because of The Trading Company that Elthas found himself in Raiaera. The one place on Althanas where ALL Elves were welcome, not just the High Elven variety. Elthas was a Corone Wood Elf, not high born at all. However, he was a hard worker, and was getting back to his roots with his culture and people. Raiaera was a prospect for The Trading Company, and that's what they were doing there. Rebuilding. Xem'Zund had razed Raiaera to the ground, and only a few settlements remained of the former Elven kingdoms. Elthas did not care about politics, or about the war with Xem'Zund's remnant forces. What Elthas DID care about was the thousands of misplaced refugees that survived the conflict with Xem'Zund. Other Nations were turning their back on these skilled reinforcements, but Elthas and the leaders of The Trading Company saw a potential work force. They saw a people starving for work, food, and the means to sustain themselves post the Xem'Zund war.

And that's where Elthas DID come in.

He was a naturally charismatic and skilled leader. He assumed such roles with ease due to his experience in The Syndicate, AND his position as Quest Monitor in The Trading Company. So the call was out. Raiaera was a wounded dog that needed to be healed, and there were many broken areas that could be fixed. Raiaera needed skilled workers. That's what lead Elthas to the tent he was currently in. A small forward camp located several yards to the SOUTH of Benoist. It was little more than an emergency care provider set up by local military. A police force that had to tackle on way too much more than it could handle, and perhaps, that's why it called for outside aide. Folk like Elthas answered the call.

It was mid afternoon, roughly 4:30 PM, standard Althanas time. It was a Tuesday, and the month was September. Refugees were still coming into the port city of Benoist from the various war torn areas of Raiaera. Some brave adventure folk went out into the wilderness with the hope of taking out Xem'Zund's remnant forces and be remembered Heroes. Elthas was there for an entirely different purpose. He did not want to be remembered for Heroism or courage, or none of that bullshit. He was there to make The Trading Company stronger, and thus, make Raiaera stronger. It was a business proposition you see, as long as skilled workers were able to help rebuild Raiaera on the side, The Trading Company could profit from side ventures and trade freely it's wares and manpower.

Elthas had his hands on the table, and he had a fountain pen in one hand. A container of black Raiaera quality ink was present on the table, and Elthas was scribbling notes on the map. He saw something that the others did not see, because his mind was sharp. Analytical. He saw trade routes, safety nets, new towns, and other matters that would be critical to rebuild Raiaera's infrastructure. Lot's of people all over the nation needed help, and Elthas would be certain they got it. No bullshit. He wrote a few more notes down, and then nodded. Turning finally to face three folk that were with him, all Elves. The taller of the three Elves, looked at Elthas and broke the ice first.

"Elthas, what do you got for us?" He asked.

"Work." Elthas said with a satisfied grin. He had embraced his job as Quest Monitory in The Trading Company. He used those principles for that job in all adventures he underwent, it didn't matter the scale of the project. "First, we need to find Captain Shellstus." Elthas said. "The Corpse Army needs to be dealt with before we can begin to rebuild the main project we are attempting to rebuild." Elthas explained as they walked towards the Captain's tent. It was a more elegant tent, a navy blue color. It was also located at the center of the forward camp and would be hard for anybody to miss. Plus it was the only tent with military guard stationed outside. Elthas had permission to enter the tent, and would do so. His companions would have to wait outside. Elthas had discovered something important about The Corpse Army. He saluted Captain Shellstus with a sincere half bow. Then, he got right to it. As always, Shellstus was not alone. Two other Elves, one man and one female accompanied him. They were Shellstus's most trusted advisers. "Captain." Elthas said carefully. "I have come up with a strategy to thwart off the Forsaken blocking our attempts to enter the area we need to get to."

"Elthas." The Captain greeted warmly. "Go on. You have my attention."

"I will need clearance for a small group of mercenaries and trade folks. If you allow me two extra hands, I believe we can clear this mess up ourselves. Quietly and quickly. I have discovered there seems to be a power source fueling the Undead. And it is a source we can exploit." Elthas said with confidence.

"What do you know of this power source?" The Captain asked. "We need any sort of edge against The Forsaken."

"So far very little. But it is centered around a small township roughly five miles to the east of here." Elthas said. "If we can clear the undead there, and begin to rebuild the town we would have a base right in the heart of The Forsaken's territory."

"A bold plan." The Captain said. "Are you absolutely certain about this power source?"

"One of the scouts brought this back to me." Elthas said. He tossed a small, but sturdy pouch towards the Captain's table. The pouch had an eerie glow about it. One of The Captain's advisers walked towards the pouch and opened it, he looked completely shocked by what he saw.

"T-this is..." The adviser said.

Judging by his associates' reaction, The Captain stood up from his chair. "What do you see, Adviser Algrith?"

"It's incredible! How did your associates manage to bring back something like this?" The old Elf said in response. "This is...pure TAP ENERGY. I've ever only seen it once in my life in a condensed state!"

"What the hell?" The Captain suddenly moved from behind his desk and walked over towards the sack. He took his sword, and used the tip open it. The sack from within it was revealed a small glowing gemstone of unspeakable power. "It..." The Captain shivered where he stood. "This could change everything, Elthas!" The Captain walked over towards Elthas. "You have my full permission to use whatever resources you need to gain control of this power source." The Captain said. "With that sort of weapon at our command, we can wipe out The Forsaken for good!"

"We can probably do more than that." Elthas mused. "But we must gain command of the power source first. Then we can build around it." Elthas said carefully.

"Very well." The Captain responded. "Get us this weapon and you and your team will be handsomely rewarded."

Elthas stepped out of the tent and looked at his comrades. "We are going to meet the rest of the team that The Trading Company has hired for us." Elthas said. They walked towards the main gathering tent, a sort of mess hall, where the hired builders and blades would await.

(Enter at the Mess Hall Tent.)

[Cydnar]

Seated at the central table, Cydnar and Dalasi Yrene engaged in conversation with one of the rebuilding efforts scouts. Each of the trio listened to the other intently.

“Are you certain?” Cydnar repeated.

The scout nodded. “I know what I saw…”

“Forgive my brother’s pragmatism,” Dalasi chuckled. He tore a cob in half, dipped it into the plate of ‘gravy’ they had been offered, and tried to make a meal out of it. “He means well.”

Cydnar glared at his sibling for a moment, before turning back to the scout. He did not eat, but sipped a glass of elven wine from a simple glass flute between thoughts.

“It’s just…,” he paused for dramatic effect “the Tap.”

Since rumours began, he had difficulty believing such a thing could appear on the surface. It was uncommon to find solidified wellsprings beneath the earth, entombed in stone and untouched. It should be near impossible for them to form in the light of day.

“Yes, the ‘Tap’,” the scout repeated, as though he did not believe in it. Given all that happened in Raiaera in the last decade, the distrust of magic was entirely understandable. In that, the trio had a common belief.

“Is it possible the council are mistaken?” Dalasi offered. He polished off the cob, and then scraped the remnants of the meaty juice over the overcooked potatoes. He jabbed it with a bent fork.

Cydnar and the scout shook their heads in unison.

“Whatever we think of our surface kin, brother, they are wise enough to the ancient ways to trusted.” The condescension in the elder of the duo’s voice was blatant. Dalasi stuck a tongue out at him, shortly forgetting his place.

“Will you help us?” the scout asked hopefully. He looked at Cydnar’s glass, realising he was parched from his journey north from Eluriand. He waved at the waiter, who appeared by his side with lightning reflexes. They conversed in high elven, a tongue beyond the brothers, and the waiter ventured to the bar.

“We were approached by the council to help with the restructuring and rebuilding of your monuments, my good friend. This…is not quite what my talents were designed for…,” he trailed off to muse over another sip of the wine.

Dalasi gazed around the mess tent, taking in the bewildering variance between occupants. There were elves of all kinds, and humans, dwarves, and orcs together in one common unit. It was a remarkable achievement, and pleasing to see a common, valiant goal put aside so many years of fear and self-loathing.

“Oh…,” the scout said remorsefully. He took his tankard when it appeared, and slipped the waiter a Damari; a coin Cydnar acquainted to one silver piece.

“Stay your disappointment, I did not say no.” Cydnar smiled.

“Say…what’s your name friend?” Dalasi interrupted. He slid his plate to one side, skirting it around a pool of long congealed cheese sauce. The tables were out of shape from weeks of constant use.

The scout raised his glass, thankful his clandestine rumormongering was doing the intended job of solidifying trust and support for the rebuilding effort.

“My name, Lord Cydnar, and Captain Dalasi, is Umami.” They toasted together. “Now, forgive me, but I must deliver my report to the garrison captain. The others brought in to secure our foot holding in this region will be shortly…” he smiled wickedly, “they will be outsiders, like you…so you cannot miss them.”

As Umami stood, bowed, and left, Cydnar and Dalasi looked apprehensively over their shoulders.

“Are you sure this is a good idea still?” Dalasi chuckled.

Cydnar bit his lip.

“Not remotely…”

[Cahill]

The tent was much busier than Eric had expected it to be; then again Raiaera wasn’t all he expected it to be either. When he had first glimpsed the city of Beinost on the horizon, he couldn’t believe the stories that he had been told in Radasanth. For a land that was in ruins the city was a spectacular array of colours and expert architecture. To say the least Eric was in awe, up until his feet met the harbour’s cobblestones. The city felt empty.

Radasanth’s harbour had always been bustling with life, traders peddling wares, sailors unloading cargo and even men and women seeking adventure. Here there were only handfuls of people around. The dock workers unloaded sullenly from the few ships. As he travelled through the city, not much changed. The only lively place it seemed had been the exit gates where refugees were gathered. That and this encampment south of the city.

He needed a place for the approaching evening, since neither he nor Radan felt at ease in the city and judging by the bulletin board as he entered the camp, he might have a chance at some coin. Quickly he made his way around the camp, popping his head into some tents until finally he found what he was looking for. A canteen-like tent. It was overrunning with people of all sorts and almost seemed like home, except with a lot more elves.

So in he went, making himself at home near an orc, before he setting Radan on the ground to have a look around. For the next while he continued to converse with the orc named Un-Adar about nonsense mostly. Radan on the other hand was doing something useful. As it darted around and between feet, chairs and tables, the rat cast an ear around in hopes of hearing anything worthwhile. It wasn’t long before he eventually did just that.

“…the Tap,” it heard and stopped under a table near the centre of the tent. The voice had belonged to one of three at said table. It was something valuable, as well as powerful as far as the rat could discern. Soon the conversation ended with one of the three leaving and Radan was off again, listening to various people in the tent, hearing of rebuilding and hunting of undead as well as other trivialities.

Eric could hardly contain his excitement as Radan, back on its usual perch on the half-elf’s shoulder, let the youth know of all that was learned. Turning his head to look past Un-Adar at the two his companion had mentioned, only half listening to the orc’s smithing story. They were two gray haired men, elves he believed.

He was going to accompany the group those two were part of he decided.

[Elthas_Belthasar]

(We're moving on, anybody who is recruited may post at any point still, the thread is Open to all who want to participate with the caveat that you stay to the end.)

Elthas and his companions arrived at the main gathering tent. It was little more than a large tent filled with various tables, and a cooking area set aside. The smell of food immediately touched Elthas's sensitive nostrils. He enjoyed the aroma but decided to ignore how hungry he was for a moment or two, there was too much work that needed doing. Elthas looked at his companions for a moment or two, they were trusted advisers who were locals. One was named Xianos, and the other was named Hemerick. Both were skilled Elves. Elthas looked at Xianos who had blue hair, and Hemerick who had platinum colored hair and nodded. His advisers spread out into the tent and began to gather information. One of the men he was looking for was the scout that initially brought him back the sample from The Tap. There was more to obtain still. Elthas saw Isaac over by the small group of others he had never seen before. They were talking about the find.

Elthas walked over towards Isaac and the others, looking at the brothers with respect. Elthas had seen them once or twice around the port city before. "Gentlemen." Elthas began. And Isaac turned to look at the familiar voice of Elthas, inclining his head with respect. Elthas sat down at a chair by the small group of people. Once Elthas was seated, the mercenaries and various workers who would join the expedition began to gather at the table. Elthas looked at Cydnar, Dalasi and Isaac for a long moment. "All right, here's the deal." Elthas said carefully. "As I am sure all of you are aware, the rumors are true." Elthas said. "Isaac has brought back a remnant of natural Tap Energies." Elthas saw that Isaac rightly beamed at the good compliment. "Now, it is my belief that there is more where the sample came from." Elthas saw a burly Orc head his way.

"Elthas." The Orc said with a gruff accent. "There are many Forsaken in that area." The orc tapped the side of his head. "Going to need a lot of skilled blades at your side."

"Agreed." Elthas said. "This endeavor will buy us not only time, but a foothold to rebuild greater Raiaera and eventually retake Eluriand." Elthas rubbed his chin thoughtfully for a moment. "This is a job that will call for everybody's assistance." Elthas said calmly. "We cannot allow The Forsaken to obtain a larger foothold or spread outside of Raiaera." Elthas stood up. "With this new weapon, we can DESTROY THE CORPSE ARMY for good!" Elthas looked at Cydnar and Dalasi, and everybody else gathered. "If you would assist me in the rebuilding of Raiaera you will all be handsomely rewarded. NOW, who is with me!?" Elthas asked, and raised a clenched, gloved fist. He looked at the excitement level of the gathered folk, there were no skeptical eyes amongst them. They had all fought long and hard, and wanted a piece of The Corpse Army. The Walking Dead. In that moment, Elthas built the foundation that would make him a leader of Men and Orcs and alike.

[Dalasi]

Cydnar and Dalasi looked at one another, smiled, and then turned in unison to Elthas. Without a shadow of doubt, they would accompany him to the front. What did cause doubt, however, was wherever or not the man’s zeal would lead others to their demise. It was an uncomfortable question, but one that, as allies of the resistance, Dalasi felt needed asking.

“Forgive me, sir, but do you have a stratagem for an attack?”

The tent fell silent, broken only by the soldiers who skirted about the fringes with laden platters and sloshing tankards. For some, it seemed, the watch was ending. Cydnar nodded in agreement, and they both rose from the table, dutifully, and stood to attention.

“Not to say we doubt you, at all,” Cydnar clarified.

Dalasi turned to the others who had congregated around the captain, weighing their prospects, and their talents with a keen and synergistic mind.

“I think we’d all like to know, Tap or no Tap, just what we can expect…,” he broke into a grin. “Asides zombies, of course.”

[Cahill]

Eric just about jumped over Un-Adar, tables and everyone in between himself and the central table when Elthas started to raise his hand. He knew he wasn’t the only one though. The entire tent had gone quiet as the Elf, which Eric rightly assumed would be the leader, entered with his accomplices. The man had a way of carrying himself, that spoke volumes and the speech he delivered could interest any in the cause. Promise of reward and even, for the softer hearts, the chance to help Raiaera.

That said, the rumble of tent was silenced a second time that day when one of the brothers spoke up, voicing concerns. The half-elf stopped dead in his tracks to the front of the crowd when he heard, wondering if the reward would indeed be worth the risk. The tug on his shoulder forced him forward, despite his doubts. The crowd had moved closer to the table by now, forming a wall that waited for a response from the leader.

‘Bother,’ Eric thought as he had to wedge himself between two burly orcs and then past a group of elves and a stray human. ‘If the Tap could elicit such a reaction from such a large group, such a varied group, it must be of more value than I thought. Some of it was with the leader there and there was apparently more!”

Finally he had made it to the front of the group, just next to where one of the elves, the blue haired one, that entered with Elthas stood, waiting with everyone else for the coming response.

[Elthas_Belthasar]

(Sorry for the delay folks Althanas Leagues has me a bit tied up but I'll be able to post regularly here anyway. Thanks for being patient.)

The Captain suddenly made his way into the gathering tent.

People excitedly spoke amongst themselves when The Captain arrived.

Elthas turned to look at him with a nod. It was all a carefully planned entrance, Elthas knew. He watched The Captain as the fellow brought the pouch with The Tap sample in it towards the largest table in the mess hall style tent. Elthas observed with fascination as the man undid the pouch and placed The Tap sample directly on the table. It glowed with incredible power. Immediately, most of the gathered folk turned their eyes to the captain. Even Elthas paid attention to what was about to be said. Elthas sat back against his chair in a relaxed fashion, and rubbed his chin carefully. He listened to what the fellow was about to say. He could hear the various conversations the gathered were having, and his eyes went towards Eric's person. He nodded towards Eric for a moment. Then, he returned his attention back towards the captain who just then began to speak.

"Everyone." He said. "Please gather around this thing." It was a small fragment of crystallized Tap energies. It appeared as a highly lacquered blueish crystal, quartz shaped. It was roughly a few inches long but pretty thick in structure, and had an intensely glowing light. Energies radiated from the crystal that could be detected by those with enhanced senses. As the people gathered around the crystal sample, the thing glowed somewhat brighter, and soon, it's glowing light nearly became blinding. The crystal itself gave off the pulsing light. "As we suspected the sample gave off a tremendous light. If we gather near the source of the sample, there will be a similar reaction..."

"You are hoping to banish The Corpse Army with this light...!?" The hearty Orc said carefully. He was skeptical, but it was a bold plan.

"More than that." The captain said. "If we can gain control of the source of The Tap energies, we can reinforce our wards in that area. We need you guys to go into the area and secure the site from the remaining remnant forces of The Corpse Army." The captain said carefully. "More importantly, I am going to contribute a significant amount of resources to this single effort. If we are able to recapture an entire area from The Corpse Brigade, we will be able to eventually wipe the entire army off the face of Althanas!"

A nearby Elf widened his eyes as he looked at the tap sample, then The Captain. "And reclaim our homeland!"

"Aye." The captain said.

Elthas continued to simply listen to the plan. It was bold, they would be accompanied by a small contingency of mercenaries and volunteer workers. Fortune favored the bold. "If we can recapture even a small foothold from the enemy it will be a victory." Elthas suddenly said. "For too long, our people have been without hope. Without Heroes. We must show the world that Raiaera, too, can produce magnificent Heroes!" Elthas said.

"Very true." The captain agreed. "But first, I will need you all to touch your weapons to The Tap sample..." The Captain said. "...That two is part of the plan. We will soak our weapons in Tap bound energies and obliterate The Corpse Army for good!"

The Orc reacted first. "For Raiaera!" He saluted and everyone else cheered, most of the gathered did anyway.

Elthas simply had a soft smile on his face.

And for a moment, he dared to believe that they could actually WIN against The Corpse Army. For a moment, he believed they could achieve victory.