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| Thread: Demonborn: Arise (5e IC) |  This thread is pages long: 1 2 3 4 5 6 · NEXT» |
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gnomes2169
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Duke of the Glade
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posted June 14, 2019 06:15 AM |
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Demonborn: Arise (5e IC)
Even in the mid-morning sun, Turatis was still almost unbearably frigid for the fifty thousand assembled soldiers. Mumbled complaints in huddled gatherings around campfires were the only sounds to challenge the howl of winds at the edge of the wasteland they’d called home. Two more weeks and spring would be upon them, early spring, yes, but still warm enough to thaw the earth, for their breath to come out without a puff of frost. Unfortunately, the armies of the dragon could not afford another two weeks of waiting. The first wave had to go, to establish contact with old allies and secure a front for the second, and should have been moving a month ago. Already, Behris’s armies would arrive late.
Farim’s invasion of the northern nations could not have been more perfectly timed if they had intentionally planned it.
From the command tents a signal was sent, and runners responded, riding ahead of squad captains and lieutenants to ensure everyone was assembled. Marching plans and orders had finally been decided upon, supplies and equipment divided, and the first day’s march would finally begin.
With a flap of scaled, leathery wings, the wyvern of your captain, a reborn of Oshai, lands in the middle of the battalion she was given to command. Sliding from the scaled beast’s back, she looks at each of you in turn and lets out a low sigh. Eliana’s voice is soft, yet somehow still heard above the howling winds, as she addresses the squads assembled before her. “Well, it’s finally time, everyone. We are moving out. The plan is to have our force march through the Purge, establish contact with the sul-sharen, and gain their assistance traversing the mountains between us and Rahvin. But... it won’t be exactly like we were planning before.
“I do not have to tell you that the winter was hard, and that the length hurt our food stores. I know that everyone here has had a few hungry nights in the last week, but it was necessary to ensure that we had enough of a stockpile to give rations along the road. Our scouts report that the wasteland ahead of us does not have the resources to sustain a force our size until a week’s trek out, and even then, we will have to be spread out, diffuse, making sure there isn’t too much overlap between us. To this end, we are dividing you into new squads. Instead of lights, heavies, scouts, healers and mage cadres, you will be divided into squads of irregulars. Your company lieutenant will have your new assignments.” A wave of surprised voices and disjointed grumbling came at this announcement, but the captain went on. “Once we reach the southern forests of Lor, we will regroup and see what we can do to fix the squad situation. But until then, we have to ensure as many of you reach the fey-filled forests as we can.” Shaking her head and letting out another long, low sigh, Eliana adds, “I hope to see all of your smiling faces somewhere we all aren’t freezing our collective tits off. Dismissed! Sergeants, report to your lieutenant to find your new squad assignment!”
As the obsidian-scaled officer turned around and lead her wyvern away, the other soldiers began milling about and gathering around the various lieutenants scattered throughout them. Among the more mixed-race companies, a dwarven voice cut across the muttering. “Sergeant Zacharias, squad six. Sergeant Durvas, squad eight. Sergeant Aife... Come see me.” Beside lieutenant Klein stood an aid carrying a sack full of equipment that he wasn’t particularly comfortable with, and beside that man stood a female sharen in cuffs.
Meanwhile, among the regular troops, the captain’s aides and the three squads assigned to the lieutenant had spread through their companions and began shouting names at a quicker pace. A copper-scaled reborn called out, “Cedar! Doppio! Grimlea! Veritas! Cedar! Doppio! Grimlea...” And he kept calling out those names until everyone relevant to this campaign not played by Geny or Joonas had congregated to him.
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Yeah in the 18th century, two inventions suggested a method of measurement. One won and the other stayed in America.
-Ghost destroying Fred
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Geny
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
What if Elvin was female?
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posted June 14, 2019 07:52 AM |
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Aife moved through the throng of soldiers, going through what she just heard. She was as surprised as everyone else by the captain's words, but not for the same reason. There was something else she did not understand, but this was the army and she'd have to figure it out as she went along. Finally she got to lieutenant Klein and saw the cuffed sharen. Was she a deserter? And where would one desert to out here?
"I'm here, lieutenant. What is this about?" She spoke in a soft almost melodic voice.
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Gnomes2169
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Duke of the Glade
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posted June 14, 2019 08:08 AM |
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The dwarf waits until he and Aife have some semblance of privacy, watching the other sergeants moving off to find their various squads, before he looks back at the dragonborn and tells her, "Right. I'm going to make this quick, lass. The squad you're getting is one of the most ill-fitting bunch o' misfits in this damned unit. And I'm sorry for that, but, well, they didn't give a damn about my opinion on the split, and orders are orders. But I was able ta pull some strings."
Gesturing to the sharen, he told her, "This lass is named Lass'aria, a girl who managed to make it across the damned purge from the other side on her own. Ney dragon, ney party, just her own gumption and her own trainin'. And... well, she ain't sworn ta the dragons, but she also knows that she ain't gettin' back over without our help. So she's gonna be yer guide. Say hullo, lass."
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B-E-T-A
Promising
Legendary Hero
Guess Who is Back?
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posted June 14, 2019 12:49 PM |
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Edited by B-E-T-A at 12:50, 14 Jun 2019.
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"Grimlea Reporting!" a gruff voice shouted as a bronze-skinned dwarven woman stepped out amongst the group to approach the man shouting. The woman had long, white hair which she kept in a single braid hanging from the back of her head. Her armour was rather basic, wearing a single, sturdy looking black breastplate on her chest, with protective red winter clothing underneath. On her joints she had a few padded leather protectors, and her hands were covered by thick fur leather gloves. Hanging from her side was a large battleaxe.
"What we fightin'?" she said, setting her steely red-eyed gaze on the dragon in front.
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There is no good or evil, only madness. The question is "Just how mad are you?"
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JoonasTo
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
What if Elvin was female?
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posted June 14, 2019 02:37 PM |
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Edited by JoonasTo at 14:38, 14 Jun 2019.
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The sharen woman shifts herself forward awfully comfortably for someone in cuffs. ”Lass’aira.” She gives a meaningful look in the direction of the small lieutenant before turning to the dragon sergeant. “Hospitable folk.” As she shakes her hands, the shackles fall to the ground. She glares at the aid. “Ye may have yours, givest me mine own.” she glares at the aide, who hands her the equipment he was carrying.
She methodically rummages through the stuff. In a low voice, she curses, “Laureamin! Utinur en lorinim...” It does not take her long to finish arranging her items and equipping herself. She has a longbow and a pack on her back, a quiver, and a whip at her side. She ties the straps of her thick fur gloves around her wrists and straightens her cloak. After pulling her fur-lined hood on, hiding her copper hair, only her determined, bronze eyes shine back from the warm embrace. Finally, she slips her white hands into the fur mittens and grabs her stout staff in her left hand. “We bring four, lest we go hungry.”
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Geny
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
What if Elvin was female?
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posted June 14, 2019 07:29 PM |
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Edited by Geny at 09:28, 15 Jun 2019.
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Aife looked at the Sharen with interest as the latter got her things in order. When she was finally done and said they needed four, Aife smiled at her warmly.
"Hello, Lass’aira. I am called Aife and I will command the squad you'll be guiding."
She turned to the lieutenant.
"How many soldiers will I have in my squad?"
"Ye'll have four men and the lass. All the upper brass saw fit to give ye. They be assembling over there." He pointed at a group that was starting to form not far away, "I trust ye can handle it from here. I 'ave more matters to attend to."
He nodded to Aife, glanced at Lass’aira and went away followed closely by his aid.
"So it appears we'll be six total. That'll have to do." Aife's voice was still kind and gentle, "But before we go and meet the squad, would you mind telling what made you go through the The Purge and how did you make it?"
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JoonasTo
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
What if Elvin was female?
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posted June 14, 2019 10:16 PM |
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"Mine clan liveth on the edge. It be not all unfamiliar to us." She squats down, drops a glove to hang off her left hand and whispers to the wind. "Ala ar'lota." A short stubby seedling spreads its first dicots from the ground, barely above the dark sand. "Life always hath a grasp."
She picks up the miniscule plant along with its seed and offers it to Aife on her cupped palm. "One hath to only look harder."
Then she suddenly grasps it close and eats it. "And avoid being found."
She rises up. "I am good at both." After sizing up the sergeant she questions her. "Thou...neither?"
After a small pause she continues. "Wet wind from west, more to eat, more that eat. Dry in east, less to eat, those that eat more hungry. Not good at not seen, best goeth neither."
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Oddball13579
Supreme Hero
Grandmaster of the Hunt
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posted June 14, 2019 11:39 PM |
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Cedar remained where he was for the moment. Perched upon a stack of supply crates at the outer most edge of the gathered horde of men and women. Below him the soldiers milled about. Gathering their things, reporting to their stations, regrouping and dispersing new orders.
As they passed by him he could hear their complaints and griping. Many now disgruntled with the news of squad rearrangement. Squads that had trained together and formed unique dynamics and bonds now rent apart and forced to work with complete strangers.
Cedar shook his head. The news was not surprising to him, after all, travelling in groups based solely on vocations was far from a good idea. What would happen if someone was gravely injured and there was no healer around? Or if the mages got into trouble with a close quarters foe? The Purge was an incredibly dangerous place. He had been against the previous plan as soon as it was conceived, but had refrained from speaking against it. He was already on thin ice with both his superiors and Behris himself. For completely different reasons mind you. He sighed heavily. It is what it is. This new plan he was okay with—it was tactically sound—but having to work and deal with strangers........he'd rather work alone.
Lowering himself down from his perch, he adjusted his winter clothing. Shirt, pants, gloves, boots, cloak and hood, all black fabric lined with white fur. Grabbing his belongings. He slung his backpack over his shoulders, attached his spellbook to a loop on his belt, which then dangled against his thigh, and grabbed his staff, basic and plain. It stood just a bit taller than he was. All items accounted for he began to make his way toward the person who was shouting his name.
A harsh, frigid, gust of wind blew over the encampment. Cedar shivered, drawing his furred cloak tighter around himself.
Achoo!
Cedar stopped walking and groaned, wiping at his nose with his free hand and sniffling. He had spent four years in this frozen wasteland and it had done nothing to acclimate him to the weather. He yanked the furred hood attached to his cloak over his head. He could not wait to get out of this freezing hellscape.
He let out an irritated huff, his breath curling in front of him in a foggy cloud, taunting him. He glared at it before continuing on. Weaving through the crowd, bumping into and being bumped into by fellow soldiers, he spied a copper-scaled reborn yelling his name. Next to the reborn was a dwarven woman. One of his new squad mates he guessed. He approached the two.
"Cedar here." Amber eyes briefly glanced down at the dwarf woman, before refocusing on the coppery reborn.
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"Just slide her down a bit farther. I could wear her like a hat." - Gnomes
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Geny
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
What if Elvin was female?
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posted June 15, 2019 09:37 AM |
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Aife, who was already reaching for the plant as it was snatched back, pulled back and readjusted her warm mantle. It was long and hid most of her, exposing only a smiling head atop a graceful neck, a pair of boots and the tip of her silvery tail. It was also more colorful than any other in the area. A warm yellow color, to be precise, with an intricate swirl of green lines as if vines enveloped her body.
"You are right, I am not good at either finding life nor avoiding it. My calling is protect it, whenever I can." She glanced around at the assembling squad, "now then, do you have everything you need? Because if so, we should go and meet the rest of our group."
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CountBezuhoff
Supreme Hero
Nihil sub sole novum
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posted June 16, 2019 12:17 PM |
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'Doppio! Veritas!', the aide continued to shout. Suddenly, a greyish figure, which had remained completely unperturbed by the surrounding confusion, started to twitch. Its hand reached somewhere deep inside its shabby travel coat and reluctantly took out a heavy pouch. Cheerful metallic ringing gave away its contents.
'Here you are!' A golden piece was tossed in the direction of a sturdy gnome, precariously stumbling towards the tall blonde human that had spoken. The gnome cursed as he struggled to keep his balance, the enormous backpack stripped to his shoulders and the plain tea set in his hands overcomplicating this rather simple task.
'And, Luigi, remember: try not to waste it all on booze!', the man tauntingly remarked. Luigi passed him the backpack and poured two cups of steaming hot green tea.
'And then ta mek a livin' I'll 'ave to be yer fetch boy agen? Scru ya, Doppio!', said the gnome, feigning anger.
'Hm, we'll see about that'. Doppio gladly emptied his cup and sighed with pleasure. 'Some day I might need one to carry all my equipment'. He left the cup back on its tray and then donned on his backpack. 'Anyway, I'd better get moving. I don't want to leave a bad first impession on my new sergeant. If all goes well, I'll meet you at Lor!'
Luigi waved him goodbye and proceeded to pick up the tea set. Then he paused and stared for a while at his former employer. There was something ...odd about him, something peculiar. Luigi couldn't really tell what it was, but he was certain that it had nothing to do with Doppio's light travelling clothes, which seemed to better protect him from the biting gale's onslaught than any winter coat could ever dream of.
Doppio swiftly walked through the crowd. Not even a slight 'cling' indicated the existence of two daggers, deftly hidden somewhere under his cloak. His backpack and attire both shared the same scruffy shade of grey, which appeared in tone with the overall dimness of the surrounding landscape.
'What a lovely morning! Don't you agree, Sire?', he cheerfully greeted the reborn, calling him by name.
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Elvin
Admirable
Omnipresent Hero
Endless Revival
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posted June 16, 2019 08:07 PM |
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Edited by Elvin at 20:29, 16 Jun 2019.
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Veritas whistled, drawing some stares.
"There's a Lass I'd like to have beside me in the thick of combat. And a field medic? Isn't there room for little old me?"
Veritas had of course been slacking somewhere out of sight. It was rarely a good idea to be visible much less available but there was no helping it when called by name. She figured that if she had to be sent off somewhere, she might as well join a capable squad. A medic and a fierce warrior certainly sounded better than what she got last time. Better to fight and survive than becoming a deserter in such an inhospitable environment.
Lowering her green hood she strode forth, her shoulder-length blond hair swaying in the chilly breeze. There was a twinkle in her green eyes.
"Veritas reporting for duty sir!"
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Gnomes2169
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
Duke of the Glade
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posted June 17, 2019 03:23 AM |
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((Elvin, Geny and Joonas))
Lass'aira would find that everything was in her pack! Well... everything but the artifacts and trophies she had claimed on the way here. Anything of magical import besides her potions, the necklace that would heal her in the field, and the unbreaking arrows had been claimed by her captors. And her booze was also claimed, though that was probably by the jailers who had been in charge of her equipment while it was being held for her trial.
A trial which never happened, of course, but then, it isn't likely anyone had thought there would be a use for her, and once one had been found, they only left behind what would be useful on her trek back home. A journey which would, to be fair, give her the opportunity to find new trinkets and treasure... and this time, she would remain a free woman at the end of that trail.
The dwarven lieutenant made his way off, he had supply redistribution to oversee, after all, but the aid would continue walking beside both Lass'aira and Aife, picking up the discarded cuffs and looking a bit miserable, but keeping his bellyaching to himself. It seems like the man is used to the shenanigans of the sharen woman by this point. Acclimated enough to know what to expect in the near future.
As they walked, he made sure to hand the various weapons that had been confiscated and kept separate from her pack while he addressed Aife. "You have been given sub-squad five. A new concept, even if it's not exactly something that I feel is going to catch on." He told the sergeant. "Smaller than a normal squad, meant to move ahead of other squads of irregulars. More balanced than most parties... at least in theory. Also in theory, more elite and flexible than regular soldiers. Workshopping the name for it, but the higher ups were leaning towards 'forerunners' or 'marines.' Point is, you're going to have a smaller squad, meeting right over... there!"
And as he points out the copper reborn, Veritas finally joins them and says his thing, and the other aid looks up from the small group gathered around him and gives them a wave, before pulling a letter out of a side pouch, and giving Aife a meaningful glance.
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((BETA, Count, Oddball))
As you each begin reporting in, the reborn would mentally check off who had come around and start pulling packs off of his back. "Right, well you layabouts, we're finally getting ready to move out, and that means one very, very important thing... it's resupply time, boys and women! Well preserved field rations that you should try not to eat too many of both for the horrible stomach cramps that will surely follow, and so that you can save them for emergencies. Also, maps, a compass for your navigator, aaaaand... well, actually, that's about it. Not much, but hopefully enough to see you sorry lot where you need to go. So take a pack, everyone. It will feel heavy now, but you'll be happy for that weight later."
Within each pack is two weeks of well-preserved rations, a map with rough, rough outlines of geographical locations within the Purge, more detailed near the border of Turatis, but with little else in the way of features. A second set of maps of Lor and the territories within it were also provided, and far more detailed. A rendezvous point for the company between the Lorac Blood Tear and Loras Sharen territories has been chosen, with a second rendezvous point at the coast for the full first army to gather.
The aid locks eyes with a silver reborn making her way towards you all, and pulls out a latter after he gives her a wave. "Speak of the demon and they shall appear, that's your sergeant, lads and lasses, and walking right next to her is yer navigator. Stick on her good side, even if she don't look like she has a bad one, and she'll treat you right. Keep you alive too, I would think." He didn't specify which of the two he meant either with the flirt or the advice.
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JoonasTo
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
What if Elvin was female?
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posted June 17, 2019 09:39 AM |
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As Aife went to address the other aide and the rest of the squad, Lass’aira nods to Veritas and greets her politely. ”Elen sila lumen omentilmo, malseler’edhel.”
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Geny
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
What if Elvin was female?
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posted June 17, 2019 02:10 PM |
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Aife reached out, took the envelope and hid it in the recesses of her mantle, nodding to the aid. She then turned to her new troops.
"Hello. I am Sergeant Aife. I am your commander for the foreseeable future. This" she gestured towards Lass’aira, "is Lass’aira. She will be our guide through The Purge. It is an unexplored, uninhabitable and generally unfriendly place. However, I am your sergeant now, which means that you are all my boys and girls." As she said this, Aife took the time to look at each and every one of them, including Lass’aira. "And if you do what I tell you to then I will make sure you all come through this without missing anything important."
Indeed, even though she talked loudly, her soft tone sounded less like an officer rallying his troops and more like a mother reassuring her children.
"Now then, we will have a lot of time to get to know each other better on the way, but since this is a very irregular squad everyone will now say their name and expertise."
She looked at the four in front of her expectantly.
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Oddball13579
Supreme Hero
Grandmaster of the Hunt
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posted June 17, 2019 08:29 PM |
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"*Ni allaf gredu hyn. Mae'r duwiau wrth eu bodd yn achosi gofid i mi." Cedar muttered under his breath. They didn't need a mother for a commander. Was she going to coddle them and kiss there injuries better? Cook them dinner and then tuck them into bed? Cedar took a deep breath, grip tightening around his staff. He slowly released the breath, the near death grip on his staff going lax.
He took a step forward. "I'm Cedar. I'm a wizard, I specialize in the," achoo, "evocation school." Cedar sniffled again. His face was flushed from the cold, tan skin tinted with rosy pink. He shivered and pulled his cloak around himself even more. Trying very hard to disappear into the black fabric. "Can we please hurry this along? I really don't intend on catching my death of cold out here." Mild irritation bled into his tone.
*Primordial; I cannot believe this. The gods love to cause me distress.
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"Just slide her down a bit farther. I could wear her like a hat." - Gnomes
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CountBezuhoff
Supreme Hero
Nihil sub sole novum
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posted June 18, 2019 11:59 PM |
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'Now, now,' started Doppio, 'no need to throw away our manners just because of some cold'. A vibrant smile appeared on his face as he turned towards Aife. 'Good morning, Sergeant, I'm corporal Doppio Schweik, formerly a member of the second Warlock platoon. It will be a pleasure working under you, I am confident'.
'Yes, it really will be...', he thought.
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Elvin
Admirable
Omnipresent Hero
Endless Revival
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posted June 19, 2019 09:25 PM |
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Veritas slightly bowed her head and greeted Lass'aira in response.
"Saesa omentien lle. Always good to meet one of the fey blood. This is going to be interesting."
(*Elven: Pleasure meeting you.)
Cedar's sneeze diverted her attention for the moment.
"You can sure evoke sneezing! Cheer up my good man, the weather is already changing."
"Where are we needed then?"
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Geny
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
What if Elvin was female?
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posted June 20, 2019 06:23 AM |
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"Right now you are needed here, instead of wherever your head was. Name and expertise, soldier."
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Elvin
Admirable
Omnipresent Hero
Endless Revival
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posted June 20, 2019 06:35 AM |
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Edited by Elvin at 06:35, 20 Jun 2019.
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Another serious one, Veritas thought.
"Aye aye. I am Veritas, specializing in woodcarving, subterfuge, infiltration, traps and illusions. I could make a parrot on your shoulder, wanna see?"
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Geny
Responsible
Undefeatable Hero
What if Elvin was female?
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posted June 20, 2019 06:43 AM |
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"Not right now, but I'm certain you'll have a lot of time to show off on our journey. And that leaves us with..."
Aife looked expectantly at the dwarf.
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