Shift
Gamer
Softly Falling, Falling Softly
Posts: 10
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Post by Shift on Jan 9, 2009 1:02:45 GMT -5
With hair damp from the humidity of the place, Zyki silently slips through the drooping, moss encrusted trees of the Bitter Coast. Her hair is tied back in a high ponytail, her swords strapped to her sides and her eyes sharp and intense. It’s obvious that she expects a fight at any moment, yet the determined set of her jaw and her steady stride all show that she’s not backing down from her destination. A place like that in a Mid-Level area? Many speak of it, but none have actually seen it. In fact, it may simply be a fantasy dreamt up by gossipy players. I will find it, if it does exist; and if it doesn’t, then I’ll have at least confirmed the fact. Nodding to herself, the Night Elf picks her way along the soggy ground. Coming to a bend in her chosen path, she halts in place.
Laid out before her is a large stretch of open water. It’s completely still and covered by a thick layer of rotting leaf matter and other less recognizable substances. Despite the openness of the area, though, no sunlight leaks through the wide canopy that floats over it, for the trees were growing right out of the water. The trees that ring the area and cling to the land rise higher up than the ones in the water, their roots exposed to the open air and disappearing into those unknown depths. The stench of the place is barely tolerable and she can’t help but wrinkle her nose.
“Wide Waters…,” a soft mutter slips through her lips, a thoughtless action. Realizing what she’d done, Zyki glances all around her, making sure her movements are slow and easy; she doesn’t want to attract any unwanted attention. Sure that she’s not done so, the Night Elf once again returns her gaze to the waters before her. Reputedly, in the exact center of this inland sea, is a large ancient tree where slumbers a wily Black Dragon; Scraggiden. The tree, or so it’s said, is actually a hidden dungeon, a fluke of a place that has a large mix of mid to high level monsters in it. The oddity of the place is that it’s said to only appear when certain conditions are met and the time inside the game is right. A special place, filled with rare items and creatures that give more experience than their levels would normally allow. A place that shouldn’t exist; a Hidden Ground.
Eyes narrowing, Zyki stares intently at the scene before her. It’s deadly quiet and unusually still, not even a stray breeze brushes past. Slowly, sweat wends its way down her temples, yet she doesn’t move to wipe it away. The place it uncomfortably hot and is even more so with all the armor she has on, even if it is light armor. Where are the insects? Where are the Guardians of the Swamp? I have not encountered any beasts since I’ve entered this section. She can feel it, though, in the stillness. The silence is malevolent and pregnant with an expectant intelligence. Something awaits my arrival, knows of my presence.
Ah, but before she can even consider encountering the unknown entity, she must first think of a way to reach the center of Wide Waters. She must venture out onto the water, for there is no dry land anywhere in that putrid liquid, except for the Hidden Ground area. Leaning against a tree and falling still in the deep shadow it casts, she ponders how she should go about doing so.
Silently, a heavy fog begins to creep along the surface of the water, obscuring all around in its ever shifting white. She must hurry, before her chance passes.
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Queen
Moderator
Guild Master of The Kingdom
Posts: 59
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Post by Queen on Jan 10, 2009 23:12:32 GMT -5
There, near the dangerous coast, a lone Nix Hound patrolled his territory. The perilous beast, foaming at the mouth and pawing at the ground with razor-sharp claws, seemed strangely agitated. It seemed wanting to flee into the deeper forest, but its pride kept it still. A bad decision. A golden blur pierced through the thick canopy of trees, as fast as a bolt of lighting, and before the monster had a chance to react, its head went rolling at the edge of Ragnarok.
Queen gathered her spoils, pitiful amount of coins that hardly interested her, and once more cast her glance coastward. Her regal golden mane flowed freely behind her, carried by a mysterious wind. There have been rumors, ones that must have been quite likely since they reached her ears. Supposedly, near the stretch of water she now hunts at, there was a secret location that appears at a particular time. Of course, the source where she heard from hardly wanted to reveal the information. But as always, there was little money couldn’t buy.
She studied the stretch of water before her, half-covered by dense vegetations of trees. Nothing seemed to be out of place, but a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach urged her to stay. It turns out her instincts were right. Soon, a heavy fog began to obstruct her vision, and she re-saddled Fafnir. It would appear that her timing was perfect.
With a majestic roar, the dragon sailed forth at his rider's beckoning, bursting through the trees before him, skillfully avoided the thick trunks. In mere seconds, he flew past the little distance separating Queen and the stretch of water. They were at the coast now, still flying at a person's height. There were a just a few trees that still obstructed her vision, ones Fafnir soon bypassed...
And as he flew around the last tree, his wings nearly collided with a shadow reclining against that tree. Queen jerked the reins violently, bringing the dragon into a sudden halt. Her eyes widened. There was another player here? How terribly silent her footsteps must have been, for even with her enhanced hearing, Queen picked up nothing.
"My apologies, are you alright?" She called out to the player, whose form was still half covered by the leaves of the tree.
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Shift
Gamer
Softly Falling, Falling Softly
Posts: 10
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Post by Shift on Jan 12, 2009 0:35:02 GMT -5
Still she thinks, leaning into the deep shadow created by a shallow crevice in the swamp tree. How do I go about reaching the center of those waters? Swimming in it would be simple suicide… Slowly, her eyes sweep along the scenery before her, taking in any detail that may aid her in her thinking. I could use a large log as a boat of sorts, but it’ll have to be a sturdy one and those are hard to come by in this soggy place. Then a thought hits her, one so obvious that she almost laughs out loud at her deep contemplation. Her gaze rises from the water, above the creeping fog, and up into the thick intertwining branches of the swamp trees. They form a high dome of green and vegetation over Wide Waters, cutting out any chance of a stray beam of sunlight from breaking through. Of course! I can climb into the canopy and use those interlocking branches as a means to travel over the water… Before her thoughts can go any further, though, an ear shattering roar splinters the silence.
What was that!? It sounded close! Head swiveling in the direction the roar came from, Zyki’s just in time to see a flash of gold streaking right towards her. Eyes widening in shock, she presses herself as close to the trunk of the tree as she can. And just in time too, for even as her action ends, she feels the heavy suction of air battering at her as whatever it is shoots past her.
Raising a hand to shield her eyes from the debris that was flung about by the creatures passing, the Night Elf is unable to see what it was that’d just blown past. Is it one of the Guardians of the Swamp!? Lowering her arm, she squints out past the shadows and to the one section of brilliance in the marshlands. A Golden Dragon! Here? Confusion enters her, for Golds usually stayed away from hot and humid places like this, preferring the scorching heat of the deserts or the icy winds of the mountains; as long as it was dry. But not soon after her recognition of the beast, a voice sounds out and she’s able to see the form of another player sitting astride the dragon’s back. Ah, I see… a Dragon Knight… and a Golden one at that. There’s not many of those around…
Breaking out of her musings, Zyki rises from her defensive crouch. At some point, she’d unsheathed both of her blades, an instinctual and automatic reaction to any sign of danger. Sheathing her scimitars, she steps out of the deep shadows and into the brighter twilight of the swamp. It’s obvious from her appearance that she’s not one to often move about in wide open places.
Keeping careful track of the dragon hovering over the water, she casts her gaze swiftly about her surroundings. Returning her light lavenders back to the rider, she replies to the other’s inquiry. “I am fine.” Her voice is low and musical, a lilting accent adding character to her words. Still wary, though, and a bit irritated that her location has been revealed to any beast around, she continues, her voice a little dark, “Shouldn’t you be more careful? You’ll attract the attention of all the monsters around this area, and they’re not weaklings this deep in.” Eyes locking onto the others, she adds, “I don’t care how strong you may be, not even a powerful player could defeat that many creatures, by themselves, all at once.”
Arms down at her sides and within easy reach of her weapons; she falls completely still, awaiting the unknown person’s reaction. Great, it’s obvious that she’s much stronger than you. Why did you have to go and provoke her like that? You haven’t saved since entering this swamp and you’ve gained quite a bit of experience. If you fight her now, you’ll loose if all! Silently, she berates herself, even as she keeps watch on the other and her dragon. With her dark hued and enhanced armor, it’s still very hard to see the Night Elf's shape in the dimness. Only her slightly shimmering eyes and the simple fact that she’s not trying to hide give her away.
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Queen
Moderator
Guild Master of The Kingdom
Posts: 59
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Post by Queen on Jan 13, 2009 16:03:41 GMT -5
What a most curious skin tone…Queen found herself wondering as she raked her eyes down the other player’s lithe form without the slightest chagrin. It was almost hard to describe the coloration, the shade being light lavender but at the same time having a certain bluish glow. It was rare to see a night elf these days, particularly female ones. While she herself had nothing against the most artistic skin color, there were quite a few players who considered them odd or unpleasant.
At the same time, the sheer discovery of the other girl’s race was a pretty good indicator of the player’s skill level. To pick a night elf means forgoing the “cute” card angel races love so much, and players who ignored the skin tone are more likely to be devoted levelers who churned out powerful characters…skillfully archers and rogues in particular. Done with a quick head to toe scan, sapphires raised to meet the other player in the eye, holding a new found respect.
But that respect quickly dwindled as the night elf began chastising her. Call it Rockefeller pride, but Queen hated being reprimanded, especially by a player lower in level than her. A defensive glint flashed in her defiant sapphires, and her visage bore a trace of arrogance as she looked down from her higher vantage point.
“What monsters?” She asked rhetorically, defensive sapphires penetrating into stubborn lavenders. And nature just decided to play a joke on her right then as an annoying Cliff Racer charged straight toward her from behind, hoping to catch her off guard. As if. Not moving a muscle, Queen acted completely ignorant of its advance as the beast neared, but a slight twitch of her wolf ears gave away her awareness. As the beast finally surfaced from the canopy of trees, jaw wide open and ready to strike. It was so assured of its success that it even cawed, a blood-curdling screeching sound.
The idiocy of such action brought a smirk to Queen’s face. Without sparing a glance backwards, she deftly unsheathed her buster blade in a lightning quick draw. With what would only have appeared as a blur to the untrained eye, she spun the blade in her hand, gripped it backwards, and thrust it over her shoulder. The poor Cliff Racer never had a chance to finish his caw.
“Anyway, as I was saying, what monsters.” Flickering the blood off and re-sheathing the blade nonchalantly as if nothing had happened, she started again with a proud tone. Queen wasn’t usually this vain…and the night elf had a very valid point. But her pride had been challenged, and regardless of how correct the other might be, she wasn’t going to listen.
At another time, she might have challenged the player to a duel or a hunt, anything to prove her prowess. But at the moment, she was far more preoccupied with the misty swamp. It was truly tragic if she miss the entrance time do to a stupid banter.
She looked over at the night elf, then at the island. There was no reason she have to explain anything of course. She didn't know the other player, and the girl did provoke her. But nonetheless, it was her fault for almost knocking the other player from the tree...
With a sigh, she started again with a softened tone. "Look, I apologize for whatever trouble I might have caused you, though I maintain that I could easily handle anything nearby. But I admit that it's my fault for startling you, so if your destination is the same as mine," she flickered her wrist toward the general direction of the island, "I could give you a ride over as compensation. If not, well, then I really got to get going." As if sensing his rider's impatience, Fafnir heeled and snorted, fluttering his broad wingspan and stirring up a cloud of moss.
OOC: Ahh, sorry if I wasn't very clear. But just as a side note, Eternal Land is like an online game kind of? So you don't get to save, sorry~
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Shift
Gamer
Softly Falling, Falling Softly
Posts: 10
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Post by Shift on Jan 20, 2009 0:28:55 GMT -5
Holding herself completely still and suppressing the urge to shift from foot to foot as the unknown other looks her over, Zyki returns the favor with her own observations. Hmm… she is most definitely stronger than I am. The fact that she’s a Dragon Knight proves that beyond anything else. And a Gold! Grudging respect for the other player slips into her thoughts, for she knows of the difficulty that comes with taming such a Dragon. Ah, look, I’ve hit a nerve. Disappointment flashes through her as the other draws herself up and glares arrogantly down at her. Well, you did provoke her… Her reaction should be no surprise to you. Again her thoughts are directed negatively towards herself. Lost in her own little world for a moment, the Dark Elf almost misses the question. Not realizing the question might have been rhetorical, she opens her mouth to reply when suddenly a Cliff Racer leaps out of nowhere and attack the golden haired lady.
Stepping back into the shadow of the tree, Zyki places her back to the trunk. Her scimitars flash in her hands, her movement swift and skilled. Eyes staring unwavering at the charging beast, they widen slightly when the other whirls around and easily dispatches the thing, mid-caw and all.
Eyes shifting back towards the other, she keeps her blades out, wary. Their conversation hadn’t been too well off to start with, and with the appearance of a monster, it may take a turn for the worse. But at the nonchalant return to the last question, the Night Elf sheathes her weapons once again. What monsters?, she thinks sarcastically, but this time she wisely keeps her mouth shut. Yet even as the thought passes through her mind, her respect for the other rises. Such ease! What level is she, to destroy a Cliff Racer in one blow? I am no match for her at my current level. There and then she resolves to go into an intensive level up session. And what better place to do that than the Hidden Ground she searches for?
She’s still not spoken to the other since her little irritated outburst, and she wonders what that person thinks of her silence. Most people got fed up with her for it, rather quickly. But before she can say anything to try to prevent such a scenario, the Dragon Knight apologizes to her! Shock flickers briefly over her features, before she composes herself. Apologizing, to her? A rare occurrence indeed.
Listening to the softened tones and those quiet words, Zyki feels the last of her annoyance drain away. She’d just been startled was all and had snapped at the other for it, anyway, so it was partially her fault as well. Speaking before she could fully think her words through is a large flaw in her personality, and has been for quite some time now. Apparently, she’s not yet been able to overcome it. Sighing at her thoughts, the Night Elf flicks her gaze over to the island in the distance. It looks so far away… and I’d be hard pressed to survive in that place if I had to fight monsters the whole way there… Coming to a decision, Zyki returns her eyes to those dark sapphires.
“It is the same.” Pausing, she glances uneasily at the Gold, which seemed agitated about something. Yet, despite the fact that the dragon is intimidating, she knows that it won’t attack her if its Dragon Knight doesn’t order it. Nodding her head in agreement, she bows formally to the lady before her. “Thank you…” Realizing that she doesn’t know the others name and thinking it rude to not give her own, she steps fully out of the shadows and into the dim glow of some nearby fluorescent moss.
“I am Zyki.”
(OOC: Sorry about how late this is! No, no, it was fine. Ah, so it’s more like Guildwars, then? I was comparing the game play to the .Hack anime/game, where one still has to save to keep all of their experience and stuff.)
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Queen
Moderator
Guild Master of The Kingdom
Posts: 59
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Post by Queen on Jan 25, 2009 12:38:21 GMT -5
As the destination was confirmed, Queen gave a brisk nod. She figured as much. There were no other monsters around this area, and unless the other player felt like wasting time, she would have had no reason to loiter around. The show of gratitude however brought a smile to her face. It was quite reminiscent, in a good way. In a time span of mere seconds, she had gone from angrily defensive to cheerfully casual. It was so like her, reacting with anger to anger and meeting thoughtfulness with thoughtfulness.
“Don’t mention it,” she said, brushing back a strand of golden mane, sent flying by Fafnir’s impatient display. “And a pleasure to meet you, I’m Queen.” She needed no further introduction, for her name sufficed. Except for those with no interest in guilds and rankings all together, not many haven’t heard the resounding name of Queen- the Guild Master of The Kingdom, one of the highest rated guilds in Eternal Land. Her name was her recommendation, for with it came authority, and naturally, power.
Giving a faint pull on Fafnir’s reins, she commended the dragon to lay himself flat to the ground, bringing her form to about Zyki’s level. “Now, my beautiful night elf, the choice is yours.” She said, petting the gigantic gold lovingly. “Before me and behind me, take your seat, and let Scraggiden pray that he made never been created!”
OOC: Yes! Finally someone who know the Guild War series. Naturally, some of the place names might sound familiar to you, since I modeled this forum largely after this game.
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Shift
Gamer
Softly Falling, Falling Softly
Posts: 10
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Post by Shift on Jan 26, 2009 21:22:43 GMT -5
The rather sudden change in the Dragon Knight catches Zyki off guard. From arrogantly defensive to this sudden open cheer throws her off completely. It’s like she did a full 180 emotionally! Still taken aback by the odd shift in moods, it takes a few seconds before the others words sink in.
Queen?? THE Queen!? Eyes widening at the realization of who she’s talking to, Zyki remains silent as the full impact of the information she’s received wends its way through her thoughts. I’ve heard of her, but only in passing. Not once have I seen her, not even a glimpse in the distance. A fair Dragon Knight with hair of spun amber, astride the Gold Fafnir, immensely powerful and the head of the Guild ‘The Kingdom’. What is she doing in a Mid-Level area? It can’t be the Hidden Ground, can it? A trafficker in information from time to time, the Night Elf is always trying to keep up to date on her information. Even if she’s not officially of any Guild, she pays close attention to their workings and activities, for they are a large influence in Eternal Land. Thus, she knows of Queen, and of her enemy guilds. She’s also heard rumors of a rival on a personal level, a Dragon Knight by the name of B.C., who of which rides the rare Silver, Artanis. How true the gossip is, she’s yet to find out, but here is the source of much talk right before her. Perhaps she’ll find out at some point during this little adventure. Or perhaps not, personal affairs were just that. But, curiosity is another major flaw she’s not had much practice in tempering.
Shaking her head free from her brief moment of shock, Zyki quickly regains her composure. Just because she’s before a powerful person, and one so well known throughout the game, doesn’t mean that she should fall apart. Paying close attention, the Night Elf makes note of how Queen tugs and pulls at the reins, clearly the way Fafnir was controlled. I must pay attention to this, it may be of use later on.
The Gold lays flat against the moist earth, the stench of rotting plant matter and worse rising with his movements. The lake lies behind him, the fog stretching its long tendrils out towards their small group. The island in the distance seems to be floating in the sea of white, it’s outline wavering and fading at each shifting breeze. The time draws near, we must hurry!
Nodding at her unexpected companion, Zyki steps gracefully up to the prone dragon and leaps nimbly up his leg and to his back. Movements fluid and easy, she swings her leg over the saddle and in front of Queen. She’d chosen in front because the other seemed taller than her and she wants to see where they’re headed. Not to mention, she’d come to the conclusion that using the other’s body as support would be much easier than clinging on for dear life. That, and more comfortable.
Settling in, she turns slighting in her seat, her soft lavenders peering sideways into those brilliant sapphires. Voice low and melodic, Zyki murmurs softly, “Thank you.” Dipping her head in a grateful bow, she turns once again back to the front.
“At your convenience.”
(OOC: Yes, they did sound awfully familiar… XP Heh, Avalon instead of Ascalon? )
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Queen
Moderator
Guild Master of The Kingdom
Posts: 59
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Post by Queen on Jan 28, 2009 12:52:29 GMT -5
A hint of pride entered her cobalt blues as the other's eyes widened in recognition. Call it narcissism, but Queen loved seeing how reputable her name and guild is. It was a necessity even. For everything she do, she must excel in, and what better way to measure her success by the renown of her guild?
Her smile widened marginally as Zyki quickly shook herself out of the initial shock. Not easily affected...a good trait. She noted idly. It was again a force of habit. Being one of the most prestigious guilds around, The Kingdom is extremely selective in its membership. Consequently, she is constantly on the lookout for talents, though few catches her interest.
As the night elf neared her pet, she quickly snapped out of her silent contemplations. But she needn't even offer the night elf a hand; the woman gracefully maneuvered herself astride the dragon. Her tail flickered absentmindedly as she thought of the choice. It was a simple question, front or back, but the choice often reflects much of the owner. For example, choosing the back often signified vigilance, a sort of promise to watch over one's comrades, and the front...
"...At your convenience."
Queen grinned, and her ears twitched imperceptibly. "Settle tight then, Fafnir isn't going to want to go slow even in these marshes." As if reading his mistresses' thoughts, the gold reared and beat at the earth with his gigantic sets of wings. Air torrents gushed in all directions, whipping the dragon knight's golden mane all about them. The guild master merely chuckled and swung the reins, and at the signal, the dragon soar straight into the air, completely unburdened the weight of two humans upon his back.
Charging straight ahead like a lightning bolt, he seemed about to cross the measly distance between the shore and the island in a matter of seconds...
"Swoosh!" There was a sound of water breaking, and the very next nanosecond, the sound of something penetrating the air at high velocity registered in her acute ears. She saw no arrows, but her instincts already took hold and she swirled Fafnir sharply to the right. Out of her periphery vision, she could see a sharp protrude of what looked to be a sinewy tentacle penetrating the air where they a second ago resided. She had no time to rest. For a second later, another pierced the water and came directly at them. And the first, having missed the target, came at them again as if some unseen hands guide its path.
Queen grounded her teeth; she thought it seemed too easy. Blocked on top by the thick canopy of trees, she had no choice but to continue dodging the invisible enemy. Tentacles shot up all around them, threatening to seize the dragon time and again. The dragon ducked, whirled, and did things scantily appearing possible to evade those damned offshoots. By hair rising margins, she managed to evade them. Fafnir roared angrily, and she bit back a growl; it was not time to lose her temper. But they were getting no where. With each turn signifying a new possibility of capsizing, Fafnir had no way of charging forward toward the island. And each passing second seemed to bring about more of those darned tentacles.
A low hiss emerged from deep within her throat as a narrowly dodged tentacle cut a gash upon her right arm. This was really starting to tick her off. Not forgetting her inexperienced follow rider, she continued to keep the night elf wrapped protectively before her, and her own shapely form pressed firmly into the other rider as she attempted to direct Fafnir where he needed to go. It was a good thing the thief picked the front seat; there were almost no way she could have stayed on if she had not.
But now, it was time to dispatch the problematic offshoots. With her left arm, she continued to hold reins. But her right snaked to her side and unsheathed Ragnarok. Grabbing the buster sword by the thick steel cables attached to the end of the blade's handle, she swung it a few times for momentum before swinging the blade at its maximum arc around them. Like a reaper's scythe, it cut through all the unfortunate offshoots in sight. More appeared to replace them. But a few powerful swings later, the messy surface of the lake had cleared infinitely. The outline of the island of growing closer and closer...
(OOC: You never know~ The name might signify a future plot...)
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