Prelude Part One: A Chance Encounter

[Eric Easy E Pelka]

OOC: For those of you out of the loop imagine Orochi as a doppelganger...Good luck. We meet in Taewynn.

Novodato: 78, Frigo's Embrace, 923 AC

Imperial Palace, Sun Antioch

Dokurochi stood silently upon the Emperor's overlook. His thoughts plagued him as he focused on the sun disappearing into the horizon. For five years he had led the Imperial Guard against these dark invaders. Five years they had evaded defeat. It was as if there was an endless resource of lives to waste before the blades of battle. Yet unlike this dark enemy, the Imperial Guard was limited. So many lives had been wasted in the war effort. Mother's son's, lover's loves, innocent souls thrown into the fray and used as nothing more than human shields for the Empire.

Thinking back to his youth, Dokurochi allowed his mind to dwell on something his Instructor, a Tiefling with a knack for philosophy and politics, had told him when he attended the Imperial Academy. "War is a necessary evil. It is the essence of one's being. It is only through conflict that people's true intentions and hearts are revealed. The important thing is to not lose yourself to the violence. Always question: Is it worth it?" The question weighed heavily upon his soul. Was all this unnecessary death worth it?

"Young one, ease your mind. I too share your concern." A voice pounded in from behind him.

Waltzing out in his Golden suit of battle Armor, the Emperor seemed more of soldier than a politician. It was this fact that allowed Dokurochi to place faith in Uriel Dagon. It was as if he would join him on the front line if he had the choice. He could always read the wrinkles that lined the aging war veterans head.

"My son, you are a warrior. Your name will be hailed for centuries to come. The Empire has entrusted you with its defense. Your soldiers, your men may die, but not in vain. They die in the defense of our nation’s mothers, daughter’s, and future leaders. It is your duty. Our people require the sacrifice." The Emperor joined Dokurochi at his side and scanned across his great Empire.

"But...My Lord...With this force at our doorstep I fear so many will die. This city houses many innocent lives,” Dokurochi turned from the sprawling landscape and lowered his face into the ground.

"I have ruled for 50 anum of my 75 anum life. In all this time I have never faced such a terrible decision. I can't evacuate, they will be slaughtered in the open. They have a better chance defending themselves in these walls; in their homes. Captain of the Guard, if we stop the invaders here, then all of Antioch will be saved. But if we fail, if we flee, if we give in, all of Antioch will perish."

Dokurochi saw truth in his words, and looked back across the land. To the North West a large harbor glistened in the light of the setting sun, and from the South West the majestic Green Mountains protruded from the forests that surrounded them. It was a beautiful sight. However, the Doppelganger soldier was a tactician and lowered his head at the sight. It was too open. The attack could come from anywhere.

"My lord, I must leave for awhile. Don't tell the men I have left. I do not wish to worry them,” Dokurochi wasted no time and began scrambling to gather his gear.

"But Jac may not be ready to lead if you are gone?" The Emperor asked in a concerned tone.

"He is ready. I promise you that. You have my word that I will return soon. I will not abandon the Empire. I will not abandon my men. I will not abandon you..."

"Save it soldier. You have your permission. I trust you know what you are doing. Go with God." The Emperor didn't even lift his eyes from the horizon.

The Captain of the Guard stopped beside the aging man and stared into his gray eyes. They were not the eyes of a politician, nor did they reveal the green envy of a business tycoon. No these were the eyes of a warrior, of a soldier. As he glanced across his Empire, he saw a battlefield. Nodding, Dokurochi turned and marched toward the door.

The Emperor, just as he reached the door, spoke into the heavens, "Old friend, your son, he would make you proud."

He was not intended to hear the comment. It pained the soldier to think about his dead human father. A small stream of tears fell down his face as he ventured away from the one he had been charged with protecting. If he was to succeed, he would need help. He had to find worthy souls willing to fight with him. Onward he would ride with all the speed his steed could manage. To Taewynn he rode.

[lastsanity]

It’s been years and years since it has been born. More years than even itself can remember. From being born near the Living Gate like all the rest of its kind, but had never fallen from the Living Gate itself, to roaming the entire world like a nomad, a god without a home or followers. Not any that the creature knows about anyhow. Of all the places it has been, the skies and seas and villages and mountains, collecting legally and illegally items of value and power while also scouting out every single Shardmind to kill to fulfill the destiny it was given since creation, it has ended up in these woods. The being has been hiding in the treetops, searching for treasures and problems to solve so it can raise its world renown, a secret mission of this creature. From gathering information at taverns and hubs, the only hullabaloo pertaining to stories were about the army forces passing through. Avathis Erandra found this to be fairly intriguing but only wanted to deal with them if they came across its way while searching for valuable items.

Avathis’s shards were a shade of green, matching the greens from the branches and plants around it as they dimmed their internal lights to assist with the stealth mode. Its multicolored shard staff rested on its shoulder, grasped by its hand as it sat bent in the shadowy cover of the thicket. The tattered cape clung to its thin feminine bodice, torn from Avathis’s unforgiving spikes. What day was this? Erandra has literally been hunting for something days on end, thanks to the Shardmind’s exemption to food and rest. The being of stone was hard to bore, not only because of its kind but its personality, but it felt wasteful. Although immortal, and time was not a matter for it, most things were mortal, so it should think more like one when it comes to the passing of mornings and nights. Inside its mind it spoke the first thought since it has been here, ‘This place proved to be unproductive. No… it was destructive. I have lost mortal’s precious time.’ As its body creaked quietly like an old house as it began to move from its crouched position, it suddenly froze again. ‘It would seem my creator wants me to be here.’ It looked off in the distance, where a non-wildlife sound began producing from. It was an entire gathering of soldiers.

The Shardmind’s sliding shard head actually molded over itself in thought as it pondered as to the reasoning of this encounter that it believes to be fate. It remained still and waited as they passed underneath it so it can receive its chance to intervene. ‘I know a way to gather their attention.’ Avathis Erandrar than ominously spoke in their minds telepathically, which is normal for its kind since the lack of a mouth, but coming from absolutely no where, and with the right tone and confidence, it would appear to something far more intimidating, grouped along with the fact that the source is unknown, and it is in mortals to fear what they do not understand.

Halt soul bearers, you walk through my sacred dominion and you believe your fragile lives will go sparingly? Your soul holds back your sight, for your eyes cannot even comprehend the soil of death and torture your feet tramp on. Who is leading you? What excuse do you have for such mortal ignorance?

[todd2point0]

Stron. Stron. Stron wake up we have important work that must be done.

Stron’s eyes snapped as an all too familiar voice spoke inside his mind.

“Well good morning my old friend”, he said has he rubbed the sleepiness out of his eyes to find that his familiar an old small turtle with an even smaller tree going on its shell standing on his chest.

Stron we have to hurry. I since a great shift in the winds; major world events are about to take place, and we must be there to take part.

He heeded his little friend’s words, for that was his familiar’s ability. He could sense energies in the air that told him when change was coming, and usually what shape it took. For all of Stron’s magic he had no idea how he was able to do it. There was always a slight air of mystery around the turtle. After all the years he had been connected to the little creature he has never once told Stron he’s name.

Stron are you listening to me?

“Wait what? Ohhh yes what sort of world events are you speaking about?” Stron sat up, and gently picked up his small friend so he could get up. He hopped off his bed and walked over and placed him on his deck so he could start gathering his things. Stron knew if the old turtle said he had to go. Then he had to go.

A small band of people will be gathering in Taewynn in just a few days. You must be there to take part.

“Well what exactly is this band of people doing, and why must I partake in it?” Stron asked as he threw up his hands saying a small word of power and causing all the candles in his quarters to light up.

This group of people will be tasked with helping to end the war Stron.

This caused Stron to stop tying his robes, and stir open mouthed at his familiar. “Are you serious? The war!” Stron paused to process this information, after a few seconds he said “Well we better hurry then! Why didn’t you wake me sooner?” He chuckled.

He knew that he was not being lied to. His little friend couldn’t have made something like this up if he tried. He quickly finished fastening his robes, and picked up a quill and some paper. He scribbled a small note saying he was taking a small leave of absence. This was not the first time the wizard hand disappeared without a word, and he knew everyone would understand.

He then began to pack what he would need for the trip. He knew he had a teleportation marker set up about a day’s walk from Taewynn, so he knew he had some time to gather his things.

“Well what books should I take my little friend?” He asked as he picked up one and blew the dust off of it.

[Eric Easy E Pelka]

The Imperial Guard Captain was a well known figure in the realm of Antioch. He was responsible for quelling the uprising of the Zargolve family without a single casualty on both sides, driving the Barbarians from the North, and defending the Emperor since he was first enlisted as a young boy. His face had become idolized by the denizens of the land. Though now at the Empires time of greatest crisis his reputation meant nothing. For every victory he had against the dark insurrection, one of his comrades brigades would fall. The enemy was relentless and seemingly unending.

Dokurochi now knew all his military training, all his years of study under the Tiefling Scholar Amnon, all the trust the Emperor had placed in his hands was not enough to stave the oncoming onslaught. He needed to go into the people and find warriors amongst the people. Warriors that could stand against the tides of Orks, Goblins, and other various evil entities marching at will across the scarred plains of Antioch.

Dokurochi sat patiently in the corner of the crowded Tavern, sipping ale and carefully scanning the patrons of the lively inn. He had taken the form of a hunter he had seen praying in the courtyard of the Taewynn Chapel, preparing himself for a successful venture into the twilight covered forest. Particularly his eyes floated on the bulletin board that hung to the right side of the entrance. In order to find willing and brave combatants he had hung “Help Wanted” ad on the board. It read:

“Taewynn Office of Commerce and Trade,
Upon order of the Holy Emperor the township of Taewynn has been given the authority to higher able bodied warriors to act as an unofficial militia against the Lich Lord and his vile minions. In lieu of recent complaints from travelers, merchants, and trade caravans, the Office of Commerce and Trade is willing to pay handsomely for the eradication of the enemy encampment in the forest that has preyed upon the trade lines between Taewynn and the Imperial City of Sun Antioch. Willing warriors will be paid by the fingers of the enemy soldiers they return to the Mayor’s office.
For the Glory of the Empire,
Mayor Casius Ambrose”

All Dokurochi had to do now was wait. Wait for bold and courageous men and women to read the call to arms and answer. He would follow them into battle and evaluate their skills in the art of war. He hoped that God would grant him this one miracle. He prayed that the One ruler above would heed his desperate cries to the heavens and lead the Holy Empire of Antioch out of the jaws of destruction, and bring saviors to the doorstep of the Imperial City, finally putting to rest the vile evil that had scorched the majestic land of Antioch.