Atrus Rand

[Atrus Rand]

Atrus Rand, that magnifecent Dalesman Ranger you all love. I was raised by a magnificent family until I was tought the ways of being a Tradesman. As it turns out, he was a member of the Comedy, and my life was ruined and I ended up in Evermoore denying mostly everything that happened and blamed it on myself.

Out of game I'm George. Webmaster for the old flash site (R.I.P) and the administrator for this one. I'm actually very happy with the way this went, I'm revieving much more feedback this way then with the olde site.

[Atrus Rand]

::Removed for Revisions::

[Wallace MacBix]

heh george, i almost forgot about those times, heck i can't even remember what i had for breakfast unless i think really hard. but yeah those were some pretty good times, and for the record so far, this is the only year i haven't either passed out from heat exaughstion/dehydration or shivvered so much i couldn't walk. i'm getting better or just more adaptive i don't need the 5 layers i needed 2 years ago. man its strange being "top dog" and that people will forget about in a year or so. but at least we still have MR and we'll always be in touch. you guys were my frist friends here in bayville, the 13 or so of you, and you guys adapted me to the real world so i could elove further. we need to hang out again, like all of us.

[Gravius]

Heh. Agreed Biczo. I'm definitely going to be home a while during Christmas break, so then we can all hang out and such.

And George, I'm confused. You never mentioned me once in your life story. I thought I would be a large part of it because I was on both sides of that, good and bad. And let me tell you I never felt more guilt then when I remember what I did to you and everyone during those times. I guess I can chalk it up to not knowing who my real friends were, but that's just being weak. I just want to say I'm sorry for every bad thing that happened to you in your early childhood, because I don't doubt I can be attributed to some of it.

Also, I'm sorry I wasn't friends with you and everyone else sooner. Believe it or not, you guys are basically all that kept me from going insane. You guys kept me staying the horrible little [expletive] that I was back then. And for that, I thank you.

Now all mushy stuff aside, I really hope to see you all soon. I really need to take a break from life right now, with overlap forms and 18 credits... it's going to be a rough ride.

[Atrus Rand]

To dennis: Considering the fact that I just placed my life story on less than 2 pages, there is stuff missing! ;D

Anyway, I guess I should actually get down to the nitty-gritty involving Atrus Reginold Rand's Past, and how he got into Evermoore.

Chapter 1: Shattered fragments of memory.

The farther back you go, the less you can put together. It becomes hard to distinguish memories and realistic imagination, but most of my past can be covered up by three chapters. My Childhood, where my family tried to stop my incessant need to become a Tradesman. My Training, where my teacher took me under his wing. And My Exile, Where...

Well, I wouldn't want to ruin it for you yet, now would I?

Anyway, we can start here, my earliest memory which is around my first day at my local school. Which by commoner standards is pretty good, considering it had a roof, 4 walls, and a fireplace to warm it. Lessons were simple, basically how not to screw up when using farm equipment, or which animals make what eggs. And what to do if a animal that we can handle comes into town.

"Remember children, if you see any animals that are large and look angry. Go to the local Guildhall HQ and alert them. Never try and handle it yourself if you know you cannot." The teacher said, "I would also like to announce that we have a speaker from Guildhall to speak to us."
A few hands clapped, most were distracted or not paying attention. I was riveted.

The man who was here was quite different from the ones at the HQ. His clothing was more colorful than most Tradesmen, I attributed it to the fact that he was directly from guildhall. He had a slim figure, and his face was thin, and always had a smirk.

"Good day to you all, children! I would like to speak to you about many different things today." He looked around, "As you know, there have been a few uprisings around this area, but it's truly nothing to be worried about, us tradesmen can handle it quite well." His face became serious, "You must watch yourselves, though. A force known as the Comedy of the Damned is pulling their usual tricks around here and non of them are to be trusted." He smiled a bit, "Let's go on, shall we?"

The tradesman introduced himself as Quinn Harl, and told us that he was a Master Ranger. "When you are a ranger, your eyes are your greatest ally. That and your patience. You must never run into battle, you must work to confuse your enemies! This is what a Ranger's Job is, among other things. So who here is intrested in becoming a Tradesman?"

I immediately put my hand up. He looked at me suprised.

"Hm! Looks like we have a live one." He smiled, "So my friend, please introduce yourself to me!"
I stood up and nodded my head, "My name is Atrus R. Rand. And I am intrested in becoming a Master Ranger, just like you."
Quinn looked at me, "Excellent, how dignified! I would like to take you under my wing. You could become quite the tradesman! And.." He smiled wider, "Help us greatly."

-Chapter 2: Moving into Tradesmen School.

My parents were not proud. Specifically my mother.


I was at home, which was pretty good for Commoners, we had a nice place going. The small earthen house as well decorated with comfortable chairs and pictures on the walls of Rands Past. The kitchen was perfect, with an oven that cooked some of the best food I knew. Of course, I knew that sometime was going to leave it. My mother confronted me the next day in the kitchen while I was eating.
"Atrus, what are you thinking?" Anne said, "You would never survive out there! The tradesmen are feared, but are also despised! They would hunt you down!"
"I apologize, Mom. But I have to, I can't just sit here while things go on around me. I don't want to sit here and read about history, I want to go out and make it!" I said, munching on a loaf of bread. "I have to move. I want to go to Evermoore!"
My Mother looked down, "Atrus, I cannot decide for you, but I hope that you make the right choice. I will back you any way you go, but please think about it before you jump on the idea." And she left.

"I'm sorry, Mom. But I've already decided on my plans."

Moving this story along, it was a long lesson. Every day Quinn was teaching me something new about how to use a bow, some swordsplay, and even a bit of magic. (Although I did not prefer it.)

Years Later

Chapter 3: Meeting the group... Both of them...

I changed since those days, I was approaching my appointment as a Tradesman. I was now quite the teenager, although I wasn't perfect, I was built to move. I was approaching the training fields when I saw Quinn. He looked at me.
"Atrus, today you will officially become a Tradesman! We are going to town and having you voted upon." He looked ahead as we began walking.
"I don't understand. Voted upon?" I said.
He laughed, "You must be voted upon to become an official tradesman. Though there shouldn't be any problem, since you have no criminal record."
We walked to the HQ, and when we got there, Quinn stopped. "Now Atrus, I cannot go in there with you. You must go in and ask for your tradesmanship yourself."
"Alright." I said, walking in.

"Ye waent to become a treadesman, and a Ranger?" The muscular man asked.
"Yes sir." I said, looking straight at him.
"Shoh us ye Sureshot..." He said, and took a pencil off his desk and threw it in the air.
"Sureshot!!!" I yelled as I shot an arrow at the pencil, forcing the mana into the arrow just as Quinn had shown me. The arrow pierced the pencil, bursting it into a thousand wooden pieces.
The man looked at me, "Empressive! Des anyone heve any objeactions to this wee one becoming a First-Rank Ranger?"
No one objected.

Quinn greeted me as we left. "Did it go well?" he asked as we walked away.
"Perfectly!" I said, quite excited.
"Excellent! Now tonight we will have your induction!" Quinn said as he walked, "Meet me at the edge of the forest at midnight."
"Induction?" I said, but somehow Quinn had eluded me.

My mother greeted me at the door. "A Tradesman, huh?" She said, smiling, a bit of tears in her eyes. "Well, I guess your going to be leaving soon?"
"Not yet, I still have a small amount of work to do... Um, tommorrow." I lied. "I should rest up. Good night, Mom!"
"Good night, Atrus. Sweet Dreams!"

This was the last time I would see my mother.

I walked out to the edge of the forest, trying to make little noise, I wore a few of my father's things, one of his Green Worker's Vests, and some of his pouches. Quinn greeted me.
"Atrus, this is your test." He said.
"What test?" I asked.
He chuckled a bit, "To see if you can join us!"
"But who is this 'us'?" I said.
"Follow me, Atrus. And see."

We both ran full speed through the forest. I kept my eyes on him. He was pulling his punches when it came to trying to lose me. He wanted me to follow him. We came to a clearing. And it was at that time that he disappeared.

"Quinn? Where are you?" I yelled. Then I heard a booming voice.
"QUINN? DID YOU BRING THE TRADESMAN?"
"Yes, I did."
"EXCELLENT. SO WHAT IS HE? THIRD RANK? FOURTH?"
"I'm sorry, master, but he is a first rank. Good for learning."
"Excuse me." I said. "I still don't understand-"
"SILENCE, YOU!!" The voice shouted.
"He's good for brining into the.." He supressed his laugh, "...Order."
"EXCELLENT. SON, TELL ME YOUR TRAGEDY!"
"Sir, I have no tragedy!" I said, "I am quite content!"
"NO TRAGEDY? QUINN, YOU FAIL ME?"
"No sir, I didn't think he'd need to have a tragedy to join us." Quinn's voice said.
"WELL THEN, QUINN. YOU ARE IN CHARGE. GIVE THIS BOY A TRAGEDY."
"No problem sir." Quinn said, then his voice dissapeared.
"YOU MAY ASK ME YOUR QUESTIONS NOW, BOY." His voice boomed.
"I can't see you." I said.
"TOO BAD." He said.
"What do you mean by giving me a Tragedy?"
"SIMPLE. TO JOIN THE COMEDY, YOU MUST HAVE A TRAGEDY! ARE YOU SIMPLE?"
"What?! This is the Comedy of the Damned!?" I screamed.
"YES, YES IT IS. AND IF YOU MOVE, I WILL SLICE YOUR BODY APART." He boomed again.
"I will escape." I said, and began to move. I saw the shimmer of steel and instinctively parried it away. But the second slice found the back of my leg.
"Ahh!!!" I screamed, clutching the back of my leg.
"QUINN. HAVE YOU RETURNED."
"Yes, sir. And a tragedy is in place."
"What tragedy!?" I screamed.
"Simple, Atrus." Quinn said, "The destruction of your home and family should be quite the tragedy, don't you think?"
At that moment, everything faded to black.

[Atrus Rand]

When I arrived back in the town, which was early in the morning, due to the fact I basically crawled my way back, I found my home in ruins. The only thing standing was the doorframe, which although it could have held my weight, I didn't want to touch it, since that would confirm this cold reality. I fell to my knees, the tears slowly sliding down the sides of my face. I reached with my hand and grasped the pin from my Father's vest and ripped it off, and with all of my strength, slammed it into the doorframe, to which it held. I slowly stood up and gasped at the pain again. I turned my head slightly, there was a crowd of people, the early-risers hovering around me. I went to turn around, but faltered and fell to the ground, screaming in pain.
Someone ran up to me, "Young Atrus, what happened?"
"Ah, Gods! I.. I.. I need help. Please." I managed to speak, "Please, a Cleric. Someone!"
"Someone get a Tradesman! He's dying!"

Although I know that death isn't much of a problem to us tradesmen. But the fear that had at that moment, where my breaths were shallow, and I slowly felt a darkness creeping upon me like no other, were unlike any fear I had ever had.

I awoke, but my eyes refused to open, and my body refused to move. I was trying to scream, but nothing came out. There was a voice calling out in the darkness, calling me. Atrus! Can you hear me? it said.

Gods yes! I Can hear you! Hello? Who are you!? Answer me please! Tell me if I'm dead or not!

Atrus, you are quite dead at this moment. But you are coming back now, ok?

A child's voice? Calling me back to life? I am dead? I didn't understand. But I was starting to feel better. Or was it just feeling in general? I started to feel the world building around me, the woolen blankets under me. But I suddenly felt something else.

"Who are you?" I said, in my mind.
A small figure was before me, although there was no detail in this realm.
I sat next to a body, I saw it was mine.
"I am your saviour. I'm bringing you back from the dead. This is a restoriation ritual."
"Where are we now?" I asked.
"This is the realm of Mana. Right now you are between life and death. I am healing your body and your soul."
I looked at her soul again, but I was confused.
"There's something else with you." I said.
"Don't worry about that, just worry about getting back in that body, ok?"

My eyes opened and I screamed a bit, but other than that, I was feeling quite alive.
"Are you feeling better Mister Atrus?" A girl said.
"Huh? Oh, thank you very much, Tradeswoman!" I said.
"No need to call me that, Mister Atrus. You're a tradesman too right?" She said.
"Yeah." I looked over at her, "What the? Your a kid!"
"Is that a problem, Mister Atrus?" She said, slightly agitated at the fact I called her a kid. "This was your first restoration ritual, right? How was it?"
"I guess it was alright. Where am I?" I asked.
"Hmph! Not even asking my name? How brutish." She said, even more agitated.
"Alright, alright. What's your name?" I asked, a little exasperated.
"My name is Lavinia, Mister Atrus. Thank you for asking!" She said. "You are in the local Tradesman Headquarters' Hospital Area."
"Thanks." I said. "I must get going. I cannot stay here."
"Why not? Where are you going?" She asked, following me as I began to walk out the hospital area's doors and into the main reception area.
"Because, I have nothing here. My family has been utterly destroyed. My mother, father, and sister. Everyone gone! What else do I have here?" I looked at the Guildhall Symbol painted on the wall. "I'm headed for The Crystal City."
She looked away. "So your leaving now."
"Yes, I am. I must get to Evermoore and join the ranks of Tradesmen there. I'm sorry I could not stay any longer."

And with that I left and made my way for Evermoore, but of course the trip didn't go flawlessly. As I wandered, I was approached by a group of people.

"Say there, sonny. What do you got there?" The taller one said.
"I have nothing but my sword and the clothing on me. Please abandon your hopes if you wish to rob me. There is nothing to rob."
"Oh we beg to differ!" The short one sputtered. "Yer wearing a Dale Labour Vest. And we speculate that you're probably running for the queen!"
I laughed, "The queen? Me? Run for the Queen of the Dale? Why would I be running for her."
"We'don care! Give us the goods!"
"I already said, I do not have any."
"Then we'll take it from ya!"
And with that, they started to attack me. I tried to defend myself for as long as possible, but after a bit, my lowly First Rank abilities could not sustain me, and I slowly started to weaken, and they started doing damage. After a few moments, I could not hold myself up, I fell to my knees.
"Fine bandits! Have your way! Kill me if you must, it would be a release from this horrid existance. I hope the comedy has your heads after you kill the Tradesmen that defend your land!" I screamed.
"Poor thing, he thinks that we care about tradesmen! Boo hoo!" The tall one said, pulling my head back with my hair and talking in my face.
"Let him go." A voice shouted.
"And who's going to make us?" The short one shouted back.
And at that moment, I heard the smashing of glass.
"Run, man! Keep away from him, he's covered in acid." A small voice said.
I heard the burning noises, but it was hard to hear above the screaming.
"MacBix, get that kid out of there!" I heard someone say, right before my body was lifted up and dragged to safety.
I looked up, there were three of them. A sea-worthy fellow, who had a blue mark on his face. A small elf, who had a brown mark on his, with his belt covered in vials. And the third one, who was standing in front of us, was a medium sized man with a skirt on.
The man turned his head, "Et's ae kilt, lad. Geat over et!"
The small man screamed and ran as the taller man slowly fell to the ground, screaming.
The Blue man walked over and finished him. "I hate it when they scream." He said, a slight smirk on his face.
"So what's ye name, man?" The kilted man said.
"No, don't ask him anything yet, he's pretty hurt." The brown marked one said. "Here, drink this. I got it from the town."
I did. It was nasty stuff, but I really had no time to complain.
"Augh. I'm Atrus Rand. A ranger. At your service." I said, getting up slowly.
"Well, Atrus." The blue faced one said, "Glad to make your aquaintance! I'm Blue. This is Trino, the Alchemist. And the one with the skirt is Wallace MacBix."
"It's a kilt!" MacBix protested.
"Anyway." Trino said, "We're headed for Evermoore."
"I am also!" I said.
"Then feal free to taeg along then, Aitrus." Wallace said. "We here, we Fight with ae Purpose."
"An excellent thing to fight for." I said.

And slowly as the sun began to set, I was ready to set foot in the crystal city of Evemoore!

[Wallace MacBix]

george i like the story just a few techinal details. its a Restoration (Restore) Ritual not "raising" (raising implys being rasied by a necro Raise I, Raise II, Raise III). also trino has brown not black (black is deep elf, brown is low elf) also at 1st rank trino would not have a coulagate elixer (unless another alchmist made it for him, its a 2nd rank elixer). but other than that i really enjoied it, and i can see something like that happening.

[Atrus Rand]

Fixed, fixed, and fixed..

[Atrus Rand]

Oh ho ho ho! You thought my tale was over, my friend? Althought I do notice your impatience, I will ask if you want me to tell you the rest at a later time?

No? Alright then.

Now as I was saying, I had just met up with Trino, Blue, and Wallace MacBix. Now their stories were quite intresting, but I think you could speak to them if you want to hear them. This is about me remember, Ha ha!

Chapter 4: There are those who flee..?

Trino looked up at the bar's shoddy sign. "The running goat? What a horrible name for a place." He said, "Do we really have to go here?"
"Trino, we're running out of supplies, and I don't see anything else around." Blue said.
"Aend whet about you, Atrus?" Wallace asked.
"Wherever fate takes us, we must have reason. Let's go inside and rest for a bit. We're all pretty tired anyway." I said, and placed my hand on the door, but I didn't get to open it, it was opened for me, pushing me back on the ground.
"Excuse me!" A lowly looking elf said, running as fast as her legs could take her.
I got up and reached for the door, yet alas, I was blasted back yet again.
"Where'd that little wench go!?" A very large unkempt man growled. He looked at us. "Did you see that woman running past here?"
"Aye." Wallace said.
The man waited, then growled; "Well I'm not askin' you just to be kind, where did she run off to!?"
"She ran off in that direction." Blue said, feebly.
"Good." He paused, "You look like a bunch of Tradesmen too. Are you?"
"Yes sir. We are." I said, finally getting to my feet.
"Well, I'd like to let you in a few ground rules." He said, his eyes burning. "Absolutely no Lore. No tradesman stuff, you all hear me? No weapons either, drop them off here. Oh, and the vials too, wee one."
"I'm not 'wee'." Trino said, defiantly.
"Yeah yeah, whatever. Just take off the weapons and remember the rules." The man said, he made to turn away but looked back. "Oh, and I'm the keeper of this building, Billiam."
"C'mon, lads. Let's get sometain to eat, aye?" Wallace said, cheerfully.
"I hope this place is clean." Trino said.
"Whatever, as long as I can sit down." Blue mumbled while making his way inside.

The air was slightly damp inside, but the place was well kept. And also suprisingly full of people. A rough bunch of people sat at a table playing what looked like a popular card game. Our group slowly moved towards a back room where we made residence for the evening. Of course for a price that was quite beyond what would have suited a setting like this, although complaints were far beyond a tired group like this.

"So come on, Atrus. Tell us more about you, you never actually said your side of the story. That and it's only fair." Trino said.
I was at a loss for words. Could I possibly tell them about being raised by a member of the Comedy? No, that would be impossible, they would never be able to trust me, and would most likely abandon me before I had a chance to explain myself. And at this moment, I needed freinds.
"Right after I was voted a tradesman, I went home to show my family. After I arrived, I decided to show my family some of my skills, which I proceeded to perform inside the building. I knocked over a lantern, and the fire engulfed the house almost instantly. Soon after I escaped, cut, bruised and generally burned. I died on my doorstep, after jamming my father's pin into the doorframe."
Wallace put his hand on my shoulder, "It's Alreight, lad. I'm sure we've all head our fair share of tragedies."

His words could not have been any truer.

Chapter 5: The amazing rogue...

Now my ears are keen. At night, it's all I can rely on since my eyesight is not very good. So waking up because of an intrusion is not something I was very suprised about. Although two intrusions in one night I did not expect...

The first thing that got my attention was the clicking at the door. And I mean a Loud clicking, if this guy was trying to enter the room, he was not trying very hard. The second noise that got my attention was the window slowly opening. This troubled me, but I played asleep and waited. The clicking at the door ceased and it slowly opened. I heard the soft bump of soft padding hit the floor near the window. And at the same moment...

"What the?" A whisper.
"Hey, wait a minute. You're trying to steal too!" One whispered louder.
The other one began to say something that I'll never forget. "Well, uh. Wait, no. I'm here to protect these fine people's goods from petty theives like yourself. And I give you my word."
I piped up, "Your word now?"
"Yeah." He responded. "My wor- Your awake?!"
I slowly got up and pointed my blade at both of them. "Yeah, I'm up. And one of you is in trouble."
"Why only one?" The door-clicker asked.
"Because one of you gave me your word. And the other one really sucks at picking locks." I said.
The one turned to the other. "You picked the lock."
"Yeah, I did, so what?"
"Oh come on, man. The first rule of theiving, and don't take my word on it, is to know your surroundings. Any good thief would have checked the window to see if it opens instead of noisely opening the damned door!"
The other one got a bit louder. "Oh come on now, Coming through the window, that's amateur!"
And at that moment, one of the men was knocked out and the other one bleeding heavily.
"What the hell is going on?" Trino asked, jumping out of bed.
Although Blue continued to sleep, somehow.
"Wallace, have you ever thought about peaceful resolution?" I asked.
"Nout when I'm tryin' teh sleep, lad." Wallace said, cleaning his blade.
"Which one did you hurt?" I asked moving to the bodies, lighting a lantern as I went.
"Teh red one's alive, teh other is bleedin' preatty bad."
"The bleeder's a commoner, poor soul. And the red one's.. Oh boy.. This one's a Tradesman!" I shouted, suprised.
"I'll get someone to heal the bleeding one. But save the other, I want to talk to him." Trino said.
/me I know this was not as long as my usual entries, but I'm tired and have a lack of time to do this.

[Atrus Rand]

"Hey, wake up." I said, nudging the red-wearing Tradesman.
Wallace looked him over, "Aye, perhaps I did kill em'." He muttered, kicking the red one's boot a bit.
"Highly unlikely." Trino said.
"Look, I know I missed everything, but seriously, why are you keeping this guy around." Blue protested.
"Listen to my reasoning!" I said. "This man gave me his word."
"He's a rogue!" Trino quickly explained.
"I know, but he's a Tradesman. And wouldn't that make his Guildhall Oath his word as well?" I rationalized.
Blue crossed his arms and walked away, muttering something about supplies.
I crouched next to the rogue and slapped him on the cheek. "Wake up, princess. We're nearing the castle and I don't think you want to be late..for...the..ball." I said, enunciating the last few words with the slaps.
"Uhhh... Ouch..."
"Are we awake now?" I said.
"Uh, Yeah, I th- You!?" He rambled.
"Yes, me. Me, me, me, me, me, me, me. Now, let's get down to business, shall we?"
"What kind of business!?" He demanded.
"First, your name, good sir. I don't do business without knowing who I'm doing it with. Oh, and you'll notice that you're tied up." I said.
"You little mongrels tied me up?" He said, his Coventry accent (a.k.a slur) was obvious.
"Aye! And yer genna tell us everythin we wenna know!" Wallace said, kneeling next to him.
"First of all, Your name." I said again.
"Fine, fine." He said, giving in. "I'm Traiz Antilake, Coventry Rogue apparently at your service."
"Second of all, why did you come into our room and attempt to steal from us." Blue exclaimed. "We're not made out of supplies, you know."
"I wasn't going to steal from you!" Traiz explained. "I was looking for something."
"Our stuff?" I said, sarcastically.
"No, you little green goblin. I was looking for something that belonged to me that was stolen." Traiz said.
"And what might that be?" I asked.
"None of your bloody business, Dalesman!" Traiz exclaimed, apparently angry at my question.
"Alright, fine. Don't like that question, do you." I said. "Now listen to me. You're coming with us to Evermoore, and you're going to protect us."
"And why should I protect you." He said.
"Because we're Tradesmen like you, and I doubt you want us to press charges when we bring you in tied up." I reasoned. And with that I took my dagger and cut his ropes.
Traiz got up, rubbing his wrists. "Heading to Evermoore, ye said?"
"Yeah."
"Let's get going as soon as possible. I never liked this place anyway, that and perhaps I could inlist some help from Evermoore to find the thing I'm looking for." He said, checking his belt. "My tools, please."
Wallace took out the pouches and handed them to Traiz.
"And who else is in this bloody group, eh?" Traiz said, looking inside his possessions.
Wallace stepped forward, "Aye, we 'ave Blue; our pirate-ish friend. We 'ave Trino, our Alchemist and General Medic at the moment. And we 'ave Atrus, just joined the group a while ago. And I'm Wallace MacBix, the muscle of the group." Wallace looked around, "Oh, and I've almost forgot, we also have a Bard-friend, Li Tun Yi. But he's busy tryin' to find the folks who destroyed his town."

I looked away, out the window. Nothing could have hit me harder than that. A man who's whole town was destroyed, and me with just my family. A quick flash of guilt came to me, but I dismissed it.

Behind every man's misery, is one who can show you worse.

"Wait a minute." Billiam whispered to us as we went to leave. "Can y'all do me a favor?"
"What kind of Favor?" Wallace asked.
"Y'remember that girl that fled from here a few days ago when you arrived?" He asked.
"You mean yesterday?" Blue said.
"Yeah, whatever. You see, that girl is my daughter, Malice. And I need you to find and guide her to Evermoore, see?"
"But why would we need to guide a commoner to Evermoore?" Trino piped up.
"You don't understand." Billiam explained, "She's a Tradeswoman. She uses magic, she got angry with me when I put up the "No Lore" rule, since she could not use her magic. So she fled from here. Can you help me out?"
"Sure." I said, "The more the merrier."
Traiz looked at me, "And why are we not the kings of happiness, sitting on a mountain of smiles below a sky of dreams, eh? You people can put a whole damn town with the people you're wrangling up!" He was almost shouting when Blue pulled him away.
"Thank you very much, Tradesmen. I hope your trip is relatively safe, although we know how those trails can be."
"Trails?" I asked, looking at Wallace.
"Aye, lad. The only entrances to The Crystal City are through trails which lead throughout the Forelorn Mountains. They are very dangerous, but I'm sure we could take whatever they dish out." Wallace explained.

The sun was setting on the road we traveled, slowly making our way towards the city. Trino estimated we would arrive at the foot of the Forelorns in two days time.

One night, after we had set up camp and had set down to rest for the night, I was awoken by a noise nearby. I looked over and saw the rest of the group sleeping. I swiftly grabbed my sword and slowly made my way towards the dense woodland nearby. I looked around. "Hmph. My eyesight cannot see anything." I thought. "I can only listen." I backed up a bit and procured one of Trino's Javelins from his pack. I waited. There was not much else I could do. As I sat there, looking into the inky blackness that rested beyond the dying light of the campfire, the sounds of the night became louder and louder until I could make out almost every sound. I heard the rustle again, and made to throw the Javelin, but I was stopped by a voice.

"Don't throw it, prease!" A stout mangorian man said, "It is I, Li Tun Yi!"

/me New chapter coming soon! I hope your enjoying this.

[Atrus Rand]

Chapter 6: Swords, Sorcery and Malice.

"We're lost." I said, bluntly.
"No we're nowt!" Wallace said, staring at a map intently.
"You mean to tell me you little punks are lost!? We're never getting to evermoore now!" Traiz lamented.
"I was very rucky to find you arr." Li said, "But apparentry I was wrong."
Trino walked over to wallace, laid a hand on his shoulder, and looked at the ground in dismay.
"Listen, Trino." Wallace began to say.
"No, it's alright. I know you were trying your best." And with the swiftest move I have ever seen, Trino tripped wallace to the ground and grabbed the map. "But your best is not good enough! I will now take the lead and we will arrive in Evermoore."
"Was that completely needed?" Blue said, looking down at a confused Wallace.
And with that, we walked on for a bit. Before I suddenly stopped.
"What do my poor little Ranger eyes spot, pray tell?" I said, looking into the distance. If I was not so sure, I would say that I saw a large building. "Look over there everyone. I think I see shelter! We can see if someone there can host us for some silver."
"Naet a bed idea, Atrus!" Wallace said, on his feet.
And so we marched towards this building in hopes that we would have somewhere warm to stay and some food to eat. But as we got closer, our hopes grew dimmer. Although Traiz was not looking too glum this time.
"This is excellent!" He said, smiling as he looked at the poor run-down environment. "We should stay here most definitely!"
"Listen Traiz. I'm not even sure about staying here." I said.
"No, you don't understand." Traiz said, "We have to stay here the night at least...uh.. To pay respects to those who may have lived here. And, uh. I also would like to examine some of the architectural work." He said, rubbing his hand along one of the large pillars in the front of the building.
"What kind of architectural work would ever intrest a Rogue?" Blue said accusingly.
"It's a coventry style, I'd say circa 975. Somewhere around there. Excellent quality, although slightly eroded." He said, looking at blue, smirking.
"Fine, fine. Let's get inside!" Trino said.

I thought I heard Traiz mumble something about a sword, but he was drowned out.

"So." I said. "Can anyone see spirits? Or am I going to have to go to sleep in fear tonight."
Trino looked around. "This will do, this will do. Li!"
"Hai." Li said.
"You're in charge of cooking... Of course..." Trino commanded. "Wallace, you're on guard. And Atrus, I want you to scout around the building and see if we have any company coming to dinner."
"What do you mean?"
"Take it any way you want, Atrus. Just go out there and look."
"Well, how about you, Traiz." I asked. "Want to come- Hey! Where is he?"
"Well, Atrus. It looks like your mission has changed a bit." Trino said, "Track him down. I doubt there's any way out of here but the main entrance. Perhaps he's 'looking at the architecture'."

Sword in hand, I made my way down hallways and through old doors. Examining a few things here and there that intrested me, such as a few mechanical objects that were much too rusted to work, a few books; 'A history of Lore and the Masters who wield them', 'The man, The myth, The desert', and 'One sword to Bind Them' were among the shelves. Although I didn't take any time to actually sit down and read, I noticed that the person who once lived here sure liked reading about Loremasters.

While walking down another hall I saw a light at the end. Slowly making my way down the hall I heard someone speaking quickly.
"Where is the damned thing?" The voice said, "I know it's here, and I'm going to find it."
I looked around the corner to see a very familiar red cloak.
Traiz approached a chest along the wall and started digging around in it. Failing at finding anything, he started to root around in other drawers and boxes.
You know, for a rogue. He sure sucks at picking locations to steal from. I thought, peering at him from the door.
At that moment, Traiz looked around the room again, spinning furiously back and forth looking for something he missed. "This house belonged to your friend, Father. And I know the rest of your sword is here." He whirled around again and his eyes widened as he saw the box on top of the shelf. He reached up and grabbed it, and threw it open. He smiled, reached in and pulled out a small shiney gold-colored piece of metal. Traiz took out a small sheath and pulled out a small dagger which looked quite bleak and attached the metal piece to it, completing most of the guard, although a part was still missing. "The rest I can find in Evermoore. That's for sure." He said, and began fixing up the place.

A arrived back at the group almost seconds before Traiz did. So no one had time to question me about Traiz's whereabouts, although I knew I would lie about it since it looked pretty personal to Traiz. I knew it was important to him, as he ate he kept eyeing the sheath with the weapon, obviously content with the fact that he was one step closer to finding the rest of his father's dagger.

Traiz told his story that night. Although in the version he tells now he actually mentions the dagger, he never said it back then.

My body hit the ground, and I tasted blood. I looked around for the assailent.
"YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO FIGHT ME. I AM MUCH TOO STRONG FOR YOU." The voice boomed.
"As long as I am alive, I will defend my family and myself." I said, trying once again to get up. But I felt myself get lifted up by the neck of my shirt.
"Listen boy." The voice said, "You have no idea what you're dealing with. Join. Or you will die."
"Never." I said, suddenly feeling sharp steel cut me again. And my bleeding body hit the ground.
"TAKE HIM AND TOSS HIM NEAR THE TOWN'S EDGE. LET HIM CRAWL BACK. HIS TRAGEDY CANNOT BE FOR NAUGHT." The voice screamed.

I also heard another scream.

I was me.

As quickly as my screams occured, they were stifled by a hand over my mouth.
Another voice spoke, "Quiet. You learn how to scream at horrible times." She pulled her hand away.
"You?" I said, "Malice. From the tavern? The Man's Daughter?"
She winced at that. "You see these ears, green?" She said, tilting her head and pointing. "Do these look like they came from that man?"
"I guess not." I said, "But why are you here?"
"I'm headed to Evermoore as well as you bunch." She said, looking into the darkness of the house.
"And what do you do?" I said.
"Listen, I'd love to tell you. All day, ok? But at the moment, we're surrounded by rats. And not the friendly ones."
I got up immediately. "Guys! Wake up."
"Atrus?" Wallace said, grabbing his sword. "Who the hell is-"
"No time to explain, we're going to need to exterminate a few little mice. Ok?" I said.
"Let's get 'em!" Trino said as we all formed a line and started fighting.
"So what's your name?" Blue screamed over the fighing.
"Malice." She said. "Malice Silvervain."

And with that, the battle had much more electricity then normal.

[Lavinia]

*eye twitch*
George...sometimes I worry about you....I really do. But hey! I made it into someones backround! Bumdiggityness! Get to posting!

[Atrus Rand]

Chapter 7: The Fire within.

I awoke with a start, looking around wearily. Li was already up cooking breakfast, and Traiz was drawing some symbols in the ground. Wallace was sharpening his weapons.
"By the gods, I begin this ritual." He said, and started to place his weapons in the circle.
I walked over and looked at his work, although the marks he drew were a bit sloppy, they were very effective in channeling the ritual itself. "What are you doing?" I asked.
Without looking away, Traiz responded with, "Theft protection."
"Ironic." I said, "Do you have any extra Rit Powder?"
"Aye." He said, "A little bit, you can use some if you know how."
"Know how? I was trained by a Master Ranger!" I said, "In fact, it's my mission to find him and beat him, to show him that I am better than the teacher."
"So that's your mission, eh?" Wallace said, "You never mentioned your teacher to us."
I stopped. "Your right, I never did. And I apologize. It's not like me to withhold information." I attempted to redirect the conversation. "So where's Trino, Blue, and Malice?"
"Out." Li said, "They decided to get some food for rater."
"Rater?" I said, "Who's that?"
"He means Later, lad." Wallace said.
"Oh." I said, looking in Traiz's supply bag. I looked around even after I found the items I was looking for, just to see if he had the sword parts in there, but alas, he must have been keeping them on himself, and judging by the rituals he was performing, they would not be easy to get. I pulled out the Flameleaf and looked at it. "Where did you get this, Traiz?" I said, looking at him accusingly.
"I have my ways." He said smirking, "Get on with it, I want to see this in action."
"You don't believe me?" I said, "Check this out." I drew an elaborate design on the ground, I placed the Flameleaf in the center and took my sword. I pulled it up above the circle, "By the great power of Natalis, I begin this ritual of Elemental Enchantment!" I screamed, stabbing the weapon into the earth. As soon as the weapon pierced the leaf, it burst into flames, engulfing the weapon as I channeled the mana. "Natalis does not take kindly to the things which block life's growth. The debris on the forest floor stop the mighty tree's seeds from getting to the nourishing soil! With the fire in the forest, it rids the ground of this impediment and enables the seed to grow. The debri is Guildhall's enemies, and the seeds are the Towns of Guildhall. Evermoore's growth relies on the destruction of that which impedes it's growth!" I screamed, then with a wave of my hands through the flames, they stopped, and the weapon had glown with a red light. I kneeled, "That was rough. But it will work."

* I know this is really short, but I'm really tired, so expect more tommorrow. Same chapter.

[Atrus Rand]

Idle hands are the tools of the devil...

[Atrus Rand]

The best part is, I'm not drawing this first. These are all mouse-done. And god, I just finished fixing my lappy.

Good times.