The Lord of Blades
Game Masters
Ero Sennin
Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a man of wealth and taste
Posts: 1,314
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Post by The Lord of Blades on Feb 4, 2009 3:07:28 GMT -5
PROLOGUE PART 1 --- Ceyx and Halcyone --- March 21st 21:31:03 Approximately 49 kilometers away from Tibris Town "Ktckt... Ktckt... Ktckt... Ktckt..." the rail system the four of you were riding continued to rattle every three and a half seconds. The driver of the rail cart seemed completely undisturbed by it, apparently it was just a bumpy ride and there was nothing anyone could do about that. Judging by the make of the vehicle, a bumpy ride was unsurprising in the least. It was a small cart, naturally a full train convoy was out of the question for only four passengers. Too much MAKO energy would wasted it simply wouldn't be efficient. Still, the small cart was little more than an trapezoidal prism of iron. The slanted edges had window slats the could be opened, but right now they were all locked and shut. The front was a set of glass panes able to be opened, closed, or flat out removed as the situations called for it. It was unmistakable, this vehicle had been designed with combat in mind. The only door was in the back and it was a heavy design, secured with little in the way of openings or even breaks in the surface to fit a crowbar into on the outside, while the inside had several blow-away locks to be opened fully in an instant. There was a door separating the driver's area as well, currently open, but it could be fastened closed and likely secured to turn the cart into a bunker if needed. There were eight chairs in the passenger area, two in the driver area. Currently only five of those chairs held occupants. One was the driver in the front, and the four in the passenger area. The driver was clearly a simple man, his scruffy face and hair showed that he worried about hygiene when convenient and not when needed, his clothes were a simple durable fabric all throughout, the kind easily washed and easily stitch-repaired or patched. The other four were clearly not simple in the slightest. They were, without a doubt, SOLDIERs each and every one. Their posture, their readiness, their presence, and most noticeable of all, their eyes betrayed their status. The driver seemed uneasy around them, not because they were dangerous, but because danger followed, waited for, and was on a first name basis with SOLDIERs and everyone with some good sense and 'real-world knowledge' knew it. The driver also recognized one of them, the legendary SOLDIER Valgrind was sitting in the seat closest to his own through the layer of metal divide. The thought gave the driver little in the way of comfort: the single most talented SOLDIER in his cart meant they were undoubtedly heading towards something extremely unpleasant. SOLDIERs like Valgrind were not sent on reconnaissance missions; they were sent into warzones and to deal with dangerous criminals. Still, despite the seemingly sour mood of the driver, the late evening was a crisp clear one and the outside of the cart was as relaxed as it could be. The cart was taking them all to Tibris Town, and the winter chill of the region could be felt through the poor barrier of the uninsulated iron. Snow was fresh and undisturbed on the ground and hung on the pines, their smell was overpowering at times as they whizzed by and when branches occasionally struck the cart with a soft whisper of noise, the smell would grow in intensity again for a brief period of time. Ever onward through the chilly night the cart rode the rail towards Tibris Town... "Ktckt.... Ktckt... Ktckt... Ktckt..."
March 19th (Two Days Earlier) 11:49:52 SOLDIER Base Two (Gaia Cliff) The still cold air of the complex was as unforgiving as ever. Located at the foot of the giant cliff provided some shelter from the howling winds, but it did little in the way to warm the base which was essentially built into a glacier. Regardless of that, living quarters were heated, allowing for at least some measure of comfort when not patrolling, practicing, or any number of other tasks which SOLDIER had deemed the cold a valuable training asset to help harden new recruits. Most of the underground base is metal corridors lit by sharp MAKO fueled lights. There is a general smell of pristine cleanliness that tries, and fails, to suppress the smells of the dozens of recruits that train and perform rudimentary tasks daily. For now though, the three of you are among the top ten (though SOLDIER does not disclose any numbers, merely informing you that you are indeed in the top ten. Similar to a pass/fail grade system as opposed to A, B, C, D, or F). You three and seven others were summoned to a meeting room, the other seven of the top ten. You are seated around a long plexiglas rectangular table with 24 seats, 12 on either side. Picking various seats that work for you, a minute later two men walk in, Ichisan Saguraki (a short but resolute Asiatic man born in Wutai, see personnel files for more information) and Reinald Flint (A tall lanky man with glasses who is always seen assisting Ichisan), the Commander and Vice Commander of the base respectively. They quickly take seats at either end of the table with more people seated at it. Ichisan speaks first as Reinald begins tapping on the displays embedded in the table, MAKO energy pouring into it with a soft hum, bringing the lights and screens to life. Before each of you a small screen lights up displaying various information. "On your screens you'll see information regarding an incident in Tibris Town. Around three days ago, an anti-SOLDIER insurgent who goes by the alias of Ceyx was spotted entering the village. Around four hours after his arrival, there were seventeen separate murders all with similar methods and no suspect. Naturally, this is well beyond the level of Tibris' local law enforcement in part due to the distinctly unique system of law regarding the city, and due to the violent nature of the crimes along with the proximity to Base Two here, we have reason to believe that Ceyx is involved. We are going to be sending three of you to Tibris Town, along with the number one SOLDIER himself, Valgrind. He requested that he be sent along with the three going to the town, he no doubt intends to see you in action with his own eyes so that he can later give the feedback to our training experts. The other seven of you will head to Crystalla, if Ceyx has left Tibris Town already, he's likely gone in that direction and your job is to intercept him if he should attempt to flee." The screens before you glow with information known about Ceyx (any specific information you attempt to query should be posted in discussion) as well as Tibris Town and the outlying region. Reinald, who has remained silent up to this point begins to stand as Ichisan finishes with: "Vice Commander Flint will tell you the rest." and quickly exits the room. Reinald taps a few spots on the table and your information loads up a second list. "Though Tibris Town does not acknowledge SOLDIER as its protectors and guardians, likely due in part to their less-than-legal gambling, monster arenas, and black markets; that doesn't mean we can allow someone like Ceyx to turn it into an open recruiting ground for a resistance movement or kill as he pleases." Reinald taps again and another display opens showing a topographical map and highlights a distinct path from an area nearby SOLDIER Base Two (the rail system has a point near, but not next to, the base that allows for transport to and drop off from civilization) to Tibris Town. "This rail path will be used and a single-cart will take the four of you to Tibris Town two days from now at night. While I know they don't recognize or acknowledge SOLDIER that does not give you free right to kill citizens that stand in your way. The only targets we're hoping will require your use of lethal force on are Ceyx and those that work with or for him. Also, the less collateral damage the better, SOLDIER doesn't need to be known as an organization that uses its full force to crush even minor threats. Simply put, do not embarrass us, you are our top ten and should accordingly be able to handle problems without great incident. Naturally, we understand if you are thoroughly provoked and threatened, still, it is advisable to avoid these situations." Reinald smiles in a bleak sort of way before continuing. "Also, while Ceyx may not be a threat individually, he may have henchmen working under him and he may have some measure of armaments. Use caution, we'd prefer you brought him in alive but no one here is going to shed any tears if he fights to his last to resist being captured. So no heroics to try and bring this guy in alive if he won't have it. We don't need you getting killed over issues like that." Reinald taps a few more keystrokes and a random series of ten lights begins flashing... slowly designating seven 'blue' and three 'red', one in front of each person. Each of you has a red light in front of you when it stops, he announces: "Alright... Mercury, Marius, Adion. You three are going to accompany Valgrind to Tibris Town, the rest of you will proceed to Crystalla. If there are any questions, please ask them now, you will have time to prepare and research, after that I want each and every one of you ready to mobilize to your assigned locations. If you're late, you can expect to be #11 in the next review... if you're lucky. That is all." If you have any questions/comments at the meeting, please post them in a clearly designated separate area from your response to the following segment. You will only be given one chance to have 'asked/spoken' during the meeting, subsequent posts past the first will not allow you to have asked Reinald any further questions in response to this segment. For specific information research done separately, please post your gather information and search checks in the discussion/campaign info area to receive the results of you queries. Also, for simple information questions, please feel free to either post or IM me about them (EX: What is the distinction between the SOLDIER bases? What is notable about SOLDIER Base Two?). In short, questions regarding things your character would almost certainly already know that you feel you as a player would like to know more about. Yes, your knowledge might aid you in altering the course of the plot, but there are no guarantees and questions of "Tell me everything about everything" will be frowned upon and likely unanswered.
March 21st 21:37:30 Approximately 43 kilometers away from Tibris Town "Ktckt... Ktckt... Ktckt... Ktckt..." Valgrind turned to look at the three of you, pausing with a slow glance at each you, hesitating as if taking your measure before leaning back in his seat, apparently relaxing as he lets out a sigh and closes his eyes. "So..." he asks in a friendly voice to no one in particular, "...you guys nervous at all?" If you don't respond, please post saying that you don't. It will help for clarity's sake so that I know everyone has spoken their piece if they wished to do so as opposed to someone not getting a chance to post being interpreted as choosing not to respond.
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Feb 6, 2009 0:31:46 GMT -5
From the second seat on the right, closest to the back, a glow was emanating. The glow came from a small ball of green energy held, floating in mid air, seemingly trapped between a young man's hands. The hands slowly moved around the energy, sometimes pulling bits of the energy off and making them disappear, othertimes making small bits of energy appear out of nowhere to join the small bit of energy. The energy was in fact pure MAKO energy, pulled directly from the body of the man experimenting with it, Marius...one of the SOLDIER Elites sent on this mission. His long trenchcoat, simple black by design, was covering the simple clothing underneath. He wore a plain red and black vest and a pair of simple black pants, held up by a very unassuming belt. Around his neck dangled a pendant that gleamed as it spun on its silver chain. As it turned it caught the green light and glowed earily. It was a small square with what seemed to be some sort of writing on it. It is in fact, to anyone who might know so, the ancient symbol used by the Shinra Corporation. On the back is engraved " Wisdom in Remembrance" in the common tongue of the land. Next to him, leaning against the wall and his seat, is a simple quarterstaff, made of metal, and is his preferred weapon in a fight. Rarely seen using it, he is still hardly ever seen without it. As he sat on the train, the small bit of his own energy floating between his gloved hands, in an almost bored like fashion to anyone that knew him, he looked up only occassionlly. When he did his eyes glowed the green of the MAKO infused...but to an even higher degree than your average SOLDIER. Framed by his shoulder length, straight, light brown hair his eyes burned with a green flame that almost seemed as if it produced a light of its own, so infused and in tune with the MAKO energy was he. Looking up at Valgrind in response to his question he simply scoffs a little. "No more than usual." After his calm reply he simply tilts his head back down and continues letting particles of energy float free of his body to join the sample, reabsorbing them at constant intervals to keep it roughly the same size.
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blackpreacher
New Member
"Hey, piece of cake... except for the big cannon. Not a fan of the big cannon." -Tony Stark
Posts: 44
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Post by blackpreacher on Feb 7, 2009 5:51:21 GMT -5
"Yes, actually I am." Says another one of the soldiers as he picks himself up from the seat next to Marius and moves to the seat on the left closest to the front, "He always makes me nervous when he starts playing with MAKO like that." This soldier wore simple cloths as well. A rough looking brown trench coat covered a black silk dress shirt with silver buttons. The shirt was tucked into his blue jeans held there with a belt, boots covering his feet. His shoulder length black hair jumped up and down on his trench coat with every bump along the way. A black spear rested on his shoulder. "As for the mission, I'm not really all that concerned right now." Adion said as he looked up to Valgrind, "When we get there I'm sure I'll have butterflies in my stomach. I'm just trying no to think about it right now. Which, actually when you think about it, is easier than you might think cause someone in the same room is picking stuff he doesn't like out of MAKO and adding to it." Feeling he had answered the question sufficiently he waited for the other passenger to answer before he continued the conversation.
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Post by Dave on Feb 9, 2009 14:26:00 GMT -5
Mercury has been quiet this whole ride. The Blade on the seat next to him has been his focus since the cart started rolling down the rails. But when Valgrind poses his question, the man looks up.
A wasteland nomad to his core, Mercury is covered from head to foot. The heavy boots and gloves move right on into the numerous layers of clothing that cover the rest of his body. Even his head is covered in long bands of cloth, loosely wrapped around, leaving only room for him to see out, through his darkly shaded goggles. On the rare occasion he removes them, the eerie green glow of the infused is absent in his eyes, being replaced by an iridescent gleam.
"Nervous? What reason is there to be nervous? One man we are after: it may be tricky, but given enough cause, we can obliterate him from the planet. So even if things go wrong, there is nothing to be nervous about." Looking to Adion, "And if MAKO makes you nervous, I think you are in the wrong profession."
He lifts the Sword next to him. "And besides, I have my oldest comrade right here with me, isn't that right?" He seems to be talking to the weapon.
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Feb 9, 2009 20:31:09 GMT -5
Looking up from the ball of MAKO, Marius smiles. "Yeah, not only the wrong profession but you definately have the wrong teammate." With a chuckle he goes back to boredly fiddling with the MAKO.
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The Lord of Blades
Game Masters
Ero Sennin
Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a man of wealth and taste
Posts: 1,314
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Post by The Lord of Blades on Feb 9, 2009 21:28:21 GMT -5
Valgrind chuckles and gives a reproving glance at Marius: "Now now, there's nothing wrong to have a fear of MAKO... especially ones who openly manipulate it so carefree. It is, after all, the energy of the planet. Something to remember is that regular people don't even see this stuff until their spirit is passing on. That, and even for us it can be dangerous when it causes Addiction." Valgrind seems to muse on the thought, perhaps having experienced it before, but his strange look betrays little of his own thoughts. He then glances at Mercury: "That's an Eidolon isn't it, that sword? Interesting companion." Once again Valgrind pauses, getting another understanding look on his face. "I really hope you guys work well together, I'm not supposed to tell you, but you're the top three, which means from here on out you'll likely be part of a three man team. Also... when we get to Tibris, I'm going to split off from you guys... I'm not actually here to observe you... my real objective here is top secret, so do -not- come looking for me, understand? I'll find you when I'm done." he smiles at you warmly, obviously showing the utmost confidence in you and himself before his smile vanishes and his head turns sharply... "Ktckt... Ktckt... Ktackt... Ktckt..."After a moment: "Still, some nervousness will do you guys good. Keeps you on your toes, remember that just because your intel tells you a threat isn't there, doesn't mean they're right. After all, you're the ones out in the field, they're sitting back and crunching numbers." He then stands up inside the cart and taps the driver on the shoulder. "Stop the cart... we'll be getting off here. Pull into town and offer to pick up a few passengers at a premium rate. Otherwise... Here." he hands the man a small pouch of gold. "Your pay. God be with you." and Valgrind turns and walks towards the door as the cart slows and looks to the rest of you, he switches from Terra to SOLDIER-Code "We just passed over a tripwire. We don't want to be on this cart anymore. I've placed a protection spell on the driver... God-willing it'll be enough." He opens the door and steps out into the crisp cold air of the night and you hear his boots crunch snow. "Come on team, weapons out, from here we have to walk and Tibris pulls their monsters for their arena directly from the wilderness, you're not going to want to be out here on a nature stroll." with that he walks back along the tracks, likely to inspect the tripwire he says you passed. Current Music: --- www.megaupload.com/?d=V5LAA3UC ---
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Feb 9, 2009 22:15:24 GMT -5
With a grin the energy he had been playing with disappears back into his body. Talking in Soldier Code he stands. "Thought I heard a noise. Well, if the man says move, I guess we move." Grabbing his staff he stands quickly, following out of the cart directly behind Valgrind. As he steps from the cart he slides the staff into his coat pocket, making it disappear entirely from sight. Keeping his eyes peeled he moves off in the same direction as Valgrind, to check the tripwire as well.
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Post by Dave on Feb 10, 2009 0:26:50 GMT -5
The Sword slides into Mercury's hand so quickly, most would swear it had always been there. He holds it as tenderly as a mother her child. "Your Knight, if you will." And with that word, a short weapon obviously designed for defense appears in his other hand. The now doubly-armed man walks up next to Valgrind. "Do you desire mounts for us?"
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blackpreacher
New Member
"Hey, piece of cake... except for the big cannon. Not a fan of the big cannon." -Tony Stark
Posts: 44
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Post by blackpreacher on Feb 10, 2009 9:31:30 GMT -5
Deciding it would be best to let the previous small insults against him go forgotten, Adion makes his way out of the door. Adion takes a step for the trip wire before deciding that two people looking for the same wire is enough, someone needed to keep an eye out for trouble.
"There's still a lot of snow on the ground," Adion thought to himself, "If anyone was going to be waiting to ambush us they will probably be dressed in white or under the snow, but I've got to be sure not to neglect the trees either."
Continuing down the tracks, just to stay with the rest of the group, Adion began to think about his newly realized ranking. He had seen Marius' and Mercury's abilities before. They were remarkably powerful and effective, probably more so than himself.
"I suppose that makes me number four." Adion thought to himself, "That's alright, I'm good with that. Doesn't really make a difference anyway. Just a number for higher ups to look at. Valgrind said that we would probably be set into our own team soon... I hope I don't have to shrug off any more insults, not looking forward to arguing within the team... Oh well, Marius was just funning with me at least."
Dropping those thoughts, Adion renewed his watch of the area. Something somewhere, probably close knew they were here now. And Adion wanted to see it before it had a chance to drop a surprise in on him and his companions.
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The Lord of Blades
Game Masters
Ero Sennin
Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a man of wealth and taste
Posts: 1,314
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Post by The Lord of Blades on Feb 10, 2009 14:59:33 GMT -5
Valgrind peers down at the tracks and points to a place where one of the hardwood slats has been replaced by a strange plastic one with a glowing spot in the center of it. "Motion detector of some kind I'd guess, made a different sound because it's not made of the same wood as nearby, the track buckled differently as we passed over it." He turns and looks at Marius. "Powered by illegal MAKO... don't try to absorb this stuff, it might poison you. Destroy it if you want, but at this point I doubt it'll do much good. Otherwise it'll just wear down over time. Probably doesn't have that long a battery life anyways."
After walking back away from the tripwire, he pats Adion on the shoulder: "Now now, don't look so down. You're not number four. I thought the same thing in your situation, yes, I can tell from the look on your face, not mind reading so don't worry. The truth is you're in the top three, not to be a braggart, but I'll remind you that I'm not on that list. You guys are the top three of the 'newer' generation of SOLDIER Elites. If you've really got to rank me somewhere in your mind, think of me as zero. Aside from that, what's the difference? One or One Hundred, you're still an Elite and you're still a good person at heart right? You know, as does God, that is enough." He gives you another warm smile, "...and thanks for keeping a lookout. Good idea."
Valgrind smiles at Mercury's suggestion for mounts: "No thank you, the others can have aid of your mounts if you and they wish, but I personally..." he whistles loudly and you hear a revving engine and from seemingly out of nowhere a fully operational Shinra-Era motorbike that's been extremely enhanced, modified, tinkered with, and then enhanced some more rolls up next to him and stops, engine rumbling as he sits down on it and turns to look back at Mercury again: "...have a ride already. You three keep in touch with each other and work together, if you need to contact me use this," he tosses you each a Recaller and then a small little capsule-shaped object that looks like a small microphone with a green button. "Press the button and I'll be notified, don't start talking until you hear my reply as mine doesn't have the speaker enabled at first and neither does yours as to not give either of us away. The button will turn red if you're getting 'called', nothing to give you away. When you're finished your mission, use that Recaller and head back to SOLDIER Base Two. God be with you all, good luck!" and with that he revs the motor once, the front wheel lifting up before he rides off into the night at a rapid pace, weaving between trees but roughly following the direction of the rail tracks.
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Post by Dave on Feb 10, 2009 16:56:18 GMT -5
Mercury nods at the information presented. "Very well." Once Valgrind is on his way, he asks simply, "Do either of you wish a mount? I will call them."
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blackpreacher
New Member
"Hey, piece of cake... except for the big cannon. Not a fan of the big cannon." -Tony Stark
Posts: 44
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Post by blackpreacher on Feb 11, 2009 9:13:36 GMT -5
"I've got to get me one of those." Adion mutters under his breath before looking back at his companions and answering, "Sure, I think a mount would be a great idea. I'm not much of a rider though, so if it's something hard to control I might be better off walking."
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Feb 12, 2009 23:26:07 GMT -5
Idly snatching the Recaller and microphone out of mid-air, Marius continues to stare at the tripped trip line. Smiling idly he holds his hand out and acts as if he is manipulating something. Closing his hand into a fist suddenly he chuckles and reaches down, snatching a slightly glowing, floating blue opaque rhombal prism shaped MAKO shard. "Well, that might be useful later..." Tossing it into the air a few times as he turns he slips it into one of the pockets of his trenchcoat before looking at the other two remaining. "Mounts wouldn't be a bad idea. From what I can tell we are about 30 Klicks from town."
(For those not in the know, a klick is a Kilometer)
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Post by Dave on Feb 13, 2009 9:17:30 GMT -5
Mercury nods. He concentrates for a moment, and a circular yellow light begins to shine through his shirt. "Chocobo!" From a distance away, a cloud of dust appears. Within moments, its rapid approach has brought it to the three travelers. Quickly, almost as soon as one would think they would've passed up the three men, the cloud stops and settles to the ground to reveal horse-sized birds. Two of them are yellow in color, while the lead creature is black. The only noise made is a sudden barking noise that seems to be saying "Wark?" Mercury strides over to the lead chocobo. "A Destrier, excellent. The other two should be willing to take you as riders." He places a hand on the beast's back and hops up, hand never releasing his sword. [ooc] I rolled and got 1 Black/Destrier chocobo, and 2 Yellow/Wark chocobos. music: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwC36OO3IXQ
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blackpreacher
New Member
"Hey, piece of cake... except for the big cannon. Not a fan of the big cannon." -Tony Stark
Posts: 44
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Post by blackpreacher on Feb 13, 2009 12:10:46 GMT -5
Having at least some small skill in Ride, Adion pets the large birds neck so they can become familiar with each other.
"Hey their friend." Adion says to the creature, "You think I could hitch a ride?"
After a few more moments of petting the chocobo, Adion walks around and climbs on top of the mount.
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