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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2013 17:37:29 GMT
His mistress stood before him as he knelt down upon the ground. "Gerath, it is time to find your family. The time has come to go back to Nisengard for work needs to be done. There you will find the other clans getting ready to assemble as well. Go with them, help them for their cause is our cause," her voice trailed off as she faded away and the world began to spin. "Don't forget your vow to the order...." the last words on my mind as the world went black.
I coughed as I found my mouth quickly filling with a thick wet substance tasting something of dirt and mud. I shook myself awake as I pushed up from the mud my face was apparently lying in. "Bloody woman, why must it always be so abrupt when she tells me to do something." I slowly gathered my belongings and headed back the way I had come. A bitter thought crossed my mind as it has been years since i had seen my clan. "I wonder how they will take to me now," I ponder as a grin crosses my face.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2013 19:01:38 GMT
--8 years prior-- Gerath kneels before the alter of Nise in prayer for the trials to come. His hand hurting from the cut he made for the blood sacrifice he holds a rag to it with his other hand in hopes it will stop the pain sooner. "Nise, I do all for your glory. I follow, I listen, I fight, I survive to learn what you will of me" he prays in silence. "I have joined the Order of Odin as you have asked but still you do not grant me the gifts I require to pass the upcoming trials. Why must you forsake me, your chosen when I have given so much." Gerath opens his eyes' and sneaks a peak to his left and right with only a subtle move of his head to look at the acolytes kneeling around him in penance. It matters not how little he moved for the Elder saw him and strikes him on the back forcing him to quickly look down and close his eyes again. This time tears coming out, "tell me Nise, tell me what to do!" This time he hears a voice, not a soft loving voice of a parent but the stern battle hardened voice of The Stormmaiden, "You must fight, continue to love me and you shall be rewarded." A smile spreads across Gerath's face in glee of the response from his deity. "Thank you," he shouts and quickly rolls backward under the swing of the Elder standing vigil over the acolytes and darts through the open door to his freedom. Running into the open air of the yard Gerath can't help but laugh. "Yes, she will see that I will pass and can go to the Order as one of her battle brothers in training. My clan will be honored."
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2013 21:19:51 GMT
--the next day-- Gerath stands in shock. It can't be possible, but she promised I would be rewarded. How could I fail, I have loved her and live for her. Then how is it I can have no talent to become a battle brother. With nothing but his own failure and the clothing on his back he heads home, to the Order of Odin. After trudging along for what seems like days, Gerath finally stands before the tower with nothing to show for himself. The silence from the acolytes at the door suggest the tower has already heard of his failure. With a renewed determination Gerath lifts his head higher and straightens his back. So be it, if he can't be a battlebrother of Nise he can at least fight in her name. Tomorrow his new training and life would begin as a warrior for the Order. Following the stairs up he makes his way to the top of the tower. Stopping at the last door he knocks and waits for the Grand Master to allow him entrance. "Enter acolyte, I have been waiting" a strong deep voice beacons from behind the thick wooden door. Opening the door Gareth steps in and closes it behind himself. Quickly stepping across the room he takes a seat to face the Grand Master over his desk. The Grand Master eyes Gerath with mild interest showing on his face. "It would seem you are not fit to become a battle brother for the Order. No less, we shall still find use for you. Tomorrow you shall begin training in the yard in the art of combat. You will find a sleeping space among your other brothers in training. May Nise smile upon you," he finished as if the conversation was already over and went back to writing on some papers on his desk.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2013 23:06:46 GMT
-- the next day-- Bruised and battered Gerath kneels before the alter to Nise. "Stormmaiden, I have continued to do as you ask. Why must I go down this road, I was to be a battle brother in service to you spreading your faith and will. I hurt all over and could barely lift my training sword to put it away. Why are you forsaking me?" After several moments of silence Gerath begins to show signs of worry. He has always had a stronger connection than others to his deity and has never gone without response while communing before. A moment longer passes. "Has something within me broken," he questions with real concern in his voice now. "No.... it can not be me, she has done this. She lifted me and up and showed her true nature. But maybe it isn't that way, " he continues to argue with himself. "None of the other battle brothers have lost their guidance and favor of her." His expression changes to something... angrier, " it matters not, if I am broken or she has abandoned me it is all the same. I am now alone and must walk this path alone as well." Rising Gerath clenches his hands into fists. "You were wrong you know, I could have been great and I will prove it to you."
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2013 3:54:08 GMT
-- 4 years later-- The clacking of wooden weapons meeting echos all around the yard. The acolytes sweat from fighting each other nonstop for 3 hours. Gerath stands his ground among his brothers in the swirling chaos of melee. The acolytes must fight the Initiates and older Order members as they take turns keeping themselves fresh and not letting the acolytes get a rest. Their objective, to protect one target from being struck. Several of his brothers have already failed and given into exhaustion or injuries and have failed. With a roar Gerath shouts at his attackers, "not this time! I will not fail again!" This time is different, he thinks to himself. I have not misplaced my trust in a fickle woman, " this time I will take my victory for myself!" he shouts out and takes a step toward the initiate facing him and strikes him down in one blow. A quick sweep to his left he strikes an older member of the Order across the back and drives him into the acolyte that has been fighting him. With a snarl he ducks and overhead sweep from the man to his right which left him open to attack from the acolyte he was facing as well. A grin spreads wide across his face as he rolls past the target he is guarding and thrusts his sword past an acolyte to stab another initiate in the rib section of his breast plate. Seeing this the older members redouble their efforts and more come at once. Up until now it had mainly been 1 on 1 combat but 2 charge at Gerath. Parrying the attack of the first one he takes a step to move himself between the 2 men. Seeing this the acolyte he was fighting beside takes a step perpendicular to his to flank one of the 2 men. The man between the 2 of them now being caught slightly off guard and distracted by the movement behind him, Gerath strikes at his leg and he falls. The initiates seem to be revitalized by the renewed vigor shown by their brother and begin to attack back as well. The circle around their target begins to expand outward. Retaking his position on the opposite side, a smile crosses his face as he stares down his next opponent who for a moment lets a moment of concern and doubt appear on his face before getting replaced with raw anger. Clear as a bell a single word in a female voice can be heard seemingly coming from no where and everywhere at once, "fight." Recognition of the voice dawned on Gerath and he faltered. "Love me," chorused the words in the same voice as the other one. "No," shouted Gerath through gritted teeth as he took a hit that almost made him fall. Anger surging through him, hatred that the one he had trusted and lived for for so long had abandoned him, and as if nothing had changed came back. Just as the words " and you shall be rewarded" chimed through his head he battered his opponent back and struck him down. Looking around he saw the instructors had called a stop to the session. The remaining students looked to one another in wonder if it was finally over. "Acolytes, you have done well and in the hardest moment you overcame your exhaustion with renewed vigor. We congratulate you with your success. Those of you remaining, be ready in 2 hours for your next trial." With that the Grand Master turned and left.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2013 18:56:43 GMT
-- the second trial-- Once again the acolytes stand in the yard. Tired and sore from their experience earlier in the day they do their best to stand firm in formation. Gerath stands toward the front as a shining example to his companions on keeping faith. With out warning, a moment of comfort and warmth passes over him and he wants to lie down and sleep. Shaking it off he looks to see several of his companions dropping to the ground as they fall asleep. Those remaining awake look more alert than ever and being to look around for signs of what could be causing this. Unable to see anything out of the ordinary in the empty training yard Gerath kicks the acolyte to his side that had been one of the ones to fall asleep. "Hey, wake up you dolts" he shouts to his companions which causes a few of them to begin stirring but nothing more. Gerath looks down at his sleeping companions once more just as a slimy brown substance explodes from between 2 of his companions. He quickly plants both feet firmly on the ground as the grease washes over the ground around him. In horror he watches as several more acolytes slip and fall to the ground. Jumping out of the area Gerath quickly tries to run for the cover of one of the walls when he spots a magi standing in a bush not 20 feet from him. With a shout he begins charging the magi.. wait why am I charging him, he is my friend. The sudden confusion stops him in his tracks and he lowers his training sword to his side. Realization dawns on him as he sees the magi before him begin to chant. Lashing out with his sword he breaks the concentration of the spell caster and would have hit with a second quick strike had it not been for a wall of force that deflected his sword just before the blow could be landed. The voice of the Grand Master rings through the yard, "You have now all felt the effects of what a single magi can do. This is why we must be the protectors, the warriors that stand strong between them and the world. For their sake, and for our own." As the Grand Master continues the magi before Gerath seems to vanish as if he had never been there. Looking around in confusion he also sees several of his companions looking just as bewildered as himself in several different locations. "This concludes your final trial, those of you who remain standing " pausing to gesture to Gerath and 3 others. " I will be awaiting inside my office, change and head there immediately." After several minutes Gerath finds himself standing among 3 other acolytes. They all look to each other through exhausted faces with as much excitement as they can muster. "I have asked you all here to congratulate you as well as give you your final instruction as an acolyte. Before you, you will find several magical items arrayed on my desk." Looking down Gerath just now realizes there were objects upon the Grand Masters desk where papers are normally scattered about. "As an Initiate you will be each instructed in the use of magical devices to aid you in the defense against magi," he continued and motions toward the first object which is a cloak. "A cloak which will enable you to shrug off most minor spell effects and assist in resisting stronger ones as well." Motioning toward a brooch next, "this object will shield you against the most basic offensive spell of a magi, it will absorb magic missiles which target the bearer of it." Briefly motioning to the rest of them, " as for the rest, several are to assist you in protecting the magi from the mundane. An amulet to make your skin as hard as lizard scales. A ring that will act as a barrier of force to increase the effectiveness of your armor and so on." Just as the grand master continues Gerath hears, " and you shall be rewarded."
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2013 19:36:37 GMT
Gerath stands shirtless over an anvil wielding tongs in one hand and a hammer in the other pounding on a bent piece of red hot metal. "After all that fighting they make me a blacksmith," he grumbles as he sticks the piece of metal into a bath of water. After a second he pulls it back out and puts it right back into the forge and starts the process again. "Fight she says, " throwing his head back slightly to exaggerate the statement but never taking his eyes off of his work. "Less complaining," comes a gruff voice from the other side of the room. The man comes over as Gerath pulls the metal back out of the forge and begins to beat on it again. The ox of a man wipes soot and sweat from his brow as he looks down at the work that had been done so far. "See this fold right here, it's almost as if you have no natural talent for this. Aye, but we can fix that. I'll grind it into your bones if I have to on how to make a proper weapon that won't crack the first time it comes into contact with a real one," he adds while pointing to Gerath's work so far. Gareth mumbles as the ox of a man walks away, "With all this blacksmithing it will be a wonder if I ever actually learn to guard a magi." "Guard a magi is it?" Guess he heard, I thought to myself. "There is more to Guarding a Magi as it were than you think boy, " he said before pulling a rod out another forge to begin his own work. "What honor can I truly gain for my clan or even Nise for that matter if I'm stuck in here making weapons all day" "Let me tell you, I have seen you fight and its not practice you need. Its concentration and discipline. You won't get that swinging sticks around, but you will get it in here if you let me show you." Glowering Gerath continues to pound on the metal but this time reworking the fold as he was instructed. "Love me," the words rang out as a bell on a clear day. Looking around and seeing the Blacksmith continue his work as if he hadn't heard anything Gerath concentrates. Why should I love you when you haven't shown me any mercy. Where were you during my trials. Where are the rewards you keep promising me. Empty lies is all you are, he thinks mostly to himself than to anyone else. "Poor child, do you not know all you have done is for me? Even when you set to prove to me how great of a warrior you could become was for me. Everything you do is for me, " came the voice again. Horror showed on Gerath's face as the realization of her words being true dawned on him. After a moment of silence and continued pounding on the metal he thrusts it back into the water he frowns. "And what is it I shall do then mistress." Gerath finds himself leading his brothers, not his brothers of Odin but his brothers of Nise, into battle. Side by side he witnesses himself charging along side several others toward an oncoming enemy of warriors. Wielding the favored weapon of Nise and a shield Gerath plunges into the enemy lines, slashing with sword and bashing with shield... and just as quickly he is back in front of the forge. The blacksmith staring at him from across the room as he quickly realizeshe has left the metal in the bath of water for to long and ruined all his work. "Well there goes 2 days worth of work, now we are gonna have to start over again," the blacksmith grumbles while throwing his gloves onto the ground and fetching a new iron rod. "Fight for me." is the last he hears as he collapses to the ground.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2013 22:31:10 GMT
"Welcome back to the world of the living," the blacksmith said to Gerath while leaning over him worry marking his face. They were no longer in the smithy but instead Gerath was lying on a straw bed in a cramped room with several people around him. Gerath licks his parched lips and looks around. Gerath recognizes one of the healers and even a magi in the room. "What is going on, " Gerath croaked through an overly dry throat. This time the healer speaks up, "do you remember anything from before being brought here." A moment passes as Gerath's brow furrows in confusion, "well I had just ruined the blade I was working on, and Beiner grabbed a new piece of iron for me to begin working with and then..." A moment of silence passes as he tries to remember, " and then I woke up." The magi and healer exchange looks as if an inaudible conversation is being held between them. The smith begins to speak, " Gerath, after I grabbed the iron and started to bring it to you you started screaming and charged me. It was like watching a rabid dog attack it's owner. The raw fury and hatred in your eye, I can't even describe..." he trailed off as the healer spoke up, "Do you remember what you were thinking about right before you don't remember anything?" Gerath continued to concentrate until all at once he felt as if a wave of ice water washed over his body. Tensing up a feeling of exaltation and power rushed through him. "I was discussing with Beiner about training to fight instead of blacksmithing when I heard her again." Upon saying those words the healer and magi both looked at Gerath. "It had been years since last I heard her, but she was always there. I now know she has always been there." "Who was always there," the 3 men asked in unison. "The Stormmaiden," was his only response.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2013 18:27:49 GMT
--Several days later-- Gerath stares at his clasped hands contemplating over the choice he has finally made. Even in uncertainty, he looks charismatic with his chain shirt a cutlass at his side and a shield on his back. "I apologize Grand Master but I see no other way," he softly states more just to get it out in the air. The father like figure of the Grand Mister sits opposite him behind a desk. Even though the Grand Master has seen many years his hair still hasn't started to show any signs of it and retains it's raven black color. The Grand Master looks upon Gerath with almost kind eyes as he studies him, "you know what this choice means to not only you but also the clan you came from. You will both be shamed for breaking your vow to the Order." "I know Grand Master, but I'm constantly filled with a rage of some kind.... it feels like a blood lust and the need to cross blades that can only be quenched in battle. If I stay here I will not only put you in danger but also myself, as I believe has been demonstrated at the smithy. I do not believe it is Nise's intentions for me to hurt any of you, but Brother Hjorath has mentioned maybe she wants me to fight for her sake. As such I will leave the Order behind and strike out to find Nise's true purpose for me." After a moment of silence the Grand Master speaks first, "Very well, it is always sad when one of the members leaves us even when it is through the honor of combat, but for one to leave us on his own decision is hard to take. You shall be called Oathbreaker from now on to remember the vow you have forsaken today by leaving this place." Rising the Grand Master finishes, "may you go in Nise's image where ever you go, now leave this place." Gerath rises from his chair, solutes the Grand Master and then leaves, turning his back on not only his vow to the order but also his clan.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2013 17:19:36 GMT
It had been several years since Gerath last lost consciousness from a vision. Upon setting out he lived a lonely life of battling for survival, a constant fight with nature to find enough food to survive and fight off animals thinking to find themselves an easy meal. Just like every day before this one Gerath woke and cut the outside of his forearm where he will be strapping the shield on as a blood sacrifice to Nise and knelt down. "Another day has passed in your name, and as always I love and fight for you. What meaning could possibly come from me fighting for survival in a harsh environment such as this when there is truly no one for me to bring your word to through my sword and shield." "Patience, soon all you have struggled for will have meaning. Sometimes the ends are worth more than the means and as such you have been rewarded. Ask not why because the question is when, and the answer is soon. Continue to do ask I ask of you and soon things will fall into place for your presence to once again be revealed to all." With a sigh Gerath stood up, it was true over these past few years he did feel stranger. He also felt more alive than he ever had his entire life. The passion for battle that now filled him from Nise was like a state of ecstasy that nothing else could compare. She even granted him with unique gifts, one that even allowes him to see who would be a threat to him more than others as their ideals didn't align with his own. "Well she has been true to her word, even when I misunderstood her intentions," he said with a gruff voice and began making preparations for the days journey.
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