Roleplaying disscussion

[CM]

“So this is Athkatla, Impressive, oh well might as well get this over with,” thinks Faisal.

It was dusk, and Faisal had been standing outside the city gate for the past 2 hours, waiting for the crowd to thin out. It happened everywhere, ever since he came up north, people always treated him like human scum just because he was from calim****e.

He never wished to cause any problems, but it was more often than not that he would have to fight for his right into the city, and this time he believed it would be worse. Since the guard consisted of only 2 now, this was the best time to enter the city.

“Halt” said the first guard with a long sword drawn.
“State your purpose, destination and origins,” said the second.

“Employment, the copper coronet, riba in calim****e”

“Riba??, hmmm name?”

“Al Faisal Zulfiqar”

The other guard also readies his weapon, a halberd.
“Al Faisal Zulfiqar, hmm, you the one who killed the calmi****e prince right??”
“well, n…”
“Some one is waiting for you inside, and you are late, they have been waiting for 3 hours now, now get going.”

Faisal shocked for a couple of minutes, stands still, then thinking about his good fortune hurries past the guards and head directly for the copper coronet.

Faisal arrives at the coronet at dark spending a great deal of time wandering the city, getting a layout of the area and if there was any employment. As he is walking towards the coronet, 4 figures break from the shadows behind them and start towards him.

One of the few abilities of his long dead father’s sword that are known to Faisal, is its ability to hint at danger, it glows green when the wielder of the sword is in danger. Seeing the sudden flash of green, Faisal decides not to chance any thing and makes a run for the coronet, better to fight them on my terms, but 2 men step in front of Faisal before he can finish the thought. Swords and stones cornered, what can I do now???

“You the calim****e?” asks one of the figures.
“yes….”
“Do you know who we are?”
“No”
“So you aren’t the one hired to kill the prince?”
“No”
“Then you are no use to us…”

The finality in the tone of voice, warned Faisal of his death, which he expected to come from behind. To avoid any hit, Faisal dives to the right, but not before an arrow pierces his tunic and embedded itself in his left shoulder.

Ignoring the pain, as survival was his aim at the moment, Faisal quickly draws his shield from his back, just in time as a lightening bolt crashes down from the sky. In a totally reflexive and protectionist move, Faisal ducks under his large shield, which is raised over his head, in the futile thinking that the shield would protect him from the lightening. He counts the seconds till it hits him, the lightening smashes against the shield driving Faisal further to the ground. Then suddenly there is no force what so ever. Bewildered, Faisal gets up and looks around, noticing now 3 figures standing and a horrific stench filling the alley.

Before Faisal could do anything else, another arrow pierces his right thigh, and the other two charge forward ready for blood. Faisal brings his shield to meet the first attackers mace, but the other’s short sword breaches his defensives and cuts deep into his waist. Thinking this is his last fight, as he won’t have time to use any of his cleric spells, Faisal starts slashing and stabbing in a wild haphazard manner, missing both the assailants who keep dancing around the wild attacks. By Tyromra’s luck, the sword cuts a rope, which was holding a great deal of bricks and rubble via a pulley system. The debris comes crashing down on the fighter with the mace, as well as blasting the other 3 from their feet.

Faisal collides with a wall losing his breath and breaking a few bones. The other two are in no better shape, Faisal with 2 arrows protruding from his body, a deep cut and broken bones and bruises, is in no shape to fight or even stand. As consciousness leaves Faisal, he sees the last 2 remaining figures starting towards him, and looks like reinforcements have also arrived, judging from the figures that have descended from the rooftops.

Then everything blacks out.

===========================================

Ok who is going to save my butt???

[Xandax]

”What was that? sounds like combat?” Xandax noticed well know sounds just around the corner.
He ran around and saw 3 figures standing over a motionless man. The man looked strange to Xandax. A couple of bodies lies under some rubble.
“Hey – what is going on” Xandax yelled at the men.
”This is not your business” one of the figures called back.
“I’ve already heard that today – try something else” Xandax yelled back while readying his sword.
He walked towards the men.
The were uneasy – they hadn’t planned on anybody interfering.
The first figure readied an arrow.
“To the death” Xandax cried out and charged – feeling the benefits of his enrage. The arrow hit Xandax shield and another hit him in the leg, it didn’t slow him.
One good hit, and the first figure fell down. The third figure wielding a mace attacked to help his partners. He didn’t get far and was stuck down.
”One left” Xandax said to the last standing figure. Suddenly something hit Xandax. It was magic. It hurt but didn’t cause him to fall down. He struck down the last of the 3 men and turned around to see who it was that had attacked him magical. Nobody was there. No crowd or animals. Just Xandax and the stranger.
Xandax picked the stranger up.
“Better get you to a healer”

“I can heal him, it’ll cost you 500 GP” the Priest said to Xandax. It was lucky that there was a temple on top of the Coronet.
“Do it” Xandax paid the healer.
“You’d better get him to an inn also”
“Yeah yeah – just heal him”

The wounds on the man heal as the priest said mystical words and made gestures.
Soon the man was hole again. Xandax brought him down into the Copper Coronet again and rented a room.
Placing the man in the room so he could rest – Xandax took place down near the bar and waited.

“Nice town” he tough, “Been here 3 hour and already seen 2 attacks at people, something is going on”

{okay - is this good enough???}

[ 07-08-2001: Message edited by: Xandax ]

[Brink]

{@Xandax and Fas-Give me some time, I'll post entrance into the story }

[ 07-08-2001: Message edited by: Brink ]

[ 07-08-2001: Message edited by: Brink ]

[Xandax]

Originally posted by Brink:
<STRONG>{@Xandax and Fas-Give me some time, I'll post entrance into the story }

[ 07-08-2001: Message edited by: Brink ]

[ 07-08-2001: Message edited by: Brink ]</STRONG>

{sorry brink - didn't see you }

[Brink]

@Xandax-It's okay,I'm not planning to interrupt your fight

[Xandax]

Originally posted by Magus:
<STRONG><snip>Does anyone else think we should change the name of this topic? Perhaps to “The Guild Wars” or “Civil War in Athlatka” or some such? We’ll need to start up a story discussion thread for input/criticism about the story anyway, and we could call that “Roleplaying Discussion”.
<snip>
</STRONG>

{Sounds like a good idea}

[Brink]

Kierran was awaken by the sound of a human voice, faintly at first.
“Wake up, bub”
Somewhat dazed, Kierran tried replying “Wha…”
“You heard me…wake up,”
He could now feel a hand shaking his right shoulder violently. Kierran opened his eyes and saw the face of an old beggar, displaying a set of rotten teeth as he smiled at him. He took a quick look around him and that was when he realized that he was not in his beloved wilderness anymore. The greenery of the trees were now replaced by the greyness of what appeared to be old and ugly buildings. Questions began forming in his mind; where was he?What was he doing here? And most importantly, why couldn’t he remember anything from the past few days?
Another shook brought Kierran back to reality, and once again, he could see the face of the old beggar, though the smile has gone and is now replaced with a frown, “Are yer alright , bub? Ye look as if ye’ve been sleepin’ ‘ere fer days”
Kierran rubbed his head, “ Err…I think I’m fine. I can’t seem to remember what happened to me though…”
The smile returned to the old face, “Well, at least yer alright,” the old beggar turned around, “Ye can stay wit’ me fer now, if you like…”
Kierran was hesitant at first, but decided to stay with the old beggar for as long as he needed to gather more information about this ‘city’ and why he was here.
“Oh, by the way, can you please tell me where I’m in right now, kind sir?”
The beggar turned to face Kierran once again with a look of shock, “ Ye don’t know what city yer in??” he chuckled. “ why, this ‘ere’s Athkathla, the city of Coin. Ye really can’t remember a thing, can ye?”
Kierran replied, “I can’t, that’s why I’m thinking of staying here while I find out more about this….Athkathla “
The beggar continued chuckling, “ well, yer welcome to stay wit’ me here….” He paused for awhile before continuing, “Ye can call me Old Fitz, that’s what the young ones do”
Kierran shook Old Fitz’s hand, “Thank you, kind sir. I won’t forget your kindness”
Old Fitz snarled at him, “ Bah, ye can forget about my kindness now. It’s dinner time…” seeing the look on Kierran’s face, he added, “ Well, ye need skills to survive back ‘ere, an’ I think ye be havin’ none, so I’ll teach ye how to look fer yer own food ‘ere. Now, pay close attention to what I do, and don’t ye be runnin’ around ‘ere…tis a dangerous place if yer not familiar”
Kierran replied with a smile, “ I will, sir, I will”

{Sorry, I'm not that good at writing stories .My character's a ranger btw }

[ 07-08-2001: Message edited by: Brink ]

[Craig]

As darkness closed around him he saw, with the help of his elven eyes, the faint outline of the evil mage, Nicros, something he needed to get rid of.
Behind the wizards black robe Thryn struck drawing his long sword down slicing his coller bone, tering({OOC sp?) his spine and poisoning the wound, the mage stumbled and Thryn took out his dagger and slid it through the bridge of his nose.
After searching the body he found a scroll, a message that said somthing about black helm.He took the cloak and, also he found a key which, he thought was from Athkathla."Long time no see," he murmered...

[ 07-09-2001: Message edited by: craig ]

[Magus]

@craig: I suppose the mage could use a Wish spell. I don’t know exactly how it would work in real-time. Just don’t go crazy with it.

@all: As I think of things for your characters, I’ll post them. But I can’t possibly keep up with everyone’s separate story at once. I’ll do what I can, but if I don’t mention your character, just keep going. Just so you know, I tend to write about what’s linked to my character(s). So if you want my attention, befriending him or viciously spiting him will do the trick

@craig: No idea where you’re going with your part, so I’ll let you be for now. Could you proofread your posts? I’m having trouble reading them.

@brink: Some stats and alignment would be helpful to help me roleplay your character better.
*****

As Faisal wakes, he is met with a wave of nausea and exhaustion. But despite all of his attempts to slink back into unconsciousness, sleep eludes him. Remembering his wounds, he gingerly sits up. But a quick survey of his body reveals only scars and bruises in place of slashes and broken bones. Getting up, he almost wretches from the sudden blood rush to his head. He slowly walks over to the door, wincing in pain, but gradually he starts to feel a bit better. That any old thug with a knife and a will could end his life in his current condition totally escapes the young lad. Stumbling down the stairs, he sees a well-armored man (Xandax, but Faisal doesn’t know this) get up from the bar(???) and come quickly towards him.
*****

It was now almost morning. After Kierran’s awakening at dusk, Old Fitz had given him a crash course in slumming. It took Old Fitz a while to pound the lessons into his thick “tree-tangled head,” as Old Fitz remarked, but eventually Kierran got the gist of it. The beggar had laid down for a rest, and Kierran had now decided a little exploration of this strange place was in order.

It didn’t take long to find trouble...

A block away Kierran came upon what looked like a city guard. He wore a rusted ebony black helm, and full plate that looked like something from a goblin horde. Luckily Kierran didn’t call out, for seconds later thieves in black hoods appear from the shadows to surround the guard in a circle. They didn’t seem to notice Kierran.

“You have the papers, scum?” called out what looked to be the leader.

“Ye-yes sir,” the guard stammered. He handed them to the thief, who quickly scans them.

“Excellent,” he says in satisfaction. “You have done well. Keep it up, and the Shadow Thieves might accept you yet. You may leave.

The guard hesitates. “But she said I would be well rewarded,” he blurts.

“Oh, really? Is that so?” the thief quips, smiling. He nods his head, and the other thieves begin to tighten the circle. They begin drawing their blades.

“Did you really think you could play both sides for fools? And live? Feel the wrath of the Shadow Thieves!”

The Shadow Thieves close in slowly, hungrily. The guard whips out a halberd. Despite his timid manner, he holds it with the comfort of experience. He might even kill a few before he falls, Kierran thinks to himself. But if he’s going to the aid of either side, he better think fast. (There’s more to this mini-post than meets the eye, Brink, so let me handle the actual battle after you make your decision)
*****

[Magus]

Okay, let me update the intro so it agrees with Aegis’s version. No one knows quite how the dark mage, Raistlin, was defeated, but Magus is strongly suspected as a key player in his demise. This gives him much power and influence within Amn, especially within Athlatka itself. Of course, no one said he accepts this responsibility gladly.
*****

The group of guards raced to the Government Building. But it was too late, the deed already done. The enlisted men were all in a panic, but behind his black visor, the guard captain smiled. He had deliberately kept the partrol out of the area, as ordered, to let the assassin do his dirty work.

A frantic enlisted man rushed up to him. “Should we inform the Cowled Wizards, sir?”

“Are you questioning my competence, soldier?” the captain barked.

“N-n-no sir!” the soldier stammered, slinking away before he got in real trouble.

“To the barracks, all of you! On the double!”

“YES SIR!” came the chorus. They saluted, and marched off, leaving the captain.

His soldiers gone, the captain kneeled down to inspect the body. Seeing a slight depression in the mud, a footprint left by the assassin, he hurriedly smoothed it out with his boot, muttering about incompetent fools. He never saw the well-placed flame arrow that took his life...

The invisible mage teleported away to inform his superiors of Tolgerias’s demise.
*****

“So the fool finally got himself killed. Idiot.” muttered Council of Wizards member Sarak. An impatient man in his middle years, despite his apparent lower rank he was effectively Tolgerias’s superior, though the vain Tolgerias would never have admitted it. “Now we’ll have to get somebody else to deal with that arrogant bastard, Magus.”

Looking up, Sarak saw Lazal the Red’s impatience. Sarak sighs in frustration. “Superb work, as always, Lazal. Corellan notes your competence. Here is your reward.” Sarak pulls a key from his robe and unlocks a cabinet nearby, pulling out a white and yellow bracer before closing it. A fair aura of magic emanates from it.

“A simple bracelet of protection! Bah! This is not worth my precious time!” Lazal fumes.

“You’ll take it and be happy with it, Lazal! Only members have access to our finest items. Now get out! I have work to do. I have to find a replacement for that blasted idiot Tolgerias...”

Mumbling obscenities, Lazal the Red storms out the door. Already, a plan of retribution is forming in his mind. He’s not nicknamed Lazal the RED for nothing, after all...

(BTW, Lazal is a very powerful mage. Not one to be trifled with lightly...)
*****

“Tolgerias...dead? How could a Cowled Wizard be killed out in the open like that? Don’t you protect your own?” Magus spoke incredulously.

“That’s none of your concern.” Sarak replied gratingly. Damn Corellan! Why in the Nine Hells did HE have to deal with this prick?! Besides, this Rift of his was giving him the creeps! Guardians all around, and most he couldn’t even see! He had an itch to flush some of them out with a Horrid Wilting...but that would solve nothing. (sigh)

“My contact is dead, Sarak. If you want my help, I want some answers.”

Sarak fought down the urge to wring Magus’s bloody neck. Suddenly, Magus’s piercing blue eyes caught his attention. Oh damn, that’s right, he’s a frickin psionic, Sarak abruptly remembered. Seeing Magus’s expression, he wasn’t too happy with Sarak’s inner antics.

Sarak coughed. “Um, maybe I should come another time, yes? One when we’re each less busy. I’ll just be leaving now.” With the unpleasantries over with, Sarak quickly teleported out of there. Boy, Corellan wouldn’t be happy about this...
*****

Magus watched the fool leave with disgust. What nerve! To come into his home and insult him! The gall!

“Magus, you’re being too impatient again...” came a soft, lovely voice right next to his ear. Turning, he grabbed hold of the intruder. Aerie giggled. “Just because you can read their thoughts doesn’t mean it’s the same as speech. It’s not fair to judge others that way.”

“But...” Magus trailed off as Aerie put on that mask of understanding. “Oh, I know, but I don’t suffer fools like Sarak gladly. You wouldn’t believe the disgusting images he conjured up-“

“So what do you plan to do?” Aerie interrupted, changing the subject and returning Magus’s mind to the point of all of this. “Are you going to help them?”

Magus pauses. “Despite their corruption, foolishness, and utter lack of tact, what they say has truth. I can’t stand aside and watch from a distance, like some conceited god, while Amn descends into a hideous revolution. But for now, I will watch and wait. Perhaps one of the guilds will prove to be the lesser evil. In that case, I will swing my aid to that side. If not, I’ll lend my support to the one that looks the strongest, in the hope that not only it could restore order, but that I could nudge it along a better path. If that means dealing with the incorrigibles within in a “permanent” manner, then so be it.”

Aerie nods. “Very well, my love. As always, I’ll support whatever decision you make.”

“Thank you.” Releasing Aerie with a sigh, he turns to one of his nearby servants. “Clean up that little mess on the floor in my lab. And tell my guards to turn back anymore visitors today. I’m ready for this day to be over...”

As you wish, master.
*****

[ 07-08-2001: Message edited by: Magus ]

[Aegis]

Virdel basked himself in the shadows of his little corner in one of Athkatla's many streets. It had only been a few hours since he removed Tolgerias from the equation, and received his payment. A small, obsidion stone. Even though it didn't look like anyting of value, the stone held great powers, namely the ability to summon an Elemental of his chosing once a day. A powerful payment indeed. He smiled, and patted his pocket that enclosed his new posseision, then let his hand casually drop to the hilt of his Scimitar. He also propped his legs up against the wall opposite to him, and leaned back in the narrow niche he had found to fufill his next mission.

Even though his next mission involved no actual fighting, he did it none the less, for he did not wish to displease his "current" employer. He sat, and turned his head to a portian of the abondoned street. Noticing a few beggers, one who looked a little well too dressed to be a begger (Kierran) he shruged it off, and noted it as just a man who had lost all his ownings lately. Besides, he was here to insure that the meeting went as planned. He watched casually, again making no noise what-so-ever.

After a few more minutes of patient waiting, the man had arrived. He saw the rusted Black Helm that signified him as being the man he waited for. He also saw the group of Theives emerge from the shadows of the street, and surround the one man.

"You have the papers, Scum?" Virdel watched what he assumed to be the leader. He grinned. Scouting missions were always easy, but so much more entertaining when he was able to be a part of them. He waiting, hopeing he would be.

“Ye-yes sir,” the guard stammered. He handed them to the thief, who quickly scaned them over. Virdel's grin turned sour, as he saw the gaurds cowerdice. If this had been the Under Dark, and those men Drow, he would've have been struck down where he stood for showing fear. Not a good sign for his employers intentions.

“Excellent,” The lead Theif said in satisfaction. “You have done well. Keep it up, and the Shadow Thieves might accept you yet. You may leave." For a breif moment, Virdel thought that the gaurd would actually get away with it, but his impression quickly turned.

The guard hesitated. “But she said I would be well rewarded,” Fool! Though Virdel to himself. He questioned a Shadow Thief, when surrounded by the buggers. His hand loosed his two Scimitars, and he began to ponder if he really should get himself involved in this. After all, he was only told to watch the engagment.

“Oh, really? Is that so?” the thief quiped, smiling. He noded his head, and the other thieves began to tighten the circle. They began drawing their blades. Virdel watched as the situation became worse. Again he entertained the thought of intervening.

“Did you really think you could play both sides for fools? And live? Feel the wrath of the Shadow Thieves!” With that comment, Virdel stood from his alcove, and drew both Scimitars, but remaining in the shadows. He waited to see if the gaurd could not fight his way out of this one. He would wait to see if he was needed. It was at this point, his eye caught the well-dressed beggar again. He saw him react strangely to this encounter. He acted like more then just a beggar. Perhaps Virdel wouldn't have to be involved. He decided to wait until aboslutly sure of the stiuation. He remained with his blades drawn, but stood in the shadows, as not to drow attention to himself...

@Magus: Okay, I didn't interfere, but I made presence known to the players. If you want, you can add me into your little fight, but I have left it open that I could just watch the engagment.

[Xandax]

Xandax was sitting thinking. His childhood had been privileged, his stepfather had been a lord over a substantial area of land until his real father had taken his revenge over Xandax’ mother and stepfather.
After this Xandax had destroyed this evil necromancer and his minions. He was 15 years old then - how long time ago it seemed, almost as if he had read about it in a book.
The last 10 years Xandax had been roaming the lands looking for adventure, taking him further and further westwards through lands like Cormyr and through great plains.
He had seen plenty of battles and overcome plenty of attackers, much of this only possible due to the canalising of his powers, this enrage as he had heard people calling it, making him oblivious to his own welfare but striking fear in his opponents. But still, such an attack as he had seen in this city was new to him. Xandax was a warrior – honour bound in battle.
This attacks seemed cowardly like normal brigands attacking people for money, but still there were something more to it. Most ordinary thieves would run when confronted. These figures that had jumped the stranger, they seem annoyed that yet another had seen them, confronted them.

Still in his thoughts, Xandax saw the young man slowly stumbling down the stairs. It was obvious he didn’t feel good, but then again – he had been inflicted with wounds that would have killed many a untrained warrior. Xandax quickly stood up and walked towards the man stumbling down the stairs.

Xandax brought him to a table and place a dish of unrecognisable food and a mug of ale in front of him.

“How do you feel? – You really should get some more rest before getting up”
“My name is Xandax by the way”

[ 07-09-2001: Message edited by: Xandax ]

[Rail]

As closely tied to the ending of the "Roleplaying in Athkatla" thread, I can not help but want to play the now-crippled and bitter assassin, though I'd toyed with the idea of many other characters and still may do just that. Work has killed me for the past month, but I'll jump into the story when I am able. Great job, all. Wow!

[Brink]

I can't stay for long, so I'll just give Kierran's stats and alignment (he's not carrying any sort of equipment, he needs to find something if he wants to get into a fight )

Name: Kierran Moonblade
Alignment: Neutral Good
Strength: 14
Constitution: 17
Dexterity: 14
Intelligence: 12
Wisdom: 16
Charisma: 13

If I have the time, I'll try posting a little continuation to my part.If I don't, then feel free to use my character to continure the story (Kierran will probably stay away from the battle unless he could find a weapon nearby ).If he does take part, he'll probably help the guard .

[Magus]

Nice to see ya, Rail. I'd love to see your assassin back, and I bet Void would too (He's yet to be introduced) I'm sure someone of Rail's skill could amass enough wealth to find a way to repair his arm, whether through powerful healing, or perhaps a new arm (mechanical, magical, or a combination of both. Gond is a versatile God.) Or perhaps he just learned to fight one-armed. Don't let a mere crippled arm stop you...

[Aegis]

Your always welcome Rail.

[Craig]

Cos no one has come to my rescue ill change it

[Craig]

Over to the new forum

[Xandax]

{If we are going to move to Atkahtla II in the Forgotten Realms forum - maybe we should cut n' paste the roleplaying posts over there}

[Craig]

Thats what i put in my thread over there.
We ca still use this for disacussion though