Legends and Memories.

[KingOfLaughter]

You arrived in Ka-Kunum the night prior, the evening breeze warming your heart for summer, but reminding you of the cold just forgotten. The red sky of dusk mixing with the flames of the campfires, and the sounds of entertainment rising from the tents.

Over the morning frost, and your view of your own breath, you see Ka-Kunum in its truest beauty. A large Inn, surrounded by an appealing picket fence, a single home sitting against the front of the Inn, presumably where the owner lives. In the middle of the yard sits a hill, sides cut to cliffs, and a single stairway leading up, topped by a single gravestone, unmarked, but ornate. A river cuts through the village, leading in to a shallow lake, an isle mid, living two ruined pillars, and trees of age.

Between the Inn and the river sits a small forest, young, but grown. A few stragglers have moved from the group, attempting to start a family of their own, and smaller bushes and weeds making a living among the living.

On the opposite side of the river, sits a small graveyard, in which reside two crosses, though without names. Upon one sits an etched sword, ruins intertwined to it's hidden blade, readable but long forgotten.

On the coast, and riverside sits a tent 'village', surrounding a set of campfires, simple in build, but complex in design. Between the two coastal tents sits a large garden, filled with various fruits, vegetables, and other edible delights. A few armed men, and static gypsys wander around the camp, doing various chores, and activities. In the field a group of children watch as two men train to fight, every now and then letting the children train as well, and practice what they were doing.

http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj577/DriverRJ/Ka-Kunumvillage.jpg

Waiting yet for the man whom offered the job you find the Inn your temporary home, the few denizens eating breakfast, and drinking tea, an elderly man reading and spinning his short sword on the table, the bartender and his younger fellow going about the chores in a joyous way. You notice a few others not yet in the tune of the joyous town, perhaps adventurers, most likely looking for the same job as yourself.

[EdroGrimshell]

Karasu sits just outside the door, he didn't like being inside, even during the winter he rarely came into town. He tapped his claws on the floor, making light clicking sounds as he waited.

[Astro_sol]

Jeice paced back and forth just outside the Inn. He was only wearing pants today, as usual. He jerked his head at Karasu in frustration.

"This village is too boring. When's our contact getting here? His hands flexed into fists and back open as he turned back around in his imaginary roundabout path. If he kept this up, he'd dig a small trench in front of the Inn before they learned more about the job.

[DaOldeWolf]

Alister liked the calm and relaxing town. He was sitting on the ground with his legs crossed as he waited for the contact to arrive.

[KingOfLaughter]

A group of men walk past you headed from the Inn to the tents.

The group consists of four militiamen, and two explorer looking types. The militiamen flanking them front and back.

As the group passes you overhear the two men in the middle talking about the things they require to explore some ruins they found, as you get a better look as they walk past you notice one man is older, and has a large gash down the right side of his face, his eye socket void of it's once perfect inhabitant. Both men carry a short sword and various tools and equipment along their belts. Though the older man wears a more much expensive looking set of garb then his compatriot.

[EdroGrimshell]

Karasu watches the new guys as they walk by, "you the guys we're waiting on?" he asks just before they enter.

[KingOfLaughter]

If you're outside the Inn they're leaving it, if you're outside tents, well stop being creepy. :smalltongue:

The younger man turns, "If you're here for the ruin job, then yes, follow us."

[EdroGrimshell]

(Misread your post, he's outside the Inn)

"Jeice, come on," Karasu calls into the Inn before following the explorers.

[KingOfLaughter]

(Figured so)

The men walk to the tents, continuing their conversation.

As you arrive the youngerman motions the guards to stop, then looks at you, "All of you wait here, we'll call you in when we're ready."

[DaOldeWolf]

Alister also follows the explorers principally to feed his curiosity on the subject. He soon stops as he follows the instructions of the young man.

[Astro_sol]

Jeice ran in with his comrades and was surprised when he was stopped.

"Well, well, well, he calls for patience, he does," he said, bouncing on his feet. "Yes, yes, we're here for the ruin job. I'll wait all nice for you," he added, grinning with pointed teeth.

[EdroGrimshell]

Karasu takes a seat, using his claws to carve into a small slab of wood he picked up along the way.

[KingOfLaughter]

As you wait, using your time as you can. Waiting you find yourself grown slightly impatient, it's been nearly an hour, how can he not be ready? But yet as your patience seems about to snap a small child walks over to your group, looking at you with a joyous face. "Are you here to help my daddy?" He kicks the dirt where he stands, looking slightly nervous, he has a wooden sword in his hand held behind his back.

[Astro_sol]

Jeice hadn't stopped smiling that creepy smile of his since he was told to wait. Thus, when the child approached, he turned with what he thought was an amiable expression, but really promised death to whoever crossed his path.

"Well, that depends, kid. I'm here to help someone, yes. Is your father over there?" he asked, jerking his head towards the small group they were waiting on.

[EdroGrimshell]

"Don't take your annoyance out on the kid, Jeice," Karasu says, "sorry about him, he acts the way I look when he's annoyed, and sometimes when he's not," and that was saying something, since Karasu looks feral in the extreme, including yellow crow eyes and razor sharp, retractable claws.

[DaOldeWolf]

Alister takes a close look at the kid and gives a brief but fake smile. Still, he decides to remain silent about the subject. He isnt making any promises before he finds out what were the details of the job and what he would be getting out of it.

[KingOfLaughter]

The boy lets out a joyous yelp and runs off toward a group of children ranging from his age to a nearly adulthood. Most of the younger ones with wooden swords, axes, and bows. The two oldest looking children sport rather real weapons, one a sword, one a spear.

Watching them it seems that the oldest boys are teaching the younger children how to handle a weapon. In the background a pair of fully garbed warriors watch the group, talking every now and then about something, probably the students form.

A few moments later the younger man appears, "If you're still interested we'll see you now. I apologize for any inconvenience, my brother has a single track mind, had to finish the details he had started discussing."

[EdroGrimshell]

Karasu nods and follows the man.

[Astro_sol]

Jeice hadn't stopped grinning. "Right, right, business, yes. Lead on, there's a good chap."

[DaOldeWolf]

"Finally. I was starting to get bored." He replied breaking his silence for quite a while.

[KingOfLaughter]

The man shuffles you in to the tent, and instantly you see a huge table, covered in papers, maps, books, notes, and letters. The tent itself is mostly bare, beyond the table, a pair of beds, a rather large assortment of weapons, and a pair of armor sets.

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/5404/explorerstent.png
Thanks Elby for image fix.

The older of the two is standing across from the entrance deeply studying an old book, upon your entering however he shuts it firmly. The younger man moves to the right of the table, studying a pair of books.

The older gentleman eyes you all, "You wish to help us explore the ruins is it? What exactly makes you outshine the other lack... Interested parties?

[EdroGrimshell]

"Jeice and I know the area," Karasu says, "we train ourselves in the forests and fields outside of town," shifting to his own abilities next, "I myself am a survival expert in the area and don't need much equipment to fight," he extends his claws, "so I can hunt should the need arise."

[Astro_sol]

Jeice's grin became a smirk. "Karasu's got it. I don't need any fancy weapons or shiny armor to fight. I'm pretty much on par with Karasu when it comes to fetching food. As for my own personal skills? I'm strong, and nothing catches me off guard."

[DaOldeWolf]

"I believe my greatest asset comes from my many skills. Also, I can take find and take care of traps and I possess a vast knowledge in many areas." Alister explained.

[KingOfLaughter]

The brothers look at each other, then the younger one looks at you three, "Alright, meet the fourth man at the Inn, then head over to the ruins, just follow the road south out of town, then follow it east toward the ugh,"The mans voice catches for a moment, "The lost Range, it'll turn south again, you'll hit a fork head east stop on the other side of the bridge, we'll meet you there."

[DaOldeWolf]

Alister gives a brief nod to show he understood everything he was told. He looks at the other two guys wondering if they were also coming with him to the Inn.

[EdroGrimshell]

Karasu nods and heads there, ready to get this little expedition started

[Astro_sol]

Jeice spun around, his arm suddenly cocked towards the door. "To the Inn, and the 'fourth man'!" And started marching out, making small "hup, hup!" noises.

[KingOfLaughter]

As you enter the Inn you immediately notice a man sitting very near the door, looking up at it every time someone enters, or leaves. He looks like he may be the man you're looking for, but you're not sure.

[Elbeyon]

Only moments after noticing you the older looking man starts to stand up, slipping 3 silver coins near his dish as he raises. He makes his way over to the trio, his eyes glancing towards Alister as he approaches. He extends his hand toward the shirtless man first offering a firm handshake, "Hello, My names Zudu a pleasure to meet you." whether his handshakes are acceped or not he moves down the line offering his hand towards the clawed individual. "and nice to meet you too." Then finally offering his hand to Alex, "And it's a pleasure to see you again Alex. I wasn't expecting to see you here. I take it you people are here for the job?"

[DaOldeWolf]

He takes a good look at Zudu and accepts the handshake while a smile momentarily appears on his face. "It has been a while since we last saw each other, hasnt it? "

[EdroGrimshell]

"Guess you're here for the job too," Karasu says, taking the man's hand, being careful not to cut him with his claws, "I'm Karasu, and the guy with the creepy grin is Jeice."

[Astro_sol]

Jeice looked down at the old man's hand, and gave it an overextended smack, letting out a resounding crack.

"Whassup! Name's Jeice! You're oooooooold!" With that said, he marched over to the man next to the door. "Oi! Are you the fourth man?"

[Elbeyon]

(OOC: My response to your guys responses!)

Jeice's Response

Jeice looked down at the old man's hand, and gave it an overextended smack, letting out a resounding crack.

"Whassup! Name's Jeice! You're oooooooold!" With that said, he marched over to the man next to the door. "Oi! Are you the fourth man?"


Zudu pulls his hand back after the slap; rubbing his wrinkled hand. He wasn't sure what to expect from the naked man but it defiantly wasn't that. As Jeice moves away he turns his attention back to handshaking.

Karasu's Response

"Guess you're here for the job too," Karasu says, taking the man's hand, being careful not to cut him with his claws, "I'm Karasu, and the guy with the creepy grin is Jeice."

"Karasu? What a strong name. It's a pleasure to meet you and yes I'm here for the job. I'll get back to that in a moment." He moves onto the last member of the group, an old friend.

Alex's Response

He takes a good look at Zudu and accepts the handshake while a smile momentarily appears on his face. "It has been a while since we last saw each other, hasnt it? "

"Yes, too long too long my friend. I'm looking forward to working with you again." He grasps Alex's hands with both hands squeezing a little before letting go.

As the handshaking finishes he takes a step back from the two, "I believe I've gotten the same details you have. And as such I'm prepared to leave. I've had my fill of the local food. A small blessing after so many meals on the road", he adds. "Erinks should be done with the packing by now. If you men are ready we could depart now." He holds his hand up as if to stop them from interrupting him, "No need to feel rushed the day is still young."

[EdroGrimshell]

"It's elven for crow or raven," Karasu replies, "parents named me that because my eyes were the same as my father's familiar."

[Elbeyon]

That's surprisingly interesting. I was half expecting it to be a business pseudonym. Though there is something to be said about its straightforwardness. It can certainly be seen as an admirable quality. Speaking of business. What type of business are you in?. He pauses for a second, "You know a craft of sorts. Perhaps some type of explorer or scholar?"

[EdroGrimshell]

Karasu grins, "mercenary," he says, extending his claws to their full length, about four inches long each, "and guide in the area. More the guide than the merc though," he continues, retracting the claws.

[Elbeyon]

"Oh really?", he says with a bit of excitement in his voice. "I'm not sure if Alex has told you anything about me, but I travel a lot. While I normally travel with a trade caravan; that's not always possible. So meeting a guide by chance is a greater boon to me than you might think. I would love to hear your standard fee for some of your more common services.

[EdroGrimshell]

"I don't charge much," Karasu says with a grin, showing slightly elongated canines, "for now it's part of another job, so let's get going, don't want to be late do we?"

[DaOldeWolf]

While he liked meeting an old friend, he wanted to start the journey to the ruins as soon as possible. "Forgive me for interrupting this vivid conversation but our contractors are waiting for us." He reminded them both.

[Elbeyon]

A smile crosses Zudu's face at the idea of a cheap guide, as the two urge to move forward "It's fine we can talk about prices on the way there and Alex we should catch up in private sometime."

[KingOfLaughter]

The journey is a long one, taking you in to the night, you arrive to find a large camp setup. Groupings of tents on either side of the bridge. Workers bumbling about, eating, and, you guess, sleeping. Just over the bridge is a rather large tent, which you can only assume is the tent of the men whom hired you. As you walk about, an oddly tall, very skinny man, stops you. "You must be the newly hired. If you'd follow me we have a tent ready for you." The man gestures you to follow him, his fingers seemingly bone and skin, slightly too long to be normal.

The tent he leads you to is barely large enough to fit the four of you around the low standing center table. Four areas are padded with a mass of hay, you're assumed sleeping areas. The man pops a rock off the table, and the center of it lights up in a blue-green flame. "Simply put your hand in the center to extinguish the flame, it's physically harmless, worry not of pain."