Sun's Hunters - Team A

[Sliver]

In the distance, a huge ship cuts through the ocean, led by a gentle breeze. Sails of pure darkness pull it forward, gazes caught in them go through great pains to escape. Two dozen cannons from each side of the metallic wood structure, the artistic curves of the ship, the unmoving guardians with their imposing presence. Creatures from all across the worlds gather on the ship, throwing their lives for a chance of more. The Casino of Life, the Timeless Ship, the Tick of the Sea, the Silenced Tock. The ship has many names, but its treasure is left untouched.

---

An ancient being slipped through time's fingers. He will never betray his master, forever guard him. Sitting in the cavern, deep within the Darastix Mountain, called in legends as the skeleton of the first dragon, he stares at the huge formation, a creation of many crystals and gems bound together, the heart of the Father, defeated by his son and daughter, but not gone. No, not gone. Only asleep. Bahamut and Tiamat may rule the dragons... For now.

---

A child sobs dryly, for he has no more tears to shed. The last drop of blood leaves his brother's body into the pool under the altar. The cloaked figures standing around, watching in silence as the darkness slowly approaches. The days are numbered, and this is the first.

---

A man sits on the ground, his legs folded underneath, watching through the mist of Space as his son sacrifices himself to darkness, far away. His smile is gentle, barely noticeable. Plans are in motion, and this will be the ultimate struggle. Slowly, others gather around him, one daring to place a hand on the master's shoulder. There was never turning back, why would they hesitate now?

---

The Court of Cycles

There are rumors circulating around the reason that the Sunguise, Larius Greatjaw, named his mansion in such a fashion, but the only ones who seen him are his own staff, which are almost as secretive as Larius himself, so nobody knows. Perhaps one day you will have the chance to ask him yourselves, but it was explained to you thoroughly that it will not be today.

The Court works efficiently, that much is certain. It was a day since you were recommended to the guild and already you received a confirmation. In truth, the confirmation was instant. Faster than that, some say. Larius knows before you know, that you are going to apply. Larius is above time. Some say.

For some of you it took some time waiting, others less. But when all six applicants were chosen, you were invited to the mansion. To the Court of Cycles. A new group of Sun's Hunters to be born.

You were greeted, if you could call the chill you felt a greeting, by a man in a black suit and white eyes. Completely white. The lethal intent poured out of him and you knew that if anything close to being called harm even approaches the Sunguise, this man will have a word or two to say. This is not a servant. This man's unshakable resolve to guard his Sunguise is terrifying, and the man hadn't even moved yet.

One by one, he motions for you to come to a small room for an interview. Perhaps you misheard, but what you experienced was an interrogation. But not one where you used words.

"Do not resist. It will hurt less that way." He says, his voice is cold.

Why does it sound like he-

You are overwhelmed as your world becomes engulfed by the white eyes. Your memories, experiences, feelings, thoughts, everything rushes through and around you. Your entire life, in a fraction of a second, relived and observed by this... Man. Nothing is private.

He smirks. A cold and vicious smile. He knows something you don't. He judges you for your past. You are still gasping for air, even those of you that don't need it, as if you are remembering the experience of not having air and struggling to inhale the precious life source, as the man motions for you to leave and the next one to enter.

He just stripped away any feeling of privacy you had and picked at the pieces of your soul, and you don't even know his name. How rude.

You sit with the rest, waiting for the torture to end, perhaps doubt begins to creep. Was this worth it? Was this really what you signed for?

While you are waiting, a young man comes and explains the contract. You will work together, you will not kill each other, you will resurrect each other and you may not reject a resurrection. You are bound to each other and the Sunguise until the Sunguise releases you from this contract.

Before you have a chance to object, he begins again. He explains that you have already agreed to everything the moment you were recommended to serve as a Sun's Hunter and the contract had been imprinted into your soul during the examination you had just been through.

As the last of you joins and hears the explanation, the white-eyed man speaks.

"You are now officially Sun's Hunters and part of the Cycle Sunguise's family. As your value grows, will be rewarded, as you surely know. Carry these tokens at all times." He says and draws out six tiny hourglasses. On the top is engraved a jaw, on the bottom there is a lung. Black sand runs from the bottom to the top of the hourglass, where it whirls like a sandstorm. The amount of sand in either parts doesn't seem to change. "These are your tokens. Besides allowing us to supervise you through various methods, bypassing your protections without compromising them to other threats, these are what insures your identity as a Sun's Hunter to be true. The common folk does not know of them and believes the badges are the sign of the Hunter, but whenever you are interacting with other Hunters, be they Cycle Hunters or of another, use the hourglass to identify yourself unless you seek blood to be spilled."

Then he pulls out six badges, engraved with scales over a delicate painting of the seasons. "Those would identify you as Cycle Hunters for the civilians. They will respect and fear you, so expect a lot of eagerness to please you. However, it may also draw unwanted attention and hostility, so choose whether or not you wish to openly display it."

"And lastly, this." He draws out two thin tubes made of silver. They are very simplistic, but there is beauty in that. "These tubes have quite a few uses, but only one of them is of interest to you right now. They are connected to each other and through them you can transfer items that you collect in your adventures and in return, we will send you gold. Don't concern yourself with details of volume or mass, as anything touching the mouth of the tube will slide right through." He scans the room, looking for something to use to demonstrate and his eyes settle on the young man. "Right, Pewdrick."

Before Pewdrick can retreat, white-eyes sticks one tube to his face and Pewdrick is sucked through. The sight is quite sickening, to say the least. Watching as a human being is squeezed into the size of a coin and sucked into the tube as if being a soft beverage drunk in a theater through a straw, with the slurping sound of trying to get the last drops too, is not pleasant. As Pewdrick appears in a similar fashion from the other tube, he looks pale and sick. And then he vomits.

"Well, unless you get anything intelligent, it wouldn't complain about the journey." The man says. "Pewdrick will be your contact and guide. He isn't a Hunter so you may do whatever you want with him, but if you kill him, please either resurrect him or find a suitable replacement."

"That's not funny!" Pewdrick exclaims as he gasps for air and wipes his chin. "They might not get your humor, Uncle Roost."

Roost smiles as he nudges Pewdrick and turns to walk away. It's not like the smile he gave you earlier. It was actually a warm smile.

---

After cleaning himself up, Pewdrick walks with you outside to the front garden. "Your contract might look harsh, but I'm sure you'll get used to it. Besides, most of it is to ensure you work together and for Sunguise Larius. After the incident with Sir Allion Greytusk..." Pewdrick seems to lose himself for a moment before shaking his head.

"Anyway, I'm sure you can't wait to get out there and make a name for yourselves and Sunguise Larius! As starting Hunters, I wouldn't suggest going after the big artifacts right away. The city-" He motions at Inghub, the "capital" of the Cycle Region, that the Court overlooks. "will have plenty of opportunities or leads. If you want a base of operations for yourself, there is an abandoned castle not too far to the north. Well, relatively abandoned." Pewdrick laughs. "Shoreline Castle has great access to trade roads and just by the river, but since the battle with the ogres nobody really used it, you know..."

He nudges away as you hear someone shouting at the western garden, bossing around the workers. "Anyway, do you have any questions or anything I can help with? At your service!" He straightens up and tries to look tall.

[ChaosArchon]

Marius speaks, and when he does anyone present can tell this is a voice of pure ice, of one uncaring of the whims and needs of others let alone expressing any like of any being other than himself. He announces to his new party members, "I believe it would be best to first set up our power base at this castle, and it sounds as if we may have to... relieve its current inhabitants, whatever they may be, of their stay in this castle."

Spoiler: Appearance

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Here is what Marius looks like:

[Archmage1]

Damien nods when he receives the confirmation, the nervous servant delivering it while he was attacking the pells. Pausing, he reads it, and smiles.
And now I have my chance. A chance for something different. A way to change our status.
He puts his weapons and armor away, before he cleans up, and informs his father. Once that is done, he rearmors and arms, and heads away from his families estates, going to the Court of Cycles. It was a long journey, but he had no troubles. The one particularly stupid group of bandits that threatened him will never threaten another ever again.
Once he arrived, he observed the fortified beauty of the Court, noting that here was power indeed. He had, of course, seen it before, but not in a while. His duties had not been in the city. The man that greeted him was odd, seemingly a dedicated bodyguard, but seemed to be something... different.
Soon enough, that difference was explained, and Damien did not enjoy the mind games that the guard employed. Such paranoia was both a blessing and a curse. Anyone who was that paranoid would have trouble keeping his servants loyal, but he would also be harder to fool.
At least the contract is unlikely to be an issue for a while. First, we need to learn to truly trust each other. Only then might we start taking some more serious actions. These tokens shouldn't be an issue, although showing them shouldn't be necessarily, until it is.

When Pewdrick is sucked in, Damien winces.
That was... educational. It would appear that they have no regard for loyalty, as expected. Quite foolish, really. It would also appear that if needed, we have a way to retreat, although not a very pleasant one.

He looks over you as he speaks, clearly thinking.
"Shoreline castle? It would be good to claim it. I'm sure that my father would be happy to provide administrators, for a percentage of the income it would generate, if we are able to clear it. Restoring it to operation would be a good idea, even if we don't end up using it much. It would also give us a chance to demonstrate what we can do, which will prove to be important when we move on to more difficult tasks."
Finally, he looks to Pewdrick, before asking a question.
"Pewdrick, what do you know of the castle?"

Spoiler: Description

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Dressed in blackened full plate, the towering young man seems almost scary. His armor is a bit battered, but well taken care of, and the symbol of Hextor features prominently on the breastplate. At his waist, a gigantic flail rests, and across his back, a paired longbow and glaive rest. His gauntlets are spiked, and he seems to have an aura of menace about him.

[Sliver]

Pewdrick shakes his head. "Not much, it's pretty old and not very used... Oh, wait!" He pulls out a pair of glasses and puts them on before and casting a spell.

Spellcraft DC 17

Spoiler

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Lore of the Gods

"Aha, yes... Yes... It was constructed first when the land was still wild with chaotic energies as a shelter and then expanded to serve as a keep and built big enough to house a family and servants. The family's name... I'm sorry, it's lost to me. They got massacred by a tribe of ogres that used the keep to raid the nearby villages and retreat to safety, taking back people to sacrifice to their good. King Beyor the Second dispatched troops and they managed to defeat the ogres and they sealed the inner sanctum so that the vile energy that left from the ritual wouldn't infect the land, but it proved ineffective and the land and water became poisoned so the keep wasn't maintained and left abandoned. No efforts to purify the land or open the sanctum had been made..."

[Archmage1]

Damien nods, still looking at Pewdrick, before turning once more to the rest of the group.
"Thank you, Pewdrick. Clearing it out should be fairly straightforward. First, we clear out whatever has moved in, then we deal with this ritual's after effects. If it turns out that we can't handle the magic, I'm sure that we can find someone who can handle it. Now, since it's still early in the day, do any of you have anything that you need to do? I assume that you are all fairly capable, but we can handle introductions on the road."

[dantiesilva]

A ruby mask looks back at the cold white eyes, never moving as they bore into his past, then a quick jutting of a memory comes to him, two sibilings. No he did not have sibilings, he was not a person, he was a tool for the Stern lady and this was a means to an end. At least that is what Talon told himself as for the first time in a few years he took a breath, the only sign that he was not a statue. Up until that point Talon had stood off to the side, like on of the many statues lining the walls, but now he stepped forward, following those he would be "working" with for the time being.

Watching the demonstration of the tubes power he takes note and makes a mental note to try the ability later. However he did not have time to think about such things as the conversation had already switched to something else. Did I jump topics so quickly as a mortal as well? Talon wonders, after all he had gotten used to moving at a slower pace and examining things fully before moving onto anything new. It seemed he would no longer have that pleasure as he hears talk about a castle and setting up a base of operation. Judging what the Stern lady would wish, as well as his teacher Talon nods his head before remembering these were not the temple folk that would suffice with such a simple answer. From beneath the mask comes a dry voice that is almost impossible to hear. We agree with this conclusion. Are their any blueprints or such we can study before beginning our assault? Talon asks no one in particular, after all he knew not a single one of them, and none seemed to be the leader of the group.

[Archmage1]

Damien seems to be a bit taken aback by the masked man's soft voice.
A man that size speaking that quietly? Something seems to be a bit... off here.

(1d20+10)[20] know: religion

Undead. Interesting.

[ChaosArchon]

"I agree with our quiet friend here, some layout of the castle would be helpful." Marius says to the group at large.

[Archmage1]

Damien nods, as he was finished thinking.
"Indeed. Pewdrick, do you know anything about the layout? It's probably a standard motte and bailey, but there are likely holes in the outer wall from being abandoned for so long, not to mention the assault on the ogres. I don't think getting in will be an issue."

[Sliver]

"Ah, you are right, Sir Damien. There is also a small dock, as the keep is on the riverbank... Most of the building is underground as at was build to withstand chaotic magical storms, it could be still intact." Pewdrick says as he removes his glasses and hangs them on his collar.

[Archmage1]

Damien smiles.
"Perhaps enough damage was done to the castle to make getting in fairly painless. If whatever lives there now has done some repair work, then taking the castle might be a bit tricky. Motte and Bailey, while simple, is a fairly good design over all. And if most of it is underground, this might be challenging."

[ChaosArchon]

"Provided we can reach the entrance of the castle, I believe I have a method of bypassing the door."

[Archmage1]

Damien looks at the man in full plate, curious. The man seems almost familiar, but... not quite.
"It's not the gate that's worrisome, but the murder holes. Typically, the set up would be a main gate, then ten to twenty feet of open passage, with murder holes above, then a second gate. If it is defended, hot oil, arrows, rocks, and all manner of unpleasant things would be thrown through the murder holes. If you can bypass all that, then that might make things simpler, but we won't know until we get there."
He pauses for a moment, surveying the group.
"Everyone is ready to go, right? You don't need more supplies or anything?"

[Chimaera]

The elf with stylish red cloak and golden hair remains quiet for a long time, thinking back some memories he thought were in the past. Specially the day he was abandoned in the master Euclides state.

Once he hears everybody speaking about seizing the castle he smile and begin remembering his childhood dreams, "We surely need that castle for us. It will make a nice base operations once we get rid of the ogres, if they are still there", he then pauses to think what he knew about this castle, anything he may rhave read in a dust tome at Euclides' library.

Spoiler: Knowledge History

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[roll0]

"Anyway, I'm Primus and this is Papuzio", he take a fat rat from his cloak, "It's a little shy", and he put it back to the cloak, where it constantly moves.

"Before we go there is something I need to do, for everybody's sake. I use a special kind of magic that allow me to connect my soul with others souls, creating a weave of power. Casting spells in this weave will allow me to cast my spells at everyone".

He then get his weaver's kit out and begin chanting as a rune appears in everyone's chest and a silver line comes into existance. He then begin weaving it till a complicated net of silver lines is done and with another word it dissapears.

"We are now connected".

Spoiler: Description

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He looks like this when casting:

[Archmage1]

As the elf throws in his support for taking the castle as well, Damien smiles again.
Good. It looks like they are going for it. If they do, then it is likely that my father can arrange to keep the castle, and gain the income. It might not work, but it's certainly worth the effort.

When Primus introduces himself, Damien looks a bit disappointed.
It looks like we are doing introductions here and now.
"Nice to meet you, Primus, and you, Papuzio. I am Sir Damien of Longhall, a warrior of Hextor, and heir to the Barony of Longhall. If your magic works like that, can others provide spells into the weave? Or just yourself? Either way, it seems like it can be very useful."

[Trepid]

Kadira spoke as little as possible. The white-eyed man scared her, but she had known, expected, that she was going to be scared. She well understood that she was dallying with powers beyond her understanding. It was the path she had chosen by allowing herself to excel, to stand out from among the crowd of aspirants in her guild.

Even so, the telepathic inquisition left her hollow-eyed and unsteady. But whatever test was given, she passed it.

In the waiting area, she observed her new colleagues. Several of them took pains to look scary. Mere posturing. Contemptible. But her opinions of them were irrelevant. She was bound to work with them, whether they were true allies or mere tools.

But then something truly surprising happened. The white-eyed man showed warmth. Kadira couldn't restrain a slight upward curl of her own lips. The younger man, Pewdrick, called him "Uncle", and seemed to actually like him. Fascinating.

Melody, feeling the lightening of her bondmate's mood, trilled.

Kadira approved of the plan to seize the castle: it seemed a good exercise for the new group. She said nothing, as it seemed that consensus had already been reached. She smiled a little when the elf wizard introduced his familiar along with himself. When her own turn came, she said simply, "I am Kadira. This is Melody.". Melody chirped.

===

Kadira: . Melody is a song thrush.

[Archmage1]

Damien nods in acknowledgement.
"Nice to meet you, Lady Kadira, and you, Melody."

[Sliver]

"I wish I had a familiar." Pewdrick says. "But even if I were any good at arcana..." The shouts are heard from the eastern garden now. "Sir Allion would probably eat him..." He sighs.

[Trepid]

Melody apparently understands Pedwick's words: she chirps, upset, at the prospect of a familiar being eaten. Kadira briefly reaches up to stroke her little head with a finger.

"You've mentioned Sir Allion twice now," Kadira comments. "What's the story there?"

[Sliver]

Pewdrick looks around and then speaks quietly. "Sir Allion is awful!" He says. "He comes from a clan of wereboars and became a Cycle Hunter a long time ago. He was released from his contract but decided to stay in the Court instead of buying himself land and lording around there... But the man is vicious. After adventuring with his fellow Hunters, he killed them. As per the contract, he resurrected them and they had to accept the spell, coming back weaker. Guessing at his intention, they tried to fight him, but he kept killing them and bringing them back to life weaker than before. Finally, their soul was so weak that it couldn't make the journey back again. Sir Allion argued that since his team is technically released from the contract, so should he be released... Sunguise Larius decided to release Sir Allion instead of sacrificing other potential Hunters to join his team just to be killed. I don't like him. Avoid him whenever possible."

[Archmage1]

Damien shakes his head at the example of stupidity.
"That was quite foolish of him. Living allies are much more valuable than dead ones, and he ensured that no one would ever work with him ever again. There is a reason you follow both the letter and the spirit of agreements you enter into."

[Sliver]

"That is the reason the 'no killing fellow Hunters' clause was added..." Pewdrick says. "But I honestly doubt Sir Allion cares about teamwork. Or work... I think he simply did it to show that he could and that he was stronger than the other five combined..."

[Trepid]

Kadira frowned. "I understand that the provision against killing one's fellow Hunters was added for that reason. But wasn't it already a violation of the contract to take actions intended to result in one's release from the contract? Why did..." Kadira checked her words. "Was Sir Allion not punished for that?"

[Archmage1]

"As I said. A fool. You are never so strong that you don't need allies. That's probably why he stays here, because he knows that if he leaves, anyone could kill him, and he has no friends who would help."

[Chimaera]

"Sadly no, only my spells are able to sue the weave", Primus explain to Damien, "Which is not a problem, since I'm versed in both the arcane and the divine".

After hearing the tale of Sir Allion, Primus takes mental note to not stay in the same place as him. Ever.

"Maybe we shuld be leaving and get some castle for ourselves, right?".

[ChaosArchon]

"Indeed, there is the right of the strong, but that also applies to intellect, which this man Allion seems to lack." Marius says with a tone of disdain in his voice. He then turns to his party and says, "Well if we are doing introductions I am Marius vi Causar, nephew of the king and seventh in line to the throne as well as a paladin of the Shining Blade. Greetings to all of you. Also a hello to you in particular Damien, I believe we have met before at court."

[Archmage1]

Damien looks a bit disappointed at Primus's explanation, but he nods in agreement, before turning to Marius.
"I thought I recognized you, Marius, but it has been a year, and the difference armor makes in someone's appearance is quite remarkable. Now, since no one else seems to have any questions, why don't we get moving?"

Damien heads over to the exit, clearly waiting for the others to come along.

[Sliver]

"Perhaps." Pewdrick says to Damien and turns to Kadira. "The problem is that Sir Allion doesn't seem to be a man who thinks ahead. His claim to deserve release came some time afterwards when he realized that he could make the argument. He continued to work as a Cycle Hunter for almost three years before the release. Perhaps someone else suggested it to him. Before Sir Allion tore the adviser apart for no apparent reason, I'd guess..."

"Anyway... It would take you a two or three days to reach Shoreline Castle by foot. Since it was a stop for traders, there are still roads heading there, so travel by a carriage would be a simple and speedy solution... You shouldn't have issues to get one, especially if you wave your badge around."

[ChaosArchon]

Marius replies, "Yes indeed, it is the clothes that make the man or woman." and as he says this begins to head towards the exit as well.

Spoiler: OOC

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Has everyone in the group spoken at least once, I haven't checked. I'd hate to leave before they get a chance to post

[Chimaera]

Primus follow Damien to the exit but stop suddenly, "Ah!", he turns to Pewdrick, "You'll come with us? Or we just carry the tube and you pop up from time to time?".