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Thread: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
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2015-07-16, 01:04 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Apr 2011
[3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
The village of Thornwood has always been a quiet place - surprisingly so, given that many different peoples use it for trade. Initially founded as a logging camp, the village got its name from the surrounding forest - which, in turn, was named due to the elvish city of Silverthorn hidden somewhere within the trees. With the village's proximity to the elves, a relationship formed between the humans and elves, and Thornwood now boasts one of the largest half-elven populations in the region.
The village is also known to be a quiet place, and primarily neutral ground - for reasons that many are still puzzled by, Thornwood has often served as a retreat for mages, as well as something of a neutral ground for them. Whether this is due to magical energies of the area that the mundane simply are unaware of, due to the proximity to the elven city, or simply because it's a fairly quiet location still having easy access to resources, is hard to say - but something often draws wizards to spend the later portions of their lives in or near the village.
However, recent days have seen Thornwood's quiet peace disturbed - reports of normally tranquil creatures becoming feral have become common recently, with travelers having spoken of attacks by everything from wolves and wild dogs, to snakes and badgers, and in one report that would have been dubious were it not witnessed by a guardsman, a trade caravan was besieged by squirrels.
And so, fate looks upon another small caravan - just a couple of wagons, one of goods and one transporting those willing to pay for passage. Normally unremarkable - but for five people travelling with it.
One is a young man, his mauve eyes darting about as if constantly expecting a threat. A shortbow and quiver are slung over his back, and a plain cloak hides anything else he may possess.
The three sisters travelling with the caravan are a contrast, not only to the young man, but to each other. The shortest of them, a slim elven maiden, carries herself with the bearing of a warrior, green eyes gazing cautiously about, but falling warmly on the other two young women near her. A blade sits at her hip, and the armor she wears makes her seem more like a bodyguard for the others than a simple traveller.
The second sister has the pointed ears and gentle features of an elf, but... tempered, somewhat. A half-elf, to the guess of most observers. White hair falls down past her shoulders, the nearly silver locks standing out against fair skin. Gentle blue eyes look around, taking in the surroundings calmly. A wolf, as calm as any trained dog, sits at her side, its head resting on her lap. Despite the unusual pet, the dress she wears gives her a ladylike appearance.
The tallest of the three sisters, appearing to be the eldest, wears a dress as well, appearing to a casual observer to be nothing more than a young lady travelling with a younger sister, under the guard of a warrior. However, closer observation belies this, as her brown eyes hold a cautious gleam, and her build and posture both would belie some form of combat training.
The last of the five travelers is the most mysterious - a tall figure clad in well-kept armor that would most charitably be described as antique. A warhammer and longsword both sit on his belt, and a javelin and a polearm both are strapped to his back. His features are hidden beneath a helm, the visor of which hides whatever lies within in shadow.
These five find themselves travelling along the Silver Road, the route which leads down through the Silverthorn Woods to Thornwood itself. The journey seems quiet so far, the woods silent as you pass.Zio Avatar by acelegna
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2015-07-16, 01:17 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
It was hard for Dirk to relax. He had been with this group for a few days, and seemed trustworthy enough. Seemed. Sometimes I worry I am too paranoid... He muttered under his breath. He nervously plucked the string of his bow, near the bottom. The twine twanged in short rhythmic twangs. Thornwood... I hope you hold promise. Quiet. Quiet is what I need.
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2015-07-16, 03:55 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Jul 2011
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
Trix takes a breath, sitting quietly on the caravan in meditation. It was something new she was trying, something one of the elves thought might keep her emotions in check. For much of the trip, it worked. Breathe in... Breathe out... In... And out... In... And – TWANG – out. Breathe – TWANG – breathe in... ... TWANG! The young woman's eyes snap open. "For the love of Pelor, would you stop playing your bow like a lute!?" Yep, perfect relaxation technique, so long as nothing disturbs her.
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By Ceika, Ceika, Linklel (Except for one that appears to be lost to time)
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2015-07-16, 08:19 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2011
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
The voice of an old man echoes from the armor, past the age where such a heavy suit seemed feasible, much less able to stand tall still. However, Swordbreaker was not bound to such concerns as the flesh, nor had much experience with the aged, carrying himself much more like his more spry, young pupils in the past. Indeed, each person he saw seemed to have some traits remniscent of his students of old-admittedly because he is so old, and had so many, that most mortals stirred memories of some root ancestors.
"Ah, let the lad be nervous. Anyone can see he has yet to be tested in such manner. Besides, even played like this, bowstrings are still sweeter music than the stuff kids request from bards these days."
Yeah, kids these days, always requesting bawdy songs about barmaids and the staves of wizards from bards. What happened to ballads of heroes, like the good old days? That, and the choir of bowstrings from allied archers was a happy sound to anyone who had seen a battlefield.Last edited by Eshkigal; 2015-07-16 at 10:39 AM.
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2015-07-16, 05:14 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Mar 2013
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
Eloimaya's eyes flick back and forth across the path, her hand on the hilt of her blade as she guards her sisters from potential ambush. When Kirk mentions paranoia, and Trix complains about the twanging, her eyes leap to him and her ears twitch ever so slightly as she says, "Could you please stop? If any of us were to hurt you, it would have happened already. And by the way you're playing with your bow, my baby sisters could knock you flat on your ass before you could react."
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2015-07-16, 05:40 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2011
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
There's a disgruntled sigh from the plated figure, head swiveling to you both as he draws his longsword, meticulously oiled, sharpened, and cared for. Far shinier than he is, but also far newer. Far more fragile. He also places his hammer at his feet, reliable stone and metal, but still far too fragile, as well as his ranseur, weapon seeming well cared for.
"Kids these days, don't learn no discipline or to heed the words of elders. 'Tis as Cuthbert said, long ago: If you have time to bitch, you have time to work, and one's far more productive."
He pulls out a whetstone and cloth from his pack and gets to work, easily falling into a rhythm as he works on the longsword first.
"'Sides, if you're really acting as you would normally, peace isn't how you rest. Isn't a soldier's rest. Movement, repetition, those are how you clear your head. Not whining 'cause someone's got a case of the nerves."Last edited by Eshkigal; 2015-07-16 at 05:45 PM.
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2015-07-16, 05:58 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Apr 2012
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- Kiln of the First Flame
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
Lissandra sat quietly while idly petting Irou's, apparently in a cheerful mood just traveling with her sisters. She was in a blissful state, perhaps what her sister Trix was trying to achieve with her relaxation technique, until said sister started shouting at one of the new companions they had recently started traveling with.
She then places a hand on Trix's shoulder in attempt to bring her back to the calm. "I don't mind his playing..." She commented before Irou pawed at her lap, signaling her. "Oh but could you stop if you don't mind for my sisters' sake?" She added after remembering the relative short fuse Trix had and would rather not have repeat of the fruit stand incident.
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2015-07-16, 06:07 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Mar 2011
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- Penthouse Suite
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
Dirk chewed on his tongue. He wanted to retort. Tell the girls off. He had spent too long silent to have words catch in his throat. His fingers tensed, ready to release another pluck. With a deliberate turn of his head towards the Half-Elf. Sure. He slowly released the twine, making nothing more than soft sound of flesh rubbing against it. If your trying to concentrate, you'd do better to stop paying attention. Time passes quicker that way.
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2015-07-16, 07:38 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
Eloi glances at Swordbreaker, saying, "Only when you're truly at peace can you truly belong in your surroundings...Of course, such a happy state of affairs rarely lasts for long."
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2015-07-16, 07:49 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Apr 2012
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- Kiln of the First Flame
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
"Thank you." Lissandra smiled warmly towards Dirk before easing back into her state bliss and wolf petting.
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2015-07-16, 08:11 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2011
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
Swordbreaker looks at the blade, before running it between cloth and two fingers to clean it off as he looks at the sisters, pointing to Eloi and Trix.
"A lifestyle you both forsook when you took your arms up, though the one between you still seems comfortable in this. Tense in the woods, expecting your fears proven right any moment. They will be, probably, but it is in that moment o' clarity of purpose you get nearer that peace you seek, ain't it. Unless...hm, have you fought for the lives of yourselves or others yet, at all? Been their armor, their shield? Or are you more the sort who desires to be the blade piercing the villain's heart in the end?"
He polishes his blade for a time, seeing the steel has taken what little extra edge it could. It would serve when the time came, as he puts it away, repeating the process on the ranseur, starting with sharpening the blade.
"Met plenty of both in my time. Taught many, seen them live and die far too many times."
He pauses, before standing slowly, laying the blade upon the ground as he reaches for his pack, and far more importantly, his shield, bearing the symbol of St. Cuthbert painted upon it in an archaic version of the ancient cross and circles, sliding the shield on over one arm before he looks to both Trix and Eloi as he stands, as if appraising the sisters before he sits down.
"Consider it. You may not know it in time, but this path will see you restless to the day you fall apart if you don't figure out what works fast."Last edited by Eshkigal; 2015-07-16 at 08:23 PM.
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2015-07-16, 09:17 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Jul 2011
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
"That's all well and floral, Armor. I fight to protect the ones I care for, and I fight for pay. I may not be centuries old, but I know my way around a blade." With a flourish, she spins her scythe off of her back. "As for my meditation, there are times to be on edge, ready to strike and lash out, but amongst allies is not one of them. It's bad for the mind, bad for the spirit. Believe me when I tell you I am anything but serene." Even outside of the village, she couldn't escape the lectures of those centuries older than her.
Awesome avatar by Cuthalion
Spoiler: Old Avatars
By Ceika, Ceika, Linklel (Except for one that appears to be lost to time)
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2015-07-16, 09:45 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2011
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
"Force of habit as a teacher. 'Sides, some of the finest bladesmen I have seen were human. Some dwarves, some halflings, some gnomes, elves, the works."
Ignoring the threat, Swordbreaker reaches out for the blade, taking it between adamantine fingers and feeling it.
"An' that's my point, kid. Anyone can see you're tense, much like that bowstring was a moment ago, and you're among allies, so even expecting violence, you should be able to let some stress out. Common smithing and soldier trick to finding some moment of calm is to combine it with activity, like sharpening dull blades for the future, or repairing kit that needs it. Gives that energy someplace to go without the nervous tick, lets you clear your head, and gives you something that can be a sound that you can focus on, pace yourself. An' if you keep up the sass, you'll be lectured constantly."
He lets go of the blade, looking at his fingers, unmarked.
"Now, that could stand to be sharper. You want to calm down for real, consider taking some time to work with it. Interesting choice in weapon, too. Any meaning behind it to you?"Last edited by Eshkigal; 2015-07-17 at 08:19 AM.
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2015-07-17, 08:47 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Jul 2011
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
"Yeah, it's good for telling people to sod off, and has more practical use than a big sword."
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Spoiler: Old Avatars
By Ceika, Ceika, Linklel (Except for one that appears to be lost to time)
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2015-07-17, 10:41 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
"Hm. Guess you aren't a good choice then if that's your response to everything."
Closed minds are not worth slamming into.Last edited by Eshkigal; 2015-07-17 at 10:52 PM.
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2015-07-18, 07:43 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Mar 2013
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
Eloi sighs at the ancient suit of armor's words and says, "That's what I am doing. My mind is as valuable a weapon as my blade. So I'm sharpening myself against myself. Analyzing every possible scenario that I can think of and how to deal with it, every ambush, every attack. So I'm ready when it does come, whatever it is."
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2015-07-18, 08:25 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2011
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- New Jersey
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
"Ah, problem there. There's no preparation for crazy, and there's plenty of that. Oh by Cuthbert's beard is there far too much of that. Better to trust your own blade, faith, and wit to see you through. For was not Harran, the Iron Dragon himself, led by his faith in his patron to see him through against the High Inquisitor of Tiamat, and through his faith displaying the Light of the Devoted Spirit, despite his best laid plans failing to net the foul monster masquerading as a man? Did he not find the strength of the stones when standing within the Ebon Tower against Varrash-Kral the Foul, finding the pulse of the world and channeling it into each hit to reduce the tower and it's master to dust as he came to be Master of the Stoen Dragon as well? Both were done by trying something that, at the time, was just completely crazy. By relying on his god and his hands after his greatest plans failed."
Last edited by Eshkigal; 2015-07-18 at 08:31 PM.
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2015-07-18, 08:57 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Mar 2011
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- Penthouse Suite
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
Dirk sighed heavily. You are all talking in circles. You, Metal-Head, honor your traditions and years you've lived. Great. Throwing his hands up, it didn't occur to him how condescending that came out. The 2 of you see the here and now. Cool. Agree to disagree. Silence makes the trip goes faster in this case.
Last edited by MesiDoomstalker; 2015-07-18 at 09:11 PM.
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2015-07-18, 11:06 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
With an angry growl, he flips up the visor to reveal...nothing as he looks around. Not a damn thing in there, however the voice still rings out.
"Look, I don't go calling you all skinsacks, do I? Lemme at least keep people from getting too weirded out."
He flips the visor back down, and gives a surly look around them.
"Look, before this I got stuck in some jackass red's hoard for the past...was it really five hundred years under a Silence Spell?"
He leans back, before reaching for his newer weapons again, going to their maintenance with a new fury.
"But fine, I'm done talking to you lot. Everyone knows what they're doing, that's fine. No one's needed me for too damn long anyway."
And after that, he just goes quiet, save for the scrape of metal on stone.
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2015-07-18, 11:21 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Mar 2011
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
Dirk jumped from his seated position to a low crouch. His right arm snatched an arrow from the quiver on his belt, notching it on the bow and pulling it taunt, leveled at the empty space where a head should be on his armor-clad traveling companion. What are you? And more importantly, who made you? Dirk's eyes were wild, popping out of his skull. His string arm was steady, but his bow arm was shaking ever so slightly. His breathed through his nose in rapid, short breaths. Likely, the only thing staying the arrow is the answer to his questions.
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2015-07-18, 11:41 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
In a flash of steel, Eloi's blade moves towards Dirk, blade held under his nose as she says, "Calm down. Don't make me use this."
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2015-07-18, 11:47 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Jul 2011
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- The Middle of Nowhere
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
Trix is similarly offput, holding her scythe as though ready to swing. "What in the southern planes are you." She watches the armor intently. A talking artifact - now she'd seen it. Her breathing is calm, but deep, the only sign that she was confused and more than a little perturbed.
SpoilerUntrained Knowledge Check to ID what he is: (1d20+1)[4]Awesome avatar by Cuthalion
Spoiler: Old Avatars
By Ceika, Ceika, Linklel (Except for one that appears to be lost to time)
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2015-07-18, 11:49 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2011
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- New Jersey
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
"Great. Now they wanna talk."
Swordbreaker flips the blade in his hand around to plant in the wood, agitated but trying to keep him from shooting someone squishier.
"What I am is fading, ya dumb git! Dying! As for who made me, his Holiness Delphinus the First, first pope of St. Cuthbert, his right hand in life, made me when Dwarves first shared the secrets of crafting adamantine with Man, and he did name me Swordbreaker as he wore me to follow his future god against the forces of the damned, anointing me with the blood of the foulest monsters and fiends the world had seen in days when magic was so raw and unrefined fireball was a new development. Now put it away before you shoot someone else, because that's a cudgeling, kid, and I am pretty sure you don't want that. AND YOU!"
He points to Eloi for a moment, before his voice calms down a bit.
"Thank you for the attempt, but you're making things worse. If he freaks, it could ricochet off me into someone else, and I don't want that. Please put it away?"Last edited by Eshkigal; 2015-07-18 at 11:55 PM.
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2015-07-18, 11:56 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Apr 2012
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- Kiln of the First Flame
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
Lissandra's half elven ears twitched slightly as the person she assumed to be an elder clad in armor goes off in a bit of a huff and reveals his secret to the group. Unlike Dirk, the half elf's reaction was more calm and...curious as she stood up and moved closer to the armor with her wolf before both started to sniff about him as if trying to seek answers by identify his scent. "You're just armour then? Nothing inside? interesting..." She commented as the pair continued sniffing.
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2015-07-19, 12:12 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2011
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- New Jersey
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
He gently holds the pair at arms length for now, slowly sliding the shield onto the arm between them and Dirk.
"Careful now, friendly fire ain't so friendly. But, yeah. For the first time I'm running solo. But I got a bit of a time limit, and I don't know how long it is."
He smells of armor polish and dust, however he reaches down to give the wolf some ear scratches. Good allies, hounds.
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2015-07-19, 12:14 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Mar 2013
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
Eloi sighs and, in a similar flash, sheathes her blade, though she says, "I tend to take a dim view of people threatening my allies without a good reason. I think we can, at least, agree in that."
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2015-07-19, 12:14 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Mar 2011
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- Penthouse Suite
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
Dirk's bow arm steady as he lowered it slightly, the string loosing most of its tension. He collapsed back down into his seat, his nose rubbing against the flat of the blade and rubbing it raw. So, your some ancient dude's armor gave life by St. Cuthbert? He seemed to mull it over for a moment, rubbing his his. Ha. Haha. HAHAHAHA! His raucous laughter knocked him over, laying on his back and he labored to breathe and laugh simultaneously. He tossed the arrow still in his hand at Swordbreaker, it ineffectually clinking off his skin. I'm sorry. Really. It be an understatement to say I'm paranoid about things like you. To be honest, I'm not even sure if it's justified. Can't help it sometimes, you know?
He got quiet very suddenly. He slowly sat up. Seriously. Sorry. I'm new to this 'trusting' thing. He placed his bow on his lap, offering his bow hand to the metal-man.Awesome Avvy by Sizlord!
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2015-07-19, 12:29 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2011
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
He gently takes the hand, letting the wolf and the druid approach now.
"Close enough. No hard feelings. I try and hide it more often than not, after all, and wouldn't be the first time I got shot."
He glances to Eloi, and nods as he lets go of Dirk's hands.
"That we are. Just get afraid for you lot. I can't just take you to a forge and beat out anything that happens after all. Although that isn't to say I don't have some ways to keep you lot safe."Last edited by Eshkigal; 2015-07-19 at 12:33 AM.
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2015-07-19, 12:37 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Apr 2012
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- Kiln of the First Flame
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
Irou the wolf leans into the ear scratching, having not smelled anything threatening within the armor. "So.. what would happen if I wore you?" The druid ceased her sniffing shortly after and tilted her head inquisitively.
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2015-07-19, 10:13 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Mar 2013
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Re: [3.5] The Laws of Chaos - IC
Eloi gently nudges her little sister and says, "Don't ask questions like that. It's rude."