|
Post by Hitotsumami on Oct 16, 2012 21:44:27 GMT -5
[Ch.1] The Renascence Guild The scene begins upon a cliff. It's a rather ordinary cliff, nothing but soil and grass overlooking a long stretch of ocean. Most people looking by would not give this particular plot of land a second glance. But today, a certain man was standing on the plot of land. In his hand was a sign that he hammered into the ground, and it read: Welcome to the most powerful Guild in Fiore! Welcome to Guild Renascence! He took a look at his sign, smiled, and turned around. Before him was a large open town, perfect for the picking. On his side he picked up a large pile of papers. They were advertisements for his new Guild. He wasn't certain how other people started their Guild, but he thought advertising was as good as any. So he dashed into town, throwing papers in the air, nailing them against posts, putting them on all of the message boards around town. With any luck, he'd actually run into someone who was looking for a Guild to join. The man reached the town center where a rather large fountain sat. It was of twin mermaids, each one pressing against each others backs with water pouring from their outstretched hands. Truly, it was a beautiful sight for such a town. He approached it, tossing some papers as he did, and looked down into the pool of water. His face was young, but strong. He had a cloak around his shoulders, ripped on the bottom edge. On his back sat a stone staff, and on his side was a set of pouches and vials. His name was Elrond Vir, great great grandson to Validus Vir. Of course, Elrond didn't know anything about his great great grandfather, other than he had a very powerful Guild called Fable and vanished over a hundred years ago saving the world. He didn't even know where his Guild was located, or where any descendants or members had went. He was sure one day, though, he'd find out. He reached down at his face in the water, his fingers piercing the top. For a split second, Elrond felt as if the water around his finger tips were changing shape, slightly moving. It felt almost like static. He quickly pulled his fingers out, examining them. He didn't see anything wrong, so he shrugged. He grabbed his Guild advertisements and continued to run about town, throwing the papers anywhere he could find. "It's a beautiful day to start a Guild!"
|
|
|
Post by newb23 on Oct 16, 2012 22:03:19 GMT -5
Sitting on a bench secluded away from most of the others near the bench was a man who, if it weren‘t for the red gas mask upon his face covered in childlike stick figure drawings, could have passed for someone who had just attended a formal dinner. Indeed his outfit was one that someone of upper class may wear, though most found his choice in orange dress pants odd, but it was the mask that stood out the most. Children kept their distance and mothers whispered. The only things that seemed to want to keep him company were the squirrels he had shared bits of his sweet roll with. His mask was lifted only slightly allowing him room to shove food underneath. Each bite of the sweet roll was followed by a small puff of gas escaping his mouth. As each puff tried to float away the man’s hand would shoot out and grasp it, making sure it wouldn’t escape.
West Velare had seen some strange things in his time, but what caught his eye today was odd for even him. A man in his thirties running around throwing paper into the air. The wind managed to catch one and it flew straight towards West’s face, smacking itself against his mask and obscuring his view slightly. Lower his mask West grabbed the parchment from it’s resting place and looked it over.
Welcome to the most powerful Guild in Fiore! Welcome to Guild Renascence!
”A guild? Well I’ve always wanted to join one. Ooooh could be so much fun! But wait…what if there are too many people?” West shouted as he leapt from his seat and placed his hands to his head. ”I won’t be able to talk to anyone. No, no wait. Don’t think like that. I made friends with the squirrels. The small furry squirrels…damn you guys are cute. FOCUS! Okay you can make friends. It’s easy. Just smile.” West said to himself as he nodded his head before looking around and noticing everyone was staring at him now. Tensing up West packed up the rest of his sweet rolls into his sheep bag and left without saying another word, to embarrassed to stick around any longer.
Heading in the direction he saw the crazy man run earlier West hoped to catch up to him and ask about his guild.
|
|
|
Post by Kuro on Oct 17, 2012 22:31:46 GMT -5
"Wooooohoohoohoo!"
A massive hammer slammed into the ground and a shower of confetti and streamers burst out of the top, going high into the air before descending on the children under it. Their laughs and squeals of delight could easily be heard, along with one other, high-pitched laugh.
"Wohoho! Who wants a candy, huh? Who wants a caaaaaaaaandy?" A clown spun the large hammer high above his head as if it was a baton or staff and continued spinning it as one of the steel ends of the hammer flung open like a lid on hinge. Candy of all kinds flew out of the hammer, landing in all sorts of places from the ground to the hands of children to flowerpots. The children ran around to get the delicious candies while the clown put his hammer back into the ground, closing the open lid as he did so. He stood back and admired his work, a permanent smile on his mask's face.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhh. How precious. How absolutely precious!" He made an exaggerated gesture of bringing his hands, and therefore his hammer, to his face. "Eh?" He caught something at the corner of his eye and turned his entire body to it as if a puppet twirling about an axis. With a laugh, he merrily skipped to the caped man with papers and jumped in front of him, his arms and legs outstretched in his very colorful costume.
"Hey there, friend! Huh? What is this?" He snatched one of the papers from the pile and held it before his face, quietly muttering the contents of the paper to himself before looking back to the guildman and shoving his masked face in his. "A guild? For me? You shouldn't have!" He somersaulted backwards, letting there be a reasonable distance between the two, and continued speaking in his loud, high-pitched voice that was just filled to the brim with joy and laughter
"Renascence? What a cool name! Who are you, friendly friend?" He leaned on his hammer, using it as some sort of large cane and swinging back and forth. A child or two watched the two, recognizing the clown and hoping for more silly antics.
|
|
|
Post by Sprite on Oct 18, 2012 3:55:05 GMT -5
As Elrond went about his business in town, distributing flyers that were most likely thrown away or not looked at, a single new traveler to the small town lifted his head.
Emerald hair glinted in the sunlight as steady inquisitive eyes of jade squinted out into the distance, peering at something beyond standard perception. A ridiculous grin unfitting the serious young face of the man spread open as he closed his eyes and lifted his nose to the winds, sniffing as if privy to the odors of freshly baked bread.
"The aroma..."
Widening his grin to reveal sharp canines, the young man threw a fist in the air and dashed off into town, following the delicious scent that apparently only he could smell.
Several overturned merchant carts, baby carts, horsecarts, horses, and homes later, the tribally garbed green man skidded to a halt at the central plaza of the town. The simple yet elegant fountain greeted his hungry blue eyes as he scanned the area, his eyes alighting on Elrond and the clown converging together. His eye lit up upon seeing the clown as well, as if bearing witness to something extremely inspirational. Laughing to himself he strode forward boldly, calling out to the two.
"That's a huge and noble dream you've got there sir! I can not help but admire your drive. And you, masked funny-man, your dream is simple and sweet, I didn't expect to be confronted with such delicious dreams in this boring little town!"
Closing the distance between himself and the two, the emerald-haired man clapped his hands onto his knees and bowed to the two in greeting. Grinning at them with his sharp teeth he stood up straight and jabbed a thumb at his chest.
"The name's Puck Mayvil, pleased to meet you two. Oh, and pleased of course to have a chance to join 'the most powerful Guild in Fiore!'"
The young man stooped down and fish up one of the fallen flyers, reading off the text in a sing-songy and mocking yet good-hearted tone, concluding with a wry smile.
|
|
|
Post by Hitotsumami on Oct 18, 2012 10:52:15 GMT -5
Elrond continued to dash throughout town, and by this time he was starting to run low on advertisements. He thought that maybe he didn't use his resources so well, and maybe no one would even join his Guild when a rather odd clown jumped right in front of him.
Elrond took a step back, raising an eyebrow. He then laughed out loud, slapping the clown on the back. "Sorry buddy, we need strong people for the Guild! It's a dangerous place you know? Too dangerous for clowns!"
He was going to step away from the clown when suddenly a second person appeared, this one bowing before him. He smiled at the man, and could tell that he was not just an average guy.
"You're what I'm looking for!" he said, nodding. "My name is Elrond Vir and if you want to be in my Guild, there is only one requirement. A strong spirit! Do you have that Puck Mayvil?"
Elrond wasn't sure what the Clown would do next, and he also didn't notice the man with the gas mask approaching close by...
|
|
|
Post by CJ on Oct 18, 2012 13:19:49 GMT -5
Just as West was leaving, a shadow loomed on the cliff side. A gigantic hand lurched over onto the land mass. It pulled up its form, revealing to be what appeared to be a monstrously large horse's head. Its shadow covered a good portion of the hillside as it slowly climbed onto it. The creature made a great effort to avoid crushing the sign and instead sat cross-legged beside it. It was a muscular man with a horse's head. He was naked save for boxers decorated with a horse shoe pattern and straps for what appeared to be a large backpack. He appeared to five times the height and size of a normal man. "Huh," his voice boomed. "We're here at Fable. At least, this was Fable. Hey, Master, you should probably wake up now.""Merr...."On his back was a small form, bundled in a harness on the creature's back. Her round hat was placed over her eyes on her fallen head. She appeared to be in deep slumber, though in an apparently uncomfortable position. She clutched a walking cane as though it were some kind of teddy bear. "Oh well, I'll wait for you to wake up, I guess."The Horse Giant looked more carefully at the sign with a frown. "Guild Renascence?" he asked himself. "That doesn't sound at all like Fable. Well, it doesn't say Renascence Guild so maybe this is the sight of a guild festival or something... which means..."He clapped his hands together. "Master can find out more about Fable! Excellent."The Horse Giant smiled as best as it could with a horse face
|
|
|
Post by newb23 on Oct 18, 2012 17:06:55 GMT -5
West had finally caught up to the man passing out the flyers, but when he got near him he noticed not only him but two other individuals as well. One seemed to be a circus clown and the other a teenage boy. Stopping close behind the man with the posters West took a deep breath in order to prepare himself to speak. All that came out though was a tiny squeak. ”Damn why did it have to be a group of people? One I can get by with, perhaps two, but three is pushing the limits on my public speaking abilities. It’s okay…you can do this. Just smile. Though the guy with the clown mask is doing enough smiling for the whole town…seriously who wears such a weird mask?”[/color]
Composing himself a bit West formed a small nervous smile beneath his mask. ”Uhhh excuse me. Y-your flyer said th-that you were lookin’ for pe-people to join a guild. I would li-like to joi-join.” West said, his obvious nervousness causing him to stutter and stumble over his words.
Cursing himself silently underneath his breath, he hoped that he hadn’t ruined his chances of joining already. With nervous fingers West unzipped his sheep bag and pulled out a sweet roll. Turning away from the others he lifted his mask and took a bite of the delicious treat before pulling his mask back down over his face, and turning back towards the others.
|
|
|
Post by Kyubey on Oct 18, 2012 19:49:35 GMT -5
John Hrungnir didn't quite know what to expect from joining a guild. He had been a member of a gang long ago, but he imagined a guild of mages would be something rather different. Far different, anyways, from what he saw at the lonely little cliff. He sighed and shook his head in disappointment, thinking about what a mistake it was for him to expect anything from a guild who he only heard about through a flier he found discarded on the street.
"Uh..."
The truth was, he was looking for a good group for him to join after the crime business ran its course. Naturally he knew not to trust a self-proclaimed "most powerful Guild in Fiore," but thought that as long as this Renascence place was looking for fresh blood and the opportunity was there, he might as well check it out. He knew from the get go that any guild that claimed to be the most powerful and yet had to resort to fliers to scout for new members must be fairly new. In fact, he was somewhat counting on it. It might be easier for him to work his way up the ranks of a guild if there wasn't much in the way of rank to begin with, but he didn't think he would find himself considering a place that had absolutely nothing to show. It was true, he found it a bit strange that he had heard absolutely nothing of any Renascence before that day, yet still he could only be dumbfounded at the audacity of whoever first had the idea to form such a guild from literally the ground up and expect any serious mages to join him. John examined the sign carefully, thinking that he had somehow made a mistake. Nope. There was no mistaking what was written on the sign. He thought about going home right then and there, but there was something else that caught his eye. Namely, the giant horse man. He then thought about going home right then and there much faster. However, he was sure that any guild would have a few oddities about it, and it just so happened that Renascence had no building to speak of an a giant horse man. The least John could do would be to ask a few questions before erasing Renascence from his memory forever.
"Er, excuse me," said John to the horse man, feeling more foolish than he had ever been in his life, "I'm, uh, here about the, er, flier. This is Renascence, right? Am I at the right place? Is there anywhere I can go for more information?"
|
|
|
Post by Shark a' Pult on Oct 18, 2012 21:03:24 GMT -5
"...so according to this one guy outta Freesia, a boat was charted out west."
"Uh-huh..."
"But a teacher in Era said she heard about a caravan headed to the south."
"Did she now?"
"It's like there's a cloud of disinformation surrounding the person, it's weird. Nothing that really coincides with our bit about her heading out of Pergrande."
Two people sat on a bench having what could be likened to a conversation. The one was dressed in brown hooded monk robes with the addition of metal gloves and boots, and the other wore a travelers cloak and a conquistador-looking helmet. The former was busy describing a convoluted string of accounts and rumors, while the latter made the occasional comment but was much more interested in a map he was looking over.
"You shouldn't focus too much on it, it's unhealthy to be so obsessed over something. She's left Earth Land now, she walked off the map."
"I'm not obsessed... what, have you forgotten our plan?
"Of course not, it's just..."
The fellow lowered the map slowly, trying to think of the right words to say. The monk-looking fellow on the other hand moved to his feet, looking up at the sunny sky and moving his hand to his brow to shade his eyes. It really was a nice day out, and what a nice town to spend it in.
"Avelynn."
"We all want the same thing, it's just... this turned out to be a lot different from what we first planned. I feels like a wild goose chase, I mean there's so much more we could be doing instead."
"But think of the payoff, what it's worth! This isn't about money or loot, this is about reputation. We'd be famous, all of us! You both know it."
The helmeted fellow chuckled, leaning back against the bench and moving his arms behind his head. They'd come such a long way from where and when they'd first planned to set out and take down the most dangerous mage either of them knew of. He remembered that time well, for it was still the way he felt mostly. Money came and went, but prestige stuck. He was all for the plan, and everything his friend wanted, he wanted to. It was just that, he had other things in his life now, things which were more important to him. He didn't want to say that he'd outgrown his friend, for there was only one difference between them really.
"We're not giving up, alright? We're just sticking around here for a little while, getting everything in order before we make for Pergrande. If you want to check up on those rumors, we'll catch up along the way."
"Alright... just don't get too cozy while I'm gone!"
---
"Bang... bang... bang..."
The helmeted fellow sat at an outside table of a cafe, leaning his chair back and forth. With both hands in front of him in a position that imitated him holding a rifle, he was aiming for the loose collection of mages that seemed to be gathering across the square and up the street a ways. He couldn't hear what they were talking about, nor did he know what was going on, but seeing them was enough. He vocally fired a shot for each of them, leaning his chair back to imitate the recoil each time.
"Sir, are you actually going to order anything?"
"Mint Julep would hold me over- bang..."
Could he be sure they were mages? No, but then most people didn't dress or act the way these people were. Also, he mused on how mages often tended to gather together in places, which was fine by him because it made them easier to shoot. If they wanted to be dumb, he wasn't going to complain, always made his job easier.
|
|
|
Post by Hitotsumami on Oct 18, 2012 21:19:06 GMT -5
Elrond was startled when another figure appeared behind the newly forming group, a strange looking individual with what looked like a gas mask obscuring his entire face. What, was her allergic to something around here? Elrond didn't know, and he didn't care much either. This guy wanted to join his Guild!
"So, ya wanna join Renascence? Well stop mumbling and tell me you wanna join! We don't have room for people like that! Actually, we don't have a 'room' at all, but that's a different story."
But suddenly, Elrond froze and he stood up a bit more straight. He looked to his right then his left, his eyes narrowing a bit. He then raised his eyebrows, as if he had been trying to locate something, and smiled.
He raised a hand to the others, saying: "Hold up a minute, fellas. If you want to join my Guild, then stick with me."
Elrond then raised the tip of his left foot, keeping his heel on the ground, then slammed it down. Suddenly, the earth behind his right foot sprung up about five inches at a rapid speed, propelling Elrond high into the air. He flipped in mid air then landed on the ground in a crouching position a few feet from a fellow sitting outside a cafe.
He looked up at the man, taking a step closer. Now his face was just a foot away. "Join my guild. I dare ya."
|
|
|
Post by Shark a' Pult on Oct 18, 2012 21:29:38 GMT -5
Good hearing. Or...?
In the time it took Elrond to make the distance across the plaza, the helmeted fellow had pushed off the table, and rolled to his feet when the chair fell backwards to the ground. Once he had reached his feet, he had a sword out from who knows where, though it seemed like Elrond wasn't about to pursue an attack.
"Join my guild. I dare ya."
What a strange question to be asked. Not that it caught him off guard at all, he responded as quickly as the words came.
"What kind of guild is it?"
He had a feeling he already knew the answer. In fact he was sure he already knew the answer, but he wanted to hear it from the man himself.
|
|
|
Post by Kuro on Oct 18, 2012 21:58:49 GMT -5
The clown chuckled at Elrond's comment, a high-pitched assortment of various pitches and tones, and spoke in much the same way. "So happy to hear you laugh, señor! But do not fear! I am no ordinary clown! I am -"
It was then that a most colorful young man appeared, and made some comments that induced shrieks of joyous laughter from the clown. "Aw, simple and sweet! How so very kind and generous of you." He imitated Puck's bow with no mocking intention and proceeded to speak to both of them, apparently, or the group as a whole. "Oh, how silly of me! I was going to introduce myself and the audience hasn't even all settled in yet, oh how very rude of me! Don't worry, i'll wait until everyone is here and - Ohhhh! Another one, see!" He looked at the masked newcomer and chuckled again.
"Do not worry, dear friend! No worries of the mumbling! It is perfectly fine to say things as quietly as you like! I've been insulting everyone here this whole time, and you never heard me at all, did you?" He said the last line with a more monotone voice and a hint of something close to malice before quickly switching back to his usual tone. "Ooh, this guild looks so interesting already! And - Wowwwwwwwwww!" He looked on as Elrond suddenly flew like a catapulted bird carcass and ended up in front of some cafe. He looked around at the prospective members of the guild and jerked his head towards the guildmaster. "Well, come on! Let's see how this little act ends up!" He cartwheeled and skipped to Elrond's location, standing up straight once he got there only to go back to lazily swinging his arms back and forth. He looked at whatever was occurring in front of him and laughed.
|
|
|
Post by newb23 on Oct 19, 2012 16:18:29 GMT -5
West listened as the cloaked figured spoke to him. He knew that his mumbling would get him in trouble and now it was making it difficult to join the guild like he wanted. ”Damn me!”[/color] West thought to himself as he scratched the back of his head.
When the clown spoke to him West heard his tone change and raised an eyebrow underneath his mask. What did the clown have against him? Was it because West’s mask was better than his? That had to be it. Either way he didn’t feel like dwelling on it at the moment. Instead he waited for the cloaked man to speak again.
Before he could do so though West noticed him sling himself over to the café where a helmeted person sat. He had heard the man saying bang bang earlier but had ignored it. Deciding that he really did wish to be in the guild West turned on his heels and made his way over to the café.
|
|
|
Post by Hitotsumami on Oct 19, 2012 21:52:11 GMT -5
Elrond listened to the stranger say his response, and was surprised to see his fast reaction skills as well. He took a moment to consider the question, and then he turned around and looked over the three men behind one.
One was a clown. A hilarious clown, but a magical powerful one.
The second was dragon slayer that radiated a powerful aura.
And finally a strange mumbling man wearing a gas mask.
Elrond nodded then turned back towards the man, lifting his arms out wide. "The answer to your question is this. This kind of Guild! The strongest one in Fiore!"
To any around, it might not seem that impressive, but Elrond was blind to it. He saw only the prospect of the future, the momentum that could be started, and the potential that was blooming from these four people.
|
|
|
Post by Sprite on Oct 19, 2012 22:55:06 GMT -5
Puck grinned proudly, Elrond having obviously seen something special in the young man. This guy was good, obviously a mage of some power and talent, if he could spot the special qualities in mages.
It seemed as though everyone who had flocked to Elrond thus far was no ordinary mage either. The clown had such a powerful desire to fulfill his dream, it was fully visible in his every action. To Puck it seemed as though a purple and green nimbus were floating about the clown's form constantly. Elrond at the moment seemed to be visibly manifesting his dream as well, the nimbus floating above his head like a regal crown. The masked man however, Puck couldn't make out anything of his dreams and aspirations, the man's fear and trepidation most likely clouding his desires.
Shrugging, Puck hung back a bit as everyone flocked over to the cafe where the helmed traveller had been taking imaginary pot shots at them all. Due to the nature of his magic, Puck had greatly enhanced senses. He had smelled the alien scent of the man, he was new to this town just as they all were. That and he'd heard the distinct 'bang bang' of the man's imaginary rifle.
Narrowing his eyes, Puck managed to make out a vague dream emanating from the man. In his day-dream like state in shooting at the gathering of Renascence mages, Puck could tell that it was this man's profession to hunt mages and take them down. Dancing in the cloudly nimbus above the traveler's head, Puck could see five dancing stick figures, crudely drawn. One of them was crossed out.
"He's a shady one alright..." mumbled the young mage to himself. Trusting Elrond's impressive intuition and believing it to be wiser to keep the helmed mercenary closer to keep an eye on him, Puck followed behind his new companions, still hanging a bit further back, observing the dusty man warily.
|
|