Chapter 0
Cromwell leans on the shaded stone stairs leading to his home, a tall, two-story house resting snugly between two neighbouring buildings. It looks cozy and inviting, and it always radiates a sort of warmth, the kind that makes you smile without you knowing it. The inside of the home is just as pleasant as the exterior makes it appear, and anyone would feel comfortable at once inside it. The young boy gazes up at the sky without a thought in his head, which, as young boys go, is none too unusual. A call from the street snaps him out of his daze, and he sits up to see who it is. Ah, its Alex. A strange fellow to be sure, always wearing those curious robes of his. Though you wouldn't think it looking at him, beneath his calm features is a lively soul. Er..perhaps thats going a bit far……
He waves, a wide smile on his face. Jack waves back, grinning, then gets to his feet, hopping down the steps two at a time. He meets Alex in the street before the two take off together, heading across the wide thoroughfares and ducking through narrow alleys as they make for the Hill just on the outskirts of town.
The others are already there, waiting for them to arrive. Derry is in the Tree, cradled amongst the boughs, chewing lazily on a reed and letting his leg swing beneath him, his eyes closed in an expression of consummate indifference as he pretends to doze. Bethany is testing her strength against Wellington's, who claimed several minutes ago that nothing could pass his guard, haha! She's clearly unfazed by the challenge, and continues to test his shield beneath her hammer-like blows. Meanwhile poor Wells cowers behind the thing, wincing every time her fists crash into it. Kyle merely watches beneath the shade of the tree, giggling as the bigger boy is driven backwards by handily by the authoritative girl's flurry of strikes, and she even rounds off one particularly rapid with a spinning back kick that sends him sprawling. Kyle cheers and claps, genuinely impressed. Wells gets back up, his face red, and Beth laughs. The muscle-bound boy at first seems hurt, but a grin slowly grows on his face, and he's soon laughing raucously along with her.
The moment is interrupted by Alex's arrival with Jack. The smile disappears from Kyle's face as he sees them approach, and he gets to his feet, walking over to the others. Beth and Wells grow quiet, and even Derry stops disinterestedly nibbling on his reed to watch the events unfold. Jack looks at Kyle, his features set in a determined stare. Kyle's hand drifts towards his breast, where he keeps the disc.
Do it. Jack says sternly.
Show it to him. Even Alex's normally ordered face grows worried as the tension continues to mount, until finally Kyle reaches into his shirt. He produces the disc, and amazingly, even in the bright afternoon sunlight it still gleams brightly enough to make one squint. Everyone except Kyle and Jack gasp as the brilliantly blue piece of metal is held up, and passed along, with obvious reluctance, to Alex.
The group had been waiting for this moment for the past few days after Beth caught Jack and Kyle looking at it. Though she hadn't seen it up close until today, she was still infinitely curious, and Jack finally broke down under the girl's stubborn verbal assault and promised to make Kyle show it to everyone. He finally convinced him to reveal his well kept secret, under the condition that no one would ever speak of it. Kyle treasures the object with all his heart, and his chief fear is that Alex will decipher the runes, and reveal to him that his dearest possession is a mere trinket. He's convinced that its magic, and he doesn't want that to be taken away from him by discovering what it really is, even if it means going his entire life without ever knowing where it came from, or what it truly does, if anything.
Alex, his face a mask once again after having finally composed himself, takes the disc in hand. The others hold their breath as the boy studies it, his eyes running over the swirling runes rapidly. His brow furrows and he looks up.
I can't read it. He announces. Everyone groans. Derry sits up quickly in the Tree, his reed falling to the ground as he fails to disguise his broken anticipation.
What do you mean you can't read it?! Alex glares at him, and gestures towards the disc.
Well obviously I can't read it, because the blasted thing isn't even in our language! Derry scowls and looks down, then mutters.
Oh.. Alex holds up a hand.
But.. I have seen these symbols somewhere before. Jack looks up suddenly.
What? Where? Alex turns towards him, a wry grin growing on his face.
The Oldway. Wells immediately grows fearful.
Huh?! The Oldway? But that place is dangerous, isn't it? Beth pushes past him.
Of course it is vapour brains! But the six of us together can handle it. Kyle looks up, and the others immediately go silent. There's a pause as he gazes around at everyone, then a sudden gleam enters his eye, and he speaks up with determination.
She's right. We can do this! Come on, what do you say guys?
Name: Alex
Gender: Male
Age: 12
Appearance: A fairly short, skinny kid with old burns on his face and one eyebrow. What hair he has is unkempt and brown. He wears simple clothes that are also scorched.
Role: Alchemist
Goal: To learn all one can learn, know all one can know, and make some discoveries along the way.
HP 8/8
MP 10/10
SPD 6
Job/AbilitiesTrainee Alchemist - Can use items on others, as well as identify most basic chemicals, metals, spices and herbs. Can make remedies and other concoctions.
Book Smart - You can read.
GearHooded Robes - Rough blue robes you found in an old chest while exploring the Oddway one night. They're a little big on you, and you wear three large leather belts (also too big) around your midsection to keep them from trailing. You've taken to hanging pouches and gourds from them to keep your remedies safe, as well as hold the many trinkets and oddities you find [+7 Inventory]. There's a hood, and you like to keep it bunched up around your neck to keep you warm.
Inventory (3/10)
1x Fermented Gosa Tea [restore MP instantly]
2x Dabbat Leaves [restore HP steadily; makes
Dabbat Tea]
Name: Wellington
Gender: Male
Age: 13
Appearance: Wellington is a reserved sort of boy, who almost never left the house as a kid. This is due to his unnatural purple eyes. He has short black hair that is rapidly graying and pale white skin.
Role: Paladin
Goal: Be loved by the people.
HP 15/15
MP 8/8
SPD 6
Job/AbilitiesBulwark - [Select an allied target, and absorb any damage or effects that were meant for that friendly character. You can change your target for this ability at any time. Activation is free, and doesn't cost you your action. You only need to notify me when you are activating, deactivating, or switching your target for this ability. No need to remind me every turn that you're protecting the same person.]
Hidden Strength - You're stronger than you look, though it only emerges in the most dire of situations [if an ally is in fatal danger, you gain +2 damage for your next attack].
GearOaken Shield - A thick, round piece of wood that Guardsman Lyle gave you. A simple shield with a crude likeness of a fire-breathing dragon carved onto the face. Welly often gets to play the Knight whenever the others can actually manage to drag him outside, which lends to his quiet, protective nature.
Inventory (0/3)
---
Name: Derry
Gender: Male
Age: 13
Appearance: Very pale blue eyes, messy brown reddish brown hair. Lightly tanned skin, unnaturally straight, white teeth and a crooked nose which he earned after one of his many climbing incidents. Broad (for his age) shoulders and whipcord muscles, his winning smile and sharp features come together to give him a sort of roguish charm.
Role: Hunter
Goal: To one day have all the people who looked down on him at his mercy and to hunt them like the animals they are.
HP 10/10
MP 0/0
SPD 10
Job/AbilitiesFriend of the Earth - Knows a lot about the physical attributes and habits of animals and plant life, especially that which resides in the forest, though he's never been in one. Wild creatures tend to take a liking to him due to his scent, a combination of rich earth and sunlight, gained from whiling away so many hours dozing amongst the warm grass on the Hill.
Athlete - You can run faster and longer than most of the other kids. And you should after kicking everyone's arses at footraces for so long! [5% chance to attack the same target again]
GearClimbing Gloves - Hard, leather, fingerless gloves with pads on the knuckles and the palms [Climb fast!].
Inventory (3/3)
3x Jerky [Yummy!]
Name: Bethany
Gender: Female
Age: 14
Appearance: Tall for her age, and for a girl, but skinny as a rail-and delicate looking. Short, tawny, dark red hair arranged in an artful sheath. Forest green eyes, and a healthy skin tone. Has a pair of russet wings on her back, much like a bird. Her wings and her hair are the same color.
Role: Healer/Support Archer
Goal: To fly high above the clouds, no restrictions...Bethany cannot truly fly, despite her strange gift-agile hovering jumps, and acrobatic swoops being as close as she gets. Living in a city in the sky, this has caused her some consternation. She's always wanted to truly soar, and adventure beyond the boundaries.
HP 10/10
MP 5/5
SPD 8
Job/AbilitiesAcrobat - You can move with more grace and talent than anyone else in the sky! You've even learned to turn flips after practicing for so long! [sacrifice a combat turn to dodge the next two hits; perform minor stunts in fluff]
Good Sense - You seem to notice things that others don't, namely fine details. You always seem to know which way to go, and what to do. You're a natural leader, and the others tend to look up to you because of it [allies gain +1 to hit rolls when following your directions].
GearRusset Wings - A pair of small leather wings that you wear on your back. They usually make you play the dragon, and you hate it. You think you're more of a wyvern, personally.
Inventory (0/3)
---
Name: Kyle Johnson
Gender: Male
Age: 14
Appearance: Kyle is tall for his age (nearly six feet tall) with brown hair and eye. He has dark bags under his eyes and wears a leather wrist band.
Role: Illusionist Rogue.
Goal: To always be happy.
HP 8/8
MP 16/16
SPD 7
Job/AbilitiesSubstitute - You've always known how to do this, though you never knew why. You rarely use it in front of people, and you're rather afraid of this curious power of yours. [create a phantom image of yourself, enemies targeting you will attack it instead for the next two turns until you attack or combat ends; costs 3 MP]
GearMysterious Artefact - A round, thin metal disc about six inches across with intricate carvings inlaid on either side. You usually keep it tucked away inside your shirt where no one can see it. Sometimes, when you look at it while you're alone, it glows with a strange blue light. You've only ever shown it to Jack (mastahcheese), the only other person that the disc shines for. You've considered showing it to Alex (GWG) to see if he can read the runes, but you're afraid of what he might say.
Inventory (1/3)
1x Sparkers [causes a small, bright flash of light; stun enemies or start fires]
Name: Cromwell Jackson
Gender: Male
Age: 15
Appearance: Cromwell is a lanky kid, and lightweight. He has short brown hair and a constant bored expression.
Role: Storm Mage
Goal: To see the future
HP 6/6
MP 20/20
SPD 4
Job/AbilitiesCommand Sky - You can control the wind to an extent, creating gusts or concentrated blasts to whip at your foes. Naturally you've never actually hurt anyone with this, you just like to play with clouds. [use the wind as a weapon; -1 MP for every turn in use, SPD is 0 while in use]
Cloudy Day - You love the rain, and you always go outside to let the drops run down your face whenever the sky grows dark. [+2 max HP during inclement weather]
GearMantle - A short coat made of soft, dark brown leather. You always wear it whenever you go romping, to keep the dirt off your clothes.
Inventory (1/3)
1x Gosa Leaves [restores MP steadily]
Author
Topic: The Land of the Sky: Chapter 0.5 - IC Thread (Read 64617 times)