[RPG] Ryn�r�n and Kh�r�th: The Lost Relics (TEMP LOCK)

[Valathous]

~ L��r�nthi�, Irienshri ~

The Ranger, Valathous, sighed and looked down at the ground. He was standing on a small patch of dirt with a few pebbles among a sea of green waves as the long, lush grass flowed gently in the soft breeze. Valathous nudged one of the pebbles with his foot slightly as he started on the ground thinking over the proposition of the Elf. He was right... there may very well have been a connection worth investigating.

Valathous looked up slowly from the ground and looked from Geredar, to the Elf, back to Geredar.

"He is right, Geredar," Valathous started, "there may be a connection between the two that would be worth while aiding them with. Any clues we may attain without compremising my mind seem well worth the while. Though, if we discover none, then we may proceed with your plans... These are my thoughts, wise one."

[Lord Borg]

~ L��r�nthi�, Irienshri ~

Valandil had horses brought to him and Luthien, and an extra for ����d�n. They rode to the edge of the town, where ����d�n was talking with that Ranger, and the Wizard. He motioned for one of the guards to come over. "(Get us two more horses please..)" The guard bowed and went off to do so. Valandil rode up to the men. He spoke in the toungue the Ranger was speaking in. "We meet again..."

[Founder]

-L��r�nthi�, Irienshri-

����d�n motioned towards Valathous and Geredar with a sweeping motion of his hand.

"(Brother Valandil)," He said, "(I have asked them to join us on our journey. I have a feeling that whatever we'll face in the fair lady's homeland, we will need assistance.)"

[Lord Borg]

-L��r�nthi�, Irienshri-

Valandil nodded respectivly, he motioned ����d�n towards his horse. "(Let us be on our way, we shall talk on the run, time is sliping though like sand though fingers...)"

[Ziona]

-L��r�nthi�, Irienshri-

Luthien rode up next to Valandil and turned her eyes on the two other newcomers. She bowed her head gracefully to them before turning them skywards and watching as clouds drifted by.

[Hitchhiker]

-L��r�nthi�, Irienshri-

"All right," said Geredar. "Let's go with them. It may prove to be mildly amusing." He was ready to go right there--he would take care of any objects left behind in his quarters while on the road. It was vexing that there was an "evil" to be fought--there was enough evil to be fought without other races creating war. Sometimes Geredar wondered if the Wizard Council would ever get up off its laurels, or if it just liked debating rhetoric.

[Founder]

-L��r�nthi�, Irienshri-

����d�n leapt onto one of the horses, sans saddle. He didn't want to burden the noble creature with such weight.

"I believe we can start our journey then." He replied.

He gently nudged the horse, making it slowly trot forward.

"(Lady Luthien)," He said, "(Please lead us to your home land.)"

[Ziona]

-L��r�nthi�, Irienshri-

Luthien nodded and turned her steed towards the East.

"(Of course, my lord.)"

[Lord Borg]

-L��r�nthi�, Irienshri-

Valandil moved his horse to follow Luthien. He sighed quietly, a journy was a head of them, a long one....

[Valathous]

~ L��r�nthi�, Irienshri ~

Valathous Ayrithar accepted one of the beautiful steeds from the Elves, but not without remembering the one that he had left in a stable near the gates. The Ranger looked at the Elf that had brought the extra horses and pointed in the direction of the stable.

"(I left a malnourrished horse that I purchased several days ago in a stable near the entrance to this city. Please see that he is brought to health. He has the potential to be a noble animal once more...)"

Valathous turned to the animal he was just handed and gently pulled on the stirrups to bring it's head level with his own. He went forehead to forehead with the beast and stroked its neck as he whispered something to him quietly before climbing onto the saddled creature and following the Elven prince.

[Founder]

-Road-

����d�n slowly followed after the beautiful Elvish woman. The only sounds that could really be heard was the neighing of the horses and the patter of their hooves. He eyed dusty road, covered in leaves, fallen from the trees. Their journey was not too long, perhaps a few days on horseback. Unfortunetly, their journey took them through perilous territory. Drow activity was on the rise at the edge of the Elvish lands. The bastard race, Drow, fallen Elves seduced by Jarmalus' lies. They had bred rapidily and populated the forests between ����d�n's home and the fair Luthien's land. The group slowly continued on their way until the sky was draped in darkness. ����d�n stopped his horse and turned it around to face the others.

"(Wait)," He called out in his own tongue, "(We should ride no further in the night. Drow stalk the woods along the road. We should wait for the protection of the sun.)"

[Valathous]

~ Road, L��r�nthi� ~

The path from the Elven capital to the home of the fair Elven maiden was long, but not all that treacherous. In fact, despite numerous roling hills, the path was well cleared and fairly easy to traverse. This was something that Valathous was not used to; travelling long distances by both beast and the road where oddities to him. While he did ride horses when in need of haste his own two feet and cutting through the wilderness were his preferred method of conveyance.

Soon the bright orange ball that was the sun set behind the forest's horizon. A short of golden hue filled the evening as the low sun beamed onto the strange Elven leaves before passing into the days memory. Night time was upon them and the silver rays of the moon shone down bringing brilliance to the already starry night.

The Ranger stopped his horse as ����d�n halted the party and warned them of the Drow. This was true... On several occassions Valathous had down battle with a stray Drow who happened to stumble across him wandering the wilderness. They were always the worthiest of adversaries and never something Valathous ever looked forward to.

"(I would agree, the night is not as safe as it's beauty suggests)," Valathous said to the party, "(We should make a camp within the confinement of the trees. Get off the road and hopefully into the trees if you are all capable of sleeping on branches...)"

Valathous was more concerned about Geredar's ability to climb and stay in a tree than the Elves being that the powerful and wise Wizard was quite old.

[Founder]

-L��r�nthi�, Road-

����d�n walked into the forest, following Valathous' suggestion of sleeping in the woods. He wasn't so sure about sleeping literally on the branches, but if it was needed, then so be it. His hand tied the reins to the trunk of a large and strong tree.

"(Stay here my noble friend.)" He whispered to it.

The Elf looked around for a suitable tree for them to climb onto. Some trees were thin, while others were thick. The thickers ones could hold their weight. As he was searching, the wind blew hard across his face, blowing back his soft hair. His eyes shot open as he heard the whispers on the wind.

"(Wait!)," He ordered, "(Quiet.)"

He walked over to Valathous and Valandil.

"(Do you hear that?)" He asked, "(The voices on the wind?)"

[Lord Borg]

-L��r�nthi�, Road-

Valandil narrowed his eyes and listened. He nodded slowly and whispered very quietly, almost inaudible. "(Yes...I hear it...)" Valandil looked back at his friend and the Ranger. He then took a step foward, concentraiting on the sound. Valandil pulled out an arrow and placed it in the appropiate spot on the bow, but not yet pulling it back to ready it for a shot. "(We are not alone...)"

[Valathous]

~ Road / Woods, L��r�nthi� ~

After entering the woods and attempting to find an appropriate tree in which to rest in when he heard the foul voices gliding heavily through the breeze, seemingly weighing it down. ����d�n reinforced the concern it cause him by feeling it as well.

Somewhere in the not-too-far distance were several Drow, Dark Elves. They were once beautiful, fair creatures but now twisted, cruel, cold, corrupted by the power of Jarmalus. The Master's plans would not be interupted by these wanderers.

"Quiet!" hissed a deep voice, "They'll heard you!"

"That is of no consequence," replied another, "They will not be leaving this forests again. The Master's plans are safe."

"What could you possibly do to halt the Wizard, Raenik?"

The second one, Raenik smirked, his eyes seemed to glaze over and his eyes turned as black as his heart. His already deep voice dropped several octaves as he began to chant an incantation which seemed to carry through the wind, passing through the forest. It echoed yet it didn't... It seemed to repeat in the back of one's mind.

While Raenik was busy with his spell, one of the other Drow, Kafajh signalled for the group to advance slowly with their swords drawn, prepared to fight...

Valathous hadn't moved since he heard the noice. It was much clearer now, a voice, a deep voice speaking a language he did not understand. Suddenly several large cracking and popping noises were heard followed by a deep groan from around them. The branches of the trees began to swing violently at the group...

"It's the Drow! Black witchcraft!" Valathous yelled out, drawing his sword.

Esthysious was a beautiful sword. The blade was several inches longer than most with beautiful carved engravings running from the tip to the hilt consisting of patterns and old scripture. The hilt was also longer than the average sword's hilt and inlayed with several fine jewels and gold trim along the entire thing. The handle had golden and Nythor chain link around it for grip and the hilt ended at the base with a wolf's head, mouth open baring it's teeth, the eyes of the creature, sparkling emeralds. The guard on the hilt protecting the hand from blades sliding down his own consisted of four bars; two stuck out at 90 degrees of the hilt and at the end had a tooth shaped piece of metal on each side angled up. The other two were in the middle of this end at the tooth, and the blade. It stuck out at 70 degrees and bend back in to make the tip parallel with the blade. The weapon absorbed the moonlight that pierced the canopy and seemed to create a silver aura about it shining brightly in the dark woods...

[Lord Borg]

~ Road / Woods, L��r�nthi� ~

Valandil raised his bow and aimed it in the direction of the voice. He squinted his eyes and moved the bow slightly. He steadied his breathing and...*Thud*. Valandil heard a scream as he readied another arrow and began to take aim. Near him, he heard Valathous's sword being removed from it's holster. Valandil then did a tuck and roll as the branches seemed to have come to life. They were attacking the group. Work of the Drow. Of course they wouldn't fight on fair grounds...

[Ziona]

~ Road / Woods, L��r�nthi� ~

Luthien stood a few feet away from Valandil and she turned as she heard the commotion. Other thoughts had been on her mind and she hadn't heard the approach of the Drow through the forrest. She started only when she heard the alarm raised by Valathous. She turned and heard Valathous' sword singing out of it's sheath and saw Valandil draw back his bow and ready another arrow.

Luthien had no weapons except for a small dagger and the druidic powers she possesed so she instead took the defensive, raising the natural powers she had to help fight off the branches which seemed to be jumping up to stop her companions. She summoned all the energy she could and sent forth a wave of druidic magic, giving her companions the will to battle and beat back the Drow. The aura settled nicely amongst the companions around her, issuing forth a faint but steady glow.

"(Fight swiftly.)" Luthien called to her companions as she summoned more power to begin healing waves as the battle drew on.

[Valathous]

~ Road / Woods, L��r�nthi� ~

Raenik watched as one of his companions who stood next to him flew backwards with an arrow in his heart. Dark blood squirted outwards onto Raenik upon each pulse as he slowly fell backwards in a crumpled and lifeless form. Raenik growled pleasently at it's warm feeling upon his face, the extra elixer of life giving him strength.

Valathous ducked under a branch and swung at it hard after springing up once it passed over his head. His sword whistled a sharp piercing noise as it sliced through the air and hacked into the branch doing severe damage to it. He grimmaced... He was a Ranger and hated hurting nature. Hurting a tree was the least of his concerns for the moment as about 7 Drow sprung from hiding places in the trees and surrounding bushes...

[Founder]

-L��r�nthi�, Forest-

����d�n launched an arrow at a thin branch moving to whip his face. It shattered the weak branch and the pieces of wood spilled to the forest floor. The Elf was not to hesitant to attack the trees. He honored and loved natured, but if it sought your death, respect was the last thing it deserved. The trees continued to attack as Drow poured out of various locations. The foul abominations leapt at the party, weapons drawn. ����d�n twirled an arrow in between his fingers and placed it in the bow. He fired it at the nearest Drow, while leaping into the air, avoiding a branch that tried to trip him.

"Away from the trees!" He yelled to the group, "Get to the main road!"

He turned away and heard his horse whining loudly as the tree it was tied to came to life. The Elf fired an arrow at the tied reigns, severing the ties that bound the horse. It whinnied and turned to run. ����d�n leapt onto the horse and forced it towards the main road, away from the deadly trees. He turned his back and fired arrow after arrow with seconds apart, at various Drow, trying to draw their attention to him and not the others.

[Ziona]

-L��r�nthi�, Forest-

Luthien easily swung astride her horse and urged it towards the road, away from the trees. She turned to see Drow pushing their way towards the main road. ����d�n was attempting to draw attention to him and away from the rest of the group.

She wanted to follow him but she figured he knew what he was doing. She instead searched for the other companions.

[Lord Borg]

-L��r�nthi�, Forest-

Valandil fired several arrows into the darkness toward where the evil was coming from. He ran to his horse and jumped on. He directed the horse towards the main road. Valandil readied another Arrow, and prepared to use it when he past the next tree.

[Valathous]

~ Road / Woods, L��r�nthi� ~

Valathous was rushed by one of the Drow with a sword. It took a swing at him but Valathous managed to block it. They both began to get locked into a sword fight of attack a defence, throwing a slice followed by countering that of their adversary. The only difference was that Valathous was forced to do this while avoiding the swinging branches of trees.

Valathous bent his back backwards as a branch came overtop of him, then threw himself forwards with his sword in ready position blocking the sharp blade of the Drow. He ducked the swing of another branch and prepared to block the sword of the Drow when yet another branch flew his way, distracting him, leaving him without time to counter the swing... Valathous grabbed hold of the branch, which pulled him away from harms way. He let go and fell several feet onto his own feet. He rolled towards the Drow, came up under his sword and swung, removing the arm of the corrupted Elf. He finished by bringing his sword across its chest unveiling a fountain of black liquid. The Drow fell to the ground producing a gargling noise the entire way as the light in his dark eyes faded.

Valathous, having defeated one of the Drow followed his companions out of the forrest, out of the harm of the trees' way. While the roots prevented them from following, it would not stop the Drow from following.

[Founder]

-L��r�nthi�, Main Road-

����d�n's horse stopped at the line between the road and the forest. He pulled back on the long, bushy mane of the horse. It stood on it's hind legs, as the Elf pulled out another arrow. The others were rushing out of the forest, pursued by Drow. He fired an arrow into the dark woods and hit another Drow. It didn't kill it though and the black Elf continued forward. ����d�n sighed in exasperation and waited for the others...

[Ziona]

-L��r�nthi�, Main Road-

Luthien urged her horse forward and galloped over to ����d�n, hoping the others would follow.

"(We need to move fast!)" Luthien spoke to ����d�n as she caught up with him. She pulled a stave that was fastened to her back and chanted something, summoning forth a flock of birds that immediately began to attack the Drow as they approached. "(Quickly!)" Luthien whispered, her breath uneven from her efforts both physically and mentally.

[Lord Borg]

-L��r�nthi�, Main Road-

Valandil cuaght up with Luthien and ����d�n. He turned and aimed at the Drow that ����d�n had shot at and fired. Valandil readied another Arrow and faced Luthien. "(M'Lady! go!)"