Gag: Ferlick, “I know a story like that. Once upon a time there was a band of viscous bandits who plagued a small village on the mountainside near their base. One day a good and noble Knight from Palorthia came to the village and seeing they’re predicament, rallied them to unite and oppose the evil bandits. The villagers eager to be free of their tyranny trained night and day under the leadership of the good and true knight. Until it came time for the bandits to attack again.” He paused dramatically for effect. “Did they defeat the bandits.” “No they were defeated utterly. The bandits destroyed their village, stole all their food, the Knight ran away and the villagers were much worse off.” Simura hit him on the head with his staff. “What kind of stupid inspirational story is that!?!” “Oh sorry was it supposed to be inspirational. I think I missed the premise. No wait listen. The moral of the story is, ‘Never help anyone.’” Everyone stared at him for a moment before returning to their conversations completely ignoring the weaver. “No wait that can’t be right. ‘Don’t stick your nose in where it’s not wanted’, ‘Never trust a Palorthian’, ‘Always run away when faced with impossible odds’? Damn I knew I shouldn’t have slept through my lectures. “You will never really understand me, or my feelings.” Silver cried “Who would want to?” Serinoa replied harshly. “So what you are saying is that we need to choose a champion to fight they’re champion, before they will let us leave the village.” Everyone reflected upon the situation and an uncomfortable silence descended onto the group. Then with a mighty shove Farinan pushed Gerod into the circle. “Gerod will do it.” “Wait, I never said…” “Good on ya Gerod.” Faress congratulated him. “We’re counting on you.” His brother added. “But I…” He protested. “Don’t screw up.” Serinoa said harshly. “Oh be careful.” Gale said concerned. Gerod stood forward as everyone stared at him expectantly. “Hmmm, it’s a rune. A fairly nasty one too. We won’t be able to pass until it’s tripped off.” Ferlick said thoughtfully. Suddenly Gerod stumbled forward and fell onto the rune. Lightning flared up striking his body in several spots. His hair stood up as the electricity flowed through his body and he arched his back in pain. Finally it subsided and the Bladesmaster fell to the ground a somewhat blackened smoky mess. Farinan whistled innocently as Gale shot him a dark look. “Damn it looks like another rune.” Ferlick said in distress. Gerod drew his dagger and stuck it under Farinan’s chin threateningly. “Heh, heh, heh heh heh.” Farinan laughed guiltily. “Hmm we will need something to break down the door then.” Serinoa observed. “Hey what are you doing?” Gerod protested. Serinoa turned around to see Farinan, Faress, Dago and Qualterie all holding Gerod up by an arm or a leg. Gerod struggled futiley in their grasps. “Don’t worry Serinoa.” Farinan explained “We’ve got your battering ram right here.” He said indicating Gerod. “Wow this guy looks tough.” Faress muttered to his brother. “You’re right.” “We should run away.” The two turned and fled as fast as their scrawny little legs would take them. “Silver and I will attend the ball together.” Serinoa said thoughtfully. Silver raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Well you wouldn’t have been my first choice, but hey, beggers cant be choosers.” “This is not an opportunity for courtship you idiot.” “So you say.” Silver retorted looking smug. “So how did you do it?” She asked. Silver regarded her solemnly for a minute, before smiling cockily. “Well first of all I snuck into the building. It was heavily guarded by large Palorthians. But you see Palorthians are very big, and not terribly bright so it’s quite easy to sneak past one.” She leaned forward interestedly. He smiled getting carried away by the story. “Anyway I searched and searched until I found the jewel. It was in a store room surrounded by twenty guards. I tried sneaking in but they saw me and I had to fight them.” “What did you do?” She asked enthralled. “I drew my staff and struck. Moving left and right, dodge parry strike dodge until there was only one left. He was the largest. He moved so fast and before I knew it he had disarmed me.” “Oh dear.” “So I had no choice I dived at him with my fists, but he hit me once twice three times. He threw me around the room like a rag doll. I threw chairs at him, bowls whatever I could find.” Silver started swinging his arms about trying to recreate the scene from his somewhat dubious story. “But he kept coming. Somehow I grabbed hold of his sword and the two of us wrestled on the ground, only the strongest could be the victor. The marks on my hands shining brightly. Nethertheless the sword inched closer and closer to my neck all seemed lost.” Silver sighed heavily falling silent. “So… what happened?” Chirps: “Dwarves also have honor. The difference is we are not always waffling on about it.” Stoak “She is rather pretty” “Yes but no where near as pretty as she seems to think she is.” Girl sitting on guys lap. “Do you mind, this isn’t exactly comfortable.” She pursed her lips playfully as she wriggled about on his lap. “Don’t worry, it’ nothing that a cold bucket of water couldn’t fix.” “Why do you have so many keys? Does it make you feel important knowing that you can open all those locks?” “Faust is the name I gave.” Crystron said smiling to the small Hawk.. “So.. his name is Faust?” Gale asked “Well…. No.” “But I thought you said his name is Faust.” “That’s the name I gave. Different to the one his mother gave.” “Why what’d his mother name him?” Silver asked “Cheep, cheep, cheep, cheep.” The elf replied “Disturbingly that makes a lot of sense.” People: Gale: Around her neck hung a pale blue scarf. Qualteri: His robe was of a perculiar cut. The front attached by a pin on his left shoulder and also at three places down the left side of his body to his hip. Hiding his figure within its folds. Over his mouth was a leather guard hiding his chin and lips from the world. Leaving only his eyes and nose visible. One might almost have thought him to be a bandit. Serinoa& Silver. Everyone either wants them together or gets in the way. Silver is extraudinarily smug when he’s right. Bird People Elves or humans that use Giant birds as their mounts. “Giddiup.” Sword Polishers – Remove rust from blades. (Stab in the leg instead of a vital point.) First rule of war – restricting your enemies movement is eighty percent of victory. The steel behind her voice was not a hint, but a finely tempered blade. The Bridge to Hell was supposed to be a gargantuan structure, with a traveler being able to barely see the other end. In the middle of that bridge stood an Angel set there by Heaven. She warned those who passed by, that they had reached the center of the Bridge to Hell. Some would turn back, but others would venture forth a bit more, curious to see what Hell was like. The story said that the second half of the bridge was much shorter than the first, and that people often found themselves in Hell and unable to leave. The story was supposed to be a warning, of course. The Bridge to Hell represented the path of darkness. It was a warning that hatred, selfishness, despair, and anger would slowly suck you into a downward spiral which would end up pulling you down faster and faster. After passing a certain point, your descent would accelerate even more, and by the time you saw the demon that you had become, it would be too late. stopped when he reached the sign. But how was one supposed to know which side was Hell and which side wasn't? What if you were trying to leave Hell? Would you turn back at the half-way point, fearful of the unknown on the other side? What if Paradise awaited for those who got there? How would you know until you crossed? Events After Arena Silver, Chrystron, Ferlick Qualteri, Stoak, Gerod travel to the mountains to try and find the Shankin bandits home. There they run into Ether and the bird people and are mistakened for being involved in the deaths of the Shankin bandits. Get out using the symbols on Silvers hands. Twists in the plot. Who destroyed the Shankin? Balgon killing Timium , Catch Phrases Silver: Sister = Woman/girl/ anyone female Trust me Ya = Yes It’s not my fault dammit! Dammit! Why do these things always happen to me? Why do I even bother? Chrystron: Elves do not suffer from the same limited views as humans How can you live in such places Life has a way of doing that to you. Ferlick: Moot Grand Hmmm interesting… Rather ingenius really… Gale: I see. Oh dear. Farinan: Evenin’ Great Orbs of Sarios Bloody… Gerod: My father always said… For the honor of Goreth Come my friends… What manner of Sorcery is this? Nefarious Timium: For honor. I was always taught A Bladesmaster’s…. Just /Upright /Virtuous / pure / righteous Very Well then… Woman.. = women/girls/ anyone female Witch - Serinoa Qualteri: … Stoak: You would think they would have more sense Humans/Elves/Birds/Cats/Dogs/Horses….**sigh**