This is part one to Frostblight's crazy antics. You have Tenko, the retired Kitsune Ranger, Xaxis, the clueless Dragonborn barbarian, Cato, the mysterious rogue, and finally Roman the strange Paladin. This adventuring group treads through challenging dungeons, question their own sanity, and even manage to ponder the existence of pumpkins. This is solely to amuse a couple of friends of mine and is not really a serious work. However if more is wanted, more I will eventually provide. Enjoy.
It all seemed such a short time ago, my past exploits with team Stormblades fading into the deep fabrics of history. Having lived so long, I outlived the other members of my old team, watching them die one by one, unable to do anything. Soon, I was the only surviving member, but I took under the guise of a simple traveller, unable to deal with the fame of being the last of the group that saved the world. I prefer to remain alone. I watched as history books were written and rewritten, our deeds slowly being erased by common myths and legends that were false. Soon all that remained of our deeds were that we saved the world and I was the last remaining member whose location was unknown and I was presumed dead. That was it. I can feel it in my bones. The shadows of darkness once again threaten this land and the Stormblades are not here. Looks like I'll have to come out of retirement soon and get a group trained up myself or else it is curtains for all of us.~Tenko Sakosushin, last remaining Stormblade
The crisp chilly autumn skies above the small castle town of Mirandus were bright and sunny, almost void of any clouds. Small ripples were created in the castle's moat by the light breeze wafting through the air. The leaves falling off the trees were carried through the air through the wind's gentle touch.
However, nobody cares about the weather.
The usual hustle and bustle of the town's various districts was present, and the murmurings of the large crowds rang throughout the air in one unintelligible mass.
Mirandus was split up into five different districts: the market district, the housing district, the arena district, the guardhouse district, and of course the castle district.
In the market district, there was the blacksmith, the armory, the shop of magic, the general store, and two different taverns: The Red Fox Tavern and the Red Dragon Tavern. Inside The Red Fox tavern, things were going lively and business was continuing as usual. Arguments broke out here and there, but such patrons were usually escorted out quickly before anything could break out.
Firenz the Lone Ranger, as he was known, as was seated here, enjoying a nice cup of cocoa. It may be sunny outside, but it has been getting quite cold recently. On his person was a rich red and green tunic with a black cloak hanging from his shoulders. Pinned to the cloak was a well-polished silver badge that bore his adventurer group insignia: a single arrow. On his back was a medium-sized short sword engraved with ancient designs on the hilt. He was wearing brown leggings with brown boots.
His head was covered with wild rich red hair and he always seemed to wear a grin on his face. Behind his ice-blue eyes burned a fire that was intensely fierce to the trained eye.
In a relaxed state, both boots were crossed on the table and he was leaning back on his chair. The other people didn't seem to mind him doing that, for he was a well-loved and respected member of this community. He was pretty much the only one that they knew of who actually does anything whenever threats come to the town. Such is the harsh life of being a trained adventurer.
"You must be awfully cold this morning, Firenz," Jeb the bartender said, moving over to his table. Firenz shifted an eye to the rather round but jolly man.
"Heh, it sure is! This cocoa does really hit the spot though. Thanks, Jeb!"
Jeb smiled. "You're entirely welcome. Is there anything I can get you?"
"No thanks, Jeb!"
With a nod, Jeb turned away from the table and seemed to spot something out the window. He quickly gave a look of horror and strode rather quickly to one of the windows facing out from the street.
Firenz turned his head over toward the commotion. "Hm?"
"Xaxis inbound! Brace for shock!"
He barely got out that last sentence and threw himself to the ground behind the bar for cover when the wall suddenly exploded. Bits of brick and dust flew everywhere as a heavily armored dragonborn proudly stood there in the opening with a huge dopey smile on his dragonish face. His armor was a bright polished gold color with a rather large axe and shield strapped to his back. He thrust out his chest and proudly placed both hands on his hips.
Jeb sighed. "Xaxis, how many times do I have to tell you to use the door?"
The dragonborn lifted his head in thought, made a few calculations and then reached into his coin purse. He pulled out a few gold coins and handed them to Jeb.
"Here ya go! For today's repairs!" he said.
Jeb sighed and looked down, accepting the coins. "Thanks, Xaxis. I don't know what we would do without you," he said sarcastically.
The dragonborn walked right past him and plopped himself down on one of the stools surrounding the bar. "Gimmie a drink, the strongest you have!"
"You mean the usual Dwarven Ale?"
"That the strongest you have?"
"Yes, we don't have a large selection."
"I'll take a mug."
Firenz watched the entire scene and shook his head. This has been occurring for the past three weeks, ever since Xaxis moved into the town. He seemed to be rather fond of his ability to walk straight through walls, creating a Xaxis-shaped hole right through them. This was sadly the usual daily occurrence. He would enter the bar in any way, shape, or form but the door, pay for the repairs, and then proceed to knock himself out through his stomach. He even came through the ceiling before, and there were rumors that he popped up through the floor once. If it wasn't for his efforts to help repel invaders to the town, he'd surely be run out by now.
Firenz coughed silently. "Three, two, one-"
Right on cue, there was a loud slurping sound and a shout of "Two!" followed by a loud thunk as the dragonborn was knocked out cold by the alcoholic beverage, his head slammed down on the bar.
Firenz never understood why he always shouted a random number before knocking out, but on the very rare occasion he shouts a high number, like 19 or 20, and continues to sit on his stool, apparently unphased. Firenz tried hard to find the logic behind Xaxis' thinking, but failed to come up with anything.
He and Xaxis never talked much to each other. He just preferred to stay out of his way. Not that he was afraid of him, of course, but he just didn't want to have anything to do him. Also, he smelled kind of funny.
Firenz shook his head and continued to sip his cocoa.
Just then the door opened, letting more of the cold air inside. All eyes turned on the newcomer who actually used the door.
Standing in the frame was an athletically-built male human in a full suit of armor. A large sword was strapped to his back covered up by a shield with the symbol of Pelor, god of the sun. On the front of his plate armor was the symbol as well. He thrust out his chest and proudly placed both hands on his hips. He then loosened his posture and looked at the hole in the wall, confused. After staring at it for a few moments, he thrust out his chest again.
"Hello!" Jeb greeted him. "I've never seen you around here before! Who might you be?"
"I am Roman the Mighty," the guy declared with a friendly grin. "I just happened to stop by this town today and I'm looking for a drink!"
"Well, you came to the right place," Jeb smiled. "Please have a seat. I'll be right with you in a second."
Roman nodded and found an empty seat at the table where Firenz was seated.
"Hello, good sir!" Roman greeted Firenz.
"Hello yourself, Roman the Mighty," Firenz said back with a nod of acknowledgement.
"May I ask for your name?"
"I'm Firenz, the Lone Ranger. So what brings you here to Mirandus?"
"I have been travelling to different ancient ruins and lairs and slaying the monsters within, all in the name of Pelor."
"Soooooo... You're an adventurer, right?"
"Precisely, my friend!" Roman said, taking a gloved hand and giving Firenz a pat on the back.
"Interesting. It just so happens that I am an adventurer myself, albeit a retired one."
"Oh? What do you do?"
"I generally keep the monsters that decide to attack this town at bay. Call it helping the town guard if you will."
"That's pretty awesome. Say, what say you and I become friends?"
"Sounds pretty good! How long you planning on staying?"
"Gee, I dunno. I just got here today. I was just planning on staying the night and moving on."
"That's too bad. I pretty much live here. Decided to spend my retirement time here."
"What have you done throughout your career?"
While the two were conversing, Xaxis lifted his head off the surface of the bar, gave a wide smile to the rest of the bar and left the same way he came in: through the wall.
Jeb only sighed and shivered due to the now two openings to the outside world, letting cool air quickly replace the warm.
After watching the strange exit, Roman turned to Firenz and said, "Well, let's see how about getting myself a-"
Firenz cut him off with a raised hand. "Hold on. Listen." His usually smiling face was replaced with a frown of concentration. Just then there was a loud explosion and the shrill sounds of screaming quickly followed. What accompanied the screaming was the sound of thundering hooves striking the ground. It sounded like an army of them.
Both Firenz and Roman rushed outside (through the conveniently placed holes in the wall) to meet this threat, and it was a huge one. At least thirty bandits on horseback were present, riding through the town with swords and axes, slaughtering anyone who got in their way. They were pillaging and destroying as they pleased.
Firenz was usually the one who took care of such threats, but even this was out of his control. He needed help.
"Roman! See about asking Xaxis for help! I'll try to hold them off!"
"Who?"
"He's that guy in the armor that left through the wall over there!" he said, pointing him out.
However, Roman needed to not say anything, for Xaxis, obviously drunk, already had his huge axe and shield out, holding it in a threatening manner to the horsemen. He was pounding the shield with his axe, asking for any challengers. Sometimes he missed his shield and only swung at the air, nearly hitting himself in the face.
Two decided to take him up on his offer, and quickly approached him on both sides.
However, Xaxis didn't care, as he cleaved one of the horses in two with his mighty axe and brought it back down through the other, leaving the riders horseless. In angered frustration, the riders called for backup and soon about eight of them surrounded Xaxis. All he could do was raise his shield, and protect himself from incoming blows.
Roman, on the other hand, was busy himself. He had his large bastard sword drawn, ready to repel incoming bandits. He was surrounded himself. He was eyeing his surroundings, looking for an opening to attack.
Both of them seemed calm and collected for being under attack and Firenz admired this. They appeared to both be men who have seen combat many a time.
Firenz himself had his hands full. The horsemen surrounded him as well. His sword was drawn and he held it at his side, waiting for them to make a move.
One of them finally swung, but missed as he stepped to the side and gave him a deep cut from a counterattack. The man roared in pain and barked an order. All of the horsemen seemed to attack him at once. He seemed to dance around the flurry of steel as none of the weapons ever hit him. He returned the favor, but that seemed to do little with his little short sword. He looked over to the other two, and they appeared to be in trouble. Both of them had various gashes and appeared exhausted, bloodied from their wounds.
Firenz needed to do something and something fast.
"Well, I didn't want to do this, but you leave me no choice. Tenko ol' boy, it's time to come out of retirement," he said quietly to himself.
He made the horsemen stop in surprise as he calmly plucked a leaf from a nearby tree and placed it on his head. He held his sword upside down and plunged it between the cobblestones on the ground. Then he worked his hands in intricate gestures and spoke a few cryptic words.
Suddenly, there was a loud poof as he was surrounded with a white smoke. When it cleared, Firenz was gone, but a humanoid fox was in his place. He wore a tunic that was green on the top half, and red on the bottom half, split diagonally down the middle. A large quiver full of arrows was strapped to his back. His overall features were fierce in general and nine long fluffy tails fanned out behind him. Pinned to his clothing was a single brightly polished symbol of a sword surrounded by a lightning bolt.
He lifted his sword, which was now a greatsword, from the ground and hefted it on his shoulder. He met the eyes of the horsemen with a fierce gaze.
"W-who are you?" one of them demanded.
"My name's not important," the fox said. "Are you ready to fight me or what?"
Topic: Frostblight's Antics: Part One (Read 1265 times)