Payment of Past Crimes [PK]

[LeoRabbit99 360]

Across the lands, those who knew of Richard hear of his demise.

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

Richard awoke, his eyes lingering down his bed. Cradled in his arms was his two-year-old daughter, Marcella. Her brunette hair draped softly over Richard’s forearm as her delicate hand curled securely around Richard’s shirt. Her left-hand’s thumb sunk into her mouth as she snuggled comfortably. A warm, thick sheet blanketed the two. Richard hugged her embrace closer.

 

Among all his creations, among all his feats of alchemy or the void, among all his accomplishments in the kingdom of Halsworthy he built--never had he created something so cherished to him as his daughter...so innocent, so pure, so vulnerable. Day after day, the man would ache of his past. What he did, the burdens were numerous and overbearing, but all of that became irrelevant when in the company of his girl. She was his most precious treasure, and he would violently protect her to his dying breath. She was the only true light of his world, and he wouldn’t let anyone rob him of it. Richard loved Marcella, more than anything in the world.

 

The man had many potions to brew for his stall that day, but all that could wait. He didn’t want to wake her. He would remain until she was prepared for the day.

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

Richard rested in his typical chair in his stall, Marcella at his feet blissfully smacking two knick-knacks she discovered among the discarded junk of Sutica’s empty evicted housing. The stall had good sales that day, and the weather was well for that time of year. Thus far, all seemed pleasant that day.

 

Three men entered through the open archway of Sutica’s towering gates. They initially rushed to a few casual citizens talking with an aggressive demeanor. Richard’s expression jumped. Were they here to cause trouble? Perhaps they were raiders. He could not say, but he would take no chances, especially with his daughter present. He swiftly retreated into the store basement where he trusted that he could wait out the strangers’ visit. They noticed Richard fleeing, and quickly pursued.

 

“Come out, and answer our questions!” One of them shouted as they breached the potion store.

 

“You are trespassing on my property! Get out of my stall at once!” Richard roared, currently safe in his basement.

 

“Answer our questions, and we’ll be on our way!” Another demanded, each making an attempt to bust through the trap door that led to Richard’s basement. Ultimately one of the three succeeded, and down they all stormed to Richard and his daughter--two soldiers, and a particularly threatening hou-zi.

 

“Guards! Guards!” Richard shouted, the baby within his arms breaking out into a terrified wail, tears streaming down her soft face. Richard made a quick whack at one of the intruders with his staff as he approached closer, and it hissed harshly, an ethereal voice echoing from within the very wood of his staff. “Valah scum!” It shrieked. The hou-zi made an intimidating approach toward Richard, towering over Richard and his sobbing daughter with a growl.

 

It didn’t take long until the Cerulean Watch arrived. The three invaders and Richard heard footsteps from the plaza above. The men swiftly scaled the ladder and rose out of Richard’s basement to lay eyes with the watchman. Richard set the child in a small chair. He kissed her forehead, muttering softly a goodbye as if it was his last with a desperate gleam in his eye. He guessed that two guards couldn’t best this trio, so he would give them his aid if required. This was his shop, and the thing he held most dear in life was inside--he would protect it. He followed suit, moving up into the store.

 

The guards and the trio exchanged some words. It didn’t take long before it was apparent that tension was rising, and that the situation was on the brink of violence. Richard didn’t waste time. He put some distance between himself and them, beginning to focus to a spot nearby. His iris’s flashed a dark green hue, and he pointed his staff before him. From the ground began to manifest a human conjuration. First a series of bones cracked into existence that formed the frame of a strong man. The vital organs of the human anatomy suffused in the gaps of the ribcage and skull. A layer of thick muscle tissue grew from it, and finally, the entire body was covered with a layer of peach-colored flesh. The conjuration stood still, battle ready.

 

The trio scowled at the conjuration with outrage. “Necromancy! Dark Magic!” They chanted, quickly rushing toward Richard to cease him. Richard and his conjuration fought back, but they were overpowered. Before the guards able to stop the trio, they hastily spurted out of Sutica, Richard in their custody.

 

They took him to a tree near the gates and bound him to it with some rope. “What dark magic do you practice!” They growled, beginning to search Richard’s belongings--taking his staff and other valuables. He began to panic, thinking of his daughter. “My daughter, she’s still in the basement. Please, let me leave. I need to get back to her!” The man wheezed.

 

“Nay, you will face justice in Belvitz for your usage of dark magic!” They affirmed.

 

“It’s voidal magic, not dark! now let me return to my daughter! Please, she’s all alone! She needs someone!” Richard pleaded--though they would not have it. The hou-zi very roughly heaved Richard onto his shoulders, and with their captive, the group set out for Belvitz.

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

Within a week, the four arrived at Belvitz where they immediately brought Richard to the town hall for his trial. They allowed him one letter whilst they waited for Duke Ratibor to arrive, who would be conducting the trial. He wrote to Hiren, the child of his wife and best friend, who had slept and conceived together, his best friend, who was murdered by the hands of Richard himself for sleeping with his lover. Hiren was the living burden of Richard’s betrayal that he had to live with. He was the son he never had, yet a memory of his past treachery. He wrote to him to make sure Marcella was in good hands, hoping someone would care for his daughter. He knew the people of the empire, and that their zealotry would blind them from seeing reason. He wanted Marcella in good hands if he didn’t make it. Not only were the false accusations of his usage of dark magic a death sentence, but if they discovered who he was, what he truly had done, his fate would doubtlessly be sealed.

 

Richard had history with Belvitz and the rest of the empire during the dark times of his ghoul-days. Many folk of Belvitz did he slay--women, children, even the pontiff himself was not safe from his spree. Nearly 10 guards it took to defeat him, but always did he return to haunt the night-time roads of the empire. But not this time. His mortality was in his hands again, gifted to him by his the lich lord creator that cursed him with undeath.

 

Richard thought of his days before he was a twisted, crazed monster. He thought of his days in Halsworthy. Peacefully did he and his people live in the East Peaks, but prosperity is always short-lasted. The empire came from the west from Haense and crusaded his city for not adhering to their wicked beliefs. Many years did it take for them to siege through, but alas they eventually broke in and slaughtered the civilians in a bloodbath, Richard included. As a leader, they gave him the honors of an execution in front of his people.

 

Richard should have died there before his atrocities damned him to the darkest corners Ebrietaes, but those of the mortal plane weren’t done with him. Orsul the Lich Lord raised him so that he may utilize his skill in alchemy. He was forsaken, forgotten, shunned, abhorred, and forced to feast on the innocent flesh of Atlas so that he may drive away the maddening temptation of his ghoulish hunger, which in the end, always overtook him. He was broken and fragmented. What other choice did he have, but to ravage the empire and the church, who were the causation of his damnation?

 

Richard heard the door of the town hall open as he sat in his chains. He lifted his head up and watched as the duke entered and sat at the podium.

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

Ratibor slammed his hammer on the court. "I hereby call such into session, the case of the People of Adria versus, uh...did it have a name?” He turned to Richard. “Your name?"

 

“Arthur Wood.” Richard replied.

 

“A name truly fit for a heretic!” A man from the crowd called out.

 

"I do not know my rights. I request someone to represent me!" Richard called out whilst he stepped forth.

 

“You have no rights, Sutican!” Yet another member of the overseers roared. Richard let a low-toned growl slip from his exasperated expression, though he remained silent. He couldn’t lose his temper. He needed to stay strong, for his daughter. All that mattered now was returning to her safely.

 

“The People of Adria versus Arthur Wood!” Ratibor said. ”I call the Count of Auvergne to the bench, to enumerate the charges laid against Arthur Wood as prosecutor of Adria." The duke announced.

 

"He is charged with witchcraft, assault, and heresy, my fair duke." The man replied.

 

Ratibor: "Arthur Wood is hereby then charged with witchcraft, assault, and heresy by the People of Adria. Opening statements shall now be made. Arthur Wood, approach the bench."

 

Richard approached, lugging the giant weighted shackled on his angle along.

 

"Please make an opening statement, man known by name of Arthur Wood!"

 

Richard pursed his lips, taking a deep breath from his nose and several seconds to collect his thoughts. “It-”

 

"Prosecution, opening statement if you would." Ratibor interrupted.

 

“I was making my opening statement as you asked!” Richard protested.

 

Ratibor slammed his hammer on the court. "Silence, defendant! Silence in the courthouse for the prosecution's statement!"

 

“Old man, you took to long.” A man from the crowd scoffed. Richard bit his tongue as the prosecutor spoke, but kept quiet.

 

Auvergne: "We walked into the city. We wished only to purge the spooks we knew were there. I will admit we broke into this man's stall, where he assaulted me with his staff. Afterward, we went back outside, the guard of Sutica rallied, we told them we meant no harm, they backed off, this man conjures some skeletal being and tries to attack us. That's more or less it. We defeated him with ease and none of his citizens helped him, so he is clearly evil--forsaken by his own town.”

 

Ratibor: "Thank you, Count of Auvergne. The court accepts your statement. The court shall now accept and review evidence. Arthur Wood, do you have any evidence to present to the court?"

 

Richard: "Witnesses--in their story, they left massive parts out. May I at least give a defense?"

 

Ratibor slammed his hammer on the court. "Order, order in the court!"

 

Richard: "You asked me a question?!"

 

Ratibor leered to Richard. "The court has asked for evidence, Arthur of Wood. Do have any to provide? Further statements shall be made."

 

Richard blinked in befuddlement. He had no knowledge on how these proceedings were to be handled. “Nothing more than they can provide--asking the witnesses that saw the event unfold.”

 

Ratibor: "Prosecution! Please approach the bench and present any evidence for review."

Gawain d'Auvergne stood from his seat, producing a single oaken staff as evidence. "The staff was used to conjure such skeletal creature, it is likely the catalyst to his powers."

Ratibor: "What say you in your defense, Arthur Wood?"
 

Richard: "It's just a nit-knack I bought from a magical goods store, years ago." He glanced over to the majority of the people in the room. "Likely bought before most of these folks were even born. I've had it for years, and do not know its creator--but I assure you it does nothing to harm, except hurl racial remarks.”

 

Janislav: "Objection." he rose a finger. "If a staff is needed, he is likely capable of conjuring such on his own, but needs the staff for help in his devilish art--likely brain-damaged from birth."

 

Ratibor: "Thank you, good raev Fellow. The court recognizes Arthur Wood’s lack of brain power."

 

Richard grunted, but still yet remained passive to the remarks. He lifted his chin up, yelling out.  “Objection!”

 

Ratibor: “The court shall now hear the objection of Arthur Wood."

 

Arthur Wood: "It should be noted that I can prove my innocence if a voidal expert is brought in." He looked to Janislav, then back to the judge. "One not biased." He paused, speaking after several seconds. "Definitively." He added.

 

Ratibor took a few moments to think it through, eventually responding. “This court doesn’t recognize the void. Objection denied.”

 

“Objection!” Another called out.

Ratibor: "The court shall hear Alderman Constantine's objection!"

 

"The defendant should not be making untoward comments about the fair citizens of Adria in our courtroom." Constantine said, a few of men behind him nodding.

Ratibor: "The court recognizes the Alderman Constantines objection. Please apologize, Arthur Wood."

 

Richard growled, murmuring spiteful curses under his breath in outrage. This was nothing more than a session to continuously bash the ones they deemed guilty prior to the trial even starting. Nonetheless, the old man reluctantly apologized. "I'm sorry." He said whilst biting his teeth, looking downward

 

Ratibor: “We shall move unto the cross-examination phase. The prosecutor shall now question the defense, and then the prosecution shall be questioned by the defense. Prosecutor, begin your examination!"

 

Auvergne: "Well, one question I have you lad. You claim this being you conjured was simply of magical power and an entity that did not actually exist. If that was the case, why did you decide to conjure up an undead? You knew we were there looking for spooks, and you thought it smart to conjure up one to stop us? It makes little sense."
 

Richard: “I didn’t conjure an undead. It was a merely a developing human conjuration. I didn’t know what you were there for, and I was trying to stop the three of you from hurting me or my daughter.”

 

Auvergne: "And it sealed your fate. I have no other questions, this is a pretty close and shut case." He said as he sat down.

 

"He admits to being a mage! Scandalous!" Constantine said.

Ratibor: "Thank you, prosecution. Defense! You may begin your questioning of the prosecution."

 

Richard shook his head irritably. He knew nothing he said would help him. “This trial has been rigged from the start. This isn’t a fair trial. If I won’t get a fair hearing, then I demand a trial by combat.”

 

“A trial by combat is for only those with residence in the empire. Can you prove yourself a citizen of the empire?” Ratibor inquired.

 

“No.” Richard said with a stern growl.

 

So, back to the trial…” Ratibor began, though Richard cut him off.

 

Richard’s tension at last bursted, fingers shooting into a clenched fist. A dark green aura slowly encompassed his frame, and his voice echoed through the room with his presence. Many men arose, hands grasping the hilts of their swords. “This city...is a joke, this trial is a joke to you.” His eyes narrowed to Ratibor, pointing to him. “You are a joke. I will get no justice here. If this is where I end, I will die here with pride--and not licking the boots of the likes of you!”

 

“Order, order in the court! Guards! Guards!” Ratibor yelled as Richard continued.

 

“Allow me to introduce myself, duke. I am Richard Baruch, Old Court Mage of Halsworthy, Walker of the Afterlife, Creator of Monsters, The Belvitz Terror, and Weaver of the Quintessential. And Although I didn’t commit these particular crimes I am currently being charaged with, I salugtered your people like the disgust you are. I wish I was guilty of what you think I did, and that I could drain each and everyone one of you of your miserable worthless lives.”

 

“Detain him! Take him away!” The duke uproared. Many of the overseers were up, either moving to safety at the edge of the room or approaching the booming mage with weapons drawn. A few passing guards busted in upon hearing the commotion, trailing closely behind. While Richard slowly moved toward the pontiff, lugging the weighted shackle behind, one of the guards butted his noggin with the hilt of his blade, and slowly, the man’s vision faded as he drifted into unconsciousness.

 

He woke up to a splash of a bucket of water. It didn’t take him long to recapture his position. A heavy rock was tied tightly to Richard’s ankle. He was down near the river of Belvitz, many bystanders overseeing his execution. Richard looked to Ratibor, spitting in his face. “I’m not going to beg.” He affirmed.

 

The duke spit back, cursing Richard off as he shoved him into the water. “Truly a blessed day.” He called out.

 

Richard collapsed into the water with a splash, slowly sinking to the bottom from the weight of the large rock bound to him. Thirty seconds in, Richard began to squirm helplessly in the water. His oxygen quickly escaped. Within five minutes, nothing was left, except a floating corpse in the river, whose sinful soul was damned to the mercy of Aeriel’s wrath. Richard claimed his vengeance, but everything has a price, and the bill always comes due.

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

OOC: Wow...giving up a character like Richard for me is like giving a part of myself up. I know this is just a minecraft roleplay server, but when you wait to come home every day to immerse yourself into a character’s world nearly every day for one and a half year, it becomes a part of you. I firmly believe in PK clauses in most kinds of deaths, so I do not regret my decision...but that still doesn’t change feelings. I played Richard from a mischievous, playful kid, to his prime, to a grumpy, senile old man. I’ve watched him grow and develop as a character. I’ve cried several times playing this character--getting so immersed with the character that you just break out into utter emotion. Make fun of me for it, laugh at me, but I admit it. Losing Richard is like losing a friend. I will never forget Richard, and all the fun times I’ve had playing on him. All the fun people I’ve met with him, and all the crazy **** we’ve been through with each other. Funny, how a make-believe concept on a mineman server can make such an impact. Rest in Peace, Richard Well Baruch...

 

P.S. Formatting is a *****

[TheTri 384]

A fallen member of Aeriel’s chosen expels a soft sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “And here I thought you could be redeemed,” he mused, vibrantly glowing teal irises suddenly being inundated by a dense green aura. The Demi-Ascended stepped into his sleeping-quarters, unlocking a large storage box and lifting its lid to reveal a set of aged chain armor. Piece by piece, he equipped the armor, standing upright with a soft huff, stretching his arms out above his head and releasing an exhausted yawn afterward, “I suppose the lack of corruption appearing here was merely a brief era,” the Soulstream-bound Holy mage utters, sparks of green lightning manifesting into existence with small pops and cackles around his thin frame, “Into the deserts I go. . .” With that, Nin began offward, a distinct sadness present in the way he walked, and a frown plastered on his visage as he ventured to the of darkest parts of Aeriel’s realm to annihilate his closest friend.

 

 

This particular man’s child, and Richard’s step-son, lays curled up in the corner of his bedroom in Sutica, whimpering softly as a letter arrives bearing the word of what happened to Richard. He cried for what seemed like hours, losing a close bond that could never be regained. Hiren was distraught. Even when no more tears were coming out of his aquamarine eyes, his shoulders shook and he sniffled repeatedly, “**** **** ****!” the elf hissed, leather-clad hands furling up into tight balls, “WHY?!” His sadness and agitated mumbling quickly grew into irritable shouts and frustration. Hiren drew a hand up into the air, before slamming it into the aged wooden floorboards of the house that used to belong to Richard, a low creak emanating from them. “WHY?!“ he screamed once more, throwing his head back against the wall behind himself, hands trembling and legs tense. The monstrously tall mali sprung to his feet, deciding that some things had to change. 

[Faewilds 218]

A long mage would gently lay down a child to rest her eyes closed as she drifted off into sleep. The woman would hum a soft lullaby before gently tucking in the child as she brushed the hair from the child’s face. “My student. No my friend Richard. I could not save you I was too late to do anything. For that I hope you can forgive me. I will care and watch over your daughter, making sure she knows of the great things you did so rest easy my friend rest well Richard.” 

Serenity would hum as she finished putting the child to rest an old wooden staff resting near the sleeping child as she moved to sit and watch over the sleeping girls form. 

 

Ooc: It’s so sad to see Richard gone but he was an excellently made character and I hope you enjoyed your time on him. I do look forward to where the future of your rp brings you as you are great at it. 

[HurferDurfer1 2979]

Coltaine welcomes Richard to the after life.

[Unwillingly 18133]

Word spreads like wildfire about the infamous Richard Baruch’s death, soon reaching the ears of Cyrene. She had not cried at first, though once alone, she sobbed until she could no longer, screamed until her voice gave out, and beat the forests trees until her fists grew bloody. For a friend who had shown her so much care when she was at her lowest, nothing could remove the absolute pain and anguish she felt, even if he was not favored by most across Atlas. For days, she only sat in the corner of a quiet and dank room, biting at her nails as she sat there in deep thought of her old friend. She couldn't stop thinking about him.

“I’m so sorry for everything I’ve done, Richard. Take it easy, my friend.” 

((I totally understand how you feel about the PK. People get attached to their characters and I understand that completely, and I’m sure a lot of other players do as well. It’s how I feel about Cyrene, really. Sad to see such an interesting character go ?

Take it easy Leo, and happy new year!))

[CanadianKiwiFlight 1901]

Mystery Uialben ******* books it to take out every potion in Richard’s shop after hearing the news. “Welp.. Looks like a fellow ex-criminal bites the dust. Cya bud.” The elf lad would shed a tear for Richard.. while filling his bag up with trust potion after trust potion. 

 

(( Enjoy your new year Leo, we all have a hard time PK-ing characters, (whether people wanna admit it or not) and that’s completely fine~ Remember at the end of the day we’re all just nerds on a MC server lookin’ tah do some weird nerd stuff. )) 

[EnderMaiashiro 664]

Celanea lowers her head at the news of the death of yet another of Halsworthy, “I am sorry to hear of your passing, llir. Thank you for offering your help when I needed it most.... Ito nae elahern'wyrvun… ito elannil'wyrvun…” Her head raised once more, though her ears remained slightly lowered as she decided to pay Halsworthy a visit for the first time since she heard of Giles Curthose’s death.

[Vindicant 642]

Somewhere, an old man raises a drink to an old friend.

[Skyrunner 257]

Utaria Helenson-Anarion first heard the news in the Sutican square. She balled her hands into fists and closed her eyes tight trying to fight back tears, but eventually they flowed freely. These tears were not only because she had come to respect Richard as a staple of Sutica life, but also because his death was a direct result of her failures.

The incident had already replayed in her mind several times prior, but she let different scenes flash up in her mind at different times. She saw the gatehouse, the bell, and the first gate of the city all clearly. She was made a Guard Officer only one and a half year prior to that day. The dwed sat under the memo tree protecting her most treasured possession when she heard Richard cry out for help. For those outside of Sutica, they wouldn’t know that these cries were usual affairs. However this time, Utaria could clearly see the trio break into his stall, and she moved to the bell. Her first goal was to ring it so that she may get all the guards she could. Her second goal was to get the trio to leave without blood shed. “How naive” her present self thought as the visions flashed by, “believing all my problems could be solved by peace.”

It was clear, however, to her past self that the situation was getting out of hand so she decided an alternate solution was in order. Lure them into the gatehouse so that she may trap them. Unfortunately, this would never happen. Richard was attacked an dragged out of the city before she could even respond. “Failure,” she thought to herself.

She’d watch from the gates while they stripped his body. She only watched. She made no attempt to dissuade them after they had left the city. She had made no attempt to recover Richard’s body. She kept silent and watched.

As they left, she shook her head. She had no idea were the bandits were going but she had it solid that couldn’t have been from Belvitz or Imperials of any kind. They had acted undignified. They had not recognized cultural aspects of the Empire. Nor did they seem to care. Even if Utaria at this point searched through the records, she wouldn’t find anything as the trial was under a fake name.

Present day Utaria left the square sniffling and crying, though able to let out a small laugh, though it wouldn’t be recognized through the tears. “Goodnight Dress-Man“ 

[1_Language_1 1671]

A dead man squints from the seven skies, wondering how anyone could survive the insanity and chaos that was known as the Belvitz Court System.

 

Then he wondered how he survived his trial.

. . .

Matthias now has something in common with Marcella! Dead fathers!

[Chase 3793]

Evar'tir read the report of the execution, broght to him by an Avchirran scout, letting out a light chuckle. 

 

"Good riddence. Atlas is better without him"

 

 

 

It sucks pking a character that you've had for a while, but good on you for staying true to your clauses

[Gizzol 252]

Tepah dances in his fiery torment as another joins him in the heavens

[The Templar 195]

A lone woman slowly sets her tea down as she quietly listens in to conversation about the dead mage. A sigh, a frown. “I always knew his mouth would get him into trouble somewhere.. I’m surprised it was in Belvitz, though.” She’d quietly lift her tea, taking a brief moment of silence before smiling softly, “At least I’m free from his foolishness, now.”

Yet further beyond, as the damned ascends to the realm of Ebrietas to suffer, a lone soul with eyes of glittering emerald watches from his place in Palhalla. “Did I not offer you salvation, Richard Baruch? Now you are damned forevermore to suffer Aeriel’s cruel torments..” As the soul spake, he’d make the sign of the Lion and cast his gaze back towards the ivory throne for but a moment. “When the time is right, we will meet again, old friend..”

((Congratulations for having the stones to go through with it, Leo. The longer you’ve held a character, the harder the loss is. I wish you luck in your next endeavor, be it what it may. o7))

[LeoRabbit99 360]

On 12/31/2018 at 9:52 PM, Anthony303 said:

A fallen member of Aeriel’s chosen expels a soft sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “And here I thought you could be redeemed,” he mused, vibrantly glowing teal irises suddenly being inundated by a dense green aura. The Demi-Ascended stepped into his sleeping-quarters, unlocking a large storage box and lifting its lid to reveal a set of aged chain armor. Piece by piece, he equipped the armor, standing upright with a soft huff, stretching his arms out above his head and releasing an exhausted yawn afterward, “I suppose the lack of corruption appearing here was merely a brief era,” the Soulstream-bound Holy mage utters, sparks of green lightning manifesting into existence with small pops and cackles around his thin frame, “Into the deserts I go. . .” With that, Nin began offward, a distinct sadness present in the way he walked, and a frown plastered on his visage as he ventured to the of darkest parts of Aeriel’s realm to annihilate his closest friend.

 

[Zombiefide 124]

“Ha! Richard Nae dead. Ye be foolish te believe t’e stories o’v mortals.” Jualia Willow rolls her eyes upon hearing the news. “Ah’ve known t’at sword swoller fer mos’ meh loife. Tricky son o’v uh mule probably in ‘idin.. foker owes meh money any a ways, an’ ‘e’d never die wit’ote payin up. Ah forbit t’e Morghuul.” She says with a hardy laugh.. “’e’ll beh back.. Ah promise...”

 

(-1. No darkstalkers.)