The Black Lance

[Cassandra Verdottir 8]

A flier of regal appearance is posted amongst the populated locations around Asulon. The page is headed by a picture of lance, its color dark as the night sky. A large crowd of various ethnicity is huddled around, speaking of a man who claims to know the secret to fortune. You’re intrigued as you hear words such as gold, money, and power thrown about the air. Do you step forward to read on?

The Black Lance

Common folk of Asulon, I call you forth on this fateful day to offer an opportunity. One of success, wealth, and happiness. The general populaces live in poverty under the leadership of so called nobles and kings. I myself am a man of exuberant wealth, this I cannot lie about. The difference lies in that I wish to give back. I, Lord Bauldry the third, proclaim to be a defender of the lowly, the meek, and the humble! No, I do not call for rebellion. I only ask that you, the people, join my band of mercenaries in order for a better life. I seek out warriors, the adventurers, the scholars; any and all who may offer a service in exchange for their loyalty. Heed my offer and pin a note below if interested, and you shall be informed with further details. May the Creator walk with ‘ye this day.

Underneath is a second note that is titled, ‘Joining’. It shares a similar appearance with the original page.

If Interested

If you are inquiring about joining, please simply write a short biography of yourself. We wish for this to include thy name, race, current age, and skill that you have to offer. We also need information so that you may be tracked down and contacted. Those who join the band will be given a free home, well, farm, two sets of clothing (One casual set and another for militaristic activities), and a pay that is negotiable. Your home will not be subject to any taxes or the like, as long as you honor the agreement accepted upon initiation. We also believe in a system of self reliance, so goods are shared amongst people, with the exception of money and personal belongings. Anything within your homes will not be disturbed.

OOC information and Members information

All knowledge past this point is to be taken as out of character unless you are part of the group.

Purpose

The purpose of the Black Lance is to bring together a family of sorts. While at heart they are a group of mercenaries and warriors, they partake in their own cultural activities, events, and so forth. There is a darker ulterior motive, one which is withheld from the public.

Questions & Answers

Where is it located? – It is located near Arethor. You’ll have to wait to be accepted if you wish to know the exact location.

Do I need a villain application to join? – In short, no. The group itself does not partake in criminal activity. However the leadership aren’t the purest of people, and we do have accepted VAs.

Is this just another generic mercenary/explorer group? – To an outsider you may consider it such. You wouldn’t understand fully how we operate and live unless you are part of the group.

Are you rebels? – Once again, no. Bauldry specifically worded the letter like that to specifically target the peasants and lower class.

Do you have to be a fighter to join? – Not at all! Farmers, blacksmiths, lumberjacks, spies, wizards, everyone is accepted!

Are you a city/town? – Not really. While we aren’t nomadic, we don’t necessarily live at a permanent residence.

Is this restricted to humans? – No. As said in the main post, we accept people of all ethnicity, whether they are human, dwarven, or even a kha!

Ranks

Prospective – Those who have shown an interest in joining the group though have yet to undergo the initiation ritual yet.

Aspirant – Once a member has been fully initiated they are spoken of as Aspirants. During this time they integrated within the culture and lifestyle until they are fully ready to be a ‘Black Lance’.

Acolyte – These are the people who have shown that they are ready for the life that is expected within the commune. The make up the main workforce and military of the group.

Adept – This is more of a title of honor than of any true merit. Once a member has been recognized for their dedication to the group through either veteran status or performing an extraordinary deed, they are promoted to Adept.

Regent – Handpicked by the Overseer for their leadership capabilities. They make sure everything within the camp is running smoothly, whether it is with food production to weapon smithing. They are also the ones who lead the soldiers in to any sort of battles or tasks they were hired for.

Overseer – The second in command of the group, chosen by Bauldry himself. The commune is unsure of what his true job or intentions are, other than the fact that he selects the Regents. The Overseer is suspected of being a long time friend of the Master.

Master – The rank of the leader of the commune. Currently held by Lord Bauldry, who maintains the group and cares for them. He works along side the Overseer to assure the success of the pact. He’s also responsible for distributing pay and obtaining contracts for the group.

[Vandrid 0]

*Vandrid perks up at the offer of wealth and subsequently begins to write down his application"

Name: Vandrid

Race: Human

Age: 19

Skill: I am an able swordsman, although not perfect, and can easily do any guard work you may need. I also am quite adept at logging.

About myself: I am hail from Arethor, lived there as part of the working class and have known hard labor most of my entire existence. I ended up having to educate myself, learning how to read and write and eventually fight. Now I mostly travel the roads but frequent Arethor as I still have a soft spot for it being my hometown and all.

Apologies if my note was too formal or not as flamboyant as you may have expected. Though I hope you will seek me to join your group as it seems rather pleasant.

[Octovian 12]

*A formal note is printed below Vandrid's*

Hello, Vandrid. You seem like an able fighter and loyal worker. A crow carrying our whereabouts will be delivered to you shortly. I'd also like to state that your letter was of fine length. We look forward to meeting you soon.

-Bauldry

[Turgon 0]

Name:

Turgon Seregon (Hakuza)

Age:

26

Race:

Human

Skill:

My skills are consist of Swordsmanship mainly, but I can do most kinds of labour if necessary and have a keen "eye", so am more than adequate to scout and do cloak and dagger work if needed.

About myself:

I am from a village in the Northern reaches of Human territory and have a family background as well as personal a background in Blacksmithing, but most recently in the past years, I have undergone mercenary work and have been employed under the Knight, Ser Grim-beard. I am a strong and reliable man, that always pays his debts no matter how small. I have for the longest time hardened myself through battle after battle and learnt that one must struggle tooth and nail to the top, if he wishes to achieve anything, so you can be sure that I will do my job to the highest of standards.

Also I would like to add, my stay may be only temporary, as I will soon be the Chief Footman under a new found household, which am going to presume may be full time work.

(Also I was invited by Octovian10)

[Yoff 328]

*Hawkes note is posted beside the poster, nailed up with small stakes of wood.*

Name:

Hawkes the Pale ((MC: Icelifreakx))

Age:

"I am 17, Young but a Man grown nevertheless."

Race:

I believe I'm a human. ((He is a half-elf, but his father never told him.))

Skill:

I am a Lumberjack for house Amedaius, which has made me a good logger as well as a carpenter. Farming has been closely related to my survival as a peasent, but my practise with it, is not the best. I am an avid swordfighter, hunting for my Minas. I know most words in Orcish and know how to read and write, which is rare from peasants.

About myself:

I am a swordsman for the most part, but a Lumberjack by trade. My father is missing and I have never met my mother. I am seeker of knowledge, and travelling is a part of me. I am hail of Old Seventis, moved to smaller villages along with my dad, until he had dissapeared. I know nothing of mercenary work, but the Mina I currently gain are too low for me to afford food, and much less a residence.

[Octovian 12]

* A note is pinned under the application of Hawkes *

You soon shall be contacted and escorted to our encampment.

-Bauldry

[MrZombie 34]

Im Zhiek Rose and was recruited by Lord Bauldry.

[Timothy 5]

*breaks off a small piece of slime from the left over slime ball, attaching a sealed envelope under the recruitment poster*

Name~

Timothy Smith

Age~

19 years of age

Race~

Human

Skill to offer~

I, Timothy, offer many skills that you may inquire, such as my master skill at smithing and mining. I am also skilled with swords, and can provide defense if needed.

Something about my life~

I was grown and raised by a father that always came home with an empty mug in one hand, and himself a mess, his clothes ripped, or perhaps his hair a mess, and scars of sorts. I always did understand he tend to get in bar fights half the times he went to a bar. Once I turned 18, he kicked me out of our house, and said it in his drunken voice - " Get ye ownsh life! *Burp* I did me bidding! " And with that already said, he fell to the floor asleep. But I decided he went to far this time, so I set off somewhere knew, Ager, the town next to Arethor. It's there I met some of my friends today, but unfortunately I stopped communicating with them as much. I wanted to get better in my own skills, in shame, leaving them a bit behind. I found this poster at the cloud temple, where I went to calm myself, and decided I might need knew friends.

Leave a message under this, or if ye wish to contact me, I own a house in Ager, clearly labeled with my name

(( I could go a lot more into detail with my bio, but I didn't want to spam the whole post, it may look like the scenes randomly skip because I tried to make it short. ))

[Octovian 12]

*A note is posted directly below that of Timothy.*

Ah, you live in Ager? Our encampment is but a short walk from the settlement. It is located in the settlement once known as Idlicia. Please, visit any time and we may discuss your employment.

-Bauldry

[Eredor~ 8]

*sees the information and instantly likes what he sees*

Name: Eredor

Age: 16

Race: Wood Elf

Skill to offer: I am a very skilled archer and can take down most things within 250 metres depending on the quality of my bow and the speed at which my target is moving. ((within the limits of mc really))

Something About My Life: My parents were a brother and sister that fell in love at a young age. I hate slavers with all my soul as I was caught by one at a young age and they attempted to sell me. I have trained with a bow since the age of 3 and am currently working on my swordsmanship skills. I have spent the past few days travelling and have felled roughly 75 ghasts, 10 blaze and 20 zombie pigmen.

My Full Bio:

Appearance: He is an average heightwood elf with a light brown skin and crimson eyes. He has dirty blonde hair, asmost wood elf do and is fairly muscular.History:As a child Eredor adored playing with his bow. He would go out, deep into the dark forest, all by himself, and hunt down the animals that resided there. His parents were Qwen and Aranel, a brother and sister who had fallen madly in love at a young age, and had him.They had later been slain by minions of the evil Iblees. As a young teen Eredor was not what you would call cautious. He would storm around the streets talking to strangers and entering the houses of random people. One day he had been wandering the streets when he saw a house with it's door open. The sweet,enticing scent of apple pie wafted out. Eredor wandered closer. He entered the house searching for the source of the rich smell. Suddenly he heard the door close and a musty smelling bag was secured over his head. He felt himself being picked up, before he was swung into a window ledge, knocking him out cold. When he awoke he was in a cage. He was worried as his surrounding were not familiar to him. He saw a note hanging on a door, it said "Young woodelf slave, 2500minas starting bid, He is muscular and has crimson eyes. Very rare" Eredor started to panic, he threw himself at the cage bars trying to break free. After hours of repeating this practice he noticed a key, sitting on thetable, right next to him. He quickly snatched it up desperately hoping it was the right key. He tried it in the lock and the door swung open. He jumped out and sprinted off, but to his dismay, a heavy guard stood not five feet away.The guard noticed him and tried to grab him. Eredor sunk his teeth deep into the flesh of the mans hand and continued running, listening to the horrific screams of the guard as he ran of into the night.

As he grew older he became tired of hunting the slow animals of the forest and began venturing deeper and deeper in, were the evil monsters thrived. By then his arrows would always fly straight and true, piercing through the air, hurtling towards the weakest spots on his enemies bodies. One day though, things did not go his way. He had spent thepast hour in the woods hunting, and had worked up quite a sweat. He lay down in a small hollow of a large tree. It was warm and musty in there, the smell of pine tree reminded him of home. Tired and with heavy eyes, he slowly drifted off to sleep. He awoke to the sound of snorting. He rubbed his eyes sleepily and stared up, straight into the eyes of a pig demon. It lunged at him and he rolled to the side, his bow was laying discarded, to faraway for him to reach, but his arrows weren't. The demon swung at him with its word and he drew an arrow, whipping it up to block the strike. The demon swung again. Eredor brought up the arrow to block another strike but was surprised as the demon change the direction of its swing. The sword sliced across the side of his belly and he moaned in pain. In one desperate attempt he lunged forward plunging the arrow deep into the monster. It screamed in pain and ran off.Then, Eredor blacked out.

He awoke a second time, bleeding and wounded.He got up, grabbing a discarded branch to use for support, and set off home. He spent many a day and many a night healing himself, tending to his wounds. When his strength returned, he decided it was time to find himself a mate. But never a day has passed, when he has not sat there, staring at his scar. Eredor still remembers the day when he was kidnapped, destined for slavery. He loaths all the slavers in asulon for what they did to him and wishes to destroy them.He knows it shall not be easy and often fears he will break under the pressure of the many he will kill. But he knows he must not, and that he must be strong.((It may turn out he does break depending on how rp turns out, If this happens I will proably do a miniapp for 2b))

Send me a bird ((forum message)) If you would like my assistance.

[ULTRA LORD 25]

*A slip of paper appears to have detached and fallen into a puddle. You catch a glance of it and pick it up. It is drenched and torn, but the ink is still readable, depite a few spelling mistakes.*

It reads:

Lord Bauldry,

My name's Adras "Blacklake" Dimitri. I grew up with my father Oddn in Solace. When I turned 16 I left Solace to see what await me out in the world. I am now 25. I came across your flyer and am interested in joining. Since I grew up in a small farmstead, I know what a difficult life it is to sustain. I wish to aid those in need of a kind hand. I trained myself with my father's sword that I am carrying right now. I can take a couple untrained foes or monsters, but I need more training. I also learned to farm, and even a bit of woodworking, but I doubt that would be useful. You can find me around the cloud temple, usually sitting on the ledge of the Dwarven bridge. I hope you consider me to join your ranks, I would be honored.

And yes, I'm a human.

I also w- *The rest of the note is too smudged to read ((useless info))*

((IG name is xgecko54)))

[Zarious_Jr 3]

*A piece of paper catches Zarious Eyes, as he reads over his desire to join grows*

Name: Zarious

Race: Human

Age: 22

Skill: I am Master Blacksmith, and I am very well trained to be an axeman, and also have Intermediate archery skills. Also I can use my skills to Fletch arrows.

About Myself: . I dwell in Arethor for the most part, and regularly stock my stall by the bank. My father was a general of a grand army that fought undead battles...and won. He has trained me and taught me everything he knows. I will not back down and stand my ground until my death. I am trustworthy to my allies, and decisive with the enemy. I have heard few men talk under their breathe of The Black Lance. Trough my days in Arethor I have had contact with what I believe are members of The Black Lance and if so, I know that I will be able to function properly among members.

*Zarious's application is formally rolled up and tied with a golden ribbon.*

[MrZombie 34]

((Octavion, why do i never see you around the camp. Also... its been a week, you promised me pay :P))

[ULTRA LORD 25]

((I haven't heard from him recently, last time was a few days ago. Hope he's not on vacation or something))

[Maxxorlord 3]

His application is pinned to the board, a piece of old rugged paper, with a few spelling errors.

Name: Domicus

Race: Human

Age: 20

Skill: I am a vetran swordsman, but far from mastering the art. I am also rather adept at mining.

A bit about myself: I was born in Oren, I grew up on a farmstead in the wilds with my small family. When I was sixteen, my father wanted me to take over the farm. I, of course, had no want to do this. I wanted to be a soldier, and fight among heroes, and serve the Empire. So, I ran away to Aethor, the capital of Oren. I have been staying there ever sense, and have been looking for work, for the large sum of minas I took with me has dwindled to but a meager two hundred. I know no one, and am running out of food and money. That is why I wish to join the Black Lances.

Signed, Domicus