HappyShackles

Lorethos frowns, stepping forward and looking up towards the man who had threatened Kael. Kael, confident in his abilities, had prepared yet more of his throwing knives from his belt, but Lorethos was now between Kael an the man aiming the bow. Lorethos spoke to the man above, holding the boy. "Arrogance breeds nothing but a sickening disgust. Let your arrow fly at me if you desire it, but not the boy. For though your thoughts on yourself appear extraordinarily diluted, his may be even moreso, and it becomes the blind leading the blind when shadows such as yourself step into a light that justice can smite you in. Retreat to your filth." Lorethos' eyes flashed blue atop their lustful emerald, a calm wisdom pervading his tone. He held only his stave an made no effort to reach for his sword. He was not fearful, even with the knowledge of the likelihood of an arrow piercing him as he gave his words like scolding a child to the bow-wielding man.

The sound of a click as a mechanism beneath Kael's wrists activates rings out. Three throwing knives jump forth between his fingers, and in an unpredictable and rapid motion he launches them one at a time at the charging man.

((Careful. OOC presumptions about anything regarding your character's relationship or relative ability, positive or negative, is power gaming. Not doubting that your character could do that, but you don't know her character at all, her play style, and so on. Not trying to scold you, just wanted you to be aware of the easily perception-dependent form of power gaming.))

((Would being a part of another gang (Damned Queen) hinder my ability to enter my character (Kael, a safecracker and deceiver) into the group, assuming my application would be up to par?))

A blonde man, his pointed ears that would show his impure sub-humanity concealed by a dark grey, nearly black cap observed the exchange with a grin at the sound of womanizing degradation. He flipped his eyepatch up to get a better view of the conflict. "Ye ain't much, girly. Could toss a knife 'tween yet eyes right quick. Come an' serve me if ya be begging' for it, I be quite the right fella to fight for!" Kael laughed out loud at his threat and insult, quite satisfied with himself, though placing a hand on the hilt of one of his many daggers. "I got lots o' killin', stealin', and things like that ta do! I'm a bloody master o' disguise ya know, name's Kael. I be thinkin' a lass like yerself's right nice ta have swingin' a sword. Firebrand like ya!" As Kael finishes speaking, a silver, onyx encrusted stave of a pureblooded child of Horen struck the young blonde half-elf's head. He grunted and turned, rubbing his head. A man with lengthy dark hair with a few grey strands in it and lustful green eyes similar to Kael's, though with a physical manifestation of aged wisdom in the faint blue glow eminating from the whites, stood astute in a black robe with golden trim. "Be polite, boy. She may be acting unlike one with her boasts and threats, but she is still a lady." The older man, Lorethos, turns to the girl in her defensive position. "My lady, I assure you walking about with a sword waved and claiming your superiority is a very simple way to be lost in the rabble of statistic casualties in such a catastrophically conflicted land such as Asulon. Consider many people that have killed so many compared to you. People who have fought with and against the undead... People who have slain great men. I beg of you, if you wish to play sellsword, then sell your sword. Don't offer yourself to injury over it. However, if you feel yourself truly aimless, I am of the Mage's Guild and a Knight affiliated with Renatus. I will take on a squire... I have some work that I may not like to dirty my hands in as well." ((Both characters have accepted VA's for 1, 2a, 2b, and 4. Kael is a young, says-what-he-thinks criminal. He steals, robs, vandalizes not only for the money and power, but for the thrill of it. He thinks himself invincible, but in reality if he gets too close to someone, if they're as fast as him, he doesn't have the strength to fight back, and only uses daggers and throwing knives. He doesn't ever take anything seriously and constantly lies to people just to see how they react, and for a few extra coins. Or just to put them off guard. Tasks of his may include aiding him in banditry and other previously listed endeavors, assassinating and helping him send messages to anyone he thinks deserves it, and keeping him company with someone to speak with that he so often lacks but denies he needs. Lorethos is an older man, but his past lover, Annabelle Cyrus, used a portal magic to replace parts of him overtime, so he appears younger every few years than he was. He believes that what he does is the just thing, and desires nothing but to expand the name of House Basileus, his name that died with the loss of Al'Khazar. He acts chivalrous and wise, giving fair advice to those who he thinks have lost sight of truth or sense of themselves. However, this breeds arrogance, and arrogance breeds enemies. Tasks with Lorethos would include serving as his squire or personal guard, a messenger, a sparring partner and in certain circumstances someone to assassinate his enemies.))

"Will you not shut up? We have peace now, let it be. Don't dilude your youngers with visions of some terribly honorable destruction. You're acting another old proud fool that helped steer Renatus into the dirt. A proud nation. You dishonor Horen by speaking barbarous filth." He frowns in disappointment of his kinsmen, shaking his head and twirling one of his long slightly greyed hairs.

A man with long black and gold robes holding a silver, onyx encrusted stave steps up to the closest notice board and hammers a large note onto it. He mumbles something, his verdant lustful eyes with a faint blue hazy glow beneath them burning a solemn memory of his aging form into those that meet his gaze.. The notes read: "A knightly and chivalrous as well as wise and compassionate family, the Basileus' have been part of both the Knighthood of Oren and the Mage's Guild for centuries. With the destruction of Al'khazar, nearly the entire House was wiped out, only the oldest son Lorethos Basileus, surviving. He ventured the lands of Aegis for many years, growing and learning both the ways of magic and the blade as he had been taught before, but this time practically. This son was me. Perhaps this is a dead hope, but still I seek the members of my old house! My father was Fredrick Basileus, the head of the house and Knight of Oren. My mother Jasmine Basileus, a Mage of the Mage's Guild. As I am the son of the head, my place as Head of the House has been inherited. However, I can find no one else of the House to be the head of! Perhaps this is a lost hope, but people of Asulon, I still seek my family! If any of you who once carried the name Basileus are still standing, still out there, heed my call. Send me a message. I will gather the rest of us and we will serve Horen as we always have." ((If anyone desires to be a member of the noble Basileus House, post here with this application. I will finish the lore for the House probably this weekend and post it here.)) Minecraft Name: (Your ingame Minecraft username.) Character Name: (The name of your character. Perhaps they are a new character or an old one who was once a Basileus but thought them all dead as well. Maybe they're distantly related. Come up with any valid reason so long as they are Basileus blood or were married to it. Preferably human.) Biography: (Two to three paragraphs. Make sure you mention how you are blood or marriage related to the House.) Role play Experience: (Tell how long you have been on the server and how long you have been role playing. Also tell if anyone can vouch for your skill as a role player.) ))

A man with long black and gold robes holding a silver, onyx encrusted stave is throwing papers into the wind on top of the hills around the Cloud Temple Sanctuary. He mumbles something, his verdant lustful eyes with a faint blue hazy glow beneath them seeking for some semblance of optimism in the golden land beneath him. The notes read: "A knightly and chivalrous as well as wise and compassionate family, the DeSalians have been part of both the Knighthood of Oren and the Mage's Guild for centuries. With the destruction of Al'khazar, nearly the entire House was wiped out, only the oldest son Lorethos DeSalian, surviving. He ventured the lands of Aegis for many years, growing and learning both the ways of magic and the blade as he had been taught before, but this time practically. This son was me. Perhaps this is a dead hope, but still I seek the members of my old house! My father was Fredrick DeSalian, the head of the house and Knight of Oren. My mother Jasmine DeSalian, a Mage of the Mage's Guild. As I am the son of the head, my place as Head of the House has been inherited. However, I can find no one else of the House to be the head of! Perhaps this is a lost hope, but people of Asulon, I still seek my family! If any of you who once carried the name DeSalian are still standing, still out there, heed my call. Send me a message. I will gather the rest of us and we will serve Horen as we always have." ((If anyone desires to be a member of the noble DeSalian House, post here with this application.)) Minecraft Name: (Your ingame Minecraft username.) Character Name: (The name of your character. Perhaps they are a new character or an old one who was once a DeSalian but thought them all dead as well. Maybe they're distantly related. Come up with any valid reason so long as they are DeSalian blood or were married to it. Preferably human.) Biography: (Two to three paragraphs. Make sure you mention how you are blood or marriage related to the House.) Role play Experience: (Tell how long you have been on the server and how long you have been role playing. Also tell if anyone can vouch for your skill as a role player.) ))

(( Need more "good" characters, and out of that list Garrus is the best choice. Role players play villains far too often and frankly it's a bit saddening. However, a dynamic and interesting character like Garrus would be more decisively different from Redbain, his lack of association and likely disposition always a great addition to any community that h/ trying to conform to.))

The masked man passes out the pamphlets that the Husk had paid him to spread throughout Salvus with a grin underneath black cloth mask. "What dastardly fools these men must be!" Kael shouts out as he throws the papers into the wind. "They sent a volley of arrows! The Peacekeepers have gone too far this time! Reform the Peacekeepers or they will be eradicated!" The man screeches the words through his teeth with his serpent tongue, his opinion not truly his own, but an opinion that he felt would be the most humorous to see the response to. He laughed out loud, his pointed ears and dirty blonde hair quivering in the wind.

((VA has been accepted!)) [OOC] MCname: HappyShackles Age: (Optional) Seventeen Do you use TS?: I most certainly do. Do you have an Accepted Villain App? If so please link: (Needed: 1, 2a/2b, 4) http://www.lordofthecraft.net/forum/index.php?/topic/45441-kaels-anti-hero-application/#entry332029 [iC] Character Name: "Pff, you want my name? Here." He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out an old piece of paper all folded up. He unravels it and holds it up. It seems to be from Al'khazar, he no doubt tore it down and brought it with him when he left. He loves using it as an identification piece, the reaction people have humors him. It reads 'Kael of the Dead Men Gang, wanted for Theft, Assault, Extortion, Conspiracy to Commit Grand Theft, and Murder.' Why do ye wish to join?: "Why do I want to join? I have eight daggers and no one to put them in! I'm damn bored, I'm not getting any Minas standing around robbing a few monks and passerbys on the road. I want ta' grill the big fish! Who better to do it with than the crew of the Damned Queen! You spit in Alras and Renatus' face, and I think I can help you spit at Kal'Urguan. Got a bit of a grudge on 'em. Do ye have ties to any Nation?: "Yeah, I hate 'em all and they all hate me." He chuckles, scratching his head, his finger going up his pointed ear and tapping the point. "If not cause I'm a damn halfbreed, it's cause I've stolen a bit of somethin' from em all. Except for Urguan and Alras. Little dreams of mine, if you will." Will ye follow th' chain o' command?: "If I get my fair share, I don't care who's in charge! Tell me what to do, and I'll do it, so long as I get my cut." What be yer favourite Weapon?: (Sword, Axe --Lumberjacking, Bow, Fist, Misc.) "I got a few daggers and a cutlass. Don't like to get inta fights, though. I steal. Crackin' safes is how I make my money, I could expect tha rest o' the group to cover me while I do it. If I'm put in a fight though, I ain't half bad with throwing my daggers and knives, and my cutlass feels nice in my hand after all tha' time I've 'ad it." How good are ye in it?: (Level?) “Well now that ain’t much of your business less you expect to send me into some ol’ battle! Which I hope ya don’t, I’m a thief, not a fighter. I don’t do well when people can see me. I guess I'll 'ave to fight if ya want me to, though. I can drop a few cronies from tha shadows." ((50 in Swords))

"Yes, that's quite the intelligent course of action. Let us drown out so-called corruption and tyranny with insults and violence." He laughs out loud at the naive duplicity and taps his stave to an irregular beat.

This is an absolutely fascinating idea. It'll be nice when Arbrek finds that the magic the Covenant uses for meditation is actually based on runes.

"Excellent Chirr. You can place your report in the corresponding chest in the lecture hall."

"Quite a sad thing." Lorethos sighs gently, tapping his stave. "If only the nation could identify itself. The woman's truly too burdened to rule on her own. If she does not take on a King or some kind of aide soon, especially with her newest injury, the situation will surely deteriorate. The Covenant always had something to help with every time we visit Salvus. We stop fights and give out food and offer shelter. If the government held a better control on their nation things like what the Covenant fixes would never happen. And if Renatus sent assassins, then why would they let anyone find out about it? Let's review this before we plunge into more death."

Lorethos eyes Lona carefully. "Whatever Hanseti's reasons, and whatever Renatus' reasons... There is a reason Renatus is disliked. I personally have no disdain for any nation, but people strike out at Renatus because they see it terrible and weak. Don't put Renatus on a pedastel. Lay down your weapons and you can say that you saved more lives than Hanseti was willing to. Some arrogant pride in your nation will lead to more death. However much disdain I hold for Hanseti's merciless actions, I know they will not stop. I respect them as much as I respect any other nation, but the fact is that they are far more at fault here by not seeking some sort of peaceful resolution to prevent further deaths. Someone needs to stop. Hanseti will not, so let Renatus surrender unconditionally. Put your swords down. If they keep at it, then they are killing unarmed civilians, and will quite easily lose any public support."

Lorethos listened intently, agreeing with the man with a simple nod, shifting in his stance and tapping his stave to an irregular beat. "Let us not stir up rebellion. Let us sit down these kings and we may be able to orchestrate some sort of tranquility. The formation of The Forum; a place for each nation to be represented worldly, is growing. My group, the Covenant of Sanctuary, is housed in Sanctum. Sanctum being a Keep directly adjacent to Cloud Temple. The Covenant, while seeking members of a mind of peace, travels to nations and aids the people of them each in shelter, food, medicine, and any other way besides Marshall. We will be hosting the Forum, once we have confirmed with all the leaders that they will participate. Currently only Syrio and Haelphon have guaranteed their place, but soon... Either way. There is my plan, if anyone would be complaining about the lack of course of action."

Eh, when'll the winners be announced?

The middle-aged Southeron ex-knight trotting down the path with his stave would make only a small note of it an continue walking, mumbling to himself. "The boy's arrogant, stupid, infantile and ignorant. But I don't think I'd risk upsetting people who should be on the poster by putting an end to him." He taps along, his silver, onyx encrusted stave named Amoure guiding his somewhat brisk steps. Strangely brisk for man of his age. Abnormally so. He twirls his stave around to his other hand, and then back in another flurry. Like his body had never aged.

"Yet more brutal exclamations..." The aging man mumbled before pulling back his black cowl to reveal his slowly wrinkling once handsome form. He sighed gently before speaking up. "Oren is dead. The pride of young and old men will never permit its recreation. Even if Hanseti conquers Renatus, it will be Hanseti. Never Oren, not until the leadership of so many stop placing the false guise of honor over selfish grudges and merciless pride. If you want Oren back, then sit down those leaders and courts involved in it's fracturing. If you can. I have tried, their petty grudges are something I may consider impossible to conquer. Peace will be achieved here either by Hanseti's realization that mindless destruction of a weak nation is meaningless, or Renatus' realization that it can not win and should surrender and succumb to unconditional terms. People die every day in this terribly lopsided war. Just... All of you Samuel and so on, step off your high horses. A humble man is respected more than a lavish proud bastard." He taps his silver stave gently on the ground, thinking and mumbling about what he just said and what could have been said differently.

The brutal mumbling of the middle-aged, dark-haired, emerald-eyed Southeron who had been observing was but a distant murmur in the shouting and accusations. Lorethos poked Axl's calf with his stave, and then moved and poked Lona on her foot. "There is little reason for this... Whoever murdered that child will feel the brutal breath of shame upon them... Renatus should surrender soon. That is that. Whether or not this Sariant..." He motions to the accused Hanset, "Was the one to end the life, matters as much as the ones who burned Al'khazar and slaughtered so many. There is a voice in you, Axl, that cries out in distress for the life of a child, but a voice misguided with some bit of irrational disdain..." Lorethos' hairs have begun to grey some, and he plucked one of the silver hairs from his still very lengthy strands, twisting it a bit as he speaks. "I do suggest any more exacerbation of an already hopeless situation is... For the most part, fruitless. I do not support Hanseti, but Renatus should soon surrender if they do not desire their people to suffer any longer. There is a thing in all of Renatus that cries out for retribution for their losses, but why send out fifty men to die so you may avenge ten who had already died. Succumb and let it be." He points his finger at the accused sariant, his other hand gripping a silver, onyx-encrusted stave crafted by his lover. He tapped the stave several times on the ground and lowered his hand. "Whether it is that you murdered this child or not, I suggest your absence be the course to take. Whatever you did or didn't do, your presence is a stressing one or this man. So long as Axl is silent on this matter and quietly participates in his griefs, of course." He looks back to Axl expectantly, his tired, piercing eyes seeking him for his purpose.

"I have made some large adjustments. We now have a more direct purpose and method of performing our duties. I will soon add what exactly 'The Theater' is."

((I understand if you're a fan of Dragon Age, but much of this just seems like blatant imitation. That being said, a group that hunts magic users would be absolutely exciting! I can't wait till freelance mages like Lorethos or maybe the Mage's Guild come in contact with you all.))

"New uniforms. Please wear them, it's rather important that we have some sort of presence around."