The Agora

Thorakles the Ithacan · Posted: Tue, May 1, 2007, 12:27:19am Post subject:

Dusk fell upon Greece. The southern winds kicked up sand, dust, and debris from the lonely street, carrying it through the air and leaving caked on every surface like some forgotten tomb.

Thorakles coughed. He had made his way through the new agora and was close to his destination now. This section of Tharropolis mainly housed the merchant class. It was small -- mainly foreigners and the scant few Spartans who were actually interested in money lived here -- and was certainly a better part of town than where he had been. Nevertheless, prostitutes, vagrants, and opportunistic muggers would soon lurk in the shadows as night fell upon the city.

The elf maintained his steady pace, still fueled by the events that took place that afternoon. He disappeared down a side alleyway and wound around to a small section of fence that was raised between two houses. The alleyway and the fence weren't large, perhaps as wide a Spartan's shield. Maybe smaller.

Thorakles wasn't a typical elf; the walls on either side of him scraped his elbows as he walked. Shorter and squatter than those of his bretheren, he resembled a tall dwarf more than anything else. Though prone to occasional bouts of clumsiness, Thorakles was generally chosen for heavy jobs (hence his current duty of hauling water) due to his atypical strength, and he was always mindful enough that the clumsiness usually didn't cause any problems.

The fence had failed at its assigned duty: a few of its wide slats had been broken years ago by some young thugs, and the owners of the houses on either side maintained a healthy feud as to which one should repair it. Much to Thorakles' delight, the disused fence always shaved about ten minutes off his walk home.

The elf cheefully stepped through the hole in the fence and was overcome by confusion as he was snapped back by something. Fighting a losing battle against gravity and with no room to flail around, he tripped backwards over the lower horizontal crossbar and landed hard on his ass. Two jars of water opened and spilled much of their contents onto the rocky ground. Thorakles was unhurt but stunned as he looked around at his surroundings. He stood up, closely examined the fence, then himself, then his pack, then the fence again, then his pack again, then himself again, then his pack again. He made the mental note that his pack was wider than the hole in the fence and continued on.

Thorakles cursed at the spilt water on the ground and gingerly stepped sideways through the fence. He then trotted to the doorway of the adjacent house and entered.

"You're late, elf." The helot's master, Doros II of Argos, had always been kind but stern with his slaves. He saw them as an investment, and one always takes care of his investments.

Doros II stepped around Thorakles, who remained motionless. He inspected the cargo whilst still on the elf's back and took note of the wet jars which spilled water not five minutes ago.

"The water's been spilt. Five lashes, no supper, and you sleep outside tonight. Go."

"My lord is too kind." Thorakles bowed and left to unload his pack in the storeroom.

* * *

A few minutes later, the obedient Thorakles removed his threadbare himation and sat down. He took up the short whip that was laying on the floor and proceeded to apply five good lashes to his already aching upper back and shoulders. His heart just wasn't in it, though, as his mind was focused on the elf he heard in the agora earlier. How was he going to locate him? Tharropolis was a teeming metropolis, with denizens of many shapes and sizes. He'd need a day at least to search the city, and Doros II was a strict timekeeper.

The helot re-wrapped himself in his himation and went to tend to his other chores. The normally personable Thorakles spoke to none of the other slaves in the house as he worked. His stomach rumbled and he was to sleep outside tonight.

He was to sleep outside tonight!

It was tonight or never. He had an easy escape and could be back before dawn.

Thorakles' chest felt tight with both fear and excitement. He had never disobeyed Doros II in the six years he served him. Besides, Doros II was good to him -- well, good as could be expected by a helot. He had always felt he could win his freedom through hard work and obedience, but all that was now questioned. How long would Doros II keep him? Ten years? Twenty? Certainly, as an elf, Thorakles could easily outlive his master's meager lifespan, but to wait that long would drive him to madness. Indeed, it was tonight or never.

* * *

The residents of the house supped and went to sleep, all except the elf. Thorakles arose from his feigned slumber and stepped out onto the street. All was quiet now, save for the occasional screech of a feral cat or cry from a mad vagrant somewhere in the distance. Taking in a deep breath, he dipped back into the dark alleyway with only the moon of Artemis as his light and guide.

Leandros of Laconia · Posted: Tue, May 1, 2007, 9:37:20pm Post subject: a midnight stroll...

OOC: this is with my elf character

Atfer drinking for the most part of the day, a semi-drunken Leandros leaves the bar with a half-full glass of ale, shouting his good-byes to Grommit, the barman and numerous other drunks. He starts towards the barracks he slept in when he was still a helot, for he had not yet picked his hex of land from the lands of Laconia.
He heads down the street and starts to think about the elves in the land of Laconia and how in fact elves and men live among themselves in unity. As he continues walking, he turns into an alley and is knocked to the floor by someone coming from the other direction, completely spilling his drink... in a fit of rage Leandros draws his short sword, thinking he was being attacked or robbed. after that he looks up and sees a helot sitting on the road in front of him rubbing his head.
Leandros sheaths his sword and looks angrily at the helot. "What do you think your doing?" says Leandros. "That was perfectly good ale!.... what are you doing out so late anyways helot?, shouldnt you be serving your master right now????" Leandros puts on his angry face, "Explain yourself!"

Pathos Flidjik Vlurdusk · Posted: Thu, May 3, 2007, 4:37:35pm Post subject:

Laying on the ground completely stunned, the nergling looks up at Leandros. Although his helot disguise was completely succesful in fooling the intoxicated citizen, the polymorph became instantly overcome with primal rage. Completely disregarding his task and his surroundings it draws a dagger and jumps toward Leandros. Unfortunatly, it was completely unaware of the figure standing in the shadows behind it. Almost as quickly as the polymorph left the ground, it's body became engulfed in a stream of blue electricity, instantly sending it into morphing, and returning it to the cool grip of gravity. With a dazed look, Leandros lightly kicks the seared corpse with his boot, and looks into the shadows. From within the darkness he hears a faint voice but see's nothing, "That'el do Monkey, That'el Do."
_________________
ONE OF US!
ONE OF US!
GOOBLE GOBBLE!
GOOBLE GOBBLE!
WE BREAK, HOLES IN TEETH
WE BREAK, HOLES IN TEETH
GOOBLE GOBBLE!
GOOBLE GOBBLE!

Leandros of Laconia · Posted: Fri, May 4, 2007, 1:35:49pm Post subject: ...

Leandros searches the Nurglng and finds a writ of assassination for the king of Laconia, Emperor Pro Tem Bannor McKragg. Leandros is stunned and starts to think what a matter of the Emperor's security this is.
He runs to the Barracks and grabs the horse without asking anyone and rides to the emperor's castle.

Pathos Flidjik Vlurdusk · Posted: Mon, May 7, 2007, 1:54:56pm Post subject:

As night turned to morning, most patrons of the Black Lion Inn had already made their way home for the night. As was usual after large festivals, two well known visiters to Tharropolis (one Celt and the other a Mud Elf) were not so quietly finishing their many drinks at the bar. This was not of major concern to the innkeeper, he knew them well and they always paid upfront; his concern lied in the dark figure which had spent the entire night in the darkest corner table of the establishment. Occasionaly he would signal for anouther pint of mead, and had been a very generous tipper, but something about his presence sent chills up the innkeepers spine. It was during this thought that a bussel was heard coming from the alley, followed by a series of loud slurred commands. Being of the mind that if it's in earshout of his tavern, it's his buisiness, the innkeeper steped out for a look. No sooner had he crossed through the threshold then an explosion of light burst from the alley. "By Tharros Mane", he screamed as he lept back through the door. He ran up to the citizens at the bar, to paniced to properly speak, "alley...blast...go, protect the inn"!
_________________
ONE OF US!
ONE OF US!
GOOBLE GOBBLE!
GOOBLE GOBBLE!
WE BREAK, HOLES IN TEETH
WE BREAK, HOLES IN TEETH
GOOBLE GOBBLE!
GOOBLE GOBBLE!

Leandros of Laconia · Posted: Tue, May 8, 2007, 1:34:19pm Post subject:

Riding through the town at full speed Leandros passes the Black Lion Inn and sees a burst of light in his eyes and his horse comes to a hult. He draws his sword and hears everyone inside the bar panicing. he gets of his horse and runs, ready for battle at the light, into the alley.

Pathos Flidjik Vlurdusk · Posted: Tue, May 8, 2007, 3:11:34pm Post subject:

OOC: Leandros, the burst of light was the lightning from the encounter you had with the nerglin. I'm just trying to get Xoticus involved in the rollplay as Grommit. Get back on your horse, you still think the assasin is dead; maybe he is. Who knows?
_________________
ONE OF US!
ONE OF US!
GOOBLE GOBBLE!
GOOBLE GOBBLE!
WE BREAK, HOLES IN TEETH
WE BREAK, HOLES IN TEETH
GOOBLE GOBBLE!
GOOBLE GOBBLE!

Leandros of Laconia · Posted: Tue, May 8, 2007, 9:37:01pm Post subject:

OOC:oops

srry man didnt know.

Leandros thinks twice about going towards the light and gets back up on his horse and dicides that the life of the emperor is much more important then a mysterious light in an alley... he continues to ride at full speed towards the emperors halls.

Aresnal · Citizen Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 19

the ground rumble and his roots felt the magic as the trees all spoke of a rider aproaching and something about a light Arsenal steped into the town square to investigate with severl of teh Red Guard following " i know its late and King Xot is out drinking"..."by Branch an leaf"
_________________
I am Aresnal the hammer of our King
And i shall be your executioner
bend over and prepare

Pathos Flidjik Vlurdusk · Posted: Mon, May 21, 2007, 12:22:05am Post subject:

After their encounter, Mungkey and Pathos begin walking back to the barracks.
"I really do mean it Mungkey, I never would have heard that nergling if it wasn't for you."
(in high pitched voice) "Yeah, but it looked like Citizen Leandros had it under control, besides you shouldn't go flaunting your powers ever chance you get. One day you'll learn that there is a time and a place for such things."
" You sound just like Xot, ""time and place...rules for a reason...blah, blah, blah"". I'm so tired of everyone trying to tell me what's good for me, and what I should do. Just once I want someone to show me some respect for who I am and what I've done."
"That's what your working for isn't it? Is that not the reason why you came to Tharropolis, joined the military, started on the path to CItizenship? Isn't it all to gain recognition?"
"Yes, Yes, that's true. I just........I don't know."
"Look, we all know that it's been hard for you to adjust to Spartan society, and after your run in with that Empirian Drow, who claimed to be..."
"HE IS NOT MY FATHER, HE MAY HAVE PRODUCED A SEED, BUT THAT IS ALL HE WAS, AND JUST LIKE A PLANT HE CAN NOW SHRIVEL UP AND DIE; HIS PURPOSE WAS SERVED AND HIS WRETCHED BLOOD NOW COARSES THROUGH MY VEINS!"
(WHISPERING) "Will you shut up, your screaming has awoken everyone, look someones coming. Now we're going to get whipped thanks to you!"
_________________
ONE OF US!
ONE OF US!
GOOBLE GOBBLE!
GOOBLE GOBBLE!
WE BREAK, HOLES IN TEETH
WE BREAK, HOLES IN TEETH
GOOBLE GOBBLE!
GOOBLE GOBBLE!

ElektraofNewDelphi · Citizen Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 70

Elektra sits in her tower waiting on the kings and waiting on the winds to change.

the air is hot and stale.

She moves in her tower waiting on the changes. like the wind like the ocean this realm is in for some big changes. The calm before the storm.....

Dienekes · Posted: Sat, May 26, 2007, 10:36:15am Post subject: A trip to the city

Long now have I been at rest and the time to hunt has roused me from my chambers. I must sustain that in me which is the essence of the beast. I must meet up with the rest of the group, I'm sure Xot will be drinking the night away as per normal. I wonder what biding the congregation will have for me this night. I hope that it soon wil invole war, for a better feeding ground I know none. Twisted Evil

Xoticus The Swamp Elf · King Joined: 03 Apr 2007 Posts: 136 Location: Tharropolis

Xoticus urges his horse faster, grinning as he attempts to overtake Absolom. No easy task, as the priest has had much more experience driving a chariot, and had gained a substancial lead while the elf was distracted. Traveling north, the road leaves the grassland and enter a dense forest. Absolom's chariot quickly disappears into the trees. Xot follows, but is forced to slow as the road's terrain is worse here, roots poking their way out of the dirt trail in many places. He mutters the words to enact a light spell, since the canopy of leaf and branch allows very little moonlight through to light his path. A globe of light surrounds the immediate area, but the forest around him is dark and foreboding.
Xoticus feels a tingling on the back of his neck and instinctively ducks and an arrow flys past his head. Still crouching, he draws his slender sword and peers into the darkness. Three arrows, in rapid succession thud into his horse, felling it immediately. The elf is able to discern the direction that the arrows had flown from. "I Xoticus summon Nature's Entangle!" He cries, glad that he was in a wooded area. He leaps from the chariot towards the spot where he cast the spell, to see the roots of an oak tree rising from the ground, wrapping themselves around the forms of four goblins.
"Filthy Elf-thing! Let us free so we's can tear out your hear...fmfmm" The goblin cannot finish it's tirade, as a root had taken it upon itself to gag him.
As the elf considers what do do with these monsters, he is hit in the back of the shoulder by another hidden archer. The power of the hit knocks him to the ground. Knowing that the arrow is likely poisoned, the elf crawls behind the shelter of the chariot and begins a spell to counteract the venom. He is interupted, however as another hidden goblin that had stealthily crept to the lip of the chariot and cries out as it begins a downward thrust towards the elf's head.
Xoticus sees the blade comming and knows he will take a terrible wound before he can dodge it, the poison already slowing his movements. But just before the blade's tip reaches his head, the creature's movements stop completely. The elf's clouded mind cannot decipher the implications of this, and he falls into a deep slumber.

Meanwhile, in Tharropolis.....

Grommit heeds the innkeeper's plea to investigate outside.
"Come, Connar!" he says, but his Celtic friend is already passed out, his beard sopping up spilled ale.
The elf heads out alone, but notices the Red Guard and Arsenal have beat him to the scene.
"What has happened here, Tree-friend?" says Grommit, addressing Arsenal, who happened to be an Ent.
"Seems this one meant to mug a Citizen, and payed dearly for his mistake, humm"
Grommit kneels beside the corpse, knowing it to be a Nurgling assasin, a doppleganger no less. As he tries to search the corpse, his hand is shocked by blue energy. He pulls his hand away quickly, shaking it to stop the tingling. Not far away, he hears a monkey's cry and smiles to himself.
"Blue Star" he mutters, smiling as he rushes off to find him.
_________________
Xoticus Of Laconia
One of Three
Shaman of Tharros
There is no Elven Conspiracy...

Aresnal · Citizen Joined: 11 Apr 2007 Posts: 19

The cry of a tree being warp shrieks into Aresnals mind.." odd?.. any one seen the 2 kings?" The Red guard looks at each other doumbfounded.
" Call the Trackers and Begin to search around the city walls then fan out call in the army if need be but one dead Rogue and 2 missing kings i do not like by branch and bulb..."
_________________
I am Aresnal the hammer of our King
And i shall be your executioner
bend over and prepare

ElektraofNewDelphi · Citizen Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 70

The oracle stand at her window looking through the glass she sees tres moving and feels the presence of the kings grow closer. She moves quickly to the temple. As she moves through the streets in the dark night noone notices her until she reaches the temple that is dark. As she moves the lanterns come one lighting the marble making it shimmer and glow. She reaches the far end and begins the process that will take half a day. She cleanses her self and the temple. She begins to light the fires that will illuminate the whole sky so that the kings know where to go. She prepares the sulfurs and the other ointments that are important. Her priestes help in this prepration moving quickly about trying to beat the great god Apollo. She site and As the Chairiot hits the horizon she begins to feel her self go...

...First is is black the sky the temple the surroundings she feels the wind against every molecule....

She hits the floor ...

The priestess are prepared for this and so it begins....

"Οι Θεοί τρέμουν αυτή περπατούν τη γη. Η θεά η θεά όλοι laconian! Οι ΘΕΟΙ ΤΡΕΜΟΥΝ! Μαύρη τρίχα στα κόκκινα μάτια μέσης της. ΟΙ ΘΕΟΙ ΤΡΕΜΟΥΝ! Απόλλωνας δεν την φοβάται... Hades! ΟΙ ΘΕΟΙ ΤΡΕΜΟΥΝ! Προετοιμαστείτε για την να φθάσετε!"

One priestess translates: "The gods tremble she walks the earth. The goddess of might the goddess of all laconian's! The GODS TREMBLE!
Black hair to her waist red eyes. THE GODS TREMBLE!
Apollo does not fear her...Hades does!
THE GODS TREMBLE!
Prepare for her to arrive!"

The other transcribes.

The last faints. The last hasyellow Hair to her sholders and a meek figure. The last begins to change. Her hair grows to her waist her eyes turn red and her hair now black.

The great charriot is covered by clouds and Apollo arrives to the temple. He helps the young thing to her feet and presents her to the Oracle.

THe priestess takes a new name.... Elina.

She speaks to the oracle she talks through her ear. The she goes again as does Apollo.

The priestess known as Evangelia. Returns to her previous state;that of a meek figure and yellow hair, unknowing what was said.

The oracle rises again... a new light to her eyes.

GOOD news arrives from the gods.