Thread: The Erindoor Fantasy RPG

After she had finished packing her bag her father gave her some money and she hid that in her bag near the black bottle. He told her to go to sleep as it would be a long day tomorrow. Eunice hugged her father and went to her bedroom.

In her bedroom she undressed, washed, put on her pyjama and brushed her teeth. Eunice then crawled into her bed and looked up at the moon. It was a full moon and Eunice saw the face in it that she always did. 'He, my friend, there you are again. Today was a great day and tomorrow is going to be even better. I'm going an adventure, you know, and not even that scary priestess can ruin that'. She imagined her friend in the moon smiling at her. She felt save with him looking over her. She wished him goodnight and then closed her eyes. It took a while before she actually fell asleep.

Raevyn clapped her hands to her mouth in shock at Ade's statement. She did however have the stirring of simular feelings but would never voice them for fear of retribution.

""Oh by the Goddess!" her mother re-entered the room. "You beg forgiveness young man!" she scolded Ade, "Now get along and get a good night's sleep. In a bed this time." she told him, "I'd like to close my window."

After Ade had gone, Raevyn went to bed herself. Her last night in the little cot squeezed into the tiny room. It took her a long time to get to sleep but sleep she did in the end.

Her dreams were filled with walking a long road, and the faces of her friends.

Eventually she awoke, excitement coursing through her body. She knew it was early, much too early to be getting up by the still-darkened sky. The rest of the house was still silent in slumber as was the village outside. Knowing she'd regret not getting as much sleep as possible, Raevyn sighed and got up, dressing carefully in the dark.

Ade hadn't actually slept a wink despite everyone telling him to. He couldn't.
No. He wouldn't.
He wouldn't sleep when he knew that the start of his big trial was finally here!
He'd been a boy for too long now. Physically he'd matured into manhood a long time ago. Mentally he'd matured enough only a few years previously. He'd been through both of those trials, the trial of body and the trials of the mind. By all standards he was not only a man, but a knight.
But he wasn't interested in those standards.
The only standards he cared about were those set by his father. And his father had set him three trials. The trial of body, the trials of mind and the Path of a Man. The Path was what set Ade's father apart from any other knight and made him a humble knight. The best type, in Ade's opinion.
Now even more restless he sat perched on the edge of his father's house, his feet through the roofing in order to stand on the roof beams. He looked down at the empty square in front of him, his spear still stuck in the ground. Not a soul had stirred yet, so far as he could tell, and that suited him fine.
Jumping down from the rooftop he landed almost softly in front of his father's door. He turned to face it and, for the first time in many years, he began to feel nervous. Suddenly the goodbye note in his hand felt like a cheat. Like he should say goodbye to his father face-to-face. Like a man.
Ade stuck the note to the door.
He wasn't a man yet. He'd return when he was and then he'd say goodbye for real, before going off on his own quest, not the King's. Sighing, Ade walked quietly over to where his spear was stuck in the earth. He placed a hand on it gently. He'd wait awhile longer for the others.

Raevyn groped in the dark for her bag and then slipped silently out of the door. She crept over to the forge, and then smiled as she heard the metalic tapping - her father was up already. She entered the warm forge, to see her father busy driving the nails of a shoe through the hoof of their big cart horse Bruinn. Finishing off the last nail, he quickly and deftly nipped off the ends and flattened the stubs before grabbing his rasp and swiftly finishing the hoof before he set it down. The big horse merely sighed, nose snuffling in his hay.

"You're up early, nobody else will be stirring for at least an hour hence." Brock greeted his only daughter. Raevyn smiled, she was really going to miss her father and his wisdom and patience, and Bruinn of course. Stepping smartly over to the big horse she rubbed his forehead in way of goodbye.

"I have something for you." Brock beckoned his daughter to him and turned to the shelving in the corner of his forge. He reached up and drew down a long thin object wrapped tightly in a leather protector. Guesturing for his daughter to sit at the little table there he watched her unwrap it.

Inside the leather protector was a greased silk cloth. Inside that was a real surpise for Raevyn. A beautifully forged dirk lay on the cloth before her, the blade glinting in the firelight from the forge. It was light, and sleek and deadly. Sharp as the midwinter wind, beautiful as a sunlit icicle and even the crosspiece and hilt was exquisitely wrapped with a blue stone in the tip.

"This belonged to your grandfather." Brock told her softly, "He would be pleased for you to have it, to protect yourself on your journey." his voice did not betray the anxiety he felt for his daughter's safety as he gave her what protection he could.

"The stone is a Winter Sapphire and the blade was forged many, many years ago. It will never break, never blunt and I believe the stone is supposed to have protective powers. If you believe that sort of thing. I've never seen anything like it in all my life before." he told her.

Raevyn leapt up and threw herself at her father, giving him a hug of thanks, quite speechless at the unexpected gift.

"There now, dry your eyes." he set her on her feet again, a touch embarrassed. "Get your bow, and quivver. I have greased the string and replenished your arrows. Give James' a run for his money when you need to shoot for your dinner." he smiled gruffly.

"Thank you, so much..." Raevyn began.

"Nothing any loving father wouldn't do for his only daughter. Now why don't you get on, I know you and your friends will need to leave soon." he told her, giving her the opportunity to leave without a scene which her emotional mother was sure to cause.

Raevyn thanked him again and gathering her bag, bow and her new dirk she was ready to leave. Brock had one more gift for his daughter, a leather belt and sheath for the dirk that fitted her perfectly. One last hug, and Raevyn slipped into the darkness, heading for the village square.

She noticed the slight greying of the sky over the eastern horizon at the same time movement caught her eye, and she saw what could only be Ade leaping down from his cottage roof into the square. She almost lost him in the darkness but soon saw him again as she drew closer, resting his hand on his spear.

The moment Eunice woke up she remembered. This was the day that the big adventure would start. She looked out the window at the sky but her friend had gone. 'goodnight' she said, more to herself than to him. The house was silent so she imagined that her father was still asleep. She jumped out of bed and got dressed. There was still some time left so she walked out of the house and into the fields.

Eunice was going to say goodbye to her friends. She walked acrossed the fields and into the woods and there she waited. A squirl jumped from a tree onto her shoulder. He brushed passed her face and she cuddled him. She noticed a rabbit and some young ones near a three. As she sat down the little ones jumped all over her. She giggled and played with them. Then finally he came. A young stag approached her as though he had been looking for her. He seemed to have no fear of her, but the young hind that followed him did. Eunice smiled and touched him. 'So you've found yourself a girl' she said and smiled. She then looked at all of them and said to the stag 'I am going away on an adventure. Look after the little ones for me, will you'. She knew he didn't understand, but it made her feel better to think that he did and would. Eunice got up and walked back home.

Her father had woken up and handed her bag to her. He cuddled her and tear appeared in his eyes. He held her tight and for a while would not let her go. Eunice was glad that he wouldn't as she started to cry. After both of them had stopped he slowly released her and looked into her eyes 'Be careful, my daughter' he sighted as he knew that as much as she tried she would not be able to do that. He then continued 'Listen to the others and do as they say even if you don't agree. They will keep you safe'. Eunice looked offended 'I can look after myself' she said and he looked at her seriously 'No, darling, you can't. You don't see the danger. You give trust and faith to people and that strenghtens them. You will be able to heal even stronger than I am, but you need to trust your friends to keep you safe. Promise me'. Reluctantly Eunice promised as she did not want to upset her father. Then they said their goodbyes and Eunice walked to the square. Ade and Raevyn were already there and enthousiatically she ran towards them.

Ade looked up from his spear as Raevyn and Eunice made their way over to him. He smiled a little and pulled his spear free. With a little twirl he swung it to his back before tying the strap over it. With the big weapon strapped down he waved towards the two,
"Good morning." he bowed slightly, "I wouldn't have thought you two were capable of waking up this early."

Eunice waved at Ade and giggled 'Well I woulnd't wake up this early, unless it was for something really specially, like today'. She smiled radiently as she could not believe how lucky she was to be allowed to go on such a great adventure. When she got to him she did not stop, but danced around him. She was too excited to stand still just yet.

Abruptly, James sat up in his bed. He bolted to the window and opened the shutters. A sigh escaped him as he saw it was still dark. He should still have time to pack before meeting up with his friends.

He looked around his room until he saw his pack by his door. It was full. He wouldn't have to pack after all. His mom must have done it during the night. He put his pack on, slung his bow and quiver of arrows over his back, and walked into the main room.

There stood his parents. He looked around the room and could find no pack nor other supplies for his father. Excitement bubbled up inside him. Looks like his father was not going after all.

"Have a good trip son."
"Oh I will. Thanks for deciding not to go."
"I heard the High Priestess of Inanna is going. I figure between her and Ade they can keep you out of trouble."

James rolled his eyes. His dad sure had a way of ruining a good day. But anyway, it didn't matter. He had no intentions of listening to the High Priestess nor Ade unless it happened to be convenient.

His father placed a dagger into his hand, "This is mine. Keep it safe and it will serve you well." After his father hugged him, James slipped the dagger into his boot where it fit perfectly and was not visible.

His mother pressed a smooth stone into his hand. James looked at it. It was pure amber just the right size for him to close his hand around it so it could not be seen. His mother spoke, "This was found by my great grandfather while he wandered around adventuring. My father told me that it has magical properties but could not tell me what they were. I believe it will give you good luck. I look forward to your return." Tears were streaming down her face before she finished speaking. She hugged her son. Reluctantly she released him.

He reached the door and was about to leave when his father called him, "James." James turned around. His father flipped two silver coins his way. James caught them both, smiled, and said. "Thanks, I love you both."

With that he turned and raced out the door toward the village. When he got to near the first cottages he slowed to a walk to catch his breath and keep silent. It was still dark which suited James just fine.

When he arrived he saw Raevyn, Eunice, and Ade in the village center. A broad smile covered his face. He felt so happy to be going and with his friends and no parents. He saw Eunice dancing around Ade. He strolled up and quietly greeted everyone.

Eunice grabbed James hands and danced with him. She was so excited 'We're going on a great adventure James'

James smiled and laughed as he danced with Eunice. It would be a grand adventure indeed if everyone stayed as happy as they looked now. "Yes I expect it will be a very fine adventure. One we will remember the rest of our lives."

Eunice giggled as they danced 'yeah we will'. Then she took his hand. 'James can I show you something?' she said impulsive as ever 'It will probably be a while before we leave anyway'.

James stopped dancing, "Show me what?" He hoped it was something more interesting than her pet squirrel; after all he'd already met that pet. He continued speaking, "Is it far, after all who else are we waiting for? We wouldn't want to miss anything you know."

'Were waiting for the so called priestress' Eunice pulled a face as through she was speaking about something dirty. 'And its not that far'.

Whilst still holding his hand she walked off with him. As it was still dark she knew they would still be there waiting for her. They left the little village and just outside on the edge of the forest where it was completely dark she stopped. In front of them was a cloud of fire flies. She made James sit on a rock on the middle of them and they flew off. 'Now sit realy still' she wispered to him and took a few steps back. In no time the fire flies came back and danced around him lighting him up like an aura. She smiled as she admired the result 'Do you like it?' she wispered.

James rolled his eyes at the mention of the High Priestess. He didn't believe in her diety and hoped she wouldn't try to pull rank on him or his friends.

He sat still as directed and watched as the fire flies swarmed back to their place. His eyes widened as he slowly moved them to watch the fire flies swirled around him leaving trails of light behind them as the went up and down. He smiled at Eunice and nodded his head not wanting to even whisper and chance scaring them away.

Lilith sniffed disdainfully as Eunice and James danced excitedly. She was wearing Inanna's High Priestess armour, crafted from rare black God Rock. The folds of her armour concealed many sly weapons that dealt death both easily and painfully. All sly and secret. All in the name of Inanna.

The armour was both strong yet allowing fleibility. It was covered in shards that mean a mere handshake could cause considerable pain. A coiled snake was carved onto the breast plate and the High Priestess circlet was incorporated into the helm. The helm enveloped her head and left narrow slits for her eyes. Her hair was thread through the carving of a snakes mouth that sprung from the back of her helm. She looked terrifying.

Lilith marched to the group where a few of the early risers were already crowding. She sat and waited. Waited until the mission could start. The quicker it started the quicker it could end.