When I was out patrolling today I noticed undead clambering towards me quite slowly. Slow enough to let me take a trip down memory lane.

It was mid fall when I was traveling with a small gypsy group. Not all of them were gypsy, and one of the greatest storytellers was a biata named Hawk. Not to long after I had joined the group a fledgling had also requested group entry. He was a small arrogant little elf, but most elves are like that. He was constantly pointing out the flaws and impossible feats of Hawk’s stories. Hawk is usually a patient man, but the little elf was treading too close to the edge. So one night the little elf excused himself from the campfire to nature’s call. When he was gone we devised a plan. Our plan was to trick him into thinking that Hawk had turned us all into undead and sent us after him. I didn’t think it would work, but thought it would be fun.

As the young lad came back into the light we had all fallen silent and teetered side to side. His paced slowed as he stared at Hawk who was the only one of us in the campfire’s light. Hawk peered eerily at the boy, who now had stopped walking, and he smiled. “MY MINIONS! ATTACK!” Hawk proclaimed. At the signal we all groaned and began walking towards him stiffly and erratic. The poor boy screeched and took off into the forest. We all began laughing at the response, and sent out after the fledgling to bring him back in. He would surely drink heartily with the adults tonight.

Unfortunately we were not able to find him and to this day I still feel slightly guilty for scaring him. We are not sure if he is alive or has perished. The only thing I can still recall from that night was the wolves being quieter after we had reached back to our campground.

Oh well, C’est La Vie.

Dhaoine

Currently the crew Dhaoine worked with was in a horrible and dark place called the Blight of Rend. This was a land where evil triumphed over good, bad deeds were rewarded, and everyone was insane. The land was blessed by Mordekai the God of fear, madness, and nightmares. Mongrels, who were considered once a threat on another plane, were now the local merchants. Demons ruled the towns and fought amongst each other, using human lives. Most women were used to breed soldiers, and the children that were not soldiers ended up becoming more dangerous than the others. The dark magic cast over the land affected them and turned them into monsters or tainted them with dark powers. Another common and semi-respected member of this dark community was the vampire.

Dhaoine had once thought about the proposition offered to her from a vampire. Sure she was attractive; she mostly wore corsets, bodices, and skirts which enhanced her sword, flying daggers, and bottle of ale she wore on her belt. Her dark brown hair curled lightly onto her shoulders. The transformation might possibly enhance her looks as well as her fighting prowess. At first her friends, guild members, and comrades were against the proposition, but when they tried to get into the main city’s gates, they were denied. One of the guards mentioned they allowed the vampiric sort in, which made Dhaoine wish she had taken the offer. Not wanting to go all the way back to where the vampire sat, the group went to complete a task given to them by the guards. On their way to the task, which was to destroy an elven village and collect their ears and the heart of the cheif guard, Dhaoine ran into the same vampire who had offered her the turn before.

“Does the offer still stand?” She asked him, he was back in a bush hiding from the sun. He nodded. “And am I able to turn back before this transition is permanent?”

He nodded again, smiling he crawled closer to her. “With a Globe of Daylight or a Stake of Woe through the heart, you will turn back to your human form.”

She looked to her guild treasurer, Swamper, a middle-age man and her conscience at times. It was easy to intimidate him because he was smaller than her, but he dressed in earthly colors and loose garb, making it easy for him to hide. “If it seems to be a good idea m’lady then you do what you feel you need to do, you know how your guild stands on this decision.” She remembered how they did not want her to do it; even Captain Darius pressed her to refuse the offer.

She nodded, and then looking to the undead crawler in the bushes. “Fine, I accept the offer.”

With that the man jumped out and drove his sword through her chest, she saw Swamper wince as he wanted to go and save her, but he held his ground turning from her. The pale man began to feed from her neck hungrily; the attention of Captain Darius was finally caught. He began to make his way to the commotion. The vampire dropped Dhaoine to the ground, and began drawing a circle around her in the dirt. This made both Swamper and Captain Darius step back, not wanting anything to go wrong with the ritual he was performing. Standing over Dhaoine, the vampire began chanting and as he was doing so the ground and Dhaoine became covered in a faint shadow. Within a few minutes time Dhaoine slowly stood, stretching out gracefully from her position. She smiled to the two men who were watching her intently; they both became a little wide eyed at the sight of her extended canines. Other than her teeth she looked the same; her features were a little more enhanced, but not as pale as the man.

She looked to him, starring quizzically into his eyes. “I am not pale?”

He shook his head. “I placed a protection spell on you; this will protect you from the sun, but makes you look just as human as you once were.”

She nodded, and then bowed her head to him. “Thank you.”

When she looked back up, the man had vanished. She turned back to Swamper and Captain Darius smiling. “Shall we join with the rest of the party?” They both nodded, still watching her.

They caught up with the rest of the party, some not even noticing at first her change. Continuing their way to the Elven village, they were unsure if Dhaoine’s transformation would work quite yet on the guards. As the group came to the gates of the village, the elves stopped them and asked the party to turn around and leave. Coming from the side of the Blight, to a town on the outside of the Blight they were not welcome. At first the group tried reasoning, then fighting, and then ended up sneaking around to the back gate of the village. Through the back way they ended up slaughtering the town, so when they reached the guards to on the other side, they found it to be an easier win. Collecting the ears and heart they needed, the group returned back to the town.

Dhaoine walked up to the guards, holding the amount of ears they requested and the heart of the chief of guards. After considering what the people did, and who Dhaoine was now, the members of the group were let into the city walls. Once again Dhaoine became a political associate to the group.

Their mission within the city walls was to find the Duke of the city and determine his weaknesses. The Gods sent them on a mission to eliminate the Duke from each town. It was truly a suicidal mission, but in order to restore the gods’ faith from their last failure, they agreed to it. On their list of Dukes only one name was removed so far, and they had over ten more to go. At the last Duke, they were not entirely alone; they received help from other factions and hoped to receive such help again.

This Duke, Baragon Arguis, was known as the ‘Mongrel King’ by some. He personally followed under another God of evil, the God known as Rend. Rend was the God of destruction, evil undead, war, and necromancy, and held high importance to the Mongrel race. Duke Baragon was known to hold some specific talents of the Mongrels, as well as the talents of an avatar of Rend. Most cities he waged war on lost. He surrounded himself as with Mongrels of each class, working them and training them to their peak. His soldiers were kept outside his keep, but if there was an attack it would be impenetrable. Giderah, an avatar of Isikil, the Goddess of revenge and ice, offered them the assistance of specially coated stun weapons. They would stun the soldiers long enough for them to get inside. The Demon of Rend, Raven, offered them weapons coated in smite, so after one hit the soldier would fall. But the Seer offered to coat their weapons in drain, so that when the soldier was hit he was no longer able to use his talents towards them. The members pondered and accepted the weapons coated in smite from Raven, hoping that would be enough to take down Duke Baragon.

Captain Darius suggested a time during guard change, when the keep itself will be not as surrounded. This way they could make their way in without too much commotion. Once inside they needed to get to the Duke and dispose of him quickly. As soon Duke Baragon was terminated, another would take his place. This would restore order and secure the party’s safety from the city. Through this whole mission, they are not allowed to tell anyone who sent them or what they were sent to do. If they were to do this, the universe would possibly explode, just like last time. That was the purpose of this mission, to make up for what happened to the last universe. Since time was scarce for them, they planned their attack for that night.

They stayed in a tavern that night, close to the keep. Dhaoine, who normally bunked with Captain Darius, chose instead to bunk alone. The others, even Swamper, were still a little uneasy about her turn. Some of the bodies they executed today were a quick meal for her, but after those feeds she received her fill and satisfied her blood lust. Pacing her room a little anxious, she jumped at the knock on her door.

Dhaoine pressed her ear and hand to door, stammering softly. “Who is it?”

Captain Darius’s voice came from the other side. “It is I, may I come in?”

She quickly opened the door and let him in, closing and locking the door behind him. “Is it time to move?” He shook his head, looking to her with a bit of worry in his eyes. “Then what is it?”

“We are afraid this new change is not good for you; it seems to have changed who you are.” He sat down on the single chair in her room. “How do you feel? Be honest with me Dhaoine.”

The sound of concern in his voice made her cringe. He had not talked to her like that since she had left his side. It was a kindness she missed. “I’m fine. Tell Swamper if he wishes to check on me he can do it himself.” She again paced around the room, growing a little hungry.

Captain Darius grabbed her hand, looking straight into her eyes. “He is one of the ones who are asking about your well-being, and so am I. Dhaoine. Please.”

She pulled from him, cringing again at the sound of his voice and the touch of skin. She opened the door and motioned to it, looking away from him. “Leave Darius.”

He nodded and made his way out the door. Dhaoine waited and then left her room as well, making her way down to the innkeeper. The city offered beverages containing blood for the undead who needed it or just liked the taste of it. After ordering her drink she sat down at a table located at the side of the tavern, sulking and thinking of what Captain Darius said. Within an hour the party assembled downstairs; Dhaoine finished her glass and joined them. Sticking to the shadows they moved to the keep. Very few guards noticed them, and they were able to silently assault the ones who did. Once the guard was slain they took the body and hid it so no one would notice and sound an alert. Making their way inside they noticed a few servants standing around waiting for orders. When Swamper was able to get a closer look, he noticed the servants were actually zombies. The mindless creatures were raised and surrounded the keep posing as servants. Since they were not noticed yet by the caster, they thought that possibly the zombies would not attack. That was an inaccurate assumption. As soon as they started moving through the castle, the undead minions began attacking. Dhaoine noticed that they were easier to defeat than the ones she faced before, she was curious if this was because she became more skilled as a fighter or because of her turn.

Finally reaching the main room, where Duke Baragon sat, they became aware of a minor detail that was not mentioned about the Duke. He was a vampire. Dhaoine stopped in her tracks as she noticed this fact; she was able to tell even though he looked very human like.

Captain Darius looked to her, very confused. “What is wrong?” He whispered.

She stammered below her breath. “He is… is a Sire.” Sire meant that he was a vampire, a very powerful one who had already turned others and gained strength from their alliance. Vampires who were turned often viewed their creator as a Sire or Mistress, who was their new parent, lord or lady, or their new king or queen.

Captain Darius’s eyes widened and called for the group to drawback. As they were grouping to form a plan, three figures dropped from the ceiling of the room. Duke Baragon roared, and commanded the figures to charge.

Charging at them with frightening speed, the group noticed that they were most likely the Sire’s alliances, which meant more vampires.

Dhaoine, Captain Darius, and Swamper readied themselves, along with the rest of the party. This was something they did not expect. The zombies and Mongrel guards were expected, but vampires? This was going to require their caster to sit out and formulate some Globes of Daylight or conjure a few Stakes of Woe. These blood suckers would not die from sword, axe, or spell, and so they were in need of special weapons.

The fighters and thieves were sent to the front to help protect the casters. One caster began forming the weapons, as the other watched their back, ready to fire. The archer also stayed back and fired towards the battle. Swamper, who a tinker, stayed back to help those who fell in combat and stab at those who were open. By the time the caster was done, the children of the Sire had fallen and were being put to rest by members of the party with the conjured Stakes of Woe. Duke Baragon rose from his seat quickly, screaming at the party.

“You dare slay my children?!” He unsheathed his weapons, revealing two very large swords emitting a faint shadow.

The party charged forward, one by one using his talents before finally using their smite tainted weapons. Captain Darius delivered the killing blow to Baragon and drove the Stake of Woe through his heart. After resting and regrouping their members, Captain Darius summoned Raven.

Handing the city and keep over to Raven, the group headed back to the tavern. Dhaoine trailed behind them, thinking of how she was able to detect the Duke’s race, but also how she felt the urge to help the Duke instead of her friends. It almost pained her to kill the alliances and to attack the Duke.

Swamper noticed Dhaoine deep in thought. “Is everything alright m’lady?”

She nodded, and then at the same time shook her head. “I wanted to stop you, stop Captain Darius, and side with Duke Baragon and his children. It pained me to side with you for some reason, there seemed to be…” She trailed off, going back into thought.

Swamper’s eyes widened. “M-m’lady?”

She walked in silence back to the tavern; Swamper left her side and went back with the group. She ordered another drink, but this time took it up to her room. Sitting on her bed, Dhaoine removed her armor and set it to the side, wearing only her shirt and skirt. She once again played the scene in her head, reliving the emotions she felt, knowing that if this was how it would be with the turn, she could not do it.

“Maybe it will pass when the turn is permanent,” she thought, licking a spot of blood off her teeth, “But what if it doesn’t? What if it gets worse?”

Again there was a light tap at the door. She knew already who it was. Swamper opened his big mouth to Captain Darius, and now he was checking on her again. She sighed, setting the glass on the table next to her bed.

Opening the door, she found Captain Darius resting against the frame. “What is it?”

This time he barged into her room without invitation, carrying no worry or concern in his eyes. She knew the look he held; he had a mission to take care of.

“Swamper told me what you said to him.” He sat down on the same chair in her room.

Slamming the door, she turned to him. “You do not have control over me like you once did. My space is now mine, and only mine. You should wait until I invite you in. Anyways, my business and feelings are no longer your concern.” She tossed herself back in the sitting position she was in before he entered, taking up the glass of blood again.

He made a face to the glass she had in her hand, shaking his head. “Your business is mine, and that of your guild members. If you are to jeopardize our safety, we might have to stop you. I would prefer to do it in a civilized manner, with less bloodshed.”

She nodded, putting down the glass. “I understand that you want to help, but it is my decision to make. I got myself into this, I will get myself out.”

He moved to the bed, sitting closer to her. She pulled back from him, glaring softly. “I do not want to make your decision for you, but only help you understand the consequences of keeping this change.” He pulled his hat off, setting it in his lap and keeping his eyes down on it. “The party will no longer trust you when in combat situations. They might even force you out on your own. That is, if they do not try to kill you first. Could you imagine being away from your friends? Being an outcast to all that you know?”

Dhaoine stared down at her feet and then stood up, no longer being able to sit next to him. If she could feel her heart, it would probably be racing now. “What do you think, Captain? Has this changed me into some horrible monster?”

He looked up to her, but was greeted by her back. He stood moving closely behind her. She could feel his breath. “You are not a monster, but you are no longer the woman I knew… the woman I respected.” She could hear him behind her, hearing the sound of him pulling an object from his pouch. It was a Stake of Woe; the caster had made one extra while they were in battle. She knew this, and also knew who it was meant for. He was going to kill her with it.

She turned to face him, her eyes red with tears. “So you are going to do it? What if I resist?”

He grimaced at the idea, and shook his head. “Do not make this any harder that it is, Dhaoine. Please allow me to do this.”

She looked to him, bringing herself closer. Moving her shirt and hair, she cleared a spot over her heart for the stake. She pierced his eyes with her stare. “Then do it, but know this: I was never once going to hurt you or the others. I would have killed or maimed myself before doing so.” She leaned forward, whispering in his ear. “I trust you Captain Darius, with my life, my death… and my heart.”

At the last word, she felt his arm wrap around her waist, and the Stake of Woe dig into her chest. Her eyes widened as she looked up at him, and then the world went black.

The Stake of Woe cleansed her body from the turn, leaving her lifeless corpse in his arms. Picking her up, he turned and placed her on the bed. There was a light knock at the door as he pulled from her, making his way to the door he let the guild healer in who stood ready in the hall. Loki, the guild healer, was an angelic of Risirr. Risirr was the God of shadows, thieves, luck, and trickery. Both Captain Darius and Dhaoine followed this God as well, although for entirely different reasons. And although Loki was an angelic, his white feathery wings were usually covered by a dark monk’s robe. Loki rushed to his guild mistress; kneeling next to her he began to repair the hole in her chest and restoring the soul in her body. The restoration and heal were successful, but Dhaoine still lay unconscious.

Swamper and Loki periodically returned throughout the night to check on Dhaoine, and Captain Darius stayed by her side all night. The next morning Dhaoine awoke to a slight snoring, something very familiar to her. Captain Darius was asleep in his chair, his head leaning back over the top of the chair. She knew he was going to wake up really sore, but so was she. Trying her muscles she lifted herself up in bed, her body weak but not in pain. As she sat up, she noticed that Captain Darius was not the only one in her room. Loki sat in front of the door his head laying against it, Swamper was huddled in a corner, and both fell asleep too.

Smiling, she picked up the glass on her bedstand and took a drink before remembering what was in it. She choked on the sulfuric liquid, only to bring it back up onto the floor next to her bed. This woke up the sleeping men, Captain Darius and Swamper both jumped to their feet rushing to her, blinking Loki just looked to her.

“Did you forget? You are human now.” Loki mumbled and laid his head back against the door.

Placing a hand on her chest she felt her heart beat, and fingers to her neck confirmed her pulse. She was human again. Dhaoine sighed and smiled to the men in the room. “Thank you, all of you.” They nodded, even Loki who kept his eyes closed.

Loki finally stood and stretched. “Well now that you are awake and clearly alright, I’m going to sleep.” Looking to Swamper, he hinted for him to leave as well.

Swamper nodded and smiled to her. “I should rest too m’lady. I am happy you are alright.” They both left the room, closing the door behind them.

Dhaoine looked to Darius, who was sitting on the edge of the bed next to her. He brought a hand to her cheek. She smiled and leaned into it. “It is good to feel your warmth again Dhaoine. I hope you are not upset with me.”

She shook her head, smiling to him. “Not at all Captain. We both might be stubborn, but I could never stay mad at you.” Stretching she laid back in bed. “Besides, I sort of asked you to do it. Thank you.”

She looked out the window, the sunshine now a welcoming sight. She missed the feel of the moon and the night, but the sun was always a warm greeting in the morning. She felt Captain Darius move next to her, sitting beside her in the bed.

“With all of this Captain talk, I would almost think that you wanted to come back under my command. Is that true, First Mate Dhaoine?” He looked up to her, smiling playfully.

She rolled her eyes. “I was merely showing respect for you, but if you seem so lost without me.” Turning to him smiling, her eyes locked with his. Tension built between them, as they sat there staring at each other. She mumbled softly, biting her lip. “I will come back Captain Darius, if you will accept me back.”

Pressing his forehead into hers softly, he sighed happily. “Of course Dhaoine, I have felt lost without you. I missed you and will gladly accept your return. But now I want you to rest, you hear me?”

She snuggled into his chest, taking in his musky aroma of rum and loyalty. “Aye aye, Captain.”

(Disclosure: No this will not help you beat plot in a future encounter, the story is purely fiction.)

I became part of the combat oriented group. After ganking a bridge watcher, gargoyles, a plague of undead (blindfold), the kid we were supposed to rescue (that was turned undead) and a number of rat creatures, we finally made it to the Cyclops, and killed him. It was not fun.

The pirates were betting on if we were coming back or not, and then if we were coming back from our next trip. It’ll be amusing to show them differently. For we are the crew of the chosen ones!! Dun dun duunnnn!! lol. I really have no idea why we’re on this stupid quest while one of our other party members is trying to destroy the world.. hrm..

What?! What??! PREPARE TO DIE!!!

No, j/k. So yes Kiddies, there are a few different kinds of LARPs.

Such as in Amtgard or SCA they are more of slaying than talking. But these weapons are not your ordinary foam wrapped PVC. Oh no, these puppies are wrapped but inside is not only PVC goodness, but metal, bamboo, or what ever seems to fit in the puzzle. These might weigh differently, but sometimes hurt worse than falling out of bed in the morning… I know.

Then there is the LARP for the thespians, no not lesbians, but the theater lovers. This covers a game known as VTM. They love to act, and that’s about it. A few people give ‘em crap because of there fighting differences. Their costumes on the other hand, are a bit of the best! But again that’s because they don’t get dirty fighting. Ok, I could go into more about the game, but yeah… not gonna…

Then there is the in between, which is our game! Now just because I play it doesn’t mean that I’m gonna promote them more than the others. But because I think it is better than the others, since it is in between the two, I will promote it. HA! No, seriously, this is the game of half of serious combat, and half of crazy theatrics! We get great costumes, and get them dirty while fighting. But not too dirt.. sometimes…

So I guess it depends on what your into, and what floats your boat.

More Funny!

http://weregeek.comicgenesis.com/comics/20070205.jpg

My adventures with Bard have been fine, he is not as loud as the others. Mostly to the fact that he does not talk as much. I also like that he has a sense of style.

But I must admit, I do miss the others. I plan on removing myself from the protected Shamani community and venturing with them again. Since the disaster with Darius it has been quieter and less “dangerous”. But the Shamani have been a little more hostile, and they seem to watch the children more closely when we enter camp.

I do become homesick. Even though the company of the gypsy, who swears more than my father but less than my mother, helps. I miss the music, the laughter, and the feasts of my tribe. Was it wrong to not marry and not to settle down in either of our tribes?

Well enough of self pity, we are at a time before either of us were born, that is something to be decided when we return. So until then, I do not worry about marriage or family. I live for myself!

Daoine Maitche