Randomly decided to check in after years and see talk of Doordie and Amel. Lots of fun memories! Arguably my first long time character, Narwyn, ended up closely aligned with Amel as his protege.
Doordie was one of the best RP's I ever played with. His stories, with his character Amel, were amazing. Rich, deep, complex. I hope Doordie is doing well! You have a really great Uncle!
Registered Member #408
Joined: 2:50:36 am GMT 01/20/05
Posts: 1509
Out of boredom one day, Ekka decided to take a look at the giant war crossbows within the walls of the camp. Ekka knew how to operate a crossbow, and by judging by the build of the mechanism it seemed almost similar.
Ekka went inside the supply wagon to find ammunition for the seige weapon. Of course they were not hard to find, there were a few bundles on the floor behind the counter. Ekka pulled on from the bundle and dragged it out with him.
He pulled the bolt back the weapon and loaded it up with slight difficulty, even in minotaur shape, apparently this sort of job was mean't for more then one individual. Ekka moved behind the mechanism and looked and found the trigger and pulled it back. The launch of the weapon startled him and he saw he aimed it into the side of a cliff.
He chuckled as he saw a few rocks fall to the sands.
[ image disabled ]
[ 408_seige.jpg ]
Registered Member #408
Joined: 2:50:36 am GMT 01/20/05
Posts: 1509
Ekka at the desk in the Captains Quarters thinking of away that he could perhaps restore the bridge between the Wastes and Drakamyre.
Ekka's power was limited without a goddess to harness the power from. There were plenty of supplies within' the camp. Perhaps he could use something as a source in which he could entangle the two broken ends of the bridge with think vines in which he could cross. Right then he remembered the trees in the oasis.
Certainly Ekka could pull up their roots and move plant them on the other side of the bridge. From their with the aid of magic the vines will entangle the remaning bridge and grow to the broken end and grow through the split. Eventually it could be strong enough to at least support his weight at least in a light and agile kobold shape.
Ekka could perhaps create a new oasis nearby the bridge. That would require digging far into the sands... but he had a shape quite capable of digging at such depths quickly. Perhaps it would be possible with an ant foremen shape.
The other issue would be trasporting one tree from across the desert without killing it. Perhaps Ekka would have to magically grow a new one... and with a nearby oasis life would be very possible for the tree.
This project would take time but he knew it would work. Ekka went outside and immediatly set to work.
Upon exiting the Captains Quarters, Ekka spotted a desert fowl.
A thought of Franck and Tara crossed his mind. He remembered the wedding being around this time. He smiled and retreieved parchment from within the supply caravan and some ink and he wrote.
wrote ... Dear Franck and Tara,
It has been sometime since I have spoken to either of you... but I send my congratulations on the marriage. I wish you the best of luck for the future of your relationship. I also send my dearist apology for not attending the ceremony.
You might have not recieved my last letter... but I wish to inform you that I am in the Wastes and I might possibly need your help to escape. If there is anyway you can reply to this letter please, have it sent to the old Empyrean Camp.
Ekka
Ekka attached the letter to the fowl and sent it flying off in search of them.
TPK Insurance Specialist, call now for our low, low rates! 1-800-U KILL ME Registered Member #552
Joined: 4:34:52 am GMT 06/13/05
Posts: 2608
Franck was sitting at the fire in Hamley, wittling away at a piece of wood, no intention in mind, just letting the natural shape of the wood decide it's future. He looked up as he heard a child's voice calling his name - Pietor, one of the farmer's boys that was often to be seen running about the village.
"Mr. Franck sir, Mr. Franck sir, I've found a note addressed to you or Miss Tara!"
Franck put down the knife as the boy approached and asked where the note had come from.
"I was practising with my bow when I noticed this bird flying real low and real slow. I shot it.. well, I clipped a wing, but I brought it down! When I went to fetch it, I saw it had a note tied on it.. my mother said it was for you and to bring it to you straight away, so here I am."
Franck thanked Pietor, gave him a coin for his efforts and then opened the note...
Ekka Caaryduil wrote ... Dear Franck and Tara,
It has been sometime since I have spoken to either of you... but I send my congratulations on the marriage. I wish you the best of luck for the future of your relationship. I also send my dearist apology for not attending the ceremony.
You might have not recieved my last letter... but I wish to inform you that I am in the Wastes and I might possibly need your help to escape. If there is anyway you can reply to this letter please, have it sent to the old Empyrean Camp.
Ekka
Franck frowned as he read the note... Ekka had been missing for so long, and at last he knew where he was... but how on Toril was he going to help him? He decidied that he would have to return to the Pass of Ashes and see for himself...
Many hours later, Franck stood at the Empyrean outpost, burned and near obliterated. He walked past the ruined Captain's quarters, and out onto the bridge itself. The Wastes still seemed under veil of darkness as he looked out into the black night, the ther side of the ruined bridge barely visible in the gloom. There was no way that he could cross that gap, and he knew of no other route ino the wastes... yet he could not leave Ekka without hope.
Returning to the paltry shelter of the outpost, he drew a scrap of paper from his pack and quickly wrote a note...
Franck Steiner wrote ...
Ekka...
My friend, it is good to hear news of you, we had feared you lost to this world. I know of no way to reach you, but I will seek help from the wise and good of the isle. Fear not my friend, we will not abandon you.
Franck Steiner
He found a stub of a candle in his pack and lit it, then wrapped the note tightly around the shaft of an arrow. He then dripped the molten wax over the note, holding it in place and sealing it (hopefully) from the elements. It was a crude job, but the best he could do at short notice. He then returned to the bridge, and taking his mighty elven bow, launched the arrow into the dark.
[ image disabled ]
He watched as the arrow flew, losing sight of it before it found the other side. Did it make the bridge? Had it found a solid target, or just skimmed off into the void? Would Ekka be able to find it? He had no idea... but he had done all he could for now. He picked up his bow and sword and made his way back home.
Registered Member #408
Joined: 2:50:36 am GMT 01/20/05
Posts: 1509
The wind was absent, not a single sound could be heard in the quiet night of the Wastes. Ekka sat up on the stairs outside of Faldric's Watch at peace in Reverie.
A faint sound rang in the south, near the bridge. Ekka's eyes shot open from his peaceful Reverie. Visitors? Ekka thought. Hardly.
Perhaps it was the air elementals on the bridge fighting off one of the beetles.
No matter what it was, it send alarms off in Ekka's head.
He made a swift, silent approach to the bridge. The Wyrm Beetles have been doing their usual thing, same as the elementals. Something triggered that sound.
His eyes scanned the clift walls, the chasm, and even across the bridge. There was nothing.
He made his way back. However, something caught his eye.
An arrow was lodged deep on the chasm wall near the portal room.
Ekka could see there was something attached. He rushed to stand over the end of the chasm where it was and he looked down. The shifter took the shape of a drider and made an approach down the wall and pulled the parchment off with a free hand. After grabbing the parchment he acsended from the chasm... and read it aloud.
He frowned as he read. It seemed there wasn't much they could do for his escape. However, the island will know he still lives.
Ekka snuck quietly back to the camp.
He searched through his old traveling pack and produced a feather given to him by Carlyduil. This particular feather was imbued magically by the wizard himself. Perhaps he would hear his call.
"My dear friend, Carylduil. I am trapped here within the old Empyrean Waste Camp. I've been surviving off of rations and plants magically created by myself. I have come through the portal but I cannot re enter through which I have come. Your knowledge of the portals greatly exceeds my own, and I hope perhaps you could help me escape. Your friend, Ekka."
Ekka tossed it up in the air and conjured a magic wind to blow it south into Drakamyre. It would only be a matter of time till he received aid, or word.
[ image disabled ]
[ 408_spideracro.jpg ]
Registered Member #408
Joined: 2:50:36 am GMT 01/20/05
Posts: 1509
Ekka sat within' the camp once again. Many sounds in the south were echoing from the other side of the bridge. Perhaps it was his rescue party, he started having second thoughts of leaving. In the Wastes, time seemed to stand still. Time hadn't mattered to Ekka any ways due to his race. How long had me been in this desert? Weeks? Months? Or even years? He had seen many sunrises and sunsets. Been through his share of sandstorms, and dealt with a number of cold nights and extremely hot days.
However, Ekka knew he wouldn't be within the camp forever. Soon he would have company. He dreaded that thought in the back of his mind. Ekka was knew he would be happier with the lack of company.
Ekka would enjoy the stay as it was. Being in solitude, he not to worry of war. He had not to worry of drama. There was no worry of losing the one's closest to you. There was no criticism. Ekka preferred it that way.
Though despite his fondess of the isolation he would think about his closest friends. Franck, Tara, Danath, Quamara, Elas, and even Isabel. He sat back and thought about her and how she was suddenly changed by Slaith. He hated Slaith and anyone who had anything to do with him. The bastard was a Vandal. Ekka has no respect for any of the Hawks and when the day came that Ekka would be set free of his isolation. They would taste vengence. He would make sure of it.
Ekka returned to his loft within Faldric's Watch. From there he could overlook the Wastelands. Right now, this land was his land... and only the little things mattered. The shifter hated those damn beetles, so another nights hunt was in for them.
Registered Member #408
Joined: 2:50:36 am GMT 01/20/05
Posts: 1509
The sounds in the South had quieted. Perhaps they just left.
Ekka knew once that bridge was restored he would be headed back.
Ekka fumbled through his travel pack and a certain vestment caught his attention. It was his old Bridge Guard uniform. He remembered working in affliation with Quamara's Sisterhood. His time as captain of the males was impassive and the guild was declined rapidly before he left. However, his thought remained on Quamara.
There was something about her that he once loved. Something made him want to see her more. The more he thought of her, the more he began to miss seeing her. Was she alright? This thought made Ekka's stomach turn, perhaps something had happened to her. If that be the case, he did not want to return to civilization to deal with tragedy.
Ekka grabbed ink and parchment once again and wrote slowly and neatly in elvish.
wrote ...
Dearest Quamara,
It seems as if it has been an eternity since we last spoke. Just recently your face has come to mind. It seems like a decade I have been here in the Wastelands in isolation... but this time away has been well worth it. My eyes have returned to me with the needed meditation and changes I have made which at this time shall remain nameless.
There are sounds of activity in the South near the broken bridge. I am thinking it will not be long till the camp undergoes repair and I will be headed back to civilization.
I ask of you to respond to this letter for I fear the worst may have come to you. If you still live, please send a response to the fowl that delivers this.
Ekka.
Ekka found the largest desert bird he could possibly find at the moments time and send the note off to Quamara with prayer of a reply.
The shifter took his pack to the far corner of the camp and buried things lesser neccesities, such as the disguise given to him by Danath, and the Bridge Guard Uniform and buried them in the sands.
[ image disabled ]
[ 408_buriedstuff.jpg ][ Edited 08:52:07 PM 10/02/06 ][ Edited 08:53:03 PM 10/02/06 ]
Registered Member #442
Joined: 8:50:19 pm GMT 02/24/05
Posts: 972
Receiving the letter in Hamley, Quamara pens a brief reply:
Dear Ekka,
It warms my heart to hear from you. I have noted your absence from the unstable hill and the flame, and long for your arrival.
The wastelands are a dark place. I find it curious how they draw us all, or even so many of us; that upon my arrival to this island it was not long before even I found them. Now I wish to see the wastes again, and I have done all in my power to ensure that the camp is rebuilt in a timely manner.
I hope that my efforts will expedite your safe return. Life here has been wonderful, but delights are so much greater among old friends, especially one such as you.
Registered Member #408
Joined: 2:50:36 am GMT 01/20/05
Posts: 1509
His eyes flashed open from a reverie. It hadn't been long since he received the letter from Quamara.
A sound of combat was clearily audible in the south.
This wasn't the Empyreans this time he was sure.
Ekka quickly gathered his stuff and went south to the bridge. Perhaps he would fly across to meet them... but a part of him did not want to leave.
It was either leave now, or miss the ride.
He reached the bridge undetected by the beetles. Though it ached in his heart not to kill them another time before leaving. The best hunt was ahead.
The first group was not so easily taken when he encountered them. Though he quickly took them down with acid. Though he was hurt.
He ached the thought of taking the second pair. Ekka moved in stealth to strike... he smiled though at the site he took witness to. A number of adventurers were on the other side.
Ekka made the attack from the shadows and their archers took to fire at the elementals. He moved back into the shadows and took shape of a massive cube and littered them with acid.
Alas, he was going to be on his way, or perhaps not.
The winds on the bridge were strong. Very difficult for flying.
He greeted the group with reconition of Quamara by her voice. A true friend... he dearly missed her and there she was along with Danath's daughter Itarilde.
The group cleared out, all except Quamara. He took a few moments and looked back at the sands that had been his home for all this time then shifted into the winged feline known as a manticore. Perfect for hunting the skies.
With difficulty, he flew to the other side to greet Quamara. She was beautiful. Something his eyes did not remember.
He shifted back and walked into the camp with too greet the rest of the group.
There was Isabel.
His heart stopped.
He wanted to turn back.
...but a return flight might not be so successful.
Ekka proceded on to Hamley.
There was fresh game, he could see the twisted faces of death on the goblins faces. Something about that ignited a growth in his love for the hunt.
It was time to hunt fresh meat.
[ image disabled ]
[ 408_therescue.jpg ]
Registered Member #408
Joined: 2:50:36 am GMT 01/20/05
Posts: 1509
Ekka was within the cave of bears. He held his new weapon admiring its balance. Why was it he took such a weapon created by a scorn race such as the drow? The Drow are the one's who murdered his family and friends, the drow are the ones who cut out his first eyes and scareed his very soul for eternity. He had a great hatred for them. Th Red Tiger bade him to hunt their flesh and make them understand who is greater. Mielikki no longer held a restraint on his actions. His primary focus was vengence, he would hunt the drow.. He would kill them until he could kill no more. Ekka would kill them with the very weapon they created, their blood would mat the blade. They would finally feel nature's wrath. Ekka wasn't stupid though, he knew he could not hope to kill countless drow alone. Adventurer's would easily be persuaded into aiding him in the massacre.
[ The Island of Thain ]
Solitude
