The history of The Unchosen

Subject: The history of The Unchosen Fri Jul 04, 2008 5:49 pm

John looked around the Lacheish Plains as his men toiled away erecting the new keep; he had come a long way from the common district of Old Tarantia. The Aquilonian had set off on a quest to unite the different cultures of Hyboria. Many had laughed at him as he tried to recruit members to join him on his noble quests. Only few had belief that John would be able to unite the different races to stand and fight for a common goal; to fight for peace.

John was woken from his thoughts of his long journey as he heard Ra-Horakhty scream at the newest members of the guild “Get in Line Dogs, I don’t want to be dragged out in the middle of a battle to save your ass because you cant follow orders!” Discipline was something that had to be implemented into all members as he looked around at some of the rag-tag veterans of the guild. Most of them were social outcasts, Barbarians in the eyes of their ‘betters’. Yet it was these unchosen men and women that had all volunteered to go and fight to protect the very people that had disowned them, persecuted and tried to kill them whenever they could. It was the reason why the guild had been dubbed ‘The Unchosen’ but as much as it was meant as an insult, John had used it to unite the troops and boost their morale.

A Tempest of Set walked over to the commander.

“Trouble is coming,” she warned him. John had no doubt in his mind that she was right. Lucia had an amazing ability to sense when danger was coming. Her talent managed to save a village just north of the Purple Lotus Swamp from bandits as she organised the villagers into setting traps, which caught the bandits by surprise and wiped them out. “It’s a gift from Set,” she told him when they first met. He doubted that it was in fact a divine gift and put it down to more of a sixth sense but still he knew that she would be an invaluable asset and so recruited her and she became his personal advisor from that moment on.

John went to check on the construction of the keep. Lucia walked towards a hooded figure who had been watching the commander like a hawk from the shadows, out of sight from the rest of guild.

“Tonight” she whispered to him,

“Tonight” he replied.

The sun had set and the moon was high in the sky. The commander was asleep in his tent, blissfully unaware of the hooded figure that had just crept into his tent. The man with his dagger drawn edged his way to the bed, when all of a sudden he felt a sharp pain. He dropped to his knees and blood began to pour from his mouth.

He gasped “How?” as he fell to the floor, dead with a dagger in his back. The hooded figure from earlier stood over the corpse and he lowered his hood. John had woken from the commotion, “You saved my life again, Lex,” he proclaimed to the man. It was Leximus, John’s childhood friend and faithful assassin.
”Don’t thank me my lord,” he stated humbly “It was Lucia who warned me of the danger. We must be doing something right or they wouldn’t try and kill you.”

“People want us to fail Lex, we mustn’t let them stop us. If it’s a war they want then by Mitra we will give them one to defend this land from chaos!”

Subject: Re: The history of The Unchosen Thu Jul 10, 2008 3:50 pm

As the sun rose the following morning, there was already a lot of action happening in the commander’s tent. Outside laid the corpse of the would-be assassin however his head had been severed from his torso and placed on a pole as a warning to other assassins.

Inside the camp John was deciding on the best course of action on how to respond to the events of the previous night. He looked around the room. Lucia and Lex were sat on either side of him. Saabo was also sat at the table; the mighty guardian was also the guilds master armour smith. At the entrance of the tent stood another 3 guardians; Odewein, Einridi and Vandice all three where John bodyguards. They had all sworn their life to John after he had pulled them from the streets of Old Tarantia, away from their life of crime to a much more honourable path. He knew that all of them would willingly sacrifice their life for his, but he himself knew that should the situation ever arose he would in fact give his life for any of theirs, hell he would give it for any member of the guild. A major flaw most would say to have a leader throw away his life to save a lowly ranked soldier but it earned him the trust and respect from his men to know their leader was there to fight with them to the death.

“Where is Jadseer?” Saabo demanded “This is important! She should be here!”

John turned to the empty seat next to Lex, then looked back at Saabo “Don’t worry my friend” he said calmly “she is scouting the area and waiting to hear from her apprentices.”

Jadseer sat by a campfire outside the main camp, she was impressed with the position of the guild city, it would be easily defendable and there was plenty of resources in the area, Jutro the Barbarian had picked a good spot for the city, though she would never tell him this. The faint cry of an eagle could be heard in the distance, Jadseer jumped to her feet, the eagle instinctively knew where she was and landed on her outstretched arm, a note attached to its foot. “By Crom” she cried dropping the note as she ran to her horse and raced back to the growing guild city.

“We need to show our strength! That will show the other guilds we cannot be pushed around!” Saabo exclaimed as he banged his fist against the table.

“We can’t just attack random people without proof! The assassin wasn’t wearing any specific guild colours or tokens.” Lucia calmly stated “besides if we start attacking everyone then we will be no better than barbarians”

Saabo didn’t have time to reply as Jadseer barged into the tent nearly knocking Einridi over as she marched to John’s side. “My lord, I have just received word from Serrated, my star apprentice, he brings grave word from Tesso, Lore and his bandits march upon the town they will be there in two days”

“Two days?” Saabo snorted “it’s a four day walk to Tesso from here! We will never make it the town is lost, tell him to get out and save himself”

“NO!” John bellowed, the tent went deadly silent even, “We will not let the villagers of Tesso be slaughtered! We will ride day and night but by Mitra we will be there to defend the people of Tesso. This is why we were formed, to defend others and I will not forsake my duty. Saabo I want to leave you in charge of defending the base and make sure city construction stays on track. I no your upset about not being their to kill the assassin yourself but I need you to calm down, their will be other battles my friend”
”Yes Sir!” He replied

“Odewein, wake Raphael and Fairvixen and get them ready to ride in 5”
”Sir” came the response and with that he left the tent

“Einridi gather as many healers as you can, the rest of you mount up, If Lore thinks he can harm innocent people then we soon show him the error of his ways, to Tesso men!”

Subject: Re: The history of The Unchosen Sat Jul 12, 2008 1:21 am

The march to Tesso was a long one, even travelling most of the nights it still took three days to reach the town. As they approached the wild lands, smoke could be seen in the distance; Lore’s attack had already begun. John turned to his men, they were tired from the long journey, but all of them seemed prepared as if they knew what he was about to ask them, Odewein already had his weapon unsheathed and had moved to the front of the convoy.
“Men, I know you are tired,” John stated, “so am I. It has been a long journey but we have come so far. We must move to help secure the town. I would willingly give my life for any of you; I hope you would do the same for me. May whatever gods you serve protect you but pray that your fellow guild member is watching your back! For the people of Tesso!”
”For the Unchosen!” Came the chant back and with that the army galloped towards the town.
The town had faired better against the attack than had been predicted, Serrated had managed to inform governor Myrtilos of the impending attack, who had sent a distress call across the land. Only the Dark Knights of Twilight had answered the call. I small band of warriors looking to improve their reputation. The governor then emptied the town’s coffers and hired the fabled Black Company, a group of honest mercs who would fight to the death to complete a contract.
Although this still wasn’t enough to halt Lore’s evil plans of dominance in the wild lands, after a full day of attacking the towns defences the bandits had managed to break the perimeter on the south side of the town, where the dark knights along with Serrated where holding the attackers at bay. The bandits poured through the opening cutting down two Dark Knights who had moved to try and block their path. Serrated edged backwards as he fired an arrow through the eye of the closest bandit. Another two soon charged the ranger after seeing their comrade fall. Serrated tripped over a rock as he edged backwards, falling to the floor, he knew his time had come as the first bandit swung for him.
Nothing, he felt nothing was death really this painless he wondered to himself? He opened his eyes to see his would be killer knelt before him his chest filled with arrows, the horses hooves becoming louder drowning out the sound of battle. The second bandit seeing the vast number of horsemen appear turned and tried to flee but was soon chopped down, his head cut clean from his body from one mighty stroke of Odewein’s sword.
“Never back down Serrated!” Jadseer scowled at her apprentice as she helped him to his feet “face any death that the gods throw at you with honour!”
“Yes Ma’am” he gratefully replied
“Oh and by the way nice shot, your almost a match for my skill, though I would have killed all three in the time it takes you to kill one” she joked with him, lightening the mood.
“Who’s in charge here?” John bellowed drowning out the sounds of war that echoed in the streets.
”I am!” a cry came from behind him “Name’s Ronson of the Dark Knights of Twilight. I have been given command of the defence of the southern side of the town, Black Company holds the north they are led by Vode and Tessa.”
“Well my men and I are at your disposal, Odewein, Vandice, Raphael, Serrated and A Squad you will stay here and help defend the south, Lucia take the healers and set up a medic tent in the centre. Einridi, Lex, Fairvixen, Jadseer and B Squad with me let us see how Black Company fairs.”

The north of the town had been held better than the south with the bandits being kept at bay. As John and his men entered the north of the town, they were greeted by Vode and Myrtilos.
“Praise Mitra, reinforcements” Myrtilos cried as he saw John and his men approach them.
“Einridi take B Squad and relieve the men on the barricade, let them rest.” John then turned to the governor “The Unchosen is here at your disposal. I have already got a medical station being set up in the centre of town take any wounded there. We will fight to the death to defend the town.”
“You might have to,” Vode snapped “they’ve just breeched the walls!”

Subject: Re: The history of The Unchosen Sun Jul 13, 2008 2:49 am

“MOVE!” Einridi screamed at the members of B Squad that was in his way. He threw himself into the opening that Lore’s men had made in the barricade. Knocking back three of the bandits that were trying to enter the city with one mighty swing of his polearm “get that barricade back up” he barked to his squad, he then stepped outside the town into the oncoming charge of the attackers.
Fairvixen started to summon a dozen undead minions and sent them out to try and offer Einridi some support to ease the amount of people bearing down on him, Einridi though wasn’t entirely grateful for the help, he believed the dead should stay dead and that the necromancer shouldn’t be trusted but John had given all of them a second chance at life so he would try to do the same with her.
“With me!” John cried; he had reached the opening “leave that barrier, move to relieve Einridi!”
Vode couldn’t believe his eyes “what kind of leader is this?” he asked, turning to Jadseer “Why risk his own life for one soldier? Surely it is more important that he survives he can get soldiers anywhere!”
“He’s our leader,” Jadseer replied, “he would die for any one of us, not matter our station. We are a family we look out for one another”
“Admiral, all be it a foolish trait” Vode smirked looking at his fellow guild leader Tessa,
“Aye” she replied
“Rangers take aim, aim for the back line,” Vode ordered to the dozen rangers stood behind him “time to cause some chaos in their ranks, Fire!” Vode, Jadseer, Tessa and the rangers let loose a volley that soared over the heads of John and his men. Fifteen bandits dropped instantly, the rangers had managed to aim for individual targets as if they were stood before them, not 30ft away.
Einridi was fairing better than the undead minions only two of them remained as the bandits panicked at the sight of them and began focusing on them giving Einridi a much needed breather. Seven bandits lay at his feet, six were already dead the last was writhing in pain, Einridi brought his foot down in the bandits face with full force. He could feel the skull crush under his full plate boots “Who’s next?” he said calmly at the three bandits that stood before him, he had failed to see a fourth bandit creep up behind him, he raised he sword to strike him in the back but fell down screaming, he looked up to see his legs still standing, severed from his body. He then turned and looked up at where his attack had come from, all he saw was John’s mighty axe just before it sliced through his head.
”The guild has always got your back Einridi don’t be a hero” John called to his relieved guild member
“Decide to join in the fun at last?” he smiled “7-1 to me”
The battle raged for an hour casualties high on both sides.
“Push forward men” Lore cried, he finally entered the battle himself, he wanted to crush this resistance fast and loot the town as fast as he could. “Turn and face men!” John tried to look to see what could cause Lore to be diverting men from him, it was Ronson and Odewein marching having left their post after defeating the bandits near them, they charge their squads in to Lore’s flanks. Vode and Tessa now joined in the fight at close quarters as well. The defenders going all out to end the battle. It was clear who ever could get the advantage in the next 10 minutes would win and determine Tesso’s fate. John pushed himself deeper into the enemy’s formation towards Lore, who charged John trying to catch him of guard. John managed to raise his shield in time and the two began to trade blows. The skill of both these men was so matched that it was almost poetry in motion. Men from both sides stopped to watch the two go head to head. Another five minutes had passed by now the rest of the battle had stopped and surrounded the two, all eyes were on them, even the governor was watching from the top of the tavern in amazement.
Lore lunged for John, but he managed to side step out of the way causing Lore to fall to the floor. But before John could deliver the killing blow, trumpets sounded in the distance, everyone turned to the hillside to see a range of different flags fluttering in the wind. Dutch Dunedain, Aquilonian Lions, Cimmeria’s Finest and Core had all responded to the distress call, all be it the battle was dying out.
John offered his opponent away out “Surrender Lore, your finished, there is no escape”
“Never!” Lore snapped “FIRE!”
Everyone had been to busy looking at the marching reinforcements, they hadn’t seen Lore signal one of his rangers to get ready. Upon hearing the signal the bandit ranger fired his crossbow, the bolt pierced John’s full plate armour. He dropped to his knees. The remaining bandits turned and fled in the confusion that followed
Raphael, Odewein and Vandice all charged at the ranger who was hacked to pieces before he even had a chance to run. Lucia ran to John but he stood back to his feet.
“It will take more than that to kill me” he smiled at her.
“Looks like it’s stuck in the bone, we will have to cut you out of that armour to get at it”
“Well we’ve done our job, Tesso still stands. It will be written in history that today The Unchosen held the line. That brave men and women of both Dark Knights and Black Company held the line, and that the losses we all suffered were not for nothing.” He looked over at Vode, Tessa and Ronson and nodded “and it looks like we earned a few new allies! But come get this arrow out of me, then we are of to Tarantia, the men deserve a break, and we need some fresh recruits!”

Number of posts : 1 Registration date : 2008-06-22

heh

good story Smile

I think some epic battles to come,

Mols ^_^

Subject: Re: The history of The Unchosen Fri Jul 18, 2008 3:41 am

The remaining Unchosen soldiers from the battle at Tesso made camp around the edge of Tarantina;
“The next few days are your own men, spend the coin you’ve earned well and enjoy it!” John called to his men as the last rent was erected “But remember that your every action reflects the guild, but have fun and don’t spend all your money on the first whore you meet spread the wealth amongst them!”

The men cheered with this final order to go out and have fun. Many drinks will be toasted over their fallen comrades and tales told to every bar wench in every tavern of their own bravery and unique stories,

John then turned and walked over to his shadowy protector, “I must travel to the nearby tavern, the hunter’s dog inn. I must meet my apprentice there.” Lex whispered

“The hunter’s dog? I’ve never heard of that pub before and we grew up Tarantina together, and you have an apprentice? How come I have never seen him?” John asked in bewilderment

“The Inn is a place for crooks, thieves and for people like me who don’t wished to be seen, and the fact that you have never seen her means she is progressing well in her training. Not all assassins are male you know, her code name is Psycobabe, that’s all I can tell even you there is codes that I must honour that are greater even to my loyalty to the guild. If you wish to come with me and see the dark side of town, you must know that your honour counts for nothing, you might see immoral things and you must leave them be. For your honour may mean you end up with a dagger in your back and your throat slit.”

Showster ran through the back streets of the common district, He was a lowly con artist and that’s how he got his name. He tricked money out of unsuspecting fools who where easily conned by his quick hands and sharp tongue. He could hear the guards shouting in the distance, though they were the least of his worries. He had conned the biggest crime lord in Tarantina, Wrex, out of 10 gold and blew it all on hookers and ale, and now he had his entire gang looking for him. He turned a corner, charging past two men straight into the hunter’s dog inn, he sat down at the table at the end of the bar, hoping no one had seen him.

The two men that Showster had passed where Lex and John and they too entered the bar. “sit at the bar friend” Lex motioned to John “my meeting with her is private”

But before John could reply a cloaked woman interrupted him “well, well, well if it isn’t Lexi, still off trying to save the world are we? And this must be your fearless leader Johnwebb, heard you let Lore slip right through your fingers what a shame. He has been causing us true aquilionian’s problems for sometime you two would know if you where more interested in your own kind then everyone else!” It was Badvalentine, a beautiful young woman but something about her gave her this aura of a cold blooded killer.

“This is not the time or place Valentine” Lex snapped back

“when will it ever, I’ve suddenly lost interest in this place ill see you around Lexi but the question is will you see me?” and with that she left the pub

“Who was that Lex?” John was intrigued; it seemed there was much he didn’t know about his friend.

“It’s a long story, I’ll explain later. Ah she is here please excuse me my friend” Lex went and sat at a table the far side of the bar where John could just make out the figure of a woman but he could not see her face as the bar was dimly lit. He turned and sat down at the edge of the bar an ordered a drink. Three more men arrived, one was only a smallish bloke, he had a scar running down his left cheek but the other two standing at either side of him were built like mountains, making the smaller, scarred man seem even smaller. Showster sunk in his seat, but this movement drew the attention of the scarred man, “over there, get him!” he ordered.

“Wait! Please guys I can explain! Come on Wrex please” Showster cried in vain as the men approached

“You owe me a lot of money and I intend to collect it one way or the other! Take what ever money he has on him then brake a bone for every piece of silver he is short” Wrex ordered

Showster punched the first thug that came near him but was grabbed by the second and the two began to beat him to a pulp. Lex could see from across the bar the rage building in John and tried to motion to him not to get involved but it was useless. John rose from his seat picked up his stool breaking it over the first thug’s head, who then dropped motionless to the floor, Lex darted across the pub and dived on to the second thugs back who loosened his grip on Showster. This allowed Showster to raise his leg in between the thug’s legs low blowing him. Wrex turn tailed and ran for the exit, shouting on his retreat “I’ll get you don’t you worry Showster, I will get you! That’s a promise”

“Thanks I guess” Showster said turning to his defenders “though I would rather have taken a beating as next time he will just kill me! Wait I know you your from that guild that just fought in Tesso right, the one with all the soldiers outside the gates? The unspoken or something, wait it will come to me that’s it The Unchosen! Hey do you guys need an extra blade by any chance? I’m good with a sword”

“Well we can give you a trail, see if you can be put to any use, come back to the camp with us” John answered happy to have found a new recruit to his cause. Showster walked behind them out of the pub, rubbing his hands with glee ‘an army to protect me from Wrex and a lot of drunken soldiers to con, looks like my luck has changed’ he thought as they all headed towards the camp.