Soft orange light of the setting sun dappled the trees and fields of a quiet countryside, its warm colors melding with those of the autumnal forest. WInter’s chill was creeping up on this land sooner than usual. Fortunately, Nadia had made it in time enough that there was still a month or so to clear the mountain passes before the first snows fell. At the moment, though, she was more concerned about finding somewhere warm to sleep for the night. There should be a town close by along the road here- Kilum. Just as she’d thought, before long the twinkling lights of the crossroads town appeared in the distance over the rolling hills. It had been nearly a century since Nadia was through here last, so seeing the towns she remembered still in place was a reassurance. Along Nadia walked, hands tucked into her pockets while she hummed quietly and listened to the last few birds in the area warbling their songs. Soon the road sloped slightly down a broad hill, then curved and continued on through a sprawling ash thicket and between two tall craggy hillocks.
As the thicket of trees parted around her Nadia caught sight of the hills, and slowed to a stop. Two wagons were tethered together to block the passageway through. There for just for a moment- a flashing glint of steel from the wagons. Ducking aside, a crossbow bolt flashed past her cheek. Her stance shifted, sword snapping outward to knock a second bolt aside. Just as quickly it vanished back under her long coat. “There’s a fine bit of decor on you missy. Afraid I’ll have to liberate it from you,” she heard in a sneering voice from the right cart alongside a laugh, and a long haired man stood, pistol at his hip leveled her way. That was a surprise. Normally only the very wealthiest could afford something as costly and experimental as a gun. Seven others emerged from the carts, brandishing clubs and axes. Two that had fired at her began to reload their crossbows.
“I would ask you all to please reconsider this,” Nadia said, her tone almost kind. The apparent leader and several others laughed, and he gave a lazy flick of his pistol. “Right gents. No clean shot for her, hack this one up for mouthing off,” the other gave murmurs of acknowledgement and fanned out, moving towards her. Clicking her tongue quietly Nadia shook her head and leveled her blade before her. Then she heard… hoofbeats… getting quickly closer from behind. Someone on horseback, and closing fast. Even more of these guys? She couldn’t be sure, but saw the group falter slightly in their approach. Whatever was the case, she had to be ready, and since they’d reach her first was prepared to strike at the unknown rider if need be.
(Nadithare Decas Tol-Azia Tochlane (though she prefers simply Nadia) is an elven mage- and so far as she knows, one of the last. Nadia has not seen another of her own kind for at least six hundred years. For the past four centuries she has pursued a quiet personal mission to uncover and document as much of the nearly forgotten old magic still practiced around the world as she can. Standing at 5’8'' Nadia strikes a fairly tall figure. Raven black hair is shaved into a neat undercut, the right side longer and falling in loose waves to just below her jawline. Nadia’s eyes are a light violet. That alongside the flecks of gold within them show her elven ancestry just as much as her long pointed ears. Nadia has a lean and athletic build from a life always on the road, with pale skin and a small number of freckles dotting her cheeks, chest, and shoulders. Scars of varying sizes from past encounters speckle her entire body- the largest ones still slightly visible even after centuries.
Nadia is dressed for a life on the often dangerous road. She wears an ivory blouse and slim padded gambeson underneath an enchanted cuirass of dark leather. Overtop she wears a trim fit jacket of deep blue with black trim. Emblazoned on its back is a silver crescent moon with a shooting star at its center. Her tight woven pants are made for flexibility and warmth. Alongside her at all times she carries a staff that can take many forms. It may typically resemble a bardiche more than the usual mage’s tool, a hook bladed sword not unlike a khopesh in design. The elegant but simple curved blade along its upper length is of elven design, lighter and stronger than most any modern steel. The ancient weapon is, however, forged of bronze. Age has turned its blade completely green. But, with its enchantments and careful maintenance, the glimmering polish somewhat resembles jade. At its head sits a finely cut ruby half the size of Nadia’s fist that glows with a constant though usually dim light and acts to focus her power.)
As the thicket of trees parted around her Nadia caught sight of the hills, and slowed to a stop. Two wagons were tethered together to block the passageway through. There for just for a moment- a flashing glint of steel from the wagons. Ducking aside, a crossbow bolt flashed past her cheek. Her stance shifted, sword snapping outward to knock a second bolt aside. Just as quickly it vanished back under her long coat. “There’s a fine bit of decor on you missy. Afraid I’ll have to liberate it from you,” she heard in a sneering voice from the right cart alongside a laugh, and a long haired man stood, pistol at his hip leveled her way. That was a surprise. Normally only the very wealthiest could afford something as costly and experimental as a gun. Seven others emerged from the carts, brandishing clubs and axes. Two that had fired at her began to reload their crossbows.
“I would ask you all to please reconsider this,” Nadia said, her tone almost kind. The apparent leader and several others laughed, and he gave a lazy flick of his pistol. “Right gents. No clean shot for her, hack this one up for mouthing off,” the other gave murmurs of acknowledgement and fanned out, moving towards her. Clicking her tongue quietly Nadia shook her head and leveled her blade before her. Then she heard… hoofbeats… getting quickly closer from behind. Someone on horseback, and closing fast. Even more of these guys? She couldn’t be sure, but saw the group falter slightly in their approach. Whatever was the case, she had to be ready, and since they’d reach her first was prepared to strike at the unknown rider if need be.
(Nadithare Decas Tol-Azia Tochlane (though she prefers simply Nadia) is an elven mage- and so far as she knows, one of the last. Nadia has not seen another of her own kind for at least six hundred years. For the past four centuries she has pursued a quiet personal mission to uncover and document as much of the nearly forgotten old magic still practiced around the world as she can. Standing at 5’8'' Nadia strikes a fairly tall figure. Raven black hair is shaved into a neat undercut, the right side longer and falling in loose waves to just below her jawline. Nadia’s eyes are a light violet. That alongside the flecks of gold within them show her elven ancestry just as much as her long pointed ears. Nadia has a lean and athletic build from a life always on the road, with pale skin and a small number of freckles dotting her cheeks, chest, and shoulders. Scars of varying sizes from past encounters speckle her entire body- the largest ones still slightly visible even after centuries.
Nadia is dressed for a life on the often dangerous road. She wears an ivory blouse and slim padded gambeson underneath an enchanted cuirass of dark leather. Overtop she wears a trim fit jacket of deep blue with black trim. Emblazoned on its back is a silver crescent moon with a shooting star at its center. Her tight woven pants are made for flexibility and warmth. Alongside her at all times she carries a staff that can take many forms. It may typically resemble a bardiche more than the usual mage’s tool, a hook bladed sword not unlike a khopesh in design. The elegant but simple curved blade along its upper length is of elven design, lighter and stronger than most any modern steel. The ancient weapon is, however, forged of bronze. Age has turned its blade completely green. But, with its enchantments and careful maintenance, the glimmering polish somewhat resembles jade. At its head sits a finely cut ruby half the size of Nadia’s fist that glows with a constant though usually dim light and acts to focus her power.)
Instead, the one on the horse was a young man—at least 19 in age—trotting the horse down the path with a cart trailing behind; a cart filled with… um… what would appear to be “goods”.
The young man had pecan skin with short vanilla hair and puffy medium-length waves. His attire was a bit eccentric—wearing a dark azure blue gugel hood, a multicoloured doublet, dark purple pants, dark sienna boots, and a waist cape coloured the same as his hood.
Judging by what he looked like, it was safe to assure he was not one of them.
The young man trotted beside the elven mage, bending down slightly—despite being at least six feet tall—to have a look-see at the perpetrators.
“Now, now,” the man’s voice was laced with friendless and a bit of mischief. “All of you wouldn’t want to hurt someone—even a beautiful lady like her!” He gestured to the mage.
His jade green eyes turned his attention back to the group, feeling like they were piercing them. “Now, I don’t know what this lady did, buuut if it’s money-related, I could pay the price for her—after all, with her blade being out, I’m guessing you guys were attempting to rob her. But judging her? Hah! Feels like she’ll have a thrill takin’ a whoopin’ out of all of ya!”
“Buuut anyway,” the young man was rummaging through a pocket. “No need for fighting, fellas. Just tell me the sum and I’ll pay up. Easy for all of us, right?”
The young man had pecan skin with short vanilla hair and puffy medium-length waves. His attire was a bit eccentric—wearing a dark azure blue gugel hood, a multicoloured doublet, dark purple pants, dark sienna boots, and a waist cape coloured the same as his hood.
Judging by what he looked like, it was safe to assure he was not one of them.
The young man trotted beside the elven mage, bending down slightly—despite being at least six feet tall—to have a look-see at the perpetrators.
“Now, now,” the man’s voice was laced with friendless and a bit of mischief. “All of you wouldn’t want to hurt someone—even a beautiful lady like her!” He gestured to the mage.
His jade green eyes turned his attention back to the group, feeling like they were piercing them. “Now, I don’t know what this lady did, buuut if it’s money-related, I could pay the price for her—after all, with her blade being out, I’m guessing you guys were attempting to rob her. But judging her? Hah! Feels like she’ll have a thrill takin’ a whoopin’ out of all of ya!”
“Buuut anyway,” the young man was rummaging through a pocket. “No need for fighting, fellas. Just tell me the sum and I’ll pay up. Easy for all of us, right?”
(sorry void this, accidentally posted response twice)
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