Chapter 5 Home is where the Heart is (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

[ranger]

Re: Who Rules the Ruins (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"Relax Rikke Ill tell you." It was the pink haired kitsune speaking to her. "Sir Reginal was once a member of the church Templar before he was accused of raping a priestess. The charges had to be dropped as the witness and victim simply disappeared before the trial. While he may have escaped the law of the city the church banished him from the order. This did not stop him however he soon formed the black cloaks a mercenary group that lived in the city. The black cloak's were made up of thieves criminals the worst of the worst so to speak and they pretty much served as DeGravel's personal military until Reginal screwed up again and got his entire force banished from the city." The fox girls pink ears twitched waiting for any questions.

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Who Rules the Ruins (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

'The Black Wargs... the Black Cloaks. What is it with these merc and their obsession with black' Rikke eyed the trio carefully "Okay so the scumbag has his own merry band of assholes, you sounded awfully conerned about this bunch. Why? How dangerous can they be? And on that note, if you knew the guy why did you let him pass?"

 

[ranger]

Re: Who Rules the Ruins (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Rhea looked at Rikke slightly annoyed. "I was able to block off most of the obvious entrances Rikke." She sounded annoyed but the look in her eyes was more than enough to tell Rikke she was disappointed in herself more than angry at her. Saul interjected before Rikke or Rhea could speak again. "The black cloaks have numbers on their side and DeGravels considerable fortune to equip themselves with. The Wargs are the best of the best no doubt about it but each Warg would be outnumbered 3 to one at best." Saul looked grim. "If only the church had their templar back in the city that would even the odds up."

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Who Rules the Ruins (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"So whats stopping the church from calling them back? At this rate they won't have a city to return to! Do you know what will happen if a bandit sindicate took full control of a city, especially with a rapist templar and slaver as their leads!" Rikkes tone did sound rather angered and perhaps a little harsh... though more than likely it was due to recent events NOT what was actually going to or was happening in the city.

 

[ranger]

Re: Who Rules the Ruins (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"The church can't call them back they are on the frontier intercepting orc raids. Besides even if they could they wouldn't make it in time." Saul looked deep in thought for a moment. "Maybe if I can call in some support from our allies outside the city..... either way Ill need time. Thankfully you didn't have the badge on you or he would have already started his moves. I need to get moving and quickly before he has a chance to act. Rune I need you to stay with your mother awhile but that doesn't give you leave to ignore your lessons." He looked at the pink haired kitsune with a stern fatherly glare. "Yes father as if I could forget." The young girl smiled at Rikke as her father poofed with a clap of thunder. "Oh Rikke this should pick your spirits up." Rune pulled a wriggling bundle from her pocket showing the pup that had taken a liking to her. It wriggled and barked a little before rune let it go and it happily romped its way to Rikke and started licking her face.

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Who Rules the Ruins (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

No matter how angered or depressed the rogue was, a cute little puppy actively licking your face just melts all that away. "Hey~ stop it~" Rikke couldn't help but let out a merry laughter "Looks like you Crolians stick together." Rune smirked "Whatcha mean?" Rikke blinked a few times holding the puppy infront of her "That's a Crolian Malamute, exceptionally strong and loyal. Think he'd make a great friend." the rogue turned to inspect

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"You don't say" Rikke eyed the puppy wiggling his tail happily at the rogue "Mhm~ Seemed he already picked you as his master, haven't seen him this happy since you brought him in" Rune smiled "I'm affraid you might have to keep him..." Rikkes heart was indeed melted by the cute lil dogey, but could she really take care of a dog on her travels? "Aw~ So whats your name lil guy? Bubsy? Bruno? How about Clothor The Man-slayer!" Rikke giggled warmly as the puppy barked loudly "Well then how about Roby? Dendi?"

Rune giggled at the suggestions "He responded well to "Willow" " the puppy quickly turned to the pink fox girl and barked once looking back at Rikke "Willow it is then..." the rogue smiled warmly.

 

[ranger]

Re: Who Rules the Ruins (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"So Rikke what are you going to do while moms scouts look for the bastards base?" Rune had moved in to keep her voice a whisper. Being this close Rikke could see that Runes eyes had her fathers grey coloring but her features where mothers down to the tip of her nose. She had the complexion of a Crolian and if it wasn't for the odd color of her hair and the fox like ears she would easily pass for a young Crolian woman on the cusp of womanhood. Willow barked happily and nuzzled close to Rikke just happy to be for now at his pack leaders side.

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Who Rules the Ruins (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"Don't know... I can't think of anything, but whats going to happen to Jessica now..." Rikke lowered her gaze sadly, a curvy girl like Jessica in the hands of a rapist templar. The real problem wasn't that Jessica was going to be abused like heck, she's a succubus... that's actually the real problem. Rikke managed to quel Jessicas succubus side for so long, what if it was to reawaken in a big way from the "festivities" the bandits might put her through. Willow looked up at Rikke and lowered his tail whinning lightly, why was the girl sad.

Rikke smiled at the puppies affection "Guess I'll go look around the warg camp. Not much else to do for now..."

 

[ranger]

Re: Who Rules the Ruins (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Rune smiled a Rikke "Ill show you around sense I'm stuck here as well. But first lets get you some cloths." Walking over to a closet Rune pulled out a simple outfit very modest to what Rikke was wearing earlier. "Well first off this room was my old room before I began to study under my father. Across the hall is my mothers rooms though she doesn't use them to often she liked to sleep out in the field as it where." Helping Rikke get dressed Rune kept her eyes averted when ever Rikke would be nude. "The floor below is mostly bunks for the Wargs and a lounge of sorts but those are the boring parts where or what would you like to see?"

Rewards

Spoiler

Oh before I forget Rikke and Jess get 5xp

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Who Rules the Ruins (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"Hm.. let's see..." Rikke slowly got into the offered clothing, when she blinked a few times "...where's my armour exactly?" Whatever the answer would be chances were it wasn't quite ready to be won again instantly "Dunno... maybe lets visit the training halls and armory, maybe I'll pick up a few tips and trick there" Rikke smiled at the helpful Kitsune "...and embarass your wargs while I'm at it" the rogue giggled lightheartily and winked at the Kitsune.

 

[ranger]

Re: Who Rules the Ruins (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"Well there's not really an armory so to speak each Warg is required to bring his own weapons and what not. They do have a smith who is on call to fix up broken armor and the like but other than that each Warg is responsible for his own gear. After all they are the best of the best and are paid as such. But they do have world class training facilities want to see?." Rikke nodded enthusiastically and followed Rune down a couple flight of stairs and across a covered walkway between two of the buildings. "Here we are this is where the Wargs train." Looking out Rikke could see an combat course with actual weapons in the training dummies hands. Just outside the combat course was a area with a white circle painted on the ground where two nearly naked men wrestled. A little father was a typical obstacle course and weight training area. "These are just the indoor facilities the Wargs keep an survival training area outside of town that they run four times a year. Then there is the sword master he teaches the Wargs the value of dodging and is the only place where fake weapons are allowed so he doesn't kill the recruit." Rune sighed wistfully looking at the men wrestling in the ring. "You must think Im a pervy girl if I like watching the Wargs wrestle. Just something about it gets my heart a pumping."

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Who Rules the Ruins (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"Two fine specimen, duking it out in a battle of pure strength..." Rikke smiled at Rune "I can definedly see the appeal. Who are the wrestlers?" the rogue pulled the Kitsune closer to the ring to watch the fights. Thought something or someone was missing from their little party... "Where's Willow?" the girl was sure the pup followed them to the building, but he was definedly gone now.

Well that would be a search slightly delayed as both girls watched on and cheered to the fighters. If the men didn't really interact with the girls Rikke would go find her pup before proceeding, well atleast just to know he's safe before the girl occupies herself.

 

[ranger]

Re: Who Rules the Ruins (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"Oh Im not sure who's in the ring today." Rune blushed as Rikke pulled her closer to the ring to watch the wrestlers closer. After a brief match that quickly got a little more intense as the two combatants spotted the girls Rikke and Rune proceeded to search for Willow. Feeling a little panicked Rikke finally found her wayward puppy in the company of an old man with clouded eyes. Willow wow growling playfully and wagging his/her tail. (not sure of gender will let you pick) The old man for his part kept as still as a stone until Willow made its move lunging playfully at the blind old man. The old man moving with the speed of someone a quarter of his age swiftly dodged the little puppies playful lunge. Not to be denied Willow quickly spun around and chased after the old man who once again dodged away. This game of cat and mouse went on for a few moments until Willow tripped over his/her paws and stumbled to the ground giving a slight painful yip. Acting quickly the old man quickly picked the young puppy up and petted the playful rascal. "Not bad young one but it will be some time before you can catch old Yin and I think your mistress has been waiting for you." The old man turned in the direction of Rikke and set Willow down who immediately ran towards her. "Rikke did you find Willow...... Master Yin sorry to have disturbed you." "No worries Rune its always nice to practice with someone who's not afraid of hurting an old man. The always do their best and keeps me on my toes." The old man smiled as he sat on the floor cross legged.

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Who Rules the Ruins (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

The two girls watched the wresteler for quite some time, the men in returned started to do less practical, but more bombastic moves just to get cheers from the two new viewers. Though the ones who tried to hard to impress usually got beaten down by the other more serious one in mere moments. Well one things for certain Rune certainly enjoyed the attention and the sights, Rikke on the other hand only got reminded what if poor Willow were to wander into a ring like this... poor doggy would get crushed!

"I'm going to look for Willow..." the rogue gave a whisper to Rune "Oh.... Okay I'l--" "You stay here so it's easier for me to find you" Rikke winked slyly at the odd haired Kitsune, obviously Rune wanted to spectate for a wee bit more, so why drag her along.

"Willow~ Willow~ Where are you?" Rikke made her way all around the hall, to barely any luck, till finally a telltale bark caught her ears. She found the puppy "fighting" a rather old and fragile looking man. He may look rusty, but it was clear as day that the man put zero effort in those dodges, perhaps this was the master Rune mentioned earlier.

Just like playing with any younging the games always end when the younger one manages to get himself hurt. This time was no exception as Willow managed to trip himself. The old man carefully picked up the rascally pup and smiled widely, before releasing him back to his master. Rikke crouched down and smiled warmly as the puppy made a B-line right towards her panting happily, before lunging into the girls arms even knocking her down from the speed and energy. "Willow~ Stop it~" Rikke laughed merrily as the pup proceeded to assault her with his cute little tongue, wiggling his tail happily "Willow. Behave." the rogue turned to the pup who much to her surprise proceeded to sit down and just look at her obediently. "Good boy!" Rikke ruffled the pup head slightly and got back to her feet. "S-sorrry about that-" "Rikke did you find Willow...... Master Yin sorry to have disturbed you" So the old man was indeed the master Rune mentioned!

Rikke bowed down "My apologies master Yin..." the rogue glanced up... the man hasn't even blinked once and those eyes... was he blind? Nevertheless hopefully Rune introduces the girl, perhaps Rikke could try her luck with the master light training. Hitting a blind old man with a wooden sword is hardly stress-relief, but that was she came here for. Hardly anyone could actually teach her something new... right?

 

[ranger]

Re: Who Rules the Ruins (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"So Rune who do you have with you today humm? By the sound of her voice she must be a lovely girl." The old man smiled in a kind way not the more perverse smiles Rikke was used to getting from men when they mentioned her. "Oh master Yin this is Rikke she is the adventurer I was telling you about." Master Yin sat a moments before standing up walking over to Rikke. His moves where graceful and despite his apparent age he moved with good speed. "Rikke you say? Dear please push against my hand." Placing her hand palm to palm Rikke began to push and found she made no progress. Deciding to try harder Rikke put her weight into and got the old master hand to move a little. "Enough!" His voice was commanding and held authority that the rogue didn't dare question. "Very good Rikke you have good strength but you should condition yourself a little better. Speed and grace are of little use if you do not have the strength to back them up!" The old master moved away to a mat on the floor nearby. "Rune my dear if you would be so kind my young challenger interrupted my tea time with his barking and Im afraid its gone cold could you make me some more and fetch another cup for you and your friend Rikke. I would love to hear a tale of adventure and daring if you have the time." Rune pulled back her head revealing her hair and ears. "Of course Master Yin I will put some tea on immediately do you want black or green?" Master Yin looked over at Rune and smiled. "Rune dear you can just call me Yin Im not your master and your not my student and green tea would be fine. Come Rikke Rune makes excellent tea I would hear a little of your adventures."

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Who Rules the Ruins (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Even though Rikke wasn't in the mood to share any tales, she wasn't someone to decline a police and nice old mans request. "Well~... I've recently told someone about my most recent adventure in the manor of demons, so I'd rather not repeat myself-" "A manor infested with demons?" Rikke smiled at the mans peak of curiousity "Alright fine~ Here's the jist of it" the rogue got comfy and explained the short version of what went down in the manor focusing more on her enemy encounters than the backstory of the manor: Vance, Seve, The Master, Sesul... she did beat a decent number of rather strong opponents there.

"And now I'm here... after outrunning a horde of goblin, flawlessly dispatching packs of wild hounds and "lust zombies", even escaping what seemed death incarnate at the center of the citys heart... I've been beaten down my some asshole in shiny armor and saw my... best friend just get carried away, like some big game prize." Rikke clenched her fists strongly "I'm sorry Master Yin, I'd rather not speak more of it."

 

[ranger]

Re: Who Rules the Ruins (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Yin nodded at the description of the enemy encounters and smiled when ever Rikke got carried away in her descriptions. Even Willow seemed to bark in excitement at Rikke's tales of daring. Master Yin did frown a little at the plight of Jess and simply layed a withered hand on the rogues shoulder. It wasn't long after that Rune made her reappearance tea and cups in hand on a tray. "So it took so long but Yin has been organizing his own pantry again." She threw a not amused look at the withered old man. "Humph I may be old and blind but Im far from helpless. I know where everything is in that pantry until you go through it sorting it out.....I." Rune looked over at Yin and interrupted the old man. "Did you know Rikke that Yin had a jar of pickles in his pantry that had started to grow legs. Pickles with legs in all my years I have never seen pickles spoil while still in the jar and brine." Master Yin just huffed but drank his tea in silence while Rune played with Willow. After a few moments Master Yin looked over in Rikke's direction and spoke once more. "Do not fret for your friend Rikke if she is a tenth as strong as you her captors will be in for a rough ride. And Rhea has the best scouts in the city your foes hidden base will not remain hidden for long." He smiled a gentile smile. "If my assumption about your friend is correct when you lead the assault in you will probably be saving the black cloaks from her not the other way around."

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Who Rules the Ruins (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Rikke smiled lightly at the two, still the worry in her eyes was rather evident. No matter what the man said she faced the armored murderer in battle and knew just what kind of trouble Jessica was... now that she thought about - chances are that bastard has likely had his way with Jessica. Several times even! The girl starter to boil, but held it in, still she can't continue to think about it! The rogue took a deep breath "I'd really not talk about this. Mind if I bash around one of your training dummies or shall I go keep the guys company in the ring." ANYTHING to get her mind off Jessica.

 

[ranger]

Re: Who Rules the Ruins (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

"If you feel the need right over there try not to break them to much I just had them replaced." Master Yin pointed over at dummies standing still. "Though If your interested you can train with me. It won't be as satisfying as bashing wooden dummies around but it may burn off some stress." The master just sat and drank some more tea waiting for Rikke's answer but the perceptive rogue noticed Rune's tail had started twitch excitedly.

 

[Ubberific]

Re: Who Rules the Ruins (Ubberific) GMed by ranger

Rikke looked over to the dummies for a moment, well bashing them around would help her let off some steam... though an opportunity to fight a "master" doesn't come 'round very often "No offense Master, but I don't know how I'd feel fighting a blind man. But I've hardly ever fought someone with that title" Rikke smiled at the old man "A sparring match with someone skilled is always lovely."