Crossed Blades [TCELESBHSUP]

[Kuragari]

PC:

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Character Sheet:
Name- Ilona
Age- 23
Gender- Female
Race- Human
Appearance-
Bio- Born into slavery, Ilona's only memories were that of military service and gladiatorial matches. From birth, she'd been raised to fight in all forms of armour and use all sorts of weaponry- both common and exotic. Her family was an utter mystery to her, one that she never bothered to try and investigate. She'd never learn, and she'd never taken a real interest in such a thing. All that she lived for was the thrill of battle. Eventually, her masters all died off- either by natural causes, old enemies taking revenge, or the law finally catching up with them- leaving her with nothing but her freedom, a pair of swords, and a set of heavy plate armour. With no coin to her name, she wandered, simply searching for a purpose.

skills: 30 points to spend, 10 is the max.
STR: 8
DEX: 6
CON: 6
INT: 3
WIS: 3
CHA: 4

Perks and Flaws- Pick 3 perks, and at least two flaws.
Perks:
Heavy Hitter- All melee strikes have increased damage (+50%)
Two-Weapon Fighting- Able to attack with an off-hand weapon during the same round with full effectiveness.
Armour Expert: Unrestricted movement in even the heaviest of plate.

Flaws:
Sensitive- Weak to sexual contact.
Hot-headed- Easy to anger/distract.
Battle high- The more difficult a fight, the more aroused she becomes- in all manners of speaking.

You have been wandering the land for nearly a month, not finding much of interest, as most of the job offers aren't worthy of your skill, and the few stupid fools crazy enough to challenge you quickly meet the reaper, after of course you've gutted them a few times. However, as you walk along the simple road near an old forest, you see a covered wagon that seems to have been pushed off the road, and looted. You even see what looks like small bits of flame here and there...perhaps you should investigate. Who knows, it may prove interesting.

[TCELESBHSUP]

Noticing the wagon, Ilona's eyes slowly turned their way towards it. The vehicle had definitely been forced off the road and looted, which prompted her to draw her twin blades. Nameless as they were, they were her only real companions on the road for the time she'd been wandering. Nobody else held any interest in her other than to fight her or shun her, since she had some infamy in many circles. Ex-gladiators weren't exactly the most prestigious of people when they were known for their hostile mannerisms and brutality in the arena. Regardless, she soon began to approach, on her guard as best she could be. Her heavy armour did very little to mask her approach, and hindered her peripheral sight to an extent. Always a huge hassle when her visor was down...

[Kuragari]

Noticing the wagon, Ilona's eyes slowly turned their way towards it. The vehicle had definitely been forced off the road and looted, which prompted her to draw her twin blades. Nameless as they were, they were her only real companions on the road for the time she'd been wandering. Nobody else held any interest in her other than to fight her or shun her, since she had some infamy in many circles. Ex-gladiators weren't exactly the most prestigious of people when they were known for their hostile mannerisms and brutality in the arena. Regardless, she soon began to approach, on her guard as best she could be. Her heavy armour did very little to mask her approach, and hindered her peripheral sight to an extent. Always a huge hassle when her visor was down...

Your caution, at least for now, seems unwarranted. There is no one present, and no bodies, although certainly some blood is strewn about. Looks like a fight took place. Most of the wagons contents are strewn about, as if someone was looking for something, but didn't find it. You do see something that draws your eye, a small plain book...save for the two sword shaped gems set in its cover.

[TCELESBHSUP]

Sheathing her blades, Ilona would kneel down slowly to grab the book. She knew at least how to read, despite her lack of formal education- she'd learned from other slaves who had some grasp of language. It'd certainly helped her in the time she'd been free. Standing back up, she would first look for some kind of title, before opening it up. Perhaps it was some kind of tome that would help her to enhance her already quite skillful swordplay. After all, it had two swords on the cover. If all else failed, she could simply pawn it off in the next town. Gold for travel expenses and other various things was always nice.

[Kuragari]

Sheathing her blades, Ilona would kneel down slowly to grab the book. She knew at least how to read, despite her lack of formal education- she'd learned from other slaves who had some grasp of language. It'd certainly helped her in the time she'd been free. Standing back up, she would first look for some kind of title, before opening it up. Perhaps it was some kind of tome that would help her to enhance her already quite skillful swordplay. After all, it had two swords on the cover. If all else failed, she could simply pawn it off in the next town. Gold for travel expenses and other various things was always nice.

You try to open the book to the first page, but it doesn't open. After a few pulls, you manage to open the book, but rather than at the beginning, you open it up at the middle, and then suddenly, light consumes you...

******

You stand on a large balcony of a mighty fortress. In the distance, you can hear the sound of a mighty battle waging from within and without. But more importantly, you see two figures before you, and even if you didn't want to, you couldn't look away.

One is a woman man wearing armor as white as freshly fallen snow, with a billowing sky blue cloak around his neck. In one hand, he holds a great towering shield, while in the other is a magnificent long sword that radiates a sense of peace, and righteousness.

The other is a woman, whose skin has turned an almost sickly grey, her hair as dark as midnight. She wears a somewhat revealing set of armor, but you can almost sense a dark aura about it. The fact that it looks like it would be suitable on a Demon probably helps. In her hands is a large, twisted claymore. Every so often, you see a drip of something black and ichor-like fall from it.

"Once, there were two great swords, that had the power to change lives, and the very world around it." A voice echoes out. You watch as the two combatants race at each other, the clash of blades ringing out as magical energy fills the air. The battle does not take long, but as you watch it, almost has a certain slowness. As if the universe knew that this was a monumental fight, and that even the tiniest detail was important.

Soon enough though, the fight ends, with the woman besting the man. She gives him a passionate kiss as she runs him through, then leaps off the balcony and begins laying waste to the soldiers invading her palace.

"There have been times when the Sword of Kothr, or the Blade of Darkness, has triumphed. In these times, a powerful warrior has grown to dominate the lands, often through brutality and deception."

The scene shifts. The woman looks older, and is now on all fours, blood seeping from many wounds as a younger woman, wielding two blades that look rather similar to the one that hero had been wielding, stands over her.

"And then, a hero destined for greatness has wielded the Sword of Lethia, or the Blade of Light, and destroyed the Dark One and its servant, freeing the land from shadow and despair."

And then, you see a series of images play across, many different people performing many different quests, but there is one thing in common. They all wield one of these blades. "And then, there are those who have used the Twin Swords of Avalon for their own purpose, be it good or evil, benevolent or malicious."

"But there is always one thing, that never changes. The blades shall always find a new wielder...for they call out to those who have the power to claim them. Whether you choose to do so however...is up to you."

And then, the world goes black...

****

You awaken amongst the ruins of the wagon, perfectly fine and in good health, though now you find yourself laying on the ground rather than standing. As you collect yourself, you feel a strange sensation...no, you feel two. One is a kind, gentle beckoning, like a mother that you haven't seen in years. The other is a seductive, alluring feeling, that bears the promise of greatness and power.

[TCELESBHSUP]

How... Curious. That vision just then... Was the book magical? Certainly the last thing she expected to find out here in the middle of nowhere. A magic book near a ruined wagon, let alone some kind of prophetic destiny sort of thing. The feelings that tugged at her were all too sweet, however... Both in a good and 'bad' way. The kind and gentle feeling was quite alluring at first, as she'd never had a mother or any sort of parental figure in the arena or the military. Any that she got close to ended up just dying in the pit- so companionship was a no-no for her. How nice it would be to feel that... Safe, secure... Warm again...

However, what appealed to her tempered heart and mind more was this sensation that promised greatness and power. Then again, they were twins... Why would she not simply claim both? Or try to, at the very least. That way, there would be no competition, now would there? A smirk played along the ex-gladiator's lips, though she pondered... Was it posible to do something like that? After all, she hadn't seen them both in the hands of a single person.

Couldn't hurt to try, would it? "... Kothr first..." Ilona muttered under her breath, standing herself up.

[Kuragari]

How... Curious. That vision just then... Was the book magical? Certainly the last thing she expected to find out here in the middle of nowhere. A magic book near a ruined wagon, let alone some kind of prophetic destiny sort of thing. The feelings that tugged at her were all too sweet, however... Both in a good and 'bad' way. The kind and gentle feeling was quite alluring at first, as she'd never had a mother or any sort of parental figure in the arena or the military. Any that she got close to ended up just dying in the pit- so companionship was a no-no for her. How nice it would be to feel that... Safe, secure... Warm again...

However, what appealed to her tempered heart and mind more was this sensation that promised greatness and power. Then again, they were twins... Why would she not simply claim both? Or try to, at the very least. That way, there would be no competition, now would there? A smirk played along the ex-gladiator's lips, though she pondered... Was it posible to do something like that? After all, she hadn't seen them both in the hands of a single person.

Couldn't hurt to try, would it? "... Kothr first..." Ilona muttered under her breath, standing herself up.

Kothr seems to lie to your south west, which if you recall correctly, leads towards the Drenvat Mountains, which have long been overrun by feuding goblins tribes, a few Drake nests, and the occasional cave full of undead monsters. And the ever-present threat of bandits. It will take you a few days to reach it, but along the way is a small trading town known as Morcia. Perhaps you could stop there on the way?

[TCELESBHSUP]

Morcia it was. Now... South... Well, at least she had the feeling tugging at her constantly, to help her find the blade. Stowing the book away, she would simply begin to walk along the road again. It'd take some time to travel all that way, and she'd need supplies. A trading town was perfect for that, no matter how big or small it was. All the while, she kept on the lookout for bandits. As far as bandits went, the ones she'd encountered before were rather... How to put it... Incompetent. They always announced themselves and challenged her to either give 'her money or her life'. Ultimately, it was just a duel to her.

With less interesting opponents than ones she'd faced in the arena.

[Kuragari]

Morcia it was. Now... South... Well, at least she had the feeling tugging at her constantly, to help her find the blade. Stowing the book away, she would simply begin to walk along the road again. It'd take some time to travel all that way, and she'd need supplies. A trading town was perfect for that, no matter how big or small it was. All the while, she kept on the lookout for bandits. As far as bandits went, the ones she'd encountered before were rather... How to put it... Incompetent. They always announced themselves and challenged her to either give 'her money or her life'. Ultimately, it was just a duel to her.

With less interesting opponents than ones she'd faced in the arena.

Its a good two hours before anything exciting happens, with the roads being mostly empty save for the occasional traveler or soldier patrolling the paths. A large man, wearing what looks like several different makes of leather armor cobbled together, pulls out an axe and smiles dangerously at you. "Well now, what do we have here...give me your money, and maybe I'll leave you be missy."

[TCELESBHSUP]

A sigh slowly escaped Ilona as she stared at the man, her eyes hidden by her visor. She seemed utterly disappointed in who she'd encountered now. This guy was even less impressive than the last bandit. "... I don't have time for you. Walk away. Live." She simply said, before drawing her blades. If push came to shove, she'd just cut him down where he stood. Otherwise, she'd just walk on by if he stepped out of the way. She was in full plate and had much better gear overall- why would he even bother to try and fight someone like her?

[Kuragari]

A sigh slowly escaped Ilona as she stared at the man, her eyes hidden by her visor. She seemed utterly disappointed in who she'd encountered now. This guy was even less impressive than the last bandit. "... I don't have time for you. Walk away. Live." She simply said, before drawing her blades. If push came to shove, she'd just cut him down where he stood. Otherwise, she'd just walk on by if he stepped out of the way. She was in full plate and had much better gear overall- why would he even bother to try and fight someone like her?

(GM Roll-3+2=5)

If the man seemed intimidated, he gave no sign of it as she shrugged. "Oh well, guess that means I'll be taking your money, and your body then." He readies his ax, smirking at you as he charges headlong at you!

(GM Roll- 17 defense, 11 for counterattack)

He brings his ax down towards your right arm, but you are easily able to meet it, holding him back with ease thanks to your incredible strength. The man growls in annoyance, but a moment later you've pushed him back, lashing out with your second blade before he's out of reach-but you only just make it, getting a thing cut on his left arm.

"Hmph, just because you've got the first blow, doesn't mean a thing."

[TCELESBHSUP]

"First blood is important. Sadly, you don't grasp that." Ilona simply said, her posture remaining rather... Neutral. She wasn't taking him seriously in the slightest. However, in an instant, she leapt forward, aiming to attack with both blades. With a flash, they sliced cleanly through the air- one towards his chest, the other towards his stomach. She was aiming to cut across either one- but shallowly. Just to intimidate him.

She didn't need to truly stain her blades with such filth's lifeblood.

[Kuragari]

"First blood is important. Sadly, you don't grasp that." Ilona simply said, her posture remaining rather... Neutral. She wasn't taking him seriously in the slightest. However, in an instant, she leapt forward, aiming to attack with both blades. With a flash, they sliced cleanly through the air- one towards his chest, the other towards his stomach. She was aiming to cut across either one- but shallowly. Just to intimidate him.

She didn't need to truly stain her blades with such filth's lifeblood.

(GM Roll-Attack, 19)

Both attacks hit your mark, delivering shallow but nonetheless painful cuts to both his chest and abdomen. He lets out a curse of rage, staggering back as he glances off the path towards some of the nearby tree's. "Ah enough of this, get her men!!"

(GM Roll-2)

Without much more warning than that, 3 men wearing a mishmash of armor and carrying an assortment of weapons reveal themselves, charging at you. If that wasn't enough though, two men who were hiding in the tree's leap down upon you, one managing to hit you in the chest and knock you to the ground, the other rolling to the ground at your side, a fierce looking dagger being drawn out as he moves towards you.

[TCELESBHSUP]

What a hassle. It hadn't even hurt, being knocked to the floor. She'd suffered much worse blows in the arena. All it served to do was make her angry. She simply began to stand, blades at the ready, preparing to swipe at anyone that even dared to approach her. All the while, she growled like a wild, untamed animal, sharp teeth bared. "... All of you... You cowards... All of you are dead... DEAD!" She roared out, her grip tightening upon her swords. Were her knuckles visible, they would be bone-white, her muscles quivering in anticipation.

She wasn't going to hold back if they had numbers, certainly not. She'd fought her way out of stickier situations regardless. A few bandits were nothing compared to the hardened veterans she'd fought tooth and nail to kill.

[Kuragari]

What a hassle. It hadn't even hurt, being knocked to the floor. She'd suffered much worse blows in the arena. All it served to do was make her angry. She simply began to stand, blades at the ready, preparing to swipe at anyone that even dared to approach her. All the while, she growled like a wild, untamed animal, sharp teeth bared. "... All of you... You cowards... All of you are dead... DEAD!" She roared out, her grip tightening upon her swords. Were her knuckles visible, they would be bone-white, her muscles quivering in anticipation.

She wasn't going to hold back if they had numbers, certainly not. She'd fought her way out of stickier situations regardless. A few bandits were nothing compared to the hardened veterans she'd fought tooth and nail to kill.

(GM Roll-14)

With a vicious slash, you take the bandit on your right out, the man not even having time for a scream before his chest has a blade through it. The other man however manages to block your blade with his own weapon, but the force of your strike sends him staggering away, leaving him a non-threat for the moment. You've got the three men charging at you to deal with right now.

(GM Roll-20!)

And yet they pose no problem, cleaving one into nearly four pieces while giving the other two vertical cuts from groin to head. That leaves just the larger bandit, who is downing a healing potion, and the stunned man from before who is now currently behind you, gathering his wits.

[TCELESBHSUP]

A grin split itself across Ilona's face, a soft chuckle escaping her. The scent of blood... The mangled and butchered corpses of her foes... This was what she lived for. This had been her life for the longest time, and it had driven the woman utterly mad. She was near dependent on her need for violence, despite herself trying to ween herself from it in the time she'd been 'free'. These bandits just kept making it worse and worse... After all, she wasn't doing it for anyone's spectacle. It was merely her taking lives. As she reveled in the gore, her laughter began to pick up, more and more. "Kill... I'll kill every last one of you... Anyone else hiding in the forest?!" She shouted out, before practically cackling in her maddened bloodlust.

In an instant, she swung around, grinning at the man behind her. At this point, she wouldn't be surprised if the man perceived her as some sort of demon- a terrifying presence sent from Hell to punish their misdeeds with death. "You... You're next..." Lifting one of her blades up, she would lick some of the blood from it, before tilting her head up- letting her eyes become visible to the man. But only briefly, before she descended upon him, suddenly swinging both blades down in an 'X'- down towards his shoulders, aiming to slice right through him.

"Die for me!"

[Kuragari]

A grin split itself across Ilona's face, a soft chuckle escaping her. The scent of blood... The mangled and butchered corpses of her foes... This was what she lived for. This had been her life for the longest time, and it had driven the woman utterly mad. She was near dependent on her need for violence, despite herself trying to ween herself from it in the time she'd been 'free'. These bandits just kept making it worse and worse... After all, she wasn't doing it for anyone's spectacle. It was merely her taking lives. As she reveled in the gore, her laughter began to pick up, more and more. "Kill... I'll kill every last one of you... Anyone else hiding in the forest?!" She shouted out, before practically cackling in her maddened bloodlust.

In an instant, she swung around, grinning at the man behind her. At this point, she wouldn't be surprised if the man perceived her as some sort of demon- a terrifying presence sent from Hell to punish their misdeeds with death. "You... You're next..." Lifting one of her blades up, she would lick some of the blood from it, before tilting her head up- letting her eyes become visible to the man. But only briefly, before she descended upon him, suddenly swinging both blades down in an 'X'- down towards his shoulders, aiming to slice right through him.

"Die for me!"

(GM Roll-8)

The man begins to panic as he see's you enter this bloodlust state, turning tail and running as far away from you as possible. This in turn, causes your attack to miss, but the other man still seems to be present, though a rather perturbed look is across his face, and you can see that he is holding his weapon tightly.

[TCELESBHSUP]

One got away... Oh well. Once more swinging around, she held her blades up, her grin utterly lop-sided. "One man left... One man that killed his friends by fighting a true killer..." She laughed out, her voice almost sing-songy. She could feel her blood boiling up, as well as her body- she was getting off on the violence again. "Drop your weapon, or I'll kill you..." She warned him, before running in as quick as she could, swiping her blades. Rather than slice him, however, she was aiming to cut apart his axe's handle so that it was unusable. "... Like everyone else I've killed!"

Couldn't slice him like that if she wanted something to properly get off with.

[Kuragari]

One got away... Oh well. Once more swinging around, she held her blades up, her grin utterly lop-sided. "One man left... One man that killed his friends by fighting a true killer..." She laughed out, her voice almost sing-songy. She could feel her blood boiling up, as well as her body- she was getting off on the violence again. "Drop your weapon, or I'll kill you..." She warned him, before running in as quick as she could, swiping her blades. Rather than slice him, however, she was aiming to cut apart his axe's handle so that it was unusable. "... Like everyone else I've killed!"

Couldn't slice him like that if she wanted something to properly get off with.

(GM Roll-5)

As you charge towards him, in your bloodlust state, you manage to not notice a small rock in the path, and you manage to trip over it, foot catching on it and sending you flying forward into the ground. Thanks to your momentum, your swords also go flying at the same time.

As your getting up, you see that the bandit has closed the distance, and now has his axe above your neck, though he is standing just out of arms reach. Seems he's not as dumb as one might think.

"Care to reconsider missy?"

[TCELESBHSUP]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

I frankly call bullshit on that rock, but anyway.

She simply growled, before sweeping her leg all of a sudden towards his- she wasn't an idiot either. She fought tooth and nail in the arena, and out here was no exception! She could make use of her hands and feet perfectly fine. If she managed to trip him, she'd move to try and pin him down, gauntlet-clad hands coming to his face to try and gouge his eyes.

What fool put a weapon to a steel-covered neck anyway? She had a gorget!