Placeholder Branching out to the Citizens of Syliras

[Ball]

OOCTwo things: First- The squire thread isn't finished so details aren't fleshed out ICly. Secondly - Clems, if and when you return and still want to join in please feel free to just jump right in!

"My Speaking"

My Thoughts

Ball had sent word out to the public right around the same time he sent out information to the squires via bulletin boards. This wasn’t a sanctioned Order call out; this was just Ball being determined to make a name and a statement to the people of Syliras. There are always monsters outside beyond those walls, and Ball wanted to make a name for him in regards to being a known protector of them. After the Summer’s fiasco at the Shield Games, Ball felt he needed to save face to some extent. So here he was, focusing on protecting the people… Even if it meant taking a few crazy civilians out in the fray with an odd bunch of squires – They were some of the few that showed up that were willing to do so, even if they never did show up, Ball was determined to at least make his end of things meet up.

So here he stood, just outside of the Stables, there was a small chance of warmth currently and yet he was here as it felt the most easily accessible location for a possibly large group of people. He had no idea how many would heed the call he sent out, but that didn’t matter…If it was just a few they could find themselves a warm tavern*This pre-dates the 88th thread so is still a valid tavern visit without violation, there were a few he could probably go to and get warm again… Oh maybe the Bean instead. The warm location didn’t matter, it was just the number of people. He had no idea what they were going to be in regards to training, or expertise, or occupation. There was always something they could assist with: fighting was key, but citizens always had a good knack for getting the order when they were needed too… So there was always that benefit. Maybe I should’ve mentioned that to the squires a few days ago when we met in the Grounds? Ball sighed, hindsight was always twenty/twenty but that was not important.

What am I going to tell those that show up? Hey I am Ball, I am enlisting you to go kill a bunch of stone skinned monsters that look very strikingly a lot like a human petched a rock quarry and you are the perfect thing for getting us all slaughtered by a horde of these things… Yeah… No. Ball chuckled at the thought, it was amusing but it still didn’t solve his mental question, the pycon squire had no idea where to state when it came to laying out the plan to the citizens. I guess I take it one question at a time.

Ball found himself absentmindedly stretching his limbs and torso to keep from freezing stiff, it wouldn’t be any good if he found himself a stiff bit of clay when it came time to move again. Maybe if one of them offers me a ride on their shoulder I might take it this time… Just this once. It was dumb of Ball to leave Imass at the dorms, but it was so cold and the snow was so deep he was afraid the dog wouldn’t survive.

Credit :

Created goes to Raus for aiding in the photo manipulation, Myself for color and transparency manipulation as well as box code. Character is accredited below

[Orin Fenix]

Orin hugged his cloak to himself, slightly shocked by the chill in the air. Somehow, he’d actually managed to forget exactly how freezing it got in the Winter, despite having . While he was inside the fortress, it wasn’t hot, but there wasn’t the wind cutting through him like a knife. That certainly lowered the temperature at least a few degrees. And he spent most of his time in a cozy warmth, insulated by the ovens and hearth fires all over his kitchen. However, rubbing his hands together and his breath fogged into the air, Orin had to admit that more than a little bit of the cold probably stemmed from the reason he was out here waiting by The Windmount Stables.

In fact, he’d actually struggled quite bit with his decision to come this morning. Orin had found out about the party of squires and citizens intending to take down the horde of yukmen terrorizing the city in a rather roundabout manner. Later on he had discovered that the notices were posted pretty much everywhere, but he’d been too oblivious to the world outside the kitchen to notice. Instead, it had passed through several ears before reaching his. Ser Kevith had it from one of his friends from among the Order, who had it from another Knight, and so on, until it reached whatever the source was, whoever was planning this excursion. Ser Kevith had come into the kitchen and sat Orin down. The man had been gruff, kind but firm. ”Now, Orin, I know you aren’t much of a fighter. And I hate the idea of sending someone half trained into the fray, but this army I’ve been hearing about is bad news. Very bad news. They’re gonna need every able bodied man, and woman, he inserted that with a fond glance at Remi, ”they can get. Now, even if you don’t participate in the battle, you can help out in some way. Maybe carrying supplies, playing look out, or taking care of the wounded.” Ser Kevith had paused, letting those words sink in, before continuing. ”Now I’m not gonna force you to go. But if you don’t show up to work tomorrow cause you went out there to fight the good fight, well, I think that’d be mighty brave of you. At least think about it?” With that, Kevith had departed, leaving Orin plagued with doubts.

On the one hand, everything Ser Kevith said rang true. They probably wouldn’t turn down an extra pair of eyes and hands. But Orin still didn’t think of himself as prepared to wage a war. He was afraid, deathly afraid, that if he went out there, people would die trying to protect him. He wasn’t so much worried about himself as the others who might be harmed trying to look after him. And he didn’t possess any skills that he couldn’t imagine the Order members didn’t have. So he wasn’t so sure that he would provide any actual utility. Since he found himself unable to come up with any scenario which ended up with him being helpful Orin was inclined to stay far away.

But then, he flashed back to a not so distant time. Transported to the Bronze Woods Orin was practically transfixed as he relieved one of the most horrifying experiences of his life. Trees whipped in his face. He couldn’t catch a breath. His side ached and his feet pounded the ground. He dodged around trunks, leapt over bushes, and yet felt more scared than he’d ever been in his life. If he slowed for just a tick, stumbled at all, made a wrong turning, he was dead. The monsters behind him would tear him limb to limb without a second thought. They weren’t mindless creatures, but they had no love for people. Arms pumping, Orin just focused on putting one step ahead of the other. Each stride brought him closer to where salvation waited.

Though he’d escaped relatively unscathed, thanks mostly to Aren, though Orin wouldn’t be thanking the mercenary any time soon, it was close. And suddenly Orin couldn’t help but picture not just the small amount of yukmen they’d stumbled upon in The Bronze Woods, but countless numbers of them descending upon Mithryn. While there was no love lost between him and the residents there, Orin wouldn’t wish that fate upon anyone.

Besides, if the yukmen weren’t dealt with, news would spread. Orin wasn’t dumb enough not to realize what effect that might have on his life. Even if they didn’t attack, trade would be strangled as people became afraid to come and go. Since much of his custom came from travelers stopping by for a meal, that might mean his own job was in jeopardy. While that might be a selfish reason, it was as good as any of the others he could come up with.

But mostly, Orin couldn’t live with himself if someone was threatened by these creatures and he did nothing to try and stop it. Just because it wasn’t his job to safeguard the people, didn’t mean he didn’t have a responsibility. Just as the Knights took care of menances beyond Orin’s ability to handle, he needed to take on those concerns that were within his power. That didn’t mean he wasn’t quaking in his boots. But the sign of a strong heart and a brave man was someone who, despite his misgivings, held steadfast in the face of danger. That was something he was learning from his rather tentative forays into religion. Priskil, or her priests, taught that the measures of strength weren’t how powerful someone was, but how they used that power, and how they reacted in the face of danger. To guard others, to stand up in the face of evil, was truly a sign of a purity and something Priskil would be proud of.

And so, even though he trembled not just from the weather, but from nerves, Orin was here. However, he appeared to be one the very few volunteers. It was hard to tell who was here because of the horses and who was here to answer the call. Finally though, the crowd thinned and Orin glanced all around him. But still, no one drew his attention. That is, until he looked down.

Then, he was transfixed. Some sort of clay figure was actually moving! At first, Orin thought his eyes were playing tricks on him and he rubbed them, thinking perhaps the glare from the reflection off the snow was blinding him. But when he reopened them and focused his gaze, the clay was still there. And others appeared to acknowledge its existence as well. It had a vaguely human shape, clothing and all, and one huge eye, at least proportional to its size. Orin found himself inexorably drawn to the spectacle, and before he knew it, the clay was right at his feet. Clearing his throat as politely as he knew how, Orin finally found the courage to speak up. ”Ah, excuse me, but...what are you?” Kicking himself mentally Orin cringed, realizing how offensive and awkward he must’ve sounded and he immediately rushed to try and make up for his mistake. ”I’m so sorry, that was incredibly rude of me, it’s just, well, you see, oh gods I’m making a fool of myself. But I’ve never seen anything like you and I confess myself more than a bit fascinated by you. I just about think you might be the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen!” Finally his brain caught up with his mouth and Orin realized he should probably make an introduction. ”I’m Orin Fenix, at your service.” Biting his lip, Orin decided to plow ahead, since the clay had probably been here before him. After all, Orin was certain that he’d have noticed something so bizarre arriving. ”You might be able to help me. I’m looking for some kind of Order representative? I wish I could get more specific than that, but all I know is they’re recruiting volunteers due to some recent yukmen activity in the woods and mountains and well, here I am. Ready to do my part, as it were. Still amused by the idea that he could actually provide the Knighthood with anything, Orin laughed, though it was forced and more than a bit nervous. "I apologize, it's just I tend to ramble when I get stressed and well, you can probably guess that I'm stressed."

[Clemens Kos]

Placeholder.

[Samuel Longwell]

Grading Complete Please edit your grade request thread so that it's obvious that it's been graded. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions/problems with your grade. Name: Ball XP Award: Planning 1 Philosophy 1 Lore: There's always a way for people to help. Name: Orin XP Award: Philosophy 1 Socialisation 1 Lore: A creature made of clay? Philosophy: Your reaction in the face of danger is a measure of strength. Notes:Enjoy your grades.