As this elderly man known as grand papa with thin, split ended, long white hair that goes past his slouched shoulders flips the page of the green covered book. The sound of the page turning with dried fingertips. He pushes back the sleeves on his always attire, a thick pelted robe made of the finest wolven hide mixed with a dried sinew that was form fitted past the knees and stained in many blues and grays with the soft smell of burning firewood. This was common attire during the cold months like now in Hexwell for many in the household.
Grand papa stood from his rocker sitting the book where he sat. He approached a burning fire striding through his crowd of children waiting for the next part of the tale to begin. The old man turned a few logs revealing the burning red and orange embers with a long steel metal rod with a tip made for stoking a fire. As he knelt arranging the logs to burn for a few hours he said over his shoulder, “So children, these adventurers. There were many along the way that I will speak of, but understand they all are important along the journey. Some are here to serve a certain purpose while others in time will show how an ordinary individual can make great strides to overcome not only odds and adversity, but change outcomes and realities within capabilities many thought not possible.”
As the old man starts to stand he goes on, “Some individuals I will speak of, you may think of as evil and enemy, and though that may be true understand the purpose is fulfilled.”
The children looked on as the old man turned and headed back towards his rocker and gathered his thick green bound book in his hands once more, caressing it like the most valuable thing in his possession. As he sits, he opens the book again and begins as the children hurry back to gather around.
The year was 75 ASC, and the morning was chilled with a fierce wind that blistered and chapped the faces of the members of one of the last airships to leave the area known as the “surface”. As the wind blew taught across a bright gold banner trimmed in a silver and orange coloration marking the Rox family. A banner with a large “R” written in a cursive ornate manner strikes across the wind on the bow of a Rox airship as many members make the climb from surface to what is known as the Cloud Tops.
The occupants of the airship range from human to dwarf and even some dragonkin, as well as lizard folk, and many other oddities that are a normality in the region of Aldris and now the Cloud Tops. Regardless of feeling, all races must try and work together, fleeing dread that lay beneath them from the calamity. Whether soldier or politician, Human, Dwarf or any other race, none of that matters now. Those that survive and can do something must.
A group travels together for a few weeks on the surface making it to the last airship dock just in time to see themselves to the Cloud Tops. They now sit upon the airship, in a close quarter bedroom unsure of what the next step is. They were told they would arrive in a newly found city known as Alron. The group working together currently consists of these individuals named Folen, Peren, Kodo, Vlad and Adwerta. All creating friendships out of a necessity with the need to survive the Cloud Tops.
Folon, a strong standing silver Lizard Folk, purple eyes with a dark hue to the center with scales that cover the entire body that sheen off the brightest morning sun, or glint off the sharpest moonlight. A fighter and savior at heart that wields sturdy armor, a sharp blade and a symbol of power. His symbol of power allows the use of certain divine magics that have been bestowed upon him during his trials and surrendering of his natural will to higher beings. With this calling upon certain magics and powers within a holy sense are easier for him. He is able to enact his body with many aspects of this divine magic for many uses. Trained by his family, he hopes to pass on his family name of Ogden after losing loved ones from the post calamity effects. Around his neck are rings from his father and mother that have passed, as he awaits to have someone to share the rings with someday. With the rings in hand Folon wondered if he would live to see a day in which he could make a new home with someone he could spend his life with.
The next individual associated with the group is a small creature known as Kodo. Large teeth, some would think he is an enlarged rat with dark brown hair matted in some areas while being stained in others with ale and wine. This creature, called a sparked spirit, is like many changed after the calamity, now intelligent creatures. These creatures, after changing from magical sources, started to be able to speak the common language spoken in Aldris and many regions. In time even being able to walk on its hind quarters. Though the smart and intelligent Kodo standing only 3 to 4 feet in height is usually a creature to be underestimated in most circumstances with magical power brimming to the edge, he awaits the chance to possibly prove himself if given the chance. Good at heart, and off putting at times though the intent is mostly good, Kodo fits right in with this group of misfits. He has traveled the surface many times and now with his new party hopes that there will be a place he can find and call home. With a maroon red worn robe tied across his waist and soft tattered sandals made of leather and pliable wood, he clutches his tankard of ale and his stale gray rucksack. Peering across the table at his fellow party members waiting for the airship to stop he takes a sip from his tankard.
From above a loud dockhand yells with a quick and slick accent new to the ear of many, “There she is, the newfound region of Geom in her glory! Prepare your things, we shall arrive soon!”
Though many races on the airship speak different languages and have many dialects that differ, it seemed all understood each other. The loud man yelling was understood as the common speech was recognized by all as many started gathering belongings. Weapons, clothes and many other things like food and what could be carried were packed in a hurry.
The next individual, different in nature than most. His name is Vladamire, he goes by Vlad. A pale skinned human with a vampire bloodline infused into his human one, he was changed forever being born into his state by his mother gaining abilities to walk along walls and certain magics that allowed the summoning of phantom daggers that could be tossed a great distance at a great speed into the mind of a creature or opponent doing great damage. A creature made for the kill, though able to fit into society and abide by rules when needed Vlad led a life of assassination and deception before agreeing to join with the group of adventurers. His father, working with a group of trained individuals, raised Vlad into a similar lifestyle. With magic infused into his son, this influenced his fathers decisions to push and train him harder creating a individual perfect for his assassination business. In time though, Vlad wanted to see the world explore, and now pushes towards the Cloud Tops, not only for survival but to know he is strong enough to survive the struggle and the hardship. That his life of training wasn't wasted, and that he was trained to become an elite adventurer and individual. As Vlad sits with his new found comrades, he ponders as he stands and walks out of the room and past a few rooms preparing for departure. He walks up a few creaky wooden steps half rotted and splintered from the weather the ship has endured over the past few voyages. Vlad, walks towards the uppermost balcony of the airship continuing his ascent to the deck of the ship. As he peers out as he crests the deck he sees his eyes filled with the cold white of snow flurries flying all around him, winter is near as many deckhands attempt to keep ice scraped off ropes and the hardwood deck of the ship. Vlad gracefully moves across the slippery surface not impeded at all to the side of the ship, he leans over and can see nothing but a thick white and gray wall of snow mist and fog as the ship climbs higher.
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A deckhand yells through the noise of the cracking wind, “Tight on the corner, bring her in and we will unload them here, the new arrivals, be careful most of them have never flown before and could be sick from living down on the surface for so long.”
The occupants of the airship had only ever lived on the mainland known as the surface their entire lives. This new elevated region would be completely new to them.
The party of adventurers start preparing for the arrival of the ship while the last two of the group, Peren and Adwerta, an odd companionship, prepare their things separate from the group. Peren a fair complexion lanky human at first glance, standing no more than a few inches over six feet. The ancestry of those with longer tipped ears that lived within the woods and forest learning the way of the land showed his ancestry to be different at a closer look, more akin to a race known as the Elf. With long brown pulled back hair and a face barely showing age, he wore leather and cloth tailored to his size perfectly though worn in browns and green. He aged slower than man, able to watch many friends perish in his time, though young by his standards.
Adwerta, a friend and companion of Peren, was a large giant tortoise like creature. Standing nearly 7 feet tall and weighing over six hundred pounds, Adwerta was a large and durable creature. With a shelled back made of a hard keratin and a body thick and tough like external armor, Adwerta made a great fighting companion for Peren. The large tortoise creature had skin hued to a dark green and a soft underbelly though reinforced through years of physical training. The two made for a great friendship and seemed to work well together, Peren being a master in the longbow, while also being more agile and dexterous in many ways complimented Adwerta’s ability to be large up close and personal when in combat or confronting issues they faced together. The duo seemed to be a great fit, they even both had a love for the forests. Both individuals devoted their lives and were a part of a secret group known on the surface as the Leaf Quill. This group was a select group of rangers and huntsmen that swore their life to protect the woods and forest around them at all costs.
With little time for proper introductions along the dreadful journey, the party felt a change in trajectory in the airship. The upward angle finally leveling out.
A smooth, deep voice, like a high authority figure speaking to those beneath him, Vlad breaks the silence in the airship chamber after his walk onto the deck, “What the hell are we doing?” As he addresses his new found party of adventures.
“We have been traveling together barely making it through this awful fucking place, and now we are finally about to arrive at whatever these Cloud Top regions are. I barely know anything about you all except that we have similar goals of making it to the Cloud Tops and that we are all somewhat magically touched and gifted. But what are we to do now, we need coin and food in our bellies,a place to stay. Things are needed, I am tired of living like this.” Vlad exclaimed.
Silence fills the chamber after Vlads abrupt out roar is heard by the group. A few moments go by as the airship glides smoothly alongside port with the sound of wood and metal faintly scraping the sides of the airship and ropes and ladders are heard being tossed over the side onto the hull of the ship.
Kodo stands to respond to Vlad, raising his hand softly while sitting he leans forward and in a scratchy mid pitched voice that breaks every few words through his large rat like teeth, “We shall b-b-be fine, the surface mainland is all we know. B-b-but we no way go back thur ya see, not safe this is new start for all for us Vlad.”
As the party stands and starts slowly walking out of their chamber as people start passing in the hallways. The airship becomes filled with passengers eagerly waiting for this new life that awaits in this new region. As the airship glides smoothly to rest, many new faces and personalities are brought from the surface with many thanks.
A guard is seen standing off on the side dock through the fog and mist that seems prevalent in most of the area. A large piece of parchment is held by this individual who seems to be wearing a blue cloth tunic with leather armor overlaying that. As the occupants of the airship start making it out to the deck called by the deckhands this man in leather armor holding this large parchment starts loudly speaking though very clear in a warm tone that bellows over the sails flapping in the wind.
“Welcome to the Cloud Top regions refugees, this region is called Geom and this dock is located in the capital city known as Alron.” A slight pause before the man starts again and now the fog disperses just enough to show twelve or so heavily armed guardsmen with shields and swords standing about twenty five feet off the dock behind the man yelling, as he goes on.
“Today we welcome those that seek a new beginning and we can easily give that. The city of Alron only asks that those abide by our basic laws and make sure to follow them. I have an agreement for all those wishing to enter Alron, you must sign before doing so agreeing to these terms while also stating your name so a census can be created. If you abide by these terms please step forward.”
While this was going on the party gathered their belongings and made it to the top of the deck ready for what new adventures await them as members of the airship start lining up and signing this parchment presented to them.