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 ====== Median Darkthorne ======
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 ^ Median Darkthorne ^^
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 ^Eyes: | Crystal Green |
 ^Hair: | White |
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-Median the Tyrant King, sailed with his fleet towards the West. They traveled up the coast where they found the kingdom Pacifika the gate to West Ayenee. His fleet went ashore and began to move across the countryside of the island kingdom. They took the capital of Pacifika. They then traveled across the sea towards Atlantica. The king of Atlantica was the brother to the queen of Pacifika. He avenged her at the cost of his life. Median vanished from the battlefield after being gravely injured.
-=====Biography=====
+====The March of Destiny====
-Median was a powerfully built psyche warrior, son of Cebrese. He was ruthless, cruel, charismatic, powerful, intelligent, and a master tactician.  He tried to conquer the Western half of Ayenee during the Silver Age. Any goal set before him, he would pursue with great determination.
+"What happened here?!" Carver pondered as the group of hunters emerged from the forest to what was left of their town. "The whole town has been burned or trampled down like dead grass." The night air was heavy with the smell of nature, smoke, and death. It was quiet except for the mutterings of a few of the hunters looking for loved ones. The only other sound was the crickets and cicadas and the dying embers of fires. The hunters became shadows moving in the moonlight, sometimes crying out as they touched a still hot piece of debris or stumbled into a depression.
-Early in his life, his father Cebrese abandoned him and his mother. He watched as his father left him, never to return.  His mother died a year later from the yellow plague. Median would go on to follow the bread crumbs of his father's path. This leads him to the Darkthornes, where he was welcomed. Even among Darkthornes, Median was considered cruel.
+"There are footprints everywhere, the earth has been trampled down. Here! War machines dragged leaving ruts in the soft soil. What army would march through here?" Demi asked as she pointed out the signs. Both of the hunters had once served in the military and had seen a few battles in their time. Carver shrugged as he removed his worn tweed hat. "Hard to say, not many kingdoms close by and the direction the tracks lead make it more puzzling. The only thing this way is mountains and ocean, nothing to be proud of claiming or worth defending." The two looked in the direction of the footprints and nodded.
-Median proved to be more ambitious than any of the Darkthornes of the time. This was before Eseer, before Diago. Manece tried to have Median slain, he felt threated by Median. Median killed every assassin sent after him and laid their broken bodies at Manece's throne. Because of this Median attracted a loyal following among his peers.
+"Let's see what we find" they looked at the other hunters. Some decided to tag along moving with stealth through the tall grass towards the forest. The moons were crowded by clouds in the sky, but beyond those clouds, it was a blanket of stars. The whole world was bathed in their glow. For hours they followed the tracks keeping quiet. Finally, they could hear the sound of trees being chopped, they could see distant camp fires and hear the sound of voices. There was a hill nearby that the hunters made their way towards. They crouched down and looked over, their eyes growing wide. Thousands of warriors male and female worked busily cutting down the forest, they seem to be building the hulls of ships. A few of the villagers were there being used as slave labor.
-Median did not want to rule the lands of the Darkthornes, he didn't want to crush the Blackthornes.  His eyes were drawn to the West, something called to him. He had dreams of a destiny greater than being a king. He was destined to become a god.
+One of the hunters spied his wife down there and despite Carver and Demi's protest began to make his way down. The other hunters looked at one another knowing full well it was suicide to wade into such a heavily numbered camp. It didn't take long before the hunter was caught unawares by a sentry. The sentry lashed a whip about the hunter's neck and yanked taking the man off his feet and throwing him back into some crates of ammunition. The hunter tried to fight back, but the sentry quickly rendered the man impotent. The rogue hunter was dragged away to join the other slaves in their work. The sentry ordered other soldiers to spread out and search the camp and surrounding area for more.
+"Great, that ass just made things harder for us" Carver shook his head dismayed. Demi grinned, "what exactly did you think we were going to do anyway? Take out an entire army? The best we could do is inform someone of this force, but there is no one to inform that would really care." Carver nodded in agreement. The invaders in the camp were at least two heads taller than any man Carver had ever seen. They were built like killing machines, all muscle, not a single one had even an ounce of fat he could see. These were not farmers, hunters, or fisherman, they were not tradesmen. No these people lived for one reason and only one reason alone, battle. It was best they stay as far away from them.
+"Have you looked them over? They look more like marble sculpted statues in one of the cities rather than living breathing people. Even when we had a few hard hunts or bad harvests we never looked like that. These are not people, they are machines born and bred for battle and killing. If we stay here any longer chances are we might simply be poking a stick into a bee hive. I'd rather not be stung by these bastards thank ye." Carver began to slide his way slowly and quietly back down the hill to head back for the cover of the forest. Demi's hand upon his shoulder halted him.
+"Is that it? We just go back to our ruined village and pretend like nothing happened?" She looked him dead in the eyes. Carver shrugged, " What else do ye want? Only other choice as slavery or death. As you said we could go tell some lord or king back the way the army came on in a direction they are not headed, but still ain't no one going to care. They are building ships so they will be gone soon. It's best to go underground and hide till they are gone. We can't help them or ourselves by staying here any longer."
+Demi sighed knowing Carver was right, but she still felt bad about abandoning everyone. There was a loud boom like the sound of thunder striking the earth. The hill behind them exploded sending earth and fire into the night sky. The hunters were thrown forward, one was very unlucky and had a rock bash in his head. A silence fell upon them only broken by the hideous laughter of a man wearing a strange mask resembling a crow and wearing a strange black suit.
+Carver looked up seeing Demi laying nearby him. He grabbed her hand in his and told her, " we stayed too long, we have to run now or never!" He pulled them both up and hobbled off with her into the cover of the night and forest. He turned seeing the others following his example, but he also saw a figure jump over the crater left by the explosion. The figure played guitar and sang a song that seemed to paralyze some of the hunters. They could not move, becoming like statues petrified where they stood. The soldiers came up and cut the hunters down where they stood. Carver saw the terrified gaze of one hunter before his head was separated from his shoulders.
+It was all he needed to see to spur him on faster. They made the cover of the forest with barely a handful of their companions. Something screamed inside Carver to not look back, to just keep going forward. He didn't have to be told by his own instincts. Even in his younger days, he doubted he was a match for those muscle bound death dealers. They either lost the rest of their numbers or worse. Carver and Demi stood alone at the foot of a cliff over looking the river Karan. "Curse our luck! I should off remember that the river splits this forest up" The two drew their weapons and kept their back to the cliff. They face the forest awaiting what they knew was coming. It seemed like hours before they heard even the slightest sound. From the darkness, a huge figure emerges wielding a broadsword.
+The figure wore a horned helmet which covered his face. He roared like some wild beast and came charging at the two. Demi grabbed her bolas and threw it wrapping the soldier's arm to a nearby tree. His momentum suddenly stopped and his helmet flew forward rolling past the duo to fall down towards the river below. They never heard the sound of the helmet hitting the river. The soldier drew a dagger and quickly cut some of the rope attached to the bolas, enough that his own strength was able to tear the rope. He came at them again and Carver raised his sword as the soldier came bearing his sword in a downward strike.
+His sword broke and the broadsword bit down into his shoulder stopping in the middle of his torso. Demi tried to fatally stab the soldier, but he brought up his forearm. Her blade sank into his arm and his hands took hold of her jerkin. The weight of Carver's corpse pulled the trio over the edge and they all fell towards the river below. It was nearly morning when Demi awoke on the river's bank. Bright scarlet cascaded down her face and her mind was fuzzy. She could hear only the roaring rapids of the river. She pulled herself up on the silty bank and braced herself against a rock.
+She barely had time to react when she heard the roar of the soldier. His left leg wiggled broken and useless as he threw himself at her. She felt backward her head ached even more. She grabbed up some of the sand and thrust it in the soldier's face. He reared back and fell off of her. She rolled over and began to try to pull herself up. The soldier was on her before she had a second. She fell forward and her hands found a stick with a pointed end. She jabbed over her shoulder and felt the stick stab into something. As the soldier fell off her once more she managed to get back to her feet. The ululating cry of the soldier echoed off the walls of the steep sandstone cliffs. She now faced her attacker and she realized he was no mere mortal. On the crown of his head were two stubs that had once been horns. His ears were pointed. She had stabbed him in the eye, but she knew that wouldn't matter, he was a tuatha. His kind could regenerate certain wounds unless caused by certain magic or iron.
+Already his leg was beginning to heal, he pulled the stick from his eye and moved towards her. She saw her dagger still protruding from his forearm, the skin around it was black and bloody. She had never cared until now that her dagger was made from iron. She reached and grasped it around the hilt and pulled it free. He grabbed her by the wrist and with a violent twist and a loud snap, broke her right wrist. She screamed as pain shot up her arm like electricity. The dagger fell with a thud onto the sandy shore. She fell to her knees and reached with her left hand. The soldier rewarded her effort with a boot to her face. Her hand managed to grab the dagger before she fell onto her back. Her right eye swollen shut and throbbing with pain.
+He fell upon her like a hungry beast but stopped in his attack as her dagger pierced into his heart. His weight fell atop her and she was pinned beneath him. The fight now concluded her adrenaline began to abate. Her eyes closed and she fainted. When she awoke she was bound to a wooden stake, her wounds had been healed. She regretted opening her eyes, however, being surrounded by the very army she sought to escape from. Standing in front of her was a tuatha wearing scintillating jewelry, scantily clad in thin silks, his skin a dark tanned color with hair and horns ivory white.
+Median: "Ahh she awakens. You killed one of my soldiers. This is no mere feat, I personally hand picked them. They are worth twenty skilled fighters. Yet somehow by sheer luck, you have managed to kill one."
+Demi: "If you are going to kill me, then please just kill me."
+Median: "Hah! You have no idea whom you are addressing. Even among Darkthornes, I am considered the cruelest and cunning. The king of our clan Manece has tried to kill me many times, but I have laid the broken bodies of his assassins at his throne to show him that they are the toys of a child compared to my power."
+Roman: "So what are you are you going to do with her?"
+Median: "I am destined to be more than just a king over a pathetic dying scrap of land. My destiny came to me in a dream. I am to be the god-king of the West. I have to replace that soldier she killed and what better replacement than her?"
+Demi: "I won't fight for your army or your cause! That bastard killed my friend Carver and had I a chance I'd plunge that dagger into your chest."
+Median: "You see she is very spirited. Cut her ropes and give her dagger back to her Roman."
+Roman: " What?!"
+Median: "You heard me do not make me repeat myself."
+Roman moved behind the stake and took her dagger from his belt and cut the rope that bound her. He tossed it in the air and caught it by the tip and thrust the hilt towards her. Demi rubbed her wrists and cautiously took the dagger. She knew there was some trick being played on her. She turned to Median and tried to gauge her opponent. He seemed powerful built and towered over her, he was at least 8ft tall. If she was going to die, then she would at least try to die fighting.  She twirled the dagger around in her hand and waited for him to make a move. Median looked at her and suddenly she felt her body betray her. It would no longer respond to her commands and a presence pushed its way into her mind.
+She twitched as she tried to fight back against the mental intruder, but seemed to be unable to. Her mind and sight became muzzy and her head was wracked with a painful migraine. Her eyes became watery and tears streamed down her face. A stream of blood trailed down from her right nostril. She became wracked with convulsions and foamed at the mouth. Suddenly it was over. Roman watched as Demi went prostrate before Median.
+Demi: "I shall serve you Lord Median as long as I draw breath."
+Roman was surprised.
+Median: "You see Roman. My enemies will either serve me or shall tremble in abject fear. "
+They watched as Demi arose and went to join the other soldiers by a campfire. She stared abstractly into the fire and her face was an emotionless mask.
 ====Dragon's Peak====
-Median and his fleet came upon the mountain tribes of Dragon's Peak. Here he united the barbarian tribes of the mountains. He defeated their chieftains making them his submissive slaves as a show of his strength. The wives of the chieftains became his concubines and he would often ravish them before their broken husbands.
+The ship creaked as it rocked back and forth upon the thrashing waves. Median stood at the prow of the ship. No matter the intensity of the ocean, he never moved. It was as if he were part of the ship. Over head, the sky was a turbulent mix of clouds and powerful lightning. Some thought the gods were trying to strike down Median or sink his ships.  It only furthered the myth of his destiny to be a god-king. Roman clung to the railing and every time a wave bombarded him with salty ocean water he felt a chill to his bones.
-The barbarians and the Darkthornes joined forces building more ships for the now larger force. The conquest of the West became Median's goal, he saw it as his destiny to take it. While in the mountains Median found the home to an ancient dragon, once the mount of a fierce war chief. The now dead warrior and his dragon pet sat within a tomb of treasure.
+Median: "Dragon's peak!" he shouted to Roman and pointed towards the distant mountain that was illuminated by a lightning strike. It resembled the head of a dragon. The mountain around it all had peaks that ended in sharp jagged spines all clustered together. Roman could not imagine anyone living in such a place. It seemed impossible to even fathom how they were going to make it to Dragon's peak. Morgan was on one of the other ships doing her best to guide them safely to the Black Scale Coast. Western Ayenee was surrounded by a massive wall that over looked the flat green plains of Central Ayenee. It was also surrounded by these jutting spined peaks. The coast of Western Ayenee was caught in a constant storm and was full of jagged rocks and shallow reefs. Aside from all these dangers, there were the ocean monsters and the inland natives that made it impossible for an army to even contemplate an invasion of the West.
-It is here that Median found the ring of the heavens. Upon placing the ring on his fingers, he grew in size and power. The dead rider and his dragon mount arose from their ancient slumber now under his control.
+Many had thought Median insane when he suggested his destiny being god-king of the West. A god-king seemed reasonable to reach, but invading the West, now that was madness.
-The ring encased Median in powerful enchantments that made him near invulnerable. He found a number of other magical amulets, bracelets, rings, earrings, septum jewelry, and belts. He claimed them all and they increased his powers. Median stalked through the highlands with his new found army.
+In the morning the storm continued, but the ships had managed to find a cove where they were sheltered from the worse of the storm. The coast was a collection of small round stones ranging from black to gray. The water was a dull gray and the beach was covered in a light white foam from the churning waters. The grayish clouds over head continued to move and turn, rain pattering down in none stop deluges. Roman was worried the boats would simply fill with water and sink from the rain. The coast line was nothing, but steep cliffs of black rock that had a volcanic consistency. The rocky spines jutted up all along the cliffs some had broken off and was deposited in pieces on the rocky beach.
-They found the hidden tombs of an ancient clan of vampires called "sete di sangue". The leader of this clan fought with Median, but was defeated when Median ripped the vampire lord's head from his body and then reached down the neck hole and pulled out the vampire's heart.
+A thick moss covered some of the worn rocks that protruded from the steep incline of the cliffs. Pieces of shipwrecks and a few pieces of ocean eroded bone and seaweed lined the shore as well. It made Roman feel an ill feeling in the pit of his stomach. Morgan stepped off a row boat and seemed to clutch the rocks of the beach in appreciation. Roman was glad that he was not the only one that had come to hate this trip. They hadn't even hit the maelstrom that protected much of the Western coast. He dreaded the thought of encountering the phenomenon.
-Median explained to the vampires that they would now serve him. He then plunged the vampire lord's heart into his own chest. His body adapted and assimilated the heart into his being. Median now had an army that would claim him the destiny he was chosen to hold.
+They joined up behind Median and some of the soldiers. Median's footfalls rattled the rocks as he stomped up an incline to where a cliff parted into a worn sheltered path. His silks drifted in the breeze of the ocean and he seemed as those he knew exactly where he was going. He walked as though in a dream. Roman didn't like the path it was too thin and the perfect place for an ambush.
-====The Blood Waves====
+They had to turn side ways and move in single file through some sections of the path. The path was littered with tiny volcanic rocks that sometimes rolled from beneath Roman's feet. Behind him, Demi now in the regalia of one of Median's soldiers followed still wearing an expressionless face. He had watched her for weeks now, but she seemed more loyal to Median than most of his hand picked soldiers. The fact Median could make his enemies into allies was something that made him stand out amongst the current generation of Darkthornes. He was charismatic, cruel, powerful, and had a purpose. Roman was a castless one, ever since his father died in a duel. Being a casteless one meant you had your horns cut and wore the brand of the casteless on your back. You could and would never rise to nobility. It was basically a death sentence for most. The casteless lived outside walls and made up most of the labor force and military aside from slaves and mercenaries.
+Darkthornes were designated by the houses they belonged to and their ancestor's glory. Roman came from a long line of sword masters some of the best. His father had been challenged by a rival as is Darkthorne custom he accepted. Every Darkthorne had the right to challenge another of equal or higher standing to a duel to the death in order to claim their position or settle differences. The casteless did not have this ability, which meant you could never rise above being casteless. Morgan had been exiled as well when Roman met her. She was one of many that had displeased Manece and had no following to prevent him from throwing her to the casteless. Median had been too big of a deal for Manece to even exile. Had he tried to exile Median, he would have risked being challenged to a duel. Manece was no fool which is why he ruled as the king of the Darkthornes currently. He had, after all, killed the previous king as the previous king had done before him.
+Many thought Median would replace Manece as king, but Median perceived the throne of Belanthia as a grain of sand compared to the destiny that awaited him in the West. The wedge shaped path opened up to a sloping, rocky, hillside covered in thick green grass damp from the rain. The jagged spines were broken up by a mixture of rocky hillsides, deep valleys, and waterfalls. The smoke of fires rose up over a distant gathering of thatched huts. Median made his way towards the village which seemed a few miles away. Roman was ready to test his sword against these barbarians. Median strode across the soggy hill scapes. The reverberating sound of a horn could be heard in the small valley. Men and women grouped up together dressed in armor that was a mixture of metal and leather. They wore red face paint and smoking twigs in their reddish brown hair.
+They marched out to meet Median and his small group. Roman was impressed by the barbarians they were taller than most humans and much more stocky.
+Chieftain: " You outsider trespass on clan Storm Merkevare lands!"
+The Chieftain and his fellow tribesman strode across the soft soil as though it were no hindrance. Median simply continued to walk towards the unruly mob. The Chieftain stopped in his track and dropped his sword as he met Median's gaze. This caused those behind him to halt in their approach.
+Median: "We shall decide who leads this clan by the time honored challenge duel. You and two of your champions against me."
+Median spread his arms wide and walked back and forth. The barbarians seemed dumbfounded by their leader's sudden pause. The chieftain slowly nodded and made motions to a male and female in the group to come along with him.
+Chieftain: "You are a fool outsider! Three to the one you shall not last a second against the might of Storm Merkevare. Come! Hrothgar and Hogarth, let us show these outsiders the strength of our clan and make them regret washing up on our shores!"
+Hrothgar was a burly man wielding a double bladed battleaxe. He leaped into the air and raised the axe behind him ready to bring down a blow that would cleave Median in half. Median moved like a mountain cat. He quickly moved to the side and landed four blows into Hrothgar's side within mere seconds. Hrothgar flew back and crashed into the ground tearing up the top layer of grass. He lay motionless with multiple fractured ribs that had splintered out like shrapnel into his internal organs. His lungs, heart, liver, and much more had all been punctured.
+Hogarth came at him with the Chieftain. Median avoided Hogarth's mace and the Chieftains broadsword. Hogarth brought up her shield to push in against Median's defenses. He merely punched her shield warping the melt back as though it were thin copper. His fist connected with her jaw shattering it. Her jaw became like a sack of water and flopped limply beneath her upper jaw. She staggered back and fell to the ground. Median caught the Chieftain's sword with his two fingers and snapped the blade between his fingers. He then kicked the Chieftain in the stomach causing him to projectile vomit the contents within. The man fell to his hands and knees coughing up blood and gasping.
+Median: " You see my power! You see how your leader and his champions have fallen so easily for me. You have, but two choices. Join my army and fight for me, or pray to your gods and be crushed beneath my feet."
+The crowd looked at one another and then to the three dead bodies now laying on the ground. Median floated off the ground and reached up to the heavens. A bolt of lightning came down and struck the three corpses. This incited whispers through out the crowd. They began to kneel and offer up their weapons as a sign that they would join. Median smiled and Roman was a bit dismayed that he didn't even get to draw his sword. The next few weeks were filled with much the same event. Median challenged the different clans and subdued them under his rule uniting them. Median learned about a myth through the various tribes. They all spoke of an armored god that rode on the back of a dragon. That God had landed at Dragon's peak and never rose to the sky again. After the god landed the storms that have forever guarded the coast came to be.
+Median hoped that there might be some truth to this tale. If so then perhaps there was something on the peak that could stop the storms. The way to the peak was not an easy one.
+====Death's Champion====
+Morgan reached up and gripped the rocky ledge. Roman pulled her up over the ledge. She lay there on the ground looking up past Roman. Median continued to climb up the sheer mountain side, an unstoppable force. They had been using a rope and hook system that the barbarians had shown them. Median, however, free climbed through the torrential down pour that battered this mountain like the armies of some angry nation. The rock was slick and there was very little light.
+Morgan: "He has to be completely mad to be climbing so calmly in this nightmare. How does he make it look so easy?"
+Roman: " He has embraced his destiny and it guides him.  I have seen him perform feats I only wish I could accomplish. If he isn't destined to be a god-king, he sure is destined to make a mark in this world. I'm sure there will be many swords in his path. Even though he may be able to simply bat them aside or turn them against themselves, I just hope to get to test my own skills against a few of them. I defeated the man that killed my father, but it lacked honor. Now my sword shall guide me like Median's dream guides him."
+Morgan: " You are just as crazy as he is. Enough of this!" She began to weave her hands about her and shouted out words of power. The rain was disturbed by the invisible power she summoned. The invisible power twirled about them and the group was slowly lifted off the ledge. Morgan's hair flew up as she held her hands out at her sides, her face contorted in an almost anger filled expression. The night seemed to coalesce about them and lifted them up. Roman was very unsure about the sudden change. He looked down over the cliff at the jagged rocky spines and the mountain side as it disappeared below. The rain shot down past him and he focused on a drop watching it disappear beneath them.
+Roman: " You didn't have to pick us up, I was just happy with climbing."
+Morgan: " Oh stop being a coward and just enjoy the ride!"
+They began to ascend quickly. Morgan figured they would catch up to Median in no time, but as they climbed higher and higher they didn't see him. Only after they crested the peak of the mountain did they see him standing before a cave. The wind whipped his silks about him. He simply stood looking at the mouth of the cave. Morgan guided them all down nearby and as she approached he felt a wave of dark energy. It came from somewhere deep within the cave. Whatever it was, reeked of death. She had some practice in controlling and summoning the dead. She reached out with her magical senses. She delved into the cave, into its darkness. She saw nothing, but then suddenly she felt a sense of unease. She turned and beheld the glowing eyes. She was broken from her concentration.
+Morgan: " Whatever is in this cave has killed thousands and is saturated in the energy of death itself. I have never encountered anything like it."
+Roman: " Are you being a coward? " he said smiling as he drew his sword and propped it on his shoulder.
+Morgan hesitantly strode forward as Median began to walk into the cave.
+Some force reverberated through the cave. It shook all the group to their very bones, all except Median. Morgan summoned forth lights that followed the group like blue floating lanterns. Something in the depths of the cave struggled to break ancient chains that bound it to this place. In the darkness of ages, death awoke. It could see through stone and it watched them as they climbed deeper into its prison. The cave walls were slick with water, they shone in the magical light. They could barely hear the raging storm outside now. Morgan could feel something watching them. It watched like a hungry predator waiting to strike.
+She didn't like it. Median strode ahead of them never slipping, never reaching to brace himself, he simply walked and the cave seemed to accommodate him. The others had to move at a snail's pace, stepping in just the right place, bracing themselves against walls. Morgan began to see Median in a different light. He seemed like a force of nature, the world seemed to just bow to his power. The cave began to open up. The lanterns drifted up to the ceiling of the cave and began to shine brighter. Before the group was mountains of coins, artifacts, jewelry, weapons, and chests. At the center of this large horde was a black pool that at first Morgan assumed was water. After approaching it closer she could tell it had the look of crude oil. Morgan picked up a coin and looked it over. It was minted from a kingdom she did not recognize. She tossed the coin into the black pool and watched it lay on the surface for seconds before it slowly sank into the black surface.
+Bubbles began to come up where the coin had been. Something stirred beneath the dark liquid. A form arose wearing a tattered red hood, gold gleaming armor, beneath the armor and tattered red clothing was revealed the skeletal remains of a humanoid. A shadowy smoke clung to the figure's bones and from its back drifted a cloak made of the same smoky shadows interspersed with a fire that resembled the dying embers of burning parchment or leaves. It wore a scabbard at its bony hip which held a sword. The figure sat on the neck of a skeletal dragon that also rose from the black depths. The figure dismounted and the skeletal dragon moved a pile of treasure and laid down.
+Figure: "Who walks in death's realm?"
+Median: "I am called Median Darkthorne. I have come guided by my destiny."
+Figure: "Destiny? It is fate that all shall kneel before death's eternal reign. You seek to try and unseat death? You can not wear the crown. I have watched you, looked into your souls. I have seen all your deaths. Even yours." The figure pointed a bony figure at Median. Morgan watched and could have sworn she had seen Median flinch at the comment.
+Median: "I am destined to become a god-king and rule the West in its entirety. Death has no place for me."
+Figure: "You can not escape the inevitable and internal rule of death. I have watched empires rise and fall, my hands have slain thousands, and my actions drew the attention of death itself. I am the champion of death and the only destiny you shall find in these hallowed halls is your own demise." The figure gripped the handle of the sword and drew it from its sheath. And began to stalk towards Median.
+Median grimaced and took a defensive stance. As the figure seemed to fade in and out, blinking its way towards Median. Median threw a punch at the figure and sent it flying back, but it simply vanished before striking the wall. Its voice echoed through the cave taunting Median.
+Figure: " Such strength and yet even it can not save you in the end."
+Median: " Show yourself specter!"
+Morgan began to weave her hands about in the air tracing arcane symbols, her lips murmuring words of power. A green light shrouded in black smoke coated her hand in a miasma. She could see the specter there in the realm between. It floated in the swirling mist of the other realm. The ghosts of thousands of dead were tied to this figure. It drew upon their eternal souls like a parasite.
+Morgan: " I'm going try to bind him, but I will need time!"
+Figure: "Hahaha. Would you bind death foolish girl? Truly you are blind if you think such a feat will not end badly for you."
+The temperature of the cave suddenly dropped. Morgan's breath came out her mouth as fog. Darkness surrounded each of them.
+Figure: " Many fools have tried.."
+The mounds of gold suddenly transformed into mounds of bones. Some of the bones had been there so long that they were more dust than bone.
+Morgan could see her toddler sister laying in a pool of blood near her. Her younger brother's corpse twirled about hanging from a noose in a tree with iron tipped arrows sticking out of his chest.  She had witnessed all this before, hell every time she closed her eyes. This time, however, she could feel them. These were not the haunting nightmares of her own mind or the illusions of a mage. No. This was real, he had somehow plucked their souls out of whatever afterlife there was and brought them here to torment her.
+Median let out a shout that shattered the wall of the cavern. He paced around like a stalking jungle cat looking for his tormentor. Roman was at his back sword drawn and raised as his eyes darted about the room. Morgan seemed fixed in a trance. Demi came at Roman suddenly her daggers leaving strawberry gashes where ever they touched. Roman had no clue why she was suddenly attacking until he saw the emotion on her face. Something had jarred her from whatever Median had done to her.
+All it took was the vision of Carver's death to awaken her enough to pull herself free. Roman was surprised at how skilled she was with the dagger. He swung his sword and she somersaulted back and then came slashing at him again. His sword was heavier than her blades and it made him move just slightly slower than her. She was adept at moving in and out with her attacks. She never looked at where she attacked, she instead simply watched his weapon. Every time he moved to attack she responded and then attacked at a different angle.
+The others lay dead their throats cut from Demi's daggers. As she came at him this time Roman moved aside and kicked her in the abdomen. She fell back her head hitting a jagged rock. Roman fell to his knees bleeding from a hundred different cuts. Demi lay there unconscious, blood pooling behind her head.
+Roman: " Shit! I've never seen someone so fast with whittling blades. Had she been using swords I'd be in pieces. As it is I might die from bleeding out."
+He was light headed and the cavern seemed to slightly spin. Median turned and knelt down lifting Roman up.
+Median: " Only the weak die, the strong survive."
+Median was suddenly grasped by a large skeletal hand and thrown to the cavern wall. He fell landing in the black pool where he slowly sank like some prehistoric beast in a tar pit. The more he fought the quicker he began to sink. Roman barely able to walk stumbled forward trying to get to him. The skeletal dragon gave a wave of its taloned paw and bashed Roman. He slid across the stone floor and lay on his side against a wall.
+Figure: " You shall all die here this day! All empires fade to dust. Kings and Queens even bow their noble heads to death. The netherworld welcomes you!"
+Morgan was alone in a world of darkness. The dead danced all around her, shadowy spirits, translucent images in a world so cold.
+Sister: " You should have saved me. I was alone. I died alone."
+Brother: " I was alone. So scared. Now I am alone and in pain forever because of you sister."
+Sister: " It should have been you. Now I suffer eternally."
+Siblings: " Join us in death dear sister!"
+Morgan tears streaming down her face shook her head trying to push out their voices. The skin about her eyes cracked as green energy shone from within her. She had suffered every day since their deaths. That anger welled up in her and now became fuel. She drew in the energy of the dead souls.
+Figure: " NO! No, they are mine!"
+Morgan continued to draw in the dark necrotic energy of the cavern. It saturated her being, her body began to crack from the rising power. She quickly worked her hands weaving together the energies for her binding spell. The figure came flying towards her but was suddenly encased in a green net of energy that drew it down to the cave floor. The dragon sensing its master in trouble now lunged at her with its massive jaws opened.
+Within the black pool, Median was drowning in his own self-loathing. The world had never given him a chance. He had been the victim of fate. Could he change his destiny? Did he really believe in his dream? Something inside of him was still weak. It screamed within him. It perverted his strength nibbling away at his will. He willed himself, digging deep inside himself. He imagined his hands around the neck of that weak part, choking it away.
+He came rising up out of the black pool like a phoenix from the flames. He was different. The weakness was now a fading memory within his mind. The dragon didn't see Median emerge from the pool. He stepped in front of Morgan and threw himself into the Draco-lich's mouth. His hands and feet prying them apart and causing the dragon to no longer focus on Morgan.
+Morgan drew the energy tighter about the figure as she began to sow it together. The spell held and the figure screamed in agony as it fought against the chains that now bound it. It appeared at Morgan's feet and she commanded it to tell its pet to put Median down. The dragon skeleton did so. Morgan then went over and began to use her magic on Roman. She pulled the iron residue from his blood and then did her best to mend his wounds with her magic. She drew her power from her patron, the dark goddess Tilatalia. Her magic was not known for its healing properties, but if one knew how to make wounds, one could mend them as best as possible.
+Roman still lay unconscious, but he would pull through.
+Median stood before the figure and demanded from it.
+Median: " Show me what was so special. That death itself would guard it all these years."
+The figure waved its hands about before it and an ornate wooden chest appeared. It opened and within were numerous pieces of jewelry. Median took out a ring that looked as though it had been carved from ivory.
+Median: " What is this?"
+Figure: " It is the ring of heaven. Carved from the bone of a dead god. It was granted to the general of the light pantheon's armies, an archangel. The ring was stolen in the battle between the angels and demons that destroyed the veil around Ayenee. It bestowed an invisible shield to its wearer that protects them from all manner of harm.
+Median put the ring on and selected another ring. This one was black and resembled some sort of stone.
+Figure: "That was once a piece of the dark titan himself, Scion. It can give you an edge against gods that no mortal should ever have. It can also enhance whatever abilities you already have.
+Median put it on and felt a surge of strength. It was addicting and consuming. Median jumped and threw his fist into the cave ceiling. The mountain cracked and shattered. He let out a shout and the pieces vibrated and shattered into dust. The raging storm fell upon the crater of the mountain peak. Now he felt like a true god.
+He walked out and stood on the jagged cliff of the peak. Rain pelted his chiseled form as he stared down at the earth below.
+Median: " A taste of what my destiny. It is only a taste of the greatness that awaits me!"
+He stepped off the cliff and began to slowly float down to the earth below. The United barbarian tribes looked up at the stormy sky and between strikes of lightning, they could see the outline of Median slowly floating down from the heavens. He landed before them the epitome of a god.
+The wind howled like a banshee as Median's feet touched the earth. He stood there with outstretched arms basking in the adoration of the barbarians. The deathly figure that once ruled the mountain came down on the back of his skeletal dragon frightening the tribes. As the dragon landed with a thud the figure dismounted. It walked towards Median and took a knee before him to the astonishment of all. Morgan, Roman, and the unconscious Demi came floating down in an orb of shadowy energy.
+Median: " I have conquered death and have been bestowed the armament of heaven. You all have witnessed the birth of the god-king Median. Follow me and bear witness to my unfolding destiny, my greatness! The West shall be mine and then so shall the world. Those who stand against me, the infidels, they shall be the dust my feet kick up as I ascend to the realm of heaven, a god-king!"
+The barbarians had been worked up into a fervor, they shouted and roared.
+Median turned to his companions and smiled.
+Median: "We have an army now let us put it to use."
+====The Blood Thirst====
+They sailed down the river on a make shift barge.
+Roman: "The barbarian guides seem to think this is a bad idea."
+Median: " It is the quickest way back to the bivouac and the fjord. I don't care what superstitions they hold. Whatever holds such a grip on this river has never met me."
+As Median looked out at the mountains and the jagged spines he thought about how beautiful the landscape was, despite the constant gray clouds and the superstitious natives. The vivid green grass, snow covered peaks, cold clear water, and the rocky hills. They almost reminded him of his home in Sharlazan on the edges of the Stryga kingdom.
+He stood up, the lapping river thudded against the bottom of the barge. He could feel it beneath his feet. The water ahead rippled as though something moved beneath its surface. A fish perhaps or a river otter? Median turned around and looked at the barbarians that used long sticks to push the barge down the river. They seemed to have not noticed. The water's calm and steady flowing surface reflected the gray sky, but whatever had disturbed it was no longer there.
+Roman: "We should probably fish while we are waiting. I am starving."
+The barge rocked, Median thought nothing of, then it rocked again. Something thudded on the deck of the barge. It was a large slimy twisting tentacle. It snatched up one of the guides lifting him off the barge and twirling him about in the air as it wrapped itself around him. He screamed and was suddenly plunged into the water with a large splash. Roman drew his sword.
+One of the other barbarian guides started yammering something that Morgan began to translate.
+Morgan: "River Kraken?"
+Roman: "I thought those were just myths."
+Four more tentacles landed on the deck of the barge gripping it and pushing it up in the water.
+Roman: "Alright I believe"
+The barge creaked and the binding that kept it together began to snap in the creature's grasp. Roman chopped off some of a tentacle with his blade before being grabbed up by another tentacle. He felt himself lift up off the deck and then the cold water surrounded him. He looked down into the darkness of the river, a large beak snapped eagerly down there. He managed to bring his sword down on the tentacle and started to saw through it. It released him.
+The creature screeched in pain and renewed its attack on the barge. Roman could see its large yellow eye now. The Kraken was massive, much larger than the barge, It had a brownish black hue to it that helped it blend into the river itself. Its lower half disturbed the silty bottom of the river sending up clouds of murk that obscured the rest of Roman's view. He broke the surface of the river and was quickly plucked up by Median.
+As Roman caught his breath he watched Median dive over the side of the barge. The water behind the barge suddenly exploded outward. Bits of gore and Kraken rained down on the barge.  Median emerged from the water and pulled himself back up onto the barge. The water was now black with blood and ink.
+Median: "You said you were hungry." He tossed a squirming tentacle at Roman's feet.
+Morgan spoke with one of the guides and turned back to Median.
+Morgan: " They say there are giant eels and giant leeches in these waters as well."
+Median: " Is that what they were so scared of? Seems a trivial thing to dread."
+Morgan turned back to the guide and began to question them once more. There was a loud snap as the timbers that had been bound to make up the barge began to separate. The bindings had snapped and now the barge began to take on a v shape. They guided it to the side of the river and disembarked.
+Morgan: " They said they can repair it, but with it getting dark we might as well set up camp. Oh, and the river is not what they feared. They talk of the "pale ones". It seems there are other humanoids in these mountains and the valley this river goes through it home.
+They made camp. Median lay there looking at the flashes of lightning in the night sky. The night was quiet. He looked to the camp fire where Roman, Morgan, Demi, and their three guides sat. Morgan had sent the deathly figure that they had defeated back to their base camp. He sat alone just outside the light of the fire.
+Morgan: "Are you contemplating the next epic feat that you intend to accomplish or just enjoying the quiet?"
+Median: " A bit of both I guess. Sometimes I like to just enjoy the silence, the scenery. It helps me think."
+Morgan: "Roman and Demi have been sparring since we landed. I think silence is a very rare commodity these days."
+A strange sound drew Median's attention away from their conversation. One of the guides suddenly shrieked as blood spurted from their neck. A metal object jutted from the guide's neck. It was a throwing knife. The air was rife with tension as Median glanced askance trying to peer into the darkness. He could hear the slightest movement, but he was unable to sense the minds of any lifeforms. Roman and Demi disappeared into the night.
+Median could sense them a few feet from where he stood. Together with Morgan and the remaining guides they took up torches and delved into the night. The ground about the reed thick river was bulbous, it has once been a flowing river of lava many years ago. The solidified rock was now covered in thick green grass. The river from the melting snow and rain had carved its way through this valley over time. A huge section of stone rose up from the sloping mountain side. Its face was striated in an odd pattern. The many satraps of the Darkthorne lands used to mark where their lands began and ended with images of their family crests.
+He wondered if this pattern were something similar. To him it resembled a snake eating its own tail. Words beneath the carving said "sete di sangue". He had no idea what language that was or what it meant. Ahead there was an opening in the mountain, a set of stairs plunged into the ebon maw. He sensed Roman and Demi descending here.
+Median: "They pursued something down these stairs."
+The guides began to shake their heads and began to back away from the cave. Median urged them to enter, but they continue to babble in their language and refuse. He hit them with a wave of force sending them back into the river. Flashes of electricity pulsed with light as slimy black bodies slide against one another. A massive snake like form rose from the river and snapped its jaws onto the guide silencing his screams and taking him beneath the surface. There must have been at least fifty of the giant eels forming a ball in the river. The guides vanished just as quickly as they had hit the water's surface.
+Morgan: "You need to work on your anger issues. How are we going to find our base camp now? The river diverges ahead of us."
+Median scowled.
+Median: "Fear made them useless. They would have died here alone either way. We have to enter the cave."
+He treated the death of the guides as a piddling thing. The walls here were etched with numerous carvings of snakes and strange serpentine letters. As they proceeded the air became warmer and Median could hear footsteps ahead of them. The staircase exited into a large opening, a cathedral. Pale, hoary haired figures sat in pews. A path cut straight through the pews to an altar. Behind the altar two giant snake heads jutted from the wall, lava poured from their open mouths into a trench where it moved like a flaming serpent weaving a path till it descended into a crevice. A man stood behind the altar, his pale skin and hoary hair made him look like one of the dead, his face was gaunt. His eyes resembled a snake's and in place of his canine teeth were curved retractable fangs dripping with venom.
+Barnabas Pope: "Behold my children! Here comes our salvation!"
+Median felt a bit of unease as the hundreds of faces gathered in the cathedral suddenly turned and looked on him. Their eyes were like the man behind the altar. The snow white color of their skin and hair was strange.
+Median: "I am no savior. I am a conqueror. The destined god-king of the West."
+Roman and Demi stood to the side of the staircase and quickly joined Median.
+Barnabas: "So you say. I say that you are the one that will change our own cursed fate."
+Median: "Who are you and what is it that you want? Get to the point because my umbrage is at its limits."
+Barnabas: "How rude of me. I am Barnabas Pope, former mercenary Lord, then wealthy baron. Those days were a mere spark in the flame that is my long life though, they happened four millennia ago. I sought the secrets of the West and found them. The secret to eternal life became mine along with its curse. The garden of the gods had a tree with fruit that could grant immortality. It gave a bitter sting with that reward. I found that I could make others like me. I gave the great ruler known as the Impaler my gift and the Countess of blood as well. I have made many others like myself. Usually out of boredom, or because I saw in them the same longing that once existed in me."
+He waved his hands about towards his followers.
+Barnabas: "They all had the same void within themselves as I did. They were not meant to be among the vermin. They were meant to ascend to a higher state of being."
+Median realized how crazy the stranger sounded and looked to his companions who seemed to agree there was something off.
+Median: "Interesting story, now we shall take our leave, good day sir."
+Median turned to leave when the man appeared in front of him.
+Barnabas: "Leaving so soon? You haven't even heard the best part."
+Median threw a punch meant to destroy the man. He was surprised when the fellow simply became mist and then reappeared nearby.
+Barnabas: "Oh come now, violence will get us nowhere. Can't we all just get along?"
+Roman performed a monant with his sword cleaving a gash from the man's head down to his waist. The wound quickly began to reknit itself and seal.
+Barnabas: "I like you, cleave first and ask questions later. See I knew we would get along famously."
+Morgan threw a bolt of necrotic energy at the pale man. He simply caught it in his hand and looked it over like a child inspecting a toy. He found it dissatisfactory and tossed it aside and wiped his hand on his breeches.
+Barnabas: "So I was going to propose that we march with you to the West. My children and I would lend our strength, indulge in a bit of blood letting and drinking. I mean you are going to leave lakes of the stuff in your wake, someone might as well put it to some use. Besides if you intend to enter the West you will have to go through Pacifika. I have a debt to repay them in kind."
+Median found the stranger's abilities to be interesting. He could use such talent among his ranks.
+Median: "Hmm fine, might you be able to lead us to the River's end?"
+Barnabas: "That we can do. See my children, I told you it would all work out. I have waited twenty years for your arrival."
+Median: "Awaited me? How did you know I would arrive?"
+Barnabas: "How did you know you would become a god-king?"
+Median: " A dream..."
+Barnabas: " Exactly!"
+The pale faced Barnabas held up a hand and a red orb dislodged from the wall behind the altar. It flew to his hand and he held the bloodstone in his hand and closed it about it. When he opened his hand the orb was gone. He snapped his fingers and a blade appeared in his hand. It was a dagger with a blade that curved like a flame. The pommel lengthened in his hand turning the dagger into a spear.
+Barnabas: "All packed."
+Morgan whispered to Median: "Can we trust this man?"
+Barnabas: "No you can't trust me, but then again would you trust someone who lured you into a cave? Actually, can you trust anyone? We have goals that are aligned and so an alliance shall work for now. The rest falls upon if you can take the West or not."
+Median: "It shall be my empire and mine alone."
+Barnabas: "You can have it. I have grown tired of these lands. I seek greener pastures on the other side of the great wall."
+Median: "You and your vampires can have the rest of the world for all I care. The West is mine!"
+Barnabas: "You have made your point. My brood and I are the last of our kind. The West is not a place where we can thrive. I have no concessions about it being all yours."
+Barnabas revealed his army of stone to Median who delighted in such an army. He also revealed a faster route for Median to take to leave the mountains. As Median rejoined with his soldiers Barnabas placed a magical miniature ship on the waves. It was drawn out to the water where it began to grow in size. It was big enough to hold his children and the army he had crafted and then some.
+Aboard his ship, he looked out at Median with disgust. Mortals were full of greed, it devoured them from within and made them into monsters. He wanted to survive, he wanted his kind to survive, but perhaps it was just another form of greed? The world was changing. It was becoming the realm of man. The elder races were slowly dying off while humans bred like vermin. Even his vampiric race was down to a few hundred. Not just anyone could survive the transformation.
+To Barnabas, Median was a well-crafted tool that would aid him in his millennia old plan.
+Barnabas: "I am older than even the name of this back water realm. I have been cast out from former home. They say the Walls of the West keep out invaders. They do not know that the walls keep me in. This is a prison and soon I shall be free at last."
+====At the Heart of the Storm====
 As his fleet sailed towards Pacifika a mage by the name of Corvan Reinhart appeared aboard Median's flagship. The mage offered his services to Median. He swore to help Median take the small kingdom of Pacifika if he would allow him to join Median's army. Median agreed and the next night they attacked.
+====The Blood Waves====
 Sorra looked out over the moonlit waves as dark clouds appeared shrouding the sky pearl. Many in her village had retired for the night, some still celebrated on the beach around campfires. Tonight marked the beginning of summer. It was strange for such a storm to be brewing so suddenly this time of year. They had destroyed Pacifika's finest fleet with the help of the mage that had joined their ranks. The few ships that remained were caught in a storm, like the one that normally surrounds Pacifika. It usually works for the defenses of the kingdom, commanded so by another mage. Now it was turned against the ships that protected Pacifika.
@@ Line 1078: / Line 1432: @@
 ====== Weapons,Relics, and Weakness ======
+__//**Ring of the Heavens:**//__
+__//**Ring of Scion:**//__
 ====== Abilities ======
-__//**ITEM:**//__
+__//**Energy Manipulation:**//__
-__//**ITEM:**//__
+__//**Limitless Stamina:**//__
-__//**ITEM:**//__
+__//**Regeneration**//__
-__//**ITEM:**//__
+__//**Telepathy:**//__
+__//**Psychokinesis:**//__
+__//**Photographic Memory:**//__
+__//**Cognitive Empathy:**//__
+__//**Psionic Abilities:**//__
 ======External Links======
 ======Quotes======
 ======Trivia======
+</WRAP>
 <WRAP center round box 60%>
 Categories: [[NAME]] |[[NAME]] |[[NAME]] |[[NAME]] |[[NAME]] |
 </WRAP>
 This page was originally created by [[ayenee:player:amorceas|J]] on Sun 25-06-17.

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