The Wild Lands <CURRENT/ACTIVE>

[TheDudeManJohn]

Races:(if you dont want to be human)
Name:
Physical Description:(how tall hair color...super big muscles...whatever)
Magical/Supernatural talents:(remember strong is good but unlimited power is bad)
Personality:
Background:(a short backstory for your charcter)
(Other:)(anything extra....like perhaps what hes wearing what weapons he has...and anything else we might need to know...)
(((PM ME YOUR CHARACTER AND ILL ADD IT TO THE CHARACTER LIST))) (the C List is just for MAINS...any extra NPC's just create in story)

The World is known as Astaria with a history thousands of years old....Astaria was once a vast, planet, spanning, metropolis that had done well for centuries to live in harmony with magic and technology.
It was around a hundred years ago a vast mistake was made. A great mage/Scientist, for in the past the focus was on both, not one or the other, This Great Mage had come up with a formula/Spell that would vastly revolutionize the Agricultural industry of this planet that was on the brink of starvation and a sever lack of natural resources.....But.....during his first trial of the new spell...it spread and took hold INSANELY fast.....as right out of his office....spilling out of the building...and swarming and consuming the city....was GROWTH...an unnatural growth of epic proportions.....what was just supposed to be a few rapid growing crops.....turned into a whole ecosystem that over the course of the next few decades....swallowed the entire planet and forced the few remaining intelligent, civilized, cultured people....inside of Walled well defended cities......as for the rest of the planet....its sworn off and after a hundred years is only known as The Wild Lands.

Now the rapid growth has slowed....but after a hundred years The Wild Lands is dominated by powerful, large, scary, ferocious and unusually ravenous Beast and Creatures....for it would seem a world that grows that fast grows Aggressive and violently.
You Start in one of the Larger Cities known as, Stalwart Landing AKA Stalwart.....The Technology that protects the walls is old but still functioning and only a very few still remember how to maintain it.....
Stalwart Landing is built into the side of a mountain...part of the city is actually built into the mountain....for the most part the monsters dont mess with the walls....but every so often....Giant Flying Reptiles have to be shot down as they come down from the mountain to try and feed.....at first glance you would assume Stalwart Landing to be in dire need of updating to the Defenses that keep it safe....for everyone knows deep in The Wild Lands are Giant Creatures capable of toppling walls and from time to time....they wander from their hunting grounds......but in Stalwart Landing....for the past generation or two....the focus, schooling, and training has soley been to teach, train and breed.....Monster Hunters.....and its just been this past year that "expeditions" into The Wild Lands has begun in the hopes of other Civilizations being found....and maybe one day have roads leading out again.....most of these expeditions are met in failure....but the effort is not slowed thanks to the occasional heroic return......

you are among these monster hunters.....At this point The Hunters are broken down into guilds, each guild working out their own ideas, and ways to topple The Wild Lands.....there is no one leader, the leader of the guilds meet to make the big decisions for Stalwart Landing when its needed.....but for the most part everyone understand the need for them all to work together......or they will die, falling to the creatures of The Wild Lands.

[TheDudeManJohn]

CHARACTER LIST

<<<<<Froggychum>>>>>
Name: Baled Nascor

Races: Human

Physical Description: Baled is 15. He is normal height, fairly tall, a quite skinny kid with bright blonde hair and bright blue eyes.

Magical/Supernatural talents: he is a talented prodigy in general, able to learn at a very fast and efficient pace. Currently (though im sure he will gain more) his powers include the following: (keep in mind these are not mastered yet, he is just capable of using them) arcane powers (control over fire, earth, water air, lightning, etc etc), young telepath (very new to it but is mostly learning mind defense telekinesis and teleportation ) and is a voracious magic enthusiast (he knows quite catalogue of little tricks ).

for a couple years he has been training in combat as well, though he is still quite amateur

How he learned:
As a young boy he showed talent, so when he was 5, he entered the Junior League of High Magi in Stalwart, a very well-known and pretentious school, his fees were paid as his father was part of the league as a child and was very famous. at the age of 13 he entered the Intermediate League of High Magi, and is still working there. He also loves reading, and learned much from books.

Personality: very gentle, nice, overall likeable character

Background:Baled's father was an incredibly powerful mage, who left his son at a young age. He was raised by his mother, who loved and forgave Baled's father. Baled dreams of meeting him. Baled is extremely talented in most magic he tries. Baled is very determined to make good in the world, and save the races of his land. He does not enjoy killing, but is in a guild because he knows it is necessary.

Other: He is currently in the League master of the High Magi's guild, a large guild full of prodigies that wish to become monster hunters. the Leaguemaster runs the guild as a guildlord. right now on him he has a quick shortsword which he can channel his magic into if needed while outside the kingdom.





<<<<<Greyson>>>>>
Races: Human
Name: Aydin

Physical Description: 170cm [5.6 ft] tall; short, brown "Undercut" hairstyle; short brown full beard; Average build (for a hunter). White, but still tanned skin.

Magical/Supernatural talents: Able to create blue flames in his left hand due to a broken magical sphere lodged inside his left arm. Can be used to light campfires and torches, to burn small paper notes, or to burn open wounds shut (still painful). Also useful in close combat.

Personality: Blunt and sarcastic at times, but has a soft heart. Strong sense of morality and will do anything to keep the people close to him safe from harm. Very excited whenever he is in the Wild Lands.

Background: Aydin, born and raised in Stalwart Landing (like most of the people living there), always wanted to go outside the walls that were supposed to protect the people. His father was a miner, but all of Stalwart knew him as the local drunk, and his mother, Skadi, is a herbalist and now in charge of growing most of the herbs for the local Monster Hunter Guild.

In his teenage years, Aydin often hang out with Wiljan, the son of a flame mage. Together they came up with a lot of mischief, as it is normal for bored teenager. Things turned bad quickly when Wiljan "borrowed" one of his fathers magical spheres and they snuck through a small gap in the wall, right into the wildlands. As expected of bad ideas, the situation got out of hand pretty quick, Wiljan lost a leg, the sphere was shattered, and some shards lodged themselves in Aydins left arm. In other words: It was the most exciting day in their lives.

When he was old enough, Aydin signed up for the Monster Hunter program right away, knowing it was his best chance to see more of the terrible world that excited him more than anything else. And even during his time in training he snuck out whenever he found an opening (which he always reported when he came back, so it could be sealed.)

Other:
-Armor: heavily modified standard issue Hunter Gear, consisting of a short sleeve mail shirt with a studded, dark brown leather chestpiece; long, dark brown boots with laces and heavy-looking metal gloves with studded armguards. Around his hips is a green, plaid waistcloth, which was a gift from his mother, and he attached his Hunters Insignia with a small silver chain to his belt.

-Weapon: A Morph-Spear (a sword with a mechanically extending handle to double as a straight-tipped spear; his standard issue hunters knife (attached to the back of his belt); An extendable shield, which can easily protect ones upper body and head (attached to his rucksack with magnets.)



<<<<<TheDudeManJohn>>>>>
Races: Creature from the Wild Lands

Name: hes never had anyone to give him one....the people in the town know him has The Wild One......but if anyone ever asked him.....hes kinda always liked the name Jacob.

Physical Description: Standing at 6' 10" his body is human shaped and completely covered in dark brown matted fur, he has clawed hands and feet and his claws are retractable like a cats, his build is long and tall not quite as big and monstrous as his face seems, his face.....looks like you took a cat, a wolf, a bear, and pig.....and smashed it together.....his snout...is just that a snout like a pig...the skin is a off colored brown and his teeth and under jaw resemble a bear....eyes of a cat, a soft eerie yellow, and the ears and brow shape of a wolf.....he tries to wear a shirt and pants because being "naked" is frowned upon.

Magical/Supernatural talents: Hes a creature of the wilds....hes unusually strong....not matching his build....surprisingly fast.....no one has seen him at "full speed" due to it never being needed inside the walls....his eyes react quickly can see in the dark and can focus a great distance further than a humans.....his ears hear on different frequencies than a human....if he focused he could hear your heart beat, if u are in the same room with him...his sense of smell!!!...is crap he cant smell to much at all...and due to this is willing to eat most anything...as far as any other powers....they will be shown later......nothing else is known about him as of yet by the people in the town.

Personality: he doesn't feel emotions like a human....his emotions, personality, feelings, what have you....are all very primal...fear of death....hunger for life...self preservation and the preservation of "The Pack" though he hasn't had a pack in a long long time....hes good for all kinds of menial tasks and manual labor....for it doesn't bother him to do them.....hes not plagued by the constant effort=reward payment system humanity is bound too.........the things he does....he does because it has to...or hes been asked to....and for no other reason than it has to be done, or because it is wanted of him....
Background: His "people" were hunted and wiped out in the wild lands many many miles from Stalwart Landing.....killed by a City which had advanced greatly in technology/was able to keep most of it running since The Great Growth.....that city long since wiped itself out...falling to The Wild Lands due to internal conflict weakening them from with in.....but he was just a new born and was saved and cared for by other creatures of the wilds.....and when his brain continued to develop and his strength began to show....he set out on his own to find life else where.....for about a decade he fought and lived in The Wild Lands....till he came upon Stalwart Landing under attack from giant snakes.....helped save them...and was allowed inside the walls.....where he slowly learned to speak to them over the course of another 2 years....living and being cared for by the local Tavern Keeper....

[Greyson]

It was just after dawn when Aydin left Stalwart Landings city hall, finishing a rather important errand for the [border]Stalwart Vanguards[/border] , the monster hunter guild he was working for since he joined 4 years ago. Of course he had to take part in the same training as most of the children in Stalwart when they are old enough to properly hold a sword, but even though the main focus is on gathering as many monster hunters as possible, not everyone can become one, simply because the city requires a steady supply of new blacksmiths, farmers, miners, and many more just to keep it's gears turning, and of course to supply the hunters with everything they need.

Aydin always enjoyed the peace and quite of the city hall plazza, the political heart of Stalwart, at dawn. He looked down the streets, while still adjusting his steelish-blue eyes to the lighting, and only saw a handful of workings buzzing around, probably preparing for another long day of work. But he had no time to stroll through the city, which he did a lot the last few days, because he had to return to his guildmaster and give him a missive from the mayor, and it was no good idea to keep him waiting.

While making his way to his guild hall in the [border]Jatteal Circle District[/border], renamed after the first fallen monster hunter a few months back, Aydin still had the chance to enjoy the now again blooming trees in the streets and the fresh, but still cool, air. It was a long way to go from city hall to the guild though, so Aydin could notice Stalwart slowly awakening. He could smell the fresh bread when he made his way past the bakery, he could see the market vendors setting up their stalls in the marketplace, and he passed a group of young mage trainees on their way to the [border]Junior League of High Magi[/border] and they were as excited to see a hunter as much as most kids are these days. Moments like these always made Aydin think how easy and peaceful it is inside the walls and how many older citizens could even imagine how dangerous it must be beyond the gates. "But that's why we need so many hunters", he thought to himself and hurried along the alleys.

When Aydin finally arrived at his guild, the pink had almost been gone from the sky, leaving it clear and blue, with an occasional cloud here and there, but mostly clear. The Vanguards guild hall itself wasn't very impressive, mostly due to the fact that it used to be a tavern before the guilds were formed. The only thing showing that it was a guild were the two red banners next to the entrance, embroided with the Vanguards [border]coat of arms[/border], a big, [border]silver shield with a flame[/border] in the center. The same symbol that was on his hunter insignia hanging from his belt.

At the door Aydin was greeted by Denning, a fellow Vanguard, standing guard next to the door. The guards main job wasn't to keep people outside but rather to inform people who were interested about the current situation and whether or not there were news on the expeditions.
"How'dit go Aydin? News from the top?" Denning asked, flasihing his famous broad smile "Hope there are news, people keep pestering me about news. Still the same as yesterday, I keep saying, but they aren't statisfied by that, you know?" "We can't really blame them for that, can we? Knowing that their sons and daughters are out there in the wild has to keep them awake at night for sure" Aydin said, "But you will have to keep telling them that today. No news, I'm sorry. Just tell them that it is natural that the hunters don't have much time out there to write letters, and that they will be home soon. Tell them about our special training again and show them the survivability rating of us Vanguards again. That should help them sleep easier, either because of boredom or because we have one of the highest ratings." With that, Aydin walked past Denning, giving him a fist bump to the shoulder on his way in.

Even though the guild hall is no longer a tavern, due to the fact that it is a [border]Hunter's Hub[/border] there still is the chance to get some food and some of the best drinks in the city. But Aydin wasn't here to drink, especially not that early in the morning, but the Hub was always crowded. He made his way through the other Vanguards, greeting everyone he passed, sometimes stopping to exchange a few words with some of his better known comrades or to welcome some of the new hunters, who just passed their entry test. The Vanguard entry test consists of three official plus one unoffical part. The official ones are: combat proficiency, cardio, and outdoor survival. Each test is monitored and rated by three "veteran hunters" whereas the last and also unoffical test is monitored and rated by every Vanguard not out on an Expedition, a drinking competition against the guild master. This test can't really be failed though, as it's main reason is to show the recruits true character and also to celebrate and welcome them into the guild.

Aydin goes up the stairs to the second floor, where the guild masters command room is, knocks on the door and enters. I'm back, sir. And I have news from the mayor. You should take a look at this." he says, handing over the missive to the guild master.

[Froggychum]

Baled Nascor watched drearily as the rest of his youth guild members arrived at the location the Leaguemaster had been planning for them to meet for weeks now, it was just around dawn, which was much earlier than any of his students normally wake up, and he knew that full well, Baled assumed.

Baled had, naturally of course, been the first to arrive on the scene, showing up early to chat with the Leaguemaster, who was now also holding the title of Guildmaster… as the rest of the 13-19 year olds arrived on the scene, the chorus of moans and groans rose higher and louder in the spot near the south outer wall of Stalwart.

At first, Baled remembered, it had been difficult for the Leaguemaster to get the government to agree to let him lead a band of young men and women into the lands of the unknown, but using his high rank and charisma he had managed to form a guild AND be allowed meetings to lead this group outside the walls, albeit to a limited distance away.

Baled was enthralled, even if he could hardly keep his eyes open… the day had finally came, he and the best of his group would finally be allowed to head outside the wall.. See the outside world, maybe even clear a few monsters, well, that wasn’t exactly the plan.

Part of the agreement with the Leaguemaster was that if they were to encounter something that would be unsafe, they would retreat at a quick pace back to town. And the Leaguemaster would be personally responsible for any injuries the children obtained.

As the final pieces of the group arrived, the Leaguemaster spoke, “Hello everyone,” he began with a smile, “do not be fooled, today is, finally and at last, the day where we venture outside!”. The crowd cheered louder than a group of exhausted youth could be expected to.

The exhaustion in the group was not just do to the early time of day, many members of the group had been training non stop for days just to fit the requirements to get into the guild. Baled had decided, with much will, and convincing from his mother, to not follow this regime. He would train each day for 8 hours, and then sleep until noon of the next day. This was actually much more beneficial for Baled, as the sleep would put him ahead of everyone else, not to mention the kinds of dreams Baled had so very often.

To be specific, Baled had always had interesting dreams, some days they would fill him full of energy, some days they would give him an idea of a spell to study, but they always shared one common theme. Images of his father, a faint outline he could hardly make out, but he was certain was his father… His father never spoke, probably because Baled had never heard his father speak.

The Leaguemaster gave his speech, and then signalled for the guards to open the southern gate, as they did, the group rushed out, ignoring the Leaguemasters requests to stay in line.

Baled did not rush out, this moment is one he would savour, although he had been allowed to peek over the walls now and then as a child, he had never stepped foot outside the walled city, to him, this was like escaping a prison, even if that prison was his home.

Baled stepped outside, and collapsed, his eyes shut tight, he was filled with a vision…

“What’s happening?” Baled begged the mist around him, idling nowhere in particular. “Hello, Baled” a strong voice said. Baled had never heard the voice before, but instantly recognized it as his father’s. “Father!?” he asked the mist, and to his shock and euphoria the mist began swirling into the form of his father, “Hello, son” he said, now a fully formed figure.

Baled looked into his father’s eyes, after studying every detail of his face. Baled’s father looked like him, brown hair, slim and a kind, noble face. He had green eyes however, and bigger hands than Baled. He was just under 6 feet tall, or maybe just a bit over. Baled was short compared to his father, he was only 5 and a half feet tall, he looked into his father’s slightly bearded face. “Father, where have you been?” Baled asked like a neglected child, which is what he was. Baled’s father smiled sadly, “that is a long story Baled, and we don’t have time for it I’m afraid.”

Baled was shook, but not mad, he could not be mad looking into his father’s eyes, “Why come to me now?” he asked, and was answered. “I came to congratulate you, son. This is the first step in your great destiny” he said, filled with pride, which was obvious on his face.

“What destiny?” Baled asked, his father did not have an answer, but continued to smile. “Just be you, my son, you are destined for greatness” he said with love, “I must be going, I will see you again, my child” he finished, and with that, he was gone.

Baled awoke, he looked up to see his friends from the High Magi and the Leaguemasters own face looking down at him. “Please don’t be injured Baled, I would look foolish if one of my students was hurt before we even got a meter out the gate” the Leaguemaster said sadly.

“I am not hurt,” Baled said, “quite the contrary”. The Leaguemasters eyes turned to slits, not aggressive ones, just very focused ones, “What did you see, Baled?” he asked. “I saw my father” Baled answered honestly, if a bit confusedly.

“Your destiny has begun Baled” the Leaguemaster said. “Now, let us head outside, we will talk alone after the trip”, with this he helped Baled up, and paraded him through the other students, who looked at him with varying emotions on their faces, most were surprise, and others were supportive smiles.

With this, Baled, his group, and the Leaguemaster finally head outside the city, into… The Wild Lands

[Greyson]

[border]Knight Commander Victor Grym[/border], the Guildmaster of the Vanguard, was a beast of a man, standing at 6'7ft he was bigger than most of Stalwarts citizens.
And the fact that he was bald (by choice) made him look even scarier to some of the townsfolk. He didn't mind though.

"News from the mayor you say? Already? Well, I know I sent you there with a letter of my own, but I did not expect him to have an answer already." he said, standing up and taking the letter from Aydins hands. "I don't think it's an answer to your letter, Knight Commander.", Aydin said, standing at attention.
Which caught Gryms attention.

"At ease, Aydin. How long are you with us now? 3 years?", he asked. "4 years now, Knight Commander." "Then you should remember what I said about rank while in the guild hall, right?", he asked Aydin while sitting back down in his chair. "I do Kni--- Grym. We are to ignore rank while in the guild hall, as this is our home. And here we are equal. Comrads sharing the honor of the hunt.", Aydin said, who is now standing in a more relaxed way, crossing his arms before his chest. "Good, then let's see what the Mayor wants from us. Let's hope it isn't another tax raise.", Victor Grym said laughing. "Well, isn't this something!"

Knight Commander Grym,
Guildmaster of the Stalwart Vanguards,

This letter is both an information and a request to you.
Today the High Magi's guild is going out on an expedition.
I know what you are thinking now "Why should I care, it is just
another guild going on an expedition, nothing special nowadays.

It is just that they aren't really hunters, at least not yet.
And it is not like they are not capable either.
Some of our finest young mages are part of this guild,
you might even call these Kids prodigies.

And this is the problem. Well, not the prodigy situation.
But some of them are still kids. I just don't want
to see them harmed. So could you please send some
of your Hunters out there to look after them,
Maybe even without getting seen until necessary.

I would be ever so grateful.
The Mayor

"I never understood why that old fellow signs his letters with "The Mayor", you know? Sometimes I think he forgot his name the day he got elected.", Grym said, pinching the Bridge of his nose with two fingers. "But let's be honest here... Why would they send kids out there? Okay, they are mages... Maybe they developed some kind of protection spell that keeps them from harm out there. And now they just want to prove a point. I'll never get those mages, they are too smart for me. Honestly."
"What's your call?", Aydin said, shifting his weight from his left to his right leg, "Ignore the Mayors request and hope they have a spell or prove to be spectacular Monster Hunters? Or should I tell some Vets to gear up and head towards the gates?

Victor Grym was never at a loss of words and always knew what to do the second a problem occured. But right now there was nothing in his room but silence. After a few seconds He stood up, leaned forward on his desk with his arms in a V shape away from him, locking his dark Brown eyes on Aydin. "That won't do... ", he said, "The Mayor wants us to not be noticed. We have to send only one Hunter, anything else would be too obvious, too noisy. Send one to each gate and make sure to follow the High Magi if they through their assigned gate. Maybe wait there a few hours then fire a flare if the Magi did NOT show up at their gate... that could work... yeah... Aydin, send in Heimskr and Zophia. And take this flare. You're heading for the southern gate. Now." "Right away, sir. It's an honor. ", Aydin said saluting the Knight Commander, and leaves his room.

On his way out of the Guild Hall Aydin made sure to send in the requested hunters, bought some supplies from the guild merchant, and hurried along to the southern gate.
Just in time it seemed, as the guards were just about to close the gate again. "Wait a second, Guardsmen!", Aydin yelled and held up his insignia while approaching the gate, "Official Monster Hunter buisness. Did you just let the High Magi through the gate? If so I have to request passage through the gate.

"Told you sumthin was 'rong with them yung-uns, Lester!", the guardsmen yelled to his partner. "No 'unter I've seen look that young, they in trouble? " "Can't say for sure.", Aydin said, "I'm just there to... show them a thing or two about the Wild Lands. You know, for training. So they can become hunters soon. I'm just running a bit late., he continued. Of Course, lying to the guard was not necessary, but he figured that the guardsmen would be worried if they knew that someone would send a hunter to "hunt" other hunters. No need to start any rumors.

Aydin waved a quick "see you soon" to the guardsmen and slipped through the gate. "Back in the wild, finally." he thought, not being able to hide his smile.Too bad the Magi's already gone, but they can't be far. I'll just have to track them down first.

With that Aydin ventured farther into the wild, following every trail the High Magi had left.

[Froggychum]

The trail of the High Magi was not hard to follow, after all, teenagers aren't known for cleaning up their mess.

After Baled had been awoken by the Leaguemaster and checked out okay, he had joined his clique of friends, Martin and Cylia in wandering the wild lands.

"So, you saw your father..." Cylia asked Baled in an odd tone. Baled was a very empathetic person, and that bled into his magical talents somewhat, that or he just knew Cylia well enough to realise that she was jealous, Baled immediately understood how she was feeling, she was jealous because she too had been abandoned by her father, who was not a national hero, more of just a random drunk. Baled was unsure how to proceed, but tried his best, "Yes, I met him." he answered honestly.

Cylia was getting more jealous, "Oh so you met him, that's better than usual," she said, her voice gaining a hint of contempt, "silly me for thinking you'd just see him as you normally do, no this time, you met the wonderful hero"

Martin budded in, "That's not entirely fair Cylia, he lost his father too". Cylia stopped walking and shot her head towards Martin, "Not entirely fair!?" she asked exasperatedly, "I'll tell you what's not entirely fair, or more specifically, entirely unfair!" she continued, "Mt father, who keep in mind was NOT a national hero, left me and my poor mother with nothing, never visited me, AND stole our money the night he buggered off!"

Cylia was attracting attention now, Martin wondered why her friend, who was usually even tempered for a 15 year-old girl was acting so out of character. While Martin wondered, Baled had already figured it out. Looking up at the sky while Cylia talked, he noticed the moon (which was just setting) was ever slightly a different shade in the sky out here, a mystical light pink, but each step they went further, the moon became darker...

Baled knew why Cylia was acting like this, she was a Lunar Mage, and this moon was obviously affecting her, he headed off to tell the Leaguemaster his assumptions, but was grabbed in the arm by Cylia, who rasped angrily, "Where do you think you're going?". Baled tried to shrug her off, but realized he couldn't, he decided he had to yell to the Leaguemaster, but as he prepared his vocal cords to do their thing, he was suddenly silented. Cylia had put her hand on the back of his neck, and he felt a slow swirling gas rising in his throat, she had silenced his voice! A classic Lunar Mage trick, and a quite nasty one at that...

Cylia had never been into what many scholars call The Dark Side of the Moon, she had always been a good student, only studying things like waves, crops and light... She must have just used this without thought.

Martin began to interject, but she glared at him, and her glare had, well, a glare to it. Martin shut up, mostly against his will... Martin was a Forge Mage, taking after his father, who was a blacksmith, he enjoyed crafting weapons.. He didn't take after his father's body shape though, while his father was forge-perfect, a bulky, strong build with stamina, Martin was quite scrawny, and short, though he was taller than Baled who was short for his age, but only by a little bit.

Cylia was starting to snarl and growl, and Baled saw some eyes poke out from behind a patch of forest... she was calling the beasts!

Baled knew this could not continue, he knew he had to get out... He began to focus his energy, as he took step after step by her guidance, his mind was still free... He started focusing on his movement, and how even though it happened in this spot, it could happen in any other equally fine. With this, his body began to dematerialize, she snarled loudly, and attracted some attention, the Leaguemaster however was focusing on another student who was asking when they would set down for their picnic.

Baled materialized in front of the Leaguemaster stopping him in his tracks, "Leaguemaster!" he shouted, "Cylia is possessed by the moon!". The Leaguemaster was confused for a moment, but then turned around. He saw Cylia calling upon the beasts in the woods, he shook his head, as a horrified expression crossed his face.

"Everyone, we need to go back!" he said loudly to the group, followed by very, very disappointed moans, and some gasps of disbelief, "But we just got here!" was something that could be heard a lot, he said, "Now! Everyone head back to town! Quickly!" he yelled looking at Baled, indicating he would go too.

Martin was still being held by Cylia, who now glanced at the moon, and shook with fury, she snarled and the beasts bolted forward...

Leaguemaster prepared a spell to paralyze the beasts and Cylia, even though it would target Martin...

[Greyson]

The beasts bolted towards the group of the High Magi students, but when the leading monster was almost upon them, it was suddenly pinned to the ground by a spear that pierced it's massive neck, halting the charge for a few seconds in which the monsters tried to assess the new threat.

---
It was very easy for Aydin to locate the High Magi "Expedition", simply because they were mostly Kids who probably had never been outside the city walls before. Therefore they left a very obvious trail on the ground, both with trash and because they didn't pay much attention of where they stepped. And because they were in theory still school kids or students, they seemed to enjoy being loud. Talking loud, laughing loud, yelling, the kind of things that get you killed out here. Aydin smirked and thought "Have I been any different when I first snuck out here? I think kids are all the same deep down." and did his best to catch up as quickly as possible.

"I knew they couldn't have come very far yet. They still have short legs after all", he thought and couldn't help but chuckle for a second. The situation he could watch unfold about 30 meters in front of him was no laughing matter though.
One of the girls started acting... weird. Grabbing the Boy she was talking to by the back of his neck and all Aydin could witness after that is that the boy seemed to yell without sound. Or at least he looked like he was trying to yell something, as his mouth opend wide but his expression quickly turned to surprised.

Only when the girl started to Growl, Aydin was able to put one and one together.

"I heard rumors about something like this", he thought. "So she must be one of these... moon mages? Lunar mages? Never seen one before. Or maybe I have and didn't notice... they don't look any diffent to other mages... but that's not important right now." He extended his sword to a spear, just to be on the safe side.
And how right his instincts were.
---

The very second the charging stopped because their front runner was impaled Aydin started his counterattack, dashing straight to his spear, sliding the last 2 meters, grabbing it by the [border]Morph Unit[/border], the part of the grip that morphs the weapon when a certain pressure was applied and a saftey was turned of, and morphed back to sword mode in a swift, circular motion, slicing the neck of the monster open and directly connecting to the head of the monster nearest to him, ending its life in a matter of seconds.

"No time to survey the area now" Aydin thought, lighting his left hand on fire just in time to block another monsters lunge. "Bit of more than you could ever chew" he said while lighting the monsters fur on fire and tossing it to the side. Now that these things were on the defensive Aydin quickly turned to the weird acting mage kid, which wasn't standing far away from him to begin with, grabbed her by the throat and lifted her up.

"So, so, Leaguemaster! There is one thing about establishing a Hunter's Guild. But you really should have Hunters with you when you venture beyond our walls, don't you think? Risking a lot of lives right here, you know!"

[Froggychum]

the kids had been cheering the hunter on until she had grabbed their classmate by the neck... now they were just surprised, and some who hadn't been paying attention the girl's behavior, were confused.

the Leaguemaster looked into the hunter's eyes a tad bit angry, but also calm, "Would you please put the girl down?" he asked calmly and politely, "I am able to fix her lunar order with no trouble, and her parents would have me hung if they see marks on her throat" he said with brute honesty.

If the hunter would put the still snarling girl down, Leaguemaster walks up to her and touches her head, putting her to sleep, and clearing her face of negative emotions. If he does not, he will continue speaking

"As for bringing Hunters you would be right, but I'll tell you I have had sixty plus years of experience outside these walls, and have enough magical talent to get anything this far out of the city to know I'm the alpha right now..." he said not impolitely, but firmly.

"I suppose the mayor sent you here to spy on me? Yes, I had a lot of trouble convincing him to even let me bring the children out... I suspected he wasn't completely sold on the idea," he told the hunter, "well, if you came here to make sure things are okay, I won't stop you, if we may continue our march, you may follow us and ensure our safety further, we are over half way to the picnic point, at which we will turn back. Yes, not a long walk indeed, hardly a half kilometer outside the walls. I am sure you go farther walks every day, I'd assume."

[Greyson]

"Sure, I can put he back down. I just have her up there to prevent her from running or attacking anyone. Just making sure.", Aydin said, still holding up the snarling girl. "And just so we're clear. I heard that you told the kids that you have to go back to the city. And trust me, I saw your horrified expression as well.", he said approaching the Leaguemaster, still carrying the girl. "Really makes me doubt you can really show the monsters who's the Alpha out here.

Aydin stopped only a few steps away from the Leaguemaster and let the girl fall to the ground in front of him. "You better take care of her before marks on her neck become the least of her problems. Or rather your problems.". He turned around, sword still at the ready and looked and listened for more monsters lurking in the shadows.

"And no.", Aydin said "The mayor didn't send me here or anything. I'm a hunter not a babysitter. And when you start hearing children beyond the walls, you just have to see what's going on, don't you think?", he said, knowing well that lying to a mage wasn't always the best idea. But right now, he wasn't looking for allies.

"But I'm curious why you would want to go out on a picnic beyond the walls. So many nice places to do so inside Stalwart. Care to share the reasons?", Aydin said, giving the Leaguemaster a quick glance of the shoulder.

[Froggychum]

the Leaguemaster sighed with a soft smile, that left his face, "If you must know, the reason I wanted to have a picnic is because the mana out here is much... stronger.. than it is in the city," the Leaguemaster began, "i was going to set up an area of protection once we camped down... I also planned to show my students, real mana" he said , slightly sadly, "you see, for us mages, the mana inside the city is constantly recycled, used, and dulled..." =, he continued, a glimpse of despair in his eyes, "I just wanted the league to see some REAL magic before my demise" he said, desperately.

The hunter could not tell, but he was feeling slightly bad for the Leaguemaster, these feelings may not have been his own, but they were not cast upon him, it was more as if the emotions were... leaking from the mage.

[Greyson]

"I see..." Aydin said, slowly noticing that a feeling of sadness was creeping up his body, a sadness that was not his own.
"I get what you are trying to accomplish here. And, sure, it must be very exciting for your students to be out here, and it will surely help them, but look at them. ", he said, pointing at the two boys that were talking to the "Wild Girl" before she flipped.
"I mean, okay. I'm 22 years old and they are pretty much my size, but they don't really look like they could hold their own if they were to be seperated from the group, you know? All I'm saying is that you maybe should have asked some hunters to accompany you just to be on the safe side. Most of us wouldn't even ask for payment.".

Aydin relaxed his stance, sheating his Morph Spear while it still was in sword mode. He turned around to face the Leaguemaster and crossed his arms. "You may continue to your... picnic. I won't stop you. But, like you offered, I will follow you, until I see every single one of you safe and sound back within Stalwarts walls."

"So much for being stealthy", he thought, but what other choice did he have?

[Froggychum]

The Leaguemaster smiled, "very well, thank you". He looked to his students and smiled, "Students, today is a momentous day for us all, today, you will finally experience... True Mana!" he said with much enthusiasm, in a bit louder of a voice than Aydin would have liked, but not enough to attract monsters. Some of the students had heard some of the conversation with the leaguemaster and aydin, but those that didn't filled each other in quickly, and they all looked up at starry eyes and cheered, some were slightly confused with the fact that their mana had never been 'true', but most were happy to have the experience.

After another seven or eight minutes at a slow pace, as would be expected, they arrived and Leaguemaster held out his hand, stopping his young mages. He took in a deep breath, and you could see him internally flourish, "Here" he said simply, sitting down, and gestured for the others to do the same. "Channel your essence everyone, just feel..." the Leaguemaster suggested, most children would be unsure as what to do with that statement, but these were not normal children, they were mages, adept at feeling and such.

the Leaguemaster turned to Aydin, and began speaking, "Ah, it's so nice out here, I am sure even you can see that in some way..." he began, "I assume you sometimes see these beasts out here as enemies to be beaten, but I see them for what they are, mana incarnate..." he said, looking shiny-eyed into the sky for a moment, "How about I show you my star student?" Leaguemaster suggested, not waiting for an answer from the hunter, "Baled, come over here", with that Baled came over, bowed, and sat down quietly.

[TheDudeManJohn]

((sorry guys i was away f rom a computer all day yesterday....and then i get to work and sit down to start working on this.....i get swarmed by customers and then have to go to the bank.......and my car breaks down just moments ago....now im running around to get it fixed.....if i can ill get everything caught up tonight....just my luck we legit are starting this and my life flips....zzzzz....ok sorry again my dudes)

[Froggychum]

((no worries, i can wait if needs be! Thanks for the heads up ))

((Edit: That is like, my worst nightmare, so i'll be compassionate for you ))

[Greyson]

"True Mana, huh?", Aydin said, watching the mage kids get a "feel" for their source of powers. "You know, I never was one the people with the ability to sense this raw Magic." he continued, while a bright blue smoke started to form around his left forearm.

"I'm going to be honest with you, Leaguemaster. You may see the monsters roaming the wild lands as mana incarnate, raw magic gone awry. Manifesting in a physical form, becoming life. It's truely impressive as it certainly created life from thin air, so to speak.". Aydin crossed his arms again, one of which still had smoke creeping around it, almost dancing in the wind, but yet flickering slightly towards the Leaguemaster.

"I see them a bit different though. I see them as a threat to us. Not only because it's my job to think so or because I lost many friends to them already, but because they keep us penned in our fortified city. Which is falling apart because no one knows how to keep the defences maintained. I once read in a book that we could go where ever we wanted, without fear of getting eaten. And I'm not even sure that we can call their form of existence 'life'. But that's just my piece of copper." he said while looking at the Leaguemasters star student that was sitting a few feet in front of him.

"Well look at you boy. What was your name? Bhalet? Aydin said, totally butchering his name. "Can't really see anything Special about him. But thats the thing with you mages, isn't it? One just can't tell how powerful you are by simply looking at you. But anyways... First time in the WL, right? And even survived a monster attack! Oh, you are totally going to get the chicks when you tell them about this, Aydin said laughing.

[Froggychum]

Baled smirked playfully, and winked at Aydin, the Leaguemaster whispered a few sentences in his ear, and Baled stood up, and asked very politely, as you would addressing an elder, "Would you like to see the trick?" he said, trying to keep a straight face. He seemed excited, but the choice of words he used somewhat set Aydin off... the trick, wouldn't it be... a trick? Odd...

[Greyson]

A shiver went through Aydins spine as he realized a thought creeping into his mind: "Wouldn't it be a trick". He had noticed that odd way of the boy asking if he wanted to see the trick, but the thought that crossed his mind felt like it was... not his own.
"That's weird... Maybe it's the high concentration of Mana around the mages here, Wild Magic seeping into my brain." he tought, shook his head and looked back to the boy.

"Uhh... Don't mind me spacing out there for a second, Aydin said, "But sure, knock me out of my boots with that trick of yours. Maybe I'll Show you one of my tricks in return. IF you manage to surprise me."

Aydin smiled, he was curious about what the young mage was capable of, especially since he was the Leaguemasters best Student. It was bound to be interesting.
While rubbing his neck with his left hand, he noticed that his left arm was creating a light blue, barely visible smoke. "Is... is the shard reacting to the Mana around here, too? Oh please don't be a bad sign" he thought, trying to not show his surprise.

"Well then, the stage is yours. Or rather the forest ground. More like the moss you are standing on.. but I'm sure you get the idea."

[Froggychum]

Baled smiled wistfully, and lifted his arms wistfully, and bowed wist-

wait, there was a pattern here... Oh! Baled was turning into a fine ethereal mist.. and then he was gone. While Aydin looked in the place he had once stood, he felt a light and shy tap on his shoulder, if he chooses to turn around he would see Baled, who would give a short wave. This was not teleportation... it was something else, Aydin had saw Baled teleport previously and there had been no mist...

Leaguemaster smiled a large smile when/if Aydin turned back to him, "Ahah, I'm afraid the Baled you have been talking to was not the real Baled at all..." he looked devious, "Well," he stopped himself," Baled, why don't you explain the trick?" he offered, Baled accepted graciously.

"You see sir, I was never really sitting down with the Leaguemaster, when he came over and showed me my spot, he also told me to go etheral and sneak up behind you..." he paused, thoughtfully for a moment "I know you probably aren't used to people sneaking upon you, let alone children, but don't have your confidence drained!" he said kindly, "I was in the ethereal, I was like a ghost, but less detectable! I also had to cast an illusion as i jumped through the planes in order to make you believe I sat down..." he paused thoughtfully again, "quite an advanced trick, especially for those only in the Intermediate school..." he said, "It involved teleportation, plane hopping AND high-level illusions... now, if you will excuse me, i am very tired after that trick, and need to refuel my mana... and have a bite to eat" he winked softly at Aydin, took a bagel from the picnic basket, bowed to the Leaguemaster, and trotted off back to his friend Martin, who was tending to the unconscious Cylia

[Greyson]

"I... what?", Aydin was still unsure how he was supposed to feel about Baleds 'trick'. So he just stood there, watching him Walking over to the his friend.

"I have to admit, Leaguemaster. Your Student is quite the showoff, isn't he?", he said in joking manner. "His ability are fit for a thief though, don't you think? Never knew you mages had spells for things like that, too. You don't mind if I have a little talk with him, don't you?".

Not really waiting for an answer Aydin walked over to the three young mages, picking up 3 medium sized stones on the way there.
"She going to be fine? I did my best to not try to hurt her while lifting her up, okay? No hard feelings, right?/color], he said, while crouching down and leaning his arms on his knees. "I promised you a trick in return, didn't I?" he put on of the stones in his left palm and closed his hand, looking at the unconscious girl.

A few seconds later Aydins left arm was engulfed in blue flames that moved to down to his palm. And just as fast as they appeared, they were gone again.
"I'm no mage you know, and I certainly can't cast any spells. I have some shards from a very powerful magic sphere stuck in my arm though. And it kinda embedded itself in my muscle tissue and created a neural link with my brain or something. At least that's what a mage told me."
He opened his hand again, revealing that the stone had turned to a small figurine of the girl. With a great deal of detail, too. Every single hair was visible and it even flowed in the wind like real ones, but they were still made of stone, yet magically softened. "Give her that when she comes back to her senses, okay?", he said. "You guys want one too?"

[Froggychum]

Baled looked at Aydin with glee at was about to accept his generous offer, but then Martin interjected, "Very good trick! But I am a mage, specifically one of the Forge..." Martin walked up to a large stone, and Aydin could probably get the idea he was about to show off, Martin was really showing these mages are all the same!

Martin put his hands down on the stone, and closed his eyes, he started with a deep hum inside his gut, which moves it's way up, eventually escaping his mouth, becoming a feral roar, if Aydin was scared this would attract monsters, he would be reassured by the large blue forcefield that now surrounded a 125 meter radius of their camping spot, which housed all the spread out students safely.... The stone began to melt away, revealing a quite similar copy of the weapon that Aydin had been equipping, on it, was engraved an etching of Aydin with three students, and the Leaguemaster. There was a small magnet on the hilt, which Martin proceeded to explain, "I didn't get a good look at your weapon, but this should function similar to it, also this magnet has a chance to channel that blue fire of yours through it, i also didn't get a good look at it, but that is definitely fire that could be used at a forge, so it will work spectacular with this sword i have crafted"

Martin handed over the sword to Aydin, bowing towards him and walking back to Baled who whispered "show-off" under his breath. Martin, decided to sit down, quite tired. In fact most the children were getting tired, and Leaguemaster was gathering them to head back to home.