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Old 09-16-2002, 12:08 AM   #2
Cerek the Barbaric
Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice
 

Join Date: October 29, 2001
Location: North Carolina
Age: 62
Posts: 3,257
Cerek sits in the back room patiently waiting for the Octagonions (as some have come to call them) to show up. Mugs of ale and goblets of wine sit accompany plates of bread, cheeses, and meat on the table in front of him. To his right sits a man wearing a tunic and breeches with an odd design. Various sized stripes of blue, grey, and black run horizontally across both. The stripes mingle and merge to form a deceptive pattern that allows for easy concealment outdoors. A long sword is strapped to the man's side and a great bow is strung across his back. A smaller sword is attached to his other side and a large knapsack (in the same striped pattern as his clothes) rests on a small table beside him. The most striking physical feature is the man's hair. Pulled back and tied in a "mares-tail" that hangs down his back, it is shockingly white. This doesn't seem to be it's "natural" color....rather, it is more a complete lack of color...as if all the color had been drained from the very hairs themselves. In fact, that was exactly what had happened.

This man was a ranger and had traveled with Cerek from the beginning of their adventuring days. He had been with Cerek (along with some other companions) when they had set out to slay the dragon that now decorated the Inn. The ranger, named Balinor, had acted as the scout and snuck into the dragons lair ahead of the party. Although he was certain that the shadows concealed him, the dragon had been aware of his presence immediately and looked straight towards him. Their eyes had met and Balinor had been frozen to the spot from the DragonFear. Unable to warn his companions, the dragon had struck first, nearly killing one of the mages in the party. Balinor had finally recovered from the Fear enough to aid in the battle, but he had never forgiven himself for his failure.

Cerek noticed an immediate change in his longtime friend (aside from the hair, which had been jet black when he entered the cave). He had become very withdrawn and surly. Offers to "talk it over" were met with derision or silence. Then one morning, his friend had simply left without a word. Cerek had followed his trail for a ways, but realized his friend was being very thorough in covering his tracks. It was obvious he needed some time to himself. A year had passed before Cerek saw him again, but Balinor seemed to have regained some of his old confidence and fire. But now, he had come seeking help in a matter that he was not able to tend to himself.

Cerek had decided it was time to let these young warriors that had been fighting in the Octagon get a taste of some real adventuring.

He and Balinor discuss old times as they wait, knowing that the others would be here soon."


[ 09-16-2002, 01:12 PM: Message edited by: Cerek the Barbaric ]
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