Katarns story
This is posted for me and a few others... if you don't care, don't take the time to read it.
Jargldarn nods in greeting, motioning to the seats around the table for them to join him, he pushed the ales out closer to the two seats...then sat down into a chair himself...it creaked horribly, but the Taverns chairs were built tough for all the odd characters that enter from time to time...He looked up to Cora and smiled that beaming smile. "It is a pleasure to make your acquiantences, Katarn, Cora...it is my pleasure to share your company this fine evening.." His huge white eyes sparkled as he looked at the two people...His random red tattoos looked like viens of blood pulsing on the outside of his skin...deceptive and scary, but his smile was reasuring...
* Katarn nods, heading over towards the table as he lead Cora. He pulled her chair out for her before turning to slowly ease himself down into his own, looking towards Jargldarn as he did so. "It's rather kind to buy a drink for a couple strangers."
Jargldarn: "Oh, there is a catch of course.." He chuckles and smiles. "I ask in return a story or two...A tale of adventure or mystery...True or false it matters not...I was bored and I find the telling of tales over a few ales as soothing as sleep after a tiring days march." He sipped his ale, refreshing his tastebuds and soothing his throat...his voice was loud and bassy, his chuckle and laugh boomed across the tavern...
Cora`Demonsbane: She sat, and stared at the man, horror showing in those bright violet eyes that seemed on the verge of glowing or something...she had to avert her gaze, her hand seeking his....she really didn't like ale or anything like that. She'd just sit here, and stay quiet while the men talked...right?
* Katarn allowed her his hand, his other remaining at his side. "Hmmm..." He racked his brain for a story that he could possibly tell in Cora's company. The selection was quite slim to say the least. Oh hell, why not just start with his purpose? He could leave parts out couldn't he? "Alright."
Cora`Demonsbane: Cora really didn't know any stories...well she did, but that was only because she'd taken to reading her sister's raunchy romance novels as of late...and that wasn't something she could talk about, was it? She just looked between the two men, perhaps relaxing, now that her hand was within Katarn's....
* Jargldarn saw that his imposing bearing was frightening the lady...he had that happen a lot over the years...he has even had a lady run screaming from the tavern thinking he was the Devil himself come to claim her...He sobered his smile somewhat and tried not to do anything more that would scare the poor lass...He then put his concentration onto Katarn, the man was ready to tell a story...breaking out into a smile he picked up his ale and leaned back in the chair "Marvellous.." his eyes beamed waiting with expectancy for the new tale to unfold...
Katarn sighed softly, allowing himself to relax. "Most of the people born into this world are born with little to no direction. Others are born with no choice in the matter. Now whether one or the other is more advantegous than the other, I know not. But that's not the point of the story. The setting places us in a poor village, managing to scrape out a living farming on the land. The country, unfortunate or not, utilized a program. Every first born male was to be taken from their family and trained in the art of war as soon as the children could lift a sword. These children did as they were told, knowing nothing else. Not but 15 years later, fine sodiers emerged, chiseled out from the former children. However, unbeknonced (or however the hell you spell it) to them, there was a second purpose behind the army. The country utilized a program. Every first born male was to be taken from their family and trained in the art of war as soon as the children could lift a sword. These children did as they were told, knowing nothing else. Not but 15 years later, fine sodiers emerged, chiseled out from the former children. However, unbeknonced (or however the hell you spell it) to them, there was a second purpose behind the army.
* Jargldarn lost his smile as he fell into the story as it unfolded...As the man finshed his sentance, Jargldarn took a long drink from his mug and nodded into the silence as Katarn paused his story... Jargldarn was already entralled...loving the pause as it added more drama to the story telling.. "And what was that second purpose?" he asked as if on cue for the story teller in mid story...
Cora`Demonsbane: Cora listened to the story...and you know? It was pretty late....she leaned against Katarn, her eyelids growing heavy...she'd never been told stories before...her father didn't know any...and...she was slowly lulled into a dreamy state, teetering on the verge of sleep.
Katarn: "The army was large in numbers, but the soldiers were still children, no matter how well trained. They needed a weapon. A soldier more formidable than those they had already trained. They began to single out the children with the most potential, up until the point that one child had been singled out. He was the most formidable of the manufactured soldiers as far as strategy and skill with the blade. He was seperated from the rest of the children, his training increased beyond their own and forbidden from contact with the rest of them. They were preparing him. The last time he was the same boy from before, he was brought before the high priests. They induced an artificial sleep onto him, then bringing fourth the weapon that they had held for so long. A demon by the name of Naphaniel had been sealed away inside of a strange knife." He glanced down to his own before returning his eyes to Jargldarn. It was below the table, so likley that it wasn't noticed.
Cora`Demonsbane: She fell asleep in the middle of all that...the mention of the word demon getting her to twitch in her sleep...she had nightmares about demons frequently. She read too many serious texts on the subject.
* Jargldarn had seen every bump under his clothes as he examined him prior to asking him to join him for a drink and chat...he noticed the man held a dagger, but he was too involved in the story to notice the implications of that dagger... "Demons are nasty little blighters...I tried to fight one once...ended up with a hole in me the size of a fist...I was lucky to live..." he realised he was interupting the story... "Sorry, please, continue. Naphaniel was sealed in the knife....oh dear..they didn't! Did they?" trying to guess what happens he waits for Katarn to continue...
Cora`Demonsbane: Talking about demons....influencing her dreams....she twitched, and gravitated towards Katarn, before she just wiggled off her chair, into his lap....
Katarn smiles. "They are aren't they? The country required a weapon, and the boys body would prove to be a perfect host for that weapon. They believed that he would be strong enough to hold the demon at bay. His soul was then fused with that of the demons. However, contrary to what they had believed, the demon was more than the boy could handle, and soon gained control." He glanced down towards Cora, removing his hand from hers to hold her waist. "As you stated earlier, demons can be quite nasty. And this particular one had been locked up for quite a long time. I'm sure you can imagine what took place soon afterwards... "He paused, looking down towards the table before raising his eyes back up towards Jargldarn. "Starting with the boys parents that allowed it to occur."
* Jargldarn shook his head, understanding what Katarn was implying. "What happened then..did the young one ever gain control of the demon?" he was holding his mug of ale tightly, feeling sorrow for the boy who's entire life was led for him...not being able to have control of his own future...and then being brought victim to that of a Demon...Damn the idiots who delved into Demonology!
Cora`Demonsbane: Hey, there was one of those so-called idiots right there in Katarn's lap! Quarter demon herself, and descended from a line of demon hunters, she knew what she was, accepted it, fought against what was inside her...and learned about it. It was the idiots who used that knowledge to make weapons that were stupid. She frowned...and spoke softly, a quiet mumble...her words didn't make sense. just soft, nonsensical noises..
* Katarn smiled. "Every now and then, the boy was indeed able to gain control. But the creature inside of him was able to influence him in various ways, warping his scense of judgement, as well as gaining more control over the body. Soon after that, it was all to easy."
Jargldarn: "As is the demon way, deception, and power over the mind...When I fought the demon, he had almost convinced me that I was fighting for the wrong side...Even though it was stronger then me...it still tried to deceive me...and almost succeeded." He took another draw from his mug, glancing from the sleeping Cora back to Katarn. "How do you know this lad? Did you meet him one day? Was it him that left you in the condition you are in now?" He was curious...almost too curious...he had never heard the saying that too much curiosity killed the cat...
Cora`Demonsbane: She seemed to calm some....and stilled.....she just rested there...perhaps wondering if Katarn would wake her up, leave her here, or take her to his home, after he was done with all this talking.
Katarn: "It's probably no more than an old wives tale." He closed his eyes, remaining quiet for a few moments before opening them once more. "I heard it from my parents as a child."
* Jargldarn nodded slowly. "A scary tale to tell a child...but then again, my thirst for stories arose from my parents doing the same thing, telling me stories before I went to bed..What more do you know of this poor lad with a demon in his belly?"
* Katarn leans back in his chair, closing his eyes. "What else is there to know? He's essentially a demon now, and we both know that demons are uncivilized and brutal creatures."
"But the Human part never dies...it is only supressed..I know this from my days in the Asphalt Wars...I have seen wizards return a demon ridden person back to humanity...of course though...Wizards of that power are few and far between these days..specially ones who help anyone other then themselves..."
Katarn: "Not after the human side has been warped. This boy has no hope. Before the beast inside of him could be expunged, they would have to defeat it first. "
* Jargldarn nodded slowly as he thought. "And to defeat the demon...would kill the boy...A catch twenty two...That is a tradgic tale you have told me Katarn..I feel sympathy for the boy who lost everything before he had a chance to taste life for himself...A tradgic tale indeed.."
* Katarn shakes his head, looking back down towards Cora. "You shouldn't feel anything for him. He's a monster. In anycase, thank you for the drink and company, but I must be getting her home." He shifted, his other hand moving from his side to under her legs to lift her up as he stood. "Have a good morning Jargldarn."
* Jargldarn nodded as he leaned back "It was a pleasure to meet you Katarn, and your lady friend...although I fear my presence scared her a little...Next time we meet, I shall tell you a story in return for the one you shared with me just now.." It was then he saw the knife at his side..and it all clicked into place...standing before him was the very boy from the story just told, he could tell from the description Katarn had told him
Jargldarn: Katarn had told him about the knife...He suddenly smiled at realising the boy had actually won the battle against the demon...But it left him thinking how it was possible after everything he was told...
* Katarn smiled, nodding his head towards him. "Sounds good to me." He followed Jargldarn's eyes down towards the blade by his side for a few moments before raising his eyes back to meet Jargldarn's.
* Jargldarn met his gaze and gave a sidelong grin, he tilted his head in respect, not voicing his discovery. "You take good care of yourself, and Cora too." He liked the man, thinking he had won where the odds were serverly against him..
Jargldarn nods in greeting, motioning to the seats around the table for them to join him, he pushed the ales out closer to the two seats...then sat down into a chair himself...it creaked horribly, but the Taverns chairs were built tough for all the odd characters that enter from time to time...He looked up to Cora and smiled that beaming smile. "It is a pleasure to make your acquiantences, Katarn, Cora...it is my pleasure to share your company this fine evening.." His huge white eyes sparkled as he looked at the two people...His random red tattoos looked like viens of blood pulsing on the outside of his skin...deceptive and scary, but his smile was reasuring...
* Katarn nods, heading over towards the table as he lead Cora. He pulled her chair out for her before turning to slowly ease himself down into his own, looking towards Jargldarn as he did so. "It's rather kind to buy a drink for a couple strangers."
Jargldarn: "Oh, there is a catch of course.." He chuckles and smiles. "I ask in return a story or two...A tale of adventure or mystery...True or false it matters not...I was bored and I find the telling of tales over a few ales as soothing as sleep after a tiring days march." He sipped his ale, refreshing his tastebuds and soothing his throat...his voice was loud and bassy, his chuckle and laugh boomed across the tavern...
Cora`Demonsbane: She sat, and stared at the man, horror showing in those bright violet eyes that seemed on the verge of glowing or something...she had to avert her gaze, her hand seeking his....she really didn't like ale or anything like that. She'd just sit here, and stay quiet while the men talked...right?
* Katarn allowed her his hand, his other remaining at his side. "Hmmm..." He racked his brain for a story that he could possibly tell in Cora's company. The selection was quite slim to say the least. Oh hell, why not just start with his purpose? He could leave parts out couldn't he? "Alright."
Cora`Demonsbane: Cora really didn't know any stories...well she did, but that was only because she'd taken to reading her sister's raunchy romance novels as of late...and that wasn't something she could talk about, was it? She just looked between the two men, perhaps relaxing, now that her hand was within Katarn's....
* Jargldarn saw that his imposing bearing was frightening the lady...he had that happen a lot over the years...he has even had a lady run screaming from the tavern thinking he was the Devil himself come to claim her...He sobered his smile somewhat and tried not to do anything more that would scare the poor lass...He then put his concentration onto Katarn, the man was ready to tell a story...breaking out into a smile he picked up his ale and leaned back in the chair "Marvellous.." his eyes beamed waiting with expectancy for the new tale to unfold...
Katarn sighed softly, allowing himself to relax. "Most of the people born into this world are born with little to no direction. Others are born with no choice in the matter. Now whether one or the other is more advantegous than the other, I know not. But that's not the point of the story. The setting places us in a poor village, managing to scrape out a living farming on the land. The country, unfortunate or not, utilized a program. Every first born male was to be taken from their family and trained in the art of war as soon as the children could lift a sword. These children did as they were told, knowing nothing else. Not but 15 years later, fine sodiers emerged, chiseled out from the former children. However, unbeknonced (or however the hell you spell it) to them, there was a second purpose behind the army. The country utilized a program. Every first born male was to be taken from their family and trained in the art of war as soon as the children could lift a sword. These children did as they were told, knowing nothing else. Not but 15 years later, fine sodiers emerged, chiseled out from the former children. However, unbeknonced (or however the hell you spell it) to them, there was a second purpose behind the army.
* Jargldarn lost his smile as he fell into the story as it unfolded...As the man finshed his sentance, Jargldarn took a long drink from his mug and nodded into the silence as Katarn paused his story... Jargldarn was already entralled...loving the pause as it added more drama to the story telling.. "And what was that second purpose?" he asked as if on cue for the story teller in mid story...
Cora`Demonsbane: Cora listened to the story...and you know? It was pretty late....she leaned against Katarn, her eyelids growing heavy...she'd never been told stories before...her father didn't know any...and...she was slowly lulled into a dreamy state, teetering on the verge of sleep.
Katarn: "The army was large in numbers, but the soldiers were still children, no matter how well trained. They needed a weapon. A soldier more formidable than those they had already trained. They began to single out the children with the most potential, up until the point that one child had been singled out. He was the most formidable of the manufactured soldiers as far as strategy and skill with the blade. He was seperated from the rest of the children, his training increased beyond their own and forbidden from contact with the rest of them. They were preparing him. The last time he was the same boy from before, he was brought before the high priests. They induced an artificial sleep onto him, then bringing fourth the weapon that they had held for so long. A demon by the name of Naphaniel had been sealed away inside of a strange knife." He glanced down to his own before returning his eyes to Jargldarn. It was below the table, so likley that it wasn't noticed.
Cora`Demonsbane: She fell asleep in the middle of all that...the mention of the word demon getting her to twitch in her sleep...she had nightmares about demons frequently. She read too many serious texts on the subject.
* Jargldarn had seen every bump under his clothes as he examined him prior to asking him to join him for a drink and chat...he noticed the man held a dagger, but he was too involved in the story to notice the implications of that dagger... "Demons are nasty little blighters...I tried to fight one once...ended up with a hole in me the size of a fist...I was lucky to live..." he realised he was interupting the story... "Sorry, please, continue. Naphaniel was sealed in the knife....oh dear..they didn't! Did they?" trying to guess what happens he waits for Katarn to continue...
Cora`Demonsbane: Talking about demons....influencing her dreams....she twitched, and gravitated towards Katarn, before she just wiggled off her chair, into his lap....
Katarn smiles. "They are aren't they? The country required a weapon, and the boys body would prove to be a perfect host for that weapon. They believed that he would be strong enough to hold the demon at bay. His soul was then fused with that of the demons. However, contrary to what they had believed, the demon was more than the boy could handle, and soon gained control." He glanced down towards Cora, removing his hand from hers to hold her waist. "As you stated earlier, demons can be quite nasty. And this particular one had been locked up for quite a long time. I'm sure you can imagine what took place soon afterwards... "He paused, looking down towards the table before raising his eyes back up towards Jargldarn. "Starting with the boys parents that allowed it to occur."
* Jargldarn shook his head, understanding what Katarn was implying. "What happened then..did the young one ever gain control of the demon?" he was holding his mug of ale tightly, feeling sorrow for the boy who's entire life was led for him...not being able to have control of his own future...and then being brought victim to that of a Demon...Damn the idiots who delved into Demonology!
Cora`Demonsbane: Hey, there was one of those so-called idiots right there in Katarn's lap! Quarter demon herself, and descended from a line of demon hunters, she knew what she was, accepted it, fought against what was inside her...and learned about it. It was the idiots who used that knowledge to make weapons that were stupid. She frowned...and spoke softly, a quiet mumble...her words didn't make sense. just soft, nonsensical noises..
* Katarn smiled. "Every now and then, the boy was indeed able to gain control. But the creature inside of him was able to influence him in various ways, warping his scense of judgement, as well as gaining more control over the body. Soon after that, it was all to easy."
Jargldarn: "As is the demon way, deception, and power over the mind...When I fought the demon, he had almost convinced me that I was fighting for the wrong side...Even though it was stronger then me...it still tried to deceive me...and almost succeeded." He took another draw from his mug, glancing from the sleeping Cora back to Katarn. "How do you know this lad? Did you meet him one day? Was it him that left you in the condition you are in now?" He was curious...almost too curious...he had never heard the saying that too much curiosity killed the cat...
Cora`Demonsbane: She seemed to calm some....and stilled.....she just rested there...perhaps wondering if Katarn would wake her up, leave her here, or take her to his home, after he was done with all this talking.
Katarn: "It's probably no more than an old wives tale." He closed his eyes, remaining quiet for a few moments before opening them once more. "I heard it from my parents as a child."
* Jargldarn nodded slowly. "A scary tale to tell a child...but then again, my thirst for stories arose from my parents doing the same thing, telling me stories before I went to bed..What more do you know of this poor lad with a demon in his belly?"
* Katarn leans back in his chair, closing his eyes. "What else is there to know? He's essentially a demon now, and we both know that demons are uncivilized and brutal creatures."
"But the Human part never dies...it is only supressed..I know this from my days in the Asphalt Wars...I have seen wizards return a demon ridden person back to humanity...of course though...Wizards of that power are few and far between these days..specially ones who help anyone other then themselves..."
Katarn: "Not after the human side has been warped. This boy has no hope. Before the beast inside of him could be expunged, they would have to defeat it first. "
* Jargldarn nodded slowly as he thought. "And to defeat the demon...would kill the boy...A catch twenty two...That is a tradgic tale you have told me Katarn..I feel sympathy for the boy who lost everything before he had a chance to taste life for himself...A tradgic tale indeed.."
* Katarn shakes his head, looking back down towards Cora. "You shouldn't feel anything for him. He's a monster. In anycase, thank you for the drink and company, but I must be getting her home." He shifted, his other hand moving from his side to under her legs to lift her up as he stood. "Have a good morning Jargldarn."
* Jargldarn nodded as he leaned back "It was a pleasure to meet you Katarn, and your lady friend...although I fear my presence scared her a little...Next time we meet, I shall tell you a story in return for the one you shared with me just now.." It was then he saw the knife at his side..and it all clicked into place...standing before him was the very boy from the story just told, he could tell from the description Katarn had told him
Jargldarn: Katarn had told him about the knife...He suddenly smiled at realising the boy had actually won the battle against the demon...But it left him thinking how it was possible after everything he was told...
* Katarn smiled, nodding his head towards him. "Sounds good to me." He followed Jargldarn's eyes down towards the blade by his side for a few moments before raising his eyes back to meet Jargldarn's.
* Jargldarn met his gaze and gave a sidelong grin, he tilted his head in respect, not voicing his discovery. "You take good care of yourself, and Cora too." He liked the man, thinking he had won where the odds were serverly against him..