I want my crossbows back!!!!

I head out to the next chamber and there were orc. Once again the paladin and monk shown their strenght and took out the orc without much efforts. I began to hate myself.. why am I so weak.. Why can`t I do anything. Am I really good for nothing.. All my spells doesna small amount of damage. The paladin and the monk leads the way with full pride and glory while I walk with my heads down behind them.

Then as we walk into another chamber. 2 wolf appears. This time, I vowed that I`m not going to do nothing. I walk pass them.. my hands began to glow red in colour.. The flames began to engulf both of my hands.. I shouted burning fire and a con of fire blasted the wolfs. Yes.. it worked... both of the wolf sufferd damged.. but then, despite the damage.. the wolfs stands. It was the monk and paladin again who did the finishing move.. and once again.. I was left out.... They did the hi -5 thing in front of me... I felt... miserable....

The walls of the chamber opens a little on one of it`s side after the paladin put the finger of a skelton which lies in the tomb ahead of us into the hole. We march through the hole. As one of the so called weakess, I was one of the last. They refuses to let me lead the way. On the other side. Two more wolfs appear. The paladin, monk and cleric went ahead for their battle.. I really don`t want to stand there and do nothing... but there is nothing much I could do.. In one desperate attempt, I took out my quaterstaff and sling it towards the wolf. The quaterstaff spins and hit the wolf`s ass. Yes, I did my part. even though it`s a small part.... and the rest were wounded in the battle. I on the other hand.. still unharmed, unscratch.. I seems to be more of a watcher than a partner.

I guess that`s my weakness. I couldn`t do anything in melee. I couldn`t only do range attacks.. If only I have my crossbows... bloody Bonebreakers.. I`ll make sure I`ll crush their bones. I`ll grow stronger.. I will let no one insults the integrity and power of a wizard. At that point of time, the rest of the group found a few crossbows with bolts lying at the side.. Perfect!!.. the crossbow was rather digusting with the bolts having blood stains on it. I`m not quite comfortable with it.. but I have no choice. I went on ahead with the rest and 2 orcs appeared. Ths time I had my arrow. I fired at time.. but I missed... That`s odd. The crossbow is different compare to mind I shoot a few more time and misses. Then for the last time, I shot my arrow and it hits the butt of the orc.. I assume it deals very little damage to him.... Gosh. I hate this crossbow... I`m so not used to it.

The orcs were defeated. By the usuals. I`m feeling really down and out now. I feel so weak compare to them. I couldn`t kill a single creature. But yet, I followed them, unmotivated. 2 goblins appear. As I`m the only one who speaks goblin. I force them to guide us around. We passed through a prison where there are 2 captive from other towns. We didn`t have the key and the monk couldn`t break the locks.. *aha.. brute strenghts does fail sometimes*. We have no choice but to come back for them later. We went on ahead and reach at a temple where there is a statue of Ehrnya, goddes of magic and a statue of the god of orcs. The light suddenly fails and darkness surrounds us. Did the lights when out? No.. this is not it.. It`s dark magic. It magic that causes the darkness. This is not good. I must do something. I can`t let all of us die here... I can do this.. I can find the sources of it. Suddenly, courage and confident filled my soul. I listen sharply to the sound from above and fired my crossbow. The light came back.. The arrow pierce directly to the creatures heart. I succedded. I finally killed a creature by my self... The rest look at me with disbelieve. Direct hit? in the darkness.... At that very point.. I`m definetly not a weakling anymore.. and I`ll go stronger.

We search the entire room physically but found nothing. The bard then detected dark magic all aroudn it. The cleric turn undead and the wall suddenly opens. We went on and they were stench of tar. Then, infront stands a humanoid flames. We approachs it andthe humanoid shape burns into flames. I shot it with my arrow. The arrow burns as it hits him. The bard told us not to attack him with our bare hands or we`ll be burned up. He attack with flames.. one of the goblin that guided our way died. All of us took turns to attack.... But no matter how hard we try.. it still stand strong. I then closed my eyes, and with full confidence, shot him with my crossbow. He began to fall.. Oh yea.. Without opening my eyes. I knew I hit.

The other remainng goblin ran away. We chase after it. The goblin stops at a door and start knocking. A voice behind the door, apparently sounded like a female orc shouted " go away and don`t disturb me" The monk accidentally spoke and the female orc burst open the door. I fired my arrow and it pieace a breast plate. It provokes her anger. She summoned for Ehrnya power and casted flames on us. I didn`t manage to avoid it. I was burn, in pain but yet, a feeling of joy and anger starts building. Oh yes, the pain.. it`s been long since I feel pain, 13 years long. This time, I stronger.. and I will not just take the pain.. I`ll repay back!!!.. An auro surrounds me. I raise my hand and cast Scorching Rays. It flyies into the room but it didn`t hit her. It doesn`t matter.. I cast it again and this time.. it hits her... She move backs a few step...obviously wounded. She casted a blue spell. It`s a sanctuary the paladin said, it protects the caster. I don`t care what is it... I only knew, if I`m strong enough, I will have the power to piece though her defences. I took out my crossbow and aim directly to her forehead. I fired it and the arrow went through the sanctuary and through her head........ I did it...... yes.. I did it.. I was overjoyed. From that on, I vowed to be stronger everyday while in search for Darwin. And when I find him.. I`ll make him tell me everything.. one way or another.....

Assaults of courage - (session 3)

9 cind - We woke up and everyone of us were led out by force. It was dawn as we reach outside the cave. Our march have begun. We march for a couple of hours and we finally stop. Some of the orcs dumped some of our weapons there. The head orc said " You`ll have back some of your weapons but we will keep all your range weapon and all the shinny shinny stuff". He cut the ropes of one of Captain Holden`s men and left. One by one all our ropes were cut open. We began to strategize our plans to attack the Earthshakers. We`ve decided to send the monk to some of the orcs and attempt to ambush them.

The monk went ahead and after a while, he came back with 2 orcs. However the orcs sense us and flee. We jump off our hiding place and try to ambush the orcs but unfortunately failed. "This is bad" i thought. Now the Earthshakers knew that we`re after them. A quick plan were drawn and we decide to split up again. The 5 of us will head to the east gate and try to sneak into the settlement while the rest buy us time by draws the attention of the rest of the orcs on the west gate.

An hours past, we`re inside the orc settlement. We heard sounds of battle from the edge of the settlement. The monk, paladin and bard made an stupid move going towards the battle. They hide so badly that the women and children of the orcs notices them. The cleric and me have no choice but to back them up. In the process we killed 2 orcs and we flee to the cave on the north of the settlement. The cave is pitch black. I then conjured light spell on a stone nearby. With the light source, we venture into the darkness and deep into the cave. We reach a chamber and 2 orcs attack us. Everyone of us attack the orcs and the orcs were defeated however the paladin was hurt. Then a larger orc enter and hurt the monk. There were sounds of laughter from the orc and echoed by another laughter from behind. We killed the orc after much effort. Then we took some potions and the monkm cleric and paladin drank it. They were heal and we get ready for the next battle.

The Earthshakers and the Bone breakers

5 cind - I have begin the search outside the town and into the forest together with Captain Holden his men, (who are the guards of City Ark Vintus) and the 4 other whom I met on mage rest town. The team splited up. The 5 of us went north and the others head in various different direction. The only way for us to communicate is through a medellion which seems to have a 2 way communication channel. We travel north and reach a farm. It seems that the farm have suffered orcs raids and there are orcs tracks in the farm. We gathered some information there and stayed in that farm for the night.

6 cind - We traveled futher to another farm. This time, that farm have suffered orc raids 3 night in a row. We decided to stay and help defend that farm. In the same time, Thavoral went ahead towards the north and try to scout around but came back empty handed. We dug some holes and put spikes in them. Meanwhile, the cleric inform Captain Holden about the farm being attacked and request for back up. During the night, I join the rest in defence for the farm and hide in one of the house at the edge where the orc most likely to attach. Many hours have pass but no sign of orcs......

7 cind - After the whole night of pointless wait, I were a little dissapointed. We all took some rest
and then head north to search for more orcs. After a few hours of walking, we arrive at a small hill with tress. The bard climb on top and notice a trap being set up in a place nearby. We hide around the trap and wait to see if anything comes to retrieve the trap. As night fall, 2 orcs appear to colect back their trap. The monk and paladin sprang out and killed one of the orcs and knock out the other. We then took back the orcs to the camp. Captain Holden and his men are already at the farm and knew about the incident as the cleric kept him informed in everything we do. The bard and me questions the orc as we knew how to speak in orcs. As one would predict, the orc refuse to cooperate. I lost my patience and took out my cross bow. He stills ignores me. I then fired one arrow on his leg. He stills refuse to cooperate. The bard then broke one of his finger and play around with it. The orc scream in pain and finally decided to give in. I then illustrate the logo or simbol to him and the orc immediately spat on it. We then learned that that symbol belongs to an orc clan name earthshaker and it`s the enemy of this orc`s clan whose name is bonebreaker.

8 cind - We forced him to bring us towards Earthshaker`s colony on the morning. After a day`s journey, we decided to camp out. As night passes I was woken by a sound. The bard who was on guard woke us up because he heard some strange sound. The monk went out and found 2 orcs but couldn`t catch them. He headed back and then I heard a loud shout "bonebreaker". I ran towards the orc because I`m sure the he`s the one who shouted. I reach him and found him laughing hystericly. I ask him what happened but he refuses to tell. Suddenly, there were sound of broken twigs all around the camp... I sling out my crossbow and pointed at him saying " hurry up and tell us what`s happening, we have no time"... He laugh even more harder and said the word die.

I shouted to everyone in camp, "everyone defend themself, we have an ambush". No less that 20 orcs with javelines on their hand surrounded the camp. The bard and I went up and negociatte with them to prevent unnessary combat. We told them that were are about to attack their enemy clan, the earth shakers. The seems to buy our story but forces us to drop our weapon and back up. We don`t know what to do and give in to their request. Hoping that they will assist us in our assault on the Earthshakers. They then went in the camp and tie us up.

Half regreting, we were drag into a pitch black darkness cave. We have no idea what our fate lies. Hoping for the best, an orc came up and told us that we are to attack the Earthshakers now. However, the bard and me manage to convince the head of the orc to allow us to attack during the day as fighting in then night will give us a disadvantage as orcs see better in the dark compare to humans. He grant our request and we rest for the night, preparing for our battle tomorrow.

The adventure begins -(session 1)

On a beautiful quiet spring, 2 cind,Alton, the halfing begins his search for his mentor. * Alton is a 23 year old, 2 feet 9 inch tall an weight 30 lbs. He owns pair of shinny gold eyes, with an odd combination of white and brown skin. One could easily stumble over him due to his lack of height. He posseses a care for nothing nature. His only goal is to search for his past. He is unmotivated most of the time but if he decides to do something, he would carry the tast with full enthusiasm.* Hereby begins; the adventure of Alton Elkind.

Finally, I`ve arrive at town of mage rest. I`m sure Darwin (his mentor) passed by here since it`s the nearest town from where we live. There is a bar nearby and I decided to take a rest there since it`s been already 3 days of travelling. The bar was half full with a bard singing and playing his guitar. He delivers a quite entertaining performancec but was suddenly disturb by a human thowring tissues at him. Pretty irritated by that man`s behavior, I walk up to him and pour my remaining cup of beer on him and ordered a new drink. That incident earn me 2 new companion, Tharivol and Ravii.

As we were sitting down, having a drink, a young women shouted Bornhelm!!. Everyone was puzzle and rush towards her. She sob and cried that her father was kidnaped... by orcs. The vilagers were rather disturbed by the sudden orc attacks. Ravii and Tharivol rush ahead of the vilagers. I was left behind as I couldn`t catch up with them. After some time, I saw a crowed gather infront of a blacksmith town. I pushes through the crowd and saw a very messed up place with tools here and there. As tension arrises, the bard started playing some music to calm the crowd down. Another man, apparently to look like a cleric came by and all of us start questioning and find for clues. We heard a sound from the south and ran towards it.

We reach the stone mason`s place. It seems that the stonemasons have suffered and attack too.
The cleric and me stop at that place while the rest continuue to gave chase toward the sources of the sound. A man was lying wounded there. The cleric heal him but he`s still unconscious. Meanwhile, the monk and paladin went ahead of the crowd and finally catch up with the orcs. The orcs in return send dogs to attach them. The dogs were slain immediately. I then catch up with them later and learned that they were involve in combat. I was furios went I learned that he killed both of the dogs. He could have kept one and then we`ll know where the dog will lead us to..... with no more clues and hours of pointless search, we headed back and rest in the inn.

3 cind

We woke up and have a lousy breakfast. I went back to the stonemasons to search for information. After much effort the only information I get is a illustration of a logo. I have no idea what that`s suppose to be. I went to search for the rest of my companion and found them in the forest. The whole day was spend searching but we only found a abandon fireplace. As we hearded back to the inn, a group of warriors arrive and we offered our help to join them in search of the orcs.

The beginning

I woke up after a long period of unconsiousness with a sharp pain in my head. My eyes couldn`t open fully with the sudden change of brigtness... from a total darkness to total brightness. I couldn`t see anyone around me.. None..except for a child.. his height is around mine... He ask politely "Hi, I`m James, what`s your name". I replied " Hi, my name is... err.. err. my name is...." In fact, I couldn`t remember my name at all. Who am I? Why am I here? What`s happen? Thousands of questions but no answer... I felt the pain in my head again as I try to recall my memory and I fell to the ground. James apparently look afraid and back of a little. Then a voice call out from a far, James!! don`t talk to that halfing.. He`s our new slave.

I then realised that even though our height is the same, we have different appearance.. My ears are longer and sharper, my hairs are white in colour. Then as the source of the voice draws closer, I realised that he has almost the same type of appearance with James, only bigger and twice as tall. The voice then spoke again " what are you staring at". He then kick me hard and I felt unconsious again.

Three years have pass since that incident. My memory of the past is still a mystery to me. I`m now in a large fortress.I don`t know why I`m here.. I only knew I was ordered to serve James.. the boy who I first saw. He`s a nice guy ( he even gave me my name) .. so he didn`t really treat me that badly.. only when he`s not around and other people start making use of me, I get really piss off... Despite being in slavery for years, my soul have never been tame and I`m a rebelious person by nature. I try to search for clues in the place I`m stuck in for some indication of my pass life. Life been going on day by day until one fine day, James called me " Hey Alton, come over here. Look, my family have decided to sent me else where to futher my.. erm education. ( I obviously doesn`t know such a thing as school and stuff cuz I was a total idot to the outside world) I have to leave you from now onwards". I protest hardly " why couldn`t you take me along?" He then look around and start whispering to me " I tried ok? but my family insist that you stay here and do no know about the outside world. He said you might be a bit of.. a danger outside there". Those words shock me? Why they want to keep me in the castle? why do they want to keep me away from the outside world... This is certainly not a common scenario of a master and slave... Why do they say I`be a danger to them out there? Do they know anything about me? about my past maybe?

I walk away quitely and dissapointed because the only thing that kept alive from living in this horrible place is being taken away. Life have been very very miserable since.. I got treated cruelly and force to work for 20 hours a day. Despite that. I continue searching for clues.. the only thing I`ve found that they serve the God Ehrnya and sometimes they refer themselve as Magus. Those information makes no sense to me right now.. I have to go out.. I have to find the truth. I sneak in quietly to James bedroom and search endlessly for his cross bow which he uses for hunting. After hours of searching, I found his crossbow in his cupboard. And on that very night, an oppoturnity of escaping knocks. It seems that they are celebrating some feast.. I have no idea what that feast is all about as slaves never ever get invited for feasts :) I`ll be more than lucky if I have something to eat other than bread and plain water.

I move silently towards the fortress exit. The two large size humans who usually guards the place appear to be drunk and fell asleep. I took my oppoturnity to go as close as possible to the door. 5 feet.. 4 feet.. 3 feet..2.. 1... yes.. I`m finally at the door and they didn`t notice me.. My day of freedom is finally here... Then suddenly I hear a voice shouting "hey you where are you think your going!" I quickly ran and open the door and zoom out.. The guards chase me... and they are catching up.. My tiny legs can`t outrun them.. I have no choice,, I stoped and fired my bow at one of the guards.. I heard a scream.. yes, it hit!.. I didn`t see where it hit.. I ran as fast as I could towards the forest...."arr. it seems I`ve lost them" I said to my self in relieve.. yes, I`m out.. I`m free.. and... I`m alone.. what`s next? what am I going to do now.. It`s too dark to see anything else.. I closed my eyes and think of a solution.. i can find my way out of this.. I can. I can.........

I woke up again the next morning to find my self right in the middle of jungle... It seems that I feel asleep while thinking. I decided to walk south (or anywhere, except from the direction i`m coming from) hoping that I`ll come across a town or a city.. I walk and walk and after 5 hours.. I saw some building.... Everything is so unfamiliar... They are stall all around and people walking.. and there is a very nice smell.. It`s food.. and I never ate anything for more that a day. I walk towards the store with sells bread.. quitely took one and ran away. I know it`s wrong.. but I have no other means to pay the baker.. From that on.. my live as a thief begins... I despice my life.. I really hope that I have magic and start casting spells on my own to make food. I seens magics done back in the fortress.. It`s rather cool... I don`t get to see them often.. cuz whenever they caught me peeping... they punished me severly..

I was living in this despiceful life for a month until one fateful incident. I saw a man carrying a quaterstaff... it`s seems to be quite valueble.. I went by and using grab the quaterstaff.. But the man caught me without even much of an effort.. He stares at me and suddenly he looked suprised (or shocked by the look of his expression). While he`s was spaced out... I took the oppoturnity I ran..together with the quaterstaff with my hands. Yipee.. No more worries for food in another 2 weeks. I sold the quaterstaff at the usual pawn shop. The owner knew I`m stealing stuff.. but having a little pity on me.. he accept those stolen goods..

From that day onwards, everything went smooth sailing.. I never have problem finding food.. domestic appear.. It`s as though it seems that someone`s been taking care of me... However, one fine day, I was surround by 20 humans.... I recognized them immediately.. They are my slave masters.. Among them is the person I`ve shot with a cross bow. He then step ahead of them, and shoot his arrow on my leg, then he showed me his arrow marked wound. It seemssthat I`ve hit his leg the last time.. The pain is my leg is still bearerable but now I coudl`nt run.. not with a wounded leg.. I prayed for a miracle..... and it really happened..

Another guy mysteriously appear behind me... he then summons what seems like fire ball and there were claps of thunder everywhere. The humans ran with fear.... That man`s a wizard! He turned to me and smile. He looks very very familiar.. and then it I recall. he`s the guy I stole the quartersraff from. I`m sure he`s here to take back his quarterstaff. But but, I sold it away.. Now I`m sure he`s going to be mad and kill me. He some how senses my worries and said " Don`t worry about the quarterstaff". He life part of his clock and the quarterstaff is there. He then ask me to follow him and without hesistation.. I rise and went with him.

Through him, I found my family name.. Elkind. I`m one of the last of them. The wizards name`s is Darwin. Darwin says that he knew my parents... but he eleborate no futher.. Everytime I try asking.. he turns me away and change the topic. However, he allows me to stay with him and he`ll teach me the art of wizardry if I agrees to never question anymore about my parents until I finish my lessons. I agreeded.

10 years have pass. It will be my last lessons from him. I have waited for all this while.. After my last lesson, I will ask him till he reveal everything he knows about my past. However, on the clock tower where I usually meet him for lessons, he didn`t appear.. Instead he left a letter. Your last lesson will be at the secret chamber. Follow the map in the letter and use the key to open the chamber. I wondered what this would mean. I followed the map and went to the chamber as instructed. To my suprised, the chamber was open. I rush in and found that everytime was turned around and messed up. There were nothing much left. It seems that everything have gone missing. Except for a book and a bracelet lying on the floor. I open the book and saw the name " Kel Elkind". Another Elkind. It must be of my family. Who is he? Is he my father? I need to know this.. and the only one who can answer.. oh no.. Darwin.. where is he? I waited no longer.. I took the book and bracelet, pack my stuff and hurried on to find him.... my journey now begins....