Fox Rain


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The remote city of Turning Point rests quietly in the mountains, though the sounds of pick-axes can be heard echoing in some of the more remote parts of the mountains around the city. Following the sounds of one in particular, you find a wolf who's just showing signs of aging. He's working on a small horizontal shaft that he's dug into the mountainside.

The wolf sets aside a large pickaxe, reaching for a smaller shovel as to displace some loose dirt.

The wolf mutters, "Can't be all tapped out yet...", to himself, panting softly as he begins work with the shovel.

The aging wolf grunts softly to himself in displeasure and a bit of disgust, reaching for a wrapped satchel, which smells very lunch-like.

Michael seems to just sort of materialize out of the mountain, walking out of the underbrush.

Michael smiles and looks around, finally seeing the wolf, he waves.

Slashfur, the wolf, reaches deeply into the satchel, and after fishing about for a bit, finds the sandwich he was looking for.

Slashfur looks up, noticing Michael. "Halloa there!"

**On a gentle blue sphere orbiting in a vast darkness sunset has begun to set in the /Shadowed Mountains/ of the world called Crydon. Buried in a small valley lies the ruins of an ancient fortress, the home to the once powerful Order of Crydon, now, only a few members remain. Lights flicker in the windows from candles and torches... "The time is drawing near... The prophecy is about to turn full circle." says a voice.**

Michael says, "Hello!"

Michael hikes up the hill a bit further and peers down into the shaft curiously.

**"Are you certain, Lord Fireclaw?" asks another. "Most certain, Arik. The journal of our founder is clear on this. The containment won't last much longer." answers the original voice, Lord Fireclaw's voice. "Then...why must you leave us now?" asks the voice of Arik.**

Michael says, "You mine for what?"

Slashfur peers back up at the shadowy shape at the top of the mine. "Eh? Sorry, son. Can't hear ya from there!"

Michael saunters over towards Slashfur. "You mine for what?" He asks, a bit louder than before.

**"Because, my friend, even our founder did not have the power to destroy him. He only could contain him... This time, we must destroy him. To do so, we need help. I have a few friends who may have knowledge that could help. I must locate them before... Before I must do what must be done." answers Fireclaw. "I shall return before the seal breaks, do not worry. I leave you in charge of the hall, Arik. Please contact the other, Liaris. We will need her as well. Farewell Arik, and good travels to you."**

**Electrical tension, crackling of energy, the smell of ozone... "And good travels to you to, Jarik. Please hurry..."**

Slashfur finally manages to pull his attention away from his lunch, looking up. "This is a mine for, silver, son.", he mumbles, casting a sideways glance at Michael. He goes to take another bite, and looks up again, blinking. "W-wha?"

A small lizard skitters across the cliff wall, having spent enough time in the sun to get nice and toasty.

Michael says, "Ah...Good silver?"

A pinpoint of light flickers in the air near the mine entrance... It glows and flickers unsteadily... a distorted hum fills the air...

Slashfur says, "P-pickin's been slim lately..."

Michael blinks, distracted by the light... "Your mine does that?"

Slashfur edges away a bit uncertainly, reaching behind him to try to find his axe.

Slashfur says, "Nevver done it b'fore..."

Michael walks over to check that light out.

The hum grows louder, and louder. The light begins to spread. Images and shapes appear in the window the light is creating... A shudder seems to ripple through the air as if the fabric of reality is about to tear. *FLASH!* A burst of pure blue light streams outward, almost blinding. A figure appears, staggering forward, his body lit with blue flames. His movements are shakey and his legs appear as if they're going to buckle.

Michael dives out of the way.

Slashfur leans forward as his hand finds his axe, slowly bringing it about, hiding behind the rock he sits on as he sees the flash!

Michael says, "R'^kkkana!"

As quickly as it appears, the light is gone, leaving behind... a fox? He collapses to the ground, holding his stomach as if in pain. "Gate...closed, torn, world...closed... Magic...shielded...me.....intact...*gasp*..." He looks up, "A...alive, I'm alive... But...it closed on me midway...How could I be here...? Where...*gasp*... is here?"

Michael blinks, peeking out from behind a tree.

Slashfur tightens his grip on his axe, peering out from behind the rock. "H-halloa?", he calls, softly.

The fox is clothed in lightweight cotton. A simple white shirt, dark pants, and..a sword??? around his waist.

Michael is content to watch quietly for the moment...

His ears swivel. "H...hello?" the fox calls out.

Slashfur slowly stands, seemingly a bit wobbly on his feet. "W-who are ya... and how did ya come outa my mine like that?"

The fox tries to stand, "I...I'm Sir Fireclaw of the Order of Crydon. That light...was a failed gate. I don't understand... I opened a gate to locate some friends...just as I was about to exit...it closed. I...felt as if I was being torn apart. My magic protected me, I think. To some extent anyway." His legs buckle and he collapses to the ground.

Michael looks over to where the rift was.

Jarik rubs his neck, "Hm...where am I? If I may ask..."

Slashfur says, "This is Turnin' Point. We're pretty small, might not'a heard of it before."

Jarik looks up, blinking, "No...never heard of it. I guess this isn't anywhere on Crydon."

Slashfur hmmrphs. "Crydon... Not a country I've heard of."

Jarik blinks, "Country...? It's an entire world... I'm from the Arelus province, next to the shadowed mountains..."

Michael walks over to where the portal was and pokes at the air for a moment or two before looking down at the fox. "Hello..."

Jarik's head jerks up, "Um, hello..."

Michael smiles toothily.

Jarik pushes himself to his feet and tries to dust himself off.

Jarik says, "I'm sorry about that...arrival. It's amazing I'm in one piece."

Michael cocks his head and looks at Jarik curiously. "Cydoon?"

Jarik says, "Crydon...it's...oh, never mind. I'm no where near it, I think."

Michael says, "Hran laten j-ra Cydoon? Hmm...Nope."

Michael shrugs. "Sorry."

Jarik says, "Hm...?"

Slashfur slowly approaches Jarik, keeping a wary eye on Michael. "I never seen any magic like that before...", he mutters to himself.

Michael wanders back towards Slashfur and peers down the mine again. "You don't understand...You don't worry."

Jarik waves his hand a bit. Blue tendrils of energy flicker between his fingers, "Hm, I do seem to be intact..."

Slashfur keeps an eye on Michael, blinking. "...Easy for you to say.", he mutters under his breath.

Michael smells the mine air. "Silver is gone?"

Slashfur frowns. "Ahhh... I'm sure there's gotta be some left."

Michael says, "Maybe"

Slashfur pauses. "Why you so interested in _my_ silver?"

Michael says, "Silver is my trade"

Michael says, "I make...ah..." He searches for the word. "I make silver things."

A scene that is rapidly becoming familiar. Two surprised spectators and a stunned individual who has ended up on Nexus by mistake. The old wolven prospector Slashfur is still holding his pickaxe tightly, while Michael is looking on the situation much more coolly. The fox with the sword is still a bit disoriented.

Michael leans against the opening to the mine, watching quietly.

Jarik rubs his neck, "Have any other strangers been here lately? A dragon, a large wolf, a dark skinned elf, anyone unusual...?"

Michael shrugs. "I see many people."

Slashfur blinks. "Th' two of you are the first strangers I've seen all week."

Jarik shakes his head, trying to clear the fog from his mind, "I need to find some people... Delachiel, she's a...Xardeth? I think, a dark skinned elf... Then there's Kainudy the dragon...and my friend Zilvar, a rather large wolf. It's very important."

Michael says, "I have never heard those names."

Slashfur sets his axe down and leans wearily on it, carefully watching his unexpected company.

Michael says, "Why you need find them?"

Jarik turns to look at Michael, "I need their help..."

Michael says, "Whyfor?"

Jarik takes a breath, "That is a very long story."

Michael says, "I have time."

Slashfur perks an ear, curiously.

Jarik finds a place to sit, "You had best find a seat, then. Then I'll begin."

Michael walks over to a rock, stretching out on it.

Slashfur releases the grip on his axe, looking about, then sitting beneath the tree.

Jarik hmms, "Where to begin... Since neither of you are from Crydon, I can't just refer to the legends, so I'll start with them. "I am Sir Jarik Fireclaw, head of the Order of Crydon. We are, or were, a band of knight-mages, paladins, if you will, that has existed there for over one thousand years. Our inception began with a single knight who's name was lost over the ages. Only a few of his journals remain in our libraries and none of them ever mentioned his name. I was reading his last journal just a few days ago and came across something..."

Michael blinks, stumbling over the bigger words as they pass over his mind.

Slashfur blinks, and nods.

Jarik stops for a second, "There are legends on my homeworld of a year of darkness, the Shadowtime, it was called. No one ever believed it actually existed, of course. I didn't, until I found a reference in the journal I was reading. In fact, the journal covered the entire year of the 'Shadowtime' As I've said, these were just fairytales, or thought to be, rather. The journal described what caused the 'Shadowtime'. A creature, many whom called him 'Entropy, Entropos, and many many other names. He was a being without form or shape, but molded all it touched into a twisted parody of it's former self..."

Michael nods here and there, getting the idea from the bits and pieces he can understand.

Well up the cliff side, a large pair of ears listens in on the conversation.

Slashfur blinks, appearing quite confused.

Jarik says, "It's very presence could distort reality. Healthy bodies would wither and erode if it contacted them. It was...a blanket of decay. For over a year it lived off the life of my world. During that time, the original paladin was seeking a way to stop or destroy this creature, or at least send it back to wherever it came from...""

Jarik says, "According to the common legend, one day, it was just gone and life returned to normal. No one ever knew why or how. But, the journal I was reading has hinted at something... Something that terrifies me. He isn't gone."

The long grey ears quiver at this last fact.

Slashfur says, "It... It didn't follow ya thru that.. thing, did it?"

Michael furrows his brown and blinks repeatedly.

Jarik says, "The last entry in the journal was dated one day before the shadowtime ended. All it said was: "It is time to journey into the abyss of Crydon, it's resting place. I do not know if I can stop him, but, I must have hope. Life depends on this. If it takes my very soul, he will be stopped, here and now. If I do not return, I pass leadership to Eiralis, my son. I ask of him to finish this journal, record that I lived and died with honor." And nothing more was written in the journal by him. On the last page was a small entry by Eiralis..."

Slashfur nods...

Jarik says, "I have found no trace of my father, save for his sword, the gift from the dragon he befriended. It was laying in a cave in front of a great door. The door had no hinges, no handles, nothing except for a simple inscription: When all has tur ned full circle, I will be free." What could it mean? Is it from my father, or...from the creature? "

Michael says, "more?"

A small grey rabbit raises his ears above the rock he's hiding behind, intent on the story. He makes a motion of a triangle and then a curled snake across his chest ritually.

Jarik takes a breath, "In less than two months on Crydon, a ring of moving stars will appear around my world. This happens once...every one thousand years according to our astrologers. I fear, this may be the 'full circle' the inscription spoke of..."

Ulric thinks to himself . o O (It is as the master predicted. The coming of a great one is near! He must know.)

Jarik says, "And whatever is behind that door will gain it's freedom... The first of my order, or the creature of entropy. The first was the most talented of us with magic. My skills are pathetic in comparison. I'm seeking my friends, Delachiel, a creature of darkness, someone who may understand some of what it is. Zilvar, a strong warrior, and a gentle soul, he has wisdom I lack. Copernicus, a master of chaos, and Kainudy, the eccentric dragon. All of them, perhaps, perhaps, we could find a way to stop it again. But, I do not know where to look now... The world I was trying to go to is gone, or isolated from me. I don't know what I'm to do..."

Jarik looks at the two, "Perhaps... you could help, or someone you know... I ask this for the sake of my home, if you know anyone, or have knowledge that could help, please...

Michael says, "I don't know a Kainudy dragon. Maybe, I can find."

Ulric gets up, wearing a simple grey tunic. As the rabbit starts to scramble along the cliff side, two or three small rocks get knocked loose and tumble towards the group.

Michael says, "But, this creature, of light? Why does a night need another nighttime creature to understand?"

Michael hrms and looks up, following the rocks.

Slashfur says, "Ahhhh... I dunno what I have that can help ya, kid. Just a near-tapped out mine and... eh?"

Slashfur peers over to the cliff side.

The rabbit curses and stumbles, trying to move away quickly, but not used to climbing rocks.

Jarik looks up... "The Xardeth was a very...dark species. They associate with creatures such as this, or so the legends go that are recorded in my archives. It's a slim hope, thats all..."

Ulric is obviously trying to get away quickly, and is making a bad job of it.

Michael blinks at the rabbit, then turns to Jarik, "Pardon me, kind sir" he says with an air of practice, before leaping towards the cliff, scrambling up it faster than one would expect for a person without claws.

Jarik watches, still to dizzy to move much...

Slashfur watches Michael take off up the cliff, turning to Jarik. "Ya don't look so good... Ya want somethin' to eat?"

Ulric yeeps, "By the ever changing one!" and races faster, losing his footing and stumbling, falling down the steep cliff.

Jarik smiles a bit, "No thank you, sir. The gate mislink has made me a bit nauseas. It should pass after a time. Perhaps later..."

Slashfur nods, peering up to the cliff side at the noises above.

Jarik tilts his head, "Do you have nosy neighbors nearby, perhaps?"

Michael grabs the falling rabbit by his tunic, himself sliding a few feet down the rocks.

The rabbit struggles and nearly growls, "Let me go. Enemies of the ever changing one must be stopped!"

Slashfur says, "Not too many, no. Most of the land about is mine, worthless as it may be."

Michael harumphs, grabbing the rabbit firmly by his arm, and starts climbing back down to the mine.

Ulric is still helplessly struggling against Michael.

Michael says, "R'^kkkana! You be still, I am not to let go."

Jarik look at Slashfur then the rabbit, "You know who this is...?"

Ulric growls, "You are the dark one's enemies. I must warn the master."

Michael hops the last few feet of the cliff and lands beside the other two.

Slashfur blinks. "Never seen him in my life."

Ulric finally points at Jarik, "You must be stopped!"

Michael says, "Who is dark one?"

Jarik blinks, "The dark one?"

Ulric looks startled, "There are many. They are bringers of change."

Michael nods his head slowly. "Other dark one. Not my dark ones."

Ulric points again at Jarik, "He plans to try and stop the change. Master has never spoken of this "Entropos", but he sounds like a truly great dark one."

Jarik says, "I seek to stop a bringer of death, not change."

Ulric sniffs, "The dark ones decide how change occurs, not we mortals."

Slashfur mutters, "I'd love to hear a straight answer from one of these guys.", under his breath.

Michael says, "Where you from?"

Michael turns the rabbit around, looking for marking on his clothing or fur.

The rabbit remains silent and struggles against Michael when he tries to raise his right sleeve.

Jarik swivels his ears, "It is my duty to protect life, sir. This creature is a threat, no matter if you admire such things or not."

Ulric remains silent, realizing that maybe he shouldn't have been so quick to speak when so severely outnumbered.

Michael nods to Jarik. "You...ah...mmm...Hree...Look at rabbit's arm."

Slashfur says, "Waaait a minute... That kinda sounds familiar."

Michael holds Ulric as still as he can.

Jarik gets up and moves closer to the rabbit...

Slashfur says, "...what he said, earlier, about the Master."

Jarik hm, "Master..? What?

On the rabbits arm have been shaved the image of a triangle, and next to it what looks like a double curved snake, or an "S" to some races.

Michael cocks his head at Slashfur.

Slashfur points out the patterning on the rabbit's arms. On a hunch, he mumbles, "Praise be to K'haoos?"

Jarik takes a breath, "Sir, my home is no where near this place. This doesn't concern you..."

Ulric's eyes brighten and he looks at the old wolf, then he scowls when he realizes he has no ally here.

Ulric shrugs at Jarik, trying to think of what to say to throw Jarik off the track that wouldn't' be blasphemous.

Michael says, "Who is Kahoos?"

Michael says, "It is a friend of yours?"

Ulric finally speaks up, "The powers of change amongst the worlds."

Ulric blinks at Michael, too stunned by that to respond.

Jarik ignites a small spark of blue energy in his palm, "All life has the power too change worlds."

Michael says, "Kahoos lives in Haven? We can go see."

Slashfur says, "Like I thought. He's one of them wackos that hang around town."

Jarik hms, "A town group of eccentrics then...

Ulric seems impressed with Jarik's display, "K'haoos has blessed you with some of it's power, as it blesses all life with some of it's power."

Slashfur says, "They're pretty whacked out, but they haven't hurt anyone yet."

Michael sighs deeply.

Michael says, "Should, we let him go, or do something."

Jarik shrugs, "Do what? He's given us no reason to harm him. He's just a bit strange."

Michael says, "Yes. So should I free him. Yes?"

The rabbit blinks and thinks . o O (I thought our master was joking? Are the forces of order going to ...let me go?)

Jarik nods a bit, "Might as well. We can't do anything with him."

Michael peers closely at the rabbit.

Michael looks around.

Ulric looks at Michael, "Smooth skin. But white. You are not one of the dark ones of nexus in legend?"

Jarik says, "Plus, I shouldn't be here long. I can't waste much time. I've got to locate help."

Jarik says, "So, he's no threat to me..."

Slashfur nods. "Let 'em go. His other nutball friends will prob'ly come looking for him."

Michael reaches down and grabs a pointy-looking crystalline rock.

Michael hands it to Jarik. "Hold?"

Jarik takes a hold of the rock, "Alright..."

Slashfur looks curiously to Michael.

The rabbit twitches nervously at Michael, wondering if the "go free" was just a ruse to catch him off guard.

Michael motions to hold it open handed.

Jarik lets it rest in the palm of his hand, fingers open...

Michael traces a rune-like shape on Ulric's arm, which glows faintly before receding.

Michael traces the same pattern on the rock.

No resisting magic can be felt coming from the rabbit.

Michael smiles, and lets Ulric go. "OK...You are free."

The rabbit blinks and looks at his arm, "What did you do? "

Michael smiles. "Nothing. You can leave."

Jarik looks at the stone, "What did you do?" (Is there an echo?")

Michael takes the stone back, and puts it in his belt pouch.

Slashfur blinks, looking at the rabbit, then the stone.

Ulric momentarily thinks . o O (Is this a trick? Maybe, maybe not. Best get to the master) and runs off down the wash towards the town full speed, ignoring those behind him.

Michael chuckles a little.

Jarik raises an eyebrow, "Some sort of tracking spell?"

Michael smiles mischievously, and pulls out the stone. Placing it on a flat rock, he traces that same image, and the rock comes to attention and spins until the sharp end points in the direction Ulric ran off in.

Michael says, "We might need him sometime."

Slashfur grins. "That's pretty slick."

Michael nods. "Useful."

Jarik chuckles, "Well, perhaps."

Michael turns to Jarik. "You go to haven? Take you, I can."

Jarik hmms, "How could you manage that? And what is 'Haven'?

Michael says, "manage?"

Michael says, "Haven is /BIG/ town."

Michael spreads his arms really wide.

Jarik hms.

Slashfur nods in agreement to Michael. "Yup. It's where most live about these parts."

Jarik says, "I guess it's a good place to start. I'm hoping my gate relocated itself near a place where one of the persons I'm looking for is. "

Michael grrs in irritation.

Michael slips his sandals off to shake out the sharp stones and clean the blood off.

Jarik looks at the blood, "I could heal those injuries to pay you for the trip, if you wish..."

Michael says, "No need..."

Michael smiles.

Michael wriggles his toes and slips the sandals back on.

Slashfur smiles. "I like you guys. Hope ya find what yer lookin' for."

Michael says, "Are you ready?"

Jarik nods, "So, shall we go...?" He turns to Slashfur, "Sir, it was a pleasure meeting you. Good luck with the silver mine..."

Michael smiles to Slashfur. "You find the silver you look towards."

Slashfur chuckles, "Well, let's hope so. You guys ever need a place t' camp out, you're welcome here."

Michael dusts off his black robes and heads over, collecting his bow and quiver from the underbrush.

Michael smiles to Jarik. "A long journey...we start." And he starts tromping off down the mountain, through the brush.

Jarik nods and follows after Michael down the mountain. o O {A long journey, and little time...}

Slashfur waves to his departing company, then turns to head off to his nearby cabin.