The Amber Gate: Book I [Archive] - EQ2 Forum Archive @ EQ2Wire

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Harvash

03-27-2008, 08:25 PM

I have several pieces of this story written, admittedly it was for distribution through several close friends - but they seem wont to throw undeserved praise on me. So, in the spirit of true self loathing, I submit the prolgue to the "The Three Gates". Be kind in your comments...or not, as it pleases you.G Excerpted from a Scroll at Ellengad Garrison,‘...and so, in agreement with the kingdom's of man and ratified by the Elvish and Dwarven Nations, the plan was put forth...' here, the scroll is damaged beyond all hope of restoration but continues. ‘The Gates themselves are leviathan. Each crafted of the materials directly taken from its site, whether or not this is important to its operation, I can not attest to. The double towers to each side soar high above the grounds and even above cliff and mountain side. A legion could easily pass through unhindered and with room for support and cavalry. Already, pilgrims and commoners are arriving; I would think this will serve well in the aftermath of closing the Gates. Inevitably marketplaces will spring up, followed by taverns and housing, yes life will go on.'Again, the scroll is unreadable.‘I only hope that the Gates will suffice against the military juggernaut of Lord Arinax, if they do not hold we must submit to the fact that nothing will deter him from anything less then full genocide or enslavement. This very day a king's courier passed through gathering information from the dwarven foremen in regards to completion of the last Gate; following that they spent many a glass in consult with the elven representative. It seems, the Bloody Hand and the Black Blades are less than a fortnight from the Highmount Ranges, perhaps this will be the first test of Winters Gate.'Ilsilquious, First Sage to the House of Ellengad.

Ekuthh

03-30-2008, 04:30 AM

More.

niko_teen

03-31-2008, 11:01 AM

<cite>Ekuth@Befallen wrote:</cite><blockquote>More.</blockquote>/agreeEkuthh has commanded so you are expected to produce now <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />

Harvash

03-31-2008, 09:30 PM

<cite>niko_teen wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Ekuth@Befallen wrote:</cite><blockquote>More.</blockquote>/agreeEkuthh has commanded so you are expected to produce now <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></blockquote>Well, after a day or so went by, I figured I had run into no interest.... Then, of all people, Ekuth decides to be the first post - I hope this is a good omen.As I said, this has been written a good bit already, and I lack the skill of a true internet author in where to break each post. But, I will push on and provide such as I may.As a by the by, as you can see - the story is not set in EQ, but rather a world of my devise. Well, that may be a bit of an over statement, you see there is this small dwarf in my head (Harvash by name) that seems to draw "Kilroy was here" all over the fabric of my head. It is a tale of his telling, and only when he is wont to give it.Off we go:

Harvash

03-31-2008, 09:34 PM

Further historical writings were rolled into the document but were clearly written at a different time. Although they seemed to be penned by the same hand, the lettering is of lesser quality and does not present the same concise consistency of the earlier documents.‘Having found some measure of safety not far from the elven lands, I feel obliged to get as much down on parchment as time may allow. We are a full weeks ride from the Amber Gate, for that I am thankful, but even with as many days to contemplate the exact nature of the last skirmish, I can find no words. The devastation was complete, the Blades attacked in the early morning, perhaps a glass, maybe two before sun break. The dwarves rallied strong to the defense, they had weeks of time to prepare and wisely split their forces to completing the Gate and seeing to the defenses - they knew the time was upon them.The dwarves counter-attacks were sharp, ruthless even, and left the ground littered with the attackers. The grass steamed with the blood of the enemy and victory seemed imminent but I knew, as did the dwarves, that this was only the beginning. As the day dragged on the attacks came faster and strong, each time the dwarves met the call of the tower bells with malice and hate that could only be present in an animal that had been cornered with no where to run. The day gave way to night, the darkness did not suspend the carnage of war instead it served to increase the tempo, or so it seemed. So did the cycle proceed, seven days and seven nights did the Blades rush in, now supported by the Bloody Hand, the outcome looked bleak. At this point, preparations were made to spare the women and children, as well as the weak and the infirmed. We were rounded up as time permitted and outfitted, there was a small gated way behind and out of each of the two main towers. These small bypass's were of no concern by the enemy as no true force of strength could be launched from them, but they served remarkably well for saving the lives of those of us who could not battle.We made our escape cleanly, completely ignored by the enemy that while it seemed to be gaining the upper hand, had need of all its resources to mount the offensive.That was seven days ago, we traveled out of sight of the Amber Gate on the third day, if memory serves me - and I trust nothing of my own faculty. The northern tower's banner could no longer be seen, whether from distance or capture I could not be sure. This I do know, the lines of the Shadow Lord drew on for all the days that the Gate was in sight. I fear the Gate has been lost. If this is true, then it is a sad day on Korel, for the Dwarven Nations must also be no more.'

Ekuthh

04-01-2008, 01:52 AM

More.Longer.And well done.

Alycs

04-01-2008, 08:46 PM

Oh...wow...very..just...wow!More please!

Harvash

04-03-2008, 03:25 PM

Harv as been unusually forthcoming with a bit of the story...so I have decided a midweek post in order before before diving headlong into the weekends tale weaving.

Harvash

04-03-2008, 03:26 PM

Her piercing green eyes are the first thing that would have caught attention, but attention was not what Anduin sought this night. Wide with edges sweeping upward from her high cheekbones that were just reveled at the top of a thin fabric veil, they seem to always be in motion, never resting anywhere for more than a moment. her hair was long but swept up into a close tight weave held in place by several ornate ebony hair pins. She was clad in what seemed to be some form of dull black leather but closer inspection would revealed the tiny bandings hatched across the wide open areas and doubled up where, as one may expect, they covered vulnerable places. The armor itself matched perfectly, inlaid with lighter grey bandings down the legs and arms - it seemed hand fit to her and more than likely was just that. If the eyes, armor and matter-of-stance was not enough to pause even the stoutest of heart, then the weapons crossed over each shoulder probably would be. The slender hilts of both of the dirks, each the length of a man's forearm, were wrapped in similar hides matching her armor and each pommel and cross-guard blackened. No doubt the plain ebony scabbards hid finely crafted, and wicked steel blades and judging by the discoloration of the sweat stained hilts, they were well used for more than taking a random poke at a training dummy. Indeed, it was not attention that Anduin looked for this night, but rather total concealment. It was difficult, if not impossible to breach the confidence of any of the merchant lords personal guards, to do so would be a death sentance - at best. Anduin was had not been disuaded by such issues, she rarely ever was when there was so much to gain at hand. This mission was no different than any other, save she was her own client this time. While she found the concept of loyalty to any other than another Dark Elf, she was, as always, adaptive to suit her needs. Hundreds of times she had gone on the 'errands' of one or another of the Guild's Lords, but this night was different. A full week she had spent, in and out of this particular merchant's store house, each time dressed differently to not attract attention. Once each day, she had made careful inspection of the guard changes, various places that the shadows fell at different times and, most importantly, where the proported strong box lay. Now, having solved the issue of a key to the outer gate by way of a more than 'cooperative' personal servant, she had sat high in the eve of the gates wide, soaring roof. Her thoughts ran to the previous evening when her plan was turned to full effect, she had no compuctions over using any method to serve her ends, and the richness of the servants room, as well as the rather fine vintage of wine, served to warm her insides somewhat. A cursory smile began to creep across her full lips. 'Now isn't the time' she thought, 'plenty of time to give into pleasure later, but right now it's time to play.' No one noticed as the shadowy figured effortlessly lowered her self to the ground. Silently, she crept towards the inner wall, keeping to the shadows all the while knowing that she had several minutes of safety while the guard change was taking place. The catching up of gossip and boasting of what the night held for each off going guard always took at least half a turn of the glass - more than enough time for Anduin to reach her next check point. Anduin silently slid into place where the cloak of the night's darkness was deep, so close to the inner door that she could almost make out the individual breaths of the guards. She watched the off going guard clear the outer gate, the click of the lock bolts sliding into place was all she needed to signal her plan in full force. 'Blast, two guards this night' she mused, as if it really mattered to her. It didn't. The gentle rasping of her blades releasing from their scabbards made no more noise than the gentle breeze blowing across the court yard.

Ekuthh

04-07-2008, 07:01 PM

*clears throat into the silence*Ahem...*drums fingers impatiently*

Harvash

04-15-2008, 02:04 AM

Chap 2Anduin carefully angled the blade of her dirk near the outcropping of the door, with this vantage point she could see the two guardsman reflected in polished steel of the blade. Both men were standing close to each other apparently laughing at some jest the other made. She moved the blade back into the darkness provided by the small niche as she did the mental calculations of each of them.Both guards wore the common breastplate of the merchant, Omman by name; purveyor of "unique" items by trade; untrustworthy by nature. The armor carried his emblazon, a gold color tower with crenulations at the top and the outline of a single coin in white at its base. She was confident that these particular guardsmen were not the usual rabble hired for mundane tasks but rather recruited no doubt based on their personal skill and tenure with Omman. Her target lay somewhere behind the stout entrance door and denied by the two men. This would not do, no, not at all.Anduin's luck held however as she listened intently, her will bent to hear any sound they might make. Several minutes passed and she made out the fading footsteps of one of the men across the gravely entry way. The call to nature must be met alone she figured and she also figured it was time to stretch her legs - and her blade arm. She quickly sheathed the blades, retrieving a bit of thin wire that had been neatly coiled and placed inside the cuff of her sleeve. With no more noise than the stealing of the clouds over the moon she crept forward.As she moved from the relative safety of the shadows she checked both marks to be assured of their positions. It was exactly as it was in her minds eye; one guard remained near the door idly staring up into the sky as the clouds once again began to slowly yield to the moon. The other stood twenty paces or more away, looking down while tending the business at hand. With practiced ease she simultaneously applied pressure to the back of the guard's knee causing him to dip his head backwards and yielding an easy path for the garrote to go over his head. Anduin crossed both hands and with a vicious twist she felt the wire bite deep, severing the arteries in his neck and rapidly filling his throat with his life's blood. Between the speed and precision of her attack, the guard uttered not a sound as he slumped to the ground. The whole process took little more than two blinks of her deep green eyes now lit up with an adrenalin powered surge. Anduin let the body fall, complete with the wire around its neck, she only briefly glanced down to see the eyes already clouding; unseeing ever more. Three quick paces brought here within yards of the next guard, her twin blades rasping free of their scabbards. The guard's shoulder began to shake slightly as he fumbled with ties around the waist of the banded mail breeches.Another pace, Anduin began to raise her blades, crossed in the air.The guard, apparently satisfied with his success at getting his breeches tied began to turn.Another pace, at this point, the dark elf didn't consider the need for silent movement and began her downward stroke as she closed the distance. The collars on these particular chest plates were short, allowing the helm that was rarely used to sit firmly on the owners head. All well and good if you wore one.The guard had come almost full around at this point, but something was amiss. His breeches were hastily tied, the ends still hanging free.Anduin didn't hesitate to think about this, surprise was her best weapon.Unfortunately, she didn't have that element working for her.The guard swept his jagged edged scimitar-like weapon in a great swathe in to his front, the resulting collision numbed Anduin's wrist clear the bone and she could not hold her form, nor the blade, by will alone. As it fell to the ground she did not stop to see it land, she was too well trained for this trick that only a novice would have fell for. Instead, she brought her own blade quickly to the guard position."Ah, the darkness ‘as spawned a fine play t'ing for Hwargin tonigh', eh" the guard grinned wickedly through his yellow and broken teeth. Hwargin tried the obvious tactic of brute force to over power Anduin's remaining blade but regardless of the lost element of surprise she still had her wits. Unshaken, she effortlessly batted the weak stroke aside while placing distance between the longer reach of her opponent. Using all her agility she kept him turning and moving, never allowing him to plant his feet for an overpowering blow."Come now, lass, why do ya make Hwargin work so ‘ard" the big man began to draw his blade across the air slowly, back and forth as if to entice Anduin to step closer and engage him. "You like playin' wid Hwargin, don't ya. I ‘ere your not even good for yer own, eh" he taunted, "A..an...oo...mare". He stumbled over the last, his thick accent unable to pronounce the word."That's right, "she thought, "Keep talking." Hwargin suddenly lunged at her, his blade not quite extended so that it could deliver a cut at any angle. Anduin once again side stepped the attack and while Hwargin re-centered himself, her hand dipped into one the many folds sewn into the sash that held her leather tunic in place and out of harms way."One more time big fella" a smile began to cross her veiled lips. "Okay now, Hwargin is gonna finish playing with you.""Umere," she laughed inwardly, "a mercenary calling me an underling. That's rich."Obviously perturbed at her reflexive ability to keep her distance, Hwargin became embolden and began to try to step to the inside. At the same moment, a fine spray of glittering dust issued forth from Anduin's off hand. And she crouched low, anticipating her foe's reaction."Ahh, " he bellowed, "now you've gone an' done it ya have, t'rowing sand in me face." But it wasn't sand, it was finely ground glass, a fact Hwargin rapidly discovered when he mashed his ham like hand into his eye. The truth becoming evident sent him into a howling rage - that was cut short as Anduin drove the blade of her dirk upward, under his poorly arrange chestplate and into the soft tissue of his belly. In flash, the blade bit deep, piercing both lungs and silencing his yells to a hoarse whisper as they deflated.Hwargin looked down, his doom surely upon him and he looked into Anduin's eyes. Had he been able to see he would have noticed how her eyes danced in the cloud revealed moonlight."Umere,"she whispered as she regarded his torn body. "A term I don't care for - coming from anyone."She wiped the gore covering her blade across the center of Hwargin's tunic, turning the white coin of the symbol a dark crimson. Stooping to retrieve her dropped blade, she rubbed her wrist absently as she appraised the large wooden entry door."So, I was expected." She said under her breath. "Then I won't consider myself an uninvited guest."She strode lightly to the door, stepping over the cooling remains of Hwargin's companion.

Ekuthh

04-15-2008, 03:35 AM

Vicious little [Removed for Content]... I like that in a woman. <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/908627bbe5e9f6a080977db8c365caff.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />Well done. The only suggestions I would have would be to slightly rearrange your paragraph structure and use of punctuation for flow. Try to keep action and description separate. For example:Both guards wore the common breastplate of the merchant, Omman by name; purveyor of "unique" items by trade; untrustworthy by nature. The armor carried his emblazon, a gold color tower with crenulations at the top and the outline of a single coin in white at its base. She was confident that these particular guardsmen were not the usual rabble hired for mundane tasks but rather recruited no doubt based on their personal skill and tenure with Omman. Her target lay somewhere behind the stout entrance door and denied by the two men. This would not do, no, not at all.Anduin's luck held however as she listened intently, her will bent to hear any sound they might make. Several minutes passed and she made out the fading footsteps of one of the men across the gravely entry way. The call to nature must be met alone she figured and she also figured it was time to stretch her legs - and her blade arm. She quickly sheathed the blades, retrieving a bit of thin wire that had been neatly coiled and placed inside the cuff of her sleeve. With no more noise than the stealing of the clouds over the moon she crept forward.Would become:Both guards wore the common breastplate of the merchant Omman; purveyor of "unique" items by trade, untrustworthy by nature. The armor carried his emblazon, a gold color tower with crennalations at the top and the outline of a single coin in white at its base. She was confident that these particular guardsmen were not the usual rabble hired for mundane tasks; but rather recruited, no doubt, based on their personal skill and tenure with Omman. Her target lay somewhere behind the stout entrance door, and was denied by the two men. This would not do. No, not at all.Anduin's luck held however, as she listened intently, her will bent to hear any sound they might make. Several minutes passed and she made out the fading footsteps of one of the men across the gravely entry way. The call to nature must be met alone, she figured. She also figured it was time to stretch her legs - and her blade arm. She quickly sheathed the blades, retrieving a bit of thin wire that had been neatly coiled and placed inside the cuff of her sleeve. With no more noise than the stealing of the clouds over the moon, she crept forward. Always, always, always double check your punctuation. Stories live and breathe because of punctuation.Other than that, keep writing, I'm enjoying it. <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />Or feel free to tell me to [Removed for Content] in the wind. <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/97ada74b88049a6d50a6ed40898a03d7.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />

niko_teen

04-15-2008, 10:18 AM

<cite>Ekuth@Befallen wrote:</cite><blockquote>Vicious little [I cannot control my vocabulary]... I like that in a woman. <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/908627bbe5e9f6a080977db8c365caff.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></blockquote>I Agree there is just something about a chick who'llthrow ground glass into your face. You've only have had to work with fiberglass a few times to unstand what it feel liks to have thousands of small cuts in your eyes and face. I've only be luck enough to have been hit with a few but i can imagine what it must feel liek to have one's face fully engulfed.<a href="mailto:Ekuth@Befallen" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ekuth@Befallen</a> wrote:<blockquote>Always, always, always double check your punctuation. Stories live and breathe because of punctuation. Other than that, keep writing, I'm enjoying it. <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" />Or feel free to tell me to [Removed for Content] in the wind. <img src="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/images/smilies/97ada74b88049a6d50a6ed40898a03d7.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" width="15" height="15" /></blockquote>As a reader i agree on this point as well. a few parts were difficult to fully understand. Yet at the same time as an author i dissagree. When your plot is strong enough punctuation (or spelling errors) can be forgiven is the story as a whole is strong enough. Heck i used to have a large following for the Shattering and my grammer is legendary for how bad it is.But since i am not the author, tap Ekuthh's mind he has a way of painting a scene coupled with the fact that he has impectable grammer. Hence he's the college professor and I'm.... <Kicks his muddied combat boots up on the desk, lights a cigar and pours a heafty portion of congac into a canteen cup> Well I'm a different breed.