[Galens]

[SIZE="7"]Chapter 1 Introduction[/SIZE]






I Galen (Crazy) have come to introduce myself to the swine that roams the land of Sosaria! My birthland is Trisnic my birth was lovely. Doves flew over my mother they say when I came from her womb. My mother was a natural talor. She made wedding dresses for a living. With what little she made along with my father, she helped support me while growing into a fine miner lad. My father, who was a blacksmith, laid the foundation for his small private business selling ores and ingots at reasonable prices. Fueling the military for any side who came to buy his goods, he also helped provide for us.

Their skills seem to have brushed on me aswell. I currently work in the Minoc mines as a self employed craftsman. I fuel the economy on all sides, just like my father did. I even lower prices for the poor sod who cannot afford to pay for his hunts to feed his own family. I have been dedicated to this task for quite sometime. I started mining at the age of 6, now at the age 20, I am full of prime and keen on my senses.

At the age of 12 I began combat training to fend off thieves who dare take my financial stability. I have been hurt many of times, but my motivation will not falter. Most I have cut deals with for my safety. I never gave away free goods, but only cheaper prices. My life is more important to me as I would someday wed with a beautiful woman in these lands. A sword is my life, and my hammer is my heart. My father once told me "A man makes a living from his shoulders down. A man makes money from his shoulders up." I have never forgotten these words, and they will stay with me forever.

Someday I will own my own tower, and fuel a guild for newcomers so they too may plunder this lands riches. For now though, I will keep focused on promoting my business as a miner and a crafter. Searching endlessly for all business clients.

It is now 8 A.M.:


(ooc) Eastern time and when shard opens up for me

[Galens]

It is near the end of the day now. The gods have seen fit to destroy and recreate the world twice. It is a mystery as to how they can hold that much power. To destroy everything, and remake it even better. Wow, I could not fathom this. I saw a lot of people coming from all over the world to Minoc mines. People I never saw before. Back about 3-4 years ago, all my friends mined with me, now most of them are dead or moved on. My teacher Holocaustus Jr. left as well. I don't even know why he left. He taught me everything I needed to know about getting around Sosaria.

I mined all day today, and even did a little blacksmithing. It wasn't that bad of a day's labor in fact. The guards were a little edgy, killing too many innocent people. They could not discern from criminal and innocent from all the fuss going on in the early day. So many bodies. The sight was horrific.
Blood everywhere, bones, flesh, fecal matter. It was awful, I will never forget that in my life!

The ore in the mine was very scarce for some reason. Usually it is full of rich virgin ores, but this morning, it was empty as a blade spirit's heart. It picked up later on though, very quickly, once the gods remade the world. I was suprised to mine more shadow iron than normal iron. It was my lucky day indeed. Even the old copper was running rich too! I brought in about 900 shadow iron, 600 old copper, and 1500 or more iron already!

Yes. Today was a good day. A fresh new start to a fresh new world. I cannot believe I left these lands for so long. But when your friends die or move away, it is torturous to the soul. So much that you wish you too were dead or gone. I couldn't just give up, I knew I would return one day. But I never knew when they day would come, until today.

Brining in over 3500 gold today, I am on a good start to buying my first house. I will have to mark my territory so that no one will steal the land I wish to allot for the guild tower I wish to own one day. I believe it will not be difficult, but I must hurry before someone else claims the land I wish to bring prosperity towards. I have enough determination to meet my goals.

I will have to find some place to sleep. I know the store carries bed rolls, but it really is no different than sleeping on the earth. I may as well find a nice patch of grass to sleep on for the night. It is getting vey dark right now, so I am happy I bought a latern. But one thing does frighten me on my first night of sleep, the dangers of the land. There are so many murderous criminals and thieves out there. It makes me wonder if I will be safe, as I do not have any weapons to my name yet. I really should have crafted some.

I suppose I will know once I wake from the best sleep of my life, the sleep that will bring the second day of my fresh new beginning.

*Finally finds a nice patch of grass and lays down with lantern at his side*

ZZZZzzzZZZzzzZZzzZzZzZzzzzzZZZZzZ

[Galens]

A new start to a wonderful day. I had a good nights rest, so good, it was already 10AM! I must have really worked my but off. Next time I will learn to build up my strength before I do all that work.

It is now around 1:30 PM and I have been training my strength it feels like hours go by and I cannot seem to get any stronger. I can lift almost 400 stones of ore and ingots at once now! Its amazing, to think I could only lift about 250 stones at once yesterday. Time flies when you train I guess.

I had recently walked into Minoc town to hear that Father Juan would be holding his sermon around 5:30. I was so excited, I traveled so far and for 3 years to see this. I have heard his sermons were enlightening and fullfilling at the least. I suppose I could hone my sense rather than train my strength which doesn't seem to get any better. I walked out someone secret and safe to find me a decent spot to relax and train. I found a dead human and animal, and began honing my anatomy skills. I also brought a child with me to evaluate his intelligence, but that didn't work out to well. I had forgotten that children were very dumb, more naive, and more addicted to having fun rather than study.

Still I am in solitude and do not know which path to take. Perhaps Father Juan's sermon will guide me further into my life. I took a walk around Minoc to pass the time. Staring at the Bloodrock Guards, the children playing with sticks and homemade mud pans as a sword and shield, that was inventive to say the least. The smell of the air was somewhat clean, you could really smell the miners smelting their ores, raising the black cloud so thick into the air from the mine shaft. The banging of hammers at the crafter's house. Man that sound never gets old, neither does the smell of the miners. It makes me wish I didn't train everything else so I could get back in there with my conrads.


I didn't do much while walking through Minoc, except notice the sun all day. I waited and waited and waited for the beautiful sun to set upon the horizon. With that would mark my time to leave for Britain. I knew it would be difficult traveling by foot, so I remembered I could use the moongate just outside of town. I was filled with suspense as if I were a little boy waiting for his mother to cook dinner.

The time finally came and I made haste, I only had 8 minutes before the sermon started. I took the moongate and ended up in several different lands before I finally found Britain territory. I ran as fast as I could on horse to Father Juan's chapel. I was the first one there. Me and Father Juan talked for a bit before I decided to volunteer my services to bring more people to his sermon. Man oh man you would not believe how many people are filled with greed at Britain Bank. I tried three times before people started coming. Then there was an announcement from a higher order, that really did the trick. I tried though. I placed my lantern in the corner for people who could not see that well. Some it helped, and some casted In Lor. I had a front row seat. You could feel the heat coming from the blessed braziers. The holiness was almost penetrating to the heart. The small mutters and mumbles of passers and people inside the chapel was almost deafening. I suppose it was from their enthusiasm and suspense for his sermon aswell. It was amazing how many people attended the sermon. We almost didn't have enough chairs. Well, we didn't at first, but people brought some more chairs in from downstairs. Eventually people quieted down awaiting the sermon. As Father Juan introduced his sermon, we all seemed a bit, overcome with joy, well, at least I did. He began his sermon and I just kept getting higher and higher it felt to the gods. Before I knew it, the sermon was already over. We all agreed with a hearty "AMEN" to seal the deal as to speak. I then thanked Father Juan for the gathering he put together. I said my farewells and left with a new foundation to build upon, the new foundation of my life here in these lands.

Back to Minoc it was for more training. I must have trained for over 8 hours it seemed like before taking a nap. I literally fell to the dirt next to my horse and did NOT wake up for even hell's fury. What would await me my next day full of vigor and journey, no one knows but the gods. And we shall feel, live, breath, smell, hear, and all the other sense I have, will be experienced everyday to its fullest now.


ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzZZzzzzzZZZZZZzzZzzzzz

[Galens]

Once again a fine new day. *looks Up* WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
(Galen)
Who are you?!
(Isendur)
I am your great great grandfather, Isendur!
(Galen)
GET AWAY!!!!!
*Runs away to mines near people*
*People begin staring at me as I am catching my breath looking terrified*

(Galen)
Man have I ever been scared so in my life? Who the hell was that?
(Unknown person)
Who the hell was who?
*didn't notice I was talking outloud*
(Galen)
Oh, nothing nothing, you'd think I was crazy.
(Unkown person)
Try me.
(Galen)
No thanks, nothing I can't handle.

*The unknown person looks at me suspiciously for a moment, and suddenly loses interest as if it were just a child ranting about the local animals*

(Isendur)
Galens! GALENS! I must speak with you this instant!!!

*runs away screaming as miners are laughing*

(Galens)
WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

*I hid inside the animal shelter thinking it was the safest place for me*

*I crouched in a corner behind a pack llama and a few horses*

(Galens)
No one could ever find me here
*Suddenly Isendur appears again, this time blocking my escape route*
(Isendur)
GALENS! STOP RUNNING FROM ME, YOU ARE ANGERING MY SOUL!
*A loud thunder claps in the distance*
(Galens)
What do you want with me? I don't even know you, please don't hurt me!
(Isendur)
Galens, for the last time, if you do not shut that bread hole and heed the call, I WILL do something you will regret!
(Galens)
Ok just please don't hurt me, I don't want to die!

*The figure begins to become less and less transparent. He has an aura around his figure that spans around about 2 feet from him at the color of gold and fire. He has a pickaxe in one hand and a lantern in the other. His face looks extremely old, to old for any mortal to bear. He wears no shirt, a pair of shorts and this bright fire colored blacksmith apron*

(Isendur)
*a vein seems to emerge into his forhead*
Galens we do not have much time before I pass back into the other world. You must listen very carefully to my words. For these words can save your very future. A long time ago, during my lifetime, there was a demon man named Holoca. Holoca was the spawn of an otherworld demon Vladimor who wanted the whole world of Sosaria for his own. He could only pass through the barrier once a year to fullfill this goal, leaving him only 1 day to complete it. That wasn't enough time for him to complete his goal, so one of my last Halloweens alive, he congregated with and mated with an evil sorcerer named Deliva, She opened the barrier just long enough for the both of them to fullfill their destiny.

(Galens)
Go on.

(Isendur)
After the portal closed, Vladimor vowed to the skies and to the hells he would forever rain his hatred upon Sosaria through his only son. Deliva was well protected by her own magical hell spawns up until my last Halloween alive. Many attempted to regain control over Sosaria, all failed honorably. It never occured to anyone that during the few last days of October, her powers were always directed towards opening the barriers, not protecting her. That is when I decided to strike. Our family heirloom was the only thing that protected me long enough to stay her magic off from destroying myself while I tried to stop her from bearing her child. Even though I could not stop the birth, I did manage to kill Deliva by stabbing her in the heart. The family heirloom which protected me, was this apron I wear. Forever embued with the endless passion of fire, it was blessed with the ability to negate evil magic and fend off evil curses towards the one who wore the apron. Their son Holoca was born and sent into the other world immediately with Vladimor. I suspect that is where his newly born son would be trained and brainwashed by his father to wreck havoc upon Sosaria. The bad part was, anyone who was born mortal, by a spirit was able to pass between freely both worlds when the barrier was its thinnest.
Holoca is coming back now for his revenge, and he must be stopped at all costs. The reason I came to you was to give you this apron to protect you from his magic as much as possible. It won't stop everything he has to throw at you, but it will stop most of it. The rest is up to you. Just so you know, that hellish boy is supposed to pass through where his father did on Halloween, Minoc, where the center of the town is now, that is his portal. You must stop him at all costs Galen, the world depends on you!

*Isendur slips through the barrier just long enough to hand Galen the apron*

(Galen)
Thank you Isendur. I won't let you down!

(Isendur)
You must prepare before his arrival! You only have 1 day!

(Galen)
I'm right on it!

*Galen hurries away watching Isendur fade into the other world never to be seen until the never year, maybe never*

(Galen)
Wow, and to think all those years thinking I was nothing because all my friends died and moved on. This is amazing. *Gets a hold of himself* But I must not lose focus. I wonder what I need to prepare the most. The only thing I know is sword fighting and mining, thats not much use against magic. *looks at apron.* Maybe this is my only hope for now. WAIT.*Ponders for a moment* If he can't see me, how can he hit me? *Thinks hard* I know! I'll train my stealth and hiding!

*Galen begins devising a plan for his attack*

If he comes out of a portal, it might leave him a little off his feet. Wait, never mind, *remembering what Isendur said* He can pass freely between the worlds. Great. So once he comes through, he'll be ready to wreak havoc. Hmmmm. I could just hide and walk stealthy behind him and slam a pickaxe behind his back. Its the only thing I can swing hard with anyways, even better than a sword. Heh, to think they don't have a combat class for pickaxes. *laughs at the thought as he wanted to call it pickmanship*
There is no time to waste, I don't have many options here.

*Galen puts on his apron*

Wow, I feel light as a feather! I can feel the fire burning in my veins as if I was stimulated by the sight of the village queen! Its so warm. So bright. It has the smell of over a thousand miners!

*Noticing that he is the only one in the town that really likes the smell of stench, he ponders what the villagers might think of a stinky miner who saved the village from certain death*

Maybe I should do this and get out of there before my reputation is ruined for not taking a bath.

*Galen spent the rest of the day training in the same animal shelter he ran to earlier that day*

If animals can't find me, neither can that swine!

*Nearing the end of the day he rested his body and began to think of his old friends and what they might have thought about this*

Wow, I wish Veladrin and Alderuen were here. My old master Holocaustus JR. as well. They would laugh at me, probably say "Yeah right and I'm Lord Blackthorn and you're Lord British"
Haha! I bet they would say something like that.
If only they were here, I had so many good times with them. One day, one day I will be reunited with my conrads for eternity, but until that day, its one step at a time.

*Galen slept that night sounder than most of his nights spent alone for so many years. Afternoon came faster than expected.*

I suppose I only have time on my hands. I had better craft my pickaxe for the upcoming battle.

*Galens crafted his pickaxe for over 5 hours before he was satisfied. There was so much smoke, sweat, and muscle put into his project, the smell of determination and motivation could be smelt for miles away*

Not long to go before his arrival. I suppose I should take my place for an attack.

*The world seemed to stand still as Galen waited for what seemed an eternity. Though it was only 5 minutes to go and Galen seemed to hold his breath as if to stop his body from moving, nearly passing himself out.*

*A void began to form near the center. The portal started out as the size of a pumpkin and quickly shot to the size of an oak tree. Galen got his pickaxe ready for his attack. He stared into what seemed like oblivion. The portal itself was a purple with razor sharp like black voids encircling the oblivious entrance to the other world. Never could Galen even fathom what was beyond that portal, nor what would come though its hellish entrance. Nearly 3 mintutes went by before he noticed some vapor of some kind forming near the entrance. A huge aura began peering from the vapors as if to shout and the world was doomed. Galen could feel the hatred emitting from the portal as he started to shake with terror. All the animals in the shelter began uproaring as if trying to fight for their very own life! Galen set right behind the portal waiting for him to pop out on the other side. Holoca began emerging from the entrance. His body was massive, it was unusual for an evil mage to have such a muscular body. His hair was fire red, his nose a point sharper than a katana. His face was mutilated as if he was born and hit the ground head first. He was completely naked, no cloth except the fur that grown on his head, protected his skin. The smell of death was upon him and he was ready to share his stench with the world. Galen ran up to the portal and threw his pickaxe through the portal with all his life.*


(Galen)
RUAARRRGH! DIE DEMON

*The portal swallowed the pickaxe and didn't come out the other side. Galen stood there nearly wetting himself where he stood, with not a clue what to do because of fear*

(Holoca)
HuH! WHO! ISENDUR! SO! It seems my father was right! YOU DID COME BACK TO FINISH THE JOB!

*Galen was nearly blown to bits just from his powerful voice*

(Galen)
Isendur?! MY NAME IS GALEN! DESCENDANT OF ISENDUR! I WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO BID YOU FAREWELL TO THE NEXT DIMENSION FOREVER!

[Galens]

(Holoca)
Hahaha! So did you honestly think that after all these years I was playing chess and hopboard? My dear boy, you are sadly mistaken. If you think a measly disgrace for a human like you could ever destroy my goals, you are sadly mistaken. Look at you, you look as if you wish to wet yourself now!
AHAHAHHAHA, what a waste of bloodline! Now prepare to meet yoUR MAKER!!!!!!!!!

*Holoca extends his arm and opens his palm full force and blasts a stone wall at Galen sending him flying into the wall of a building*

(Galen)
noooOOOOOOOOOOOO. *crash* UURghh
Wow, that didn't hurt near as much as I thought it would. I might really be able to beat this guy.

*Galen summons up enough courage to charge the hellish man with all his vigor again*

(Galen)
I WON'T BE BEATEN THAT EASY!

*Galen jumps to the man's face and hits him in his jaw as hard as he can, but the effect seems useless as the man was chiseled like a brick house and it felt like Galen was hitting a brick house.*

(Holoca)
Heh..... RUAH

*Holoca punches Galen so hard that his teeth began falling from his skull. 4 to be exact. Galen doesn't seem to be moving an inch from that hit.*

(Galen)
*Mumbles incoherently*

(Holoca)
There is no chance in HELL I will be beaten. I TOLD YOU. I have trained for generations for this day!!!!

*A curious kid runs out to see the comotion. Holoca sees the child immediately and begins summoning another spell to slaughter the helpless child. The words Kal started to form, then Vas. Before he could utter Flam, Galen recognized the spell and with his last bit of energy ran and shoved the child out of the way in place of him. FLAM!!!!!!!!!* The demonic fire began to form on top of Galen. Galen knew one day he would be reunited with his conrads, but not this soon. Galens entire life flashed before his very eyes when suddenly*

(Isendur)
ENNNNNNRUAGGHHHHHH!

*Isendur appeared at the entrance of the portal and threw the very pickaxe Galen foolishly threw into the portal. It flew with impressive speed, you could even hear the wind passing by the axe as it flew straight for Holoca's chest. Holoca was to devoted to his spell before he could notice the axe intime.*

(Holoca)
Huh?! RUAHHHHHHHHHHHH!

*The pickaxe seemed to swallow his chest and explode out the otherside when it made contact. Suprisingly, for a human baby, there was no blood, just sparkles of black crystal raining from the sky. The pickaxe landed somewhere not to far from the contact. The explosion was bright, even for darkness to me accumulating in a cloud to only fall again. The smell seemed to disappear little by little. It was impressive timing by the spirit. One more second and Galen would have been deader than a door.*

(Isendur)
DONT STAND THERE BOY, DESTROY THE PORTAL BEFORE VLADIMOR COMES THROUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*Galen got the last bit of adrenalin to flow to his legs. The only thing he could think of was the pickaxe, the only object he used for nearly all his life, the only life he really knew. People began gathering around the large void in the space of the world, gasping in horror, not even knowing what had recently passed. Another vapor began emerging, this time with even more death surrounding the world. The feeling was almost unbearable. Galen ran to the portal as Isendur was swallowed by the death. Swining with every last drop of blood he had in his line, he never stopped, not for a second, even for breath. It was as if his life would end the moment he took just one breath, or on second to think about swining.*

(Portal)
VennsnsnsnsnnsnnsnVROOOOOOOOOOOMPH CRASH! Clannnananananan

*The portal was destroyed, exploding into giant shards of glass, razor sharp glass. The explosion literally gouged into Galen's flesh and blood was spewn everywhere.*

(Galen)
AGH!

*Galen fell to the ground and fainted*

(Galen)
Nooaa....Umph.

*The evil had been conquered, never to be seen or heard from again, but will there ever be a day that this courageous hero is needed again? If so, he will be there, along with the spirit of his ancestor.*

*Morning broke, as Galen rose up, he was spooked from the last thoughts he had, and adrenalin immediately began pumping.*

(Galen)
Ughhhhh!

*Galen still had too much soreness from the battle, but amazingly all his cuts were healed*

(Unknown)
Lie back and don't move, you need to rest as much as possible.

(Galen)
WHo ar..

(Meliena)
My name is Meliena, I'm a healer from Trisnic. You took quite a beating I must say. They sent word immediately to me saying you were dying and needed to be healed. But when I got here, all you had were bruises. I thought it was a prank, but the whole village swore by it. The Chief said your wounds healed themselves, that the apron you wore began to glow extremely bright and was to hot to get near, and once it died down, your wounds were healed.

(Galens)
I..I...

(Meliena)
Just rest. Don't speak

(Galens)
I..I...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZz

*The hero slept harder than a thousand dying people ascending to their gods. He had a dream of his ancestor Isendur*

(Isendur)
Galens! Thank you so much for your heroism. I know it was a very hard task to accomplish. And I know I helped you defeat Holoca, but it was your heroism that helped destroy him. With you, there would be no Sosaria. You even destroyed the portal which Vladimor was emerging from. No one could ever thank you enough Galen. But, there is one thing I ask of you from this day until you meet your maker. I want you to never forget your ancestors and never forget why you fought for Sosaria. And lastly, always love and cherish the ones around you, get out into the world, explore it, explore the people, build a reputation for yourself so that your name will never be forgotten in history. I bid you farewell my grandson, as this will be the last time we speak until you die. And do not worry about Vladimor, he doesn't have anymore power to get through next year or ever. He is a mortal, just like you, and even his magic can not stay his death forever. He will soon die just like anyone else. Never forget what I have told you, and always make an honest living. Farewell my grandson.

(Galens)
Fare..we...ll...........






Farewell till morrow.

[Galens]

(Galen)
mmmgghhnnRUUUUUAH

*Galen stretched when he woke to find that he was on the same mound of grass he slept on two days ago. He quickly looked around and noticed nothing but trees, animals, and his burnt out lantern.*

What...happened?

*Galen was very confused as this couldn't have been a dream whatsoever. He felt here was no way he could dream up something of that proportion.*

It couldn't have been a dream. Wait a second.

*Galen checked his body for bruising or cuts if there were any and did not find any to his suprise.*

It was a dream?! Wow. I must consult the magicians in Britain about this, perhaps they have some answers. Thats going to be a long journey, I need to buy some food first.

*Galen walked slowly, as if still getting his bearings from a real battle. Heading towards the Inn to buy some meats and breads, he noticed the same child who he saved in his dream.*

(Child)
Morning mister! How are you today? Have any gold to spare? *More questions rambled from the innocent child*

(Galen)
I'm doing fine today son, thank you for asking. Here, I have a job for you if you want some money. You look like an honest boy, so I will help you with your problems.

*Galens looked at the boy some more and noticed he had ragged clothes, he presented himself with the features of a homeless child.*

(Galen)
If you go buy me some bread, wine and ribs, I will pay you 100 gold for your efforts, but you must tell no one of this. It is very crucial my boy. Here, take this bag of 50 gold pieces, and buy as many as you can for me.

(Child)
You can count on me sir! *sings and skips to the Inn*

*The boy looked like he had found his family for the first time. He was so delighted to have someone or anyone care for him in such a way. The boy's day had been made.*

*The boy took nearly 5 minutes to come back with the goods. Galen had been waiting patiently by the center of the town for him, the same place he had the dream about, though he did not have a weary feeling, that made him feel as if he had a nightmare.*

(Child)
MISTERRRRR!

*The boy ran as fast as he could with the full bag slewn over his shoulder Galen had handed him earlier*

(Child)
I have the food you wanted! Here is the rest of the gold, I think its 5 or 6 left.

*Galen was astounded at the honesty of the young lad.*

(Galen)
My boy, here, keep the rest, and here is your 100 gold pieces. Here, have a bread loaf as well. I'm sure you will do right with your money, I have no doubts. But be careful of people who want to steal and scam your belongings. My advice is to put it in a bank and save it for a rainy day.

*The boy looked so happy, it filled Galen with a sense of belonging, the belonging he had once longed, the feeling of being wanted. He then realized that was his purpose, to help others in need.*

(Child)
Thanks mister!!!! *sings and skips along*

(Galen)
Time to head out. I have a long journey. I must craft a sword before I leave just incase I run across a wild animal.



(Continued when I come home from work today)

[imported_Aghast]

I like it so far

[Galens]

*Galen took some iron ingots from his bank box and headed over to the craft house. When he arrived he saw two blacksmiths creating their load for selling to the stores.*

(Galen)
Ahhh fine day we're having eh gentlemen?

(Both Blackmsiths)
GRRR Don't bother me I'm busy putting bread on my kids table!

(Galen)
Oh sorry to bother you gentlemen.

*Galen wasn't suprised at the reaction he received, blacksmiths are usually disgruntled from the stress they have making money, especially the inexperienced ones that have families.*

(Galen)
Let me borrow the forge for a moment.

*The men looked at Galens once more and laughed*

(Galen)
NOW!

*The men were suprised as they took Galen for a weak spirit. They moved out of his way and let him have the whole thing.*

(Galen)
Thank you, I will only be a few minutes.

*Galen heated the metal within seconds, the fire was so hot on his skin, and he was nearly 5 foot away. Once he got his iron melted, he poured his liquid into a basic sword mold. He pounded away relentlessly as the metal shot sparks of hot iron across the room. It wasn't long before he was finished.*

(Galen)
There, its not perfect, but it will do for the most part.

(Blacksmith 1)
Hah, you call that a sword, my daughter can make better with one hand!

(Blacksmith 2)
Hehehehehe, hes right, I saw her do it too!

(Galen)
Thats what happens when your daughter is a boy.

*The two blacksmiths looked as if they wanted to slit Galen's throat. Luckily the Bloodrock Guards were nearby, Galen didn't worry.

(Galen)
*Whistles* Ok I'm ready.

*Galen headed for the moongate just outside Minoc.*


(My head is fuzzy, I'm really tired from work, I will write later)

[Galens]

*Peering outside the crafting house, the sun was burning on this morning. You could smell the dew rising from the earth to the sky. It wasn't a dank smell, it was more relieving to Galen that his dream had not been a reality. Though it still stressed his heart and mind to imagine such a possibility.*

*Galen began walking towards the moongate*

*The mages in Britain were said to know how to speak to the spirits in the most professional mannerism. They are famous all over Sosaria. But they are especially known for their demon magic. Even though it is black, they do use it for good only. It is quite rare to find a mage, or even a band of mages using black magic for the prosperity of good.*

*It took Galen nearly 10 mintutes to reach the moongate. It was populated by scared children who dared not peek on the otherside. Then there were the fealess scared children, lying about their ventures beyond the gate, daring the others and calling them chickens for not succeeding. It was funny to Galen watching the young ones play and earn their rank among the village.*

*The moongate, tall ovalish red and void, there it stood. Where it leaded could only be determined by the placement of the individuals mind. Some say you could end up where you wanted to go in your mind, and then there are some that say you go to an eternal limbo if you are not focused right. Galen had no other choice as it would take months to get to Britain without it.*

*The kids were all gasping as they finally got to see another person use the moongate after so long. To them that was 5 minutes. It is a common use, but very well respected. Galen stood infront of the moongate and began focusing his mind to where he wanted to go. The kids were in suspense and some of them got really close to see the workings of the mysterious portal. Galen began walking through the gate, then in a quick moment, POOF, dust flew everywhere and smoke aswell. The moongate made a unique sound that could not be imitated by even the best of performers. The kids cheered, laughed and were shocked once again by its workings.*

(moongate)
Poof.

*Galen reached the Britain moongate in what seemed to take aeons but was merely a second in our world.*

(Galen)
That thing always gives me the creeps. I never know whether I'm thinking only about where I have to go, or the smelly miners in the Minoc mines. Heh, I wouldn't want to be teleported into a pickaxe.

*Galen looked at his surrounding area. There were a couple lumberjacks nearby bringing their loads to the carpenters. There were a few new houses being build near the moongate. A lot of the forests have been destroyed since the last time Galen had been to Britain, but no matter, as the world was full of beautiful landscapes for the eyes to plunder.*

*Walking the road towards the town's entrance, he took note of all the detailed flowerbeds villagers were planting. It boggled Galen's mind as winter would be coming soon. Heading further down the road he saw guards patrolling near the outskirts of the town. He had finally reached his destination. Galen reached the entrance and stopped for just a few moments to be awed by the beautiful details in the structures amongst himself. Gigantic buildings towered over his head, they must have been 5 to 10 village houses high. The bank could be seen all the way from the entrance. You could here the greedy patrons buying and selling trying to scan one another, perhaps even some honest trades, but Galen knew better.



(Continued when I get home from work.)

[Galens]

*Galen walked towards the Britain bank, the commotion grew almost unbearable to his own ears.*

(Patron noise)

Ill SELL IT FOR.... I WANNA BUY THAT MOMMY!. NO ITS MINE.... GIMME NOW OR DIE.... NO 5 GOLD PIECES, NO 10!!!!!!

*It was as if their lives depended on the bank area to live. There were hardly any trees left near the bank, any that were there before were removed so more people could join the parade.*

*Galen walked into the bank and asked a banker to store his items into a safe box for him until he came back to receive them back.*

(Galen)
Sir, excuse me sir! I need to bank these items for a short period, give me a temporary storage box.

(Banker 1)
Sure thing sir! Right away! Would you prefer to buy our really secure box made of daemon steel or just a regular wooden box? The improved box costs 100 gold for one day!

(Galen)
No thank you, its nothing expensive. Besides, you are a bank, how often do you get robbed?

(Banker 1)
Haha sir surely you jest! No we do not get robbed, the guards here are very well paid in order to prevent such matters. The money is not for profitable gain, it is merely to help feed the homeless.

(Galen)
Ahh I understand. Unfortunately, I do not have that type of gold on my person at this time, but I will surely remember this next time!

(Banker 1)
Thank you sir, you are very kind. Have a blessed day!

(Galen)
May the gods be with you.

*Galen looked around him to make sure no one was watching him, there was none. Perhaps he was being paranoid, but this was a very sophisticated dream, it had to have meant something.*

*Galen started to head toward the mages tower near the very back of the town. It was quite a walk, it took him nearly half an hour to reach the tower. Along the way there were hardly any signs of activity, except near Lord British's castle, other than that, the townsfolk seem to be imbedded into the stones near the bank.*

(Galen)
WOOOOOOOOW

*Galen was in aw by the massive tower. It looked as if it were made of the finest stone, shiny yet still having the rough texture that stone has. It stood nearly three houses high with a point at the top. The shingles were a deep ocean blue. It seemed to have a unique aura surrounding it as if the structure itsself were made of magic rather than by sweat.*

(Magician 1)
Greetings and welcome to the Mage Tower here in Britain! My name is Bolar, I am a spirit speaker and a healer. What can I help you with today?

*Galen explained his situation to Bolar. While doing so, Bolar did not look suprised in the least, as if he expected those words to form from human tongue for a long time.*

(Bolar)
Come this way please.

(Continued tomorrow)

[Galens]

*Bolar lead Galen into the giant tower. When he became close to the entrance an Aura surrounded him and shot inside him so fast it took the breath out of him*

(Galen)

*Big breath*

What was that???

(Bolar)
Oh do not worry sir, the aura meerly detects your alliance.

(Galen)
What?

(Bolar)
It reads your heart to see if its chaos or order. If you are order, you live, if you are chaos, you die, extremely fast.

(Galen)
Thats nice to know.

(Bolar)
Only the order know this. HAHA!

*As they reach inside the tower, the aura surrounding the building swallows them whole. They start spinning violently to an abyss that never seems to end. The colors form a tunnel of some kind, red, blue, green, pink, etc. Finally they hit the very bottom at an extremely slow pace, as if they took a step down a stair.*

(Galen)
What just happened? Why aren't we inside the building?

(Bolar)
Oh we are, the outside of the building is merely visual effects. Its all magic, every bit of it. We use it as a cover. Really, we're about two buildings underground.

(Galen)
Impressive, who ever thought of that design?

(Bolar)
Sorry for our protection, I cannot release you that information.

(Continued after work, I promise, its just UO is addicting! :evil: )

[Galens]

*The room was extremeley large for being underground. It measured about 20 pumpkin fields near the Skara Brae docks. There were plenty of mages working hard at making potions, scribing, drawing maps, and even swordplay. Though the sword fighters looked new to the skill. They were very clumsy with their weapons, it was a good thing they were using wooden swords. The walls were lined with cloth, Galen wasn't sure why, because brick would have been so much more durable. Most of the mages had either tables to work on, or a pentagram to cast within for private practice.*

(Galen)
Wow... This must have taken forever to build in secret.

(Bolar)
Magic can make anything possible in an instant.

(Galen)
I have some questions if you don't mind answering.

(Bolar)
If you don't mind asking, I have some answers for you! Haha!

(Galen)
Why is there cloth on the walls? What purpose does it serve, and why not use bricks instead? Its much more durable.

(Bolar)
The cloth is not only to protect us from the outside, it protects us from the inside. You see, magic can destroy any material, except material with a magic force bound into it. Bricks just don't work well with magic, its too solid. Cloth on the other hand, magic can pass through A LOT easier, and can weave along with the strands that created it. It is like... A stone blanket, only softer to the touch. If I were to cast a lightning bolt lets say. The blanket will soak it up. But it does not absorb all of the damage. Once the armor wears off or consumes too much magic, it either reflects back at us, or it destroys our walls and our cloth. So we try to practice safety amongst our mages. Especially the new mages.

(Galen)
I see. How long has this underground barracks been around for?

(Bolar)
Aeons upon Aeons. Again I cannot go into further detail, just know, nearly since mages first learned magic. Come let us make haste, your matter is important to us.

(Galen)
Yes let us.

*Bolar walks down the aisle between all to fuss from the mages' work.

(Bolar)
To my right over here, we have the Alchemists quarters. They work with almost no sleep. You might think that is dangerous, but with the magic going on inside here, it helps keep them focused. They sleep maybe 2 hours a day and are fine. To my left, you have the scribes, they get more of a break because of arthritis. You can live without sleep and work, but you cannot without your hands in that line of work. Over here *points to the far left wall* You have the sparring mages. I'm not going any further into it because I think its a ridiculous addition to our system. And last *points to the far right corner* We have the trainee's, the masters and veterans teach the new mages strenuously. They hardly ever get a break, and this is to deter anyone who wants to waste our time. By the time you reach graduation, you sleep, and sleep. There is no party until they wake up!

(Galen)
Fascinating. I never touched magic that much before, I always thought it was the devils work.

(Bolar)
Oh no sir! It has helped thousands of lives.

(Continued another day)