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Description
Klunck-Klunck-Klunck.

The noise had become a thing of nightmares.

Klunck-Klunck-Klunck.

They came from Morindor by the thousands, a never-ending serpent of mud and steel.

Klunck-Klunck-Klunck.

They didn’t carry traditional weapons instead they used club-like quarterstaffs that featured 3-inch blades jutting out the tips. They’d bang these weapons against their chest plates in a rhythm that quickly struck fear into man and beast.
They wore dark armor smeared in mud and grime and they fought like tireless demons. More than street peasants and fools believed them to be spawned of pure darkness, for they lived for death… their bodies and forms were unknown for after every battle nothing remained of their dead except discarded arms and armor.
They came individually at first, tall tales of dark specters appearing at the borders of Qual, just off the Morindor, but only the bordering towns believed any of it, in fact it wasn’t until Krestall was attacked, and every last man slaughtered that the province finally recognized the threat they faced.
Few survived, fugitives made it to neighboring towns baring with them dark tales of an unnatural enemy, ones that made no noise, no cries of pain nor pleasure, just the unnerving sound of steel on steel…
Julian had been in that first strike, he was just 10 years old, barely old enough to hold a sword, his father had defended the city of Krestall with his life, while he had fled with his mother leaving his father to die… He could still hear his desperate cries, not for help but for his family, for him. Julian had always regretted leaving his father behind, but he’d had no choice. He still heard his cries at night, while he slept.

RUN, SAMANTHA! JULIAN! RUN…!

Julian suddenly jolted from his bedroll. His clothing was soaked in sweat and not even the cool nights air seemed to sooth his racing heart. He wiped his brow and lay back in his bedroll. He didn’t sleep though, instead he just looked up at the stars and emptied his mind.
Since he was little he’d found comfort in simply staring up into the sky without focus and clearing his head of all thought. It had been 15 years since the first attack of the Mori-mongers, as they’d affectionately been named. The land of Qual had been ravaged by their plague. Every town along the eastern borders had been destroyed, abandoned or both.
Further into the lands Mori-mongers were scarce but still a major problem, small packs would roam in seemingly random paths until happening across anything they could kill, anything with a heart beat… farming had become a difficult profession but it’s necessity lead to special guards stationed around major farming areas.
The Mori-Mongers themselves were unnatural in their relentless fighting even if outnumbered they would fight to the death like some sort of killing machine. Several times over the years entire hordes would attack towns and slaughter every last man woman and child they could find, fortunately their banging served as ample warning for evacuation of the women and children, unfortunately it wasn’t enough for a planned evacuation and a lot of people had to leave behind a lot of their life, meaning there were plenty of valuables left for anyone stupid enough to venture into a town overrun by Mori-mongers, the few that were usually wouldn’t return.
Julian himself had wondered between towns, he hadn’t ever been able to settle since he left home, it was dangerous to travel in these times but armed with his sword Julian had slain many a Mori-monger.
Still… for every one he killed it seemed another took its place, and he never felt any more fulfilled or satisfied, still he traveled... Recently he’d moved closer to the borders, as close as he dared go before entering ‘Mori-monger territory’. Now he was traveling north, along the border.
He’d heard rumors that the northwestern corner of Qual had remained untouched by the Mori-mongers, most claimed it was simply because no one had settled there but Julian wondered if there was more to it, he was determined to find out regardless.
He’d just crossed a road, Julian thought it lead to Mersi but he couldn’t be sure, like too many roads in this day and age it only lead to ruins and broken lives now…
Julian let out a sigh, he wasn’t going to get any more sleep this night and from the looks of the sky morning wasn’t far off. He packed up his bedroll and called over Arauka, his mount.
He took good care of his mount giving her a good clean with his brush to remove any grains of sand that had found it’s way onto her coat, Arauka was his only companion so he made sure she was always well fed and healthy, he wasn’t sure what he’d do without her.
He re-saddled her and attached his bedroll, satisfied that it was secure but not so tight as to cause Arauka discomfort he sat on a small rock and went about the task of strapping on his armor, it had taken him a while to get used to the weight of the full plate armor but found it was well worth the effort, it had saved his skin more times than he cared to count.
It was still as shiny as they day he’d gotten it for he cared for it as well as he cared for Arauka. His sword, his armor and his mount were all things his life depended on and in return he made sure they were reliable enough to set an hourglass by.
His armor was painted white and had golden trimmings it shone like the armor of a noble paladin, something Julian was proud of. The helmet completely covered his head leaving him a small visor from which to see, it was smooth and clung around his head firmly yet comfortably. There weren’t any fancy feathers or other showy extra’s but it did its job and that was good enough for Julian.
The chest plate was immaculately crafted with a golden imprint of the symbol of cause and effect on his left breast, a simple circular design of two swirling colours, one gold the other white with a spot of each within the other Julian found comfort within the symbol he wasn’t sure why but it seemed right.
Around his waste, just under the belly of his chestplate hung his family crest on a white tunic with yellow stitching, his first thoughts upon seeing it was that it might tangle in his leggings as he fought, he wasn’t sure what it was made up but was delighted to find it smoothly ran across his metal leggings and didn’t get caught in the various folds or layers.
From his waist also hung his scabbard which had a sort of simplistic beauty about it but still paled in comparison to his sword… ‘Lina’ as he called it, for the engraving along its blade spelt the words ‘lina hyanda’, was a work of absolute genius not only was it of high quality crafting but had somehow been imbued with shallow groves down it’s side that allowed it to cut through the air, among other things, as easily as a fish cut through water. It also split through the air with a ring that was of perfect pitch and as beautiful as any young maidens voice, Julian had come to find the sound reassuring in it’s flawless tone.
Once he tightened the last strap he quickly drew Lina from her scabbard causing her to call out as if some fair princess had been released from her prison atop a secluded tower. He closed his eyes and listened to her song until it eventually faded into the crisp morning air. He was about to re-sheathe her when his ears picked up a chilling sound.

Klunck-Klunck-Klunck.

It was quick, he only heard three hits, and they were close, they must have discovered an unsuspecting traveler. Julian let his reflexes take over and leapt to his feet he quickly sprinted towards the sound snatching Arauka’s reigns as he went, startled but quick to respond Arauka galloped along side him before Julian swung himself up onto her saddle.
Upon reaching the crest of a small hill Julian was greeted with the sight of no less than five Mori-mongers advancing on a lone traveler, five Mori-mongers were dangerous for one person, even Julian wouldn’t want to handle five by himself- regardless he didn’t hesitate.
Letting out a loud war cry to distract the small group of Mori-Mongers he charged down the hill and swung low at the closest Mori-monger, his sword sang as it cut through the air and took off the top half of the Mori-mongers head just as it was turning towards him.
In a flash Julian leapt from Arauka and engaged a second Mori-Monger, he deflected a blow from it’s quarterstaff and in a smooth motion lobbed it’s hand off before cutting it across it’s chest and letting it fall.
He stomped on the end of its quarterstaff, which helpfully had landed in the Mori-mongers glove and flipped up into the air. Julian caught it in his left hand and threw it like a spear into the open gap in a third Mori-mongers helmet, the quarterstaff’s small blade poked out the back of the helmet as the Mori-monger fell to it’s knees and ‘fell apart’ as Mori-mongers inexplicably did.
He turned to engage the last two but stopped, mesmerized by the stranger he’d aided. It was still dark so Julian couldn’t make out too much but he was sure she was female. Her thin, lithe form moved with a grace he’d never seen before. She was donned in strange clothing made from the fur of some kind of animal and wielded two short swords with deadly accuracy.
Julian always considered his sword’s movements a song, an analogy that was reinforced by it’s ‘ring’ as it cut the air, but her blades… her blades danced, sweeping through the air in a graceful albeit deadly arc.
One of the Mori-mongers swung downwards at her left shoulder she just arched her back and leaned away from the blow while at the same time bringing one of her blades up diagonally across it’s chest, before it could react she joined the first blade with the second and arched them around gracefully to cut across his body a second time leaving two perfectly parallel cuts slanting in the opposite direction across his torso.
It fell to the ground on a crumpled heap as she continued her dance without faltering, she spun around and dropped low to meet the last Mori-monger with a deep slash across his midsection easily avoiding it’s wild swing at her head. The woman then followed through with her movements with an upwards strike splitting the Mori-monger up it’s center.
It too fell to the ground leaving the two combatants alone in a small collection of abandoned combat gear. The female started to walk towards Julian, she still had her blades in her hands but they dangled at her side. Julian was almost hypnotized by her walk, it was smooth and precise, each step deliberate right down to which leaves and grass she crushed beneath her feet. Julian got the feeling this woman could walk as silently as a shadow if she so felt inclined.
She hadn’t put away her weapons so Julian didn’t put away his however he did plant the tip of Lina’s blade into the soil to show he had no intention of using her unless he had to. As the woman got closer Julian noticed her ears and tale, he almost gasped in shock but quickly covered it to keep from offending her.
“You’re a Nephil?”

Description
Klunck-Klunck-Klunck.

The noise had become a thing of nightmares.

Klunck-Klunck-Klunck.

They came from Morindor by the thousands, a never-ending serpent of mud and steel.

Klunck-Klunck-Klunck.

They didn’t carry traditional weapons instead they used club-like quarterstaffs that featured 3-inch blades jutting out the tips. They’d bang these weapons against their chest plates in a rhythm that quickly struck fear into man and beast.
They wore dark armor smeared in mud and grime and they fought like tireless demons. More than street peasants and fools believed them to be spawned of pure darkness, for they lived for death… their bodies and forms were unknown for after every battle nothing remained of their dead except discarded arms and armor.
They came individually at first, tall tales of dark specters appearing at the borders of Qual, just off the Morindor, but only the bordering towns believed any of it, in fact it wasn’t until Krestall was attacked, and every last man slaughtered that the province finally recognized the threat they faced.
Few survived, fugitives made it to neighboring towns baring with them dark tales of an unnatural enemy, ones that made no noise, no cries of pain nor pleasure, just the unnerving sound of steel on steel…
Julian had been in that first strike, he was just 10 years old, barely old enough to hold a sword, his father had defended the city of Krestall with his life, while he had fled with his mother leaving his father to die… He could still hear his desperate cries, not for help but for his family, for him. Julian had always regretted leaving his father behind, but he’d had no choice. He still heard his cries at night, while he slept.

RUN, SAMANTHA! JULIAN! RUN…!

Julian suddenly jolted from his bedroll. His clothing was soaked in sweat and not even the cool nights air seemed to sooth his racing heart. He wiped his brow and lay back in his bedroll. He didn’t sleep though, instead he just looked up at the stars and emptied his mind.
Since he was little he’d found comfort in simply staring up into the sky without focus and clearing his head of all thought. It had been 15 years since the first attack of the Mori-mongers, as they’d affectionately been named. The land of Qual had been ravaged by their plague. Every town along the eastern borders had been destroyed, abandoned or both.
Further into the lands Mori-mongers were scarce but still a major problem, small packs would roam in seemingly random paths until happening across anything they could kill, anything with a heart beat… farming had become a difficult profession but it’s necessity lead to special guards stationed around major farming areas.
The Mori-Mongers themselves were unnatural in their relentless fighting even if outnumbered they would fight to the death like some sort of killing machine. Several times over the years entire hordes would attack towns and slaughter every last man woman and child they could find, fortunately their banging served as ample warning for evacuation of the women and children, unfortunately it wasn’t enough for a planned evacuation and a lot of people had to leave behind a lot of their life, meaning there were plenty of valuables left for anyone stupid enough to venture into a town overrun by Mori-mongers, the few that were usually wouldn’t return.
Julian himself had wondered between towns, he hadn’t ever been able to settle since he left home, it was dangerous to travel in these times but armed with his sword Julian had slain many a Mori-monger.
Still… for every one he killed it seemed another took its place, and he never felt any more fulfilled or satisfied, still he traveled... Recently he’d moved closer to the borders, as close as he dared go before entering ‘Mori-monger territory’. Now he was traveling north, along the border.
He’d heard rumors that the northwestern corner of Qual had remained untouched by the Mori-mongers, most claimed it was simply because no one had settled there but Julian wondered if there was more to it, he was determined to find out regardless.
He’d just crossed a road, Julian thought it lead to Mersi but he couldn’t be sure, like too many roads in this day and age it only lead to ruins and broken lives now…
Julian let out a sigh, he wasn’t going to get any more sleep this night and from the looks of the sky morning wasn’t far off. He packed up his bedroll and called over Arauka, his mount.
He took good care of his mount giving her a good clean with his brush to remove any grains of sand that had found it’s way onto her coat, Arauka was his only companion so he made sure she was always well fed and healthy, he wasn’t sure what he’d do without her.
He re-saddled her and attached his bedroll, satisfied that it was secure but not so tight as to cause Arauka discomfort he sat on a small rock and went about the task of strapping on his armor, it had taken him a while to get used to the weight of the full plate armor but found it was well worth the effort, it had saved his skin more times than he cared to count.
It was still as shiny as they day he’d gotten it for he cared for it as well as he cared for Arauka. His sword, his armor and his mount were all things his life depended on and in return he made sure they were reliable enough to set an hourglass by.
His armor was painted white and had golden trimmings it shone like the armor of a noble paladin, something Julian was proud of. The helmet completely covered his head leaving him a small visor from which to see, it was smooth and clung around his head firmly yet comfortably. There weren’t any fancy feathers or other showy extra’s but it did its job and that was good enough for Julian.
The chest plate was immaculately crafted with a golden imprint of the symbol of cause and effect on his left breast, a simple circular design of two swirling colours, one gold the other white with a spot of each within the other Julian found comfort within the symbol he wasn’t sure why but it seemed right.
Around his waste, just under the belly of his chestplate hung his family crest on a white tunic with yellow stitching, his first thoughts upon seeing it was that it might tangle in his leggings as he fought, he wasn’t sure what it was made up but was delighted to find it smoothly ran across his metal leggings and didn’t get caught in the various folds or layers.
From his waist also hung his scabbard which had a sort of simplistic beauty about it but still paled in comparison to his sword… ‘Lina’ as he called it, for the engraving along its blade spelt the words ‘lina hyanda’, was a work of absolute genius not only was it of high quality crafting but had somehow been imbued with shallow groves down it’s side that allowed it to cut through the air, among other things, as easily as a fish cut through water. It also split through the air with a ring that was of perfect pitch and as beautiful as any young maidens voice, Julian had come to find the sound reassuring in it’s flawless tone.
Once he tightened the last strap he quickly drew Lina from her scabbard causing her to call out as if some fair princess had been released from her prison atop a secluded tower. He closed his eyes and listened to her song until it eventually faded into the crisp morning air. He was about to re-sheathe her when his ears picked up a chilling sound.

Klunck-Klunck-Klunck.

It was quick, he only heard three hits, and they were close, they must have discovered an unsuspecting traveler. Julian let his reflexes take over and leapt to his feet he quickly sprinted towards the sound snatching Arauka’s reigns as he went, startled but quick to respond Arauka galloped along side him before Julian swung himself up onto her saddle.
Upon reaching the crest of a small hill Julian was greeted with the sight of no less than five Mori-mongers advancing on a lone traveler, five Mori-mongers were dangerous for one person, even Julian wouldn’t want to handle five by himself- regardless he didn’t hesitate.
Letting out a loud war cry to distract the small group of Mori-Mongers he charged down the hill and swung low at the closest Mori-monger, his sword sang as it cut through the air and took off the top half of the Mori-mongers head just as it was turning towards him.
In a flash Julian leapt from Arauka and engaged a second Mori-Monger, he deflected a blow from it’s quarterstaff and in a smooth motion lobbed it’s hand off before cutting it across it’s chest and letting it fall.
He stomped on the end of its quarterstaff, which helpfully had landed in the Mori-mongers glove and flipped up into the air. Julian caught it in his left hand and threw it like a spear into the open gap in a third Mori-mongers helmet, the quarterstaff’s small blade poked out the back of the helmet as the Mori-monger fell to it’s knees and ‘fell apart’ as Mori-mongers inexplicably did.
He turned to engage the last two but stopped, mesmerized by the stranger he’d aided. It was still dark so Julian couldn’t make out too much but he was sure she was female. Her thin, lithe form moved with a grace he’d never seen before. She was donned in strange clothing made from the fur of some kind of animal and wielded two short swords with deadly accuracy.
Julian always considered his sword’s movements a song, an analogy that was reinforced by it’s ‘ring’ as it cut the air, but her blades… her blades danced, sweeping through the air in a graceful albeit deadly arc.
One of the Mori-mongers swung downwards at her left shoulder she just arched her back and leaned away from the blow while at the same time bringing one of her blades up diagonally across it’s chest, before it could react she joined the first blade with the second and arched them around gracefully to cut across his body a second time leaving two perfectly parallel cuts slanting in the opposite direction across his torso.
It fell to the ground on a crumpled heap as she continued her dance without faltering, she spun around and dropped low to meet the last Mori-monger with a deep slash across his midsection easily avoiding it’s wild swing at her head. The woman then followed through with her movements with an upwards strike splitting the Mori-monger up it’s center.
It too fell to the ground leaving the two combatants alone in a small collection of abandoned combat gear. The female started to walk towards Julian, she still had her blades in her hands but they dangled at her side. Julian was almost hypnotized by her walk, it was smooth and precise, each step deliberate right down to which leaves and grass she crushed beneath her feet. Julian got the feeling this woman could walk as silently as a shadow if she so felt inclined.
She hadn’t put away her weapons so Julian didn’t put away his however he did plant the tip of Lina’s blade into the soil to show he had no intention of using her unless he had to. As the woman got closer Julian noticed her ears and tale, he almost gasped in shock but quickly covered it to keep from offending her.
“You’re a Nephil?”