Author Topic: The Prey that Hunts - A'Kaz Verth  (Read 466 times)

Raposa

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The Prey that Hunts - A'Kaz Verth
« on: November 30, 2022, 10:17:50 AM »



















Little is known about the rangers and nature-driven patrolmen of The Greenfields. Bluntly, even, little is known about The Greenfields themselves - however, one thing remains clear: bypassers who choose to disrupt or otherwise disturb the keen natural harmony of its plains and forests would be met with fierce, unwavering opposition. Man and elf alike, though righteous to suspect one another, rise to defend the purity of these lands and their infamy precedes them subtly, if not even unheard of.

During a particularly fateful and rainy night, an otherwise unheard of attack of gargantuan proportions took place in the region. An undead attack, led by more sentient leaders who to this day still remain unknown to the local populace. Their hordes were immense and fearsomely unstoppable, cruelly not sparing women and children in their march. The advances continued for days, some claim even weeks, and many small unknown villages and cottage-folk fell victim to their dark scarring.
One of these villages was the hometown of A’Kaz Verth, a simple boy who never even had a chance to breathe life into his own childhood or mature enough to pick a side on the affairs of war on his own accord. No, he wasn’t even granted the chance to survive - for nearly all those around him were brutalized before his very eyes. He ran. He ran into the only place that seemed a tad more forgiving than the bloodbathed battlefield that was otherwise his lair of respite - the forests.

He sat huddled up in the hollow space of a fallen tree log and silently cried, tears blinding him more than the piercing light of the moon. The noises were not far. It was a matter of minutes before another restless warrior from the fugue would find the defenseless boy’s hideout and expedite his journey to his creator. A’Kaz prayed to every deity he had knowledge of, despite not being particularly holy in his upbringing. Any child would in this situation.

A lanky, tall shadowy figure appeared in the darkness. Its hand extended forward. It was bipedal, yet not made of rotten flesh or putrid hatred. It was an elf, lightly copper skinned. Shortbow and blade on his back. He grunted and took the boy to safer groves not far, without a word.

A ranger of The Greenfields.

He took pity to the doom-fated human boy and, despite the elven disdain for those with short lives and eagerness, decided to raise and train the boy not only to now thrive in the woods who offered him a sliver of safety, but also protect it. Martial training of the finest elven warbandship was passed onto him. The languages of fey, the language of nature itself, were crammed into the boy’s mental coffers of knowledge.

An avenger was born that night. With righteous fury in his wounded soul to bring forth terror to those who terrorize others.

Around his neck lies an amulet with a grim-looking bone finger, the claw of a werewolf and the tooth of a Slaadi. Depicting his hatred for each group these objects represent. His favored enemies.


During a particular exploration of inexplicable large tracks left by an unknown perpetrator of nature disruption, A’Kaz lonesomely investigated the clues which promptly led him to a damp, darkened cave. A weird sight on its own, for he presumed to know every crevice and grove in his jurisdiction after two decades of rangership.
After entering such, darkness engulfed him but a minute afterwards - the exit was nowhere to be seen, unnaturally so. In a moment of despair the Ranger rushed around thumping loudly, bow gripped readily, but no ambush or foe was in his field of view.
Strong feelings of anguish and rage filled the warrior’s soul. Unwarranted, even. It was almost as if the emotions were forced upon his calm visage for a more sinister purpose. The dark caves blessed him with a faint, misty light - and just that, mist. He braved the mists for what felt like an hour, barely seeing a feet ahead of his eyes.

That is when the mists dissipated and he found himself at a strange camp. A very small settlement of Vistani with drums filling the dark woods.

A new trial, perhaps a permanent one, enters the Ranger’s stage - now in the Core.



A bypasser's examination of A'Kaz:
(A.K.A in-game description)
Spoiler: show
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A sharp-eyed human in his late twenties stands in your immediate field of view. Overall it would be easy to notice that he is an outlander.

This human boasts the physique commonly seen on frontline combatants, yet somehow effuses a rather sagely countenance as well. An adaptable warrior with keen senses.

His grooming leans more on the unkempt side and his scent would be bland and unremarkable, seemingly masked on purpose. Perceptive eyes would be correct to assume this man is a skilled tracker and hunter, in sync with the ways of nature.

He appears to travel lightly in terms of armor, donning mostly hardened leather accompanied by a poorly polished metal breastplate. Versatile, his waist showcases a dangling arrow quiver and his rear scabbard hosts a large melee weapon.

A necklace sporting both a finger bone, werewolf claw and what appears to be a slaadi’s fang wrap around his neck.

« Last Edit: November 30, 2022, 10:20:21 AM by Raposa »
A'Kaz Verth (Closured)
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Raposa

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Re: The Prey that Hunts - A'Kaz Verth
« Reply #1 on: November 30, 2022, 10:30:34 AM »
A'Kaz Verth (Closured)
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Raposa

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Re: The Prey that Hunts - A'Kaz Verth
« Reply #2 on: November 30, 2022, 10:36:53 AM »
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Upon a fateful exploration and investigation of nearby wood hovels, a hulking monstrosity of rotten flesh appears to ambush the unsuspecting nature protectors and their guide. They hide behind a wooden palisade, blending with the leaves.

A'Kaz Verth (Closured)
Vaz Lyraal (Closured)
??? (Active)

Raposa

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Re: The Prey that Hunts - A'Kaz Verth
« Reply #3 on: December 01, 2022, 12:21:41 AM »
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Happening upon unlikely allies, the ranger seeks even more answers about the mysteries brought by the mists at a certain part of the southern forests of Vallaki.

There he finds not what he previously sought, yet is met with very same aggression.

A'Kaz Verth (Closured)
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Raposa

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Re: The Prey that Hunts - A'Kaz Verth
« Reply #4 on: December 01, 2022, 12:51:58 AM »
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Growing closer to likeminded locals, investigations and reports are divided with those willing to oppose the terrors of the night and maintain the balance.

A'Kaz Verth (Closured)
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Raposa

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Re: The Prey that Hunts - A'Kaz Verth
« Reply #5 on: December 06, 2022, 01:31:11 AM »
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Through many tribulations, the ranger pushes forward. Thinking he could brave the mists and prowl on every threat, he foolishly drives his courage into the pools of insidious overconfidence.

Through trial and blood, his skills are put to the test. The darkness of the Core is indifferent to his valorous world views, and teaches the eager warrior humility through humilliation.

He does not relent, however, and in the face of the abyss his despair turns into a flurry of primal hatred. The unnatural forces of this world cannot dissuade him from his vengeance. He hunts down those who would otherwise hunt others, in a knowingly never ending blood exchange to win the favor of the peers he swears to protect and maintain his perception of "balance".

« Last Edit: December 06, 2022, 01:33:35 AM by Raposa »
A'Kaz Verth (Closured)
Vaz Lyraal (Closured)
??? (Active)

Raposa

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Re: The Prey that Hunts - A'Kaz Verth
« Reply #6 on: December 06, 2022, 03:53:12 PM »
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Once plagued by the intense thirst for the blood of his would be hunters, now his mind seems more at ease with his inevitabilities. There is more to this world, the Core can be whimsical but perhaps also favorable.

He takes a break from his many outskirt misadventures and risky-work for a more ludic light, albeit temporary. He travels afar and wide throughout the realms, perhaps in a fit of scenery appreciation or something more.

In his aimless trekking, however, further otherwise unseen opportunities present themselves. Decisions must be made.

A'Kaz Verth (Closured)
Vaz Lyraal (Closured)
??? (Active)

Raposa

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Re: The Prey that Hunts - A'Kaz Verth
« Reply #7 on: December 07, 2022, 12:11:26 AM »
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Even the sharpest of blades sometimes falters in their strike.

Blinded by vendetta, perhaps the ranger is not that unlike the hunters who plot his demise...

His heart's valor wanes, even if a little. His neutrality put to trial. Is morality worthy if it gets in the way of vengeance?

« Last Edit: December 07, 2022, 03:29:37 AM by Raposa »
A'Kaz Verth (Closured)
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??? (Active)

Raposa

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Re: The Prey that Hunts - A'Kaz Verth
« Reply #8 on: December 10, 2022, 04:48:15 PM »
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Learning the local languages and cultures is not unlike learning their vulnerabilities.

Knowledge proves an even sharper blade when used appropriately, much like a cloaked dagger in the darkness.

A'Kaz Verth (Closured)
Vaz Lyraal (Closured)
??? (Active)

Raposa

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Re: The Prey that Hunts - A'Kaz Verth
« Reply #9 on: December 10, 2022, 04:49:34 PM »
Quote
Business.

Greed.

Information.

A'Kaz Verth (Closured)
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