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The Match Makers(Mosos & obieblu)

Mosos

Mosos

Super-Earth
Joined
Feb 19, 2020
The land of Sivelas is at peace, after hundreds of years of devastating conflict the powers that be have set aside their differences and made a lasting effort to maintain a sense of order in the world. However with peace comes monotony, and with monotony comes bordem. In order to keep the most powerful individuals entertained the Match Makers guild provides these powerful being a way to recapture the thrill of battle without endangering the realm. Aspiring adventures gather from far and wide to earn riches and wild rewards from powers beyond their comprehension. One such adventure sits on a plain wooden chain in front of the guildmaster's large oaken desk. A tall elven man inspects him emerald eyes flashing as he looks over the newest recruit. "Well Mr. Holland I have three missions for a greenhorn such as yourself. The wizard Crelore seeks an adventurer to raid his tower in the heart lands. As I recall Crelore is an ooze maker, and a divination specialist. He has requested someone for a direct assault on his tower, note he will likely be watching you through scrying the whole time. The Ork warlord Gro'Kuz wants a male adventure to play the part of a knight in shining armor attempting to rescue an Elven princess. Gro'Kuz has paid an exorbitant amount of funds to have his horde recreated as an army of skeletons. You will not have to hold back against them, but the rules will still apply to you. They will not kill you. Lastly the Drow queen is looking for as she puts it handsome slave men to compete in an all male gladiator tournament for the amusement of the female population. You will have to be carful in this one, the queen expects you to fight without armor and draw blood, but you still cannot kill any flesh and blood combatants. Do any of these missions interest you? You may also ask me any questions you may have."


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Cade Hollan stood tall and proud in his meager squire armor. It was mostly leather with a bit of chain mail, not at all befitting the knight he hoped to be. But he'd jumped at this opportunity to advance his reputation and hopefully be granted a knighthood. The normal route of polishing his former master's armor and carrying his luggage from tournament to tournament was not helping him fast enough. He listened respectfully to the elf describe the challenges. The ooze just sounded messy. Fighting gladiators might be some good real combat experience, but it didn't sound like something that would grant him much fame. A princess, though... that couldn't be more perfect.

"Is the princess real?" he had to ask. Of course it was all fake, but most of the world didn't know. Slashing through an army of skeletons and rescuing a beautiful elven princess was exactly the sort of thing noble knights did. Few would know if she wasn't a real princess, but it wouldn't hurt if she was. This could even be a one-quest stepping stone to knighthood, if an elf king felt indebted for the safe return of his daughter. And, she had to be pretty. Elf princesses were always beautiful. Or so he'd come to think, and she'd likely be very grateful, herself. Cade grew excited at just the mention of this contract, and his dark blue eyes widened with enthusiasm. "Either way, I think that's the quest for me," the young muscular blond seemed to be bursting with confidence. An army of skeletons sounded slow, and they couldn't kill him, anyways. He could even practice his swordsmanship against them.
 
The raven haired guildmaster taps his chin with a single finger. "Yes she is the third daughter of old king Lhoris, however she is also a cleric in the Match Makers. So don't let your eyes get too big. I don't want to hear you wear trying to marry the princess, or trying to get money from her." He rises to his feet and hands you a map. "The town of Yandris is half a days ride east from here. The locals know nothing about the true nature of the Match Makers, and I expect you to maintain our cover." The guildmster looks over you sternly. "The locals have seen Gro'Kuz take the princess already, and will likely be terrified. So you shouldn't have too rough a time with the locals." Finally he smiles at you. "Now go, you have an Ork warlord to stop, and a princess to return untarnished! Go make us proud boy!" He points to the wooden door you came through, sunlight bursting through the seems as if to proclaim your greatness.
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Cade's expression faltered a little at the news, but he was still excited and this was a very fortunate contract for his career. "No, no, I wouldn't try to marry her.." he wasn't yet ready for that level of commitment. But tumble in his tent while he delivered her back to her father had crossed his mind. "Yes, of course. I understand the need for secrecy," revealing the nature of the Match Makers would ruin not only his own career, but probably make him many enemies from everyone else's reputations that he'd ruin. Cade nodded enthusiastically, "Yes, sir. I won't let you down." He was already planning to solicit the locals for help. Without having been paid yet, he could certainly use some better armor, a younger horse, and really anything else they could spare.

The young squire took the map from his guildmaster and then shook his hand, perhaps unnecessarily, but enthusiastically. Then, he turned and headed out of the guild's headquarters and towards his horse in the stable. After checking his straps and pack again, Cade consulted his map, then mounted his horse and headed off to claim his future.
 
The road to Yandris is a quiet dusty trail through a lush green forest. Not many people travel to Yandris anymore since the days of peace. A brisk breeze rustles through the green leaves of the forest as Cade finally enter the sleepy town of Yandris. Farmer trudge down well beaten paths to their fields, breaking their backs in the bright sun to grow wheat for the realm. While the town itself seems relatively poor compared to the mastitis of the guild, the building seem to be lovingly maintained and cleaned.

An older man wearing a sword spots Cade of his approach to the small wooden gate blocking the entrance to the town. "Halt what business do you have here?" The greying man holds up his hand to Cade, trying to look and sound authoritarian in spite of his growing age. He clothes are visibly patched with mismatched cloth, the sword at his hip show signs of rusting. The gate he guards little more than a sheppard's fence to keep in sheep. He looks agitated, as though worried for his life.
 
The young squire enjoyed the peaceful road and nature as he traveled. He got to see enough of the countryside with his former master, but he was never alone on the road until now. Cade had little fear about bandits or other dangers considering the job he was going to existed literally because there was so little danger about. As he approached the guard, his hopes of being rewarded with finery or better equipment faded. Though, still, flings with princesses and better armor weren't exactly the reason he was here.

"Ho, good sir," Cade raised his hand in greeting and brought his horse up close to the old man. "My heroic guild has sent me, Cade Hollan," without spreading his name, there was little point to this, "to vanquish the evil orc lord that troubles your land." He imagined that sounded impressive and noble.
 
The old guard goes wide eyed at Cade's pronouncement, blood draining rapidly from his face. "Orc warlord? I don't know anything about that." We hardens his gave, trying to glare at you. "There is no orc warlord here! Go away now!" Even as he tries to muster a sense of authority his voice is full of panic. "Yandris is a peaceful village of farmers, we don't need your kind bringing heartache back to our people."

From the shadows of the tree line nearly thirty feet behind Cade a group of three skeletons watch the interaction carefully. Forward scouts here to report on any adventurers coming to try to rescue the princess. They are huddled against separate trees, staying quiet.
 
This was not the greeting that Cade expected. He had armor, and a sword and shield, and a horse. He looked strong and heroic. "There's a princess that's been captured by a dastardly fiend?" The young squire started out confident but ended his sentence with a question. The rest of what the old man said just was strange. He seemed too eager to to get Cade to leave. "Are you sure everything is al-" he was giving the old guard a second chance, but he felt a gaze on his back.

Cade turned slowly, not wanting to give the old man a chance to attack, if he were so inclined, and spotted the skeletons behind him. It was one thing to be told about animated skeletons, it was another thing to see them actually active. But Cade steeled himself. They couldn't hurt him too badly, and this was exactly what he wanted a chance to do. He turned his horse quickly around and drew his sword. "Prepare to return to the ground from whence you came!" It was pretty heavy-handed, but he had an audience and he needed his name and heroism to be spread around. After a moment to let the old guard just take in his magnificent pose, Cade urged his horse forward towards the skeletons.
 
The skeletons notice Cade looking at them and prepare for battle. The third skeleton draws a cracked short bow at looses an arrow at Cade. The arrow goes whizzing by Cade's head just barely avoiding his face. The second skeleton draws its own bow and fires at the mounted warrior. The arrow lands at the hooves of Cade's horse, not even close to harming him. The first skeleton draws a rust short sword and charges Cade. The charging undead remembers its time as a furious orc, bringing the blade down on Cade with the hatred of his ancestors! The blade finds its mark slashing a deep gash in Cade's chest.
 
Cade was off to a horrible start. He growled through his teeth loudly in pain as the skeleton's sword dug into his chest. It was a noticeable wound, and he suddenly lost his trust that the skeletons wouldn't kill him. They could at least seriously hurt him, and that would jeopardize the career he was hoping to make by doing this. Cade had never fought against someone really trying to hurt him.

More out of reaction, than any plan, Cade swung his sword hard back at the skeleton at his side, then quickly slashed forward along the same line.
 
The first skeleton falls backward to the ground, smashing into a pile of bones as Cade removes its head. The third skeleton drops its bow and changes to a sword wordlessly charging at Cade. Its sword hits Cade in the shoulder not even scratching Cade's armor. The second skeleton follows its remaining partners move exactly hitting Cade's shield with its sword harmlessly bouncing off the metal protector. The creatures stare at Cade with hollow eyes as they fight together.
 
While his chest still burned from the injury, Cade was emboldened by felling the foe that so easily struck him. He kept up his shield on one side, focusing on one attacker at a time. He slashed at the skeleton on his sword side, and swung back again as he did with the first, but it had already fallen and his sword slashed through the air. Before turning to the third skeleton that struck his shield, Cade's dark blue eyes glanced at the old guard to make sure he wasn't preparing to be a fourth adversary.
 
The third skeleton crumbles to dust as Cade fells it in a single swipe. As Cade looks upon the old man he is on the ground cowering, fear having overwhelmed his good sense. The last Skeleton swings its blade at Cade's body, hitting his wound with the tip of its blade.
 
Cade took the slight blow with another grunt, then turned, still on horseback and awkwardly tried to slash at the last renaming skeleton. It didn't work. The angle was too bad. The squire tugged on his horse's reins, bringing it around in a sharp circle so he could attack again on his dominant side.
 
The final skeleton takes a swipe at Cade's face, but the rising squire effortlessly blocks it with his shield.
 
Cade yelled, both in frustration at missing the skeleton the first time, and in defiance of it's blow that resounded off his shield. Once turned around, he took two strikes downward at the skeleton, wanting this confrontation over with. His confidence was waning as the pain in his chest rose.
 
Bones shatter in skeleton's shoulder as Cade's sword rips through the monster's chest. Injured but still fighting the skeleton makes a feeble attempt at cutting in to Cade's wound. The swing hits nothing but air as the damaged skeleton does its best to stay on its feet.
 
Finally, victory was in sight as the heavily damaged skeleton couldn't even mount a proper attack. With another loud grunt of effort and frustration, Cade brought his sword down on his attacker, aiming for the large crack he'd already made through the skeleton's shoulder.
 
Cade's blade sunders the skeleton in twain, bones crumbling from the force. At last the skeletons are defeated. The old guard still cowering in fear, Cade hears him muttering. "Please no more orcs please gods above, watch over our little village."
 
Cade was huffing in exertion, adrenaline, and pain, and he finally moved his eyes from the last pile of bones to the old man cowering and whimpering. He walked his horse slowly towards the man, looking down at him with dour expression. Blood stained the front of his chainmail shirt, and he kept his sword in hand. "Thanks for the warning.." his tone sounded like he might feel like acting on his bitterness. "Now, tell me what's going on, and why you'd rather me die than accept help."
 
"No one can stop the orcs, they couldn't when I was a child, and you cannot now!" He grips his own body knuckles going white. "You have brought this madness back to our village. Please just leave us alone." He appears to be in tears, as he looks up for you. "You should just let the orc have his way with the girl."
 
Cade listened and realized that he'd been expecting the locals to welcome him with open arms, but there was another expected response. Blame the newcomer for the problem. He'd seen this mentality in the town where he'd grown up. The squire almost started to explain that the orcs literally had been stopped in the past, and that's why they were skeletons now. They'd simply returned. But his endeavor was not to battle ignorance. It was to earn himself a name.

Cade's tone and expression softened. "Good sir. I was sent by the Match Makers Heroing Guild to rid you of this problem. And, I certainly cannot let the orc have his way with the damsel." Cade wanted to get a look at her, himself. He gestured to his chest, which had begun to throb with pain. "Is there somewhere in town I can rest, and maybe get some help before I vanquish the orc lord?"
 
The old man opens the gate, motioning Cade through. "Come on I'll take you to the mayor, she will know what to do." He leads you down a dirt road to the center of the village. Shabby farmers lead oxen by reigns through the streets. As you walk through the streets a pair of children a boy no more than six and a girl no more than five walk up to you, smiling brightly. "Are you a real adventurer, mister?"
 
As to not have to hold his horse back the entire time while walking along with the old man, Cade dismounted with a wince and clutched at his wounded chest. He feared he hadn't made a good first impression, but it had been 3-on-1. The mayor sounded better than a crying old guard, or at least he hoped. "Yes, that sounds like a good place to start. Tell me, when did the orcs arrive? Where did they find the princess?" he asked as they walked.

Although he was in pain, Cade smiled down at the two children. "Yes, I am. And, I'm here to protect you from the monsters outside." Though, he looked a little worn with the blood down his front.
 
The two children run off giggling. "Wow a real adventurer, mommy will be so excited. No one has ever come to help us before."

The guard looks up at Cade a sour look plastered on his visage."You shouldn't give them false hope like that, it will only set them up for disappointment." He looks down at the ground as he leads you to the mayor's residence. "The orcs arrived two weeks ago, setting up camp a few miles from the main road. They took the princess three days ago from her carriage as it was traveling along the road." The pair arrive at a home in the center of town, well maintained in contrast to the other building around it. The guard knocks on the front door. "Ma'am there is a man here to see you. After a few seconds a weathered human woman opens the door, looking over Cade. The elderly woman speaks in a soft voice filled with wisdom. "Quickly, tell me what happened."
 
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