May 05 2011

Hello Internet.

Today is May 5th 2011 and not a lot has happened. I got my hands on Mount and Blade: Warband and I've spent the last two nights playing away. It's a lot of fun, I must say. Combat System takes getting used to and it isn't the prettiest game, but I can lose so much time in it.

Sadly, I lost my entire Army just there. :(

I just put up two Shorts for you all tonight - Death Before Dishonour (Which I credit as my best Descriptive Piece) and Fate of Flame (Which I credit as my best Combat Piece). I'd love to see you all give it a read and leave me your thoughts. I'd also like to discuss a concept I currently have:

The Piece takes place in the DnD (Dungeons and Dragons, for those who don't know) Universe I, Nich, Emily and Ossai RP's in and it will follow our four characters: Kriv the Dragonborn Paladin of Kord, Eddard the Human Classless Whelp, Wade the Human Warlock and Durgrim the Dwarf Warrior.

Now, the plan is as thus: The four are resting at a handmade camp-site for the night. They're sitting around the fire and, to kill time, they discuss stories - looking to tell one they hadn't heard. Now, as a note: Kriv is extremely uneducated for races beyond Dragonborn, so he knows none of the stories they bring up. However, they know nothing of his race. So he offers to tell them the story of the Bladequeen: Akra Iyotar.

The story's pretty simple. She grew up in Kriv's clan, long before he was born, and she hated not being able to fight. So, she left. She attracted people to fight alongside her and, soon, she had a Company of Men, Elves, Dwarves and all races fighting under the banner of her Silver Blade.

Now, Kriv tells of how she never failed a Contract but was no Bandit. She fought with Honour. It's clear Kriv admires her, even though she doesn't follow Kord.

So, he then tells of one specific contract. She and her Company had to assist her Employer's army to seize a Keep. Her specific task was to kill the Lord in charge, to help rout the Army.

So, they stormed the Gates and ran on. They reached the Castle and her Company raced ahead. They fought their way in and, Akra ended up ahead. Her Company was behind her. She moved as the sound of battle crashed in her ears.

She found her way to a large pair of doors. She knew her Mark was in here. However, a runner appeared. The Company was being butchered as Reinforcements arrived.

Now, she had the choice - Kill the Man and leave her Company, her Kin, to die? Or leave her Mark and save her Company?

They ask what she did. Kriv answers he does not know, but he wants to find out.

That's, pretty much, the plot. There's a lot of holes to fill. I'll burn those bridges when I get there.

My main question is how to begin. I see two main possibilities.

I could, on one hand, start simply 'Kriv [yadda yadda description]'. While easiest to do, it doesn't flow well.

The other choice is the more complex 'Of Mice And Men' approached I picture. Essentially, I describe the 'Camp Site' and then have Kriv appear. I describe him as he looks around and then I add in the others, describing them.

I'm tempted to go for the Of Mice and Men approach, but I'm unsure.

Anyway, I've rambled.

Take it easy,
Dan