OOC: I think I'll join with Ecco (at least to start with). She needs some more rp experience. Hope you don't mind.

IC: Ecco was perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean, legs tucked beneath her and bicolored head erect as she examined the churning waters. Her stark black and white scales gleamed in the late sunlight, and her deep indigo eyes were pensive. She was wondering whether or not to try and make her way deeper into Alagaesia. Sure, she had come south, into the main islands and down the coast to other parts of the ocean near Alagaesia, but did that really count? She wanted to help more in the fight against Galbatorix, the one who had killed her parents. All four of her parents.

These questions could be dealt with later, however. She caught sight of a ship approaching the island from the southeast (her perch was on the southwestern side, but was high enough to see this), and she made out a tiny figure detaching itself from the ship and entering the ocean. At about this time, she also caught the faint scent of dragon somewhere to the east. Ecco grinned and stood up, making sure to stay hidden behind the pine trees. Something exciting was coming to her, it seemed. Her body suddenly transformed into light, which dissolved into thousands of tiny glowing particles. When the particles reformed, a slim, dangerous-looking elf lady was standing where the dragon had once been. Patting her twin daggers to make sure they were in place, Ecco strode down through the stand of pines and began making her way to where the figure had appeared to be swimming.

OCC: Mind if I join? I need to use my new character.

IC:
Lethisa trudged along the coastline of the bleak island looking for trouble. She had just recently arrived in the land called Alagaesia and was eager to set up shop. Her ship, the Ode to Chaos, was hidden in a cove on the far side of the island. At Lethira's hip was her black serrated sword, Nefarious, and over her left shoulder she carried her wakizashi, Isen. Her spear launcher and several spears were being carried on her back.

"Baah! These flowers make me want to vomit!" the shade spat venomously as she made her way through a grassy field by the sea. She stomped on the brightly colored flowers and even set a few on fire as she walked along. Then she heard voices up ahead.

"Ahh, what have we here?" she muttered sinisterly as she spotted the travelers. She could see a man, a female elf, and...

"Dragon..." she hissed. Oh how she hated the worthless beasts.

Lethira remained out of sight behind a boulder until the dragon landed and then muttered, "This should ruin their day."

She removed a grenade from a pocket in her robe. Holding the cold, iron ball in her right hand, she magically lit the fuse and then threw it with all her might at the man and elf.

The iron ball bounced along the ground creating a metallic pinging sound and it came to rest right between the two travelers and the dragon. Unfortunately, the fuse burned out before it touched off the explosives, leaving just a fine wisp of grey smoke rising from the blackened tip...

Ecco raised one eyebrow as Eris muttered something out loud, something that he had obviously been thinking about. She frowned at his voice, which held some coldness towards her, and wondered why he felt so unfriendly. She watched as the teal dragon landed, and was immediately confused. She had no idea who was being talked about, or what events were being referred to, but she did get a small idea of things that had happened. This man, Eris, was an ex-dragon rider. His dragon had died saving someone else, and now his mind had suffered as a result. Apparently the teal dragon's master had had something to do with it, maybe even caused it. Ecco was dying to know who and what they were talking about, but at that moment a small metal sphere was flung at them. Ecco reacted instantly, jumping backwards and stretching out a hand. The ball was encased in ice before it reached them, but it didn't matter. The fuse had gone out. Ecco knew what fuses were. She looked back in the directon the sphere had come from, glaring at its owner, a shade. "That wasn't exactly the nicest way to greet people, you know. Why don't you come out and we can talk about it," she spoke challengingly, though there was some humor in her voice. She watched as the teal dragon walked towards the shade.

OOC: Oh my. An alliance between Lethira and Crimson? That would be insane.

OCC: I know!

Lethira cursed under her breath as the fuse burned out.

"I really hate it when that happens." she mused as she stepped forward.

Then the dragon spoke to her. Was he too stupid to realize he was being attacked? Oh well.

"Why yes, I would be interested in meeting your master. I have heard of Crimson. However, you will not be coming with me because you'll be DEAD!"

Lethira drew Nefarious from it's scabbard and brandished the sword menacingly.

She turned to Eris and spat, "Aww, did your dragon friend die? I suppose that is one less dragon I have to worry about now. I have no use whatsoever for filthy, vile dragons!"

The elf, or whatever it was, then addressed Lethira in a sarcastic manner.

"Well my dear, the first thing you should know about me is that I am not a very nice person! Brisingr!"

Lethira directed the fire spell at the frozen grenade, or more specifically, the explosive powder inside the grenade. The bomb exploded with a thunderous bang, vaporizing the ice and sending a storm of shrapnel and debris flying everywhere.

OOC: Would not be good for the dragons. (But it would be so much fun to rp! Do it! )

IC: Ecco raised her hand in front of her, prepared to raise a shield of ice when the shade sent fire towards the explosive device. However, a strange magic from the teal dragon seemed to act on the explosion, and the shrapnel and flames were somehow directed away from the group. Ecco frowned, uncertain of this dragon. He must have had some sort of special powers, like the dragons she had met while destroying the dark water to the south. One had been a water dragon, extremely rare. But the other had held light magic abilities like nothing Ecco had seen in a dragon before. It really made her wonder why so many dragons with odd magical powers were being born lately.

Her curiosity could wait, though. She raced around the edges of the trees, skirting the teal dragon and Eris. She wanted this shade's blood on her daggers, for the insult to dragons still rang through her mind and seared her vision. Ecco darted behind her enemy, knowing that speed and agility would be greatly needed in a fight with a shade. She had never fought one before, but had heard about them. She stopped before she reached the shade and began a slow chant under her breath. The chant used a rare dialect of the Ancient Language, one only the shamanistic elves of the northern islands used, the ones she was descended and had learned from. When she finished the chant, Ecco felt a great drain on her strength. However, the earth was now under her control. She motioned with her hands, and a fissure opened up in the ground beneath the shade. Ecco guessed she would avoid it, but it would be a distraction for Eris and the teal dragon with the strange powers.

OOC: I'd just like to know if I could join. This one seems pretty new and I think it would help me get back to RPing.

Eris nodded when Ecco talked of the laughter not being friendly, both hers and Dsurion's comments did cheer him up slightly, "Good, I'm not totally crazy yet." he said, it was meant not to be said out loud, but he didn't care. Up ahead was the tower, as he looked, he thought he could see something snake its way through the trees, strangely it made him shiver. Whatever they were, they weren't human... or any other race that lived in Alagaesia or the surrounding islands that he knew of. The tower was huge, hundreds of feet high and so wide it seemed as if it would take hours to walk around. He glanced around it, he saw no doors or windows. He walked towards it and placed his hand on it, using magic he could tell it was solid steel, but there was something odd with it. He could sense something inside, but the magic told him it was pure steel. "Dsurion, fly to the top and see if there's an entrance."
You don't command me. Dsurion snarled.
Eris shrugged and said, "Fine, let's go back then." he made to turn around but a strange voice came ringing through the trees.
"What is asked will be given and given shall be. Once you get it you shall be rewarded, but the price will be paid."
Eris stared in confusion, "Who said that!" he demanded.
The same voice repeated again, "What is asked will be given and given shall be. Once you get it you shall be rewarded, but the price will be paid." the voice paused than finally added, "They who come to our tower shall find what they seek but what they seek may come to be what they most fear. Beware of what you want for the price shall be met in blood if must be."
Eris stared in confusion, and drew out his sword to challenge who ever come, but then a strange sound come and he whipped around. A large hole was opining in the tower.

Dsurion was surprised at what Ecco asked, he remained quiet at first and replied, "I... I don't know... they don't seem like good people but..." he sighed and said quietly, Ecco... am I really doing the right thing? He glanced around to try and avoid anyone's eyes, but then he heard what the voices said and saw the entrance opining, What the heck... what is this? He glanced at the tower, he had a feeling they should not enter, he wasn't sure why, but the feeling kept on coming.

"I see, that is fine then, just bring him to me." When she mentioned a dragon named Violeta he snarled, "I have met her once before, on an island called Vroengard. She aided my enemy Equinox in freeing an elf named Saphi I captured. She is a lighting dragon too? It seems we both have lighting dragons that cause us trouble. I will hunt her for you or find her." he said, she too was one of his enemies now. He wanted that dragon dead, even if it was Lethira who killed her, he just wanted her dead.

OCC: I'm gonna pass for now. I'll post next time around.

OOC: Sorry for being offline, but the sickness overtook me.
IC:
"Separated?" grumbled Radwerth in reply to the others' questions, "Who said anything about being separated." The old wizard's confusion was short lived however, because suddenly what was going on dawned on him. "Oh!" he shouted abruptly, "Our dear old friend Mr. Snake wants us to be separated then?! Well I say no! He can go and boil his bottom for all I care." Radwerth paused for breath only to resume his rant a moment later.
"It's obviously a trap of some sort! This slimy ne'er-do-well and his friends, who are obviously behind the rather large and mysterious door in front of us, will pick us off one by one and maybe even consume our flesh when they're through!" he bellowed. Radwerth was panting heavily, veins popping, and a look of horror and dread plastered on his face. In the blink of an eye his expression changed, and he was smiling brightly at his sort-of-companions. "Or he's just a kindly wanderer like me who means us no harm and will serve us a nice pot of tea!" he said pleasantly. "We can only find out by trying!"

OCC: Pass for now.

The being led Ecco deep into the tower. Turning around he motioned forh er to sit down on a large metal chair. In front of the chair was a massive metal podium which stretched for several years. Four other snake people sat behind it. Giving a deep bow to them, the first one stood in a corner away from them and eventually vanished from sight. The other four snake people stared at her for a moment. A strange bell told in the distance with a bang. Pure black the room was, only the dark lamps shined a strange eerie light around the room. With a strange hissing like voice one of the being's said, "Ecoo of Alagaesia, you are the first in years to be chosen to seek what you wish. Ask what you wish for and you will be given. Three times you are to ask and name the price. Beware the price will be paid rather you will it or not, we shall have our price." The bell tolled again and he said, "Your time starts now.

Glancing back at the others, Eris shivered strangly. Muttering to himself he glanced at the entrance way. His mouth dropped into a surprised gasp as the entrance to the room Ecco went in vanished. Pulling out his sword he whipped around expecting an attack, but only saw Radwerth and Dsurion staring at him. Snarling to himself he fell to the ground. He begun to scream, his mind began to ache badly, why he was unsure, but he felt pain blast through him. Old memories twisted through his mind, but to him they seemed all to real, "Ravinia! I'm coming! No... don't hurt her!" Snarling, he jumped to the ground, tears streaming down his face until he collapsed and begun to flail about. Mumbling to himself he said "Ravinia... I'm sorry I couldn't help you..."

Dsurion stared down at Eris in surprise, glancing at him worry formed in his face but he quickly shoved it away. Eris was his enemy, he shouldn't care what happened to him. Still, he glanced down at the ex rider with sympathy. Reaching out his mind he tried to calm Eris down but was shot back to his own. Eris' mind seemed to be boiling over with fear, hate, loss, worry, sorrow, and despair. Dsurion grumbled to himself, it made him wonder just what was going on with his enemy.

OCC: Pass again. There is not much for my character to do at the moment.

The beings glanced at Ecco as the bell sounded again, "All you want will be given but the price must be paid. Once given you shall name your price. We shall have our price at the end." one said with a low grin. They stared back at her, waiting for her to ask for what she wanted. Several them glanced at each other as the bell continued on. "Hurry now shape-shifter or the price shall be given without what you wish."

Dsurion shook his head when Radwerth spoke, I do not, I no part of the reason though. During a battle his dragon attacked the mind of my master's dragon to break the bond so he could be free. She killed herself doing it and it seemed to damage Eris' mind. Dsurion glanced at Eris, he knew he shouldn't feel sorrow for him, he was his enemy, but he couldn't help doing so. The human seemed so lost, so damaged from the battle. Thinking this over Dsurion froze and glanced behind him, Something's coming. he said, glancing behind him Be on guard. he told both the wizard and Eris.

Finally recovering, Eris glanced around at the other two. He heard what Dsurion said but ignored him. He had sensed it too, but thought it was just his mind acting up again. Sighing he watched the wall impatiently, "When will those snake folk finally come out and get the next of us!" he snarled mostly to himself.

Ecco blinked in confusion, still not sure what the snake-people meant about the price exactly. But the clock was ticking. She had put the cards in play, and since it looked like she would be paying the price either way, she wanted to get something out of it. In truth, there was only one thing she really wanted. One thing she had always wanted but had been unable to find for herself. I want to know where my four siblings are and what their present conditions are, she finally blurted out, very agitated at having given so much away but knowing that she could ask for nothing less. She had wanted to know that since the day they had been stolen by Galbatorix's men.

OOC: Just pm me for the actual answer to this question if you need it lol.

Radwerth was about to reply to Dsurion when he too felt the presence of someone other than them.
"Most likely the shade," muttered the old wizard to no one in particular. Knowing that a battle was soon coming, Radwerth prepared himself mentally and physically for what was to come.

OOC: Short. Sorry.

OCC: Pass again. Not much for my character to do at the moment.

At once as Ecco spoke a massive bell ran from an unknown location, the sound rippled through the air, one of the beings said in a loud voice, "Your siblings are still in possession of Galbatorix. Two of which have hatched one of age of 32 and has almost complete training. The other one that hatched is 13, both are still imprisoned." he said, staring off into space. Glancing back at Ecco he said, "Give what you want next, or name your price if it is all."

Eris paced around, something was odd about this place, but what he couldn't put his finger on. He glanced back, maybe he'd try and find another entrance way. Now, that wouldn't work. Sighing he glanced at those around him, "Radwerth, what's it like being so old?" he asked, trying to get some conversation going across.

OCC: Pass for now, but I've got something planned for later.

"The price!" the snake beings shouted, some getting annoyed. "Name the price! Give us the price or it shall be paid with blood!" they snarled and begun to circle around her. "We need the price." they said, some of them circled her with hunger on their faces. Some went close towards her and tried to shove her as she wouldn't give the price. Others brought out chains, "The price! Name the price! We gave you what you wanted, now you give us our price! What do we get! The price!" they shouted angrily.

Eris couldn't help but laugh at the wizard. At least he was amusing to be around. "I hope I get to live so long. Though, I don't know if I want to. My mind's destroyed, there's no reason for me to live when I'll go mad." he gave a mad like bark of laughter. Though at the same time he felt pain go through his head and he images flash before his eyes, but he ignored them.

Dsurion gave a growl of annoyance at Eris. Then he looked back at the door wall. Something didn't seem right. He growled lowly.

OCC: Pass again. I'm still interested in the RP. There just isn't much for my character to do at the moment. I'll let the others go ahead and finish what they're doing right now before I post again.

OOC: Ok, just let us know when you're coming back in cause I don't want to get to ahead of you

IC: Seemingly all rushed and hurried, the snake people managed to lift Ecco up by her legs, tail, and wings. A large hole opened in a distant wall that they begun to carry her towards. When she started getting all frightened like they were and she named off several possible items they dropped her when she mentioned dragon scale. Several hissed, but not angrily, theirs was excitement. "Dragon scale? No...." one said with a grin walking towards her placing her hand her side with a wide grin, "If you don't have anything to offer than we shall take your first dragon egg as our ownn" ice magic begun to flow through his hand but before he released it he said, "If you can't give us anything more sufficient we shall have your first dragon egg, and it shall be part of us." The others all nodded excitedly with hisses. Than at once in a mysterious manner they echoed, "The price must be paid."

Eris glanced back as Radwerth begun to speak to himself and wander around. Eris shook his head and mumbled to himself, "And he thought I was crazy." With a sigh he glanced towards the wall hoping Ecco and the snake people would be done soon. He had several things to offer and those damned snakes better come out soon. A tear fell from his eye and he mummbled, "Ravinia."

Glancing at the other two, Dsurion shied away, not knowing why he was here with them when both should be his enemy. He began to shy away from them. Maybe he'd explore the tower and see what secrets the snake people held. Maybe he could even convince them to join his cause. With a quick flick of his head he turned around to explore.

OOC: Just so you know Ecco's in her elf form, but I'll just say like you meant that lol.

IC: Ecco struggled as the snake-people lifted her up, knowing that she might have to use magic soon. However, after her frantic ranting list, they dropped her abruptly. She rolled immediately to her feet, hands clutching the hilts of her daggers. She narrowed her eyes as they spoke, growing more alarmed. My first-born egg? What use could you possibly have for that?! she exclaimed. She could think of various ways to weasel her way out of this deal, such as by not having children or by making sure her first-born was in elf-form, but there was a principle involved here. She couldn't just agree to something so barbaric without a lengthy debate. Besides that, any eggs of mine would be their own distinct being. Their life is not mine to give. Therefore it is not a price you can name of me, because it is not mine, she argued, sounding more assertive but still keeping her muscles tense in case she had to move. Of course these creatures did not seem like the type to be reasoned with. But if that was true, she certainly wouldn't feel bad lying to them, or getting out of the deal. She'd see their reaction to the reasoning, first, though.

OOC: Pass. Sorry I don't have a lot of time.

OOC: I thought she turned into her dragon form when they went into the towers? I guess not though sorry lol

IC: The snake people glanced towards each other. Though the same one was still full with magic he didn't make any aggressive attempts towards Ecco at all as she spoke, "The pact must be made. Your hatchling... if it were to be hatched with us would become a great dragon, one of the greatness of all time. We can see that much. Yes," he said with a hiss, "the hatchling can pick its own destiny, but it will have to stay here with us for a time, unless the one who will free us comes. And I can sense his presence. The one who will free us from our binds is coming... he's right outside the door."
Another nodded with a hiss, "We'll make you another deal for your hatchling dragon, this one you do not have to give a price for. If you accept this, and the one who comes will free us, we will fight against your enemies, swearing our allegiance to dragon kind as we did in times past. Though you won't command us since you did not free us, we will aid you against your foes."

OOC: RoD, its your turn.

OCC: Pass for now.

The snake creatures nodded, "We are called the Alfin, and yes... we are inprisoned by a dark spirit here. Years ago the evil one trapped us in here when we would not grant him what he wanted." For a moment they stared at her and said, "For years we have been trying to escape, but the one has not come yet. To free us... we need to break our chains of this tower. Once it is collapsed, we will have our freedom for the evil one binded us to this tower. WE can only live if we give the evil one what those we give rewards to the price."
"Fool! You cannot speak! If he hears you!"
"Its only the dark wind! It doesn't understand us! Only eat our souls!" another hissed.
Quickly one went towards Ecco and said, "Be warned though, we sense something outside our tower that will try to destroy you once you leave."

OOC: Apologies. Christmas. Family time. Holiday. Thailand.

IC:

Radwerth continued walking down the hallway, intent on finding whatever evil was lurking there, only to realize that whatever it was had left. He couldn't sense it anymore, anyways.
"Stupid evil people," he murmured darkly, "They can never stay put. Always have to run off to scheme up something. Annoying and inconvenient for doers of good like myself."
The wizards mutterings continued all the way to the exit of the tower and he was so caught up in them that instead of checking for any 'evil-doers' outside of the structure he strode out of the place without slowing down. Then there was an awkward moment as he noticed the numerous spears coming at him. Luckily he was a wizard, and being one he simply vanished from where he was and reappeared a few yards away leaving him with enough time to see the weapons that had been previously aimed at him thud harmlessly into to the ground.

@RoD: That's ok How was Thailand?

The Alfin glanced at each other as Ecco suggested to them to come out. At once they were hesitant, but after some talking the lead one said, "We shall come with you Ecco of Alageasia. If the one who will free us is among you, the price has been paid." True, they did want a dragon egg, but being free to them was worth more than any dragon egg could be.

OOC: Thailand was great. I finally got to go to a real beach (not these things we have in cambodia) and had a decent plate of fried rice.

IC:

Radwerth yelped in surprise as the wall of fire sprang towards him.
"And here I thought I had survived the worst," he grumbled.
Then he heard the voice.
"Cretin!?" Radwerth bellowed in indignation, "I'll show you cretin!"
The wizard attempted to put out the fire with magic. To his annoyance that didn't work out very well. By that time the flames were almost upon him and Radwerth barely had enough time to send a wall of his own flame at the one that threatened him. It only bought him a couple seconds before it was pushed aside with ease, but that was just long enough for the wizard to scramble out of the path of the scorching blaze.

The Alfin nodded at Ecco, one of them that just entered, their leader, hissed, "Hurry shape-shifter, the Darkness comes. The Darkness... it comes, it wishes to consume you all. Hurry, we cannot resist much longer"
"MARAGHON! You dare to betray me!" the voice rippled through the air, seemingly to come from no where, "You cannot do as you wish! I will not allow! Kill her and her friends on the outside! Destroy them all!"
The Alfin begun to twitch, several collapsed to the ground snarling, hissing, or shouting in pain, "The Darkness! Ecco, get your friends and get out of the tower! The Darkness has.. corrupted us... we... need... hurry before we kill... you." From the corner, one leapt out at Ecco with its sword drawn, a second nocked it away, but that one collapsed to the ground, howlling in pain.

Jolting his head up, Eris grabbed his sword, something was happening on the other side of a hole that appeared in a wall. He could fear fighting, shouting, screaming. What was going on? Snarling to himself he ran towards the hole shouted to Dsurion, "Go after Radwerth! I'll see what the hell's happening in there!"
You can't fight them all. Dsurion said.
"Do as I say you damned lizard!" Eris hissed. He ran towards where Ecco and the Alfin were, swinging his sword like wild. He saw urgals, dwarves, and soldiers. he was back in the Beors, he swung his sword like crazy screaming out, "Ravinia!" Something shamed into his head, sending him out of the hallusination. An Alfin stood over him with its sword out.
"Kill him," a strange dark sounded voice echoed through the room. He couldnt tell where it came from. The Alfin raised up its sword, and Eris just had time to roll out of the way.

Snarling at Eris, Dsurion thought of going after him, but liked Radwerth better and wanted him to live more than Eris. Dsurion soared out of the tower, roaring into the open as he leapt into the sky. Snarling he blasted fire in the direction of the shade. Do you really think you can defeat both of us? he snarled.

OCC: EDIT: Oh crud! Never mind. I don't know why I thought that.

OOC: Gah sorry I didn't see that it was my turn... I'll post now.

IC: Before Ecco could bolt outside to see what was happening, a voice rang out from seemingly everywhere. The Alfin began twitching as if they were fighting enemies in their minds. She frowned when they warned her to leave, suggesting they might kill her. This Darkness was not something to be trifled with, that much was certain. Just then, Eris burst into the room, screaming the name Ravinia as he flung himself at the Alfin. Ecco growled under her breath, deciding this was long overdue. Her body dissolved into a cloud of light. The light particles reformed, now revealing the shape of a dragon. The dragoness, deep blue eyes gleaming and black and white scales shining in the low light, leapt at the Alfin surrounding Eris, using her long talons to swipe them away. I don't have time for this! Dsurion and Radwerth are out there fighting who knows what, so get out of my way! she cried furiously. She summoned up a reservoir of energy, preparing a more magical attack. She turned so that Eris was behind her and then let out a powerful shockwave of sound, designed to deafen her enemies and leave them stunned (or even unconscious in some cases), just as her dolphin friends used sound to kill fish.