ROLEPLAY

The sky had been darkening for hours, the air thick with humidity. The trees swayed and groaned in the building wind, bending as far as they could. Before long, the first drops of rain began to fall, plopping onto the grass and leaves. As the rain turned into a deluge, the incessant peals of thunder began. They rolled across the sky, clash after clash after clash. The lightning started soon after, brightening the darkened sky like fireworks. It was both beautiful and terrifying, each bolt of lightning illuminating the world with brilliant white light for just a split second before plunging it back into darkness. The flashes were so intense that they felt as if they were imprinted onto Seralee's lovely golden eyes, even after they had faded. She had been away for so many years, had traveled to different worlds, explored new cultures and made lots of memories, but there was always one thought in the back of her mind, the day she would return to her roots, her family and friends, her long loved Atys.

Feeling the sand under her well worn sandals, looking up into the rain, she just stood there, taking in all the sounds and scents of her surroundings. Her old hut, the one she had lived in so many years, shared fun and laughter, sad times and tears, still stood at the edge of the camp. Despite the years that had passed, it still had a familiar feel to it. Seralee closed her eyes and smiled, feeling excitement flushing through her veins. Curious as ever, she began to take a closer look at the camp, her old hometown. The training grounds, where she had spent countless hours practicing her fighting skills with her friends, all the little merchants' huts, the trainers, even the stylists were still here and she couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia and happiness wash over her. She felt as if she had rediscovered a piece of herself.

Seralee knew that many things had changed since she had been away. Many friends, family members and even old foes had gone away, not to return for such a long time. Still, she had hopes that there would be some that still remembered her in a friendly or even not-so-friendly way. She really did feel a sense of belonging here on Atys, in the camp, surrounded by all her marauder friends and family. She knew that this place would always hold a special place in her heart. Remembering the good times, the friendly training sessions deep into the night, the raids onto the cities, metal clashing on metal, the plundering of coffers, all that she had achieved with her guild brothers and sisters, the other marauder clans, just the thought of seeing all the fighters and healers decked out in their best sparkeling gear gave her a warm glow and happy feeling.

Walking around the living quaters, Seralee gently knocked on doors, hoping to find somebody at home, but sadly all the homes seemed deserted. She was just about to give up and turn into her own little hut when a door opened with a soft creaking sound. A face, beautiful as ever, proud and full of amazement looked at her. "Seralee? Is that you?" Nodding, Seralee smiled at Jaydinth. "It's so damn good to see you!", Seralee said. "Is anybody else around? I knocked on every door, but no-one opened to me. Are we the only ones around or is this just bad timing?" Opening the door wide, Jaydinth let Seralee in, asking her to take a seat by the warming fire, in hopes that the news she had would not knock Seralee over. "Sorry to say, but it seems that all our brothers and sisters have left. I myself only returned a few moons back and I found the camp just as empty as you just did. And not only our brothers and sisters have left, practically all the clans have gone."

A gentle sigh escaped Jaydinth's lips and Seralee felt a tear gliding down her cheek. How sad this news was, she had really hoped that there were more family members to be found. Where had Bucshotz, Virg, Alassea, Firstdo, Drezar, Elvanae, Aleeskandaro, Soulflyn, Rahael, Divinesoul, Mikira, Marikka, Mithian and all the others gone? What about the other marauder clans, would she ever see any of those well known faces again?

"Do you think there could be a chance of making our friends and family members see that the time is good for them to return?", Jaydinth asked. "I mean, the cities are ripe for the taking, the guards have become lazy, letting us venture into the capitals, watching and seeing all the treasures ready for the taking! They think they are safe, granting us access as long as we are not armed, they have forgotton that they will never be safe, never! And did you realize that those special materials that once only were possible for kami or karavan are now also available to marauders? If only we had enough brothers and sisters to take down some of those ugly kami or karavan outposts to then produce fabulous marauder gear!" Nodding in agreement, Seralee said: "You are right, the time is good! Let's hope that some of our friends return, and join in to take over and change Atys forever!"

New Hope

Myfanwy sat in her apartment with her two retainers Jimjam and Nylaa.
They spoke quietly amongst themselves, overwhelmed with sadness at the loss of so many brother and sister Marauders. It was especially hard because most had not been lost gloriously in battle but subverted by other factions whilst some had just wandered off into the wilderness to never return.

Jimjam was aware the last eighteen months had been particularly hard on Myf, before joining Shadowalkers they were both used to being on their own. Jimjam enjoyed the fact that Myf depended on him for support and protection but it hadn’t begun that way when her father first employed him to be her bodyguard.
Jimjam, a hard-bitten Fryos Marauder with a bad attitude, had expected a spoilt and entitled young Tryker but had discovered a tough, persistent warrior. Tiny as she was, Myf fought like she was 10 foot tall which often got her into strife but that was what he was employed for.
The relationship they developed was one of big brother, little sister and he became ‘her JJ’. He was proud of how far she had come and daily mentally thanked his countryman, fellow Marauder and her mentor Carl, who had taught her to fight and survive the wilds of Atys.

Nylaa looked sadly at Myf, she wished there was some way to help her through this debilitating sorrow that had overtaken her. Stars above! Myfawny was harvesting and foraging! The one thing Nylaa NEVER imagined her fierce mistress to partake in and an indication of just how unlike herself Myf really was.
Nylaa hadn’t been part of this small group long, Myf and JJ had found her outside of Zora half starved and almost dead from a gingo attack. They had fed her, healed her wounds and taken care of her which was a shock as her people, the Zorai, had always said that Marauders were bandits and killers.
For those actions Myf had earnt Nylaa’s undying devotion so Nylaa appointed herself as Myf’s maid, healer, cook and anything else her mistress required.
Nylaa thought she got so much more out of the exchange than she herself gave, especially when Myf and JJ began training her, becoming a Marauder with them wasn’t a difficult decision, to her it was inevitable.

Myf’s heart was full of grief, mourning the loss of her brothers and sisters consumed her; hour after hour, day after day, week after week, she’d lost track of how much time had passed. Digging holes in the ground for materials she’d probably never need seemed the right type of pointless activity to deal with her grief.
Relaxing by the fire in her apartment after a hard day of toil felt good. Looking at JJ & Nylaa, she realised they were more than retainers and companions, they were her family and she loved them dearly for remaining at her side.

“Hsst!” JJ held up a fisted hand for silence, well drilled in his hand signals both Myf & Nylaa were instantly quiet. “I hear voices” he whispered. Both Myf and Nylaa exchanged glances and looked to JJ. “Let’s investigate, Myf behind me, Nylaa healing. Nylaa, if Myf & I fall run to Carl’s apartment as fast as you can and wait for his return so you can tell him what happened”.
JJ’s instructions reflected the sad reality of life in the Marauder camp, they were very vulnerable to attack from other factions when their numbers were so low.

The small team crept down the hallway, weapons at the ready until they reached the door the voices were coming from. JJ put his ear to the door & listened, after a short time a broad grin broke out on his face. Myf’s eye’s widened and her heart raced as she prepared for the attack while Nylaa stepped back until she hit the opposite wall and readied her spells.
JJ knocked on the door, “Why is he knocking! He’s warning them!” Myf thought to herself when the door opened a little and an eye could be seen peering through at them. The eye widened at the same time as the door to reveal a beautiful woman, heavily armed “What do you three want?”.

JJ took a step back, an offensive spell at the ready (though if his instincts were correct it wouldn’t be needed), as Myf moved forward and bowed “Hello, my name is Myfanwy, these are my friends Jimjam and Nylaa.” Looking into the apartment, Myf could see another woman also heavily armed. “You both better be Marauders or you have just opened this door to your deaths.”