The Troubled and diseased Marsh town (located in Greece)

This town is in the middle of a marsh it has had many troubles with sickness. Some say its because no town or city should be in a marsh chop down the surrounding woods and displace the beasts and rebuild the town on more sanitary grounds. Others say the town is a descendant of the ancient druids and if you destroy the woods the spirits of the druids will send their revenge and remove their protection. Others still say the marsh is their only protection form the troubles of the outside world.

The town once more is in dire need of help even after their work of drying out their town and growing plants that help in the sanitary efforts. But once more they were sick and the doctors were overwhelmed and citizens were drying faster then they could cured. So the Govna' sent out some runners to look for their savior who lived in the surrounding wilderness. They did find the boy and his wolf companion. They passed on their Govna's message. Tourel decided to head back and help the town, how hard can it be.

Deleted (reason double post)

*Tourel entered the town with his escort of runners as always through the main gate the guards look suspiciously at the wolf but let the boy savior and his "companion" enter unhindered. Tourel nodded to the guards in acknowledgment and headed to the hospital the largest building second only to the Govnas' Manor, and the towns musam of Hidden Muk's past full of old relics as well as a very good sized library of ancient mythical locations holding heroic items. When he approached the Hospital the head Doctor titled Master Healer or Barron of the Red Cross. Met him at the door.*

"Greeting Boy Savior trust the Hidden Muk Road gave you no troubles? The wilderness treats you well I see." Said the Master Healer

"As well as the wild can Fang takes good care of me so the wild follows suit. Sadly I hear the marsh isn't so kind to your peoples. I hear the starpox strikes again with new symptoms and a larger death count this time largest ever." Replied Tourel

"Yea we thought we had it cured but then they just get sicker. I think only your gift can help us. As always we keep to our deal we are discrete and protect you from those strangers who would mean you harm." answered the Master Healer

"As always your discretion and protection is appreciated I will do what i can for your sick." Replied Tourel

*With that Tourel or the Boy Savior walked among the sick and laid his hands on them and healed them first starting with the criticals then working down. He was finished healing them so he was then really tired so he asked the Barrion to lend him a secluded room for him and his Fang just for the night and in the morning he will leave with his blessings on the town like Tourel always does. The Barron gave him his usual apartments and had food brought to him. But something was steering under the marsh something that has been struggling to get back to the surface since the 'Boy Savior' has emerged in this town in the marsh. Something stronger then the boy has ever faced.*

"Well Fang do you feel that does it have a smell? Something feels wrong something I have never felt before. Like a darkness or a disease that has been in hiding is finally sticking the body of its host." Stated Tourel Nerviesly

*The wolf looked at Tourel and made a whimper as if to agree with the boy. Something was wrong.*

"Yes Master Tourel something is evil and it is steering. If you weren't so exhausted I would be trying to get you out of here. Something is dangeres I can smell it and feel it as well. Something wants to harm us something strong maybe to strong." thought Fang

*Then a few hours later the boy wakes up to alarm gongs going off. Sounding an alarm the boy thought wasn't sounded since his first days in this troubled town. He shot built up right to see Fang already posed for a fight.*

"No it can't be this town hasn't been attacked by the wild since we came we kept the wild in a muteral truce. But some how this feels stronger than regular wild dangers we should go see if we can help." Said Tourel to Fang

"Master I think this is to strong it is not the wild it is a beast of darkness like the machines that attacked your home that destroyed all that you cared about but this is stronger older. How do I get you to understand we have to run." thought Fang in a rush as he chased after his Master

*They ran all the way to the town center before Tourel realized he should have gone the other way. Standing in front of the ruined section of the wall was a huge rat (the size of three tanks armored as such as well) was facing the line of Guardsmen armed with musket rifles and bayonets. The fired the musket balls seemed to just airitate the rat as it recoiled the growled and spit a gashes suferic green cloud at the doubled lined guardsmen that fell over in sickness they died coughing and vomiting blood.*

*Masque hopped along the marshes around the Hidden Muk region. He had gotten used to this sort of environment having traveled through here about a century before. He had heard rumors, though, of some sort of a special borderpost made some time ago that had actually caused these areas to be a marshy deathtrap as a deterrent to enemies, while other rumors claimed that the borderpost was made as a curse to a conquering army. Having been to this area a few times, it made quite a bit of sense, especially since this marshy area was surrounded by forests with no reason for the lands in the region to be as flooded as they are. Either way, all rumors pointed to the city of Hidden Muk, where Masque was headed in an attempt to pinpoint the possible location of this mysterious borderpost.

His delightful stroll, however, was disrupted as he saw in the distance what appeared to be a giant rodent attacking the city guards after breaking through the wall. Masque held his staff tightly as he raced toward the rat. The stone glowed brightly as he leapt at the rat. Masque slammed his staff into the rat, causing it to fly back beyond the wall with a thud.*

Masque then spoke loudly in a happy tone as he landed, "Some pests you have in these areas. Perhaps I can be of assistance? I'm a magician, but I can help make this thing disappear."

*As the mysterious man landed after throwing the rat from the city the guards dragging artillery and others assembling what appears to shinny new artillery stopped before a squad of veterans got over their shock and turned their Rifles on to the stranger.*

"Freeze, State you name and business and don't try anything funny." Replied the officer

*Tourel at this point also recovered and had an arrow pointed at the strangly dressed man. The arrow glowed a sickly black.
Fang was also recovered and ready to pounce feeling as if he could take on this new threat much easier then the oversize rodent*

"I've told you my business, and as for my name you may call me Masque. Now if you could kindly point your weapons back at the correct target, you should notice that the rodent isn't dead just yet." Spoke Masque, placing a watchful eye on the people as he heard the stumbling of the giant rat just beyond the wall of the town.

*As Masque suggested the soldiers turn their weapons back on the giant Rat its voice is hear as hit waddles back to the city.*

"Thy fools should not have tryed to surprise me with a jester. Now thy is have I am going to need to show you my true form. And I will eat the jester before i take the Innocence bearer and their will be no negotiations I will destroy this town back to wence it came dust!"

*Four belistic arrows crashed into the city exploding on impact on the opposite walls that the rat was thrown over Piosoness gases started to seep into the city citizens ran in panic. As the Rat emerged from the cloud It now had four very large ballistas on its back behind the rats head.*

"Rally men!! Rally to the south wall!! shouted the Govna who was ow armed with a rifle, bannet and rapier. Surrounded by even more Guardsmen and artillery pointed right at the rat.

*BOOOM!!! All the cannons and morters fired followed by the rattling of the shinny new Gatling Guns. The Rat seemed to falter a step before he Growed*

"I must give you mortals some credit you new weapons do pack a punch but they lack Innocence. You fools must have lost the cursed spears of the Falcon Hippolights!? This will be easier then I was expecting fools don't know the treasures or their strengths.

*Then Tourel released a volley of deathly black arrows all hit the mark tightly around the rats shoulder. Berly piercing the bronze plated armor. The rat screamed in pain and recoiled as another round of cannons, mortars and Gatling guns roared.*

*Masque turned, his mask's eye widening at the rats comment.*

"Jester?! How dare you associate me with such mockery! I'll have you know that I provide quality entertainment for--" spoke Masque as he got cut off by the exploding wall.

*Although the men fired, the rat seemed to simply shrug off the rounds, and then began blabbering about some ancient spears. Masque held his staff firmly, the stone glowing once more, but before he could react some blackened arrows whizzed just above his head and struck the rat in its shoulder, cracking the armor where they struck. Then, another volley from the weapons fired. Masque, however, took note of the arrow, realizing that it was neither magical nor was it normal. There was definitely an Innocence user here as the rat had said.

The rat stood up and began snickering as its armor began to reform from the poisoness gasses seeping from its wound.*

"Pitiful beings. Thy playthings cannot even harm my flesh, for I have the power of all poisons. I tire of thy futile attacks." Spoke the rat as he ducked down to fire the missles.

*The rat fired the missles at the crowd. At that instant, Masque had used his staff to propel air at the missles, keeping it still, just beyond the launchers on the rat's back. The missle soon exploded sending the rat flying backward once more.*

"I shall show you who the real fool is." spoke Masque seriously, "Please stand back everyone, so that this show may truely begin."

Quote :

The rat stood up and began snickering as its armor began to reform from the poisoness gasses seeping from its wound.*

"Pitiful beings. Thy playthings cannot even harm my flesh, for I have the power of all poisons. I tire of thy futile attacks." Spoke the rat as he ducked down to fire the missiles.

*Tourel was taken a back as he realized the impact of what the rat was saying his "abilities" were not as effective against this beast as it has been against others. But then he heard the rats voice boom over the gun fire*

"So the Jester has some tricks up his sleeves dose he. Well i happen to fancy myself a entertainer....an entertainer of death, artifact bearer. But any fool can use a ancient Aztec staff but one that can meld the great Masque De La Lune to do what the current bearer wants now that is impressive Jester! But now its my time for my act
watch as I make my pets appear out of thin air,
but beware,
for their bite
is quite a fright
that can be quite fair" recited The rat

*With that rats the size of cats rushed into the city side by side making quite a racket and swarming the closets guards and leaving behind a diseased skeleton the wolf pounced into the rats but only seceding to creating a hole that the rats went around.*

Masque shook his head as he heard the rhyme, "That was terrible! The rhyme scheme was off, they was no emotion behind it. No wonder your upset. I'd hate having that sort of imagination."

*Masque then saw the rats invade the city, and once more the stone on his staff began to glow.*

"The great thing about being a magician is thinking how to amaze the crowd with ingenuity." spoke the Masque proudly as he slammed his staff on the ground.

*A torrent of water emerged from the marshes and flooded the city at amazing speeds. The currents, however, only seemed to carry the rats through the city before changing direction and heading back for the hole in the wall. The water then rose into a tidal wave as the wall of water and rats struck the Akuma, sending both he and his rats into a giant ball of water, drowning all of the created rats. The pressure of the water against the metal of the Akuma's skin was also building.*

"Let me correct your performance." spoke Masque before he cleared his throat,

Quote :

"The best pest is one in which water fills his chest,
Lest the pest dodges the giant marsh crest.
And incest? Be my guest,
As no one wishes to see the children of one who is dead.
Now, now, you haven't lost your head,
For its true that tis I who put you to bed.
So please lie calmly in your watery grave so that you may finally be put to rest."

*Masque then turned to the townspeople and bowed as the pressure of the water began to visibly crush the armor of the rat. He then turned back to the trapped rat.*

*As the pressure builds the rat curls into a ball the water explodes into the air. the rat the stands up and shakes off the water*

"Now now Jester friend we seem to be evenly matched
But eyes can be deceived even one seen through a mask of curses
You beat my pets but insets now that's much to assume
lets see how you do when the air is so deadly
you can hardly breath
water pressure meets air pressure who is the better man
what shell defeat the other
does the cursed mask
have a hart dose he care for his audience
only the best do but so does the worse
Make your choice Masque defend or defeat
now that is the question
Heal or destroy what does it all mean
Oh and so you now air is my domain so blowing purity in will achieve nothing"

* as the last words were spoke the air got heavy and glossy Guardsmen healed over vomiting blood. Weapons fell to the ground as men reached for their lungs and throats*

"I can't heal them all Masque or whatever your name is we need to clear the air. I need to find a way to clear the air!" Shouted the boy as soldier and citizens fell to the ground in coughing fits

"Master you cant help here we must go we will only die. Thought the wolf as he tugged on Tourel's cloak trying to move him away from the conflict.

Masque laughed a little, "You think too simple, as does the rest of your kind."

*The rat sneered as he got that as a response.*

"You control only one thing. And that is your own odor. If its a battle of nature you want, then its a battle you shall receive." spoke Masque as he once again raised his staff.

*He tapped his staff on the ground as a deep mist grew from the waters, pushing the gas higher, blocking the view of everything, including the rat.*

"What trickery is this?" asked the rat, "Do you not understand that I control the air?"

*The sound of an explosion filled the sky, filling the mist with a flash of light, despite everyone being blinded by the thick mist. The rat then cleared the air around him just before a spike of earth pierced straight through the mouth of the rat.*

"Now that your mouth is shut, your soul is mine." spoke Masque, his voice sounded cruel as he struck the rat with his staff, the stone beginning to glow as the soul begins to be sucked into it.

*the spike shattered and eroded as the rat louphed the staff was forced back into the air it landed just inches from a marshy grave. The rat then swung his armored tail knocking Masque back into the walled town*

"You fool you missed the lines and choose the fetal error destroy
now the townsfolk have no defender.
but an ill experienced boy who knows nothing
of innocence or how to use it
lets try this again shall we.

* the town once again was smothered by the piosoness gases town folk fell coughing others already laid dead with dripping blood from their Masque mouths laying motionless*

"Now my Jester friend from the kindness of my heart i give you one more chance.
A true entertain doesn't only expect to be watched
but he must know his crowed
he must know when it is time to share the act
solo acts are good but sometimes a volunteer from the audience
is needed to enhance ones abilities
Air is my domain
the 4 elements of nature are the domain of ones staff
fear and curses are the domain of ones mask
their is a member of the crowed that has control of the
fifth and final eliment some say the strongest
others say weakest
make your choice Jester
Do you still need the solo act or is it time to
share the crowd.
Choose wisely couse i will not give another chance
Failure will lead to death and an end to my game.
Innocence will be mine

*Masque stood up looking at the rat. He then reached out and summoned his staff back to him.*

"Enough games." spoke Masque as he drew a circle in the air.

*A portal of light and darkness seemed to appear where Masque traced. It then grew as it flew toward the town. As it passed, all the living things that it touched seemed to disappear, and soon, the town remain empty, devoid of the life. Meanwhile, all of people within the city were teleported to an area far into the western forestlands. The circle soon disappeared from both parts of the world, leaving only the mist and poison gas within the town, while only the living remained in the forest.*

Masque now seemed to pant as he spoke, "You seem to misunderstand the nature of this staff. It does not only control the elements. It can bend all reality to the will of its user. And I am its master."

*Masque raised his staff to the sky. Many spikes of Earth rose from the ground as lightening rained from the sky. The rat attempted to evade the attacks, but it still got damaged in multiple spots, the gas sprouting from it. The lightening also struck it, igniting the gasses and causing an explosion which knocked back the mask. Soon the smoke would clear, allowing for him to see whether he had succeeded.*

*When the portal started to form and move Tourel deside it was time to listen to Fang and get out of the town before the weird portal thing consumed him he avoided the portal and saw the town empty of all living beings then thier was explosive noise and the boy and his wolf ran into the wilderness.
The rat saw the effect reality was doing grabbing all life from the town and moving it else were.*

"So it seems the Jester has yet more surprises.
A cheater he be
So one doesn't know how to share the stage
I use to think i was the beast
but i can share the crowd
I am the only true proformer....
*His ballad was interrupted by a hail of earth and lighting and fire. But one can only keep up such a storm for so long the rat quickly recovered*

"So you still think a simple Jester can unserp the Vermin Lord. I spare the town if for no reason but to hope someone will research the great library and truly find out who I am. I am disease, I am time, I am power beyond reason
I am the entertainer of death
You think you saved the innocent they will die a slow death
You see you for got the bearer of the innocence the controller of the fifth element
Not to mention exosted your staff
But the boy approaches with the wolf of time
The beast has defeated death thanks to the abilities of a young child.

I leave you now with this final riddle
A boy has the power of the fifth element
A wolf has the power of time unlimited
age no longer touches the beast
sickness touches neither
But if separated both will die
What fate will they choose
if they follow the light
all Akuma and Noah will flinch from the light
but if they follow the path of darkness
these new hunters will fail thier quest
So it was prophesied, so it was written
The scrolls hide in a library of old and new
standing in the seth pool of death
Yet life renew is researched and found
but not in the hand of the papal weapons
Seek out this library and find more then the answer
Find your treasures and your post
Yet the border is only the beginning

Now I must be gone
before life finishes me off

*with that there was a large woosh and a soferic smell the Vermin Lord was gone.*

*Masque stood up and summoned his stafff back to him. The rat made his speech and soon after disa[ppeared in a puff of smoke.*

"I've never seen such a long-winded monster before." spoke Masque as he shook his head.

*Masque then rifled in his hat, his hand re-emerging with a few vials of liquids and a small hankercheif. Masque placed them in his pockets, then teleported to where he had sent the townspeople using his cape.*

"The rat is gone, but I cannot guarantee that it is for good because I didn't get the chance to finish him off. The air is clear of his poisons within the town, but first the sick need to be treated before I bring us back. Are there any here who can stand?" spoke Masque loudly so that people could all hear him.

*Some of the townspeople rose their hands, while others began limping to him.*

Masque held the vials in his hands so that they could be seen clearly, "These should be able to clean your bodies of the poisons."

*He then passed the vials to the people nearest to him.*

"Take a sip from these vials, then pass them to others who need them. I only have those potions, so please drink it sparingly," spoke Masque to the people who then proceeded to drink from them in order to relieve their pain.

*Masque then walked over to some people who were unconcsious as the others passed the vials around. He placed his hankercheif on the foreheads of the people one by one, and said some magic words. The people opened their eyes drowsily. Everyone was frightened of Masque, but said nothing because he was saving most of their lives. Despite the attack, only a handful of people had died. Soon the potions were gone and all those who could be saved were now half-awake.*

"Do you trust me enough to allow me to bring you back to your town?" questioned Masque as he placed his Handkercheif into his pocket.

"The Govna wheres the Govna!!" shouted one of the healed guardsmen.

*Other tattered guardsmen took up the cry. A group of fancy uniformed men wearing shinny Bronze horse hair helms, Bronze chest plates and grieves carrying fancy golden bayoneted rifles approached the stranger known as Masque being lead by a very stern looking man*

"What is the meaning of this and what was that thing...that rat?" demanded the Barron Of the Red Cross

"I just saved your town, and this is how you repay me? My, what a tough crowd." said Masque before being serious again, "That 'rat' is actually an evil machine called an 'Akuma'. Nasty things they are. Normally they kill people to get stronger and look for a magical substance called 'Innocence'. My guess is that he was looking for someone with special abilities who possess it within the town, such as the person who shot the blackened arrows. By the way, could you point him out to me because I need to inform him of this so he can be trained properly by the Black Order, otherwise more of these Akuma will come after him and anyplace he travels."

Quote :

"I just saved your town, and this is how you repay me? My, what a tough crowd." said Masque before being serious again, "That 'rat' is actually an evil machine called an 'Akuma'. Nasty things they are. Normally they kill people to get stronger and look for a magical substance called 'Innocence'. My guess is that he was looking for someone with special abilities who possess it within the town, such as the person who shot the blackened arrows. By the way, could you point him out to me because I need to inform him of this so he can be trained properly by the Black Order, otherwise more of these Akuma will come after him and anyplace he travels."

*The Barron of the Red Cross and the armored Ceremonial guards tighten up looking like they were getting ready for a fight*

"Well ah we have no "Innocence" users here in our small part of the world, nor do we have any one who can shoot black arrows of death. But I guess seeing how our Govna sadly has passed. I must take on the responsibility of thanking you for your kindness and request that you kindly point us in the direction towards home. We probably have lots of reconstruction to do and Guards to re-arm. I know not how our humble town can thank you for kindness." Replied the Barron rather flustered

*Masque noted some oddness in what the Baron had said and his mask raised one of his eyerow in curiosity.*

"Black arrows.....of Death? I never said anything about death. Could it be your hiding this person? Well, it doesnt matter to me since its not my job to do find those with the abilities, but I think you might be interested to know that the 'rat' seemed to know who it was who had the ability. And if this is the case, he and others will be back, and frankly, I won't be around to help defend against them. I'm only passing through. But since I am here, perhaps you can help me with another matter when we get back to the town." grinned Masque cheerfully

*Mean while as Masque and the Barron were in their conversation a women with yet more Guards In shinny Bronze armor was walking around looking excited with a piece of scratch paper asking Guardsmen and citizens about a riddle. She excitably approached the Barron*

"Barron of the Red Cross, My Lord Healer I have information of grave Importence regarding the Boy Savior, something the rat thing said

Quote :

You see you for got the bearer of the innocence the controller of the fifth element
Not to mention exosted your staff
But the boy approaches with the wolf of time
The beast has defeated death thanks to the abilities of a young child.

I leave you now with this final riddle
A boy has the power of the fifth element
A wolf has the power of time unlimited
age no longer touches the beast
sickness touches neither
But if separated both will die
What fate will they choose
if they follow the light
all Akuma and Noah will flinch from the light
but if they follow the path of darkness
these new hunters will fail their quest
So it was prophesied, so it was written
The scrolls hide in a library of old and new
standing in the seth pool of death
Yet life renew is researched and found
but not in the hand of the papal weapons
Seek out this library and find more then the answer
Find your treasures and your post
Yet the border is only the beginning

Now I must be gone
before life finishes me off

*She recited the above*

"My Lord the Boy is the light the bearer of the fifth element, the fifth element my Lord is Life and death healing and destroying and his companion is the Wolf of time. Sir I believe our Library is the place mentioned in the riddle our whole city My Lord." Informed the Librarian excitedly

"And My lord......"


"Ahem....ahem Ms. Torres I believe this needs to be held off until our guest is not present!" Interrupted the Barron Looking nervously at the fellow know as Masque

"Oh of course my Lord Please forgive my intrusion but i lost my self in my excitement." Ms. Torres apologized

"Mr. Masque as for your other matter in town we will discuss what the matter is once we get in the town." Replied the Barron

"Shall we...?" Motioned the Barron

"If everyone here is feeling better, then I can bring everyone back to the town. Unless you want to walk back, but I think the nearest town is about a hundred miles away." replied Masque

Masque then looked at the woman who had interrupted, "Are you the librarian of the town? I'll need to find some information when we get back."

*the Librarian looked startled*

"Um...yes sir I.... am the Head Librarian of Hidden Muk...uhm perhaps I can be of assistance to you when we get back." Replied the Liberian glancing questioningly towards the Barron Of the Red Cross

"Yes Masque I believe we are able and willing to head home but when we get their before we go very far we need to speak of a particular matter." answered the Barron

"Now if you will excuse us (gesturing to the Liberian) we have to get the survivors ready to move however you plan it." Stated the Barron very polity before turning with the Librarian and heading to the survivors helping others up

*Masque nodded in response to the Baron and the librarian.*

"I can't bring you back the way you got here because my staff is tired, so I'm going to have to bring you back in small groups. So please divide your people into groups of three of four. I need to prepare, so I shall be back in a moment." spoke Masque, just before using his cape to teleport himself back to the town, disappearing before the Baron's very eyes.

*Masque used his staff to enhance his abilities (something which takes very little power to do), allowing him to leap into the air and land on the tallest building in the area. From there he looked around, trying to find a good wide area within the town to teleport the others to. He was also looking around to make sure no Akuma was in the area.*

*As Masque was looking around it looked to be a town of death it was a depressing scian. Their were corpses littered all around the roads, hanging out windows and doors but especially by the breeches in the walls. Their were Gatling guns, cannons and mortars seemingly abandoned while many more had dead corpse of their former operators leaning over and on top of the artillery. It looked as if most of the townsfolk did not make it by the gases. But then their was movement to the far side of the first breech by the main gate. Groups of men were cleaning the dead and bits and peaces of the conversation traveled to Masque.

"....I wonder what coused this....no plague.........look its tracks......no way those belong to any beasts of these wilderness........Looks like a Giant rat........ In all my years.....guide I never saw.......proportion........Same........with me I have been a road Guard for.........and never.........saw anything........"

*the rest of the conversations became inaudible as a strange slightly scraggly voice broke the silence*

"Could you kindly remove your self from on top of me? Your not quite as light as the birds these days."