Subj:	 [ffml] [MW] Into the Heart of Darkness 
Date:	00-03-30 16:44:40 EST
From:	skyhall@hotmail.com (Sky Hall)
Reply-to:	ffml@onelist.com
To:	ffml@onelist.com

  "This old man once told me this idea. He said that the God's, in a way, 
are like magicians. They can manipulate things using their own kind of 
magic. But magicians are human, gods are immortal. The other difference is 
that Gods can be anywhere at once, see anything they desire. Also, they need 
worshipers to give them power, or they receive power from their parents or 
children.
  "This power, or energy, is akin to magicians," continued Tim. "They use a 
lot of mental energy to make things happen, to change their shapes or the 
shapes of other things. Gods must use a lot of energy as well. Since the 
gods made us, we must be the furthest removed from the gods, and therefore, 
"not energy." I believe he called us matter.
  "In our lives, we can live in the world of "matter" or we can develop an 
interest, a passion, a pursuit, of "energy." You can desire to understand 
the gods. That is why a magician, if he is good, will pursue magic all his 
life, even prolonging his life to study it further and to become more 
powerful. While a good swordsman will practice with his sword everyday, as 
long as he can, because he loves the feel for it, understands it. You 
develop this desire to learn, to become something more. It is this drive 
that makes us want to become stronger.
  "The old man then went on about how a magician, getting better and better, 
becomes more intune with the world around him, and his body becomes more and 
more like energy. He begins loosing his matter, his body, and converting it 
to energy, because the magician discovers how to be like a god. The same 
goes for a warrior. If he trains and practices, and learns more and more, 
the warrior will become more and more like energy. His mind and body will be 
able to focus energy around him and from within and unleash that as you 
would an arrow from a bow."
  "Begging your pardon, sir," said a soldier. Tim's reverie was broken.
  The battalion had been marching through a valley, and Tim was talking with 
one of his acting lieutenants, sharing some philosophy on war.
  "But how can a good warrior be equal to a magician?" asked the soldier. "I 
mean, a good magic spell can fry a man before he even draws his sword."
  "Well," began Tim, "have you heard the stories of the great swordsmen of 
Doma?"
  "Yes," answered the soldier.
  "How about the monks of Figaro?"
  "Yessir, I have."
  "Well, I have seen a swordsman from Doma walk twenty paces away from a 
tree, face it, and slice with his sword in the direction of the tree. The 
man was nowhere near the tree, but it was cut in the exact way he sliced the 
air. I saw another swordsman drop a silk handkerchief onto his blade, and 
the fabric cut itself cleanly, simply from falling onto it.
  "I've seen a monk slap a large stone with his bare hand, and the stone 
cracked and split in two. I saw a man take a tree branch, as big as my fist 
in thickness, and break it against the neck of a monk. Another man bent a 
rapier in two, it's bare point against his belly. The man was not cut at 
all, but was able to bend the sword pushing against it.
  "When I asked these men how they were able to do these feats, they 
answered all the same, 'It's in the mind.' When I ask a magician how he is 
able to cast spells, he replies, 'It's all in the mind.'
  "A philosopher once said that our minds must have been created by the 
gods, thus making us different from animals, and thus able to comprehend the 
existence of the gods."
  Tim paused a moment, collecting his thoughts.
  "When in battle, if your mind is prepared and you are fighting heroically, 
you feel your mind go blank, almost. As if another force was taking over. 
Your movements become fluid, your mind races, everything takes on a new 
aspect. This is because in that state, your body and mind are connecting at 
a deeper level, and the energy within you is being ... moved faster, or 
accelerated. Your mind and body are becoming energy.
  "You get a rush from the battle, from the act of fighting, slaying, and 
defending. You are on the path to the gods." Tim looked at the ground, 
thoughtful.
  "And that's why dying in battle is a glorious thing," said the acting 
Lieutenant. Tim looked at the man and nodded.
  "I understand what that means," said the man. "I've felt it myself. It is 
as if my very being was trying to reach something, but physical exhaustion 
holds me back."
  "Aye," said Tim.
  "And to die in battle, is to have that energy released. It is not only 
your blood spilling forth, but your soul, that energy you spoke of. It seeks 
release and dying allows this. You are in pursuit of greatness, and the gods 
recognize this, and thus they grant unto the man almost divine powers, or 
feelings, in the midst of battle. Am I right sir?"
  Tim chuckled. "Your thinking is bordering on that of the god of war's 
disciples. But yes, that is a warrantable view of things."
  The man looked amazed at his own deductions in logic.
  Tim rode his chocobo forward to the vanguard. He asked his first 
lieutenat, "How's it going?"
  "Well, sir," replied Jayel. "I think we are nearly to Martin's home 
valley. The scouts spied a town from the pass ahead of us. But they say it's 
surrounded by a thick forest, and they have a bad feeling about it all."
  "Aye, that probably is Shadowbrook. And I know the feeling."
  Tim had taken notice of how dark and gloomy the environment around him was 
getting. Even with few clouds, the light of the sun did not shine as 
brightly, and the landscape was devoid of much life, just a few birds and 
squirrels, but Tim felt there was more sinister things laying in wait deeper 
within.
  "Let's keep the formation tight, and have skirmishers when traveling 
through the forest. I don't want to be surprised by anything."
  Tim turned his mount to summon Martin forward.
  Martin was returning home, but Tim was not sure what sort of welcoming 
reception he and his men would receive.


--Sky


Subj:	 [ffml] [MW] Shadowbrook 
Date:	00-03-31 02:06:37 EST
From:	skyhall@hotmail.com (Sky Hall)
Reply-to:	ffml@onelist.com
To:	ffml@onelist.com

(I know what I’m writing. Space, if you have questions/concerns, talk to me 
privately.)

  The screaming in the woods came again, a few soldiers ran in the direction 
of the sound, with swords raised and looks of determination on their faces.
  The path to Shadowbrook, Martin’s home, made its way through a thick 
forest that surrounded the farming lands of the village. The forest, 
however, was infested with the “Dark Baron’s” minions. Large lizards with 
powerful hind legs and short arms with sharp claws, and large fanged lined 
jaws; orcs and dark imps; and even wargs, large and ferocious wolves, were 
the “guardians” of the forest, keeping the inhabitants prisoner in their 
little valley.
  Because of the fear which surrounded the forest, the people had little 
incentive to leave, deciding to instead offer up a virgin woman every now 
and then (Martin thought it was one per generation). This left the guardians 
unorganized and overwhelmed for something as strong as six hundred soldiers, 
armed and battle hardened, that came marching through. The result was that 
every assault of one or two of these evil minions would be quickly engaged, 
overwhelmed, and eliminated. A few soldiers had been injured, no fatalities. 
Tim felt this “rescue mission” would be quite a success.
  A large, ape-like creature leapt from a tree and hit Tim with full force, 
knocking him clean off the saddled back of the chocobo. Tim hit the ground 
and rolled away from his attacker, his hand reaching for his dagger. As soon 
as he stopped rolling and lifted his body to see where his attacker was, the 
creature leaped at him again, knocking Tim flat on his back. Sharp claws dug 
into Tim’s arm, causing the soldier to grunt in pain.
  The man-ape grabbed Tim’s left hand which the dagger in both it’s powerful 
hands. Twisting Tim’s arm to try to loosen Tim’s grip. Tim was shocked at 
the strength the smaller creature had and began fearing the worse. But the 
creature stiffened and gave a startled, choking cry, then fell over, dying.
  Tim hurried to his feet and looked about. Martin stood next to Tim, wiping 
off his sword.
  “Tell me again how you managed to get through this forest,” demanded Tim. 
He examined his arm and saw blood staining the dark blue of his uniformed 
sleeve. “Medic!” called Tim. He did not want to catch an infection and die 
from such a small beast.
  While a lesser trained white mage hurried over and began treating Tim’s 
wound, Martin stood by and surveyed his surroundings. The column continued 
marching through the forest.
  “What can I say, sir, this place is hell. I just ran, was very quiet, and 
quite frankly had nothing to loose.”
  Tim sighed and shook his head.
  “Well, we’ll help your people get out of this place and help them to get 
to Narshe. Hopefully, none of them will mind leaving the Dark Baron’s land.”
  Martin nodded. “Thank you, sir.”
  Tim shrugged. “There are a lot of evils in this world. Taking out a 
smaller one like this Baron will hopefully lead to greater evils we can 
destroy.”

  Tim’s men made no secret their coming through the forest, and the 
screaming and dying guardians helped to ensure that. Tim was certain that by 
the time they finally made it out of the forest, they had killed or severely 
wounded every creature within the valley.
  Coming out of the forest, Tim’s column spread out and starting marching in 
separate lines along the dirt paths between the fields to the walled village 
of Shadowbrook.
  Tim surveyed the settlement.
  Surrounded by a low stone wall, with a wooden palisade atop that, the 
village was indeed poor. A few chimney’s poked above the wall and some smoke 
was coming forth. Several heads watched the Doman soldiers advance.
  Arriving on a lawn that surrounded the village, Tim dismounted his chocobo 
and gave the reigns to his valet. Martin also dismounted and approached the 
gate of the village.
  “Be not afriad. It’s me, Martin. I’ve come back! Mother! Father! Roland!”
  Tim watched as the gate opened and three people stepped out. They walked 
cautiously a few steps, Martin walking the rest. He spoke a few words with 
his family and they all embraced. They spoke a few more words and then 
Martin turned and beckoned Tim to join them. The family walked inside.
  “Jayel, pick five men and come with me inside. Masey,” Tim addressed 
another acting lieutenant, “you’re in charge. Have the battalion take up 
positions around this village, and just sit. I’m sure we won’t be attacked, 
but have the men keep an eye on the surrounding forest just in case.”
  Jayel and his five men joined Tim as he strode through the gate and into 
the village.
  Inside, Tim saw stone huts and old gray, log cabins. The few inhabitants 
outside or peeping through windows all appeared thin and scared looking.
  Jayel whispered to Tim, “This reminds me of the ghost stories my father 
told me as a child.”
  “I think we are in a real ghost story this time,” replied Tim.
  Jayel was shocked. Usually Tim was never surprised or afraid at any 
situation, but Shadowbrook was obviously a new experience for Tim.
  Tim and his men walked through the town and came to the square. There 
Martin, his family, and others were gathered in a small crowd, listening 
intently as Martin spoke loudly to them of his escape, finding Tim, joining 
the Doman Army, the war, and eventually how they came to Shadowbrook. By the 
time he finished, the entire village had gathered to listen. All stood in 
wonder and awe at Martin’s story.
  Martin looked to Tim, who strolled over to the high side of the town 
square and stood next to Martin.
  “Martin has told me much about kind of life you all live here. And I have 
decided that for those of you who wish it so, my men and I will help you to 
flee the Dark Baron’s clutches and escape to the city of Narshe to the east. 
There you will be free men and women in a city of industry.”
  The people stood shocked. One man spoke, “But our land and homes are 
here.”
  “Carry what you can with you, but do not fear. Narshe is a prosperous 
city, and I am sure can spare food, clothing, and shelter for good people 
such as yourselves.”
  “But what about the Dark Baron?” asked a woman.
  “Tonight, my men and I will attack the Dark Baron’s Keep. Any information 
and help you people can give us would benefit our mission greatly. For we 
are unsure of what lurks there. But you are all guaranteed safety.”
  The people looked at Tim. Martin smiled, his family seemed hopeful.
  “I think we broke the dark spell over this place,” Jayel muttered to Tim.

(Eric, you can take it from here.)

--Sky


Date:	00-03-31 18:41:08 EST
From:	darklord@compusmart.ab.ca (His Dark Lordship)

However, despite the confidence placed in the people by the sudden
appearance of an army, none could give really yield any information to Tim
and Martin about infiltrating the Dark Lord's keep.

Tim's army, and those that Martin was able to explain the situation to, had
given him the nickname "Dark Baron." While the townfolk knew what was
happening, Tim and Martin especially didn't want to demoralize his soldiers
(whom the term "Dark Lord" would instill immense amounts of fear) by
telling them they were about to take on the supreme entity of all that
troubles one's life.

So, as the day broke, the term "Dark Baron" spread throughout the town. The
people were, at least, confident that an army had shown up out of nowhere
to save them from this desolate life, though the army had yet to prove
itself. Supposedly the assault on the Black Keep would take place tonight,
but Tim was finding it hard pressed to attain any information on the layout
of the keep and was getting a bit frustrated.

Tim slammed his tankard onto the tavern table.

"What is with these people!?! Considering they've lived next to the Dark
Lord for fucking centuries they should at least know something about him."

"He keeps a rather low profile, except for holding total dominence over
us.." grumbled Martin.

"Excuse me." said a voice from behind them. They turned about.

Both Tim and Martin stared. Before them stood the most beautiful woman
they'd ever seen. Her body was covered in a long, black robe. Purple locks
flowed down her shoulders and back.

"Yes...?" asked Tim, trying not to stare or appear rude.

"You're interested in entering the Dark Lord's keep?" she asked.

Tim nodded.

"Aye, but unfortunately the people of this kind town are rather uninformed
about his place."

She smiled.

"There's little hope for them. None of those to leave for the keep have ever
returned. I, on the other hand..."

Tim and Martin edged closer.

She stopped, with a rather silly grin.

"I... have snuck into his keep on numerous occasions."

"And how might we get in then, Miss..."

"Wilma." said the woman.

Tim and Martin nodded.

"I'm Martin and this is Tim."

She smiled.

"A pleasure. Now, you're not going to get in by the front doors. The only
people who pass through those are his servents and he himself. There is a
back door that will be relatively easy to force open. He'll make sure of
that."

Tim and Martin blinked.

"Excuse me?"

"Nevermind." chuckled Wilma. "The back door is fairly hard to see. I can
show it to you, but once you're inside, you're on your own. I have my own
business in the keep."

Tim and Martin sat back again.

"Is it a deal?"

They nodded. They would need this aide.

* * * * * * *

Tim, Martin and Wilma stood before the battalion. The Dark Baron's keep
shone in the moonlight.

The soldiers had been briefed. Wilma would show the entrance to Tim and
several of the elite soldiers. The rest were to prove a distraction for the
Dark Baron.

They each mounted their chocobos. Tim raised his sword.

The battle had commenced.

(sky, take it from here)

-- 
The eternal lord of darkness...

"And if our dreams sometimes come true, then what of our nightmares?"


-GM of FF2c

-Member in good standing of Sky's Posse

ICQ UIN# 23424269

IRC Nicks: TheDarkLord, GannondorfDragmire, occasionally Blackthorne

System: Amiga 4000/040 Cybervision64 & Opalvision

     ---INTEL/MICROSOFT FREE---