Ryzom

The distant stars glowed silently in the sky similar to any other night in history.
except this night was no normal one, the air caused them to shimmer this night, the air heated by A thousand fires, sustained by the burning of great structures as they collapsed into their foundations amid clouds of ash.
Among this devastation stands a proud leader who feels the despair of his city dying. The screams of the suffering echo deep into his soul as he watches helpless. The great plague that has been unleashed ravages the lands that they once knew as home.

The screams are no more than ghosts from the past to Mugendo, The flames flickering quietly in the evening air as he sits deep in thought beside his campfire. The voices in his head become more intense, eventually reaching a crescendo in his mind. Suddenly and violently he throws another log onto the fire creating a cloud of embers that burn his exposed skin, the shock returns his mind to the present.

As the fire settles back to its amber glow he muses to himself
“Am I the only one”?
It is hard for a Matis to accept life without purpose, to be surrounded by so much uncultivated and random growth. The forest that surrounded him seemed to mock and taunt as he sat alone. Mugendo glared back into the undergrowth as he pulled himself to his full height, accepting the challenge he felt directed toward him.

“This place has been wild and without management Long enough” he shouted into the darkness, taking a moment to let the echo fade, he continued “Today I reclaim this land as my home, any who challenge this claim is my enemy”
With the words still carrying in the wind he sat back to plan the city he would build to Honour Jena.

Through decision and dedication I am most confident that you will prevail my friend.
My best wishes to you on your endeavours, you will do great.

// Drakfot

...but the wilderness remains silent and forboding, free of all emotion of all thought. It seems as though the mighty trees and the flowing grass, the tiniest suckling yubos and the great Madaka all show their neglect to a lone homin staking his claim on their land. Only one champion decides to honor the challenge - out of the murky woods appears an enormous arachnid body, slowly approaching, mandibles shivering in anticipation, it's head raised... A Killer Kincher... The giant arachnid utters a roar and rushes upon it's opponent.

-Who are you a simple refugee to oppose the might of the kitin? the natural spirits that reign here? Bow you before the true power - the power of Sting and claw!

Mugendo tries to cover his astonishment behind a mask of utter concentration, he utters the heridatory battle yell of matis - "For Jena!" and rushes forward to meet his untimely death.

But it seems the merciful and gentle goddes has a different fate in store for him. The Killer kincher with it's mandibles almost ready to close on heroe's neck freezes as though paralyzed. It's body wavers, it's torso swims dizzily as three mighty poison spells hit it from behind. The arachnid has obviously been stunned and the second volley makes it collapse to the ground in a pile of chitin and greenish secretion.

Four figures, dressed in exquisite matis light armor emerge from the woods just behind it.
- Hail traveller - they address the awe-stricken hero. - Welcome to our land! We have come in just the right time, have we not?
are you in need of any further assistance?

Mugendo watches the Kincher corpse as it is absorbed back into the ground, his eyes remained fixed as he whispered to himself “So……it is true, they do have the ability to speak“.
As he raised his gaze to the group it was clear to them he had been surprised by the ferocity and speed of the attack. A Moment passed before he cleared his throat and greeted them with a smile…….
“I see I am not alone”, Mugendo studied the dress of the strangers for a moment before continuing “Am I in need of more assistance?”
Kneeling down he pushed aside a framework of sticks and grasses that covered a pit, he pointed to several others surrounding his camp as he guided the strangers to him.

“Now we are safe” Mugendo spoke as he reached into his pack and produced five bowls.
“I am fortunate to have guardians to protect me in these dangerous lands, you are native to this forest”, he continued, as he stirred the soup cooking above his campfire.

“This is a recipe I have known since childhood” he explained as he passed a bowl of hot soup to each of his guests. Finally he served himself and sat on the floor as he motioned toward them….”please, don’t stand on ceremony for me”

The group sat silently for several minutes as they ate their meal, one by one the empty bowls were placed on the ground.
Mugendo was the first to speak, “these lands are not familiar to me, I have no knowledge of the mountain peaks, or the ocean shore, I have a thousand questions I would ask, but first……..I would request your names”

Now it looks like these strangers eye Mugendo with a lot more respect. A red-haired warrior dressed in golden tryker medium stands up and bows to Mugendo as the etiquette dictates: - Hail Mugendo! We are the Order of the nameless - a matis karavan family, - he says as he points to a yellow shield device on his chest, - to the right of me sits our noble leader - lady Ciridemarr, I am Komissar - the bard of the order, amd to my left are brothers Porthos and Floode - celebrated matis weaponsmiths. Each homin rises and gives Mugendo a courteous bow as Komissar presents them.

- I must say I am impressed by your preparedness. Those traps were worthy of a roaring torbak no less,- he continues.
- That they are indeed. A pity though that kincher's infravision would let them spot these holes from fair 100 meters away... And given their size... a kincher would just walk over pretending to not even notice their existance...-says the one named Porthos.
- Traps or no traps, but that broth was outstanding, is there any more left? - asks Floode, smiling broadly.
- Dear Mugendo let us once again welcome you to our land,- lady Ciridemarr speaks.- As soon as she begins to speak Mugendo gets a feeling as though her eyes, her beautiful and natural smile, her easy pose remind him of somebody... As though he has seen her before: maybe in his early childhood or maybe even in his dreams. This woman seems to radiate kindness and warmth. Mugendo doesn't really hear, or pay attention to what she is saying, but he instantly feels deepest trust toward the lady, he watches her silently, captivated, entranced...

- We are a large and very close family of warriors, healers, foragers and crafters of all races. We follow the light of Jena and represent the Karavaneer alliance. We will be more than welcome to help you in any way we can... But please, Mugendo, tell us of yourself, tell us where you come from and what place you call home. We are pleased to meet a noble and skilled warrior such as yourself and would relly like to get to know you better...

“In answer to your first question…the Broth is all gone; it seems all good things must come to an end Floode”.
As Mugendo collects the bowls he looks directly into the eyes of lady Ciridemarr as he speaks, “It appears I am in your debt my lady”.
Smiling softly he raises his voice “THESE ARE FRIENDS WHO WISH US NO HARM”.

The four visitors instinctively tense and prepare to defend the camp as the nearby bushes are pushed aside…..but are surprised to see a young Matis woman step from the shadows, her gaze falls on each of the visitors as the blade in her hand flashes in the moonlight.

“Please join us Gaebril, these kind people are our friends”…she steps forward as she sheaths her blade.
As she enters the camp Mugendo embraces her before introducing each of the visitors by name and title.
Gaebril responds to each greeting with a smile and a nod of her head before kneeling beside Mugendo.
“This is Gaebril, My guide and……..protector” he continues as his hand gently strokes her hair. “
“We have travelled far to find lands that are free of the infestation. I believe I am the only…….guide……. of my city to survive”. He looks down into the eyes of Gaebril as he utters the words
“The city of Amaurea”.

He returns his gaze to lady Ciridemarr as he continues, “There is a city of Matis close to here? you will guide us there ?”

"That is a good question indeed my dear Mugendo" - smiles Ciridemarr - "I am not certain of that anymore. But you know, there is always hope... If we do not find our city - we can build one, can we not?"-she laughs softly.
"There used to be a great city here in the distant past. It was called Silan. Matis lived and prospered here for many centuries... but then the kitin horde came. The city was destroyed and our ancestors had to flee from these parts..."
"But this is still our land! The lost kingdom of Matis. And it draws us all like a magnet. - Ciridemarr's eyes flash as she says that and at the very same moment Mugendo gets the feeling that if this wise lady, this leader calls on him to aid her in battle, against whatever forces, he would gladly rise to the challenge putting his very life at risk. "What a charismatic person!" he thinks as he gathers his composure...

Ciri faces north and gazes over the horizon... " You have much to learn, dear Mugendo, but one thing you can be certain of: you have met just the right companions. We've been exploring Atys since many years and we will be honored to guide you and teach you how to survive here and become native to this unique land."
Lightning flashes, revealing the wide forested shoulders of the valley reaching upwards towards the canopies....

Komissar makes a sweeping gesture with his hand and speaks: "Our team is on an expedition here, we ourselves hail from distant Yrkanis - the new Matis capital, reigning over the lush greenery of Verdant heights. I find it extremely fateful, the way we have met. Seems it was Jena's will to make our paths cross nowhere else but here. But tell us Mugendo... This Amaurea.. the city you spoke of... Is it the same as in "Amaurea - the economic capital of matis, the cradle of craft and trade"? Here in my meck's saddlebags I have some ancient scrolls - all that we could preserve from the times before the swarm.. And I believe I have seen that name before...

Mugendo Pauses a moment before speaking …
“Amaurea……..yes... Amaurea., Maybe it is the city on your map Komissar, Maybe it is a place known for trade and craft……maybe even a cradle of knowledge fostered and developed only there.”

Turning his gaze to Gaebril he smiles slightly and continues “We remember the people, the lands of hope, and a place where warm welcomes greeted all travellers……a place we called home”.

Mugendo takes a deep breath of the cool night air as he looks up to the canopy….” We have travelled far to reach these lands, We have faced dangers and defeated despair, we have travelled through desert land that stretched for months, sailed over oceans as deep as the prime roots….and sheltered in forests that reached up to touch the canopy”.

Looking directly at the group he speaks quietly…”Every Homin who sheltered us, guided us, assisted us, encouraged us, protected us………these are the ones who know Amaurea…….It is a place that survives in every good deed......... from the mighty royals, to the smallest of Tryker”.

Turning to Komissar he smiles “that is why Amaurea is so familiar to you, you carry it with you…not in your scrolls….but in your heart my friend”
The grasses flowing in the evening breeze is the only sound for a moment………
“Welcome to Amaurea”