gods save those damned souls [open]

[Zuri]

[bg=000000][atrb=width,500,true][atrb=border,0,true] “Kuua roho waovu. Kulinda mwanga wa maisha ni nguvu ya miungu, mipaka haya salama kwa nguvu ya....” The words rang slowly through the fog, unearthly and ancient. Destroy the evil spirits. Protecting the light of life is the power of the gods, bind these borders with the strength.... The wailing chant rolled on, echoing though the seemingly empty forest. Redwoods loomed out of the mist, massive and menacing in the half-light of dusk. It was these trees that had led Zuri to gather her materials and, after waiting until twilight (which is the prime time for performing cleansing rituals), venture into the Huntingrounds. They were obviously possessed, being forced to house malignant forces. She could sense the menace and threatening atmosphere from meters away. She was now walking a large circle through the forest, exorcising the demonic spirits and creating a border that would prevent them from returning. It was a long process, because the circle must be closed without interruption - she would return the next night and work the rite on another section of trees. “Kuua roho waovu...” She was a tall, black woman, barefoot and clothed in sleeveless robes of russet red and gold. Beads and charms hung about her neck and wrists, clicking softly together. Her long black hair tumbled to the middle of her back, held away from her face by a band of red cloth. A leather pouch hung over one shoulder, and in her right hand she carried her staff - six feet of knotted wood, stripped of its bark, with beads and braided leather tied near the top. Red ochre covered the flat of her left hand, which she pressed to trees as she passed, boosting the boundary's power. The clay mixture was also carefully painted on her face and arms, swirling symbols of protection and defense, to deter the spirits from attacking her while she performed the ritual. “Miungu kuokoa roho kuteswa....” ooc; I am NOT looking for massive posts. Kthx. words; 320

[/size]
[/td]
[/tr]
[/table]

[bayardthebold]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,450,true]

[bg=69654e] This mission was of utmost importance - yes. Certainly. The Almighty himself had ordained it so. Dutifully, the hulking, hefty beast shambled his way through the twilight shrouded forest. His long, broad muzzle hung low, seeming to be weighed down by the antlers that spread their gnarled, sharpened points to the skies above. To some it would seem as if he were a poor dejected soul - but no! He was Bayard the Bold! Son of Pellinore the Great! Bearer of the Blades of Truth and Justice! Usually he would stride through the crowds of kneeling peasants with head erect, polished steel blades gleaming, cape and neatly clasped hair flowing dramatically in the wind - yes! Yes! But no - not on this night. To-night he was, was...was...searching. For evil! Yes! That was what his mission was, as The King had spoken. King Tempest, yes, his wise leader. Bayard nodded to himself, white chin tucking against his thickly furred chest. The waning moon happened to glint off the faded golden rims of his tiny rounded spectacles that perched precariously on the bridge of his muzzle and his hazy eyes focused again at the dim glint of light that it flickered across his path. He pulled to a halt, breath coming out in puffs of steam as he snuffed at the forest floor, laden with decaying plant life and melting snowflakes. The scent was rich and earthy - like the forests he knew back in his homeland - England. But the trees were different, towering to great heights far above his suddenly inferior body. Tipping his thick head backward, he gazed to the sky above, golden eyes blinking shut for a moment as he sent up a silent prayer. For guidance and the Lord's blessing. With that, Bayard lumbered on, favoring his hind right leg as usual - where he'd been gored by the lance of the Devilbeast himself. And here he was! Searching yet again for the Devilbeast, amongst other evils. Isn't that what King Tempest had said? To patrol, patrol...patrol the enemy territory! Yes! He kicked up his heels, wide cloven hooves pounding the earth in long, powerful strides, his head lowered slightly to duck the low hanging branches to avoid entanglement in his impressive rack, flanks heaving as he moved swiftly, silently through the enemy terrain, dodging trees and debris. Though he was in a predicament - not truly being able to see where he was going - he managed to feel his way through the territory without stumbling nor bashing nose fist into any such tree. It was the sudden burst of light that caught his attention. It was flickering and seemed to dance and move and leer before him. He reared back in surprise, a strangled, throaty cry rumbling from his throat. Cloven hooves pawed at the air, massive haunches straining to hold his weight. As he slammed his front hooves to the earth, he felt his antlers snag on some of the branches above. Blast! It was then that he heard it. The chanting. “Miungu kuokoa roho kuteswa...." Hazy eyes rolled wildly, the whites flashing in the dim firelight. A witch! There must be a witch! Eyes alighted on his prize - there! The tall, shadowy woman, with what looked to be blood smeared upon her hands and arms! "Damned be you, witch! It is your err to cast such a spell to trap such a noble warrior!" - - - - - IT IS LONGISH :c only 'cos is his first post :x The others will be shorter, I promise <3 I just caught up in him XD Also, yay religiouselk! XD

[Zuri]

[bg=000000][atrb=width,500,true][atrb=border,0,true] At the deep, wild cry, the hair on the back off her neck stood on end, and her chanting immediately increased its pace. A demonic presence was trying to breach the barrier! Out of the corner of her eye, she could see a massive, looming figure in the shadows of the trees, from which a rolling voice thundered. It knew her to be a witch, and thought she was trying to capture it! Alas, no, her goal was to purify this section of trees. But perhaps its home was here, one of the spirits possessing the trees? The beast ventured closer, causing her to turn to face it directly, rapidly trying to secure the protective border. It took another step and the chanting abruptly broke off as she swore in her native tongue, before switching to the one the demon had used. “Baneful spirit, how dare you interrupt the ritual! The protection will be made, without any consideration to your wishes! Foul beast, malignant soul! Begone! Flee to the depths of the soil that is our hell, and I will show you mercy!” Zuri swung her staff in a wide arch at the demon, then swirled it around herself in a complex pattern. "Kwenda! Kuwa wametengwa! Do not question my might, demon! I have bested those far more ancient than yourself. Your evil presence is tainting the earth and sky, the very fabric of time! Go now, or face my wrath!" ooc; sorry, completely forgot about this. xD words; 241

[/size]
[/td]
[/tr]
[/table][/center]

[bayardthebold]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,450,true]

[bg=69654e] "Blasphemous wretch!" Bayard spat, hazy golden eyes for once clear and bright, burning with a startling rage that flared unkempt. How could she tell such a lie! To accuse him, the noble Knight, of such treachery! "Foul beast, malignant soul! Begone! Flee to the depths of the soil that is our hell, and I will show you mercy!” "How dare you speak such lies!" Bayard lashed out with his front hooves desperately, his antlers still snarled in the branches above him, though in his mind it was the witch who had cast a spell to hold him. "I shall break your wicked spells, lecherous wench! And bring you to punishment at the Almighty's heavenly will!" He reared back again as she waved her staff at him, the light of the fire writhing in his eyes - and it seemed as if demons had spring from her summons. Cloven hooves pawed at the air desperately as he jerked his head from side to side in attempts to escape. He let out a strangled cry as she stepped closer, waving her fiendish staff, and with one last mighty swing of his head a loud crack rang out and he tore free of the branches, surging forward in a shower of broken twigs and snow. It threw him off balance for a moment and he stumbled blindly forward, but he shook his eyes clear, thickly furred neck rippling with muscle as he locked eyes with the demonic woman. Eyes blazing with the fury of what seemed God himself, Bayard charged at the witch, head lowered and chin tucked against his chest as he bore down upon her, massive, pointed antlers aimed for her demonic form. "Die, wretched beast!" ( sorry for the wait. crazy Bayard is crazyy. )