Glorious Alpha Two Testers!
Alpha Two Realms are now unlocked for Phase II testing!
For our initial launch, testing will begin on Friday, December 20, 2024, at 10 AM Pacific and continue uninterrupted until Monday, January 6, 2025, at 10 AM Pacific. After January 6th, we’ll transition to a schedule of five-day-per-week access for the remainder of Phase II.
You can download the game launcher here and we encourage you to join us on our for the most up to date testing news.
Alpha Two Realms are now unlocked for Phase II testing!
For our initial launch, testing will begin on Friday, December 20, 2024, at 10 AM Pacific and continue uninterrupted until Monday, January 6, 2025, at 10 AM Pacific. After January 6th, we’ll transition to a schedule of five-day-per-week access for the remainder of Phase II.
You can download the game launcher here and we encourage you to join us on our for the most up to date testing news.
A bit of trouble - in the Family ... ...
Aszkalon
Member, Alpha Two
How many full and new Moons has it been ... ... ... ... now ?
When he left his People. When he left his Group unannounced, with no Intention of ever returning to it ?
Usually a cardinal Sin punishable with Excommunication - often followed by immediate death by execution.
It started when his Parents, slowly closing in onto undeniable elderly age - went missing.
Well ... ... ... ... ... not really missing, most likely. They had probably done the same thing as himself. But when they never returned, over a Year ago - and suddenly, one Day ... ... ... ... ... he was send a small Package - with a certain kind of Item inside,
he know nothing would bind him anymore to his more than wicked Group.
So he left.
Apparently after a good, many Months of Struggle - the Node Cities of the early Settlers finally began to develop into fine, little Villages and Towns.
Skilled People of different Crafts and Professions were suddenly in far higher Demand. Apparently Nobody ever really thought in trying to hire a huge bunch of People beforehand - as Nobody among the many People struggling to finally raise a truly successful, influential Node, was truly expecting to finally have Success.
Now,
Hunters, Merchants, Chefs and Craftsmen of all kinds were starting to compete with each other for the nicest Places in- AND outside the coming City-Walls to have as their Estate to exert their Lifework.
The Competition of capable People in front of the Mayor's had begun. WHO would be the One's allowed to become Land-Owners around the City-Walls and possess a so called Freehold ?
Welp, to bad for most of them.
" He " had already managed to sneak into a small Group who would own one near the Forest. His very "own" Craftsmanship, well more like a Perversion of an actual possession of Skills, was surprisingly popular at his new Freehold-Partners.
Managing and working a small Farm is no Joke. Not even for a bunch of Man in the peak Years of their prime.
So a bunch of helping, obedient, silent and cold Hands was always welcome. Oh, what unexpected Joy three undead Servants could bring. They never needed to sleep, eat - and also never demanded Payment.
They were " perfect " for this Job.
He smiled. Haaahh, sometimes he missed his old Group his Parents and him belonged to. Everything he knew -> everything he could do - he learned from them.
Be it a somewhat skilled Trapper for the Pelts or Meat of many Animals - or a simple Woodcutter, or Plant-gatherer who could tell You exactly which Mushrooms and Fruit in the Forest you could eat, or would die from being poisoned.
It was almost for over two Months, as if the small Freehold Community of his, had become his next, wicked little Family.
Until he received a sudden and not necessarily unalarming Surprise-Visit - by Members of his old group.
His Freehold-Partners were absolutely frightened when they spotted the Members of his old group. Well, most Civilians would be, looking at their horrifying Outfits made out of various Parts of - well - "recycled" Parts of Animals and fellow Humans alike.
" So it truly IS you ... ... huh ? " asked the Leader-looking Man of the Group. A rather intimidating looking, Fighter-seeming Man of tall Stature and broad Shoulders. He looked like he could probably manage a Fistfight with a Bear.
He nodded only, between his usual, stoic Indifference and a slightly cocky smile.
" Welcome ... ... ... in a quiet place ... ... ... of different Peace, from what our usual Village provided. " he answered, only to be met with an eerie Silence at first.
" ... ... You have quite the nerve, you know ? All of us know that the Rules are clear. Nobody - EVER - leaves the Order without a good Reason and without announcing it first. We had quite enough of annoying Betrayal and half-witted, spineless Cowards, in the past. " the tall, Fighter-like Man said.
He drew a ridiculously gigantic Sword from his back - that looked so huge that People would be amazed that he drew and lifted it only with one Hand and Arm alone.
" So you "know" my stole Story ? Of why i am here right now ? " he asked, knowing that his End had might as well truly come.
" Of Course. And YET you dare to stand here, like as if you hold not a single worry in the World - Son of the Traitor-Couple !! " said the Fighter-Man with apparent, calm Anger and his Voice - and a mighty blow was struck that left no doubt that he had successfully trained and improved his Swordsmanship many Years of his Life.
But it was not " his " Head, that was send flying.
Instead, who the Man struck - was one of his Companions - who was apparently standing "right behind him".
The tall Man had turned around with his whole Body in an impressive Movement, as soon as "both" of his Hands had grabbed his Two-handed Sword.
He cleaved the Head of the Man behind RIGHT in two halves in an diagonal angle, cutting off a terrified looking Piece of Head with one Eye, only to have the Body of the freshly slain Man drop to the Ground with an also terrifying looking, open Mouth.
" D'izsdod'yez ... ... ... You respected the ONE Rule in which unannounced Desertion from the Order is permitted. " the tall Man said, who had indeed to be one Hell of a Fighter. Definitely one of the strongest inside the whole Order.
" But you are a lucky man. We found out only by "Accident", who orchestrated the Betrayal of your Parents. Same as the betrayals of every other Couple of Members who suddenly turned their back on our Order in the last, two Years.
This dead Coward here, Haggart - was one of them. His Group plans a silent Take-Over since Years - and also has found a Way to corrupt our Rituals to create a Collector’s Touch for our Members. Their Goal is- " said the tall Fighter-Man,
but the Man apparently named " D'iszdod'yez " interrupted him.
" to create Collector’s Touch Gloves that work only for a very selected, blood-bound kind of Individuals selected for it, right ? Effectively taking away the Ability of them being used by more Members who are loyal to the current Order ... ... " he said. He wasn't completely sure, but this way all this secretive, suspicious and plotting Behaviour of some Order-Members of the last Years would make sense.
" Y'- ... ... you KNOW ?? " said the tall Fighter, his Eyes narrowing and his Voice welling up in anger.
" I had no true Confirmation or way to prove it ... ... ... ... but everytime someone "vanished" from the Village ... ... ... ... and suddenly, a "new Collector’s Touch's Glove" appeared - it looked kinda different than the one's our Order usually uses.
These ... ... ... are made entirely from "Human Bones", right ? Not Bones from Sanguine Siphoner's ... ... " said D'iszdod'yez.
The Fighter was not entirely sure for a Moment, if he should direct his Anger against his apparently renegade Order Member, or not. But he was smart enough to suspect, that the Man in front of him was not part of the traitorous faction inside the Order.
" So You have a good Idea, that your current Collector's Touch Glove is- " said the tall Fighter, but was cut off yet again.
" ... ... jeah ... ... ... that are the Wrist, Fingers - and Vertebra of my own, deceased Mother - are they not ... ? ... .. " said he, looking between a pondering expression and his usual, dark and stoic Behaviour.
Everyone from the Pursuer-Group of his Order, including the tall Fighter - looked at him in visible Surprise. If not apparent shock. Most Members of their Order are pretty hard-boiled, but seemingly not even them expected his Reaction to it.
" ... ... ... how would You know ? Or guess ? " the Fighter asked.
" Well it was around the Time when my Parents vanished. A few Days later, in the Night - a small Package was delivered to me ... ... ... ... apparently from a Sender unknown.
One of the "Finger-Bones" on the Bone is partially broken - on the same Place my own Mother had a snapped Finger since Years from a Work-Accident.
And ... ... ... ... she was always clearly smaller than me, since i reached Fourteen Years of Age. Only my Father, who is either still alive somewhere, or also deceased - is the same Size as me.
... ... ... and since our Order's Collector's Touch Gloves only work, when the Provider of the organic Material is already deceased ... ... ... that means my dear Mother has already left our mortal Realm. " he concluded - sounding more like a Detective than actually someone who lost one of his closest Family Members anyone could ever hope to have.
" ... ... ... You were always one of our worthiest Members. " said the tall Fighter. He could not hide his amazed Admiration of the Man's icecold, steely Nerves.
" I am glad to think that you are not part of the traitorous Faction ... ... ... ... or at least it seems this way. " the tall Fighter said. He wouldn't have expected most Members staying this calm and collected, after finding out one of their Parents had perished for a stupid Plot of some Traitors planning to overthrow the Leadership of the Order.
" ... did you already manage to snuff them all out ? " he asked. The tall Fighter only shook his Head a little bit, with a clearly unsatisfied Expression.
" Apparently these Pests had a more or less hint, that they were about to get exposed. Almost one fifth of the Order fled from the Village about a Month ago. We got almost half of them, but the remaining rest of the Bastards is still on the run.
This Bastard here was one of the few Individuals that had no Clue we had found out about his sneaky Involvement behind the Scenes. " said the Fighter and pointed onto the slaim, former "Comrade".
" Since You are practised in the Art of Necromancy - would you plan to use his remains as an undead Servant ? You could shame and humiliate him more, for being involved about your Parents vanishing ... ... " the Fighter insinuated, obviously with a bit of a vengeful Nature.
" N~aah. Thanks, but i pass ... ... ... ... i think a "visibly slain", undead Minion would be a ... ... ... "little bit to crass", for my current Coresidents ... ... " D'iszdod'yez " said, pointing with his thumb over his Shoulder towards the Freehold Estate behind himself.
" ... ... Oh ! " the tall Fighter said. Riiiight. They had almost forgotten they were so much out in the open. Far away from their usual Village - and People.
An amused chuckle broke out from the still five People huge Group of Men. A few Moments later, only "he" returned to the Freehold and the remaining Men of his former "Village" returned back into the Forest, the slain Member in tow like slain Wildlife.
When he returned to the Freehold, one of his Partners who worked there as the Farmer - came running to him and seemed to be in absolute Fright and Panic.
" D'ISZDOD'YEZ !! D- ... ... ... did our Falconer's sharp Eyes see true ? Did ... ... ... one of the Men, just Minutes ago - slay one of his Group's Members by chopping and slamming his HEAD in two halves ??? " the terrified Freehold-Member said.
" Calm down, Brandolf ... ... ... that Man has no Business with directing any kind of Hostility towards us. " he answered.
" HOW can you know ?? " said his Colleague loudly, still agitated.
" He informed me about a nasty Details about the former Group i used to live at ... ... ... ... and apparently they had to do a "bit of cleansing", the unknowing Idiot accompanying them included.
It would have been far more dangerous, if "that Idiot" who got killed, would have been allowed to get involved with us, or probably even our dear Node City nearby. " he answered.
But apparently the Tension was not fully over. The Owner of the Freehold himself was awaiting him, tipping his Foot on the Ground and having his Fists pressed into his Sides.
" D'iszdod'yez ... ... ... We're not getting into any Trouble, because of You or some People you know - right ? " the Owner said, not sure what he should think of, when his opposite Member shook his head with a calm smile.
" Not us. Definitely not us. It was more l~iiike ... ... ... ... "a little bit of trouble" ... ... ... ... in my Family. " he answered.
All the Man of his Freehold exchanged confused and unsure glances.
" But ... ... ... ... you told us, that your Parents are most likely "dead". " the Owner of the Freehold said.
" My Mother, most likely ... ... ... ... my Father, probably not. " he answered, still showing a little bit of a shrewd Smile - something he usually never does.
And just like that, another beautiful, sunny Day in the early Spring Season went to an End. A unexpectedly more eventful Day, than usual
H~aaah. It is true what they say ... ...
... ... ... you can choose your Friends - but you can't choose your Family.
When he left his People. When he left his Group unannounced, with no Intention of ever returning to it ?
Usually a cardinal Sin punishable with Excommunication - often followed by immediate death by execution.
It started when his Parents, slowly closing in onto undeniable elderly age - went missing.
Well ... ... ... ... ... not really missing, most likely. They had probably done the same thing as himself. But when they never returned, over a Year ago - and suddenly, one Day ... ... ... ... ... he was send a small Package - with a certain kind of Item inside,
he know nothing would bind him anymore to his more than wicked Group.
So he left.
Apparently after a good, many Months of Struggle - the Node Cities of the early Settlers finally began to develop into fine, little Villages and Towns.
Skilled People of different Crafts and Professions were suddenly in far higher Demand. Apparently Nobody ever really thought in trying to hire a huge bunch of People beforehand - as Nobody among the many People struggling to finally raise a truly successful, influential Node, was truly expecting to finally have Success.
Now,
Hunters, Merchants, Chefs and Craftsmen of all kinds were starting to compete with each other for the nicest Places in- AND outside the coming City-Walls to have as their Estate to exert their Lifework.
The Competition of capable People in front of the Mayor's had begun. WHO would be the One's allowed to become Land-Owners around the City-Walls and possess a so called Freehold ?
Welp, to bad for most of them.
" He " had already managed to sneak into a small Group who would own one near the Forest. His very "own" Craftsmanship, well more like a Perversion of an actual possession of Skills, was surprisingly popular at his new Freehold-Partners.
Managing and working a small Farm is no Joke. Not even for a bunch of Man in the peak Years of their prime.
So a bunch of helping, obedient, silent and cold Hands was always welcome. Oh, what unexpected Joy three undead Servants could bring. They never needed to sleep, eat - and also never demanded Payment.
They were " perfect " for this Job.
He smiled. Haaahh, sometimes he missed his old Group his Parents and him belonged to. Everything he knew -> everything he could do - he learned from them.
Be it a somewhat skilled Trapper for the Pelts or Meat of many Animals - or a simple Woodcutter, or Plant-gatherer who could tell You exactly which Mushrooms and Fruit in the Forest you could eat, or would die from being poisoned.
It was almost for over two Months, as if the small Freehold Community of his, had become his next, wicked little Family.
Until he received a sudden and not necessarily unalarming Surprise-Visit - by Members of his old group.
His Freehold-Partners were absolutely frightened when they spotted the Members of his old group. Well, most Civilians would be, looking at their horrifying Outfits made out of various Parts of - well - "recycled" Parts of Animals and fellow Humans alike.
" So it truly IS you ... ... huh ? " asked the Leader-looking Man of the Group. A rather intimidating looking, Fighter-seeming Man of tall Stature and broad Shoulders. He looked like he could probably manage a Fistfight with a Bear.
He nodded only, between his usual, stoic Indifference and a slightly cocky smile.
" Welcome ... ... ... in a quiet place ... ... ... of different Peace, from what our usual Village provided. " he answered, only to be met with an eerie Silence at first.
" ... ... You have quite the nerve, you know ? All of us know that the Rules are clear. Nobody - EVER - leaves the Order without a good Reason and without announcing it first. We had quite enough of annoying Betrayal and half-witted, spineless Cowards, in the past. " the tall, Fighter-like Man said.
He drew a ridiculously gigantic Sword from his back - that looked so huge that People would be amazed that he drew and lifted it only with one Hand and Arm alone.
" So you "know" my stole Story ? Of why i am here right now ? " he asked, knowing that his End had might as well truly come.
" Of Course. And YET you dare to stand here, like as if you hold not a single worry in the World - Son of the Traitor-Couple !! " said the Fighter-Man with apparent, calm Anger and his Voice - and a mighty blow was struck that left no doubt that he had successfully trained and improved his Swordsmanship many Years of his Life.
But it was not " his " Head, that was send flying.
Instead, who the Man struck - was one of his Companions - who was apparently standing "right behind him".
The tall Man had turned around with his whole Body in an impressive Movement, as soon as "both" of his Hands had grabbed his Two-handed Sword.
He cleaved the Head of the Man behind RIGHT in two halves in an diagonal angle, cutting off a terrified looking Piece of Head with one Eye, only to have the Body of the freshly slain Man drop to the Ground with an also terrifying looking, open Mouth.
" D'izsdod'yez ... ... ... You respected the ONE Rule in which unannounced Desertion from the Order is permitted. " the tall Man said, who had indeed to be one Hell of a Fighter. Definitely one of the strongest inside the whole Order.
" But you are a lucky man. We found out only by "Accident", who orchestrated the Betrayal of your Parents. Same as the betrayals of every other Couple of Members who suddenly turned their back on our Order in the last, two Years.
This dead Coward here, Haggart - was one of them. His Group plans a silent Take-Over since Years - and also has found a Way to corrupt our Rituals to create a Collector’s Touch for our Members. Their Goal is- " said the tall Fighter-Man,
but the Man apparently named " D'iszdod'yez " interrupted him.
" to create Collector’s Touch Gloves that work only for a very selected, blood-bound kind of Individuals selected for it, right ? Effectively taking away the Ability of them being used by more Members who are loyal to the current Order ... ... " he said. He wasn't completely sure, but this way all this secretive, suspicious and plotting Behaviour of some Order-Members of the last Years would make sense.
" Y'- ... ... you KNOW ?? " said the tall Fighter, his Eyes narrowing and his Voice welling up in anger.
" I had no true Confirmation or way to prove it ... ... ... ... but everytime someone "vanished" from the Village ... ... ... ... and suddenly, a "new Collector’s Touch's Glove" appeared - it looked kinda different than the one's our Order usually uses.
These ... ... ... are made entirely from "Human Bones", right ? Not Bones from Sanguine Siphoner's ... ... " said D'iszdod'yez.
The Fighter was not entirely sure for a Moment, if he should direct his Anger against his apparently renegade Order Member, or not. But he was smart enough to suspect, that the Man in front of him was not part of the traitorous faction inside the Order.
" So You have a good Idea, that your current Collector's Touch Glove is- " said the tall Fighter, but was cut off yet again.
" ... ... jeah ... ... ... that are the Wrist, Fingers - and Vertebra of my own, deceased Mother - are they not ... ? ... .. " said he, looking between a pondering expression and his usual, dark and stoic Behaviour.
Everyone from the Pursuer-Group of his Order, including the tall Fighter - looked at him in visible Surprise. If not apparent shock. Most Members of their Order are pretty hard-boiled, but seemingly not even them expected his Reaction to it.
" ... ... ... how would You know ? Or guess ? " the Fighter asked.
" Well it was around the Time when my Parents vanished. A few Days later, in the Night - a small Package was delivered to me ... ... ... ... apparently from a Sender unknown.
One of the "Finger-Bones" on the Bone is partially broken - on the same Place my own Mother had a snapped Finger since Years from a Work-Accident.
And ... ... ... ... she was always clearly smaller than me, since i reached Fourteen Years of Age. Only my Father, who is either still alive somewhere, or also deceased - is the same Size as me.
... ... ... and since our Order's Collector's Touch Gloves only work, when the Provider of the organic Material is already deceased ... ... ... that means my dear Mother has already left our mortal Realm. " he concluded - sounding more like a Detective than actually someone who lost one of his closest Family Members anyone could ever hope to have.
" ... ... ... You were always one of our worthiest Members. " said the tall Fighter. He could not hide his amazed Admiration of the Man's icecold, steely Nerves.
" I am glad to think that you are not part of the traitorous Faction ... ... ... ... or at least it seems this way. " the tall Fighter said. He wouldn't have expected most Members staying this calm and collected, after finding out one of their Parents had perished for a stupid Plot of some Traitors planning to overthrow the Leadership of the Order.
" ... did you already manage to snuff them all out ? " he asked. The tall Fighter only shook his Head a little bit, with a clearly unsatisfied Expression.
" Apparently these Pests had a more or less hint, that they were about to get exposed. Almost one fifth of the Order fled from the Village about a Month ago. We got almost half of them, but the remaining rest of the Bastards is still on the run.
This Bastard here was one of the few Individuals that had no Clue we had found out about his sneaky Involvement behind the Scenes. " said the Fighter and pointed onto the slaim, former "Comrade".
" Since You are practised in the Art of Necromancy - would you plan to use his remains as an undead Servant ? You could shame and humiliate him more, for being involved about your Parents vanishing ... ... " the Fighter insinuated, obviously with a bit of a vengeful Nature.
" N~aah. Thanks, but i pass ... ... ... ... i think a "visibly slain", undead Minion would be a ... ... ... "little bit to crass", for my current Coresidents ... ... " D'iszdod'yez " said, pointing with his thumb over his Shoulder towards the Freehold Estate behind himself.
" ... ... Oh ! " the tall Fighter said. Riiiight. They had almost forgotten they were so much out in the open. Far away from their usual Village - and People.
An amused chuckle broke out from the still five People huge Group of Men. A few Moments later, only "he" returned to the Freehold and the remaining Men of his former "Village" returned back into the Forest, the slain Member in tow like slain Wildlife.
When he returned to the Freehold, one of his Partners who worked there as the Farmer - came running to him and seemed to be in absolute Fright and Panic.
" D'ISZDOD'YEZ !! D- ... ... ... did our Falconer's sharp Eyes see true ? Did ... ... ... one of the Men, just Minutes ago - slay one of his Group's Members by chopping and slamming his HEAD in two halves ??? " the terrified Freehold-Member said.
" Calm down, Brandolf ... ... ... that Man has no Business with directing any kind of Hostility towards us. " he answered.
" HOW can you know ?? " said his Colleague loudly, still agitated.
" He informed me about a nasty Details about the former Group i used to live at ... ... ... ... and apparently they had to do a "bit of cleansing", the unknowing Idiot accompanying them included.
It would have been far more dangerous, if "that Idiot" who got killed, would have been allowed to get involved with us, or probably even our dear Node City nearby. " he answered.
But apparently the Tension was not fully over. The Owner of the Freehold himself was awaiting him, tipping his Foot on the Ground and having his Fists pressed into his Sides.
" D'iszdod'yez ... ... ... We're not getting into any Trouble, because of You or some People you know - right ? " the Owner said, not sure what he should think of, when his opposite Member shook his head with a calm smile.
" Not us. Definitely not us. It was more l~iiike ... ... ... ... "a little bit of trouble" ... ... ... ... in my Family. " he answered.
All the Man of his Freehold exchanged confused and unsure glances.
" But ... ... ... ... you told us, that your Parents are most likely "dead". " the Owner of the Freehold said.
" My Mother, most likely ... ... ... ... my Father, probably not. " he answered, still showing a little bit of a shrewd Smile - something he usually never does.
And just like that, another beautiful, sunny Day in the early Spring Season went to an End. A unexpectedly more eventful Day, than usual
H~aaah. It is true what they say ... ...
... ... ... you can choose your Friends - but you can't choose your Family.
✓ Occasional Roleplayer
✓ Currently no guild !! (o_o)
1
Comments
He is not spoken " Dis dod-Yes " (lol)
He is more spoken like " Di'ss do(h) di~yes " -> with []s~z / ß[] - at the End.
Like " d~i~esz ",
at the End. I hope i manage to write this correctly. His Name is actually spoken very smoothly. There is not a single, really hard Syllable supposed to be in his Name.
Only the " D'iss " and then " d'o(h) " in his Name can be imagined as a little bit hard-spoken.
I imagine he has a kinda melodic Name for someone who is a Human - and not an Elf.
It is probably pretty clear that he might come from a selected Group of People not usually part of any, normal City Population.
✓ Occasional Roleplayer
✓ Currently no guild !! (o_o)