Knights of Anathaeum Of Wild Hearts (Anathaeum Bounty Board)

[Meepo]

The Vale. An expanse of peerless beauty that unfortunately invited the worst the land had to offer. Namely, Baron Alon Pinkrose. Now, Meepo had managed to beat out Syr Dorn for the mission, one that left the even older veteran a tad miffed. It was probably best though, as he would have likely killed the party and made it look like some sort of troll attack. Meepo didn't know what he would do, but Meepo could see that outcome.

Now then, the easiest part: removing blame from the Knights of Anathaeum. That meant no nature magic, no armor with sigils emblazoned, nothing of the sort. So naturally, Meepo's biggest concern was he was the Magnificent. Surely, every human knew him within a thousand miles! He would likely still get recognized! But it was a sacrifice he was willing to make. His fox buddies needed him.

So, Meepo would first stock up on supplies and that meant getting some food for the road. He did his usual strut into the Knoll, the same hops, the same swagger, the same high-fives, the same howls, and thankfully the same order. Roki handed him his sack filled with roasted rabitses, roasted carrots, taters, and double the buns for twice the fun. Well, two orders, one for whoever was accompanying him. Bing, bang, boom, onto the next step.

Clad in his black training leathers, his noble sword Drakebait, and a ragged looking black cloak, he was ready for the hunt, all he needed to do now, was wait.

 

[Jehsalia Ruststone]

It was a fine day for hunting. Sunny, clear-skyed, a gentle breeze on the cheek. Perfect weather for sighting and stalking prey through the Vale's vast green. It had been some time since Jehsalia found occasion to hunt, so the mission issued by the captains was one she looked forward to very much.

Moreso because their quarry wasn't game, but men. Arrogant, stinking, noble men.

It was only too bad orders had been clear not to harm the villains. Jehsalia would've liked to see how well those nobles still fought, after their skills had gone so long without a proper challenge, wetting their steel only on the blood of deer and rabbits. But in the end, the dire foxes needed help, and so the Knights of Anathaeum would be their shield even in secret, as they were for all worthy creatures of the Vale.

As the gates of the monastery came into view, so too did the distinctive figure of Syr Meepo. The kobold's garb was as un-heroic as Jehsalia had ever known him to don; she glanced over her own attire. No greaves or gauntlets today, no armor at all, nothing that would easily identify her as a knight. Just a simple cloth tunic and trousers of gray cotton, and black hooded cloak. The ink-like swirls of her runic tattoos were visible at her wrists, disappearing into her sleeves. If the unfortunate happened and they were caught, hopefully Baron Asshole Pinkrose would assume she was some persuasion of cultist.

Oh, irony.

"Hail, Syr Meepo."

Jehsalia's grin was bright as she joined him, one hand raised in greeting, the other gripping the strap of her pack, filled with food and equipment. She carried no weapons aside from her own fists; needed no other.

"Great day for hunting, don't you think?"

 

[Bebin Theros]

Little of what Syr Bebin wore differed from his usual attire, save the colors. Instead of his usual charcoal greys, blues, blacks, and minor accents of yellow, he dressed more in an olive drab, brown leather pants, and his turban was a deep black, like his beard. He would not tell anyone. Ever. But he was proud of his functional, yet form fitting attire. To tell it true, he looked every bit a poacher. If only better kempt.

The fact that he was rarely at the Monastery only had him take greater care in appreciating the small comforts that came with being home. He was washed, for one. And when he had taken a bath he did so without rush. Even if he knew he would have to ready himself for the task to come, he luxuriated in the tub. Mediated. Found his center. And when he dried his long, back length hair, tied it into a braid and wrapped it upon his head, again, it must be stressed, he did so without rush. He did so as if the act was sacred. For it was. And he knew how much time he had, and what he needed to do within that frame of existence. Of course, it helped that few were the souls who got up before the Pursuant of Loch. Deep in the hours well before dawn.

Sept, perchance, Syr Dorn. Bebin wasn't even sure Syr Dorn slept. And that minor mystery won points of his respect.

Still, he was fresh, ready and well rested when he happened upon Syr Meepo, and Syr Ruststone. "Indeed it is, Knights Sworn," the broad pursuant rumbled in his baritone voice. He nodded to them each in turn, then bore a salute, upturned fist pounding upon his heart. His eyes expected the gesture returned. "You will lead in this assignment," he cut, gazed at Jehsalia, then Meepo, a smirk crooked his lip. "I am only here to provide you with support." he bowed his head again. "Now, let us go ruin this lordling's farce," his eyes twinkled, devilish.

 

[Meepo]

Meepo would be petting the mighty Beowoof when Jehsalia happened upon him. His tail was flicking from side to side as he hummed the tune of Skinks latest single. When she cut in with her greetings he would hop around with a toothy grin "Jehsyyyyy!!!!" He would howl with excitement. Beowoof would follow suit with a single, heroic bark at the ending of her name.

He was about to answer her question when the familiar voice of Bebin the Basilisk sounded off behind her. "Bebbinnnnn!" Another howl from him, a bark from Beowoof. He would toss Bebin the other sack of food he had attained from Roki before procuring his own sack. He then tossed Jehsalia a smoking hot bun. "We needs to eat!" He howled before climbing into his saddle and lounging before he gorged upon his sack of food within seconds.

His tail and Beowoofs tail continued to flick and wag in happiness as he ate. After all, he could remember when both came to the Order and by the time the youngest member joined their ranks, he was well into his years of pulling pranks on the squires. Once finished with his portion, he would let his wargi eat the rest. The empty sack was them tucked into the saddle bag. "Make way, villainy! Heroes coming through-oooooooo!" Another heroic howl, followed by a howl from Beowoof.

Jehsalia Ruststone Bebin Theros

 

[Jehsalia Ruststone]

"Syr Bebin."

Jehsalia returned the salute, the cheer on her face momentarily fading into something more solemn and respectful. Then her hand went to rest on her hip, and she was grinning once more.

"Yes, Syr. It's an honor to work with you no matter who's leading, anyhow."

Uncommon were those knights who relied on a magick like Steel Body to provide their defense in lieu of more traditional armor. Rarer still to see two such knights dispatched on the same mission. Of course it would be best if the situation with Baron Pinkrose didn't come to blows, but--well, she wouldn't mind playing audience while Syr Bebin wielded their shared magick, either.

Jehsalia smiled fondly, giving Beowoof a quick scratch under the chin, before catching the object that came sailing in her direction. She glanced at it and brightened.

"Oh, thanks!"

She'd already had breakfast, but how could anyone say no to a hot bun from the Knoll, still warm from the kitchens?

Once they'd all polished off their food, the knights took to the road. The day continued its pleasantness, wind whispering through the trees and sending dappled branch-shade into a gentle dance across the ground. Soon they would have to leave the main road and duck into the forest's protective embrace while they hunted for their ignoble nobleman, but for the time being Jehsalia was content to enjoy the simple pleasure of their march.

"How do you want to approach our quest, Syr Meepo? I'm confident I can maneuver around Pinkrose and his company without being detected, but I assume you'd rather take a more straightforward approach?"

 

[Bebin Theros]

Syr Bebin nodded his approval at Syr Ruststone. Ever the example, he felt a ripple of pride course through him, and twinkle in his eye at the sight of the young sworn half-elf. Syr Meepo, however, ever the eccentric, did little more than inspire a glare from the dark whiskered Dusker, and a disapproving grunt.

"Syr Meepo-" he began, voice harsh and warming with the threat of reprimand, his hand snapped out like a snake and caught the bag of provisions out of the air. "While your magnificence is well documented in the charlatan Skink's ballads," he idly opened the bag and looked at the contents inside, corners of his dark eyes wrinkling as his brow creased further, the dark caterpillars slowly pinching together in disbelief. Who ate like this? The mash, the rabbit, the carrots. They were all just tossed about in the bag! Nothing was separated, nothing was-

A rallying cry was let out, a reminder of the task at hand. Bebin, so distraught by the disregard for proper food seperation and organized packaging, sealed the unholy sack of rations, rolled it up, and tied it off, so that none of the grease and vegetable mush leaked out in transit. He stashed it into his light pack, and the scents of roast rabbit, tatoes and carrots was quick to dissipated.

Bebin, too, had already eaten.

You are just here to support. Bebin reminded himself. Remember, Syr Meepo is Syr Meepo, and Jehsalia is as fine a Sworn as the order can hope for.

His conversations with Selene had been helping him be a little more... hands off.

 

[Meepo]

Meepo offered Jehs a happy and tooth-filled smile as she worshipped Beowoof and then ate her hot bun. She understood the magic of life, as he did. "Jehiis!" He would howl her praise.

Meepo looked to Bebin expecting there to be more to what he was going to say, obviously Meepo's magnificence was well recorded, but he was prepared to do battle over the declaration of Skink being a Charlatan. Then he remembered Bebin was just always jealous of the noble Skink. Who wasn't?

So instead of anger, he would just offer Bebin a toothy grin before puffing some smoke and blowing it towards him. Beowoof would begin marching along and Meepo glanced towards their youngest companion. "Wherever evil treads! We tread louder!" He howled in excitement. He then looked back to Jehs. "As much as Meepo wishes to purge this stinking evil from the Vale, we should work on the outskirts of their hunting trip. We don't have to directly fight them, just keeps them from succeeding!"

Bewoof would trot happily at the head of the small band, tail wagging. "Bebinnn!" Meepo howled, looking over his shoulder. "How was your foods?!"

Jehsalia Ruststone Bebin Theros