Post by Psi on Nov 27, 2009 16:35:27 GMT -5
There they stood, the men and women who answered the goddess’ call. They shuffled about in a ragged mess, forming a donut shaped blob around a raised platform. Their feet dug into the sand below and their armor gave off variations of creaking and clanking noises. They seemed unsteady yet when they stood, their feet were planted firmly. Some were really unsure as to why they were here; others knew firmly that it was to assist their leader in a glorious battle.
A lean, yet muscular woman that stood upon the wide platform raised a hand for silence. And so there was. No one spoke, or moved, or breathed as she surveyed the group that was around her. She was slightly pleased. It was one of the more impressive sights her blue eyes had seen. There around her was a small army for her to lead.
She smiled. She turned her head to her side, her braided ponytail of golden silk flopping against her shoulder.
“You’ve gained quite a small army, sister. I see now that you are committed to become a god. But do you really know how this will affect the world? I ask you reconsider one last time.”
“I could care less. You know my ailment and you know the cure. It is a mere distance away and I shall have it. You are not here to lead me, but them.” It was a voice in venom laid in rich silk that answered. It was the voice of an illegitimate goddess. It was the voice of a rabid dog. It was a voice of one starved from all that she has gained. It was the voice of Carrie.
----
Dressed in a simple white robe, which seemed to cause her to glow in the high desert sun, Carrie began to address the assembled group. Many could not make out her features because of the glow and the distance but her words entangled most and motivated all who could hear. After which she separated them in groups by their registered first names. Those who had signed up with a first name that began with the letter “A” through “M” were sent to the Eastern side of the abandoned, desert city they now resided in. Those with the first names that began with the remaining letters went to the Western side. There they found a person who split them into smaller groups. Each group got a slim, colored, metallic bar to carry with them for verification.
“A-D” were Section 1 (Red) “N-R” were section 4 (Black)
“E-I” were section 2 (Blue) “S-Z” were section 5 (White)
“J-M” were section 3 (Yellow)
The soldiers were given a map and told to do as they pleased until nightfall. Carrie had an even planned for nightfall but until then, they were free.
On the map it displayed a few major areas. Most notable were the training area (positioned at the town square), the dining tables (Positioned to the East of the Training area, between the exit and the town square), the information desks (at each of the exits, East and West), the Sleeping area (The northern section of the town), the bath houses (south of the dining tables), and the commander’s area (Taking up the remaining portion of the southern area).
The Training area was a giant square made of mats. It had various punching bags and various types weapons strolled about. The northern half was dedicated to more close ranged combat typed fighters. There were straw dummies, punching bags, and melee weapons positioned in this area. The southern half of the square had dummies and targets set up for ranged fighters. Extra potions that strengthened the spirit also were strolled about. Bows and throwing knives littered the area as well. There was no real dividing line but there was enough space for two hundred men to train, on each side. A sign was posted at each corner. It read that killing a comrade, even in accident, was punishable by death.
The dining tables were five row of tables set up with an array of food. The foods ranged from cooked ham and turkey, to a large cow shaped bird, random pieces of meats and strange fruits and vegetables. There were mainly meats on the first table, fruits on the second, vegetables on the third, sweets on the fourth, and beverages on the last. In fact, the last was more of a bar with various bartenders serving drinks. There was plenty of food; the army had no need to worry about the threat of not having enough.
The information desks, which were just people at tables, are a place for newcomers in the region to go and get much needed information. The scholars that sat at each of the twenty tables at each exit knew enough to tell anyone almost anything they needed to know. These tables were also for those just looking to know more than they already did.
The sleeping area was the housing district of the town. It contained various brick buildings that had been turned into sleeping areas for the soldiers. Each building had a section number painted on its side for ONLY those of that section.
The bath houses were just that, houses for the soldiers to bathe in. They are large stone building containing a wide open interior with three sections of bathing. The first section is for initial cleaning, the second for secondary cleaning in warm water, and the third for relaxation in hot or warm water, the soldier’s choice. The eastern one is for females only and the western for males. Signs are posted heavily in that area stating that breaking this rule will result in immediate expulsion from the army.
Lastly, the commander’s area is comprised of the old chief’s building. There is absolutely no reason for any soldier of low class to enter. Stationed outside the building are the section captains, any low class soldier must conduct business through them. They wear their number plainly on their uniform and there are five for each section. Other than them no one there is anyone outside or around the building. This is where the leaders reside.
Written on the bottom of the map, in bold letters, is the message:
Anyone caught entering or leaving the city will be terminated on sight.
A lean, yet muscular woman that stood upon the wide platform raised a hand for silence. And so there was. No one spoke, or moved, or breathed as she surveyed the group that was around her. She was slightly pleased. It was one of the more impressive sights her blue eyes had seen. There around her was a small army for her to lead.
She smiled. She turned her head to her side, her braided ponytail of golden silk flopping against her shoulder.
“You’ve gained quite a small army, sister. I see now that you are committed to become a god. But do you really know how this will affect the world? I ask you reconsider one last time.”
“I could care less. You know my ailment and you know the cure. It is a mere distance away and I shall have it. You are not here to lead me, but them.” It was a voice in venom laid in rich silk that answered. It was the voice of an illegitimate goddess. It was the voice of a rabid dog. It was a voice of one starved from all that she has gained. It was the voice of Carrie.
----
Dressed in a simple white robe, which seemed to cause her to glow in the high desert sun, Carrie began to address the assembled group. Many could not make out her features because of the glow and the distance but her words entangled most and motivated all who could hear. After which she separated them in groups by their registered first names. Those who had signed up with a first name that began with the letter “A” through “M” were sent to the Eastern side of the abandoned, desert city they now resided in. Those with the first names that began with the remaining letters went to the Western side. There they found a person who split them into smaller groups. Each group got a slim, colored, metallic bar to carry with them for verification.
“A-D” were Section 1 (Red) “N-R” were section 4 (Black)
“E-I” were section 2 (Blue) “S-Z” were section 5 (White)
“J-M” were section 3 (Yellow)
The soldiers were given a map and told to do as they pleased until nightfall. Carrie had an even planned for nightfall but until then, they were free.
On the map it displayed a few major areas. Most notable were the training area (positioned at the town square), the dining tables (Positioned to the East of the Training area, between the exit and the town square), the information desks (at each of the exits, East and West), the Sleeping area (The northern section of the town), the bath houses (south of the dining tables), and the commander’s area (Taking up the remaining portion of the southern area).
The Training area was a giant square made of mats. It had various punching bags and various types weapons strolled about. The northern half was dedicated to more close ranged combat typed fighters. There were straw dummies, punching bags, and melee weapons positioned in this area. The southern half of the square had dummies and targets set up for ranged fighters. Extra potions that strengthened the spirit also were strolled about. Bows and throwing knives littered the area as well. There was no real dividing line but there was enough space for two hundred men to train, on each side. A sign was posted at each corner. It read that killing a comrade, even in accident, was punishable by death.
The dining tables were five row of tables set up with an array of food. The foods ranged from cooked ham and turkey, to a large cow shaped bird, random pieces of meats and strange fruits and vegetables. There were mainly meats on the first table, fruits on the second, vegetables on the third, sweets on the fourth, and beverages on the last. In fact, the last was more of a bar with various bartenders serving drinks. There was plenty of food; the army had no need to worry about the threat of not having enough.
The information desks, which were just people at tables, are a place for newcomers in the region to go and get much needed information. The scholars that sat at each of the twenty tables at each exit knew enough to tell anyone almost anything they needed to know. These tables were also for those just looking to know more than they already did.
The sleeping area was the housing district of the town. It contained various brick buildings that had been turned into sleeping areas for the soldiers. Each building had a section number painted on its side for ONLY those of that section.
The bath houses were just that, houses for the soldiers to bathe in. They are large stone building containing a wide open interior with three sections of bathing. The first section is for initial cleaning, the second for secondary cleaning in warm water, and the third for relaxation in hot or warm water, the soldier’s choice. The eastern one is for females only and the western for males. Signs are posted heavily in that area stating that breaking this rule will result in immediate expulsion from the army.
Lastly, the commander’s area is comprised of the old chief’s building. There is absolutely no reason for any soldier of low class to enter. Stationed outside the building are the section captains, any low class soldier must conduct business through them. They wear their number plainly on their uniform and there are five for each section. Other than them no one there is anyone outside or around the building. This is where the leaders reside.
Written on the bottom of the map, in bold letters, is the message:
Anyone caught entering or leaving the city will be terminated on sight.