The Writers Guild Presents: 6/20/2014

The Mists of Carligh

This was a FF Group I tried to start. Never took off. However no use letting the story go to waste!

The History: The County of Carligh is one filled with bloody war. Once ruled by a race of powerful mages known as the Lord Elves, the country is often at each others throats. There are different cities across the country, each directed under their own laws, forces and rulers. With some being ruled by mystical creatures (for example The City known as Tarysgerain is ruled by a race of Ancient Vampires.) Of course there are small villages in between where normal folks try to live their lives, however the forests are filled with mystical monsters including Lycans and Trolls. If any of you want to come up with your own monsters and such feel free.

The Geography: Due to the nature of the wars that have been fought over the years, Carligh is well known for being different in its areas. For example the North of Carligh is dangerous mountainous areas used by Orc miners and populated by Rock Trolls, while the south is lush green hill areas used by farmers and rumored to contain dragons. The country of Carligh is surrounded by vast oceans which are often beset by large tidal waves. This is due to strong magic left by an immortal race of beings known as the Stone Gods.

The Cultures: Carligh is made up of many different races. However obviously they don't ALL get along. Vampires are often secretive beings due to being hunted over the centuries. Orcs' hair is stronger then wire and humans are used as slaves by bandits. Aruguments are decided at the War Council, a meeting of the cities on a large mountain in the middle of Carligh. Sailors who attempt to sail the oceans have never returned. Gold is used for Currency.

The Wandering Mage

Oatsville, a small town on the edge of nowhere, The Dancing Donkey Inn.

"I reckon it was the rock trolls again."

Jack frowned as he glanced up from his stale flagon of mead and stared across the table. The Orc who was talking wasn't sat anywhere near him, however from the sound of his voice it sounded like he could be sat right next to him.

"The rock trolls live in the mountains idiot!" The Orc's friend said angrily. "They haven't been seen in the South for thousands of years!" The Orc spat into his ale before taking a large gulp. The first Orc frowned as he tried to comprehend what his friend was saying.

"Well it must have been the Bloodsuckers!" He said after a few moments of silence. This time the whole room fell silent as they listened in on their conversation. "Someone made that town disappear!"

"If they were Vampires then where were all the bodies?" The barkeeper asked as he polished a cup with a dirty cloth. The Orc smiled as all the attention turned to him. Slowly he stood up.

"They musta taken them!" He said. "Keep their bodies as a constant supply of blood! Perhaps take em back to their lords in Tarysgerian!" The room erupted as the patrons started discussing the strange disappearances that had occurred recently in the neighboring village. Jack sighed as he tried to block out the noise from the crowd.

"I hear that John Luke and his family are a bunch of bloodsuckers!" A voice rang out. The room fell silent as Jack looked up in surprise.

"Maybe we should get a party together!" One of the Orcs yelled. "Teach em not to eat Townsfolk!" Voices rang out in agreement from the crowd as Jack slowly stood up. He picked his helmet up from the table and placed it over his head as he stepped towards the door.

"You do realize I can't let you do that." Jack said nervously as several of the crowd stepped towards him. The Orcs shoved through the crowd and stared down at him.

"And why not?" One of them asked. Now that he was closer to Jack the light showed a large pale scar running over his right eye. "We can't let those Vampires get away with it!" Jack's hand started to turn sweaty as he pulled his sword from its hilt.

"The family wouldn't be able to cart all those town folks from the town." Jack said as the Orc stared at his sword. "Also... I'm pretty sure we would have noticed them dragging hundreds of townsfolk at night." He muttered at the end.

"Stand aside." The Orc growled. "You're a guard! We've committed no crime!"

Jack nodded slowly. "Which is why I'm trying to stop you from starting one." He said. The Orc went silent. Jack jumped in surprise as the door behind him opened sending light into the dark inn.

"Move." A voice said behind Jack.

"Sorry." Jack muttered as he stepped aside. He watched as the crowd parted aside to allow the man through.

"I'll have a glass of Coventry Wine." The man muttered as he sat down at the bar table. The barkeeper nodded as the man passed several gold coins over before calmly placing an old wooden staff at his side. Jack noticed he wasn't the only one staring at the man. The rest of the crowd was as well.

"You're not from around here are you?" The Orc scar asked as he sniffed the air. "You smell like an outsider."

"That's a shame..." The man muttered as he took a sip of his wine. "I thought I showered this morning." He pulled his hood back revealing blonde hair and pointy ears. He turned round revealing grey eyes and a slightly grey tint to his skin. Jack had never encountered such a creature before, however he'd heard about them. Almost everyone he knew had. In fact.... they weren't supposed to exist anymore.

"You're a... Lord Elf!" Jack said in surprise. The Elf smiled as he placed his glass back down on the table.

"Ah ha! Someone who knows his history!" He chuckled. "Yes. I am."

"Lord Elf?" The other Orc asked. "I thought your kind was wiped out long ago." The Elf's face softened as if he was remembering painful memories.

"Yes... to my knowledge I am the only one that remains." The patrons of the bar had gone back to their drinks while Jack and the Orcs had both taken seats around the Elf.

"You people were Scholars." Jack said. "Masters of Magic." Jack nodded towards the Elf's staff. "Are you a Wizard?" He asked.

"A... wizard?" The Elf frowned. "Dear boy, I am no more a wizard then you are an ant. The fact that you have called me a Wizard implies that I barely grasp the complexities of Magic, when in actuality I am its Master. In fact now that you have called me such a name I am deeply offended and am considering rupturing your heart." The Elf took another sip of his wine.

Jack was silent as he processed what the Elf had just said. "So... what are you then?" He asked.

"My name is Azaylon." The Elf said with a sigh. "I am the last surviving Lord Elf. The rightful Arch Mage of Carligh and a master of the Mystic Arts. However simpletons such as yourself have taken to calling me by another name."

"And what's that?" One of the Orcs asked.

"Arrogant ba$tard." Azaylon sighed. "Of course I prefer the 'Wandering Mage' if I have to choose."

This time the Orcs were silent. After several more sips of his drink Azaylon stood up to leave.

"Wait! Where are you going?" Jack said suddenly. He reached forward and scraped Azaylon's robe causing him to jump back in surprise. He stared at Jack for a second before rubbing at the cloth where Jack's fingers had traced.

"I... I have an investigation of utmost importance." Azaylon said as he picked up his staff. "Innocent lives depend on it." He turned to leave only for the Orcs to step in front of him.

"What mission?" The one with the scar asked. "Is it close by? Is it dangerous to the town?" Azaylon sighed. He seemed to be in a hurry.

"I recently traveled to a village known as Townwood. It's about several miles from here. However when I arrived the village was deserted."

"That's the town were the Vampires attacked!" The Orc yelled with a smile. His friend nodded as Azaylon gave them a puzzled look.

"Vampires? There were no Vampires there I assure you." Azaylon muttered. "When I arrived I noticed the oddity of the entire town being deserted, so I cast several seek spells. It wasn't Vampires."

"How can you tell?" Jack asked.

"All the Humanoids were gone." Azaylon muttered. "Humans, Elves, Orcs... all of them..." He smiled. "But the animals were left behind. Cats, Dogs... Direwolves. They were all left behind. Meaning..." He waited for a reply.

"Meaning?" Jack asked after a few seconds. Azaylon sighed at their lack of intelligence.

"Lycans." He said with a smile. Jack and the Orcs glanced at each other. "Garwalfs, Flesh Raiders, Dark Destroyers..." Azaylon muttered. "Or as you may know them... Werewolves."

The full force of the Alaskan wind hits me when the elevator reaches the top. I take in my surroundings before I dash for cover. The wind whips snow around a Russian made gunship sitting on a the helipad. Guards patrol on all side. I contact Colonel Fury.

'It's Winter Soldier. I'm in front of the disposal facility'

'Excellent Soldier. Age hasn't slowed you down one bit'

Then another voice cuts in. Agent 13, one of Fury's intelligence gatherers assigned to the mission. She knows her stuff, even knew the Captain back in the day.

'How's that sneaking suit working out?'

'I'm nice and dry but it's a little hard to move'

'Bear with it. It's designed to prevent hypothermia. This is Alaska you know'

'Take it easy, I'm grateful. If it wasn't for your suit and your shot, I would have turned in to a popsicle out there'

'An anti-freezing peptide, Soldier. All of the SHEILD agents on this exercise are using it'

'I see. I'm relieved to here that it's already tested. By the way, hows the diversionary operation going?'

Fury's voice cuts back in.

'Two Quinjets just took off Galena and are headed your way. The terrorist radar should have already picked them up'

From my position I look over the helipad. The man calling himself “Nomad” is climbing in to the copter, it looks like he's preparing for the Quinjet assualt.

'A Hind D. Colonel. What's a Russian gunship doing here?'

'I have no idea.. but it looks like our little diversion has got their attention. Now's your best chance to slip in unnoticed'

'There is only 18 hours left till the deadline. You've got to hurry'

Then another new voice comes over the communicator.

'Wow.. You must be crazy to fly a Hind in this kind of weather'

'Who's that?'

'Sorry, I haven't introduced you to yet. This is Pepper Potts. She was assigned to us as our visual and data processing specialist. She helped update your arm and your goggles. Contact her if you have any questions about either'

'Nice to meet you Winter Soldier. It's an honour to meet a living legend like your self'

Her voice. She's only a girl. She's far to young to be involved in war like this.

'What... what's wrong?'

'Nothing. I just didn't expect a world-class designer of military technology to be so... cute'

'Ha you're just flattering me'

'No I'm serious. Well I know I won't be bored for the next 18 hours'

'C'mon... I can't believe I'm being hit on by the famous Winter Soldier. But I'm surprised. You're very frank for a trained killer'

'Looks like we both have a lot to learn about each other'

'Yeah, I'm looking forward to learning about the man behind the legend'

Colonel Fury cut in.

'Soldier, you need to find the hostages. The have both been implanted with nano machines, so you should be able to track them using your goggles. If they are still alive that is..'

The can barely see the entrance to the facility because of the blizzard. But the snow helps just as much as it hinders. If I can't see the enemy, then the enemy can't see me. I make my way around the the left of the helipad. My arm gives off a jamming signal so the surveillance cameras are not a problem.

The guards seem tired and cold. Heads down, not paying attention. More likely thinking about their bunks rather than the possibility of an intruder. I slip in to the back of an empty transport vehicle to avoid a guard. I search the cargo for any weapons I can use and find a silenced 9 MM SOCOM. Looks like my luck is holding after all.

I slip passed another guard and making sure I avoid the automated spotlights. I head for the air ducts, my point of entrance, when a voice comes over the communicator.

'Soldier, this is Dum Dum Dugan. It's been a long time'

'Dum Dum? What are you doing here?'

'I quite being a drill instructor, so I moved out here for some peace and quiet. I'm in retirement just like you. Once and a while I still help train Alaskan Scouts'

'Passing on the skills to a new generation, huh?'

'Fury told me about the situation here. I thought I might be of some use'

'There's no one I'd rather have in a foxhole than you'

'Well I know about survival in a harsh environment. I've lived in Alaska longer than you, so call me if you have any questions about the flora or fauna out here'

I move deeper into the air duct.