Steel

I post shit once in a blue moon and usually just find ways to entertain myself. I mostly RP. Wyrmrest Accord/Moonguard

[uthengers]

Journal: Entering the City

June 6th,

My journey from the Plaguelands has finally brought me down to Stormwind. Magnificent city, especially the Cathedral. Humbling, and truly a testament to the Light’s greatness. I was pleased to find such glorifying architecture here.

I was not pleased by the rumors I heard, however. Not one week had I stayed and already I come across rumors of kidnappings, void lords, and the undead roaming around unchecked. The city reeks with this sort of filth and the guards seem to be having quite a difficult time controlling it. Either that, or they are not lifting a finger to it at all. In fact, just the other night, I confirmed that the rumors I heard were true. I was just enjoying a cold glass of water and conversation at a small bar when this rotting corpse came in, parading around and pretending to be a civil person. When in fact, I could smell the stench long before it stepped foot inside. The establishment, “The Fel Flower” was decent at least, though a better name could have been chosen. I much enjoyed my conversation with the barman, Audric Steelmantle, who was also a decent fellow and kicked that foul thing out. I would have put an end to that miserable wretch had it been outside the city. I have observed that many people here are… different and misguided. They would rather help the undead than kill them. They would listen to their woeful tales full of deceit and extend a hand of pity. Foolish. Those wretches will one day bite that hand, I know it all too well. Things will have to change. I decided to let that horror go for the meantime. Besides, I did not wish to dirty Audric’s place.

Later that night, I went to the Cathedral to go to a sermon with my new friend when I saw the same rotten corpse there. I could not believe they would allow it entry, much less fail to call the Light to purge it at the door. Such permittance is an affront to the Light. Perhaps the wicked have already infiltrated the ranks of the clergy and have donned their sheep’s clothes, manipulating the masses. A favored cowardly tactic of theirs. Audric had stormed out in a rage at seeing such a sight and I could not blame him. I soon followed after. Things will have to change, indeed.

@steelmantle (mention)

[brandstonethings]

Duty

The old Elwynn cabin was finally restored somewhat to its former state. Joe had been traveling from his work in Kul’Tiras to the mainland whenever he had spare time, which was more than usual since he was still recovering from his wounds. The wonderful invention of portals made the numerous trips possible, though taxing for his body, he endured it nonetheless. He had a duty that called him.

The hearth was lit, breathing life back into the humble home once more. The curtains were drawn closed across every window as the fire danced and threw shadows across the room. Joe went to the big wooden tool cabinet that sat in the corner of the room and took out a number of tools to start. For a moment, he glanced down at the foot of the cabinet, at the spot where he had hid the burden that was his now.

The shield.

Did you really want this destroyed, Neregory? He thought about it a good long time. It was forged for and destined to fight evil. What if it was the last of its kind? There were only seven shields. Seven shields that were no doubt hidden as well or in the hands of capable fighters, but still only seven. Or perhaps some of them had already fallen into the hands of the wicked. Perhaps they had twisted them into weapons of darkness already and were looking to do the same to all of the shields, including the one he was charged.

Not if he could hide it well. Joe had made up his mind not to destroy the shield, for it could be the very last savior someone would be searching for in times of peril, however many years down the road that may be. He hoped he would be gone by then, having grown old with Genny and living a peaceful life long enough to one day be called Grandpa before he passed. That was his dream, anyway. He sighed longingly before turning to make room on the table and workbench, whatever surface he could find. It was cramped, but it would have to be enough. 

He picked up the saw and got straight to work on his idea, his passion fueling him with the strength to work throughout the night, despite his exhaustion. He had to endure it. Joe knew he was by no means a hero and no one would remember him as such, but this was the duty that fell onto him. Perhaps this charge should be left to a greater men. He was just a farmer’s son after all. Yet, in his last moments, Neregory had trusted him to carry this out. He would not fail his trust.

Night after night, Joe worked on his secret project until it was impossible for his passion to carry him any further and he collapsed from exhaustion. He would wake up in the morning after the few hours of sleep he got, return to Kul’Tiras for his work there, and then return back for his work here. Rinse and repeat.

@steelmantle @tidesage-crestwell (mention)

[brandstonethings]

Last Wishes

Joe sat alone in his old cabin within the woods of Elwynn. It had been a long time since he’d been there. Once a place of cozy warmth, it was now dark, dusty, cobweb littered, and left mostly abandoned until now.

He had the fire burning low and made sure to close all the curtains. He unraveled the black fur cloak he had wrapped around a large slab-like object on the table, revealing it to be a shield. This was no ordinary shield, however. It bore the crest of Lordaeron proudly in gold and was trimmed with the same. A dim glow emanated from it, slightly illuminating the room a bit more. One of seven, this shield and others of its kind were crafted by a master blacksmith and infused with Light at a special forge. This shield was the first of the seven. Seven shields for seven human kingdoms.

Joe had learned all this and came into possession of the shield after he had gone to Neregory’s old house to come through with the favor he asked during his final moments. There, he found Neregory’s journal which detailed his thoughts during the last few weeks prior to his first death, before he had been risen as a death knight. Joe and his friends had gone to seek out a man by the name of Hraunn, who was mentioned many times in the journal and was in possession of the shield that Joe now had. Apparently Neregory was being blackmailed and was after this man for his shield along with the other six. Whether or not he was after it to deliver it to those blackmailing him, or to fight them with, he was unsure of.

“My work in this world is not done. Destroy it. You’ll know of what I speak.”

Joe thought back to Neregory’s last wish and thought back to what Hraunn had told him about the shields. They had the ability to repel undead and although infused with Light, they could be easily twisted and distorted if fallen into the wrong hands. They could well be made into weapons of darkness.

Joe stared at the shield on the table, its glow seeming to draw him in deeper. Was his last wish really to destroy such an incredible piece of craftsmanship? It was true, it could be corrupted… but it was made to fight evil. There was also another one of the shields Neregory seemed to be after according to the journal. He seemed to suspect that necromancers got to it before him, but that was where the journal had ended and most likely where his life had ended too. Did he want Joe to avenge him? Was it that other shield he wanted him to destroy or was it this one? Or both?

He sighed and continued to stare at the shield in deep thought. He stared at it a good long time before he made a decision. It was more of a stalling decision rather than a final one, but it will have to do. He wrapped the shield back up in the fur cloak and picked it up before walking over to his tool cabinet. He put the shield down for a moment before wrapping his arms around the heavy cabinet before sliding it out of its corner. The tools still in it, swung and clanked against each other as he moved it. He then knelt down and lifted a few loose floor boards under the dust free spot where the cabinet had been resting. It was there where Joe had hid a small stash of aged whiskey. Remarkably, he had managed to just fit the large shield in with the stash and put back the floor boards and the cabinet.

The shield would be a danger to everyone close to it. It would be a danger to those who were not prepared to fight the great evil hunting it in order to keep it. He thought it best no one but him know its whereabouts for now… and that was the best he could do until he figured out a better way to hide something so powerful. 

Joe had no intention of going after all the other shields. He would leave that to the more adventurous types. He could do this though. He felt compelled to. He was not there for Neregory when he died and although he tormented him in undeath, he had been a friend in life. Perhaps he owed him this much.

@steelmantle​

[brandstonethings]

Forge of Souls

Following: Nemesis

It was like walking into the stomach of some menacing beast. Only, this beast was more machine, made up of steel, bones, and fire. The Forge of Souls. It was not a place Joe expected to wander into at any point in his lifetime, yet here he was with his lover and his friends.

The four crept cautiously across long walkways of steel, crossed in a web-like pattern. They were suspended by towering chains hung from the ceiling above, of which he could not see where it ended. The enormous cavern, hollowed out to house this twisted machinery, was dark and cold. What warmth they had seemed to only be sucked out of them by the cool steel. The only light and heat emanated from the braziers spread out along the walkways, the red glow of what appeared to be massive grinders spinning dangerously fast below, and the fires shooting out of the sides and top of floating spires, suspended in the same manner as the walkways. It was the central spire that the group was headed for.

The sounds of the hammering of an anvil echoed through the darkness as the group finally reached the spire. After hastily tracking down the robed woman who escaped them previously, they had at last caught up. The walkway turned and the four followed it up a ramp and into the spire’s platform. It was there where their eyes bore witness to a great fire dancing above them, only it was incredibly unnatural, floating and being fed by a fuel source unknown. Joe had never seen anything like it. Along with it, an undead drake was spotted flying overhead with its death knight rider. The robed woman was in the center, tending to the recovery of her master, Neregory… Joe’s nemesis.

Their fight began with a burst of speed and intensity, Lithvia, Genny, and Joe quickly became locked in combat against Neregory’s two apprentices while Tralaia did her best to suppress the master from the fight with her arrows and traps. Yet, he was not kept out of the fight for long.

“Enough!” Neregory shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice echoing through the chamber as he freed himself. At the same time, a sheet of ice was blasted off in all directions, freezing everyone in the chamber, friends and foes. “Each of you, naught but wretches! Dying for a feeble man without the will to protect his own family!” He barked. “Fools, each of you. You have marched here to halt me, yet you have only marched to your deaths!”

Joe had stood over the drake rider, about to bring his axe down on him when he had been frozen in the ice. Yet, his gaze moved from the rider to Neregory now. His words had added to the fire of rage that already burned inside of him. Memories of the night his four-legged companion Hic had been brutally slaughtered by the same monster that stood before him flooded back into his mind. It was the same that night. Joe had stood unable to help, being trapped in a prison of ice. It was a lie, what he had said. Joe would die in an instant to protect his family, a fact he knew was true in his heart. His voice came forth with a growl and a deep rumble. “Say that again about me…”

It was then that the plated menace had begun to march toward him. Joe tried with all his might to break out of the ice, as he tried on that terrible night. He figured that if not with his pure strength alone, then maybe all of his rage would lend to it. It was not enough, Neregory was upon him now and took him in his grasp. “My weapons, my helm. Forged with the souls of innocents, the souls of those long dead. The souls of whose -children- could not help them!” The cold, gauntleted fingers found the back of Joe’s neck before he could even respond and launched him flying across the chamber. He landed hard and tumbled near the very edge of the platform, with what looked like the abyss below. Luckily, he did not fall off the edge, though he coughed up his own blood. Pushing himself back up with Tralaia’s help, the fight would then rage on relentlessly…

Keep reading

[steelmantle]

OOC: My Boy

Well hello there, hi, hail, how do you do? So. I don’t mess with tumblr, and frankly I’m holding myself back from speaking like a sailor already. I’ve deleted about 4 ‘fucks’ so far - my bad habits are not the point of this though! I’ve met a lot of people during my time as an RPer. Technically starting in Cata but I only really count from end WoD-present. Regardless, I’ve met a LOT of people. A lot of absolute scumbags, a lot of class clowns, and above all I’ve made a lot of friends.  Now. Mister Brandstone. @brandstonethings This man that I just tagged there, is beyond kind. Never have I met someone before that was so considerate, so caring to everyone that they met and interacted with.

Now I’ll be honest, at the first time I met this master of mutton, I was... quite sour, to just about everyone. A bit of a troll, and definitely an all around dick. Yet as I would spit and call him names (Not out of actual cruel intent) he would only compliment and smile. Through my years I like to think I’ve changed, and have grown more kind and considerate myself. I attribute much of that personal progression to Joe, if I’m being honest. Now that may be a lot to put onto someone that I just RP with from time to time when I’m not busy, but honestly? Kindness is infectious, I believe. And while I’m still a general dick most the time and I’m not the man I was a few years ago.

As for the aforementioned RP. God DAMN has this been a good time. Plenty of edge too, from all ends I’d like to think (especially mine). Though that’s not to say edge is bad, I think it’s a good kind of edge, it’s not sitting in the corner of a bar crying about your dead wife while everyone else tries to RP, it’s just a suspenseful, SOMETIMES cringe story with plenty of twists and turns. And while my RP on my original character, Neregory will cease to exist soon here, I’ve plenty of little ideas for the future. Some I’m already planting the seeds of. 

In all honesty though, I would -love- to RP with Joe more often. It happens on occasion nowadays, with usually a set date. Though folk get busy. I’ve guild stuff to attend to, things in other games, some times real life stuff - and so does Joe! But that’s alright. We’ve all got lives to live, I only hope that we can find more time for some casual RP in the future.

Until then, my good mutton man. You are my -motherfucking-  BOY.

[brandstonethings]

OOC: Thanks Partner

Hi! I don’t often post OOC stuff on here but I’m just feeling in the thankful mood. First, I want to thank everyone who I’ve ever RPed with, on here, on discord, or in-game. You guys have really made this a great experience for me, being the nooblet I am at this RP business haha. Again, thank you all, and I hope this brings a smile to your face.

Alright, now this one is for @steelmantle

Hey buddy, I just wanted to tell you thanks for being such a great rp partner, friend, and thanks for just being you! You make it so easy to bounce ideas around and just talk to in general. Even though we’re both terribly indecisive with plotting things (or really with anything ranging from whether we’re doing rolls or emote battles and rp locations lol), we always talk it out and just throw ideas out there to one another and usually it works in one way, shape, or form, and I really love doing that with you. I know that if I were to plot something myself, I’d be stuck fussing over things but together, stuff just works.

I’m very excited to see how the whole story with Neregory and Joe wraps up, if a little sad for the end of it. After all, Neregory and Joe go way back! But, here’s hoping we can cook up some new things! I’ll be looking forward to it!

Thanks man, for being one of the best rp partners I ever had.

Also, your screenshots are the best and always make me laugh.

[steelmantle]

Yo wtf this is cute as hell. I prepare a counter attack as we speak.

[brandstonethings]

Nemesis

The search for Neregory had been long, at least it felt long to Joe. The trek was slow due to the bone chilling winds of Northrend, though the group of four always knew their direction. They had been met with resistance and taunting by the death knight the whole way. He was not afraid of them and genuinely enjoyed provoking Joe. Despite his urge to, Joe somehow had managed to keep himself mostly together and not charge off in a blind rage after his nemesis. He had prepared his mind for this journey and came to the conclusion that his rage alone was not enough to get him what he wanted. To kill this beast and save the souls of his parents, he needed to keep his anger under control and he needed the help of his friends.

The group had at last reached where Neregory had been waiting for them, though they had to fight through his minions first. The huntress Tralaia and her lethal arrows ripped through the air and found their marks in the skeletons and abominations. Lithvia, a cleric who wielded both light and steel, fought fiercely with her lupine companion, Dath’anar, and was always the first into combat. Genny and her elemental, Seabreeze, although not the strongest in hand-to-hand combat, held their own. She was the light in Joe’s life and no matter what anybody said, was the one who gave him strength and comfort in times of despair. He had asked no one to come with him on this dangerous journey, yet here they were. He was glad and thankful for it in the end.

They came to a large bridge spanning over to an equally large circular platform that was enclosed by a great twist and funnel of ice and snow. The death knight could be heard chanting some sort of spell over the whirlwind and an unnatural crack of lightning shot down into the center.  Before they could cross, the funnel had vanished with an explosion, staggering the group. It seemed that the death knight had finished whatever spell he was casting. When the last of the snow had vanished, it revealed Neregory standing before an anvil, passing a runed hammer to a robed woman whose flesh was as pale as snow with eyes of lichfire. The woman took the hammer and flew off on a bony gryphon into the grey sky.

Keep reading

[steelmantle]

“The hammer strikes one, the toll has begun.”

“The hammer strikes two, the anvil tolls for you.”

“The hammer strikes three, it’s too late to flee.”

“The hammer strikes four, death yearns for more.”

[steelmantle]

[steelmantle]

Moar

[steelmantle]

Yearly Reminder I Still Breathe, Expect Meme Spam

[visenyaism]

Liam greymane fighting shirtless with a broken bottle would have won mak’gora😔✊

[memesfromstuff]

when both you and your RP partner sucks at plotting

[asilversky]

@latildarommel

[newsnerd-ooc]

My fucking eternal plight. I HATE IT.

[brandstonethings]

@steelmantle 

[steelmantle]

I feel personally attacked

@brandstonethings

[steelmantle]

SQUINT

[brandstonethings]

Just Business

The fight was savage. It was mud, blood, tooth and nail. Yet, only one seemed more hellbent on destroying the other. Entertainment for the undead, but for Joe, it was everything he had and more. Everything he could dig into and pull out from his heart and his body, completely ignoring his own safety and life at the face of a legion of shambling ghouls and rattling skeletons behind their master. It was not enough.

In truth, Joe would have been dead were this not simply just fun and games for the death knight. He had been spared, which only angered the guardsman more. He laid there, flat on his back on the cold stone bridge that led into the castle. The portcullis was closed and it was dead silent.

Why does he play these games with me?

The silence took him out of the world, if only for a moment. He was left in his thoughts of why’s and how’s and should of’s and would of’s. It wasn’t long before he woke up and the world came crashing back down upon him. He turned and pushed himself up, muscles tightening from pain, head to toe plastered with a mixture of mud and blood. Every bone in his body was aching as the heavy steel of his armor pressed up against his bruises with every movement, but still he stood up. And there he saw the scattered bones of his parents.

Quickly, Joe picked all of them up and placed them into a large sack and started walking, stopping only to take one glance back at the castle. He did not want to leave yet but he was in no condition to fight again. He was left to his own thoughts once again as he stumbled over hills and through woods and back to the sloppy roads towards home.

The bastard still has their souls… Damn it!

But at least I can bury ‘em now. It ain’t enough though. Not nearly enough.

I swear I won’t rest till he gets what’s comin’ to him. I swear it, Pa. I’m goin’ to strangle him till his fuckin’ neck is crushed like a tin can ‘n his rotten head pops!

He sighed. I’m sorry, Ma. I know I ain’t supposed to talk like that. I know.

The skies were white with clouds back in Westfall. He stood over the two graves, setting the sack down. Dirt and dust had blown over them and had partially filled them, making more work for the man as he began to dig them out again. The spade cut into the dirt with the heat of anger. In and out the spade went, dirt flying out until the graves were empty. Hands slick with sweat yet cut with blisters as the chest heaved and the mind drowned in frustration.

The sack was emptied next. The hands picked through and sorted out which bones belonged to who the best they could, but there was no way of being sure. That was perhaps the most upsetting part. He placed them inside and covered them over with dirt before finally sitting in contemplation when the hollow voice of the knight pierced through his other thoughts.

“… Souls to feed a forge in the icy lands of the North. It’s just business, really.”

Just business… My business ain’t finished yet. Northrend… that’s where I’ll bury you too.

@steelmantle

[qwak-yro-deactivated20190420]

watch out alliance scum

[steelmantle]

Stay safe everyone

[its-spelled-maille]

What is a Longsword?

A longsword is a two-handed sword commonly worn as a sidearm throughout the Late Medieval period and Renaissance. 

Contrary to popular belief, often perpetuated by role-playing games, a longsword was not intended for use in one hand, save for a few exceptions such as taking a hand off the grip mid-exchange to grab or disarm one’s opponent. 

- mod Sallet

[brandstonethings]

Preparations

There was a sigh of relief. The burden that Joe had been carrying had been lifted and at last he was free to hunt down the monster that had ripped his parents from their peaceful rest. Though it made him all the more anxious again.

Goodbyes had been said and his post had been filled until he returned. He could rest easy knowing that, at least. Joe traveled back to Elwynn, back to his old home in the woods. It was mostly just as he left it, if a bit dusty. The day was spent preparing. Food, coin, weapons, armor. He had purchased a new set along with a menacing heavy maul, promised to be highly effective against the undead. He needed all the help he could get. After all, he was going on this hunt alone. It was simply something that needed to be done this way.

The day was spent meticulously sharpening blades, training, and packing. “You will come back alive, Mister Brandstone, because I’m ordering you to. Who else will protect Nerina’s harbors?” The words spoken from the Duchess were spoken once again in his mind as the grindstone gradually cut away at the steel, reforming a crisp sharp edge. It was an order he hoped he could obey… but reality sung a different tune. It was likely he would end up a cold corpse rotting in the earth, if he was lucky. Against the enemy he was facing, a corpse meant a new mindless slave to add to the army. It was his greatest fear.

But how could he cower away while his mother and father were living that fear at this very moment? He had to get them back, free their souls from the death knight’s grasp, and bury them properly once again.

It was either that or die trying. Joe placed the knife down on the table to take a moment’s rest. His gaze caught the tombstone for his dog outside on the hill. It was fashioned out of a small rock with a paw imprint in the center. Just the thought of Hic’s death boiled his blood into hot anger. It was unfair. The death of his best friend came in a cruel way by a cruel man who he once called friend.

Even if Joe wanted, tears would not come now. Perhaps he had cried enough over it. The world was cruel. Hic is dead. All family by blood to him was gone, in one way or another… And he had been betrayed. Time and time again, Joe had been told that he was too kind, too forgiving, too soft… and that others would use that to hurt him. It was true, they were right. Perhaps it took that many times for the message to get through his thick skull, but he learned now. He knew.

He grasped another blade tight and pressed it against the grindstone, hatred filled in his eye as the sparks flew. It would take a cruel Joseph to put his family back to rest and crush the skull of that monster, Neregory.

@steelmantle (I didn’t know if you had a tumblr for Neregory or not) @elaianna (mention)

[steelmantle]

Cackles in edgelord.