Heroes Die Young

Plot

Everyone knows that the true heroes die young but what if they don't want to? This group don't yet know that they're heroes and maybe some of them aren't. Currently they're all individual people seeking out the fountain of youth for one reason or another. It's going to be a long journey with a lot of hardships along the way and when they reach it they're going to have to face a hard fact. Only two may drink out of it every fifty years and the fountain is sentinent. Either the whole group chooses which two or no one drinks. Fooling the fountain is possible but difficult. How will they decide?

Information

Okay so I'm keeping it very basic for now. We start at the beginning of the trail. The world is different to our own in that banditry is common as are long and pointless quests to find mythical objects such as the holy grail. For all aspects it's a fantasy realm and magic is allowed but keep it moderate, no super powerful sourcerors please. This is the type of quest that would spend months gathering members before setting off. There will probably be bards just along for the ride, hoping to make up a song should the venture be successful and of course a trail of old people, some of whom I'm sure will die along the way. This gives you liscence to have any age character, they could be accompanying their grandfather. There will be hired swords, maybe a healer or two etc.

So. There will be perils such as water shortage, losing their way, bandit attacks etc. They have an old map and have marked out towns they plan to stop at but will have to spend at least some time in the wagons and tents. They can't move quickly and by the end of the journey I intend our characters to be the only ones left, even if most leave just because they're disheartened.

The usual rules apply and it's 16+ so moderate swearing is okay.

And a character base for those who want it:

CodeSelect all

[quote]
[b]Name: [/b]
[b]Age: [/b]
[b]Position: [/b] (Mage/ bard/ fighter/ healer/ old man etc)
[b]Reason for joining: [/b] (Why do they seek the fountain of youth?)
[b]Appearance: [/b]
[b]Personality: [/b]
[b]History: [/b]
[b]Other: [/b][/quote]

Enjoy! And welcome one and all I'll post my character when I see what's needed most <333

**EDIT: Never mind, sorry. I won't be able to join.**

Name: Leif Benedict

Age: 24

Position: Summoner/Seer

Reason for joining: He was asked to go with the team by a friend of his, and it wasn't as if he had anything better to do anyway.

Appearance: He has stylishly messy black hair, dark gray eyes and, although not too tall, carries himself with pride. Carries some divining materials with him.

Personality: He's a slacker, albeit a very friendly one. He'll always try to worm his way out of work and is not averse to charming (or cursing) other people into doing his chores for him. Never tries to intimidate and does his best to avoid battles. Will happily follow any leader who does not give him work. Is missing a set of morals. Is prone to teasing people in a light-hearted manner.

History: Leif's the son of a wealthy merchant and, in fact, is a merchant himself. He's wealthy enough to leave his businesses to his men instead of staying to supervise them. He's had a passion for divining things since he was a little child and has been struck with revelations/prophecies on occasion. Is actually very talented and can predict almost anything if he feels up to it.

He hardly ever fights and often calls on something else to fight for him, whether it be a corpse on the field or the nearby carcass of a parrot. But that takes time so he often hides from battle instead of summoning something.

Other: Anything goes. Rivalry, love, etc.

*saves spot* this sounds cool.

I'll take a spot, too.

I'm interested, but I have a few quick questions: Kitty, you said that "The world is different to our own in that banditry is common as are long and pointless quests to find mythical objects such as the holy grail". Is this still taking place on Earth, or is it another world entirely? And I take it that since we'll be using wagons and tents, this isn't modern day, if we are on Earth, yes?

This is a world different to Earth but with the same myths and legends. You could say it's a world purely of myth and legend. We could even call the starting city Camelot After that, make up names for the places on the map as you please.

Technology is low, think middle ages. Law is very basic and tends to be in the hands of whoever is holding the most pointy sword and knows how to use it. People tend to carry around weapons for protection or hire 'guards' which can range from an expert swordsman to a half starved boy whose been out of work long enough that he's willing to risk death. In the towns there's a stronger sense of order. Thieves who are caught are generally hung or at least have some useful body part chopped off and duels are used to decide honour and truth. On the road anything goes.

Please! Not Camelot! Anything but Camelot!

Name: Laurelye "Lieaway" or "Lye" Way
Age: 16
Position: Former dark mage's apprentice
Reason for joining: She's forever looking for power, and ways to get more of it. Immortality would be, for lack of better wording, awesome to her.
Appearance:

Spoiler

but minus the wings and giant bow thing. Plus her eyes are blue.
Personality: She's not evil, despite her dark training. She just has an obsession with power. She wants it, and as much as she can get her hands on. She wouldn't use it for world conquest or anything- more like the opposite. She wants everyone to know and love her.
History: She was raised by some elderly people in a small village, and ran off when she was six. She ran into a dark mage, and became an apprentice. she mastered the dark arts, and left when she was almost 14. She didn't want to rob and murder, like the dark mages do. She's been traveling since then, learning everyhing she can about fighting, magic, and anything else that will give her power.
Other: She has an irrational fear of spiders.

Name: Valentine Nare

Age: 25

Position: Mage/Blacksmith

Reason for joining: He wasn't always colourblind it only hit him when he turned sixteen he hopes by finding it, he could once more see all the colours.

Appearance: Stocky with a firm build, short brown hair, with resonant hazel eyes. He's got a short bushy moustache.

Personality: Friendly and kind, offers help to people, but the secret price of this is he expects something in return. Stubborn and prone to explosive tempers, he sticks a good natured smile on though and carries on.

History: Born in a small village, he worked mainly as a Smith apprendice and it was supposed he would always work as such all his life. That was until he showed abilities that got him noticed by local Mage guild.

Other: Deuteranomaly colour blindness which affects the green wavelength.

I love this idea! Kitty your storybooks always seem to be great!

Name: Thomas Miller

Age: 16

Position: Serf

Reason for joining: He's sick of death and the fact that everything must eventual cease living. He wants to prevent that if possible. Also, he wants to leave his little town and see some of the world.

Appearance:

Spoiler

Personality: Self-assured, has a way of inadvertently getting into trouble, friendly to those whom he trusts

History: His parents are both dead, his father killed in battle and his mother from a plague. He lives on his own.

Other: Up for love.

I want a spot! Healer please.

Name: Isolda Dye

Age: 22

Position: Priestess.

Reason for joining: Sent by her curch.

Appearance:

Personality: Kind and caring, however after a while she'll get short tempered, tends to give more then she has.

History: She was raised in the church since she was young. She showed an uncanny love of what she did there, so she was trained in the arts of being a priestess.
A scryer for the church had seen a group of adventurers heading out on a long journey, she was told she was to accompany them.

Other: Possibly for love, but the church forbids it, so it's highly unlikely.

Sounds lovely. Will post bio later.

Name: Jorin Deloys
Age: 28
Position: He's a criminal by profession.
Reason for joining: Master Garrett's illness
Appearance: http://somniturne.deviantart.com/art/Thief-82267718?q=boost%3Apopular+thief&qo=135
Personality: Jorin is cold and stiff among people in general. He has seen too much in his life for a man of his age, and learned long ago that trust is nearly always misplaced. Often Jorin will resort to violence and threats to get his way. Around Garrett, however, Jorin takes on a completely different demeanor. Jorin is ashamed that he has reverted back to crime after all that Garrett did for him. He does not want Garrett to know about his double life. Around Garrett, Jorin remains stiff, but becomes polite and calm. He would do anything Garrett asks.
History: Jorin was born out of wedlock. He was raised in the streets by his mother for the first eight years of life. At the age of eight, a plague struck the city. His mother succumbed to the illness, and died in Jorin's arms. Jorin struggled to live on his own for nearly two months. He resorted to petty theft to keep himself alive, and made the mistake of trying to steal from Master Garrett's farm. He was caught, but Garrett took pity on Jorin and took him in. Jorin lived with Garrett until Jorin was 16. He then set off on his own to find a way to repay Garrett for his kindness. Jorin was given a painful reminder of how difficult life in the city was. He once again resorted to crime to make a living. This time he caught the attention of the local network of criminals. Jorin gradually rose in power, always being sure to send Garrett a portion of his new riches. Now the plague has come back to the city, and Master Garrett has contracted the illness. It is Jorin's worst fear realized to see Garrett slowly dying the way his mother did. Jorin thinks the Fountain of Youth might cure Garrett.
Other: Up for love. He's fiercely loyal to Master Garrett, if that isn't obvious. To the public and his fellow criminals, he is commonly known as the Graytooth.

Name: Maaster Roderick Garrett
Age: 78
Position: Dairy farmer
Reason for joining: Jorin's insistence. In all honesty, Garrett isn't opposed to his death. He feels that he has lived a full life.
Appearance: http://k-fer.deviantart.com/art/Radio-man-160338300?q=boost%3Apopular+old+man&qo=50
Personality: Master Garrett is a kind, sweet old man. He can be stern and traditional, but he means well. He can't bear to see suffering, and considers Jorin the son he never had. He suspects that Jorin is a criminal, but wants Jorin to tell Garrett for himself. Garrett has lived a full life and is very wise.
History: Garrett was born to a merchant family in the city, but fell in love with a dairy farmer's daughter. Her father was very traditional, and horrified at the prospect of loosing a farm that had been in the family for centuries. The father made Garrett promise that he would not inherit his family's business, but take over the farm instead. Garrett agreed, and soon married the farmer's daughter. She taught him the ways of the farm, and they endured strife and struggle together for nearly forty years. Then, disaster struck. There was a horrible fire, and Garrett's wife perished. He was torn apart by her death for years, but finally moved on when Jorin came into his life. He sees something of his wife in Jorin, and would like to believe that she sent him to Garrett.
Other: Garrett might die in the quest. It is a very likely possibility.

Please! Not Camelot! Anything but Camelot!

Haha, okay we'll call it Dalriada and if anyone recognises the reference they get cookies XD

I love this idea! Kitty your storybooks always seem to be great!

Thanks! I've had a lot of practice ^^

Awesome profiles everyone! I'm possibly going to have a second character as well, depending on whether someone makes a map-holder or not. If someone wants to, go ahead. They'd be the one leading the mission and a little 'how I found this map' info would be cool.

Name: Alistair Bennett
Age: 36
Position: Hired Sword
Reason for joining: Well the guy with the map is paying him to do so. And it's money. Not like the fountain exists anyway right? But might as well be paid by some idiot to follow a load of wagons about and wave a sword some. That's his philosophy XD And he's thinking if it turns out the fountain is real and they find it, well he's old for a hired sword. He's not as quick as he used to be and some of that youth would sure be handy.
Appearance: He has dark hair, stubble and despite what you've heard, trust me, warriors aren't pretty. Ali has a scar to the left shoulder and a tendancy toward frowning. He's broad shoulderes, lots of muscle and comes complete with armour and horse.

Spoiler

http://www.raisonsbrassband.com/images/chainmail.jpg

<< This sort of thing
Personality: Alistair is realistic, perhaps slightly cynical but generally a good man. He's known for being trustworthy and wouldn't dream of deserting the party while the man who hired him lives. He'll try to do his job to the best of his ability. He can also be rather moody and has been told he isn't to drink while on the road which is pretty standard anyway. He'll do a lot of compalining, most of it about women.
History: There's not much to say. Alistair was one of those young boys who wanted adventure so he got himself apprenticed to a knight. It didn't go so well. There was too little excitement in it, too little 'real' fighting so Allistair grabbed a sword and tried his luck at being a hired sword instead. He's been all over the place, guarding wagons from city to city and probably has a fair few children out there.
Other: Like I said. Not pretty but love him if you will.