Thunder shatters the black sky above, and lightning fills the cracks like glue. The winds howl and roar as the clouds valiantly fight the earth below. The hurricane's eye doesn't even dare to look at all the destruction. Even the sky grieves, and it can't stop crying. The world continues its affront on its people, spurring them to take action. They cannot know what is coming, but the world can feel it.

A year passes since the fight began, and the world refuses to let up. It cannot be sure the warning is received. All it knows is to keep sending the warning. Six more years pass, until, finally, it stops.

Calm. What was once a natural occurance, the tranquil day, now seems very bizarre after what has happened. It has been calm for a full year, but still the world refuses to return to normal. Something is not right, but for all of the inhabitants of the world the world has stopped being unkind, and that is a thing to rejoice. It is a time to rebuild.

It is the afternoon. A few lonely clouds trek across the sky at a leisurely pace, unforeboding and a soft gentle white. The shadow of one of the clouds passes over Wanqir, the center of Tiancann, until eventually the clock tower is in its shadow. High in the clock tower, a small shadowed girl sings in front of a window.
Come with me in the twilight of a summer night for a while
Tell me of a story never ever told in the past
Take me back to the land
Where my yearnings were born
The key to open the door is in your hand
Now fly me there

Fanatics find their heaven in never-ending storming wind
Auguries of destruction be a lullaby for rebirth
Consolations, be there
In my dreamland to come
The key to open the door is in your hand
Now take me there

I belive in fantasies invisible to me
In the land of misery, I'm searching for a sign
To the door of mystery and dignity
I'm searching down the secret sun

Come with me in the twilight of a summer night for a while
Tell me of a story never ever told in the past
Take me back to the land
Where my yearnings were born
The key to open the door is in your hand
Now take me there
To the land of twilight
The girl's voice fades, and she looks towards the north, expecting something. The shadow passes, and without another word, the girl leaps out the open window and vanishes.

Outer Regions of the Hylon Forest
Unmapped Area
Six hours before Twilight
The wood seems unnaturally thick here, and very little sunlight can get through the canopy, however this doesn't stop Armand Amaranth and his companions Deunan Noot and Caduceus. They were so close, and the figure that ran from them could be seen dashing to and fro between the trees.

Armand had been tracking a spy and theivery ring known as the Dark Collectors for the most of the last month, but they had evaded his every attempt to catch one of their members in action and every lead seemed to go dry, until now. The agile woman that was currently desperately avoiding them could be a very good informant for Armand, and possibly even one of the members of the Dark Collectors.

The claustrophobic nature of the trees pressing in seems to make it difficult to traverse, however for all her darting about, the woman, 'Renshiir' as she was referred by, didn't seem to be too far in the lead. However, every attempt made by Armand and his party to cut the woman off seems to be in vain, for she always turns just in time to avoid capture. It is almost as if she is reading their minds...

Aqinarr
Soldier's Barracks
Six hours before Twilight
The day might have been calm, but in Aqinarr the ocean's swirling might gave the city a tranquil feel that lasted day or night, rain or shine. It was only during the seven years of tragedy that the ocean was not peaceful. However, the city made a splendid recovery, and was almost fully rebuilt.

Despite there being a soldier's barracks here, there was not much for the soldiers to actually do, so this ended up being more of a training facility than an actual city guard. Willow Hiswena felt content with that, since action usually meant that there was something wrong.

The barrack is divided into actual rooms for its inhabitants, albiet small rooms, consisting of a bunk, dresser and wardrobe. Someone knocks at Willow's door.

"Hey, Willow! Are you busy?" A voice calls from the other side of the door.

Willow recognizes the voice right away as one of her fellow companions by the name of Yin Cathan. He was Willow's self-proclaimed rival, and seemed to always want to try to best her in combat practice, although he never got close. Doubtless, that was likely why he was trying to beat her door down right now...

Fonhinqann
Gladiator Arena
Six hours before Twilight
Manalagna Hammer was not impressed. This arena tournament was full of ludicrous amateur fighters, to him none are worthy of the title of Gladiator. If he had known from the beginning that there would only be people like the ones he saw below on the arena grounds involved, he would have entered himself just to show what it truly meant to be a Gladiator. The arena itself was a bit of a laugh, consisting of a plain oval field with a raised central platform and little else.

With a fell strike from his greatsword, the last fighter strikes down his opponent to be the victor of the tourny. The announcer, a charismatically buff orc wearing little more than a loincloth and a large ornamental greatsword on his back, steps up.

"And now, the Junior Fonhinqann Tournement is concluded! The victor is Nanhim Kahir from the firey city of Girhn. Now, we go onto the Elite Tournament!" The announcer bellows to the entire audience, his voice as boisterous and ornamental as his sword. The audience returns a large amount of applause at the charismatic announcer.

"Now, for those of you that have not had the chance, if you wish to enter the Elite Tournament," The announcer says as he raises his greatsword, a beautiful piece of work with a serrated gold blade with silver inlay and etchings complete a mithril hilt, "Then come forth onto the battlefield now!"

Between Hylon Forest and Fonhinqann
Main Highway
Six hours before Twilight
Tristan Fargo was in no hurry. He seldom was. Just take life as it comes. True, the seven years before was something else, but even their torrents of rain could not dampen Tristan's spirit. Tristan continues along the road, lost in his thoughts and the weather around him.

There is small cottage on his left, which seems to be slightly run-down. Suddenly, a small boy slams open the door and runs screaming, seemingly for his life. Hopping and jumping after him is a large swarm of what seem to be small critters made out of dust. Literally, it is a swarm of dust bunnies.

Seeing Tristan, the boy runs at him, "HELP! HELP! HELP! HELP!" He yells at him.

Somewhere Between Wanqir and Aqinar
Plains of Tiancann
Three hours before Twilight
Dusk, as he was known by, felt very nostalgic. He lies in the tall grass of the plains, unbothered by any people or wandering travellers. They would use the road; he didn't.

His mind wanders around aimlessly, thinking of various things. The sun is beginning its descent, and for some bizarre reason, it feels as though Dusk is being watched...

Fonhinqann
Gladiator Arena
Six hours before Twilight

"Now, for those of you that have not had the chance, if you wish to enter the Elite Tournament, then come forth onto the battlefield now!"
Manalagna Hammer of Clan Hammer did not hesitate to answer the challenge!

The 5'5" 150lb Dwarf made his way through the crowd with all the excitement and anticipation that a 50-year-young Dwarf could muster. The sunlight shone majestically from his long silver hair and silver beard, but there was no mistaking the competitiveness than shone even more brightly from his Blazing Red Eyes.

Manalagna Hammer was uncertain whether or not there were any "House Rules" regarding the use of one's own weapons and armor in an arena challenge such as the announced Elite Tournament, because he had only arrived at the Gladiator Arena after the preliminary rounds of the previous tournament were well underway.

Being of the Neutral Good Alignment and Belief in the Laws of Nature, Manalagna Hammer merely saw this as an opportunity to utilize and exercise the Striking style of gladiatorial combat that he had been trained to fight with those long years ago in the distant arenas of Alastari, from whence he had been transported along the corridors of the Time/Space/Dimensional Realms to this land by his veteran manager Hammer, to fulfill an undisclosed purpose of prophesied destiny of resisting and fighting an unknown evil that would someday threaten the lives of all who lived in this realm.

He merely answered the challenge from the Charismatic Orc in the Loin Cloth as he himself had been dressed for battle during his journey: wearing his Rhino Hide, carrying his Caster Shield upon his left arm, holstering his Flaming Scimitar on his left side and walking forward with determined purpose with his Moldering QuarterStaff gripped confidently in his right hand ... boldly declaring when the Charismatic Orc finally recognized the odd looking Dwarven Druid as a participant in the Elite Tournament and thus asking him to state his name and where he was from, for all to hear and to cheer or to jeer:

"My name is Manalagna Hammer of Clan Hammer. I come from a land far away known as Alastari. A place I may never see again, because I have come to fight against a coming evil that threatens to destroy this world."

Fonhinqann
Gladiator Arena
Six Hours before Twilight
Standing up to immediately embrace the challenge, Hammer is immediately applauded for as he walks down to enter the arena. Immediately, he notices something a bit strange; he was the only one to come down, and it didn't look like there were any other contenders.

"And who might you be there?" The announcer asks.

"My name is Manalagna Hammer of Clan Hammer. I come from a land far away known as Alastari. A place I may never see again, because I have come to fight against a coming evil that threatens to destroy this world."
Manalagna's last sentence is cut out, for the loud applause given by the crowd ensures that no one except for maybe the announcer heard it. Almost apologetically, the announcer whispers in Manalagna's ear.

"So, it seems we actually have a tournament this time; the defending champion's battles are often... expensive for the contender, and that's why few people challenge her these days. You can use any weapons and gear in your arsenal, however, you cannot summon any allies, familiars, companions or what-have-you; this is a one on one battle." The announcer explains, then hastily adds, "I suggest you don't use any really expensive weapons."

"This battle shall take place upon the marking of the next hour!" The announcer shouts to the audience, "Where the challenger, Manalagna, shall face Xira, the defending champion!"

This brings about more applause from the audience, and then they diminish for the intermission.

"This hour gives you a chance to prepare and technically to meet your opponent, but Xira usually doesn't come out in public, so chances are you won't." The announcer explains to Manalagna, "For being fairly strong, she definitely is a shy and strange person."

Concern instantly befalls Tristan, and without a second thought he hurries in the direction of the young boy and the quizzical pursuers with his agile and distant strides. As he gets closer to the swarm of creatures, he gets ready to face them head on. Leaping into the air and going into a flying kick, Tristan lets out a controlled battle cry…

Between Hylon Forest and Fonhinqann
Main Highway
Six Hours before Twilight
Tristan lands in the center of the swarm of dire dust bunnies, but they split apart just before he lands, so he only hits the ground beneath them. The bunnies all band together to counter attack their would-be-attacker, jumping on and all over Tristan. He distinctly feels what seems to be something like needles piercing different parts of his body; how can dust create the sensation of needles?! (-4 hp)

The boy looks on, slightly terrified. Dust given life!? How can this be?!

Tristan takes to a slumped stance, his knees and elbows loose. He stumbles a bit, and looks like he has become drunk.
“Child,” he states, apparently still sober due to his straight and instructive tone, “get out of here as fast as you can, I will close off these things pursuit. I will meet you down the road, but stay off to the side of it and hide in some vegetation.”
With that Tristan goes into a whirlwind of blows hoping to make a successful hit or two where his strong kick had failed.

Between Hylon Forest and Fonhinqann
Main Highway
Six Hours before Twilight
The boy nods once, then runs, almost for his life. Tristan returns to the process of some serious dusting. First he twists, knocking the bunnies off of him, and then he punches in a whirl, causing multitudes of the creatures to pop in an explosion of dirt and dust. Finally, the small number that are left regroup, just in time to be sent flying by a well-timed kick. Tristan looks on appreciably as all the bunnies in that makeshift soccer-ball pop. The rest of the bunnies that are left, a very small number indeed, all decide it is within their best interest to hop to their own business, and scatter in different directions, no longer a threatening swarm.

Tristan may have defeated the swarm that was after the boy, but who is to say that that was all in the house that he came out of? If Tristan neglects to inspect the house of potential threats to travelers,and someone else passes by this road... well who knows what could happen.
Tristan had instructed the boy to hide beside the road for him, so he would be presumably safe enough for Tristan to go inside and give the place a quick run down.
walking in a dignified and steady manner, Tristan approaches the house, fists made and alert to the shadows of the interior and any noises that might be a goblin shaman or a mischievous imp that could have made those... dust bunnies.

Between Hylon Forest and Fonhinqann
Main Highway
Six Hours before Twilight
Tristan enters the house cautiously, and what does his eyes see in the shadows of the open closet? Two red eyes regarding him intently. Without warning, suddenly Tristan is pelted with another swarm of the dust bunnies he fought just prior. However, despite the unforeseen attack, Tristan manages to jump to the side of most of it. (-5 hp)

The new swarming bunnies right themselves and all stare at the intruding human. As for Tristan, well he...

Tristan, in reaction to the attack by this new enemy, reaches behind himself so that he can grab anything to aid him in his battle versus the dust. In his effort, his hands grasp the top end of something which he then uses to smack the dust that has surrounded him... oblivious to the fact that he is in fact using an umbrella stand and using it more effectively than a warrior with a long sword.