Magical Sailor Fuku

Up to this point, Albion had seen a millennium of peace and prosperity, with only a few minor skirmishes within it's borders. The people of this powerful nation lived harmoniously, and those that didn't were either convinced otherwise or executed, one way or the other.

Of course, nothing lasts forever.

Albion's rivals are getting more and more bold, even managing to invade a bit of Albion's coasts from the ports at Hook Coast. Many good Heroes have died defending their homes from these elusive foes, somehow holding them at bay for the moment, but the line is thin and too far spread. More Heroes are needed, and quickly.

The current Guildmaster, Scarlet Payne aka Paladin, is thereby starting a draft in a desperate attempt to find more Heroes to help hold the line against the invaders from another land. Time is short, and the worthy few, but Avo will be with them, to defend the land, whatever their nationality, creed, or indeed, motivation.

Who will win?

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Hero's Guild Boasting Platform
10:00 am

A man stands with his hands behind his back atop the short stepped hill that the Heroes have dubbed the Boasting Platform. His dark blue robes shimmer in the sunlight, causing several of the Heroes and Heroines gathered around the Platform's base to cringe at the glare.

He's a young-ish man, mid- to late thirties. A large mace hangs symbolically from his back, a pistol from his belt. He's not a very pleasant man to look at, with numerous scars on his face and several missing teeth, even missing half of his left ear. His robe matched his eyes.

A young woman, thirty, stands a short distance behind him. She has a hood over her eyes, so it's difficult to see her face, but her figure could most definitely turn it's share of heads, even hidden underneath her scarlet cloak. A large and fiery sword adorns her back, a shotgun beneath that. Even with her face hidden, she seems nervous. The man speaks in accented English.

"Calm down, Scarlet. It's a bunch of children is all. You have nothing to fear of them."

Her accent is less pronounced, but somehow more influenced. "You're better at speaking than I am."

The man sighs. "Fine, then. I'll wait for the rest of the lot to show up before I start."

*Robin makes her way up to the platform, looking a bit nervous.*

Cletus waits for the important looking man to say what he will. All the while, he can be seen trying to make himself look big and important too.

Lyon strides slowly to the platform and awaits the coming speech.

"Is that everyone, then? Good. Patience isn't my strong suit," the man said. You just know the woman is rolling her eyes. "Now I'm assuming you all know why you've been called here. For those of you that don't, Albion is under attack by strange creatures from the Old Kingdom millenia ago."

Several gasps escape the crowd. "We don't really know what these things are," he continued, "but we can be damn certain they aren't small and furry. You're here to help the Heroes that are already on the front lines to drive them back to where ever it is they came from, and we're here to help you do it. My name is Crimson Payne and this is my wife Scarlet," he said, gestruing to the red-clad woman. She gives a small nod and wave. "I expect you all to treat us both with respect and follow our orders. The rules here at the Guild are strict and must be followed, for the punishments are equally strict, and very painful."

Crimson let this sink in for a moment.

"Now, then. Do you have any questions?"

Robin raises her hand nervously.

Crimson points to Robid. "What?"

"Um... Uh, yes. What exactly are the beasts called?"

"As I said before, we don't quite know what they are, but some of the older Heroes call them... Summoners, I believe. Whatever they are, they're tough. I hope you're good with that bow, missy."

Scarlet smacks his arm. "Crimson, be nice."

Robin blushes bright red, puts her hand down, and looks down at her boots.

Scarlet glares at her husband, who shows no emotion. Scarlet decends the platform to stand next to Robin and whisper to her.

"Sorry about him. He can be such a pig sometimes."

"Any other questions?"

"I've got one for you," blurts Cletus. "How do you bloody well expect a bunch of fresh daisies like these to stand up to these Sommuner whatsits? I mean, look at that guy!" He points to one would-be hero in the crowd who has a cooking pot on his head and is picking his nose. "If we're all this good, it won't matter how good miss red-in-the-face there is with a bow. No offense, miss."

"What do you remember me saying about respect? Another break like that and it's the Rope Machine for you. As for the question, that's why you're all here, isn't it? If we didn't think you had at least a bloody smidgen of potential, you wouldn't even be here." He crosses his arms, looking grimly satisfied.

"Don't speak out of turn again. Anyone else?"

Cletus crosses his arms and huffs quietly to himself. "Just wait till I'm a hero. Then I'll be the one throwing testosterone about."

Crimson looks around a moment longer, then folds his arms again.

"I guess not. Very well, then, all the chaps follow me, all the ladies follow my wife here." He gestures to Scarlet, who is once more standing slightly behind him on the platform. "We'll show you your rooms."

Both step off the platform and walk toward the large double doors of the Guild of Heroes, Scarlet's signature cloak flowing behind her around her sword.