Rise of the Beguine Guild ~ By Asya Mordina

Leaving the vulnerable but daring prince at the gate awaiting their return, four unlikely heroes set out to clear a path to freedom’s door. With no warrior to guide them, a pair of necromancers, an elementalist, and a ranger bravely fought the impending doom that lay ahead armed with only their wit and skills.

The ranger Indagatrix lead the way. She tripped countless triggers resulting in a spawning hoard of monsters. The fearless and sometimes reckless necromancer, Unclean One, fought more like a warrior than a death bringer resulting in countless deaths to both the enemy and unfortunately to himself. Fret not, dear reader, for there was another. A part monk part necromancer who managed to breathe life back into the Unclean One. Her name, Asya Mordina, will be remembered for not only bringing life from the undead, but also for raising the souls from mere mortals. Off in the distance, raining firestorm upon the heads of any devil unlikely to cross her path was Yoko Nishi.

Together, these four exposed a trail to the trapped monks, but did not release them until freedom’s doorway was secure. The band worked their magic from atop a hill. Luring the foolish beasts away from their herd one-by-one. The forsaken demons fell pray to skillfully placed deathtraps. Hubris, my friend, would be this group’s undoing. For those beasts were magical as well, and as one died another seemed to takes its place. Killing and striking down the stragglers was not enough, and the ka-tet charged the herd, as a pack of wolves would hunt a convergence of deer.

In their haste, the ka-tet broke. Like a clock striking three, Indagatrix, Unclean, and Asya lay lifeless. Yoko was unable to resurrect her brethren. Confused, she ran back to the gate to seek the prince’s wisdom.

The prince was surprised by the courage of the group. He rallied his men with his war cry. The energized party followed the newly safe passage and freed the trapped monks. Using the mysterious orbs and Yoko as bait, the monks slew the hideous creatures, allowing the prince to open freedom’s bared gate. Victory was bittersweet as Yoko wept for her departed allies while crossing through the gate leading to the next of life’s quests.

Upon arriving on the other side, Yoko rejoiced to learn that by some black art, her companions were with her again! News traveled quickly of Yoko’s great heroics throughout several townships. The four companions knelt and bound together to form Beguine, guild of the brave.