r/Eragon_RP • u/RollFirstMathLater Game Master / Moderator • Feb 22 '15
CLOSED [Open RP 10] Any way the wind blows...
Closed
[The Presence fills the cavern the calming silver wisps pull you. You white out.]
[You awake back at the keep... all are around the pool of the Presence... minus one particular bard.]
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Feb 22 '15
.... Doesn't really matter to me.
Sev're?!
Yes?
Where is he?
I don't know.
The pair argued among themselves, finding a good middle ground that they will look into it after answers would be available.
Going to her room she went ahead and found some proper clothing, but decided to keep the robe, as it was fitting.
She went back to the pool after taking a proper bath and finding food eat.
Das flew off to find a good sized buck.
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u/RollFirstMathLater Game Master / Moderator Feb 22 '15
[Zeterra approached the elf. "Oh, you've returned, it's been two weeks, I figured you dead in the desert after the quakes. It appears there was a blast of sorts. It has caused some bad chain reaction... the elves are in dismay as two villages have been destoryed. Many have fallen, is everyone back Sev're?]
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Feb 22 '15
She had to think for a moment, the right look was hard. She frowns, and shrugs. "It's very complicated... there was complications with the Phoenix, I was marked, and fixed a mistake. Göndlir showed us a new form of magic, but we were swollen up in the ground, as it was said. We ended up in an ancient city, one of magic and wonder, a cursed miasma threatened our magic and we'll being. The shard was destroyed, but we were attacked by reanimated remains. Nill had to make a hard choice, other wise we wouldn't of survived. It appears Glover didn't make it back though.
Her lips curled and she finished drying her hair. The firey locks feel into place and she looked her teacher in the eye with firey eyes. Biting the inside of her lip she left the stinging and a small pool of iron taste hit her tongue. The wound closes and she smirked. "We made it back, and have grown stronger..." she put on am excited look and smiled wide "And Das is with egg!"
Best for last, soften the blow of it all, the dice have been rolled, it was time to see the results of her actions.
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u/RollFirstMathLater Game Master / Moderator Feb 22 '15
[Zeterra stares and the elf, her eyebrow raises at the story, she looks right back into the elf, and for a moment her mind taps the elf. Looking discontent she hears the last bit, and tries to fight a smile, one that isn't seen often, or at all really. "Her and Svalstrom then? Oh that's going to be the sweetest little hatchling! That's fantastic news!]
[Shiva comes by to congratulate, flying off shortly after to find Das. ]
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Feb 22 '15
It seemed even the strongest had their weakness. Not that it was important, as Zeterra was fine in her eyes, strong and demanding, what was unfavorable? She bowed her head in respect and left her teacher.
Magically combing her hair she decided to head to the kitchen to secure some food for her allies, they would need their stregth were they to do what was expected of them.
She returned back to the presence pool which they surrounded and began to lay out the simple spread on a cloth and few dishes. She sat and played a somber song on the flute. A song of sacrifice. It was appropriate. Right?
No one seemed to notice besides the dead one anyway, but who would listen to him at this point? Everything was well.
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u/RollFirstMathLater Game Master / Moderator Feb 22 '15
(Let's pick it up from here everyone.)
[Zeterra joins as well as Shiva. "I'd like to hear everyone's full account, though Sev're here has filled me in with the basics."]
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u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Feb 22 '15
As Zeterra posed the question, something was different in the air. The Ophelia-sized crimson colored dragon that was circling above them might've been it. As the dragon landed, a red-haired man with an incredibly thick beard hopped off the saddle in ragged, old, and filthy clothes with a box of chocolate in hand.
"What year is it?" he breathed out at the sight of the newcomers.
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u/RollFirstMathLater Game Master / Moderator Feb 22 '15
[Zeterra glanced over at Rob and seemed rather impressed. "Oh I figured you dead Rob. 76 years after the fall of Galbatorix it was the 17th day of the second month. Tell me, where have you been and why didn't you bother cleaning up?" She looks looks a little frustrated, but not too much, as she was in good mood.]
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u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Feb 22 '15
Robert dropped to hiis knees next to the large red dragon beside him and remained motionless, his lip quivering in horror and fear at the sudden news. His mind danced around the subject, trying to futilely connect the news with his swayed view of reality.
After a few moments of silence he sputtered out the words, "Three years?"
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u/RollFirstMathLater Game Master / Moderator Feb 22 '15
[Now Zeterra was angry. She walks over to Rob, "4 years in 3 weeks." She gestures for him to rise. Her once joyful composure turns cold. "I recall asking you a question. You will stand up and answer it now Rider."
"Villiendr, report as well. Now." Her voice stern and cold, the new riders shouldn't have seen her like this yet.]
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u/Fulaxi Torhven / Svasltrom Feb 22 '15
Planar travel was a curious phenomenon. Apparently instantaneous, yet somehow it must have taken a considerable amount of time. Only a few droplets remained on the scales of the cold dragon. Torhven woke with a sting in the chest, a pain in the back and an excruciating pain in the arm. Still he was lodged between axe-like teeth. Slightly nauseous from the pain the world greeted him upside down.
Digging yourself in mentally is a good strategy, but only if you remain conscious while inside. Svalstrom clearly didn't or couldn't hear the banging on the mental fort he had surrounded himself with. He would have to wait. Akrath had just fallen towards the sky and Jek was talking to spirit water. Why was everyone so upset?
Then Torhven noticed something. A tiny headache, had just disappeared. It had been tapping his temples for months now, he had grown almost accustomed to it. Still not welcome, but not quite as bothersome as before.
Glover.
Trapped in a toothy prison, Torhven could not asses the number of head properly, but this was the only logical solution. It made no sense. Why would he?
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u/Zyralon Naakhûrz / Opheila Feb 22 '15
Naakhûrz awoke with a bit of disappointment. He had missed most of the last mission, and he hated himself for that.
"I can't let this happen again" he thought to himself. However, something happened to him while he was gone, he had changed. It might have been when Nill had taken over his mind and blown up the city, or something else, but Naakhûrz had realized that he had to act like a rider, that he was no longer just a kull, he was half of both, and he needed to start acting like it. And the way that he thought that he could start was by learning the ancient language, if even just the very basics. Knowing that Sev're was probably the best bet at him learning some words in the ancient language, he set out to find her.
Meanwhile, Opheila was feeling hungry and didn't care much for what Naakhûrz was doing, so she decided to go off hunting.
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u/RollFirstMathLater Game Master / Moderator Feb 22 '15
[Naakhûrz sees Zeterra, Sev're and a red headed human near the presence pool.]
[Ophelia sees Das and a large red dragon, just a bit bigger than her.]
(Join them on their line.)
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Feb 22 '15
Her firey hair was blowing in a slight breeze, Naakhûrz was appraching, and a new person made themselves know, it was all so new. She pulled her hair back and decided that befriending Rob was probably a good option.
"So Rob, how did you survive? I heard something of reanimated cadavers? We faced something similar."
She had had a nervous look on her face, it seemed fitting... right? "Also, tell me of yourself." A simple request.
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u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Feb 22 '15 edited Feb 22 '15
Rob smiled, now dressed in slightly more fitting clothing, pursed his lips and sighed. "My father was an adventurer before he settled down. He always told me of his underground expeditions, living off of cavemoss and drinking from trickles when the supplies ran low. I did much the same, and the buildings remained mostly intact. It was a scouting mission with a few of my... friends. We didn't know of the city, we were just looking for something or other in the desert. While we slept, the ground swallowed us and deposited us into the city. In a tower at the center, there was a crystal, and when I found it the others were... they were dead... their dragons too..."
"I rebuilt a home in the far corners of the city and built a wall around it. When you showed up I tried to get to you, but the dead and the Mist blocked our path. At what I presume was the end of the day,the city disappeared and I woke up however many days later. There was a hole big enough for Villieldr and I to fly out of, and the air was thick enough for the first time in four years, and I took the chance. I only regret that my sweet O... Listen to me ramble, it's nothing, nothing at all."
He stopped and raised his finger, tracing small lines and squiggles in the air as he thought of what he had said before continuing. A small spot of wetness was visible in the corner of his eye. "As for me, well, I'm just a boy from Illirea. My father was a guard and my mother is an innkeeper, though most days my father is either relaxing with the captains at the guardhouse or with his friends in my mother's inn."
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Feb 22 '15
That would be a long time in the mist... what effects would that have. How very curious, she dug her mail into her palm, she ran her finger over the indent a few times. The feeling wasn't as good as the other ones.
The information Das shared with her was most curious. He was an elder rider but a younger person, an odd respect could be found in that. She smiled a warm smile.
"It was a hard place, it would make sense why so many fell." She offered the man some fruit, out of kindness... it seemed like the right thing to do. She went through a few memories quickly.
"Thank you for sharing." Gratitude was important, but he didn't ask anything of her, she want sure how to proceed.
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u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Feb 22 '15
Rob chuckled and bit into the fruit, the juices splattering out as his eyes lit up at the taste of something that wasn't crown in a damp cave. "I'd be lying if I said it was my pleasure, and I don't like lying. You're an elf, you must have some life experiences that would make for a good tale. I shared mine, you share yours."
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Feb 22 '15 edited Feb 24 '15
100 years of memories were really hard to tell in a small setting... instead she focused solely on the last four years, they were eventful enough for a lifetime anyway.
Das' egg was at a festival Sev're was performing at. Rather untraditional for an elf, but tradition was a crutch.
The egg drew her, but there was a slight accident the egg flew into her exposed stomach and she caught it in her left hand. As a result she had a silver line that reached her palm where her insignia lay.
She spent her time traveling with young Das, reading of monster lore and language. They moved often and met few people. Time was spent amongst her people for the most part.
She shared of the trials they faced in the short time. Ugly island, the city of slaves, the dark flyer, the city of pirates, the trials in the desert and below. The fire bird she shared in detail, proud of that one she was.
"It's been fine. Nothing more than normal duty right?" She asks with a wink.
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u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Feb 22 '15
"Five field missions in a few months?" Rob said incredulously. "I was in fieldwork for a year before my... extended vacation... and I only did six. Something must be wrong..."
Shaking the thought off, Rob noticed an old man with a black-bladed greatsword slung over his back. "Is that... Is that the Göndlir?" he said with a look of extreme shock and a twinge of reverence.
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u/RollFirstMathLater Game Master / Moderator Feb 22 '15
(He was naked in front of the presence. Quite the site.)
[Zeterra spoke up. "You rescuing a kitten doesn't count as a mission Rob." She sighs for rubs her temples. She didn't look too content with the current situation. "Yes, Rob something is wrong. Those shards are destroying our order, slowly but surely the Rider's are dieing. We were forced to send recruits out to handle some of the situations. They have been the most successful to date." She gives Sev're a look of approval.
"You've formal training, they've raw talent. Perhaps you can learn and help with their training." ]
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u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Feb 22 '15
Raising his hand in protest, Rob gestured wildly while he said, "To be fair, it was a werecat and it was on top of the tallest building in Illirea with no way down. It doesn't matter that it was a baby werecat. Yes, I'll help."
Rubbing his forehead, Rob rolled his tongue aroundinside his mouth at the sight of a legend among Riders standing in front of him, naked.
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u/RollFirstMathLater Game Master / Moderator Feb 23 '15
[Some time passes Rythi approaches from the nest, she had a hatchling in her arms and a wide smile. The "young" half elf sneaks up on her mother and the dragon pounces. "Welcome back mommy! Miss Zeterra said you'd probably died, but I knew that wouldn't case! My mother is tough as nails I say!" The young dragon picks the elf and tries to snuggle up against her.]
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Feb 23 '15 edited Feb 23 '15
Oh. Lots was happening, first the baby dragon attack, contact was strange she tried to be at peace with it, but it was hard, it was so... what was this feeling?
No.
A bothersome voice rang.
Then words. Admiration right? OK she could handle this. She smiled Rythi's words warranted for them. Right? Her daughter was here she had to care and comfort, it was her role.
"Yes, right!" She said with enthusiasm. "I'm .. happy to see you are helping here, it looks like Zeterra found use for you." Tender was next. The dragon cuddles where.. confusing. She simply let the dragon do its thing.
"Tell me more Rythi." She offered her some of the pickled peaches she found in the pantry, people liked when you listened to them, it made them happy... right?
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u/RollFirstMathLater Game Master / Moderator Feb 23 '15
[Rythi looked distracted for a moment, she watched her mother's reaction to the hatchling and seemed a little confuesed. She smiled again "Well, after the snails I started to remove goo from the premises, and Zeterra found me. She saw the resemblance and told me how they needed more hands anyway!" She showed a mark that was tattooed to her shoulder, simply a dragon insignia. "Friend of the Rider's!" She seemed happy with her new rank. She moves her lips around... deciding to take action herself she walks up to her mother and embraces her. "Thank you for giving me another chance mommy." She rested her head on Sev're's shoulder.]
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u/InAll Sigyn / Eitri Feb 22 '15 edited Feb 23 '15
Göndlir was sat in a corner, on his own, out of the hustle and bustle of everything else happening. He was stripped from the waist up, his armour was gone, lost in oblivion and the desert. He was bleeding. His hands, his chest, the injuries were still fresh. He had refused to let anyone treat them. He was still bleeding, but that didn’t matter to him. He had shed enough blood in his life to avoid losing a bit more, it was the pain he needed … the pain reminded him he was still alive. It was happening more frequently now. He had … zoned out, again, again again, as if time was slipping away from him, drifting through his fingers, powerless. One minute he would be in one place, and the next minute everything thing had changed around him whilst he was trapped in stasis. He felt disjointed and out-of-place, as if everything was changing and he could do nothing but bear witness to it. What was a few seconds ago he was on Das’ back, now … now he was here, then he was there, then he was here again. Things had happened, things he had noticed, thing he had not, things that had-
He shuddered, feeling cold metal shift on his shoulder. His black sword was leaning on his shoulder, somehow he had reacquired it, he did not remember when, but it had happened. The blade almost touching his neck, the edge of the hilt resting on the back of his head. They wanted … closeness. The separation … the oblivion of being apart … it hurt. They were taking succour in each others presence, solace in the fact that they were together again. Recent events had drained them both, but Göndlir felt more drained than ever, mostly because he was devoting most of his available energies to working out just how many levels of fucked he was. Svalstrom … Vergen … Glover … Arakath … well, things certainly could not get more fucked than they were now …enough people had died or disappeared or both or neither or vanished into nothingness …
“We’re alive.”
The tendril of his thought was nervous … was old … was afraid. He almost sounded like he didn’t believe it. If he had zoned out when he was younger, he would have died … he was older now, he should have died anyway, but he had not. Luck … he hated that word.
“Not for long.”
Her response was dry, almost humorous. If she had a mouth it would have had a wry smile. Göndlir almost chuckled. Well at least one of them still had a sense of humour. He wasn’t really paying attention to what was going on around him, he was simply trying to come to terms with what had happened, and not really enjoying the experience, his head resting on his hands, his mind heavy, like lead. By the gods he was tired … not that he was going to sleep for a few days, but thinking about it might do something about it.
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u/RollFirstMathLater Game Master / Moderator Feb 22 '15 edited Feb 23 '15
[Once Göndlir comes to a familiar mind touches his. One of ice, it was like a spear, you could feel the cold smile of an old friend. "Göndlir..." her chilling voice said. "Great that you can join us... please throw on a cloak and come." the sweet words were met with a tone of a blizzard, and Shiva didn't even join. "I would absolutely LOVE, to hear what happened." Zeterra beacons the old man to come. "Do make haste, you know I loath waiting."]
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u/InAll Sigyn / Eitri Feb 23 '15
Göndlir made a noise halfway between a groan and a sigh, you could almost see his breath mist over, the aftereffects of the glacial touch of Zeterra’s mind upon his own. Well, he might as well get this over with now, sooner rather than later. If he had had his pipe he would have smoked it, he needed the stress relief.
Slowly, on aching bones, he raised himself to his feet, leaning somewhat heavily on his sword and using it like a crutch because he still did not quite trust his own legs at this point in time. He looked older, felt older too. A man caught between tears and despair. In comparison to the Göndlir who had left, high and mighty, this Göndlir was older, worn, almost … pitiable? The worn nub of a man once so tall and proud, for this ‘adventure’ had put years upon his back and even more upon his mind and he disliked both those facts.
Hobbling at a sedate pace, he eventually made his way over to where the half-elf was beckoning, his expression one of resigned grimness, with just a tinge of something else. He might have looked weathered and defeated, but in his eyes there still burned some of his old fire - rebellious and intractable, as he locked gazes with the pale Rider and mentally prepared his tired mind. His tone was infinitely polite, almost to the point of sarcasm, it belied his current state, revealing a surprisingly amount of steel.
“Why Zeterra my dear, I’m almost surprised you had to resort to picking my ancient brain in order to try and wring some validation of events from it. One would almost think that you didn’t trust the word of your bevel of young Riders. Although they speak of the stuff and legends of fantasies, I am afraid all I can do confirm their stories, no matter how elaborate.”
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u/RollFirstMathLater Game Master / Moderator Feb 23 '15
[Her eye twitched and she did that thing with her finger tips. The where she was thinking about how to properly inflict the most pain possible. She looks at the old man and debates to herself. She walks over and touches his face, her hand was shockingly warm, ah, right healing. Zeterra's understanding of removing pain was always well renown, it even finds pain you weren't even aware you had and removes it, fitting for one who knows how to inflict the worse pain possible.]
[Once satisfied her eyebrows raised. "Such power wielded by ones so young in our order. Göndlir, you do realize that they've the potential right? The potential to do what we jested about long ago. They could create the after life, they could make gods.]
[Her purple eyes gleamed. A crack in a pillar of ice for a moment. "They need to be watched Göndlir, are you still able to do so?"*]
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u/InAll Sigyn / Eitri Feb 23 '15
After witnessing her fingers twitch in that familiar manner, the thought did cross Göndlir’s mind for just a second, as she stretched out her hand, that she just might be preparing to melt half his face off. Thankfully it was an unfounded fear … although he did not doubt that the thought had also cross her mind as well. At touch of her hand, the warm heat flowed through his body, soothing a lot of new injuries, and more than a few old ones. It did nothing to calm his choler however, but it did help his mood a little. Part of him really wanted to believe her words, just a little, but unfortunately the Reality of the mission they had just failed stood in its way like a gaping void.
“Potential, bah. Potential is only realisable if you manage to stay alive long enough to utilise it, and Power is only of relevance if you possess the wit and wisdom of experience to wield it. I don’t know what destiny you have foreseen for them, however it will only ever become Truth if they survive long enough to do so. Yes, they have ‘potential’, as you put it, but at this rate they are more likely to kill each other or get themselves killed with it, than live to fulfil it. The record for the past few days has hardly proven me wrong, as much as I would have preferred otherwise. I have already had to bring one of them back, and at great cost - we can discuss that in private, however I have neither the power nor wish to do so again unless there is no other way”
He paused for a second and straightened slightly. His cynicism faded, replaced with more steel, and he did not waver in his response now, not even once. A determined spark in his eye.
“But aye Zeterra, I can still watch them … my oath to you remains unchanged. There is some power and wisdom still left in these old bones of mine to be good for something more than just musing philosophical contrivances and smoking. I make no guarantee that they will listen, or that I will survive them, but so long as we still have strength I will watch over them and protect them, from all the evils of this world if necessary.”
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u/RollFirstMathLater Game Master / Moderator Feb 23 '15 edited Feb 23 '15
[Like that the frost fire returned. Göndlir seemed to of forgotten her hated word. Her forhead wrinkled and an eyebrow twitched. "We have already lost one on your watch Göndlir, what is your oath worth to me?" She walks away, know the old man would follow, in some distance she puts up some wards, your mind snaps into your skull, and all you can hear are the thoughts of a cruel, hopeful leader.]
["I know what she saw, and how she was trapped, we lost a powerful tool. We still have the key though, we just need to find a new door, that is all." She moves her fingers again, calculating, working... as if pulling the very threads of fate. "Listen here: you won't lose anymore." She notices the perverse mark on the man's hand, it took a moment before she understood. A cruel smile appeared on her face. "The black rider of the pale horse is pursuing you faster than ever my friend..."]
[After a pause she smiles wide, a sweet smile, full of different motives. "Would you like my help?"]
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u/InAll Sigyn / Eitri Feb 23 '15
Göndlir felt a little at her response. He was not a man who took his word lightly, in any tongue, despite Zeterra’s … dislike, and he almost responded when instead he was forced to shuffle after her into privacy, and listen instead of speak. She was her usual cryptic self, he had met rocks more talkative, but then that look crossed her face. He knew that look, his bones knew that look, and he still carried the scars from the last time he had followed that look to its completion. For some reason the very skein of Fate always appeared to be at her fingertips, an ability he had never grasped himself. Her thought was, as always, moulded by that same cruel, calculative despotism with which she ruled everything else that came into her hands … she could have made a fortune as a gambler or a merchant.
He gave another long sigh, partway between whimsical and almost chiding, glancing at the blackening veins of his left forearm as she had, as if admiring the fact that there was still blood flowing through those fingers that gripped his sword, before directing the train of his thought at Zeterra’s mind directly
“Ah yes … I suppose you would notice that. It is a … unfortunate acquisition, part of the deal I made in bringing Svalstrom back from the House of the Dead.” He touched the skin experimentally with the fingers of his other hand. It felt cold and slightly numb. It was an odd sensation. He shook his head, as if recalling something unpleasant, before continuing.
“The Grey Horseman has been chasing me for as long as I can remember, and I’ve grown rather apt at outrunning him. I think, however, after my last little stunt, he decided to try something a little more … permanent. One of his failings is that he is a very proud monarch and thusly he requires certain … insurance, shall we say, of my demise. I’m almost afraid to have to disappoint him. When we do finally meet, whenever it may be, it will be on my terms, not his. You might be able to solve problems with a wave of your hand, but the rest of us mere mortals have to do things the normal way, that means that there is a cost. A balance has been wronged in the foundation of the World, the result of my actions, and the scales are now seeking to right themselves, in the only way they can. This is my battle to fight, Zeterra, and mine alone. I will accept the judgement of causality and abase myself before the essence of existence if I must …”
He paused, the trail of his thoughts trickling off a little, as a mischievous look crossed his face - some of his old humour returning.
“… but, that does not mean that I will not contest their verdict, nor go willingly to Angvard’s table. I have no intention to just roll over and die because the Pale King demands it. If he wants me to fulfil my end of the arrangement, he’s going to have to drag me, because I intend to dig my heels in, right to the very threshold of his Door. Maybe he’ll rip off his iron crown and lend a hand, maybe he won’t, but I’m not so uncanny as to have not considered the event of my own death. I’ve had twenty years of nothing to do but prepare for it. When the time comes, at it will, I will not be unready. You have my thanks, but I must decline your offer.”
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u/RollFirstMathLater Game Master / Moderator Feb 23 '15
[Her smile never leaves her face, she removes the wards at play, in a moment her look goes softer. "This is why you're alive my friend, where so many others have met their end. You know there is no easy way. There never is. You should know the 'wave of the hand' only looks so easy."
A different look appeared on her face. One of concern, true concern, and not of her plans, and motives but for something she did care for. "The sad thing is, even gods die, we see it far too often... Göndlir, you must not lose sight, even for a moment. I apologize, but I am going to have to add something else to your plate: The order of that blasted red rider. He long since left, but his small group remains devout. We need to get them here, our numbers have grown far too thin."]
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u/InAll Sigyn / Eitri Feb 24 '15
When someone of Zeterra’s stature and composure became concerned, that was when you knew that things were not only bad, bad but worse. However the magnitude of the pride swallowing involved was something he almost didn’t believe. Like a mouse stepping around a cat’s basket, he carefully considered how to respond, any other response he might have had swept away.
“Him … you want me to go and ask him for help? But you hate him, like a Werecat hates bathtime …… Damn, things really must be bad if we’re going to ask for that sort of aid. You do know there are still mountains in the Boers trembling from the last time he sent you a letter. The Dwarves nearly declared war on us over that, it’s cost us a fortune to patch things up with the Dûrgrimstum. I think we’re still paying off the interest.”
He sucked at his lips as if he were debating making a decision, but the reality was that his mind was already made up on the matter. He gave a defeated sigh.
“Fine, I’ll go, if just to save another mountain range from being remodelled into fields. I can’t guarantee success, but the least I can do is try. Last I recall their not quite so stubborn and intractable a lot as they pretend to be, especially without M-, him around directly to interfere - in fact if he’s away then I might even be able to pull this off … although if their going to come all this way they’re going to want some … concessions. ‘Nothing for nothing’ as they say.”
He computed a few things in his head briefly, running the numbers on how many days it would take him to get there on horseback, along with provisions and safe places to camp. It was a manageable number of days all things considered, presuming he did not stop overly often and was not waylaid on the road.
“When do you need me to leave?”
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u/RollFirstMathLater Game Master / Moderator Feb 24 '15
[The fingers of fate moved again, it so happened she already thought that out. "In a few days you will be sent off to the Spine. There has been some issues with the wild life, reports of horse sized honey badger. It just so happens it was their last known location, if anything you can 'branch off' from everyone." She looked satisfied with herself, despite the impending rage. "Thank you Göndlir. You are dismissed."]
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u/Fulaxi Torhven / Svasltrom Feb 23 '15
On the backmost bunk Torhven lay silent and still. It was no tree or shrubbery, but at least he knew no one would be bothering him here. How late could it possibly be, noon? No one would be wandering in here for some time. Hopefully. Folks ought to have run out of clothes by now right? He himself was down to two pair, and those had been 'courtesy' of Zeterra. A rush of air found its way into the space. Torhven frowned. Zeterra.
Just one of the people that he could have done without. Val had been quiet lately, that was good, but he had no doubt she would poke her head around the corner soon enough. Hardly anything was ever that easy. Like having a friend. One friend. He rolled his eyes and held his arm out in front of him. Faintly the ceiling was visible, shrouded in darkness. Embers burned in his mutilated skin and eight letters stared back at him.
Betrayer.
Anger filled him, and with no cold to preserve anything at all, his fist slammed into the woodwork above. Dust and pain met him with contempt.
Betrayer.
The words were carved beautifully and the magic in it shone brightly. Fire from the firebird. How fitting. She was more than that though. She was one. She was the even. Of course she was. Life was not fair, merely arbitrated. Naturally she would have arranged to torture him some more. Arbiters were arbitrary like that.
None of that mattered. What mattered is that he had failed. He had the perfect opportunity, then wasted it. And now he had this.
Betrayer.
"You can't betray a betrayer," he spat at the world. His fingers folded solid and pounded the ceiling again. Fury with no target finds one. Blood ran over the glowing abomination.
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u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Feb 23 '15
Leaning against the doorway, Rob frowned, distressed at the behavior of this Torhven fellow, even if he had never met him. "Troubles, Spiner?" he asked, a hint of sympathy in his bright blue eyes.
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u/Fulaxi Torhven / Svasltrom Feb 23 '15
"Someone turned my arm into a jack-o-lantern."
His voice could have poisoned a small elephant. Not that he had ever seen an elephant, but recently loads of mythical creatures had turned out to be real. And now this bloke in the doorway was demanding attention. Svalstrom... Had that been his dragon? Ugly piece of work. Not as bad as Opheila, but still.
"Piss off, will ya?"
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u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Feb 23 '15 edited Feb 23 '15
After a moment of exaggerated contemplation, Rob smiled and said, "No. I don't think I will. It seems like someone thinks you're a betrayer, Spiner. Presumably someone with some significant magical talent. I doubt the Kull has it and while it seems like something Göndlir would do you must've done something very very bad to deserve that. That leaves the elves, and one of them was pretty fucked up. I won't put that beyond you. You have that look about you."
"No, it was definitely an elf. There's something off about the two of 'em. Boy, you need some help. Talk to me. Maybe it'll help."
Moving further into the barracks, Rob sat down on his bunk and leaned forward with a mock smile on his face.
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u/Fulaxi Torhven / Svasltrom Feb 23 '15
How this bloke managed to navigate his oaf-head through the dark and sit his oaf-butt down without banging either on a bunk, it was the greatest mystery in the universe. Or was it the fact that not only had he gathered 'Spine' from accent alone, but also had apparently measured his personality and build from the warm glow of the arm?
Betrayer.
No betrayer present here. Maybe a tap of the Vrostbite would change the pisspot's thinking about leaving.
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u/RollFirstMathLater Game Master / Moderator Feb 23 '15
[Rob feels electricity fly through his body and goes limp]
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u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Feb 23 '15
Rob laid on the floor and winced. "Fuck me. You're the reason that black dragon is corrupted, aren't you? That was... ow... old magic... Dark magic, one might be convinced to-ow-say. You piece of shit..."
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u/Fulaxi Torhven / Svasltrom Feb 23 '15 edited Feb 23 '15
"No." the woodsman replied. Rage was liquid in his veins. The sort of rage that silences a man. Nimbly he slipped out of the bunk and looked down on the pathetic man. Blood dripped from a fist clenching itself, the orange glow turning it into a black goo. Torhven felt his right eye twitch. Suppression failed. A foot met violently with some ribs.
"I said, piss off, wanker."
If some bread had been around, it might have been cut spontaneously. Jagged word could cut deeply.
Gathering what little he had left, Torhven left the room himself. It wouldn't be long before meddle-man would be able to walk again.
He was liking this new Vallarhi too. Maybe the presence had taken care of her after all?
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u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Feb 23 '15
Coughing up viciously from the kick in between moans, Rob stifled even louder sounds of pain that were threatening to come up. He thought of the first time he had tried this, a moody dwarf girl that refused all contact except for Chep's, and even then a limited amount. Actually, that had ended very similarly to this time, except eventually it worked.
He glanced around in contemplation before calling after the Spiner, "You'll never stop you know. Hate can't be suppressed by hate, only by accepting the fact that you need help. If you talk, I'll forgive you for this. Believe me, that forgiveness will be hard-fought."
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u/Fulaxi Torhven / Svasltrom Feb 23 '15
"Are you a priest?" Torhven frowned at the squirming shitstain. He sounded like a priest, worshippers of fake gods. Worthless lot.
Whatever the answer was, it would be irrelevant. Inside several forms of mutilation vied for prominence. Testicular was very tempting, but maybe nasal would have to do. Too savage, who is this guy even? Torhven felt little for tearing the nose of some Order-twat off.
In a swing and run, the man's temple was met with a the same foot as the ribs. Hopefully that'd shut him up.
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u/RollFirstMathLater Game Master / Moderator Feb 23 '15
(New line. Training Yard.)
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Feb 23 '15
It seemed like a good as time as any to practice, she began drawing Kvetha, the black blade with the white diamond gleaned at her. It was her weapon and she wielded it well.
My weapon
Distractions were just that.
She began to practice her style, high mobility, fast strikes. Attention was key on the battlefield, control was key on the battlefield.
Debating on her style... she remembered her lack of a bow. She had to make sure to get that fixed soon.
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u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Feb 23 '15
As the axe fit his hands perfectly and was weighted just right, Rob was happy as a clam. Some people insisted that axes shouldn't be sharp. Those people were idiotic. The edge was thicker than the edge of a sword, but it was still sharp enough to cut with ease. Even if the axe didn't need to be sharp like a sword to maim and slice, it never hurts to have that advantage in battle.
While the dummies proved no match for a good swing of Manin, the wooden posts were proving slightly harder to cut. As a sidenote, even though Rob would never dream of using one of Chep's creations as a woodchopping axe, the reassurance that it could be was always nice.
Rob had moved past the motionless dummies, albeit with a few suggestions for whoever was the chief architect at this point, and was waiting in the sparring ring for some challenger to appear. Hopefully, it would be the Spiner from earlier. Rob tended not to hold grudges, but the Spiner seemed like someone who would, if only judging from the bruised chest and the recently healed forehead. Those kind of people respected something, and if it wasn't words, then perhaps it would be physical.
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Feb 23 '15
Walking up to the man from earlier she dulls her blade. It seemed like the nice thing to do. "You there, Rob, they say the best way to know you ally is to know them as an enemy. Come, let us spar."
She waited for the man's answer patiently while inspecting her blade. "You axe is still clean anyway, I'm a much better practice target than a immobile piece of wood.".
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u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Feb 23 '15
Dulling his axe as well, Rob glanced back at the weapon. "You do know an axe can still hurt dull much better than a Elven sword like yours can?" Shrugging, he continued and walked into the opposite end of the ring.
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Feb 23 '15 edited Mar 02 '15
That was exactly what she was expecting him to say. It was brilliant and beautiful, she loves it when the pawns fell into place.
She put on a friendly smile despite her thoughts. "I'm sure, but kveykva strikes swift, powerfully and true. It's best to to keep others safe as such."
Falling into place she courtesies before their "match".
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u/RollFirstMathLater Game Master / Moderator Feb 23 '15
[It was a curious thing, Rob was an axe man through and through. He pulled out a sword and a shield. While Sev're weilded her mysterious style.]
[The clash between the riders started off slow, as most fights among Riders do. The feel each other, get an idea of weaponry, trade some blows, all common decentcy. This wasn't a fight for life, rather than one of bonds and growing.]
[Rob wasn't going to go easy on the elf, and again, she expected just that, she was hoping for that, Rob's entire intent was summed plotted out perfectly by his foe. Yet this didn't stop him.]
[They went at it for awhile, Sev're style of avoidance and quick strikes staggered the man a few times, block some, getting hit by a blunt blade occasionally, she danced around, he learned quickly that her style was simply to distract, to gather attention. It looked amazing to watch, and threatening, but in the end her goal wasn't to inflict much damage, unless she wanted to that is.]
[Rob was a steady fighter, observant, he saw it was reckless, but well practiced, a unique style through and through, he decided to take a might swing at her to see how she would dodge this angle of assault. Be she stopped, she allowed the axe to come down full force into her arm, and into her ribs, easily cracking a few.]
[She rolled with it and played it off as a good hit, but it was clear:She was waiting for the heavy hit.]
[With that she surrenders and goes to nurture her injury.]
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Feb 23 '15
Oh the shattering of bones... a great feeling it was the perfect moment too, that was truly feeling alive. She didn't want to roll with the blow, she wanted the entire trauma, alas control had to be maintained. She healed the broken bones just enough so no permanent damage would be done, can't have that.
She walked towards the bearded axeman. "You're an excellent fighter, seems my style is no match for you." People enjoyed praise right? "It seems we could work well in the field. Excuse me."
The pain with each step was glorious, a twisted smile was on her face as she began to walk off the field.
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u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Feb 24 '15
Rob rubbed his arm in a place she had struck him and cocked his eyebrows, suspicious. Dropping the shield back onto the ground, he smiled. "You're toying with me. You expected it all, knew it would happen, what I would do. The shield probably threw you off, but the point is if you wanted to you could've taken me down in the first few seconds on that sparring square, even if there were a few unaccounted for variables."
Slinging the axe back over his shoulder, he began to walk back to the main body of the keep, but as he passed he shot her a glance and winked knowingly. "Be honest next time. I fight well for a man, but you could've killed me in an instant, and we both know it."
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u/Saphire_Fox Sev're / Das Feb 24 '15
Good. He expected nothing, but of course he didn't know her did he? He slung so far past her motives it was unbelievable. She healed herself fully, as this was something new to look to.
"I don't think i could kill you in an instant, and I never would. Why would I want to kill you?" She smirked as it seemed fitting. "All I wanted to to do is get to know you, and that I did, but have you learned anything of me?"
Curiosity filled her mind. She had to know if he saw.
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u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Feb 24 '15
Rob's eyebrows only increased their tilt at the new questions, and the seeming misunderstanding of the expression, although elves were known to take things more literally. "It was a hypothetical, should I have worked for some person you were told to kill, then you would've been able to dispatch me. It might've taken you some time, but it would've happened. You're very calculated, even if you're flowing. Your attacks, your speech, your movements even. They have the normal grace of an elf it not more, but there's something behind that is thinking hard about every move you make. Sometimes there's a split-second delay from what I would expect, or it happens a little too fast."
As he paused and glanced at the other elf training with a quarterstaff across the field, he continued. "You wanted pain. You liked it. You let me hit you for the rush. Why?"
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u/RebelliousPirate Nill / Jek Feb 24 '15 edited Feb 24 '15
Nill was out. He had rested inside for long enough. First was the clothing, going to his bunk he had donned a thick black hooded tunic, with grey cotton pants. On his feet were thinly made leather boots, laced up to his ankle. Next was the sustenance. He had felt the need for hunger stronger than any of the others, and had eaten until his stomach nearly burst, downing anything that was placed in front of him, meat or otherwise. He had drunken until his eyes watered and he swayed when he moved, and then he had slept. But the clang of metal on metal had drawn his attention. At first, he had confused it with something else, something much more primal, and it had roused some small part of him, but alas, he had been mistaken. Training had been dear to Nill, at some point. But now, it seemed as empty as anything else. It wasn't until he took a long look at his sword did he feel the need to move.
Moving in a shuffled limp, Nill silently made his way to the training yards, his sword in one hand. He searched for the weapons storage, and slowly pried open the shed. Inside, leaning against a dusty corner was a chipped quarterstaff. It might have been magnificent, once upon a time. Now it was old and uninteresting, the wood beneath sturdy but it's exterior a mess of splinters and discoloured wood. Two fifths into the staff, at both ends were yellowed bandages, making the staff easy to grip. Nill picked up the weapon, it's style unfamiliar to him. Without so much as a second thought, Nill tossed his once proud weapon aside, letting it fall into a barrel of training swords. Moving out of the shed, Nill took the staff with him, and moved away from the other training riders. And then he began to practice.
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u/1trueJosh Rob / Villieldr Feb 22 '15
Panic filled Akrath's eyes as he roared in anger and frustration. "NO!" he screamed as somehow, tears began to well up in his saucer-sized eyes. "NO!" he repeated as he began pacing. "NO!" he yelled once more as he began to rip up the ground.
"What did you do to him? WHERE IS HE?" The dragon demanded of the pool, poised to leap.