The Ekeel seems relieved, if such expressions can be read, and gives a bow to her and a contemptuous look to Almulsis. With one last look at the scene of the temple, and a silent bow to his brothers lost that are left here, he slowly walks off with his strange gait.
Almulsis shifts as if to call him back, but the movement causes a hacking cough. He stosp in time to hear Ameena's words.
He looks too, at the destruction that was wrought here, probably for the first time. He turns from it quite quickly.
"I...would still wish to ... speak to the High Priest of Poukal village, He was...not responsible for..what happened here." A shrug. "I do not yet know who sent these Reapers, and...besides he may know more of...your people...from the cluses the...Ekeel gave..."
Almulsis pauses. "The Great houses would...be interested in your...staff, but I do not believe...their hands...are the best for it."
Alulsis tries to stand up, from the odd staggering to him it is as if he has some small form of help that can't quite lift him properly.
"The staff is...more important though..." he tries to draw himself up, "if you know of a place...of safety for it, I posssess...powers that can insure it...will not be taken from there, unless you...wish it to be"
(RPG) The tale begins...
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Ameena
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"It is not my staff." says Ameena with distaste. "It is simply that the Ekeel seem to believe I am the only one who may handle it safely. There are many places I might leave it - dark caves, high mountains, chilled lands, places which carried the scent of no other creatures when I was there. I will put it in such a place and never return for it. But whichever location I choose, it would not be a place someone of your...structure...could go. That would defeat the point of the place being inaccessible to such creatures."
Ameena looks around at the ruins of the temple.
"Hiding this weapon is something I can do at any time, but wish to do soon. Staying here is something I do not wish to do. The creatures...humans...will return. If they see me here... Similar has happened before. They see a dark creature standing amidst the ruins of their homes, and they attack without bothering to find out why that creature is there or what truly caused the ruin."
Ameena looks around at the ruins of the temple.
"Hiding this weapon is something I can do at any time, but wish to do soon. Staying here is something I do not wish to do. The creatures...humans...will return. If they see me here... Similar has happened before. They see a dark creature standing amidst the ruins of their homes, and they attack without bothering to find out why that creature is there or what truly caused the ruin."
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Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
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Sophia
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Ettesus, somewhat stunned from his vision in Farspace, bent over and slowly picked up his gold artifact, slipping it back into his pack mechanically. He walked towards the village slowly, his former swagger completely gone. The incident on the other side of the void had deeply affected him-- having one's soul nearly torn away from one's body tends to do that.
He thought about trying to take his mind off of the situation, but what would he do? The hunt? Even if his prey was not truly dead, he would not dare go back into Farspace any time soon to find out. Drink? Perhaps... that always seems to be a fine escape. He would get a tankard of ale, perhaps a whore, and that would be that for thinking of troubles, at least for this day.
Unfortunately, as Ettesus made his way into the village, he found that whatever darkness he was seeking to avoid had already made its way here first.
***
Sonia Resè, or at least, Sonia Resè's avatar, half-stood, half-floated in a secured chamber of the Resè Astral Library, as much as a 'chamber' can be recognized in this place, anyway. Truthfully, she hated astrogation, but it was the price they paid for their fast-paced, information-oriented society. She was reminded why she hated it when, several moments before-- or whatever passed for time in this place, anyway-- the entire place was shaken violently, some sort of great disturbance going on outside.
"Nothing but a voidquake," dismissed one of her advisors.
"I have never known a voidquake like that," another one remarked, shaking his head. "Was it a Reaper dying?"
"Or a Reaper forming," a sorceress offered. "We still don't know what produced them."
"I would rather have them dying than forming," Sonia offered, and this brought out a few nervous chuckles. "We are here in the security of our Astral Library, let us take advantage of that, for so long as it holds, anyhow, and not trouble ourselves with the small problems-- there are big problems to trouble ourselves with."
The advisors nodded.
"You speak of the Ekeel, Baroness."
"I do," Sonia answered. "They have not been seen in our lands for millennia-- indeed, some educated minds among us sought to dismiss them as merely legend." She smirked, "I fear the careers of some academics are not all that is in peril if they have truthfully returned."
"Ekeel?" asked an acolyte. The eyes upon him instantly caused a burning blush, even in his avatar here, and a fervent wish he had never asked that question. Unfortunately for him, despite all the differences in the flows of time in this plane compared to the other, there was still no way to make it move backwards.
Sonia smiled, somewhat condescendingly, but one of gentle reproach-- perhaps motherly-- as opposed to genuine cruelty. She reached out, pulling forth the knowledge from the library. "Ekeel," she started, as a small orange globe drifted to the center of the table. "They come from beyond the civilized lands of Enakkam, from over the Lyakkos mountains and past even the Sea of Salt. Truth be told, we know nothing of where their homeland truly lies-- even the most outward of frontier peoples can only point over the horizon when asked where they come from. We know a bit more of why they come, or, at least, why the legends say they come."
"Trouble," grunted Jafev, a warrior who had little time for such things.
"Trouble," reaffirmed Sonia. "We already know we have trouble. That the Ekeel would take notice should serve as confirmation, though perhaps not the sort of confirmation we would desire. For if they decide their enemy is the Great Houses as well as the Reapers..."
That sentence finished itself, so Sonia simply sighed.
He thought about trying to take his mind off of the situation, but what would he do? The hunt? Even if his prey was not truly dead, he would not dare go back into Farspace any time soon to find out. Drink? Perhaps... that always seems to be a fine escape. He would get a tankard of ale, perhaps a whore, and that would be that for thinking of troubles, at least for this day.
Unfortunately, as Ettesus made his way into the village, he found that whatever darkness he was seeking to avoid had already made its way here first.
***
Sonia Resè, or at least, Sonia Resè's avatar, half-stood, half-floated in a secured chamber of the Resè Astral Library, as much as a 'chamber' can be recognized in this place, anyway. Truthfully, she hated astrogation, but it was the price they paid for their fast-paced, information-oriented society. She was reminded why she hated it when, several moments before-- or whatever passed for time in this place, anyway-- the entire place was shaken violently, some sort of great disturbance going on outside.
"Nothing but a voidquake," dismissed one of her advisors.
"I have never known a voidquake like that," another one remarked, shaking his head. "Was it a Reaper dying?"
"Or a Reaper forming," a sorceress offered. "We still don't know what produced them."
"I would rather have them dying than forming," Sonia offered, and this brought out a few nervous chuckles. "We are here in the security of our Astral Library, let us take advantage of that, for so long as it holds, anyhow, and not trouble ourselves with the small problems-- there are big problems to trouble ourselves with."
The advisors nodded.
"You speak of the Ekeel, Baroness."
"I do," Sonia answered. "They have not been seen in our lands for millennia-- indeed, some educated minds among us sought to dismiss them as merely legend." She smirked, "I fear the careers of some academics are not all that is in peril if they have truthfully returned."
"Ekeel?" asked an acolyte. The eyes upon him instantly caused a burning blush, even in his avatar here, and a fervent wish he had never asked that question. Unfortunately for him, despite all the differences in the flows of time in this plane compared to the other, there was still no way to make it move backwards.
Sonia smiled, somewhat condescendingly, but one of gentle reproach-- perhaps motherly-- as opposed to genuine cruelty. She reached out, pulling forth the knowledge from the library. "Ekeel," she started, as a small orange globe drifted to the center of the table. "They come from beyond the civilized lands of Enakkam, from over the Lyakkos mountains and past even the Sea of Salt. Truth be told, we know nothing of where their homeland truly lies-- even the most outward of frontier peoples can only point over the horizon when asked where they come from. We know a bit more of why they come, or, at least, why the legends say they come."
"Trouble," grunted Jafev, a warrior who had little time for such things.
"Trouble," reaffirmed Sonia. "We already know we have trouble. That the Ekeel would take notice should serve as confirmation, though perhaps not the sort of confirmation we would desire. For if they decide their enemy is the Great Houses as well as the Reapers..."
That sentence finished itself, so Sonia simply sighed.
Almulsis nodded to Ameena's words.
"We can decide where both our feet shall travel, as you...say, when we leave this place," Almulsis shudderes at the destruction again and turns his back from it, limping slowly out of the door.
His mind is reeling from all that has happened. A tool to fight the reapers, and he cannot weild it, nor even aid in its hiding, if such a course is in any way prudent.
He idly wonders if the Great Houses have found any other champions to search, or have found anything themselves. HE even wonders if they have remembered he exists - unlikely, or else he would ahve felt their wrath already.
Down the stairs he sees that the limping Ekeel has not, infact, left yet. He and his brothers still stand there, although the leader is not with them, still walking away.
The Ekeel stands tall, and raises a wand at the building. A red discharge flares from it for a moment towards the back of the temple, through a window. A moment later Almulsis can detect the aroma of burning, and realises that this place will become a funeral pyre to the victims and heroes who died fighting one the world will nevereven know threatened them
"We can decide where both our feet shall travel, as you...say, when we leave this place," Almulsis shudderes at the destruction again and turns his back from it, limping slowly out of the door.
His mind is reeling from all that has happened. A tool to fight the reapers, and he cannot weild it, nor even aid in its hiding, if such a course is in any way prudent.
He idly wonders if the Great Houses have found any other champions to search, or have found anything themselves. HE even wonders if they have remembered he exists - unlikely, or else he would ahve felt their wrath already.
Down the stairs he sees that the limping Ekeel has not, infact, left yet. He and his brothers still stand there, although the leader is not with them, still walking away.
The Ekeel stands tall, and raises a wand at the building. A red discharge flares from it for a moment towards the back of the temple, through a window. A moment later Almulsis can detect the aroma of burning, and realises that this place will become a funeral pyre to the victims and heroes who died fighting one the world will nevereven know threatened them
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Ameena
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Ameena glances around at the fire, then turns back and casts a careful eye over what she can see of the village from here. There appear to be no humans in sight - they probably all ran during the battle and are hiding in their homes or at the other end of the village.
Still, they will be back.
"I do not wish to stay here and have them return to attack me." she says to Almulsis with disdain. She points in the direction in which the copse lies. "There are trees that way. I hid there before. I will wait."
She then darts away, seeking shadows, though there are few here in the firelight. Fortunately, clouds are mostly obscuring the moon's light again, so she feels a little safer as she darts across the distance of open scrubland which lies between the village and the small copse of trees where she originally hid from the Ekeel. Selecting the same tree as last time, she perches on the same branch, with the view of the village, and patiently waits for the wounded Almulsis to catch up to her. Perhaps she would have remained with him...though she is unsure why...but such a desire is yet outweighed by her unwillingness to remain in "civilised" places, where she knows how she will be "welcomed" if she is found.
Still, they will be back.
"I do not wish to stay here and have them return to attack me." she says to Almulsis with disdain. She points in the direction in which the copse lies. "There are trees that way. I hid there before. I will wait."
She then darts away, seeking shadows, though there are few here in the firelight. Fortunately, clouds are mostly obscuring the moon's light again, so she feels a little safer as she darts across the distance of open scrubland which lies between the village and the small copse of trees where she originally hid from the Ekeel. Selecting the same tree as last time, she perches on the same branch, with the view of the village, and patiently waits for the wounded Almulsis to catch up to her. Perhaps she would have remained with him...though she is unsure why...but such a desire is yet outweighed by her unwillingness to remain in "civilised" places, where she knows how she will be "welcomed" if she is found.
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Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Almulsis sees the quick figure run and then cannot see her as she blends into shadows, as her speed makes quessing where he should be looking difficult.
The desire still wells up in Almulsis to speak with these legends, to have onbe come with them for the knowledge they can provide. However, he has to acknowledge that they hold him, perhaps rightfully, with contempt for his previous life and lusts for power, and so he resigns himself to moving onwards.
His next move is uncertain, if anything he should simply find a place to rest. The world has a weapon against the reapers, perhaps he should wait for the evil behind them to make the next move.
No, that sort of thinking does not connect him to the world, allowing innocents to die such as has happened here. He must prevent such a massacre as happened here from happening elsewhere by reaper hands.
A worse thought enters Almulsis's mind - what if the reapers are simply a natural formation, echos of the minds' journies finding form in farspace. What if there is no greater evil except for their own thoughts directing these creatures?
Almulsis sets aside speculation, and with pained slow steps starts the journey towards
The desire still wells up in Almulsis to speak with these legends, to have onbe come with them for the knowledge they can provide. However, he has to acknowledge that they hold him, perhaps rightfully, with contempt for his previous life and lusts for power, and so he resigns himself to moving onwards.
His next move is uncertain, if anything he should simply find a place to rest. The world has a weapon against the reapers, perhaps he should wait for the evil behind them to make the next move.
No, that sort of thinking does not connect him to the world, allowing innocents to die such as has happened here. He must prevent such a massacre as happened here from happening elsewhere by reaper hands.
A worse thought enters Almulsis's mind - what if the reapers are simply a natural formation, echos of the minds' journies finding form in farspace. What if there is no greater evil except for their own thoughts directing these creatures?
Almulsis sets aside speculation, and with pained slow steps starts the journey towards
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Ameena
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OOC - Umm..."Towards..." the copse, I take it 
.
BIC - Ameena watches from the tree as the familiar robed form of Almulsis emerges from behind a building, walking vaguely in the direction of the copse. Though all she did was point roughly in the right direction and then disappear that way, there is little else in this open land but this small cluster of trees. Unless he suddenly becomes blind, Almulsis is unlikely to head off in the wrong direction. Unless he is choosing to take his own path, of course. Well, if he does not come this way, she will do the same - take her own path to somewhere far-distant and secret, where she can get rid of the dark weapon she holds in her hand.
.BIC - Ameena watches from the tree as the familiar robed form of Almulsis emerges from behind a building, walking vaguely in the direction of the copse. Though all she did was point roughly in the right direction and then disappear that way, there is little else in this open land but this small cluster of trees. Unless he suddenly becomes blind, Almulsis is unlikely to head off in the wrong direction. Unless he is choosing to take his own path, of course. Well, if he does not come this way, she will do the same - take her own path to somewhere far-distant and secret, where she can get rid of the dark weapon she holds in her hand.
______________________________________________
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
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Sophia
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(Who? Me? Nasty?)
Ettesus made his way, cautiously, in towards the ruins of the village. A few scared shards of humanity huddled in their smashed hovels, the rest had already fled in all directions. In the darkness, a red glow started to rise from the shattered temple, the scent of death being carried on the smoke as the funeral pyre to the Ekeel began to burn with its full fury and majesty.
Ettesus steered clear of the blaze, not sure just how hot or how large it would get, scanning the periphery instead. He saw a figure-- the shape, the gait, there was something-- no, it couldn't be that simple. He quickly drew his knife, placing it between his teeth, and scampering behind the smouldering ruins that was once a shop, watching the figure walking slowly away from the village.
He hissed a bit to himself. It was-- it had to be. The wind picked up a bit, fanning the fire, casting long shadows over the landscape. It gave him a bit more red light with which to see, and he took full advantage, popping up from behind a large broken brick, climbing over and stepping out into the open.
A quick stroke, that will do it. The blaze picked up again, a wind rustled the trees, and, the sound of his footsteps masked by the whipping of the wind and the barking of a stray dog, Ettesus charged toward his prey, drawing the knife back, preparing to stab, to strike, to end his life-- or unlife, or whatever this man was.
However, as he was nearly upon Almusis, the wind caught the rapidly growing fire once more, blowing a shower of sparks onto Ettesus. They hit his cloak, and a glowing ember burned his skin, causing him to shout. He quickly, noisly, dropped to the ground, rolling. He was unharmed, but he had lost his advantage, and he had surely attracted his prey's attention... so he quickly wondered how long that unharmed state would last, trying to get to his feet, trying to get his knife at the ready...
Ettesus made his way, cautiously, in towards the ruins of the village. A few scared shards of humanity huddled in their smashed hovels, the rest had already fled in all directions. In the darkness, a red glow started to rise from the shattered temple, the scent of death being carried on the smoke as the funeral pyre to the Ekeel began to burn with its full fury and majesty.
Ettesus steered clear of the blaze, not sure just how hot or how large it would get, scanning the periphery instead. He saw a figure-- the shape, the gait, there was something-- no, it couldn't be that simple. He quickly drew his knife, placing it between his teeth, and scampering behind the smouldering ruins that was once a shop, watching the figure walking slowly away from the village.
He hissed a bit to himself. It was-- it had to be. The wind picked up a bit, fanning the fire, casting long shadows over the landscape. It gave him a bit more red light with which to see, and he took full advantage, popping up from behind a large broken brick, climbing over and stepping out into the open.
A quick stroke, that will do it. The blaze picked up again, a wind rustled the trees, and, the sound of his footsteps masked by the whipping of the wind and the barking of a stray dog, Ettesus charged toward his prey, drawing the knife back, preparing to stab, to strike, to end his life-- or unlife, or whatever this man was.
However, as he was nearly upon Almusis, the wind caught the rapidly growing fire once more, blowing a shower of sparks onto Ettesus. They hit his cloak, and a glowing ember burned his skin, causing him to shout. He quickly, noisly, dropped to the ground, rolling. He was unharmed, but he had lost his advantage, and he had surely attracted his prey's attention... so he quickly wondered how long that unharmed state would last, trying to get to his feet, trying to get his knife at the ready...
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Ameena
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Ameena hisses to herself as she spots another figure emerge from the village. She leaves the tree and prepares herself to act - the moon is fully-covered now, and if she does move against this new foe, he will not see her coming. He will not think to look. And he appears to believe Almulsis is alone, at any rate. And why wouldn't he?
______________________________________________
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Almulsis was not caught unawares, as he really does have eyes in the back of his head - though not his own.
Hi is still surpirsed and more than a littel fearful that someone managed to get so close, and infact wishes to. His guardians can do little more than effect small things - fanning a fire in the correct direction, for example. They cannot help him if this knife-weilder wishes to finish what he started.
"You wished to get my attention," says Almulsis fighting but gaining a clear voice, allowing it to drip ith arrogance.
Meanwhile he draws his robe aroudn him to hide his wound and tries to recall if there is anything he possesses or can do to protect himself in the sitation. AS always, it is probably knowledge that will be his greatest power.
Hi is still surpirsed and more than a littel fearful that someone managed to get so close, and infact wishes to. His guardians can do little more than effect small things - fanning a fire in the correct direction, for example. They cannot help him if this knife-weilder wishes to finish what he started.
"You wished to get my attention," says Almulsis fighting but gaining a clear voice, allowing it to drip ith arrogance.
Meanwhile he draws his robe aroudn him to hide his wound and tries to recall if there is anything he possesses or can do to protect himself in the sitation. AS always, it is probably knowledge that will be his greatest power.
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Sophia
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Ettesus raised his knife, in a defensive fighting stance, glancing around quickly, and then glaring at Almusis, silent, quickly scampering to his feet. He brushed the smouldering smoky embers off his coat with one hand, his other hand still holding the knife, as he hopped another step back.
After a few moments of hesitation, he made a bewildered noise, something like a donkey's bray, and ran off the other direction, back into the shadows.
After a few moments of hesitation, he made a bewildered noise, something like a donkey's bray, and ran off the other direction, back into the shadows.
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Ameena
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Ameena pauses, considering what to do - return to the trees and wait? Well, perhaps Almulsis will not go there now that this one has attacked him. Perhaps she could follow the stranger, see that he does not attempt to sneak around another way. Or she could go to Almulsis and speak to him about it. No, the latter would not be wise - her presence is a secret from the hunter, for now. She decides to follow him.
It is not difficult to make her own way into the shadows, standing atop a roof and masked from the firelight by the structure of a chimney. She looks down from here, sharp green eyes casting about for the attacker whilst at the same time keeping a peripheral watch on Almulsis to see what he will do - he probably assumes she is still waiting in the tree.
Throughout this, she has kept the staff clutched in her left hand - she knows she must keep it by her, and not leave it somewhere another creature might find it. Besides, she has no intention of throwing herself into a fight, should the attacker make another move.
It is not difficult to make her own way into the shadows, standing atop a roof and masked from the firelight by the structure of a chimney. She looks down from here, sharp green eyes casting about for the attacker whilst at the same time keeping a peripheral watch on Almulsis to see what he will do - he probably assumes she is still waiting in the tree.
Throughout this, she has kept the staff clutched in her left hand - she knows she must keep it by her, and not leave it somewhere another creature might find it. Besides, she has no intention of throwing herself into a fight, should the attacker make another move.
______________________________________________
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
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Sophia
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Ettesus ran through the darkened ruins of the once prosperous village of Taimadu, the fire now burning brightly, rising high, and casting dark, frightening shadows throughout the shattered remnants. He thought he saw some of the shadows moving, but with the frayed state his nerves were in, he thought he saw a lot of things. He pressed against the back of a barn, breathing heavily, quickly glancing this way and that, to see if there was anything behind him-- would the old man follow him? Was there something else out there? He readied his knife.
***
Sonia banged her fist on the table, causing the flagon of some strong alcoholic drink-- she was drinking a lot of that, in these times-- to bounce slightly, a hiss coming off her lips. "What do you mean it wasn't a Reaper?"
The advisor repeated himself, calmly, perhaps a bit timidly, but so that he was understood. "My lady, the entity that the Ekeel were fighting, whatever it was, was almost certainly not a Reaper. We have learned a bit about the sorts of energy they bring into this realm and the after-effects of their magic... I have been in Farspace conference with our experts, who spoke to villagers from Taimadu, describing exactly what they saw, and it simply doesn't match."
Sonia shook her head. "The memories and stories of peasants? This is what we have to go on?"
"And the opinions of experts."
Sonia hmphed quietly. "Experts. They have been such use to us so far. The Reapers continue to spread as they will-- no progress on our new weapon I take it?"
The advisor shook his head.
Sonia sighed. "As expected. And now this-- whatever it is. A Reaper, a new threat, I don't care, it's more of a headache for us. Unless that scheming bastard Vengkal is behind it. Or that shifty Mahliniya, I have not heard anything from her in a long time... too long." Sonia shook her head. "Keep working. We can't afford to be left behind. And tell me as soon as you have anything more. Anything at all."
***
Sonia banged her fist on the table, causing the flagon of some strong alcoholic drink-- she was drinking a lot of that, in these times-- to bounce slightly, a hiss coming off her lips. "What do you mean it wasn't a Reaper?"
The advisor repeated himself, calmly, perhaps a bit timidly, but so that he was understood. "My lady, the entity that the Ekeel were fighting, whatever it was, was almost certainly not a Reaper. We have learned a bit about the sorts of energy they bring into this realm and the after-effects of their magic... I have been in Farspace conference with our experts, who spoke to villagers from Taimadu, describing exactly what they saw, and it simply doesn't match."
Sonia shook her head. "The memories and stories of peasants? This is what we have to go on?"
"And the opinions of experts."
Sonia hmphed quietly. "Experts. They have been such use to us so far. The Reapers continue to spread as they will-- no progress on our new weapon I take it?"
The advisor shook his head.
Sonia sighed. "As expected. And now this-- whatever it is. A Reaper, a new threat, I don't care, it's more of a headache for us. Unless that scheming bastard Vengkal is behind it. Or that shifty Mahliniya, I have not heard anything from her in a long time... too long." Sonia shook her head. "Keep working. We can't afford to be left behind. And tell me as soon as you have anything more. Anything at all."
Almulsis blinks in surprise at the turn of events. He blinks some more at the retreating form that has run from him. He looks left and right to make sure a fell creature is not behind him, but he appears to be alone. Of course he is not - although he has less company than before, as one of his invisible friends has run after the man out of some curious interest.
He listened to the odd chatter of the tho remainign creatures drifting about him, understandably worried, but bhe waves them away and takes the time to bend over double and clutch his chest accustoming himself to the pains of regeneration.
After a sufficient pause, he stands up straighter, and slowly makes for the corpse of trees he imaginese Ameena to still be waiting inside.
He listened to the odd chatter of the tho remainign creatures drifting about him, understandably worried, but bhe waves them away and takes the time to bend over double and clutch his chest accustoming himself to the pains of regeneration.
After a sufficient pause, he stands up straighter, and slowly makes for the corpse of trees he imaginese Ameena to still be waiting inside.
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Ameena
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- Contact:
OOC - A "corpse" of trees? A big, dead, item of flora?
BIC - Ameena remains for a few further moments to ensure that the stranger does not re-emerge. Then, on noticing that Almulsis is starting to continue in the direction of the copse, makes her way swiftly ahead of him, un-noticed as before, and perches on the same branch to watch him approach.
OOC - Yes I'm being deliberately vague about how she's travelling atm - a surprise for the character will be more so if it's a surprise for the player too.
BIC - Ameena remains for a few further moments to ensure that the stranger does not re-emerge. Then, on noticing that Almulsis is starting to continue in the direction of the copse, makes her way swiftly ahead of him, un-noticed as before, and perches on the same branch to watch him approach.
OOC - Yes I'm being deliberately vague about how she's travelling atm - a surprise for the character will be more so if it's a surprise for the player too
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Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
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Sophia
- Concise and Honest
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Ettesus pushed away from the barn, his knife at the ready again. He sensed-- something. There was something here, something all around him. Something in the trees, maybe? Or an invisible presence? Or was it just his nerves playing tricks on him, in this shadowy night. The moon drifted in and out of sight, and a flickering red glow from the fire crossed by long, black shadows cast an eerie aura over anywhere he stood.
He hissed a bit, stabbing at something in the dark. Nothing was there, of course, but he felt that something was there a moment before. He looked over his shoulder, and quickly whirled around-- seeing nothing, again.
He relaxed a moment, believing he was just a dog chasing his tail, for the time being. Still, once the realization of the situation he was in came over him, he noticed that he couldn't relax too much. A direct frontal, or rear, or whatever it was-- attack on his prey obviously was out of the question. And now the man knew who he was. Was all this worth 100 Denarii? He could always demand more, but that would require going into Farspace-- and he wasn't so sure about that, either.
Ettesus turned abruptly. Not too far away, there was a flash of lightning, and a crack of thunder, despite there being no storms, no signs of rain. Usually, when that happened, it wasn't rain-- it was trouble.
He hissed a bit, stabbing at something in the dark. Nothing was there, of course, but he felt that something was there a moment before. He looked over his shoulder, and quickly whirled around-- seeing nothing, again.
He relaxed a moment, believing he was just a dog chasing his tail, for the time being. Still, once the realization of the situation he was in came over him, he noticed that he couldn't relax too much. A direct frontal, or rear, or whatever it was-- attack on his prey obviously was out of the question. And now the man knew who he was. Was all this worth 100 Denarii? He could always demand more, but that would require going into Farspace-- and he wasn't so sure about that, either.
Ettesus turned abruptly. Not too far away, there was a flash of lightning, and a crack of thunder, despite there being no storms, no signs of rain. Usually, when that happened, it wasn't rain-- it was trouble.
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Ameena
- Wordweaver, Murafu Maker
- Posts: 7577
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2003 6:25 pm
- Location: Here, where I am sitting!
- Contact:
Ameena looks out from the tree toward the source of the lightning-flash. Strange...she had sensed no storm coming, no change in the air that usually accompanied such events...it must be simply another manifestation of the bizarre, hostile creatures which seem to be everywhere these days.
Well, from Ameena's point of view, most creatures are hostile and somewhat bizarre. But these recent ones are different because they are more so.
Still, she knows what she plans to do. She still has no idea why she doesn't just go - Why is she waiting for Almulsis? Perhaps she wants to ensure that he perhaps recovers, or ends up somewhere safe. Or both. Not that there truly seems to be such a thing as a "safe place" these days. But considering this creature has been one of so very few who have bothered to treat her with some respect, rather than simply fleeing or attacking...
Well, from Ameena's point of view, most creatures are hostile and somewhat bizarre. But these recent ones are different because they are more so.
Still, she knows what she plans to do. She still has no idea why she doesn't just go - Why is she waiting for Almulsis? Perhaps she wants to ensure that he perhaps recovers, or ends up somewhere safe. Or both. Not that there truly seems to be such a thing as a "safe place" these days. But considering this creature has been one of so very few who have bothered to treat her with some respect, rather than simply fleeing or attacking...
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Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
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Ameena
- Wordweaver, Murafu Maker
- Posts: 7577
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2003 6:25 pm
- Location: Here, where I am sitting!
- Contact:
"Yes." says Ameena. She remains where she is, looking down at him. If he were to look up, he would probably see her eyes but little else in this darkness. She sees no real point in moving from her position, however.
"There is no-one here." she says. "The Ekeel came this way earlier, but this area is small. I can see far enough from these trees. You can hide here. For now."
"There is no-one here." she says. "The Ekeel came this way earlier, but this area is small. I can see far enough from these trees. You can hide here. For now."
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Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
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Ameena
- Wordweaver, Murafu Maker
- Posts: 7577
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2003 6:25 pm
- Location: Here, where I am sitting!
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"No."
She slips down from the upper branch to a lower one on another tree, slightly to Almulsis's left and just a little higher than the top of his head.
"The sense of the air changes when a storm comes - I do not feel that now." She sighs. "Perhaps it is another creature coming to attempt to destroy you."
She looks at the staff in her hand, resting on the branch. She should deal with it as soon as possible.
"I have no idea why..." Then she frowns and shakes her head, unable to understand exactly what it is she doesn't understand.
She slips down from the upper branch to a lower one on another tree, slightly to Almulsis's left and just a little higher than the top of his head.
"The sense of the air changes when a storm comes - I do not feel that now." She sighs. "Perhaps it is another creature coming to attempt to destroy you."
She looks at the staff in her hand, resting on the branch. She should deal with it as soon as possible.
"I have no idea why..." Then she frowns and shakes her head, unable to understand exactly what it is she doesn't understand.
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Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
"I would hope...that is not going to be a regular occurance," says Almulsis smiling under his headscarf.
"I believe that this area is probably best to vacate, especially if there is trouble."
A pause for thought, a sudden concern. "The dragon Sera, did she manage to remain undetected from the villagers while I investigated?"
"I believe that this area is probably best to vacate, especially if there is trouble."
A pause for thought, a sudden concern. "The dragon Sera, did she manage to remain undetected from the villagers while I investigated?"
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Ameena
- Wordweaver, Murafu Maker
- Posts: 7577
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2003 6:25 pm
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Ameena shrugs.
"I think she departed by herself. She would have even more reason than I to stay away from that...place, unless she has a way to hide herself amongst those creatures. And what were you investigating? It seemed you entered that structure and immediately attracted trouble. I saw the Ekeel arrive, but I do not know where the fire-creature...the Gror-gal...came from. It must have struck swiftly, or perhaps you lacked the skill to prevent it from striking you."
"I think she departed by herself. She would have even more reason than I to stay away from that...place, unless she has a way to hide herself amongst those creatures. And what were you investigating? It seemed you entered that structure and immediately attracted trouble. I saw the Ekeel arrive, but I do not know where the fire-creature...the Gror-gal...came from. It must have struck swiftly, or perhaps you lacked the skill to prevent it from striking you."
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Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Almulsis seemed surprised by the question, although in truth he had to expect it.
"I had hoped to learn more about the High Temple of Poukal village from the temple here," said Almulsis. "in turn to learn what is behind the Reaper threat."
Almulsis grew silent for a moment. "I did not find the answers I sought, but I did find answers."
He loosk to Ameena. "Whatever con-man had managed to get hold of the hearts in this village, was drawing them in, was not sent by the High Priest. I have to worry though, for the Gruug'al was attracted here, by the Reapers, and took the opportunity to arrange a feeding here." Amlmulsis shook his head. "I believe we were merely unucky with our timing to be close when the creature appeared. Anyway, the High Priest of Poukal must be important to the Reapers - if such a creature as the Gruug'al is sighted on the way to Poukal, they must be near. Whether the High Priest is important to the Reapers as an ally or enemy, that answer I do not have - but at least I know he is not inconsequential, as I feared!"
Almulsis thinks this is enough, but feels Ameena's eyes still on him. A few half truths and plausable soundign lies come to his mind, but with a sigh he decides to unusually go for the whole truth.
"As for my injury, it occured before the Gruug'al emerged. I am afraid I acted in haste and with superstition to the Ekeel - harbingers of death they have always beem apparently coming nto stop it though, not, as has been thought, the cause of it."
Almulsis shrugged. "I do not think it entirely fair they killed me for it, but I do not deny their reaction was understandable. At least my caution in one area matched my stupidity and rashness in another."
Almulsis is genuinely uncomfrtable by the conversation, and turns to break it, looking around.
"I would journey to Poukal still, to the north, but would understand give your burden and the previous occurances if you would not wish to join me. At least, perhaps, does a path for the staff start in that direction? I would not like to abandon you just now if I have any knowledge that may aid you, and certainly I do not feel fully to strength yet to deny aid if it should be offered."
"I had hoped to learn more about the High Temple of Poukal village from the temple here," said Almulsis. "in turn to learn what is behind the Reaper threat."
Almulsis grew silent for a moment. "I did not find the answers I sought, but I did find answers."
He loosk to Ameena. "Whatever con-man had managed to get hold of the hearts in this village, was drawing them in, was not sent by the High Priest. I have to worry though, for the Gruug'al was attracted here, by the Reapers, and took the opportunity to arrange a feeding here." Amlmulsis shook his head. "I believe we were merely unucky with our timing to be close when the creature appeared. Anyway, the High Priest of Poukal must be important to the Reapers - if such a creature as the Gruug'al is sighted on the way to Poukal, they must be near. Whether the High Priest is important to the Reapers as an ally or enemy, that answer I do not have - but at least I know he is not inconsequential, as I feared!"
Almulsis thinks this is enough, but feels Ameena's eyes still on him. A few half truths and plausable soundign lies come to his mind, but with a sigh he decides to unusually go for the whole truth.
"As for my injury, it occured before the Gruug'al emerged. I am afraid I acted in haste and with superstition to the Ekeel - harbingers of death they have always beem apparently coming nto stop it though, not, as has been thought, the cause of it."
Almulsis shrugged. "I do not think it entirely fair they killed me for it, but I do not deny their reaction was understandable. At least my caution in one area matched my stupidity and rashness in another."
Almulsis is genuinely uncomfrtable by the conversation, and turns to break it, looking around.
"I would journey to Poukal still, to the north, but would understand give your burden and the previous occurances if you would not wish to join me. At least, perhaps, does a path for the staff start in that direction? I would not like to abandon you just now if I have any knowledge that may aid you, and certainly I do not feel fully to strength yet to deny aid if it should be offered."
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Ameena
- Wordweaver, Murafu Maker
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Ameena first considers what Almulsis tells her about the Ekeel. So, he struck them at first sight? And she had thought him different from other humans - such a reaction is often made by them toward her, though of course she can usually evade such creatures swiftly enough, and she would never attempt to strike back. She should be more careufl of Almulsis, then, in future, and leave him altogether if she sees him acting that way again. Still, he didn't have to tell her ehat it was that killed him - he could have just left her to her assumption. Foolish of her to assume, really, but it had seemed so obvious...
Then she turns her attention to the other matter - the staff. She glances at it again, then back down to Almulsis.
"I can take it away whenever I like." she says. "I will take it to one of the many places I have found which carried the scent of no creature. But if you could travel the way I will, there is no reason for you to do so. I could take the staff somewhere and then return and find you..."
Again she feels confusion - Why would she wish to return? He has shown him to be as...human...a human as most other humans she's ever met. Odd.
OOC - Ouch - Almulsis lost some faction points with her there for that admission.
Then she turns her attention to the other matter - the staff. She glances at it again, then back down to Almulsis.
"I can take it away whenever I like." she says. "I will take it to one of the many places I have found which carried the scent of no creature. But if you could travel the way I will, there is no reason for you to do so. I could take the staff somewhere and then return and find you..."
Again she feels confusion - Why would she wish to return? He has shown him to be as...human...a human as most other humans she's ever met. Odd.
OOC - Ouch - Almulsis lost some faction points with her there for that admission
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Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Almulsis is lost in his own thoughts, but shakes them off. "I think we can agree that it is not safe or prudent to stay here."
Almulsis points in the direction of north. "I feel the urge to go to the Village of Poukal, to make sure the humans there are safe, and more importantly ensure they are not endangering others. Knowledge may be a good reason also, but I fear I will find no answers there." Almulsis nods to himself. "In the meantime, if you know of or can sense a body of water in that direction you can show me, perhaps I can create enchantments that may aid the healing process."
OOC: If you wish to write mroe to a story part than replying Ameena, you can assume that Almulsis will follow you, and with whatever difficulty a human would have tryign to keep up with you or follow the path!
Almulsis points in the direction of north. "I feel the urge to go to the Village of Poukal, to make sure the humans there are safe, and more importantly ensure they are not endangering others. Knowledge may be a good reason also, but I fear I will find no answers there." Almulsis nods to himself. "In the meantime, if you know of or can sense a body of water in that direction you can show me, perhaps I can create enchantments that may aid the healing process."
OOC: If you wish to write mroe to a story part than replying Ameena, you can assume that Almulsis will follow you, and with whatever difficulty a human would have tryign to keep up with you or follow the path!
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Ameena
- Wordweaver, Murafu Maker
- Posts: 7577
- Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2003 6:25 pm
- Location: Here, where I am sitting!
- Contact:
Ameena considers. Water...
"I have not previously travelled this area." she says. "The world is large, and I have spent more time in some places than in others. But perhaps I can find what you require."
She glances upward, toward the sky. It is barely midnight - the battle was apparently a lot shorter than it had seemed. The moon rides high, but remains mostly obscured by the clouds.
"I will look." she says, after a moment. She narrows her eyes slightly, regarding Almulsis for several moments. Then, coming to a decision, she returns to the higher branch of the tree. Then her "cape" suddenly splits down the middle, enlarging slightly and becoming a very obvious pair of wings (though neither feathery nor leathery as the wings of other creatures are). She leaps straight up, hops off an even higher branch, and flits easily into the air, ascending swiftly and soon lost to sight from below into the darkness.
Reaching a suitable height from which she can see well beyond the nearby village, Ameena then flies in a slow circle, taking in all the detail she can see. For the most part, the scrubland continues, aside from a few trees here and there, the village, and the edge of the forest she and the others travelled through earlier. Then, in one direction, across more scrubland and past a few more trees, she spots a glimmer of water.
She makes a mental note of the rough distance, then flits back down to land back in the same tree, on the upper branch. Then she nimbly climbs down to the lower branch again, her wings merging back into a "cape" as she does so.
"There is water that way." she says, pointing roughly northeast. "There is some open ground, perhaps as much as we crossed between the forest and the village. Then there are some trees. Then there is the water. A small lake."
All this time, she has not let go of the staff. It is somewhat annoying to have one of her hands occupied with holding it, but hopefully soon she can be rid of it. Perhaps Almulsis will take time to rest, and she will have time, then, to fly the staff somewhere and then return without it.
"I have not previously travelled this area." she says. "The world is large, and I have spent more time in some places than in others. But perhaps I can find what you require."
She glances upward, toward the sky. It is barely midnight - the battle was apparently a lot shorter than it had seemed. The moon rides high, but remains mostly obscured by the clouds.
"I will look." she says, after a moment. She narrows her eyes slightly, regarding Almulsis for several moments. Then, coming to a decision, she returns to the higher branch of the tree. Then her "cape" suddenly splits down the middle, enlarging slightly and becoming a very obvious pair of wings (though neither feathery nor leathery as the wings of other creatures are). She leaps straight up, hops off an even higher branch, and flits easily into the air, ascending swiftly and soon lost to sight from below into the darkness.
Reaching a suitable height from which she can see well beyond the nearby village, Ameena then flies in a slow circle, taking in all the detail she can see. For the most part, the scrubland continues, aside from a few trees here and there, the village, and the edge of the forest she and the others travelled through earlier. Then, in one direction, across more scrubland and past a few more trees, she spots a glimmer of water.
She makes a mental note of the rough distance, then flits back down to land back in the same tree, on the upper branch. Then she nimbly climbs down to the lower branch again, her wings merging back into a "cape" as she does so.
"There is water that way." she says, pointing roughly northeast. "There is some open ground, perhaps as much as we crossed between the forest and the village. Then there are some trees. Then there is the water. A small lake."
All this time, she has not let go of the staff. It is somewhat annoying to have one of her hands occupied with holding it, but hopefully soon she can be rid of it. Perhaps Almulsis will take time to rest, and she will have time, then, to fly the staff somewhere and then return without it.
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Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Ameena, self-declared Wordweaver, Beastmaker, Thoughtbringer, and great smegger of dungeon editing!
Almulsis's half-hidden eyes grow wide with surprise at the revealed ability of his companion, and the apparent trust she is probably showing in demonstrating it.
AS soon as she is gone Almulsis clutches his chest and bows low, feelign the weakness only slowly going. Stoppign the magic of the red gemstone was folly, and tryign to rekindle it was obviously not enough. However, his companions that are, for the moment, now gone and his own body's abilites should not be taking this long. The water and its strength, he definitely needs it.
He can also feel a prickle, as if someone was observing him. Sicne he knows by now that Ameena seems to have an almost supernatural ability to spot her surroundings, he suspects the prickle instead stems for farspace. Only a powerful presence would register while he was still weakened and firmly grounded. Not a comforting thought.
By the time Ameena comes back Almulsis has recovered himself, standing tall. He nods happily when he hears of the distance, it is certainly reachable.
"I assume you can see perfectly in this light, so will not object to us making there right away?" askes Almulsis. He hopes the answer is yes, for the prickle has by no means reduced in his senses, and he fels that time is certainly short.
AS soon as she is gone Almulsis clutches his chest and bows low, feelign the weakness only slowly going. Stoppign the magic of the red gemstone was folly, and tryign to rekindle it was obviously not enough. However, his companions that are, for the moment, now gone and his own body's abilites should not be taking this long. The water and its strength, he definitely needs it.
He can also feel a prickle, as if someone was observing him. Sicne he knows by now that Ameena seems to have an almost supernatural ability to spot her surroundings, he suspects the prickle instead stems for farspace. Only a powerful presence would register while he was still weakened and firmly grounded. Not a comforting thought.
By the time Ameena comes back Almulsis has recovered himself, standing tall. He nods happily when he hears of the distance, it is certainly reachable.
"I assume you can see perfectly in this light, so will not object to us making there right away?" askes Almulsis. He hopes the answer is yes, for the prickle has by no means reduced in his senses, and he fels that time is certainly short.