[@Pyromania99] [hr] [hider=Dearie, dearie...] “I’m telling you, following me is a bad idea.” Lazhira’s steps were light as she traveled through the forest, heading south, a fair bit aways from the village until they were almost closer towards the mountains. If there was anything Vammy might now about this area, is that they were getting increasingly close to the place where the Kyrnith and its dear lived. The fact there was not a sound to be heard in the forest, likely wasn’t doing any favors for Vammy. She’d feel as though she was being watched from every direction as she’d follow the apparent demigod. “Not that you ever take my advice on good ideas.” Lazhira chuckled smugly, giving the demon a mildly impish grin. Vammy feigned offence. “W-what? Why I never! I take your advice plenty… But, uhh… You know, I’m mostly sure that ass deer god chased me around here for a full day once.” She was a small bit worried about that happening again, but she was going to put that aside for her friend. “So, uhh… What do you have to do here?” The uninformed demon asked. “...I don’t have to do anything here.” Lazhira replied with a shrug. “I just like being here. Kerry is fun to be around sometimes.” She’d keep walking, further and further into the forest. Vammy could see in the distance the old, faded shrine in a shady clearing. Kyr reed growing around it and a number of blue furred deer running off into the distance. “You like being here?” Vammy asked, almost disillusioned with the idea. “Well, it is quite I guess though, uhh, the old deer don’t give you trouble or nothin’?” The demon asked as she walked alongside her friend. “Like, me and him have had some scuffles in the past… Not that we really did more to each other than run and chase.” “Pfft, Kerry’s fine.” Lazhira giggled. “Well…I get why he doesn’t like demons, but you’ll be fine if I’m with you. He’s a lot more reasonable than the people in the village think.” As they’d approach the altar, Lazhira plucked some Kyr reed and started to bundle the leaves together with some grass stems from the plants. “Besides, the more I think about it…the more taking my dads offer seems like a good idea.” She’d turn to Vammy, holding the bundle of plants in front of her, seemingly wanting something from the demon. “Hmm. I can understand not wanting to trust him.” The demon said as she snapped her finger and the tip top of the reed bundle caught on fire. She had an idea what Lazhira was doing now. “Still, I think it’s something we should at least look into. If you decide that we shouldn’t go for it once we’re there, we’re done. Simple.” “Well…I’m not sure if I should specifically go. I mean, I can’t really do much.” Lazhira glanced to the side as the reed started to burn, the plant slowly starting to catch fire as a smokey, thick, plant scent started wafting through the area. She’d place it on the altar inside what was a little offering bowl, taking a seat on a small stone near it. “You might have an easier time convincing someone else! Like our new friend, ehe.” “Our new friend, huh? Hmm. Man, that makes me slightly worried. Since I’ve become this…” Vammy said just generally waving toward herself, “I’m not as smart… er, maybe, intelligent as I use to be? I might not really be able to figure out what’s what in that workshop.” The demon added with a small almost apologetic smile. “Still, guess we’ll see what we can do… Anyhow, I’m assuming that this will summon the Deer? You’re, uhhh, sure I won’t need to flee in several directions at once, right?” “Perhaps you should, demon. I would prefer the forest not smelling of char and ash.” The voice of said deer, whispered in her ear as the being itself known as the Kyrnith, was now standing right behind the demon. “Wah!” Vammy exclaimed, jumping and before swiftly turning and coming face to face with the Kyrnith. “H-hey! N-no worries about that at all! Never planned on burning down anything here! I get all the pyromania out of my system by blasting the torches and bonfires back in the village. Trust me, forest fires are not my thing at all.” Vammy was glad that was all the old deer was worried about at the moment. At least, all that was vocally given. “N-nice to see you and not be in a game of cat and mouse.” In the case between the two, Vammy was of course the mouse. Lazhira was laughing in the background at her friend's expense. “I do not extend the same greeting. I would rather not be seeing you here at all.” It airly walked past Vammy, not bothering to even gaze down at the demon from its long legs. “What is the meaning of this, child? Or did you merely wish to torment the both of us? “Maaaybe a little of both?” Lazhira giggled. “Vammy is fun to scare and you’re fun to bother, ehe~” “Perhaps you should curb your impish predilections a bit.” The deer seemed to sigh, the air around him lazily blowing by the two as it’d lay on the ground next to the Shrine, not too far from Lazhira. “What is your purpose here?” Lazhira had said that she was here just to relax but the demon felt there was more to it than that. When it came to Lazhira, there was always a little something more below the surface. With that in mind, Vammy looked to her to see what she'd reply. “Do I need one?” Lazhira replied with a grin. “Caaan’t I just come to say hi?” “That would not be the first time you’ve given that excuse.” The deer replied airly. “And yet every single time that is a falsity you use to cover what you really want.” “Ugh, why you have to call me out like that…” The village girl frowned. “My dad visited is all, and I guess I’m just feeling…generally, I dunno, annoyed at him still.” “...I see. Have you told that one? Or anyone else your history yet?” "History?" Vammy commented. She had at one point thought the girl's parents died but, well, recent events changed that opinion. She never really considered aside that why a girl might live by herself. “....Hmm, hey Vammy, how old you think I am?” Lazhira asked with a characteristic friendly grin. "Older than me at this point I suppose? Hard to judge for me normally even." The demon explained. "If I had to guess by looks you'd probably be younger than me, I guess." “Eheh, I was around when they built the first house here.” Lazhira replied nonchalantly. “I watched all of them grow up, every single one. Enli. Akando. I was even here when Achel first showed up, ehe. She forgets but I helped her make her body. Everyone forgets me, eventually.” A hollow smile on her lips. “Honestly, I hate this village. It’d be fun watching it burn to the ground.” Vammy was slightly surprised. Less so at how long she had been in the village but a little more that she mentioned hating it. "Well, i do have a penchant for burning things myself… but why do they keep forgetting ya'?" The demon thought on it for some seconds, "Your father?" She had to ask. “Eh, not really his fault. More just mine…” Lazhira glanced towards the deer, shaking her head. “So…you know how he’s the God of Knowledge and all? You could say he’s the god of the human mind in general. He gives them knowledge, secrets, motivates them to innovate, and even if he’s kind of an ass about it, he still does it.” Lazhira chuckled lightly. “But, what if he wants to take something away? Sure, he can do it himself, but what if he wants to forget something? Or maybe a place to store it? Sure he has his library, but…” She shook her head. “He basically created me to be able to store and erase knowledge he doesn’t want getting out. As a side effect, people around me just…tend to forget, after awhile.” "Hmm, that makes sense I guess… Wait, does that mean I'm gonna forget you too?" Vammy said, concern filling out her voice. "I dont want to forget you!" The demon annoyingly exclaimed. “Hehe…” Lazhira giggled. “Well, I dunno. Never met a demon before. Mister deer here hasn’t forgotten me and we’ve known each other for awhile. I think you’ll be fine…for awhile, maybe. But well…” Lazhira turned towards vammy, her expression smiling again, but this time the hollow feeling from before was filled with a slight unease. “I really don’t care about that. I really don’t. I’d be just fine on my own. Not like I really care about the others anyways. What I really, really, really don’t like…is the fact…I can’t leave this village. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought about just…letting it go.” "Can't leave the village? What, would it just disappear into nothing if you left?" The demon asked unsure. There were so many weird things she was learning about her friend today. "Or is it that you physically can't leave the village?" “I can’t physically leave. If I go beyond the forest its…hm, how to explain. I’ll just end up entering the other side of the forest? Does that make sense?” Lazhira said with a thoughtful hum. “As you can see, demon, this child is quite…difficult.” Kyrnith responded, a cool breeze ruffling the pairs hair. “The reason I asked her to explain this to you is quite simple. I care not for the village or the humans living here. The child oft comes to me to…speak with one of slightly similar mind. She believes if she destroys the village, she could be free to roam where she pleases, but on the other hand…that’s not certain. Then she’d simply be here, alone, without anything or anyone. She likely came here fed up with this situation, and wanted advice on what she should do here. Help the village with its troubles…or remain passive?” "Hmm, hard to say. My demonic nature tells me to burn the village down every day but I resist it cause it's a lot easier to live with Lazhy." Vammy said with a heavy nod. "I gotta' say though, your situation about not leaving sounds like some weird form of magic. Maybe your Pops put some curse, hex or spell on you so you can't leave a barrier?" The demon shook her head, "Not that I'm sure about that. Personally, I think helping the village is probably best. It's better to have people that can help you than not." “Oh, I know why I can’t.” Lazhira laughed. “Its because if I wasn’t here, the thing he locked up here would get free and that’d be no good for anyone. Think of it as me being a…key of sorts. A lock and a key that keeps the thing here. Well, one of the two anyways.” Still, Lazhira frowned and seemed to pout a bit. “I didn’t expect a demon to really care about this. I talked with Raelzeth about demons a bit, but wouldn’t everyone here dying significantly make you stronger?” "Key, huh?" Vammy asked aloud. Then she was asked about people dying making her stronger. "Well, I'm not your typical 'Demon' right? Technically, I'm still an elf, probably. I'm just possessed by a demon so like, I guess I have some of those mortal feelings and emotions still. So Raelzeth ain't wrong, really. Besides, the gal in my head likes when I destroy shit so like, I like not to cause it makes her mad." “...hmm…” Lazhira frowned, eyes slowly gazing to the side. “Well…whatever. If that’s what you wanna do, then you should go take up my dad’s offer.” Lazhira responded after a bit of thought. “I’m not helping though. I’m just going to stay here with Kerry.” Vammy couldn't help but laugh a small bit. Of all the things she had ever called the deer, the last thing she had thought to call it by was, "Kerry." The demon cleared her throat, looking away from the deer god after saying it aloud. "So, I'd just… What call out for you pops and tell him I will go to the workshop?" “I wouldn’t recommend it. He already told you what to do. Getting his attention more than necessary is a bad idea.” "Right." Vammy replied, trying to recall everything from the time she was frightened. "I should probably get some people to help. Don't know what I'll run into… Think I'll run into any cute girls?" “What, am I not cute enough?” Lazhira replied, sticking her tongue out and giving vammy a playful wink. “You should try taking your new friend though! Give her a test run!” "I mean, you are the cutest I think, aside from myself of course!" Vammy exclaimed, hands on her hips with pride. "But yea, I'll have to take her with me. She'll probably be pretty happy to go anyway." [/hider] [hider=Current Happenings] [i]The moon goddess .[/i] Current location: Dawn Time: afternoon [hr] Potential Events: [list] [*]Asvar has mentioned a lack of Ore and that he might know where more are. Apparently Raelzeth is having trouble locating it with her stone-singing. [*]The fish problem remains as of yet solved. [*]Apparently Mie was attacked by the Yaga and Krysa and is held up somewhere in the Northern Snowfields. [*]Enli mentioned not having enough coins or goods to barter with the merchant Mie, if she comes. Perhaps he himself have some ideas on this. [*]The Crypts are off limits. Did something happen? [*]There could be a way to start diversifying Dawn’s food options aside from its usual fish, berry, and forest animal diet. [*]Now who are these newcomers? [*]Perhaps there's something you, personally, feel that needs to be done? [/list] [/hider] [hr] [@Guy0fV4lor] [hr] “...you don’t sound fond of these things.” Soyala said with a small smile. “Can’t say I am either, considering what they’re doing.” She’d heft her spear over her shoulder, walking along the snowy, frozen shoreline towards the cliffs. Finn could already see numerous caves and small openings in the rocks, leading deep into the earth below. “Caves though, eh? We’re not really ones that come out here. Often Calra and that Moth apprentice of hers gather reagents from here.” She’d shove her spear into the ground, leaning on it and humming quietly. “If I can just point out a flaw in your logic though…” Soyala smirked. “If they’re protecting the young…then who's protecting the Broodmother and this supposed ‘pod’? Why would she leave the safety of this supposed cove of hers?” She picked up the spear and headed along the coast once more until they reached the rocky shoreline next to the cliff. “Watch your step. Nothing usually lives here, but the waters freezing and it’ll be easy to get lost, especially if you end up taking a tumble deeper in some areas.” The cave stretched inside the cliffs, and slowly started to lead down. A slow trickle of sea water flowed in too, rushing along the ground until it’d slowly drop off, forming a waterfall that crashed several dozens of feet below. A small path was able to be traversed with some difficulty, though he’d need to be careful. “These caves connect all under the shoreline here. If there’s a large chamber enough for that thing to live in, they’ll be here.” [hider=Current Happenings] [i]The Goddess yawns, stretching and seems bored with this situation[/i] Current location: Dawn Time: Afternoon [hr] Potential Events: [list] [*] [*] [/list] [/hider] [hr] [@ERode] [hr] Finding her way to Mira wasn’t as difficult as it seemed, and it was a lot less concerning. As Atzi would walk up the carved, old, stone stairs, where she’d reach the top of the old boulder. The sound of talking was heard before she saw anyone, but it’d soon become apparent who the owners of the voices belonged too. Maira, and what seemed to be an unknown old woman. “Ah? Whats this, a second visitor?” “Atzi, this…woman has taken the sphere! And she won’t give it back!” “Finders keepers, you know how it goes heehee!” The old, haggard woman laughed with a slightly odd smile. Something about her tugged at Atzi’s mind, almost as if she was looking at someone who was familiar, but she couldn’t quite place the name of. In her hand, was a smooth, crystalline looking sphere. “Want it, you two? Then maybe entertain this old woman for a bit?” [hider=Current Happenings] [i]The goddess adds more pictures to the screen for Atzi. She gets the feeling the goddess is pitying her.[/i] Current location: Kyr Forest Time: Morning [hr] Current Objective: Retrieve the Orb before the cultists do [hr] Potential Events: [list] [*] [*] [*] [/list] [/hider] [hr] [@Click This][@Crusader Lord] [hr] “Hmm…if our positions were swapped, hm?” The rat man lightly stroked the brim of his hat, peering at Lissa with a frown. “Perhaps its a…regional difference, human?” The rat glanced at the three travelers, slowly considering his own options it seemed. By now, a small crowd of Yaga had taken interest in the scene. “We have our orders. Any claiming to be merchants must be investigated by the BVM on suspicion of posing direct, domestic harm to our fair citizens.” He’d straight posture. “If that is objectionable to you, then you are free to leave.” He’d huff. “But be warned, if we find you in this village again you shall be held and…interrogated until we determine your true purpose here.” A few seconds of tense silence followed. Seemed like they weren’t welcomed here after all. “And what’s going on here, general?” [url=https://i.imgur.com/VAJX4Os.png]A different Yaga this time would walk up to the group, shortly behind her followed the rough looking one that had been watching earlier.[/url] Upon seeing Lissa, her expression shifted to joy while she’d run over to the Raam, wrapping her arms around the merchant with a hug. “Oh goodness! The envoy is here! Sister, sister, bring her to my home immediately!” “...I beg your pardon?” “Stuff it, rat teeth.” The rougher looking Yaga snapped. “Oh goodness, did we forget to tell you? An envoy from Rifelshka’s clergy was greeting us today! Did I forget to mention? Oh dear, silly me!” “And why did she simply not inform of us this?” “I’m sure you are aware, the ever so magnificent Goddess of the Underworld does not like attention like you are currently bringing to her. We were to greet her quietly without anyone knowing…but alas, if its come to this public display.” “I simply insist we-” “Gen~er~al~” She’d finally release Lissa from the hug, turning to the general. “Do you seek to anger the Goddess of the Underworld? The yaga do not, so if you insist on impeding our meeting…then we will be forced to act in accordance with appeasement rituals.” “...We will be watching you, ‘merchant.” Unless stopped, he’d give orders to his men…and left the trio alone with the two Yaga. The smaller, younger yaga turned back towards Lissa with a smile. “Well, good day I must be off. Sister quit ogling the hollow one!” And with that, she started to leave, without so much as any explanation. "...you guys want to crash at my place for a bit?" The rougher looking one asked, giving the three a mildly sympathetic smile. [hider=Current Happenings] [i]The goddess is playing fetch with a dog[/i] Current location: Dawn Time: Morning [hr] Current Objective: Gain access to the village Or perhaps you’d like to avoid it entirely and go straight to Mie? [hr] [hr] Potential Events: [list] [*] [/list] [/hider] [hr] [@crimson Paladin] [hr] “Bozhe, prosti, traveler…” The woman, Marushka laughed lightly as she’d slowly push herself off Novak, the Krysa men hurrying off after the vulpine thief that had run off with the basket and important documents. “Uhm, that is, I apologize. This is certainly not a way to greet someone.” She’d stand up, dusting off her dress and offering Novak a sheepish smile as she’d fix her disheveled hair. “Net, I do not believe we need help…but thank you for the offer, traveler.” Her eyes briefly studied Novak before sighing and shaking her head. “In fact, would you mind if I sit here for a moment? I am Marushka, assistant administrator to the Byuro Vnutrennego Mira…erm, the Office of Internal Peace.” An organization Novak would be familiar with, at least from hearsay and the Oni if nothing else. A major organization in the Krysan city that was entirely focused on investigating crimes and dealing with…dissidents within the territories. Normally they handled more clandestine operations, not something like mobilizing the military forces. Though, since both are technically in the palm of the Tsarita and ruling class, it perhaps wasn’t surprising. Still, what was one of their officers doing here? And one that seemed pretty high ranking, too? “Are you familiar with that traveler?” She’d sit next to him anyways, sighing and offering him a kind smile as the sound of her comrades' shouts echoed in the small forest. “We handle affairs that pose an immediate non-militaristic threat to our people usually.” Despite her friendly demeanor, she wasn’t letting her guard down. Considering what she worked for, she was likely incredibly suspicious and was trying to gauge what he was doing here. [hider=Current Happenings] [i]The moon goddess waves hello, a little dialogue box tells you good morning[/i] Current location: Northern Snowfields Time: Morning [hr] Potential Events: [list] [*] [*] [/list] [/hider] [@Cu Chulainn] [hr] “Living…Vein?” Raelzeth blinked. “Wait, you mean, like an animal that has ores and stuff growing on it? Like a Vein of ore?” The small elfs lips slowly curled into a smile before she’d burst out into laughter. “What kinda dumb thing is that? Ahahah, dad’s gonna love it when I tell him that!” If anything, she was probably just happy she wasn’t being incompetent with her stone singing. “Its kinda far in the forest! This way!” Raelzeth immediately bolted, not bothering to get a pickaxe or prepare anything else, likely much to the steel sages’ chagrin. Whenever he did decide to follow, Raelzeth would lead the Raam through the forest, over a few hills and fairly deep into the Kyr forest until they’d a patch of less dense trees. It looked like something recently had disturbed the entire area, a number of boulders laid strewn about. Plants and even a tree had been overturned, and a small depression was in the ground as though something had once been buried there, though it didn’t seem like Raelzeth was aware of this. “This is where I last found it.” She’d say, hopping up on one of the boulders. “Got any bright ideas?” [hider=Current Happenings] [i]The moon goddess punches an oddly shaped square tree that produces an oddly shaped square block of wood which she then somehow turns into a wooden pickaxe.[/i] Current location: Dawn Time: Morning [hr] Potential Events: [list] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [*] [/list] [/hider]