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STATUS: Going to a festival fellas! So for the coming week I won't be able to post. 9 yrs ago

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9 yrs ago
Current Going to a festival fellas! So for the coming week I won't be able to post.
9 yrs ago
When you marathon Rick & Morty S2 and expected laughs but the ending just slaps you in the face...
9 yrs ago
School's in full "consume all his time"-mode so no posts for just a lil longer. Sorry folks! I promise I'll make up for it in the weekend!
10 yrs ago
Going to take a small break on most of my RPs for maybe a week or so.
10 yrs ago
Not near an actual keyboard until 21/06

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In Divinus: The God RP, Mk. IV → 6 yrs ago Forum: Advanced Roleplay
Dawn of Anghebad

The night was bright. Both the white and purple moon were full and visible. With not a cloud in the sky. It was truly a night for artists and lovers alike. Commander Xelleth wished it would’ve been cloudy. He had even begged the gods for it. Alas, to no avail. So as he walked through the streets of the city of Anghebad with a hooded cloak on. He at least hoped none would recognize him tonight. Luckily it was a night for artists and lovers, not soldiers. Few, if any tonight, would recognize his face. And so he managed to reach the small, inconspicuous house in the middle of nowhere.

As per instructions he knocked three times, then waited for three counts and knocked twice more. The door opened. Inside a fire was coating everything in a warm, yellow glow. People were talking, but not many. The man who opened the door was elderly and wore a cloak just like Xelleth but with the hood off. “Commander.” He greeted with a warm, welcoming voice. “We’re so happy you could make it. Please, come in.” He allowed the commander to enter and led him to what could pass for a kitchen. There the old man filled two fired but simple clay cups with wine and offered one to Xelleth.

Who refused. With a smile, of course. The elder man took no offense. Commander Xelleth took a moment to observe the scene. The house was small. Three rooms, with a ladder leading up to a bed. It was the sort of house lower citizens would live in. Yet the denizens at the moment were far from lower citizens.

“With everyone present, I propose we commence the deliberations.” The old man – a high priest – said. Both him and commander Xelleth took their seat at the round, simple table. Joining the three other people that had been in casual conversation. Though when the high priest took his seat, the murmur died. “Once again this shadow council must decide over the fate of this great city. The charge I lay down tonight is against our own king, once more. I hereby charge King Hamurai with negligence, blasphemy, and weakness. He has become an ambitious menace that forsook his duties of the crown. He blasphemes against the gods and is unable to raise his own sword effectively.”

Xelleth felt a need to interject: “When has he blasphemed? Every night I see him pray to Ibbon. At dawn he prays to Rea. How many sacrifices has he given to the temples? I can see his ambition but not the blasphemy. He might be the most faithful man I’ve ever met.” This earned a scoff from the woman next to him.

The high priest, still friendly, turned to him. “Commander. You’re new so I will forgive your…indiscretion. The way this works is that the charges are not put to doubt. We have faith in each other that we do not deliver these charges baselessly. But as you insist, I will explain my position: he claims he desires to bind the slaves to their masters forever. Take away any possibility of freedom. That is an act only the gods may perform. In his pursuit he has shirked the duties of the throne. Thus he must be removed.” The words were spoken softly, yet commander Xelleth felt like a boy lectured by his father again. He sat back into his chair. “Now this council must take its decision: exile or death. As he has blasphemed against the gods and his sacred duty, I declare that he must die for his sins.”

The woman next to the commander spoke next: “My late husband was wise in many things but legitimizing that bastard was a mistake. He is a vile boy who will not rest until I and my baby, the rightful king, are dead.” Commander Xelleth couldn’t shake the feeling of doubt. The king had done nothing but welcome the former queen Beddeneth and her baby. A contender for the throne. “For the humiliation and suffering he caused me, there can only be death.”

“The king has been good to me.” The older man, opposite of the former queen, said. Commander Xelleth recognized the chain around his neck. Marking him as a slave master. The fact that it was made of silver made him one the slave masters in the city. “It pains my heart that these charges are laid before us.” His voice was morose. “Exile.” There was no venom, no edge, not even hatred in his voice. Only resignation as he sat back in his chair.

Then the younger man, with a full black beard, sitting next to the slave master spoke up. “The nobles see no fault with how he holds his court. He listens and gives direction. Though he might not be the most involved king. As you well know, he attended only a few celebrations this last year. Still, his levies are fair and well used. Exile.”

All faces turned towards the commander now. He wished he could’ve bought more time. He needed more time. So he got up and went towards the kitchen. “I cannot make such a judgment without a drink.” Slowly he poured the wine and raised the cup. The wine tasted disgusting on his tongue, to he forced himself to swallow a sip. To keep up appearances. What was taking them so long?

Then, from the door, everyone heard the three knocks. The shadow council members all looked at each other in confusion. None expected a sixth member. None but Xelleth, who praised the gods under his breath when the next two knocks came. He put the cup down and went for the door. “Commander, wait!” the high priest said as he got up from his chair and made a mad dash towards the door to block it.

Too late. Xelleth had opened it. In marched ten guards. Making the whole house far too small. They were dressed in hard leather and copper. The whole house was drowned in a cacophony of chaos and screaming. People shouted and spat around. One was pushed with his face into the table. Others were literally lifted out of the house. Insults were thrown around. Though most were directed to Xelleth. He found the ‘traitor’ accusation most ironic. Though when the guards had gotten the conspirators out, Xelleth remained in the house.

He brushed his fingers against the simple wooden table. There was something great and frightening about the piece of wood. Here, kings had died. Battles won or lost. Poisonous herbs had laid in the middle of it. As well as gold, silver, and slave tokens. He took the mace from his belt and began beating it. When he was done, the table was nothing but pieces of tinder. Scattered around. If he had the time, he would’ve burned it. But the night had only just begun.
~

King Hamurai’s study was well lit. Candles, torches, and the hearth made the place hotter than it ought to be. Hotter than it was at day. Three of the four walls were covered with shelves holding an endless amount of tablets. Two slaves were diligently pulling or putting away the hardened clay tablets. The fourth wall was open. Pillars upheld the roof there. It offered a stunning view of the night sky. One the king hadn’t paid attention to in years as he sat hunched over his oversized desk. Which was covered with piles of tablets on both sides. He slowly repeated the words written on it.

When he heard the knock, he looked up. Commander Xelleth entered his study. “My king.” He said, with a deeper bow. The slaves continued their work.

“Commander! What a sight for sore eyes. Sit down. Sit down.” He said motioning at the chair before the desk. “Wine?” He asked.

The king knew the answer, though Xelleth chose to humor him. Again. “None, thank you.”

“Someday I’ll find a wine you enjoy, Xelleth.” The king said with a gentle smile. Then it vanished again. “So the shadow council is no more?”

There was a moment of hesitation as Xelleth tried to choose the right words. “My king…we managed to capture the conspirators but one got away. The former qu- I mean, your stepmother. She ran away. Though we managed to hold her babe as a hostage.”

The king pondered upon the words for a moment. “Unfortunate.” Was all he said about it. “Alas, you did good my friend. With this city and the crown unshackled from the council, I can finally spread its wings. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“I’ve only done as you commanded.” Xelleth said.

“Ah, humility. A noble man’s shield against the trappings of glory.” The king said with a challenging smile. He snapped his fingers and a slave entered the study as well. Holding a bundle of simple cloth. “For you.”

Commander Xelleth got up and began to unwrap the cloth in the slave’s arms. A sword was revealed. It was simple, unadorned. Yet the commander couldn’t believe it. He didn’t even dare to touch it. “Is this…” He didn’t even dare say it.

“Bronze. Yes. Taken by my father from some rival tribe. They say its name is Ravegg. Render.” The king said with an unfittingly casual tone.

“This is a king’s weapon.” The commander said.

“Ha! And what am I going to do with it!?” Hamurai said as he laughed. “My arm is not for wielding swords. It never will be. That sword would be useless in my hands. I’d rather give it to someone who will have great use for it.”

Slowly the commander picked up the hilt of the sword and lifted it. Whoever made it, had gone the extra mile. It was well balanced but laid firm in his hand. The edge was without a chip even. “Thank you, my king. I will not forget your generosity.”

“Good.” The king said as he too got up from his chair. “Now go and hunt my stepmother. I want her alive. I’ve got other business to attend to now.”
~

They put him in a cage. Like an animal. Worse, like a slave! Salomeh had railed and raged against his captors at first. Using everything from his noble family name to the promise of vast wealth if only they released him. Nothing worked. Despair began to work. For two years being on the shadow council had helped him and his family rise to the top. He guessed this was the price.

From the shadowy darkness a black, hooded silhouette appeared. Holding nothing but a stool. As he got closer, the guards gave him a quick nod and walked away. Leaving Salomeh alone with the stranger. Who sat far enough from the cage so he wouldn’t be recognized.

“What do you want?” Salomeh asked. He could feel his youthful defiance rise up.

The main said nothing.

“Well!? Speak.”

Still nothing.

“Do you know who I am?”

“A friend. Once.” The man said. Salomeh turned pale. “Hamurai! Blessed be the gods, there has been a mistake. I swear to you, I’m innocent. I’ve done nothing wrong. Let me out of this! Your guards, the beasts! They put me in here like I’m just some common slave!”

“You wanted to exile me.” The king said unnaturally calm.

Salomeh swallowed deeply. “W-We had no other choice. The council’s rules. They force us… If I had a choice I would’ve… You have to understand.”

“Right now I don’t have to do anything.” The king got up and pulled something from his belt. He tossed into the moonlight, towards the cage. It fell on the ground with a heavy clang. Salomeh grabbed it. “Tell me, how much does your family know?”

Salomeh looked up. There was fear in his eyes. Real fear. “They know nothing! I swear to you, my parents, my wife. They’re just happy! We’ve become rich! Please don’t hurt them.” Tears welled up in his eyes.

“That entirely depends on you. My old friend. You know what to do.” The king said as he got up and took the stool with him. Leaving Salomeh alone in the moonlight.
~

“King Harumai!” high priest Kalemeth said with a snide voice as he saw the shadow approach him. “Here to gloat? To make an old man suffer?” he too was locked in a cage. Standing alone. With only the light of the moons. Still he had recognized the king enter. “Do what you believe you must! I have already won. The gods will welcome me with open arms in their halls. Where I shall feast for all of eternity! Not even you can take that from me.”

“I cannot.” The king said as he took place on his stool.

Which garnered a vile, confident grin on the high priest face. “So when will you finish me.”

The question hung in the air for a moment. Until the priest began to realize what would happen. “You cannot! You have to kill me!”

This time it was the king’s turn to smile. “Your tongue will be cut out, your hair cut and I’ll remove your right thumb and index finger. Writing will be most difficult I’d imagine. You’ll be starved here, for about a month. Then I’ll hand you over to a slave master. I’d figure, as a house slave, you won’t be very useful. But you will live. For many, many more years. You might be destined for a heavenly paradise, Kalemeth, but I don’t have to be the one to send you there.”
~

Qalem was calm as he waited in his cage. He hadn’t prayed. No god in their right mind would save a vile man like him. There was blood on his hands. Not just that of slaves. Seven years ago, when he had stared down the edge of a knife, he had accepted death. All the time since then was just a bonus. Qalem had no heir. No blood. No wife or family to say goodbye to. All he had was a legacy. One formed by slaves.

When the door opened, he did not look up. If it was his executioner, then all would be over soon. If it wasn’t, well what did it matter?

“Not an honorable way to greet your king.”

Qalem did look up, surprised to look up to the king standing near the cage. Close enough to be touched. He smiled, then looked down again. “You don’t deal in death.”

“Indeed I don’t. Rise up, Qalem. I’ve got a proposition for you.” The king said.

Qaelm rose, if only to entertain the king for just a bit. There was no reason why he couldn’t hear him out. If there was one thing he had now, it was time.

“Good.” The king said and then sat down on the stool he brought with him. “You know I want to change this city?”

“More magic. More slaves.” Qalem answered with a smile. “It’s making my people very wealthy.”

“Indeed it is.” Hamurai said. “Though some would say we are getting too many slaves. Not enough die and too many flow in. They risk a revolt we cannot win this time.”

“So I’ve heard.” Qalem said.

“You don’t believe it?”

Qalem let the question ruminate for a minute. The king let him. Silence reigned. There was no reason to lie now. “Oh I do.” Qalem answered. “Two slaves for each free man? Issues are bound to happen. Slaves are making this city rich and one day they’ll rip us apart.”

“You’re quite right.” Harumai said.

The king’s words shocked Qalem. “You were the one to get more slaves in the first place? You knew how many were dragged over the floors of the markets. Why did you let it happen?”

“Anghebad needs to grow. It needs to overthrow its opposition. We need money and soldiers for that. Slaves are making us rich. I intend to use that wealth. But I’m in a race against the sands of time here. If I cannot find a way to control the slaves, they will destroy us.” The king said.

“You have put the city on borrowed time.” Qalem said, realizing what was happening. It was so clear now. How did they not see it before. “It’s you finding a way to chain the slaves forever against the inevitability of a revolt that would destroy you us.” He laughed. It was a desperate, terrible laugh. One uttered when you saw doom coming and you know it will never get to you. “And Kalemeth called you ambitions! You sire, are stark raving mad!”

“Perhaps.” King Hamurai said. Unphased by the sudden bout of insane laughter. “But that means I can ill afford to kill a slave master. You now know the truth. There are three paths from here. Either you help me and keep the slaves subdued for as long as you can, you swear not to breathe a word about this and carry one with your life or you die here.”

“I will help you.” There was no hesitation in Qalem’s voice. None.

On that cue, a guard entered and whispered something in Hamurai’s ear. The king just nodded and said: “Hand his body over to the family. Along with my condolences for his sudden suicide.”
~

Rea’s first light was just visible on the horizon. Fighting against Ibbon’s darkness. It would still take an hour before dawn would fully start as King Hamurai stumbled into his study. “No rest for the wicked.” He mumbled to himself. He felt exhausted, but as Qalem had said: he was on borrowed time. Time which was rapidly running out. He needed a way to bind a slave to his master. The tablets of his ancestors about magic were at best incomplete and at the worst completely useless. Magic would be the key though. He knew that. Once again he took his seat behind his desk to read over a tablet. To he could only fight off sleep for a little while.

When he woke up, a stone orb was laying on his table. He looked around. The slaves hadn’t come in yet. Nor had anyone else. Not a single tablet was touched. How did the stone get here? Natural curiosity made him touch it. Instantly lines and strange figures on the orb began to glow. He jumped up in his chair and dropped the stone. Which began to float low over the table.

“Good day sir. I am Orb and I was specifically created to teach one how to use magic. Shall we start your first lesson?”



In Divinus: The God RP, Mk. IV → 6 yrs ago Forum: Advanced Roleplay
The four-winged angel was up and about again. After a good night of sleep she ran into the forest with berries in her arms. Every bird she encountered, she talked to while she gave them a few berries. Most of them talked fast and chipper. The boars talked slower and harder. Though when she pulled up a few vegetables, even they came inching closer. Though she left them in peace to eat. If they didn’t want to talk to her, she wouldn’t force them. But now even a wolf had come to approach her. He was the leader of the pack and had called the Luminant home for much longer than Soleira had. They had an honest exchange of words on both of their places in the world. The wolf’s view was simple but clear: survive and thrive. Hunt when you must eat and feed the pack. Meanwhile the angel had a tougher time explaining her place. She eventually settled on the idea that she was just a helper. For everyone. Even the wolves. It would seem that the pack leader was content with that answer and left.

For the rest of the day Soleira was hard at work to gather more berries and roots. Though she promised the bushes she would replant some of the berries far around. Just like nature would have done with them. After a long, exhausting but fulfilling day she decided she needed to get the dirt cleaned off of her. Flying made places feel closer. She arrived at the lake in just a few minutes. On foot it would’ve taken a few hours. With child-like glee she folded her wings and let her splash head first into the water. Deep underwater she came face to face with a fish she nearly hit. She opened her mouth, trying to apologize. Instead water flooded into her. Quickly she swam up again. When she caught her breath and the surface, she looked down and yelled: “Sorry Mr. Fish! I didn’t see you! I’ll pay more attention next time!” The fish just swam away. “I hope I didn’t make him mad.” Soleira said out loud for a moment. She would hate it if someone was actually mad at her.

After a good half an hour of floating in the refreshing waters, she made her way towards the shore and dry on the ground in the late afternoon sun. In the distance she saw some of the wingless ones. Not just the men this time. She saw long haired women with tiny babes in their arms and even a few children. Something inside of her wanted to rush over and say hello. Though sadly Oraelia she would only be able to talk to animals. Right now she felt a closer kinship with the creatures of the Luminant than with the wingless ones. It didn’t matter. From the distance she just waved and laid down. None of them approach her but at least they didn’t run away either. It was a start.

After about half an hour of relaxing in the bright sun, clouds began to cast their shadows upon the colorful land. Even they were colorful though! Nonetheless, she didn’t want to get wet again. And it was close to evening. Soleira retreated to her cave. Content to sit by a small fire to keep her warm while she watched, enthralled, as the heavy rain poured from the heavens.

The rain seemed determined never to let up, and even with the inherent glow of the landscape, the world seemed to gently dim and mute in the rainfall. The smattering of water striking leaves, dirt and water filled the world and the cave with an echoing melody. That rapturous orchestra went unbroken until she was certain Oraeliara’s light had set beyond the clouds, and looked set to continue all night. That is, until another sound broke through the veil of water - a voice. It was joined by another, barely audible over the patter of rain. Still, there was only one conclusion; someone was out there in the rainstorm. The cluster of voices grew closer with each passing moment. Someone shouted a short phrase, the rain drowning out any chance of making a reasoned guess.

That’s when the first silhouette appeared in the darkness, beaten down into a hunch by the rain - the shape of wings half-lifted to shield them from the rain as much as possible. The glow of nearby trees illuminated the shape enough; the flash of dark hair and mottled wings striding past the light source straight towards her cave as other shapes appeared behind the first silhouette. Their strides were quick - almost a sprint - and the first silhouette broke through the sheet of rain into the sanctuary of Soleira’s cave, allowing the first good look at the figure in firelight. A frowning youthful brother, winged and drenched, with no more than a simple sheet of cloth to cover his lower body. Strapped around his chest was a simple harness of animal hairs and furs, barely more than a sling to carry tools. A set of gently glowing basic tools - a knife, a club - hung from the straps, seeming to have been shaped out of light itself. His dark, almost black hair was the first true hint as to his heritage, and his wings were speckled with brown and beige in patterns Soleira had never seen in her Oraeliari brethren. Looking at him was enough to stand the hairs on her arms, just like that first chaos. Neiyari.

“Oh-“ She said when she realized what, no who, stood before her. Her heart sank in her chest. She couldn’t fight it. Instinct made her take a step back. Just a moment earlier she had been waving at the silhouette to come and take shelter here. Now her arms dropped to her side. She took another step back. Behind her there was only rock and stone though. The only escape she had was in front of her. Passed the Neiyari. Fleeing wasn’t an option. Fighting was always impossible.

To her own horror, she only now noticed the animal furs strapped around his chest. It made her whimper. Why would anyone want to kill an animal for its fur!? Then her eyes fell to the tools of light hanging from the harness. Blood drained from her face.

“I-It’s alright.” She managed to say. Wishing she had swallowed every word she spoke. “W-We can share. The cave is big. T-There’s food.” She motioned at a corner in the cave filled with berries and roots.

The man stared at her with a frozen look of surprise, his wings unfurling to cease their shielding. Uncertainty flashed across his face, traded for a deep frown within moments. Whatever he intended next, the veil of rain broke behind him again as another rushed into the warmth and shelter of the cave. And a third. They shoved him aside and stepped aside themselves, as a final shape entered the cave. The last entrant was deathly pale, white like bone, with black hair and wings that seemed to suck what life there was left out of the cave. His features were like stone, carved to present a hostile and imposing visage of eternal contempt. Even his comrades seemed to shy away from his gaze and touch. None of the others were dressed any better than the first, though each had their own sets of the tools - nay, weapons. The situation repeated itself, as four sets of eyes fell on Soleira on the far side of the cave. “Oraeliari!” one of the new arrivals, a black-haired woman, called out, and drew her glowing cutter.

Her cave suddenly grew cold. Despite the warm summer and the fire. With the four shapes standing in it, there were more shadows than light. “We don’t have to fight!” Soleira said as she took a few steps back. Until she felt her wings touch the stone wall behind her. She even sank down as tears welled up in her eyes. “I don’t want to die. Please, I don’t want to die.” She held her arms in front of her face. All four wings wrapped around her. Then, as if summoned by her despair, a crystalline shield formed in front of her. Meanwhile memories flashed through her head. Memories of Oraelia. Of the animals. The first chaos. “Why are we even fighting?” She sobbed with her eyes hidden and closed.

The pale Neiyari held out his hand and the woman immediately backed down, almost tumbling back as though the thought of his touch sent her reeling. "My, my," he began with a soft tone that conveyed nothing but mocking malice. "It seems you managed to find quite the treasure out here, Aziri. I've never seen one like her." He laid a hand on the shoulder of the first Neiyari who entered, who stiffened in response. The pale one continued inwards, pacing around the fire. "You are right to worry, sister, but the night is long," he offered on approach, a hand stretching out gingerly to nearly touch the crystalline surface. "Perhaps we can start anew. Can all of you do this? It is marvelous."

She looked up, her upper wings relaxed a bit. The streaks of tears were visible on her cheeks. Her eyes looked beyond the one standing before her. They all looked afraid. Not of her. Of him. What a tortured existence that must be, to be scared of the one leading you. He terrified her as well. Yet she also pitied him. Just a little. He spoke every word with a cold malevolence that made her heart crack. She kept the barrier up, even though it drained of her strength even now.

“I don’t know.” She answered with not a hint of bitterness in her voice. Though there was a little bit of compassion. “Are you going to kill me if I drop my shield?” She asked without hiding the fear in her voice.

"Would you feel better if I lied?" he questioned back at her with implied intent, features creasing to suggest he found her directness funny. "But as I said. The night is long. As long as you stay useful, I'd be remiss in my duties if I killed you. So. Sister. How useful are you?" He leaned forwards towards the shield with a smirk.

Behind him the three Neiyari spread out in the cave, looking through what means Soleira had assembled for herself. The first arrival among them, the one named Aziri, had made his way to the corner of food.

She knew what useful to him meant. Weapons. In all her fear a single courageous thought boiled up. Soleira refused to be a weapon. The day she laid a hand on anyone, even the Neiyari in her cave, would be the day she’d beg any god to strike her down. The crystalline shield began to crumble, though she remained seated. “I’m not useful to you.” There was real sadness in her voice. He was going to kill her no doubt. Who was going to care for the animals and the people in the Luminant? Maybe she had planted enough berries. Maybe she had spread enough berry bushes. She hoped the grey wolf wouldn’t kill too many of the rabbits and that the wingless ones didn’t kill too many deer. She hadn’t been able to talk to them yet. Her wings unfurled themselves from around her and spread out. She didn’t want to die. No, if there was a choice, she would want to survive.

“Just…Just tell me one thing.” She sniffed and rubbed the last of her tears away. “Why do you do it? The killing and the hate and the pain? I want to understand before I…” The word hung heavy in her throat. She tried to accept it but she couldn’t.

A pale hand extended between unfurling wings, craning forwards to touch her chin and force her head up to face his. Dark eyes loomed over her with malice and spite. "Were you not touched by our War Mother? I assumed all had seen at least a glimmer of truth before your false idol twisted your minds." He responded with something akin to pity in his voice. "This land is sick. Decaying, chaotic, and full of lowly creatures blind to the Goddess' love. It is our divine mission to improve it. All shall feel her love. Love cannot exist when false idols and bonds persist," he offered with a smile. "But don't worry. All who live shall accept the Goddess in their hearts. With our help. The world will burn, but a better one will rise. An ordered, loving world."

“But that’s not love.” She said with a meek voice. It was all wrong. Everything he said, it was wrong. The land wasn’t sick or decaying. War wasn’t love. Those lowly creatures he spoke of, they were more capable of love than him. Birds sang for each other. Squirrels snuggled up. Wingless ones kissed and embraced each other. There was no love in burning a world. He was so wrong. So blind. She couldn’t bear it.

She would die anyway. That realization made her eerily calm now. Everything told her that she should be scared. If she was going to die, by him or anyone in the cave, the least thing she could do was try and help them. Even a little bit. In a sudden move she took the man’s hand from under her chin and held it in between her two hands. The instant she touched him, she tried to channel her own understanding of love into him. It was warmth and safety. A smile, a shy glance and a bright laugh. It was conditionless devotion to something other than yourself. At the same time she tried to understand him. Why did he think so wrongly about love? What’s at the core of his misinterpretation?

His eyes widened, an almost instantaneous reaction to her grip and the resulting sensations sent coursing through his system. She could feel something gnaw deep within him. A tumultuous thought, beating out others. A roiling dark mass, spreading to everything else like a cancerous growth, tainting all it touched. It wasn’t malice, or anger, or hatred. It was a need. An obsession. A primal, base urge. Something that sent a rippling shiver through her spine, a sensation as though she was being hunted. Nothing impeded her vision, yet she saw shadowy talons reach and grip for her. Felt that same drive bubble angrily deep within herself. An impulse that lurked in him, and called to her. For just a moment, the world was flipped, and all within it was not enough. The animals were not loyal. The short ones did not respect her. Everyone had to understand. They must be made to love. Whether they like it or not. Then, just as swiftly, the sensation ended - the pale man ripped his hand free of Soleira’s grip, breaking the connection and severing the strange impulse as swiftly as it had arisen.

The pale Neiyari wasted no time; his palm swung freely towards her face and cheek, as he growled a furious “Insolent wretch!”. In his eyes was a mad panic, a fury borne of desperation and confusion.

The slap connected. It threw her face back. The pain, it stung. The courage she had gathered just a second ago vanished as she crawled away as fast as she could and as far as she could. Which was barely a meter away from the pale Neiyari. Her wings wrapped around her. The entire experience left her shivering. She was going to die now and she didn’t want to die. The cancerous growth had made her afraid. The fact that such dreadful feelings could not only exist but take root. Her cheek was still glowing from the pain. There was nothing else to do for her now than to wait and fear the end.

“You scum!” he shouted at her, and through small glimpses between her feathers she saw him move. Tense up next to her. “How dare you poison me with your wicked ways?! Ailura, give me your knife,” he continued, fuming beside her. There was shuffling about her.

“Saint Yurari,” came another voice, uncertain and hesitant. “There are a lot of different foodstuffs here. I-If she knows which berries and plants are edible, she can still be of use.”

Silence followed for a time, beyond the sound of awkward shuffling and the constant onslaught of rain. “Is that true, sun-sister?” the pale Neiyari finally asked, his fury abated for just a moment. “Can you identify the poisonous plants?”

“I-I can.” She said from behind her wings. For the past weeks and months she had eaten more than a few berries and roots that had made her violently ill. Though she never would’ve guessed recognizing those plants could ever come in handy. She replanted the poisonous and the edible alike. Would she survive?

“Interesting,” the pale Neiyari - Saint Yurari - concluded. She heard his wet feet hit the dirt as he paced away from her. “Guard her, Ailura. As long as it rains, she won’t get far. We’ll burn her wings if it stops.” he continued, and another Neiyari drew close. Some of the fear creeped away, as though it was attached to the pale man, giving her some chance at rational thought again.

“What are you thinking, Saint Yurari?” asked the hitherto quiet Neiyari, a third man.

“We can use the short ones to infiltrate and sabotage food storages. After a few get sick, they will be unable to trust their gatherers, and will have to throw out their food. Aziri, you are in charge of learning this. The more they resemble edible foodstuffs, the better.” the saint mused, further away but still perfectly audible. Even now, even with Soleira’s interference, his intent could be summarized with what he said next; “This could be an excellent method to progress the war effort.”

More movement, and the one that had first entered the cave came to mutter something to the woman, and they swapped places before Soleira. The Saint meanwhile spoke about what he had experienced. “Watch out for her hands,” he reasoned, before relating the emotional experience to the two by the fire.

Soleira swallowed deeply. Not because they wanted to burn her wings. Even though that alone was terrifying enough. It was the idea that they still managed to find a way to abuse her knowledge for war. She looked around. Attention was diverted away from her, for the most part. “I’m not a weapon.” She quietly muttered. If they forced her to talk, far more than herself could suffer and even die. “Not a weapon.” She repeated, almost as a whisper. It gave her strength though. She then turned towards the Neiyari that was guarding her. He was so young.

“I’m really sorry.” She said with no small measure of genuine regret. Before her captor could even ask why, she shot up. Her four wings spread out. With eyes closed she pushed forward. An unnatural amount of wind blew into the cave. With the crystalline shield formed in front of her to push anyone out of her path she flew out. “Sorry! Sorry! Sorry!” She kept repeating, hating herself for hurting them. Though her wings couldn’t carry her far in the rain. Exhausted she dropped down into the mud. Though she tried to crawl away. If anything, they would have to kill her now. No-one would get poisoned because of her. Her life, for a lot of others. It was fair. Was it enough? “Oh Oraelia forgive me.” She said, fearing she would have displeased the goddess.

Then she heard something chitter and chirp. Despite the wind and rain, some birds and squirrels had come from their nests. “Nothing! It’s nothing!” She said, looking back at the cave and expecting her darker siblings to flood out in a moment. They didn’t believe her though. They began to chirp and chitter louder. More animals popped out from their hiding places.

The pale Neiyari drew closer. She didn’t hear him at first, but the chill that rose up through her spine could only mean one thing. A few of the animals, those most skittish among her friends, vanished back into the wet darkness as his voice caught through the rain. “Look at this wretch! Too weak to stand. Too cowardly to fight.”

He was right. She looked weak. She felt weak. “I’m not weak.” She grabbed the bark of a tree and pulled herself up. Bit by bit she managed to get back on her feet. Everything hurt. She was drenched in mud. The chirping from a distance grew louder though. A ruckus was brewing in the trees. Next to her, a crow landed on a low hanging branch. It cawed a few times. Soleira offered it a gentle smile. Or at least as gentle as she could manage in her state. “I’ll be okay. Really-“ She coughed violently. So violently, in fact, that she nearly fell to her knees again. The crow cawed a few times. Despite the rain. Despite the winds, it took off again. A second later, more caws could be heard in the distance. They were growing louder. Then the howling began. It echoed from far away. The second howl was much louder though. Tears ran over Soleira’s cheeks again. What they were saying, cawing, howling. She could hear it. “Please don’t hurt them.” She said.

“Saint Yurari,” she could hear the woman among the corrupted kin say in the rain. “Something is wrong.” Still she heard wet steps slap through the mud quickly, grunting as they drew closer, talking amongst themselves; almost lost in the cacophony of animal sounds and rain.

“Aziri, go with Ailura. We’ll fan out and surround her.” the pale one said in the rain. She felt a creeping dread, his very existence seeming to chill her to the bone the longer he remained.

A harrowing bellow echoed through the forest. It was a low, deep rumble. Something that pierced through all other sounds save the howling that got louder. As did the cawing. A crow landed on the nearby branch. Then another and another. They all looked at one of the Neiyari. Some chose to fly up again. They didn’t flee though. The first flash of lightning momentarily illuminated the night sky. A vortex of birds was growing over Soleira. Behind her, the black silhouette of three bucks appeared.

“Please just go.” Soleira now pleaded with the supposed saint. Even though in her heart, she wanted to run. Inside she felt torn between a dark feeling pushing her to run far far away while bravery bloomed in equal measure, strengthened by the growing presence of the animals and what they were saying. The thunder then roared through the air. “They’re not happy.” There was an intense sadness in her eyes.

The sight seemed to instill shock in at least his followers. Aziri and Ailura could be seen staring her way from the edges of the underbrush, but as the next flash came, they were nowhere to be seen. The pale Neiyari seemed undeterred, though his comrade tried to verbally continue what Ailura had begun. Finally, the Saint shouted above the din. “What a majestic weapon you could be, sun-sister! It is not too late to cast aside your folly. Return to the fold, or perish like the rest!” Despite his words, his comrade built up the courage to grab his arm, and pursued by the sound of thunder, their silhouettes began to shrink into the rainy darkness.

She wanted to return his own words. To beg him to turn to the light. She couldn’t though. The moment they were far enough, she dropped to her knees. One of the buck gently nudged her. She patted its side. “Thank you. Really, thank you.” Exhausted but relieved she was still alive, she managed to get up. Supported by the buck walking next to her. “Thank all of you.” She kept repeating. In the distance she saw the tiny glow of wolf’s eyes in the darkness. They never appeared from the darkness though. But Soleira smiled at them none the less. Near the cave she managed to find her way to her bed where she curled up and sobbed herself to sleep. Some of the birds had come inside the cave and kept their vigil.

It was late in the morning when a morose Soleira woke up. She offered every animal a faint smile. She even waved at the deer off into the distance. They let out a bellow in acknowledgement before they continued on. She didn’t say a word though. The most the birds could get out of her were some nods or shaken heads. Normally she would’ve begun the day by gathering berries. Today she didn’t. She was just looking around her cave and flew higher up the hills. It was mid-day when she came back down. Carrying two rocks in her arms. They were heavy. So heavy that even with her four wings she barely managed to get them down safely. Despite her exhaustion, she never stopped to rest. Instead she took another rock and began to very crudely fashion the faces of her two vanished siblings in them. The figures were too crude to ever really recognize but Soleira would remember. She placed the stones in the ground near her cave. “I won’t forget you. Aziri and Ailura. I promise you I won’t forget your names.” She said a quiet prayer with her eyes closed to them. Hoping they were in a better place right now.

Then she smiled again. It was a small smile. A fragile one. But a smile nonetheless.



In Divinus: The God RP, Mk. IV → 6 yrs ago Forum: Advanced Roleplay
Soleira had watched, from a distance, at her golden kin. A giant made of light stood as a sentinel amongst them. Could he see her from so far away? She could barely see him. It was better this way. The only thing she could do there, amongst the others, was feeling ashamed. That she could do here, on her own, as well. Though in her heart something yearned to go to talk with the giant. She ignored it though. His watchful vigil was vastly more important than talking with little Soleira.

Then, from behind her, she heard something upon the winds. She dove down instantly into a copse of trees and shrubbery. The local birds loudly chirped and flew away in protest. She tried to gently sush them but as they were animals, they just continued to object. Her heart was pounding in her chest as her muscles tightened. For a second she was afraid she would get caught but then the wings had flown over her. They hadn’t seen her. From the multi-colored bushes she looked at the light giant again. Something was happening around him. The light coming from him seemed brighter. Or were there more light sources now? It was impossible to tell. Once again her curiosity won from her fear as she remained in the bushes. Trying to see what was happening. Meanwhile the birds returned to their branches around her.

Some time later, the others came. The dark ones. They clashed with the Oraeliari in the distance. Shouts and hate traveled through the air. Soleira didn’t hate her darker siblings. Even though they had spilled so much blood already. She just didn’t understand them. Why were they so angry? Why did they want to fight so hard? The land, the animals, everything else, it was so beautiful! They could share it! Though neither sides seemed interested in that. “No… No you don’t have to fight.” She whispered, mostly to herself. As if it would make a difference. Her heart shrank. When she saw the first of her darker siblings die, she shed a tear as well. Even though she hadn’t known him. It was all so horrible, and it was scarring the land as well.

“Please just stop.” She said again, just hoping they would stop. Maybe she could go there and put a stop to it herself. Yet when her wings beat even only once she dropped to her knees. Clutching the ground with her hands. Her entire body was shaking with fear.. No, no she would be useless and get in the way. That’s what she told herself. Slowly she gathered herself and got up again. Only to see the battle to be over. “Thank the gods.” She whispered with a small but very unhappy smile. There was still something happening though. From so far away, she couldn’t make out what exactly. Though it had to be big. Then the giant left. Why was he leaving them?

It didn’t matter. He would never talk to the likes of her. Clearly he was a warrior. Someone who fought. She was just a weakling. With a few wing beats she got up and flew away. Beyond the horizon. To the familiar cave and forest she resided in. Near the big lake. Some of the local animals had taken a liking of her. They didn’t instantly run away at the merest sight of her.

She did understand why they were so afraid of her. After all, take away her wings and she would look just like one of the wingless ones. Who used sharp sticks and pits to wound and kill animals. At first she didn’t understand why they did it. Then one night she managed to watch a group of them hold bits of the dead animals over a fire and then eat it. Then it clicked. They were carnivores who liked warm meat. Carnivores in general had been a strange sight for her. The first time she encountered wolves she only felt horror when the animals bit down on the helpless deer. But when the whelps appeared, she realized why they hunted. Food meant life. It wasn’t their fault that they only ate meat.

The terrain around her cave was not marked with carvings or other decoration. Instead you knew you were near when you started finding pieces of bark with berries, fruit and nuts on them. For whatever animal wanted to eat them. Right now, after having witnessed so much death and pain, Soleira had an intense need to nurture life. She prepared even more pieces of bark with food on it, to put in the trees for the little critters to find. From the lake she carried a bowl with water to feed the roots she had replanted, hoping they would grow. Only when the sun got low did she sit down. Her body felt sore and ached, though that would be over after a good night's sleep. From her cave she watched the land she was tending to. Nobody had assigned it to her but she felt like it was her duty to care for it. The memories of the morning boiled up again. She tried to smile, to banish those thoughts. Those memories shouldn’t feel so painful but they did. Still, she had to keep it together. For the sake of all the animals in the bit of land she was tending for.

In the distance the sun was getting low now. Touching the horizon. Her own pain probably paled compared with that of the sun-mother. There wasn’t much Soleira could do, but there was at least something. She kneeled down at the entrance of the cave, letting the dusk light wash over her as she closed her eyes and laced her fingers together. “Dear Oraeliara. Sun-mother.” She prayed. Knowing she would at least be heard but not really expecting a response. “I just wanted to ask if you’re alright? I hope it doesn’t hurt too much to see all your children fight so much. I-I wish I could do more to make you happy but I’m just little Soleira. A few days ago I saved a little piglet and a bird. Today I’ve put up some more food for the animals and watered some plants. It’s not much but I’ll try to do more tomorrow. Still, I hope it makes you just a little bit happier.”

She suddenly felt a warm embrace all around her, like a blanket smothering gently or a rather nice hug. A trickle of warmth then entered her mind and a voice spoke softly. ”Aren’t you just precious?” it gushed. ”Hardly any mortals ever ask if I’m okay, you know. Hearing it from you, my lovely Soleira, makes it all the better in my heart.”

Soleira’s first instinct was to break her prayer and open her eyes. She fought that instinct with all she had and remained on her knees with her fingers entwined and her eyes closed. “Sun-mother!” She exclaimed out loud but also in her thoughts. She tried to repress her own excitement. “I-I… You heard me…the prayer, it worked? I’m so sorry, goddess. You must have so much to do. I shouldn’t be taking up any of your time!” Despite her words, her heart was overflowing with gratitude to even have traded a few words with the goddess of life. It would be a memory that remained with her forever.

”Nonsense. My time is my own and I wish to use it speaking to you, Soleira.” Oraeliara said in a motherly tone. ”Now,” she said softer, ”It seems you have been touched by… A familiar presence but one unknown to me still. Hmm, no matter, this does not change who you are in your heart Soleira. You are caring, my daughter, helping those when they cannot even ask or know what it is you wish to do. So, I shall help you bridge that gap.”

She didn’t understand most of what the goddess said. “Touched by…a familiar presence?” For a second she feared she had offended the goddess. Or some other deity. Then it clicked. The colorful, violently moving lights! Had that been a god as well? No, she would not burden the goddess with those questions. Not when more important questions had to be asked: “Bridge that gap? I am grateful, sun-mother. Eternally grateful. But forgive me, I don’t understand which gap you meant.”

”Go and speak to the first animal you see.” the Goddess said simply.

Soleira was not about to displease her goddess by disobeying. No matter how strange the order was. Though before she headed out, she grabbed a handful of berries with her. Just outside the cave she opened her palm. One small bird came flying down towards her and landed on her palm. It wasn’t afraid at all, as it began to eat the berries. “Hello little one.” She greeted the bird with a warm smile. “I hope you and your family have enough food with this.”

“Yes! Yes! Enough food. Food, food, food. Wait-“ The bird looked up at Soleira. “You’re not bird!”

For a second the four-winged angel stood stunned. “I-I can hear you?” She barely believed it.

The Goddess giggled. ”You can speak to animals now!” she said excitedly. ”It’s the least I can give for you Soleira, in fact…” the Goddess paused and she felt a tingle in her head. ”There! You can speak to animals and convey meaning through touch now.”

“Oh thank you so much goddess! This is wonderful! A miracle! I can care for them so much better now.” Soleira said as she kept smiling at the bird. Slowly and carefully she let her finger run over its back. “It’s okay. You’re safe here. With me. Safe.” She tried to convey the meaning to the bird. Who happily continued eating. “Oh sun-mother how can I ever repay you for this wonderful gift?”

”There is no need to repay me, Soleria. Simply continue helping those that cannot do so themselves. This is what the Aiviri were supposed to be, all along. And remember Soleira, you are loved.” Oraeliara said, before the presence vanished, but not before ruffling her hair.

She didn’t think she could ever stop believing she was loved. At least not after what had just happened. It would be etched in her mind forever. The bird flew up from her hand. Probably back to its family. Soleira rushed into the forest and began to talk with every animal she found. The birds were the most forthcoming. Though from the branches they talked so fast and repeated so many words that she had a hard time fully understanding them. In the night she also found a small cat on the hunt. It talked as if it was angry until Soleira stroked its back a few times. Then the cat began to purr loudly and brush up against Soleira. Before it vanished into the underbrush again for food.

The moon was already high up when Soleira returned to her cave. Exhausted of a full day’s work and the excitement of her new gift. Though before she went to sleep on her bed of dried weeds she turned around to face the exit of the cave. Again she knelt down with her eyes closed and her fingers laced together. “Sorry, Gibboura. I know I shouldn’t have stayed up so late. Though I hope you can forgive me. Goodnight and sweet dreams.” With those words said she got up, walked over to her bed and nearly collapsed in a deep slumber.



In Divinus: The God RP, Mk. IV → 6 yrs ago Forum: Advanced Roleplay
The Panther

He had woken with a ravenous hunger. His head felt heavy and somehow bigger. Its back was also weighing it down. As if a stone was resting on it. Slowly he opened its eyes. It was night. Good. The night was always good. Things didn’t see him at night. He craned his neck backward, to see what was weighing down its back so much. When he saw what it was, he jumped up in surprise. Those two, big, folding…things on its back. Like some of his prey had. The feathers had the same pitch-black color as his fur. They used it to go up in the air. Away from him. Could he go up too? The things, as a response to the thought, unfurled themselves from their folded state. The wingspan was large. With a few beats, he could feel himself become lighter already. Yes! With this, he could hunt even when the other things fled to!

He was nowhere near its home territory though. Home was a place of large trees and strong branches where he could sleep on during the day. It was a place where he found his prey. Big ones and small ones alike. Where he also found his mates. Here there was nothing. It was big and open. Only grass grew. How did he get here? Memories were spotty. There was a light. No, not a light. Many lights. Many lights flowing around him. Before that? What happened before? He was resting. On a branch. He had eaten a little. Yes. Then the lights came. It picked him up. He tried to fight it. He growled and slashed. Hitting nothing but air. He got weak and tired. Weaker and more tired than he had even been. Breath was escaping him. Eventually, his lids had grown heavy and he fell. Was he sleeping? He looked around. No, everything seemed real.

Then he heard something. His predatory senses made sure it could detect its prey far before they ever saw him. Yet he lowered his body into the tall grasses none the less. The wings folded back over his back. Barely making him larger. The night was good. Night was always good. The bald monkey things never saw him in the night. Not until it was too late. Though he never hunted one of them. Now though, he didn’t just feel a need to hunt. He felt a need to find things. Like one would find a good branch to sleep on. He stalked across the plains towards the voice. It was high pitched, which meant young. Yes, younglings were weak. Though they didn’t have a lot of meat on them.

Another voice joined the first. Lower pitched. Female. Her smell was on the air. She was larger. More meat. She too wouldn’t see him in the dark of night either. He got closer. They were running. The little one was careless. The older one filled with fear. He could smell it coming from her. His legs moved slower now. The purple moon gave just enough light so he could see all other things clearly. The larger one had turned towards him thrice now. Every time he froze. She never reacted. Even when he thought he would smell her. He pushed closer, and closer. They were being stupid. When he got close enough he had to make a decision. Once he would go after one, the other would run. The largest one would be harder to kill but better to eat. More meat. The little one would be easy but without a lot of food on it.

To his own surprise, as he prowled closer, two shadowy figures appeared from his own fur. Exact mimics, with the same folded wings on their back. They were not his mates or blood. They were here to steal his prey! The other two turned towards him. They suddenly gnarled and roared at each other and he snarled back. Daring them to steal his prey and threatening to wound the other one.

The bald monkey things had heard them. The larger one was already running with the small one in its higher paws. It was crying and screaming. Fear oozed from both of them now. He and his two rivals turned their heads immediately. Forgetting their feud. The chase was on. In the distance, they saw the bright lights. The larger thing kept screaming something.

Him and his two rivals were closing in fast though. They had to catch them before they reached the bright lights. The bright lights would betray him. He needed meat. He wanted them both! He was getting close. One of his rivals was on his left, getting close to her side as well. He snarled. It snarled back at the same time. Which cost them both precious moments. Something came whizzing through the air. It pierced through his rival but… it just kept on running. The straight branch was behind him. Embedded into the ground. How?

It elicited whimpers of the larger prey. She kept screaming the same sounds over and over again. When he got close he could hear it clearly now: “Iltralla!” It was gibberish and stupidity. Another straight branch came whistling from the wind. It came for him! He was not invulnerable like his rival was. He jumped aside but it had cost him his prey. For another of the bald monkey-things came charging at him. With a sharp, straight branch in hand the big monkey yelled as he passed the female thing with her youngling. The thing was coming straight for him. He got ready to pounce upon the thing and tear it to shreds. He even counter-charged at it to knock it down. One of his rivals seemed to have the same idea. The rival charged and managed to stay ahead of him. It jumped at the bald monkey and passed straight through it. Surprising everyone. Though he wouldn’t give up a chance. He jumped up. It was aided by the flapping of the wings. Allowing him nearly jump over the bald monkey but he reached down with his jaw. Biting down on its shoulder. The bald monkey was pulled down to the ground as he landed on all four of his paws. His jaw clenches down. Blood oozed from the deep wounds. The bald monkey dropped his straight branch and screamed in pain. It tried to fight. To no avail.

It grew weaker. He could feel it in his jaw. His rivals were not close so he would have this prey for himself. Finally, the bald monkey thing dropped down, unmoving. He started to tear off shreds of meat to still its hunger. Keeping an eye on the not so distant evil lights with all the other bald monkeys standing in it. There was a mixture of rage and fear in the air. He knew the smell well. His rivals sat down beside him. Making no attempt to take the bald monkey from him. When he had enough, he dropped the half-eaten thing on the ground and turned to look at the evil lights. He snarled at them, angry that he lost his first prey. They were threatening him now too. His two rivals joined the snarling. Moving each to another side of the caves-above-ground and the evil lights. Yet when they got too close to the lights, they seemed to be vanishing. Smoke rose from their backs. Though it did not seem to hurt them. They just snarled, as he did. The naked things shouted things but that one word kept returning: “Iltralla! Iltralla! Iltralla!”

Then something else caught his hearing. It was a soft thing. Like the wind that blew just right. Yet sustained instead of fleeting. He stepped back, getting further away from the stupid loud noises. Hoping he would hear the soft winds better. It came from in front of him though. From the yelling and the caves-above-ground. One of the things appeared before the straight branch holders. He had something in his hand. A white branch, with holes in it. No, not a branch. A bone. He was blowing into it and covered some of the holes with his fingers.

He let out a low grumble. His rivals turned around and head back to him. though before they could reach them, they suddenly vanished into nothingness. As if they had never existed in the first place. After a moment of surprise, he turned back to the wind speaking thing. He sat down, calmly. The soft sounds it made, it felt soothing. The loud noises stopped now. Letting him hear the thing-made winds better. It let out a low rumble of enjoyment. The sounds were good. The sounds were nice! From the darkness, he looked into the evil lights. The man was sitting down now.

He didn’t know why but he felt that the sounds would soon stop. They were coming faster now. Less like soft flowing water and more like waves crashing upon stone. Yet he did not mind it. The song was good. The thing that made the song…he was good.

The winds stopped as he had expected. Then silence raged. The song had been good. Good enough to live. It would seem that fear and hatred had subsided somewhat. Together with the loud noises. He let out a low grumble as if to say he did not desire to fight or eat anymore tonight and turned around. He walked back into the tall grass. Away from the things.

Leaving them with a story of the Iltralla that liked a song.



In Divinus: The God RP, Mk. IV → 6 yrs ago Forum: Advanced Roleplay
There was a disturbance in the mana.

The venerable Eloxochitli of Sancta Civitas could feel it upon their refined senses. The mana had waxed and waned, not in an natural way. Something had caused the movement. It was too methodical, too predictable. The pattern was easy to discern. Unlike the usual movement of the mana. Which required one to delve far deeper to find its patterns. No, this was a deliberate disruption. A disruption that would require investigation. Their lord had already given them the task. He too had felt it.

High the skies, the Qael’Naath had peered upon the world through the magical sense of the Winds and already discerned the cause of the strange phenomena upon his streams. A singular act caused ripples across the mana in no way he had seen before. It warranted further investigation, for it had made him curious.

Sancta Civitas was the perfect place to observe it. So the task was given. The ever growing influence of The Library within Sancta Civitas began to move it’s lumbering reaching. The inner circle of the Curators requested a meeting with the city’s bureaucrats. Meanwhile the stockpiled gold was being gathered near The Library. Perhaps most importantly was the beseechment of the Builder-Priests to lend their hand to the construction. They were, after all, Artifex’s chosen.

The right words were spoken, permission was granted.

Yet this would not be like the main hall where The Vessels resided. Nor would it be like the Vault of Ink, which had already pushed the city’s architectural minds to their limits. The Eloxochitli of the Curators desired something that would do nothing short but inspire awe. Something so ingenious and beautiful that it would cement The Library as magic’s most prominent site. A place worthy of their still mysterious lord. The Builder-Priests, seemed to relish the challenge. Plans were drawn, scrapped, re-drawn, turned upside down, consulted upon, torn to shreds, burned and then pieced together again. It took a year for all parties to become satisfied. In that time vast quantities of rock had been moved from the nearby quarry and were already turning into Sancta Civitas’ distinct white stone.

The second the bulbous toads shook the builder-priests’ hands on the design, construction began. Even the younger Itztli, spawned within Sancta Civitas itself, were helping. Even though they were but children still. Stone was raised in a pyramid shape. The inside remained hollow and was supported by great pillars carved with various runes of illumination. Offering a soft glow when mana was channeled through them. The last stone of the pyramid encased the room below. Allowing for only one small hole above. A beam of light fell through into the dark, cavernous hall below. The building wasn’t finished though.

Above the pyramid the most daring, audacious and difficult part of the construction began. Large, square blocks were lifted up the pyramid and raised upon eachother. Forming a tall obelisk atop the structure. Below in the cavernous hall, Vespain Curators were constantly flying around the roof. Looking for cracks of weaknesses. There was a consant, faint, silent prayer to Artifex going on as the stones above were raised. They prayed that the whole construction wouldn’t collapse.

When the capstone of the obelisk was finally put into place, the whole construction crew held its breath. Waiting for the Vespians below to should in alarm. Nothing came. When enough time passed, people cheered and laughed. A small feast was held, with a promise that tomorrow would be a free day for both Curators and builders. They had earned it, for they had moved the line of what was architecturally possible.

The task was not done yet though. For a week later the Eloxochitli and their Itztli breathren hauled the gold they had saved up across nearly two decades from its vault. The inside of the obelisk had been slightly hollow. A channel ran from its tip down to the base of pyramid. Connecting it with the opening in the ceiling of the chamber below. The gold was forged and thinned into plates. Which were attached to the cap of the obelisk. Each plate was intricately carved with runes as per design. Below, in the chamber, a well was constructed in the middle of it. With four curved, golden claws held over the well. The Library had been a loyal and constant customer to the furniture makers of the city and now too did they put in their request for even more tables and bookcases.

When the construction was done, a magical energy flowed from The Library’s main hall into the Omen-Spire. Followed by a singular Vessel, which placed itself upon the four claws. Right on cue, the ripples of an omen travelled across the spire’s top. The magic imbued in the gold condensed a single drop from the air. Which fell down along the inside of the obelisk, through the vessel and into the well. The vessel itself began to shift and change. Until it took the shape of a bowl with carvings on its bottom. The first omen’s ripples was recorded!



In Divinus: The God RP, Mk. IV → 6 yrs ago Forum: Advanced Roleplay
Soleira was in her cave. Outside she heard her siblings fight. She didn’t know why they fought but it had been going on for days now. Ever since they all opened their eyes. First she smiled, and then she saw her darker siblings charging at them with malice on their faces. When a sister fell beside her, Soleira could only think of fleeing. Her wings carried her far away from everything. They eventually carried her to this cave, where she had remained ever since. Afraid to go out and find one of her siblings.

After some time, the sound of fighting vanished again. Soleira came outside, hoping to catch some sunlight and gather some plants to eat on. As she foraged she found a few wild vegetables. Enough to keep her going. “Sorry.” She said every time she pulled out a plant. The reason they often had such big, fat tubers was because they had to feed themselves and here she was, selfishly stealing that food for herself. Though she always tried to replant a bit of the root. Hoping it would grow again. Suddenly she heard the sound of faint chirping.

She rushed over to whatever made the sound. It was a small bird. One of its wings looked strange. Soleira looked at her own wings for reference. No, a wing should not be bending that way. Slowly she picked up the bird and stroked its small head. Though it went entirely silent and stopped moving. “Don’t be afraid.” She whispered. Even though she knew the bird couldn’t understand her. “I’m not going to eat you.” She had seen some who would eat the bird from outside her cave. Well she had heard them first. Yelling and shrieking as they ran across the forest below the cave. Pursuing some deer. To her horror, she had watched how something that looked like herself, but wingless and with less hair on their head, stabbed the poor animal until it let out the last defiant grunt and collapsed. She had to cover her mouth and looked away. The wingless things walked away with the deer tied to a branch.

Why anyone would ever kill such a majestic beast was beyond her. With the bird safely in her hands, she walked back into the cave. Where she had made a soft spot with long, dried grasses. It wasn’t perfect but it was her place. Gently she placed the bird down. It began to chirp again, which in turn made Soleira smile. “Yes, I’m going to help you!” She said as she slowly brushed its little head with her finger. Her other hand hoovered higher over the bird. A soft, golden light flowed from her palm. After quite some time she lifted her hand up again. The wing looked normal again and the little bird began to chirp happily. “All good again!” Soleira exclaimed with seemingly the same gleefulness. The bird tried to flap its wings slowly. When it was certain everything was alright, it offered a final few chirps before it flew out of the cave. Soleira watched as it flew back, waving as if the bird would know what that meant.

Night was falling now. On the horizon she could see the moon rise. Making the colors of The Luminant a bit softer. Soleira loved the sun, but there was just something magical about watching the dusk grow a little darker. Oftentimes she laid down on her bed, watching the world first darken, and then come alive with various luminescent glows. This time too, she began to feel drowsy and fell asleep.

She jolted up. Something bright hung in the skies. It wasn’t as muted as the normal colors in the sky. These colors were softly glowing and constantly moving. Unlike the clouds. What could it be? She got up and looked out of her cave. None of her darker siblings seemed to be around. Nor any of her lighter brothers and sisters. Not that she was mortally afraid of the latter. She just couldn't face them now. Later she would. With everything safe she opened her wings and flew up towards the colors. The closer she got, the stranger they looked. Like waves waxing in the open air. It enthralled her. Until she was in the middle of the colors. Where there were none.

She then also realized there was no air there. She folded her wings immediately. So she’d drop back down. Yet she didn’t. Some invisible force held her up. She unfurled her wings again and began to beat with panic. With her hands she reached higher, to the mute-colored clouds. She couldn’t go up though. The air escaped her lungs. It felt like she was drowning! Then the burning started. All across her body. Like something was invading it. Blackness grew on the edges of her vision. She gasped for air. Nothing came in. Her lungs were empty. Like she was in water she tried to grasp for something. Manically she pushed herself around. The force still held her still, in the middle of those beautiful colors. When her vision turned black entirely, she fell numb.

She woke up laying on the ground. On the horizon the sun was rising already. Her body was in pain, though nothing looked or felt broken. She flexed her hands, and then her wings. To her surprise she suddenly felt not two but four wings move on her back. She yelped. What happened!? Slowly she moved the wings to wrap around her, so she could see them. With her hands she brushed against the second pair. It felt the same as her first pair. Though on her back they felt…lighter? Ever so slightly.

It was a strange feeling. One that was quickly interrupted by a loud grunt. A boar appeared from beyond the bushes. “Oh hey, mister boar. I’m sorry I’m probably in your territory. I’ll be going in a second, I just need to stretch real quick.” She said with a smile.

The boar didn’t seem to get the message. It grunted and scrapped its hoof across the ground.

Soleira realized she was in danger. She held out her hands. “No no no. I’m not here to harm you. I’m gone in a second, okay? Just calm down.” She said.

It didn’t calm down and then she realized why. Not too far from her she saw a piglet with one of its legs trapped in a snare. It was groinking with a very high pitch. Then she turned back to the boar. Which was probably a parent. “Oh no no. I’ll help you!” She said as she took a step closer to the snared piglet. Which began to trash with panic. The boar let out another grunt. “No, I’m going to help you!” She exclaimed again. Wishing she could talk to animals. She had to help the little piglet though. So she crept a little closer. Close enough to catch it.

That was enough for the boar. It charged head first at Soleira, who held out her arms as if she could even slow down the boar. Then she heard a hollow thump and opened her eyes. The boar was on its back. A strange, transparent but fractured layer of…something hung between her and boar. She lowered her arms again and the barrier vanished.

The boar was already getting up. Ready to go for a second charge. But it bought her time. She jumped for the piglet, which was now squealing under her as it believed it would get killed any second now. The little thing was struggling underneath her, while she was struggling to release it from the snare.

Eventually she got it free, rolled over and lifted the piglet. It was squealing above her but it did stop the boar from charging. Slowly she then got up to sit on her knees. For a moment she looked the piglet all over. Making sure there were no wounds or anything on its little body. When she was sure it was healthy she put it back down.

“See?” She said, half her face coated in multi-colored mud but with a bright smile on her face. “All good.” The piglet ran past the boar for safety of the vibrant shrubbery. The boar slowly walked backwards, making space. It kept grunting, as to make sure Soleira wouldn’t try anything. Then, when there was enough space, it turned around and ran into the bushes as well.

With the boar gone, Soleira got up herself and began to brush the dirt off of her. Her wings felt dirty as well. Even after a few flaps. Something rustled in the bushes again. She looked up, expecting the boar to be back. Well, she could fly away immediately so it wouldn’t be a problem.

Except out of the bushes the wingless things came. They held sharp sticks pointed at her and began to yell in some gibberish at her. One, the biggest one, came closer and yelled even more. Pointing with his stick at her and then down on the ground.

“I’m sorry, I don’t understand you.” Soleira said, as she held out her hands again. Hoping everyone would calm down. She slowly walked backwards. Until she hit a tree with the wingtips. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why you’re so angry. I can’t understand you.” She pointed at her own ears and then shook her head. They didn’t seem to get the message. The wingless things just upped their intensity with the stick-pointing and yelling.

They were getting too close now. “I’m Sorry! I don’t understand but please don’t get any closer! You’re scaring me!” She said as her eyes began to water. “Please just-just not here. Just let me go!” Out of instinct she jumped up, hoping to be able to fly high up and away from them. Right as she shot up and was about to beat with her wings to go higher, she heard a sharp thump next to her. A spear had lodged itself next to her, missing her by an inch.

Instead of beating upwards, all four of her wings beat forward. Sending her flying into a tree. Before her, the others were flying further. A strong gust of wind knocked them all back.

When Soleira got up, the wingless things before her were all on the ground. One, notable, was squirming heavily. His shoulder didn’t look right. The others flocked around him.

“Oh no.” Soleira said, as she observed what she did. Even though she had no idea how she had done it. All she knew was that she could help. She took a step forward. Some of the wingless things got up as well, pointing their sharp sticks at her. “I help.” She said. As she channeled her healing powers through her hands. Soft light shone from her palms. They looked at each other, and then began to slowly back away. Letting Soleira closer to the wounded one.

As she knelt beside him, there were four spears pointing close at her back. So close that if she suddenly moved backwards, she’d be impaled. Her heart was racing. Tears ran down her cheeks. But she tried to keep it together as she held her hands over the wound. The man squirmed a little bit more and then seemed to relax on the ground. Slowly Soleira lifted her hands again and let the light from them dim. The wingless things behind her let her move away, before they turned to see their friend. His shoulder was healed again. They turned back to Soleira, gave her a small nod and then lowered her spears.

The second the butts of their sharp sticks hit the ground, Soleira was up in the air. Getting away from it all.


In Divinus: The God RP, Mk. IV → 6 yrs ago Forum: Advanced Roleplay
Auriëlle

Auriëlle had expected a few restless nights on her route towards Sarren. To her own surprise, she slept pretty well. For only one night she had poked the burning wood of a campfire while coming up with what she would tell Sarren. In the end, she settled for her personal half-truth and every night she went to bed. When she entered the land of Vanhym she just kept walking around. Until Sarren finally found her.

His demon was by his side again. Though this time it had a bird-like beak. It wasn’t wet with blood though. “You’ve returned.” Sarren said, as he was patting the side of his demon-like it was an actual dog.

“I have. Safe and sound.” Auriëlle said. “I suppose we best sit down somewhere and talk.”

Sarren just offered her a nod of agreement and led the way into the bushes. They followed a small hunter’s path until they were deeper into the woods. Where she eventually reached Sarren and his two apprentices’ their camp. They all sat down and first began to make dinner. It was a simple rabbit stew. The meat was lean but good enough for something on the road. When the final bits of stew were passed out and consumed, everyone put their bowls down and turned to Auriëlle.

“There’s nothing special in Nallan.” She casually said, as she took the last slurp of her stew and put it down too. She was sitting on a fallen tree trunk. “Just another creep on a throne. I can’t tell you how many of that sort I’ve met.”

Sarren looked disappointed. The two apprentices relieved. “What about Parn? Is he in danger?” Sarren pushed on. Clearly the Servant wouldn’t just accept nothing was happening.

“He’s alright from what I could see. Very attached to his queen. And I really do mean very.” Auriëlle said, which wasn’t a lie. During her short stay in Nallan, she had seen how men looked at the queen. She could see that primal urge within them. It was so focused on Nalla that very few of them would give Auriëlle the time of day. Which had been a pleasant experience for once. “There were pots.” Auriëlle continued. Sarren looked up again. “They’re for preserving meat though. She’s quite ingenious in that way really. Salt’s so expensive. With those pots, she can keep meat fresh for much longer. I hope the runes of those pots will be spread out.” She noted absentmindedly as she poked the fire with a stick again. Mostly for her own amusement.

“Ah.” Was the only thing Sarren said for a long time. His apprentices apparently knew well enough what to do on their own. They gathered the bowls and went to clean them in the nearby creek. Sarren remained seated, looking at the ground. He had dispelled his demon dog some time before dusk had set in.

Finally, without saying anything, he got up and went to his tent. The apprentices each went to their own tents as well. Leaving Auriëlle free to lay down her own sleeping bag or walk away. It clearly didn’t matter to them.

But it had mattered to Auriëlle. She had seen the same defeated look many years ago, when she was still doing odd jobs. It wasn’t the look of resignation. Tomorrow, when the sun got up again, Sarren would either look for someone else to discover the truth or go to Nallan himself. One thing was sure though: he wouldn’t quit. Which meant Auriëlle’s work wasn’t done yet.

When the moon was getting high again she pulled the copper knife from her belt. She had sharpened it for three evenings in a row. Quietly she walked up to the first apprentice’s tent and opened the flap. There she was, Surreth. Auriëlle remembered her name. The girl looked sweet and much too young to be camping in a tent in the middle of nowhere. She put the knife’s cold edge on her throat and with a single, inelegant but quick motion she cut the girl’s throat. Surreth jolted awake but Auriëlle covered her mouth with her gloved hand and pushed her down again. There was no real fight in her. Just moments later she stopped moving at all. A few seconds later all life vanished from her eyes as blood pooled beneath her. That was one.

Auriëlle crawled out of the tent and quietly went to the next apprentice’s tent. When she opened the flap, he was gone. “shit.” She whispered to herself. If there was even just one witness, they’d be on her tail. She tried to find tracks but she had never been the best of hunters. The dark night only made that harder. Especially when only the Purple Moon was high in the sky. Auriëlle skulked around the campfire until she heard a twig crack. She looked up and came face to face with Kannek standing in the nearby bushes. He spotted the bloodied, copper knife in her hand and opened his mouth.

The sorceress reached out with her powers. The nearest tree to Kannek lashed out with its thinner branches. Like a lash they wrapped around his throat. Choking him off. He grabbed the branch. Something sizzled and smoked in his hand. Auriëlle began to bridge the distance between them. The hold of the root weakened as fire ate through it. He was nearly free. Another branch grabbed his other arm. It didn’t matter. The branch around his throat broke its hold. He opened his mouth again. Then he tasted copper.

Auriëlle had jammed her knife through his throat. “I’m sorry.” She said. It was genuine. She did not derive pleasure from killing him or Surreth. But this was her one chance to have an actual safe home in a kingdom where she knew the crown’s dirty little secrets. She wouldn’t let anything stand in the way of that. Well…maybe one thing.

The life fled the eyes of Kannek very quickly. The branch that held him up released him slowly, so Auriëlle could guide his body down on the ground. Her blade was bent all out of shape. It would be cutting anything this night anymore. That was fine. When kannek was down on the ground she got up again and walked towards Sarren’s tent and opened it. There he laid, sleeping ever so peacefully. There was only one way she could kill him fast enough. She crawled up behind him and held her hand over his head. “Forgive me.” She whispered. To all things now. To the gods, to Sarren, to herself. Yet the necessity was there. She took a deep breath and summoned the power to her palm. Remembering that what she was about to use wasn’t fire. It was the most perfect manifestation of destruction.

The wave of disintegration traveled fast across Sarren’s body. The man never felt pain. All that remained were bones. Auriëlle didn’t release a tear but her heart wasn’t agreeing with what she had done. The cursed words of Oraelia echoed in her mind. Had there been a third option? Maybe that what she should have done all those nights. Ponder upon her options. It was too late now.

Outside the tent she began to dig a grave. Not with magic but with a spade. It would take longer. Much longer. But that was the goal. It gave her time to think. Would it even have mattered if there was a third option? What did it even matter? Maybe this was her choice. Yes, it didn’t always make her feel good. But neither did other people always feel good. In this life she had to deal with killing those who didn’t deserve to die. If she had been a farmer, she would’ve had to deal with hunger and the death of her children. There would always be something. At least with this life, she could work through the suffering.

By the time the sun was well and above the horizon, two corpses and a skeleton had been buried deep in a hole. The tents and everything they owned had been buried with them. The only thing that marked their presence were the carvings of Auriëlle in the three trees surrounding the overturned earth that she had covered with some moss and the fallen log she had sat upon. She told herself that she’d visit the place sometimes. Just like she would have visited the graves of those who fought and died in Jalka.

With her job done, she followed the hunting path back to the main dirt road and headed back to Nalla.



In Divinus: The God RP, Mk. IV → 6 yrs ago Forum: Advanced Roleplay
Auriëlle

&
Nalla

The closer she got to the land of Nallan, the stranger the people became. Many villages had apparently bound together. Their chieftains swore fealty to the mysterious queen of the town. Her rise came with a fair few convenient deaths though. All who refused to bend the knee were found dead at night, with a smile on their faces. Then she reached the sphere of influence of Nallan and things shifted. People were happy. Bandits were a rare sight, peace reigned between the various tribes and villages and trade was growing ever more. Especially the closer she got to Nallan itself.

It was strange, yes. Especially the stories that Nalla was blessed by the goddess Neiya. After her own experience, she knew that wasn’t impossible. Hell, there were plenty of stories of the Sun’s Daughter improving a place where she stayed. So instead of stalking the place under the cover of darkness she just wandered in. The guards gave her a side-way glance but let her pass through the wooden gate. It really wasn’t a shithole like most other cities. For one there was a bustling market and stone paths in the town. That alone elevated it above all other places she had visited. Then there was the palace. It was big, far too big for the location. Though not as big as Ketrefa’s wall, it looked far too nice for the town. Maybe the ruler really did have even bigger plans.

But that wasn’t her business. Her business was with the local queen and the Servant named Parn, whom she guessed would be inside that palace. So with a leisure stroll she walked towards it.

The palace itself even had walls but this time, as she approached the gate, the guards eyed her suspiciously. One guard, wearing fine leathers with a large beard spoke as she neared. "State your business. Is the Queen expecting you?" His voice deep and gruff.

“I don’t think she would.” Auriëlle said as she stopped, keeping a respectful and safe distance from the guards. If only they knew who they were talking about. “My business is with an old friend of mine: Parn.” She said the lie without even a hint of disbelief. She did not move further. The two didn’t seem too keen on just letting anyone in because they knew a name. Still, it was worth a shot.
The guard eyed her up and down then gave a side glance to the other guard, before nodding. The guard, a younger looking man, rushed off up the steps. Several minutes went by before the guard asked, "You a mage?"

She wasn’t about to reveal her trump card though. “No, sadly not. Never could learn a spell to save my life.” She offered with a kind smile. It was a lie but only because she had learned the demon spell just a few weeks ago. In truth she would never call herself a mage.

He gave a satisfied grunt and the conversation died. Before long footsteps approached and the guard was there, accompanied by two people wearing white robes. The gruff guard parted as they approached. One was a man with curly black hair and green eyes, the other a woman with muddy blonde hair and brown eyes. Both wore smiles on their faces. The man then spoke, "Please, follow us. The Queen would like to meet you."

“Okay..” Auriëlle slowly said. Did the queen vet all visitors? Did she even have time for that? From the way the town and the neighboring villages looked, Auriëlle doubted that. Someone had to be the steward of all those projects. Still, she there was no point in refusing so she followed the two, white robed servants.

Up the stone path they went, the pillars of the entrance looming ever ahead. The inside of the walls was void of any life except greenery, not even animals roamed and it was well kept. Through the pillars they came to the entrance to the palace proper, and just above the entryway way there was a massive symbol embroidered into a white cloth. A red heart with a crown, and a ruby eye at the center loomed down on her as they entered the shadowed halls.

They walked quickly and with purpose, going past many rooms. There were servants here and there, wearing the same white robes but most were empty bedrooms. Eventually a light shone through and they came upon a courtyard and a very peculiar sight. People made of plants lingered within. Two adults and two children. The adults were variants of green leaves and different leaves but the children, they were blood red in places running down their backs, arms and legs. And what could pass as their hair on their heads. One of them had a face also blood red in coloration.

She kept pace with the servants but managed to take in a few details. The heraldry itself was a clear indication that at least something related to Neiya was happening here. Perhaps the queen really was blessed. Inside looked as spacious as she had imagined, yet it felt cold and empty. The many unoccupied bedchambers put her slightly on edge. Did the queen expect a lot of company? Then they came upon the courtyard.

Auriëlle was stopped in her tracks when she saw the plant-creatures. Those things weren’t human. They weren’t near human. “What..are those things?” She asked, pointing unapologetically at one of the adults.

"Why that's Aurinia and Chio." The woman spoke as they both turned to look at Auriëlle. "With their newborns, Dion and Suria. Have you never seen Sylphi before?" She asked her.

“Sylphi? No. Never.” She wanted to talk to them, ask them where they came from. Did they come from the swamplands to the east? Or maybe from the sun-kissed planes to the west? Maybe they had come from beyond the great mountains to the south. She shook her free from the Sylphi’s spell and then walked up closer to the white robed servants. “We shouldn’t keep the queen waiting.” She said, trying to forget the plant-creatures. She was here on a mission. Maybe, if fate wasn’t as cruel as usual, she would be able to talk to the Sylphi later.

The servants gave each other looks before smiling and nodding. "Of course, we are nearly there." And they both continued walking.

Soon enough, past empty rooms in the long hallways, they came upon another entrance. Larger than the outside. She could see through and into the large chamber. Besides two large tables the room was as bare as everything else, besides the cloth that diluted the light.

It was very dim and as they got closer and entered she could see who sat upon a throne across from the entrance. A fiery head, almost orange in color, lightly tanned skin, soft features with amber colored eyes. A crown sat atop her head and a ruby choker seemed to peer into Auriëlle's soul. A man stood next to her wearing servant robes, he whispered into her ear but Nalla did not move her gaze from the newcomer. The servants then bowed before her as they brought the sorceress before the queen.

"We bring the one who wished to see Parn before you, Queen Nalla." The man said.

"Good. Leave us." She said in a commanding tone. They quickly scampered off and then they left the room, Nalla spoke. "Parn brings you here before me, yet he is not your friend, is he?" She asked.

Some of the stories said Nalla was beautiful but clearly they hadn’t done her justice. Auriëlle swallowed deeply when the queen commanded the others to leave her. She saw through the ruse. Which meant she might very well have walked straight into a trap. Yet she had seen no guards. Only white robed servants. Either the ambush was laid even better than Auriëlle expected or this queen really didn’t fear anything. Then again, Auriëlle didn’t feel the least bit inclined to make things messy. “I’ve been asked to check up on him.” She said, slightly surprised at her own honesty. “And on his queen.”

"And who asked you of this?" Nalla questioned.

“Sarren, one of the rainbow eyes.” She answered. Once again much too truthfully. Why was she answering questions so quickly without even trying to lie?

The man, who was most likely Parn, leaned down to whisper in her ear again. After several moments he stood back up and Nalla smiled. "What's your name? It's rare a sight to see someone with such beautiful hair in these parts."

“Auriëlle.” She answered but then her suspicion began to take over again. “What is happening?” It was a bashful thing to ask. Even though at this point it was a fair question. Still, years of defiance against any form of authority were pushing back against the authority that Nalla projected.

Nalla looked around before settling back on her. "Whatever do you mean, Auriëlle?" She asked with a bemused smile.

Something definitely wasn’t right. She squinted at Nalla, trying to figure out her deal. The choker was lovely and entrancing. It made her feel calm, yet there was at the same time a voice in the back of her head screaming that she should just run. There were no guards to stop her, she could literally blast through the door. “How are you making me answer your questions?” Auriëlle asked. Her voice wasn’t nearly as defiant as it should have been.

Nalla tilted her head to the side as she looked at her. "Making you? Not at all. I can't make you do anything. I'm simply asking common questions, why oh why would you not want to answer them? You did come here after all."

Auriëlle took a step backwards, even though in her heart she wanted to go forward. “Because…I was warned.” She wanted to swallow those words. Yes, she was warned. Tension rose in her chest. Why was she answering her questions? She had to get out. No she had to get closer. “Where is Parn?”

"Warned? What could she have been warned about, Parn?" Nalla asked, turning her head to look at the man next to her.

"I do not know, my Queen. But here I am, Auriëlle and I have heard many things about you from my brothers and sisters." Parn said, stepping forward.

Nalla spoke again, "Why would Sarren warn you about Parn and me? Is he fearful of progress?" She asked.

She took two steps forward again. Perhaps because there was nothing to fear or perhaps because she wanted to show that she wasn’t afraid. Her eyes turned away from Nalla and focused on Parn. He looked healthy, with no chains on him at all. Maybe she had him under some kind of spell. That wasn’t her battle though.

“He thought something strange was happening here.” Auriëlle said, as she kept her eyes on Parn to make sure he was at least physically okay. “And there is.” Gods she hated whatever spell she was under. Her gaze turned back to Nalla. “Sarren feared for the wellbeing of his brother, not progress.” She motioned at Parn. “But to me, he looks fine. So I will tell him that.”

The fact that the Servant knew of her had rattled her though. Had he seen Galdezor’s final memories? She had to get out of there. “I would like to request my leave now.” Why did she have to ask it, she could just leave! She was Auriëlle. Nothing could stop her!

Nalla frowned at that. "But you've only just arrived. You must be weary from your travels? Why not stay here, as my guest? You'll be well taken care of, that I can assure you." She cooed.

She swallowed again. Maybe she could stay and investigate the whole palace some more. There was still the Sylphi whom she wanted to talk to. And of course there was Nalla herself. Auriëlle had to know her full story about the young queen. “Very well, I graciously accept your offer.”

Nalla smiled again. “Excellent. I will have my servants prepare you a room and bath. You will join me for dinner and we can chat some more. Until then, feel free to roam the palace.” she said, clapping her hands. The two same servants came back in. “Oh and Auriëlle? Do be careful where you wander. The palace is large, you might get lost.” She said with a wolfish grin. “Now, Tirn, Yarce, treat our guest to the finest room and have her bathed.”

They bowed again and waited for Auriëlle to follow them.

The command to join her for dinner didn’t sit right with her. She had no authority over her! Alas, she couldn’t refuse either. So she just kept quiet as Nalla summoned her servants. A bath would feel good, maybe too good but she would still take it. After that she would use that permission to roam the palace to explore every nook and cranny. Even if she would find herself ‘lost’. Silently but without bowing to Nalla, Auriëlle followed the two servants to her room.

Down the halls they went until they arrived at a room far removed from the rest of the little commotion in the palace. Yarce led her in while Tirn kept walking. It was pleasantly furnished, with a fur bed, table with a chair and a small storage area with a white robe. There was a small window, more of an outlook into one of the courtyards, it had a wooden shutter but was open.

"I will take you to the bathing chamber when you are ready. Tirn went ahead to get the water ready. If you'd like, we can also wash your clothing." The woman said to her.

“Don’t touch my stuff.” Auriëlle snapped. Which surprised her, considering she couldn’t snap just a minute ago. “Wait outside. I’ll tell you when I’m ready.” Yarce, who had flinched at her outburst gave a solemn nod and left. She felt no more need for pleasantries. Especially not after what she was just thrown in. For a moment she peered out of the window into the courtyard. The sun was still out. Why had she been answering so truthfully to the queen just a moment ago? Worse, why did she agree to stay? If she hadn’t, she could’ve been outside the palace now. She could ride for a few days, find the nearest rainbow eyes and tell him to relay her message. That would’ve been it. Instead she was here, reading to get into a bath.

Luckily the queen hadn’t asked her if she was a sorceress. Now Nalla would assume she was just a helpless girl without her weapons. With that knowledge she undressed and put the robe on. She put her stuff in the chest, though sadly it lacked a lock. Then she stepped out of the room. “Show me the way.”

Yarce bowed her head to her and continued on. A relatively short walk later they arrived at a door. Tirn waited outside and nodded at Yarce. "You'll find everything you need inside. I trust you can find your own way back to your room, we have other duties that need to be done. Do enjoy your bath." Yarce said, flashing a small smile before leaving with Tirn.

The door opened to reveal another short hallway lined with torches and at the far end there was a glow of light. She ventured into the chamber to find herself with a pleasant view of the outside garden. Pillars kept the ceiling up and extended an overhang. There was a low wall that separated her from the outside world, but it didn't prevent the view from being enjoyed once in the water. The bath itself was a large basin of water with many different flower petals and other floral scents mixing around in it. There was also a bench next to the pool and some towels.

After checking all the pillars for potential ambushers, Auriëlle got into the water. It was pretty cold but that was to be expected. Still the whole room with the view on the courtyard was a magnificent piece of construction. She definitely hadn’t expected it in a place like this. In fact it made her think of Acadia. In the bath she ruminated over what she learned about the queen with her mind clear. She was definitely manipulative to a supernatural degree. The fact that she could instill a degree of obedience in Auriëlle was proof enough of that. But it didn’t look like she was actively dangerous or trying to harm Parn or anyone else. She was just peculiar. If she had a gold Ketrefian coin for every peculiar king or queen out there, she would’ve been rich beyond her dreams.

After the bath she returned to her chambers, where she found her stuff. Untouched. Sure it was dirty and after such a clean, nice bath the grim was exceptionally notable. Yet it was her gear. It shared her sweat and blood. When she was once more dressed like a traveling mercenary she began to wander through the hallways of the palace. The Sylphi were interesting but they were also put on display. Royalty liked showing off their best sides. Auriëlle refused to be distracted though. There were far more interesting things around. The palace, for one, was becoming much too nice for the region.

So she wandered through the hallways until she finally found what she was looking for. A stairwell, hidden in plain sight. Tucked away in a corner. Well, the queen had given her permission to go wherever she wanted. So she slowly began to descend down into the lower parts of the palace.

The air became cooler as she ventured down into the depths. The flight of stairs was long, lit by torches but she eventually arrived at a hallway. At the far end there was an entrance with more light. Voices could be heard within but the view only showed some tables. It was the only way forward.

She disliked the torches being lit. it made stalking in shadows so much harder. When stealth wouldn’t work, Auriëlle opted for brazen confidence. She was, after all, told that she could go wherever she pleased in the palace. Besides she was a sorceress. So she marched on forward, making no effort to make her footsteps silent, and headed for the entrance with the tables.

It was a servant room, where the white robed people were eating and chatting at tables that were hidden by the wall. When she entered, multiple heads turned to look at her, most with smiles, some with narrowing eyes. After a moment of intensity, and silence, they went back to eating and chatting amongst themselves, seemingly paying her no mind.

It wasn’t so unusual for servants to eat in a place hidden away. So Auriëlle paid them no mind. Instead she took a moment to observe the three corridors running from that main hall. She took the first one and continued on.

She ventured further in, no one gave chase to stop her. There were many more rooms lining the hallway, and all of them were shut tight. Only the dimness of torches gave any sort of light. There were many artistic pieces on the sides of the hallways, all having something to do with the color of crimson, a ruby and a heart. The symbol of the Love Goddess was also mixed without. She came across no one else as she passed junctions and other hallways. She eventually came to the end, and the hallways branched to the left and right. In front of her was a door ajar.

The door was too inviting to ignore. Slowly she approached it, making sure anyone who would be inside wouldn’t notice her. When she got close enough she peeked inside. The room was pitch black, even with the light from the hallway, it did little to illuminate what was in but there was a strange dripping sound. She slowly snuck in and closed the door behind her. When it was shut completely, banishing all light from the hallway, she held out her hand in the dark and created a flash of light, so she could see the room for just a second.

The flash did its work well, for she could see not only large collecting pots, the crimson liquid within them but also the pale bodies that hung above them, dripping with fresh blood from multiple deep cuts along their bodies. It was a mix of women and men all naked, eyes shut but with smiles on their faces.

The sight made Auriëlle jump backwards. Her back hit the door when darkness took over again. Had she seen that right? Then the smell hit her. That familiar, coppery smell. She outstretched her arm again and released a flash. Showing the pots and smiling…corpses? If they weren’t dead yet they soon would be. Why would the queen do this? Why was she collecting blood? Blood was only useful for one creature…

Auriëlle spun around and opened the door again. Blood drained from her face but raged through her body. Her heart was beating faster and faster. She couldn’t care less about the door. Her feet carried her back through the corridors. She had to get out, now! Before she had dinner with the queen. No, before she was the queen’s dinner.

Before her, from another corridor, she came. Walking slowly, she turned to face Auriëlle with knowing eyes and a smile on her face. She wore a low cut, crimson dress, ruby sparkling in the dim light. Her crown sat upon her head as always, and at her side, was a blade. “I did tell you.” she said, eyes narrowing.

Auriëlle eyes widened. Out of reaction she outstretched her arm. An orb of fire formed in her palm, ready to fill the corridor with flames. “This doesn’t need to end bad.” She said. “Not for either of us. You let me go and I will keep my mouth shut about what I saw in there.” Her heart was still racing in her chest.

Nalla tilted her head, looking at the flame before looking back to Auriëlle with another wide smile. She shut her eyes and then said, “Your heart is beating so quickly.” her amber eyes opened again, “Tell me, Sorceress, does it scare you? I would have thought one with your talent, would not be so opposed to grim realities.”

“I’ve accepted plenty of grim realities but I prefer not to die to one of them.” Auriëlle said. Her mind was getting clear again. Making her ready to fight for her life. For a second she thought of Oraelia. Would the goddess of light be proud of her behavior now? So deep in the ground? She was trying to make a deal with a vampire for her own life. Where was the third option now? Maybe she would’ve wanted Auriëlle to release the prisoners. That didn’t matter now. Not to Auriëlle. She just wanted to live. Everyone else be damned. “Just let me go and I will swear on Tekret that I’ll tell nobody about what you are or that you’re draining innocents of their blood.”

“Innocents?” Nalla scoffed. “No. If one is to maintain order in this world, one must rid it of the worst. Murderers, thieves, rapists… I could go on, but no, they aren’t innocent. Most anyway.” she began to walk back and forth. “Did you think I was going to harm you? Once again, no dear Auriëlle. I don’t harm that which is unique in this world. Not unless that which is unique decides to fight back.” she stopped and outstretched her arms at Auriëlle. “Now, won’t you eat something with me before you go?” she asked with a bemused smile.

“Wait.” The fire in her hand vanished, as Auriëlle lowered her hand. “They’re not innocent?” It was a surprisingly pragmatic way to get your blood as a vampire. Though it rested on the idea that there was always enough evil in her borders. Yet outside the walls she hadn’t seen any of the usual corruption or poverty. In fact Nallan was very prosperous and peaceful. “Well you would forgive me for believing you would kill me. Vampires are not particularly known for their restraint.” Even though she only ever heard of them from stories. “But seeing that you’ve got no interest in slicing me open then I might as well join you for dinner.” Not to mention that there would be delicious, hot food. Hopefully. Still, in the back of her head Auriëlle kept herself on her toes. Ready to strike should Nalla get any funny ideas.

“All is forgiven.” Nalla said, dropping her arms to her side. “Such stories… Do you know how cruel the gods have been to vampires? So much power, at such a price. No wonder all the stories paint us so cruelly. It doesn’t help that the white-haired woman slaughters us with impunity. Do you know of her? Hm, let us retire to the dining room before we continue our discussions.” she said, walking away before glancing back, “Come, Auriëlle.”

She led her up to the first level in silence. They turned down a set of hallways that led them past the throne room and up a flight of stairs to a second level. THere they came to an open room, much like the washroom, but higher up and facing the sunset. There was a long table with one end partially hidden in the shadows of a pillar. There was no one else there except for servants putting a modest amount of food on the table, all on one end. Nalla gestured to Auriëlle to take that spot.

Auriëlle took her designated place, though waited before the queen took her seat and began to eat herself. There was much to choose from. Meats and greens, and with refreshments. “A white-haired woman? No, I have never met her.” She said. “Though I have met a white-haired man. Carn. They could be related.” She noted. “But yes. Some of the gods can be cruel.” She looked at her own hands now. “Or careless.”

Nalla sat down in the shadowed end, pouring a dark liquid into a cup. She took a sip. “Carn?” Nalla said aloud. “Odd name but yes. I have heard rumors, of a white haired man and women, wandering the highlands, one doing great things, the other two with… Questionable motives. Has this Carn never mentioned this to you?” Nalla asked.

“I have a habit of not asking.” Auriëlle answered. “It made that life easier, most of the time.” The truth was that if she asked about his past, he could ask about hers and she wasn’t ready to tell anyone about Acadia. Nor did she want to tell Nalla Carn’s story. That was for Carn to tell should he ever come to Nallan. Then she dug into the food, keeping her silence and waiting the queen out. Auriëlle wanted to know what game she was playing. Because of course she was playing one. In a palace like this there was only one thing to do: scheming. Sadly, the sorceress was painfully inept at it.

"You were blessed by a God too, no?" Nalla asked suddenly. "Parn told me about your stunt at Jalka. How you vaporized that poor fool. Such power." She said, giving her a playful smile.

“Half-vaporized.” Auriëlle corrected. Even though she absolutely could’ve erased him from existence then and there. She kept her gaze on her plate. “And…yes. I should be blessed by a god. Or at least that’s what I’ve been told.” And so the dance continued. Except Auriëlle had enough of it. She looked up to face Nalla now. “Let’s skip the formalities now, shall we.” She said as she wiped a bit of chicken from her cheek. “And just ask me what you really want from me?” There was no tact in her voice or demeanor. However there was no outright hostility in her voice either. Just impatience.

Nalla leaned forward on the table, smirking. "I like that about you. Soooo… To the point. So hot blooded." She licked her lips and then laughed before leaning back in her chair. "Very well, I wish for you to work for me. I collect unique things after all, and you are up there my dear. It's no secret that I'm constantly expanding my borders, who better to lead my men then someone of your prowess?"

“Lead your men?” Auriêlle looked appalled for a second. “Half the time I’d be in these walls drilling a bunch of snobs how to wield a spear and I can’t even wield a spear myself.” She leaned back into her own chair with her arms folded. “Beside I suck at leading people.” Not a lie, again. The Redspears were fun to hang around with but they were Carn’s people, not hers. She loved fighting too much to get up and bark orders. Even when she spat out commands, they only followed them because Carn would make them.

“Here’s what I have in mind. I need a place to get back to when I need a break.” Which was about every five to six years. “A place that doesn’t yell at me or throws mud at me.” Both had happened in nearly every village she stayed at in the first years of her new life. “You give me that in Nallan and I will help with some of your wars. Not all of them. I’ve got other promises as well.” Her mind went back to Carn. She began to miss him but if she wanted a safe place for herself, she would have to earn it now. Hopefully he could wait another year. Hopefully. “And to start the agreement off, I’ll be the tip of your spear for a full year.”

“Deal.” Nalla said after a long moment of silence between the two. “Nallan will treat you as they treat their Queen. You will not need to teach them how to wield a spear, I have others for that. But you will learn to lead, through fear or respect, it matters not. I’ve a feeling if you fight with those you lead, they will come to respect you regardless.” Nalla smiled again at her. “As a show of good fortune, I shall give you a house in Nallan, unless you prefer to stay here, with me?” she said, fluttering her eyes.

Auriëlle’s heart nearly stopped beating during the pause. This was the closest she had ever come to a home. To a place she could go back to. When she heard the word, a small satisfied smirk formed on her lips. It would appear Nalla would not move from the subject of leadership. Maybe she would become a leader in the most literal sense of the word. She could stand in the vanguard, drenched in blood. Acting as an example for the rest of the army. Command and strategy would be for the wise men in their tents. Safe behind the battlelines. It would garner the army’s fear first and then perhaps their respect.

Then there was the choice between a house in Nallan or a room here in the palace. With the queen. Auriëlle pondered upon the question, letting the same silence Nalla had used reign. A house would be more spacious probably. Not to mention further away from people. Yet it would have to be tended for while she was gone. Which meant servants she wouldn’t trust watching over her stuff while she was somewhere far away. That wouldn’t do. “I think I’ll stay here.” She said with a coy smirk as she grabbed an apple. For a moment she pondered upon asking how Nalla was able to knock the inherent sense of disobedience out of her. Though she decided against it. It was her habit after all.

“So what’s my quarry?” Auriëlle sounded eager now. She had missed a good fight. She didn’t want to repeat the Jalka siege. This time she wanted to crush something thoroughly.

Nalla waved a hand dismissively, she then looked at Aurielle with a noble gaze. "Firstly, when home in Nallan and in this palace you will address me as Queen or Queen Nalla. Secondly, your attitude needs adjustment. You have hot blood which does well in most places but I will grow tired of it, that I assure you. Thirdly, you will have to go tell Sarren your findings here and then return to me. You did swear on Tekret you would, after all. Fourthly, there will be things you will not understand here at first, things that will make you question your worldview but you must realize, I do everything for a purpose and you will learn to accept that." Nalla then rapped her fingers on the table as she smiled again. "Do these things and I will tell you of the conquest that is to come. Do I make myself clear?" She asked sternly.

“Crystal…my queen.” There was still a slight hint of defiance in her voice. It made clear that Auriëlle would not be a puppet whose strings could be yanked whenever she desired. Even though she would dislike the forced obedience, her heart fluttered again at the idea of being on the battlefield. Other royals would either hide their sins away and appear perfect or carry their crimes like jewels. Nalla might be a manipulative, vampire queen that fed on her own criminals but at least Auriëlle knew that now. Nallan would be worth fighting for. Though she hoped, deep down, that she could convince Carn of that as well.

"Good." Nalla mused. "And do remember, I have more to offer you than the thrill of battle, if your heart so desires." She said cryptically, taking another sip of her blood.

In Divinus: The God RP, Mk. IV → 6 yrs ago Forum: Advanced Roleplay
Auriëlle

For once the road she travelled was familiar. It allowed her to return to her old mindset. Whatever happened in Ha-Dûna was nothing short of an embarrassment. The road back allowed her to return to her own mindset. Weakness might have been something allowed in the druid town but outside of it, it was exactly the thing that would kill you. Still, the words of Oraelia did not fall entirely on deaf ears. To protect those who were weaker than her, it seemed admirable. Kind. Yet then again, why would she do it? Those very same people always chased her out of the city. Fearing her magic. The sun’s daughter could do that because they loved her. How could they not? She healed and freed people. Did that make her as strong as Auriëlle? Someday she would have to find out. For now, she would hold to her promise to find Carn and the Redspears again.

So she went back to the area around Ketrefa, assuming he would remain in the vicinity. She heard whispers of the Redspears left and right. Their deeds in Jalka hadn’t been forgotten. Some even recognized Auriëlle in the inns. Her pale-scarred forearm had become a sort of mark for her now. Some were afraid of it, others asked her to tell her story. She indulged the latter, though left certain parts out.

Now she was on the road as a drifter again, rarely disturbed unless she reached a village. Chasing behind a group of people whom could really be anywhere. Like always, her highland stag just followed the road. Allowing Auriëlle to sink deeply into her own thoughts. Until suddenly she heard noises coming from the nearby bushes. She got off her stag and prepared to cast her sorcery in case bandits were stupid enough to attack her. After her encounter with Oraelia, she wanted to be a little more mindful of who she harmed and killed but for bandits, she had no mercy. One man, dressed in rags but with an axe in his hand, jumped out of the bunches but not at her. Instead, he jumped out a few meters away and ran away from her. Screaming all the way. Though not from Auriëlle. More rustling came from the bushes.

Then three…things jump out of from between the leaves. None of them looked like anything she had seen. They had the shape of a dog but with carapace armour on their back and black fur on their sides. Their tails were either compromised of several fleshy tentacle ones or that of a scorpion. One had his jaw split down the middle and open. Revealing its sharp teeth. Another had a normal, dog-like mouth but with three horns on its head. All of them had black shaggy fur with red eyes.

They didn’t howl at all. With her eyes she followed them as they ran behind the bandit and into the open field on the right side of the road. One caught the man by his leg. He fell amid the high weeds. Even though Auriëlle couldn’t see him anymore, she could still hear him for just a little while longer. Until there was nothing. Strangely, only a few moments after the scream stopped the dog-like creatures jumped back out of the tall weeds in front of Auriëlle. Their snouts were red and blooded but they clearly hadn’t eaten him.

“Stop.” A voice said. One demonic dog, the one with the split jaw who was slightly bigger than its brothers, sat down like a dog would. Three people emerged from the bushes. One had the tell-tale rainbow eyes. The other dogs didn’t move much further. “You’re in the lands of Vanhym. State your business.”

“No business. Just passing through.” It was what she usually said when she was stopped. This time around though, her eyes were drawn to the dog-like creatures.

“Interesting things right?” The Servant asked as his demeanor shifted to friendly. “I’m Sarren.” He said as he approached her, extending his right arm. Auriëlle didn’t really know why he was suddenly so friendly but decided to return the gesture. When they shook hands, the Servant caught a hold of her sleeve with his other hand and pulled it back. “Just as I thought, one of the heroes of Jalka.”

Auriëlle tightened the grip in her right hand and pulled the man close so she could grab his arm with her other hand. “Think very carefully before you tell me you’re an ally of Melok.” She said slowly, making the threat clear. The dog-thing got up and growled at her. “Oh it does make sound.” She noted.

“Sit!” The Servant commanded to his pet. It looked as if it was going to refuse for a second, but then obeyed. That couldn’t be said for the other two dogs who began to growl now as well. “Kannek, Surreth. Control your demons!” He commanded. The two much younger apprentices quickly called out to their demons to sit down. Both did, after several repeated commands. Then the Servant turned back to Auriëlle. “Vanhym is not an ally to Melok. Truth be told, we don’t really care about Melok. What we do care about is how you destroyed Galdezor.”

“You’ve heard about?” Auriëlle asked as she released the man’s arm. She sounded slightly surprised.

“All Servants around here have heard! Actually we’ve seen it! His last memory. That translucent wave of destructive energy! Gods what a power. We could only imagine it” The Servant sounded enthusiastic. “Is it true? That it’s a power that comes from Aurius?”

“I’m not sure.” Auriëlle answered truthfully. There was no sense in lying for now. Though she didn’t want to tell everyone she was indeed blessed. “It doesn’t matter, because clearly you can do things that I can’t.” She pointed at the dog-like demons. “I’ve never seen those things. Demons you call them?”

“Aye!” The Servant said as he walked back to kneel beside his split-jaw creation and knelled beside it. “Truth be told we don’t really know how they came to be. Someday one of my brothers just told me about them. He taught me the spell and well…now I’m teaching my own apprentices.”

“Mind if you taught me?”

The Demonspell was literally the only spell she ever managed to learn. Though in all fairness, she stopped trying to learn spells after leaving Acadia. None the less, it appeared extremely easy to use.

“You ready to try it out?” Sarren asked.

Auriëlle was looking at the knife in her right hand. It was sharp enough. “Let’s do this.” The two apprentices brought the bowl of water. It was the size of any other bowl. Slowly Auriëlle let the blade cut across her flesh, drawing blood which fell down as a trickle into the water. Clouding it. She then held her other hand over the water and said the words of the spell with her eyes closed. When she opened them again, golden fire hovered over the blood-clouded water and then slowly but surely floated down into it. The water became brackish and dark. Auriëlle used the time to quickly bind the self-inflicted wound on her hand. The bowl, meanwhile, turned even darker until it seemed to just consume the midday sunlight. Then a red eye popped open. “What the…?” Auriëlle wanted to dip her finger into it, but Sarren quickly stopped her. Several more red eyes opened up.

“That would be a bad idea. That demonic mass would overtake you. I know because well…that’s what happened to one of my brothers.” He said. “Now draw some of the demonic flesh out and mould it like you would clay. But only with your mind.”

Auriëlle nodded and held her hand outstretched over the black liquid. Slowly she raised it like she would raise water out of a tankard. Until she had a respectable amount of demonic matter hovering below her palm. Yet the inky, eyed mass in the bowl didn’t seem to have shrunk a bit. Her attention turned back to the orb she held suspended in the air. With her mind she began to shape it, expecting it to push back against her. To her surprise, as long as she channeled mana towards it, it seemed fine with all her manipulations. Eventually, the shapeless mass had taken its form: that of a raven with two sets of wings. It had three eyes on one side, and one on the other and its beak was long and hook-shaped. Ready to tear out flesh. Slowly Auriëlle guided it over solid ground rather than the infinite mass in the bowl and dropped it.

To her surprise it collapsed like a broken bird. But then gathered itself and got up, without any broken parts. She also felt that faint link running from her to it. Not a link of mana, it was something deeper. Something more personal.

“You did good.” Sarren said. He said a few words in a language she didn’t know. Like one would smother a flame, he smothered the stream of mana running into the bowl. Instantly the eyes closed and never opened again. The inky blackness began to dissipate slowly. Until it was all water again. “I’d suggest you don’t keep your demon for too long. They can become greedy for your mana.”

Auriëlle was listening but not with all her focus on him. Instead she was looking at the majestic and only slightly horrifying bird that jumped on her arm. “I guess I won’t be naming it then.” She said.

“No, best not.” Sarren said. “You’ve made one but now you best dispel it.”

She nodded in agreement and said the few words that she was taught. The raven demon lit up in golden flames. Though it seemed utterly unphased by it. The fires worked fast, spread across it and turning every bit of demon they touched into ash. Eventually, nothing was left of it.

When the demon was gone Sarren turned to Auriëlle. “Now that I have taught you this, I can make my request.” He said, his voice becoming a little more serious now.

Auriëlle turned to face Sarren and frowned. “What does Vanhym need of me?” She didn’t like to be bound to thrones or crowns. Even though sometimes she had to, like in Jalka. Still, she didn’t like it and she preferred not to get tangled up in another problem.

“Not Vanhym.” Sarren said and then pointed at his own eyes. “Us, the rainbow eyes. There’s a land east from here. For the passed years it has been…strange. I used to hear about a brother there. His name is Parn. Lately he has been asking some strange questions about runes. Sometimes the questions are a bit too specific.”

“You want me to check up on him?” Auriëlle asked.

“Yes, and check up on that entire land. They say something has build a very big place there. And I really mean big. Local leaders are coming over to make assurances they say. Auriëlle, something is wrong in the land of Nallan.”

“Any suspicions?” She asked.

“Nothing concrete now. Maybe it’s nothing or just a very peculiar king but Parn is utterly mute of who he serves. That in of itself is not new. We talk to each other but sometimes we trust our lieges more than our own brothers and sisters. Still, I worry about him. We worry about him.”

“I understand,” Auriëlle said as she got up and walked to her stag. She did owe the Servants a favor and a small little detour before meeting up with Carn again wouldn’t hurt right? “I’ll visit this land named Nallan but only because you taught me something valuable.”



In Divinus: The God RP, Mk. IV → 6 yrs ago Forum: Advanced Roleplay
Auriëlle

Auriëlle was getting close to Ha-Dûna, though she suspected the route she was told to take had been much longer than it need be. Curse those damn travelers. Why did they have to send her all the way up the high, rocky hills? Eventually, she caught sight of the place from atop a cliff. After one look she already hated it. The fields were just thrown around with seemingly wild abandon. Then again, you had no choice in a gods forsaken place like this. From her vantage point, she could see the various peasants tending the fields and filling their granaries. She felt a little happier, knowing that she never had to live as a farmer. These days, if someone told her to pick up a sickle she would have burned a field before the day was over. At the center, she saw a sizable town and a palisade core. After that there was just forest. “Should’ve chopped or burned that.” Auriëlle muttered to herself. The forest would’ve given more even ground to grow food on. But this was the land of druids. They lived in peace and harmony with the world.

What a load of deeply spiritualist, complacent crap that was. Druids could help grow fields and talk to the wild-life. Why the hell would they choose to live here? Screw it, it wasn’t her decision. She didn’t have to suffer living here. She only had to be there for a day maybe. Hopefully less.

She took the slow and winding path down the cliff. The closer she got to the town, the more she was blending in with the common pilgrims visiting the megaliths of the gods. Auriëlle ignored everyone and began to wander around the town. The language was utterly comprehensible, even though she knew it Ketrefian influences. The accents made it sound like they'd thrown Ketrefian into a mangle grinder and then let it soak in pig fat. She kept away from the palisade core for. Something there just felt…off. She knew druids wouldn’t harm a fly but it felt like that was the problem. Perhaps worse were the children constantly running about and playing. There were just far too many of those things around. Finally, she found someone dressed like a druid.

“You, druid. I need some answers.” Auriëlle approached the druid with a rather brusque demeanor.

The girl Auriëlle addressed looked up. She couldn't be older than seventeen. “Oh, I’m not a druid. Just a simple apprentice. What can I do for you?” She said with a much too cheery voice.

“I need a druid. Like yesterday. I need answers.” Auriëlle said though she began to question why she was so harsh. Perhaps it was the place. It was playing tricks on her. Something was wrong here, she felt it in her skin.

The apprentice didn’t seem to be bothered at all though. Which only made Auriëlle feel even more bothered. “Not a problem!” She said. “Follow me, I will bring you to the main hall where you can meet a druid.” With enthusiasm and almost a skip in her steps, she led Auriëlle through the palisade gates. “And these-“ She said as she spun around and swung her arms open, with the great stones of the gods behind her. “-are the megaliths!” She spun around and began to point out each one and which god it was dedicated to. When the stood amid the dolmen, she turned to Auriëlle. “Why do you require a druid?” She asked as she guided Auriëlle towards the courtyard with the megaliths.

Auriëlle was about to say that it was none of her business. Except it was her business. “I've got questions about the gods. The questions are-” It were questions she didn't trust with a city's priest. "-sensitive." She answered as she kept her eyes on those carved to the likeness of Oraelia. “Wonderful! I will notify the concerning druid. Please wait here.” The young girl said.

Auriëlle nodded in affirmation and began to walk around the courtyard. The tributes to the gods were stunning, even she had to admit that. She recognized some, like Oraelia who the druids called Reiya. Other had been foreign to her until she had talked to a druid, about a year ago. Like Mascal and Seeros. Though she saw the great stones more as a testament of how powerful mankind was. They had raised those stones, not the gods.

“A druid will talk to you when he has the time. Should you require a place to stay, the hall of the weary always has a bed free for a pilgrim such as you. Perhaps I could show you?” the apprentice asked, with a gentle, caring smile.

Auriëlle didn’t trust it. Druids talked to animals. What if they had a snake in her bed already? There was no reason to suspect they wanted her dead and druids rarely hurt anyone. But then again she probably sinned against half their rules in the last seven years already. “I’ll stay here.” She said with a very short tone. “Thank you.”

The apprentice let out a small sigh and walked away. For a few minutes, Auriëlle felt alone and good. A stranger amongst the other strangers waiting in the courtyard. Either marveling at the megaliths or waiting for a druid to talk to them. Auriëlle kept pacing between the rocks. This place was having a strange effect on her. The air was too thick. Like it tried to suffocate her. It wasn’t just that. It was the general niceness. People were smiling, handing out food and water like it was nothing. They were so friendly. Having lived alone, then with Carn and his mercenaries and then on the road alone again had made her suspicious of anyone who helped others too much.

“A cup, my lady? It’s water from the basin of the weary.” The apprentice returned holding a wooden cup in her hands, offering it up to Auriëlle. The water was see-through and thoroughly pure. “I assure you that it will do you much good because… well, apologies for my directness but you seem gaunt. You must have been traveling for-“

“I don’t want your water!” Auriëlle snapped as she slapped the cup out of the apprentice’s hands. The outburst garnered a lot of attention. Guards armed with spears approached. Auriëlle took a deep breath. “Bring it.” She whispered to herself. Ready to cast her magic and erase those guards from existence. Consequences be damned. At least she would feel good for one bloody moment in the place.

Yet as she was making herself read, the apprentice held out her hand to the guards. “No need, no need.” She slowly said as she picked up the cup from the ground. “I-I think I have been a bit to insistent.” She told the guards. They shared a look. Auriëlle knew it well. “I assure you, I’m fine. I don’t think our guest means any trouble.”

It took every fiber in Auriëlle's body to shake her head.

“Very well then. Return to your post, brave guards.” She told them, and they did. The attention wore down. Still, the apprentice approached Auriëlle again. “Apologies if I gave any offense, my lady. I meant none. I just-“

“You wanted to help." Auriëlle cut her off. “I get it but I don’t need your help. I never had any help. I just need a druid and answers.” Auriëlle didn’t look the apprentice in the eyes though. Shame began to eat her up alive. They meant no offense. No pain. The apprentice only offered comfort. She was just being nice.

The girl backed away and seemingly returned to her duties. The guards kept an eye on her, as did several pilgrims. She didn’t care. All she had to do now was to sit down on a bench and wait until a druid came to see her. Hopefully, that would happen soon.

Hours passed. Pilgrims were met, guided inside and waved off again. The sun had long since reached its peak. The courtyard was becoming empty as the shadows grew long. Many of them retreated into the resthouses. Farmers outside returned to their cottages. Only a handful of guards remained outside. Them and Auriëlle, who hadn’t moved from her bench.

“Are you sure you don’t want to sleep at one of the resthouses? I can ask around. Surely some of them would still have a nice, comfortable bed.” A now familiar voice said behind her.

Auriëlle turned to face the apprentice. “You don’t give up, do you?”

“I don’t.” She said with a slightly self-assured smile. “Kaer Harla says that’s one of my strengths. I never give up.”

Auriëlle let out a sigh. Just her luck. She talked to an apprentice who never knew when to quit. “What’s your name?” Auriëlle asked.

“Sennah.”

“And you’re an apprentice. You druid apprentices have to serve people, right?” Auriëlle continued.

“Yup! It teaches us many of the druidic values!” the apprentice answered.

“Good. Then serve me this way: go home and get a good night’s sleep.” Auriëlle said.

“But-“

“No.” Auriëlle was using the same tone she used to use on the Redspears now. “Go. Home, Sennah. Be with your parents. Or the one you love. Stop trying to help a bitter girl like me.”

She looked as if she wanted to protest again, but then quickly turned around and walked away.

Auriëlle let out a deep sigh and stretched herself out over the bench. Maybe she could close her eyes for a little while? Just to let her body rest. She did so, let her body relax for a moment. It felt good. Until she janked up again. She didn’t hear the usual hammering of smithies or gambling going on. No the courtyard was just completely quiet. Which was just wrong. It was the wrong place to even close your eyes. So she got up again and waited. No druid would talk to her now, probably. Yet she still waited.

Boredom soon caught her. Auriëlle began to walk around the courtyard. Inspecting the megaliths one by one. Eventually she sat down against the one of the World Tree and faced those of Gibbou, Oraelia, Mascal, and Seeros. She let out a chuckle. “Dear Oraelia…” She began in mock prayer. She even held her hands together. Though her eyes remained wide open. “Is this the life you had envisioned for me? Or did you never look my way? I’m not sure what would be worse: my life going exactly as you planned or you just not caring. Maybe it’s according to one of the other god’s plan? I don’t know.”

She then turned to the megalith of Gibbou. “Do you hate me now for being up this late? Druids told me you like it when people sleep at night. Maybe you just pity me. I know your druids do. They might think I can’t see them peering with those sad little eyes of them. Can you see in my head what I want to do to those eyes? If so, can you see all the other things as well?”

Then she turned to Mascal. “They say you made the world beautiful. Colorful. Vibrant. Happy. Those are the words they use for you. I don’t see it. They say you love dancing. I’ve never danced. Maybe it's you who cursed me that fateful day. Tell me Macsal, are you in the habit of dumping obelisks?” As if in answer, Auriëlle could hear the wolves howl outside in the wild. Above she could swear the inky colored sky moved a little faster. Though she chalked it up to coincidence.

It was all mockery. Pure mockery. As if the gods would respond. Though she then turned to the megalith of Firinn. “For you I only have questions. what’s my truth? Am I blessed by a god? If so, what god?” She wasn’t sure if she would thank him or hate him. She let her hands fall to her side again. What use was praying? Even if the gods were listening, why would they answer her?

“A mortal life is a precious thing, Auriëlle.” Came a sad voice inside her head, followed by a gentle warmth, small but steady. The voice spoke again, “What would life be if not the choices we make of it? I do not control you. Life was not made to be enslaved by some predetermined fate. You were born free, to be as who you wanted to be as you grew. As you grow.” The voice paused before continuing, ”I have always cared for you and I will always care for you. Since the moment you drew your first breath, until the moment your eyes shut. It is my sacred charge to care and protect life, sworn before the world flourished, before the green, before the mountains and before the seas came to be.” The warmth became light, growing brighter as the voice spoke, before fluctuating again as it continued on, ”Not every prayer comes with an answer. Not every answer is the one wanted to be heard. Such is the nature of divinity. But you have called and now I have answered. I am Oraelia, Goddess of Life, and I have heard your cry.”

For a minute Auriëlle thought a druid was playing tricks on her. She even had her copper dagger pulled half-way out. Yet that light, that warmth in her mind, it couldn’t be mistaken. It was godly in every sense of the word. It made her drop to her knees. The dagger fell to her side with a clang. A tear dropped from each of her eyes. It was majestic to feel, wonderful. Safe.

Then she shook herself free from that spell. “Now!?” She said as she kept her wide eyes focused on the ground below her. “Now you appear!?” Her body was shivering. Inner conflict raged. She should be feeling happy, relieved, secure yet she didn’t want to be. Those feelings were dangerous and utterly foreign to her. “Now you appear with the guts to tell me I was born free!? I was chained by my family and my city for a decade and then they hid me away for another one.” Something twisted in her own stomach. “If you protected all life then where were you in Jalka!?” She said those words in her own mind. Accompanied with all the rage, pain and regret she couldn’t put a stop to now. “Where were you when I killed those people who just wanted to eat!? They didn’t have a choice. I didn’t have a choice! I never had choices!” It was kill or be killed in the last few years.

The warmth in her head grew small as she lashed out until she had finished. It ruminated her thoughts and shared in her pain. The warmth erupted again as Oraelia spoke with sorrow in her voice, ”Not every answer is the one wanted to be heard…” she repeated softly. ”You chose to leave your home, you chose to live your life on the road, killing for coin and food. You chose to go to Jalka, did you not? For war? Why Auriëlle,” The Goddess’ voice seemed to break, ”Why did you not walk away when you could? Before you murdered innocents? That was your choice. You could have been better, could have used your power to help them and now you come before me in mock prayer, alone and afraid despite your anger and rage and you ask why I didn’t prevent those deaths? When you, all along, could have?” Her voice faltered, sounding not angry, but terribly sad. ”You are terribly lost, Auriëlle. Terrified of what anything else but hate might bring. You must ask yourself this question; Is this who you truly want to be?” she asked, the warmth and light at its brightest.

“But what else is there for someone like me!?” She screamed it now. Her voice was shrill. In her head and out loud. Hatred mixed with pain and regret. “I’m a monster! I can’t do anything else. I don’t want to do anything else. I’m good at killing!” Even saying felt liberating but wrong. Like it was a secret she should never have said. Tears ran down her cheeks. “You saw what I can do. They called me blessed for it!” A shameful truth began to boil up. She wanted her old life back. The life of a scribe. She was comfortable in Acadia, surrounded by safe walls with a warm hearth. She just had to count sheep. It was so simple, so peaceful. Then she was ripped from that life and could never return. Now she would always have blood on her hands. No matter what she did. “What kind of wretched thing would bless me with this!?”

"You are not a monster." Oraelia said sternly in her mind. "A monster does not feel remorse, guilt, regret and pain, Auriëlle. I have seen what you were, what you are and but a glimpse of what you could still become. Wanting to kill and killing are two very different things. If your desire is to kill in the great game of win or lose, so be it. But that is a path you will never recover from. It will consume you. However, as my daughter showed me once, there is a path to take that protects those who cannot protect themselves. Who fight evil men and bring about justice. Which one will you find yourself on?" she asked her. Then once more her voice returned, but softer. "I know not who empowered you, only that I can taste the divinity upon your soul and it is unfamiliar to me. I am sorry."]

She couldn’t say anything anymore. Only cry. There was no way she could bottle everything up again. Maybe Oraelia was right. Maybe not. She couldn’t think now. She just felt pain and cold. So cold. A chill, midnight wind had finally taken to her.

Then there was warmth. An embrace. Someone was hugging her. “You’re not a monster. Nobody’s a monster.” It was Sennah’s voice. The young apprentice was holding her tight. Auriëlle felt like she was melting in her arms. Yet as she felt the warm and the touch of someone caring, her senses suddenly fell away. Her eyes became heavy and her mind blank. Had fatigue finally caught up with her? She couldn’t fight it. There was no fight in her life. She just fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

”Hah! That’s right! Go to sleep, you rowdy, little--... Thing.”

"Gibbou…"



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