Ariadne had never been beamed by Asgard technology before. She had experienced the Stargate and ring transporters, but never Asgard beaming. She was quite excited. So was Idalia. It felt good to be so much in agreeance. The last day or so had seen them disagreeing quite a lot more than usual, and it made for an unpleasant experience. Ariadne knew it was largely her own fault, she wasn’t adjusting to the Tau’ri as easily as she should have been. Her ruminations were cut short however, as she was enveloped in white light and her molecules were disassembled.
She did not really feel anything again until she was rematerialised, a remarkably quick process, in a much hotter, sandier environment. She was used to this sort of environment to some extent. Idalia, on the other hand, was less so. Sheyet was hotter than earth, but this heat was on the top end of comfort and with the heavy clothes, including the Tau’ri vest, it would probably become unpleasant soon. She raised her hand to shield her eyes from the sun, holding her Staff weapon in her other hand. The view, at least, was quite impressive.
A city behind them and a gigantic ship extending at an awkward angle from the sand. It was far too big for any Goa’uld ship she’d seen. Miller, who was now the Strike Team leader after the disastrous flight through the debris field, was looking at the monstrous edifice with binoculars. He lowered the viewing device and turned to her to ask her what it was. She looked at it for a moment longer before replying. “I have never seen any ship of such a profile. I do not know who built or where it is from. I am sorry.” She was quite intrigued by the ship. Ruined cities were all over the galaxy, but there were few ships of such size. Only the Goa’ulds most powerful vessels or the Ori’s motherships were even close in size.
“We should explore it. Few species have the capability to build such large star-faring vessels. If the race that built this vessel still exists, we should make sure they are not our enemies. I do admit I was expecting Ancient structures though, not… these. Why would there be an Ancient repository and a Stargate here? And one that does not connect to the rest of the world at that. It does not make sense.”
“Don’t worry, I had every intention of checking it out. I simply was making sure that we had no idea what it was. If we had some idea on who had built it then we could just call down a science team… -” He was distracted by a beeping and he took a look at this small tablet computer. Smaller than those used by Atlantis personnel they were only really used to access the ships sensors to get a lay of the land. A small blue circle had appeared within the ship. “- It also appears to of began transmitting some kind of continuous signal.” He waved them forward. “We’ll have to approach with caution-” He unclipped the tablet while walking and handed it back to the Tok’ra. “You’re a lot smarter than I am, that mean anything to you? It means sweet eff-all to me.”
Ariadne was still unfamiliar with Tau’ri slang, but by his tone, it sounded like Miller didn’t know anything about the applications or possibilities of these things. That didn’t bother her though. He was making good use of his resources rather than arrogantly assuming he could do everything. She looked at the small screen that relayed the Tempests sensor readout. Another thing she wasn’t entirely familiar with, but it wasn’t all that complicated. The signal was constant. Ordinarily, that might mean all manner of things, but given the derelict state of the ship, possibilities were narrowed considerably. “It is likely some kind of locator beacon. Possibly a distress beacon, given the state of the ship.” She handed the device back to him then before adding “And really Sergeant, when have you ever known the Tok’ra to be anything but cautious?”[I]
“Well in all honesty Ma’am I can’t answer that. You’re my first Alien that hasn’t tried to suck the life out of me out of their [i]hand. Also as I said earlier, call me Miller. He placed the small tablet back within his vest. “There should be an entry way down there-” He pointed at the ship and the centre of where it was crashed. “-I’d rather not make our own entrance with some explosives purely because we don’t know how the ship will re-act or if there is anyone aboard.” He began leading them, through the sun, towards the ship. “Also, as to why the structures or ship aren’t ancient well I can’t tell you that Ma’am. Though I can take a gander at it. The Ancients wouldn’t want just anyone to find their repository and you may not know where a stargate is but it isn’t that hard to find a planet. These people may of even built their civilization not even knowing the repository existed, maybe the Ancients built it here to hide it where people wouldn’t look. I suppose that is one for the scientists to decide, and a research team if they can find the gate and beam it to the surface.”
What Miller was saying all made sense to her, it was a possibility. Just not what she’d expected. “I always imagined the Ancients would not need such deceit. However, I believe you know more about that subject than I Miller. You will have to tell us about your experiences in the Pegasus galaxy in the future. We would quite enjoy the story. Given that they have not tried to contact us yet, I doubt there is anyone still alive on that ship. Unless they believe us to be enemies. But such speculation wastes time. I imagine this heat is worse for you than me. Perhaps we should get moving?”
“It does waste time, also we can multitask as we have been however in the heat talking wouldn’t be beneficial despite our training.” He waved them onwards as he activated his radio. “Tempest, this is Corp- Sergeant Miller. We’ve discovered what looks like a derelict of an Alien vessel that began transmit what we believe to be a distress call. I am taking my team to check it out, Neilson and his team are heading off to inspect the city. As the initial photographers predicted the buildings and the ship aren’t of Ancient design, the entire vessel is bigger than most we’ve seen and again is an unknown design. I’ll keep you apprised. Miller, out.”
Sundered Echo Member
- Last Seen: 5 yrs ago
- Joined: 12 yrs ago
- Posts: 1068 (0.24 / day)
- VMs: 2
-
Username history
- Sundered Echo 12 yrs ago
-
Latest 10 profile visitors:
-
Most recent →
Forsythe
Status
User has no status, yet
Bio
User has no bio, yet
Most Recent Posts
Ponders
Ponders Mordent had arrived at the college one day ago, though time was difficult to tell in this grey land. That was one reason for arriving so much later than he might otherwise have. This land was fascinating to him. He’d first arrived on the edge of the Twilight lands about three months ago and was immediately struck by its strangeness. He had to know everything about it. Why it was different, how exactly it was different, how long it had been like this. He’d stood still for a week just watching when he first saw it, taking in every detail. Then he’d moved to a different location and stood still, repeating the process several times. Eventually he’d decided to roam instead of standing still, and thats when he’d come across the College. Seeing the grand structure had reminded him of why he’d come to this land in the first place, and he’d headed almost straight there. The grey twilight land was interesting, but Geomancy fascinated him much more. That, and after some thought, he’d realised the college probably had a library. He couldn’t resist the pull of so much knowledge concentrated into one place.
At the gates, the guards had assumed he was a golem. Not entirely an unsurprising turn of events, and thankfully he’d already thought about what to do. He told them he was not a golem, and that he wanted to join the college. He was told to wait. Some people came to look at him while he waited, but he was content to wait and observe, his many component pieces gently revolving around his core. Eventually, people had gathered around him and the gate had been opened. No-one had specifically told him he was being considered a student, but when no-one moved to stop him he assumed they believed him.
He watched the behaviours of the various gathered beings, observing the strange creatures among them. When the call for questions came, he simply moved straight towards the college. He had no questions right now, his goal was the library. Maybe after he’d seen that he would ask questions. He moved at a solid stride towards the building and once inside the corridors, touched the first golem he saw. All he said was ‘Library.’ The Gargoyle sprung to life and peered at him suspiciously. “You’re a surly one aren’t ya.” It said. Ponders didn’t really know what to think about the beast. Khan had said some had developed personalities, this was obviously one of them. “Can’t you speak for yourself? Dropped a rock on your tongue?” It said, before some rasping grating noise escaped its unmoving mouth that was evidently its way of laughing.
Ponders simply looked at it. He was formulating a reply to the obstinate creature. It managed to just barely start speaking again before Ponders cut it off. “Will you take me to the library?” He said, his voice soft yet deep. The thing stared at him. He stared at it. Anyone else who arrived at that time would’ve seen a staring match between two statues and probably found the whole thing hilarious. Eventually, the gargoyle relented. “Fine, fine. The library it is. You’re no fun. No fun at all.” Ponders didn’t understand. He simply followed the small stone creature to the Library.
Ponders Mordent had arrived at the college one day ago, though time was difficult to tell in this grey land. That was one reason for arriving so much later than he might otherwise have. This land was fascinating to him. He’d first arrived on the edge of the Twilight lands about three months ago and was immediately struck by its strangeness. He had to know everything about it. Why it was different, how exactly it was different, how long it had been like this. He’d stood still for a week just watching when he first saw it, taking in every detail. Then he’d moved to a different location and stood still, repeating the process several times. Eventually he’d decided to roam instead of standing still, and thats when he’d come across the College. Seeing the grand structure had reminded him of why he’d come to this land in the first place, and he’d headed almost straight there. The grey twilight land was interesting, but Geomancy fascinated him much more. That, and after some thought, he’d realised the college probably had a library. He couldn’t resist the pull of so much knowledge concentrated into one place.
At the gates, the guards had assumed he was a golem. Not entirely an unsurprising turn of events, and thankfully he’d already thought about what to do. He told them he was not a golem, and that he wanted to join the college. He was told to wait. Some people came to look at him while he waited, but he was content to wait and observe, his many component pieces gently revolving around his core. Eventually, people had gathered around him and the gate had been opened. No-one had specifically told him he was being considered a student, but when no-one moved to stop him he assumed they believed him.
He watched the behaviours of the various gathered beings, observing the strange creatures among them. When the call for questions came, he simply moved straight towards the college. He had no questions right now, his goal was the library. Maybe after he’d seen that he would ask questions. He moved at a solid stride towards the building and once inside the corridors, touched the first golem he saw. All he said was ‘Library.’ The Gargoyle sprung to life and peered at him suspiciously. “You’re a surly one aren’t ya.” It said. Ponders didn’t really know what to think about the beast. Khan had said some had developed personalities, this was obviously one of them. “Can’t you speak for yourself? Dropped a rock on your tongue?” It said, before some rasping grating noise escaped its unmoving mouth that was evidently its way of laughing.
Ponders simply looked at it. He was formulating a reply to the obstinate creature. It managed to just barely start speaking again before Ponders cut it off. “Will you take me to the library?” He said, his voice soft yet deep. The thing stared at him. He stared at it. Anyone else who arrived at that time would’ve seen a staring match between two statues and probably found the whole thing hilarious. Eventually, the gargoyle relented. “Fine, fine. The library it is. You’re no fun. No fun at all.” Ponders didn’t understand. He simply followed the small stone creature to the Library.
So much Caps lock...
Anyway, the man-fish-snake arrives....
Anyway, the man-fish-snake arrives....
Xyden
Xydens bulky form slithered across the rough grey ground, flattening the short grey grass as he went. Of all the places he’d seen on the surface so far, this was one of the most unpleasant. He did not know why the land seemed so dead, but it was clear the Surface Dwellers had not been caring for it as they should, as even the beasts seemed scarce. Of all the sensations he could feel though, the most unpleasant was being dry. He couldn’t understand how Surface Dwellers could stand it. On the land he always felt too hot and too heavy. Warmth was nice, but unlike lazing about near the volcanic vents on the ocean floor, the heat was dry, and it seemed to leach his energy.
Xyden was fortunate, however, as his destination had come into view several hours ago. The large stone walls of the ‘Twilight College’ were quite impressive, even from distance. In his opinion the structure almost matched the grandeur of the great Naga city in the deeps, from whence he had come. The walls were reassuringly close now, and it seemed a small crowd was gathering at the gate. Xyden did not know why. He had wanted to ask question along the way, to discover more information about this ‘Twilight College’ from some of the villages that were on his path, but every time he had approached the villagers had run from him in terror or locked their doors. He hadn’t realised how cowardly the legged races were until this journey.
Once he reached the crowd at the gate he had determined that this group of people did not seem to be attacking, rather, waiting for something. Some heads turned when he approached, and there were a few looks of terror at his long, vicious trident, a weapon he carried loosely in his left hand, but for the most part the crowd was focused on the gate. A bell tolled, Xyden finding it strange not to feel the sound as he heard it, and the reason for the people attention was revealed. What appeared, in Xydens eyes, to be a Myrmidon of the legged races appeared and began to speak, his voice quite loud.
Xyden took it all in, noticing the many and varied types of Land Strider, some of which were even winged. One of them, a small blue Land Strider, suddenly charged the speaker from her hiding place in the crowd, running headfirst into him and falling flat as a result. Xydens frills quivered for a moment in both amusement and confusion. These Surface Dwellers were strange beings indeed. He paid careful attention to their questions being asked. Some were quite pertinent, though the only one on his mind was where the nearest water was. He was also unsure if the College would just welcome him with open arms or not, this entire world was foreign to him and he wanted to be sure of where he stood.
Once these Surface dwellers had their questions answered, Xyden would make a point of speaking to the one called Khan about his place here. He didn’t feel comfortable simply yelling his request up with the rest of the questions.
Xydens bulky form slithered across the rough grey ground, flattening the short grey grass as he went. Of all the places he’d seen on the surface so far, this was one of the most unpleasant. He did not know why the land seemed so dead, but it was clear the Surface Dwellers had not been caring for it as they should, as even the beasts seemed scarce. Of all the sensations he could feel though, the most unpleasant was being dry. He couldn’t understand how Surface Dwellers could stand it. On the land he always felt too hot and too heavy. Warmth was nice, but unlike lazing about near the volcanic vents on the ocean floor, the heat was dry, and it seemed to leach his energy.
Xyden was fortunate, however, as his destination had come into view several hours ago. The large stone walls of the ‘Twilight College’ were quite impressive, even from distance. In his opinion the structure almost matched the grandeur of the great Naga city in the deeps, from whence he had come. The walls were reassuringly close now, and it seemed a small crowd was gathering at the gate. Xyden did not know why. He had wanted to ask question along the way, to discover more information about this ‘Twilight College’ from some of the villages that were on his path, but every time he had approached the villagers had run from him in terror or locked their doors. He hadn’t realised how cowardly the legged races were until this journey.
Once he reached the crowd at the gate he had determined that this group of people did not seem to be attacking, rather, waiting for something. Some heads turned when he approached, and there were a few looks of terror at his long, vicious trident, a weapon he carried loosely in his left hand, but for the most part the crowd was focused on the gate. A bell tolled, Xyden finding it strange not to feel the sound as he heard it, and the reason for the people attention was revealed. What appeared, in Xydens eyes, to be a Myrmidon of the legged races appeared and began to speak, his voice quite loud.
Xyden took it all in, noticing the many and varied types of Land Strider, some of which were even winged. One of them, a small blue Land Strider, suddenly charged the speaker from her hiding place in the crowd, running headfirst into him and falling flat as a result. Xydens frills quivered for a moment in both amusement and confusion. These Surface Dwellers were strange beings indeed. He paid careful attention to their questions being asked. Some were quite pertinent, though the only one on his mind was where the nearest water was. He was also unsure if the College would just welcome him with open arms or not, this entire world was foreign to him and he wanted to be sure of where he stood.
Once these Surface dwellers had their questions answered, Xyden would make a point of speaking to the one called Khan about his place here. He didn’t feel comfortable simply yelling his request up with the rest of the questions.
UserName: Sundered Echo
Character name: Ponders. Mordent. The Twenty-seventh.
Age: 36
Mageblood type: Natura
Favoured Magic Class: Geomancy
Previous Magic training: None
Race: Awakened Harmony
Appearance:
Ponders’ form is pale blue by nature, comprised of a number of separately moving stones. The central glow is pale blue. When arranged in humanoid form, he stands at an imposing 8’1. Given the variable nature of his shape, however, his height at any moment can vary greatly.
Short Bio: Like all Awakened, Ponders rose from the lakes beneath the harmony at the last Awakening. At the time he was given the name ‘Mordent,’ which he retained for a number of years. He also bears the title ‘The Twenty-Seventh’ as he was the twenty-seventh Awakened to rise from the waters. Like all Awakened, he immediately set out to explore the world and gain knowledge. Ponders particular journey took him first to the Dwarven City of Ironstead. There he learned the dwarven language, as well as the common language, and first began to comprehend the world he now lived in. The Dwarves found him and his brothers fascinating, and for four years Ponders spent his time exchanging information with several Dwarven Geomancers as well as a Necromancer of the Motem-Necromancy learning. He was treated almost as an experiment, a being to be studied, however, he did not mind as the mages around him merely observed, and they also told him of the dwarven ways, their culture and history.
Young Awakened, however, are voracious learners, and rarely stay in one place for long as they hunger for knowledge. He departed Ironstead at age four, travelling south. He wandered the wilderness for 12 years, observing the many plants and animals of Eania and northern Djarkel, remembering all but never delving very deeply into the study of any one being. During this time, the Accelerated learning of a newly formed Awakened wore off, leaving him more in control. Many a month he would find a vantage point to watch an animal's den or hunting ground and stand as still as as a statue, simply watching.
This time of observation ended when he was found by a curious Eanian villager. It was much to the villagers surprise when the glowing statue struck up a conversation with him, but his curiosity won out over his sudden fear, something Ponders greatly approved of. The pair travelled back to the village, where Ponders once again took up an observing role. He remained here for 6 years, and it is here he received his name. One day one of the villagers asked him what he was actually doing while he stood watching and he replied ‘thinking.’ The villagers response was ‘what are you pondering?’ Though the villager did not know it, Ponders took a liking to the idea that he was forever pondering an idea, and so adopted it as his name.
After a time, Ponders had learned much of what there was to know about that particular village and asked if he could travel to the Eanian capital city. Instead of simply walking there, the villager who had first discovered him devised a plan. He would take Ponders, who would pose as an ancient statue, to the archeology guild in the capital and sell him. From there, not only would the village have a large source of gold, but Ponders would get to observe all that went on there unhindered.
The plan mostly worked. Ponders was sold to the guild. However, the guild had seen the harmony and the Awakened before. Two months into his observations, one of the Archeologists discovered Ponders true nature. When he was questioned, Ponders simply asked to be allowed to observe the goings on. This was allowed for a time, as long as he contributed occasionally to the Guilds knowledge of the Harmony. When he eventually asked how the Guild was storing what he told them, he was introduced properly to the idea of books - objects the fleshy creatures used for storing information.
It took Ponders a number of years to read the majority of the Guild Library, a feat that quite astounded the faculty. They knew of the Awakened’s hunger for knowledge, but to witness it in action was quite something else. Eventually, Ponders discovered the books detailing the sum total of Eanian knowledge on his own kind. He learned many things from these that had before been simply instinctual, but one discovery would stand out, bringing forth a new hunger for knowledge, a very specific kind of knowledge.
When Ponders discovered from the books that he was capable of Geomancy, he decided to travel to the best place the guild could point him for learning it. The Twilight College. However, his journey has not been particularly direct. He was distracted first at the forest in southern Eania, never having seen such a concentration of trees before. He observed it for six months before eventually moving on. He was once again delayed when he encountered the Twilight lands, and stopped to observe this strange phenomena and try to fathom why it was like it was. Three months he roamed the area before finally making it to the Twilight College, only a day before it was accepting new members.
Good Attributes:
-Knowledgable: 36 years may not seem like much, but when you need almost no rest and have no other interruptions to learning, it is a long time in which to accumulate knowledge. Ponders’ travels have taken him to many strange places, and he has learned all manner of things. From time to time, one of the facts he knows can come in useful, though only if he remembers in time.
-Patient: Even for a rock, Ponders is patient. He is content to act like a statue for extended periods of time, during which he will watch and think. He has also been known to read entire libraries of books with no concern as to the time it takes.
-Body of Stone: Ponders has all the advantages of being an Awakened Harmony outlined in the race description.
Bad Attributes:
-Curious: Ponders is a curious being. Far too Curious for his own good in fact. He will gladly risk damage and destruction for more knowledge, such is his thirst. As well, he has a particular hatred for secrets. As far as Ponders is concerned, no-one has the right to withhold information from him for any reason.
-Mind of Stone: Ponders may be a sentient thinking creature, but he is still made of stone. Ponders’ thought process and reaction times are slow compared to most beings. This can make dealing with him frustrating, as well as providing a potentially significant disadvantage in combat.
-Body of Stone: Ponders has all the disadvantages outlined in the Awakened Harmony race description.
Secret Word: Rebirth
Character name: Ponders. Mordent. The Twenty-seventh.
Age: 36
Mageblood type: Natura
Favoured Magic Class: Geomancy
Previous Magic training: None
Race: Awakened Harmony
Appearance:
Ponders’ form is pale blue by nature, comprised of a number of separately moving stones. The central glow is pale blue. When arranged in humanoid form, he stands at an imposing 8’1. Given the variable nature of his shape, however, his height at any moment can vary greatly.
Short Bio: Like all Awakened, Ponders rose from the lakes beneath the harmony at the last Awakening. At the time he was given the name ‘Mordent,’ which he retained for a number of years. He also bears the title ‘The Twenty-Seventh’ as he was the twenty-seventh Awakened to rise from the waters. Like all Awakened, he immediately set out to explore the world and gain knowledge. Ponders particular journey took him first to the Dwarven City of Ironstead. There he learned the dwarven language, as well as the common language, and first began to comprehend the world he now lived in. The Dwarves found him and his brothers fascinating, and for four years Ponders spent his time exchanging information with several Dwarven Geomancers as well as a Necromancer of the Motem-Necromancy learning. He was treated almost as an experiment, a being to be studied, however, he did not mind as the mages around him merely observed, and they also told him of the dwarven ways, their culture and history.
Young Awakened, however, are voracious learners, and rarely stay in one place for long as they hunger for knowledge. He departed Ironstead at age four, travelling south. He wandered the wilderness for 12 years, observing the many plants and animals of Eania and northern Djarkel, remembering all but never delving very deeply into the study of any one being. During this time, the Accelerated learning of a newly formed Awakened wore off, leaving him more in control. Many a month he would find a vantage point to watch an animal's den or hunting ground and stand as still as as a statue, simply watching.
This time of observation ended when he was found by a curious Eanian villager. It was much to the villagers surprise when the glowing statue struck up a conversation with him, but his curiosity won out over his sudden fear, something Ponders greatly approved of. The pair travelled back to the village, where Ponders once again took up an observing role. He remained here for 6 years, and it is here he received his name. One day one of the villagers asked him what he was actually doing while he stood watching and he replied ‘thinking.’ The villagers response was ‘what are you pondering?’ Though the villager did not know it, Ponders took a liking to the idea that he was forever pondering an idea, and so adopted it as his name.
After a time, Ponders had learned much of what there was to know about that particular village and asked if he could travel to the Eanian capital city. Instead of simply walking there, the villager who had first discovered him devised a plan. He would take Ponders, who would pose as an ancient statue, to the archeology guild in the capital and sell him. From there, not only would the village have a large source of gold, but Ponders would get to observe all that went on there unhindered.
The plan mostly worked. Ponders was sold to the guild. However, the guild had seen the harmony and the Awakened before. Two months into his observations, one of the Archeologists discovered Ponders true nature. When he was questioned, Ponders simply asked to be allowed to observe the goings on. This was allowed for a time, as long as he contributed occasionally to the Guilds knowledge of the Harmony. When he eventually asked how the Guild was storing what he told them, he was introduced properly to the idea of books - objects the fleshy creatures used for storing information.
It took Ponders a number of years to read the majority of the Guild Library, a feat that quite astounded the faculty. They knew of the Awakened’s hunger for knowledge, but to witness it in action was quite something else. Eventually, Ponders discovered the books detailing the sum total of Eanian knowledge on his own kind. He learned many things from these that had before been simply instinctual, but one discovery would stand out, bringing forth a new hunger for knowledge, a very specific kind of knowledge.
When Ponders discovered from the books that he was capable of Geomancy, he decided to travel to the best place the guild could point him for learning it. The Twilight College. However, his journey has not been particularly direct. He was distracted first at the forest in southern Eania, never having seen such a concentration of trees before. He observed it for six months before eventually moving on. He was once again delayed when he encountered the Twilight lands, and stopped to observe this strange phenomena and try to fathom why it was like it was. Three months he roamed the area before finally making it to the Twilight College, only a day before it was accepting new members.
Good Attributes:
-Knowledgable: 36 years may not seem like much, but when you need almost no rest and have no other interruptions to learning, it is a long time in which to accumulate knowledge. Ponders’ travels have taken him to many strange places, and he has learned all manner of things. From time to time, one of the facts he knows can come in useful, though only if he remembers in time.
-Patient: Even for a rock, Ponders is patient. He is content to act like a statue for extended periods of time, during which he will watch and think. He has also been known to read entire libraries of books with no concern as to the time it takes.
-Body of Stone: Ponders has all the advantages of being an Awakened Harmony outlined in the race description.
Bad Attributes:
-Curious: Ponders is a curious being. Far too Curious for his own good in fact. He will gladly risk damage and destruction for more knowledge, such is his thirst. As well, he has a particular hatred for secrets. As far as Ponders is concerned, no-one has the right to withhold information from him for any reason.
-Mind of Stone: Ponders may be a sentient thinking creature, but he is still made of stone. Ponders’ thought process and reaction times are slow compared to most beings. This can make dealing with him frustrating, as well as providing a potentially significant disadvantage in combat.
-Body of Stone: Ponders has all the disadvantages outlined in the Awakened Harmony race description.
Secret Word: Rebirth
Omega, we have found no appreciable flaws in your sheet at this time.
Accepted.
Feel free to get started whenever you are ready.
Accepted.
Feel free to get started whenever you are ready.
Rtron and Fallen aren't online yet. One GM cant decide on their own...
Be patient.
Be patient.
Just got up, going to read through it as part of my morning catch up. Expect results in the next few hours, sooner if no-one needs me to do anything...
I shall post once more when we arrive on the planet...
FallenReaper/SunderedEcho - Marya/Auriel
Running.
Auriel Lavai was running, nay, fleeing. She had been for what felt like an age, every part of her body burning with pain. Her muscles cried out to rest, her lungs seemed unable to draw enough breath. Her arms were wet with blood, a thin sheen coating her pale skin, seeping from a number of thin, shallow cuts. Her long red hair was unbound and flowing behind her, her axe in its ring and occasionally hitting her leg, aggravating a burn present there from a lightning bolt. Her dagger was still clutched in her left hand, and soaked in blood, not all of it hers. Her pursuers had long since given up the chase, but she dared not stop.
The moments dragged on with every step coming slower and more sluggishly, her vision blurring. The land seemed to have changed since she’d fled the forest border, not green and verdant, but grey and almost otherworldly. She was trying to make sense of it with her exhaustion wracked brain, but her body would not go on. She stumbled, and managed five more steps before falling to ground. In the last moment before she fell unconscious, she finally felt her body relax.
Mar’s eyes took in the strange colorless landscape, so different and alien when compared to the rich gold of the Yarosmere dunes. The strangeness had held the Naga’s attention for a bit now as she’d been left to her devices. Mainly to settle in and explore the territory of her residence...for how long, however, remained to be seen in the Naga’s mind. She had allowed her mind to relax before something moved, fast and unsteady, over the landscape. Her attention was easily ensnared by the unexpected, her head perked upright and body alerted to possible danger. Naturally her attention zoomed upon in an attempt to determine what it was. Mar narrowed her eyes against the ‘afternoon’ sun which was forever fixed betwixt twilight hours. To aid her less than satisfactory sight, her tongue flicked out to taste the scents, the thin tongue snaked exited and retreated.
From the scent that reached her, Mar could tell whatever had stumbled into the College grounds was bleeding at least. Wounded no doubt, but by what was anyone’s guess. Her hand went for her scythe, her finger held it tightly within her grasp and pulled it free from the ground. It was archaic and simple: a long, white rib sharpened at the side and tied to a much longer bone which gave her a lengthy reach and wide swept. However it was able to penetrate most beast’s hides easily enough. It wasn’t until the Wood Elf had stumbled for the last time, her feet brought her a few more paces, before her energy gave bring her to the ground. Cautiously, Mar approached. Her muscles shifted and skirted along the ground, the tail wounded its shape path towards the fallen. For several moments the Naga just stood there. Her eyes noted the the shallow breathing as Mar weighed the risk and finally, brought her coils forward. The tail slipped under the lithe form and gently lifted her, ready stop if there was movements.
Auriel snapped suddenly back into a waking state as she felt something slither beneath her. Her eyes flicked open, and her fingers tightened around the slick hilt of her dagger. Above her seemed to be a human woman, although something looked off about her. That something was made abundantly clear as Auriels eyes traveled down. This was no human, whatever this creature was was half human and half snake. And carrying a vicious looking bone scythe. Still too exhausted to think properly, her instincts kicked in. Seeing a monster with a weapon before her, she leaped to her feet as quickly as she could, which was far slower than she would’ve liked, and swung her crimson dagger in a reverse grip at the things throat, exclaiming in elven “Ulban!” as she went.
At the flash of the blade, Mar’s body reacted. Her torso tilted backwards, placed some quick space between the dagger and her throat as her eyes stayed free of emotion. Her eyes had picked up on the body’s tension just before the fallen Elf had attempted her attack. In that split second it took to register the aggression, she had made a decision that prevented damage. Her coils moved with a mind of its own. It pulled back, slide around Auriel’s middle then pinned the Elf down harshly. Likely Auriel, unless she did something, would feel her thin frame slammed into the earth and weighed down. Once Mar was certain the attacker wasn’t moving, she planted her weapon within reach distance and gripped the dagger hand’s wrist, mindful of any pitiful swipes made at her.
She knew words wouldn’t do much good to a wounded animal. Their minds panicked and laced with fear that any common sense had fled them, however, this creature wasn’t a beast. It took on a humanoid form and thus intelligent to some degree. At least Mar assumed. Her voice might’ve seemed cold when she spoke to the Elf, her voice leveled and firm.
“Calm yourself...if you can or I won’t release you…”
Before she knew what was happening, Auriel was trapped within the coiled tail of the snake-creature. She writhed and wriggled in an attempt to escape, but the constricting coils would not let up, and soon she felt herself being thrown onto the ground. She was briefly winded when she hit, having no way to stop or steady herself and she vaguely heard a woman's voice, catching only the last part of what she said. Was it the snake thing talking? It was human enough that it probably could. When she caught her breath again, a task made slightly difficult with the snakes tail still pressing down on her chest, she spoke, speaking the common tongue this time. “What the hell are you?” Her vision was slightly hazy and contact with the rough scales had aggravated the cuts on her arms. Auriel could tell she was defeated, and at the mercy of the snake-thing. She didn’t expect to survive, and couldn’t even spite the thing as her dagger had fallen out of reach.
Mar waited for several seconds, inwardly wondered if she had misjudged the creature’s intelligence level until the female spoke. Winded breath pressed through her lips, the air seemed to have been knocked from her, as she asked a question that didn’t surprise the Naga in the least. Certain the woman couldn’t move out from under her, Mar crossed over her arms against her bare torso and stared at the woman. In her mind, Mar was determining a possible answer. Memories from her earlier journey surfaced within her head until she finally broke the silence.
“A Naga… from Yarosmere. Now, I repeat… will you calm down? Or should I wait for you pass out first?” Mar once more asked, the Naga’s head tilted a little towards where the wound had been located on the female, a subtle hint at her meaning. She noted the humanoid had avoided answering her earlier question. At this moment, it was important because it would decide on if throwing the Elf was a necessary precaution to consider. Namely, if this female attacked her again even without her blade on hand.
She wasn’t the first creature to attack her in mistake. It seemed a common trait to in for biped ones like this Elf and each time, she had been met with aggression. Very few, unlike the Orc Karnage, hadn’t the foresight not to merely attack on sight then have the common sense to determine if they are intelligent to some degree. She took a closer look at the Elf, had seen only a few become lost in the vast desert on her watch and often forced them away towards the nearest town. Her eyes jerked up to the dull scene tinted in the twilight color though it had just edged to noon. In the background, a loud bell tolled, the only reliable mark for time within the College, and caused her to whip her head into that direction immediately. In the distance a small mass had assembled towards the iron gates. Their old crank faintly clanked and rattled upon being raised to allow the new students flood in, their forms tightly huddled together to disappear behind the stone walls. Again Mar turned back to Auriel when she spoke again.
A bell tolled in the distance….
It reminded Auriel of Eania’s capital. It was normally a mark of time, but Auriel had long since lost track of the time of day, and not long after that she’d stopped caring. A Naga? What was that? She thought. She’d never been as far south as Yarosmere, but she’d never heard of half snake people before, and the capital of Eania had every species in existence. Or so she had thought. She had heard hearsay that the Yarosmerians were barbaric and tribal. She’d never approached one to find out, but they certainly looked intimidating. This snake woman wasn’t even wearing anything though, and her weapon certainly looked barbaric. This strange appearance only convinced Auriel further that the end had come. Now the snake-woman, the Naga, was asking her to calm down. “Why should I calm down… Naga? So you can have an easy kill? Why don’t you just hurry up with it, I don’t have all day.”
Only one alternative remained to her for any chance of escape. One she couldn’t believe she was considering. She didn’t really want to hurt this Naga thing, but if it was her or the snake-woman, Auriel would choose herself. She’d already used her magic once today. It was too late to deny she had it now. Why not use it if it could save her? She tried to gather her strength for a burst of fire, anywhere would do, but it was hard to focus with the fog in her mind and nothing happened..
“If I wanted to kill you, Elf, then I won’t waste my breath talking to you.” Mar answered, unfazed by the female’s use of her race. After all it was what she was and never once had she told the creature her true name. “Besides, all I would’ve had to do is crush you with a little pressure then what I’ve chosen to apply. I merely don’t intend to allow you to kill me. So calm down and I’ll release you or I’ll wait until you pass out, leaving you to die here on your own…”
It was straight and to the point, a painful truth that neither could deny. If left alone, the Elf would’ve likely perished to blood loss. Her body became still while she shifted her lower jaw, realigned the small fangs within the top of her mouth. Her eyes stayed fixed upon the woman and waited for any laxing sign that she was calming, her tail ready to push harder or lighten depending on the reaction.
Seconds passed as Auriels groggy mind processed the words spoken by the Naga. From how she was feeling, it likely wouldn’t be long before the Naga’s prediction about her dying from her wounds would come true. If she wanted to live, and she really did, her only choice was to submit to whatever things this beast might do. With a great effort of will, she commanded her body to relax. She was even more at the mercy of the strange creature now than before. “I… you’re right… I’m not feeling so good.” She managed, still half expecting the Naga to just crush her anyway.
The moment the Elf relaxed for several seconds, Mar’s tail released the pressure. It lifted and pulled back, once more coiled underneath her and away from the female’s body. Again her eyes broke from the eagle spread Elfen to have her head jerk around her surrounding as if expecting some Ravine beast or other vicious creature to appear. She didn’t out of habit, more than actually believed she was in danger, though her reaction might’ve aroused the wounded female’s suspicions. Mar didn’t reply to the obvious remark made instead she asked the status, enabled her to some what gauge if there was need to aid the Elf back to the College.
“Can you walk at all and if so, how far?”
Auriel breathed a sigh of relief as the Naga slithered off her. She really was friendly, or at least not hostile… She still seemed agitated though, casting about as if expecting an ambush. A shrill laugh escaped Auriels lips at the sight, thinking the Naga was looking for her pursuers. “You can stop searching… The people that did this to me couldn’t keep up.” She reached then for her dagger, now able to reach the hilt, and grasped it, feeling its reassuring weight. “Of course I can walk.” She said confidently, starting to push herself up from the ground. She stood straight up, her agility intact even if her grace had fallen away several kilometers back. The moment she stood, though, she realized it had been a poor choice to make as her world spun out of control and she fell straight back to the ground with an exclamation, barely avoiding cutting herself on her dagger. She bit at her lip for the mistake, holding her tongue. Cursing the Naga for her own stupidity would not get her anywhere.
She thought for a moment then. She doubted she could make it to any town on her own, even if she knew where any were. The Naga wasn’t offering any help… She’d have to ask. She pushed herself to a sitting position and looked at the Naga’s face. “I uh… I don’t think I can walk on my own.”
“There’s always other dangers besides the ones you know,” Mar commented, then returned to look at the Elf when she started to move.
The biped was wobbly like a newborn Naga just crawling out her egg and it didn’t take long before she started to fall back down. The long tail lashed out and caught the Elf’s side, careful not to injury her, to cushion the tumble. It wasn’t a surprise. One thing the Naga did find it was to be an unsavory turn of events. If this woman couldn’t make it to the College then likely Mar would have to carry her but her expression remained even and unchanged when the thought crossed her mind. No point in complaining was one thing she knew. She watched the stranger sit upright, the only thing she was able to easily, then state what was already clear.
“There’s a College not far. They might have healers…” Mar started then added. “Since you can’t walk then I’ll have to pull you along. Get up on my tail and try to stay awake.”
Last thing Mar wanted was the Elf dying from blood loss and never waking up again. Carrying a dead body was never a good thing with any species.
Auriel felt the blood drain from her face at the mention of the college. So this was Fates big joke for her, she was going to end up at the college after all. For a moment she considered denying the Naga’s offer and just sitting back to die, but it was a quickly quelled thought. Magic wasn’t so bad that she would die over it, and there was always a chance that she’d be able to leave before they figured out she was a mageblood. She sheathed her dagger, slightly surprised the sheath hadn’t been lost in her mad dash and subsequent tussle with a snake-woman, then began to climb onto the Naga’s tail, putting her arms around the woman's waist. “Definitely one of the stranger ways I’ve traveled…” She said softly.
“It’s not about to become a common occurrence…” was all Mar said then slithered off towards the College.
Running.
Auriel Lavai was running, nay, fleeing. She had been for what felt like an age, every part of her body burning with pain. Her muscles cried out to rest, her lungs seemed unable to draw enough breath. Her arms were wet with blood, a thin sheen coating her pale skin, seeping from a number of thin, shallow cuts. Her long red hair was unbound and flowing behind her, her axe in its ring and occasionally hitting her leg, aggravating a burn present there from a lightning bolt. Her dagger was still clutched in her left hand, and soaked in blood, not all of it hers. Her pursuers had long since given up the chase, but she dared not stop.
The moments dragged on with every step coming slower and more sluggishly, her vision blurring. The land seemed to have changed since she’d fled the forest border, not green and verdant, but grey and almost otherworldly. She was trying to make sense of it with her exhaustion wracked brain, but her body would not go on. She stumbled, and managed five more steps before falling to ground. In the last moment before she fell unconscious, she finally felt her body relax.
Mar’s eyes took in the strange colorless landscape, so different and alien when compared to the rich gold of the Yarosmere dunes. The strangeness had held the Naga’s attention for a bit now as she’d been left to her devices. Mainly to settle in and explore the territory of her residence...for how long, however, remained to be seen in the Naga’s mind. She had allowed her mind to relax before something moved, fast and unsteady, over the landscape. Her attention was easily ensnared by the unexpected, her head perked upright and body alerted to possible danger. Naturally her attention zoomed upon in an attempt to determine what it was. Mar narrowed her eyes against the ‘afternoon’ sun which was forever fixed betwixt twilight hours. To aid her less than satisfactory sight, her tongue flicked out to taste the scents, the thin tongue snaked exited and retreated.
From the scent that reached her, Mar could tell whatever had stumbled into the College grounds was bleeding at least. Wounded no doubt, but by what was anyone’s guess. Her hand went for her scythe, her finger held it tightly within her grasp and pulled it free from the ground. It was archaic and simple: a long, white rib sharpened at the side and tied to a much longer bone which gave her a lengthy reach and wide swept. However it was able to penetrate most beast’s hides easily enough. It wasn’t until the Wood Elf had stumbled for the last time, her feet brought her a few more paces, before her energy gave bring her to the ground. Cautiously, Mar approached. Her muscles shifted and skirted along the ground, the tail wounded its shape path towards the fallen. For several moments the Naga just stood there. Her eyes noted the the shallow breathing as Mar weighed the risk and finally, brought her coils forward. The tail slipped under the lithe form and gently lifted her, ready stop if there was movements.
Auriel snapped suddenly back into a waking state as she felt something slither beneath her. Her eyes flicked open, and her fingers tightened around the slick hilt of her dagger. Above her seemed to be a human woman, although something looked off about her. That something was made abundantly clear as Auriels eyes traveled down. This was no human, whatever this creature was was half human and half snake. And carrying a vicious looking bone scythe. Still too exhausted to think properly, her instincts kicked in. Seeing a monster with a weapon before her, she leaped to her feet as quickly as she could, which was far slower than she would’ve liked, and swung her crimson dagger in a reverse grip at the things throat, exclaiming in elven “Ulban!” as she went.
At the flash of the blade, Mar’s body reacted. Her torso tilted backwards, placed some quick space between the dagger and her throat as her eyes stayed free of emotion. Her eyes had picked up on the body’s tension just before the fallen Elf had attempted her attack. In that split second it took to register the aggression, she had made a decision that prevented damage. Her coils moved with a mind of its own. It pulled back, slide around Auriel’s middle then pinned the Elf down harshly. Likely Auriel, unless she did something, would feel her thin frame slammed into the earth and weighed down. Once Mar was certain the attacker wasn’t moving, she planted her weapon within reach distance and gripped the dagger hand’s wrist, mindful of any pitiful swipes made at her.
She knew words wouldn’t do much good to a wounded animal. Their minds panicked and laced with fear that any common sense had fled them, however, this creature wasn’t a beast. It took on a humanoid form and thus intelligent to some degree. At least Mar assumed. Her voice might’ve seemed cold when she spoke to the Elf, her voice leveled and firm.
“Calm yourself...if you can or I won’t release you…”
Before she knew what was happening, Auriel was trapped within the coiled tail of the snake-creature. She writhed and wriggled in an attempt to escape, but the constricting coils would not let up, and soon she felt herself being thrown onto the ground. She was briefly winded when she hit, having no way to stop or steady herself and she vaguely heard a woman's voice, catching only the last part of what she said. Was it the snake thing talking? It was human enough that it probably could. When she caught her breath again, a task made slightly difficult with the snakes tail still pressing down on her chest, she spoke, speaking the common tongue this time. “What the hell are you?” Her vision was slightly hazy and contact with the rough scales had aggravated the cuts on her arms. Auriel could tell she was defeated, and at the mercy of the snake-thing. She didn’t expect to survive, and couldn’t even spite the thing as her dagger had fallen out of reach.
Mar waited for several seconds, inwardly wondered if she had misjudged the creature’s intelligence level until the female spoke. Winded breath pressed through her lips, the air seemed to have been knocked from her, as she asked a question that didn’t surprise the Naga in the least. Certain the woman couldn’t move out from under her, Mar crossed over her arms against her bare torso and stared at the woman. In her mind, Mar was determining a possible answer. Memories from her earlier journey surfaced within her head until she finally broke the silence.
“A Naga… from Yarosmere. Now, I repeat… will you calm down? Or should I wait for you pass out first?” Mar once more asked, the Naga’s head tilted a little towards where the wound had been located on the female, a subtle hint at her meaning. She noted the humanoid had avoided answering her earlier question. At this moment, it was important because it would decide on if throwing the Elf was a necessary precaution to consider. Namely, if this female attacked her again even without her blade on hand.
She wasn’t the first creature to attack her in mistake. It seemed a common trait to in for biped ones like this Elf and each time, she had been met with aggression. Very few, unlike the Orc Karnage, hadn’t the foresight not to merely attack on sight then have the common sense to determine if they are intelligent to some degree. She took a closer look at the Elf, had seen only a few become lost in the vast desert on her watch and often forced them away towards the nearest town. Her eyes jerked up to the dull scene tinted in the twilight color though it had just edged to noon. In the background, a loud bell tolled, the only reliable mark for time within the College, and caused her to whip her head into that direction immediately. In the distance a small mass had assembled towards the iron gates. Their old crank faintly clanked and rattled upon being raised to allow the new students flood in, their forms tightly huddled together to disappear behind the stone walls. Again Mar turned back to Auriel when she spoke again.
A bell tolled in the distance….
It reminded Auriel of Eania’s capital. It was normally a mark of time, but Auriel had long since lost track of the time of day, and not long after that she’d stopped caring. A Naga? What was that? She thought. She’d never been as far south as Yarosmere, but she’d never heard of half snake people before, and the capital of Eania had every species in existence. Or so she had thought. She had heard hearsay that the Yarosmerians were barbaric and tribal. She’d never approached one to find out, but they certainly looked intimidating. This snake woman wasn’t even wearing anything though, and her weapon certainly looked barbaric. This strange appearance only convinced Auriel further that the end had come. Now the snake-woman, the Naga, was asking her to calm down. “Why should I calm down… Naga? So you can have an easy kill? Why don’t you just hurry up with it, I don’t have all day.”
Only one alternative remained to her for any chance of escape. One she couldn’t believe she was considering. She didn’t really want to hurt this Naga thing, but if it was her or the snake-woman, Auriel would choose herself. She’d already used her magic once today. It was too late to deny she had it now. Why not use it if it could save her? She tried to gather her strength for a burst of fire, anywhere would do, but it was hard to focus with the fog in her mind and nothing happened..
“If I wanted to kill you, Elf, then I won’t waste my breath talking to you.” Mar answered, unfazed by the female’s use of her race. After all it was what she was and never once had she told the creature her true name. “Besides, all I would’ve had to do is crush you with a little pressure then what I’ve chosen to apply. I merely don’t intend to allow you to kill me. So calm down and I’ll release you or I’ll wait until you pass out, leaving you to die here on your own…”
It was straight and to the point, a painful truth that neither could deny. If left alone, the Elf would’ve likely perished to blood loss. Her body became still while she shifted her lower jaw, realigned the small fangs within the top of her mouth. Her eyes stayed fixed upon the woman and waited for any laxing sign that she was calming, her tail ready to push harder or lighten depending on the reaction.
Seconds passed as Auriels groggy mind processed the words spoken by the Naga. From how she was feeling, it likely wouldn’t be long before the Naga’s prediction about her dying from her wounds would come true. If she wanted to live, and she really did, her only choice was to submit to whatever things this beast might do. With a great effort of will, she commanded her body to relax. She was even more at the mercy of the strange creature now than before. “I… you’re right… I’m not feeling so good.” She managed, still half expecting the Naga to just crush her anyway.
The moment the Elf relaxed for several seconds, Mar’s tail released the pressure. It lifted and pulled back, once more coiled underneath her and away from the female’s body. Again her eyes broke from the eagle spread Elfen to have her head jerk around her surrounding as if expecting some Ravine beast or other vicious creature to appear. She didn’t out of habit, more than actually believed she was in danger, though her reaction might’ve aroused the wounded female’s suspicions. Mar didn’t reply to the obvious remark made instead she asked the status, enabled her to some what gauge if there was need to aid the Elf back to the College.
“Can you walk at all and if so, how far?”
Auriel breathed a sigh of relief as the Naga slithered off her. She really was friendly, or at least not hostile… She still seemed agitated though, casting about as if expecting an ambush. A shrill laugh escaped Auriels lips at the sight, thinking the Naga was looking for her pursuers. “You can stop searching… The people that did this to me couldn’t keep up.” She reached then for her dagger, now able to reach the hilt, and grasped it, feeling its reassuring weight. “Of course I can walk.” She said confidently, starting to push herself up from the ground. She stood straight up, her agility intact even if her grace had fallen away several kilometers back. The moment she stood, though, she realized it had been a poor choice to make as her world spun out of control and she fell straight back to the ground with an exclamation, barely avoiding cutting herself on her dagger. She bit at her lip for the mistake, holding her tongue. Cursing the Naga for her own stupidity would not get her anywhere.
She thought for a moment then. She doubted she could make it to any town on her own, even if she knew where any were. The Naga wasn’t offering any help… She’d have to ask. She pushed herself to a sitting position and looked at the Naga’s face. “I uh… I don’t think I can walk on my own.”
“There’s always other dangers besides the ones you know,” Mar commented, then returned to look at the Elf when she started to move.
The biped was wobbly like a newborn Naga just crawling out her egg and it didn’t take long before she started to fall back down. The long tail lashed out and caught the Elf’s side, careful not to injury her, to cushion the tumble. It wasn’t a surprise. One thing the Naga did find it was to be an unsavory turn of events. If this woman couldn’t make it to the College then likely Mar would have to carry her but her expression remained even and unchanged when the thought crossed her mind. No point in complaining was one thing she knew. She watched the stranger sit upright, the only thing she was able to easily, then state what was already clear.
“There’s a College not far. They might have healers…” Mar started then added. “Since you can’t walk then I’ll have to pull you along. Get up on my tail and try to stay awake.”
Last thing Mar wanted was the Elf dying from blood loss and never waking up again. Carrying a dead body was never a good thing with any species.
Auriel felt the blood drain from her face at the mention of the college. So this was Fates big joke for her, she was going to end up at the college after all. For a moment she considered denying the Naga’s offer and just sitting back to die, but it was a quickly quelled thought. Magic wasn’t so bad that she would die over it, and there was always a chance that she’d be able to leave before they figured out she was a mageblood. She sheathed her dagger, slightly surprised the sheath hadn’t been lost in her mad dash and subsequent tussle with a snake-woman, then began to climb onto the Naga’s tail, putting her arms around the woman's waist. “Definitely one of the stranger ways I’ve traveled…” She said softly.
“It’s not about to become a common occurrence…” was all Mar said then slithered off towards the College.
© 2007-2026