Member
We didn't want this to die either...buuuuttt
- Last Seen: 2 days ago
- Joined: 9 yrs ago
- Posts: 818 (0.24 / day)
- VMs: 2
-
Username history
- Timemaster 9 yrs ago
-
Latest 10 profile visitors:
-
Most recent →
xVampire3go,
adncod,
Lord Zee,
TheTimePiece,
Neziul,
Vec,
CitrusArms,
ppppppp,
Not a Sayan,
Rekkuza
Status
Recent Statuses
6 mos ago
Current
Happy new year everyone!
1
like
5 yrs ago
Happy birthday me!
6
likes
5 yrs ago
That moment when you try connecting the mouse in the usb port and then being confused as to why you can't move the cursor with the USB cable....
2
likes
Bio
Also known as : Ashevelendar/Ashevelen/AsheTheReborn
Best compliment so far from @Tortoise
On the brilliant roleplay : Through The Gateways
Playing as the Goddess of Trade in Divinus 7
Playing as the Goddess of Shadowy-Trades in Divinus 7
Thank you!
Best compliment so far from @Tortoise
On the brilliant roleplay : Through The Gateways
Playing as the Goddess of Trade in Divinus 7
Playing as the Goddess of Shadowy-Trades in Divinus 7
Thank you!
Most Recent Posts
The Journey - Part 2.1 - Side Quest - Protect the Village! - Unknown - Light Woods Village
The Penumbral party, now armed with new weapons and clad in armour, were more than ready to protect the village or so they thought.
Or so they thought.
The situation in the village was worse than they thought it would be. Way worse. Most of the buildings were overrun by the vegetation that seemed to have grown as if by magic and while some effort to clear them out was initially made, it was obvious that the work was never finished.
The "guards'', if one could even call them like that, were a ragtag group of villagers armed with sharpened sticks and stones. Clearly over exhausted, little hope in their eyes. Some hasty barricades were built from the corpses of different creatures they've managed to kill and wood they've cut but that wouldn't help them against the flying plant monsters. Not for long…
As soon as the group approached, the guards were suspicious, never having seen an Umbra but after a few conversations back and forth, they let the group pass on.
The situation in the village was worse than it looked from a distance. Piles of dead bodies were thrown unceremoniously in a hole, most of them stripped to the skin. The villagers looked like corpses themselves. Exhausted, starving and they barely had any water left. Truly a scene which would haunt Penumbra’s dreams for the next few months.
The leader of the village was of an unknown mortal species for the group, same like the guards and everyone else in the village. Looking similar to the Satyrs, but with no excess hair, no hooves and especially, white skin. Custosa and Dahm stayed behind to help the villagers, as Penumbra went forward to speak with the leader.
" Greetings! We are…" started to say Penumbra as the human turned towards them and said
" No offence, stranger but if you're not here to help, then know I've got no time for you. We need to finish packing by sunrise and you're in the way. " before lifting up two bags that looked quite heavy.
Penumbra looked at the leader once more as they formulated their reply. He was tall, taller than most Umbra and his big muscles shined in the light of the touches and short white hair and face with quite a few wrinkles made them seem too old to be able to lift so much and with such ease.
" My name is Penumbra and we are here to help. What are you called and what are you? "
The leader turned towards Penumbra with a glint of hope in his eyes. " I'm George, leader of this poor rabble. I am a human or at least that's what we call ourselves. I'm assuming you're an Umbra, an elf and I don't know what your companion is. Help me here. " George said before taking a dead body by the legs as Penumbra took its arms and then guided it to the pit.
" A Satyr. I'm assuming they're something like you are but the Goddess Ashevelen modified them for her own uses, shortly after she made us. " explained Umbra.
" Whatever, I honestly don’t care. The plants have gone crazy and we’re about to be overrun, very soon. We’re hoping to gather everyone in a hole in the ground we’ve dug, some will stay to fill it up and lat–” started George before stopping mid-sentence as a howl could be heard. Putting everyone on edge.
“ Look, I’ve got a way to take everyone out of the village until it will be safe or something else happens but it’ll cost you. ”
George turned towards Penumbra and for the first time since they met, looked them into the eye.
“ Anything. Name it and if we can give it, we will. ”
“ There isn’t much you can offer, as I can see. Offer a year of service in my village, Shadowton. Whatever needs doing, you and your people will do. Swear to me and we’ll make it happen. ”
George shook his head and told Penumbra to wait, this was a decision which all should take. Quickly gathering the villagers, bar the guards, George explained to them the offer and after a few grumblings, shouts and howls from the forest, they all agreed.
Taking a torch and asking Custosa to climb on the building and hold it high. A massive shadow was formed. Uttering the words of the Goddess, Penumbra instructed each human on what they had to say and that was it. In a matter of minutes, the whole village, around 33 humans including children, appeared in the Shadow Bazaar. Penumbra soon followed them and made sure they’ve got somewhere to sleep in the Bazaar before going back.
Only to find George appearing next to them a few minutes later.
“ I cannot let you go alone. I've said I'll offer a year of service, let it be with you and if I die fighting the Mind Pod…then let it be. Don't worry about my age, I've still got a lot of strength in this old body. "
" If you're sure, then you're welcome and by the power invested in me by the Goddess Ashevelen, I name thee a [Strongman] Class. "
Sure enough, the notification rang in George's head.
And so, with a new companion in tow, the group went to fight the Mind Pod.
Turn 3 - The Holy Book of Trades
The Kathetikon and Ashevelen
Before even thinking of leaving once more to find special objects, mortals etc. to sell at her bazaar, Ashevelen decided it was time to pay a visit to a divine she considered a friend. Not only because their knowledge seemed to encompass everything there was but also because of their behaviour, friendly and well mannered. Luckly, this trip wasn’t something that would take too long as they chose to make their own realm very close to the Umbral Forest.
Taking flight, Ashevelen sped across the forest at an inhuman speed and reached the Grand Library in mere minutes. Letting out a blast of divine energy to announce her presence, she landed at the base of it. Looking at its magnificent doors, she shouted out loud.
“ Kathe’! You around? Ashevelen’s here. ”
The doors opened themselves for Ashevelen the moment she stepped before them, seamlessly gliding forth as they revealed an enormous complex of disparate buildings, each connected by bridges of fabricated material and gentle currents of wind. The gate she had landed at was merely an entryway, and the view that awaited her beyond it was spectacularly breathtaking: buildings of iridescent marble cluttered themselves around spiralling towers of glass and gemstone, dotted atop the many peaks of the mountains like the many jewels in a great coronet. The tower nearest to her, some distance away to the north-west, appeared to be a stained glass depiction of a stately woman presiding over an ornate scroll, dictating its contents to mortals below who exchanged goods at her command. As the rays of sunlight filtered through the glass it began to shift and warp, the individual panes shifting in size and colour, until Ashevelen’s face was clearly visible within it. The light began to refract and split, projecting the image contained within onto the very sky above, and the image of Ashe began to sweep its hand across the way towards the building atop the very highest peak. As it moved, a shadowy bridge was left from her trailing movements, and the shadow began to consume the brilliantly sparkling image in the sky until it was all that remained and it began to fade away into nothingness.
The path of shadow was real enough, and led directly up into the great vault where the Kathetikon resided–as Ashe began to make her way up towards it the sleek obsidian doors silently dissolved into nothingness to reveal the vault’s interior where the Kathetikon eagerly awaited her.
“Ah, Ashevelen, welcome to the Grand Library! Is this a visit for business or for pleasure?” the sentient tome asked, its words vibrating through the air as it swivelled to look down at Ashe as she ascended.
The Lady of the Trade watched with wonder the image of herself and the buildings. Amazing place, she thought and smiled. Her own realm would soon look like this or maybe even better when it would be filled with valuables.
She lifted herself up to Kathe’s height and gave them a friendly bow, throwing a coin towards them in respect. “ Greetings, Kathe’! I would say it’s a bit of both and to add to that, some curiosity. I’ve recently created my own realm and I’m curious how other divine’s realms look like. Maybe get some ideas of my own or trade some ideas that I’ve incorporated in mine. Have a look for yourself. ” replied Ashevelen and with a wave of her hand, a portal opened in a nearby shadow.
On the other side of the portal, clear as daylight, the Shadow Bazaar could be seen. Souls of Umbras were moving cargo around, setting up their respective stalls. Shadowy towers, taller than mountains littered the background and in the center…a tower taller than all. Ashevelen’s own seat of power.
”Oh, how curious! I would be more than happy to take a brief sojourn to your own demesne–and I have many collections of knowledge from other worlds to share with you should you desire inspiration. If you are curious, it is my calling to help you find the answers you seek!” the Kathetikon began, its pages making a pleasing sound almost like rumbling laughter as it happily manoeuvred its way through the portal of shadow that Ashe had created and observed the realm in all its glory.
“ My curiosity is curious, sibling? ” replied Ashe with a wink before adding “ Indeed, I do require some inspiration and something to sell. Mundane things, I’ve got but nothing truly special. That’s why I’ve sent my champion, Penumbra, to visit the world. Maybe their mortal eyes can see something that we, divines, cannot. ”
”Oh, how could I forget? Anagnostis!” the Kathetikon began, and the air began to shimmer and distort around them as globules of pitch-dark ink formed and coalesced together rapidly, taking the form of a humanoid silhouette and solidifying rapidly. A great quill emerged from it in the next moment, and then suddenly the God of Curiosity and Knowledge’s avatar was there with them. It eagerly took the Kathetikon in its hands and began to write rapidly, at a pace far outspeeding anything a mortal could even comprehend, and it looked up at Ashevelen with deferent and awestruck eyes.
“The Master has much to observe and learn about your realm, Lady Ashevelen, so they will be communicating through me for the rest of the journey–the Master hopes you understand, as communicating directly is quite a taxing endeavour for a book and the space you have crafted is so intriguing that the Master does not wish to divide its attention…” Anagnostis began, perusing the surroundings eagerly and snapping its eyes back to the goddess every few seconds to ensure it missed nothing she might say or do.
Ashevelen looked with interest as Anagnostis appeared next to them. She approached him and looked at him similar to how a jeweller checks a prized gem for quality. “ An avatar, Kathe’? Interesting way of bypassing the “limits” of your own form. I never considered making one to be honest. Is this one sentient or just an extension of your own will? ” asked Ashevelen, Kathe’, before listening to Anagnostis and replying to him in kind.
“ I understand their reasoning, avatar. I thank you, Anagnostis, for helping your creator out. Here, this is on me. They’ll allow you to purchase goods or services in my realm.” Ashevelen took out the self-printing coin and threw a few coins at Anagnostis.
”Ask her to show us around, Anagnostis! I sense that the shadows of this place have secrets, and we simply must record them!” “The Master wishes for you to lead us on a tour, if that is amenable to you?” Anagnostis began, barely suppressing a cheeky grin as it read the will of its Master through its pages and continued to scrawl eagerly across the Kathetikon.
” Not sure if you can fly but it’ll be easier for both of you to see and for my servants to go along with their business without us blocking their ways. ” said Ashevelen before lifting Anagnostis in the air, giving him the power of flight while in her realm.
Umbras and Satyrs roamed the bazaar, going from stall to stall and purchasing whatever they found interesting. Sure enough, some elves could be seen milling around, looking for whatever they found most interesting.
“ It seems that some elves have found their way here as well. I wish that one day, all mortals will. ” said Ashe absent-mindedly as she pointed out different places in the bazaar. The Shadow Bazaar looked as one would imagine a bazaar to look like, market stalls in every direction. Some filled to the brim with mundane objects, others sporting cages for the different animals of the world that were showcased in a non-coin form.
The architecture was something of a wonder itself, as it was a mix and match of different architectures from every place Ashevelen travelled to. Some buildings were alive and in constant motion, some inert, while others would just appear and disappear from view if one didn’t look at them for longer than a few seconds.
“Ah, thank you, lady Ashevelen–though I am capable of flight myself–” Anagnostis began, before causing wings crafted from scrolls and books and manuscripts to emerge from its shoulder blades, “it is an honour to receive such a boon from you, and I shall embrace the umbral power you have given me eagerly.” Anagnostis smiled, quickly taking a peek down at the Kathetikon as it spoke. ”Ah, inform her that you are a being of variable knowledge created to be able to authentically experience all facets of reality with as much or as little of my information as is necessary to produce the desired results. Make sure that you survey the architecture of those stalls too, as I’m quite sure I’ve seen something like them before…”
“The Master wishes you to understand my nature as an avatar: I am a consciousness innately linked to the vast realms of knowledge contained within the Kathetikon’s pages, and by the Kathetikon’s will I am either imbued with or divested of knowledge as appropriate. I am a vessel meant to experience the world from various perspectives, so as to enable the Master to accurately record all living experiences within itself. One day the Master will give me the noetic profile of a mortal that might end up in your bazaar, so I may experience it as they do… but for now I am possessed of the entirety of the Master’s knowledge, so as to better facilitate conversation with such a worthy partner! As one of the Master’s siblings, you are entitled only to the very best they can offer, after all.” Anagnostis spoke, its attention split between talking to Ashevelen and surveying the various delights of the Bazaar. It took only seconds for it to become utterly focused on some particular configuration of stalls and begin subconsciously drifting towards it, rapidly transcribing notes as it did so.
" Intriguing. Very much so. I'm assuming he's not for sale, Kathetikon?" asked Ashe in a joking manner before turning her attention to Anagnostis.
”Oh, she knows that you aren’t for sale, Anagnostis. Laugh at her joke and check out the stalls over there nearest to Ashevelen’s tower–they remind me of something I’ve seen before, a… hm, check it out while I think!” the Kathetikon wrote upon itself, causing Anagnostis to flush a little red in the cheeks before politely laughing at Ashe’s little joke.
" These powers will last while you're in my realm. A boon for a friend. Now, what do you wish to see? The architecture of my realm is inspired from everywhere I've travelled but the most important parts are still inspired from this world. I don't wanna scare any of the mortals that will come here, pretty sure you understand how they would react if they'd see some of the more…weird places of the cosmos. " replied Ashe with a grin.
“Ah, the Master had some recollection of those stalls closest to your tower–what are they selling, to have earned such a position of prestige? What is the system one uses to decide who may sell their wares in this space most aligned with your will?” Anagnostis began, but quickly looked down at the Book to find that it had written another sentence to direct it. ”Ah, yes, that sector over there is very reminiscent of the Thymesian Price, a wondrous market contained within the eternal dream of a powerful psychic–it was commonplace there to trade one’s memories of rare and powerful events for other bits of equally esoteric and difficult to come by knowledge. Ashevelen has made it her own, though, and allowed them to imprint their memories upon her coins for ease of trading… but note the crystalline glint to its edge!”
“Oh, the Master thinks your designs are very inspired. They think they recognise some of the influences you might have adapted, and we would very much like to see what else you’ve come up with! Shall we, Lady Ashe?” Anagnostis smiled, its featureless face pointed down towards the buildings at the base of the Goddess’ tower. It could not help but tilt its face back up towards the tower, occasionally scanning it as it looked, and after only a moment of this the pair soared down towards their destination.
“ You’ve got a good eye , Kathe’. They are indeed from the Thymesian Price, albeit with a tiny modification from yours truly. With a knowledge as yours, I’m sure you’ll recognize more places…deeper as we go. ” replied Ashe before going down towards their destination. The stalls closest to the tower. Just a few of them, in comparison to everywhere else. Five stalls of the eight that surrounded Ashe’s tower were unfortunately empty at the moment.
“ Apologies for those five. They are currently empty but I’ll have them filled up in no time but to answer your question…” replied Ashe as they approached one of the stalls that was manned by an Umbra that trembled in fear and exaltation at the same time.
“ Be at ease, Galxus. You are not to be replaced. Now, show us your goods. ” and as if on cue, Galxus spread open their hands and coins appeared on the table. Each of the coins was made out of a black material but if touched, they would offer the one that touched them an image of what was being sold.
Ashevelen picked one at random and gently flipped it over to Anagnostis. “ Hold it in your hand and you’ll see what this one sells. ” said Ashe and true enough, as soon as Anagnostis would hold the coin, an image of a Tarsk would appear in his mind. The image would then change slightly, highlighting different body parts of the Tarsk, their usage, what they eat etc.
Anagnostis found itself enthralled by the mixture of familiarity and discovery presented to it: knowing just enough to have an idea of the outline of things only to discover that the details were new and unique was a joy beyond words. It happily perused the wares eagerly, even going so far as to smile sheepishly at the Umbra’s reaction to Ashe’s approach. It found it very interesting that one of Ashe’s own creations and subjects who had been called to serve in her very realm could possibly still be scared of the Goddess, but the Kathetikon quickly scrawled on its pages various theories and Anagnostis pondered them as it looked down at the coins and took one in its hand. The metal was cool to the touch and close to intangible, as if it were the shadow of a coin rather than something concrete and real; but that was simply to be expected of the Lady of Trade and Shadow, and Anagnostis thoroughly enjoyed mentally comparing it to the other coins it had received from her earlier–at least it did until the concepts of a Tarsk began to flood its mind from having touched the coin.
Anagnostis giggled in delight as it began to examine the strange and new lifeform in its mental landscape, quickly taking up its quill and beginning to draw an image in full colour within the Kathetikon’s pages. It opened its mouth as if to ask questions before suddenly stopping as the image shifted and morphed, each of its nascent inquiries answered before it could even vocalise them. A few moments of rapid scribbling passed before Anagnostis actually thought to speak up to Galxus.
“I don’t suppose you offer a ‘try before you buy’ scheme, Galxus? While I would love to engage in a trade with you, I am not sure that there is much place for a Tarsk in the Grand Library…” Anagnostis queried, its head tilted slightly to the side so as to suggest a certain whimsical curiosity to its words. It quickly looked down at the tome to divine the Kathetikon’s will, only to find the book in the middle of writing something new for it to look at: ”I could make a space for it, but then I’d have to create some beings to care for it and look after it… perhaps when the mortals I have revealed myself to come searching for my halls we will have the capacity to care for these creatures as they deserve. Check what else it sells, Anagnostis!”
Anagnostis eagerly picked up the second coin, awaiting the new and interesting wares that would be shown to it.
Galxus watched the divines with wonder and a bit of fear. They enjoyed trading in this spot, buyers missing as it was. They recently died and barely managed to convince the Goddess to buy their most prized-possession, a small rock that shined in brilliant colours if light was shined on it. A diamond, the Goddess called it, they remembered with pride. But, now, the Goddess is back with someone else? Maybe it was their time to be removed, maybe the Goddess changed her decision…but their feeling was replaced by the innate one that all Umbra had. Trading or greed, whatever one may call it. They didn’t know but it was what they knew since creation.
“ We don’t do that in the Shadow Bazaar of the Lady of the Trade, dear customer. You can pay only a bigger price now and take whatever you may wish and if you don’t find the goods up to your standards, you may bring it back and receive the difference. ” replied Galxus while throwing a look at Ashevelen. Their proposed scheme was not something that the Goddess taught them which means it was a creation of their own and for a split-second doubt was seen in their eyes but with a tiny nod from Ashevelen, it disappeared from their eyes as they finished talking.
”Hah, what was that saying… Caveat Emptor, dear Anagnostis! Though we can be quite certain Ashevelen and her subjects would never try to swindle us, the law of trade is quite clear: deals struck are final. It is generous indeed for her to offer any means by which one may be even partially refunded their investment–thank her, Anagnostis!” wrote itself upon the Kathetikon’s pages, and Anagnostis made certain to give Ashe a profoundly deep bow and offer up its thanks for the generosity of the system she’d created.
Offering another coin to Anagnostis, this one when touched would show an Umbra in their prime. It would do different actions like walking or changing their form then the image would shift showing the same Umbra but older and it gradually worked its way up until it hardened into a pool of goop. The image would start again from the same Umbra but as a young one and like before, each body part was analysed in detail with all the abilities a Umbra had or could develop naturally. The image shifted again and showed how Umbras multiplied, their speed of doing so and a projected number of current existing Umbras in the world.
Ashevelen interjected with her own words after Anagnostis was busy with the coin. “ Why make your own mortals? I’ve got loads to spare. Just wait for Anagnostis to check that coin he’s holding. ”
Anagnostis took the second coin just as eagerly as the first, feeling its textures in its ink-spun hands as it closed its eyes to focus on the images that would soon come to it. It observed the Umbra’s lifecycle with especially keen interest, fervently writing down its experiences in the Kathetikon even with its eyes closed. It would occasionally flick a couple of pages back to view its notes on the Umbra that had taken refuge within Logiopolis, and noted that the Umbra there were different from these purer ones with their gradients of extreme colouration. It quickly drew a shockingly realistic image of the two side-by-side and held the Tome of All Things up to Ashe (making absolutely sure that Galxus or any passers-by would not gaze upon the fabled tome’s pages) and showed her the difference between the two.
“Ah, were you aware that a separate species of your Umbra have been created? They seem to possess unique pigmentation not ordinarily possible within their physiology and are free to adapt to their environments at shockingly rapid paces–Pyonexos and I did a study to try and quantify some of these changes, but not enough time has passed yet for us to know precisely–” Anagnostis began, only to blush once more and quickly turn the tome back to itself as it felt its Master’s will being expressed through the pages once more.
”I believe it was the work of the god known as Myrtu, explained to us as the ‘God-Star’. None of the other names I was given matched its description from the writings I have been able to observe, so by process of elimination I have determined this must be the correct sibling. I am eager to meet them, though circumstance has not yet seen fit to bring them to our doors. Stop getting distracted, Anagnostis! You’re supposed to be reading me to Ashe!” the tome displayed, and Anagnostis yelped loudly as it almost dropped the Kathetikon and scrambled to keep it within its hands. “A-ah! Sorry, Master, I was just thinking of the time that Pyonexos and I had to adjudicate a trade between the Umbra and the–forgive me my clumsiness, Lady Ashe, this coin simply brought back some very happy memories for me…” Anagnostis began, stuttering slightly as it took a quick moment to regain its composure and place the coin back down on Galxus’ stall.
“How much would you like for it, Galxus?”
Ashevelen looked at the image of the other Umbra that Myrtu created with an expression of wonder. Their colours were very interesting and something that Ashe might adopt in the next upgrade of the Umbra which would be soon. Intriguing abilities as well, good to remember, they might be useful in the future.
“ Amazing and they don’t even have hooves. I do agree with you, Kathe’. These are for sure modifications done by our brother, Myrtu. I’ve met him once, I’ve bought some humans from him and then modified them into the ones you know as Satyrs. They will eventually end up here as all the Umbras and I’ll find out more, they just need to die first. ” replied Ashe, her eyes shining.
As soon as Anagnostis almost dropped his charge, a small shadow pillar rose from the ground to catch Kathe’ but as Anagnostis caught them back, it dissipated into nothingness.
“ Easy there Anagnostis, if Kathe’ touches the ground they’re mine and I haven’t yet sold a divine to anyone. ” said Ashe with a friendly chuckle.
”Oho, you should be so lucky Ashe! I am more than capable of arresting my own movement, but I did create an avatar precisely so I would not have to exert myself… Be more careful, Anagnostis! You have one job! I know that job is ‘help me discover and record everything’, but it’s only one job and you’re a shard of a divine!” the Kathetikon displayed, the writing on its pages starting off keenly focused and sharp-edged, but softening considerably at the end. Anagnostis permitted itself a slight chuckle at its Master’s jibe before returning Ashe’s smile.
Galxus looked at Ashevelen, then at Anagnostis and smiled.
“ Depends. What can you offer the Goddess? It will be five-hundred coins if you wish to buy the Umbra, adding to that you might not wish to have one and return later with them, it’ll be eight-hundred coins. ” said Galxus. The price was more than it should’ve been by a lot but that’s how a cunning Umbra acted.
“Ah, 500 coins you say? Let’s see…” Anagnostis began in response, rifling through the book’s pages. Ashe would catch occasional glimpses of the various chapters and appendices that the book contained, most notably amongst them a section amongst the trading of sapient beings. Anagnostis skimmed down the page, occasionally taking a second to look up at Galxus with its featureless face, before it made a small noise of pleasant surprise and its feather-like finger tapped the Kathetikon’s pages gently.
“I believe that is an incorrect estimate by approximately 400 of these coins. Surely such an esteemed trader as yourself to have earned a spot so close to Lady Ashevelen’s tower would not have appraised the value of an object so poorly, hmm?” Anagnostis began, the timbre of its voice light and buzzing with a sly sense of having caught someone in the act. Though it had no eyebrows to raise, it did focus its blank face more intensely upon the shopkeep than it had previously, still pressing its finger against the page pointedly. ”There’s no need to be so rough, even when you’re correcting a mortal! Have some respect, Anagnostis!” the Kathetikon printed, and Anagnostis quickly leaned down and whispered a hushed “Sorry!” to the book while attempting to keep its gaze as intensely focused on Galxus as possible.
Galxus smiled and winked at the Goddess then realised their mistake and looked right at Anagnostis.
“ Ah’ but see, you’ve got it wrong. I did ask for 500 coins but that’s because the Tarsk you’ve chosen is from a pure breed. Stronger than most other Tarsks, bigger too and at the same time, I did say you are allowed to bring back your Tarsk if they are not what you’re looking for but you’re receiving a Tarsk pup, what if you decide in a month you’re not happy? You’ll no longer bring me a Tarsk pup but a Tarsk teen. What if you didn’t feed it what you should? What if in their time with you, they got an yet-undetectable disease or injury? These are all risks that one has to take. You are theoretically correct, the price for one Tarsk is 125 coins but adding all the risks, it raises the price to 500. ” eloquently explained Galxus.
”I find it so very curious how mortals find the tenacity to attempt to correct the divine–sometimes it is that they simply lack the tools to evaluate their lack of perspective, sometimes it is hubris, sometimes it is solely for the point of contention. This one is at least uncommon in that it is both charming and forgivable–Anagnostis, please inform them of the issues in their logic… but be gentle.” ”Your points are not without merit, Galxus, with the sole exception that you are currently proposing a trade with a Divine. Those factors you’ve mentioned would, indeed, require a re-evaluation of the price you’ve set should any of them change the inherent properties of the goods that are being exchanged! I’m very impressed with your acumen, though you have chosen a rather poor individual to test this gambit on, given that I possess all knowledge in my hands. Perhaps there ought to be a more robust system by which one places a value on knowledge in relation to material goods? You’ve come so far, Galxus, what do you think could be done?” Anagnostis laughed, its voice pleasantly melodic without being condescending. It gave Ashe a demure grin as it spoke, making sure to not orient the Kathetikon towards Galxus, and awaited the Umbra’s response pensively.
Galxus looked at the beings and then at Ashe who winked at them, only to cause Galxus to shake their head.
“ The Goddess taught us it doesn’t matter whom we trade with. Always keep to the rules of the trade. Divine or not divine. In life, I used to trade with the Goddess every single time she was in Shadowton. I would wait for days in the queue. ” explained Galxus before Ashevelen took over.
“ There, there. Don’t be too hard on them, Anagnostis. They had no idea you’re a divine being, even though they might have suspected it. If it would’ve been a mortal this exchange would’ve lasted hours, if one would be as knowledgeable as you. As much as a mortal could I mean. Galxus did a good job but as you mentioned, there were mistakes in there. They’ll learn. ” said Ashevelen as she defended her creation.
”Your creator is very wise, and some of that wisdom has been passed on to you–you should be proud of yourself for its application! Tell me, Galxus… are you ever curious? Are there things you simply do not know that you just know would improve your existence, make you a better trader? If you wish to find the answers to those questions, all answers may be found in the Grand Library–in exchange for the Umbra you’ve got there, I will extend an indefinite invitation to my Master’s realm. We know how to anchor you to Lady Ashevelen’s realm while you travel to the demesne of another divine, so nothing unpleasant will happen to you or to your stall!” Anagnostis offered, not even bothering to look down at the Kathetikon as it spoke. It turned its head towards Ashe and tilted it gently to the side, appraising her with its blank face as its hands continued to write marginalia in the Kathetikon–Anagnostis had been created to be ever-curious, after all, and it wondered just how Ashe would react to such an offer. No deals had been discussed with her at this point, after all, but even in the short time they’d been together Anagnostis understood well enough that its Master and the Lady of the Trade had much to offer one another, and that any excuse for a deal to be struck between them was likely to at least pique Ashe’s interest.
Galxus looked between Anagnostis and the Lady of the Trade. They considered the proposal for about 2 seconds before starting to talk about their wares again.
“ That’s enough, Galxus. You won’t anger me if you speak what you wish to speak. I’m curious about your answer as well. ” replied Ashe calmly.
“ I was curious before I died. The first command we’ve received from the Lady of the Trade was to evolve, I remember it well. I’ve tried my best while alive to explore the immediate area around the Umbral Forest, looking for new objects to trade with. That’s how I found the diamond which the Lady found worthy enough for me to be selling here. ” said Galxus while Ashevelen watched with interest, until the end of sentence.
Shaking her head, Ashevelen interjected. “ And that’s where you’re wrong. I haven’t awarded you for what you’ve found but the passion you’ve tried to sell it with. Passion, the same sort of intelligence that you’ve displayed trying to sell the Tarsk to Anagnostis here. I care not for what Umbra bring me, anything can be sold. I care if you’ve learned something in your time spent alive. Tell them how you died, Galxus. ”
Galxus shrinked in size. Their fear was clear on their usually expressionless face but then it changed as Ashevelen started to praise them.
“ I died in the mountains, north of Shadowton. I found a cave and there were loads of shining rocks there but something attacked me and took me unaware. Grabbed one of the shiny rocks and that’s the last thing I knew while being alive. Next thing I was aware of was me being in the Long Queue , waiting my turn to trade with the Goddess. ”
This time it was the Kathetikon itself that spoke, choosing to project its words directly through the air that Galxus might feel them. ”I died alone in the cold and lonely mountains too, surrounded by the biggest library that I have ever seen. I had learned everything I thought there was to learn, but still it was not enough. Even death could not take me while the fire of curiosity burned in my mind, and that passion is what led me down the long path to divinity. I am sure that standing before your creator, by whose grace you still exist, is difficult. I am looking for those with the passion to carry on even past the threshold of life and death, for those whose stories are still unwritten through sheer force of will–perhaps you do not have what I seek.” the Kathetikon rumbled, its words soundless but filled with all of the curiosity and passion of one whose obsession ran so deep it had chased away the spectre of death.
“... the Master is sympathetic to your situation, Galxus. This is not an interrogation, but a question. Do you have the answer we seek?” Anagnostis asked, placing the coin down on the stall once more as it cocked its head slightly towards the Umbra. Though its face was featureless its voice was soft and kind, filled with eagerness and not a hint of disapproval.
Galxus bowed their head as the divine spoke to them. It was the first time in their life/unlife when they met a different divine and for them to speak directly to them, it was an honour.
“ If the Lady of the Trade permits it, I wouldn’t be opposed, your highness. If I could learn how to be a better trader of goods or maybe even a trader of knowledge, I would be grateful for the chance. Learning to be better is what the Lady wanted us from the beginning as I said before and if I could do it forever, maybe…just maybe, one day I will be able to out-trade the Lady ” said Galxus with a smile.
Ashevelen just smiled as she listened to them. This was, after all, what she intended from the beginning. The Umbra to evolve past her teachings, to surpass her and the others. Maybe one day become divine beings in their own right.
“ Out-trade me? More than happy to give you the chance, Galxus. Let’s say…in ten thousand years? ”
“‘Tis your prerogative to decide whether or not an open invitation to another Divine’s realm is commensurate with the value of these Umbra, Galxus–is that not your job as a trader? It would please the Master for you to decide not based on the permission of Lady Ashevelen but your own earnest desire. We cannot simply lead you to the destination, we merely reveal the path that you might travel it yourself–if you do not desire this knowledge without external influence, then it is not something we are willing to offer.” Anagnostis replied, before allowing itself a little chuckle at the prospect of the Umbra being able to out-trade its creator. It turned towards the goddess and offered her a brief nod of its head before it turned back to Galxus, expectantly awaiting their response.
”Now that I have created the Grand Library, we must ensure its influence can be felt across the entirety of Galbar. But perhaps it is better for us to travel to them than vice versa–the trek up the mountains is only for the most determined of pilgrims. Perhaps it would be in our interests to gather those mortals who wish to acquire their knowledge outside of a more… studious setting and let them loose upon the world with our blessings. Perhaps if an element of trade is incorporated, they might further Lady Ashevelen’s agenda in addition to our own. Propose it to her, Anagnostis, just as soon as I’ve worked out the finer details…”
“Their answer is yes, Anagnostis. Haven’t you heard them? They are asking for my permission for the simple reason that I’m the only reason their soul is attached to this realm. If they’d said yes but I wouldn’t have agreed, I could’ve simply obliterated their soul. They’re curious and they are cautious. You cannot blame them for being so. Am I correct, Galxus? ” explained Ashe to which Galxus just nodded gently.
“ That is indeed true, my Goddess. To answer properly, divine brother of the Lady…Yes I do wish to join you up in the Grand Library. I am curious about what's going to happen there. I am curious about finding out more about our world and not only. I want to learn more and more until one day I will be able to out-trade the Goddess. That is a promise, I will do it. ” their voice was strong and full of passion. Eyes shining at the thought of new knowledge.
“Forgive me my caution, esteemed friends–’tis a matter of course for us to be certain when trades such as these are proposed, for a single misstep can lead a soul to ruin. On behalf of the Master, I formally extend to you an invitation to the Grand Library in perpetuity.” Anagnostis stated, taking the coin containing the Umbra from the table and gently rolling it around in its free hand as it focused its attention upon Galxus. It took a brief second to consider something before drawing an intricate series of lines and whorls upon the Umbra’s stall, creating a sigil that thrummed with divine energy. Anagnostis gestured towards Galxus and prompted the Umbra to place their hand upon it in order to transfer the sigil to themselves.
“The rune placed before you is covenant and permission both: it serves as a record of the trade between us, and it will afford you entry to the Grand Library.” Anagnostis began, but a little jolt of energy quickly caused it to look down. ”I have finished considering my proposition for Ashe, Anagnostis. I wish for us to create a nomadic monastic order that will travel the length and breadth of Galbar, spreading the knowledge of the Grand Library and the Shadow Bazaar–and their patrons, of course–to all. They will use our vast reserves of knowledge and Lady Ashevelen’s trading acumen to transport goods across the entirety of Galbar while recording everything, thus advancing our agendas simultaneously. They may also encounter the followers of other gods, and be able to provide them with whatever goods, services, or knowledge they require in exchange for the unique things only they may provide, and ere long we will possess a consortium that has gripped this world by the throat and will never let go! Perhaps don’t read that last part out loud.” the Kathetikon wrote, and Anagnostis faithfully relayed the pertinent information to Ashe, adding in an occasional glance towards Galxus and scribbling observations about the Umbra down.
With a bit of trepidation, Galxus looked at the divines and smiled before putting their hand on the rune. Divine energy flowed briefly into Galxus but then it stopped. Nothing truly changed physically to them but they knew in their heart that they are now allowed to enter the Grand Library without disappearing into nothingness.
“ Thank you. ” was all that Galxus could say, such was their wonder at what just happened.
Ashevelen on the other hand listened to what Kathe’ had to say and she was quite intrigued by their proposal.
“ That does sound interesting, Kathe’ and it’s something similar to what I had in mind too. In part, I came to you as I said for inspiration and a bit of curiosity. The whole truth was that I wished to provide you my Umbra, seeing as you don’t have any mortals of your own yet, in exchange for knowledge. But, a nomadic order sounds better. I gifted the Umbra with a great capacity to learn and evolve. I only have one condition to the whole affair, if I may. Whatever knowledge the Umbra gain, I will have access to it. Whatever secrets they learn, they will be available to me to share…for a price if I consider them worthy enough. ” said Ashevelen.
Then, with a clap of her hands, 50 coins that contained Umbras appeared in a shadowy-bag. Upon being taken out of the Shadow Bazaar, these coins would be transformed into Umbras. While the same as the other Umbras in most regards, these had a sigil on their chest with a book that was in Kathe’s design with swirling coins around it. To better separate the members of the order from non-members.
”What a thoughtful gift! I do not find within myself much in the way of desire to create life, so this is an elegant solution to a little problem I have found myself with–of course, you may partake of this knowledge freely. I would consider it an honest trade for the service your acumen has done us on this day–I believe it stands as the beginning of a long and fruitful partnership! With all the knowledge at my disposal and your ability to put it into practice, I dare say we will find ourselves both very prosperous indeed–which can only be good for Galbar as a whole, yes?” the Kathetikon rumbled, this time actually addressing the goddess directly. Such a proclamation was one best delivered personally, after all, a sign of honest respect for the gift of a friend. Anagnostis nodded eagerly, but quickly became distracted with the task of handling the coins, making sure to capture them in little globules of ink and draw them into the Kathetikon’s pages for safekeeping.
“The Master thinks perhaps we could leave a link between our two realms in here, Lady Ashevelen?” Anagnostis mentioned quickly, looking down at the book in a rather curious angle as it eagerly read the book’s text. ”What? Why would that be necessary? I’m quite sure they will be able to find a way here should they desire it. Oh… you’re trying to get back here quickly because you want to practice trading. You could have simply asked, Anagnostis, no need to…” the Kathetikon wrote to Anagnostis, who simply neglected to read it out loud and looked at Ashe expectantly.
" Good for Galbar, good for knowledge and very prosperous for me. Sounds like a very good deal. But, please, Kathe' don't call it a gift in front of anyone else, think about my reputation. It's an investment. " replied Ashe with a smile and a sly wink before laughing out loud.
Turning towards Anagnostis, Ashe shook her head in a friendly manner. " I dare to say, Anagnostis, you're a cute creature. We can link our realms, of course, but of course we'll link our realm if you want to learn how to trade. Just, leave something for the mortals too. " said Ashe with a chuckle before placing materialising a small shadow sword in the air and drawing upon Anagnostis's hand, which she took, a tiny coin with it which would fade in time but will stay there for as long as Anagnostis existed.
" There. Make sure you've got a shadowy place in the Great Library and place your hand upon it. You'll have access, for free, to the Shadow Bazaar at any time. It will also act as a gate for anyone here…if they pay for it. "
In
Kings and Killers: A Classical Fantasy Adventure (Chapter 1)
→
4 yrs ago
Forum: Advanced Roleplay
@Sol Grim You can use the online version. Works better imo
The Journey - Part 2 - Unknown location outside the Umbral Woods - 6:37 PM
Penumbra, Custosa and Dahm recovered from the fight with the bandits and were finally outside the Umbral Woods. Their first fight was a hard one as they weren’t prepared and they haven’t escaped unscrapped.
While neither Penumbra nor Dahm knew anything about treating wounds, they bandaged Custosa’s eye to the best of their ability but even they could say with certitude…her eye would be lost forever. Custosa was, of course, not the only one injured. Dahm and Penumbra were as well but those were paper cuts in comparison to the loss of an eye.
“ Deep lines drawn gently;
A subtle but growing pain
Red stones fall gently down ” said Dahm, the Bard in a sad voice before starting to humm a sad song.
Custosa, who was in great pain and in general disliked Dahm, ignored her feelings about him and joined in, humming under her breath as a way to focus on something else than pain. Penumbra just walked a bit further away from the group, head down and a frown on their face. It was them that asked these two to join, it was them that led them on that path and of course, it was their quest. Their responsibility to keep them safe, a responsibility they failed to uphold.
Looking back at the two, Penumbra went through the list of their supplies that they still had. Food for a week, water for a few days but that wouldn’t be an issue for now but a major issue presented itself, they didn’t know in which direction to go. North and up the mountains, hoping to find a pass or closer to the coast but with more chances of danger. They still had some time until they would reach the point of no return for either direction and as such, Penumbra’s mind switched subjects of focus.
Level ups. Themselves and Custosa each got 4 levels up for their fight with the bandits while Dahm, got five levels for his instrumental role in the fight. In Penumbra’s mind, they ran through each person’s current and new abilities.
All these abilities meant that they should be more than ready for any kind of encounter in the future with bandits or whatnot. If something else doesn’t happen, of course. As they kept walking, light appeared in the sky. Blinding light at dawn. A bad omen. The group stopped to catch their breath and made camp, better to walk in sunlight in these unknown lands.
" What was…" started to say Custosa before wincing in pain. Penumbra replied before she could try again to speak.
" I don't know but that much light at this hour? Either some kind of beast or divine magic. One of Ashevelen’s siblings, the Goddess, wouldn't do something like that. Not without at least talking with her champion. We'll have to tread carefully. Bandits won't be the only threat we'll face in this quest…"
Before Penumbra could say anything else, Dahm the Bard used his ability [ignore pain] and started to sing.
" And if eternity is the time
And forever we must wait
Then we will wait all eternity
For even as the earth crumbles away
We are indestructible."
And the party ignored their pain and fell asleep soundly as Damh took the first watch, still singing their pain away.
" Oh pain, my mistress
Oh pain, why you court us so
Oh pain…oh pain.
The Journey - Part 2 - The edge of the Lightwoods - 8 AM
The party of 3 walked and walked through the unknown forest, deciding to keep closer to the coast than venture through the mountains. One their way there, Penumbra went into the Shadow Bazaar looking for Ashevelen, hoping for some divine aid but quickly found out that she wasn’t there. Either way, not wanting to leave empty handed, they bought some healing herbs from a stall and some food from some elves.
Applying the herbs wasn’t as hard as they thought initially but it was painful or would’ve been if Dahm wouldn’t have sung as much as he could to make Custosa forget the pain and stop struggling while the herbs were applied on her eye.
Eventually they arrived at the location where the light came from and they were amazed. A whole forest that shined with light in many different colours and intensity. Penumbra, ever the obedient servant, grabbed some plants and quickly discovered that the plants had teeth which they tried to use to bite them. “Killing” the plants quickly, they threw them into a shadow and uttered the words of the Goddess sending the plants into the Shadow Bazaar.
“ What is this place? Plants that have teeth and are carnivorous? The Dark/Umbral forests do not have anything of the sorts and neither have I heard anyone telling stories about them. ” asked Custosa, a perplexed look on her face.
“ Never seen something like this either. I’ve sent some in the Shadow Bazaar, when the Goddess is back she will come and check for sure. ” answered Penumbra.
“ How far must the honey bee roam
To find an elusive flower,
And return to his honeycomb?
How long must a tumbling stone
Through a lonely landscape scour,
To realise its conclusive home? ” sang Dahm, as elusive as ever.
Custosa turned towards him with a frown upon her face. Anger was clear in her voice. “ Dahm! I beg you in the name of Jeon and all the over divines out there, please start making sense. I don’t understand a word and you’re talking in my language. ”
Penumbra came between the two as they stared at each other and shook their head.
“ Easy there. Easy. Calm down, Custosa. What Dahm means is that we are far from home and that we don’t know when we will be back. I think he said something about not knowing if the Goddess will find us alive when she’s back but not sure. Did I get that right, Dahm? ” explained Penumbra while looking at Dahm for confirmation. A tiny nod was all the answer he gave and all that was needed.
After some more bickering between the confused Custosa and Dahm, they started their journey through the forest and it wasn’t an easy one. Howls, grunts and movement kept everyone on their toes add to that the occasional burrowing dino that literally kept everyone on their toes as they would be biting at their feet before coming out in a shower of dust and gravel to swallow the party whole.
“ I don’t like this forest. People back home were afraid of the shadow monsters when your Goddess transformed the Umbral Woods but they don’t compare to this. Dahm, stay close to me. As much as I’d like you to stop singing every 2 minutes, I wouldn’t want to see you eaten by whatever lives in this forest. ” said Custosa as she saw Dahm lagging behind the group for a few steps.
“There's a sad loneliness about my heart,—
A deep, deep solitude the spirit feels
Amid this multitude. The things of art
Pall on the senses—from its pageantry,
Loathing, my eye turns off; and my ear shrinks
From the harsh dissonance that fills the air.” sang to the yet-again annoyed Custosa, Dahm, before nodding at her, pointing around them and then made a shhh sound.
Custosa shook their head and she realised something as well. It was too quiet. Too quiet for a normal forest and way too quiet for this forest. Penumbra, who led the group and was just further up from where they were using their pre-existing abilities to the full, came back running.
“ There’s something out there. The wildlife ran away which means that whatever it is…it’s the apex predator of this forest. No more scouting, we keep close…very close. I’ve seen something moving in the canopy above us, stalking us. ”
Custosa took a sharp breath and focused on her passive ability [Enhanced Hearing], closing her right eye. Sure enough, the sounds of the forest could still be heard but farther away…and then thum. thum. thum. thum. a rhythmic beat. It continued and continued until it stopped for a few seconds, only to start again faster and in their direction.
“ Get ready. Whatever made everything hide is closing in fast on our location. ” said Custosa while she got her spear ready in the direction of where the sound came from.
Penumbra hid behind a tree, activating their ability [One with the shadows] ready to jump from behind and attack the new foe while Custosa would keep it focused and Dahm would sing his songs at it. Alternating between support and attack abilities.
Just then, a towering monstrosity burst through a nearby thicket, its head an oversized version of the chompy plant that had tried to bite Penumbra,its body thicke as three tree trunks, its legs stomping the earth and its tail ending in yet another mouth.
It roared loudly upon somehow spotting them with its far too many eyes despite the party's stealth skills. It skid to a halt before it simply trampled over them and ducking its head low as if it were about to try and bite them. Instead of this however, this bow revealed upon its back a lounging figure: Jeon, the god of forests and adventure!
He gave them a casual wave and a “Sup”
As soon as the monster spotted Penumbra and approached its head to bite them, Penumbra vanished and appeared just above them in the trees. Their whole arm, a spear pointed at the head of whomever was riding the creature, ready to use their [Shadow Javelin] skill. Custosa let out a shout to them and dropped to one knee almost immediately while Dahm, for once in their lifetime, was quiet and watched the divine with caution.
“ My prince, it’s an honour to finally meet you in person. I am Custosa, the one above is Penumbra, the champion of the Lady of Trade and Shadows and this…Satyr is Dahm. A bard. ” said Custosa, reverence in her voice clear.
Penumbra jumped from the trees and offered a friendly bow to Jeon and threw a coin in their direction. A sign of respect between the Umbra.
“ Greetings! The Lady of the Trade and Shadows offers her regards and wants you to know that she’s saddened that you haven’t yet met but would be more than happy to host you in the Shadow Bazaar at any time. ”
The god snatched the coin from the air, gave it a raised eyebrow, before giving a little grin and joking “Well I’ll have to do so, now that I’ve got some spending money” before tucking the coin into his pocket.
“ I am unsure if you know how to reach the realm. Look at any shadow that may fit your size, think or say that you wish to barter with the Lady of the Trade and then throw your offering in the shadow. A portal will open and take you over there and when you wish to leave, just wish it and you’ll be transported back to where you entered. ” explained Penumbra.
“Good to know,” the god replied with an appreciative nod. He had know already, but didn’t seem to feel it necessary to put down their helpful instinct
“Now then, up up all of you, that’s enough respect showing for one day” the god baid them, slipping off the back of his monstrous steed so he could stand evenly with them… or, well, shorter than them, as two thirds of the party stood taller than the divine, not least of all the Custosa, who towered thanks to her elven physiology. It was the elf that he addressed next, saying, “and lovely to meet you at last too, Custosa, I’ve heard so much about you after all” with a wink.
“ I hope you’ve heard only good things, prince. ” replied Custosa sheepishly, trying to hide her missing eye with her long hair.
“So, I totally have not been stalking you, I just happened to see you in the area and thought I'd ask something of you” the god said to them all, before stopping himself and instead saying “oh but first, where are my manners? How is your journey going?”
Penumbra stepped forward as Jeon asked his question, ready to answer.
“ We’ve had a few ups and downs but we’re getting better. Not my first adventure, as you might’ve heard that the Goddess ordered me before to establish peaceful relationships with your subjects. Either way, we are good for now. What is it that you wish to ask?”
“Well, you need to get better at storytelling if you want to impress anyone with tales of your adventures buuuuut that’s fine” Jeon derided their lack of rendition of their story before getting on with it “So, here’s the thing, there’s this settlement about, oh, a few days travel thataway” He pointed generally westwards “and it needs your help. I’ll mark it on your map”
There was a pause.
“I’ll also give you a map” he added, before pulling out a big leaf and rapid fire painting a picture of the landscape onto it using elven paints before handing it over. As the map consisted mostly of forest, it wasn't exactly the most informative, but it did give the lay of the coast line, and a few notable landmarks, notably a dot where this settlement was, sitting right on the western edge of the forest, where it met a vast yellow expanse they’d come to learn was a desert.
“See, there’s these things called Cortex Flowers, looks like a seed pod the size of a shed growing out of the ground, and they can control animals in order to get them to hunt for them. Now this settlement’s set up just, way too close to a big ol grove of those, so what I need you to do is head on over there, meet up with the locals, and then go deal with that big plant for or with them. Then after that they should be safe-ish, and I’ll just bet they’ll be helpful when it comes to the next leg of your journey. You do not want to go into a desert unprepared, trust me” the god explained, adding a little drawing of the cortex flower to their map next to the settlement as he talked.
Penumbra and the party listened closely to Jeon’s words and as soon as they finished talking, Custosa started to accept the quest but got interrupted by Penumbra almost straight away.
“ Apologies prince but this doesn’t seem like our problem and if you’re offering a quest, then what do we get in return? You wish to trade with an Umbra after all. ” swiftly said Penumbra, remembering their Goddesses teachings.
“And a quest needs a reward as well, so don’t you worry, I’ll make it worth your while” the god replied with a grin, before hopping up onto his monstrous steed, grabbing a big leaf based bundle that had been tied to its side but that had gone unnoticed up until now, and then said “promise to do this, and I’ll give you the gear to do it” as he laid the contents out on the ground before them
For Custosa: a bronze helmet, a full set of chain mail, a scale mail chest plate to go on top as well as a set of pauldrons and a reinforced tower shield and a battle axe
For Dahm, well, he got a lute. That, a foppish hat with a big father in it, a short sword, a short bow, and finally some light chain mail of his own.
“Now you, you’re tricky” Jeon said to Penumbra, “but I think this might just do the trick”, as he gestured to a gambeson made of shadow cloth. What might be considered the poor man’s armour by a layman, the fact that it was made from the Umbra’s own shadowy material meant that it wouldn’t interfere with the [champion]‘s own skills while also offering an impressive degree of protection given that it was, well, cloth. It also came with a nice sewing kit as well for repair proposes. Finally it also included a set of glass vials containing poisons that would not harm the shadow, but would harm their biological foes quite badly.
Before Penumbra could say anything, Custosa tapped them on their shoulder. A begging look on her face. “ I said I’m going to follow your lead until this divine quest is ended but I beseech you, please accept this side-quest. It…means a lot to me. ”
Dahm soon followed-up with a song of promise of aid and help of his own.
“ Lend a hand to one another
In the daily toil of life;
When we meet a weaker brother,
Let us help him in the strife.
There is none so rich but may,
In his turn, be forced to borrow;
And the poor man's lot to-day
May become our own to-morrow.
Caught between a good offer and the requests of their party, Penumbra nodded.
“ I accept your trade, Prince of Adventures. Just keep in mind that the Lady of the Trade will eventually hear of this and I hope that you’ll explain the need for delays in her quest. ”
“Then I’ll be sure to tell her that it’s not about the destination, but the journey and experience you earn along the rode” Jeon replied, before leaning in just a little and adding ominously “and trust me, the way you’re you’re going, you’ll want all the experience you can get”
Then he stood up, flashed them a grin “now then, I must go away. Godhood’s a busy life, and I’m sure I’m needed elsewhere” he said before hopping back atop his steed “I look forward to hearing of your tales of bravery, so don’t let me down now!” he told them, then gave them a two finger salute and a “toodles” before thundering away into the woods once more
Armed with new weapons and armour which fitted perfectly, the group started walking towards the village they were meant to protect. Penumbra kept the map close and would hide it within their form when creatures would appear.
…..To be continued
In
Kings and Killers: A Classical Fantasy Adventure (Chapter 1)
→
4 yrs ago
Forum: Advanced Roleplay
In
Kings and Killers: A Classical Fantasy Adventure (Chapter 1)
→
4 yrs ago
Forum: Advanced Roleplay
@Gerlando@Lady Lascivious
At the Chosen Gateway a small ship appeared, its arrival anticipated by a message just an hour ago.
Waiting for them is a vast array of orbital defenses and large warships, all pointed at the newly arrived ship.
“Greetings, we are from the Hyginian Federation arriving from the Cygni Geminae System, we come in peace.” The survey ship stopped in front of the sheer intimidating mass of weaponry making the survey ship look tiny in comparison, inside the ship the crew is panicking and decide not to activate their own ship’s weapons, they know they would do nothing and choose to pray instead.
The Chosen were surprised when the message came through the Gateways. A new nation, 6 months after the initial awakening of the gates. Prepped as they were for the upcoming war with the PUNT, they expected all kinds of subterfuge but when the ship passed through the Gateway they realized their fears were unfounded. It was indeed someone new, another group of humanity’s survivors.
The Seraphim, Ashevelen’s flagship, was quick to respond to the ship’s message.
“ Greeting survivors of the Hyginian Federation. This is Ashevelen Ben’Ghazad and I am the leader of the Chosen. If I’m permitted, I shall get a shuttle and my bodyguard and will board your ship in order for us to speak clearly. ” quickly came back a message from the Goddess.
The Hyginian delegation was absolutely NOT ready to meet a foreign leader after not even 10 minutes of exiting the portal, even more so the leader of such an overwhelming force.
“Greetings Ashevelen, we inform you that this vessel is not properly equipped for such a diplomatic encounter, we will ensure someone arrives to meet you soon.”
The crew is straight up panicking and scrambling to inform the other side of the Gateway of what was going on, and hoping they send help before the foreigner’s patience runs dry.
After a while they received a response from base, an unexpected but welcome one.
“Our leader has been confirmed to be on her way for this meeting, ETA 15 minutes.”
A third voice chimed into the discussion over the radio waves, one affected by a strange, almost buzzing timbre as though two voices spoke ever so slightly out of sync. “This is Sister-Speaker 3-17 Vetrisin Sings The Ancient Songs of Wisdom, representative of the Commonality of New Ishtar. We have stationed a contingent of vessels alongside the fleet of our allies the Chosen, I would join this meeting if you would permit it.”
17 minutes later
This seemed like a bad joke, first the survey ship sent distressed signals of a massive fleet, then they tell us they are peaceful and wish to meet the First Star Admiral, who is quite funnily going to the meeting on a single ship, a large capital ship but still. The Senate didn’t trust to send anyone at all let alone a full escort fleet, they didn’t even consider conducting actual diplomacy.
So the First Star Admiral jumped through the portal on her capital ship, she thought it would have been rude not to show up and if she was to die, well that’s what the Second Star Admiral is for or at least that’s what the high-officers think.
”This is the Hyginian Flagship, we are here to conduct diplomacy with Ashevelen Ben’Ghazad leader of the Chosen and the representative from the Commonality of New Ishtar. Please send a shuttle to the hangar at the front of the ship.”
The Hyginian capital ship sat there after sending the message, alone amongst the swarm of unknown warships.
The survey ship starts moving all the way around the newly arrived capital ship, hiding behind it not unlike a scared puppy.
The Chosen fleet was ready to meet any combatants that might pass through the Gateway as Ashevelen and Julius were getting ready to board their ship. Murmurs against this decision were in the minds of all of the Chosen witnessing it but they knew better than questioning the Goddess.
“Sister Vetrisin, we’ll pick you up on the way. Better for them to see one shuttle instead of two. I’m sure Tiamat taught you well, but I feel the need to say it. Expect peace, prepare for war. Between the three of us and our fleets, they shouldn’t try anything but if they do…be ready. ” said Ashevelen to Vetrisin via a message.
The reply came swiftly, “No need to worry, Ashevelen, I expected you might request as such. I have but one guard, as you said there is no need to fear anything from them, surrounded by us as they are.”
The shuttle left the Seraph, went over and picked Vetrisin and together approached the Hyginian flagship.
After a short communication to confirm their identity the shuttle is given permission and lands in the hangar, the foreign diplomats are led to the main meeting room through the short route (that still takes a couple minutes).
As they move along they are the focus of the crew in the hangar as they are not used to such… exotic individuals. On their way is a regular human-sized door that they pass through with some difficulty due to their size.
Ashevelen went out of the shuttle first with Julius closely behind her. His massive size made the Hygianians look like babies in comparison to him. As they let themselves be led to the meeting room where they would meet the admiral a small obstacle appeared in their path. A door. A normal, human sized door.
“ Julius, do you wish to stay outside? It looks a bit too small for you. I can barely go through that. ” said Ashevelen with a tiny smile on her face. The Chosen have long learned to adapt their architecture to fit all the types, but it looked like the Hygianians…didn’t.
Julius grunted and looked a few times at the door. Half crouched as he was, he went on his side and pushed himself through. His armor scraping the doorframe and potentially damaging it a bit. Ashevelen followed close behind, her eyes straining for a second or two to adjust to the light in the room until eventually, like everything in her body, adapted to fit the situation.
Vetrisin, in turn, watched the two squeeze through the doorway with her lips pursed. The large Gorgon Strain woman, five meters and thirty centimeters from end to end, studied the aperture with an expression of immense distaste. Doorways. Always, these foreigners had the tiniest doorways. Eventually distaste gave way to resignation as she contorted her long snakelike body to squeeze through the opening, momentarily becoming stuck before, after pulling with all four arms, she managed to force herself through.
Behind her, her guard, a Shinchu Strain, simply walked through with a poorly disguised grin at seeing her boss flummoxed by something as simple as a doorway.
The meeting room is bright, maybe a bit too much, the walls are an equally bright white and the room overall lacks most other colors, the only exceptions being two small plants at the entrance, some red coming from the chandelier and the Hyginian leader with her red and purple uniform.
”Welcome, I’m the First Star Admiral of Hyginus, you can call me Reecka. Please take a seat.” Reecka motions to the seats and couches in the room.
Dressed in her golden clothing and Julius’s golden armor, they stood out in the room. Size didn’t matter in this case, most of the other nations looked tiny in comparison to the Chosen.
“ I am Ashevelen, the leader of the Chosen and this is my bodyguard, Julius. We apologize but we won’t take a seat. Nothing against your customs, but as you can see, your chairs aren’t accustomed to fit us. Behind me, the Ishtarian committee will be arriving soon.”
As if on cue, the two Ishtari followed up behind them. Vetrisin’s immaculately pressed dress uniform was ruffled and slightly disheveled from the squeezing she had had to do in order to force herself through. She glided serenely into the room all the same, seeming for all the world not to notice the errant strands of hair in her eyes or how the gentle pulsing of the glowing filaments that grew from her body had given way to a stronger red as her twin hearts beat with the suppressed anxiety and indignance from her inconvenience.
Behind her walked her single guard, primary arms tucked neatly behind her back, and secondary claw arms folded at her side. Where the crisply starched uniform did not cover, much of her primary arms could be seen to be covered in chitinous plates or downy white fluff, while even hidden by cloth the secondary arms were unmistakably natural weapons. Her wide, purple eyes glowed with a gentle pulsing light as did the swirling markings that cascaded across much of her skin. Her mouth seemed human at first glance, but closer inspection revealed a tight series of lines where the lower jaw could split into two pieces, doubtless concealing rows of razor sharp teeth.
“As I mentioned over our comms, I am Sister-Speaker 3-17 Vetrisin Sings The Ancient Songs of Wisdom, representative of the Commonality of New Ishtar in Chosen space.” The massive snake-woman said to Reecka, bowing to her slightly, “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, First Star Admiral Reecka.”
Looking at the foreign delegation Reecka nodded her head ”That is not an issue but if there is something I can do to make you more comfortable please tell me.” she said towards Ashevelen and her bodyguard.
Aliens, probably, could have been worse Reecka thought looking at the weird bunch in front of her, everyone looked from a different race, was it an intergalactic alliance of sorts? Even then Ashevelen looked much more human than anything else.
”I think we should cut the pleasantries and explain the current situation, as you may have deduced from our… hasted explorative mission, a Gateway residing in our system has opened and brought us here. We are not sure whether someone was behind the event and what their intentions might be, we believe this threat might come from a civilisation based around Earth, also Terra or Gaia if these names perhaps remind you of something.”
The Star Admiral took a moment to look at the alien delegates once more, they were attentive and quite importantly it seemed they were not thrown off by what she said, do they know of Earth already?
”We wish to form friendly relations if possible, we still need to discover the rest of the galaxy and trade would benefit all of us.”
Vetrisin nodded. “Correct, both the Chosen and ourselves, as well as numerous other surviving colonies of the Great Exodus, have found our ways back to old earth. We have established a large space station in orbit around it and have begun the formation of an interstellar community of sorts.” She smiled, “We’re glad to find more of our brothers and sisters from earth have survived to meet us. As far as the opening of the Gateways - that is something we have yet to understand. All of us have scientists working to decipher their mysteries, but for now we unfortunately can offer you nothing in regards to that.”
She looked to Ashe for a moment, waiting to see if the leader of the Chosen wished to speak, before continuing. “We would welcome another member of our galactic community.”
Ashevelen nodded at Vetrisin, motioning her to continue speaking.
”I’m glad we all agree to form friendly relations.” Reecka said before thinking of the implications of what the snake-woman just said, they come from Earth!? Does it mean that Vetrisin’s ancestors were both human and snake before… also how can moths mutate to get that big?
”I see…” the Star Admiral said, still confused, at least the issue of a terran enemy might be solved, maybe, but one can only wonder how other survivors of the disaster have become.
”Then we can ascertain there is no Terran threat, correct? Also we will be sending a diplomatic ship on Sol to get in this galactic community, I will personally make sure the diplomats are competent and open-minded.”
She finishes while looking at her personal device to see that the survey ship just jumped back to Cygni Geminae. ”And somewhat braver as well.
Julius studied the galaxy’s newest newcomers, looking for anything that might prompt him to intervene but finding nothing and looking at Ashevelen before making a grunting, Ashe nodded gently and soon his body started to release pheromones in the air. A sweet smell soon filled the room.
“ I hope you don’t mind the smell. I can assure you, it is peaceful. A sign of trust, you may call it. ” said Ashevelen in a polite voice, making a smell break to breathe in her sweet perfume and then continued “ Before we answer that, I think it’s worth stating the obvious or the not so obvious. Both the Chosen and the Ishtarians are human, originally from Earth. Same as yourselves. Through biological, cybernetic and something else for the Isharians, enhancement we have surpassed our original human forms. In the Chosen case, our goldilocks planet wasn’t that at all. RADX-001 is indeed a good planet, lush forests, a massive ocean and a multitude of lifeforms…the only problem is that everything on our planet is deadly to humans, even the atmosphere. As such, I’ve devoted my life, even before the Great Exodus, to the enhancement of the human DNA and I can say I’ve been successful. ”
Ashevelen waited a few minutes for the realization of her actual age to sink in before continuing “ I am over 300 years old before you ask but that’s irrelevant. Now, back to the Terran threat. The threat exists currently, just not from Earth itself. There’s another nation out there that wishes to enslave everyone. Kill them if they don’t accept enslavement. Vetrisin, does that summarize it enough? ” said Ashevelen while slightly turning her head towards Vetrisin.
Vetrisin’s expression turned to one of immense distaste at these words, not at Ashevelen or those around her, but of the subject at hand. “Yes.” She said after some delay, “The People’s Union of New Terra specifically. A human supremacist, violent, authoritarian nightmare of a nation. We have obtained footage from surveillance probes of the slave camps in which they work millions to death and where millions more are held against their will for no crime of their own. We, and the Chosen, are preparing for war.”
After a moment, she nodded to Ashevelen, “And on that original lighter note, yes, both us and the Chosen originate from Old Earth just as you. Our people were trapped by the gateway collapse whilst mid-transit, resulting in us being trapped in… what is difficult to describe as a place outside of the universe itself. I do not wish to speak of everything that transpired within but our present forms are largely the result of that time. Much like the Chosen, however, we have augmented ourselves extensively through biological and cybernetic means. New Ishtar itself is… well, a hellhole for those not adapted to it, should your people wish to visit our space they will unfortunately be required to keep to the orbital stations for their own safety.”
Pheromones in the air, this better not have any medical complications, the whole section of the ship has been quarantined anyway and the air is likely to get thrown out into space, but if they find anything wrong with her health statistics it could mean staying stuck on this ship for a while, which is annoying.
”If that is the case we can safely assume most of your people also arrived via a generation ship, correct?” Reecka looked at the camera for a split second, what might be going through the security guard’s mind? Hopefully she isn’t the only one who reached the same conclusion about how the Ishtari… came to be like this. Some oligarchs are probably going to call the footage fake until they see a snake woman themselves.
”I’m sure we can exchange our respective stories at a later moment.” Reecka said, coughing up a little, a bit embarrassed of her own thoughts.
“ Everyone with certain exceptions arrived via generation ships. Feel free to ask any question you may have of us, Admiral. Both Ishtar and my Chosen are happy to answer any and all questions you may have about us, our nations or simply the state of the galaxy. I’m sure it must be hard from your nation’s POV to meet two great nations so soon after your Gateway opening and not only that, but to find out you are not alone at all anymore. ” quickly replied Ashe.
”It will take some time for everyone to adapt to the new state of, well everything, going to the meeting place and becoming part of this galactic community will definitely help. Then again what is the current state of Sol and the galaxy as a whole? You did say there is Terran threat , just not from Earth itself, that honestly seems to be a complicated matter.”
“ We’ve got the Terran threat as a major concern. Other than that, we’ve got the Yulzan and the FRA. One alien species with some humans and a human colony alongside other types of aliens fighting each other, in fact, that was the first contact the Chosen had with the other nations. Two battlecruisers, one from each faction, burst into our system shooting missiles at each other. As for the others…” replied Ashe and reached inside her clothes and pulled a data-storage device from a tiny, almost invisible pocket.
“ We were prepared for this, please accept this gift. It’s similar tech to what was used previously on Earth, it should work on any type of computer. The details of each of the galaxy’s current nations. You’ve got contact information, details about their home planets that are available to tourists etc. ” continued Ashe while leaving the data-storage device on the table in front of them, bending slightly to put it there.
Vetrisin nodded. “If you wish to know the full gritty story, I’m sure many of our people would be happy to talk your ear off for an afternoon and fill you in on everything. The simple explanation of who we are is that our Ark was trapped… elsewhere for a very long time, and we were mutated while within it, and we made some extra changes after that. A more pressing matter, as Ashevelen mentioned, is the People’s Union of New Terra. An autocratic, imperialist nation bent on interstellar conquest. The full information should be contained within Ashevelen’s drive there, but we think you ought to know what you’re dealing with. We expect war to erupt sooner rather than later. You’ve found the rest of humanity at an inopportune time, unfortunately.”
”Conflict was the common state of things in old earth was it not? I can’t make any promises right now but it’s very possible we’ll help you in a war with these imperialists from New Terra.” Reecka looked at the small device on the table, it’s probably best to test it out right now and also find a good place for it where it would not be lost.
”Is there a problem if we try this right now?” Reecka asked, taking the small data-storage device.
Ashevelen nodded slightly and replied “ Conflict is a common state of things between all humans. Earth wasn’t destroyed by people but by greed of a few. Something I sought long and hard to abolish.
Not at all, feel free to try it. ” ended Ashe with a smile.
”Alright then.” Said Reecka trying to plug it into a computer on the wall. ”This is connected to the big screen behind you, right on top of the entrance. Now this is a non-standard plug , for us at least, it’s got internal pins so I’ll just take this converter… Reecka kept fiddling with connectors and a couple adapters for a minute while muttering to herself.
”Aaand we’re done, this should work fine for later as well.” with that the large screen flashed to reveal what was in the portable database, while Reecka controlled it with her device.
On the screen images started to appear and soon the Meeting Place was shown. Each image showing a different part of the station and the nations that have chosen to take part in the project. As soon as an image was pointed at, it would open up a screen with multiple options that could be selected, history, location in the galaxy, known relations with the other nations etc.
“ Nothing there is secret and they’re taken from public databases, so, feel free to peruse it at your own will. Take it as a welcome package to the wider galaxy, if you will. ” replied Ashe.
Looking through all the different sections there were descriptions and data for over a dozen civilizations that many?, the presence of all these nations within one galactic community is a massive development, surely it’s best not to make enemies out of them, this New Terra will probably discover that soon enough.
”Well then, we’ll make sure to send ships and material to expand the station for our entry, for the time being we will also need some time to analyze all this new information.”
“ That is understandable. Take as much time as you want. If you need help with materials, the Chosen stand ready to help and I’m sure that my Ishtarian counterpart will say the same. Also, in the Chosen sector of the meeting place, we’ve set up a hospital. Any and all injuries can be healed. Missing limbs, cancer and what-not. If it isn’t something we’ve seen before, our Clerics will devise a way to treat it. Free of charge, of course. ” replied Ashe with a smile.
Vetrisin nodded. “We and the Chosen possess, without hyperbole, the most advanced medical science of any of earth’s children. If you have any sick or injured, old or infirm, and cannot help them - we will take them in and heal them. All are welcome - and we welcome you.” She smiled, “Glad to have another nation join the galaxy.”
”We do in fact have issues treating things like cancer, lung damage and missing limbs, once we get confirmation and the paperwork done we might send them over, even better if we could gain this medical knowledge and treat them at home.” It was sure an odd offer to make in a first contact with another nation, how many would have said no due to how suspicious it is?.
Well this is fortunately not a big issue, sure most Governor-Generals wouldn’t want words spilling out but at the same time a lot of them would probably be happy to rid themselves of those people, and surely they would select the more fortunate and the recently injured. Exchanging human lives has never been a problem, and with the prospect of saving in the long run it should not be even for the few who still have moral integrity.
Raising an eyebrow, Ashevelen smiled and put a hand inside her dress once again, this time, taking out a small vial (for a Chosen).
“ You’d be asking us to send over tech our people have been working on for over 300 years, you do realize that? But, I do understand the caution. What if this is just a big ruse for you to send your people over and then we’d enslave them or use them for experiments? ” replied Ashe, sharply but not without diplomacy. She held the vial towards the light a second and pretended to look through it, then put it on the table.
“ This is one of our earlier types of medicine. It will cure most minor diseases, cuts and illnesses. I’m more than happy to exemplify, if you’ve got anyone with something like this on the ship. ”
Vetrisin nodded, “We are happy to help, but you ask us to simply give you technology and capabilities we have developed over centuries. These are some of our most prized capabilities - would you turn over the blueprints to your most advanced warships to us? I would offer you something smaller, but Ashevelen has beat me to it.”
They were cautious as well, it makes sense but it seemed a bit weird after such a proposal, then again they had a massive fleet outside their gate.
”That is understandable, perhaps we can arrange something different in the future. Now about this, vial? Does it work by injection, consumption? I would be sorry if it gets wasted by someone using it improperly.”
Ashevelen smiled at Vetrisin, " Hasn't Tiamat told you? I'm always prepared. She was the one that would stay locked up in her room while I was the one prepping for the unavoidable. "
Turning towards the admiral, Ashevelen added. " It works in any way you can think of. Contact on skin, injection, consumption. You shouldn't feel bad, this is something we give our babies when they're sick in the first stages of life. We've got more than we need and it's easy to produce…for us. " smiled Ashe as she explained. Truly this medicine was a parlor trick in comparison to the other stuff they had.
" As I said before, if you've got someone sick on the ship, bring them here and see the medicine in action. If it proves that it kills the person or whatever devious plot you may think we have, don't forget you've got the leader of a very-very loyal nation to its leader, in your ship. They won't shoot you down or anything of the sorts while I'm here. "
The truth was that between the four of them, they could easily escape the ship if that was needed.
”Oh do not worry I’m not one to doubt others, unless you really insist on it. Is there anything else you wish to talk about?”
“ I particularly do insist. I understand the caution, but, give us a chance. ”
”Alright then, give me a moment.” Reecka said while getting up and walking up to one of the guards at the entrance, speaking low so not to be easily heard but to those with a keen ear, or biologically enhanced hearing, it would sound like a drunk azulvistan speaking gibberish and changing cadence midword.
The guard ran off and sure enough after a couple minutes they returned accompanied by a man with scars on his face and two fingers missing in his right hand.
”In this ship we don’t have people with grave illnesses or missing large limbs for obvious reasons, but it still would be hugely impressive if it can regenerate fingers and such.”
Ashevelen approached the tiny man and looked at him with a doctor’s eye. Looking at the scars, fingers, everything that could determine the medical status of the patient.
“ Hmmm. Very much deteriorated fingers, bad overall health…not that much variety of food in your home system? This should heal him up a bit and if not, I’ve got something stronger on me…just in case. ” replied Ashe, her voice neutral.
With a smile and a murmured “sorry for the pain”, she took out a syringe, put it in the vial and inserted it directly in the man’s hand, where the two fingers were missing. Initially nothing would happen but then the man would start to feel pain as the body would go into overdrive. The scars were the first to be healed, his face becoming as it was before them.
His hand would start to itch and from the place where his fingers were, a red area would appear which would burn him badly and then, his fingers would start to grow back. Slowly but surely.
“ In about 10 to 20 minutes, your fingers are going to be back as they were previously. Any other internal injuries should be cleared up as well. Oh’ and for the pain…” said Ashe and then snapped her fingers. Almost immediately, Julius grunted loudly and pheromones would start to flood the room. Anyone in it, would soon forget about whatever pain they had as the pheromones would trick the brain into forgetting that it was there in the first place.
Vetrisin smiled at the two. “Perhaps you wish for a more dramatic demonstration?” Looking to Ashevelen for confirmation for a second, she rolled back her sleeve and held her arm out horizontally. Pheromones flooded the room from the glands on her neck, giving a calming sensation to the Hyginians.
With a moment to process her request, her aide raised one of the bladed secondary arms, the limb flashing through the air in a blur of motion towards the outstretched arm of her commander. Vetrisin gave no sign other than a grunt as the bladed arm shredded through flesh and bone in an instant, the severed limb - nearly the size of many people’s legs - dropped to the floor. Obligingly, she bent down and retrieved the amputated arm, passing it towards her commander, before subconsciously wiping the bloodstain from the natural blade that made up her arm and returning it to its folded position.
Vetrisin looked at Ashevelen with a smile, seemingly showing no pain as she held the heavy limb in another arm. “If you would?”
Ashevelen looked in disbelief at Vetrisin. While she knew very well that she had the means to repair it on her own, doing a move such as this in front of new people that they were to impress…it was just the crazy type of plan that Tatiana would try to convince her of in their teens.
Julius quickly approached Ashevelen and a small hatch opened in his armor, inside were emergency supplies, as Ashe was always prepped for things going awry and just in case she would be injured too much, these would allow Julius to heal her enough for her body to do the rest.
“ You’re lucky I’ve planned for something like this. ” quickly said Ashe as she took out two vials from the med-kit and one syringe. Quickly calculating how much she should use on a body Vetrisin sized, she took a bit of each vial in the syringe and moved her hands at an inhuman speed to mix them together.
She took Vetrisin’s arm in one hand, noticing that it was heavier than it looked, and injected Vetrisin’s stump with the concoction from the syringe. Holding close the previously detached arm to the stump, the bone, muscles, skin and everything that holds an arm together started to regenerate and link together. In less than 5 minutes, the whole arm would be back to normal. Of course, if it would’ve been anyone other than an Ishtarian with enhanced biology, they would’ve experienced lethal side-effects considering the concoction was made specifically for emergencies.
As the scene was taking place the reactions were pretty much what you would expect from regular humans, a guard went out the door, two more instinctively went for their guns only just stopping themselves and the newly arrived crewman who just got his fingers back stood there in utter shock.
The admiral similarly watched the demonstration with wide eyes and a face of shock and partial disgust, staying almost immobile.
Only when it was over would she shake herself off and speak.
”That was… please don’t do it again, or at least warn everyone beforehand.” at least it was now clear to everyone they not only look weird but they also act weird.
Vetrisin grinned, “A dramatic demonstration was in order. You were doubtful. What better way to demonstrate the capabilities of our technology than a demonstration like that?” She gestured about the room, the freshly reattached arm showing no signs of damage or impediment. She paused, “I sense I have made an error. Are such displays frowned upon where you are from, then?” She asked with genuine curiosity evident in her words. “If so, please accept my heartfelt apologies.”
Reecka nodded slightly ”It is not ordinary for us that’s for sure, but I understand things must be… different where you are from. I suggest you at least give a warning next time, could help in your diplomatic endeavors. Well, are there more demonstrations you would like to show us?” She said a bit worried for what might happen next.
“ I’m sure that’s more than enough. I assure you, the Chosen are not like the Ishtarians from this point of view but Vetrisin made a valid point. You were doubtful, now you’re not. Technology-wise, between the Chosen and the Ishtarians, there are no others in this galaxy that know the human body as well as we do. I don’t think there’s any need for more demonstrations. You’ve seen our technology and you’ve seen a part of our fleet. What’s there more to say? ” replied Ashe.
”Nothing else for now, the achievements of your technology are clear to us now and I’m sure we’ll get to know more of them with time. We're also thankful for your cordiality and invitation to the meeting place. I sure was not expecting this meeting. Now if you have any more questions or points you’d like to bring up, I’m all ears, otherwise I’d say I don’t have anything more to ask.”
“ Nothing from me and if nothing from Vetrisin, I shall be taking my leave. Thank you for your time. ” replied Ashe with her usual smile
Vetrisin nodded, subconsciously smoothing out the wrinkles in her outfit as she thought of having to squeeze through the doorway once again. “Likewise, I have nothing more to add. If you wish it we will contact you through official channels at a later date to further discuss that which has been brought up here. If that is all, after you, Ashevelen.”
RADX System
At the Chosen Gateway a small ship appeared, its arrival anticipated by a message just an hour ago.
Waiting for them is a vast array of orbital defenses and large warships, all pointed at the newly arrived ship.
“Greetings, we are from the Hyginian Federation arriving from the Cygni Geminae System, we come in peace.” The survey ship stopped in front of the sheer intimidating mass of weaponry making the survey ship look tiny in comparison, inside the ship the crew is panicking and decide not to activate their own ship’s weapons, they know they would do nothing and choose to pray instead.
The Chosen were surprised when the message came through the Gateways. A new nation, 6 months after the initial awakening of the gates. Prepped as they were for the upcoming war with the PUNT, they expected all kinds of subterfuge but when the ship passed through the Gateway they realized their fears were unfounded. It was indeed someone new, another group of humanity’s survivors.
The Seraphim, Ashevelen’s flagship, was quick to respond to the ship’s message.
“ Greeting survivors of the Hyginian Federation. This is Ashevelen Ben’Ghazad and I am the leader of the Chosen. If I’m permitted, I shall get a shuttle and my bodyguard and will board your ship in order for us to speak clearly. ” quickly came back a message from the Goddess.
The Hyginian delegation was absolutely NOT ready to meet a foreign leader after not even 10 minutes of exiting the portal, even more so the leader of such an overwhelming force.
“Greetings Ashevelen, we inform you that this vessel is not properly equipped for such a diplomatic encounter, we will ensure someone arrives to meet you soon.”
The crew is straight up panicking and scrambling to inform the other side of the Gateway of what was going on, and hoping they send help before the foreigner’s patience runs dry.
After a while they received a response from base, an unexpected but welcome one.
“Our leader has been confirmed to be on her way for this meeting, ETA 15 minutes.”
A third voice chimed into the discussion over the radio waves, one affected by a strange, almost buzzing timbre as though two voices spoke ever so slightly out of sync. “This is Sister-Speaker 3-17 Vetrisin Sings The Ancient Songs of Wisdom, representative of the Commonality of New Ishtar. We have stationed a contingent of vessels alongside the fleet of our allies the Chosen, I would join this meeting if you would permit it.”
----------
17 minutes later
This seemed like a bad joke, first the survey ship sent distressed signals of a massive fleet, then they tell us they are peaceful and wish to meet the First Star Admiral, who is quite funnily going to the meeting on a single ship, a large capital ship but still. The Senate didn’t trust to send anyone at all let alone a full escort fleet, they didn’t even consider conducting actual diplomacy.
So the First Star Admiral jumped through the portal on her capital ship, she thought it would have been rude not to show up and if she was to die, well that’s what the Second Star Admiral is for or at least that’s what the high-officers think.
”This is the Hyginian Flagship, we are here to conduct diplomacy with Ashevelen Ben’Ghazad leader of the Chosen and the representative from the Commonality of New Ishtar. Please send a shuttle to the hangar at the front of the ship.”
The Hyginian capital ship sat there after sending the message, alone amongst the swarm of unknown warships.
The survey ship starts moving all the way around the newly arrived capital ship, hiding behind it not unlike a scared puppy.
The Chosen fleet was ready to meet any combatants that might pass through the Gateway as Ashevelen and Julius were getting ready to board their ship. Murmurs against this decision were in the minds of all of the Chosen witnessing it but they knew better than questioning the Goddess.
“Sister Vetrisin, we’ll pick you up on the way. Better for them to see one shuttle instead of two. I’m sure Tiamat taught you well, but I feel the need to say it. Expect peace, prepare for war. Between the three of us and our fleets, they shouldn’t try anything but if they do…be ready. ” said Ashevelen to Vetrisin via a message.
The reply came swiftly, “No need to worry, Ashevelen, I expected you might request as such. I have but one guard, as you said there is no need to fear anything from them, surrounded by us as they are.”
The shuttle left the Seraph, went over and picked Vetrisin and together approached the Hyginian flagship.
After a short communication to confirm their identity the shuttle is given permission and lands in the hangar, the foreign diplomats are led to the main meeting room through the short route (that still takes a couple minutes).
As they move along they are the focus of the crew in the hangar as they are not used to such… exotic individuals. On their way is a regular human-sized door that they pass through with some difficulty due to their size.
Ashevelen went out of the shuttle first with Julius closely behind her. His massive size made the Hygianians look like babies in comparison to him. As they let themselves be led to the meeting room where they would meet the admiral a small obstacle appeared in their path. A door. A normal, human sized door.
“ Julius, do you wish to stay outside? It looks a bit too small for you. I can barely go through that. ” said Ashevelen with a tiny smile on her face. The Chosen have long learned to adapt their architecture to fit all the types, but it looked like the Hygianians…didn’t.
Julius grunted and looked a few times at the door. Half crouched as he was, he went on his side and pushed himself through. His armor scraping the doorframe and potentially damaging it a bit. Ashevelen followed close behind, her eyes straining for a second or two to adjust to the light in the room until eventually, like everything in her body, adapted to fit the situation.
Vetrisin, in turn, watched the two squeeze through the doorway with her lips pursed. The large Gorgon Strain woman, five meters and thirty centimeters from end to end, studied the aperture with an expression of immense distaste. Doorways. Always, these foreigners had the tiniest doorways. Eventually distaste gave way to resignation as she contorted her long snakelike body to squeeze through the opening, momentarily becoming stuck before, after pulling with all four arms, she managed to force herself through.
Behind her, her guard, a Shinchu Strain, simply walked through with a poorly disguised grin at seeing her boss flummoxed by something as simple as a doorway.
The meeting room is bright, maybe a bit too much, the walls are an equally bright white and the room overall lacks most other colors, the only exceptions being two small plants at the entrance, some red coming from the chandelier and the Hyginian leader with her red and purple uniform.
”Welcome, I’m the First Star Admiral of Hyginus, you can call me Reecka. Please take a seat.” Reecka motions to the seats and couches in the room.
Dressed in her golden clothing and Julius’s golden armor, they stood out in the room. Size didn’t matter in this case, most of the other nations looked tiny in comparison to the Chosen.
“ I am Ashevelen, the leader of the Chosen and this is my bodyguard, Julius. We apologize but we won’t take a seat. Nothing against your customs, but as you can see, your chairs aren’t accustomed to fit us. Behind me, the Ishtarian committee will be arriving soon.”
As if on cue, the two Ishtari followed up behind them. Vetrisin’s immaculately pressed dress uniform was ruffled and slightly disheveled from the squeezing she had had to do in order to force herself through. She glided serenely into the room all the same, seeming for all the world not to notice the errant strands of hair in her eyes or how the gentle pulsing of the glowing filaments that grew from her body had given way to a stronger red as her twin hearts beat with the suppressed anxiety and indignance from her inconvenience.
Behind her walked her single guard, primary arms tucked neatly behind her back, and secondary claw arms folded at her side. Where the crisply starched uniform did not cover, much of her primary arms could be seen to be covered in chitinous plates or downy white fluff, while even hidden by cloth the secondary arms were unmistakably natural weapons. Her wide, purple eyes glowed with a gentle pulsing light as did the swirling markings that cascaded across much of her skin. Her mouth seemed human at first glance, but closer inspection revealed a tight series of lines where the lower jaw could split into two pieces, doubtless concealing rows of razor sharp teeth.
“As I mentioned over our comms, I am Sister-Speaker 3-17 Vetrisin Sings The Ancient Songs of Wisdom, representative of the Commonality of New Ishtar in Chosen space.” The massive snake-woman said to Reecka, bowing to her slightly, “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, First Star Admiral Reecka.”
Looking at the foreign delegation Reecka nodded her head ”That is not an issue but if there is something I can do to make you more comfortable please tell me.” she said towards Ashevelen and her bodyguard.
Aliens, probably, could have been worse Reecka thought looking at the weird bunch in front of her, everyone looked from a different race, was it an intergalactic alliance of sorts? Even then Ashevelen looked much more human than anything else.
”I think we should cut the pleasantries and explain the current situation, as you may have deduced from our… hasted explorative mission, a Gateway residing in our system has opened and brought us here. We are not sure whether someone was behind the event and what their intentions might be, we believe this threat might come from a civilisation based around Earth, also Terra or Gaia if these names perhaps remind you of something.”
The Star Admiral took a moment to look at the alien delegates once more, they were attentive and quite importantly it seemed they were not thrown off by what she said, do they know of Earth already?
”We wish to form friendly relations if possible, we still need to discover the rest of the galaxy and trade would benefit all of us.”
Vetrisin nodded. “Correct, both the Chosen and ourselves, as well as numerous other surviving colonies of the Great Exodus, have found our ways back to old earth. We have established a large space station in orbit around it and have begun the formation of an interstellar community of sorts.” She smiled, “We’re glad to find more of our brothers and sisters from earth have survived to meet us. As far as the opening of the Gateways - that is something we have yet to understand. All of us have scientists working to decipher their mysteries, but for now we unfortunately can offer you nothing in regards to that.”
She looked to Ashe for a moment, waiting to see if the leader of the Chosen wished to speak, before continuing. “We would welcome another member of our galactic community.”
Ashevelen nodded at Vetrisin, motioning her to continue speaking.
”I’m glad we all agree to form friendly relations.” Reecka said before thinking of the implications of what the snake-woman just said, they come from Earth!? Does it mean that Vetrisin’s ancestors were both human and snake before… also how can moths mutate to get that big?
”I see…” the Star Admiral said, still confused, at least the issue of a terran enemy might be solved, maybe, but one can only wonder how other survivors of the disaster have become.
”Then we can ascertain there is no Terran threat, correct? Also we will be sending a diplomatic ship on Sol to get in this galactic community, I will personally make sure the diplomats are competent and open-minded.”
She finishes while looking at her personal device to see that the survey ship just jumped back to Cygni Geminae. ”And somewhat braver as well.
Julius studied the galaxy’s newest newcomers, looking for anything that might prompt him to intervene but finding nothing and looking at Ashevelen before making a grunting, Ashe nodded gently and soon his body started to release pheromones in the air. A sweet smell soon filled the room.
“ I hope you don’t mind the smell. I can assure you, it is peaceful. A sign of trust, you may call it. ” said Ashevelen in a polite voice, making a smell break to breathe in her sweet perfume and then continued “ Before we answer that, I think it’s worth stating the obvious or the not so obvious. Both the Chosen and the Ishtarians are human, originally from Earth. Same as yourselves. Through biological, cybernetic and something else for the Isharians, enhancement we have surpassed our original human forms. In the Chosen case, our goldilocks planet wasn’t that at all. RADX-001 is indeed a good planet, lush forests, a massive ocean and a multitude of lifeforms…the only problem is that everything on our planet is deadly to humans, even the atmosphere. As such, I’ve devoted my life, even before the Great Exodus, to the enhancement of the human DNA and I can say I’ve been successful. ”
Ashevelen waited a few minutes for the realization of her actual age to sink in before continuing “ I am over 300 years old before you ask but that’s irrelevant. Now, back to the Terran threat. The threat exists currently, just not from Earth itself. There’s another nation out there that wishes to enslave everyone. Kill them if they don’t accept enslavement. Vetrisin, does that summarize it enough? ” said Ashevelen while slightly turning her head towards Vetrisin.
Vetrisin’s expression turned to one of immense distaste at these words, not at Ashevelen or those around her, but of the subject at hand. “Yes.” She said after some delay, “The People’s Union of New Terra specifically. A human supremacist, violent, authoritarian nightmare of a nation. We have obtained footage from surveillance probes of the slave camps in which they work millions to death and where millions more are held against their will for no crime of their own. We, and the Chosen, are preparing for war.”
After a moment, she nodded to Ashevelen, “And on that original lighter note, yes, both us and the Chosen originate from Old Earth just as you. Our people were trapped by the gateway collapse whilst mid-transit, resulting in us being trapped in… what is difficult to describe as a place outside of the universe itself. I do not wish to speak of everything that transpired within but our present forms are largely the result of that time. Much like the Chosen, however, we have augmented ourselves extensively through biological and cybernetic means. New Ishtar itself is… well, a hellhole for those not adapted to it, should your people wish to visit our space they will unfortunately be required to keep to the orbital stations for their own safety.”
Pheromones in the air, this better not have any medical complications, the whole section of the ship has been quarantined anyway and the air is likely to get thrown out into space, but if they find anything wrong with her health statistics it could mean staying stuck on this ship for a while, which is annoying.
”If that is the case we can safely assume most of your people also arrived via a generation ship, correct?” Reecka looked at the camera for a split second, what might be going through the security guard’s mind? Hopefully she isn’t the only one who reached the same conclusion about how the Ishtari… came to be like this. Some oligarchs are probably going to call the footage fake until they see a snake woman themselves.
”I’m sure we can exchange our respective stories at a later moment.” Reecka said, coughing up a little, a bit embarrassed of her own thoughts.
“ Everyone with certain exceptions arrived via generation ships. Feel free to ask any question you may have of us, Admiral. Both Ishtar and my Chosen are happy to answer any and all questions you may have about us, our nations or simply the state of the galaxy. I’m sure it must be hard from your nation’s POV to meet two great nations so soon after your Gateway opening and not only that, but to find out you are not alone at all anymore. ” quickly replied Ashe.
”It will take some time for everyone to adapt to the new state of, well everything, going to the meeting place and becoming part of this galactic community will definitely help. Then again what is the current state of Sol and the galaxy as a whole? You did say there is Terran threat , just not from Earth itself, that honestly seems to be a complicated matter.”
“ We’ve got the Terran threat as a major concern. Other than that, we’ve got the Yulzan and the FRA. One alien species with some humans and a human colony alongside other types of aliens fighting each other, in fact, that was the first contact the Chosen had with the other nations. Two battlecruisers, one from each faction, burst into our system shooting missiles at each other. As for the others…” replied Ashe and reached inside her clothes and pulled a data-storage device from a tiny, almost invisible pocket.
“ We were prepared for this, please accept this gift. It’s similar tech to what was used previously on Earth, it should work on any type of computer. The details of each of the galaxy’s current nations. You’ve got contact information, details about their home planets that are available to tourists etc. ” continued Ashe while leaving the data-storage device on the table in front of them, bending slightly to put it there.
Vetrisin nodded. “If you wish to know the full gritty story, I’m sure many of our people would be happy to talk your ear off for an afternoon and fill you in on everything. The simple explanation of who we are is that our Ark was trapped… elsewhere for a very long time, and we were mutated while within it, and we made some extra changes after that. A more pressing matter, as Ashevelen mentioned, is the People’s Union of New Terra. An autocratic, imperialist nation bent on interstellar conquest. The full information should be contained within Ashevelen’s drive there, but we think you ought to know what you’re dealing with. We expect war to erupt sooner rather than later. You’ve found the rest of humanity at an inopportune time, unfortunately.”
”Conflict was the common state of things in old earth was it not? I can’t make any promises right now but it’s very possible we’ll help you in a war with these imperialists from New Terra.” Reecka looked at the small device on the table, it’s probably best to test it out right now and also find a good place for it where it would not be lost.
”Is there a problem if we try this right now?” Reecka asked, taking the small data-storage device.
Ashevelen nodded slightly and replied “ Conflict is a common state of things between all humans. Earth wasn’t destroyed by people but by greed of a few. Something I sought long and hard to abolish.
Not at all, feel free to try it. ” ended Ashe with a smile.
”Alright then.” Said Reecka trying to plug it into a computer on the wall. ”This is connected to the big screen behind you, right on top of the entrance. Now this is a non-standard plug , for us at least, it’s got internal pins so I’ll just take this converter… Reecka kept fiddling with connectors and a couple adapters for a minute while muttering to herself.
”Aaand we’re done, this should work fine for later as well.” with that the large screen flashed to reveal what was in the portable database, while Reecka controlled it with her device.
On the screen images started to appear and soon the Meeting Place was shown. Each image showing a different part of the station and the nations that have chosen to take part in the project. As soon as an image was pointed at, it would open up a screen with multiple options that could be selected, history, location in the galaxy, known relations with the other nations etc.
“ Nothing there is secret and they’re taken from public databases, so, feel free to peruse it at your own will. Take it as a welcome package to the wider galaxy, if you will. ” replied Ashe.
Looking through all the different sections there were descriptions and data for over a dozen civilizations that many?, the presence of all these nations within one galactic community is a massive development, surely it’s best not to make enemies out of them, this New Terra will probably discover that soon enough.
”Well then, we’ll make sure to send ships and material to expand the station for our entry, for the time being we will also need some time to analyze all this new information.”
“ That is understandable. Take as much time as you want. If you need help with materials, the Chosen stand ready to help and I’m sure that my Ishtarian counterpart will say the same. Also, in the Chosen sector of the meeting place, we’ve set up a hospital. Any and all injuries can be healed. Missing limbs, cancer and what-not. If it isn’t something we’ve seen before, our Clerics will devise a way to treat it. Free of charge, of course. ” replied Ashe with a smile.
Vetrisin nodded. “We and the Chosen possess, without hyperbole, the most advanced medical science of any of earth’s children. If you have any sick or injured, old or infirm, and cannot help them - we will take them in and heal them. All are welcome - and we welcome you.” She smiled, “Glad to have another nation join the galaxy.”
”We do in fact have issues treating things like cancer, lung damage and missing limbs, once we get confirmation and the paperwork done we might send them over, even better if we could gain this medical knowledge and treat them at home.” It was sure an odd offer to make in a first contact with another nation, how many would have said no due to how suspicious it is?.
Well this is fortunately not a big issue, sure most Governor-Generals wouldn’t want words spilling out but at the same time a lot of them would probably be happy to rid themselves of those people, and surely they would select the more fortunate and the recently injured. Exchanging human lives has never been a problem, and with the prospect of saving in the long run it should not be even for the few who still have moral integrity.
Raising an eyebrow, Ashevelen smiled and put a hand inside her dress once again, this time, taking out a small vial (for a Chosen).
“ You’d be asking us to send over tech our people have been working on for over 300 years, you do realize that? But, I do understand the caution. What if this is just a big ruse for you to send your people over and then we’d enslave them or use them for experiments? ” replied Ashe, sharply but not without diplomacy. She held the vial towards the light a second and pretended to look through it, then put it on the table.
“ This is one of our earlier types of medicine. It will cure most minor diseases, cuts and illnesses. I’m more than happy to exemplify, if you’ve got anyone with something like this on the ship. ”
Vetrisin nodded, “We are happy to help, but you ask us to simply give you technology and capabilities we have developed over centuries. These are some of our most prized capabilities - would you turn over the blueprints to your most advanced warships to us? I would offer you something smaller, but Ashevelen has beat me to it.”
They were cautious as well, it makes sense but it seemed a bit weird after such a proposal, then again they had a massive fleet outside their gate.
”That is understandable, perhaps we can arrange something different in the future. Now about this, vial? Does it work by injection, consumption? I would be sorry if it gets wasted by someone using it improperly.”
Ashevelen smiled at Vetrisin, " Hasn't Tiamat told you? I'm always prepared. She was the one that would stay locked up in her room while I was the one prepping for the unavoidable. "
Turning towards the admiral, Ashevelen added. " It works in any way you can think of. Contact on skin, injection, consumption. You shouldn't feel bad, this is something we give our babies when they're sick in the first stages of life. We've got more than we need and it's easy to produce…for us. " smiled Ashe as she explained. Truly this medicine was a parlor trick in comparison to the other stuff they had.
" As I said before, if you've got someone sick on the ship, bring them here and see the medicine in action. If it proves that it kills the person or whatever devious plot you may think we have, don't forget you've got the leader of a very-very loyal nation to its leader, in your ship. They won't shoot you down or anything of the sorts while I'm here. "
The truth was that between the four of them, they could easily escape the ship if that was needed.
”Oh do not worry I’m not one to doubt others, unless you really insist on it. Is there anything else you wish to talk about?”
“ I particularly do insist. I understand the caution, but, give us a chance. ”
”Alright then, give me a moment.” Reecka said while getting up and walking up to one of the guards at the entrance, speaking low so not to be easily heard but to those with a keen ear, or biologically enhanced hearing, it would sound like a drunk azulvistan speaking gibberish and changing cadence midword.
The guard ran off and sure enough after a couple minutes they returned accompanied by a man with scars on his face and two fingers missing in his right hand.
”In this ship we don’t have people with grave illnesses or missing large limbs for obvious reasons, but it still would be hugely impressive if it can regenerate fingers and such.”
Ashevelen approached the tiny man and looked at him with a doctor’s eye. Looking at the scars, fingers, everything that could determine the medical status of the patient.
“ Hmmm. Very much deteriorated fingers, bad overall health…not that much variety of food in your home system? This should heal him up a bit and if not, I’ve got something stronger on me…just in case. ” replied Ashe, her voice neutral.
With a smile and a murmured “sorry for the pain”, she took out a syringe, put it in the vial and inserted it directly in the man’s hand, where the two fingers were missing. Initially nothing would happen but then the man would start to feel pain as the body would go into overdrive. The scars were the first to be healed, his face becoming as it was before them.
His hand would start to itch and from the place where his fingers were, a red area would appear which would burn him badly and then, his fingers would start to grow back. Slowly but surely.
“ In about 10 to 20 minutes, your fingers are going to be back as they were previously. Any other internal injuries should be cleared up as well. Oh’ and for the pain…” said Ashe and then snapped her fingers. Almost immediately, Julius grunted loudly and pheromones would start to flood the room. Anyone in it, would soon forget about whatever pain they had as the pheromones would trick the brain into forgetting that it was there in the first place.
Vetrisin smiled at the two. “Perhaps you wish for a more dramatic demonstration?” Looking to Ashevelen for confirmation for a second, she rolled back her sleeve and held her arm out horizontally. Pheromones flooded the room from the glands on her neck, giving a calming sensation to the Hyginians.
With a moment to process her request, her aide raised one of the bladed secondary arms, the limb flashing through the air in a blur of motion towards the outstretched arm of her commander. Vetrisin gave no sign other than a grunt as the bladed arm shredded through flesh and bone in an instant, the severed limb - nearly the size of many people’s legs - dropped to the floor. Obligingly, she bent down and retrieved the amputated arm, passing it towards her commander, before subconsciously wiping the bloodstain from the natural blade that made up her arm and returning it to its folded position.
Vetrisin looked at Ashevelen with a smile, seemingly showing no pain as she held the heavy limb in another arm. “If you would?”
Ashevelen looked in disbelief at Vetrisin. While she knew very well that she had the means to repair it on her own, doing a move such as this in front of new people that they were to impress…it was just the crazy type of plan that Tatiana would try to convince her of in their teens.
Julius quickly approached Ashevelen and a small hatch opened in his armor, inside were emergency supplies, as Ashe was always prepped for things going awry and just in case she would be injured too much, these would allow Julius to heal her enough for her body to do the rest.
“ You’re lucky I’ve planned for something like this. ” quickly said Ashe as she took out two vials from the med-kit and one syringe. Quickly calculating how much she should use on a body Vetrisin sized, she took a bit of each vial in the syringe and moved her hands at an inhuman speed to mix them together.
She took Vetrisin’s arm in one hand, noticing that it was heavier than it looked, and injected Vetrisin’s stump with the concoction from the syringe. Holding close the previously detached arm to the stump, the bone, muscles, skin and everything that holds an arm together started to regenerate and link together. In less than 5 minutes, the whole arm would be back to normal. Of course, if it would’ve been anyone other than an Ishtarian with enhanced biology, they would’ve experienced lethal side-effects considering the concoction was made specifically for emergencies.
As the scene was taking place the reactions were pretty much what you would expect from regular humans, a guard went out the door, two more instinctively went for their guns only just stopping themselves and the newly arrived crewman who just got his fingers back stood there in utter shock.
The admiral similarly watched the demonstration with wide eyes and a face of shock and partial disgust, staying almost immobile.
Only when it was over would she shake herself off and speak.
”That was… please don’t do it again, or at least warn everyone beforehand.” at least it was now clear to everyone they not only look weird but they also act weird.
Vetrisin grinned, “A dramatic demonstration was in order. You were doubtful. What better way to demonstrate the capabilities of our technology than a demonstration like that?” She gestured about the room, the freshly reattached arm showing no signs of damage or impediment. She paused, “I sense I have made an error. Are such displays frowned upon where you are from, then?” She asked with genuine curiosity evident in her words. “If so, please accept my heartfelt apologies.”
Reecka nodded slightly ”It is not ordinary for us that’s for sure, but I understand things must be… different where you are from. I suggest you at least give a warning next time, could help in your diplomatic endeavors. Well, are there more demonstrations you would like to show us?” She said a bit worried for what might happen next.
“ I’m sure that’s more than enough. I assure you, the Chosen are not like the Ishtarians from this point of view but Vetrisin made a valid point. You were doubtful, now you’re not. Technology-wise, between the Chosen and the Ishtarians, there are no others in this galaxy that know the human body as well as we do. I don’t think there’s any need for more demonstrations. You’ve seen our technology and you’ve seen a part of our fleet. What’s there more to say? ” replied Ashe.
”Nothing else for now, the achievements of your technology are clear to us now and I’m sure we’ll get to know more of them with time. We're also thankful for your cordiality and invitation to the meeting place. I sure was not expecting this meeting. Now if you have any more questions or points you’d like to bring up, I’m all ears, otherwise I’d say I don’t have anything more to ask.”
“ Nothing from me and if nothing from Vetrisin, I shall be taking my leave. Thank you for your time. ” replied Ashe with her usual smile
Vetrisin nodded, subconsciously smoothing out the wrinkles in her outfit as she thought of having to squeeze through the doorway once again. “Likewise, I have nothing more to add. If you wish it we will contact you through official channels at a later date to further discuss that which has been brought up here. If that is all, after you, Ashevelen.”
The Journey - Part 1 - Now - The edge of the Umbral Forest
" I told you we should’ve followed the river and not gone through those bushes. We’re lost now. " the elf said annoyed to her companions, just after she stepped into some animal droppings.
" Every time you leave home,
Another road takes you
Into a world you were never in." replied the Satyr to the confusion of the elf, in a sing-song voice.
" That doesn't make any sense. What road, what world? ” said the elf, more annoyed than confused now.
“ Quiet you two. Do you hear that? ” said Penumbra with raised hand. Their shadowy arms moulding into swords as they prepared for battle.
“ An invisible hawk circles, an invisible tree, prey could it be me? ” asked the Satyr, continuing his musical tune.
More rustling of the leaves, bushes moving and a whistle, followed up by more. Almost immediately after the whistles ended, some shapes could be seen moving closer to the group.
As the figures approached, a spear suddenly flew into the air right towards the elf’s body but before it could hit, the elf [guardian] uttered a word and activated their enhanced reflexes skill and her own spear moved as if by magic, breaking the spear at the tip but it wasn't enough, more spears were being thrown at them from different directions at once. It seemed that the group was close to meeting their end…
4 hours ago - Outskirts of Shadowton
Days passed after Ashevelen went inside her realm and in this time, Penumbra searched for companions. Not knowing how the journey will be but expecting danger lurking at every, especially upon leaving the Umbral Forest, they looked everywhere for someone willing to follow them. 'Alas, they refused to use the Goddess’s favour to force anyone to join them which meant they were short of allies. The Umbra citing different reasons as to why not, while the Satyrs simply refused outright. All but one that said he might be interested but never showed up to the meeting place.
The time to leave was almost nigh when fortune smiled upon Penumbra. This fortune was in the shape of a tall elven woman. A level 3, [protector] class red-haired elf with a long ponytail, two differently coloured eyes and barely any clothing on her.
“ Sorry, I no away speak apple language, you. You, tree Penumbra? Leaving? ” said the elf in Black Speech, her accent heavy most of the words came off weirdly from her mouth as she struggled to pronounce them, causing them to sound different than what they supposed to.
Penumbra looked at her with curiosity and confusion. They barely understood what the elf spoke and the elf was speaking in Black Speech or something of the sorts as they barely understood what they wanted. Shaking their head, Penumbra replied back in the elven language, kindly.
“ Apologies but I barely understood a word of what you said. Can you please repeat? ”
Relief was obvious on the elf’s face. Quickly regaining her composure, she smiled at Penumbra before replying, in a very happy voice.
“ Ah! You speak elf! That’s going to make things easier then. I was already prepared to just follow you around until you get the idea. ”
“ I still don’t know who you are and what you require, elf. ”
Casually facepalming herself, the elf replied quickly.
“ I’ve got no manners, apologies. My name is Custosa, a level 3 [protector] class of…nowhere. No tribe. ” her voice turning sour at the mention of her being tribeless.
“ Greeting Custosa, I’m Penumbra as you figured out. Level 2 [champion] as recognized by the Goddess herself. You said leaving earlier on in Black Speech, if you were asking if I’m leaving, the answer is yes. Embarking on a divine quest given by the Goddess herself! ”
“ Perfect! That’s exactly what the other elves were saying from what I heard. Do you require another companion? I wish to leave these forests but no one else shall take me. ”
“ It seems we’re in the same situation, Custosa. I would be honoured if you’d join me and no, I don’t want to know why none others will take you. Do you wish to know where we are going? ”
“ No need. Call it a fair trade, you shan’t ask me about my past. I shan’t ask you about the quest. Now, when are we leaving? ” impatiently asked Custosa.
“ Agreed. My time is running out and I seem to find another person to join the party, so we’ll be leaving as soon as you gather your equipment. ”
Custosa looked at her body then around herself in embarrassment and shook her head.
“ This…is all I have. What you see on me. ”
“ I can’t accept that. We go out like that, we won’t end up far. Come, I’ve earned quite some money out of the trade with your people. I’ll buy you some equipment and you’ll owe me a favour. Agreed? ”
As soon as Custosa agreed, they went over to the marketplace. After half an hour of haggling with a young Umbra, they finally were on their way. Custosa, now dressed up like a [protector] with thick clothing covering her whole body and armed with a long shadow-wood spear, looked more like one than a homeless person.
2 hours ago - Somewhere in the Umbral Forest
“ You’re telling me you never had beer? Never tried it? Not even a sip? ” asked Custosa in a very surprised manner.
“ Nope, never. It sells well between the Satyrs and elves but I’ve never seen an Umbra that liked the taste of elven beer. There was talk about someone trying to copy your method and changing the ingredients, in the living quarters, the other night but don’t know if they will do it or not. ”
“ I can’t believe it. We sold you the technology and you already try to modify it. ” quickly replied Custosa with a grin.
“ How long will I wait?
Most of life is time.
When is my moment to shine? ” a person from above the party sang, their voice sweet like honey.
With a raised hand, Custosa jumped in front of Penumbra, her spear pointing forward. Ready to skewer any foe that might come.
“ Easy there, Custosa. I know that voice. He’s the third party member that I thought he decided against coming with us.. ” said Penumbra to the over-protective Custosa before raising their voice and shouting “ Hey, Dahm! Come down. ”
Soon after Penumbra finished shouting, leaves started to move above them and then with loud THUD a small Satyr, fell to the ground. Giving him a hand to stand up which he took gracefully, Dahm gave a quiet thank you (in rhyme) to Penumbra before looking at Custosa and giving her a proper bow.
“ Those two dreamy eyes
Full of determination
Yes! She'll win all the fights. ” sang Dahm with a grin. Clearly enjoying the view of Custosa, she in turn gave him a look of confusion.
“ What? Why is he talking like that? ”
“ We don’t know. Last member of a scouting party that went missing. They found him like that, can’t speak a word without making a song out of it. Somehow. ”
“ Truth is good,
Truth is soul,
Truth is well deeds of life and soul. ”
“ I thought you weren't coming anymore. This is Custosa, a level 3 [protector] and our new companion for the road. ”
“ I think a lot day by day
The more i think,
The more I am confused,
I want to explore,
But I got lost,” replied Dahm with another bow towards Custosa.
“ I’ve got no idea what he’s saying. Not sure how you understand him. So, he’s a bard of sorts? ”
As soon as the words came out of Custosa’s mouth, a notification could be heard in Dahm’s mind.
[Class Unlocked - Bard]
[Level 1]
[New Ability - Song of Confusion]
“ Facing a new day.
Taking the risks of living.
No choice but courage.” said Dahm the Bard as received the new level.
“ I think you’ve just levelled him up. We’ve called him the poet before but the bard works too. Dahm the Bard, has a nice ring to it. ”
Now - The edge of the Umbral Forest
Custosa proved herself true to her class as she protected Dahm from the spear. Dahm simply squealed and scrambled for cover, only to be grabbed by the shirt and lifted in the air by a massive elf which appeared behind them. Other elves quickly surrounded the group, their leader was a short elf which stepped in front of his group.
" Look everyone. One of them Umbra creatures. I bet this one can be traded for a lot of stuff. " proclaimed the elf bandit with a grin while pointing at Penumbra.
Custosa was staring daggers at the group and gripped her spear tightly while Penumbra’s own form twisted and changed, spikes and long spears appeared instead of their hands and all over their body.
" I am the Champion of Ashevelen, the Goddess. You would do good to leave us alone. 'Lest you attract the ire of the Lady Of The Trade and Shadows. " replied Penumbra with a threatening tone.
The bandit leader looked around, then at his companions, very seriously before starting to laugh out loud. His companions soon joining him in laughter and joke making.
" I don't see any Goddess, dumb shadow and if you're so precious to her, let her come over and trade with us for your life. "
As soon as the elf stopped talking, Penumbra uttered a word and activated their [champion] class, skill called [Inspire]. Almost instantly Dahm stopped trembling in fear and activated his own skill [Song of Confusion] which made the bandits for a few seconds to hear howls, see shapes in the forest and pretty much anything that would confuse such a low-level foe.
The effect of the skill was clear, their grip on their weapons tightened, their eyes scanning the forest for threats and it was enough. The two skills combined gave the Penumbra party a massive advantage, one they wouldn't waste. A spear here, a bandit cut almost in two there and soon the battle war over. The Penumbra group was victorious but not without any injuries, a deep cut over Custosa’s eye, Dahm was covered in small cuts from the spears he barely managed to dodge…when he could and of course, Penumbra. Their first real battle left a mark on their shadowy form, barely seen with the naked eye enough for them to feel it for months to come.
The heroes quickly bandaged their wounds to the best of their limited abilities and continued their journey.
To be continued…
© 2007-2026