Twhirtley

All Roads Lead to Death (Ebonfort)

From her place in the dirt, her face hurting from the stick that had smacked her hard when the man tripped, Trix had been unable to see what had happened. All she felt was pain all over, then the thud of a body hitting the ground nearby. Through screwed tight eyes, she saw the arrow in his face and knew he was dead. Her head and back hurt something fierce from the punch and being thrown to the ground. She laid there painfully, on her stomach, as Remus nudged at her with his nose, before looking over at Remilia who was struggling to stand, now limping her way over to her mother.

Trix got an arm beneath her and pushed herself to a halfway upright position, beckoning at Remilia to come to her. The pup limped over and Trix set about to feeling at the dog's shoulder glancing over at the woman. She could see that she was unconscious, but her chest was rising and falling ever so slightly, so she was still alive. The pup squirmed painfully under Trix's touch but nothing felt broken or out of place. It seemed to just be a vicious bruise.

She pushed herself up, her entire body hurting, as she reached down and picked up the injured pup. Looking down at the dead man, she saw the flower float off the surface of his skin. It floated in the air, looking just as solid and real as it did on the man's skin. It connected with something that was invisible at first but appeared to be a blue sphere of some sort. They glowed briefly before speeding off to the west like a panicked fairy.

Trix heard an awed swearing and saw it came from the woman she'd treated before. She'd just witnessed magic, more magic that was not her own. Perhaps the other woman hadn't seen magic before, it seemed likely. She turned back toward the unconscious woman setting Remilia down away from her. She grabbed her pack and reached into her supplies and found her smelling salts once more. She opened them beneath the woman's nose and forced her face into a pained smile, to try and calm her. When she awoke, Trix would speak, "Easy, are you hurt? I can fix you if you are."

The other woman managed to get to her feet. She was wondering around, looking at all the dead, "There should be scouts coming soon, we were expected to check in by now." She looked morbid, before chuckling awkwardly, "I guess this means I get a promotion..."

(Ebonfort) Strangers in a Strange Land

Raffey knew they were going to be making camp soon, as he steered his horse away, as had been common as of late. He'd not been very talkative to any of them, in his mornings for having lost Dibney. They'd been best friends since she was the size of his hand. He'd rescued her from a particularly hungry lizard, raised her, trained her. And now, she was gone. He'd welcomed the new mission, gave him something to focus on, to take his mind off of things, since he had no drink to dive into. He was used to going long bouts without wine or ale, but that was when his spirits were high. Now, he craved the sweet darkness the drink often brought about. His other vice though, held no interest with him currently. There were two voluptuous, beautiful women who seemed quite open to the idea of many lovers, much like himself, in this scouting party, but Raffey found nothing within him. Maybe when he was in better moods.

Having broken away from the group, he'd made his way for one of the many woods, looking for something worth tracking. Once in the trees, he gently pulled on the reins and slower the horse to a halt, and tied her to a tree. His eyes scanned the wood, already looking for signs of anything. He saw barren berry bushes, having long since been picked clean by the many birds in the area. Moving along, he eventually came across what he'd hoped to find. In the dirt, he saw fresh, deep prints. Two elongated arrows over two points. Likely a type of deer.

He drew one of his javelins, and slowly followed the tracks, eyes always scanning the wood before him. He stepped slow, watching his footing, rolling it from heel to ball so as to stay silent. He continued onward, until he could make out the sounds of a babbling brook, likely the very one that gave life to this copse. As he grew closer, he saw it. A young male yale, bending to drink from the brook. It was just out of throw's reach, and he slowly stepped closer and closer. The creature stiffened, head raising up, sensing something. It looked around, Raffey staying completely still.

Seeing nothing, it went back to drinking, but was more alert, ears perked. Raffey took another step, and a leaf crunched beneath his boot. The yale heard it, and immediately took off away from the sound. Raffey stepped forward, arm pulled back, and then took a heavy step forward, twisting at the waist. He let loose the javelin, it sailing through the trees. But it passed just over the top of the deer, embedding in a tree. But Raffey didn't stop. He drew another javelin from his back as he ran forward, knowing he didn't have much time until the creature would be gone. It turned away from a particularly thick set of trees, running across Raffey's field of vision. Raffey turned off to the left, looking to intercept. He saw a large log ahead and knew what was about to happen. He stopped and planted himself, waiting a few long seconds, javelin readied.

Then the yale jumped, looking to clear the log, but the javelin was already loosed. It flew threw the air, and struck the deer hard in the ribs, piercing through to the lungs, sending it off balance as it flailed to the ground. It was dead by the time Raffey reached it. He quickly retrieved both of his javelins, then picked up the heavy carcass. They'd eat well tonight. Draped over his shoulders, man and food making their way to the horse. He hung it over the front of the saddle, and rode back to camp.

Upon arriving, he strung the deer up in preparation for cleaning it, eyes looking around the camp, seeing those kvaren hard at work, the newly freed slaves milling in their own little groups, and him, all alone. He sliced from neck to tail, and began removing the organs, tossing them to the grass. He sighed loudly. With Dibney he was alive. Now he was just surviving. And it was all so... boring.

A Heart Frozen (Ebonfort)

Svarak was toying with his prey now, each powerful blow sending chunks flying from the creature. These chunks did not reform, did not return to the creature, but just melted where they lay. Finally, a massive forearm shiver shattered one of the creature's legs, and it toppled over, hitting the ground hard. The entire cavern shook, and a stalactite broke loose, just narrowly missing Rilana and Kona falling straight for the dragon. Svarak saw it and sprinted over to the fallen creature, and leapt tackling into the stone shoulder first, and sending it away.

He landed gracefully next to the beast, looking up, just as his partners finished the shield, which flashed bright blue before dissipating. He smiled, shouting up through the cavern, "Well done you two!" His gaze came down, when he saw the Gatekeeper doing something strange. It was digging with a single claw into its own chest. Svarak's instincts were screaming for him to act, and he started toward it.

The creature exposed a glowing, blue, crystalline core. Just before Svarak could kick the claw away, it sank into the core. An intense, high pitched squeal filled the cavern, followed by an explosion of blue flames that froze the entire bottom of the cavern, filling the hole that Rilana and Kona had left, jagged shards growing out of it. The sudden explosion was causing the ceiling to collapse, large chunks falling. Kona would see the entrance that would leave to the safety of the tower.

A single voice, one that Rilana would know came from the dragon, sounding exhausted yet elated, only heard in her mind, "Thank you for freeing me..." Soon the entire cavern would be filled with fallen stone.

Svarak could feel the ice sucking the life from him. He could just barely make out Kona and Rilana above, through the crystalline prison. He found some peace that knowing that he'd be dead soon, even though he'd failed in his mission. At least now he could rest. He just wished he could've had some peace in life, settled down in the easy life, sought out the love of a woman who could love him back. As his mind began to shut down, the face of Rilana, smiling, on a lake of ice was seen. His last thought was that would've been perfect.

Up above, the entire tower shook as the cavern had collapsed, but it held firm. As Becker was searching through the tower, the sudden shaking startled him, for his training was not near as complete as it should've been. His mind was filled with fear, and Chartrose could hear it, as the dog darted out of the tower, dashing past the scared rams, into the cold.

As the draining shield below was severed, the woman before Alya grew furious. "No! How? That's impossible!" Alya could hear that song was all but faded, that the only notes were those being drained away from her. The Moon Fey woman was rushing around the room, creating more shields, muttering loud, her frustration and anger very evident. It seemed as if only one more straw was needed to break the camel's back with her.

Her back was to Alya as she worked, swearing and huffing angrily. "I... I have enough, I surely have enough. Yes... yes..." It would take a simple prod, toward anger, toward frustration, perhaps even toward confidence.

The dragon actually felt more alive now that he was in this frozen prison. His mastery over the element made him feel like a fish in water, and he moved through the ice with such ease. He saw the feline man before him, the one who'd fought so bravely and successfully to defend him. He plucked the man lightly by his clothes, and swam through the ice, through the tunnel the gatekeeper had appeared in. He knew it led to the outside, as he began sucking the cold out of the man. It would be such a shame if he died. But the dragon was hopeful. And had some business to finish.

Drisceya popped her head out, "Oi, get your lazy asses in here and start loading up these books. I'll know if you sneak any of them away. These are being claimed for the empire." The others looked at her as if she were nuts, considering how they'd just fought their way up here before the statues had frozen once more. But none of them could challenge a Warden and began getting back to work.

Drisceya was getting the feeling she was missing something. There was another lock in this room, yet not another door, she was sure of it. No one had a room this nice without hiding the best parts away. But what might one hide in a library? She continued scanning the room, her eyes falling on a chess table. It had two chairs, yet, this tower was clearly a place where one sought isolation from anyone else.

Moving over to it, she could see a thin layer of dust, except for one square. Studying the game, she smiled, appreciating the key. She moved a knight forward, putting the white king into checkmate. There was a soft grinding, as the table began lowering down into the floor and away, revealing a ladder into a small, hidden chamber. She hadn't noticed it one the way up, must be some clever architecture. Slipping down inside she squealed in delight, and began lifting three, heavy, small chests out of the room. One toppled over, unlocked, and a single book, stained with what seemed to be blood, fell out. Ortha would be able to smell the blood on it. If she turned toward it, one of her tiny horns would carve a thick groove through the ceiling, revealing the sound of the mage. The songweaver may have been transported by magic, but it seemed the ceiling was nothing more than plaster and beams.

A Badger in Sheep's Clothing (Ebonfort)

@RomanAria - I'm marking this RP as inactive and unsubscribing from it. If you wish to continue it, reply and contact me.

A Slithering Scheme (Ebonfort)

@Foster - I'm marking this RP as inactive and unsubscribing from it. If you wish to continue it, reply and contact me.

A Slithering Scheme (Ebonfort)

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[Ebonfort] Days of Grass and Dust

Verissa nodded as he spoke, frowning as he explained what this Gathering was. It was a cruel irony. She was kidnapped during festivities, ripped from her life, and now, she was going to have to celebrate amongst her kidnappers. He never said how long it would take to reach this Gathering, but she figured that while he wouldn't be fully healed, he'd be able to participate in all but truly fatal combat. In proper sparring and combat, he'd probably find some stiffness there, and if he pushed himself to the extreme, likely would tear his wound open. But if he took it easy until then, she figured he'd be fine.

Then he led her out of his pavilion, and began showing her around. She tried to memorize faces to what he pointed out, noticing that people looked at her in a strange manner, and only briefly, before glancing away. She wondered if it had anything to do with what Shenzi had said previously, about her new master. Her pups followed her loyally, growling at any bigger dogs that came over to sniff. They clearly hadn't forgotten last nights antics as they'd entered the camp.

As Asher introduced her to Gault, her mind immediately thinking of how normal the man appeared, she startled silently. Asher had placed his hand on her back and she hadn't expected it. It wasn't coercion or commanding, but it wasn't kind and loving either. It felt... neutral. It was strange. He continued this off and on as he spoke to many people, Verissa quickly learning just how important he was. He even seemed jovial around one particularly grinning man, named Sedrik.

Verissa wasn't sure how to feel about all of this attention. Much of it seemed curiosity, and some of it genuine surprise. In a weird way, she felt as if she was a bit important by extension, even as a slave. Her heart lightened as he brought her to one of the only structures she recognized, the Healer's tent. She smiled lightly at Shenzi, remembering to thank her once Asher had gone.

She nodded as he said he was leaving, and as he departed, "Wait." She turned to face him, her eyes slowly rising to meet his, only for a moment "Thank you for this." Quickly her eyes darted back away, as she turned to Shenzi, smiling. If there was anyone here she could find herself liking, it was this woman and her foxy grin.

Once her master was finally gone, Verissa spoke, "And thank you for helping convince him to let me work here." Her eyes looked around the large pavilion, seeing the many patients. Being many hours after the raid, most were resting and in recovery. Without instruction from the fox woman, Verissa began moving amongst them, examining them, just as she'd done when he father would take her to Scream Watch to aid there, as a younger woman. Most of the injuries had already been treated, but Verissa could see signs of infection, reddened, sensitive skin around treated wounds. Her face was quizzical, wondering why this was the case, she knew that Shenzi had the knowledge of herbs and medicine to combat simple infection. The woman continued to study the man in front of her, covered in slashes all over his torso and arms, all bandaged up but running a massive fever. Speaking aloud, to no one in particular, "Why's his infection not yet been treated?"

Ebonfort

I see things have slowed down a bit with many of our newer people poofing. Being a new month, and halfway through the new season, just make sure you cover your employment RP for this season. If you're in a timelocked quest, don't worry about it.

I'm looking to try and have the new forum up and running by next month, so as always questions, comments, ideas, on anything Ebonfort related are always welcome.

@Rekaigan@RomanAria@Drache@Foster@Carantathraiel@HylianRose@Tuddums@Isotope@Wild Alyssa@HHShetland@SilverSpartan

Birds of a Feather (Ebonfort)

I'm marking this RP inactive and unsubscribing. If you wish to continue it, reply herein and message me.

They Have Returned (Ebonfort)

Raffey had kept to himself for most of the journey with the scouting party. He really didn't care about the mission at hand, though he did appreciate the irony that Ebonfort and the Screamers were working toward the same goal despite their hatred for each other. Riding a horse had made him broody, he missed Dibney. When they came upon the strange tavern, for the first time, Raffey really didn't feel like drinking.

He stepped out of his tent, seeing that the only people remaining were Drache and Laurel. He wasn't in the mood to be especially chatty and was a bit cold toward them. There was some venison staying warm over the fire and he took a skewer of it as he began heading out, away from the tavern. He was sure those that had gone in would be able to get the information necessary. But, he wanted another look at the area. Where there was a tavern and road, there were other things unseen.

Spare spear and javelins strapped to his back, his leather armor having been oiled so that he could move silently if needed. He moved toward the guarded road first, just to see what would happen. The guards stared at him as he approached, one lowering a spear to point at him, "Stop. I don't recognize you."

Raffey rolled his eyes, "Dat migh' be 'cuz ah'm new ta town. Jus' visitin'. Duh name's Raffeh."

The man scowled, eyeballing him, "Well we're not letting in strangers, pure or otherwise, Coria's orders. You can stay at the Lovely Lily there until we allow outsiders in again. But if you're found in our territory, you'll be killed on sight. Have a pint on me, just tell Larry to put it on my tab."

Raffey smiled a fake smile, "Tanks for duh warnin', aneh sudgeshtuns on where ta go nex'?

The man thought for a moment, "Well to the south there's a horrible town of dragons. They enslave pure races, like dwarves, and make them do horrid things. To the east there's tribe of horsefuckers that will eat you. Not much else around here, just a bunch of ruins of old Vircastoria, before the Ebonfort destroyed us out of jealousy."

Raffey nodded in thanks, and turned on heel and returned back to camp. Finally speaking to the women, "Dey's nah lettin' anyone in. Mentioned some ruins nearbah. Gonna cheh' 'em ou'. Wanna join meh?"

Giving a few slips for preparation if either agreed, Raffey began heading north past the tavern. He wouldn't speak unless one of them addressed. He seemed distracted and depressed as he moved toward the nearby tree line, walking over some fairly obvious boot and giant beetle tracks walking in from the east. He didn't feel the eyes of an aaenshi staring him down from a hiding spot in a bush.

Meanwhile in the Lovely Lily, Larry took Megumi's coins and passed her an ale. When she made her joke, he smiled nervously, "I'm no filthy halfbreed, we don't let those kinds in here. Especially those with strange eyes." A justicar had heard his response and raised a glass, "Damn straight Larry! Filthy creatures deserve to die!"

The entire bar cheered and took a hearty drink. After a bit, Larry brought Megumi another drink, on a napkin. If she turned it over, she'd find some of words written there.

Center door upstairs. Knock four times.

If Megumi decided to venture upstairs, she'd find a justicar, a human woman, following her, unspeaking. Once at the top, the woman would speak, "I've not seen you here before. You from town?" She had brown hair and a kind smile, and a vicious rapier hanging from her hip. No matter what Megumi said, the woman who introduced herself as Sammeh, would continue insisting on small talk and not leaving her be. It didn't seem as if she would be left alone.