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Worlde Arcane: Aniada: City Of Terajin: The Lorimar Road 11: The Terajin Mile


Each section of the Lorimar Road spans a approximately a full days' ride, or roughly two days' march afoot.
Before the gates of Terajin stretches this length of the Lorimar. It is well-packed by many feet and hooves and wheels; the Road here is crowded night and day, winter and summer. The walls of the city rise quite near the highway at one point.
•Northeastward travel leads to The Terajin Shadowpath, two days' ride farther on the highway lead to the great Uiopa River Bridge, Daelows City be five days' ride from here
•Northwestard travel leads directly to City of Terajin: Front Gate, a days' ride from here
•Southward travel leads to Merchant’s Walk, and six days' ride farther on the highway shall find one in Seven Oaks

 Grove of trees near Terajin's gates September 1, 2008 - 4:39 pm

 The Fairegrounds December 19, 2005 - 3:55 pm

 Just up from the Merchant Walk October 24, 2008 - 7:18 pm

 Archive through June 27, 2004 June 27, 2004 - 12:43 am

 Archive through December 8, 2004 December 8, 2004 - 9:49 pm

 Archive through June 12, 2007 June 12, 2007 - 2:56 am

 Archive through November 29, 2008 November 29, 2008 - 12:43 am

 Archive through May 24, 2009 May 24, 2009 - 11:19 pm

 What may I create?

By Young not so amiable Uman (Colt)

Monday, May 25, 2009 - 8:24 am GMT | Edit | Link |

(OOC:

I'm still trying to work out whether Falcon's horse is a boy or a girl, lol.)




What in all the Gods' names was going on? Accusations and declarations all around. Colt shook his head at it all. "Saber, you need to just do what you're comfortable with." He finished gathering the meat strips, wrapping them in a spare wide leaf to carry them.

He shot Halja a glance after hearing Falcon's accusations but it wasn't for him to say. He'd had his suspicions but then he was suspicious of a lot of people. Falcon's declaration of being one of the best fighters he'd ever meet was a bit much for him, though he said nothing. He'd work that out for himself and perhaps the boy was good but he remembered how well Tigress had fought and he'd not yet met anybody that came close to being as good as she was... and even she had taken some serious injuries.

"I'll borrow it if I need it," he murmured as he started breaking camp, kicking dirt over the remaining coals. "And trust is earned," he said more softly under his breath. For now he was still wary, regardless of promises or anything else. So far, his companions hadn't proven unworthy but he'd barely known them more than a few days and the journey ahead was long. He looked to Halja, again deferring to her for leadership, at least for now. "Ready when you are."

By Tiger Pet or Slave ? (Saber)

Monday, May 25, 2009 - 3:01 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Saber ignored what went on about Halja killing that guard. Alurik had killed a lot of people so this was nothing new to him. He thought it was not for him to decide about her reasons or actions.
Saber was also surprised as Falcon told them that he was an experienced fighter. He had no way of finding it out until they got into some fight. Saber just nodded to that part but added. "I think I'd like it if yew show ... use weapon too. I no have much strength as uman ... but be quick and agile. I can fight without weapon like I do as tiger but without claws and teeth I'm not as dangerous!"

Saber returned Falcon's hug but used to pain his hug was stronger than Falcon's. It had been a long time since someone held him in his arms and the boy nearly melted into the hug. To him it was worth more than a little pain and he smiled as he looked up to Falcon. As he was offered to ride on the horse he turned his head to it and thought for a moment about it. "I never rode a horse ... I like to learn but now I prefer to walk!"
Saber showed the toughened soles of his feet to show Falcon that he was used to running on his bare feet.

As Colt told him that he only needed to do what he was comfortable with Saber looked unsure at him. For the boy this would be the first time he would be able not to do what his owner told him. He said nothing to it but didn't really believe it.
Seeing the others packing together Saber turned to them. "Masters, I want to help. What do I have to carry?"

With all the strange sensations and new experiences Saber had not realized that he got a lot better in his talking already.

By Falcon Redstone (Falcon)

Monday, May 25, 2009 - 5:19 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Falcon was surprised that Saber would want to learn how to defend himself in uman form. "Its good that yer quick and agile Saber, yew dont have to be strong to be effective, fighting is all about tactics. When we get to merchant walk i'll buy yew a dagger and i'll show yew how to use it. There is a differance fighting one person and fighting more then one. I'll show yew how to do both"

Falcon was packing things on his horse, and trying to make Swifty more comfortable. Again he spoke to Saber "Yew let me know when yer ready to learn to ride and i'll teach yew. I will never force yew to do something, unless it would save yer life."

Falcon winced when Saber refered them to masters, having more then one could be confusing if each one told him something different. But for now he would let the comment slide. "If yew think yew need to help then yew can carry this pack for me, unless Halja wants yew to do something else" Falcon told him. The pack was loaded with eating supplies.

By Sophisticated Woman with Marked Face (Halja)

Monday, May 25, 2009 - 6:11 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

As the others were speaking, Halja rolled up her blanket and tied it to her pack, the rest still being tucked away, except for the dagger, which she sheathed at her belt. On the road, intimidation might just be more effective than concealment and surprise.

Slinging her pack onto her back, she joined Falcon and Saber and chimed in. "Knowing when not to fight is also a valuable skill. As is knowing when to intimidate and when to deceive. Take Falcon here. He claims he is quite the fighter, though he is but a young man. None of us have seen him in action, so we wouldn't know if he is speaking the truth until we do. He is either bluffing and trying to intimidate us, or he is telling the truth and trying to intimidate us. Regardless, it would be most prudent to take him for his word. Another option, though, is to intentionally underplay yer abilities, so others might underestimate them, so yew can gain the upper hand in a conflict by surprise. Intimidation though, can either help avoid conflict in the case of careful opponents, or make it more likely, in the case of rash or confident ones. Each has its uses, and we would all do well to remember them."

She went over briefly to Colt, to help him pack up the semi-smoked meat for the road. It was good thinking of him, and they needn't truly go hungry for a while still. Besides, perhaps Saber would have little difficulty catching something new. After checking that everything was ready, she turned to Saber once more. "Yew needn't carry anything for my sake. Enjoy running without that extra weight for now, I'd say. Though if yew feel so inclined, yew could carry our most experienced warrior's pack so he doesn't get too tired before he can put his skills to any use."

At that, she turned away without looking for Falcon's reaction. She walked a couple of yards toward the road and halted there, spinning on her heel briefly. "Y'all ready for a new day?" She certainly was...

By Young not so amiable Uman (Colt)

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 - 2:46 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Colt had not expected Halja's help with the meat but it was appreciated. In truth he didn't mind doing what he'd done, it kept him occupied. The concerns about Halja killing somebody, well he'd had suspicions and Falcon declared he was a great fighter. Colt had killed himself and not always by choice. He remained quiet after saying he was ready. There was, of course, a difference between murder and self-defence but sometimes it could be considered a very, very fine line. He didn't want to get into the argument because it might reveal too much about all of them that none of them wished to know.

He nodded to Halja when she asked if everybody was ready for the new day. He tried not to appear to be watching how Falcon packed things onto the horse because it wasn't for him to say anything. He stepped out towards the road, pausing nearby Halja. "Let's get moving," he agreed and moved to the road, setting off along it on foot.

(OOC:

To the Merchant's Walk)

By Tiger Pet or Slave ? (Saber)

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 - 7:56 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Saber nodded eagerly as Falcon promised to show him how to fight. He even smiled for the first time since he changed into uman form and his white teeth shone out of his well tanned and dirty face as he did.
But the smile didn't last long as Halja came over and said her part. Saber nodded to the parts about fighting because they sounded reasonable to him but he didn't like that she suggested Falcon might be just bragging. His smile vanished quickly as she began with that but otherwise Saber had learned to hide his feelings well and to show the people what they expected to see. Now he just kept a neutral appearance about her words.

For Saber everyone not being a slave himself was a master who might command him unless the orders of his owner said otherwise. Alurik had whipped it into him since he was just a little cub so it was natural for him to act that way. Saber still saw Halja as his owner in some way but the actions and words of Falcon, Colt and Halja already changed his views a little bit.
He eagerly went to Falcon to take the pack he offered. Just as Halja added that he didn't need to carry anything but might take Falcon's pack Saber took the pack and nodded to her with a thankful smile. These three people had been good for him and he wanted to help in any way possible.

The pack was lighter than he thought it might be or maybe his hybrid form gave him more strength than one would expect from such a skinny little boy. Saber needed a moment to find the best way to carry the pack but then he nodded to the question if anyone was ready.
Turning to Falcon he added. "Now lerning how to ride ... slow down. Maybe do at evening?"

As soon as they got on their way Saber went to the front to look for tracks. If he saw something interesting or suspicious he crouched down to smell at the track to get more information. Even being mostly uman in this form he still had his keen animal senses as well as the low light vision of a cat. He grew up in a city but the month on the road with Alurik tought him some skills at tracking too. Combined with his sense of smell and his sharp eyes and other senses this skill was useful if needed.

By Falcon Redstone (Falcon)

Tuesday, May 26, 2009 - 11:52 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Well, Falcon thought. Haljas true colors come to light. He had seen it all before in Kioko Rinn, seen it in theives, assassians, swindlers. Oh yes, Halja was good and sneaky and perhaps to deadly for him to stick around much longer.

The intimidation speach she gave, he heard before by the dwarf outcast who raised him. But Halja twisted the words or made suggestions to indecate he was a better fighter than he said. He told Colt he ran into one of the better fighters he met.
Nowhere did Falcon say in that broad and wide statement that he was great or the best or a warrior at all for that matter. But she gave the indecation to Colt and Saber that he was.

He only hoped Saber and Colt had brains to think for themselves.
He was happy that Saber wanted to help him and gave a "Ok" to his wanting to ride Swifty latter.

Falcon knew he was over his head, again. And the best he could do was stay away from Halja. So when they left on the trail, Falcon was a good 50 yards behind everyone walking slowly talking to his horse.

(Occ-to merchants walk)

By Sophisticated Woman with Marked Face (Halja)

Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 10:25 am GMT | Edit | Link |

As they set out south upon the Lorimar, Halja noticed Falcon lagging behind, perhaps sulking a bit, even. Good, perhaps her speech had given him something to think about. She didn't exactly dislike the boy, though she was fairly sure he didn't trust her at all. It was more the fact that he acted so headstrong and yet so naive, boasting about his skills and trying to influence the others against her. Well, she could play that game as well, and probably better than he could. In the end, they travelled as a group, and their mutual interest in Saber would bond them, at least for now.

(TO:

The Lorimar Road 12: Merchant's Walk)

By Turner The Deserter (Turner)

Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 7:54 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Judging from the crowds of people he saw walking away from Terajin, others must felt the same way as Turner. They must have felt something too. Turner could not shake the feeling that he had gotten at the front gate. Something was coming. Something big.

"Hmm."

The path down Lorimar Road was daunting. With several different directions laid out, Turner felt lost. He had nowhere to go. He did not even know how to get to a port to return to Gning Nar. Even if he wanted to, it would be too dangerous to go home. All of the sudden, a voice came to him.

"The southern path is the safest for yew, Turner."

Turner panicked. Someone in the area knew him. If they knew him, they must have known his past. He looked around frantically. There was no one. Must have been his mind. This was not the first time Turner heard voices.

At least it gave him a place to go. He headed south.

(TO: The Lorimar Road 12: Merchant's Walk)
 

By Terajin Wizard (Terawiz)

Monday, June 15, 2009 - 5:36 am GMT | Edit | Link |

(FROM:

Terajin: Front Gate)



Yurogel, accompanied by his best friend, Flavio Cesar, struck a fast pace right after leaving the city. Each rode a fine riding horse and each had a spare on a lead. The spares were fully saddled and carried small riding packs, so there was not much in the way of slowing them down.

Both men wore the robes of the Terajin Wizards Guild and so no one gave them any trouble, but most likely just got out of their way.
 

By Terajin Wizard (Terawiz)

Monday, June 22, 2009 - 5:37 am GMT | Edit | Link |

When evening fell, the two wizards chanced upon one of the many caravan camps along the road. Always appreciative of extra protection and usually not wanting to antagonize the members of the Wizards Guild, the caravan took them in for the night, providing a meal and a tent. The horse boys even took care of their horses.

So the wizards got a good night's sleep.

Next morning they accepted the offer of an early breakfast, then went back to sleep as the caravan packed up and left, on its slow way to Terajin.

The intrepid wizards slept to late morning, meditated on their spells and only then were ready to get going. Their horses well rested, they struck a fast pace again. Well, that's why they'd spent the Baron's gold on good riding horses.

(TO:

Merchant's Walk)

By The Wandering Healer (Praetor)

Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 6:07 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

(FROM:

The Gates of Terajin)


As Lofis, Sasha, and the healer traveled south at an easy canter, the wanderer eventually ceased his humming and took to looking about curiously. Nothing escaped his scrutiny - not the trees that lined the Lorimar, nor the beaten earth of the road itself, not the stars in the sky as his steed carried him south.

After a few hours, there was something else amiss about the healer. He showed no signs of stopping to rest for the evening; he simply kept his horse trotting along at a steady rate down the road.

By Lofis (Viking)

Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:03 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

The stolen horse did not take to Lofis at all, in fact he struggled to keep the animal in a straight line. Thankfully the horse eventually gave up the fight but Lofis was now exhausted. He needed to rest and and have a meal of some sort. He glance up ahead to the Healer.

"Hey! Are we going to stop or what? I'd say it's way past ten now and I ain had any dinner in me!" He said as he pushed the horse along side that of the Healer's horse.
"Sasha? What do yew think?"

By Black Sasha (Sasha_)

Friday, July 10, 2009 - 2:03 am GMT | Edit | Link |

(FROM:

Front Gates)


Sasha was dozing in the saddle, lulled by the chirrup of night birds and the rustling of trees in the breeze. Every now and again, usually when she was on the verge of falling off, she would awake with a snort and wipe the drool from her chin before settling herself in the saddle once more and starting the process over again.

Her eyes sprung open when Lofis spoke, hand reaching instinctively for the bone-notched cutlass at her hip. “Oh, uh, yes,” she answered once she’d grasped the question. “Aye and aye, it’s been a long day, and the half loaf that we ate at the Lantern hardly seems a fitting supper, but what else is there?”

The rush of adrenaline she’d experienced at the mention of the name, Darver, had long since ebbed, but just the thought of the man getting away fired up whatever tiny reserve of willpower that still remained within her. “I’ll ride so long as we can manage it,” she said, more as a promise to herself than her companions.

By The Wandering Healer (Praetor)

Friday, July 10, 2009 - 6:57 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

The healer looked back at his companions with an expression of embarrassed surprise. "Oh! How inconsiderate hath I been!" A pat on the neck, and the warmare beneath him stopped, though not without a roll of her eyes and a snap of her teeth. With a graceful leap and a flare of his white cloak, the strange man dismounted and looked worriedly at his companions. To think that he might have ailed them in any way with his eagerness to find this Darver character!

"I pray thee, halt. Make thine preparations. Hast thou rations stowed in thine saddlebags?" By now, it was clear that the wanderer quite literally had nothing with him - no bedroll, no pack, no belongings beyond the small pouches that lined his belt and his walking stick.

All the same, he seemed to make no motion to set up a camp, either, despite his urging that Lofis and Sasha make themselves comfortable.

By Black Sasha (Sasha_)

Saturday, July 11, 2009 - 12:00 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Dinner halted alongside the other horses, showing no signs of fatigue, despite her advanced state of wear and tear. Sasha, on the other hand, stifled a yawn with the back of hand, secretly happy that the Healer had decided to stop.

Sliding off the beast, with some trouble, she said, "Hold on and I'll check out these saddlebags. Bound to be something useful in them." She considered her lies to the Healer concerning the horses and added, "I mean I know I put a bunch of good stuff in there, but who knows who tampered with what while we were away. Terajin," she shrugged, as if that explained it all.

Standing on tip-toe to reach to the bottom of the bag, she pulled out, and identified by touch, three apples, some chalk, a two foot long ball of twine marked at every second inch, a gaudy holy symbol of The Church of The Reclaimer, a small hammer, three candles, two chicken halves dripping with grease and wrapped in waxed cloth, as well as something that smelled like a melon though she couldn't identify which type, and a bottle of wine. "Aha, Lofis," she cheered when she pulled that out.

The Saddlebag on the other side held only a large blanket. "We were planning a picnic," she explained, once she'd added it all up.

The thing at the bottom of the second bag, which would go on to cause much trouble for Sasha in the future, and the severed Uman finger which it relied upon, remained hidden below the blanket for now.

By Lofis (Viking)

Saturday, July 11, 2009 - 2:43 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Lofis slid off his horse, which he had yet to name. It seemed pointless, especially if they followed Sasha's trail of thought and ate them. He tied the reins around a nearby tree and searched his own saddle pack. Inside there was a smaller leather pouch, in that were a few half silver coins, probably enough for a night in a tavern. Lofis quickly hid them back inside the saddle pack and found a small dagger. Seems the former owner of this horse was either poor or emptied most of the contents before.

He heard his name cried out and he glanced at Sasha, his eyes widened. He quick-stepped over to her and the wine, with his arms out wide to accept the bottle from her.
"It's nice that yew think of me when there is alcohol about!"
He took the bottle and began examining it.
"Hm good year I think!" He said brightly, suddenly cheering up.

He slumped down on the floor and leant against a tree.
"So..." He began, talking to the Healer while he struggled with the cork, "When are yew going to fix Sasha's eyes?"

By The Wandering Healer (Praetor)

Saturday, July 11, 2009 - 5:14 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"A picnic?" The healer lightened considerably at the mention of anything that involved food, really, and he seemed obtuse enough for Sasha's hasty explanation to go unchallenged. He himself was still sated on Olt's ham, but it pleased him that his companions would not go hungry. He would not presume to intrude. "A romantic notion. The two of thee are, then..."

His supposition was stalled at Lofis' question. "Oh! Yes. Of course, milady Sasha. How rude of me to have forgotten." The healer hastened to the warrior woman's side, peering curiously at the bandages that covered her eyes. "I cannot promise anything, milady, but I wouldst know better of thine situation if I could examine thy wounds. Wouldst thou do me the honor, if I may?"

By Black Sasha (Sasha_)

Saturday, July 11, 2009 - 5:34 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Sasha understood where the Healer's comments about picnicking were taking his mind. "Aye," she said, "a picnic as in supping outdoors, nothing more romantic than that."

She thought of Lofis,I don't think that I've ever been that deep into my cups.

She could have kicked the wizard for mentioning her eyes. If she knew where he was, she might have. But there was nothing for it now, but to let the Healer have his examination. She supposed Palazzi's method wouldn't be much different, though the alchemist seemed more intent on philosophical means rather than magickal.

She untied the strip of grey cloth from her eyes, revealing swollen but fully healed wounds. The eye on the left side was altogether missing and it's twin bloodshot and cloudy, near complete in its own ruination.

"Be careful," she said. "Don't turn me into anything unnatural." She did not hold with this trafficking with the Gods, which to her shamanic people was the definition of magick, but she thrust her chin out and prepared for the worst. After all, there was only one God that she truly feared and she had already looked the Father Bear in the eye and lived through it.

By The Wandering Healer (Praetor)

Saturday, July 11, 2009 - 6:05 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"I pray thee, tell me how they were wounded, milady, as best as thou canst." The healer frowned as he examined the woman's eyes, gently probing around the sensitive flesh with soft and dexterous fingers. They were very badly damaged, and from the looks of them, magickally so. That in and of itself was problematic; without an understanding of cause, repair was an inexact and potentially threatening course of action.

"I pray thine forgiveness, milady Sasha, but there is naught I can do for thine left eye," he murmured, wholly absorbed in his profession for the moment. His magicks restored existing tissue, but it could not repair what was not there to begin with. At best, he could reduce the swelling and any accompanying pain. "The other, however, I may be able to help. 'Twould not be perfect, but I could restore a modicrum of sight to thee until this rogue Darver is found." He leaned back and exhaled. It would be an imperfect healing, using the ambient energies he worked with to purify infection and repair the photosensitive nerves, but it was the best he could do safely without knowing specifics.

By Lofis (Viking)

Saturday, July 11, 2009 - 9:54 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"Yew don't wanna' know how it happened" Lofis muttered as he bit on the cork.

He clenched his jaw and pulled on the cork. After a struggle the cork eventually gave way and Lofis was flung back by his own force. Thankfully years of experiance had developed a constantly level hand wherever alcohol was involved and so not a single drop was spilled. The wizard sat up and grinned to himself then took a swig of the red wine. Half of it poured down his beard and he quickly wiped it away with the sleeve of his robe.

"What yew doing to her anyway?" He asked, one eyebrow raised.

By Black Sasha (Sasha_)

Sunday, July 12, 2009 - 12:56 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Sasha saw the need for the Healer to know her medical history, despite Lofis’s words.

“It was a poison smoke what did it,” Sasha said. “Put upon us by the villain, Edwulf Darver. He had it secreted in a jeweled dagger. Sorry we haven’t got the dagger anymore. Lofis has the coin we made off pawning it, if’n that helps.

"I reckon there was troll parts used in the spell, or poison. Whichever it was, yew could smell it. If’n yew’ve ever smelled troll guts, yew’ll know it as a scent yew don’t forget.

"A healer in Tabok Larl - and don’t let the place fool yew; he was a very learned man - told me it was a thing called allergic.

"Apparently, if yew have allergic, trolls will make yew flare up something awful." And this part was true, as she had the list of symptoms by heart. "Symptoms: nasal inflammations, respiratory difficulties, headlice, spontaneous flatulence, bad luck at full moons, blotchy skin, and all manner of related maladies, as well as extreme eye irritation.
"I presume this case was worsened by magery somehow.”

This was Sasha’s method of lying; short on facts and long on distraction, and everyone knew that the White Bear People were the best liars in the worlde.

By The Wandering Healer (Praetor)

Sunday, July 12, 2009 - 1:21 am GMT | Edit | Link |

"Thou couldst say that," the healer murmured. He was familiar with this plaguery of allergy the uman spoke of, it was a hidden disease, one that only arose in the presence of certain irritants, and there was no known cure. But he had never seen an allergy that could destroy a whole eye. No, this was something graver.

"Goodman Lofis, hast thou ever seen a sponge?" The healer finished his poking and prodding, and now gently rested his palm against Sasha's remaining eye. "Fascinating creatures, they. Flesh like bread, they have, and they feed by drawing all that surrounds them into them..." She could not see the soft, silvery glow that enveloped his hand, but she would feel a strangely pleasant warmth that radiated into her flesh, as well as a delicate pulling sensation.

The change was gradual, like a draining that Sasha could feel. Something was seeping out of her wounded eye and the flesh that surrounded it, but it would feel like something not of her natural body. "What I am doing is much like that, goodman Lofis," he said softly, as if he were paying far more attention to his ministrations than he was to the words that left his lips. The glowing and the warmth faded; he pulled his hand back. Stuck to his palm was a sticky black mess, presumably the contaminants that had taken residence in Sasha's eye. Any infections would be cleared, and her sight would be restored, but it would be imperfect - blurry or warped, perhaps, or bereft of color.

The healer shook his head as he wiped his hand on the grassy earth. "'Tis the best I can do," he said. "Milady Sasha, how dost thou feel?"

By Black Sasha (Sasha_)

Sunday, July 12, 2009 - 2:03 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Sasha opened her eye, cringing though there was no pain. Things were muddy to say the least, unfocused. She stood there for a moment, staring silently into the darkness, and after all the buildup, maybe a little disappointed. Then, something shifted. Whether inside her mind or within her eye, she could not say.

She saw Lofis sitting below the tree, a colored trail fuzzed around his arm as he raised the bottle to his lips. She saw Dinner and the other horses and the small dark trails that showed in the air after every pawing hoof or flicking tail.

She turned her head to look at the Healer, and the worlde blurred with streaks of movement, the stars in the background beginning to ‘shoot’ all at once. His white robes and silver hair were luminescent blurs that blocked out his face until the motion steaks died away.

It was in this marvelous halo of soft light that she first beheld her deliverer.

“Figures,” she said, “Elf.” Sasha snuffled up a wad of phlegm and hocked it on the ground. “Elves,” she repeated quietly, shaking her head, the road streaking its browns and greens into the night.

Then, “Its much better,” and after a long moment, “Thanks.”

By The Wandering Healer (Praetor)

Sunday, July 12, 2009 - 6:42 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"Good." The healer smiled that beatific grin of his as he sat back, oblivious to Sasha's assumption of his heritage, as well as her attitude towards it. All he saw and heard was a patient on the mend. "I shalt leave thee to thine repast, then, milady." He patted his own belly. "Olt's ham hath left much for me to consider yet."

There was a very slight look of weariness not in the healer's face, but in the way he moved - just the barest of stiffness in his joints as he chose a spot far enough from Lofis and Sasha to grant them their privacy should they wish it, but to remain within easy distance of them if either of them needed his assistance. He settled to the earth, his white cloak floating to a rest around him as he closed his eyes. It seemed the healer was preparing to meditate.

By Lofis (Viking)

Sunday, July 12, 2009 - 7:41 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

The wizard watched on, quietly amazed by what he saw. It was rare he got a chance to see any magickal healing close up and he was still taken back by the power of it all. Still, his face did not portray his emotions. When the Healer was finished Lofis rose and walked toward Sasha holding the wine bottle out towards her. He stared at her healed eye.
"Well that's one problem sorted then." He said.

He glanced over at the Healer, who was keeping himself to himself.
"Do we need to keep him around now? I'm sick of all this 'thee' and 'thine'" He said mocking the Healer's accent.

By Black Sasha (Sasha_)

Sunday, July 12, 2009 - 8:46 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

The bottle streaked at her chest with a green trail. Sasha stepped back, fearful that the thing would strike her, and then it stopped and she was able to recognize it for what it was. This would take some getting used to.

"Thanks," she said, taking the wine and tipping her head back, eyes closed, for a big swallow. "Ah, yes that’s better." She burped.

   

"Do we need to keep him around now? I'm sick of all this 'thee' and 'thine'"


"I dunno." She took Lofis's by the shoulder and brought him closer, her voice dropping to a conspirator’s whisper. "He's strange enough, for certain, but yew can’t say he hasn’t been useful. Might be useful to have him about when we catch up to Darver, or after we do, no?” She looked over her shoulder at the meditating man, happy that she could do so again. “What’s wrong afraid yew might learn a few tricks if yew stick with him for too long, wizard?” The sarcasm was playful.

By Lofis (Viking)

Sunday, July 12, 2009 - 9:22 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Lofis took the bottle back and swallowed a quick mouthful. He shot Sasha a glare, though wondered if her new eyesight could see the emotion on his face.
"I..." He started but felt as if the words wouldn't come out. "I just don't like him. In all the books I've read I've not heard of someone like him. How do we know he's not some kind of Demon playing a trick on us or worse?!" He whispered harshly to her.

Lofis glanced at the Healer and then turned back to Sasha.
"He could be luring us into a false sense of security." Lofis added, though he sounded extremely paranoid that the Healer might over hear.

By Black Sasha (Sasha_)

Sunday, July 12, 2009 - 10:20 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"Never heard of aelves?" That is how the Skyld called them she thought, aelves. She liked the word better and stuck with it. "That's clearly what he must be, an aelve magician." Sasha had seen neither elves nor aelves in her limited experience in the worlde, but she had heard stories about them. She did not like the idea of them at all.

"I thought I was the suspicious one here, anyway. Yew just cover yellow and drunk. Leave the thinking to me.” She walked over to the horses. “Besides,” she said, “that line of thinking applies to all of us and everybody else. I could be a demon. Yew could be a demon, though not a very frightening one; I don’t think.” She opened the flap on one of her saddlebags, searching out the apples she had found earlier. “Even old Dinner could be something wicked in disguise.” She appraised the horse in good-humored dismay. Dinner turned, kicking up road dust and snapped at her hand. Dinner really could be a demon.

“I’ve a mind to go to Seven Oaks anyway. It’s the gateway to the rest of the worlde, yew know. They say there are zombies in Gning Nar now.” She said this as an enticement. "Plus there's the matter of whatever was in Darver's bag and some large amount of coins, which I, for one, would still like to see."

She tossed him an apple. "I'll share the blanket with yew if yew can keep yer hands to yerself."

By Lofis (Viking)

Sunday, July 12, 2009 - 10:44 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

The Healer was certainly not an Elf, no matter which word yew used to describe them, Lofis knew that for sure. Elves were easy to pick out, if yew could actually see them when they weren't hiding or sneaking. In fact one of the greatest compliments Lofis ever received was that he could sneak like an Elf, which proved to be very useful.

Lofis had not the energy to do any more complaining with the warrior woman. He had ridden on a horse he didn't know and his shoes were falling apart from all the walking they had done today.

The mention of the undead filled his mind with fear. He had read about them and if there was ever one thing he wanted to avoid it was them.

His thoughts clouded with fears, he became disconnected from the worlde and was brought back abruptly by an apple thumping into his forehead. He cursed loudly and glared at Sasha.
"Watch it!" He said through a set of grated teeth.

He bent over and picked up the apple, dusting it off on his robes.
"I'll have a lump there tomorrow!" He said, still rubbing his forehead.

"I think I can manage sleeping soundly." He said walking back over to the tree he sat at.

By Black Sasha (Sasha_)

Sunday, July 12, 2009 - 10:54 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"Fine." Sasha finished her own apple and found her own tree. Before very long, she was snoring, cutlass across her knees and blanket draped over her shoulders.

By Lofis (Viking)

Sunday, July 12, 2009 - 11:01 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Lofis finished his apple and threw the core into the woodland. He sat at his chosen tree and decided to sleep sat upright. He tipped his hat so the brim covered his eyes. Exhaustion took it's toll and Lofis fell into a deep sleep quickly.

By The Wandering Healer (Praetor)

Monday, July 13, 2009 - 1:29 am GMT | Edit | Link |

The night came and went; sunrise found the healer awake and prattling absently to the irritable beast that served as his steed. The sun was warm on his face in the cool morning breeze, and few indeed were the clouds in the sky. It would be a good day for travel, once his companions rousted themselves.

By Black Sasha (Sasha_)

Monday, July 13, 2009 - 3:03 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Sasha's eye cracked open a few minutes later. Happily, everything was still for a few moments and she silently enjoyed her first view of the sun in several days.

Turning her eye very slowly, she spied the Healer. He appeared to be talking to his horse, a great, nasty looking beast. Demon, she thought, unlikely. Still, there was no denying that there was something suspicious about all the interest and charity the stranger had bestowed upon the pitiful pair. She'd said as much back at the Lantern. Had she taken a few more minutes to work it through, she might have found her unwillingness to brooch the subject with the Healer even more unlikely, given her nature.

Instead she closed her eye and got to her feet, leaning against the tree and making the usual sort of uncouth waking up noises. She stretched out her joints with a quiet succession of cracks and pops, and refolded the blindfold she had been wearing so that it would only cover her left eye.

"Good morn to yew Healer," she said. "and thanks once more." She gestured to her eye. "It's good to be able to see what's going on again."

By The Wandering Healer (Praetor)

Monday, July 13, 2009 - 6:49 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"'Tis nothing, milady Sasha," the healer returned with a warm smile on his wizened face. "I only wish that I could have done more. And mayhaps I can, when we find this Darver." He nodded thoughtfully. "Then, perchance, I can see what canst be done for goodman Flannizz."

He seemed to require no preparation time. He was riding bareback on the devilish black warmare (it must be well-trained indeed to require no tack or harness to accomodate its rider), and he seemed to have no pack, no bedroll to prepare.

The healer inhaled deeply of the summer morning. "I do confess, milady Sasha, that I do not understand thine cities. So crowded and loud art they... I much prefer the honesty of thine open roads." As almost an afterthought, the strange man licked his lips. "Though the brightest of thine culinary innovations are to be found there."

By Black Sasha (Sasha_)

Monday, July 13, 2009 - 7:37 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"Culinary innovations," she said, "That's like food right? Yew ain't got to go into the cities for that. Best meal I ever had was on a ship's deck. I'll tell yew about it sometime."

This was all circumnavigation around Sasha's true target though. "Yew ever been over the seas yerself Healer?" She asked. "Ufaeria maybe? Seems odd the way yew refer to the roads and the cuisine as mine. That's what thine means, no?"

By The Wandering Healer (Praetor)

Monday, July 13, 2009 - 9:09 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

The healer seemed to get a faraway look in his eye at Sasha's question, a quiet moment of recollection. The smile on his face was only marginally less sunny than the one it replaced as he replied. "Over seas? Yes, in a manner of speaking, milady."

He chuckled softly at her implications, deftly glossing over the mention of Ufaeria as he replied. "Indeed. I suppose mine manners betray me; I am not of thy lands. I am on a... a pilgrimage?" his brow furrowed as he thought of the word. "No, a vacation. An old friend is from around here... a kingdom thou callest 'Daelows'."

By Lofis (Viking)

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 - 3:32 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

The conversation was enough to wake Lofis from his slumber. He opened his eyes and yawned loudly, stretching his arms out either side of him. He sat up and adjusted his hat so he could see the other two of the group. He groaned a little at the sight of the Healer. He had hoped that perhaps he would have disapeared in the night, or a bear might have eaten him.

He sighed and stood up, hearing his back crack loudly. He let out a breath of satisfaction and began to strech his neck, hearing it crack a few more times.

The wizard heard the word Daelows and he suddenly became interested, though he tried to keep his expresion neutral.
"Daelows eh?" The wizard began, "Who ya seeing there?"

By The Wandering Healer (Praetor)

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 - 5:24 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

"Ah, goodman Lofis! Good morn to thee." The healer cheerfully waved a morning's greeting to the wizard. "As for my friend... He wore a different name when I knew him, but I believe he is known here as Trask. Trask Draugrbane."

At the mention of the name, the healer's warmare wickered and stamped her foot, as if agreeing with him.

By Black Sasha (Sasha_)

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 - 8:27 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

While the men talked Sasha busied herself retrieving whatever items she had strewn on the ground the previous night and returning them to either her saddlebags or the small pack that she carried. Each time she bent to pick something up, she paused in that posture for a few moments to wait out the motion blurs that she now suffered. This, in order to be certain that the objects were where they appeared to be. Then, with a few curses at Dinner and the nature of horses in general, she mounted up.

"If yew gents wouldn't mind terribly, could yew continue this conversation on horseback?" She asked. "Something tells me that Darver hasn't paused to discuss his old acquaintances yet." These people had no idea how to conduct a manhunt.

"Sorry, but yer not on vacation anymore Healer." As she spoke, she attempted to turn Dinnerwithout falling off .

By Lofis (Viking)

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 - 9:14 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Lofis nodded slowly and walked over to his horse who seemed a little more approachable then yesterday. He patted the horses' neck and smiled. He quickly untied the reins from the tree and hopped into the saddle.

"Lead on."

By The Wandering Healer (Praetor)

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 4:25 am GMT | Edit | Link |

With an able leap, the healer settled gracefully onto the black mare's broad back. He opened his mouth to correct the lady Sasha, but thought the better of it as Calamity took off at a rhythmic trot southward. There was no use in telling her, after all, that compared to what he was taking a vacation from, sleeping on coals would still be a welcome respite.

(TO:

Onward! To Lorimar 12!)

By Little Enigmatic Being (Orein)

Sunday, June 13, 2010 - 2:02 am GMT | Edit | Link |

(FROM:

Aniada: Dark Forest: The Lorimar Road 12: Merchant's Walk)


It wasn't long before they reached the edge of the Terajin Mile, and what a refreshing sight it was with all the people bustling here and there... people... and not giant snakes, witches, warlocks, orcs, or necromancers. He would have said demons too... but well... not all demons are bad. Least he didn't think he was bad, and he was half one.

He found an encampment that it seemed all sorts of people were using at the time, travelers, merchants, wanderers, and found a place were they could finally stop and rest.

Looking at his weary friends as he dismounted, even though he himself was extremely worn down and exhausted, he still did what could to help the others settle and make their camp. When that was done he turned to them all with a smile.

"Rest my friends... I will see about getting us some food for tonight... Then Tomorrow we can take an easy pace to Terajin if that suits everyone and find some real lodging. From there we can discuss what the future holds... as even this trip as given me a lot to ponder and even more... a direction I wish to pursue, but for tonight let us rest and recover."

He tied up his torn tunic the best he could to hide his wings, and even though he felt himself wanting to collapse and rest, he made his rounds to the nearby merchants to see if he could barter for some food for the night.

By The Boy Legend (Falcon)

Sunday, June 13, 2010 - 2:18 am GMT | Edit | Link |

(From: Merchants walk)

Falcon was about to say something to Orein, but he decided against it. He dismounted Swifty and started to settle in. He just did not like Orein to go off alone, With what happend with the giant snake he could be come a target. But he knew Orein had lived with out him before and knew he could handle himself if need be.

He looked at Drim and Lanno with a smile, "A copper for yer thoughts?"

By Lanoaeth’ghel Kindersmere (Lanno)

Sunday, June 13, 2010 - 5:34 am GMT | Edit | Link |

(FROM:

Aniada: Dark Forest: The Lorimar Road 12: Merchant's Walk)



As the group settled in for the night, he forgot about yesterday's events and even sung a little to himself. There were some interesting-looking people about - some of them probably wanderers like themselves, and he wondered if they had equally interesting stories to tell about why they had come here. His musings were interrupted, however, when Orein announced that he was going to search out some food. He watched Orein leave their group warily, and Lanno did take notice that Falcon seemed hesitant to let their friend go by himself.

However, Orein seemed to be feeling better, and perhaps he needed some time to interact with some other people. Then Falcon asked them what they were thinking.

"A copper? Wow, no one's ever offered me money to speak my mind before. I remember once my dad told me he' pay me to stop talking, only he didn't because he knew I couldn't keep up my side of the bargain." Lanno scratched his head, and tried to think about what else to say, and fumbled a bit as Orein's departure was still foremost on his mind. The pause lasted only a few moments.

"Well, tomorrow, I know Orein is going to want to start looking for something to ah... err...." His little face screwed up uncertainly, and he scratched his head again. "Yew know, I'm not sure what or who he'd going to look for. We came here with Edde, who had the master plan in her head, but I think that plan has gone out the window, so to speak. I think he's going to want to figure out what's happening to him, and maybe try to remember more about himself." He paused again, thinking. "I dunno - maybe a priest?"

"Oh, that reminds me!" he shouted as his face lit up. "Of a joke I heard in a bar in Trinsic. Or was that on the ship going to Seven Oaks - darn I'm not sure. But anyways - the joke. So three men walk into a bar - a priest, a wizard and a knight." He looked perplexed again and rubbed his chin. "Or was that two priests and a knight? Well no, that wouldn't make sense, because I'm sure the wizard says something to the king about the knight's lance being the size of....." Lanno blushed and clapped his hand over his mouth. "I better not tell that joke."

By The Boy Legend (Falcon)

Wednesday, June 16, 2010 - 12:19 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Falcon gave Lanno a wide smile and flipped him a copper coin. Whether it was in joking or not Falcon always kept his promise.
His face grew serious when Lanno spoke of what Orein planned in Terajin.

"Terajin is a Wizard city, we must not let them know who Orein is or what he can do. For if they knew he would be captured and dissected like a animal." Falcon said to Drim as well.

"As for a preist, i know of not one. But im distrustful of most magik by nature. I have been to Terajin once and i know of a good inn we can stay at. Me and Drim will protect yew and Orein for the Wizards can and are mean and rude."

With that he looked off in the direction Orein went lost in thought.

(OCC: Drimgal yew still with us?)

By Drimgal (Drim)

Wednesday, June 16, 2010 - 10:31 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

(O.C.C. yeah, my comp hasn't been working...)

Drimgal was someone who had grown up where no one trusted or even cared for anyone else. In fact, even his own familly had tried to kill him. There was none of that in the faces of his three travelling companions and, it felt good.

"Well Falcon, yew dont trust most magick? Hehehe, in my expieriance it can come in quite usefull."

He was suddenlly serious again, "but Lanno, Falcon has a point, we have to be carefull of the wizards, he touched his skin, and most of the others." He broke in ato a wide grin "Well, yer gonna have to finish that joke sometime, but not now."

By Little Enigmatic Being (Orein)

Thursday, June 17, 2010 - 2:30 am GMT | Edit | Link |

(OOC:

wb everyone.)



As if all things picked the most inopportune times to occur, it seemed Orein was cursed with chronic bad timing.

***

For awhile he walked from merchant to merchant, and for their part, he could not blame them for giving him a second look as if he were some down on his luck orphan ready to pilfer their wares the moment they looked away, but as in all things, money talks. After showing a few shiny coins, he almost laughed at their change in demeanor. They were all smiles now... smiles and by the way they looked now... vultures ready to pounce on the poor, down on his luck, orphan who probably stole the money he had, and after all, they were only doing the right thing by reclaiming that money.

***

There are certain rules of nature that guided the Fae and magick. While Orein may have possessed a great power that came from the Death Angel blood that flowed through him, he was also half Fae, and still bound by these rules.

He had used his power foolishly and to the extent that it had caused more harm than good, and for that there was a cost.

***

He had purchased the food they needed, and as a special surprise he managed to find a new pole-spear to replace the one Lanno had lost. It may not have been as good, perhaps a little cheap, but it was "the thought that counted", Orein thought as he smiled to himself.

Then it hit him... a sudden pulse with the beating of his heart... His eyes faded from emerald to the gray and Orein's worlde stopped.

It may have been an hour or so later when he finally regained himself, off the road, and propped against a tree.

The food was gone... Lanno's "new" pole-spear.. and the money he had brought with him. If that was not enough already, there was the rebound as well. Last time the rebound took from him his memories, but this time his new memories were not equal the cost of his foolish choice...

Orein looked down at his body, and came to understand why wisdom was so sought by the Fae, and why this journey seemed to be about growth for him, for that is what he lost.

No more did he appear of that of a child on the verge of maturing, now he was simply a child. For this is how nature saw him for now, and this was the true nature of his existence. Orein reflected the outcome of his own choices.

"...is this some kind of cosmic joke?" Orein cringed at the sound of his mousy voice. "...are yew trying to tell me I am no better than a foolish child..." he held his hands out in front of him. "...Will yew continue to strip away that of which I want most?"

By Anonymous

Thursday, June 17, 2010 - 2:42 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Near the encampment of the travelers a hooded figure stood in plain view, the target of his travels now in view.

Wishing not to alarm the travelers, the figure remained a careful distance away, and simply beckon to anyone of them to come toward him. He would not blame them if they chose to ignore him all together, as even he knew that this may seem a bit of a bizarre circumstance.

By Little Enigmatic Being (Orein)

Thursday, June 17, 2010 - 3:57 am GMT | Edit | Link |

(OOC:

Since the story is changing to a new quest, and not to blast the page with ooc chatter, there is now a quest page for us http://www.worldearcane.com/discus/messages/8643/17989.html?1276745765. Please come discuss what's next there and if yer going to stay on once we reach Terajin)

By The Boy Legend (Falcon)

Thursday, June 17, 2010 - 12:07 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Falcon started to get a little restless, "Oreins been gone long enough. I knew i should of went with him" Falcon said to his two friends.
Falcon was not the greatest of trackers, but he did know something of the art. And he was sure he could find Orein without much problem in this area.

"I'll be right back" Falcon said to his friends. And started to walk in the direction that Orein went. It was not long before Falcon spotted the Hooded figure, Falcon was extremley streetsmart and he could spot almost anything. The figure was not doing a good job of hiding, and almost looked as if he was watching them.

Falcon put his hands on his twin Ivory daggers as he walked near the hooded figure. Falcon stopped about ten feet away from him and asked. "Who are yew, and where is my friend."

By Anonymous

Friday, June 18, 2010 - 12:38 am GMT | Edit | Link |

The hooded figured smiled as the youngest from the group approached.

"Be at ease lad, my little brother is safe for now, and what has happened is of his own doing, not mine." The figure pointed towards a small grove of trees not too far off the road a fair distance ahead.

Having made contact with at least one of them, the smile quickly vanished from his face.

"I do not have long in this land, so I ask that yew quickly bury yer reservation of me and listen." The figure slowly turned toward the grove of trees, a sadness seemingly washing over him. "As I can not directly communicate with Orein, I must take this approached to try and help him. This is the final chance I have to set things on the right course." He studied Falcon for a moment, then removed a small vial from his pocket and held it out. "This will help, though as to be completely honest with yew, it has a cost as well." he frowned "It contains a mixture of pure mana that may be able to reverse the damage that Orein has caused to himself, but as with all things it is a gamble and has side effects."

He wondered what choice Falcon would make about him, whether or not he would chose to believe him or not, but his time was quickly ending.

"Use yer own head to decide what is best lad, but consider that choosing to protect Orein the way he is now may prove to be an even greater challenge. I would have trusted the one known as Eddellyn for this, but now it falls to yew."

He set the vial down as he felt himself slipping from this plane or reality.

"...please lad...see my brother through this trial... and know this. If yew continue along this road, many challenges await yew, but also many answers, even those yew may seek."

With those last words, where he had once been was left with nothing but a shimmering blue vial. He had done all he could.

By The Boy Legend (Falcon)

Friday, June 18, 2010 - 1:49 am GMT | Edit | Link |

He watched the strange figure disappear. So much he was told, that it left Falcon a little dizzy. At least he knew where Orein was and that he was ok. Falcon gave a loud whistle to call for his horse and a wave to call his friends.

He then picked up the blue vial the stranger left, he would tell Orein what the stranger said and let him make his own mind, for Falcon could not.
He was not affraid of challenges the stranger warned him about, for Falcon had faced more danger then most people twice his age had. The only worry for him was for his friend.

Falcon was affraid that Orein could some how turn to evil, and Falcon wanted to know how to stop that from happening if possible. And lastly the stranger suggested that he might find answers of his own. Could he have been talking about his magik daggers?

By Lanoaeth’ghel Kindersmere (Lanno)

Friday, June 18, 2010 - 2:03 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Lanno looked over at Drim as Falcon left. His face showed how much he'd been fretting since Orein left, and he hoped Falcon would find their friend. When he finally noticed the stranger, Falcon was already conversation with him - or her - the person was too far away for the Hafling to tell whether he was a she or she was a he. Or whatever. Lanno shook his head, uneasy that his internal monologue was starting to become as confusing as the stories he loved to tell out loud.

"Hey, Falcon, who......." Suddenly, the person Falcon had been talking to disappeared. He looked over at Drim. "Did yew see that?" Lanno looked back at Falcon and rubbed his eyes. He was sure Falcon had been speaking to a person wearing a hood. "Falcon!" He ran over his friend and looked up. "Who was that? What did he want? Or was he a she? Did he - uh she - say anything? What's that?" he asked, pointing at the blue vial sitting on the ground where the stranger had been before.

By Drimgal (Drim)

Saturday, June 19, 2010 - 2:27 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Drimgal followed Lanno with a worried air. it was not everyday someone yew knew was talking to someone who suddenlly disapeared. He looked questionally at Falcon...

By The Boy Legend (Falcon)

Saturday, June 19, 2010 - 11:29 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Falcon still in wonder of it all just shook his head at Lanno's rapid Questions.
"I dont know, he said Orein was his little brother and gave me this vial of pure mana to help him. He also told me that if we continue to follow after Orein we will face many challenges."

Falcon then pointed to the group of trees in the distance "Oreins over there, lets go. I will tell yew more when we reach him."

He started to quickly walk to where Orein was supposed too be, Falcon was still not sure if the hooded figure was telling the truth or not. But once he reached the tree line he spotted his friend.
"Orein!" Falcon shouted. And he ran too his friend, looking him over Falcon asked "Are yew alright?"

By Lanoaeth’ghel Kindersmere (Lanno)

Sunday, June 20, 2010 - 4:25 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Lanno shrugged and looked over at Drim. "A vial with a man in it? Must be some sort of shrinking magick or something. I wonder how that will be able to help Orein. He's small enough as it is."

He continued chattering as he followed after Falcon. "I could see it would help if it would make him bigger, which is what I think Orein really would like to happen, but maybe he needs to become smaller before he can learn more about himself. Yew know, like wise folks sometimes say, 'Yew must travel a furlong in a captain's ship before yew can understand the mysteries of the sea.' Or is that walk a mile in a man's shoes?" The Hafling scratched his chin and thought about that for a moment. "Yew know, I'm not sure that would be such a wise thing to do. What if the man has really small feet? Yew would end up with cramped toes and maybe even some blisters. Or if his feet were really big, the shoes might just keep falling off..."

Once they caught up with Orein, Lanno grinned. "Hey Orein, are we glad to see yew. We were really worried about yew. Hey - I didn't know yew had a brother. Does he have wings just like yew?" Then he looked suspiciously at his friend. "Hey - yew look like a kid now. Are yew growing backwards?"

By Little Enigmatic Being (Orein)

Monday, June 21, 2010 - 3:51 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Orein stood, at first a little wobbly, but found his balance using the tree behind him. He looked down at the sleeves of his tunic that now hung past his hands a bit. He was a Faeling. Immature with sparkles on his cheeks and all.

"Really... fate is mocking me..." he thought to himself as he looked at the others who had managed to locate him. At this point, even though he look innocent with a touch of sugar coated sweetness about him, he still bore his usual expression.

"That is a hard thing to answer Falcon..." His cheeks were red as he mumbled in a low tone, a little embarrassed of his voice. He held up his hands and shook his sleeves back over his hands. "I think I might turn into a babbling toddler if this keeps up long enough..." he shuttered at the thought of being that helpless, but then again this was his own doing, and he hated to admit it.

He looked over to Lanno.

"Brother..? I have a brother?" Something between a look of confusion and frustration passed over his face until something trigger in his head. As was with all his past memories, they were never complete and always fading and reappearing when certain things triggered them, and even then most of them were lost to him completely. "...that's right... Owain... Did yew somehow come back to this worlde?" He looked around for a moment then back to Lanno. Something changed in that moment and his usual expression suddenly exploded into a curious and overly cheerful one. Without realizing it he suddenly went on a talking spree in classic young Faeling style.

"Owain... How did yew know that I have a brother Lanno, and to answer yer question, noooo he does not have wings like me." he put his hands on his hips. "Well... He has wings... but he is Unseelie... so they are not as neat as mine... mine are way better... more colorful and bright... cause I am Athbaszo and he is not... well he is part of the Athbaszo now, but... well... its hard to explain. See when Faelings grow they are influenced by where they live and the type of mana that surrounds them. He lived with a bad queen and the Unseelie... so he has like black wings... really dark... kind of scary too if yew ask me... and maybe creeepy..." he made a scary face while showing tiny harmless fangs "But WAIT! No... he's not a bad brother or anything... well he was at first... but he changed... now he is umm good now... I think..." he stopped, loosing track of the point to all this, but seemed to be mulling it around in his head... then seemed to get distracted as if another thought invaded his deliberating. "...wait a minute. Was he here? Did yew hide him somewhere? Did Breeze eat him? Oh no! Yer Horse eats everything Lanno! My poor brother... wait how can a horse eat a something that big... yew should really get him looked at, he's probably going to have a reeeeaaly bad tummy ache. Baad Horsie" He turned and called out as if somehow Breeze could hear him across the distance.

He turned back around on his heel, leaned over and stared at them, then shrugged at Falcon.

"Well... what are we doing here... I'm Huungry! Wait... where did all that stuff go I bought? Aaww noo... I spent good money on that... Maybe Breeze... Oh! Lanno I found this really good pole-spear too... awww I wanted to give it to yew, since yers went like..." He made various mimics of wood splitting sounds, but it was somewhere in the middle of his reenacting the horrible loss of Lanno's pole-spear, he realized he was doing something strange.

"What am I doing?" he dropped his hands down, the expression on his face suddenly dropping.

"...I'm sorry. I didn't realize what I was doing..." He covered his mouth. The sudden unintended and uncontrollable change in his personality even took him by surprise. He looked down at the ground and shuffled his feet.

By Legendary Boy Warrior (Falcon)

Monday, June 21, 2010 - 11:34 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Falcon couldn't help but smile at his friend, Orein and Lanno sound just alike when trying to explain things. "Its ok Orein, forget the coins and pole spear for now. Im just glad yer alright, This is all my fault. I should have known people of Terajin would try and take advantage of yew cause of yer size."

Falcon then sat down next to the tree, "I have some coin left, but it wont go far, mabe a week if were careful. We may have to seek work in Terajin to build are resourses back up."

Falcon then handed Orein the blue vial of mana. "Here Orein, yer brother told me this mana might help yew, but as with all magikal things might also have side effects. But i'll let yew decide for yer self."

By Lanoaeth’ghel Kindersmere (Lanno)

Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 12:37 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Lanno had listened wide-eyed as Orein blistered them with a commentary and question period on Fae, a pole-spear eating horse, and lost money. When his friend was finished, the Hafling grinned in admiration - speaking at such a rapid speed about a variety of nearly unrelated topics and still making sense were two very difficult things to do at once. Lanno wondered if that was one of the 'Fae' powers Orein had forgotten he'd had. He didn't get a chance to congratulate Orein though, as his friend's transformation seemed to reverse itself. Lanno shrugged, perhaps Orein could still come around.

When Falcon handed Orein the vial of mana, something inside the Hafling started to nag at him. Similar to the way his mother had often nagged at him for his bad habit of standing up in boats and tipping them over. "Uhh, maybe yew should think about it first, Orein. Yew know, my mother always said an overturned boat can't be stood.... Err, no, that's not it. No, my mother always said boats are for sitting unless yer tied off.... Geez, this is tough." The Hafling's face turned red as he attempted to stammer out an explanation, and finally he sighed. "I don't know what my mother used to say. But our track record with magick's been pretty terrible so far on this journey. Maybe yew should be careful."

By Little Enigmatic Being (Orein)

Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 4:14 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Orein took and looked at the vial in wonder, then his face cringed childishly. He could sense something familiar and intense about what was within it.

"Is that a pure royal mana potion..." he tried and failed to remember what was so important about this type of potion, and his brother was probably counting on that fact.

"Yuck.. what's this suppose to be, medicine or something... No thanks!" He tucked the vial away then shrugged. For now he would have to agree with Lanno. He wanted a break from magickal anythings.

"I'm still hungry..." with that said his sparkly-cheeked self marched back toward camp, fighting the urge to blurt out everything that was on his mind, though that didn't quite happen.

"Did I ever tell yew why Faelings sparkle... Well I don't think its fair that boys cheeks sparkle too, girls are fine.. they like all that cutesy stuff... I think boys should like spark or something neat like that... I mean even Faerys can produce sparks... but nooo... we have sparkly cheeks... really what kind of joke of nature is that..." he went on as he headed back.

By The Boy Legend (Falcon)

Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 11:15 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Falcon just smiled at Orein, "Yer brother said that the mana would help yew, he also said that if we follow yew to where ever we would face great challenges. But we all intend to stick with yew Orein."

Falcon started to walk back with the group, "Mabe the merchants have something to eat? If not im sure i can catch something. Cant wait to be in a good Inn soon."

And he was glad to have wonderful friends, he would do all he could to keep them from harm.

By Little Enigmatic Being (Orein)

Thursday, July 8, 2010 - 3:05 am GMT | Edit | Link |

(OOC:

Sorry for the break, real life caught up to me)


Not much change with Orein as he settled for the night, except his new found ability to ramble on about the many various things that seemed to pop into his head at random.

"...I wonder what will happen when we reach Terajin." was his final thought before sleep had come to claim him. Tomorrow they would reach Terajin... then... then he would have to decide what he would do next, and if he truly would choose to follow through with his plans for the future.

By Lanoaeth’ghel Kindersmere (Lanno)

Friday, July 9, 2010 - 1:46 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Lanno found Orein's chattering interesting. It surprised him how much he would have like to have said, only to have another person beat him to it. I wonder if anyone thinks that about me. Had he been given the chance, Lanno would have responded to Orein's question, but before he could, his friend went to sleep. "I'll have to remember his question so I can answer it in the morning," he explained to Falcon and Drim. Then, he too drifted off to sleep, much more easily than when he and Orein had been travelling alone through the woods.

By Drimgal (Drim)

Monday, July 12, 2010 - 4:25 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Drimgal smiled down at the two sleeping halflins, glancing over at Falcon he said," we better be carefull, soon we wont be able to tell the two appart." "Shall i take first watch?"

By Drimgal (Drim)

Saturday, July 17, 2010 - 6:39 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

(o.o.c. Everybody, this is drimgal, Falcon will is leaving us and will not be posting again on this storyline... i just talked to him via email... So take it away!

By Little Enigmatic Being (Orein)

Monday, July 19, 2010 - 3:31 am GMT | Edit | Link |

(OOC:

Sorry to hear that, I was giving everyone a chance to post before I continued and make sure everyone was still here. I hope my RL interruption didn't cause him to loose faith. Well I guess we move on then... If he is continuing on by himself an exit post would be nice, but unfortunately this causes a certain skip ahead in the story planned without Falcon on board, so sorry for the another sudden change so soon, but this leaves me without a choice.)


The morning came and Orein rose in good spirits. He made sure Yah-jin was ready for the short trip into Terajin today, but as he looked around at his friends ready to get on the road, he noticed something odd.

"Did Falcon go to get supplies this morning? He looked around, but found his friend was no where to be found near their make-shift camp.

His smiles turned to a worried look soon enough as the minutes turned into hours. None of the merchants near them had seen anything, and now Orein was fearing the worst.

"He wouldn't just leave us? Would he... he would have said something... right? Right!?" He looked between Drimgal and Lanno for answers. "...wouldn't...he.

Orein suddenly felt his knees become weak.

"No...NO!!! Not Falcon... He promised..." On the ground Orein sat staring off into the distance.

Waiting...

"He is coming back... I won't go until he comes back... He would wait for me..."

The early morning departure did not seem likely as Orein refused to leave. He would venture off, talking to various merchants and travelers, and asking weather or not they had seen his friend. He would then come and sit back down at camp as the hours still continued to pass by, and with each hour Orien's expression dropped just a little bit more. He rested his chin on his knees, various scenarios playing out through his head to explain Falcon's absence. What if he was taken? What if he was waiting for them to come to his rescue? Did he fail to protect his friend while he slept soundly?

Was...

Was this just like Eddellyn? Did Falcon choose to go his own way? He looked at Lanno and Drimgal. He didn't want to except reality, but there it was slapping him in the face.

What did it mean to have comrades... friends... were the strands that connected people really so thin and easily broken. That was it... the trigger. The path to his memories unlocked, he finally remembered what this journey had been for. His eyes turned to pools of aqua as he went to retrieve the "Ghost Book" from his bag, only briefly given Lanno and Drimgal a look that said he needed to be alone.

"Its only a matter of time... they will disappear too... I have found the answer to the question I sought..." He thought to himself, his journey to this point was now at an end. It was time to move on from this foolish road.

"Lets end this... yew were right brother... I can never obtain what I never had... Meruryan was right too though... family... friends... Its just an illusion."

He took the book, his dagger, and the potion Owain had left for him and began walking without out saying anything to Drimgal or Lanno. Toward the open field he went, where he would be out of view of everyone, and not really caring to look back to see if anyone had followed.

"Eddellyn... Falcon..." Only two connections remained. Lanno and Drimgal were the only people left. "For my lost family... and my lost friends..." He lifted the two long raven-colored braids that hung the length of his back, then in two quick swipes of his dagger, they fell to the ground below, his hair now only reaching just to his neck.

He then lifted up the "Ghost Book." It was time to end the enchantment. His quest had failed, and the lesson learned was a harsh one.

"Return to that in which yew came. Be reborn anew and return me too that in which I am." The jewel on the book flashed then shatter, then in a burst of flame the book disappeared, leaving behind Orein's most cherished possession in the worlde. It was the Phoenix Feather, given onto him by the great Phoenix that once resided on the tallest mountain in the worlde when it existed on the Isle Obscura. With the feather back in its raw form, Orein's memories fully returned. He stared at the glowing red feather in his hand.

"What now great master... I followed what yew said... and this is where it left me. I am now nothing more then that of a demon child. I used my power foolishly, and because of this my body paid the price, and those who traveled with me, those I traveled with, disappeared one by one." The tears flowed from his still childish face. "I understand... I will do what yew told me to... No more selfish and foolish pursuits of attachment. This is not my fate... my destiny... I was created to serve the worlde and now I will return to that path."

He held up the potion, then consumed its entire contents. He would return to himself now, but the cost was his second chance at a new life.

The change was instant, a blinding whirlwind of red magick engulfing Orein and connecting all the pieces together again.

The child was no more. Just as he had been when before he left the realm of the Phoenix. Orein returned to being the Phoenix Apprentice.

From all given appearance he was sixteen and dressed in a Phoenix emblem tunic. He was still slightly pale and thin, but well toned.

And finally again...

Sola and Luna, his dual blades, adorned his sides.

The wind blew through his short hair as he stared up at the sky. He sighed as the last tears of his childhood scattered in the wind.

"That's it then... No more second chances... No more trying magickal transformations into snotty nose brats or second childhoods... No family... or new friends... Just fate. Its time to finish this and go north to purify this tainted blood of mine... then... Finish what I was destined to do."

By Drimgal (Drim)

Monday, July 19, 2010 - 4:19 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Drimgal saw that the little being was shaken by the event of Falcon's departure, "Orien, he was probablly called off to the bidding of his godde--Orien!"

But the Hafling cept walking away.."Lanno, comeon, lets follow but at a safe distance."

By Lanoaeth’ghel Kindersmere (Lanno)

Sunday, July 25, 2010 - 3:09 am GMT | Edit | Link |

The Hafling couldn't believe the change that had come over his friend, and followed along - almost blindly, unthinking - with Drim. Orein was - had been - a friend. Was he still? Tears filled Lanno's eyes, and he felt a lump in his throat. He'd known that the potion wouldn't bring anything good - why hadn't Orein listened? I'd have stuck with yew to the end...

He didn't know why, but Lanno followed after Orein, only barely aware of the silent figure by his side. All thoughts of fame and glory vacated the Hafling's mind. What had seemed like an exciting journey had just become a miserable task. Why am I even bothering?

Because I've got to see this through. The last thought hit Lanno, as he recalled the last image of his parents when he'd left home years ago. His father had been steadfast his entire life - always taking everything to its completion, no matter how difficult things might seem, He drew strength from that and squared his shoulders as he looked up at Drim. "Yes, lets. Orein will still need us, I think."

By Drimgal (Drim)

Tuesday, July 27, 2010 - 6:20 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Drimgal looked down at the little Hafling beside him, smiled, and nodded. "Aye, something tells me he needs his friends now more than ever...."

By The Young Phoenix Apprentice (Orein)

Wednesday, July 28, 2010 - 3:56 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Orein continued to stare at the sky for a bit more, then his gazed turned down at himself. He lifted his hands re-familiarizing himself with his "grown" counterpart of a body. He found strength in his limbs again, and not the usual over strain that he had been used to feeling while he had been in his child form.

He grasped the hilts of Sola and Luna, his beloved short blades, and in swift motion released them from their sheaths. The movement of the blades had not been lost to him, for they had been forged just for him. Sola the sword of the sun, and Luna the sword of the moon. Their strikes used Orein's own mana to cut down his enemies. The injury caused by the blades could only be described as burning, whether is was from the severe heat that Sola let off or the coldness withing Luna. As long as Orein had the mana to spare, these blades were quite a bit more potent than normal blades.

He sheathed the blades with ease, then with one last glance at the sky, he headed back towards the camp, stopping just near where his friends waited, and studied each of their expressions. How could explain it to them? It seemed to be one transformation after the next with him, but this was not like what they had seen before. This was Orein... as "complete" as he could be for now.

"Yew must have question my friends, but now is not the appropriate time for it. Come... We have ventured far and have had a tough journey up till now. Let us continue on to Terajin and seek a comfortable bed for tonight. I for one could use something better that a tough bedroll to sleep on." he tried to give them a reassuring smile as he continued back to camp where Yah-Jin remained waiting patiently. He was always amazed with Yah-Jin. No matter how Orein changed the horse still seemed to know him.

"Will yew ride with me Drimgal... or perhaps yew would prefer to ride with Lanno?" He waited for a moment. "I would understand if yew two chose to travel on yerselves, but if yew continue on to Terajin with me, I promise I will treat yew both to a hot meal and explain things properly. It's a long tale, but I will do my best as I owe it to yew."

He mounted Yah-Jin and waited to see what choice they would make. His expression was a focused one, a calm one, but if yew looked close enough at him it would seem as if his expression carried some heavy loss hidden within it. It was hard to put into words what Orein now felt. Abandonment, loss, fear, sadness; sure he could feel these emotions within him very much.

It had all started with Hazel and Tallin. Then it was Saelyn and the Monks, then Tigress, Daeth, Terrance, and... Eddellyn. Now Falcon... Again Only Lanno and Drimgal remained. Two companions was all the separated him from the bitter truth, but still he managed to hide this deep within his expression. Instead he turned to focusing on his goal, he would have to make it there, whether Lanno or Drimgal chose to go with him or not.

By Drimgal (Drim)

Wednesday, July 28, 2010 - 4:06 am GMT | Edit | Link |

"Orien, i have only just met yew, and already yew have gone through.....changes. However, yew did no' judge me by my skin, an mor' importantlly i have made a promise to stick by yew. I come with yew."

Drimgal took out his daggers and laid them on the ground, quicklly followed his bow,"I make a oath here and now to see this throuogh to the end. For good or for worse, yew have my blades and my bow."

By Lanoaeth’ghel Kindersmere (Lanno)

Friday, July 30, 2010 - 11:54 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

The Hafling looked around, his eyes avoiding Orein's, wondering how much more he would change during their journey. He wasn't sure how he felt about his 'buddy', but he had made a promise to stick with Orein. He kicked at the dirt, his eyes fixed on a small rock at his feet. "I'm with yew," Lanno said after a few moments, and with little of his normal zeal. "I don't know that its worth it to offer yew my swords, and my pole spear is gone." He paused another moment, finally looked up at Orein and held out his hand. "All I can give is my friendship. And when we do finally arrive in Terajin, I'll take up yer offer of a hot meal and yer explanation. For now, we should get going."

By The Young Phoenix Apprentice (Orein)

Saturday, July 31, 2010 - 3:19 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Orein once again offered to allow Drimgal to ride with him, but would not hold it against him if he chose to ride with Lanno instead. It was reassuring to see that neither Lanno nor Drimgal would be leaving before they would reach Terajin, and that brought Orein some comfort.

As they set off down the busy road, he turned Yah-Jin around one more time to stare at the road behind.

"Goodbye Falcon..." he closed his eyes briefly then set off.

(TO:

City of Terajin: Front Gate)

By Drimgal (Drim)

Saturday, July 31, 2010 - 3:58 am GMT | Edit | Link |

"Aye i'll go with yew...."



(TO: city of Terajin: Front Gate)

By Anonymous

Wednesday, August 4, 2010 - 5:24 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Horses shied from their paths, oxen lowed nervously and showed the whites of their eyes, even loyal and brave dogs hid beneath wagons or ran off into the fields. The day, itself, seemed to darken and the oppressive heat drew closer as if to stifle the breath from the travelers on the highway.

Some of the more nervous souls pulled their carts, teams, and even themselves from the road as a fell wind picked up little bits of dust and sent dead leaves skittering up the road. Others cursed their horses, cursed the weather, and then cursed some more as they got out to push recalcitrant animal and immobile cart.

“Gah! By the powers!” Shouted one teamster as his cane splintered in his hand from flailing the backs of his team of oxen.

His shouts awoke his fellow driver from his dozing. “Oi, by whos leave dew yew go shoutin a body’s ear off?” He groused angrily.

“By the pricking of my thumbs!” The teamster held up the splinter-filled digits. “That’s how!” He growled.

By The Curse of Seven Oaks (Irihi)

Wednesday, August 4, 2010 - 5:25 am GMT | Edit | Link |

(FROM:

The Merchant’s Walk)


As they bounded up the Lorimar, Irihi took note of the increasing traffic. She wondered if Rei might fail in her deft handling of TonDen’s body and splatter an unfortunate creature or two with her powerful armored legs. The necromancer sat at the ready to snatch up any lives taken by accident. To her disappointment, most foot traffic scattered at first sight of the monstrous TonDen’s approach, and Rei seemed capable enough to avoid the slow-moving carts and wagons which did not clear from their path.

By Unearthly Hoar Necromancer (Rei)

Wednesday, August 4, 2010 - 12:40 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Rei had not realized just how great was the speed with which she pressed forward; not until she first spied the distant specks of traffic in the road, and then, moments later, discovered that she was already in its midst.

It surprised her enough that she took three great leaping strides into the midst of the wagons and animals, either staring at this towering black visage in shock, or fleeing from it in outright terror. Rei paused and swiveled TonDen's oval head, taking in those who were too awestruck or horrified to run, and the most sinister of ideas came upon her.

She could not Weave many spells while TonDen was her left hand, but she could weave some, and she knew one spell that was perfectly efficacious. She paused there, wishing they could see her smirk, and with her right hand, she began to twist and wind the leylines.

Had Irihi possessed the foresight to pay attention to her hated enemy, she would have recognized this spell; Rei, after all, had used only the subtlest of variants against her not long ago. The leyline mesh was tight and complex, but the once-Hoar wove it masterfully, stringing and looping and interlocking the finest cords of Magick, until the very air before her glowed with the terrible sigil of her spell.

She wished she had time to gloat properly, but such indulgence would be wasted on the simpletons and beasts in the roadway. Instead, she pushed TonDen's hand through the mesh of her spell, and unleashed her fatal onslaught.

Tendrils of throbbing negative light lashed from Rei's black palm, seeking any living thing in their reach - farmers and merchants and drovers and dogs and horses and cattle alike were pierced through with writhing shafts of the darkest of Magicks, and as Rei stole their souls, their spirits, their very living essences, they screamed in hellish chorus, protesting their horror and pain in shrieking cacophony.

Within moments, the unearthly noise had died, and every living creature along the road was not any longer. Everything within twenty paces of Rei she had slaughtered with her Magick; everything else had fled in mad panic. All that she had stolen sat pooled in her palm, a tremulous ball of life ripped from life. She extended the hand to her left shoulder, where Irihi sat.

"Here, I brought you your supper." Rei sneered. She clenched her fist into the glowing, crushing it into nothing - not even taking it in to herself; the life she had stolen she destroyed, without a second thought.

"Aw. Hope you weren't hungry, witch."

With a great bound, Rei propelled herself forward again, a storm coming ever closer to the city of Terajin.

By The Curse of Seven Oaks (Irihi)

Thursday, August 5, 2010 - 4:56 am GMT | Edit | Link |

“Ooh, neat!” Irihi observed as Rei simultaneously ripped the life from man and beast. The Elf had been right; Rei did do tricks! She pondered if acting impressed or indifferent would make the White Drow do more.

Wondering if there was some trickery in this, but as-always overconfident in her ability to smash her way through it, Irihi reached out a hand to absorb the soul-ball, just as Rei destroyed it. As the TonDen resumed its great bounding strides, the necromancer folded her arms with a petulant “Humph. You’re a poor sport.” She grumbled.

Truthfully, Irihi was somewhat impressed. “Well, that was certainly fun, but you sure are slow.” The Elfwitch leaned toward the featureless face and cocked her head to the side giving a falsely wide-eyed inquisitive stare. "Is it because you’re so old?”

Irihi could not have done as Rei had. Certainly she could rip the life out of creatures large and small, and a darn sight faster than Rei had demonstrated. Plants and animals like trees, cows or umans were easy. Sentient creatures were harder, but not impossible. But Irihi could not hold what she had stolen in her hand. She had no knowledge or skill to weave such an intricate spell. She yanked and twisted the Leylines only in their thickest and most unwieldy form, for that was the limit of her perception. When she took life, she must needs immediately shunt it into a spell or ensorcellment. Thusly, she often initiated powerful curses without an adequate supply of life and had to cheat, reaching across planes to vacuum up enough souls to avoid immediate destruction. This was, of course, what made her magick so unstable and what had attracted the notice of the MonBan.

When she had been a part of her warrior coven, other minds had done the gristly accounting, lining up ranks of the undying ones according to the power of the spell to be cast. Then Irihi had cut them down and flung their lives at the enemy.

The soul-caging gems of her pendant and bracelets were akin to the magick Rei wove; but they were meant as safety valves, insurance against the horrific effects of a runaway necromantic draw. Of course, Irihi had now tasked them to other purposes, and operated without a net, as it were.

Regardless, Rei knew some interesting magick. Irihi wondered a little about the nature of this Soul Stone she sought. Could she be confined within such a thing, as Irihi did with those unfortunates trapped in her ornaments? Oh what a delicious notion it was, the idea of holding Rei in thrall within a soulstone. Irihi chuckled to herself at the idea of possessing an evil pet rock.

By Unearthly Hoar Necromancer (Rei)

Friday, August 6, 2010 - 1:43 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Old? At this, Rei could not help but laugh, both at the irony implicit in such a barb, and the completely oblivious dullard on her shoulder who had uttered it.

"'Twasn't I who last had her glory four thousand years ago." Rei smirked again through her blackness. "Nor I who hasn't known glory since. Perhaps, if you had learned to slow down and do things properly you might be more than just a ghost on my shoulder now."

Rei could not believe that everything she had heard of Spokelse was true; some Necromancers, even in Botharel, whispered her name with a reverence that was only afforded those who knew the Spider's secrets, or who had first breached the planes. This witch Rei bore along did not deserve the high praise her coven's legend had won her over the intervening ages, no matter how much power she could bandy about. Rei knew that power without temperance, without skill and precision, was at best a waste, and at worst a tremendous liability.

She had never needed power. She had never needed spectacle. She had taken far more lives with knife edge and poison needle that with her Necromancy; her studies, her art, her precision she furthered for their own sake. She would achieve perfection - and when she did, she would be able to re-make the Worlde itself, like unto her perfect design.

And when perfection called for power, power came; Rei saw no need to carry it about like some silly flag, or show it like a gaudy bauble to impress the weak-minded.

A thought occurred to Rei; a random consideration, tangential to her musings. The weak-minded way - the witch's way - to enter Terajin would be through the front gates, where chaos would erupt at the sight of the black TonDen and her necromantic entourage. Someone with sense - someone who had been an assassin first, and a Necromancer after - would know to find another way.

As Terajin widened on the horizon, Rei changed her angle of approach, abandoning the Lorimar; she turned away from the Gates, and began instead to make for the Wall; she had no doubt that TonDen's legs could carry her over. Finding the SoulStone would be a far simpler task without every living thing in the city on high alert.

By Lanoaeth’ghel Kindersmere (Lanno)

Sunday, August 8, 2010 - 2:01 am GMT | Edit | Link |

(TO:

City of Terajin: Front Gate)

By The Curse of Seven Oaks (Irihi)

Monday, August 16, 2010 - 5:49 pm GMT | Edit | Link |

Irihi tossed her hair as Rei’s potshots fell wide of the mark. She cared, or pretended to care, little for the truth of things, but instead preferred to fixate on their surface appearances. Perhaps, but I don't look a day over ninety! You, on the other hand... Well, who knows? It seems you're always going to pieces of glowy gravel, or sprouting wings or hooves, like some sort of monster kaleidoscope.” She sighed as if to herself. “I suppose that’s what happens when one does things with your kind of proper slowness; In your old age, you forget whether you’re supposed to be vegetable, animal, or mineral.” Oh, she was a delight to insult, it was true. So long as Rei had not found that which truly stung Irihi, the necromancer would be almost as glad to trade insults as hexes.

"So we are to gloriously sneak in over the walls like thieves in the night?" Irihi sniffed as Rei turned away from the road. “Would yew have me glamour you once we are inside, as well? Is that how greatly you, in all your glory, fear these insects?” Irihi could not decide if she would rather transfigure Rei into some insulting form or goad the necromancer into laying waste to Terajin until having every living thing in the city on alert would not be saying much.

By Unearthly Hoar Necromancer (Rei)

Sunday, August 22, 2010 - 10:26 am GMT | Edit | Link |

"Heh." Said Rei, as the Terajin Wall loomed up before them. With two great bounding strides, she doubled and then trebled her already incredible speed, and then leapt, carrying herself - and her passenger - effortlessly to the crest of the Wall.

(TO:

The City's Wall)

By Bennithly the Ancient (Bennithly)

Friday, September 3, 2010 - 3:50 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Having long lost sight of Irihi, and Rei, Bennithly decided to take off to the side of the road, into the woods a little bit, and take a rest. "I need more control," Bennithly thought to himself.

The knight in his head said to him, "yew have all the control yew need, for now."

"Great, now he is mocking me, by the Dark One, I shall have yew removed" Bennithly said.

"Not without the removal of yer power yew won't"

Bennithly smiled and said aloud "I guess I will have to live with yew for now."

By Ailuranthrope, Psionic, Troublemaker - (Trask)

Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - 2:45 am GMT | Edit | Link |

(FROM:

Kingdom of Daelows: Duchy of Cabermyr: Draugrbane Keep: Courtyard)


"And that's the long and short of it," said the Uman standing before Lumen. He was as tall as Trask, though his musculature was softer, his skin a touch paler. The scars that identified the catling warrior were gone; the mop of sandy-blond hair that fell before his eyes was of the same cut, but a push of his clawless fingers offered a suitably altered style.

Of course, he was still wearing Trask's clothes, and while his eyes were both a handsome shade of blue, they yet retained the psioncist's rakish swagger. "Just remember, it's an illusion, and a thin one at that. We donnae have to worry about the guards, but swing wide of the Wizards if yeh see 'em."

They were less than half an hour outside of Terajin now, but Calamity had insisted on taking a break by coming to an abrupt halt on the Lorimar. It was only fair, really - the warmare had kept up an unholy pace for nearly two days now, far longer than Trask thought she'd keep before a forced water break. The catling opted to use the time to explain the Costume Rings he had lifted from his mother's jewelry box. After all, they were wanted people in Terajin, and he supposed it'd be wise to avoid any extra attention that they could.

Besides, it'd give the psionicist a chance to test his consort on the more protective aspects of her magick. The Uman morphed back into the familiar scarred, snow-maned warrior as he pulled a leathered roll from a saddlebag. "Now that we've got that out of the way," he started, peeling back the suede to reveal a row of angry-looking throwing knives. "Yeh've got thirty seconds afore I start hurlin' these at yer face, love."

Trask was not kidding. Nor was he at a range where he would miss, or where his throws wouldn't pick up enough velocity to not be lethal on impact.

By Anonymous

Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - 2:48 am GMT | Edit | Link |

The expected response, of course, was that Lumen would exercise her stoneskin ability, much akin to Akhos' invulnerability. As she did so, however, she would feel a severe disturbance... it was distant, almost certainly within the city's walls, but it was powerful and dark, burning into the earth itself.

By The Fallen Pilgrim (Lumen)

Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - 3:22 am GMT | Edit | Link |

(FROM:

The same place)


Since they had left Cabermyr, and with the help of her enchanted boots, Lumen had cultivated an almost constant awareness of the earth beneath her feet; accustomed herself to its energy coursing through her, manipulated it in innumerable subtle ways just to acclimate herself to the connection she shared with it.

Almost before the knives left their sheaths, therefore, the Riath'ky had plunged her consciousness deep into the ground below, summoning the natural energies therein into her own body as her blades, including the earth- (and now, thanks to Gruumbargh, Lumen-) attuned Vindexus, crossed in front of her. The knives bounced off a facade of solid rock in which was dimly etched the figure of the elflass, weapons poised--even as large chunks of the swiftly erected pillar crumbled away and melded with the earth below, from which emanated a rumbling upheaval akin to an oversized molehill. The curious disturbance burrowed straight ahead, splitting and turning up the soil directly beneath the catling at a surprising rate of speed. He would hear an abrupt grinding noise, feel the wwwhhhummphh as an earthen statue materialized at his back--then melted swiftly into the form of his companion, her blades leveled at his throat.

"Not bad, right?" she grinned breathlessly. "By the way . . . something's going on in there." She gestured to the distant city. "Something big. Could be one of our friends."

By Ailuranthrope, Psionic, Troublemaker - (Trask)

Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - 3:51 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Trask spun at the sound of his companion's voice. "Not bad at all, Lu," he said with a grin. Gods, she learned quickly. And her grip on her element was easily outstripping his own understanding of the craft. "I'm runnin' out of things to teach yeh."

He was going to take the opportunity to sneak towards her for a quick kiss, or at least a nip at her hands or neck, whichever he could get to easier. At her words, however, he stopped himself, his mismatched eyes trailing to the city walls. For the first time in a long time, he stretched himself out, tuning his senses to the rippling threads that composed the worlde. Lumen could feel him - when he expanded his sensory intake like this, it was disruptive, like a stone cast into a pond. It was as if reality bent itself around him.

Trask blinked himself out of his reverie. Lumen was right - it wasn't difficult at all to feel the massive magickal accretion going on within the city walls.

Could it be one of the Minions? Were they baiting him again? It just didn't seem like their style... Akhos had been different, the havoc he raised had been directed at his home. This was something altogether different - this was chaos, mayhem for mayhem's sake.

The psionicist's expression was fraught with a hurried, harried contemplation as he hauled himself into Calamity's saddle. Even the hellnag had caught on to the timbre of the evening; she stood at the ready to close the last stretch to the city's gates. "I donnae know, Lu. Seems too... easy to be one of the Minions. But it's somethin' that we should take a look at, aye?"

Trask paused a moment to make sure his ring and his woman were in place before riding on to the Front Gate.

(TO:

Terajin: Front Gate)

By Elven Geomancer, Currently in Disguise (Lumen)

Tuesday, October 5, 2010 - 4:20 am GMT | Edit | Link |

Lumen gave a nod and accepted the hand-up, wondering at the strange disturbance she had felt as Trask had stretched out with his mind.

The ring slid into place on her finger; she opted for a nondescript appearance, uman, with a light tan, brown hair, brown eyes, and freckles. Her face remained dimly recognizable, but only to one who knew her very well indeed--and only after prolonged study.

She hung on to Trask with her arms and Calamity with her knees as the warmare took off in the direction of the city gate.

(TO:

There)

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