Introduction
But all things come to an end. Though history does not record the fall of its great civilisation, its repercussions are still being felt today. History became as myth, and the world was plunged into the Age of Darkness.
Now, in the Age of Discovery history is about to repeat itself.
(This RP takes place in the world of Altaea.)
Reviews
Music wrote:I would give this RP such a high rating even if I hadn't participated in it. You all have done a great job of both developing your characters spectacularly as well as portraying them in such a way. The plot is character-driven, but, at the same time, that makes it all the better. It allows characters to truly behave as they would in reality, rather than following a script. In addition, the options presented to the RPers in the OOC help move the story forward. The setting is well-developed and important to the characters and the overall experience. Meanwhile, posts are filled with interesting style and proper mechanics. The one piece of advice I could give is to break up longer paragraphs into shorter segments so that readers don't look at it and immediately stop trying to read under the 'tl;dr' mentality. All in all, an excellent RP, and I would highly encourage anyone who loves fantasy RPs to ask about application!
Tiko wrote:I found this RP to be quite well written. The posts were thoughtful, well done and assisted in furthering the story as a group. The characters themselves were well designed, providing insight into them as individuals, and they had distinct and identifiable personalities without dragging the story down. The plot is eye catching and serves to hook both the players and the readers in without revealing too much too early. The lack of full information leaves a reader or a player wanting to find out what happens next, and keeps the story moving forward. It creates depth and levels of information that you have to explore to discover. The included wiki provided plenty of background information into the world that was a nice added touch that assists readers in understanding what's going on, as well as provides information for players to build off from. The only thing I didn't give a max rating to was mechanics. While the posts very well done, and cleanly written, there were [i]many[/i] spelling errors that simply running posts through a spellchecker would have caught. Overall though, I found this RP to be very enjoyable to read through, even though I myself am not a player. It has a lot of promise, and I hope to see it continue to be a successful game for all involved.
The Story So Far... Write a Post » as written by 17 authors
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"How like a pirate to offer aid only to demand something in return." She said coolly. "If you were as much of a gentleman as you claim then the simple act of aiding someone in need would be enough of a reward." The sly words slipped casually from her lips as she looked at him sidelong with a shrug. "Besides, had it not been for your 'help' I wouldn't be in this situation in the first place." She tilted her head with a smirk of satisfaction. "But..." She looked away, her lips into a contemplative frown. "You are right. I have been ill mannered." She raised her hands to her hood, drawing it carefully back over her head to reveal a mane of long, flowing hair that cascaded down to the small of her back. The woman was possessed of a fey prettiness, with high, round cheeks, a gently rounded jaw and a small mouth with full, pink lips. Sharp looking eyes of gold peered out from under a fringe of pale green hair the shade of sun lightened grass. A silken scarf was wrapped around her slender neck, revealing only a hint of the delicate collar bones beneath. She had an expression of serene calm and she extended a hand to Jack and the others in turn.
"My name is Eria Milliuelle." She offered. "A pleasure to meet you all." She said wryly, offering a short curtsy and a nod of the head. Unhurriedly she sauntered over to Erdu, once more looking at him with an unnerving intensity. "You do not lie. You are indeed as skilled as you claim." Her mouth curved into a slight smile and her eyes softened as she took a step back, her posture more relaxed now. "So will you still accept my offer? Knowing now the danger that it poses?" Her expression said that she already knew what his answer would be.
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As Erdu observed the captain's glance and accompanying frown, his mind receded from its tower of keen awareness, the world around him returning to his awareness like a crashing wave. Walking quickly to his clothes, he began to dress himself as the captain questioned the woman in gray. It was only when she had come to stand near him that Erdu looked up from the floor.
Erdu paused for a moment, letting the question hang in the air as he confirmed that his suspicions were not just the product of residual paranoia as his blood resumed a normal flow. "I can not answer your request at this time," he said as he slid his arms through the white shirt, covering his blade securely in its sheath and the hand-mark on his chest which still pulsed with a soft warmth.
"I may have called a storm upon myself that others should not be made to bear.......though nothing yet is clear." As he picked up his tunic and outer coat he made the only response that he could. "There is much I must consider in meditation. I will continue in your company until such time as I have an answer that I may give, but that is the most I can offer."
With a small bow to to woman in gray, Erdu turned to the captain as he donned the remainder of his clothing. "Captain, what is your next move? I am with you at least that far."
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"How like a pirate to offer aid only to demand something in return. If you were as much of a gentleman as you claim then the simple act of aiding someone in need would be enough of a reward." He offered a polite bow, and replied:
"I feel obliged to point out that your power of observation fails you, my lady, for that is exactly what I and our friends have done since we first left that bar a while ago. Forgive my rudeness, but I would also like to point out that a touch of humbleness would do your fine self a great deal of good."
After her introduction, Jack turned to Erdu, who addressed him:
"Captain, what is your next move? I am with you at least that far." Jack smiled slightly as Vinsces stepped up to them, beating his gigantic chest with a burly laugh.
"As be I, little brother. You're not going anywhere without the immortal Vinsces the Spearwielder! Bwahahahaha!"
Jack Highwind chuckled dryly.
"Thank you, friends." He looked at Erdu. "As for my next move, friend, I came to town in order to secure supplies, which is something I must do before we leave. After this, my intentions are to travel north for a while yet, by means of my beloved Batavian, in order to acquire tinderstone, a particularly powerful fuel for an airship such as my beloved lady, and one exquisitely difficult to acquire. The northern lands are the best places to search for it, however, and so it is there that my path must take me. It would do me great pleasure if I were allowed to share this journey with you, my friends." He looked at Erdu, Vinsces, and Jade in turn as he said it, and then, his eyes drifted to Eria, as he added:
"While I feel pressed counting my lady among friends, you are, of course, also welcome onboard the Batavian, should you wish to. I dare say few men of the lot that seem to hold a grudge against you, would be able to reach you among the clouds." He held out his hands, and added: "These are my plans. However, they are always flexible, and liable for change, should there be a need for such. My crew are more than capable of taking care of themselves, and I shall not be afraid to leave them to it for the sake of adventure and glory." He bowed as he finished talking.
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"I understand. But the offer remains should you wish to take it." And with that she stood aside quietly, waiting for the others in the group to come to their decision. And when Jack finally spoke to her she replied with a smile. "Sir, I shall accept your invitation most humbly." She curtsied again, dipping her head. The words were tinged with a playful sarcasm as she submitted to his judgement of her. "And what of the rest of you? My offer stands open to you also. Though I had my misgivings, you have proven that you would be more than capable of protecting me." There was movement underneath her cloak and soon a white garbed hand emerged from its folds clutching a small coin purse. "Of course you would not go unrewarded."
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Jade just nodded in agreement when they talked at her, hearing, but not really perceiving the information. Their words were like muffled ideas, and with her head buzzing so loudly it was all she could do to stay on her feet. She didn't bother to hide her shaking hands, since she couldn't feel them shaking, and just waited for them to start moving. The safest thing for her at the moment would just be to follow them.
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"Are you alright?" She asked, taking the girl's hands in her own and holding her close like a mother comforting her child. "Be still, child." She said soothingly. "It will be over soon. It was a brave thing you did." She could feel the girl's trembling shaking her body like wracking sobs. She cradled Jade's head softly, knowing that she needed to be treated gently. "Tell me." She whispered. "Where did you learn to do such a thing?" Eria brushed a stray hair of platinum from Jade's whitening face and bid her to kneel on the floor. As she did so the woman spared a brief glance up at the darkened recesses of the warehouse's ceiling, almost as though aware of some presence hidden within.
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Vinsces swung his spear around all the while his eyes wandered the surroundings. His joking attitude was all but gone. There was no room for it at the time. They were still in danger, even with the enemies disposed of and fled. The giant spoke, uncharacteristically calmly and intelligently; "I agree with the little brother." He said. "We best be on our way, wherever we're going, before more of the townsfolks come to cause trouble. We can only make so much trouble before the entire city turns against us."
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Eria looked up, and her eyes connected with the young Jensi. It was only a moment but she nearly fell off the wall in shock. That girl child was gods touched, or near enough to it as made no difference. She'd either die young or live forever. Gods in your life never bode well. The old child turned her attention back to the cunning woman as if Inali didn't exist.
Only a moment, but long enough to tell Inali what she needed to do. Live up to her name, Black Fox Learning. She moved down the wall to the ground as quickly and quietly as she could. If they needed to get to their ship unobtrusively and the woman was still powersick, she needed to help. On the ground she quickly checked her clothing was righted, her tentacles tucked in tight. She'd once described the sensation to somebody as trying to walk on your knees everywhere. She didn't know quite what it was like to have knees, but figured that it would be about as awkward feeling.
Then she softly coughed, Eria had no reaction at all.
"Your friend is power-sick. She's holding too much in, and if she lets it go she'll level the street. I think I can help her." She kept her free hand loose by her side, palm showing, her chin tucked in to display her eyes as being larger in her face like a child. The end of her staff was in the dirt, her hand only loosely holding it. Everything about her said non aggressive and undefensive. Inali listened to the woman's power as she waited for a reply.
The power was like a restless child. It wanted to move, to shake, to roll. Roll. If she could direct it through herself as a control she could release it in a gentle, large wave. Everything would move about her forearm's length upwards, and then back down. If she were careful she could have it done in a minute, half the population not even noticing, writing it off as imagination, or assuming it was one of the small shakes that hit Northwall on occasion. But only if the woman's acquaintances allowed her and Inali did it right. If she could help the woman hold on to her power, she could even do it beyond the gate if they moved quick enough.
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"Other Al Mayin call us 'mystics,'" she began slowly, thinking hard about it and letting everything she knew spill forth as though she were in some kind of trance. Images were easy, and in her state, likely everyone within proximity was seeing them, but they were distorted... stylized, almost cartoonish as if seen from the perspective of a child: A brute of a man with green eyes and a flowing crimson scarf standing guard over their caravan, lifting boulders with his mind and hurling them at encroaching bandits and mercenaries. "Amongst our people, it's common... nearly one in three has some kind of ability, from visions to calling down thunder..." she continued, with the images continuing as well as she thought about it, flicking through the kinds of things she remembered seeing: people throwing fire from their fingertips, or calling down lightning from the sky, or in a dreamlike state. The people performing the powers changed, but the crimson scarf was always the same.
"My father was a mystic, but he was caught by one of the hunter-killer teams: the "Quads" the governments of Sarife and Kishar send after the Al Mayin, so I was left to figure things out largely on my own. I can move things... rocks, crates, people... but that is like trying to pick up a single grain of sand in the desert. Moving and shaping energy is easier. I have a very basic understanding of how it works... push, pull, crush, cut... getting much more creative than that is very difficult, and it's always coming out, so to avoid attracting the attention of the Quads I learned how to hold it inside. I must have overextended myself, which makes it hard to hold everything down. It usually passes after a minute, but I've never 'pushed' so hard without preparing myself first."
The images went away abruptly, and she was suddenly focused on Inali. Her entire body tensed up like a coiled spring, and she became still with lethal intent as she was approached. Jade could see her speaking, but it didn't ring through the buzz like Eria's voice. She watched the woman speak and didn't need to concentrate to feel that her words were genuine, even though she couldn't really tell what exactly Inali was saying. Jade just watched her for a long moment, and then the tension in her shoulders relaxed and her hands began to shake again.
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Moving quietly behind the tall blond woman, Erdu hesitated a moment. He was unsure what this other woman with the staff had intended, but she stood prepared as if she was readying for some difficulty. Though he knew nothing of this type of power, it was clear this woman thought she could help, casting Erdu into action regardless of cost.
Placing the first two fingers from each of his hands near the woman's temple, Erdu paused long enough to speak softly in her ear. It was enough to violate clan law, there was no reason to do so without warning.
"What I am about to do," he spoke softly but clearly in the blond woman's ear, "will help you. Try to breathe as steadily as you can and let your mind float free like a flower upon the water." Looking up at the woman with the staff, he added directly "I trust you can do the rest."
Placing the fingers on her skin at the temples, Erdu took a deep breath and began. Stretching his mind into a place between meditation and focus, he resonated a tone from deep in his belly. Feeling the energy build from within, he directed it down his arms, through his fingers, and into the woman's mind. If she did not resist, she would be inextricably drawn into a place of mental void. In such a state, the woman would be near helpless to resist any suggestion his mind could conjure. It was for this very reason that he was forbidden to use this technique on any person outside of the clan. Yet the power that had building from this woman was fighting for some release and it would find it one way or another. With her mind removed from the equation, the woman with the staff would be free to draw the power safely from her, or such was Erdu's hope as he emptied the last of his own mind to ensure he did not mistakenly seize control of her mind.
As the single tone he chanted harmoniously resonated with the vibrations her power was creating, Erdu allowed a single thought to come into an isolated existence on this place that now bridged their minds.
"Calm"
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Jade shook the haunting feeling of deja-vu and tensed as she felt Erdu's fingertips on her temple as though she would turn and strike him... and if she felt anything going astray she might. She felt, more than heard Erdu's tone pulse through her mind and felt her mind relaxing, like she might succumb to the void and enter a trance-like state. Something compelled her to fight it with everything she had, and she struggled for what seemed like an eternity, but resisting the draw was like trying to refrain from breathing. Her mental turmoil shook the ground at her feet, but she couldn't hang on. Her grasp slipped, and she snapped into the mental void, became perfectly relaxed, and slowly closed her eyes. The power roiling about within her seemed to still for a long moment, harmonizing contentedly with Erdu's tone... long enough for the Jensin to approach her at least.
Something else began to happen, however, and Erdu would be in the best position to sense it. A second tone originated from deep in her breast and began to harmonize with Erdu. The tone of an old soul reaching out and stretching, as if awakening from a long sleep. Jade's eyes snapped open and flashed with energy, and the air about her buzzed fiercely with power through the harmony of tones. The mortar between the stones at her feet cracked and shattered, and the cobblestones about her were shaken free and moved about liberally, like chess pieces on a vibrating board. When she spoke, it was like the voice of a thousand whispers cutting through the chaos.
"If thou openest not the gate to let me enter, we will break the door, we will wrench the lock, we will smash the door-posts, we will force the doors. We will bring up the dead to eat the living. And the dead will outnumber the living. Blood... We cry for blood," she finished, and as she spoke, tears of blood spilled forth from her eyes.
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"Who-" She stuttered, trying to find the courage to speak. "Who are you?" She asked, swallowing hard. She felt her mouth become dry and her heart was racing, she fought to look into the girl's eyes, eyes that no longer belonged to her. An aura of primal fear filled the room like dark smoke. It was impossible to listen to that voice and not feel a sense of terror. As soon as she had asked she dreaded the response. And what it might bring.
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Though he perceived no other mind other than the two that had been connected by this temporary state of shared meditation, a presence lingered much the same as a thick fog. Yet this fog seemed alive with a dark power beyond anything he had ever encountered. The sensation was similar to that of being under the gaze of those eyes that burned into him as he floated somewhere between life and death, but at the same time altogether different.
Feeling thick drops of sweat bead on his forehead, Erdu mustered his strength to maintain the link and keep all thoughts of himself and this brooding fear at bay. "Calm" he pressed again with his mind, strengthening the link under this new pressure. The strain was increasing, and though separation at this point would bring great pain, he feared what might come if the link were undone. There would be only a little time left before he would be unable to maintain the connection and be forcibly separated. He hoped that, for the woman who had so recently joined them, it would be enough.
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She was already Listening to the woman's power, treating it as seperate to the woman herself for now. When the shaven man spoke to her,
"I trust you can do the rest." she nodded but didn't hear his words, only his meaning. Sitting down in an approximation of kneeling to the side of the woman and out of Eria's way Inali lifted her arms to take shaky hands in hers. She first dropped into her own mind, weaving the threads of her aids, strength, sense of self, healing, balance, direction into the web of her being. Then she reached to the earth. It wasn't hard to find.
It was everywhere, a solid and comforting presence underneath, holding everything in its embrace. She spoke to it, letting it know what she wanted. A place to safely bury something, a sanctuary. There was little the earth couldn't hold, those powers being beyond the weilding of mere mortals and immortals alike. It agreed, patient and steady. It was waiting to accept what she would give it through the eternal web. Holding that thread carefully, she gathered it up into a thick bundle.
Outside of Inali's awareness, her eyes were half lidded, her back straight. Her eyes had shifted from amber to gold, a very faint shine to them. The marks on the backs of her hands began a faint glow, but didn't get any brighter as her breath evened out to nearly imperceptible. Not four breaths had gone.
Within her mind, she reached out to the seething mass of power overloading the woman's web. There was no trace of the woman herself, the shaven man's mind was somewhere else as well. She'd trust that her mind was safe. She then whispered to the power. I have a way out, this way, through here, through me. Inali felt a faint recognition that this would probably hurt like a bitch. She was right. But first something else sparked and rumbled. There was a voice but Inali didn't hear the words. She felt instead. Pain, rage, old hate, and under it all overwhelming sorrow. It was a warning. Inali tried to shift around it, her mind scattering in fear at the strength and will of the presence. In this state she was vulnerable to anything magical in nature. She could not lose her focus, her control. Inali could not fail her Elthsa or this woman who needed her help. She took a breath, let it go, and opened herself. Come here, through me.
The power thrust through her and for a terrifying moment it almost pushed Inali out of her own skin. It rolled around, wanting to run in all directions like an excited child in a bazaar. Then she felt the taint of the presence. It changed the power's objective. Not to roll the earth and play, but to target the buildings, crack stone and crumble mortar, bringing the city down on all the people in with the one purpose to share its suffering. Inali directed it back, feeling her sense of self sting as it was over stuffed and strained. The presence's ghost was there as well, making her feel its suffering. How had the woman not killed herself holding all this? Her only outward sign was a deeper breath while tears flowed down her cheeks before she fought it back, rooted in her sense of self.
I am Black Fox Learning. I am clever and secretive, I am good to my family and will show kindness to those who gift me the same. I am a student, I obey my Elthsa and look to see what is and what will be without judging it, only understanding.
Clear in herself she could now feel the magic firmly, the signs on the back of her hands flaring. This way. She showed it the bundles of earth. It wanted to roar into the new outlet, destroy and give its feelings to others, but Inali gripped it thoroughly, her heartbeat and breath regulating the power's movement. Roll, roll, roll like this. Feeding it into the cords, Inali let it slowly drain away in a smooth movement rather than a burst.
Around them the earth raised up about a foot and then subsided again in time to the slow and large movement Inali guided both her hands and the woman's in, showing the power how to move. Inali chased the ripple in the earth's web in all directions, keeping an eye on it. Once it got further into the port she left that part alone. Perhaps the habour would notice some unusually high waves for a couple of minutes. She followed the rest until they left the city limits, and then returned in to herself.
The glow faded from her eyes and hands though her cheeks were still wet and salty. She felt stretched thin, her insides burning like a shot of strong liquor burns the throat and she visibly sagged as she looked up at the woman. She'd sorted the power out. Had he kept the poor woman's mind safe?
Her tears were bloody. Bleeding from the eyes was never a good sign for any healer, but Inali suspected she knew the cause. Unaware that her own cheeks were tinged from blood from trying to direct the presence back into the earth, she soothed her thumbs on the backs of the woman's hands. She tilted her head further back, seeing Eria looking as frightened as she'd felt when she almost lost herself. When Inali tried to speak she simply croaked. Swallowing she tried again, her throat choked.
"Is she still there?" Inali asked, meaning the woman's mind. She blinked, concentrating on the solidity of the earth beneath her limbs and the air in and out of her lungs because that was more comfortable than the ache of her muscles.
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"Ishtar," it slowly whispered aloud, releasing Eria's mind from its grip. "Everyone will suffer."
There was something there, though... something on the very edge of its words, as though it spoke with an ulterior motive, or that its true intentions were masked. The sensation was gone as soon as it came, and it was suddenly focused on Inali, who had begun to pull at the buildup of power in Jade and redirect it into the earth. It lashed and fought to stay in place and stared her down with an icy gaze.
"We will not go quietly," it hissed. Its power struck the street, carving deep trenches around Jade and Erdu, and the staccato beat of its fury built to a climax as Inali pulled the power through herself and into the earth. It let loose like a great wave, cresting gently over a great distance. The tension in the air was gone, and suddenly Jade was as mundane as she was when she met them. Her body went limp and she slumped into Erdu, unconscious. Warmth was returning to the air, and color flushed Jade's cheeks once again. She appeared to be still intact, but she did not wake up even when released by Erdu's trance. The street about them was carved into a large arcane circle with Jade and Erdu at its center. The runes inscribed in the stone and dirt were ancient. Old magic... dangerous magic: the kind where a blood sacrifice is not uncommon. With the entity gone, there was no power in these runes though... just ominous intent.
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In this place of joined meditation, he sensed her mind begin to fade as though it were a ghost as she lost consciousness. As his own mind pressed to seep back into the void, Erdu gave a final command before releasing the woman: Rest. They both would need it. Feeling the woman fall into his arms, he held up from touching the floor as his own knees began to buckle slightly.
Looking at no one in particular he calmly breathed a reqest, "Can you take her, I dont think I can carry her at the moment."
Erdu wiped his eyes as one of the others had taken her weight out of his hands. He could sense the strain flowing over him like echoes of a violent spasm. "We both need time to rest," he said as he slowly stood upright again. "And I think it should be someplace safe where we can stop without fear of being approached."
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The entity speaking through Jade assaulted Eria's mind with intense ferocity, bombarding her with relentless visions of carnage and suffering. She tried to scream, but no sound came. She could only stare, transfixed at the sheer darkness of the presence before her. That cracked and warped sky of red, that rain of blood and torrents of crimson, that scorched earth and crumbling skeletons of buildings and humans alike. A land devoid of all life. Only endless, maddening silence and then... nothing.
Eria threw back her head in a blood curdling scream, casting herself back to the floor in a cold sweat. She coughed through panting breaths, spots of dark earth wet with tears that flooded from her eyes against her will. It took several moments for the woman to collect herself and she rose unsteadily to her feet, gazing vacantly into the middle distance as she tried to comprehend the ramifications of what she had witnessed.
"We have to leave." She said quietly, as though finding her voice again. "Now." She commanded gravely, looking between those assembled. Her eyes glistened with welling tears. But her voice was resolute.
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Quickly copying the runes, Inali was careful to strategically break the lines in places. The runes would be recognisable but powerless in their incomplete form. She jotted the name of the presence down. Ishtar. It made her uneasy and she vowed to find a way to communicate it back to her teacher as soon as possible. The fear was so strong she could taste it in her limbs even under her clothing and without skin contact.
Dropping it back in, she looked to the group. Most had some degree of disturbed written on their faces, except for the cunning woman who was now tranquil in her unconcious state. She tipped her chin up, looking suprisingly like a determined child as she fought to keep her voice as steady as amber eyes.
"I dunno where yer going, but I'm following her." She hung onto her staff, gripping the sturdy wood as she leaned on it, limbs tucked in tight under her generous skirt. "She's too dangerous not t' learn an' help."
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He looked at Jade with a frown on his forehead.
"Not to mention, I believe the clean air of the skies will do the young lady good in her recuperation efforts. She needs rest and quiet, neither of which is to be found here. I would like to suggest we stop discussing, and execute that debated exit rather quickly." He offered with a slight bow, ending his offer of opinion.
Suddenly, Vinsces whistled at the group, and shouted as he readied his spear:
"There's someone on the rooftops! Oi, you bastard, come down here and fight like a man! Only cowards and women hide in the darkness on the rooftops!" He growled at the unknown person.
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"I need... time to think." She let out a sighing breath as she recalled the traumatic visions. It was not the images that she found most shaking, but rather the feelings that accompanied them. An endless terror and an unspeakable despair that seemed to swallow up the world. Utter hopelessness and misery of countless tortured souls crying out in pain. "Take us there." She tapped Vinsces on the shoulder. "Whoever he is, leave him. We shall be gone before long. Besides, we have more important concerns." She gestured to Jade, who was still lying sprawled on the floor. "Carry her." She said simply, heading out behind Jack with a purposeful stride.
She spared a look back at the sinister looking symbols etched onto the floor. They were smoking now and Eria felt a shiver run down her spine at the sight of that writing.
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"I like fighting, but I like the idea of seeing my little brother's airship even more!" He exclaimed. "Lead the way!"
He looked towards Jade, and took a step towards her to do as Eria had said. Before he could reach out and pick her up, however, Jack crouched next to the young woman, and, placing his far too delicate (for an air pirate at least) hands under her back and legs, picked her up in his arms. He motioned towards the door, and followed Eria, as he said: "Then we go for the Batavian. May her delicate wings bring us the safety and rest that we need."
Vinsces as the group moved outside, made a sweeping bow, having stolen that particular move from Jack, which resulted in it looking clumsy and out of character for him, towards the assailant on the roof, calling out:
"Next time, my foot will be planted in your behind, you coward!" Then, he turned around and followed Jack and Eria.
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She was surprised when, upon reaching the gate they were allowed to pass with little issue. The guards apparently more concerned with keeping the undesirables outside of the city than the wanted inside. Drawing up her hood once more Eria strode confidently past the armoured men, with their wicked, appraising grins and cruelly barbed halberds. Pressing on down the dirt road she took a deep breath, the oppressive bittersweet smell of the city filth and smog replaced by the fresh and clear scent of country air and Eria felt herself relax at last. She turned to Inali.
"You are a scholar?" She asked, though the words sounded more a statement than a question. "What is it you study that brings you to Northwall?"
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They left the gates without problems. The guards seemed to look at the ladies with lecherous smiles. A killing glare from Jack and Vinsces, however, did much to make them back away, or even cower slightly. Vinsces even snarled at one of them as they walked past. None of the guards felt like attacking such a large man for just snarling, and so soon, the group were wandering down the cobbled road away from Northwall, with Jack leading them towards the place where the Batavian had been docked. His heart was excited to once more get back to his beloved skyship and sail the clouds, and with new and interesting comrades, no less. Jack Highwind loved the experience of meeting new people almost as much as he loved sailing the skies.
Soon, Jack diverted from the road, and began to make his way through the forest. Soon, they reached a large glade, and Jack stopped dead in his tracks.
Dusk was quickly approaching, bathing the beautiful green woodlands in a beautiful, golden-orange hue. And, surrounded by the golden rays of the sun, in the center of the glade was as beautiful as it was strange a contraption. It took the form of a large ship, similar to a frigate, complete with strangely shaped sails, and escorted by pipes and tubes on the ship's black-tarred wooden hull. On the top of the central spar keeping the largest of the sails up, was a flag, fluttering in the wind of the fading day. The red flag depicted a skull and crossed bones, with the wind sweeping past behind the cranium. On the hull of the ship was written in cursive golden letters the name of the vessel - "the Batavian".
Jack took a deep breath as he spoke with a voice teaming with respect and outright love:
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you my home, my queen, and my soul, the Batavian Airship."
He stepped forward, letting out a whistle as he approached the ship. A head appeared along the railing, but quickly disappeared again as a shout echoed in the evening: "The Captain's back! He's brought company!" Soon, the murmur of voices multiplied on the ship's deck above them, and finally, the face of another man appeared over the railing. It was a young man, only slightly older than Jack himself, with an unusually pretty face, and long, flowing black hair reaching down to his back. He wore a large golden ring in his left ear, and was dressed in a puffy white shirt, with a red vest and a red cravatte around his neck. A broad and friendly smile, the last thing one would expect from a pirate, played on his lips.
"I see you brought friends, Captain! I thought you took a bit longer than usual!"
Jack smiled as he replied:
"My apologies, Mr Arrow. We ran into some trouble along the way." Jack turned to his comrades, and said: "Let me introduce you, friends, to my first mate, Nathaniel Arrow. He's a sterling man, and a finer sailor, you will not find."
"Please, call me Nate!" The first mate grinned from his high-perched position on the deck. "Any friend of Captain Highwind is a friend of mine and the crew's!" He turned his head and shouted to someone: "Bosun! Don't just stand there - throw down a rope ladder, and be quick about it! We can't leave the Captain and his friends standing down there!" A crew member quickly followed the orders, and a rope ladder came falling down from the deck.
Jack quickly stepped up to and ascended the rope ladder first of all, with surprising agility considering the lady he held in his arms, and soon stepped onboard. After him followed Vinsces. The giant quickly earned the respect of the entire crew. While the rest of the group ascended the rope ladder, Arrow looked at his captain, and the woman in his arms. Recognizing her, he nearly dropped his jaw, but Jack said:
"She's exhausted and need rest. Put her in my cabin, and tell Mr Glasspool to take a look at her." He said as he handed over the light, unconscious girl to the bosun, a large-built, bald black man, who hurried away with her towards the Captain's quarters. Jack then turned to the rest of the group, and smiled.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I bid you welcome aboard the Batavian Airship."
Nate Arrow bowed, mimicking Jack's own gestures, as he said:
"Welcome indeed. You look like you've been through a lot today, friends." He looked at the group with a slight smile. "But no worse for the wear, or so it would seem." He added with a laugh, patting the giant Vinsces on the shoulder as he continued: "Come, let me take you to the galley. Mr Ratchet, the chef, will make you some food. You must all be hungry and tired."
Setting
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It was an immediately perplexing contrast between what should and shouldn't be: a fine looking sailing ship in the middle of the woods where there was no sufficient water. And the way it floated carelessly as though it completely disregarded its own weight and the natural forces of gravity as the sails extending down into what would be the waterline fluttered with the wind. It was a marvelous sight that saddened Erdu slightly. Such a sight should be taken in the first time with wonder instead of competing for attention with the posse of troubles that currently hounded his mind.
As Erdu climbed the last bit of the ladder, being the last to ascend, he took in the layout of the deck almost thoughtlessly, acknowledging where the most advantageous locations were should a scuffle erupt. Though how such a thing would end when the vessel was far above the ground was a mystery to him. At the least, the ship would provide a wealth of opportunities for Erdu to stretch his limbs and conduct some training, as he hadn't been able to do in several weeks. But for now, there were more pressing matters at hand.
As Nate made the offer of rest and food to the others, Erdu moved in behind Jack and spoke quietly. "Captain I will plan to join you for supper, but now there are many things I must take up in meditation. Perhaps you could direct me towards one of the cargo holds or another quiet space where I can be alone with my thoughts?"
Setting
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Inali was just visually checking the cunning woman without hovering over Captain Highwind when Eria spoke to her. A broad grin split her face, showing strong even teeth. "Scholar? Me? Yer joking." She pursed her lips ruefully. "I'm a student of everything really. If it's interesting at all, I learn it and record it. Of course, stuff doesn't just come to you, you have to go find it." She stretched her arms over her head, careful not to whack anyone over the head with the hardwood staff still in her hand.
Weaver but it was good to finally be able to taste grass and earth and water again. It wasn't that cities tasted bad, perse, just overwhelming. So many signals, joy, sorrow, fear, anger, all left their own impressions. Here it was simpler, clearer. Harder to keep herself bundled up though even as the magic burn started to fade. Then she saw the captains ship and stopped dead, becoming the back of the group.
"Hell's bells she's gorgeous!" Inali said to herself, eyes wide in delight. It was a ship that sailed air! How did it work? The sail would direct it of course, but how did it work without the upward push of water? Was it heavy or light? Was the essential frame lighter to allow for its life in the air? What did they do in storms, how did it go up and down, was there a limit to how high it could go? Her questions were halted by one simple thing. Rope ladders. She hated rope ladders, not least because they made her discretion difficult. She'd just have to be last up and be careful.
Once on board, she looked around appreciatively. Although she'd wanted to follow the bosun and his burden, the mention of food reminded her of just how hungry she was and also how drained. She had few reserves of power and Ishtar had drained them. She would be useless to the woman now. She didn't miss the look on Nate's face, and while Erdu had quiet words with the captain, she followed close to him. Leaning over she asked quietly, her face open curiosity and honesty. "Y'know the lady?" She'd not be surprised with a rebuff or an evasion and intended to shrug it off. There was always more than one source of information.
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View All » Add Character » 39 Characters to follow in this universe
Newest
Onatha
Al Mayrin, Kanal tribe
Seig Krowne
A former prince of Kronezwall, now a wandering swordsman.
Selene Randoval
Member of the Shriah Order, motive unknown.
Inali Ismene (Black Fox Learning)
A young cecaelia making her way through the world in search of knowledge.
Captain Jackal Highwind
A renowned sky pirate, explorer and renaissance man who travels the skies above Altaea in his airship, the Batavian.
Jade Tel'hana
The Black Cat of Sarife
Vincent de Fanel
A magus
Caim Pendragon
A free knight
Eria Millieuelle
A travelling priestess
Trending
Inali Ismene (Black Fox Learning)
A young cecaelia making her way through the world in search of knowledge.
Vincent de Fanel
A magus
Eria Millieuelle
A travelling priestess
Seig Krowne
A former prince of Kronezwall, now a wandering swordsman.
Jade Tel'hana
The Black Cat of Sarife
Selene Randoval
Member of the Shriah Order, motive unknown.
Onatha
Al Mayrin, Kanal tribe
Captain Jackal Highwind
A renowned sky pirate, explorer and renaissance man who travels the skies above Altaea in his airship, the Batavian.
Caim Pendragon
A free knight
Most Followed
Captain Jackal Highwind
A renowned sky pirate, explorer and renaissance man who travels the skies above Altaea in his airship, the Batavian.
Seig Krowne
A former prince of Kronezwall, now a wandering swordsman.
Caim Pendragon
A free knight
Inali Ismene (Black Fox Learning)
A young cecaelia making her way through the world in search of knowledge.
Vincent de Fanel
A magus
Onatha
Al Mayrin, Kanal tribe
Selene Randoval
Member of the Shriah Order, motive unknown.
Jade Tel'hana
The Black Cat of Sarife
Eria Millieuelle
A travelling priestess
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Fullscreen Chat » Create Topic » Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients: Out of Character
Discussions
Most recent OOC posts in Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
Re: [OOC] Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
Farewell. It was fun while it lasted and I wish you all the best.
Re: [OOC] Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
Re: [OOC] Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
On top of work and training we still don't have internet here, so I'm hard pushed to find time to post. Once that's sorted though I should be able to post at least a little more regularly since I have a bit of free time in the evenings.
Re: [OOC] Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
Re: [OOC] Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
Re: [OOC] Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
I was going to be ducking out anyway, Im just making that much much sooner than later. I have enjoyed running with all of you and will look forward to future runs in the Altaea universe or elsewhere.
Thanks
Re: [OOC] Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
Re: [OOC] Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
I've been waiting for Xian to post in the meantime. But I might have to just jump in when I get back from work.
Re: [OOC] Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
Re: [OOC] Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
I have been away for a while and honestly Erdu as a character is a bit of a mystery to me. But I am determined to relearn him and get to where I can reinsert myself into this.
I imagine I will be jumping back into the followon RP as well, but one thing at a time.
Thanks
Re: [OOC] Altaea Saga: Song of the Ancients
Also, I'm finally able to clear the character list of all the redundant profiles. I've eliminated all our absent members. If somehow you feel your profile was deleted unfairly then PM me and we can discuss it, but given how I only deleted profiles for players who haven't posted in the last few weeks I think we should be fine.