Setting
https://youtu.be/RsihdhI_VjY
The Western ocean is the largest body of water in all of the known world, stretching for thousands of miles in all directions. The Great Island Chain in the furthest west is the last bastion of civilization before it all gives way to nothing but open seas.
The Wavecrest Archipelago is probably what about half the people in Creation think of when they think of living in the West. It’s tropical, its people are generally peaceful, and it is a wealthy tourist nation on a verdant volcanic isle. However, the leader, the Feathered One, keeps his position by feeding criminals to the volcano god when he grows angry, and of course the archipelago’s riches are not unenvied by others. While it appears idyllic, like all other directions, Wavecrest has its own problems.
The Neck is more provincial, a chain of islands loyal to the Realm where tribal inhabitants survive by fishingg and kelp gathering. They are relatively unspectacular, but they live on a treasure trove of ancient lore. Once, their islands were part of a larger continent called Okeanos. Though they do not realize it, they are living amidst the ruins of First Age glory.
The Coral Archipelago is what the other half of Creation imagines when they consider the West. They are a pirate nation, thinly disguised as merchants. While they bear nominal loyalty to the Realm, theirs is an economy based on thievery and nautical bullying. They believe in excellence winning out over weakness, and to them, the weak cannot protect their belongings.
The Denzik Merchants are actually merchants, a single floating city built by lashing the hulls of ships together, over and over, until it was large enough to support a culture. They sail around the West, taking on and budding off ships to spread their sails (and sales) to all the cultures of Creation. If you need some commodity in the West, the Denzik can find it.
The Skullstone Archipelago is a shadowland in the northwest, ruled by the Silver Prince. It is a necrocracy, where the dead rule and the living are second-class citizens. Unbeknownst to the people of Skullstone, their ruler is actually the Deathlord known as the Bodhissatva Anointed by Dark Water, and his “idyllic” necropolis is actually covering up a darker secret.
The Lintha are less a nation and more a rapacious culture based in the southwest. Accurately decribed as “demon-worshipping, cannibalistic, castration-happy slaver pirates,” they are the descendents of Kimbery, the Sea that Marched against the Flame, one of the Yozis. They raid and pillage in the southwest, led by the chosen of their demonic mother, seeking to regain the purity of their past.
Finally, Luthe was once a magnificent First Age city that floated atop the ocean, until the Usurpation came. The Solar in charge of Luthe chose to sink it, destroying herself, her subjects, and the assassins who came for her, dropping Luthe to the ocean’s floor. However, some of her people survived, and in time bred with beastmen to make a city of wondrous splendor. However, it is still guarded by Admiral Leviathan, the First Age Lunar who loved the queen of Luthe, and woe betide trespassers to his watery domain.
The region has been plagued for centuries by disorder. Pirates frequently patrol these waters, sometime even sponsored by powerful nations that vie for what scarce resources the islands can produce and making privatering a respected position among many in the west. Some, particularly the dredded Lintha Family Syndicate, even going so far as to defy the realm.
Local spirit courts are horribly mismanaged and fraught with infighting and corruption, likely the worst case in all of the five terrestrial regions. Special note must be made of the Storm Mothers in this case who dominate many the waterways. Known for their vanity and short tempers, they grow wrathful whenever they witness a woman more beautiful than they sailing their waters and unleash their fury on any boat carrying such pretties on their decks, which may well be all women for the Storm Mothers are universally hideously ugly. Subjected to this for so many centuries, many cultures here have adapted rigged gender roles to allay the Storm Mother' wrath.
The Western ocean is the largest body of water in all of the known world, stretching for thousands of miles in all directions. The Great Island Chain in the furthest west is the last bastion of civilization before it all gives way to nothing but open seas.
The Wavecrest Archipelago is probably what about half the people in Creation think of when they think of living in the West. It’s tropical, its people are generally peaceful, and it is a wealthy tourist nation on a verdant volcanic isle. However, the leader, the Feathered One, keeps his position by feeding criminals to the volcano god when he grows angry, and of course the archipelago’s riches are not unenvied by others. While it appears idyllic, like all other directions, Wavecrest has its own problems.
The Neck is more provincial, a chain of islands loyal to the Realm where tribal inhabitants survive by fishingg and kelp gathering. They are relatively unspectacular, but they live on a treasure trove of ancient lore. Once, their islands were part of a larger continent called Okeanos. Though they do not realize it, they are living amidst the ruins of First Age glory.
The Coral Archipelago is what the other half of Creation imagines when they consider the West. They are a pirate nation, thinly disguised as merchants. While they bear nominal loyalty to the Realm, theirs is an economy based on thievery and nautical bullying. They believe in excellence winning out over weakness, and to them, the weak cannot protect their belongings.
The Denzik Merchants are actually merchants, a single floating city built by lashing the hulls of ships together, over and over, until it was large enough to support a culture. They sail around the West, taking on and budding off ships to spread their sails (and sales) to all the cultures of Creation. If you need some commodity in the West, the Denzik can find it.
The Skullstone Archipelago is a shadowland in the northwest, ruled by the Silver Prince. It is a necrocracy, where the dead rule and the living are second-class citizens. Unbeknownst to the people of Skullstone, their ruler is actually the Deathlord known as the Bodhissatva Anointed by Dark Water, and his “idyllic” necropolis is actually covering up a darker secret.
The Lintha are less a nation and more a rapacious culture based in the southwest. Accurately decribed as “demon-worshipping, cannibalistic, castration-happy slaver pirates,” they are the descendents of Kimbery, the Sea that Marched against the Flame, one of the Yozis. They raid and pillage in the southwest, led by the chosen of their demonic mother, seeking to regain the purity of their past.
Finally, Luthe was once a magnificent First Age city that floated atop the ocean, until the Usurpation came. The Solar in charge of Luthe chose to sink it, destroying herself, her subjects, and the assassins who came for her, dropping Luthe to the ocean’s floor. However, some of her people survived, and in time bred with beastmen to make a city of wondrous splendor. However, it is still guarded by Admiral Leviathan, the First Age Lunar who loved the queen of Luthe, and woe betide trespassers to his watery domain.
The region has been plagued for centuries by disorder. Pirates frequently patrol these waters, sometime even sponsored by powerful nations that vie for what scarce resources the islands can produce and making privatering a respected position among many in the west. Some, particularly the dredded Lintha Family Syndicate, even going so far as to defy the realm.
Local spirit courts are horribly mismanaged and fraught with infighting and corruption, likely the worst case in all of the five terrestrial regions. Special note must be made of the Storm Mothers in this case who dominate many the waterways. Known for their vanity and short tempers, they grow wrathful whenever they witness a woman more beautiful than they sailing their waters and unleash their fury on any boat carrying such pretties on their decks, which may well be all women for the Storm Mothers are universally hideously ugly. Subjected to this for so many centuries, many cultures here have adapted rigged gender roles to allay the Storm Mother' wrath.
The West
A vast expanse of Ocean that stretches into infinity, broken only by scattered islands that grow fewer the farther one goes. Many myths tell of what lies beyond it, but few that venture that far return.
Minimap
northwest |
north |
northeast |
west |
You are here. |
east |
southwest |
south |
southeast |
The West is a part of 
Creation.
7 Characters Here
Astrid Grünewald [100] "Only a fool defies the Nightfangs, only the wicked deserve their wrath."
Lux Fiala [95] Life can change in an instant, whether for better or worse; don't let it break you!
Calliope Lordes [92] Know thy self, know thy enemy. #FE6979
Ashen Sky [91] "Clever is the predator that stalks it's prey. More clever is the hunter that bait's his predator."
The Artisan That Which Souls Cling [71] "Your flesh is weak, but malleable... After the operation it shall be neither."
Ioa [43] The runner who keeps on running.
The Storyteller [7] Me, the GM. I will be taking a more hands on route in directing the role play and the npc inhabitants of this world.
Start Character Here »
- 124 posts here • Page 5 of 5 • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Nimin sat through most of the morning with his pipe in hand, slowly taking one draw after the other. Watching as the whole conversation unfolded, while scanning through several pages of his book.
Off from the start he could tell that they'd have some issue with communication, despite how novel he found Ashen's vocal inflections to be. He was more than willing to deal with anyone who could catch his eye in the least. Though he did step in when Astrid spoke in regards to Lux. Keeping his tongue in the cleanest form of common that he could offer.
"It's not the point that someone might, or might no be afraid of stepping forward. It's simply the fact that more than a few of us gathered here are not going to be used to doing something like this. I can speak for myself whey I say that when it comes to subterfuge. I find myself not very motivated to do such things and as to our benefactor, I can only say that the possibility of such requirements being needed are still a possibility." He returns to pulling another breath through his pipe, giving his words a moment to soak in. "Now were this an epidemic of some disease, or some form of fever that was overtaking a small town on the frontier. Maybe even some sort of uprising that was costing the lives of hundreds. Then I'd be more inclined to put my foot forward. Even as it sits, I'm not unaccustomed to rescue missions, but we must not forget the scope of who it is we may be stepping between here."
Closing his book, Nimin stands and approaches. Making himself more center to the group before continuing.
"Now as I see it we have two choices."
"Either going to the target of all this directly. Seeing as this not only threatens Fakharu, but Sikunare as well. We should be able to ask that they either give us open pass in her territory, or direct help with retrieving the prisoner. Because if they're willing to blatantly kidnap someone so close to one dragon as to force their hand. Then they're most likely desperate enough to try something even more drastic. Which in Sikunare's case, she should be more than willing to avoid at this point.
"That, or we find allies among the people who have problems with the sirens as well, and if that should fail. We should be able to come up with a more conventional way of dealing with them, and retrieving Amarel in the best state possible."
Off from the start he could tell that they'd have some issue with communication, despite how novel he found Ashen's vocal inflections to be. He was more than willing to deal with anyone who could catch his eye in the least. Though he did step in when Astrid spoke in regards to Lux. Keeping his tongue in the cleanest form of common that he could offer.
"It's not the point that someone might, or might no be afraid of stepping forward. It's simply the fact that more than a few of us gathered here are not going to be used to doing something like this. I can speak for myself whey I say that when it comes to subterfuge. I find myself not very motivated to do such things and as to our benefactor, I can only say that the possibility of such requirements being needed are still a possibility." He returns to pulling another breath through his pipe, giving his words a moment to soak in. "Now were this an epidemic of some disease, or some form of fever that was overtaking a small town on the frontier. Maybe even some sort of uprising that was costing the lives of hundreds. Then I'd be more inclined to put my foot forward. Even as it sits, I'm not unaccustomed to rescue missions, but we must not forget the scope of who it is we may be stepping between here."
Closing his book, Nimin stands and approaches. Making himself more center to the group before continuing.
"Now as I see it we have two choices."
"Either going to the target of all this directly. Seeing as this not only threatens Fakharu, but Sikunare as well. We should be able to ask that they either give us open pass in her territory, or direct help with retrieving the prisoner. Because if they're willing to blatantly kidnap someone so close to one dragon as to force their hand. Then they're most likely desperate enough to try something even more drastic. Which in Sikunare's case, she should be more than willing to avoid at this point.
"That, or we find allies among the people who have problems with the sirens as well, and if that should fail. We should be able to come up with a more conventional way of dealing with them, and retrieving Amarel in the best state possible."
27 Days Until the Deadline
The group continued with breakfast and their discussion. One by one the others joined them and were brought up to speed on the issue. As the meal was winding down to a close, it was uninterrupted by a thunderclap in the distance. Ashen went rigged at the sound, his ears pointing straight and one of his chop sticks clattering against the plate. "Aw shads..." He muttered, before standing up and briskly walking to the port side window. He opened it and leaned out. Sure enough, on the horizon dark clouds had appeared where previously it had been a clear sky. Gingerly he leaned out and glanced down with trepidation. The sea had started to change color, to that a of a deep purplish green. It was the sign that the ship had passed into the storm mothers territory.
"Whelp." He muttered and turned back to the rest gathered at the table. "Tha point ma be muut...She knaws were 'ere." In that sea, Ashen could spot a trio of sharks circling the ship. It didn't take any great skill in observation to spot the telltale shimmer of stars on their scales and deduce that the three were no mere beast. "An looks like she sent us sum un ta greet us..."
An uncharacteristic nervousness befell the changing moon as he shut the window. His ears flattened themselves against his skull and he ground his teeth. He spoke again in river-speak. "I don' suppose any o' ye brought an offerin' with ye did ya?" He shook his head. "Nevermind... Let's go greet out guest."
He marched upstairs and trusted the others to follow him.
Up on the deck the sharks could still be seen circling in the water. They paused their patrol as the first of the exalts appeared on deck, and when a significant number of them had surfaced they leapt out of the water. Clearing the rail, the shark spirits change shape mid leap and land upon the deck in a new form, one that reminiscent of a humanoid shark. The leader of the trio stepped forward and gave a short bow. "Greetings honored exalts. We recognize your ship as of Fakharu's make. Lady Sikunare bids you welcome to her domain and has sent us to guide you to her court." The shark spirit raised it's head and smile with a row full of serrated teeth. Ashen noted that there had been no mention of their attendance in her court being optional.
She remained rather quiet throughout breakfast, mostly getting her fill from the available stock of dried fruits. While she did very much appreciate the effort Ashen had put into cooking rice, the fact that it was even slightly burnt was enough to turn her stomach...perhaps there was a bit of irony in that, given her status as a Fire Aspect.... It was something that couldn’t be helped; it wasn’t a matter of her being fussy if it actually made her nauseated. The issue was something with which she’d always dealt. Vered used to say she was being childish or immature, even rude, whenever she would refuse to eat something that had even a little char. The bit about it outright refusal of food being rude had always stuck with her, enough so that she always did her best to be discreet about it.
Things were as peaceful as they could be upon the sea for a while, and Lux continued to nibble upon various and unidentifiable fruits, just content that they still at least carried their natural sweetness with them.... Lux’s mindless peace was interrupted, however, when a vicious rumble of thunder echoed out, causing her to violently flinch, dropping her half-eaten fruit.
....she didn’t need to know much of anything about Spirits to know that probably meant...something important, and it probably had something to do with the apparently appropriately titled “Storm Mother,” Sikunare.
Recovering herself, Lux took note of Ashen’s comments, which otherwise confirmed her suspicions—indeed the Storm Mother was making them aware that she was aware. And that she was not letting them enter her territory without first asserting herself. While Lux had not known Ashen but for a day, the fact that he was definitely nervous about this was something that struck her as atypical for him. That Sikunare had sent a welcoming party for them...it had the Lunar worried. Probably understandable. Though matters regarding Spirits were far beyond Lux’s understanding, she was still intelligent enough to know that this situation was one to treat gingerly. After the fiasco that was yesterday, Lux reminded herself that she needed to keep it together today—Fakharu was definitely tolerant of the various shenanigans that occurred within his spire only because he was asking the group she was a part of for help. She’d more than made a fool of herself yesterday in his presence...and out of it.
The little Dragon-Blooded knew that such informality before a being that bore the title of “Storm Mother” would indeed not be abided. Lux needed to keep it together as best she could and not lose herself in any sort of hullabaloo today.
Ashen made an off-handed comment in Riverspeak that she caught as he made his way out of the galley to head to the deck, something about if anyone’d brought an offering...what sort of offering would be appropriate to this situation anyway? Lux DEFINITELY had no idea, and without knowing, the best thing that could be done was to be as respectful to Sikunare’s people as possible and hope for the best.
Saying nothing, the Fire Aspect rose to her feet, the Lantern coming to rest against her hip. She followed behind Ashen, a pensive expression upon her face as she ran her fingers through her still rather mussed hair. However, the hallway between the interior of the ship and its exterior was a tad…dark. And Lux’s eyes had yet to adjust, so before she could make it to the stairs she...tripped. It’d felt like something had wrapped around her ankle and purposefully made her lose balance! Naturally, Lux yelped and did her best to catch herself before on...something before fell over entirely. Not that her efforts did anything to help. If anything, her trying to do something only made the situation worse as her hand came to rest on an unsteady something-or-other, and when she fell, the something-or-other came tumbling down with her, and on top of her.
It was something metallic, and from within it was something squawking and panicking...a bird? The noises coming from the creature were what brought Lux back to cognizance so quickly. “For the love of Creation, just when I’m trying to make an effort to not make an idiot of myself....” she grumbled, flustered and hurrying to stand as she untangled herself from the various things that’d fallen upon her during her tumble. “And why is there a live bird just sitting in a dark hallway on a ship anyway...?”
Continuing to quietly kvetch to herself, Lux mostly managed to free herself and get back to her feet...save for one thing. The bird cage. The damnable thing had gotten ensnared on her belt loop, the one opposite her Lantern’s. Inside the cage, the bird was still calling, angry and as irritated as she probably was. Try as she might, Lux was unable to get the thing off her belt loop without being able to see. She did NOT have time for this right now! After about ten more second of senseless fiddling, Lux just groaned and gave up on the matter for the time being. Even if she looked the part of a fool again, it was better she be present when greeting those sent by Sikunare than not.
Continuing to grumble silently within her own head, Lux made her way up the stairs and onto the deck to be greeted by the sight of...humanoid shark...spirits? She’d missed their emergence from the waters below, but she had not missed the “welcome” from the one who she assumed was the leader of the bunch. He(?) greeted all on deck with a graceful bow, “Greeting honored Exalts, we recognize your ship as of Fakharu’s make. Lady Sikunare bids you welcome to her domain and has sent you to guide you to her court.”
The shark spirit raised up his (and Lux was only assuming his gender due to the voice that emanated from him at this point) head, and smiled at the lot of them, his mouth full of knife-like teeth. The mere sight of them was enough to make Lux nearly cringe, but she kept her composure. Though, perhaps that was the intent. He revealed his predatory teeth to intimidate, make himself even more frightening than his large stature already did. Indeed, he was...imposing. Perhaps this introduction was something of a test; a way to see who was cowardly and weak-willed among them...? Spirits were fickle, and their ways so strange that they were unknowable in every sense. That Sikunare would decide to see who could be easily disheartened and daunted upon entering her territory would be sensical...by the logic of a being such as herself...probably.
Lux took in a breath, gathering herself as best she could—Ashen hadn’t responded to the spirit, and...someone had to, right? Ignoring the still twittering bird that was caged and stuck to her side, Lux returned the gesture, bowing to the trio of spirits. Creation, hopefully she didn’t do something stupid and anger them.... “It is most gracious of Lady Sikunare to extend to us a personal welcome and guides to her court.” she stood back to her full height, a calm and serious expression upon her face as she made eye contact with whom she assumed was the leader of the spiritual trio. “The gestures are very much appreciated.” Not wanting to speak for anyone but herself, she did her best to keep her words neutral and polite, considering she probably looked like enough of a fool as is since she had a bird cage at one of her hips with a very irritated big in it....
Things were as peaceful as they could be upon the sea for a while, and Lux continued to nibble upon various and unidentifiable fruits, just content that they still at least carried their natural sweetness with them.... Lux’s mindless peace was interrupted, however, when a vicious rumble of thunder echoed out, causing her to violently flinch, dropping her half-eaten fruit.
....she didn’t need to know much of anything about Spirits to know that probably meant...something important, and it probably had something to do with the apparently appropriately titled “Storm Mother,” Sikunare.
Recovering herself, Lux took note of Ashen’s comments, which otherwise confirmed her suspicions—indeed the Storm Mother was making them aware that she was aware. And that she was not letting them enter her territory without first asserting herself. While Lux had not known Ashen but for a day, the fact that he was definitely nervous about this was something that struck her as atypical for him. That Sikunare had sent a welcoming party for them...it had the Lunar worried. Probably understandable. Though matters regarding Spirits were far beyond Lux’s understanding, she was still intelligent enough to know that this situation was one to treat gingerly. After the fiasco that was yesterday, Lux reminded herself that she needed to keep it together today—Fakharu was definitely tolerant of the various shenanigans that occurred within his spire only because he was asking the group she was a part of for help. She’d more than made a fool of herself yesterday in his presence...and out of it.
The little Dragon-Blooded knew that such informality before a being that bore the title of “Storm Mother” would indeed not be abided. Lux needed to keep it together as best she could and not lose herself in any sort of hullabaloo today.
Ashen made an off-handed comment in Riverspeak that she caught as he made his way out of the galley to head to the deck, something about if anyone’d brought an offering...what sort of offering would be appropriate to this situation anyway? Lux DEFINITELY had no idea, and without knowing, the best thing that could be done was to be as respectful to Sikunare’s people as possible and hope for the best.
Saying nothing, the Fire Aspect rose to her feet, the Lantern coming to rest against her hip. She followed behind Ashen, a pensive expression upon her face as she ran her fingers through her still rather mussed hair. However, the hallway between the interior of the ship and its exterior was a tad…dark. And Lux’s eyes had yet to adjust, so before she could make it to the stairs she...tripped. It’d felt like something had wrapped around her ankle and purposefully made her lose balance! Naturally, Lux yelped and did her best to catch herself before on...something before fell over entirely. Not that her efforts did anything to help. If anything, her trying to do something only made the situation worse as her hand came to rest on an unsteady something-or-other, and when she fell, the something-or-other came tumbling down with her, and on top of her.
It was something metallic, and from within it was something squawking and panicking...a bird? The noises coming from the creature were what brought Lux back to cognizance so quickly. “For the love of Creation, just when I’m trying to make an effort to not make an idiot of myself....” she grumbled, flustered and hurrying to stand as she untangled herself from the various things that’d fallen upon her during her tumble. “And why is there a live bird just sitting in a dark hallway on a ship anyway...?”
Continuing to quietly kvetch to herself, Lux mostly managed to free herself and get back to her feet...save for one thing. The bird cage. The damnable thing had gotten ensnared on her belt loop, the one opposite her Lantern’s. Inside the cage, the bird was still calling, angry and as irritated as she probably was. Try as she might, Lux was unable to get the thing off her belt loop without being able to see. She did NOT have time for this right now! After about ten more second of senseless fiddling, Lux just groaned and gave up on the matter for the time being. Even if she looked the part of a fool again, it was better she be present when greeting those sent by Sikunare than not.
Continuing to grumble silently within her own head, Lux made her way up the stairs and onto the deck to be greeted by the sight of...humanoid shark...spirits? She’d missed their emergence from the waters below, but she had not missed the “welcome” from the one who she assumed was the leader of the bunch. He(?) greeted all on deck with a graceful bow, “Greeting honored Exalts, we recognize your ship as of Fakharu’s make. Lady Sikunare bids you welcome to her domain and has sent you to guide you to her court.”
The shark spirit raised up his (and Lux was only assuming his gender due to the voice that emanated from him at this point) head, and smiled at the lot of them, his mouth full of knife-like teeth. The mere sight of them was enough to make Lux nearly cringe, but she kept her composure. Though, perhaps that was the intent. He revealed his predatory teeth to intimidate, make himself even more frightening than his large stature already did. Indeed, he was...imposing. Perhaps this introduction was something of a test; a way to see who was cowardly and weak-willed among them...? Spirits were fickle, and their ways so strange that they were unknowable in every sense. That Sikunare would decide to see who could be easily disheartened and daunted upon entering her territory would be sensical...by the logic of a being such as herself...probably.
Lux took in a breath, gathering herself as best she could—Ashen hadn’t responded to the spirit, and...someone had to, right? Ignoring the still twittering bird that was caged and stuck to her side, Lux returned the gesture, bowing to the trio of spirits. Creation, hopefully she didn’t do something stupid and anger them.... “It is most gracious of Lady Sikunare to extend to us a personal welcome and guides to her court.” she stood back to her full height, a calm and serious expression upon her face as she made eye contact with whom she assumed was the leader of the spiritual trio. “The gestures are very much appreciated.” Not wanting to speak for anyone but herself, she did her best to keep her words neutral and polite, considering she probably looked like enough of a fool as is since she had a bird cage at one of her hips with a very irritated big in it....
A hush had fallen over the group, one that Astrid was treating with mild disdain; her children had sat in a similar uneasy silence upon experiencing their first thunderstorm and she hadn't signed up for this expedition to play at being Mother, she got more than enough of that at home. She idly picked at the burnt rice, taking bites from it more out of boredom than any real hunger, the burned parts had a smoky crunch to them, but it was nothing worse than some of the burnt offerings she was usually expected to eat. She shot a quick glare at the deathknight, who was politely playing with his food, pretending to eat more of it than he actually was.
A bored sneer almost left her lips, but the little hairs on the back of her neck stood up and Astrid's focus was completely on Ashen Sky as he seemingly noticed the same thing. His words barely registered as she abruptly stood up to her full height, sending the chair she had been seated in skittering across the floor. Her body language became eerily still for a couple of seconds, before she casually returned to motion, following closely behind Ashen.
The Artisan frowned to himself for a few moments, watching the two Lunars quickly make their egress from the room. He was one of the last to leave the room, but the noise and sight of Lady Lux fumbling about in the dark was more than enough to elicit a chuckle as he slowly stood up and made his way to the deck. Just before taking the stairs above-deck, Artisan could hear Lux finishing up a polite greeting. After letting out a small sigh of relief that Astrid hadn't been the one to speak first, he made his way upstairs to stand with the rest of the Exalts before quickly realizing he had sighed too soon.
The Lunar chieftain began prowling the moment the shark spirit had landed; her gait was slow and meticulous, circling around the shark spirit in a way very similar to a shark circling its prey. Thankfully she was still in human form, and Artisan quickly tried to interject before she could make an incident out of this, "We are here on behalf of Lord Fak-" His words were quickly lost under the bark of laughter coming from Astrid, who had stopped directly in front of the shark spirit, interposing herself between the spirit and other Exalted.
"Well..? Some of us are in a hurry. So. Let's. Go." She poked her index finger into the shark's chest at the end of each sentence, as if to punctuate her point. "Or would you prefer us to tell Fakharu how we were delayed by an overgrown. Upstart. Fish?"
Had it been physically possible, Artisan's face would have turned even paler as the Lunar made it clear she wasn't impressed with their escorts. "Apologies for Lady Astrid's lack of decorum, but she is correct that we are on an urgent matter for the Western Censor; a matter he would be undoubtedly grateful to have resolved sooner rather than later; if you would be so kind as to escort us to see Lady Sikunare?" With a gracious smile, he hoped that a sense of duty and a healthy fear of the not entirely sane barbarian would be enough to keep the shark spirit from starting a pointless fight.
A bored sneer almost left her lips, but the little hairs on the back of her neck stood up and Astrid's focus was completely on Ashen Sky as he seemingly noticed the same thing. His words barely registered as she abruptly stood up to her full height, sending the chair she had been seated in skittering across the floor. Her body language became eerily still for a couple of seconds, before she casually returned to motion, following closely behind Ashen.
The Artisan frowned to himself for a few moments, watching the two Lunars quickly make their egress from the room. He was one of the last to leave the room, but the noise and sight of Lady Lux fumbling about in the dark was more than enough to elicit a chuckle as he slowly stood up and made his way to the deck. Just before taking the stairs above-deck, Artisan could hear Lux finishing up a polite greeting. After letting out a small sigh of relief that Astrid hadn't been the one to speak first, he made his way upstairs to stand with the rest of the Exalts before quickly realizing he had sighed too soon.
The Lunar chieftain began prowling the moment the shark spirit had landed; her gait was slow and meticulous, circling around the shark spirit in a way very similar to a shark circling its prey. Thankfully she was still in human form, and Artisan quickly tried to interject before she could make an incident out of this, "We are here on behalf of Lord Fak-" His words were quickly lost under the bark of laughter coming from Astrid, who had stopped directly in front of the shark spirit, interposing herself between the spirit and other Exalted.
"Well..? Some of us are in a hurry. So. Let's. Go." She poked her index finger into the shark's chest at the end of each sentence, as if to punctuate her point. "Or would you prefer us to tell Fakharu how we were delayed by an overgrown. Upstart. Fish?"
Had it been physically possible, Artisan's face would have turned even paler as the Lunar made it clear she wasn't impressed with their escorts. "Apologies for Lady Astrid's lack of decorum, but she is correct that we are on an urgent matter for the Western Censor; a matter he would be undoubtedly grateful to have resolved sooner rather than later; if you would be so kind as to escort us to see Lady Sikunare?" With a gracious smile, he hoped that a sense of duty and a healthy fear of the not entirely sane barbarian would be enough to keep the shark spirit from starting a pointless fight.
Ashen Sky nearly swallowed his teeth when Astrid strode forward and started prodding the shark spirit in the chest. Artisan beat the changing moon to the punch though and intercede between the two to make a valiant effort at smoothing feathers. For his own part the shark spirit seemed to take the Full Moons brazen attitude in stride. Maintaining eye contact with her, It's lips curried back revealing rows upon rows of teeth in a grin that was [¡]just[/i] shy of menacing. "Of course, of course. We wouldn't want to delay Fakharu's servants while his protection wanes." Impossibly that grin seemed get even wider. It took a step back and gave a quick bow, eyes still locked on Astrid. "The lady of the court will surely love to hear of this 'dire' task he has sent you on and the favors she might be willing to grant in aiding it."
While the shark spirit turned to its fellows, An irate Ashen Sky shot both the abyssal and his fellow lunar a dirty look. 'Thanks guys, let's just broadcast to the world that Ameral is the dragon's weak point and the easiest way to get leverage over him. It's not like he asked us to be tactful about this for any reason.' The leader of the shark spirits came forward again and presented a box held by his comrade. In it were several necklaces made of cowery shells. "The ladies court lies beneath the waves. While some of you might have the means to traverse the depths it is my understanding that humans struggle to respite water as we do. As such our Lady has sought fit to loan you these trinkets for the duration of your stay. Wear them and they will allow you to breath the water as easily as you would the air."
The box carrying sharkman approached each exalt one by one and held out the case for them to claim their own necklace. It paused when it came to Lux, and raised a brow at the sight of the caged at her side. "Aw, a raven. One of the Lady's favorite offerings. It is good to see that some among your number know the proper etiquette in meeting a storm mother."
Once it had completed its circuit around the the ships deck, the leader of the trio spoke up again. "Once you all have you talisman affixed, please, follow us." With no other prompting the three spirits stepped to the edge of the ship and promptly dove back overboard, returning to their bestial forms when they hit the water and resumed circling the ship while they waited for the exists to follow after them.
While the shark spirit turned to its fellows, An irate Ashen Sky shot both the abyssal and his fellow lunar a dirty look. 'Thanks guys, let's just broadcast to the world that Ameral is the dragon's weak point and the easiest way to get leverage over him. It's not like he asked us to be tactful about this for any reason.' The leader of the shark spirits came forward again and presented a box held by his comrade. In it were several necklaces made of cowery shells. "The ladies court lies beneath the waves. While some of you might have the means to traverse the depths it is my understanding that humans struggle to respite water as we do. As such our Lady has sought fit to loan you these trinkets for the duration of your stay. Wear them and they will allow you to breath the water as easily as you would the air."
The box carrying sharkman approached each exalt one by one and held out the case for them to claim their own necklace. It paused when it came to Lux, and raised a brow at the sight of the caged at her side. "Aw, a raven. One of the Lady's favorite offerings. It is good to see that some among your number know the proper etiquette in meeting a storm mother."
Once it had completed its circuit around the the ships deck, the leader of the trio spoke up again. "Once you all have you talisman affixed, please, follow us." With no other prompting the three spirits stepped to the edge of the ship and promptly dove back overboard, returning to their bestial forms when they hit the water and resumed circling the ship while they waited for the exists to follow after them.
Nimin watched as the scene unfolded. His history with spirits of all kinds were of a somewhat clouded variety, though he could tell that they were not outwardly hostile. Even with the earlier introduction being what it was, and Ashen's own response to what was transpiring.
An instance that had the Solar walk up behind Ashen slowly as they conversation continued, and placed a hand on his shoulder in an effort to consult him on the fact that this might not be the best of times. Though the look in his eyes did do enough to show Ashen that he too did share some of the same sentiment, at least in the slightest to be sure.
He looks down at the box of talismans as they make the pass in front of him and out of not wishing to cause disrespect, he plucks one from inside. Though he holds the small item in hand, running it's shape between his fingers as he did. Doing so to make sure that he was checking it's rounded shape for any indication as to what the item may be intended for. His fingers running along the narrow notches on the inside rim of the shell. As well as keeping in mind any variations that could be felt in the shells shape.
As the envoy leaps from the deck of the ship, he still keeps his eyes fixed on the edge of the deck for a few moments before bringing the talisman up to eye level. The curious little shell in his hand was still the dour brown, speckled coloration that he'd usually seen in such shells. Save for some small dim lines in the shells surface. Something that he was able to tell from touch alone.
It was a normally unused language from the isles surrounding most of the seaways, stretching from the north and all the way to the far south waterways. Though that was all for it's written inscription, his knowledge of such items however could easily tell that the talisman was lightly pulsing with some form of implicated enchantment.
"Well, it would be rude to just not accept."
An instance that had the Solar walk up behind Ashen slowly as they conversation continued, and placed a hand on his shoulder in an effort to consult him on the fact that this might not be the best of times. Though the look in his eyes did do enough to show Ashen that he too did share some of the same sentiment, at least in the slightest to be sure.
He looks down at the box of talismans as they make the pass in front of him and out of not wishing to cause disrespect, he plucks one from inside. Though he holds the small item in hand, running it's shape between his fingers as he did. Doing so to make sure that he was checking it's rounded shape for any indication as to what the item may be intended for. His fingers running along the narrow notches on the inside rim of the shell. As well as keeping in mind any variations that could be felt in the shells shape.
As the envoy leaps from the deck of the ship, he still keeps his eyes fixed on the edge of the deck for a few moments before bringing the talisman up to eye level. The curious little shell in his hand was still the dour brown, speckled coloration that he'd usually seen in such shells. Save for some small dim lines in the shells surface. Something that he was able to tell from touch alone.
It was a normally unused language from the isles surrounding most of the seaways, stretching from the north and all the way to the far south waterways. Though that was all for it's written inscription, his knowledge of such items however could easily tell that the talisman was lightly pulsing with some form of implicated enchantment.
"Well, it would be rude to just not accept."
Artisan smiled coyly in Ashen Sky's direction without ever taking eyes off the lead Shark Spirit. "The friend of my friend is my friend... usually. Besides, Fakharu is surely well enough known that Sikunare has heard of it already. Regardless we weren't hired for our tact or... lack thereof." His dark red eyes shot a tired look at Astrid who seemed to be entirely ignoring the conversation Ashen and him were pointedly having. With a bored tone, he finished off, "Let's pay our respects and be on our way without saying something unnecessary."
The Spirit carrying the trinkets started to make his rounds and Artisan quickly undid his heavy armor with a swift practiced routine. He made a curious note of Lux thinking ahead to have a favored offering for the Storm Mother, but that was a line of questioning better saved for when they were alone.
When the spirit came to him, he graciously accepted one of the cowry shell necklaces. The necklace made a curious noise of shell against shell as he appraised the trinket, but before he came to a final conclusion, that feral Lunar Chieftain quietly put on her necklace and without a word dove into the water. Artisan feared he'd never find out if she was just crazy or sporting a death wish, but she seemed fine so the necklaces probably weren't trapped.
He turned to look at the remaining Exalts gathered about, before settling his gaze on Lux and Ashen Sky. Putting a finger to his temple in a thoughtful gesture, and growing quiet for a few seconds before suddenly exclaiming. "Lord Ashen, Lady Lux; you both make the necklaces seem… fitting, though I can’t quite say how... "
Taking a few moments to ensure everyone had put on their talismans, Artisan smiled, ”Well put Sir Nimin; and rude is not something we can afford right now. To that end, maybe we should all say a prayer or thanks that Lux saw fit to bring a gift?” The deathknight was going to say a bit more, but Astrid’s voice, which was very quickly becoming one that was very stressful to hear, interrupted his train of thought.
”If the lot of you don't shut up and get in the water, I WILL meet with the Storm Mother myself.” A mix of amusement and horror went through Artisan when he heard her declaration, ”As I would rather have a drunken Raksha represent us, I’m going to make sure she does not."
The Spirit carrying the trinkets started to make his rounds and Artisan quickly undid his heavy armor with a swift practiced routine. He made a curious note of Lux thinking ahead to have a favored offering for the Storm Mother, but that was a line of questioning better saved for when they were alone.
When the spirit came to him, he graciously accepted one of the cowry shell necklaces. The necklace made a curious noise of shell against shell as he appraised the trinket, but before he came to a final conclusion, that feral Lunar Chieftain quietly put on her necklace and without a word dove into the water. Artisan feared he'd never find out if she was just crazy or sporting a death wish, but she seemed fine so the necklaces probably weren't trapped.
He turned to look at the remaining Exalts gathered about, before settling his gaze on Lux and Ashen Sky. Putting a finger to his temple in a thoughtful gesture, and growing quiet for a few seconds before suddenly exclaiming. "Lord Ashen, Lady Lux; you both make the necklaces seem… fitting, though I can’t quite say how... "
Taking a few moments to ensure everyone had put on their talismans, Artisan smiled, ”Well put Sir Nimin; and rude is not something we can afford right now. To that end, maybe we should all say a prayer or thanks that Lux saw fit to bring a gift?” The deathknight was going to say a bit more, but Astrid’s voice, which was very quickly becoming one that was very stressful to hear, interrupted his train of thought.
”If the lot of you don't shut up and get in the water, I WILL meet with the Storm Mother myself.” A mix of amusement and horror went through Artisan when he heard her declaration, ”As I would rather have a drunken Raksha represent us, I’m going to make sure she does not."
After looking over the talisman. Nimin rolls it over in his hand and begins to bind it around his wrist, rather then around his neck. Upon finishing, he holds the newly donned item up into the sun, as it's shape is cast off by the view of the horizon behind.
"I think that it's best we don't push our luck with these talismans being the only think keeping us from possibly drowning. The link to their source of power could be cut at any moment it seems."
Taking the time to set his personal items straight. He hands his pack over to a deckhand, so that it may be returned to his quarters and approaches the edge of the deck overlooking the waves below.
Looking deeply upon the waves, the Solar found himself smirking lightly whispering quietly."...and he piled upon the whales great white hump a sum of all the rage, if his chest had been a canon he would have shot his heart upon it...."
He turned towards the others, with that same wry look upon his face. He begins to disrobe of his heavier clothing, tossing it to the side to rest on a set of netted barrels. Leaving only his lighter tunic and braccae on and stowing the small dagger he'd kept from is belongings. Rolling it in his waste band for proper holding.
"At least it's a beautiful day for swimming"
A heavy feeling of sarcasm, almost demanding a bolt of lightning to fire across the scenery behind. Such as to emphasis the current situation that the group was in ebbed out. Though it looked far from killing his mood.
"I think that it's best we don't push our luck with these talismans being the only think keeping us from possibly drowning. The link to their source of power could be cut at any moment it seems."
Taking the time to set his personal items straight. He hands his pack over to a deckhand, so that it may be returned to his quarters and approaches the edge of the deck overlooking the waves below.
Looking deeply upon the waves, the Solar found himself smirking lightly whispering quietly."...and he piled upon the whales great white hump a sum of all the rage, if his chest had been a canon he would have shot his heart upon it...."
He turned towards the others, with that same wry look upon his face. He begins to disrobe of his heavier clothing, tossing it to the side to rest on a set of netted barrels. Leaving only his lighter tunic and braccae on and stowing the small dagger he'd kept from is belongings. Rolling it in his waste band for proper holding.
"At least it's a beautiful day for swimming"
A heavy feeling of sarcasm, almost demanding a bolt of lightning to fire across the scenery behind. Such as to emphasis the current situation that the group was in ebbed out. Though it looked far from killing his mood.
....she definitely didn’t have the foresight or the knowledge to have knowingly prepared a suitable offering for the Storm Mother she was about to meet. After she’d made her own peace, Lux saw fit to keep quiet as the others spoke. Offering up a few quiet, polite words of gratitude toward the shark spirit as he(?) handed her a necklace made of seashells she couldn’t identify, Lux kept her gaze averted from the spirits, doing her best to maintain a sense of sang-froid She would not allow herself to be cowed by anything she encountered today, it wasn’t something she could afford. Everyone else had their own way of handling the spirits—the best course of action for herself was likely to be conversationally selective. Extremely...selective. There was no controlling how the others acted, she could only control herself.
Astrid had already dove off into the waters below as Artisan said something about herself and Ashen making the necklaces seem fitting...? A strange compliment and one Lux wouldn’t have known how to respond to in ANY situation, anyway.
Lux stared at the evidently enchanted shell talisman in her hand, ignoring the squawking raven at her side. At least...having the thing stuck to her somehow turned out to be of benefit, either some deity of luck decided to smile upon her for once, or something was going to have one Hell of a laugh at her later over it. Assumedly, the talisman would also protect the raven from drowning as well as herself...Lux did not relish the thought of diving into the deep, dark ocean, whether offered protection from drowning or not. She never was fond of open water—maybe it had something to do with her Spark being that of Fire.
Sighing, Lux brought the enchanted necklace up and fastened it around her neck as she turned on her heel and headed back into the ship to her quarters to fetch her cloak. Perhaps it would be smarter to leave it, as it may end up heavy with seawater.... But she felt the need to have it with her, regardless. ….she also felt the need to discreetly tuck away her switch blade into one of her boots. Just…in case. Indeed, she had the Lantern with her already and was not about to leave it behind, but it was not a reliable means of defense if things went sideways.
Swallowing back the anxiety that came with the thought of diving freely into the open ocean, Lux took in a deep breath to calm herself as she headed back up to the deck. She heard the sarcastic comment made by Nimin about it being a beautiful day for swimming...at least he could joke about the situation.
“So beautiful indeed, that I could just throw up....” she quipped back at the Solar as she shut her eyes and gathered her composure, shoving down her anxiety and her rationale as it fought with her over what she was about to do. Even if she knew she was protected from drowning, her sense still argued with her over what she was about to do. Lux knew well enough that if let herself think about this anymore, it’d almost be too hard to...so, without letting another thought flit through her mind, the Fire Aspect took to a dead sprint, and leapt up over the handrail of the deck, preforming an uncharacteristically graceful dive into the dark waters below, joining Astrid.
Astrid had already dove off into the waters below as Artisan said something about herself and Ashen making the necklaces seem fitting...? A strange compliment and one Lux wouldn’t have known how to respond to in ANY situation, anyway.
Lux stared at the evidently enchanted shell talisman in her hand, ignoring the squawking raven at her side. At least...having the thing stuck to her somehow turned out to be of benefit, either some deity of luck decided to smile upon her for once, or something was going to have one Hell of a laugh at her later over it. Assumedly, the talisman would also protect the raven from drowning as well as herself...Lux did not relish the thought of diving into the deep, dark ocean, whether offered protection from drowning or not. She never was fond of open water—maybe it had something to do with her Spark being that of Fire.
Sighing, Lux brought the enchanted necklace up and fastened it around her neck as she turned on her heel and headed back into the ship to her quarters to fetch her cloak. Perhaps it would be smarter to leave it, as it may end up heavy with seawater.... But she felt the need to have it with her, regardless. ….she also felt the need to discreetly tuck away her switch blade into one of her boots. Just…in case. Indeed, she had the Lantern with her already and was not about to leave it behind, but it was not a reliable means of defense if things went sideways.
Swallowing back the anxiety that came with the thought of diving freely into the open ocean, Lux took in a deep breath to calm herself as she headed back up to the deck. She heard the sarcastic comment made by Nimin about it being a beautiful day for swimming...at least he could joke about the situation.
“So beautiful indeed, that I could just throw up....” she quipped back at the Solar as she shut her eyes and gathered her composure, shoving down her anxiety and her rationale as it fought with her over what she was about to do. Even if she knew she was protected from drowning, her sense still argued with her over what she was about to do. Lux knew well enough that if let herself think about this anymore, it’d almost be too hard to...so, without letting another thought flit through her mind, the Fire Aspect took to a dead sprint, and leapt up over the handrail of the deck, preforming an uncharacteristically graceful dive into the dark waters below, joining Astrid.
Setting
0.00 INK
OoC: I think Wake's for it. I am, though, a small bit of me wouldn't mind starting over.
Got side tracked by life stuff again but yeah, I'm willing to give this another shot if you all are.
Got side tracked by life stuff again but yeah, I'm willing to give this another shot if you all are.
Setting
0.00 INK
Whatever everyone's up for, starting over might be fun if we have new characters joining the fray...not to mention I may or may not now have a better grasp on Lux and a better vision of her history. ^-^;;
Setting
0.00 INK
I believe I still have you both on my discord friends list. I'll send you both a reinvite to the ToT server and we can talk there. I'm going to be a bit busy up till tuesday between work and other stuff but I'll pop in to chat when I can.
The New Rp is Live, click the link to get there.
- 124 posts here • Page 5 of 5 • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5